The crushing of the (Bar Kochba) revolt is followed by a series of religious persecutions. Many Jews choose to die for their faith. When Rabbi Hananiah ben Teradyon is asked by a Roman judge why he studied the Torah in defiance of the prohibition, his reply is: “I follow my God’s commandment.” The Romans immediately condemn him to be burned at the stake, his wife to be killed, and his daughter to be taken to the prostitutes (Babylonian Talmud, Avoda Zara, 17b). Hananiah was but one of many martyrs. (A Historical Atlas of the Jewish People)
The Romans sustains severe battle casualties from the forces of Bar Kochba. According to (Roman chronicler) Dio Cassius, Hadrian’s casualties are so severe, that when he formally informs the Senate of his ultimate victory, he omits the usual formal advisement to the Senate: “I and my army are well.” Bar Kochba had inflicted severe punishment on the Roman Army.