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Course: Ancient Mediterranean + Europe > Unit 9
Lesson 7: Early empire- Augustus as Pontifex Maximus
- Augustus of Primaporta
- Augustus of Primaporta
- Augustus of Primaporta
- Ara Pacis
- Ara Pacis
- Ara Pacis
- The Mausoleum of Augustus and the Piazza Augusto Imperatore in Rome
- Gemma Augustea
- The art of gem carving
- Pont du Gard
- Obelisks and ancient Rome
- Lateran Obelisk
- Preparations for a Sacrifice
- The Domus Aurea, Nero’s Golden Palace
- The rediscovery and impact of the Domus Aurea
- Portrait of Vespasian
- Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheater)
- Colosseum
- The Arch of Titus
- Relief from the Arch of Titus, showing The Spoils of Jerusalem being brought into Rome
- Silver shekel of the Second Jewish Revolt
- Portrait Bust of a Flavian Woman (Fonseca Bust), part 1 of 2
- When there is no archaeological record: Portrait Bust of a Flavian Woman (Fonseca bust)
- Forum and Markets of Trajan
- The Forum of Trajan
- Markets of Trajan
- Column of Trajan
- Column of Trajan
- Column of Trajan
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Silver shekel of the Second Jewish Revolt
By The British Museum
This silver coin shows how, in an act of defiance against Roman rule, the Jewish population in the province of Judaea over-struck portraits of the Emperor Hadrian with their own symbols.
Rebellion against Rome
Jerusalem had been destroyed by Roman forces in 70 C.E. and the Roman authorities prevented the Jews from rebuilding their temple, which was the focal point of their religious and cultural identity. Moreover, Hadrian decided to re-found Jerusalem as a Roman colony named Aelia Capitolina
This and other measures, such as banning circumcision, prompted the Jews to rise against Rome under their charismatic leader Simon Bar Kokhba, an assumed name, meaning “Son of the Star” (a reference to his divine claim to leadership). The Roman forces were taken by surprise and suffered heavy casualties.
The rebels established their own rule in the territory they held and Bar Kokhba took the title “Prince of Israel” (nsy’ Ysr’l). As well as over-striking Roman coins like this one, they minted their own with highly symbolic and deeply emotive motifs referring to the destroyed Temple of Jerusalem and the rituals associated with it. A new era of “Redemption” or “Freedom of Israel” was declared. Documents dated “Years One to Four” survive and cover the period from March/April 132 C.E. to the time when the Romans re-established control in the autumn of 135 C.E.
© Trustees of the British Museum