66 AD
“…but the Romans that were left alone were greatly dejected, for they were not able to force their way through such a multitude; and to desire them to give them their right hand for their security, they thought it would be a reproach to them; and besides, if they should give it them, they durst not depend upon it; so they deserted their camp, as easily taken, and ran away to the royal towers, that called Hippicus, that called Phasaelus, and that called Mariamne. But Manahem and his party fell upon the place whence the soldiers were fled, and slew as many of them as they could catch, before they got up to the towers, and plundered what they left behind them, and set fire to their camp.”
Flavius Josephus, The Jewish Wars, Book II, Chapter 17, Section 8
The rebels set fire to the city archives, where all contracts, documents, and deeds of debt are stored. This bolsters debtors and impoverished citizens alike to join the rebellion and claim their financial freedom. Next, a mob storms the Antonia fortress and kills the Roman garrison guarding it. Emboldened by their success, the rebels proceed to the royal palace, the place to which Agrippa’s soldiers – as well as pacifists and priests – had retreated. At the end of a two-week siege, the complex is handed over.
Menahem ben Judah, leader of the Sicarii faction, travels from Masada to Jerusalem, where he is proclaimed commander of the insurrection. However, he soon begins adopting manners proper of a king and a group of rebels who disapprove of this conduct seize him and put him to death. Eleazar ben Ya’ir, a staunch zealot, manages to flee to Masada with some of his followers. Eleazar ben Hanania is now once again the uncontested leader. Meanwhile, some of the soldiers who had escaped death inside of the royal palace of Jerusalem offer the Jews their weapons in exchange for their freedom. However, a group of rebels kill them as they come out, turning the revolt bloodier than ever. Moreover, this incident occurs on the Sabbath, rendering the transgression even more appalling. Jerusalem is now under the complete control of the insurgents and many are terrified about what will happen next.The city is in a state of utter chaos – including innumerable acts of vengeance and plundering, as well as the killing of all moderate voices. Darkness has overcome the land.
“but the Romans that were left alone were greatly dejected, for they were not able to force their way through such a multitude; and to desire them to give them their right hand for their security, they thought it would be a reproach to them; and besides, if they should give it them, they durst not depend upon it; so they deserted their camp, as easily taken, and ran away to the royal towers, that called Hippicus, that called Phasaelus, and that called Mariamne. But Manahem and his party fell upon the place whence the soldiers were fled, and slew as many of them as they could catch, before they got up to the towers, and plundered what they left behind them, and set fire to their camp” (Josephus Flavius, The Jewish Wars, Book 2, Chapter 17, paragraph 8)
There is order in both the natural and spiritual worlds; orderly studies and deeds are necessary for achieving self-improvement.
