第 55 节
作者:不受约束      更新:2024-05-25 15:05      字数:9322
  me principally out of the country of Tyre; and were vagabonds that had run away from its villages; and by the means of these he laid waste all Galilee; and irritated a considerable number; who were in great expectation of a war then suddenly to arise among them。
  2。 However; John's want of money had hitherto restrained him in his ambition after command; and in his attempts to advance himself。 But when he saw that Josephus was highly pleased with the activity of his temper; he persuaded him; in the first place; to intrust him with the repairing of the walls of his native city; 'Gischala;' in which work he got a great deal of money from the rich citizens。 He after that contrived a very shrewd trick; and pretending that the Jews who dwelt in Syria were obliged to make use of oil that was made by others than those of their own nation; he desired leave of Josephus to send oil to their borders; so he bought four amphorae with such Tyrian money as was of the value of four Attic drachmae; and sold every half…amphora at the same price。 And as Galilee was very fruitful in oil; and was peculiarly so at that time; by sending away great quantities; and having the sole privilege so to do; he gathered an immense sum of money together; which money he immediately used to the disadvantage of him who gave him that privilege; and; as he supposed; that if he could once overthrow Josephus; he should himself obtain the government of Galilee; so he gave orders to the robbers that were under his command to be more zealous in their thievish expeditions; that by the rise of many that desired innovations in the country; he might either catch their general in his snares; as he came to the country's assistance; and then kill him; or if he should overlook the robbers; he might accuse him for his negligence to the people of the country。 He also spread abroad a report far and near that Josephus was delivering up the administration of affairs to the Romans; and many such plots did he lay; in order to ruin him。
  3。 Now at the same time that certain young men of the village Dabaritta; who kept guard in the Great Plain laid snares for Ptolemy; who was Agrippa's and Bernice's steward; and took from him all that he had with him; among which things there were a great many costly garments; and no small number of silver cups; and six hundred pieces of gold; yet were they not able to conceal what they had stolen; but brought it all to Josephus; to Tarichee。 Hereupon he blamed them for the violence they had offered to the king and queen; and deposited what they brought to him with Eneas; the most potent man of Taricheae; with an intention of sending the things back to the owners at a proper time; which act of Josephus brought him into the greatest danger; for those that had stolen the things had an indignation at him; both because they gained no share of it for themselves; and because they perceived beforehand what was Josephus's intention; and that he would freely deliver up what had cost them so much pains to the king and queen。 These ran away by night to their several villages; and declared to all men that Josephus was going to betray them: they also raised great disorders in all the neighboring cities; insomuch that in the morning a hundred thousand armed men came running together; which multitude was crowded together in the hippodrome at Taricheae; and made a very peevish clamor against him; while some cried out; that they should depose the traitor; and others; that they should burn him。 Now John irritated a great many; as did also one Jesus; the son of Sapphias; who was then governor of Tiberias。 Then it was that Josephus's friends; and the guards of his body; were so affrighted at this violent assault of the multitude; that they all fled away but four; and as he was asleep; they awaked him; as the people were going to set fire to the house。 And although those four that remained with him persuaded him to run away; he was neither surprised at his being himself deserted; nor at the great multitude that came against him; but leaped out to them with his clothes rent; and ashes sprinkled on his head; with his hands behind him; and his sword hanging at his neck。 At this sight his friends; especially those of Tarichae; commiserated his condition; but those that came out of the country; and those in their neighborhood; to whom his government seemed burdensome; reproached him; and bid him produce the money which belonged to them all immediately; and to confess the agreement he had made to betray them; for they imagined; from the habit in which he appeared; that he would deny nothing of what they suspected concerning him; and that it was in order to obtain pardon that he had put himself entirely into so pitiable a posture。 But this humble appearance was only designed as preparatory to a stratagem of his; who thereby contrived to set those that were so angry at him at variance one with another about the things they were angry at。 However; he promised he would confess all: hereupon he was permitted to speak; when he said;〃 I did neither intend to send this money back to Agrippa; nor to gain it myself; for I did never esteem one that was your enemy to be my friend; nor did I look upon what would tend to your disadvantage to be my advantage。 But; O you people of Tariehete; I saw that your city stood in more need than others of fortifications for your security; and that it wanted money in order for the building it a wall。 I was also afraid lest the people of Tiberias and other cities should lay a plot to seize upon these spoils; and therefore it was that I intended to retain this money privately; that I might encompass you with a wall。 But if this does not please you; I will produce what was brought me; and leave it to you to plunder it; but if I have conducted myself so well as to please you; you may if you please punish your benefactor。〃  4。 Hereupon the people of Taricheae loudly commended him; but those of Tiberias; with the rest of the company; gave him hard names; and threatened what they would do to him; so both sides left off quarrelling with Josephus; and fell on quarrelling with one another。 So he grew bold upon the dependence he had on his friends; which were the people of Taricheae; and about forty thousand in number; and spake more freely to the whole multitude; and reproached them greatly for their rashness; and told them; that with this money he would build walls about Taricheae; and would put the other cities in a state of security also; for that they should not want money; if they would but agree for whose benefit it was to be procured; and would not suffer themselves to be irritated against him who procured it for them。
  5。 Hereupon the rest of the multitude that had been deluded retired; but yet so that they went away angry; and two thousand of them made an assault upon him in their armor; and as he was already gone to his own house; they stood without and threatened him。 On which occasion Josephus again used a second stratagem to escape them; for he got upon the top of his house; and with his right hand desired them to be silent; and said to them; 〃I cannot tell what you would have; nor can hear what you say; for the confused noise you make;〃 but he said that he would comply with all their demands; in case they would but send some of their number in to him that might talk with him about it。 And when the principal of them; with their leaders; heard this; they came into the house。 He then drew them to the most retired part of the house; and shut the door of that hall where he put them; and then had them whipped till every one of their inward parts appeared naked。 In the mean time the multitude stood round the house; and supposed that he had a long discourse with those that were gone in about what they claimed of him。 He had then the doors set open immediately; and sent the men out all bloody; which so terribly aftrighted those that had before threatened him; that they threw away their arms and ran away。
  6。 But as for John; his envy grew greater 'upon this escape of Josephus'; and he framed a new plot against him; he pretended to be sick; and by a letter desired that Josephus would give him leave to use the hot baths that were at Tiberias; for the recovery of his health。 Hereupon Josephus; who hitherto suspected nothing of John's plots against him; wrote to the governors of the city; that they would provide a lodging and necessaries for John; which favors; when he had made use of; in two days' time he did what he came about; some he corrupted with delusive frauds; and others with money; and so persuaded them to revolt from Josephus。 This Silas; who was appointed guardian of the city by Josephus; wrote to him immediately; and informed him of the plot against him; which epistle when Josephus had received; he marched with great diligence all night; and came early in the morning to Tiberias; at which time the rest of the multitude met him。 But John; who suspected that his coming was not for his advantage; sent however one of his friends; and pretended that he was sick; and that being confined to his bed; he could not come to pay him his respects。 But as soon as Josephus had got the people of Tiberias together in the stadium; and tried to discourse with them about the l