had fled to the mountains, attacked many cities and towns, and reduced all Idume'a' under his power. 23. Jeru'salem, at length, became the theatre in which these two demagogues exercised their mutual animosity; John was possessed of the temple, while Simon was admitted into the city; both equally enraged against each other; while slaughter and devastation were the consequence of their pretensions. Thus did a city, formerly celebrated for peace and unity, become the seat of tumult and confusion. 24. In this miserable situation, Ti'tus began his operations within six furlongs of Jeru'salem, during the feast of the passover, when the place was filled with an infinite multitude of people, who had come from all parts to celebrate that great solemnity. 25. The approach of the Romans produced a temporary reconciliation between the contending factions within the city; so that they unanimously resolved to oppose the common enemy, and decide their domestic quarrels at a more convenient season. 26. Their first sally, which was made with much fury and resolution, put the besiegers into great disorder, and obliged them to abandon their camp and fly to the mountains: however, rallying immediately after, the Jews were forced back into the city, while Titus, in person, showed surprising instances of valour and conduct. 27. The city was strongly fortified with three walls on every side, except where it was fenced by precipices. Ti'tus began by battering down the outward wall, which after much fatigue and danger, he effected; in the mean time showing the greatest clemency to the Jews, and offering them repeated assurances of pardon. Five days after the commencement of the siege, Titus broke through the second wall; and though driven back by the besieged, he recovered his ground, and made preparations for battering the third wall, which was their last defence. 28. But first he sent Josephus their countryman into the city, to exhort them to yield; who, using all his eloquence to persuade them, was answered only with scoffs and reproaches. 29. The siege was now therefore carried on with greater vigour 1 Idume'a is the same as E'dom. It was called Idume'a by the Greeks, and Edom by Moses. It was a district of Arabia Petræ'a, on the south of Judea. Its boundaries were different at different periods. When the Israelites passed through, on their way from Egypt to Ca'naan, this country appears to have been less than in the time of Solomon, when it extended to the Red Sea. (1 Kings ix. 26.) than before; formidable engines for throwing darts and stones were constructed, and as quickly destroyed by the enemy. At length it was resolved in council to surround the whole city with a trench, and thus prevent all relief and succours from abroad. 30. This, which was quickly executed, seemed no way to intimidate the Jews. Though famine, and pestilence, its necessary attendant, began now to make the most horrid ravages among them, yet this desperate people still resolved to hold out. 31. Titus now cut down all the woods within a considerable distance of the city; and causing more batteries to be raised, he at length beat down the wall; and in five days entered the citadel by force. 32. The Jews, however, continued to deceive themselves with absurd expectations, while many false prophets deluded the multitude, by declaring that they should soon have assistance from God. The heat of the battle was now gathered round the inner wall of the temple, while the defendants desperately combated from the top. 33. Ti'tus was desirous of saving this beautiful structure; but a soldier casting a brand into some adjacent buildings, the fire communicated to the temple; and notwithstanding the utmost endeavours on both sides, the whole edifice was quickly consumed. 34. The sight of the temple in ruins effectually served to damp the ardour of the Jews. They now began to suppose that Heaven had forsaken them, while their cries and lamentations echoed from the adjacent mountains. Even those who were almost expiring, lifted up their dying eyes to bewail the loss of their temple, which they valued more than life itself. 35. The most resolute, however, still endeavoured to defend the upper and stronger part of the city, named Sion; but Titus, with his battering engines, soon made himself entire master of the place. 36. John and Simon were taken from the vaults where they had concealed themselves; the former was condemned to perpetual imprisonment, and the latter reserved to grace the conqueror's triumph. The greatest part of the populace were put to the sword; and the city was, after a six months' siege, entirely razed, and its site ploughed up; so that, according to our Saviour's prophecy, not one stone remained upon another. Those who perished in this siege amounted to about a million; the captives to almost a hundred thousand 1. 89. 1 The destruction of Jerusalem happened in the year of our Lord Questions for Examination. 1. Who succeeded Otho? 2. In what way did he assume the sovereignty? 6. Who first commenced hostilities? 7. What followed? 8. What was the conduct of Vitellius on this occasion? 9. What farther measures did he adopt? 10. Were the friends of Vespasian idle at this juncture? 11. How was Vitellius engaged at the time of this disaster? 2. What became of Sabinus? 13. What was the consequence of this success on the part of Vitellius? 14. What became of the fallen emperor? 15. Was his request granted? 16. Did Vespasian quietly succeed? 17. What were his first measures? 18. Were they disappointed in their expectations? 19. What was the state of the Jewish war? 20. What was the state of the Jewish nation? 21. Were they united among themselves? 22. Who were at the head of these factions? 23. What was the chief theatre of their enormities? 24. At what remarkable season did Titus commence his attack? 25. What effect did this attack produce? 26. Did the Jews bravely defend their city? 27. What progress did Titus make in the siege? 28. Did he make no attempt to persuade the Jews to surrender? 29. What measures were then adopted? 30. Did these formidable measures terrify the Jews? 31. By what means did Titus gain the city? 32. Was all opposition now at an end? 33. Was the temple destroyed? 34. What effect did this sad event produce? 35. Were there none who attempted farther resistance? 36. What became of the inhabitants and their chiefs? SECTION X. This world, 'tis true, Was made for Cæsar-but for Titus too; And which more blest? who chain'd his country, say, Or, he whose virtue sigh'd to lose a day! 3. Profu'sion, s. abundance. 5. Rapa'city, s. greediness, seizing by violence. Im'post, s. a tax. 9. Bri'dling, part. restraining. 10. Discard'ed, v. dismissed. 14. Court'esy, s. civility, politeness. POPE. 15. Eruption, s. a breaking forth with violence. 16. Refrac'tory, s. obstinate, disobe dient. 26. Ostenta'tion, s. show, magnificence. 1. UPON the taking of Jerusalem, the soldiers would have crowned Titus as conqueror; but he modestly refused the honour, alleging, that he was only an instrument in the hand of Heaven, that manifestly declared its wrath against the Jews. 2. At Rome, however, all men's mouths were filled with the praises of the conqueror, who had not only showed himself an excellent general, but a courageous combatant. His return therefore in triumph, with Vespa'sian his father, was marked with all the magnificence and joy in the power of men to express. All things that were esteemed valuable or beautiful, were brought to adorn this great occasion. 3. Among the rich spoils were exposed vast quantities of gold, taken out of the temple; but the Book of the Holy Law was not the least remarkable among the magnificent profusion. 4. This was the first time that ever Rome saw the father and the son triumphant together. A triumphal arch was erected upon this occasion, on which were described the victories of Titus over the Jews; and it remains almost entire to this day. 5. Few emperors have received a better character from historians than Vespa'sian; yet his numerous acts of generosity and magnificence could not preserve his character from the imputation of rapacity and avarice'; for it is well known that he descended to some very unusual and dishonourable imposts. 6. Having reigned ten years, beloved by his subjects, and deserving their affection, he was seized with an indisposition at Campa'nia, which he perceived would be fatal. 7. Finding his end approaching, he exerted himself, and cried out, "An emperor ought to die standing;" whereupon, raising himself upon his feet, he expired in the arms of those who sustained him. 1 Even that avarice, with which he stands charged, has found its advocates, who assert that it did not arise from a sordid disposition, but from the emptiness of the exchequer, and the necessities of the state, for he always employed his revenues to great and noble purposes, and expended them with uncommon generosity. His abhorrence of effeminacy was so great, that on a certain nobleman's coming to return him thanks for his appointment to a considerable command, and smelling fragrantly of rich oils and perfumes, the emperor sternly told him, that he had rather he had smelt of garlic, and he immediately deprived him of his commission. He was of so merciful a disposition, that it was with great reluctance he adjudged the most atrocious criminals to death. He was affable to all, and so far from attempting to conceal the meanness of his origin, that he frequently discoursed of it himself. 8. Titus was joyfully received as emperor', and began his reign with the practice of every virtue that be- A.D. came a sovereign and a man. During the life of his 79. father, there had been many imputations against him both for cruelty, lust, and prodigality; but upon his exaltation to the throne, he seemed to have entirely taken leave of his former vices, and became an example of the greatest moderation and humanity. 9. His first step towards gaining the affections of his subjects, was the moderating of his passions, and bridling his inclinations. 10. He had long loved Bereni'ce, sister to Agrip'pa, king of Judea, a woman of the greatest beauty and refined allurements ; but knowing that the connexion was entirely disagreeable to the people of Rome, he gained the victory over his affections, and sent her away, notwithstanding their mutual passion, and the arts she used to induce him to change his resolution. He next discarded those who had been the ministers of his pleasures, though he had formerly taken great pains in the selection. 11. This moderation, added to his justice and generosity, procured him the love of all good men, and the appellation of the Delight of Mankind; which all his actions seemed calculated to ensure. 12. Titus took particular care to punish all informers, false witnesses, and promoters of dissension. Wretches who had their rise in the licentiousness and impunity of former reigns, were now become so numerous, that their crimes called loudly for punishment. 13. Of these he daily made public example; condemning them to be scourged in the public streets, dragged through the theatre, and then banished into the uninhabited parts of the empire, or sold as slaves. 14. His courtesy and readiness to do good have been celebrated even by Christian writers; his principal rule being, not to send away a petitioner dissatisfied. One night recollecting that he had done nothing beneficial to mankind during the day, he cried out, I have lost a day!" A sentence too remarkable not to be had in remembrance. 15. In the first year of his reign, an eruption of Mount Vesuvius overwhelmed many towns 2, throwing its ashes 1 This is denied by Sueto'nius, who affirms that his former profligate life gave rise to gloomy apprehensions on his accession, but they were soon dissipated by the correctness of his subsequent conduct. 2 Herculaneum, Pompe'ii, &c. This eruption happened August 24, A.D. 79. These towns, after having been buried under the lava for more than 1600 years, were discovered in the beginning of the last century: Herculaneum in 1713, about 24 feet under ground, by labourers dig |