the wars of the jews-第97章
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ted to him out of their fear of him; and others out of their good…will to him; for he was a shrewd man to entice men to him; both by deluding them and putting cheats upon them。 Nay; many there were that thought they should be safer themselves; if the causes of their past insolent actions should now be reduced to one head; and not to a great many。 His activity was so great; and that both in action and in counsel; that he had not a few guards about him; yet was there a great party of his antagonists that left him; among whom envy at him weighed a great deal; while they thought it a very heavy thing to be in subjection to one that was formerly their equal。 But the main reason that moved men against him was the dread of monarchy; for they could not hope easily to put an end to his power; if he had once obtained it; and yet they knew that he would have this pretense always against them; that they had opposed him when he was first advanced; while every one chose rather to suffer any thing whatsoever in war; than that; when they had been in a voluntary slavery for some time; they should afterward perish。 So the sedition was divided into two parts; and John reigned in opposition to his adversaries over one of them: but for their leaders; they watched one another; nor did they at all; or at least very little; meddle with arms in their quarrels; but they fought earnestly against the people; and contended one with another which of them should bring home the greatest prey。 But because the city had to struggle with three of the greatest misfortunes; war; and tyranny; and sedition; it appeared; upon the comparison; that the war was the least troublesome to the populace of them all。 Accordingly; they ran away from their own houses to foreigners; and obtained that preservation from the Romans which they despaired to obtain among their own people。 2。 And now a fourth misfortune arose; in order to bring our nation to destruction。 There was a fortress of very great strength not far from Jerusalem; which had been built by our ancient kings; both as a repository for their effects in the hazards of war; and for the preservation of their bodies at the same time。 It was called Masada。 Those that were called Sicarii had taken possession of it formerly; but at this time they overran the neighboring countries; aiming only to procure to themselves necessaries; for the fear they were then in prevented their further ravages。 But when once they were informed that the Roman army lay still; and that the Jews were divided between sedition and tyranny; they boldly undertook greater matters; and at the feast of unleavened bread; which the Jews celebrate in memory of their deliverance from the Egyptian bondage; when they were sent back into the country of their forefathers; they came down by night; without being discovered by those that could have prevented them; and overran a certain small city called Engaddi:in which expedition they prevented those citizens that could have stopped them; before they could arm themselves; and fight them。 They also dispersed them; and cast them out of the city。 As for such as could not run away; being women and children; they slew of them above seven hundred。 Afterward; when they had carried every thing out of their houses; and had seized upon all the fruits that were in a flourishing condition; they brought them into Masada。 And indeed these men laid all the villages that were about the fortress waste; and made the whole country desolate; while there came to them every day; from all parts; not a few men as corrupt as themselves。 At that time all the other regions of Judea that had hitherto been at rest were in motion; by means of the robbers。 Now as it is in a human body; if the principal part be inflamed; all the members are subject to the same distemper; so; by means of the sedition and disorder that was in the metropolis;。 had the wicked men that were in the country opportunity to ravage the same。 Accordingly; when every one of them had plundered their own villages; they then retired into the desert; yet were these men that now got together; and joined in the conspiracy by parties; too small for an army; and too many for a gang of thieves: and thus did they fall upon the holy places (11) and the cities; yet did it now so happen that they were sometimes very ill treated by those upon whom they fell with such violence; and were taken by them as men are taken in war: but still they prevented any further punishment as do robbers; who; as soon as their ravages 'are discovered'; run their way。 Nor was there now any part of Judea that was not in a miserable condition; as well as its most eminent city also。 3。 These things were told Vespasian by deserters; for although the seditious watched all the passages out of the city; and destroyed all; whosoever they were; that came thither; yet were there some that had concealed themselves; and when they had fled to the Romans; persuaded their general to come to their city's assistance; and save the remainder of the people; informing him withal; that it was upon account of the people's good…will to the Romans that many of them were already slain; and the survivors in danger of the same treatment。 Vespasian did indeed already pity the calamities these men were in; and arose; in appearance; as though he was going to besiege Jerusalem; but in reality to deliver them from a 'worse' siege they were already under。 However; he was obliged first to overthrow what remained elsewhere; and to leave nothing out of Jerusalem behind him that might interrupt him in that siege。 Accordingly; he marched against Gadara; the metropolis of Perea; which was a place of strength; and entered that city on the fourth day of the month Dystrus 'Adar'; for the men of power had sent an embassage to him; without the knowledge of the seditious; to treat about a surrender; which they did out of the desire they had of peace; and for saving their effects; because many of the citizens of Gadara were rich men。 This embassy the opposite party knew nothing of; but discovered it as Vespasian was approaching near the city。 However; they despaired of keeping possession of the city; as being inferior in number to their enemies who were within the city; and seeing the Romans very near to the city; so they resolved to fly; but thought it dishonorable to do it without shedding some blood; and revenging themselves on the authors of this surrender; so they seized upon Dolesus; (a person not only the first in rank and family in that city; but one that seemed the occasion of sending such an embassy;) and slew him; and treated his dead body after a barbarous manner; so very violent was their anger at him; and then ran out of the city。 And as now the Roman army was just upon them; the people of Gadara admitted Vespasian with joyful acclamations; and received from him the security of his right hand; as also a garrison of horsemen and footmen; to guard them against the excursions of the runagates; for as to their wall; they had pulled it down before the Romans desired them so to do; that they might thereby give them assurance that they were lovers of peace; and that; if they had a mind; they could not now make war against them。 4。 And now Vespasian sent Placidus against those that had fled from Gadara; with five hundred horsemen; and three thousand footmen; while he returned himself to Cesarea; with the rest of the army。 But as soon as these fugitives saw the horsemen that pursued them just upon their backs; and before they came to a close fight; they ran together to a certain village; which was called Bethennabris; where finding a great multitude of young men; and arming them; partly by their own consent; partly by force; they rashly and suddenly assaulted Placidus and the troops that were with him。 These horsemen at the first onset gave way a little; as contriving to entice them further off the wall; and when they had drawn them into a place fit for their purpose; they made their horse encompass them round; and threw their darts at them。 So the horsemen cut off the flight of the fugitives; while the foot terribly destroyed those that fought against them; for those Jews did no more tha