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[258]
Now when affairs within the city were in this posture, Titus went
round the city on the outside with some chosen horsemen, and looked about
for a proper place where he might make an impression upon the walls; but
as he was in doubt where he could possibly make an attack on any side,
(for the place was no way accessible where the valleys were, and on the
other side the first wall appeared too strong to be shaken by the engines,)
he thereupon thought it best to make his assault upon the monument of John
the high priest; for there it was that the first fortification was lower,
and the second was not joined to it, the builders neglecting to build strong
where the new city was not much inhabited; here also was an easy passage
to the third wall, through which he thought to take the upper city, and,
through the tower of Antonia, the temple itself But at this time, as he
was going round about the city, one of his friends, whose name was Nicanor,
was wounded with a dart on his left shoulder, as he approached, together
with Josephus, too near the wall, and attempted to discourse to those that
were upon the wall, about terms of peace; for he was a person known by
them. On this account it was that Caesar, as soon as he knew their vehemence,
that they would not hear even such as approached them to persuade them
to what tended to their own preservation, was provoked to press on the
siege. He also at the same time gave his soldiers leave to set the suburbs
on fire, and ordered that they should bring timber together, and raise
banks against the city; and when he had parted his army into three parts,
in order to set about those works, he placed those that shot darts and
the archers in the midst of the banks that were then raising; before whom
he placed those engines that threw javelins, and darts, and stones, that
he might prevent the enemy from sallying out upon their works, and might
hinder those that were upon the wall from being able to obstruct them.
So the trees were now cut down immediately, and the suburbs left naked.
But now while the timber was carrying to raise the banks, and the whole
army was earnestly engaged in their works, the Jews were not, however,
quiet; and it happened that the people of Jerusalem, who had been hitherto
plundered and murdered, were now of good courage, and supposed they should
have a breathing time, while the others were very busy in opposing their
enemies without the city, and that they should now be avenged on those
that had been the authors of their miseries, in case the Romans did but
get the victory.
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