Caesar. These I was desirous to
procure deliverance for, and that especially because I was informed
that they were not unmindful of piety towards God, even under
their afflictions, but supported themselves with figs and nuts. [4]
Accordingly I came to Rome, though it were through a great number of
hazards by sea; for as our ship was drowned in the Adriatic Sea, we that
were in it, being about six hundred in number, [5] swam for our lives
all the night; when, upon the first appearance of the day, and upon our
sight of a ship of Cyrene, I and some others, eighty in all, by God's
providence, prevented the rest, and were taken up into the other ship.
And when I had thus escaped, and was come to Dieearchia, which the
Italians call Puteoli, I became acquainted with Aliturius, an actor of
plays, and much beloved by Nero, but a Jew by birth; and through his
interest became known to Poppea, Caesar's wife, and took care, as soon
as possible, to entreat her to procure that the priests might be set at
liberty. And when, besides this favor, I had obtained many presents from
Poppea, I returned home again.

4. And now I perceived innovations were already begun, and that there
were a great many very much elevated in hopes of a revolt from the
Romans. I therefore endeavored to put a stop to these tumultuous
persons, and persuaded them to change their minds; and laid before their
eyes against whom it was that they were going to fight, and told them
that they were inferior to the Romans not only in martial skill, but
also in good fortune; and desired them not rashly, and after the most
foolish manner, to bring on the dangers of the most terrible mischiefs
upon their country, upon their families, and upon themselves. And this I
said with vehement exhortation, because I foresaw that the end of such a
war would be most unfortunate to us. But I could not persuade them; for
the madness of desperate men was quite too hard for me.

5. I was then afraid, lest, by inculcating these things so often, I
should incur their hatred and their suspicions, as if I were of our
enemies' party, and should run into the danger of being seized by them,
and slain; since they were already possessed of Antonia, which was the
citadel; so I retired into the inner court of the temple. Yet did I go
out of the temple again, after Manahem and the principal of the band of
robbers were put to death, when I abode among the high priests and the
chief of the Pharisees. But