Leader of a major revolt against the Romans (132–135 CE). Simeon Bar (or Ben) Koseva (of the village of Koseva) was known to his followers as Bar Kokhba (Son of the Star – a messianic allusion) and to his opponents as Bar Koziva (the Deceiver). At the outbreak of the revolt, Rabbi Akiba and many Jews acclaimed him as the Messiah; other sages, however, remained unconvinced. Fragmentary information indicates the revolt was provoked by Roman Emperor Hadrian's plans to erect an idolatrous city on the ruins of Jerusalem. The city, Aelia Capitolina, was to be named after himself and a Roman deity. The rebels carefully planned the revolt, accumulating arms and fortifying cities. They first overcame the small Roman garrison in Jerusalem and then seized control of Judea and part of Galilee. Bar Kokhba was chosen as nasi (prince), and coins were minted, signaling Judean independence. Finds in the Judean wilderness reveal that Bar Kokhba was a stern leader who insisted on religious observance.
The Romans mobilized an army from all parts of the empire under the command of Julius Severus. They were met with heavy resistance but succeeded, eventually, in crushing the revolt and recapturing all of Eretz Israel. The rebels made a last stand at Bethar, southeast of Jerusalem, where Bar Kokhba met his death. According to legend, Bar Kokhba died from the bite of a poisonous snake as a punishment for his arrogance. Before entering battle, he was reported to have declared: "Let God neither assist nor obstruct us." Victory did not come easily to the Romans. Their casualties were so serious that Hadrian, upon informing the Senate of his victory, omitted the customary opening: "I and my legions are well." Nevertheless, the Jews paid dearly for their insurrection, suffering some 600,000 deaths from battle, hunger and disease. Thousands were sold into slavery, Judea was deserted, and the center of Jewish life, including the Sanhedrin, moved to Galilee. The Romans tried to eradicate Judaism from the land by forbidding the study of Torah, Sabbath observance, ritual circumcision and synagogue assemblies. Some historians maintain that these discriminatory edicts were in effect before the rebellion and were, thereby, contributing factors in the decision to revolt.
