Jewish revolt against Heraclius (1 gen 614 anni – 1 gen 625 anni)

Descrizione:

The Jewish revolt against Heraclius was a significant event during the Byzantine–Sasanian War of 602–628 and is regarded as the last major Jewish attempt to achieve autonomy in Palaestina Prima before modern times.

In 614, Shahrbaraz, leading Persian forces, conquered Caesarea Maritima, the administrative capital of Palaestina Prima. Shortly afterward, Jerusalem was captured by Persian forces, with Jewish support under Nehemiah ben Hushiel and Benjamin of Tiberias. However, a Christian revolt erupted soon after, resulting in the death of Nehemiah ben Hushiel and his council. The Persians besieged Jerusalem, and although Christian sources differ on the duration of the siege, it ended with a significant death toll among Christians and deportation of many others.

Subsequent events included a failed Jewish incursion against Tyre and the hope among Jews that the Persian ruler, Khosrow II, would grant them control over the Land of Israel. However, by 617 CE, the Persians reversed their policy, siding with Christians over Jews. Jewish hopes were dashed, and the situation worsened with heavy taxes imposed on them.

In 622 CE, Heraclius, the Byzantine Emperor, assembled an army to reclaim lost territories. By 628, peace was established with the Sasanians, but Heraclius' triumphal entry into Jerusalem was marred by a general massacre of the Jewish population. Despite claims of large-scale destruction, archaeological evidence does not support extensive devastation during this period.

The aftermath saw Jews expelled from Jerusalem, with only those able to flee spared from the massacre. Heraclius' conversion policy targeted Jews, influenced by apocalyptic predictions and his astrologers' warnings. The events surrounding the revolt and its aftermath inspired apocalyptic Jewish writings and had implications for Christian theology, including the idea of a war messiah.

Ultimately, the territory did not remain under Byzantine control for long, as the Arabs conquered Jerusalem by 638, leading to significant changes in the region's political landscape.

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