1。ThefamilyfromwhichIamderivedisnotanignobleone,buthathdescendedallalongfromthepriests;andasnobilityamongseveralpeopleisofadifferentorigin,sowithustobeofthesacerdotaldignity,isanindicationofthesplendorofafamily。
Now,Iamnotonlysprungfromasacerdotalfamilyingeneral,butfromthefirstofthetwenty—four(1)courses;andasamongusthereisnotonlyaconsiderabledifferencebetweenonefamilyofeachcourseandanother,Iamofthechieffamilyofthatfirstcoursealso;nay,further,bymymotherIamoftheroyalblood;forthechildrenofAsamoneus,fromwhomthatfamilywasderived,hadboththeofficeofthehighpriesthood,andthedignityofaking,foralongtimetogether。Iwillaccordinglysetdownmyprogenitorsinorder。Mygrandfather’sfatherwasnamedSimon,withtheadditionofPsellus:helivedatthesametimewiththatsonofSimonthehighpriest,whofirstofallthehighpriestswasnamedHyrcanus。ThisSimonPsellushadninesons,oneofwhomwasMatthias,calledEphlias:hemarriedthedaughterofJonathanthehighpriest,whichJonathanwasthefirstofthesonsofAsamoneus,whowashighpriest,andwasthebrotherofSimonthehighpriestalso。ThisMatthiashadasoncalledMatthiasCurtus,andthatinthefirstyearofthegovernmentofHyrcanus:hisson’snamewasJoseph,bornintheninthyearofthereignofAlexandra:hissonMatthiaswasborninthetenthyearofthereignofArchclaus;aswasIborntoMatthiasinthefirstyearofthereignofCaiusCaesar。Ihavethreesons:Hyrcanus,theeldest,wasborninthefourthyearofthereignofVespasian,aswasJustusbornintheseventh,andAgrippaintheninth。ThushaveIsetdownthegenealogofmyfamilyasIhavefounditdescribed(2)inthepublicrecords,andsobidadieutothosewhocalumniateme[asofaloweroriginal]。
2。Now,myfatherMatthiaswasnotonlyeminentonaccountofisnobility,buthadahighercommendationonaccountofhisrighteousness,andwasingreatreputationinJerusalem,thegreatestcitywehave。Iwasmyselfbroughtupwithmybrother,whosenamewasMatthias,forhewasmyownbrother,bybothfatherandmother;andImademightyproficiencyintheimprovementsofmylearning,andappearedtohavebothagreatmemoryandunderstanding。Moreover,whenIwasachild,andaboutfourteenyearsofage,IwascommendedbyallfortheloveIhadtolearning;onwhichaccountthehighpriestsandprincipalmenofthecitycamethenfrequentlytometogether,inordertoknowmyopinionabouttheaccurateunderstandingofpointsofthelaw。
AndwhenIwasaboutsixteenyearsold,Ihadamindtomaketrimoftheseveralsectsthatwereamongus。Thesesectsarethree:—
ThefirstisthatofthePharisees,thesecondthatSadducees,andthethirdthatoftheEssens,aswehavefrequentlytoldyou;
forIthoughtthatbythismeansImightchoosethebest,ifI
wereonceacquaintedwiththemall;soIcontentedmyselfwithhardfare,andunderwentgreatdifficulties,andwentthroughthemall。NordidIcontentmyselfwiththesetrialsonly;butwhenIwasinformedthatone,whosenamewasBanus,livedinthedesert,andusednootherclothingthangrewupontrees,andhadnootherfoodthanwhatgrewofitsownaccord,andbathedhimselfincoldwaterfrequently,bothbynightandbyday,inordertopreservehischastity,Iimitatedhiminthosethings,andcontinuedwithhimthreeyears。(3)SowhenIhadaccomplishedmydesires,Ireturnedbacktothecity,beingnownineteenyearsold,andbegantoconductmyselfaccordingtotherulesofthesectofthePharisees,whichisofkintothesectoftheStoics,astheGreekscallthem。
3。ButwhenIwasinthetwenty—sixthyearofmyage,ithappenedthatItookavoyagetoRome,andthisontheoccasionwhichI
shallnowdescribe。AtthetimewhenFelixwasprocuratorofJudeatherewerecertainpriestsofmyacquaintance,andveryexcellentpersonstheywere,whomonasmallandtriflingoccasionhehadputintobonds,andsenttoRometopleadtheircausebeforeCaesar。TheseIwasdesiroustoprocuredeliverancefor,andthatespeciallybecauseIwasinformedthattheywerenotunmindfulofpietytowardsGod,evenundertheirafflictions,butsupportedthemselveswithfigsandnuts。(4)AccordinglyI
cametoRome,thoughitwerethroughagreatnumberofhazardsbysea;forasourshipwasdrownedintheAdriaticSea,wethatwereinit,beingaboutsixhundredinnumber,(5)swamforourlivesallthenight;when,uponthefirstappearanceoftheday,anduponoursightofashipofCyrene,Iandsomeothers,eightyinall,byGod’sprovidence,preventedtherest,andweretakenupintotheothership。AndwhenIhadthusescaped,andwascometoDieearchia,whichtheItalianscallPuteoli,IbecameacquaintedwithAliturius,anactorofplays,andmuchbelovedbyNero,butaJewbybirth;andthroughhisinterestbecameknowntoPoppea,Caesar’swife,andtookcare,assoonaspossible,toentreathertoprocurethatthepriestsmightbesetatliberty。
Andwhen,besidesthisfavor,IhadobtainedmanypresentsfromPoppea,Ireturnedhomeagain。
4。AndnowIperceivedinnovationswerealreadybegun,andthattherewereagreatmanyverymuchelevatedinhopesofarevoltfromtheRomans。Ithereforeendeavoredtoputastoptothesetumultuouspersons,andpersuadedthemtochangetheirminds;andlaidbeforetheireyesagainstwhomitwasthattheyweregoingtofight,andtoldthemthattheywereinferiortotheRomansnotonlyinmartialskill,butalsoingoodfortune;anddesiredthemnotrashly,andafterthemostfoolishmanner,tobringonthedangersofthemostterriblemischiefsupontheircountry,upontheirfamilies,anduponthemselves。AndthisIsaidwithvehementexhortation,becauseIforesawthattheendofsuchawarwouldbemostunfortunatetous。ButIcouldnotpersuadethem;forthemadnessofdesperatemenwasquitetoohardforme。
5。Iwasthenafraid,lest,byinculcatingthesethingssooften,Ishouldincurtheirhatredandtheirsuspicions,asifIwereofourenemies’party,andshouldrunintothedangerofbeingseizedbythem,andslain;sincetheywerealreadypossessedofAntonia,whichwasthecitadel;soIretiredintotheinnercourtofthetemple。YetdidIgooutofthetempleagain,afterManahemandtheprincipalofthebandofrobberswereputtodeath,whenIabodeamongthehighpriestsandthechiefofthePharisees。Butnosmallfearseizeduponuswhenwesawthepeopleinarms,whileweourselvesknewnotwhatweshoulddo,andwerenotabletorestraintheseditious。However,asthedangerwasdirectlyuponus,wepretendedthatwewereofthesameopinionwiththem,butonlyadvisedthemtobequietforthepresent,andtolettheenemygoaway,stillhopingthatGessius[Florus]wouldnotbelongerehecame,andthatwithgreatforces,andsoputanendtotheseseditiousproceedings。
6。But,uponhiscomingandfighting,hewasbeaten,andagreatmanyofthosethatwerewithhimfell。AndthisdisgracewhichGessius[withCestius]received,becamethecalamityofourwholenation;forthosethatwerefondofthewarweresofarelevatedwiththissuccess,thattheyhadhopesoffinallyconqueringtheRomans。Ofwhichwaranotheroccasionwasministered;whichwasthis:—ThosethatdweltintheneighboringcitiesofSyriaseizeduponsuchJewsasdweltamongthem,withtheirwivesandchildren,andslewthem,whentheyhadnottheleastoccasionofcomplaintagainstthem;fortheydidneitherattemptanyinnovationorrevoltfromtheRomans,norhadtheygivenanymarksofhatredortreacherousdesignstowardstheSyrians。ButwhatwasdonebytheinhabitantsofScythopoliswasthemostimpiousandmosthighlycriminalofall;(6)forwhentheJewstheirenemiescameuponthemfromwithout,theyforcedtheJewsthatwereamongthemtobeararmsagainsttheirowncountrymen,whichitisunlawfulforustodo;(7)andwhen,bytheirassistance,theyhadjoinedbattlewiththosewhoattackedthem,andhadbeatenthem,afterthatvictorytheyforgottheassurancestheyhadgiventhesetheirfellowcitizensandconfederates,andslewthemall,beinginnumbermanytenthousands[13,000]。ThelikemiserieswereundergonebythoseJewsthatweretheinhabitantsofDamascus。ButwehavegivenamoreaccurateaccountofthesethingsinthebooksoftheJewishwar。Ionlymentionthemnow,becauseIwoulddemonstratetomyreaders,thattheJews’warwiththeRomanswasnotvoluntary,butthat,forthemain,theywereforcedbynecessitytoenterintoit。
7。SowhenGessiushadbeenbeaten,aswehavesaidalready,theprincipalmenofJerusalem,seeingthattherobbersandinnovatorshadarmsingreatplenty,andfearinglestthey,whiletheywereunprovidedofarms,shouldbeinsubjectiontotheirenemies,whichalsocametobethecaseafterward;and,beinginformedthatallGalileehadnotyetrevoltedfromtheRomans,butthatsomepartofitwasstillquiet;theysentmeandtwoothersofthepriests,whoweremenofexcellentcharacters,JoazarandJudas,inordertopersuadetheillmentheretolaydowntheirarms,andtoteachthemthislesson,—Thatitwerebettertohavethosearmsreservedforthemostcourageousmenthatthenationhad[thantobekeptthere];forthatithadbeenresolved,Thatthoseourbestmenshouldalwayshavetheirarmsreadyagainstfuturity;butstillso,thattheyshouldwaittoseewhattheRomanswoulddo。
8。WhenIhadthereforereceivedtheseinstructions,IcameintoGalilee,andfoundthepeopleofSepphorisinnosmallagonyabouttheircountry,byreasonthattheGalileanshadresolvedtoplunderit,onaccountofthefriendshiptheyhadwiththeRomans,andbecausetheyhadgiventheirrighthand,andmadealeaguewithCestiusGallus,thepresidentofSyria。ButI
deliveredthemalloutofthefeartheywerein,andpersuadedthemultitudetodealkindlywiththem,andpermittedthemtosendtothosethatweretheirownhostageswithGessiustoDora,whichisacityofPhoenicia,asoftenastheypleased;thoughI
stillfoundtheinhabitantsofTiberiasreadytotakearms,andthatontheoccasionfollowing:—
9。Therewerethreefactionsinthiscity。Thefirstwascomposedofmenofworthandgravity;oftheseJuliusCapelluswasthehead。Nowhe,aswellasallhiscompanions,HerodthesonofMiarus,andHerodthesonofGamalus,andCompsusthesonofCompsus;(forastoCompsus’sbrotherCrispus,whohadoncebeengovernorofthecityunderthegreatking[Agrippa](8)hewasbeyondJordaninhisownpossessions;)allthesepersonsbeforenamedgavetheiradvice,thatthecityshouldthencontinueintheirallegiancetotheRomansandtotheking。ButPistus,whowasguidedbyhissonJustus,didnotacquiesceinthatresolution;otherwisehewashimselfnaturallyofagoodandvirtuouscharacter。Butthesecondfactionwascomposedofthemostignoblepersons,andwasdeterminedforwar。ButasforJustus,thesonofPistus,whowastheheadofthethirdfaction,althoughhepretendedtobedoubtfulaboutgoingtowar,yetwashereallydesirousofinnovation,assupposingthatheshouldgainpowertohimselfbythechangeofaffairs。Hethereforecameintothemidstofthem,andendeavoredtoinformthemultitudethat\"thecityTiberiushadeverbeenacityofGalilee,andthatinthedaysofHerodthetetrarch,whohadbuiltit,ithadobtainedtheprincipalplace,andthathehadorderedthatthecitySepphorisshouldbesubordinatetothecityTiberias;thattheyhadnotlostthispreeminenceevenunderAgrippathefather,buthadretainedituntilFelixwasprocuratorofJudea。Buthetoldthem,thatnowtheyhadbeensounfortunateastobemadeapresentbyNerotoAgrippa,junior;andthat,uponSepphoris’ssubmissionofitselftotheRomans,thatwasbecomethecapitalcityofGalilee,andthattheroyallibraryandthearchiveswerenowremovedfromthem。\"Whenhehadspokenthesethings,andagreatmanymore,againstkingAgrippa,inordertoprovokethepeopletoarevolt,headdedthat\"thiswasthetimeforthemtotakearms,andjoinwiththeGalileansastheirconfederates(whomtheymightcommand,andwhowouldnowwillinglyassistthem,outofthehatredtheybaretothepeopleofSepphoris;
becausetheypreservedtheirfidelitytotheRomans),andtogatheragreatnumberofforces,inordertopunishthem。\"Andashesaidthis,heexhortedthemultitude,[togotowar;]forhisabilitieslayinmakingharanguestothepeople,andinbeingtoohardinhisspeechesforsuchasopposedhim,thoughtheyadvisedwhatwasmoretotheiradvantage,andthisbyhiscraftinessandhisfallacies,forhewasnotunskilfulinthelearningoftheGreeks;andindependenceonthatskillitwas,thatheundertooktowriteahistoryoftheseaffairs,asaiming,bythiswayofharanguing,todisguisethetruth。Butastothisman,andhowillwerehischaracterandconductoflife,andhowheandhisbrotherwere,ingreatmeasure,theauthorsofourdestruction,I
shallgivethereaderanaccountintheprogressofmynarration。
SowhenJustushad,byhispersuasions,prevailedwiththecitizensofTiberiastotakearms,nay,andhadforcedagreatmanysotodoagainsttheirwills,hewentout,andsetthevillagesthatbelongedtoGadaraandHipposonfire;whichvillagesweresituatedonthebordersofTiberias,andoftheregionofScythopolis。
10。AndthiswasthestateTiberiaswasnowin。ButasforGischala,itsaffairswerethus:—WhenJohn,thesonofLevi,sawsomeofthecitizensmuchelevatedupontheirrevoltfromtheRomans,helaboredtorestrainthem,andentreatedthemthattheywouldkeeptheirallegiancetothem。Buthecouldnotgainhispurpose,althoughhedidhisendeavorstotheutmost;fortheneighboringpeopleofGadara,Gabara,andSogana,wththeTyrians,gottogetheragreatarmy,andfelluponGischala,andtookGischalabyforce,andsetitonfire;andwhentheyhadentirelydemolishedit,theyreturnedhome。UponwhichJohnwassoenraged,thathearmedallhismen,andjoinedbattlewiththepeopleforementioned;andrebuiltGischalaafteramannerbetterthanbefore,andfortifieditwithwallsforitsfuturesecurity。
11。ButGamalaperseveredinitsallegiancetotheRomans,forthereasonfollowing:—Philip,thesonofJacimus,whowastheirgovernorunderkingAgrippa,hadbeenunexpectedlypreservedwhentheroyalpalaceatJerusalemhadbeenbesieged;but,ashefledaway,hadfallenintoanotherdanger,andthatwas,ofbeingkilledbyManahem,andtherobbersthatwerewithhim;butcertainBabylonians,whowereofhiskindred,andweretheninJerusalem,hinderedtherobbersfromexecutingtheirdesign。SoPhilipstaidtherefourdays,andfledawayonthefifth,havingdisguisedhimselfwithfictitioushair,thathemightnotbediscovered;andwhenhewascometooneofthevillagestohimbelonging,butonethatwassituatedatthebordersofthecitadelofGamala,hesenttosomeofthosethatwereunderhim,andcommandedthemtocometohim。ButGodhimselfhinderedthathisintention,andthisforhisownadvantagealso;forhaditnotsohappened,hehadcertainlyperished。Forafeverhavingseizeduponhimimmediately,hewrotetoAgrippaandBernice,andgavethemtooneofhisfreed—mentocarrythemtoVarus,whoatthistimewasprocuratorofthekingdom,whichthekingandhissisterhadintrustedhimwithal,whiletheyweregonetoBerytuswithanintentionofmeetingGessius。WhenVarushadreceivedtheselettersofPhilip,andhadlearnedthathewaspreserved,hewasveryuneasyatit,assupposingthatheshouldappearuselesstothekingandhissister,nowPhilipwascome。Hethereforeproducedthecarrierofthelettersbeforethemultitude,andaccusedhimofforgingthesame;andsaidthathespakefalselywhenherelatedthatPhilipwasatJerusalem,fightingamongtheJewsagainsttheRomans。Soheslewhim。Andwhenthisfreed—manofPhilipdidnotreturnagain,Philipwasdoubtfulwhatshouldbetheoccasionofhisstay,andsentasecondmessengerwithletters,thathemight,uponhisreturn,informhimwhathadbefallentheotherthathadbeensentbefore,andwhyhetarriedsolong。Varusaccusedthismessengeralso,whenhecame,oftellingafalsehood,andslewhim。ForhewaspuffedupbytheSyriansthatwereatCaesarea,andhadgreatexpectations;fortheysaidthatAgrippawouldbeslainbytheRomansforthecrimeswhichtheJewshadcommitted,andthatheshouldhimselftakethegovernment,asderivedfromtheirkings;
forVaruswas,bytheconfessionofall,oftheroyalfamily,asbeingadescendantofSohemus,whohadenjoyedatetrarchyaboutLibanus;forwhichreasonitwasthathewaspuffedup,andkepttheletterstohimself。Hecontrived,also,thatthekingshouldnotmeetwiththosewritings,byguardingallthepasses,lestanyoneshouldescape,andinformthekingwhathadbeendone。HemoreoverslewmanyoftheJews,inordertogratifytheSyriansofCesarea。HehadamindalsotojoinwiththeTrachonitesinBatanea,andtotakeuparmsandmakeanassaultupontheBabylonianJewsthatwereatEcbatana;forthatwasthenametheywentby。HethereforecalledtohimtwelveoftheJewsofCesarea,ofthebestcharacter,andorderedthemtogotoEcbatana,andinformtheircountrymenwhodweltthere,ThatVarushathheardthat\"youintendtomarchagainsttheking;but,notbelievingthatreport,hehathsentustopersuadeyoutolaydownyourarms,andthatthiscompliancewillbeasignthathedidwellnottogivecredittothosethatraisedthereportconcerningyou。\"Healsoenjoinedthemtosendseventyoftheirprincipalmentomakeadefenseforthemastotheaccusationlaidagainstthem。SowhenthetwelvemessengerscametotheircountrymenatEcbatana,andfoundthattheyhadnodesignsofinnovationatall,theypersuadedthemtosendtheseventymenalso;who,notatallsuspectingwhatwouldcome,sentthemaccordingly。SotheseseventywentdowntoCaesarea,togetherwiththetwelveambassadors;whereVarusmetthemwiththeking’sforces,andslewthemall,togetherwiththe[twelve](9)
ambassadors,andmadeanexpeditionagainsttheJewsofEcbatana。
Butonetherewasoftheseventywhoescaped,andmadehastetoinformtheJewsoftheircoming;uponwhichtheytooktheirarms,withtheirwivesandchildren,andretiredtothecitadelatGamala,leavingtheirownvillagesfullofallsortsofgoodthings,andhavingmanytenthousandsofcattletherein。WhenPhilipwasinformedofthesethings,healsocametothecitadelofGamala;andwhenhewascome,themultitudecriedaloud,anddesiredhimtoresumethegovernment,andtomakeanexpeditionagainstVarus,andtheSyriansofCesarea;foritwasreportedthattheyhadslaintheking。ButPhiliprestrainedtheirzeal,andputtheminmindofthebenefitsthekinghadbestoweduponthem;andtoldthemhowpowerfultheRomanswere,andsaiditwasnotfortheiradvantagetomakewarwiththem;andatlengthheprevailedwiththem。Butnow,whenthekingwasacquaintedwithVarus’sdesign,whichwastocutofftheJewsofCaesarea,beingmanytenthousands,withtheirwivesandchildren,andallinoneday,hecalledtohimEquiculusModius,andsenthimtobeVarus’ssuccessor,aswehaveelsewhererelated。ButstillPhilipkeptpossessionofthecitadelofGamala,andofthecountryadjoiningtoit,whichtherebycontinuedintheirallegiancetotheRomans。
12。Now,assoonasIwascomeintoGalilee,andhadlearnedthisstateofthingsbytheinformationofsuchastoldmeofthem,I
wrotetothesanhedrimatJerusalemaboutthem,andrequiredtheirdirectionwhatIshoulddo。Theirdirectionwas,thatI
shouldcontinuethere,andthat,ifmyfellowlegateswerewilling,IshouldjoinwiththeminthecareofGalilee。Butthosemyfellowlegates,havinggottengreatrichesfromthosetitheswhichaspriestsweretheirdues,andweregiventothem,determinedtoreturntotheirowncountry。YetwhenIdesiredthemtostaysolong,thatwemightfirstsettlethepublicaffairs,theycompliedwithme。SoIremoved,togetherwiththem,fromthecityofSepphoris,andcametoacertainvillagecalledBethmaus,fourfurlongsdistantfromTiberius;andthenceIsentmessengerstothesenateofTiberius,anddesiredthattheprincipalmenofthecitywouldcometome:andwhentheywerecome,Justushimselfbeingalsowiththem,ItoldthemthatIwassenttothembythepeopleofJerusalemasalegate,togetherwiththeseotherpriests,inordertopersuadethemtodemolishthathousewhichHerodthetetrarchhadbuiltthere,andwhichhadthefiguresoflivingcreaturesinit,althoughourlawshaveforbiddenustomakeanysuchfigures;andIdesiredthattheywouldgiveusleavesotodoimmediately。ButforagoodwhileCapellusandtheprincipalmenbelongingtothecitywouldnotgiveusleave,butwereatlengthentirelyovercomebyus,andwereinducedtobeofouropinion。SoJesusthesonofSapphias,oneofthosewhomwehavealreadymentionedastheleaderofaseditioustumultofmarinersandpoorpeople,preventedus,andtookwithhimcertainGalileans,andsettheentirepalaceonfire,andthoughtheshouldgetagreatdealofmoneythereby,becausehesawsomeoftheroofsgiltwithgold。Theyalsoplunderedagreatdealofthefurniture,whichwasdonewithoutourapprobation;forafterwehaddiscoursedwithCapellusandtheprincipalmenofthecity,wedepartedfromBethmaus,andwentintotheUpperGalilee。ButJesusandhispartyslewalltheGreeksthatwereinhabitantsofTiberias,andasmanyothersasweretheirenemiesbeforethewarbegan。
13。WhenIunderstoodthisstateofthings,Iwasgreatlyprovoked,andwentdowntoTiberias,andtookallthecareI
couldoftheroyalfurniture,torecoverallthatcouldberecoveredfromsuchashadplunderedit。TheyconsistedofcandlesticksmadeofCorinthianbrass,andofroyaltables,andofagreatquantityofuncoinedsilver;andIresolvedtopreservewhatsoevercametomyhandfortheking。SoIsentfortenoftheprincipalmenofthesenate,andforCapellusthesonofAntyllus,andcommittedthefurnituretothem,withthischarge,Thattheyshouldpartwithittonobodyelsebuttomyself。FromthenceIandmyfellowlegateswenttoGichala,toJohn,asdesiroustoknowhisintentions,andsoonsawthathewasforinnovations,andhadamindtotheprincipality;forhedesiredmetogivehimauthoritytocarryoffthatcornwhichbelongedtoCaesar,andlayinthevillagesofUpperGalilee;andhepretendedthathewouldexpendwhatitcametoinbuildingthewallsofhisowncity。ButwhenIperceivedwhatheendeavoredat,andwhathehadinhismind,IsaidIwouldnotpermithimsotodo;forthatIthoughteithertokeepitfortheRomansorformyself,nowIwasintrustedwiththepublicaffairstherebythepeopleofJerusalem。But,whenhewasnotabletoprevailwithme,hebetookhimselftomyfellowlegates;fortheyhadnosagacityinprovidingforfuturity,andwereveryreadytotakebribes。Sohecorruptedthemwithmoneytodecree,Thatallthatcornwhichwaswithinhisprovinceshouldbedeliveredtohim;
whileI,whowasbutone,wasoutvotedbytwo,andheldmytongue。ThendidJohnintroduceanothercunningcontrivanceofhis;forhesaidthatthoseJewswhoinhabitedCesareaPhilippi,andwereshutupbytheorderoftheking’sdeputythere,hadsenttohimtodesirehim,that,sincetheyhadnooilthatwaspurefortheiruse,hewouldprovideasufficientquantityofsuchoilforthem,lesttheyshouldbeforcedtomakeuseofoilthatcamefromtheGreeks,andtherebytransgresstheirownlaws。
NowthiswassaidbyJohn,notoutofhisregardtoreligion,butoutofhismostflagrantdesireofgain;forheknewthattwosextariesweresoldwiththemofCaesareaforonedrachma,butthatatGischalafourscoresextaxiesweresoldforfoursextaries。Sohegaveorderthatalltheoilwhichwasthereshouldbecarriedaway,ashavingmypermissionforsodoing;
whichyetIdidnotgranthimvoluntarily,butonlyoutoffearofthemultitude,since,ifIhadforbiddenhim,Ishouldhavebeenstonedbythem。WhenIhadthereforepermittedthistobedonebyJohn,hegainedvastsumsofmoneybythishisknavery。
14。ButwhenIhaddismissedmyfellowlegates,andsentthembacktoJerusalem,Itookcaretohavearmsprovided,andthecitiesfortified。AndwhenIhadsentforthemosthardyamongtherobbers,Isawthatitwasnotinmypowertotaketheirarmsfromthem;butIpersuadedthemultitudetoallowthemmoneyaspay,andtoldthemitwasbetterforthemtogivethemalittlewillingly,ratherthanto[beforcedto]overlookthemwhentheyplunderedtheirgoodsfromthem。AndwhenIhadobligedthemtotakeanoathnottocomeintothatcountry,unlesstheywereinvitedtocome,orelsewhentheyhadnottheirpaygiventhem,Idismissedthem,andchargedthemneithertomakeanexpeditionagainsttheRomans,noragainstthosetheirneighborsthatlayroundaboutthem;formyfirstcarewastokeepGalileeinpeace。
SoIwaswillingtohavetheprincipaloftheGalileans,inallseventy,ashostagesfortheirfidelity,butstillunderthenotionoffriendship。Accordingly,ImadethemmyfriendsandcompanionsasIjourneyed,andsetthemtojudgecauses;andwiththeirapprobationitwasthatIgavemysentences,whileI
endeavorednottomistakewhatjusticerequired,andtokeepmyhandsclearofallbriberyinthosedeterminations。
15。Iwasnowaboutthethirtiethyearofmyage;inwhichtimeoflifeitisahardthingforanyonetoescapethecalumniesoftheenvious,althoughherestrainhimselffromfulfillinganyunlawfuldesires,especiallywhereapersonisingreatauthority。YetdidIpreserveeverywomanfreefrominjuries;andastowhatpresentswereofferedme,Idespisedthem,asnotstandinginneedofthem。NorindeedwouldItakethosetithes,whichwereduetomeasapriest,fromthosethatbroughtthem。
YetdoIconfess,thatItookpartofthespoilsofthoseSyrianswhichinhabitedthecitiesthatadjoinedtous,whenIhadconqueredthem,andthatIsentthemtomykindredatJerusalem;
although,whenItwicetookSepphorisbyforce,andTiberiasfourtimes,andGadaraonce,andwhenIhadsubduedandtakenJohn,whooftenlaidtreacheroussnaresforme,Ididnotpunish[withdeath]eitherhimoranyofthepeopleforenamed,astheprogressofthisdiscoursewillshow。Andonthisaccount,Isuppose,itwasthatGod,(10)whoisneverunacquaintedwiththosethatdoastheyoughttodo,deliveredmestilloutofthehandsofthesemyenemies,andafterwardspreservedmewhenIfellintothosemanydangerswhichIshallrelatehereafter。
16。NowthemultitudeoftheGalileanshadthatgreatkindnessforme,andfidelitytome,thatwhentheircitiesweretakenbyforce,andtheirwivesandchildrencarriedintoslavery,theydidnotsodeeplylamentfortheirowncalamities,astheyweresolicitousformypreservation。ButwhenJohnsawthis,heenviedme,andwrotetome,desiringthatIwouldgivehimleavetocomedown,andmakeuseofthehot—bathsofTiberiasfortherecoveryofthehealthofhisbody。Accordingly,Ididnothinderhim,ashavingnosuspicionofanywickeddesignsofhis;andIwrotetothosetowhomIhadcommittedtheadministrationoftheaffairsofTiberiusbyname,thattheyshouldprovidealodgingforJohn,andforsuchasshouldcomewithhim,andshouldprocurehimwhatnecessariessoeverheshouldstandinneedof。NowatthistimemyabodewasinavillageofGalilee,whichisnamedCans。
17。ButwhenJohnwascometothecityofTiberias,hepersuadedthementorevoltfromtheirfidelitytome,andtoadheretohim;andmanyofthemgladlyreceivedthatinvitationofhis,aseverfondofinnovations,andbynaturedisposedtochanges,anddelightinginseditions;buttheywerechieflyJustusandhisfatherPistus,thatwereearnestfortheirrevoltfromme,andtheiradherencetoJohn。ButIcameuponthem,andpreventedthem;foramessengerhadcometomefromSilas,whomIhadmadegovernorofTiberias,asIhavesaidalready,andhadtoldmeoftheinclinationsofthepeopleofTiberias,andadvisedmetomakehastethither;forthat,ifImadeanydelay,thecitywouldcomeunderanother’sjurisdiction。UponthereceiptofthisletterofSilas,Itooktwohundredmenalongwithme,andtraveledallnight,havingsentbeforeamessengertoletthepeopleofTiberiasknowthatIwascomingtothem。WhenIcameneartothecity,whichwasearlyinthemorning,themultitudecameouttomeetme;andJohncamewiththem,andsalutedme,butinamostdisturbedmanner,asbeingafraidthatmycomingwastocallhimtoanaccountforwhatIwasnowsensiblehewasdoing。
Sohe,ingreathaste,wenttohislodging。ButwhenIwasintheopenplaceofthecity,havingdismissedtheguardsIhadaboutme,exceptingone,andtenarmedmenthatwerewithhim,I
attemptedtomakeaspeechtothemultitudeofthepeopleofTiberias:and,standingonacertainelevatedplace,Ientreatedthemnottobesohastyintheirrevolt;forthatsuchachangeintheirbehaviorwouldbetotheirreproach,andthattheywouldthenjustlybesuspectedbythosethatshouldbetheirgovernorshereafter,asiftheywerenotlikelytobefaithfultothemneither。
18。ButbeforeIhadspokenallIdesigned,Iheardoneofmyowndomesticsbiddingmecomedown,forthatitwasnotapropertimetotakecareofretainingthegood—willofthepeopleofTiberias,buttoprovideformyownsafety,andescapemyenemiesthere;forJohnhadchosenthemosttrustyofthosearmedmenthatwereabouthimoutofthosethousandthathehadwithhim,andhadgiventhemorderswhenhesentthem,tokillme,havinglearnedthatIwasalone,exceptingsomeofmydomestics。Sothosethatweresentcameastheywereordered,andtheyhadexecutedwhattheycameabout,hadInotleapeddownfromtheelevationIstoodon,andwithoneofmyguards,whosenamewasJames,beencarried[outofthecrowd]uponthebackofoneHerodofTiberias,andguidedbyhimdowntothelake,whereIseizedaship,andgotintoit,andescapedmyenemiesunexpectedly,andcametoTarichese。
19。Now,assoonastheinhabitantsofthatcityunderstoodtheperfidiousnessofthepeopleofTiberias,theyweregreatlyprovokedatthem。Sotheysnatcheduptheirarms,anddesiredmetobetheirleaderagainstthem;fortheysaidtheywouldavengetheircommander’scauseuponthem。TheyalsocarriedthereportofwhathadbeendonetometoalltheGalileans,andeagerlyendeavoredtoirritatethemagainstthepeopleofTiberias,anddesiredthatvastnumbersofthemwouldgettogether,andcometothem,thattheymightactinconcertwiththeircommander,whatshouldbedeterminedasfittobedone。Accordingly,theGalileanscametomeingreatnumbers,fromallparts,withtheirweapons,andbesoughtmetoassaultTiberias,totakeitbyforce,andtodemolishit,tillitlayevenwiththeground,andthentomakeslavesofitsinhabitants,withtheirwivesandchildren。ThosethatwereJosephus’sfriendsalso,andhadescapedoutofTiberias,gavehimthesameadvice。ButIdidnotcomplywiththem,thinkingitaterriblethingtobeginacivilwaramongthem;forIthoughtthatthiscontentionoughtnottoproceedfurtherthanwords;nay,Itoldthemthatitwasnotfortheirownadvantagetodowhattheywouldhavemetodo,whiletheRomansexpectednootherthanthatweshoulddestroyoneanotherbyourmutualseditions。Andbysayingthis,IputastoptotheangeroftheGalileans。
20。ButnowJohnwasafraidforhimself,sincehistreacheryhadprovedunsuccessful。Sohetookthearmedmenthatwereabouthim,andremovedfromTiberiastoGischala,andwrotetometoapologizeforhimselfconcerningWhathadbeendone,asifithadbeendonewithouthisapprobation,anddesiredmetohavenosuspicionofhimtohisdisadvantage。Healsoaddedoathsandcertainhorriblecursesuponhimself,andsupposedheshouldbetherebybelievedinthepointshewroteabouttome。
21。ButnowanothergreatnumberoftheGalileanscametogetheragainwiththeirweapons,asknowingtheman,howwickedandhowsadlyperjuredhewas,anddesiredmetoleadthemagainsthimandpromisedmethattheywouldutterlybothhimandGischala。
HereuponIprofessedthatIwasobligedtothemfortheirreadinesstoserveme,andthatIwouldmorethanrequitetheirgood—willtome。However,Ientreatedthemtorestrainthemselves,andbeggedofthemtogivemeleavetodowhatI
intended,whichwastoputanendtothesetroubleswithoutbloodshed;andwhenIhadprevailedwiththemultitudeoftheGalileanstoletmedoso,IcametoSepphoris。
22。ButtheinhabitantsofthiscityhavingdeterminedtocontinueintheirallegiancetotheRomans,wereafraidofmycomingtothem,andtried,byputtingmeuponanotheraction,todivertme,thattheymightbefreedfromtheterrortheywerein。
Accordingly,theysenttoJesus,thecaptainofthoserobberswhowereintheconfinesofPtolemais,andpromisedtogivehimagreatdealofmoney,ifhewouldcomewiththoseforceshehadwithhim,whichwereinnumbereighthundred,andfightwithus。
Accordingly,hecompliedwithwhattheydesired,uponthepromisestheyhadmadehim,andwasdesiroustofalluponuswhenwewereunpreparedforhim,andknewnothingofhiscomingbeforehand。Sohesenttome,anddesiredthatIwouldgivehimleavetocomeandsaluteme。WhenIhadgivenhimthatleave,whichIdidwithouttheleastknowledgeofhistreacherousintentionsbeforehand,hetookhisbandofrobbers,andmadehastetocometome。Yetdidnotthishisknaverysucceedwellatlast;forashewasalreadynearlyapproaching,oneofthosewithhimdesertedhim,andcametome,andtoldmewhathehadundertakentodo。WhenIwasinformedofthis,Iwentintothemarket—place,andpretendedtoknownothingofhistreacherouspurpose。ItookwithmemanyGalileansthatwerearmed,asalsosomeofthoseofTiberias;and,whenIhadgivenordersthatalltheroadsshouldbecarefullyguarded,IchargedthekeepersofthegatestogiveadmittancetononebutJesus,whenhecame,withtheprincipalofhismen,andtoexcludetherest;andincasetheyaimedtoforcethemselvesin,tousestripes[inordertorepelthem]。Accordingly,thosethathadreceivedsuchachargedidastheywerebidden,andJesuscameinwithafewothers;andwhenIhadorderedhimtothrowdownhisarmsimmediately,andtoldhim,thatifherefusedsotodo,hewasadeadman,heseeingarmedmenstandingallroundabouthim,wasterrified,andcomplied;andasforthoseofhisfollowersthatwereexcluded,whentheywereinformedthathewasseized,theyranaway。IthencalledJesustomebyhimself,andtoldhim,that\"Iwasnotastrangertothattreacherousdesignhehadagainstme,norwasIignorantbywhomhewassentfor;that,however,Iwouldforgivehimwhathehaddonealready,ifhewouldrepentofit,andbefaithfultomehereafter。\"Andthus,uponhispromisetodoallthatIdesired,Ilethimgo,andgavehimleavetogetthosewhomhehadformerlyhadwithhimtogetheragain。ButIthreatenedtheinhabitantsofSepphoris,that,iftheywouldnotleaveofftheirungratefultreatmentofme,I
wouldpunishthemsufficiently。
23。Atthistimeitwasthattwogreatmen,whowereunderthejurisdictionoftheking[Agrippa]cametomeoutoftheregionofTrachonius,bringingtheirhorsesandtheirarms,andcarryingwiththemtheirmoneyalso;andwhentheJewswouldforcethemtobecircumcised,iftheywouldstayamongthem,Iwouldnotpermitthemtohaveanyforceputuponthem,(11)butsaidtothem,\"EveryoneoughttoworshipGodaccordingtohisowninclinations,andnottobeconstrainedbyforce;andthatthesemen,whohadfledtousforprotection,oughtnottobesotreatedastorepentoftheircominghither。\"AndwhenIhadpacifiedthemultitude,Iprovidedforthementhatwerecometouswhatsoeveritwastheywanted,accordingtotheirusualwayofliving,andthatingreatplentyalso。
24。NowkingAgrippasentanarmytomakethemselvesmastersofthecitadelofGamala,andoveritEquieulusModius;buttheforcesthatweresentwerenotallowtoencompassthecitadelquiteround,butlaybeforeitintheopenplaces,andbesiegedit。ButwhenEbutiusthedecurion,whowasintrustedwiththegovernmentofthegreatplain,heardthatIwasatSimonias,avillagesituatedintheconfinesofGalilee,andwasdistantfromhimsixtyfurlongs,hetookahundredhorsementhatwerewithhimbynight,andacertainnumberoffootmen,abouttwohundred,andbroughttheinhabitantsofthecityGibeaalongwithhimasauxiliaries,andmarchedinthenight,andcametothevillagewhereIabode。UponthisIpitchedmycampoveragainsthim,whichhadagreatnumberofforcesinit:butEbutiustriedtodrawusdownintotheplain,asgreatlydependinguponhishorsemen;butwewouldnotcomedown;forwhenIwassatisfiedoftheadvantagethathishorsewouldhaveifwecamedownintotheplain,whilewewereallfootmen,IresolvedtojoinbattlewiththeenemywhereIwas。NowEbutiusandhispartymadeacourageousoppositionforsometime;butwhenhesawthathishorsewereuselesstohiminthatplace,heretiredbacktothecityGibea,havinglostthreeofhismeninthefight。SoI
followedhimdirectywithtwothousandarmedmen;andwhenIwasatthecityBesara,thatlayintheconfinesofPtolemais,buttwentyfurlongsfromGibea,whereEbutiusabode,Iplacedmyarmedmenontheoutsideofthevillage,andgaveordersthattheyshouldguardthepasseswithgreatcare,thattheenemymightnotdisturbusuntilweshouldhavecarriedoffthecorn,agreatquantityofwhichlaythere:itbelongedtoBernicethequeen,andhadbeengatheredtogetheroutoftheneighboringvillagesintoBesara;soIloadedmycamelsandasses,agreatnumberofwhichIhadbroughtalongwithme,andsentthecornintoGalilee。WhenIhaddonethis,IofferedEbutiusbattle;butwhenhewouldnotacceptoftheoffer,forhewasterrifiedatourreadinessandcourage,Ialteredmyroute,andmarchedtowardsNeopolitanus,becauseIhadheardthatthecountryaboutTiberiaswaslaidwastebyhim。ThisNeopolitanuswascaptainofatroopofhorse,andhadthecustodyofScythopolisintrustedtohiscarebytheenemy;andwhenIhadhinderedhimfromdoinganyfurthermischieftoTiberias,IsetmyselftomakeprovisionfortheaffairsofGalilee。
25。ButwhenJohn,thesonofLevi,who,aswebeforetoldyou,abodeatGischala,wasinformedhowallthingshadsucceededtomymind,andthatIwasmuchinfavorwiththosethatwereunderme,asalsothattheenemyweregreatlyafraidofme,hewasnotpleasedwithit,asthinkingmyprosperitytendedtohisruin。Sohetookupabitterenvyandenmityagainstme;andhoping,thatifhecouldinflamethosethatwereundermetohateme,。heshouldputanendtotheprosperityIwasin,hetriedtopersuadetheinhabitantsofTiberiasandofSepphoris,(andforthoseofGabarahesupposedtheywouldbealsoofthesamemindwiththeothers,)whichwerethegreatestcitiesofGalilee,torevoltfromtheirsubjectiontome,andtobeofhisparty;andtoldthemthathewouldcommandthembetterthanIdid。AsforthepeopleofSepphoris,whobelongedtoneitherofus,becausetheyhadchosentobeinsubjectiontotheRomans,theydidnotcomplywithhisproposal;andforthoseofTiberias,theydidnotindeedsofarcomplyastomakearevoltfromunderme,buttheyagreedtobehisfriends,whiletheinhabitantsofGabaradidgoovertoJohn;anditwasSimonthatpersuadedthemsotodo,onewhowasboththeprincipalmaninthecity,andaparticularfriendandcompanionofJohn。Itistrue,thesedidnotopenlyownthemakingarevolt,becausetheywereingreatfearoftheGalileans,andhadfrequentexperienceofthegood—willtheyboretome;yetdidtheyprivatelywatchforaproperopportunitytolaysnaresforme;andindeedItherebycameintothegreatestdanger,ontheoccasionfollowing。
26。ThereweresomeboldyoungmenofthevillageofDabaritta,whoobservedthatthewifeofPtolemy,theking’sprocurator,wastomakeaprogressoverthegreatplainwithamightyattendance,andwithsomehorsementhatfollowedasaguardtothem,andthisoutofacountrythatwassubjecttothekingandqueen,intothejurisdictionoftheRomans;andfelluponthemonasudden,andobligedthewifeofPtolemytoflyaway,andplunderedallthecarriages。TheyalsocametometoTarichese,withfourmules’
loadingofgarments,andotherfurniture;andtheweightofthesilvertheybroughtwasnotsmall,andtherewerefivehundredpiecesofgoldalso。NowIhadamindtopreservethesespoilsforPtolemy,whowasmycountryman;anditisprohibited(12)byourlawseventospoilourenemies;soIsaidtothosethatbroughtthesespoils,thattheyoughttobekept,inordertorebuildthewallsofJerusalemwiththemwhentheycametobesold。Buttheyoungmentookitveryillthattheydidnotreceiveapartofthosespoilsforthemselves,astheyexpectedtohavedone;sotheywentamongthevillagesintheneighborhoodofTiberias,andtoldthepeoplethatIwasgoingtobetraytheircountrytotheRomans,andthatIuseddeceitfullanguagetothem,whenIsaid,thatwhathadbeenthusgottenbyrapineshouldbekeptfortherebuildingofthewallsofthecityofJerusalem;althoughIhadresolvedtorestorethesespoilsagaintotheirformerowner。Andindeedtheywerehereinnotmistakenastomyintentions;forwhenIhadgottenclearofthem,Isentfortwooftheprincipalmen,Dassion,andJanneusthesonofLevi,personsthatwereamongthechieffriendsoftheking,andcommandedthemtotakethefurniturethathadbeenplundered,andtosendittohim;andIthreatenedthatIwouldorderthemtobeputtodeathbywayofpunishment,iftheydiscoveredthismycommandtoanyotherperson。
27。Now,whenallGalileewasfilledwiththisrumor,thattheircountrywasabouttobebetrayedbymetotheRomans,andwhenallmenwereexasperatedagainstme,andreadytobringmetopunishment,theinhabitantsofTaricheedidalsothemselvessupposethatwhattheyoungmensaidwastrue,andpersuadedmyguardsandarmedmentoleavemewhenIwasasleep,andtocomepresentlytothehippodrome,inordertheretotakecounselagainstmetheircommander。Andwhentheyhadprevailedwiththem,andtheyweregottentogether,theyfoundthereagreatcompanyassembledalready,whoalljoinedinoneclamor,tobringthemanwhowassowickedtothemastobetraythem,tohisduepunishment;anditwasJesus,thesonofSapphias,whoprincipallysetthemon。HewasrulerinTiberias,awickedman,andnaturallydisposedtomakedisturbancesinmattersofconsequence;aseditiouspersonhewasindeed,andaninnovatorbeyondeverybodyelse。HethentookthelawsofMosesintohishands,andcameintothemidstofthepeople,andsaid,\"Omyfellowcitizens!ifyouarenotdisposedtohateJosephusonyourownaccount,haveregard,however,totheselawsofyourcountry,whichyourcommander—in—chiefisgoingtobetray;hatehimthereforeonboththeseaccounts,andbringthemanwhohathactedthusinsolently,tohisdeservedpunishment。\"
28。Whenhehadsaidthis,andthemultitudehadopenlyapplaudedhimforwhathehadsaid,hetooksomeofthearmedmen,andmadehasteawaytothehouseinwhichIlodged,asifhewouldkillmeimmediately,whileIwaswhollyinsensibleofalltillthisdisturbancehappened;andbyreasonofthepainsIhadbeentaking,wasfallenfastasleep。ButSimon,whowasintrustedwiththecareofmybody,andwastheonlypersonthatstayedwithme,andsawtheviolentincursionthecitizensmadeuponme,awakedme,andtoldmeofthedangerIwasin,anddesiredmetolethimkillme,thatImightdiebravelyandlikeageneral,beforemyenemiescamein,andforcedme[tokillmyself],orkilledmethemselves。Thusdidhediscoursetome;butIcommittedthecareofmylifetoGod,andmadehastetogoouttothemultitude。
Accordingly,Iputonablackgarment,andhungmyswordatmyneck,andwentbysuchadifferentwaytothehippodrome,whereinIthoughtnoneofmyadversarieswouldmeetme;soIappearedamongthemonthesudden,andfelldownflatontheearth,andbedewedthegroundwithmytears:thenIseemedtothemallanobjectofcompassion。AndwhenIperceivedthechangethatwasmadeinthemultitude,Itriedtodividetheiropinionsbeforethearmedmenshouldreturnfrommyhouse;soIgrantedthemthatIhadbeenaswickedastheysupposedmetobe;butstillI
entreatedthemtoletmefirstinformthemforwhatuseIhadkeptthatmoneywhicharosefromtheplunder,and,thattheymightthenkillmeiftheypleased:anduponthemultitude’sorderingmetospeak,thearmedmencameuponme,andwhentheysawme,theyrantokillme;butwhenthemultitudebadethemholdtheirhands,theycomplied,andexpectedthatassoonasI
shouldowntothemthatIkeptthemoneyfortheking,itwouldbelookedonasaconfessionofmytreason,andtheyshouldthenbeallowedtokillme。
29。When,therefore,silencewasmadebythewholemultitude,I
spakethustothem:\"Omycountrymen!Irefusenottodie,ifjusticesorequire。However,IamdesiroustotellyouthetruthofthismatterbeforeIdie;forasIknowthatthiscityofyours[Tarichee]wasacityofgreathospitality,andfilledwithabundanceofsuchmenashavelefttheirowncountries,andarecomehithertobepartakersofyourfortune,whateveritbe,I
hadamindtobuildwallsaboutit,outofthismoney,forwhichyouaresoangrywithme,whileyetitwastobeexpendedinbuildingyourownwalls。\"Uponmysayingthis,thepeopleofTaricheaeandthestrangerscriedout,that\"theygavemethanks,anddesiredmetobeofgoodcourage,\"althoughtheGalileansandthepeopleofTiberiascontinuedintheirwrathagainstme,insomuchthattherearoseatumultamongthem,whilesomethreatenedtokillme,andsomebademenottoregardthem;butwhenIpromisedthemthatIwouldbuildthemwallsatTiberias,andatothercitiesthatwantedthem,theygavecredittowhatI
promised,andreturnedeveryonetohisownhome。SoIescapedtheforementioneddanger,beyondallmyhopes,andreturnedtomyownhouse,accompaniedwithmyfriends,andtwentyarmedmenalso。
30。However,theserobbersandotherauthorsofthistumult,whowereafraid,ontheirownaccount,lestIshouldpunishthemforwhattheyhaddone,tooksixhundredarmedmen,andcametothehousewhereIabode,inordertosetitonfire。Whenthistheirinsultwastoldme,Ithoughtitindecentformetorunaway,andIresolvedtoexposemyselftodanger,andtoactwithsomeboldness;soIgaveordertoshutthedoors,andwentupintoanupperroom,anddesiredthattheywouldsendinsomeoftheirmentoreceivethemoney[fromthespoils]forItoldthemtheywouldthenhavenooccasiontobeangrywithme;andwhentheyhadsentinoneoftheboldestofthemall,Ihadhimwhippedseverely,andIcommandedthatoneofhishandsshouldbecutoff,andhungabouthisneck;andinthiscasewasheputouttothosethatsenthim。Atwhichprocedureofminetheyweregreatlyaffrighted,andinnosmallconsternation,andwereafraidthattheyshouldthemselvesbeservedinlikemanner,iftheystaidthere;fortheysupposedthatIhadinthehousemorearmedmenthantheyhadthemselves;sotheyranawayimmediately,whileI,bytheuseofthisstratagem,escapedthistheirsecondtreacherousdesignagainstme。
31。Buttherewerestillsomethatirritatedthemultitudeagainstme,andsaidthatthosegreatmenthatbelongedtothekingoughtnottobesufferedtolive,iftheywouldnotchangetheirreligiontothereligionofthosetowhomtheyfledforsafety:theyspakereproachfullyofthemalso,andsaidthattheywerewizards,andsuchascalledintheRomansuponthem。Sothemultitudewassoondeludedbysuchplausiblepretensesaswereagreeabletotheirowninclinations,andwereprevailedonbythem。ButwhenIwasinformedofthis,Iinstructedthemultitudeagain,thatthosewhofledtothemforrefugeoughtnottobepersecuted:Ialsolaughedattheallegationaboutwitchcraft,(13)andtoldthemthattheRomanswouldnotmaintainsomanytenthousandsoldiers,iftheycouldovercometheirenemiesbywizards。Uponmysayingthis,thepeopleassentedforawhile;
buttheyreturnedagainafterwards,asirritatedbysomeillpeopleagainstthegreatmen;nay,theyoncemadeanassaultuponthehouseinwhichtheydweltatTarichess,inordertokillthem;which,whenIwasinformedof,Iwasafraidlestsohorridacrimeshouldtakeeffect,andnobodyelsewouldmakethatcitytheirrefugeanymore。Ithereforecamemyself,andsomeotherswithme,tothehousewherethesegreatmenlived,andlockedthedoors,andhadatrenchdrawnfromtheirhouseleadingtothelake,andsentforaship,andembarkedthereinwiththem,andsailedtotheconfinesofHippos:Ialsopaidthemthevalueoftheirhorses;norinsuchaflightcouldIhavetheirhorsesbroughttothem。Ithendismissedthem,andbeggedofthemearnestlythattheywouldcourageouslybearIthisdistresswhichbefellthem。IwasalsomyselfIgreatlydispleasedthatIwascompelledtoexposethosethathadfledtometogoagainintoanenemy’scountry;yetdidIthinkitmoreeligiblethattheyshouldperishamongtheRomans,ifitshouldsohappen,thaninthecountrythatwasundermyjurisdiction。However,theyescapedatlength,andkingAgrippaforgavethemtheiroffenses。Andthiswastheconclusionofwhatconcernedthesemen。