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📜 **66–70 AD: THE FALL OF JERUSALEM — HISTORICAL TIMELINE**
🛑 *No Roman pride. No Greek theology. Just what happened — based only on preserved history between 66 and 70 AD.*
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🏛️ **66 AD – Revolt Begins**
* Roman governor **Gessius Florus** seizes large sums from the **Temple treasury**.
* This sparks outrage; full-scale revolt erupts in **Jerusalem**.
* Roman garrison at **Antonia Fortress** is attacked and overrun.
* Jewish forces reclaim the city and drive out Roman officials.
* The revolt spreads throughout **Judea**, including **Galilee**, **Idumea**, and **Perea**.
* Jerusalem leadership is divided between moderate priests and Zealot factions.
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⚔️ **67 AD – Rome Strikes Back**
* Roman general **Vespasian** is sent by Nero to crush the revolt.
* With his son **Titus**, he begins military operations in the **north**.
* Cities like **Sepphoris**, **Jotapata**, and **Gamla** are attacked and destroyed.
* **Josephus**, commander at Jotapata, is captured and begins working for Rome.
* Thousands of rebels and civilians are killed or enslaved.
* Vespasian pushes toward Jerusalem but does not attack yet.
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🧱 **68 AD – Civil War Inside Jerusalem**
* While Romans continue campaigns in outer regions, **internal chaos grips Jerusalem**.
* Competing Jewish factions (Zealots, Sicarii, Temple guards) fight for control.
* Food stores inside the city are **burned** by Zealots, worsening starvation.
* **Ananus ben Ananus**, a former high priest, is killed by rival groups.
* The city is in lockdown; tension rises as Romans approach.
* Emperor **Nero dies**; Vespasian pauses operations during Rome's civil unrest.
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🔥 **69 AD – Siege Approaches**
* Vespasian secures Roman leadership and is declared emperor.
* **Titus** is placed in full command of the campaign in Judea.
* Roman forces advance toward **Jerusalem**, encamping outside the city.
* Internal fighting continues between Jewish factions; no united defense is formed.
* Walls are reinforced, but the city is **divided and unstable** from within.
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💥 **70 AD – Siege and Destruction**
* In **April 70 AD**, during **Passover**, Titus begins the full **siege of Jerusalem**.
* Over **1 million people** are trapped due to the festival crowds.
* Roman legions build siege walls and towers, cutting off food and water.
* Inside the city: **famine, disease, cannibalism**, and daily executions.
* In **July**, Romans breach the **second wall**; hand-to-hand combat follows.
* On the **9th of Av (late July/August)**, the **Second Temple is set on fire and destroyed**.
* By **September**, the **entire city is in ruins**.
* Surviving Jews are:
* **Killed by sword**
* **Crucified outside the city**
* **Enslaved and taken to Rome**
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🪦 **End of the Timeline: 70 AD**
* The Second Temple is **gone**.
* Jerusalem is **razed to the ground**.
* Roman troops remain to occupy and suppress any future uprising.
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