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feet； where the hill lent its aid to the fortifications； where the
ground fell； to a height of one hundred and twenty。 They had a
marvellous appearance； and to a distant spectator seemed to be of
uniform elevation。 Within were other walls surrounding the palace；
and； rising to a conspicuous height； the tower Antonia； so called by
Herod； in honour of Marcus Antonius。
The temple resembled a citadel； and had its own walls； which were
more laboriously constructed than the others。 Even the colonnades with
which it was surrounded formed an admirable outwork。 It contained an
inexhaustible spring； there were subterranean excavations in the hill；
and tanks and cisterns for holding rain water。 The founders of the
state had foreseen that frequent wars would result from the
singularity of its customs； and so had made every provision against
the most protracted siege。 After the capture of their city by
Pompey； experience and apprehension taught them much。 Availing
themselves of the sordid policy of the Claudian era to purchase the
right of fortification； they raised in time of peace such walls as
were suited for war。 Their numbers were increased by a vast rabble
collected from the overthrow of the other cities。 All the most
obstinate rebels had escaped into the place； and perpetual seditions
were the consequence。 There were three generals； and as many armies。
Simon held the outer and larger circuit of walls。 John； also called
Bargioras； occupied the middle city。 Eleazar had fortified the temple。
John and Simon were strong in numbers and equipment； Eleazar in
position。 There were continual skirmishes； surprises； and incendiary
fires； and a vast quantity of corn was burnt。 Before long John sent
some emissaries； who； under pretence of sacrificing； slaughtered
Eleazar and his partisans； and gained possession of the temple。 The
city was thus divided between two factions； till； as the Romans
approached； war with the foreigner brought about a reconciliation。
Prodigies had occurred； which this nation； prone to superstition；
but hating all religious rites； did not deem it lawful to expiate by
offering and sacrifice。 There had been seen hosts joining battle in
the skies； the fiery gleam of arms； the temple illuminated by a sudden
radiance from the clouds。 The doors of the inner shrine were
suddenly thrown open； and a voice of more than mortal tone was heard
to cry that the Gods were departing。 At the same instant there was a
mighty stir as of departure。 Some few put a fearful meaning on these
events； but in most there was a firm persuasion； that in the ancient
records of their priests was contained a prediction of how at this
very time the East was to grow powerful； and rulers； coming from
Judaea； were to acquire universal empire。 These mysterious
prophecies had pointed to Vespasian and Titus； but the common
people； with the usual blindness of ambition； had interpreted these
mighty destinies of themselves； and could not be brought even by
disasters to believe the truth。 I have heard that the total number
of the besieged； of every age and both sexes； amounted to six
hundred thousand。 All who were able bore arms； and a number； more than
proportionate to the population； had the courage to do so。 Men and
women showed equal resolution； and life seemed more terrible than
death； if they were to be forced to leave their country。 Such was this
city and nation； and Titus Caesar； seeing that the position forbad
an assault or any of the more rapid operations of war； determined to
proceed by earthworks and covered approaches。 The legions had their
respective duties assigned to them； and there was a cessation from
fighting； till all the inventions； used in ancient warfare； or devised
by modern ingenuity for the reduction of cities； were constructed。
Meanwhile Civilis； having recruited his army from Germany after
his defeat among the Treveri； took up his position at the Old Camp；
where his situation would protect him； and where the courage of his
barbarian troops would be raised by the recollection of successes
gained on the spot。 He was followed to this place by Cerialis； whose
forces had now been doubled by the arrival of the 2nd； 6th； and 14th
legions。 The auxiliary infantry and cavalry； summoned long before； had
hastened to join him after his victory。 Neither of the generals
loved delay。 But a wide extent of plain naturally saturated with water
kept them apart。 Civilis had also thrown a dam obliquely across the
Rhine； so that the stream； diverted by the obstacle； might overflow
the adjacent country。 Such was the character of the district； full
of hidden perils from the varying depth of the fords； and unfavourable
to our troops。 The Roman soldier is heavily armed and afraid to
swim； while the German； who is accustomed to rivers； is favoured by
the lightness of his equipment and the height of his stature。
The Batavi provoking a conflict； the struggle was at once begun by
all the boldest spirits among our troops； but a panic arose； when they
saw arms and horses swallowed up in the vast depths of the marshes。
The Germans leapt lightly through the well…known shallows； and
frequently； quitting the front； hung on the rear and flanks of our
army。 It was neither the close nor the distant fighting of a
land…battle； it was more like a naval contest。 Struggling among the
waters； or exerting every limb where they found any firm footing；
the wounded and the unhurt； those who could swim and those who could
not； were involved in one common destruction。 The loss however was
less than might have been expected from the confusion； for the
Germans； not venturing to leave the morass； returned to their camp。
The result of this battle roused both generals； though from
different motives； to hasten on the final struggle。 Civilis was
anxious to follow up his success； Cerialis to wipe out his disgrace。
The Germans were flushed with success； the Romans were thoroughly
roused by shame。 The barbarians spent the night in singing and
shouting； our men in rage and threats of vengeance。
Next morning Cerialis formed his front with the cavalry and
auxiliary infantry； in the second line were posted the legions； the
general reserving a picked force for unforeseen contingencies。 Civilis
confronted him with his troops ranged； not in line； but in columns。 On
the right were the Batavi and the Gugerni； the left； which was
nearer the river； was occupied by the Transrhenane tribes。 The
exhortations of the generals were not addressed as formal harangues to
the assembled armies； but to the divisions separately； as they rode
along the line。 Cerialis spoke of the old glory of the Roman name；
of former and of recent victories； he told them that in destroying for
ever their treacherous； cowardly； and beaten