The Siege of Jerusalem
To understand the birth of the Christian era, one must confront the death of the era that preceded it. The siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD is not merely a footnote in Roman history; it is the cataclysmic event that fundamentally shifted the center of gravity for the people of God. While the Roman legions under Titus were the external force that encircled the walls, the true horror of 70 AD was what occurred inside the city. Historical accounts, primarily from Flavius Josephus, describe a situation of unparalleled chaos, where civil war, famine, and religious delusion combined to create a "great tribulation" distinct from any other event in antiquity. The Trap of Passover The timing of the siege was, in a tragic sense, perfect. Titus and his four legions arrived in the spring of 70 AD, just as the city was swelling with pilgrims for the Passover. Estimates suggest the population, normally around 100,000, may have tripled or quadrupled. When the Romans closed the cordon ...