Near East (64–75 CE): The Great Jewish Revolt and Roman Suppression

The Near East during this period witnesses the eruption of the First Jewish-Roman War, commonly known as the Great Revolt, marking the first of three significant rebellions by Judea’s Jews against Roman rule. Judea, already fraught with internal sectarian divisions and a history of unrest, reaches a breaking point due to Roman offenses such as temple robberies and insensitivity toward Jewish religious practices, which Tacitus vividly describes as sparking disgust and resentment.

Initially, the Jewish forces achieve notable successes, including repelling the First Siege of Jerusalem and claiming victory at the Battle of Beth Horon. These early triumphs, however, attract intensified Roman military attention. In response, Emperor Nero appoints General Vespasian to decisively crush the rebellion. Vespasian systematically subdues the areas in revolt, progressively eliminating pockets of resistance across the region. By 68 CE, Jewish opposition in northern Judea is largely suppressed.

Final acts of defiance continue, with strongholds such as Masada and Jerusalem enduring protracted sieges. The Romans ultimately prevail, culminating in the brutal destruction of Jerusalem, effectively eradicating ancient Hebrew statehood and Jewish national autonomy. The Romans rename Jerusalem as Aelia Capitolina, sell thousands of Jews into slavery, and dramatically intensify the dispersion of Jews throughout the Roman world, amplifying the existing Jewish Diaspora.

Simultaneously, this period witnesses economic activities such as the operation of mines on Saint John's Island in the Red Sea, noted from at least 70 CE for producing peridot, a highly valued olive-green gemstone, indicative of the continued economic and strategic importance of the region despite its instability.

Legacy of the Era

The era from 64 to 75 CE is marked by significant upheaval, illustrating how mismanaged governance and cultural insensitivity can escalate into widespread conflict. The devastating outcome of the Great Revolt significantly reshapes Jewish life, disperses the population, and firmly integrates Judea into the Roman provincial system, setting lasting patterns for Jewish-Roman relations and the socio-political landscape of the Near East.