Bar Kohba and the Second Jewish Revolt

Historical Sources: Roman, Jewish, Christian and Archeological

Abstract

Many aspects of the Second Jewish Revolt against the Romans (132–135) has been an enigma to historians since becoming an object of scholarly research. Causes of the rebellion, the course of the war, the military performance of both the rebels and the Romans and the expanse of territory affected by the revolt are still debatable. Unlike with the First Revolt (66–73), there are no comprehensive sources on the Second Revolt that are suitable for study, but rather only scattered textual fragments in which the Revolt is addressed only in passing. Since the 1950’s, archeologists have found new evidence revealing more details about the Revolt, the most important of which was probably the real name of its leader. However, many fragments are still missing for a reconstruction of the course of events, often considered crucial in shaping Jewish Messianism in the following centuries and for the perception of contemporary Jewish statehood within the religious community.