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[186]
Hereupon Vespasian hoped that their receptacles of water would in
no long time be emptied, and that they would be forced to deliver up the
city to him; but Josephus being minded to break such his hope, gave command
that they should wet a great many of their clothes, and hang them out about
the battlements, till the entire wall was of a sudden all wet with the
running down of the water. At this sight the Romans were discouraged, and
under consternation, when they saw them able to throw away in sport so
much water, when they supposed them not to have enough to drink themselves.
This made the Roman general despair of taking the city by their want of
necessaries, and to betake himself again to arms, and to try to force them
to surrender, which was what the Jews greatly desired; for as they despaired
of either themselves or their city being able to escape, they preferred
a death in battle before one by hunger and thirst.
Flavius Josephus. The Works of Flavius Josephus. Translated by. William Whiston, A.M. Auburn and Buffalo. John E. Beardsley. 1895.
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