I offered my books to the emperors themselves, when the facts were
almost under men's eyes; for I was conscious to myself, that I had
observed the truth of the facts; and as I expected to have their
attestation to them, so I was not deceived in such expectation.
Moreover, I immediately presented my history to many other persons, some
of whom were concerned in the war, as was king Agrippa and some of his
kindred. Now the emperor Titus was so desirous that the knowledge of
these affairs should be taken from these books alone, that he subscribed
his own hand to them, and ordered that they should be published; and for
king Agrippa, he wrote me sixty-two letters, and attested to the truth
of what I had therein delivered; two of which letters I have here
subjoined, and thou mayst thereby know their contents:-- "King Agrippa
to Josephus, however, when thou comest to me, I will inform thee of a
great many things which thou dost not know." So when this history was
perfected, Agrippa, neither by way of flattery, which was not agreeable
to him, nor by way of irony, as thou wilt say, [for he was entirely a
stranger to such an evil disposition of mind,] but he wrote this by way
of attestation to what was true, as all that read histories may do. And
so much shall be said concerning Justus [24] which I am obliged to add
by way of digression.

66. Now, when I had settled the affairs of Tiberias, and had assembled
my friends as a sanhedrim, I consulted what I should do as to John.
Whereupon it appeared to be the opinion of all the Galileans, that
I should arm them all, and march against John, and punish him as the
author of all the disorders that had happened. Yet was not I pleased
with their determination; as purposing to compose these troubles without
bloodshed. Upon this I exhorted them to use the utmost care to learn
the names of all that were under John; which when they had done, and I
thereby was apprized who the men were, I published an edict, wherein I
offered security and my right hand to such of John's party as had a mind
to repent; and I allowed twenty days' time to such as would take this
most advantageous course for themselves. I also threatened, that unless
they threw down their arms, I would burn their houses, and expose their
goods to public sale. When the men heard of this, they were in no small
disorder, and deserted John; and to the number of four thousand threw
down their arms, and came to me. So that no others staid