Which Roman Legions were involved in the Destruction of Jerusalem, AD 70?
Rupert Furneuax’s book “The Roman Siege of Jerusalem” chronicles the events leading up to the storming of the walls of Jerusalem by Vespasian’s son at the head of a truly huge army: Titus marched from Caesarea with 2 legions, the XII Fulminata and XV Apollinaris. The X Fretensis legion came from Jericho. The V Macedonica legion came from Emmaus. The V and XV legions had earlier been garrisoned in Egypt, while the other two had been moved into Judea some time before the campaign of AD 70. Large numbers of auxiliary troops were also present, drawn from many parts of the Empire, but with significant Syrian and Arabian contingents – the contemporary writer Josephus estimated the total force at over 60,000, not counting servants, carters, muleteers and camel herders. Syrian auxiliaries included large numbers of archers, who used powerful composite bows. Their dress comprised very non-Roman conical helmets with cheek pieces and scale armour over their traditional long robes – such men also a
