Incitement to Revolt

Josephus

The Jewish War 2.264–265

ca. 75

So this boil [of the Egyptian false prophet] too was lanced, but, as happens in a sick body, another tumour broke out elsewhere. The charlatans and the terrorists joined forces to incite large numbers to revolt: they encouraged a fight for independence by threatening death to anyone who kowtowed to the dictates of Roman rule, and proclaiming that…

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Josephus recounts that the “charlatans and the terrorists” join together to force other Judeans to join their rebellion against the Roman Empire, bringing Judaea ever closer to full revolt.

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The Early Roman Period in History and Memory

1st Century BCE–3rd Century CE
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The First Jewish Revolt

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Trace the causes and battles of the First Jewish Revolt, from the siege of Jerusalem to the destruction of the Temple and the fall of Masada.

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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