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[84]
NOW no place of Galilee remained to be taken but the small city of
Gischala, whose multitude yet were desirous of peace; for they were generally
husbandmen, and always applied themselves to cultivate the fruits of the
earth. However, there were a great number that belonged to a band of robbers,
that were already corrupted, and had crept in among them, and some of the
governing part of the citizens were sick of the same distemper. It was
John, the son of a certain man whose name was Levi, that drew them into
this rebellion, and encouraged them in it. He was a cunning knave, and
of a temper that could put on various shapes; very rash in expecting great
things, and very sagacious in bringing about what he hoped for. It was
known to every body that he was fond of war, in order to thrust himself
into authority; and the seditious part of the people of Gischala were under
his management, by whose means the populace, who seemed ready to send ambassadors
in order to a surrender, waited for the coming of the Romans in battle-array.
Vespasian sent against them Titus, with a thousand horsemen, but withdrew
the tenth legion to Scythopolis, while he returned to Cesarea with the
two other legions, that he might allow them to refresh themselves after
their long and hard campaign, thinking withal that the plenty which was
in those cities would improve their bodies and their spirits, against the
difficulties they were to go through afterwards; for he saw there would
be occasion for great pains about Jerusalem, which was not yet taken, because
it was the royal city, and the principal city of the whole nation, and
because those that had run away from the war in other places got all together
thither. It was also naturally strong, and the walls that were built round
it made him not a little concerned about it. Moreover, he esteemed the
men that were in it to be so courageous and bold, that even without the
consideration of the walls, it would be hard to subdue them; for which
reason he took care of and exercised his soldiers beforehand for the work,
as they do wrestlers before they begin their undertaking.
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