Then and Now podcast

The War Began (AD 66)

We give a quick overview of the first year and a half of the Jewish War with Rome, which began in earnest in the Spring of AD 67. When Nero heard about the humiliating defeat of Cestius Gallus in the Fall of AD 66, he immediately sent Vespasian, one of his most capable generals, to…

Cestius Humiliated by Zealots (AD 66)

After Eleazar b. Ananias lawlessly put a stop to all Gentile sacrifices, the Moderates and pro-Roman citizens of Jerusalem pleaded with him to restore the sacrifices, but he refused. This division between the Moderates in the upper city and the Zealots in the Temple rapidly degenerated into armed conflict. Menahem overpowered the Roman garrison on…

Cestius Gallus Fiasco (AD 66)

We look at the early months of the Jewish rebellion (August through December AD 66). We notice how the Zealots quickly organized their government and prepared for the Roman attack. The Roman Legate in Antioch, Cestius Gallus, did not waste any time responding to the rebellion, but his attack on Jerusalem was mismanaged from start…