Nero Appoints Vespasian to Suppress Revolt

Josephus

The Jewish War 3.1–7

ca. 75

News of the reverses in Judaea naturally came as a fearful shock to Nero, though he concealed it well. His public reaction was one of dismissive irritation, claiming as he did that what had happened was more the result of lax generalship than of any formidable qualities in the enemy: and he doubtless thought that the dignity of empire required him…

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The defeat of Cestius Gallus, commander of Roman forces in Syria, when he travels south to quell the growing revolt in Judaea leads both to further disaster for the Romans and to the decision to respond to the growing revolt in Judaea much more seriously. Nero grows increasingly concerned that the rebellion will spread beyond the borders of Judaea. He appoints Vespasian, a distinguished general, to crush it. Josephus describes Vespasian as a career military man whose previous experience in the western empire distinguishes him above all other candidates to assume the job of vanquishing the Jewish revolt. Vespasian and his legions thus depart for Judaea.

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Creator Bio

Josephus

37–100

Flavius Josephus was born into a prominent Jewish priestly family and served as a general stationed in the Galilee during the First Jewish Revolt (66–73 CE). He was captured by the Romans and eventually integrated into the Flavian imperial aristocracy, who commissioned him to compose chronicles of the Jewish–Roman war and the history of the Jews. Josephus’ works, all written in Greek, include The Jewish War, Jewish Antiquities, Against Apion, and his autobiography, Life of Josephus. These writings provide important insights into the Judaisms of the Second Temple period and include one of the few surviving accounts of the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE.

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