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Titus takes Jerusalem and the Temple burns

70 CE, Jerusalem. An event.

Where and when

70 CEJerusalem

1,956 years ago

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, Jerusalem

After a five-month siege, Vespasian's son Titus storms Jerusalem. The Temple burns, and the city is pulled down.

Caesar gave orders that they should now demolish the entire city and temple

Josephus 7.1Translated by William Whiston (1737)Read the full passage (Josephus 7.1, opens scaife.perseus.org)

Background: Siege of Jerusalem (70 CE), Wikipedia (opens en.wikipedia.org)

Why it matters

The city's fall effectively ended the revolt and marked a turning point in Jewish history: with sacrifice no longer possible, Judaism gradually reoriented around Torah study and prayer.

Based on Wikipedia: Siege of Jerusalem (70 CE)

The city's fall marked the effective end of the revolt and a turning point in Jewish history.

With sacrificial worship no longer possible, Judaism gradually reoriented around Torah study, acts of loving-kindness, and synagogue prayer, a development that culminated in Rabbinic Judaism.

Wikipedia, Siege of Jerusalem (70 CE) (opens en.wikipedia.org), as of 2026-09-25. Text CC BY-SA 4.0. Our line is checked against these sentences only.

Related moments

In time order, with this one in its place. Each says why it is here.

  1. 66 CE4 years earlier Judaea rises against Rome Same years
  2. 68 CE2 years earlier Nero kills himself as the Senate declares him an enemy Same years
  3. 69 CE1 year earlier Four emperors in one year Also about war and empire
  4. 70 CEThis momentTitus takes Jerusalem and the Temple burns
  5. set in 70 CESame year Josephus on the burning of the Temple Rests on this eventAlso in Jerusalem
  6. set in 70 CESame year Josephus on the famine in besieged Jerusalem Rests on this eventAlso in Jerusalem
  7. set in 70 CESame year Josephus mourns the Temple Rests on this event
  8. set in 70 CESame year Titus orders the Temple fire out, per Josephus Rests on this eventAlso in JerusalemAlso about war and empire
  9. set in 71 CE1 year later Josephus on the war paraded through Rome Rests on this event
  10. c. 73–74 CEabout 3 years later Masada falls, ending the Jewish revolt Same years

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