Figure 77

Photo courtesy of CNG

Bronze Sestertius coin (AD 71) of Vespasian (AD 69-79). On the left is the laureate head of Vespasian with the words IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III. The right depicts Vespasian, holding a spear and standing with his left foot on a helmet over a Jewess who is mourning over the destruction of Jerusalem. It reads IVDAEA CAPTA: Judea captured.

In AD 69 Vespasian left his son Titus to suppress the Jewish revolt led by the Zealots, John of Gischala and Simon bar Giora. Titus finished the task in AD 70 by entering Jerusalem and plundering the temple. It is believed that the Romans attacked Qumran on the way to Masada but the Essenes hid the scrolls in the caves before they arrived.