Second Jewish Revolt

The name generally given to the revolt that broke out in Judea between 132-135 under the watch of Emperor Hadrian. It is also called the Bar-Kokhba Revolt after its leader, a man who was acknowledged to be the Messiah by Rabbi Akiva.

Unlike the First Jewish Revolt whose background and progress was well covered by Josephus, there is very little coherent narrative about the progress and causes of the Second Revolt.

The outcome, however, was catastrophic for the Jewish nation. They were banned from Jerusalem except for one day in the year, when they were allowed at the 'Wailing Wall' to lament the fall of the city. The name Judea was proscribed, punishable by death, and the name of the country was mockingly changed to Palestine, after the Philistines, the inhabitants of the land before the Israelites conquered it.

©ALBERITH