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the wars of the jews-第92章

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hopous; which is the largest city of Decapolis; and in the neighborhood of Tiberias; whither he came; and where he waited for his son。 He then came with three legions; and pitched his camp thirty furlongs off Tiberias; at a certain station easily seen by the innovators; it is named Sennabris。 He also sent Valerian; a decurion; with fifty horsemen; to speak peaceably to those that were in the city; and to exhort them to give him assurances of their fidelity; for he had heard that the people were desirous of peace; but were obliged by some of the seditious part to join with them; and so were forced to fight for them。 When Valerian had marched up to the place; and was near the wall; he alighted off his horse; and made those that were with him to do the same; that they might not be thought to come to skirmish with them; but before they could come to a discourse one with another; the most potent men among the seditious made a sally upon them armed; their leader was one whose name was Jesus; the son of Shaphat; the principal head of a band of robbers。 Now Valerian; neither thinking it safe to fight contrary to the commands of the general; though he were secure of a victory; and knowing that it was a very hazardous undertaking for a few to fight with many; for those that were unprovided to fight those that were ready; and being on other accounts surprised at this unexpected onset of the Jews; he ran away on foot; as did five of the rest in like manner; and left their horses behind them; which horses Jesus led away into the city; and rejoiced as if they had taken them in battle; and not by treachery。

8。 Now the seniors of the people; and such as were of principal authority among them; fearing what would be the issue of this matter; fled to the camp of the Romans; they then took their king along with them; and fell down before Vespasian; to supplicate his favor; and besought him not to overlook them; nor to impute the madness of a few to the whole city; to spare a people that have been ever civil and obliging to the Romans; but to bring the authors of this revolt to due punishment; who had hitherto so watched them; that though they were zealous to give them the security of their right hands of a long time; yet could they not accomplish the same。 With these supplications the general complied; although he were very angry at the whole city about the carrying off his horses; and this because he saw that Agrippa was under a great concern for them。 So when Vespasian and Agrippa had accepted of their right hands by way of security; Jesus and his party thought it not safe for them to continue at Tiberias; so they ran away to Tarichete。 The next day Vespasian sent Trajan before with some horsemen to the citadel; to make trial of the multitude; whether they were all disposed for peace; and as soon as he knew that the people were of the same mind with the petitioner; he took his army; and went to the city; upon which the citizens opened to him their gates; and met him with acclamations of joy; and called him their savior and benefactor。 But as the army was a great while in getting in at the gates; they were so narrow; Vespasian commanded the south wall to be broken down; and so made a broad passage for their entrance。 However; he charged them to abstain from rapine and injustice; in order to gratify the king; and on his account spared the rest of the wall; while the king undertook for them that they should continue 'faithful to the Romans' for the time to come。 And thus did he restore this city to a quiet state; after it had been grievously afflicted by the sedition。 

CHAPTER 10。

How Taricheae Was Taken。 A Description Of The River Jordan; And Of The Country Of Gennesareth。

1。 And now Vespasian pitched his camp between this city and Taricheae; but fortified his camp more strongly; as suspecting that he should be forced to stay there; and have a long war; for all the innovators had gotten together at Taricheae; as relying upon the strength of the city; and on the lake that lay by it。 This lake is called by the people of the country the Lake of Gennesareth。 The city itself is situated like Tiberias; at the bottom of a mountain; and on those sides which are not washed by the sea; had been strongly fortified by Josephus; though not so strongly as Tiberias; for the wall of Tiberias had been built at the beginning of the Jews' revolt; when he had great plenty of money; and great power; but Tarichese partook only the remains of that liberality; Yet had they a great number of ships gotten ready upon the lake; that; in case they were beaten at land; they might retire to them; and they were so fitted up; that they might undertake a Sea…fight also。 But as the Romans were building a wall about their camp; Jesu and his party were neither affrighted at their number; nor at the good order they were in; but made a sally upon them; and at the very first onset the builders of the wall were dispersed; and these pulled what little they had before built to pieces; but as soon as they saw the armed men getting together; and before they had suffered any thing themselves; they retired to their own men。 But then the Romans pursued them; and drove them into their ships; where they launched out as far as might give them the opportunity of reaching the Romans with what they threw at them; and then cast anchor; and brought their ships close; as in a line of battle; and thence fought the enemy from the sea; who were themselves at land。 But Vespasian hearing that a great multitude of them were gotten together in the plain that was before the city; he thereupon sent his son; with six hundred chosen horsemen; to disperse them。

2。 But when Titus perceived that the enemy was very numerous; he sent to his father; and informed him that he should want more forces。 But as he saw a great many of the horsemen eager to fight; and that before any succors could come to them; and that yet some of them were privately under a sort of consternation at the multitude of the Jews; he stood in a place whence he might be heard; and said to them; 〃My brave Romans! for it is right for me to put you in mind of what nation you are; in the beginning of my speech; that so you may not be ignorant who you are; and who they are against whom we are going to fight。 For as to us; Romans; no part of the habitable earth hath been able to escape our hands hitherto; but as for the Jews; that I may speak of them too; though they have been already beaten; yet do they not give up the cause; and a sad thing it would be for us to grow wealthy under good success; when they bear up under their misfortunes。 As to the alacrity which you show publicly; I see it; and rejoice at it; yet am I afraid lest the multitude of the enemy should bring a concealed fright upon some of you: let such a one consider again; who we are that are to fight; and who those are against whom we are to fight。 Now these Jews; though they be very bold and great despisers of death; are but a disorderly body; and unskillful in war; and may rather be called a rout than an army; while I need say nothing of our skill and our good order; for this is the reason why we Romans alone are exercised for war in time of peace; that we may not think of num
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