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country say that the bitumen moves in heaving masses on the water；
that it is drawn by hand to the shore； and that there； when dried by
the evaporation of the earth and the power of the sun； it is cut
into pieces with axes and wedges just as timber or stone would be。
Not far from this lake lies a plain； once fertile； they say； and the
site of great cities； but afterwards struck by lightning and consumed。
Of this event； they declare； traces still remain； for the soil；
which is scorched in appearance； has lost its productive power。
Everything that grows spontaneously； as well as what is planted by
hand； either when the leaf or flower have been developed； or after
maturing in the usual form； becomes black and rotten； and crumbles
into a kind of dust。 I am ready to allow； on the one hand； that
cities； once famous； may have been consumed by fire from heaven；
while； on the other； I imagine that the earth is infected by the
exhalations of the lake； that the surrounding air is tainted； and that
thus the growth of harvest and the fruits of autumn decay under the
equally noxious influences of soil and climate。 The river Belus also
flows into the Jewish sea。 About its mouth is a kind of sand which
is collected； mixed with nitre； and fused into glass。 This shore is of
limited extent； but furnishes an inexhaustible supply to the exporter。
A great part of Judaea consists of scattered villages。 They have
also towns。 Jersualem is the capital。 There stood a temple of
immense wealth。 First came the city with its fortifications； then
the royal palace； then； within the innermost defences； the temple
itself。 Only the Jew might approach the gates； all but priests were
forbidden to pass the threshold。 While the East was under the sway
of the Assyrians； the Medes； and the Persians； Jews were the most
contemptible of the subject tribes。 When the Macedonians became
supreme； King Antiochus strove to destroy the national superstition；
and to introduce Greek civilization； but was prevented by his war with
the Parthians from at all improving this vilest of nations； for at
this time the revolt of Arsaces had taken place。 The Macedonian
power was now weak； while the Parthian had not yet reached its full
strength； and； as the Romans were still far off； the Jews chose
kings for themselves。 Expelled by the fickle populace； and regaining
their throne by force of arms； these princes； while they ventured on
the wholesale banishment of their subjects； on the destruction of
cities； on the murder of brothers； wives； and parents； and the other
usual atrocities of despots； fostered the national superstition by
appropriating the dignity of the priesthood as the support of their
political power。
Cneius Pompeius was the first of our countrymen to subdue the
Jews。 Availing himself of the right of conquest； he entered the
temple。 Thus it became commonly known that the place stood empty
with no similitude of gods within； and that the shrine had nothing
to reveal。 The walls of Jerusalem were destroyed； the temple was
left standing。 After these provinces had fallen； in the course of
our civil wars； into the hands of Marcus Antonius； Pacorus； king of
the Parthians； seized Judaea。 He was slain by Publius Ventidius； and
the Parthians were driven back over the Euphrates。 Caius Sosius
reduced the Jews to subjection。 The royal power； which had been
bestowed by Antony on Herod； was augmented by the victorious Augustus。
On Herod's death； one Simon； without waiting for the approbation of
the Emperor； usurped the title of king。 He was punished by
Quintilius Varus then governor of Syria； and the nation； with its
liberties curtailed； was divided into three provinces under the sons
of Herod。 Under Tiberius all was quiet。 But when the Jews were ordered
by Caligula to set up his statue in the temple； they preferred the
alternative of war。 The death of the Emperor put an end to the
disturbance。 The kings were either dead； or reduced to insignificance；
when Claudius entrusted the province of Judaea to the Roman Knights or
to his own freedmen； one of whom； Antonius Felix； indulging in every
kind of barbarity and lust； exercised the power of a king in the
spirit of a slave。 He had married Drusilla； the granddaughter of
Antony and Cleopatra； and so was the grandson…in…law； as Claudius
was the grandson； of Antony。
Yet the endurance of the Jews lasted till Gessius Florus was
procurator。 In his time the war broke out。 Cestius Gallus； legate of
Syria； who attempted to crush it； had to fight several battles；
generally with ill…success。 Cestius dying； either in the course of
nature； or from vexation； Vespasian was sent by Nero； and by help of
his good fortune； his high reputation； and his excellent subordinates；
succeeded within the space of two summers in occupying with his
victorious army the whole of the level country and all the cities；
except Jerusalem。 The following year had been wholly taken up with
civil strife； and had passed； as far as the Jews were concerned； in
inaction。 Peace having been established in Italy； foreign affairs were
once more remembered。 Our indignation was heightened by the
circumstance that the Jews alone had not submitted。 At the same time
it was held to be more expedient； in reference to the possible results
and contingencies of the new reign； that Titus should remain with
the army。
Accordingly he pitched his camp； as I have related； before the walls
of Jerusalem； and displayed his legions in order of battle。
The Jews formed their line close under their walls； whence； if
successful； they might venture to advance； and where； if repulsed；
they had a refuge at hand。 The cavalry with some light infantry was
sent to attack them； and fought without any decisive result。 Shortly
afterwards the enemy retreated。 During the following days they
fought a series of engagements in front of the gates； till they were
driven within the walls by continual defeats。 The Romans then began to
prepare for an assault。 It seemed beneath them to await the result
of famine。 The army demanded the more perilous alternative； some
prompted by courage； many by sheer ferocity and greed of gain。 Titus
himself had Rome with all its wealth and pleasures before his eyes。
Jerusalem must fall at once； or it would delay his enjoyment of
them。 But the commanding situation of the city had been strengthened
by enormous works which would have been a thorough defence even for
level ground。 Two hills of great height were fenced in by walls
which had been skilfully obliqued or bent inwards； in such a manner
that the flank of an assailant was exposed to missiles。 The rock
terminated in a precipice； the towers were raised to a height of sixty
feet； where the hill lent its aid to the fortifications； where the