John of Giscala

John son of Levi came from Gischala (Gush Halav) in Upper Galilee. When the revolt against Rome broke out in 66 he fortified his town and became the bitter rival of Josephus, then rebel commander of Galilee, whom he tried to have removed. In late 67, as Titus approached Gischala, John asked for a truce for the Sabbath and used the night to flee with his followers to Jerusalem (Josephus, War 4). There he allied with the Zealots, helped bring in Idumean fighters against the moderate leaders, and fought for control of the city against Eleazar ben Simon in the inner Temple and Simon bar Giora in the Upper City.

When Titus besieged Jerusalem in 70, the factions finally fought together, with John holding the Temple Mount and the Antonia fortress. Josephus accuses him of handing out the sacred wine and oil to his men. After the city fell John came out of the underground tunnels, starving, and was sentenced to life imprisonment. Almost everything known about him comes from Josephus, his personal enemy, so the harsh portrait must be read with caution.