ABSTRACT
Two decades of procurators after the death of Agrippa a period of constant friction between Roman rulers and the Jewish population is marked. Under the procurator Florus, fighting took place between Greeks and Jews in Caesarea Maritima. In March 67 ce, Vespasian marched against the Jewish population. He subjugated Transjordan, western Judaea, Idumea, Samaria and Jericho. The only parts of the country remaining in Jewish hands were Jerusalem and several Herodian fortresses in other parts of the country. Just before Passover in April 70 ce, Vespasian's son Titus encamped outside the walls of Jerusalem. The Roman conquest of Judaea brought about enormous destruction and the enslavement of thousands of Jews. The Romans heavily taxed the Jewish community, they recognized Judaism as a lawful religion, and exempted Jews from emperor worship and other religious duties. Josephus served as a commander of Jewish army which rebelled against Rome in the first century ce. Later he composed a history of the Roman War.
