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the wars of the jews-第119章

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s the   middle of winter; and so he led his army on foot through Cappadocia and Phrygia。      2。 In the mean time; Antonius Primus took the third of the legions that were in Mysia; for he was president of that province; and made haste; in order to fight Vitellius;   whereupon Vitellius sent away Cecinna; with a great army; having a mighty confidence in him; because of his having beaten Otho。 This Cecinna marched out of Rome in great   haste; and found Antonius about Cremona in Gall; which city is in the borders of Italy; but when he saw there that the enemy were numerous and in good order; he durst not fight them; and as he thought a retreat dangerous; so he began to think of betraying his army to Antonius。 Accordingly; he assembled the centurions and tribunes that were under his command; and persuaded them to go over to Antonius; and   this by diminishing the reputation of Vitellius; and by   exaggerating the power of Vespasian。 He also told them that with the one there was no more than the bare name of   dominion; but with the other was the power of it; and that it was better for them to prevent necessity; and gain favor; and; while they were likely to be overcome in battle; to avoid the danger beforehand; and go over to Antonius willingly; that Vespasian was able of himself to subdue what had not yet submitted without their assistance; while Vitellius could not preserve what he had already with it。      3。 Cecinna said this; and much more to the same purpose; and persuaded them to comply with him; and both he and his army deserted; but still the very same night the soldiers repented of what they had done; and a fear seized on them; lest perhaps Vitellius who sent them should get the better; and drawing their swords; they assaulted Cecinna; in order to kill him; and the thing had been done by them; if the   tribunes had not fallen upon their knees; and besought them not to do it; so the soldiers did not kill him; but put him in bonds; as a traitor; and were about to send him to Vitellius。 When 'Antonius' Primus heard of this; he raised up his men immediately; and made them put on their armor; and led   them against those that had revolted; hereupon they put   themselves in order of battle; and made a resistance for a while; but were soon beaten; and fled to Cremona; then did Primus take his horsemen; and cut off their entrance into the city; and encompassed and destroyed a great multitude of them before the city; and fell into the city together with the rest; and gave leave to his soldiers to plunder it。 And here it was that many strangers; who were merchants; as well as   many of the people of that country; perished; and among   them Vitellius's whole army; being thirty thousand and two hundred; while Antonius lost no more of those that came   with him from Mysia than four thousand and five hundred: he then loosed Cecinna; and sent him to Vespasian to tell him the good news。 So he came; and was received by him;   and covered the scandal of his treachery by the unexpected honors he received from Vespasian。      4。 And now; upon the news that Antonius was approaching; Sabinus took courage at Rome; and assembled those cohorts of soldiers that kept watch by night; and in the night time seized upon the capitol; and; as the day came on; many men of character came over to him; with Domitian; his brother's son; whose encouragement was of very great weight for the compassing the government。 Now Vitellius was not much   concerned at this Primus; but was very angry with those that had revolted with Sabinus; and thirsting; out of his own natural barbarity; after noble blood; he sent out that part of the army which came along with him to fight against the   capitol; and many bold actions were done on this side; and on the side of those that held the temple。 But at last; the soldiers that came from Germany; being too numerous for   the others; got the hill into their possession; where Domitian; with many other of the principal Romans; providentially   escaped; while the rest of the multitude were entirely cut to pieces; and Sabinus himself was brought to Vitellius; and then slain; the soldiers also plundered the temple of its ornaments; and set it on fire。 But now within a day's time came   Antonius; with his army; and were met by Vitellius and his army; and having had a battle in three several places; the last were all destroyed。 Then did Vitellius come out of the palace; in his cups; and satiated with an extravagant and luxurious meal; as in the last extremity; and being drawn along through the multitude; and abused with all sorts of torments; had his head cut off in the midst of Rome; having retained the   government eight months and five days (26) and had he lived much longer; I cannot but think the empire would not have been sufficient for his lust。 Of the others that were slain; were numbered above fifty thousand。 This battle was fought on the third day of the month Apelleus 'Casleu'; on the next day Mucianus came into the city with his army; and ordered Antonius and his men to leave off killing; for they were still searching the houses; and killed many of Vitellius's soldiers; and many of the populace; as supposing them to be of his party; preventing by their rage any accurate distinction between them and others。 He then produced Domitian; and   recommended him to the multitude; until his father should come himself; so the people being now freed from their fears; made acclamations of joy for Vespasian; as for their emperor; and kept festival days for his confirmation; and for the destruction of Vitellius。      5。 And now; as Vespasian was come to Alexandria; this good news came from Rome; and at the same time came embassies from all his own habitable earth; to congratulate him upon his advancement; and though this Alexandria was the greatest of all cities next to Rome; it proved too narrow to contain the multitude that then came to it。 So upon this confirmation of Vespasian's entire government; which was now settled; and upon the unexpected deliverance of the public affairs of the Romans from ruin; Vespasian turned his thoughts to what   remained unsubdued in Judea。 However; he himself made   haste to go to Rome; as the winter was now almost over; and soon set the affairs of Alexandria in order; but sent his son Titus; with a select part of his army; to destroy Jerusalem。 So Titus marched on foot as far as Nicopolis; which is distant twenty furlongs from Alexandria; there he put his army on board some long ships; and sailed upon the river along the Mendesian Nomus; as far as the city Tumuis; there he got out of the ships; and walked on foot; and lodged all night at a small city called Tanis。 His second station was   Heracleopolis; and his third Pelusium; he then refreshed his army at that place for two days; and on the third passed over the mouths of the Nile at Pelusium; he then proceeded one station over the desert; and pitched his camp at the temple of the Casian Jupiter; (27) and on the next day at Ostracine。 This station had no water; but the people of the country make use of water brought from other places。 After this he rested at Rhinocolura; and from thence he went to Raphia; which was his fourth station。 This city is the begi
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