Category:Sicarii (subject)

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The Sicarii (lit. dagger-men) were an extremist group of anti-Roman Zealots, active in the first century CE.

Overview

According to Josephus, a group of Zealots, called Sicarii, distinguished themselves for carrying out a series of political assassinations against their opponents--Romans, Jewish collaborators, Sadducees. Their most astounding success was the killing of the High Priest Jonathan ben Ananus.

The Jewish authorities and the Romans struggled to suppress the movement of the Sicarii. Josephus praises in particular Albinus for "ensuring peace in the land by exterminating most of the Sicarii" (Ant XX 208). The Sicarii however survived and gained strength, as the political and social situation deteriorated.

The Sicarii had an active role since the early stages of the Jewish War. Led by Simon bar Giora, they took control of the fortress of Masada. Later Simon bar Giora moved to Jerusalem where he challenged the power of the Zealot leaders, John of Giscala and Eleazar ben Simon.

At Masada the Sicarii and Eleazar ben Yair were the last to resist the Roman power. According to Josephus, they committed mass suicide when the fortress was about to fall.