purposing to compose these troubles without bloodshed. Upon this
I exhorted them to use the utmost care to learn the names of all
that were under John; which when they had done, and I thereby was
apprized who the men were, I published an edict, wherein I
offered security and my right hand to such of John's party as had
a mind to repent; and I allowed twenty days' time to such as
would take this most advantageous course for themselves. I also
threatened, that unless they threw down their arms, I would burn
their houses, and expose their goods to public sale. When the men
heard of this, they were in no small disorder, and deserted John;
and to the number of four thousand threw down their arms, and
came to me. So that no others staid with John but his own
citizens, and about fifteen hundred strangers that came from the
metropolis of Tyre; and when John saw that he had been outwitted
by my stratagem, he continued afterward in his own country, and
was in great fear of me.

67. But about this time it was that the people of Sepphoris grew
insolent, and took up arms, out of a confidence they had in the
strength of their walls, and because they saw me engaged in other
affairs also. So they sent to Cestius Gallus, who was president
of Syria, and desired that he would either come quickly to them,
and take their city under his protection, or send them a
garrison. Accordingly, Gallus promised them to come, but did not
send word when he would come: and when I had learned so much, I
took the soldiers that were with me, and made an assault upon the
people of Sepphoris, and took the city by force. The Galileans
took this opportunity, as thinking they had now a proper time for
showing their hatred to them, since they bore ill-will to that
city also. They then exerted themselves, as if they would destroy