Factional Infighting in Jerusalem

Although it appeared in mid-68 CE that Vespasian himself would lay siege to Jerusalem, he bided his time, knowing that the internecine fighting among the factions in Jerusalem was weakening his enemy for him and that if he waited, they would be much weaker. After finally beginning the siege, he received news of Nero’s death and put his military and siege operations on hold to await further instructions from the new emperor. During these months, as the result of further chaos and civil strife in Rome, Vespasian and his soldiers decided that Vespasian himself should become the next emperor and restore stability to the empire.

In the following passage, Josephus describes the factional infighting taking place in Jerusalem during this lull in Roman military operations—a pause that may also have led to Jewish disbelief that the Romans would destroy Jerusalem. After the Zealots—an extreme anti-Roman party unwilling to reach any agreement with Rome—oust the provisional government in Jerusalem in 68 CE, the city becomes trifurcated by violent factionalism. Josephus explains that this violence is far more harmful than any damage the Romans ever brought to Jerusalem. Older citizens yearn for the arrival of the Romans to save them from the ravages of internecine warfare. Eleazar ben Simon controls the inner Temple, while the gang of rebel leader John of Gischala—who came to Jerusalem in 68 CE, after fighting in the Galilee—polices the outer courtyard. Meanwhile, Simon son of Gioras oppresses the city at large. As John attacks Eleazar’s men in the inner court of the Temple, pilgrims are killed in the cross fire, and the Temple sacrifices and altar are defiled with human blood. The infighting crescendos as John and Simon burn the Jerusalem storehouses, which Josephus explains could have fed the city for years. Feuding devastates the Temple environs, and famine engulfs the city—even before the siege begins.

Josephus characterizes the miserable populace as praying for the Romans to come to save them from these factions and their leaders—and too weak to challenge them.