Sasanian conquest of Jerusalem

Sasanian conquest of Jerusalem
Part of the Byzantine–Sasanian War of 602–628

Territory controlled by the Byzantines (purple) and the Sasanians (yellow) in 600 CE
DateApril–May 614 CE (per Sebeos and Antiochus)
Location31°47′N 35°13′E / 31.783°N 35.217°E / 31.783; 35.217
Result Sasanian victory
Territorial
changes
Jerusalem and Palaestina Prima annexed by the Sasanian Empire
Belligerents
Byzantine Empire Sasanian Empire
Anti-Heraclian Jews
Commanders and leaders
Heraclius
Zacharias
Khosrow II
Shahrbaraz
Nehemiah ben Hushiel
Benjamin of Tiberias Executed
Strength
Byzantine army Sasanian army
20,000–26,000 Jewish rebels[1]
Casualties and losses
Disputed Disputed
4,518 Jews killed during the revolt[2]
66,509 Christians killed during the siege[3]

The Sasanian conquest of Jerusalem was a significant event in the Byzantine–Sasanian War of 602–628, having taken place in early 614. Amidst the conflict, Sasanian king Khosrow II had appointed Shahrbaraz, his spahbod (army chief), to lead an offensive into the Diocese of the East of the Byzantine Empire. Under Shahrbaraz, the Sasanian army had secured victories at Antioch as well as at Caesarea Maritima, the administrative capital of Palaestina Prima.[4]: 206  By this time, the grand inner harbour had silted up and was useless, but the city continued to be an important maritime hub after Byzantine emperor Anastasius I Dicorus ordered the reconstruction of the outer harbour. Successfully capturing the city and the harbour had given the Sasanian Empire strategic access to the Mediterranean Sea.[5] The Sasanians' advance was accompanied by the outbreak of a Jewish revolt against Heraclius; the Sasanian army was joined by Nehemiah ben Hushiel[6] and Benjamin of Tiberias, who enlisted and armed Jews from across Galilee, including the cities of Tiberias and Nazareth. In total, between 20,000 and 26,000 Jewish rebels took part in the Sasanian assault on Jerusalem.[7][1] By mid-614, the Jews and the Sasanians had captured the city, but sources vary on whether this occurred without resistance[4]: 207  or after a siege and breaching of the wall with artillery.

  1. ^ a b James Parkes (1949). A history of Palestine from 135 A.D. to modern times. Victor Gollancz. p. 81.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Avni was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Antiochus was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Thomson, R. W.; Howard-Johnston, James (historical commentary); Greenwood, Tim (assistance) (1999). The Armenian History Attributed to Sebeos. Liverpool University Press. ISBN 978-0-85323-564-4. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  5. ^ Joseph Patrich (2011). "Caesarea Maritima". Institute of Archaeology Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  6. ^ Haim Hillel Ben-Sasson (1976). A History of the Jewish People. Harvard University Press. p. 362. ISBN 978-0-674-39731-6. Retrieved 19 January 2014. nehemiah ben hushiel
  7. ^ Kohler, Kaufmann; Rhine, A. [Abraham Benedict] (1906). "Chosroes (Khosru) II. Parwiz ("The Conqueror")". Jewish Encyclopedia. Retrieved 20 January 2014.

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