The party of revolt among the Jews of Roman Palestine known for their fanaticism. Also known as Canaans after the early inhabitants of Palestine, they have been identified with the ‘Daggermen’ (‘Sicarii’) of the Jewish Revolt of 66 to 70 ad and the defenders of Masada. Simon, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ, was also known as ‘the Zealot’, meaning either that he was a member of the party, or equally likely, that he was of a ‘zealous’ disposition.