Manahem and the principal of the band of robbers were put to
death, when I abode among the high priests and the chief of the
Pharisees. But no small fear seized upon us when we saw the
people in arms, while we ourselves knew not what we should do,
and were not able to restrain the seditious. However, as the
danger was directly upon us, we pretended that we were of the
same opinion with them, but only advised them to be quiet for the
present, and to let the enemy go away, still hoping that Gessius
[Florus] would not be long ere he came, and that with great
forces, and so put an end to these seditious proceedings.

6. But, upon his coming and fighting, he was beaten, and a great
many of those that were with him fell. And this disgrace which
Gessius [with Cestius] received, became the calamity of our whole
nation; for those that were fond of the war were so far elevated
with this success, that they had hopes of finally conquering the
Romans. Of which war another occasion was ministered; which was
this: - Those that dwelt in the neighboring cities of Syria
seized upon such Jews as dwelt among them, with their wives and
children, and slew them, when they had not the least occasion of
complaint against them; for they did neither attempt any
innovation or revolt from the Romans, nor had they given any
marks of hatred or treacherous designs towards the Syrians. But
what was done by the inhabitants of Scythopolis was the most
impious and most highly criminal of all; (6) for when the Jews
their enemies came upon them from without, they forced the Jews
that were among them to bear arms against their own countrymen,
which it is unlawful for us to do; (7) and when, by their
assistance, they had joined battle with those who attacked them,
and had beaten them, after that victory they forgot the