Sextus Lucilius Bassus

Sextus Lucilius Bassus was the 2nd Roman legate appointed by Emperor Vespasian to Judaea Province in 71.

Biography Assigned to eliminate the remaining resistance after the First Jewish–Roman War in the province, he led the legion Legio X Fretensis, destroying the Jewish strongholds Herodium and Machaerus on their march to the siege of Masada.

Bassus fell ill and died on the way, however, and was replaced by Lucius Flavius Silva in late 72.

Before his appointment to Iudaea, Bassus was prefect of the Classis Ravennas and the Classis Misenensis and betrayed Vitellius by siding with Vespasian during the Year of the Four Emperors (69).