Bar Kokhba’s Defeat

During the provincial governorship of Quintus Tineius Rufus, the Romans mercilessly suppress the rebellion. The late third- to fourth-century CE historian Eusebius identifies the Jewish leader as Bar Chochebas, a name meaning “star.” According to Eusebius, Bar Kokhba, a murderous bandit, claims to be a luminary sent by God. In the eighteenth year of Hadrian’s reign, 135 CE, a final siege destroys Bar Kokhba and his forces at the fortress of Beitar, which Eusebius calls Beththera. In the aftermath of the revolt, Hadrian decrees Jerusalem and its environs off-limits to Jews. It is instead colonized by foreigners, and a new Roman city is built and named Aelia Capitolina in honor of the emperor, Aelius Hadrian.