An Egyptian False Prophet

Josephus

The Jewish War 2.258–263

ca. 75

As well as these [the Sicarii] another group of criminals came into being, less bloodstained in action but with a more blasphemous agenda, who ruined the calm of the city just as much as the assassins. These were cheats and impostors, peddling revolution and political change under the guise of divine inspiration. They managed to excite the people…

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A further contributor to the growing tensions that led to the First Jewish Revolt was Jewish messianism, the belief in the imminent arrival of a salvific figure who would usher in the end of days and deliver the Jews from Roman tyranny. This belief system could at times, as here, motivate Jewish rebelliousness and Roman response. (See Messianism.)

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The Early Roman Period in History and Memory

1st Century BCE–3rd Century CE

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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An ancient, curved metal dagger and scabbard displayed side by side on a flat surface. The dagger has a corroded blade and worn surface, and a hilt with three rounded knobs.
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Sica Dagger

These short swords were used by the Sicarii, who, according to Josephus, would pull them from their cloaks at public gatherings to attack Romans and alleged Roman sympathizers.
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