Innovating Terror
Reign of Terror
For the next sixty years the Zealots incite a colossal amount of terror throughout Judea. No Roman soldier, citizen, or sympathizer is free from harm. The Zealots continue to draw massive amounts of support to their cause all the while becoming more adept in the art of killing.
Though never mentioned by Josephus, Judas the Galilean is eventually executed [1] and is succeeded by his son Menaham. Menaham doesn't believe the Zealots are making a strong enough impact on the Roman empire and decides to resort to more extreme methods.
The Zealots only focused their efforts on Roman government or military officials, Menaham wanted to target anyone who did not support the Fourth Philosophy, even civilians and Temple priests. Menaham employed such methods as:
- Kidnapping / Hostage Trading
- Blackmail / Life Threats
- Poison
- Recruiting Gentiles and Criminals
- Harming Women and Children
Eventually Menaham broke off and began the Sicarii. The void left by him was filled in by Temple priests. Two in particular: Eleazar son of Ananias who led the revolt from within the Temple; and Simon bar Giora who led the revolutionary army.
Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures
Unlike some modern day terrorist attacks, which emphasize drawing attention to the guilty party, the Zealots and Sicarii preferred to stay out of Roman jails. They would instead blend in with a large crowd at a social gathering (i.e. a party, market, religious event), attack their victim, then slip away. When the victim finally attracted attention from bystanders, the Zealots and Sicarii would mirror the crowd and would act just as horrified and bewildered.
The Zealots and Sicarii probably used a 1st Century Roman daggers called Pugio (pictured at the top of the page) as their main instrument of death.
"The Sicarii committed mass murders in broad daylight in the heart of Jerusalem. The holy days were their special seasons when they could mingle with the crowd carrying short daggers concealed under their clothing with which they stabbed their enemies. Thus, when they fell, the murderers joined in cries of indignation, and through this plausible behavior were never discovered ... The panic created was more alarming than the calamity itself."[2]
Cloak and Dagger
Image Source: http://www.roman-empire.net/society/soc-dress.html
"The toga was a garment that was only to be worn by free Roman citizens ... foreigners could not wear a toga in public."[3]
Since the Jewish community were considered outsiders, the Zealots and Sicarii probably wore a tunic and cloak like other contemporary foreigners. Effectively utilizing their cloaks would have allowed for quick and inconspicuous attacks, maintaining a low level of awareness.
Since the Jewish community were considered outsiders, the Zealots and Sicarii probably wore a tunic and cloak like other contemporary foreigners. Effectively utilizing their cloaks would have allowed for quick and inconspicuous attacks, maintaining a low level of awareness.
References
[1] God, The Holy Bible, Acts 5:37[2] Richard Horsley, "The Sicarii: Ancient Jewish "Terrorists," The Journal of Religion, Vol. 59, No. 4 (Oct. 1979), 435-458.
[2] Flavius Josephus, Trans. William Whiston, The Complete Works Of Josephus, "Antiquities of the Jews, (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications 1981)
[3] "Clothing in Ancient Rome," Rome Wiki, Accessed 13 Feb 2012, http://romewiki.wetpaint.com/page/Clothing+in+Ancient+Rome
Resources:
Banner Image Source 1: "Roman Pugio," Ramanon, Accessed 14 Feb 2012, http://www.ramanon.com/forum/showthread.php?64130-Roman-Pugio-anyone-ever
Banner Image Source 2: "Beautiful Roman Daggers," The Lost Fort, Accessed 14 Feb 2012, http://lostfort.blogspot.com/2010/02/beautiful-roman-daggers.html
Banner Image Source 2: "Beautiful Roman Daggers," The Lost Fort, Accessed 14 Feb 2012, http://lostfort.blogspot.com/2010/02/beautiful-roman-daggers.html