The Middle East: 112–123 CE

The Second Jewish Revolt and Imperial Turmoil

This era witnesses a significant wave of unrest across the eastern Roman Empire, most dramatically manifested in the Second Jewish Revolt (also known as the Kitos War, 115–117 CE). Sparked by longstanding religious tensions, social unrest, and Roman administrative practices, the revolt erupts violently in regions densely populated by Jews, rapidly engulfing provinces such as Cyrenaica, Alexandria, Judea, Mesopotamia, and Cyprus.

The uprising coincides with the final years of Emperor Trajan and the beginning of Hadrian’s reign, representing one of the bloodiest chapters in Roman–Jewish relations. Initially successful, Jewish rebels unleash devastating attacks, resulting in the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of Greek and Roman citizens. Cities across the eastern Mediterranean, notably Cyrene, Alexandria, and Salamis on Cyprus, suffer catastrophic damage, profoundly destabilizing these once-prosperous urban centers.

Roman retribution is swift and brutal. Under Trajan’s orders and later continued by Hadrian, imperial forces systematically suppress the revolt, killing hundreds of thousands of Jews in reciprocal violence. The devastation significantly alters the demographics and cultural landscapes of affected areas, notably on Cyprus, where Jewish settlement is virtually eradicated, and subsequent restrictions severely limit Jewish presence for generations.

The failure of the revolt also reshapes Rome’s eastern policies, prompting Hadrian to adopt a more cautious administrative and military stance. This recalibration contributes to his later decisions to consolidate rather than expand Rome’s eastern territories, marking a clear departure from Trajan’s expansive ambitions.

Thus, the tumultuous events of 112–123 CE significantly impact Roman–Jewish relations, profoundly affecting the socio-political fabric of the eastern Roman provinces, and influencing imperial policies for decades to come.