I have been ruminating on a writing project for awhile now, and I'm finally getting motivated to move forward with it. When your muse shows up, and begins asking you compelling questions, I figure it is time to get to work!
Overview
The context for this piece of historical fiction will be the Bar Kokhba Revolt, or 2nd Jewish Revolt against Rome. In 130 A.D., the Roman Emperor Hadrian had offered some hope to the people of Israel that he would allow them to rebuild their sacred Temple (which had been destroyed in 70 A.D.) However, Hadrian subsequently announced that the Temple would be dedicated to his own god, Jupiter. Obviously, this was utter blasphemy to the Jews, and preparations moved forward to revolt - one that basically had been brewing for the last six decades, following their crushing defeat at Masada - the final episode in the 1st Jewish War with Rome. Did Hadrian change his mind, or did he mislead the Jews? He certainly wasn't naive enough to think they wouldn't mind having their Temple desecrated in this way.
The Rabbis and Jewish ruling party rallied around a man named Simon Bar Kosiba. He led the Jewish insurgency, and successfully overthrew the Roman occupation, setting up a free Nation of Israel for about 2 and 1/2 years (this would be the last independent State of Israel until 1948). In support for Simon Bar Kosiba, the esteemed Rabbi Akiva re-dubbed their military leader "Bar Kokhba", meaning "Son of a Star". This was pulled from Numbers 24:17, "A star will come out of Jacob: a scepter will rise out of Israel.", and was intended to identify their hero with the promised Messiah.
After suffering great embarrassment, the Roman Emperor called his most honored General, Sextus Julius Severus, away from Britain to restore the order of Rome upon the Middle East. The loses to both sides were heavy, but in the end, the Romans systematically destroyed the rebellion. Simon Bar Kosiba's final stand took place at a stronghold called Bethar, and many of his compatriot's died while hiding out in caves in the Judean wilderness. The Jewish Rabbis subsequently referred to their failed savior as "Bar Koziba", meaning "Son of a Liar". Of course, in retrospect, it's easier to to see that he was not God's intended Messiah...
Themes
This project is exciting to me for many reasons. First, the topic is somewhat obscure, but there is just enough primary source material to get started. Bar Kokhba himself is almost mythical. The messianic issue provides me a great context, as a writer, to present my understanding of faith, which applies today, just as it did in the 2nd Century. Would the real Messiah please stand up?
Also, I believe the Bar Kokhba revolt was probably one of the final breaking points between Rabbinical Judaism, and the Jewish followers of Jesus. Both sprang out of Levitical Judaism, and coexisted in some fashion after the Temple was destroyed in 70AD. Bar Kokhba's proclamation as 'Messiah' put the pressure on the Christians to take sides, either for their faith or their country. I see this inner conflict in my nation today, between Faith and Patriotism. The war in Iraq has further confused that issue for me. I'm proud to be an American, but if I have to choose, I choose Christ. So, I want to explore how these early Christians dealt with the "For God and Country" proposition offered to them.
My muse asked me the fundamental questions, "why did they think he was the Messiah?", and, "how did he come to be associated with this prophecy (Num 24:17)"? In this case, the name similarities were most probably manipulated to solidify national unity. I have to believe that this stemmed from the sincere hope that the glory of Israel would soon be restored. The muse then asked another challenging question, "Why, if they changed his name, is it referred to as the Bar Kokhba Revolt and not the Bar Koziba Revolt?" I think Christian writers like Jerome and Eusebius perpetuated the "Bar Kokhba" title, to warn against false messiahs. The subsequent Jewish writings, do in fact, refer to Simon as "Bar Koziba". However, the modern Israeli might have more affinity for the successful military hero, rather than the failed messiah- so that also has contrbibuted to the revival of the myth of Bar Kokhba.
Wrapping up for this morning, one of the things that truly amazes me about this story is that there weren't too many successful revolts against Rome. The Israelis' perseverance has always amazed me (how many Hittites, Amalekites, Moabites or Amorites do you know???). My time living in Ha Eretz, Israel, makes this all seem so relevant to me, and it compels me to add my perspective and personality, somehow, to this tale.
2 comments:
Very detailed and concise answer for the questions posed. I must say, you make it sound like a compelling story. Since this is likely to be historical fiction, will it discuss the post revolt shifts you mention or will it mainly focus on the circumstances leading up to the revolt and end with the Romans regaining control? I say that it is likely to be historical fiction because it sounds as if you might shift this into a full scale, in depth study of the revolt and what impact it has on current Israeli society and possibly issues that we as Americans (or any country for that matter) struggle with in a current day environment.
Off Topic and totally my own opinion which I hope will not offend you:
The most amazing thing to me about all of this, is how after all of these years, we are no closer to learning how to live peacefully with each other than we were thousands of years ago. Leaders forget to care about the people they govern, the people recognize this lack of concern and desire some type of resolution, nothing peaceful can be hashed out (I would bet Hadrian had a couple of advisors who made mention of the fact that this whole temple thing was going to cause some problems), people decide to take it into their own hands and sides must be chosen, people must die to prove their point on either side and nothing positive is accomplished.
It seems like it should be more difficult to draw parallels between behaviors of those who disagreed two thousand years ago and those who disagree today. You can take the above paragraph and apply it to any major conflict in the past or present. We have not evolved very effectively as a species. No one seems to be learning from past mistakes. We still rely on the knowledge that whoever kills more wins, but then we have done nothing more than create the need to kill more at another time to exact revenge on what has been done in the past.
Thank you so much for taking time to read about my project! Your comments about the impact and connection to modern Israel and the U.S. are quite insightful. It reminded me of the books I've read by James Michener, have you read anything by him? He typically draws a very long arc from some distant historical event to the present time (perhaps starting at the present and working backwards, or moving forward and back). That might be too much of a chunk to bite off!
My plan is to begin at Hadrian's initial announcement that he will support the Temple rebuilding. I'm not sure where my story ends. I thought I'd let that reveal itself to me as the tale unfolds. Of course, the Muse may also ask questions that I will need to address in order to finish!
I agree with your subsequent observation on the futility of war. In a way, it seems even more inconceivable, in the current time, that we would be unable to resolve our conflicts peacefully. Communication, travel, advancements in science, etc. would seem to erode the barriers and minimize the historical differences.
On the other hand, my biblical worldview makes it very plain to me that we each have the capacity and propensity to act selfishly, pursuing our own glory, and not acting with love and kindness towards others. Put about 7 billion folks in once place who are only looking out for themselves, and watch the sparks fly!
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