Jerusalem in Revolt: Lecture 12.1 - January 17, 2011

            After Herod, his Kingdom was divided among his three sons whose powers were much more limited than his. The Kingdom was divided regionally. Archelaus became the ethnarch of Judea, Herod Antipas became the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea and Herod Phillip became tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis right above the Sea of Galilee. As these regions stemmed further and further from Jerusalem, there was less Jewish culture and customs practiced. Gradually, rule shifted to Roman governors. Pontius Pilate became the ruler of Judea from 26-36 CE but he provoked the Jews and was ineffective. He tried Jesus and ordered his execution, but was soon recalled to Rome in 36 CE. The Roman governors in Jerusalem, between 6 – 66 CE, posed provocations from all sides and instigated growing internal Jewish conflict. In 66 CE, Jewish militants engage in open Revolt against Rome and the Roman governor of Syria, Mucianus was defeated. However, in 67 CE Vespasian is appointed to conquer Galilee Transjordan but in the Spring of 70 CE his son, Titus, takes charge and destroys the Temple on the 9^th of Ab. This devastation led to the fleeing of Jewish holdouts to Masada, the southwestern shore of the Dead Sea, where many committed suicide. The first revolt is ended in 73 CE and Judea capta coins are made in order to further establish the Roman’s success and the Jewish defeat.

            Sixty years later, there was the second revolt known as the “Bar-Kokhba Revolt.” It was led by Simon Bar-Kokhba who tried to embrace the idea of messianism in attempt to be a savior to the Jews. He referred to himself as a “Prince” because it was the greatest non-royal and non-priestly title he could possibly have. The revolt which lasted from 135-132 CE was unsuccessful and was ended by Roman emperor Hadrian. Hadrian banned circumcision and rebuilt Jerusalem as a Roman City (Aelia Capitolina) with a Temple to Jupiter on the Temple Mount. He also banned all Jews from the city and essentially kicked them out. This led to the building and development of Synagogues as an alternate form of worship other than the Temple which was now a center of worship for Jupiter. Synagogues established prayer as their form of sacrifice, had a shrine for the Torah in place of the Ark of the Covenant, and they were built on the highest place in town in order to be closer to heaven. Judaism was now transforming into a religion of the book.