Jewish War under Trajan and Hadrian

by William Horbury

Two major Jewish risings against Rome took place in the years following the destruction of Jerusalem - the first during Trajan's Parthian war, and the second, led by Bar Kokhba, under Hadrian's principate. The impact of these risings not only on Judaea, but also on Cyrene, Egypt, Cyprus and Mesopotamia, is shown by accounts in both ancient Jewish and non-Jewish literature. More recently discovered sources include letters and documents from fighters and refugees, and inscriptions attesting war and restoration. Historical evaluation has veered between regret for a pointless bloodbath and admiration for sustained resistance. William Horbury offers a new history of these risings, presenting a fresh review of sources and interpretations. He explores the period of Jewish war under Trajan and Hadrian not just as the end of an era, but also as a time of continuity in Jewish life and development in Jewish and Christian origins.

Genres: History

512 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Michael Lewyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a truly encyclopedic guide to both the various Jewish rebellions against Trajan and the bar Kochba revolt a decade or so later. It references a wide variety of sources. Although (or maybe because) of its incredible level of detail, it is quite dry. Nevertheless, I did learn a bit from it- more, however, about what we don't know than about what we do.

For example, we don't really know the causes of these rebellions; some sources suggest that Hadrian triggered the rebellion by outlawing circumcision, but the sources are divided as to whether it (a) actually happened or (b) happened before the bar Kochba rebellion (rather than as a punitive measure afterwards). Hadrian did issue a decree against castration, but it is unclear whether this was meant to apply to circumcision.

I also learned a bit about cultures' ability to misunderstand each other. The Mishnah states that Jerusalem was "ploughed" implying that this act was part of the city's destruction- but whenever Romans created a new town, they would have someone carry a plow around the city's boundaries.