Jewish revolt against Constantius Gallus

In 351–352 the Jews of Palestine revolted against the rule of Constantius Gallus, brother-in-law of Emperor Constantius II and Caesar of the Eastern Roman Empire. The revolt was subdued by Gallus' general Ursicinus.

Background

See also: Jewish-Roman Wars

The emperor Constantius II, like his father Constantine the Great before him, showed a preference for the Christian religion, which he favored over all others, including Judaism. Unlike his father, however, Constantius allowed Christians to persecute the pagans and the Jews. Some Christian clergy practiced intolerance toward non-Christians, both through the secular arm and in directing angry crowds, which attacked and destroyed synagogues and temples.

Eventually, the Jews reacted, opposing Christian proselytism and showing intolerance toward Jewish Christians. Fiery sermons preached in synagogues against Edom were in fact directed against those Romans who, after removing the Jews' political independence, were now repressing their religion.

Revolt

In 350, Emperor Constantius II was engaged in a campaign in the East against the Sassanids. He was however forced to return to the West to counter the usurpation of Magnentius, who had murdered Constantius' brother and colleague, Constans. Constantius therefore appointed his cousin Gallus Caesar of the East, on March 15, 351 at Sirmium. Gallus arrived at Antioch, his capital, on May 7 of that same year. During the period between the passage of Constantius in the West and the arrival of Gallus in the East, or immediately after the arrival of the Caesar in Antioch, the Jews revolted in Palestine.

The rebellion was led by Isaac of Diocesarea (also known as Isaac of Sepphoris), aided by a certain Patricius, also known as Natrona, a name with messianic connotations, and had its epicentre in the town of Diocaesarea. Jerome records that the revolt began with a night assault on the Roman garrison, which was destroyed, and allowed the Jews to procure the necessary weapons. According to the 9th century author Theophanes the Confessor subsequently the rebels killed the people of different ethnicities, pagan Greek Hellenes and Samaritans. He is the first author to make this claim.

In 351 or 352, Gallus sent his magister equitum Ursicinus to forcefully put down the revolt. Tiberias and Diospolis, two of the cities conquered by the rebels, were almost destroyed, while Diocaesarea was razed to the ground. Ursicinus also ordered several thousand rebels killed. A midrash suggests that Patricius was killed in the battle.

Aftermath

See also: Samaritan Revolts and Jewish revolt against Heraclius

After the events, a permanent garrison occupied Galilee.

References

Primary sources

• Socrates Scholasticus, Historia ecclesiastica
• Sozomen, Historia ecclesiastica
• Theophanes the Confessor, Chronographia

Secondary sources

• Thomas M. Banchich, "Gallus Caesar (15 March 351 - 354 A.D.)", De Imperatoribus Romanis, 1997.
• Bernard Lazare and Robert Wistrich, Antisemitism: Its History and Causes, University of Nebraska Press, 1995, ISBN 080327954X.
• "Patricius", Jewish Encyclopedia