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[161]
Vespasian, therefore, in order to try how he might overcome the natural
strength of the place, as well as the bold defense of the Jews, made a
resolution to prosecute the siege with vigor. To that end he called the
commanders that were under him to a council of war, and consulted with
them which way the assault might be managed to the best advantage. And
when the resolution was there taken to raise a bank against that part of
the wall which was practicable, he sent his whole army abroad to get the
materials together. So when they had cut down all the trees on the mountains
that adjoined to the city, and had gotten together a vast heap of stones,
besides the wood they had cut down, some of them brought hurdles, in order
to avoid the effects of the darts that were shot from above them. These
hurdles they spread over their banks, under cover whereof they formed their
bank, and so were little or nothing hurt by the darts that were thrown
upon them from the wall, while others pulled the neighboring hillocks to
pieces, and perpetually brought earth to them; so that while they were
busy three sorts of ways, nobody was idle. However, the Jews cast great
stones from the walls upon the hurdles which protected the men, with all
sorts of darts also; and the noise of what could not reach them was yet
so terrible, that it was some impediment to the workmen.
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