As discussed in the previous lecture, Roman rule in Jerusalem began in 63 BCE with General Pompey. During this era, there are two notable Jewish revolts. The first of which, known as the "Great Revolt" lasted from 66 to 73 CE. The second revolt, called the "Bar-Kokhba Revolt," lasted form 132 to 135 CE, and was led by a man named Simon Bar-Kokhba.
Sources for the first revolt come from works (like the Antiquities of the Jews) written by a man named Flavius Josephus. Originally a general in Jerusalem, he chooses to change sides, as he writes mostly in a pro-Roman perspective. From his telling, the revolts resulted from zealots, religious infidelity, among other reasons in an effort to take the blame away from Rome. Another source comes from a man named Tacitus who explains the revolts as rising form messianism and from an inept administration. Archaeological sources back some of the claims made by both of these historians.
After Herod's death, his kingdom is divided among 3 sons, whose powers were more limited. The first, Archelaus, was ethnarch of Judea. he was ineffective, recalled to Rome, and sent into exile in 6 CE. The second, Herod Antipas, became tetrarch from 4 BC until his exile in 39 CE. He inherited Perea, Galilee, and the Transjordan area. The final son, Herod Philip, was tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis, which are Northwest of the Sea of Galilee. He ruled form 4 BCE until his death in 34CE. He was able to build a temple to Augustus because the land he ruled over was very far from Jerusalem.
These Herodian rulers, however, were ineffective and therefore, they were replaced by Roman procurators, establishing direct Roman Rule in Israel.
Of these procurators, the most notable was Pontius Pilate, as he presided over the trial of Jesus and ordered his execution. He was governor form 26-36/7 CE, and not only was he ineffective, but he also provoked the Jews, with pagan symbols on his coins. From the time period 6-66 CE, Roman governors were very inexperienced. Coupled with Jewish nationalism and the advent of messianism and apocalyptic mindsets, internal conflicts were on the rise, eventually leading to open revolt in 66 CE.
Marking the first revolt in Jerusalem are coins that mark Jerusalem's independence from Rome, with inscriptions stating, "for the Freedom of Zion." Establishing their own currency was a way to use propaganda to fuel the revolt. However, in 67 CE, Roman General Vespasian is appointed to conquer Galilee, and in the following years, Nero dies, proclaiming Vespasian as Emperor of Rome in 70 CE. Then, Vespasian's son, Titus, takes over in the spring of 70CE. Then on the 9th of Ab, the same day as the destruction of the first Temple, Titus destroys the Second Temple. Then in 73 CE, the Masada holdouts (hiding in Herod's palace at Masada) commit suicide as the Roman troops begin marching up to the mountain.
Meanwhile, the Temple remains in ruins, until Hadrian converts it to a Temple dedicated to Jupiter in 135 CE. With the destruction of the second Temple, the Jews must revisit the cognitive dissonance felt after the destruction of the first Temple. As punishment, Vespasian issued a fiscus iudaicus, a special tax for Jews only. This gives a fiscal incentive to refuse Judaism. However, the destruction of the Temple started a transformation where the religion became more spiritual. Archaeological evidence that proves the account of the first revolt can be found in the Arch of Titus in Rome (where he commemorates his victory over Jerusalem), and in the Judea Capta Coins that were issued after the city's defeat.
Unlike the first revolt, there are not many sources for the second revolt. It was led by a man named Simon Bar-Kokhba, who attempted to embrace the role of an apocalyptic messiah who will deliver his people. In his endeavor to "liberate Jerusalem," he refers to himself as the "prince" (NSY), since he cannot call himself "King" or "Priest" as he is of neither line. Archaeological evidence found for the second revolt includes the Bar-Kokhba Revolt Coins, where it can be seen that he tries to mint coins similar to the ones found in the first revolt. However, as he mostly likely couldn't speak Hebrew fluently, there are many mistakes on these coins, and many of them are "overstrikes" (he took Roman coins and minted over them, so he didn't have to purchase his own silver). Depicted on these coins, was the second Temple; he uses this iconography in order to instigate passion within his followers, referring to the times when Jerusalem was independent.
However, the second revolt ended in bloody massacres, as Hadrian (Emperor of Rome) rebuilds Jerusalem as a Roman city, Aelia Capitolina, with a Temple dedicated to Jupiter. As a final punishment, he bans the Jews from the city. Survivors of this revolt are believed to lead two major sects known today as modern Judaism and Christianity.
It is commonly believed that the destruction of the city and the Temple marked the beginning of synagogues, where worship can occur outside of the Temple. An idea which contrasts completely with Hezekiah and Josiah's religious reforms.
No comments:
Post a Comment