Revolt Aftermath
Jewish sources describe Bar Kokhba becoming arrogant toward the end of the revolt. He killed his own uncle, a beloved rabbi living in Beitar, based on a false accusation. According to the Talmud, the city of Beitar, where Bar Kokhba made his final stand, fell on the same day, the day of Tisha B'Av. A horrific slaughter took place. Jewish sources refer to Bar Kokhba as Bar Koziva, “Son of falsehood”, referring to his false messiahship.
Over a half million Jews, some estimate more, died during the revolt. Whether as an instigator to or a result of the revolt, Hadrian razed Jerusalem to the ground and built a new city in his name, "Aelia Capitolina", referring to his family name, Aelia gens, and Capitolina, referring to the Pagan Triad. Jews were forbidden to enter the city. Meant as an insult to the Jews, Hadrian also changed the province of Judea to "Syria Palestina", better known as Roman Palestine, and adaptation of the name Philistia which was the Philistine Pentapolis during the times of King David. The Philistines disappeared from history long before the rise of the Roman Empire.
This coin depicts Hadrian behind a team of oxen symbolically founding a new city by plowing the ruins of Jerusalem
JUDAEA, Aelia Capitolina Hadrian 117-138 A.D
Obverse: Laur. bust of emp. r. COL(onia) AEL(ia) KAPIT(olina) COND(ita) - “The founding of the Colony of Aelia Capitolina”
Reverse: Emperor plowing field IMP[eratori] CAES[ari] TRAI[ano] HADRIANO AUG[usto] P[ater] P[atriae] - “For Imperator Caesar Trajanus Hadrianus Augustus, Father of the Fatherland.”
George Blumenthal Collection Photo: Ardon BarHama
Overview
A False accusation and Bar Kokhva's growing arrogance led to the fall of Beitar where he made his final stand. A horrific slaughter followed. Over 500,000 million Jews were murdered by the Romans during the revolt.
Hadrian razed Jerusalem to the ground and built a new city that he called Aelia Capitolina, referring to his family name, Aelia gens, and Capitolina referring to the Pagan Triad. Jews were forbidden to enter the city.
He also changed the province of Judea to "Syria Palestina", better known as “Roman Palestine” named after "Philistia", the Philistine Pentopolis during the times of King David. The Philistines disappeared from history long before the rise of the Roman Empire.
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