The term Sicarii is first made reference to within Josephus “The Great War” whilst the varying sects of Judaism are being alluded to; to give description of the sects that were in existence prior to the occurrences of the Great Jewish Revolt of 66 AD. In particular, the Sicarii, are introduced, as Josephus describes them as “A new species of banditti was springing up in Jerusalem, the so-called Sicarii who committed murder in board daylight in the heart of the city.” Sicarii were recognised as backers of Judah the Galilaean who had roused the inhabitants of Judea to stage a revolt later culminating into the Jewish Revolt. Under the proclamation that payment of taxes to Roman governance is equivalent to the practise of enslavement.

The sect