BIBLE HISTORY DAILY

The Galilee and the Last Great Jewish Revolt

Coin hoard discovered at Huqoq

The rare coin hoard from the last Great Jewish revolt that was discovered in the Galilee hiding complex. Courtesy Emil Aladjem, IAA.

Excavations in an underground complex at the site of Huqoq in the Galilee revealed a surprising find: a bronze coin hoard dating to the Gallus Revolt (c. 351–354 CE), one of the last significant Jewish uprisings against Roman rule. Although the underground complex was heavily used in both the First Jewish Revolt and the Bar-Kokhba Revolt, this new discovery proves it continued to be used by Jewish rebels for at least another two centuries.

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Escaping the Romans

The underground complex at the ancient village of Huqoq is a maze of hidden tunnels and rooms built originally during the First Jewish Revolt (c. 66–74 CE) for rebels to hide from the Roman army. The complex was expanded several decades later in preparation for the Bar-Kokhba Revolt (c. 132–136 CE). While excavating the tunnel network, a group of volunteers discovered a hidden pit at the end of a narrow and winding corridor. Inside the pit, they found a pile of 22 bronze coins, intentionally hidden by rebels who presumably hoped to retrieve them one day.

Archaeologist Uri Berger of the Israel Antiquities Authority, in the hiding complex at Huqoq. Courtesy Emil Aladjem, IAA.

Based on the history of the underground complex, the excavators expected the coins to date to either of the two earlier Jewish revolts. To their shock, however, the coins bear the faces of the joint Byzantine emperors Constantius II (r. 337–361 CE) and Constans I (r. 337–350 CE), sons of the famous Constantine the Great. The dating of the coins confirms they must have been placed in the complex during the period of the Gallus Revolt, the last significant attempt by Jewish forces to overthrow Roman rule. This is the first evidence for the tunnels being reused during that revolt.

Scholars believe the Gallus Revolt was a response to the increased persecution of Jews by the growing Christian population, although it must also be understood in the context of the two previous revolts against Roman rule. While the Roman emperor Constantius II was occupied by a civil war, a Jewish leader named Isaac of Sepphoris led a group of men to assault the Roman garrison of Sepphoris, about 15 miles southwest of Huqoq. From there, he went on to conquer several other towns in the region. In response to the revolt, Constantius sent his cousin, Flavius Constantius Gallus, to put down the revolt. According to Jerome’s Philostorgius, Gallus slew thousands of rebels, including children who were too young to fight.

The Huqoq hiding complex excavation, where the coin hoard was found. Courtesy Emil Aladjem, IAA.

Despite the brutal conclusion to the Gallus Revolt, which saw the destruction of several important centers for Jewish life, life at Huqoq continued and even maintained its Jewish character. A decade of excavations at the site has revealed a magnificent Jewish synagogue built in the fifth century.

Related reading in Bible History Daily

Roman Coins and the Last Great Jewish Revolt

Ophel Excavations Uncover Jewish Revolt Coins in Rebel Hideout

All-Access members, read more in the BAS Library

Jewish Revolts

Fleeing the Romans