ananus was one of the main leaders of the great revolt of judea, which erupted in 66 ce. he was appointed as one of the heads of the judean provisional government together with joseph ben gurion in late 66. in 68, ananus was killed during the inter-rebel civil war in jerusalem. josephus in "the jewish war" considered ananus "unique in his love for liberty and an enthusiast for democracy" and as an "effective speaker, whose words carried weight with the people".