[Avodah] Apikores?

[Zev Sero]

Micha Berger wrote:

> : But He permitted, and even commanded, judicial / executive enforcement
> : of Halachah.
> 
> But when Sanhedrin saw that the masses weren't on the same page, and
> oneshim would turn Inquisition-esque, they exiled themselves to
> prevent the eventuality.

Was that the reason?  Or was it because they were prevented by the
Romans from carrying out their duty?

(Consider a famous execution that was carried out by the Romans rather
than the Jews, right around the time the Sanhedrin moved offices.
Cause?  Effect? Just coincidence?  Or pure fiction?)
 

-- 
Zev Sero               Something has gone seriously awry with this Court's
zev at sero.name          interpretation of the Constitution.
                       	                          - Clarence Thomas