Wargaming the Jewish Revolts: The Kitos War (115-117AD)

The Kitos War, which took place between 115 and 117 AD, was one of the most violent and far-reaching episodes in the long and troubled history of Jewish–Roman relations. Although it is less well known than the First Jewish War, or the later Bar Kokhba Revolt, it had lasting consequences for both the Jewish people and the Roman world. Its origins, course, and aftermath offer valuable insight into the fragility of imperial control and the complex realities of identity and resistance in the ancient Mediterranean.

Confusingly, the Kitos War is chronologically the second of the three major Jewish revolts against Rome, however, it is rarely referenced as such. Instead, the Bar Kokhba Revolt is typically referred to as the Second. There are a couple of reasons for this. Unlike the First and Second Jewish Wars, the Kitos War was not centred on Judaea. Nor did it have a single leader or a “nationalistic” focus (although this is arguably an anachronism in itself). Moreover, Roman sources, such as Cassius Dio, framed it as a series of local rebellions against Roman rule across the Empire, rather than as a single coherent rebellion. Historians have subsequently followed the lead of such sources when naming this war.

Causes of the Kitos War

In the years following the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD, Jewish communities across the Roman Empire found themselves in a precarious position. Beyond the deep spiritual trauma caused by the Temple’s loss, they faced the burden of the Fiscus Judaicus, a special tax levied on Jews throughout the empire. In addition to this economic hardship, Jewish populations in regions such as Egypt, Cyrenaica, and Cyprus often lived alongside Greeks and Romans, competing for resources and influence. Relations between these groups were often tense, and old resentments had never fully disappeared.

Statue of the Emperor Trajan

Messianic hopes also played a significant role in the period. Many Jews continued to believe that divine intervention would restore Israel’s fortunes, and this hope sometimes inspired calls for active resistance. When Trajan embarked on his ambitious military campaigns against the Parthian Empire, drawing large numbers of Roman troops to the eastern frontiers, some Jewish groups saw an opportunity. The temporary weakening of Roman presence as a consequence of Trajan’s campaign in key provinces created the impression that rebellion might succeed where previous efforts had failed.

The Revolt Begins

Violence broke out first in Cyrenaica, where a leader named Lukuas, also known as Andreas, rallied Jewish insurgents to attack Roman citizens and local Greeks. Ancient accounts, particularly from Cassius Dio, speak of widespread slaughter and the destruction of entire cities. Although the exact scale of the devastation is difficult to confirm, the impact on the region was undoubtedly severe. The revolt quickly spread to Egypt, particularly Alexandria, where violent clashes between Jewish groups and Greco-Roman inhabitants led to the partial destruction of the city.

At the same time, Cyprus saw a major uprising led by Artemion. Here too, Jewish forces are reported to have committed massacres against the Greek population. In response, Roman authorities expelled Jews from the island, and the ban on Jewish settlement remained in place for centuries. Meanwhile, in Mesopotamia, where Trajan's armies were engaged in their eastern campaigns, local Jewish communities joined uprisings against Roman forces. The exact nature of their involvement is debated, but it appears that Jewish groups sought both autonomy and revenge against longstanding grievances.

The Roman Empire responded with characteristic ruthlessness. Trajan assigned the suppression of the revolts to two trusted generals. In Egypt and Cyrenaica, Marcius Turbo led a combined land and naval campaign to crush the rebellion. In Mesopotamia and Judaea, Lusius Quietus was entrusted with restoring Roman control. His campaigns were brutal and highly effective, earning him the governorship of Judaea for a time. The later term "Kitos War" likely derives from Quietus’ name, reflecting his key role in the conflict.

Aftermath

By the summer of 117 AD, the revolts had been largely suppressed. Yet their consequences were profound. Jewish communities in Cyrenaica, Egypt, and Cyprus were devastated, and in many places, they never fully recovered. The destruction of these important diaspora centres led to a shift in the focus of Jewish life, with Galilee and Babylonia emerging as new cultural and scholarly heartlands.

In a deeper sense, the repeated failures of armed revolt may have forced a transformation in Jewish identity. The defeats of the first and second centuries led Jewish communities to move away from militant nationalism towards a religious and communal focus. The emphasis on study, law, and spiritual endurance that came to define Rabbinic Judaism can be traced back, at least in part, to the lessons learned during and after these catastrophic conflicts. It is worth bearing in mind that on this point historians are still divided about how Rabbinic Judaism developed through the various Jewish revolts.

For Rome, the Kitos War highlighted once again the difficulty of governing a diverse empire. Trajan’s successor, Hadrian, would attempt to impose greater uniformity while also curbing sources of unrest. Yet tensions persisted, seemingly being a factor leading to the Bar Kokhba Revolt just a few decades later. In the final reckoning, the Kitos War was far more than a series of brutal uprisings. It was a turning point that reshaped Jewish life, challenged Roman imperial assumptions, and left a legacy of loss and resilience that would echo for centuries.

Wargaming the Kitos War

What attracts me to the Kitos War as a wargamer is the sheer variety of combatants. With revolts taking place in Cyprus, Mesopotamia (Iraq), Egypt, Cyrenaica (Libya) and possibly even Judaea, this is a great excuse for breaking out a huge variety of models to face the Jewish rebels. The bulk of the fighting likely involved auxiliary troops rather than legionaries, although doubtless the legions were also involved, especially in Mesopotamia where Trajan was campaigning. However, locally raised troops would definitely have been involved as well. In Mesopotamia it is entirely plausible that Parthian troops would also have been involved as well. While we do not have many specifics for how the various revolts panned out, we do know that the revolts centred on urban areas such as Alexandria, and involved some sieges. The lack of information gives the wargamer great latitude in how they present the war on the tabletop.

Further Reading

It is difficult to recommend reading material focussed specifically on the Kitos War. Cassius Dio's works are an interesting read in their own right (book 65 covers some of the revolts that collectively comprise the Kitos War), however the other ‘primary’ sources for the war come from 3rd/4th century Christian writers and it is increasingly difficult to know how reliable these are, nor are these very accessible to the layman. Nor are there any current histories in print that I could honestly suggest solely focused on this conflict.

Therefore, for an easily accessible synopsis of the conflict I would recommend the Wikipedia article, which is well referenced. Alternatively, it may be worthwhile picking up a more general history of the Jews, of which there are several by historians such as Simon Scharma and Paul Johnson.