Jerusalem's Last Days From Emperor Hadrian's Reign

 Nadene Goldfoot                                              

The over-occupation of the Romans in Jerusalem led to their decision to loot the 2nd Temple of all its objects of value, burn the Temple down and the city in 70 CE. Jews had been starved to death up to this point, and if not slaughtered in battle, taken as slaves to Rome where they also suffered the fate of many Christian slaves; being thrown to the lions in circuses, etc..                                          

Hadrian, the Roman Emperor from 117 to 138 was head of the Roman Empire for 21 years. 

                                                                      

 His first act in his initial eastern policy was the removal and execution of the savage governor of Judea; Lucius Quietus.  Lusius Quietus was a Roman general and governor of Judaea in AD 117. He was the principal commander against the Jewish rebellion known as the Kitos War. As both a general and a highly acclaimed commander, he was notably one of the most accomplished Berber statesmen in ancient Roman history.  Quietus organized a force and killed many Cypriote, Mesopotamian and Syrian Jews - in effect wiping them out; and  as a reward, he was appointed governor of Judaea. (He is one of the few blacks known to have made a career in Roman service.)

 Major revolts by diasporic Jews in Cyrene (Cyrenaica), Cyprus, Mesopotamia, and Egypt resulted in the ransacking of towns and the slaughter of Roman citizens and others by the Jewish rebels, a conflict now known as the Kitos War, after a simplified version of Quietus's name. Quietus took the city of Lydda and methodically set about defeating the rebellions.   The rebellion in Judea was finally crushed by Quietus. Quietus was murdered later in the year (AD 118) and it has been theorized that Quietus was assassinated on the orders of the new emperor, Hadrian, for fear of Quietus' popular standing with the army and his close connections to Trajan. A Talmudic story also relates that the Roman general who defeated the rebellious Jews at this time was suddenly executed.  

Hadrian  gave his support to the Egyptian Jewry in disputes with the Greeks.  What he was doing was trying to create a favorable impression on the Jews. 

He lost their support, however, with his prohibition of sexual mutilation being extended to the Jewish practice that was of deep necessity of circumcision.  It was an attack on the fundamental rite of Judaism. Aside from this practice, it has been found in this day to be an act of cleanliness, ending much disease, so it was a good practice.  This makes one wonder as to what other sexual mutilation were going on that weren't!  

Hadrian visited Palestine in the year 130 and while there, spent time negotiating with the Jews about his decision on circumcision,  and found the Jews having an implacable attitude about it.  From this, he decided to start the hellenization of the country by converting Jerusalem into a Roman colony to be named after himself, Aelia Capitolina.  

                                                                

The Jews rebelled under Aluf Bar Kokhba  who took Jerusalem in 132 and held it until 135 when he was killed in battle.  For 3 years the Jews had Jerusalem back in their hands. They had overcome the Romans in those 3 years, leaving their resume in ruins, as far as they were concerned.  That was was the most difficult of Hadrian's reign.  No one had ever been able to do such a thing to the Romans.  The expulsion of the Jews from Judea in 135 AD by Emperor Hadrian, followed the suppression of the Bar Kokhba revolt.                                                                

After Hadrian had regained Jerusalem once again, he received the title of Imperator.  Judea had become a consular province called Syria-Palaestina.  

The ruins of Jerusalem were reconstructed as a pagan city, and an equestrian statue of Hadrian was erected on the very site of the most holy part of the Temple, the part called "THE HOLY OF HOLIES."  He must have known about what had been there, as this was no coincidence.                                                

     Gone was the Temple and the Holy of Holies Chamber for the High priest, a Cohen. 

Hadrian turned on the Jews and his general, Lucius Quietus.  His supposed support and interest was a ruse to both men.  One must think for oneself and not be duped.  The Temple was created by Solomon (961-920 BCE) and lasted until 70 CE-over 1,000 years!  Our homes are lucky to be built to stand for 50 years.  Judaism with its circumcision and it's 1st and 2nd Temple and later, synagogues,  has lasted since Moses introduced it to us on the Exodus. 

 Moses was over 80 years old when he left Egypt with his classroom of 600,000 former slaves who would learn all about it (1391-1271 BCE) of 3,332 years. Judaism has made it's adjustments, just like we have, but has not lost its essence.  

 Resource:

The New Standard Jewish Encyclopedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lusius_Quietus