In the beginning of the story in particular, Malthace's opinion on the Roman occupation differs greatly from that of Joel and Daniel. Although Malthace agrees with Joel and Daniel that the occupation is hateful, she is much more willing than they are to enjoy life as much as she can, as long as the Romans don't harass her specifically. She asks Joel,

"Do they have to bother us...what use is it to be always making yourself miserable? The Romans won't be here forever. We know that deliverance will come."

Malthace shares with Joel and Daniel the belief that Israel will be freed from Roman rule, but she is comparatively content to wait until that deliverance arrives, living life to the fullest as best she can. Joel and Daniel, on the other hand, are consumed by hatred for the Romans, and long to have a hand in effecting their demise. Daniel has devoted his life to fight for Israel's freedom, and Joel feels that the coming of the promised Messiah is near. Joel believes that the Messiah will lead an army to overthrow the Romans, and dreads being sent to Caparnaum for fear that he will miss out and not be there to follow Him (Chapter 1).

In The Bronze Bow, how does Malthace's view of Roman occupation compare to Joel's and Daniel's?

The very first chapter establishes the different view of the Roman occupation that Malthace has compared to Joel, her brother, and Daniel. When they first meet in this opening chapter, it is clear that Joel and Daniel share very similar views concerning the Roman occupation. Joel and Daniel both swap Roman curses and Daniel believes that the land is "cursed by the Romans," and that until they are removed, "no one is free." Of course, Joel has come to this remote part of land because he has heard rumours of the freedom fighters headed by Rosh, because he wants to join in the struggle to get the Romans out of his land.

However, Malthace, it is clear, has a very different opinion. Note what she says when her brother brings this topic up. She asks whether the Romans "have to bother us" and then in response to her brother's scorn then explains her position:

But what use it is to be always making yourself miserable? The Romans won't be here forever. We know that deliverance will come... There have always been conquerors--and there was always deliverance, Joel.

Malthance then does share her brother's and Daniel's view about the Romans up to a certain point, but she certainly does not hate them with the same passion. She is content to trust in God's deliverance which she believes will come, and she is determined that the Romans will not ruin her life and make her miserable.

How does Malthace's opinion on Roman occupation compare and contrast with Joel's and Daniel's?

All three of the characters hate the Romans and their occupation. Joel and David want to join an army, fight, and conquer their invaders. Malthace believes that Israel has been conquered many times before and been delivered from the conquerors. While the boys want rebellion now, she is content to wait for a Messiah who will come with a host of angels and sweep their enemies away. It has always been so in the past and will be so again. This is the way Joel and Malthace's father believe. The boys are not content to sit and wait while the moderates, like Malthace and her father, are content to wait for divine intervention. Later, after the brother and sister hear what happened to Daniel's family at the hands of the Romans, they place they hands on the book of Enoch and swear to seek vengeance. They boys do not want Thace to be involved since she is a girl, but they let her swear the vow with them.