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Iuda GalileeGalilean rebel, founder of the 'philosophical school'.
Date of Birth: .
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The Galilean Rebel: Founder of a 'Philosophical School'
Judah of Galilee, a native of Gamla, was the son of the rebel leader Hezekiah (Chizkiya), who was executed by Herod the Great. Following Herod's death, Judah rallied a group and seized the royal arsenal in Sepphoris (Josephus, Antiquities 17.10.5). His cause was supported by local Pharisees led by Sadduk, who objected to the census initiated by the Roman procurator Quirinius.
The rebellion was eventually crushed, and Judah himself was killed. However, his lineage remained influential within the Zealot party. Josephus refers to Judah as a "sophistes" or scholar, indicating his intellectual pursuits.
Sons and Descendants: A Legacy of Revolt
Judah's sons, James and Simon, were crucified by Tiberius Alexander in 46 CE. Another son, Menahem ben-Ya'ir, became a leader of the Sicarii and briefly captured Jerusalem during the Jewish War. Judah's grandson, Eleazar ben-Ya'ir, led the defense of Masada, a prominent fortress that defied Roman forces.
Thus, the legacy of Judah of Galilee lived on through his sons and descendants, who played pivotal roles in various uprisings against Roman rule, shaping the course of Jewish history.
