Report from Palestine

It is 27 AD. You are a Roman official, who has recently arrived in Jerusalem. Pontius Pilate has been procurator of Palestine for about a year.

A Roman soldier has been murdered, probably by a Jewish Zealot. It is an act of terrorism.

You have to write a report for an imperial official, Imperius, explaining the political and religious situation in Palestine.

Remember you are a Roman official, so you will be sympathetic to Roman Rule.

In your report, include the following:

A brief explanation of the way the Romans administer Palestine (that is, who rules which parts);

A description of the following groups: Herodians Zealots Samaritans Sadducees Pharisees Scribes Essenes Publicans

Don't just list these groups, but say how they are related to one another;

Give your opinion (as a Roman) of the situation in Palestine, and say how you rate the difficulty of the job which Pontius Pilate has.