Florus as the final, evil Roman procurator of Judea, gave a free pass to robbers - provided only they give him a share in the spoils. The robbers openly flaunted their "license to steal". Entire regions were desolated, and refugees fled to neighboring provinces. None could outdo Florus when it came to disguising the truth. But when Cestius Gallus, procurator of Syria, comes to Jerusalem, and 3 million Jews gather to beseech him to deliver them from Florus, it seemed that his crimes (which Rome would also take a dim view of) were in danger of coming to the attention of other Roman governors. So Florus begins actively to provoke revolt - in which greater calamity his personal crimes may be overlooked. One of his strategies is to hire false prophets. Recall what happened in Greece under Xerces - although Persia lost that encounter.
Bernice, sister of king Herod Agrippa, saw Florus order the house to house execution of some 3000 Jews for the "crime" of mocking him by receiving him submissively. She personally intercedes for the Jews, barefoot - but is not heeded or respected and barely escapes with her own life. Agrippa and Bernice persuade the people against open revolt - instead sending their tribute directly to Rome, and not through Florus, thereby preventing war with Rome for a time. However, when Herod makes a speech to obey Florus until Rome appoints a successor, the zealots throw stones at Agrippa, and he retreats to his own fortresses, and the zealots take Massada, killing the Romans there, and stop the daily sacrifice - thus starting the war with Rome, and ensuring the destruction of Jerusalem.