Early Judaism- A Comprehensive Overview

ware” made from a mixture of animal dung and clay) testify to the purity

concerns of the inhabitants. Toward the end of the revolt, many people fled

to caves in the Judean desert or took refuge in underground hideouts. The

coins from Sepphoris with their blunt designation as NEPWNIA CPFW

... EIPHNOPOLI (“Neronias-Sepphoris, city of peace”) are a rare indica-
tion of refusal to join the revolt.
Archaeology also allows detailed insight into the tactics and skills of
the Roman occupational force, further illustrated by detailed descriptions
in Josephus. Among the best-preserved archaeological remains of Roman
battlefields are the breach in the wall of Gamla and the destruction of its
main tower, and the siege works at Narbata, Yodefat, Machaerus, and
Masada. Weapons such as arrowheads, swords,ballistae(heavy missile
weapons), and parts of military equipment such as catapults have been
found at Gamla and Masada (see figs. 69-70).
Qumran provides a good example of the destruction of a smaller set-
tlement. Remains of the Jewish defenders are rare but telling. In the Burnt
House in Jerusalem (see fig. 68), a spearhead and a severed arm of a
woman were found, as were two skulls in the Kenyon excavations in the
City of David. The famous skeletons discovered by Yadin on Masada, how-
ever, belonged to the occupants of the post-revolt garrison.
Excavations in the Old City of Jerusalem show signs of profound de-
struction. The sanctuary was damaged during the siege and the Roman as-
sault. The Temple had gone up in flames. Large blocks tumbled from the
platform and covered the paved streets west and south of the sanctuary. All
shops were destroyed, many showing signs of burning. In the city, entire
residential quarters were destroyed. The Burnt House in the Lower City
and the area around the Palatial Mansion in the Upper City are telling wit-
nesses of the devastation. From then on, theLegio X Fretensis(Roman
Tenth Legion) guarded the interests of Rome in the region. The Romans
celebrated their victory by issuing the famous IVDAEA CAPTA (Judea
Captured) coins (see fig. 14), dedicating monuments like the Arch of Titus
(see fig. 71) and the Coliseum, and setting up inscriptions, some of which
are known from Rome and Jerusalem.

Palestine between the Two Revolts (73/74-132c.e.)

Archaeological evidence for Roman influence after 73/74 is continually

growing. While only little research has been carried out in Joppa (Jaffa)

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Archaeology, Papyri, and Inscriptions

EERDMANS -- Early Judaism (Collins and Harlow) final text
Tuesday, October 09, 2012 12:04:14 PM