Conquering Jerusalem: The AD 67–73 Roman Campaign to Crush the Jewish Revolt

Historian Dando-Collins (Caesar’s Legion) presents a granular, blow-by-blow account of the first Jewish uprising against Roman rule in Judea. He opens with the 66 CE attack on the Roman garrison of Masada by Menahem ben Judah, leader of a band of Jewish nationalists known as the Sicarri, or “daggermen,” who assassinated Roman collaborators “by sidling up to them in crowds, drawing a dagger from beneath their cloaks, then stabbing their victims before melting back into the crowd.” Seizing weapons from the garrison, Menahem and his followers marched to Jerusalem, where a revolt against Roman procurator Gessius Florus was already underway. Jewish Temple official Eleazar ben Ananias killed Menahem in a power struggle, took control of partisan forces in Jerusalem, and executed the remaining Roman legionaries after promising them free passage if they surrendered. Jewish forces defeated the first Roman army sent to reclaim Jerusalem, but a brutal siege led by Roman general Titus, combined with infighting among rebel leaders, succeeded in 70 CE, resulting in the destruction of much of the city. Dando-Collins draws on recent archeological findings to relate many gruesome death scenes, but his attempts to provide historical context are less than enlightening. This uneven chronicle is best suited to hardcore military history buffs. Agent: Richard Curtis, Richard Curtis Assoc. (July)