First Jewish–Roman War facts for kids
The First Jewish–Roman War was a major conflict between the Jewish people in the Roman province of Judea and the powerful Roman Empire. It is often called The Great Revolt. This war lasted from 66 AD to 70 AD, and it ended with the Roman Empire winning.
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How the War Started
The war began in 66 AD in a city called Caesarea. There was a lot of disagreement and tension between the Greek and Jewish people living there. This tension grew into a protest against the high taxes that Rome was collecting.
One day, the Greeks performed a sacrifice of animals right in front of a Jewish Synagogue. This was very disrespectful to the Jewish people. Because of this, the Jewish people stopped offering sacrifices to the Roman Emperor, which was a big deal and seen as an act of rebellion.
Early Battles and Roman Response
A Roman general named Gallus tried to stop the rebels. But he lost an important battle at a place called Beth Horon in 68 AD. This defeat showed the Romans that the revolt was serious.
After this loss, Emperor Nero replaced General Gallus with a new, strong leader named Vespasian. Vespasian began to defeat the rebel groups in the northern and southern parts of Judea, and the rebellion started to weaken.
The Fall of Jerusalem and Masada
Later that year, Emperor Nero was removed from power. The Roman forces then surrounded the city of Jerusalem. By 70 AD, they managed to break through the city walls. Once inside, the Roman soldiers burned and destroyed much of the city, including the Second Temple, which was a very important religious building for the Jewish people.
The last place where the rebels held out was a strong fortress called Masada. In 73 AD, Roman soldiers finally broke through its defenses. However, when they entered, they found that all the defenders had chosen to take their own lives rather than be captured.
Aftermath of the War
As a result of the war, many Jewish people in the area were forced to leave their homes or were sold into slavery. A historian named Josephus wrote about the war. He claimed that over a million people died, though his numbers are often thought to be too high. The war had a huge impact on the Jewish people and their history.
Images for kids
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An ancient Roman coin. The words IVDEA CAPTA mean "Judea Captured." These coins were made to show that the Romans had won and that future rebellions would fail. Judea was shown as a crying woman.
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A Roman coin showing Titus, around 79 AD. The other side of the coin celebrates his victory in the Judaean wars, showing a Jewish captive kneeling in front of Roman weapons.
