Original - The Preterist Archive

CHAPTEE IV.
FROM the lofty battlements of Jotapata, Josephus and Ms officers
watched the close and endless files of the Eoman army slowly
advancing along the straight and level road that led to the city
walls, and which had been formed by the pioneers of Vespasian.
It was a fearful array of tried and valiant troops, led on by the
most celebrated general of the time. The Jews had relied on
their inaccessible position, their steep and rugged mountains,
and the deep forests that surrounded their fortress, for security.
What, therefore, was their astonishment and consternation
when they saw the lofty trees falling around them, the rocks
removed, the mountains cut through, and Vespasian with his
whole army stationed on a hill within a mile of the city The
!
garrison were terror-struck, and retired behind their walls ;
while the Eomans, though weary with their long march, and
unprepared for an immediate assault, employed themselves in
drawing a triple line of circumvallation round the city so that
;
every chance of escape for the cowardly, who might wish to
attempt it, was effectually cut off.
Finding that retreat was
hopeless, the whole garrison recovered their wonted valour, and
resolved to hold out to the uttermost, and fight while life remained.
Their fierce resistance and stubborn resolution have
seldom been equalled.
The following day they boldly left the shelter of their walls ;
and, pitching their cimp before the trenches, advanced to meet
the foe and ; though galled by the archers and slingers of the
Eoman army, they made so vigorous a sally that the assailants
were driven down the hill. The battle was continued with
desperation until the darkness of night compelled them to
separate, when Josephus led his troops back to their stations.
Young Javan and his companions distinguished themselves by
their determined bravery, which was not unobserved by the
Jewish commander ;
and henceforth he stationed them near his
own person, and employed Javan on many important occasions.
The city was built on the summit of a lofty hill, and on three
sides was surrounded by ravines, so deep and rugged as to bo