Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
1
00:00:10,640 --> 00:00:12,153
In AD 66,
2
00:00:12,280 --> 00:00:15,397
the biggest rebellion ever
against the power of Rome
3
00:00:15,520 --> 00:00:18,637
broke out in the remote province of Judaea.
4
00:00:21,120 --> 00:00:24,556
The fear was it could destabilise the whole empire.
5
00:00:27,600 --> 00:00:31,798
To stamp this out,
Rome turned to the outcast General Vespasian
6
00:00:31,920 --> 00:00:33,592
and his son, Titus.
7
00:00:35,440 --> 00:00:38,557
If they want war, then that's what they'll get.
8
00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:43,310
This is the story of how they rose
from disgrace and obscurity
9
00:00:43,440 --> 00:00:45,317
to crush the rebellion.
10
00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:52,549
Their reward would be
that both would become Emperor.
11
00:00:55,440 --> 00:00:58,830
Their legacy survives even to this day
12
00:00:58,960 --> 00:01:03,238
for they would build
one of the greatest symbols of the power of Rome.
13
00:01:50,800 --> 00:01:55,078
In the spring of AD 66,
Josephus Ben Mattatiyahu
14
00:01:55,200 --> 00:02:00,593
witnessed one of the greatest rebellions
in the history of the Roman Empire.
15
00:02:00,720 --> 00:02:03,518
This film is based on his written accounts
of those events.
16
00:02:03,640 --> 00:02:06,632
Less taxation, less taxation.
17
00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:14,475
The rebellion began because
of the Roman Governor of Judaea,
18
00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:17,353
what's now modern day Israel.
19
00:02:17,480 --> 00:02:22,235
The Jews hated him for his corruption,
embezzlement and extortionate taxes.
20
00:02:24,600 --> 00:02:28,593
You think I'm going to stand here
and be shouted at by this rabble?
21
00:02:28,720 --> 00:02:33,271
I thought it was your job to collect the taxes!
Isn't that why we support you?
22
00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:37,154
Get on with it,
or you can make up the shortfall yourselves!
23
00:02:38,520 --> 00:02:41,432
Quiet, please, please be quiet.
24
00:02:41,560 --> 00:02:43,755
We will speak for you. Quiet.
25
00:02:44,920 --> 00:02:46,512
Governor, please.
26
00:02:47,160 --> 00:02:48,513
What is it, Hanan?
27
00:02:49,080 --> 00:02:52,436
You and your friends not doing
well enough out of us?
28
00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:57,031
Find the money or we'll come and get it.
From you!
29
00:02:57,160 --> 00:02:58,832
Roman thieves!
30
00:03:05,480 --> 00:03:08,677
Within weeks,
the Governor carried out his threat.
31
00:03:08,800 --> 00:03:12,679
He sent his troops
into the holiest shrine in the Jewish world.
32
00:03:36,960 --> 00:03:40,111
- This is an outrage!
- How dare you? Stop now!
33
00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:01,909
Yes!
34
00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:08,519
The Romans were driven out of Judaea.
The rebellion was now unstoppable.
35
00:04:15,320 --> 00:04:20,440
Six months later, 30,000 Roman troops
were sent to put down the revolt.
36
00:05:03,840 --> 00:05:08,960
The massacre of Beth Horon was the Roman
army's worst defeat by a rebelling province.
37
00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:15,237
Rome now feared that revolt would
break out in other parts of the empire.
38
00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:38,436
Titus Flavius was a young officer
in the Roman army
39
00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:41,552
and the son of the veteran General, Vespasian.
40
00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:45,039
Father!
41
00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:53,831
Titus! How are you, my boy? Come on over.
42
00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:57,714
No, thanks. I don't want any of those
getting under my armour.
43
00:05:58,760 --> 00:06:01,228
Ah, he's afraid of the little bees.
44
00:06:02,280 --> 00:06:06,114
Vespasian had been dismissed
from the Emperor Nero's court.
45
00:06:06,240 --> 00:06:10,358
He had fallen asleep
during one of his interminable poetry readings.
46
00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:14,395
What brings you all the way down here?
47
00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:17,080
- Well, to see you, Father.
- Yes, and?
48
00:06:18,520 --> 00:06:21,239
- Well, the Emperor...
- The Emperor?
49
00:06:21,360 --> 00:06:24,955
It's not that poetry business, is it?
I thought he might have forgotten about that.
50
00:06:25,080 --> 00:06:26,991
No. No, it's not that.
51
00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:32,279
- It's the revolt in Judaea.
- Judaea? Who gives a damn about Judaea?
52
00:06:32,400 --> 00:06:35,551
- Can't the Governor there deal with it?
- Well, apparently not.
53
00:06:35,680 --> 00:06:39,559
- The Jews have killed around 6,000 of our men.
- What?
54
00:06:39,680 --> 00:06:43,036
The 12th Legion was cut to pieces.
They lost their eagle, too.
55
00:06:43,160 --> 00:06:46,038
Emperor's in a complete fury,
wants the revolt put down immediately
56
00:06:46,160 --> 00:06:50,438
- before anyone else gets the same idea.
- And what does he want me to do?
57
00:06:50,560 --> 00:06:53,154
Well, he wants you to take command in Judaea.
58
00:06:55,040 --> 00:06:56,439
Does he, now?
59
00:06:59,040 --> 00:07:00,712
- Father?
- What? What is it?
60
00:07:00,840 --> 00:07:03,115
When you're getting your orders
from the Emperor...
61
00:07:03,240 --> 00:07:06,232
Ask him to give you command of a legion?
62
00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:08,999
Well, that would be nice, but no.
63
00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:12,116
Try not to fall asleep this time.
64
00:07:19,680 --> 00:07:23,195
This is a new beginning,
a new beginning for us all!
65
00:07:23,800 --> 00:07:28,669
We have driven the Romans from our holy land.
We have our own Jewish state.
66
00:07:31,040 --> 00:07:32,314
Back in Jerusalem,
67
00:07:32,440 --> 00:07:37,468
the Jewish leader Hanan Ben Hanan
was filling the power vacuum left by the Romans.
68
00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:43,118
But the Romans will return, and when they do,
we must be ready for them!
69
00:07:43,240 --> 00:07:45,879
We must raise an army to fight them.
70
00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:48,036
- Are you with us?
Yes!
71
00:07:59,880 --> 00:08:04,556
Right, gentlemen, Judaea.
First thing, these Jews are tough bastards.
72
00:08:04,680 --> 00:08:07,114
Remember what they did to the 12th?
This will not be easy.
73
00:08:07,240 --> 00:08:10,437
Second, their main army and their government
are based in Jerusalem.
74
00:08:10,560 --> 00:08:12,391
- They will...
- Let's go straight at 'em.
75
00:08:12,520 --> 00:08:16,593
Take Jerusalem and cut the whole damn
rebellion off at its head. Nice and clean.
76
00:08:16,720 --> 00:08:19,837
- Placidus, that's the one thing we shouldn't do.
- Why, sir? Why not?
77
00:08:19,960 --> 00:08:23,236
Jerusalem is built like a fortress.
They're armed to the teeth.
78
00:08:23,360 --> 00:08:25,920
We'd lose a lot of good Roman lives for no reason.
79
00:08:26,040 --> 00:08:29,350
No, we need to be cleverer than that.
What these people understand is fear.
80
00:08:29,480 --> 00:08:32,472
- Too damn right.
- So we burn every village,
81
00:08:32,600 --> 00:08:34,875
slaughter every man of fighting age,
kill their cattle,
82
00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:36,479
drive their women and children into slavery.
83
00:08:36,600 --> 00:08:39,717
We will unleash a reign of terror
so brutal on these people
84
00:08:39,840 --> 00:08:41,717
they'll come to us begging for mercy.
85
00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:43,637
- When do we start?
- At once.
86
00:08:43,760 --> 00:08:47,469
Titus, I want you to go to Egypt to bring back
the 15th Legion from Alexandria.
87
00:08:47,600 --> 00:08:50,194
Vettulenus and Trajan with the 5th and 10th,
you'll come with me.
88
00:08:50,320 --> 00:08:52,754
We'll rendezvous in southern Syria, Ptolemais.
89
00:08:52,880 --> 00:08:56,919
Then starting with Galilee in the north,
we send hell into Judaea.
90
00:08:58,480 --> 00:09:03,429
I want you up north in Galilee, Josephus.
I need someone in command there I can trust.
91
00:09:03,560 --> 00:09:07,155
- You know you can trust me.
- You've got a lot of work to do.
92
00:09:07,280 --> 00:09:11,159
When the Romans come back, you'll be
up against the best trained troops in the world.
93
00:09:11,280 --> 00:09:14,078
We've beaten them once. We'll do it again.
94
00:09:16,440 --> 00:09:17,634
We have to!
95
00:09:17,760 --> 00:09:22,595
No, they're far too strong.
We'd never defeat them in a long war.
96
00:09:22,720 --> 00:09:27,191
- Surely you're clever enough to see that.
- Then what's the point in fighting?
97
00:09:27,320 --> 00:09:30,232
- To force them to negotiate.
- What?
98
00:09:30,360 --> 00:09:33,955
Look, they don't want to throw away lives
any more than we do.
99
00:09:34,080 --> 00:09:38,312
If we show them it'll be tough,
we'll be able to squeeze some concessions
100
00:09:38,440 --> 00:09:40,874
- from them in exchange for peace.
- Like what?
101
00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:44,675
- No more corrupt governors, for a start.
- Some sort of independence?
102
00:09:44,800 --> 00:09:46,358
Maybe even that.
103
00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:53,472
- There's no alternative?
- Other than a long war? No.
104
00:09:54,800 --> 00:09:58,110
And if it did come to that, we'd lose everything.
105
00:09:59,440 --> 00:10:02,512
Everything, Josephus. Even the Temple.
106
00:10:19,520 --> 00:10:23,035
Come on, Placidus!
You're playing like an old tortoise!
107
00:10:25,560 --> 00:10:28,028
- When are you leaving?
- Any moment.
108
00:10:28,600 --> 00:10:31,273
I should be in Egypt in about a week.
109
00:10:32,880 --> 00:10:35,474
This could be good for us, Titus.
110
00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:38,592
Nothing like a bit of warfare
to make some real money.
111
00:10:38,720 --> 00:10:41,075
Won't do the family name any harm, either.
112
00:10:41,200 --> 00:10:44,715
Could really put us on the map.
Could be our big chance.
113
00:10:47,360 --> 00:10:49,590
So long as we don't mess it up.
114
00:10:55,160 --> 00:10:57,879
I'll see you in Ptolemais, Father.
115
00:11:13,680 --> 00:11:17,116
In the winter of AD 66,
Josephus took up his position
116
00:11:17,240 --> 00:11:20,073
as commander of the Jewish forces in Galilee.
117
00:11:20,200 --> 00:11:24,398
His orders, to prepare the resistance
for the coming Roman onslaught.
118
00:11:38,600 --> 00:11:42,354
Meanwhile, the Roman pincer began to tighten.
119
00:11:42,480 --> 00:11:45,597
Vespasian brought his troops
down from the North.
120
00:11:46,240 --> 00:11:49,949
And Titus began the long march up from Egypt.
121
00:11:56,840 --> 00:12:01,038
A quarter of the entire Roman army
was now converging on Galilee.
122
00:12:08,960 --> 00:12:13,636
It's time to show these Jews what happens
if you violate the peace of Rome.
123
00:12:13,760 --> 00:12:16,320
Placidus, you know what to do.
124
00:12:18,360 --> 00:12:19,713
Break them.
125
00:12:42,640 --> 00:12:45,837
Tens of thousands of Jews
were killed or tortured
126
00:12:45,960 --> 00:12:48,428
in Vespasian's campaign of terror.
127
00:12:48,560 --> 00:12:50,994
Many more were sold into slavery.
128
00:12:54,720 --> 00:12:58,315
But still, the Jewish resistance would not break.
129
00:13:03,760 --> 00:13:09,949
Refugees began to flood into cities like Jotapata,
seeking the protection of Josephus and his forces.
130
00:13:15,280 --> 00:13:18,716
Should just about last us. Let's hope it rains.
131
00:13:18,840 --> 00:13:20,751
Levi, take two men and check the other wells.
132
00:13:20,880 --> 00:13:23,075
Shimon, take your men
and put guards on the grain stores.
133
00:13:23,200 --> 00:13:26,397
I want to know exactly how much wheat
we have in reserve. Understood?
134
00:13:26,520 --> 00:13:27,635
Okay.
135
00:13:45,640 --> 00:13:48,712
- General.
- Titus. All well?
136
00:13:48,840 --> 00:13:52,719
The 15th Legion, sir. Arrived Ptolemais
from Egypt. All present and correct.
137
00:13:52,840 --> 00:13:55,957
- Ready for further orders.
- You made good time.
138
00:13:56,080 --> 00:13:58,674
Yeah, well, a lot of forced marches.
139
00:13:58,800 --> 00:14:02,588
- Didn't want to miss anything, eh?
- No. Why, have I?
140
00:14:03,480 --> 00:14:05,869
Placidus has done rather well.
141
00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:08,833
- Has he?
- Yes, captured thousands of slaves.
142
00:14:08,960 --> 00:14:11,235
They're fetching a lot of money.
143
00:14:12,920 --> 00:14:15,957
Good. Well, I hope I shall be successful.
144
00:14:16,080 --> 00:14:20,039
- I hope you will, too.
- I don't want to let the family down.
145
00:14:20,880 --> 00:14:23,838
Don't you worry, my boy. There's plenty left to do.
146
00:14:23,960 --> 00:14:28,158
There's a town, Jotapata.
About a day's march east of here.
147
00:14:28,280 --> 00:14:32,751
A lot of Jews escaped there. Placidus had
a crack at it, didn't have enough men.
148
00:14:32,880 --> 00:14:34,279
Now it's our turn.
149
00:14:52,840 --> 00:14:54,671
Some interesting intelligence, General.
150
00:14:54,800 --> 00:14:58,952
The commander of the Jewish forces
in Galilee is in Jotapata.
151
00:14:59,080 --> 00:15:00,798
- Tell him, Jew.
- It's true.
152
00:15:00,920 --> 00:15:04,799
- What's his name, this commander?
- Josephus, Your Honour.
153
00:15:05,840 --> 00:15:09,196
- We can trap him there.
- He's a clever devil, is Josephus.
154
00:15:09,320 --> 00:15:10,799
- You know him, Nicanor?
- We were friends
155
00:15:10,920 --> 00:15:13,673
when I was stationed in Jerusalem.
Before the war, sir.
156
00:15:13,800 --> 00:15:17,679
Well, if he's that clever, he's not going
to let himself get trapped inside Jotapata.
157
00:15:17,800 --> 00:15:19,950
As soon as he hears that we're coming,
he'll disappear somewhere else.
158
00:15:20,080 --> 00:15:23,390
You're right, Titus.
We must surprise him. Placidus.
159
00:15:23,520 --> 00:15:25,829
- Sir?
- Take your men and surround Jotapata.
160
00:15:25,960 --> 00:15:30,272
No one must get in or out of the city
until we arrive with the legions.
161
00:15:31,040 --> 00:15:32,996
General Josephus.
162
00:15:34,080 --> 00:15:36,071
Excellent, excellent.
163
00:15:39,280 --> 00:15:41,475
How long do you think we can hold out?
164
00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:44,433
Longer than they can.
They're going to have to bring everything up here.
165
00:15:44,560 --> 00:15:49,475
Water, food, everything.
Imagine how much water they're going to need.
166
00:15:50,480 --> 00:15:54,155
So how long then?
How long do you reckon it'll last?
167
00:15:54,280 --> 00:15:58,193
- A month, month and a half.
50 days?
168
00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:03,471
Let's not be too pessimistic. Say 47.
169
00:16:04,760 --> 00:16:05,875
Look.
170
00:16:18,880 --> 00:16:21,155
- Close the gate!
Close the gate!
171
00:16:21,280 --> 00:16:25,512
Close the gate! Stand towards!
172
00:16:29,040 --> 00:16:30,473
Aim!
173
00:16:33,640 --> 00:16:34,789
Loose!
174
00:16:43,960 --> 00:16:49,432
Vespasian's attack on Jotapata
is remembered as a classic of Roman siege tactics.
175
00:16:50,480 --> 00:16:53,040
Get ready, here they come!
176
00:16:57,000 --> 00:16:58,592
Wait!
177
00:17:00,560 --> 00:17:01,709
Wait!
178
00:17:04,520 --> 00:17:05,873
Now!
179
00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:50,117
But for three weeks,
every attack was repulsed.
180
00:18:03,440 --> 00:18:06,034
We'll have to try something different.
181
00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:31,397
Vespasian's next tactic
used the testudo or tortoise.
182
00:18:41,760 --> 00:18:46,629
His men began undermining the walls
where they had been weakened by the catapults.
183
00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:53,392
- Bring up the oil!
Bring up the oil!
184
00:18:53,760 --> 00:18:54,909
Steady!
185
00:18:58,760 --> 00:19:00,113
Now!
186
00:19:43,560 --> 00:19:45,198
What's going on, Titus?
187
00:19:45,320 --> 00:19:49,677
Well, they're tough, General.
We're running low on water, supplies.
188
00:19:50,760 --> 00:19:51,988
The men are tired.
189
00:19:52,120 --> 00:19:54,759
If we can't beat this bunch,
we might as well give up.
190
00:19:54,880 --> 00:19:59,590
- It's been 47 days now, damn it!
- That's how long their general said it would last.
191
00:19:59,720 --> 00:20:02,792
- We got it from one of the prisoners.
- I heard.
192
00:20:02,920 --> 00:20:06,117
If it goes on much longer,
the Emperor will have my guts.
193
00:20:06,240 --> 00:20:09,232
I'll be right back to where I was before,
in exile, keeping bees.
194
00:20:12,880 --> 00:20:16,998
I don't know what you're laughing at.
You'll be right alongside me.
195
00:20:19,160 --> 00:20:21,799
I need you to turn this around, Titus.
196
00:20:23,280 --> 00:20:25,748
Trust me, Father, I will.
197
00:21:42,960 --> 00:21:44,518
Who's there?
198
00:22:05,760 --> 00:22:07,034
Come on!
199
00:22:18,160 --> 00:22:19,798
The Romans are in!
200
00:22:21,480 --> 00:22:24,756
Find the Jewish General! Find Josephus!
201
00:22:26,920 --> 00:22:28,956
Bring him back to me alive!
202
00:22:31,320 --> 00:22:32,958
Follow me.
203
00:22:41,440 --> 00:22:42,953
Back this way!
204
00:23:13,800 --> 00:23:16,439
- Come on! Quick!
- We'll be trapped.
205
00:23:16,560 --> 00:23:18,676
It's our only hope, come on.
206
00:23:34,560 --> 00:23:37,916
- All they have to do is look in.
- General.
207
00:23:51,680 --> 00:23:53,511
No one down there, sir.
208
00:23:55,160 --> 00:23:58,197
- How's the foot?
- Foot's fine,
209
00:23:58,600 --> 00:24:02,673
a lot better than General Josephus
will feel when we catch him.
210
00:24:02,800 --> 00:24:06,270
- He put up a good fight.
- I'll give him that, the bastard.
211
00:24:06,400 --> 00:24:10,359
- You did well. Very well.
- Yeah. Well, I never did like bees.
212
00:24:11,560 --> 00:24:15,997
Sir, this bitch knows where their General's hiding.
213
00:24:16,120 --> 00:24:19,590
She hasn't told us yet, but she will.
214
00:24:34,520 --> 00:24:35,873
Josephus.
215
00:24:39,200 --> 00:24:41,156
We know you're in there.
216
00:24:44,480 --> 00:24:47,119
Josephus, it's Nicanor. Do you remember?
217
00:24:50,840 --> 00:24:52,034
Nicanor?
218
00:24:53,960 --> 00:24:56,599
- How are you?
- What do you think?
219
00:24:58,120 --> 00:25:01,510
- General Vespasian wants to see you.
- Why?
220
00:25:01,640 --> 00:25:05,394
So he can put us on display? Nail us to crosses?
221
00:25:05,520 --> 00:25:08,671
I think he admires you. Thinks you fought well.
222
00:25:08,800 --> 00:25:11,268
- Does he?
- And you really impressed him
223
00:25:11,400 --> 00:25:14,710
with your prediction
of how long the siege would last.
224
00:25:14,840 --> 00:25:16,193
He heard about that, did he?
225
00:25:16,320 --> 00:25:20,359
Told Titus he had to take the town
on the 47th day, no matter what.
226
00:25:23,520 --> 00:25:26,557
- What about the others down here?
- What about them?
227
00:25:26,680 --> 00:25:29,319
Can you guarantee their safe conduct?
228
00:25:30,960 --> 00:25:33,997
- I'll see what I can do.
- Let me talk to them.
229
00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:41,389
- They're giving us a chance...
No! No!
230
00:25:41,520 --> 00:25:44,080
...a chance to live.
No! No!
231
00:25:44,200 --> 00:25:46,191
We've fought bravely.
We can surrender with honour.
232
00:25:46,320 --> 00:25:48,834
No!
- The Romans'll make us slaves.
233
00:25:48,960 --> 00:25:51,235
If we can't be free, I'd rather be dead.
234
00:25:51,360 --> 00:25:54,716
Kill ourselves!
- It's madness!
235
00:25:54,840 --> 00:25:58,515
It's madness. And it's so cowardly.
236
00:25:59,680 --> 00:26:03,275
God gave us life,
it's not for us to just throw it away.
237
00:26:03,400 --> 00:26:04,719
Shut up, traitor!
238
00:26:06,400 --> 00:26:12,396
All right, all right, we don't have to fight,
but we can help each other.
239
00:26:13,720 --> 00:26:18,077
Help each other to die with dignity. Form a circle.
240
00:26:19,200 --> 00:26:21,350
- Form a circle.
- Go.
241
00:26:25,600 --> 00:26:28,558
We'll decide who goes first by drawing lots.
242
00:26:29,800 --> 00:26:30,915
Who'll do the killing?
243
00:26:31,040 --> 00:26:33,270
- Everyone kills themselves.
Yes.
244
00:26:33,400 --> 00:26:36,870
No! Suicide is an offence against God.
245
00:26:37,000 --> 00:26:39,673
Let's just say... I don't know.
246
00:26:40,520 --> 00:26:43,193
Every third man is killed by the man nearest him.
247
00:26:43,320 --> 00:26:47,029
- At least it'll be quick.
Every third...
248
00:26:47,920 --> 00:26:50,354
No, Yaakov, don't stand next to me.
249
00:26:52,440 --> 00:26:54,317
I can't kill a friend.
250
00:27:49,880 --> 00:27:54,192
Josephus was a scholar,
and it is possible that he constructed the count
251
00:27:54,320 --> 00:27:58,916
in such a way that he would
always be one of the last two to die.
252
00:28:05,000 --> 00:28:09,630
Josephus himself would later
put his survival down to the will of God.
253
00:28:22,040 --> 00:28:26,033
- Just you and me, Yaakov.
- Then you'll have to kill me.
254
00:28:26,160 --> 00:28:27,434
How can I?
255
00:28:28,960 --> 00:28:30,188
I can't.
256
00:28:32,160 --> 00:28:34,116
No, please, Yaakov. Don't.
257
00:28:34,960 --> 00:28:39,078
It's me they want. I'll talk to them.
They'll listen to me.
258
00:28:39,200 --> 00:28:42,590
I'll only surrender if they let you go free. Please.
259
00:28:58,680 --> 00:29:02,593
Go ahead, kill me. God will forgive you.
260
00:29:03,480 --> 00:29:06,916
But then what? Will you have to kill yourself?
261
00:29:26,800 --> 00:29:28,597
Come on out.
262
00:29:43,800 --> 00:29:45,074
Placidus!
263
00:29:55,680 --> 00:29:57,511
Take him away.
264
00:30:01,280 --> 00:30:03,589
Pointless, isn't it?
265
00:30:04,760 --> 00:30:07,433
You rebel against Rome and look what happens.
266
00:30:07,560 --> 00:30:11,075
You give up a nice, easy, civilised way of life
and for what?
267
00:30:11,200 --> 00:30:14,510
Imprisonment. Torture. Death.
268
00:30:15,920 --> 00:30:19,276
- You must be mad.
- I did my duty as a Jew.
269
00:30:19,400 --> 00:30:21,868
Judaea is Roman!
270
00:30:22,880 --> 00:30:28,000
Your duty was to Rome and to the Emperor,
and to the Emperor you shall go.
271
00:30:28,120 --> 00:30:31,032
And we all know what he'll do with you. Chain him.
272
00:30:31,160 --> 00:30:35,119
But why send me to the Emperor,
when you'll be emperor yourself before long?
273
00:30:35,240 --> 00:30:36,355
You are mad.
274
00:30:36,480 --> 00:30:39,153
Since when did an emperor come
from outside the imperial family?
275
00:30:39,280 --> 00:30:41,236
Never, that's when. Don't try and flatter me.
276
00:30:41,360 --> 00:30:43,794
- Nevertheless...
- You are talking treason, Jew.
277
00:30:43,920 --> 00:30:46,878
Wait, Father. Why did you say that?
278
00:30:47,000 --> 00:30:51,869
Rome needs a strong leader.
General Vespasian is the strongest of the strong.
279
00:30:52,360 --> 00:30:55,432
- The Emperor Nero...
- This is nonsense. Dangerous nonsense.
280
00:30:55,560 --> 00:30:59,678
I was right about how long the siege would last,
and I'm right about this.
281
00:30:59,800 --> 00:31:02,712
- You will be Emperor.
- Get him out of here.
282
00:31:02,840 --> 00:31:04,990
Wait, wait!
283
00:31:06,520 --> 00:31:11,719
If we treat him with clemency,
the others might be more willing to surrender.
284
00:31:11,840 --> 00:31:16,038
And he was right about the siege.
Who knows? He might be right again.
285
00:31:19,440 --> 00:31:21,670
He could be very useful to us.
286
00:31:31,920 --> 00:31:35,469
Town after town fell to the Romans
as Titus and Vespasian
287
00:31:35,600 --> 00:31:40,196
continued their terror tactics
over the next two years. But they didn't work.
288
00:31:40,760 --> 00:31:44,878
They only succeeded in driving the rebel groups
of zealots, guerrillas and militia
289
00:31:45,000 --> 00:31:49,073
back towards Jerusalem, ready for one final stand.
290
00:32:03,000 --> 00:32:06,709
Among the rebels, an uncompromising
guerrilla leader from Galilee,
291
00:32:06,840 --> 00:32:09,195
Yohanan of Gischala.
292
00:32:11,120 --> 00:32:15,398
This is going to cause us a lot of problems,
a lot of problems.
293
00:32:16,880 --> 00:32:21,158
The arrival of such fanatics was
a disaster for the leader of the Jewish government.
294
00:32:21,280 --> 00:32:25,319
Hanan was still hoping to
bring the Romans to the negotiating table.
295
00:32:25,760 --> 00:32:28,149
Stand to arms, men! Stand firm!
296
00:32:34,800 --> 00:32:37,075
What are you doing here? This is a holy place!
297
00:32:37,200 --> 00:32:39,839
Yes! For all the Jews, not just you.
298
00:32:39,960 --> 00:32:42,679
It's not a place of war.
Even the Romans respected that.
299
00:32:42,800 --> 00:32:44,995
Oh no, they didn't. Not when it didn't suit them.
300
00:32:45,120 --> 00:32:48,237
- Have you no sense of decency?
- You talk to me about decency?
301
00:32:48,360 --> 00:32:50,954
The Romans are murdering people
in their thousands!
302
00:32:51,080 --> 00:32:56,632
They're burning and raping and killing,
while you sit here waiting to do a deal with them!
303
00:32:56,760 --> 00:32:59,558
You stupid fool. It's our only hope.
304
00:32:59,680 --> 00:33:02,478
- There is no dealing with the Romans!
No!
305
00:33:02,600 --> 00:33:05,239
We must beat them!
306
00:33:05,360 --> 00:33:07,237
Is this what you wanted?
307
00:33:07,360 --> 00:33:10,352
Is this what you're fighting the Romans for?
308
00:33:10,480 --> 00:33:14,837
So that scum like this can desecrate
your holy places and bring us all to ruin?
309
00:33:14,960 --> 00:33:17,520
No!
310
00:33:18,160 --> 00:33:21,869
- Surround the temple.
- You traitor!
311
00:33:28,520 --> 00:33:31,637
We must send a deputation
to the Romans now.
312
00:33:31,760 --> 00:33:34,638
Now, before it's too late.
313
00:33:36,720 --> 00:33:39,871
Before these fanatics drag us all down with them.
314
00:33:47,560 --> 00:33:49,039
It must be now.
315
00:33:49,800 --> 00:33:54,635
It must, while we still have these fools
trapped in the Temple.
316
00:34:17,920 --> 00:34:19,353
With the death of Hanan,
317
00:34:19,480 --> 00:34:22,950
Jerusalem fell into the hands
of the different rebel factions.
318
00:34:23,080 --> 00:34:25,719
For two years,
they fought savagely with each other,
319
00:34:25,840 --> 00:34:28,877
before finally uniting against the Romans.
320
00:34:34,800 --> 00:34:38,713
At the same time,
volcanic changes rocked the empire.
321
00:34:40,920 --> 00:34:44,879
The Emperor Nero was overthrown,
plunging Rome into civil war.
322
00:34:47,080 --> 00:34:51,790
Three Roman generals then declared
themselves emperor and tried to seize power.
323
00:34:56,760 --> 00:35:00,799
All the while, Vespasian stayed outside the fray,
in Judaea.
324
00:35:03,240 --> 00:35:09,156
Then, after a year of chaos, the Roman armies
in the east turned to him to restore order.
325
00:35:14,440 --> 00:35:16,795
Emperor!
326
00:35:18,880 --> 00:35:23,749
And so Vespasian became Emperor
and Josephus's prediction came true.
327
00:35:28,600 --> 00:35:31,558
When you came down to the country
to bring me back from exile,
328
00:35:31,680 --> 00:35:36,276
who'd have thought three years later,
I'd be off to Rome as Emperor. Enough.
329
00:35:37,880 --> 00:35:39,393
Well, everyone's heard of us now.
330
00:35:39,520 --> 00:35:43,479
Yes, but one whiff of failure,
who knows what could happen?
331
00:35:43,600 --> 00:35:46,637
We need a quick victory. A prize for Rome.
332
00:35:48,320 --> 00:35:49,992
- Jerusalem?
- Yes.
333
00:35:50,120 --> 00:35:53,112
But whatever you do,
you must try to avoid a direct assault.
334
00:35:53,240 --> 00:35:56,835
A siege would take forever.
You just said it yourself, you want a quick victory.
335
00:35:56,960 --> 00:35:59,679
That's right.
But if we lose thousands of men getting it,
336
00:35:59,800 --> 00:36:02,792
- it will tarnish the prize a little, won't it?
- Better than no prize at all.
337
00:36:02,920 --> 00:36:05,639
And what if you fail?
You know what their defences are like.
338
00:36:05,760 --> 00:36:08,149
Three huge walls, 60 foot high,
one inside the other.
339
00:36:08,280 --> 00:36:11,989
Thousands dead and nothing to show for it.
It'll be the end of us both, literally.
340
00:36:12,120 --> 00:36:14,918
How can I take Jerusalem quickly without a fight?
341
00:36:15,040 --> 00:36:19,318
Find a way, Titus.
A less risky way, for me and for the family.
342
00:36:19,960 --> 00:36:23,509
We don't have much time. And I need Jerusalem.
343
00:36:38,280 --> 00:36:41,750
You'll never do it. It's much too strong.
344
00:36:43,920 --> 00:36:47,071
Oh, we'll do it. One way or another.
345
00:36:49,400 --> 00:36:53,029
Our holy city? They'll fight to the death.
346
00:36:54,640 --> 00:36:57,279
So be it. If we must.
347
00:36:58,280 --> 00:37:02,239
What's the point?
All you have left is a city in ruins.
348
00:37:02,720 --> 00:37:07,350
No. All you'll have left is a city in ruins.
I'll be in Rome.
349
00:37:09,640 --> 00:37:12,029
If Hanan were still alive, he'd know what to do.
350
00:37:12,160 --> 00:37:14,913
Yes, but he's not, Josephus. And you are.
351
00:37:19,000 --> 00:37:20,115
Well?
352
00:37:22,800 --> 00:37:25,314
He wanted the best for our people.
353
00:37:26,760 --> 00:37:28,876
He wanted to protect them.
354
00:37:30,080 --> 00:37:32,992
To protect the Temple and the holy places.
355
00:37:33,120 --> 00:37:34,394
Don't you?
356
00:37:37,160 --> 00:37:39,390
He wanted some concessions.
357
00:37:41,680 --> 00:37:44,877
Well, I'm sure we could have come to some terms.
358
00:37:45,000 --> 00:37:47,719
No more corrupt governors?
359
00:37:47,840 --> 00:37:50,832
A guarantee for the sanctity of the Temple?
360
00:37:52,800 --> 00:37:55,439
Some sort of independence under Rome?
361
00:37:58,360 --> 00:38:00,112
Yes, maybe even that.
362
00:38:03,880 --> 00:38:07,316
- That's just what Hanan said.
- Well, he was a wise man.
363
00:38:08,920 --> 00:38:13,630
He was the only person who could have
persuaded the people it was for the best.
364
00:38:14,920 --> 00:38:17,388
Now there's no one left.
365
00:38:24,640 --> 00:38:26,870
No one, Josephus?
366
00:39:16,840 --> 00:39:18,592
Jerusalem.
367
00:39:21,000 --> 00:39:24,788
And now you have a chance
to help us save your holy city.
368
00:39:36,520 --> 00:39:40,593
This is the man who was supposed
to defend Galilee! Look at him!
369
00:39:40,720 --> 00:39:45,874
Couldn't join the Romans fast enough, could you?
Did you give them the keys to Jotapata?
370
00:39:46,000 --> 00:39:49,151
Levi, you were there! Tell them what happened.
371
00:39:49,280 --> 00:39:52,716
Don't listen to him!
He's a Roman slave!
372
00:39:52,840 --> 00:39:57,436
You must surrender!
If you don't surrender now, there'll be no mercy.
373
00:39:57,560 --> 00:40:02,270
Remember what happened to our friends, Levi?
To the women and children?
374
00:40:04,000 --> 00:40:06,878
- Tell them, Levi!
You tell them!
375
00:40:07,000 --> 00:40:09,560
You're the one who thought
you could do a deal with the Romans!
376
00:40:09,680 --> 00:40:14,276
Ask him, Levi!
He's working for the murderers who did it.
377
00:40:14,400 --> 00:40:16,470
It'll happen here, too.
378
00:40:16,600 --> 00:40:20,115
- Lf you carry on with this, everyone...
- Traitor!
379
00:40:21,080 --> 00:40:22,354
Nicanor?
380
00:40:24,480 --> 00:40:28,234
If they want war, then that's what they'll get.
381
00:40:34,040 --> 00:40:37,874
And so Titus began
what his father had avoided for two years.
382
00:40:38,000 --> 00:40:40,673
A direct assault on Jerusalem.
383
00:40:56,440 --> 00:40:58,431
I thought this was just what
your father didn't want.
384
00:40:58,560 --> 00:41:03,554
What my father wants...
What my father must have is a quick victory.
385
00:41:08,960 --> 00:41:11,315
The time for talking is over.
386
00:41:18,120 --> 00:41:21,908
The Romans broke the first wall
after fifteen days.
387
00:41:23,920 --> 00:41:26,115
The second took another eight.
388
00:41:29,840 --> 00:41:32,479
But there the attack foundered.
389
00:41:40,120 --> 00:41:43,271
The Romans could not get past
the massive third wall.
390
00:41:45,680 --> 00:41:49,468
It wasn't Just tall. It was also 15 feet deep.
391
00:41:55,040 --> 00:41:59,272
Titus now ordered the area around Jerusalem
to be scoured for timber.
392
00:42:00,080 --> 00:42:05,108
Every tree for ten miles was cut down
for siege platforms and towers.
393
00:42:05,240 --> 00:42:08,869
When this is finished, the Jews will be finished.
394
00:42:27,840 --> 00:42:30,912
Not much further, men. We can do it.
395
00:42:31,880 --> 00:42:36,396
They may be stronger than us,
but they don't have our brains.
396
00:42:44,920 --> 00:42:46,797
The towers were vast.
397
00:42:46,920 --> 00:42:50,276
Seventy five feet high and weighing many tons,
398
00:42:50,400 --> 00:42:53,437
teams of men were needed
to move them into position.
399
00:43:05,280 --> 00:43:08,158
- We'll never do it.
- Yes, we will! We must!
400
00:43:08,280 --> 00:43:11,795
There's still time.
If we can just keep going, we'll win.
401
00:43:11,920 --> 00:43:14,514
- It's hopeless.
- Come on! We're nearly there!
402
00:43:14,640 --> 00:43:16,676
Fight. Fight for it!
403
00:43:16,800 --> 00:43:20,952
Fight for what you believe in!
This is what it means to be free!
404
00:43:26,520 --> 00:43:29,990
Each tower could carry
dozens of assault troops.
405
00:43:30,120 --> 00:43:33,237
It was now the Romans
who could attack from above.
406
00:43:42,520 --> 00:43:46,195
Let's have the straw and the pitch first.
Then the timber.
407
00:43:51,920 --> 00:43:56,072
Good work. Stand the legions to at dawn.
408
00:44:02,960 --> 00:44:07,158
Well done, all of you. Now get out of here.
409
00:44:08,000 --> 00:44:09,228
Quickly!
410
00:44:36,720 --> 00:44:38,358
Look out! Keep going!
411
00:44:38,760 --> 00:44:39,954
Stand clear!
412
00:44:40,960 --> 00:44:42,109
Stand clear!
413
00:45:01,920 --> 00:45:03,990
We should have beaten them
into the ground by now!
414
00:45:04,120 --> 00:45:06,839
They should be on their knees, begging for mercy!
415
00:45:06,960 --> 00:45:10,748
Sir, we could launch an all out frontal attack.
Throw everyone into it.
416
00:45:10,880 --> 00:45:14,509
I mean, they might be able hold us up for a while,
but we'll smash our way through in the end.
417
00:45:14,640 --> 00:45:17,393
Placidus, no! It's not working!
418
00:45:19,960 --> 00:45:22,076
We have to change our plans.
419
00:45:23,600 --> 00:45:26,478
Damn, we'll have to starve them out.
420
00:45:26,600 --> 00:45:30,832
- But they still have some supplies coming in.
- Well, then, stop them!
421
00:45:32,080 --> 00:45:34,389
It's almost impossible, General.
422
00:45:40,320 --> 00:45:42,197
Not if we build a wall.
423
00:45:50,960 --> 00:45:54,555
In Just three days,
Titus' troops built a wall
424
00:45:54,680 --> 00:46:01,028
four and a half miles long, with 13 forts,
right around the city.
425
00:46:01,160 --> 00:46:05,438
It is one of the most remarkable feats
of Roman military engineering.
426
00:46:20,000 --> 00:46:23,037
Jerusalem was now completely cut off.
427
00:46:29,800 --> 00:46:34,555
Over the next three months,
the people in the city began to starve.
428
00:46:38,520 --> 00:46:39,794
Please...
429
00:46:52,560 --> 00:46:54,152
This is pitiful.
430
00:46:55,200 --> 00:46:59,193
Thousands? Thousands are starving to death?
431
00:47:01,040 --> 00:47:04,749
Good, it's working. And not before time.
432
00:47:06,520 --> 00:47:08,988
What are you looking so sad about? It's working!
433
00:47:09,120 --> 00:47:14,752
Please, let me talk to them. Just once more.
Maybe there's a chance, one last chance.
434
00:47:16,480 --> 00:47:20,473
There's no point now.
Soon they'll all be dead and we can just walk in.
435
00:47:20,600 --> 00:47:23,239
My mother and father are in the city.
436
00:47:26,080 --> 00:47:28,310
All right, Josephus. But this...
437
00:47:29,560 --> 00:47:31,710
This is your final chance.
438
00:47:33,000 --> 00:47:36,390
I beg you. Stop now and surrender.
439
00:47:37,640 --> 00:47:39,517
- Traitor!
Traitor!
440
00:47:45,960 --> 00:47:48,633
We know how many of you are dying.
441
00:47:48,760 --> 00:47:51,274
Look what you're doing to the city and the Temple.
442
00:47:51,400 --> 00:47:54,153
It's not us doing it! It's you!
443
00:47:54,280 --> 00:47:56,794
You and your Roman friends!
444
00:47:56,920 --> 00:48:00,390
You call me a traitor, but I am still a Jew.
445
00:48:01,760 --> 00:48:03,990
I can't bear this any longer.
446
00:48:04,920 --> 00:48:07,514
Kill me if you want. I don't care.
447
00:48:07,640 --> 00:48:10,677
But release our people from this agony.
448
00:48:10,800 --> 00:48:13,872
Give up now and I swear to you as a fellow Jew,
449
00:48:14,000 --> 00:48:17,231
you and the city and the Temple will be spared.
450
00:48:17,960 --> 00:48:23,080
The city and the Temple are God's. He will decide!
451
00:48:23,520 --> 00:48:29,436
Then if the Temple is destroyed,
it will be because God has decided to punish you!
452
00:48:32,960 --> 00:48:37,909
In the end, the siege was broken
not through Roman ingenuity or force,
453
00:48:38,040 --> 00:48:42,431
but because of the tunnel
the Jews had built to attack the siege towers.
454
00:49:31,320 --> 00:49:35,518
The Romans have broken through,
fall back to the Temple!
455
00:49:36,760 --> 00:49:38,079
Fall back!
456
00:49:59,160 --> 00:50:03,517
The Romans had reached
the Temple precincts and there they paused.
457
00:50:03,640 --> 00:50:06,837
Now they had to decide what to do
with the Temple itself.
458
00:50:06,960 --> 00:50:09,474
Well, we all know what Placidus would do.
459
00:50:09,600 --> 00:50:11,670
You'd raze it to the ground, wouldn't you?
460
00:50:11,800 --> 00:50:15,873
If we don't, General, they're only gonna use it
as a rallying point in the future.
461
00:50:16,000 --> 00:50:20,437
It's going to be hard enough to capture as it is.
We don't want to do that all over again.
462
00:50:20,560 --> 00:50:24,553
The Temple is a place of great holiness,
of great significance to us.
463
00:50:24,680 --> 00:50:28,355
- All the more reason to burn it down.
- No, don't you see?
464
00:50:29,480 --> 00:50:34,554
If you spare the Temple, the people will see
that God has used you as His instrument.
465
00:50:34,960 --> 00:50:38,999
The rebels have desecrated it,
but you have preserved it.
466
00:50:41,720 --> 00:50:46,475
You can't attack Rome
and expect to get away with it.
467
00:50:47,840 --> 00:50:51,389
Please. I beg you, don't destroy the Temple.
468
00:50:51,960 --> 00:50:55,316
Lf, for no other reason, because it's so beautiful.
469
00:50:57,280 --> 00:50:59,919
It would be a great ornament for Rome.
470
00:51:01,480 --> 00:51:05,758
After all, it is a work of art. A great work of art.
471
00:51:07,240 --> 00:51:08,639
No.
472
00:51:08,760 --> 00:51:12,355
It'll be our gift to the Emperor
and the people of Rome.
473
00:51:30,440 --> 00:51:31,634
Charge!
474
00:51:37,240 --> 00:51:40,869
Hold them here!
They mustn't get through.
475
00:51:46,680 --> 00:51:48,750
Fight! Fight them!
476
00:51:57,320 --> 00:52:00,153
No! Don't fall back!
477
00:52:00,840 --> 00:52:03,434
Don't give up! Fight them!
478
00:52:26,160 --> 00:52:29,072
Yohanan, fall back! We're surrounded!
479
00:52:38,440 --> 00:52:40,431
Protect the sanctuary!
480
00:52:45,440 --> 00:52:47,192
Fight! Fight them!
481
00:53:06,720 --> 00:53:08,950
We must protect the sanctuary!
482
00:53:10,920 --> 00:53:13,115
- The temple's on fire!
- Idiots!
483
00:53:41,400 --> 00:53:46,599
Fools! Centurion, make them stop!
484
00:53:47,280 --> 00:53:52,957
Centurion, get water! Get this fire out now!
Get them to stop!
485
00:53:59,440 --> 00:54:02,079
Put it down, put it down!
486
00:54:04,240 --> 00:54:05,559
Centurion!
487
00:54:06,080 --> 00:54:09,834
Centurion, get water, make these men stop!
488
00:54:13,640 --> 00:54:14,789
Fools!
489
00:54:18,000 --> 00:54:20,753
Titus!
490
00:55:05,200 --> 00:55:06,838
We surrender.
491
00:55:08,560 --> 00:55:11,791
We just want to go, to live in the desert.
492
00:55:12,720 --> 00:55:14,438
Us and our families.
493
00:55:16,360 --> 00:55:17,793
How dare you?
494
00:55:19,200 --> 00:55:21,509
We've beaten you! Can't you see?
495
00:55:22,040 --> 00:55:25,589
Did you really think
you could take on the might of Rome?
496
00:55:27,200 --> 00:55:30,636
We let you use your own laws, your own religion!
497
00:55:31,360 --> 00:55:34,636
We respected your culture, your way of life!
498
00:55:34,760 --> 00:55:37,752
We protected you and you prospered!
499
00:55:39,800 --> 00:55:43,110
But you mistook that generosity for weakness!
500
00:55:46,800 --> 00:55:51,590
Well, now, you'll find out what happens to those
who break the peace of Rome.
501
00:55:56,680 --> 00:56:01,071
You Jews. You don't know when you're beaten.
502
00:56:03,560 --> 00:56:05,152
The Legions!
503
00:56:06,080 --> 00:56:07,991
Let them loose!
504
00:56:16,920 --> 00:56:21,391
Hundreds of thousands of Jews
were killed or sold into slavery.
505
00:56:23,040 --> 00:56:25,554
The Temple would never rise again.
506
00:56:30,880 --> 00:56:32,393
Back! Get back!
507
00:56:38,160 --> 00:56:41,630
We fought well, brothers.
For something we believed in.
508
00:56:43,000 --> 00:56:45,719
Someday, we'll be free.
509
00:56:48,080 --> 00:56:50,913
Yohanan was imprisoned for life.
510
00:56:52,160 --> 00:56:55,835
The other leaders of the revolt
were enslaved or executed.
511
00:57:00,840 --> 00:57:02,796
Rome had learnt its lesson.
512
00:57:02,920 --> 00:57:05,150
From now on, it made it very clear
513
00:57:05,280 --> 00:57:08,431
what would happen to anyone
who rebelled against its rule.
514
00:57:18,880 --> 00:57:22,793
Titus returned to Rome
and succeeded his father as Emperor,
515
00:57:22,920 --> 00:57:29,439
part of a new dynasty from more humble origins,
the first with no grand aristocratic connections.
516
00:57:33,960 --> 00:57:36,520
Josephus also settled in Rome.
517
00:57:36,640 --> 00:57:41,350
There he wrote an account ofThe Jewish Revolt,
a record we still have today.
518
00:57:47,400 --> 00:57:51,678
And the treasure that was stolen
by the Romans from Jerusalem's temple?
519
00:57:53,000 --> 00:57:56,595
It helped pay for that great symbol
of the power of Rome,
520
00:57:57,360 --> 00:58:00,511
the Coliseum of Vespasian.
521
00:58:09,920 --> 00:58:11,831
Next on Ancient Rome...
522
00:58:12,400 --> 00:58:15,836
Revolution. A story of epic battles,
523
00:58:16,680 --> 00:58:20,593
mob violence, greed and slaughter.
524
00:58:22,880 --> 00:58:25,394
How one man's dream of honour was shattered,
525
00:58:26,520 --> 00:58:29,910
and how he brought anarchy
to the heart of the empire.
45618
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.