Roman Tactics against the Jewish Revolt

In his Histories, the late first- and early second-century historian and politician Tacitus recounts another version of the events in Judaea leading up to and including the First Jewish Revolt. This history also includes a description of the fortifications surrounding Jerusalem and the Temple. In an interesting interpretation of omens allegedly manifesting prior to Jerusalem’s defeat, Tacitus acknowledges the Jews’ anticipated victory, deriving from what he calls the Jews’ expectation of overturning empires as recorded in their “priestly writings.” Tacitus, however, understands such omens as signaling the victories of the Roman emperors Vespasian and Titus.