Siege of Jerusalem
Was internal conflict Jerusalem’s greatest enemy during the roman siege?
4.4 (38)
52 mins
Explore the rise of Roman control over Judea and growing tensions with Jewish traditions. Discover how internal conflicts among Jewish groups weakened Jerusalem during the siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Learn about the destruction of the Second Temple and how Judaism shifted to synagogue life and Torah study.
Ep 1:
The Spark of Rebellion
Trace the century of Roman occupation, religious oppression, and radical resistance that turned Judea into a powder keg—until one corrupt procurator's greed ignited open revolt in 66 CE.
Ep 2:
Rome's Iron Answer
Rome answers rebellion with overwhelming force as Vespasian and then Titus march on Jerusalem, while inside the city, deadly factional rivalries do more damage than any Roman legion.
Ep 3:
The Walls Begin to Fall
Titus's legions encircle Jerusalem and unleash the full engineering might of Roman siege warfare, breaching wall after wall as desperate defenders fight—and starve—behind crumbling defenses.
Ep 4:
The Temple in Flames
The Second Temple, heart of Jewish faith, goes up in flames as fighting reaches its climax—while inside the city, famine drives the population to unimaginable horrors.
Ep 5:
Ashes and Empire
With resistance crushed, Rome erases Jerusalem stone by stone and hauls its treasures and captives home, staging a triumphant parade that immortalizes the conquest in marble and memory.
Ep 6:
Rising From the Ruins
In the ashes of catastrophe, a shattered people reinvent their faith entirely—forging Rabbinic Judaism and a portable religion that would outlast the empire that destroyed their Temple.
Discussions (12)
Clint
Level 4 · 9 mo agoClaiming Titus tried to save the Temple is laughable. He ordered it burned to break their will. No way a soldier acts alone in a disciplined legion.
Preston
Level 7 · 9 mo ago> The largest group was the Zealots Not so. Simon Bar Giora commanded 15,000 men while John of Gischala had only 6,000. The Zealots were actually the minority faction in the city.
Conan
Level 8 · 9 mo agoThe real scandal is the Zealots burning their own food supplies. Talk about toxic! You don't starve your own people just to prove you are the boss.
