Edom originally referred to a group of people, descended from Esav, who lived south of Judea (negev) called Idumians in Latin. They were conquered by the Hasmonean King John Hyrkanos (Yochanan Cohen Gadol) and forced to convert to Judaism (Yes, that’s right) Rome came to be associated with Edom by installing an Edomite king over Judea (Herod the Great). The Herodian kings were clients and vassals of Rome.
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