How did the dispersion routes of the Israelites compare under the Romans and the Babylonians? The Israelites had more opportunities for independence in different lands under the Romans than under the Babylonians. The Israelites preferred the lands of the Roman Empire because they were more welcoming than those of the Babylonian Empire. The Roman Empire was far larger than the Babylonian Empire, so Israelites were forced to travel long distances to worship freely. Because the Babylonian Empire was larger than the Roman Empire, the Israelites had more options to spread their culture.