Jewish-Roman wars facts for kids

The Jewish-Roman wars were a series of big fights between the Jewish people living in the Roman province of Judea and the powerful Roman Empire. These wars happened because the Jewish people wanted to be free from Roman rule.

• The First Jewish–Roman War (66–73 CE) was also known as the Great Jewish Revolt.
• The Kitos War (115–117 CE) is sometimes called the Second Jewish-Roman War.
• The Bar Kokhba revolt (132–135 CE) is also known as the Second Jewish-Roman War (if the Kitos War isn't counted) or the Third (if it is).

Other revolts by Jewish people in the Judea Province included:

• The War against Gallus (351 CE), which started in a city called Sepphoris.
• The Revolt against Heraclius (613 CE), which began in Tiberias.

What Were the Jewish-Roman Wars?

The Jewish-Roman Wars were a group of conflicts that took place in the ancient land of Judea. This area was a province (a part of a larger empire) controlled by the powerful Roman Empire. The Jewish people living there often felt that Roman rule was unfair or went against their beliefs. Because of this, they sometimes rose up in revolt, which means they fought back against the Roman soldiers and leaders.

Why Did These Wars Happen?

There were several reasons why the Jewish people rebelled against Rome. The Romans often tried to change Jewish customs or put Roman gods and symbols in Jewish holy places. This made many Jewish people very angry. They also had to pay high taxes to Rome and felt they had lost their freedom. These tensions often led to violent clashes.

The First Jewish-Roman War (66–73 CE)

This was the biggest and most famous of the Jewish revolts. It started in 66 CE (Common Era) because of growing anger over Roman rule and religious differences. The Jewish people fought bravely, but the Roman army was very strong and well-trained.

Key Events of the First War

The war lasted for several years. Roman generals like Vespasian and his son Titus led the Roman forces.

• Siege of Jerusalem: The Romans surrounded the city of Jerusalem in 70 CE. After a long and terrible siege, the city was captured.
• Destruction of the Temple: The Second Temple in Jerusalem, which was very important to Jewish life and religion, was destroyed by the Romans. This was a huge loss for the Jewish people.
• Fall of Masada: The last major stronghold of Jewish rebels was the fortress of Masada. In 73 CE, the Romans finally broke through its defenses.

The end of this war had a huge impact on Jewish history. Many Jewish people were killed or forced to leave their homeland.

The Kitos War (115–117 CE)

This war is sometimes called the Second Jewish-Roman War. It happened many years after the first big revolt. This time, the fighting wasn't just in Judea. Jewish communities in other parts of the Roman Empire, like Cyprus, Egypt, and Libya, also rose up.

Why the Kitos War Started

The reasons for this revolt are not fully clear, but it likely involved continued tensions with Roman rule and local non-Jewish populations. The Roman Emperor at the time was Trajan. His general, Lucius Quietus (whose name sounds like "Kitos"), was sent to put down the revolts, which is how the war got its name.

The Kitos War was very destructive in the areas where it took place, but it didn't have the same long-term impact on Judea itself as the first war.

The Bar Kokhba Revolt (132–135 CE)

This was the last major Jewish revolt against Rome in ancient times. It's often called the Second or Third Jewish-Roman War. It was led by a man named Simon bar Kokhba, who many Jewish people believed was a messiah (a special leader).

Causes of the Bar Kokhba Revolt

The main reasons for this revolt were:

• Roman Emperor Hadrian's policies: Emperor Hadrian made laws that were very unpopular with Jewish people. He banned some Jewish religious practices.
• Building Aelia Capitolina: Hadrian planned to build a new Roman city called Aelia Capitolina on the ruins of Jerusalem. He also planned to build a temple to the Roman god Jupiter there. This was seen as a great insult.

The Fight and Its Outcome

Simon bar Kokhba was a strong leader, and the rebels had some early successes against the Romans. They even managed to create an independent Jewish state for a short time. However, the Roman Empire sent a huge army, led by general Sextus Julius Severus, to crush the revolt.

The Bar Kokhba Revolt ended in a terrible defeat for the Jewish people. Many more were killed, and the Romans made it even harder for Jewish people to live in Judea. The name of the province was even changed from Judea to Syria Palaestina to try and erase its Jewish connection.

Later Jewish Revolts

Even after these major wars, there were smaller Jewish revolts against Roman and later Byzantine rule. These show that the desire for freedom and self-rule continued for centuries.

• War against Gallus (351 CE): This revolt happened much later, in the 4th century CE. It started in the city of Sepphoris and was put down by the Romans.
• Revolt against Heraclius (613 CE): This was an even later revolt, in the 7th century CE, against the Byzantine Empire (the eastern part of the old Roman Empire). It began in Tiberias and was part of a larger conflict with the Sasanian Empire.

These wars were very important in shaping the history of both the Jewish people and the Roman Empire.