70 CE: Titus Flavius' Siege, Temple Plunder and the Birth of Tisha B'Av!

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Guys and gals, sit back and strap in because I've got a tale that's hotter than a Roman bathhouse sauna! This year, 70 CE, has been one wild chariot ride!

Titus Flavius' Siege

First off, our own Roman heartthrob (sorry, Caesar), Titus Flavius, has been causing quite the ruckus out there in Jerusalem. And by ruckus, I mean a full-scale siege, people! Talk about going all in. The man doesn't do things by halves, clearly.

Temple Takedown

Now, you might be wondering, "What's so special about this siege?" Well, let me tell you - it's not just a siege. It's a full-on temple takedown! Yes, you heard it here first - the Second Temple, that big, shiny beacon of Jerusalem, is now officially on the "extinct list." And you thought your last breakup was messy!

Titus didn’t just knock a few bricks loose; he turned the Second Temple into the biggest pile of rubble this side of the Tiber. I tell ya, if he put that much effort into his love life, he’d have all of Rome swooning!

Temple Plunder

But hold onto your toga, because the most scandalous part is yet to come.

The Loot of the Century

It turns out, our boy Titus wasn't just after the prime real estate. No, he was after the loot. The Second Temple wasn't only a religious hotspot, it was also the Bank of Jerusalem! The place was practically dripping with gold. Now, that’s what I call a profitable demolition job!

The Birth of Tisha B'Av

But every action has consequences, doesn't it? And Titus' temple takedown has sparked something new in Jerusalem. They're calling it Tisha B'Av, a day of fasting and mourning to commemorate the destruction of both the First and Second Temple.

A New Chapter Begins

So, while we Romans are over here planning our next feast, the folks in Jerusalem are marking their calendars for a yearly fast. Talk about different strokes for different folks!

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So there you have it, folks! This year has truly been a rollercoaster ride. From sieges to plunders, to the birth of new traditions, 70 CE has provided plenty of gossip for our Roman streets. But remember - you didn't hear it from me!