Episode 66: Rethinking The Bar Kokhba Revolt

Haggai Olshanetsky, a historian and archaeologist focusing on the Hellenistic and Roman periods at the University of Warsaw. He came on the show to discuss his research arguing that the Second Jewish Revolt against Rome, otherwise known as the Bar Kokhba Revolt, may have had more than one leader, specifically Jewish veterans of the Roman army, and it was only later that Bar Kokhba assumed leadership of the revolt. 

Here is a link to Haggai's article as well as links to previous episodes on the Bar Kokhba Revolt and the Diaspora Revolt.

Takeaways

• Bar Kokhba's role as the revolt’s sole leader is debated.

• The Roman account that the Jews manufactured weapons for the Roman army and intentionally made poor quality ones that the Romans would reject and they would use, suggests that some leaders of the revolt may have been Jewish Roman soldiers.

• Guerrilla warfare is not a fitting description for the revolt. Significant Roman losses likely came from open field battles, also suggesting experienced military leadership.

• Other rebellions against Rome often featured leaders who had served in some capacity in the Roman army, which may also have happened in the Second Jewish Revolt.

• Bar Kokhba's takeover of the revolt may have led to its decline.