LEGIO X FRETENSIS AT MASADA PUTTING AN END TO RESISTANCE

During the first Jewish Revolt (AD 66-70), dissident factions broke away from the ‘main’ Jewish rebels. The so-called Zealots and Sicarii had seized several fortresses built by Herod the Great, especially the Herodion (or Herodium), Machaerus, on the eastern side of the Dead Sea, and Masada. Legio X Freten- sis was front and centre in the final storming of these fortresses and in bringing the last traces of rebellion to an end.

Murray Dahm

THEME: Legio X Fretensis The dating of the sieges is still a matter of debate and ranges from AD 72–74. Once Titus had successfully stormed Jerusalem in September of 70 with the help of X Fretensis, he set about ensuring no such rebellion could occur again. According to Josephus, 97,000 men were taken captive during the war and 1,100,000 were killed in the aftermath of the siege (Jewish War 6.9.3). The last number is an exaggeration – that was more than the population of the province at the time – and even Tacitus’ number of 600,000 is too many (Histories 5.13.1). The three walls of Jerusalem were demolished along with the citadels and the Temple. In Spring of 71, Titus departed for Rome to join his father and brother. There,…

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Ancient Warfare (Digital) - 1 Issue, AW XVII.5

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