66 CEJudaea
1,960 years ago
A region in this history (Pleiades 981527). 5 posts and events, oldest first.
, Judaea
Clashes in Caesarea and the governor Florus' looting set off a revolt across Judaea. Josephus fought in it before going over to Rome.
at the same time began the war, in the twelfth year of the reign of Nero
Background: First Jewish–Roman War, Wikipedia (opens en.wikipedia.org)
What was going on: Judaea, 67 CE, during the revolt against Rome. Nicanor is urging Josephus to come out to the Romans. Writing of himself, Josephus says he recalled dreams in which God showed him what would happen to the Jews and to Rome's emperors, and prayed in secret.
Why it matters: The first of three major Jewish rebellions against Rome, the revolt ended with Jerusalem and the Temple destroyed, mass displacement and the end of the Jewish polity.
God, since you have brought my people low and handed their luck to Rome, and chose me to tell the future, I surrender and will live. I go as your servant, not a deserter.
Since it pleaseth thee, who hast created the Jewish nation, to depress the same, and since all their good fortune is gone over to the Romans, and since thou hast made choice of this soul of mine to foretell what is to come to pass hereafter, I willingly give them my hands, and am content to live. And I protest openly that I do not go over to the Romans as a deserter of the Jews, but as a minister from thee.
What was going on: Judaea, 67 CE, in the revolt against Rome. Josephus, telling it himself in the third person, was with men who had resolved to die, and as their general he had them draw lots to kill one another in turn.
Why it matters: The first of three major Jewish rebellions against Rome, the revolt ended with Jerusalem and the Temple destroyed, mass displacement and the end of the Jewish polity.
He and one other man were left last, by chance or by God. Not wanting to die or to kill his own people, he talked the other man into living too.
…yet was he with another left to the last, whether we must say it happened so by chance, or whether by the providence of God. And as he was very desirous neither to be condemned by the lot, nor, if he had been left to the last, to imbrue his right hand in the blood of his countrymen, he persuaded him to trust his fidelity to him, and to live as well as himself.
What was going on: Judaea, 67 CE, during the revolt against Rome. Josephus, writing of himself by name, has just been captured and led to the Roman general Vespasian, while soldiers crowd round and some shout for his death. Titus is Vespasian's son.
Why it matters: The first of three major Jewish rebellions against Rome, the revolt ended with Jerusalem and the Temple destroyed, mass displacement and the end of the Jewish polity.
Above all, his own courage and the prisoner's patience made Titus pity him. Seeing a fighter suddenly a captive made him think how fast fortune turns in war, and that no one's place is safe.
Above all the rest, Titus's own valor, and Josephus's own patience under his afflictions, made him pity him, as did also the commiseration of his age, when he recalled to mind that but a little while ago he was fighting, but lay now in the hands of his enemies, which made him consider the power of fortune, and how quick is the turn of affairs in war, and how no state of men is sure;
What was going on: Judaea, 67 CE, early in the Jewish revolt. Josephus, who fought against Rome, has been taken captive, and Vespasian plans to send him to Nero. Josephus asks to speak privately, before Titus and two friends. He tells this himself.
Why it matters: When the prediction came true, Vespasian, who took Josephus' prophecy to be divine, set him free.
Why send me to Nero? Will the rulers after Nero, before you, even live? You, Vespasian, are Caesar and emperor, you and your son here.
Dost thou send me to Nero? For why? Are Nero's successors till they come to thee still alive? Thou, O Vespasian, art Caesar and emperor, thou, and this thy son.
