第 132 节
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不受约束 更新:2024-05-25 15:05 字数:9322
nt glory of the city; and called to mind the greatness of its present ruins; as well as its ancient splendor; he could not but pity the destruction of the city; so far was he from boasting that so great and goodly a city as that was had been by him taken by force; nay; he frequently cursed those that had been the authors of their revolt; and had brought such a punishment upon the city; insomuch that it openly appeared that he did not desire that such a calamity as this punishment of theirs amounted to should be a demonstration of his courage。 Yet was there no small quantity of the riches that had been in that city still found among its ruins; a great deal of which the Romans dug up; but the greatest part was discovered by those who were captives; and so they carried it away; I mean the gold and the silver; and the rest of that most precious furniture which the Jews had; and which the owners had treasured up under ground; against the uncertain fortunes of war。 3。 So Titus took the journey he intended into Egypt; and passed over the desert very suddenly; and came to Alexandria; and took up a resolution to go to Rome by sea。 And as he was accompanied by two legions; he sent each of them again to the places whence they had before come; the fifth he sent to Mysia; and the fifteenth to Pannonia: as for the leaders of the captives; Simon and John; with the other seven hundred men; whom he had selected out of the rest as being eminently tall and handsome of body; he gave order that they should be soon carried to Italy; as resolving to produce them in his triumph。 So when he had had a prosperous voyage to his mind; the city of Rome behaved itself in his reception; and their meeting him at a distance; as it did in the case of his father。 But what made the most splendid appearance in Titus's opinion was; when his father met him; and received him; but still the multitude of the citizens conceived the greatest joy when they saw them all three together; (8) as they did at this time; nor were many days overpast when they determined to have but one triumph; that should be common to both of them; on account of the glorious exploits they had performed; although the senate had decreed each of them a separate triumph by himself。 So when notice had been given beforehand of the day appointed for this pompous solemnity to be made; on account of their victories; not one of the immense multitude was left in the city; but every body went out so far as to gain only a station where they might stand; and left only such a passage as was necessary for those that were to be seen to go along it。
4。 Now all the soldiery marched out beforehand by companies; and in their several ranks; under their several commanders; in the night time; and were about the gates; not of the upper palaces; but those near the temple of Isis; for there it was that the emperors had rested the foregoing night。 And as soon as ever it was day; Vespasian and Titus came out crowned with laurel; and clothed in those ancient purple habits which were proper to their family; and then went as far as Octavian's Walks; for there it was that the senate; and the principal rulers; and those that had been recorded as of the equestrian order; waited for them。 Now a tribunal had been erected before the cloisters; and ivory chairs had been set upon it; when they came and sat down upon them。 Whereupon the soldiery made an acclamation of joy to them immediately; and all gave them attestations of their valor; while they were themselves without their arms; and only in their silken garments; and crowned with laurel: then Vespasian accepted of these shouts of theirs; but while they were still disposed to go on in such acclamations; he gave them a signal of silence。 And when every body entirely held their peace; he stood up; and covering the greatest part of his head with his cloak; he put up the accustomed solemn prayers; the like prayers did Titus put up also; after which prayers Vespasian made a short speech to all the people; and then sent away the soldiers to a dinner prepared for them by the emperors。 Then did he retire to that gate which was called the Gate of the Pomp; because pompous shows do always go through that gate; there it was that they tasted some food; and when they had put on their triumphal garments; and had offered sacrifices to the gods that were placed at the gate; they sent the triumph forward; and marched through the theatres; that they might be the more easily seen by the multitudes。 5。 Now it is impossible to describe the multitude of the shows as they deserve; and the magnificence of them all; such indeed as a man could not easily think of as performed; either by the labor of workmen; or the variety of riches; or the rarities of nature; for almost all such curiosities as the most happy men ever get by piece…meal were here one heaped on another; and those both admirable and costly in their nature; and all brought together on that day demonstrated the vastness of the dominions of the Romans; for there was here to be seen a mighty quantity of silver; and gold; and ivory; contrived into all sorts of things; and did not appear as carried along in pompous show only; but; as a man may say; running along like a river。 Some parts were composed of the rarest purple hangings; and so carried along; and others accurately represented to the life what was embroidered by the arts of the Babylonians。 There were also precious stones that were transparent; some set in crowns of gold; and some in other ouches; as the workmen pleased; and of these such a vast number were brought; that we could not but thence learn how vainly we imagined any of them to be rarities。 The images of the gods were also carried; being as well wonderful for their largeness; as made very artificially; and with great skill of the workmen; nor were any of these images of any other than very costly materials; and many species of animals were brought; every one in their own natural ornaments。 The men also who brought every one of these shows were great multitudes; and adorned with purple garments; all over interwoven with gold; those that were chosen for carrying these pompous shows having also about them such magnificent ornaments as were both extraordinary and surprising。 Besides these; one might see that even the great number of the captives was not unadorned; while the variety that was in their garments; and their fine texture; concealed from the sight the deformity of their bodies。 But what afforded the greatest surprise of all was the structure of the pageants that were borne along; for indeed he that met them could not but be afraid that the bearers would not be able firmly enough to support them; such was their magnitude; for many of them were so made; that they were on three or even four stories; one above another。 The magnificence also of their structure afforded one both pleasure and surprise; for upon many of them were laid carpets of gold。 There was also wrought gold and ivory fastened about them all; and many resemblances of the war; and those in several ways; and variety of contrivances; affording a most lively portraiture of itself。 For there was to be seen a happy country laid waste; and entire squadrons of enemies slain; while some of them ran away; and some were carried into captivity; with walls of great altitude and magnitude overthrown and ruined by machines; with the strongest fortifications taken; and the walls of most populous cities upon the tops of hills seized on; and an army pouring itself within the walls; as also every place full of slaughter; and supplications of the enemies; when they were no longer able to lift up their hands in way of opposition。 Fire also sent upon temples was here represented; and houses overthrown; and falling upon their owners: rivers also; after they came out of a large and melancholy desert; ran down; not into a land cultivated; nor as drink for men; or for cattle; but through a land still on fire upon every side; for the Jews related that such a thing they had undergone during this war。 Now the workmanship of these representations was so magnificent and lively in the construction of the things; that it exhibited what had been done to such as did not see it; as if they had been there really present。 On the top of every one of these pageants was placed the commander of the city that was taken; and the manner wherein he was taken。 Moreover; there followed those pageants a great number of ships; and for the other spoils; they were carried in great plenty。 But for those that were taken in the temple of Jerusalem; (9) they made the greatest figure of them all; that is; the golden table; of the weight of many talents; the candlestick also; that was made of gold; though its construction were now changed from that which we made use of; for its middle shaft was fixed upon a basis; and the small branches were produced out of it to a great length; having the likeness of a trident in their position; and had every one a socket made of brass for a lamp at the tops of them。 These lamps were in number seven; and represented the dignity of the number seven among the Jews; and the last of all the spoils; was carried the Law of the Jews。 After these spoils passed by a great many men; carrying t