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their bodies and courage of their souls； had conquered in a manner the whole habitable earth。 He told them that he should make trial of the good order they would observe in war； even before it came to any battle； in case they would abstain from the crimes they used to indulge themselves in； such as theft； and robbery； and rapine； and from defrauding their own countrymen； and never to esteem the harm done to those that were so near of kin to them to be any advantage to themselves； for that wars are then managed the best when the warriors preserve a good conscience； but that such as are ill men in private life will not only have those for enemies which attack them； but God himself also for their antagonist。
8。 And thus did he continue to admonish them。 Now he chose for the war such an army as was sufficient； i。e。 sixty thousand footmen； and two hundred and fifty horsemen； （34） and besides these； on which he put the greatest trust； there were about four thousand five hundred mercenaries； he had also six hundred men as guards of his body。 Now the cities easily maintained the rest of his army； excepting the mercenaries； for every one of the cities enumerated above sent out half their men to the army； and retained the other half at home； in order to get provisions for them； insomuch that the one part went to the war； and the other part to their work； and so those that sent out their corn were paid for it by those that were in arms； by that security which they enjoyed from them。
CHAPTER 21。
Concerning John Of Gichala。 Josephus Uses Stratagems Against The Plots John Laid Against Him And Recovers Certain Cities Which Had Revolted From Him。
1。 Now as Josephus was thus engaged in the administration of the affairs of Galilee； there arose a treacherous person； a man of Gischala； the son of Levi； 〃whose name was John。 His character was that of a very cunning and very knavish person； beyond the ordinary rate of the other men of eminence there； and for wicked practices he had not his fellow any where。 Poor he was at first； and for a long time his wants were a hinderance to him in his wicked designs。 He was a ready liar； and yet very sharp in gaining credit to his fictions： he thought it a point of virtue to delude people； and would delude even such as were the dearest to him。 He was a hypocritical pretender to humanity； but where he had hopes of gain； he spared not the shedding of blood： his desires were ever carried to great things； and he encouraged his hopes from those mean wicked tricks which he was the author of。 He had a peculiar knack at thieving； but in some time he got certain companions in his impudent practices； at first they were but few； but as he proceeded on in his evil course； they became still more and more numerous。 He took care that none of his partners should be easily caught in their rogueries； but chose such out of the rest as had the strongest constitutions of body； and the greatest courage of soul； together with great skill in martial affairs； as he got together a band of four hundred men； who came principally out of the country of Tyre； and were vagabonds that had run away from its villages； and by the means of these he laid waste all Galilee； and irritated a considerable number； who were in great expectation of a war then suddenly to arise among them。
2。 However； John's want of money had hitherto restrained him in his ambition after command； and in his attempts to advance himself。 But when he saw that Josephus was highly pleased with the activity of his temper； he persuaded him； in the first place； to intrust him with the repairing of the walls of his native city； ＇Gischala；＇ in which work he got a great deal of money from the rich citizens。 He after that contrived a very shrewd trick； and pretending that the Jews who dwelt in Syria were obliged to make use of oil that was made by others than those of their own nation； he desired leave of Josephus to send oil to their borders； so he bought four amphorae with such Tyrian money as was of the value of four Attic drachmae； and sold every half…amphora at the same price。 And as Galilee was very fruitful in oil； and was peculiarly so at that time； by sending away great quantities； and having the sole privilege so to do； he gathered an immense sum of money together； which money he immediately used to the disadvantage of him who gave him that privilege； and； as he supposed； that if he could once overthrow Josephus； he should himself obtain the government of Galilee； so he gave orders to the robbers that were under his command to be more zealous in their thievish expeditions； that by the rise of many that desired innovations in the country； he might either catch their general in his snares； as he came to the country's assistance； and then kill him； or if he should overlook the robbers； he might accuse him for his negligence to the people of the country。 He also spread abroad a report far and near that Josephus was delivering up the administration of affairs to the Romans； and many such plots did he lay； in order to ruin him。
3。 Now at the same time that certain young men of the village Dabaritta； who kept guard in the Great Plain laid snares for Ptolemy； who was Agrippa's and Bernice's steward； and took from him all that he had with him； among which things there were a great many costly garments； and no small number of silver cups； and six hundred pieces of gold； yet were they not able to conceal what they had stolen； but brought it all to Josephus； to Tarichee。 Hereupon he blamed them for the violence they had offered to the king and queen； and deposited what they brought to him with Eneas； the most potent man of Taricheae； with an intention of sending the things back to the owners at a proper time； which act of Josephus brought him into the greatest danger； for those that had stolen the things had an indignation at him； both because they gained no share of it for themselves； and because they perceived beforehand what was Josephus's intention； and that he would freely deliver up what had cost them so much pains to the king and queen。 These ran away by night to their several villages； and declared to all men that Josephus was going to betray them： they also raised great disorders in all the neighboring cities； insomuch that in the morning a hundred thousand armed men came running together； which multitude was crowded together in the hippodrome at Taricheae； and made a very peevish clamor against him； while some cried out； that they should depose the traitor； and others； that they should burn him。 Now John irritated a great many； as did also one Jesus； the son of Sapphias； who was then governor of Tiberias。 Then it was that Josephus's friends； and the guards of his body； were so affrighted at this violent assault of the multitude； that they all fled away but four； and as he was asleep； they awaked him； as the people were going to set fire to the house。 And although those four that remained with him persuaded him to run away； he was neither surprised at his being himself deserted； nor at the great multitude that came against him； but leaped out to them with his clothes rent； and ashes sprinkled on his head； with his hands behind him； and his sword hanging at his n