the wars of the jews-第69章
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e forcing the place; and as to his prevailing with the people of Sepphoris to deliver it up to him。 By this means he provoked the Romans to treat the country according to the law of war; nor did the Romans; out of the anger they bore at this attempt; leave off; either by night or by day; burning the places in the plain; and stealing away the cattle that were in the country; and killing whatsoever appeared capable of fighting perpetually; and leading the weaker people as slaves into captivity; so that Galilee was all over filled with fire and blood; nor was it exempted from any kind of misery or calamity; for the only refuge they had was this; that when they were pursued; they could retire to the cities which had walls built them by Josephus。
2。 But as to Titus; he sailed over from Achaia to Alexandria; and that sooner than the winter season did usually permit; so he took with him those forces he was sent for; and marching with great expedition; he came suddenly to Ptolemais; and there finding his father; together with the two legions; the fifth and the tenth; which were the most eminent legions of all; he joined them to that fifteenth legion which was with his father; eighteen cohorts followed these legions; there came also five cohorts from Cesarea; with one troop of horsemen; and five other troops of horsemen from Syria。 Now these ten cohorts had severally a thousand footmen; but the other thirteen cohorts had no more than six hundred footmen apiece; with a hundred and twenty horsemen。 There were also a considerable number of auxiliaries got together; that came from the kings Antiochus; and Agrippa; and Sohemus; each of them contributing one thousand footmen that were archers; and a thousand horsemen。 Malchus also; the king of Arabia; sent a thousand horsemen; besides five thousand footmen; the greatest part of which were archers; so that the whole army; including the auxiliaries sent by the kings; as well horsemen as footmen; when all were united together; amounted to sixty thousand; besides the servants; who; as they followed in vast numbers; so because they had been trained up in war with the rest; ought not to be distinguished from the fighting men; for as they were in their masters' service in times of peace; so did they undergo the like dangers with them in times of war; insomuch that they were inferior to none; either in skill or in strength; only they were subject to their masters。
CHAPTER 5。
A Description Of The Roman Armies And Roman Camps And Of Other Particulars For Which The Romans Are Commended。
1。 Now here one cannot but admire at the precaution of the Romans; in providing themselves of such household servants; as might not only serve at other times for the common offices of life; but might also be of advantage to them in their wars。 And; indeed; if any one does but attend to the other parts of their military discipline; he will be forced to confess that their obtaining so large a dominion hath been the acquisition of their valor; and not the bare gift of fortune; for they do not begin to use their weapons first in time of war; nor do they then put their hands first into motion; while they avoided so to do in times of peace; but; as if their weapons did always cling to them; they have never any truce from warlike exercises; nor do they stay till times of war admonish them to use them; for their military exercises differ not at all from the real use of their arms; but every soldier is every day exercised; and that with great diligence; as if it were in time of war; which is the reason why they bear the fatigue of battles so easily; for neither can any disorder remove them from their usual regularity; nor can fear affright them out of it; nor can labor tire them; which firmness of conduct makes them always to overcome those that have not the same firmness; nor would he be mistaken that should call those their exercises unbloody battles; and their battles bloody exercises。 Nor can their enemies easily surprise them with the suddenness of their incursions; for as soon as they have marched into an enemy's land; they do not begin to fight till they have walled their camp about; nor is the fence they raise rashly made; or uneven; nor do they all abide ill it; nor do those that are in it take their places at random; but if it happens that the ground is uneven; it is first leveled: their camp is also four…square by measure; and carpenters are ready; in great numbers; with their tools; to erect their buildings for them。 (3)
2。 As for what is within the camp; it is set apart for tents; but the outward circumference hath the resemblance to a wall; and is adorned with towers at equal distances; where between the towers stand the engines for throwing arrows and darts; and for slinging stones; and where they lay all other engines that can annoy the enemy; all ready for their several operations。 They also erect four gates; one at every side of the circumference; and those large enough for the entrance of the beasts; and wide enough for making excursions; if occasion should require。 They divide the camp within into streets; very conveniently; and place the tents of the commanders in the middle; but in the very midst of all is the general's own tent; in the nature of a temple; insomuch; that it appears to be a city built on the sudden; with its market…place; and place for handicraft trades; and with seats for the officers superior and inferior; where; if any differences arise; their causes are heard and determined。 The camp; and all that is in it; is encompassed with a wall round about; and that sooner than one would imagine; and this by the multitude and the skill of the laborers; and; if occasion require; a trench is drawn round the whole; whose depth is four cubits; and its breadth equal。
3。 When they have thus secured themselves; they live together by companies; with quietness and decency; as are all their other affairs managed with good order and security。 Each company hath also their wood; and their corn; and their water brought them; when they stand in need of them; for they neither sup nor dine as they please themselves singly; but all together。 Their times also for sleeping; and watching; and rising are notified beforehand by the sound of trumpets; nor is any thing done without such a signal; and in the morning the soldiery go every one to their centurions; and these centurions to their tribunes; to salute them; with whom all the superior officers go to the general of the whole army; who then gives them of course the watchword and other orders; to be by them cared to all that are under their command; which is also observed when they go to fight; and thereby they turn themselves about on the sudden; when there is occasion for making sallies; as they come back when they are recalled in crowds also。
4。 Now when they are to go out of their camp; the trumpet gives a sound; at which time nobody lies still; but at the first intimation they take down their tents; and all is made ready for their going out; then do the trumpets sound again; to order them to get ready for the march; then do they lay their baggage suddenly upon their mules; and other beasts of burden; and stand; as at the place of starting; ready to march; when also they set fire to their camp; and this they do because it will be easy for them to erect another camp; and that it may not ever be of use to their enemies。 Then do the trumpets give a sound the third time; that they are to go out; in order to excite those that on any account are a little tardy; that so no one may be out of his rank when the army marches。 Then does the crier stand at the general's right hand; and asks them thrice; in their own tongue; whether they be now ready to go out to war or not? To which they reply as often; with a loud and cheerful voice; saying; 〃We are ready。〃 And this they do almost before the question is asked them: they do this as filled with a kind of martial fury; and at the same time that they so cry out; they lift up their right hands also。 5。 When; after this; they are gone out of their camp; they all march without noise; and in a decent manner; and every one keeps his own rank; as if they were going to war。 The footmen are armed with breastplates and head…