In light of the terrifying rise of terrorism today, have you ever wondered: Where does terrorism originate from?
Zealots – The First Terrorist Group in the World
The Zealots are believed to be a sect founded by Palestinians in the 1st century, operating under the banner of liberating their nation. At that time, Palestine was under Roman rule.
The first terrorist organization in the world emerged in the 1st century.
The operational goals of the Zealots intertwined political and religious issues. This organization sought to “regain national independence from Rome” while also attempting to impose a strict religious society of their own making.
Why are the Zealots Considered a Terrorist Organization?
The Zealots are seen as one of the earliest systematically trained terrorist organizations. But why?
It is because of the methods employed by this group. The Zealots began with declarations that had a strong humanitarian tone but engaged in armed struggle in a guerrilla form, including fighting in urban areas, which caused innocent people to suffer greatly in pursuit of their political and religious goals.
Armed conflicts occurred continuously. (Illustrative image).
However, the targets of the Zealots were not only the authorities but also Jewish citizens who supported the government. This organization viewed them as traitors to the homeland, morally unaware, and the common consequence was… beheading.
<pSpecifically, the Zealots often punished individuals by using daggers to slit the throats of their offenders in public, thereby spreading fear within enemy ranks. Such actions are characteristic of a terrorist organization.
Innocent people were also affected.
The strategy of public killings not only achieved the desired effect of threatening the enemy but also had a profound psychological impact by creating a sense of vulnerability among the populace.
Additionally, the Zealots expanded their activities through propaganda. To execute this final strategy, the organization often carried out attacks against the Romans with forces significantly larger than their own, demonstrating a willingness to face the enemy despite the high risk of annihilation.
The Zealots often launched attacks against the Romans.
Their willingness to risk their lives against the Roman authorities attracted many individuals wishing to join – similar to modern terrorist organizations. Supporters of the Zealots viewed them as a valiant organization fighting against imperialism, particularly among the lower and younger classes.
And the Dissolution of the Zealots…
The Zealots’ revolts eventually became less guerrilla and more overt. At one point, this sect even captured Jerusalem – considered the holy city of the Jews.
However, once they stepped into the limelight, the Zealots were no longer a match for the Roman army – the strongest military of the time. By 70 AD, when besieged at Masada Fortress, all the leaders of the Zealots committed suicide – marking the end of the first terrorist organization in human history.
Once they stepped into the limelight, the Zealots were no longer a match for the Roman army.
However, the Zealots influenced many subsequent terrorist organizations. They also employed strategies that instilled a sense of humiliation among the masses, inciting their anger to join, only to later realize the dark sides of the organization but find no way back.
According to the United Nations, terrorism consists of destructive acts carried out by individuals or organizations.
Terrorists often use words, images, or videos of killings they perpetrate to threaten and instill fear within society and communities, aiming to achieve political or religious objectives.
