太子爷小说网 > 英语电子书 > the life of flavius josephus >

第2节

the life of flavius josephus-第2节

小说: the life of flavius josephus 字数: 每页4000字

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!



they were unprovided of arms; should be in subjection to their
enemies; which also came to be the case afterward; and; being
informed that all Galilee had not yet revolted from the Romans;
but that some part of it was still quiet; they sent me and two
others of the priests; who were men of excellent characters;
Joazar and Judas; in order to persuade the ill men there to lay
down their arms; and to teach them this lesson; … That it were
better to have those arms reserved for the most courageous men
that the nation had 'than to be kept there'; for that it had been
resolved; That those our best men should always have their arms
ready against futurity; but still so; that they should wait to
see what the Romans would do。

8。 When I had therefore received these instructions; I came into
Galilee; and found the people of Sepphoris in no small agony
about their country; by reason that the Galileans had resolved to
plunder it; on account of the friendship they had with the
Romans; and because they had given their right hand; and made a
league with Cestius Gallus; the president of Syria。 But I
delivered them all out of the fear they were in; and persuaded
the multitude to deal kindly with them; and permitted them to
send to those that were their own hostages with Gessius to Dora;
which is a city of Phoenicia; as often as they pleased; though I
still found the inhabitants of Tiberias ready to take arms; and
that on the occasion following: … 

9。 There were three factions in this city。 The first was composed
of men of worth and gravity; of these Julius Capellus was the
head。 Now he; as well as all his companions; Herod the son of
Miarus; and Herod the son of Gamalus; and Compsus the son of
Compsus; (for as to Compsus's brother Crispus; who had once been
governor of the city under the great king 'Agrippa' (8) he was
beyond Jordan in his own possessions;) all these persons before
named gave their advice; that the city should then continue in
their allegiance to the Romans and to the king。 But Pistus; who
was guided by his son Justus; did not acquiesce in that
resolution; otherwise he was himself naturally of a good and
virtuous character。 But the second faction was composed of the
most ignoble persons; and was determined for war。 But as for
Justus; the son of Pistus; who was the head of the third faction;
although he pretended to be doubtful about going to war; yet was
he really desirous of innovation; as supposing that he should
gain power to himself by the change of affairs。 He therefore came
into the midst of them; and endeavored to inform the multitude
that 〃the city Tiberius had ever been a city of Galilee; and that
in the days of Herod the tetrarch; who had built it; it had
obtained the principal place; and that he had ordered that the
city Sepphoris should be subordinate to the city Tiberias; that
they had not lost this preeminence even under Agrippa the father;
but had retained it until Felix was procurator of Judea。 But he
told them; that now they had been so unfortunate as to be made a
present by Nero to Agrippa; junior; and that; upon Sepphoris's
submission of itself to the Romans; that was become the capital
city of Galilee; and that the royal library and the archives were
now removed from them。〃 When he had spoken these things; and a
great many more; against king Agrippa; in order to provoke the
people to a revolt; he added that 〃this was the time for them to
take arms; and join with the Galileans as their confederates
(whom they might command; and who would now willingly assist
them; out of the hatred they bare to the people of Sepphoris;
because they preserved their fidelity to the Romans); and to
gather a great number of forces; in order to punish them。〃 And as
he said this; he exhorted the multitude; 'to go to war;' for his
abilities lay in making harangues to the people; and in being too
hard in his speeches for such as opposed him; though they advised
what was more to their advantage; and this by his craftiness and
his fallacies; for he was not unskilful in the learning of the
Greeks; and in dependence on that skill it was; that he undertook
to write a history of these affairs; as aiming; by this way of
haranguing; to disguise the truth。 But as to this man; and how
ill were his character and conduct of life; and how he and his
brother were; in great measure; the authors of our destruction; I
shall give the reader an account in the progress of my narration。
So when Justus had; by his persuasions; prevailed with the
citizens of Tiberias to take arms; nay; and had forced a great
many so to do against their wills; he went out; and set the
villages that belonged to Gadara and Hippos on fire; which
villages were situated on the borders of Tiberias; and of the
region of Scythopolis。

10。 And this was the state Tiberias was now in。 But as for
Gischala; its affairs were thus: … When John; the son of Levi;
saw some of the citizens much elevated upon their revolt from the
Romans; he labored to restrain them; and entreated them that they
would keep their allegiance to them。 But he could not gain his
purpose; although he did his endeavors to the utmost; for the
neighboring people of Gadara; Gabara; and Sogana; wth the
Tyrians; got together a great army; and fell upon Gischala; and
took Gischala by force; and set it on fire; and when they had
entirely demolished it; they returned home。 Upon which John was
so enraged; that he armed all his men; and joined battle with the
people forementioned; and rebuilt Gischala after a manner better
than before; and fortified it with walls for its future security。

11。 But Gamala persevered in its allegiance to the Romans; for
the reason following: … Philip; the son of Jacimus; who was their
governor under king Agrippa; had been unexpectedly preserved when
the royal palace at Jerusalem had been besieged; but; as he fled
away; had fallen into another danger; and that was; of being
killed by Manahem; and the robbers that were with him; but
certain Babylonians; who were of his kindred; and were then in
Jerusalem; hindered the robbers from executing their design。 So
Philip staid there four days; and fled away on the fifth; having
disguised himself with fictitious hair; that he might not be
discovered; and when he was come to one of the villages to him
belonging; but one that was situated at the borders of the
citadel of Gamala; he sent to some of those that were under him;
and commanded them to come to him。 But God himself hindered that
his intention; and this for his own advantage also; for had it
not so happened; he had certainly perished。 For a fever having
seized upon him immediately; he wrote to Agrippa and Bernice; and
gave them to one of his freed…men to carry them to Varus; who at
this time was procurator of the kingdom; which the king and his
sister had intrusted him withal; while they were gone to Berytus
with an intention of meeting Gessius。 When Varus had received
these letters of Philip; and had learned that he was preserved;
he was very uneasy at it; as supposing that he should appear
useless to the king and his sister; now Philip was come。 He
therefore produced the carrier of the letters before the
multitude; and accused him of forging the same; and said that he
spake falsely when he related that Philip was at Jerusalem;
fighting among the Jews against the Romans。 So he slew him。 And
when this freed…man of Philip did not return again; Philip was
doubtful what should be the occasion of his stay; and sent a
second messenger with letters; that he might; upon his return;
inform him what had befallen the other that had been sent before;
and why he tarried so long。 Varus accused this messenger also;
when he came; of telling a falsehood; and slew him。 For he was
puffed up by the Syrians that were at Caesarea; and had great
expectations; for they said that Agrippa would be slain by the
Romans for the crimes which the Jews had committed; and that he
should himself take the government; as derived from their kings;
for Varus was; by the confession of all; of the royal family; as
being a descendant of Sohemus; who had enjoyed a tetrarchy about
Libanus; for which reason it was that he was puffed up; and kept
the letters to himself。 He contrived; also; that the king should
not meet with those writings; by guarding all the passes; lest
any one should escape; and inform the king what had been done。 He
moreover slew many of the Jews; in order to gratify the Syrians
of Cesarea。 He had a mind also to join with the Trachonites in
Batanea; and to take up arms and make an assault upon the
Babylonian Jews that were at Ecbatana; for that was the name they
went by。 He therefore called to him twelve of the Jews of
Cesarea; of the best character; and ordered them to go to
Ecbatana; and inform their countrymen who dwelt there; That Varus
hath heard that 〃you intend to march against the king; but; not
believing that report; he hath sent us to persuade you to lay
down your arms; and that this compliance will be a sign that he
did well not to give credit to those that raised the report
concerning you。〃 He also enjoined them to send seventy of their
principal men to make a defense for th

返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 0

你可能喜欢的