283
[Whiston sect. 1] [sect. 1] NOW as soon as the army had no more people to slay or to plunder,
because there remained none to be the objects of their fury, (for they
would not have spared any, had there remained any other work to be done,)
Caesar gave orders that they should now demolish the entire city and temple,
but should leave as many of the towers standing as were of the greatest
eminency; that is, Phasaelus, and Hippicus, and Mariamne; and so much of
the wall as enclosed the city on the west side. This wall was spared, in
order to afford a camp for such as were to lie in garrison, as were the
towers also spared, in order to demonstrate to posterity what kind of city
it was, and how well fortified, which the Roman valor had subdued; but
for all the rest of the wall, it was so thoroughly laid even with the ground
by those that dug it up to the foundation, that there was left nothing
to make those that came thither believe it had ever been inhabited. This
was the end which Jerusalem came to by the madness of those that were for
innovations; a city otherwise of great magnificence, and of mighty fame
among all mankind. 284
[Whiston sect. 2] [sect. 5] But Caesar resolved to leave there, as a guard, the tenth legion,
with certain troops of horsemen, and companies of footmen. So, having entirely
completed this war, he was desirous to commend his whole army, on account
of the great exploits they had performed, and to bestow proper rewards
on such as had signalized themselves therein. He had therefore a great
tribunal made for him in the midst of the place where he had formerly encamped,
and stood upon it with his principal commanders about him, and spake so
as to be heard by the whole arrmy in the manner following: That he returned
them abundance of thanks for their good-will which they had showed to him:
he commended them for that ready obedience they had exhibited in this whole
war, which obedience had appeared in the many and great dangers which they
had courageously undergone; as also for that courage they had shown, and
had thereby augmented of themselves their country's power, and had made
it evident to all men, that neither the multitude of their enemies, nor
the strength of their places, nor the largeness of their cities, nor the
rash boldness and brutish rage of their antagonists, were sufficient at
any time to get clear of the Roman valor, although some of them may have
fortune in many respects on their side. He said further, that it was but
reasonable for them to put an end to this war, now it had lasted so long,
for that they had nothing better to wish for when they entered into it;
and that this happened more favorably for them, and more for their glory,
that all the Romans had willingly accepted of those for their governors,
and the curators of their dominions, whom they had chosen for them, and
had sent into their own country for that purpose, which still continued
under the management of those whom they had pitched on, and were thankful
to them for pitching upon them. That accordingly, although he did both
admire and tenderly regard them all, because he knew that every one of
them had gone as cheerfully about their work as their abilities and opportunities
would give them leave; yet, he said, that he would immediately bestow rewards
and dignities on those that had fought the most bravely, and with greater
force, and had signalized their conduct in the most glorious manner, and
had made his army more famous by their noble exploits; and that no one
who had been willing to take more pains than another should miss of a just
retribution for the same; for that he had been exceeding careful about
this matter, and that the more, because he had much rather reward the virtues
of his fellow soldiers than punish such as had offended.
[Whiston sect. 3] [sect. 13] Hereupon Titus ordered those whose business it was to read the list
of all that had performed great exploits in this war, whom he called to
him by their names, and commended them before the company, and rejoiced
in them in the same manner as a man would have rejoiced in his own exploits.
He also put on their heads crowns of gold, and golden ornaments about their
necks, and gave them long spears of gold,. and ensigns that were made of
silver, and removed every one of them to a higher rank; and besides this,
he plentifully distributed among them, out of the spoils, and the other
prey they had taken, silver, and gold, and garments. So when they had all
these honors bestowed on them, according to his own appointment made to
every one, and he had wished all sorts of happiness to the whole army,
he came down, among the great acclamations which were made to him, and
then betook himself to offer thank-offerings [to the gods], and at once
sacrificed a vast number of oxen, that stood ready at the altars, and distributed
them among the army to feast on. And when he had staid three days among
the principal commanders, and so long feasted with them, he sent away the
rest of his army to the several places where they would be every one best
situated; but permitted the tenth legion to stay, as a guard at Jerusalem,
and did not send them away beyond Euphrates, where they had been before.
And as he remembered that the twelfth legion had given way to the Jews,
under Cestius their general, he expelled them out of all Syria, for they
had lain formerly at Raphanea, and sent them away to a place called Meletine,
near Euphrates, which is in the limits of Armenia and Cappadocia; he also
thought fit that two of the legions should stay with him till he should
go to Egypt. He then went down with his army to that Cesarea which lay
by the sea-side, and there laid up the rest of his spoils in great quantities,
and gave order that the captives should he kept there; for the winter season
hindered him then from sailing into Italy.
Ch. 2