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ral； their armor no way differs from that of the horsemen belonging to other troops； and he always leads the legions forth to whom the lot assigns that employment。
6。 This is the manner of the marching and resting of the Romans； as also these are the several sorts of weapons they use。 But when they are to fight； they leave nothing without forecast； nor to be done off…hand； but counsel is ever first taken before any work is begun； and what hath been there resolved upon is put in execution presently； for which reason they seldom commit any errors； and if they have been mistaken at any time； they easily correct those mistakes。 They also esteem any errors they commit upon taking counsel beforehand to be better than such rash success as is owing to fortune only； because such a fortuitous advantage tempts them to be inconsiderate； while consultation； though it may sometimes fail of success； hath this good in it； that it makes men more careful hereafter； but for the advantages that arise from chance； they are not owing to him that gains them； and as to what melancholy accidents happen unexpectedly； there is this comfort in them； that they had however taken the best consultations they could to prevent them。
7。 Now they so manage their preparatory exercises of their weapons； that not the bodies of the soldiers only； but their souls may also become stronger： they are moreover hardened for war by fear； for their laws inflict capital punishments； not only for soldiers running away from the ranks； but for slothfulness and inactivity； though it be but in a lesser degree； as are their generals more severe than their laws； for they prevent any imputation of cruelty toward those under condemnation； by the great rewards they bestow on the valiant soldiers； and the readiness of obeying their commanders is so great； that it is very ornamental in peace； but when they come to a battle； the whole army is but one body； so well coupled together are their ranks； so sudden are their turnings about； so sharp their hearing as to what orders are given them； so quick their sight of the ensigns； and so nimble are their hands when they set to work； whereby it comes to pass that what they do is done quickly； and what they suffer they bear with the greatest patience。 Nor can we find any examples where they have been conquered in battle； when they came to a close fight； either by the multitude of the enemies； or by their stratagems； or by the difficulties in the places they were in； no； nor by fortune neither； for their victories have been surer to them than fortune could have granted them。 In a case； therefore； where counsel still goes before action； and where； after taking the best advice； that advice is followed by so active an army； what wonder is it that Euphrates on the east； the ocean on the west； the most fertile regions of Libya on the south； and the Danube and the Rhine on the north； are the limits of this empire？ One might well say that the Roman possessions are not inferior to the Romans themselves。
8。 This account I have given the reader； not so much with the intention of commending the Romans； as of comforting those that have been conquered by them； and for the deterring others from attempting innovations under their government。 This discourse of the Roman military conduct may also perhaps be of use to such of the curious as are ignorant of it； and yet have a mind to know it。 I return now from this digression。
CHAPTER 6。
Placidus Attempts To Take Jotapata And Is Beaten Off。 Vespasian Marches Into Galilee。
1。 And now Vespasian； with his son Titus； had tarried some time at Ptolemais； and had put his army in order。 But when Placidus； who had overrun Galilee； and had besides slain a number of those whom he had caught； （which were only the weaker part of the Galileans； and such as were of timorous souls；） saw that the warriors ran always to those cities whose walls had been built by Josephus； he marched furiously against Jotapata； which was of them all the strongest； as supposing he should easily take it by a sudden surprise； and that he should thereby obtain great honor to himself among the commanders； and bring a great advantage to them in their future campaign； because if this strongest place of them all were once taken； the rest would be so aftrighted as to surrender themselves。 But he was mightily mistaken in his undertaking； for the men of Jotapata were apprized of his coming to attack them； and came out of the city； and expected him there。 So they fought the Romans briskly when they least expected it； being both many in number； and prepared for fighting； and of great alacrity； as esteeming their country； their wives； and their children to be in danger； and easily put the Romans to flight； and wounded many of them； and slew seven of them； （4） because their retreat was not made in a disorderly manner； be…cause the strokes only touched the surface of their bodies； which were covered with their armor in all parts； and because the Jews did rather throw their weapons upon them from a great distance； than venture to come hand to hand with them； and had only light armor on； while the others were completely armed。 However； three men of the Jews' side were slain； and a few wounded； so Placidus； finding himself unable to assault the city； ran away。
2。 But as Vespasian had a great mind to fall upon Galilee； he marched out of Ptolemais； having put his army into that order wherein the Romans used to march。 He ordered those auxiliaries which were lightly armed； and the archers； to march first； that they might prevent any sudden insults from the enemy； and might search out the woods that looked suspiciously； and were capable of ambuscades。 Next to these followed that part of the Romans which was completely armed； both footmen ；and horsemen。 Next to these followed ten out of every hundred； carrying along with them their arms； and what was necessary to measure out a camp withal； and after them； such as were to make the road even and straight； and if it were any where rough and hard to be passed over； to plane it； and to cut down the woods that hindered their march； that the army might not be in distress； or tired with their march。 Behind these he set such carriages of the army as belonged both to himself and to the other commanders； with a considerable number of their horsemen for their security。 After these he marched himself； having with him a select body of footmen； and horsemen； and pikemen。 After these came the peculiar cavalry of his own legion； for there were a hundred and twenty horsemen that peculiarly belonged to every legion。 Next to these came the mules that carried the engines for sieges； and the other warlike machines of that nature。 After these came the commanders of the cohorts and tribunes； having about them soldiers chosen out of the rest。 Then came the ensigns encompassing the eagle； which is at the head of every Roman legion； the king； and the strongest of all birds； which seems to them a signal of dominion； and an omen that they shall conquer all against whom they march； these sacred ensigns are followed by the trumpeters。 Then came the main army in their squadrons and battalions； with six men in depth； which were followed at