ns [23] fell down; and this part it was that we resolved to
raise again in the days of Nero. Now the temple was built of stones that
were white and strong, and each of their length was twenty-five cubits,
their height was eight, and their breadth about twelve; and the whole
structure, as also the structure of the royal cloister, was on each side
much lower, but the middle was much higher, till they were visible to
those that dwelt in the country for a great many furlongs, but chiefly
to such as lived over against them, and those that approached to them.
The temple had doors also at the entrance, and lintels over them, of the
same height with the temple itself. They were adorned with embroidered
veils, with their flowers of purple, and pillars interwoven; and over
these, but under the crown-work, was spread out a golden vine, with
its branches hanging down from a great height, the largeness and fine
workmanship of which was a surprising sight to the spectators, to
see what vast materials there were, and with what great skill the
workmanship was done. He also encompassed the entire temple with very
large cloisters, contriving them to be in a due proportion thereto; and
he laid out larger sums of money upon them than had been done before
him, till it seemed that no one else had so greatly adorned the temple
as he had done. There was a large wall to both the cloisters, which wall
was itself the most prodigious work that was ever heard of by man. The
hill was a rocky ascent, that declined by degrees towards the east parts
of the city, till it came to an elevated level. This hill it was
which Solomon, who was the first of our kings, by Divine revelation,
encompassed with a wall; it was of excellent workmanship upwards,
and round the top of it. He also built a wall below, beginning at the
bottom, which was encompassed by a deep valley; and at the south side
he laid rocks together, and bound them one to another with lead, and
included some of the inner parts, till it proceeded to a great height,
and till both the largeness of the square edifice and its altitude were
immense, and till the vastness of the stones in the front were plainly
visible on the outside, yet so that the inward parts were fastened
together with iron, and preserved the joints immovable for all future
times. When this work [for the foundation] was done in this manner, and
joined together as part of the hill itself to the very top of it, he
wrought it all into o