Original - The Preterist Archive

22 NAOMI.
fore the example of these daring men should be followed by the
surrounding provinces. Vespasian sent his son Titus to
Alexandria, to bring from thence the fifth and tenth legions ;
and set out himself without delay for Syria, collecting by the
way all the Koinan troops, and the tributary forces from the
neighbouring kingdoms.
These active measures on the part of the Roman emperor
struck terror into many of the rebels, who hastened to offer
their submission; but the greater part were determined to
resist to the uttermost. A general meeting of the chief men in
Jerusalem was summoned in the temple, for the purpose of
choosing governors and commanders and
; Joseph the son of
Gorion, and Ananus the high-priest, wore elected as governors
in the city ;
while Joseph the son of Mathias (more commonly
known as Josephus the historian), was appointed to the command
of Galilee ;
and other chiefs were entrusted with the defence
of the remaining districts and cities. Eleazar, the son of
Simon, who had been active in the first movements of the insurrection,
had no authority committed to him ;
but being the
commander of the temple guard, he contrived to gain possession
of a large portion of the public treasures, and the spoils
which had been taken from the Eomans at the breaking out of
the war. He therefore, by means of this wealth, obtained great
power and influence over the people which, as we shall hereafter
perceive, he exerted to no good ;
purpose.
Josephus immediately hastened to his government in Galilee,
where it was expected that the struggle would first take place.
This country was rich and fertile, and inhabited by a numerous
and hardy population of Jews and Syrians intermixed. It was
divided into two districts, Upper and Lower Galilee, and
Sepphoris was the capital city. The fortification of this
important place Josephus entrusted to the celebrated John of
Gischala, a crafty and deceitful man, but bold, enterprising,
and active ;
and who afterwards opposed all the measures of
the governor, and promoted the spirit of discord which already
divided the province, and thus proved An obstacle to the effectual
resistance of the common foe. Jotapata, Tiberias, and some
deep caves near the lake of Gennesareth were also strongly
fortified, besides many other towns and fortresses; and an
army of 60,000 foot soldiers was established, besides a considerable
body of cavalry. But all the wise and prudent
schemes of Josephus were constantly rendered ineffectual by
the plots and opposition of John of Gischala, whom he himself
had raised to power. He bad formerly been a poor and