The First Jewish–Roman War

In 66 CE a nobody, and minor priest by the name of Eleazar stood up to the oppression of Rome and declared “No more” in the bloodiest way imaginable. Sending a message to Rome that would have devastating effects on the nation of people who lived in Judea.

Yoseph ben Matityahu (better known to us as Flavius Josephus) is likewise a minor priest, but of noble birth. Sent to defend the northern borders of Judea against Roman reprisals. He thinks he’s going there to set up defenses but finds himself caught up in a civil war amongst his own people while facing off against the might of Roman legions and future emperor Vespasian.

Caught up in the siege of Jotapata (Yodfat), Joseph and Vespasian face off in a 2-month long siege culminating in one of the most controversial moments in Jewish history.

Yoseph, now a slave to Vespasian is forced to witness the destruction of the Jewish countryside as Roman forces obliterate rebel and civilian forces with equal vigor and dispassion, and yet the land of Judea is not so filled with the resistance Roman forces expected. Coming across the river Jordon already so full of bodies the current of Jordan carries them down to the Dead Sea. A Telling tale of a darker, internal conflict amongst the rebel leaders simultaneously fighting a civil war and war against Rome.

Those who fight a war on two fronts often find themselves unable to win either. As Rome closes in on Jerusalem a stranglehold on the city yields starvation, atrocities, and more internal fighting amongst the rebels. The inevitable grind of the Roman legions can only end in one result so significant it marks the end of an entire period of history known as the Second Temple Period.

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