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170 BETH SHEARIM (Eretz Israel)
Became the new center of learning under Judah HaNasi.
C. 170 MELITO, BISHOP OF SARDIS (Asia Minor)
Published a sermon "On the Passion" in which he blamed the Jews for the persecution and death of Jesus and absolved Pontius Pilate and the Romans from any guilt. Although there was much evidence to the contrary his stand served to rid the Romans of any responsibility or shame and thus encourage them to convert. This is one of the first times the Jews were officially accused of deicide.
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