Siege Of Jerusalem | Facts & Summary - Encyclopedia Britannica

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The fall of Jerusalem

Siege of Jerusalem (70 ce)
Siege of Jerusalem (70 ce)Triumphal parade in Rome of Jewish religious articles (a seven-branched candlestick, a table for shewbread, and sacred trumpets) removed after the sack of Jerusalem in 70 ce; detail of reliefs from the Arch of Titus, Rome, 81 ce.(more)

In April 70 ce, about the time of Passover, the Roman general Titus besieged Jerusalem. Since that action coincided with Passover, the Romans allowed pilgrims to enter the city but refused to let them leave—thus strategically depleting food and water supplies within Jerusalem. Within the walls, the Zealots, a militant anti-Roman party, struggled with other Jewish factions that had emerged, which weakened the resistance even more. Josephus, a Jew who had commanded rebel forces but then defected to the Roman cause, attempted to negotiate a settlement, but, because he was not trusted by the Romans and was despised by the rebels, the talks went nowhere. The Romans encircled the city with a wall to cut off supplies to the city completely and thereby drive the Jews to starvation.

Quick Facts Date: 70 (Show more) Location: Israel Jerusalem (Show more) Participants: Israelite ancient Rome (Show more) Context: First Jewish Revolt (Show more) Key People: Titus (Show more) See all related content Civil War era cannon overlooks Kennesaw Mountain National Battle. (military, artillery, American history) Britannica Quiz Pick Your Battles Quiz
Western Wall
Western WallThe Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem.(more)

By August 70 ce the Romans had breached the final defenses and massacred much of the remaining population. They also destroyed the Second Temple. The Western Wall, the only extant trace of the Second Temple, remains a site of prayer and pilgrimage. The loss of the Temple for a second time is still mourned by Jews during the fast of Tisha be-Av. Rome celebrated the fall of Jerusalem by erecting the triumphal Arch of Titus.

Kate Lohnes

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