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[81]
But there was one Julian, a centurion, that came from Eithynia, a
man he was of great reputation, whom I had formerly seen in that war, and
one of the highest fame, both for his skill in war, his strength of body,
and the courage of his soul. This man, seeing the Romans giving ground,
and ill a sad condition, (for he stood by Titus at the tower of Antonia,)
leaped out, and of himself alone put the Jews to flight, when they were
already conquerors, and made them retire as far as the corner of the inner
court of the temple; from him the multitude fled away in crowds, as supposing
that neither his strength nor his violent attacks could be those of a mere
man. Accordingly, he rushed through the midst of the Jews, as they were
dispersed all abroad, and killed those that he caught. Nor, indeed, was
there any sight that appeared more wonderful in the eyes of Caesar, or
more terrible to others, than this. However, he was himself pursued by
fate, which it all not possible that he, who was but a mortal man, should
escape; for as he had shoes all full of thick and sharp nails 1
as had every one of the other soldiers, so when he ran on the pavement
of the temple, he slipped, and fell down upon his back with a very great
noise, which was made by his armor. This made those that were running away
to turn back; whereupon those Romans that were in the tower of Antonia
set up a great shout, as they were in fear for the man. But the Jews got
about him in crowds, and struck at him with their spears and with their
swords on all sides. Now he received a great many of the strokes of these
iron weapons upon his shield, and often attempted to get up again, but
was thrown down by those that struck at him; yet did he, as he lay along,
stab many of them with his sword. Nor was he soon killed, as being covered
with his helmet and his breastplate in all those parts of his body where
he might be mortally wounded; he also pulled his neck close to his body,
till all his other limbs were shattered, and nobody durst come to defend
him, and then he yielded to his fate. Now Caesar was deeply affected on
account of this man of so great fortitude, and especially as he was killed
in the sight of so many people; he was desirous himself to come to his
assistance, but the place would not give him leave, while such as could
have done it were too much terrified to attempt it. Thus when Julian had
struggled with death a great while, and had let but few of those that had
given him his mortal wound go off unhurt, he had at last his throat cut,
though not without some difficulty, and left behind him a very great fame,
not only among the Romans, and with Caesar himself, but among his enemies
also; then did the Jews catch up his dead body, and put the Romans to flight
again, and shut them up in the tower of Antonia. Now those that most signalized
themselves, and fought most zealously in this battle of the Jewish side,
were one Alexas and Gyphtheus, of John's party, and of Simon's party were
Malachias, and Judas the son of Merto, and James the son of Sosas, the
commander of the Idumeans; and of the zealots, two brethren, Simon and
Judas, the sons of Jairus.
1 No wonder that this Julian, who had so many nails in his shoes, slipped upon the pavement of the temple, which was smooth, and laid with marble of different colors.
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