Image

Vespasian Coin

Roman Sestertius coin depicting the emperor Vespasian, brass, 71 C.E.

Sestertius coins were chiefly produced by Roman emperors to commemorate military victories. Shown here is a coin minted by the emperor Vespasian (ruled 69–79 C.E) to honor his victory in the First Jewish War, or Great Revolt, in 71 C.E. The Great Revolt began in 66 C.E. when tensions between Hellenized and Jewish religious factions came to a head and culminated in the Roman army’s destruction of the Jerusalem temple in 70 C.E. On the obverse side (left), Vespasian’s bust is shown in profile with a laurel wreath, symbolizing victory. On the reverse (right), a captured Jewish man with hands tied behind his back and a seated Jewish woman in mourning appear under a palm tree. The inscription IVDEA CAPTA means “Judea Conquered.”

View The Image Gallery

A rebellion by the Jewish people against their Roman occupation, lasting from 66-73 CE and culminating with the destruction of the Temple.

"The revolt of the Jews against the Roman Empire between 66 and 73 C.E.,
the result of which was the destruction of Jerusalem and the second
temple."

A rebellion by the Jewish people against their Roman occupation, lasting from 66-73 C.E. and culminating with the destruction of the Temple. Also known as the First Jewish War or First Jewish Revolt.

the southern kingdom of Judah during the divided monarchy or what later became the larger province under imperial control