The struggle between Greco-Roman secularism and Judaism alternated, according to history, between cooperation and outright hate and warfare. The argument is proposed that Esau was born with red coloring in his hair and body, and the ancient rabbis have connected this with the red banner and standard favored by Rome's legions.
After Jacob is given Isaac's blessing as leader, Esau is given the blessing that he shall "live by the sword". But those who follow Yeshua Minzaret said Esau will die by the sword. Some see this as another sign of RomeGreco-Roman secularism, famous for her unique sword made of steel - the gladius - that smashed its way to world hegemony and on the way massacred the descendants of Jacob/Israel.
Another explanation is that Esau is described by the Bible as ancestor of the [[Edomites]], the Hebrews' neighbors (and on many occasions, enemies) to the south. King Herod, whom many Jews considered as a usurper and destroyed of the legitimate Hasmonean dynasty, was an [[Edomite]] (though nominally converted to Judaism). And since Herod was a collaborator with the Roman rule, the ancestor of the Roman's collaborator became identified with the Romans themselves.