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And now a fourth misfortune arose, in order to bring our nation to
destruction. There was a fortress of very great strength not far from Jerusalem,
which had been built by our ancient kings, both as a repository for their
effects in the hazards of war, and for the preservation of their bodies
at the same time. It was called Masada. Those that were called Sicarii
had taken possession of it formerly, but at this time they overran the
neighboring countries, aiming only to procure to themselves necessaries;
for the fear they were then in prevented their further ravages. But when
once they were informed that the Roman army lay still, and that the Jews
were divided between sedition and tyranny, they boldly undertook greater
matters; and at the feast of unleavened bread, which the Jews celebrate
in memory of their deliverance from the Egyptian bondage, when they were
sent back into the country of their forefathers, they came down by night,
without being discovered by those that could have prevented them, and overran
a certain small city called Engaddi:--in which expedition they prevented
those citizens that could have stopped them, before they could arm themselves,
and fight them. They also dispersed them, and cast them out of the city.
As for such as could not run away, being women and children, they slew
of them above seven hundred. Afterward, when they had carried every thing
out of their houses, and had seized upon all the fruits that were in a
flourishing condition, they brought them into Masada. And indeed these
men laid all the villages that were about the fortress waste, and made
the whole country desolate; while there came to them every day, from all
parts, not a few men as corrupt as themselves. At that time all the other
regions of Judea that had hitherto been at rest were in motion, by means
of the robbers. Now as it is in a human body, if the principal part be
inflamed, all the members are subject to the same distemper; so, by means
of the sedition and disorder that was in the metropolis,. had the wicked
men that were in the country opportunity to ravage the same. Accordingly,
when every one of them had plundered their own villages, they then retired
into the desert; yet were these men that now got together, and joined in
the conspiracy by parties, too small for an army, and too many for a gang
of thieves: and thus did they fall upon the holy places
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and the cities; yet did it now so happen that they were sometimes very
ill treated by those upon whom they fell with such violence, and were taken
by them as men are taken in war: but still they prevented any further punishment
as do robbers, who, as soon as their ravages [are discovered], run their
way. Nor was there now any part of Judea that was not in a miserable condition,
as well as its most eminent city also.