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Now it is impossible to describe the multitude of the shows as they
deserve, and the magnificence of them all; such indeed as a man could not
easily think of as performed, either by the labor of workmen, or the variety
of riches, or the rarities of nature; for almost all such curiosities as
the most happy men ever get by piece-meal were here one heaped on another,
and those both admirable and costly in their nature; and all brought together
on that day demonstrated the vastness of the dominions of the Romans; for
there was here to be seen a mighty quantity of silver, and gold, and ivory,
contrived into all sorts of things, and did not appear as carried along
in pompous show only, but, as a man may say, running along like a river.
Some parts were composed of the rarest purple hangings, and so carried
along; and others accurately represented to the life what was embroidered
by the arts of the Babylonians. There were also precious stones that were
transparent, some set in crowns of gold, and some in other ouches, as the
workmen pleased; and of these such a vast number were brought, that we
could not but thence learn how vainly we imagined any of them to be rarities.
The images of the gods were also carried, being as well wonderful for their
largeness, as made very artificially, and with great skill of the workmen;
nor were any of these images of any other than very costly materials; and
many species of animals were brought, every one in their own natural ornaments.
The men also who brought every one of these shows were great multitudes,
and adorned with purple garments, all over interwoven with gold; those
that were chosen for carrying these pompous shows having also about them
such magnificent ornaments as were both extraordinary and surprising. Besides
these, one might see that even the great number of the captives was not
unadorned, while the variety that was in their garments, and their fine
texture, concealed from the sight the deformity of their bodies. But what
afforded the greatest surprise of all was the structure of the pageants
that were borne along; for indeed he that met them could not but be afraid
that the bearers would not be able firmly enough to support them, such
was their magnitude; for many of them were so made, that they were on three
or even four stories, one above another. The magnificence also of their
structure afforded one both pleasure and surprise; for upon many of them
were laid carpets of gold. There was also wrought gold and ivory fastened
about them all; and many resemblances of the war, and those in several
ways, and variety of contrivances, affording a most lively portraiture
of itself. For there was to be seen a happy country laid waste, and entire
squadrons of enemies slain; while some of them ran away, and some were
carried into captivity; with walls of great altitude and magnitude overthrown
and ruined by machines; with the strongest fortifications taken, and the
walls of most populous cities upon the tops of hills seized on, and an
army pouring itself within the walls; as also every place full of slaughter,
and supplications of the enemies, when they were no longer able to lift
up their hands in way of opposition. Fire also sent upon temples was here
represented, and houses overthrown, and falling upon their owners: rivers
also, after they came out of a large and melancholy desert, ran down, not
into a land cultivated, nor as drink for men, or for cattle, but through
a land still on fire upon every side; for the Jews related that such a
thing they had undergone during this war. Now the workmanship of these
representations was so magnificent and lively in the construction of the
things, that it exhibited what had been done to such as did not see it,
as if they had been there really present. On the top of every one of these
pageants was placed the commander of the city that was taken, and the manner
wherein he was taken. Moreover, there followed those pageants a great number
of ships; and for the other spoils, they were carried in great plenty.
But for those that were taken in the temple of Jerusalem,
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they made the greatest figure of them all; that is, the golden table, of
the weight of many talents; the candlestick also, that was made of gold,
though its construction were now changed from that which we made use of;
for its middle shaft was fixed upon a basis, and the small branches were
produced out of it to a great length, having the likeness of a trident
in their position, and had every one a socket made of brass for a lamp
at the tops of them. These lamps were in number seven, and represented
the dignity of the number seven among the Jews; and the last of all the
spoils, was carried the Law of the Jews. After these spoils passed by a
great many men, carrying the images of Victory, whose structure was entirely
either of ivory or of gold. After which Vespasian marched in the first
place, and Titus followed him; Domitian also rode along with them, and
made a glorious appearance, and rode on a horse that was worthy of admiration.