Sicarii

Jewish sect

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July 13, 2026

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The Sicarii were a Jewish sect that emerged around 52–60 CE in ancient Palestine. They were a radical faction of the Zealots, an aggressive political party known for their strong opposition to Roman rule and paganism. The Sicarii, whose name derives from the Latin word for "dagger men," resorted to murder and terrorism to achieve their goal of expelling the Romans. They would carry hidden daggers and assassinate individuals perceived as friendly to Roman authorities in public places. The Sicarii played a significant role in the first Jewish revolt against Rome (66–70 CE).12

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Zealot
…assassination and became known as Sicarii (Greek sikarioi, “dagger men”). They frequented public places with hidden daggers to strike down persons friendly to Rome. In the first revolt against Rome (ad 66–70) the Zealots played a leading role, and at Masada in 73 they committed suicide rather than surrender the…
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…assassination and became known as Sicarii (Greek sikarioi, “dagger men”). They frequented public places with hidden daggers to strike down persons friendly to Rome. In the first revolt against Rome (ad 66–70) the Zealots played a leading role, and at Masada in 73 they committed suicide rather than surrender the…
Read More

Judaism
New parties and sects
The Sicarii (Assassins), so-called because of the daggers (sica) they carried, arose about 54 ce, according to Josephus, as a group of bandits who kidnapped or murdered those who had found a modus vivendi with the Romans. It was they who made a stand at the…
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The Sicarii (Assassins), so-called because of the daggers (sica) they carried, arose about 54 ce, according to Josephus, as a group of bandits who kidnapped or murdered those who had found a modus vivendi with the Romans. It was they who made a stand at the…
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Siege of Masada
…escaped, members of the extremist Sicarii (Latin for “dagger carriers”) sect, settled in the apparently impregnable mountaintop fortress of Masada, overcoming a small Roman garrison there.
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…escaped, members of the extremist Sicarii (Latin for “dagger carriers”) sect, settled in the apparently impregnable mountaintop fortress of Masada, overcoming a small Roman garrison there.
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