AR Denarius Vespasian (69-79). JUDAEA

Obverse: IMP CAESAR VERSPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right
Reverse: IVDAEA, mourning Judaea right, seated by trophy
 
The First Jewish–Roman War (66–74 AD), fought in Judaea, was the first major rebellion by the Jews against the Roman Empire. It resulted in the destruction of several cities and towns, including Jerusalem, the displacement of its population, the appropriation of land for Roman military use, and the destruction of the Jewish Temple and polity.
 
The main source of information for the Jewish revolt is Josephus (c. 37–100 AD), born Yosef ben Mattityahu, a Jewish historian and appointed commander of Galilee. He surrendered to Vespasian and secured his life by prophesying Vespasian’s rise to emperor. For two years, he remained a prisoner and witnessed many events firsthand. After Vespasian was proclaimed emperor by his legions, he recalled Josephus’s prophecy and granted him freedom. After his release, Josephus joined Vespasian and Titus, lived as a historian under imperial patronage and authored all of his works. He gained Roman citizenship and received the name Flavius Josephus.
Josephus’s first work, and the primary account of the Jewish revolt, was The Jewish War, which he began writing shortly after the war ended.