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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 he 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.
2. Now Sabinus was aftrighted, 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.
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 mastere 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 w now
deserted, and plundered about four hundred talents, Of which sum
Sabinus got together all that was not carried away by the
soldiers.
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.
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