n 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.

2. Now Titus, as he rode ut to Gischala, found it would be easy for him
to take the city upon the first onset; but knew withal, that if he took
it by force, the multitude would be destroyed by the soldiers without
mercy. [Now he was already satiated with the shedding of blood, and
pitied the major part, who would then perish, without distinction,
together with the guilty.] So he was rather desirous the city might be
surrendered up to him on terms. Accordingly, when he saw the wall full
of those men that were of the corrupted party, he said to them, That he
could not but wonder what it was they depended on, when they alone
staid to fight the Romans, after every other city was taken by them,
especially when they have seen cities much better fortified than theirs
is overthrown by a single attack upon them; while as many as have
intrusted themselves to the security of the Romans' right hands, which
he now offers to them, without regarding their former insolence, do
enjoy their own possessions in safety; for that whi