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But when I was in the twenty-sixth year of my age, it happened
that I took a voyage to Rome, and this on the occasion which I
shall now describe. At the time when Felix was procurator of
Judea there were certain priests of my acquaintance, and very
excellent persons they were, whom on a small and trifling
occasion he had put into bonds, and sent to Rome to plead their
cause before Caesar. These I was desirous to procure deliverance
for, and that especially because I was informed that they were
not unmindful of piety towards God, even under their afflictions,
but supported themselves with figs and nuts. Accordingly I
came to Rome, though it were through a great number of hazards by
sea; for as our ship was drowned in the Adriatic Sea, we that
were in it, being about six hundred in number, swam for our
lives all the night; when, upon the first appearance of the day,
and upon our sight of a ship of Cyrene, I and some others, eighty
in all, by God's providence, prevented the rest, and were taken
up into the other ship. And when I had thus escaped, and was come
to Dieearchia, which the Italians call Puteoli, I became
acquainted with Aliturius, an actor of plays, and much beloved by
Nero, but a Jew by birth; and through his interest became known
to Poppea, Caesar's wife, and took care, as soon as possible, to
entreat her to procure that the priests might be set at liberty.
And when, besides this favor, I had obtained many presents from
Poppea, I returned home again.
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