Appendix II:  Section D 

Siege of Jerusalem and Destruction of the Temple 

Revised  

Usual   

Event 

A.D.

 51  

A.D.

 66   

The war between the Romans and the Jews begins in the spring. 

A.D.

 51/52 

A.D.

 66/67  Wintertime preparations for an escalation of the war. Josephus prepares for battle. 

A.D.

 52  

A.D.

 67   

Vespasian is sent by Nero to make war against the Jews, in the spring. 

A.D.

 52  

A.D.

 67   

The capture of the city of Jotapata by the Romans, in the summer. 

A.D.

 53  

A.D.

 68   

Nero dies in June and is succeeded by Galba. 

A.D.

 54  

A.D.

 69   

Galba dies in January and is succeeded by Otho. 

A.D.

 54  

A.D.

 69   

Otho dies in April and is succeeded by Vitellius. 

A.D.

 54  

A.D.

 69   

Vespasian's troops declare their support for his bid to become emperor (July 1). 

A.D.

 54  

A.D.

 69   

Vitellius dies in December and is succeeded by Vespasian. 

A.D.

 55  

A.D.

 70   

Vespasian travels to Rome from Alexandria to take over as emperor (March or later). 

A.D.

 55  

A.D.

 70   

Titus and his army set out from Alexandria and travel to Caesarea (April or later). 

A.D.

 55  

Titus prepares his forces for many months at Caesarea (summer/autumn/winter). 

A.D.

 70   

Titus prepares his forces very quickly and attacks/captures Jerusalem the same year. 

A.D.

 56  

Titus and his army arrive at Jerusalem before Nisan 14 = March 19. 

A.D.

 56  

Assault on the first wall, from March 27 to April 10 = Artemisius [Iyar] 7. 

A.D.

 56  

Breach in the second wall, April 15 = Artemisius [Iyar] 12. 

A.D.

 56  

Second wall captured, April 18 or 19 = Artemisius [Iyar] 15 or 16.  

A.D.

 56  

Demolition of second wall, then relaxation in siege, until late April or early May. 

A.D.

 56  

Roman soldiers receive their pay, early May = end of Artemisius [Iyar]. 

A.D.

 56  

Raising of the siege works against the third wall, ArtemisiusII [Sivan] 12 = May 15. 

A.D.

 56  

Siege works against the third wall completed on ArtemisiusII [Sivan] 29 = June 1. 

A.D.

 56  

The Jews destroy the siege works for the third wall, Daisios [Tammuz] 2 = June 3. 

A.D.

 56  

Titus completes wall around Jerusalem, Daisios [Tammuz] 6 = June 7. 

A.D.

 56  

Rebuilding of siege works against the third wall, Daisios [Tammuz] 11 = June 12. 

A.D.

 56  

Completion of siege works against the third wall, Panemus [Av] 1 = July 2. 

A.D.

 56  

Battles at the third wall, Panemus [Av] 1 to 17 = July 2 to 18. 

A.D.

 56  

Romans dig up the foundations of the tower of Antonia, Panemus [Av] 17 to 23. 

A.D.

 56  

Romans attack entrance to Temple on Saturday, Panemus [Av] 23 = July 24. 

A.D.

 56  

Temple cloisters burned by Jews and Romans, Panemus [Av] 27, 28 = July 28, 29. 

A.D.

 56  

Siege works against Temple wall completed on Saturday, Loos [Elul] 8 = August 7. 

A.D.

 56  

The Second Temple of Jerusalem destroyed by fire, Loos [Elul] 8 10 = August 7 9. 

A.D.

 56  

Siege works against the upper city begin to be built, Loos [Elul] 20 = August 19. 

A.D.

 56  

Siege works against the upper city completed, Gorpieus [Tishri] 7 = September 5. 

A.D.

 56  

Upper city taken, siege of Jerusalem completed, Gorpieus [Tishri] 8 = September 6. 

284