world itself was a better temple to God than || that true Macedonians, if they were to be this. That yet this temple would be preserved conquerors, must have Alexander's good forby him that inhabited therein; whom they tune also. still had for their assistant in this war: and Now as the Romans began to raise their did therefore laugh at all the threatenings of banks on the twelfth day of the month Artetheir enemies, which would come to nothing; misius, or Jyar,t so had they much ado to because the conclusion of the whole depend-finish them by the twenty-ninth day of the ed upon God only." These words were mixed with reproaches and with them they made a mighty clamor.

:

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 that pool which was called Struthius. Another was cast up by the twelfth legion, at a distance of about

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 child-twenty cubits from the other. But the labors hood; armed, and instructed after the Mace of the tenth legion, which lay a great way off donian manner, whence it was that they took these, were on the north quarter, and at the that name. Yet were many of them unworthy pool called Amygdalon: as were those of the of so famous a nation. For it had so happen- fifteenth legion about thirty cubits from it, and ed, that the king of Commagene had flourish- at the high-priest's monument. And now, ed more than any other kings that were under when the engines were brought, John had the Romans, till a change happened in his from within undermined the space that was condition and when he was an old man, he over against the tower of Antonia as far as declared plainly that we ought not to call the banks themselves; and had supported the any man happy before he be dead. But this ground over the mine with beams laid across son of his, who was then come thither before one another, whereby the Roman works stood his father was decaying, said, that he could upon an uncertain foundation. Then did he not but wonder what made the Romans so order such materials to be brought in as were tardy in making their attacks upon the wall. daubed over with pitch and bitumen, and set Now he was a warlike man, and naturally them on fire. And as the cross beams that bold in exposing himself to dangers. He was supported the banks were burning, the ditch also so strong a man, that his boldness seldom yielded on the sudden, and the banks were failed of having success. Upon this Titus shaken down, and fell into the ditch, with a smiled, and said, he would share the pains of prodigious noise. Now at the first bank there an attack with him. However, Antiochus arose a very thick smoke and dust, as the fire went, as he then was, and with his Macedo- was choked with the fall of the bank. But nians made a sudden assault upon the wall. as the suffocated materials were now gradualAnd, indeed, for his own part, his strengthly consumed, a plain flame brake out. and his 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

Hegesippus, the old epitomizer of Josephus, informs us, Book V. that this later Antiochus Epiphanes was the son of Antiochus, king of Commagene. He had been mentioned before, II. 18, as bringing royal auxiliary

On

which sudden appearance of the flame, a con-
sternation 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,

troops to the assistance of Vespasian, against the Jews.
The same names continuing in that family long after
that first Antiochus Epiphanes. Antiq. XIX. 5 and 9.
† A. D. 70.

if it were extinguished, the banks were swallowed up already, and become utterly useless.

their 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 occa-
sion be whatsoever it might, was to die for it.
So that body of soldiers preferring rather to
die in fighting courageously, than as a punish-
ment 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 kept
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 now fought hand to
hand with all that came in their way and
without any caution fell against the points of
their enemies'
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 cou-
rageous assaults they made upon them.
them. And
the Romans gave way more to their boldness,
than they did to the sense of the harm they had
received from them.

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 own 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 Now Titus was come from the tower of Jews hinder their succors from the wall, and Antonia, whither he was gone to look out for fought with those that endeavored to quench a place for raising other banks, and reproachthe fire, without any regard to the dangered the soldiers greatly for permitting their 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 numerous, 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,

own walls to be in danger, when they had taken the walls 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

ance.

did not flinch, though not so much from their real strength, as from their despair of deliverThe Romans also would not yield, by reason of the regard they had to glory, and to their reputation in war: and because Cæsar 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 result 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.

CHAP. XII.

TITUS CAUSES THE CITY TO BE ENCOMPASSED WITH A WALL;
AFTER WHICH THE FAMINE CONSUMES THE PEOPLE BY
WHOLE HOUSES AND FAMILIES TOGETHER.

OW

and to guard against the Jews' coming out
still more impracticable. As also that to en-
compass 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 al-
though they might guard the known passages
out of the place, yet would they, when they
found themselves under the greatest distress,
contrive secret passages, as being well ac-
quainted 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 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 to do
what is to be done in a little time is still ne-
cessary 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 pre-

Now did Titus consult with his com- vent the Jews from coming out any way.

manders what was to be done. Those And that then they would either entirely dethat were of the warmest tempers thought he spair of saving the city, and so would surrenshould bring the whole army against the city, der it up to him; or be still the more easily and storm the wall. For that hitherto no more conquered when the famine had farther weakthan a part of their army had fought with the ened them. For that, besides this wall, he Jews but that in case the entire army were would not lie entirely at rest afterward, but to come at once, they would not be able to would take care to have banks raised again, sustain their attacks, but would be over- when those that would oppose them were bewhelmed by their darts. But of those that come weaker. But that if any one should were for the more cautious management, some think such a work to be too great, and not to were for raising their banks again, and others be finished without much difficulty, he ought advised to let the banks alone, but to lie to consider, that it was not fit for Romans to still before the city, to guard against the com- undertake any small work and that none but ing out of the Jews, and against their carry-God himself could accomplish any great thing ing provisions into the city, and so to leave the with facility. 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 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 shewed them how impracticable it was to cast up any more banks, for want of materials;

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

As

centurion his tribune; and the ambition of the | going out of the city, the famine began to extribunes was to please their superior com- tend its progress, and devour the people by manders; while Cæsar himself noticed and whole houses and families. The upper rooms rewarded the like contention in those com- were full of women and children that were manders. For he went round about the works dying by famine; and the lanes of the city many times every day, and took a view of were full of the dead bodies of the aged. The what was done. Titus began the wall from children also, and the young men, wandered the camp of the Assyrians, where his own about the market-places like shadows, all camp was pitched, and drew it down to the swelled with the famine, and fell down dead, lower parts of Cenopolis. Thence it went wheresoever their misery seized them. along the valley of Cedron, to the mount of for burying them, those that were sick were Olives. It then bent towards the south; and not able, and those that were well were deencompassed the mountain as far as the rock terred from doing it by the great multitude called Peristereon, and that other hill which of those dead bodies, and by the uncertainty lies next it, and is over the valley which reaches there was how soon they should die themselves. to Siloam. Whence it bended again to the For many died as they were burying others; west, and went down to the valley of the foun- and many went to their coffins before that fatain. Beyond which it went up again at the tal hour was come! Nor was there any lamonument of Ananus, the high-priest; and mentation made under these calamities; nor encompassing that mountain where Pompey were heard any mournful complaints. But had formerly pitched his camp, it returned the famine confounded all natural passions. back to the north side of the city, and was For those who were just going to die looked carried on as far as a certain village called the upon those that were gone to their rest before house of the Erebinthi. After which it encom-them with dry eyes, and open mouths. A passed Herod's monument; and there, on the deep silence also, and a kind of deadly gloom, east, was joined to Titus's own camp, where had seized upon the city. While yet the robit began. Now its length was thirty-nine fur-bers were still more terrible than these miselongs; and 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; and 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.

All hope of escaping being now cut off from the Jews, together with their liberty of

This must be Tiberius Alexander, mentioned by Tacitus, as now governor of Egypt; an early friend of Vespasian's, and one whom Vespasian had made lieutenant

ries 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 mettle 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 swords to dispatch them,
they would not grant their requests, but left
them to be consumed by the famine.
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
be buried out of
the public treasury; as not enduring the
stench of the bodies: but, afterwards, when
they could not do that, they had them cast

Every

general of the army under him: as Josephus elsewhere informs us. See II. 15, IV. 10, and V. I."

down from the walls into the valleys beneath.

However, when Titus, in going his rounds along those valleys, saw them full of dead and putrescent bodies, he uttered a groan; and, spreading out his hands to heaven, called

God to witness that this was not his doing.

CHAP. XIII.

OF THE GREAT SLAUGHTERS AND SACRILEGE THAT WERE
IN JERUSALEM.

ACCORDINGLY Simon would not suf

*

And such was the sad case of the city itself. fer Matthias, by whose means he got But the Romans were very joyful: since none possession of the city, to go off without torof the seditious could make sallies out of the ment. This Matthias was the son of Boecity, because they were themselves disconso- thus, and was one of the high-priests; one late, and the famine already touched them that had been very faithful to the people, also. These Romans besides had great plen-and in great esteem with them. He, when ty of corn, and other necessaries out of Syria, the multitude were distressed by the zeaand the neighboring provinces. Many of lots, among whom John was now numberthem, therefore, would stand near to the wall ed, persuaded the people to admit Simon of the city, and shew the people what great to come in to assist them; while he had quantities of provisions they had, and so make made no terms with him, nor expected any the enemy more sensible of their famine, by the thing that was evil from him. But when great plenty, even to satiety, which they had Simon was Simon was come in, and had gotten the themselves. However, when the seditious city under his power, he esteemed him that still shewed no inclinations of yielding, Titus, had advised them to admit him as his eneout of his commiseration of the people that re- my, equally with the rest; as looking upon mained, and out of his earnest desire of res- that advice as a proof of his simplicity only. cuing what was still left out of these miseries, So he had him brought before him, and began to raise his banks again; although ma- condemned him to die, for being on the terials for them were hard to be come at. side of the Romans, without giving him For all the trees that were about the city had leave to make his defence. He also conbeen already cut down, for the erection of the demned three of his sons to die with him: former banks. Yet did the soldiers bring but the fourth prevented him, by running with them other materials from the distance away to Titus. And when he begged that of ninety furlongs, and thereby raised banks, he might be slain before his sons, and that as in four parts, much greater than the former; a favor, on account that he had procured the though this was done only at the tower of gates of the city to be opened to him, he gave Antonia. So Cæsar went his rounds through order that he should be slain the last of them the legions, and hastened on the works; and all. So he was not slain till he had seen his shewed the robbers that they were now in his sons murdered before his eyes; and that by hands. But these men, and these only, were being produced over against the Romans. incapable of repenting of the wickednesses For such a charge had Simon given to Anathey had been guilty of; and separating their nus, the son of Bamadus, who was the most. souls from their bodies, they used them both barbarous of all his guards. He also jested as if they had belonged to other persons, and upon him, and told him, that he might now not to themselves. For no gentle affection see whether those to whom he intended to go could touch their souls, nor could any pain over would send him any succors or not. affect their bodies; since they could tear the But still he forbade their dead bodies should dead bodies of the people like dogs, and fill be buried. After the slaughter of these, a the prisons with those that were sick. certain priest, Ananias, the son of Masambalus, a person of eminence, as also Aristeus, the scribe of the Sanhedrim, and born at Em

* See Book IV. Chap. 9.

maus,