Judea is a historical and geographical region located in the ancient Eastern Mediterranean, in what is now modern-day Israel. The term "Judea" generally refers to the southern part of the region known as Palestine, which was inhabited primarily by Jewish people during biblical times.
Historically, Judea held great significance as a center of Jewish culture, politics, and religion. It is famously associated with the ancient kingdom of Judah and the city of Jerusalem, including its temple. Judea was governed at various times by a series of different powers, including the Israelites, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans.
Judea gained prominence in the first century BCE under the rule of King Herod the Great, who was appointed by the Romans as the "King of the Jews." This period witnessed notable historical events, such as the birth and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, who is a central figure in Christianity.
The term "Judea" is also used in a broader sense to refer to the land of Jews, Jewish identity, and historical Jewish territories in general. Today, the region that corresponds to ancient Judea is part of the modern State of Israel, with Jerusalem being its capital and regarded as a significant religious and cultural hub for Jews worldwide.
