This document provides context about Judea in the early 1st century during the time of Jesus. It describes how Judea and Galilee were ruled by different leaders, with Judea under the control of Herodians and Rome. It also outlines the four main religious and political parties during this period: the Sadducees who were priests and aristocrats; the Pharisees who sought to reform Jewish life and politics; the Zealots who wanted to overthrow Roman rule; and the Essenes who were mystical end-of-the-world groups.