This skill was displayed at the Siege of Yodfat in 67 AD. To quell the ongoing unrest in Judea, Emperor Nero directed the future emperor Vespasian to restore order in this always troublesome region. Vespasian arrived in Alexandria with legions X Fretensis and V Macidonica, where he was joined by his son Legate Titus and his legion XV Apollinaris. With the addition of local client kingdom armies and auxiliary units, Vespasian proceeded with his invasion of Galilee.

The Jewish army fortified several important towns including Yodfat, where the Jewish commander Yosef Ben Matityahu headquartered himself. As the siege commenced Vespasian set his catapults and ballistae in place and built siege towers and battering rams. Along with the rain of missiles on Yodfat, the inhabitants and troops in the city had to deal with a severe shortage of water. After 47 days under siege the city capitulated to the Romans.

Yosef Ben Matityahu survived the siege and was captured. Vespasian spared his life and sent him back to Rome where he rose from slave to Roman citizenship as Flavius Josephus. He authored "The Jewish War", the chief historical record of the Great Jewish Revolt.