War for Jerusalem in First Century
The Jewish nation fights to the death to save its spiritual center.
By Rabbi Ken Spiro, AISH
The might of Rome could not be challenged.
In response to the revolt of the Jews, in 67 CE Rome sends out the empire’s most experienced commander, Vespasian, at the head of four legions. This is a massive force. Each legion has 6,000 fighting men plus an equal number of auxiliaries for a total of nearly 50,000 Roman soldiers.
(One of these four legions, the 10th is the most famous. It is commanded by Vespasian’s own son, Titus, and has a boar as its symbol.)
The Roman goal: the annihilation of those Jews who dared to rise against Rome and who have heretofore (unbelievably) succeeded.
Shrewdly, Vespasian begins his campaign in the north. Any city or town that resists his advance is utterly destroyed, its population slaughtered or taken into slavery, the women raped, property pillaged. Then, the surrounding area is denuded of trees and the fields strewn with salt to ensure that nothing would grow there again.
While always brutal in warfare, the Romans surpass themselves when it comes to the Jews. Their aim is to send a message throughout the Empire: any resistance against Rome will end in total and complete devastation.
Vespasian hopes that by the time he turns to Jerusalem, the Jews will have seen that resistance is futile and have surrendered.
But, even with four legions, Vespasian has a tough fight on his hands. CONTINUE
