The new computer-based research of Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologist Kfir Arbiv provided ballistic calculations from the 2000-year-old battleground including the intensity of the assault in the battles that led to the destruction of the Second Temple.
“The Temple was destroyed in 70 CE, after a four-month siege and an intensive battle led by the Roman general Titus to conquer the city and suppress the revolt initiated by the Jews four years earlier. The Romans had a well-trained massive army equipped with the best military innovations of their day. It was a ruthless war machine, “ says Israel Antiquities Authority researcher Kfir Arbiv.
Arbiv systematically recorded Roman military equipment retrieved in excavations in Jerusalem, many of which were found in the excavations he directed, together with Dr. Rina Avner, in the Russian Compound adjacent to the Jerusalem Municipality building. The Roman Arsenal exposed to date includes hundreds of different-sized ballista stones launched from sophisticated bolt-throwing machines to a distance of 100–400 m, small sling stones used by trained infantry, and catapult machines launched spearheads for a distance of 150–200 m. Spears, swords, and arrowheads, including heavy arrowheads that could penetrate armor.
“We know from the historical sources that the Roman army employed massive siege rams to batter the fortification walls and siege towers that reached the height of the walls, but these have not yet been found in Jerusalem,” says Amit Reem, director of Israel Antiquities Authority Jerusalem Region.
Arbiv’s research focused on the hundreds of ballista stones, and his analysis defined different sizes and weights. Some, directed against people, were launched against the walls to prevent the Jewish rebels from emerging above the walls. Other heavier ones were thrown fiercely against the walls to penetrate them.
According to Arbiv, “With the help of the computer, I located all the ballista exactly where they were found. I took into account the local topography and the location of the Second Temple-period city fortification walls, and I made ballistic calculations, including the launching angle and the throwing distance of the stones. All the data was compared to the renowned Jewish historian Josephus’ contemporary detailed descriptions of the battle, and the conquest and destruction of Jerusalem, in his book, ‘The History of the Jewish War against the Romans.”
According to the research, some Roman army artillery machines were located in the center of the modern city of Jerusalem, in the Nahalat Hashiva area, nicknamed ‘Cats’ Square.’ The research also shows the probable pots where the Roman army penetrated the city for the first time. The Russian Compound excavations exposed part of the Third Wall, the third line of defense surrounding the city. An immense concentration of ballista stones was found at one point, some broken after use. It was evident that the Roman army concentrated their efforts here, and hundreds, if not thousands of ballista stones, were directed to this spot. “This is not surprising,” says Arbiv, “as whoever controls this spot dominates the whole area and the city's fate. This aligns with Josephus’ account that Titus commanded to penetrate the city from the northwestern side of the city wall.”
According to Eli Escusido, Director-General of the Israel Antiquities Authority, “the physical evidence of the huge resources employed by the Roman army in Jerusalem reflects the extremely harsh battles that eventually led to the destruction of the Second Temple. Notwithstanding the internal factions and the impossible odds, a small group of Jewish defenders withheld the Romans for a few months until the tragic destruction of the city. The use of up-to-date research methods reveals more and more about the fascinating history of Jerusalem.”