amazement [to the spectators], by reason of the grandeur of the whole.
These four rows of pillars included three intervals for walking in the
middle of this cloister; two of which walks were made parallel to each
other, and were contrived after the same manner; the breadth of each
of them was thirty feet, the length was a furlong, and the height fifty
feet; but the breadth of the middle part of the cloister was one and
a half of the other, and the height was double, for it was much higher
than those on each side; but the roofs were adorned with deep sculptures
in wood, representing many sorts of figures. The middle was much higher
than the rest, and the wall of the front was adorned with beams, resting
upon pillars, that were interwoven into it, and that front was all of
polished stone, insomuch that its fineness, to such as had not seen it,
was incredible, and to such as had seen it, was greatly amazing. Thus
was the first enclosure. In the midst of which, and not far from it, was
the second, to be gone up to by a few steps: this was encompassed by
a stone wall for a partition, with an inscription, which forbade any
foreigner to go in under pain of death. Now this inner enclosure had
on its southern and northern quarters three gates [equally] distant one
from another; but on the east quarter, towards the sun-rising, there was
one large gate, through which such as were pure came in, together with
their wives; but the temple further inward in that gate was not allowed
to the women; but still more inward was there a third [court of the]
temple, whereinto it was not lawful for any but the priests alone to
enter. The temple itself was within this; and before that temple was the
altar, upon which we offer our sacrifices and burnt-offerings to
God. Into none of these three did king Herod enter, [24] for he was
forbidden, because he was not a priest. However, he took care of the
cloisters and the outer enclosures, and these he built in eight years.

6. But the temple itself was built by the priests in a year and six
months; upon which all the people were full of joy; and presently they
returned thanks, in the first place, to God; and in the next place,
for the alacrity the king had showed. They feasted and celebrated this
rebuilding of the temple: and for the king, he sacrificed three hundred
oxen to God, as did the rest every one according to his ability; the
number of which sacrifices is not possible to set down, for it cannot