A Brief History of the Jewish Revolts Against Rome
What drove people to rebel against the vast power of Rome? While the outcomes often seem tragically inevitable in hindsight, these revolts still happened—proof of their determination and cause.
Judaea in the Ancient World
Introduction
Judaea was a Roman province from 6-132AD, loosely comprising what is now Israel and Palestine. Prior to this it had been ruled by independent kings, who became vassal rulers of Rome from 63BC following the Republic’s conquest of the region. After 132AD it became part of the wider province of Syria-Palestine. Due to its position on the border between two empires, Rome and Parthia, Judaea was a melting pot of cultures. Moreover, it had inherited a significant Hellenistic legacy by virtue of Alexander the Great’s conquest and ongoing Greek influence. The independent kings of Judaea adopted much of this Hellenistic culture.
In attempting to summarise the various Jewish Revolts against Rome and its allies I have come up against the problem that there were quite actually quite a few conflicts, both large and small, some of which are wrapped up wider events.
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Herod’s campaign in Judaea (39-37BC)
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Revolt against Archelaus (4BC)
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Mount Gerizem Samaritan Revolt (36AD)
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First Jewish War (66-70AD)
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Kitos War, or the Second Jewish War (115-117AD)
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Bar Kokhba Revolt, or the Third Jewish War (confusingly also sometimes referred to as the Second Jewish War) (132-136AD)
Amidst these major events Judaea also played host to bands of bandits of varying sizes and ongoing low-level unrest.
While banditry and minor insurrectionist activity was not especially unusual in the Ancient World, what is unusual is the frequency of major revolts in Judaea that needed to be put down with ever-increasing ferocity by the legions of Rome. It was only after the genocidal level of depopulation caused during the Bar Kokhba Revolt that the incidence of revolts by Judaean Jews against Rome appears to have stopped.
The Revolts
Our Sources
It is difficult to write with much confidence about what people in the Ancient World thought, what drove them to act as they did. What evidence we do have usually concerns the upper echelons of society. It was the aristocratic wealthy who would typically be deemed worthy of mention in written sources, or whose legacy survives in more permanent structures and artefacts unearthed by archaeologists. The so-called common people sadly leave little trace in the historical records. It is particularly difficult to write about people’s motivations when the surviving evidence largely comes from the victors.
Our primary source of evidence comes from the Jewish writer Josephus in his books on the Jewish War (the First Jewish Revolt) and his later books on the “Antiquities of the Jews”. Josephus is unusual for being a former rebel who fought against Rome during the opening stages of the First Jewish War, but who later defected to Rome after his surrender. It is thanks to his writings that we have a chronology for the First Jewish War, something that is lacking for the two later wars. However, Josephus is very biased and many of the motivations he ascribes to his former rebel comrades must be treated with scepticism.
Other sources of evidence include the writings of Cassius Dio's account of the Bar Kokhba War, although this is far less detailed than Josephus' history and lacks Josephus' first-hand understanding of the rebel cause. We also have the Dead Sea Scrolls, which are particularly noteworthy for although they tell us little about the revolts themselves, they do offer a possible insight into the mindset of some Jewish religious leaders in the late first or second century AD. Likewise, parts of the New Testament are useful in this regard as well. However, how far these sources can be taken as representative of the wider Jewish population of Judaea is questionable.
Other than these, there are scraps of information that can be found in other written sources, although most of these refer to source material (itself often second or third hand) that has since been lost to historians. Finally, there is the archaeological evidence, although this usually tells us little about people’s motivations.
The Jewish revolts against Rome were driven by a combination of religious, political, and economic factors. Heavy taxation, land seizures, and widespread corruption under Roman governors created severe hardship for many, particularly in rural communities. These grievances were compounded by cultural and religious tensions, as Roman practices and imperial policies often clashed with Jewish laws and traditions. One of the most well known clashes was Emperor Caligula's decree that his image be displayed in the Temple of Jerusalem.
Messianic expectations also played a significant role. Throughout this period many Jews believed in the imminent arrival of a divinely appointed leader who would overthrow foreign oppressors and establish a restored, independent kingdom. Apocalyptic visions of divine intervention against Rome fuelled resistance, transforming economic and political struggles into a religiously charged movement for liberation. These factors, together with Rome’s often brutal suppression of dissent, made rebellion both a desperate and a hopeful response to years of suffering and subjugation.
Apocalyptic Visions & Hardship
Current Events
As I write this in December 2024, the ongoing conflict in Palestine and Israel continues to bring immense suffering, with countless lives lost, many injured, and entire communities displaced. The scale of this human tragedy is both heart breaking and deeply sobering. Some have asked why I’ve chosen this moment to start a project centred on the Jewish Revolt against Rome. My answer is that understanding history has never been more important. By exploring the past, we can gain insights into the complexities of conflict and resilience, helping to foster empathy and reflection. I hope this range of miniatures serves as a thoughtful and respectful way for people to engage with history while enjoying the camaraderie of tabletop gaming.