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[Whiston sect. 1] [sect. 647] AND thus were the disturbances of Galilee quieted, when, upon their
ceasing to prosecute their civil dissensions, they betook themselves to
make preparations for the war with the Romans. Now in Jerusalem the high
priest Artanus, and do as many of the men of power as were not in the interest
of the Romans, both repaired the walls, and made a great many warlike instruments,
insomuch that in all parts of the city darts and all sorts of armor were
upon the anvil. Although the multitude of the young men were engaged in
exercises, without any regularity, and all places were full of tumultuous
doings; yet the moderate sort were exceedingly sad; and a great many there
were who, out of the prospect they had of the calamities that were coming
upon them, made great lamentations. There were also such omens observed
as were understood to be forerunners of evils by such as loved peace, but
were by those that kindled the war interpreted so as to suit their own
inclinations; and the very state of the city, even before the Romans came
against it, was that of a place doomed to destruction. However, Ananus's
concern was this, to lay aside, for a while, the preparations for the war,
and to persuade the seditious to consult their own interest, and to restrain
the madness of those that had the name of zealots; but their violence was
too hard for him; and what end he came to we shall relate hereafter.
[Whiston sect. 2] [sect. 652] But as for the Acrabbene toparchy, Simon, the son of Gioras, got
a great number of those that were fond of innovations together, and betook
himself to ravage the country; nor did he only harass the rich men's houses,
but tormented their bodies, and appeared openly and beforehand to affect
tyranny in his government. And when an army was sent against him by Artanus,
and the other rulers, he and his band retired to the robbers that were
at Masada, and staid there, and plundered the country of Idumea with them,
till both Ananus and his other adversaries were slain; and until the rulers
of that country were so afflicted with the multitude of those that were
slain, and with the continual ravage of what they had, that they raised
an army, and put garrisons into the villages, to secure them from those
insults. And in this state were the affairs of Judea at that time.
Book 3 Book III
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Ch. 1