Bar-Kokhba

by Yigael Yadin

s/t: The Rediscovery of the Legendary Hero of the Last Jewish Revolt Against Imperial Rome
From a crevice in a canyon near the Dead Sea, archeologists discovered the letters of Bar-Kokhba, guerrilla leader of the revolt against Hadrian's Rome, written almost 2000 years ago. Expedition leader Yigael Yadin (author of 'Masada') here tells the story of this & other discoveries, bringing Bar-Kokhba out of the romantic shadows of legend & restoring to the Jewish people a real-life hero.
Preface
Behind the legend
The curtain rises
First rays of hope-
Probing
The only cave
The niche of skulls
The wardrobe
The clue of the coin
The great find
The letters speak
The second search
'The redemption of Israel'
Herodium, Qumran, Masada & Bethar
No stone unturned
'He who toils shall find'
The life & trials of Babata
Appendix of References to Bar-Kokhba
Glossary
Bibliography
Publisher's Acknowledgements
Index

Genres: Jewish, Nonfiction, Religion, History, Archaeology, Israel, Judaism

271 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Erik Graff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having previously enjoyed Yadin's account of the excavations of Masada I picked up this, apparently similar, book upon espying it at a used bookstore. As is often the case, there was a long period between its purchase--probably over a decade ago--and its reading.

What this book recounts are a series of cave explorations on the west bank of the Dead Sea conducted by Yadin and colleagues during 1960 and 1961, with reference to earlier examinations of the same locations by scholars in the fifties and by local Bedouins throughout the period and beforehand. Most of the story concerns one particular cave, the study of which was under the author's direction, a cave which proved particularly productive despite previous exploitation and examination. Most of the materials quite literally uncovered in this cave complex relate to the period of the Second Jewish (or "Roman") War of the early second century, a revolt against the Empire led by the legendary Bar Kokhba--or, since the discoveries and more accurately, Shimeon bar Kosiba.

The finds, beautifully shown in photographs and drawings, are diverse, many of them being the first of their kinds (such as complete items of clothing from the period) and some being documents dictated by Bar Kosiba himself to individuals who had apparently taken refuge in the caves upon the Roman advance. In addition, much of the material appears to have belonged to women.

What is missing from this text is a history of the war, only a very brief description of it being given at the outset. The index is also not as complete as I would have liked. The description of the excitement of discovery, however, more than makes up for these inadequacies.

[Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have an interest in this area of history. This book covers the exploration of the caves in Judea in the early sixties and revealed almost all we know about Shim'on bar Kokhba, the leader of the last great Jewish Revolt in 132AD - 136AD. Before being totally crushed by Rome, Kokhba's zealots gave Rome a really hard time.

The book goes further, sharing archeological findings around the items of clothing, pottery glass and more. Yadin writes enthusiastically and the book is a great read. I read it all in two sittings.

There is so little detail on this period, so this book and the information it contains is a gold mine. I shall be referring back to it for some time.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This coffee table classic of archeology and Judaica will be an intriguing read for anyone interested in archeology and/or the history of Israel.
It describes the fruitful 1960 expedition by Israel's most eminent archaeologist of the time, Yigael Yadin, himself a hero of the War of Independence in 149 to canyon near the Dead Sea, where he discovered letters and artefacts giving us rich insight into the life and times of Israel great warrior-prince who led the Third Great Revolt against Roman occupation of the Land of Israel from 132 to 135 CE.

The first major discovery was a niche of skulls of Jewish men, women and children who perished in the caves while hiding from the Roman legions. A rich wardrobe of colourful garments, coins and pottery fill us in on the lives of the Jews in Israel at this time as well as specifics of the Bar Kochba Revolt, These include coins minted at the time describing Bar Kochab as the Nasi (President) of Israel and the years one and two of Freedom and Redemption.And year Three of Shimon Bar Kochba President of Israel

The greatest find though was woman's bad that had been hidden for nearly two thousand years which contained among other fascinating artefacts , bundles of papyri inside four wooden slats in which letters by Bar Kochba himself were found!
The book has rich photographs of the artefacts, the sites and the surrounding Israeli landscape.
There is also an appendix of references in the Talmud and Midrash as well as Roman sources describing the Revolt and the heroism and arrogance of Bar Kochba as well as the genocide of Jews followed by the crushing of the revolt that the Romans carried out including a rock against which the heads of thousands of jewish children were crushed by the Roman legionaries (one of the many evil deeds of the Roman Empire)
I finished this book over single Friday night, but it can be used to source mush research and guidelines for archaeologists or historians of the Israel of the time.

[Andrew Weitzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explores the history of the 2nd Jewish revolt against Rome under the warlord Bar-Kokhba, interspersed with the story of the archaeological expedition that discovered the final refuge his followers fled to before being wiped out. Both the history of the rebellion and the archaelogy behind it are interesting, and the book is littered throughout with photos and drawings of what was found in the caves where Bar-Kokhba's rebels hid. It's not a dry slog of a history book either; I had trouble putting it down. Would recommend to anyone who likes to read a good history book from time to time.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful find in university. I first stumbled upon it when writing a paper comparing the archaeological remains of Bar Kokhba revolt sites. Hello Yigael my new best friend. Even though it was supposed to be just a quick reference work, I ended up reading the whole thing and went back to it again for a couple other papers. When I found it at a used bookstore years later, I had to have it. It may be a little dated, but there's just something about Yadin's work. Love it.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Long time ago, early 80s. Good read, I recall.