14. The Consequences of the First Jewish War
Roman Province Iudaea (as from 70 CE)
Showcase 14: Roman Province Iudaea (as from 70 CE)

As a result of the First Jewish War, Judea became a Roman province and Caesarea Maritima was elevated as the governmental headquarters. In Rome, the victory over the Jews was celebrated by Titus and his father Vespasian with a great triumphal procession. More than ten years later, after Titus’ death, Domitian (81 – 96 CE) erected the Arch of Titus in Rome, which is visible today at the entrance of the Forum Romanum (Fig. A.). One relief within the arch shows the triumphal procession from the year 71 CE. With Jewish slaves, objects from the Temple in Jerusalem are visible as war booty, including the seven-armed candelabra (menorah), the showbread table (shulchan hapanim), and two trumpets (hasosra) (Fig. B.). In 1948, this representation was adopted into the current state seal of Israel.

The war did not end with the conquest of Jerusalem. Three fortresses were still held by the insurgents. The impressive mountain fortress Masada was only taken by the Romans with extreme military force in April 74 CE. During the course of the siege, the Roman troops erected an enormous ramp in order to reach the walls with their rams (Fig. C.). Before the soldiers could infiltrate the fortress, the 960 men, women and children trapped within took their own lives.  

Judea now fell under Roman provincial administration. Although the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed and the Jews forbidden to enter the city, each Jew above twenty years of age was still required to pay the Temple tax. The fee was called by Vespasian the fiscus Iudaicus (Jewish tax) and went to the temple of Jupiter in Rome. While the tax for the Jerusalem Temple had only affected grown men between 20 and 50 years of age, the fiscus Iudaicus was imposed on all Jews, including women, children, the elderly, and even Jewish slaves. Domitian enforced this law severely (Fig. D.). In the course of his reign, the term “Judaist” became a derogatory term for political opponents; it could even lead to death, as the Roman historian Cassius Dio reported in the case of the Roman consul Flavius Clemens, who was executed for his “Jewish conduct”, with his possessions subsequently confiscated (Cassius Dio 68,1,2). Under Emperor Nerva (96 – 98 CE) the levy of the Jewish tax was relaxed.

Context
  • Arch of Titus in Rome

A: Arch of Titus in Rome (©: M. Ziegert)

  • Arch of Titus in Rome: transitional relief showing Triumph

B. Arch of Titus in Rome: transitional relief showing Triumph (©: M. Ziegert)

  • Masada: Ramp and Legionary Camps

C. Masada: Ramp and Legionary Camps (©: Zev Radovan)

  • Aureus of Domitian (©: KHM, MK RÖ 87049)

D. Aureus of Domitian (©: KHM, MK RÖ 87049)

  • E. Coin hoard from Masasa, posession of the Bank of Israel (©: Bank of Israel)

E. Coin hoard from Masasa, posession of the Bank of Israel (©: Bank of Israel)