View source for Category:Battle of Beth Horon (subject)

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*[[Eleazar ben Simon|BACK to ELEAZAR BEN SIMON]] -- [[Cestius Gallus|CESTIUS GALLUS]]


In the '''Battle of Beth Horon, 66 CE''' the Jewish forces led by [[Eleazar ben Simon]] defeated the Roman Legio XII Fulminata, led by [[Cestius Gallus]].


==Overview==

In 66 CE, at the outset of the Jewish War, the Roman Governor of Syria [[Cestius Gallus]] made an unsuccessful attempt to restore order in Judea. He led the Twelve Legion, stationed in [[Antioch]], to [[Ptolemais]] and [[Caesarea Maritima]]. The Roman army razed [[Chabulon]], [[Joppa]], [[Antipatris]], and [[Lydda]], before arriving to [[Jerusalem]]. It was a trap. Near Beth Horon the Roman army was surrounded by the rebel forces led by [[Eleazar ben Simon]]. It was one of the most devastating defeats suffered by regular Roman troops against a rebelling province in history. The equivalent of an entire legion was destroyed.

[[Cestius Gallus]] was forced to a disastrous withdrawal, which left the whole Judea defenseless in the hands of the rebels, with the exception of the fortified coastal towns. Having failed to contain the war as a local affair, [[Cestius Gallus|Cestius]] had no choice but to require the intervention of the Emperor Nero. [[Eleazar ben Simon]] gained the status of hero and played a fundamental role in the [[Jewish War]] at Jerusalem as leader of the [[Zealots]] until he was killed in 70 CE by rival Jewish commander [[John of Giscala]], shortly before the [[Fall of Jerusalem by Titus]].

==The Battle of Beth Horon in ancient Sources==

==External links==
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Beth_Horon_(66) Wikipedia]


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