First Jewish Revolt

The First Jewish Revolt (Heb. HaMered HaGadol) was the first (followed by the Kitos War, then by the Bar-Kochba Revolt, led by Shimon Bar-Kochba) of the major Jewish rebellions against the Romans.   

In the year 66 CE, the Roman army under Titus, attacked the main stronghold of the Jewish resistance and destroyed it.  Josephus said the attacks started in Caesarea, because of Greek citizens sacrificing birds in front of a Synagogue. Agrippa II and his wife fled to the Galilee. 

Vespasian was appointed general by Nero. Vespasian brought 60,000 legionaries with him to the Galilee and attacked the upper cities, some going without a fight.  In the south, the Zealots, and the even more radical Sicarii Zealots threatened to kill anyone who surrendered to the advancing Romans. 

Revolt now also broke out in Rome, known as the year of the four Emperors.  Galba was declared Emperor and Nero committed suicide.  Galba was quickly replaced by Otho, then Vitellius. Vespasian was proclaimed Emperor by his troops in Alexandria and Syria during the campaign in Judaea.  Heading off to Rome he left his son Titus to end the war.  Titus ended up destroying the last Jewish resistance.  

The Romans attacked and destroyed Jerusalem, and the Holy Second Temple was destroyed on Tisha-Beav (the 9th of the month Av), the day the First Temple was also destroyed by the Babylonians.  The rest of Jerusalem was razed in the folowing 2nd revolt under Shimon Bar-Kochba.