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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem + +Author: Flavius Josephus + +Translator: William Whiston + +Release Date: January 10, 2009 [EBook #2850] +Last Updated: August 3, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WARS OF THE JEWS *** + + + + +Produced by David Reed, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE WARS OF THE JEWS + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + OR HISTORY OF THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Flavius Josephus + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h3> + Translated by William Whiston + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkpreface"> <b>PREFACE</b> </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <b>BOOK I.</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER 1. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER 2. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER 3. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER 4. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER 5. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER 6. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER 7. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER 8. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER 9. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER 10. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER 11. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER 12. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER 13. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER 14. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER 15. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER 16. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER 17. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER 18. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER 19. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER 20. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER 21. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER 22. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER 23. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER 24. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER 25. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER 26. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER 27. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER 28. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER 29. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0030"> CHAPTER 30. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0031"> CHAPTER 31. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0032"> CHAPTER 32. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0033"> CHAPTER 33. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkbook-two"> <b>BOOK 2.</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link22HCH0001"> CHAPTER 1. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link22HCH0002"> CHAPTER 2. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link22HCH0003"> CHAPTER 3. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link22HCH0004"> CHAPTER 4. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link22HCH0005"> CHAPTER 5. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link22HCH0006"> CHAPTER 6. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link22HCH0007"> CHAPTER 7. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link22HCH0008"> CHAPTER 8. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link22HCH0009"> CHAPTER 9. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link22HCH0010"> CHAPTER 10. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link22HCH0011"> CHAPTER 11. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link22HCH0012"> CHAPTER 12. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link22HCH0013"> CHAPTER 13. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link22HCH0014"> CHAPTER 14. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link22HCH0015"> CHAPTER 15. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link22HCH0016"> CHAPTER 16. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link22HCH0017"> CHAPTER 17. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link22HCH0018"> CHAPTER 18. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link22HCH0019"> CHAPTER 19. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link22HCH0020"> CHAPTER 9. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link22HCH0021"> CHAPTER 21. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link22HCH0022"> CHAPTER 22. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link32H_4_0001"> <b>BOOK III.</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link32HCH0001"> CHAPTER 1. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link32HCH0002"> CHAPTER 2. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link32HCH0003"> CHAPTER 3. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link32HCH0004"> CHAPTER 4. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link32HCH0005"> CHAPTER 5. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link32HCH0006"> CHAPTER 6. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link32HCH0007"> CHAPTER 7. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link32HCH0008"> CHAPTER 8. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link32HCH0009"> CHAPTER 9. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link32HCH0010"> CHAPTER 10. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link42H_4_0001"> <b>BOOK IV.</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link42HCH0001"> CHAPTER 1. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link42HCH0002"> CHAPTER 2. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link42HCH0003"> CHAPTER 3. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link42HCH0004"> CHAPTER 4. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link42HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link42HCH0006"> CHAPTER 6. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link42HCH0007"> CHAPTER 7. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link42HCH0008"> CHAPTER 8. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link42HCH0009"> CHAPTER 9. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link42HCH0010"> CHAPTER 10. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link42HCH0011"> CHAPTER 11. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link52H_4_0001"> <b>BOOK V.</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link52HCH0001"> CHAPTER 1. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link52HCH0002"> CHAPTER 2. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link52HCH0003"> CHAPTER 3. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link52HCH0004"> CHAPTER 4. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link52HCH0005"> CHAPTER 5. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link52HCH0006"> CHAPTER 6. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link52HCH0007"> CHAPTER 7. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link52HCH0008"> CHAPTER 8. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link52HCH0009"> CHAPTER 9. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link52HCH0010"> CHAPTER 10. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link52HCH0011"> CHAPTER 11. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link52HCH0012"> CHAPTER 12. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link52HCH0013"> CHAPTER 13. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link62H_4_0001"> <b>BOOK VI.</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link62HCH0001"> CHAPTER 1. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link62HCH0002"> CHAPTER 2. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link62HCH0003"> CHAPTER 3. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link62HCH0004"> CHAPTER 4. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link62HCH0005"> CHAPTER 5. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link62HCH0006"> CHAPTER 6. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link62HCH0007"> CHAPTER 7. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link62HCH0008"> CHAPTER 8. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link62HCH0009"> CHAPTER 9. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link62HCH0010"> CHAPTER 10. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link72H_4_0001"> <b>BOOK VII.</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link72HCH0001"> CHAPTER 1. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link72HCH0002"> CHAPTER 2. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link72HCH0003"> CHAPTER 3. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link72HCH0004"> CHAPTER 4. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link72HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link72HCH0006"> CHAPTER 6. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link72HCH0007"> CHAPTER 7. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link72HCH0008"> CHAPTER 8. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link72HCH0009"> CHAPTER 9. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link72HCH0010"> CHAPTER 10. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link72HCH0011"> CHAPTER 11. </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="linkpreface" id="linkpreface"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + PREFACE + </h2> + <p> + 1. <a href="#linkprenote-1" name="linkprenoteref-1" id="linkprenoteref-1">1</a> + Whereas the war which the Jews made with the Romans hath been the greatest + of all those, not only that have been in our times, but, in a manner, of + those that ever were heard of; both of those wherein cities have fought + against cities, or nations against nations; while some men who were not + concerned in the affairs themselves have gotten together vain and + contradictory stories by hearsay, and have written them down after a + sophistical manner; and while those that were there present have given + false accounts of things, and this either out of a humor of flattery to + the Romans, or of hatred towards the Jews; and while their writings + contain sometimes accusations, and sometimes encomiums, but no where the + accurate truth of the facts; I have proposed to myself, for the sake of + such as live under the government of the Romans, to translate those books + into the Greek tongue, which I formerly composed in the language of our + country, and sent to the Upper Barbarians; <a href="#linkprenote-2" + name="linkprenoteref-2" id="linkprenoteref-2">2</a> Joseph, the son of + Matthias, by birth a Hebrew, a priest also, and one who at first fought + against the Romans myself, and was forced to be present at what was done + afterwards, [am the author of this work]. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now at the time when this great concussion of affairs happened, the + affairs of the Romans were themselves in great disorder. Those Jews also + who were for innovations, then arose when the times were disturbed; they + were also in a flourishing condition for strength and riches, insomuch + that the affairs of the East were then exceeding tumultuous, while some + hoped for gain, and others were afraid of loss in such troubles; for the + Jews hoped that all of their nation which were beyond Euphrates would have + raised an insurrection together with them. The Gauls also, in the + neighborhood of the Romans, were in motion, and the Geltin were not quiet; + but all was in disorder after the death of Nero. And the opportunity now + offered induced many to aim at the royal power; and the soldiery affected + change, out of the hopes of getting money. I thought it therefore an + absurd thing to see the truth falsified in affairs of such great + consequence, and to take no notice of it; but to suffer those Greeks and + Romans that were not in the wars to be ignorant of these things, and to + read either flatteries or fictions, while the Parthians, and the + Babylonians, and the remotest Arabians, and those of our nation beyond + Euphrates, with the Adiabeni, by my means, knew accurately both whence the + war begun, what miseries it brought upon us, and after what manner it + ended. + </p> + <p> + 3. It is true, these writers have the confidence to call their accounts + histories; wherein yet they seem to me to fail of their own purpose, as + well as to relate nothing that is sound. For they have a mind to + demonstrate the greatness of the Romans, while they still diminish and + lessen the actions of the Jews, as not discerning how it cannot be that + those must appear to be great who have only conquered those that were + little. Nor are they ashamed to overlook the length of the war, the + multitude of the Roman forces who so greatly suffered in it, or the might + of the commanders, whose great labors about Jerusalem will be deemed + inglorious, if what they achieved be reckoned but a small matter. + </p> + <p> + 4. However, I will not go to the other extreme, out of opposition to those + men who extol the Romans nor will I determine to raise the actions of my + countrymen too high; but I will prosecute the actions of both parties with + accuracy. Yet shall I suit my language to the passions I am under, as to + the affairs I describe, and must be allowed to indulge some lamentations + upon the miseries undergone by my own country. For that it was a seditious + temper of our own that destroyed it, and that they were the tyrants among + the Jews who brought the Roman power upon us, who unwillingly attacked us, + and occasioned the burning of our holy temple, Titus Caesar, who destroyed + it, is himself a witness, who, during the entire war, pitied the people + who were kept under by the seditious, and did often voluntarily delay the + taking of the city, and allowed time to the siege, in order to let the + authors have opportunity for repentance. But if any one makes an unjust + accusation against us, when we speak so passionately about the tyrants, or + the robbers, or sorely bewail the misfortunes of our country, let him + indulge my affections herein, though it be contrary to the rules for + writing history; because it had so come to pass, that our city Jerusalem + had arrived at a higher degree of felicity than any other city under the + Roman government, and yet at last fell into the sorest of calamities + again. Accordingly, it appears to me that the misfortunes of all men, from + the beginning of the world, if they be compared to these of the Jews <a + href="#linkprenote-3" name="linkprenoteref-3" id="linkprenoteref-3">3</a> + are not so considerable as they were; while the authors of them were not + foreigners neither. This makes it impossible for me to contain my + lamentations. But if any one be inflexible in his censures of me, let him + attribute the facts themselves to the historical part, and the + lamentations to the writer himself only. + </p> + <p> + 5. However, I may justly blame the learned men among the Greeks, who, when + such great actions have been done in their own times, which, upon the + comparison, quite eclipse the old wars, do yet sit as judges of those + affairs, and pass bitter censures upon the labors of the best writers of + antiquity; which moderns, although they may be superior to the old writers + in eloquence, yet are they inferior to them in the execution of what they + intended to do. While these also write new histories about the Assyrians + and Medes, as if the ancient writers had not described their affairs as + they ought to have done; although these be as far inferior to them in + abilities as they are different in their notions from them. For of old + every one took upon them to write what happened in his own time; where + their immediate concern in the actions made their promises of value; and + where it must be reproachful to write lies, when they must be known by the + readers to be such. But then, an undertaking to preserve the memory Of + what hath not been before recorded, and to represent the affairs of one's + own time to those that come afterwards, is really worthy of praise and + commendation. Now he is to be esteemed to have taken good pains in + earnest, not who does no more than change the disposition and order of + other men's works, but he who not only relates what had not been related + before, but composes an entire body of history of his own: accordingly, I + have been at great charges, and have taken very great pains [about this + history], though I be a foreigner; and do dedicate this work, as a + memorial of great actions, both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians. But + for some of our own principal men, their mouths are wide open, and their + tongues loosed presently, for gain and law-suits, but quite muzzled up + when they are to write history, where they must speak truth and gather + facts together with a great deal of pains; and so they leave the writing + such histories to weaker people, and to such as are not acquainted with + the actions of princes. Yet shall the real truth of historical facts be + preferred by us, how much soever it be neglected among the Greek + historians. + </p> + <p> + 6. To write concerning the Antiquities of the Jews, who they were + [originally], and how they revolted from the Egyptians, and what country + they traveled over, and what countries they seized upon afterward, and how + they were removed out of them, I think this not to be a fit opportunity, + and, on other accounts, also superfluous; and this because many Jews + before me have composed the histories of our ancestors very exactly; as + have some of the Greeks done it also, and have translated our histories + into their own tongue, and have not much mistaken the truth in their + histories. But then, where the writers of these affairs and our prophets + leave off, thence shall I take my rise, and begin my history. Now as to + what concerns that war which happened in my own time, I will go over it + very largely, and with all the diligence I am able; but for what preceded + mine own age, that I shall run over briefly. + </p> + <p> + 7. [For example, I shall relate] how Antiochus, who was named Epiphanes, + took Jerusalem by force, and held it three years and three months, and was + then ejected out of the country by the sons of Asamoneus: after that, how + their posterity quarreled about the government, and brought upon their + settlement the Romans and Pompey; how Herod also, the son of Antipater, + dissolved their government, and brought Sosins upon them; as also how our + people made a sedition upon Herod's death, while Augustus was the Roman + emperor, and Quintilius Varus was in that country; and how the war broke + out in the twelfth year of Nero, with what happened to Cestius; and what + places the Jews assaulted in a hostile manner in the first sallies of the + war. + </p> + <p> + 8. As also [I shall relate] how they built walls about the neighboring + cities; and how Nero, upon Cestius's defeat, was in fear of the entire + event of the war, and thereupon made Vespasian general in this war; and + how this Vespasian, with the elder of his sons <a href="#linkprenote-4" + name="linkprenoteref-4" id="linkprenoteref-4">4</a> made an expedition + into the country of Judea; what was the number of the Roman army that he + made use of; and how many of his auxiliaries were cut off in all Galilee; + and how he took some of its cities entirely, and by force, and others of + them by treaty, and on terms. Now, when I am come so far, I shall describe + the good order of the Romans in war, and the discipline of their legions; + the amplitude of both the Galilees, with its nature, and the limits of + Judea. And, besides this, I shall particularly go over what is peculiar to + the country, the lakes and fountains that are in them, and what miseries + happened to every city as they were taken; and all this with accuracy, as + I saw the things done, or suffered in them. For I shall not conceal any of + the calamities I myself endured, since I shall relate them to such as know + the truth of them. + </p> + <p> + 9. After this, [I shall relate] how, When the Jews' affairs were become + very bad, Nero died, and Vespasian, when he was going to attack Jerusalem, + was called back to take the government upon him; what signs happened to + him relating to his gaining that government, and what mutations of + government then happened at Rome, and how he was unwillingly made emperor + by his soldiers; and how, upon his departure to Egypt, to take upon him + the government of the empire, the affairs of the Jews became very + tumultuous; as also how the tyrants rose up against them, and fell into + dissensions among themselves. + </p> + <p> + 10. Moreover, [I shall relate] how Titus marched out of Egypt into Judea + the second time; as also how, and where, and how many forces he got + together; and in what state the city was, by the means of the seditious, + at his coming; what attacks he made, and how many ramparts he cast up; of + the three walls that encompassed the city, and of their measures; of the + strength of the city, and the structure of the temple and holy house; and + besides, the measures of those edifices, and of the altar, and all + accurately determined. A description also of certain of their festivals, + and seven purifications of purity, <a href="#linkprenote-5" + name="linkprenoteref-5" id="linkprenoteref-5">5</a> and the sacred + ministrations of the priests, with the garments of the priests, and of the + high priests; and of the nature of the most holy place of the temple; + without concealing any thing, or adding any thing to the known truth of + things. + </p> + <p> + 11. After this, I shall relate the barbarity of the tyrants towards the + people of their own nation, as well as the indulgence of the Romans in + sparing foreigners; and how often Titus, out of his desire to preserve the + city and the temple, invited the seditious to come to terms of + accommodation. I shall also distinguish the sufferings of the people, and + their calamities; how far they were afflicted by the sedition, and how far + by the famine, and at length were taken. Nor shall I omit to mention the + misfortunes of the deserters, nor the punishments inflicted on the + captives; as also how the temple was burnt, against the consent of Caesar; + and how many sacred things that had been laid up in the temple were + snatched out of the fire; the destruction also of the entire city, with + the signs and wonders that went before it; and the taking the tyrants + captives, and the multitude of those that were made slaves, and into what + different misfortunes they were every one distributed. Moreover, what the + Romans did to the remains of the wall; and how they demolished the strong + holds that were in the country; and how Titus went over the whole country, + and settled its affairs; together with his return into Italy, and his + triumph. + </p> + <p> + 12. I have comprehended all these things in seven books, and have left no + occasion for complaint or accusation to such as have been acquainted with + this war; and I have written it down for the sake of those that love + truth, but not for those that please themselves [with fictitious + relations]. And I will begin my account of these things with what I call + my First Chapter. + </p> + <p> + WAR PREFACE FOOTNOTES <a name="linkprenote-1" id="linkprenote-1"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 1 (<a href="#linkprenoteref-1">return</a>)<br /> [ I have already observed + more than once, that this History of the Jewish War was Josephus's first + work, and published about A.D. 75, when he was but thirty-eight years of + age; and that when he wrote it, he was not thoroughly acquainted with + several circumstances of history from the days of Antiochus Epiphanes, + with which it begins, till near his own times, contained in the first and + former part of the second book, and so committed many involuntary errors + therein. That he published his Antiquities eighteen years afterward, in + the thirteenth year of Domitian, A.D. 93, when he was much more completely + acquainted with those ancient times, and after he had perused those most + authentic histories, the First Book of Maccabees, and the Chronicles of + the Priesthood of John Hyrcanus, etc. That accordingly he then reviewed + those parts of this work, and gave the public a more faithful, complete, + and accurate account of the facts therein related; and honestly corrected + the errors he had before run into.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkprenote-2" id="linkprenote-2"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 2 (<a href="#linkprenoteref-2">return</a>)<br /> [ Who these Upper + Barbarians, remote from the sea, were, Josephus himself will inform us, + sect. 2, viz. the Parthians and Babylonians, and remotest Arabians [of the + Jews among them]; besides the Jews beyond Euphrates, and the Adiabeni, or + Assyrians. Whence we also learn that these Parthians, Babylonians, the + remotest Arabians, [or at least the Jews among them,] as also the Jews + beyond Euphrates, and the Adiabeni, or Assyrians, understood Josephus's + Hebrew, or rather Chaldaic, books of The Jewish War, before they were put + into the Greek language.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkprenote-3" id="linkprenote-3"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 3 (<a href="#linkprenoteref-3">return</a>)<br /> [ That these calamities of + the Jews, who were our Savior's murderers, were to be the greatest that + had ever been since the beginning of the world, our Savior had directly + foretold, Matthew 24:21; Mark 13:19; Luke 21:23, 24; and that they proved + to be such accordingly, Josephus is here a most authentic witness.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkprenote-4" id="linkprenote-4"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 4 (<a href="#linkprenoteref-4">return</a>)<br /> [ Titus.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkprenote-5" id="linkprenote-5"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 5 (<a href="#linkprenoteref-5">return</a>)<br /> [ These seven, or rather + five, degrees of purity, or purification, are enumerated hereafter, B. V. + ch. 5. sect. 6. The Rabbins make ten degrees of them, as Reland there + informs us.] + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h1> + BOOK I. + </h1> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Containing The Interval Of One Hundred And Sixty-Seven + Years. + + From The Taking Of Jerusalem By Antiochus Epiphanes, + To The Death Of Herod The Great. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 1. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How The City Jerusalem Was Taken, And The Temple Pillaged + [By Antiochus Epiphanes]. As Also Concerning The Actions Of + The Maccabees, Matthias And Judas; And Concerning The Death + Of Judas. +</pre> + <p> + 1. At the same time that Antiochus, who was called Epiphanes, had a + quarrel with the sixth Ptolemy about his right to the whole country of + Syria, a great sedition fell among the men of power in Judea, and they had + a contention about obtaining the government; while each of those that were + of dignity could not endure to be subject to their equals. However, Onias, + one of the high priests, got the better, and cast the sons of Tobias out + of the city; who fled to Antiochus, and besought him to make use of them + for his leaders, and to make an expedition into Judea. The king being + thereto disposed beforehand, complied with them, and came upon the Jews + with a great army, and took their city by force, and slew a great + multitude of those that favored Ptolemy, and sent out his soldiers to + plunder them without mercy. He also spoiled the temple, and put a stop to + the constant practice of offering a daily sacrifice of expiation for three + years and six months. But Onias, the high priest, fled to Ptolemy, and + received a place from him in the Nomus of Heliopolis, where he built a + city resembling Jerusalem, and a temple that was like its temple <a + href="#linknote-1" name="linknoteref-1" id="linknoteref-1">1</a> + concerning which we shall speak more in its proper place hereafter. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now Antiochus was not satisfied either with his unexpected taking the + city, or with its pillage, or with the great slaughter he had made there; + but being overcome with his violent passions, and remembering what he had + suffered during the siege, he compelled the Jews to dissolve the laws of + their country, and to keep their infants uncircumcised, and to sacrifice + swine's flesh upon the altar; against which they all opposed themselves, + and the most approved among them were put to death. Bacchides also, who + was sent to keep the fortresses, having these wicked commands, joined to + his own natural barbarity, indulged all sorts of the extremest wickedness, + and tormented the worthiest of the inhabitants, man by man, and threatened + their city every day with open destruction, till at length he provoked the + poor sufferers by the extremity of his wicked doings to avenge themselves. + </p> + <p> + 3. Accordingly Matthias, the son of Asamoneus, one of the priests who + lived in a village called Modin, armed himself, together with his own + family, which had five sons of his in it, and slew Bacchides with daggers; + and thereupon, out of the fear of the many garrisons [of the enemy], he + fled to the mountains; and so many of the people followed him, that he was + encouraged to come down from the mountains, and to give battle to + Antiochus's generals, when he beat them, and drove them out of Judea. So + he came to the government by this his success, and became the prince of + his own people by their own free consent, and then died, leaving the + government to Judas, his eldest son. + </p> + <p> + 4. Now Judas, supposing that Antiochus would not lie still, gathered an + army out of his own countrymen, and was the first that made a league of + friendship with the Romans, and drove Epiphanes out of the country when he + had made a second expedition into it, and this by giving him a great + defeat there; and when he was warmed by this great success, he made an + assault upon the garrison that was in the city, for it had not been cut + off hitherto; so he ejected them out of the upper city, and drove the + soldiers into the lower, which part of the city was called the Citadel. He + then got the temple under his power, and cleansed the whole place, and + walled it round about, and made new vessels for sacred ministrations, and + brought them into the temple, because the former vessels had been + profaned. He also built another altar, and began to offer the sacrifices; + and when the city had already received its sacred constitution again, + Antiochus died; whose son Antiochus succeeded him in the kingdom, and in + his hatred to the Jews also. + </p> + <p> + 5. So this Antiochus got together fifty thousand footmen, and five + thousand horsemen, and fourscore elephants, and marched through Judea into + the mountainous parts. He then took Bethsura, which was a small city; but + at a place called Bethzacharis, where the passage was narrow, Judas met + him with his army. However, before the forces joined battle, Judas's + brother Eleazar, seeing the very highest of the elephants adorned with a + large tower, and with military trappings of gold to guard him, and + supposing that Antiochus himself was upon him, he ran a great way before + his own army, and cutting his way through the enemy's troops, he got up to + the elephant; yet could he not reach him who seemed to be the king, by + reason of his being so high; but still he ran his weapon into the belly of + the beast, and brought him down upon himself, and was crushed to death, + having done no more than attempted great things, and showed that he + preferred glory before life. Now he that governed the elephant was but a + private man; and had he proved to be Antiochus, Eleazar had performed + nothing more by this bold stroke than that it might appear he chose to + die, when he had the bare hope of thereby doing a glorious action; nay, + this disappointment proved an omen to his brother [Judas] how the entire + battle would end. It is true that the Jews fought it out bravely for a + long time, but the king's forces, being superior in number, and having + fortune on their side, obtained the victory. And when a great many of his + men were slain, Judas took the rest with him, and fled to the toparchy of + Gophna. So Antiochus went to Jerusalem, and staid there but a few days, + for he wanted provisions, and so he went his way. He left indeed a + garrison behind him, such as he thought sufficient to keep the place, but + drew the rest of his army off, to take their winter-quarters in Syria. + </p> + <p> + 6. Now, after the king was departed, Judas was not idle; for as many of + his own nation came to him, so did he gather those that had escaped out of + the battle together, and gave battle again to Antiochus's generals at a + village called Adasa; and being too hard for his enemies in the battle, + and killing a great number of them, he was at last himself slain also. Nor + was it many days afterward that his brother John had a plot laid against + him by Antiochus's party, and was slain by them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 2. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Concerning The Successors Of Judas, Who Were Jonathan And + Simon, And John Hyrcanus. +</pre> + <p> + 1. When Jonathan, who was Judas's brother, succeeded him, he behaved + himself with great circumspection in other respects, with relation to his + own people; and he corroborated his authority by preserving his friendship + with the Romans. He also made a league with Antiochus the son. Yet was not + all this sufficient for his security; for the tyrant Trypho, who was + guardian to Antiochus's son, laid a plot against him; and besides that, + endeavored to take off his friends, and caught Jonathan by a wile, as he + was going to Ptolemais to Antiochus, with a few persons in his company, + and put him in bonds, and then made an expedition against the Jews; but + when he was afterward driven away by Simon, who was Jonathan's brother, + and was enraged at his defeat, he put Jonathan to death. + </p> + <p> + 2. However, Simon managed the public affairs after a courageous manner, + and took Gazara, and Joppa, and Jamnia, which were cities in his + neighborhood. He also got the garrison under, and demolished the citadel. + He was afterward an auxiliary to Antiochus, against Trypho, whom he + besieged in Dora, before he went on his expedition against the Medes; yet + could not he make the king ashamed of his ambition, though he had assisted + him in killing Trypho; for it was not long ere Antiochus sent Cendebeus + his general with an army to lay waste Judea, and to subdue Simon; yet he, + though he was now in years, conducted the war as if he were a much younger + man. He also sent his sons with a band of strong men against Antiochus, + while he took part of the army himself with him, and fell upon him from + another quarter. He also laid a great many men in ambush in many places of + the mountains, and was superior in all his attacks upon them; and when he + had been conqueror after so glorious a manner, he was made high priest, + and also freed the Jews from the dominion of the Macedonians, after one + hundred and seventy years of the empire [of Seleucus]. + </p> + <p> + 3. This Simon also had a plot laid against him, and was slain at a feast + by his son-in-law Ptolemy, who put his wife and two sons into prison, and + sent some persons to kill John, who was also called Hyrcanus. <a + href="#linknote-2" name="linknoteref-2" id="linknoteref-2">2</a> But when + the young man was informed of their coming beforehand, he made haste to + get to the city, as having a very great confidence in the people there, + both on account of the memory of the glorious actions of his father, and + of the hatred they could not but bear to the injustice of Ptolemy. Ptolemy + also made an attempt to get into the city by another gate; but was + repelled by the people, who had just then admitted of Hyrcanus; so he + retired presently to one of the fortresses that were about Jericho, which + was called Dagon. Now when Hyrcanus had received the high priesthood, + which his father had held before, and had offered sacrifice to God, he + made great haste to attack Ptolemy, that he might afford relief to his + mother and brethren. + </p> + <p> + 4. So he laid siege to the fortress, and was superior to Ptolemy in other + respects, but was overcome by him as to the just affection [he had for his + relations]; for when Ptolemy was distressed, he brought forth his mother, + and his brethren, and set them upon the wall, and beat them with rods in + every body's sight, and threatened, that unless he would go away + immediately, he would throw them down headlong; at which sight Hyrcanus's + commiseration and concern were too hard for his anger. But his mother was + not dismayed, neither at the stripes she received, nor at the death with + which she was threatened; but stretched out her hands, and prayed her son + not to be moved with the injuries that she suffered to spare the wretch; + since it was to her better to die by the means of Ptolemy, than to live + ever so long, provided he might be punished for the injuries he done to + their family. Now John's case was this: When he considered the courage of + his mother, and heard her entreaty, he set about his attacks; but when he + saw her beaten, and torn to pieces with the stripes, he grew feeble, and + was entirely overcome by his affections. And as the siege was delayed by + this means, the year of rest came on, upon which the Jews rest every + seventh year as they do on every seventh day. On this year, therefore, + Ptolemy was freed from being besieged, and slew the brethren of John, with + their mother, and fled to Zeno, who was also called Cotylas, who was + tyrant of Philadelphia. + </p> + <p> + 5. And now Antiochus was so angry at what he had suffered from Simon, that + he made an expedition into Judea, and sat down before Jerusalem and + besieged Hyrcanus; but Hyrcanus opened the sepulcher of David, who was the + richest of all kings, and took thence about three thousand talents in + money, and induced Antiochus, by the promise of three thousand talents, to + raise the siege. Moreover, he was the first of the Jews that had money + enough, and began to hire foreign auxiliaries also. + </p> + <p> + 6. However, at another time, when Antiochus was gone upon an expedition + against the Medes, and so gave Hyrcanus an opportunity of being revenged + upon him, he immediately made an attack upon the cities of Syria, as + thinking, what proved to be the case with them, that he should find them + empty of good troops. So he took Medaba and Samea, with the towns in their + neighborhood, as also Shechem, and Gerizzim; and besides these, [he + subdued] the nation of the Cutheans, who dwelt round about that temple + which was built in imitation of the temple at Jerusalem; he also took a + great many other cities of Idumea, with Adoreon and Marissa. 7. He also + proceeded as far as Samaria, where is now the city Sebaste, which was + built by Herod the king, and encompassed it all round with a wall, and set + his sons, Aristobulus and Antigonus, over the siege; who pushed it on so + hard, that a famine so far prevailed within the city, that they were + forced to eat what never was esteemed food. They also invited Antiochus, + who was called Cyzicenus, to come to their assistance; whereupon he got + ready, and complied with their invitation, but was beaten by Aristobulus + and Antigonus; and indeed he was pursued as far as Scythopolis by these + brethren, and fled away from them. So they returned back to Samaria, and + shut the multitude again within the wall; and when they had taken the + city, they demolished it, and made slaves of its inhabitants. And as they + had still great success in their undertakings, they did not suffer their + zeal to cool, but marched with an army as far as Scythopolis, and made an + incursion upon it, and laid waste all the country that lay within Mount + Carmel. + </p> + <p> + 8. But then these successes of John and of his sons made them be envied, + and occasioned a sedition in the country; and many there were who got + together, and would not be at rest till they brake out into open war, in + which war they were beaten. So John lived the rest of his life very + happily, and administered the government after a most extraordinary + manner, and this for thirty-three entire years together. He died, leaving + five sons behind him. He was certainly a very happy man, and afforded no + occasion to have any complaint made of fortune on his account. He it was + who alone had three of the most desirable things in the world,—the + government of his nation, and the high priesthood, and the gift of + prophecy. For the Deity conversed with him, and he was not ignorant of any + thing that was to come afterward; insomuch that he foresaw and foretold + that his two eldest sons would not continue masters of the government; and + it will highly deserve our narration to describe their catastrophe, and + how far inferior these men were to their father in felicity. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 3. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How Aristobulus Was The First That Put A Diadem About His + Head; And After He Had Put His Mother And Brother To Death, + Died Himself, When He Had Reigned No More Than A Year. +</pre> + <p> + 1. For after the death of their father, the elder of them, Aristobulus, + changed the government into a kingdom, and was the first that put a diadem + upon his head, four hundred seventy and one years and three months after + our people came down into this country, when they were set free from the + Babylonian slavery. Now, of his brethren, he appeared to have an affection + for Antigonus, who was next to him, and made him his equal; but for the + rest, he bound them, and put them in prison. He also put his mother in + bonds, for her contesting the government with him; for John had left her + to be the governess of public affairs. He also proceeded to that degree of + barbarity as to cause her to be pined to death in prison. + </p> + <p> + 2. But vengeance circumvented him in the affair of his brother Antigonus, + whom he loved, and whom he made his partner in the kingdom; for he slew + him by the means of the calumnies which ill men about the palace contrived + against him. At first, indeed, Aristobulus would not believe their + reports, partly out of the affection he had for his brother, and partly + because he thought that a great part of these tales were owing to the envy + of their relaters: however, as Antigonus came once in a splendid manner + from the army to that festival, wherein our ancient custom is to make + tabernacles for God, it happened, in those days, that Aristobulus was + sick, and that, at the conclusion of the feast, Antigonus came up to it, + with his armed men about him; and this when he was adorned in the finest + manner possible; and that, in a great measure, to pray to God on the + behalf of his brother. Now at this very time it was that these ill men + came to the king, and told him in what a pompous manner the armed men + came, and with what insolence Antigonus marched, and that such his + insolence was too great for a private person, and that accordingly he was + come with a great band of men to kill him; for that he could not endure + this bare enjoyment of royal honor, when it was in his power to take the + kingdom himself. + </p> + <p> + 3. Now Aristobulus, by degrees, and unwillingly, gave credit to these + accusations; and accordingly he took care not to discover his suspicion + openly, though he provided to be secure against any accidents; so he + placed the guards of his body in a certain dark subterranean passage; for + he lay sick in a place called formerly the Citadel, though afterwards its + name was changed to Antonia; and he gave orders that if Antigonus came + unarmed, they should let him alone; but if he came to him in his armor, + they should kill him. He also sent some to let him know beforehand that he + should come unarmed. But, upon this occasion, the queen very cunningly + contrived the matter with those that plotted his ruin, for she persuaded + those that were sent to conceal the king's message; but to tell Antigonus + how his brother had heard he had got a very the suit of armor made with + fine martial ornaments, in Galilee; and because his present sickness + hindered him from coming and seeing all that finery, he very much desired + to see him now in his armor; because, said he, in a little time thou art + going away from me. + </p> + <p> + 4. As soon as Antigonus heard this, the good temper of his brother not + allowing him to suspect any harm from him, he came along with his armor + on, to show it to his brother; but when he was going along that dark + passage which was called Strato's Tower, he was slain by the body guards, + and became an eminent instance how calumny destroys all good-will and + natural affection, and how none of our good affections are strong enough + to resist envy perpetually. + </p> + <p> + 5. And truly any one would be surprised at Judas upon this occasion. He + was of the sect of the Essens, and had never failed or deceived men in his + predictions before. Now this man saw Antigonus as he was passing along by + the temple, and cried out to his acquaintance, [they were not a few who + attended upon him as his scholars,] "O strange!" said he, "it is good for + me to die now, since truth is dead before me, and somewhat that I have + foretold hath proved false; for this Antigonus is this day alive, who + ought to have died this day; and the place where he ought to be slain, + according to that fatal decree, was Strato's Tower, which is at the + distance of six hundred furlongs from this place; and yet four hours of + this day are over already; which point of time renders the prediction + impossible to be fill filled." And when the old man had said this, he was + dejected in his mind, and so continued. But in a little time news came + that Antigonus was slain in a subterraneous place, which was itself also + called Strato's Tower, by the same name with that Cesarea which lay by the + sea-side; and this ambiguity it was which caused the prophet's disorder. + </p> + <p> + 6. Hereupon Aristobulus repented of the great crime he had been guilty of, + and this gave occasion to the increase of his distemper. He also grew + worse and worse, and his soul was constantly disturbed at the thoughts of + what he had done, till his very bowels being torn to pieces by the + intolerable grief he was under, he threw up a great quantity of blood. And + as one of those servants that attended him carried out that blood, he, by + some supernatural providence, slipped and fell down in the very place + where Antigonus had been slain; and so he spilt some of the murderer's + blood upon the spots of the blood of him that had been murdered, which + still appeared. Hereupon a lamentable cry arose among the spectators, as + if the servant had spilled the blood on purpose in that place; and as the + king heard that cry, he inquired what was the cause of it; and while + nobody durst tell him, he pressed them so much the more to let him know + what was the matter; so at length, when he had threatened them, and forced + them to speak out, they told; whereupon he burst into tears, and groaned, + and said, "So I perceive I am not like to escape the all-seeing eye of + God, as to the great crimes I have committed; but the vengeance of the + blood of my kinsman pursues me hastily. O thou most impudent body! how + long wilt thou retain a soul that ought to die on account of that + punishment it ought to suffer for a mother and a brother slain! How long + shall I myself spend my blood drop by drop? let them take it all at once; + and let their ghosts no longer be disappointed by a few parcels of my + bowels offered to them." As soon as he had said these words, he presently + died, when he had reigned no longer than a year. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 4. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + What Actions Were Done By Alexander Janneus, Who Reigned + Twenty-Seven Years. +</pre> + <p> + 1. And now the king's wife loosed the king's brethren, and made Alexander + king, who appeared both elder in age, and more moderate in his temper than + the rest; who, when he came to the government, slew one of his brethren, + as affecting to govern himself; but had the other of them in great esteem, + as loving a quiet life, without meddling with public affairs. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now it happened that there was a battle between him and Ptolemy, who + was called Lathyrus, who had taken the city Asochis. He indeed slew a + great many of his enemies, but the victory rather inclined to Ptolemy. But + when this Ptolemy was pursued by his mother Cleopatra, and retired into + Egypt, Alexander besieged Gadara, and took it; as also he did Amathus, + which was the strongest of all the fortresses that were about Jordan, and + therein were the most precious of all the possessions of Theodorus, the + son of Zeno. Whereupon Theodorus marched against him, and took what + belonged to himself as well as the king's baggage, and slew ten thousand + of the Jews. However, Alexander recovered this blow, and turned his force + towards the maritime parts, and took Raphia and Gaza, with Anthedon also, + which was afterwards called Agrippias by king Herod. + </p> + <p> + 3. But when he had made slaves of the citizens of all these cities, the + nation of the Jews made an insurrection against him at a festival; for at + those feasts seditions are generally begun; and it looked as if he should + not be able to escape the plot they had laid for him, had not his foreign + auxiliaries, the Pisidians and Cilicians, assisted him; for as to the + Syrians, he never admitted them among his mercenary troops, on account of + their innate enmity against the Jewish nation. And when he had slain more + than six thousand of the rebels, he made an incursion into Arabia; and + when he had taken that country, together with the Gileadires and Moabites, + he enjoined them to pay him tribute, and returned to Areathus; and as + Theodorus was surprised at his great success, he took the fortress, and + demolished it. + </p> + <p> + 4. However, when he fought with Obodas, king of the Arabians, who had laid + an ambush for him near Golan, and a plot against him, he lost his entire + army, which was crowded together in a deep valley, and broken to pieces by + the multitude of camels. And when he had made his escape to Jerusalem, he + provoked the multitude, which hated him before, to make an insurrection + against him, and this on account of the greatness of the calamity that he + was under. However, he was then too hard for them; and, in the several + battles that were fought on both sides, he slew not fewer than fifty + thousand of the Jews in the interval of six years. Yet had he no reason to + rejoice in these victories, since he did but consume his own kingdom; till + at length he left off fighting, and endeavored to come to a composition + with them, by talking with his subjects. But this mutability and + irregularity of his conduct made them hate him still more. And when he + asked them why they so hated him, and what he should do in order to + appease them, they said, by killing himself; for that it would be then all + they could do to be reconciled to him, who had done such tragical things + to them, even when he was dead. At the same time they invited Demetrius, + who was called Eucerus, to assist them; and as he readily complied with + their requests, in hopes of great advantages, and came with his army, the + Jews joined with those their auxiliaries about Shechem. + </p> + <p> + 5. Yet did Alexander meet both these forces with one thousand horsemen, + and eight thousand mercenaries that were on foot. He had also with him + that part of the Jews which favored him, to the number of ten thousand; + while the adverse party had three thousand horsemen, and fourteen thousand + footmen. Now, before they joined battle, the kings made proclamation, and + endeavored to draw off each other's soldiers, and make them revolt; while + Demetrius hoped to induce Alexander's mercenaries to leave him, and + Alexander hoped to induce the Jews that were with Demetrius to leave him. + But since neither the Jews would leave off their rage, nor the Greeks + prove unfaithful, they came to an engagement, and to a close fight with + their weapons. In which battle Demetrius was the conqueror, although + Alexander's mercenaries showed the greatest exploits, both in soul and + body. Yet did the upshot of this battle prove different from what was + expected, as to both of them; for neither did those that invited Demetrius + to come to them continue firm to him, though he was conqueror; and six + thousand Jews, out of pity to the change of Alexander's condition, when he + was fled to the mountains, came over to him. Yet could not Demetrius bear + this turn of affairs; but supposing that Alexander was already become a + match for him again, and that all the nation would [at length] run to him, + he left the country, and went his way. + </p> + <p> + 6. However, the rest of the [Jewish] multitude did not lay aside their + quarrels with him, when the [foreign] auxiliaries were gone; but they had + a perpetual war with Alexander, until he had slain the greatest part of + them, and driven the rest into the city Berneselis; and when he had + demolished that city, he carried the captives to Jerusalem. Nay, his rage + was grown so extravagant, that his barbarity proceeded to the degree of + impiety; for when he had ordered eight hundred to be hung upon crosses in + the midst of the city, he had the throats of their wives and children cut + before their eyes; and these executions he saw as he was drinking and + lying down with his concubines. Upon which so deep a surprise seized on + the people, that eight thousand of his opposers fled away the very next + night, out of all Judea, whose flight was only terminated by Alexander's + death; so at last, though not till late, and with great difficulty, he, by + such actions, procured quiet to his kingdom, and left off fighting any + more. + </p> + <p> + 7. Yet did that Antiochus, who was also called Dionysius, become an origin + of troubles again. This man was the brother of Demetrius, and the last of + the race of the Seleucidae. <a href="#linknote-3" name="linknoteref-3" + id="linknoteref-3">3</a> Alexander was afraid of him, when he was marching + against the Arabians; so he cut a deep trench between Antipatris, which + was near the mountains, and the shores of Joppa; he also erected a high + wall before the trench, and built wooden towers, in order to hinder any + sudden approaches. But still he was not able to exclude Antiochus, for he + burnt the towers, and filled up the trenches, and marched on with his + army. And as he looked upon taking his revenge on Alexander, for + endeavoring to stop him, as a thing of less consequence, he marched + directly against the Arabians, whose king retired into such parts of the + country as were fittest for engaging the enemy, and then on the sudden + made his horse turn back, which were in number ten thousand, and fell upon + Antiochus's army while they were in disorder, and a terrible battle + ensued. Antiochus's troops, so long as he was alive, fought it out, + although a mighty slaughter was made among them by the Arabians; but when + he fell, for he was in the forefront, in the utmost danger, in rallying + his troops, they all gave ground, and the greatest part of his army were + destroyed, either in the action or the flight; and for the rest, who fled + to the village of Cana, it happened that they were all consumed by want of + necessaries, a few only excepted. + </p> + <p> + 8. About this time it was that the people of Damascus, out of their hatred + to Ptolemy, the son of Menhens, invited Aretas [to take the government], + and made him king of Celesyria. This man also made an expedition against + Judea, and beat Alexander in battle; but afterwards retired by mutual + agreement. But Alexander, when he had taken Pella, marched to Gerasa + again, out of the covetous desire he had of Theodorus's possessions; and + when he had built a triple wall about the garrison, he took the place by + force. He also demolished Golan, and Seleucia, and what was called the + Valley of Antiochus; besides which, he took the strong fortress of Gamala, + and stripped Demetrius, who was governor therein, of what he had, on + account of the many crimes laid to his charge, and then returned into + Judea, after he had been three whole years in this expedition. And now he + was kindly received of the nation, because of the good success he had. So + when he was at rest from war, he fell into a distemper; for he was + afflicted with a quartan ague, and supposed that, by exercising himself + again in martial affairs, he should get rid of this distemper; but by + making such expeditions at unseasonable times, and forcing his body to + undergo greater hardships than it was able to bear, he brought himself to + his end. He died, therefore, in the midst of his troubles, after he had + reigned seven and twenty years. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 5. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Alexandra Reigns Nine Years, During Which Time The Pharisees + Were The Real Rulers Of The Nation. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now Alexander left the kingdom to Alexandra his wife, and depended upon + it that the Jews would now very readily submit to her, because she had + been very averse to such cruelty as he had treated them with, and had + opposed his violation of their laws, and had thereby got the good-will of + the people. Nor was he mistaken as to his expectations; for this woman + kept the dominion, by the opinion that the people had of her piety; for + she chiefly studied the ancient customs of her country, and cast those men + out of the government that offended against their holy laws. And as she + had two sons by Alexander, she made Hyrcanus the elder high priest, on + account of his age, as also, besides that, on account of his inactive + temper, no way disposing him to disturb the public. But she retained the + younger, Aristobulus, with her as a private person, by reason of the + warmth of his temper. + </p> + <p> + 2. And now the Pharisees joined themselves to her, to assist her in the + government. These are a certain sect of the Jews that appear more + religious than others, and seem to interpret the laws more accurately. Now + Alexandra hearkened to them to an extraordinary degree, as being herself a + woman of great piety towards God. But these Pharisees artfully insinuated + themselves into her favor by little and little, and became themselves the + real administrators of the public affairs: they banished and reduced whom + they pleased; they bound and loosed [men] at their pleasure; <a + href="#linknote-4" name="linknoteref-4" id="linknoteref-4">4</a> and, to + say all at once, they had the enjoyment of the royal authority, whilst the + expenses and the difficulties of it belonged to Alexandra. She was a + sagacious woman in the management of great affairs, and intent always upon + gathering soldiers together; so that she increased the army the one half, + and procured a great body of foreign troops, till her own nation became + not only very powerful at home, but terrible also to foreign potentates, + while she governed other people, and the Pharisees governed her. + </p> + <p> + 3. Accordingly, they themselves slew Diogenes, a person of figure, and one + that had been a friend to Alexander; and accused him as having assisted + the king with his advice, for crucifying the eight hundred men [before + mentioned.] They also prevailed with Alexandra to put to death the rest of + those who had irritated him against them. Now she was so superstitious as + to comply with their desires, and accordingly they slew whom they pleased + themselves. But the principal of those that were in danger fled to + Aristobulus, who persuaded his mother to spare the men on account of their + dignity, but to expel them out of the city, unless she took them to be + innocent; so they were suffered to go unpunished, and were dispersed all + over the country. But when Alexandra sent out her army to Damascus, under + pretense that Ptolemy was always oppressing that city, she got possession + of it; nor did it make any considerable resistance. She also prevailed + with Tigranes, king of Armenia, who lay with his troops about Ptolemais, + and besieged Cleopatra, <a href="#linknote-5" name="linknoteref-5" + id="linknoteref-5">5</a> by agreements and presents, to go away. + Accordingly, Tigranes soon arose from the siege, by reason of those + domestic tumults which happened upon Lucullus's expedition into Armenia. + </p> + <p> + 4. In the mean time, Alexandra fell sick, and Aristobulus, her younger + son, took hold of this opportunity, with his domestics, of which he had a + great many, who were all of them his friends, on account of the warmth of + their youth, and got possession of all the fortresses. He also used the + sums of money he found in them to get together a number of mercenary + soldiers, and made himself king; and besides this, upon Hyrcanus's + complaint to his mother, she compassionated his case, and put + Aristobulus's wife and sons under restraint in Antonia, which was a + fortress that joined to the north part of the temple. It was, as I have + already said, of old called the Citadel; but afterwards got the name of + Antonia, when Antony was [lord of the East], just as the other cities, + Sebaste and Agrippias, had their names changed, and these given them from + Sebastus and Agrippa. But Alexandra died before she could punish + Aristobulus for his disinheriting his brother, after she had reigned nine + years. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 6. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + When Hyrcanus Who Was Alexander's Heir, Receded From His + Claim To The Crown Aristobulus Is Made King; And Afterward + The Same Hyrcanus By The Means Of Antipater, Is Brought Back + By Abetas. At Last Pompey Is Made The Arbitrator Of The + Dispute Between The Brothers. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now Hyrcanus was heir to the kingdom, and to him did his mother commit + it before she died; but Aristobulus was superior to him in power and + magnanimity; and when there was a battle between them, to decide the + dispute about the kingdom, near Jericho, the greatest part deserted + Hyrcanus, and went over to Aristobulus; but Hyrcanus, with those of his + party who staid with him, fled to Antonia, and got into his power the + hostages that might be for his preservation [which were Aristobulus's + wife, with her children]; but they came to an agreement before things + should come to extremities, that Aristobulus should be king, and Hyrcanus + should resign that up, but retain all the rest of his dignities, as being + the king's brother. Hereupon they were reconciled to each other in the + temple, and embraced one another in a very kind manner, while the people + stood round about them; they also changed their houses, while Aristobulus + went to the royal palace, and Hyrcanus retired to the house of + Aristobulus. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now those other people which were at variance with Aristobulus were + afraid upon his unexpected obtaining the government; and especially this + concerned Antipater <a href="#linknote-6" name="linknoteref-6" + id="linknoteref-6">6</a> whom Aristobulus hated of old. He was by birth an + Idumean, and one of the principal of that nation, on account of his + ancestors and riches, and other authority to him belonging: he also + persuaded Hyrcanus to fly to Aretas, the king of Arabia, and to lay claim + to the kingdom; as also he persuaded Aretas to receive Hyrcanus, and to + bring him back to his kingdom: he also cast great reproaches upon + Aristobulus, as to his morals, and gave great commendations to Hyrcanus, + and exhorted Aretas to receive him, and told him how becoming a filing it + would be for him, who ruled so great a kingdom, to afford his assistance + to such as are injured; alleging that Hyrcanus was treated unjustly, by + being deprived of that dominion which belonged to him by the prerogative + of his birth. And when he had predisposed them both to do what he would + have them, he took Hyrcanus by night, and ran away from the city, and, + continuing his flight with great swiftness, he escaped to the place called + Petra, which is the royal seat of the king of Arabia, where he put + Hyrcanus into Aretas's hand; and by discoursing much with him, and gaining + upon him with many presents, he prevailed with him to give him an army + that might restore him to his kingdom. This army consisted of fifty + thousand footmen and horsemen, against which Aristobulus was not able to + make resistance, but was deserted in his first onset, and was driven to + Jerusalem; he also had been taken at first by force, if Scaurus, the Roman + general, had not come and seasonably interposed himself, and raised the + siege. This Scaurus was sent into Syria from Armenia by Pompey the Great, + when he fought against Tigranes; so Scaurus came to Damascus, which had + been lately taken by Metellus and Lollius, and caused them to leave the + place; and, upon his hearing how the affairs of Judea stood, he made haste + thither as to a certain booty. + </p> + <p> + 3. As soon, therefore, as he was come into the country, there came + ambassadors from both the brothers, each of them desiring his assistance; + but Aristobulus's three hundred talents had more weight with him than the + justice of the cause; which sum, when Scaurus had received, he sent a + herald to Hyrcanus and the Arabians, and threatened them with the + resentment of the Romans and of Pompey, unless they would raise the siege. + So Aretas was terrified, and retired out of Judea to Philadelphia, as did + Scaurus return to Damascus again; nor was Aristobulus satisfied with + escaping [out of his brother's hands,] but gathered all his forces + together, and pursued his enemies, and fought them at a place called + Papyron, and slew about six thousand of them, and, together with them + Antipater's brother Phalion. + </p> + <p> + 4. When Hyrcanus and Antipater were thus deprived of their hopes from the + Arabians, they transferred the same to their adversaries; and because + Pompey had passed through Syria, and was come to Damascus, they fled to + him for assistance; and, without any bribes, they made the same equitable + pleas that they had used to Aretas, and besought him to hate the violent + behavior of Aristobulus, and to bestow the kingdom on him to whom it + justly belonged, both on account of his good character and on account of + his superiority in age. However, neither was Aristobulus wanting to + himself in this case, as relying on the bribes that Scaurus had received: + he was also there himself, and adorned himself after a manner the most + agreeable to royalty that he was able. But he soon thought it beneath him + to come in such a servile manner, and could not endure to serve his own + ends in a way so much more abject than he was used to; so he departed from + Diospolis. + </p> + <p> + 5. At this his behavior Pompey had great indignation; Hyrcanus also and + his friends made great intercessions to Pompey; so he took not only his + Roman forces, but many of his Syrian auxiliaries, and marched against + Aristobulus. But when he had passed by Pella and Scythopolis, and was come + to Corea, where you enter into the country of Judea, when you go up to it + through the Mediterranean parts, he heard that Aristobulus was fled to + Alexandrium, which is a strong hold fortified with the utmost + magnificence, and situated upon a high mountain; and he sent to him, and + commanded him to come down. Now his inclination was to try his fortune in + a battle, since he was called in such an imperious manner, rather than to + comply with that call. However, he saw the multitude were in great fear, + and his friends exhorted him to consider what the power of the Romans was, + and how it was irresistible; so he complied with their advice, and came + down to Pompey; and when he had made a long apology for himself, and for + the justness of his cause in taking the government, he returned to the + fortress. And when his brother invited him again [to plead his cause], he + came down and spake about the justice of it, and then went away without + any hinderance from Pompey; so he was between hope and fear. And when he + came down, it was to prevail with Pompey to allow him the government + entirely; and when he went up to the citadel, it was that he might not + appear to debase himself too low. However, Pompey commanded him to give up + his fortified places, and forced him to write to every one of their + governors to yield them up; they having had this charge given them, to + obey no letters but what were of his own hand-writing. Accordingly he did + what he was ordered to do; but had still an indignation at what was done, + and retired to Jerusalem, and prepared to fight with Pompey. + </p> + <p> + 6. But Pompey did not give him time to make any preparations [for a + siege], but followed him at his heels; he was also obliged to make haste + in his attempt, by the death of Mithridates, of which he was informed + about Jericho. Now here is the most fruitful country of Judea, which bears + a vast number of palm trees <a href="#linknote-7" name="linknoteref-7" + id="linknoteref-7">7</a> besides the balsam tree, whose sprouts they cut + with sharp stones, and at the incisions they gather the juice, which drops + down like tears. So Pompey pitched his camp in that place one night, and + then hasted away the next morning to Jerusalem; but Aristobulus was so + affrighted at his approach, that he came and met him by way of + supplication. He also promised him money, and that he would deliver up + both himself and the city into his disposal, and thereby mitigated the + anger of Pompey. Yet did not he perform any of the conditions he had + agreed to; for Aristobulus's party would not so much as admit Gabinius + into the city, who was sent to receive the money that he had promised. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 7. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How Pompey Had The City Of Jerusalem Delivered Up To Him But + Took The Temple By Force. How He Went Into The Holy Of + Holies; As Also What Were His Other Exploits In Judea. +</pre> + <p> + 1. At this treatment Pompey was very angry, and took Aristobulus into + custody. And when he was come to the city, he looked about where he might + make his attack; for he saw the walls were so firm, that it would be hard + to overcome them; and that the valley before the walls was terrible; and + that the temple, which was within that valley, was itself encompassed with + a very strong wall, insomuch that if the city were taken, that temple + would be a second place of refuge for the enemy to retire to. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now as he was long in deliberating about this matter, a sedition arose + among the people within the city; Aristobulus's party being willing to + fight, and to set their king at liberty, while the party of Hyrcanus were + for opening the gates to Pompey; and the dread people were in occasioned + these last to be a very numerous party, when they looked upon the + excellent order the Roman soldiers were in. So Aristobulus's party was + worsted, and retired into the temple, and cut off the communication + between the temple and the city, by breaking down the bridge that joined + them together, and prepared to make an opposition to the utmost; but as + the others had received the Romans into the city, and had delivered up the + palace to him, Pompey sent Piso, one of his great officers, into that + palace with an army, who distributed a garrison about the city, because he + could not persuade any one of those that had fled to the temple to come to + terms of accommodation; he then disposed all things that were round about + them so as might favor their attacks, as having Hyrcanus's party very + ready to afford them both counsel and assistance. + </p> + <p> + 3. But Pompey himself filled up the ditch that was on the north side of + the temple, and the entire valley also, the army itself being obliged to + carry the materials for that purpose. And indeed it was a hard thing to + fill up that valley, by reason of its immense depth, especially as the + Jews used all the means possible to repel them from their superior + situation; nor had the Romans succeeded in their endeavors, had not Pompey + taken notice of the seventh days, on which the Jews abstain from all sorts + of work on a religious account, and raised his bank, but restrained his + soldiers from fighting on those days; for the Jews only acted defensively + on sabbath days. But as soon as Pompey had filled up the valley, he + erected high towers upon the bank, and brought those engines which they + had fetched from Tyre near to the wall, and tried to batter it down; and + the slingers of stones beat off those that stood above them, and drove + them away; but the towers on this side of the city made very great + resistance, and were indeed extraordinary both for largeness and + magnificence. + </p> + <p> + 4. Now here it was that, upon the many hardships which the Romans + underwent, Pompey could not but admire not only at the other instances of + the Jews' fortitude, but especially that they did not at all intermit + their religious services, even when they were encompassed with darts on + all sides; for, as if the city were in full peace, their daily sacrifices + and purifications, and every branch of their religious worship, was still + performed to God with the utmost exactness. Nor indeed when the temple was + actually taken, and they were every day slain about the altar, did they + leave off the instances of their Divine worship that were appointed by + their law; for it was in the third month of the siege before the Romans + could even with great difficulty overthrow one of the towers, and get into + the temple. Now he that first of all ventured to get over the wall, was + Faustus Cornelius the son of Sylla; and next after him were two + centurions, Furius and Fabius; and every one of these was followed by a + cohort of his own, who encompassed the Jews on all sides, and slew them, + some of them as they were running for shelter to the temple, and others as + they, for a while, fought in their own defense. + </p> + <p> + 5. And now did many of the priests, even when they saw their enemies + assailing them with swords in their hands, without any disturbance, go on + with their Divine worship, and were slain while they were offering their + drink-offerings, and burning their incense, as preferring the duties about + their worship to God before their own preservation. The greatest part of + them were slain by their own countrymen, of the adverse faction, and an + innumerable multitude threw themselves down precipices; nay, some there + were who were so distracted among the insuperable difficulties they were + under, that they set fire to the buildings that were near to the wall, and + were burnt together with them. Now of the Jews were slain twelve thousand; + but of the Romans very few were slain, but a greater number was wounded. + </p> + <p> + 6. But there was nothing that affected the nation so much, in the + calamities they were then under, as that their holy place, which had been + hitherto seen by none, should be laid open to strangers; for Pompey, and + those that were about him, went into the temple itself <a + href="#linknote-8" name="linknoteref-8" id="linknoteref-8">8</a> whither + it was not lawful for any to enter but the high priest, and saw what was + reposited therein, the candlestick with its lamps, and the table, and the + pouring vessels, and the censers, all made entirely of gold, as also a + great quantity of spices heaped together, with two thousand talents of + sacred money. Yet did not he touch that money, nor any thing else that was + there reposited; but he commanded the ministers about the temple, the very + next day after he had taken it, to cleanse it, and to perform their + accustomed sacrifices. Moreover, he made Hyrcanus high priest, as one that + not only in other respects had showed great alacrity, on his side, during + the siege, but as he had been the means of hindering the multitude that + was in the country from fighting for Aristobulus, which they were + otherwise very ready to have done; by which means he acted the part of a + good general, and reconciled the people to him more by benevolence than by + terror. Now, among the Captives, Aristobulus's father-in-law was taken, + who was also his uncle: so those that were the most guilty he punished + with decollation; but rewarded Faustus, and those with him that had fought + so bravely, with glorious presents, and laid a tribute upon the country, + and upon Jerusalem itself. + </p> + <p> + 7. He also took away from the nation all those cities that they had + formerly taken, and that belonged to Celesyria, and made them subject to + him that was at that time appointed to be the Roman president there; and + reduced Judea within its proper bounds. He also rebuilt Gadara, <a + href="#linknote-9" name="linknoteref-9" id="linknoteref-9">9</a> that had + been demolished by the Jews, in order to gratify one Demetrius, who was of + Gadara, and was one of his own freed-men. He also made other cities free + from their dominion, that lay in the midst of the country, such, I mean, + as they had not demolished before that time; Hippos, and Scythopolis, as + also Pella, and Samaria, and Marissa; and besides these Ashdod, and + Jamnia, and Arethusa; and in like manner dealt he with the maritime + cities, Gaza, and Joppa, and Dora, and that which was anciently called + Strato's Tower, but was afterward rebuilt with the most magnificent + edifices, and had its name changed to Cesarea, by king Herod. All which he + restored to their own citizens, and put them under the province of Syria; + which province, together with Judea, and the countries as far as Egypt and + Euphrates, he committed to Scaurus as their governor, and gave him two + legions to support him; while he made all the haste he could himself to go + through Cilicia, in his way to Rome, having Aristobulus and his children + along with him as his captives. They were two daughters and two sons; the + one of which sons, Alexander, ran away as he was going; but the younger, + Antigonus, with his sisters, were carried to Rome. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 8. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Alexander, The Son Of Aristobulus, Who Ran Away From Pompey, + Makes An Expedition Against Hyrcanus; But Being Overcome By + Gabinius He Delivers Up The Fortresses To Him. After This + Aristobulus Escapes From Rome And Gathers An Army Together; + But Being Beaten By The Romans, He Is Brought Back To Rome; + With Other Things Relating To Gabinius, Crassus And Cassius. +</pre> + <p> + 1. In the mean time, Scaurus made an expedition into Arabia, but was + stopped by the difficulty of the places about Petra. However, he laid + waste the country about Pella, though even there he was under great + hardship; for his army was afflicted with famine. In order to supply which + want, Hyrcanus afforded him some assistance, and sent him provisions by + the means of Antipater; whom also Scaurus sent to Aretas, as one well + acquainted with him, to induce him to pay him money to buy his peace. The + king of Arabia complied with the proposal, and gave him three hundred + talents; upon which Scaurus drew his army out of Arabia <a + href="#linknote-10" name="linknoteref-10" id="linknoteref-10">10</a> + </p> + <p> + 2. But as for Alexander, that son of Aristobulus who ran away from Pompey, + in some time he got a considerable band of men together, and lay heavy + upon Hyrcanus, and overran Judea, and was likely to overturn him quickly; + and indeed he had come to Jerusalem, and had ventured to rebuild its wall + that was thrown down by Pompey, had not Gabinius, who was sent as + successor to Scaurus into Syria, showed his bravery, as in many other + points, so in making an expedition against Alexander; who, as he was + afraid that he would attack him, so he got together a large army, composed + of ten thousand armed footmen, and fifteen hundred horsemen. He also built + walls about proper places; Alexandrium, and Hyrcanium, and Machaerus, that + lay upon the mountains of Arabia. + </p> + <p> + 3. However, Gabinius sent before him Marcus Antonius, and followed himself + with his whole army; but for the select body of soldiers that were about + Antipater, and another body of Jews under the command of Malichus and + Pitholaus, these joined themselves to those captains that were about + Marcus Antonius, and met Alexander; to which body came Gabinius with his + main army soon afterward; and as Alexander was not able to sustain the + charge of the enemies' forces, now they were joined, he retired. But when + he was come near to Jerusalem, he was forced to fight, and lost six + thousand men in the battle; three thousand of which fell down dead, and + three thousand were taken alive; so he fled with the remainder to + Alexandrium. + </p> + <p> + 4. Now when Gabinius was come to Alexandrium, because he found a great + many there en-camped, he tried, by promising them pardon for their former + offenses, to induce them to come over to him before it came to a fight; + but when they would hearken to no terms of accommodation, he slew a great + number of them, and shut up a great number of them in the citadel. Now + Marcus Antonius, their leader, signalized himself in this battle, who, as + he always showed great courage, so did he never show it so much as now; + but Gabinius, leaving forces to take the citadel, went away himself, and + settled the cities that had not been demolished, and rebuilt those that + had been destroyed. Accordingly, upon his injunctions, the following + cities were restored: Scythopolis, and Samaria, and Anthedon, and + Apollonia, and Jamnia, and Raphia, and Mariassa, and Adoreus, and Gamala, + and Ashdod, and many others; while a great number of men readily ran to + each of them, and became their inhabitants. + </p> + <p> + 5. When Gabinius had taken care of these cities, he returned to + Alexandrium, and pressed on the siege. So when Alexander despaired of ever + obtaining the government, he sent ambassadors to him, and prayed him to + forgive what he had offended him in, and gave up to him the remaining + fortresses, Hyrcanium and Machaerus, as he put Alexandrium into his hands + afterwards; all which Gabinius demolished, at the persuasion of + Alexander's mother, that they might not be receptacles of men in a second + war. She was now there in order to mollify Gabinius, out of her concern + for her relations that were captives at Rome, which were her husband and + her other children. After this Gabinius brought Hyrcanus to Jerusalem, and + committed the care of the temple to him; but ordained the other political + government to be by an aristocracy. He also parted the whole nation into + five conventions, assigning one portion to Jerusalem, another to Gadara, + that another should belong to Amathus, a fourth to Jericho, and to the + fifth division was allotted Sepphoris, a city of Galilee. So the people + were glad to be thus freed from monarchical government, and were governed + for the future by all aristocracy. + </p> + <p> + 6. Yet did Aristobulus afford another foundation for new disturbances. He + fled away from Rome, and got together again many of the Jews that were + desirous of a change, such as had borne an affection to him of old; and + when he had taken Alexandrium in the first place, he attempted to build a + wall about it; but as soon as Gabinius had sent an army against him under + Siscuria, and Antonius, and Servilius, he was aware of it, and retreated + to Machaerus. And as for the unprofitable multitude, he dismissed them, + and only marched on with those that were armed, being to the number of + eight thousand, among whom was Pitholaus, who had been the lieutenant at + Jerusalem, but deserted to Aristobulus with a thousand of his men; so the + Romans followed him, and when it came to a battle, Aristobulus's party for + a long time fought courageously; but at length they were overborne by the + Romans, and of them five thousand fell down dead, and about two thousand + fled to a certain little hill, but the thousand that remained with + Aristobulus brake through the Roman army, and marched together to + Machaerus; and when the king had lodged the first night upon its ruins, he + was in hopes of raising another army, if the war would but cease a while; + accordingly, he fortified that strong hold, though it was done after a + poor manner. But the Romans falling upon him, he resisted, even beyond his + abilities, for two days, and then was taken, and brought a prisoner to + Gabinius, with Antigonus his son, who had fled away together with him from + Rome; and from Gabinius he was carried to Rome again. Wherefore the senate + put him under confinement, but returned his children back to Judea, + because Gabinius informed them by letters that he had promised + Aristobulus's mother to do so, for her delivering the fortresses up to + him. + </p> + <p> + 7. But now as Gabinius was marching to the war against the Parthians, he + was hindered by Ptolemy, whom, upon his return from Euphrates, he brought + back into Egypt, making use of Hyrcanus and Antipater to provide every + thing that was necessary for this expedition; for Antipater furnished him + with money, and weapons, and corn, and auxiliaries; he also prevailed with + the Jews that were there, and guarded the avenues at Pelusium, to let them + pass. But now, upon Gabinius's absence, the other part of Syria was in + motion, and Alexander, the son of Aristobulus, brought the Jews to revolt + again. Accordingly, he got together a very great army, and set about + killing all the Romans that were in the country; hereupon Gabinius was + afraid, [for he was come back already out of Egypt, and obliged to come + back quickly by these tumults,] and sent Antipater, who prevailed with + some of the revolters to be quiet. However, thirty thousand still + continued with Alexander, who was himself eager to fight also; + accordingly, Gabinius went out to fight, when the Jews met him; and as the + battle was fought near Mount Tabor, ten thousand of them were slain, and + the rest of the multitude dispersed themselves, and fled away. So Gabinius + came to Jerusalem, and settled the government as Antipater would have it; + thence he marched, and fought and beat the Nabateans: as for Mithridates + and Orsanes, who fled out of Parthin, he sent them away privately, but + gave it out among the soldiers that they had run away. + </p> + <p> + 8. In the mean time, Crassus came as successor to Gabinius in Syria. He + took away all the rest of the gold belonging to the temple of Jerusalem, + in order to furnish himself for his expedition against the Parthians. He + also took away the two thousand talents which Pompey had not touched; but + when he had passed over Euphrates, he perished himself, and his army with + him; concerning which affairs this is not a proper time to speak [more + largely]. + </p> + <p> + 9. But now Cassius, after Crassus, put a stop to the Parthians, who were + marching in order to enter Syria. Cassius had fled into that province, and + when he had taken possession of the same, he made a hasty march into + Judea; and, upon his taking Taricheae, he carried thirty thousand Jews + into slavery. He also slew Pitholaus, who had supported the seditious + followers of Aristobulus; and it was Antipater who advised him so to do. + Now this Antipater married a wife of an eminent family among the Arabisus, + whose name was Cypros, and had four sons born to him by her, Phasaelus and + Herod, who was afterwards king, and, besides these, Joseph and Pheroras; + and he had a daughter whose name was Salome. Now as he made himself + friends among the men of power every where, by the kind offices he did + them, and the hospitable manner that he treated them; so did he contract + the greatest friendship with the king of Arabia, by marrying his relation; + insomuch that when he made war with Aristobulus, he sent and intrusted his + children with him. So when Cassius had forced Alexander to come to terms + and to be quiet, he returned to Euphrates, in order to prevent the + Parthians from repassing it; concerning which matter we shall speak + elsewhere. <a href="#linknote-11" name="linknoteref-11" id="linknoteref-11">11</a> + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 9. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Aristobulus Is Taken Off By Pompey's Friends, As Is His Son + Alexander By Scipio. Antipater Cultivates A Friendship With + Caesar, After Pompey's Death; He Also Performs Great Actions + In That War, Wherein He Assisted Mithridates. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now, upon the flight of Pompey and of the senate beyond the Ionian Sea, + Caesar got Rome and the empire under his power, and released Aristobulus + from his bonds. He also committed two legions to him, and sent him in + haste into Syria, as hoping that by his means he should easily conquer + that country, and the parts adjoining to Judea. But envy prevented any + effect of Aristobulus's alacrity, and the hopes of Caesar; for he was + taken off by poison given him by those of Pompey's party; and, for a long + while, he had not so much as a burial vouchsafed him in his own country; + but his dead body lay [above ground], preserved in honey, until it was + sent to the Jews by Antony, in order to be buried in the royal sepulchers. + </p> + <p> + 2. His son Alexander also was beheaded by Scipio at Antioch, and that by + the command of Pompey, and upon an accusation laid against him before his + tribunal, for the mischiefs he had done to the Romans. But Ptolemy, the + son of Menneus, who was then ruler of Chalcis, under Libanus, took his + brethren to him by sending his son Philippio for them to Ascalon, who took + Antigonus, as well as his sisters, away from Aristobulus's wife, and + brought them to his father; and falling in love with the younger daughter, + he married her, and was afterwards slain by his father on her account; for + Ptolemy himself, after he had slain his son, married her, whose name was + Alexandra; on the account of which marriage he took the greater care of + her brother and sister. + </p> + <p> + 3. Now, after Pompey was dead, Antipater changed sides, and cultivated a + friendship with Caesar. And since Mithridates of Pergamus, with the forces + he led against Egypt, was excluded from the avenues about Pelusium, and + was forced to stay at Asealon, he persuaded the Arabians, among whom he + had lived, to assist him, and came himself to him, at the head of three + thousand armed men. He also encouraged the men of power in Syria to come + to his assistance, as also of the inhabitants of Libanus, Ptolemy, and + Jamblicus, and another Ptolemy; by which means the cities of that country + came readily into this war; insomuch that Mithridates ventured now, in + dependence upon the additional strength that he had gotten by Antipater, + to march forward to Pelusium; and when they refused him a passage through + it, he besieged the city; in the attack of which place Antipater + principally signalized himself, for he brought down that part of the wall + which was over against him, and leaped first of all into the city, with + the men that were about him. + </p> + <p> + 4. Thus was Pelusium taken. But still, as they were marching on, those + Egyptian Jews that inhabited the country called the country of Onias + stopped them. Then did Antipater not only persuade them not to stop them, + but to afford provisions for their army; on which account even the people + about Memphis would not fight against them, but of their own accord joined + Mithridates. Whereupon he went round about Delta, and fought the rest of + the Egyptians at a place called the Jews' Camp; nay, when he was in danger + in the battle with all his right wing, Antipater wheeled about, and came + along the bank of the river to him; for he had beaten those that opposed + him as he led the left wing. After which success he fell upon those that + pursued Mithridates, and slew a great many of them, and pursued the + remainder so far that he took their camp, while he lost no more than + fourscore of his own men; as Mithridates lost, during the pursuit that was + made after him, about eight hundred. He was also himself saved + unexpectedly, and became an unreproachable witness to Caesar of the great + actions of Antipater. + </p> + <p> + 5. Whereupon Caesar encouraged Antipater to undertake other hazardous + enterprises for him, and that by giving him great commendations and hopes + of reward. In all which enterprises he readily exposed himself to many + dangers, and became a most courageous warrior; and had many wounds almost + all over his body, as demonstrations of his valor. And when Caesar had + settled the affairs of Egypt, and was returning into Syria again, he gave + him the privilege of a Roman citizen, and freedom from taxes, and rendered + him an object of admiration by the honors and marks of friendship he + bestowed upon him. On this account it was that he also confirmed Hyrcanus + in the high priesthood. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 10. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Caesar Makes Antipater Procurator Of Judea; As Does + Antipater Appoint Phasaelus To Be Governor Of Jerusalem, And + Herod Governor Of Galilee; Who, In Some Time, Was Called To + Answer For Himself [Before The Sanhedrim], Where He Is + Acquitted. Sextus Caesar Is Treacherously Killed By Bassus + And Is Succeeded By Marcus. +</pre> + <p> + 1. About this time it was that Antigonus, the son of Aristobulus, came to + Caesar, and became, in a surprising manner, the occasion of Antipater's + further advancement; for whereas he ought to have lamented that his father + appeared to have been poisoned on account of his quarrels with Pompey, and + to have complained of Scipio's barbarity towards his brother, and not to + mix any invidious passion when he was suing for mercy; besides those + things, he came before Caesar, and accused Hyrcanus and Antipater, how + they had driven him and his brethren entirely out of their native country, + and had acted in a great many instances unjustly and extravagantly with + relation to their nation; and that as to the assistance they had sent him + into Egypt, it was not done out of good-will to him, but out of the fear + they were in from former quarrels, and in order to gain pardon for their + friendship to [his enemy] Pompey. + </p> + <p> + 2. Hereupon Antipater threw away his garments, and showed the multitude of + the wounds he had, and said, that as to his good-will to Caesar, he had no + occasion to say a word, because his body cried aloud, though he said + nothing himself; that he wondered at Antigonus's boldness, while he was + himself no other than the son of an enemy to the Romans, and of a + fugitive, and had it by inheritance from his father to be fond of + innovations and seditions, that he should undertake to accuse other men + before the Roman governor, and endeavor to gain some advantages to + himself, when he ought to be contented that he was suffered to live; for + that the reason of his desire of governing public affairs was not so much + because he was in want of it, but because, if he could once obtain the + same, he might stir up a sedition among the Jews, and use what he should + gain from the Romans to the disservice of those that gave it him. + </p> + <p> + 3. When Caesar heard this, he declared Hyrcanus to be the most worthy of + the high priesthood, and gave leave to Antipater to choose what authority + he pleased; but he left the determination of such dignity to him that + bestowed the dignity upon him; so he was constituted procurator of all + Judea, and obtained leave, moreover, to rebuild <a href="#linknote-12" + name="linknoteref-12" id="linknoteref-12">12</a> those walls of his + country that had been thrown down. These honorary grants Caesar sent + orders to have engraved in the Capitol, that they might stand there as + indications of his own justice, and of the virtue of Antipater. + </p> + <p> + 4. But as soon as Antipater had conducted Caesar out of Syria he returned + to Judea, and the first thing he did was to rebuild that wall of his own + country [Jerusalem] which Pompey had overthrown, and then to go over the + country, and to quiet the tumults that were therein; where he partly + threatened, and partly advised, every one, and told them that in case they + would submit to Hyrcanus, they would live happily and peaceably, and enjoy + what they possessed, and that with universal peace and quietness; but that + in case they hearkened to such as had some frigid hopes by raising new + troubles to get themselves some gain, they should then find him to be + their lord instead of their procurator; and find Hyrcanus to be a tyrant + instead of a king; and both the Romans and Caesar to be their enemies, + instead of rulers; for that they would not suffer him to be removed from + the government, whom they had made their governor. And, at the same time + that he said this, he settled the affairs of the country by himself, + because he saw that Hyrcanus was inactive, and not fit to manage the + affairs of the kingdom. So he constituted his eldest son, Phasaelus, + governor of Jerusalem, and of the parts about it; he also sent his next + son, Herod, who was very young, <a href="#linknote-13" + name="linknoteref-13" id="linknoteref-13">13</a> with equal authority into + Galilee. + </p> + <p> + 5. Now Herod was an active man, and soon found proper materials for his + active spirit to work upon. As therefore he found that Hezekias, the head + of the robbers, ran over the neighboring parts of Syria with a great band + of men, he caught him and slew him, and many more of the robbers with him; + which exploit was chiefly grateful to the Syrians, insomuch that hymns + were sung in Herod's commendation, both in the villages and in the cities, + as having procured their quietness, and having preserved what they + possessed to them; on which occasion he became acquainted with Sextus + Caesar, a kinsman of the great Caesar, and president of Syria. A just + emulation of his glorious actions excited Phasaelus also to imitate him. + Accordingly, he procured the good-will of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, by + his own management of the city affairs, and did not abuse his power in any + disagreeable manner; whence it came to pass that the nation paid Antipater + the respects that were due only to a king, and the honors they all yielded + him were equal to the honors due to an absolute lord; yet did he not abate + any part of that good-will or fidelity which he owed to Hyrcanus. + </p> + <p> + 6. However, he found it impossible to escape envy in such his prosperity; + for the glory of these young men affected even Hyrcanus himself already + privately, though he said nothing of it to any body; but what he + principally was grieved at was the great actions of Herod, and that so + many messengers came one before another, and informed him of the great + reputation he got in all his undertakings. There were also many people in + the royal palace itself who inflamed his envy at him; those, I mean, who + were obstructed in their designs by the prudence either of the young men, + or of Antipater. These men said, that by committing the public affairs to + the management of Antipater and of his sons, he sat down with nothing but + the bare name of a king, without any of its authority; and they asked him + how long he would so far mistake himself, as to breed up kings against his + own interest; for that they did not now conceal their government of + affairs any longer, but were plainly lords of the nation, and had thrust + him out of his authority; that this was the case when Herod slew so many + men without his giving him any command to do it, either by word of mouth, + or by his letter, and this in contradiction to the law of the Jews; who + therefore, in case he be not a king, but a private man, still ought to + come to his trial, and answer it to him, and to the laws of his country, + which do not permit any one to be killed till he hath been condemned in + judgment. + </p> + <p> + 7. Now Hyrcanus was, by degrees, inflamed with these discourses, and at + length could bear no longer, but he summoned Herod to take his trial. + Accordingly, by his father's advice, and as soon as the affairs of Galilee + would give him leave, he came up to [Jerusalem], when he had first placed + garrisons in Galilee; however, he came with a sufficient body of soldiers, + so many indeed that he might not appear to have with him an army able to + overthrow Hyrcanus's government, nor yet so few as to expose him to the + insults of those that envied him. However, Sextus Caesar was in fear for + the young man, lest he should be taken by his enemies, and brought to + punishment; so he sent some to denounce expressly to Hyrcanus that he + should acquit Herod of the capital charge against him; who acquitted him + accordingly, as being otherwise inclined also so to do, for he loved + Herod. + </p> + <p> + 8. But Herod, supposing that he had escaped punishment without the consent + of the king, retired to Sextus, to Damascus, and got every thing ready, in + order not to obey him if he should summon him again; whereupon those that + were evil-disposed irritated Hyrcanus, and told him that Herod was gone + away in anger, and was prepared to make war upon him; and as the king + believed what they said, he knew not what to do, since he saw his + antagonist was stronger than he was himself. And now, since Herod was made + general of Coelesyria and Samaria by Sextus Caesar, he was formidable, not + only from the good-will which the nation bore him, but by the power he + himself had; insomuch that Hyrcanus fell into the utmost degree of terror, + and expected he would presently march against him with his army. + </p> + <p> + 9. Nor was he mistaken in the conjecture he made; for Herod got his army + together, out of the anger he bare him for his threatening him with the + accusation in a public court, and led it to Jerusalem, in order to throw + Hyrcanus down from his kingdom; and this he had soon done, unless his + father and brother had gone out together and broken the force of his fury, + and this by exhorting him to carry his revenge no further than to + threatening and affrighting, but to spare the king, under whom he had been + advanced to such a degree of power; and that he ought not to be so much + provoked at his being tried, as to forget to be thankful that he was + acquitted; nor so long to think upon what was of a melancholy nature, as + to be ungrateful for his deliverance; and if we ought to reckon that God + is the arbitrator of success in war, an unjust cause is of more + disadvantage than an army can be of advantage; and that therefore he ought + not to be entirely confident of success in a case where he is to fight + against his king, his supporter, and one that had often been his + benefactor, and that had never been severe to him, any otherwise than as + he had hearkened to evil counselors, and this no further than by bringing + a shadow of injustice upon him. So Herod was prevailed upon by these + arguments, and supposed that what he had already done was sufficient for + his future hopes, and that he had enough shown his power to the nation. + </p> + <p> + 10. In the mean time, there was a disturbance among the Romans about + Apamia, and a civil war occasioned by the treacherous slaughter of Sextus + Caesar, by Cecilius Bassus, which he perpetrated out of his good-will to + Pompey; he also took the authority over his forces; but as the rest of + Caesar's commanders attacked Bassus with their whole army, in order to + punish him for the murder of Caesar, Antipater also sent them assistance + by his sons, both on account of him that was murdered, and on account of + that Caesar who was still alive, both of which were their friends; and as + this war grew to be of a considerable length, Marcus came out of Italy as + successor to Sextus. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 11. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Herod Is Made Procurator Of All Syria; Malichus Is Afraid Of + Him, And Takes Antipater Off By Poison; Whereupon The + Tribunes Of The Soldiers Are Prevailed With To Kill Him. +</pre> + <p> + 1. There, was at this time a mighty war raised among the Romans upon the + sudden and treacherous slaughter of Caesar by Cassius and Brutus, after he + had held the government for three years and seven months. <a + href="#linknote-14" name="linknoteref-14" id="linknoteref-14">14</a> Upon + this murder there were very great agitations, and the great men were + mightily at difference one with another, and every one betook himself to + that party where they had the greatest hopes of their own, of advancing + themselves. Accordingly, Cassius came into Syria, in order to receive the + forces that were at Apamia, where he procured a reconciliation between + Bassus and Marcus, and the legions which were at difference with him; so + he raised the siege of Apamia, and took upon him the command of the army, + and went about exacting tribute of the cities, and demanding their money + to such a degree as they were not able to bear. + </p> + <p> + 2. So he gave command that the Jews should bring in seven hundred talents; + whereupon Antipater, out of his dread of Cassius's threats, parted the + raising of this sum among his sons, and among others of his acquaintance, + and to be done immediately; and among them he required one Malichus, who + was at enmity with him, to do his part also, which necessity forced him to + do. Now Herod, in the first place, mitigated the passion of Cassius, by + bringing his share out of Galilee, which was a hundred talents, on which + account he was in the highest favor with him; and when he reproached the + rest for being tardy, he was angry at the cities themselves; so he made + slaves of Gophna and Emmaus, and two others of less note; nay, he + proceeded as if he would kill Malichus, because he had not made greater + haste in exacting his tribute; but Antipater prevented the ruin of this + man, and of the other cities, and got into Cassius's favor by bringing in + a hundred talents immediately. <a href="#linknote-15" name="linknoteref-15" + id="linknoteref-15">15</a> + </p> + <p> + 3. However, when Cassius was gone Malichus forgot the kindness that + Antipater had done him, and laid frequent plots against him that had saved + him, as making haste to get him out of the way, who was an obstacle to his + wicked practices; but Antipater was so much afraid of the power and + cunning of the man, that he went beyond Jordan, in order to get an army to + guard himself against his treacherous designs; but when Malichus was + caught in his plot, he put upon Antipater's sons by his impudence, for he + thoroughly deluded Phasaelus, who was the guardian of Jerusalem, and Herod + who was intrusted with the weapons of war, and this by a great many + excuses and oaths, and persuaded them to procure his reconciliation to his + father. Thus was he preserved again by Antipater, who dissuaded Marcus, + the then president of Syria, from his resolution of killing Malichus, on + account of his attempts for innovation. + </p> + <p> + 4. Upon the war between Cassius and Brutus on one side, against the + younger Caesar [Augustus] and Antony on the other, Cassius and Marcus got + together an army out of Syria; and because Herod was likely to have a + great share in providing necessaries, they then made him procurator of all + Syria, and gave him an army of foot and horse. Cassius promised him also, + that after the war was over, he would make him king of Judea. But it so + happened that the power and hopes of his son became the cause of his + perdition; for as Malichus was afraid of this, he corrupted one of the + king's cup-bearers with money to give a poisoned potion to Antipater; so + he became a sacrifice to Malichus's wickedness, and died at a feast. He + was a man in other respects active in the management of affairs, and one + that recovered the government to Hyrcanus, and preserved it in his hands. + </p> + <p> + 5. However, Malichus, when he was suspected of poisoning Antipater, and + when the multitude was angry with him for it, denied it, and made the + people believe he was not guilty. He also prepared to make a greater + figure, and raised soldiers; for he did not suppose that Herod would be + quiet, who indeed came upon him with an army presently, in order to + revenge his father's death; but, upon hearing the advice of his brother + Phasaelus, not to punish him in an open manner, lest the multitude should + fall into a sedition, he admitted of Malichus's apology, and professed + that he cleared him of that suspicion; he also made a pompous funeral for + his father. + </p> + <p> + 6. So Herod went to Samaria, which was then in a tumult, and settled the + city in peace; after which at the [Pentecost] festival, he returned to + Jerusalem, having his armed men with him: hereupon Hyrcanus, at the + request of Malichus, who feared his reproach, forbade them to introduce + foreigners to mix themselves with the people of the country while they + were purifying themselves; but Herod despised the pretense, and him that + gave that command, and came in by night. Upon which Malithus came to him, + and bewailed Antipater; Herod also made him believe [he admitted of his + lamentations as real], although he had much ado to restrain his passion at + him; however, he did himself bewail the murder of his father in his + letters to Cassius, who, on other accounts, also hated Malichus. Cassius + sent him word back that he should avenge his father's death upon him, and + privately gave order to the tribunes that were under him, that they should + assist Herod in a righteous action he was about. + </p> + <p> + 7. And because, upon the taking of Laodicea by Cassius, the men of power + were gotten together from all quarters, with presents and crowns in their + hands, Herod allotted this time for the punishment of Malichus. When + Malichus suspected that, and was at Tyre, he resolved to withdraw his son + privately from among the Tyrians, who was a hostage there, while he got + ready to fly away into Judea; the despair he was in of escaping excited + him to think of greater things; for he hoped that he should raise the + nation to a revolt from the Romans, while Cassius was busy about the war + against Antony, and that he should easily depose Hyrcanus, and get the + crown for himself. + </p> + <p> + 8. But fate laughed at the hopes he had; for Herod foresaw what he was so + zealous about, and invited both Hyrcanus and him to supper; but calling + one of the principal servants that stood by him to him, he sent him out, + as though it were to get things ready for supper, but in reality to give + notice beforehand about the plot that was laid against him; accordingly + they called to mind what orders Cassius had given them, and went out of + the city with their swords in their hands upon the sea-shore, where they + encompassed Malichus round about, and killed him with many wounds. Upon + which Hyrcanus was immediately affrighted, till he swooned away and fell + down at the surprise he was in; and it was with difficulty that he was + recovered, when he asked who it was that had killed Malichus. And when one + of the tribunes replied that it was done by the command of Cassius, + "Then," said he, "Cassius hath saved both me and my country, by cutting + off one that was laying plots against them both." Whether he spake + according to his own sentiments, or whether his fear was such that he was + obliged to commend the action by saying so, is uncertain; however, by this + method Herod inflicted punishment upon Malichus. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 12. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Phasaelus Is Too Hard For Felix; Herod Also Overcomes + Antigonus In Rattle; And The Jews Accuse Both Herod And + Phasaelus But Antonius Acquits Them, And Makes Them + Tetrarchs. +</pre> + <p> + 1. When Cassius was gone out of Syria, another sedition arose at + Jerusalem, wherein Felix assaulted Phasaelus with an army, that he might + revenge the death of Malichus upon Herod, by falling upon his brother. Now + Herod happened then to be with Fabius, the governor of Damascus, and as he + was going to his brother's assistance, he was detained by sickness; in the + mean time, Phasaelus was by himself too hard for Felix, and reproached + Hyrcanus on account of his ingratitude, both for what assistance he had + afforded Malichus, and for overlooking Malichus's brother, when he + possessed himself of the fortresses; for he had gotten a great many of + them already, and among them the strongest of them all, Masada. + </p> + <p> + 2. However, nothing could be sufficient for him against the force of + Herod, who, as soon as he was recovered, took the other fortresses again, + and drove him out of Masada in the posture of a supplicant; he also drove + away Marion, the tyrant of the Tyrians, out of Galilee, when he had + already possessed himself of three fortified places; but as to those + Tyrians whom he had caught, he preserved them all alive; nay, some of them + he gave presents to, and so sent them away, and thereby procured good-will + to himself from the city, and hatred to the tyrant. Marion had indeed + obtained that tyrannical power of Cassius, who set tyrants over all Syria + <a href="#linknote-16" name="linknoteref-16" id="linknoteref-16">16</a> + and out of hatred to Herod it was that he assisted Antigonus, the son of + Aristobulus, and principally on Fabius's account, whom Antigonus had made + his assistant by money, and had him accordingly on his side when he made + his descent; but it was Ptolemy, the kinsman of Antigonus, that supplied + all that he wanted. + </p> + <p> + 3. When Herod had fought against these in the avenues of Judea, he was + conqueror in the battle, and drove away Antigonus, and returned to + Jerusalem, beloved by every body for the glorious action he had done; for + those who did not before favor him did join themselves to him now, because + of his marriage into the family of Hyrcanus; for as he had formerly + married a wife out of his own country of no ignoble blood, who was called + Doris, of whom he begat Antipater; so did he now marry Mariamne, the + daughter of Alexander, the son of Aristobulus, and the granddaughter of + Hyrcanus, and was become thereby a relation of the king. + </p> + <p> + 4. But when Caesar and Antony had slain Cassius near Philippi, and Caesar + was gone to Italy, and Antony to Asia, amongst the rest of the cities + which sent ambassadors to Antony unto Bithynia, the great men of the Jews + came also, and accused Phasaelus and Herod, that they kept the government + by force, and that Hyrcanus had no more than an honorable name. Herod + appeared ready to answer this accusation; and having made Antony his + friend by the large sums of money which he gave him, he brought him to + such a temper as not to hear the others speak against him; and thus did + they part at this time. + </p> + <p> + 5. However, after this, there came a hundred of the principal men among + the Jews to Daphne by Antioch to Antony, who was already in love with + Cleopatra to the degree of slavery; these Jews put those men that were the + most potent, both in dignity and eloquence, foremost, and accused the + brethren. <a href="#linknote-17" name="linknoteref-17" id="linknoteref-17">17</a> + But Messala opposed them, and defended the brethren, and that while + Hyrcanus stood by him, on account of his relation to them. When Antony had + heard both sides, he asked Hyrcanus which party was the fittest to govern, + who replied that Herod and his party were the fittest. Antony was glad of + that answer, for he had been formerly treated in an hospitable and + obliging manner by his father Antipater, when he marched into Judea with + Gabinius; so he constituted the brethren tetrarchs, and committed to them + the government of Judea. + </p> + <p> + 6. But when the ambassadors had indignation at this procedure, Antony took + fifteen of them, and put them into custody, whom he was also going to kill + presently, and the rest he drove away with disgrace; on which occasion a + still greater tumult arose at Jerusalem; so they sent again a thousand + ambassadors to Tyre, where Antony now abode, as he was marching to + Jerusalem; upon these men who made a clamor he sent out the governor of + Tyre, and ordered him to punish all that he could catch of them, and to + settle those in the administration whom he had made tetrarchs. + </p> + <p> + 7. But before this, Herod and Hyrcanus went out upon the sea-shore, and + earnestly desired of these ambassadors that they would neither bring ruin + upon themselves, nor war upon their native country, by their rash + contentions; and when they grew still more outrageous, Antony sent out + armed men, and slew a great many, and wounded more of them; of whom those + that were slain were buried by Hyrcanus, as were the wounded put under the + care of physicians by him; yet would not those that had escaped be quiet + still, but put the affairs of the city into such disorder, and so provoked + Antony, that he slew those whom he had in bonds also. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 13. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Parthians Bring Antigonus Back Into Judea, And Cast + Hyrcanus And Phasaelus Into Prison. The Flight Of Herod, And + The Taking Of Jerusalem And What Hyrcanus And Phasaelus + Suffered. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now two years afterward, when Barzapharnes, a governor among the + Parthians, and Paeorus, the king's son, had possessed themselves of Syria, + and when Lysanias had already succeeded upon the death of his father + Ptolemy, the son of Menneus, in the government [of Chalcis], he prevailed + with the governor, by a promise of a thousand talents, and five hundred + women, to bring back Antigonus to his kingdom, and to turn Hyrcanus out of + it. Pacorus was by these means induced so to do, and marched along the + sea-coast, while he ordered Barzapharnes to fall upon the Jews as he went + along the Mediterranean part of the country; but of the maritime people, + the Tyrians would not receive Pacorus, although those of Ptolemais and + Sidon had received him; so he committed a troop of his horse to a certain + cup-bearer belonging to the royal family, of his own name [Pacorus], and + gave him orders to march into Judea, in order to learn the state of + affairs among their enemies, and to help Antigonus when he should want his + assistance. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now as these men were ravaging Carmel, many of the Jews ran together to + Antigonus, and showed themselves ready to make an incursion into the + country; so he sent them before into that place called Drymus, [the + woodland <a href="#linknote-18" name="linknoteref-18" id="linknoteref-18">18</a> + ] to seize upon the place; whereupon a battle was fought between them, and + they drove the enemy away, and pursued them, and ran after them as far as + Jerusalem, and as their numbers increased, they proceeded as far as the + king's palace; but as Hyrcanus and Phasaelus received them with a strong + body of men, there happened a battle in the market-place, in which Herod's + party beat the enemy, and shut them up in the temple, and set sixty men in + the houses adjoining as a guard to them. But the people that were + tumultuous against the brethren came in, and burnt those men; while Herod, + in his rage for killing them, attacked and slew many of the people, till + one party made incursions on the other by turns, day by day, in the way of + ambushes, and slaughters were made continually among them. + </p> + <p> + 3. Now when that festival which we call Pentecost was at hand, all the + places about the temple, and the whole city, was full of a multitude of + people that were come out of the country, and which were the greatest part + of them armed also, at which time Phasaelus guarded the wall, and Herod, + with a few, guarded the royal palace; and when he made an assault upon his + enemies, as they were out of their ranks, on the north quarter of the + city, he slew a very great number of them, and put them all to flight; and + some of them he shut up within the city, and others within the outward + rampart. In the mean time, Antigonus desired that Pacorus might be + admitted to be a reconciler between them; and Phasaelus was prevailed upon + to admit the Parthian into the city with five hundred horse, and to treat + him in an hospitable manner, who pretended that he came to quell the + tumult, but in reality he came to assist Antigonus; however, he laid a + plot for Phasaelus, and persuaded him to go as an ambassador to + Barzapharnes, in order to put an end to the war, although Herod was very + earnest with him to the contrary, and exhorted him to kill the plotter, + but not expose himself to the snares he had laid for him, because the + barbarians are naturally perfidious. However, Pacorus went out and took + Hyrcanus with him, that he might be the less suspected; he also <a + href="#linknote-19" name="linknoteref-19" id="linknoteref-19">19</a> left + some of the horsemen, called the Freemen, with Herod, and conducted + Phasaelus with the rest. + </p> + <p> + 4. But now, when they were come to Galilee, they found that the people of + that country had revolted, and were in arms, who came very cunningly to + their leader, and besought him to conceal his treacherous intentions by an + obliging behavior to them; accordingly, he at first made them presents; + and afterward, as they went away, laid ambushes for them; and when they + were come to one of the maritime cities called Ecdippon, they perceived + that a plot was laid for them; for they were there informed of the promise + of a thousand talents, and how Antigonus had devoted the greatest number + of the women that were there with them, among the five hundred, to the + Parthians; they also perceived that an ambush was always laid for them by + the barbarians in the night time; they had also been seized on before + this, unless they had waited for the seizure of Herod first at Jerusalem, + because if he were once informed of this treachery of theirs, he would + take care of himself; nor was this a mere report, but they saw the guards + already not far off them. + </p> + <p> + 5. Nor would Phasaelus think of forsaking Hyrcanus and flying away, + although Ophellius earnestly persuaded him to it; for this man had learned + the whole scheme of the plot from Saramalla, the richest of all the + Syrians. But Phasaelus went up to the Parfilian governor, and reproached + him to his face for laying this treacherous plot against them, and chiefly + because he had done it for money; and he promised him that he would give + him more money for their preservation, than Antigonus had promised to give + for the kingdom. But the sly Parthian endeavored to remove all this + suspicion by apologies and by oaths, and then went [to the other] Pacorus; + immediately after which those Parthians who were left, and had it in + charge, seized upon Phasaelus and Hyrcanus, who could do no more than + curse their perfidiousness and their perjury. + </p> + <p> + 6. In the mean time, the cup-bearer was sent [back], and laid a plot how + to seize upon Herod, by deluding him, and getting him out of the city, as + he was commanded to do. But Herod suspected the barbarians from the + beginning; and having then received intelligence that a messenger, who was + to bring him the letters that informed him of the treachery intended, had + fallen among the enemy, he would not go out of the city; though Pacorus + said very positively that he ought to go out, and meet the messengers that + brought the letters, for that the enemy had not taken them, and that the + contents of them were not accounts of any plots upon them, but of what + Phasaelus had done; yet had he heard from others that his brother was + seized; and Alexandra <a href="#linknote-20" name="linknoteref-20" + id="linknoteref-20">20</a> the shrewdest woman in the world, Hyrcanus's + daughter, begged of him that he would not go out, nor trust himself to + those barbarians, who now were come to make an attempt upon him openly. + </p> + <p> + 7. Now as Pacorus and his friends were considering how they might bring + their plot to bear privately, because it was not possible to circumvent a + man of so great prudence by openly attacking him, Herod prevented them, + and went off with the persons that were the most nearly related to him by + night, and this without their enemies being apprized of it. But as soon as + the Parthians perceived it, they pursued after them; and as he gave orders + for his mother, and sister, and the young woman who was betrothed to him, + with her mother, and his youngest brother, to make the best of their way, + he himself, with his servants, took all the care they could to keep off + the barbarians; and when at every assault he had slain a great many of + them, he came to the strong hold of Masada. + </p> + <p> + 8. Nay, he found by experience that the Jews fell more heavily upon him + than did the Parthians, and created him troubles perpetually, and this + ever since he was gotten sixty furlongs from the city; these sometimes + brought it to a sort of a regular battle. Now in the place where Herod + beat them, and killed a great number of them, there he afterward built a + citadel, in memory of the great actions he did there, and adorned it with + the most costly palaces, and erected very strong fortifications, and + called it, from his own name, Herodium. Now as they were in their flight, + many joined themselves to him every day; and at a place called Thressa of + Idumea his brother Joseph met him, and advised him to ease himself of a + great number of his followers, because Masada would not contain so great a + multitude, which were above nine thousand. Herod complied with this + advice, and sent away the most cumbersome part of his retinue, that they + might go into Idumea, and gave them provisions for their journey; but he + got safe to the fortress with his nearest relations, and retained with him + only the stoutest of his followers; and there it was that he left eight + hundred of his men as a guard for the women, and provisions sufficient for + a siege; but he made haste himself to Petra of Arabia. + </p> + <p> + 9. As for the Parthians in Jerusalem, they betook themselves to + plundering, and fell upon the houses of those that were fled, and upon the + king's palace, and spared nothing but Hyrcanus's money, which was not + above three hundred talents. They lighted on other men's money also, but + not so much as they hoped for; for Herod having a long while had a + suspicion of the perfidiousness of the barbarians, had taken care to have + what was most splendid among his treasures conveyed into Idumea, as every + one belonging to him had in like manner done also. But the Parthians + proceeded to that degree of injustice, as to fill all the country with war + without denouncing it, and to demolish the city Marissa, and not only to + set up Antigonus for king, but to deliver Phasaelus and Hyrcanus bound + into his hands, in order to their being tormented by him. Antigonus + himself also bit off Hyrcanus's ears with his own teeth, as he fell down + upon his knees to him, that so he might never be able upon any mutation of + affairs to take the high priesthood again, for the high priests that + officiated were to be complete, and without blemish. + </p> + <p> + 10. However, he failed in his purpose of abusing Phasaelus, by reason of + his courage; for though he neither had the command of his sword nor of his + hands, he prevented all abuses by dashing his head against a stone; so he + demonstrated himself to be Herod's own brother, and Hyrcanus a most + degenerate relation, and died with great bravery, and made the end of his + life agreeable to the actions of it. There is also another report about + his end, viz. that he recovered of that stroke, and that a surgeon, who + was sent by Antigonus to heal him, filled the wound with poisonous + ingredients, and so killed him; whichsoever of these deaths he came to, + the beginning of it was glorious. It is also reported that before he + expired he was informed by a certain poor woman how Herod had escaped out + of their hands, and that he said thereupon, "I now die with comfort, since + I leave behind me one alive that will avenge me of mine enemies." + </p> + <p> + 11. This was the death of Phasaelus; but the Parthians, although they had + failed of the women they chiefly desired, yet did they put the government + of Jerusalem into the hands of Antigonus, and took away Hyrcanus, and + bound him, and carried him to Parthia. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 14. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + When Herod Is Rejected In Arabia, He Makes Haste To Rome + Where Antony And Caesar Join Their Interest To Make Him King + . +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now Herod did the more zealously pursue his journey into Arabia, as + making haste to get money of the king, while his brother was yet alive; by + which money alone it was that he hoped to prevail upon the covetous temper + of the barbarians to spare Phasaelus; for he reasoned thus with himself:—that + if the Arabian king was too forgetful of his father's friendship with him, + and was too covetous to make him a free gift, he would however borrow of + him as much as might redeem his brother, and put into his hands, as a + pledge, the son of him that was to be redeemed. Accordingly he led his + brother's son along with him, who was of the age of seven years. Now he + was ready to give three hundred talents for his brother, and intended to + desire the intercession of the Tyrians, to get them accepted; however, + fate had been too quick for his diligence; and since Phasaelus was dead, + Herod's brotherly love was now in vain. Moreover, he was not able to find + any lasting friendship among the Arabians; for their king, Malichus, sent + to him immediately, and commanded him to return back out of his country, + and used the name of the Parthians as a pretense for so doing, as though + these had denounced to him by their ambassadors to cast Herod out of + Arabia; while in reality they had a mind to keep back what they owed to + Antipater, and not be obliged to make requitals to his sons for the free + gifts the father had made them. He also took the impudent advice of those + who, equally with himself, were willing to deprive Herod of what Antipater + had deposited among them; and these men were the most potent of all whom + he had in his kingdom. + </p> + <p> + 2. So when Herod had found that the Arabians were his enemies, and this + for those very reasons whence he hoped they would have been the most + friendly, and had given them such an answer as his passion suggested, he + returned back, and went for Egypt. Now he lodged the first evening at one + of the temples of that country, in order to meet with those whom he left + behind; but on the next day word was brought him, as he was going to + Rhinocurura, that his brother was dead, and how he came by his death; and + when he had lamented him as much as his present circumstances could bear, + he soon laid aside such cares, and proceeded on his journey. But now, + after some time, the king of Arabia repented of what he had done, and sent + presently away messengers to call him back: Herod had prevented them, and + was come to Pelusium, where he could not obtain a passage from those that + lay with the fleet, so he besought their captains to let him go by them; + accordingly, out of the reverence they bore to the fame and dignity of the + man, they conducted him to Alexandria; and when he came into the city, he + was received by Cleopatra with great splendor, who hoped he might be + persuaded to be commander of her forces in the expedition she was now + about; but he rejected the queen's solicitations, and being neither + afrighted at the height of that storm which then happened, nor at the + tumults that were now in Italy, he sailed for Rome. + </p> + <p> + 3. But as he was in peril about Pamphylia, and obliged to cast out the + greatest part of the ship's lading, he with difficulty got safe to Rhodes, + a place which had been grievously harassed in the war with Cassius. He was + there received by his friends, Ptolemy and Sappinius; and although he was + then in want of money, he fitted up a three-decked ship of very great + magnitude, wherein he and his friends sailed to Brundusium, <a + href="#linknote-21" name="linknoteref-21" id="linknoteref-21">21</a> and + went thence to Rome with all speed; where he first of all went to Antony, + on account of the friendship his father had with him, and laid before him + the calamities of himself and his family; and that he had left his nearest + relations besieged in a fortress, and had sailed to him through a storm, + to make supplication to him for assistance. + </p> + <p> + 4. Hereupon Antony was moved to compassion at the change that had been + made in Herod's affairs, and this both upon his calling to mind how + hospitably he had been treated by Antipater, but more especially on + account of Herod's own virtue; so he then resolved to get him made king of + the Jews, whom he had himself formerly made tetrarch. The contest also + that he had with Antigonus was another inducement, and that of no less + weight than the great regard he had for Herod; for he looked upon + Antigonus as a seditious person, and an enemy of the Romans; and as for + Caesar, Herod found him better prepared than Antony, as remembering very + fresh the wars he had gone through together with his father, the + hospitable treatment he had met with from him, and the entire good-will he + had showed to him; besides the activity which he saw in Herod himself. So + he called the senate together, wherein Messalas, and after him Atratinus, + produced Herod before them, and gave a full account of the merits of his + father, and his own good-will to the Romans. At the same time they + demonstrated that Antigonus was their enemy, not only because he soon + quarreled with them, but because he now overlooked the Romans, and took + the government by the means of the Parthians. These reasons greatly moved + the senate; at which juncture Antony came in, and told them that it was + for their advantage in the Parthian war that Herod should be king; so they + all gave their votes for it. And when the senate was separated, Antony and + Caesar went out, with Herod between them; while the consul and the rest of + the magistrates went before them, in order to offer sacrifices, and to lay + the decree in the Capitol. Antony also made a feast for Herod on the first + day of his reign. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 15. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Antigonus Besieges Those That Were In Masada, Whom Herod + Frees From Confinement When He Came Back From Rome, And + Presently Marches To Jerusalem Where He Finds Silo Corrupted + By Bribes. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now during this time Antigonus besieged those that were in Masada, who + had all other necessaries in sufficient quantity, but were in want of + water; on which account Joseph, Herod's brother, was disposed to run away + to the Arabians, with two hundred of his own friends, because he had heard + that Malichus repented of his offenses with regard to Herod; and he had + been so quick as to have been gone out of the fortress already, unless, on + that very night when he was going away, there had fallen a great deal of + rain, insomuch that his reservoirs were full of water, and so he was under + no necessity of running away. After which, therefore, they made an + irruption upon Antigonus's party, and slew a great many of them, some in + open battles, and some in private ambush; nor had they always success in + their attempts, for sometimes they were beaten, and ran away. + </p> + <p> + 2. In the mean time Ventidius, the Roman general, was sent out of Syria, + to restrain the incursions of the Parthians; and after he had done that, + he came into Judea, in pretense indeed to assist Joseph and his party, but + in reality to get money of Antigonus; and when he had pitched his camp + very near to Jerusalem, as soon as he had got money enough, he went away + with the greatest part of his forces; yet still did he leave Silo with + some part of them, lest if he had taken them all away, his taking of + bribes might have been too openly discovered. Now Antigonus hoped that the + Parthians would come again to his assistance, and therefore cultivated a + good understanding with Silo in the mean time, lest any interruption + should be given to his hopes. + </p> + <p> + 3. Now by this time Herod had sailed out of Italy, and was come to + Ptolemais; and as soon as he had gotten together no small army of + foreigners, and of his own countrymen, he marched through Galilee against + Antigonus, wherein he was assisted by Ventidius and Silo, both whom + Dellius, <a href="#linknote-22" name="linknoteref-22" id="linknoteref-22">22</a> + a person sent by Antony, persuaded to bring Herod [into his kingdom]. Now + Ventidius was at this time among the cities, and composing the + disturbances which had happened by means of the Parthians, as was Silo in + Judea corrupted by the bribes that Antigonus had given him; yet was not + Herod himself destitute of power, but the number of his forces increased + every day as he went along, and all Galilee, with few exceptions, joined + themselves to him. So he proposed to himself to set about his most + necessary enterprise, and that was Masada, in order to deliver his + relations from the siege they endured. But still Joppa stood in his way, + and hindered his going thither; for it was necessary to take that city + first, which was in the enemies' hands, that when he should go to + Jerusalem, no fortress might be left in the enemies' power behind him. + Silo also willingly joined him, as having now a plausible occasion of + drawing off his forces [from Jerusalem]; and when the Jews pursued him, + and pressed upon him, [in his retreat,] Herod made all excursion upon them + with a small body of his men, and soon put them to flight, and saved Silo + when he was in distress. + </p> + <p> + 4. After this Herod took Joppa, and then made haste to Masada to free his + relations. Now, as he was marching, many came in to him, induced by their + friendship to his father, some by the reputation he had already gained + himself, and some in order to repay the benefits they had received from + them both; but still what engaged the greatest number on his side, was the + hopes from him when he should be established in his kingdom; so that he + had gotten together already an army hard to be conquered. But Antigonus + laid an ambush for him as he marched out, in which he did little or no + harm to his enemies. However, he easily recovered his relations again that + were in Masada, as well as the fortress Ressa, and then marched to + Jerusalem, where the soldiers that were with Silo joined themselves to his + own, as did many out of the city, from a dread of his power. + </p> + <p> + 5. Now when he had pitched his camp on the west side of the city, the + guards that were there shot their arrows and threw their darts at them, + while others ran out in companies, and attacked those in the forefront; + but Herod commanded proclamation to be made at the wall, that he was come + for the good of the people and the preservation of the city, without any + design to be revenged on his open enemies, but to grant oblivion to them, + though they had been the most obstinate against him. Now the soldiers that + were for Antigonus made a contrary clamor, and did neither permit any body + to hear that proclamation, nor to change their party; so Antigonus gave + order to his forces to beat the enemy from the walls; accordingly, they + soon threw their darts at them from the towers, and put them to flight. + </p> + <p> + 6. And here it was that Silo discovered he had taken bribes; for he set + many of the soldiers to clamor about their want of necessaries, and to + require their pay, in order to buy themselves food, and to demand that he + would lead them into places convenient for their winter quarters; because + all the parts about the city were laid waste by the means of Antigonus's + army, which had taken all things away. By this he moved the army, and + attempted to get them off the siege; but Herod went to the captains that + were under Silo, and to a great many of the soldiers, and begged of them + not to leave him, who was sent thither by Caesar, and Antony, and the + senate; for that he would take care to have their wants supplied that very + day. After the making of which entreaty, he went hastily into the country, + and brought thither so great an abundance of necessaries, that he cut off + all Silo's pretenses; and in order to provide that for the following days + they should not want supplies, he sent to the people that were about + Samaria [which city had joined itself to him] to bring corn, and wine, and + oil, and cattle to Jericho. When Antigonus heard of this, he sent some of + his party with orders to hinder, and lay ambushes for these collectors of + corn. This command was obeyed, and a great multitude of armed men were + gathered together about Jericho, and lay upon the mountains, to watch + those that brought the provisions. Yet was Herod not idle, but took with + him ten cohorts, five of them were Romans, and five were Jewish cohorts, + together with some mercenary troops intermixed among them, and besides + those a few horsemen, and came to Jericho; and when he came, he found the + city deserted, but that there were five hundred men, with their wives and + children, who had taken possession of the tops of the mountains; these he + took, and dismissed them, while the Romans fell upon the rest of the city, + and plundered it, having found the houses full of all sorts of good + things. So the king left a garrison at Jericho, and came back, and sent + the Roman army into those cities which were come over to him, to take + their winter quarters there, viz. into Judea, [or Idumea,] and Galilee, + and Samaria. Antigonus also by bribes obtained of Silo to let a part of + his army be received at Lydda, as a compliment to Antonius. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 16. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Herod Takes Sepphoris And Subdues The Robbers That Were In + The Caves; He After That Avenges Himself Upon Machaerus, As + Upon An Enemy Of His And Goes To Antony As He Was Besieging + Samosata. +</pre> + <p> + 1. So the Romans lived in plenty of all things, and rested from war. + However, Herod did not lie at rest, but seized upon Idumea, and kept it, + with two thousand footmen, and four hundred horsemen; and this he did by + sending his brother Joseph thither, that no innovation might be made by + Antigonus. He also removed his mother, and all his relations, who had been + in Masada, to Samaria; and when he had settled them securely, he marched + to take the remaining parts of Galilee, and to drive away the garrisons + placed there by Antigonus. + </p> + <p> + 2. But when Herod had reached Sepphoris, <a href="#linknote-23" + name="linknoteref-23" id="linknoteref-23">23</a> in a very great snow, he + took the city without any difficulty; the guards that should have kept it + flying away before it was assaulted; where he gave an opportunity to his + followers that had been in distress to refresh themselves, there being in + that city a great abundance of necessaries. After which he hasted away to + the robbers that were in the caves, who overran a great part of the + country, and did as great mischief to its inhabitants as a war itself + could have done. Accordingly, he sent beforehand three cohorts of footmen, + and one troop of horsemen, to the village Arbela, and came himself forty + days afterwards <a href="#linknote-24" name="linknoteref-24" + id="linknoteref-24">24</a> with the rest of his forces Yet were not the + enemy affrighted at his assault but met him in arms; for their skill was + that of warriors, but their boldness was the boldness of robbers: when + therefore it came to a pitched battle, they put to flight Herod's left + wing with their right one; but Herod, wheeling about on the sudden from + his own right wing, came to their assistance, and both made his own left + wing return back from its flight, and fell upon the pursuers, and cooled + their courage, till they could not bear the attempts that were made + directly upon them, and so turned back and ran away. 3. But Herod followed + them, and slew them as he followed them, and destroyed a great part of + them, till those that remained were scattered beyond the river [Jordan;] + and Galilee was freed from the terrors they had been under, excepting from + those that remained, and lay concealed in caves, which required longer + time ere they could be conquered. In order to which Herod, in the first + place, distributed the fruits of their former labors to the soldiers, and + gave every one of them a hundred and fifty drachmae of silver, and a great + deal more to their commanders, and sent them into their winter quarters. + He also sent to his youngest brother Pheroas, to take care of a good + market for them, where they might buy themselves provisions, and to build + a wall about Alexandrium; who took care of both those injunctions + accordingly. + </p> + <p> + 4. In the mean time Antony abode at Athens, while Ventidius called for + Silo and Herod to come to the war against the Parthians, but ordered them + first to settle the affairs of Judea; so Herod willingly dismissed Silo to + go to Ventidius, but he made an expedition himself against those that lay + in the caves. Now these caves were in the precipices of craggy mountains, + and could not be come at from any side, since they had only some winding + pathways, very narrow, by which they got up to them; but the rock that lay + on their front had beneath it valleys of a vast depth, and of an almost + perpendicular declivity; insomuch that the king was doubtful for a long + time what to do, by reason of a kind of impossibility there was of + attacking the place. Yet did he at length make use of a contrivance that + was subject to the utmost hazard; for he let down the most hardy of his + men in chests, and set them at the mouths of the dens. Now these men slew + the robbers and their families, and when they made resistance, they sent + in fire upon them [and burnt them]; and as Herod was desirous of saving + some of them, he had proclamation made, that they should come and deliver + themselves up to him; but not one of them came willingly to him; and of + those that were compelled to come, many preferred death to captivity. And + here a certain old man, the father of seven children, whose children, + together with their mother, desired him to give them leave to go out, upon + the assurance and right hand that was offered them, slew them after the + following manner: He ordered every one of them to go out, while he stood + himself at the cave's mouth, and slew that son of his perpetually who went + out. Herod was near enough to see this sight, and his bowels of compassion + were moved at it, and he stretched out his right hand to the old man, and + besought him to spare his children; yet did not he relent at all upon what + he said, but over and above reproached Herod on the lowness of his + descent, and slew his wife as well as his children; and when he had thrown + their dead bodies down the precipice, he at last threw himself down after + them. + </p> + <p> + 5. By this means Herod subdued these caves, and the robbers that were in + them. He then left there a part of his army, as many as he thought + sufficient to prevent any sedition, and made Ptolemy their general, and + returned to Samaria; he led also with him three thousand armed footmen, + and six hundred horsemen, against Antigonus. Now here those that used to + raise tumults in Galilee, having liberty so to do upon his departure, fell + unexpectedly upon Ptolemy, the general of his forces, and slew him; they + also laid the country waste, and then retired to the bogs, and to places + not easily to be found. But when Herod was informed of this insurrection, + he came to the assistance of the country immediately, and destroyed a + great number of the seditions, and raised the sieges of all those + fortresses they had besieged; he also exacted the tribute of a hundred + talents of his enemies, as a penalty for the mutations they had made in + the country. + </p> + <p> + 6. By this time [the Parthians being already driven out of the country, + and Pacorus slain] Ventidius, by Antony's command, sent a thousand + horsemen, and two legions, as auxiliaries to Herod, against Antigonus. Now + Antigonus besought Machaerus, who was their general, by letter, to come to + his assistance, and made a great many mournful complaints about Herod's + violence, and about the injuries he did to the kingdom; and promised to + give him money for such his assistance; but he complied not with his + invitation to betray his trust, for he did not contemn him that sent him, + especially while Herod gave him more money [than the other offered]. So he + pretended friendship to Antigonus, but came as a spy to discover his + affairs; although he did not herein comply with Herod, who dissuaded him + from so doing. But Antigonus perceived what his intentions were + beforehand, and excluded him out of the city, and defended himself against + him as against an enemy, from the walls; till Machaerus was ashamed of + what he had done, and retired to Emmaus to Herod; and as he was in a rage + at his disappointment, he slew all the Jews whom he met with, without + sparing those that were for Herod, but using them all as if they were for + Antigonus. + </p> + <p> + 7. Hereupon Herod was very angry at him, and was going to fight against + Machaerus as his enemy; but he restrained his indignation, and marched to + Antony to accuse Machaerus of maladministration. But Machaerus was made + sensible of his offenses, and followed after the king immediately, and + earnestly begged and obtained that he would be reconciled to him. However, + Herod did not desist from his resolution of going to Antony; but when he + heard that he was besieging Samosata <a href="#linknote-25" + name="linknoteref-25" id="linknoteref-25">25</a> with a great army, which + is a strong city near to Euphrates, he made the greater haste; as + observing that this was a proper opportunity for showing at once his + courage, and for doing what would greatly oblige Antony. Indeed, when he + came, he soon made an end of that siege, and slew a great number of the + barbarians, and took from them a large prey; insomuch that Antony, who + admired his courage formerly, did now admire it still more. Accordingly, + he heaped many more honors upon him, and gave him more assured hopes that + he should gain his kingdom; and now king Antiochus was forced to deliver + up Samosata. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 17. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Death Of Joseph [Herod's Brother] Which Had Been + Signified To Herod In Dreams. How Herod Was Preserved Twice + After A Wonderful Manner. He Cuts Off The Head Of Pappus, + Who Was The Murderer Of His Brother And Sends That Head To + [His Other Brother] Pheroras, And In No Long Time He + Besieges Jerusalem And Marries Mariamne. +</pre> + <p> + 1. In the mean time, Herod's affairs in Judea were in an ill state. He had + left his brother Joseph with full power, but had charged him to make no + attempts against Antigonus till his return; for that Machaerus would not + be such an assistant as he could depend on, as it appeared by what he had + done already; but as soon as Joseph heard that his brother was at a very + great distance, he neglected the charge he had received, and marched + towards Jericho with five cohorts, which Machaerus sent with him. This + movement was intended for seizing on the corn, as it was now in the midst + of summer; but when his enemies attacked him in the mountains, and in + places which were difficult to pass, he was both killed himself, as he was + very bravely fighting in the battle, and the entire Roman cohorts were + destroyed; for these cohorts were new-raised men, gathered out of Syria, + and here was no mixture of those called veteran soldiers among them, who + might have supported those that were unskillful in war. + </p> + <p> + 2. This victory was not sufficient for Antigonus; but he proceeded to that + degree of rage, as to treat the dead body of Joseph barbarously; for when + he had got possession of the bodies of those that were slain, he cut off + his head, although his brother Pheroras would have given fifty talents as + a price of redemption for it. And now the affairs of Galilee were put in + such disorder after this victory of Antigonus's, that those of Antigonus's + party brought the principal men that were on Herod's side to the lake, and + there drowned them. There was a great change made also in Idumea, where + Machaerus was building a wall about one of the fortresses, which was + called Gittha. But Herod had not yet been informed of these things; for + after the taking of Samosata, and when Antony had set Sosius over the + affairs of Syria, and had given him orders to assist Herod against + Antigonus, he departed into Egypt; but Sosius sent two legions before him + into Judea to assist Herod, and followed himself soon after with the rest + of his army. + </p> + <p> + 3. Now when Herod was at Daphne, by Antioch, he had some dreams which + clearly foreboded his brother's death; and as he leaped out of his bed in + a disturbed manner, there came messengers that acquainted him with that + calamity. So when he had lamented this misfortune for a while, he put off + the main part of his mourning, and made haste to march against his + enemies; and when he had performed a march that was above his strength, + and was gone as far as Libanus, he got him eight hundred men of those that + lived near to that mountain as his assistants, and joined with them one + Roman legion, with which, before it was day, he made an irruption into + Galilee, and met his enemies, and drove them back to the place which they + had left. He also made an immediate and continual attack upon the + fortress. Yet was he forced by a most terrible storm to pitch his camp in + the neighboring villages before he could take it. But when, after a few + days' time, the second legion, that came from Antony, joined themselves to + him, the enemy were affrighted at his power, and left their fortifications + in the night time. + </p> + <p> + 4. After this he marched through Jericho, as making what haste he could to + be avenged on his brother's murderers; where happened to him a + providential sign, out of which, when he had unexpectedly escaped, he had + the reputation of being very dear to God; for that evening there feasted + with him many of the principal men; and after that feast was over, and all + the guests were gone out, the house fell down immediately. And as he + judged this to be a common signal of what dangers he should undergo, and + how he should escape them in the war that he was going about, he, in the + morning, set forward with his army, when about six thousand of his enemies + came running down from the mountains, and began to fight with those in his + forefront; yet durst they not be so very bold as to engage the Romans hand + to hand, but threw stones and darts at them at a distance; by which means + they wounded a considerable number; in which action Herod's own side was + wounded with a dart. + </p> + <p> + 5. Now as Antigonus had a mind to appear to exceed Herod, not only in the + courage, but in the number of his men, he sent Pappus, one of his + companions, with an army against Samaria, whose fortune it was to oppose + Machaerus; but Herod overran the enemy's country, and demolished five + little cities, and destroyed two thousand men that were in them, and + burned their houses, and then returned to his camp; but his head-quarters + were at the village called Cana. + </p> + <p> + 6. Now a great multitude of Jews resorted to him every day, both out of + Jericho and the other parts of the country. Some were moved so to do out + of their hatred to Antigonus, and some out of regard to the glorious + actions Herod had done; but others were led on by an unreasonable desire + of change; so he fell upon them immediately. As for Pappus and his party, + they were not terrified either at their number or at their zeal, but + marched out with great alacrity to fight them; and it came to a close + fight. Now other parts of their army made resistance for a while; but + Herod, running the utmost hazard, out of the rage he was in at the murder + of his brother, that he might be avenged on those that had been the + authors of it, soon beat those that opposed him; and after he had beaten + them, he always turned his force against those that stood to it still, and + pursued them all; so that a great slaughter was made, while some were + forced back into that village whence they came out; he also pressed hard + upon the hindermost, and slew a vast number of them; he also fell into the + village with the enemy, where every house was filled with armed men, and + the upper rooms were crowded above with soldiers for their defense; and + when he had beaten those that were on the outside, he pulled the houses to + pieces, and plucked out those that were within; upon many he had the roofs + shaken down, whereby they perished by heaps; and as for those that fled + out of the ruins, the soldiers received them with their swords in their + hands; and the multitude of those slain and lying on heaps was so great, + that the conquerors could not pass along the roads. Now the enemy could + not bear this blow, so that when the multitude of them which was gathered + together saw that those in the village were slain, they dispersed + themselves, and fled away; upon the confidence of which victory, Herod had + marched immediately to Jerusalem, unless he tad been hindered by the depth + of winter's [coming on]. This was the impediment that lay in the way of + this his entire glorious progress, and was what hindered Antigonus from + being now conquered, who was already disposed to forsake the city. + </p> + <p> + 7. Now when at the evening Herod had already dismissed his friends to + refresh themselves after their fatigue, and when he was gone himself, + while he was still hot in his armor, like a common soldier, to bathe + himself, and had but one servant that attended him, and before he was + gotten into the bath, one of the enemies met him in the face with a sword + in his hand, and then a second, and then a third, and after that more of + them; these were men who had run away out of the battle into the bath in + their armor, and they had lain there for some time in, great terror, and + in privacy; and when they saw the king, they trembled for fear, and ran by + him in a flight, although he was naked, and endeavored to get off into the + public road. Now there was by chance nobody else at hand that might seize + upon these men; and for Herod, he was contented to have come to no harm + himself, so that they all got away in safety. + </p> + <p> + 8. But on the next day Herod had Pappus's head cut off, who was the + general for Antigonus, and was slain in the battle, and sent it to his + brother Pheroras, by way of punishment for their slain brother; for he was + the man that slew Joseph. Now as winter was going off, Herod marched to + Jerusalem, and brought his army to the wall of it; this was the third year + since he had been made king at Rome; so he pitched his camp before the + temple, for on that side it might be besieged, and there it was that + Pompey took the city. So he parted the work among the army, and demolished + the suburbs, end raised three banks, and gave orders to have towers built + upon those banks, and left the most laborious of his acquaintance at the + works. But he went himself to Samaria, to take the daughter of Alexander, + the son of Aristobulus, to wife, who had been betrothed to him before, as + we have already said; and thus he accomplished this by the by, during the + siege of the city, for he had his enemies in great contempt already. + </p> + <p> + 9. When he had thus married Mariamne, he came back to Jerusalem with a + greater army. Sosius also joined him with a large army, both of horsemen + and footmen, which he sent before him through the midland parts, while he + marched himself along Phoenicia; and when the whole army was gotten + together, which were eleven regiments of footmen, and six thousand + horsemen, besides the Syrian auxiliaries, which were no small part of the + army, they pitched their camp near to the north wall. Herod's dependence + was upon the decree of the senate, by which he was made king; and Sosius + relied upon Antony, who sent the army that was under him to Herod's + assistance. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 18. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How Herod And Sosius Took Jerusalem By Force; And What Death + Antigonus Came To. Also Concerning Cleopatra's Avaricious + Temper. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now the multitude of the Jews that were in the city were divided into + several factions; for the people that crowded about the temple, being the + weaker part of them, gave it out that, as the times were, he was the + happiest and most religious man who should die first. But as to the more + bold and hardy men, they got together in bodies, and fell a robbing others + after various manners, and these particularly plundered the places that + were about the city, and this because there was no food left either for + the horses or the men; yet some of the warlike men, who were used to fight + regularly, were appointed to defend the city during the siege, and these + drove those that raised the banks away from the wall; and these were + always inventing some engine or another to be a hinderance to the engines + of the enemy; nor had they so much success any way as in the mines under + ground. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now as for the robberies which were committed, the king contrived that + ambushes should be so laid, that they might restrain their excursions; and + as for the want of provisions, he provided that they should be brought to + them from great distances. He was also too hard for the Jews, by the + Romans' skill in the art of war; although they were bold to the utmost + degree, now they durst not come to a plain battle with the Romans, which + was certain death; but through their mines under ground they would appear + in the midst of them on the sudden, and before they could batter down one + wall, they built them another in its stead; and to sum up all at once, + they did not show any want either of painstaking or of contrivances, as + having resolved to hold out to the very last. Indeed, though they had so + great an army lying round about them, they bore a siege of five months, + till some of Herod's chosen men ventured to get upon the wall, and fell + into the city, as did Sosius's centurions after them; and now they first + of all seized upon what was about the temple; and upon the pouring in of + the army, there was slaughter of vast multitudes every where, by reason of + the rage the Romans were in at the length of this siege, and by reason + that the Jews who were about Herod earnestly endeavored that none of their + adversaries might remain; so they were cut to pieces by great multitudes, + as they were crowded together in narrow streets, and in houses, or were + running away to the temple; nor was there any mercy showed either to + infants, or to the aged, or to the weaker sex; insomuch that although the + king sent about and desired them to spare the people, nobody could be + persuaded to withhold their right hand from slaughter, but they slew + people of all ages, like madmen. Then it was that Antigonus, without any + regard to his former or to his present fortune, came down from the + citadel, and fell at Sosius's feet, who without pitying him at all, upon + the change of his condition, laughed at him beyond measure, and called him + Antigona. <a href="#linknote-26" name="linknoteref-26" id="linknoteref-26">26</a> + Yet did he not treat him like a woman, or let him go free, but put him + into bonds, and kept him in custody. + </p> + <p> + 3. But Herod's concern at present, now he had gotten his enemies under his + power, was to restrain the zeal of his foreign auxiliaries; for the + multitude of the strange people were very eager to see the temple, and + what was sacred in the holy house itself; but the king endeavored to + restrain them, partly by his exhortations, partly by his threatenings, + nay, partly by force, as thinking the victory worse than a defeat to him, + if any thing that ought not to be seen were seen by them. He also forbade, + at the same time, the spoiling of the city, asking Sosius in the most + earnest manner, whether the Romans, by thus emptying the city of money and + men, had a mind to leave him king of a desert,—and told him that he + judged the dominion of the habitable earth too small a compensation for + the slaughter of so many citizens. And when Sosius said that it was but + just to allow the soldiers this plunder as a reward for what they suffered + during the siege, Herod made answer, that he would give every one of the + soldiers a reward out of his own money. So he purchased the deliverance of + his country, and performed his promises to them, and made presents after a + magnificent manner to each soldier, and proportionably to their + commanders, and with a most royal bounty to Sosius himself, whereby nobody + went away but in a wealthy condition. Hereupon Sosius dedicated a crown of + gold to God, and then went away from Jerusalem, leading Antigonus away in + bonds to Antony; then did the axe bring him to his end, <a + href="#linknote-27" name="linknoteref-27" id="linknoteref-27">27</a> who + still had a fond desire of life, and some frigid hopes of it to the last, + but by his cowardly behavior well deserved to die by it. + </p> + <p> + 4. Hereupon king Herod distinguished the multitude that was in the city; + and for those that were of his side, he made them still more his friends + by the honors he conferred on them; but for those of Antigonus's party, he + slew them; and as his money ran low, he turned all the ornaments he had + into money, and sent it to Antony, and to those about him. Yet could he + not hereby purchase an exemption from all sufferings; for Antony was now + bewitched by his love to Cleopatra, and was entirely conquered by her + charms. Now Cleopatra had put to death all her kindred, till no one near + her in blood remained alive, and after that she fell a slaying those no + way related to her. So she calumniated the principal men among the Syrians + to Antony, and persuaded him to have them slain, that so she might easily + gain to be mistress of what they had; nay, she extended her avaricious + humor to the Jews and Arabians, and secretly labored to have Herod and + Malichus, the kings of both those nations, slain by his order. + </p> + <p> + 5. Now is to these her injunctions to Antony, he complied in part; for + though he esteemed it too abominable a thing to kill such good and great + kings, yet was he thereby alienated from the friendship he had for them. + He also took away a great deal of their country; nay, even the plantation + of palm trees at Jericho, where also grows the balsam tree, and bestowed + them upon her; as also all the cities on this side the river Eleutherus, + Tyre and Sidon <a href="#linknote-28" name="linknoteref-28" + id="linknoteref-28">28</a> excepted. And when she was become mistress of + these, and had conducted Antony in his expedition against the Parthians as + far as Euphrates, she came by Apamia and Damascus into Judea and there did + Herod pacify her indignation at him by large presents. He also hired of + her those places that had been torn away from his kingdom, at the yearly + rent of two hundred talents. He conducted her also as far as Pelusium, and + paid her all the respects possible. Now it was not long after this that + Antony was come back from Parthia, and led with him Artabazes, Tigranes's + son, captive, as a present for Cleopatra; for this Parthian was presently + given her, with his money, and all the prey that was taken with him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 19. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How Antony At The Persuasion Of Cleopatra Sent Herod To + Fight Against The Arabians; And Now After Several Battles, + He At Length Got The Victory. As Also Concerning A Great + Earthquake. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now when the war about Actium was begun, Herod prepared to come to the + assistance of Antony, as being already freed from his troubles in Judea, + and having gained Hyrcania, which was a place that was held by Antigonus's + sister. However, he was cunningly hindered from partaking of the hazards + that Antony went through by Cleopatra; for since, as we have already + noted, she had laid a plot against the kings [of Judea and Arabia], she + prevailed with Antony to commit the war against the Arabians to Herod; + that so, if he got the better, she might become mistress of Arabia, or, if + he were worsted, of Judea; and that she might destroy one of those kings + by the other. + </p> + <p> + 2. However, this contrivance tended to the advantage of Herod; for at the + very first he took hostages from the enemy, and got together a great body + of horse, and ordered them to march against them about Diespous; and he + conquered that army, although it fought resolutely against him. After + which defeat, the Arabians were in great motion, and assembled themselves + together at Kanatha, a city of Celesyria, in vast multitudes, and waited + for the Jews. And when Herod was come thither, he tried to manage this war + with particular prudence, and gave orders that they should build a wall + about their camp; yet did not the multitude comply with those orders, but + were so emboldened by their foregoing victory, that they presently + attacked the Arabians, and beat them at the first onset, and then pursued + them; yet were there snares laid for Herod in that pursuit; while Athenio, + who was one of Cleopatra's generals, and always an antagonist to Herod, + sent out of Kanatha the men of that country against him; for, upon this + fresh onset, the Arabians took courage, and returned back, and both joined + their numerous forces about stony places, that were hard to be gone over, + and there put Herod's men to the rout, and made a great slaughter of them; + but those that escaped out of the battle fled to Ormiza, where the + Arabians surrounded their camp, and took it, with all the men in it. 3. In + a little time after this calamity, Herod came to bring them succors; but + he came too late. Now the occasion of that blow was this, that the + officers would not obey orders; for had not the fight begun so suddenly, + Athenio had not found a proper season for the snares he laid for Herod: + however, he was even with the Arabians afterward, and overran their + country, and did them more harm than their single victory could + compensate. But as he was avenging himself on his enemies, there fell upon + him another providential calamity; for in the seventh <a + href="#linknote-29" name="linknoteref-29" id="linknoteref-29">29</a> year + of his reign, when the war about Actium was at the height, at the + beginning of the spring, the earth was shaken, and destroyed an immense + number of cattle, with thirty thousand men; but the army received no harm, + because it lay in the open air. In the mean time, the fame of this + earthquake elevated the Arabians to greater courage, and this by + augmenting it to a fabulous height, as is constantly the case in + melancholy accidents, and pretending that all Judea was overthrown. Upon + this supposal, therefore, that they should easily get a land that was + destitute of inhabitants into their power, they first sacrificed those + ambassadors who were come to them from the Jews, and then marched into + Judea immediately. Now the Jewish nation were affrighted at this invasion, + and quite dispirited at the greatness of their calamities one after + another; whom yet Herod got together, and endeavored to encourage to + defend themselves by the following speech which he made to them: + </p> + <p> + 4. "The present dread you are under seems to me to have seized upon you + very unreasonably. It is true, you might justly be dismayed at that + providential chastisement which hath befallen you; but to suffer + yourselves to be equally terrified at the invasion of men is unmanly. As + for myself, I am so far from being affrighted at our enemies after this + earthquake, that I imagine that God hath thereby laid a bait for the + Arabians, that we may be avenged on them; for their present invasion + proceeds more from our accidental misfortunes, than that they have any + great dependence on their weapons, or their own fitness for action. Now + that hope which depends not on men's own power, but on others' ill + success, is a very ticklish thing; for there is no certainty among men, + either in their bad or good fortunes; but we may easily observe that + fortune is mutable, and goes from one side to another; and this you may + readily learn from examples among yourselves; for when you were once + victors in the former fight, your enemies overcame you at last; and very + likely it will now happen so, that these who think themselves sure of + beating you will themselves be beaten. For when men are very confident, + they are not upon their guard, while fear teaches men to act with caution; + insomuch that I venture to prove from your very timorousness that you + ought to take courage; for when you were more bold than you ought to have + been, and than I would have had you, and marched on, Athenio's treachery + took place; but your present slowness and seeming dejection of mind is to + me a pledge and assurance of victory. And indeed it is proper beforehand + to be thus provident; but when we come to action, we ought to erect our + minds, and to make our enemies, be they ever so wicked, believe that + neither any human, no, nor any providential misfortune, can ever depress + the courage of Jews while they are alive; nor will any of them ever + overlook an Arabian, or suffer such a one to become lord of his good + things, whom he has in a manner taken captive, and that many times also. + And do not you disturb yourselves at the quaking of inanimate creatures, + nor do you imagine that this earthquake is a sign of another calamity; for + such affections of the elements are according to the course of nature, nor + does it import any thing further to men, than what mischief it does + immediately of itself. Perhaps there may come some short sign beforehand + in the case of pestilences, and famines, and earthquakes; but these + calamities themselves have their force limited by themselves [without + foreboding any other calamity]. And indeed what greater mischief can the + war, though it should be a violent one, do to us than the earthquake hath + done? Nay, there is a signal of our enemies' destruction visible, and that + a very great one also; and this is not a natural one, nor derived from the + hand of foreigners neither, but it is this, that they have barbarously + murdered our ambassadors, contrary to the common law of mankind; and they + have destroyed so many, as if they esteemed them sacrifices for God, in + relation to this war. But they will not avoid his great eye, nor his + invincible right hand; and we shall be revenged of them presently, in case + we still retain any of the courage of our forefathers, and rise up boldly + to punish these covenant-breakers. Let every one therefore go on and + fight, not so much for his wife or his children, or for the danger his + country is in, as for these ambassadors of ours; those dead ambassadors + will conduct this war of ours better than we ourselves who are alive. And + if you will be ruled by me, I will myself go before you into danger; for + you know this well enough, that your courage is irresistible, unless you + hurt yourselves by acting rashly." <a href="#linknote-30" + name="linknoteref-30" id="linknoteref-30">30</a> + </p> + <p> + 5. When Herod had encouraged them by this speech, and he saw with what + alacrity they went, he offered sacrifice to God; and after that sacrifice, + he passed over the river Jordan with his army, and pitched his camp about + Philadelphia, near the enemy, and about a fortification that lay between + them. He then shot at them at a distance, and was desirous to come to an + engagement presently; for some of them had been sent beforehand to seize + upon that fortification: but the king sent some who immediately beat them + out of the fortification, while he himself went in the forefront of the + army, which he put in battle-array every day, and invited the Arabians to + fight. But as none of them came out of their camp, for they were in a + terrible fright, and their general, Elthemus, was not able to say a word + for fear,—so Herod came upon them, and pulled their fortification to + pieces, by which means they were compelled to come out to fight, which + they did in disorder, and so that the horsemen and foot-men were mixed + together. They were indeed superior to the Jews in number, but inferior in + their alacrity, although they were obliged to expose themselves to danger + by their very despair of victory. + </p> + <p> + 6. Now while they made opposition, they had not a great number slain; but + as soon as they turned their backs, a great many were trodden to pieces by + the Jews, and a great many by themselves, and so perished, till five + thousand were fallen down dead in their flight, while the rest of the + multitude prevented their immediate death, by crowding into the + fortification. Herod encompassed these around, and besieged them; and + while they were ready to be taken by their enemies in arms, they had + another additional distress upon them, which was thirst and want of water; + for the king was above hearkening to their ambassadors; and when they + offered five hundred talents, as the price of their redemption, he pressed + still harder upon them. And as they were burnt up by their thirst, they + came out and voluntarily delivered themselves up by multitudes to the + Jews, till in five days' time four thousand of them were put into bonds; + and on the sixth day the multitude that were left despaired of saving + themselves, and came out to fight: with these Herod fought, and slew again + about seven thousand, insomuch that he punished Arabia so severely, and so + far extinguished the spirits of the men, that he was chosen by the nation + for their ruler. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 20. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Herod Is Confirmed In His Kingdom By Caesar, And Cultivates + A Friendship With The Emperor By Magnificent Presents; While + Caesar Returns His Kindness By Bestowing On Him That Part Of + His Kingdom Which Had Been Taken Away From It By Cleopatra + With The Addition Of Zenodoruss Country Also. +</pre> + <p> + 1. But now Herod was under immediate concern about a most important + affair, on account of his friendship with Antony, who was already overcome + at Actium by Caesar; yet he was more afraid than hurt; for Caesar did not + think he had quite undone Antony, while Herod continued his assistance to + him. However, the king resolved to expose himself to dangers: accordingly + he sailed to Rhodes, where Caesar then abode, and came to him without his + diadem, and in the habit and appearance of a private person, but in his + behavior as a king. So he concealed nothing of the truth, but spoke thus + before his face: "O Caesar, as I was made king of the Jews by Antony, so + do I profess that I have used my royal authority in the best manner, and + entirely for his advantage; nor will I conceal this further, that thou + hadst certainly found me in arms, and an inseparable companion of his, had + not the Arabians hindered me. However, I sent him as many auxiliaries as I + was able, and many ten thousand [cori] of corn. Nay, indeed, I did not + desert my benefactor after the bow that was given him at Actium; but I + gave him the best advice I was able, when I was no longer able to assist + him in the war; and I told him that there was but one way of recovering + his affairs, and that was to kill Cleopatra; and I promised him that, if + she were once dead, I would afford him money and walls for his security, + with an army and myself to assist him in his war against thee: but his + affections for Cleopatra stopped his ears, as did God himself also who + hath bestowed the government on thee. I own myself also to be overcome + together with him; and with his last fortune I have laid aside my diadem, + and am come hither to thee, having my hopes of safety in thy virtue; and I + desire that thou wilt first consider how faithful a friend, and not whose + friend, I have been." + </p> + <p> + 2. Caesar replied to him thus: "Nay, thou shalt not only be in safety, but + thou shalt be a king; and that more firmly than thou wast before; for thou + art worthy to reign over a great many subjects, by reason of the fastness + of thy friendship; and do thou endeavor to be equally constant in thy + friendship to me, upon my good success, which is what I depend upon from + the generosity of thy disposition. However, Antony hath done well in + preferring Cleopatra to thee; for by this means we have gained thee by her + madness, and thus thou hast begun to be my friend before I began to be + thine; on which account Quintus Didius hath written to me that thou + sentest him assistance against the gladiators. I do therefore assure thee + that I will confirm the kingdom to thee by decree: I shall also endeavor + to do thee some further kindness hereafter, that thou mayst find no loss + in the want of Antony." + </p> + <p> + 3. When Caesar had spoken such obliging things to the king, and had put + the diadem again about his head, he proclaimed what he had bestowed on him + by a decree, in which he enlarged in the commendation of the man after a + magnificent manner. Whereupon Herod obliged him to be kind to him by the + presents he gave him, and he desired him to forgive Alexander, one of + Antony's friends, who was become a supplicant to him. But Caesar's anger + against him prevailed, and he complained of the many and very great + offenses the man whom he petitioned for had been guilty of; and by that + means he rejected his petition. After this Caesar went for Egypt through + Syria, when Herod received him with royal and rich entertainments; and + then did he first of all ride along with Caesar, as he was reviewing his + army about Ptolemais, and feasted him with all his friends, and then + distributed among the rest of the army what was necessary to feast them + withal. He also made a plentiful provision of water for them, when they + were to march as far as Pelusium, through a dry country, which he did also + in like manner at their return thence; nor were there any necessaries + wanting to that army. It was therefore the opinion, both of Caesar and of + his soldiers, that Herod's kingdom was too small for those generous + presents he made them; for which reason, when Caesar was come into Egypt, + and Cleopatra and Antony were dead, he did not only bestow other marks of + honor upon him, but made an addition to his kingdom, by giving him not + only the country which had been taken from him by Cleopatra, but besides + that, Gadara, and Hippos, and Samaria; and moreover, of the maritime + cities, Gaza <a href="#linknote-31" name="linknoteref-31" + id="linknoteref-31">31</a> and Anthedon, and Joppa, and Strato's Tower. He + also made him a present of four hundred Galls [Galatians] as a guard for + his body, which they had been to Cleopatra before. Nor did any thing so + strongly induce Caesar to make these presents as the generosity of him + that received them. + </p> + <p> + 4. Moreover, after the first games at Actium, he added to his kingdom both + the region called Trachonitis, and what lay in its neighborhood, Batanea, + and the country of Auranitis; and that on the following occasion: + Zenodorus, who had hired the house of Lysanias, had all along sent robbers + out of Trachonitis among the Damascenes; who thereupon had recourse to + Varro, the president of Syria, and desired of him that he would represent + the calamity they were in to Caesar. When Caesar was acquainted with it, + he sent back orders that this nest of robbers should be destroyed. Varro + therefore made an expedition against them, and cleared the land of those + men, and took it away from Zenodorus. Caesar did also afterward bestow it + on Herod, that it might not again become a receptacle for those robbers + that had come against Damascus. He also made him a procurator of all + Syria, and this on the tenth year afterward, when he came again into that + province; and this was so established, that the other procurators could + not do any thing in the administration without his advice: but when + Zenodorus was dead, Caesar bestowed on him all that land which lay between + Trachonitis and Galilee. Yet, what was still of more consequence to Herod, + he was beloved by Caesar next after Agrippa, and by Agrippa next after + Caesar; whence he arrived at a very great degree of felicity. Yet did the + greatness of his soul exceed it, and the main part of his magnanimity was + extended to the promotion of piety. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 21. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Of The [Temple And] Cities That Were Built By Herod And + Erected From The Very Foundations; As Also Of Those Other + Edifices That Were Erected By Him; And What Magnificence He + Showed To Foreigners; And How Fortune Was In All Things + Favorable To Him. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Accordingly, in the fifteenth year of his reign, Herod rebuilt the + temple, and encompassed a piece of land about it with a wall, which land + was twice as large as that before enclosed. The expenses he laid out upon + it were vastly large also, and the riches about it were unspeakable. A + sign of which you have in the great cloisters that were erected about the + temple, and the citadel which was on its north side. The cloisters he + built from the foundation, but the citadel <a href="#linknote-32" + name="linknoteref-32" id="linknoteref-32">32</a> he repaired at a vast + expense; nor was it other than a royal palace, which he called Antonia, in + honor of Antony. He also built himself a palace in the Upper city, + containing two very large and most beautiful apartments; to which the holy + house itself could not be compared [in largeness]. The one apartment he + named Caesareum, and the other Agrippium, from his [two great] friends. + </p> + <p> + 2. Yet did he not preserve their memory by particular buildings only, with + their names given them, but his generosity went as far as entire cities; + for when he had built a most beautiful wall round a country in Samaria, + twenty furlongs long, and had brought six thousand inhabitants into it, + and had allotted to it a most fruitful piece of land, and in the midst of + this city, thus built, had erected a very large temple to Caesar, and had + laid round about it a portion of sacred land of three furlongs and a half, + he called the city Sebaste, from Sebastus, or Augustus, and settled the + affairs of the city after a most regular manner. + </p> + <p> + 3. And when Caesar had further bestowed upon him another additional + country, he built there also a temple of white marble, hard by the + fountains of Jordan: the place is called Panium, where is a top of a + mountain that is raised to an immense height, and at its side, beneath, or + at its bottom, a dark cave opens itself; within which there is a horrible + precipice, that descends abruptly to a vast depth; it contains a mighty + quantity of water, which is immovable; and when any body lets down any + thing to measure the depth of the earth beneath the water, no length of + cord is sufficient to reach it. Now the fountains of Jordan rise at the + roots of this cavity outwardly; and, as some think, this is the utmost + origin of Jordan: but we shall speak of that matter more accurately in our + following history. + </p> + <p> + 4. But the king erected other places at Jericho also, between the citadel + Cypros and the former palace, such as were better and more useful than the + former for travelers, and named them from the same friends of his. To say + all at once, there was not any place of his kingdom fit for the purpose + that was permitted to be without somewhat that was for Caesar's honor; and + when he had filled his own country with temples, he poured out the like + plentiful marks of his esteem into his province, and built many cities + which he called Cesareas. + </p> + <p> + 5. And when he observed that there was a city by the sea-side that was + much decayed, [its name was Strato's Tower,] but that the place, by the + happiness of its situation, was capable of great improvements from his + liberality, he rebuilt it all with white stone, and adorned it with + several most splendid palaces, wherein he especially demonstrated his + magnanimity; for the case was this, that all the sea-shore between Dora + and Joppa, in the middle, between which this city is situated, had no good + haven, insomuch that every one that sailed from Phoenicia for Egypt was + obliged to lie in the stormy sea, by reason of the south winds that + threatened them; which wind, if it blew but a little fresh, such vast + waves are raised, and dash upon the rocks, that upon their retreat the sea + is in a great ferment for a long way. But the king, by the expenses he was + at, and the liberal disposal of them, overcame nature, and built a haven + larger than was the Pyrecum <a href="#linknote-33" name="linknoteref-33" + id="linknoteref-33">33</a> [at Athens]; and in the inner retirements of + the water he built other deep stations [for the ships also]. + </p> + <p> + 6. Now although the place where he built was greatly opposite to his + purposes, yet did he so fully struggle with that difficulty, that the + firmness of his building could not easily be conquered by the sea; and the + beauty and ornament of the works were such, as though he had not had any + difficulty in the operation; for when he had measured out as large a space + as we have before mentioned, he let down stones into twenty fathom water, + the greatest part of which were fifty feet in length, and nine in depth, + and ten in breadth, and some still larger. But when the haven was filled + up to that depth, he enlarged that wall which was thus already extant + above the sea, till it was two hundred feet wide; one hundred of which had + buildings before it, in order to break the force of the waves, whence it + was called Procumatia, or the first breaker of the waves; but the rest of + the space was under a stone wall that ran round it. On this wall were very + large towers, the principal and most beautiful of which was called + Drusium, from Drusus, who was son-in-law to Caesar. + </p> + <p> + 7. There were also a great number of arches, where the mariners dwelt; and + all the places before them round about was a large valley, or walk, for a + quay [or landing-place] to those that came on shore; but the entrance was + on the north, because the north wind was there the most gentle of all the + winds. At the mouth of the haven were on each side three great Colossi, + supported by pillars, where those Colossi that are on your left hand as + you sail into the port are supported by a solid tower; but those on the + right hand are supported by two upright stones joined together, which + stones were larger than that tower which was on the other side of the + entrance. Now there were continual edifices joined to the haven, which + were also themselves of white stone; and to this haven did the narrow + streets of the city lead, and were built at equal distances one from + another. And over against the mouth of the haven, upon an elevation, there + was a temple for Caesar, which was excellent both in beauty and largeness; + and therein was a Colossus of Caesar, not less than that of Jupiter + Olympius, which it was made to resemble. The other Colossus of Rome was + equal to that of Juno at Argos. So he dedicated the city to the province, + and the haven to the sailors there; but the honor of the building he + ascribed to Caesar, <a href="#linknote-34" name="linknoteref-34" + id="linknoteref-34">34</a> and named it Cesarea accordingly. + </p> + <p> + 8. He also built the other edifices, the amphitheater, and theater, and + market-place, in a manner agreeable to that denomination; and appointed + games every fifth year, and called them, in like manner, Caesar's Games; + and he first himself proposed the largest prizes upon the hundred + ninety-second olympiad; in which not only the victors themselves, but + those that came next to them, and even those that came in the third place, + were partakers of his royal bounty. He also rebuilt Anthedon, a city that + lay on the coast, and had been demolished in the wars, and named it + Agrippeum. Moreover, he had so very great a kindness for his friend + Agrippa, that he had his name engraved upon that gate which he had himself + erected in the temple. + </p> + <p> + 9. Herod was also a lover of his father, if any other person ever was so; + for he made a monument for his father, even that city which he built in + the finest plain that was in his kingdom, and which had rivers and trees + in abundance, and named it Antipatris. He also built a wall about a + citadel that lay above Jericho, and was a very strong and very fine + building, and dedicated it to his mother, and called it Cypros. Moreover, + he dedicated a tower that was at Jerusalem, and called it by the name of + his brother Phasaelus, whose structure, largeness, and magnificence we + shall describe hereafter. He also built another city in the valley that + leads northward from Jericho, and named it Phasaelis. + </p> + <p> + 10. And as he transmitted to eternity his family and friends, so did he + not neglect a memorial for himself, but built a fortress upon a mountain + towards Arabia, and named it from himself, Herodium <a href="#linknote-35" + name="linknoteref-35" id="linknoteref-35">35</a> and he called that hill + that was of the shape of a woman's breast, and was sixty furlongs distant + from Jerusalem, by the same name. He also bestowed much curious art upon + it, with great ambition, and built round towers all about the top of it, + and filled up the remaining space with the most costly palaces round + about, insomuch that not only the sight of the inner apartments was + splendid, but great wealth was laid out on the outward walls, and + partitions, and roofs also. Besides this, he brought a mighty quantity of + water from a great distance, and at vast charges, and raised an ascent to + it of two hundred steps of the whitest marble, for the hill was itself + moderately high, and entirely factitious. He also built other palaces + about the roots of the hill, sufficient to receive the furniture that was + put into them, with his friends also, insomuch that, on account of its + containing all necessaries, the fortress might seem to be a city, but, by + the bounds it had, a palace only. + </p> + <p> + 11. And when he had built so much, he showed the greatness of his soul to + no small number of foreign cities. He built palaces for exercise at + Tripoli, and Damascus, and Ptolemais; he built a wall about Byblus, as + also large rooms, and cloisters, and temples, and market-places at Berytus + and Tyre, with theatres at Sidon and Damascus. He also built aqueducts for + those Laodiceans who lived by the sea-side; and for those of Ascalon he + built baths and costly fountains, as also cloisters round a court, that + were admirable both for their workmanship and largeness. Moreover, he + dedicated groves and meadows to some people; nay, not a few cities there + were who had lands of his donation, as if they were parts of his own + kingdom. He also bestowed annual revenues, and those for ever also, on the + settlements for exercises, and appointed for them, as well as for the + people of Cos, that such rewards should never be wanting. He also gave + corn to all such as wanted it, and conferred upon Rhodes large sums of + money for building ships; and this he did in many places, and frequently + also. And when Apollo's temple had been burnt down, he rebuilt it at his + own charges, after a better manner than it was before. What need I speak + of the presents he made to the Lycians and Samnians? or of his great + liberality through all Ionia? and that according to every body's wants of + them. And are not the Athenians, and Lacedemonians, and Nicopolitans, and + that Pergamus which is in Mysia, full of donations that Herod presented + them withal? And as for that large open place belonging to Antioch in + Syria, did not he pave it with polished marble, though it were twenty + furlongs long? and this when it was shunned by all men before, because it + was full of dirt and filthiness, when he besides adorned the same place + with a cloister of the same length. + </p> + <p> + 12. It is true, a man may say, these were favors peculiar to those + particular places on which he bestowed his benefits; but then what favors + he bestowed on the Eleans was a donation not only in common to all Greece, + but to all the habitable earth, as far as the glory of the Olympic games + reached. For when he perceived that they were come to nothing, for want of + money, and that the only remains of ancient Greece were in a manner gone, + he not only became one of the combatants in that return of the fifth-year + games, which in his sailing to Rome he happened to be present at, but he + settled upon them revenues of money for perpetuity, insomuch that his + memorial as a combatant there can never fail. It would be an infinite task + if I should go over his payments of people's debts, or tributes, for them, + as he eased the people of Phasaelis, of Batanea, and of the small cities + about Cilicia, of those annual pensions they before paid. However, the + fear he was in much disturbed the greatness of his soul, lest he should be + exposed to envy, or seem to hunt after greater filings than he ought, + while he bestowed more liberal gifts upon these cities than did their + owners themselves. + </p> + <p> + 13. Now Herod had a body suited to his soul, and was ever a most excellent + hunter, where he generally had good success, by the means of his great + skill in riding horses; for in one day he caught forty wild beasts: <a + href="#linknote-36" name="linknoteref-36" id="linknoteref-36">36</a> that + country breeds also bears, and the greatest part of it is replenished with + stags and wild asses. He was also such a warrior as could not be + withstood: many men, therefore, there are who have stood amazed at his + readiness in his exercises, when they saw him throw the javelin directly + forward, and shoot the arrow upon the mark. And then, besides these + performances of his depending on his own strength of mind and body, + fortune was also very favorable to him; for he seldom failed of success in + his wars; and when he failed, he was not himself the occasion of such + failings, but he either was betrayed by some, or the rashness of his own + soldiers procured his defeat. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 22. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Murder Of Aristobulus And Hyrcanus, The High Priests, As + Also Of Mariamne The Queen. +</pre> + <p> + 1. However, fortune was avenged on Herod in his external great successes, + by raising him up domestical troubles; and he began to have wild disorders + in his family, on account of his wife, of whom he was so very fond. For + when he came to the government, he sent away her whom he had before + married when he was a private person, and who was born at Jerusalem, whose + name was Doris, and married Mariamne, the daughter of Alexander, the son + of Aristobulus; on whose account disturbances arose in his family, and + that in part very soon, but chiefly after his return from Rome. For, first + of all, he expelled Antipater the son of Doris, for the sake of his sons + by Mariamne, out of the city, and permitted him to come thither at no + other times than at the festivals. After this he slew his wife's + grandfather, Hyrcanus, when he was returned out of Parthin to him, under + this pretense, that he suspected him of plotting against him. Now this + Hyrcanus had been carried captive to Barzapharnes, when he overran Syria; + but those of his own country beyond Euphrates were desirous he would stay + with them, and this out of the commiseration they had for his condition; + and had he complied with their desires, when they exhorted him not to go + over the river to Herod, he had not perished: but the marriage of his + granddaughter [to Herod] was his temptation; for as he relied upon him, + and was over-fond of his own country, he came back to it. Herod's + provocation was this,—not that Hyrcanus made any attempt to gain the + kingdom, but that it was fitter for him to be their king than for Herod. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now of the five children which Herod had by Mariamne, two of them were + daughters, and three were sons; and the youngest of these sons was + educated at Rome, and there died; but the two eldest he treated as those + of royal blood, on account of the nobility of their mother, and because + they were not born till he was king. But then what was stronger than all + this was the love that he bare to Mariamne, and which inflamed him every + day to a great degree, and so far conspired with the other motives, that + he felt no other troubles, on account of her he loved so entirely. But + Mariamne's hatred to him was not inferior to his love to her. She had + indeed but too just a cause of indignation from what he had done, while + her boldness proceeded from his affection to her; so she openly reproached + him with what he had done to her grandfather Hyrcanus, and to her brother + Aristobulus; for he had not spared this Aristobulus, though he were but a + child; for when he had given him the high priesthood at the age of + seventeen, he slew him quickly after he had conferred that dignity upon + him; but when Aristobulus had put on the holy vestments, and had + approached to the altar at a festival, the multitude, in great crowds, + fell into tears; whereupon the child was sent by night to Jericho, and was + there dipped by the Galls, at Herod's command, in a pool till he was + drowned. + </p> + <p> + 3. For these reasons Mariamne reproached Herod, and his sister and mother, + after a most contumelious manner, while he was dumb on account of his + affection for her; yet had the women great indignation at her, and raised + a calumny against her, that she was false to his bed; which thing they + thought most likely to move Herod to anger. They also contrived to have + many other circumstances believed, in order to make the thing more + credible, and accused her of having sent her picture into Egypt to Antony, + and that her lust was so extravagant, as to have thus showed herself, + though she was absent, to a man that ran mad after women, and to a man + that had it in his power to use violence to her. This charge fell like a + thunderbolt upon Herod, and put him into disorder; and that especially, + because his love to her occasioned him to be jealous, and because he + considered with himself that Cleopatra was a shrewd woman, and that on her + account Lysanias the king was taken off, as well as Malichus the Arabian; + for his fear did not only extend to the dissolving of his marriage, but to + the danger of his life. + </p> + <p> + 4. When therefore he was about to take a journey abroad, he committed his + wife to Joseph, his sister Salome's husband, as to one who would be + faithful to him, and bare him good-will on account of their kindred; he + also gave him a secret injunction, that if Antony slew him, he should slay + her. But Joseph, without any ill design, and only in order to demonstrate + the king's love to his wife, how he could not bear to think of being + separated from her, even by death itself, discovered this grand secret to + her; upon which, when Herod was come back, and as they talked together, + and he confirmed his love to her by many oaths, and assured her that he + had never such an affection for any other woman as he had for her—"Yes," + says she, "thou didst, to be sure, demonstrate thy love to me by the + injunctions thou gavest Joseph, when thou commandedst him to kill me." <a + href="#linknote-37" name="linknoteref-37" id="linknoteref-37">37</a> + </p> + <p> + 5. When he heard that this grand secret was discovered, he was like a + distracted man, and said that Joseph would never have disclosed that + injunction of his, unless he had debauched her. His passion also made him + stark mad, and leaping out of his bed, he ran about the palace after a + wild manner; at which time his sister Salome took the opportunity also to + blast her reputation, and confirmed his suspicion about Joseph; whereupon, + out of his ungovernable jealousy and rage, he commanded both of them to be + slain immediately; but as soon as ever his passion was over, he repented + of what he had done, and as soon as his anger was worn off, his affections + were kindled again. And indeed the flame of his desires for her was so + ardent, that he could not think she was dead, but would appear, under his + disorders, to speak to her as if she were still alive, till he were better + instructed by time, when his grief and trouble, now she was dead, appeared + as great as his affection had been for her while she was living. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 23. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Calumnies Against The Sons Of Mariamne. Antipateris + Preferred Before Them. They Are Accused Before Caesar, And + Herod Is Reconciled To Them. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now Mariamne's sons were heirs to that hatred which had been borne + their mother; and when they considered the greatness of Herod's crime + towards her, they were suspicious of him as of an enemy of theirs; and + this first while they were educated at Rome, but still more when they were + returned to Judea. This temper of theirs increased upon them as they grew + up to be men; and when they were Come to an age fit for marriage, the one + of them married their aunt Salome's daughter, which Salome had been the + accuser of their mother; the other married the daughter of Archelaus, king + of Cappadocia. And now they used boldness in speaking, as well as bore + hatred in their minds. Now those that calumniated them took a handle from + such their boldness, and certain of them spake now more plainly to the + king that there were treacherous designs laid against him by both his + sons; and he that was son-in-law to Archelaus, relying upon his + father-in-law, was preparing to fly away, in order to accuse Herod before + Caesar; and when Herod's head had been long enough filled with these + calumnies, he brought Antipater, whom he had by Doris, into favor again, + as a defense to him against his other sons, and began all the ways he + possibly could to prefer him before them. + </p> + <p> + 2. But these sons were not able to bear this change in their affairs; but + when they saw him that was born of a mother of no family, the nobility of + their birth made them unable to contain their indignation; but whensoever + they were uneasy, they showed the anger they had at it. And as these sons + did day after day improve in that their anger, Antipater already exercised + all his own abilities, which were very great, in flattering his father, + and in contriving many sorts of calumnies against his brethren, while he + told some stories of them himself, and put it upon other proper persons to + raise other stories against them, till at length he entirely cut his + brethren off from all hopes of succeeding to the kingdom; for he was + already publicly put into his father's will as his successor. Accordingly, + he was sent with royal ornaments, and other marks of royalty, to Caesar, + excepting the diadem. He was also able in time to introduce his mother + again into Mariamne's bed. The two sorts of weapons he made use of against + his brethren were flattery and calumny, whereby he brought matters + privately to such a pass, that the king had thoughts of putting his sons + to death. + </p> + <p> + 3. So the father drew Alexander as far as Rome, and charged him with an + attempt of poisoning him before Caesar. Alexander could hardly speak for + lamentation; but having a judge that was more skillful than Antipater, and + more wise than Herod, he modestly avoided laying any imputation upon his + father, but with great strength of reason confuted the calumnies laid + against him; and when he had demonstrated the innocency of his brother, + who was in the like danger with himself, he at last bewailed the + craftiness of Antipater, and the disgrace they were under. He was enabled + also to justify himself, not only by a clear conscience, which he carried + within him, but by his eloquence; for he was a shrewd man in making + speeches. And upon his saying at last, that if his father objected this + crime to them, it was in his power to put them to death, he made all the + audience weep; and he brought Caesar to that pass, as to reject the + accusations, and to reconcile their father to them immediately. But the + conditions of this reconciliation were these, that they should in all + things be obedient to their father, and that he should have power to leave + the kingdom to which of them he pleased. + </p> + <p> + 4. After this the king came back from Rome, and seemed to have forgiven + his sons upon these accusations; but still so that he was not without his + suspicions of them. They were followed by Antipater, who was the + fountain-head of those accusations; yet did not he openly discover his + hatred to them, as revering him that had reconciled them. But as Herod + sailed by Cilicia, he touched at Eleusa, <a href="#linknote-38" + name="linknoteref-38" id="linknoteref-38">38</a> where Archelaus treated + them in the most obliging manner, and gave him thanks for the deliverance + of his son-in-law, and was much pleased at their reconciliation; and this + the more, because he had formerly written to his friends at Rome that they + should be assisting to Alexander at his trial. So he conducted Herod as + far as Zephyrium, and made him presents to the value of thirty talents. + </p> + <p> + 5. Now when Herod was come to Jerusalem, he gathered the people together, + and presented to them his three sons, and gave them an apologetic account + of his absence, and thanked God greatly, and thanked Caesar greatly also, + for settling his house when it was under disturbances, and had procured + concord among his sons, which was of greater consequence than the kingdom + itself,—"and which I will render still more firm; for Caesar hath + put into my power to dispose of the government, and to appoint my + successor. Accordingly, in way of requital for his kindness, and in order + to provide for mine own advantage, I do declare that these three sons of + mine shall be kings. And, in the first place, I pray for the approbation + of God to what I am about; and, in the next place, I desire your + approbation also. The age of one of them, and the nobility of the other + two, shall procure them the succession. Nay, indeed, my kingdom is so + large that it may be sufficient for more kings. Now do you keep those in + their places whom Caesar hath joined, and their father hath appointed; and + do not you pay undue or unequal respects to them, but to every one + according to the prerogative of their births; for he that pays such + respects unduly, will thereby not make him that is honored beyond what his + age requires so joyful, as he will make him that is dishonored sorrowful. + As for the kindred and friends that are to converse with them, I will + appoint them to each of them, and will so constitute them, that they may + be securities for their concord; as well knowing that the ill tempers of + those with whom they converse will produce quarrels and contentions among + them; but that if these with whom they converse be of good tempers, they + will preserve their natural affections for one another. But still I desire + that not these only, but all the captains of my army, have for the present + their hopes placed on me alone; for I do not give away my kingdom to these + my sons, but give them royal honors only; whereby it will come to pass + that they will enjoy the sweet parts of government as rulers themselves, + but that the burden of administration will rest upon myself whether I will + or not. And let every one consider what age I am of, how I have conducted + my life, and what piety I have exercised; for my age is not so great that + men may soon expect the end of my life; nor have I indulged such a + luxurious way of living as cuts men off when they are young; and we have + been so religious towards God, that we [have reason to hope we] may arrive + at a very great age. But for such as cultivate a friendship with my sons, + so as to aim at my destruction, they shall be punished by me on their + account. I am not one who envy my own children, and therefore forbid men + to pay them great respect; but I know that such [extravagant] respects are + the way to make them insolent. And if every one that comes near them does + but revolve this in his mind, that if he prove a good man, he shall + receive a reward from me, but that if he prove seditious, his ill-intended + complaisance shall get him nothing from him to whom it is shown, I suppose + they will all be of my side, that is, of my sons' side; for it will be for + their advantage that I reign, and that I be at concord with them. But do + you, O my good children, reflect upon the holiness of nature itself, by + whose means natural affection is preserved, even among wild beasts; in the + next place, reflect upon Caesar, who hath made this reconciliation among + us; and in the third place, reflect upon me, who entreat you to do what I + have power to command you,—continue brethren. I give you royal + garments, and royal honors; and I pray to God to preserve what I have + determined, in case you be at concord one with another." When the king had + thus spoken, and had saluted every one of his sons after an obliging + manner, he dismissed the multitude; some of which gave their assent to + what he had said, and wished it might take effect accordingly; but for + those who wished for a change of affairs, they pretended they did not so + much as hear what he said. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 24. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Malice Of Antipater And Doris. Alexander Is Very Uneasy + On Glaphyras Account. Herod Pardons Pheroras, Whom He + Suspected, And Salome Whom He Knew To Make Mischief Among + Them. Herod's Eunuchs Are Tortured And Alexander Is Bound. +</pre> + <p> + 1. But now the quarrel that was between them still accompanied these + brethren when they parted, and the suspicions they had one of the other + grew worse. Alexander and Aristobulus were much grieved that the privilege + of the first-born was confirmed to Antipater; as was Antipater very angry + at his brethren that they were to succeed him. But then this last being of + a disposition that was mutable and politic, he knew how to hold his + tongue, and used a great deal of cunning, and thereby concealed the hatred + he bore to them; while the former, depending on the nobility of their + births, had every thing upon their tongues which was in their minds. Many + also there were who provoked them further, and many of their [seeming] + friends insinuated themselves into their acquaintance, to spy out what + they did. Now every thing that was said by Alexander was presently brought + to Antipater, and from Antipater it was brought to Herod with additions. + Nor could the young man say any thing in the simplicity of his heart, + without giving offense, but what he said was still turned to calumny + against him. And if he had been at any time a little free in his + conversation, great imputations were forged from the smallest occasions. + Antipater also was perpetually setting some to provoke him to speak, that + the lies he raised of him might seem to have some foundation of truth; and + if, among the many stories that were given out, but one of them could be + proved true, that was supposed to imply the rest to be true also. And as + to Antipater's friends, they were all either naturally so cautious in + speaking, or had been so far bribed to conceal their thoughts, that + nothing of these grand secrets got abroad by their means. Nor should one + be mistaken if he called the life of Antipater a mystery of wickedness; + for he either corrupted Alexander's acquaintance with money, or got into + their favor by flatteries; by which two means he gained all his designs, + and brought them to betray their master, and to steal away, and reveal + what he either did or said. Thus did he act a part very cunningly in all + points, and wrought himself a passage by his calumnies with the greatest + shrewdness; while he put on a face as if he were a kind brother to + Alexander and Aristobulus, but suborned other men to inform of what they + did to Herod. And when any thing was told against Alexander, he would come + in, and pretend [to be of his side], and would begin to contradict what + was said; but would afterward contrive matters so privately, that the king + should have an indignation at him. His general aim was this,—to lay + a plot, and to make it believed that Alexander lay in wait to kill his + father; for nothing afforded so great a confirmation to these calumnies as + did Antipater's apologies for him. + </p> + <p> + 2. By these methods Herod was inflamed, and as much as his natural + affection to the young men did every day diminish, so much did it increase + towards Antipater. The courtiers also inclined to the same conduct, some + of their own accord, and others by the king's injunction, as particularly + did Ptolemy, the king's dearest friend, as also the king's brethren, and + all his children; for Antipater was all in all; and what was the bitterest + part of all to Alexander, Antipater's mother was also all in all; she was + one that gave counsel against them, and was more harsh than a step-mother, + and one that hated the queen's sons more than is usual to hate + sons-in-law. All men did therefore already pay their respects to + Antipater, in hopes of advantage; and it was the king's command which + alienated every body [from the brethren], he having given this charge to + his most intimate friends, that they should not come near, nor pay any + regard, to Alexander, or to his friends. Herod was also become terrible, + not only to his domestics about the court, but to his friends abroad; for + Caesar had given such a privilege to no other king as he had given to him, + which was this,—that he might fetch back any one that fled from him, + even out of a city that was not under his own jurisdiction. Now the young + men were not acquainted with the calumnies raised against them; for which + reason they could not guard themselves against them, but fell under them; + for their father did not make any public complaints against either of + them; though in a little time they perceived how things were by his + coldness to them, and by the great uneasiness he showed upon any thing + that troubled him. Antipater had also made their uncle Pheroras to be + their enemy, as well as their aunt Salome, while he was always talking + with her, as with a wife, and irritating her against them. Moreover, + Alexander's wife, Glaphyra, augmented this hatred against them, by + deriving her nobility and genealogy [from great persons], and pretending + that she was a lady superior to all others in that kingdom, as being + derived by her father's side from Temenus, and by her mother's side from + Darius, the son of Hystaspes. She also frequently reproached Herod's + sister and wives with the ignobility of their descent; and that they were + every one chosen by him for their beauty, but not for their family. Now + those wives of his were not a few; it being of old permitted to the Jews + to marry many wives, <a href="#linknote-39" name="linknoteref-39" + id="linknoteref-39">39</a> and this king delighting in many; all which + hated Alexander, on account of Glaphyra's boasting and reproaches. + </p> + <p> + 3. Nay, Aristobulus had raised a quarrel between himself and Salome, who + was his mother-in-law, besides the anger he had conceived at Glaphyra's + reproaches; for he perpetually upbraided his wife with the meanness of her + family, and complained, that as he had married a woman of a low family, so + had his brother Alexander married one of royal blood. At this Salome's + daughter wept, and told it her with this addition, that Alexander + threatened the mothers of his other brethren, that when he should come to + the crown, he would make them weave with their maidens, and would make + those brothers of his country schoolmasters; and brake this jest upon + them, that they had been very carefully instructed, to fit them for such + an employment. Hereupon Salome could not contain her anger, but told all + to Herod; nor could her testimony be suspected, since it was against her + own son-in-law There was also another calumny that ran abroad and inflamed + the king's mind; for he heard that these sons of his were perpetually + speaking of their mother, and, among their lamentations for her, did not + abstain from cursing him; and that when he made presents of any of + Mariamne's garments to his later wives, these threatened that in a little + time, instead of royal garments, they would clothe theft in no better than + hair-cloth. + </p> + <p> + 4. Now upon these accounts, though Herod was somewhat afraid of the young + men's high spirit, yet did he not despair of reducing them to a better + mind; but before he went to Rome, whither he was now going by sea, he + called them to him, and partly threatened them a little, as a king; but + for the main, he admonished them as a father, and exhorted them to love + their brethren, and told them that he would pardon their former offenses, + if they would amend for the time to come. But they refuted the calumnies + that had been raised of them, and said they were false, and alleged that + their actions were sufficient for their vindication; and said withal, that + he himself ought to shut his ears against such tales, and not be too easy + in believing them, for that there would never be wanting those that would + tell lies to their disadvantage, as long as any would give ear to them. + </p> + <p> + 5. When they had thus soon pacified him, as being their father, they got + clear of the present fear they were in. Yet did they see occasion for + sorrow in some time afterward; for they knew that Salome, as well as their + uncle Pheroras, were their enemies; who were both of them heavy and severe + persons, and especially Pheroras, who was a partner with Herod in all the + affairs of the kingdom, excepting his diadem. He had also a hundred + talents of his own revenue, and enjoyed the advantage of all the land + beyond Jordan, which he had received as a gift from his brother, who had + asked of Caesar to make him a tetrarch, as he was made accordingly. Herod + had also given him a wife out of the royal family, who was no other than + his own wife's sister, and after her death had solemnly espoused to him + his own eldest daughter, with a dowry of three hundred talents; but + Pheroras refused to consummate this royal marriage, out of his affection + to a maidservant of his. Upon which account Herod was very angry, and gave + that daughter in marriage to a brother's son of his, [Joseph,] who was + slain afterward by the Parthians; but in some time he laid aside his anger + against Pheroras, and pardoned him, as one not able to overcome his + foolish passion for the maid-servant. + </p> + <p> + 6. Nay, Pheroras had been accused long before, while the queen [Mariamne] + was alive, as if he were in a plot to poison Herod; and there came then so + great a number of informers, that Herod himself, though he was an + exceeding lover of his brethren, was brought to believe what was said, and + to be afraid of it also. And when he had brought many of those that were + under suspicion to the torture, he came at last to Pheroras's own friends; + none of which did openly confess the crime, but they owned that he had + made preparation to take her whom he loved, and run away to the Parthians. + Costobarus also, the husband of Salome, to whom the king had given her in + marriage, after her former husband had been put to death for adultery, was + instrumental in bringing about this contrivance and flight of his. Nor did + Salome escape all calumny upon herself; for her brother Pheroras accused + her that she had made an agreement to marry Silleus, the procurator of + Obodas, king of Arabia, who was at bitter enmity with Herod; but when she + was convicted of this, and of all that Pheroras had accused her of, she + obtained her pardon. The king also pardoned Pheroras himself the crimes he + had been accused of. + </p> + <p> + 7. But the storm of the whole family was removed to Alexander, and all of + it rested upon his head. There were three eunuchs who were in the highest + esteem with the king, as was plain by the offices they were in about him; + for one of them was appointed to be his butler, another of them got his + supper ready for him, and the third put him into bed, and lay down by him. + Now Alexander had prevailed with these men, by large gifts, to let him use + them after an obscene manner; which, when it was told to the king, they + were tortured, and found guilty, and presently confessed the criminal + conversation he had with them. They also discovered the promises by which + they were induced so to do, and how they were deluded by Alexander, who + had told them that they ought not to fix their hopes upon Herod, an old + man, and one so shameless as to color his hair, unless they thought that + would make him young again; but that they ought to fix their attention to + him who was to be his successor in the kingdom, whether he would or not; + and who in no long time would avenge himself on his enemies, and make his + friends happy and blessed, and themselves in the first place; that the men + of power did already pay respects to Alexander privately, and that the + captains of the soldiery, and the officers, did secretly come to him. + </p> + <p> + 8. These confessions did so terrify Herod, that he durst not immediately + publish them; but he sent spies abroad privately, by night and by day, who + should make a close inquiry after all that was done and said; and when any + were but suspected [of treason], he put them to death, insomuch that the + palace was full of horribly unjust proceedings; for every body forged + calumnies, as they were themselves in a state of enmity or hatred against + others; and many there were who abused the king's bloody passion to the + disadvantage of those with whom they had quarrels, and lies were easily + believed, and punishments were inflicted sooner than the calumnies were + forged. He who had just then been accusing another was accused himself, + and was led away to execution together with him whom he had convicted; for + the danger the king was in of his life made examinations be very short. He + also proceeded to such a degree of bitterness, that he could not look on + any of those that were not accused with a pleasant countenance, but was in + the most barbarous disposition towards his own friends. Accordingly, he + forbade a great many of them to come to court, and to those whom he had + not power to punish actually he spake harshly. But for Antipater, he + insulted Alexander, now he was under his misfortunes, and got a stout + company of his kindred together, and raised all sorts of calumny against + him; and for the king, he was brought to such a degree of terror by those + prodigious slanders and contrivances, that he fancied he saw Alexander + coming to him with a drawn sword in his hand. So he caused him to be + seized upon immediately, and bound, and fell to examining his friends by + torture, many of whom died [under the torture], but would discover + nothing, nor say any thing against their consciences; but some of them, + being forced to speak falsely by the pains they endured, said that + Alexander, and his brother Aristobulus, plotted against him, and waited + for an opportunity to kill him as he was hunting, and then fly away to + Rome. These accusations though they were of an incredible nature, and only + framed upon the great distress they were in, were readily believed by the + king, who thought it some comfort to him, after he had bound his son, that + it might appear he had not done it unjustly. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 25. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Archelaus Procures A Reconciliation Between Alexander + Pheroras, And Herod. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now as to Alexander, since he perceived it impossible to persuade his + father [that he was innocent], he resolved to meet his calamities, how + severe soever they were; so he composed four books against his enemies, + and confessed that he had been in a plot; but declared withal that the + greatest part [of the courtiers] were in a plot with him, and chiefly + Pheroras and Salome; nay, that Salome once came and forced him to lie with + her in the night time, whether he would or no. These books were put into + Herod's hands, and made a great clamor against the men in power. And now + it was that Archelaus came hastily into Judea, as being affrighted for his + son-in-law and his daughter; and he came as a proper assistant, and in a + very prudent manner, and by a stratagem he obliged the king not to execute + what he had threatened; for when he was come to him, he cried out, "Where + in the world is this wretched son-in-law of mine? Where shall I see the + head of him which contrived to murder his father, which I will tear to + pieces with my own hands? I will do the same also to my daughter, who hath + such a fine husband; for although she be not a partner in the plot, yet, + by being the wife of such a creature, she is polluted. And I cannot but + admire at thy patience, against whom this plot is laid, if Alexander be + still alive; for as I came with what haste I could from Cappadocia, I + expected to find him put to death for his crimes long ago; but still, in + order to make an examination with thee about my daughter, whom, out of + regard to thee and by dignity, I had espoused to him in marriage; but now + we must take counsel about them both; and if thy paternal affection be so + great, that thou canst not punish thy son, who hath plotted against thee, + let us change our right hands, and let us succeed one to the other in + expressing our rage upon this occasion." + </p> + <p> + 2. When he had made this pompous declaration, he got Herod to remit of his + anger, though he were in disorder, who thereupon gave him the books which + Alexander had composed to be read by him; and as he came to every head, he + considered of it, together with Herod. So Archelaus took hence the + occasion for that stratagem which he made use of, and by degrees he laid + the blame on those men whose names were in these books, and especially + upon Pheroras; and when he saw that the king believed him [to be in + earnest], he said, "We must consider whether the young man be not himself + plotted against by such a number of wicked wretches, and not thou plotted + against by the young man; for I cannot see any occasion for his falling + into so horrid a crime, since he enjoys the advantages of royalty already, + and has the expectation of being one of thy successors; I mean this, + unless there were some persons that persuade him to it, and such persons + as make an ill use of the facility they know there is to persuade young + men; for by such persons, not only young men are sometimes imposed upon, + but old men also, and by them sometimes are the most illustrious families + and kingdoms overturned." + </p> + <p> + 3. Herod assented to what he had said, and, by degrees, abated of his + anger against Alexander, but was more angry at Pheroras; for the principal + subject of the four books was Pheroras; who perceiving that the king's + inclinations changed on a sudden, and that Archelaus's friendship could do + every thing with him, and that he had no honorable method of preserving + himself, he procured his safety by his impudence. So he left Alexander, + and had recourse to Archelaus, who told him that he did not see how he + could get him excused, now he was directly caught in so many crimes, + whereby it was evidently demonstrated that he had plotted against the + king, and had been the cause of those misfortunes which the young man was + now under, unless he would moreover leave off his cunning knavery, and his + denials of what he was charged withal, and confess the charge, and implore + pardon of his brother, who still had a kindness for him; but that if he + would do so, he would afford him all the assistance he was able. + </p> + <p> + 4. With this advice Pheroras complied, and putting himself into such a + habit as might most move compassion, he came with black cloth upon his + body, and tears in his eyes, and threw himself down at Herod's feet, and + begged his pardon for what he had done, and confessed that he had acted + very wickedly, and was guilty of every thing that he had been accused of, + and lamented that disorder of his mind, and distraction which his love to + a woman, he said, had brought him to. So when Archelaus had brought + Pheroras to accuse and bear witness against himself, he then made an + excuse for him, and mitigated Herod's anger towards him, and this by using + certain domestical examples; for that when he had suffered much greater + mischiefs from a brother of his own, he prefered the obligations of nature + before the passion of revenge; because it is in kingdoms as it is in gross + bodies, where some member or other is ever swelled by the body's weight, + in which case it is not proper to cut off such member, but to heal it by a + gentle method of cure. + </p> + <p> + 5. Upon Arehelaus's saying this, and much more to the same purpose, + Herod's displeasure against Pheroras was mollified; yet did he persevere + in his own indignation against Alexander, and said he would have his + daughter divorced, and taken away from him, and this till he had brought + Herod to that pass, that, contrary to his former behavior to him, he + petitioned Archelaus for the young man, and that he would let his daughter + continue espoused to him: but Archelaus made him strongly believe that he + would permit her to be married to any one else, but not to Alexander, + because he looked upon it as a very valuable advantage, that the relation + they had contracted by that affinity, and the privileges that went along + with it, might be preserved. And when the king said that his son would + take it for a great favor to him, if he would not dissolve that marriage, + especially since they had already children between the young man and her, + and since that wife of his was so well beloved by him, and that as while + she remains his wife she would be a great preservative to him, and keep + him from offending, as he had formerly done; so if she should be once torn + away from him, she would be the cause of his falling into despair, because + such young men's attempts are best mollified when they are diverted from + them by settling their affections at home. So Arehelaus complied with what + Herod desired, but not without difficulty, and was both himself reconciled + to the young man, and reconciled his father to him also. However, he said + he must, by all means, be sent to Rome to discourse with Caesar, because + he had already written a full account to him of this whole matter. + </p> + <p> + 6. Thus a period was put to Archelaus's stratagem, whereby he delivered + his son-in-law out of the dangers he was in; but when these + reconciliations were over, they spent their time in feastings and + agreeable entertainments. And when Archelaus was going away, Herod made + him a present of seventy talents, with a golden throne set with precious + stones, and some eunuchs, and a concubine who was called Pannychis. He + also paid due honors to every one of his friends according to their + dignity. In like manner did all the king's kindred, by his command, make + glorious presents to Archelaus; and so he was conducted on his way by + Herod and his nobility as far as Antioch. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 26. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How Eurycles <a href="#linknote-40" name="linknoteref-40" + id="linknoteref-40">40</a> Calumniated The Sons Of Mariamne; And How + Euaratus Of Cos's Apology For Them Had No Effect. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now a little afterward there came into Judea a man that was much + superior to Arehelaus's stratagems, who did not only overturn that + reconciliation that had been so wisely made with Alexander, but proved the + occasion of his ruin. He was a Lacedemonian, and his name was Eurycles. He + was so corrupt a man, that out of the desire of getting money, he chose to + live under a king, for Greece could not suffice his luxury. He presented + Herod with splendid gifts, as a bait which he laid in order to compass his + ends, and quickly received them back again manifold; yet did he esteem + bare gifts as nothing, unless he imbrued the kingdom in blood by his + purchases. Accordingly, he imposed upon the king by flattering him, and by + talking subtlely to him, as also by the lying encomiums which he made upon + him; for as he soon perceived Herod's blind side, so he said and did every + thing that might please him, and thereby became one of his most intimate + friends; for both the king and all that were about him had a great regard + for this Spartan, on account of his country. <a href="#linknote-41" + name="linknoteref-41" id="linknoteref-41">41</a> + </p> + <p> + 2. Now as soon as this fellow perceived the rotten parts of the family, + and what quarrels the brothers had one with another, and in what + disposition the father was towards each of them, he chose to take his + lodging at the first in the house of Antipater, but deluded Alexander with + a pretense of friendship to him, and falsely claimed to be an old + acquaintance of Archelaus; for which reason he was presently admitted into + Alexander's familiarity as a faithful friend. He also soon recommended + himself to his brother Aristobulus. And when he had thus made trial of + these several persons, he imposed upon one of them by one method, and upon + another by another. But he was principally hired by Antipater, and so + betrayed Alexander, and this by reproaching Antipater, because, while he + was the eldest son he overlooked the intrigues of those who stood in the + way of his expectations; and by reproaching Alexander, because he who was + born of a queen, and was married to a king's daughter, permitted one that + was born of a mean woman to lay claim to the succession, and this when he + had Archelaus to support him in the most complete manner. Nor was his + advice thought to be other than faithful by the young man, because of his + pretended friendship with Archelaus; on which account it was that + Alexander lamented to him Antipater's behavior with regard to himself, and + this without concealing any thing from him; and how it was no wonder if + Herod, after he had killed their mother, should deprive them of her + kingdom. Upon this Eurycles pretended to commiserate his condition, and to + grieve with him. He also, by a bait that he laid for him, procured + Aristobulus to say the same things. Thus did he inveigle both the brothers + to make complaints of their father, and then went to Antipater, and + carried these grand secrets to him. He also added a fiction of his own, as + if his brothers had laid a plot against him, and were almost ready to come + upon him with their drawn swords. For this intelligence he received a + great sum of money, and on that account he commended Antipater before his + father, and at length undertook the work of bringing Alexander and + Aristobulus to their graves, and accused them before their father. So he + came to Herod, and told him that he would save his life, as a requital for + the favors he had received from him, and would preserve his light [of + life] by way of retribution for his kind entertainment; for that a sword + had been long whetted, and Alexander's right hand had been long stretched + out against him; but that he had laid impediments in his way, prevented + his speed, and that by pretending to assist him in his design: how + Alexander said that Herod was not contented to reign in a kingdom that + belonged to others, and to make dilapidations in their mother's government + after he had killed her; but besides all this, that he introduced a + spurious successor, and proposed to give the kingdom of their ancestors to + that pestilent fellow Antipater:—that he would now appease the + ghosts of Hyrcanus and Mariamne, by taking vengeance on him; for that it + was not fit for him to take the succession to the government from such a + father without bloodshed: that many things happen every day to provoke him + so to do, insomuch that he can say nothing at all, but it affords occasion + for calumny against him; for that if any mention be made of nobility of + birth, even in other cases, he is abused unjustly, while his father would + say that nobody, to be sure, is of noble birth but Alexander, and that his + father was inglorious for want of such nobility. If they be at any time + hunting, and he says nothing, he gives offense; and if he commends any + body, they take it in way of jest. That they always find their father + unmercifully severe, and have no natural affection for any of them but for + Antipater; on which accounts, if this plot does not take, he is very + willing to die; but that in case he kill his father, he hath sufficient + opportunities for saving himself. In the first place, he hath Archelaus + his father-in-law to whom he can easily fly; and in the next place, he + hath Caesar, who had never known Herod's character to this day; for that + he shall not appear then before him with that dread he used to do when his + father was there to terrify him; and that he will not then produce the + accusations that concerned himself alone, but would, in the first place, + openly insist on the calamities of their nation, and how they are taxed to + death, and in what ways of luxury and wicked practices that wealth is + spent which was gotten by bloodshed; what sort of persons they are that + get our riches, and to whom those cities belong upon whom he bestows his + favors; that he would have inquiry made what became of his grandfather + [Hyrcanus], and his mother [Mariamne], and would openly proclaim the gross + wickedness that was in the kingdom; on which accounts he should not be + deemed a parricide. + </p> + <p> + 3. When Eurycles had made this portentous speech, he greatly commended + Antipater, as the only child that had an affection for his father, and on + that account was an impediment to the other's plot against him. Hereupon + the king, who had hardly repressed his anger upon the former accusations, + was exasperated to an incurable degree. At which time Antipater took + another occasion to send in other persons to his father to accuse his + brethren, and to tell him that they had privately discoursed with Jucundus + and Tyrannus, who had once been masters of the horse to the king, but for + some offenses had been put out of that honorable employment. Herod was in + a very great rage at these informations, and presently ordered those men + to be tortured; yet did not they confess any thing of what the king had + been informed; but a certain letter was produced, as written by Alexander + to the governor of a castle, to desire him to receive him and Aristobulus + into the castle when he had killed his father, and to give them weapons, + and what other assistance he could, upon that occasion. Alexander said + that this letter was a forgery of Diophantus. This Diophantus was the + king's secretary, a bold man, and cunning in counterfeiting any one's + hand; and after he had counterfeited a great number, he was at last put to + death for it. Herod did also order the governor of the castle to be + tortured, but got nothing out of him of what the accusations suggested. + </p> + <p> + 4. However, although Herod found the proofs too weak, he gave order to + have his sons kept in custody; for till now they had been at liberty. He + also called that pest of his family, and forger of all this vile + accusation, Eurycles, his savior and benefactor, and gave him a reward of + fifty talents. Upon which he prevented any accurate accounts that could + come of what he had done, by going immediately into Cappadocia, and there + he got money of Archelaus, having the impudence to pretend that he had + reconciled Herod to Alexander. He thence passed over into Greece, and used + what he had thus wickedly gotten to the like wicked purposes. Accordingly, + he was twice accused before Caesar, that he had filled Achaia with + sedition, and had plundered its cities; and so he was sent into + banishment. And thus was he punished for what wicked actions he had been + guilty of about Aristobulus and Alexander. + </p> + <p> + 5. But it will now be worth while to put Euaratus of Cos in opposition to + this Spartan; for as he was one of Alexander's most intimate friends, and + came to him in his travels at the same time that Eurycles came; so the + king put the question to him, whether those things of which Alexander was + accused were true? He assured him upon oath that he had never heard any + such things from the young men; yet did this testimony avail nothing for + the clearing those miserable creatures; for Herod was only disposed and + most ready to hearken to what made against them, and every one was most + agreeable to him that would believe they were guilty, and showed their + indignation at them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 27. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Herod By Caesars Direction Accuses His Sons At Eurytus. They + Are Not Produced Before The Courts But Yet Are Condemned; + And In A Little Time They Are Sent To Sebaste, And Strangled + There. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Moreover, Salome exasperated Herod's cruelty against his sons; for + Aristobulus was desirous to bring her, who was his mother-in-law and his + aunt, into the like dangers with themselves; so he sent to her to take + care of her own safety, and told her that the king was preparing to put + her to death, on account of the accusation that was laid against her, as + if when she formerly endeavored to marry herself to Sylleus the Arabian, + she had discovered the king's grand secrets to him, who was the king's + enemy; and this it was that came as the last storm, and entirely sunk the + young men when they were in great danger before. For Salome came running + to the king, and informed him of what admonition had been given her; + whereupon he could bear no longer, but commanded both the young men to be + bound, and kept the one asunder from the other. He also sent Volumnius, + the general of his army, to Caesar immediately, as also his friend Olympus + with him, who carried the informations in writing along with them. Now as + soon as they had sailed to Rome, and delivered the king's letters to + Caesar, Caesar was mightily troubled at the case of the young men; yet did + not he think he ought to take the power from the father of condemning his + sons; so he wrote back to him, and appointed him to have the power over + his sons; but said withal, that he would do well to make an examination + into this matter of the plot against him in a public court, and to take + for his assessors his own kindred, and the governors of the province. And + if those sons be found guilty, to put them to death; but if they appear to + have thought of no more than flying away from him, that he should moderate + their punishment. + </p> + <p> + 2. With these directions Herod complied, and came to Berytus, where Caesar + had ordered the court to be assembled, and got the judicature together. + The presidents sat first, as Caesar's letters had appointed, who were + Saturninus and Pedanius, and their lieutenants that were with them, with + whom was the procurator Volumnius also; next to them sat the king's + kinsmen and friends, with Salome also, and Pheroras; after whom sat the + principal men of all Syria, excepting Archelaus; for Herod had a suspicion + of him, because he was Alexander's father-in-law. Yet did not he produce + his sons in open court; and this was done very cunningly, for he knew well + enough that had they but appeared only, they would certainly have been + pitied; and if withal they had been suffered to speak, Alexander would + easily have answered what they were accused of; but they were in custody + at Platane, a village of the Sidontans. + </p> + <p> + 3. So the king got up, and inveighed against his sons, as if they were + present; and as for that part of the accusation that they had plotted + against him, he urged it but faintly, because he was destitute of proofs; + but he insisted before the assessors on the reproaches, and jests, and + injurious carriage, and ten thousand the like offenses against him, which + were heavier than death itself; and when nobody contradicted him, he moved + them to pity his case, as though he had been condemned himself, now he had + gained a bitter victory against his sons. So he asked every one's + sentence, which sentence was first of all given by Saturninus, and was + this: That he condemned the young men, but not to death; for that it was + not fit for him, who had three sons of his own now present, to give his + vote for the destruction of the sons of another. The two lieutenants also + gave the like vote; some others there were also who followed their + example; but Volumnius began to vote on the more melancholy side, and all + those that came after him condemned the young men to die, some out of + flattery, and some out of hatred to Herod; but none out of indignation at + their crimes. And now all Syria and Judea was in great expectation, and + waited for the last act of this tragedy; yet did nobody, suppose that + Herod would be so barbarous as to murder his children: however, he carried + them away to Tyre, and thence sailed to Cesarea, and deliberated with + himself what sort of death the young men should suffer. + </p> + <p> + 4. Now there was a certain old soldier of the king's, whose name was Tero, + who had a son that was very familiar with and a friend to Alexander, and + who himself particularly loved the young men. This soldier was in a manner + distracted, out of the excess of the indignation he had at what was doing; + and at first he cried out aloud, as he went about, that justice was + trampled under foot; that truth was perished, and nature confounded; and + that the life of man was full of iniquity, and every thing else that + passion could suggest to a man who spared not his own life; and at last he + ventured to go to the king, and said, "Truly I think thou art a most + miserable man, when thou hearkenest to most wicked wretches, against those + that ought to be dearest to thee; since thou hast frequently resolved that + Pheroras and Salome should be put to death, and yet believest them against + thy sons; while these, by cutting off the succession of thine own sons, + leave all wholly to Antipater, and thereby choose to have thee such a king + as may be thoroughly in their own power. However, consider whether this + death of Antipater's brethren will not make him hated by the soldiers; for + there is nobody but commiserates the young men; and of the captains, a + great many show their indignation at it openly." Upon his saying this, he + named those that had such indignation; but the king ordered those men, + with Tero himself and his son, to be seized upon immediately. + </p> + <p> + 5. At which time there was a certain barber, whose name was Trypho. This + man leaped out from among the people in a kind of madness, and accused + himself, and said, "This Tero endeavored to persuade me also to cut thy + throat with my razor, when I trimmed thee, and promised that Alexander + should give me large presents for so doing." When Herod heard this, he + examined Tero, with his son and the barber, by the torture; but as the + others denied the accusation, and he said nothing further, Herod gave + order that Tero should be racked more severely; but his son, out of pity + to his father, promised to discover the whole to the king, if he would + grant [that his father should be no longer tortured]. When he had agreed + to this, he said that his father, at the persuasion of Alexander, had an + intention to kill him. Now some said this was forged, in order to free his + father from his torments; and some said it was true. + </p> + <p> + 6. And now Herod accused the captains and Tero in an assembly of the + people, and brought the people together in a body against them; and + accordingly there were they put to death, together with [Trypho] the + barber; they were killed by the pieces of wood and the stones that were + thrown at them. He also sent his sons to Sebaste, a city not far from + Cesarea, and ordered them to be there strangled; and as what he had + ordered was executed immediately, so he commanded that their dead bodies + should be brought to the fortress Alexandrium, to be buried with + Alexander, their grandfather by the mother's side. And this was the end of + Alexander and Aristobulus. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 28. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How Antipater Is Hated Of All Men; And How The King Espouses + The Sons Of Those That Had Been Slain To His Kindred; But + That Antipater Made Him Change Them For Other Women. Of + Herod's Marriages, And Children. +</pre> + <p> + 1. But an intolerable hatred fell upon Antipater from the nation, though + he had now an indisputable title to the succession, because they all knew + that he was the person who contrived all the calumnies against his + brethren. However, he began to be in a terrible fear, as he saw the + posterity of those that had been slain growing up; for Alexander had two + sons by Glaphyra, Tigranes and Alexander; and Aristobulus had Herod, and + Agrippa, and Aristobulus, his sons, with Herodias and Mariamne, his + daughters, and all by Bernice, Salome's daughter. As for Glaphyra, Herod, + as soon as he had killed Alexander, sent her back, together with her + portion, to Cappadocia. He married Bernice, Aristobulus's daughter, to + Antipater's uncle by his mother, and it was Antipater who, in order to + reconcile her to him, when she had been at variance with him, contrived + this match; he also got into Pheroras's favor, and into the favor of + Caesar's friends, by presents, and other ways of obsequiousness, and sent + no small sums of money to Rome; Saturninus also, and his friends in Syria, + were all well replenished with the presents he made them; yet the more he + gave, the more he was hated, as not making these presents out of + generosity, but spending his money out of fear. Accordingly, it so fell + out that the receivers bore him no more good-will than before, but that + those to whom he gave nothing were his more bitter enemies. However, he + bestowed his money every day more and more profusely, on observing that, + contrary to his expectations, the king was taking care about the orphans, + and discovering at the same time his repentance for killing their fathers, + by his commiseration of those that sprang from them. + </p> + <p> + 2. Accordingly, Herod got together his kindred and friends, and set before + them the children, and, with his eyes full of tears, said thus to them: + "It was an unlucky fate that took away from me these children's fathers, + which children are recommended to me by that natural commiseration which + their orphan condition requires; however, I will endeavor, though I have + been a most unfortunate father, to appear a better grandfather, and to + leave these children such curators after myself as are dearest to me. I + therefore betroth thy daughter, Pheroras, to the elder of these brethren, + the children of Alexander, that thou mayst be obliged to take care of + them. I also betroth to thy son, Antipater, the daughter of Aristobulus; + be thou therefore a father to that orphan; and my son Herod [Philip] shall + have her sister, whose grandfather, by the mother's side, was high priest. + And let every one that loves me be of my sentiments in these dispositions, + which none that hath an affection for me will abrogate. And I pray God + that he will join these children together in marriage, to the advantage of + my kingdom, and of my posterity; and may he look down with eyes more + serene upon them than he looked upon their fathers." + </p> + <p> + 3. While he spake these words he wept, and joined the children's right + hands together; after which he embraced them every one after an + affectionate manner, and dismissed the assembly. Upon this, Antipater was + in great disorder immediately, and lamented publicly at what was done; for + he supposed that this dignity which was conferred on these orphans was for + his own destruction, even in his father's lifetime, and that he should run + another risk of losing the government, if Alexander's sons should have + both Archelaus [a king], and Pheroras a tetrarch, to support them. He also + considered how he was himself hated by the nation, and how they pitied + these orphans; how great affection the Jews bare to those brethren of his + when they were alive, and how gladly they remembered them now they had + perished by his means. So he resolved by all the ways possible to get + these espousals dissolved. + </p> + <p> + 4. Now he was afraid of going subtlely about this matter with his father, + who was hard to be pleased, and was presently moved upon the least + suspicion: so he ventured to go to him directly, and to beg of him before + his face not to deprive him of that dignity which he had been pleased to + bestow upon him; and that he might not have the bare name of a king, while + the power was in other persons; for that he should never be able to keep + the government, if Alexander's son was to have both his grandfather + Archelaus and Pheroras for his curators; and he besought him earnestly, + since there were so many of the royal family alive, that he would change + those [intended] marriages. Now the king had nine wives, <a + href="#linknote-42" name="linknoteref-42" id="linknoteref-42">42</a> and + children by seven of them; Antipater was himself born of Doris, and Herod + Philip of Mariamne, the high priest's daughter; Antipas also and Archelaus + were by Malthace, the Samaritan, as was his daughter Olympias, which his + brother Joseph's <a href="#linknote-43" name="linknoteref-43" + id="linknoteref-43">43</a> son had married. By Cleopatra of Jerusalem he + had Herod and Philip; and by Pallas, Phasaelus; he had also two daughters, + Roxana and Salome, the one by Phedra, and the other by Elpis; he had also + two wives that had no children, the one his first cousin, and the other + his niece; and besides these he had two daughters, the sisters of + Alexander and Aristobulus, by Mariamne. Since, therefore, the royal family + was so numerous, Antipater prayed him to change these intended marriages. + </p> + <p> + 5. When the king perceived what disposition he was in towards these + orphans, he was angry at it, and a suspicion came into his mind as to + those sons whom he had put to death, whether that had not been brought + about by the false tales of Antipater; so that at that time he made + Antipater a long and a peevish answer, and bid him begone. Yet was he + afterwards prevailed upon cunningly by his flatteries, and changed the + marriages; he married Aristobulus's daughter to him, and his son to + Pheroras's daughter. + </p> + <p> + 6. Now one may learn, in this instance, how very much this flattering + Antipater could do,—even what Salome in the like circumstances could + not do; for when she, who was his sister, and who, by the means of Julia, + Caesar's wife, earnestly desired leave to be married to Sylleus the + Arabian, Herod swore he would esteem her his bitter enemy, unless she + would leave off that project: he also caused her, against her own consent, + to be married to Alexas, a friend of his, and that one of her daughters + should be married to Alexas's son, and the other to Antipater's uncle by + the mother's side. And for the daughters the king had by Mariamne, the one + was married to Antipater, his sister's son, and the other to his brother's + son, Phasaelus. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 29. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Antipater Becomes Intolerable. He Is Sent To Rome, And + Carries Herod's Testament With Him; Pheroras Leaves His + Brother, That He May Keep His Wife. He Dies At Home. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now when Antipater had cut off the hopes of the orphans, and had + contracted such affinities as would be most for his own advantage, he + proceeded briskly, as having a certain expectation of the kingdom; and as + he had now assurance added to his wickedness, he became intolerable; for + not being able to avoid the hatred of all people, he built his security + upon the terror he struck into them. Pheroras also assisted him in his + designs, looking upon him as already fixed in the kingdom. There was also + a company of women in the court, which excited new disturbances; for + Pheroras's wife, together with her mother and sister, as also Antipater's + mother, grew very impudent in the palace. She also was so insolent as to + affront the king's two daughters, <a href="#linknote-44" + name="linknoteref-44" id="linknoteref-44">44</a> on which account the king + hated her to a great degree; yet although these women were hated by him, + they domineered over others: there was only Salome who opposed their good + agreement, and informed the king of their meetings, as not being for the + advantage of his affairs. And when those women knew what calumnies she had + raised against them, and how much Herod was displeased, they left off + their public meetings, and friendly entertainments of one another; nay, on + the contrary, they pretended to quarrel one with another when the king was + within hearing. The like dissimulation did Antipater make use of; and when + matters were public, he opposed Pheroras; but still they had private + cabals and merry meetings in the night time; nor did the observation of + others do any more than confirm their mutual agreement. However, Salome + knew every thing they did, and told every thing to Herod. + </p> + <p> + 2. But he was inflamed with anger at them, and chiefly at Pheroras's wife; + for Salome had principally accused her. So he got an assembly of his + friends and kindred together, and there accused this woman of many things, + and particularly of the affronts she had offered his daughters; and that + she had supplied the Pharisees with money, by way of rewards for what they + had done against him, and had procured his brother to become his enemy, by + giving him love potions. At length he turned his speech to Pheroras, and + told him that he would give him his choice of these two things: Whether he + would keep in with his brother, or with his wife? And when Pheroras said + that he would die rather than forsake his wife, Herod, not knowing what to + do further in that matter, turned his speech to Antipater, and charged him + to have no intercourse either with Pheroras's wife, or with Pheroras + himself, or with any one belonging to her. Now though Antipater did not + transgress that his injunction publicly, yet did he in secret come to + their night meetings; and because he was afraid that Salome observed what + he did, he procured, by the means of his Italian friends, that he might go + and live at Rome; for when they wrote that it was proper for Antipater to + be sent to Caesar for some time, Herod made no delay, but sent him, and + that with a splendid attendance, and a great deal of money, and gave him + his testament to carry with him,—wherein Antipater had the kingdom + bequeathed to him, and wherein Herod was named for Antipater's successor; + that Herod, I mean, who was the son of Mariamne, the high priest's + daughter. + </p> + <p> + 3. Sylleus also, the Arabian, sailed to Rome, without any regard to + Caesar's injunctions, and this in order to oppose Antipater with all his + might, as to that law-suit which Nicolaus had with him before. This + Sylleus had also a great contest with Aretas his own king; for he had + slain many others of Aretas's friends, and particularly Sohemus, the most + potent man in the city Petra. Moreover, he had prevailed with Phabatus, + who was Herod's steward, by giving him a great sum of money, to assist him + against Herod; but when Herod gave him more, he induced him to leave + Sylleus, and by this means he demanded of him all that Caesar had required + of him to pay. But when Sylleus paid nothing of what he was to pay, and + did also accuse Phabatus to Caesar, and said that he was not a steward for + Caesar's advantage, but for Herod's, Phabatus was angry at him on that + account, but was still in very great esteem with Herod, and discovered + Sylleus's grand secrets, and told the king that Sylleus had corrupted + Corinthus, one of the guards of his body, by bribing him, and of whom he + must therefore have a care. Accordingly, the king complied; for this + Corinthus, though he was brought up in Herod's kingdom, yet was he by + birth an Arabian; so the king ordered him to be taken up immediately, and + not only him, but two other Arabians, who were caught with him; the one of + them was Sylleus's friend, the other the head of a tribe. These last, + being put to the torture, confessed that they had prevailed with + Corinthus, for a large sum of money, to kill Herod; and when they had been + further examined before Saturninus, the president of Syria, they were sent + to Rome. + </p> + <p> + 4. However, Herod did not leave off importuning Pheroras, but proceeded to + force him to put away his wife; <a href="#linknote-45" + name="linknoteref-45" id="linknoteref-45">45</a> yet could he not devise + any way by which he could bring the woman herself to punishment, although + he had many causes of hatred to her; till at length he was in such great + uneasiness at her, that he cast both her and his brother out of his + kingdom. Pheroras took this injury very patiently, and went away into his + own tetrarchy, [Perea beyond Jordan,] and sware that there should be but + one end put to his flight, and that should be Herod's death; and that he + would never return while he was alive. Nor indeed would he return when his + brother was sick, although he earnestly sent for him to come to him, + because he had a mind to leave some injunctions with him before he died; + but Herod unexpectedly recovered. A little afterward Pheroras himself fell + sick, when Herod showed great moderation; for he came to him, and pitied + his case, and took care of him; but his affection for him did him no good, + for Pheroras died a little afterward. Now though Herod had so great an + affection for him to the last day of his life, yet was a report spread + abroad that he had killed him by poison. However, he took care to have his + dead body carried to Jerusalem, and appointed a very great mourning to the + whole nation for him, and bestowed a most pompous funeral upon him. And + this was the end that one of Alexander's and Aristobulus's murderers came + to. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 30. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + When Herod Made Inquiry About Pheroras's Death A Discovery + Was Made That Antipater Had Prepared A Poisonous Draught For + Him. Herod Casts Doris And Her Accomplices, As Also + Mariamne, Out Of The Palace And Blots Her Son Herod Out Of + His Testament. +</pre> + <p> + 1. But now the punishment was transferred unto the original author, + Antipater, and took its rise from the death of Pheroras; for certain of + his freed-men came with a sad countenance to the king, and told him that + his brother had been destroyed by poison, and that his wife had brought + him somewhat that was prepared after an unusual manner, and that, upon his + eating it, he presently fell into his distemper; that Antipater's mother + and sister, two days before, brought a woman out of Arabia that was + skillful in mixing such drugs, that she might prepare a love potion for + Pheroras; and that instead of a love potion, she had given him deadly + poison; and that this was done by the management of Sylleus, who was + acquainted with that woman. + </p> + <p> + 2. The king was deeply affected with so many suspicions, and had the + maid-servants and some of the free women also tortured; one of which cried + out in her agonies, "May that God that governs the earth and the heaven + punish this author of all these our miseries, Antipater's mother!" The + king took a handle from this confession, and proceeded to inquire further + into the truth of the matter. So this woman discovered the friendship of + Antipater's mother to Pheroras, and Antipater's women, as also their + secret meetings, and that Pheroras and Antipater had drunk with them for a + whole night together as they returned from the king, and would not suffer + any body, either man-servant or maidservant, to be there; while one of the + free women discovered the matter. + </p> + <p> + 3. Upon this Herod tortured the maid-servants every one by themselves + separately, who all unanimously agreed in the foregoing discoveries, and + that accordingly by agreement they went away, Antipater to Rome, and + Pheroras to Perea; for that they oftentimes talked to one another thus: + That after Herod had slain Alexander and Aristobulus, he would fall upon + them, and upon their wives, because, after he Mariamne and her children he + would spare nobody; and that for this reason it was best to get as far off + the wild beast as they were able:—and that Antipater oftentimes + lamented his own case before his mother, and said to her, that he had + already gray hairs upon his head, and that his father grew younger again + every day, and that perhaps death would overtake him before he should + begin to be a king in earnest; and that in case Herod should die, which + yet nobody knew when it would be, the enjoyment of the succession could + certainly be but for a little time; for that these heads of Hydra, the + sons of Alexander and Aristobulus, were growing up: that he was deprived + by his father of the hopes of being succeeded by his children, for that + his successor after his death was not to be any one of his own sons, but + Herod the son of Mariamne: that in this point Herod was plainly + distracted, to think that his testament should therein take place; for he + would take care that not one of his posterity should remain, because he + was of all fathers the greatest hater of his children. Yet does he hate + his brother still worse; whence it was that he a while ago gave himself a + hundred talents, that he should not have any intercourse with Pheroras. + And when Pheroras said, Wherein have we done him any harm? Antipater + replied, "I wish he would but deprive us of all we have, and leave us + naked and alive only; but it is indeed impossible to escape this wild + beast, who is thus given to murder, who will not permit us to love any + person openly, although we be together privately; yet may we be so openly + too, if we have but the courage and the hands of men." + </p> + <p> + 4. These things were said by the women upon the torture; as also that + Pheroras resolved to fly with them to Perea. Now Herod gave credit to all + they said, on account of the affair of the hundred talents; for he had no + discourse with any body about them, but only with Antipater. So he vented + his anger first of all against Antipater's mother, and took away from her + all the ornaments which he had given her, which cost a great many talents, + and cast her out of the palace a second time. He also took care of + Pheroras's women after their tortures, as being now reconciled to them; + but he was in great consternation himself, and inflamed upon every + suspicion, and had many innocent persons led to the torture, out of his + fear lest he should leave any guilty person untortured. + </p> + <p> + 5. And now it was that he betook himself to examine Antipater of Samaria, + who was the steward of [his son] Antipater; and upon torturing him, he + learned that Antipater had sent for a potion of deadly poison for him out + of Egypt, by Antiphilus, a companion of his; that Theudio, the uncle of + Antipater, had it from him, and delivered it to Pheroras; for that + Antipater had charged him to take his father off while he was at Rome, and + so free him from the suspicion of doing it himself: that Pheroras also + committed this potion to his wife. Then did the king send for her, and bid + her bring to him what she had received immediately. So she came out of her + house as if she would bring it with her, but threw herself down from the + top of the house, in order to prevent any examination and torture from the + king. However, it came to pass, as it seems by the providence of God, when + he intended to bring Antipater to punishment, that she fell not upon her + head, but upon other parts of her body, and escaped. The king, when she + was brought to him, took care of her, [for she was at first quite + senseless upon her fall,] and asked her why she had thrown herself down; + and gave her his oath, that if she would speak the real truth, he would + excuse her from punishment; but that if she concealed any thing, he would + have her body torn to pieces by torments, and leave no part of it to be + buried. + </p> + <p> + 6. Upon this the woman paused a little, and then said, "Why do I spare to + speak of these grand secrets, now Pheroras is dead? that would only tend + to save Antipater, who is all our destruction. Hear then, O king, and be + thou, and God himself, who cannot be deceived, witnesses to the truth of + what I am going to say. When thou didst sit weeping by Pheroras as he was + dying," then it was that he called me to him, and said, "My dear wife, I + have been greatly mistaken as to the disposition of my brother towards me, + and have hated him that is so affectionate to me, and have contrived to + kill him who is in such disorder for me before I am dead. As for myself, I + receive the recompence of my impiety; but do thou bring what poison was + left with us by Antipater, and which thou keepest in order to destroy him, + and consume it immediately in the fire in my sight, that I may not be + liable to the avenger in the invisible world." This I brought as he bid + me, and emptied the greatest part of it into the fire, but reserved a + little of it for my own use against uncertain futurity, and out of my fear + of thee. + </p> + <p> + 7. When she had said this, she brought the box, which had a small quantity + of this potion in it: but the king let her alone, and transferred the + tortures to Antiphilus's mother and brother; who both confessed that + Antiphilus brought the box out of Egypt, and that they had received the + potion from a brother of his, who was a physician at Alexandria. Then did + the ghosts of Alexander and Aristobulus go round all the palace, and + became the inquisitors and discoverers of what could not otherwise have + been found out and brought such as were the freest from suspicion to be + examined; whereby it was discovered that Mariamne, the high priest's + daughter, was conscious of this plot; and her very brothers, when they + were tortured, declared it so to be. Whereupon the king avenged this + insolent attempt of the mother upon her son, and blotted Herod, whom he + had by her, out of his tretament, who had been before named therein as + successor to Antipater. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 31. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Antipater Is Convicted By Bathyllus; But He Still Returns + From Rome Without Knowing It. Herod Brings Him To His Trial. +</pre> + <p> + 1. After these things were over, Bathyllus came under examination, in + order to convict Antipater, who proved the concluding attestation to + Antipater's designs; for indeed he was no other than his freed-man. This + man came, and brought another deadly potion, the poison of asps, and the + juices of other serpents, that if the first potion did not do the + business, Pheroras and his wife might be armed with this also to destroy + the king. He brought also an addition to Antipater's insolent attempt + against his father, which was the letters which he wrote against his + brethren, Archelaus and Philip, which were the king's sons, and educated + at Rome, being yet youths, but of generous dispositions. Antipater set + himself to get rid of these as soon as he could, that they might not be + prejudicial to his hopes; and to that end he forged letters against them + in the name of his friends at Rome. Some of these he corrupted by bribes + to write how they grossly reproached their father, and did openly bewail + Alexander and Aristobulus, and were uneasy at their being recalled; for + their father had already sent for them, which was the very thing that + troubled Antipater. + </p> + <p> + 2. Nay, indeed, while Antipater was in Judea, and before he was upon his + journey to Rome, he gave money to have the like letters against them sent + from Rome, and then came to his father, who as yet had no suspicion of + him, and apologized for his brethren, and alleged on their behalf that + some of the things contained in those letters were false, and others of + them were only youthful errors. Yet at the same time that he expended a + great deal of his money, by making presents to such as wrote against his + brethren, did he aim to bring his accounts into confusion, by buying + costly garments, and carpets of various contextures, with silver and gold + cups, and a great many more curious things, that so, among the view great + expenses laid out upon such furniture, he might conceal the money he had + used in hiring men [to write the letters]; for he brought in an account of + his expenses, amounting to two hundred talents, his main pretense for + which was file law-suit he had been in with Sylleus. So while all his + rogueries, even those of a lesser sort also, were covered by his greater + villainy, while all the examinations by torture proclaimed his attempt to + murder his father, and the letters proclaimed his second attempt to murder + his brethren; yet did no one of those that came to Rome inform him of his + misfortunes in Judea, although seven months had intervened between his + conviction and his return, so great was the hatred which they all bore to + him. And perhaps they were the ghosts of those brethren of his that had + been murdered that stopped the mouths of those that intended to have told + him. He then wrote from Rome, and informed his [friends] that he would + soon come to them, and how he was dismissed with honor by Caesar. + </p> + <p> + 3. Now the king, being desirous to get this plotter against him into his + hands, and being also afraid lest he should some way come to the knowledge + how his affairs stood, and be upon his guard, he dissembled his anger in + his epistle to him, as in other points he wrote kindly to him, and desired + him to make haste, because if he came quickly, he would then lay aside the + complaints he had against his mother; for Antipater was not ignorant that + his mother had been expelled out of the palace. However, he had before + received a letter, which contained an account of the death of Pheroras, at + Tarentum, <a href="#linknote-46" name="linknoteref-46" id="linknoteref-46">46</a> + and made great lamentations at it; for which some commended him, as being + for his own uncle; though probably this confusion arose on account of his + having thereby failed in his plot [on his father's life]; and his tears + were more for the loss of him that was to have been subservient therein, + than for [an uncle] Pheroras: moreover, a sort of fear came upon him as to + his designs, lest the poison should have been discovered. However, when he + was in Cilicia, he received the forementioned epistle from his father, and + made great haste accordingly. But when he had sailed to Celenderis, a + suspicion came into his mind relating to his mother's misfortunes; as if + his soul foreboded some mischief to itself. Those therefore of his friends + which were the most considerate advised him not rashly to go to his + father, till he had learned what were the occasions why his mother had + been ejected, because they were afraid that he might be involved in the + calumnies that had been cast upon his mother: but those that were less + considerate, and had more regard to their own desires of seeing their + native country, than to Antipater's safety, persuaded him to make haste + home, and not, by delaying his journey, afford his father ground for an + ill suspicion, and give a handle to those that raised stories against him; + for that in case any thing had been moved to his disadvantage, it was + owing to his absence, which durst not have been done had he been present. + And they said it was absurd to deprive himself of certain happiness, for + the sake of an uncertain suspicion, and not rather to return to his + father, and take the royal authority upon him, which was in a state of + fluctuation on his account only. Antipater complied with this last advice, + for Providence hurried him on [to his destruction]. So he passed over the + sea, and landed at Sebastus, the haven of Cesarea. + </p> + <p> + 4. And here he found a perfect and unexpected solitude, while ever body + avoided him, and nobody durst come at him; for he was equally hated by all + men; and now that hatred had liberty to show itself, and the dread men + were in at the king's anger made men keep from him; for the whole city [of + Jerusalem] was filled with the rumors about Antipater, and Antipater + himself was the only person who was ignorant of them; for as no man was + dismissed more magnificently when he began his voyage to Rome so was no + man now received back with greater ignominy. And indeed he began already + to suspect what misfortunes there were in Herod's family; yet did he + cunningly conceal his suspicion; and while he was inwardly ready to die + for fear, he put on a forced boldness of countenance. Nor could he now fly + any whither, nor had he any way of emerging out of the difficulties which + encompassed him; nor indeed had he even there any certain intelligence of + the affairs of the royal family, by reason of the threats the king had + given out: yet had he some small hopes of better tidings; for perhaps + nothing had been discovered; or if any discovery had been made, perhaps he + should be able to clear himself by impudence and artful tricks, which were + the only things he relied upon for his deliverance. + </p> + <p> + 5. And with these hopes did he screen himself, till he came to the palace, + without any friends with him; for these were affronted, and shut out at + the first gate. Now Varus, the president of Syria, happened to be in the + palace [at this juncture]; so Antipater went in to his father, and, + putting on a bold face, he came near to salute him. But Herod Stretched + out his hands, and turned his head away from him, and cried out, "Even + this is an indication of a parricide, to be desirous to get me into his + arms, when he is under such heinous accusations. God confound thee, thou + vile wretch; do not thou touch me, till thou hast cleared thyself of these + crimes that are charged upon thee. I appoint thee a court where thou art + to be judged, and this Varus, who is very seasonably here, to be thy + judge; and get thou thy defense ready against tomorrow, for I give thee so + much time to prepare suitable excuses for thyself." And as Antipater was + so confounded, that he was able to make no answer to this charge, he went + away; but his mother and wife came to him, and told him of all the + evidence they had gotten against him. Hereupon he recollected himself, and + considered what defense he should make against the accusations. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0032" id="link2HCH0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 32. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Antipater Is Accused Before Varus, And Is Convicted Of + Laying A Plot [Against His Father] By The Strongest + Evidence. Herod Puts Off His Punishment Till He Should Be + Recovered, And In The Mean Time Alters His Testament. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now the day following the king assembled a court of his kinsmen and + friends, and called in Antipater's friends also. Herod himself, with + Varus, were the presidents; and Herod called for all the witnesses, and + ordered them to be brought in; among whom some of the domestic servants of + Antipater's mother were brought in also, who had but a little while before + been caught, as they were carrying the following letter from her to her + son: "Since all those things have been already discovered to thy father, + do not thou come to him, unless thou canst procure some assistance from + Caesar." When this and the other witnesses were introduced, Antipater came + in, and falling on his face before his father's feet, he said, "Father, I + beseech thee, do not condemn me beforehand, but let thy ears be unbiassed, + and attend to my defense; for if thou wilt give me leave, I will + demonstrate that I am innocent." + </p> + <p> + 2. Hereupon Herod cried out to him to hold his peace, and spake thus to + Varus: "I cannot but think that thou, Varus, and every other upright + judge, will determine that Antipater is a vile wretch. I am also afraid + that thou wilt abhor my ill fortune, and judge me also myself worthy of + all sorts of calamity for begetting such children; while yet I ought + rather to be pitied, who have been so affectionate a father to such + wretched sons; for when I had settled the kingdom on my former sons, even + when they were young, and when, besides the charges of their education at + Rome, I had made them the friends of Caesar, and made them envied by other + kings, I found them plotting against me. These have been put to death, and + that, in great measure, for the sake of Antipater; for as he was then + young, and appointed to be my successor, I took care chiefly to secure him + from danger: but this profligate wild beast, when he had been over and + above satiated with that patience which I showed him, he made use of that + abundance I had given him against myself; for I seemed to him to live too + long, and he was very uneasy at the old age I was arrived at; nor could he + stay any longer, but would be a king by parricide. And justly I am served + by him for bringing him back out of the country to court, when he was of + no esteem before, and for thrusting out those sons of mine that were born + of the queen, and for making him a successor to my dominions. I confess to + thee, O Varus, the great folly I was guilty for I provoked those sons of + mine to act against me, and cut off their just expectations for the sake + of Antipater; and indeed what kindness did I do them; that could equal + what I have done to Antipater? to I have, in a manner, yielded up my royal + while I am alive, and whom I have openly named for the successor to my + dominions in my testament, and given him a yearly revenue of his own of + fifty talents, and supplied him with money to an extravagant degree out of + my own revenue; and' when he was about to sail to Rome, I gave him three + talents, and recommended him, and him alone of all my children, to Caesar, + as his father's deliverer. Now what crimes were those other sons of mine + guilty of like these of Antipater? and what evidence was there brought + against them so strong as there is to demonstrate this son to have plotted + against me? Yet does this parricide presume to speak for himself, and + hopes to obscure the truth by his cunning tricks. Thou, O Varus, must + guard thyself against him; for I know the wild beast, and I foresee how + plausibly he will talk, and his counterfeit lamentation. This was he who + exhorted me to have a care of Alexander when he was alive, and not to + intrust my body with all men! This was he who came to my very bed, and + looked about lest any one should lay snares for me! This was he who took + care of my sleep, and secured me from fear of danger, who comforted me + under the trouble I was in upon the slaughter of my sons, and looked to + see what affection my surviving brethren bore me! This was my protector, + and the guardian of my body! And when I call to mind, O Varus, his + craftiness upon every occasion, and his art of dissembling, I can hardly + believe that I am still alive, and I wonder how I have escaped such a deep + plotter of mischief. However, since some fate or other makes my house + desolate, and perpetually raises up those that are dearest to me against + me, I will, with tears, lament my hard fortune, and privately groan under + my lonesome condition; yet am I resolved that no one who thirsts after my + blood shall escape punishment, although the evidence should extend itself + to all my sons." + </p> + <p> + 3. Upon Herod's saying this, he was interrupted by the confusion he was + in; but ordered Nicolaus, one of his friends, to produce the evidence + against Antipater. But in the mean time Antipater lifted up his head, [for + he lay on the ground before his father's feet,] and cried out aloud, + "Thou, O father, hast made my apology for me; for how can I be a + parricide, whom thou thyself confessest to have always had for thy + guardian? Thou callest my filial affection prodigious lies and hypocrisy! + how then could it be that I, who was so subtle in other matters, should + here be so mad as not to understand that it was not easy that he who + committed so horrid a crime should be concealed from men, but impossible + that he should be concealed from the Judge of heaven, who sees all things, + and is present every where? or did not I know what end my brethren came + to, on whom God inflicted so great a punishment for their evil designs + against thee? And indeed what was there that could possibly provoke me + against thee? Could the hope of being king do it? I was a king already. + Could I suspect hatred from thee? No. Was not I beloved by thee? And what + other fear could I have? Nay, by preserving thee safe, I was a terror to + others. Did I want money? No; for who was able to expend so much as + myself? Indeed, father, had I been the most execrable of all mankind, and + had I had the soul of the most cruel wild beast, must I not have been + overcome with the benefits thou hadst bestowed upon me? whom, as thou + thyself sayest, thou broughtest [into the palace]; whom thou didst prefer + before so many of thy sons; whom thou madest a king in thine own lifetime, + and, by the vast magnitude of the other advantages thou bestowedst on me, + thou madest me an object of envy. O miserable man! that thou shouldst + undergo this bitter absence, and thereby afford a great opportunity for + envy to arise against thee, and a long space for such as were laying + designs against thee! Yet was I absent, father, on thy affairs, that + Sylleus might not treat thee with contempt in thine old age. Rome is a + witness to my filial affection, and so is Caesar, the ruler of the + habitable earth, who oftentimes called me Philopater. <a + href="#linknote-47" name="linknoteref-47" id="linknoteref-47">47</a> Take + here the letters he hath sent thee, they are more to be believed than the + calumnies raised here; these letters are my only apology; these I use as + the demonstration of that natural affection I have to thee. Remember that + it was against my own choice that I sailed [to Rome], as knowing the + latent hatred that was in the kingdom against me. It was thou, O father, + however unwillingly, who hast been my ruin, by forcing me to allow time + for calumnies against me, and envy at me. However, I am come hither, and + am ready to hear the evidence there is against me. If I be a parricide, I + have passed by land and by sea, without suffering any misfortune on either + of them: but this method of trial is no advantage to me; for it seems, O + father, that I am already condemned, both before God and before thee; and + as I am already condemned, I beg that thou wilt not believe the others + that have been tortured, but let fire be brought to torment me; let the + racks march through my bowels; have no regard to any lamentations that + this polluted body can make; for if I be a parricide, I ought not to die + without torture." Thus did Antipater cry out with lamentation and weeping, + and moved all the rest, and Varus in particular, to commiserate his case. + Herod was the only person whose passion was too strong to permit him to + weep, as knowing that the testimonies against him were true. + </p> + <p> + 4. And now it was that, at the king's command, Nicolaus, when he had + premised a great deal about the craftiness of Antipater, and had prevented + the effects of their commiseration to him, afterwards brought in a bitter + and large accusation against him, ascribing all the wickedness that had + been in the kingdom to him, and especially the murder of his brethren; and + demonstrated that they had perished by the calumnies he had raised against + them. He also said that he had laid designs against them that were still + alive, as if they were laying plots for the succession; and [said he] how + can it be supposed that he who prepared poison for his father should + abstain from mischief as to his brethren? He then proceeded to convict him + of the attempt to poison Herod, and gave an account in order of the + several discoveries that had been made; and had great indignation as to + the affair of Pheroras, because Antipater had been for making him murder + his brother, and had corrupted those that were dearest to the king, and + filled the whole palace with wickedness; and when he had insisted on many + other accusations, and the proofs for them, he left off. + </p> + <p> + 5. Then Varus bid Antipater make his defense; but he lay along in silence, + and said no more but this, "God is my witness that I am entirely + innocent." So Varus asked for the potion, and gave it to be drunk by a + condemned malefactor, who was then in prison, who died upon the spot. So + Varus, when he had had a very private discourse with Herod, and had + written an account of this assembly to Caesar, went away, after a day's + stay. The king also bound Antipater, and sent away to inform Caesar of his + misfortunes. + </p> + <p> + 6. Now after this it was discovered that Antipater had laid a plot against + Salome also; for one of Antiphilus's domestic servants came, and brought + letters from Rome, from a maid-servant of Julia, [Caesar's wife,] whose + name was Acme. By her a message was sent to the king, that she had found a + letter written by Salome, among Julia's papers, and had sent it to him + privately, out of her good-will to him. This letter of Salome contained + the most bitter reproaches of the king, and the highest accusations + against him. Antipater had forged this letter, and had corrupted Acme, and + persuaded her to send it to Herod. This was proved by her letter to + Antipater, for thus did this woman write to him: "As thou desirest, I have + written a letter to thy father, and have sent that letter, and am + persuaded that the king will not spare his sister when he reads it. Thou + wilt do well to remember what thou hast promised when all is + accomplished." + </p> + <p> + 7. When this epistle was discovered, and what the epistle forged against + Salome contained, a suspicion came into the king's mind, that perhaps the + letters against Alexander were also forged: he was moreover greatly + disturbed, and in a passion, because he had almost slain his sister on + Antipater's account. He did no longer delay therefore to bring him to + punishment for all his crimes; yet when he was eagerly pursuing Antipater, + he was restrained by a severe distemper he fell into. However, he sent all + account to Caesar about Acme, and the contrivances against Salome; he sent + also for his testament, and altered it, and therein made Antipas king, as + taking no care of Archelaus and Philip, because Antipater had blasted + their reputations with him; but he bequeathed to Caesar, besides other + presents that he gave him, a thousand talents; as also to his wife, and + children, and friends, and freed-men about five hundred: he also + bequeathed to all others a great quantity of land, and of money, and + showed his respects to Salome his sister, by giving her most splendid + gifts. And this was what was contained in his testament, as it was now + altered. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0033" id="link2HCH0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 33. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Golden Eagle Is Cut To Pieces. Herod's Barbarity When He + Was Ready To Die. He Attempts To Kill Himself. He Commands + Antipater To Be Slain. He Survives Him Five Days And Then + Dies. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now Herod's distemper became more and more severe to him, and this + because these his disorders fell upon him in his old age, and when he was + in a melancholy condition; for he was already seventy years of age, and + had been brought by the calamities that happened to him about his + children, whereby he had no pleasure in life, even when he was in health; + the grief also that Antipater was still alive aggravated his disease, whom + he resolved to put to death now not at random, but as soon as he should be + well again, and resolved to have him slain [in a public manner]. + </p> + <p> + 2. There also now happened to him, among his other calamities, a certain + popular sedition. There were two men of learning in the city [Jerusalem,] + who were thought the most skillful in the laws of their country, and were + on that account had in very great esteem all over the nation; they were, + the one Judas, the son of Sepphoris, and the other Matthias, the son of + Margalus. There was a great concourse of the young men to these men when + they expounded the laws, and there got together every day a kind of an + army of such as were growing up to be men. Now when these men were + informed that the king was wearing away with melancholy, and with a + distemper, they dropped words to their acquaintance, how it was now a very + proper time to defend the cause of God, and to pull down what had been + erected contrary to the laws of their country; for it was unlawful there + should be any such thing in the temple as images, or faces, or the like + representation of any animal whatsoever. Now the king had put up a golden + eagle over the great gate of the temple, which these learned men exhorted + them to cut down; and told them, that if there should any danger arise, it + was a glorious thing to die for the laws of their country; because that + the soul was immortal, and that an eternal enjoyment of happiness did + await such as died on that account; while the mean-spirited, and those + that were not wise enough to show a right love of their souls, preferred a + death by a disease, before that which is the result of a virtuous + behavior. + </p> + <p> + 3. At the same time that these men made this speech to their disciples, a + rumor was spread abroad that the king was dying, which made the young men + set about the work with greater boldness; they therefore let themselves + down from the top of the temple with thick cords, and this at midday, and + while a great number of people were in the temple, and cut down that + golden eagle with axes. This was presently told to the king's captain of + the temple, who came running with a great body of soldiers, and caught + about forty of the young men, and brought them to the king. And when he + asked them, first of all, whether they had been so hardy as to cut down + the golden eagle, they confessed they had done so; and when he asked them + by whose command they had done it, they replied, at the command of the law + of their country; and when he further asked them how they could be so + joyful when they were to be put to death, they replied, because they + should enjoy greater happiness after they were dead. <a href="#linknote-48" + name="linknoteref-48" id="linknoteref-48">48</a> + </p> + <p> + 4. At this the king was in such an extravagant passion, that he overcame + his disease [for the time,] and went out, and spake to the people; wherein + he made a terrible accusation against those men, as being guilty of + sacrilege, and as making greater attempts under pretense of their law, and + he thought they deserved to be punished as impious persons. Whereupon the + people were afraid lest a great number should be found guilty and desired + that when he had first punished those that put them upon this work, and + then those that were caught in it, he would leave off his anger as to the + rest. With this the king complied, though not without difficulty, and + ordered those that had let themselves down, together with their Rabbins, + to be burnt alive, but delivered the rest that were caught to the proper + officers, to be put to death by them. + </p> + <p> + 5. After this, the distemper seized upon his whole body, and greatly + disordered all its parts with various symptoms; for there was a gentle + fever upon him, and an intolerable itching over all the surface of his + body, and continual pains in his colon, and dropsical turnouts about his + feet, and an inflammation of the abdomen, and a putrefaction of his privy + member, that produced worms. Besides which he had a difficulty of + breathing upon him, and could not breathe but when he sat upright, and had + a convulsion of all his members, insomuch that the diviners said those + diseases were a punishment upon him for what he had done to the Rabbins. + Yet did he struggle with his numerous disorders, and still had a desire to + live, and hoped for recovery, and considered of several methods of cure. + Accordingly, he went over Jordan, and made use of those hot baths at + Callirrhoe, which ran into the lake Asphaltites, but are themselves sweet + enough to be drunk. And here the physicians thought proper to bathe his + whole body in warm oil, by letting it down into a large vessel full of + oil; whereupon his eyes failed him, and he came and went as if he was + dying; and as a tumult was then made by his servants, at their voice he + revived again. Yet did he after this despair of recovery, and gave orders + that each soldier should have fifty drachmae a-piece, and that his + commanders and friends should have great sums of money given them. + </p> + <p> + 6. He then returned back and came to Jericho, in such a melancholy state + of body as almost threatened him with present death, when he proceeded to + attempt a horrid wickedness; for he got together the most illustrious men + of the whole Jewish nation, out of every village, into a place called the + Hippodrome, and there shut them in. He then called for his sister Salome, + and her husband Alexas, and made this speech to them: "I know well enough + that the Jews will keep a festival upon my death however, it is in my + power to be mourned for on other accounts, and to have a splendid funeral, + if you will but be subservient to my commands. Do you but take care to + send soldiers to encompass these men that are now in custody, and slay + them immediately upon my death, and then all Judea, and every family of + them, will weep at it, whether they will or no." + </p> + <p> + 7. These were the commands he gave them; when there came letters from his + ambassadors at Rome, whereby information was given that Acme was put to + death at Caesar's command, and that Antipater was condemned to die; + however, they wrote withal, that if Herod had a mind rather to banish him, + Caesar permitted him so to do. So he for a little while revived, and had a + desire to live; but presently after he was overborne by his pains, and was + disordered by want of food, and by a convulsive cough, and endeavored to + prevent a natural, death; so he took an apple, and asked for a knife for + he used to pare apples and eat them; he then looked round about to see + that there was nobody to hinder him, and lift up his right hand as if he + would stab himself; but Achiabus, his first cousin, came running to him, + and held his hand, and hindered him from so doing; on which occasion a + very great lamentation was made in the palace, as if the king were + expiring. As soon as ever Antipater heard that, he took courage, and with + joy in his looks, besought his keepers, for a sum of money, to loose him + and let him go; but the principal keeper of the prison did not only + obstruct him in that his intention, but ran and told the king what his + design was; hereupon the king cried out louder than his distemper would + well bear, and immediately sent some of his guards and slew Antipater; he + also gave order to have him buried at Hyrcanium, and altered his testament + again, and therein made Archelaus, his eldest son, and the brother of + Antipas, his successor, and made Antipas tetrarch. + </p> + <p> + 8. So Herod, having survived the slaughter of his son five days, died, + having reigned thirty-four years since he had caused Antigonus to be + slain, and obtained his kingdom; but thirty-seven years since he had been + made king by the Romans. Now as for his fortune, it was prosperous in all + other respects, if ever any other man could be so, since, from a private + man, he obtained the kingdom, and kept it so long, and left it to his own + sons; but still in his domestic affairs he was a most unfortunate man. + Now, before the soldiers knew of his death, Salome and her husband came + out and dismissed those that were in bonds, whom the king had commanded to + be slain, and told them that he had altered his mind, and would have every + one of them sent to their own homes. When these men were gone, Salome, + told the soldiers [the king was dead], and got them and the rest of the + multitude together to an assembly, in the amphitheater at Jericho, where + Ptolemy, who was intrusted by the king with his signet ring, came before + them, and spake of the happiness the king had attained, and comforted the + multitude, and read the epistle which had been left for the soldiers, + wherein he earnestly exhorted them to bear good-will to his successor; and + after he had read the epistle, he opened and read his testament, wherein + Philip was to inherit Trachonitis, and the neighboring countries, and + Antipas was to be tetrarch, as we said before, and Archelaus was made + king. He had also been commanded to carry Herod's ring to Caesar, and the + settlements he had made, sealed up, because Caesar was to be lord of all + the settlements he had made, and was to confirm his testament; and he + ordered that the dispositions he had made were to be kept as they were in + his former testament. + </p> + <p> + 9. So there was an acclamation made to Archelaus, to congratulate him upon + his advancement; and the soldiers, with the multitude, went round about in + troops, and promised him their good-will, and besides, prayed God to bless + his government. After this, they betook themselves to prepare for the + king's funeral; and Archelaus omitted nothing of magnificence therein, but + brought out all the royal ornaments to augment the pomp of the deceased. + There was a bier all of gold, embroidered with precious stones, and a + purple bed of various contexture, with the dead body upon it, covered with + purple; and a diadem was put upon his head, and a crown of gold above it, + and a sceptre in his right hand; and near to the bier were Herod's sons, + and a multitude of his kindred; next to which came his guards, and the + regiment of Thracians, the Germans also and Gauls, all accounted as if + they were going to war; but the rest of the army went foremost, armed, and + following their captains and officers in a regular manner; after whom five + hundred of his domestic servants and freed-men followed, with sweet spices + in their hands: and the body was carried two hundred furlongs, to + Herodium, where he had given order to be buried. And this shall suffice + for the conclusion of the life of Herod. + </p> + <p> + WAR BOOK 1 FOOTNOTES <a name="linknote-1" id="linknote-1"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 1 (<a href="#linknoteref-1">return</a>)<br /> [ I see little difference in + the several accounts in Josephus about the Egyptian temple Onion, of which + large complaints are made by his commentators. Onias, it seems, hoped to + have made it very like that at Jerusalem, and of the same dimensions; and + so he appears to have really done, as far as he was able and thought + proper. Of this temple, see Antiq. B. XIII. ch. 3. sect. 1—3, and Of + the War, B. VII. ch. 10. sect. 8.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-2" id="linknote-2"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 2 (<a href="#linknoteref-2">return</a>)<br /> [ Why this John, the son of + Simon, the high priest and governor of the Jews, was called Hyrcanus, + Josephus no where informs us; nor is he called other than John at the end + of the First Book of the Maccabees. However, Sixtus Seuensis, when he + gives us an epitome of the Greek version of the book here abridged by + Josephus, or of the Chronicles of this John Hyrcanus, then extant, assures + us that he was called Hyrcanus from his conquest of one of that name. See + Authent. Rec. Part I. p. 207. But of this younger Antiochus, see Dean + Aldrich's note here.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-3" id="linknote-3"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 3 (<a href="#linknoteref-3">return</a>)<br /> [ Josephus here calls this + Antiochus the last of the Seleucidae, although there remained still a + shadow of another king of that family, Antiochus Asiaticus, or Commagenus, + who reigned, or rather lay hid, till Pompey quite turned him out, as Dean + Aldrich here notes from Appian and Justin.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-4" id="linknote-4"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 4 (<a href="#linknoteref-4">return</a>)<br /> [ Matthew 16:19; 18:18. Here + we have the oldest and most authentic Jewish exposition of binding and + loosing, for punishing or absolving men, not for declaring actions lawful + or unlawful, as some more modern Jews and Christians vainly pretend.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-5" id="linknote-5"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 5 (<a href="#linknoteref-5">return</a>)<br /> [ Strabo, B. XVI. p. 740, + relates, that this Selene Cleopatra was besieged by Tigranes, not in + Ptolemais, as here, but after she had left Syria, in Seleucia, a citadel + in Mesopotamia; and adds, that when he had kept her a while in prison, he + put her to death. Dean Aldrich supposes here that Strabo contradicts + Josephus, which does not appear to me; for although Josephus says both + here and in the Antiquities, B. XIII. ch. 16. sect. 4, that Tigranes + besieged her now in Ptolemais, and that he took the city, as the + Antiquities inform us, yet does he no where intimate that he now took the + queen herself; so that both the narrations of Strabo and Josephus may + still be true notwithstanding.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-6" id="linknote-6"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 6 (<a href="#linknoteref-6">return</a>)<br /> [ That this Antipater, the + father of Herod the Great was an Idumean, as Josephus affirms here, see + the note on Antiq. B. XIV. ch. 15. sect. 2. It is somewhat probable, as + Hapercamp supposes, and partly Spanheim also, that the Latin is here the + truest; that Pompey did him Hyrcanus, as he would have done the others + from Aristobulus, sect. 6, although his remarkable abstinence from the + 2000 talents that were in the Jewish temple, when he took it a little + afterward, ch. 7. sect. 6, and Antiq. B. XIV. ch. 4. sect. 4, will to + Greek all which agree he did not take them.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-7" id="linknote-7"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 7 (<a href="#linknoteref-7">return</a>)<br /> [ Of the famous palm trees + and balsam about Jericho and Engaddl, see the notes in Havercamp's + edition, both here and B. II. ch. 9. sect. 1. They are somewhat too long + to be transcribed in this place.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-8" id="linknote-8"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 8 (<a href="#linknoteref-8">return</a>)<br /> [ Thus says Tacitus: Cn. + Pompelna first of all subdued the Jews, and went into their temple, by + right of conquest, Hist. B. V. ch. 9. Nor did he touch any of its riches, + as has been observed on the parallel place of the Antiquities, B. XIV. ch. + 4. sect. 4, out of Cicero himself.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-9" id="linknote-9"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 9 (<a href="#linknoteref-9">return</a>)<br /> [ The coin of this Gadara, + still extant, with its date from this era, is a certain evidence of this + its rebuilding by Pompey, as Spanheim here assures us.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-10" id="linknote-10"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 10 (<a href="#linknoteref-10">return</a>)<br /> [ Take the like attestation + to the truth of this submission of Aretas, king of Arabia, to Scaurus the + Roman general, in the words of Dean Aldrich. "Hence [says he] is derived + that old and famous Denarius belonging to the Emillian family [represented + in Havercamp's edition], wherein Aretas appears in a posture of + supplication, and taking hold of a camel's bridle with his left hand, and + with his right hand presenting a branch of the frankincense tree, with + this inscription, M. SCAURUS EX S.C.; and beneath, REX ARETAS."] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-11" id="linknote-11"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 11 (<a href="#linknoteref-11">return</a>)<br /> [ This citation is now + wanting.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-12" id="linknote-12"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 12 (<a href="#linknoteref-12">return</a>)<br /> [ What is here noted by + Hudson and Spanheim, that this grant of leave to rebuild the walls of the + cities of Judea was made by Julius Caesar, not as here to Antipater, but + to Hyrcanas, Antiq. B. XIV. ch. 8. sect. 5, has hardly an appearance of a + contradiction; Antipater being now perhaps considered only as Hyrcanus's + deputy and minister; although he afterwards made a cipher of Hyrcanus, + and, under great decency of behavior to him, took the real authority to + himself.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-13" id="linknote-13"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 13 (<a href="#linknoteref-13">return</a>)<br /> [ Or twenty-five years of + age. See note on Antiq. B. I. ch. 12. sect. 3; and on B. XIV. ch. 9. sect. + 2; and Of the War, B. II. ch. 11. sect. 6; and Polyb. B. XVII. p. 725. + Many writers of the Roman history give an account of this murder of Sextus + Caesar, and of the war of Apamia upon that occasion. They are cited in + Dean Aldrich's note.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-14" id="linknote-14"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 14 (<a href="#linknoteref-14">return</a>)<br /> [ In the Antiquities, B. + XIV. ch. 11. sect. 1, the duration of the reign of Julius Caesar is three + years six months; but here three years seven months, beginning nightly, + says Dean Aldrich, from his second dictatorship. It is probable the real + duration might be three years and between six and seven months.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-15" id="linknote-15"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 15 (<a href="#linknoteref-15">return</a>)<br /> [ It appears evidently by + Josephus's accounts, both here and in his Antiquities, B. XIV. ch. 11. + sect. 2, that this Cassius, one of Caesar's murderers, was a bitter + oppressor, and exactor of tribute in Judea. These seven hundred talents + amount to about three hundred thousand pounds sterling, and are about half + the yearly revenues of king Herod afterwards. See the note on Antiq. B. + XVII. ch. 11. sect. 4. It also appears that Galilee then paid no more than + one hundred talents, or the seventh part of the entire sum to be levied in + all the country.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-16" id="linknote-16"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 16 (<a href="#linknoteref-16">return</a>)<br /> [ Here we see that Cassius + set tyrants over all Syria; so that his assisting to destroy Caesar does + not seem to have proceeded from his true zeal for public liberty, but from + a desire to be a tyrant himself.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-17" id="linknote-17"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 17 (<a href="#linknoteref-17">return</a>)<br /> [ Phasaelus and Herod.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-18" id="linknote-18"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 18 (<a href="#linknoteref-18">return</a>)<br /> [ This large and noted + wood, or woodland, belonging to Carmel, called Apago by the Septuagint, is + mentioned in the Old Testament, 2 Kings 19:23; Isaiah 37:24, and by I + Strabo, B. XVI. p. 758, as both Aldrich and Spanheim here remark very + pertinently.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-19" id="linknote-19"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 19 (<a href="#linknoteref-19">return</a>)<br /> [ These accounts, both here + and Antiq. B. XIV. ch. 13. sect. 5, that the Parthians fought chiefly on + horseback, and that only some few of their soldiers were free-men, + perfectly agree with Trogus Pompeius, in Justin, B. XLI. 2, 3, as Dean + Aldrich well observes on this place.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-20" id="linknote-20"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 20 (<a href="#linknoteref-20">return</a>)<br /> [ Mariamac here, in the + copies.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-21" id="linknote-21"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 21 (<a href="#linknoteref-21">return</a>)<br /> [ This Brentesium or + Brundusium has coin still preserved, on which is written, as Spanheim + informs us.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-22" id="linknote-22"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 22 (<a href="#linknoteref-22">return</a>)<br /> [ This Dellius is famous, + or rather infamous, in the history of Mark Antony, as Spanheim and Aldrich + here note, from the coins, from Plutarch and Dio.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-23" id="linknote-23"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 23 (<a href="#linknoteref-23">return</a>)<br /> [ This Sepphoris, the + metropolis of Galilee, so often mentioned by Josephus, has coins still + remaining, as Spanheim here informs us.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-24" id="linknote-24"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 24 (<a href="#linknoteref-24">return</a>)<br /> [ This way of speaking, + "after forty days," is interpreted by Josephus himself, "on the fortieth + day," Antiq. B. XIV. ch. 15. sect. 4. In like manner, when Josephus says, + ch. 33. sect. 8, that Herod lived "after" he had ordered Antipater to be + slain "five days;" this is by himself interpreted, Antiq. B. XVII. ch. 8. + sect. 1, that he died "on the fifth day afterward." So also what is in + this book, ch. 13. sect. 1, "after two years," is, Antiq. B. XIV. ch. 13. + sect. 3, "on the second year." And Dean Aldrich here notes that this way + of speaking is familiar to Josephus.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-25" id="linknote-25"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 25 (<a href="#linknoteref-25">return</a>)<br /> [ This Samosata, the + metropolis of Commagena, is well known from its coins, as Spanheim here + assures us. Dean Aldrich also confirms what Josephus here notes, that + Herod was a great means of taking the city by Antony, and that from + Plutarch and Dio.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-26" id="linknote-26"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 26 (<a href="#linknoteref-26">return</a>)<br /> [ That is, a woman, not, a + man.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-27" id="linknote-27"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 27 (<a href="#linknoteref-27">return</a>)<br /> [ This death of Antigonus + is confirmed by Plutarch and. Straho; the latter of whom is cited for it + by Josephus himself, Antiq. B. XV. ch. 1. sect. 2, as Dean Aldrich here + observes.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-28" id="linknote-28"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 28 (<a href="#linknoteref-28">return</a>)<br /> [ This ancient liberty of + Tyre and Sidon under the Romans, taken notice of by Josephus, both here + and Antiq. B. XV. ch. 4. sect. 1, is confirmed by the testimony of Sirabe, + B. XVI. p. 757, as Dean Aldrich remarks; although, as he justly adds, this + liberty lasted but a little while longer, when Augtus took it away from + them.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-29" id="linknote-29"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 29 (<a href="#linknoteref-29">return</a>)<br /> [ This seventh year of the + reign of Herod [from the conquest or death of Antigonus], with the great + earthquake in the beginning of the same spring, which are here fully + implied to be not much before the fight at Actium, between Octavius and + Antony, and which is known from the Roman historians to have been in the + beginning of September, in the thirty-first year before the Christian era, + determines the chronology of Josephus as to the reign of Herod, viz. that + he began in the year 37, beyond rational contradiction. Nor is it quite + unworthy of our notice, that this seventh year of the reign of Herod, or + the thirty-first before the Christian era, contained the latter part of a + Sabbatic year, on which Sabbatic year, therefore, it is plain this great + earthquake happened in Judea.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-30" id="linknote-30"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 30 (<a href="#linknoteref-30">return</a>)<br /> [ This speech of Herod is + set down twice by Josephus, here and Antiq. B. XV. ch. 5. sect. 3, to the + very same purpose, but by no means in the same words; whence it appears + that the sense was Herod's, but the composition Josephus's.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-31" id="linknote-31"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 31 (<a href="#linknoteref-31">return</a>)<br /> [ Since Josephus, both here + and in his Antiq. B. XV. ch. 7. sect. 3, reckons Gaza, which had been a + free city, among the cities given Herod by Augustus, and yet implies that + Herod had made Costobarus a governor of it before, Antiq. B. XV. ch. 7. + sect. 9, Hardain has some pretense for saying that Josephus here + contradicted himself. But perhaps Herod thought he had sufficient + authority to put a governor into Gaza, after he was made tetrarch or king, + in times of war, before the city was entirely delivered into his hands by + Augustus.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-32" id="linknote-32"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 32 (<a href="#linknoteref-32">return</a>)<br /> [ This fort was first + built, as it is supposed, by John Hyrcanus; see Prid. at the year 107; and + called "Baris," the Tower or Citadel. It was afterwards rebuilt, with + great improvements, by Herod, under the government of Antonius, and was + named from him "the Tower of Antoni;" and about the time when Herod + rebuilt the temple, he seems to have put his last hand to it. See Antiq. + B. XVIII. ch. 5. sect. 4; Of the War, B. I. ch. 3. sect. 3; ch. 5. sect. + 4. It lay on the northwest side of the temple, and was a quarter as + large.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-33" id="linknote-33"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 33 (<a href="#linknoteref-33">return</a>)<br /> [ That Josephus speaks + truth, when he assures us that the haven of this Cesarea was made by Herod + not less, nay rather larger, than that famous haven at Athens, called the + Pyrecum, will appear, says Dean Aldrich, to him who compares the + descriptions of that at Athens in Thucydides and Pausanias, with this of + Cesarea in Josephus here, and in the Antiq. B. XV. ch. 9. sect. 6, and B. + XVII. ch. 9. sect. 1.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-34" id="linknote-34"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 34 (<a href="#linknoteref-34">return</a>)<br /> [ These buildings of cities + by the name of Caesar, and institution of solemn games in honor of + Augustus Caesar, as here, and in the Antiquities, related of Herod by + Josephus, the Roman historians attest to, as things then frequent in the + provinces of that empire, as Dean Aldrich observes on this chapter.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-35" id="linknote-35"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 35 (<a href="#linknoteref-35">return</a>)<br /> [ There were two cities, or + citadels, called Herodium, in Judea, and both mentioned by Josephus, not + only here, but Antiq. B. XIV. ch. 13. sect. 9; B. XV. ch. 9. sect. 6; Of + the War, B. I. ch. 13. sect. 8; B. III. ch. 3. sect. 5. One of them was + two hundred, and the other sixty furlongs distant from Jerusalem. One of + them is mentioned by Pliny, Hist. Nat. B. V. ch. 14., as Dean Aldrich + observes here.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-36" id="linknote-36"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 36 (<a href="#linknoteref-36">return</a>)<br /> [ Here seems to be a small + defect in the copies, which describe the wild beasts which were hunted in + a certain country by Herod, without naming any such country at all.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-37" id="linknote-37"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 37 (<a href="#linknoteref-37">return</a>)<br /> [ Here is either a defect + or a great mistake in Josephus's present copies or memory; for Mariamne + did not now reproach Herod with this his first injunction to Joseph to + kill her, if he himself were slain by Antony, but that he had given the + like command a second time to Soemus also, when he was afraid of being + slain by Augustus. Antiq. B. XV. ch. 3. sect. 5, etc.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-38" id="linknote-38"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 38 (<a href="#linknoteref-38">return</a>)<br /> [ That this island Eleusa, + afterward called Sebaste, near Cilicia, had in it the royal palace of this + Archelaus, king of Cappadocia, Strabo testifies, B. XV. p. 671. Stephanus + of Byzantiam also calls it "an island of Cilicia, which is now Sebaste;" + both whose testimonies are pertinently cited here by Dr. Hudson. See the + same history, Antiq. B. XVI. ch. 10. sect. 7.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-39" id="linknote-39"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 39 (<a href="#linknoteref-39">return</a>)<br /> [ That it was an immemorial + custom among the Jews, and their forefathers, the patriarchs, to have + sometimes more wives or wives and concubines, than one at the same the and + that this polygamy was not directly forbidden in the law of Moses is + evident; but that polygamy was ever properly and distinctly permitted in + that law of Moses, in the places here cited by Dean Aldrich, Deuteronomy + 17:16, 17, or 21:15, or indeed any where else, does not appear to me. And + what our Savior says about the common Jewish divorces, which may lay much + greater claim to such a permission than polygamy, seems to me true in this + case also; that Moses, "for the hardness of their hearts," suffered them + to have several wives at the same time, but that "from the beginning it + was not so," Matthew 19:8; Mark 10:5.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-40" id="linknote-40"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 40 (<a href="#linknoteref-40">return</a>)<br /> [ This vile fellow, + Eurycles the Lacedemonian, seems to have been the same who is mentioned by + Plutarch, as [twenty-live years before] a companion to Mark Antony, and as + living with Herod; whence he might easily insinuate himself into the + acquaintance of Herod's sons, Antipater and Alexander, as Usher, Hudson, + and Spanheim justly suppose. The reason why his being a Spartan rendered + him acceptable to the Jews as we here see he was, is visible from the + public records of the Jews and Spartans, owning those Spartans to be of + kin to the Jews, and derived from their common ancestor Abraham, the first + patriarch of the Jewish nation, Antiq. B. XII. ch. 4. sect. 10; B. XIII. + ch. 5. sect. 8; and 1 Macc. 12:7.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-41" id="linknote-41"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 41 (<a href="#linknoteref-41">return</a>)<br /> [ See the preceding note.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-42" id="linknote-42"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 42 (<a href="#linknoteref-42">return</a>)<br /> [ Dean Aldrich takes notice + here, that these nine wives of Herod were alive at the same time; and that + if the celebrated Mariamne, who was now dead, be reckoned, those wives + were in all ten. Yet it is remarkable that he had no more than fifteen + children by them all.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-43" id="linknote-43"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 43 (<a href="#linknoteref-43">return</a>)<br /> [ To prevent confusion, it + may not be amiss, with Dean Aldrich, to distinguish between four Josephs + in the history of Herod. 1. Joseph, Herod's uncle, and the [second] + husband of his sister Salome, slain by Herod, on account of Mariamne. 2. + Joseph, Herod's quaestor, or treasurer, slain on the same account. 3. + Joseph, Herod's brother, slain in battle against Antigonus. 4. Joseph, + Herod's nephew, the husband of Olympias, mentioned in this place.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-44" id="linknote-44"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 44 (<a href="#linknoteref-44">return</a>)<br /> [ These daughters of Herod, + whom Pheroras's wife affronted, were Salome and Roxana, two virgins, who + were born to him of his two wives, Elpide and Phedra. See Herod's + genealogy, Antiq. B. XVII. ch. 1. sect. 3.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-45" id="linknote-45"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 45 (<a href="#linknoteref-45">return</a>)<br /> [ This strange obstinacy of + Pheroras in retaining his wife, who was one of a low family, and refusing + to marry one nearly related to Herod, though he so earnestly desired it, + as also that wife's admission to the counsels of the other great court + ladies, together with Herod's own importunity as to Pheroras's divorce and + other marriage, all so remarkable here, or in the Antiquities XVII. ch. 2. + sect. 4; and ch. 3. be well accounted for, but on the supposal that + Pheroras believed, and Herod suspected, that the Pharisees' prediction, as + if the crown of Judea should be translated from Herod to Pheroras's + posterity and that most probably to Pheroras's posterity by this his wife, + also would prove true. See Antiq. B. XVII. ch. 2. sect. 4; and ch. 3. + sect. 1.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-46" id="linknote-46"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 46 (<a href="#linknoteref-46">return</a>)<br /> [ This Tarentum has coins + still extant, as Reland informs us here in his note.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-47" id="linknote-47"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 47 (<a href="#linknoteref-47">return</a>)<br /> [ A lover of his father.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="linknote-48" id="linknote-48"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 48 (<a href="#linknoteref-48">return</a>)<br /> [ Since in these two + sections we have an evident account of the Jewish opinions in the days of + Josephus, about a future happy state, and the resurrection of the dead, as + in the New Testament, John 11:24, I shall here refer to the other places + in Josephus, before he became a catholic Christian, which concern the same + matters. Of the War, B. II. ch. 8. sect. 10, 11; B. III. ch. 8. sect. 4; + B. VII. ch. 6. sect. 7; Contr. Apion, B. II. sect. 30; where we may + observe, that none of these passages are in his Books of Antiquities, + written peculiarly for the use of the Gentiles, to whom he thought it not + proper to insist on topics so much out of their way as these were. Nor is + this observation to be omitted here, especially on account of the sensible + difference we have now before us in Josephus's reason of the used by the + Rabbins to persuade their scholars to hazard their lives for the + vindication of God's law against images, by Moses, as well as of the + answers those scholars made to Herod, when they were caught, and ready to + die for the same; I mean as compared with the parallel arguments and + answers represented in the Antiquities, B. XVII. ch. 6. sect, 2, 3. A like + difference between Jewish and Gentile notions the reader will find in my + notes on Antiquities, B. III. ch. 7. sect. 7; B. XV. ch. 9. sect. 1. See + the like also in the case of the three Jewish sects in the Antiquities, B. + XIII. ch. 5. sect. 9, and ch. 10. sect. 4, 5; B. XVIII. ch. 1. sect. 5; + and compared with this in his Wars of the Jews, B. II. ch. 8. sect. 2-14. + Nor does St. Paul himself reason to Gentiles at Athens, Acts 17:16-34, as + he does to Jews in his Epistles.] + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><a name="linkbook-two" id="linkbook-two"></a> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + BOOK II. + </h1> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Containing The Interval Of Sixty-Nine Years. + + From The Death Of Herod Till Vespasian Was Sent To Subdue + The Jews By Nero. +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="link22HCH0001" id="link22HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER 1. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Archelaus Makes A Funeral Feast For The People, On The + Account Of Herod. After Which A Great Tumult Is Raised By + The Multitude And He Sends The Soldiers Out Upon Them, Who + Destroy About Three Thousand Of Them. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now the necessity which Archelaus was under of taking a journey to Rome + was the occasion of new disturbances; for when he had mourned for his + father seven days, <a href="#link2note-1" name="link2noteref-1" + id="link2noteref-1">1</a> and had given a very expensive funeral feast to + the multitude, [which custom is the occasion of poverty to many of the + Jews, because they are forced to feast the multitude; for if any one omits + it, he is not esteemed a holy person,] he put on a white garment, and went + up to the temple, where the people accosted him with various acclamations. + He also spake kindly to the multitude from an elevated seat and a throne + of gold, and returned them thanks for the zeal they had shown about his + father's funeral, and the submission they had made to him, as if he were + already settled in the kingdom; but he told them withal, that he would not + at present take upon him either the authority of a king, or the names + thereto belonging, until Caesar, who is made lord of this whole affair by + the testament, confirm the succession; for that when the soldiers would + have set the diadem on his head at Jericho, he would not accept of it; but + that he would make abundant requitals, not to the soldiers only, but to + the people, for their alacrity and good-will to him, when the superior + lords [the Romans] should have given him a complete title to the kingdom; + for that it should be his study to appear in all things better than his + father. + </p> + <p> + 2. Upon this the multitude were pleased, and presently made a trial of + what he intended, by asking great things of him; for some made a clamor + that he would ease them in their taxes; others, that he would take off the + duties upon commodities; and some, that he would loose those that were in + prison; in all which cases he answered readily to their satisfaction, in + order to get the good-will of the multitude; after which he offered [the + proper] sacrifices, and feasted with his friends. And here it was that a + great many of those that desired innovations came in crowds towards the + evening, and began then to mourn on their own account, when the public + mourning for the king was over. These lamented those that were put to + death by Herod, because they had cut down the golden eagle that had been + over the gate of the temple. Nor was this mourning of a private nature, + but the lamentations were very great, the mourning solemn, and the weeping + such as was loudly heard all over the city, as being for those men who had + perished for the laws of their country, and for the temple. They cried out + that a punishment ought to be inflicted for these men upon those that were + honored by Herod; and that, in the first place, the man whom he had made + high priest should be deprived; and that it was fit to choose a person of + greater piety and purity than he was. + </p> + <p> + 3. At these clamors Archelaus was provoked, but restrained himself from + taking vengeance on the authors, on account of the haste he was in of + going to Rome, as fearing lest, upon his making war on the multitude, such + an action might detain him at home. Accordingly, he made trial to quiet + the innovators by persuasion, rather than by force, and sent his general + in a private way to them, and by him exhorted them to be quiet. But the + seditious threw stones at him, and drove him away, as he came into the + temple, and before he could say any thing to them. The like treatment they + showed to others, who came to them after him, many of which were sent by + Archelaus, in order to reduce them to sobriety, and these answered still + on all occasions after a passionate manner; and it openly appeared that + they would not be quiet, if their numbers were but considerable. And + indeed, at the feast of unleavened bread, which was now at hand, and is by + the Jews called the Passover, and used to be celebrated with a great + number of sacrifices, an innumerable multitude of the people came out of + the country to worship; some of these stood in the temple bewailing the + Rabbins [that had been put to death], and procured their sustenance by + begging, in order to support their sedition. At this Archelaus was + affrighted, and privately sent a tribune, with his cohort of soldiers, + upon them, before the disease should spread over the whole multitude, and + gave orders that they should constrain those that began the tumult, by + force, to be quiet. At these the whole multitude were irritated, and threw + stones at many of the soldiers, and killed them; but the tribune fled away + wounded, and had much ado to escape so. After which they betook themselves + to their sacrifices, as if they had done no mischief; nor did it appear to + Archelaus that the multitude could be restrained without bloodshed; so he + sent his whole army upon them, the footmen in great multitudes, by the way + of the city, and the horsemen by the way of the plain, who, falling upon + them on the sudden, as they were offering their sacrifices, destroyed + about three thousand of them; but the rest of the multitude were dispersed + upon the adjoining mountains: these were followed by Archelaus's heralds, + who commanded every one to retire to their own homes, whither they all + went, and left the festival. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link22HCH0002" id="link22HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 2. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Archelaus Goes To Rome With A Great Number Of His Kindred. + He Is There Accused Before Caesar By Antipater; But Is + Superior To His Accusers In Judgment By The Means Of That + Defense Which Nicolaus Made For Him. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Archelaus went down now to the sea-side, with his mother and his + friends, Poplas, and Ptolemy, and Nicolaus, and left behind him Philip, to + be his steward in the palace, and to take care of his domestic affairs. + Salome went also along with him with her sons, as did also the king's + brethren and sons-in-law. These, in appearance, went to give him all the + assistance they were able, in order to secure his succession, but in + reality to accuse him for his breach of the laws by what he had done at + the temple. + </p> + <p> + 2. But as they were come to Cesarea, Sabinus, the procurator of Syria, met + them; he was going up to Judea, to secure Herod's effects; but Varus, + [president of Syria,] who was come thither, restrained him from going any + farther. This Varus Archelaus had sent for, by the earnest entreaty of + Ptolemy. At this time, indeed, Sabinus, to gratify Varus, neither went to + the citadels, nor did he shut up the treasuries where his father's money + was laid up, but promised that he would lie still, until Caesar should + have taken cognizance of the affair. So he abode at Cesarea; but as soon + as those that were his hinderance were gone, when Varus was gone to + Antioch, and Archelaus was sailed to Rome, he immediately went on to + Jerusalem, and seized upon the palace. And when he had called for the + governors of the citadels, and the stewards [of the king's private + affairs], he tried to sift out the accounts of the money, and to take + possession of the citadels. But the governors of those citadels were not + unmindful of the commands laid upon them by Archelaus, and continued to + guard them, and said the custody of them rather belonged to Caesar than to + Archelaus. + </p> + <p> + 3. In the mean time, Antipas went also to Rome, to strive for the kingdom, + and to insist that the former testament, wherein he was named to be king, + was valid before the latter testament. Salome had also promised to assist + him, as had many of Archelaus's kindred, who sailed along with Archelaus + himself also. He also carried along with him his mother, and Ptolemy, the + brother of Nicolaus, who seemed one of great weight, on account of the + great trust Herod put in him, he having been one of his most honored + friends. However, Antipas depended chiefly upon Ireneus, the orator; upon + whose authority he had rejected such as advised him to yield to Archelaus, + because he was his elder brother, and because the second testament gave + the kingdom to him. The inclinations also of all Archelaus's kindred, who + hated him, were removed to Antipas, when they came to Rome; although in + the first place every one rather desired to live under their own laws + [without a king], and to be under a Roman governor; but if they should + fail in that point, these desired that Antipas might be their king. + </p> + <p> + 4. Sabinus did also afford these his assistance to the same purpose by + letters he sent, wherein he accused Archelaus before Caesar, and highly + commended Antipas. Salome also, and those with her, put the crimes which + they accused Archelaus of in order, and put them into Caesar's hands; and + after they had done that, Archelaus wrote down the reasons of his claim, + and, by Ptolemy, sent in his father's ring, and his father's accounts. And + when Caesar had maturely weighed by himself what both had to allege for + themselves, as also had considered of the great burden of the kingdom, and + largeness of the revenues, and withal the number of the children Herod had + left behind him, and had moreover read the letters he had received from + Varus and Sabinus on this occasion, he assembled the principal persons + among the Romans together, [in which assembly Caius, the son of Agrippa, + and his daughter Julias, but by himself adopted for his own son, sat in + the first seat,] and gave the pleaders leave to speak. + </p> + <p> + 5. Then stood up Salome's son, Antipater, [who of all Archelaus's + antagonists was the shrewdest pleader,] and accused him in the following + speech: That Archelaus did in words contend for the kingdom, but that in + deeds he had long exercised royal authority, and so did but insult Caesar + in desiring to be now heard on that account, since he had not staid for + his determination about the succession, and since he had suborned certain + persons, after Herod's death, to move for putting the diadem upon his + head; since he had set himself down in the throne, and given answers as a + king, and altered the disposition of the army, and granted to some higher + dignities; that he had also complied in all things with the people in the + requests they had made to him as to their king, and had also dismissed + those that had been put into bonds by his father for most important + reasons. Now, after all this, he desires the shadow of that royal + authority, whose substance he had already seized to himself, and so hath + made Caesar lord, not of things, but of words. He also reproached him + further, that his mourning for his father was only pretended, while he put + on a sad countenance in the day time, but drank to great excess in the + night; from which behavior, he said, the late disturbance among the + multitude came, while they had an indignation thereat. And indeed the + purport of his whole discourse was to aggravate Archelaus's crime in + slaying such a multitude about the temple, which multitude came to the + festival, but were barbarously slain in the midst of their own sacrifices; + and he said there was such a vast number of dead bodies heaped together in + the temple, as even a foreign war, that should come upon them [suddenly], + before it was denounced, could not have heaped together. And he added, + that it was the foresight his father had of that his barbarity which made + him never give him any hopes of the kingdom, but when his mind was more + infirm than his body, and he was not able to reason soundly, and did not + well know what was the character of that son, whom in his second testament + he made his successor; and this was done by him at a time when he had no + complaints to make of him whom he had named before, when he was sound in + body, and when his mind was free from all passion. That, however, if any + one should suppose Herod's judgment, when he was sick, was superior to + that at another time, yet had Archelaus forfeited his kingdom by his own + behavior, and those his actions, which were contrary to the law, and to + its disadvantage. Or what sort of a king will this man be, when he hath + obtained the government from Caesar, who hath slain so many before he hath + obtained it! + </p> + <p> + 6. When Antipater had spoken largely to this purpose, and had produced a + great number of Archelaus's kindred as witnesses, to prove every part of + the accusation, he ended his discourse. Then stood up Nicolaus to plead + for Archelaus. He alleged that the slaughter in the temple could not be + avoided; that those that were slain were become enemies not to Archelaus's + kingdom, only, but to Caesar, who was to determine about him. He also + demonstrated that Archelaus's accusers had advised him to perpetrate other + things of which he might have been accused. But he insisted that the + latter testament should, for this reason, above all others, be esteemed + valid, because Herod had therein appointed Caesar to be the person who + should confirm the succession; for he who showed such prudence as to + recede from his own power, and yield it up to the lord of the world, + cannot be supposed mistaken in his judgment about him that was to be his + heir; and he that so well knew whom to choose for arbitrator of the + succession could not be unacquainted with him whom he chose for his + successor. + </p> + <p> + 7. When Nicolaus had gone through all he had to say, Archelaus came, and + fell down before Caesar's knees, without any noise;—upon which he + raised him up, after a very obliging manner, and declared that truly he + was worthy to succeed his father. However, he still made no firm + determination in his case; but when he had dismissed those assessors that + had been with him that day, he deliberated by himself about the + allegations which he had heard, whether it were fit to constitute any of + those named in the testaments for Herod's successor, or whether the + government should be parted among all his posterity, and this because of + the number of those that seemed to stand in need of support therefrom. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link22HCH0003" id="link22HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 3. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Jews Fight A Great Battle With Sabinus's Soldiers, And A + Great Destruction Is Made At Jerusalem. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now before Caesar had determined any thing about these affairs, + Malthace, Arehelaus's mother, fell sick and died. Letters also were + brought out of Syria from Varus, about a revolt of the Jews. This was + foreseen by Varus, who accordingly, after Archelaus was sailed, went up to + Jerusalem to restrain the promoters of the sedition, since it was manifest + that the nation would not be at rest; so he left one of those legions + which he brought with him out of Syria in the city, and went himself to + Antioch. But Sabinus came, after he was gone, and gave them an occasion of + making innovations; for he compelled the keepers of the citadels to + deliver them up to him, and made a bitter search after the king's money, + as depending not only on the soldiers which were left by Varus, but on the + multitude of his own servants, all which he armed and used as the + instruments of his covetousness. Now when that feast, which was observed + after seven weeks, and which the Jews called Pentecost, [i. e. the 50th + day,] was at hand, its name being taken from the number of the days [after + the passover], the people got together, but not on account of the + accustomed Divine worship, but of the indignation they had ['at the + present state of affairs']. Wherefore an immense multitude ran together, + out of Galilee, and Idumea, and Jericho, and Perea, that was beyond + Jordan; but the people that naturally belonged to Judea itself were above + the rest, both in number, and in the alacrity of the men. So they + distributed themselves into three parts, and pitched their camps in three + places; one at the north side of the temple, another at the south side, by + the Hippodrome, and the third part were at the palace on the west. So they + lay round about the Romans on every side, and besieged them. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now Sabinus was affrighted, both at their multitude, and at their + courage, and sent messengers to Varus continually, and besought him to + come to his succor quickly; for that if he delayed, his legion would be + cut to pieces. As for Sabinus himself, he got up to the highest tower of + the fortress, which was called Phasaelus; it is of the same name with + Herod's brother, who was destroyed by the Parthians; and then he made + signs to the soldiers of that legion to attack the enemy; for his + astonishment was so great, that he durst not go down to his own men. + Hereupon the soldiers were prevailed upon, and leaped out into the temple, + and fought a terrible battle with the Jews; in which, while there were + none over their heads to distress them, they were too hard for them, by + their skill, and the others' want of skill, in war; but when once many of + the Jews had gotten up to the top of the cloisters, and threw their darts + downwards, upon the heads of the Romans, there were a great many of them + destroyed. Nor was it easy to avenge themselves upon those that threw + their weapons from on high, nor was it more easy for them to sustain those + who came to fight them hand to hand. + </p> + <p> + 3. Since therefore the Romans were sorely afflicted by both these + circumstances, they set fire to the cloisters, which were works to be + admired, both on account of their magnitude and costliness. Whereupon + those that were above them were presently encompassed with the flame, and + many of them perished therein; as many of them also were destroyed by the + enemy, who came suddenly upon them; some of them also threw themselves + down from the walls backward, and some there were who, from the desperate + condition they were in, prevented the fire, by killing themselves with + their own swords; but so many of them as crept out from the walls, and + came upon the Romans, were easily mastered by them, by reason of the + astonishment they were under; until at last some of the Jews being + destroyed, and others dispersed by the terror they were in, the soldiers + fell upon the treasure of God, which was now deserted, and plundered about + four hundred talents, Of which sum Sabinus got together all that was not + carried away by the soldiers. + </p> + <p> + 4. However, this destruction of the works [about the temple], and of the + men, occasioned a much greater number, and those of a more warlike sort, + to get together, to oppose the Romans. These encompassed the palace round, + and threatened to deploy all that were in it, unless they went their ways + quickly; for they promised that Sabinus should come to no harm, if he + would go out with his legion. There were also a great many of the king's + party who deserted the Romans, and assisted the Jews; yet did the most + warlike body of them all, who were three thousand of the men of Sebaste, + go over to the Romans. Rufus also, and Gratus, their captains, did the + same, [Gratus having the foot of the king's party under him, and Rufus the + horse,] each of whom, even without the forces under them, were of great + weight, on account of their strength and wisdom, which turn the scales in + war. Now the Jews in the siege, and tried to break down walls of the + fortress, and cried out to Sabinus and his party, that they should go + their ways, and not prove a hinderance to them, now they hoped, after a + long time, to recover that ancient liberty which their forefathers had + enjoyed. Sabinus indeed was well contented to get out of the danger he was + in, but he distrusted the assurances the Jews gave him, and suspected such + gentle treatment was but a bait laid as a snare for them: this + consideration, together with the hopes he had of succor from Varus, made + him bear the siege still longer. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link22HCH0004" id="link22HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 4. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Herod's Veteran Soldiers Become Tumultuous. The Robberies Of + Judas. Simon And Athronoeus Take The Name Of King Upon Them. +</pre> + <p> + 1. At this time there were great disturbances in the country, and that in + many places; and the opportunity that now offered itself induced a great + many to set up for kings. And indeed in Idumea two thousand of Herod's + veteran soldiers got together, and armed and fought against those of the + king's party; against whom Achiabus, the king's first cousin, fought, and + that out of some of the places that were the most strongly fortified; but + so as to avoid a direct conflict with them in the plains. In Sepphoris + also, a city of Galilee, there was one Judas [the son of that arch-robber + Hezekias, who formerly overran the country, and had been subdued by king + Herod]; this man got no small multitude together, and brake open the place + where the royal armor was laid up, and armed those about him, and attacked + those that were so earnest to gain the dominion. + </p> + <p> + 2. In Perea also, Simon, one of the servants to the king, relying upon the + handsome appearance and tallness of his body, put a diadem upon his own + head also; he also went about with a company of robbers that he had gotten + together, and burnt down the royal palace that was at Jericho, and many + other costly edifices besides, and procured himself very easily spoils by + rapine, as snatching them out of the fire. And he had soon burnt down all + the fine edifices, if Gratus, the captain of the foot of the king's party, + had not taken the Trachonite archers, and the most warlike of Sebaste, and + met the man. His footmen were slain in the battle in abundance; Gratus + also cut to pieces Simon himself, as he was flying along a strait valley, + when he gave him an oblique stroke upon his neck, as he ran away, and + brake it. The royal palaces that were near Jordan at Betharamptha were + also burnt down by some other of the seditious that came out of Perea. + </p> + <p> + 3. At this time it was that a certain shepherd ventured to set himself up + for a king; he was called Athrongeus. It was his strength of body that + made him expect such a dignity, as well as his soul, which despised death; + and besides these qualifications, he had four brethren like himself. He + put a troop of armed men under each of these his brethren, and made use of + them as his generals and commanders, when he made his incursions, while he + did himself act like a king, and meddled only with the more important + affairs; and at this time he put a diadem about his head, and continued + after that to overrun the country for no little time with his brethren, + and became their leader in killing both the Romans and those of the king's + party; nor did any Jew escape him, if any gain could accrue to him + thereby. He once ventured to encompass a whole troop of Romans at Emmaus, + who were carrying corn and weapons to their legion; his men therefore shot + their arrows and darts, and thereby slew their centurion Arius, and forty + of the stoutest of his men, while the rest of them, who were in danger of + the same fate, upon the coming of Gratus, with those of Sebaste, to their + assistance, escaped. And when these men had thus served both their own + countrymen and foreigners, and that through this whole war, three of them + were, after some time, subdued; the eldest by Archelaus, the two next by + falling into the hands of Gratus and Ptolemeus; but the fourth delivered + himself up to Archelaus, upon his giving him his right hand for his + security. However, this their end was not till afterward, while at present + they filled all Judea with a piratic war. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link22HCH0005" id="link22HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 5. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Varus Composes The Tumults In Judea And Crucifies About Two + Thousand Of The Seditious. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Upon Varus's reception of the letters that were written by Sabinus and + the captains, he could not avoid being afraid for the whole legion [he had + left there]. So he made haste to their relief, and took with him the other + two legions, with the four troops of horsemen to them belonging, and + marched to Ptolenlais; having given orders for the auxiliaries that were + sent by the kings and governors of cities to meet him there. Moreover, he + received from the people of Berytus, as he passed through their city, + fifteen hundred armed men. Now as soon as the other body of auxiliaries + were come to Ptolemais, as well as Aretas the Arabian, [who, out of the + hatred he bore to Herod, brought a great army of horse and foot,] Varus + sent a part of his army presently to Galilee, which lay near to Ptolemais, + and Caius, one of his friends, for their captain. This Caius put those + that met him to flight, and took the city Sepphoris, and burnt it, and + made slaves of its inhabitants; but as for Varus himself, he marched to + Samaria with his whole army, where he did not meddle with the city itself, + because he found that it had made no commotion during these troubles, but + pitched his camp about a certain village which was called Aras. It + belonged to Ptolemy, and on that account was plundered by the Arabians, + who were very angry even at Herod's friends also. He thence marched on to + the village Sampho, another fortified place, which they plundered, as they + had done the other. As they carried off all the money they lighted upon + belonging to the public revenues, all was now full of fire and blood-shed, + and nothing could resist the plunders of the Arabians. Emnaus was also + burnt, upon the flight of its inhabitants, and this at the command of + Varus, out of his rage at the slaughter of those that were about Arias. + </p> + <p> + 2. Thence he marched on to Jerusalem, and as soon as he was but seen by + the Jews, he made their camps disperse themselves; they also went away, + and fled up and down the country. But the citizens received him, and + cleared themselves of having any hand in this revolt, and said that they + had raised no commotions, but had only been forced to admit the multitude, + because of the festival, and that they were rather besieged together with + the Romans, than assisted those that had revolted. There had before this + met him Joseph, the first cousin of Archelaus, and Gratus, together with + Rufus, who led those of Sebaste, as well as the king's army: there also + met him those of the Roman legion, armed after their accustomed manner; + for as to Sabinus, he durst not come into Varus's sight, but was gone out + of the city before this, to the sea-side. But Varus sent a part of his + army into the country, against those that had been the authors of this + commotion, and as they caught great numbers of them, those that appeared + to have been the least concerned in these tumults he put into custody, but + such as were the most guilty he crucified; these were in number about two + thousand. + </p> + <p> + 3. He was also informed that there continued in Idumea ten thousand men + still in arms; but when he found that the Arabians did not act like + auxiliaries, but managed the war according to their own passions, and did + mischief to the country otherwise than he intended, and this out of their + hatred to Herod, he sent them away, but made haste, with his own legions, + to march against those that had revolted; but these, by the advice of + Achiabus, delivered themselves up to him before it came to a battle. Then + did Varus forgive the multitude their offenses, but sent their captains to + Caesar to be examined by him. Now Caesar forgave the rest, but gave orders + that certain of the king's relations [for some of those that were among + them were Herod's kinsmen] should be put to death, because they had + engaged in a war against a king of their own family. When therefore Varus + had settled matters at Jerusalem after this manner, and had left the + former legion there as a garrison, he returned to Antioch. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link22HCH0006" id="link22HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 6. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Jews Greatly Complain Of Archelaus And Desire That They + May Be Made Subject To Roman Governors. But When Caesar Had + Heard What They Had To Say, He Distributed Herod's Dominions + Among His Sons According To His Own Pleasure. +</pre> + <p> + 1. But now came another accusation from the Jews against Archelaus at + Rome, which he was to answer to. It was made by those ambassadors who, + before the revolt, had come, by Varus's permission, to plead for the + liberty of their country; those that came were fifty in number, but there + were more than eight thousand of the Jews at Rome who supported them. And + when Caesar had assembled a council of the principal Romans in Apollo's <a + href="#link2note-2" name="link2noteref-2" id="link2noteref-2">2</a> + temple, that was in the palace, [this was what he had himself built and + adorned, at a vast expense,] the multitude of the Jews stood with the + ambassadors, and on the other side stood Archelaus, with his friends; but + as for the kindred of Archelaus, they stood on neither side; for to stand + on Archelaus's side, their hatred to him, and envy at him, would not give + them leave, while yet they were afraid to be seen by Caesar with his + accusers. Besides these, there were present Archelaus's brother Philip, + being sent thither beforehand, out of kindness by Varus, for two reasons: + the one was this, that he might be assisting to Archelaus; and the other + was this, that in case Caesar should make a distribution of what Herod + possessed among his posterity, he might obtain some share of it. + </p> + <p> + 2. And now, upon the permission that was given the accusers to speak, + they, in the first place, went over Herod's breaches of their law, and + said that he was not a king, but the most barbarous of all tyrants, and + that they had found him to be such by the sufferings they underwent from + him; that when a very great number had been slain by him, those that were + left had endured such miseries, that they called those that were dead + happy men; that he had not only tortured the bodies of his subjects, but + entire cities, and had done much harm to the cities of his own country, + while he adorned those that belonged to foreigners; and he shed the blood + of Jews, in order to do kindnesses to those people that were out of their + bounds; that he had filled the nation full of poverty, and of the greatest + iniquity, instead of that happiness and those laws which they had + anciently enjoyed; that, in short, the Jews had borne more calamities from + Herod, in a few years, than had their forefathers during all that interval + of time that had passed since they had come out of Babylon, and returned + home, in the reign of Xerxes <a href="#link2note-3" name="link2noteref-3" + id="link2noteref-3">3</a> that, however, the nation was come to so low a + condition, by being inured to hardships, that they submitted to his + successor of their own accord, though he brought them into bitter slavery; + that accordingly they readily called Archelaus, though he was the son of + so great a tyrant, king, after the decease of his father, and joined with + him in mourning for the death of Herod, and in wishing him good success in + that his succession; while yet this Archelaus, lest he should be in danger + of not being thought the genuine son of Herod, began his reign with the + murder of three thousand citizens; as if he had a mind to offer so many + bloody sacrifices to God for his government, and to fill the temple with + the like number of dead bodies at that festival: that, however, those that + were left after so many miseries, had just reason to consider now at last + the calamities they had undergone, and to oppose themselves, like soldiers + in war, to receive those stripes upon their faces [but not upon their + backs, as hitherto]. Whereupon they prayed that the Romans would have + compassion upon the [poor] remains of Judea, and not expose what was left + of them to such as barbarously tore them to pieces, and that they would + join their country to Syria, and administer the government by their own + commanders, whereby it would [soon] be demonstrated that those who are now + under the calumny of seditious persons, and lovers of war, know how to + bear governors that are set over them, if they be but tolerable ones. So + the Jews concluded their accusation with this request. Then rose up + Nicolaus, and confuted the accusations which were brought against the + kings, and himself accused the Jewish nation, as hard to be ruled, and as + naturally disobedient to kings. He also reproached all those kinsmen of + Archelaus who had left him, and were gone over to his accusers. + </p> + <p> + 3. So Caesar, after he had heard both sides, dissolved the assembly for + that time; but a few days afterward, he gave the one half of Herod's + kingdom to Archelaus, by the name of Ethnarch, and promised to make him + king also afterward, if he rendered himself worthy of that dignity. But as + to the other half, he divided it into two tetrarchies, and gave them to + two other sons of Herod, the one of them to Philip, and the other to that + Antipas who contested the kingdom with Archelaus. Under this last was + Perea and Galilee, with a revenue of two hundred talents; but Batanea, and + Trachonitis, and Auranitis, and certain parts of Zeno's house about + Jamnia, with a revenue of a hundred talents, were made subject to Philip; + while Idumea, and all Judea, and Samaria were parts of the ethnarchy of + Archelaus, although Samaria was eased of one quarter of its taxes, out of + regard to their not having revolted with the rest of the nation. He also + made subject to him the following cities, viz. Strato's Tower, and + Sebaste, and Joppa, and Jerusalem; but as to the Grecian cities, Gaza, and + Gadara, and Hippos, he cut them off from the kingdom, and added them to + Syria. Now the revenue of the country that was given to Archelaus was four + hundred talents. Salome also, besides what the king had left her in his + testaments, was now made mistress of Jamnia, and Ashdod, and Phasaelis. + Caesar did moreover bestow upon her the royal palace of Ascalon; by all + which she got together a revenue of sixty talents; but he put her house + under the ethnarchy of Archelaus. And for the rest of Herod's offspring, + they received what was bequeathed to them in his testaments; but, besides + that, Caesar granted to Herod's two virgin daughters five hundred thousand + [drachmae] of silver, and gave them in marriage to the sons of Pheroras: + but after this family distribution, he gave between them what had been + bequeathed to him by Herod, which was a thousand talents, reserving to + himself only some inconsiderable presents, in honor of the deceased. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link22HCH0007" id="link22HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 7. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The History Of The Spurious Alexander. Archelaus Is Banished + And Glaphyra Dies, After What Was To Happen To Both Of Them + Had Been Showed Them In Dreams. +</pre> + <p> + 1. In the meantime, there was a man, who was by birth a Jew, but brought + up at Sidon with one of the Roman freed-men, who falsely pretended, on + account of the resemblance of their countenances, that he was that + Alexander who was slain by Herod. This man came to Rome, in hopes of not + being detected. He had one who was his assistant, of his own nation, and + who knew all the affairs of the kingdom, and instructed him to say how + those that were sent to kill him and Aristobulus had pity upon them, and + stole them away, by putting bodies that were like theirs in their places. + This man deceived the Jews that were at Crete, and got a great deal of + money of them for traveling in splendor; and thence sailed to Melos, where + he was thought so certainly genuine, that he got a great deal more money, + and prevailed with those that had treated him to sail along with him to + Rome. So he landed at Dicearchia, [Puteoli,] and got very large presents + from the Jews who dwelt there, and was conducted by his father's friends + as if he were a king; nay, the resemblance in his countenance procured him + so much credit, that those who had seen Alexander, and had known him very + well, would take their oaths that he was the very same person. + Accordingly, the whole body of the Jews that were at Rome ran out in + crowds to see him, and an innumerable multitude there was which stood in + the narrow places through which he was carried; for those of Melos were so + far distracted, that they carried him in a sedan, and maintained a royal + attendance for him at their own proper charges. + </p> + <p> + 2. But Caesar, who knew perfectly well the lineaments of Alexander's face, + because he had been accused by Herod before him, discerned the fallacy in + his countenance, even before he saw the man. However, he suffered the + agreeable fame that went of him to have some weight with him, and sent + Celadus, one who well knew Alexander, and ordered him to bring the young + man to him. But when Caesar saw him, he immediately discerned a difference + in his countenance; and when he had discovered that his whole body was of + a more robust texture, and like that of a slave, he understood the whole + was a contrivance. But the impudence of what he said greatly provoked him + to be angry at him; for when he was asked about Aristobulus, he said that + he was also preserved alive, and was left on purpose in Cyprus, for fear + of treachery, because it would be harder for plotters to get them both + into their power while they were separate. Then did Caesar take him by + himself privately, and said to him, "I will give thee thy life, if thou + wilt discover who it was that persuaded thee to forge such stories." So he + said that he would discover him, and followed Caesar, and pointed to that + Jew who abused the resemblance of his face to get money; for that he had + received more presents in every city than ever Alexander did when he was + alive. Caesar laughed at the contrivance, and put this spurious Alexander + among his rowers, on account of the strength of his body, but ordered him + that persuaded him to be put to death. But for the people of Melos, they + had been sufficiently punished for their folly, by the expenses they had + been at on his account. + </p> + <p> + 3. And now Archelaus took possession of his ethnarchy, and used not the + Jews only, but the Samaritans also, barbarously; and this out of his + resentment of their old quarrels with him. Whereupon they both of them + sent ambassadors against him to Caesar; and in the ninth year of his + government he was banished to Vienna, a city of Gaul, and his effects were + put into Caesar's treasury. But the report goes, that before he was sent + for by Caesar, he seemed to see nine ears of corn, full and large, but + devoured by oxen. When, therefore, he had sent for the diviners, and some + of the Chaldeans, and inquired of them what they thought it portended; and + when one of them had one interpretation, and another had another, Simon, + one of the sect of Essens, said that he thought the ears of corn denoted + years, and the oxen denoted a mutation of things, because by their + ploughing they made an alteration of the country. That therefore he should + reign as many years as there were ears of corn; and after he had passed + through various alterations of fortune, should die. Now five days after + Archelaus had heard this interpretation he was called to his trial. + </p> + <p> + 4. I cannot also but think it worthy to be recorded what dream Glaphyra, + the daughter of Archelaus, king of Cappadocia, had, who had at first been + wife to Alexander, who was the brother of Archelaus, concerning whom we + have been discoursing. This Alexander was the son of Herod the king, by + whom he was put to death, as we have already related. This Glaphyra was + married, after his death, to Juba, king of Libya; and, after his death, + was returned home, and lived a widow with her father. Then it was that + Archelaus, the ethnarch, saw her, and fell so deeply in love with her, + that he divorced Mariamne, who was then his wife, and married her. When, + therefore, she was come into Judea, and had been there for a little while, + she thought she saw Alexander stand by her, and that he said to her; "Thy + marriage with the king of Libya might have been sufficient for thee; but + thou wast not contented with him, but art returned again to my family, to + a third husband; and him, thou impudent woman, hast thou chosen for thine + husband, who is my brother. However, I shall not overlook the injury thou + hast offered me; I shall [soon] have thee again, whether thou wilt or no." + Now Glaphyra hardly survived the narration of this dream of hers two days. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link22HCH0008" id="link22HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 8. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Archelaus's Ethnarchy Is Reduced Into A [Roman] Province. + The Sedition Of Judas Of Galilee. The Three Sects. +</pre> + <p> + 1. And now Archelaus's part of Judea was reduced into a province, and + Coponius, one of the equestrian order among the Romans, was sent as a + procurator, having the power of [life and] death put into his hands by + Caesar. Under his administration it was that a certain Galilean, whose + name was Judas, prevailed with his countrymen to revolt, and said they + were cowards if they would endure to pay a tax to the Romans and would + after God submit to mortal men as their lords. This man was a teacher of a + peculiar sect of his own, and was not at all like the rest of those their + leaders. + </p> + <p> + 2. For there are three philosophical sects among the Jews. The followers + of the first of which are the Pharisees; of the second, the Sadducees; and + the third sect, which pretends to a severer discipline, are called Essens. + These last are Jews by birth, and seem to have a greater affection for one + another than the other sects have. These Essens reject pleasures as an + evil, but esteem continence, and the conquest over our passions, to be + virtue. They neglect wedlock, but choose out other persons children, while + they are pliable, and fit for learning, and esteem them to be of their + kindred, and form them according to their own manners. They do not + absolutely deny the fitness of marriage, and the succession of mankind + thereby continued; but they guard against the lascivious behavior of + women, and are persuaded that none of them preserve their fidelity to one + man. + </p> + <p> + 3. These men are despisers of riches, and so very communicative as raises + our admiration. Nor is there any one to be found among them who hath more + than another; for it is a law among them, that those who come to them must + let what they have be common to the whole order,—insomuch that among + them all there is no appearance of poverty, or excess of riches, but every + one's possessions are intermingled with every other's possessions; and so + there is, as it were, one patrimony among all the brethren. They think + that oil is a defilement; and if any one of them be anointed without his + own approbation, it is wiped off his body; for they think to be sweaty is + a good thing, as they do also to be clothed in white garments. They also + have stewards appointed to take care of their common affairs, who every + one of them have no separate business for any, but what is for the uses of + them all. + </p> + <p> + 4. They have no one certain city, but many of them dwell in every city; + and if any of their sect come from other places, what they have lies open + for them, just as if it were their own; and they go in to such as they + never knew before, as if they had been ever so long acquainted with them. + For which reason they carry nothing at all with them when they travel into + remote parts, though still they take their weapons with them, for fear of + thieves. Accordingly, there is, in every city where they live, one + appointed particularly to take care of strangers, and to provide garments + and other necessaries for them. But the habit and management of their + bodies is such as children use who are in fear of their masters. Nor do + they allow of the change of garments or of shoes till be first torn to + pieces, or worn out by time. Nor do they either buy or sell any thing to + one another; but every one of them gives what he hath to him that wanteth + it, and receives from him again in lieu of it what may be convenient for + himself; and although there be no requital made, they are fully allowed to + take what they want of whomsoever they please. + </p> + <p> + 5. And as for their piety towards God, it is very extraordinary; for + before sun-rising they speak not a word about profane matters, but put up + certain prayers which they have received from their forefathers, as if + they made a supplication for its rising. After this every one of them are + sent away by their curators, to exercise some of those arts wherein they + are skilled, in which they labor with great diligence till the fifth hour. + After which they assemble themselves together again into one place; and + when they have clothed themselves in white veils, they then bathe their + bodies in cold water. And after this purification is over, they every one + meet together in an apartment of their own, into which it is not permitted + to any of another sect to enter; while they go, after a pure manner, into + the dining-room, as into a certain holy temple, and quietly set themselves + down; upon which the baker lays them loaves in order; the cook also brings + a single plate of one sort of food, and sets it before every one of them; + but a priest says grace before meat; and it is unlawful for any one to + taste of the food before grace be said. The same priest, when he hath + dined, says grace again after meat; and when they begin, and when they + end, they praise God, as he that bestows their food upon them; after which + they lay aside their [white] garments, and betake themselves to their + labors again till the evening; then they return home to supper, after the + same manner; and if there be any strangers there, they sit down with them. + Nor is there ever any clamor or disturbance to pollute their house, but + they give every one leave to speak in their turn; which silence thus kept + in their house appears to foreigners like some tremendous mystery; the + cause of which is that perpetual sobriety they exercise, and the same + settled measure of meat and drink that is allotted them, and that such as + is abundantly sufficient for them. + </p> + <p> + 6. And truly, as for other things, they do nothing but according to the + injunctions of their curators; only these two things are done among them + at everyone's own free-will, which are to assist those that want it, and + to show mercy; for they are permitted of their own accord to afford succor + to such as deserve it, when they stand in need of it, and to bestow food + on those that are in distress; but they cannot give any thing to their + kindred without the curators. They dispense their anger after a just + manner, and restrain their passion. They are eminent for fidelity, and are + the ministers of peace; whatsoever they say also is firmer than an oath; + but swearing is avoided by them, and they esteem it worse than perjury <a + href="#link2note-4" name="link2noteref-4" id="link2noteref-4">4</a> for + they say that he who cannot be believed without [swearing by] God is + already condemned. They also take great pains in studying the writings of + the ancients, and choose out of them what is most for the advantage of + their soul and body; and they inquire after such roots and medicinal + stones as may cure their distempers. + </p> + <p> + 7. But now if any one hath a mind to come over to their sect, he is not + immediately admitted, but he is prescribed the same method of living which + they use for a year, while he continues excluded'; and they give him also + a small hatchet, and the fore-mentioned girdle, and the white garment. And + when he hath given evidence, during that time, that he can observe their + continence, he approaches nearer to their way of living, and is made a + partaker of the waters of purification; yet is he not even now admitted to + live with them; for after this demonstration of his fortitude, his temper + is tried two more years; and if he appear to be worthy, they then admit + him into their society. And before he is allowed to touch their common + food, he is obliged to take tremendous oaths, that, in the first place, he + will exercise piety towards God, and then that he will observe justice + towards men, and that he will do no harm to any one, either of his own + accord, or by the command of others; that he will always hate the wicked, + and be assistant to the righteous; that he will ever show fidelity to all + men, and especially to those in authority, because no one obtains the + government without God's assistance; and that if he be in authority, he + will at no time whatever abuse his authority, nor endeavor to outshine his + subjects either in his garments, or any other finery; that he will be + perpetually a lover of truth, and propose to himself to reprove those that + tell lies; that he will keep his hands clear from theft, and his soul from + unlawful gains; and that he will neither conceal any thing from those of + his own sect, nor discover any of their doctrines to others, no, not + though anyone should compel him so to do at the hazard of his life. + Moreover, he swears to communicate their doctrines to no one any otherwise + than as he received them himself; that he will abstain from robbery, and + will equally preserve the books belonging to their sect, and the names of + the angels <a href="#link2note-5" name="link2noteref-5" id="link2noteref-5">5</a> + [or messengers]. These are the oaths by which they secure their proselytes + to themselves. + </p> + <p> + 8. But for those that are caught in any heinous sins, they cast them out + of their society; and he who is thus separated from them does often die + after a miserable manner; for as he is bound by the oath he hath taken, + and by the customs he hath been engaged in, he is not at liberty to + partake of that food that he meets with elsewhere, but is forced to eat + grass, and to famish his body with hunger, till he perish; for which + reason they receive many of them again when they are at their last gasp, + out of compassion to them, as thinking the miseries they have endured till + they came to the very brink of death to be a sufficient punishment for the + sins they had been guilty of. + </p> + <p> + 9. But in the judgments they exercise they are most accurate and just, nor + do they pass sentence by the votes of a court that is fewer than a + hundred. And as to what is once determined by that number, it is + unalterable. What they most of all honor, after God himself, is the name + of their legislator [Moses], whom if any one blaspheme he is punished + capitally. They also think it a good thing to obey their elders, and the + major part. Accordingly, if ten of them be sitting together, no one of + them will speak while the other nine are against it. They also avoid + spitting in the midst of them, or on the right side. Moreover, they are + stricter than any other of the Jews in resting from their labors on the + seventh day; for they not only get their food ready the day before, that + they may not be obliged to kindle a fire on that day, but they will not + remove any vessel out of its place, nor go to stool thereon. Nay, on other + days they dig a small pit, a foot deep, with a paddle [which kind of + hatchet is given them when they are first admitted among them]; and + covering themselves round with their garment, that they may not affront + the Divine rays of light, they ease themselves into that pit, after which + they put the earth that was dug out again into the pit; and even this they + do only in the more lonely places, which they choose out for this purpose; + and although this easement of the body be natural, yet it is a rule with + them to wash themselves after it, as if it were a defilement to them. + </p> + <p> + 10. Now after the time of their preparatory trial is over, they are parted + into four classes; and so far are the juniors inferior to the seniors, + that if the seniors should be touched by the juniors, they must wash + themselves, as if they had intermixed themselves with the company of a + foreigner. They are long-lived also, insomuch that many of them live above + a hundred years, by means of the simplicity of their diet; nay, as I + think, by means of the regular course of life they observe also. They + contemn the miseries of life, and are above pain, by the generosity of + their mind. And as for death, if it will be for their glory, they esteem + it better than living always; and indeed our war with the Romans gave + abundant evidence what great souls they had in their trials, wherein, + although they were tortured and distorted, burnt and torn to pieces, and + went through all kinds of instruments of torment, that they might be + forced either to blaspheme their legislator, or to eat what was forbidden + them, yet could they not be made to do either of them, no, nor once to + flatter their tormentors, or to shed a tear; but they smiled in their very + pains, and laughed those to scorn who inflicted the torments upon them, + and resigned up their souls with great alacrity, as expecting to receive + them again. + </p> + <p> + 11. For their doctrine is this: That bodies are corruptible, and that the + matter they are made of is not permanent; but that the souls are immortal, + and continue for ever; and that they come out of the most subtile air, and + are united to their bodies as to prisons, into which they are drawn by a + certain natural enticement; but that when they are set free from the bonds + of the flesh, they then, as released from a long bondage, rejoice and + mount upward. And this is like the opinions of the Greeks, that good souls + have their habitations beyond the ocean, in a region that is neither + oppressed with storms of rain or snow, or with intense heat, but that this + place is such as is refreshed by the gentle breathing of a west wind, that + is perpetually blowing from the ocean; while they allot to bad souls a + dark and tempestuous den, full of never-ceasing punishments. And indeed + the Greeks seem to me to have followed the same notion, when they allot + the islands of the blessed to their brave men, whom they call heroes and + demi-gods; and to the souls of the wicked, the region of the ungodly, in + Hades, where their fables relate that certain persons, such as Sisyphus, + and Tantalus, and Ixion, and Tityus, are punished; which is built on this + first supposition, that souls are immortal; and thence are those + exhortations to virtue and dehortations from wickedness collected; whereby + good men are bettered in the conduct of their life by the hope they have + of reward after their death; and whereby the vehement inclinations of bad + men to vice are restrained, by the fear and expectation they are in, that + although they should lie concealed in this life, they should suffer + immortal punishment after their death. These are the Divine doctrines of + the Essens <a href="#link2note-6" name="link2noteref-6" id="link2noteref-6">6</a> + about the soul, which lay an unavoidable bait for such as have once had a + taste of their philosophy. + </p> + <p> + 12. There are also those among them who undertake to foretell things to + come, <a href="#link2note-7" name="link2noteref-7" id="link2noteref-7">7</a> + by reading the holy books, and using several sorts of purifications, and + being perpetually conversant in the discourses of the prophets; and it is + but seldom that they miss in their predictions. + </p> + <p> + 13. Moreover, there is another order of Essens, <a href="#link2note-8" + name="link2noteref-8" id="link2noteref-8">8</a> who agree with the rest as + to their way of living, and customs, and laws, but differ from them in the + point of marriage, as thinking that by not marrying they cut off the + principal part of human life, which is the prospect of succession; nay, + rather, that if all men should be of the same opinion, the whole race of + mankind would fail. However, they try their spouses for three years; and + if they find that they have their natural purgations thrice, as trials + that they are likely to be fruitful, they then actually marry them. But + they do not use to accompany with their wives when they are with child, as + a demonstration that they do not many out of regard to pleasure, but for + the sake of posterity. Now the women go into the baths with some of their + garments on, as the men do with somewhat girded about them. And these are + the customs of this order of Essens. + </p> + <p> + 14. But then as to the two other orders at first mentioned, the Pharisees + are those who are esteemed most skillful in the exact explication of their + laws, and introduce the first sect. These ascribe all to fate [or + providence], and to God, and yet allow, that to act what is right, or the + contrary, is principally in the power of men, although fate does + co-operate in every action. They say that all souls are incorruptible, but + that the souls of good men only are removed into other bodies,—but + that the souls of bad men are subject to eternal punishment. But the + Sadducees are those that compose the second order, and take away fate + entirely, and suppose that God is not concerned in our doing or not doing + what is evil; and they say, that to act what is good, or what is evil, is + at men's own choice, and that the one or the other belongs so to every + one, that they may act as they please. They also take away the belief of + the immortal duration of the soul, and the punishments and rewards in + Hades. Moreover, the Pharisees are friendly to one another, and are for + the exercise of concord, and regard for the public; but the behavior of + the Sadducees one towards another is in some degree wild, and their + conversation with those that are of their own party is as barbarous as if + they were strangers to them. And this is what I had to say concerning the + philosophic sects among the Jews. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link22HCH0009" id="link22HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 9. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Death Of Salome. The Cities Which Herod And Philip + Built. Pilate Occasions Disturbances. Tiberius Puts Agrippa + Into Bonds But Caius Frees Him From Them, And Makes Him + King. Herod Antipas Is Banished. +</pre> + <p> + 1. And now as the ethnarchy of Archelaus was fallen into a Roman province, + the other sons of Herod, Philip, and that Herod who was called Antipas, + each of them took upon them the administration of their own tetrarchies; + for when Salome died, she bequeathed to Julia, the wife of Augustus, both + her toparchy, and Jamriga, as also her plantation of palm trees that were + in Phasaelis. But when the Roman empire was translated to Tiberius, the + son of Julia, upon the death of Augustus, who had reigned fifty-seven + years, six months, and two days, both Herod and Philip continued in their + tetrarchies; and the latter of them built the city Cesarea, at the + fountains of Jordan, and in the region of Paneas; as also the city Julias, + in the lower Gaulonitis. Herod also built the city Tiberius in Galilee, + and in Perea [beyond Jordan] another that was also called Julias. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now Pilate, who was sent as procurator into Judea by Tiberius, sent by + night those images of Caesar that are called ensigns into Jerusalem. This + excited a very great tumult among the Jews when it was day; for + those that were near them were astonished at the sight of them, as + indications that their laws were trodden under foot; for those laws do not + permit any sort of image to be brought into the city. Nay, besides the + indignation which the citizens had themselves at this procedure, a vast + number of people came running out of the country. These came zealously to + Pilate to Cesarea, and besought him to carry those ensigns out of + Jerusalem, and to preserve them their ancient laws inviolable; but upon + Pilate's denial of their request, they fell <a href="#link2note-9" + name="link2noteref-9" id="link2noteref-9">9</a> down prostrate upon the + ground, and continued immovable in that posture for five days and as many + nights. + </p> + <p> + 3. On the next day Pilate sat upon his tribunal, in the open market-place, + and called to him the multitude, as desirous to give them an answer; and + then gave a signal to the soldiers, that they should all by agreement at + once encompass the Jews with their weapons; so the band of soldiers stood + round about the Jews in three ranks. The Jews were under the utmost + consternation at that unexpected sight. Pilate also said to them that they + should be cut in pieces, unless they would admit of Caesar's images, and + gave intimation to the soldiers to draw their naked swords. Hereupon the + Jews, as it were at one signal, fell down in vast numbers together, and + exposed their necks bare, and cried out that they were sooner ready to be + slain, than that their law should be transgressed. Hereupon Pilate was + greatly surprised at their prodigious superstition, and gave order that + the ensigns should be presently carried out of Jerusalem. + </p> + <p> + 4. After this he raised another disturbance, by expending that sacred + treasure which is called Corban <a href="#link2note-10" + name="link2noteref-10" id="link2noteref-10">10</a> upon aqueducts, whereby + he brought water from the distance of four hundred furlongs. At this the + multitude had indignation; and when Pilate was come to Jerusalem, they + came about his tribunal, and made a clamor at it. Now when he was apprized + aforehand of this disturbance, he mixed his own soldiers in their armor + with the multitude, and ordered them to conceal themselves under the + habits of private men, and not indeed to use their swords, but with their + staves to beat those that made the clamor. He then gave the signal from + his tribunal [to do as he had bidden them]. Now the Jews were so sadly + beaten, that many of them perished by the stripes they received, and many + of them perished as trodden to death by themselves; by which means the + multitude was astonished at the calamity of those that were slain, and + held their peace. + </p> + <p> + 5. In the mean time Agrippa, the son of that Aristobulus who had been + slain by his father Herod, came to Tiberius, to accuse Herod the tetrarch; + who not admitting of his accusation, he staid at Rome, and cultivated a + friendship with others of the men of note, but principally with Caius the + son of Germanicus, who was then but a private person. Now this Agrippa, at + a certain time, feasted Caius; and as he was very complaisant to him on + several other accounts, he at length stretched out his hands, and openly + wished that Tiberius might die, and that he might quickly see him emperor + of the world. This was told to Tiberius by one of Agrippa's domestics, who + thereupon was very angry, and ordered Agrippa to be bound, and had him + very ill-treated in the prison for six months, until Tiberius died, after + he had reigned twenty-two years, six months, and three days. + </p> + <p> + 6. But when Caius was made Caesar, he released Agrippa from his bonds, and + made him king of Philip's tetrarchy, who was now dead; but when Agrippa + had arrived at that degree of dignity, he inflamed the ambitious desires + of Herod the tetrarch, who was chiefly induced to hope for the royal + authority by his wife Herodias, who reproached him for his sloth, and told + him that it was only because he would not sail to Caesar that he was + destitute of that great dignity; for since Caesar had made Agrippa a king, + from a private person, much mole would he advance him from a tetrarch to + that dignity. These arguments prevailed with Herod, so that he came to + Caius, by whom he was punished for his ambition, by being banished into + Spain; for Agrippa followed him, in order to accuse him; to whom also + Caius gave his tetrarchy, by way of addition. So Herod died in Spain, + whither his wife had followed him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link22HCH0010" id="link22HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 10. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Caius Commands That His Statue Should Be Set Up In The + Temple Itself; And What Petronius Did Thereupon. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now Caius Caesar did so grossly abuse the fortune he had arrived at, as + to take himself to be a god, and to desire to be so called also, and to + cut off those of the greatest nobility out of his country. He also + extended his impiety as far as the Jews. Accordingly, he sent Petronius + with an army to Jerusalem, to place his statues in the temple, <a + href="#link2note-11" name="link2noteref-11" id="link2noteref-11">11</a> + and commanded him that, in case the Jews would not admit of them, he + should slay those that opposed it, and carry all the rest of the nation + into captivity: but God concerned himself with these his commands. + However, Petronius marched out of Antioch into Judea, with three legions, + and many Syrian auxiliaries. Now as to the Jews, some of them could not + believe the stories that spake of a war; but those that did believe them + were in the utmost distress how to defend themselves, and the terror + diffused itself presently through them all; for the army was already come + to Ptolemais. + </p> + <p> + 2. This Ptolemais is a maritime city of Galilee, built in the great plain. + It is encompassed with mountains: that on the east side, sixty furlongs + off, belongs to Galilee; but that on the south belongs to Carmel, which is + distant from it a hundred and twenty furlongs; and that on the north is + the highest of them all, and is called by the people of the country, The + Ladder of the Tyrians, which is at the distance of a hundred furlongs. The + very small river Belus <a href="#link2note-12" name="link2noteref-12" + id="link2noteref-12">12</a> runs by it, at the distance of two furlongs; + near which there is Menmon's monument, <a href="#link2note-13" + name="link2noteref-13" id="link2noteref-13">13</a> and hath near it a + place no larger than a hundred cubits, which deserves admiration; for the + place is round and hollow, and affords such sand as glass is made of; + which place, when it hath been emptied by the many ships there loaded, it + is filled again by the winds, which bring into it, as it were on purpose, + that sand which lay remote, and was no more than bare common sand, while + this mine presently turns it into glassy sand. And what is to me still + more wonderful, that glassy sand which is superfluous, and is once removed + out of the place, becomes bare common sand again. And this is the nature + of the place we are speaking of. + </p> + <p> + 3. But now the Jews got together in great numbers with their wives and + children into that plain that was by Ptolemais, and made supplication to + Petronius, first for their laws, and, in the next place, for themselves. + So he was prevailed upon by the multitude of the supplicants, and by their + supplications, and left his army and the statues at Ptolemais, and then + went forward into Galilee, and called together the multitude and all the + men of note to Tiberias, and showed them the power of the Romans, and the + threatenings of Caesar; and, besides this, proved that their petition was + unreasonable, because while all the nations in subjection to them had + placed the images of Caesar in their several cities, among the rest of + their gods, for them alone to oppose it, was almost like the behavior of + revolters, and was injurious to Caesar. + </p> + <p> + 4. And when they insisted on their law, and the custom of their country, + and how it was not only not permitted them to make either an image of God, + or indeed of a man, and to put it in any despicable part of their country, + much less in the temple itself, Petronius replied, "And am not I also," + said he, "bound to keep the law of my own lord? For if I transgress it, + and spare you, it is but just that I perish; while he that sent me, and + not I, will commence a war against you; for I am under command as well as + you." Hereupon the whole multitude cried out that they were ready to + suffer for their law. Petronius then quieted them, and said to them, "Will + you then make war against Caesar?" The Jews said, "We offer sacrifices + twice every day for Caesar, and for the Roman people;" but that if he + would place the images among them, he must first sacrifice the whole + Jewish nation; and that they were ready to expose themselves, together + with their children and wives, to be slain. At this Petronius was + astonished, and pitied them, on account of the inexpressible sense of + religion the men were under, and that courage of theirs which made them + ready to die for it; so they were dismissed without success. + </p> + <p> + 5. But on the following days he got together the men of power privately, + and the multitude publicly, and sometimes he used persuasions to them, and + sometimes he gave them his advice; but he chiefly made use of threatenings + to them, and insisted upon the power of the Romans, and the anger of + Caius; and besides, upon the necessity he was himself under [to do as he + was enjoined]. But as they could be no way prevailed upon, and he saw that + the country was in danger of lying without tillage; [for it was about seed + time that the multitude continued for fifty days together idle;] so he at + last got them together, and told them that it was best for him to run some + hazard himself; "for either, by the Divine assistance, I shall prevail + with Caesar, and shall myself escape the danger as well as you, which will + be matter of joy to us both; or, in case Caesar continue in his rage, I + will be ready to expose my own life for such a great number as you are." + Whereupon he dismissed the multitude, who prayed greatly for his + prosperity; and he took the army out of Ptolemais, and returned to + Antioch; from whence he presently sent an epistle to Caesar, and informed + him of the irruption he had made into Judea, and of the supplications of + the nation; and that unless he had a mind to lose both the country and the + men in it, he must permit them to keep their law, and must countermand his + former injunction. Caius answered that epistle in a violent-way, and + threatened to have Petronius put to death for his being so tardy in the + execution of what he had commanded. But it happened that those who brought + Caius's epistle were tossed by a storm, and were detained on the sea for + three months, while others that brought the news of Caius's death had a + good voyage. Accordingly, Petronins received the epistle concerning Caius + seven and twenty days before he received that which was against himself. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link22HCH0011" id="link22HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 11. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Concerning The Government Of Claudius, And The Reign Of + Agrippa. Concerning The Deaths Of Agrippa And Of Herod And + What Children They Both Left Behind Them. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now when Caius had reigned three years and eight months, and had been + slain by treachery, Claudius was hurried away by the armies that were at + Rome to take the government upon him; but the senate, upon the reference + of the consuls, Sentis Saturninus, and Pomponius Secundus, gave orders to + the three regiments of soldiers that staid with them to keep the city + quiet, and went up into the capitol in great numbers, and resolved to + oppose Claudius by force, on account of the barbarous treatment they had + met with from Caius; and they determined either to settle the nation under + an aristocracy, as they had of old been governed, or at least to choose by + vote such a one for emperor as might be worthy of it. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now it happened that at this time Agrippa sojourned at Rome, and that + both the senate called him to consult with them, and at the same time + Claudius sent for him out of the camp, that he might be serviceable to + him, as he should have occasion for his service. So he, perceiving that + Claudius was in effect made Caesar already, went to him, who sent him as + an ambassador to the senate, to let them know what his intentions were: + that, in the first place, it was without his seeking that he was hurried + away by the soldiers; moreover, that he thought it was not just to desert + those soldiers in such their zeal for him, and that if he should do so, + his own fortune would be in uncertainty; for that it was a dangerous case + to have been once called to the empire. He added further, that he would + administer the government as a good prince, and not like a tyrant; for + that he would be satisfied with the honor of being called emperor, but + would, in every one of his actions, permit them all to give him their + advice; for that although he had not been by nature for moderation, yet + would the death of Caius afford him a sufficient demonstration how soberly + he ought to act in that station. + </p> + <p> + 3. This message was delivered by Agrippa; to which the senate replied, + that since they had an army, and the wisest counsels on their side, they + would not endure a voluntary slavery. And when Claudius heard what answer + the senate had made, he sent Agrippa to them again, with the following + message: That he could not bear the thoughts of betraying them that had + given their oaths to be true to him; and that he saw he must fight, though + unwillingly, against such as he had no mind to fight; that, however, [if + it must come to that,] it was proper to choose a place without the city + for the war, because it was not agreeable to piety to pollute the temples + of their own city with the blood of their own countrymen, and this only on + occasion of their imprudent conduct. And when Agrippa had heard this + message, he delivered it to the senators. + </p> + <p> + 4. In the mean time, one of the soldiers belonging to the senate drew his + sword, and cried out, "O my fellow soldiers, what is the meaning of this + choice of ours, to kill our brethren, and to use violence to our kindred + that are with Claudius? while we may have him for our emperor whom no one + can blame, and who hath so many just reasons [to lay claim to the + government]; and this with regard to those against whom we are going to + fight." When he had said this, he marched through the whole senate, and + carried all the soldiers along with him. Upon which all the patricians + were immediately in a great fright at their being thus deserted. But + still, because there appeared no other way whither they could turn + themselves for deliverance, they made haste the same way with the + soldiers, and went to Claudius. But those that had the greatest luck in + flattering the good fortune of Claudius betimes met them before the walls + with their naked swords, and there was reason to fear that those that came + first might have been in danger, before Claudius could know what violence + the soldiers were going to offer them, had not Agrippa ran before, and + told him what a dangerous thing they were going about, and that unless he + restrained the violence of these men, who were in a fit of madness against + the patricians, he would lose those on whose account it was most desirable + to rule, and would be emperor over a desert. + </p> + <p> + 5. When Claudius heard this, he restrained the violence of the soldiery, + and received the senate into the camp, and treated them after an obliging + manner, and went out with them presently to offer their thank-offerings to + God, which were proper upon, his first coming to the empire. Moreover, he + bestowed on Agrippa his whole paternal kingdom immediately, and added to + it, besides those countries that had been given by Augustus to Herod, + Trachonitis and Auranitis, and still besides these, that kingdom which was + called the kingdom of Lysanius. This gift he declared to the people by a + decree, but ordered the magistrates to have the donation engraved on + tables of brass, and to be set up in the capitol. He bestowed on his + brother Herod, who was also his son-in-law, by marrying [his daughter] + Bernice, the kingdom of Chalcis. + </p> + <p> + 6. So now riches flowed in to Agrippa by his enjoyment of so large a + dominion; nor did he abuse the money he had on small matters, but he began + to encompass Jerusalem with such a wall, which, had it been brought to + perfection, had made it impracticable for the Romans to take it by siege; + but his death, which happened at Cesarea, before he had raised the walls + to their due height, prevented him. He had then reigned three years, as he + had governed his tetrarchies three other years. He left behind him three + daughters, born to him by Cypros, Bernice, Mariamne, and Drusilla, and a + son born of the same mother, whose name was Agrippa: he was left a very + young child, so that Claudius made the country a Roman province, and sent + Cuspius Fadus to be its procurator, and after him Tiberius Alexander, who, + making no alterations of the ancient laws, kept the nation in + tranquillity. Now after this, Herod the king of Chalcis died, and left + behind him two sons, born to him of his brother's daughter Bernice; their + names were Bernie Janus and Hyrcanus. [He also left behind him] + Aristobulus, whom he had by his former wife Mariamne. There was besides + another brother of his that died a private person, his name was also + Aristobulus, who left behind him a daughter, whose name was Jotape: and + these, as I have formerly said, were the children of Aristobulus the son + of Herod, which Aristobulus and Alexander were born to Herod by Mariamne, + and were slain by him. But as for Alexander's posterity, they reigned in + Armenia. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link22HCH0012" id="link22HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 12. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Many Tumults Under Cumanus, Which Were Composed By + Quadratus. Felix Is Procurator Of Judea. Agrippa Is Advanced + From Chalcis To A Greater Kingdom. +</pre> + <p> + 1 Now after the death of Herod, king of Chalcis, Claudius set Agrippa, the + son of Agrippa, over his uncle's kingdom, while Cumanus took upon him the + office of procurator of the rest, which was a Roman province, and therein + he succeeded Alexander; under which Cumanus began the troubles, and the + Jews' ruin came on; for when the multitude were come together to + Jerusalem, to the feast of unleavened bread, and a Roman cohort stood over + the cloisters of the temple, [for they always were armed, and kept guard + at the festivals, to prevent any innovation which the multitude thus + gathered together might make,] one of the soldiers pulled back his + garment, and cowering down after an indecent manner, turned his breech to + the Jews, and spake such words as you might expect upon such a posture. At + this the whole multitude had indignation, and made a clamor to Cumanus, + that he would punish the soldier; while the rasher part of the youth, and + such as were naturally the most tumultuous, fell to fighting, and caught + up stones, and threw them at the soldiers. Upon which Cumanus was afraid + lest all the people should make an assault upon him, and sent to call for + more armed men, who, when they came in great numbers into the cloisters, + the Jews were in a very great consternation; and being beaten out of the + temple, they ran into the city; and the violence with which they crowded + to get out was so great, that they trod upon each other, and squeezed one + another, till ten thousand of them were killed, insomuch that this feast + became the cause of mourning to the whole nation, and every family + lamented their own relations. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now there followed after this another calamity, which arose from a + tumult made by robbers; for at the public road at Beth-boron, one Stephen, + a servant of Caesar, carried some furniture, which the robbers fell upon + and seized. Upon this Cumanus sent men to go round about to the + neighboring villages, and to bring their inhabitants to him bound, as + laying it to their charge that they had not pursued after the thieves, and + caught them. Now here it was that a certain soldier, finding the sacred + book of the law, tore it to pieces, and threw it into the fire. <a + href="#link2note-14" name="link2noteref-14" id="link2noteref-14">14</a> + Hereupon the Jews were in great disorder, as if their whole country were + in a flame, and assembled themselves so many of them by their zeal for + their religion, as by an engine, and ran together with united clamor to + Cesarea, to Cumanus, and made supplication to him that he would not + overlook this man, who had offered such an affront to God, and to his law; + but punish him for what he had done. Accordingly, he, perceiving that the + multitude would not be quiet unless they had a comfortable answer from + him, gave order that the soldier should be brought, and drawn through + those that required to have him punished, to execution, which being done, + the Jews went their ways. + </p> + <p> + 3. After this there happened a fight between the Galileans and the + Samaritans; it happened at a village called Geman, which is situate in the + great plain of Samaria; where, as a great number of Jews were going up to + Jerusalem to the feast [of tabernacles,] a certain Galilean was slain; and + besides, a vast number of people ran together out of Galilee, in order to + fight with the Samaritans. But the principal men among them came to + Cumanus, and besought him that, before the evil became incurable, he would + come into Galilee, and bring the authors of this murder to punishment; for + that there was no other way to make the multitude separate without coming + to blows. However, Cumanus postponed their supplications to the other + affairs he was then about, and sent the petitioners away without success. + </p> + <p> + 4. But when the affair of this murder came to be told at Jerusalem, it put + the multitude into disorder, and they left the feast; and without any + generals to conduct them, they marched with great violence to Samaria; nor + would they be ruled by any of the magistrates that were set over them, but + they were managed by one Eleazar, the son of Dineus, and by Alexander, in + these their thievish and seditious attempts. These men fell upon those + that were in the neighborhood of the Acrabatene toparchy, and slew them, + without sparing any age, and set the villages on fire. + </p> + <p> + 5. But Cumanus took one troop of horsemen, called the troop of Sebaste, + out of Cesarea, and came to the assistance of those that were spoiled; he + also seized upon a great number of those that followed Eleazar, and slew + more of them. And as for the rest of the multitude of those that went so + zealously to fight with the Samaritans, the rulers of Jerusalem ran out + clothed with sackcloth, and having ashes on their head, and begged of them + to go their ways, lest by their attempt to revenge themselves upon the + Samaritans they should provoke the Romans to come against Jerusalem; to + have compassion upon their country and temple, their children and their + wives, and not bring the utmost dangers of destruction upon them, in order + to avenge themselves upon one Galilean only. The Jews complied with these + persuasions of theirs, and dispersed themselves; but still there were a + great number who betook themselves to robbing, in hopes of impunity; and + rapines and insurrections of the bolder sort happened over the whole + country. And the men of power among the Samaritans came to Tyre, to + Ummidius Quadratus, <a href="#link2note-15" name="link2noteref-15" + id="link2noteref-15">15</a> the president of Syria, and desired that they + that had laid waste the country might be punished: the great men also of + the Jews, and Jonathan the son of Ananus the high priest, came thither, + and said that the Samaritans were the beginners of the disturbance, on + account of that murder they had committed; and that Cumanus had given + occasion to what had happened, by his unwillingness to punish the original + authors of that murder. + </p> + <p> + 6. But Quadratus put both parties off for that time, and told them, that + when he should come to those places, he would make a diligent inquiry + after every circumstance. After which he went to Cesarea, and crucified + all those whom Cumanus had taken alive; and when from thence he was come + to the city Lydda, he heard the affair of the Samaritans, and sent for + eighteen of the Jews, whom he had learned to have been concerned in that + fight, and beheaded them; but he sent two others of those that were of the + greatest power among them, and both Jonathan and Ananias, the high + priests, as also Artanus the son of this Ananias, and certain others that + were eminent among the Jews, to Caesar; as he did in like manner by the + most illustrious of the Samaritans. He also ordered that Cumanus [the + procurator] and Celer the tribune should sail to Rome, in order to give an + account of what had been done to Caesar. When he had finished these + matters, he went up from Lydda to Jerusalem, and finding the multitude + celebrating their feast of unleavened bread without any tumult, he + returned to Antioch. + </p> + <p> + 7. Now when Caesar at Rome had heard what Cumanus and the Samaritans had + to say, [where it was done in the hearing of Agrippa, who zealously + espoused the cause of the Jews, as in like manner many of the great men + stood by Cumanus,] he condemned the Samaritans, and commanded that three + of the most powerful men among them should be put to death; he banished + Cumanus, and sent Celer bound to Jerusalem, to be delivered over to the + Jews to be tormented; that he should be drawn round the city, and then + beheaded. + </p> + <p> + 8. After this Caesar sent Felix, <a href="#link2note-16" + name="link2noteref-16" id="link2noteref-16">16</a> the brother of Pallas, + to be procurator of Galilee, and Samaria, and Perea, and removed Agrippa + from Chalcis unto a greater kingdom; for he gave him the tetrarchy which + had belonged to Philip, which contained Batanae, Trachonitis, and + Gaulonitis: he added to it the kingdom of Lysanias, and that province + [Abilene] which Varus had governed. But Claudius himself, when he had + administered the government thirteen years, eight months, and twenty days, + died, and left Nero to be his successor in the empire, whom he had adopted + by his Wife Agrippina's delusions, in order to be his successor, although + he had a son of his own, whose name was Britannicus, by Messalina his + former wife, and a daughter whose name was Octavia, whom he had married to + Nero; he had also another daughter by Petina, whose name was Antonia. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link22HCH0013" id="link22HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 13. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Nero Adds Four Cities To Agrippas Kingdom; But The Other + Parts Of Judea Were Under Felix. The Disturbances Which Were + Raised By The Sicarii The Magicians And An Egyptian False + Prophet. The Jews And Syrians Have A Contest At Cesarea. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now as to the many things in which Nero acted like a madman, out of the + extravagant degree of the felicity and riches which he enjoyed, and by + that means used his good fortune to the injury of others; and after what + manner he slew his brother, and wife, and mother, from whom his barbarity + spread itself to others that were most nearly related to him; and how, at + last, he was so distracted that he became an actor in the scenes, and upon + the theater,—I omit to say any more about them, because there are + writers enough upon those subjects every where; but I shall turn myself to + those actions of his time in which the Jews were concerned. + </p> + <p> + 2. Nero therefore bestowed the kingdom of the Lesser Armenia upon + Aristobulus, Herod's son, <a href="#link2note-17" name="link2noteref-17" + id="link2noteref-17">17</a> and he added to Agrippa's kingdom four cities, + with the toparchies to them belonging; I mean Abila, and that Julias which + is in Perea, Tarichea also, and Tiberias of Galilee; but over the rest of + Judea he made Felix procurator. This Felix took Eleazar the arch-robber, + and many that were with him, alive, when they had ravaged the country for + twenty years together, and sent them to Rome; but as to the number of the + robbers whom he caused to be crucified, and of those who were caught among + them, and whom he brought to punishment, they were a multitude not to be + enumerated. + </p> + <p> + 3. When the country was purged of these, there sprang up another sort of + robbers in Jerusalem, which were called Sicarii, who slew men in the day + time, and in the midst of the city; this they did chiefly at the + festivals, when they mingled themselves among the multitude, and concealed + daggers under their garments, with which they stabbed those that were + their enemies; and when any fell down dead, the murderers became a part of + those that had indignation against them; by which means they appeared + persons of such reputation, that they could by no means be discovered. The + first man who was slain by them was Jonathan the high priest, after whose + death many were slain every day, while the fear men were in of being so + served was more afflicting than the calamity itself; and while every body + expected death every hour, as men do in war, so men were obliged to look + before them, and to take notice of their enemies at a great distance; nor, + if their friends were coming to them, durst they trust them any longer; + but, in the midst of their suspicions and guarding of themselves, they + were slain. Such was the celerity of the plotters against them, and so + cunning was their contrivance. + </p> + <p> + 4. There was also another body of wicked men gotten together, not so + impure in their actions, but more wicked in their intentions, which laid + waste the happy state of the city no less than did these murderers. These + were such men as deceived and deluded the people under pretense of Divine + inspiration, but were for procuring innovations and changes of the + government; and these prevailed with the multitude to act like madmen, and + went before them into the wilderness, as pretending that God would there + show them the signals of liberty. But Felix thought this procedure was to + be the beginning of a revolt; so he sent some horsemen and footmen both + armed, who destroyed a great number of them. + </p> + <p> + 5. But there was an Egyptian false prophet that did the Jews more mischief + than the former; for he was a cheat, and pretended to be a prophet also, + and got together thirty thousand men that were deluded by him; these he + led round about from the wilderness to the mount which was called the + Mount of Olives, and was ready to break into Jerusalem by force from that + place; and if he could but once conquer the Roman garrison and the people, + he intended to domineer over them by the assistance of those guards of his + that were to break into the city with him. But Felix prevented his + attempt, and met him with his Roman soldiers, while all the people + assisted him in his attack upon them, insomuch that when it came to a + battle, the Egyptian ran away, with a few others, while the greatest part + of those that were with him were either destroyed or taken alive; but the + rest of the multitude were dispersed every one to their own homes, and + there concealed themselves. + </p> + <p> + 6. Now when these were quieted, it happened, as it does in a diseased + body, that another part was subject to an inflammation; for a company of + deceivers and robbers got together, and persuaded the Jews to revolt, and + exhorted them to assert their liberty, inflicting death on those that + continued in obedience to the Roman government, and saying, that such as + willingly chose slavery ought to be forced from such their desired + inclinations; for they parted themselves into different bodies, and lay in + wait up and down the country, and plundered the houses of the great men, + and slew the men themselves, and set the villages on fire; and this till + all Judea was filled with the effects of their madness. And thus the flame + was every day more and more blown up, till it came to a direct war. + </p> + <p> + 7. There was also another disturbance at Cesarea,—those Jews who + were mixed with the Syrians that lived there rising a tumult against them. + The Jews pretended that the city was theirs, and said that he who built it + was a Jew, meaning king Herod. The Syrians confessed also that its builder + was a Jew; but they still said, however, that the city was a Grecian city; + for that he who set up statues and temples in it could not design it for + Jews. On which account both parties had a contest with one another; and + this contest increased so much, that it came at last to arms, and the + bolder sort of them marched out to fight; for the elders of the Jews were + not able to put a stop to their own people that were disposed to be + tumultuous, and the Greeks thought it a shame for them to be overcome by + the Jews. Now these Jews exceeded the others in riches and strength of + body; but the Grecian part had the advantage of assistance from the + soldiery; for the greatest part of the Roman garrison was raised out of + Syria; and being thus related to the Syrian part, they were ready to + assist it. However, the governors of the city were concerned to keep all + quiet, and whenever they caught those that were most for fighting on + either side, they punished them with stripes and bands. Yet did not the + sufferings of those that were caught affright the remainder, or make them + desist; but they were still more and more exasperated, and deeper engaged + in the sedition. And as Felix came once into the market-place, and + commanded the Jews, when they had beaten the Syrians, to go their ways, + and threatened them if they would not, and they would not obey him, he + sent his soldiers out upon them, and slew a great many of them, upon which + it fell out that what they had was plundered. And as the sedition still + continued, he chose out the most eminent men on both sides as ambassadors + to Nero, to argue about their several privileges. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link22HCH0014" id="link22HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 14. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Festus Succeeds Felix Who Is Succeeded By Albinus As He Is + By Florus; Who By The Barbarity Of His Government Forces The + Jews Into The War. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now it was that Festus succeeded Felix as procurator, and made it his + business to correct those that made disturbances in the country. So he + caught the greatest part of the robbers, and destroyed a great many of + them. But then Albinus, who succeeded Festus, did not execute his office + as the other had done; nor was there any sort of wickedness that could be + named but he had a hand in it. Accordingly, he did not only, in his + political capacity, steal and plunder every one's substance, nor did he + only burden the whole nation with taxes, but he permitted the relations of + such as were in prison for robbery, and had been laid there, either by the + senate of every city, or by the former procurators, to redeem them for + money; and no body remained in the prisons as a malefactor but he who gave + him nothing. At this time it was that the enterprises of the seditious at + Jerusalem were very formidable; the principal men among them purchasing + leave of Albinus to go on with their seditious practices; while that part + of the people who delighted in disturbances joined themselves to such as + had fellowship with Albinus; and every one of these wicked wretches were + encompassed with his own band of robbers, while he himself, like an + arch-robber, or a tyrant, made a figure among his company, and abused his + authority over those about him, in order to plunder those that lived + quietly. The effect of which was this, that those who lost their goods + were forced to hold their peace, when they had reason to show great + indignation at what they had suffered; but those who had escaped were + forced to flatter him that deserved to be punished, out of the fear they + were in of suffering equally with the others. Upon the Whole, nobody durst + speak their minds, but tyranny was generally tolerated; and at this time + were those seeds sown which brought the city to destruction. + </p> + <p> + 2. And although such was the character of Albinus, yet did Gessius Florus + <a href="#link2note-18" name="link2noteref-18" id="link2noteref-18">18</a> + who succeeded him, demonstrate him to have been a most excellent person, + upon the comparison; for the former did the greatest part of his rogueries + in private, and with a sort of dissimulation; but Gessius did his unjust + actions to the harm of the nation after a pompous manner; and as though he + had been sent as an executioner to punish condemned malefactors, he + omitted no sort of rapine, or of vexation; where the case was really + pitiable, he was most barbarous, and in things of the greatest turpitude + he was most impudent. Nor could any one outdo him in disguising the truth; + nor could any one contrive more subtle ways of deceit than he did. He + indeed thought it but a petty offense to get money out of single persons; + so he spoiled whole cities, and ruined entire bodies of men at once, and + did almost publicly proclaim it all the country over, that they had + liberty given them to turn robbers, upon this condition, that he might go + shares with them in the spoils they got. Accordingly, this his greediness + of gain was the occasion that entire toparchies were brought to + desolation, and a great many of the people left their own country, and + fled into foreign provinces. + </p> + <p> + 3. And truly, while Cestius Gallus was president of the province of Syria, + nobody durst do so much as send an embassage to him against Florus; but + when he was come to Jerusalem, upon the approach of the feast of + unleavened bread, the people came about him not fewer in number than three + millions <a href="#link2note-19" name="link2noteref-19" + id="link2noteref-19">19</a> these besought him to commiserate the + calamities of their nation, and cried out upon Florus as the bane of their + country. But as he was present, and stood by Cestius, he laughed at their + words. However, Cestius, when he had quieted the multitude, and had + assured them that he would take care that Florus should hereafter treat + them in a more gentle manner, returned to Antioch. Florus also conducted + him as far as Cesarea, and deluded him, though he had at that very time + the purpose of showing his anger at the nation, and procuring a war upon + them, by which means alone it was that he supposed he might conceal his + enormities; for he expected that if the peace continued, he should have + the Jews for his accusers before Caesar; but that if he could procure them + to make a revolt, he should divert their laying lesser crimes to his + charge, by a misery that was so much greater; he therefore did every day + augment their calamities, in order to induce them to a rebellion. + </p> + <p> + 4. Now at this time it happened that the Grecians at Cesarea had been too + hard for the Jews, and had obtained of Nero the government of the city, + and had brought the judicial determination: at the same time began the + war, in the twelfth year of the reign of Nero, and the seventeenth of the + reign of Agrippa, in the month of Artemisius [Jyar.] Now the occasion of + this war was by no means proportionable to those heavy calamities which it + brought upon us. For the Jews that dwelt at Cesarea had a synagogue near + the place, whose owner was a certain Cesarean Greek: the Jews had + endeavored frequently to have purchased the possession of the place, and + had offered many times its value for its price; but as the owner + overlooked their offers, so did he raise other buildings upon the place, + in way of affront to them, and made working-shops of them, and left them + but a narrow passage, and such as was very troublesome for them to go + along to their synagogue. Whereupon the warmer part of the Jewish youth + went hastily to the workmen, and forbade them to build there; but as + Florus would not permit them to use force, the great men of the Jews, with + John the publican, being in the utmost distress what to do, persuaded + Florus, with the offer of eight talents, to hinder the work. He then, + being intent upon nothing but getting money, promised he would do for them + all they desired of him, and then went away from Cesarea to Sebaste, and + left the sedition to take its full course, as if he had sold a license to + the Jews to fight it out. + </p> + <p> + 5. Now on the next day, which was the seventh day of the week, when the + Jews were crowding apace to their synagogue, a certain man of Cesarea, of + a seditious temper, got an earthen vessel, and set it with the bottom + upward, at the entrance of that synagogue, and sacrificed birds. This + thing provoked the Jews to an incurable degree, because their laws were + affronted, and the place was polluted. Whereupon the sober and moderate + part of the Jews thought it proper to have recourse to their governors + again, while the seditious part, and such as were in the fervor of their + youth, were vehemently inflamed to fight. The seditions also among the + Gentiles of Cesarea stood ready for the same purpose; for they had, by + agreement, sent the man to sacrifice beforehand [as ready to support him;] + so that it soon came to blows. Hereupon Jucundus, the master of the horse, + who was ordered to prevent the fight, came thither, and took away the + earthen vessel, and endeavored to put a stop to the sedition; but when <a + href="#link2note-20" name="link2noteref-20" id="link2noteref-20">20</a> he + was overcome by the violence of the people of Cesarea, the Jews caught up + their books of the law, and retired to Narbata, which was a place to them + belonging, distant from Cesarea sixty furlongs. But John, and twelve of + the principal men with him, went to Florus, to Sebaste, and made a + lamentable complaint of their case, and besought him to help them; and + with all possible decency, put him in mind of the eight talents they had + given him; but he had the men seized upon, and put in prison, and accused + them for carrying the books of the law out of Cesarea. + </p> + <p> + 6. Moreover, as to the citizens of Jerusalem, although they took this + matter very ill, yet did they restrain their passion; but Florus acted + herein as if he had been hired, and blew up the war into a flame, and sent + some to take seventeen talents out of the sacred treasure, and pretended + that Caesar wanted them. At this the people were in confusion immediately, + and ran together to the temple, with prodigious clamors, and called upon + Caesar by name, and besought him to free them from the tyranny of Florus. + Some also of the seditious cried out upon Florus, and cast the greatest + reproaches upon him, and carried a basket about, and begged some spills of + money for him, as for one that was destitute of possessions, and in a + miserable condition. Yet was not he made ashamed hereby of his love of + money, but was more enraged, and provoked to get still more; and instead + of coming to Cesarea, as he ought to have done, and quenching the flame of + war, which was beginning thence, and so taking away the occasion of any + disturbances, on which account it was that he had received a reward [of + eight talents], he marched hastily with an army of horsemen and footmen + against Jerusalem, that he might gain his will by the arms of the Romans, + and might, by his terror, and by his threatenings, bring the city into + subjection. + </p> + <p> + 7. But the people were desirous of making Florus ashamed of his attempt, + and met his soldiers with acclamations, and put themselves in order to + receive him very submissively. But he sent Capito, a centurion, + beforehand, with fifty soldiers, to bid them go back, and not now make a + show of receiving him in an obliging manner, whom they had so foully + reproached before; and said that it was incumbent on them, in case they + had generous souls, and were free speakers, to jest upon him to his face, + and appear to be lovers of liberty, not only in words, but with their + weapons also. With this message was the multitude amazed; and upon the + coming of Capito's horsemen into the midst of them, they were dispersed + before they could salute Florus, or manifest their submissive behavior to + him. Accordingly, they retired to their own houses, and spent that night + in fear and confusion of face. + </p> + <p> + 8. Now at this time Florus took up his quarters at the palace; and on the + next day he had his tribunal set before it, and sat upon it, when the high + priests, and the men of power, and those of the greatest eminence in the + city, came all before that tribunal; upon which Florus commanded them to + deliver up to him those that had reproached him, and told them that they + should themselves partake of the vengeance to them belonging, if they did + not produce the criminals; but these demonstrated that the people were + peaceably disposed, and they begged forgiveness for those that had spoken + amiss; for that it was no wonder at all that in so great a multitude there + should be some more daring than they ought to be, and, by reason of their + younger age, foolish also; and that it was impossible to distinguish those + that offended from the rest, while every one was sorry for what he had + done, and denied it out of fear of what would follow: that he ought, + however, to provide for the peace of the nation, and to take such counsels + as might preserve the city for the Romans, and rather for the sake of a + great number of innocent people to forgive a few that were guilty, than + for the sake of a few of the wicked to put so large and good a body of men + into disorder. + </p> + <p> + 9. Florus was more provoked at this, and called out aloud to the soldiers + to plunder that which was called the Upper Market-place, and to slay such + as they met with. So the soldiers, taking this exhortation of their + commander in a sense agreeable to their desire of gain, did not only + plunder the place they were sent to, but forcing themselves into every + house, they slew its inhabitants; so the citizens fled along the narrow + lanes, and the soldiers slew those that they caught, and no method of + plunder was omitted; they also caught many of the quiet people, and + brought them before Florus, whom he first chastised with stripes, and then + crucified. Accordingly, the whole number of those that were destroyed that + day, with their wives and children, [for they did not spare even the + infants themselves,] was about three thousand and six hundred. And what + made this calamity the heavier was this new method of Roman barbarity; for + Florus ventured then to do what no one had done before, that is, to have + men of the equestrian order whipped <a href="#link2note-21" + name="link2noteref-21" id="link2noteref-21">21</a> and nailed to the cross + before his tribunal; who, although they were by birth Jews, yet were they + of Roman dignity notwithstanding. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link22HCH0015" id="link22HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 15. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Concerning Bernice's Petition To Florus, To Spare The Jews, + But In Vain; As Also How, After The Seditious Flame Was + Quenched, It Was Kindled Again By Florus. +</pre> + <p> + 1. About this very time king Agrippa was going to Alexandria, to + congratulate Alexander upon his having obtained the government of Egypt + from Nero; but as his sister Bernice was come to Jerusalem, and saw the + wicked practices of the soldiers, she was sorely affected at it, and + frequently sent the masters of her horse and her guards to Florus, and + begged of him to leave off these slaughters; but he would not comply with + her request, nor have any regard either to the multitude of those already + slain, or to the nobility of her that interceded, but only to the + advantage he should make by this plundering; nay, this violence of the + soldiers brake out to such a degree of madness, that it spent itself on + the queen herself; for they did not only torment and destroy those whom + they had caught under her very eyes, but indeed had killed herself also, + unless she had prevented them by flying to the palace, and had staid there + all night with her guards, which she had about her for fear of an insult + from the soldiers. Now she dwelt then at Jerusalem, in order to perform a + vow <a href="#link2note-22" name="link2noteref-22" id="link2noteref-22">22</a> + which she had made to God; for it is usual with those that had been either + afflicted with a distemper, or with any other distresses, to make vows; + and for thirty days before they are to offer their sacrifices, to abstain + from wine, and to shave the hair of their head. Which things Bernice was + now performing, and stood barefoot before Florus's tribunal, and besought + him [to spare the Jews]. Yet could she neither have any reverence paid to + her, nor could she escape without some danger of being slain herself. + </p> + <p> + 2. This happened upon the sixteenth day of the month Artemisius [Jyar]. + Now, on the next day, the multitude, who were in a great agony, ran + together to the Upper Market-place, and made the loudest lamentations for + those that had perished; and the greatest part of the cries were such as + reflected on Florus; at which the men of power were affrighted, together + with the high priests, and rent their garments, and fell down before each + of them, and besought them to leave off, and not to provoke Florus to some + incurable procedure, besides what they had already suffered. Accordingly, + the multitude complied immediately, out of reverence to those that had + desired it of them, and out of the hope they had that Florus would do them + no more injuries. + </p> + <p> + 3. So Florus was troubled that the disturbances were over, and endeavored + to kindle that flame again, and sent for the high priests, with the other + eminent persons, and said the only demonstration that the people would not + make any other innovations should be this, that they must go out and meet + the soldiers that were ascending from Cesarea, whence two cohorts were + coming; and while these men were exhorting the multitude so to do, he sent + beforehand, and gave directions to the centurions of the cohorts, that + they should give notice to those that were under them not to return the + Jews' salutations; and that if they made any reply to his disadvantage, + they should make use of their weapons. Now the high priests assembled the + multitude in the temple, and desired them to go and meet the Romans, and + to salute the cohorts very civilly, before their miserable case should + become incurable. Now the seditious part would not comply with these + persuasions; but the consideration of those that had been destroyed made + them incline to those that were the boldest for action. + </p> + <p> + 4. At this time it was that every priest, and every servant of God, + brought out the holy vessels, and the ornamental garments wherein they + used to minister in sacred things. The harpers also, and the singers of + hymns, came out with their instruments of music, and fell down before the + multitude, and begged of them that they would preserve those holy + ornaments to them, and not provoke the Romans to carry off those sacred + treasures. You might also see then the high priests themselves, with dust + sprinkled in great plenty upon their heads, with bosoms deprived of any + covering but what was rent; these besought every one of the eminent men by + name, and the multitude in common, that they would not for a small offense + betray their country to those that were desirous to have it laid waste; + saying, "What benefit will it bring to the soldiers to have a salutation + from the Jews? or what amendment of your affairs will it bring you, if you + do not now go out to meet them? and that if they saluted them civilly, all + handle would be cut off from Florus to begin a war; that they should + thereby gain their country, and freedom from all further sufferings; and + that, besides, it would be a sign of great want of command of themselves, + if they should yield to a few seditious persons, while it was fitter for + them who were so great a people to force the others to act soberly." + </p> + <p> + 5. By these persuasions, which they used to the multitude and to the + seditious, they restrained some by threatenings, and others by the + reverence that was paid them. After this they led them out, and they met + the soldiers quietly, and after a composed manner, and when they were come + up with them, they saluted them; but when they made no answer, the + seditious exclaimed against Florus, which was the signal given for falling + upon them. The soldiers therefore encompassed them presently, and struck + them with their clubs; and as they fled away, the horsemen trampled them + down, so that a great many fell down dead by the strokes of the Romans, + and more by their own violence in crushing one another. Now there was a + terrible crowding about the gates, and while every body was making haste + to get before another, the flight of them all was retarded, and a terrible + destruction there was among those that fell down, for they were + suffocated, and broken to pieces by the multitude of those that were + uppermost; nor could any of them be distinguished by his relations in + order to the care of his funeral; the soldiers also who beat them, fell + upon those whom they overtook, without showing them any mercy, and thrust + the multitude through the place called Bezetha, <a href="#link2note-23" + name="link2noteref-23" id="link2noteref-23">23</a> as they forced their + way, in order to get in and seize upon the temple, and the tower Antonia. + Florus also being desirous to get those places into his possession, + brought such as were with him out of the king's palace, and would have + compelled them to get as far as the citadel [Antonia;] but his attempt + failed, for the people immediately turned back upon him, and stopped the + violence of his attempt; and as they stood upon the tops of their houses, + they threw their darts at the Romans, who, as they were sorely galled + thereby, because those weapons came from above, and they were not able to + make a passage through the multitude, which stopped up the narrow + passages, they retired to the camp which was at the palace. + </p> + <p> + 6. But for the seditious, they were afraid lest Florus should come again, + and get possession of the temple, through Antonia; so they got immediately + upon those cloisters of the temple that joined to Antonia, and cut them + down. This cooled the avarice of Florus; for whereas he was eager to + obtain the treasures of God [in the temple], and on that account was + desirous of getting into Antonia, as soon as the cloisters were broken + down, he left off his attempt; he then sent for the high priests and the + sanhedrim, and told them that he was indeed himself going out of the city, + but that he would leave them as large a garrison as they should desire. + Hereupon they promised that they would make no innovations, in case he + would leave them one band; but not that which had fought with the Jews, + because the multitude bore ill-will against that band on account of what + they had suffered from it; so he changed the band as they desired, and, + with the rest of his forces, returned to Cesarea. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link22HCH0016" id="link22HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 16. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Cestius Sends Neopolitanus The Tribune To See In What + Condition The Affairs Of The Jews Were. Agrippa Makes A + Speech To The People Of The Jews That He May Divert Them + From Their Intentions Of Making War With The Romans. +</pre> + <p> + 1. However, Florus contrived another way to oblige the Jews to begin the + war, and sent to Cestius, and accused the Jews falsely of revolting [from + the Roman government], and imputed the beginning of the former fight to + them, and pretended they had been the authors of that disturbance, wherein + they were only the sufferers. Yet were not the governors of Jerusalem + silent upon this occasion, but did themselves write to Cestius, as did + Bernice also, about the illegal practices of which Florus had been guilty + against the city; who, upon reading both accounts, consulted with his + captains [what he should do]. Now some of them thought it best for Cestius + to go up with his army, either to punish the revolt, if it was real, or to + settle the Roman affairs on a surer foundation, if the Jews continued + quiet under them; but he thought it best himself to send one of his + intimate friends beforehand, to see the state of affairs, and to give him + a faithful account of the intentions of the Jews. Accordingly, he sent one + of his tribunes, whose name was Neopolitanus, who met with king Agrippa as + he was returning from Alexandria, at Jamnia, and told him who it was that + sent him, and on what errands he was sent. + </p> + <p> + 2. And here it was that the high priests, and men of power among the Jews, + as well as the sanhedrim, came to congratulate the king [upon his safe + return]; and after they had paid him their respects, they lamented their + own calamities, and related to him what barbarous treatment they had met + with from Florus. At which barbarity Agrippa had great indignation, but + transferred, after a subtle manner, his anger towards those Jews whom he + really pitied, that he might beat down their high thoughts of themselves, + and would have them believe that they had not been so unjustly treated, in + order to dissuade them from avenging themselves. So these great men, as of + better understanding than the rest, and desirous of peace, because of the + possessions they had, understood that this rebuke which the king gave them + was intended for their good; but as to the people, they came sixty + furlongs out of Jerusalem, and congratulated both Agrippa and + Neopolitanus; but the wives of those that had been slain came running + first of all and lamenting. The people also, when they heard their + mourning, fell into lamentations also, and besought Agrippa to assist + them: they also cried out to Neopolitanus, and complained of the many + miseries they had endured under Florus; and they showed them, when they + were come into the city, how the market-place was made desolate, and the + houses plundered. They then persuaded Neopolitanus, by the means of + Agrippa, that he would walk round the city, with one only servant, as far + as Siloam, that he might inform himself that the Jews submitted to all the + rest of the Romans, and were only displeased at Florus, by reason of his + exceeding barbarity to them. So he walked round, and had sufficient + experience of the good temper the people were in, and then went up to the + temple, where he called the multitude together, and highly commended them + for their fidelity to the Romans, and earnestly exhorted them to keep the + peace; and having performed such parts of Divine worship at the temple as + he was allowed to do, he returned to Cestius. + </p> + <p> + 3. But as for the multitude of the Jews, they addressed themselves to the + king, and to the high priests, and desired they might have leave to send + ambassadors to Nero against Florus, and not by their silence afford a + suspicion that they had been the occasions of such great slaughters as had + been made, and were disposed to revolt, alleging that they should seem to + have been the first beginners of the war, if they did not prevent the + report by showing who it was that began it; and it appeared openly that + they would not be quiet, if any body should hinder them from sending such + an embassage. But Agrippa, although he thought it too dangerous a thing + for them to appoint men to go as the accusers of Florus, yet did he not + think it fit for him to overlook them, as they were in a disposition for + war. He therefore called the multitude together into a large gallery, and + placed his sister Bernice in the house of the Asamoneans, that she might + be seen by them, [which house was over the gallery, at the passage to the + upper city, where the bridge joined the temple to the gallery,] and spake + to them as follows: + </p> + <p> + 4.<a href="#link2note-24" name="link2noteref-24" id="link2noteref-24">24</a> + "Had I perceived that you were all zealously disposed to go to war with + the Romans, and that the purer and more sincere part of the people did not + propose to live in peace, I had not come out to you, nor been so bold as + to give you counsel; for all discourses that tend to persuade men to do + what they ought to do are superfluous, when the hearers are agreed to do + the contrary. But because some are earnest to go to war because they are + young, and without experience of the miseries it brings, and because some + are for it out of an unreasonable expectation of regaining their liberty, + and because others hope to get by it, and are therefore earnestly bent + upon it, that in the confusion of your affairs they may gain what belongs + to those that are too weak to resist them, I have thought proper to get + you all together, and to say to you what I think to be for your advantage; + that so the former may grow wiser, and change their minds, and that the + best men may come to no harm by the ill conduct of some others. And let + not any one be tumultuous against me, in case what they hear me say do not + please them; for as to those that admit of no cure, but are resolved upon + a revolt, it will still be in their power to retain the same sentiments + after my exhortation is over; but still my discourse will fall to the + ground, even with a relation to those that have a mind to hear me, unless + you will all keep silence. I am well aware that many make a tragical + exclamation concerning the injuries that have been offered you by your + procurators, and concerning the glorious advantages of liberty; but before + I begin the inquiry, who you are that must go to war, and who they are + against whom you must fight, I shall first separate those pretenses that + are by some connected together; for if you aim at avenging yourselves on + those that have done you injury, why do you pretend this to be a war for + recovering your liberty? but if you think all servitude intolerable, to + what purpose serve your complaint against your particular governors? for + if they treated you with moderation, it would still be equally an unworthy + thing to be in servitude. Consider now the several cases that may be + supposed, how little occasion there is for your going to war. Your first + occasion is the accusations you have to make against your procurators; now + here you ought to be submissive to those in authority, and not give them + any provocation; but when you reproach men greatly for small offenses, you + excite those whom you reproach to be your adversaries; for this will only + make them leave off hurting you privately, and with some degree of + modesty, and to lay what you have waste openly. Now nothing so much damps + the force of strokes as bearing them with patience; and the quietness of + those who are injured diverts the injurious persons from afflicting. But + let us take it for granted that the Roman ministers are injurious to you, + and are incurably severe; yet are they not all the Romans who thus injure + you; nor hath Caesar, against whom you are going to make war, injured you: + it is not by their command that any wicked governor is sent to you; for + they who are in the west cannot see those that are in the east; nor indeed + is it easy for them there even to hear what is done in these parts. Now it + is absurd to make war with a great many for the sake of one, to do so with + such mighty people for a small cause; and this when these people are not + able to know of what you complain: nay, such crimes as we complain of may + soon be corrected, for the same procurator will not continue for ever; and + probable it is that the successors will come with more moderate + inclinations. But as for war, if it be once begun, it is not easily laid + down again, nor borne without calamities coming therewith. However, as to + the desire of recovering your liberty, it is unseasonable to indulge it so + late; whereas you ought to have labored earnestly in old time that you + might never have lost it; for the first experience of slavery was hard to + be endured, and the struggle that you might never have been subject to it + would have been just; but that slave who hath been once brought into + subjection, and then runs away, is rather a refractory slave than a lover + of liberty; for it was then the proper time for doing all that was + possible, that you might never have admitted the Romans [into your city], + when Pompey came first into the country. But so it was, that our ancestors + and their kings, who were in much better circumstances than we are, both + as to money, and strong bodies, and [valiant] souls, did not bear the + onset of a small body of the Roman army. And yet you, who have now + accustomed yourselves to obedience from one generation to another, and who + are so much inferior to those who first submitted, in your circumstances + will venture to oppose the entire empire of the Romans. While those + Athenians, who, in order to preserve the liberty of Greece, did once set + fire to their own city; who pursued Xerxes, that proud prince, when he + sailed upon the land, and walked upon the sea, and could not be contained + by the seas, but conducted such an army as was too broad for Europe; and + made him run away like a fugitive in a single ship, and brake so great a + part of Asia at the Lesser Salamis; are yet at this time servants to the + Romans; and those injunctions which are sent from Italy become laws to the + principal governing city of Greece. Those Lacedemonians also who got the + great victories at Thermopylae and Platea, and had Agesilaus [for their + king], and searched every corner of Asia, are contented to admit the same + lords. Those Macedonians also, who still fancy what great men their Philip + and Alexander were, and see that the latter had promised them the empire + over the world, these bear so great a change, and pay their obedience to + those whom fortune hath advanced in their stead. Moreover, ten thousand + ether nations there are who had greater reason than we to claim their + entire liberty, and yet do submit. You are the only people who think it a + disgrace to be servants to those to whom all the world hath submitted. + What sort of an army do you rely on? What are the arms you depend on? + Where is your fleet, that may seize upon the Roman seas? and where are + those treasures which may be sufficient for your undertakings? Do you + suppose, I pray you, that you are to make war with the Egyptians, and with + the Arabians? Will you not carefully reflect upon the Roman empire? Will + you not estimate your own weakness? Hath not your army been often beaten + even by your neighboring nations, while the power of the Romans is + invincible in all parts of the habitable earth? nay, rather they seek for + somewhat still beyond that; for all Euphrates is not a sufficient boundary + for them on the east side, nor the Danube on the north; and for their + southern limit, Libya hath been searched over by them, as far as countries + uninhabited, as is Cadiz their limit on the west; nay, indeed, they have + sought for another habitable earth beyond the ocean, and have carried + their arms as far as such British islands as were never known before. What + therefore do you pretend to? Are you richer than the Gauls, stronger than + the Germans, wiser than the Greeks, more numerous than all men upon the + habitable earth? What confidence is it that elevates you to oppose the + Romans? Perhaps it will be said, It is hard to endure slavery. Yes; but + how much harder is this to the Greeks, who were esteemed the noblest of + all people under the sun! These, though they inhabit in a large country, + are in subjection to six bundles of Roman rods. It is the same case with + the Macedonians, who have juster reason to claim their liberty than you + have. What is the case of five hundred cities of Asia? Do they not submit + to a single governor, and to the consular bundle of rods? What need I + speak of the Henlochi, and Colchi and the nation of Tauri, those that + inhabit the Bosphorus, and the nations about Pontus, and Meotis, who + formerly knew not so much as a lord of their own, but are now subject to + three thousand armed men, and where forty long ships keep the sea in + peace, which before was not navigable, and very tempestuous? How strong a + plea may Bithynia, and Cappadocia, and the people of Pamphylia, the + Lycians, and Cilicians, put in for liberty! But they are made tributary + without an army. What are the circumstances of the Thracians, whose + country extends in breadth five days' journey, and in length seven, and is + of a much more harsh constitution, and much more defensible, than yours, + and by the rigor of its cold sufficient to keep off armies from attacking + them? do not they submit to two thousand men of the Roman garrisons? Are + not the Illyrlans, who inhabit the country adjoining, as far as Dalmatia + and the Danube, governed by barely two legions? by which also they put a + stop to the incursions of the Daeians. And for the Dalmatians, who have + made such frequent insurrections in order to regain their liberty, and who + could never before be so thoroughly subdued, but that they always gathered + their forces together again, revolted, yet are they now very quiet under + one Roman legion. Moreover, great advantages might provoke any people to + revolt, the Gauls might do it best of all, as being so thoroughly walled + round by nature; on the east side by the Alps, on the north by the river + Rhine, on the south by the Pyrenean mountains, and on the west by the + ocean. Now although these Gauls have such obstacles before them to prevent + any attack upon them, and have no fewer than three hundred and five + nations among them, nay have, as one may say, the fountains of domestic + happiness within themselves, and send out plentiful streams of happiness + over almost the whole world, these bear to be tributary to the Romans, and + derive their prosperous condition from them; and they undergo this, not + because they are of effeminate minds, or because they are of an ignoble + stock, as having borne a war of eighty years in order to preserve their + liberty; but by reason of the great regard they have to the power of the + Romans, and their good fortune, which is of greater efficacy than their + arms. These Gauls, therefore, are kept in servitude by twelve hundred + soldiers, which are hardly so many as are their cities; nor hath the gold + dug out of the mines of Spain been sufficient for the support of a war to + preserve their liberty, nor could their vast distance from the Romans by + land and by sea do it; nor could the martial tribes of the Lusitanians and + Spaniards escape; no more could the ocean, with its tide, which yet was + terrible to the ancient inhabitants. Nay, the Romans have extended their + arms beyond the pillars of Hercules, and have walked among the clouds, + upon the Pyrenean mountains, and have subdued these nations. And one + legion is a sufficient guard for these people, although they were so hard + to be conquered, and at a distance so remote from Rome. Who is there among + you that hath not heard of the great number of the Germans? You have, to + be sure, yourselves seen them to be strong and tall, and that frequently, + since the Romans have them among their captives every where; yet these + Germans, who dwell in an immense country, who have minds greater than + their bodies, and a soul that despises death, and who are in rage more + fierce than wild beasts, have the Rhine for the boundary of their + enterprises, and are tamed by eight Roman legions. Such of them as were + taken captive became their servants; and the rest of the entire nation + were obliged to save themselves by flight. Do you also, who depend on the + walls of Jerusalem, consider what a wall the Britons had; for the Romans + sailed away to them, an subdued them while they were encompassed by the + ocean, and inhabited an island that is not less than the [continent of + this] habitable earth; and four legions are a sufficient guard to so large + an island And why should I speak much more about this matter, while the + Parthians, that most warlike body of men, and lords of so many nations, + and encompassed with such mighty forces, send hostages to the Romans? + whereby you may see, if you please, even in Italy, the noblest nation of + the East, under the notion of peace, submitting to serve them. Now when + almost all people under the sun submit to the Roman arms, will you be the + only people that make war against them? and this without regarding the + fate of the Carthaginians, who, in the midst of their brags of the great + Hannibal, and the nobility of their Phoenician original, fell by the hand + of Scipio. Nor indeed have the Cyrenians, derived from the Lacedemonians, + nor the Marmaridite, a nation extended as far as the regions uninhabitable + for want of water, nor have the Syrtes, a place terrible to such as barely + hear it described, the Nasamons and Moors, and the immense multitude of + the Numidians, been able to put a stop to the Roman valor. And as for the + third part of the habitable earth, [Africa,] whose nations are so many that + it is not easy to number them, and which is bounded by the Atlantic Sea + and the pillars of Hercules, and feeds an innumerable multitude of + Ethiopians, as far as the Red Sea, these have the Romans subdued entirely. + And besides the annual fruits of the earth, which maintain the multitude + of the Romans for eight months in the year, this, over and above, pays all + sorts of tribute, and affords revenues suitable to the necessities of the + government. Nor do they, like you, esteem such injunctions a disgrace to + them, although they have but one Roman legion that abides among them. And + indeed what occasion is there for showing you the power of the Romans over + remote countries, when it is so easy to learn it from Egypt, in your + neighborhood? This country is extended as far as the Ethiopians, and + Arabia the Happy, and borders upon India; it hath seven millions five + hundred thousand men, besides the inhabitants of Alexandria, as may be + learned from the revenue of the poll tax; yet it is not ashamed to submit + to the Roman government, although it hath Alexandria as a grand temptation + to a revolt, by reason it is so full of people and of riches, and is + besides exceeding large, its length being thirty furlongs, and its breadth + no less than ten; and it pays more tribute to the Romans in one month than + you do in a year; nay, besides what it pays in money, it sends corn to + Rome that supports it for four months [in the year]: it is also walled + round on all sides, either by almost impassable deserts, or seas that have + no havens, or by rivers, or by lakes; yet have none of these things been + found too strong for the Roman good fortune; however, two legions that lie + in that city are a bridle both for the remoter parts of Egypt, and for the + parts inhabited by the more noble Macedonians. Where then are those people + whom you are to have for your auxiliaries? Must they come from the parts + of the world that are uninhabited? for all that are in the habitable earth + are [under the] Romans. Unless any of you extend his hopes as far as + beyond the Euphrates, and suppose that those of your own nation that dwell + in Adiabene will come to your assistance; but certainly these will not + embarrass themselves with an unjustifiable war, nor, if they should follow + such ill advice, will the Parthians permit them so to do; for it is their + concern to maintain the truce that is between them and the Romans, and + they will be supposed to break the covenants between them, if any under + their government march against the Romans. What remains, therefore, is + this, that you have recourse to Divine assistance; but this is already on + the side of the Romans; for it is impossible that so vast an empire should + be settled without God's providence. Reflect upon it, how impossible it is + for your zealous observations of your religious customs to be here + preserved, which are hard to be observed even when you fight with those + whom you are able to conquer; and how can you then most of all hope for + God's assistance, when, by being forced to transgress his law, you will + make him turn his face from you? and if you do observe the custom of the + sabbath days, and will not be revealed on to do any thing thereon, you + will easily be taken, as were your forefathers by Pompey, who was the + busiest in his siege on those days on which the besieged rested. But if in + time of war you transgress the law of your country, I cannot tell on whose + account you will afterward go to war; for your concern is but one, that + you do nothing against any of your forefathers; and how will you call upon + God to assist you, when you are voluntarily transgressing against his + religion? Now all men that go to war do it either as depending on Divine + or on human assistance; but since your going to war will cut off both + those assistances, those that are for going to war choose evident + destruction. What hinders you from slaying your children and wives with + your own hands, and burning this most excellent native city of yours? for + by this mad prank you will, however, escape the reproach of being beaten. + But it were best, O my friends, it were best, while the vessel is still in + the haven, to foresee the impending storm, and not to set sail out of the + port into the middle of the hurricanes; for we justly pity those who fall + into great misfortunes without fore-seeing them; but for him who rushes + into manifest ruin, he gains reproaches [instead of commiseration]. But + certainly no one can imagine that you can enter into a war as by + agreement, or that when the Romans have got you under their power, they + will use you with moderation, or will not rather, for an example to other + nations, burn your holy city, and utterly destroy your whole nation; for + those of you who shall survive the war will not be able to find a place + whither to flee, since all men have the Romans for their lords already, or + are afraid they shall have hereafter. Nay, indeed, the danger concerns not + those Jews that dwell here only, but those of them which dwell in other + cities also; for there is no people upon the habitable earth which have + not some portion of you among them, whom your enemies will slay, in case + you go to war, and on that account also; and so every city which hath Jews + in it will be filled with slaughter for the sake of a few men, and they + who slay them will be pardoned; but if that slaughter be not made by them, + consider how wicked a thing it is to take arms against those that are so + kind to you. Have pity, therefore, if not on your children and wives, yet + upon this your metropolis, and its sacred walls; spare the temple, and + preserve the holy house, with its holy furniture, for yourselves; for if + the Romans get you under their power, they will no longer abstain from + them, when their former abstinence shall have been so ungratefully + requited. I call to witness your sanctuary, and the holy angels of God, + and this country common to us all, that I have not kept back any thing + that is for your preservation; and if you will follow that advice which + you ought to do, you will have that peace which will be common to you and + to me; but if you indulge four passions, you will run those hazards which + I shall be free from." + </p> + <p> + 5. When Agrippa had spoken thus, both he and his sister wept, and by their + tears repressed a great deal of the violence of the people; but still they + cried out, that they would not fight against the Romans, but against + Florus, on account of what they had suffered by his means. To which + Agrippa replied, that what they had already done was like such as make war + against the Romans; "for you have not paid the tribute which is due to + Caesar <a href="#link2note-25" name="link2noteref-25" id="link2noteref-25">25</a> + and you have cut off the cloisters [of the temple] from joining to the + tower Antonia. You will therefore prevent any occasion of revolt if you + will but join these together again, and if you will but pay your tribute; + for the citadel does not now belong to Florus, nor are you to pay the + tribute money to Florus." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link22HCH0017" id="link22HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 17. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How The War Of The Jews With The Romans Began, And + Concerning Manahem. +</pre> + <p> + 1. This advice the people hearkened to, and went up into the temple with + the king and Bernice, and began to rebuild the cloisters; the rulers also + and senators divided themselves into the villages, and collected the + tributes, and soon got together forty talents, which was the sum that was + deficient. And thus did Agrippa then put a stop to that war which was + threatened. Moreover, he attempted to persuade the multitude to obey + Florus, until Caesar should send one to succeed him; but they were hereby + more provoked, and cast reproaches upon the king, and got him excluded out + of the city; nay, some of the seditious had the impudence to throw stones + at him. So when the king saw that the violence of those that were for + innovations was not to be restrained, and being very angry at the + contumelies he had received, he sent their rulers, together with their men + of power, to Florus, to Cesarea, that he might appoint whom he thought fit + to collect the tribute in the country, while he retired into his own + kingdom. + </p> + <p> + 2. And at this time it was that some of those that principally excited the + people to go to war made an assault upon a certain fortress called Masada. + They took it by treachery, and slew the Romans that were there, and put + others of their own party to keep it. At the same time Eleazar, the son of + Ananias the high priest, a very bold youth, who was at that time governor + of the temple, persuaded those that officiated in the Divine service to + receive no gift or sacrifice for any foreigner. And this was the true + beginning of our war with the Romans; for they rejected the sacrifice of + Caesar on this account; and when many of the high priests and principal + men besought them not to omit the sacrifice, which it was customary for + them to offer for their princes, they would not be prevailed upon. These + relied much upon their multitude, for the most flourishing part of the + innovators assisted them; but they had the chief regard to Eleazar, the + governor of the temple. + </p> + <p> + 3. Hereupon the men of power got together, and conferred with the high + priests, as did also the principal of the Pharisees; and thinking all was + at stake, and that their calamities were becoming incurable, took counsel + what was to be done. Accordingly, they determined to try what they could + do with the seditious by words, and assembled the people before the brazen + gate, which was that gate of the inner temple [court of the priests] which + looked toward the sun-rising. And, in the first place, they showed the + great indignation they had at this attempt for a revolt, and for their + bringing so great a war upon their country; after which they confuted + their pretense as unjustifiable, and told them that their forefathers had + adorned their temple in great part with donations bestowed on them by + foreigners, and had always received what had been presented to them from + foreign nations; and that they had been so far from rejecting any person's + sacrifice [which would be the highest instance of impiety,] that they had + themselves placed those donation about the temple which were still + visible, and had remained there so long a time; that they did now irritate + the Romans to take arms against them, and invited them to make war upon + them, and brought up novel rules of a strange Divine worship, and + determined to run the hazard of having their city condemned for impiety, + while they would not allow any foreigner, but Jews only, either to + sacrifice or to worship therein. And if such a law should be introduced in + the case of a single private person only, he would have indignation at it, + as an instance of inhumanity determined against him; while they have no + regard to the Romans or to Caesar, and forbid even their oblations to be + received also; that however they cannot but fear, lest, by thus rejecting + their sacrifices, they shall not be allowed to offer their own; and that + this city will lose its principality, unless they grow wiser quickly, and + restore the sacrifices as formerly, and indeed amend the injury [they have + offered foreigners] before the report of it comes to the ears of those + that have been injured. + </p> + <p> + 4. And as they said these things, they produced those priests that were + skillful in the customs of their country, who made the report that all + their forefathers had received the sacrifices from foreign nations. But + still not one of the innovators would hearken to what was said; nay, those + that ministered about the temple would not attend their Divine service, + but were preparing matters for beginning the war. So the men of power + perceiving that the sedition was too hard for them to subdue, and that the + danger which would arise from the Romans would come upon them first of + all, endeavored to save themselves, and sent ambassadors, some to Florus, + the chief of which was Simon the son of Ananias; and others to Agrippa, + among whom the most eminent were Saul, and Antipas, and Costobarus, who + were of the king's kindred; and they desired of them both that they would + come with an army to the city, and cut off the seditious before it should + be too hard to be subdued. Now this terrible message was good news to + Florus; and because his design was to have a war kindled, he gave the + ambassadors no answer at all. But Agrippa was equally solicitous for those + that were revolting, and for those against whom the war was to be made, + and was desirous to preserve the Jews for the Romans, and the temple and + metropolis for the Jews; he was also sensible that it was not for his own + advantage that the disturbances should proceed; so he sent three thousand + horsemen to the assistance of the people out of Auranitis, and Batanea, + and Trachonitis, and these under Darius, the master of his horse, and + Philip the son of Jacimus, the general of his army. + </p> + <p> + 5. Upon this the men of power, with the high priests, as also all the part + of the multitude that were desirous of peace, took courage, and seized + upon the upper city [Mount Sion;] for the seditious part had the lower + city and the temple in their power; so they made use of stones and slings + perpetually against one another, and threw darts continually on both + sides; and sometimes it happened that they made incursions by troops, and + fought it out hand to hand, while the seditious were superior in boldness, + but the king's soldiers in skill. These last strove chiefly to gain the + temple, and to drive those out of it who profaned it; as did the + seditious, with Eleazar, besides what they had already, labor to gain the + upper city. Thus were there perpetual slaughters on both sides for seven + days' time; but neither side would yield up the parts they had seized on. + </p> + <p> + 6. Now the next day was the festival of Xylophory; upon which the custom + was for every one to bring wood for the altar [that there might never be a + want of fuel for that fire which was unquenchable and always burning]. + Upon that day they excluded the opposite party from the observation of + this part of religion. And when they had joined to themselves many of the + Sicarii, who crowded in among the weaker people, [that was the name for + such robbers as had under their bosoms swords called Sicae,] they grew + bolder, and carried their undertaking further; insomuch that the king's + soldiers were overpowered by their multitude and boldness; and so they + gave way, and were driven out of the upper city by force. The others then + set fire to the house of Ananias the high priest, and to the palaces of + Agrippa and Bernice; after which they carried the fire to the place where + the archives were reposited, and made haste to burn the contracts + belonging to their creditors, and thereby to dissolve their obligations + for paying their debts; and this was done in order to gain the multitude + of those who had been debtors, and that they might persuade the poorer + sort to join in their insurrection with safety against the more wealthy; + so the keepers of the records fled away, and the rest set fire to them. + And when they had thus burnt down the nerves of the city, they fell upon + their enemies; at which time some of the men of power, and of the high + priests, went into the vaults under ground, and concealed themselves, + while others fled with the king's soldiers to the upper palace, and shut + the gates immediately; among whom were Ananias the high priest, and the + ambassadors that had been sent to Agrippa. And now the seditious were + contented with the victory they had gotten, and the buildings they had + burnt down, and proceeded no further. + </p> + <p> + 7. But on the next day, which was the fifteenth of the month Lous, [Ab,] + they made an assault upon Antonia, and besieged the garrison which was in + it two days, and then took the garrison, and slew them, and set the + citadel on fire; after which they marched to the palace, whither the + king's soldiers were fled, and parted themselves into four bodies, and + made an attack upon the walls. As for those that were within it, no one + had the courage to sally out, because those that assaulted them were so + numerous; but they distributed themselves into the breast-works and + turrets, and shot at the besiegers, whereby many of the robbers fell under + the walls; nor did they cease to fight one with another either by night or + by day, while the seditious supposed that those within would grow weary + for want of food, and those without supposed the others would do the like + by the tediousness of the siege. + </p> + <p> + 8. In the mean time, one Manahem, the son of Judas, that was called the + Galilean, [who was a very cunning sophister, and had formerly reproached + the Jews under Cyrenius, that after God they were subject to the Romans,] + took some of the men of note with him, and retired to Masada, where he + broke open king Herod's armory, and gave arms not only to his own people, + but to other robbers also. These he made use of for a guard, and returned + in the state of a king to Jerusalem; he became the leader of the sedition, + and gave orders for continuing the siege; but they wanted proper + instruments, and it was not practicable to undermine the wall, because the + darts came down upon them from above. But still they dug a mine from a + great distance under one of the towers, and made it totter; and having + done that, they set on fire what was combustible, and left it; and when + the foundations were burnt below, the tower fell down suddenly. Yet did + they then meet with another wall that had been built within, for the + besieged were sensible beforehand of what they were doing, and probably + the tower shook as it was undermining; so they provided themselves of + another fortification; which when the besiegers unexpectedly saw, while + they thought they had already gained the place, they were under some + consternation. However, those that were within sent to Manahem, and to the + other leaders of the sedition, and desired they might go out upon a + capitulation: this was granted to the king's soldiers and their own + countrymen only, who went out accordingly; but the Romans that were left + alone were greatly dejected, for they were not able to force their way + through such a multitude; and to desire them to give them their right hand + for their security, they thought it would be a reproach to them; and + besides, if they should give it them, they durst not depend upon it; so + they deserted their camp, as easily taken, and ran away to the royal + towers,—that called Hippicus, that called Phasaelus, and that called + Mariamne. But Manahem and his party fell upon the place whence the + soldiers were fled, and slew as many of them as they could catch, before + they got up to the towers, and plundered what they left behind them, and + set fire to their camp. This was executed on the sixth day of the month + Gorpieus [Elul]. + </p> + <p> + 9. But on the next day the high priest was caught where he had concealed + himself in an aqueduct; he was slain, together with Hezekiah his brother, + by the robbers: hereupon the seditious besieged the towers, and kept them + guarded, lest any one of the soldiers should escape. Now the overthrow of + the places of strength, and the death of the high priest Ananias, so + puffed up Manahem, that he became barbarously cruel; and as he thought he + had no antagonist to dispute the management of affairs with him, he was no + better than an insupportable tyrant; but Eleazar and his party, when words + had passed between them, how it was not proper when they revolted from the + Romans, out of the desire of liberty, to betray that liberty to any of + their own people, and to bear a lord, who, though he should be guilty of + no violence, was yet meaner than themselves; as also, that in case they + were obliged to set some one over their public affairs, it was fitter they + should give that privilege to any one rather than to him; they made an + assault upon him in the temple; for he went up thither to worship in a + pompous manner, and adorned with royal garments, and had his followers + with him in their armor. But Eleazar and his party fell violently upon + him, as did also the rest of the people; and taking up stones to attack + him withal, they threw them at the sophister, and thought, that if he were + once ruined, the entire sedition would fall to the ground. Now Manahem and + his party made resistance for a while; but when they perceived that the + whole multitude were falling upon them, they fled which way every one was + able; those that were caught were slain, and those that hid themselves + were searched for. A few there were of them who privately escaped to + Masada, among whom was Eleazar, the son of Jairus, who was of kin to + Manahem, and acted the part of a tyrant at Masada afterward. As for + Manahem himself, he ran away to the place called Ophla, and there lay + skulking in private; but they took him alive, and drew him out before them + all; they then tortured him with many sorts of torments, and after all + slew him, as they did by those that were captains under him also, and + particularly by the principal instrument of his tyranny, whose name was + Apsalom. + </p> + <p> + 10. And, as I said, so far truly the people assisted them, while they + hoped this might afford some amendment to the seditious practices; but the + others were not in haste to put an end to the war, but hoped to prosecute + it with less danger, now they had slain Manahem. It is true, that when the + people earnestly desired that they would leave off besieging the soldiers, + they were the more earnest in pressing it forward, and this till Metilius, + who was the Roman general, sent to Eleazar, and desired that they would + give them security to spare their lives only; but agreed to deliver up + their arms, and what else they had with them. The others readily complied + with their petition, sent to them Gorion, the son of Nicodemus, and + Ananias, the son of Sadduk, and Judas, the son of Jonathan, that they + might give them the security Of their right hands, and of their oaths; + after which Metilius brought down his soldiers; which soldiers, while they + were in arms, were not meddled with by any of the seditious, nor was there + any appearance of treachery; but as soon as, according to the articles of + capitulation, they had all laid down their shields and their swords, and + were under no further suspicion of any harm, but were going away, + Eleazar's men attacked them after a violent manner, and encompassed them + round, and slew them, while they neither defended themselves, nor + entreated for mercy, but only cried out upon the breach of their articles + of capitulation and their oaths. And thus were all these men barbarously + murdered, excepting Metilius; for when he entreated for mercy, and + promised that he would turn Jew, and be circumcised, they saved him alive, + but none else. This loss to the Romans was but light, there being no more + than a few slain out of an immense army; but still it appeared to be a + prelude to the Jews' own destruction, while men made public lamentation + when they saw that such occasions were afforded for a war as were + incurable; that the city was all over polluted with such abominations, + from which it was but reasonable to expect some vengeance, even though + they should escape revenge from the Romans; so that the city was filled + with sadness, and every one of the moderate men in it were under great + disturbance, as likely themselves to undergo punishment for the wickedness + of the seditious; for indeed it so happened that this murder was + perpetrated on the sabbath day, on which day the Jews have a respite from + their works on account of Divine worship. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link22HCH0018" id="link22HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 18. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Calamities And Slaughters That Came Upon The Jews. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now the people of Cesarea had slain the Jews that were among them on + the very same day and hour [when the soldiers were slain], which one would + think must have come to pass by the direction of Providence; insomuch that + in one hour's time above twenty thousand Jews were killed, and all Cesarea + was emptied of its Jewish inhabitants; for Florus caught such as ran away, + and sent them in bonds to the galleys. Upon which stroke that the Jews + received at Cesarea, the whole nation was greatly enraged; so they divided + themselves into several parties, and laid waste the villages of the + Syrians, and their neighboring cities, Philadelphia, and Sebonitis, and + Gerasa, and Pella, and Scythopolis, and after them Gadara, and Hippos; and + falling upon Gaulonitis, some cities they destroyed there, and some they + set on fire, and then went to Kedasa, belonging to the Tyrians, and to + Ptolemais, and to Gaba, and to Cesarea; nor was either Sebaste [Samaria] + or Askelon able to oppose the violence with which they were attacked; and + when they had burnt these to the ground; they entirely demolished Anthedon + and Gaza; many also of the villages that were about every one of those + cities were plundered, and an immense slaughter was made of the men who + were caught in them. + </p> + <p> + 2. However, the Syrians were even with the Jews in the multitude of the + men whom they slew; for they killed those whom they caught in their + cities, and that not only out of the hatred they bare them, as formerly, + but to prevent the danger under which they were from them; so that the + disorders in all Syria were terrible, and every city was divided into two + armies, encamped one against another, and the preservation of the one + party was in the destruction of the other; so the day time was spent in + shedding of blood, and the night in fear, which was of the two the more + terrible; for when the Syrians thought they had ruined the Jews, they had + the Judaizers in suspicion also; and as each side did not care to slay + those whom they only suspected on the other, so did they greatly fear them + when they were mingled with the other, as if they were certainly + foreigners. Moreover, greediness of gain was a provocation to kill the + opposite party, even to such as had of old appeared very mild and gentle + towards them; for they without fear plundered the effects of the slain, + and carried off the spoils of those whom they slew to their own houses, as + if they had been gained in a set battle; and he was esteemed a man of + honor who got the greatest share, as having prevailed over the greatest + number of his enemies. It was then common to see cities filled with dead + bodies, still lying unburied, and those of old men, mixed with infants, + all dead, and scattered about together; women also lay amongst them, + without any covering for their nakedness: you might then see the whole + province full of inexpressible calamities, while the dread of still more + barbarous practices which were threatened was every where greater than + what had been already perpetrated. + </p> + <p> + 3. And thus far the conflict had been between Jews and foreigners; but + when they made excursions to Scythopolis, they found Jew that acted as + enemies; for as they stood in battle-array with those of Scythopolis, and + preferred their own safety before their relation to us, they fought + against their own countrymen; nay, their alacrity was so very great, that + those of Scythopolis suspected them. These were afraid, therefore, lest + they should make an assault upon the city in the night time, and, to their + great misfortune, should thereby make an apology for themselves to their + own people for their revolt from them. So they commanded them, that in + case they would confirm their agreement and demonstrate their fidelity to + them, who were of a different nation, they should go out of the city, with + their families to a neighboring grove; and when they had done as they were + commanded, without suspecting any thing, the people of Scythopolis lay + still for the interval of two days, to tempt them to be secure; but on the + third night they watched their opportunity, and cut all their throats, + some as they lay unguarded, and some as they lay asleep. The number that + was slain was above thirteen thousand, and then they plundered them of all + that they had. + </p> + <p> + 4. It will deserve our relation what befell Simon; he was the son of one + Saul, a man of reputation among the Jews. This man was distinguished from + the rest by the strength of his body, and the boldness of his conduct, + although he abused them both to the mischieving of his countrymen; for he + came every day and slew a great many of the Jews of Scythopolis, and he + frequently put them to flight, and became himself alone the cause of his + army's conquering. But a just punishment overtook him for the murders he + had committed upon those of the same nation with him; for when the people + of Scythopolis threw their darts at them in the grove, he drew his sword, + but did not attack any of the enemy; for he saw that he could do nothing + against such a multitude; but he cried out after a very moving manner, and + said, "O you people of Scythopolis, I deservedly suffer for what I have + done with relation to you, when I gave you such security of my fidelity to + you, by slaying so many of those that were related to me. Wherefore we + very justly experience the perfidiousness of foreigners, while we acted + after a most wicked manner against our own nation. I will therefore die, + polluted wretch as I am, by mine own hands; for it is not fit I should die + by the hand of our enemies; and let the same action be to me both a + punishment for my great crimes, and a testimony of my courage to my + commendation, that so no one of our enemies may have it to brag of, that + he it was that slew me, and no one may insult upon me as I fall." Now when + he had said this, he looked round about him upon his family with eyes of + commiseration and of rage [that family consisted of a wife and children, + and his aged parents]; so, in the first place, he caught his father by his + grey hairs, and ran his sword through him, and after him he did the same + to his mother, who willingly received it; and after them he did the like + to his wife and children, every one almost offering themselves to his + sword, as desirous to prevent being slain by their enemies; so when he had + gone over all his family, he stood upon their bodies to be seen by all, + and stretching out his right hand, that his action might be observed by + all, he sheathed his entire sword into his own bowels. This young man was + to be pitied, on account of the strength of his body and the courage of + his soul; but since he had assured foreigners of his fidelity [against his + own countrymen], he suffered deservedly. + </p> + <p> + 5. Besides this murder at Scythopolis, the other cities rose up against + the Jews that were among them; those of Askelon slew two thousand five + hundred, and those of Ptolemais two thousand, and put not a few into + bonds; those of Tyre also put a great number to death, but kept a greater + number in prison; moreover, those of Hippos, and those of Gadara, did the + like while they put to death the boldest of the Jews, but kept those of + whom they were afraid in custody; as did the rest of the cities of Syria, + according as they every one either hated them or were afraid of them; only + the Antiochtans the Sidontans, and Apamians spared those that dwelt with + them, and would not endure either to kill any of the Jews, or to put them + in bonds. And perhaps they spared them, because their own number was so + great that they despised their attempts. But I think the greatest part of + this favor was owing to their commiseration of those whom they saw to make + no innovations. As for the Gerasans, they did no harm to those that abode + with them; and for those who had a mind to go away, they conducted them as + far as their borders reached. + </p> + <p> + 6. There was also a plot laid against the Jews in Agrippa's kingdom; for + he was himself gone to Cestius Gallus, to Antioch, but had left one of his + companions, whose name was Noarus, to take care of the public affairs; + which Noarus was of kin to king Sohemus. <a href="#link2note-26" + name="link2noteref-26" id="link2noteref-26">26</a> Now there came certain + men seventy in number, out of Batanea, who were the most considerable for + their families and prudence of the rest of the people; these desired to + have an army put into their hands, that if any tumult should happen, they + might have about them a guard sufficient to restrain such as might rise up + against them. This Noarus sent out some of the king's armed men by night, + and slew all those [seventy] men; which bold action he ventured upon + without the consent of Agrippa, and was such a lover of money, that he + chose to be so wicked to his own countrymen, though he brought ruin on the + kingdom thereby; and thus cruelly did he treat that nation, and this + contrary to the laws also, until Agrippa was informed of it, who did not + indeed dare to put him to death, out of regard to Sohemus; but still he + put an end to his procuratorship immediately. But as to the seditious, + they took the citadel which was called Cypros, and was above Jericho, and + cut the throats of the garrison, and utterly demolished the + fortifications. This was about the same time that the multitude of the + Jews that were at Machaerus persuaded the Romans who were in garrison to + leave the place, and deliver it up to them. These Romans being in great + fear, lest the place should be taken by force, made an agreement with them + to depart upon certain conditions; and when they had obtained the security + they desired, they delivered up the citadel, into which the people of + Machaerus put a garrison for their own security, and held it in their own + power. + </p> + <p> + 7. But for Alexandria, the sedition of the people of the place against the + Jews was perpetual, and this from that very time when Alexander [the + Great], upon finding the readiness of the Jews in assisting him against + the Egyptians, and as a reward for such their assistance, gave them equal + privileges in this city with the Grecians themselves; which honorary + reward Continued among them under his successors, who also set apart for + them a particular place, that they might live without being polluted [by + the Gentiles], and were thereby not so much intermixed with foreigners as + before; they also gave them this further privilege, that they should be + called Macedonians. Nay, when the Romans got possession of Egypt, neither + the first Caesar, nor any one that came after him, thought of diminishing + the honors which Alexander had bestowed on the Jews. But still conflicts + perpetually arose with the Grecians; and although the governors did every + day punish many of them, yet did the sedition grow worse; but at this time + especially, when there were tumults in other places also, the disorders + among them were put into a greater flame; for when the Alexandrians had + once a public assembly, to deliberate about an embassage they were sending + to Nero, a great number of Jews came flocking to the theater; but when + their adversaries saw them, they immediately cried out, and called them + their enemies, and said they came as spies upon them; upon which they + rushed out, and laid violent hands upon them; and as for the rest, they + were slain as they ran away; but there were three men whom they caught, + and hauled them along, in order to have them burnt alive; but all the Jews + came in a body to defend them, who at first threw stones at the Grecians, + but after that they took lamps, and rushed with violence into the theater, + and threatened that they would burn the people to a man; and this they had + soon done, unless Tiberius Alexander, the governor of the city, had + restrained their passions. However, this man did not begin to teach them + wisdom by arms, but sent among them privately some of the principal men, + and thereby entreated them to be quiet, and not provoke the Roman army + against them; but the seditious made a jest of the entreaties of Tiberius, + and reproached him for so doing. + </p> + <p> + 8. Now when he perceived that those who were for innovations would not be + pacified till some great calamity should overtake them, he sent out upon + them those two Roman legions that were in the city, and together with them + five thousand other soldiers, who, by chance, were come together out of + Libya, to the ruin of the Jews. They were also permitted not only to kill + them, but to plunder them of what they had, and to set fire to their + houses. These soldiers rushed violently into that part of the city that + was called Delta, where the Jewish people lived together, and did as they + were bidden, though not without bloodshed on their own side also; for the + Jews got together, and set those that were the best armed among them in + the forefront, and made a resistance for a great while; but when once they + gave back, they were destroyed unmercifully; and this their destruction + was complete, some being caught in the open field, and others forced into + their houses, which houses were first plundered of what was in them, and + then set on fire by the Romans; wherein no mercy was shown to the infants, + and no regard had to the aged; but they went on in the slaughter of + persons of every age, till all the place was overflowed with blood, and + fifty thousand of them lay dead upon heaps; nor had the remainder been + preserved, had they not be-taken themselves to supplication. So Alexander + commiserated their condition, and gave orders to the Romans to retire; + accordingly, these being accustomed to obey orders, left off killing at + the first intimation; but the populace of Alexandria bare so very great + hatred to the Jews, that it was difficult to recall them, and it was a + hard thing to make them leave their dead bodies. + </p> + <p> + 9. And this was the miserable calamity which at this time befell the Jews + at Alexandria. Hereupon Cestius thought fit no longer to lie still, while + the Jews were everywhere up in arms; so he took out of Antioch the twelfth + legion entire, and out of each of the rest he selected two thousand, with + six cohorts of footmen, and four troops of horsemen, besides those + auxiliaries which were sent by the kings; of which Antiochus sent two + thousand horsemen, and three thousand footmen, with as many archers; and + Agrippa sent the same number of footmen, and one thousand horsemen; + Sohemus also followed with four thousand, a third part whereof were + horsemen, but most part were archers, and thus did he march to Ptolemais. + There were also great numbers of auxiliaries gathered together from the + [free] cities, who indeed had not the same skill in martial affairs, but + made up in their alacrity and in their hatred to the Jews what they wanted + in skill. There came also along with Cestius Agrippa himself, both as a + guide in his march over the country, and a director what was fit to be + done; so Cestius took part of his forces, and marched hastily to Zabulon, + a strong city of Galilee, which was called the City of Men, and divides + the country of Ptolemais from our nation; this he found deserted by its + men, the multitude having fled to the mountains, but full of all sorts of + good things; those he gave leave to the soldiers to plunder, and set fire + to the city, although it was of admirable beauty, and had its houses built + like those in Tyre, and Sidon, and Berytus. After this he overran all the + country, and seized upon whatsoever came in his way, and set fire to the + villages that were round about them, and then returned to Ptolemais. But + when the Syrians, and especially those of Berytus, were busy in + plundering, the Jews pulled up their courage again, for they knew that + Cestius was retired, and fell upon those that were left behind + unexpectedly, and destroyed about two thousand of them. <a + href="#link2note-27" name="link2noteref-27" id="link2noteref-27">27</a> + </p> + <p> + 10. And now Cestius himself marched from Ptolemais, and came to Cesarea; + but he sent part of his army before him to Joppa, and gave order, that if + they could take that city [by surprise] they should keep it; but that in + case the citizens should perceive they were coming to attack them, that + they then should stay for him, and for the rest of the army. So some of + them made a brisk march by the sea-side, and some by land, and so coming + upon them on both sides, they took the city with ease; and as the + inhabitants had made no provision beforehand for a flight, nor had gotten + any thing ready for fighting, the soldiers fell upon them, and slew them + all, with their families, and then plundered and burnt the city. The + number of the slain was eight thousand four hundred. In like manner, + Cestius sent also a considerable body of horsemen to the toparchy of + Narbatene, that adjoined to Cesarea, who destroyed the country, and slew a + great multitude of its people; they also plundered what they had, and + burnt their villages. + </p> + <p> + 11. But Cestius sent Gallus, the commander of the twelfth legion, into + Galilee, and delivered to him as many of his forces as he supposed + sufficient to subdue that nation. He was received by the strongest city of + Galilee, which was Sepphoris, with acclamations of joy; which wise conduct + of that city occasioned the rest of the cities to be in quiet; while the + seditious part and the robbers ran away to that mountain which lies in the + very middle of Galilee, and is situated over against Sepphoris; it is + called Asamon. So Gallus brought his forces against them; but while those + men were in the superior parts above the Romans, they easily threw their + darts upon the Romans, as they made their approaches, and slew about two + hundred of them. But when the Romans had gone round the mountains, and + were gotten into the parts above their enemies, the others were soon + beaten; nor could they who had only light armor on sustain the force of + them that fought them armed all over; nor when they were beaten could they + escape the enemies' horsemen; insomuch that only some few concealed + themselves in certain places hard to be come at, among the mountains, + while the rest, above two thousand in number, were slain. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link22HCH0019" id="link22HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 19. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + What Cestius Did Against The Jews; And How, Upon His + Besieging Jerusalem, He Retreated From The City Without Any + Just Occasion In The World. As Also What Severe Calamities + He Under Went From The Jews In His Retreat. +</pre> + <p> + 1. And now Gallus, seeing nothing more that looked towards an innovation + in Galilee, returned with his army to Cesarea: but Cestius removed with + his whole army, and marched to Antipatris; and when he was informed that + there was a great body of Jewish forces gotten together in a certain tower + called Aphek, he sent a party before to fight them; but this party + dispersed the Jews by affrighting them before it came to a battle: so they + came, and finding their camp deserted, they burnt it, as well as the + villages that lay about it. But when Cestius had marched from Antipatris + to Lydda, he found the city empty of its men, for the whole multitude <a + href="#link2note-28" name="link2noteref-28" id="link2noteref-28">28</a> + were gone up to Jerusalem to the feast of tabernacles; yet did he destroy + fifty of those that showed themselves, and burnt the city, and so marched + forwards; and ascending by Betboron, he pitched his camp at a certain + place called Gabao, fifty furlongs distant from Jerusalem. + </p> + <p> + 2. But as for the Jews, when they saw the war approaching to their + metropolis, they left the feast, and betook themselves to their arms; and + taking courage greatly from their multitude, went in a sudden and + disorderly manner to the fight, with a great noise, and without any + consideration had of the rest of the seventh day, although the Sabbath <a + href="#link2note-29" name="link2noteref-29" id="link2noteref-29">29</a> + was the day to which they had the greatest regard; but that rage which + made them forget the religious observation [of the sabbath] made them too + hard for their enemies in the fight: with such violence therefore did they + fall upon the Romans, as to break into their ranks, and to march through + the midst of them, making a great slaughter as they went, insomuch that + unless the horsemen, and such part of the footmen as were not yet tired in + the action, had wheeled round, and succored that part of the army which + was not yet broken, Cestius, with his whole army, had been in danger: + however, five hundred and fifteen of the Romans were slain, of which + number four hundred were footmen, and the rest horsemen, while the Jews + lost only twenty-two, of whom the most valiant were the kinsmen of + Monobazus, king of Adiabene, and their names were Monobazus and Kenedeus; + and next to them were Niger of Perea, and Silas of Babylon, who had + deserted from king Agrippa to the Jews; for he had formerly served in his + army. When the front of the Jewish army had been cut off, the Jews retired + into the city; but still Simon, the son of Giora, fell upon the backs of + the Romans, as they were ascending up Bethoron, and put the hindmost of + the army into disorder, and carried off many of the beasts that carried + the weapons of war, and led Shem into the city. But as Cestius tarried + there three days, the Jews seized upon the elevated parts of the city, and + set watches at the entrances into the city, and appeared openly resolved + not to rest when once the Romans should begin to march. + </p> + <p> + 3. And now when Agrippa observed that even the affairs of the Romans were + likely to be in danger, while such an immense multitude of their enemies + had seized upon the mountains round about, he determined to try what the + Jews would agree to by words, as thinking that he should either persuade + them all to desist from fighting, or, however, that he should cause the + sober part of them to separate themselves from the opposite party. So he + sent Borceus and Phebus, the persons of his party that were the best known + to them, and promised them that Cestius should give them his right hand, + to secure them of the Romans' entire forgiveness of what they had done + amiss, if they would throw away their arms, and come over to them; but the + seditious, fearing lest the whole multitude, in hopes of security to + themselves, should go over to Agrippa, resolved immediately to fall upon + and kill the ambassadors; accordingly they slew Phebus before he said a + word, but Borceus was only wounded, and so prevented his fate by flying + away. And when the people were very angry at this, they had the seditious + beaten with stones and clubs, and drove them before them into the city. + </p> + <p> + 4. But now Cestius, observing that the disturbances that were begun among + the Jews afforded him a proper opportunity to attack them, took his whole + army along with him, and put the Jews to flight, and pursued them to + Jerusalem. He then pitched his camp upon the elevation called Scopus, [or + watch-tower,] which was distant seven furlongs from the city; yet did not + he assault them in three days' time, out of expectation that those within + might perhaps yield a little; and in the mean time he sent out a great + many of his soldiers into neighboring villages, to seize upon their corn. + And on the fourth day, which was the thirtieth of the month Hyperbereteus, + [Tisri,] when he had put his army in array, he brought it into the city. + Now for the people, they were kept under by the seditious; but the + seditious themselves were greatly affrighted at the good order of the + Romans, and retired from the suburbs, and retreated into the inner part of + the city, and into the temple. But when Cestius was come into the city, he + set the part called Bezetha, which is called Cenopolis, [or the new city,] + on fire; as he did also to the timber market; after which he came into the + upper city, and pitched his camp over against the royal palace; and had he + but at this very time attempted to get within the walls by force, he had + won the city presently, and the war had been put an end to at once; but + Tyrannius Priseus, the muster-master of the army, and a great number of + the officers of the horse, had been corrupted by Florus, and diverted him + from that his attempt; and that was the occasion that this war lasted so + very long, and thereby the Jews were involved in such incurable + calamities. + </p> + <p> + 5. In the mean time, many of the principal men of the city were persuaded + by Ananus, the son of Jonathan, and invited Cestius into the city, and + were about to open the gates for him; but he overlooked this offer, partly + out of his anger at the Jews, and partly because he did not thoroughly + believe they were in earnest; whence it was that he delayed the matter so + long, that the seditious perceived the treachery, and threw Ananus and + those of his party down from the wall, and, pelting them with stones, + drove them into their houses; but they stood themselves at proper + distances in the towers, and threw their darts at those that were getting + over the wall. Thus did the Romans make their attack against the wall for + five days, but to no purpose. But on the next day Cestius took a great + many of his choicest men, and with them the archers, and attempted to + break into the temple at the northern quarter of it; but the Jews beat + them off from the cloisters, and repulsed them several times when they + were gotten near to the wall, till at length the multitude of the darts + cut them off, and made them retire; but the first rank of the Romans + rested their shields upon the wall, and so did those that were behind + them, and the like did those that were still more backward, and guarded + themselves with what they call Testudo, [the back of] a tortoise, upon + which the darts that were thrown fell, and slided off without doing them + any harm; so the soldiers undermined the wall, without being themselves + hurt, and got all things ready for setting fire to the gate of the temple. + </p> + <p> + 6. And now it was that a horrible fear seized upon the seditious, insomuch + that many of them ran out of the city, as though it were to be taken + immediately; but the people upon this took courage, and where the wicked + part of the city gave ground, thither did they come, in order to set open + the gates, and to admit Cestius <a href="#link2note-30" + name="link2noteref-30" id="link2noteref-30">30</a> as their benefactor, + who, had he but continued the siege a little longer, had certainly taken + the city; but it was, I suppose, owing to the aversion God had already at + the city and the sanctuary, that he was hindered from putting an end to + the war that very day. + </p> + <p> + 7. It then happened that Cestius was not conscious either how the besieged + despaired of success, nor how courageous the people were for him; and so + he recalled his soldiers from the place, and by despairing of any + expectation of taking it, without having received any disgrace, he retired + from the city, without any reason in the world. But when the robbers + perceived this unexpected retreat of his, they resumed their courage, and + ran after the hinder parts of his army, and destroyed a considerable + number of both their horsemen and footmen; and now Cestius lay all night + at the camp which was at Scopus; and as he went off farther next day, he + thereby invited the enemy to follow him, who still fell upon the hindmost, + and destroyed them; they also fell upon the flank on each side of the + army, and threw darts upon them obliquely, nor durst those that were + hindmost turn back upon those who wounded them behind, as imagining that + the multitude of those that pursued them was immense; nor did they venture + to drive away those that pressed upon them on each side, because they were + heavy with their arms, and were afraid of breaking their ranks to pieces, + and because they saw the Jews were light, and ready for making incursions + upon them. And this was the reason why the Romans suffered greatly, + without being able to revenge themselves upon their enemies; so they were + galled all the way, and their ranks were put into disorder, and those that + were thus put out of their ranks were slain; among whom were Priscus, the + commander of the sixth legion, and Longinus, the tribune, and Emilius + Secundus, the commander of a troop of horsemen. So it was not without + difficulty that they got to Gabao, their former camp, and that not without + the loss of a great part of their baggage. There it was that Cestius staid + two days, and was in great distress to know what he should do in these + circumstances; but when on the third day he saw a still much greater + number of enemies, and all the parts round about him full of Jews, he + understood that his delay was to his own detriment, and that if he staid + any longer there, he should have still more enemies upon him. + </p> + <p> + 8. That therefore he might fly the faster, he gave orders to cast away + what might hinder his army's march; so they killed the mules and other + creatures, excepting those that carried their darts and machines, which + they retained for their own use, and this principally because they were + afraid lest the Jews should seize upon them. He then made his army march + on as far as Bethoron. Now the Jews did not so much press upon them when + they were in large open places; but when they were penned up in their + descent through narrow passages, then did some of them get before, and + hindered them from getting out of them; and others of them thrust the + hinder-most down into the lower places; and the whole multitude extended + themselves over against the neck of the passage, and covered the Roman + army with their darts. In which circumstances, as the footmen knew not how + to defend themselves, so the danger pressed the horsemen still more, for + they were so pelted, that they could not march along the road in their + ranks, and the ascents were so high, that the cavalry were not able to + march against the enemy; the precipices also and valleys into which they + frequently fell, and tumbled down, were such on each side of them, that + there was neither place for their flight, nor any contrivance could be + thought of for their defense; till the distress they were at last in was + so great, that they betook themselves to lamentations, and to such + mournful cries as men use in the utmost despair: the joyful acclamations + of the Jews also, as they encouraged one another, echoed the sounds back + again, these last composing a noise of those that at once rejoiced and + were in a rage. Indeed, things were come to such a pass, that the Jews had + almost taken Cestius's entire army prisoners, had not the night come on, + when the Romans fled to Bethoron, and the Jews seized upon all the places + round about them, and watched for their coming out [in the morning]. + </p> + <p> + 9. And then it was that Cestius, despairing of obtaining room for a public + march, contrived how he might best run away; and when he had selected four + hundred of the most courageous of his soldiers, he placed them at the + strongest of their fortifications, and gave order, that when they went up + to the morning guard, they should erect their ensigns, that the Jews might + be made to believe that the entire army was there still, while he himself + took the rest of his forces with him, and marched, without any noise, + thirty furlongs. But when the Jews perceived, in the morning, that the + camp was empty, they ran upon those four hundred who had deluded them, and + immediately threw their darts at them, and slew them; and then pursued + after Cestius. But he had already made use of a great part of the night in + his flight, and still marched quicker when it was day; insomuch that the + soldiers, through the astonishment and fear they were in, left behind them + their engines for sieges, and for throwing of stones, and a great part of + the instruments of war. So the Jews went on pursuing the Romans as far as + Antipatris; after which, seeing they could not overtake them, they came + back, and took the engines, and spoiled the dead bodies, and gathered the + prey together which the Romans had left behind them, and came back running + and singing to their metropolis; while they had themselves lost a few + only, but had slain of the Romans five thousand and three hundred footmen, + and three hundred and eighty horsemen. This defeat happened on the eighth + day of the month Dius, [Marchesvan,] in the twelfth year of the reign of + Nero. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link22HCH0020" id="link22HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 20. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Cestius Sends Ambassadors To Nero. The People Of Damascus + Slay Those Jews That Lived With Them. The People Of + Jerusalem After They Had [Left Off] Pursuing Cestius, Return + To The City And Get Things Ready For Its Defense And Make A + Great Many Generals For Their Armies And Particularly + Josephus The Writer Of These Books. Some Account Of His + Administration. +</pre> + <p> + 1. After this calamity had befallen Cestius, many of the most eminent of + the Jews swam away from the city, as from a ship when it was going to + sink; Costobarus, therefore, and Saul, who were brethren, together with + Philip, the son of Jacimus, who was the commander of king Agrippa's + forces, ran away from the city, and went to Cestius. But then how Antipas, + who had been besieged with them in the king's palace, but would not fly + away with them, was afterward slain by the seditious, we shall relate + hereafter. However, Cestius sent Saul and his friends, at their own + desire, to Achaia, to Nero, to inform him of the great distress they were + in, and to lay the blame of their kindling the war upon Florus, as hoping + to alleviate his own danger, by provoking his indignation against Florus. + </p> + <p> + 2. In the mean time, the people of Damascus, when they were informed of + the destruction of the Romans, set about the slaughter of those Jews that + were among them; and as they had them already cooped up together in the + place of public exercises, which they had done out of the suspicion they + had of them, they thought they should meet with no difficulty in the + attempt; yet did they distrust their own wives, which were almost all of + them addicted to the Jewish religion; on which account it was that their + greatest concern was, how they might conceal these things from them; so + they came upon the Jews, and cut their throats, as being in a narrow + place, in number ten thousand, and all of them unarmed, and this in one + hour's time, without any body to disturb them. + </p> + <p> + 3. But as to those who had pursued after Cestius, when they were returned + back to Jerusalem, they overbore some of those that favored the Romans by + violence, and some them persuaded [by en-treaties] to join with them, and + got together in great numbers in the temple, and appointed a great many + generals for the war. Joseph also, the son of Gorion, <a + href="#link2note-31" name="link2noteref-31" id="link2noteref-31">31</a> + and Ananus the high priest, were chosen as governors of all affairs within + the city, and with a particular charge to repair the walls of the city; + for they did not ordain Eleazar the son of Simon to that office, although + he had gotten into his possession the prey they had taken from the Romans, + and the money they had taken from Cestius, together with a great part of + the public treasures, because they saw he was of a tyrannical temper, and + that his followers were, in their behavior, like guards about him. + However, the want they were in of Eleazar's money, and the subtle tricks + used by him, brought all so about, that the people were circumvented, and + submitted themselves to his authority in all public affairs. + </p> + <p> + 4. They also chose other generals for Idumea; Jesus, the son of Sapphias, + one of the high priests; and Eleazar, the son of Ananias, the high priest; + they also enjoined Niger, the then governor of Idumea, <a + href="#link2note-32" name="link2noteref-32" id="link2noteref-32">32</a> + who was of a family that belonged to Perea, beyond Jordan, and was thence + called the Peraite, that he should be obedient to those fore-named + commanders. Nor did they neglect the care of other parts of the country; + but Joseph the son of Simon was sent as general to Jericho, as was + Manasseh to Perea, and John, the Esscue, to the toparchy of Thamna; Lydda + was also added to his portion, and Joppa, and Emmaus. But John, the son of + Matthias, was made governor of the toparchies of Gophnitica and + Acrabattene; as was Josephus, the son of Matthias, of both the Galilees. + Gamala also, which was the strongest city in those parts, was put under + his command. + </p> + <p> + 5. So every one of the other commanders administered the affairs of his + portion with that alacrity and prudence they were masters of; but as to + Josephus, when he came into Galilee, his first care was to gain the + good-will of the people of that country, as sensible that he should + thereby have in general good success, although he should fail in other + points. And being conscious to himself that if he communicated part of his + power to the great men, he should make them his fast friends; and that he + should gain the same favor from the multitude, if he executed his commands + by persons of their own country, and with whom they were well acquainted; + he chose out seventy of the most prudent men, and those elders in age, and + appointed them to be rulers of all Galilee, as he chose seven judges in + every city to hear the lesser quarrels; for as to the greater causes, and + those wherein life and death were concerned, he enjoined they should be + brought to him and the seventy <a href="#link2note-33" + name="link2noteref-33" id="link2noteref-33">33</a> elders. + </p> + <p> + 6. Josephus also, when he had settled these rules for determining causes + by the law, with regard to the people's dealings one with another, betook + himself to make provisions for their safety against external violence; and + as he knew the Romans would fall upon Galilee, he built walls in proper + places about Jotapata, and Bersabee, and Selamis; and besides these, about + Caphareccho, and Japha, and Sigo, and what they call Mount Tabor, and + Taricheae, and Tiberias. Moreover, he built walls about the caves near the + lake of Gennesar, which places lay in the Lower Galilee; the same he did + to the places of Upper Galilee, as well as to the rock called the Rock of + the Achabari, and to Seph, and Jamnith, and Meroth; and in Gaulonitis he + fortified Seleucia, and Sogane, and Gamala; but as to those of Sepphoris, + they were the only people to whom he gave leave to build their own walls, + and this because he perceived they were rich and wealthy, and ready to go + to war, without standing in need of any injunctions for that purpose. The + case was the same with Gischala, which had a wall built about it by John + the son of Levi himself, but with the consent of Josephus; but for the + building of the rest of the fortresses, he labored together with all the + other builders, and was present to give all the necessary orders for that + purpose. He also got together an army out of Galilee, of more than a + hundred thousand young men, all of which he armed with the old weapons + which he had collected together and prepared for them. + </p> + <p> + 7. And when he had considered that the Roman power became invincible, + chiefly by their readiness in obeying orders, and the constant exercise of + their arms, he despaired of teaching these his men the use of their arms, + which was to be obtained by experience; but observing that their readiness + in obeying orders was owing to the multitude of their officers, he made + his partitions in his army more after the Roman manner, and appointed a + great many subalterns. He also distributed the soldiers into various + classes, whom he put under captains of tens, and captains of hundreds, and + then under captains of thousands; and besides these, he had commanders of + larger bodies of men. He also taught them to give the signals one to + another, and to call and recall the soldiers by the trumpets, how to + expand the wings of an army, and make them wheel about; and when one wing + hath had success, to turn again and assist those that were hard set, and + to join in the defense of what had most suffered. He also continually + instructed them in what concerned the courage of the soul, and the + hardiness of the body; and, above all, he exercised them for war, by + declaring to them distinctly the good order of the Romans, and that they + were to fight with men who, both by the strength of their bodies and + courage of their souls, had conquered in a manner the whole habitable + earth. He told them that he should make trial of the good order they would + observe in war, even before it came to any battle, in case they would + abstain from the crimes they used to indulge themselves in, such as theft, + and robbery, and rapine, and from defrauding their own countrymen, and + never to esteem the harm done to those that were so near of kin to them to + be any advantage to themselves; for that wars are then managed the best + when the warriors preserve a good conscience; but that such as are ill men + in private life will not only have those for enemies which attack them, + but God himself also for their antagonist. + </p> + <p> + 8. And thus did he continue to admonish them. Now he chose for the war + such an army as was sufficient, i.e. sixty thousand footmen, and two + hundred and fifty horsemen; <a href="#link2note-34" name="link2noteref-34" + id="link2noteref-34">34</a> and besides these, on which he put the + greatest trust, there were about four thousand five hundred mercenaries; + he had also six hundred men as guards of his body. Now the cities easily + maintained the rest of his army, excepting the mercenaries, for every one + of the cities enumerated above sent out half their men to the army, and + retained the other half at home, in order to get provisions for them; + insomuch that the one part went to the war, and the other part to their + work, and so those that sent out their corn were paid for it by those that + were in arms, by that security which they enjoyed from them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link22HCH0021" id="link22HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 21. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Concerning John Of Gichala. Josephus Uses Stratagems Against + The Plots John Laid Against Him And Recovers Certain Cities + Which Had Revolted From Him. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now as Josephus was thus engaged in the administration of the affairs + of Galilee, there arose a treacherous person, a man of Gischala, the son + of Levi, whose name was John. His character was that of a very cunning and + very knavish person, beyond the ordinary rate of the other men of eminence + there, and for wicked practices he had not his fellow any where. Poor he + was at first, and for a long time his wants were a hinderance to him in + his wicked designs. He was a ready liar, and yet very sharp in gaining + credit to his fictions: he thought it a point of virtue to delude people, + and would delude even such as were the dearest to him. He was a + hypocritical pretender to humanity, but where he had hopes of gain, he + spared not the shedding of blood: his desires were ever carried to great + things, and he encouraged his hopes from those mean wicked tricks which he + was the author of. He had a peculiar knack at thieving; but in some time + he got certain companions in his impudent practices; at first they were + but few, but as he proceeded on in his evil course, they became still more + and more numerous. He took care that none of his partners should be easily + caught in their rogueries, but chose such out of the rest as had the + strongest constitutions of body, and the greatest courage of soul, + together with great skill in martial affairs; as he got together a band of + four hundred men, who came principally out of the country of Tyre, and + were vagabonds that had run away from its villages; and by the means of + these he laid waste all Galilee, and irritated a considerable number, who + were in great expectation of a war then suddenly to arise among them. + </p> + <p> + 2. However, John's want of money had hitherto restrained him in his + ambition after command, and in his attempts to advance himself. But when + he saw that Josephus was highly pleased with the activity of his temper, + he persuaded him, in the first place, to intrust him with the repairing of + the walls of his native city, [Gischala,] in which work he got a great + deal of money from the rich citizens. He after that contrived a very + shrewd trick, and pretending that the Jews who dwelt in Syria were obliged + to make use of oil that was made by others than those of their own nation, + he desired leave of Josephus to send oil to their borders; so he bought + four amphorae with such Tyrian money as was of the value of four Attic + drachmae, and sold every half-amphora at the same price. And as Galilee + was very fruitful in oil, and was peculiarly so at that time, by sending + away great quantities, and having the sole privilege so to do, he gathered + an immense sum of money together, which money he immediately used to the + disadvantage of him who gave him that privilege; and, as he supposed, that + if he could once overthrow Josephus, he should himself obtain the + government of Galilee; so he gave orders to the robbers that were under + his command to be more zealous in their thievish expeditions, that by the + rise of many that desired innovations in the country, he might either + catch their general in his snares, as he came to the country's assistance, + and then kill him; or if he should overlook the robbers, he might accuse + him for his negligence to the people of the country. He also spread abroad + a report far and near that Josephus was delivering up the administration + of affairs to the Romans; and many such plots did he lay, in order to ruin + him. + </p> + <p> + 3. Now at the same time that certain young men of the village Dabaritta, + who kept guard in the Great Plain laid snares for Ptolemy, who was + Agrippa's and Bernice's steward, and took from him all that he had with + him; among which things there were a great many costly garments, and no + small number of silver cups, and six hundred pieces of gold; yet were they + not able to conceal what they had stolen, but brought it all to Josephus, + to Taricheae. Hereupon he blamed them for the violence they had offered to + the king and queen, and deposited what they brought to him with Eneas, the + most potent man of Taricheae, with an intention of sending the things back + to the owners at a proper time; which act of Josephus brought him into the + greatest danger; for those that had stolen the things had an indignation + at him, both because they gained no share of it for themselves, and + because they perceived beforehand what was Josephus's intention, and that + he would freely deliver up what had cost them so much pains to the king + and queen. These ran away by night to their several villages, and declared + to all men that Josephus was going to betray them: they also raised great + disorders in all the neighboring cities, insomuch that in the morning a + hundred thousand armed men came running together; which multitude was + crowded together in the hippodrome at Taricheae, and made a very peevish + clamor against him; while some cried out, that they should depose the + traitor; and others, that they should burn him. Now John irritated a great + many, as did also one Jesus, the son of Sapphias, who was then governor of + Tiberias. Then it was that Josephus's friends, and the guards of his body, + were so affrighted at this violent assault of the multitude, that they all + fled away but four; and as he was asleep, they awaked him, as the people + were going to set fire to the house. And although those four that remained + with him persuaded him to run away, he was neither surprised at his being + himself deserted, nor at the great multitude that came against him, but + leaped out to them with his clothes rent, and ashes sprinkled on his head, + with his hands behind him, and his sword hanging at his neck. At this + sight his friends, especially those of Taricheae, commiserated his + condition; but those that came out of the country, and those in their + neighborhood, to whom his government seemed burdensome, reproached him, + and bid him produce the money which belonged to them all immediately, and + to confess the agreement he had made to betray them; for they imagined, + from the habit in which he appeared, that he would deny nothing of what + they suspected concerning him, and that it was in order to obtain pardon + that he had put himself entirely into so pitiable a posture. But this + humble appearance was only designed as preparatory to a stratagem of his, + who thereby contrived to set those that were so angry at him at variance + one with another about the things they were angry at. However, he promised + he would confess all: hereupon he was permitted to speak, when he said, "I + did neither intend to send this money back to Agrippa, nor to gain it + myself; for I did never esteem one that was your enemy to be my friend, + nor did I look upon what would tend to your disadvantage to be my + advantage. But, O you people of Tarieheae, I saw that your city stood in + more need than others of fortifications for your security, and that it + wanted money in order for the building it a wall. I was also afraid lest + the people of Tiberias and other cities should lay a plot to seize upon + these spoils, and therefore it was that I intended to retain this money + privately, that I might encompass you with a wall. But if this does not + please you, I will produce what was brought me, and leave it to you to + plunder it; but if I have conducted myself so well as to please you, you + may if you please punish your benefactor." + </p> + <p> + 4. Hereupon the people of Taricheae loudly commended him; but those of + Tiberias, with the rest of the company, gave him hard names, and + threatened what they would do to him; so both sides left off quarrelling + with Josephus, and fell on quarrelling with one another. So he grew bold + upon the dependence he had on his friends, which were the people of + Taricheae, and about forty thousand in number, and spake more freely to + the whole multitude, and reproached them greatly for their rashness; and + told them, that with this money he would build walls about Taricheae, and + would put the other cities in a state of security also; for that they + should not want money, if they would but agree for whose benefit it was to + be procured, and would not suffer themselves to be irritated against him + who procured it for them. + </p> + <p> + 5. Hereupon the rest of the multitude that had been deluded retired; but + yet so that they went away angry, and two thousand of them made an assault + upon him in their armor; and as he was already gone to his own house, they + stood without and threatened him. On which occasion Josephus again used a + second stratagem to escape them; for he got upon the top of his house, and + with his right hand desired them to be silent, and said to them, "I cannot + tell what you would have, nor can hear what you say, for the confused + noise you make;" but he said that he would comply with all their demands, + in case they would but send some of their number in to him that might talk + with him about it. And when the principal of them, with their leaders, + heard this, they came into the house. He then drew them to the most + retired part of the house, and shut the door of that hall where he put + them, and then had them whipped till every one of their inward parts + appeared naked. In the mean time the multitude stood round the house, and + supposed that he had a long discourse with those that were gone in about + what they claimed of him. He had then the doors set open immediately, and + sent the men out all bloody, which so terribly affrighted those that had + before threatened him, that they threw away their arms and ran away. + </p> + <p> + 6. But as for John, his envy grew greater [upon this escape of Josephus], + and he framed a new plot against him; he pretended to be sick, and by a + letter desired that Josephus would give him leave to use the hot baths + that were at Tiberias, for the recovery of his health. Hereupon Josephus, + who hitherto suspected nothing of John's plots against him, wrote to the + governors of the city, that they would provide a lodging and necessaries + for John; which favors, when he had made use of, in two days' time he did + what he came about; some he corrupted with delusive frauds, and others + with money, and so persuaded them to revolt from Josephus. This Silas, who + was appointed guardian of the city by Josephus, wrote to him immediately, + and informed him of the plot against him; which epistle when Josephus had + received, he marched with great diligence all night, and came early in the + morning to Tiberias; at which time the rest of the multitude met him. But + John, who suspected that his coming was not for his advantage, sent + however one of his friends, and pretended that he was sick, and that being + confined to his bed, he could not come to pay him his respects. But as + soon as Josephus had got the people of Tiberias together in the stadium, + and tried to discourse with them about the letters that he had received, + John privately sent some armed men, and gave them orders to slay him. But + when the people saw that the armed men were about to draw their swords, + they cried out; at which cry Josephus turned himself about, and when he + saw that the swords were just at his throat, he marched away in great + haste to the sea-shore, and left off that speech which he was going to + make to the people, upon an elevation of six cubits high. He then seized + on a ship which lay in the haven, and leaped into it, with two of his + guards, and fled away into the midst of the lake. + </p> + <p> + 7. But now the soldiers he had with him took up their arms immediately, + and marched against the plotters; but Josephus was afraid lest a civil war + should be raised by the envy of a few men, and bring the city to ruin; so + he sent some of his party to tell them, that they should do no more than + provide for their own safety; that they should not kill any body, nor + accuse any for the occasion they had afforded [of disorder]. Accordingly, + these men obeyed his orders, and were quiet; but the people of the + neighboring country, when they were informed of this plot, and of the + plotter, they got together in great multitudes to oppose John. But he + prevented their attempt, and fled away to Gischala, his native city, while + the Galileans came running out of their several cities to Josephus; and as + they were now become many ten thousands of armed men, they cried out, that + they were come against John the common plotter against their interest, and + would at the same time burn him, and that city which had received him. + Hereupon Josephus told them that he took their good-will to him kindly, + but still he restrained their fury, and intended to subdue his enemies by + prudent conduct, rather than by slaying them; so he excepted those of + every city which had joined in this revolt with John, by name, who had + readily been shown him by these that came from every city, and caused + public proclamation to be made, that he would seize upon the effects of + those that did not forsake John within five days' time, and would burn + both their houses and their families with fire. Whereupon three thousand + of John's party left him immediately, who came to Josephus, and threw + their arms down at his feet. John then betook himself, together with his + two thousand Syrian runagates, from open attempts, to more secret ways of + treachery. Accordingly, he privately sent messengers to Jerusalem, to + accuse Josephus, as having to great power, and to let them know that he + would soon come as a tyrant to their metropolis, unless they prevented + him. This accusation the people were aware of beforehand, but had no + regard to it. However, some of the grandees, out of envy, and some of the + rulers also, sent money to John privately, that he might be able to get + together mercenary soldiers, in order to fight Josephus; they also made a + decree of themselves, and this for recalling him from his government, yet + did they not think that decree sufficient; so they sent withal two + thousand five hundred armed men, and four persons of the highest rank + amongst them; Joazar the son of Nomicus, and Ananias the son of Sadduk, as + also Simon and Judas the sons of Jonathan, all very able men in speaking, + that these persons might withdraw the good-will of the people from + Josephus. These had it in charge, that if he would voluntarily come away, + they should permit him to [come and] give an account of his conduct; but + if he obstinately insisted upon continuing in his government, they should + treat him as an enemy. Now Josephus's friends had sent him word that an + army was coming against him, but they gave him no notice beforehand what + the reason of their coming was, that being only known among some secret + councils of his enemies; and by this means it was that four cities + revolted from him immediately, Sepphoris, and Gamala, and Gischala, and + Tiberias. Yet did he recover these cities without war; and when he had + routed those four commanders by stratagems, and had taken the most potent + of their warriors, he sent them to Jerusalem; and the people [of Galilee] + had great indignation at them, and were in a zealous disposition to slay, + not only these forces, but those that sent them also, had not these forces + prevented it by running away. + </p> + <p> + 8. Now John was detained afterward within the walls of Gischala, by the + fear he was in of Josephus; but within a few days Tiberias revolted again, + the people within it inviting king Agrippa [to return to the exercise of + his authority there]. And when he did not come at the time appointed, and + when a few Roman horsemen appeared that day, they expelled Josephus out of + the city. Now this revolt of theirs was presently known at Taricheae; and + as Josephus had sent out all the soldiers that were with him to gather + corn, he knew not how either to march out alone against the revolters, or + to stay where he was, because he was afraid the king's soldiers might + prevent him if he tarried, and might get into the city; for he did not + intend to do any thing on the next day, because it was the sabbath day, + and would hinder his proceeding. So he contrived to circumvent the + revolters by a stratagem; and in the first place he ordered the gates of + Taricheae to be shut, that nobody might go out and inform [those of + Tiberias], for whom it was intended, what stratagem he was about; he then + got together all the ships that were upon the lake, which were found to be + two hundred and thirty, and in each of them he put no more than four + mariners. So he sailed to Tiberias with haste, and kept at such a distance + from the city, that it was not easy for the people to see the vessels, and + ordered that the empty vessels should float up and down there, while + himself, who had but seven of his guards with him, and those unarmed also, + went so near as to be seen; but when his adversaries, who were still + reproaching him, saw him from the walls, they were so astonished that they + supposed all the ships were full of armed men, and threw down their arms, + and by signals of intercession they besought him to spare the city. + </p> + <p> + 9. Upon this Josephus threatened them terribly, and reproached them, that + when they were the first that took up arms against the Romans, they should + spend their force beforehand in civil dissensions, and do what their + enemies desired above all things; and that besides they should endeavor so + hastily to seize upon him, who took care of their safety, and had not been + ashamed to shut the gates of their city against him that built their + walls; that, however, he would admit of any intercessors from them that + might make some excuse for them, and with whom he would make such + agreements as might be for the city's security. Hereupon ten of the most + potent men of Tiberias came down to him presently; and when he had taken + them into one of his vessels, he ordered them to be carried a great way + off from the city. He then commanded that fifty others of their senate, + such as were men of the greatest eminence, should come to him, that they + also might give him some security on their behalf. After which, under one + new pretense or another, he called forth others, one after another, to + make the leagues between them. He then gave order to the masters of those + vessels which he had thus filled to sail away immediately for Taricheae, + and to confine those men in the prison there; till at length he took all + their senate, consisting of six hundred persons, and about two thousand of + the populace, and carried them away to Taricheae. <a href="#link2note-35" + name="link2noteref-35" id="link2noteref-35">35</a> + </p> + <p> + 10. And when the rest of the people cried out, that it was one Clitus that + was the chief author of this revolt, they desired him to spend his anger + upon him [only]; but Josephus, whose intention it was to slay nobody, + commanded one Levius, belonging to his guards, to go out of the vessel, in + order to cut off both Clitus's hands; yet was Levius afraid to go out by + himself alone to such a large body of enemies, and refused to go. Now + Clitus saw that Josephus was in a great passion in the ship, and ready to + leap out of it, in order to execute the punishment himself; he begged + therefore from the shore, that he would leave him one of his hands; which + Josephus agreed to, upon condition that he would himself cutoff the other + hand; accordingly he drew his sword, and with his right hand cut off his + left, so great was the fear he was in of Josephus himself. And thus he + took the people of Tiberias prisoners, and recovered the city again with + empty ships and seven of his guard. Moreover, a few days afterward he + retook Gischala, which had revolted with the people of Sepphoris, and gave + his soldiers leave to plunder it; yet did he get all the plunder together, + and restored it to the inhabitants; and the like he did to the inhabitants + of Sepphoris and Tiberias. For when he had subdued those cities, he had a + mind, by letting them be plundered, to give them some good instruction, + while at the same time he regained their good-will by restoring them their + money again. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link22HCH0022" id="link22HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 22. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Jews Make All Ready For The War; And Simon, The Son Of + Gioras, Falls To Plundering. +</pre> + <p> + 1. And thus were the disturbances of Galilee quieted, when, upon their + ceasing to prosecute their civil dissensions, they betook themselves to + make preparations for the war with the Romans. Now in Jerusalem the high + priest Artanus, and as many of the men of power as were not in the + interest of the Romans, both repaired the walls, and made a great many + warlike instruments, insomuch that in all parts of the city darts and all + sorts of armor were upon the anvil. Although the multitude of the young + men were engaged in exercises, without any regularity, and all places were + full of tumultuous doings; yet the moderate sort were exceedingly sad; and + a great many there were who, out of the prospect they had of the + calamities that were coming upon them, made great lamentations. There were + also such omens observed as were understood to be forerunners of evils by + such as loved peace, but were by those that kindled the war interpreted so + as to suit their own inclinations; and the very state of the city, even + before the Romans came against it, was that of a place doomed to + destruction. However, Ananus's concern was this, to lay aside, for a + while, the preparations for the war, and to persuade the seditious to + consult their own interest, and to restrain the madness of those that had + the name of zealots; but their violence was too hard for him; and what end + he came to we shall relate hereafter. + </p> + <p> + 2. But as for the Acrabbene toparchy, Simon, the son of Gioras, got a + great number of those that were fond of innovations together, and betook + himself to ravage the country; nor did he only harass the rich men's + houses, but tormented their bodies, and appeared openly and beforehand to + affect tyranny in his government. And when an army was sent against him by + Artanus, and the other rulers, he and his band retired to the robbers that + were at Masada, and staid there, and plundered the country of Idumea with + them, till both Ananus and his other adversaries were slain; and until the + rulers of that country were so afflicted with the multitude of those that + were slain, and with the continual ravage of what they had, that they + raised an army, and put garrisons into the villages, to secure them from + those insults. And in this state were the affairs of Judea at that time. + </p> + <p> + WAR BOOK 2 FOOTNOTES <a name="link2note-1" id="link2note-1"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 1 (<a href="#link2noteref-1">return</a>)<br /> [ Hear Dean Aldrich's note + on this place: "The law or Custom of the Jews [says he] requires seven + days' mourning for the dead," Antiq. B. XVII. ch. 8. sect. 4; whence the + author of the Book of Ecclesiasticus, ch. 22:12, assigns seven days as the + proper time of mourning for the dead, and, ch. 38:17, enjoins men to mourn + for the dead, that they may not be evil spoken of; for, as Josephus says + presently, if any one omits this mourning [funeral feast], he is not + esteemed a holy person. How it is certain that such a seven days' mourning + has been customary from times of the greatest antiquity, Genesis 1:10. + Funeral feasts are also mentioned as of considerable antiquity, Ezekiel + 24:17; Jeremiah 16:7; Prey. 31:6; Deuteronomy 26:14; Josephus, Of the War + B. III. ch. 9. sect. 5.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-2" id="link2note-2"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 2 (<a href="#link2noteref-2">return</a>)<br /> [ This holding a council in + the temple of Apollo, in the emperor's palace at Rome, by Augustus, and + even the building of this temple magnificently by himself in that palace, + are exactly agreeable to Augustus, in his elder years, as Aldrich and from + Suttonius and Propertius.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-3" id="link2note-3"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 3 (<a href="#link2noteref-3">return</a>)<br /> [ Here we have a strong + confirmation that it was Xerxes, and not Artaxerxes, under whom the main + part of the Jews returned out of the Babylonian captivity, i.e. in the + days of Ezra and Nehemiah. The same thing is in the Antiquities, B. XI. + ch.6] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-4" id="link2note-4"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 4 (<a href="#link2noteref-4">return</a>)<br /> [ This practice of the + Essens, in refusing to swear, and esteeming swearing in ordinary occasions + worse than perjury, is delivered here in general words, as are the + parallel injunctions of our Savior, Matthew 6:34; 23:16; and of St. James, + 5:12; but all admit of particular exceptions for solemn causes, and on + great and necessary occasions. Thus these very Essens, who here do so + zealously avoid swearing, are related, in the very next section, to admit + none till they take tremendous oaths to perform their several duties to + God, and to their neighbor, without supposing they thereby break this + rule, Not to swear at all. The case is the same in Christianity, as we + learn from the Apostolical Constitutions, which although they agree with + Christ and St. James, in forbidding to swear in general, ch. 5:12; 6:2, 3; + yet do they explain it elsewhere, by avoiding to swear falsely, and to + swear often and in vain, ch. 2:36; and again, by "not swearing at all," + but withal adding, that "if that cannot be avoided, to swear truly," ch. + 7:3; which abundantly explain to us the nature of the measures of this + general injunction.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-5" id="link2note-5"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 5 (<a href="#link2noteref-5">return</a>)<br /> [ This mention of the "names + of angels," so particularly preserved by the Essens, [if it means more + than those "messengers" which were employed to bring, them the peculiar + books of their Sect,] looks like a prelude to that "worshipping of + angels," blamed by St. Paul, as superstitious and unlawful, in some such + sort of people as these Essens were, Colossians 2:8; as is the prayer to + or towards the sun for his rising every morning, mentioned before, sect. + 5, very like those not much later observances made mention of in the + preaching of Peter, Authent. Rec. Part II. p. 669, and regarding a kind of + worship of angels, of the month, and of the moon, and not celebrating the + new moons, or other festivals, unless the moon appeared. Which, indeed, + seems to me the earliest mention of any regard to the phases in fixing the + Jewish calendar, of which the Talmud and later Rabbins talk so much, and + upon so very little ancient foundation.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-6" id="link2note-6"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 6 (<a href="#link2noteref-6">return</a>)<br /> [ Of these Jewish or Essene + [and indeed Christian] doctrines concerning souls, both good and bad, in + Hades, see that excellent discourse, or homily, of our Josephus concerning + Hades, at the end of the volume.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-7" id="link2note-7"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 7 (<a href="#link2noteref-7">return</a>)<br /> [ Dean Aldrich reckons up + three examples of this gift of prophecy in several of these Essens out of + Josephus himself, viz. in the History of the War, B. I. ch. 3. sect. 5, + Judas foretold the death of Antigonus at Strato's Tower; B. II. ch. 7. + sect. 3, Simon foretold that Archelaus should reign but nine or ten years; + and Antiq. B. XV. ch. 10. sect. 4, 5, Menuhem foretold that Herod should + be king, and should reign tyrannically, and that for more than twenty or + even thirty years. All which came to pass accordingly.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-8" id="link2note-8"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 8 (<a href="#link2noteref-8">return</a>)<br /> [ There is so much more here + about the Essens than is cited from Josephus in Porphyry and Eusebius, and + yet so much less about the Pharisees and Sadducees, the two other Jewish + sects, than would naturally be expected in proportion to the Essens or + third sect, nay, than seems to be referred to by himself elsewhere, that + one is tempted to suppose Josephus had at first written less of the one, + and more of the two others, than his present copies afford us; as also, + that, by some unknown accident, our present copies are here made up of the + larger edition in the first case, and of the smaller in the second. See + the note in Havercamp's edition. However, what Josephus says in the name + of the Pharisees, that only the souls of good men go out of one body into + another, although all souls be immortal, and still the souls of the bad + are liable to eternal punishment; as also what he says afterwards, Antiq. + B. XVIII. ch. 1. sect. 3, that the soul's vigor is immortal, and that + under the earth they receive rewards or punishments according as their + lives have been virtuous or vicious in the present world; that to the bad + is allotted an eternal prison, but that the good are permitted to live + again in this world; are nearly agreeable to the doctrines of + Christianity. Only Josephus's rejection of the return of the wicked into + other bodies, or into this world, which he grants to the good, looks + somewhat like a contradiction to St. Paul's account of the doctrine of the + Jews, that they "themselves allowed that there should be a resurrection of + the dead, both of the just and unjust," Acts 24:15. Yet because Josephus's + account is that of the Pharisees, and St. Patti's that of the Jews in + general, and of himself the contradiction is not very certain.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-9" id="link2note-9"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 9 (<a href="#link2noteref-9">return</a>)<br /> [ We have here, in that + Greek MS. which was once Alexander Petavius's, but is now in the library + at Leyden, two most remarkable additions to the common copies, though + declared worth little remark by the editor; which, upon the mention of + Tiberius's coming to the empire, inserts first the famous testimony of + Josephus concerning Jesus Christ, as it stands verbatim in the + Antiquities, B. XVIII. ch. 3. sect. 3, with some parts of that excellent + discourse or homily of Josephus concerning Hades, annexed to the work. But + what is here principally to be noted is this, that in this homily, + Josephus having just mentioned Christ, as "God the Word, and the Judge of + the world, appointed by the Father," etc., adds, that "he had himself + elsewhere spoken about him more nicely or particularly."] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-10" id="link2note-10"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 10 (<a href="#link2noteref-10">return</a>)<br /> [ This use of corban, or + oblation, as here applied to the sacred money dedicated to God in the + treasury of the temple, illustrates our Savior's words, Mark 7:11, 12.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-11" id="link2note-11"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 11 (<a href="#link2noteref-11">return</a>)<br /> [ Tacitus owns that Caius + commanded the Jews to place his effigies in their temple, though he be + mistaken when he adds that the Jews thereupon took arms.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-12" id="link2note-12"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 12 (<a href="#link2noteref-12">return</a>)<br /> [ This account of a place + near the mouth of the river Belus in Phoenicia, whence came that sand out + of which the ancients made their glass, is a known thing in history, + particularly in Tacitus and Strabo, and more largely in Pliny.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-13" id="link2note-13"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 13 (<a href="#link2noteref-13">return</a>)<br /> [ This Memnon had several + monuments, and one of them appears, both by Strabo and Diodorus, to have + been in Syria, and not improbably in this very place.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-14" id="link2note-14"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 14 (<a href="#link2noteref-14">return</a>)<br /> [ Reland notes here, that + the Talmud in recounting ten sad accidents for which the Jews ought to + rend their garments, reckons this for one, "When they hear that the law of + God is burnt."] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-15" id="link2note-15"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 15 (<a href="#link2noteref-15">return</a>)<br /> [ This Ummidius, or + Numidius, or, as Tacitus calls him, Vinidius Quadratus, is mentioned in an + ancient inscription, still preserved, as Spanhelm here informs us, which + calls him Urnmidius Quadratus.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-16" id="link2note-16"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 16 (<a href="#link2noteref-16">return</a>)<br /> [ Take the character of + this Felix [who is well known from the Acts of the Apostles, particularly + from his trembling when St. Paul discoursed of "righteousness, chastity, + and judgment to come,"] Acts 24:5; and no wonder, when we have elsewhere + seen that he lived in adultery with Drusilla, another man's wife, [Antiq. + B. XX. ch. 7. sect. 1: in the words of Tacitus, produced here by Dean + Aldrich: "Felix exercised," says Tacitas, "the authority of a king, with + the disposition of a slave, and relying upon the great power of his + brother Pallas at court, thought he might safely be guilty of all kinds of + wicked practices." Observe also the time when he was made procurator, A.D. + 52; that when St. Paul pleaded his cause before him, A.D. 58, he might + have been "many years a judge unto that nation," as St. Paul says he had + then been, Acts 24:10. But as to what Tacitus here says, that before the + death of Cumanus, Felix was procurator over Samaria only, does not well + agree with St. Paul's words, who would hardly have called Samaria a Jewish + nation. In short, since what Tacitus here says is about countries very + remote from Rome, where he lived; since what he says of two Roman + procurators, the one over Galilee, the other over Samaria at the same + time, is without example elsewhere; and since Josephus, who lived at that + very time in Judea, appears to have known nothing of this procuratorship + of Felix, before the death of Cumanus; I much suspect the story itself as + nothing better than a mistake of Tacitus, especially when it seems not + only omitted, but contradicted by Josephus; as any one may find that + compares their histories together. Possibly Felix might have been a + subordinate judge among the Jews some time before under Cumanus, but that + he was in earnest a procurator of Samaria before I do not believe. Bishop + Pearson, as well as Bishop Lloyd, quote this account, but with a doubtful + clause: confides Tacito, "If we may believe Tacitus." Pears. Anhal. + Paulin. p. 8; Marshall's Tables, at A.D. 49.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-17" id="link2note-17"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 17 (<a href="#link2noteref-17">return</a>)<br /> [ i.e. Herod king of + Chalcis.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-18" id="link2note-18"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 18 (<a href="#link2noteref-18">return</a>)<br /> [ Not long after this + beginning of Florus, the wickedest of all the Roman procurators of Judea, + and the immediate occasion of the Jewish war, at the twelfth year of Nero, + and the seventeenth of Agrippa, or A.D. 66, the history in the twenty + books of Josephus's Antiquities ends, although Josephus did not finish + these books till the thirteenth of Domitian, or A.D. 93, twenty-seven + years afterward; as he did not finish their Appendix, containing an + account of his own life, till Agrippa was dead, which happened in the + third year of Trajan, or A. D. 100, as I have several times observed + before.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-19" id="link2note-19"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 19 (<a href="#link2noteref-19">return</a>)<br /> [ Here we may note, that + three millions of the Jews were present at the passover, A.D. 65; which + confirms what Josephus elsewhere informs us of, that at a passover a + little later they counted two hundred and fifty-six thousand five hundred + paschal lambs, which, at twelve to each lamb, which is no immoderate + calculation, come to three millions and seventy-eight thousand. See B. VI. + ch. 9. sect. 3.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-20" id="link2note-20"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 20 (<a href="#link2noteref-20">return</a>)<br /> [ Take here Dr. Hudson's + very pertinent note. "By this action," says he, "the killing of a bird + over an earthen vessel, the Jews were exposed as a leprous people; for + that was to be done by the law in the cleansing of a leper, Leviticus 14. + It is also known that the Gentiles reproached the Jews as subject to the + leprosy, and believed that they were driven out of Egypt on that account. + This that eminent person Mr. Reland suggested to me."] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-21" id="link2note-21"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 21 (<a href="#link2noteref-21">return</a>)<br /> [ Here we have examples of + native Jews who were of the equestrian order among the Romans, and so + ought never to have been whipped or crucified, according to the Roman + laws. See almost the like case in St. Paul himself, Acts 22:25-29.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-22" id="link2note-22"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 22 (<a href="#link2noteref-22">return</a>)<br /> [ This vow which Bernice + [here and elsewhere called queen, not only as daughter and sister to two + kings, Agrippa the Great, and Agrippa junior, but the widow of Herod king + of Chalcis] came now to accomplish at Jerusalem was not that of a + Nazarite, but such a one as religious Jews used to make, in hopes of any + deliverance from a disease, or other danger, as Josephus here intimates. + However, these thirty days' abode at Jerusalem, for fasting and + preparation against the oblation of a proper sacrifice, seems to be too + long, unless it were wholly voluntary in this great lady. It is not + required in the law of Moses relating to Nazarites, Numbers 6., and is + very different from St. Paul's time for such preparation, which was but + one day, Acts 21:26. So we want already the continuation of the + Antiquities to afford us light here, as they have hitherto done on so many + occasions elsewhere. Perhaps in this age the traditions of the Pharisees + had obliged the Jews to this degree of rigor, not only as to these thirty + days' preparation, but as to the going barefoot all that time, which here + Bernice submitted to also. For we know that as God's and our Savior's yoke + is usually easy, and his burden comparatively light, in such positive + injunctions, Matthew 11:30, so did the scribes and Pharisees sometimes + "bind upon men heavy burdens, and grievous to be borne," even when they + themselves "would not touch them with one of their fingers," Matthew 23:4; + Luke 11:46. However, Noldius well observes, De Herod. No. 404, 414, that + Juvenal, in his sixth satire, alludes to this remarkable penance or + submission of this Bernice to Jewish discipline, and jests upon her for + it; as do Tacitus, Dio, Suetonius, and Sextus Aurelius mention her as one + well known at Rome.—Ibid.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-23" id="link2note-23"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 23 (<a href="#link2noteref-23">return</a>)<br /> [ I take this Bezetha to + be that small hill adjoining to the north side of the temple, whereon was + the hospital with five porticoes or cloisters, and beneath which was the + sheep pool of Bethesda; into which an angel or messenger, at a certain + season, descended, and where he or they who were the "first put into the + pool" were cured, John 5:1 etc. This situation of Bezetha, in Josephus, on + the north side of the temple, and not far off the tower Antonia, exactly + agrees to the place of the same pool at this day; only the remaining + cloisters are but three. See Maundrel, p. 106. The entire buildings seem + to have been called the New City, and this part, where was the hospital, + peculiarly Bezetha or Bethesda. See ch. 19. sect. 4.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-24" id="link2note-24"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 24 (<a href="#link2noteref-24">return</a>)<br /> [ In this speech of king + Agrippa we have an authentic account of the extent and strength of the + Roman empire when the Jewish war began. And this speech with other + circumstances in Josephus, demonstrate how wise and how great a person + Agrippa was, and why Josephus elsewhere calls him a most wonderful or + admirable man, Contr. Ap. I. 9. He is the same Agrippa who said to Paul, + "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian," Acts 26;28; and of whom St. + Paul said, "He was expert in all the customs and questions of the Jews," + yet. 3. See another intimation of the limits of the same Roman empire, Of + the War, B. III. ch. 5. sect. 7. But what seems to me very remarkable here + is this, that when Josephus, in imitation of the Greeks and Romans, for + whose use he wrote his Antiquities, did himself frequently he into their + they appear, by the politeness of their composition, and their flights of + oratory, to be not the real speeches of the persons concerned, who usually + were no orators, but of his own elegant composure, the speech before us is + of another nature, full of undeniable facts, and composed in a plain and + unartful, but moving way; so it appears to be king Agrippa's own speech, + and to have been given Josephus by Agrippa himself, with whom Josephus had + the greatest friendship. Nor may we omit Agrippa's constant doctrine here, + that this vast Roman empire was raised and supported by Divine Providence, + and that therefore it was in vain for the Jews, or any others, to think of + destroying it. Nor may we neglect to take notice of Agrippa's solemn + appeal to the angels here used; the like appeals to which we have in St. + Paul, 1 Timothy 5:22, and by the apostles in general, in the form of the + ordination of bishops, Constitut. Apost. VIII. 4.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-25" id="link2note-25"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 25 (<a href="#link2noteref-25">return</a>)<br /> [ Julius Caesar had + decreed that the Jews of Jerusalem should pay an annual tribute to the + Romans, excepting the city Joppa, and for the sabbatical year; as Spanheim + observes from the Antiq. B. XIV. ch. 10. sect. 6.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-26" id="link2note-26"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 26 (<a href="#link2noteref-26">return</a>)<br /> [ Of this Sohemus we have + mention made by Tacitus. We also learn from Dio that his father was king + of the Arabians of Iturea, [which Iturea is mentioned by St. Luke, ch. + 3:1.] both whose testimonies are quoted here by Dr. Hudson. See Noldius, + No. 371.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-27" id="link2note-27"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 27 (<a href="#link2noteref-27">return</a>)<br /> [ Spanheim notes on the + place, that this later Antiochus, who was called Epiphaues, is mentioned + by Dio, LIX. p. 645, and that he is mentioned by Josephus elsewhere twice + also, B.V. ch. 11. sect. 3; and Antiq. B. XIX. ch. 8. sect. I.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-28" id="link2note-28"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 28 (<a href="#link2noteref-28">return</a>)<br /> [ Here we have an eminent + example of that Jewish language, which Dr. Wail truly observes, we several + times find used in the sacred writings; I mean, where the words "all" or + "whole multitude," etc. are used for much the greatest part only; but not + so as to include every person, without exception; for when Josephus had + said that "the whole multitude" [Footnote all the males] of Lydda were + gone to the feast of tabernacles, he immediately adds, that, however, no + fewer than fifty of them appeared, and were slain by the Romans. Other + examples somewhat like this I have observed elsewhere in Josephus, but, as + I think, none so remarkable as this. See Wall's Critical Observations on + the Old Testament, p. 49, 50.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-29" id="link2note-29"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 29 (<a href="#link2noteref-29">return</a>)<br /> [ We have also, in this + and the next section, two eminent facts to be observed, viz. the first + example, that I remember, in Josephus, of the onset of the Jews' enemies + upon their country when their males were gone up to Jerusalem to one of + their three sacred festivals; which, during the theocracy, God had + promised to preserve them from, Exodus 34:24. The second fact is this, the + breach of the sabbath by the seditions Jews in an offensive fight, + contrary to the universal doctrine and practice of their nation in these + ages, and even contrary to what they themselves afterward practiced in the + rest of this war. See the note on Antiq. B. XVI. ch. 2. sect. 4.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-30" id="link2note-30"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 30 (<a href="#link2noteref-30">return</a>)<br /> [ There may another very + important, and very providential, reason be here assigned for this strange + and foolish retreat of Cestius; which, if Josephus had been now a + Christian, he might probably have taken notice of also; and that is, the + affording the Jewish Christians in the city an opportunity of calling to + mind the prediction and caution given them by Christ about thirty-three + years and a half before, that "when they should see the abomination of + desolation" [the idolatrous Roman armies, with the images of their idols + in their ensigns, ready to lay Jerusalem desolate] "stand where it ought + not;" or, "in the holy place;" or, "when they should see Jerusalem any one + instance of a more unpolitic, but more providential, compassed with + armies;" they should then "flee to the mound conduct than this retreat of + Cestius visible during this whole rains." By complying with which those + Jewish Christians fled I siege of Jerusalem; which yet was providentially + such a "great to the mountains of Perea, and escaped this destruction. See + tribulation, as had not been from the beginning of the world to that time; + no, Lit. Accompl. of Proph. p. 69, 70. Nor was there, perhaps, nor ever + should be."—Ibid. p. 70, 71.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-31" id="link2note-31"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 31 (<a href="#link2noteref-31">return</a>)<br /> [ From this name of Joseph + the son of Gorion, or Gorion the son of Joseph, as B. IV. ch. 3. sect. 9, + one of the governors of Jerusalem, who was slain at the beginning of the + tumults by the zealots, B. IV. ch. 6. sect. 1, the much later Jewish + author of a history of that nation takes his title, and yet personates our + true Josephus, the son of Matthias; but the cheat is too gross to be put + upon the learned world.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-32" id="link2note-32"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 32 (<a href="#link2noteref-32">return</a>)<br /> [ We may observe here, + that the Idumeans, as having been proselytes of justice since the days of + John Hyrcanus, during about one hundred and ninety-five years, were now + esteemed as part of the Jewish nation, and these provided of a Jewish + commander accordingly. See the note upon Antiq. B. XIII.. ch. 9. sect. 1.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-33" id="link2note-33"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 33 (<a href="#link2noteref-33">return</a>)<br /> [ We see here, and in + Josephus's account of his own life, sect. 14, how exactly he imitated his + legislator Moses, or perhaps only obeyed what he took to be his perpetual + law, in appointing seven lesser judges, for smaller causes, in particular + cities, and perhaps for the first hearing of greater causes, with the + liberty of an appeal to seventy-one supreme judges, especially in those + causes where life and death were concerned; as Antiq. B. IV. ch. 8. sect. + 14; and of his Life, sect. 14. See also Of the War, B. IV. ch. 5. sect. 4. + Moreover, we find, sect. 7, that he imitated Moses, as well as the Romans, + in the number and distribution of the subaltern officers of his army, as + Exodus 18:25; Deuteronomy 1:15; and in his charge against the offenses + common among soldiers, as Denteronomy 13:9; in all which he showed his + great wisdom and piety, and skillful conduct in martial affairs. Yet may + we discern in his very high character of Artanus the high priest, B. IV. + ch. 5. sect. 2, who seems to have been the same who condemned St. James, + bishop of Jerusalem, to be stoned, under Albinus the procurator, that when + he wrote these books of the War, he was not so much as an Ebionite + Christian; otherwise he would not have failed, according to his usual + custom, to have reckoned this his barbarous murder as a just punishment + upon him for that his cruelty to the chief, or rather only Christian + bishop of the circumcision. Nor, had he been then a Christian, could he + immediately have spoken so movingly of the causes of the destruction of + Jerusalem, without one word of either the condemnation of James, or + crucifixion of Christ, as he did when he was become a Christian + afterward.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-34" id="link2note-34"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 34 (<a href="#link2noteref-34">return</a>)<br /> [ I should think that an + army of sixty thousand footmen should require many more than two hundred + and fifty horsemen; and we find Josephus had more horsemen under his + command than two hundred and fifty in his future history. I suppose the + number of the thousands is dropped in our present copies.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2note-35" id="link2note-35"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 35 (<a href="#link2noteref-35">return</a>)<br /> [ I cannot but think this + stratagem of Josephus, which is related both here and in his Life, sect. + 32, 33, to be one of the finest that ever was invented and executed by any + warrior whatsoever.] + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link32H_4_0001" id="link32H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h1> + BOOK III. + </h1> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Containing The Interval Of About One Year. + + From Vespasian's Coming To Subdue The Jews To The Taking Of + Gamala. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link32HCH0001" id="link32HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 1. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Vespasian Is Sent Into Syria By Nero In Order To Make War + With The Jews. +</pre> + <p> + 1. When Nero was informed of the Romans' ill success in Judea, a concealed + consternation and terror, as is usual in such cases, fell upon him; + although he openly looked very big, and was very angry, and said that what + had happened was rather owing to the negligence of the commander, than to + any valor of the enemy: and as he thought it fit for him, who bare the + burden of the whole empire, to despise such misfortunes, he now pretended + so to do, and to have a soul superior to all such sad accidents + whatsoever. Yet did the disturbance that was in his soul plainly appear by + the solicitude he was in [how to recover his affairs again]. + </p> + <p> + 2. And as he was deliberating to whom he should commit the care of the + East, now it was in so great a commotion, and who might be best able to + punish the Jews for their rebellion, and might prevent the same distemper + from seizing upon the neighboring nations also,—he found no one but + Vespasian equal to the task, and able to undergo the great burden of so + mighty a war, seeing he was growing an old man already in the camp, and + from his youth had been exercised in warlike exploits: he was also a man + that had long ago pacified the west, and made it subject to the Romans, + when it had been put into disorder by the Germans; he had also recovered + to them Britain by his arms, which had been little known before <a + href="#link3note-1" name="link3noteref-1" id="link3noteref-1">1</a> + whereby he procured to his father Claudius to have a triumph bestowed on + him without any sweat or labor of his own. + </p> + <p> + 3. So Nero esteemed these circumstances as favorable omens, and saw that + Vespasian's age gave him sure experience, and great skill, and that he had + his sons as hostages for his fidelity to himself, and that the flourishing + age they were in would make them fit instruments under their father's + prudence. Perhaps also there was some interposition of Providence, which + was paving the way for Vespasian's being himself emperor afterwards. Upon + the whole, he sent this man to take upon him the command of the armies + that were in Syria; but this not without great encomiums and flattering + compellations, such as necessity required, and such as might mollify him + into complaisance. So Vespasian sent his son Titus from Achaia, where he + had been with Nero, to Alexandria, to bring back with him from thence the + fifth and the tenth legions, while he himself, when he had passed over the + Hellespont, came by land into Syria, where he gathered together the Roman + forces, with a considerable number of auxiliaries from the kings in that + neighborhood. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link32HCH0002" id="link32HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 2. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A Great Slaughter About Ascalon. Vespasian Comes To + Ptolemais. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now the Jews, after they had beaten Cestius, were so much elevated with + their unexpected success, that they could not govern their zeal, but, like + people blown up into a flame by their good fortune, carried the war to + remoter places. Accordingly, they presently got together a great multitude + of all their most hardy soldiers, and marched away for Ascalon. This is an + ancient city that is distant from Jerusalem five hundred and twenty + furlongs, and was always an enemy to the Jews; on which account they + determined to make their first effort against it, and to make their + approaches to it as near as possible. This excursion was led on by three + men, who were the chief of them all, both for strength and sagacity; + Niger, called the Persite, Silas of Babylon, and besides them John the + Essene. Now Ascalon was strongly walled about, but had almost no + assistance to be relied on [near them], for the garrison consisted of one + cohort of footmen, and one troop of horsemen, whose captain was Antonius. + </p> + <p> + 2. These Jews, therefore, out of their anger, marched faster than + ordinary, and, as if they had come but a little way, approached very near + the city, and were come even to it; but Antonius, who was not unapprized + of the attack they were going to make upon the city, drew out his horsemen + beforehand, and being neither daunted at the multitude, nor at the courage + of the enemy, received their first attacks with great bravery; and when + they crowded to the very walls, he beat them off. Now the Jews were + unskillful in war, but were to fight with those who were skillful therein; + they were footmen to fight with horsemen; they were in disorder, to fight + those that were united together; they were poorly armed, to fight those + that were completely so; they were to fight more by their rage than by + sober counsel, and were exposed to soldiers that were exactly obedient; + and did every thing they were bidden upon the least intimation. So they + were easily beaten; for as soon as ever their first ranks were once in + disorder, they were put to flight by the enemy's cavalry, and those of + them that came behind such as crowded to the wall fell upon their own + party's weapons, and became one another's enemies; and this so long till + they were all forced to give way to the attacks of the horsemen, and were + dispersed all the plain over, which plain was wide, and all fit for the + horsemen; which circumstance was very commodious for the Romans, and + occasioned the slaughter of the greatest number of the Jews; for such as + ran away, they could overrun them, and make them turn back; and when they + had brought them back after their flight, and driven them together, they + ran them through, and slew a vast number of them, insomuch that others + encompassed others of them, and drove them before them whithersoever they + turned themselves, and slew them easily with their arrows; and the great + number there were of the Jews seemed a solitude to themselves, by reason + of the distress they were in, while the Romans had such good success with + their small number, that they seemed to themselves to be the greater + multitude. And as the former strove zealously under their misfortunes, out + of the shame of a sudden flight, and hopes of the change in their success, + so did the latter feel no weariness by reason of their good fortune; + insomuch that the fight lasted till the evening, till ten thousand men of + the Jews' side lay dead, with two of their generals, John and Silas, and + the greater part of the remainder were wounded, with Niger, their + remaining general, who fled away together to a small city of Idumea, + called Sallis. Some few also of the Romans were wounded in this battle. + </p> + <p> + 3. Yet were not the spirits of the Jews broken by so great a calamity, but + the losses they had sustained rather quickened their resolution for other + attempts; for, overlooking the dead bodies which lay under their feet, + they were enticed by their former glorious actions to venture on a second + destruction; so when they had lain still so little a while that their + wounds were not yet thoroughly cured, they got together all their forces, + and came with greater fury, and in much greater numbers, to Ascalon. But + their former ill fortune followed them, as the consequence of their + unskilfulness, and other deficiencies in war; for Antonius laid ambushes + for them in the passages they were to go through, where they fell into + snares unexpectedly, and where they were encompassed about with horsemen, + before they could form themselves into a regular body for fighting, and + were above eight thousand of them slain; so all the rest of them ran away, + and with them Niger, who still did a great many bold exploits in his + flight. However, they were driven along together by the enemy, who pressed + hard upon them, into a certain strong tower belonging to a village called + Bezedeh However, Antonius and his party, that they might neither spend any + considerable time about this tower, which was hard to be taken, nor suffer + their commander, and the most courageous man of them all, to escape from + them, they set the wall on fire; and as the tower was burning, the Romans + went away rejoicing, as taking it for granted that Niger was destroyed; + but he leaped out of the tower into a subterraneous cave, in the innermost + part of it, and was preserved; and on the third day afterward he spake out + of the ground to those that with great lamentation were searching for him, + in order to give him a decent funeral; and when he was come out, he filled + all the Jews with an unexpected joy, as though he were preserved by God's + providence to be their commander for the time to come. + </p> + <p> + 4. And now Vespasian took along with him his army from Antioch, [which is + the metropolis of Syria, and without dispute deserves the place of the + third city in the habitable earth that was under the Roman empire, <a + href="#link3note-2" name="link3noteref-2" id="link3noteref-2">2</a> both + in magnitude, and other marks of prosperity,] where he found king Agrippa, + with all his forces, waiting for his coming, and marched to Ptolemais. At + this city also the inhabitants of Sepphoris of Galilee met him, who were + for peace with the Romans. These citizens had beforehand taken care of + their own safety, and being sensible of the power of the Romans, they had + been with Cestius Gallus before Vespasian came, and had given their faith + to him, and received the security of his right hand, and had received a + Roman garrison; and at this time withal they received Vespasian, the Roman + general, very kindly, and readily promised that they would assist him + against their own countrymen. Now the general delivered them, at their + desire, as many horsemen and footmen as he thought sufficient to oppose + the incursions of the Jews, if they should come against them. And indeed + the danger of losing Sepphoris would be no small one, in this war that was + now beginning, seeing it was the largest city of Galilee, and built in a + place by nature very strong, and might be a security of the whole nation's + [fidelity to the Romans]. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link32HCH0003" id="link32HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 3. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A Description Of Galilee, Samaria, And Judea. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now Phoenicia and Syria encompass about the Galilees, which are two, + and called the Upper Galilee and the Lower. They are bounded toward the + sun-setting, with the borders of the territory belonging to Ptolemais, and + by Carmel; which mountain had formerly belonged to the Galileans, but now + belonged to the Tyrians; to which mountain adjoins Gaba, which is called + the City of Horsemen, because those horsemen that were dismissed by Herod + the king dwelt therein; they are bounded on the south with Samaria and + Scythopolis, as far as the river Jordan; on the east with Hippeae and + Gadaris, and also with Ganlonitis, and the borders of the kingdom of + Agrippa; its northern parts are bounded by Tyre, and the country of the + Tyrians. As for that Galilee which is called the Lower, it, extends in + length from Tiberias to Zabulon, and of the maritime places Ptolemais is + its neighbor; its breadth is from the village called Xaloth, which lies in + the great plain, as far as Bersabe, from which beginning also is taken the + breadth of the Upper Galilee, as far as the village Baca, which divides + the land of the Tyrians from it; its length is also from Meloth to Thella, + a village near to Jordan. + </p> + <p> + 2. These two Galilees, of so great largeness, and encompassed with so many + nations of foreigners, have been always able to make a strong resistance + on all occasions of war; for the Galileans are inured to war from their + infancy, and have been always very numerous; nor hath the country been + ever destitute of men of courage, or wanted a numerous set of them; for + their soil is universally rich and fruitful, and full of the plantations + of trees of all sorts, insomuch that it invites the most slothful to take + pains in its cultivation, by its fruitfulness; accordingly, it is all + cultivated by its inhabitants, and no part of it lies idle. Moreover, the + cities lie here very thick, and the very many villages there are here are + every where so full of people, by the richness of their soil, that the + very least of them contain above fifteen thousand inhabitants. + </p> + <p> + 3. In short, if any one will suppose that Galilee is inferior to Perea in + magnitude, he will be obliged to prefer it before it in its strength; for + this is all capable of cultivation, and is every where fruitful; but for + Perea, which is indeed much larger in extent, the greater part of it is + desert and rough, and much less disposed for the production of the milder + kinds of fruits; yet hath it a moist soil [in other parts], and produces + all kinds of fruits, and its plains are planted with trees of all sorts, + while yet the olive tree, the vine, and the palm tree are chiefly + cultivated there. It is also sufficiently watered with torrents, which + issue out of the mountains, and with springs that never fail to run, even + when the torrents fail them, as they do in the dog-days. Now the length of + Perea is from Machaerus to Pella, and its breadth from Philadelphia to + Jordan; its northern parts are bounded by Pella, as we have already said, + as well as its Western with Jordan; the land of Moab is its southern + border, and its eastern limits reach to Arabia, and Silbonitis, and + besides to Philadelphene and Gerasa. + </p> + <p> + 4. Now as to the country of Samaria, it lies between Judea and Galilee; it + begins at a village that is in the great plain called Ginea, and ends at + the Acrabbene toparchy, and is entirely of the same nature with Judea; for + both countries are made up of hills and valleys, and are moist enough for + agriculture, and are very fruitful. They have abundance of trees, and are + full of autumnal fruit, both that which grows wild, and that which is the + effect of cultivation. They are not naturally watered by many rivers, but + derive their chief moisture from rain-water, of which they have no want; + and for those rivers which they have, all their waters are exceeding + sweet: by reason also of the excellent grass they have, their cattle yield + more milk than do those in other places; and, what is the greatest sign of + excellency and of abundance, they each of them are very full of people. + </p> + <p> + 5. In the limits of Samaria and Judea lies the village Anuath, which is + also named Borceos. This is the northern boundary of Judea. The southern + parts of Judea, if they be measured lengthways, are bounded by a Village + adjoining to the confines of Arabia; the Jews that dwell there call it + Jordan. However, its breadth is extended from the river Jordan to Joppa. + The city Jerusalem is situated in the very middle; on which account some + have, with sagacity enough, called that city the Navel of the country. Nor + indeed is Judea destitute of such delights as come from the sea, since its + maritime places extend as far as Ptolemais: it was parted into eleven + portions, of which the royal city Jerusalem was the supreme, and presided + over all the neighboring country, as the head does over the body. As to + the other cities that were inferior to it, they presided over their + several toparchies; Gophna was the second of those cities, and next to + that Acrabatta, after them Thamna, and Lydda, and Emmaus, and Pella, and + Idumea, and Engaddi, and Herodium, and Jericho; and after them came Jamnia + and Joppa, as presiding over the neighboring people; and besides these + there was the region of Gamala, and Gaulonitis, and Batanea, and + Trachonitis, which are also parts of the kingdom of Agrippa. This [last] + country begins at Mount Libanus, and the fountains of Jordan, and reaches + breadthways to the lake of Tiberias; and in length is extended from a + village called Arpha, as far as Julias. Its inhabitants are a mixture of + Jews and Syrians. And thus have I, with all possible brevity, described + the country of Judea, and those that lie round about it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link32HCH0004" id="link32HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 4. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Josephus Makes An Attempt Upon Sepphoris But Is Repelled. + Titus Comes With A Great Army To Ptolemais. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now the auxiliaries which were sent to assist the people of Sepphoris, + being a thousand horsemen, and six thousand footmen, under Placidus the + tribune, pitched their camp in two bodies in the great plain. The foot + were put into the city to be a guard to it, but the horse lodged abroad in + the camp. These last, by marching continually one way or other, and + overrunning the parts of the adjoining country, were very troublesome to + Josephus and his men; they also plundered all the places that were out of + the city's liberty, and intercepted such as durst go abroad. On this + account it was that Josephus marched against the city, as hoping to take + what he had lately encompassed with so strong a wall, before they revolted + from the rest of the Galileans, that the Romans would have much ado to + take it; by which means he proved too weak, and failed of his hopes, both + as to the forcing the place, and as to his prevailing with the people of + Sepphoris to deliver it up to him. By this means he provoked the Romans to + treat the country according to the law of war; nor did the Romans, out of + the anger they bore at this attempt, leave off, either by night or by day, + burning the places in the plain, and stealing away the cattle that were in + the country, and killing whatsoever appeared capable of fighting + perpetually, and leading the weaker people as slaves into captivity; so + that Galilee was all over filled with fire and blood; nor was it exempted + from any kind of misery or calamity, for the only refuge they had was + this, that when they were pursued, they could retire to the cities which + had walls built them by Josephus. + </p> + <p> + 2. But as to Titus, he sailed over from Achaia to Alexandria, and that + sooner than the winter season did usually permit; so he took with him + those forces he was sent for, and marching with great expedition, he came + suddenly to Ptolemais, and there finding his father, together with the two + legions, the fifth and the tenth, which were the most eminent legions of + all, he joined them to that fifteenth legion which was with his father; + eighteen cohorts followed these legions; there came also five cohorts from + Cesarea, with one troop of horsemen, and five other troops of horsemen + from Syria. Now these ten cohorts had severally a thousand footmen, but + the other thirteen cohorts had no more than six hundred footmen apiece, + with a hundred and twenty horsemen. There were also a considerable number + of auxiliaries got together, that came from the kings Antiochus, and + Agrippa, and Sohemus, each of them contributing one thousand footmen that + were archers, and a thousand horsemen. Malchus also, the king of Arabia, + sent a thousand horsemen, besides five thousand footmen, the greatest part + of which were archers; so that the whole army, including the auxiliaries + sent by the kings, as well horsemen as footmen, when all were united + together, amounted to sixty thousand, besides the servants, who, as they + followed in vast numbers, so because they had been trained up in war with + the rest, ought not to be distinguished from the fighting men; for as they + were in their masters' service in times of peace, so did they undergo the + like dangers with them in times of war, insomuch that they were inferior + to none, either in skill or in strength, only they were subject to their + masters. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link32HCH0005" id="link32HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 5. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A Description Of The Roman Armies And Roman Camps And Of + Other Particulars For Which The Romans Are Commended. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now here one cannot but admire at the precaution of the Romans, in + providing themselves of such household servants, as might not only serve + at other times for the common offices of life, but might also be of + advantage to them in their wars. And, indeed, if any one does but attend + to the other parts of their military discipline, he will be forced to + confess that their obtaining so large a dominion hath been the acquisition + of their valor, and not the bare gift of fortune; for they do not begin to + use their weapons first in time of war, nor do they then put their hands + first into motion, while they avoided so to do in times of peace; but, as + if their weapons did always cling to them, they have never any truce from + warlike exercises; nor do they stay till times of war admonish them to use + them; for their military exercises differ not at all from the real use of + their arms, but every soldier is every day exercised, and that with great + diligence, as if it were in time of war, which is the reason why they bear + the fatigue of battles so easily; for neither can any disorder remove them + from their usual regularity, nor can fear affright them out of it, nor can + labor tire them; which firmness of conduct makes them always to overcome + those that have not the same firmness; nor would he be mistaken that + should call those their exercises unbloody battles, and their battles + bloody exercises. Nor can their enemies easily surprise them with the + suddenness of their incursions; for as soon as they have marched into an + enemy's land, they do not begin to fight till they have walled their camp + about; nor is the fence they raise rashly made, or uneven; nor do they all + abide in it, nor do those that are in it take their places at random; but + if it happens that the ground is uneven, it is first leveled: their camp + is also four-square by measure, and carpenters are ready, in great + numbers, with their tools, to erect their buildings for them. <a + href="#link3note-3" name="link3noteref-3" id="link3noteref-3">3</a> + </p> + <p> + 2. As for what is within the camp, it is set apart for tents, but the + outward circumference hath the resemblance to a wall, and is adorned with + towers at equal distances, where between the towers stand the engines for + throwing arrows and darts, and for slinging stones, and where they lay all + other engines that can annoy the enemy, all ready for their several + operations. They also erect four gates, one at every side of the + circumference, and those large enough for the entrance of the beasts, and + wide enough for making excursions, if occasion should require. They divide + the camp within into streets, very conveniently, and place the tents of + the commanders in the middle; but in the very midst of all is the + general's own tent, in the nature of a temple, insomuch, that it appears + to be a city built on the sudden, with its market-place, and place for + handicraft trades, and with seats for the officers superior and inferior, + where, if any differences arise, their causes are heard and determined. + The camp, and all that is in it, is encompassed with a wall round about, + and that sooner than one would imagine, and this by the multitude and the + skill of the laborers; and, if occasion require, a trench is drawn round + the whole, whose depth is four cubits, and its breadth equal. + </p> + <p> + 3. When they have thus secured themselves, they live together by + companies, with quietness and decency, as are all their other affairs + managed with good order and security. Each company hath also their wood, + and their corn, and their water brought them, when they stand in need of + them; for they neither sup nor dine as they please themselves singly, but + all together. Their times also for sleeping, and watching, and rising are + notified beforehand by the sound of trumpets, nor is any thing done + without such a signal; and in the morning the soldiery go every one to + their centurions, and these centurions to their tribunes, to salute them; + with whom all the superior officers go to the general of the whole army, + who then gives them of course the watchword and other orders, to be by + them carried to all that are under their command; which is also observed + when they go to fight, and thereby they turn themselves about on the + sudden, when there is occasion for making sallies, as they come back when + they are recalled in crowds also. + </p> + <p> + 4. Now when they are to go out of their camp, the trumpet gives a sound, + at which time nobody lies still, but at the first intimation they take + down their tents, and all is made ready for their going out; then do the + trumpets sound again, to order them to get ready for the march; then do + they lay their baggage suddenly upon their mules, and other beasts of + burden, and stand, as at the place of starting, ready to march; when also + they set fire to their camp, and this they do because it will be easy for + them to erect another camp, and that it may not ever be of use to their + enemies. Then do the trumpets give a sound the third time, that they are + to go out, in order to excite those that on any account are a little + tardy, that so no one may be out of his rank when the army marches. Then + does the crier stand at the general's right hand, and asks them thrice, in + their own tongue, whether they be now ready to go out to war or not? To + which they reply as often, with a loud and cheerful voice, saying, "We are + ready." And this they do almost before the question is asked them: they do + this as filled with a kind of martial fury, and at the same time that they + so cry out, they lift up their right hands also. + </p> + <p> + 5. When, after this, they are gone out of their camp, they all march + without noise, and in a decent manner, and every one keeps his own rank, + as if they were going to war. The footmen are armed with breastplates and + head-pieces, and have swords on each side; but the sword which is upon + their left side is much longer than the other, for that on the right side + is not longer than a span. Those foot-men also that are chosen out from + the rest to be about the general himself have a lance and a buckler, but + the rest of the foot soldiers have a spear and a long buckler, besides a + saw and a basket, a pick-axe and an axe, a thong of leather and a hook, + with provisions for three days, so that a footman hath no great need of a + mule to carry his burdens. The horsemen have a long sword on their right + sides, axed a long pole in their hand; a shield also lies by them + obliquely on one side of their horses, with three or more darts that are + borne in their quiver, having broad points, and not smaller than spears. + They have also head-pieces and breastplates, in like manner as have all + the footmen. And for those that are chosen to be about the general, their + armor no way differs from that of the horsemen belonging to other troops; + and he always leads the legions forth to whom the lot assigns that + employment. + </p> + <p> + 6. This is the manner of the marching and resting of the Romans, as also + these are the several sorts of weapons they use. But when they are to + fight, they leave nothing without forecast, nor to be done off-hand, but + counsel is ever first taken before any work is begun, and what hath been + there resolved upon is put in execution presently; for which reason they + seldom commit any errors; and if they have been mistaken at any time, they + easily correct those mistakes. They also esteem any errors they commit + upon taking counsel beforehand to be better than such rash success as is + owing to fortune only; because such a fortuitous advantage tempts them to + be inconsiderate, while consultation, though it may sometimes fail of + success, hath this good in it, that it makes men more careful hereafter; + but for the advantages that arise from chance, they are not owing to him + that gains them; and as to what melancholy accidents happen unexpectedly, + there is this comfort in them, that they had however taken the best + consultations they could to prevent them. + </p> + <p> + 7. Now they so manage their preparatory exercises of their weapons, that + not the bodies of the soldiers only, but their souls may also become + stronger: they are moreover hardened for war by fear; for their laws + inflict capital punishments, not only for soldiers running away from the + ranks, but for slothfulness and inactivity, though it be but in a lesser + degree; as are their generals more severe than their laws, for they + prevent any imputation of cruelty toward those under condemnation, by the + great rewards they bestow on the valiant soldiers; and the readiness of + obeying their commanders is so great, that it is very ornamental in peace; + but when they come to a battle, the whole army is but one body, so well + coupled together are their ranks, so sudden are their turnings about, so + sharp their hearing as to what orders are given them, so quick their sight + of the ensigns, and so nimble are their hands when they set to work; + whereby it comes to pass that what they do is done quickly, and what they + suffer they bear with the greatest patience. Nor can we find any examples + where they have been conquered in battle, when they came to a close fight, + either by the multitude of the enemies, or by their stratagems, or by the + difficulties in the places they were in; no, nor by fortune neither, for + their victories have been surer to them than fortune could have granted + them. In a case, therefore, where counsel still goes before action, and + where, after taking the best advice, that advice is followed by so active + an army, what wonder is it that Euphrates on the east, the ocean on the + west, the most fertile regions of Libya on the south, and the Danube and + the Rhine on the north, are the limits of this empire? One might well say + that the Roman possessions are not inferior to the Romans themselves. + </p> + <p> + 8. This account I have given the reader, not so much with the intention of + commending the Romans, as of comforting those that have been conquered by + them, and for the deterring others from attempting innovations under their + government. This discourse of the Roman military conduct may also perhaps + be of use to such of the curious as are ignorant of it, and yet have a + mind to know it. I return now from this digression. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link32HCH0006" id="link32HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 6. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Placidus Attempts To Take Jotapata And Is Beaten Off. + Vespasian Marches Into Galilee. +</pre> + <p> + 1. And now Vespasian, with his son Titus, had tarried some time at + Ptolemais, and had put his army in order. But when Placidus, who had + overrun Galilee, and had besides slain a number of those whom he had + caught, [which were only the weaker part of the Galileans, and such as + were of timorous souls,] saw that the warriors ran always to those cities + whose walls had been built by Josephus, he marched furiously against + Jotapata, which was of them all the strongest, as supposing he should + easily take it by a sudden surprise, and that he should thereby obtain + great honor to himself among the commanders, and bring a great advantage + to them in their future campaign; because if this strongest place of them + all were once taken, the rest would be so affrighted as to surrender + themselves. But he was mightily mistaken in his undertaking; for the men + of Jotapata were apprized of his coming to attack them, and came out of + the city, and expected him there. So they fought the Romans briskly when + they least expected it, being both many in number, and prepared for + fighting, and of great alacrity, as esteeming their country, their wives, + and their children to be in danger, and easily put the Romans to flight, + and wounded many of them, and slew seven of them; <a href="#link3note-4" + name="link3noteref-4" id="link3noteref-4">4</a> because their retreat was + not made in a disorderly manner, because the strokes only touched the + surface of their bodies, which were covered with their armor in all parts, + and because the Jews did rather throw their weapons upon them from a great + distance, than venture to come hand to hand with them, and had only light + armor on, while the others were completely armed. However, three men of + the Jews' side were slain, and a few wounded; so Placidus, finding himself + unable to assault the city, ran away. + </p> + <p> + 2. But as Vespasian had a great mind to fall upon Galilee, he marched out + of Ptolemais, having put his army into that order wherein the Romans used + to march. He ordered those auxiliaries which were lightly armed, and the + archers, to march first, that they might prevent any sudden insults from + the enemy, and might search out the woods that looked suspiciously, and + were capable of ambuscades. Next to these followed that part of the Romans + which was completely armed, both footmen and horsemen. Next to these + followed ten out of every hundred, carrying along with them their arms, + and what was necessary to measure out a camp withal; and after them, such + as were to make the road even and straight, and if it were any where rough + and hard to be passed over, to plane it, and to cut down the woods that + hindered their march, that the army might not be in distress, or tired + with their march. Behind these he set such carriages of the army as + belonged both to himself and to the other commanders, with a considerable + number of their horsemen for their security. After these he marched + himself, having with him a select body of footmen, and horsemen, and + pikemen. After these came the peculiar cavalry of his own legion, for + there were a hundred and twenty horsemen that peculiarly belonged to every + legion. Next to these came the mules that carried the engines for sieges, + and the other warlike machines of that nature. After these came the + commanders of the cohorts and tribunes, having about them soldiers chosen + out of the rest. Then came the ensigns encompassing the eagle, which is at + the head of every Roman legion, the king, and the strongest of all birds, + which seems to them a signal of dominion, and an omen that they shall + conquer all against whom they march; these sacred ensigns are followed by + the trumpeters. Then came the main army in their squadrons and battalions, + with six men in depth, which were followed at last by a centurion, who, + according to custom, observed the rest. As for the servants of every + legion, they all followed the footmen, and led the baggage of the + soldiers, which was borne by the mules and other beasts of burden. But + behind all the legions came the whole multitude of the mercenaries; and + those that brought up the rear came last of all for the security of the + whole army, being both footmen, and those in their armor also, with a + great number of horsemen. + </p> + <p> + 3. And thus did Vespasian march with his army, and came to the bounds of + Galilee, where he pitched his camp and restrained his soldiers, who were + eager for war; he also showed his army to the enemy, in order to affright + them, and to afford them a season for repentance, to see whether they + would change their minds before it came to a battle, and at the same time + he got things ready for besieging their strong minds. And indeed this + sight of the general brought many to repent of their revolt, and put them + all into a consternation; for those that were in Josephus's camp, which + was at the city called Garis, not far from Sepphoris, when they heard that + the war was come near them, and that the Romans would suddenly fight them + hand to hand, dispersed themselves and fled, not only before they came to + a battle, but before the enemy ever came in sight, while Josephus and a + few others were left behind; and as he saw that he had not an army + sufficient to engage the enemy, that the spirits of the Jews were sunk, + and that the greater part would willingly come to terms, if they might be + credited, he already despaired of the success of the whole war, and + determined to get as far as he possibly could out of danger; so he took + those that staid along with him, and fled to Tiberias. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link32HCH0007" id="link32HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 7. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Vespasian, When He Had Taken The City Gadaea Marches To + Jotapata. After A Long Siege The City Is Betrayed By A + Deserter, And Taken By Vespasian. +</pre> + <p> + 1. So Vespasian marched to the city Gadara, and took it upon the first + onset, because he found it destitute of any considerable number of men + grown up and fit for war. He came then into it, and slew all the youth, + the Romans having no mercy on any age whatsoever; and this was done out of + the hatred they bore the nation, and because of the iniquity they had been + guilty of in the affair of Cestius. He also set fire not only to the city + itself, but to all the villas and small cities that were round about it; + some of them were quite destitute of inhabitants, and out of some of them + he carried the inhabitants as slaves into captivity. + </p> + <p> + 2. As to Josephus, his retiring to that city which he chose as the most + fit for his security, put it into great fear; for the people of Tiberias + did not imagine that he would have run away, unless he had entirely + despaired of the success of the war. And indeed, as to that point, they + were not mistaken about his opinion; for he saw whither the affairs of the + Jews would tend at last, and was sensible that they had but one way of + escaping, and that was by repentance. However, although he expected that + the Romans would forgive him, yet did he choose to die many times over, + rather than to betray his country, and to dishonor that supreme command of + the army which had been intrusted with him, or to live happily under those + against whom he was sent to fight. He determined, therefore, to give an + exact account of affairs to the principal men at Jerusalem by a letter, + that he might not, by too much aggrandizing the power of the enemy, make + them too timorous; nor, by relating that their power beneath the truth, + might encourage them to stand out when they were perhaps disposed to + repentance. He also sent them word, that if they thought of coming to + terms, they must suddenly write him an answer; or if they resolved upon + war, they must send him an army sufficient to fight the Romans. + Accordingly, he wrote these things, and sent messengers immediately to + carry his letter to Jerusalem. + </p> + <p> + 3. Now Vespasian was very desirous of demolishing Jotapata, for he had + gotten intelligence that the greatest part of the enemy had retired + thither, and that it was, on other accounts, a place of great security to + them. Accordingly, he sent both foot-men and horsemen to level the road, + which was mountainous and rocky, not without difficulty to be traveled + over by footmen, but absolutely impracticable for horsemen. Now these + workmen accomplished what they were about in four days' time, and opened a + broad way for the army. On the fifth day, which was the twenty-first of + the month Artemisius, [Jyar,] Josephus prevented him, and came from + Tiberias, and went into Jotapata, and raised the drooping spirits of the + Jews. And a certain deserter told this good news to Vespasian, that + Josephus had removed himself thither, which made him make haste to the + city, as supposing that with taking that he should take all Judea, in case + he could but withal get Josephus under his power. So he took this news to + be of the vastest advantage to him, and believed it to be brought about by + the providence of God, that he who appeared to be the most prudent man of + all their enemies, had, of his own accord, shut himself up in a place of + sure custody. Accordingly, he sent Placidus with a thousand horsemen, and + Ebutius a decurion, a person that was of eminency both in council and in + action, to encompass the city round, that Josephus might not escape away + privately. + </p> + <p> + 4. Vespasian also, the very next day, took his whole army and followed + them, and by marching till late in the evening, arrived then at Jotapata; + and bringing his army to the northern side of the city, he pitched his + camp on a certain small hill which was seven furlongs from the city, and + still greatly endeavored to be well seen by the enemy, to put them into a + consternation; which was indeed so terrible to the Jews immediately, that + no one of them durst go out beyond the wall. Yet did the Romans put off + the attack at that time, because they had marched all the day, although + they placed a double row of battalions round the city, with a third row + beyond them round the whole, which consisted of cavalry, in order to stop + up every way for an exit; which thing making the Jews despair of escaping, + excited them to act more boldly; for nothing makes men fight so + desperately in war as necessity. + </p> + <p> + 5. Now when the next day an assault was made by the Romans, the Jews at + first staid out of the walls and opposed them, and met them, as having + formed themselves a camp before the city walls. But when Vespasian had set + against them the archers and slingers, and the whole multitude that could + throw to a great distance, he permitted them to go to work, while he + himself, with the footmen, got upon an acclivity, whence the city might + easily be taken. Josephus was then in fear for the city, and leaped out, + and all the Jewish multitude with him; these fell together upon the Romans + in great numbers, and drove them away from the wall, and performed a great + many glorious and bold actions. Yet did they suffer as much as they made + the enemy suffer; for as despair of deliverance encouraged the Jews, so + did a sense of shame equally encourage the Romans. These last had skill as + well as strength; the other had only courage, which armed them, and made + them fight furiously. And when the fight had lasted all day, it was put an + end to by the coming on of the night. They had wounded a great many of the + Romans, and killed of them thirteen men; of the Jews' side seventeen were + slain, and six hundred wounded. + </p> + <p> + 6. On the next day the Jews made another attack upon the Romans, and went + out of the walls and fought a much more desperate battle with them than + before. For they were now become more courageous than formerly, and that + on account of the unexpected good opposition they had made the day before, + as they found the Romans also to fight more desperately; for a sense of + shame inflamed these into a passion, as esteeming their failure of a + sudden victory to be a kind of defeat. Thus did the Romans try to make an + impression upon the Jews till the fifth day continually, while the people + of Jotapata made sallies out, and fought at the walls most desperately; + nor were the Jews affrighted at the strength of the enemy, nor were the + Romans discouraged at the difficulties they met with in taking the city. + </p> + <p> + 7. Now Jotapata is almost all of it built on a precipice, having on all + the other sides of it every way valleys immensely deep and steep, insomuch + that those who would look down would have their sight fail them before it + reaches to the bottom. It is only to be come at on the north side, where + the utmost part of the city is built on the mountain, as it ends obliquely + at a plain. This mountain Josephus had encompassed with a wall when he + fortified the city, that its top might not be capable of being seized upon + by the enemies. The city is covered all round with other mountains, and + can no way be seen till a man comes just upon it. And this was the strong + situation of Jotapata. + </p> + <p> + 8. Vespasian, therefore, in order to try how he might overcome the natural + strength of the place, as well as the bold defense of the Jews, made a + resolution to prosecute the siege with vigor. To that end he called the + commanders that were under him to a council of war, and consulted with + them which way the assault might be managed to the best advantage. And + when the resolution was there taken to raise a bank against that part of + the wall which was practicable, he sent his whole army abroad to get the + materials together. So when they had cut down all the trees on the + mountains that adjoined to the city, and had gotten together a vast heap + of stones, besides the wood they had cut down, some of them brought + hurdles, in order to avoid the effects of the darts that were shot from + above them. These hurdles they spread over their banks, under cover + whereof they formed their bank, and so were little or nothing hurt by the + darts that were thrown upon them from the wall, while others pulled the + neighboring hillocks to pieces, and perpetually brought earth to them; so + that while they were busy three sorts of ways, nobody was idle. However, + the Jews cast great stones from the walls upon the hurdles which protected + the men, with all sorts of darts also; and the noise of what could not + reach them was yet so terrible, that it was some impediment to the + workmen. + </p> + <p> + 9. Vespasian then set the engines for throwing stones and darts round + about the city. The number of the engines was in all a hundred and sixty, + and bid them fall to work, and dislodge those that were upon the wall. At + the same time such engines as were intended for that purpose threw at once + lances upon them with a great noise, and stones of the weight of a talent + were thrown by the engines that were prepared for that purpose, together + with fire, and a vast multitude of arrows, which made the wall so + dangerous, that the Jews durst not only not come upon it, but durst not + come to those parts within the walls which were reached by the engines; + for the multitude of the Arabian archers, as well also as all those that + threw darts and slung stones, fell to work at the same time with the + engines. Yet did not the others lie still, when they could not throw at + the Romans from a higher place; for they then made sallies out of the + city, like private robbers, by parties, and pulled away the hurdles that + covered the workmen, and killed them when they were thus naked; and when + those workmen gave way, these cast away the earth that composed the bank, + and burnt the wooden parts of it, together with the hurdles, till at + length Vespasian perceived that the intervals there were between the works + were of disadvantage to him; for those spaces of ground afforded the Jews + a place for assaulting the Romans. So he united the hurdles, and at the + same time joined one part of the army to the other, which prevented the + private excursions of the Jews. + </p> + <p> + 10. And when the bank was now raised, and brought nearer than ever to the + battlements that belonged to the walls, Josephus thought it would be + entirely wrong in him if he could make no contrivances in opposition to + theirs, and that might be for the city's preservation; so he got together + his workmen, and ordered them to build the wall higher; and while they + said that this was impossible to be done while so many darts were thrown + at them, he invented this sort of cover for them: He bid them fix piles, + and expand before them the raw hides of oxen newly killed, that these + hides by yielding and hollowing themselves when the stones were thrown at + them might receive them, for that the other darts would slide off them, + and the fire that was thrown would be quenched by the moisture that was in + them. And these he set before the workmen, and under them these workmen + went on with their works in safety, and raised the wall higher, and that + both by day and by night, till it was twenty cubits high. He also built a + good number of towers upon the wall, and fitted it to strong battlements. + This greatly discouraged the Romans, who in their own opinions were + already gotten within the walls, while they were now at once astonished at + Josephus's contrivance, and at the fortitude of the citizens that were in + the city. + </p> + <p> + 11. And now Vespasian was plainly irritated at the great subtlety of this + stratagem, and at the boldness of the citizens of Jotapata; for taking + heart again upon the building of this wall, they made fresh sallies upon + the Romans, and had every day conflicts with them by parties, together + with all such contrivances, as robbers make use of, and with the + plundering of all that came to hand, as also with the setting fire to all + the other works; and this till Vespasian made his army leave off fighting + them, and resolved to lie round the city, and to starve them into a + surrender, as supposing that either they would be forced to petition him + for mercy by want of provisions, or if they should have the courage to + hold out till the last, they should perish by famine: and he concluded he + should conquer them the more easily in fighting, if he gave them an + interval, and then fell upon them when they were weakened by famine; but + still he gave orders that they should guard against their coming out of + the city. + </p> + <p> + 12. Now the besieged had plenty of corn within the city, and indeed of all + necessaries, but they wanted water, because there was no fountain in the + city, the people being there usually satisfied with rain water; yet is it + a rare thing in that country to have rain in summer, and at this season, + during the siege, they were in great distress for some contrivance to + satisfy their thirst; and they were very sad at this time particularly, as + if they were already in want of water entirely, for Josephus seeing that + the city abounded with other necessaries, and that the men were of good + courage, and being desirous to protract the siege to the Romans longer + than they expected, ordered their drink to be given them by measure; but + this scanty distribution of water by measure was deemed by them as a thing + more hard upon them than the want of it; and their not being able to drink + as much as they would made them more desirous of drinking than they + otherwise had been; nay, they were as much disheartened hereby as if they + were come to the last degree of thirst. Nor were the Romans unacquainted + with the state they were in, for when they stood over against them, beyond + the wall, they could see them running together, and taking their water by + measure, which made them throw their javelins thither the place being + within their reach, and kill a great many of them. + </p> + <p> + 13. Hereupon Vespasian hoped that their receptacles of water would in no + long time be emptied, and that they would be forced to deliver up the city + to him; but Josephus being minded to break such his hope, gave command + that they should wet a great many of their clothes, and hang them out + about the battlements, till the entire wall was of a sudden all wet with + the running down of the water. At this sight the Romans were discouraged, + and under consternation, when they saw them able to throw away in sport so + much water, when they supposed them not to have enough to drink + themselves. This made the Roman general despair of taking the city by + their want of necessaries, and to betake himself again to arms, and to try + to force them to surrender, which was what the Jews greatly desired; for + as they despaired of either themselves or their city being able to escape, + they preferred a death in battle before one by hunger and thirst. + </p> + <p> + 14. However, Josephus contrived another stratagem besides the foregoing, + to get plenty of what they wanted. There was a certain rough and uneven + place that could hardly be ascended, and on that account was not guarded + by the soldiers; so Josephus sent out certain persons along the western + parts of the valley, and by them sent letters to whom he pleased of the + Jews that were out of the city, and procured from them what necessaries + soever they wanted in the city in abundance; he enjoined them also to + creep generally along by the watch as they came into the city, and to + cover their backs with such sheep-skins as had their wool upon them, that + if any one should spy them out in the night time, they might be believed + to be dogs. This was done till the watch perceived their contrivance, and + encompassed that rough place about themselves. + </p> + <p> + 15. And now it was that Josephus perceived that the city could not hold + out long, and that his own life would be in doubt if he continued in it; + so he consulted how he and the most potent men of the city might fly out + of it. When the multitude understood this, they came all round about him, + and begged of him not to overlook them while they entirely depended on + him, and him alone; for that there was still hope of the city's + deliverance, if he would stay with them, because every body would + undertake any pains with great cheerfulness on his account, and in that + case there would be some comfort for them also, though they should be + taken: that it became him neither to fly from his enemies, nor to desert + his friends, nor to leap out of that city, as out of a ship that was + sinking in a storm, into which he came when it was quiet and in a calm; + for that by going away he would be the cause of drowning the city, because + nobody would then venture to oppose the enemy when he was once gone, upon + whom they wholly confided. 16. Hereupon Josephus avoided letting them know + that he was to go away to provide for his own safety, but told them that + he would go out of the city for their sakes; for that if he staid with + them, he should be able to do them little good while they were in a safe + condition; and that if they were once taken, he should only perish with + them to no purpose; but that if he were once gotten free from this siege, + he should be able to bring them very great relief; for that he would then + immediately get the Galileans together, out of the country, in great + multitudes, and draw the Romans off their city by another war. That he did + not see what advantage he could bring to them now, by staying among them, + but only provoke the Romans to besiege them more closely, as esteeming it + a most valuable thing to take him; but that if they were once informed + that he was fled out of the city, they would greatly remit of their + eagerness against it. Yet did not this plea move the people, but inflamed + them the more to hang about him. Accordingly, both the children and the + old men, and the women with their infants, came mourning to him, and fell + down before him, and all of them caught hold of his feet, and held him + fast, and besought him, with great lamentations, that he would take his + share with them in their fortune; and I think they did this, not that they + envied his deliverance, but that they hoped for their own; for they could + not think they should suffer any great misfortune, provided Josephus would + but stay with them. + </p> + <p> + 17. Now Josephus thought, that if he resolved to stay, it would be + ascribed to their entreaties; and if he resolved to go away by force, he + should be put into custody. His commiseration also of the people under + their lamentations had much broken that his eagerness to leave them; so he + resolved to stay, and arming himself with the common despair of the + citizens, he said to them, "Now is the time to begin to fight in earnest, + when there is no hope of deliverance left. It is a brave thing to prefer + glory before life, and to set about some such noble undertaking as may be + remembered by late posterity." Having said this, he fell to work + immediately, and made a sally, and dispersed the enemies' out-guards, and + ran as far as the Roman camp itself, and pulled the coverings of their + tents to pieces, that were upon their banks, and set fire to their works. + And this was the manner in which he never left off fighting, neither the + next day, nor the day after it, but went on with it for a considerable + number of both days and nights. + </p> + <p> + 18. Upon this, Vespasian, when he saw the Romans distressed by these + sallies, [though they were ashamed to be made to run away by the Jews; and + when at any time they made the Jews run away, their heavy armor would not + let them pursue them far; while the Jews, when they had performed any + action, and before they could be hurt themselves, still retired into the + city,] ordered his armed men to avoid their onset, and not fight it out + with men under desperation, while nothing is more courageous than despair; + but that their violence would be quenched when they saw they failed of + their purposes, as fire is quenched when it wants fuel; and that it was + proper for the Romans to gain their victories as cheap as they could, + since they are not forced to fight, but only to enlarge their own + dominions. So he repelled the Jews in great measure by the Arabian + archers, and the Syrian slingers, and by those that threw stones at them, + nor was there any intermission of the great number of their offensive + engines. Now the Jews suffered greatly by these engines, without being + able to escape from them; and when these engines threw their stones or + javelins a great way, and the Jews were within their reach, they pressed + hard upon the Romans, and fought desperately, without sparing either soul + or body, one part succoring another by turns, when it was tired down. + </p> + <p> + 19. When, therefore, Vespasian looked upon himself as in a manner besieged + by these sallies of the Jews, and when his banks were now not far from the + walls, he determined to make use of his battering ram. This battering ram + is a vast beam of wood like the mast of a ship, its forepart is armed with + a thick piece of iron at the head of it, which is so carved as to be like + the head of a ram, whence its name is taken. This ram is slung in the air + by ropes passing over its middle, and is hung like the balance in a pair + of scales from another beam, and braced by strong beams that pass on both + sides of it, in the nature of a cross. When this ram is pulled backward by + a great number of men with united force, and then thrust forward by the + same men, with a mighty noise, it batters the walls with that iron part + which is prominent. Nor is there any tower so strong, or walls so broad, + that can resist any more than its first batteries, but all are forced to + yield to it at last. This was the experiment which the Roman general + betook himself to, when he was eagerly bent upon taking the city; but + found lying in the field so long to be to his disadvantage, because the + Jews would never let him be quiet. So these Romans brought the several + engines for galling an enemy nearer to the walls, that they might reach + such as were upon the wall, and endeavored to frustrate their attempts; + these threw stones and javelins at them; in the like manner did the + archers and slingers come both together closer to the wall. This brought + matters to such a pass that none of the Jews durst mount the walls, and + then it was that the other Romans brought the battering ram that was cased + with hurdles all over, and in the tipper part was secured by skins that + covered it, and this both for the security of themselves and of the + engine. Now, at the very first stroke of this engine, the wall was shaken, + and a terrible clamor was raised by the people within the city, as if they + were already taken. + </p> + <p> + 20. And now, when Josephus saw this ram still battering the same place, + and that the wall would quickly be thrown down by it, he resolved to elude + for a while the force of the engine. With this design he gave orders to + fill sacks with chaff, and to hang them down before that place where they + saw the ram always battering, that the stroke might be turned aside, or + that the place might feel less of the strokes by the yielding nature of + the chaff. This contrivance very much delayed the attempts of the Romans, + because, let them remove their engine to what part they pleased, those + that were above it removed their sacks, and placed them over against the + strokes it made, insomuch that the wall was no way hurt, and this by + diversion of the strokes, till the Romans made an opposite contrivance of + long poles, and by tying hooks at their ends, cut off the sacks. Now when + the battering ram thus recovered its force, and the wall having been but + newly built, was giving way, Josephus and those about him had afterward + immediate recourse to fire, to defend themselves withal; whereupon they + took what materials soever they had that were but dry, and made a sally + three ways, and set fire to the machines, and the hurdles, and the banks + of the Romans themselves; nor did the Romans well know how to come to + their assistance, being at once under a consternation at the Jews' + boldness, and being prevented by the flames from coming to their + assistance; for the materials being dry with the bitumen and pitch that + were among them, as was brimstone also, the fire caught hold of every + thing immediately, and what cost the Romans a great deal of pains was in + one hour consumed. + </p> + <p> + 21. And here a certain Jew appeared worthy of our relation and + commendation; he was the son of Sameas, and was called Eleazar, and was + born at Saab, in Galilee. This man took up a stone of a vast bigness, and + threw it down from the wall upon the ram, and this with so great a force, + that it broke off the head of the engine. He also leaped down, and took up + the head of the ram from the midst of them, and without any concern + carried it to the top of the wall, and this while he stood as a fit mark + to be pelted by all his enemies. Accordingly, he received the strokes upon + his naked body, and was wounded with five darts; nor did he mind any of + them while he went up to the top of the wall, where he stood in the sight + of them all, as an instance of the greatest boldness; after which he drew + himself on a heap with his wounds upon him, and fell down together with + the head of the ram. Next to him, two brothers showed their courage; their + names were Netir and Philip, both of them of the village Ruma, and both of + them Galileans also; these men leaped upon the soldiers of the tenth + legion, and fell upon the Romans with such a noise and force as to + disorder their ranks, and to put to flight all upon whomsoever they made + their assaults. + </p> + <p> + 22. After these men's performances, Josephus, and the rest of the + multitude with him, took a great deal of fire, and burnt both the machines + and their coverings, with the works belonging to the fifth and to the + tenth legion, which they put to flight; when others followed them + immediately, and buried those instruments and all their materials under + ground. However, about the evening, the Romans erected the battering ram + again, against that part of the wall which had suffered before; where a + certain Jew that defended the city from the Romans hit Vespasian with a + dart in his foot, and wounded him a little, the distance being so great, + that no mighty impression could be made by the dart thrown so far off. + However, this caused the greatest disorder among the Romans; for when + those who stood near him saw his blood, they were disturbed at it, and a + report went abroad, through the whole army, that the general was wounded, + while the greatest part left the siege, and came running together with + surprise and fear to the general; and before them all came Titus, out of + the concern he had for his father, insomuch that the multitude were in + great confusion, and this out of the regard they had for their general, + and by reason of the agony that the son was in. Yet did the father soon + put an end to the son's fear, and to the disorder the army was under, for + being superior to his pains, and endeavoring soon to be seen by all that + had been in a fright about him, he excited them to fight the Jews more + briskly; for now every body was willing to expose himself to danger + immediately, in order to avenge their general; and then they encouraged + one another with loud voices, and ran hastily to the walls. + </p> + <p> + 23. But still Josephus and those with him, although they fell down dead + one upon another by the darts and stones which the engines threw upon + them, yet did not they desert the wall, but fell upon those who managed + the ram, under the protection of the hurdles, with fire, and iron weapons, + and stones; and these could do little or nothing, but fell themselves + perpetually, while they were seen by those whom they could not see, for + the light of their own flame shone about them, and made them a most + visible mark to the enemy, as they were in the day time, while the engines + could not be seen at a great distance, and so what was thrown at them was + hard to be avoided; for the force with which these engines threw stones + and darts made them hurt several at a time, and the violent noise of the + stones that were cast by the engines was so great, that they carried away + the pinnacles of the wall, and broke off the corners of the towers; for no + body of men could be so strong as not to be overthrown to the last rank by + the largeness of the stones. And any one may learn the force of the + engines by what happened this very night; for as one of those that stood + round about Josephus was near the wall, his head was carried away by such + a stone, and his skull was flung as far as three furlongs. In the day time + also, a woman with child had her belly so violently struck, as she was + just come out of her house, that the infant was carried to the distance of + half a furlong, so great was the force of that engine. The noise of the + instruments themselves was very terrible, the sound of the darts and + stones that were thrown by them was so also; of the same sort was that + noise the dead bodies made, when they were dashed against the wall; and + indeed dreadful was the clamor which these things raised in the women + within the city, which was echoed back at the same time by the cries of + such as were slain; while the whole space of ground whereon they fought + ran with blood, and the wall might have been ascended over by the bodies + of the dead carcasses; the mountains also contributed to increase the + noise by their echoes; nor was there on that night any thing of terror + wanting that could either affect the hearing or the sight: yet did a great + part of those that fought so hard for Jotapata fall manfully, as were a + great part of them wounded. However, the morning watch was come ere the + wall yielded to the machines employed against it, though it had been + battered without intermission. However, those within covered their bodies + with their armor, and raised works over against that part which was thrown + down, before those machines were laid by which the Romans were to ascend + into the city. + </p> + <p> + 24. In the morning Vespasian got his army together, in order to take the + city [by storm], after a little recreation upon the hard pains they had + been at the night before; and as he was desirous to draw off those that + opposed him from the places where the wall had been thrown down, he made + the most courageous of the horsemen get off their horses, and placed them + in three ranks over against those ruins of the wall, but covered with + their armor on every side, and with poles in their hands, that so these + might begin their ascent as soon as the instruments for such ascent were + laid; behind them he placed the flower of the footmen; but for the rest of + the horse, he ordered them to extend themselves over against the wall, + upon the whole hilly country, in order to prevent any from escaping out of + the city when it should be taken; and behind these he placed the archers + round about, and commanded them to have their darts ready to shoot. The + same command he gave to the slingers, and to those that managed the + engines, and bid them to take up other ladders, and have them ready to lay + upon those parts of the wall which were yet untouched, that the besieged + might be engaged in trying to hinder their ascent by them, and leave the + guard of the parts that were thrown down, while the rest of them should be + overborne by the darts cast at them, and might afford his men an entrance + into the city. + </p> + <p> + 25. But Josephus, understanding the meaning of Vespasian's contrivance, + set the old men, together with those that were tired out, at the sound + parts of the wall, as expecting no harm from those quarters, but set the + strongest of his men at the place where the wall was broken down, and + before them all six men by themselves, among whom he took his share of the + first and greatest danger. He also gave orders, that when the legions made + a shout, they should stop their ears, that they might not be affrighted at + it, and that, to avoid the multitude of the enemy's darts, they should + bend down on their knees, and cover themselves with their shields, and + that they should retreat a little backward for a while, till the archers + should have emptied their quivers; but that When the Romans should lay + their instruments for ascending the walls, they should leap out on the + sudden, and with their own instruments should meet the enemy, and that + every one should strive to do his best, in order not to defend his own + city, as if it were possible to be preserved, but in order to revenge it, + when it was already destroyed; and that they should set before their eyes + how their old men were to be slain, and their children and wives were to + be killed immediately by the enemy; and that they would beforehand spend + all their fury, on account of the calamities just coming upon them, and + pour it out on the actors. + </p> + <p> + 26. And thus did Josephus dispose of both his bodies of men; but then for + the useless part of the citizens, the women and children, when they saw + their city encompassed by a threefold army, [for none of the usual guards + that had been fighting before were removed,] when they also saw, not only + the walls thrown down, but their enemies with swords in their hands, as + also the hilly country above them shining with their weapons, and the + darts in the hands of the Arabian archers, they made a final and + lamentable outcry of the destruction, as if the misery were not only + threatened, but actually come upon them already. But Josephus ordered the + women to be shut up in their houses, lest they should render the warlike + actions of the men too effeminate, by making them commiserate their + condition, and commanded them to hold their peace, and threatened them if + they did not, while he came himself before the breach, where his allotment + was; for all those who brought ladders to the other places, he took no + notice of them, but earnestly waited for the shower of arrows that was + coming. + </p> + <p> + 27. And now the trumpeters of the several Roman legions sounded together, + and the army made a terrible shout; and the darts, as by order, flew so + fast, that they intercepted the light. However, Josephus's men remembered + the charges he had given them, they stopped their ears at the sounds, and + covered their bodies against the darts; and as to the engines that were + set ready to go to work, the Jews ran out upon them, before those that + should have used them were gotten upon them. And now, on the ascending of + the soldiers, there was a great conflict, and many actions of the hands + and of the soul were exhibited; while the Jews did earnestly endeavor, in + the extreme danger they were in, not to show less courage than those who, + without being in danger, fought so stoutly against them; nor did they + leave struggling with the Romans till they either fell down dead + themselves, or killed their antagonists. But the Jews grew weary with + defending themselves continually, and had not enough to come in their + places, and succor them; while, on the side of the Romans, fresh men still + succeeded those that were tired; and still new men soon got upon the + machines for ascent, in the room of those that were thrust down; those + encouraging one another, and joining side to side with their shields, + which were a protection to them, they became a body of men not to be + broken; and as this band thrust away the Jews, as though they were + themselves but one body, they began already to get upon the wall. + </p> + <p> + 28. Then did Josephus take necessity for his counselor in this utmost + distress, [which necessity is very sagacious in invention when it is + irritated by despair,] and gave orders to pour scalding oil upon those + whose shields protected them. Whereupon they soon got it ready, being many + that brought it, and what they brought being a great quantity also, and + poured it on all sides upon the Romans, and threw down upon them their + vessels as they were still hissing from the heat of the fire: this so + burnt the Romans, that it dispersed that united band, who now tumbled + clown from the wall with horrid pains, for the oil did easily run down the + whole body from head to foot, under their entire armor, and fed upon their + flesh like flame itself, its fat and unctuous nature rendering it soon + heated and slowly cooled; and as the men were cooped up in their + head-pieces and breastplates, they could no way get free from this burning + oil; they could only leap and roll about in their pains, as they fell down + from the bridges they had laid. And as they thus were beaten back, and + retired to their own party, who still pressed them forward, they were + easily wounded by those that were behind them. + </p> + <p> + 29. However, in this ill success of the Romans, their courage did not fail + them, nor did the Jews want prudence to oppose them; for the Romans, + although they saw their own men thrown down, and in a miserable condition, + yet were they vehemently bent against those that poured the oil upon them; + while every one reproached the man before him as a coward, and one that + hindered him from exerting himself; and while the Jews made use of another + stratagem to prevent their ascent, and poured boiling fenugreek upon the + boards, in order to make them slip and fall down; by which means neither + could those that were coming up, nor those that were going down, stand on + their feet; but some of them fell backward upon the machines on which they + ascended, and were trodden upon; many of them fell down upon the bank they + had raised, and when they were fallen upon it were slain by the Jews; for + when the Romans could not keep their feet, the Jews being freed from + fighting hand to hand, had leisure to throw their darts at them. So the + general called off those soldiers in the evening that had suffered so + sorely, of whom the number of the slain was not a few, while that of the + wounded was still greater; but of the people of Jotapata no more than six + men were killed, although more than three hundred were carried off + wounded. This fight happened on the twentieth day of the month Desius + [Sivan]. 30. Hereupon Vespasian comforted his army on occasion of what + happened, and as he found them angry indeed, but rather wanting somewhat + to do than any further exhortations, he gave orders to raise the banks + still higher, and to erect three towers, each fifty feet high, and that + they should cover them with plates of iron on every side, that they might + be both firm by their weight, and not easily liable to be set on fire. + These towers he set upon the banks, and placed upon them such as could + shoot darts and arrows, with the lighter engines for throwing stones and + darts also; and besides these, he set upon them the stoutest men among the + slingers, who not being to be seen by reason of the height they stood + upon, and the battlements that protected them, might throw their weapons + at those that were upon the wall, and were easily seen by them. Hereupon + the Jews, not being easily able to escape those darts that were thrown + down upon their heads, nor to avenge themselves on those whom they could + not see, and perceiving that the height of the towers was so great, that a + dart which they threw with their hand could hardly reach it, and that the + iron plates about them made it very hard to come at them by fire, they ran + away from the walls, and fled hastily out of the city, and fell upon those + that shot at them. And thus did the people of Jotapata resist the Romans, + while a great number of them were every day killed, without their being + able to retort the evil upon their enemies; nor could they keep them out + of the city without danger to themselves. + </p> + <p> + 31. About this time it was that Vespasian sent out Trajan against a city + called Japha, that lay near to Jotapata, and that desired innovations, and + was puffed up with the unexpected length of the opposition of Jotapata. + This Trajan was the commander of the tenth legion, and to him Vespasian + committed one thousand horsemen, and two thousand footmen. When Trajan + came to the city, he found it hard to be taken, for besides the natural + strength of its situation, it was also secured by a double wall; but when + he saw the people of this city coming out of it, and ready to fight him, + he joined battle with them, and after a short resistance which they made, + he pursued after them; and as they fled to their first wall, the Romans + followed them so closely, that they fell in together with them: but when + the Jews were endeavoring to get again within their second wall, their + fellow citizens shut them out, as being afraid that the Romans would force + themselves in with them. It was certainly God therefore who brought the + Romans to punish the Galileans, and did then expose the people of the city + every one of them manifestly to be destroyed by their bloody enemies; for + they fell upon the gates in great crowds, and earnestly calling to those + that kept them, and that by their names also, yet had they their throats + cut in the very midst of their supplications; for the enemy shut the gates + of the first wall, and their own citizens shut the gates of the second, so + they were enclosed between two walls, and were slain in great numbers + together; many of them were run through by swords of their own men, and + many by their own swords, besides an immense number that were slain by the + Romans. Nor had they any courage to revenge themselves; for there was + added to the consternation they were in from the enemy, their being + betrayed by their own friends, which quite broke their spirits; and at + last they died, cursing not the Romans, but their own citizens, till they + were all destroyed, being in number twelve thousand. So Trajan gathered + that the city was empty of people that could fight, and although there + should a few of them be therein, he supposed that they would be too + timorous to venture upon any opposition; so he reserved the taking of the + city to the general. Accordingly, he sent messengers to Vespasian, and + desired him to send his son Titus to finish the victory he had gained. + Vespasian hereupon imagining there might be some pains still necessary, + sent his son with an army of five hundred horsemen, and one thousand + footmen. So he came quickly to the city, and put his army in order, and + set Trajan over the left wing, while he had the right himself, and led + them to the siege: and when the soldiers brought ladders to be laid + against the wall on every side, the Galileans opposed them from above for + a while; but soon afterward they left the walls. Then did Titus's men leap + into the city, and seized upon it presently; but when those that were in + it were gotten together, there was a fierce battle between them; for the + men of power fell upon the Romans in the narrow streets, and the women + threw whatsoever came next to hand at them, and sustained a fight with + them for six hours' time; but when the fighting men were spent, the rest + of the multitude had their throats cut, partly in the open air, and partly + in their own houses, both young and old together. So there were no males + now remaining, besides infants, which, with the women, were carried as + slaves into captivity; so that the number of the slain, both now in the + city and at the former fight, was fifteen thousand, and the captives were + two thousand one hundred and thirty. This calamity befell the Galileans on + the twenty-fifth day of the month Desius [Sivan.] 32. Nor did the + Samaritans escape their share of misfortunes at this time; for they + assembled themselves together upon the mountain called Gerizzim, which is + with them a holy mountain, and there they remained; which collection of + theirs, as well as the courageous minds they showed, could not but + threaten somewhat of war; nor were they rendered wiser by the miseries + that had come upon their neighboring cities. They also, notwithstanding + the great success the Romans had, marched on in an unreasonable manner, + depending on their own weakness, and were disposed for any tumult upon its + first appearance. Vespasian therefore thought it best to prevent their + motions, and to cut off the foundation of their attempts. For although all + Samaria had ever garrisons settled among them, yet did the number of those + that were come to Mount Gerizzim, and their conspiracy together, give + ground for fear what they would be at; he therefore sent thither Cerealis, + the commander of the fifth legion, with six hundred horsemen, and three + thousand footmen, who did not think it safe to go up to the mountain, and + give them battle, because many of the enemy were on the higher part of the + ground; so he encompassed all the lower part of the mountain with his + army, and watched them all that day. Now it happened that the Samaritans, + who were now destitute of water, were inflamed with a violent heat, [for + it was summer time, and the multitude had not provided themselves with + necessaries,] insomuch that some of them died that very day with heat, + while others of them preferred slavery before such a death as that was, + and fled to the Romans; by whom Cerealis understood that those which still + staid there were very much broken by their misfortunes. So he went up to + the mountain, and having placed his forces round about the enemy, he, in + the first place, exhorted them to take the security of his right hand, and + come to terms with him, and thereby save themselves; and assured them, + that if they would lay down their arms, he would secure them from any + harm; but when he could not prevail with them, he fell upon them and slew + them all, being in number eleven thousand and six hundred. This was done + on the twenty-seventh day of the month Desius [Sivan]. And these were the + calamities that befell the Samaritans at this time. + </p> + <p> + 33. But as the people of Jotapata still held out manfully, and bore up + under their miseries beyond all that could be hoped for, on the + forty-seventh day [of the siege] the banks cast up by the Romans were + become higher than the wall; on which day a certain deserter went to + Vespasian, and told him how few were left in the city, and how weak they + were, and that they had been so worn out with perpetual watching, and as + perpetual fighting, that they could not now oppose any force that came + against them, and that they might be taken by stratagem, if any one would + attack them; for that about the last watch of the night, when they thought + they might have some rest from the hardships they were under, and when a + morning sleep used to come upon them, as they were thoroughly weary, he + said the watch used to fall asleep; accordingly his advice was, that they + should make their attack at that hour. But Vespasian had a suspicion about + this deserter, as knowing how faithful the Jews were to one another, and + how much they despised any punishments that could be inflicted on them; + this last because one of the people of Jotapata had undergone all sorts of + torments, and though they made him pass through a fiery trial of his + enemies in his examination, yet would he inform them nothing of the + affairs within the city, and as he was crucified, smiled at them. However, + the probability there was in the relation itself did partly confirm the + truth of what the deserter told them, and they thought he might probably + speak truth. However, Vespasian thought they should be no great sufferers + if the report was a sham; so he commanded them to keep the man in custody, + and prepared the army for taking the city. + </p> + <p> + 34. According to which resolution they marched without noise, at the hour + that had been told them, to the wall; and it was Titus himself that first + got upon it, with one of his tribunes, Domitius Sabinus, and had a few of + the fifteenth legion along with him. So they cut the throats of the watch, + and entered the city very quietly. After these came Cerealis the tribune, + and Placidus, and led on those that were tinder them. Now when the citadel + was taken, and the enemy were in the very midst of the city, and when it + was already day, yet was not the taking of the city known by those that + held it; for a great many of them were fast asleep, and a great mist, + which then by chance fell upon the city, hindered those that got up from + distinctly seeing the case they were in, till the whole Roman army was + gotten in, and they were raised up only to find the miseries they were + under; and as they were slaying, they perceived the city was taken. And + for the Romans, they so well remembered what they had suffered during the + siege, that they spared none, nor pitied any, but drove the people down + the precipice from the citadel, and slew them as they drove them down; at + which time the difficulties of the place hindered those that were still + able to fight from defending themselves; for as they were distressed in + the narrow streets, and could not keep their feet sure along the + precipice, they were overpowered with the crowd of those that came + fighting them down from the citadel. This provoked a great many, even of + those chosen men that were about Josephus, to kill themselves with their + own hands; for when they saw that they could kill none of the Romans, they + resolved to prevent being killed by the Romans, and got together in great + numbers in the utmost parts of the city, and killed themselves. + </p> + <p> + 35. However, such of the watch as at the first perceived they were taken, + and ran away as fast as they could, went up into one of the towers on the + north side of the city, and for a while defended themselves there; but as + they were encompassed with a multitude of enemies, they tried to use their + right hands when it was too late, and at length they cheerfully offered + their necks to be cut off by those that stood over them. And the Romans + might have boasted that the conclusion of that siege was without blood [on + their side] if there had not been a centurion, Antonius, who was slain at + the taking of the city. His death was occasioned by the following + treachery; for there was one of those that were fled into the caverns, + which were a great number, who desired that this Antonius would reach him + his right hand for his security, and would assure him that he would + preserve him, and give him his assistance in getting up out of the cavern; + accordingly, he incautiously reached him his right hand, when the other + man prevented him, and stabbed him under his loins with a spear, and + killed him immediately. + </p> + <p> + 36. And on this day it was that the Romans slew all the multitude that + appeared openly; but on the following days they searched the + hiding-places, and fell upon those that were under ground, and in the + caverns, and went thus through every age, excepting the infants and the + women, and of these there were gathered together as captives twelve + hundred; and as for those that were slain at the taking of the city, and + in the former fights, they were numbered to be forty thousand. So + Vespasian gave order that the city should be entirely demolished, and all + the fortifications burnt down. And thus was Jotapata taken, in the + thirteenth year of the reign of Nero, on the first day of the month + Panemus [Tamuz]. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link32HCH0008" id="link32HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 8. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How Josephus Was Discovered By A Woman, And Was Willing To + Deliver Himself Up To The Romans; And What Discourse He Had + With His Own Men, When They Endeavored To Hinder Him; And + What He Said To Vespasian, When He Was Brought To Him; And + After What Manner Vespasian Used Him Afterward. +</pre> + <p> + 1. And now the Romans searched for Josephus, both out of the hatred they + bore him, and because their general was very desirous to have him taken; + for he reckoned that if he were once taken, the greatest part of the war + would be over. They then searched among the dead, and looked into the most + concealed recesses of the city; but as the city was first taken, he was + assisted by a certain supernatural providence; for he withdrew himself + from the enemy when he was in the midst of them, and leaped into a certain + deep pit, whereto there adjoined a large den at one side of it, which den + could not be seen by those that were above ground; and there he met with + forty persons of eminency that had concealed themselves, and with + provisions enough to satisfy them for not a few days. So in the day time + he hid himself from the enemy, who had seized upon all places, and in the + night time he got up out of the den and looked about for some way of + escaping, and took exact notice of the watch; but as all places were + guarded every where on his account, that there was no way of getting off + unseen, he went down again into the den. Thus he concealed himself two + days; but on the third day, when they had taken a woman who had been with + them, he was discovered. Whereupon Vespasian sent immediately and + zealously two tribunes, Paulinus and Gallicanus, and ordered them to give + Josephus their right hands as a security for his life, and to exhort him + to come up. + </p> + <p> + 2. So they came and invited the man to come up, and gave him assurances + that his life should be preserved: but they did not prevail with him; for + he gathered suspicions from the probability there was that one who had + done so many things against the Romans must suffer for it, though not from + the mild temper of those that invited him. However, he was afraid that he + was invited to come up in order to be punished, until Vespasian sent + besides these a third tribune, Nicanor, to him; he was one that was well + known to Josephus, and had been his familiar acquaintance in old time. + When he was come, he enlarged upon the natural mildness of the Romans + towards those they have once conquered; and told him that he had behaved + himself so valiantly, that the commanders rather admired than hated him; + that the general was very desirous to have him brought to him, not in + order to punish him, for that he could do though he should not come + voluntarily, but that he was determined to preserve a man of his courage. + He moreover added this, that Vespasian, had he been resolved to impose + upon him, would not have sent to him a friend of his own, nor put the + fairest color upon the vilest action, by pretending friendship and meaning + perfidiousness; nor would he have himself acquiesced, or come to him, had + it been to deceive him. + </p> + <p> + 3. Now as Josephus began to hesitate with himself about Nicanor's + proposal, the soldiery were so angry, that they ran hastily to set fire to + the den; but the tribune would not permit them so to do, as being very + desirous to take the man alive. And now, as Nicanor lay hard at Josephus + to comply, and he understood how the multitude of the enemies threatened + him, he called to mind the dreams which he had dreamed in the night time, + whereby God had signified to him beforehand both the future calamities of + the Jews, and the events that concerned the Roman emperors. Now Josephus + was able to give shrewd conjectures about the interpretation of such + dreams as have been ambiguously delivered by God. Moreover, he was not + unacquainted with the prophecies contained in the sacred books, as being a + priest himself, and of the posterity of priests: and just then was he in + an ecstasy; and setting before him the tremendous images of the dreams he + had lately had, he put up a secret prayer to God, and said, "Since it + pleaseth thee, who hast created the Jewish nation, to depress the same, + and since all their good fortune is gone over to the Romans, and since + thou hast made choice of this soul of mine to foretell what is to come to + pass hereafter, I willingly give them my hands, and am content to live. + And I protest openly that I do not go over to the Romans as a deserter of + the Jews, but as a minister from thee." + </p> + <p> + 4. When he had said this, he complied with Nicanor's invitation. But when + those Jews who had fled with him understood that he yielded to those that + invited him to come up, they came about him in a body, and cried out, + "Nay, indeed, now may the laws of our forefathers, which God ordained + himself, well groan to purpose; that God we mean who hath created the + souls of the Jews of such a temper, that they despise death. O Josephus! + art thou still fond of life? and canst thou bear to see the light in a + state of slavery? How soon hast thou forgotten thyself! How many hast thou + persuaded to lose their lives for liberty! Thou hast therefore had a false + reputation for manhood, and a like false reputation for wisdom, if thou + canst hope for preservation from those against whom thou hast fought so + zealously, and art however willing to be preserved by them, if they be in + earnest. But although the good fortune of the Romans hath made thee forget + thyself, we ought to take care that the glory of our forefathers may not + be tarnished. We will lend thee our right hand and a sword; and if thou + wilt die willingly, thou wilt die as general of the Jews; but if + unwillingly, thou wilt die as a traitor to them." As soon as they said + this, they began to thrust their swords at him, and threatened they would + kill him, if he thought of yielding himself to the Romans. + </p> + <p> + 5. Upon this Josephus was afraid of their attacking him, and yet thought + he should be a betrayer of the commands of God, if he died before they + were delivered. So he began to talk like a philosopher to them in the + distress he was then in, when he said thus to them: "O my friends, why are + we so earnest to kill ourselves? and why do we set our soul and body, + which are such dear companions, at such variance? Can any one pretend that + I am not the man I was formerly? Nay, the Romans are sensible how that + matter stands well enough. It is a brave thing to die in war; but so that + it be according to the law of war, by the hand of conquerors. If, + therefore, I avoid death from the sword of the Romans, I am truly worthy + to be killed by my own sword, and my own hand; but if they admit of mercy, + and would spare their enemy, how much more ought we to have mercy upon + ourselves, and to spare ourselves? For it is certainly a foolish thing to + do that to ourselves which we quarrel with them for doing to us. I confess + freely that it is a brave thing to die for liberty; but still so that it + be in war, and done by those who take that liberty from us; but in the + present case our enemies do neither meet us in battle, nor do they kill + us. Now he is equally a coward who will not die when he is obliged to die, + and he who will die when he is not obliged so to do. What are we afraid + of, when we will not go up to the Romans? Is it death? If so, what we are + afraid of, when we but suspect our enemies will inflict it on us, shall we + inflict it on ourselves for certain? But it may be said we must be slaves. + And are we then in a clear state of liberty at present? It may also be + said that it is a manly act for one to kill himself. No, certainly, but a + most unmanly one; as I should esteem that pilot to be an arrant coward, + who, out of fear of a storm, should sink his ship of his own accord. Now + self-murder is a crime most remote from the common nature of all animals, + and an instance of impiety against God our Creator; nor indeed is there + any animal that dies by its own contrivance, or by its own means, for the + desire of life is a law engraven in them all; on which account we deem + those that openly take it away from us to be our enemies, and those that + do it by treachery are punished for so doing. And do not you think that + God is very angry when a man does injury to what he hath bestowed on him? + For from him it is that we have received our being, and we ought to leave + it to his disposal to take that being away from us. The bodies of all men + are indeed mortal, and are created out of corruptible matter; but the soul + is ever immortal, and is a portion of the divinity that inhabits our + bodies. Besides, if any one destroys or abuses a depositum he hath + received from a mere man, he is esteemed a wicked and perfidious person; + but then if any one cast out of his body this Divine depositum, can we + imagine that he who is thereby affronted does not know of it? Moreover, + our law justly ordains that slaves which run away from their master shall + be punished, though the masters they run away from may have been wicked + masters to them. And shall we endeavor to run away from God, who is the + best of all masters, and not guilty of impeity? Do not you know that those + who depart out of this life according to the law of nature, and pay that + debt which was received from God, when he that lent it us is pleased to + require it back again, enjoy eternal fame; that their houses and their + posterity are sure, that their souls are pure and obedient, and obtain a + most holy place in heaven, from whence, in the revolutions of ages, they + are again sent into pure bodies; while the souls of those whose hands have + acted madly against themselves are received by the darkest place in Hades, + and while God, who is their Father, punishes those that offend against + either of them in their posterity? for which reason God hates such doings, + and the crime is punished by our most wise legislator. Accordingly, our + laws determine that the bodies of such as kill themselves should be + exposed till the sun be set, without burial, although at the same time it + be allowed by them to be lawful to bury our enemies [sooner]. The laws of + other nations also enjoin such men's hands to be cut off when they are + dead, which had been made use of in destroying themselves when alive, + while they reckoned that as the body is alien from the soul, so is the + hand alien from the body. It is therefore, my friends, a right thing to + reason justly, and not add to the calamities which men bring upon us + impiety towards our Creator. If we have a mind to preserve ourselves, let + us do it; for to be preserved by those our enemies, to whom we have given + so many demonstrations of our courage, is no way inglorious; but if we + have a mind to die, it is good to die by the hand of those that have + conquered us. For my part, I will not run over to our enemies' quarters, + in order to be a traitor to myself; for certainly I should then be much + more foolish than those that deserted to the enemy, since they did it in + order to save themselves, and I should do it for destruction, for my own + destruction. However, I heartily wish the Romans may prove treacherous in + this matter; for if, after their offer of their right hand for security, I + be slain by them, I shall die cheerfully, and carry away with me the sense + of their perfidiousness, as a consolation greater than victory itself." + </p> + <p> + 6. Now these and many the like motives did Josephus use to these men to + prevent their murdering themselves; but desperation had shut their ears, + as having long ago devoted themselves to die, and they were irritated at + Josephus. They then ran upon him with their swords in their hands, one + from one quarter, and another from another, and called him a coward, and + everyone of them appeared openly as if he were ready to smite him; but he + calling to one of them by name, and looking like a general to another, and + taking a third by the hand, and making a fourth ashamed of himself, by + praying him to forbear, and being in this condition distracted with + various passions, [as he well might in the great distress he was then in,] + he kept off every one of their swords from killing him, and was forced to + do like such wild beasts as are encompassed about on every side, who + always turn themselves against those that last touched them. Nay, some of + their right hands were debilitated by the reverence they bare to their + general in these his fatal calamities, and their swords dropped out of + their hands; and not a few of them there were, who, when they aimed to + smite him with their swords, they were not thoroughly either willing or + able to do it. + </p> + <p> + 7. However, in this extreme distress, he was not destitute of his usual + sagacity; but trusting himself to the providence of God, he put his life + into hazard [in the manner following]: "And now," said he, "since it is + resolved among you that you will die, come on, let us commit our mutual + deaths to determination by lot. He whom the lot falls to first, let him be + killed by him that hath the second lot, and thus fortune shall make its + progress through us all; nor shall any of us perish by his own right hand, + for it would be unfair if, when the rest are gone, somebody should repent + and save himself." This proposal appeared to them to be very just; and + when he had prevailed with them to determine this matter by lots, he drew + one of the lots for himself also. He who had the first lot laid his neck + bare to him that had the next, as supposing that the general would die + among them immediately; for they thought death, if Josephus might but die + with them, was sweeter than life; yet was he with another left to the + last, whether we must say it happened so by chance, or whether by the + providence of God. And as he was very desirous neither to be condemned by + the lot, nor, if he had been left to the last, to imbrue his right hand in + the blood of his countrymen, he persuaded him to trust his fidelity to + him, and to live as well as himself. + </p> + <p> + 8. Thus Josephus escaped in the war with the Romans, and in this his own + war with his friends, and was led by Nicanor to Vespasian. But now all the + Romans ran together to see him; and as the multitude pressed one upon + another about their general, there was a tumult of a various kind; while + some rejoiced that Josephus was taken, and some threatened him, and some + crowded to see him very near; but those that were more remote cried out to + have this their enemy put to death, while those that were near called to + mind the actions he had done, and a deep concern appeared at the change of + his fortune. Nor were there any of the Roman commanders, how much soever + they had been enraged at him before, but relented when they came to the + sight of him. Above all the rest, Titus's own valor, and Josephus's own + patience under his afflictions, made him pity him, as did also the + commiseration of his age, when he recalled to mind that but a little while + ago he was fighting, but lay now in the hands of his enemies, which made + him consider the power of fortune, and how quick is the turn of affairs in + war, and how no state of men is sure; for which reason he then made a + great many more to be of the same pitiful temper with himself, and induced + them to commiserate Josephus. He was also of great weight in persuading + his father to preserve him. However, Vespasian gave strict orders that he + should be kept with great caution, as though he would in a very little + time send him to Nero. <a href="#link3note-5" name="link3noteref-5" + id="link3noteref-5">5</a> + </p> + <p> + 9. When Josephus heard him give those orders, he said that he had somewhat + in his mind that he would willingly say to himself alone. When therefore + they were all ordered to withdraw, excepting Titus and two of their + friends, he said, "Thou, O Vespasian, thinkest no more than that thou hast + taken Josephus himself captive; but I come to thee as a messenger of + greater tidings; for had not I been sent by God to thee, I knew what was + the law of the Jews in this case? and how it becomes generals to die. Dost + thou send me to Nero? For why? Are Nero's successors till they come to + thee still alive? Thou, O Vespasian, art Caesar and emperor, thou, and + this thy son. Bind me now still faster, and keep me for thyself, for thou, + O Caesar, are not only lord over me, but over the land and the sea, and + all mankind; and certainly I deserve to be kept in closer custody than I + now am in, in order to be punished, if I rashly affirm any thing of God." + When he had said this, Vespasian at present did not believe him, but + supposed that Josephus said this as a cunning trick, in order to his own + preservation; but in a little time he was convinced, and believed what he + said to be true, God himself erecting his expectations, so as to think of + obtaining the empire, and by other signs fore-showing his advancement. He + also found Josephus to have spoken truth on other occasions; for one of + those friends that were present at that secret conference said to + Josephus, "I cannot but wonder how thou couldst not foretell to the people + of Jotapata that they should be taken, nor couldst foretell this captivity + which hath happened to thyself, unless what thou now sayest be a vain + thing, in order to avoid the rage that is risen against thyself." To which + Josephus replied, "I did foretell to the people of Jotapata that they + would be taken on the forty-seventh day, and that I should be caught alive + by the Romans." Now when Vespasian had inquired of the captives privately + about these predictions, he found them to be true, and then he began to + believe those that concerned himself. Yet did he not set Josephus at + liberty from his hands, but bestowed on him suits of clothes, and other + precious gifts; he treated him also in a very obliging manner, and + continued so to do, Titus still joining his interest in the honors that + were done him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link32HCH0009" id="link32HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 9. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How Joppa Was Taken, And Tiberias Delivered Up. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now Vespasian returned to Ptolemais on the fourth day of the month + Panemus, [Tamus] and from thence he came to Cesarea, which lay by the + sea-side. This was a very great city of Judea, and for the greatest part + inhabited by Greeks: the citizens here received both the Roman army and + its general, with all sorts of acclamations and rejoicings, and this + partly out of the good-will they bore to the Romans, but principally out + of the hatred they bore to those that were conquered by them; on which + account they came clamoring against Josephus in crowds, and desired he + might be put to death. But Vespasian passed over this petition concerning + him, as offered by the injudicious multitude, with a bare silence. Two of + the legions also he placed at Cesarea, that they might there take their + winter-quarters, as perceiving the city very fit for such a purpose; but + he placed the tenth and the fifth at Scythopolis, that he might not + distress Cesarea with the entire army. This place was warm even in winter, + as it was suffocating hot in the summer time, by reason of its situation + in a plain, and near to the sea [of Galilee]. + </p> + <p> + 2. In the mean time, there were gathered together as well such as had + seditiously got out from among their enemies, as those that had escaped + out of the demolished cities, which were in all a great number, and + repaired Joppa, which had been left desolate by Cestius, that it might + serve them for a place of refuge; and because the adjoining region had + been laid waste in the war, and was not capable of supporting them, they + determined to go off to sea. They also built themselves a great many + piratical ships, and turned pirates upon the seas near to Syria, and + Phoenicia, and Egypt, and made those seas unnavigable to all men. Now as + soon as Vespasian knew of their conspiracy, he sent both footmen and + horsemen to Joppa, which was unguarded in the night time; however, those + that were in it perceived that they should be attacked, and were afraid of + it; yet did they not endeavor to keep the Romans out, but fled to their + ships, and lay at sea all night, out of the reach of their darts. + </p> + <p> + 3. Now Joppa is not naturally a haven, for it ends in a rough shore, where + all the rest of it is straight, but the two ends bend towards each other, + where there are deep precipices, and great stones that jut out into the + sea, and where the chains wherewith Andromeda was bound have left their + footsteps, which attest to the antiquity of that fable. But the north wind + opposes and beats upon the shore, and dashes mighty waves against the + rocks which receive them, and renders the haven more dangerous than the + country they had deserted. Now as those people of Joppa were floating + about in this sea, in the morning there fell a violent wind upon them; it + is called by those that sail there "the black north wind," and there + dashed their ships one against another, and dashed some of them against + the rocks, and carried many of them by force, while they strove against + the opposite waves, into the main sea; for the shore was so rocky, and had + so many of the enemy upon it, that they were afraid to come to land; nay, + the waves rose so very high, that they drowned them; nor was there any + place whither they could fly, nor any way to save themselves; while they + were thrust out of the sea, by the violence of the wind, if they staid + where they were, and out of the city by the violence of the Romans. And + much lamentation there was when the ships were dashed against one another, + and a terrible noise when they were broken to pieces; and some of the + multitude that were in them were covered with waves, and so perished, and + a great many were embarrassed with shipwrecks. But some of them thought + that to die by their own swords was lighter than by the sea, and so they + killed themselves before they were drowned; although the greatest part of + them were carried by the waves, and dashed to pieces against the abrupt + parts of the rocks, insomuch that the sea was bloody a long way, and the + maritime parts were full of dead bodies; for the Romans came upon those + that were carried to the shore, and destroyed them; and the number of the + bodies that were thus thrown out of the sea was four thousand and two + hundred. The Romans also took the city without opposition, and utterly + demolished it. + </p> + <p> + 4. And thus was Joppa taken twice by the Romans in a little time; but + Vespasian, in order to prevent these pirates from coming thither any more, + erected a camp there, where the citadel of Joppa had been, and left a body + of horse in it, with a few footmen, that these last might stay there and + guard the camp, and the horsemen might spoil the country that lay round + it, and might destroy the neighboring villages and smaller cities. So + these troops overran the country, as they were ordered to do, and every + day cut to pieces and laid desolate the whole region. + </p> + <p> + 5. But now, when the fate of Jotapata was related at Jerusalem, a great + many at the first disbelieved it, on account of the vastness of the + calamity, and because they had no eye-witness to attest the truth of what + was related about it; for not one person was saved to be a messenger of + that news, but a fame was spread abroad at random that the city was taken, + as such fame usually spreads bad news about. However, the truth was known + by degrees, from the places near Jotapata, and appeared to all to be too + true. Yet were there fictitious stories added to what was really done; for + it was reported that Josephus was slain at the taking of the city, which + piece of news filled Jerusalem full of sorrow. In every house also, and + among all to whom any of the slain were allied, there was a lamentation + for them; but the mourning for the commander was a public one; and some + mourned for those that had lived with them, others for their kindred, + others for their friends, and others for their brethren, but all mourned + for Josephus; insomuch that the lamentation did not cease in the city + before the thirtieth day; and a great many hired mourners, with their + pipes, who should begin the melancholy ditties for them. + </p> + <p> + 6. But as the truth came out in time, it appeared how the affairs of + Jotapata really stood; yet was it found that the death of Josephus was a + fiction; and when they understood that he was alive, and was among the + Romans, and that the commanders treated him at another rate than they + treated captives, they were as vehemently angry at him now as they had + showed their good-will before, when he appeared to have been dead. He was + also abused by some as having been a coward, and by others as a deserter; + and the city was full of indignation at him, and of reproaches cast upon + him; their rage was also aggravated by their afflictions, and more + inflamed by their ill success; and what usually becomes an occasion of + caution to wise men, I mean affliction, became a spur to them to venture + on further calamities, and the end of one misery became still the + beginning of another; they therefore resolved to fall on the Romans the + more vehemently, as resolving to be revenged on him in revenging + themselves on the Romans. And this was the state of Jerusalem as to the + troubles which now came upon it. + </p> + <p> + 7. But Vespasian, in order to see the kingdom of Agrippa, while the king + persuaded himself so to do, [partly in order to his treating the general + and his army in the best and most splendid manner his private affairs + would enable him to do, and partly that he might, by their means, correct + such things as were amiss in his government,] he removed from that Cesarea + which was by the sea-side, and went to that which is called Cesarea + Philippi <a href="#link3note-6" name="link3noteref-6" id="link3noteref-6">6</a> + and there he refreshed his army for twenty days, and was himself feasted + by king Agrippa, where he also returned public thanks to God for the good + success he had had in his undertakings. But as soon as he was informed + that Tiberias was fond of innovations, and that Taricheae had revolted, + both which cities were parts of the kingdom of Agrippa, and was satisfied + within himself that the Jews were every where perverted [from their + obedience to their governors], he thought it seasonable to make an + expedition against these cities, and that for the sake of Agrippa, and in + order to bring his cities to reason. So he sent away his son Titus to [the + other] Cesarea, that he might bring the army that lay there to Seythopous, + which is the largest city of Decapolis, and in the neighborhood of + Tiberias, whither he came, and where he waited for his son. He then came + with three legions, and pitched his camp thirty furlongs off Tiberias, at + a certain station easily seen by the innovators; it is named Sennabris. He + also sent Valerian, a decurion, with fifty horsemen, to speak peaceably to + those that were in the city, and to exhort them to give him assurances of + their fidelity; for he had heard that the people were desirous of peace, + but were obliged by some of the seditious part to join with them, and so + were forced to fight for them. When Valerian had marched up to the place, + and was near the wall, he alighted off his horse, and made those that were + with him to do the same, that they might not be thought to come to + skirmish with them; but before they could come to a discourse one with + another, the most potent men among the seditious made a sally upon them + armed; their leader was one whose name was Jesus, the son of Shaphat, the + principal head of a band of robbers. Now Valerian, neither thinking it + safe to fight contrary to the commands of the general, though he were + secure of a victory, and knowing that it was a very hazardous undertaking + for a few to fight with many, for those that were unprovided to fight + those that were ready, and being on other accounts surprised at this + unexpected onset of the Jews, he ran away on foot, as did five of the rest + in like manner, and left their horses behind them; which horses Jesus led + away into the city, and rejoiced as if they had taken them in battle, and + not by treachery. + </p> + <p> + 8. Now the seniors of the people, and such as were of principal authority + among them, fearing what would be the issue of this matter, fled to the + camp of the Romans; they then took their king along with them, and fell + down before Vespasian, to supplicate his favor, and besought him not to + overlook them, nor to impute the madness of a few to the whole city, to + spare a people that have been ever civil and obliging to the Romans; but + to bring the authors of this revolt to due punishment, who had hitherto so + watched them, that though they were zealous to give them the security of + their right hands of a long time, yet could they not accomplish the same. + With these supplications the general complied, although he were very angry + at the whole city about the carrying off his horses, and this because he + saw that Agrippa was under a great concern for them. So when Vespasian and + Agrippa had accepted of their right hands by way of security, Jesus and + his party thought it not safe for them to continue at Tiberias, so they + ran away to Taricheae. The next day Vespasian sent Trajan before with some + horsemen to the citadel, to make trial of the multitude, whether they were + all disposed for peace; and as soon as he knew that the people were of the + same mind with the petitioner, he took his army, and went to the city; + upon which the citizens opened to him their gates, and met him with + acclamations of joy, and called him their savior and benefactor. But as + the army was a great while in getting in at the gates, they were so + narrow, Vespasian commanded the south wall to be broken down, and so made + a broad passage for their entrance. However, he charged them to abstain + from rapine and injustice, in order to gratify the king; and on his + account spared the rest of the wall, while the king undertook for them + that they should continue [faithful to the Romans] for the time to come. + And thus did he restore this city to a quiet state, after it had been + grievously afflicted by the sedition. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link32HCH0010" id="link32HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 10. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How Taricheae Was Taken. A Description Of The River Jordan, + And Of The Country Of Gennesareth. +</pre> + <p> + 1. And now Vespasian pitched his camp between this city and Taricheae, but + fortified his camp more strongly, as suspecting that he should be forced + to stay there, and have a long war; for all the innovators had gotten + together at Taricheae, as relying upon the strength of the city, and on + the lake that lay by it. This lake is called by the people of the country + the Lake of Gennesareth. The city itself is situated like Tiberias, at the + bottom of a mountain, and on those sides which are not washed by the sea, + had been strongly fortified by Josephus, though not so strongly as + Tiberias; for the wall of Tiberias had been built at the beginning of the + Jews' revolt, when he had great plenty of money, and great power, but + Taricheae partook only the remains of that liberality, Yet had they a + great number of ships gotten ready upon the lake, that, in case they were + beaten at land, they might retire to them; and they were so fitted up, + that they might undertake a Sea-fight also. But as the Romans were + building a wall about their camp, Jesus and his party were neither + affrighted at their number, nor at the good order they were in, but made a + sally upon them; and at the very first onset the builders of the wall were + dispersed; and these pulled what little they had before built to pieces; + but as soon as they saw the armed men getting together, and before they + had suffered any thing themselves, they retired to their own men. But then + the Romans pursued them, and drove them into their ships, where they + launched out as far as might give them the opportunity of reaching the + Romans with what they threw at them, and then cast anchor, and brought + their ships close, as in a line of battle, and thence fought the enemy + from the sea, who were themselves at land. But Vespasian hearing that a + great multitude of them were gotten together in the plain that was before + the city, he thereupon sent his son, with six hundred chosen horsemen, to + disperse them. + </p> + <p> + 2. But when Titus perceived that the enemy was very numerous, he sent to + his father, and informed him that he should want more forces. But as he + saw a great many of the horsemen eager to fight, and that before any + succors could come to them, and that yet some of them were privately under + a sort of consternation at the multitude of the Jews, he stood in a place + whence he might be heard, and said to them, "My brave Romans! for it is + right for me to put you in mind of what nation you are, in the beginning + of my speech, that so you may not be ignorant who you are, and who they + are against whom we are going to fight. For as to us, Romans, no part of + the habitable earth hath been able to escape our hands hitherto; but as + for the Jews, that I may speak of them too, though they have been already + beaten, yet do they not give up the cause; and a sad thing it would be for + us to grow wealthy under good success, when they bear up under their + misfortunes. As to the alacrity which you show publicly, I see it, and + rejoice at it; yet am I afraid lest the multitude of the enemy should + bring a concealed fright upon some of you: let such a one consider again, + who we are that are to fight, and who those are against whom we are to + fight. Now these Jews, though they be very bold and great despisers of + death, are but a disorderly body, and unskillful in war, and may rather be + called a rout than an army; while I need say nothing of our skill and our + good order; for this is the reason why we Romans alone are exercised for + war in time of peace, that we may not think of number for number when we + come to fight with our enemies: for what advantage should we reap by our + continual sort of warfare, if we must still be equal in number to such as + have not been used to war. Consider further, that you are to have a + conflict with men in effect unarmed, while you are well armed; with + footmen, while you are horsemen; with those that have no good general, + while you have one; and as these advantages make you in effect manifold + more than you are, so do their disadvantages mightily diminish their + number. Now it is not the multitude of men, though they be soldiers, that + manages wars with success, but it is their bravery that does it, though + they be but a few; for a few are easily set in battle-array, and can + easily assist one another, while over-numerous armies are more hurt by + themselves than by their enemies. It is boldness and rashness, the effects + of madness, that conduct the Jews. Those passions indeed make a great + figure when they succeed, but are quite extinguished upon the least ill + success; but we are led on by courage, and obedience, and fortitude, which + shows itself indeed in our good fortune, but still does not for ever + desert us in our ill fortune. Nay, indeed, your fighting is to be on + greater motives than those of the Jews; for although they run the hazard + of war for liberty, and for their country, yet what can be a greater + motive to us than glory? and that it may never be said, that after we have + got dominion of the habitable earth, the Jews are able to confront us. We + must also reflect upon this, that there is no fear of our suffering any + incurable disaster in the present case; for those that are ready to assist + us are many, and at hand also; yet it is in our power to seize upon this + victory ourselves; and I think we ought to prevent the coming of those my + father is sending to us for our assistance, that our success may be + peculiar to ourselves, and of greater reputation to us. And I cannot but + think this an opportunity wherein my father, and I, and you shall be all + put to the trial, whether he be worthy of his former glorious + performances, whether I be his son in reality, and whether you be really + my soldiers; for it is usual for my father to conquer; and for myself, I + should not bear the thoughts of returning to him if I were once taken by + the enemy. And how will you be able to avoid being ashamed, if you do not + show equal courage with your commander, when he goes before you into + danger? For you know very well that I shall go into the danger first, and + make the first attack upon the enemy. Do not you therefore desert me, but + persuade yourselves that God will be assisting to my onset. Know this also + before we begin, that we shall now have better success than we should + have, if we were to fight at a distance." + </p> + <p> + 3. As Titus was saying this, an extraordinary fury fell upon the men; and + as Trajan was already come before the fight began, with four hundred + horsemen, they were uneasy at it, because the reputation of the victory + would be diminished by being common to so many. Vespasian had also sent + both Antonius and Silo, with two thousand archers, and had given it them + in charge to seize upon the mountain that was over against the city, and + repel those that were upon the wall; which archers did as they were + commanded, and prevented those that attempted to assist them that way; And + now Titus made his own horse march first against the enemy, as did the + others with a great noise after him, and extended themselves upon the + plain as wide as the enemy which confronted them; by which means they + appeared much more numerous than they really were. Now the Jews, although + they were surprised at their onset, and at their good order, made + resistance against their attacks for a little while; but when they were + pricked with their long poles, and overborne by the violent noise of the + horsemen, they came to be trampled under their feet; many also of them + were slain on every side, which made them disperse themselves, and run to + the city, as fast as every one of them were able. So Titus pressed upon + the hindmost, and slew them; and of the rest, some he fell upon as they + stood on heaps, and some he prevented, and met them in the mouth, and run + them through; many also he leaped upon as they fell one upon another, and + trod them down, and cut off all the retreat they had to the wall, and + turned them back into the plain, till at last they forced a passage by + their multitude, and got away, and ran into the city. + </p> + <p> + 4. But now there fell out a terrible sedition among them within the city; + for the inhabitants themselves, who had possessions there, and to whom the + city belonged, were not disposed to fight from the very beginning; and now + the less so, because they had been beaten; but the foreigners, which were + very numerous, would force them to fight so much the more, insomuch that + there was a clamor and a tumult among them, as all mutually angry one at + another. And when Titus heard this tumult, for he was not far from the + wall, he cried out, "Fellow soldiers, now is the time; and why do we make + any delay, when God is giving up the Jews to us? Take the victory which is + given you: do not you hear what a noise they make? Those that have escaped + our hands are in an uproar against one another. We have the city if we + make haste; but besides haste, we must undergo some labor, and use some + courage; for no great thing uses to be accomplished without danger: + accordingly, we must not only prevent their uniting again, which necessity + will soon compel them to do, but we must also prevent the coming of our + own men to our assistance, that, as few as we are, we may conquer so great + a multitude, and may ourselves alone take the city." + </p> + <p> + 5. As soon as ever Titus had said this, he leaped upon his horse, and rode + apace down to the lake; by which lake he marched, and entered into the + city the first of them all, as did the others soon after him. Hereupon + those that were upon the walls were seized with a terror at the boldness + of the attempt, nor durst any one venture to fight with him, or to hinder + him; so they left guarding the city, and some of those that were about + Jesus fled over the country, while others of them ran down to the lake, + and met the enemy in the teeth, and some were slain as they were getting + up into the ships, but others of them as they attempted to overtake those + that were already gone aboard. There was also a great slaughter made in + the city, while those foreigners that had not fled away already made + opposition; but the natural inhabitants were killed without fighting: for + in hopes of Titus's giving them his right hand for their security, and out + of a consciousness that they had not given any consent to the war, they + avoided fighting, till Titus had slain the authors of this revolt, and + then put a stop to any further slaughters, out of commiseration of these + inhabitants of the place. But for those that had fled to the lake, upon + seeing the city taken, they sailed as far as they possibly could from the + enemy. + </p> + <p> + 6. Hereupon Titus sent one of his horsemen to his father, and let him know + the good news of what he had done; at which, as was natural, he was very + joyful, both on account of the courage and glorious actions of his son; + for he thought that now the greatest part of the war was over. He then + came thither himself, and set men to guard the city, and gave them command + to take care that nobody got privately out of it, but to kill such as + attempted so to do. And on the next day he went down to the lake, and + commanded that vessels should be fitted up, in order to pursue those that + had escaped in the ships. These vessels were quickly gotten ready + accordingly, because there was great plenty of materials, and a great + number of artificers also. + </p> + <p> + 7. Now this lake of Gennesareth is so called from the country adjoining to + it. Its breadth is forty furlongs, and its length one hundred and forty; + its waters are sweet, and very agreeable for drinking, for they are finer + than the thick waters of other fens; the lake is also pure, and on every + side ends directly at the shores, and at the sand; it is also of a + temperate nature when you draw it up, and of a more gentle nature than + river or fountain water, and yet always cooler than one could expect in so + diffuse a place as this is. Now when this water is kept in the open air, + it is as cold as that snow which the country people are accustomed to make + by night in summer. There are several kinds of fish in it, different both + to the taste and the sight from those elsewhere. It is divided into two + parts by the river Jordan. Now Panium is thought to be the fountain of + Jordan, but in reality it is carried thither after an occult manner from + the place called Phiala: this place lies as you go up to Trachonitis, and + is a hundred and twenty furlongs from Cesarea, and is not far out of the + road on the right hand; and indeed it hath its name of Phiala [vial or + bowl] very justly, from the roundness of its circumference, as being round + like a wheel; its water continues always up to its edges, without either + sinking or running over. And as this origin of Jordan was formerly not + known, it was discovered so to be when Philip was tetrarch of Trachonitis; + for he had chaff thrown into Phiala, and it was found at Paninto, where + the ancients thought the fountain-head of the river was, whither it had + been therefore carried [by the waters]. As for Panium itself, its natural + beauty had been improved by the royal liberality of Agrippa, and adorned + at his expenses. Now Jordan's visible stream arises from this cavern, and + divides the marshes and fens of the lake Semechonitis; when it hath run + another hundred and twenty furlongs, it first passes by the city Julias, + and then passes through the middle of the lake Gennesareth; after which it + runs a long way over a desert, and then makes its exit into the lake + Asphaltites. + </p> + <p> + 8. The country also that lies over against this lake hath the same name of + Gennesareth; its nature is wonderful as well as its beauty; its soil is so + fruitful that all sorts of trees can grow upon it, and the inhabitants + accordingly plant all sorts of trees there; for the temper of the air is + so well mixed, that it agrees very well with those several sorts, + particularly walnuts, which require the coldest air, flourish there in + vast plenty; there are palm trees also, which grow best in hot air; fig + trees also and olives grow near them, which yet require an air that is + more temperate. One may call this place the ambition of nature, where it + forces those plants that are naturally enemies to one another to agree + together; it is a happy contention of the seasons, as if every one of them + laid claim to this country; for it not only nourishes different sorts of + autumnal fruit beyond men's expectation, but preserves them a great while; + it supplies men with the principal fruits, with grapes and figs + continually, during ten months of the year <a href="#link3note-7" + name="link3noteref-7" id="link3noteref-7">7</a> and the rest of the fruits + as they become ripe together through the whole year; for besides the good + temperature of the air, it is also watered from a most fertile fountain. + The people of the country call it Capharnaum. Some have thought it to be a + vein of the Nile, because it produces the Coracin fish as well as that + lake does which is near to Alexandria. The length of this country extends + itself along the banks of this lake that bears the same name for thirty + furlongs, and is in breadth twenty, And this is the nature of that place. + </p> + <p> + 9. But now, when the vessels were gotten ready, Vespasian put upon + ship-board as many of his forces as he thought sufficient to be too hard + for those that were upon the lake, and set sail after them. Now these + which were driven into the lake could neither fly to the land, where all + was in their enemies' hand, and in war against them; nor could they fight + upon the level by sea, for their ships were small and fitted only for + piracy; they were too weak to fight with Vespasian's vessels, and the + mariners that were in them were so few, that they were afraid to come near + the Romans, who attacked them in great numbers. However, as they sailed + round about the vessels, and sometimes as they came near them, they threw + stones at the Romans when they were a good way off, or came closer and + fought them; yet did they receive the greatest harm themselves in both + cases. As for the stones they threw at the Romans, they only made a sound + one after another, for they threw them against such as were in their + armor, while the Roman darts could reach the Jews themselves; and when + they ventured to come near the Romans, they became sufferers themselves + before they could do any harm to the ether, and were drowned, they and + their ships together. As for those that endeavored to come to an actual + fight, the Romans ran many of them through with their long poles. + Sometimes the Romans leaped into their ships, with swords in their hands, + and slew them; but when some of them met the vessels, the Romans caught + them by the middle, and destroyed at once their ships and themselves who + were taken in them. And for such as were drowning in the sea, if they + lifted their heads up above the water, they were either killed by darts, + or caught by the vessels; but if, in the desperate case they were in, they + attempted to swim to their enemies, the Romans cut off either their heads + or their hands; and indeed they were destroyed after various manners every + where, till the rest being put to flight, were forced to get upon the + land, while the vessels encompassed them about [on the sea]: but as many + of these were repulsed when they were getting ashore, they were killed by + the darts upon the lake; and the Romans leaped out of their vessels, and + destroyed a great many more upon the land: one might then see the lake all + bloody, and full of dead bodies, for not one of them escaped. And a + terrible stink, and a very sad sight there was on the following days over + that country; for as for the shores, they were full of shipwrecks, and of + dead bodies all swelled; and as the dead bodies were inflamed by the sun, + and putrefied, they corrupted the air, insomuch that the misery was not + only the object of commiseration to the Jews, but to those that hated + them, and had been the authors of that misery. This was the upshot of the + sea-fight. The number of the slain, including those that were killed in + the city before, was six thousand and five hundred. + </p> + <p> + 10. After this fight was over, Vespasian sat upon his tribunal at + Taricheae, in order to distinguish the foreigners from the old + inhabitants; for those foreigners appear to have begun the war. So he + deliberated with the other commanders, whether he ought to save those old + inhabitants or not. And when those commanders alleged that the dismission + of them would be to his own disadvantage, because, when they were once set + at liberty, they would not be at rest, since they would be people + destitute of proper habitations, and would be able to compel such as they + fled to fight against us, Vespasian acknowledged that they did not deserve + to be saved, and that if they had leave given them to fly away, they would + make use of it against those that gave them that leave. But still he + considered with himself after what manner they should be slain <a + href="#link3note-8" name="link3noteref-8" id="link3noteref-8">8</a> for if + he had them slain there, he suspected the people of the country would + thereby become his enemies; for that to be sure they would never bear it, + that so many that had been supplicants to him should be killed; and to + offer violence to them, after he had given them assurances of their lives, + he could not himself bear to do it. However, his friends were too hard for + him, and pretended that nothing against Jews could be any impiety, and + that he ought to prefer what was profitable before what was fit to be + done, where both could not be made consistent. So he gave them an + ambiguous liberty to do as they advised, and permitted the prisoners to go + along no other road than that which led to Tiberias only. So they readily + believed what they desired to be true, and went along securely, with their + effects, the way which was allowed them, while the Romans seized upon all + the road that led to Tiberias, that none of them might go out of it, and + shut them up in the city. Then came Vespasian, and ordered them all to + stand in the stadium, and commanded them to kill the old men, together + with the others that were useless, which were in number a thousand and two + hundred. Out of the young men he chose six thousand of the strongest, and + sent them to Nero, to dig through the Isthmus, and sold the remainder for + slaves, being thirty thousand and four hundred, besides such as he made a + present of to Agrippa; for as to those that belonged to his kingdom, he + gave him leave to do what he pleased with them; however, the king sold + these also for slaves; but for the rest of the multitude, who were + Trachonites, and Gaulanites, and of Hippos, and some of Gadara, the + greatest part of them were seditious persons and fugitives, who were of + such shameful characters, that they preferred war before peace. These + prisoners were taken on the eighth day of the month Gorpieus [Elul]. + </p> + <p> + WAR BOOK 3 FOOTNOTES <a name="link3note-1" id="link3note-1"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 1 (<a href="#link3noteref-1">return</a>)<br /> [ Take the confirmation of + this in the words of Suetonius, here produced by Dr. Hudson: "In the reign + of Claudius," says he, "Vespasian, for the sake of Narcissus, was sent as + a lieutenant of a legion into Germany. Thence he removed into Britain + battles with the enemy." In Vesp. sect. 4. We may also here note from + Josephus, that Claudius the emperor, who triumphed for the conquest of + Britain, was enabled so to do by Vespasian's conduct and bravery, and that + he is here styled "the father of Vespasian."] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3note-2" id="link3note-2"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 2 (<a href="#link3noteref-2">return</a>)<br /> [ Spanheim and Reland both + agree, that the two cities here esteemed greater than Antioch, the + metropolis of Syria, were Rome and Alexandria; nor is there any occasion + for doubt in so plain a case.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3note-3" id="link3note-3"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 3 (<a href="#link3noteref-3">return</a>)<br /> [ This description of the + exact symmetry and regularity of the Roman army, and of the Roman + encampments, with the sounding their trumpets, etc. and order of war, + described in this and the next chapter, is so very like to the symmetry + and regularity of the people of Israel in the wilderness, [see Description + of the Temples, ch. 9.,] that one cannot well avoid the supposal, that the + one was the ultimate pattern of the other, and that the tactics of the + ancients were taken from the rules given by God to Moses. And it is + thought by some skillful in these matters, that these accounts of + Josephus, as to the Roman camp and armor, and conduct in war, are + preferable to those in the Roman authors themselves.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3note-4" id="link3note-4"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 4 (<a href="#link3noteref-4">return</a>)<br /> [ I cannot but here observe + an Eastern way of speaking, frequent among them, but not usual among us, + where the word "only" or "alone" is not set down, but perhaps some way + supplied in the pronunciation. Thus Josephus here says, that those of + Jotapata slew seven of the Romans as they were marching off, because the + Romans' retreat was regular, their bodies were covered over with their + armor, and the Jews fought at some distance; his meaning is clear, that + these were the reasons why they slew only, or no more than seven. I have + met with many the like examples in the Scriptures, in Josephus, etc.; but + did not note down the particular places. This observation ought to be + borne in mind upon many occasions.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3note-5" id="link3note-5"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 5 (<a href="#link3noteref-5">return</a>)<br /> [ These public mourners, + hired upon the supposed death of Josephus, and the real death of many + more, illustrate some passages in the Bible, which suppose the same + custom, as Matthew 11:17, where the reader may consult the notes of + Grotius.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3note-6" id="link3note-6"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 6 (<a href="#link3noteref-6">return</a>)<br /> [ Of this Cesarea Philippi + [twice mentioned in our New Testament, Matthew 16:13; Mark 8;27: there are + coins still extant, Spanheim here informs us.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3note-7" id="link3note-7"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 7 (<a href="#link3noteref-7">return</a>)<br /> [ I do not know where to + find the law of Moses here mentioned by Josephus, and afterwards by + Eleazar, 13. VII. ch. 8. sect. 7, and almost implied in B. I. ch. 13. + sect. 10, by Josephus's commendation of Phasaelus for doing so; I mean, + whereby Jewish generals and people were obliged to kill themselves, rather + than go into slavery under heathens. I doubt this would have been no + better than "self-murder;" and I believe it was rather some vain doctrine, + or interpretation, of the rigid Pharisees, or Essens, or Herodiaus, than a + just consequence from any law of God delivered by Moses. + </p> + <p class="foot"> + (It may be worth our while to observe here, that near this lake of + Gennesareth grapes and figs hang on the trees ten months of the year. We + may observe also, that in Cyril of Jerusalem, Cateehes. 18. sect. 3, which + was delivered not long before Easter, there were no fresh leaves of fig + trees, nor bunches of fresh grapes in Judea; so that when St. Mark says, + ch. 11. ver. 13, that our Savior, soon after the same time of the year, + came and "found leaves" on a fig tree near Jerusalem, but "no figs, + because the time of" new "figs" ripening "was not yet," he says very true; + nor were they therefore other than old leaves which our Savior saw, and + old figs which he expected, and which even with us commonly hang on the + trees all winter long.)] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3note-8" id="link3note-8"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 8 (<a href="#link3noteref-8">return</a>)<br /> [ This is the most cruel and + barbarous action that Vespasian ever did in this whole war, as he did it + with great reluctance also. It was done both after public assurance given + of sparing the prisoners' lives, and when all knew and confessed that + these prisoners were no way guilty of any sedition against the Romans. Nor + indeed did Titus now give his consent, so far as appears, nor ever act of + himself so barbarously; nay, soon after this, Titus grew quite weary of + shedding blood, and of punishing the innocent with the guilty, and gave + the people of Gischala leave to keep the Jewish sabbath, B. IV. ch. 2. + sect. 3, 5, in the midst of their siege. Nor was Vespasian disposed to do + what he did, till his officers persuaded him, and that from two principal + topics, viz. that nothing could be unjust that was done against Jews; and + that when both cannot be consistent, advantage must prevail over justice. + Admirable court doctrines these!] + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link42H_4_0001" id="link42H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h1> + BOOK IV. + </h1> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Containing The Interval Of About One Year. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + From The Siege Of Gamala To The Coming Of Titus To Besiege + Jerusalem. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link42HCH0001" id="link42HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 1. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Siege And Taking Of Gamala. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now all those Galileans who, after the taking of Jotapata, had revolted + from the Romans, did, upon the conquest of Taricheae, deliver themselves + up to them again. And the Romans received all the fortresses and the + cities, excepting Gischala and those that had seized upon Mount Tabor; + Gamala also, which is a city over against Taricheae, but on the other side + of the lake, conspired with them. This city lay upon the borders of + Agrippa's kingdom, as also did Sogana and Seleucia. And these were both + parts of Gaulanitis; for Sogana was a part of that called the Upper + Gaulanitis, as was Gamala of the Lower; while Seleucia was situated at the + lake Semechouitis, which lake is thirty furlongs in breadth, and sixty in + length; its marshes reach as far as the place Daphne, which in other + respects is a delicious place, and hath such fountains as supply water to + what is called Little Jordan, under the temple of the golden calf, <a + href="#link4note-1" name="link4noteref-1" id="link4noteref-1">1</a> where + it is sent into Great Jordan. Now Agrippa had united Sogana and Seleucia + by leagues to himself, at the very beginning of the revolt from the + Romans; yet did not Gamala accede to them, but relied upon the difficulty + of the place, which was greater than that of Jotapata, for it was situated + upon a rough ridge of a high mountain, with a kind of neck in the middle: + where it begins to ascend, it lengthens itself, and declines as much + downward before as behind, insomuch that it is like a camel in figure, + from whence it is so named, although the people of the country do not + pronounce it accurately. Both on the side and the face there are abrupt + parts divided from the rest, and ending in vast deep valleys; yet are the + parts behind, where they are joined to the mountain, somewhat easier of + ascent than the other; but then the people belonging to the place have cut + an oblique ditch there, and made that hard to be ascended also. On its + acclivity, which is straight, houses are built, and those very thick and + close to one another. The city also hangs so strangely, that it looks as + if it would fall down upon itself, so sharp is it at the top. It is + exposed to the south, and its southern mount, which reaches to an immense + height, was in the nature of a citadel to the city; and above that was a + precipice, not walled about, but extending itself to an immense depth. + There was also a spring of water within the wall, at the utmost limits of + the city. + </p> + <p> + 2. As this city was naturally hard to be taken, so had Josephus, by + building a wall about it, made it still stronger, as also by ditches and + mines under ground. The people that were in it were made more bold by the + nature of the place than the people of Jotapata had been, but it had much + fewer fighting men in it; and they had such a confidence in the situation + of the place, that they thought the enemy could not be too many for them; + for the city had been filled with those that had fled to it for safety, on + account of its strength; on which account they had been able to resist + those whom Agrippa sent to besiege it for seven months together. + </p> + <p> + 3. But Vespasian removed from Emmaus, where he had last pitched his camp + before the city Tiberias, [now Emmaus, if it be interpreted, may be + rendered "a warm bath," for therein is a spring of warm water, useful for + healing,] and came to Gamala; yet was its situation such that he was not + able to encompass it all round with soldiers to watch it; but where the + places were practicable, he set men to watch it, and seized upon the + mountain which was over it. And as the legions, according to their usual + custom, were fortifying their camp upon that mountain, he began to cast up + banks at the bottom, at the part towards the east, where the highest tower + of the whole city was, and where the fifteenth legion pitched their camp; + while the fifth legion did duty over against the midst of the city, and + whilst the tenth legion filled up the ditches and the valleys. Now at this + time it was that as king Agrippa was come nigh the walls, and was + endeavoring to speak to those that were on the walls about a surrender, he + was hit with a stone on his right elbow by one of the slingers; he was + then immediately surrounded with his own men. But the Romans were excited + to set about the siege, by their indignation on the king's account, and by + their fear on their own account, as concluding that those men would omit + no kinds of barbarity against foreigners and enemies, who where so enraged + against one of their own nation, and one that advised them to nothing but + what was for their own advantage. + </p> + <p> + 4. Now when the banks were finished, which was done on the sudden, both by + the multitude of hands, and by their being accustomed to such work, they + brought the machines; but Chares and Joseph, who were the most potent men + in the city, set their armed men in order, though already in a fright, + because they did not suppose that the city could hold out long, since they + had not a sufficient quantity either of water, or of other necessaries. + However, these their leaders encouraged them, and brought them out upon + the wall, and for a while indeed they drove away those that were bringing + the machines; but when those machines threw darts and stones at them, they + retired into the city; then did the Romans bring battering rams to three + several places, and made the wall shake [and fall]. They then poured in + over the parts of the wall that were thrown down, with a mighty sound of + trumpets and noise of armor, and with a shout of the soldiers, and brake + in by force upon those that were in the city; but these men fell upon the + Romans for some time, at their first entrance, and prevented their going + any further, and with great courage beat them back; and the Romans were so + overpowered by the greater multitude of the people, who beat them on every + side, that they were obliged to run into the upper parts of the city. + Whereupon the people turned about, and fell upon their enemies, who had + attacked them, and thrust them down to the lower parts, and as they were + distressed by the narrowness and difficulty of the place, slew them; and + as these Romans could neither beat those back that were above them, nor + escape the force of their own men that were forcing their way forward, + they were compelled to fly into their enemies' houses, which were low; but + these houses being thus full, of soldiers, whose weight they could not + bear, fell down suddenly; and when one house fell, it shook down a great + many of those that were under it, as did those do to such as were under + them. By this means a vast number of the Romans perished; for they were so + terribly distressed, that although they saw the houses subsiding, they + were compelled to leap upon the tops of them; so that a great many were + ground to powder by these ruins, and a great many of those that got from + under them lost some of their limbs, but still a greater number were + suffocated by the dust that arose from those ruins. The people of Gamala + supposed this to be an assistance afforded them by God, and without + regarding what damage they suffered themselves, they pressed forward, and + thrust the enemy upon the tops of their houses; and when they stumbled in + the sharp and narrow streets, and were perpetually falling down, they + threw their stones or darts at them, and slew them. Now the very ruins + afforded them stones enow; and for iron weapons, the dead men of the + enemies' side afforded them what they wanted; for drawing the swords of + those that were dead, they made use of them to despatch such as were only + half dead; nay, there were a great number who, upon their falling down + from the tops of the houses, stabbed themselves, and died after that + manner; nor indeed was it easy for those that were beaten back to fly + away; for they were so unacquainted with the ways, and the dust was so + thick, that they wandered about without knowing one another, and fell down + dead among the crowd. + </p> + <p> + 5. Those therefore that were able to find the ways out of the city + retired. But now Vespasian always staid among those that were hard set; + for he was deeply affected with seeing the ruins of the city falling upon + his army, and forgot to take care of his own preservation. He went up + gradually towards the highest parts of the city before he was aware, and + was left in the midst of dangers, having only a very few with him; for + even his son Titus was not with him at that time, having been then sent + into Syria to Mucianus. However, he thought it not safe to fly, nor did he + esteem it a fit thing for him to do; but calling to mind the actions he + had done from his youth, and recollecting his courage, as if he had been + excited by a divine fury, he covered himself and those that were with him + with their shields, and formed a testudo over both their bodies and their + armor, and bore up against the enemy's attacks, who came running down from + the top of the city; and without showing any dread at the multitude of the + men or of their darts, he endured all, until the enemy took notice of that + divine courage that was within him, and remitted of their attacks; and + when they pressed less zealously upon him, he retired, though without + showing his back to them till he was gotten out of the walls of the city. + Now a great number of the Romans fell in this battle, among whom was + Ebutius, the decurion, a man who appeared not only in this engagement, + wherein he fell, but every where, and in former engagements, to be of the + truest courage, and one that had done very great mischief to the Jews. But + there was a centurion whose name was Gallus, who, during this disorder, + being encompassed about, he and ten other soldiers privately crept into + the house of a certain person, where he heard them talking at supper, what + the people intended to do against the Romans, or about themselves [for + both the man himself and those with him were Syrians]. So he got up in the + night time, and cut all their throats, and escaped, together with his + soldiers, to the Romans. + </p> + <p> + 6. And now Vespasian comforted his army, which was much dejected by + reflecting on their ill success, and because they had never before fallen + into such a calamity, and besides this, because they were greatly ashamed + that they had left their general alone in great dangers. As to what + concerned himself, he avoided to say any thing, that he might by no means + seem to complain of it; but he said that "we ought to bear manfully what + usually falls out in war, and this, by considering what the nature of war + is, and how it can never be that we must conquer without bloodshed on our + own side; for there stands about us that fortune which is of its own + nature mutable; that while they had killed so many ten thousands of the + Jews, they had now paid their small share of the reckoning to fate; and as + it is the part of weak people to be too much puffed up with good success, + so is it the part of cowards to be too much affrighted at that which is + ill; for the change from the one to the other is sudden on both sides; and + he is the best warrior who is of a sober mind under misfortunes, that he + may continue in that temper, and cheerfully recover what had been lost + formerly; and as for what had now happened, it was neither owing to their + own effeminacy, nor to the valor of the Jews, but the difficulty of the + place was the occasion of their advantage, and of our disappointment. Upon + reflecting on which matter one might blame your zeal as perfectly + ungovernable; for when the enemy had retired to their highest fastnesses, + you ought to have restrained yourselves, and not, by presenting yourselves + at the top of the city, to be exposed to dangers; but upon your having + obtained the lower parts of the city, you ought to have provoked those + that had retired thither to a safe and settled battle; whereas, in rushing + so hastily upon victory, you took no care of your safety. But this + incautiousness in war, and this madness of zeal, is not a Roman maxim. + While we perform all that we attempt by skill and good order, that + procedure is the part of barbarians, and is what the Jews chiefly support + themselves by. We ought therefore to return to our own virtue, and to be + rather angry than any longer dejected at this unlucky misfortune, and let + every one seek for his own consolation from his own hand; for by this + means he will avenge those that have been destroyed, and punish those that + have killed them. For myself, I will endeavor, as I have now done, to go + first before you against your enemies in every engagement, and to be the + last that retires from it." + </p> + <p> + 7. So Vespasian encouraged his army by this speech; but for the people of + Gamala, it happened that they took courage for a little while, upon such + great and unaccountable success as they had had. But when they considered + with themselves that they had now no hopes of any terms of accommodation, + and reflecting upon it that they could not get away, and that their + provisions began already to be short, they were exceedingly cast down, and + their courage failed them; yet did they not neglect what might be for + their preservation, so far as they were able, but the most courageous + among them guarded those parts of the wall that were beaten down, while + the more infirm did the same to the rest of the wall that still remained + round the city. And as the Romans raised their banks, and attempted to get + into the city a second time, a great many of them fled out of the city + through impracticable valleys, where no guards were placed, as also + through subterraneous caverns; while those that were afraid of being + caught, and for that reason staid in the city, perished for want of food; + for what food they had was brought together from all quarters, and + reserved for the fighting men. + </p> + <p> + 8. And these were the hard circumstances that the people of Gamala were + in. But now Vespasian went about other work by the by, during this siege, + and that was to subdue those that had seized upon Mount Tabor, a place + that lies in the middle between the great plain and Scythopolis, whose top + is elevated as high as thirty furlongs <a href="#link4note-2" + name="link4noteref-2" id="link4noteref-2">2</a> and is hardly to be + ascended on its north side; its top is a plain of twenty-six furlongs, and + all encompassed with a wall. Now Josephus erected this so long a wall in + forty days' time, and furnished it with other materials, and with water + from below, for the inhabitants only made use of rain water. As therefore + there was a great multitude of people gotten together upon this mountain, + Vespasian sent Placidus with six hundred horsemen thither. Now, as it was + impossible for him to ascend the mountain, he invited many of them to + peace, by the offer of his right hand for their security, and of his + intercession for them. Accordingly they came down, but with a treacherous + design, as well as he had the like treacherous design upon them on the + other side; for Placidus spoke mildly to them, as aiming to take them, + when he got them into the plain; they also came down, as complying with + his proposals, but it was in order to fall upon him when he was not aware + of it: however, Placidus's stratagem was too hard for theirs; for when the + Jews began to fight, he pretended to run away, and when they were in + pursuit of the Romans, he enticed them a great way along the plain, and + then made his horsemen turn back; whereupon he beat them, and slew a great + number of them, and cut off the retreat of the rest of the multitude, and + hindered their return. So they left Tabor, and fled to Jerusalem, while + the people of the country came to terms with him, for their water failed + them, and so they delivered up the mountain and themselves to Placidus. + </p> + <p> + 9. But of the people of Gamala, those that were of the bolder sort fled + away and hid themselves, while the more infirm perished by famine; but the + men of war sustained the siege till the two and twentieth day of the month + Hyperbereteus, [Tisri,] when three soldiers of the fifteenth legion, about + the morning watch, got under a high tower that was near them, and + undermined it, without making any noise; nor when they either came to it, + which was in the night time, nor when they were under it, did those that + guarded it perceive them. These soldiers then upon their coming avoided + making a noise, and when they had rolled away five of its strongest + stones, they went away hastily; whereupon the tower fell down on a sudden, + with a very great noise, and its guard fell headlong with it; so that + those that kept guard at other places were under such disturbance, that + they ran away; the Romans also slew many of those that ventured to oppose + them, among whom was Joseph, who was slain by a dart, as he was running + away over that part of the wall that was broken down: but as those that + were in the city were greatly affrighted at the noise, they ran hither and + thither, and a great consternation fell upon them, as though all the enemy + had fallen in at once upon them. Then it was that Chares, who was ill, and + under the physician's hands, gave up the ghost, the fear he was in greatly + contributing to make his distemper fatal to him. But the Romans so well + remembered their former ill success, that they did not enter the city till + the three and twentieth day of the forementioned month. + </p> + <p> + 10. At which time Titus, who was now returned, out of the indignation he + had at the destruction the Romans had undergone while he was absent, took + two hundred chosen horsemen and some footmen with him, and entered without + noise into the city. Now as the watch perceived that he was coming, they + made a noise, and betook themselves to their arms; and as that his + entrance was presently known to those that were in the city, some of them + caught hold of their children and their wives, and drew them after them, + and fled away to the citadel, with lamentations and cries, while others of + them went to meet Titus, and were killed perpetually; but so many of them + as were hindered from running up to the citadel, not knowing what in the + world to do, fell among the Roman guards, while the groans of those that + were killed were prodigiously great every where, and blood ran down over + all the lower parts of the city, from the upper. But then Vespasian + himself came to his assistance against those that had fled to the citadel, + and brought his whole army with him; now this upper part of the city was + every way rocky, and difficult of ascent, and elevated to a vast altitude, + and very full of people on all sides, and encompassed with precipices, + whereby the Jews cut off those that came up to them, and did much mischief + to others by their darts, and the large stones which they rolled down upon + them, while they were themselves so high that the enemy's darts could + hardly reach them. However, there arose such a Divine storm against them + as was instrumental to their destruction; this carried the Roman darts + upon them, and made those which they threw return back, and drove them + obliquely away from them; nor could the Jews indeed stand upon their + precipices, by reason of the violence of the wind, having nothing that was + stable to stand upon, nor could they see those that were ascending up to + them; so the Romans got up and surrounded them, and some they slew before + they could defend themselves, and others as they were delivering up + themselves; and the remembrance of those that were slain at their former + entrance into the city increased their rage against them now; a great + number also of those that were surrounded on every side, and despaired of + escaping, threw their children and their wives, and themselves also, down + the precipices, into the valley beneath, which, near the citadel, had been + dug hollow to a vast depth; but so it happened, that the anger of the + Romans appeared not to be so extravagant as was the madness of those that + were now taken, while the Romans slew but four thousand, whereas the + number of those that had thrown themselves down was found to be five + thousand: nor did any one escape except two women, who were the daughters + of Philip, and Philip himself was the son of a certain eminent man called + Jacimus, who had been general of king Agrippa's army; and these did + therefore escape, because they lay concealed from the rage of the Romans + when the city was taken; for otherwise they spared not so much as the + infants, of which many were flung down by them from the citadel. And thus + was Gamala taken on the three and twentieth day of the month + Hyperbereteus, [Tisri,] whereas the city had first revolted on the four + and twentieth day of the month Gorpieus [Elul]. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link42HCH0002" id="link42HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 2. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Surrender Of Gischala; While John Flies Away From It To + Jerusalem. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now no place of Galilee remained to be taken but the small city of + Gischala, whose multitude yet were desirous of peace; for they were + generally husbandmen, and always applied themselves to cultivate the + fruits of the earth. However, there were a great number that belonged to a + band of robbers, that were already corrupted, and had crept in among them, + and some of the governing part of the citizens were sick of the same + distemper. It was John, the son of a certain man whose name was Levi, that + drew them into this rebellion, and encouraged them in it. He was a cunning + knave, and of a temper that could put on various shapes; very rash in + expecting great things, and very sagacious in bringing about what he hoped + for. It was known to every body that he was fond of war, in order to + thrust himself into authority; and the seditious part of the people of + Gischala were under his management, by whose means the populace, who + seemed ready to send ambassadors in order to surrender, waited for the + coming of the Romans in battle-array. Vespasian sent against them Titus, + with a thousand horsemen, but withdrew the tenth legion to Scythopolis, + while he returned to Cesarea with the two other legions, that he might + allow them to refresh themselves after their long and hard campaign, + thinking withal that the plenty which was in those cities would improve + their bodies and their spirits, against the difficulties they were to go + through afterwards; for he saw there would be occasion for great pains + about Jerusalem, which was not yet taken, because it was the royal city, + and the principal city of the whole nation, and because those that had run + away from the war in other places got all together thither. It was also + naturally strong, and the walls that were built round it made him not a + little concerned about it. Moreover, he esteemed the men that were in it + to be so courageous and bold, that even without the consideration of the + walls, it would be hard to subdue them; for which reason he took care of + and exercised his soldiers beforehand for the work, as they do wrestlers + before they begin their undertaking. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now Titus, as he rode out to Gischala, found it would be easy for him to + take the city upon the first onset; but knew withal, that if he took it by + force, the multitude would be destroyed by the soldiers without mercy. + [Now he was already satiated with the shedding of blood, and pitied the + major part, who would then perish, without distinction, together with the + guilty.] So he was rather desirous the city might be surrendered up to him + on terms. Accordingly, when he saw the wall full of those men that were of + the corrupted party, he said to them, That he could not but wonder what it + was they depended on, when they alone staid to fight the Romans, after + every other city was taken by them, especially when they have seen cities + much better fortified than theirs is overthrown by a single attack upon + them; while as many as have intrusted themselves to the security of the + Romans' right hands, which he now offers to them, without regarding their + former insolence, do enjoy their own possessions in safety; for that while + they had hopes of recovering their liberty, they might be pardoned; but + that their continuance still in their opposition, when they saw that to be + impossible, was inexcusable; for that if they will not comply with such + humane offers, and right hands for security, they should have experience + of such a war as would spare nobody, and should soon be made sensible that + their wall would be but a trifle, when battered by the Roman machines; in + depending on which they demonstrate themselves to be the only Galileans + that were no better than arrogant slaves and captives. + </p> + <p> + 3. Now none of the populace durst not only make a reply, but durst not so + much as get upon the wall, for it was all taken up by the robbers, who + were also the guard at the gates, in order to prevent any of the rest from + going out, in order to propose terms of submission, and from receiving any + of the horsemen into the city. But John returned Titus this answer: That + for himself he was content to hearken to his proposals, and that he would + either persuade or force those that refused them. Yet he said that Titus + ought to have such regard to the Jewish law, as to grant them leave to + celebrate that day, which was the seventh day of the week, on which it was + unlawful not only to remove their arms, but even to treat of peace also; + and that even the Romans were not ignorant how the period of the seventh + day was among them a cessation from all labors; and that he who should + compel them to transgress the law about that day would be equally guilty + with those that were compelled to transgress it: and that this delay could + be of no disadvantage to him; for why should any body think of doing any + thing in the night, unless it was to fly away? which he might prevent by + placing his camp round about them; and that they should think it a great + point gained, if they might not be obliged to transgress the laws of their + country; and that it would be a right thing for him, who designed to grant + them peace, without their expectation of such a favor, to preserve the + laws of those they saved inviolable. Thus did this man put a trick upon + Titus, not so much out of regard to the seventh day as to his own + preservation, for he was afraid lest he should be quite deserted if the + city should be taken, and had his hopes of life in that night, and in his + flight therein. Now this was the work of God, who therefore preserved this + John, that he might bring on the destruction of Jerusalem; as also it was + his work that Titus was prevailed with by this pretense for a delay, and + that he pitched his camp further off the city at Cydessa. This Cydessa was + a strong Mediterranean village of the Tyrians, which always hated and made + war against the Jews; it had also a great number of inhabitants, and was + well fortified, which made it a proper place for such as were enemies to + the Jewish nation. + </p> + <p> + 4. Now, in the night time, when John saw that there was no Roman guard + about the city, he seized the opportunity directly, and, taking with him + not only the armed men that were about him, but a considerable number of + those that had little to do, together with their families, he fled to + Jerusalem. And indeed, though the man was making haste to get away, and + was tormented with fears of being a captive, or of losing his life, yet + did he prevail with himself to take out of the city along with him a + multitude of women and children, as far as twenty furlongs; but there he + left them as he proceeded further on his journey, where those that were + left behind made sad lamentations; for the farther every one of them was + come from his own people, the nearer they thought themselves to be to + their enemies. They also affrighted themselves with this thought, that + those who would carry them into captivity were just at hand, and still + turned themselves back at the mere noise they made themselves in this + their hasty flight, as if those from whom they fled were just upon them. + Many also of them missed their ways, and the earnestness of such as aimed + to outgo the rest threw down many of them. And indeed there was a + miserable destruction made of the women and children; while some of them + took courage to call their husbands and kinsmen back, and to beseech them, + with the bitterest lamentations, to stay for them; but John's exhortation, + who cried out to them to save themselves, and fly away, prevailed. He said + also, that if the Romans should seize upon those whom they left behind, + they would be revenged on them for it. So this multitude that run thus + away was dispersed abroad, according as each of them was able to run, one + faster or slower than another. + </p> + <p> + 5. Now on the next day Titus came to the wall, to make the agreement; + whereupon the people opened their gates to him, and came out to him, with + their children and wives, and made acclamations of joy to him, as to one + that had been their benefactor, and had delivered the city out of custody; + they also informed him of John's flight, and besought him to spare them, + and to come in, and bring the rest of those that were for innovations to + punishment. But Titus, not so much regarding the supplications of the + people, sent part of his horsemen to pursue after John, but they could not + overtake him, for he was gotten to Jerusalem before; they also slew six + thousand of the women and children who went out with him, but returned + back, and brought with them almost three thousand. However, Titus was + greatly displeased that he had not been able to bring this John, who had + deluded him, to punishment; yet he had captives enough, as well as the + corrupted part of the city, to satisfy his anger, when it missed of John. + So he entered the city in the midst of acclamations of joy; and when he + had given orders to the soldiers to pull down a small part of the wall, as + of a city taken in war, he repressed those that had disturbed the city + rather by threatenings than by executions; for he thought that many would + accuse innocent persons, out of their own private animosities and + quarrels, if he should attempt to distinguish those that were worthy of + punishment from the rest; and that it was better to let a guilty person + alone in his fears, that to destroy with him any one that did not deserve + it; for that probably such a one might be taught prudence, by the fear of + the punishment he had deserved, and have a shame upon him for his former + offenses, when he had been forgiven; but that the punishment of such as + have been once put to death could never be retrieved. However, he placed a + garrison in the city for its security, by which means he should restrain + those that were for innovations, and should leave those that were + peaceably disposed in greater security. And thus was all Galilee taken, + but this not till after it had cost the Romans much pains before it could + be taken by them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link42HCH0003" id="link42HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 3. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Concerning John Of Gischala. Concerning The Zealots And The + High Priest Ananus; As Also How The Jews Raise Seditions One + Against Another [In Jerusalem]. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now upon John's entry into Jerusalem, the whole body of the people were + in an uproar, and ten thousand of them crowded about every one of the + fugitives that were come to them, and inquired of them what miseries had + happened abroad, when their breath was so short, and hot, and quick, that + of itself it declared the great distress they were in; yet did they talk + big under their misfortunes, and pretended to say that they had not fled + away from the Romans, but came thither in order to fight them with less + hazard; for that it would be an unreasonable and a fruitless thing for + them to expose themselves to desperate hazards about Gischala, and such + weak cities, whereas they ought to lay up their weapons and their zeal, + and reserve it for their metropolis. But when they related to them the + taking of Gischala, and their decent departure, as they pretended, from + that place, many of the people understood it to be no better than a + flight; and especially when the people were told of those that were made + captives, they were in great confusion, and guessed those things to be + plain indications that they should be taken also. But for John, he was + very little concerned for those whom he had left behind him, but went + about among all the people, and persuaded them to go to war, by the hopes + he gave them. He affirmed that the affairs of the Romans were in a weak + condition, and extolled his own power. He also jested upon the ignorance + of the unskillful, as if those Romans, although they should take to + themselves wings, could never fly over the wall of Jerusalem, who found + such great difficulties in taking the villages of Galilee, and had broken + their engines of war against their walls. + </p> + <p> + 2. These harangues of John's corrupted a great part of the young men, and + puffed them up for the war; but as to the more prudent part, and those in + years, there was not a man of them but foresaw what was coming, and made + lamentation on that account, as if the city was already undone; and in + this confusion were the people. But then it must be observed, that the + multitude that came out of the country were at discord before the + Jerusalem sedition began; for Titus went from Gischala to Cesates, and + Vespasian from Cesarea to Jamnia and Azotus, and took them both; and when + he had put garrisons into them, he came back with a great number of the + people, who were come over to him, upon his giving them his right hand for + their preservation. There were besides disorders and civil wars in every + city; and all those that were at quiet from the Romans turned their hands + one against another. There was also a bitter contest between those that + were fond of war, and those that were desirous for peace. At the first + this quarrelsome temper caught hold of private families, who could not + agree among themselves; after which those people that were the dearest to + one another brake through all restraints with regard to each other, and + every one associated with those of his own opinion, and began already to + stand in opposition one to another; so that seditions arose every where, + while those that were for innovations, and were desirous of war, by their + youth and boldness, were too hard for the aged and prudent men. And, in + the first place, all the people of every place betook themselves to + rapine; after which they got together in bodies, in order to rob the + people of the country, insomuch that for barbarity and iniquity those of + the same nation did no way differ from the Romans; nay, it seemed to be a + much lighter thing to be ruined by the Romans than by themselves. + </p> + <p> + 3. Now the Roman garrisons, which guarded the cities, partly out of their + uneasiness to take such trouble upon them, and partly out of the hatred + they bare to the Jewish nation, did little or nothing towards relieving + the miserable, till the captains of these troops of robbers, being + satiated with rapines in the country, got all together from all parts, and + became a band of wickedness, and all together crept into Jerusalem, which + was now become a city without a governor, and, as the ancient custom was, + received without distinction all that belonged to their nation; and these + they then received, because all men supposed that those who came so fast + into the city came out of kindness, and for their assistance, although + these very men, besides the seditions they raised, were otherwise the + direct cause of the city's destruction also; for as they were an + unprofitable and a useless multitude, they spent those provisions + beforehand which might otherwise have been sufficient for the fighting + men. Moreover, besides the bringing on of the war, they were the occasions + of sedition and famine therein. + </p> + <p> + 4. There were besides these other robbers that came out of the country, + and came into the city, and joining to them those that were worse than + themselves, omitted no kind of barbarity; for they did not measure their + courage by their rapines and plunderings only, but preceded as far as + murdering men; and this not in the night time or privately, or with regard + to ordinary men, but did it openly in the day time, and began with the + most eminent persons in the city; for the first man they meddled with was + Antipas, one of the royal lineage, and the most potent man in the whole + city, insomuch that the public treasures were committed to his care; him + they took and confined; as they did in the next place to Levias, a person + of great note, with Sophas, the son of Raguel, both which were of royal + lineage also. And besides these, they did the same to the principal men of + the country. This caused a terrible consternation among the people, and + everyone contented himself with taking care of his own safety, as they + would do if the city had been taken in war. + </p> + <p> + 5. But these were not satisfied with the bonds into which they had put the + men forementioned; nor did they think it safe for them to keep them thus + in custody long, since they were men very powerful, and had numerous + families of their own that were able to avenge them. Nay, they thought the + very people would perhaps be so moved at these unjust proceedings, as to + rise in a body against them; it was therefore resolved to have them slain + accordingly, they sent one John, who was the most bloody-minded of them + all, to do that execution: this man was also called "the son of Dorcas," + <a href="#link4note-3" name="link4noteref-3" id="link4noteref-3">3</a> in + the language of our country. Ten more men went along with him into the + prison, with their swords drawn, and so they cut the throats of those that + were in custody there. The grand lying pretence these men made for so + flagrant an enormity was this, that these men had had conferences with the + Romans for a surrender of Jerusalem to them; and so they said they had + slain only such as were traitors to their common liberty. Upon the whole, + they grew the more insolent upon this bold prank of theirs, as though they + had been the benefactors and saviors of the city. + </p> + <p> + 6. Now the people were come to that degree of meanness and fear, and these + robbers to that degree of madness, that these last took upon them to + appoint high priests. <a href="#link4note-4" name="link4noteref-4" + id="link4noteref-4">4</a> So when they had disannulled the succession, + according to those families out of which the high priests used to be made, + they ordained certain unknown and ignoble persons for that office, that + they might have their assistance in their wicked undertakings; for such as + obtained this highest of all honors, without any desert, were forced to + comply with those that bestowed it on them. They also set the principal + men at variance one with another, by several sorts of contrivances and + tricks, and gained the opportunity of doing what they pleased, by the + mutual quarrels of those who might have obstructed their measures; till at + length, when they were satiated with the unjust actions they had done + towards men, they transferred their contumelious behavior to God himself, + and came into the sanctuary with polluted feet. + </p> + <p> + 7. And now the multitude were going to rise against them already; for + Ananus, the ancientest of the high priests, persuaded them to it. He was a + very prudent man, and had perhaps saved the city if he could but have + escaped the hands of those that plotted against him. These men made the + temple of God a strong hold for them, and a place whither they might + resort, in order to avoid the troubles they feared from the people; the + sanctuary was now become a refuge, and a shop of tyranny. They also mixed + jesting among the miseries they introduced, which was more intolerable + than what they did; for in order to try what surprise the people would be + under, and how far their own power extended, they undertook to dispose of + the high priesthood by casting lots for it, whereas, as we have said + already, it was to descend by succession in a family. The pretense they + made for this strange attempt was an ancient practice, while they said + that of old it was determined by lot; but in truth, it was no better than + a dissolution of an undeniable law, and a cunning contrivance to seize + upon the government, derived from those that presumed to appoint governors + as they themselves pleased. + </p> + <p> + 8. Hereupon they sent for one of the pontifical tribes, which is called + Eniachim, <a href="#link4note-5" name="link4noteref-5" id="link4noteref-5">5</a> + and cast lots which of it should be the high priest. By fortune the lot so + fell as to demonstrate their iniquity after the plainest manner, for it + fell upon one whose name was Phannias, the son of Samuel, of the village + Aphtha. He was a man not only unworthy of the high priesthood, but that + did not well know what the high priesthood was, such a mere rustic was he! + yet did they hail this man, without his own consent, out of the country, + as if they were acting a play upon the stage, and adorned him with a + counterfeit tree; they also put upon him the sacred garments, and upon + every occasion instructed him what he was to do. This horrid piece of + wickedness was sport and pastime with them, but occasioned the other + priests, who at a distance saw their law made a jest of, to shed tears, + and sorely lament the dissolution of such a sacred dignity. + </p> + <p> + 9. And now the people could no longer bear the insolence of this + procedure, but did all together run zealously, in order to overthrow that + tyranny; and indeed they were Gorion the son of Josephus, and Symeon the + son of Gamaliel, <a href="#link4note-6" name="link4noteref-6" + id="link4noteref-6">6</a> who encouraged them, by going up and down when + they were assembled together in crowds, and as they saw them alone, to + bear no longer, but to inflict punishment upon these pests and plagues of + their freedom, and to purge the temple of these bloody polluters of it. + The best esteemed also of the high priests, Jesus the son of Gamalas, and + Ananus the son of Ananus when they were at their assemblies, bitterly + reproached the people for their sloth, and excited them against the + zealots; for that was the name they went by, as if they were zealous in + good undertakings, and were not rather zealous in the worst actions, and + extravagant in them beyond the example of others. + </p> + <p> + 10. And now, when the multitude were gotten together to an assembly, and + every one was in indignation at these men's seizing upon the sanctuary, at + their rapine and murders, but had not yet begun their attacks upon them, + [the reason of which was this, that they imagined it to be a difficult + thing to suppress these zealots, as indeed the case was,] Ananus stood in + the midst of them, and casting his eyes frequently at the temple, and + having a flood of tears in his eyes, he said, "Certainly it had been good + for me to die before I had seen the house of God full of so many + abominations, or these sacred places, that ought not to be trodden upon at + random, filled with the feet of these blood-shedding villains; yet do I, + who am clothed with the vestments of the high priesthood, and am called by + that most venerable name [of high priest], still live, and am but too fond + of living, and cannot endure to undergo a death which would be the glory + of my old age; and if I were the only person concerned, and as it were in + a desert, I would give up my life, and that alone for God's sake; for to + what purpose is it to live among a people insensible of their calamities, + and where there is no notion remaining of any remedy for the miseries that + are upon them? for when you are seized upon, you bear it! and when you are + beaten, you are silent! and when the people are murdered, nobody dare so + much as send out a groan openly! O bitter tyranny that we are under! But + why do I complain of the tyrants? Was it not you, and your sufferance of + them, that have nourished them? Was it not you that overlooked those that + first of all got together, for they were then but a few, and by your + silence made them grow to be many; and by conniving at them when they took + arms, in effect armed them against yourselves? You ought to have then + prevented their first attempts, when they fell a reproaching your + relations; but by neglecting that care in time, you have encouraged these + wretches to plunder men. When houses were pillaged, nobody said a word, + which was the occasion why they carried off the owners of those houses; + and when they were drawn through the midst of the city, nobody came to + their assistance. They then proceeded to put those whom you have betrayed + into their hands into bonds. I do not say how many and of what characters + those men were whom they thus served; but certainly they were such as were + accused by none, and condemned by none; and since nobody succored them + when they were put into bonds, the consequence was, that you saw the same + persons slain. We have seen this also; so that still the best of the herd + of brute animals, as it were, have been still led to be sacrificed, when + yet nobody said one word, or moved his right hand for their preservation. + Will you bear, therefore, will you bear to see your sanctuary trampled on? + and will you lay steps for these profane wretches, upon which they may + mount to higher degrees of insolence? Will not you pluck them down from + their exaltation? for even by this time they had proceeded to higher + enormities, if they had been able to overthrow any thing greater than the + sanctuary. They have seized upon the strongest place of the whole city; + you may call it the temple, if you please, though it be like a citadel or + fortress. Now, while you have tyranny in so great a degree walled in, and + see your enemies over your heads, to what purpose is it to take counsel? + and what have you to support your minds withal? Perhaps you wait for the + Romans, that they may protect our holy places: are our matters then + brought to that pass? and are we come to that degree of misery, that our + enemies themselves are expected to pity us? O wretched creatures! will not + you rise up and turn upon those that strike you? which you may observe in + wild beasts themselves, that they will avenge themselves on those that + strike them. Will you not call to mind, every one of you, the calamities + you yourselves have suffered? nor lay before your eyes what afflictions + you yourselves have undergone? and will not such things sharpen your souls + to revenge? Is therefore that most honorable and most natural of our + passions utterly lost, I mean the desire of liberty? Truly we are in love + with slavery, and in love with those that lord it over us, as if we had + received that principle of subjection from our ancestors; yet did they + undergo many and great wars for the sake of liberty, nor were they so far + overcome by the power of the Egyptians, or the Medes, but that still they + did what they thought fit, notwithstanding their commands to the contrary. + And what occasion is there now for a war with the Romans? [I meddle not + with determining whether it be an advantageous and profitable war or not.] + What pretense is there for it? Is it not that we may enjoy our liberty? + Besides, shall we not bear the lords of the habitable earth to be lords + over us, and yet bear tyrants of our own country? Although I must say that + submission to foreigners may be borne, because fortune hath already doomed + us to it, while submission to wicked people of our own nation is too + unmanly, and brought upon us by our own consent. However, since I have had + occasion to mention the Romans, I will not conceal a thing that, as I am + speaking, comes into my mind, and affects me considerably; it is this, + that though we should be taken by them, [God forbid the event should be + so!] yet can we undergo nothing that will be harder to be borne than what + these men have already brought upon us. How then can we avoid shedding of + tears, when we see the Roman donations in our temple, while we withal see + those of our own nation taking our spoils, and plundering our glorious + metropolis, and slaughtering our men, from which enormities those Romans + themselves would have abstained? to see those Romans never going beyond + the bounds allotted to profane persons, nor venturing to break in upon any + of our sacred customs; nay, having a horror on their minds when they view + at a distance those sacred walls; while some that have been born in this + very country, and brought up in our customs, and called Jews, do walk + about in the midst of the holy places, at the very time when their hands + are still warm with the slaughter of their own countrymen. Besides, can + any one be afraid of a war abroad, and that with such as will have + comparatively much greater moderation than our own people have? For truly, + if we may suit our words to the things they represent, it is probable one + may hereafter find the Romans to be the supporters of our laws, and those + within ourselves the subverters of them. And now I am persuaded that every + one of you here comes satisfied before I speak that these overthrowers of + our liberties deserve to be destroyed, and that nobody can so much as + devise a punishment that they have not deserved by what they have done, + and that you are all provoked against them by those their wicked actions, + whence you have suffered so greatly. But perhaps many of you are + affrighted at the multitude of those zealots, and at their audaciousness, + as well as at the advantage they have over us in their being higher in + place than we are; for these circumstances, as they have been occasioned + by your negligence, so will they become still greater by being still + longer neglected; for their multitude is every day augmented, by every ill + man's running away to those that are like to themselves, and their + audaciousness is therefore inflamed, because they meet with no obstruction + to their designs. And for their higher place, they will make use of it for + engines also, if we give them time to do so; but be assured of this, that + if we go up to fight them, they will be made tamer by their own + consciences, and what advantages they have in the height of their + situation they will lose by the opposition of their reason; perhaps also + God himself, who hath been affronted by them, will make what they throw at + us return against themselves, and these impious wretches will be killed by + their own darts: let us but make our appearance before them, and they will + come to nothing. However, it is a right thing, if there should be any + danger in the attempt, to die before these holy gates, and to spend our + very lives, if not for the sake of our children and wives, yet for God's + sake, and for the sake of his sanctuary. I will assist you both with my + counsel and with my hand; nor shall any sagacity of ours be wanting for + your support; nor shall you see that I will be sparing of my body + neither." + </p> + <p> + 11. By these motives Ananus encouraged the multitude to go against the + zealots, although he knew how difficult it would be to disperse them, + because of their multitude, and their youth, and the courage of their + souls; but chiefly because of their consciousness of what they had done, + since they would not yield, as not so much as hoping for pardon at the + last for those their enormities. However, Ananus resolved to undergo + whatever sufferings might come upon him, rather than overlook things, now + they were in such great confusion. So the multitude cried out to him, to + lead them on against those whom he had described in his exhortation to + them, and every one of them was most readily disposed to run any hazard + whatsoever on that account. + </p> + <p> + 12. Now while Ananus was choosing out his men, and putting those that were + proper for his purpose in array for fighting, the zealots got information + of his undertaking, [for there were some who went to them, and told them + all that the people were doing,] and were irritated at it, and leaping out + of the temple in crowds, and by parties, spared none whom they met with. + Upon this Ananus got the populace together on the sudden, who were more + numerous indeed than the zealots, but inferior to them in arms, because + they had not been regularly put into array for fighting; but the alacrity + that every body showed supplied all their defects on both sides, the + citizens taking up so great a passion as was stronger than arms, and + deriving a degree of courage from the temple more forcible than any + multitude whatsoever; and indeed these citizens thought it was not + possible for them to dwell in the city, unless they could cut off the + robbers that were in it. The zealots also thought that unless they + prevailed, there would be no punishment so bad but it would be inflicted + on them. So their conflicts were conducted by their passions; and at the + first they only cast stones at each other in the city, and before the + temple, and threw their javelins at a distance; but when either of them + were too hard for the other, they made use of their swords; and great + slaughter was made on both sides, and a great number were wounded. As for + the dead bodies of the people, their relations carried them out to their + own houses; but when any of the zealots were wounded, he went up into the + temple, and defiled that sacred floor with his blood, insomuch that one + may say it was their blood alone that polluted our sanctuary. Now in these + conflicts the robbers always sallied out of the temple, and were too hard + for their enemies; but the populace grew very angry, and became more and + more numerous, and reproached those that gave back, and those behind would + not afford room to those that were going off, but forced them on again, + till at length they made their whole body to turn against their + adversaries, and the robbers could no longer oppose them, but were forced + gradually to retire into the temple; when Ananus and his party fell into + it at the same time together with them. <a href="#link4note-7" + name="link4noteref-7" id="link4noteref-7">7</a> This horribly affrighted + the robbers, because it deprived them of the first court; so they fled + into the inner court immediately, and shut the gates. Now Ananus did not + think fit to make any attack against the holy gates, although the other + threw their stones and darts at them from above. He also deemed it + unlawful to introduce the multitude into that court before they were + purified; he therefore chose out of them all by lot six thousand armed + men, and placed them as guards in the cloisters; so there was a succession + of such guards one after another, and every one was forced to attend in + his course; although many of the chief of the city were dismissed by those + that then took on them the government, upon their hiring some of the + poorer sort, and sending them to keep the guard in their stead. + </p> + <p> + 13. Now it was John who, as we told you, ran away from Gischala, and was + the occasion of all these being destroyed. He was a man of great craft, + and bore about him in his soul a strong passion after tyranny, and at a + distance was the adviser in these actions; and indeed at this time he + pretended to be of the people's opinion, and went all about with Ananus + when he consulted the great men every day, and in the night time also when + he went round the watch; but he divulged their secrets to the zealots, and + every thing that the people deliberated about was by his means known to + their enemies, even before it had been well agreed upon by themselves. And + by way of contrivance how he might not be brought into suspicion, he + cultivated the greatest friendship possible with Ananus, and with the + chief of the people; yet did this overdoing of his turn against him, for + he flattered them so extravagantly, that he was but the more suspected; + and his constant attendance every where, even when he was not invited to + be present, made him strongly suspected of betraying their secrets to the + enemy; for they plainly perceived that they understood all the resolutions + taken against them at their consultations. Nor was there any one whom they + had so much reason to suspect of that discovery as this John; yet was it + not easy to get quit of him, so potent was he grown by his wicked + practices. He was also supported by many of those eminent men, who were to + be consulted upon all considerable affairs; it was therefore thought + reasonable to oblige him to give them assurance of his good-will upon + oath; accordingly John took such an oath readily, that he would be on the + people's side, and would not betray any of their counsels or practices to + their enemies, and would assist them in overthrowing those that attacked + them, and that both by his hand and his advice. So Ananus and his party + believed his oath, and did now receive him to their consultations without + further suspicion; nay, so far did they believe him, that they sent him as + their ambassador into the temple to the zealots, with proposals of + accommodation; for they were very desirous to avoid the pollution of the + temple as much as they possibly could, and that no one of their nation + should be slain therein. + </p> + <p> + 14. But now this John, as if his oath had been made to the zealots, and + for confirmation of his good-will to them, and not against them, went into + the temple, and stood in the midst of them, and spake as follows: That he + had run many hazards on their accounts, and in order to let them know of + every thing that was secretly contrived against them by Ananus and his + party; but that both he and they should be cast into the most imminent + danger, unless some providential assistance were afforded them; for that + Ananus made no longer delay, but had prevailed with the people to send + ambassadors to Vespasian, to invite him to come presently and take the + city; and that he had appointed a fast for the next day against them, that + they might obtain admission into the temple on a religious account, or + gain it by force, and fight with them there; that he did not see how long + they could either endure a siege, or how they could fight against so many + enemies. He added further, that it was by the providence of God he was + himself sent as an ambassador to them for an accommodation; for that + Artanus did therefore offer them such proposals, that he might come upon + them when they were unarmed; that they ought to choose one of these two + methods, either to intercede with those that guarded them, to save their + lives, or to provide some foreign assistance for themselves; that if they + fostered themselves with the hopes of pardon, in case they were subdued, + they had forgotten what desperate things they had done, or could suppose, + that as soon as the actors repented, those that had suffered by them must + be presently reconciled to them; while those that have done injuries, + though they pretend to repent of them, are frequently hated by the others + for that sort of repentance; and that the sufferers, when they get the + power into their hands, are usually still more severe upon the actors; + that the friends and kindred of those that had been destroyed would always + be laying plots against them; and that a large body of people were very + angry on account of their gross breaches of their laws, and [illegal] + judicatures, insomuch that although some part might commiserate them, + those would be quite overborne by the majority. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link42HCH0004" id="link42HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 4. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Idumeans Being Sent For By The Zealots, Came Immediately + To Jerusalem; And When They Were Excluded Out Of The City, + They Lay All Night There. Jesus One Of The High Priests + Makes A Speech To Them; And Simon The Idumean Makes A Reply + To It. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now, by this crafty speech, John made the zealots afraid; yet durst he + not directly name what foreign assistance he meant, but in a covert way + only intimated at the Idumeans. But now, that he might particularly + irritate the leaders of the zealots, he calumniated Ananus, that he was + about a piece of barbarity, and did in a special manner threaten them. + These leaders were Eleazar, the son of Simon, who seemed the most + plausible man of them all, both in considering what was fit to be done, + and in the execution of what he had determined upon, and Zacharias, the + son of Phalek; both of whom derived their families from the priests. Now + when these two men had heard, not only the common threatenings which + belonged to them all, but those peculiarly leveled against themselves; and + besides, how Artanus and his party, in order to secure their own dominion, + had invited the Romans to come to them, for that also was part of John's + lie; they hesitated a great while what they should do, considering the + shortness of the time by which they were straitened; because the people + were prepared to attack them very soon, and because the suddenness of the + plot laid against them had almost cut off all their hopes of getting any + foreign assistance; for they might be under the height of their + afflictions before any of their confederates could be informed of it. + However, it was resolved to call in the Idumeans; so they wrote a short + letter to this effect: That Ananus had imposed on the people, and was + betraying their metropolis to the Romans; that they themselves had + revolted from the rest, and were in custody in the temple, on account of + the preservation of their liberty; that there was but a small time left + wherein they might hope for their deliverance; and that unless they would + come immediately to their assistance, they should themselves be soon in + the power of Artanus, and the city would be in the power of the Romans. + They also charged the messengers to tell many more circumstances to the + rulers of the Idumeans. Now there were two active men proposed for the + carrying this message, and such as were able to speak, and to persuade + them that things were in this posture, and, what was a qualification still + more necessary than the former, they were very swift of foot; for they + knew well enough that these would immediately comply with their desires, + as being ever a tumultuous and disorderly nation, always on the watch upon + every motion, delighting in mutations; and upon your flattering them ever + so little, and petitioning them, they soon take their arms, and put + themselves into motion, and make haste to a battle, as if it were to a + feast. There was indeed occasion for quick despatch in the carrying of + this message, in which point the messengers were no way defective. Both + their names were Ananias; and they soon came to the rulers of the + Idumeans. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now these rulers were greatly surprised at the contents of the letter, + and at what those that came with it further told them; whereupon they ran + about the nation like madmen, and made proclamation that the people should + come to war; so a multitude was suddenly got together, sooner indeed than + the time appointed in the proclamation, and every body caught up their + arms, in order to maintain the liberty of their metropolis; and twenty + thousand of them were put into battle-array, and came to Jerusalem, under + four commanders, John, and Jacob the son of Sosas; and besides these were + Simon, the son of Cathlas, and Phineas, the son of Clusothus. + </p> + <p> + 3. Now this exit of the messengers was not known either to Ananus or to + the guards, but the approach of the Idumeans was known to him; for as he + knew of it before they came, he ordered the gates to be shut against them, + and that the walls should be guarded. Yet did not he by any means think of + fighting against them, but, before they came to blows, to try what + persuasions would do. Accordingly, Jesus, the eldest of the high priests + next to Artanus, stood upon the tower that was over against them, and said + thus: "Many troubles indeed, and those of various kinds, have fallen upon + this city, yet in none of them have I so much wondered at her fortune as + now, when you are come to assist wicked men, and this after a manner very + extraordinary; for I see that you are come to support the vilest of men + against us, and this with so great alacrity, as you could hardly put on + the like, in case our metropolis had called you to her assistance against + barbarians. And if I had perceived that your army was composed of men like + unto those who invited them, I had not deemed your attempt so absurd; for + nothing does so much cement the minds of men together as the alliance + there is between their manners. But now for these men who have invited + you, if you were to examine them one by one, every one of them would be + found to have deserved ten thousand deaths; for the very rascality and + offscouring of the whole country, who have spent in debauchery their own + substance, and, by way of trial beforehand, have madly plundered the + neighboring villages and cities, in the upshot of all, have privately run + together into this holy city. They are robbers, who by their prodigious + wickedness have profaned this most sacred floor, and who are to be now + seen drinking themselves drunk in the sanctuary, and expending the spoils + of those whom they have slaughtered upon their unsatiable bellies. As for + the multitude that is with you, one may see them so decently adorned in + their armor, as it would become them to be had their metropolis called + them to her assistance against foreigners. What can a man call this + procedure of yours but the sport of fortune, when he sees a whole nation + coming to protect a sink of wicked wretches? I have for a good while been + in doubt what it could possibly be that should move you to do this so + suddenly; because certainly you would not take on your armor on the behalf + of robbers, and against a people of kin to you, without some very great + cause for your so doing. But we have an item that the Romans are + pretended, and that we are supposed to be going to betray this city to + them; for some of your men have lately made a clamor about those matters, + and have said they are come to set their metropolis free. Now we cannot + but admire at these wretches in their devising such a lie as this against + us; for they knew there was no other way to irritate against us men that + were naturally desirous of liberty, and on that account the best disposed + to fight against foreign enemies, but by framing a tale as if we were + going to betray that most desirable thing, liberty. But you ought to + consider what sort of people they are that raise this calumny, and against + what sort of people that calumny is raised, and to gather the truth of + things, not by fictitious speeches, but out of the actions of both + parties; for what occasion is there for us to sell ourselves to the + Romans, while it was in our power not to have revolted from them at the + first, or when we had once revolted, to have returned under their dominion + again, and this while the neighboring countries were not yet laid waste? + whereas it is not an easy thing to be reconciled to the Romans, if we were + desirous of it, now they have subdued Galilee, and are thereby become + proud and insolent; and to endeavor to please them at the time when they + are so near us, would bring such a reproach upon us as were worse than + death. As for myself, indeed, I should have preferred peace with them + before death; but now we have once made war upon them, and fought with + them, I prefer death, with reputation, before living in captivity under + them. But further, whether do they pretend that we, who are the rulers of + the people, have sent thus privately to the Romans, or hath it been done + by the common suffrages of the people? If it be ourselves only that have + done it, let them name those friends of ours that have been sent, as our + servants, to manage this treachery. Hath any one been caught as he went + out on this errand, or seized upon as he came back? Are they in possession + of our letters? How could we be concealed from such a vast number of our + fellow citizens, among whom we are conversant every hour, while what is + done privately in the country is, it seems, known by the zealots, who are + but few in number, and under confinement also, and are not able to come + out of the temple into the city. Is this the first time that they are + become sensible how they ought to be punished for their insolent actions? + For while these men were free from the fear they are now under, there was + no suspicion raised that any of us were traitors. But if they lay this + charge against the people, this must have been done at a public + consultation, and not one of the people must have dissented from the rest + of the assembly; in which case the public fame of this matter would have + come to you sooner than any particular indication. But how could that be? + Must there not then have been ambassadors sent to confirm the agreements? + And let them tell us who this ambassador was that was ordained for that + purpose. But this is no other than a pretense of such men as are loath to + die, and are laboring to escape those punishments that hang over them; for + if fate had determined that this city was to be betrayed into its enemies' + hands, no other than these men that accuse us falsely could have the + impudence to do it, there being no wickedness wanting to complete their + impudent practices but this only, that they become traitors. And now you + Idumeans are come hither already with your arms, it is your duty, in the + first place, to be assisting to your metropolis, and to join with us in + cutting off those tyrants that have infringed the rules of our regular + tribunals, that have trampled upon our laws, and made their swords the + arbitrators of right and wrong; for they have seized upon men of great + eminence, and under no accusation, as they stood in the midst of the + market-place, and tortured them with putting them into bonds, and, without + bearing to hear what they had to say, or what supplications they made, + they destroyed them. You may, if you please, come into the city, though + not in the way of war, and take a view of the marks still remaining of + what I now say, and may see the houses that have been depopulated by their + rapacious hands, with those wives and families that are in black, mourning + for their slaughtered relations; as also you may hear their groans and + lamentations all the city over; for there is nobody but hath tasted of the + incursions of these profane wretches, who have proceeded to that degree of + madness, as not only to have transferred their impudent robberies out of + the country, and the remote cities, into this city, the very face and head + of the whole nation, but out of the city into the temple also; for that is + now made their receptacle and refuge, and the fountain-head whence their + preparations are made against us. And this place, which is adored by the + habitable world, and honored by such as only know it by report, as far as + the ends of the earth, is trampled upon by these wild beasts born among + ourselves. They now triumph in the desperate condition they are already + in, when they hear that one people is going to fight against another + people, and one city against another city, and that your nation hath + gotten an army together against its own bowels. Instead of which + procedure, it were highly fit and reasonable, as I said before, for you to + join with us in cutting off these wretches, and in particular to be + revenged on them for putting this very cheat upon you; I mean, for having + the impudence to invite you to assist them, of whom they ought to have + stood in fear, as ready to punish them. But if you have some regard to + these men's invitation of you, yet may you lay aside your arms, and come + into the city under the notion of our kindred, and take upon you a middle + name between that of auxiliaries and of enemies, and so become judges in + this case. However, consider what these men will gain by being called into + judgment before you, for such undeniable and such flagrant crimes, who + would not vouchsafe to hear such as had no accusations laid against them + to speak a word for themselves. However, let them gain this advantage by + your coming. But still, if you will neither take our part in that + indignation we have at these men, nor judge between us, the third thing I + have to propose is this, that you let us both alone, and neither insult + upon our calamities, nor abide with these plotters against their + metropolis; for though you should have ever so great a suspicion that some + of us have discoursed with the Romans, it is in your power to watch the + passages into the city; and in case any thing that we have been accused of + is brought to light, then to come and defend your metropolis, and to + inflict punishment on those that are found guilty; for the enemy cannot + prevent you who are so near to the city. But if, after all, none of these + proposals seem acceptable and moderate, do not you wonder that the gates + are shut against you, while you bear your arms about you." + </p> + <p> + 4. Thus spake Jesus; yet did not the multitude of the Idumeans give any + attention to what he said, but were in a rage, because they did not meet + with a ready entrance into the city. The generals also had indignation at + the offer of laying down their arms, and looked upon it as equal to a + captivity, to throw them away at any man's injunction whomsoever. But + Simon, the son of Cathlas, one of their commanders, with much ado quieted + the tumult of his own men, and stood so that the high priests might hear + him, and said as follows: "I can no longer wonder that the patrons of + liberty are under custody in the temple, since there are those that shut + the gates of our common city <a href="#link4note-8" name="link4noteref-8" + id="link4noteref-8">8</a> to their own nation, and at the same time are + prepared to admit the Romans into it; nay, perhaps are disposed to crown + the gates with garlands at their coming, while they speak to the Idumeans + from their own towers, and enjoin them to throw down their arms which they + have taken up for the preservation of its liberty. And while they will not + intrust the guard of our metropolis to their kindred, profess to make them + judges of the differences that are among them; nay, while they accuse some + men of having slain others without a legal trial, they do themselves + condemn a whole nation after an ignominious manner, and have now walled up + that city from their own nation, which used to be open to even all + foreigners that came to worship there. We have indeed come in great haste + to you, and to a war against our own countrymen; and the reason why we + have made such haste is this, that we may preserve that freedom which you + are so unhappy as to betray. You have probably been guilty of the like + crimes against those whom you keep in custody, and have, I suppose, + collected together the like plausible pretenses against them also that you + make use of against us; after which you have gotten the mastery of those + within the temple, and keep them in custody, while they are only taking + care of the public affairs. You have also shut the gates of the city in + general against nations that are the most nearly related to you; and while + you give such injurious commands to others, you complain that you have + been tyrannized over by them, and fix the name of unjust governors upon + such as are tyrannized over by yourselves. Who can bear this your abuse of + words, while they have a regard to the contrariety of your actions, unless + you mean this, that those Idumeans do now exclude you out of your + metropolis, whom you exclude from the sacred offices of your own country? + One may indeed justly complain of those that are besieged in the temple, + that when they had courage enough to punish those tyrants whom you call + eminent men, and free from any accusations, because of their being your + companions in wickedness, they did not begin with you, and thereby cut off + beforehand the most dangerous parts of this treason. But if these men have + been more merciful than the public necessity required, we that are + Idumeans will preserve this house of God, and will fight for our common + country, and will oppose by war as well those that attack them from + abroad, as those that betray them from within. Here will we abide before + the walls in our armor, until either the Romans grow weary in waiting for + you, or you become friends to liberty, and repent of what you have done + against it." + </p> + <p> + 5. And now did the Idumeans make an acclamation to what Simon had said; + but Jesus went away sorrowful, as seeing that the Idumeans were against + all moderate counsels, and that the city was besieged on both sides. Nor + indeed were the minds of the Idumeans at rest; for they were in a rage at + the injury that had been offered them by their exclusion out of the city; + and when they thought the zealots had been strong, but saw nothing of + theirs to support them, they were in doubt about the matter, and many of + them repented that they had come thither. But the shame that would attend + them in case they returned without doing any thing at all, so far overcame + that their repentance, that they lay all night before the wall, though in + a very bad encampment; for there broke out a prodigious storm in the + night, with the utmost violence, and very strong winds, with the largest + showers of rain, with continued lightnings, terrible thunderings, and + amazing concussions and bellowings of the earth, that was in an + earthquake. These things were a manifest indication that some destruction + was coming upon men, when the system of the world was put into this + disorder; and any one would guess that these wonders foreshowed some grand + calamities that were coming. + </p> + <p> + 6. Now the opinion of the Idumeans and of the citizens was one and the + same. The Idumeans thought that God was angry at their taking arms, and + that they would not escape punishment for their making war upon their + metropolis. Ananus and his party thought that they had conquered without + fighting, and that God acted as a general for them; but truly they proved + both ill conjectures at what was to come, and made those events to be + ominous to their enemies, while they were themselves to undergo the ill + effects of them; for the Idumeans fenced one another by uniting their + bodies into one band, and thereby kept themselves warm, and connecting + their shields over their heads, were not so much hurt by the rain. But the + zealots were more deeply concerned for the danger these men were in than + they were for themselves, and got together, and looked about them to see + whether they could devise any means of assisting them. The hotter sort of + them thought it best to force their guards with their arms, and after that + to fall into the midst of the city, and publicly open the gates to those + that came to their assistance; as supposing the guards would be in + disorder, and give way at such an unexpected attempt of theirs, especially + as the greater part of them were unarmed and unskilled in the affairs of + war; and that besides the multitude of the citizens would not be easily + gathered together, but confined to their houses by the storm: and that if + there were any hazard in their undertaking, it became them to suffer any + thing whatsoever themselves, rather than to overlook so great a multitude + as were miserably perishing on their account. But the more prudent part of + them disapproved of this forcible method, because they saw not only the + guards about them very numerous, but the walls of the city itself + carefully watched, by reason of the Idumeans. They also supposed that + Ananus would be every where, and visit the guards every hour; which indeed + was done upon other nights, but was omitted that night, not by reason of + any slothfulness of Ananus, but by the overbearing appointment of fate, + that so both he might himself perish, and the multitude of the guards + might perish with him; for truly, as the night was far gone, and the storm + very terrible, Ananus gave the guards in the cloisters leave to go to + sleep; while it came into the heads of the zealots to make use of the saws + belonging to the temple, and to cut the bars of the gates to pieces. The + noise of the wind, and that not inferior sound of the thunder, did here + also conspire with their designs, that the noise of the saws was not heard + by the others. + </p> + <p> + 7. So they secretly went out of the temple to the wall of the city, and + made use of their saws, and opened that gate which was over against the + Idumeans. Now at first there came a fear upon the Idumeans themselves, + which disturbed them, as imagining that Ananus and his party were coming + to attack them, so that every one of them had his right hand upon his + sword, in order to defend himself; but they soon came to know who they + were that came to them, and were entered the city. And had the Idumeans + then fallen upon the city, nothing could have hindered them from + destroying the people every man of them, such was the rage they were in at + that time; but as they first of all made haste to get the zealots out of + custody, which those that brought them in earnestly desired them to do, + and not to overlook those for whose sakes they were come, in the midst of + their distresses, nor to bring them into a still greater danger; for that + when they had once seized upon the guards, it would be easy for them to + fall upon the city; but that if the city were once alarmed, they would not + then be able to overcome those guards, because as soon as they should + perceive they were there, they would put themselves in order to fight + them, and would hinder their coming into the temple. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link42HCH0005" id="link42HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Cruelty Of The Idumeans When They Were Gotten Into The + Temple During The Storm; And Of The Zealots. Concerning The + Slaughter Of Ananus, And Jesus, And Zacharias; And How The + Idumeans Retired Home. +</pre> + <p> + 1. This advice pleased the Idumeans, and they ascended through the city to + the temple. The zealots were also in great expectation of their coming, + and earnestly waited for them. When therefore these were entering, they + also came boldly out of the inner temple, and mixing themselves among the + Idumeans, they attacked the guards; and some of those that were upon the + watch, but were fallen asleep, they killed as they were asleep; but as + those that were now awakened made a cry, the whole multitude arose, and in + the amazement they were in caught hold of their arms immediately, and + betook themselves to their own defense; and so long as they thought they + were only the zealots who attacked them, they went on boldly, as hoping to + overpower them by their numbers; but when they saw others pressing in upon + them also, they perceived the Idumeans were got in; and the greatest part + of them laid aside their arms, together with their courage, and betook + themselves to lamentations. But some few of the younger sort covered + themselves with their armor, and valiantly received the Idumeans, and for + a while protected the multitude of old men. Others, indeed, gave a signal + to those that were in the city of the calamities they were in; but when + these were also made sensible that the Idumeans were come in, none of them + durst come to their assistance, only they returned the terrible echo of + wailing, and lamented their misfortunes. A great howling of the women was + excited also, and every one of the guards were in danger of being killed. + The zealots also joined in the shouts raised by the Idumeans; and the + storm itself rendered the cry more terrible; nor did the Idumeans spare + any body; for as they are naturally a most barbarous and bloody nation, + and had been distressed by the tempest, they made use of their weapons + against those that had shut the gates against them, and acted in the same + manner as to those that supplicated for their lives, and to those that + fought them, insomuch that they ran through those with their swords who + desired them to remember the relation there was between them, and begged + of them to have regard to their common temple. Now there was at present + neither any place for flight, nor any hope of preservation; but as they + were driven one upon another in heaps, so were they slain. Thus the + greater part were driven together by force, as there was now no place of + retirement, and the murderers were upon them; and, having no other way, + threw themselves down headlong into the city; whereby, in my opinion, they + underwent a more miserable destruction than that which they avoided, + because that was a voluntary one. And now the outer temple was all of it + overflowed with blood; and that day, as it came on, they saw eight + thousand five hundred dead bodies there. + </p> + <p> + 2. But the rage of the Idumeans was not satiated by these slaughters; but + they now betook themselves to the city, and plundered every house, and + slew every one they met; and for the other multitude, they esteemed it + needless to go on with killing them, but they sought for the high priests, + and the generality went with the greatest zeal against them; and as soon + as they caught them they slew them, and then standing upon their dead + bodies, in way of jest, upbraided Ananus with his kindness to the people, + and Jesus with his speech made to them from the wall. Nay, they proceeded + to that degree of impiety, as to cast away their dead bodies without + burial, although the Jews used to take so much care of the burial of men, + that they took down those that were condemned and crucified, and buried + them before the going down of the sun. I should not mistake if I said that + the death of Ananus was the beginning of the destruction of the city, and + that from this very day may be dated the overthrow of her wall, and the + ruin of her affairs, whereon they saw their high priest, and the procurer + of their preservation, slain in the midst of their city. He was on other + accounts also a venerable, and a very just man; and besides the grandeur + of that nobility, and dignity, and honor of which he was possessed, he had + been a lover of a kind of parity, even with regard to the meanest of the + people; he was a prodigious lover of liberty, and an admirer of a + democracy in government; and did ever prefer the public welfare before his + own advantage, and preferred peace above all things; for he was thoroughly + sensible that the Romans were not to be conquered. He also foresaw that of + necessity a war would follow, and that unless the Jews made up matters + with them very dexterously, they would be destroyed; to say all in a word, + if Ananus had survived, they had certainly compounded matters; for he was + a shrewd man in speaking and persuading the people, and had already gotten + the mastery of those that opposed his designs, or were for the war. And + the Jews had then put abundance of delays in the way of the Romans, if + they had had such a general as he was. Jesus was also joined with him; and + although he was inferior to him upon the comparison, he was superior to + the rest; and I cannot but think that it was because God had doomed this + city to destruction, as a polluted city, and was resolved to purge his + sanctuary by fire, that he cut off these their great defenders and + well-wishers, while those that a little before had worn the sacred + garments, and had presided over the public worship; and had been esteemed + venerable by those that dwelt on the whole habitable earth when they came + into our city, were cast out naked, and seen to be the food of dogs and + wild beasts. And I cannot but imagine that virtue itself groaned at these + men's case, and lamented that she was here so terribly conquered by + wickedness. And this at last was the end of Ananus and Jesus. + </p> + <p> + 3. Now after these were slain, the zealots and the multitude of the + Idumeans fell upon the people as upon a flock of profane animals, and cut + their throats; and for the ordinary sort, they were destroyed in what + place soever they caught them. But for the noblemen and the youth, they + first caught them and bound them, and shut them up in prison, and put off + their slaughter, in hopes that some of them would turn over to their + party; but not one of them would comply with their desires, but all of + them preferred death before being enrolled among such wicked wretches as + acted against their own country. But this refusal of theirs brought upon + them terrible torments; for they were so scourged and tortured, that their + bodies were not able to sustain their torments, till at length, and with + difficulty, they had the favor to be slain. Those whom they caught in the + day time were slain in the night, and then their bodies were carried out + and thrown away, that there might be room for other prisoners; and the + terror that was upon the people was so great, that no one had courage + enough either to weep openly for the dead man that was related to him, or + to bury him; but those that were shut up in their own houses could only + shed tears in secret, and durst not even groan without great caution, lest + any of their enemies should hear them; for if they did, those that mourned + for others soon underwent the same death with those whom they mourned for. + Only in the night time they would take up a little dust, and throw it upon + their bodies; and even some that were the most ready to expose themselves + to danger would do it in the day time: and there were twelve thousand of + the better sort who perished in this manner. + </p> + <p> + 4. And now these zealots and Idumeans were quite weary of barely killing + men, so they had the impudence of setting up fictitious tribunals and + judicatures for that purpose; and as they intended to have Zacharias <a + href="#link4note-9" name="link4noteref-9" id="link4noteref-9">9</a> the + son of Baruch, one of the most eminent of the citizens, slain, so what + provoked them against him was, that hatred of wickedness and love of + liberty which were so eminent in him: he was also a rich man, so that by + taking him off, they did not only hope to seize his effects, but also to + get rid of a mall that had great power to destroy them. So they called + together, by a public proclamation, seventy of the principal men of the + populace, for a show, as if they were real judges, while they had no + proper authority. Before these was Zacharias accused of a design to betray + their polity to the Romans, and having traitorously sent to Vespasian for + that purpose. Now there appeared no proof or sign of what he was accused; + but they affirmed themselves that they were well persuaded that so it was, + and desired that such their affirmation might be taken for sufficient + evidence. Now when Zacharias clearly saw that there was no way remaining + for his escape from them, as having been treacherously called before them, + and then put in prison, but not with any intention of a legal trial, he + took great liberty of speech in that despair of his life he was under. + Accordingly he stood up, and laughed at their pretended accusation, and in + a few words confuted the crimes laid to his charge; after which he turned + his speech to his accusers, and went over distinctly all their + transgressions of the law, and made heavy lamentation upon the confusion + they had brought public affairs to: in the mean time, the zealots grew + tumultuous, and had much ado to abstain from drawing their swords, + although they designed to preserve the appearance and show of judicature + to the end. They were also desirous, on other accounts, to try the judges, + whether they would be mindful of what was just at their own peril. Now the + seventy judges brought in their verdict that the person accused was not + guilty, as choosing rather to die themselves with him, than to have his + death laid at their doors; hereupon there arose a great clamor of the + zealots upon his acquittal, and they all had indignation at the judges for + not understanding that the authority that was given them was but in jest. + So two of the boldest of them fell upon Zacharias in the middle of the + temple, and slew him; and as he fell down dead, they bantered him, and + said, "Thou hast also our verdict, and this will prove a more sure + acquittal to thee than the other." They also threw him down from the + temple immediately into the valley beneath it. Moreover, they struck the + judges with the backs of their swords, by way of abuse, and thrust them + out of the court of the temple, and spared their lives with no other + design than that, when they were dispersed among the people in the city, + they might become their messengers, to let them know they were no better + than slaves. + </p> + <p> + 5. But by this time the Idumeans repented of their coming, and were + displeased at what had been done; and when they were assembled together by + one of the zealots, who had come privately to them, he declared to them + what a number of wicked pranks they had themselves done in conjunction + with those that invited them, and gave a particular account of what + mischiefs had been done against their metropolis. He said that they had + taken arms, as though the high priests were betraying their metropolis to + the Romans, but had found no indication of any such treachery; but that + they had succored those that had pretended to believe such a thing, while + they did themselves the works of war and tyranny, after an insolent + manner. It had been indeed their business to have hindered them from such + their proceedings at the first, but seeing they had once been partners + with them in shedding the blood of their own countrymen, it was high time + to put a stop to such crimes, and not continue to afford any more + assistance to such as are subverting the laws of their forefathers; for + that if any had taken it ill that the gates had been shut against them, + and they had not been permitted to come into the city, yet that those who + had excluded them have been punished, and Ananus is dead, and that almost + all those people had been destroyed in one night's time. That one may + perceive many of themselves now repenting for what they had done, and + might see the horrid barbarity of those that had invited them, and that + they had no regard to such as had saved them; that they were so impudent + as to perpetrate the vilest things, under the eyes of those that had + supported them, and that their wicked actions would be laid to the charge + of the Idumeans, and would be so laid to their charge till somebody + obstructs their proceedings, or separates himself from the same wicked + action; that they therefore ought to retire home, since the imputation of + treason appears to be a Calumny, and that there was no expectation of the + coming of the Romans at this time, and that the government of the city was + secured by such walls as cannot easily be thrown down; and, by avoiding + any further fellowship with these bad men, to make some excuse for + themselves, as to what they had been so far deluded, as to have been + partners with them hitherto. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link42HCH0006" id="link42HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 6. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How The Zealots When They Were Freed From The Idumeans, Slew + A Great Many More Of The Citizens; And How Vespasian + Dissuaded The Romans When They Were Very Earnest To March + Against The Jews From Proceeding In The War At That Time. +</pre> + <p> + 1. The Idumeans complied with these persuasions; and, in the first place, + they set those that were in the prisons at liberty, being about two + thousand of the populace, who thereupon fled away immediately to Simon, + one whom we shall speak of presently. After which these Idumeans retired + from Jerusalem, and went home; which departure of theirs was a great + surprise to both parties; for the people, not knowing of their repentance, + pulled up their courage for a while, as eased of so many of their enemies, + while the zealots grew more insolent not as deserted by their + confederates, but as freed from such men as might hinder their designs, + and plot some stop to their wickedness. Accordingly, they made no longer + any delay, nor took any deliberation in their enormous practices, but made + use of the shortest methods for all their executions and what they had + once resolved upon, they put in practice sooner than any one could + imagine. But their thirst was chiefly after the blood of valiant men, and + men of good families; the one sort of which they destroyed out of envy, + the other out of fear; for they thought their whole security lay in + leaving no potent men alive; on which account they slew Gorion, a person + eminent in dignity, and on account of his family also; he was also for + democracy, and of as great boldness and freedom of spirit as were any of + the Jews whosoever; the principal thing that ruined him, added to his + other advantages, was his free speaking. Nor did Niger of Peres escape + their hands; he had been a man of great valor in their war with the + Romans, but was now drawn through the middle of the city, and, as he went, + he frequently cried out, and showed the scars of his wounds; and when he + was drawn out of the gates, and despaired of his preservation, he besought + them to grant him a burial; but as they had threatened him beforehand not + to grant him any spot of earth for a grave, which he chiefly desired of + them, so did they slay him [without permitting him to be buried]. Now when + they were slaying him, he made this imprecation upon them, that they might + undergo both famine and pestilence in this war, and besides all that, they + might come to the mutual slaughter of one another; all which imprecations + God confirmed against these impious men, and was what came most justly + upon them, when not long afterward they tasted of their own madness in + their mutual seditions one against another. So when this Niger was killed, + their fears of being overturned were diminished; and indeed there was no + part of the people but they found out some pretense to destroy them; for + some were therefore slain, because they had had differences with some of + them; and as to those that had not opposed them in times of peace, they + watched seasonable opportunities to gain some accusation against them; and + if any one did not come near them at all, he was under their suspicion as + a proud man; if any one came with boldness, he was esteemed a contemner of + them; and if any one came as aiming to oblige them, he was supposed to + have some treacherous plot against them; while the only punishment of + crimes, whether they were of the greatest or smallest sort, was death. Nor + could any one escape, unless he were very inconsiderable, either on + account of the meanness of his birth, or on account of his fortune. + </p> + <p> + 2. And now all the rest of the commanders of the Romans deemed this + sedition among their enemies to be of great advantage to them, and were + very earnest to march to the city, and they urged Vespasian, as their lord + and general in all cases, to make haste, and said to him, that "the + providence of God is on our side, by setting our enemies at variance + against one another; that still the change in such cases may be sudden, + and the Jews may quickly be at one again, either because they may be tired + out with their civil miseries, or repent them of such doings." But + Vespasian replied, that they were greatly mistaken in what they thought + fit to be done, as those that, upon the theater, love to make a show of + their hands, and of their weapons, but do it at their own hazard, without + considering, what was for their advantage, and for their security; for + that if they now go and attack the city immediately, "they shall but + occasion their enemies to unite together, and shall convert their force, + now it is in its height, against themselves. But if they stay a while, + they shall have fewer enemies, because they will be consumed in this + sedition: that God acts as a general of the Romans better than he can do, + and is giving the Jews up to them without any pains of their own, and + granting their army a victory without any danger; that therefore it is + their best way, while their enemies are destroying each other with their + own hands, and falling into the greatest of misfortunes, which is that of + sedition, to sit still as spectators of the dangers they run into, rather + than to fight hand to hand with men that love murdering, and are mad one + against another. But if any one imagines that the glory of victory, when + it is gotten without fighting, will be more insipid, let him know this + much, that a glorious success, quietly obtained, is more profitable than + the dangers of a battle; for we ought to esteem these that do what is + agreeable to temperance and prudence no less glorious than those that have + gained great reputation by their actions in war: that he shall lead on his + army with greater force when their enemies are diminished, and his own + army refreshed after the continual labors they had undergone. However, + that this is not a proper time to propose to ourselves the glory of + victory; for that the Jews are not now employed in making of armor or + building of walls, nor indeed in getting together auxiliaries, while the + advantage will be on their side who give them such opportunity of delay; + but that the Jews are vexed to pieces every day by their civil wars and + dissensions, and are under greater miseries than, if they were once taken, + could be inflicted on them by us. Whether therefore any one hath regard to + what is for our safety, he ought to suffer these Jews to destroy one + another; or whether he hath regard to the greater glory of the action, we + ought by no means to meddle with those men, now they are afflicted with a + distemper at home; for should we now conquer them, it would be said the + conquest was not owing to our bravery, but to their sedition." <a + href="#link4note-10" name="link4noteref-10" id="link4noteref-10">10</a> + </p> + <p> + 3. And now the commanders joined in their approbation of what Vespasian + had said, and it was soon discovered how wise an opinion he had given. And + indeed many there were of the Jews that deserted every day, and fled away + from the zealots, although their flight was very difficult, since they had + guarded every passage out of the city, and slew every one that was caught + at them, as taking it for granted they were going over to the Romans; yet + did he who gave them money get clear off, while he only that gave them + none was voted a traitor. So the upshot was this, that the rich purchased + their flight by money, while none but the poor were slain. Along all the + roads also vast numbers of dead bodies lay in heaps, and even many of + those that were so zealous in deserting at length chose rather to perish + within the city; for the hopes of burial made death in their own city + appear of the two less terrible to them. But these zealots came at last to + that degree of barbarity, as not to bestow a burial either on those slain + in the city, or on those that lay along the roads; but as if they had made + an agreement to cancel both the laws of their country and the laws of + nature, and, at the same time that they defiled men with their wicked + actions, they would pollute the Divinity itself also, they left the dead + bodies to putrefy under the sun; and the same punishment was allotted to + such as buried any as to those that deserted, which was no other than + death; while he that granted the favor of a grave to another would + presently stand in need of a grave himself. To say all in a word, no other + gentle passion was so entirely lost among them as mercy; for what were the + greatest objects of pity did most of all irritate these wretches, and they + transferred their rage from the living to those that had been slain, and + from the dead to the living. Nay, the terror was so very great, that he + who survived called them that were first dead happy, as being at rest + already; as did those that were under torture in the prisons, declare, + that, upon this comparison, those that lay unburied were the happiest. + These men, therefore, trampled upon all the laws of men, and laughed at + the laws of God; and for the oracles of the prophets, they ridiculed them + as the tricks of jugglers; yet did these prophets foretell many things + concerning [the rewards of] virtue, and [punishments of] vice, which when + these zealots violated, they occasioned the fulfilling of those very + prophecies belonging to their own country; for there was a certain ancient + oracle of those men, that the city should then be taken and the sanctuary + burnt, by right of war, when a sedition should invade the Jews, and their + own hand should pollute the temple of God. Now while these zealots did not + [quite] disbelieve these predictions, they made themselves the instruments + of their accomplishment. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link42HCH0007" id="link42HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 7. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How John Tyrannized Over The Rest; And What Mischiefs The + Zealots Did At Masada. How Also Vespasian Took Gadara; And + What Actions Were Performed By Placidus. +</pre> + <p> + 1. By this time John was beginning to tyrannize, and thought it beneath + him to accept of barely the same honors that others had; and joining to + himself by degrees a party of the wickedest of them all, he broke off from + the rest of the faction. This was brought about by his still disagreeing + with the opinions of others, and giving out injunctions of his own, in a + very imperious manner; so that it was evident he was setting up a + monarchical power. Now some submitted to him out of their fear of him, and + others out of their good-will to him; for he was a shrewd man to entice + men to him, both by deluding them and putting cheats upon them. Nay, many + there were that thought they should be safer themselves, if the causes of + their past insolent actions should now be reduced to one head, and not to + a great many. His activity was so great, and that both in action and in + counsel, that he had not a few guards about him; yet was there a great + party of his antagonists that left him; among whom envy at him weighed a + great deal, while they thought it a very heavy thing to be in subjection + to one that was formerly their equal. But the main reason that moved men + against him was the dread of monarchy, for they could not hope easily to + put an end to his power, if he had once obtained it; and yet they knew + that he would have this pretense always against them, that they had + opposed him when he was first advanced; while every one chose rather to + suffer any thing whatsoever in war, than that, when they had been in a + voluntary slavery for some time, they should afterward perish. So the + sedition was divided into two parts, and John reigned in opposition to his + adversaries over one of them: but for their leaders, they watched one + another, nor did they at all, or at least very little, meddle with arms in + their quarrels; but they fought earnestly against the people, and + contended one with another which of them should bring home the greatest + prey. But because the city had to struggle with three of the greatest + misfortunes, war, and tyranny, and sedition, it appeared, upon the + comparison, that the war was the least troublesome to the populace of them + all. Accordingly, they ran away from their own houses to foreigners, and + obtained that preservation from the Romans which they despaired to obtain + among their own people. + </p> + <p> + 2. And now a fourth misfortune arose, in order to bring our nation to + destruction. There was a fortress of very great strength not far from + Jerusalem, which had been built by our ancient kings, both as a repository + for their effects in the hazards of war, and for the preservation of their + bodies at the same time. It was called Masada. Those that were called + Sicarii had taken possession of it formerly, but at this time they overran + the neighboring countries, aiming only to procure to themselves + necessaries; for the fear they were then in prevented their further + ravages. But when once they were informed that the Roman army lay still, + and that the Jews were divided between sedition and tyranny, they boldly + undertook greater matters; and at the feast of unleavened bread, which the + Jews celebrate in memory of their deliverance from the Egyptian bondage, + when they were sent back into the country of their forefathers, they came + down by night, without being discovered by those that could have prevented + them, and overran a certain small city called Engaddi:—in which + expedition they prevented those citizens that could have stopped them, + before they could arm themselves, and fight them. They also dispersed + them, and cast them out of the city. As for such as could not run away, + being women and children, they slew of them above seven hundred. + Afterward, when they had carried every thing out of their houses, and had + seized upon all the fruits that were in a flourishing condition, they + brought them into Masada. And indeed these men laid all the villages that + were about the fortress waste, and made the whole country desolate; while + there came to them every day, from all parts, not a few men as corrupt as + themselves. At that time all the other regions of Judea that had hitherto + been at rest were in motion, by means of the robbers. Now as it is in a + human body, if the principal part be inflamed, all the members are subject + to the same distemper; so, by means of the sedition and disorder that was + in the metropolis,. had the wicked men that were in the country + opportunity to ravage the same. Accordingly, when every one of them had + plundered their own villages, they then retired into the desert; yet were + these men that now got together, and joined in the conspiracy by parties, + too small for an army, and too many for a gang of thieves: and thus did + they fall upon the holy places <a href="#link4note-11" + name="link4noteref-11" id="link4noteref-11">11</a> and the cities; yet did + it now so happen that they were sometimes very ill treated by those upon + whom they fell with such violence, and were taken by them as men are taken + in war: but still they prevented any further punishment as do robbers, + who, as soon as their ravages [are discovered], run their way. Nor was + there now any part of Judea that was not in a miserable condition, as well + as its most eminent city also. + </p> + <p> + 3. These things were told Vespasian by deserters; for although the + seditious watched all the passages out of the city, and destroyed all, + whosoever they were, that came thither, yet were there some that had + concealed themselves, and when they had fled to the Romans, persuaded + their general to come to their city's assistance, and save the remainder + of the people; informing him withal, that it was upon account of the + people's good-will to the Romans that many of them were already slain, and + the survivors in danger of the same treatment. Vespasian did indeed + already pity the calamities these men were in, and arose, in appearance, + as though he was going to besiege Jerusalem, but in reality to deliver + them from a [worse] siege they were already under. However, he was obliged + first to overthrow what remained elsewhere, and to leave nothing out of + Jerusalem behind him that might interrupt him in that siege. Accordingly, + he marched against Gadara, the metropolis of Perea, which was a place of + strength, and entered that city on the fourth day of the month Dystrus + [Adar]; for the men of power had sent an embassage to him, without the + knowledge of the seditious, to treat about a surrender; which they did out + of the desire they had of peace, and for saving their effects, because + many of the citizens of Gadara were rich men. This embassy the opposite + party knew nothing of, but discovered it as Vespasian was approaching near + the city. However, they despaired of keeping possession of the city, as + being inferior in number to their enemies who were within the city, and + seeing the Romans very near to the city; so they resolved to fly, but + thought it dishonorable to do it without shedding some blood, and + revenging themselves on the authors of this surrender; so they seized upon + Dolesus, [a person not only the first in rank and family in that city, but + one that seemed the occasion of sending such an embassy,] and slew him, + and treated his dead body after a barbarous manner, so very violent was + their anger at him, and then ran out of the city. And as now the Roman + army was just upon them, the people of Gadara admitted Vespasian with + joyful acclamations, and received from him the security of his right hand, + as also a garrison of horsemen and footmen, to guard them against the + excursions of the runagates; for as to their wall, they had pulled it down + before the Romans desired them so to do, that they might thereby give them + assurance that they were lovers of peace, and that, if they had a mind, + they could not now make war against them. + </p> + <p> + 4. And now Vespasian sent Placidus against those that had fled from + Gadara, with five hundred horsemen, and three thousand footmen, while he + returned himself to Cesarea, with the rest of the army. But as soon as + these fugitives saw the horsemen that pursued them just upon their backs, + and before they came to a close fight, they ran together to a certain + village, which was called Bethennabris, where finding a great multitude of + young men, and arming them, partly by their own consent, partly by force, + they rashly and suddenly assaulted Placidus and the troops that were with + him. These horsemen at the first onset gave way a little, as contriving to + entice them further off the wall; and when they had drawn them into a + place fit for their purpose, they made their horse encompass them round, + and threw their darts at them. So the horsemen cut off the flight of the + fugitives, while the foot terribly destroyed those that fought against + them; for those Jews did no more than show their courage, and then were + destroyed; for as they fell upon the Romans when they were joined close + together, and, as it were, walled about with their entire armor, they were + not able to find any place where the darts could enter, nor were they any + way able to break their ranks, while they were themselves run through by + the Roman darts, and, like the wildest of wild beasts, rushed upon the + point of others' swords; so some of them were destroyed, as cut with their + enemies' swords upon their faces, and others were dispersed by the + horsemen. + </p> + <p> + 5. Now Placidus's concern was to exclude them in their flight from getting + into the village; and causing his horse to march continually on that side + of them, he then turned short upon them, and at the same time his men made + use of their darts, and easily took their aim at those that were the + nearest to them, as they made those that were further off turn back by the + terror they were in, till at last the most courageous of them brake + through those horsemen and fled to the wall of the village. And now those + that guarded the wall were in great doubt what to do; for they could not + bear the thoughts of excluding those that came from Gadara, because of + their own people that were among them; and yet, if they should admit them, + they expected to perish with them, which came to pass accordingly; for as + they were crowding together at the wall, the Roman horsemen were just + ready to fall in with them. However, the guards prevented them, and shut + the gates, when Placidus made an assault upon them, and fighting + courageously till it was dark, he got possession of the wall, and of the + people that were in the city, when the useless multitude were destroyed; + but those that were more potent ran away, and the soldiers plundered the + houses, and set the village on fire. As for those that ran out of the + village, they stirred up such as were in the country, and exaggerating + their own calamities, and telling them that the whole army of the Romans + were upon them, they put them into great fear on every side; so they got + in great numbers together, and fled to Jericho, for they knew no other + place that could afford them any hope of escaping, it being a city that + had a strong wall, and a great multitude of inhabitants. But Placidus, + relying much upon his horsemen, and his former good success, followed + them, and slew all that he overtook, as far as Jordan; and when he had + driven the whole multitude to the river-side, where they were stopped by + the current, [for it had been augmented lately by rains, and was not + fordable,] he put his soldiers in array over against them; so the + necessity the others were in provoked them to hazard a battle, because + there was no place whither they could flee. They then extended themselves + a very great way along the banks of the river, and sustained the darts + that were thrown at them, as well as the attacks of the horsemen, who beat + many of them, and pushed them into the current. At which fight, hand to + hand, fifteen thousand of them were slain, while the number of those that + were unwillingly forced to leap into Jordan was prodigious. There were + besides two thousand and two hundred taken prisoners. A mighty prey was + taken also, consisting of asses, and sheep, and camels, and oxen. + </p> + <p> + 6. Now this destruction that fell upon the Jews, as it was not inferior to + any of the rest in itself, so did it still appear greater than it really + was; and this, because not only the whole country through which they fled + was filled with slaughter, and Jordan could not be passed over, by reason + of the dead bodies that were in it, but because the lake Asphaltites was + also full of dead bodies, that were carried down into it by the river. And + now Placidus, after this good success that he had, fell violently upon the + neighboring smaller cities and villages; when he took Abila, and Julias, + and Bezemoth, and all those that lay as far as the lake Asphaltites, and + put such of the deserters into each of them as he thought proper. He then + put his soldiers on board the ships, and slew such as had fled to the + lake, insomuch that all Perea had either surrendered themselves, or were + taken by the Romans, as far as Machaerus. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link42HCH0008" id="link42HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 8. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How Vespasian Upon Hearing Of Some Commotions In Gall, <a + href="#link4note-12" name="link4noteref-12" id="link4noteref-12">12</a> + Made Haste To Finish The Jewish War. A Description Of + Jericho, And Of The Great Plain; With An Account Besides Of + The Lake Asphaltites. +</pre> + <p> + 1. In the mean time, an account came that there were commotions in Gall, + and that Vindex, together with the men of power in that country, had + revolted from Nero; which affair is more accurately described elsewhere. + This report, thus related to Vespasian, excited him to go on briskly with + the war; for he foresaw already the civil wars which were coming upon + them, nay, that the very government was in danger; and he thought, if he + could first reduce the eastern parts of the empire to peace, he should + make the fears for Italy the lighter; while therefore the winter was his + hinderance [from going into the field], he put garrisons into the villages + and smaller cities for their security; he put decurions also into the + villages, and centurions into the cities: he besides this rebuilt many of + the cities that had been laid waste; but at the beginning of the spring he + took the greatest part of his army, and led it from Cesarea to Antipatris, + where he spent two days in settling the affairs of that city, and then, on + the third day, he marched on, laying waste and burning all the neighboring + villages. And when he had laid waste all the places about the toparchy of + Thamnas, he passed on to Lydda and Jamnia; and when both these cities had + come over to him, he placed a great many of those that had come over to + him [from other places] as inhabitants therein, and then came to Emmaus, + where he seized upon the passage which led thence to their metropolis, and + fortified his camp, and leaving the fifth legion therein, he came to the + toparchy of Bethletephon. He then destroyed that place, and the + neighboring places, by fire, and fortified, at proper places, the strong + holds all about Idumea; and when he had seized upon two villages, which + were in the very midst of Idumea, Betaris and Caphartobas, he slew above + ten thousand of the people, and carried into captivity above a thousand, + and drove away the rest of the multitude, and placed no small part of his + own forces in them, who overran and laid waste the whole mountainous + country; while he, with the rest of his forces, returned to Emmaus, whence + he came down through the country of Samaria, and hard by the city, by + others called Neapolis, [or Sichem,] but by the people of that country + Mabortha, to Corea, where he pitched his camp, on the second day of the + month Desius [Sivan]; and on the day following he came to Jericho; on + which day Trajan, one of his commanders, joined him with the forces he + brought out of Perea, all the places beyond Jordan being subdued already. + </p> + <p> + 2. Hereupon a great multitude prevented their approach, and came out of + Jericho, and fled to those mountainous parts that lay over against + Jerusalem, while that part which was left behind was in a great measure + destroyed; they also found the city desolate. It is situated in a plain; + but a naked and barren mountain, of a very great length, hangs over it, + which extends itself to the land about Scythopolis northward, but as far + as the country of Sodom, and the utmost limits of the lake Asphaltites, + southward. This mountain is all of it very uneven and uninhabited, by + reason of its barrenness: there is an opposite mountain that is situated + over against it, on the other side of Jordan; this last begins at Julias, + and the northern quarters, and extends itself southward as far as + Somorrhon, <a href="#link4note-13" name="link4noteref-13" + id="link4noteref-13">13</a> which is the bounds of Petra, in Arabia. In + this ridge of mountains there is one called the Iron Mountain, that runs + in length as far as Moab. Now the region that lies in the middle between + these ridges of mountains is called the Great Plain; it reaches from the + village Ginnabris, as far as the lake Asphaltites; its length is two + hundred and thirty furlongs, and its breadth a hundred and twenty, and it + is divided in the midst by Jordan. It hath two lakes in it, that of + Asphaltites, and that of Tiberias, whose natures are opposite to each + other; for the former is salt and unfruitful, but that of Tiberias is + sweet and fruitful. This plain is much burnt up in summer time, and, by + reason of the extraordinary heat, contains a very unwholesome air; it is + all destitute of water excepting the river Jordan, which water of Jordan + is the occasion why those plantations of palm trees that are near its + banks are more flourishing, and much more fruitful, as are those that are + remote from it not so flourishing, or fruitful. + </p> + <p> + 3. Notwithstanding which, there is a fountain by Jericho, that runs + plentifully, and is very fit for watering the ground; it arises near the + old city, which Joshua, the son of Naue, the general of the Hebrews, took + the first of all the cities of the land of Canaan, by right of war. The + report is, that this fountain, at the beginning, caused not only the + blasting of the earth and the trees, but of the children born of women, + and that it was entirely of a sickly and corruptive nature to all things + whatsoever; but that it was made gentle, and very wholesome and fruitful, + by the prophet Elisha. This prophet was familiar with Elijah, and was his + successor, who, when he once was the guest of the people at Jericho, and + the men of the place had treated him very kindly, he both made them amends + as well as the country, by a lasting favor; for he went out of the city to + this fountain, and threw into the current an earthen vessel full of salt; + after which he stretched out his righteous hand unto heaven, and, pouring + out a mild drink-offering, he made this supplication, That the current + might be mollified, and that the veins of fresh water might be opened; + that God also would bring into the place a more temperate and fertile air + for the current, and would bestow upon the people of that country plenty + of the fruits of the earth, and a succession of children; and that this + prolific water might never fail them, while they continued to be + righteous. To these prayers Elisha <a href="#link4note-14" + name="link4noteref-14" id="link4noteref-14">14</a> joined proper + operations of his hands, after a skillful manner, and changed the + fountain; and that water, which had been the occasion of barrenness and + famine before, from that time did supply a numerous posterity, and + afforded great abundance to the country. Accordingly, the power of it is + so great in watering the ground, that if it do but once touch a country, + it affords a sweeter nourishment than other waters do, when they lie so + long upon them, till they are satiated with them. For which reason, the + advantage gained from other waters, when they flow in great plenty, is but + small, while that of this water is great when it flows even in little + quantities. Accordingly, it waters a larger space of ground than any other + waters do, and passes along a plain of seventy furlongs long, and twenty + broad; wherein it affords nourishment to those most excellent gardens that + are thick set with trees. There are in it many sorts of palm trees that + are watered by it, different from each other in taste and name; the better + sort of them, when they are pressed, yield an excellent kind of honey, not + much inferior in sweetness to other honey. This country withal produces + honey from bees; it also bears that balsam which is the most precious of + all the fruits in that place, cypress trees also, and those that bear + myrobalanum; so that he who should pronounce this place to be divine would + not be mistaken, wherein is such plenty of trees produced as are very + rare, and of the must excellent sort. And indeed, if we speak of those + other fruits, it will not be easy to light on any climate in the habitable + earth that can well be compared to it, what is here sown comes up in such + clusters; the cause of which seems to me to be the warmth of the air, and + the fertility of the waters; the warmth calling forth the sprouts, and + making them spread, and the moisture making every one of them take root + firmly, and supplying that virtue which it stands in need of in summer + time. Now this country is then so sadly burnt up, that nobody cares to + come at it; and if the water be drawn up before sun-rising, and after that + exposed to the air, it becomes exceeding cold, and becomes of a nature + quite contrary to the ambient air; as in winter again it becomes warm; and + if you go into it, it appears very gentle. The ambient air is here also of + so good a temperature, that the people of the country are clothed in + linen-only, even when snow covers the rest of Judea. This place is one + hundred and fifty furlongs from Jerusalem, and sixty from Jordan. The + country, as far as Jerusalem, is desert and stony; but that as far as + Jordan and the lake Asphaltites lies lower indeed, though it be equally + desert and barren. But so much shall suffice to have said about Jericho, + and of the great happiness of its situation. + </p> + <p> + 4. The nature of the lake Asphaltites is also worth describing. It is, as + I have said already, bitter and unfruitful. It is so light [or thick] that + it bears up the heaviest things that are thrown into it; nor is it easy + for any one to make things sink therein to the bottom, if he had a mind so + to do. Accordingly, when Vespasian went to see it, he commanded that some + who could not swim should have their hands tied behind them, and be thrown + into the deep, when it so happened that they all swam as if a wind had + forced them upwards. Moreover, the change of the color of this lake is + wonderful, for it changes its appearance thrice every day; and as the rays + of the sun fall differently upon it, the light is variously reflected. + However, it casts up black clods of bitumen in many parts of it; these + swim at the top of the water, and resemble both in shape and bigness + headless bulls; and when the laborers that belong to the lake come to it, + and catch hold of it as it hangs together, they draw it into their ships; + but when the ship is full, it is not easy to cut off the rest, for it is + so tenacious as to make the ship hang upon its clods till they set it + loose with the menstrual blood of women, and with urine, to which alone it + yields. This bitumen is not only useful for the caulking of ships, but for + the cure of men's bodies; accordingly, it is mixed in a great many + medicines. The length of this lake is five hundred and eighty furlongs, + where it is extended as far as Zoar in Arabia; and its breadth is a + hundred and fifty. The country of Sodom borders upon it. It was of old a + most happy land, both for the fruits it bore and the riches of its cities, + although it be now all burnt up. It is related how, for the impiety of its + inhabitants, it was burnt by lightning; in consequence of which there are + still the remainders of that Divine fire, and the traces [or shadows] of + the five cities are still to be seen, as well as the ashes growing in + their fruits; which fruits have a color as if they were fit to be eaten, + but if you pluck them with your hands, they dissolve into smoke and ashes. + And thus what is related of this land of Sodom hath these marks of + credibility which our very sight affords us. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link42HCH0009" id="link42HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 9. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + That Vespasian, After He Had Taken Gadara Made Preparation + For The Siege Of Jerusalem; But That, Upon His Hearing Of + The Death Of Nero, He Changed His Intentions. As Also + Concerning Simon Of Geras. +</pre> + <p> + 1. And now Vespasian had fortified all the places round about Jerusalem, + and erected citadels at Jericho and Adida, and placed garrisons in them + both, partly out of his own Romans, and partly out of the body of his + auxiliaries. He also sent Lucius Annius to Gerasa, and delivered to him a + body of horsemen, and a considerable number of footmen. So when he had + taken the city, which he did at the first onset, he slew a thousand of + those young men who had not prevented him by flying away; but he took + their families captive, and permitted his soldiers to plunder them of + their effects; after which he set fire to their houses, and went away to + the adjoining villages, while the men of power fled away, and the weaker + part were destroyed, and what was remaining was all burnt down. And now + the war having gone through all the mountainous country, and all the plain + country also, those that were at Jerusalem were deprived of the liberty of + going out of the city; for as to such as had a mind to desert, they were + watched by the zealots; and as to such as were not yet on the side of the + Romans, their army kept them in, by encompassing the city round about on + all sides. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now as Vespasian was returned to Cesarea, and was getting ready with + all his army to march directly to Jerusalem, he was informed that Nero was + dead, after he had reigned thirteen years and eight days. But as to any + narration after what manner he abused his power in the government, and + committed the management of affairs to those vile wretches, Nymphidius and + Tigellinus, his unworthy freed-men; and how he had a plot laid against him + by them, and was deserted by all his guards, and ran away with four of his + most trusty freed-men, and slew himself in the suburbs of Rome; and how + those that occasioned his death were in no long time brought themselves to + punishment; how also the war in Gall ended; and how Galba was made emperor + <a href="#link4note-16" name="link4noteref-16" id="link4noteref-16">16</a> + and returned out of Spain to Rome; and how he was accused by the soldiers + as a pusillanimous person, and slain by treachery in the middle of the + market-place at Rome, and Otho was made emperor; with his expedition + against the commanders of Vitellius, and his destruction thereupon; and + besides what troubles there were under Vitellius, and the fight that was + about the capitol; as also how Antonius Primus and Mucianus slew + Vitellius, and his German legions, and thereby put an end to that civil + war; I have omitted to give an exact account of them, because they are + well known by all, and they are described by a great number of Greek and + Roman authors; yet for the sake of the connexion of matters, and that my + history may not be incoherent, I have just touched upon every thing + briefly. Wherefore Vespasian put off at first his expedition against + Jerusalem, and stood waiting whither the empire would be transferred after + the death of Nero. Moreover, when he heard that Galba was made emperor, he + attempted nothing till he also should send him some directions about the + war: however, he sent his son Titus to him, to salute him, and to receive + his commands about the Jews. Upon the very same errand did king Agrippa + sail along with Titus to Galba; but as they were sailing in their long + ships by the coasts of Achaia, for it was winter time, they heard that + Galba was slain, before they could get to him, after he had reigned seven + months and as many days. After whom Otho took the government, and + undertook the management of public affairs. So Agrippa resolved to go on + to Rome without any terror; on account of the change in the government; + but Titus, by a Divine impulse, sailed back from Greece to Syria, and came + in great haste to Cesarea, to his father. And now they were both in + suspense about the public affairs, the Roman empire being then in a + fluctuating condition, and did not go on with their expedition against the + Jews, but thought that to make any attack upon foreigners was now + unseasonable, on account of the solicitude they were in for their own + country. + </p> + <p> + 3. And now there arose another war at Jerusalem. There was a son of Giora, + one Simon, by birth of Gerasa, a young man, not so cunning indeed as John + [of Gisehala], who had already seized upon the city, but superior in + strength of body and courage; on which account, when he had been driven + away from that Acrabattene toparchy, which he once had, by Ananus the high + priest, he came to those robbers who had seized upon Masada. At the first + they suspected him, and only permitted him to come with the women he + brought with him into the lower part of the fortress, while they dwelt in + the upper part of it themselves. However, his manner so well agreed with + theirs, and he seemed so trusty a man, that he went out with them, and + ravaged and destroyed the country with them about Masada; yet when he + persuaded them to undertake greater things, he could not prevail with them + so to do; for as they were accustomed to dwell in that citadel, they were + afraid of going far from that which was their hiding-place; but he + affecting to tyrannize, and being fond of greatness, when he had heard of + the death of Ananus, he left them, and went into the mountainous part of + the country. So he proclaimed liberty to those in slavery, and a reward to + those already free, and got together a set of wicked men from all + quarters. + </p> + <p> + 4. And as he had now a strong body of men about him, he overran the + villages that lay in the mountainous country, and when there were still + more and more that came to him, he ventured to go down into the lower + parts of the country, and since he was now become formidable to the + cities, many of the men of power were corrupted by him; so that his army + was no longer composed of slaves and robbers, but a great many of the + populace were obedient to him as to their king. He then overran the + Acrabattene toparchy, and the places that reached as far as the Great + Idumea; for he built a wall at a certain village called Nain, and made use + of that as a fortress for his own party's security; and at the valley + called Paran, he enlarged many of the caves, and many others he found + ready for his purpose; these he made use of as repositories for his + treasures, and receptacles for his prey, and therein he laid up the fruits + that he had got by rapine; and many of his partizans had their dwelling in + them; and he made no secret of it that he was exercising his men + beforehand, and making preparations for the assault of Jerusalem. + </p> + <p> + 5. Whereupon the zealots, out of the dread they were in of his attacking + them, and being willing to prevent one that was growing up to oppose them, + went out against him with their weapons. Simon met them, and joining + battle with them, slew a considerable number of them, and drove the rest + before him into the city, but durst not trust so much upon his forces as + to make an assault upon the walls; but he resolved first to subdue Idumea, + and as he had now twenty thousand armed men, he marched to the borders of + their country. Hereupon the rulers of the Idumeans got together on the + sudden the most warlike part of their people, about twenty-five thousand + in number, and permitted the rest to be a guard to their own country, by + reason of the incursions that were made by the Sicarii that were at + Masada. Thus they received Simon at their borders, where they fought him, + and continued the battle all that day; and the dispute lay whether they + had conquered him, or been conquered by him. So he went back to Nain, as + did the Idumeans return home. Nor was it long ere Simon came violently + again upon their country; when he pitched his camp at a certain village + called Thecoe, and sent Eleazar, one of his companions, to those that kept + garrison at Herodium, and in order to persuade them to surrender that + fortress to him. The garrison received this man readily, while they knew + nothing of what he came about; but as soon as he talked of the surrender + of the place, they fell upon him with their drawn swords, till he found + that he had no place for flight, when he threw himself down from the wall + into the valley beneath; so he died immediately: but the Idumeans, who + were already much afraid of Simon's power, thought fit to take a view of + the enemy's army before they hazarded a battle with them. + </p> + <p> + 6. Now there was one of their commanders named Jacob, who offered to serve + them readily upon that occasion, but had it in his mind to betray them. He + went therefore from the village Alurus, wherein the army of the Idumeans + were gotten together, and came to Simon, and at the very first he agreed + to betray his country to him, and took assurances upon oath from him that + he should always have him in esteem, and then promised him that he would + assist him in subduing all Idumea under him; upon which account he was + feasted after an obliging manner by Simon, and elevated by his mighty + promises; and when he was returned to his own men, he at first belied the + army of Simon, and said it was manifold more in number than what it was; + after which, he dexterously persuaded the commanders, and by degrees the + whole multitude, to receive Simon, and to surrender the whole government + up to him without fighting. And as he was doing this, he invited Simon by + his messengers, and promised him to disperse the Idumeans, which he + performed also; for as soon as their army was nigh them, he first of all + got upon his horse, and fled, together with those whom he had corrupted; + hereupon a terror fell upon the whole multitude; and before it came to a + close fight, they broke their ranks, and every one retired to his own + home. + </p> + <p> + 7. Thus did Simon unexpectedly march into Idumea, without bloodshed, and + made a sudden attack upon the city Hebron, and took it; wherein he got + possession of a great deal of prey, and plundered it of a vast quantity of + fruit. Now the people of the country say that it is an ancienter city, not + only than any in that country, but than Memphis in Egypt, and accordingly + its age is reckoned at two thousand and three hundred years. They also + relate that it had been the habitation of Abram, the progenitor of the + Jews, after he had removed out of Mesopotamia; and they say that his + posterity descended from thence into Egypt, whose monuments are to this + very time showed in that small city; the fabric of which monuments are of + the most excellent marble, and wrought after the most elegant manner. + There is also there showed, at the distance of six furlongs from the city, + a very large turpentine tree <a href="#link4note-17" name="link4noteref-17" + id="link4noteref-17">17</a> and the report goes, that this tree has + continued ever since the creation of the world. Thence did Simon make his + progress over all Idumea, and did not only ravage the cities and villages, + but lay waste the whole country; for, besides those that were completely + armed, he had forty thousand men that followed him, insomuch that he had + not provisions enough to suffice such a multitude. Now, besides this want + of provisions that he was in, he was of a barbarous disposition, and bore + great anger at this nation, by which means it came to pass that Idumea was + greatly depopulated; and as one may see all the woods behind despoiled of + their leaves by locusts, after they have been there, so was there nothing + left behind Simon's army but a desert. Some places they burnt down, some + they utterly demolished, and whatsoever grew in the country, they either + trod it down or fed upon it, and by their marches they made the ground + that was cultivated harder and more untractable than that which was + barren. In short, there was no sign remaining of those places that had + been laid waste, that ever they had had a being. + </p> + <p> + 8. This success of Simon excited the zealots afresh; and though they were + afraid to fight him openly in a fair battle, yet did they lay ambushes in + the passes, and seized upon his wife, with a considerable number of her + attendants; whereupon they came back to the city rejoicing, as if they had + taken Simon himself captive, and were in present expectation that he would + lay down his arms, and make supplication to them for his wife; but instead + of indulging any merciful affection, he grew very angry at them for + seizing his beloved wife; so he came to the wall of Jerusalem, and, like + wild beasts when they are wounded, and cannot overtake those that wounded + them, he vented his spleen upon all persons that he met with. Accordingly, + he caught all those that were come out of the city gates, either to gather + herbs or sticks, who were unarmed and in years; he then tormented them and + destroyed them, out of the immense rage he was in, and was almost ready to + taste the very flesh of their dead bodies. He also cut off the hands of a + great many, and sent them into the city to astonish his enemies, and in + order to make the people fall into a sedition, and desert those that had + been the authors of his wife's seizure. He also enjoined them to tell the + people that Simon swore by the God of the universe, who sees all things, + that unless they will restore him his wife, he will break down their wall, + and inflict the like punishment upon all the citizens, without sparing any + age, and without making any distinction between the guilty and the + innocent. These threatenings so greatly affrighted, not the people only, + but the zealots themselves also, that they sent his wife back to him; when + he became a little milder, and left off his perpetual blood-shedding. + </p> + <p> + 9. But now sedition and civil war prevailed, not only over Judea, but in + Italy also; for now Galba was slain in the midst of the Roman + market-place; then was Otho made emperor, and fought against Vitellius, + who set up for emperor also; for the legions in Germany had chosen him. + But when he gave battle to Valens and Cecinna, who were Vitellius's + generals, at Betriacum, in Gaul, Otho gained the advantage on the first + day, but on the second day Vitellius's soldiers had the victory; and after + much slaughter Otho slew himself, when he had heard of this defeat at + Brixia, and after he had managed the public affairs three months and two + days. <a href="#link4note-18" name="link4noteref-18" id="link4noteref-18">18</a> + Otho's army also came over to Vitellius's generals, and he came himself + down to Rome with his army. But in the mean time Vespasian removed from + Cesarea, on the fifth day of the month Desius, [Sivan,] and marched + against those places of Judea which were not yet overthrown. So he went up + to the mountainous country, and took those two toparchies that were called + the Gophnitick and Acrabattene toparchies. After which he took Bethel and + Ephraim, two small cities; and when he had put garrisons into them, he + rode as far as Jerusalem, in which march he took many prisoners, and many + captives; but Cerealis, one of his commanders, took a body of horsemen and + footmen, and laid waste that part of Idumea which was called the Upper + Idumea, and attacked Caphethra, which pretended to be a small city, and + took it at the first onset, and burnt it down. He also attacked + Caphatabira, and laid siege to it, for it had a very strong wall; and when + he expected to spend a long time in that siege, those that were within + opened their gates on the sudden, and came to beg pardon, and surrendered + themselves up to him. When Cerealis had conquered them, he went to Hebron, + another very ancient city. I have told you already that this city is + situated in a mountainous country not far off Jerusalem; and when he had + broken into the city by force, what multitude and young men were left + therein he slew, and burnt down the city; so that as now all the places + were taken, excepting Herodlum, and Masada, and Machaerus, which were in + the possession of the robbers, so Jerusalem was what the Romans at present + aimed at. + </p> + <p> + 10. And now, as soon as Simon had set his wife free, and recovered her + from the zealots, he returned back to the remainders of Idumea, and + driving the nation all before him from all quarters, he compelled a great + number of them to retire to Jerusalem; he followed them himself also to + the city, and encompassed the wall all round again; and when he lighted + upon any laborers that were coming thither out of the country, he slew + them. Now this Simon, who was without the wall, was a greater terror to + the people than the Romans themselves, as were the zealots who were within + it more heavy upon them than both of the other; and during this time did + the mischievous contrivances and courage [of John] corrupt the body of the + Galileans; for these Galileans had advanced this John, and made him very + potent, who made them suitable requital from the authority he had obtained + by their means; for he permitted them to do all things that any of them + desired to do, while their inclination to plunder was insatiable, as was + their zeal in searching the houses of the rich; and for the murdering of + the men, and abusing of the women, it was sport to them. They also + devoured what spoils they had taken, together with their blood, and + indulged themselves in feminine wantonness, without any disturbance, till + they were satiated therewith; while they decked their hair, and put on + women's garments, and were besmeared over with ointments; and that they + might appear very comely, they had paints under their eyes, and imitated + not only the ornaments, but also the lusts of women, and were guilty of + such intolerable uncleanness, that they invented unlawful pleasures of + that sort. And thus did they roll themselves up and down the city, as in a + brothel-house, and defiled it entirely with their impure actions; nay, + while their faces looked like the faces of women, they killed with their + right hands; and when their gait was effeminate, they presently attacked + men, and became warriors, and drew their swords from under their finely + dyed cloaks, and ran every body through whom they alighted upon. However, + Simon waited for such as ran away from John, and was the more bloody of + the two; and he who had escaped the tyrant within the wall was destroyed + by the other that lay before the gates, so that all attempts of flying and + deserting to the Romans were cut off, as to those that had a mind so to + do. + </p> + <p> + 11. Yet did the army that was under John raise a sedition against him, and + all the Idumeans separated themselves from the tyrant, and attempted to + destroy him, and this out of their envy at his power, and hatred of his + cruelty; so they got together, and slew many of the zealots, and drove the + rest before them into that royal palace that was built by Grapte, who was + a relation of Izates, the king of Adiabene; the Idumeans fell in with + them, and drove the zealots out thence into the temple, and betook + themselves to plunder John's effects; for both he himself was in that + palace, and therein had he laid up the spoils he had acquired by his + tyranny. In the mean time, the multitude of those zealots that were + dispersed over the city ran together to the temple unto those that fled + thither, and John prepared to bring them down against the people and the + Idumeans, who were not so much afraid of being attacked by them [because + they were themselves better soldiers than they] as at their madness, lest + they should privately sally out of the temple and get among them, and not + only destroy them, but set the city on fire also. So they assembled + themselves together, and the high priests with them, and took counsel + after what manner they should avoid their assault. Now it was God who + turned their opinions to the worst advice, and thence they devised such a + remedy to get themselves free as was worse than the disease itself. + Accordingly, in order to overthrow John, they determined to admit Simon, + and earnestly to desire the introduction of a second tyrant into the city; + which resolution they brought to perfection, and sent Matthias, the high + priest, to beseech this Simon to come in to them, of whom they had so + often been afraid. Those also that had fled from the zealots in Jerusalem + joined in this request to him, out of the desire they had of preserving + their houses and their effects. Accordingly he, in an arrogant manner, + granted them his lordly protection, and came into the city, in order to + deliver it from the zealots. The people also made joyful acclamations to + him, as their savior and their preserver; but when he was come in, with + his army, he took care to secure his own authority, and looked upon those + that had invited him in to be no less his enemies than those against whom + the invitation was intended. + </p> + <p> + 12. And thus did Simon get possession of Jerusalem, in the third year of + the war, in the month Xanthicus [Nisan]; whereupon John, with his + multitude of zealots, as being both prohibited from coming out of the + temple, and having lost their power in the city, [for Simon and his party + had plundered them of what they had,] were in despair of deliverance. + Simon also made an assault upon the temple, with the assistance of the + people, while the others stood upon the cloisters and the battlements, and + defended themselves from their assaults. However, a considerable number of + Simon's party fell, and many were carried off wounded; for the zealots + threw their darts easily from a superior place, and seldom failed of + hitting their enemies; but having the advantage of situation, and having + withal erected four very large towers aforehand, that their darts might + come from higher places, one at the north-east corner of the court, one + above the Xystus, the third at another corner over against the lower city, + and the last was erected above the top of the Pastophoria, where one of + the priests stood of course, and gave a signal beforehand, with a trumpet + <a href="#link4note-19" name="link4noteref-19" id="link4noteref-19">19</a> + at the beginning of every seventh day, in the evening twilight, as also at + the evening when that day was finished, as giving notice to the people + when they were to leave off work, and when they were to go to work again. + These men also set their engines to cast darts and stones withal, upon + those towers, with their archers and slingers. And now Simon made his + assault upon the temple more faintly, by reason that the greatest part of + his men grew weary of that work; yet did he not leave off his opposition, + because his army was superior to the others, although the darts which were + thrown by the engines were carried a great way, and slew many of those + that fought for him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link42HCH0010" id="link42HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 10. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How The Soldiers, Both In Judea And Egypt, Proclaimed + Vespasian Emperor; And How Vespasian Released Josephus From + His Bonds. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now about this very time it was that heavy calamities came about Rome + on all sides; for Vitellius was come from Germany with his soldiery, and + drew along with him a great multitude of other men besides. And when the + spaces allotted for soldiers could not contain them, he made all Rome + itself his camp, and filled all the houses with his armed men; which men, + when they saw the riches of Rome with those eyes which had never seen such + riches before, and found themselves shone round about on all sides with + silver and gold, they had much ado to contain their covetous desires, and + were ready to betake themselves to plunder, and to the slaughter of such + as should stand in their way. And this was the state of affairs in Italy + at that time. + </p> + <p> + 2. But when Vespasian had overthrown all the places that were near to + Jerusalem, he returned to Cesarea, and heard of the troubles that were at + Rome, and that Vitellius was emperor. This produced indignation in him, + although he well knew how to be governed as well as to govern, and could + not, with any satisfaction, own him for his lord who acted so madly, and + seized upon the government as if it were absolutely destitute of a + governor. And as this sorrow of his was violent, he was not able to + support the torments he was under, nor to apply himself further in other + wars, when his native country was laid waste; but then, as much as his + passion excited him to avenge his country, so much was he restrained by + the consideration of his distance therefrom; because fortune might prevent + him, and do a world of mischief before he could himself sail over the sea + to Italy, especially as it was still the winter season; so he restrained + his anger, how vehement soever it was at this time. + </p> + <p> + 3. But now his commanders and soldiers met in several companies, and + consulted openly about changing the public affairs; and, out of their + indignation, cried out, how "at Rome there are soldiers that live + delicately, and when they have not ventured so much as to hear the fame of + war, they ordain whom they please for our governors, and in hopes of gain + make them emperors; while you, who have gone through so many labors, and + are grown into years under your helmets, give leave to others to use such + a power, when yet you have among yourselves one more worthy to rule than + any whom they have set up. Now what juster opportunity shall they ever + have of requiting their generals, if they do not make use of this that is + now before them? while there is so much juster reasons for Vespasian's + being emperor than for Vitellius; as they are themselves more deserving + than those that made the other emperors; for that they have undergone as + great wars as have the troops that come from Germany; nor are they + inferior in war to those that have brought that tyrant to Rome, nor have + they undergone smaller labors than they; for that neither will the Roman + senate, nor people, bear such a lascivious emperor as Vitellius, if he be + compared with their chaste Vespasian; nor will they endure a most + barbarous tyrant, instead of a good governor, nor choose one that hath no + child <a href="#link4note-20" name="link4noteref-20" id="link4noteref-20">20</a> + to preside over them, instead of him that is a father; because the + advancement of men's own children to dignities is certainly the greatest + security kings can have for themselves. Whether, therefore, we estimate + the capacity of governing from the skill of a person in years, we ought to + have Vespasian, or whether from the strength of a young man, we ought to + have Titus; for by this means we shall have the advantage of both their + ages, for that they will afford strength to those that shall be made + emperors, they having already three legions, besides other auxiliaries + from the neighboring kings, and will have further all the armies in the + east to support them, as also those in Europe, so they as they are out of + the distance and dread of Vitellius, besides such auxiliaries as they may + have in Italy itself; that is, Vespasian's brother, <a href="#link4note-21" + name="link4noteref-21" id="link4noteref-21">21</a> and his other son + [Domitian]; the one of whom will bring in a great many of those young men + that are of dignity, while the other is intrusted with the government of + the city, which office of his will be no small means of Vespasian's + obtaining the government. Upon the whole, the case may be such, that if we + ourselves make further delays, the senate may choose an emperor, whom the + soldiers, who are the saviors of the empire, will have in contempt." + </p> + <p> + 4. These were the discourses the soldiers had in their several companies; + after which they got together in a great body, and, encouraging one + another, they declared Vespasian emperor, <a href="#link4note-22" + name="link4noteref-22" id="link4noteref-22">22</a> and exhorted him to + save the government, which was now in danger. Now Vespasian's concern had + been for a considerable time about the public, yet did he not intend to + set up for governor himself, though his actions showed him to deserve it, + while he preferred that safety which is in a private life before the + dangers in a state of such dignity; but when he refused the empire, the + commanders insisted the more earnestly upon his acceptance; and the + soldiers came about him, with their drawn swords in their hands, and + threatened to kill him, unless he would now live according to his dignity. + And when he had shown his reluctance a great while, and had endeavored to + thrust away this dominion from him, he at length, being not able to + persuade them, yielded to their solicitations that would salute him + emperor. + </p> + <p> + 5. So upon the exhortations of Mucianus, and the other commanders, that he + would accept of the empire, and upon that of the rest of the army, who + cried out that they were willing to be led against all his opposers, he + was in the first place intent upon gaining the dominion over Alexandria, + as knowing that Egypt was of the greatest consequence, in order to obtain + the entire government, because of its supplying of corn [to Rome]; which + corn, if he could be master of, he hoped to dethrone Vitellius, supposing + he should aim to keep the empire by force [for he would not be able to + support himself, if the multitude at Rome should once be in want of food]; + and because he was desirous to join the two legions that were at + Alexandria to the other legions that were with him. He also considered + with himself, that he should then have that country for a defense to + himself against the uncertainty of fortune; for Egypt <a + href="#link4note-23" name="link4noteref-23" id="link4noteref-23">23</a> is + hard to be entered by land, and hath no good havens by sea. It hath on the + west the dry deserts of Libya; and on the south Siene, that divides it + from Ethiopia, as well as the cataracts of the Nile, that cannot be sailed + over; and on the east the Red Sea extended as far as Coptus; and it is + fortified on the north by the land that reaches to Syria, together with + that called the Egyptian Sea, having no havens in it for ships. And thus + is Egypt walled about on every side. Its length between Pelusium and Siene + is two thousand furlongs, and the passage by sea from Plinthine to + Pelusium is three thousand six hundred furlongs. Its river Nile is + navigable as far as the city called Elephantine, the forenamed cataracts + hindering ships from going any farther, The haven also of Alexandria is + not entered by the mariners without difficulty, even in times of peace; + for the passage inward is narrow, and full of rocks that lie under the + water, which oblige the mariners to turn from a straight direction: its + left side is blocked up by works made by men's hands on both sides; on its + right side lies the island called Pharus, which is situated just before + the entrance, and supports a very great tower, that affords the sight of a + fire to such as sail within three hundred furlongs of it, that ships may + cast anchor a great way off in the night time, by reason of the difficulty + of sailing nearer. About this island are built very great piers, the + handiwork of men, against which, when the sea dashes itself, and its waves + are broken against those boundaries, the navigation becomes very + troublesome, and the entrance through so narrow a passage is rendered + dangerous; yet is the haven itself, when you are got into it, a very safe + one, and of thirty furlongs in largeness; into which is brought what the + country wants in order to its happiness, as also what abundance the + country affords more than it wants itself is hence distributed into all + the habitable earth. +</p> + <p> + 6. Justly, therefore, did Vespasian desire to obtain + that government, in order to corroborate his attempts upon the whole + empire; so he immediately sent to Tiberius Alexander, who was then + governor of Egypt and of Alexandria, and informed him what the army had + put upon him, and how he, being forced to accept of the burden of the + government, was desirous to have him for his confederate and supporter. + Now as soon as ever Alexander had read this letter, he readily obliged the + legions and the multitude to take the oath of fidelity to Vespasian, both + which willingly complied with him, as already acquainted with the courage + of the man, from that his conduct in their neighborhood. Accordingly + Vespasian, looking upon himself as already intrusted with the government, + got all things ready for his journey [to Rome]. Now fame carried this news + abroad more suddenly than one could have thought, that he was emperor over + the east, upon which every city kept festivals, and celebrated sacrifices + and oblations for such good news; the legions also that were in Mysia and + Pannonia, who had been in commotion a little before, on account of this + insolent attempt of Vitellius, were very glad to take the oath of fidelity + to Vespasian, upon his coming to the empire. Vespasian then removed from + Cesarea to Berytus, where many embassages came to him from Syria, and many + from other provinces, bringing with them from every city crowns, and the + congratulations of the people. Mucianus came also, who was the president + of the province, and told him with what alacrity the people [received the + news of his advancement], and how the people of every city had taken the + oath of fidelity to him. + </p> + <p> + 7. So Vespasian's good fortune succeeded to his wishes every where, and + the public affairs were, for the greatest part, already in his hands; upon + which he considered that he had not arrived at the government without + Divine Providence, but that a righteous kind of fate had brought the + empire under his power; for as he called to mind the other signals, which + had been a great many every where, that foretold he should obtain the + government, so did he remember what Josephus had said to him when he + ventured to foretell his coming to the empire while Nero was alive; so he + was much concerned that this man was still in bonds with him. He then + called for Mucianus, together with his other commanders and friends, and, + in the first place, he informed them what a valiant man Josephus had been, + and what great hardships he had made him undergo in the siege of Jotapata. + After that he related those predictions of his <a href="#link4note-24" + name="link4noteref-24" id="link4noteref-24">24</a> which he had then + suspected as fictions, suggested out of the fear he was in, but which had + by time been demonstrated to be Divine. "It is a shameful thing [said he] + that this man, who hath foretold my coming to the empire beforehand, and + been the minister of a Divine message to me, should still be retained in + the condition of a captive or prisoner." So he called for Josephus, and + commanded that he should be set at liberty; whereupon the commanders + promised themselves glorious things, from this requital Vespasian made to + a stranger. Titus was then present with his father, and said, "O father, + it is but just that the scandal [of a prisoner] should be taken off + Josephus, together with his iron chain. For if we do not barely loose his + bonds, but cut them to pieces, he will be like a man that had never been + bound at all." For that is the usual method as to such as have been bound + without a cause. This advice was agreed to by Vespasian also; so there + came a man in, and cut the chain to pieces; while Josephus received this + testimony of his integrity for a reward, and was moreover esteemed a + person of credit as to futurities also. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link42HCH0011" id="link42HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 11. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + That Upon The Conquest And Slaughter Of Vitellius Vespasian + Hastened His Journey To Rome; But Titus His Son Returned To + Jerusalem. +</pre> + <p> + 1. And now, when Vespasian had given answers to the embassages, and had + disposed of the places of power justly, <a href="#link4note-25" + name="link4noteref-25" id="link4noteref-25">25</a> and according to every + one's deserts, he came to Antioch, and consulting which way he had best + take, he preferred to go for Rome, rather than to march to Alexandria, + because he saw that Alexandria was sure to him already, but that the + affairs at Rome were put into disorder by Vitellius; so he sent Mucianus + to Italy, and committed a considerable army both of horsemen and footmen + to him; yet was Mucianus afraid of going by sea, because it was the middle + of winter, and so he led his army on foot through Cappadocia and Phrygia. + </p> + <p> + 2. In the mean time, Antonius Primus took the third of the legions that + were in Mysia, for he was president of that province, and made haste, in + order to fight Vitellius; whereupon Vitellius sent away Cecinna, with a + great army, having a mighty confidence in him, because of his having + beaten Otho. This Cecinna marched out of Rome in great haste, and found + Antonius about Cremona in Gall, which city is in the borders of Italy; but + when he saw there that the enemy were numerous and in good order, he durst + not fight them; and as he thought a retreat dangerous, so he began to + think of betraying his army to Antonius. Accordingly, he assembled the + centurions and tribunes that were under his command, and persuaded them to + go over to Antonius, and this by diminishing the reputation of Vitellius, + and by exaggerating the power of Vespasian. He also told them that with + the one there was no more than the bare name of dominion, but with the + other was the power of it; and that it was better for them to prevent + necessity, and gain favor, and, while they were likely to be overcome in + battle, to avoid the danger beforehand, and go over to Antonius willingly; + that Vespasian was able of himself to subdue what had not yet submitted + without their assistance, while Vitellius could not preserve what he had + already with it. + </p> + <p> + 3. Cecinna said this, and much more to the same purpose, and persuaded + them to comply with him; and both he and his army deserted; but still the + very same night the soldiers repented of what they had done, and a fear + seized on them, lest perhaps Vitellius who sent them should get the + better; and drawing their swords, they assaulted Cecinna, in order to kill + him; and the thing had been done by them, if the tribunes had not fallen + upon their knees, and besought them not to do it; so the soldiers did not + kill him, but put him in bonds, as a traitor, and were about to send him + to Vitellius. When [Antonius] Primus heard of this, he raised up his men + immediately, and made them put on their armor, and led them against those + that had revolted; hereupon they put themselves in order of battle, and + made a resistance for a while, but were soon beaten, and fled to Cremona; + then did Primus take his horsemen, and cut off their entrance into the + city, and encompassed and destroyed a great multitude of them before the + city, and fell into the city together with the rest, and gave leave to his + soldiers to plunder it. And here it was that many strangers, who were + merchants, as well as many of the people of that country, perished, and + among them Vitellius's whole army, being thirty thousand and two hundred, + while Antonius lost no more of those that came with him from Mysia than + four thousand and five hundred: he then loosed Cecinna, and sent him to + Vespasian to tell him the good news. So he came, and was received by him, + and covered the scandal of his treachery by the unexpected honors he + received from Vespasian. + </p> + <p> + 4. And now, upon the news that Antonius was approaching, Sabinus took + courage at Rome, and assembled those cohorts of soldiers that kept watch + by night, and in the night time seized upon the capitol; and, as the day + came on, many men of character came over to him, with Domitian, his + brother's son, whose encouragement was of very great weight for the + compassing the government. Now Vitellius was not much concerned at this + Primus, but was very angry with those that had revolted with Sabinus; and + thirsting, out of his own natural barbarity, after noble blood, he sent + out that part of the army which came along with him to fight against the + capitol; and many bold actions were done on this side, and on the side of + those that held the temple. But at last, the soldiers that came from + Germany, being too numerous for the others, got the hill into their + possession, where Domitian, with many other of the principal Romans, + providentially escaped, while the rest of the multitude were entirely cut + to pieces, and Sabinus himself was brought to Vitellius, and then slain; + the soldiers also plundered the temple of its ornaments, and set it on + fire. But now within a day's time came Antonius, with his army, and were + met by Vitellius and his army; and having had a battle in three several + places, the last were all destroyed. Then did Vitellius come out of the + palace, in his cups, and satiated with an extravagant and luxurious meal, + as in the last extremity, and being drawn along through the multitude, and + abused with all sorts of torments, had his head cut off in the midst of + Rome, having retained the government eight months and five days <a + href="#link4note-26" name="link4noteref-26" id="link4noteref-26">26</a> + and had he lived much longer, I cannot but think the empire would not have + been sufficient for his lust. Of the others that were slain, were numbered + above fifty thousand. This battle was fought on the third day of the month + Apelleus [Casleu]; on the next day Mucianus came into the city with his + army, and ordered Antonius and his men to leave off killing; for they were + still searching the houses, and killed many of Vitellius's soldiers, and + many of the populace, as supposing them to be of his party, preventing by + their rage any accurate distinction between them and others. He then + produced Domitian, and recommended him to the multitude, until his father + should come himself; so the people being now freed from their fears, made + acclamations of joy for Vespasian, as for their emperor, and kept festival + days for his confirmation, and for the destruction of Vitellius. + </p> + <p> + 5. And now, as Vespasian was come to Alexandria, this good news came from + Rome, and at the same time came embassies from all his own habitable + earth, to congratulate him upon his advancement; and though this + Alexandria was the greatest of all cities next to Rome, it proved too + narrow to contain the multitude that then came to it. So upon this + confirmation of Vespasian's entire government, which was now settled, and + upon the unexpected deliverance of the public affairs of the Romans from + ruin, Vespasian turned his thoughts to what remained unsubdued in Judea. + However, he himself made haste to go to Rome, as the winter was now almost + over, and soon set the affairs of Alexandria in order, but sent his son + Titus, with a select part of his army, to destroy Jerusalem. So Titus + marched on foot as far as Nicopolis, which is distant twenty furlongs from + Alexandria; there he put his army on board some long ships, and sailed + upon the river along the Mendesian Nomus, as far as the city Tumuis; there + he got out of the ships, and walked on foot, and lodged all night at a + small city called Tanis. His second station was Heracleopolis, and his + third Pelusium; he then refreshed his army at that place for two days, and + on the third passed over the mouths of the Nile at Pelusium; he then + proceeded one station over the desert, and pitched his camp at the temple + of the Casian Jupiter, <a href="#link4note-27" name="link4noteref-27" + id="link4noteref-27">27</a> and on the next day at Ostracine. This station + had no water, but the people of the country make use of water brought from + other places. After this he rested at Rhinocolura, and from thence he went + to Raphia, which was his fourth station. This city is the beginning of + Syria. For his fifth station he pitched his camp at Gaza; after which he + came to Ascalon, and thence to Jamnia, and after that to Joppa, and from + Joppa to Cesarea, having taken a resolution to gather all his other forces + together at that place. + </p> + <p> + WAR BOOK 4 FOOTNOTES <a name="link4note-1" id="link4note-1"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 1 (<a href="#link4noteref-1">return</a>)<br /> [ Here we have the exact + situation of Jeroboam's "at the exit of Little Jordan into Great + Jordan, near the place called Daphne," but of old Dan. See the note in + Antiq. B. VIII. ch. 8. sect. 4. But Reland suspects flint here we should + read Dan instead of there being no where else mention of a place called + Daphne.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-2" id="link4note-2"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 2 (<a href="#link4noteref-2">return</a>)<br /> [ These numbers in Josephus + of thirty furlongs' ascent to the top of Mount Tabor, whether we estimate + it by winding and gradual, or by the perpendicular altitude, and of + twenty-six furlongs' circumference upon the top, as also fifteen furlongs + for this ascent in Polybius, with Geminus's perpendicular altitude of + almost fourteen furlongs, here noted by Dr. Hudson, do none of' them agree + with the authentic testimony of Mr. Maundrell, an eye-witness, p. 112, who + says he was not an hour in getting up to the top of this Mount Tabor, and + that the area of the top is an oval of about two furlongs in length, and + one in breadth. So I rather suppose Josephus wrote three furlongs for the + ascent or altitude, instead of thirty; and six furlongs for the + circumference at the top, instead of twenty-six,—since a mountain of + only three furlongs perpendicular altitude may easily require near an + hour's ascent, and the circumference of an oval of the foregoing quantity + is near six furlongs. Nor certainly could such a vast circumference as + twenty-six furlongs, or three miles and a quarter, at that height be + encompassed with a wall, including a trench and other fortifications, + [perhaps those still remaining, ibid.] in the small interval of forty + days, as Josephus here says they were by himself.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-3" id="link4note-3"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 3 (<a href="#link4noteref-3">return</a>)<br /> [ This name Dorcas in Greek, + was Tabitha in Hebrew or Syriac, as Acts 9:36. Accordingly, some of the + manuscripts set it down here Tabetha or Tabeta. Nor can the context in + Josephus be made out by supposing the reading to have been this: "The son + of Tabitha; which, in the language of our country, denotes Dorcas" [or a + doe].] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-4" id="link4note-4"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 4 (<a href="#link4noteref-4">return</a>)<br /> [ Here we may discover the + utter disgrace and ruin of the high priesthood among the Jews, when + undeserving, ignoble, and vile persons were advanced to that holy office + by the seditious; which sort of high priests, as Josephus well remarks + here, were thereupon obliged to comply with and assist those that advanced + them in their impious practices. The names of these high priests, or + rather ridiculous and profane persons, were Jesus the son of Damneus, + Jesus the son of Gamaliel, Matthias the son of Theophilus, and that + prodigious ignoramus Phannias, the son of Samuel; all whom we shall meet + with in Josephus's future history of this war; nor do we meet with any + other so much as pretended high priest after Phannias, till Jerusalem was + taken and destroyed.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-5" id="link4note-5"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 5 (<a href="#link4noteref-5">return</a>)<br /> [ This tribe or course of + the high priests, or priests, here called Eniachim, seems to the learned + Mr. Lowth, one well versed in Josephus, to be that 1 Chronicles 24:12, + "the course of Jakim," where some copies have "the course of Eliakim;" and + I think this to be by no means an improbable conjecture.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-6" id="link4note-6"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 6 (<a href="#link4noteref-6">return</a>)<br /> [ This Symeon, the son of + Gamaliel, is mentioned as the president of the Jewish sanhedrim, and one + that perished in the destruction of Jerusalem, by the Jewish Rabbins, as + Reland observes on this place. He also tells us that those Rabbins mention + one Jesus the son of Gamala, as once a high priest, but this long before + the destruction of Jerusalem; so that if he were the same person with this + Jesus the son of Gamala, Josephus, he must have lived to be very old, or + they have been very bad chronologers.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-7" id="link4note-7"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 7 (<a href="#link4noteref-7">return</a>)<br /> [ It is worth noting here, + that this Ananus, the best of the Jews at this time, and the high priest, + who was so very uneasy at the profanation of the Jewish courts of the + temple by the zealots, did not however scruple the profanation of the + "court of the Gentiles;" as in our Savior's days it was very much profaned + by the Jews; and made a market-place, nay, a "den of thieves," without + scruple, Matthew 21:12, 13; Mark 11:15-17. Accordingly Josephus himself, + when he speaks of the two inner courts, calls them both hagia or holy + places; but, so far as I remember, never gives that character of the court + of the Gentiles. See B. V. ch. 9. sect. 2.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-8" id="link4note-8"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 8 (<a href="#link4noteref-8">return</a>)<br /> [ This appellation of + Jerusalem given it here by Simon, the general of the Idumeans, "the common + city" of the Idumeans, who were proselytes of justice, as well as of the + original native Jews, greatly confirms that maxim of the Rabbins, here set + down by Reland, that "Jerusalem was not assigned, or appropriated, to the + tribe of Benjamin or Judah, but every tribe had equal right to it [at + their coming to worship there at the several festivals]." See a little + before, ch. 3. sect. 3, or "worldly worship," as the author to the Hebrews + calls the sanctuary, "a worldly sanctuary."] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-9" id="link4note-9"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 9 (<a href="#link4noteref-9">return</a>)<br /> [ Some commentators are + ready to suppose that this "Zacharias, the son of Baruch," here most + unjustly slain by the Jews in the temple, was the very same person with + "Zacharias, the son of Barachias," whom our Savior says the Jews "slew + between the temple and the altar," Matthew 23:35. This is a somewhat + strange exposition; since Zechariah the prophet was really "the son of + Barachiah," and "grandson of Iddo, Zechariah 1:1; and how he died, we have + no other account than that before us in St. Matthew: while this + "Zacharias" was "the son of Baruch." Since the slaughter was past when our + Savior spake these words, the Jews had then already slain him; whereas + this slaughter of "Zacharias, the son of Baruch," in Josephus, was then + about thirty-four years future. And since the slaughter was "between the + temple and the altar," in the court of the priests, one of the most sacred + and remote parts of the whole temple; while this was, in Josephus's own + words, in the middle of the temple, and much the most probably in the + court of Israel only [for we have had no intimation that the zealots had + at this time profaned the court of the priests. See B. V. ch. 1. sect. 2]. + Nor do I believe that our Josephus, who always insists on the peculiar + sacredness of the inmost court, and of the holy house that was in it, + would have omitted so material an aggravation of this barbarous murder, as + perpetrated in. a place so very holy, had that been the true place of it. + See Antiq. B. XI. ch. 7. sect. 1, and the note here on B. V. ch. 1. sect. + 2.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-10" id="link4note-10"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 10 (<a href="#link4noteref-10">return</a>)<br /> [ This prediction, that + the city [Jerusalem] should then "be taken, and the sanctuary burnt, by + right of war, when a sedition should invade Jews, and their own hands + should pollute that temple;" or, as it is B. VI. ch. 2. sect. 1, "when any + one should begin to slay his countrymen in the city;" is wanting in our + present copies of the Old Testament. See Essay on the Old Test. p. 104—112. + But this prediction, as Josephus well remarks here, though, with the other + predictions of the prophets, it was now laughed at by the seditious, was + by their very means soon exactly fulfilled. However, I cannot but here + take notice of Grotius's positive assertion upon Matthew 26:9, here quoted + by Dr. Hudson, that "it ought to be taken for granted, as a certain truth, + that many predictions of the Jewish prophets were preserved, not in + writing, but by memory." Whereas, it seems to me so far from certain, that + I think it has no evidence nor probability at all.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-11" id="link4note-11"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 11 (<a href="#link4noteref-11">return</a>)<br /> [ By these hiera, or "holy + places," as distinct from cities, must be meant "proseuchae," or "houses + of prayer," out of cities; of which we find mention made in the New + Testament and other authors. See Luke 6:12; Acts 16:13, 16; Antiq. B. XIV. + ch. 10. sect. 23; his Life, sect. 51. "In qua te quero proseucha?" Juvenal + Sat. III. yet. 296. They were situated sometimes by the sides of rivers, + Acts 16:13, or by the sea-side, Antiq. B. XIV. ch. 10. sect. 23. So did + the seventy-two interpreters go to pray every morning by the sea-side + before they went to their work, B. XII. ch. 2. sect. 12.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-12" id="link4note-12"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 12 (<a href="#link4noteref-12">return</a>)<br /> [ Gr. Galatia, and so + everywhere.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-13" id="link4note-13"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 13 (<a href="#link4noteref-13">return</a>)<br /> [ Whether this Somorrhon, + or Somorrha, ought not to be here written Gomorrha, as some MSS. in a + manner have it, [for the place meant by Josephus seems to be near Segor, + or Zoar, at the very south of the Dead Sea, hard by which stood Sodom and + Gomorrha,] cannot now be certainly determined, but seems by no means + improbable.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-14" id="link4note-14"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 14 (<a href="#link4noteref-14">return</a>)<br /> [ This excellent prayer of + Elisha is wanting in our copies, 2 Kings 2:21, 22, though it be referred + to also in the Apostolical Constitutions, B. VII. ch. 37., and the success + of it is mentioned in them all.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-16" id="link4note-16"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 16 (<a href="#link4noteref-16">return</a>)<br /> [ Of these Roman affairs + and tumults under Galba, Otho, and Vitellius, here only touched upon by + Josephus, see Tacitus, Suelonius, and Dio, more largely. However, we may + observe with Ottius, that Josephus writes the name of the second of them + not Otto, with many others, but Otho, with the coins. See also the note on + ch. 11. sect. 4.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-17" id="link4note-17"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 17 (<a href="#link4noteref-17">return</a>)<br /> [ Some of the ancients + call this famous tree, or grove, an oak others, a turpentine tree, or + grove. It has been very famous in all the past ages, and is so, I suppose, + at this day; and that particularly for an eminent mart or meeting of + merchants there every year, as the travelers inform us.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-18" id="link4note-18"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 18 (<a href="#link4noteref-18">return</a>)<br /> [ Puetonius differs hardly + three days from Josephus, and says Otho perished on the ninety-fifth day + of his reign. In Anthon. See the note on ch. 11. sect. 4.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-19" id="link4note-19"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 19 (<a href="#link4noteref-19">return</a>)<br /> [ This beginning and + ending the observation of the Jewish seventh day, or sabbath, with a + priest's blowing of a trumpet, is remarkable, and no where else mentioned, + that I know of. Nor is Reland's conjecture here improbable, that this was + the very place that has puzzled our commentators so long, called "Musach + Sabbati," the "Covert of the Sabbath," if that be the true reading, 2 + Kings 16:18, because here the proper priest stood dry, under a "covering," + to proclaim the beginning and ending of every Jewish sabbath.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-20" id="link4note-20"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 20 (<a href="#link4noteref-20">return</a>)<br /> [ The Roman authors that + now remain say Vitellius had children, whereas Josephus introduces here + the Roman soldiers in Judea saying he had none. Which of these assertions + was the truth I know not. Spanheim thinks he hath given a peculiar reason + for calling Vitellius "childless," though he really had children, Diss. de + Num. p. 649, 650; to which it appears very difficult to give our assent.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-21" id="link4note-21"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 21 (<a href="#link4noteref-21">return</a>)<br /> [ This brother of + Vespasian was Flavius Sabinus, as Suetonius informs us, in Vitell. sect. + 15, and in Vespas. sect. 2. He is also named by Josephus presently ch. 11. + sect; 4.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-22" id="link4note-22"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 22 (<a href="#link4noteref-22">return</a>)<br /> [ It is plain by the + nature of the thing, as well as by Josephus and Eutropius, that Vespasian + was first of all saluted emperor in Judea, and not till some time + afterward in Egypt. Whence Tacitus's and Suetonius's present copies must + be correct text, when they both say that he was first proclaimed in Egypt, + and that on the calends of July, while they still say it was the fifth of + the Nones or Ides of the same July before he was proclaimed in Judea. I + suppose the month they there intended was June, and not July, as the + copies now have it; nor does Tacitus's coherence imply less. See Essay on + the Revelation, p. 136.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-23" id="link4note-23"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 23 (<a href="#link4noteref-23">return</a>)<br /> [ Here we have an + authentic description of the bounds and circumstances of Egypt, in the + days of Vespasian and Titus.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-24" id="link4note-24"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 24 (<a href="#link4noteref-24">return</a>)<br /> [ As Daniel was preferred + by Darius and Cyrus, on account of his having foretold the destruction of + the Babylonian monarchy by their means, and the consequent exaltation of + the Medes and Persians, Daniel 5:6 or rather, as Jeremiah, when he was a + prisoner, was set at liberty, and honorably treated by Nebuzaradan, at the + command of Nebuchadnezzar, on account of his having foretold the + destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, Jeremiah 40:1-7; so was our + Josephus set at liberty, and honorably treated, on account of his having + foretold the advancement of Vespasian and Titus to the Roman empire. All + these are most eminent instances of the interposition of Divine + Providence, and of the certainty of Divine predictions in the great + revolutions of the four monarchies. Several such-like examples there are, + both in the sacred and other histories, as in the case of Joseph in Egypt. + and of Jaddua the high priest, in the days of Alexander the Great, etc.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-25" id="link4note-25"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 25 (<a href="#link4noteref-25">return</a>)<br /> [ This is well observed by + Josephus, that Vespasian, in order to secure his success, and establish + his government at first, distributed his offices and places upon the foot + of justice, and bestowed them on such as best deserved them, and were best + fit for them. Which wise conduct in a mere heathen ought to put those + rulers and ministers of state to shame, who, professing Christianity, act + otherwise, and thereby expose themselves and their kingdoms to vice and + destruction.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-26" id="link4note-26"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 26 (<a href="#link4noteref-26">return</a>)<br /> [ The numbers in Josephus, + ch. 9. sect. 2, 9, for Galba seven months seven days, for Otho three + months two days, and here for Vitellius eight months five days, do not + agree with any Roman historians, who also disagree among themselves. And, + indeed, Sealiger justly complains, as Dr. Hudson observes on ch. 9. sect. + 2, that this period is very confused and uncertain in the ancient authors. + They were probably some of them contemporary together for some time; one + of the best evidences we have, I mean Ptolemy's Canon, omits them all, as + if they did not all together reign one whole year, nor had a single Thoth, + or new-year's day, [which then fell upon August 6,] in their entire + reigns. Dio also, who says that Vitellius reigned a year within ten days, + does yet estimate all their reigns together at no more than one year, one + month, and two days.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4note-27" id="link4note-27"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 27 (<a href="#link4noteref-27">return</a>)<br /> [ There are coins of this + Casian Jupiter still extant.] + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link52H_4_0001" id="link52H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h1> + BOOK V. + </h1> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Containing The Interval Of Near Six Months. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + From The Coming Of Titus To Besiege Jerusalem, To The Great + Extremity To Which The Jews Were Reduced. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link52HCH0001" id="link52HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 1. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Concerning The Seditions At Jerusalem And What Terrible + Miseries Afflicted The City By Their Means. +</pre> + <p> + 1. When therefore Titus had marched over that desert which lies between + Egypt and Syria, in the manner forementioned, he came to Cesarea, having + resolved to set his forces in order at that place, before he began the + war. Nay, indeed, while he was assisting his father at Alexandria, in + settling that government which had been newly conferred upon them by God, + it so happened that the sedition at Jerusalem was revived, and parted into + three factions, and that one faction fought against the other; which + partition in such evil cases may be said to be a good thing, and the + effect of Divine justice. Now as to the attack the zealots made upon the + people, and which I esteem the beginning of the city's destruction, it + hath been already explained after an accurate manner; as also whence it + arose, and to how great a mischief it was increased. But for the present + sedition, one should not mistake if he called it a sedition begotten by + another sedition, and to be like a wild beast grown mad, which, for want + of food from abroad, fell now upon eating its own flesh. + </p> + <p> + 2. For Eleazar, the son of Simon, who made the first separation of the + zealots from the people, and made them retire into the temple, appeared + very angry at John's insolent attempts, which he made everyday upon the + people; for this man never left off murdering; but the truth was, that he + could not bear to submit to a tyrant who set up after him. So he being + desirous of gaining the entire power and dominion to himself, revolted + from John, and took to his assistance Judas the son of Chelcias, and Simon + the son of Ezron, who were among the men of greatest power. There was also + with him Hezekiah, the son of Chobar, a person of eminence. Each of these + were followed by a great many of the zealots; these seized upon the inner + court of the temple <a href="#link5note-1" name="link5noteref-1" + id="link5noteref-1">1</a> and laid their arms upon the holy gates, and + over the holy fronts of that court. And because they had plenty of + provisions, they were of good courage, for there was a great abundance of + what was consecrated to sacred uses, and they scrupled not the making use + of them; yet were they afraid, on account of their small number; and when + they had laid up their arms there, they did not stir from the place they + were in. Now as to John, what advantage he had above Eleazar in the + multitude of his followers, the like disadvantage he had in the situation + he was in, since he had his enemies over his head; and as he could not + make any assault upon them without some terror, so was his anger too great + to let them be at rest; nay, although he suffered more mischief from + Eleazar and his party than he could inflict upon them, yet would he not + leave off assaulting them, insomuch that there were continual sallies made + one against another, as well as darts thrown at one another, and the + temple was defiled every where with murders. + </p> + <p> + 3. But now the tyrant Simon, the son of Gioras, whom the people had + invited in, out of the hopes they had of his assistance in the great + distresses they were in, having in his power the upper city, and a great + part of the lower, did now make more vehement assaults upon John and his + party, because they were fought against from above also; yet was he + beneath their situation when he attacked them, as they were beneath the + attacks of the others above them. Whereby it came to pass that John did + both receive and inflict great damage, and that easily, as he was fought + against on both sides; and the same advantage that Eleazar and his party + had over him, since he was beneath them, the same advantage had he, by his + higher situation, over Simon. On which account he easily repelled the + attacks that were made from beneath, by the weapons thrown from their + hands only; but was obliged to repel those that threw their darts from the + temple above him, by his engines of war; for he had such engines as threw + darts, and javelins, and stones, and that in no small number, by which he + did not only defend himself from such as fought against him, but slew + moreover many of the priests, as they were about their sacred + ministrations. For notwithstanding these men were mad with all sorts of + impiety, yet did they still admit those that desired to offer their + sacrifices, although they took care to search the people of their own + country beforehand, and both suspected and watched them; while they were + not so much afraid of strangers, who, although they had gotten leave of + them, how cruel soever they were, to come into that court, were yet often + destroyed by this sedition; for those darts that were thrown by the + engines came with that force, that they went over all the buildings, and + reached as far as the altar, and the temple itself, and fell upon the + priests, and those <a href="#link5note-2" name="link5noteref-2" + id="link5noteref-2">2</a> that were about the sacred offices; insomuch + that many persons who came thither with great zeal from the ends of the + earth, to offer sacrifices at this celebrated place, which was esteemed + holy by all mankind, fell down before their own sacrifices themselves, and + sprinkled that altar which was venerable among all men, both Greeks and + Barbarians, with their own blood; till the dead bodies of strangers were + mingled together with those of their own country, and those of profane + persons with those of the priests, and the blood of all sorts of dead + carcasses stood in lakes in the holy courts themselves. And now, "O most + wretched city, what misery so great as this didst thou suffer from the + Romans, when they came to purify thee from thy intestine hatred! 'For thou + couldst be no longer a place fit for God, nor couldst thou long continue + in being, after thou hadst been a sepulcher for the bodies of thy own + people, and hadst made the holy house itself a burying-place in this civil + war of thine. Yet mayst thou again grow better, if perchance thou wilt + hereafter appease the anger of that God who is the author of thy + destruction." But I must restrain myself from these passions by the rules + of history, since this is not a proper time for domestical lamentations, + but for historical narrations; I therefore return to the operations that + follow in this sedition. <a href="#link5note-3" name="link5noteref-3" + id="link5noteref-3">3</a> + </p> + <p> + 4. And now there were three treacherous factions in the city, the one + parted from the other. Eleazar and his party, that kept the sacred + first-fruits, came against John in their cups. Those that were with John + plundered the populace, and went out with zeal against Simon. This Simon + had his supply of provisions from the city, in opposition to the + seditious. When, therefore, John was assaulted on both sides, he made his + men turn about, throwing his darts upon those citizens that came up + against him, from the cloisters he had in his possession, while he opposed + those that attacked him from the temple by his engines of war. And if at + any time he was freed from those that were above him, which happened + frequently, from their being drunk and tired, he sallied out with a great + number upon Simon and his party; and this he did always in such parts of + the city as he could come at, till he set on fire those houses that were + full of corn, and of all other provisions. <a href="#link5note-4" + name="link5noteref-4" id="link5noteref-4">4</a> The same thing was done by + Simon, when, upon the other's retreat, he attacked the city also; as if + they had, on purpose, done it to serve the Romans, by destroying what the + city had laid up against the siege, and by thus cutting off the nerves of + their own power. Accordingly, it so came to pass, that all the places that + were about the temple were burnt down, and were become an intermediate + desert space, ready for fighting on both sides of it; and that almost all + that corn was burnt, which would have been sufficient for a siege of many + years. So they were taken by the means of the famine, which it was + impossible they should have been, unless they had thus prepared the way + for it by this procedure. + </p> + <p> + 5. And now, as the city was engaged in a war on all sides, from these + treacherous crowds of wicked men, the people of the city, between them, + were like a great body torn in pieces. The aged men and the women were in + such distress by their internal calamities, that they wished for the + Romans, and earnestly hoped for an external war, in order to their + delivery from their domestical miseries. The citizens themselves were + under a terrible consternation and fear; nor had they any opportunity of + taking counsel, and of changing their conduct; nor were there any hopes of + coming to an agreement with their enemies; nor could such as had a mind + flee away; for guards were set at all places, and the heads of the + robbers, although they were seditious one against another in other + respects, yet did they agree in killing those that were for peace with the + Romans, or were suspected of an inclination to desert them, as their + common enemies. They agreed in nothing but this, to kill those that were + innocent. The noise also of those that were fighting was incessant, both + by day and by night; but the lamentations of those that mourned exceeded + the other; nor was there ever any occasion for them to leave off their + lamentations, because their calamities came perpetually one upon another, + although the deep consternation they were in prevented their outward + wailing; but being constrained by their fear to conceal their inward + passions, they were inwardly tormented, without daring to open their lips + in groans. Nor was any regard paid to those that were still alive, by + their relations; nor was there any care taken of burial for those that + were dead; the occasion of both which was this, that every one despaired + of himself; for those that were not among the seditious had no great + desires of any thing, as expecting for certain that they should very soon + be destroyed; but for the seditious themselves, they fought against each + other, while they trod upon the dead bodies as they lay heaped one upon + another, and taking up a mad rage from those dead bodies that were under + their feet, became the fiercer thereupon. They, moreover, were still + inventing somewhat or other that was pernicious against themselves; and + when they had resolved upon any thing, they executed it without mercy, and + omitted no method of torment or of barbarity. Nay, John abused the sacred + materials, <a href="#link5note-5" name="link5noteref-5" id="link5noteref-5">5</a> + and employed them in the construction of his engines of war; for the + people and the priests had formerly determined to support the temple, and + raise the holy house twenty cubits higher; for king Agrippa had at a very + great expense, and with very great pains, brought thither such materials + as were proper for that purpose, being pieces of timber very well worth + seeing, both for their straightness and their largeness; but the war + coming on, and interrupting the work, John had them cut, and prepared for + the building him towers, he finding them long enough to oppose from them + those his adversaries that thought him from the temple that was above him. + He also had them brought and erected behind the inner court over against + the west end of the cloisters, where alone he could erect them; whereas + the other sides of that court had so many steps as would not let them come + nigh enough the cloisters. + </p> + <p> + 6. Thus did John hope to be too hard for his enemies by these engines + constructed by his impiety; but God himself demonstrated that his pains + would prove of no use to him, by bringing the Romans upon him, before he + had reared any of his towers; for Titus, when he had gotten together part + of his forces about him, and had ordered the rest to meet him at + Jerusalem, marched out of Cesarea. He had with him those three legions + that had accompanied his father when he laid Judea waste, together with + that twelfth legion which had been formerly beaten with Cestius; which + legion, as it was otherwise remarkable for its valor, so did it march on + now with greater alacrity to avenge themselves on the Jews, as remembering + what they had formerly suffered from them. Of these legions he ordered the + fifth to meet him, by going through Emmaus, and the tenth to go up by + Jericho; he also moved himself, together with the rest; besides whom, + marched those auxiliaries that came from the kings, being now more in + number than before, together with a considerable number that came to his + assistance from Syria. Those also that had been selected out of these four + legions, and sent with Mucianus to Italy, had their places filled up out + of these soldiers that came out of Egypt with Titus; who were two thousand + men, chosen out of the armies at Alexandria. There followed him also three + thousand drawn from those that guarded the river Euphrates; as also there + came Tiberius Alexander, who was a friend of his, most valuable, both for + his good-will to him, and for his prudence. He had formerly been governor + of Alexandria, but was now thought worthy to be general of the army [under + Titus]. The reason of this was, that he had been the first who encouraged + Vespasian very lately to accept this his new dominion, and joined himself + to him with great fidelity, when things were uncertain, and fortune had + not yet declared for him. He also followed Titus as a counselor, very + useful to him in this war, both by his age and skill in such affairs. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link52HCH0002" id="link52HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 2. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How Titus Marched To Jerusalem, And How He Was In Danger As + He Was Taking A View Of The City Of The Place Also Where He + Pitched His Camp +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now, as Titus was upon his march into the enemy's country, the + auxiliaries that were sent by the kings marched first, having all the + other auxiliaries with them; after whom followed those that were to + prepare the roads and measure out the camp; then came the commander's + baggage, and after that the other soldiers, who were completely armed to + support them; then came Titus himself, having with him another select + body; and then came the pikemen; after whom came the horse belonging to + that legion. All these came before the engines; and after these engines + came the tribunes and the leaders of the cohorts, with their select + bodies; after these came the ensigns, with the eagle; and before those + ensigns came the trumpeters belonging to them; next these came the main + body of the army in their ranks, every rank being six deep; the servants + belonging to every legion came after these; and before these last their + baggage; the mercenaries came last, and those that guarded them brought up + the rear. Now Titus, according to the Roman usage, went in the front of + the army after a decent manner, and marched through Samaria to Gophna, a + city that had been formerly taken by his father, and was then garrisoned + by Roman soldiers; and when he had lodged there one night, he marched on + in the morning; and when he had gone as far as a day's march, he pitched + his camp at that valley which the Jews, in their own tongue, call "the + Valley of Thorns," near a certain village called Gabaothsath, which + signifies "the Hill of Saul," being distant from Jerusalem about thirty + furlongs. <a href="#link5note-6" name="link5noteref-6" id="link5noteref-6">6</a> + There it was that he chose out six hundred select horsemen, and went to + take a view of the city, to observe what strength it was of, and how + courageous the Jews were; whether, when they saw him, and before they came + to a direct battle, they would be affrighted and submit; for he had been + informed what was really true, that the people who were fallen under the + power of the seditious and the robbers were greatly desirous of peace; but + being too weak to rise up against the rest, they lay still. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now, so long as he rode along the straight road which led to the wall + of the city, nobody appeared out of the gates; but when he went out of + that road, and declined towards the tower Psephinus, and led the band of + horsemen obliquely, an immense number of the Jews leaped out suddenly at + the towers called the "Women's Towers," through that gate which was over + against the monuments of queen Helena, and intercepted his horse; and + standing directly opposite to those that still ran along the road, + hindered them from joining those that had declined out of it. They + intercepted Titus also, with a few other. Now it was here impossible for + him to go forward, because all the places had trenches dug in them from + the wall, to preserve the gardens round about, and were full of gardens + obliquely situated, and of many hedges; and to return back to his own men, + he saw it was also impossible, by reason of the multitude of the enemies + that lay between them; many of whom did not so much as know that the king + was in any danger, but supposed him still among them. So he perceived that + his preservation must be wholly owing to his own courage, and turned his + horse about, and cried out aloud to those that were about him to follow + him, and ran with violence into the midst of his enemies, in order to + force his way through them to his own men. And hence we may principally + learn, that both the success of wars, and the dangers that kings <a + href="#link5note-7" name="link5noteref-7" id="link5noteref-7">7</a> are + in, are under the providence of God; for while such a number of darts were + thrown at Titus, when he had neither his head-piece on, nor his + breastplate, [for, as I told you, he went out not to fight, but to view + the city,] none of them touched his body, but went aside without hurting + him; as if all of them missed him on purpose, and only made a noise as + they passed by him. So he diverted those perpetually with his sword that + came on his side, and overturned many of those that directly met him, and + made his horse ride over those that were overthrown. The enemy indeed made + a shout at the boldness of Caesar, and exhorted one another to rush upon + him. Yet did these against whom he marched fly away, and go off from him + in great numbers; while those that were in the same danger with him kept + up close to him, though they were wounded both on their backs and on their + sides; for they had each of them but this one hope of escaping, if they + could assist Titus in opening himself a way, that he might not be + encompassed round by his enemies before he got away from them. Now there + were two of those that were with him, but at some distance; the one of + which the enemy compassed round, and slew him with their darts, and his + horse also; but the other they slew as he leaped down from his horse, and + carried off his horse with them. But Titus escaped with the rest, and came + safe to the camp. So this success of the Jews' first attack raised their + minds, and gave them an ill-grounded hope; and this short inclination of + fortune, on their side, made them very courageous for the future. + </p> + <p> + 3. But now, as soon as that legion that had been at Emmaus was joined to + Caesar at night, he removed thence, when it was day, and came to a place + called Seopus; from whence the city began already to be seen, and a plain + view might be taken of the great temple. Accordingly, this place, on the + north quarter of the city, and joining thereto, was a plain, and very + properly named Scopus, [the prospect,] and was no more than seven furlongs + distant from it. And here it was that Titus ordered a camp to be fortified + for two legions that were to be together; but ordered another camp to be + fortified, at three furlongs farther distance behind them, for the fifth + legion; for he thought that, by marching in the night, they might be + tired, and might deserve to be covered from the enemy, and with less fear + might fortify themselves; and as these were now beginning to build, the + tenth legion, who came through Jericho, was already come to the place, + where a certain party of armed men had formerly lain, to guard that pass + into the city, and had been taken before by Vespasian. These legions had + orders to encamp at the distance of six furlongs from Jerusalem, at the + mount called the Mount of Olives <a href="#link5note-8" + name="link5noteref-8" id="link5noteref-8">8</a> which lies over against + the city on the east side, and is parted from it by a deep valley, + interposed between them, which is named Cedron. + </p> + <p> + 4. Now when hitherto the several parties in the city had been dashing one + against another perpetually, this foreign war, now suddenly come upon them + after a violent manner, put the first stop to their contentions one + against another; and as the seditious now saw with astonishment the Romans + pitching three several camps, they began to think of an awkward sort of + concord, and said one to another, "What do we here, and what do we mean, + when we suffer three fortified walls to be built to coop us in, that we + shall not be able to breathe freely? while the enemy is securely building + a kind of city in opposition to us, and while we sit still within our own + walls, and become spectators only of what they are doing, with our hands + idle, and our armor laid by, as if they were about somewhat that was for + our good and advantage. We are, it seems, [so did they cry out,] only + courageous against ourselves, while the Romans are likely to gain the city + without bloodshed by our sedition." Thus did they encourage one another + when they were gotten together, and took their armor immediately, and ran + out upon the tenth legion, and fell upon the Romans with great eagerness, + and with a prodigious shout, as they were fortifying their camp. These + Romans were caught in different parties, and this in order to perform + their several works, and on that account had in great measure laid aside + their arms; for they thought the Jews would not have ventured to make a + sally upon them; and had they been disposed so to do, they supposed their + sedition would have distracted them. So they were put into disorder + unexpectedly; when some of them left their works they were about, and + immediately marched off, while many ran to their arms, but were smitten + and slain before they could turn back upon the enemy. The Jews became + still more and more in number, as encouraged by the good success of those + that first made the attack; and while they had such good fortune, they + seemed both to themselves and to the enemy to be many more than they + really were. The disorderly way of their fighting at first put the Romans + also to a stand, who had been constantly used to fight skillfully in good + order, and with keeping their ranks, and obeying the orders that were + given them; for which reason the Romans were caught unexpectedly, and were + obliged to give way to the assaults that were made upon them. Now when + these Romans were overtaken, and turned back upon the Jews, they put a + stop to their career; yet when they did not take care enough of themselves + through the vehemency of their pursuit, they were wounded by them; but as + still more and more Jews sallied out of the city, the Romans were at + length brought into confusion, and put to flight, and ran away from their + camp. Nay, things looked as though the entire legion would have been in + danger, unless Titus had been informed of the case they were in, and had + sent them succors immediately. So he reproached them for their cowardice, + and brought those back that were running away, and fell himself upon the + Jews on their flank, with those select troops that were with him, and slew + a considerable number, and wounded more of them, and put them all to + flight, and made them run away hastily down the valley. Now as these Jews + suffered greatly in the declivity of the valley, so when they were gotten + over it, they turned about, and stood over against the Romans, having the + valley between them, and there fought with them. Thus did they continue + the fight till noon; but when it was already a little after noon, Titus + set those that came to the assistance of the Romans with him, and those + that belonged to the cohorts, to prevent the Jews from making any more + sallies, and then sent the rest of the legion to the upper part of the + mountain, to fortify their camp. + </p> + <p> + 5. This march of the Romans seemed to the Jews to be a flight; and as the + watchman who was placed upon the wall gave a signal by shaking his + garment, there came out a fresh multitude of Jews, and that with such + mighty violence, that one might compare it to the running of the most + terrible wild beasts. To say the truth, none of those that opposed them + could sustain the fury with which they made their attacks; but, as if they + had been cast out of an engine, they brake the enemies' ranks to pieces, + who were put to flight, and ran away to the mountain; none but Titus + himself, and a few others with him, being left in the midst of the + acclivity. Now these others, who were his friends, despised the danger + they were in, and were ashamed to leave their general, earnestly exhorting + him to give way to these Jews that are fond of dying, and not to run into + such dangers before those that ought to stay before him; to consider what + his fortune was, and not, by supplying the place of a common soldier, to + venture to turn back upon the enemy so suddenly; and this because he was + general in the war, and lord of the habitable earth, on whose preservation + the public affairs do all depend. These persuasions Titus seemed not so + much as to hear, but opposed those that ran upon him, and smote them on + the face; and when he had forced them to go back, he slew them: he also + fell upon great numbers as they marched down the hill, and thrust them + forward; while those men were so amazed at his courage and his strength, + that they could not fly directly to the city, but declined from him on + both sides, and pressed after those that fled up the hill; yet did he + still fall upon their flank, and put a stop to their fury. In the mean + time, a disorder and a terror fell again upon those that were fortifying + their camp at the top of the hill, upon their seeing those beneath them + running away; insomuch that the whole legion was dispersed, while they + thought that the sallies of the Jews upon them were plainly insupportable, + and that Titus was himself put to flight; because they took it for + granted, that, if he had staid, the rest would never have fled for it. + Thus were they encompassed on every side by a kind of panic fear, and some + dispersed themselves one way, and some another, till certain of them saw + their general in the very midst of an action, and being under great + concern for him, they loudly proclaimed the danger he was in to the entire + legion; and now shame made them turn back, and they reproached one another + that they did worse than run away, by deserting Caesar. So they used their + utmost force against the Jews, and declining from the straight declivity, + they drove them on heaps into the bottom of the valley. Then did the Jews + turn about and fight them; but as they were themselves retiring, and now, + because the Romans had the advantage of the ground, and were above the + Jews, they drove them all into the valley. Titus also pressed upon those + that were near him, and sent the legion again to fortify their camp; while + he, and those that were with him before, opposed the enemy, and kept them + from doing further mischief; insomuch that, if I may be allowed neither to + add any thing out of flattery, nor to diminish any thing out of envy, but + to speak the plain truth, Caesar did twice deliver that entire legion when + it was in jeopardy, and gave them a quiet opportunity of fortifying their + camp. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link52HCH0003" id="link52HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 3. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How The Sedition Was Again Revived Within Jerusalem And Yet + The Jews Contrived Snares For The Romans. How Titus Also + Threatened His Soldiers For Their Ungovernable Rashness. +</pre> + <p> + 1. As now the war abroad ceased for a while, the sedition within was + revived; and on the feast of unleavened bread, which was now come, it + being the fourteenth day of the month Xanthicus, [Nisan,] when it is + believed the Jews were first freed from the Egyptians, Eleazar and his + party opened the gates of this [inmost court of the] temple, and admitted + such of the people as were desirous to worship God into it. <a + href="#link5note-9" name="link5noteref-9" id="link5noteref-9">9</a> But + John made use of this festival as a cloak for his treacherous designs, and + armed the most inconsiderable of his own party, the greater part of whom + were not purified, with weapons concealed under their garments, and sent + them with great zeal into the temple, in order to seize upon it; which + armed men, when they were gotten in, threw their garments away, and + presently appeared in their armor. Upon which there was a very great + disorder and disturbance about the holy house; while the people, who had + no concern in the sedition, supposed that this assault was made against + all without distinction, as the zealots thought it was made against + themselves only. So these left off guarding the gates any longer, and + leaped down from their battlements before they came to an engagement, and + fled away into the subterranean caverns of the temple; while the people + that stood trembling at the altar, and about the holy house, were rolled + on heaps together, and trampled upon, and were beaten both with wooden and + with iron weapons without mercy. Such also as had differences with others + slew many persons that were quiet, out of their own private enmity and + hatred, as if they were opposite to the seditious; and all those that had + formerly offended any of these plotters were now known, and were now led + away to the slaughter; and when they had done abundance of horrid mischief + to the guiltless, they granted a truce to the guilty, and let those go off + that came out of the caverns. These followers of John also did now seize + upon this inner temple, and upon all the warlike engines therein, and then + ventured to oppose Simon. And thus that sedition, which had been divided + into three factions, was now reduced to two. + </p> + <p> + 2. But Titus, intending to pitch his camp nearer to the city than Scopus, + placed as many of his choice horsemen and footmen as he thought sufficient + opposite to the Jews, to prevent their sallying out upon them, while he + gave orders for the whole army to level the distance, as far as the wall + of the city. So they threw down all the hedges and walls which the + inhabitants had made about their gardens and groves of trees, and cut down + all the fruit trees that lay between them and the wall of the city, and + filled up all the hollow places and the chasms, and demolished the rocky + precipices with iron instruments; and thereby made all the place level + from Scopus to Herod's monuments, which adjoined to the pool called the + Serpent's Pool. + </p> + <p> + 3. Now at this very time the Jews contrived the following stratagem + against the Romans. The bolder sort of the seditious went out at the + towers, called the Women's Towers, as if they had been ejected out of the + city by those who were for peace, and rambled about as if they were afraid + of being assaulted by the Romans, and were in fear of one another; while + those that stood upon the wall, and seemed to be of the people's side, + cried out aloud for peace, and entreated they might have security for + their lives given them, and called for the Romans, promising to open the + gates to them; and as they cried out after that manner, they threw stones + at their own people, as though they would drive them away from the gates. + These also pretended that they were excluded by force, and that they + petitioned those that were within to let them in; and rushing upon the + Romans perpetually, with violence, they then came back, and seemed to be + in great disorder. Now the Roman soldiers thought this cunning stratagem + of theirs was to be believed real, and thinking they had the one party + under their power, and could punish them as they pleased, and hoping that + the other party would open their gates to them, set to the execution of + their designs accordingly. But for Titus himself, he had this surprising + conduct of the Jews in suspicion; for whereas he had invited them to come + to terms of accommodation, by Josephus, but one day before, he could then + receive no civil answer from them; so he ordered the soldiers to stay + where they were. However, some of them that were set in the front of the + works prevented him, and catching up their arms ran to the gates; + whereupon those that seemed to have been ejected at the first retired; but + as soon as the soldiers were gotten between the towers on each side of the + gate, the Jews ran out and encompassed them round, and fell upon them + behind, while that multitude which stood upon the wall threw a heap of + stones and darts of all kinds at them, insomuch that they slew a + considerable number, and wounded many more; for it was not easy for the + Romans to escape, by reason those behind them pressed them forward; + besides which, the shame they were under for being mistaken, and the fear + they were in of their commanders, engaged them to persevere in their + mistake; wherefore they fought with their spears a great while, and + received many blows from the Jews, though indeed they gave them as many + blows again, and at last repelled those that had encompassed them about, + while the Jews pursued them as they retired, and followed them, and threw + darts at them as far as the monuments of queen Helena. + </p> + <p> + 4. After this these Jews, without keeping any decorum, grew insolent upon + their good fortune, and jested upon the Romans for being deluded by the + trick they had put upon them, and making a noise with beating their + shields, leaped for gladness, and made joyful exclamations; while these + soldiers were received with threatenings by their officers, and with + indignation by Caesar himself, [who spake to them thus]: These Jews, who + are only conducted by their madness, do every thing with care and + circumspection; they contrive stratagems, and lay ambushes, and fortune + gives success to their stratagems, because they are obedient, and preserve + their goodwill and fidelity to one another; while the Romans, to whom + fortune uses to be ever subservient, by reason of their good order, and + ready submission to their commanders, have now had ill success by their + contrary behavior, and by not being able to restrain their hands from + action, they have been caught; and that which is the most to their + reproach, they have gone on without their commanders, in the very presence + of Caesar. "Truly," says Titus, "the laws of war cannot but groan heavily, + as will my father also himself, when he shall be informed of this wound + that hath been given us, since he who is grown old in wars did never make + so great a mistake. Our laws of war do also ever inflict capital + punishment on those that in the least break into good order, while at this + time they have seen an entire army run into disorder. However, those that + have been so insolent shall be made immediately sensible, that even they + who conquer among the Romans without orders for fighting are to be under + disgrace." When Titus had enlarged upon this matter before the commanders, + it appeared evident that he would execute the law against all those that + were concerned; so these soldiers' minds sunk down in despair, as + expecting to be put to death, and that justly and quickly. However, the + other legions came round about Titus, and entreated his favor to these + their fellow soldiers, and made supplication to him, that he would pardon + the rashness of a few, on account of the better obedience of all the rest; + and promised for them that they should make amends for their present + fault, by their more virtuous behavior for the time to come. + </p> + <p> + 5. So Caesar complied with their desires, and with what prudence dictated + to him also; for he esteemed it fit to punish single persons by real + executions, but that the punishment of great multitudes should proceed no + further than reproofs; so he was reconciled to the soldiers, but gave them + a special charge to act more wisely for the future; and he considered with + himself how he might be even with the Jews for their stratagem. And now + when the space between the Romans and the wall had been leveled, which was + done in four days, and as he was desirous to bring the baggage of the + army, with the rest of the multitude that followed him, safely to the + camp, he set the strongest part of his army over against that wall which + lay on the north quarter of the city, and over against the western part of + it, and made his army seven deep, with the foot-men placed before them, + and the horsemen behind them, each of the last in three ranks, whilst the + archers stood in the midst in seven ranks. And now as the Jews were + prohibited, by so great a body of men, from making sallies upon the + Romans, both the beasts that bare the burdens, and belonged to the three + legions, and the rest of the multitude, marched on without any fear. But + as for Titus himself, he was but about two furlongs distant from the wall, + at that part of it where was the corner <a href="#link5note-10" + name="link5noteref-10" id="link5noteref-10">10</a> and over against that + tower which was called Psephinus, at which tower the compass of the wall + belonging to the north bended, and extended itself over against the west; + but the other part of the army fortified itself at the tower called + Hippicus, and was distant, in like manner, by two furlongs from the city. + However, the tenth legion continued in its own place, upon the Mount of + Olives. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link52HCH0004" id="link52HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 4. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Description Of Jerusalem. +</pre> + <p> + 1. The city of Jerusalem was fortified with three walls, on such parts as + were not encompassed with unpassable valleys; for in such places it had + but one wall. The city was built upon two hills, which are opposite to one + another, and have a valley to divide them asunder; at which valley the + corresponding rows of houses on both hills end. Of these hills, that which + contains the upper city is much higher, and in length more direct. + Accordingly, it was called the "Citadel," by king David; he was the father + of that Solomon who built this temple at the first; but it is by us called + the "Upper Market-place." But the other hill, which was called "Acra," and + sustains the lower city, is of the shape of a moon when she is horned; + over against this there was a third hill, but naturally lower than Acra, + and parted formerly from the other by a broad valley. However, in those + times when the Asamoneans reigned, they filled up that valley with earth, + and had a mind to join the city to the temple. They then took off part of + the height of Acra, and reduced it to be of less elevation than it was + before, that the temple might be superior to it. Now the Valley of the + Cheesemongers, as it was called, and was that which we told you before + distinguished the hill of the upper city from that of the lower, extended + as far as Siloam; for that is the name of a fountain which hath sweet + water in it, and this in great plenty also. But on the outsides, these + hills are surrounded by deep valleys, and by reason of the precipices to + them belonging on both sides they are every where unpassable. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now, of these three walls, the old one was hard to be taken, both by + reason of the valleys, and of that hill on which it was built, and which + was above them. But besides that great advantage, as to the place where + they were situated, it was also built very strong; because David and + Solomon, and the following kings, were very zealous about this work. Now + that wall began on the north, at the tower called "Hippicus," and extended + as far as the "Xistus," a place so called, and then, joining to the + council-house, ended at the west cloister of the temple. But if we go the + other way westward, it began at the same place, and extended through a + place called "Bethso," to the gate of the Essens; and after that it went + southward, having its bending above the fountain Siloam, where it also + bends again towards the east at Solomon's pool, and reaches as far as a + certain place which they called "Ophlas," where it was joined to the + eastern cloister of the temple. The second wall took its beginning from + that gate which they called "Gennath," which belonged to the first wall; + it only encompassed the northern quarter of the city, and reached as far + as the tower Antonia. The beginning of the third wall was at the tower + Hippicus, whence it reached as far as the north quarter of the city, and + the tower Psephinus, and then was so far extended till it came over + against the monuments of Helena, which Helena was queen of Adiabene, the + daughter of Izates; it then extended further to a great length, and passed + by the sepulchral caverns of the kings, and bent again at the tower of the + corner, at the monument which is called the "Monument of the Fuller," and + joined to the old wall at the valley called the "Valley of Cedron." It was + Agrippa who encompassed the parts added to the old city with this wall, + which had been all naked before; for as the city grew more populous, it + gradually crept beyond its old limits, and those parts of it that stood + northward of the temple, and joined that hill to the city, made it + considerably larger, and occasioned that hill, which is in number the + fourth, and is called "Bezetha," to be inhabited also. It lies over + against the tower Antonia, but is divided from it by a deep valley, which + was dug on purpose, and that in order to hinder the foundations of the + tower of Antonia from joining to this hill, and thereby affording an + opportunity for getting to it with ease, and hindering the security that + arose from its superior elevation; for which reason also that depth of the + ditch made the elevation of the towers more remarkable. This new-built + part of the city was called "Bezetha," in our language, which, if + interpreted in the Grecian language, may be called "the New City." Since, + therefore, its inhabitants stood in need of a covering, the father of the + present king, and of the same name with him, Agrippa, began that wall we + spoke of; but he left off building it when he had only laid the + foundations, out of the fear he was in of Claudius Caesar, lest he should + suspect that so strong a wall was built in order to make some innovation + in public affairs; for the city could no way have been taken if that wall + had been finished in the manner it was begun; as its parts were connected + together by stones twenty cubits long, and ten cubits broad, which could + never have been either easily undermined by any iron tools, or shaken by + any engines. The wall was, however, ten cubits wide, and it would probably + have had a height greater than that, had not his zeal who began it been + hindered from exerting itself. After this, it was erected with great + diligence by the Jews, as high as twenty cubits, above which it had + battlements of two cubits, and turrets of three cubits altitude, insomuch + that the entire altitude extended as far as twenty-five cubits. + </p> + <p> + 3. Now the towers that were upon it were twenty cubits in breadth, and + twenty cubits in height; they were square and solid, as was the wall + itself, wherein the niceness of the joints, and the beauty of the stones, + were no way inferior to those of the holy house itself. Above this solid + altitude of the towers, which was twenty cubits, there were rooms of great + magnificence, and over them upper rooms, and cisterns to receive + rain-water. They were many in number, and the steps by which you ascended + up to them were every one broad: of these towers then the third wall had + ninety, and the spaces between them were each two hundred cubits; but in + the middle wall were forty towers, and the old wall was parted into sixty, + while the whole compass of the city was thirty-three furlongs. Now the + third wall was all of it wonderful; yet was the tower Psephinus elevated + above it at the north-west corner, and there Titus pitched his own tent; + for being seventy cubits high it both afforded a prospect of Arabia at + sun-rising, as well as it did of the utmost limits of the Hebrew + possessions at the sea westward. Moreover, it was an octagon, and over + against it was the tower Hipplicus, and hard by two others were erected by + king Herod, in the old wall. These were for largeness, beauty, and + strength beyond all that were in the habitable earth; for besides the + magnanimity of his nature, and his magnificence towards the city on other + occasions, he built these after such an extraordinary manner, to gratify + his own private affections, and dedicated these towers to the memory of + those three persons who had been the dearest to him, and from whom he + named them. They were his brother, his friend, and his wife. This wife he + had slain, out of his love [and jealousy], as we have already related; the + other two he lost in war, as they were courageously fighting. Hippicus, so + named from his friend, was square; its length and breadth were each + twenty-five cubits, and its height thirty, and it had no vacuity in it. + Over this solid building, which was composed of great stones united + together, there was a reservoir twenty cubits deep, over which there was a + house of two stories, whose height was twenty-five cubits, and divided + into several parts; over which were battlements of two cubits, and turrets + all round of three cubits high, insomuch that the entire height added + together amounted to fourscore cubits. The second tower, which he named + from his brother Phasaelus, had its breadth and its height equal, each of + them forty cubits; over which was its solid height of forty cubits; over + which a cloister went round about, whose height was ten cubits, and it was + covered from enemies by breast-works and bulwarks. There was also built + over that cloister another tower, parted into magnificent rooms, and a + place for bathing; so that this tower wanted nothing that might make it + appear to be a royal palace. It was also adorned with battlements and + turrets, more than was the foregoing, and the entire altitude was about + ninety cubits; the appearance of it resembled the tower of Pharus, which + exhibited a fire to such as sailed to Alexandria, but was much larger than + it in compass. This was now converted to a house, wherein Simon exercised + his tyrannical authority. The third tower was Mariamne, for that was his + queen's name; it was solid as high as twenty cubits; its breadth and its + length were twenty cubits, and were equal to each other; its upper + buildings were more magnificent, and had greater variety, than the other + towers had; for the king thought it most proper for him to adorn that + which was denominated from his wife, better than those denominated from + men, as those were built stronger than this that bore his wife's name. The + entire height of this tower was fifty cubits. + </p> + <p> + 4. Now as these towers were so very tall, they appeared much taller by the + place on which they stood; for that very old wall wherein they were was + built on a high hill, and was itself a kind of elevation that was still + thirty cubits taller; over which were the towers situated, and thereby + were made much higher to appearance. The largeness also of the stones was + wonderful; for they were not made of common small stones, nor of such + large ones only as men could carry, but they were of white marble, cut out + of the rock; each stone was twenty cubits in length, and ten in breadth, + and five in depth. They were so exactly united to one another, that each + tower looked like one entire rock of stone, so growing naturally, and + afterward cut by the hand of the artificers into their present shape and + corners; so little, or not at all, did their joints or connexion appear + low as these towers were themselves on the north side of the wall, the + king had a palace inwardly thereto adjoined, which exceeds all my ability + to describe it; for it was so very curious as to want no cost nor skill in + its construction, but was entirely walled about to the height of thirty + cubits, and was adorned with towers at equal distances, and with large + bed-chambers, that would contain beds for a hundred guests a-piece, in + which the variety of the stones is not to be expressed; for a large + quantity of those that were rare of that kind was collected together. + Their roofs were also wonderful, both for the length of the beams, and the + splendor of their ornaments. The number of the rooms was also very great, + and the variety of the figures that were about them was prodigious; their + furniture was complete, and the greatest part of the vessels that were put + in them was of silver and gold. There were besides many porticoes, one + beyond another, round about, and in each of those porticoes curious + pillars; yet were all the courts that were exposed to the air every where + green. There were, moreover, several groves of trees, and long walks + through them, with deep canals, and cisterns, that in several parts were + filled with brazen statues, through which the water ran out. There were + withal many dove-courts <a href="#link5note-11" name="link5noteref-11" + id="link5noteref-11">11</a> of tame pigeons about the canals. But indeed + it is not possible to give a complete description of these palaces; and + the very remembrance of them is a torment to one, as putting one in mind + what vastly rich buildings that fire which was kindled by the robbers hath + consumed; for these were not burnt by the Romans, but by these internal + plotters, as we have already related, in the beginning of their rebellion. + That fire began at the tower of Antonia, and went on to the palaces, and + consumed the upper parts of the three towers themselves. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link52HCH0005" id="link52HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 5. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A Description Of The Temple. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now this temple, as I have already said, was built upon a strong hill. + At first the plain at the top was hardly sufficient for the holy house and + the altar, for the ground about it was very uneven, and like a precipice; + but when king Solomon, who was the person that built the temple, had built + a wall to it on its east side, there was then added one cloister founded + on a bank cast up for it, and on the other parts the holy house stood + naked. But in future ages the people added new banks, <a + href="#link5note-12" name="link5noteref-12" id="link5noteref-12">12</a> + and the hill became a larger plain. They then broke down the wall on the + north side, and took in as much as sufficed afterward for the compass of + the entire temple. And when they had built walls on three sides of the + temple round about, from the bottom of the hill, and had performed a work + that was greater than could be hoped for, [in which work long ages were + spent by them, as well as all their sacred treasures were exhausted, which + were still replenished by those tributes which were sent to God from the + whole habitable earth,] they then encompassed their upper courts with + cloisters, as well as they [afterward] did the lowest [court of the] + temple. The lowest part of this was erected to the height of three hundred + cubits, and in some places more; yet did not the entire depth of the + foundations appear, for they brought earth, and filled up the valleys, as + being desirous to make them on a level with the narrow streets of the + city; wherein they made use of stones of forty cubits in magnitude; for + the great plenty of money they then had, and the liberality of the people, + made this attempt of theirs to succeed to an incredible degree; and what + could not be so much as hoped for as ever to be accomplished, was, by + perseverance and length of time, brought to perfection. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now for the works that were above these foundations, these were not + unworthy of such foundations; for all the cloisters were double, and the + pillars to them belonging were twenty-five cubits in height, and supported + the cloisters. These pillars were of one entire stone each of them, and + that stone was white marble; and the roofs were adorned with cedar, + curiously graven. The natural magnificence, and excellent polish, and the + harmony of the joints in these cloisters, afforded a prospect that was + very remarkable; nor was it on the outside adorned with any work of the + painter or engraver. The cloisters [of the outmost court] were in breadth + thirty cubits, while the entire compass of it was by measure six furlongs, + including the tower of Antonia; those entire courts that were exposed to + the air were laid with stones of all sorts. When you go through these + [first] cloisters, unto the second [court of the] temple, there was a + partition made of stone all round, whose height was three cubits: its + construction was very elegant; upon it stood pillars, at equal distances + from one another, declaring the law of purity, some in Greek, and some in + Roman letters, that "no foreigner should go within that sanctuary" for + that second [court of the] temple was called "the Sanctuary," and was + ascended to by fourteen steps from the first court. This court was + four-square, and had a wall about it peculiar to itself; the height of its + buildings, although it were on the outside forty cubits, <a + href="#link5note-13" name="link5noteref-13" id="link5noteref-13">13</a> + was hidden by the steps, and on the inside that height was but twenty-five + cubits; for it being built over against a higher part of the hill with + steps, it was no further to be entirely discerned within, being covered by + the hill itself. Beyond these thirteen steps there was the distance of ten + cubits; this was all plain; whence there were other steps, each of five + cubits a-piece, that led to the gates, which gates on the north and south + sides were eight, on each of those sides four, and of necessity two on the + east. For since there was a partition built for the women on that side, as + the proper place wherein they were to worship, there was a necessity for a + second gate for them: this gate was cut out of its wall, over against the + first gate. There was also on the other sides one southern and one + northern gate, through which was a passage into the court of the women; + for as to the other gates, the women were not allowed to pass through + them; nor when they went through their own gate could they go beyond their + own wall. This place was allotted to the women of our own country, and of + other countries, provided they were of the same nation, and that equally. + The western part of this court had no gate at all, but the wall was built + entire on that side. But then the cloisters which were betwixt the gates + extended from the wall inward, before the chambers; for they were + supported by very fine and large pillars. These cloisters were single, + and, excepting their magnitude, were no way inferior to those of the lower + court. + </p> + <p> + 3. Now nine of these gates were on every side covered over with gold and + silver, as were the jambs of their doors and their lintels; but there was + one gate that was without the [inward court of the] holy house, which was + of Corinthian brass, and greatly excelled those that were only covered + over with silver and gold. Each gate had two doors, whose height was + severally thirty cubits, and their breadth fifteen. However, they had + large spaces within of thirty cubits, and had on each side rooms, and + those, both in breadth and in length, built like towers, and their height + was above forty cubits. Two pillars did also support these rooms, and were + in circumference twelve cubits. Now the magnitudes of the other gates were + equal one to another; but that over the Corinthian gate, which opened on + the east over against the gate of the holy house itself, was much larger; + for its height was fifty cubits; and its doors were forty cubits; and it + was adorned after a most costly manner, as having much richer and thicker + plates of silver and gold upon them than the other. These nine gates had + that silver and gold poured upon them by Alexander, the father of + Tiberius. Now there were fifteen steps, which led away from the wall of + the court of the women to this greater gate; whereas those that led + thither from the other gates were five steps shorter. + </p> + <p> + 4. As to the holy house itself, which was placed in the midst [of the + inmost court], that most sacred part of the temple, it was ascended to by + twelve steps; and in front its height and its breadth were equal, and each + a hundred cubits, though it was behind forty cubits narrower; for on its + front it had what may be styled shoulders on each side, that passed twenty + cubits further. Its first gate was seventy cubits high, and twenty-five + cubits broad; but this gate had no doors; for it represented the universal + visibility of heaven, and that it cannot be excluded from any place. Its + front was covered with gold all over, and through it the first part of the + house, that was more inward, did all of it appear; which, as it was very + large, so did all the parts about the more inward gate appear to shine to + those that saw them; but then, as the entire house was divided into two + parts within, it was only the first part of it that was open to our view. + Its height extended all along to ninety cubits in height, and its length + was fifty cubits, and its breadth twenty. But that gate which was at this + end of the first part of the house was, as we have already observed, all + over covered with gold, as was its whole wall about it; it had also golden + vines above it, from which clusters of grapes hung as tall as a man's + height. But then this house, as it was divided into two parts, the inner + part was lower than the appearance of the outer, and had golden doors of + fifty-five cubits altitude, and sixteen in breadth; but before these doors + there was a veil of equal largeness with the doors. It was a Babylonian + curtain, embroidered with blue, and fine linen, and scarlet, and purple, + and of a contexture that was truly wonderful. Nor was this mixture of + colors without its mystical interpretation, but was a kind of image of the + universe; for by the scarlet there seemed to be enigmatically signified + fire, by the fine flax the earth, by the blue the air, and by the purple + the sea; two of them having their colors the foundation of this + resemblance; but the fine flax and the purple have their own origin for + that foundation, the earth producing the one, and the sea the other. This + curtain had also embroidered upon it all that was mystical in the heavens, + excepting that of the [twelve] signs, representing living creatures. + </p> + <p> + 5. When any persons entered into the temple, its floor received them. This + part of the temple therefore was in height sixty cubits, and its length + the same; whereas its breadth was but twenty cubits: but still that sixty + cubits in length was divided again, and the first part of it was cut off + at forty cubits, and had in it three things that were very wonderful and + famous among all mankind, the candlestick, the table [of shew-bread], and + the altar of incense. Now the seven lamps signified the seven planets; for + so many there were springing out of the candlestick. Now the twelve loaves + that were upon the table signified the circle of the zodiac and the year; + but the altar of incense, by its thirteen kinds of sweet-smelling spices + with which the sea replenished it, signified that God is the possessor of + all things that are both in the uninhabitable and habitable parts of the + earth, and that they are all to be dedicated to his use. But the inmost + part of the temple of all was of twenty cubits. This was also separated + from the outer part by a veil. In this there was nothing at all. It was + inaccessible and inviolable, and not to be seen by any; and was called the + Holy of Holies. Now, about the sides of the lower part of the temple, + there were little houses, with passages out of one into another; there + were a great many of them, and they were of three stories high; there were + also entrances on each side into them from the gate of the temple. But the + superior part of the temple had no such little houses any further, because + the temple was there narrower, and forty cubits higher, and of a smaller + body than the lower parts of it. Thus we collect that the whole height, + including the sixty cubits from the floor, amounted to a hundred cubits. + </p> + <p> + 6. Now the outward face of the temple in its front wanted nothing that was + likely to surprise either men's minds or their eyes; for it was covered + all over with plates of gold of great weight, and, at the first rising of + the sun, reflected back a very fiery splendor, and made those who forced + themselves to look upon it to turn their eyes away, just as they would + have done at the sun's own rays. But this temple appeared to strangers, + when they were coming to it at a distance, like a mountain covered with + snow; for as to those parts of it that were not gilt, they were exceeding + white. On its top it had spikes with sharp points, to prevent any + pollution of it by birds sitting upon it. Of its stones, some of them were + forty-five cubits in length, five in height, and six in breadth. Before + this temple stood the altar, fifteen cubits high, and equal both in length + and breadth; each of which dimensions was fifty cubits. The figure it was + built in was a square, and it had corners like horns; and the passage up + to it was by an insensible acclivity. It was formed without any iron tool, + nor did any such iron tool so much as touch it at any time. There was also + a wall of partition, about a cubit in height, made of fine stones, and so + as to be grateful to the sight; this encompassed the holy house and the + altar, and kept the people that were on the outside off from the priests. + Moreover, those that had the gonorrhea and the leprosy were excluded out + of the city entirely; women also, when their courses were upon them, were + shut out of the temple; nor when they were free from that impurity, were + they allowed to go beyond the limit before-mentioned; men also, that were + not thoroughly pure, were prohibited to come into the inner [court of the] + temple; nay, the priests themselves that were not pure were prohibited to + come into it also. + </p> + <p> + 7. Now all those of the stock of the priests that could not minister by + reason of some defect in their bodies, came within the partition, together + with those that had no such imperfection, and had their share with them by + reason of their stock, but still made use of none except their own private + garments; for nobody but he that officiated had on his sacred garments; + but then those priests that were without any blemish upon them went up to + the altar clothed in fine linen. They abstained chiefly from wine, out of + this fear, lest otherwise they should transgress some rules of their + ministration. The high priest did also go up with them; not always indeed, + but on the seventh days and new moons, and if any festivals belonging to + our nation, which we celebrate every year, happened. When he officiated, + he had on a pair of breeches that reached beneath his privy parts to his + thighs, and had on an inner garment of linen, together with a blue + garment, round, without seam, with fringe work, and reaching to the feet. + There were also golden bells that hung upon the fringes, and pomegranates + intermixed among them. The bells signified thunder, and the pomegranates + lightning. But that girdle that tied the garment to the breast was + embroidered with five rows of various colors, of gold, and purple, and + scarlet, as also of fine linen and blue, with which colors we told you + before the veils of the temple were embroidered also. The like embroidery + was upon the ephod; but the quantity of gold therein was greater. Its + figure was that of a stomacher for the breast. There were upon it two + golden buttons like small shields, which buttoned the ephod to the + garment; in these buttons were enclosed two very large and very excellent + sardonyxes, having the names of the tribes of that nation engraved upon + them: on the other part there hung twelve stones, three in a row one way, + and four in the other; a sardius, a topaz, and an emerald; a carbuncle, a + jasper, and a sapphire; an agate, an amethyst, and a ligure; an onyx, a + beryl, and a chrysolite; upon every one of which was again engraved one of + the forementioned names of the tribes. A mitre also of fine linen + encompassed his head, which was tied by a blue ribbon, about which there + was another golden crown, in which was engraven the sacred name [of God]: + it consists of four vowels. However, the high priest did not wear these + garments at other times, but a more plain habit; he only did it when he + went into the most sacred part of the temple, which he did but once in a + year, on that day when our custom is for all of us to keep a fast to God. + And thus much concerning the city and the temple; but for the customs and + laws hereto relating, we shall speak more accurately another time; for + there remain a great many things thereto relating which have not been here + touched upon. + </p> + <p> + 8. Now as to the tower of Antonia, it was situated at the corner of two + cloisters of the court of the temple; of that on the west, and that on the + north; it was erected upon a rock of fifty cubits in height, and was on a + great precipice; it was the work of king Herod, wherein he demonstrated + his natural magnanimity. In the first place, the rock itself was covered + over with smooth pieces of stone, from its foundation, both for ornament, + and that any one who would either try to get up or to go down it might not + be able to hold his feet upon it. Next to this, and before you come to the + edifice of the tower itself, there was a wall three cubits high; but + within that wall all the space of the tower of Antonia itself was built + upon, to the height of forty cubits. The inward parts had the largeness + and form of a palace, it being parted into all kinds of rooms and other + conveniences, such as courts, and places for bathing, and broad spaces for + camps; insomuch that, by having all conveniences that cities wanted, it + might seem to be composed of several cities, but by its magnificence it + seemed a palace. And as the entire structure resembled that of a tower, it + contained also four other distinct towers at its four corners; whereof the + others were but fifty cubits high; whereas that which lay upon the + southeast corner was seventy cubits high, that from thence the whole + temple might be viewed; but on the corner where it joined to the two + cloisters of the temple, it had passages down to them both, through which + the guard [for there always lay in this tower a Roman legion] went several + ways among the cloisters, with their arms, on the Jewish festivals, in + order to watch the people, that they might not there attempt to make any + innovations; for the temple was a fortress that guarded the city, as was + the tower of Antonia a guard to the temple; and in that tower were the + guards of those three <a href="#link5note-14" name="link5noteref-14" + id="link5noteref-14">14</a>. There was also a peculiar fortress belonging + to the upper city, which was Herod's palace; but for the hill Bezetha, it + was divided from the tower Antonia, as we have already told you; and as + that hill on which the tower of Antonia stood was the highest of these + three, so did it adjoin to the new city, and was the only place that + hindered the sight of the temple on the north. And this shall suffice at + present to have spoken about the city and the walls about it, because I + have proposed to myself to make a more accurate description of it + elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link52HCH0006" id="link52HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 6. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Concerning The Tyrants Simon And John. How Also As Titus Was + Going Round The Wall Of This City Nicanor Was Wounded By A + Dart; Which Accident Provoked Titus To Press On The Siege. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now the warlike men that were in the city, and the multitude of the + seditious that were with Simon, were ten thousand, besides the Idumeans. + Those ten thousand had fifty commanders, over whom this Simon was supreme. + The Idumeans that paid him homage were five thousand, and had eight + commanders, among whom those of greatest fame were Jacob the son of Sosas, + and Simon the son of Cathlas. Jotre, who had seized upon the temple, had + six thousand armed men under twenty commanders; the zealots also that had + come over to him, and left off their opposition, were two thousand four + hundred, and had the same commander that they had formerly, Eleazar, + together with Simon the son of Arinus. Now, while these factions fought + one against another, the people were their prey on both sides, as we have + said already; and that part of the people who would not join with them in + their wicked practices were plundered by both factions. Simon held the + upper city, and the great wall as far as Cedron, and as much of the old + wall as bent from Siloam to the east, and which went down to the palace of + Monobazus, who was king of the Adiabeni, beyond Euphrates; he also held + that fountain, and the Acra, which was no other than the lower city; he + also held all that reached to the palace of queen Helena, the mother of + Monobazus. But John held the temple, and the parts thereto adjoining, for + a great way, as also Ophla, and the valley called "the Valley of Cedron;" + and when the parts that were interposed between their possessions were + burnt by them, they left a space wherein they might fight with each other; + for this internal sedition did not cease even when the Romans were + encamped near their very wall. But although they had grown wiser at the + first onset the Romans made upon them, this lasted but a while; for they + returned to their former madness, and separated one from another, and + fought it out, and did everything that the besiegers could desire them to + do; for they never suffered any thing that was worse from the Romans than + they made each other suffer; nor was there any misery endured by the city + after these men's actions that could be esteemed new. But it was most of + all unhappy before it was overthrown, while those that took it did it a + greater kindness for I venture to affirm that the sedition destroyed the + city, and the Romans destroyed the sedition, which it was a much harder + thing to do than to destroy the walls; so that we may justly ascribe our + misfortunes to our own people, and the just vengeance taken on them to the + Romans; as to which matter let every one determine by the actions on both + sides. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now when affairs within the city were in this posture, Titus went round + the city on the outside with some chosen horsemen, and looked about for a + proper place where he might make an impression upon the walls; but as he + was in doubt where he could possibly make an attack on any side, [for the + place was no way accessible where the valleys were, and on the other side + the first wall appeared too strong to be shaken by the engines,] he + thereupon thought it best to make his assault upon the monument of John + the high priest; for there it was that the first fortification was lower, + and the second was not joined to it, the builders neglecting to build + strong where the new city was not much inhabited; here also was an easy + passage to the third wall, through which he thought to take the upper + city, and, through the tower of Antonia, the temple itself But at this + time, as he was going round about the city, one of his friends, whose name + was Nicanor, was wounded with a dart on his left shoulder, as he + approached, together with Josephus, too near the wall, and attempted to + discourse to those that were upon the wall, about terms of peace; for he + was a person known by them. On this account it was that Caesar, as soon as + he knew their vehemence, that they would not hear even such as approached + them to persuade them to what tended to their own preservation, was + provoked to press on the siege. He also at the same time gave his soldiers + leave to set the suburbs on fire, and ordered that they should bring + timber together, and raise banks against the city; and when he had parted + his army into three parts, in order to set about those works, he placed + those that shot darts and the archers in the midst of the banks that were + then raising; before whom he placed those engines that threw javelins, and + darts, and stones, that he might prevent the enemy from sallying out upon + their works, and might hinder those that were upon the wall from being + able to obstruct them. So the trees were now cut down immediately, and the + suburbs left naked. But now while the timber was carrying to raise the + banks, and the whole army was earnestly engaged in their works, the Jews + were not, however, quiet; and it happened that the people of Jerusalem, + who had been hitherto plundered and murdered, were now of good courage, + and supposed they should have a breathing time, while the others were very + busy in opposing their enemies without the city, and that they should now + be avenged on those that had been the authors of their miseries, in case + the Romans did but get the victory. + </p> + <p> + 3. However, John staid behind, out of his fear of Simon, even while his + own men were earnest in making a sally upon their enemies without. Yet did + not Simon lie still, for he lay near the place of the siege; he brought + his engines of war, and disposed of them at due distances upon the wall, + both those which they took from Cestius formerly, and those which they got + when they seized the garrison that lay in the tower Antonia. But though + they had these engines in their possession, they had so little skill in + using them, that they were in great measure useless to them; but a few + there were who had been taught by deserters how to use them, which they + did use, though after an awkward manner. So they cast stones and arrows at + those that were making the banks; they also ran out upon them by + companies, and fought with them. Now those that were at work covered + themselves with hurdles spread over their banks, and their engines were + opposed to them when they made their excursions. The engines, that all the + legions had ready prepared for them, were admirably contrived; but still + more extraordinary ones belonged to the tenth legion: those that threw + darts and those that threw stones were more forcible and larger than the + rest, by which they not only repelled the excursions of the Jews, but + drove those away that were upon the walls also. Now the stones that were + cast were of the weight of a talent, and were carried two furlongs and + further. The blow they gave was no way to be sustained, not only by those + that stood first in the way, but by those that were beyond them for a + great space. As for the Jews, they at first watched the coming of the + stone, for it was of a white color, and could therefore not only be + perceived by the great noise it made, but could be seen also before it + came by its brightness; accordingly the watchmen that sat upon the towers + gave them notice when the engine was let go, and the stone came from it, + and cried out aloud, in their own country language, The Stone Cometh <a + href="#link5note-15" name="link5noteref-15" id="link5noteref-15">15</a> so + those that were in its way stood off, and threw themselves down upon the + ground; by which means, and by their thus guarding themselves, the stone + fell down and did them no harm. But the Romans contrived how to prevent + that by blacking the stone, who then could aim at them with success, when + the stone was not discerned beforehand, as it had been till then; and so + they destroyed many of them at one blow. Yet did not the Jews, under all + this distress, permit the Romans to raise their banks in quiet; but they + shrewdly and boldly exerted themselves, and repelled them both by night + and by day. + </p> + <p> + 4. And now, upon the finishing the Roman works, the workmen measured the + distance there was from the wall, and this by lead and a line, which they + threw to it from their banks; for they could not measure it any otherwise, + because the Jews would shoot at them, if they came to measure it + themselves; and when they found that the engines could reach the wall, + they brought them thither. Then did Titus set his engines at proper + distances, so much nearer to the wall, that the Jews might not be able to + repel them, and gave orders they should go to work; and when thereupon a + prodigious noise echoed round about from three places, and that on the + sudden there was a great noise made by the citizens that were within the + city, and no less a terror fell upon the seditious themselves; whereupon + both sorts, seeing the common danger they were in, contrived to make a + like defense. So those of different factions cried out one to another, + that they acted entirely as in concert with their enemies; whereas they + ought however, notwithstanding God did not grant them a lasting concord, + in their present circumstances, to lay aside their enmities one against + another, and to unite together against the Romans. Accordingly, Simon gave + those that came from the temple leave, by proclamation, to go upon the + wall; John also himself, though he could not believe Simon was in earnest, + gave them the same leave. So on both sides they laid aside their hatred + and their peculiar quarrels, and formed themselves into one body; they + then ran round the walls, and having a vast number of torches with them, + they threw them at the machines, and shot darts perpetually upon those + that impelled those engines which battered the wall; nay, the bolder sort + leaped out by troops upon the hurdles that covered the machines, and + pulled them to pieces, and fell upon those that belonged to them, and beat + them, not so much by any skill they had, as principally by the boldness of + their attacks. However, Titus himself still sent assistance to those that + were the hardest set, and placed both horsemen and archers on the several + sides of the engines, and thereby beat off those that brought the fire to + them; he also thereby repelled those that shot stones or darts from the + towers, and then set the engines to work in good earnest; yet did not the + wall yield to these blows, excepting where the battering ram of the + fifteenth legion moved the corner of a tower, while the wall itself + continued unhurt; for the wall was not presently in the same danger with + the tower, which was extant far above it; nor could the fall of that part + of the tower easily break down any part of the wall itself together with + it. + </p> + <p> + 5. And now the Jews intermitted their sallies for a while; but when they + observed the Romans dispersed all abroad at their works, and in their + several camps, [for they thought the Jews had retired out of weariness and + fear,] they all at once made a sally at the tower Hippicus, through an + obscure gate, and at the same time brought fire to burn the works, and + went boldly up to the Romans, and to their very fortifications themselves, + where, at the cry they made, those that were near them came presently to + their assistance, and those farther off came running after them; and here + the boldness of the Jews was too hard for the good order of the Romans; + and as they beat those whom they first fell upon, so they pressed upon + those that were now gotten together. So this fight about the machines was + very hot, while the one side tried hard to set them on fire, and the other + side to prevent it; on both sides there was a confused cry made, and many + of those in the forefront of the battle were slain. However, the Jews were + now too hard for the Romans, by the furious assaults they made like + madmen; and the fire caught hold of the works, and both all those works, + and the engines themselves, had been in danger of being burnt, had not + many of these select soldiers that came from Alexandria opposed themselves + to prevent it, and had they not behaved themselves with greater courage + than they themselves supposed they could have done; for they outdid those + in this fight that had greater reputation than themselves before. This was + the state of things till Caesar took the stoutest of his horsemen, and + attacked the enemy, while he himself slew twelve of those that were in the + forefront of the Jews; which death of these men, when the rest of the + multitude saw, they gave way, and he pursued them, and drove them all into + the city, and saved the works from the fire. Now it happened at this fight + that a certain Jew was taken alive, who, by Titus's order, was crucified + before the wall, to see whether the rest of them would be affrighted, and + abate of their obstinacy. But after the Jews were retired, John, who was + commander of the Idumeans, and was talking to a certain soldier of his + acquaintance before the wall, was wounded by a dart shot at him by an + Arabian, and died immediately, leaving the greatest lamentation to the + Jews, and sorrow to the seditious. For he was a man of great eminence, + both for his actions and his conduct also. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link52HCH0007" id="link52HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 7. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How One Of The Towers Erected By The Romans Fell Down Of Its + Own Accord; And How The Romans After Great Slaughter Had + Been Made Got Possession Of The First Wall. How Also Titus + Made His Assaults Upon The Second Wall; As Also Concerning + Longinus The Roman, And Castor The Jew. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now, on the next night, a surprising disturbance fell upon the Romans; + for whereas Titus had given orders for the erection of three towers of + fifty cubits high, that by setting men upon them at every bank, he might + from thence drive those away who were upon the wall, it so happened that + one of these towers fell down about midnight; and as its fall made a very + great noise, fear fell upon the army, and they, supposing that the enemy + was coming to attack them, ran all to their arms. Whereupon a disturbance + and a tumult arose among the legions, and as nobody could tell what had + happened, they went on after a disconsolate manner; and seeing no enemy + appear, they were afraid one of another, and every one demanded of his + neighbor the watchword with great earnestness, as though the Jews had + invaded their camp. And now were they like people under a panic fear, till + Titus was informed of what had happened, and gave orders that all should + be acquainted with it; and then, though with some difficulty, they got + clear of the disturbance they had been under. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now these towers were very troublesome to the Jews, who otherwise + opposed the Romans very courageously; for they shot at them out of their + lighter engines from those towers, as they did also by those that threw + darts, and the archers, and those that flung stones. For neither could the + Jews reach those that were over them, by reason of their height; and it + was not practicable to take them, nor to overturn them, they were so + heavy, nor to set them on fire, because they were covered with plates of + iron. So they retired out of the reach of the darts, and did no longer + endeavor to hinder the impression of their rams, which, by continually + beating upon the wall, did gradually prevail against it; so that the wall + already gave way to the Nico, for by that name did the Jews themselves + call the greatest of their engines, because it conquered all things. And + now they were for a long while grown weary of fighting, and of keeping + guards, and were retired to lodge in the night time at a distance from the + wall. It was on other accounts also thought by them to be superfluous to + guard the wall, there being besides that two other fortifications still + remaining, and they being slothful, and their counsels having been ill + concerted on all occasions; so a great many grew lazy and retired. Then + the Romans mounted the breach, where Nico had made one, and all the Jews + left the guarding that wall, and retreated to the second wall; so those + that had gotten over that wall opened the gates, and received all the army + within it. And thus did the Romans get possession of this first wall, on + the fifteenth day of the siege, which was the seventh day of the month + Artemisius, [Jyar,] when they demolished a great part of it, as well as + they did of the northern parts of the city, which had been demolished also + by Cestius formerly. + </p> + <p> + 3. And now Titus pitched his camp within the city, at that place which was + called "the Camp of the Assyrians," having seized upon all that lay as far + as Cedron, but took care to be out of the reach of the Jews' darts. He + then presently began his attacks, upon which the Jews divided themselves + into several bodies, and courageously defended that wall; while John and + his faction did it from the tower of Antonia, and from the northern + cloister of the temple, and fought the Romans before the monuments of king + Alexander; and Sireoh's army also took for their share the spot of ground + that was near John's monument, and fortified it as far as to that gate + where water was brought in to the tower Hippicus. However, the Jews made + violent sallies, and that frequently also, and in bodies together out of + the gates, and there fought the Romans; and when they were pursued all + together to the wall, they were beaten in those fights, as wanting the + skill of the Romans. But when they fought them from the walls, they were + too hard for them; the Romans being encouraged by their power, joined to + their skill, as were the Jews by their boldness, which was nourished by + the fear they were in, and that hardiness which is natural to our nation + under calamities; they were also encouraged still by the hope of + deliverance, as were the Romans by their hopes of subduing them in a + little time. Nor did either side grow weary; but attacks and rightings + upon the wall, and perpetual sallies out in bodies, were there all the day + long; nor were there any sort of warlike engagements that were not then + put in use. And the night itself had much ado to part them, when they + began to fight in the morning; nay, the night itself was passed without + sleep on both sides, and was more uneasy than the day to them, while the + one was afraid lest the wall should be taken, and the other lest the Jews + should make sallies upon their camps; both sides also lay in their armor + during the night time, and thereby were ready at the first appearance of + light to go to the battle. Now among the Jews the ambition was who should + undergo the first dangers, and thereby gratify their commanders. Above + all, they had a great veneration and dread of Simon; and to that degree + was he regarded by every one of those that were under him, that at his + command they were very ready to kill themselves with their own hands. What + made the Romans so courageous was their usual custom of conquering and + disuse of being defeated, their constant wars, and perpetual warlike + exercises, and the grandeur of their dominion; and what was now their + chief encouragement—Titus who was present every where with them all; + for it appeared a terrible thing to grow weary while Caesar was there, and + fought bravely as well as they did, and was himself at once an eye-witness + of such as behaved themselves valiantly, and he who was to reward them + also. It was, besides, esteemed an advantage at present to have any one's + valor known by Caesar; on which account many of them appeared to have more + alacrity than strength to answer it. And now, as the Jews were about this + time standing in array before the wall, and that in a strong body, and + while both parties were throwing their darts at each other, Longinus, one + of the equestrian order, leaped out of the army of the Romans, and leaped + into the very midst of the army of the Jews; and as they dispersed + themselves upon the attack, he slew two of their men of the greatest + courage; one of them he struck in his mouth as he was coming to meet him, + the other was slain by him by that very dart which he drew out of the body + of the other, with which he ran this man through his side as he was + running away from him; and when he had done this, he first of all ran out + of the midst of his enemies to his own side. So this man signalized + himself for his valor, and many there were who were ambitious of gaining + the like reputation. And now the Jews were unconcerned at what they + suffered themselves from the Romans, and were only solicitous about what + mischief they could do them; and death itself seemed a small matter to + them, if at the same time they could but kill any one of their enemies. + But Titus took care to secure his own soldiers from harm, as well as to + have them overcome their enemies. He also said that inconsiderate violence + was madness, and that this alone was the true courage that was joined with + good conduct. He therefore commanded his men to take care, when they + fought their enemies, that they received no harm from them at the same + time, and thereby show themselves to be truly valiant men. + </p> + <p> + 4. And now Titus brought one of his engines to the middle tower of the + north part of the wall, in which a certain crafty Jew, whose name was + Castor, lay in ambush, with ten others like himself, the rest being fled + away by reason of the archers. These men lay still for a while, as in + great fear, under their breastplates; but when the tower was shaken, they + arose, and Castor did then stretch out his hand, as a petitioner, and + called for Caesar, and by his voice moved his compassion, and begged of + him to have mercy upon them; and Titus, in the innocency of his heart, + believing him to be in earnest, and hoping that the Jews did now repent, + stopped the working of the battering ram, and forbade them to shoot at the + petitioners, and bid Castor say what he had a mind to say to him. He said + that he would come down, if he would give him his right hand for his + security. To which Titus replied, that he was well pleased with such his + agreeable conduct, and would be well pleased if all the Jews would be of + his mind, and that he was ready to give the like security to the city. Now + five of the ten dissembled with him, and pretended to beg for mercy, while + the rest cried out aloud that they would never be slaves to the Romans, + while it was in their power to die in a state of freedom. Now while these + men were quarrelling for a long while, the attack was delayed; Castor also + sent to Simon, and told him that they might take some time for + consultation about what was to be done, because he would elude the power + of the Romans for a considerable time. And at the same time that he sent + thus to him, he appeared openly to exhort those that were obstinate to + accept of Titus's hand for their security; but they seemed very angry at + it, and brandished their naked swords upon the breast-works, and struck + themselves upon their breast, and fell down as if they had been slain. + Hereupon Titus, and those with him, were amazed at the courage of the men; + and as they were not able to see exactly what was done, they admired at + their great fortitude, and pitied their calamity. During this interval, a + certain person shot a dart at Castor, and wounded him in his nose; + whereupon he presently pulled out the dart, and showed it to Titus, and + complained that this was unfair treatment; so Caesar reproved him that + shot the dart, and sent Josephus, who then stood by him, to give his right + hand to Castor. But Josephus said that he would not go to him, because + these pretended petitioners meant nothing that was good; he also + restrained those friends of his who were zealous to go to him. But still + there was one Eneas, a deserter, who said he would go to him. Castor also + called to them, that somebody should come and receive the money which he + had with him; this made Eneas the more earnestly to run to him with his + bosom open. Then did Castor take up a great stone, and threw it at him, + which missed him, because he guarded himself against it; but still it + wounded another soldier that was coming to him. When Caesar understood + that this was a delusion, he perceived that mercy in war is a pernicious + thing, because such cunning tricks have less place under the exercise of + greater severity. So he caused the engine to work more strongly than + before, on account of his anger at the deceit put upon him. But Castor and + his companions set the tower on fire when it began to give way, and leaped + through the flame into a hidden vault that was under it, which made the + Romans further suppose that they were men of great courage, as having cast + themselves into the fire. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link52HCH0008" id="link52HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 8. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How The Romans Took The Second Wall Twice, And Got All Ready + For Taking The Third Wall. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now Caesar took this wall there on the fifth day after he had taken the + first; and when the Jews had fled from him, he entered into it with a + thousand armed men, and those of his choice troops, and this at a place + where were the merchants of wool, the braziers, and the market for cloth, + and where the narrow streets led obliquely to the wall. Wherefore, if + Titus had either demolished a larger part of the wall immediately, or had + come in, and, according to the law of war, had laid waste what was left, + his victory would not, I suppose, have been mixed with any loss to + himself. But now, out of the hope he had that he should make the Jews + ashamed of their obstinacy, by not being willing, when he was able, to + afflict them more than he needed to do, he did not widen the breach of the + wall, in order to make a safer retreat upon occasion; for he did not think + they would lay snares for him that did them such a kindness. When + therefore he came in, he did not permit his soldiers to kill any of those + they caught, nor to set fire to their houses neither; nay, he gave leave + to the seditious, if they had a mind, to fight without any harm to the + people, and promised to restore the people's effects to them; for he was + very desirous to preserve the city for his own sake, and the temple for + the sake of the city. As to the people, he had them of a long time ready + to comply with his proposals; but as to the fighting men, this humanity of + his seemed a mark of his weakness, and they imagined that he made these + proposals because he was not able to take the rest of the city. They also + threatened death to the people, if they should any one of them say a word + about a surrender. They moreover cut the throats of such as talked of a + peace, and then attacked those Romans that were come within the wall. Some + of them they met in the narrow streets, and some they fought against from + their houses, while they made a sudden sally out at the upper gates, and + assaulted such Romans as were beyond the wall, till those that guarded the + wall were so affrighted, that they leaped down from their towers, and + retired to their several camps: upon which a great noise was made by the + Romans that were within, because they were encompassed round on every side + by their enemies; as also by them that were without, because they were in + fear for those that were left in the city. Thus did the Jews grow more + numerous perpetually, and had great advantages over the Romans, by their + full knowledge of those narrow lanes; and they wounded a great many of + them, and fell upon them, and drove them out of the city. Now these Romans + were at present forced to make the best resistance they could; for they + were not able, in great numbers, to get out at the breach in the wall, it + was so narrow. It is also probable that all those that were gotten within + had been cut to pieces, if Titus had not sent them succors; for he ordered + the archers to stand at the upper ends of these narrow lanes, and he stood + himself where was the greatest multitude of his enemies, and with his + darts he put a stop to them; as with him did Domitius Sabinus also, a + valiant man, and one that in this battle appeared so to be. Thus did + Caesar continue to shoot darts at the Jews continually, and to hinder them + from coming upon his men, and this until all his soldiers had retreated + out of the city. + </p> + <p> + 2. And thus were the Romans driven out, after they had possessed + themselves of the second wall. Whereupon the fighting men that were in the + city were lifted up in their minds, and were elevated upon this their good + success, and began to think that the Romans would never venture to come + into the city any more; and that if they kept within it themselves, they + should not be any more conquered. For God had blinded their minds for the + transgressions they had been guilty of, nor could they see how much + greater forces the Romans had than those that were now expelled, no more + than they could discern how a famine was creeping upon them; for hitherto + they had fed themselves out of the public miseries, and drank the blood of + the city. But now poverty had for a long time seized upon the better part, + and a great many had died already for want of necessaries; although the + seditious indeed supposed the destruction of the people to be an easement + to themselves; for they desired that none others might be preserved but + such as were against a peace with the Romans, and were resolved to live in + opposition to them, and they were pleased when the multitude of those of a + contrary opinion were consumed, as being then freed from a heavy burden. + And this was their disposition of mind with regard to those that were + within the city, while they covered themselves with their armor, and + prevented the Romans, when they were trying to get into the city again, + and made a wall of their own bodies over against that part of the wall + that was cast down. Thus did they valiantly defend themselves for three + days; but on the fourth day they could not support themselves against the + vehement assaults of Titus but were compelled by force to fly whither they + had fled before; so he quietly possessed himself again of that wall, and + demolished it entirely. And when he had put a garrison into the towers + that were on the south parts of the city, he contrived how he might + assault the third wall. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link52HCH0009" id="link52HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 9. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Titus When The Jews Were Not At All Mollified By His Leaving + Off The Siege For A While, Set Himself Again To Prosecute + The Same; But Soon Sent Josephus To Discourse With His Own + Countrymen About Peace. +</pre> + <p> + 1. A Resolution was now taken by Titus to relax the siege for a little + while, and to afford the seditious an interval for consideration, and to + see whether the demolishing of their second wall would not make them a + little more compliant, or whether they were not somewhat afraid of a + famine, because the spoils they had gotten by rapine would not be + sufficient for them long; so he made use of this relaxation in order to + compass his own designs. Accordingly, as the usual appointed time when he + must distribute subsistence money to the soldiers was now come, he gave + orders that the commanders should put the army into battle-array, in the + face of the enemy, and then give every one of the soldiers their pay. So + the soldiers, according to custom, opened the cases wherein their arms + before lay covered, and marched with their breastplates on, as did the + horsemen lead their horses in their fine trappings. Then did the places + that were before the city shine very splendidly for a great way; nor was + there any thing so grateful to Titus's own men, or so terrible to the + enemy, as that sight. For the whole old wall, and the north side of the + temple, were full of spectators, and one might see the houses full of such + as looked at them; nor was there any part of the city which was not + covered over with their multitudes; nay, a very great consternation seized + upon the hardiest of the Jews themselves, when they saw all the army in + the same place, together with the fineness of their arms, and the good + order of their men. And I cannot but think that the seditious would have + changed their minds at that sight, unless the crimes they had committed + against the people had been so horrid, that they despaired of forgiveness + from the Romans; but as they believed death with torments must be their + punishment, if they did not go on in the defense of the city, they thought + it much better to die in war. Fate also prevailed so far over them, that + the innocent were to perish with the guilty, and the city was to be + destroyed with the seditious that were in it. + </p> + <p> + 2. Thus did the Romans spend four days in bringing this subsistence-money + to the several legions. But on the fifth day, when no signs of peace + appeared to come from the Jews, Titus divided his legions, and began to + raise banks, both at the tower of Antonia and at John's monument. Now his + designs were to take the upper city at that monument, and the temple at + the tower of Antonia; for if the temple were not taken, it would be + dangerous to keep the city itself; so at each of these parts he raised him + banks, each legion raising one. As for those that wrought at John's + monument, the Idumeans, and those that were in arms with Simon, made + sallies upon them, and put some stop to them; while John's party, and the + multitude of zealots with them, did the like to those that were before the + tower of Antonia. These Jews were now too hard for the Romans, not only in + direct fighting, because they stood upon the higher ground, but because + they had now learned to use their own engines; for their continual use of + them one day after another did by degrees improve their skill about them; + for of one sort of engines for darts they had three hundred, and forty for + stones; by the means of which they made it more tedious for the Romans to + raise their banks. But then Titus, knowing that the city would be either + saved or destroyed for himself, did not only proceed earnestly in the + siege, but did not omit to have the Jews exhorted to repentance; so he + mixed good counsel with his works for the siege. And being sensible that + exhortations are frequently more effectual than arms, he persuaded them to + surrender the city, now in a manner already taken, and thereby to save + themselves, and sent Josephus to speak to them in their own language; for + he imagined they might yield to the persuasion of a countryman of their + own. + </p> + <p> + 3. So Josephus went round about the wall, and tried to find a place that + was out of the reach of their darts, and yet within their hearing, and + besought them, in many words, to spare themselves, to spare their country + and their temple, and not to be more obdurate in these cases than + foreigners themselves; for that the Romans, who had no relation to those + things, had a reverence for their sacred rites and places, although they + belonged to their enemies, and had till now kept their hands off from + meddling with them; while such as were brought up under them, and, if they + be preserved, will be the only people that will reap the benefit of them, + hurry on to have them destroyed. That certainly they have seen their + strongest walls demolished, and that the wall still remaining was weaker + than those that were already taken. That they must know the Roman power + was invincible, and that they had been used to serve them; for, that in + case it be allowed a right thing to fight for liberty, that ought to have + been done at first; but for them that have once fallen under the power of + the Romans, and have now submitted to them for so many long years, to + pretend to shake off that yoke afterward, was the work of such as had a + mind to die miserably, not of such as were lovers of liberty. Besides, men + may well enough grudge at the dishonor of owning ignoble masters over + them, but ought not to do so to those who have all things under their + command; for what part of the world is there that hath escaped the Romans, + unless it be such as are of no use for violent heat, or for violent cold? + And evident it is that fortune is on all hands gone over to them; and that + God, when he had gone round the nations with this dominion, is now settled + in Italy. That, moreover, it is a strong and fixed law, even among brute + beasts, as well as among men, to yield to those that are too strong for + them; and to suffer those to have the dominion who are too hard for the + rest in war; for which reason it was that their forefathers, who were far + superior to them, both in their souls and bodies, and other advantages, + did yet submit to the Romans, which they would not have suffered, had they + not known that God was with them. As for themselves, what can they depend + on in this their opposition, when the greatest part of their city is + already taken? and when those that are within it are under greater + miseries than if they were taken, although their walls be still standing? + For that the Romans are not unacquainted with that famine which is in the + city, whereby the people are already consumed, and the fighting men will + in a little time be so too; for although the Romans should leave off the + siege, and not fall upon the city with their swords in their hands, yet + was there an insuperable war that beset them within, and was augmented + every hour, unless they were able to wage war with famine, and fight + against it, or could alone conquer their natural appetites. He added this + further, how right a thing it was to change their conduct before their + calamities were become incurable, and to have recourse to such advice as + might preserve them, while opportunity was offered them for so doing; for + that the Romans would not be mindful of their past actions to their + disadvantage, unless they persevered in their insolent behavior to the + end; because they were naturally mild in their conquests, and preferred + what was profitable, before what their passions dictated to them; which + profit of theirs lay not in leaving the city empty of inhabitants, nor the + country a desert; on which account Caesar did now offer them his right + hand for their security. Whereas, if he took the city by force, he would + not save any of them, and this especially, if they rejected his offers in + these their utmost distresses; for the walls that were already taken could + not but assure them that the third wall would quickly be taken also. And + though their fortifications should prove too strong for the Romans to + break through them, yet would the famine fight for the Romans against + them. + </p> + <p> + 4. While Josephus was making this exhortation to the Jews, many of them + jested upon him from the wall, and many reproached him; nay, some threw + their darts at him: but when he could not himself persuade them by such + open good advice, he betook himself to the histories belonging to their + own nation, and cried out aloud, "O miserable creatures! are you so + unmindful of those that used to assist you, that you will fight by your + weapons and by your hands against the Romans? When did we ever conquer any + other nation by such means? and when was it that God, who is the Creator + of the Jewish people, did not avenge them when they had been injured? Will + not you turn again, and look back, and consider whence it is that you + fight with such violence, and how great a Supporter you have profanely + abused? Will not you recall to mind the prodigious things done for your + forefathers and this holy place, and how great enemies of yours were by + him subdued under you? I even tremble myself in declaring the works of God + before your ears, that are unworthy to hear them; however, hearken to me, + that you may be informed how you fight not only against the Romans, but + against God himself. In old times there was one Necao, king of Egypt, who + was also called Pharaoh; he came with a prodigious army of soldiers, and + seized queen Sarah, the mother of our nation. What did Abraham our + progenitor then do? Did he defend himself from this injurious person by + war, although he had three hundred and eighteen captains under him, and an + immense army under each of them? Indeed he deemed them to be no number at + all without God's assistance, and only spread out his hands towards this + holy place, <a href="#link5note-16" name="link5noteref-16" + id="link5noteref-16">16</a> which you have now polluted, and reckoned upon + him as upon his invincible supporter, instead of his own army. Was not our + queen sent back, without any defilement, to her husband, the very next + evening?—while the king of Egypt fled away, adoring this place which + you have defiled by shedding thereon the blood of your own countrymen; and + he also trembled at those visions which he saw in the night season, and + bestowed both silver and gold on the Hebrews, as on a people beloved by + God. Shall I say nothing, or shall I mention the removal of our fathers + into Egypt, who, when they were used tyrannically, and were + fallen under the power of foreign kings for four hundred years together, + and might have defended themselves by war and by fighting, did yet do + nothing but commit themselves to God! Who is there that does not know that + Egypt was overrun with all sorts of wild beasts, and consumed by all sorts + of distempers? how their land did not bring forth its fruit? how the Nile + failed of water? how the ten plagues of Egypt followed one upon another? + and how by those means our fathers were sent away under a guard, without + any bloodshed, and without running any dangers, because God conducted them + as his peculiar servants? Moreover, did not Palestine groan +<a href="#link5note-17" name="link5noteref-17" id="link5noteref-17">17</a> under the + ravage the Assyrians made, when they carried away our sacred ark? as did + their idol Dagon, and as also did that entire nation of those that carried + it away, how they were smitten with a loathsome distemper in the secret + parts of their bodies, when their very bowels came down together with what + they had eaten, till those hands that stole it away were obliged to bring + it back again, and that with the sound of cymbals and timbrels, and other + oblations, in order to appease the anger of God for their violation of his + holy ark. It was God who then became our General, and accomplished these + great things for our fathers, and this because they did not meddle with + war and fighting, but committed it to him to judge about their affairs. + When Sennacherib, king of Assyria, brought along with him all Asia, and + encompassed this city round with his army, did he fall by the hands of + men? were not those hands lifted up to God in prayers, without meddling + with their arms, when an angel of God destroyed that prodigious army in + one night? when the Assyrian king, as he rose the next day, found a + hundred fourscore and five thousand dead bodies, and when he, with the + remainder of his army, fled away from the Hebrews, though they were + unarmed, and did not pursue them. You are also acquainted with the slavery + we were under at Babylon, where the people were captives for seventy + years; yet were they not delivered into freedom again before God made + Cyrus his gracious instrument in bringing it about; accordingly they were + set free by him, and did again restore the worship of their Deliverer at + his temple. And, to speak in general, we can produce no example wherein + our fathers got any success by war, or failed of success when without war + they committed themselves to God. When they staid at home, they conquered, + as pleased their Judge; but when they went out to fight, they were always + disappointed: for example, when the king of Babylon besieged this very + city, and our king Zedekiah fought against him, contrary to what + predictions were made to him by Jeremiah the prophet, he was at once taken + prisoner, and saw the city and the temple demolished. Yet how much greater + was the moderation of that king, than is that of your present governors, + and that of the people then under him, than is that of you at this time! + for when Jeremiah cried out aloud, how very angry God was at them, because + of their transgressions, and told them they should be taken prisoners, + unless they would surrender up their city, neither did the king nor the + people put him to death; but for you, [to pass over what you have done + within the city, which I am not able to describe as your wickedness + deserves,] you abuse me, and throw darts at me, who only exhort you to + save yourselves, as being provoked when you are put in mind of your sins, + and cannot bear the very mention of those crimes which you every day + perpetrate. For another example, when Antiochus, who was called Epiphanes, + lay before this city, and had been guilty of many indignities against God, + and our forefathers met him in arms, they then were slain in the battle, + this city was plundered by our enemies, and our sanctuary made desolate + for three years and six months. And what need I bring any more examples? + Indeed what can it be that hath stirred up an army of the Romans against + our nation? Is it not the impiety of the inhabitants? Whence did our + servitude commence? Was it not derived from the seditions that were among + our forefathers, when the madness of Aristobulus and Hyrcanus, and our + mutual quarrels, brought Pompey upon this city, and when God reduced those + under subjection to the Romans who were unworthy of the liberty they had + enjoyed? After a siege, therefore, of three months, they were forced to + surrender themselves, although they had not been guilty of such offenses, + with regard to our sanctuary and our laws, as you have; and this while + they had much greater advantages to go to war than you have. Do not we + know what end Antigonus, the son of Aristobulus, came to, under whose + reign God provided that this city should be taken again upon account of + the people's offenses? When Herod, the son of Antipater, brought upon us + Sosius, and Sosius brought upon us the Roman army, they were then + encompassed and besieged for six months, till, as a punishment for their + sins, they were taken, and the city was plundered by the enemy. Thus it + appears that arms were never given to our nation, but that we are always + given up to be fought against, and to be taken; for I suppose that such as + inhabit this holy place ought to commit the disposal of all things to God, + and then only to disregard the assistance of men when they resign + themselves up to their Arbitrator, who is above. As for you, what have you + done of those things that are recommended by our legislator? and what have + you not done of those things that he hath condemned? How much more impious + are you than those who were so quickly taken! You have not avoided so much + as those sins that are usually done in secret; I mean thefts, and + treacherous plots against men, and adulteries. You are quarrelling about + rapines and murders, and invent strange ways of wickedness. Nay, the + temple itself is become the receptacle of all, and this Divine place is + polluted by the hands of those of our own country; which place hath yet + been reverenced by the Romans when it was at a distance from them, when + they have suffered many of their own customs to give place to our law. + And, after all this, do you expect Him whom you have so impiously abused + to be your supporter? To be sure then you have a right to be petitioners, + and to call upon Him to assist you, so pure are your hands! Did your king + [Hezekiah] lift up such hands in prayer to God against the king of + Assyria, when he destroyed that great army in one night? And do the Romans + commit such wickedness as did the king of Assyria, that you may have + reason to hope for the like vengeance upon them? Did not that king accept + of money from our king on this condition, that he should not destroy the + city, and yet, contrary to the oath he had taken, he came down to burn the + temple? while the Romans do demand no more than that accustomed tribute + which our fathers paid to their fathers; and if they may but once obtain + that, they neither aim to destroy this city, nor to touch this sanctuary; + nay, they will grant you besides, that your posterity shall be free, and + your possessions secured to you, and will preserve our holy laws inviolate + to you. And it is plain madness to expect that God should appear as well + disposed towards the wicked as towards the righteous, since he knows when + it is proper to punish men for their sins immediately; accordingly he + brake the power of the Assyrians the very first night that they pitched + their camp. Wherefore, had he judged that our nation was worthy of + freedom, or the Romans of punishment, he had immediately inflicted + punishment upon those Romans, as he did upon the Assyrians, when Pompey + began to meddle with our nation, or when after him Sosius came up against + us, or when Vespasian laid waste Galilee, or, lastly, when Titus came + first of all near to this city; although Magnus and Sosius did not only + suffer nothing, but took the city by force; as did Vespasian go from the + war he made against you to receive the empire; and as for Titus, those + springs that were formerly almost dried up when they were under your power + <a href="#link5note-18" name="link5noteref-18" id="link5noteref-18">18</a> + since he is come, run more plentifully than they did before; accordingly, + you know that Siloam, as well as all the other springs that were without + the city, did so far fail, that water was sold by distinct measures; + whereas they now have such a great quantity of water for your enemies, as + is sufficient not only for drink both for themselves and their cattle, but + for watering their gardens also. The same wonderful sign you had also + experience of formerly, when the forementioned king of Babylon made war + against us, and when he took the city, and burnt the temple; while yet I + believe the Jews of that age were not so impious as you are. Wherefore I + cannot but suppose that God is fled out of his sanctuary, and stands on + the side of those against whom you fight. Now even a man, if he be but a + good man, will fly from an impure house, and will hate those that are in + it; and do you persuade yourselves that God will abide with you in your + iniquities, who sees all secret things, and hears what is kept most + private? Now what crime is there, I pray you, that is so much as kept + secret among you, or is concealed by you? nay, what is there that is not + open to your very enemies? for you show your transgressions after a + pompous manner, and contend one with another which of you shall be more + wicked than another; and you make a public demonstration of your + injustice, as if it were virtue. However, there is a place left for your + preservation, if you be willing to accept of it; and God is easily + reconciled to those that confess their faults, and repent of them. O + hard-hearted wretches as you are! cast away all your arms, and take pity + of your country already going to ruin; return from your wicked ways, and + have regard to the excellency of that city which you are going to betray, + to that excellent temple with the donations of so many countries in it. + Who could bear to be the first that should set that temple on fire? who + could be willing that these things should be no more? and what is there + that can better deserve to be preserved? O insensible creatures, and more + stupid than are the stones themselves! And if you cannot look at these + things with discerning eyes, yet, however, have pity upon your families, + and set before every one of your eyes your children, and wives, and + parents, who will be gradually consumed either by famine or by war. I am + sensible that this danger will extend to my mother, and wife, and to that + family of mine who have been by no means ignoble, and indeed to one that + hath been very eminent in old time; and perhaps you may imagine that it is + on their account only that I give you this advice; if that be all, kill + them; nay, take my own blood as a reward, if it may but procure your + preservation; for I am ready to die, in case you will but return to a + sound mind after my death." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link52HCH0010" id="link52HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 10. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How A Great Many Of The People Earnestly Endeavored To + Desert To The Romans; As Also What Intolerable Things Those + That Staid Behind Suffered By Famine, And The Sad + Consequences Thereof. +</pre> + <p> + 1. As Josephus was speaking thus with a loud voice, the seditious would + neither yield to what he said, nor did they deem it safe for them to alter + their conduct; but as for the people, they had a great inclination to + desert to the Romans; accordingly, some of them sold what they had, and + even the most precious things that had been laid up as treasures by them, + for every small matter, and swallowed down pieces of gold, that they might + not be found out by the robbers; and when they had escaped to the Romans, + went to stool, and had wherewithal to provide plentifully for themselves; + for Titus let a great number of them go away into the country, whither + they pleased. And the main reasons why they were so ready to desert were + these: That now they should be freed from those miseries which they had + endured in that city, and yet should not be in slavery to the Romans: + however, John and Simon, with their factions, did more carefully watch + these men's going out than they did the coming in of the Romans; and if + any one did but afford the least shadow of suspicion of such an intention, + his throat was cut immediately. + </p> + <p> + 2. But as for the richer sort, it proved all one to them whether they + staid in the city, or attempted to get out of it; for they were equally + destroyed in both cases; for every such person was put to death under this + pretense, that they were going to desert, but in reality that the robbers + might get what they had. The madness of the seditious did also increase + together with their famine, and both those miseries were every day + inflamed more and more; for there was no corn which any where appeared + publicly, but the robbers came running into, and searched men's private + houses; and then, if they found any, they tormented them, because they had + denied they had any; and if they found none, they tormented them worse, + because they supposed they had more carefully concealed it. The indication + they made use of whether they had any or not was taken from the bodies of + these miserable wretches; which, if they were in good case, they supposed + they were in no want at all of food; but if they were wasted away, they + walked off without searching any further; nor did they think it proper to + kill such as these, because they saw they would very soon die of + themselves for want of food. Many there were indeed who sold what they had + for one measure; it was of wheat, if they were of the richer sort; but of + barley, if they were poorer. When these had so done, they shut themselves + up in the inmost rooms of their houses, and ate the corn they had gotten; + some did it without grinding it, by reason of the extremity of the want + they were in, and others baked bread of it, according as necessity and + fear dictated to them: a table was no where laid for a distinct meal, but + they snatched the bread out of the fire, half-baked, and ate it very + hastily. + </p> + <p> + 3. It was now a miserable case, and a sight that would justly bring tears + into our eyes, how men stood as to their food, while the more powerful had + more than enough, and the weaker were lamenting [for want of it.] But the + famine was too hard for all other passions, and it is destructive to + nothing so much as to modesty; for what was otherwise worthy of reverence + was in this case despised; insomuch that children pulled the very morsels + that their fathers were eating out of their very mouths, and what was + still more to be pitied, so did the mothers do as to their infants; and + when those that were most dear were perishing under their hands, they were + not ashamed to take from them the very last drops that might preserve + their lives: and while they ate after this manner, yet were they not + concealed in so doing; but the seditious every where came upon them + immediately, and snatched away from them what they had gotten from others; + for when they saw any house shut up, this was to them a signal that the + people within had gotten some food; whereupon they broke open the doors, + and ran in, and took pieces of what they were eating almost up out of + their very throats, and this by force: the old men, who held their food + fast, were beaten; and if the women hid what they had within their hands, + their hair was torn for so doing; nor was there any commiseration shown + either to the aged or to the infants, but they lifted up children from the + ground as they hung upon the morsels they had gotten, and shook them down + upon the floor. But still they were more barbarously cruel to those that + had prevented their coming in, and had actually swallowed down what they + were going to seize upon, as if they had been unjustly defrauded of their + right. They also invented terrible methods of torments to discover where + any food was, and they were these to stop up the passages of the privy + parts of the miserable wretches, and to drive sharp stakes up their + fundaments; and a man was forced to bear what it is terrible even to hear, + in order to make him confess that he had but one loaf of bread, or that he + might discover a handful of barley-meal that was concealed; and this was + done when these tormentors were not themselves hungry; for the thing had + been less barbarous had necessity forced them to it; but this was done to + keep their madness in exercise, and as making preparation of provisions + for themselves for the following days. These men went also to meet those + that had crept out of the city by night, as far as the Roman guards, to + gather some plants and herbs that grew wild; and when those people thought + they had got clear of the enemy, they snatched from them what they had + brought with them, even while they had frequently entreated them, and that + by calling upon the tremendous name of God, to give them back some part of + what they had brought; though these would not give them the least crumb, + and they were to be well contented that they were only spoiled, and not + slain at the same time. + </p> + <p> + 4. These were the afflictions which the lower sort of people suffered from + these tyrants' guards; but for the men that were in dignity, and withal + were rich, they were carried before the tyrants themselves; some of whom + were falsely accused of laying treacherous plots, and so were destroyed; + others of them were charged with designs of betraying the city to the + Romans; but the readiest way of all was this, to suborn somebody to affirm + that they were resolved to desert to the enemy. And he who was utterly + despoiled of what he had by Simon was sent back again to John, as of those + who had been already plundered by Jotre, Simon got what remained; insomuch + that they drank the blood of the populace to one another, and divided the + dead bodies of the poor creatures between them; so that although, on + account of their ambition after dominion, they contended with each other, + yet did they very well agree in their wicked practices; for he that did + not communicate what he got by the miseries of others to the other tyrant + seemed to be too little guilty, and in one respect only; and he that did + not partake of what was so communicated to him grieved at this, as at the + loss of what was a valuable thing, that he had no share in such barbarity. + </p> + <p> + 5. It is therefore impossible to go distinctly over every instance of + these men's iniquity. I shall therefore speak my mind here at once + briefly:—That neither did any other city ever suffer such miseries, + nor did any age ever breed a generation more fruitful in wickedness than + this was, from the beginning of the world. Finally, they brought the + Hebrew nation into contempt, that they might themselves appear + comparatively less impious with regard to strangers. They confessed what + was true, that they were the slaves, the scum, and the spurious and + abortive offspring of our nation, while they overthrew the city + themselves, and forced the Romans, whether they would or no, to gain a + melancholy reputation, by acting gloriously against them, and did almost + draw that fire upon the temple, which they seemed to think came too + slowly; and indeed when they saw that temple burning from the upper city, + they were neither troubled at it, nor did they shed any tears on that + account, while yet these passions were discovered among the Romans + themselves; which circumstances we shall speak of hereafter in their + proper place, when we come to treat of such matters. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link52HCH0011" id="link52HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 11. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How The Jews Were Crucified Before The Walls Of The City + Concerning Antiochus Epiphanes; And How The Jews Overthrew + The Banks That Had Been Raised By The Romans. +</pre> + <p> + 1. So now Titus's banks were advanced a great way, notwithstanding his + soldiers had been very much distressed from the wall. He then sent a party + of horsemen, and ordered they should lay ambushes for those that went out + into the valleys to gather food. Some of these were indeed fighting men, + who were not contented with what they got by rapine; but the greater part + of them were poor people, who were deterred from deserting by the concern + they were under for their own relations; for they could not hope to escape + away, together with their wives and children, without the knowledge of the + seditious; nor could they think of leaving these relations to be slain by + the robbers on their account; nay, the severity of the famine made them + bold in thus going out; so nothing remained but that, when they were + concealed from the robbers, they should be taken by the enemy; and when + they were going to be taken, they were forced to defend themselves for + fear of being punished; as after they had fought, they thought it too late + to make any supplications for mercy; so they were first whipped, and then + tormented with all sorts of tortures, before they died, and were then + crucified before the wall of the city. This miserable procedure made Titus + greatly to pity them, while they caught every day five hundred Jews; nay, + some days they caught more: yet it did not appear to be safe for him to + let those that were taken by force go their way, and to set a guard over + so many he saw would be to make such as great deal them useless to him. + The main reason why he did not forbid that cruelty was this, that he hoped + the Jews might perhaps yield at that sight, out of fear lest they might + themselves afterwards be liable to the same cruel treatment. So the + soldiers, out of the wrath and hatred they bore the Jews, nailed those + they caught, one after one way, and another after another, to the crosses, + by way of jest, when their multitude was so great, that room was wanting + for the crosses, and crosses wanting for the bodies. <a + href="#link5note-19" name="link5noteref-19" id="link5noteref-19">19</a> + </p> + <p> + 2. But so far were the seditious from repenting at this sad sight, that, + on the contrary, they made the rest of the multitude believe otherwise; + for they brought the relations of those that had deserted upon the wall, + with such of the populace as were very eager to go over upon the security + offered them, and showed them what miseries those underwent who fled to + the Romans; and told them that those who were caught were supplicants to + them, and not such as were taken prisoners. This sight kept many of those + within the city who were so eager to desert, till the truth was known; yet + did some of them run away immediately as unto certain punishment, + esteeming death from their enemies to be a quiet departure, if compared + with that by famine. So Titus commanded that the hands of many of those + that were caught should be cut off, that they might not be thought + deserters, and might be credited on account of the calamity they were + under, and sent them in to John and Simon, with this exhortation, that + they would now at length leave off [their madness], and not force him to + destroy the city, whereby they would have those advantages of repentance, + even in their utmost distress, that they would preserve their own lives, + and so find a city of their own, and that temple which was their peculiar. + He then went round about the banks that were cast up, and hastened them, + in order to show that his words should in no long time be followed by his + deeds. In answer to which the seditious cast reproaches upon Caesar + himself, and upon his father also, and cried out, with a loud voice, that + they contemned death, and did well in preferring it before slavery; that + they would do all the mischief to the Romans they could while they had + breath in them; and that for their own city, since they were, as he said, + to be destroyed, they had no concern about it, and that the world itself + was a better temple to God than this. That yet this temple would be + preserved by him that inhabited therein, whom they still had for their + assistant in this war, and did therefore laugh at all his threatenings, + which would come to nothing, because the conclusion of the whole depended + upon God only. These words were mixed with reproaches, and with them they + made a mighty clamor. + </p> + <p> + 3. In the mean time Antiochus Epiphanes came to the city, having with him + a considerable number of other armed men, and a band called the Macedonian + band about him, all of the same age, tall, and just past their childhood, + armed, and instructed after the Macedonian manner, whence it was that they + took that name. Yet were many of them unworthy of so famous a nation; for + it had so happened, that the king of Commagene had flourished more than + any other kings that were under the power of the Romans, till a change + happened in his condition; and when he was become an old man, he declared + plainly that we ought not to call any man happy before he is dead. But + this son of his, who was then come thither before his father was decaying, + said that he could not but wonder what made the Romans so tardy in making + their attacks upon the wall. Now he was a warlike man, and naturally bold + in exposing himself to dangers; he was also so strong a man, that his + boldness seldom failed of having success. Upon this Titus smiled, and said + he would share the pains of an attack with him. However, Antiochus went as + he then was, and with his Macedonians made a sudden assault upon the wall; + and, indeed, for his own part, his strength and skill were so great, that + he guarded himself from the Jewish darts, and yet shot his darts at them, + while yet the young men with him were almost all sorely galled; for they + had so great a regard to the promises that had been made of their courage, + that they would needs persevere in their fighting, and at length many of + them retired, but not till they were wounded; and then they perceived that + true Macedonians, if they were to be conquerors, must have Alexander's + good fortune also. + </p> + <p> + 4. Now as the Romans began to raise their banks on the twelfth day of the + month Artemisius, [Jyar,] so had they much ado to finish them by the + twenty-ninth day of the same month, after they had labored hard for + seventeen days continually. For there were now four great banks raised, + one of which was at the tower Antonia; this was raised by the fifth + legion, over against the middle of that pool which was called Struthius. + Another was cast up by the twelfth legion, at the distance of about twenty + cubits from the other. But the labors of the tenth legion, which lay a + great way off these, were on the north quarter, and at the pool called + Amygdalon; as was that of the fifteenth legion about thirty cubits from + it, and at the high priest's monument. And now, when the engines were + brought, John had from within undermined the space that was over against + the tower of Antonia, as far as the banks themselves, and had supported + the ground over the mine with beams laid across one another, whereby the + Roman works stood upon an uncertain foundation. Then did he order such + materials to be brought in as were daubed over with pitch and bitumen, and + set them on fire; and as the cross beams that supported the banks were + burning, the ditch yielded on the sudden, and the banks were shaken down, + and fell into the ditch with a prodigious noise. Now at the first there + arose a very thick smoke and dust, as the fire was choked with the fall of + the bank; but as the suffocated materials were now gradually consumed, a + plain flame brake out; on which sudden appearance of the flame a + consternation fell upon the Romans, and the shrewdness of the contrivance + discouraged them; and indeed this accident coming upon them at a time when + they thought they had already gained their point, cooled their hopes for + the time to come. They also thought it would be to no purpose to take the + pains to extinguish the fire, since if it were extinguished, the banks + were swallowed up already [and become useless to them]. + </p> + <p> + 5. Two days after this, Simon and his party made an attempt to destroy the + other banks; for the Romans had brought their engines to bear there, and + began already to make the wall shake. And here one Tephtheus, of Garsis, a + city of Galilee, and Megassarus, one who was derived from some of queen + Mariamne's servants, and with them one from Adiabene, he was the son of + Nabateus, and called by the name of Chagiras, from the ill fortune he had, + the word signifying "a lame man," snatched some torches, and ran suddenly + upon the engines. Nor were there during this war any men that ever sallied + out of the city who were their superiors, either in their boldness, or in + the terror they struck into their enemies. For they ran out upon the + Romans, not as if they were enemies, but friends, without fear or delay; + nor did they leave their enemies till they had rushed violently through + the midst of them, and set their machines on fire. And though they had + darts thrown at them on every side, and were on every side assaulted with + their enemies' swords, yet did they not withdraw themselves out of the + dangers they were in, till the fire had caught hold of the instruments; + but when the flame went up, the Romans came running from their camp to + save their engines. Then did the Jews hinder their succors from the wall, + and fought with those that endeavored to quench the fire, without any + regard to the danger their bodies were in. So the Romans pulled the + engines out of the fire, while the hurdles that covered them were on fire; + but the Jews caught hold of the battering rams through the flame itself, + and held them fast, although the iron upon them was become red hot; and + now the fire spread itself from the engines to the banks, and prevented + those that came to defend them; and all this while the Romans were + encompassed round about with the flame; and, despairing of saving their + works from it, they retired to their camp. Then did the Jews become still + more and more in number by the coming of those that were within the city + to their assistance; and as they were very bold upon the good success they + had had, their violent assaults were almost irresistible; nay, they + proceeded as far as the fortifications of the enemies' camp, and fought + with their guards. Now there stood a body of soldiers in array before that + camp, which succeeded one another by turns in their armor; and as to + those, the law of the Romans was terrible, that he who left his post + there, let the occasion be whatsoever it might be, he was to die for it; + so that body of soldiers, preferring rather to die in fighting + courageously, than as a punishment for their cowardice, stood firm; and at + the necessity these men were in of standing to it, many of the others that + had run away, out of shame, turned back again; and when they had set the + engines against the wall, they put the multitude from coming more of them + out of the city, [which they could the more easily do] because they had + made no provision for preserving or guarding their bodies at this time; + for the Jews fought now hand to hand with all that came in their way, and, + without any caution, fell against the points of their enemies' spears, and + attacked them bodies against bodies; for they were now too hard for the + Romans, not so much by their other warlike actions, as by these courageous + assaults they made upon them; and the Romans gave way more to their + boldness than they did to the sense of the harm they had received from + them. + </p> + <p> + 6. And now Titus was come from the tower of Antonia, whither he was gone + to look out for a place for raising other banks, and reproached the + soldiers greatly for permitting their own walls to be in danger, when they + had taken the wails of their enemies, and sustained the fortune of men + besieged, while the Jews were allowed to sally out against them, though + they were already in a sort of prison. He then went round about the enemy + with some chosen troops, and fell upon their flank himself; so the Jews, + who had been before assaulted in their faces, wheeled about to Titus, and + continued the fight. The armies also were now mixed one among another, and + the dust that was raised so far hindered them from seeing one another, and + the noise that was made so far hindered them from hearing one another, + that neither side could discern an enemy from a friend. However, the Jews + did not flinch, though not so much from their real strength, as from their + despair of deliverance. The Romans also would not yield, by reason of the + regard they had to glory, and to their reputation in war, and because + Caesar himself went into the danger before them; insomuch that I cannot + but think the Romans would in the conclusion have now taken even the whole + multitude of the Jews, so very angry were they at them, had these not + prevented the upshot of the battle, and retired into the city. However, + seeing the banks of the Romans were demolished, these Romans were very + much cast down upon the loss of what had cost them so long pains, and this + in one hour's time. And many indeed despaired of taking the city with + their usual engines of war only. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link52HCH0012" id="link52HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 12. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Titus Thought Fit To Encompass The City Round With A Wall; + After Which The Famine Consumed The People By Whole Houses + And Families Together. +</pre> + <p> + 1. And now did Titus consult with his commanders what was to be done. + Those that were of the warmest tempers thought he should bring the whole + army against the city and storm the wall; for that hitherto no more than a + part of their army had fought with the Jews; but that in case the entire + army was to come at once, they would not be able to sustain their attacks, + but would be overwhelmed by their darts. But of those that were for a more + cautious management, some were for raising their banks again; and others + advised to let the banks alone, but to lie still before the city, to guard + against the coming out of the Jews, and against their carrying provisions + into the city, and so to leave the enemy to the famine, and this without + direct fighting with them; for that despair was not to be conquered, + especially as to those who are desirous to die by the sword, while a more + terrible misery than that is reserved for them. However, Titus did not + think it fit for so great an army to lie entirely idle, and that yet it + was in vain to fight with those that would be destroyed one by another; he + also showed them how impracticable it was to cast up any more banks, for + want of materials, and to guard against the Jews coming out still more + impracticable; as also, that to encompass the whole city round with his + army was not very easy, by reason of its magnitude, and the difficulty of + the situation, and on other accounts dangerous, upon the sallies the Jews + might make out of the city. For although they might guard the known + passages out of the place, yet would they, when they found themselves + under the greatest distress, contrive secret passages out, as being well + acquainted with all such places; and if any provisions were carried in by + stealth, the siege would thereby be longer delayed. He also owned that he + was afraid that the length of time thus to be spent would diminish the + glory of his success; for though it be true that length of time will + perfect every thing, yet that to do what we do in a little time is still + necessary to the gaining reputation. That therefore his opinion was, that + if they aimed at quickness joined with security, they must build a wall + round about the whole city; which was, he thought, the only way to prevent + the Jews from coming out any way, and that then they would either entirely + despair of saving the city, and so would surrender it up to him, or be + still the more easily conquered when the famine had further weakened them; + for that besides this wall, he would not lie entirely at rest afterward, + but would take care then to have banks raised again, when those that would + oppose them were become weaker. But that if any one should think such a + work to be too great, and not to be finished without much difficulty, he + ought to consider that it is not fit for Romans to undertake any small + work, and that none but God himself could with ease accomplish any great + thing whatsoever. + </p> + <p> + 2. These arguments prevailed with the commanders. So Titus gave orders + that the army should be distributed to their several shares of this work; + and indeed there now came upon the soldiers a certain divine fury, so that + they did not only part the whole wall that was to be built among them, nor + did only one legion strive with another, but the lesser divisions of the + army did the same; insomuch that each soldier was ambitious to please his + decurion, each decurion his centurion, each centurion his tribune, and the + ambition of the tribunes was to please their superior commanders, while + Caesar himself took notice of and rewarded the like contention in those + commanders; for he went round about the works many times every day, and + took a view of what was done. Titus began the wall from the camp of the + Assyrians, where his own camp was pitched, and drew it down to the lower + parts of Cenopolis; thence it went along the valley of Cedron, to the + Mount of Olives; it then bent towards the south, and encompassed the + mountain as far as the rock called Peristereon, and that other hill which + lies next it, and is over the valley which reaches to Siloam; whence it + bended again to the west, and went down to the valley of the Fountain, + beyond which it went up again at the monument of Ananus the high priest, + and encompassing that mountain where Pompey had formerly pitched his camp, + it returned back to the north side of the city, and was carried on as far + as a certain village called "The House of the Erebinthi;" after which it + encompassed Herod's monument, and there, on the east, was joined to + Titus's own camp, where it began. Now the length of this wall was forty + furlongs, one only abated. Now at this wall without were erected thirteen + places to keep garrison in, whose circumferences, put together, amounted + to ten furlongs; the whole was completed in three days; so that what would + naturally have required some months was done in so short an interval as is + incredible. When Titus had therefore encompassed the city with this wall, + and put garrisons into proper places, he went round the wall, at the first + watch of the night, and observed how the guard was kept; the second watch + he allotted to Alexander; the commanders of legions took the third watch. + They also cast lots among themselves who should be upon the watch in the + night time, and who should go all night long round the spaces that were + interposed between the garrisons. + </p> + <p> + 3. So all hope of escaping was now cut off from the Jews, together with + their liberty of going out of the city. Then did the famine widen its + progress, and devoured the people by whole houses and families; the upper + rooms were full of women and children that were dying by famine, and the + lanes of the city were full of the dead bodies of the aged; the children + also and the young men wandered about the market-places like shadows, all + swelled with the famine, and fell down dead, wheresoever their misery + seized them. As for burying them, those that were sick themselves were not + able to do it; and those that were hearty and well were deterred from + doing it by the great multitude of those dead bodies, and by the + uncertainty there was how soon they should die themselves; for many died + as they were burying others, and many went to their coffins before that + fatal hour was come. Nor was there any lamentations made under these + calamities, nor were heard any mournful complaints; but the famine + confounded all natural passions; for those who were just going to die + looked upon those that were gone to rest before them with dry eyes and + open mouths. A deep silence also, and a kind of deadly night, had seized + upon the city; while yet the robbers were still more terrible than these + miseries were themselves; for they brake open those houses which were no + other than graves of dead bodies, and plundered them of what they had; and + carrying off the coverings of their bodies, went out laughing, and tried + the points of their swords in their dead bodies; and, in order to prove + what metal they were made of they thrust some of those through that still + lay alive upon the ground; but for those that entreated them to lend them + their right hand and their sword to despatch them, they were too proud to + grant their requests, and left them to be consumed by the famine. Now + every one of these died with their eyes fixed upon the temple, and left + the seditious alive behind them. Now the seditious at first gave orders + that the dead should be buried out of the public treasury, as not enduring + the stench of their dead bodies. But afterwards, when they could not do + that, they had them cast down from the walls into the valleys beneath. + </p> + <p> + 4. However, when Titus, in going his rounds along those valleys, saw them + full of dead bodies, and the thick putrefaction running about them, he + gave a groan; and, spreading out his hands to heaven, called God to + witness that this was not his doing; and such was the sad case of the city + itself. But the Romans were very joyful, since none of the seditious could + now make sallies out of the city, because they were themselves + disconsolate, and the famine already touched them also. These Romans + besides had great plenty of corn and other necessaries out of Syria, and + out of the neighboring provinces; many of whom would stand near to the + wall of the city, and show the people what great quantities of provisions + they had, and so make the enemy more sensible of their famine, by the + great plenty, even to satiety, which they had themselves. However, when + the seditious still showed no inclinations of yielding, Titus, out of his + commiseration of the people that remained, and out of his earnest desire + of rescuing what was still left out of these miseries, began to raise his + banks again, although materials for them were hard to be come at; for all + the trees that were about the city had been already cut down for the + making of the former banks. Yet did the soldiers bring with them other + materials from the distance of ninety furlongs, and thereby raised banks + in four parts, much greater than the former, though this was done only at + the tower of Antonia. So Caesar went his rounds through the legions, and + hastened on the works, and showed the robbers that they were now in his + hands. But these men, and these only, were incapable of repenting of the + wickednesses they had been guilty of; and separating their souls from + their bodies, they used them both as if they belonged to other folks, and + not to themselves. For no gentle affection could touch their souls, nor + could any pain affect their bodies, since they could still tear the dead + bodies of the people as dogs do, and fill the prisons with those that were + sick. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link52HCH0013" id="link52HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 13. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Great Slaughters And Sacrilege That Were In Jerusalem. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Accordingly Simon would not suffer Matthias, by whose means he got + possession of the city, to go off without torment. This Matthias was the + son of Boethus, and was one of the high priests, one that had been very + faithful to the people, and in great esteem with them; he, when the + multitude were distressed by the zealots, among whom John was numbered, + persuaded the people to admit this Simon to come in to assist them, while + he had made no terms with him, nor expected any thing that was evil from + him. But when Simon was come in, and had gotten the city under his power, + he esteemed him that had advised them to admit him as his enemy equally + with the rest, as looking upon that advice as a piece of his simplicity + only; so he had him then brought before him, and condemned to die for + being on the side of the Romans, without giving him leave to make his + defense. He condemned also his three sons to die with him; for as to the + fourth, he prevented him by running away to Titus before. And when he + begged for this, that he might be slain before his sons, and that as a + favor, on account that he had procured the gates of the city to be opened + to him, he gave order that he should be slain the last of them all; so he + was not slain till he had seen his sons slain before his eyes, and that by + being produced over against the Romans; for such a charge had Simon given + to Artanus, the son of Bamadus, who was the most barbarous of all his + guards. He also jested upon him, and told him that he might now see + whether those to whom he intended to go over would send him any succors or + not; but still he forbade their dead bodies should be buried. After the + slaughter of these, a certain priest, Ananias, the son of Masambalus, a + person of eminency, as also Aristens, the scribe of the sanhedrim, and + born at Emmaus, and with them fifteen men of figure among the people, were + slain. They also kept Josephus's father in prison, and made public + proclamation, that no citizen whosoever should either speak to him + himself, or go into his company among others, for fear he should betray + them. They also slew such as joined in lamenting these men, without any + further examination. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now when Judas, the son of Judas, who was one of Simon's under + officers, and a person intrusted by him to keep one of the towers, saw + this procedure of Simon, he called together ten of those under him, that + were most faithful to him, [perhaps this was done partly out of pity to + those that had so barbarously been put to death, but principally in order + to provide for his own safety,] and spoke thus to them: "How long shall we + bear these miseries? or what hopes have we of deliverance by thus + continuing faithful to such wicked wretches? Is not the famine already + come against us? Are not the Romans in a manner gotten within the city? Is + not Simon become unfaithful to his benefactors? and is there not reason to + fear he will very soon bring us to the like punishment, while the security + the Romans offer us is sure? Come on, let us surrender up this wall, and + save ourselves and the city. Nor will Simon be very much hurt, if, now he + despairs of deliverance, he be brought to justice a little sooner than he + thinks on." Now these ten were prevailed upon by those arguments; so he + sent the rest of those that were under him, some one way, and some + another, that no discovery might be made of what they had resolved upon. + Accordingly, he called to the Romans from the tower about the third hour; + but they, some of them out of pride, despised what he said, and others of + them did not believe him to be in earnest, though the greatest number + delayed the matter, as believing they should get possession of the city in + a little time, without any hazard. But when Titus was just coming thither + with his armed men, Simon was acquainted with the matter before he came, + and presently took the tower into his own custody, before it was + surrendered, and seized upon these men, and put them to death in the sight + of the Romans themselves; and when he had mangled their dead bodies, he + threw them down before the wall of the city. + </p> + <p> + 3. In the mean time, Josephus, as he was going round the city, had his + head wounded by a stone that was thrown at him; upon which he fell down as + giddy. Upon which fall of his the Jews made a sally, and he had been + hurried away into the city, if Caesar had not sent men to protect him + immediately; and as these men were fighting, Josephus was taken up, though + he heard little of what was done. So the seditious supposed they had now + slain that man whom they were the most desirous of killing, and made + thereupon a great noise, in way of rejoicing. This accident was told in + the city, and the multitude that remained became very disconsolate at the + news, as being persuaded that he was really dead, on whose account alone + they could venture to desert to the Romans. But when Josephus's mother + heard in prison that her son was dead, she said to those that watched + about her, That she had always been of opinion, since the siege of + Jotapata, [that he would be slain,] and she should never enjoy him alive + any more. She also made great lamentation privately to the maid-servants + that were about her, and said, That this was all the advantage she had of + bringing so extraordinary a person as this son into the world; that she + should not be able even to bury that son of hers, by whom she expected to + have been buried herself. However, this false report did not put his + mother to pain, nor afford merriment to the robbers, long; for Josephus + soon recovered of his wound, and came out, and cried out aloud, That it + would not be long ere they should be punished for this wound they had + given him. He also made a fresh exhortation to the people to come out upon + the security that would be given them. This sight of Josephus encouraged + the people greatly, and brought a great consternation upon the seditious. + </p> + <p> + 4. Hereupon some of the deserters, having no other way, leaped down from + the wall immediately, while others of them went out of the city with + stones, as if they would fight them; but thereupon they fled away to the + Romans. But here a worse fate accompanied these than what they had found + within the city; and they met with a quicker despatch from the too great + abundance they had among the Romans, than they could have done from the + famine among the Jews; for when they came first to the Romans, they were + puffed up by the famine, and swelled like men in a dropsy; after which + they all on the sudden overfilled those bodies that were before empty, and + so burst asunder, excepting such only as were skillful enough to restrain + their appetites, and by degrees took in their food into bodies + unaccustomed thereto. Yet did another plague seize upon those that were + thus preserved; for there was found among the Syrian deserters a certain + person who was caught gathering pieces of gold out of the excrements of + the Jews' bellies; for the deserters used to swallow such pieces of gold, + as we told you before, when they came out, and for these did the seditious + search them all; for there was a great quantity of gold in the city, + insomuch that as much was now sold [in the Roman camp] for twelve Attic + [drams], as was sold before for twenty-five. But when this contrivance was + discovered in one instance, the fame of it filled their several camps, + that the deserters came to them full of gold. So the multitude of the + Arabians, with the Syrians, cut up those that came as supplicants, and + searched their bellies. Nor does it seem to me that any misery befell the + Jews that was more terrible than this, since in one night's time about two + thousand of these deserters were thus dissected. + </p> + <p> + 5. When Titus came to the knowledge of this wicked practice, he had like + to have surrounded those that had been guilty of it with his horse, and + have shot them dead; and he had done it, had not their number been so very + great, and those that were liable to this punishment would have been + manifold more than those whom they had slain. However, he called together + the commanders of the auxiliary troops he had with him, as well as the + commanders of the Roman legions, [for some of his own soldiers had been + also guilty herein, as he had been informed,] and had great indignation + against both sorts of them, and said to them, "What! have any of my own + soldiers done such things as this out of the uncertain hope of gain, + without regarding their own weapons, which are made of silver and gold? + Moreover, do the Arabians and Syrians now first of all begin to govern + themselves as they please, and to indulge their appetites in a foreign + war, and then, out of their barbarity in murdering men, and out of their + hatred to the Jews, get it ascribed to the Romans?" for this infamous + practice was said to be spread among some of his own soldiers also. Titus + then threatened that he would put such men to death, if any of them were + discovered to be so insolent as to do so again; moreover, he gave it in + charge to the legions, that they should make a search after such as were + suspected, and should bring them to him. But it appeared that the love of + money was too hard for all their dread of punishment, and a vehement + desire of gain is natural to men, and no passion is so venturesome as + covetousness; otherwise such passions have certain bounds, and are + subordinate to fear. But in reality it was God who condemned the whole + nation, and turned every course that was taken for their preservation to + their destruction. This, therefore, which was forbidden by Caesar under + such a threatening, was ventured upon privately against the deserters, and + these barbarians would go out still, and meet those that ran away before + any saw them, and looking about them to see that no Roman spied them, they + dissected them, and pulled this polluted money out of their bowels; which + money was still found in a few of them, while yet a great many were + destroyed by the bare hope there was of thus getting by them, which + miserable treatment made many that were deserting to return back again + into the city. + </p> + <p> + 6. But as for John, when he could no longer plunder the people, he betook + himself to sacrilege, and melted down many of the sacred utensils, which + had been given to the temple; as also many of those vessels which were + necessary for such as ministered about holy things, the caldrons, the + dishes, and the tables; nay, he did not abstain from those pouring vessels + that were sent them by Augustus and his wife; for the Roman emperors did + ever both honor and adorn this temple; whereas this man, who was a Jew, + seized upon what were the donations of foreigners, and said to those that + were with him, that it was proper for them to use Divine things, while + they were fighting for the Divinity, without fear, and that such whose + warfare is for the temple should live of the temple; on which account he + emptied the vessels of that sacred wine and oil, which the priests kept to + be poured on the burnt-offerings, and which lay in the inner court of the + temple, and distributed it among the multitude, who, in their anointing + themselves and drinking, used [each of them] above an hin of them. And + here I cannot but speak my mind, and what the concern I am under dictates + to me, and it is this: I suppose, that had the Romans made any longer + delay in coming against these villains, that the city would either have + been swallowed up by the ground opening upon them, or been overflowed by + water, or else been destroyed by such thunder as the country of Sodom <a + href="#link5note-20" name="link5noteref-20" id="link5noteref-20">20</a> + perished by, for it had brought forth a generation of men much more + atheistical than were those that suffered such punishments; for by their + madness it was that all the people came to be destroyed. + </p> + <p> + 7. And, indeed, why do I relate these particular calamities? while + Manneus, the son of Lazarus, came running to Titus at this very time, and + told him that there had been carried out through that one gate, which was + intrusted to his care, no fewer than a hundred and fifteen thousand eight + hundred and eighty dead bodies, in the interval between the fourteenth day + of the month Xanthicus, [Nisan,] when the Romans pitched their camp by the + city, and the first day of the month Panemus [Tamuz]. This was itself a + prodigious multitude; and though this man was not himself set as a + governor at that gate, yet was he appointed to pay the public stipend for + carrying these bodies out, and so was obliged of necessity to number them, + while the rest were buried by their relations; though all their burial was + but this, to bring them away, and cast them out of the city. After this + man there ran away to Titus many of the eminent citizens, and told him the + entire number of the poor that were dead, and that no fewer than six + hundred thousand were thrown out at the gates, though still the number of + the rest could not be discovered; and they told him further, that when + they were no longer able to carry out the dead bodies of the poor, they + laid their corpses on heaps in very large houses, and shut them up + therein; as also that a medimnus of wheat was sold for a talent; and that + when, a while afterward, it was not possible to gather herbs, by reason + the city was all walled about, some persons were driven to that terrible + distress as to search the common sewers and old dunghills of cattle, and + to eat the dung which they got there; and what they of old could not + endure so much as to see they now used for food. When the Romans barely + heard all this, they commiserated their case; while the seditious, who saw + it also, did not repent, but suffered the same distress to come upon + themselves; for they were blinded by that fate which was already coming + upon the city, and upon themselves also. + </p> + <p> + WAR BOOK 5 FOOTNOTES <a name="link5note-1" id="link5note-1"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 1 (<a href="#link5noteref-1">return</a>)<br /> [ This appears to be the + first time that the zealots ventured to pollute this most sacred court of + the temple, which was the court of the priests, wherein the temple itself + and the altar stood. So that the conjecture of those that would interpret + that Zacharias, who was slain "between the temple and the altar" several + months before, B. IV. ch. 5. sect. 4, as if he were slain there by these + zealots, is groundless, as I have noted on that place already.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5note-2" id="link5note-2"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 2 (<a href="#link5noteref-2">return</a>)<br /> [ The Levites.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5note-3" id="link5note-3"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 3 (<a href="#link5noteref-3">return</a>)<br /> [ This is an excellent + reflection of Josephus, including his hopes of the restoration of the Jews + upon their repentance, See Antiq. B. IV. ch. 8. sect. 46, which is the + grand "Hope of Israel," as Manasseh-ben-Israel, the famous Jewish Rabbi, + styles it, in his small but remarkable treatise on that subject, of which + the Jewish prophets are every where full. See the principal of those + prophecies collected together at the end of the Essay on the Revelation, + p. 822, etc.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5note-4" id="link5note-4"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 4 (<a href="#link5noteref-4">return</a>)<br /> [ This destruction of such a + vast quantity of corn and other provisions, as was sufficient for many + years was the direct occasion of that terrible famine, which consumed + incredible numbers of Jews in Jerusalem during its siege. Nor probably + could the Romans have taken this city, after all, had not these seditious + Jews been so infatuated as thus madly to destroy, what Josephus here + justly styles, "The nerves of their power."] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5note-5" id="link5note-5"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 5 (<a href="#link5noteref-5">return</a>)<br /> [ This timber, we see, was + designed for the rebuilding those twenty additional cubits of the holy + house above the hundred, which had fallen down some years before. See the + note on Antiq. B. XV. ch. 11. sect. 3.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5note-6" id="link5note-6"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 6 (<a href="#link5noteref-6">return</a>)<br /> [ There being no gate on the + west, and only on the west, side of the court of the priests, and so no + steps there, this was the only side that the seditious, under this John of + Gischala, could bring their engines close to the cloisters of that court + end-ways, though upon the floor of the court of Israel. See the scheme of + that temple, in the description of the temples hereto belonging.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5note-7" id="link5note-7"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 7 (<a href="#link5noteref-7">return</a>)<br /> [ We may here note, that + Titus is here called "a king," and "Caesar," by Josephus, even while he + was no more than the emperor's son, and general of the Roman army, and his + father Vespasian was still alive; just as the New Testament says + "Archelaus reigned," or "was king," Matthew 2:22, though he was properly + no more than ethnarch, as Josephus assures us, Antiq. B. XVII. ch. 11. + sect. 4; Of the War, B. II. ch. 6. sect. 3. Thus also the Jews called the + Roman emperors "kings," though they never took that title to themselves: + "We have no king but Caesar," John 19:15. "Submit to the king as supreme," + 1 Peter 2:13, 17; which is also the language of the Apostolical + Constitutions, II. II, 31; IV. 13; V. 19; VI. 2, 25; VII. 16; VIII. 2, 13; + and elsewhere in the New Testament, Matthew 10:18; 17:25; 1 Timothy 2:2; + and in Josephus also; though I suspect Josephus particularly esteemed + Titus as joint king with his father ever since his divine dreams that + declared them both such, B. III. ch. 8. sect. 9.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5note-8" id="link5note-8"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 8 (<a href="#link5noteref-8">return</a>)<br /> [ This situation of the + Mount of Olives, on the east of Jerusalem, at about the distance of five + or six furlongs, with the valley of Cedron interposed between that + mountain and the city, are things well known both in the Old and New + Testament, in Josephus elsewhere, and in all the descriptions of + Palestine.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5note-9" id="link5note-9"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 9 (<a href="#link5noteref-9">return</a>)<br /> [ Here we see the true + occasion of those vast numbers of Jews that were in Jerusalem during this + siege by Titus, and perished therein; that the siege began at the feast of + the passover, when such prodigious multitudes of Jews and proselytes of + the gate were come from all parts of Judea, and from other countries, in + order to celebrate that great festival. See the note B. VI. ch. 9. sect. + 3. Tacitus himself informs us, that the number of men, women, and children + in Jerusalem, when it was besieged by the Romans, as he had been informed. + This information must have been taken from the Romans: for Josephus never + recounts the numbers of those that were besieged, only he lets us know, + that of the vulgar, carried dead out of the gates, and buried at the + public charges, was the like number of 600,000, ch. viii. sect. 7. + However, when Cestius Gallus came first to the siege, that sum in Tacitus + is no way disagreeable to Josephus's history, though they were become much + more numerous when Titus encompassed the city at the passover. As to the + number that perished during this siege, Josephus assures us, as we shall + see hereafter, they were 1,100,000, besides 97,000 captives. But Tacitus's + history of the last part of this siege is not now extant; so we cannot + compare his parallel numbers with those of Josephus.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5note-10" id="link5note-10"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 10 (<a href="#link5noteref-10">return</a>)<br /> [ Perhaps, says Dr. + Hudson, here was that gate, called the "Gate of the Corner," in 2 + Chronicles 26:9. See ch. 4. sect. 2] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5note-11" id="link5note-11"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 11 (<a href="#link5noteref-11">return</a>)<br /> [ These dove-courts in + Josephus, built by Herod the Great, are, in the opinion of Reland, the + very same that are mentioned by the Talmudists, and named by them "Herod's + dove courts." Nor is there any reason to suppose otherwise, since in both + accounts they were expressly tame pigeons which were kept in them.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5note-12" id="link5note-12"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 12 (<a href="#link5noteref-12">return</a>)<br /> [ See the description of + the temples hereto belonging, ch. 15. But note, that what Josephus here + says of the original scantiness of this Mount Moriah, that it was quite + too little for the temple, and that at first it held only one cloister or + court of Solomon's building, and that the foundations were forced to be + added long afterwards by degrees, to render it capable of the cloisters + for the other courts, etc., is without all foundation in the Scriptures, + and not at all confirmed by his exacter account in the Antiquities. All + that is or can be true here is this, that when the court of the Gentiles + was long afterward to be encompassed with cloisters, the southern + foundation for these cloisters was found not to be large or firm enough, + and was raised, and that additional foundation supported by great pillars + and arches under ground, which Josephus speaks of elsewhere, Antiq. B. XV. + ch. 11. sect. 3, and which Mr. Maundrel saw, and describes, p. 100, as + extant under ground at this day.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5note-13" id="link5note-13"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 13 (<a href="#link5noteref-13">return</a>)<br /> [ What Josephus seems here + to mean is this: that these pillars, supporting the cloisters in the + second court, had their foundations or lowest parts as deep as the floor + of the first or lowest court; but that so far of those lowest parts as + were equal to the elevation of the upper floor above the lowest were, and + must be, hidden on the inside by the ground or rock itself, on which that + upper court was built; so that forty cubits visible below were reduced to + twenty-five visible above, and implies the difference of their heights to + be fifteen cubits. The main difficulty lies here, how fourteen or fifteen + steps should give an ascent of fifteen cubits, half a cubit seeming + sufficient for a single step. Possibly there were fourteen or fifteen + steps at the partition wall, and fourteen or fifteen more thence into the + court itself, which would bring the whole near to the just proportion. See + sect. 3, infra. But I determine nothing.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5note-14" id="link5note-14"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 14 (<a href="#link5noteref-14">return</a>)<br /> [ These three guards that + lay in the tower of Antonia must be those that guarded the city, the + temple, and the tower of Antonia.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5note-15" id="link5note-15"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 15 (<a href="#link5noteref-15">return</a>)<br /> [ What should be the + meaning of this signal or watchword, when the watchmen saw a stone coming + from the engine, "The Stone Cometh," or what mistake there is in the + reading, I cannot tell. The MSS., both Greek and Latin, all agree in this + reading; and I cannot approve of any groundless conjectural alteration of + the text from ro to lop, that not the son or a stone, but that the arrow + or dart cometh; as hath been made by Dr. Hudson, and not corrected by + Havercamp. Had Josephus written even his first edition of these books of + the war in pure Hebrew, or had the Jews then used the pure Hebrew at + Jerusalem, the Hebrew word for a son is so like that for a stone, ben and + eben, that such a correction might have been more easily admitted. But + Josephus wrote his former edition for the use of the Jews beyond + Euphrates, and so in the Chaldee language, as he did this second edition + in the Greek language; and bar was the Chaldee word for son, instead of + the Hebrew ben, and was used not only in Chaldea, etc. but in Judea also, + as the New Testament informs us. Dio lets us know that the very Romans at + Rome pronounced the name of Simon the son of Giora, Bar Poras for Bar + Gioras, as we learn from Xiphiline, p. 217. Reland takes notice, "that + many will here look for a mystery, as though the meaning were, that the + Son of God came now to take vengeance on the sins of the Jewish nation;" + which is indeed the truth of the fact, but hardly what the Jews could now + mean; unless possibly by way of derision of Christ's threatening so often + made, that he would come at the head of the Roman army for their + destruction. But even this interpretation has but a very small degree of + probability. If I were to make an emendation by mere conjecture, I would + read instead of, though the likeness be not so great as in lo; because + that is the word used by Josephus just before, as has been already noted + on this very occasion, while, an arrow or dart, is only a poetical word, + and never used by Josephus elsewhere, and is indeed no way suitable to the + occasion, this engine not throwing arrows or darts, but great stones, at + this time.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5note-16" id="link5note-16"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 16 (<a href="#link5noteref-16">return</a>)<br /> [ Josephus supposes, in + this his admirable speech to the Jews, that not Abraham only, but Pharaoh + king of Egypt, prayed towards a temple at Jerusalem, or towards Jerusalem + itself, in which were Mount Sion and Mount Moriah, on which the tabernacle + and temple did afterwards stand; and this long before either the Jewish + tabernacle or temple were built. Nor is the famous command given by God to + Abraham, to go two or three days' journey, on purpose to offer up his son + Isaac there, unfavorable to such a notion.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5note-17" id="link5note-17"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 17 (<a href="#link5noteref-17">return</a>)<br /> [ Note here, that + Josephus, in this his same admirable speech, calls the Syrians, nay, even + the Philistines, on the most south part of Syria, Assyrians; which Reland + observes as what was common among the ancient writers. Note also, that + Josephus might well put the Jews in mind, as he does here more than once, + of their wonderful and truly miraculous deliverance from Sennacherib, king + of Assyria, while the Roman army, and himself with them, were now encamped + upon and beyond that very spot of ground where the Assyrian army lay seven + hundred and eighty years before, and which retained the very name of the + Camp of the Assyrians to that very day. See chap. 7. sect. 3, and chap. + 12. sect. 2.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5note-18" id="link5note-18"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 18 (<a href="#link5noteref-18">return</a>)<br /> [ This drying up of the + Jerusalem fountain of Siloam when the Jews wanted it, and its flowing + abundantly when the enemies of the Jews wanted it, and these both in the + days of Zedekiah and of Titus, [and this last as a certain event well + known by the Jews at that time, as Josephus here tells them openly to + their faces,] are very remarkable instances of a Divine Providence for the + punishment of the Jewish nation, when they were grown very wicked, at both + those times of the destruction of Jerusalem.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5note-19" id="link5note-19"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 19 (<a href="#link5noteref-19">return</a>)<br /> [ Reland very properly + takes notice here, how justly this judgment came upon the Jews, when they + were crucified in such multitudes together, that the Romans wanted room + for the crosses, and crosses for the bodies of these Jews, since they had + brought this judgment on themselves by the crucifixion of their Messiah.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5note-20" id="link5note-20"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 20 (<a href="#link5noteref-20">return</a>)<br /> [ Josephus, both here and + before, B. IV. ch. 8. sect. 4, esteems the land of Sodom, not as part of + the lake Asphaltites, or under its waters, but near it only, as Tacitus + also took the same notion from him, Hist. V. ch. 6. 7, which the great + Reland takes to be the very truth, both in his note on this place, and in + his Palestina, tom. I. p. 254-258; though I rather suppose part of that + region of Pentapolis to be now under the waters of the south part of that + sea, but perhaps not the whole country.] + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link62H_4_0001" id="link62H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + BOOK VI. + </h1> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Containing The Interval Of About One Month. + + From The Great Extremity To Which The Jews Were Reduced To + The Taking Of Jerusalem By Titus. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link62HCH0001" id="link62HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 1. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + That The Miseries Still Grew Worse; And How The Romans Made + An Assault Upon The Tower Of Antonia. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Thus did the miseries of Jerusalem grow worse and worse every day, and + the seditious were still more irritated by the calamities they were under, + even while the famine preyed upon themselves, after it had preyed upon the + people. And indeed the multitude of carcasses that lay in heaps one upon + another was a horrible sight, and produced a pestilential stench, which + was a hinderance to those that would make sallies out of the city, and + fight the enemy: but as those were to go in battle-array, who had been + already used to ten thousand murders, and must tread upon those dead + bodies as they marched along, so were not they terrified, nor did they + pity men as they marched over them; nor did they deem this affront offered + to the deceased to be any ill omen to themselves; but as they had their + right hands already polluted with the murders of their own countrymen, and + in that condition ran out to fight with foreigners, they seem to me to + have cast a reproach upon God himself, as if he were too slow in punishing + them; for the war was not now gone on with as if they had any hope of + victory; for they gloried after a brutish manner in that despair of + deliverance they were already in. And now the Romans, although they were + greatly distressed in getting together their materials, raised their banks + in one and twenty days, after they had cut down all the trees that were in + the country that adjoined to the city, and that for ninety furlongs round + about, as I have already related. And truly the very view itself of the + country was a melancholy thing; for those places which were before adorned + with trees and pleasant gardens were now become a desolate country every + way, and its trees were all cut down: nor could any foreigner that had + formerly seen Judea and the most beautiful suburbs of the city, and now + saw it as a desert, but lament and mourn sadly at so great a change: for + the war had laid all the signs of beauty quite waste: nor if any one that + had known the place before, had come on a sudden to it now, would he have + known it again; but though he were at the city itself, yet would he have + inquired for it notwithstanding. + </p> + <p> + 2. And now the banks were finished, they afforded a foundation for fear + both to the Romans and to the Jews; for the Jews expected that the city + would be taken, unless they could burn those banks, as did the Romans + expect that, if these were once burnt down, they should never be able to + take it; for there was a mighty scarcity of materials, and the bodies of + the soldiers began to fail with such hard labors, as did their souls faint + with so many instances of ill success; nay, the very calamities themselves + that were in the city proved a greater discouragement to the Romans than + those within the city; for they found the fighting men of the Jews to be + not at all mollified among such their sore afflictions, while they had + themselves perpetually less and less hopes of success, and their banks + were forced to yield to the stratagems of the enemy, their engines to the + firmness of their wall, and their closest fights to the boldness of their + attack; and, what was their greatest discouragement of all, they found the + Jews' courageous souls to be superior to the multitude of the miseries + they were under, by their sedition, their famine, and the war itself; + insomuch that they were ready to imagine that the violence of their + attacks was invincible, and that the alacrity they showed would not be + discouraged by their calamities; for what would not those be able to bear + if they should be fortunate, who turned their very misfortunes to the + improvement of their valor! These considerations made the Romans to keep a + stronger guard about their banks than they formerly had done. + </p> + <p> + 3. But now John and his party took care for securing themselves afterward, + even in case this wall should be thrown down, and fell to their work + before the battering rams were brought against them. Yet did they not + compass what they endeavored to do, but as they were gone out with their + torches, they came back under great discouragement before they came near + to the banks; and the reasons were these: that, in the first place, their + conduct did not seem to be unanimous, but they went out in distinct + parties, and at distinct intervals, and after a slow manner, and + timorously, and, to say all in a word, without a Jewish courage; for they + were now defective in what is peculiar to our nation, that is, in + boldness, in violence of assault, and in running upon the enemy all + together, and in persevering in what they go about, though they do not at + first succeed in it; but they now went out in a more languid manner than + usual, and at the same time found the Romans set in array, and more + courageous than ordinary, and that they guarded their banks both with + their bodies and their entire armor, and this to such a degree on all + sides, that they left no room for the fire to get among them, and that + every one of their souls was in such good courage, that they would sooner + die than desert their ranks; for besides their notion that all their hopes + were cut off, in case these their works were once burnt, the soldiers were + greatly ashamed that subtlety should quite be too hard for courage, + madness for armor, multitude for skill, and Jews for Romans. The Romans + had now also another advantage, in that their engines for sieges + co-operated with them in throwing darts and stones as far as the Jews, + when they were coming out of the city; whereby the man that fell became an + impediment to him that was next to him, as did the danger of going farther + make them less zealous in their attempts; and for those that had run under + the darts, some of them were terrified by the good order and closeness of + the enemies' ranks before they came to a close fight, and others were + pricked with their spears, and turned back again; at length they + reproached one another for their cowardice, and retired without doing any + thing. This attack was made upon the first day of the month Panemus + [Tamuz.] So when the Jews were retreated, the Romans brought their + engines, although they had all the while stones thrown at them from the + tower of Antonia, and were assaulted by fire and sword, and by all sorts + of darts, which necessity afforded the Jews to make use of; for although + these had great dependence on their own wall, and a contempt of the Roman + engines, yet did they endeavor to hinder the Romans from bringing them. + Now these Romans struggled hard, on the contrary, to bring them, as + deeming that this zeal of the Jews was in order to avoid any impression to + be made on the tower of Antonia, because its wall was but weak, and its + foundations rotten. However, that tower did not yield to the blows given + it from the engines; yet did the Romans bear the impressions made by the + enemies' darts which were perpetually cast at them, and did not give way + to any of those dangers that came upon them from above, and so they + brought their engines to bear. But then, as they were beneath the other, + and were sadly wounded by the stones thrown down upon them, some of them + threw their shields over their bodies, and partly with their hands, and + partly with their bodies, and partly with crows, they undermined its + foundations, and with great pains they removed four of its stones. Then + night came upon both sides, and put an end to this struggle for the + present; however, that night the wall was so shaken by the battering rams + in that place where John had used his stratagem before, and had undermined + their banks, that the ground then gave way, and the wall fell down + suddenly. + </p> + <p> + 4. When this accident had unexpectedly happened, the minds of both parties + were variously affected; for though one would expect that the Jews would + be discouraged, because this fall of their wall was unexpected by them, + and they had made no provision in that case, yet did they pull up their + courage, because the tower of Antonia itself was still standing; as was + the unexpected joy of the Romans at this fall of the wall soon quenched by + the sight they had of another wall, which John and his party had built + within it. However, the attack of this second wall appeared to be easier + than that of the former, because it seemed a thing of greater facility to + get up to it through the parts of the former wall that were now thrown + down. This new wall appeared also to be much weaker than the tower of + Antonia, and accordingly the Romans imagined that it had been erected so + much on the sudden, that they should soon overthrow it: yet did not any + body venture now to go up to this wall; for that such as first ventured so + to do must certainly be killed. + </p> + <p> + 5. And now Titus, upon consideration that the alacrity of soldiers in war + is chiefly excited by hopes and by good words, and that exhortations and + promises do frequently make men to forget the hazards they run, nay, + sometimes to despise death itself, got together the most courageous part + of his army, and tried what he could do with his men by these methods. "O + fellow soldiers," said he, "to make an exhortation to men to do what hath + no peril in it, is on that very account inglorious to such to whom that + exhortation is made; and indeed so it is in him that makes the + exhortation, an argument of his own cowardice also. I therefore think that + such exhortations ought then only to be made use of when affairs are in a + dangerous condition, and yet are worthy of being attempted by every one + themselves; accordingly, I am fully of the same opinion with you, that it + is a difficult task to go up this wall; but that it is proper for those + that desire reputation for their valor to struggle with difficulties in + such cases as will then appear, when I have particularly shown that it is + a brave thing to die with glory, and that the courage here necessary shall + not go unrewarded in those that first begin the attempt. And let my first + argument to move you to it be taken from what probably some would think + reasonable to dissuade you, I mean the constancy and patience of these + Jews, even under their ill successes; for it is unbecoming you, who are + Romans and my soldiers, who have in peace been taught how to make wars, + and who have also been used to conquer in those wars, to be inferior to + Jews, either in action of the hand, or in courage of the soul, and this + especially when you are at the conclusion of your victory, and are + assisted by God himself; for as to our misfortunes, they have been owing + to the madness of the Jews, while their sufferings have been owing to your + valor, and to the assistance God hath afforded you; for as to the + seditions they have been in, and the famine they are under, and the siege + they now endure, and the fall of their walls without our engines, what can + they all be but demonstrations of God's anger against them, and of his + assistance afforded us? It will not therefore be proper for you, either to + show yourselves inferior to those to whom you are really superior, or to + betray that Divine assistance which is afforded you. And, indeed, how can + it be esteemed otherwise than a base and unworthy thing, that while the + Jews, who need not be much ashamed if they be deserted, because they have + long learned to be slaves to others, do yet despise death, that they may + be so no longer; and do make sallies into the very midst of us frequently, + not in hopes of conquering us, but merely for a demonstration of their + courage; we, who have gotten possession of almost all the world that + belongs to either land or sea, to whom it will be a great shame if we do + not conquer them, do not once undertake any attempt against our enemies + wherein there is much danger, but sit still idle, with such brave arms as + we have, and only wait till the famine and fortune do our business + themselves, and this when we have it in our power, with some small hazard, + to gain all that we desire! For if we go up to this tower of Antonia, we + gain the city; for if there should be any more occasion for fighting + against those within the city, which I do not suppose there will, since we + shall then be upon the top of the hill <a href="#link6note-1" + name="link6noteref-1" id="link6noteref-1">1</a> and be upon our enemies + before they can have taken breath, these advantages promise us no less + than a certain and sudden victory. As for myself, I shall at present wave + any commendation of those who die in war, <a href="#link6note-2" + name="link6noteref-2" id="link6noteref-2">2</a> and omit to speak of the + immortality of those men who are slain in the midst of their martial + bravery; yet cannot I forbear to imprecate upon those who are of a + contrary disposition, that they may die in time of peace, by some + distemper or other, since their souls are condemned to the grave, together + with their bodies. For what man of virtue is there who does not know, that + those souls which are severed from their fleshly bodies in battles by the + sword are received by the ether, that purest of elements, and joined to + that company which are placed among the stars; that they become good + demons, and propitious heroes, and show themselves as such to their + posterity afterwards? while upon those souls that wear away in and with + their distempered bodies comes a subterranean night to dissolve them to + nothing, and a deep oblivion to take away all the remembrance of them, and + this notwithstanding they be clean from all spots and defilements of this + world; so that, in this ease, the soul at the same time comes to the + utmost bounds of its life, and of its body, and of its memorial also. But + since he hath determined that death is to come of necessity upon all men, + a sword is a better instrument for that purpose than any disease + whatsoever. Why is it not then a very mean thing for us not to yield up + that to the public benefit which we must yield up to fate? And this + discourse have I made, upon the supposition that those who at first + attempt to go upon this wall must needs be killed in the attempt, though + still men of true courage have a chance to escape even in the most + hazardous undertakings. For, in the first place, that part of the former + wall that is thrown down is easily to be ascended; and for the new-built + wall, it is easily destroyed. Do you, therefore, many of you, pull up your + courage, and set about this work, and do you mutually encourage and assist + one another; and this your bravery will soon break the hearts of your + enemies; and perhaps such a glorious undertaking as yours is may be + accomplished without bloodshed. For although it be justly to be supposed + that the Jews will try to hinder you at your first beginning to go up to + them; yet when you have once concealed yourselves from them, and driven + them away by force, they will not be able to sustain your efforts against + them any longer, though but a few of you prevent them, and get over the + wall. As for that person who first mounts the wall, I should blush for + shame if I did not make him to be envied of others, by those rewards I + would bestow upon him. If such a one escape with his life, he shall have + the command of others that are now but his equals; although it be true + also that the greatest rewards will accrue to such as die in the attempt." + <a href="#link6note-3" name="link6noteref-3" id="link6noteref-3">3</a> + </p> + <p> + 6. Upon this speech of Titus, the rest of the multitude were afrighted at + so great a danger. But there was one, whose name was Sabinus, a soldier + that served among the cohorts, and a Syrian by birth, who appeared to be + of very great fortitude, both in the actions he had done, and the courage + of his soul he had shown; although any body would have thought, before he + came to his work, that he was of such a weak constitution of body, that he + was not fit to be a soldier; for his color was black, his flesh was lean + and thin, and lay close together; but there was a certain heroic soul that + dwelt in this small body, which body was indeed much too narrow for that + peculiar courage which was in him. Accordingly he was the first that rose + up, when he thus spake: "I readily surrender up myself to thee, O Caesar; + I first ascend the wall, and I heartily wish that my fortune may follow my + courage and my resolution And if some ill fortune grudge me the success of + my undertaking, take notice that my ill success will not be unexpected, + but that I choose death voluntarily for thy sake." When he had said this, + and had spread out his shield over his head with his left hand, and had, + with his right hand, drawn his sword, he marched up to the wall, just + about the sixth hour of the day. There followed him eleven others, and no + more, that resolved to imitate his bravery; but still this was the + principal person of them all, and went first, as excited by a divine fury. + Now those that guarded the wall shot at them from thence, and cast + innumerable darts upon them from every side; they also rolled very large + stones upon them, which overthrew some of those eleven that were with him. + But as for Sabinus himself, he met the darts that were cast at him and + though he was overwhelmed with them, yet did he not leave off the violence + of his attack before he had gotten up on the top of the wall, and had put + the enemy to flight. For as the Jews were astonished at his great + strength, and the bravery of his soul, and as, withal, they imagined more + of them had got upon the wall than really had, they were put to flight. + And now one cannot but complain here of fortune, as still envious at + virtue, and always hindering the performance of glorious achievements: + this was the case of the man before us, when he had just obtained his + purpose; for he then stumbled at a certain large stone, and fell down upon + it headlong, with a very great noise. Upon which the Jews turned back, and + when they saw him to be alone, and fallen down also, they threw darts at + him from every side. However, he got upon his knee, and covered himself + with his shield, and at the first defended himself against them, and + wounded many of those that came near him; but he was soon forced to relax + his right hand, by the multitude of the wounds that had been given him, + till at length he was quite covered over with darts before he gave up the + ghost. He was one who deserved a better fate, by reason of his bravery; + but, as might be expected, he fell under so vast an attempt. As for the + rest of his partners, the Jews dashed three of them to pieces with stones, + and slew them as they were gotten up to the top of the wall; the other + eight being wounded, were pulled down, and carried back to the camp. These + things were done upon the third day of the month Panemus [Tamuz]. + </p> + <p> + 7. Now two days afterward twelve of those men that were on the forefront, + and kept watch upon the banks, got together, and called to them the + standard-bearer of the fifth legion, and two others of a troop of + horsemen, and one trumpeter; these went without noise, about the ninth + hour of the night, through the ruins, to the tower of Antonia; and when + they had cut the throats of the first guards of the place, as they were + asleep, they got possession of the wall, and ordered the trumpeter to + sound his trumpet. Upon which the rest of the guard got up on the sudden, + and ran away, before any body could see how many they were that were + gotten up; for, partly from the fear they were in, and partly from the + sound of the trumpet which they heard, they imagined a great number of the + enemy were gotten up. But as soon as Caesar heard the signal, he ordered + the army to put on their armor immediately, and came thither with his + commanders, and first of all ascended, as did the chosen men that were + with him. And as the Jews were flying away to the temple, they fell into + that mine which John had dug under the Roman banks. Then did the seditious + of both the bodies of the Jewish army, as well that belonging to John as + that belonging to Simon, drive them away; and indeed were no way wanting + as to the highest degree of force and alacrity; for they esteemed + themselves entirely ruined if once the Romans got into the temple, as did + the Romans look upon the same thing as the beginning of their entire + conquest. So a terrible battle was fought at the entrance of the temple, + while the Romans were forcing their way, in order to get possession of + that temple, and the Jews were driving them back to the tower of Antonia; + in which battle the darts were on both sides useless, as well as the + spears, and both sides drew their swords, and fought it out hand to hand. + Now during this struggle the positions of the men were undistinguished on + both sides, and they fought at random, the men being intermixed one with + another, and confounded, by reason of the narrowness of the place; while + the noise that was made fell on the ear after an indistinct manner, + because it was so very loud. Great slaughter was now made on both sides, + and the combatants trod upon the bodies and the armor of those that were + dead, and dashed them to pieces. Accordingly, to which side soever the + battle inclined, those that had the advantage exhorted one another to go + on, as did those that were beaten make great lamentation. But still there + was no room for flight, nor for pursuit, but disorderly revolutions and + retreats, while the armies were intermixed one with another; but those + that were in the first ranks were under the necessity of killing or being + killed, without any way for escaping; for those on both sides that came + behind forced those before them to go on, without leaving any space + between the armies. At length the Jews' violent zeal was too hard for the + Romans' skill, and the battle already inclined entirely that way; for the + fight had lasted from the ninth hour of the night till the seventh hour of + the day, While the Jews came on in crowds, and had the danger the temple + was in for their motive; the Romans having no more here than a part of + their army; for those legions, on which the soldiers on that side + depended, were not come up to them. So it was at present thought + sufficient by the Romans to take possession of the tower of Antonia. + </p> + <p> + 8. But there was one Julian, a centurion, that came from Bithynia, a man + he was of great reputation, whom I had formerly seen in that war, and one + of the highest fame, both for his skill in war, his strength of body, and + the courage of his soul. This man, seeing the Romans giving ground, and in + a sad condition, [for he stood by Titus at the tower of Antonia,] leaped + out, and of himself alone put the Jews to flight, when they were already + conquerors, and made them retire as far as the corner of the inner court + of the temple; from him the multitude fled away in crowds, as supposing + that neither his strength nor his violent attacks could be those of a mere + man. Accordingly, he rushed through the midst of the Jews, as they were + dispersed all abroad, and killed those that he caught. Nor, indeed, was + there any sight that appeared more wonderful in the eyes of Caesar, or + more terrible to others, than this. However, he was himself pursued by + fate, which it was not possible that he, who was but a mortal man, should + escape; for as he had shoes all full of thick and sharp nails <a + href="#link6note-4" name="link6noteref-4" id="link6noteref-4">4</a> as had + every one of the other soldiers, so when he ran on the pavement of the + temple, he slipped, and fell down upon his back with a very great noise, + which was made by his armor. This made those that were running away to + turn back; whereupon those Romans that were in the tower of Antonia set up + a great shout, as they were in fear for the man. But the Jews got about + him in crowds, and struck at him with their spears and with their swords + on all sides. Now he received a great many of the strokes of these iron + weapons upon his shield, and often attempted to get up again, but was + thrown down by those that struck at him; yet did he, as he lay along, stab + many of them with his sword. Nor was he soon killed, as being covered with + his helmet and his breastplate in all those parts of his body where he + might be mortally wounded; he also pulled his neck close to his body, till + all his other limbs were shattered, and nobody durst come to defend him, + and then he yielded to his fate. Now Caesar was deeply affected on account + of this man of so great fortitude, and especially as he was killed in the + sight of so many people; he was desirous himself to come to his + assistance, but the place would not give him leave, while such as could + have done it were too much terrified to attempt it. Thus when Julian had + struggled with death a great while, and had let but few of those that had + given him his mortal wound go off unhurt, he had at last his throat cut, + though not without some difficulty, and left behind him a very great fame, + not only among the Romans, and with Caesar himself, but among his enemies + also; then did the Jews catch up his dead body, and put the Romans to + flight again, and shut them up in the tower of Antonia. Now those that + most signalized themselves, and fought most zealously in this battle of + the Jewish side, were one Alexas and Gyphtheus, of John's party, and of + Simon's party were Malachias, and Judas the son of Merto, and James the + son of Sosas, the commander of the Idumeans; and of the zealots, two + brethren, Simon and Judas, the sons of Jairus. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link62HCH0002" id="link62HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 2. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How Titus Gave Orders To Demolish The Tower Of Antonia And + Then Persuaded Josephus To Exhort The Jews Again [To A + Surrender]. +</pre> + <p> + 1. And now Titus gave orders to his soldiers that were with him to dig up + the foundations of the tower of Antonia, and make him a ready passage for + his army to come up; while he himself had Josephus brought to him, [for he + had been informed that on that very day, which was the seventeenth day <a + href="#link6note-5" name="link6noteref-5" id="link6noteref-5">5</a>of + Panemus, [Tamuz,] the sacrifice called "the Daily Sacrifice" had failed, + and had not been offered to God, for want of men to offer it, and that the + people were grievously troubled at it,] and commanded him to say the same + things to John that he had said before, that if he had any malicious + inclination for fighting, he might come out with as many of his men as he + pleased, in order to fight, without the danger of destroying either his + city or temple; but that he desired he would not defile the temple, nor + thereby offend against God. That he might, if he pleased, offer the + sacrifices which were now discontinued by any of the Jews whom he should + pitch upon. Upon this Josephus stood in such a place where he might be + heard, not by John only, but by many more, and then declared to them what + Caesar had given him in charge, and this in the Hebrew language. <a + href="#link6note-6" name="link6noteref-6" id="link6noteref-6">6</a> So he + earnestly prayed them to spare their own city, and to prevent that fire + which was just ready to seize upon the temple, and to offer their usual + sacrifices to God therein. At these words of his a great sadness and + silence were observed among the people. But the tyrant himself cast many + reproaches upon Josephus, with imprecations besides; and at last added + this withal, that he did never fear the taking of the city, because it was + God's own city. In answer to which Josephus said thus with a loud voice: + "To be sure thou hast kept this city wonderfully pure for God's sake; the + temple also continues entirely unpolluted! Nor hast thou been guilty of + any impiety against him for whose assistance thou hopest! He still + receives his accustomed sacrifices! Vile wretch that thou art! if any one + should deprive thee of thy daily food, thou wouldst esteem him to be an + enemy to thee; but thou hopest to have that God for thy supporter in this + war whom thou hast deprived of his everlasting worship; and thou imputest + those sins to the Romans, who to this very time take care to have our laws + observed, and almost compel these sacrifices to be still offered to God, + which have by thy means been intermitted! Who is there that can avoid + groans and lamentations at the amazing change that is made in this city? + since very foreigners and enemies do now correct that impiety which thou + hast occasioned; while thou, who art a Jew, and wast educated in our laws, + art become a greater enemy to them than the others. But still, John, it is + never dishonorable to repent, and amend what hath been done amiss, even at + the last extremity. Thou hast an instance before thee in Jechoniah, <a + href="#link6note-7" name="link6noteref-7" id="link6noteref-7">7</a> the + king of the Jews, if thou hast a mind to save the city, who, when the king + of Babylon made war against him, did of his own accord go out of this city + before it was taken, and did undergo a voluntary captivity with his + family, that the sanctuary might not be delivered up to the enemy, and + that he might not see the house of God set on fire; on which account he is + celebrated among all the Jews, in their sacred memorials, and his memory + is become immortal, and will be conveyed fresh down to our posterity + through all ages. This, John, is an excellent example in such a time of + danger, and I dare venture to promise that the Romans shall still forgive + thee. And take notice that I, who make this exhortation to thee, am one of + thine own nation; I, who am a Jew, do make this promise to thee. And it + will become thee to consider who I am that give thee this counsel, and + whence I am derived; for while I am alive I shall never be in such + slavery, as to forego my own kindred, or forget the laws of our + forefathers. Thou hast indignation at me again, and makest a clamor at me, + and reproachest me; indeed I cannot deny but I am worthy of worse + treatment than all this amounts to, because, in opposition to fate, I make + this kind invitation to thee, and endeavor to force deliverance upon those + whom God hath condemned. And who is there that does not know what the + writings of the ancient prophets contain in them,—and particularly + that oracle which is just now going to be fulfilled upon this miserable + city? For they foretold that this city should be then taken when somebody + shall begin the slaughter of his own countrymen. And are not both the city + and the entire temple now full of the dead bodies of your countrymen? It + is God, therefore, it is God himself who is bringing on this fire, to + purge that city and temple by means of the Romans, <a href="#link6note-8" + name="link6noteref-8" id="link6noteref-8">8</a> and is going to pluck up + this city, which is full of your pollutions." + </p> + <p> + 2. As Josephus spoke these words, with groans and tears in his eyes, his + voice was intercepted by sobs. However, the Romans could not but pity the + affliction he was under, and wonder at his conduct. But for John, and + those that were with him, they were but the more exasperated against the + Romans on this account, and were desirous to get Josephus also into their + power: yet did that discourse influence a great many of the better sort; + and truly some of them were so afraid of the guards set by the seditious, + that they tarried where they were, but still were satisfied that both they + and the city were doomed to destruction. Some also there were who, + watching a proper opportunity when they might quietly get away, fled to + the Romans, of whom were the high priests Joseph and Jesus, and of the + sons of high priests three, whose father was Ishmael, who was beheaded in + Cyrene, and four sons of Matthias, as also one son of the other Matthias, + who ran away after his father's death, <a href="#link6note-9" + name="link6noteref-9" id="link6noteref-9">9</a> and whose father was slain + by Simon the son of Gioras, with three of his sons, as I have already + related; many also of the other nobility went over to the Romans, together + with the high priests. Now Caesar not only received these men very kindly + in other respects, but, knowing they would not willingly live after the + customs of other nations, he sent them to Gophna, and desired them to + remain there for the present, and told them, that when he was gotten clear + of this war, he would restore each of them to their possessions again; so + they cheerfully retired to that small city which was allotted them, + without fear of any danger. But as they did not appear, the seditious gave + out again that these deserters were slain by the Romans, which was done in + order to deter the rest from running away, by fear of the like treatment. + This trick of theirs succeeded now for a while, as did the like trick + before; for the rest were hereby deterred from deserting, by fear of the + like treatment. + </p> + <p> + 3. However, when Titus had recalled those men from Gophna, he gave orders + that they should go round the wall, together with Josephus, and show + themselves to the people; upon which a great many fled to the Romans. + These men also got in a great number together, and stood before the + Romans, and besought the seditious, with groans and tears in their eyes, + in the first place to receive the Romans entirely into the city, and save + that their own place of residence again; but that, if they would not agree + to such a proposal, they would at least depart out of the temple, and save + the holy house for their own use; for that the Romans would not venture to + set the sanctuary on fire but under the most pressing necessity. Yet did + the seditious still more and more contradict them; and while they cast + loud and bitter reproaches upon these deserters, they also set their + engines for throwing of darts, and javelins, and stones upon the sacred + gates of the temple, at due distances from one another, insomuch that all + the space round about within the temple might be compared to a + burying-ground, so great was the number of the dead bodies therein; as + might the holy house itself be compared to a citadel. Accordingly, these + men rushed upon these holy places in their armor, that were otherwise + unapproachable, and that while their hands were yet warm with the blood of + their own people which they had shed; nay, they proceeded to such great + transgressions, that the very same indignation which Jews would naturally + have against Romans, had they been guilty of such abuses against them, the + Romans now had against Jews, for their impiety in regard to their own + religious customs. Nay, indeed, there were none of the Roman soldiers who + did not look with a sacred horror upon the holy house, and adored it, and + wished that the robbers would repent before their miseries became + incurable. + </p> + <p> + 4. Now Titus was deeply affected with this state of things, and reproached + John and his party, and said to them, "Have not you, vile wretches that + you are, by our permission, put up this partition-wall before your + sanctuary? Have not you been allowed to put up the pillars thereto + belonging, at due distances, and on it to engrave in Greek, and in your + own letters, this prohibition, that no foreigner should go beyond that + wall. <a href="#link6note-10" name="link6noteref-10" id="link6noteref-10">10</a> + Have not we given you leave to kill such as go beyond it, though he were a + Roman? And what do you do now, you pernicious villains? Why do you trample + upon dead bodies in this temple? and why do you pollute this holy house + with the blood of both foreigners and Jews themselves? I appeal to the + gods of my own country, and to every god that ever had any regard to this + place; [for I do not suppose it to be now regarded by any of them;] I also + appeal to my own army, and to those Jews that are now with me, and even to + yourselves, that I do not force you to defile this your sanctuary; and if + you will but change the place whereon you will fight, no Roman shall + either come near your sanctuary, or offer any affront to it; nay, I will + endeavor to preserve you your holy house, whether you will or not." <a + href="#link6note-11" name="link6noteref-11" id="link6noteref-11">11</a> + </p> + <p> + 5. As Josephus explained these things from the mouth of Caesar, both the + robbers and the tyrant thought that these exhortations proceeded from + Titus's fear, and not from his good-will to them, and grew insolent upon + it. But when Titus saw that these men were neither to be moved by + commiseration towards themselves, nor had any concern upon them to have + the holy house spared, he proceeded unwillingly to go on again with the + war against them. He could not indeed bring all his army against them, the + place was so narrow; but choosing thirty soldiers of the most valiant out + of every hundred, and committing a thousand to each tribune, and making + Cerealis their commander-in-chief, he gave orders that they should attack + the guards of the temple about the ninth hour of that night. But as he was + now in his armor, and preparing to go down with them, his friends would + not let him go, by reason of the greatness of the danger, and what the + commanders suggested to them; for they said that he would do more by + sitting above in the tower of Antonia, as a dispenser of rewards to those + soldiers that signalized themselves in the fight, than by coming down and + hazarding his own person in the forefront of them; for that they would all + fight stoutly while Caesar looked upon them. With this advice Caesar + complied, and said that the only reason he had for such compliance with + the soldiers was this, that he might be able to judge of their courageous + actions, and that no valiant soldier might lie concealed, and miss of his + reward, and no cowardly soldier might go unpunished; but that he might + himself be an eye-witness, and able to give evidence of all that was done, + who was to be the disposer of punishments and rewards to them. So he sent + the soldiers about their work at the hour forementioned, while he went out + himself to a higher place in the tower of Antonia, whence he might see + what was done, and there waited with impatience to see the event. + </p> + <p> + 6. However, the soldiers that were sent did not find the guards of the + temple asleep, as they hoped to have done; but were obliged to fight with + them immediately hand to hand, as they rushed with violence upon them with + a great shout. Now as soon as the rest within the temple heard that shout + of those that were upon the watch, they ran out in troops upon them. Then + did the Romans receive the onset of those that came first upon them; but + those that followed them fell upon their own troops, and many of them + treated their own soldiers as if they had been enemies; for the great + confused noise that was made on both sides hindered them from + distinguishing one another's voices, as did the darkness of the night + hinder them from the like distinction by the sight, besides that blindness + which arose otherwise also from the passion and the fear they were in at + the same time; for which reason it was all one to the soldiers who it was + they struck at. However, this ignorance did less harm to the Romans than + to the Jews, because they were joined together under their shields, and + made their sallies more regularly than the others did, and each of them + remembered their watch-word; while the Jews were perpetually dispersed + abroad, and made their attacks and retreats at random, and so did + frequently seem to one another to be enemies; for every one of them + received those of their own men that came back in the dark as Romans, and + made an assault upon them; so that more of them were wounded by their own + men than by the enemy, till, upon the coming on of the day, the nature of + the right was discerned by the eye afterward. Then did they stand in + battle-array in distinct bodies, and cast their darts regularly, and + regularly defended themselves; nor did either side yield or grow weary. + The Romans contended with each other who should fight the most + strenuously, both single men and entire regiments, as being under the eye + of Titus; and every one concluded that this day would begin his promotion + if he fought bravely. What were the great encouragements of the Jews to + act vigorously were, their fear for themselves and for the temple, and the + presence of their tyrant, who exhorted some, and beat and threatened + others, to act courageously. Now, it so happened, that this fight was for + the most part a stationary one, wherein the soldiers went on and came back + in a short time, and suddenly; for there was no long space of ground for + either of their flights or pursuits. But still there was a tumultuous + noise among the Romans from the tower of Antonia, who loudly cried out + upon all occasions to their own men to press on courageously, when they + were too hard for the Jews, and to stay when they were retiring backward; + so that here was a kind of theater of war; for what was done in this fight + could not be concealed either from Titus, or from those that were about + him. At length it appeared that this fight, which began at the ninth hour + of the night, was not over till past the fifth hour of the day; and that, + in the same place where the battle began, neither party could say they had + made the other to retire; but both the armies left the victory almost in + uncertainty between them; wherein those that signalized themselves on the + Roman side were a great many, but on the Jewish side, and of those that + were with Simon, Judas the son of Merto, and Simon the son of Josas; of + the Idumeans, James and Simon, the latter of whom was the son of Cathlas, + and James was the son of Sosas; of those that were with John, Gyphtheus + and Alexas; and of the zealots, Simon the son of Jairus. + </p> + <p> + 7. In the mean time, the rest of the Roman army had, in seven days' time, + overthrown [some] foundations of the tower of Antonia, and had made a + ready and broad way to the temple. Then did the legions come near the + first court, <a href="#link6note-12" name="link6noteref-12" + id="link6noteref-12">12</a> and began to raise their banks. The one bank + was over against the north-west corner of the inner temple <a + href="#link6note-13" name="link6noteref-13" id="link6noteref-13">13</a> + another was at that northern edifice which was between the two gates; and + of the other two, one was at the western cloister of the outer court of + the temple; the other against its northern cloister. However, these works + were thus far advanced by the Romans, not without great pains and + difficulty, and particularly by being obliged to bring their materials + from the distance of a hundred furlongs. They had further difficulties + also upon them; sometimes by their over-great security they were in that + they should overcome the Jewish snares laid for them, and by that boldness + of the Jews which their despair of escaping had inspired them withal; for + some of their horsemen, when they went out to gather wood or hay, let + their horses feed without having their bridles on during the time of + foraging; upon which horses the Jews sallied out in whole bodies, and + seized them. And when this was continually done, and Caesar believed what + the truth was, that the horses were stolen more by the negligence of his + own men than by the valor of the Jews, he determined to use greater + severity to oblige the rest to take care of their horses; so he commanded + that one of those soldiers who had lost their horses should be capitally + punished; whereby he so terrified the rest, that they preserved their + horses for the time to come; for they did not any longer let them go from + them to feed by themselves, but, as if they had grown to them, they went + always along with them when they wanted necessaries. Thus did the Romans + still continue to make war against the temple, and to raise their banks + against it. + </p> + <p> + 8. Now after one day had been interposed since the Romans ascended the + breach, many of the seditious were so pressed by the famine, upon the + present failure of their ravages, that they got together, and made an + attack on those Roman guards that were upon the Mount of Olives, and this + about the eleventh hour of the day, as supposing, first, that they would + not expect such an onset, and, in the next place, that they were then + taking care of their bodies, and that therefore they should easily beat + them. But the Romans were apprized of their coming to attack them + beforehand, and, running together from the neighboring camps on the + sudden, prevented them from getting over their fortification, or forcing + the wall that was built about them. Upon this came on a sharp fight, and + here many great actions were performed on both sides; while the Romans + showed both their courage and their skill in war, as did the Jews come on + them with immoderate violence and intolerable passion. The one part were + urged on by shame, and the other by necessity; for it seemed a very + shameful thing to the Romans to let the Jews go, now they were taken in a + kind of net; while the Jews had but one hope of saving themselves, and + that was in case they could by violence break through the Roman wall; and + one whose name was Pedanius, belonging to a party of horsemen, when the + Jews were already beaten and forced down into the valley together, spurred + his horse on their flank with great vehemence, and caught up a certain + young man belonging to the enemy by his ankle, as he was running away; the + man was, however, of a robust body, and in his armor; so low did Pedanius + bend himself downward from his horse, even as he was galloping away, and + so great was the strength of his right hand, and of the rest of his body, + as also such skill had he in horsemanship. So this man seized upon that + his prey, as upon a precious treasure, and carried him as his captive to + Caesar; whereupon Titus admired the man that had seized the other for his + great strength, and ordered the man that was caught to be punished [with + death] for his attempt against the Roman wall, but betook himself to the + siege of the temple, and to pressing on the raising of the banks. + </p> + <p> + 9. In the mean time, the Jews were so distressed by the fights they had + been in, as the war advanced higher and higher, and creeping up to the + holy house itself, that they, as it were, cut off those limbs of their + body which were infected, in order to prevent the distemper's spreading + further; for they set the north-west cloister, which was joined to the + tower of Antonia, on fire, and after that brake off about twenty cubits of + that cloister, and thereby made a beginning in burning the sanctuary; two + days after which, or on the twenty-fourth day of the forenamed month, + [Panemus or Tamuz,] the Romans set fire to the cloister that joined to the + other, when the fire went fifteen cubits farther. The Jews, in like + manner, cut off its roof; nor did they entirely leave off what they were + about till the tower of Antonia was parted from the temple, even when it + was in their power to have stopped the fire; nay, they lay still while the + temple was first set on fire, and deemed this spreading of the fire to be + for their own advantage. However, the armies were still fighting one + against another about the temple, and the war was managed by continual + sallies of particular parties against one another. + </p> + <p> + 10. Now there was at this time a man among the Jews, low of stature he + was, and of a despicable appearance; of no character either as to his + family, or in other respects: his name was Jonathan. He went out at the + high priest John's monument, and uttered many other insolent things to the + Romans, and challenged the best of them all to a single combat. But many of + those that stood there in the army huffed him, and many of them [as they + might well be] were afraid of him. Some of them also reasoned thus, and + that justly enough: that it was not fit to fight with a man that desired + to die, because those that utterly despaired of deliverance had, besides + other passions, a violence in attacking men that could not be opposed, and + had no regard to God himself; and that to hazard oneself with a person, + whom, if you overcome, you do no great matter, and by whom it is hazardous + that you may be taken prisoner, would be an instance, not of manly + courage, but of unmanly rashness. So there being nobody that came out to + accept the man's challenge, and the Jew cutting them with a great number + of reproaches, as cowards, [for he was a very haughty man in himself, and + a great despiser of the Romans,] one whose name was Pudens, of the body of + horsemen, out of his abomination of the other's words, and of his + impudence withal, and perhaps out of an inconsiderate arrogance, on + account of the other's lowness of stature, ran out to him, and was too + hard for him in other respects, but was betrayed by his ill fortune; for + he fell down, and as he was down, Jonathan came running to him, and cut + his throat, and then, standing upon his dead body, he brandished his + sword, bloody as it was, and shook his shield with his left hand, and made + many acclamations to the Roman army, and exulted over the dead man, and + jested upon the Romans; till at length one Priscus, a centurion, shot a + dart at him as he was leaping and playing the fool with himself, and + thereby pierced him through; upon which a shout was set up both by the + Jews and the Romans, though on different accounts. So Jonathan grew giddy + by the pain of his wounds, and fell down upon the body of his adversary, + as a plain instance how suddenly vengeance may come upon men that have + success in war, without any just deserving the same. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link62HCH0003" id="link62HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 3. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Concerning A Stratagem That Was Devised By The Jews, By + Which They Burnt Many Of The Romans; With Another + Description Of The Terrible Famine That Was In The City. +</pre> + <p> + 1. But now the seditious that were in the temple did every day openly + endeavor to beat off the soldiers that were upon the banks, and on the + twenty-seventh day of the forenamed month [Panemus or Tamuz] contrived + such a stratagem as this: They filled that part of the western cloister <a + href="#link6note-14" name="link6noteref-14" id="link6noteref-14">14</a> + which was between the beams, and the roof under them, with dry materials, + as also with bitumen and pitch, and then retired from that place, as + though they were tired with the pains they had taken; at which procedure + of theirs, many of the most inconsiderate among the Romans, who were + carried away with violent passions, followed hard after them as they were + retiring, and applied ladders to the cloister, and got up to it suddenly; + but the prudent part of them, when they understood this unaccountable + retreat of the Jews, stood still where they were before. However, the + cloister was full of those that were gone up the ladders; at which time + the Jews set it all on fire; and as the flame burst out every where on the + sudden, the Romans that were out of the danger were seized with a very + great consternation, as were those that were in the midst of the danger in + the utmost distress. So when they perceived themselves surrounded with the + flames, some of them threw themselves down backwards into the city, and + some among their enemies [in the temple]; as did many leap down to their + own men, and broke their limbs to pieces; but a great number of those that + were going to take these violent methods were prevented by the fire; + though some prevented the fire by their own swords. However, the fire was + on the sudden carried so far as to surround those who would have otherwise + perished. As for Caesar himself, he could not, however, but commiserate + those that thus perished, although they got up thither without any order + for so doing, since there was no way of giving the many relief. Yet was + this some comfort to those that were destroyed, that every body might see + that person grieve, for whose sake they came to their end; for he cried + out openly to them, and leaped up, and exhorted those that were about him + to do their utmost to relieve them; So every one of them died cheerfully, + as carrying along with him these words and this intention of Caesar as a + sepulchral monument. Some there were indeed who retired into the wall of + the cloister, which was broad, and were preserved out of the fire, but + were then surrounded by the Jews; and although they made resistance + against the Jews for a long time, yet were they wounded by them, and at + length they all fell down dead. + </p> + <p> + 2. At the last a young man among them, whose name was Longus, became a + decoration to this sad affair, and while every one of them that perished + were worthy of a memorial, this man appeared to deserve it beyond all the + rest. Now the Jews admired this man for his courage, and were further + desirous of having him slain; so they persuaded him to come down to them, + upon security given him for his life. But Cornelius his brother persuaded + him on the contrary, not to tarnish his own glory, nor that of the Roman + army. He complied with this last advice, and lifting up his sword before + both armies, he slew himself. Yet there was one Artorius among those + surrounded by the fire who escaped by his subtlety; for when he had with a + loud voice called to him Lucius, one of his fellow soldiers that lay with + him in the same tent, and said to him, "I do leave thee heir of all I + have, if thou wilt come and receive me." Upon this he came running to + receive him readily; Artorius then threw himself down upon him, and saved + his own life, while he that received him was dashed so vehemently against + the stone pavement by the other's weight, that he died immediately. This + melancholy accident made the Romans sad for a while, but still it made + them more upon their guard for the future, and was of advantage to them + against the delusions of the Jews, by which they were greatly damaged + through their unacquaintedness with the places, and with the nature of the + inhabitants. Now this cloister was burnt down as far as John's tower, + which he built in the war he made against Simon over the gates that led to + the Xystus. The Jews also cut off the rest of that cloister from the + temple, after they had destroyed those that got up to it. But the next day + the Romans burnt down the northern cloister entirely, as far as the east + cloister, whose common angle joined to the valley that was called Cedron, + and was built over it; on which account the depth was frightful. And this + was the state of the temple at that time. + </p> + <p> + 3. Now of those that perished by famine in the city, the number was + prodigious, and the miseries they underwent were unspeakable; for if so + much as the shadow of any kind of food did any where appear, a war was + commenced presently, and the dearest friends fell a fighting one with + another about it, snatching from each other the most miserable supports of + life. Nor would men believe that those who were dying had no food, but the + robbers would search them when they were expiring, lest any one should + have concealed food in their bosoms, and counterfeited dying; nay, these + robbers gaped for want, and ran about stumbling and staggering along like + mad dogs, and reeling against the doors of the houses like drunken men; + they would also, in the great distress they were in, rush into the very + same houses two or three times in one and the same day. Moreover, their + hunger was so intolerable, that it obliged them to chew every thing, while + they gathered such things as the most sordid animals would not touch, and + endured to eat them; nor did they at length abstain from girdles and + shoes; and the very leather which belonged to their shields they pulled + off and gnawed: the very wisps of old hay became food to some; and some + gathered up fibres, and sold a very small weight of them for four Attic + [drachmae]. But why do I describe the shameless impudence that the famine + brought on men in their eating inanimate things, while I am going to + relate a matter of fact, the like to which no history relates, <a + href="#link6note-15" name="link6noteref-15" id="link6noteref-15">15</a> + either among the Greeks or Barbarians? It is horrible to speak of it, and + incredible when heard. I had indeed willingly omitted this calamity of + ours, that I might not seem to deliver what is so portentous to posterity, + but that I have innumerable witnesses to it in my own age; and besides, my + country would have had little reason to thank me for suppressing the + miseries that she underwent at this time. + </p> + <p> + 4. There was a certain woman that dwelt beyond Jordan, her name was Mary; + her father was Eleazar, of the village Bethezob, which signifies the house + of Hyssop. She was eminent for her family and her wealth, and had fled + away to Jerusalem with the rest of the multitude, and was with them + besieged therein at this time. The other effects of this woman had been + already seized upon, such I mean as she had brought with her out of Perea, + and removed to the city. What she had treasured up besides, as also what + food she had contrived to save, had been also carried off by the rapacious + guards, who came every day running into her house for that purpose. This + put the poor woman into a very great passion, and by the frequent + reproaches and imprecations she cast at these rapacious villains, she had + provoked them to anger against her; but none of them, either out of the + indignation she had raised against herself, or out of commiseration of her + case, would take away her life; and if she found any food, she perceived + her labors were for others, and not for herself; and it was now become + impossible for her any way to find any more food, while the famine pierced + through her very bowels and marrow, when also her passion was fired to a + degree beyond the famine itself; nor did she consult with any thing but + with her passion and the necessity she was in. She then attempted a most + unnatural thing; and snatching up her son, who was a child sucking at her + breast, she said, "O thou miserable infant! for whom shall I preserve thee + in this war, this famine, and this sedition? As to the war with the + Romans, if they preserve our lives, we must be slaves. This famine also + will destroy us, even before that slavery comes upon us. Yet are these + seditious rogues more terrible than both the other. Come on; be thou my + food, and be thou a fury to these seditious varlets, and a by-word to the + world, which is all that is now wanting to complete the calamities of us + Jews." As soon as she had said this, she slew her son, and then roasted + him, and eat the one half of him, and kept the other half by her + concealed. Upon this the seditious came in presently, and smelling the + horrid scent of this food, they threatened her that they would cut her + throat immediately if she did not show them what food she had gotten + ready. She replied that she had saved a very fine portion of it for them, + and withal uncovered what was left of her son. Hereupon they were seized + with a horror and amazement of mind, and stood astonished at the sight, + when she said to them, "This is mine own son, and what hath been done was + mine own doing! Come, eat of this food; for I have eaten of it myself! Do + not you pretend to be either more tender than a woman, or more + compassionate than a mother; but if you be so scrupulous, and do abominate + this my sacrifice, as I have eaten the one half, let the rest be reserved + for me also." After which those men went out trembling, being never so + much affrighted at any thing as they were at this, and with some + difficulty they left the rest of that meat to the mother. Upon which the + whole city was full of this horrid action immediately; and while every + body laid this miserable case before their own eyes, they trembled, as if + this unheard of action had been done by themselves. So those that were + thus distressed by the famine were very desirous to die, and those already + dead were esteemed happy, because they had not lived long enough either to + hear or to see such miseries. + </p> + <p> + 5. This sad instance was quickly told to the Romans, some of whom could + not believe it, and others pitied the distress which the Jews were under; + but there were many of them who were hereby induced to a more bitter + hatred than ordinary against our nation. But for Caesar, he excused + himself before God as to this matter, and said that he had proposed peace + and liberty to the Jews, as well as an oblivion of all their former + insolent practices; but that they, instead of concord, had chosen + sedition; instead of peace, war; and before satiety and abundance, a + famine. That they had begun with their own hands to burn down that temple + which we have preserved hitherto; and that therefore they deserved to eat + such food as this was. That, however, this horrid action of eating an own + child ought to be covered with the overthrow of their very country itself, + and men ought not to leave such a city upon the habitable earth to be seen + by the sun, wherein mothers are thus fed, although such food be fitter for + the fathers than for the mothers to eat of, since it is they that continue + still in a state of war against us, after they have undergone such + miseries as these. And at the same time that he said this, he reflected on + the desperate condition these men must be in; nor could he expect that + such men could be recovered to sobriety of mind, after they had endured + those very sufferings, for the avoiding whereof it only was probable they + might have repented. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link62HCH0004" id="link62HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 4. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + When The Banks Were Completed And The Battering Rams + Brought, And Could Do Nothing, Titus Gave Orders To Set Fire + To The Gates Of The Temple; In No Long Time After Which The + Holy House Itself Was Burnt Down, Even Against His Consent. +</pre> + <p> + 1. And now two of the legions had completed their banks on the eighth day + of the month Lous [Ab]. Whereupon Titus gave orders that the battering + rams should be brought, and set over against the western edifice of the + inner temple; for before these were brought, the firmest of all the other + engines had battered the wall for six days together without ceasing, + without making any impression upon it; but the vast largeness and strong + connexion of the stones were superior to that engine, and to the other + battering rams also. Other Romans did indeed undermine the foundations of + the northern gate, and after a world of pains removed the outermost + stones, yet was the gate still upheld by the inner stones, and stood still + unhurt; till the workmen, despairing of all such attempts by engines and + crows, brought their ladders to the cloisters. Now the Jews did not + interrupt them in so doing; but when they were gotten up, they fell upon + them, and fought with them; some of them they thrust down, and threw them + backwards headlong; others of them they met and slew; they also beat many + of those that went down the ladders again, and slew them with their swords + before they could bring their shields to protect them; nay, some of the + ladders they threw down from above when they were full of armed men; a + great slaughter was made of the Jews also at the same time, while those + that bare the ensigns fought hard for them, as deeming it a terrible + thing, and what would tend to their great shame, if they permitted them to + be stolen away. Yet did the Jews at length get possession of these + engines, and destroyed those that had gone up the ladders, while the rest + were so intimidated by what those suffered who were slain, that they + retired; although none of the Romans died without having done good service + before his death. Of the seditious, those that had fought bravely in the + former battles did the like now, as besides them did Eleazar, the + brother's son of Simon the tyrant. But when Titus perceived that his + endeavors to spare a foreign temple turned to the damage of his soldiers, + and then be killed, he gave order to set the gates on fire. + </p> + <p> + 2. In the mean time, there deserted to him Ananus, who came from Emmaus, + the most bloody of all Simon's guards, and Archelaus, the son of + Magadatus, they hoping to be still forgiven, because they left the Jews at + a time when they were the conquerors. Titus objected this to these men, as + a cunning trick of theirs; and as he had been informed of their other + barbarities towards the Jews, he was going in all haste to have them both + slain. He told them that they were only driven to this desertion because + of the utmost distress they were in, and did not come away of their own + good disposition; and that those did not deserve to be preserved, by whom + their own city was already set on fire, out of which fire they now hurried + themselves away. However, the security he had promised deserters overcame + his resentments, and he dismissed them accordingly, though he did not give + them the same privileges that he had afforded to others. And now the + soldiers had already put fire to the gates, and the silver that was over + them quickly carried the flames to the wood that was within it, whence it + spread itself all on the sudden, and caught hold on the cloisters. Upon + the Jews seeing this fire all about them, their spirits sunk together with + their bodies, and they were under such astonishment, that not one of them + made any haste, either to defend himself or to quench the fire, but they + stood as mute spectators of it only. However, they did not so grieve at + the loss of what was now burning, as to grow wiser thereby for the time to + come; but as though the holy house itself had been on fire already, they + whetted their passions against the Romans. This fire prevailed during that + day and the next also; for the soldiers were not able to burn all the + cloisters that were round about together at one time, but only by pieces. + </p> + <p> + 3. But then, on the next day, Titus commanded part of his army to quench + the fire, and to make a road for the more easy marching up of the legions, + while he himself gathered the commanders together. Of those there were + assembled the six principal persons: Tiberius Alexander, the commander + [under the general] of the whole army; with Sextus Cerealis, the commander + of the fifth legion; and Larcius Lepidus, the commander of the tenth + legion; and Titus Frigius, the commander of the fifteenth legion: there + was also with them Eternius, the leader of the two legions that came from + Alexandria; and Marcus Antonius Julianus, procurator of Judea: after these + came together all the rest of the procurators and tribunes. Titus proposed + to these that they should give him their advice what should be done about + the holy house. Now some of these thought it would be the best way to act + according to the rules of war, [and demolish it,] because the Jews would + never leave off rebelling while that house was standing; at which house it + was that they used to get all together. Others of them were of opinion, + that in case the Jews would leave it, and none of them would lay their + arms up in it, he might save it; but that in case they got upon it, and + fought any more, he might burn it; because it must then be looked upon not + as a holy house, but as a citadel; and that the impiety of burning it + would then belong to those that forced this to be done, and not to them. + But Titus said, that "although the Jews should get upon that holy house, + and fight us thence, yet ought we not to revenge ourselves on things that + are inanimate, instead of the men themselves;" and that he was not in any + case for burning down so vast a work as that was, because this would be a + mischief to the Romans themselves, as it would be an ornament to their + government while it continued. So Fronto, and Alexander, and Cerealis grew + bold upon that declaration, and agreed to the opinion of Titus. Then was + this assembly dissolved, when Titus had given orders to the commanders + that the rest of their forces should lie still; but that they should make + use of such as were most courageous in this attack. So he commanded that + the chosen men that were taken out of the cohorts should make their way + through the ruins, and quench the fire. + </p> + <p> + 4. Now it is true that on this day the Jews were so weary, and under such + consternation, that they refrained from any attacks. But on the next day + they gathered their whole force together, and ran upon those that guarded + the outward court of the temple very boldly, through the east gate, and + this about the second hour of the day. These guards received that their + attack with great bravery, and by covering themselves with their shields + before, as if it were with a wall, they drew their squadron close + together; yet was it evident that they could not abide there very long, + but would be overborne by the multitude of those that sallied out upon + them, and by the heat of their passion. However, Caesar seeing, from the + tower of Antonia, that this squadron was likely to give way, he sent some + chosen horsemen to support them. Hereupon the Jews found themselves not + able to sustain their onset, and upon the slaughter of those in the + forefront, many of the rest were put to flight. But as the Romans were + going off, the Jews turned upon them, and fought them; and as those Romans + came back upon them, they retreated again, until about the fifth hour of + the day they were overborne, and shut themselves up in the inner [court of + the] temple. + </p> + <p> + 5. So Titus retired into the tower of Antonia, and resolved to storm the + temple the next day, early in the morning, with his whole army, and to + encamp round about the holy house. But as for that house, God had, for + certain, long ago doomed it to the fire; and now that fatal day was come, + according to the revolution of ages; it was the tenth day of the month + Lous, [Ab,] upon which it was formerly burnt by the king of Babylon; + although these flames took their rise from the Jews themselves, and were + occasioned by them; for upon Titus's retiring, the seditious lay still for + a little while, and then attacked the Romans again, when those that + guarded the holy house fought with those that quenched the fire that was + burning the inner [court of the] temple; but these Romans put the Jews to + flight, and proceeded as far as the holy house itself. At which time one + of the soldiers, without staying for any orders, and without any concern + or dread upon him at so great an undertaking, and being hurried on by a + certain divine fury, snatched somewhat out of the materials that were on + fire, and being lifted up by another soldier, he set fire to a golden + window, through which there was a passage to the rooms that were round + about the holy house, on the north side of it. As the flames went upward, + the Jews made a great clamor, such as so mighty an affliction required, + and ran together to prevent it; and now they spared not their lives any + longer, nor suffered any thing to restrain their force, since that holy + house was perishing, for whose sake it was that they kept such a guard + about it. + </p> + <p> + 6. And now a certain person came running to Titus, and told him of this + fire, as he was resting himself in his tent after the last battle; + whereupon he rose up in great haste, and, as he was, ran to the holy + house, in order to have a stop put to the fire; after him followed all his + commanders, and after them followed the several legions, in great + astonishment; so there was a great clamor and tumult raised, as was + natural upon the disorderly motion of so great an army. Then did Caesar, + both by calling to the soldiers that were fighting, with a loud voice, and + by giving a signal to them with his right hand, order them to quench the + fire. But they did not hear what he said, though he spake so loud, having + their ears already dimmed by a greater noise another way; nor did they + attend to the signal he made with his hand neither, as still some of them + were distracted with fighting, and others with passion. But as for the + legions that came running thither, neither any persuasions nor any + threatenings could restrain their violence, but each one's own passion was + his commander at this time; and as they were crowding into the temple + together, many of them were trampled on by one another, while a great + number fell among the ruins of the cloisters, which were still hot and + smoking, and were destroyed in the same miserable way with those whom they + had conquered; and when they were come near the holy house, they made as + if they did not so much as hear Caesar's orders to the contrary; but they + encouraged those that were before them to set it on fire. As for the + seditious, they were in too great distress already to afford their + assistance [towards quenching the fire]; they were every where slain, and + every where beaten; and as for a great part of the people, they were weak + and without arms, and had their throats cut wherever they were caught. Now + round about the altar lay dead bodies heaped one upon another, as at the + steps <a href="#link6note-16" name="link6noteref-16" id="link6noteref-16">16</a> + going up to it ran a great quantity of their blood, whither also the dead + bodies that were slain above [on the altar] fell down. + </p> + <p> + 7. And now, since Caesar was no way able to restrain the enthusiastic fury + of the soldiers, and the fire proceeded on more and more, he went into the + holy place of the temple, with his commanders, and saw it, with what was + in it, which he found to be far superior to what the relations of + foreigners contained, and not inferior to what we ourselves boasted of and + believed about it. But as the flame had not as yet reached to its inward + parts, but was still consuming the rooms that were about the holy house, + and Titus supposing what the fact was, that the house itself might yet be + saved, he came in haste and endeavored to persuade the soldiers to quench + the fire, and gave order to Liberalius the centurion, and one of those + spearmen that were about him, to beat the soldiers that were refractory + with their staves, and to restrain them; yet were their passions too hard + for the regards they had for Caesar, and the dread they had of him who + forbade them, as was their hatred of the Jews, and a certain vehement + inclination to fight them, too hard for them also. Moreover, the hope of + plunder induced many to go on, as having this opinion, that all the places + within were full of money, and as seeing that all round about it was made + of gold. And besides, one of those that went into the place prevented + Caesar, when he ran so hastily out to restrain the soldiers, and threw the + fire upon the hinges of the gate, in the dark; whereby the flame burst out + from within the holy house itself immediately, when the commanders + retired, and Caesar with them, and when nobody any longer forbade those + that were without to set fire to it. And thus was the holy house burnt + down, without Caesar's approbation. + </p> + <p> + 8. Now although any one would justly lament the destruction of such a work + as this was, since it was the most admirable of all the works that we have + seen or heard of, both for its curious structure and its magnitude, and + also for the vast wealth bestowed upon it, as well as for the glorious + reputation it had for its holiness; yet might such a one comfort himself + with this thought, that it was fate that decreed it so to be, which is + inevitable, both as to living creatures, and as to works and places also. + However, one cannot but wonder at the accuracy of this period thereto + relating; for the same month and day were now observed, as I said before, + wherein the holy house was burnt formerly by the Babylonians. Now the + number of years that passed from its first foundation, which was laid by + king Solomon, till this its destruction, which happened in the second year + of the reign of Vespasian, are collected to be one thousand one hundred + and thirty, besides seven months and fifteen days; and from the second + building of it, which was done by Haggai, in the second year of Cyrus the + king, till its destruction under Vespasian, there were six hundred and + thirty-nine years and forty-five days. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link62HCH0005" id="link62HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 5. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Great Distress The Jews Were In Upon The Conflagration + Of The Holy House. Concerning A False Prophet, And The Signs + That Preceded This Destruction. +</pre> + <p> + 1. While the holy house was on fire, every thing was plundered that came + to hand, and ten thousand of those that were caught were slain; nor was + there a commiseration of any age, or any reverence of gravity, but + children, and old men, and profane persons, and priests were all slain in + the same manner; so that this war went round all sorts of men, and brought + them to destruction, and as well those that made supplication for their + lives, as those that defended themselves by fighting. The flame was also + carried a long way, and made an echo, together with the groans of those + that were slain; and because this hill was high, and the works at the + temple were very great, one would have thought the whole city had been on + fire. Nor can one imagine any thing either greater or more terrible than + this noise; for there was at once a shout of the Roman legions, who were + marching all together, and a sad clamor of the seditious, who were now + surrounded with fire and sword. The people also that were left above were + beaten back upon the enemy, and under a great consternation, and made sad + moans at the calamity they were under; the multitude also that was in the + city joined in this outcry with those that were upon the hill. And + besides, many of those that were worn away by the famine, and their mouths + almost closed, when they saw the fire of the holy house, they exerted + their utmost strength, and brake out into groans and outcries again: Perea + <a href="#link6note-17" name="link6noteref-17" id="link6noteref-17">17</a> + did also return the echo, as well as the mountains round about [the city,] + and augmented the force of the entire noise. Yet was the misery itself + more terrible than this disorder; for one would have thought that the hill + itself, on which the temple stood, was seething hot, as full of fire on + every part of it, that the blood was larger in quantity than the fire, and + those that were slain more in number than those that slew them; for the + ground did no where appear visible, for the dead bodies that lay on it; + but the soldiers went over heaps of those bodies, as they ran upon such as + fled from them. And now it was that the multitude of the robbers were + thrust out [of the inner court of the temple by the Romans,] and had much + ado to get into the outward court, and from thence into the city, while + the remainder of the populace fled into the cloister of that outer court. + As for the priests, some of them plucked up from the holy house the spikes + <a href="#link6note-18" name="link6noteref-18" id="link6noteref-18">18</a> + that were upon it, with their bases, which were made of lead, and shot + them at the Romans instead of darts. But then as they gained nothing by so + doing, and as the fire burst out upon them, they retired to the wall that + was eight cubits broad, and there they tarried; yet did two of these of + eminence among them, who might have saved themselves by going over to the + Romans, or have borne up with courage, and taken their fortune with the + others, throw themselves into the fire, and were burnt together with the + holy house; their names were Meirus the son of Belgas, and Joseph the son + of Daleus. + </p> + <p> + 2. And now the Romans, judging that it was in vain to spare what was round + about the holy house, burnt all those places, as also the remains of the + cloisters and the gates, two excepted; the one on the east side, and the + other on the south; both which, however, they burnt afterward. They also + burnt down the treasury chambers, in which was an immense quantity of + money, and an immense number of garments, and other precious goods there + reposited; and, to speak all in a few words, there it was that the entire + riches of the Jews were heaped up together, while the rich people had + there built themselves chambers [to contain such furniture]. The soldiers + also came to the rest of the cloisters that were in the outer [court of + the] temple, whither the women and children, and a great mixed multitude + of the people, fled, in number about six thousand. But before Caesar had + determined any thing about these people, or given the commanders any + orders relating to them, the soldiers were in such a rage, that they set + that cloister on fire; by which means it came to pass that some of these + were destroyed by throwing themselves down headlong, and some were burnt + in the cloisters themselves. Nor did any one of them escape with his life. + A false prophet <a href="#link6note-19" name="link6noteref-19" + id="link6noteref-19">19</a> was the occasion of these people's + destruction, who had made a public proclamation in the city that very day, + that God commanded them to get upon the temple, and that there they should + receive miraculous signs of their deliverance. Now there was then a great + number of false prophets suborned by the tyrants to impose on the people, + who denounced this to them, that they should wait for deliverance from + God; and this was in order to keep them from deserting, and that they + might be buoyed up above fear and care by such hopes. Now a man that is in + adversity does easily comply with such promises; for when such a seducer + makes him believe that he shall be delivered from those miseries which + oppress him, then it is that the patient is full of hopes of such his + deliverance. + </p> + <p> + 3. Thus were the miserable people persuaded by these deceivers, and such + as belied God himself; while they did not attend nor give credit to the + signs that were so evident, and did so plainly foretell their future + desolation, but, like men infatuated, without either eyes to see or minds + to consider, did not regard the denunciations that God made to them. Thus + there was a star <a href="#link6note-20" name="link6noteref-20" + id="link6noteref-20">20</a> resembling a sword, which stood over the city, + and a comet, that continued a whole year. Thus also before the Jews' + rebellion, and before those commotions which preceded the war, when the + people were come in great crowds to the feast of unleavened bread, on the + eighth day of the month Xanthicus, <a href="#link6note-21" + name="link6noteref-21" id="link6noteref-21">21</a> [Nisan,] and at the + ninth hour of the night, so great a light shone round the altar and the + holy house, that it appeared to be bright day time; which lasted for half + an hour. This light seemed to be a good sign to the unskillful, but was so + interpreted by the sacred scribes, as to portend those events that + followed immediately upon it. At the same festival also, a heifer, as she + was led by the high priest to be sacrificed, brought forth a lamb in the + midst of the temple. Moreover, the eastern gate of the inner <a + href="#link6note-22" name="link6noteref-22" id="link6noteref-22">22</a> + [court of the] temple, which was of brass, and vastly heavy, and had been + with difficulty shut by twenty men, and rested upon a basis armed with + iron, and had bolts fastened very deep into the firm floor, which was + there made of one entire stone, was seen to be opened of its own accord + about the sixth hour of the night. Now those that kept watch in the temple + came hereupon running to the captain of the temple, and told him of it; + who then came up thither, and not without great difficulty was able to + shut the gate again. This also appeared to the vulgar to be a very happy + prodigy, as if God did thereby open them the gate of happiness. But the + men of learning understood it, that the security of their holy house was + dissolved of its own accord, and that the gate was opened for the + advantage of their enemies. So these publicly declared that the signal + foreshowed the desolation that was coming upon them. Besides these, a few + days after that feast, on the one and twentieth day of the month + Artemisius, [Jyar,] a certain prodigious and incredible phenomenon + appeared: I suppose the account of it would seem to be a fable, were it + not related by those that saw it, and were not the events that followed it + of so considerable a nature as to deserve such signals; for, before + sun-setting, chariots and troops of soldiers in their armor were seen + running about among the clouds, and surrounding of cities. Moreover, at + that feast which we call Pentecost, as the priests were going by night + into the inner [court of the temple,] as their custom was, to perform + their sacred ministrations, they said that, in the first place, they felt + a quaking, and heard a great noise, and after that they heard a sound as + of a great multitude, saying, "Let us remove hence." But, what is still + more terrible, there was one Jesus, the son of Ananus, a plebeian and a + husbandman, who, four years before the war began, and at a time when the + city was in very great peace and prosperity, came to that feast whereon it + is our custom for every one to make tabernacles to God in the temple, <a + href="#link6note-23" name="link6noteref-23" id="link6noteref-23">23</a> + began on a sudden to cry aloud, "A voice from the east, a voice from the + west, a voice from the four winds, a voice against Jerusalem and the holy + house, a voice against the bridegrooms and the brides, and a voice against + this whole people!" This was his cry, as he went about by day and by + night, in all the lanes of the city. However, certain of the most eminent + among the populace had great indignation at this dire cry of his, and took + up the man, and gave him a great number of severe stripes; yet did not he + either say any thing for himself, or any thing peculiar to those that + chastised him, but still went on with the same words which he cried + before. Hereupon our rulers, supposing, as the case proved to be, that + this was a sort of divine fury in the man, brought him to the Roman + procurator, where he was whipped till his bones were laid bare; yet he did + not make any supplication for himself, nor shed any tears, but turning his + voice to the most lamentable tone possible, at every stroke of the whip + his answer was, "Woe, woe to Jerusalem!" And when Albinus [for he was then + our procurator] asked him, Who he was? and whence he came? and why he + uttered such words? he made no manner of reply to what he said, but still + did not leave off his melancholy ditty, till Albinus took him to be a + madman, and dismissed him. Now, during all the time that passed before the + war began, this man did not go near any of the citizens, nor was seen by + them while he said so; but he every day uttered these lamentable words, as + if it were his premeditated vow, "Woe, woe to Jerusalem!" Nor did he give + ill words to any of those that beat him every day, nor good words to those + that gave him food; but this was his reply to all men, and indeed no other + than a melancholy presage of what was to come. This cry of his was the + loudest at the festivals; and he continued this ditty for seven years and + five months, without growing hoarse, or being tired therewith, until the + very time that he saw his presage in earnest fulfilled in our siege, when + it ceased; for as he was going round upon the wall, he cried out with his + utmost force, "Woe, woe to the city again, and to the people, and to the + holy house!" And just as he added at the last, "Woe, woe to myself also!" + there came a stone out of one of the engines, and smote him, and killed + him immediately; and as he was uttering the very same presages he gave up + the ghost. + </p> + <p> + 4. Now if any one consider these things, he will find that God takes care + of mankind, and by all ways possible foreshows to our race what is for + their preservation; but that men perish by those miseries which they madly + and voluntarily bring upon themselves; for the Jews, by demolishing the + tower of Antonia, had made their temple four-square, while at the same + time they had it written in their sacred oracles, "That then should their + city be taken, as well as their holy house, when once their temple should + become four-square." But now, what did the most elevate them in + undertaking this war, was an ambiguous oracle that was also found in their + sacred writings, how, "about that time, one from their country should + become governor of the habitable earth." The Jews took this prediction to + belong to themselves in particular, and many of the wise men were thereby + deceived in their determination. Now this oracle certainly denoted the + government of Vespasian, who was appointed emperor in Judea. However, it + is not possible for men to avoid fate, although they see it beforehand. + But these men interpreted some of these signals according to their own + pleasure, and some of them they utterly despised, until their madness was + demonstrated, both by the taking of their city and their own destruction. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link62HCH0006" id="link62HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 6. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How The Romans Carried Their Ensigns To The Temple, And Made + Joyful Acclamations To Titus. The Speech That Titus Made To + The Jews When They Made Supplication For Mercy. What Reply + They Made Thereto; And How That Reply Moved Titus's + Indignation Against Them. +</pre> + <p> + 1. And now the Romans, upon the flight of the seditious into the city, and + upon the burning of the holy house itself, and of all the buildings round + about it, brought their ensigns to the temple <a href="#link6note-24" + name="link6noteref-24" id="link6noteref-24">24</a> and set them over + against its eastern gate; and there did they offer sacrifices to them, and + there did they make Titus imperator <a href="#link6note-25" + name="link6noteref-25" id="link6noteref-25">25</a> with the greatest + acclamations of joy. And now all the soldiers had such vast quantities of + the spoils which they had gotten by plunder, that in Syria a pound weight + of gold was sold for half its former value. But as for those priests that + kept themselves still upon the wall of the holy house,<a + href="#link6note-26" name="link6noteref-26" id="link6noteref-26">26</a> + there was a boy that, out of the thirst he was in, desired some of the + Roman guards to give him their right hands as a security for his life, and + confessed he was very thirsty. These guards commiserated his age, and the + distress he was in, and gave him their right hands accordingly. So he came + down himself, and drank some water, and filled the vessel he had with him + when he came to them with water, and then went off, and fled away to his + own friends; nor could any of those guards overtake him; but still they + reproached him for his perfidiousness. To which he made this answer: "I + have not broken the agreement; for the security I had given me was not in + order to my staying with you, but only in order to my coming down safely, + and taking up some water; both which things I have performed, and + thereupon think myself to have been faithful to my engagement." Hereupon + those whom the child had imposed upon admired at his cunning, and that on + account of his age. On the fifth day afterward, the priests that were + pined with the famine came down, and when they were brought to Titus by + the guards, they begged for their lives; but he replied, that the time of + pardon was over as to them, and that this very holy house, on whose + account only they could justly hope to be preserved, was destroyed; and + that it was agreeable to their office that priests should perish with the + house itself to which they belonged. So he ordered them to be put to + death. + </p> + <p> + 2. But as for the tyrants themselves, and those that were with them, when + they found that they were encompassed on every side, and, as it were, + walled round, without any method of escaping, they desired to treat with + Titus by word of mouth. Accordingly, such was the kindness of his nature, + and his desire of preserving the city from destruction, joined to the + advice of his friends, who now thought the robbers were come to a temper, + that he placed himself on the western side of the outer [court of the] + temple; for there were gates on that side above the Xystus, and a bridge + that connected the upper city to the temple. This bridge it was that lay + between the tyrants and Caesar, and parted them; while the multitude stood + on each side; those of the Jewish nation about Sinran and John, with great + hopes of pardon; and the Romans about Caesar, in great expectation how + Titus would receive their supplication. So Titus charged his soldiers to + restrain their rage, and to let their darts alone, and appointed an + interpreter between them, which was a sign that he was the conqueror, and + first began the discourse, and said, "I hope you, sirs, are now satiated + with the miseries of your country, who have not had any just notions, + either of our great power, or of your own great weakness, but have, like + madmen, after a violent and inconsiderate manner, made such attempts, as + have brought your people, your city, and your holy house to destruction. + You have been the men that have never left off rebelling since Pompey + first conquered you, and have, since that time, made open war with the + Romans. Have you depended on your multitude, while a very small part of + the Roman soldiery have been strong enough for you? Have you relied on the + fidelity of your confederates? And what nations are there, out of the + limits of our dominion, that would choose to assist the Jews before the + Romans? Are your bodies stronger than ours? nay, you know that the + [strong] Germans themselves are our servants. Have you stronger walls than + we have? Pray, what greater obstacle is there than the wall of the ocean, + with which the Britons are encompassed, and yet do adore the arms of the + Romans. Do you exceed us in courage of soul, and in the sagacity of your + commanders? Nay, indeed, you cannot but know that the very Carthaginians + have been conquered by us. It can therefore be nothing certainly but the + kindness of us Romans which hath excited you against us; who, in the first + place, have given you this land to possess; and, in the next place, have + set over you kings of your own nation; and, in the third place, have + preserved the laws of your forefathers to you, and have withal permitted + you to live, either by yourselves, or among others, as it should please + you: and, what is our chief favor of all we have given you leave to gather + up that tribute which is paid to God <a href="#link6note-27" + name="link6noteref-27" id="link6noteref-27">27</a> with such other gifts + that are dedicated to him; nor have we called those that carried these + donations to account, nor prohibited them; till at length you became + richer than we ourselves, even when you were our enemies; and you made + preparations for war against us with our own money; nay, after all, when + you were in the enjoyment of all these advantages, you turned your too + great plenty against those that gave it you, and, like merciless serpents, + have thrown out your poison against those that treated you kindly. I + suppose, therefore, that you might despise the slothfulness of Nero, and, + like limbs of the body that are broken or dislocated, you did then lie + quiet, waiting for some other time, though still with a malicious + intention, and have now showed your distemper to be greater than ever, and + have extended your desires as far as your impudent and immense hopes would + enable you to do it. At this time my father came into this country, not + with a design to punish you for what you had done under Cestius, but to + admonish you; for had he come to overthrow your nation, he had run + directly to your fountain-head, and had immediately laid this city waste; + whereas he went and burnt Galilee and the neighboring parts, and thereby + gave you time for repentance; which instance of humanity you took for an + argument of his weakness, and nourished up your impudence by our mildness. + When Nero was gone out of the world, you did as the wickedest wretches + would have done, and encouraged yourselves to act against us by our civil + dissensions, and abused that time, when both I and my father were gone + away to Egypt, to make preparations for this war. Nor were you ashamed to + raise disturbances against us when we were made emperors, and this while + you had experienced how mild we had been, when we were no more than + generals of the army. But when the government was devolved upon us, and + all other people did thereupon lie quiet, and even foreign nations sent + embassies, and congratulated our access to the government, then did you + Jews show yourselves to be our enemies. You sent embassies to those of + your nation that are beyond Euphrates to assist you in your raising + disturbances; new walls were built by you round your city, seditions + arose, and one tyrant contended against another, and a civil war broke out + among you; such indeed as became none but so wicked a people as you are. I + then came to this city, as unwillingly sent by my father, and received + melancholy injunctions from him. When I heard that the people were + disposed to peace, I rejoiced at it; I exhorted you to leave off these + proceedings before I began this war; I spared you even when you had fought + against me a great while; I gave my right hand as security to the + deserters; I observed what I had promised faithfully. When they fled to + me, I had compassion on many of those that I had taken captive; I tortured + those that were eager for war, in order to restrain them. It was + unwillingly that I brought my engines of war against your walls; I always + prohibited my soldiers, when they were set upon your slaughter, from their + severity against you. After every victory I persuaded you to peace, as + though I had been myself conquered. When I came near your temple, I again + departed from the laws of war, and exhorted you to spare your own + sanctuary, and to preserve your holy house to yourselves. I allowed you a + quiet exit out of it, and security for your preservation; nay, if you had + a mind, I gave you leave to fight in another place. Yet have you still + despised every one of my proposals, and have set fire to your holy house + with your own hands. And now, vile wretches, do you desire to treat with + me by word of mouth? To what purpose is it that you would save such a holy + house as this was, which is now destroyed? What preservation can you now + desire after the destruction of your temple? Yet do you stand still at + this very time in your armor; nor can you bring yourselves so much as to + pretend to be supplicants even in this your utmost extremity. O miserable + creatures! what is it you depend on? Are not your people dead? is not your + holy house gone? is not your city in my power? and are not your own very + lives in my hands? And do you still deem it a part of valor to die? + However, I will not imitate your madness. If you throw down your arms, and + deliver up your bodies to me, I grant you your lives; and I will act like + a mild master of a family; what cannot be healed shall be punished, and + the rest I will preserve for my own use." + </p> + <p> + 3. To that offer of Titus they made this reply: That they could not accept + of it, because they had sworn never to do so; but they desired they might + have leave to go through the wall that had been made about them, with + their wives and children; for that they would go into the desert, and + leave the city to him. At this Titus had great indignation, that when they + were in the case of men already taken captives, they should pretend to + make their own terms with him, as if they had been conquerors. So he + ordered this proclamation to be made to them, That they should no more + come out to him as deserters, nor hope for any further security; for that + he would henceforth spare nobody, but fight them with his whole army; and + that they must save themselves as well as they could; for that he would + from henceforth treat them according to the laws of war. So he gave orders + to the soldiers both to burn and to plunder the city; who did nothing + indeed that day; but on the next day they set fire to the repository of + the archives, to Acra, to the council-house, and to the place called + Ophlas; at which time the fire proceeded as far as the palace of queen + Helena, which was in the middle of Acra; the lanes also were burnt down, + as were also those houses that were full of the dead bodies of such as + were destroyed by famine. + </p> + <p> + 4. On the same day it was that the sons and brethren of Izates the king, + together with many others of the eminent men of the populace, got together + there, and besought Caesar to give them his right hand for their security; + upon which, though he was very angry at all that were now remaining, yet + did he not lay aside his old moderation, but received these men. At that + time, indeed, he kept them all in custody, but still bound the king's sons + and kinsmen, and led them with him to Rome, in order to make them hostages + for their country's fidelity to the Romans. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link62HCH0007" id="link62HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 7. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + What Afterward Befell The Seditious When They Had Done A + Great Deal Of Mischief, And Suffered Many Misfortunes; As + Also How Caesar Became Master Of The Upper City. +</pre> + <p> + 1. And now the seditious rushed into the royal palace, into which many had + put their effects, because it was so strong, and drove the Romans away + from it. They also slew all the people that had crowded into it, who were + in number about eight thousand four hundred, and plundered them of what + they had. They also took two of the Romans alive; the one was a horseman, + and the other a footman. They then cut the throat of the footman, and + immediately had him drawn through the whole city, as revenging themselves + upon the whole body of the Romans by this one instance. But the horseman + said he had somewhat to suggest to them in order to their preservation; + whereupon he was brought before Simon; but he having nothing to say when + he was there, he was delivered to Ardalas, one of his commanders, to be + punished, who bound his hands behind him, and put a riband over his eyes, + and then brought him out over against the Romans, as intending to cut off + his head. But the man prevented that execution, and ran away to the + Romans, and this while the Jewish executioner was drawing out his sword. + Now when he was gotten away from the enemy, Titus could not think of + putting him to death; but because he deemed him unworthy of being a Roman + soldier any longer, on account that he had been taken alive by the enemy, + he took away his arms, and ejected him out of the legion whereto he had + belonged; which, to one that had a sense of shame, was a penalty severer + than death itself. + </p> + <p> + 2. On the next day the Romans drove the robbers out of the lower city, and + set all on fire as far as Siloam. These soldiers were indeed glad to see + the city destroyed. But they missed the plunder, because the seditious had + carried off all their effects, and were retired into the upper city; for + they did not yet at all repent of the mischiefs they had done, but were + insolent, as if they had done well; for, as they saw the city on fire, + they appeared cheerful, and put on joyful countenances, in expectation, as + they said, of death to end their miseries. Accordingly, as the people were + now slain, the holy house was burnt down, and the city was on fire, there + was nothing further left for the enemy to do. Yet did not Josephus grow + weary, even in this utmost extremity, to beg of them to spare what was + left of the city; he spake largely to them about their barbarity and + impiety, and gave them his advice in order to their escape; though he + gained nothing thereby more than to be laughed at by them; and as they + could not think of surrendering themselves up, because of the oath they + had taken, nor were strong enough to fight with the Romans any longer upon + the square, as being surrounded on all sides, and a kind of prisoners + already, yet were they so accustomed to kill people, that they could not + restrain their right hands from acting accordingly. So they dispersed + themselves before the city, and laid themselves in ambush among its ruins, + to catch those that attempted to desert to the Romans; accordingly many + such deserters were caught by them, and were all slain; for these were too + weak, by reason of their want of food, to fly away from them; so their + dead bodies were thrown to the dogs. Now every other sort of death was + thought more tolerable than the famine, insomuch that, though the Jews + despaired now of mercy, yet would they fly to the Romans, and would + themselves, even of their own accord, fall among the murderous rebels + also. Nor was there any place in the city that had no dead bodies in it, + but what was entirely covered with those that were killed either by the + famine or the rebellion; and all was full of the dead bodies of such as + had perished, either by that sedition or by that famine. + </p> + <p> + 3. So now the last hope which supported the tyrants, and that crew of + robbers who were with them, was in the caves and caverns under ground; + whither, if they could once fly, they did not expect to be searched for; + but endeavored, that after the whole city should be destroyed, and the + Romans gone away, they might come out again, and escape from them. This + was no better than a dream of theirs; for they were not able to lie hid + either from God or from the Romans. However, they depended on these + under-ground subterfuges, and set more places on fire than did the Romans + themselves; and those that fled out of their houses thus set on fire into + the ditches, they killed without mercy, and pillaged them also; and if + they discovered food belonging to any one, they seized upon it and + swallowed it down, together with their blood also; nay, they were now come + to fight one with another about their plunder; and I cannot but think + that, had not their destruction prevented it, their barbarity would have + made them taste of even the dead bodies themselves. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link62HCH0008" id="link62HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 8. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How Caesar Raised Banks Round About The Upper City [Mount + Zion] And When They Were Completed, Gave Orders That The + Machines Should Be Brought. He Then Possessed Himself Of The + Whole City. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now when Caesar perceived that the upper city was so steep that it + could not possibly be taken without raising banks against it, he + distributed the several parts of that work among his army, and this on the + twentieth day of the month Lous [Ab]. Now the carriage of the materials + was a difficult task, since all the trees, as I have already told you, + that were about the city, within the distance of a hundred furlongs, had + their branches cut off already, in order to make the former banks. The + works that belonged to the four legions were erected on the west side of + the city, over against the royal palace; but the whole body of the + auxiliary troops, with the rest of the multitude that were with them, + [erected their banks] at the Xystus, whence they reached to the bridge, + and that tower of Simon which he had built as a citadel for himself + against John, when they were at war one with another. + </p> + <p> + 2. It was at this time that the commanders of the Idumeans got together + privately, and took counsel about surrendering up themselves to the + Romans. Accordingly, they sent five men to Titus, and entreated him to + give them his right hand for their security. So Titus thinking that the + tyrants would yield, if the Idumeans, upon whom a great part of the war + depended, were once withdrawn from them, after some reluctancy and delay, + complied with them, and gave them security for their lives, and sent the + five men back. But as these Idumeans were preparing to march out, Simon + perceived it, and immediately slew the five men that had gone to Titus, + and took their commanders, and put them in prison, of whom the most + eminent was Jacob, the son of Sosas; but as for the multitude of the + Idumeans, who did not at all know what to do, now their commanders were + taken from them, he had them watched, and secured the walls by a more + numerous garrison, Yet could not that garrison resist those that were + deserting; for although a great number of them were slain, yet were the + deserters many more in number. They were all received by the Romans, + because Titus himself grew negligent as to his former orders for killing + them, and because the very soldiers grew weary of killing them, and + because they hoped to get some money by sparing them; for they left only + the populace, and sold the rest of the multitude, <a href="#link6note-28" + name="link6noteref-28" id="link6noteref-28">28</a> with their wives and + children, and every one of them at a very low price, and that because such + as were sold were very many, and the buyers were few: and although Titus + had made proclamation beforehand, that no deserter should come alone by + himself, that so they might bring out their families with them, yet did he + receive such as these also. However, he set over them such as were to + distinguish some from others, in order to see if any of them deserved to + be punished. And indeed the number of those that were sold was immense; + but of the populace above forty thousand were saved, whom Caesar let go + whither every one of them pleased. + </p> + <p> + 3. But now at this time it was that one of the priests, the son of + Thebuthus, whose name was Jesus, upon his having security given him, by + the oath of Caesar, that he should be preserved, upon condition that he + should deliver to him certain of the precious things that had been + reposited in the temple <a href="#link6note-29" name="link6noteref-29" + id="link6noteref-29">29</a> came out of it, and delivered him from the + wall of the holy house two candlesticks, like to those that lay in the + holy house, with tables, and cisterns, and vials, all made of solid gold, + and very heavy. He also delivered to him the veils and the garments, with + the precious stones, and a great number of other precious vessels that + belonged to their sacred worship. The treasurer of the temple also, whose + name was Phineas, was seized on, and showed Titus the coats and girdles of + the priests, with a great quantity of purple and scarlet, which were there + reposited for the uses of the veil, as also a great deal of cinnamon and + cassia, with a large quantity of other sweet spices, <a + href="#link6note-30" name="link6noteref-30" id="link6noteref-30">30</a> + which used to be mixed together, and offered as incense to God every day. + A great many other treasures were also delivered to him, with sacred + ornaments of the temple not a few; which things thus delivered to Titus + obtained of him for this man the same pardon that he had allowed to such + as deserted of their own accord. + </p> + <p> + 4. And now were the banks finished on the seventh day of the month + Gorpieus, [Elul,] in eighteen days' time, when the Romans brought their + machines against the wall. But for the seditious, some of them, as + despairing of saving the city, retired from the wall to the citadel; + others of them went down into the subterranean vaults, though still a + great many of them defended themselves against those that brought the + engines for the battery; yet did the Romans overcome them by their number + and by their strength; and, what was the principal thing of all, by going + cheerfully about their work, while the Jews were quite dejected, and + become weak. Now as soon as a part of the wall was battered down, and + certain of the towers yielded to the impression of the battering rams, + those that opposed themselves fled away, and such a terror fell upon the + tyrants, as was much greater than the occasion required; for before the + enemy got over the breach they were quite stunned, and were immediately + for flying away. And now one might see these men, who had hitherto been so + insolent and arrogant in their wicked practices, to be cast down and to + tremble, insomuch that it would pity one's heart to observe the change + that was made in those vile persons. Accordingly, they ran with great + violence upon the Roman wall that encompassed them, in order to force away + those that guarded it, and to break through it, and get away. But when + they saw that those who had formerly been faithful to them had gone away, + [as indeed they were fled whithersoever the great distress they were in + persuaded them to flee,] as also when those that came running before the + rest told them that the western wall was entirely overthrown, while others + said the Romans were gotten in, and others that they were near, and + looking out for them, which were only the dictates of their fear, which + imposed upon their sight, they fell upon their face, and greatly lamented + their own mad conduct; and their nerves were so terribly loosed, that they + could not flee away. And here one may chiefly reflect on the power of God + exercised upon these wicked wretches, and on the good fortune of the + Romans; for these tyrants did now wholly deprive themselves of the + security they had in their own power, and came down from those very towers + of their own accord, wherein they could have never been taken by force, + nor indeed by any other way than by famine. And thus did the Romans, when + they had taken such great pains about weaker walls, get by good fortune + what they could never have gotten by their engines; for three of these + towers were too strong for all mechanical engines whatsoever, concerning + which we have treated above. + </p> + <p> + 5. So they now left these towers of themselves, or rather they were + ejected out of them by God himself, and fled immediately to that valley + which was under Siloam, where they again recovered themselves out of the + dread they were in for a while, and ran violently against that part of the + Roman wall which lay on that side; but as their courage was too much + depressed to make their attacks with sufficient force, and their power was + now broken with fear and affliction, they were repulsed by the guards, and + dispersing themselves at distances from each other, went down into the + subterranean caverns. So the Romans being now become masters of the walls, + they both placed their ensigns upon the towers, and made joyful + acclamations for the victory they had gained, as having found the end of + this war much lighter than its beginning; for when they had gotten upon + the last wall, without any bloodshed, they could hardly believe what they + found to be true; but seeing nobody to oppose them, they stood in doubt + what such an unusual solitude could mean. But when they went in numbers + into the lanes of the city with their swords drawn, they slew those whom + they overtook without and set fire to the houses whither the Jews were + fled, and burnt every soul in them, and laid waste a great many of the + rest; and when they were come to the houses to plunder them, they found in + them entire families of dead men, and the upper rooms full of dead + corpses, that is, of such as died by the famine; they then stood in a + horror at this sight, and went out without touching any thing. But + although they had this commiseration for such as were destroyed in that + manner, yet had they not the same for those that were still alive, but + they ran every one through whom they met with, and obstructed the very + lanes with their dead bodies, and made the whole city run down with blood, + to such a degree indeed that the fire of many of the houses was quenched + with these men's blood. And truly so it happened, that though the slayers + left off at the evening, yet did the fire greatly prevail in the night; + and as all was burning, came that eighth day of the month Gorpieus [Elul] + upon Jerusalem, a city that had been liable to so many miseries during + this siege, that, had it always enjoyed as much happiness from its first + foundation, it would certainly have been the envy of the world. Nor did it + on any other account so much deserve these sore misfortunes, as by + producing such a generation of men as were the occasions of this its + overthrow. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link62HCH0009" id="link62HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 9. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + What Injunctions Caesar Gave When He Was Come Within The + City. The Number Of The Captives And Of Those That Perished + In The Siege; As Also Concerning Those That Had Escaped Into + The Subterranean Caverns, Among Whom Were The Tyrants Simon + And John Themselves. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now when Titus was come into this [upper] city, he admired not only + some other places of strength in it, but particularly those strong towers + which the tyrants in their mad conduct had relinquished; for when he saw + their solid altitude, and the largeness of their several stones, and the + exactness of their joints, as also how great was their breadth, and how + extensive their length, he expressed himself after the manner following: + "We have certainly had God for our assistant in this war, and it was no + other than God who ejected the Jews out of these fortifications; for what + could the hands of men or any machines do towards overthrowing these + towers?" At which time he had many such discourses to his friends; he also + let such go free as had been bound by the tyrants, and were left in the + prisons. To conclude, when he entirely demolished the rest of the city, + and overthrew its walls, he left these towers as a monument of his good + fortune, which had proved his auxiliaries, and enabled him to take what + could not otherwise have been taken by him. + </p> + <p> + 2. And now, since his soldiers were already quite tired with killing men, + and yet there appeared to be a vast multitude still remaining alive, + Caesar gave orders that they should kill none but those that were in arms, + and opposed them, but should take the rest alive. But, together with those + whom they had orders to slay, they slew the aged and the infirm; but for + those that were in their flourishing age, and who might be useful to them, + they drove them together into the temple, and shut them up within the + walls of the court of the women; over which Caesar set one of his + freed-men, as also Fronto, one of his own friends; which last was to + determine every one's fate, according to his merits. So this Fronto slew + all those that had been seditious and robbers, who were impeached one by + another; but of the young men he chose out the tallest and most beautiful, + and reserved them for the triumph; and as for the rest of the multitude + that were above seventeen years old, he put them into bonds, and sent them + to the Egyptian mines. <a href="#link6note-31" name="link6noteref-31" + id="link6noteref-31">31</a> Titus also sent a great number into the + provinces, as a present to them, that they might be destroyed upon their + theatres, by the sword and by the wild beasts; but those that were under + seventeen years of age were sold for slaves. Now during the days wherein + Fronto was distinguishing these men, there perished, for want of food, + eleven thousand; some of whom did not taste any food, through the hatred + their guards bore to them; and others would not take in any when it was + given them. The multitude also was so very great, that they were in want + even of corn for their sustenance. + </p> + <p> + 3. Now the number <a href="#link6note-32" name="link6noteref-32" + id="link6noteref-32">32</a> of those that were carried captive during this + whole war was collected to be ninety-seven thousand; as was the number of + those that perished during the whole siege eleven hundred thousand, the + greater part of whom were indeed of the same nation [with the citizens of + Jerusalem], but not belonging to the city itself; for they were come up + from all the country to the feast of unleavened bread, and were on a + sudden shut up by an army, which, at the very first, occasioned so great a + straitness among them, that there came a pestilential destruction upon + them, and soon afterward such a famine, as destroyed them more suddenly. + And that this city could contain so many people in it, is manifest by that + number of them which was taken under Cestius, who being desirous of + informing Nero of the power of the city, who otherwise was disposed to + contemn that nation, entreated the high priests, if the thing were + possible, to take the number of their whole multitude. So these high + priests, upon the coming of that feast which is called the Passover, when + they slay their sacrifices, from the ninth hour till the eleventh, but so + that a company not less than ten <a href="#link6note-33" + name="link6noteref-33" id="link6noteref-33">33</a> belong to every + sacrifice, [for it is not lawful for them to feast singly by themselves,] + and many of us are twenty in a company, found the number of sacrifices was + two hundred and fifty-six thousand five hundred; which, upon the allowance + of no more than ten that feast together, amounts to two millions seven + hundred thousand and two hundred persons that were pure and holy; for as + to those that have the leprosy, or the gonorrhea, or women that have their + monthly courses, or such as are otherwise polluted, it is not lawful for + them to be partakers of this sacrifice; nor indeed for any foreigners + neither, who come hither to worship. + </p> + <p> + 4. Now this vast multitude is indeed collected out of remote places, but + the entire nation was now shut up by fate as in prison, and the Roman army + encompassed the city when it was crowded with inhabitants. Accordingly, + the multitude of those that therein perished exceeded all the destructions + that either men or God ever brought upon the world; for, to speak only of + what was publicly known, the Romans slew some of them, some they carried + captives, and others they made a search for under ground, and when they + found where they were, they broke up the ground and slew all they met + with. There were also found slain there above two thousand persons, partly + by their own hands, and partly by one another, but chiefly destroyed by + the famine; but then the ill savor of the dead bodies was most offensive + to those that lighted upon them, insomuch that some were obliged to get + away immediately, while others were so greedy of gain, that they would go + in among the dead bodies that lay on heaps, and tread upon them; for a + great deal of treasure was found in these caverns, and the hope of gain + made every way of getting it to be esteemed lawful. Many also of those + that had been put in prison by the tyrants were now brought out; for they + did not leave off their barbarous cruelty at the very last: yet did God + avenge himself upon them both, in a manner agreeable to justice. As for + John, he wanted food, together with his brethren, in these caverns, and + begged that the Romans would now give him their right hand for his + security, which he had often proudly rejected before; but for Simon, he + struggled hard with the distress he was in, still he was forced to + surrender himself, as we shall relate hereafter; so he was reserved for + the triumph, and to be then slain; as was John condemned to perpetual + imprisonment. And now the Romans set fire to the extreme parts of the + city, and burnt them down, and entirely demolished its walls. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link62HCH0010" id="link62HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 10. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + That Whereas The City Of Jerusalem Had Been Five Times Taken + Formerly, This Was The Second Time Of Its Desolation. A + Brief Account Of Its History. +</pre> + <p> + 1. And thus was Jerusalem taken, in the second year of the reign of + Vespasian, on the eighth day of the month Gorpeius [Elul]. It had been + taken five <a href="#link6note-34" name="link6noteref-34" + id="link6noteref-34">34</a> times before, though this was the second time + of its desolation; for Shishak, the king of Egypt, and after him + Antiochus, and after him Pompey, and after them Sosius and Herod, took the + city, but still preserved it; but before all these, the king of Babylon + conquered it, and made it desolate, one thousand four hundred and + sixty-eight years and six months after it was built. But he who first + built it was a potent man among the Canaanites, and is in our own tongue + called [Melchisedek], the Righteous King, for such he really was; on which + account he was [there] the first priest of God, and first built a temple + [there], + <a href="#link6note-35" name="link6noteref-35" id="link6noteref-35">35</a> + and called the city Jerusalem, which was formerly called Salem. + However, David, the king of the Jews, ejected the Canaanites, and settled + his own people therein. It was demolished entirely by the Babylonians, + four hundred and seventy-seven years and six months after him. And from + king David, who was the first of the Jews who reigned therein, to this + destruction under Titus, were one thousand one hundred and seventy-nine + years; but from its first building, till this last destruction, were two + thousand one hundred and seventy-seven years; yet hath not its great + antiquity, nor its vast riches, nor the diffusion of its nation over all + the habitable earth, nor the greatness of the veneration paid to it on a + religious account, been sufficient to preserve it from being destroyed. + And thus ended the siege of Jerusalem. + </p> + <p> + WAR BOOK 6 FOOTNOTES <a name="link6note-1" id="link6note-1"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 1 (<a href="#link6noteref-1">return</a>)<br /> [ Reland notes here, very + pertinently, that the tower of Antonia stood higher than the floor of the + temple or court adjoining to it; and that accordingly they descended + thence into the temple, as Josephus elsewhere speaks also. See Book VI. + ch. 2. sect. 5.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-2" id="link6note-2"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 2 (<a href="#link6noteref-2">return</a>)<br /> [ In this speech of Titus we + may clearly see the notions which the Romans then had of death, and of the + happy state of those who died bravely in war, and the contrary estate of + those who died ignobly in their beds by sickness. Reland here also + produces two parallel passages, the one out of Atonia Janus Marcellinus, + concerning the Alani, lib. 31, that "they judged that man happy who laid + down his life in battle;" the other of Valerius Maximus, lib. 11. ch. 6, + who says, "that the Cimbri and Celtiberi exulted for joy in the army, as + being to go out of the world gloriously and happily."] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-3" id="link6note-3"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 3 (<a href="#link6noteref-3">return</a>)<br /> [ See the note on p. 809.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-4" id="link6note-4"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 4 (<a href="#link6noteref-4">return</a>)<br /> [ No wonder that this + Julian, who had so many nails in his shoes, slipped upon the pavement of + the temple, which was smooth, and laid with marble of different colors.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-5" id="link6note-5"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 5 (<a href="#link6noteref-5">return</a>)<br /> [ This was a remarkable day + indeed, the seventeenth of Panemuns. [Footnote Tamuz,] A.D. 70, when, + according to Daniel's prediction, six hundred and six years before, the + Romans "in half a week caused the sacrifice and oblation to cease," Daniel + 9:27. For from the month of February, A.D. 66, about which time Vespasian + entered on this war, to this very time, was just three years and a half. + See Bishop Lloyd's Tables of Chronology, published by Mr. Marshall, on + this year. Nor is it to be omitted, what year nearly confirms this + duration of the war, that four years before the war begun was somewhat + above seven years five months before the destruction of Jerusalem, ch. 5. + sect. 3.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-6" id="link6note-6"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 6 (<a href="#link6noteref-6">return</a>)<br /> [ The same that in the New + Testament is always so called, and was then the common language of the + Jews in Judea, which was the Syriac dialect.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-7" id="link6note-7"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 7 (<a href="#link6noteref-7">return</a>)<br /> [ Our present copies of the + Old Testament want this encomium upon king Jechoniah or Jehoiachim, which + it seems was in Josephus's copy.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-8" id="link6note-8"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 8 (<a href="#link6noteref-8">return</a>)<br /> [ Of this oracle, see the + note on B. IV. ch. 6. sect. 3. Josephus, both here and in many places + elsewhere, speaks so, that it is most evident he was fully satisfied that + God was on the Romans' side, and made use of them now for the destruction + of that wicked nation of the Jews; which was for certain the true state of + this matter, as the prophet Daniel first, and our Savior himself + afterwards, had clearly foretold. See Lit. Accompl. of Proph. p. 64, etc.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-9" id="link6note-9"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 9 (<a href="#link6noteref-9">return</a>)<br /> [ Josephus had before told + us, B. V. ch. 13. sect. 1, that this fourth son of Matthias ran away to + the Romans "before" his father's and brethren's slaughter, and not "after" + it, as here. The former account is, in all probability, the truest; for + had not that fourth son escaped before the others were caught and put to + death, he had been caught and put to death with them. This last account, + therefore, looks like an instance of a small inadvertence of Josephus in + the place before us.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-10" id="link6note-10"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 10 (<a href="#link6noteref-10">return</a>)<br /> [ Of this partition-wall + separating Jews and Gentiles, with its pillars and inscription, see the + description of the temples, ch. 15.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-11" id="link6note-11"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 11 (<a href="#link6noteref-11">return</a>)<br /> [ That these seditious + Jews were the direct occasions of their own destruction, and of the + conflagration of their city and temple, and that Titus earnestly and + constantly labored to save both, is here and every where most evident in + Josephus.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-12" id="link6note-12"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 12 (<a href="#link6noteref-12">return</a>)<br /> [ Court of the Gentiles.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-13" id="link6note-13"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 13 (<a href="#link6noteref-13">return</a>)<br /> [ Court of Israel.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-14" id="link6note-14"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 14 (<a href="#link6noteref-14">return</a>)<br /> [ Of the court of the + Gentiles.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-15" id="link6note-15"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 15 (<a href="#link6noteref-15">return</a>)<br /> [ What Josephus observes + here, that no parallel examples had been recorded before this time of such + sieges, wherein mothers were forced by extremity of famine to eat their + own children, as had been threatened to the Jews in the law of Moses, upon + obstinate disobedience, and more than once fulfilled, [see my Boyle's + Lectures, p. 210-214,] is by Dr. Hudson supposed to have had two or three + parallel examples in later ages. He might have had more examples, I + suppose, of persons on ship-board, or in a desert island, casting lots for + each others' bodies; but all this was only in cases where they knew of no + possible way to avoid death themselves but by killing and eating others. + Whether such examples come up to the present case may be doubted. The + Romans were not only willing, but very desirous, to grant those Jews in + Jerusalem both their lives and their liberties, and to save both their + city and their temple. But the zealots, the robbers, and the seditious + would hearken to no terms of submission. They voluntarily chose to reduce + the citizens to that extremity, as to force mothers to this unnatural + barbarity, which, in all its circumstances, has not, I still suppose, been + hitherto paralleled among the rest of mankind.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-16" id="link6note-16"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 16 (<a href="#link6noteref-16">return</a>)<br /> [ These steps to the altar + of burnt-offering seem here either an improper and inaccurate expression + of Josephus, since it was unlawful to make ladder steps; [see description + of the temples, ch. 13., and note on Antiq. B. IV. ch. 8. sect. 5;] or + else those steps or stairs we now use were invented before the days of + Herod the Great, and had been here built by him; though the later Jews + always deny it, and say that even Herod's altar was ascended to by an + acclivity only.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-17" id="link6note-17"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 17 (<a href="#link6noteref-17">return</a>)<br /> [ This Perea, if the word + be not mistaken in the copies, cannot well be that Perea which was beyond + Jordan, whose mountains were at a considerable distance from Jordan, and + much too remote from Jerusalem to join in this echo at the conflagration + of the temple; but Perea must be rather some mountains beyond the brook + Cedron, as was the Mount of Olives, or some others about such a distance + from Jerusalem; which observation is so obvious, that it is a wonder our + commentators here take no notice of it.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-18" id="link6note-18"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 18 (<a href="#link6noteref-18">return</a>)<br /> [ Reland I think here + judges well, when he interprets these spikes [Footnote of those that stood + on the top of the holy house] with sharp points; they were fixed into + lead, to prevent the birds from sitting there, and defiling the holy + house; for such spikes there were now upon it, as Josephus himself hath + already assured us, B. V. ch. 5. sect. 6.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-19" id="link6note-19"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 19 (<a href="#link6noteref-19">return</a>)<br /> [ Reland here takes + notice, that these Jews, who had despised the true Prophet, were + deservedly abused and deluded by these false ones.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-20" id="link6note-20"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 20 (<a href="#link6noteref-20">return</a>)<br /> [ Whether Josephus means + that this star was different from that comet which lasted a whole year, I + cannot certainly determine. His words most favor their being different one + from another.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-21" id="link6note-21"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 21 (<a href="#link6noteref-21">return</a>)<br /> [ Since Josephus still + uses the Syro-Macedonian month Xanthicus for the Jewish month Nisan, this + eighth, or, as Nicephorus reads it, this ninth of Xanthicus or Nisan was + almost a week before the passover, on the fourteenth; about which time we + learn from St. John that many used to go "out of the country to Jerusalem + to purify themselves," John 11:55, with 12:1; in agreement with Josephus + also, B. V. ch. 3. sect. 1. And it might well be, that in the sight of + these this extraordinary light might appear.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-22" id="link6note-22"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 22 (<a href="#link6noteref-22">return</a>)<br /> [ This here seems to be + the court of the priests.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-23" id="link6note-23"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 23 (<a href="#link6noteref-23">return</a>)<br /> [ Both Reland and + Havercamp in this place alter the natural punctuation and sense of + Josephus, and this contrary to the opinion of Valesilus and Dr. Hudson, + lest Josephus should say that the Jews built booths or tents within the + temple at the feast of tabernacles; which the later Rabbins will not allow + to have been the ancient practice: but then, since it is expressly told us + in Nehemiah, ch. 8:16, that in still elder times "the Jews made booths in + the courts of the house of God" at that festival, Josephus may well be + permitted to say the same. And indeed the modern Rabbins are of very small + authority in all such matters of remote antiquity.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-24" id="link6note-24"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 24 (<a href="#link6noteref-24">return</a>)<br /> [ Take Havercamp's note + here: "This [says he] is a remarkable place; and Tertullian truly says in + his Apologetic, ch. 16. p. 162, that the entire religion of the Roman camp + almost consisted in worshipping the ensigns, in swearing by the ensigns, + and in preferring the ensigns before all the [other] gods." See what + Havercamp says upon that place of Tertullian.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-25" id="link6note-25"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 25 (<a href="#link6noteref-25">return</a>)<br /> [ This declaring Titus + imperator by the soldiers, upon such signal success, and the slaughter of + such a vast number of enemies, was according to the usual practice of the + Romans in like cases, as Reland assures us on this place.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-26" id="link6note-26"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 26 (<a href="#link6noteref-26">return</a>)<br /> [ The Jews of later times + agree with Josephus, that there were hiding-places or secret chambers + about the holy house, as Reland here informs us, where he thinks he has + found these very walls described by them.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-27" id="link6note-27"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 27 (<a href="#link6noteref-27">return</a>)<br /> [ Spanheim notes here, + that the Romans used to permit the Jews to collect their sacred tribute, + and send it to Jerusalem; of which we have had abundant evidence in + Josephus already on other occasions.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-28" id="link6note-28"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 28 (<a href="#link6noteref-28">return</a>)<br /> [ This innumerable + multitude of Jews that were "sold" by the Romans was an eminent completion + of God's ancient threatening by Moses, that if they apostatized from the + obedience to his laws, they should be "sold unto their enemies for + bond-men and bond-women," Deuteronomy 28;68. See more especially the note + on ch. 9. sect. 2. But one thing is here peculiarly remarkable, that Moses + adds, Though they should be "sold" for slaves, yet "no man should buy + them;" i.e. either they should have none to redeem them from this sale + into slavery; or rather, that the slaves to be sold should be more than + were the purchasers for them, and so they should be sold for little or + nothing; which is what Josephus here affirms to have been the case at this + time.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-29" id="link6note-29"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 29 (<a href="#link6noteref-29">return</a>)<br /> [ What became of these + spoils of the temple that escaped the fire, see Josephus himself + hereafter, B. VII. ch. 5. sect. 5, and Reland de Spoliis Templi, p. + 129-138.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-30" id="link6note-30"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 30 (<a href="#link6noteref-30">return</a>)<br /> [ These various sorts of + spices, even more than those four which Moses prescribed, Exodus 31:34, we + see were used in their public worship under Herod's temple, particularly + cinnamon and cassia; which Reland takes particular notice of, as agreeing + with the latter testimony of the Talmudists.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-31" id="link6note-31"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 31 (<a href="#link6noteref-31">return</a>)<br /> [ See the several + predictions that the Jews, if they became obstinate in their idolatry and + wickedness, should be sent again or sold into Egypt for their punishment, + Deuteronomy 28:68; Jeremiah 44:7; Hosea 8:13; 9:3; 9:4, 5; 2 Samuel + 15:10-13; with Authentic Records, Part I. p. 49, 121; and Reland Painest + And, tom. II. p. 715.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-32" id="link6note-32"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 32 (<a href="#link6noteref-32">return</a>)<br /> [ The whole multitude of + the Jews that were destroyed during the entire seven years before this + time, in all the countries of and bordering on Judea, is summed up by + Archbishop Usher, from Lipsius, out of Josephus, at the year of Christ 70, + and amounts to 1,337,490. Nor could there have been that number of Jews in + Jerusalem to be destroyed in this siege, as will be presently set down by + Josephus, but that both Jews and proselytes of justice were just then come + up out of the other countries of Galilee, Samaria, Judea, and Perea and + other remoter regions, to the passover, in vast numbers, and therein + cooped up, as in a prison, by the Roman army, as Josephus himself well + observes in this and the next section, and as is exactly related + elsewhere, B. V. ch. 3. sect. 1 and ch. 13. sect. 7.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-33" id="link6note-33"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 33 (<a href="#link6noteref-33">return</a>)<br /> [ This number of a company + for one paschal lamb, between ten and twenty, agrees exactly with the + number thirteen, at our Savior's last passover. As to the whole number of + the Jews that used to come up to the passover, and eat of it at Jerusalem, + see the note on B. II. ch. 14. sect. 3. This number ought to be here + indeed just ten times the number of the lambs, or just 2,565,000, by + Josephus's own reasoning; whereas it is, in his present copies, no less + than 2,700,000, which last number is, however, nearest the other number in + the place now cited, which is 3,000,000. But what is here chiefly + remarkable is this, that no foreign nation ever came thus to destroy the + Jews at any of their solemn festivals, from the days of Moses till this + time, but came now upon their apostasy from God, and from obedience to + him. Nor is it possible, in the nature of things, that in any other nation + such vast numbers should be gotten together, and perish in the siege of + any one city whatsoever, as now happened in Jerusalem.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link6note-34" id="link6note-34"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 34 (<a href="#link6noteref-34">return</a>)<br /> [ This is the proper place + for such as have closely attended to these latter books of the War to + peruse, and that with equal attention, those distinct and plain + predictions of Jesus of Nazareth, in the Gospels thereto relating, as + compared with their exact completions in Josephus's history; upon which + completions, as Dr. Whitby well observes, Annot. on Matthew 24:2, no small + part of the evidence for the truth of the Christian religion does depend; + and as I have step by step compared them together in my Literal + Accomplishment of Scripture Prophecies. The reader is to observe further, + that the true reason why I have so seldom taken notice of those + completions in the course of these notes, notwithstanding their being so + very remarkable, and frequently so very obvious, is this, that I had + entirely prevented myself in that treatise beforehand; to which therefore + I must here, once for all, seriously refer every inquisitive reader. + Besides these five here enumerated, who had taken Jerusalem of old, + Josephus, upon further recollection, reckons a sixth, Antiq. B. XII. ch. + 1. sect. 1, who should have been here inserted in the second place; I mean + Ptolemy, the son of Lagus.] + </p> +<p> +<a name="link6note-35" id="link6note-35"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 35 (<a href="#link6noteref-35">return</a>)<br /> [ Why the great Bochart + should say, [De Phoenic. Colon. B. II. ch. iv.,] that "there are in this + clause of Josephus as many mistakes as words," I do by no means + understand. Josephus thought Melchisedek first built, or rather rebuilt + and adorned, this city, and that it was then called Salem, as Psalm 76:2; + afterwards came to be called Jerusalem; and that Melchisedek, being a + priest as well as a king, built to the true God therein a temple, or place + for public Divine worship and sacrifice; all which things may be very true + for aught we know to the contrary. And for the word, or temple, as if it + must needs belong to the great temple built by Solomon long afterward, + Josephus himself uses, for the small tabernacle of Moses, Antiq. B. III. + ch. 6. sect. 4; see also Antiq. B. lit. ch. 6. sect. 1; as he here + presently uses, for a large and splendid synagogue of the Jews at Antioch, + B. VII. ch. 3. sect. 3.] + </p> + + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link72H_4_0001" id="link72H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h1> + BOOK VII. + </h1> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Containing The Interval Of About Three Years. + + From The Taking Of Jerusalem By Titus To The Sedition At + Cyrene +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link72HCH0001" id="link72HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 1. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How The Entire City Of Jerusalem Was Demolished, Excepting + Three Towers; And How Titus Commended His Soldiers In A + Speech Made To Them, And Distributed Rewards To Them And + Then Dismissed Many Of Them. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now as soon as the army had no more people to slay or to plunder, + because there remained none to be the objects of their fury, [for they + would not have spared any, had there remained any other work to be done,] + Caesar gave orders that they should now demolish the entire city and + temple, but should leave as many of the towers standing as were of the + greatest eminency; that is, Phasaelus, and Hippicus, and Mariamne; and so + much of the wall as enclosed the city on the west side. This wall was + spared, in order to afford a camp for such as were to lie in garrison, as + were the towers also spared, in order to demonstrate to posterity what + kind of city it was, and how well fortified, which the Roman valor had + subdued; but for all the rest of the wall, it was so thoroughly laid even + with the ground by those that dug it up to the foundation, that there was + left nothing to make those that came thither believe it had ever been + inhabited. This was the end which Jerusalem came to by the madness of + those that were for innovations; a city otherwise of great magnificence, + and of mighty fame among all mankind. + </p> + <p> + 2. But Caesar resolved to leave there, as a guard, the tenth legion, with + certain troops of horsemen, and companies of footmen. So, having entirely + completed this war, he was desirous to commend his whole army, on account + of the great exploits they had performed, and to bestow proper rewards on + such as had signalized themselves therein. He had therefore a great + tribunal made for him in the midst of the place where he had formerly + encamped, and stood upon it with his principal commanders about him, and + spake so as to be heard by the whole army in the manner following: That he + returned them abundance of thanks for their good-will which they had + showed to him: he commended them for that ready obedience they had + exhibited in this whole war, which obedience had appeared in the many and + great dangers which they had courageously undergone; as also for that + courage they had shown, and had thereby augmented of themselves their + country's power, and had made it evident to all men, that neither the + multitude of their enemies, nor the strength of their places, nor the + largeness of their cities, nor the rash boldness and brutish rage of their + antagonists, were sufficient at any time to get clear of the Roman valor, + although some of them may have fortune in many respects on their side. He + said further, that it was but reasonable for them to put an end to this + war, now it had lasted so long, for that they had nothing better to wish + for when they entered into it; and that this happened more favorably for + them, and more for their glory, that all the Romans had willingly accepted + of those for their governors, and the curators of their dominions, whom + they had chosen for them, and had sent into their own country for that + purpose, which still continued under the management of those whom they had + pitched on, and were thankful to them for pitching upon them. That + accordingly, although he did both admire and tenderly regard them all, + because he knew that every one of them had gone as cheerfully about their + work as their abilities and opportunities would give them leave; yet, he + said, that he would immediately bestow rewards and dignities on those that + had fought the most bravely, and with greater force, and had signalized + their conduct in the most glorious manner, and had made his army more + famous by their noble exploits; and that no one who had been willing to + take more pains than another should miss of a just retribution for the + same; for that he had been exceeding careful about this matter, and that + the more, because he had much rather reward the virtues of his fellow + soldiers than punish such as had offended. + </p> + <p> + 3. Hereupon Titus ordered those whose business it was to read the list of + all that had performed great exploits in this war, whom he called to him + by their names, and commended them before the company, and rejoiced in + them in the same manner as a man would have rejoiced in his own exploits. + He also put on their heads crowns of gold, and golden ornaments about + their necks, and gave them long spears of gold, and ensigns that were made + of silver, and removed every one of them to a higher rank; and besides + this, he plentifully distributed among them, out of the spoils, and the + other prey they had taken, silver, and gold, and garments. So when they + had all these honors bestowed on them, according to his own appointment + made to every one, and he had wished all sorts of happiness to the whole + army, he came down, among the great acclamations which were made to him, + and then betook himself to offer thank-offerings [to the gods], and at + once sacrificed a vast number of oxen, that stood ready at the altars, and + distributed them among the army to feast on. And when he had staid three + days among the principal commanders, and so long feasted with them, he + sent away the rest of his army to the several places where they would be + every one best situated; but permitted the tenth legion to stay, as a + guard at Jerusalem, and did not send them away beyond Euphrates, where + they had been before. And as he remembered that the twelfth legion had + given way to the Jews, under Cestius their general, he expelled them out + of all Syria, for they had lain formerly at Raphanea, and sent them away + to a place called Meletine, near Euphrates, which is in the limits of + Armenia and Cappadocia; he also thought fit that two of the legions should + stay with him till he should go to Egypt. He then went down with his army + to that Cesarea which lay by the sea-side, and there laid up the rest of + his spoils in great quantities, and gave order that the captives should be + kept there; for the winter season hindered him then from sailing into + Italy. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link72HCH0002" id="link72HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 2. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How Titus Exhibited All Sorts Of Shows At Cesarea Philippi. + Concerning Simon The Tyrant How He Was Taken, And Reserved + For The Triumph. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now at the same time that Titus Caesar lay at the siege of Jerusalem, + did Vespasian go on board a merchantship and sailed from Alexandria to + Rhodes; whence he sailed away in ships with three rows of oars; and as he + touched at several cities that lay in his road, he was joyfully received + by them all, and so passed over from Ionia into Greece; whence he set sail + from Corcyra to the promontory of Iapyx, whence he took his journey by + land. But as for Titus, he marched from that Cesarea which lay by the + sea-side, and came to that which is named Cesarea Philippi, and staid + there a considerable time, and exhibited all sorts of shows there. And + here a great number of the captives were destroyed, some being thrown to + wild beasts, and others in multitudes forced to kill one another, as if + they were their enemies. And here it was that Titus was informed of the + seizure of Simon the son of Gioras, which was made after the manner + following: This Simon, during the siege of Jerusalem, was in the upper + city; but when the Roman army was gotten within the walls, and were laying + the city waste, he then took the most faithful of his friends with him, + and among them some that were stone-cutters, with those iron tools which + belonged to their occupation, and as great a quantity of provisions as + would suffice them for a long time, and let himself and all them down into + a certain subterraneous cavern that was not visible above ground. Now, so + far as had been digged of old, they went onward along it without + disturbance; but where they met with solid earth, they dug a mine under + ground, and this in hopes that they should be able to proceed so far as to + rise from under ground in a safe place, and by that means escape. But when + they came to make the experiment, they were disappointed of their hope; + for the miners could make but small progress, and that with difficulty + also; insomuch that their provisions, though they distributed them by + measure, began to fail them. And now Simon, thinking he might be able to + astonish and elude the Romans, put on a white frock, and buttoned upon him + a purple cloak, and appeared out of the ground in the place where the + temple had formerly been. At the first, indeed, those that saw him were + greatly astonished, and stood still where they were; but afterward they + came nearer to him, and asked him who he was. Now Simon would not tell + them, but bid them call for their captain; and when they ran to call him, + Terentius Rufus <a href="#link7note-2" name="link7noteref-2" + id="link7noteref-2">2</a> who was left to command the army there, came to + Simon, and learned of him the whole truth, and kept him in bonds, and let + Caesar know that he was taken. Thus did God bring this man to be punished + for what bitter and savage tyranny he had exercised against his countrymen + by those who were his worst enemies; and this while he was not subdued by + violence, but voluntarily delivered himself up to them to be punished, and + that on the very same account that he had laid false accusations against + many Jews, as if they were falling away to the Romans, and had barbarously + slain them; for wicked actions do not escape the Divine anger, nor is + justice too weak to punish offenders, but in time overtakes those that + transgress its laws, and inflicts its punishments upon the wicked in a + manner, so much more severe, as they expected to escape it on account of + their not being punished immediately. <a href="#link7note-3" + name="link7noteref-3" id="link7noteref-3">3</a> Simon was made sensible of + this by falling under the indignation of the Romans. This rise of his out + of the ground did also occasion the discovery of a great number of others + of the seditious at that time, who had hidden themselves under ground. But + for Simon, he was brought to Caesar in bonds, when he was come back to + that Cesarea which was on the seaside, who gave orders that he should be + kept against that triumph which he was to celebrate at Rome upon this + occasion. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link72HCH0003" id="link72HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 3. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How Titus Upon The Celebration Of His Brothers And Fathers + Birthdays Had Many Of The Jews Slain. Concerning The Danger + The Jews Were In At Antioch, By Means Of The Transgression + And Impiety Of One Antiochus, A Jew. +</pre> + <p> + 1. While Titus was at Cesarea, he solemnized the birthday of his brother + [Domitian] after a splendid manner, and inflicted a great deal of the + punishment intended for the Jews in honor of him; for the number of those + that were now slain in fighting with the beasts, and were burnt, and + fought with one another, exceeded two thousand five hundred. Yet did all + this seem to the Romans, when they were thus destroyed ten thousand + several ways, to be a punishment beneath their deserts. After this Caesar + came to Berytus, <a href="#link7note-4" name="link7noteref-4" + id="link7noteref-4">4</a> which is a city of Phoenicia, and a Roman + colony, and staid there a longer time, and exhibited a still more pompous + solemnity about his father's birthday, both in the magnificence of the + shows, and in the other vast expenses he was at in his devices thereto + belonging; so that a great multitude of the captives were here destroyed + after the same manner as before. + </p> + <p> + 2. It happened also about this time, that the Jews who remained at Antioch + were under accusations, and in danger of perishing, from the disturbances + that were raised against them by the Antiochians; and this both on account + of the slanders spread abroad at this time against them, and on account of + what pranks they had played not long before; which I am obliged to + describe without fail, though briefly, that I may the better connect my + narration of future actions with those that went before. + </p> + <p> + 3. For as the Jewish nation is widely dispersed over all the habitable + earth among its inhabitants, so it is very much intermingled with Syria by + reason of its neighborhood, and had the greatest multitudes in Antioch by + reason of the largeness of the city, wherein the kings, after Antiochus, + had afforded them a habitation with the most undisturbed tranquillity; for + though Antiochus, who was called Epiphanes, laid Jerusalem waste, and + spoiled the temple, yet did those that succeeded him in the kingdom + restore all the donations that were made of brass to the Jews of Antioch, + and dedicated them to their synagogue, and granted them the enjoyment of + equal privileges of citizens with the Greeks themselves; and as the + succeeding kings treated them after the same manner, they both multiplied + to a great number, and adorned their temple gloriously by fine ornaments, + and with great magnificence, in the use of what had been given them. They + also made proselytes of a great many of the Greeks perpetually, and + thereby after a sort brought them to be a portion of their own body. But + about this time when the present war began, and Vespasian was newly sailed + to Syria, and all men had taken up a great hatred against the Jews, then + it was that a certain person, whose name was Antiochus, being one of the + Jewish nation, and greatly respected on account of his father, who was + governor of the Jews at Antioch <a href="#link7note-5" + name="link7noteref-5" id="link7noteref-5">5</a> came upon the theater at a + time when the people of Antioch were assembled together, and became an + informer against his father, and accused both him and others that they had + resolved to burn the whole city in one night; he also delivered up to them + some Jews that were foreigners, as partners in their resolutions. When the + people heard this, they could not refrain their passion, but commanded + that those who were delivered up to them should have fire brought to burn + them, who were accordingly all burnt upon the theater immediately. They + did also fall violently upon the multitude of the Jews, as supposing that + by punishing them suddenly they should save their own city. As for + Antiochus, he aggravated the rage they were in, and thought to give them a + demonstration of his own conversion, arm of his hatred of the Jewish + customs, by sacrificing after the manner of the Greeks; he persuaded the + rest also to compel them to do the same, because they would by that means + discover who they were that had plotted against them, since they would not + do so; and when the people of Antioch tried the experiment, some few + complied, but those that would not do so were slain. As for Antiochus + himself, he obtained soldiers from the Roman commander, and became a + severe master over his own citizens, not permitting them to rest on the + seventh day, but forcing them to do all that they usually did on other + days; and to that degree of distress did he reduce them in this matter, + that the rest of the seventh day was dissolved not only at Antioch, but + the same thing which took thence its rise was done in other cities also, + in like manner, for some small time. + </p> + <p> + 4. Now, after these misfortunes had happened to the Jews at Antioch, a + second calamity befell them, the description of which when we were going + about we premised the account foregoing; for upon this accident, whereby + the four-square market-place was burnt down, as well as the archives, and + the place where the public records were preserved, and the royal palaces, + [and it was not without difficulty that the fire was then put a stop to, + which was likely, by the fury wherewith it was carried along, to have gone + over the whole city,] Antiochus accused the Jews as the occasion of all + the mischief that was done. Now this induced the people of Antioch, who + were now under the immediate persuasion, by reason of the disorder they + were in, that this calumny was true, and would have been under the same + persuasion, even though they had not borne an ill-will at the Jews before, + to believe this man's accusation, especially when they considered what had + been done before, and this to such a degree, that they all fell violently + upon those that were accused, and this, like madmen, in a very furious + rage also, even as if they had seen the Jews in a manner setting fire + themselves to the city; nor was it without difficulty that one Cneius + Collegas, the legate, could prevail with them to permit the affairs to be + laid before Caesar; for as to Cesennius Petus, the president of Syria, + Vespasian had already sent him away; and so it happened that he was not + yet come back thither. But when Collegas had made a careful inquiry into + the matter, he found out the truth, and that not one of those Jews that + were accused by Antiochus had any hand in it, but that all was done by + some vile persons greatly in debt, who supposed that if they could once + set fire to the market-place, and burn the public records, they should + have no further demands made upon them. So the Jews were under great + disorder and terror, in the uncertain expectations of what would be the + upshot of these accusations against them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link72HCH0004" id="link72HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 4. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How Vespasian Was Received At Rome; As Also How The Germans + Revolted From The Romans, But Were Subdued. That The + Sarmatians Overran Mysia, But Were Compelled To Retire To + Their Own Country Again. +</pre> + <p> + 1. And now Titus Caesar, upon the news that was brought him concerning his + father, that his coming was much desired by all the Italian cities, and + that Rome especially received him with great alacrity and splendor, betook + himself to rejoicing and pleasures to a great degree, as now freed from + the solicitude he had been under, after the most agreeable manner. For all + men that were in Italy showed their respects to him in their minds before + he came thither, as if he were already come, as esteeming the very + expectation they had of him to be his real presence, on account of the + great desires they had to see him, and because the good-will they bore him + was entirely free and unconstrained; for it was, desirable thing to the + senate, who well remembered the calamities they had undergone in the late + changes of their governors, to receive a governor who was adorned with the + gravity of old age, and with the highest skill in the actions of war, + whose advancement would be, as they knew, for nothing else but for the + preservation of those that were to be governed. Moreover, the people had + been so harassed by their civil miseries, that they were still more + earnest for his coming immediately, as supposing they should then be + firmly delivered from their calamities, and believed they should then + recover their secure tranquillity and prosperity; and for the soldiery, + they had the principal regard to him, for they were chiefly apprized of + his great exploits in war; and since they had experienced the want of + skill and want of courage in other commanders, they were very desirous to + be free from that great shame they had undergone by their means, and + heartily wished to receive such a prince as might be a security and an + ornament to them. And as this good-will to Vespasian was universal, those + that enjoyed any remarkable dignities could not have patience enough to + stay in Rome, but made haste to meet him at a very great distance from it; + nay, indeed, none of the rest could endure the delay of seeing him, but + did all pour out of the city in such crowds, and were so universally + possessed with the opinion that it was easier and better for them to go + out than to stay there, that this was the very first time that the city + joyfully perceived itself almost empty of its citizens; for those that + staid within were fewer than those that went out. But as soon as the news + was come that he was hard by, and those that had met him at first related + with what good humor he received every one that came to him, then it was + that the whole multitude that had remained in the city, with their wives + and children, came into the road, and waited for him there; and for those + whom he passed by, they made all sorts of acclamations, on account of the + joy they had to see him, and the pleasantness of his countenance, and + styled him their Benefactor and Savior, and the only person who was worthy + to be ruler of the city of Rome. And now the city was like a temple, full + of garlands and sweet odors; nor was it easy for him to come to the royal + palace, for the multitude of the people that stood about him, where yet at + last he performed his sacrifices of thanksgiving to his household gods for + his safe return to the city. The multitude did also betake themselves to + feasting; which feasts and drink-offerings they celebrated by their + tribes, and their families, and their neighborhoods, and still prayed God + to grant that Vespasian, his sons, and all their posterity, might continue + in the Roman government for a very long time, and that his dominion might + be preserved from all opposition. And this was the manner in which Rome so + joyfully received Vespasian, and thence grew immediately into a state of + great prosperity. + </p> + <p> + 2. But before this time, and while Vespasian was about Alexandria, and + Titus was lying at the siege of Jerusalem, a great multitude of the + Germans were in commotion, and tended to rebellion; and as the Gauls in + their neighborhood joined with them, they conspired together, and had + thereby great hopes of success, and that they should free themselves from + the dominion of the Romans. The motives that induced the Germans to this + attempt for a revolt, and for beginning the war, were these: In the first + place, the nature [of the people], which was destitute of just reasonings, + and ready to throw themselves rashly into danger, upon small hopes; in the + next place, the hatred they bore to those that were their governors, while + their nation had never been conscious of subjection to any but to the + Romans, and that by compulsion only. Besides these motives, it was the + opportunity that now offered itself, which above all the rest prevailed + with them so to do; for when they saw the Roman government in a great + internal disorder, by the continual changes of its rulers, and understood + that every part of the habitable earth under them was in an unsettled and + tottering condition, they thought this was the best opportunity that could + afford itself for themselves to make a sedition, when the state of the + Romans was so ill. Classicus <a href="#link7note-6" name="link7noteref-6" + id="link7noteref-6">6</a> also, and Vitellius, two of their commanders, + puffed them up with such hopes. These had for a long time been openly + desirous of such an innovation, and were induced by the present + opportunity to venture upon the declaration of their sentiments; the + multitude was also ready; and when these men told them of what they + intended to attempt, that news was gladly received by them. So when a + great part of the Germans had agreed to rebel, and the rest were no better + disposed, Vespasian, as guided by Divine Providence, sent letters to + Petilius Cerealis, who had formerly had the command of Germany, whereby he + declared him to have the dignity of consul, and commanded him to take upon + him the government of Britain; so he went whither he was ordered to go, + and when he was informed of the revolt of the Germans, he fell upon them + as soon as they were gotten together, and put his army in battle-array, + and slew a great number of them in the fight, and forced them to leave off + their madness, and to grow wiser; nay, had he not fallen thus suddenly + upon them on the place, it had not been long ere they would however have + been brought to punishment; for as soon as ever the news of their revolt + was come to Rome, and Caesar Domitian was made acquainted with it, he made + no delay, even at that his age, when he was exceeding young, but undertook + this weighty affair. He had a courageous mind from his father, and had + made greater improvements than belonged to such an age: accordingly he + marched against the barbarians immediately; whereupon their hearts failed + them at the very rumor of his approach, and they submitted themselves to + him with fear, and thought it a happy thing that they were brought under + their old yoke again without suffering any further mischiefs. When + therefore Domitian had settled all the affairs of Gaul in such good order, + that it would not be easily put into disorder any more, he returned to + Rome with honor and glory, as having performed such exploits as were above + his own age, but worthy of so great a father. + </p> + <p> + 3. At the very same time with the forementioned revolt of the Germans did + the bold attempt of the Scythians against the Romans occur; for those + Scythians who are called Sarmatians, being a very numerous people, + transported themselves over the Danube into Mysia, without being + perceived; after which, by their violence, and entirely unexpected + assault, they slew a great many of the Romans that guarded the frontiers; + and as the consular legate Fonteius Agrippa came to meet them, and fought + courageously against them, he was slain by them. They then overran all the + region that had been subject to him, tearing and rending every thing that + fell in their way. But when Vespasian was informed of what had happened, + and how Mysia was laid waste, he sent away Rubrius Gallus to punish these + Sarmatians; by whose means many of them perished in the battles he fought + against them, and that part which escaped fled with fear to their own + country. So when this general had put an end to the war, he provided for + the future security of the country also; for he placed more and more + numerous garrisons in the place, till he made it altogether impossible for + the barbarians to pass over the river any more. And thus had this war in + Mysia a sudden conclusion. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link72HCH0005" id="link72HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Concerning The Sabbatic River Which Titus Saw As He Was + Journeying Through Syria; And How The People Of Antioch Came + With A Petition To Titus Against The Jews But Were Rejected + By Him; As Also Concerning Titus's And Vespasian's Triumph. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now Titus Caesar tarried some time at Berytus, as we told you before. + He thence removed, and exhibited magnificent shows in all those cities of + Syria through which he went, and made use of the captive Jews as public + instances of the destruction of that nation. He then saw a river as he + went along, of such a nature as deserves to be recorded in history; it + runs in the middle between Arcea, belonging to Agrippa's kingdom, and + Raphanea. It hath somewhat very peculiar in it; for when it runs, its + current is strong, and has plenty of water; after which its springs fail + for six days together, and leave its channel dry, as any one may see; + after which days it runs on the seventh day as it did before, and as + though it had undergone no change at all; it hath also been observed to + keep this order perpetually and exactly; whence it is that they call it + the Sabbatic River <a href="#link7note-7" name="link7noteref-7" + id="link7noteref-7">7</a> that name being taken from the sacred seventh + day among the Jews. + </p> + <p> + 2. But when the people of Antioch were informed that Titus was + approaching, they were so glad at it, that they could not keep within + their walls, but hasted away to give him the meeting; nay, they proceeded + as far as thirty furlongs, and more, with that intention. These were not + the men only, but a multitude of women also with their children did the + same; and when they saw him coming up to them, they stood on both sides of + the way, and stretched out their right hands, saluting him, and making all + sorts of acclamations to him, and turned back together with him. They + also, among all the acclamations they made to him, besought him all the + way they went to eject the Jews out of their city; yet did not Titus at + all yield to this their petition, but gave them the bare hearing of it + quietly. However, the Jews were in a great deal of terrible fear, under + the uncertainty they were in what his opinion was, and what he would do to + them. For Titus did not stay at Antioch, but continued his progress + immediately to Zeugma, which lies upon the Euphrates, whither came to him + messengers from Vologeses king of Parthia, and brought him a crown of gold + upon the victory he had gained over the Jews; which he accepted of, and + feasted the king's messengers, and then came back to Antioch. And when the + senate and people of Antioch earnestly entreated him to come upon their + theater, where their whole multitude was assembled, and expected him, he + complied with great humanity; but when they pressed him with much + earnestness, and continually begged of him that he would eject the Jews + out of their city, he gave them this very pertinent answer: "How can this + be done, since that country of theirs, whither the Jews must be obliged + then to retire, is destroyed, and no place will receive them besides?" + Whereupon the people of Antioch, when they had failed of success in this + their first request, made him a second; for they desired that he would + order those tables of brass to be removed on which the Jews' privileges + were engraven. However, Titus would not grant that neither, but permitted + the Jews of Antioch to continue to enjoy the very same privileges in that + city which they had before, and then departed for Egypt; and as he came to + Jerusalem in his progress, and compared the melancholy condition he saw it + then in, with the ancient glory of the city, and called to mind the + greatness of its present ruins, as well as its ancient splendor, he could + not but pity the destruction of the city, so far was he from boasting that + so great and goodly a city as that was had been by him taken by force; + nay, he frequently cursed those that had been the authors of their revolt, + and had brought such a punishment upon the city; insomuch that it openly + appeared that he did not desire that such a calamity as this punishment of + theirs amounted to should be a demonstration of his courage. Yet was there + no small quantity of the riches that had been in that city still found + among its ruins, a great deal of which the Romans dug up; but the greatest + part was discovered by those who were captives, and so they carried it + away; I mean the gold and the silver, and the rest of that most precious + furniture which the Jews had, and which the owners had treasured up under + ground, against the uncertain fortunes of war. + </p> + <p> + 3. So Titus took the journey he intended into Egypt, and passed over the + desert very suddenly, and came to Alexandria, and took up a resolution to + go to Rome by sea. And as he was accompanied by two legions, he sent each + of them again to the places whence they had before come; the fifth he sent + to Mysia, and the fifteenth to Pannonia: as for the leaders of the + captives, Simon and John, with the other seven hundred men, whom he had + selected out of the rest as being eminently tall and handsome of body, he + gave order that they should be soon carried to Italy, as resolving to + produce them in his triumph. So when he had had a prosperous voyage to his + mind, the city of Rome behaved itself in his reception, and their meeting + him at a distance, as it did in the case of his father. But what made the + most splendid appearance in Titus's opinion was, when his father met him, + and received him; but still the multitude of the citizens conceived the + greatest joy when they saw them all three together, <a href="#link7note-8" + name="link7noteref-8" id="link7noteref-8">8</a> as they did at this time; + nor were many days overpast when they determined to have but one triumph, + that should be common to both of them, on account of the glorious exploits + they had performed, although the senate had decreed each of them a + separate triumph by himself. So when notice had been given beforehand of + the day appointed for this pompous solemnity to be made, on account of + their victories, not one of the immense multitude was left in the city, + but every body went out so far as to gain only a station where they might + stand, and left only such a passage as was necessary for those that were + to be seen to go along it. + </p> + <p> + 4. Now all the soldiery marched out beforehand by companies, and in their + several ranks, under their several commanders, in the night time, and were + about the gates, not of the upper palaces, but those near the temple of + Isis; for there it was that the emperors had rested the foregoing night. + And as soon as ever it was day, Vespasian and Titus came out crowned with + laurel, and clothed in those ancient purple habits which were proper to + their family, and then went as far as Octavian's Walks; for there it was + that the senate, and the principal rulers, and those that had been + recorded as of the equestrian order, waited for them. Now a tribunal had + been erected before the cloisters, and ivory chairs had been set upon it, + when they came and sat down upon them. Whereupon the soldiery made an + acclamation of joy to them immediately, and all gave them attestations of + their valor; while they were themselves without their arms, and only in + their silken garments, and crowned with laurel: then Vespasian accepted of + these shouts of theirs; but while they were still disposed to go on in + such acclamations, he gave them a signal of silence. And when every body + entirely held their peace, he stood up, and covering the greatest part of + his head with his cloak, he put up the accustomed solemn prayers; the like + prayers did Titus put up also; after which prayers Vespasian made a short + speech to all the people, and then sent away the soldiers to a dinner + prepared for them by the emperors. Then did he retire to that gate which + was called the Gate of the Pomp, because pompous shows do always go + through that gate; there it was that they tasted some food, and when they + had put on their triumphal garments, and had offered sacrifices to the + gods that were placed at the gate, they sent the triumph forward, and + marched through the theatres, that they might be the more easily seen by + the multitudes. + </p> + <p> + 5. Now it is impossible to describe the multitude of the shows as they + deserve, and the magnificence of them all; such indeed as a man could not + easily think of as performed, either by the labor of workmen, or the + variety of riches, or the rarities of nature; for almost all such + curiosities as the most happy men ever get by piece-meal were here one + heaped on another, and those both admirable and costly in their nature; + and all brought together on that day demonstrated the vastness of the + dominions of the Romans; for there was here to be seen a mighty quantity + of silver, and gold, and ivory, contrived into all sorts of things, and + did not appear as carried along in pompous show only, but, as a man may + say, running along like a river. Some parts were composed of the rarest + purple hangings, and so carried along; and others accurately represented + to the life what was embroidered by the arts of the Babylonians. There + were also precious stones that were transparent, some set in crowns of + gold, and some in other places, as the workmen pleased; and of these such + a vast number were brought, that we could not but thence learn how vainly + we imagined any of them to be rarities. The images of the gods were also + carried, being as well wonderful for their largeness, as made very + artificially, and with great skill of the workmen; nor were any of these + images of any other than very costly materials; and many species of + animals were brought, every one in their own natural ornaments. The men + also who brought every one of these shows were great multitudes, and + adorned with purple garments, all over interwoven with gold; those that + were chosen for carrying these pompous shows having also about them such + magnificent ornaments as were both extraordinary and surprising. Besides + these, one might see that even the great number of the captives was not + unadorned, while the variety that was in their garments, and their fine + texture, concealed from the sight the deformity of their bodies. But what + afforded the greatest surprise of all was the structure of the pageants + that were borne along; for indeed he that met them could not but be afraid + that the bearers would not be able firmly enough to support them, such was + their magnitude; for many of them were so made, that they were on three or + even four stories, one above another. The magnificence also of their + structure afforded one both pleasure and surprise; for upon many of them + were laid carpets of gold. There was also wrought gold and ivory fastened + about them all; and many resemblances of the war, and those in several + ways, and variety of contrivances, affording a most lively portraiture of + itself. For there was to be seen a happy country laid waste, and entire + squadrons of enemies slain; while some of them ran away, and some were + carried into captivity; with walls of great altitude and magnitude + overthrown and ruined by machines; with the strongest fortifications + taken, and the walls of most populous cities upon the tops of hills seized + on, and an army pouring itself within the walls; as also every place full + of slaughter, and supplications of the enemies, when they were no longer + able to lift up their hands in way of opposition. Fire also sent upon + temples was here represented, and houses overthrown, and falling upon + their owners: rivers also, after they came out of a large and melancholy + desert, ran down, not into a land cultivated, nor as drink for men, or for + cattle, but through a land still on fire upon every side; for the Jews + related that such a thing they had undergone during this war. Now the + workmanship of these representations was so magnificent and lively in the + construction of the things, that it exhibited what had been done to such + as did not see it, as if they had been there really present. On the top of + every one of these pageants was placed the commander of the city that was + taken, and the manner wherein he was taken. Moreover, there followed those + pageants a great number of ships; and for the other spoils, they were + carried in great plenty. But for those that were taken in the temple of + Jerusalem, <a href="#link7note-9" name="link7noteref-9" id="link7noteref-9">9</a> + they made the greatest figure of them all; that is, the golden table, of + the weight of many talents; the candlestick also, that was made of gold, + though its construction were now changed from that which we made use of; + for its middle shaft was fixed upon a basis, and the small branches were + produced out of it to a great length, having the likeness of a trident in + their position, and had every one a socket made of brass for a lamp at the + tops of them. These lamps were in number seven, and represented the + dignity of the number seven among the Jews; and the last of all the + spoils, was carried the Law of the Jews. After these spoils passed by a + great many men, carrying the images of Victory, whose structure was + entirely either of ivory or of gold. After which Vespasian marched in the + first place, and Titus followed him; Domitian also rode along with them, + and made a glorious appearance, and rode on a horse that was worthy of + admiration. + </p> + <p> + 6. Now the last part of this pompous show was at the temple of Jupiter + Capitolinus, whither when they were come, they stood still; for it was the + Romans' ancient custom to stay till somebody brought the news that the + general of the enemy was slain. This general was Simon, the son of Gioras, + who had then been led in this triumph among the captives; a rope had also + been put upon his head, and he had been drawn into a proper place in the + forum, and had withal been tormented by those that drew him along; and the + law of the Romans required that malefactors condemned to die should be + slain there. Accordingly, when it was related that there was an end of + him, and all the people had set up a shout for joy, they then began to + offer those sacrifices which they had consecrated, in the prayers used in + such solemnities; which when they had finished, they went away to the + palace. And as for some of the spectators, the emperors entertained them + at their own feast; and for all the rest there were noble preparations + made for feasting at home; for this was a festival day to the city of + Rome, as celebrated for the victory obtained by their army over their + enemies, for the end that was now put to their civil miseries, and for the + commencement of their hopes of future prosperity and happiness. + </p> + <p> + 7. After these triumphs were over, and after the affairs of the Romans + were settled on the surest foundations, Vespasian resolved to build a + temple to Peace, which was finished in so short a time, and in so glorious + a manner, as was beyond all human expectation and opinion: for he having + now by Providence a vast quantity of wealth, besides what he had formerly + gained in his other exploits, he had this temple adorned with pictures and + statues; for in this temple were collected and deposited all such rarities + as men aforetime used to wander all over the habitable world to see, when + they had a desire to see one of them after another; he also laid up + therein those golden vessels and instruments that were taken out of the + Jewish temple, as ensigns of his glory. But still he gave order that they + should lay up their Law, and the purple veils of the holy place, in the + royal palace itself, and keep them there. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link72HCH0006" id="link72HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 6. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Concerning Machaerus, And How Lucilius Bassus Took That + Citadel, And Other Places. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now Lucilius Bassus was sent as legate into Judea, and there he + received the army from Cerealis Vitellianus, and took that citadel which + was in Herodium, together with the garrison that was in it; after which he + got together all the soldiery that was there, [which was a large body, but + dispersed into several parties,] with the tenth legion, and resolved to + make war upon Machaerus; for it was highly necessary that this citadel + should be demolished, lest it might be a means of drawing away many into a + rebellion, by reason of its strength; for the nature of the place was very + capable of affording the surest hopes of safety to those that possessed + it, as well as delay and fear to those that should attack it; for what was + walled in was itself a very rocky hill, elevated to a very great height; + which circumstance alone made it very hard to be subdued. It was also so + contrived by nature, that it could not be easily ascended; for it is, as + it were, ditched about with such valleys on all sides, and to such a + depth, that the eye cannot reach their bottoms, and such as are not easily + to be passed over, and even such as it is impossible to fill up with + earth. For that valley which cuts it on the west extends to threescore + furlongs, and did not end till it came to the lake Asphaltites; on the + same side it was also that Machaerus had the tallest top of its hill + elevated above the rest. But then for the valleys that lay on the north + and south sides, although they be not so large as that already described, + yet it is in like manner an impracticable thing to think of getting over + them; and for the valley that lies on the east side, its depth is found to + be no less than a hundred cubits. It extends as far as a mountain that + lies over against Machaerus, with which it is bounded. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now when Alexander [Janneus], the king of the Jews, observed the nature + of this place, he was the first who built a citadel here, which afterwards + was demolished by Gabinius, when he made war against Aristobulus. But when + Herod came to be king, he thought the place to be worthy of the utmost + regard, and of being built upon in the firmest manner, and this especially + because it lay so near to Arabia; for it is seated in a convenient place + on that account, and hath a prospect toward that country; he therefore + surrounded a large space of ground with walls and towers, and built a city + there, out of which city there was a way that led up to the very citadel + itself on the top of the mountain; nay, more than this, he built a wall + round that top of the hill, and erected towers at the corners, of a + hundred and sixty cubits high; in the middle of which place he built a + palace, after a magnificent manner, wherein were large and beautiful + edifices. He also made a great many reservoirs for the reception of water, + that there might be plenty of it ready for all uses, and those in the + properest places that were afforded him there. Thus did he, as it were, + contend with the nature of the place, that he might exceed its natural + strength and security [which yet itself rendered it hard to be taken] by + those fortifications which were made by the hands of men. Moreover, he put + a large quantity of darts and other machines of war into it, and contrived + to get every thing thither that might any way contribute to its + inhabitants' security, under the longest siege possible. + </p> + <p> + 3. Now within this place there grew a sort of rue <a href="#link7note-10" + name="link7noteref-10" id="link7noteref-10">10</a> that deserves our + wonder on account of its largeness, for it was no way inferior to any fig + tree whatsoever, either in height or in thickness; and the report is, that + it had lasted ever since the times of Herod, and would probably have + lasted much longer, had it not been cut down by those Jews who took + possession of the place afterward. But still in that valley which + encompasses the city on the north side there is a certain place called + Baaras, which produces a root of the same name with itself <a + href="#link7note-11" name="link7noteref-11" id="link7noteref-11">11</a> + its color is like to that of flame, and towards the evenings it sends out + a certain ray like lightning. It is not easily taken by such as would do + it, but recedes from their hands, nor will yield itself to be taken + quietly, until either the urine of a woman, or her menstrual blood, be + poured upon it; nay, even then it is certain death to those that touch it, + unless any one take and hang the root itself down from his hand, and so + carry it away. It may also be taken another way, without danger, which is + this: they dig a trench quite round about it, till the hidden part of the + root be very small, they then tie a dog to it, and when the dog tries hard + to follow him that tied him, this root is easily plucked up, but the dog + dies immediately, as if it were instead of the man that would take the + plant away; nor after this need any one be afraid of taking it into their + hands. Yet, after all this pains in getting, it is only valuable on + account of one virtue it hath, that if it be only brought to sick persons, + it quickly drives away those called demons, which are no other than the + spirits of the wicked, that enter into men that are alive and kill them, + unless they can obtain some help against them. Here are also fountains of + hot water, that flow out of this place, which have a very different taste + one from the other; for some of them are bitter, and others of them are + plainly sweet. Here are also many eruptions of cold waters, and this not + only in the places that lie lower, and have their fountains near one + another, but, what is still more wonderful, here is to be seen a certain + cave hard by, whose cavity is not deep, but it is covered over by a rock + that is prominent; above this rock there stand up two [hills or] breasts, + as it were, but a little distant one from another, the one of which sends + out a fountain that is very cold, and the other sends out one that is very + hot; which waters, when they are mingled together, compose a most pleasant + bath; they are medicinal indeed for other maladies, but especially good + for strengthening the nerves. This place has in it also mines of sulfur + and alum. + </p> + <p> + 4. Now when Bassus had taken a full view of this place, he resolved to + besiege it, by filling up the valley that lay on the east side; so he fell + hard to work, and took great pains to raise his banks as soon as possible, + and by that means to render the siege easy. As for the Jews that were + caught in this place, they separated themselves from the strangers that + were with them, and they forced those strangers, as an otherwise useless + multitude, to stay in the lower part of the city, and undergo the + principal dangers, while they themselves seized on the upper citadel, and + held it, and this both on account of its strength, and to provide for + their own safety. They also supposed they might obtain their pardon, in + case they should [at last] surrender the citadel. However, they were + willing to make trial, in the first place, whether the hopes they had of + avoiding a siege would come to any thing; with which intention they made + sallies every day, and fought with those that met them; in which conflicts + they were many of them slain, as they therein slew many of the Romans. But + still it was the opportunities that presented themselves which chiefly + gained both sides their victories; these were gained by the Jews, when + they fell upon the Romans as they were off their guard; but by the Romans, + when, upon the others' sallies against their banks, they foresaw their + coming, and were upon their guard when they received them. But the + conclusion of this siege did not depend upon these bickerings; but a + certain surprising accident, relating to what was done in this siege, + forced the Jews to surrender the citadel. There was a certain young man + among the besieged, of great boldness, and very active of his hand, his + name was Eleazar; he greatly signalized himself in those sallies, and + encouraged the Jews to go out in great numbers, in order to hinder the + raising of the banks, and did the Romans a vast deal of mischief when they + came to fighting; he so managed matters, that those who sallied out made + their attacks easily, and returned back without danger, and this by still + bringing up the rear himself. Now it happened that, on a certain time, + when the fight was over, and both sides were parted, and retired home, he, + in way of contempt of the enemy, and thinking that none of them would + begin the fight again at that time, staid without the gates, and talked + with those that were upon the wall, and his mind was wholly intent upon + what they said. Now a certain person belonging to the Roman camp, whose + name was Rufus, by birth an Egyptian, ran upon him suddenly, when nobody + expected such a thing, and carried him off, with his armor itself; while, + in the mean time, those that saw it from the wall were under such an + amazement, that Rufus prevented their assistance, and carried Eleazar to + the Roman camp. So the general of the Romans ordered that he should be + taken up naked, set before the city to be seen, and sorely whipped before + their eyes. Upon this sad accident that befell the young man, the Jews + were terribly confounded, and the city, with one voice, sorely lamented + him, and the mourning proved greater than could well be supposed upon the + calamity of a single person. When Bassus perceived that, he began to think + of using a stratagem against the enemy, and was desirous to aggravate + their grief, in order to prevail with them to surrender the city for the + preservation of that man. Nor did he fail of his hope; for he commanded + them to set up a cross, as if he were just going to hang Eleazar upon it + immediately; the sight of this occasioned a sore grief among those that + were in the citadel, and they groaned vehemently, and cried out that they + could not bear to see him thus destroyed. Whereupon Eleazar besought them + not to disregard him, now he was going to suffer a most miserable death, + and exhorted them to save themselves, by yielding to the Roman power and + good fortune, since all other people were now conquered by them. These men + were greatly moved with what he said, there being also many within the + city that interceded for him, because he was of an eminent and very + numerous family; so they now yielded to their passion of commiseration, + contrary to their usual custom. Accordingly, they sent out immediately + certain messengers, and treated with the Romans, in order to a surrender + of the citadel to them, and desired that they might be permitted to go + away, and take Eleazar along with them. Then did the Romans and their + general accept of these terms; while the multitude of strangers that were + in the lower part of the city, hearing of the agreement that was made by + the Jews for themselves alone, were resolved to fly away privately in the + night time; but as soon as they had opened their gates, those that had + come to terms with Bassus told him of it; whether it were that they envied + the others' deliverance, or whether it were done out of fear, lest an + occasion should be taken against them upon their escape, is uncertain. The + most courageous, therefore, of those men that went out prevented the + enemy, and got away, and fled for it; but for those men that were caught +within they were slain to the number of one thousand seven hundred, as +were the women and children made slaves. But as Bassus thought he must +perform the covenant he had made with those that surrendered the +citadel, he let them go, and restored Eleazar to them. + </p> + <p> + 5. When Bassus had settled these affairs, he marched hastily to the forest + of Jarden, as it is called; for he had heard that a great many of those + that had fled from Jerusalem and Machaerus formerly were there gotten + together. When he was therefore come to the place, and understood that the + former news was no mistake, he, in the first place, surrounded the whole + place with his horsemen, that such of the Jews as had boldness enough to + try to break through might have no way possible for escaping, by reason of + the situation of these horsemen; and for the footmen, he ordered them to + cut down the trees that were in the wood whither they were fled. So the + Jews were under a necessity of performing some glorious exploit, and of + greatly exposing themselves in a battle, since they might perhaps thereby + escape. So they made a general attack, and with a great shout fell upon + those that surrounded them, who received them with great courage; and so + while the one side fought desperately, and the others would not yield, the + fight was prolonged on that account. But the event of the battle did not + answer the expectation of the assailants; for so it happened, that no more + than twelve fell on the Roman side, with a few that were wounded; but not + one of the Jews escaped out of this battle, but they were all killed, + being in the whole not fewer in number than three thousand, together with + Judas, the son of Jairus, their general, concerning whom we have before + spoken, that he had been a captain of a certain band at the siege of + Jerusalem, and by going down into a certain vault under ground, had + privately made his escape. + </p> + <p> + 6. About the same time it was that Caesar sent a letter to Bassus, and to + Liberius Maximus, who was the procurator [of Judea], and gave order that + all Judea should be exposed to sale <a href="#link7note-12" + name="link7noteref-12" id="link7noteref-12">12</a> for he did not found + any city there, but reserved the country for himself. However, he assigned + a place for eight hundred men only, whom he had dismissed from his army, + which he gave them for their habitation; it is called Emmaus, <a + href="#link7note-13" name="link7noteref-13" id="link7noteref-13">13</a> + and is distant from Jerusalem threescore furlongs. He also laid a tribute + upon the Jews wheresoever they were, and enjoined every one of them to + bring two drachmae every year into the Capitol, as they used to pay the + same to the temple at Jerusalem. And this was the state of the Jewish + affairs at this time. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link72HCH0007" id="link72HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 7. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Concerning The Calamity That Befell Antiochus, King Of + Commagene. As Also Concerning The Alans And What Great + Mischiefs They Did To The Medes And Armenians. +</pre> + <p> + 1. And now, in the fourth year of the reign of Vespasian, it came to pass + that Antiochus, the king of Commagene, with all his family, fell into very + great calamities. The occasion was this: Cesennius Petus, who was + president of Syria at this time, whether it were done out of regard to + truth, or whether out of hatred to Antiochus, [for which was the real + motive was never thoroughly discovered,] sent an epistle to Caesar, and + therein told him that Antiochus, with his son Epiphanes, had resolved to + rebel against the Romans, and had made a league with the king of Parthia + to that purpose; that it was therefore fit to prevent them, lest they + prevent us, and begin such a war as may cause a general disturbance in the + Roman empire. Now Caesar was disposed to take some care about the matter, + since this discovery was made; for the neighborhood of the kingdoms made + this affair worthy of greater regard; for Samoseta, the capital of + Commagene, lies upon Euphrates, and upon any such design could afford an + easy passage over it to the Parthians, and could also afford them a secure + reception. Petus was accordingly believed, and had authority given him of + doing what he should think proper in the case; so he set about it without + delay, and fell upon Commagene before Antiochus and his people had the + least expectation of his coming: he had with him the tenth legion, as also + some cohorts and troops of horsemen. These kings also came to his + assistance: Aristobulus, king of the country called Chalcidene, and + Sohemus, who was called king of Emesa. Nor was there any opposition made + to his forces when they entered the kingdom; for no one of that country + would so much as lift up his hand against them. When Antiochus heard this + unexpected news, he could not think in the least of making war with the + Romans, but determined to leave his whole kingdom in the state wherein it + now was, and to retire privately, with his wife and children, as thinking + thereby to demonstrate himself to the Romans to be innocent as to the + accusation laid against him. So he went away from that city as far as a + hundred and twenty furlongs, into a plain, and there pitched his tents. + </p> + <p> + 2. Petus then sent some of his men to seize upon Samosate, and by their + means took possession of that city, while he went himself to attack + Antiochus with the rest of his army. However, the king was not prevailed + upon by the distress he was in to do any thing in the way of war against + the Romans, but bemoaned his own hard fate, and endured with patience what + he was not able to prevent. But his sons, who were young, and + unexperienced in war, but of strong bodies, were not easily induced to + bear this calamity without fighting. Epiphanes, therefore, and Callinicus, + betook themselves to military force; and as the battle was a sore one, and + lasted all the day long, they showed their own valor in a remarkable + manner, and nothing but the approach of night put a period thereto, and + that without any diminution of their forces; yet would not Antiochus, upon + this conclusion of the fight, continue there by any means, but took his + wife and his daughters, and fled away with them to Cilicia, and by so + doing quite discouraged the minds of his own soldiers. Accordingly, they + revolted, and went over to the Romans, out of the despair they were in of + his keeping the kingdom; and his case was looked upon by all as quite + desperate. It was therefore necessary that Epiphanes and his soldiers + should get clear of their enemies before they became entirely destitute of + any confederates; nor were there any more than ten horsemen with him, who + passed with him over Euphrates, whence they went undisturbed to Vologeses, + the king of Parthia, where they were not disregarded as fugitives, but had + the same respect paid them as if they had retained their ancient + prosperity. + </p> + <p> + 3. Now when Antiochus was come to Tarsus in Cilicia, Petus ordered a + centurion to go to him, and send him in bonds to Rome. However, Vespasian + could not endure to have a king brought to him in that manner, but thought + it fit rather to have a regard to the ancient friendship that had been + between them, than to preserve an inexorable anger upon pretense of this + war. Accordingly, he gave orders that they should take off his bonds, + while he was still upon the road, and that he should not come to Rome, but + should now go and live at Lacedemon; he also gave him large revenues, that + he might not only live in plenty, but like a king also. When Epiphanes, + who before was in great fear for his father, was informed of this, their + minds were freed from that great and almost incurable concern they had + been under. He also hoped that Caesar would be reconciled to them, upon + the intercession of Vologeses; for although he lived in plenty, he knew + not how to bear living out of the Roman empire. So Caesar gave him leave, + after an obliging manner, and he came to Rome; and as his father came + quickly to him from Lacedemon, he had all sorts of respect paid him there, + and there he remained. + </p> + <p> + 4. Now there was a nation of the Alans, which we have formerly mentioned + some where as being Scythians and inhabiting at the lake Meotis. This + nation about this time laid a design of falling upon Media, and the parts + beyond it, in order to plunder them; with which intention they treated + with the king of Hyrcania; for he was master of that passage which king + Alexander [the Great] shut up with iron gates. This king gave them leave + to come through them; so they came in great multitudes, and fell upon the + Medes unexpectedly, and plundered their country, which they found full of + people, and replenished with abundance of cattle, while nobody durst make + any resistance against them; for Paeorus, the king of the country, had + fled away for fear into places where they could not easily come at him, + and had yielded up every thing he had to them, and had only saved his wife + and his concubines from them, and that with difficulty also, after they + had been made captives, by giving them a hundred talents for their ransom. + These Alans therefore plundered the country without opposition, and with + great ease, and proceeded as far as Armenia, laying all waste before them. + Now Tiridates was king of that country, who met them, and fought them, but + had like to have been taken alive in the battle; for a certain man threw a + net over him from a great distance, and had soon drawn him to him, unless + he had immediately cut the cord with his sword, and ran away, and + prevented it. So the Alans, being still more provoked by this sight, laid + waste the country, and drove a great multitude of the men, and a great + quantity of the other prey they had gotten out of both kingdoms, along + with them, and then retreated back to their own country. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link72HCH0008" id="link72HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 8. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Concerning Masada And Those Sicarii Who Kept It; And How + Silva Betook Himself To Form The Siege Of That Citadel. + Eleazar's Speeches To The Besieged. +</pre> + <p> + 1. When Bassus was dead in Judea, Flavius Silva succeeded him as + procurator there; who, when he saw that all the rest of the country was + subdued in this war, and that there was but one only strong hold that was + still in rebellion, he got all his army together that lay in different + places, and made an expedition against it. This fortress was called + Masada. It was one Eleazar, a potent man, and the commander of these + Sicarii, that had seized upon it. He was a descendant from that Judas who + had persuaded abundance of the Jews, as we have formerly related, not to + submit to the taxation when Cyrenius was sent into Judea to make one; for + then it was that the Sicarii got together against those that were willing + to submit to the Romans, and treated them in all respects as if they had + been their enemies, both by plundering them of what they had, by driving + away their cattle, and by setting fire to their houses; for they said that + they differed not at all from foreigners, by betraying, in so cowardly a + manner, that freedom which Jews thought worthy to be contended for to the + utmost, and by owning that they preferred slavery under the Romans before + such a contention. Now this was in reality no better than a pretense and a + cloak for the barbarity which was made use of by them, and to color over + their own avarice, which they afterwards made evident by their own + actions; for those that were partners with them in their rebellion joined + also with them in the war against the Romans, and went further lengths + with them in their impudent undertakings against them; and when they were + again convicted of dissembling in such their pretenses, they still more + abused those that justly reproached them for their wickedness. And indeed + that was a time most fertile in all manner of wicked practices, insomuch + that no kind of evil deeds were then left undone; nor could any one so + much as devise any bad thing that was new, so deeply were they all + infected, and strove with one another in their single capacity, and in + their communities, who should run the greatest lengths in impiety towards + God, and in unjust actions towards their neighbors; the men of power + oppressing the multitude, and the multitude earnestly laboring to destroy + the men of power. The one part were desirous of tyrannizing over others, + and the rest of offering violence to others, and of plundering such as + were richer than themselves. They were the Sicarii who first began these + transgressions, and first became barbarous towards those allied to them, + and left no words of reproach unsaid, and no works of perdition untried, + in order to destroy those whom their contrivances affected. Yet did John + demonstrate by his actions that these Sicarii were more moderate than he + was himself, for he not only slew all such as gave him good counsel to do + what was right, but treated them worst of all, as the most bitter enemies + that he had among all the Citizens; nay, he filled his entire country with + ten thousand instances of wickedness, such as a man who was already + hardened sufficiently in his impiety towards God would naturally do; for + the food was unlawful that was set upon his table, and he rejected those + purifications that the law of his country had ordained; so that it was no + longer a wonder if he, who was so mad in his impiety towards God, did not + observe any rules of gentleness and common affection towards men. Again, + therefore, what mischief was there which Simon the son of Gioras did not + do? or what kind of abuses did he abstain from as to those very free-men + who had set him up for a tyrant? What friendship or kindred were there + that did not make him more bold in his daily murders? for they looked upon + the doing of mischief to strangers only as a work beneath their courage, + but thought their barbarity towards their nearest relations would be a + glorious demonstration thereof. The Idumeans also strove with these men + who should be guilty of the greatest madness! for they [all], vile + wretches as they were, cut the throats of the high priests, that so no + part of a religious regard to God might be preserved; they thence + proceeded to destroy utterly the least remains of a political government, + and introduced the most complete scene of iniquity in all instances that + were practicable; under which scene that sort of people that were called + zealots grew up, and who indeed corresponded to the name; for they + imitated every wicked work; nor, if their memory suggested any evil thing + that had formerly been done, did they avoid zealously to pursue the same; + and although they gave themselves that name from their zeal for what was + good, yet did it agree to them only by way of irony, on account of those + they had unjustly treated by their wild and brutish disposition, or as + thinking the greatest mischiefs to be the greatest good. Accordingly, they + all met with such ends as God deservedly brought upon them in way of + punishment; for all such miseries have been sent upon them as man's nature + is capable of undergoing, till the utmost period of their lives, and till + death came upon them in various ways of torment; yet might one say justly + that they suffered less than they had done, because it was impossible they + could be punished according to their deserving. But to make a lamentation + according to the deserts of those who fell under these men's barbarity, + this is not a proper place for it;—I therefore now return again to + the remaining part of the present narration. + </p> + <p> + 2. For now it was that the Roman general came, and led his army against + Eleazar and those Sicarii who held the fortress Masada together with him; + and for the whole country adjoining, he presently gained it, and put + garrisons into the most proper places of it; he also built a wall quite + round the entire fortress, that none of the besieged might easily escape; + he also set his men to guard the several parts of it; he also pitched his + camp in such an agreeable place as he had chosen for the siege, and at + which place the rock belonging to the fortress did make the nearest + approach to the neighboring mountain, which yet was a place of difficulty + for getting plenty of provisions; for it was not only food that was to be + brought from a great distance [to the army], and this with a great deal of + pain to those Jews who were appointed for that purpose, but water was also + to be brought to the camp, because the place afforded no fountain that was + near it. When therefore Silva had ordered these affairs beforehand, he + fell to besieging the place; which siege was likely to stand in need of a + great deal of skill and pains, by reason of the strength of the fortress, + the nature of which I will now describe. + </p> + <p> + 3. There was a rock, not small in circumference, and very high. It was + encompassed with valleys of such vast depth downward, that the eye could + not reach their bottoms; they were abrupt, and such as no animal could + walk upon, excepting at two places of the rock, where it subsides, in + order to afford a passage for ascent, though not without difficulty. Now, + of the ways that lead to it, one is that from the lake Asphaltites, + towards the sun-rising, and another on the west, where the ascent is + easier: the one of these ways is called the Serpent, as resembling that + animal in its narrowness and its perpetual windings; for it is broken off + at the prominent precipices of the rock, and returns frequently into + itself, and lengthening again by little and little, hath much ado to + proceed forward; and he that would walk along it must first go on one leg, + and then on the other; there is also nothing but destruction, in case your + feet slip; for on each side there is a vastly deep chasm and precipice, + sufficient to quell the courage of every body by the terror it infuses + into the mind. When, therefore, a man hath gone along this way for thirty + furlongs, the rest is the top of the hill—not ending at a small + point, but is no other than a plain upon the highest part of the mountain. + Upon this top of the hill, Jonathan the high priest first of all built a + fortress, and called it Masada: after which the rebuilding of this place + employed the care of king Herod to a great degree; he also built a wall + round about the entire top of the hill, seven furlongs long; it was + composed of white stone; its height was twelve, and its breadth eight + cubits; there were also erected upon that wall thirty-eight towers, each + of them fifty cubits high; out of which you might pass into lesser + edifices, which were built on the inside, round the entire wall; for the + king reserved the top of the hill, which was of a fat soil, and better + mould than any valley for agriculture, that such as committed themselves + to this fortress for their preservation might not even there be quite + destitute of food, in case they should ever be in want of it from abroad. + Moreover, he built a palace therein at the western ascent; it was within + and beneath the walls of the citadel, but inclined to its north side. Now + the wall of this palace was very high and strong, and had at its four + corners towers sixty cubits high. The furniture also of the edifices, and + of the cloisters, and of the baths, was of great variety, and very costly; + and these buildings were supported by pillars of single stones on every + side; the walls and also the floors of the edifices were paved with stones + of several colors. He also had cut many and great pits, as reservoirs for + water, out of the rocks, at every one of the places that were inhabited, + both above and round about the palace, and before the wall; and by this + contrivance he endeavored to have water for several uses, as if there had + been fountains there. Here was also a road digged from the palace, and + leading to the very top of the mountain, which yet could not be seen by + such as were without [the walls]; nor indeed could enemies easily make use + of the plain roads; for the road on the east side, as we have already + taken notice, could not be walked upon, by reason of its nature; and for + the western road, he built a large tower at its narrowest place, at no + less a distance from the top of the hill than a thousand cubits; which + tower could not possibly be passed by, nor could it be easily taken; nor + indeed could those that walked along it without any fear [such was its + contrivance] easily get to the end of it; and after such a manner was this + citadel fortified, both by nature and by the hands of men, in order to + frustrate the attacks of enemies. + </p> + <p> + 4. As for the furniture that was within this fortress, it was still more + wonderful on account of its splendor and long continuance; for here was + laid up corn in large quantities, and such as would subsist men for a long + time; here was also wine and oil in abundance, with all kinds of pulse and + dates heaped up together; all which Eleazar found there, when he and his + Sicarii got possession of the fortress by treachery. These fruits were + also fresh and full ripe, and no way inferior to such fruits newly laid + in, although they were little short of a hundred years <a + href="#link7note-14" name="link7noteref-14" id="link7noteref-14">14</a> + from the laying in these provisions [by Herod], till the place was taken + by the Romans; nay, indeed, when the Romans got possession of those fruits + that were left, they found them not corrupted all that while; nor should + we be mistaken, if we supposed that the air was here the cause of their + enduring so long; this fortress being so high, and so free from the + mixture of all terrain and muddy particles of matter. There was also found + here a large quantity of all sorts of weapons of war, which had been + treasured up by that king, and were sufficient for ten thousand men; there + was cast iron, and brass, and tin, which show that he had taken much pains + to have all things here ready for the greatest occasions; for the report + goes how Herod thus prepared this fortress on his own account, as a refuge + against two kinds of danger; the one for fear of the multitude of the + Jews, lest they should depose him, and restore their former kings to the + government; the other danger was greater and more terrible, which arose + from Cleopatra queen of Egypt, who did not conceal her intentions, but + spoke often to Antony, and desired him to cut off Herod, and entreated him + to bestow the kingdom of Judea upon her. And certainly it is a great + wonder that Antony did never comply with her commands in this point, as he + was so miserably enslaved to his passion for her; nor should any one have + been surprised if she had been gratified in such her request. So the fear + of these dangers made Herod rebuild Masada, and thereby leave it for the + finishing stroke of the Romans in this Jewish war. + </p> + <p> + 5. Since therefore the Roman commander Silva had now built a wall on the + outside, round about this whole place, as we have said already, and had + thereby made a most accurate provision to prevent any one of the besieged + running away, he undertook the siege itself, though he found but one + single place that would admit of the banks he was to raise; for behind + that tower which secured the road that led to the palace, and to the top + of the hill from the west; there was a certain eminency of the rock, very + broad and very prominent, but three hundred cubits beneath the highest + part of Masada; it was called the White Promontory. Accordingly, he got + upon that part of the rock, and ordered the army to bring earth; and when + they fell to that work with alacrity, and abundance of them together, the + bank was raised, and became solid for two hundred cubits in height. Yet + was not this bank thought sufficiently high for the use of the engines + that were to be set upon it; but still another elevated work of great + stones compacted together was raised upon that bank; this was fifty + cubits, both in breadth and height. The other machines that were now got + ready were like to those that had been first devised by Vespasian, and + afterwards by Titus, for sieges. There was also a tower made of the height + of sixty cubits, and all over plated with iron, out of which the Romans + threw darts and stones from the engines, and soon made those that fought + from the walls of the place to retire, and would not let them lift up + their heads above the works. At the same time Silva ordered that great + battering ram which he had made to be brought thither, and to be set + against the wall, and to make frequent batteries against it, which with + some difficulty broke down a part of the wall, and quite overthrew it. + However, the Sicarii made haste, and presently built another wall within + that, which should not be liable to the same misfortune from the machines + with the other; it was made soft and yielding, and so was capable of + avoiding the terrible blows that affected the other. It was framed after + the following manner: They laid together great beams of wood lengthways, + one close to the end of another, and the same way in which they were cut: + there were two of these rows parallel to one another, and laid at such a + distance from each other as the breadth of the wall required, and earth + was put into the space between those rows. Now, that the earth might not + fall away upon the elevation of this bank to a greater height, they + further laid other beams over cross them, and thereby bound those beams + together that lay lengthways. This work of theirs was like a real edifice; + and when the machines were applied, the blows were weakened by its + yielding; and as the materials by such concussion were shaken closer + together, the pile by that means became firmer than before. When Silva saw + this, he thought it best to endeavor the taking of this wall by setting + fire to it; so he gave order that the soldiers should throw a great number + of burning torches upon it: accordingly, as it was chiefly made of wood, + it soon took fire; and when it was once set on fire, its hollowness made + that fire spread to a mighty flame. Now, at the very beginning of this + fire, a north wind that then blew proved terrible to the Romans; for by + bringing the flame downward, it drove it upon them, and they were almost + in despair of success, as fearing their machines would be burnt: but after + this, on a sudden the wind changed into the south, as if it were done by + Divine Providence, and blew strongly the contrary way, and carried the + flame, and drove it against the wall, which was now on fire through its + entire thickness. So the Romans, having now assistance from God, returned + to their camp with joy, and resolved to attack their enemies the very next + day; on which occasion they set their watch more carefully that night, + lest any of the Jews should run away from them without being discovered. + </p> + <p> + 6. However, neither did Eleazar once think of flying away, nor would he + permit any one else to do so; but when he saw their wall burned down by + the fire, and could devise no other way of escaping, or room for their + further courage, and setting before their eyes what the Romans would do to + them, their children, and their wives, if they got them into their power, + he consulted about having them all slain. Now as he judged this to be the + best thing they could do in their present circumstances, he gathered the + most courageous of his companions together, and encouraged them to take + that course by a speech <a href="#link7note-15" name="link7noteref-15" + id="link7noteref-15">15</a> which he made to them in the manner following: + "Since we, long ago, my generous friends, resolved never to be servants to + the Romans, nor to any other than to God himself, who alone is the true + and just Lord of mankind, the time is now come that obliges us to make + that resolution true in practice. And let us not at this time bring a + reproach upon ourselves for self-contradiction, while we formerly would + not undergo slavery, though it were then without danger, but must now, + together with slavery, choose such punishments also as are intolerable; I + mean this, upon the supposition that the Romans once reduce us under their + power while we are alive. We were the very first that revolted from them, + and we are the last that fight against them; and I cannot but esteem it as + a favor that God hath granted us, that it is still in our power to die + bravely, and in a state of freedom, which hath not been the case of + others, who were conquered unexpectedly. It is very plain that we shall be + taken within a day's time; but it is still an eligible thing to die after + a glorious manner, together with our dearest friends. This is what our + enemies themselves cannot by any means hinder, although they be very + desirous to take us alive. Nor can we propose to ourselves any more to + fight them, and beat them. It had been proper indeed for us to have + conjectured at the purpose of God much sooner, and at the very first, when + we were so desirous of defending our liberty, and when we received such + sore treatment from one another, and worse treatment from our enemies, and + to have been sensible that the same God, who had of old taken the Jewish + nation into his favor, had now condemned them to destruction; for had he + either continued favorable, or been but in a lesser degree displeased with + us, he had not overlooked the destruction of so many men, or delivered his + most holy city to be burnt and demolished by our enemies. To be sure we + weakly hoped to have preserved ourselves, and ourselves alone, still in a + state of freedom, as if we had been guilty of no sins ourselves against + God, nor been partners with those of others; we also taught other men to + preserve their liberty. Wherefore, consider how God hath convinced us that + our hopes were in vain, by bringing such distress upon us in the desperate + state we are now in, and which is beyond all our expectations; for the + nature of this fortress which was in itself unconquerable, hath not proved + a means of our deliverance; and even while we have still great abundance + of food, and a great quantity of arms, and other necessaries more than we + want, we are openly deprived by God himself of all hope of deliverance; + for that fire which was driven upon our enemies did not of its own accord + turn back upon the wall which we had built; this was the effect of God's + anger against us for our manifold sins, which we have been guilty of in a + most insolent and extravagant manner with regard to our own countrymen; + the punishments of which let us not receive from the Romans, but from God + himself, as executed by our own hands; for these will be more moderate + than the other. Let our wives die before they are abused, and our children + before they have tasted of slavery; and after we have slain them, let us + bestow that glorious benefit upon one another mutually, and preserve + ourselves in freedom, as an excellent funeral monument for us. But first + let us destroy our money and the fortress by fire; for I am well assured + that this will be a great grief to the Romans, that they shall not be able + to seize upon our bodies, and shall fail of our wealth also; and let us + spare nothing but our provisions; for they will be a testimonial when we + are dead that we were not subdued for want of necessaries, but that, + according to our original resolution, we have preferred death before + slavery." + </p> + <p> + 7. This was Eleazar's speech to them. Yet did not the opinions of all the + auditors acquiesce therein; but although some of them were very zealous to + put his advice in practice, and were in a manner filled with pleasure at + it, and thought death to be a good thing, yet had those that were most + effeminate a commiseration for their wives and families; and when these + men were especially moved by the prospect of their own certain death, they + looked wistfully at one another, and by the tears that were in their eyes + declared their dissent from his opinion. When Eleazar saw these people in + such fear, and that their souls were dejected at so prodigious a proposal, + he was afraid lest perhaps these effeminate persons should, by their + lamentations and tears, enfeeble those that heard what he had said + courageously; so he did not leave off exhorting them, but stirred up + himself, and recollecting proper arguments for raising their courage, he + undertook to speak more briskly and fully to them, and that concerning the + immortality of the soul. So he made a lamentable groan, and fixing his + eyes intently on those that wept, he spake thus: "Truly, I was greatly + mistaken when I thought to be assisting to brave men who struggled hard + for their liberty, and to such as were resolved either to live with honor, + or else to die; but I find that you are such people as are no better than + others, either in virtue or in courage, and are afraid of dying, though + you be delivered thereby from the greatest miseries, while you ought to + make no delay in this matter, nor to await any one to give you good + advice; for the laws of our country, and of God himself, have from ancient + times, and as soon as ever we could use our reason, continually taught us, + and our forefathers have corroborated the same doctrine by their actions, + and by their bravery of mind, that it is life that is a calamity to men, + and not death; for this last affords our souls their liberty, and sends + them by a removal into their own place of purity, where they are to be + insensible of all sorts of misery; for while souls are tied down to a + mortal body, they are partakers of its miseries; and really, to speak the + truth, they are themselves dead; for the union of what is divine to what + is mortal is disagreeable. It is true, the power of the soul is great, + even when it is imprisoned in a mortal body; for by moving it after a way + that is invisible, it makes the body a sensible instrument, and causes it + to advance further in its actions than mortal nature could otherwise do. + However, when it is freed from that weight which draws it down to the + earth and is connected with it, it obtains its own proper place, and does + then become a partaker of that blessed power, and those abilities, which + are then every way incapable of being hindered in their operations. It + continues invisible, indeed, to the eyes of men, as does God himself; for + certainly it is not itself seen while it is in the body; for it is there + after an invisible manner, and when it is freed from it, it is still not + seen. It is this soul which hath one nature, and that an incorruptible one + also; but yet it is the cause of the change that is made in the body; for + whatsoever it be which the soul touches, that lives and flourishes; and + from whatsoever it is removed, that withers away and dies; such a degree + is there in it of immortality. Let me produce the state of sleep as a most + evident demonstration of the truth of what I say; wherein souls, when the + body does not distract them, have the sweetest rest depending on + themselves, and conversing with God, by their alliance to him; they then + go every where, and foretell many futurities beforehand. And why are we + afraid of death, while we are pleased with the rest that we have in sleep? + And how absurd a thing is it to pursue after liberty while we are alive, + and yet to envy it to ourselves where it will be eternal! We, therefore, + who have been brought up in a discipline of our own, ought to become an + example to others of our readiness to die. Yet, if we do stand in need of + foreigners to support us in this matter, let us regard those Indians who + profess the exercise of philosophy; for these good men do but unwillingly + undergo the time of life, and look upon it as a necessary servitude, and + make haste to let their souls loose from their bodies; nay, when no + misfortune presses them to it, nor drives them upon it, these have such a + desire of a life of immortality, that they tell other men beforehand that + they are about to depart; and nobody hinders them, but every one thinks + them happy men, and gives them letters to be carried to their familiar + friends [that are dead], so firmly and certainly do they believe that + souls converse with one another [in the other world]. So when these men + have heard all such commands that were to be given them, they deliver + their body to the fire; and, in order to their getting their soul a + separation from the body in the greatest purity, they die in the midst of + hymns of commendations made to them; for their dearest friends conduct + them to their death more readily than do any of the rest of mankind + conduct their fellow-citizens when they are going a very long journey, who + at the same time weep on their own account, but look upon the others as + happy persons, as so soon to be made partakers of the immortal order of + beings. Are not we, therefore, ashamed to have lower notions than the + Indians? and by our own cowardice to lay a base reproach upon the laws of + our country, which are so much desired and imitated by all mankind? But + put the case that we had been brought up under another persuasion, and + taught that life is the greatest good which men are capable of, and that + death is a calamity; however, the circumstances we are now in ought to be + an inducement to us to bear such calamity courageously, since it is by the + will of God, and by necessity, that we are to die; for it now appears that + God hath made such a decree against the whole Jewish nation, that we are + to be deprived of this life which [he knew] we would not make a due use + of. For do not you ascribe the occasion of our present condition to + yourselves, nor think the Romans are the true occasion that this war we + have had with them is become so destructive to us all: these things have + not come to pass by their power, but a more powerful cause hath + intervened, and made us afford them an occasion of their appearing to be + conquerors over us. What Roman weapons, I pray you, were those by which + the Jews at Cesarea were slain? On the contrary, when they were no way + disposed to rebel, but were all the while keeping their seventh day + festival, and did not so much as lift up their hands against the citizens + of Cesarea, yet did those citizens run upon them in great crowds, and cut + their throats, and the throats of their wives and children, and this + without any regard to the Romans themselves, who never took us for their + enemies till we revolted from them. But some may be ready to say, that + truly the people of Cesarea had always a quarrel against those that lived + among them, and that when an opportunity offered itself, they only + satisfied the old rancor they had against them. What then shall we say to + those of Scythopolis, who ventured to wage war with us on account of the + Greeks? Nor did they do it by way of revenge upon the Romans, when they + acted in concert with our countrymen. Wherefore you see how little our + good-will and fidelity to them profited us, while they were slain, they + and their whole families, after the most inhuman manner, which was all the + requital that was made them for the assistance they had afforded the + others; for that very same destruction which they had prevented from + falling upon the others did they suffer themselves from them, as if they + had been ready to be the actors against them. It would be too long for me + to speak at this time of every destruction brought upon us; for you cannot + but know that there was not any one Syrian city which did not slay their + Jewish inhabitants, and were not more bitter enemies to us than were the + Romans themselves; nay, even those of Damascus, <a href="#link7note-16" + name="link7noteref-16" id="link7noteref-16">16</a> when they were able to + allege no tolerable pretense against us, filled their city with the most + barbarous slaughters of our people, and cut the throats of eighteen + thousand Jews, with their wives and children. And as to the multitude of + those that were slain in Egypt, and that with torments also, we have been + informed they were more than sixty thousand; those indeed being in a + foreign country, and so naturally meeting with nothing to oppose against + their enemies, were killed in the manner forementioned. As for all those + of us who have waged war against the Romans in our own country, had we not + sufficient reason to have sure hopes of victory? For we had arms, and + walls, and fortresses so prepared as not to be easily taken, and courage + not to be moved by any dangers in the cause of liberty, which encouraged + us all to revolt from the Romans. But then these advantages sufficed us + but for a short time, and only raised our hopes, while they really + appeared to be the origin of our miseries; for all we had hath been taken + from us, and all hath fallen under our enemies, as if these advantages + were only to render their victory over us the more glorious, and were not + disposed for the preservation of those by whom these preparations were + made. And as for those that are already dead in the war, it is reasonable + we should esteem them blessed, for they are dead in defending, and not in + betraying their liberty; but as to the multitude of those that are now + under the Romans, who would not pity their condition? and who would not + make haste to die, before he would suffer the same miseries with them? + Some of them have been put upon the rack, and tortured with fire and + whippings, and so died. Some have been half devoured by wild beasts, and + yet have been reserved alive to be devoured by them a second time, in + order to afford laughter and sport to our enemies; and such of those as + are alive still are to be looked on as the most miserable, who, being so + desirous of death, could not come at it. And where is now that great city, + the metropolis of the Jewish nation, which was fortified by so many walls + round about, which had so many fortresses and large towers to defend it, + which could hardly contain the instruments prepared for the war, and which + had so many ten thousands of men to fight for it? Where is this city that + was believed to have God himself inhabiting therein? It is now demolished + to the very foundations, and hath nothing but that monument of it + preserved, I mean the camp of those that hath destroyed it, which still + dwells upon its ruins; some unfortunate old men also lie upon the ashes of + the temple, and a few women are there preserved alive by the enemy, for + our bitter shame and reproach. Now who is there that revolves these things + in his mind, and yet is able to bear the sight of the sun, though he might + live out of danger? Who is there so much his country's enemy, or so + unmanly, and so desirous of living, as not to repent that he is still + alive? And I cannot but wish that we had all died before we had seen that + holy city demolished by the hands of our enemies, or the foundations of + our holy temple dug up after so profane a manner. But since we had a + generous hope that deluded us, as if we might perhaps have been able to + avenge ourselves on our enemies on that account, though it be now become + vanity, and hath left us alone in this distress, let us make haste to die + bravely. Let us pity ourselves, our children, and our wives while it is in + our own power to show pity to them; for we were born to die, <a + href="#link7note-17" name="link7noteref-17" id="link7noteref-17">17</a> as + well as those were whom we have begotten; nor is it in the power of the + most happy of our race to avoid it. But for abuses, and slavery, and the + sight of our wives led away after an ignominious manner, with their + children, these are not such evils as are natural and necessary among men; + although such as do not prefer death before those miseries, when it is in + their power so to do, must undergo even them, on account of their own + cowardice. We revolted from the Romans with great pretensions to courage; + and when, at the very last, they invited us to preserve ourselves, we + would not comply with them. Who will not, therefore, believe that they + will certainly be in a rage at us, in case they can take us alive? + Miserable will then be the young men who will be strong enough in their + bodies to sustain many torments! miserable also will be those of elder + years, who will not be able to bear those calamities which young men might + sustain! One man will be obliged to hear the voice of his son implore help + of his father, when his hands are bound. But certainly our hands are still + at liberty, and have a sword in them; let them then be subservient to us + in our glorious design; let us die before we become slaves under our + enemies, and let us go out of the world, together with our children and + our wives, in a state of freedom. This it is that our laws command us to + do; this it is that our wives and children crave at our hands; nay, God + himself hath brought this necessity upon us; while the Romans desire the + contrary, and are afraid lest any of us should die before we are taken. + Let us therefore make haste, and instead of affording them so much + pleasure, as they hope for in getting us under their power, let us leave + them an example which shall at once cause their astonishment at our death, + and their admiration of our hardiness therein." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link72HCH0009" id="link72HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 9. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + How The People That Were In The Fortress Were Prevailed On + By The Words Of Eleazar, Two Women And Five Children Only + Excepted And All Submitted To Be Killed By One Another. +</pre> + <p> + 1. Now as Eleazar was proceeding on in this exhortation, they all cut him + off short, and made haste to do the work, as full of an unconquerable + ardor of mind, and moved with a demoniacal fury. So they went their ways, + as one still endeavoring to be before another, and as thinking that this + eagerness would be a demonstration of their courage and good conduct, if + they could avoid appearing in the last class; so great was the zeal they + were in to slay their wives and children, and themselves also! Nor indeed, + when they came to the work itself, did their courage fail them, as one + might imagine it would have done, but they then held fast the same + resolution, without wavering, which they had upon the hearing of Eleazar's + speech, while yet every one of them still retained the natural passion of + love to themselves and their families, because the reasoning they went + upon appeared to them to be very just, even with regard to those that were + dearest to them; for the husbands tenderly embraced their wives, and took + their children into their arms, and gave the longest parting kisses to + them, with tears in their eyes. Yet at the same time did they complete + what they had resolved on, as if they had been executed by the hands of + strangers; and they had nothing else for their comfort but the necessity + they were in of doing this execution, to avoid that prospect they had of + the miseries they were to suffer from their enemies. Nor was there at + length any one of these men found that scrupled to act their part in this + terrible execution, but every one of them despatched his dearest + relations. Miserable men indeed were they! whose distress forced them to + slay their own wives and children with their own hands, as the lightest of + those evils that were before them. So they being not able to bear the + grief they were under for what they had done any longer, and esteeming it + an injury to those they had slain, to live even the shortest space of time + after them, they presently laid all they had upon a heap, and set fire to + it. They then chose ten men by lot out of them to slay all the rest; every + one of whom laid himself down by his wife and children on the ground, and + threw his arms about them, and they offered their necks to the stroke of + those who by lot executed that melancholy office; and when these ten had, + without fear, slain them all, they made the same rule for casting lots for + themselves, that he whose lot it was should first kill the other nine, and + after all should kill himself. Accordingly, all these had courage + sufficient to be no way behind one another in doing or suffering; so, for + a conclusion, the nine offered their necks to the executioner, and he who + was the last of all took a view of all the other bodies, lest perchance + some or other among so many that were slain should want his assistance to + be quite despatched, and when he perceived that they were all slain, he + set fire to the palace, and with the great force of his hand ran his sword + entirely through himself, and fell down dead near to his own relations. So + these people died with this intention, that they would not leave so much + as one soul among them all alive to be subject to the Romans. Yet was + there an ancient woman, and another who was of kin to Eleazar, and + superior to most women in prudence and learning, with five children, who + had concealed themselves in caverns under ground, and had carried water + thither for their drink, and were hidden there when the rest were intent + upon the slaughter of one another. Those others were nine hundred and + sixty in number, the women and children being withal included in that + computation. This calamitous slaughter was made on the fifteenth day of + the month Xanthicus [Nisan]. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now for the Romans, they expected that they should be fought in the + morning, when, accordingly, they put on their armor, and laid bridges of + planks upon their ladders from their banks, to make an assault upon the + fortress, which they did; but saw nobody as an enemy, but a terrible + solitude on every side, with a fire within the place, as well as a perfect + silence. So they were at a loss to guess at what had happened. At length + they made a shout, as if it had been at a blow given by the battering ram, + to try whether they could bring any one out that was within; the women + heard this noise, and came out of their under-ground cavern, and informed + the Romans what had been done, as it was done; and the second of them + clearly described all both what was said and what was done, and this + manner of it; yet did they not easily give their attention to such a + desperate undertaking, and did not believe it could be as they said; they + also attempted to put the fire out, and quickly cutting themselves a way + through it, they came within the palace, and so met with the multitude of + the slain, but could take no pleasure in the fact, though it were done to + their enemies. Nor could they do other than wonder at the courage of their + resolution, and the immovable contempt of death which so great a number of + them had shown, when they went through with such an action as that was. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link72HCH0010" id="link72HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 10. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + That Many Of The Sicarii Fled To Alexandria Also And What + Dangers They Were In There; On Which Account That Temple + Which Had Formerly Been Built By Onias The High Priest Was + Destroyed. +</pre> + <p> + 1. When Masada was thus taken, the general left a garrison in the fortress + to keep it, and he himself went away to Cesarea; for there were now no + enemies left in the country, but it was all overthrown by so long a war. + Yet did this war afford disturbances and dangerous disorders even in + places very far remote from Judea; for still it came to pass that many + Jews were slain at Alexandria in Egypt; for as many of the Sicarii as were + able to fly thither, out of the seditious wars in Judea, were not content + to have saved themselves, but must needs be undertaking to make new + disturbances, and persuaded many of those that entertained them to assert + their liberty, to esteem the Romans to be no better than themselves, and + to look upon God as their only Lord and Master. But when part of the Jews + of reputation opposed them, they slew some of them, and with the others + they were very pressing in their exhortations to revolt from the Romans; + but when the principal men of the senate saw what madness they were come + to, they thought it no longer safe for themselves to overlook them. So + they got all the Jews together to an assembly, and accused the madness of + the Sicarii, and demonstrated that they had been the authors of all the + evils that had come upon them. They said also that "these men, now they + were run away from Judea, having no sure hope of escaping, because as soon + as ever they shall be known, they will be soon destroyed by the Romans, + they come hither and fill us full of those calamities which belong to + them, while we have not been partakers with them in any of their sins." + Accordingly, they exhorted the multitude to have a care, lest they should + be brought to destruction by their means, and to make their apology to the + Romans for what had been done, by delivering these men up to them; who + being thus apprized of the greatness of the danger they were in, complied + with what was proposed, and ran with great violence upon the Sicarii, and + seized upon them; and indeed six hundred of them were caught immediately: + but as to all those that fled into Egypt <a href="#link7note-18" + name="link7noteref-18" id="link7noteref-18">18</a> and to the Egyptian + Thebes, it was not long ere they were caught also, and brought back, whose + courage, or whether we ought to call it madness, or hardiness in their + opinions, every body was amazed at. For when all sorts of torments and + vexations of their bodies that could be devised were made use of to them, + they could not get any one of them to comply so far as to confess, or seem + to confess, that Caesar was their lord; but they preserved their own + opinion, in spite of all the distress they were brought to, as if they + received these torments and the fire itself with bodies insensible of + pain, and with a soul that in a manner rejoiced under them. But what was + most of all astonishing to the beholders was the courage of the children; + for not one of these children was so far overcome by these torments, as to + name Caesar for their lord. So far does the strength of the courage [of + the soul] prevail over the weakness of the body. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now Lupus did then govern Alexandria, who presently sent Caesar word of + this commotion; who having in suspicion the restless temper of the Jews + for innovation, and being afraid lest they should get together again, and + persuade some others to join with them, gave orders to Lupus to demolish + that Jewish temple which was in the region called Onion, <a + href="#link7note-19" name="link7noteref-19" id="link7noteref-19">19</a> + and was in Egypt, which was built and had its denomination from the + occasion following: Onias, the son of Simon, one of the Jewish high + priests fled from Antiochus the king of Syria, when he made war with the + Jews, and came to Alexandria; and as Ptolemy received him very kindly, on + account of hatred to Antiochus, he assured him, that if he would comply + with his proposal, he would bring all the Jews to his assistance; and when + the king agreed to do it so far as he was able, he desired him to give him + leave to build a temple some where in Egypt, and to worship God according + to the customs of his own country; for that the Jews would then be so much + readier to fight against Antiochus who had laid waste the temple at + Jerusalem, and that they would then come to him with greater good-will; + and that, by granting them liberty of conscience, very many of them would + come over to him. + </p> + <p> + 3. So Ptolemy complied with his proposals, and gave him a place one + hundred and eighty furlongs distant from Memphis. <a href="#link7note-20" + name="link7noteref-20" id="link7noteref-20">20</a> That Nomos was called + the Nomos of Hellopolis, where Onias built a fortress and a temple, not + like to that at Jerusalem, but such as resembled a tower. He built it of + large stones to the height of sixty cubits; he made the structure of the + altar in imitation of that in our own country, and in like manner adorned + with gifts, excepting the make of the candlestick, for he did not make a + candlestick, but had a [single] lamp hammered out of a piece of gold, + which illuminated the place with its rays, and which he hung by a chain of + gold; but the entire temple was encompassed with a wall of burnt brick, + though it had gates of stone. The king also gave him a large country for a + revenue in money, that both the priests might have a plentiful provision + made for them, and that God might have great abundance of what things were + necessary for his worship. Yet did not Onias do this out of a sober + disposition, but he had a mind to contend with the Jews at Jerusalem, and + could not forget the indignation he had for being banished thence. + Accordingly, he thought that by building this temple he should draw away a + great number from them to himself. There had been also a certain ancient + prediction made by [a prophet] whose name was Isaiah, about six hundred + years before, that this temple should be built by a man that was a Jew in + Egypt. And this is the history of the building of that temple. + </p> + <p> + 4. And now Lupus, the governor of Alexandria, upon the receipt of Caesar's + letter, came to the temple, and carried out of it some of the donations + dedicated thereto, and shut up the temple itself. And as Lupus died a + little afterward, Paulinus succeeded him. This man left none of those + donations there, and threatened the priests severely if they did not bring + them all out; nor did he permit any who were desirous of worshipping God + there so much as to come near the whole sacred place; but when he had shut + up the gates, he made it entirely inaccessible, insomuch that there + remained no longer the least footsteps of any Divine worship that had been + in that place. Now the duration of the time from the building of this + temple till it was shut up again was three hundred and forty-three years. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link72HCH0011" id="link72HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 11. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Concerning Jonathan, One Of The Sicarii, That Stirred Up A + Sedition In Cyrene, And Was A False Accuser [Of The + Innocent]. +</pre> + <p> + 1. And now did the madness of the Sicarii, like a disease, reach as far as + the cities of Cyrene; for one Jonathan, a vile person, and by trade a + weaver, came thither and prevailed with no small number of the poorer sort + to give ear to him; he also led them into the desert, upon promising them + that he would show them signs and apparitions. And as for the other Jews + of Cyrene, he concealed his knavery from them, and put tricks upon them; + but those of the greatest dignity among them informed Catullus, the + governor of the Libyan Pentapolis, of his march into the desert, and of + the preparations he had made for it. So he sent out after him both + horsemen and footmen, and easily overcame them, because they were unarmed + men; of these many were slain in the fight, but some were taken alive, and + brought to Catullus. As for Jonathan, the head of this plot, he fled away + at that time; but upon a great and very diligent search, which was made + all the country over for him, he was at last taken. And when he was + brought to Catullus, he devised a way whereby he both escaped punishment + himself, and afforded an occasion to Catullus of doing much mischief; for + he falsely accused the richest men among the Jews, and said that they had + put him upon what he did. + </p> + <p> + 2. Now Catullus easily admitted of these his calumnies, and aggravated + matters greatly, and made tragical exclamations, that he might also be + supposed to have had a hand in the finishing of the Jewish war. But what + was still harder, he did not only give a too easy belief to his stories, + but he taught the Sicarii to accuse men falsely. He bid this Jonathan, + therefore, to name one Alexander, a Jew [with whom he had formerly had a + quarrel, and openly professed that he hated him]; he also got him to name + his wife Bernice, as concerned with him. These two Catullus ordered to be + slain in the first place; nay, after them he caused all the rich and + wealthy Jews to be slain, being no fewer in all than three thousand. This + he thought he might do safely, because he confiscated their effects, and + added them to Caesar's revenues. + </p> + <p> + 3. Nay, indeed, lest any Jews that lived elsewhere should convict him of + his villainy, he extended his false accusations further, and persuaded + Jonathan, and certain others that were caught with him, to bring an + accusation of attempts for innovation against the Jews that were of the + best character both at Alexandria and at Rome. One of these, against whom + this treacherous accusation was laid, was Josephus, the writer of these + books. However, this plot, thus contrived by Catullus, did not succeed + according to his hopes; for though he came himself to Rome, and brought + Jonathan and his companions along with him in bonds, and thought he should + have had no further inquisition made as to those lies that were forged + under his government, or by his means; yet did Vespasian suspect the + matter and made an inquiry how far it was true. And when he understood + that the accusation laid against the Jews was an unjust one, he cleared + them of the crimes charged upon them, and this on account of Titus's + concern about the matter, and brought a deserved punishment upon Jonathan; + for he was first tormented, and then burnt alive. + </p> + <p> + 4. But as to Catullus, the emperors were so gentle to him, that he + underwent no severe condemnation at this time; yet was it not long before + he fell into a complicated and almost incurable distemper, and died + miserably. He was not only afflicted in body, but the distemper in his + mind was more heavy upon him than the other; for he was terribly + disturbed, and continually cried out that he saw the ghosts of those whom + he had slain standing before him. Where upon he was not able to contain + himself, but leaped out of his bed, as if both torments and fire were + brought to him. This his distemper grew still a great deal worse and worse + continually, and his very entrails were so corroded, that they fell out of + his body, and in that condition he died. Thus he became as great an + instance of Divine Providence as ever was, and demonstrated that God + punishes wicked men. + </p> + <p> + 5. And here we shall put an end to this our history; wherein we formerly + promised to deliver the same with all accuracy, to such as should be + desirous of understanding after what manner this war of the Romans with + the Jews was managed. Of which history, how good the style is, must be + left to the determination of the readers; but as for its agreement with + the facts, I shall not scruple to say, and that boldly, that truth hath + been what I have alone aimed at through its entire composition. + </p> + <p> + WAR BOOK 7 FOOTNOTES + <p> + <a name="link7note-2" id="link7note-2"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 2 (<a href="#link7noteref-2">return</a>)<br /> [ This Tereutius Rufus, as + Reland in part observes here, is the same person whom the Talmudists call + Turnus Rufus; of whom they relate, that "he ploughed up Sion as a field, + and made Jerusalem become as heaps, and the mountain of the house as the + high Idaces of a forest;" which was long before foretold by the prophet + Micah, ch. 3:12, and quoted from him in the prophecies of Jeremiah, ch. + 26:18.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link7note-3" id="link7note-3"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 3 (<a href="#link7noteref-3">return</a>)<br /> [ See Ecclesiastes 8:11.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link7note-4" id="link7note-4"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 4 (<a href="#link7noteref-4">return</a>)<br /> [ This Berytus was certainly + a Roman colony, and has coins extant that witness the same, as Hudson and + Spanheim inform us. See the note on Antiq. B. XVI: ch. 11. sect. 1.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link7note-5" id="link7note-5"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 5 (<a href="#link7noteref-5">return</a>)<br /> [ The Jews at Antioch and + Alexandria, the two principal cities in all the East, had allowed them, + both by the Macedonians, and afterwards by the Romans, a governor of their + own, who was exempt from the jurisdiction of the other civil governors. He + was called sometimes barely "governor," sometimes "ethnarch," and [at + Alexandria] "alabarch," as Dr. Hudson takes notice on this place out of + Fuller's Miscellanies. They had the like governor or governors allowed + them at Babylon under their captivity there, as the history of Susanna + implies.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link7note-6" id="link7note-6"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 6 (<a href="#link7noteref-6">return</a>)<br /> [ This Classicus, and + Civilis, and Cerealis are names well known in Tacitus; the two former as + moving sedition against the Romans, and the last as sent to repress them + by Vespasian, just as they are here described in Josephus; which is the + case also of Fontellis Agrippa and Rubrius Gallup, i, sect. 3. But as to + the very favorable account presently given of Domitian, particularly as to + his designs in this his Gallic and German expedition, it is not a little + contrary to that in Suetonius, Vesp. sect. 7. Nor are the reasons + unobvious that might occasion this great diversity: Domitian was one of + Josephus's patrons, and when he published these books of the Jewish war, + was very young, and had hardly begun those wicked practices which rendered + him so infamous afterward; while Suetonius seems to have been too young, + and too low in life, to receive any remarkable favors from him; as + Domitian was certainly very lewd and cruel, and generally hated, when + Suetonius wrote about him.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link7note-7" id="link7note-7"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 7 (<a href="#link7noteref-7">return</a>)<br /> [ Since in these latter ages + this Sabbatic River, once so famous, which, by Josephus's account here, + ran every seventh day, and rested on six, but according to Pliny, Nat. + Hist. 31. II, ran perpetually on six days, and rested every seventh, + [though it no way appears by either of their accounts that the seventh day + of this river was the Jewish seventh day or sabbath,] is quite vanished, I + shall add no more about it: only see Dr. Hudson's note. In Varenius's + Geography, i, 17, the reader will find several instances of such + periodical fountains and rivers, though none of their periods were that of + a just week as of old this appears to have been.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link7note-8" id="link7note-8"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 8 (<a href="#link7noteref-8">return</a>)<br /> [ Vespasian and his two + sons, Titus and Domitian.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link7note-9" id="link7note-9"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 9 (<a href="#link7noteref-9">return</a>)<br /> [ See the representations of + these Jewish vessels as they still stand on Titus's triumphal arch at + Rome, in Reland's very curious book de Spoliis Ternpli, throughout. But + what, things are chiefly to be noted are these: [1.] That Josephus says + the candlestick here carried in this triumph was not thoroughly like that + which was used in the temple, which appears in the number of the little + knobs and flowers in that on the triumphal arch not well agreeing with + Moses's description, Exodus 25:31-36. [2.] The smallness of the branches + in Josephus compared with the thickness of those on that arch. [3.] That + the Law or Pentateuch does not appear on that arch at all, though + Josephus, an eye-witness, assures us that it was carried in this + procession. All which things deserve the consideration of the inquisitive + reader.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link7note-10" id="link7note-10"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 10 (<a href="#link7noteref-10">return</a>)<br /> [ Spanheim observes here, + that in Graceia Major and Sicily they had rue prodigiously great and + durable, like this rue at Machaerus.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link7note-11" id="link7note-11"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 11 (<a href="#link7noteref-11">return</a>)<br /> [ This strange account of + the place and root Baaras seems to have been taken from the magicians, and + the root to have been made use of in the days of Josephus, in that + superstitious way of casting out demons, supposed by him to have been + derived from king Solomon; of which we have already seen he had a great + opinion, Antiq. B. VIII. ch. 2. sect. 5. We also may hence learn the true + notion Josephus had of demons and demoniacs, exactly like that of the Jews + and Christians in the New Testament, and the first four centuries. See + Antiq. B. I. ch. 8. sect. 2; B. XI, ch. 2. sect. 3.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link7note-12" id="link7note-12"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 12 (<a href="#link7noteref-12">return</a>)<br /> [ It is very remarkable + that Titus did not people this now desolate country of Judea, but ordered + it to be all sold; nor indeed is it properly peopled at this day, but lies + ready for its old inhabitants the Jews, at their future restoration. See + Literal Accomplishment of Prophecies, p. 77.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link7note-13" id="link7note-13"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 13 (<a href="#link7noteref-13">return</a>)<br /> [ That the city Emmaus, or + Areindus, in Josephus and others which was the place of the government of + Julius Africanus were slain, to the number of one thousand seven hundred, + as were the women and the children made slaves. But as Bassus thought he + must perform the covenant he had made with those that had surrendered the + citadel, he let them go, and restored Eleazar to them, in the beginning of + the third century, and which he then procured to be rebuilt, and after + which rebuilding it was called Nicopolis, is entirely different from that + Emmaus which is mentioned by St. Luke 24;13; see Reland's Paleestina, lib. + II. p. 429, and under the name Ammaus also. But he justly thinks that that + in St. Luke may well be the same with his Ammaus before us, especially + since the Greek copies here usually make it sixty furlongs distant from + Jerusalem, as does St. Luke, though the Latin copies say only thirty. The + place also allotted for these eight hundred soldiers, as for a Roman + garrison, in this place, would most naturally be not so remote from + Jerusalem as was the other Emmaus, or Nicopolis.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link7note-14" id="link7note-14"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 14 (<a href="#link7noteref-14">return</a>)<br /> [ Pliny and others confirm + this strange paradox, that provisions laid up against sieges will continue + good for a hundred years, as Spanheim notes upon this place.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link7note-15" id="link7note-15"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 15 (<a href="#link7noteref-15">return</a>)<br /> [ The speeches in this and + the next section, as introduced under the person of this Eleazar, are + exceeding remarkable, and of the noblest subjects, the contempt of death, + and the dignity and immortality of the soul; and that not only among the + Jews, but among the Indians themselves also; and are highly worthy the + perusal of all the curious. It seems as if that philosophic lady who + survived, ch. 9. sect. 1, 2, remembered the substance of these discourses, + as spoken by Eleazar, and so Josephus clothed them in his own words: at + the lowest they contain the Jewish notions on these heads, as understood + then by our Josephus, and cannot but deserve a suitable regard from us.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link7note-16" id="link7note-16"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 16 (<a href="#link7noteref-16">return</a>)<br /> [ See B. II. ch. 20. sect. + 2, where the number of the slain is but 10,000.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link7note-17" id="link7note-17"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 17 (<a href="#link7noteref-17">return</a>)<br /> [ Reland here sets down a + parallel aphorism of one of the Jewish Rabbins, "We are born that we may + die, and die that we may live."] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link7note-18" id="link7note-18"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 18 (<a href="#link7noteref-18">return</a>)<br /> [ Since Josephus here + informs us that some of these Sicarii, or ruffians, went from Alexandria + [which was itself in Egypt, in a large sense] into Egypt, and Thebes there + situated, Reland well observes, from Vossius, that Egypt sometimes denotes + Proper or Upper Egypt, as distinct from the Delta, and the lower parts + near Palestine. Accordingly, as he adds, those that say it never rains in + Egypt must mean the Proper or Upper Egypt, because it does sometimes rain + in the other parts. See the note on Antiq. B. II. ch. 7. sect. 7, and B. + III. ch. 1. sect. 6.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link7note-19" id="link7note-19"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 19 (<a href="#link7noteref-19">return</a>)<br /> [ Of this temple of + Onias's building in Egypt, see the notes on Antiq. B. XIII. ch. 3. sect. + 1. But whereas it is elsewhere, both of the War, B. I. ch. 1. sect. 1, and + in the Antiquities as now quoted, said that this temple was like to that + at Jerusalem, and here that it was not like it, but like a tower, sect. 3, + there is some reason to suspect the reading here, and that either the + negative particle is here to be blotted out, or the word entirely added.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link7note-20" id="link7note-20"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 20 (<a href="#link7noteref-20">return</a>)<br /> [ We must observe, that + Josephus here speaks of Antiochus who profaned the temple as now alive, + when Onias had leave given them by Philometer to build his temple; whereas + it seems not to have been actually built till about fifteen years + afterwards. Yet, because it is said in the Antiquities that Onias went to + Philometer, B. XII. ch. 9. sect. 7, during the lifetime of that Antiochus, + it is probable he petitioned, and perhaps obtained his leave then, though + it were not actually built or finished till fifteen years afterward.] + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Wars of the Jews or History of the +Destruction of Jerusalem, by Flavius Josephus + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WARS OF THE JEWS *** + +***** This file should be named 2850-h.htm or 2850-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/5/2850/ + +Produced by David Reed, and David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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