Editing Essenes (section)

== Involvement in the First Jewish–Roman War ==
At the outset of the [[First Jewish–Roman War]] in 66 CE, as Roman advances were anticipated, command over parts of western Judea was assigned to John the Essene (or Essaean), who was placed in charge of the [[Toparches|toparchy]] of [[Khirbet Tibnah|Thamna]]. This region encompassed [[Lod|Lydda]], [[Jaffa|Joppa]], and [[Emmaus]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite book |last=Rogers |first=Guy MacLean |title=For the Freedom of Zion: the Great Revolt of Jews against Romans, 66-74 CE |date=2021 |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=978-0-300-24813-5 |location=New Haven |pages=186}}</ref>