第 56 节
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不受约束 更新:2024-05-25 15:05 字数:9322
had got the people of Tiberias together in the stadium; and tried to discourse with them about the letters that he had received; John privately sent some armed men; and gave them orders to slay him。 But when the people saw that the armed men were about to draw their swords; they cried out; at which cry Josephus turned himself about; and when he saw that the swords were just at his throat; he marched away in great haste to the sea…shore; and left off that speech which he was going to make to the people; upon an elevation of six cubits high。 He then seized on a ship which lay in the haven; and leaped into it; with two of his guards; and fled away into the midst of the lake。
7。 But now the soldiers he had with him took up their arms immediately; and marched against the plotters; but Josephus was afraid lest a civil war should be raised by the envy of a few men; and bring the city to ruin; so he sent some of his party to tell them; that they should do no more than provide for their own safety; that they should not kill any body; nor accuse any for the occasion they had afforded 'of disorder'。 Accordingly; these men obeyed his orders; and were quiet; but the people of the neighboring country; when they were informed of this plot; and of the plotter; they got together in great multitudes to oppose John。 But he prevented their attempt; and fled away to Gischala; his native city; while the Galileans came running out of their several cities to Josephus; and as they were now become many ten thousands of armed men; they cried out; that they were come against John the common plotter against their interest; and would at the same time burn him; and that city which had received him。 Hereupon Josephus told them that he took their good…will to him kindly; but still he restrained their fury; and intended to subdue his enemies by prudent conduct; rather than by slaying them; so he excepted those of every city which had joined in this revolt with John; by name; who had readily been shown him by these that came from every city; and caused public proclamation to be made; that he would seize upon the effects of those that did not forsake John within five days' time; and would burn both their houses and their families with fire。 Whereupon three thousand of John's party left him immediately; who came to Josephus; and threw their arms down at his feet。 John then betook himself; together with his two thousand Syrian runagates; from open attempts; to more secret ways of treachery。 Accordingly; he privately sent messengers to Jerusalem; to accuse Josephus; as having to great power; and to let them know that he would soon come as a tyrant to their metropolis; unless they prevented him。 This accusation the people were aware of beforehand; but had no regard to it。 However; some of the grandees; out of envy; and some of the rulers also; sent money to John privately; that he might be able to get together mercenary soldiers; in order to fight Josephus; they also made a decree of themselves; and this for recalling him from his government; yet did they not think that decree sufficient; so they sent withal two thousand five hundred armed men; and four persons of the highest rank amongst them; Joazar the son of Nomicus; and Ananias the son of Sadduk; as also Simon and Judas the sons of Jonathan; all very able men in speaking; that these persons might withdraw the good…will of the people from Josephus。 These had it in charge; that if he would voluntarily come away; they should permit him to 'come and' give an account of his conduct; but if he obstinately insisted upon continuing in his government; they should treat him as an enemy。 Now Josephus's friends had sent him word that an army was coming against him; but they gave him no notice beforehand what the reason of their coming was; that being only known among some secret councils of his enemies; and by this means it was that four cities revolted from him immediately; Sepphoris; and Gamala; and Gischala; and Tiberias。 Yet did he recover these cities without war; and when he had routed those four commanders by stratagems; and had taken the most potent of their warriors; he sent them to Jerusalem; and the people 'of Galilee' had great indignation at them; and were in a zealous disposition to slay; not only these forces; but those that sent them also; had not these forces prevented it by running away。
8。 Now John was detained afterward within the walls of Gischala; by the fear he was in of Josephus; but within a few days Tiberias revolted again; the people within it inviting king Agrippa 'to return to the exercise of his authority there'。 And when he did not come at the time appointed; and when a few Roman horsemen appeared that day; they expelled Josephus out of the city。 Now this revolt of theirs was presently known at Taricheae; and as Josephus had sent out all the soldiers that were with him to gather corn; he knew not how either to march out alone against the revolters; or to stay where he was; because he was afraid the king's soldiers might prevent him if he tarried; and might get into the city; for he did not intend to do any thing on the next day; because it was the sabbath day; and would hinder his proceeding。 So he contrived to circumvent the revolters by a stratagem; and in the first place he ordered the gates of Taricheae to be shut; that nobody might go out and inform 'those of Tiberias'; for whom it was intended; what stratagem he was about; he then got together all the ships that were upon the lake; which were found to be two hundred and thirty; and in each of them he put no more than four mariners。 So he sailed to Tiberias with haste; and kept at such a distance from the city; that it was not easy for the people to see the vessels; and ordered that the empty vessels should float up and down there; while himself; who had but seven of his guards with him; and those unarmed also; went so near as to be seen; but when his adversaries; who were still reproaching him; saw him from the walls; they were so astonished that they supposed all the ships were full of armed men; and threw down their arms; and by signals of intercession they besought him to spare the city。
9。 Upon this Josephus threatened them terribly; and reproached them; that when they were the first that took up arms against the Romans; they should spend their force beforehand in civil dissensions; and do what their enemies desired above all things; and that besides they should endeavor so hastily to seize upon him; who took care of their safety; and had not been ashamed to shut the gates of their city against him that built their walls; that; however; he would admit of any intercessors from them that might make some excuse for them; and with whom he would make such agreements as might be for the city's security。 Hereupon ten of the most potent men of Tiberias came down to him presently; and when he had taken them into one of his vessels; he ordered them to be carried a great way off from the city。 He then commanded that fifty others of their senate; such as were men of the greatest eminence; should come to him; that they also might give him some security on their behalf。 After which; under one new pretense or another; he called forth others; one after another; to make the leagues between them。 He then gave order to the masters of those vessels which he had thus filled to sail away immediately for Taricheae; and to confine those men in the prison there; till at length he took all their senate; consisting of six hundred persons; and about two thousand of the populace; and carried them away to Taricheae。 (35)
10。 And when the rest of the people cried out; that it was one Clitus that was the chief author of this revolt; they desired him to spend his anger upon him 'only'; but Josephus; whose intention it was to slay nobody; commanded one Levius; belonging to his guards; to go out of the vessel; in order to cut off both Clitus's hands; yet was Levius afraid to go out by himself alone to such a large body of enemies; and refused to go。 Now Clitus saw that Josephus was in a great passion in the ship; and ready to leap out of it; in order to execute the punishment himself; he begged therefore from the shore; that he would leave him one of his hands; which Josephus agreed to; upon condition that he would himself cutoff the other hand; accordingly he drew his sword; and with his right hand cut off his left; so great was the fear he was in of Josephus himself。 And thus he took the people of Tiberias prisoners; and recovered the city again with empty ships and seven of his guard。 Moreover; a few days afterward he retook Gischala; which had revolted with the people of Sepphoris; and gave his soldiers leave to plunder it; yet did he get all the plunder together; and restored it to the inhabitants; and the like he did to the inhabitants of Sepphoris and Tiberias。 For when he had subdued those cities; he had a mind; by letting them be plundered; to give them some good instruction; while at the same time he regained their good…will by restoring them their money again。
CHAPTER 22。
The Jews Make All Ready For The War; And Simon; The Son Of Gioras; Falls To Plundering。
1。 And thus were the disturbances of Galilee quieted; when; upon their ceasing to prosecut