invaders, ripped open alive [two thousand in one night!] by Arabs and Syrians in the Roman armies, in hopes of finding gold, which these Jews had [or their enemies fancied they had] swallowed, to carry off with them!
Titus being a merciful general, was touched to the heart at the miseries of the Jews; and in person he tenderly entreated the besieged to surrender. But all the answer he obtained for his tenderness was base revilings. He now resolved to make thorough work with this obstinate people; and hence surrounded the city with a circumvallation of thirty-nine furlongs in length, strengthened with thirteen towers. This by the astonishing activity of the soldiers, was effected in three days. Then was fulfilled this prediction of our blessed Lord, "Thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and keep thee in on every side."
As the city was now cut off from all possible supplies, famine became more dreadful. Whole families fell a sacrifice to it; and the dead bodies of women, children, and the aged, were seen covering roofs of houses, and various recesses. Youth, and the middle aged, appeared
like spectres; and fell many of them dead in public places. The dead became too numerous to be interred. Many died while attempting to perform this office. So great and awful became the calamities, that lamentation ceased, and an awful silence of despair overwhelmed the
city. But all this failed of restraining the more abandoned from most horrid deeds. They took this opportunity to rob the tombs; and with loud, infernal laughter, to strip the dead of their habiliments of death; and would try the edge of their swords on dead bodies, and on some while yet breathing. Simon Georas now vented his rage against Matthias, the high priest, and his three sons. He caused them to be condemned, as though favoring the Romans. The father asked the favor to be first executed, and not see the death of his sons; but the
malicious Simon reserved him for the last execution. And as he was expiring, he put the insulting question, whether the Romans could now relieve him?
Things being thus, one Mannaeus, a Jew, escaped to Titus, and informed him of the consummate wretchedness of the Jews; that in less than three months, one
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