Rebellion | Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire | BBC Documentary

[Music] in AD 66 the biggest rebellion ever against the power of Rome broke out in the remote province of Judea the fear was it could destabilize the whole empire to stamp this out rome turned to the outcasts general Vespasian and his son Titus if they want war then that's what they'll get this is the story of how they rose from disgrace and obscurity to crush the rebellion [Applause] their reward would be that both would become emperor [Music] their legacy survives even to this day for they would build one of the greatest symbols of the power of Rome [Music] [Music] in the spring of AD 66 to cephas been Matata yahoo witnessed one of the greatest rebellions in the history of the roman empire this film is based on his written account of those events [Applause] rebellion began because of the Roman governor of Judea what's now modern-day Israel the Jews hated him for his corruption embezzlement and extortionate taxes you think I'm gonna stand here and be shouted at by this rabble I thought it was your job to collect the taxes we support you get on with it oh you can make up a shop for yourself we will speak for you quiet governor please what is it Hanna you and your friends not doing well enough out of us find the money or we'll come and get it from you within weeks the governor carried out his threat he sent his troops into the holiest shrine in a Jewish world [Music] [Applause] yes the Romans were driven out of Judea the rebellion was now unstoppable [Music] six months later 30,000 Roman troops were sent to put down the revolt [Applause] the massacre of beth horon was the Roman Army's worst defeat by a rebelling province Rome now feared that revolt would break out in other parts of the Empire titus flavius was a young officer in the roman army and the son of the veteran general Vespasian father Titus how are you my boy come on over no thanks well any of those getting under my armor he's afraid of a little bee Aspasia in had been dismissed from the Emperor Nero's Court he had fallen asleep during one of his interminable poetry readings what brings you all the way down here glad to see you Father yes and well the Emperor the Emperor it's not that poetry businesses it I thought he might have forgotten about that no it's not that it's the revolt in Judea Judea who gives a damn about Judea can't the governor there deal with it apparently not the Jews were killed around 6,000 of our men what Toth legion was cut to pieces they lost their Eagle too and prison a complete of fury once the revolt put down immediately before anyone else gets the same idea and what does he want me to do well he wants you to take command in Judea does he now father what what is it when you're getting your orders from the Emperor ask him to give you command of a legion oh yeah that would be nice but now try not to fall asleep this time [Laughter] new beginning a new beginning for us all we have driven the Romans from our holy land we have our own Jewish state back in Jerusalem the Jewish leader Hana Ben Fannin was filling the power vacuum left by the Romans and when they do we must be ready for them we must raise an army to fight them are you with us [Applause] [Music] right gentlemen Judea first thing these Jews are tough bastards remember what they did to the 12th this will not be easy second the main army and their government are based in Jerusalem they will just go straight ISM take Jerusalem cut the whole damned rebellion off at its head nice and clean blessed us that's the one thing we shouldn't do why Sir why not Jerusalem is built like a fortress they're armed to the teeth we lose a lot of good Roman lives for no reason no we need to be cleverer than that what these people understand Sofia - damn right so we burn every village daughter every man of fighting age kill their cattle drive their women and children into slavery we will unleash a reign of terror so brutal on these people they'll come to us begging for mercy when do we start at once Titus I want you to go to Egypt to bring back the 15th Legion from Alexandria let you lay innocent raging with the 5th and 10th you'll come with me we wander Vuh in southern Syria tell Emmaus then starting with Galilee in the north we send hell into Judea I want you up north in Galilee Josephus I need someone in command there I can trust you know you can trust me you've got a lot of work to do when the Romans come back you'll be up against the best trained troops in the world we've beaten them once we'll do it again we have to know they're far too strong we'd never defeat them in a long war surely you're clever enough to see that then what's the point in fighting to force them to negotiate what look they don't want to throw away lives any more than we do if we show them it'll be tough we'll be able to squeeze some concessions from them in exchange for peace like what no more corrupt governors for a start some sort of independence maybe even that there's no alternative other than long war nope and if it did come to that we'd lose everything everything Josephus even the temple [Music] in the winter of AD 66 Josephus took up his position as commander of the Jewish forces in Galilee his orders to prepare the resistance for the coming Roman onslaught [Music] [Music] meanwhile the Roman Pinson began to tighten Aspasia brought his troops down from the north and Titus began a long march up from Egypt [Music] a quarter of the entire Roman army was now converging on Galilee [Music] it's time to show these Jews what happens if you violate the Peace of Rome Placidus you know what to do break them [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] tens of thousands of Jews were killed or tortured into space Ian's campaign of terror many more were sold into slavery [Music] but still the Jewish resistance would not break [Music] refugees began to flood into cities like jata pata seeking the protection of Josephus and his forces how long do you think we can hold out longer than they can they're gonna have to bring everything up here water food everything imagine how much water they're going to need so how long then how long do you reckon it'll last month month and a half fifty days let's not be too pessimistic say forty-seven look close the gate [Music] Vespasian zatar [ __ ] apart-er is remembered as a classic of Roman siege tactics wait wait [Music] [Applause] [Applause] but for three weeks every attack was repulsed [Applause] we'll have to try something different [Music] best business tactic used the testudo or tortoise his men began undermining the walls where they have been weakened by the catapults [Applause] [Music] [Applause] what's going on Titus another tough general we're running on water supplies and then it's hired we can't beat this bunch we might as well give up in 47 days and out Jeremy that's how long the general said it would last I've got it from one of the prisoners I heard goes on much longer the Emperor will have my guts I'll be right back to where I was before in exile keeping bees you're laughing at you'll be right alongside me need you to turn this round Titus trust me Father I will [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] the Romans are in by the Jewish general by the seat [Applause] [Applause] [Music] [Music] come on quit trapped it's our only hope come on [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Applause] all I have to do is look in now look down there sir there's a foot what's fine a lot better than general Josephus will feel when we catch him put up with good fight I'll get him that bastard you did well very well yeah sir this [ __ ] knows where their generals Heidi oh she hasn't told us yet but she will just Cephas we know you're in there just Cephas its Nicanor do you remember you cannot no way what do you think general Vespasian wants to see why so he can put us on display nanus the crosses I think he admires you thinks you fought well uh-huh does he and you're really impressed him with your prediction of how long the siege would last he heard about that did he tell Titus he had to take the town on the 47th day no matter what what about the others down here what about them can you guarantee their safe conduct I'll see what I can do let me talk to them they're giving us a chance we've fought bravely we can surrender with honor the Romans will make us slaves it's madness and it's so cowardly God gave us life it's not for us to just throw it away shut up we don't have to fight but we can't help each other help each other to die with dignity form a circle Oh mr. ku go we'll decide who goes first by drawing lots who'll do the killing everyone kills themselves yeah yeah no suicide is an offense against God let's just say I don't know every third man is killed by the man nearest him at least it'll be quick no yeah cough don't stand next to me I can't have a friend [Music] [Music] josephus was a scholar and it is possible that he constructed the count in such a way that he would always be one of the last two to die Josephus himself would later put his survival down to the will of God just you and me Yakov then you'll have to kill me how can i I can't no please Yakov don't it's me they want I'll talk to them they'll listen to me I'll only surrender if they let you go free you please go ahead kill me God will forgive you but then what what do you have to kill yourself thank you pointless isn't it you rebel against Roman look what happens give up a nice easy civilized life and for what imprisonment torture death you must be mad I did my duty as a Jew Jew payer it's Roman your duty was to Rome and to the Emperor and to the Emperor you shall go and we all know what he'll do with you chained him but why send me to the Emperor when you'll be Emperor yourself before long you are mad since when did an emperor come from outside the imperial family never that's when don't try and flatter me nevertheless you are talking treason Jew wait why did you say that Rome needs a strong leader general Vespasian is the strongest of the strong the Emperor Nero this is nonsense dangerous nonsense I was right about how long the siege would last and I'm right about this you will be Emperor get him out of here wait wait if we treat him with clemency the others might be more willing to surrender and he was right about the siege who knows he might be right again and could be very useful to us [Music] town after town fell to the Romans as Titus and Vespasian continued their terror tactics over the next two years but they didn't work they only succeeded in driving the rebel groups of zealots guerrillas and militia back towards Jerusalem ready for one final stand [Music] [Music] among the rebels an uncompromising guerrilla leader from Galilee Johanna with kiss Cal it's gonna cause us a lot of problems a lot of problems the arrival of such fanatics was a disaster for the leader of the Jewish government Hernan was still hoping to bring the Romans to the negotiating table what are you doing here this is a holy place yes for all the Jews not just you it's not a place of war even the Romans respected that oh no they didn't not when it didn't suit them have you no sense of decency you talk to me about decency the Romans are murdering people in their thousands they're burning and breaking and killing while you sit here waiting to do a deal with them stupid fool so our only hope there is no dealing with the Romans we must take them is this what you wanted is this what you're fighting the Romans for so that scum like this can desecrate your holy places and bring us all to ruin surround the temple you must send a deputation to the Romans now now before it's too late for these fanatics drag us all done with them it must be now it must why we still have these fools trapped in the temple [Music] with the death of Hanna Jerusalem fell into the hands of the different rebel factions for two years they fought savagely with each other before finally uniting against the Romans [Music] at the same time volcanic changes rocked the Empire the emperor nero was overthrown plunging rome into civil war three roman generals then declared themselves emperor and tried to seize power [Music] all the while Vespasian stayed outside the fray in Judea then after a year of chaos the Roman armies in the East turned to him to restore order [Music] and so Vespasian became Emperor and Josephus his prediction came true [Music] when you came down to the country to bring me back from exile who'd have thought three years later I'd be off to Rome as Emperor well everyone's heard of us now yes with one whiff of failure who knows what could happen we need a quick victory a price for Rome Jerusalem yes whatever you do you must try to avoid a direct assault the siege would take forever just said it yourself you want a quick victory that's right but if we lose thousands of men getting it will tarnish the prize a little won't it better than no prize at all from what if you fail you know what their defenses are like three huge walls 60-foot eye one inside the other thousands dead and nothing to show for it it'll be the end of us both literally how can I take Jerusalem quickly without a fight find a way Titus a less risky way for me and for the family we don't have much time and I need Jerusalem [Music] you'll never do it it's much too strong I will do it one way or another our holy city they'll fight to the death so be it if we must what's the point all you have left is a city in ruins No all you'll have left is a city in ruins I'll be in Rome sanim was still alive he'd know what to do yes but he's not just Cephas and you are well [Music] [Music] Jerusalem when are you have a chance to help us save your holy city [Music] this is the man who was supposed to defend Galilei look at him couldn't join the Romans fast enough could you did you give them the keys to Tata pata Levi you were there tell them what happened don't listen to him he's a Roman slave you must surrender if you don't surrender now there'll be no mercy remember what happened to our friends Levi to the women and children tell them Levi you tell them you're the one who thought you could do a deal with the Romans ask him Levi he's working for the murderers who did it it'll happen here too if you carry on with this everyone look at all if they want war and that's what they'll get [Music] and so titus began what his father had avoided for two years a direct assault on Jerusalem I thought this was just what your father didn't want my father once my father must have is a quick victory the time for talking is over [Music] the Romans broke the first wall after 15 days ii took another 8 but then the attack founded the Romans could not get past the massive third wall it wasn't just tall it was also 15 feet deep Titus now ordered the area around Jerusalem to be scoured for timber every tree for 10 miles was cut down for siege platforms and towers and this is finished the Jews will be finished [Music] [Music] not much further magic we can do it they may be stronger than us but they don't have our brains [Music] the towers were vast seventy-five feet high and weighing many tons teams of men were needed to move them into position we'll never do it yes we will we must there's still time if we can just keep going we'll win it's hopeless come on we're nearly there fight fight for it fight for what you believe in this is what means to be free [Music] each tower could carry dozens of assault troops it was now the Romans who can attack from above [Music] let's have a straw on the pitch first then the timber good work stand allegiance to a dog [Music] well done all of you now get out of here quickly [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] in the end the seed was broken not through Roman ingenuity or force but because of the tunnel the Jews had built to attack the siege towns [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Applause] Oh [Applause] [Applause] [Music] the Romans had reached the temple precincts and there they paused now they had to decide what to do with the temple itself well know what Placidus would do you raise it to the ground wouldn't you if we don't general they're only gonna use it as a rallying points in the future it's gonna be hard enough to capture as it is we'd only do that all over again the temple is a place of great holiness of great significance to us all the more reason to burn it down no don't you see if you spare the temple the people will see that God has used you as his instrument but the rebels have desecrated it but you have preserved it you can't attack Rome and expect to get away with it please I beg you don't destroy the temple if for no other reason because it's so beautiful it would be a great ornament for Rome after all it is a work of art a great work of art no it'll be our gift to the Emperor and the people of Rome [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Music] the temples on fire here [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] cereal get water get this far out now [Music] [Applause] [Music] we surrender we just want to go to live in the desert us and our families how dare you we've beaten you can't you see did you really think you could take on the might of Rome we let you use your own laws your own religion we respected your culture your way of life we protected you and you prospered but you mistook that generosity for weakness and now you will find out what happens to those who break the Peace of Rome do you choose we don't know when your beanie legions let them know [Applause] hundreds of thousands of Jews were killed or sold into slavery the temple would never rise again back back we fought well brothers something we believe it someday we'll be free Yohanan was imprisoned for life the other leaders of the revolt were enslaved or executed rome had learns its lesson for now on it made it very clear what would happen to anyone who rebelled against its world [Music] Titus return to Rome and succeeded his father as Emperor part of a new dynasty from more humble origins the first with no grand aristocratic connections Josephus also settled in Rome where he wrote an accounts of the Jewish revolt a record we still have today and the treasure that was stolen by the Romans from Jerusalem's temple it helped pay for that great symbol of the power of Rome the Colosseum of Vespasian [Music] next on ancient Rome Emperor Constantine a story of love ambition and treachery after hundreds of years of peace Rome collapsed into civil war but one man and a new religion were changed not just the Empire but the Western world forever [Music] you

Channel: BBC Documentary

Views: 1,119,454

Rating: 4.7793074 out of 5

Keywords: bbc documentary, ancient rome, ancient rome documentary, ancient rome the rise and fall of an empire, ancient rome: the rise and fall of an empire, full documentary, historical documentary, history documentary, rome documentary, rome documentary bbc, rome documentary constantine, rome documentary nero, jewish revolt against rome, jewish revolt documentary, jewish revolt rome, jewish revolt kings and generals, jewish revolt of 66, jewish revolt 66-70, General Vespasian, Titus

Id: wjJNJsVL8Rc

Length: 51min 4sec (3064 seconds)

Published: Thu Jul 23 2020

Reddit Comments

[u/karma-toes]

Riveting. Great performances. Interesting detail.

[u/greyseal494]

Incredible story.