John of Giscala
Encyclopedia
John of Giscala (birth date unknown; death date after 70), was a leader of the Jewish revolt against the Romans in the First Jewish-Roman War
, and played a part in the destruction of Jerusalem
in 70.
As part of the Roman campaign to put down the revolt in Judea, Titus
marched on Gush Halav
, called Giscala by the Romans. Giscala was the last town in Galilee
not yet conquered. Outside the walls of the city, he called on them to surrender. John prevailed upon Titus not to enter the city that day, as it was Sabbath, "not so much out of regard to the seventh day as to his own preservation." John fled to Jerusalem that night, and "Titus was greatly displeased that he had not been able to bring this John, who had deluded him, to punishment."
When John entered Jerusalem, it was in an uproar, and the people clamored for news.
Soon after his arrival in Jerusalem, he played an instrumental part in the outcome of the Zealot Temple Siege
, handing the city over to control of the Zealots. He attempted to set himself up as ruler of Jerusalem, but was challenged in April 69 by Simon Bar Giora
. They were both in turn challenged by a third faction led by Eleazar ben Simon
. John and the Zealots fought in civil war with these two factions until he was finally captured by Titus
commanding the Romans during the Siege of Jerusalem
. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, and taken back to Rome.He was paraded through the streets of Rome in chains
First Jewish-Roman War
The First Jewish–Roman War , sometimes called The Great Revolt , was the first of three major rebellions by the Jews of Judaea Province , against the Roman Empire...
, and played a part in the destruction of Jerusalem
Siege of Jerusalem (70)
The Siege of Jerusalem in the year 70 AD was the decisive event of the First Jewish-Roman War. The Roman army, led by the future Emperor Titus, with Tiberius Julius Alexander as his second-in-command, besieged and conquered the city of Jerusalem, which had been occupied by its Jewish defenders in...
in 70.
As part of the Roman campaign to put down the revolt in Judea, Titus
Titus
Titus , was Roman Emperor from 79 to 81. A member of the Flavian dynasty, Titus succeeded his father Vespasian upon his death, thus becoming the first Roman Emperor to come to the throne after his own father....
marched on Gush Halav
Jish
Jish is an Arab town located on the northeastern slopes of Mt. Meron, north of Safed, in Israel's North District. The population is predominantly Maronite Christian and Greek Catholic with a Muslim minority....
, called Giscala by the Romans. Giscala was the last town in Galilee
Galilee
Galilee , is a large region in northern Israel which overlaps with much of the administrative North District of the country. Traditionally divided into Upper Galilee , Lower Galilee , and Western Galilee , extending from Dan to the north, at the base of Mount Hermon, along Mount Lebanon to the...
not yet conquered. Outside the walls of the city, he called on them to surrender. John prevailed upon Titus not to enter the city that day, as it was Sabbath, "not so much out of regard to the seventh day as to his own preservation." John fled to Jerusalem that night, and "Titus was greatly displeased that he had not been able to bring this John, who had deluded him, to punishment."
When John entered Jerusalem, it was in an uproar, and the people clamored for news.
Soon after his arrival in Jerusalem, he played an instrumental part in the outcome of the Zealot Temple Siege
Zealot Temple Siege
The Zealot Temple Siege was a short siege of the Temple in Jerusalem fought between Jewish factions during the Great Jewish Revolt against the Roman Empire...
, handing the city over to control of the Zealots. He attempted to set himself up as ruler of Jerusalem, but was challenged in April 69 by Simon Bar Giora
Simon Bar Giora
Simon bar Giora d. 70 CE, was a leader of revolutionary forces during the First Jewish-Roman War in the 1st century Judea.- History :...
. They were both in turn challenged by a third faction led by Eleazar ben Simon
Eleazar ben Simon
Eleazar ben Simon was a Zealot leader during the First Jewish-Roman War who fought against the armies of Cestius Gallus, Vespasian, and Titus Flavius...
. John and the Zealots fought in civil war with these two factions until he was finally captured by Titus
Titus
Titus , was Roman Emperor from 79 to 81. A member of the Flavian dynasty, Titus succeeded his father Vespasian upon his death, thus becoming the first Roman Emperor to come to the throne after his own father....
commanding the Romans during the Siege of Jerusalem
Siege of Jerusalem (70)
The Siege of Jerusalem in the year 70 AD was the decisive event of the First Jewish-Roman War. The Roman army, led by the future Emperor Titus, with Tiberius Julius Alexander as his second-in-command, besieged and conquered the city of Jerusalem, which had been occupied by its Jewish defenders in...
. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, and taken back to Rome.He was paraded through the streets of Rome in chains