66 AD
Flavius Josephus, The Jewish Wars, Book II, Chapter 20, Section 5
As opposed to Jerusalem and Judea, the Jewish communities in the Galilee are surrounded by gentile cities and villages who have remained loyal to Rome and could be aided by troops coming from the north or the Mediterranean. The Jewish communities of this region are able to contribute a great number of men and bountiful crops from their particularly fertile soil. However, they are largely unskilled and possess scarce armament. Joseph ben Matitiyahu – later known as Flavius Josephus – is appointed commander of the Galilee.
Josephus belongs to a family of priests who are close to the Romans and therefore have a more moderate worldview than Joseph of Gischala and others in the Galilee. When a group of zealots assault one of King Agrippa’s contingents, Josephus orders that the spoils be returned. This measure is condemned by more radical factions, and a mob of villagers go as far as burning down his house and trying to kill him. Luckily for Josephus, he manages to escape and even appease his attackers. Those of noble lineage and more pacifist inclinations side with Josephus, whereas the zealot cause is more popular among refugees and the poor. All in all, the rebels of the Galilee are torn by inner disagreements. This prevents them from adequately preparing to face the enemy soon to emerge on the horizon. Although John of Gischala sends messengers to the government in Jerusalem to ask for the destitution of his general, Josephus manages to reconcile the zealots. The months leading to the arrival of the Roman legions are not properly utilized and much precious time is wasted on inner struggles.
“But as to Josephus, when he came into Galilee, his first care was to gain the good-will of the people of that country, as sensible that he should thereby have in general good success, although he should fail in other points. And being conscious to himself that if he communicated part of his power to the great men, he should make them his fast friends; and that he should gain the same favor from the multitude, if he executed his commands by persons of their own country, and with whom they were well acquainted; he chose out seventy of the most prudent men, and those elders in age, and appointed them to be rulers of all Galilee.”
The Jewish leaders and warriors do not use this time to effectively prepare – and when the Romans arrive, they are not ready.
“but as to Josephus, when he came into Galilee, his first care was to gain the good-will of the people of that country, as sensible that he should thereby have in general good success, although he should fail in other points. And being conscious to himself that if he communicated part of his power to the great men, he should make them his fast friends; and that he should gain the same favor from the multitude, if he executed his commands by persons of their own country, and with whom they were well acquainted; he chose out seventy of the most prudent men, and those elders in age, and appointed them to be rulers of all Galilee” (Josephus Flavius, The Jewish Wars, Book 2, Chapter 20, paragraph 5)
Agility is responding to enlightenment with effective action.
