1.21
As also [I shall relate] how they built walls about the neighboring
cities; and how Nero, upon Cestius's defeat, was in fear of the entire
event of the war, and thereupon made Vespasian general in this war; and
how this Vespasian, with the elder of his sons note
made an expedition into the country of Judea; what was the number of the
Roman army that he made use of; and how many of his auxiliaries were cut
off in all Galilee; and how he took some of its cities entirely, and by
force, and others of them by treaty, and on terms. Now, when I am come
so far, I shall describe the good order of the Romans in war, and the discipline
of their legions; the amplitude of both the Galilees, with its nature,
and the limits of Judea. And, besides this, I shall particularly go over
what is peculiar to the country, the lakes and fountains that are in them,
and what miseries happened to every city as they were taken; and all this
with accuracy, as I saw the things done, or suffered in them. For I shall
not conceal any of the calamities I myself endured, since I shall relate
them to such as know the truth of them.
1.23
After this, [I shall relate] how, When the Jews' affairs were become
very bad, Nero died, and Vespasian, when he was going to attack Jerusalem,
was called back to take the government upon him; what signs happened to
him relating to his gaining that government, and what mutations of government
then happened at Rome, and how he was unwillingly made emperor by his soldiers;
and how, upon his departure to Egypt, to take upon him the government of
the empire, the affairs of the Jews became very tumultuous; as also how
the tyrants rose up against them, and fell into dissensions among themselves.
1.25
Moreover, [I shall relate] how Titus marched out of Egypt into Judea
the second time; as also how, and where, and how many forces he got together;
and in what state the city was, by the means of the seditious, at his coming;
what attacks he made, and how many ramparts he cast up; of the three walls
that encompassed the city, and of their measures; of the strength of the
city, and the structure of the temple and holy house; and besides, the
measures of those edifices, and of the altar, and all accurately determined.
A description also of certain of their festivals, and seven purifications
of purity, note
and the sacred ministrations of the priests, with the garments of the priests,
and of the high priests; and of the nature of the most holy place of the
temple; without concealing any thing, or adding any thing to the known
truth of things.
1.27
After this, I shall relate the barbarity of the tyrants towards
the people of their own nation, as well as the indulgence of the Romans
in sparing foreigners; and how often Titus, out of his desire to preserve
the city and the temple, invited the seditious to come to terms of accommodation.
I shall also distinguish the sufferings of the people, and their calamities;
how far they were afflicted by the sedition, and how far by the famine,
and at length were taken. Nor shall I omit to mention the misfortunes of
the deserters, nor the punishments inflicted on the captives; as also how
the temple was burnt, against the consent of Caesar; and how many sacred
things that had been laid up in the temple were snatched out of the fire;
the destruction also of the entire city, with the signs and wonders that
went before it; and the taking the tyrants captives, and the multitude
of those that were made slaves, and into what different misfortunes they
were every one distributed. Moreover, what the Romans did to the remains
of the wall; and how they demolished the strong holds that were in the
country; and how Titus went over the whole country, and settled its affairs;
together with his return into Italy, and his triumph.
1.30
I have comprehended all these things in seven books, and have left
no occasion for complaint or accusation to such as have been acquainted
with this war; and I have written it down for the sake of those that love
truth, but not for those that please themselves [with fictitious relations].
And I will begin my account of these things with what I call my First Chapter.
note
1.31
AT the same time that Antiochus, who was called Epiphanes, had a
quarrel with the sixth Ptolemy about his right to the whole country of
Syria, a great sedition fell among the men of power in Judea, and they
had a contention about obtaining the government; while each of those that
were of dignity could not endure to be subject to their equals. However,
Onias, one of the high priests, got the better, and cast the sons of Tobias
out of the city; who fled to Antiochus, and besought him to make use of
them for his leaders, and to make an expedition into Judea. The king being
thereto disposed beforehand, complied with them, and came upon the Jews
with a great army, and took their city by force, and slew a great multitude
of those that favored Ptolemy, and sent out his soldiers to plunder them
without mercy. He also spoiled the temple, and put a stop to the constant
practice of offering a daily sacrifice of expiation for three years and
six months. But Onias, the high priest, fled to Ptolemy, and received a
place from him in the Nomus of Heliopolis, where he built a city resembling
Jerusalem, and a temple that was like its temple note
concerning which we shall speak more in its proper place hereafter.
