From Empire to Ruin: Florus and the Spark of Revolt

In the year 66, the Roman governor Florus decided that plundering an entire nation wasn’t enough; he wanted the Temple’s treasures too. Accompanied by mercenaries, he entered the Temple, intending to seize the half-shekel contributions that Jews from around the world sent annually. Outraged Jews sought help from his superior, the Syrian governor Cestius Gallus, who was visiting for Passover, but he did nothing. Florus knew he’d eventually face justice, so he sought to provoke a Jewish revolt.

Florus granted civic rights to the Syrians in Caesarea, stripping them from the Jews. He encouraged the Syrians to harass the local synagogue by building barriers that blocked access. Despite being bribed to prevent this, Florus took the money and supported the harassment. Eventually, the Jews of Caesarea left the city in a procession, their Torah scrolls in hand, finding refuge in Narbetha (the modern Kibbutz Ma’anit near Pardes Hana).

Determined to incite a rebellion, Florus arrived at the gates of Jerusalem. The city's leaders greeted him, only to be trampled under the hooves of his soldiers’ horses. He then claimed they had insulted him and demanded their arrest. Sensing his intention to plunder the Temple, the priests destroyed the bridge linking the Antonia Fortress to the Temple, preventing entry if the gates were locked. Florus reported to Gallus that the Jews had rebelled, obstructing his way to the Temple.

In Jerusalem, a prominent woman, Berenice, daughter of Agrippa I, rushed to inform Gallus about Florus's villainy and deceit. Gallus dispatched Neopolitanus to investigate. Agrippa II intercepted him and presented a softened version of the events. Together, they visited the Temple, where Agrippa delivered a pleading speech to both sides, urging the people not to revolt against Rome. The people, however, wished not to fight Rome but to demand a new governor in place of the corrupt Florus. Agrippa suggested Florus continue "temporarily." The people refused, igniting the flame of revolt.

Florus got what he wanted. He never faced justice, as the Jews were branded as rebels against the mighty Roman empire. Some sources claim the Jews killed him, but Josephus does not mention it. Regardless, Florus faded from the picture, leaving a conflict between the Roman Empire and the Jewish people.

One might wonder how this small nation dared to wage war against Rome, who had conquered the entire Middle East and subjugated the Huns, Barbarians, Gauls, Thracians, and all ancient nations—the Persians, Egyptians, and Greeks included. Could the Jews really defeat them? Isn't it folly, especially since only a small faction rebelled? But the Jews have often seen miracles where the few triumph over the many. Indeed, Rome's war against Judea was one of its longest and toughest. Time and again, the Romans despaired against this small, stubborn people. Despite this, not that it was a completely hopeless fight, but wise men frowned upon the revolt. Exile is a divine decree, and we should bow our heads and endure further hardships, lest we provoke our total destruction and the burning of the Temple. In hindsight, the rebellion was surely a mistake, for eventually, either the tyrant passes, or his power fades. Florus would have eventually been replaced, and the Temple might still stand today.