History
Course:
Lesson Five
Title:
Jewish resistance (Masada and Bar Kokhba)
Introduction:
Masada
(70 – 73)
- Final Jewish
resistance to the Romans.
Leader
of the Zealots – Menahem
Descendant
of Judas the Galilean who began Zealot uprising in AD 6.
Took
fortress of Masada
Agrippa
sent 2000 horsemen to put down the uprising.
Menahem
marched on Jerusalem killing Ananias and Ezekias, the father and uncle of Eleazar the High Priest.
Eleazar
killed Menahem when he went into the Temple dressed in
royal robes.
Eleazar,
the son of Jair
Followers
of Menahem rallied behind his relative also called
Eleazar, the son of Jair,
who led them back to Masada which they held until AD 73.
The
Romans finally overcame the Jews at Masada by building a ramp so they could get
to the top. The Romans found the Jews had committed suicide.
Judaea
Capta
(Judea captured)
Rome’s
victory over the Jews is seen on coinage.
Arch
of Titus in Rome commemorating Titus victory over the Jews
The
Arch was built c. AD 81
Depicts
spoils from Jerusalem – Golden Lampstand
Jewish
revolt - Bar Kokhba (132 – 135)
The
Roman Emperor Hadrian renamed Roman province of Judea as Syria Palaestina
Renamed
Jerusalem as Aelia Capitolina
Expelled
most of the Jews from Judea
Large
Jewish populations in Samaria and Galilee
Syria
Palaestina became known as Palaestina.
Wadi
Murabbaat Caves (18km south of Qumran)
When
the Bar Kokhbar Revolt (132-135) was almost over the
Jews fled into the caves in the Judaean
wilderness.
Personal
items have been found from this time and written manuscripts.
Including
Biblical scrolls, marriage contracts and business contracts.
Biblical
texts dated 2nd century found at Wadi Murabbaat resemble the Masoretic
Text.
The
texts are from the Pentateuch, Isaiah, Minor Prophets, and the
Psalms.