What was the Hostile Plough?

The Hostile Plough was used by the Romans to utterly destroy a city by burying and removing it. When the Romans were brought to wrath it was customary to drive a plough over the walls of a conquered city to signify that the ground on which it stood should be forever employed in agriculture.

Horace the Augustan poet wrote,

“From hence proud cities date their utter falls, When, insolent in ruin, o’er their walls, The wrathful soldier drags the hostile plough, that haughty mark of total overthrow.”

Regarding the Destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD Clarke wrote, “Thus did the Romans treat Jerusalem when it was taken by Titus. Turnus Rufus, or as he is called by St. Jerome, Titus Arinius Rufus, or Terentius Rufus, according to Josephus, caused a plough to be drawn over all the courts of the temple to signify that it should never be rebuilt, and the place only serve for agricultural purposes.”

The prophet Micah said, “Therefore Zion for your sake will be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem will become heaps of rubble.”
Micah 3:12

During Jesus’ last days in Jerusalem he said to his disciples, “do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone on top of another, which will not be thrown down.”
Mark 13:2

Source:

Hostile Plough


Related Articles:

Is the Black Sea Mentioned in the Bible? post related image

Is the Black Sea Mentioned in the Bible?

The Black Sea was known in ancient times as the Euxine and in the Roman Empire as Pontus Euxinus, and many ships sailed along its borders. The Black Sea was not mentioned in the Bible, although it was a northern boundary in the Roman Empire and the N...

What is the Black Obelisk? post related image

What is the Black Obelisk?

In 1846 an English traveler and artist named Austen Henry Layard was digging around the ruins of ancient Nimrud (known as Calah) in northern Iraq. He discovered something amazing, a black limestone obelisk now referred to as “The Black Obelisk of S...

Who were the Main Historical Sources for the Life of Nero? post related image

Who were the Main Historical Sources for the Life of Nero?

The main historical sources for the life of Nero were Tacitus Tacitus Publius Cornelius (55-120 A.D. approx.), Suetonius Svetonius Tranquillus (70-140 A.D. approx.), Cassius Dio Dion Cassius Cocceianus (155-235 A.D. approx.), Jewish and Christian Tra...

What were the major contributions of ancient Babylon to mathematics and astronomy?

The ancient city of Babylon, located in Mesopotamia, made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics and astronomy. With a keen interest in celestial observations and a sophisticated numerical system, the Babylonians developed groundbreak...

Why Do the Huldah Gates Appear Different in Ancient Replicas and Modern Photos? post related image

Why Do the Huldah Gates Appear Different in Ancient Replicas and Modern Photos?

The Huldah Gates, located on the southern wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, are a significant archaeological and historical feature. These gates served as entrances and exits for worshippers ascending to the Temple during the Second Temple perio...

Where was Mesopotamia?

Mesopotamia, mentioned in the Bible, refers to an ancient region located in present-day Iraq and parts of Syria and Turkey. The term "Mesopotamia" means "land between rivers" in Greek, as the region is situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers...

Why is Augustus Also Called Octavian? post related image

Why is Augustus Also Called Octavian?

Augustus was born with the name Gaius Octavian on September 23, 63 B.C. His parents were C. Octavius and Atia, a niece of Julius Caesar, by his sister Julia. Source: Augustus Caesar...

How did the ancient Egyptians build the pyramids?

The pyramids of Egypt stand as iconic symbols of ancient Egyptian civilization, representing remarkable architectural and engineering achievements. Constructed as tombs for pharaohs, these colossal structures continue to captivate the world with thei...

What does the word Babylon mean? post related image

What does the word Babylon mean?

Babylon is Akkadian “babilani” which means “the Gate of God(s)” and it became the capital of the land of Babylonia. The etymology of the name Babel in the Bible means “confused” (Gen 11:9) and throughout the Bible, Babylon was a symbol of...

Does the Bible Mention the Mediterranean Sea?

Yes, the Bible mentions the Mediterranean Sea on multiple occasions, as it played a significant role in the geographical and cultural context of the biblical world. Here are a few references: In Exodus 23:31, God promises to give the Israelites the l...

What was the role of slavery in ancient societies like Rome and Greece?

Slavery was deeply ingrained in the social and economic fabric of ancient Rome and Greece, shaping the structure of these societies in significant ways. With vast numbers of enslaved individuals serving as laborers, domestics, and even skilled profes...

Do any Archaeological Discoveries Mention Israel? post related image

Do any Archaeological Discoveries Mention Israel?

The Moabite Stone was discovered in 1868 about 20 miles east of the Dead Sea at Moab. It was a black and blue basalt stone dating back to around 830 BC, discovered by a German Missionary named F.A. Klein. It contains an inscription that reads: “I M...

How did the ancient Romans manage their water supply and sewage systems?

The ancient Romans were remarkable engineers when it came to managing water supply and sewage systems. They developed sophisticated systems that provided clean water for public use and efficiently removed wastewater from cities. Water Supply: Aqueduc...

Was the Colosseum Around During the Time of Jesus? post related image

Was the Colosseum Around During the Time of Jesus?

The Colosseum was known in ancient Rome as the Flavian Amphitheatre, named after the 3 emperors who were all involved in its construction. Vespasian conceived the idea and began building in 72 AD and his son Titus dedicated it in 80 AD with a 100 day...

Why was Hadrian’s Arch Erected in Jordan?

Hadrian's Arch, also known as the Arch of Hadrian or the Triumphal Arch, is an ancient Roman monument located in Jerash, Jordan. It was erected during the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century CE. While the Bible does not specifically...

What was a Roman Centurion? post related image

What was a Roman Centurion?

In ancient Rome the “centurion” meant “captain of 100”, and the Roman centurion was captain over 100 foot soldiers in a legion. The centurion was loyal and courageous, beginning as a soldier in the army and working their way up the ranks. The...

What did the Crown of Thorns Symbolize?

In the Bible, the crown of thorns is mentioned in the account of Jesus' crucifixion. Matthew 27:29, Mark 15:17, and John 19:2 describe how the Roman soldiers twisted thorns into a crown and placed it on Jesus' head as a form of mockery and humiliatio...

Who Appointed Pontius Pilate Procurator of Judea? post related image

Who Appointed Pontius Pilate Procurator of Judea?

Only the Jewish historian Josephus provides us with what little information is known about Pilate’s life before 26 A.D. when Tiberius Caesar appointed him procurator of Judea. The sketchy information suggests that Pilate was probably an Italian bor...


Read The Bible

About

Welcome to Free Bible: Unearthing the Past, Illuminating the Present! Step into a world where ancient history and biblical narratives intertwine, inviting you to explore the rich tapestry of human civilization.

Discover the captivating stories of forgotten empires, delve into the customs and cultures of our ancestors, and witness the remarkable findings unearthed by dedicated archaeologists.

Immerse yourself in a treasure trove of knowledge, where the past comes alive and illuminates our understanding of the present.

Join us on this extraordinary journey through time, where curiosity is rewarded and ancient mysteries await your exploration.

Recent posts