The famous and memorable vvorkes of Iosephus, a man of much honour and learning among the Iewes. Faithfully translated out of the Latin, and French, by Tho. Lodge Doctor in Physicke

CHAP. V.

Of the deceit the Iewes vsed against the Roman souldiers.

ABout this time the Iewes deuised this stratageme against the Romans. The most couragi∣ous amongst the seditions people went out vnto the places called the womens towers, and counterfaited themselues to be driuen thither by them within the city that desired peace, [ L] and for that they feared the Romans, they were come thither to hide themselues one behind ano∣ther: others standing vpon the wals, and counterfaiting themselues to be the citizens, with loud cries desired peace, and a league of friendship; promising to set the citie gates open, and inuiting the Romans to enter, and crying thus they also cast stones against their countrimen before spo∣ken of, as though they did driue them from the gates; and they made as though they would by force breake through the people, & come to the gates, partly by force, partly by entreating the people to permit them. And making many offers to goe vnto the Romans, they turned againe like men troubled in mind, and studying what to doe. The Roman souldiers did not perc•…•…e their subtill meaning, who seeing the seditious readie to fall into their hands, that so they might punish them, and seeing the people (as they thought) readie to open the gates vnto them, would in post [ M] haste haue gone vnto the citie. But Titus inspected some deceit coloured with this kind inui∣ting him to enter, because he did not see any reason for it. For the day before hauing by Ioseph of∣f•…•…red them a peace, he vnderstood that the•…•… minds were farre from any peaceable cogitations: wherefore he now commaunded the souldiers to keepe their quarters and not to remooue; yet some of them appointed to worke in the trenches taking their weapons ranne vnto the gates, and the Iewes who seemed to be driuen out of the citie first fled; at last when they came vnto the

gates of the towers, they inclosed the Romans round about, and assaulted them vpon their backs: [ A] and they that were vpon the wals; did cast all kind of darts and stones vpon them: so that they slew many and wounded verie many; for it was not easie to escape from the wals, others being behind them and offering them violence. Moreouer they were ashamed that their Captaines had so offended, and in feare for their offence committed, both which caused them still to perseuer in it. And after a long conflict receiuing many wounds, and giuing as many, at last they put them to flight that enclosed them, and so the Iewes departed, and followed them vnto Helens monu∣ment, pursuing them with darts. And then the Iewes returned reioycing in their good fortune; and deriding the Romanes for being so deceiued, lifted vp their shields and bucklers, shouting and reioycing.

The Romane souldiers were receiued of their Captaines with threatnings, and of Caesar with [ B] this speech.

The Iewes lead onely with desperation doe al things with aduise and counsell, deui∣sing deceites, and fortune fauoureth their practises because they are ordered, and trustie to one another. And now the Romanes, whom for their obedience and discipline fortune was wont to fauour, doe contrariwise offend herein, and for their rash and vnaduised fighting are ouercome: & which is worst of al, in Caesars presence offering to fight without their Captaines. Truly the mili∣ta•…•…e law & discipline wil be grieued hereat, & my father not a little sorrowful to heare of this. For he who from his infancie vnto old age, hath beene trained vp in armes, yet did he neuer offend in this sort: and what shall wee say to our law which punisheth the least offences against them committed with death, when our whole armie doth disobey their Emperours commaund? But (quoth he) they who so arrogantly haue disobeyed our command, shall presently vnderstand that [ C] amo•…•…gst the Romans, victorie against the Generals commaund is an infamie.

Titus hauing thus spoken in anger vnto the Captaines, euidently declared vnto them what and how he purposed to punish them. And they presently despaired; as though by and by they were iustly condemned to die. But all the other legions flocking about Titus, besought him to pardon their fellow soul∣diers, and to remit the offence of the rashnesse of some fewe, for the obedience sake of all the rest: affirming that their future valour should bee a sufficient recompence for this their offence. Caesar was herewith pacified, partly thinking what was most profitable, partly for the intreatie of the rest: for he purposed to punish one man onely, and to rebuke the rest, and signifie vnto them his displeasure, and so he was reconciled vnto his souldiers, streightly charging them to bee more wise hereafter: and after he deuised how to bee reuenged vpon the Iewes for this deceite. When [ D] all the ground betweene the wals of Ierusalem and his armie, was in fower dayes made plaine; Ti∣tus being desirous safely to conduct the baggage and the rest of the multitude in safetie, he pla∣ced the strongest of all his souldiers euerie one in his ranke seuen by seuen, and caused them to march from the North part of the Citie vnto the West, all along without the Citie wals, placing the footemen in the forefront, and in the last place the horsemen three in a ranke, and betweene them both the Archers. So the Iewes not able now to make any excursions, Titus souldiers be∣ing thus disposed of, the baggage of the three legions; and the multitude passed along without any daunger. And Titus himselfe being now within two furlongs of the Citie wals, pitched his Tent against that corner of the wall that is called Psephinos, where the compasse of the wall from the North bendeth into the West: the other part of the armie entrenched themselues against that [ E] part of the wall that is called Hippicos, distant in like manner two furlongs from the Citie. But the tenth legion remained still in mount Oliuet where it was before.

Notes

• The alacritie of the souldiers among the Ro∣mans contrary to Titus 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• The year•…•… of th•…•… world. 4034. af∣ter Christs birth 72.
• The victorie of the Iewes.
• Caesars sharpe Oration to his souldiers.
• The Romane souldiers be∣seech Titus for their fellowes in armes.
• How and in what places Titus befieged Ierusalem.