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＇Florus＇ would not be long ere he came； and that with great
forces； and so put an end to these seditious proceedings。
6。 But； upon his coming and fighting； he was beaten； and a great
many of those that were with him fell。 And this disgrace which
Gessius ＇with Cestius＇ received； became the calamity of our whole
nation； for those that were fond of the war were so far elevated
with this success； that they had hopes of finally conquering the
Romans。 Of which war another occasion was ministered； which was
this： … Those that dwelt in the neighboring cities of Syria
seized upon such Jews as dwelt among them； with their wives and
children； and slew them； when they had not the least occasion of
complaint against them； for they did neither attempt any
innovation or revolt from the Romans； nor had they given any
marks of hatred or treacherous designs towards the Syrians。 But
what was done by the inhabitants of Scythopolis was the most
impious and most highly criminal of all； （6） for when the Jews
their enemies came upon them from without； they forced the Jews
that were among them to bear arms against their own countrymen；
which it is unlawful for us to do； （7） and when； by their
assistance； they had joined battle with those who attacked them；
and had beaten them； after that victory they forgot the
assurances they had given these their fellow citizens and
confederates； and slew them all； being in number many ten
thousands ＇13；000＇。 The like miseries were undergone by those
Jews that were the inhabitants of Damascus。 But we have given a
more accurate account of these things in the books of the Jewish
war。 I only mention them now； because I would demonstrate to my
readers； that the Jews' war with the Romans was not voluntary；
but that； for the main； they were forced by necessity to enter
into it。
7。 So when Gessius had been beaten； as we have said already； the
principal men of Jerusalem； seeing that the robbers and
innovators had arms in great plenty； and fearing lest they； while
they were unprovided of arms； should be in subjection to their
enemies； which also came to be the case afterward； and； being
informed that all Galilee had not yet revolted from the Romans；
but that some part of it was still quiet； they sent me and two
others of the priests； who were men of excellent characters；
Joazar and Judas； in order to persuade the ill men there to lay
down their arms； and to teach them this lesson； … That it were
better to have those arms reserved for the most courageous men
that the nation had ＇than to be kept there＇； for that it had been
resolved； That those our best men should always have their arms
ready against futurity； but still so； that they should wait to
see what the Romans would do。
8。 When I had therefore received these instructions； I came into
Galilee； and found the people of Sepphoris in no small agony
about their country； by reason that the Galileans had resolved to
plunder it； on account of the friendship they had with the
Romans； and because they had given their right hand； and made a
league with Cestius Gallus； the president of Syria。 But I
delivered them all out of the fear they were in； and persuaded
the multitude to deal kindly with them； and permitted them to
send to those that were their own hostages with Gessius to Dora；
which is a city of Phoenicia； as often as they pleased； though I
still found the inhabitants of Tiberias ready to take arms； and
that on the occasion following： …
9。 There were three factions in this city。 The first was composed
of men of worth and gravity； of these Julius Capellus was the
head。 Now he； as well as all his companions； Herod the son of
Miarus； and Herod the son of Gamalus； and Compsus the son of
Compsus； （for as to Compsus's brother Crispus； who had once been
governor of the city under the great king ＇Agrippa＇ （8） he was
beyond Jordan in his own possessions；） all these persons before
named gave their advice； that the city should then continue in
their allegiance to the Romans and to the king。 But Pistus； who
was guided by his son Justus； did not acquiesce in that
resolution； otherwise he was himself naturally of a good and
virtuous character。 But the second faction was composed of the
most ignoble persons； and was determined for war。 But as for
Justus； the son of Pistus； who was the head of the third faction；
although he pretended to be doubtful about going to war； yet was
he really desirous of innovation； as supposing that he should
gain power to himself by the change of affairs。 He therefore came
into the midst of them； and endeavored to inform the multitude
that 〃the city Tiberius had ever been a city of Galilee； and that
in the days of Herod the tetrarch； who had built it； it had
obtained the principal place； and that he had ordered that the
city Sepphoris should be subordinate to the city Tiberias； that
they had not lost this preeminence even under Agrippa the father；
but had retained it until Felix was procurator of Judea。 But he
told them； that now they had been so unfortunate as to be made a
present by Nero to Agrippa； junior； and that； upon Sepphoris's
submission of itself to the Romans； that was become the capital
city of Galilee； and that the royal library and the archives were
now removed from them。〃 When he had spoken these things； and a
great many more； against king Agrippa； in order to provoke the
people to a revolt； he added that 〃this was the time for them to
take arms； and join with the Galileans as their confederates
（whom they might command； and who would now willingly assist
them； out of the hatred they bare to the people of Sepphoris；
because they preserved their fidelity to the Romans）； and to
gather a great number of forces； in order to punish them。〃 And as
he said this； he exhorted the multitude； ＇to go to war；＇ for his
abilities lay in making harangues to the people； and in being too
hard in his speeches for such as opposed him； though they advised
what was more to their advantage； and this by his craftiness and
his fallacies； for he was not unskilful in the learning of the
Greeks； and in dependence on that skill it was； that he undertook
to write a history of these affairs； as aiming； by this way of
haranguing； to disguise the truth。 But as to this man； and how
ill were his character and conduct of life； and how he and his
brother were； in great measure； the authors of our destruction； I
shall give the reader an account in the progress of my narration。
So when Justus had； by his persuasions； prevailed with the
citizens of Tiberias to take arms； nay； and had forced a great
many so to do against their wills； he went out； and set the
villages that belonged to Gadara and Hippos on fire； which
villages were situated on the borders of Tiberias； and of the
region of Scythopolis。
10。 And this was the state Tiberias was now in。 But as for
Gischala； its affairs were thus： … When John； the son of Levi；
saw some of the citizens much elevated upon their revolt from the
Romans； he labored to restrain them； and entreated them that they
would keep their allegiance to them。 But he could not gain his
purpose； although he did his endeavors to the utmost； for