Attention to empire monarchy and potentates within biblical texts proves fruitful for
illumining social and religious movements power dynamics and complex negotiations of culture
and economic realities in the ancient world. Critical imperial studies and postcolonialism
complemented by historical examination and contextual awareness shed new light on
representations of monarchy in Judaism of the second temple period. This historical moment in
which the empires of Alexander the Great and successors as well as of Rome emerge witnesses
various responses in Judea and in other colonized contexts to domination. The same period gives
rise to the second Commonwealth and Hasmonean dynasty. The relationship of the latter with
Seleucids and Romans is complex and provides additional vistas on navigating monarchy and
power. The articles in this issue explore empire and potentates across texts and traditions of
this historic context and in so doing further clarify biblical texts and related literature.
