Affect
on Jerusalem
During the reign of Nero he paid little
attention to the growing troubles in the Middle East. Greedy governors
began looting and taking money from the Jewish people. Since the times
of Tiberias the Jews had to deal with the intolerant Romans. Corrupted
men like Gessuis Florus stole money from the great temples and treasuries,
had his troops raid the Jewish markets and destroy, and finally capture 3600
men, women, and children and he had them slaughtered. Finally the Jews
had had enough so in 67 AD the revolt began lead by the Zealots and the Sicarii
(an elite group of warriors). Not long after the rebels had control
of Jerusalem and the neighboring cities. Cestius Gallus lead the 12th legion
from Antioch to recapture Judea. The Jews slaughtered them and chased
them back. Finally they surrendered and the Jews slaughtered 400 of
their men. Herod Agrippa sent 2000 riders to help the Jewish cause.
When Nero gets word of this massacre he is outraged. So Nero sends
his most abled general, General Vespasian an excellent military strategist.
General Vespasian arrived with 3 legions and swiftly destroyed Galilee.
In 68 AD Nero commits suicide and General Vespasian becomes emperor. He sails
beck and with 80,000 troops begins to take siege of the heavily fortified.
Since the Romans can only attack the one side they begin to pummel the tall
walls. They crushed the first wall and a few days later crushed the
second. Their final tactic was starvation and lack of supplies.
Soon the Jews where throwing dead bodies over. Then in 70 AD Titus
offer to spare the temple in the last rebels would come out and fight.
The rebels to not obey and burn the temple themselves. So then the
first temple is burned.