第 72 节
作者:不受约束      更新:2024-05-25 15:05      字数:9322
  mans; but to bring the authors of this revolt to due punishment; who had hitherto so watched them; that though they were zealous to give them the security of their right hands of a long time; yet could they not accomplish the same。 With these supplications the general complied; although he were very angry at the whole city about the carrying off his horses; and this because he saw that Agrippa was under a great concern for them。 So when Vespasian and Agrippa had accepted of their right hands by way of security; Jesus and his party thought it not safe for them to continue at Tiberias; so they ran away to Tarichete。 The next day Vespasian sent Trajan before with some horsemen to the citadel; to make trial of the multitude; whether they were all disposed for peace; and as soon as he knew that the people were of the same mind with the petitioner; he took his army; and went to the city; upon which the citizens opened to him their gates; and met him with acclamations of joy; and called him their savior and benefactor。 But as the army was a great while in getting in at the gates; they were so narrow; Vespasian commanded the south wall to be broken down; and so made a broad passage for their entrance。 However; he charged them to abstain from rapine and injustice; in order to gratify the king; and on his account spared the rest of the wall; while the king undertook for them that they should continue 'faithful to the Romans' for the time to come。 And thus did he restore this city to a quiet state; after it had been grievously afflicted by the sedition。
  CHAPTER 10。
  How Taricheae Was Taken。 A Description Of The River Jordan; And Of The Country Of Gennesareth。
  1。 And now Vespasian pitched his camp between this city and Taricheae; but fortified his camp more strongly; as suspecting that he should be forced to stay there; and have a long war; for all the innovators had gotten together at Taricheae; as relying upon the strength of the city; and on the lake that lay by it。 This lake is called by the people of the country the Lake of Gennesareth。 The city itself is situated like Tiberias; at the bottom of a mountain; and on those sides which are not washed by the sea; had been strongly fortified by Josephus; though not so strongly as Tiberias; for the wall of Tiberias had been built at the beginning of the Jews' revolt; when he had great plenty of money; and great power; but Tarichese partook only the remains of that liberality; Yet had they a great number of ships gotten ready upon the lake; that; in case they were beaten at land; they might retire to them; and they were so fitted up; that they might undertake a Sea…fight also。 But as the Romans were building a wall about their camp; Jesu and his party were neither affrighted at their number; nor at the good order they were in; but made a sally upon them; and at the very first onset the builders of the wall were dispersed; and these pulled what little they had before built to pieces; but as soon as they saw the armed men getting together; and before they had suffered any thing themselves; they retired to their own men。 But then the Romans pursued them; and drove them into their ships; where they launched out as far as might give them the opportunity of reaching the Romans with what they threw at them; and then cast anchor; and brought their ships close; as in a line of battle; and thence fought the enemy from the sea; who were themselves at land。 But Vespasian hearing that a great multitude of them were gotten together in the plain that was before the city; he thereupon sent his son; with six hundred chosen horsemen; to disperse them。
  2。 But when Titus perceived that the enemy was very numerous; he sent to his father; and informed him that he should want more forces。 But as he saw a great many of the horsemen eager to fight; and that before any succors could come to them; and that yet some of them were privately under a sort of consternation at the multitude of the Jews; he stood in a place whence he might be heard; and said to them; 〃My brave Romans! for it is right for me to put you in mind of what nation you are; in the beginning of my speech; that so you may not be ignorant who you are; and who they are against whom we are going to fight。 For as to us; Romans; no part of the habitable earth hath been able to escape our hands hitherto; but as for the Jews; that I may speak of them too; though they have been already beaten; yet do they not give up the cause; and a sad thing it would be for us to grow wealthy under good success; when they bear up under their misfortunes。 As to the alacrity which you show publicly; I see it; and rejoice at it; yet am I afraid lest the multitude of the enemy should bring a concealed fright upon some of you: let such a one consider again; who we are that are to fight; and who those are against whom we are to fight。 Now these Jews; though they be very bold and great despisers of death; are but a disorderly body; and unskillful in war; and may rather be called a rout than an army; while I need say nothing of our skill and our good order; for this is the reason why we Romans alone are exercised for war in time of peace; that we may not think of number for number when we come to fight with our enemies: for what advantage should we reap by our continual sort of warfare; if we must still be equal in number to such as have not been used to war。 Consider further; that you are to have a conflict with men in effect unarmed; while you are well armed; with footmen; while you are horsemen; with those that have no good general; while you have one; and as these advantages make you in effect manifold more than you are; so do their disadvantages mightily diminish their number。 Now it is not the multitude of men; though they be soldiers; that manages wars with success; but it is their bravery that does it; though they be but a few; for a few are easily set in battle…array; and can easily assist one another; while over…numerous armies are more hurt by themselves than by their enemies。 It is boldness and rashness; the effects of madness; that conduct the Jews。 Those passions indeed make a great figure when they succeed; but are quite extinguished upon the least ill success; but we are led on by courage; and obedience; and fortitude; which shows itself indeed in our good fortune; but still does not for ever desert us in our ill fortune。 Nay; indeed; your fighting is to be on greater motives than those of the Jews; for although they run the hazard of war for liberty; and for their country; yet what can be a greater motive to us than glory? and that。 it may never be said; that after we have got dominion of the habitable earth; the Jews are able to confront us。 We must also reflect upon this; that there is no fear of our suffering any incurable disaster in the present case; for those that are ready to assist us are many; and at hand also; yet it is in our power to seize upon this victory ourselves; and I think we ought to prevent the coming of those my father is sending to us for our assistance; that our success may be peculiar to ourselves; and of greater reputation to us。 And I cannot but think this an opportunity wherein my father; and I; and you shall be all put to the trial; whether he be worthy of his former glorious performances; whether I be his son in reality; and whether you be really my soldiers; for it is usual for my father to conquer; and for myself; I should not bear the thoughts of returning to him if I were once taken by the enemy。 And how will you be able to avoid being ashamed; if you do not show equal courage with your commander; when he goes before you into danger? For you know very well that I shall go into the danger first; and make the first attack upon the enemy。 Do not you therefore desert me; but persuade yourselves that God will be assisting to my onset。 Know this also before we begin; that we shall now have better success than we should have; if we were to fight at a distance。〃
  3。 As Titus was saying this; an extraordinary fury fell upon the men; and as Trajan was already come before the fight began; with four hundred horsemen; they were uneasy at it; because the reputation of the victory would be diminished by being common to so many。 Vespasian had also sent both Antonius and Silo; with two thousand archers; and had given it them in charge to seize upon the mountain that was over against the city; and repel those that were upon the wall; which archers did as they were commanded; and prevented those that attempted to assist them that way; And now Titus made his own horse march first against the enemy; as did the others with a great noise after him; and extended themselves upon the plain as wide as the enemy which confronted them; by which means they appeared much more numerous than they really were。 Now the Jews; although they were surprised at their onset; and at their good order; made resistance against their attacks for a little while; but when they were pricked with their long poles; and overborne by the violent noise of the horsemen; they came to be trampled under their feet; many also of them were slain on every side; which made them disperse themselves; and run to the city; as fast as every one of them were able。 So Titus pressed upon the hindmos