“The” Genuine Works of Flavius Josephus, the Jewish Historian

it where was the corner, and over against But on the outsides these hills are surrounded that tower which was called Psephinus: at by deep valleys; and, by reason of the preci-' which tower the compass of the wall belong-pices to them belonging on both sides, they ing to the north bended and extended itself are every where unpassable. over against the west. But the other part of the army fortified itself at the tower called Hippicus; and was distant, in like manner, but two furlongs from the city. However the tenth legion continued in its own place, upon the mount of Olives.

CHAP. IV.

A DESCRIPTION OF JERUSALEM.

THE city of Jerusalem was fortified with walls, warts, as were not 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 Asmoneans 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 bath sweet water in it, and this in great plenty also.

Perhaps, says Dr. Hudson, here was that gate, called the gate of the corner, in 2 Ch. xxvi. 9. See chap. iv. + See Antiq. XX. 2.

See 2 Kings xviii. 17. Isaiah vii. 3.

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 situate, 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 cloistor of the temples. ter 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 Essenes; 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 was then so far extended till it came over against the monuments of Helena, queen of Adiabene, the † mother of Izates. It then extended farther 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 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

§ Cities were usually bounded by walls; but the increase of their population rendering it impossible for the inhabitants to be accommodated within them, gave rise to suburbs and liberties. B.

northward of the temple, and joined that bill | great magnificence; and over them upper to the city, made it considerably larger, and rooms, and cisterus to receive rain-water. occasioned that hill, which is in number the They were many in number: and the steps fourth, and is called * Bezetha, to be inhabit- by which you ascended up to them were every ed also. It lies over against the tower Antonia: one broad. Of these towers then the third wall but is divided from it by a deep valley, which had ninety and the spaces between them was dug on purpose: and that in order to were each two hundred cubits. But in the hinder the foundations of the tower of Antonia middle wall were forty towers; and the old from joining to this hill, and thereby affording wall was parted into sixty; while the coman opportunity for getting to it with ease, and pass of the city was thirty-three furlongs. hindering the security that arose from its su- Now the third wall was all of it wonderful. perior elevation. For which reason also that Yet was the tower Psephinus elevated above depth of the ditch made the elevation of the it at the north-west corner: and there Titus towers more remarkable. This new built part pitched his own tent. For being seventy cuof the city was called Bezetha, in our own lan- bits high, it both afforded a prospect of guage which, if interpreted in the Grecian Arabia, at sun-rising, as well as of the utmost language, may be called the New City. Since, limits of the Hebrew possessions at the sea therefore, its inhabitants stood in need of a westward. Moreover it was an octagon, and covering, the father of the present king, and over against it was the tower Hippicus; and of the same name with him, Agrippa, began hard by it two others were erected by king that wall we spoke of. But the left off Herod, in the old wall. These were, for largebuilding it when he had only laid the founda- ness, beauty, and strength, beyond all that tions; out of the fear he was in of Claudius were in the habitable earth. For besides the Cæsar; lest he should suspect that so strong magnanimity of his nature, and his magnifia wall was built in order to make some inno-cence towards the city on other occasions, he vation 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 alti-twenty cubits deep. Over which there was a tude extended as far as twenty-five cubits.

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

*Bethesda. See John v. 2. + See Antiq. XIX. 7.

built these after 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, viz. 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

house of two stories, whose height was twentyfive cubits, and divided into several parts; and over this were battlements, of two cubits; and turrets all round of three cubits high. Insomuch that the entire height added together amounted to eighty cubits. The second tower, which he named from his brother Phasaelus, had its breadth and its height equal; each of forty cubits. Over which was its solid height

See Book I. chap. 22.

of forty cubits and above this a cloister went || the hands of the artificers into their present round about, whose height was ten cubits: shape: so little did their joints and connection and it was covered from enemies by breast- appear. Now as these towers were themselves works and bulwarks. There was also built on the north side of the wall, the king had a over that cloister another tower, parted into palace inwardly thereto adjoined, which exmagnificent rooms, and a place for bathing. ceeds all my ability to describe it. For it was So that this tower wanted nothing that might so very curious as to want no cost nor skill in make it appear to be a royal palace. It was its construction; but was entirely walled about also adorned with battlements and turrets, to the height of thirty cubits; and was adorned more than was the foregoing. And the entire with towers at equal distances, and with large altitude was about ninety cubits. The appear-bed-chambers, each of which would contain ance of it resembled the tower of Pharos, beds for an hundred guests. The variety of which exhibited a fire to such as sailed to the stones used in these is not to be expressed: Alexandria; but was much larger than it in for a large quantity of those that were rare of compass. This was now converted to a house, that kind was collected together. Their roofs wherein Simon exercised his tyrannical auau- were also wonderful; both for the length of thority. The third tower was Mariamne; for the beams, and the splendor of their ornaments. that was his queen's name. It was solid as The number of the rooms were also very great, high as twenty cubits. Its breadth and its and the variety of the figures that were about length were twenty cubits; and were equal to them was prodigious. Their furniture was each other. Its upper buildings were more complete; and the greatest part of the vessels magnificent, and had greater variety, than the that were in them was of silver and gold. other towers had. For the king thought it There were besides many porticoes one bemost proper for him to adorn that which was yond another, round about: and in each of denominated from his wife, better than those those porticoes curious pillars. Yet were all denominated from men: as those were built the courts that were exposed to the air every stronger than this that bore his wife's name. where green. There were also several groves The entire height of this tower was fifty-five of trees, and long walks through them, with cubits. deep canals and cisterns, that in several parts were filled with brazen statutes, through which the water ran out. There were likewise many dove-courts 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.

Now as these towers were so very high, 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 situate, 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 larger ones only as men could carry; but they were made of white marble, cut out of the rock. Each stone was twenty cubits in length, 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

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.
+ See Book II. chap. 17.

CHAP. V.

A DESCRIPTION OF THE TEMPLE.

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.

five cubits in height, and supported the cloisters. These pillars were each of one entire block of 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 adorn

NOW the temple, as I have already said, was built upon a strong hill. At first Now the works that were above these the plain at the top was hardly sufficient for foundations were not unworthy of such foundathe holy house, and the altar: for the ground tions. For all the cloisters were double: and about it was very uneven, and like a preci-the pillars to them belonging were twentypice. But when king Solomon, who was the person that erected the temple, 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; and the hill became a larger plain. They then brake down the wall on the north side, and took in as much as sufficeded with any work of the painter or engraver. 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 that 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

*See Book IV. chap. 5.

The cloisters of the exterior 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, and 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, was hidden by the steps; and on the inside

tion for those 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. XV. 11. and which Mr. Maundrel saw, and describes, page 100. as extant under ground at this day.

+ See the description of the temples hereto belonging, chap. xv. 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 after- What Josephus seems here to mean is this, that these wards by degrees, to render it capable of the cloisters for pillars, supporting the cloisters in the second court, had the other courts, &c. is without all foundation in the their foundations or lowest parts as deep as the floor of the scriptures and not at all confirmed by his exacter ac- first or lowest court; but that so far of those lowest parts count in the Antiquities. All that is or can be true here as were equal to the elevation of the upper floor above is, that when the court of the Gentiles was long afterward the lowest were, and must be hidden, on the inside by the to be encompassed with cloisters, the southern founda-ground or rock itself, on which that upper court was

that

of the House

JOSEPHUS.

The Southern Wall or the Tower of Antonia ·

A Double Scale or 300 Cubits for the Court of Israel in Solomons Temple and of 500 in Ezekiels Temple The Measures in the former being to those in
the latter as 3 to 5 The Model is 100 or the originals in near measure: 10000 in Surface: and 1000000 in Solidily. This Plan is to of that Model in linear
Measure or 1000 or the originals in the same measure/Perhaps the Staircase where in the Gates and in the Corners or Kitchens.)
Court of the Gentiles

Partition Wall

in Herods Temple.

The Mountain