generals, if they do not make use of this that is now before them? while there is so much juster reason 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 labours 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, to preside over them, instead of him that is a father; because the advancement of men's own children to diguities 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 neighbouring kings, and will have farther all the armies in the east to support them, as also those in Europe, so far 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,+ 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 farther delays, the senate may choose an emperor, whom the soldiers, who are the saviours of the empire, will have in contempt."

while, and had endeavoured 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.

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 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 defence to himself against the uncertainty of fortune; for Egypts 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 Syene, 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, extending 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 haven in it for ships. And thus is Egypt walled about on every side. Its length between Pelusium and Syene 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 mariners to turn from a straight direction: its left side is blocked up by works made by men's hands on both sides; on which 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 handywork 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 very 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 counwhereas Josephus introduces here the Roman soldiers in Judea saying try affords more than it wants itself, is hence dis

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, 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 not he intend to set up governor for 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

The Roman authors that now remain, say Vitellius had children;

he had one. Which of these assertions was the truth I know not. Spanheim thinks he has 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.

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 Jo-ephus presently, ch. xi. sect. 4.

It plain by the nature of the thing, as well as by Josephus and

tributed into all the habitable earth.

6. Justly, therefore did Vespsaian desire to obtain that government, in order to corroborate his attempts upon the whole of the empire; so he im

Eutropius, that Ve-pasian was first of all saluted emperor in Judea, mediately sent to Tiberius Alexander, who was

and not till some time afterward in Egypt. Whence Tacitus's and Suetonius's present copies must be corrected, when they both say that he was first proclaimed in Egypt, and that on the kalends 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 no July, as the copies now have it; nor does Tacitus's coherence imply less. Sce Essay on the Revelation, Lage 135

then governor of Egypt and of Alexandria, and informed him what the army had put him upon, and how he, being forced to accept of the burden of the

Here we have an authentic description of the bounds and cireum. stances of Egypt in the days of Vespa lan and Titus.

CHAP. X.

WARS OF THE JEWS.

do not barely loose his bonds, but cut them to pieces,
he will be like a man that hath never been bound;
at all." For that is the usual method as to such as
This advice was
have been bound without cause.
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 re-
ward, and was moreover esteemed a person of cre-
dit as to futurities also.

CHAPTER X.

THAT UPON THE CONQUEST and Slaughter of VITEL-
LIUS, VESPASIAN HASTENED HIS JOURNEY TO ROME;
BUT TITUS HIS SON RETURNED TO JERUSALEM.

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 of whom willingly complied with him, as already acquainted with the courage of the man, from that his conduct in their neighbourhood. 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 Buddenly than any 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§ 1. AND now, when Vespasian had given answers to the embassages, and had disposed of the places to the empire. Vespasian then removed from of power justly, † and according to every one's deCesarea to Berytus, where many embassages came serts, he came to Antioch, and consulting which way to him from Syria, and many from other provinces, bringing with them from every city crowns, and he had best take, he preferred to go to Rome, rather than to march to Alexandria, because he saw that the congratulations of the people. Mucianus came also, who was the president of the province, and Alexandria was sure to him already, but that the told him with what alacrity the people [received afiairs at Rome were put into disorder by Vitellius; the news of his advancement], and how the people so he sent Mucianus to Italy, and committed a of every city had taken the oath of fidelity to him. considerable army both of horsemen and footmen 7. So Vespasian's good fortune succeeded to his to him; yet was Mucianus afraid of going by sea, wishes everywhere, and the public affairs were, for because it was the middle of winter; so he led his the greatest part, already in his hands; upon which army on foot through Cappadocia and Phrygia. 2. In the meantime Antonius Primus took the he considered that he had not arrived at the gothird of the legions that were in Mysia, for he was vernment without Divine Providence, but that a righteous kind of fate had brought the empire under president of that province, and made haste, in order his power; for as he called to mind the other sig to fight Vitellius; whereupon Vitellius sent away nals, which had been a great many everywhere, Cecinna, with a great army, having a mighty confidence in him, because of his having beaten Otho. that foretold he should obtain the government, so did he remember what Josephus had said to him This Cecinna marched out of Rome in great haste, and found Antonius about Cremona in Gall, which when he ventured to foretel his coming to the empire while Nero was alive; so he was much con- city is in the borders of Italy; but when he saw cerned that this man was still in bonds with him. there that the enemy were numerous and in good He then called for Mucianus, together with his other order, he durst not fight them; and as he thought a retreat dangerous, so he began to think of becommanders and friends, and in the first place, he informed them what a valiant man Josephus had traying his army to Antonius. Accordingly, he asbeen, and what great hardships he had made him sembled the centurions and tribunes that were under his command, and persuaded them to go over undergo in the siege of Jotapata. After that he reto Antonius, and this by diminishing the reputation lated those predictions of his* which he had then suspected as fictions, suggested out of the fear he of Vitellius, and by exaggerating the power of Veswas in, but which had by time been demonstrated pasian. He also told them, that with the one there was no more than the bare name of dominion; but to be divine." It is a shameful thing (said he) that with the other was the power of it; and that it was this man who hath foretold my coming to the empire beforehand, and been the minister of a divine better for them to prevent necessity, and gain favour, and, while they were likely to be overcome in message to me, should still be retained in the condition of a captive or prisoner." So he called for battle, to avoid the danger beforehand, and go over to Antonius willingly; that Vespasian was able of Josephus, and commanded that he should be set at liberty; whereupon the commanders promised himself to subdue what had not yet submitted, without their assistance, while Vitellius could not themselves glorious things, from this requital Vespasian made to a stranger. Titus was then present preserve what he had already with it. 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

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, Dan. v. vi.; or rather, as Jeremiah, when he was a prisoner, was set at liberty, and honourably treated by Nebuzaradan, at the command of Nebuchadnezzar, on account of his having foretold the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, Jer. xl. 1-7; so was our Josephus set at liberty and honourably 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 monarchica. Several such-like examples there are, both in the sacred and other histories; as in the case of Jo eph in Egypt, and of Tadun the high-priest, in the days of Alexander the Great, &c.

3. Cecinna said this, and much more to the same and persuaded them to comply with him; purpose, 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

This is well observed by Jo ephus, that Vespasian, in order to secure his success, and establish his government at first, distributed his othices 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.

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 [An-
tonius] Primus heard of this, he raised up his men
immediately, and made them put on their armour,
and led them against those that had revolted; here-
upon they put themselves in order of battle, and
made 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 toge-
ther 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 hun-
dred;
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 honours he re-
ceived from Vespasian.

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 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 natural barbarity, after noble blood, he sent out 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 in their possession, where Domitian, and 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 was 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 his palace, in his cups, and satiated with an extravagant and luxurious meal, as in the last extremity, and heing 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 ;* and had he lived much

• The numbers in Josephus, ch. ix. sect. 2, 9, for Galba 7 months 7 days, for Otho 3 months 2 days, and here for Vitellius 8-nonths 5 days, do not agree with. any Roman historians; who also disagree among themselves, And, indeed, Scaliger justly complains, as Dr. Hudson observes on chap, ix. sect. 2, that this period is very confused and un. certain in the ancient authors. They were probably some of them con.

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 killing 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.

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 upou 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 Thmuis; 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 Casian Jupiter,+ 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 from 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.

temporary 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 Aug. 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.
There are coins of this Casian Jupiter still extant, as Spanhcia
here informs us.

BOOK V.

CONTAINING THE INTERVAL OF NEAR SIX MONTHS.

FROM THE COMING OF TITUS TO BESIEGE JERUSALEM, TO THE GREAT EXTREMITY TO WHICH THE JEWS WERE REDUCED.