Eleazar ben Simon (c. 1st century CE - died c. 70) was a Zealot leader in the First Jewish-Roman War against Roman leaders Vespasian and Titus. He belonged to a noble priestly family. In the year 66 at Beit-Horon, his forces ambushed and defeated Roman Legio XII Fulminata sent by legate of Syria Cestius Gallus to suppress the uprising. After the defeat of Cestius, Eleazar seized the abandoned impedimenta of the Romans and the treasure of the Temple, and employed the Zealots as armor-bearers. He found an ally in the priest Zacharias, son of Amphikalles, with whose help he supplanted the peaceable high priest Ananias and his party, and admitted the Idumeans into Jerusalem. In the years 68-70 in Jerusalem, Eleazar participated in a civil war that erupted between Jewish factions before and during the Siege of Jerusalem by Titus. He commanded the Zealots who held the Temple of Jerusalem and fought against the patriot John of Giscala, who turned from Giscala to Jerusalem after the subjugation of Galilee. Eleazar would not submit to John, but retired to the court of the Temple with his friends Judah b. Ḥelika and Simon b. Ezron. During the Passover Eleazar's men opened the gates of the court of the Temple, whereupon John's followers stole in among the pilgrims, overpowered Eleazar's people, and drove them from the court.
References
- This article incorporates text from the 1901–1906 Jewish Encyclopedia, a publication now in the public domain.
