The Destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD - Part 2
Proof of the Divine Origin of Christianity. By George Peter Holford, 1812
This section covers war details starting from about 66 A.D. with the invasion of Cestius Gallus of Syria to the tragic ending at Massada.
Notes: - The text below is from the original scan in the link above, with corrections, such as where the lowercase 'L' looks like 'f', 'w' looks like 'xv', and random punctuation make reading difficult. - Some of Holford's British English is antiquated, and modern spellings are in [ ] in some cases. - 'Vide' is Latin for: refer to, see; to point the reader to a reference. - {pg. #} refers to the page number in the original booklet. - Click here for Part 1.
TABLE OF CONTENTS • Foundation of the Roman War {pg 53} • Cestius Gallus {pg. 55} • Bloody Career of Vespasian {pg. 57}  • Dreadful Calamity at Joppa {pg. 58} • Cruelty of the Idumeans {pg. 60} • Approach of the Roman Army {pg. 61} • Titus Encamps Before Jerusalem {pg. 63} • Abomination of Desolation Described {pg. 64} • Sudden Investment of Jerusalem {pg. 66} • Famine Appears in the Jewish Army {pg. 68} • Deplorable Effects of the Famine {pg. 69} • Cruelty of Simon Gioras {pg. 71} • Number of Dead Cast Out, &c. {pg. 71}  • Distress and Cruelty {pg. 73} • Affecting Condition of the Women of Jerusalem {pg. 74} • A Soldier Sets Fire to the Temple {pg. 76} • Attempt to Preserve the Sanctuary {pg. 79} • Terrible Slaughter of the Jews During the Burning of the Temple {pg. 80} • Total Destruction of the Temple {pg. 84} • The Jews Refuse to Surrender {pg. 85} • Massacre in the Royal Palace {pg. 86} • Final Destruction of Jerusalem {pg. 89} • Enumeration of the Jews, &c. {pg. 92} • Jerusalem Rased to the Ground {pg. 93} • Tragic Event at Massada {pg. 94} • The Termination of the War {pg. 97} • The Qualifications of Josephus {pg. 98} • Character of Titus {pg. 101} Link to Part 3 - Suffering of the Jews; Julian's attempt to rebuild Jerusalem; Conclusion
FOUNDATION OF THE ROMAN WAR {bottom of pg 53}
 From the conquest of their country by Pompey, about 60 years B.C. the Jews had, on several occasions, manifested a refractory spirit; but after Judas the Gaulonite and Sadduc the Pharisee had taught them, that submission to the Roman assessments would pave the way to a state of abject slavery, this temper displayed itself with increasing malignity and violence.  Rebellious tumults and insurrections became more and more frequent and alarming; and to these the mercenary exactions of Florus, the Roman governor, not a little contributed.  At length Eleazer, son of the High Priest, persuaded those who officiated in the temple to reject the sacrifices of foreigners, and no longer to offer up prayers for them.  Thus an insult was thrown upon Caesar, his sacrifice rejected, and the foundation of the Roman war laid. Â
CESTUS GALLIUS, &C. {pg. 55}
The disturbances among the Jews still continuing, Cestius Gallus, president of Syria, marched an army into Judea, in order to quell them, and his career was everywhere marked with blood and desolation.  As he proceeded, he plundered and burnt the beautiful city of Zabulon, Joppa, and all the villages which lay in his way.  At Joppa he slew of the inhabitants eight thousand four hundred. He laid waste the district of Narbatene [just north of Caesarea], and, sending an army into Galilee, slew there two thousand of the seditious Jews.  He then burnt the city of Lydda; and after having repulsed the Jews, who made a desperate sally upon him, encamped at length at the distance of about one mile from Jerusalem.  On the fourth day he entered its gates, and burnt three divisions of the city, and might now, by its capture, have put a period to the war; but through the treacherous persuasions of his officers, instead of pursuing his advantages, he most unaccountably raised the siege, and fled from the city with the utmost precipitation. The Jews, however, pursued him as far as Antipatris, and, with little loss to themselves, slew of his army nearly six thousand men.  After this disaster had befallen Cestius, the more opulent of the Jews, says Josephus, forsook Jerusalem as men do a sinking ship.  And it is with reason supposed, that on this occasion many of the Christians, or converted Jews, who dwelt there, recollecting the warnings or their divine Master, retired to Pella, a place beyond Jordan, situated in a mountainous country,* whither (according to Eusebius, who resided near the spot) they came from Jerusalem, and settled, before the war under Vespasian began. Other providential opportunities for escaping afterwards occurred, of which, it is probable, those who were now left behind availed themselves; for it is a striking fact, and as such cannot be contemplated by the pious mind without sentiments of devout admiration, that history does not record that even one christian perished in the siege of Jerusalem.  Enduring to the end faithful to their blessed Master, they gave full credit to his predictions, and escaped the calamity.  Thus were fulfilled the words of our Lord, "He that shall endure unto the end (i. e. of the scene of this prophecy) shall be saved," [Mat 24:13] i. e. from the calamities which will involve all those who shall continue obstinate in unbelief. *Such was our Lord’s admonition: "Let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains," &c. Vide Matt 24:16-22.
BLOODY CAREER OF VESPASIANÂ {pg. 57} Â
Nero, having been informed of the defeat of Cestius, immediately appointed Vespasian, a man of tried valour, to prosecute the war against the Jews, who, assisted by his son Titus, soon collected at Ptolemais an army of sixty thousand men.  From hence, in the spring of 67 A.D. he marched into Judea, every where spreading the most cruel havoc and devastation: the Roman soldiers, on various occasions, sparing neither infants nor the aged.  For fifteen months Vespasian proceeded in this sanguinary career, during which period he reduced all the strong towns of Galilee, and the chief of those in Judea, destroying at least one hundred and fifty thousand of the inhabitants. Â
DREADFUL CALAMITY AT JOPPA {pg. 58}
Among the terrible calamities which at this time happened to the Jews, those which befel [befell] them at Joppa, which had been rebuilt, deserve particular notice.  Their frequent piracies had provoked the vengeance of Vespasian.  The Jews fled before his army to their ships; but a tempest immediately arose, and pursued such as stood out to sea, and overset them, while the rest were dashed vessel against vessel, and against the rocks, in the most tremendous manner.  In this perplexity some were drowned, some were crushed by the broken ships, others killed themselves, and such as reached the shore were slain by the merciless Romans.  The sea for a long space was stained with blood; four thousand two hundred dead bodies were strewed along the coast, and, dreadful to relate, not an individual survived to report this great calamity at Jerusalem.  Such events were foretold by our Lord, when he said, "There shall be distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring-." [Luke 21:25]Â
   Vespasian, after proceeding as far as Jericho, returned to Caesarea, in order to make preparations for his grand attempt against Jerusalem.  While he was thus employed, he received intelligence of the death of Nero; whereupon, not knowing what the will of the future emperor might be, he prudently resolved to suspend, for the present, the execution of his design. Thus the Almighty gave the Jews a second respite, which continued nearly two years; but they repented not of their crimes, neither were they in the least degree reclaimed, but rather proceeded to acts of still greater enormity.Â
CRUELTY OF THE IDUMEANS {pg. 60}Â
The flame of civil dissention again burst out, and with more dreadful fury.  In the heart of Jerusalem two factions, contending for the sovereignty, raged against each other with rancorous and destructive animosity.  A division of one of these factions having been excluded from the city (vide page 34), forcibly entered it during the night.  Athirst for blood, and inflamed by revenge, they spared neither age, sex, nor infancy; and the morning sun beheld eight thousand five hundred dead bodies lying in the streets of the holy city.  They plundered every house, and having found the chief priests, Ananus and Jesus, not only slew them, but, insulting their bodies, cast them forth unburied.  They slaughtered the common people as unfeelingly as if they had been a herd of the vilest beasts.  The nobles they first imprisoned, then scourged, and when they could not by these means attach them to their party, they bestowed death upon them as a favour.  Of the higher classes twelve thousand perished in this manner; nor did any one dare to shed a tear, or utter a groan, openly, through fear of a similar fate.  Death, indeed, was the penalty of the lightest and heaviest accusation, nor did any escape through the meanness of their birth, or their poverty.  Such as fled were intercepted and slain: their carcasses lay in heaps on all the public roads:  every symptom of pity seemed utterly extinguished, and with it all respect for authority, both human and divine.Â
[Idumeans means Edomites, descendants of Esau]
APPROACH OF THE ROMAN ARMY {pg. 61}
   While Jerusalem was a prey to these ferocious and devouring factions, every part of Judea was scourged and laid waste by bands of robbers and murderers, who plundered the towns, and, in case of resistance, slew the inhabitants, not sparing either women or children.  Simon, son of Gioras, the commander of one of these bands, at the head of forty thousand banditti, having with some difficulty entered Jerusalem, gave birth to a third faction, and the flame of civil discord blazed out again, with still more destructive fury.  The three factions, rendered frantic by drunkenness, rage, and desperation, trampling on heaps of slain, fought against each other with brutal savageness and madness.  Even such as brought sacrifices to the temple were murdered.  The dead bodies of priests and worshippers, both natives and foreigners, were heaped together, and a lake of blood stagnated in the sacred courts.  John of Gischala, who headed one of the factions, burnt storehouses full of provisions; and Simon, his great antagonist, who headed another of them, soon afterwards followed his example.  Thus they cut the very sinews of their own strength.Â
At this critical and alarming conjuncture, intelligence arrived that the Roman army was approaching the city.  The Jews were petrified with astonishment and fear; there was no time for counsel, no hope of pacification, no means of flight: --all was wild disorder and perplexity: --nothing was to be heard but "the confused noise of the warrior," -- nothing to be seen but “garments rolled in blood," -- nothing to be expected from the Romans but signal and exemplary vengeance.  A ceaseless cry of combatants was heard day and night, and yet the lamentations of mourners were still more dreadful.  The consternation and terror which now prevailed, induced many inhabitants to desire that a foreign foe might come, and effect their deliverance. Â
TITUS ENCAMPS BEFORE JERUSALEM {pg. 63}
    Such was the horrible condition of the place when Titus and his army presented themselves, and encamped before Jerusalem; but, alas! not to deliver it from its miseries but to fulfill the prediction, and vindicate the benevolent warning of our Lord: "When ye see (he had said to his disciples) the abomination of desolation, spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place, * and Jerusalem surrounded by armies (or camps), then let those who are in the midst of Jerusalem depart, and let not those who are in the country enter into her," for "then know that the desolation thereof is nigh." [Mat 24:15; Mat 24:21; Luke 21:20; Luke 21:1-11] *Not only was the temple and the mountain on which it stood accounted holy, but also the whole city of Jerusalem, and several furlongs of land round about it. Vide Neh 11; Isa 53; Dan 9:24; and Mat 27:53.Â
ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION DESCRIBEDÂ {pg. 64}
    These armies, we do not hesitate to affirm, were those of the Romans, who now invested [filled] the city. From the time of the Babylonian captivity, idolatry had been held as an abomination by the Jews. This national aversion was manifested even against the images of their gods and emperors, which the Roman armies carried in their standards; so that, in a time of peace, Pilate, and afterwards Vitellius, at the request of some eminent Jews, on this account avoided marching their forces through Judea.  Of the desolating disposition which now governed the Roman army, the history of the Jewish war, and especially of the final demolition of the holy city, presents an awful and signal example.  Jerusalem was not captured merely, but, with its celebrated temple, laid in ruins.  Lest, however, the army of Titus should not be sufficiently designated by this expression, our Lord adds, "Wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together." [Mat 24:28] The Jewish state, indeed at this time, was fitly compared to a carcass.  The sceptre of Judah, ie. its civil and political authority, the life of its religion, and the glory of its temple, were departed.  It was, in short, morally and judicially dead. The eagle, whose ruling instinct is rapine and murder, as fitly represented the fierce and sanguinary temper of the Romans, and, perhaps, might be intended to refer also to the principal figure on their ensigns, which, however obnoxious to the Jews, were at length planted in the midst of the holy city, and finally on the temple itself.Â
SUDDEN INVESTMENT OF JERUSALEMÂ {pg. 66}
   The day on which Titus encompassed Jerusalem was the feast of the passover; and it is deserving of the very particular attention of the reader, that this was the anniversary of that memorable period in which the Jews crucified their Messiah!  At this season multitudes came up from all the surrounding country, and from distant parts, to keep the festival.  How suitable and how kind, then, was the prophetic admonition of our Lord, and how clearly he saw into futurity when he said, "Let not them that are in the countries enter into Jerusalem." (Luke 21:21)
   Nevertheless, the city was at this time crowded with Jewish strangers, and foreigners from all parts, so that the whole nation may be considered as having been shut up in one prison, preparatory to the execution of the Divine vengeance; and, according to Josephus this event took place suddenly; thus, not only fulfilling the predictions of our Lord, that these calamities should come, like the swift-darting lightning "that cometh out of the east and shineth even unto the West," and "as a snare on all of them (the Jews) who dwelt upon the face of the whole earth" (Mat 24:27, and Luke 21:35,) but justifying, also, his friendly direction, that those who fled from the place should use the utmost possible expedition.Â
   On the appearance of the Roman army, the factious Jews united, and, rushing furiously out of the city, repulsed the tenth legion, which was with difficulty preserved.  This event caused a short suspension of hostilities, and, by opening the gates, gave an opportunity to such as were so disposed to make their escape; which before this they could not have attempted without interruption, from the suspicion that they wished to revolt to the Romans. This success inspired the Jews with confidence, and they resolved to defend their city to the very uttermost; but it did not prevent the renewal of their civil broils.  The faction under Eleazer having dispersed, and arranged themselves under the two other leaders John and Simon, there ensued a scene of the most dreadful contention, plunder, and conflagration:  the middle space of the city being burnt, and the wretched inhabitants made the prize of the contending parties.
FAMINE APPEARS IN THE JEWISH ARMY Â {pg. 68}
The Romans at length gained possession of two of the three walls which defended the city, and fear once more united the factions. Â This pause to their fury had, however, scarcely begun when famine made its ghastly appearance in the Jewish army. Â It had for some time been silently approaching, and many of the peaceful and the poor had already perished for want of necessaries.Â
    With this new calamity, strange to relate, the madness of the factions again returned, and the city presented a new picture of wretchedness.  Impelled by the cravings of hunger, they snatched the staff of life out of each other’s hands, and many devoured the grain unprepared.  Tortures were inflicted for the discovery of a handful of meal; women forced food from their husbands, and children from their fathers, and even mothers from their infants; and while sucking children were wasting away in their arms, they scrupled not to take away the vital drops which sustained them!  So justly did our Lord pronounce a woe on "them that should give suck in those days." (Mat 24:19.)Â
DEPLORABLE EFFECTS OF THE FAMINEÂ {pg. 69}Â
This dreadful scourge at length drove multitudes of the Jews out of the city into the enemies’ camp, where the Romans crucified them in such numbers, that, as Josephus relates, space was wanted for the crosses, and crosses for the captives; and it having been discovered that some of them had swallowed gold, the Arabs and Syrians, who were incorporated in the Roman army, impelled by avarice, with unexampled cruelty ripped open two thousand of the deserters in one night.  Titus, touched by these calamities, in person entreated the Jews to surrender, but they answered him with revilings.  Exasperated by their obstinacy and insolence, he now resolved to surround the city by a circumvallation (This trench was thirty-nine furlongs in circuit, and strengthened with thirteen towers), which with astonishing activity was effected by the soldiers in three days.  Thus was fulfilled another of our Lord ’s predictions, for he had said, while addressing this devoted city, "Thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round about, and keep thee in on every side." (Luk 19:43)Â
As no supplies whatever could now enter the walls, the famine rapidly extended itself, and, increasing in horror, devoured whole families. Â The tops of houses, and the recesses of the city, were covered with the carcasses of women, children, and aged men. Â The young men appeared like spectres in the places of public resort, and fell down lifeless in the streets. The dead were too numerous to be interred, and many expired in the performance of this office. Â The public calamity was too great for lamentation. Â Silence, and, as it were, a black and deadly night overspread the city. Â
CRUELTY OF SIMON GIORASÂ {pg. 71}
But even such a scene could not awe the robbers; they spoiled the tombs, and stripped the dead of their grave-clothes, with an unfeeling and wild laughter. Â They tried the edges of their swords on their carcasses, and even on some that were yet breathing; while Simon Gioras chose this melancholy and awful period to manifest the deep malignity and cruelty of his nature in the execution of the High Priest Matthias, and his three sons, whom he caused to be condemned as favourers of the Romans. Â The father, in consideration of his having opened the city gates to Simon, begged that he might be executed previously to his children; but the unfeeling tyrant gave orders that he should be dispatched in the last place, and in his expiring moments insultingly asked him, whether the Romans could then relieve him.Â
NUMBER OF DEAD CAST OUT, &C. {pg. 71}  Â
While the city was in this dismal situation, a Jew named Mannaeus fled to Titus, and informed him, that from the beginning of the siege (14th April) to the first of July following, one hundred and fifteen thousand eight hundred and eighty dead bodies had been carried through one gate only, which he had guarded.  This man had been appointed to pay the public allowance for carrying the bodies out, and was therefore obliged to register them.  Soon after, several respectable individuals deserted to the Romans, and assured Titus that the whole number of the poor who had been cast out at the different gates was not less than six hundred thousand. The report of these calamities excited pity in the Romans, and in a particular manner affected Titus, who, while surveying the immense number of dead bodies which were piled up under the walls, raised his hands towards Heaven, and, appealing to the Almighty, solemnly protested that he had not been the cause of these deplorable calamities; which, indeed, the Jews, by their unexampled wickedness, rebellion, and obstinacy, had brought down upon their own heads.Â
DISTRESS AND CRUELTYÂ {pg. 73}
   After this, Josephus, in the name of Titus, earnestly exhorted John and his adherents to surrender; but the insolent rebel returned nothing but reproaches and imprecations, declaring his firm persuasion that Jerusalem, as it was God’s own city, could never be taken: thus literally fulfilling the declaration of Micah, that the Jews, in their extremity, notwithstanding their crimes, would presumptuously "lean upon the Lord and say, ’Is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us.’" (Mic 3:11)Â
 AFFECTING CONDITION OF THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM {pg. 74}
   Meanwhile the horrors of famine grew still more melancholy and afflictive.  The Jews, for want of food were at length compelled to eat their belts, their sandals, the skins of their shields, dried grass, and even the ordure [excrement, dung] of oxen.  In the depth of this horrible extremity, a Jewess of noble family, urged by the intolerable cravings of hunger, slew her infant child, and prepared it for a meal; and had actually eaten one half thereof, when the soldiers, allured by the smell of food, threatened her with instant death if she refused to discover it. Intimidated by this menace, she immediately produced the remains of her son, which petrified them with horror.  At the recital of this melancholy and affecting occurrence, the whole city stood aghast, and poured forth their congratulations on those whom death had hurried away from such heart-rending scenes.  Indeed, humanity at once shudders and sickens at the narration, nor can any one of the least sensibility reflect upon the pitiable condition to which the female part of the inhabitants of Jerusalem must at this time have been reduced, without experiencing the tenderest emotions of sympathy, or refrain from tears while he reads our Saviour’s pathetic address to the women who "bewailed him" as he was led to Calvary, wherein he evidently refers to these very calamities: "Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but for yourselves and for your children; for, behold, the days are coming in which they shall say, ’Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bear, and the breasts that never gave suck’." (Luk 23:29)Â
   The above melancholy fact was also literally foretold by Moses: "The tender and delicate women among you (said he, addressing Israel) who would not venture to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil. . . toward her young one. . . which she shall bear," and "eat for want of all things, secretly, in the siege and straitness wherewith, thine enemy shall distress thee in thy gates." (Deu 28:56-57.)  This prediction was partially fulfilled, when Samaria, the capital of the revolted tribes, was besieged by Benhadad; and afterwards at Jerusalem, previously to its capture by Nebuchadnezzar; but its exact and literal accomplishment, in relation to a lady of rank, delicately and voluptuously educated, was reserved for the period of which we are now speaking.  And it deserves particular regard, as a circumstance which very greatly enhances the importance of this prophecy, that the history of the world does not record that a parallel instance of unnatural barbarity ever occurred during the siege of any other place, in any other age or nation whatsoever.  Indeed, Josephus himself declares that, if there had not been many credible witnesses of the fact, he would not have recorded it, "because," as he remarks, "such a shocking violation of nature never having been perpetuated by any Greek or barbarian," the insertion of it might have diminished the credibility of his history.Â
A SOLDIER SETS FIRE TO THE TEMPLEÂ {pg. 76}
   While famine continued thus to spread its destructive rage through the city, the Romans, after many ineffectual attempts, at length succeeded in demolishing part of the inner wall, possessed themselves of the great tower of Antonia, and advanced towards the temple, which Titus, in a council of war, had determined to preserve as an ornament to the empire, and as a monument of his success; but the Almighty had determined otherwise; for now, in the revolution of ages, was arrived that fatal day, (the 10th of August) emphatically called the “day of vengeance," (Luk 21:22) on which the temple had formerly been destroyed by the king of Babylon.  A Roman soldier, urged, as he declared, by a divine impulse, regardless of the command of Titus climbed on the shoulders of another, and threw a flaming brand into the golden window of the temple, which instantly set the building on fire. Â
The Jews, anxious above all things to save that sacred edifice, in which they superstitiously trusted for security, with a dreadful outcry, rushed in to extinguish the flames.  Titus also, being informed of the conflagration, hastened to the spot in his chariot, attended by his principal officers and legions; but in vain he waved his hand and raised his voice, commanding his soldiers to extinguish the fire; so great was the uproar and confusion, that no attention was paid even to him.  The Romans, willfully deaf, instead of extinguishing the flames, spread them wider and wider.Â
Actuated by the fiercest impulses: rancor and revenge against the Jews, they rushed furiously upon them, slaying some with the sword, trampling others under their feet, or crushing them to death against the walls. Many, falling amongst the smoking ruins of the porches and galleries, were suffocated. Â The unarmed poor, and even sick persons, were slaughtered without mercy. Â Of these unhappy people numbers were left weltering in their gore. Â Multitudes of the dead and dying were heaped round about the altar, to which they had formerly fled for protection, while the steps that led from it into the outer court were literally deluged with their blood.Â
ATTEMPT TO PRESERVE THE SANCTUARYÂ {pg. 79}
   Finding it impossible to restrain the impetuosity and cruelty of his soldiers, the commander in chief proceeded, with some of his superior officers, to take a survey of those parts of the edifice which were still uninjured by the conflagration. It had not, at this time, reached the inner temple, which Titus entered, and viewed with silent admiration.  Struck with the magnificence of its decorations, which even surpassed the report of fame concerning them; and perceiving that the sanctuary had not yet caught fire, he redoubled his efforts to stop the progress of the flames.  He condescended even to intreat his soldiers to exert all their strength and activity for this purpose, and appointed a centurion of the guards to punish them, if they again disregarded him; but all was ill vain. Â
TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER OF THE JEWS DURING THE BURNING OF THE TEMPLEÂ {pg. 80}
   The delirious rage of the soldiery knew no bounds.  Eager for plunder and for slaughter, they alike condemned the solicitations and menaces of their general.  Even while he was thus intent upon the preservation of the sanctuary, one of the soldiers was actually employed in setting fire to the door posts, which caused the conflagration to become general.  Titus and his officers were now compelled to retire, and none remained to check the fury of the soldiers or the flames.  The Romans, exasperated to the highest pitch against the Jews, seized every person whom they could find, and, without the least regard to sex, age, or quality, first plundered, and then slew them.  The old and the young, the common people and the priests, those who surrendered and those who resisted, were equally involved in this horrible and indiscriminate carnage.Â
Meanwhile the temple continued burning, until at length, vast as was its size, the flames completely enveloped the whole building; which, from the extent of the conflagration, impressed the distant spectator with an idea that the whole city was now on fire. Â The tumult and disorder which ensued upon this event it is impossible (says Josephus) for language to describe. Â The Roman legions made the most horrid outcries; the rebels, finding themselves exposed to the fury of both fire and sword, screamed dreadfully; while the unhappy people who were pent up between the enemy and the flames, deplored their situation in the most pitiable complaints.
Those on the hill and those in the city seemed mutually to return the groans of each other. Â Such as were expiring through famine, were revived by this hideous scene, and seemed to acquire new spirits to deplore their misfortunes. Â The lamentations from the city wore re-echoed from the adjacent mountains, and places beyond Jordan. Â The flames which enveloped the temple were so violent and impetuous, that the lofty hill on which it stood appeared, even from its deep foundation, as one large fire. Â The blood of the sufferers flowed in proportion to the rage of this destructive element; and the number of the slain exceeded all calculation. Â The ground could not be seen for the dead bodies, over which the Romans trampled in pursuit of the fugitives; while the crackling noise of the devouring flames, mingled with the clangour [continuous loud noise of something] of arms, the groans of the dying, and the shrieks of despair, augmented the tremendous horror of a scene, to which the pages of history can furnish no parallel.Â
   Amongst the tragical events which at this time occurred, the following is more particularly deserving of notice:  a false prophet, pretending to a divine commission, affirmed, that if the people would repair to the temple, they should behold signs of their speedy deliverance. Accordingly, about six thousand persons, chiefly women and children, assembled in a gallery, that was yet standing, on the outside of the building.  Whilst they waited in anxious expectation of the promised miracle, the Romans, with the most wanton barbarity, set fire to the gallery; from which, multitudes, rendered frantic by their horrible situation, precipitated themselves on the ruins below, and were killed by the fall: while, awful to relate, the rest, without a single exception, perished in the flames.  So necessary was our Lord’s second premonition not to give credit to "false prophets," who should pretend to show “great signs and wonders." In this last caution, as the connection of the prophecy demonstrates, he evidently refers to the period of the siege, but, in the former, to the interval immediately preceding the Jewish war. (Mat 24. Compare verses 5, and 23, 24, 25, 26.)Â
   The Temple now presented little more than a heap of ruins; and the Roman army, as in triumph on the event, came and reared their ensigns against a fragment of the eastern gate, and, with sacrifices of thanksgiving, proclaimed the imperial majesty of Titus, with every possible demonstration of joy.Â
 TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE {pg. 84}
   Thus terminated the glory and existence of this sacred and venerable edifice, which, from its stupendous size, its massy solidity, and astonishing strength, seemed formed to resist the most violent operations of human force, and to stand, like the pyramids, amid the shocks of successive ages, until the final dissolution of the globe.*Â
*From its first foundation by king Solomon, until its destruction under Vespasian, were one thousand and thirty years, seven months, and fifteen days: and from its re-erection by Haggai, to the same period, six hundred and thirty-nine years, and forty five days.  It has been already hinted, that, by a very singular coincidence, it was now reduced to ashes in the same month and on the same day of the month, on which it had formerly been burnt by the Babylonians.  These two eras are distinguished also by another extraordinary coincidence, which Josephus, in one of his addresses to the Jews, pointed out to them as one of the signs which foreboded the destruction of their city. "The fountains," said he, "flow copiously for Titus, which to you were dried up; for before he came, you know that both Siloam failed, and all the springs without the city, so that water was bought by the amphora**; but now they are so abundant to your enemies, as to suffice, not only for themselves and their cattle, but also for their gardens. This wonder you also formerly experienced when the king of Babylon laid siege to your city." **vessel containing about seven gallons.
   For five days after the destruction of the Temple, the priests who had escaped, sat, pining with hunger, on the top of one of its broken walls; at length, they came down, and humbly asked the pardon of Titus, which, however, he refused to grant them, saying, that, "as the temple, for the sake of which he would have spared them, was destroyed, it was but fit that its priests should perish also;" -whereupon he commanded that they should be put to death.Â
THE JEWS REFUSE TO SURRENDERÂ {pg. 85}
   The leaders of the factions being now pressed on all sides, begged a conference with Titus, who offered to spare their lives, provided that they would lay down their arms.  With this reasonable condition, however, they refused to comply; upon which Titus, exasperated by their obstinacy, resolved, that he would hereafter grant no pardon to the insurgents, and ordered a proclamation to be made to this effect.  The Romans had now full license to ravage and destroy.  Early the following morning they set fire to the castle, the register-office, the council-chamber, and the palace of the queen Helena; and then spread themselves throughout the city, slaughtering wherever they came, and burning the dead bodies which were scattered over every street, and on the floors of almost every house. Â
MASSACRE IN THE ROYAL PALACEÂ {pg. 86}
In the royal palace, where immense treasures were deposited, the seditious Jews murdered eight thousand four hundred of their own nation, and afterwards plundered their property.  Prodigious numbers of deserters, also, who escaped from the tyrants, and fled into enemies’ camp, were slain.  The soldiers, however, at length, weary of killing, and satiated with the blood which they had spilt, laid down their swords, and sought to gratify avarice.  For this purpose they took the Jews, together with their wives and families, and publicly sold them, like cattle in a market, but at a very low price; for multitudes were exposed to sale, while the purchasers were few in number.  And now were fulfilled the words of’ Moses:  "And ye shall be sold for bond-men and bond-women, and no man shall buy you." (Deut. 28:68)Â
   The Romans having become masters of the lower city, set it on fire.  The Jews now fled to the higher, from whence, their pride and insolence yet unabated, they continued to exasperate their enemies, and even appealed to view the burning of the town below them with tokens of pleasure.  In a short time, however, the walls of the higher city were demolished by the Roman engines, and the Jews, lately so haughty and presumptuous, now, trembling and panic-struck, fell on their faces, and deplored their own infatuation.  Such as were in the towers deemed impregnable to human force, beyond measure affrighted, strangely forsook them, and sought refuge in caverns and subterraneous passages; in which dismal retreats no less than two thousand dead bodies were afterwards found.  Thus, as our Lord had predicted, did these miserable creatures, in effect, say "to the mountains, ’Fall on us;’ and to the rocks, ’Cover us’." (Luke 23:30)Â
The walls of the city being now completely in possession of the Romans, they hoisted their colours upon the towers, and burst forth into the most triumphant acclamations. Â After this, all annoyance from the Jews being at an end, the soldiers gave an unbridled license to their fury against the inhabitants. Â They first plundered, and then set fire to the houses. Â They ranged through the streets with drawn swords in their hands, murdering every Jew whom they met without distinction; until, at length, the bodies of the dead choaked [choked] up all the alleys and narrow passes, while their blood literally flowed down the channels of the city in streams. Â As it drew towards evening, the soldiers exchanged the sword for the torch, and, amidst the darkness of this awful night, set fire to the remaining divisions of the place.
FINAL DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEMÂ {pg. 89}
The vial of divine wrath which had been so long pouring out upon this devoted city, was now emptying, and Jerusalem, once "a praise in all the earth," [Isa 62:7, Zeph 3:20] and the subject of a thousand prophecies, deprived of the staff of life, wrapt [wrapped] in flames, and bleeding on every side, sunk into utter ruin and desolation. (This memorable siege terminated on the 8th day of September, A.D. 70:  its duration was nearly five months, the Romans having invested the city on the 14th day of the preceding April. )
   Before their final demolition, however, Titus took a survey of the city and its fortifications; and, while contemplating their impregnable strength, could not help ascribing his success to the peculiar interposition of the Almighty himself.  "Had not God himself (exclaimed he) aided our operations, and driven the Jews from their fortresses, it would have been absolutely impossible to have taken them; for what could men and the force of engines, have done against such towers as these?"  After this he commanded that the city should be razed to its foundations, excepting only the three lofty towers, Hippocos, Phasael, and Mariamne, which he suffered to remain as evidences of its strength, and as trophies of his victory.  There was left standing, also, a small part of the western wall, as a rampart for a garrison, to keep the surrounding country in subjection.  Titus now gave orders that those Jews only who resisted should be slain; but the soldiers, equally void of pity and remorse, slew even the sick and the aged.  The robbers and seditious were all punished with death:  the tallest and most beautiful youths, together with several of the Jewish nobles were reserved by Titus to grace his triumphal entry into Rome.  After this selection, all above the age of seventeen were sent in chains into Egypt, to be employed there as slaves, or distributed throughout the empire to be sacrificed as gladiators in the amphitheatres; whilst those who were under this age, were exposed to sale.Â
   During the time that these things were transacting, eleven thousand Jews, guarded by one of the generals, named Fronto, were literally starved to death.  This melancholy occurrence happened partly through the scarcity of provisions, and partly through their own obstinacy, and the negligence of the Romans.Â
 ENUMERATION OF THE JEWS, &C.  {pg. 92}
   Of the Jews destroyed during the siege, Josephus reckons not less than one million and one hundred thousand, to which must be added, above two hundred and thirty-seven thousand who perished in other places, and innumerable multitudes who were swept away by famine and pestilence, and of which no calculation could be made.  Not less than two thousand laid violent hands upon themselves.  Of the captives, the whole number was about ninety-seven thousand.  Of the two great leaders of the Jews, who had both been made prisoners, John was doomed to a dungeon for life; while Simon, after being fed, together with John, in triumph at Rome, was scourged, and put to death as a malefactor.Â
 JERUSALEM RASED TO THE GROUND {pg. 93}
   In executing the command of Titus, relative to the demolition of Jerusalem, the Roman soldiers not only threw down the buildings, but even dug up their foundations, and so completely levelled the whole circuit of the city, that a stranger would scarcely have known that it had ever been inhabited by human beings.  Thus was this great city, which, only five months before, had been crowded with nearly two millions of people, who gloried in its impregnable strength, entirely depopulated, and levelled with the ground.  And thus, also, was our Lord’s prediction, that her enemies should "lay her even with the ground," and "should not leave in her one stone upon another," (Luk 19:44) most strikingly and fully accomplished!  This fact is confirmed by Eusebius, who asserts that he himself saw the city lying in ruins; and Josephus introduces Eleazer as exclaiming, "Where is our great city, which, it was believed, God inhabited?  It is altogether rooted and torn up from its foundations; and the only monument of it that remains, is the camp of its destroyers, pitched amidst its reliques!"
   Concerning the Temple, our Lord had foretold, particularly, that, notwithstanding their wonderful dimensions, there should "not be left one stone upon another that should not be thrown down;" and, accordingly, it is recorded in the Talmud, and by Maimonides, that Terentius Rufus, captain of the army of Titus, absolutely ploughed up the foundations of the temple with a ploughshare.  Now, also, was literally fulfilled that prophecy of Micah, "Therefore shall Zion, for your sakes (i.e. for your wickedness,) be ploughed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the Lord’s house as the high places of the forest." (Mic 3:12)Â
TRAGICAL EVENT AT MASSADAÂ {pg. 94}
   Thus awfully complete, and severe beyond example, were the calamities which befel [befell] the Jewish nation, and especially the city of Jerusalem.  With what truth, then, did our Lord declare, that there should "be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world, no, nor ever shall be!" (Mat 24:21)  Such was the prediction:  the language in which Josephus declares its fulfillment is an exact counterpart to it:  "If the misfortunes," says he, "of all nations, from the beginning of the world, were compared with those which befel the Jews, they would appear far less in comparison;" and again, "No other city ever suffered such things, as no other generation, from the beginning of the world, was ever more fruitful in wickedness."  These were, indeed, "the days of vengeance," that all things which are written (especially by Moses, Joel, and Daniel) might be fulfilled." (Luk 21:22)  Nor were the calamities of this ill-fated nation even now ended; for there were still other places to subdue; and our Lord had thus predicted, "wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. " (Mat 24:28)  After the destruction of Jerusalem seventeen hundred Jews who surrendered at Macherus were slain, and of fugitives not less than three thousand in the wood of Jardes.  Titus having marched his army to Caesarea, he there, with great splendour, celebrated the birthday of his brother Domitian; and, according to the barbarous manner of those times, punished many Jews in honour of it.  The number who were burnt, and who fell by fighting with wild beasts, and in mutual combats, exceeded two thousand and five hundred.
At the siege of Massada, Eleazer, the commander, instigated the garrison to burn their stores, and to destroy first the women and children, and then themselves.  Dreadful as it is to relate, this horrid design was executed.  They were in number nine hundred and sixty. Ten were chosen to perform the bloody work: the rest sat on the ground, and, embracing their wives and children, stretched out their necks to the sword:  one was afterwards appointed to destroy the remaining nine, and then himself.  The survivor, when he had looked round to see that all were slain, set fire to the place, and plunged his sword into his own bosom.  Nevertheless less, two women and five children successfully concealed themselves, and witnessed the whole transaction.  When the Romans advanced to the attack in the morning, one of the women gave them a distinct account of this melancholy affair; which struck them with amazement at the contempt of death which had been displayed by the Jews.
THE TERMINATION OF THE WARÂ {pg. 97}
 After this event, if we except the transitory insurrection of the Sicarii, under Jonathan, all opposition on the part of the Jews every where ceased.  It was the submission of impotence and despair.  The peace that ensued was the effect of the direst necessity.  The rich territory of Judea was converted into a desolate waste. Everywhere ruin and desolation presented itself to the solitary passenger, and a melancholy and death-like silence reigned over the whole region.Â
   The mournful and desolate condition of Judea, at this time, is exactly described by the prophet Isaiah, in the following of his prophecy: "The cities were wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without a man, and the land was utterly desolate, and the Lord had removed men far away, and there was a great forsaking in the midst of the land." (Isa 6:11-12.)Â
THE QUALIFICATIONS OF JOSEPHUSÂ {pg. 98}
   The Catastrophe which has now been reviewed, cannot but be deemed one of the most extraordinary that has happened since the foundation of the world; and as it has pleased the Almighty to make it the subject of a very large proportion of the prophecies both of the Jewish and christian scriptures, so he hath ordained that the particular events which accomplished them, should be recorded with very remarkable precision, and by a man most singularly preserved*, qualified, and circumstanced for this purpose.  But with respect to this latter point, he shall speak for himself:  "At first," says Josephus, "I fought against the Romans, but was afterwards forced to be present in the Roman camp.  At the time I surrendered, Vespasian and Titus kept me in bonds, but obliged me to attend them continually.  Afterwards I was set at liberty, and accompanied Titus when he came from Alexandria to the siege of Jerusalem. During this time nothing was done that escaped my knowledge. What happened in the Roman camp I saw, and wrote down carefully.  As to the information the deserters brought out of the city, I was the only man that understood it.  Afterwards I got leisure at Rome; and when all my materials were prepared, I procured the help of one to assist me in writing Greek.  Thus I composed the history of those transactions, and I appealed both to Titus and Vespasian for the truth of it; to which also Julius Archelaus, Herod, and King Agrippa, bore their testimony." *Three times his life was preserved as by a miracle.Â
All remark here is needless; but it should not be forgotten, that Josephus was a Jew, obstinately attached to his religion; and that, although he has circumstantially related every remarkable event of that period, he seems studiously to have avoided such as had any reference to Jesus Christ, whose history (and even the genuineness of this is disputed) he sums up in about twelve lines.  No one, therefore, can reasonably entertain a suspicion, that the service he has rendered to Christianity, by his narrative of the transactions of the Jewish war, was at all the effect of design.  The fidelity of Josephus, as an historian, is, indeed, universally admitted; and Scaliger even affirms, that, not only in the affairs of the Jews, but in those of foreign nations also, he deserves more credit than all the Greek and Roman writers put together.Â
CHARACTER OF TITUSÂ {pg. 101}
   Nor is the peculiar character of Titus, the chief commander in this war, unworthy of our particular regard.  Vespasian, his father, had risen out of obscurity, and was elected emperor, contrary to his avowed inclination, about the commencement of the conflict; and thus the chief command devolved upon Titus, the most unlikely man throughout the Roman armies to become a scourge to Jerusalem.  He was eminently distinguished for his great tenderness and humanity, which he displayed in a variety of instances during the siege.  He repeatedly made pacific overtures to the Jews, and deeply lamented the infatuation that rejected them.  In short, he did every thing, which a military commander could do, to spare them, and to preserve their city and temple, but without effect.  Thus was the will of God accomplished by the agency, although contrary to the wish of Titus; and his predicted interposition, to punish his rebellious and apostate people, in this way rendered more conspicuously evident.
