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Was the spoil of Jerusalem valuable?

The booty of the Romans was immense, and the value of the spoil may be estimated from the circumstance, that the price of gold fell one half in Syria.

Did the Jews continue in their delusions to the last?

The delusion of the Jews to the very last, is one of the most remarkable circumstances in the history of the world. While the very temple was in flames, while the Romans were exulting in their victory, a flagitious impostor in the city declared, that now was the time for all the people to ascend to the sacred building, for that God was about miraculously to interpose for the deliverance of his people and the punishment of their enemies. Six thousand individuals listened to his voice, and ascended to the roof of one of the galleries which yet remained standing. Their delusion was the cause of their horrible death, the Romans set fire to the building, and every man, woman, and child, perished in the flames. A number of the priests also who had taken refuge on the summits of some of the remaining walls, being starved into a surrender, were commanded by Titus to be led to instant execution.

How was the subjugation of Jerusalem completed?

The conquest of the Romans was not yet perfect. The upper city still held out. John of Gischala, with some of his troops, had forced his way through the soldiers of Titus when they took possession of the temple, and had joined Simon in Sion. Titus offered to the besieged their lives on condition of instant surrender, but John and Simon demanded a free passage for themselves and their families into the wilderness. Titus was so exasperated by their insolence, that he proclaimed through his army, that the period of pardon was passed, that no Jews should any more be suffered to descend to his camp from the besieged, and that he intended their complete extermination. those parts of the city which he already occupied he ordered to be abandoned to the spoliation of his soldiers, and then to be burnt; and he prosecuted the siege of what yet remained of Jerusalem with all his

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characteristic diligence and energy. The batteringrams began to play upon the upper city on the seventh of September; the Jews were now too dispirited to resist; the expectations of their fanaticism had been completely disappointed; and those whose obstinate valour and perseverance had sustained so many dreadful privations and resisted so many impetuous assaults from one of the most formidable and best disciplined armies the world ever beheld, slunk away into subterranean passages or vainly sought their safety in flight. All the ferocious energy of John and Simon had forsaken them. The walls were abandoned; the three stupendous towers of Hippicos, Phasael, and Mariamne, whose solidity might have bid defiance to the most powerful engines of the Romans, were forsaken without a struggle: the legionaries took possession of the fortifications; every Jew they could discover was put to the sword; in spite of the proclamation of Titus that those who surrendered should be spared, the carnage still continued; the last remnant of this renowned city was set on fire: and every edifice which it contained, except the strong towers which were reserved for a Roman garrison, was soon reduced to ashes.

What became of the surviving Jews?

The Jews who remained after the slaughter was over, were driven into one of the inclosures of the temple, all who had participated in the crimes of the tyrants were executed, the most comely of the youth were reserved to grace the triumph of the conqueror, those of mature age were either sent into Egypt to labour in perpetual thraldom, or were reserved for the combats of the amphitheatre, and the children and others under seventeen years of age were sold for slaves. The total number of the prisoners amounted to ninety-seven thousand.

What became of John and Simon?

John and Simon were soon added to the number of the prisoners. They had fled to the subterranean chambers, where they hoped to elude pursuit until the Romans had retired, but they were compelled by famine to surrender. John came forth from his lurk

ing-place first, his life was spared, but he was doomed to perpetual imprisonment. Simon eluded for a longer period the just punishment of his crimes. With a number of miners and other artisans of that description, and with provisions sufficient for several days, he descended into a vault with the design of perforating the ground, until he could open his way into the country beyond the posts of the Romans. But their progress was obstructed by an impenetrable rock, and their provisions failed. Simon then arrayed himself in a vest of white, with a purple garment, hoping that by his sudden appearance he might excite the superstitious apprehensions of the guards, and make his escape while they fled from an imaginary spectre. With this view he emerged from the ground, but the guards were insensible to fear, and to Terentius Rufus, whom Titus had left after his departure in command amidst the ruins of Jerusalem, he surrendered himself. Simon was sent to Titus at Cæsarea, he was reserved first to adorn his triumph, and then to suffer death.

What was the number of the slain?

The total amount of slaughter during the siege and at the capture of Jerusalem, is unparalleled in the history of the world. It has already been stated that the siege commenced at the time of the Passover, when besides its ordinary inhabitants, the city was crowded with people from the neighbouring country, and from distant nations. One million one hundred thousand souls perished in the siege by the sword, by fire, or by famine; and if to this appalling number be added that of the slain in the whole course of the war, the frightful sum will be one million, three hundred and thirty-seven thousand, four hundred and ninety

men.

How did Titus act after all resistance had ceased?

Immediately after his victory Titus ordered every memorial of the city to be destroyed. The towers of Hippicos, Phasael, and Mariamne alone were suffered to remain, and some Roman troops were left in them under the command of Terentius Rufus, to prevent the Jews from resorting to the site of the temple. Thus was inspired prophecy strikingly fulfilled, thus was the

awful curse pronounced by Moses inflicted, thus were the wicked and unhappy Jews"rooted out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation,' thus was the crucifixion of the Son of God avenged upon the city which had been the scene of his murder, and thus did the accomplishment of his tremendous denunciation, prove at once the divinity of his mission, and the infatuation of those who imbrued their hands in his blood" there was great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. They had fallen by the edge of the sword, they were led away captive into all nations and Jerusalem has been trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled."

CHAPTER XIV.

FROM THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM TO THE

PRESENT DAY.

SECTION I.

CONDITION OF THE JEWS TO THE DEATH OF ADRIAN.

WHAT schools and authorities sprang up among the Jews after the destruction of Jerusalem?

Ir has been the boast of the Jews, that the destruction of Jerusalem by no means proved fatal to the existence or influence of their celebrated court, the Sanhedrim; but that after the fall of the city that assembly was removed to Jamnia, and thence to Tiberias, where it continued until the death of Judah the Holy. But it is so utterly improbable that the Romans should have permitted any Jewish court to exercise any jurisdiction, when they had just received such palpable proof of the bigotry and obstinacy of the people, that the supposition must be dismissed as perfectly incredible. That schools, however, were established at Tiberias, Jamnia, and Lydda; that a succession of individuals rose up who restored some degree of order to the institutions and proceedings of the Jews, is indubitable matter of history. Although the whole nation was involved in such confusion, that not only was the whole form of worship changed, there being no more sacrifices, nor altar of incense, nor of burnt-offerings, nor table of shew-bread, but even the sacerdotal families could no longer be accurately ascertained or distinguished, yet two distinct authorities were speedily recognized by the nation; and their power, though of course founded only on public

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