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DATE |
ROME |
JUDEA |
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66
67
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Having wiped out those he considered his enemies in the
plot a few months before, Nero leaves for a tour of Greece. He continues
to fancy himself to be a great athlete, horseman, composer, singer, poet,
actor and artist. The Greeks, seeking Nero's favor, decide to hold all the
major contests within the time Nero is in Greece, and, of course, Nero
always is awarded top honors. No one dares to best the boss. During his
lengthy stage performances, no one is allowed to leave under penalty of
death. Babies are born in the audience and some feign death just to be
carried out. It is during his tour of Greece that he learns of the revolt
in Palestine and that the West is hot for revolt. He only sighs, turns
over the pacification of Palestine to Veapasian, and continues his tour.
In appreciation for the warm reception of Greece, Nero exempts all of
Greece from tribute to Rome. He orders work to begin on the canal across
the Isthmus at Corinth that Julius Caesar had planned but work is halted
the next year due to the turmoil in the empire.
Nero returns to Rome late in 67 with a formal triumph, displaying the 1808 prizes he had won in Greece. In March, two of the western generals are preparing to revolt: Vindex, in Gaul, and Galba in Spain. Nero sends Rufus, commander of the legions in northwest Switzerland and Alsace, against Vindex, whom Rufus defeats in June of 68. However, it is too late. On June 8th, the Roman senate, fed up with Nero, and learning that the Praetorian guard is ready to abandon him, deposes Nero and appoints Galba as the new princeps. Nero is declared a public enemy. He first seeks defensive support from the guard and those on his personal staff and friends. Finding no one who will stand with him, he flees Rome, taking refuge in the cellar of one of his freedmen. Soldiers from the Senate track him down the next day but before they can take him, he, with the help of his servant commits suicide by plunging a knife in his throat. He is 31 years old.
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The Jewish war against Rome starts
with riots, in May 66, in Caesarea and Jerusalem. In a cultural struggle
between Greeks and Jews in Caesarea in 61, Nero decides in favor of the
Greeks. Nero also demand, through Florus, seventeen talents from the
temple treasury in Jerusalem. The Jews revolt A bloody attack by soldiers
only strengthens Jewish resistance. In June, daily sacrifices in the
temple on behalf of the Emperor cease, a declaration of revolt. The Syrian
Legate, Gallus, marches on Jerusalem in November, and occupies the north
part of the city. But, he quickly withdraws. Vespasian is appointed by
Nero to take command against the Jews in December.
Vespasian is 51 years old, of the equestrian order, son of an international financier. He had been a proconsul of Africa and is now made imperial legate of Palestine; this makes him superior in rank and power to procuratorship. Palestine is now considered an imperial province. Preparations for the pacification of Palestine begin the first of the year in 67. Vespsslan first orders his son, Titus, to transport a legion from Egypt. He then mobilizes two legions plus auxiliaries and artillery in Syria. In the spring of 67, he marches into Galilee with sixty thousand men. Josephus, who is a rebel commander in Galilee, surrenders and is placed in chains. After Vespasian is declared to be Emperor, Josephus becomes a companion and advisor to Titus for the rest of the war. By the fall of 67, all Galilee is under Roman control, and in the spring of 68, control includes Perea and western Judea The assault on Jerusalem lies ahead. |