The Sicarii: The History of the Ancient Jewish Assassins Who Fought the Romans

As in many societies facing the social and political juggernaut of Roman occupation, the people of Judea were split by their reactions to imperial control. Some responded with revolt and disobedience, while others cooperated with the Roman administration, helping to deepen the influence of Latin culture in the province. The vast majority of the population of Judea likely tried to stay out of the fray.

The group trying to stir up rebellion in Judea before the First Jewish War are today called the Zealots. The Hebrew name for them was kanai קנאי , which literally means the jealous, referring to their devotion to God. However, none of the nominal camps in Judea were even remotely united in their aims and methods, and there were some severe disagreements to be had, even amongst the Zealots.

One of the most extreme groups among the Zealots was called the Sicarii. The ominous name refers to the small daggers - which the Romans called the sica - the group used to carry out a ruthless assassination program. The Romans had used the term previously to describe assassins, and the Sicarii are perhaps best known for their part in the final stand against the Romans in Masada. The confrontation in that desert fortress was the last stand in the Judean uprising against Roman occupation.