on, let us commit our mutual
deaths to determination by lot. He whom the lot falls to first, let him
be killed by him that hath the second lot, and thus fortune shall make
its progress through us all; nor shall any of us perish by his own right
hand, for it would be unfair if, when the rest are gone, somebody should
repent and save himself." This proposal appeared to them to be very
just; and when he had prevailed with them to determine this matter by
lots, he drew one of the lots for himself also. He who had the first
lot laid his neck bare to him that had the next, as supposing that the
general would die among them immediately; for they thought death, if
Josephus might but die with them, was sweeter than life; yet was he with
another left to the last, whether we must say it happened so by chance,
or whether by the providence of God. And as he was very desirous neither
to be condemned by the lot, nor, if he had been left to the last, to
imbrue his right hand in the blood of his countrymen, he persuaded him
to trust his fidelity to him, and to live as well as himself.

8. Thus Josephus escaped in the war with the Romans, and in this his own
war with his friends, and was led by Nicanor to Vespasian. But now all
the Romans ran together to see him; and as the multitude pressed one
upon another about their general, there was a tumult of a various kind;
while some rejoiced that Josephus was taken, and some threatened him,
and some crowded to see him very near; but those that were more remote
cried out to have this their enemy put to death, while those that were
near called to mind the actions he had done, and a deep concern
appeared at the change of his fortune. Nor were there any of the Roman
commanders, how much soever they had been enraged at him before, but
relented when they came to the sight of him. Above all the rest, Titus's
own valor, and Josephus's own patience under his afflictions, made him
pity him, as did also the commiseration of his age, when he recalled
to mind that but a little while ago he was fighting, but lay now in the
hands of his enemies, which made him consider the power of fortune,
and how quick is the turn of affairs in war, and how no state of men is
sure; for which reason he then made a great many more to be of the same
pitiful temper with himself, and induced them to commiserate Josephus.
He was also of great weight in persuading his father to preserve him.
However, Vespasian gave strict orders t