Gallus (Cestius Gallus)
- ANCIENT SOURCES: see Gallus (sources)
- LIST OF SCHOLARLY AND FICTIONAL WORKS: see Category:Gallus (subject)
Gaius Cestius Gallus was the Roman Governor of Syria, from 63 to 67 CE, under Emperor Nero.
Overview
In 63 CE, the Emperor Nero appointed Cestius Gallus as Roman Governor of Syria. At the Passover of 66 CE Cestius visited Jerusalem, where he heard complaints against the Roman Governor Florus, but took no decisive action. He sent his tribune Neopolitanus to see in what condition the affairs of the Jews were. In spite of the mediation of Herod Agrippa II and Berenice, the situation at Jerusalem quickly deteriorated.
In 66 CE, at the outset of the Jewish War, Cestius 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. Surrounded by rebel forces in the Battle of Beth Horon and surprised by the extent of the rebellion, Cestius 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 had no choice but to require the intervention of the Emperor Nero.
Cestius died in 67 CE shortly after his return in Syria.
Cestius in ancient sources
Suetonius, Life of Vespasian
...the rebellious Jews... murdered their Governor, routed the Governor of Syria when he came down to restore order, and captured an Eagle...
Tacitus, Histories V
...the endurance of the Jews lasted till Gessius Florus was procurator. In his time the war broke out. Cestius Gallus, legate of Syria, who attempted to crush it, had to fight several battles, generally with ill-success. Cestius dying, either in the course of nature, or from vexation...
Josephus' Jewish War
Bel III 14 2 -- ...while Cestius Gallus was president of the province of Syria, nobody durst do so much as send an embassage to him against Florus; but when he was come to Jerusalem, upon the approach of the feast of unleavened bread, the people came about him not fewer in number than three millions these besought him to commiserate the calamities of their nation, and cried out upon Florus as the bane of their country. But as he was present, and stood by Cestius, he laughed at their words. However, Cestius, when he had quieted the multitude, and had assured them that he would take care that Florus should hereafter treat them in a more gentle manner, returned to Antioch. Florus also conducted him as far as Caesarea, and deluded him...
Bel III 14 1 -- Florus contrived another way to oblige the Jews to begin the war, and sent to Cestius, and accused the Jews falsely of revolting [from the Roman government]... Yet were not the governors of Jerusalem silent upon this occasion, but did themselves write to Cestius, as did Berenice also, about the illegal practices of which Florus had been guilty against the city; who, upon reading both accounts, consulted with his captains [what he should do]. Now some of them thought it best for Cestius to go up with his army, either to punish the revolt, if it was real, or to settle the Roman affairs on a surer foundation, if the Jews continued quiet under them; but he thought it best himself to send one of his intimate friends beforehand, to see the state of affairs, and to give him a faithful account of the intentions of the Jews. Accordingly, he sent one of his tribunes, whose name was Neopolitanus, who met with king Agrippa as he was returning from Alexandria, at Jamnia, and told him who it was that sent him, and on what errands he was sent... [3] ...(After visiting Jerusalem and completing his mission, Neipolitanus) returned to Cestius.
Bel III 18:9 - 19:9 - The disastrous campaign of Cestius Gallus