t Jericho, as we have already related that matter; but after
this man he never intrusted the priesthood to the posterity of the sons
of Asamoneus. Archelaus also, Herod's son, did like his father in the
appointment of the high priests, as did the Romans also, who took the
government over the Jews into their hands afterward. Accordingly, the
number of the high priests, from the days of Herod until the day
when Titus took the temple and the City, and burnt them, were in all
twenty-eight; the time also that belonged to them was a hundred and
seven years. Some of these were the political governors of the people
under the reign of Herod, and under the reign of Archelaus his son,
although, after their death, the government became an aristocracy, and
the high priests were intrusted with a dominion over the nation. And
thus much may suffice to be said concerning our high priests.

CHAPTER 11. Concerning Florus The Procurator, Who Necessitated The Jews
To Take Up Arms Against The Romans. The Conclusion.

1. Now Gessius Florus, who was sent as successor to Albinus by Nero,
filled Judea with abundance of miseries. He was by birth of the city
of Clazomene, and brought along with him his wife Cleopatra, [by whose
friendship with Poppea, Nero's wife, he obtained this government,] who
was no way different from him in wickedness. This Florus was so wicked,
and so violent in the use of his authority, that the Jews took Albinus
to have been [comparatively] their benefactor; so excessive were
the mischiefs that he brought upon them. For Albinus concealed his
wickedness, and was careful that it might not be discovered to all men;
but Gessius Florus, as though he had been sent on purpose to show his
crimes to every body, made a pompous ostentation of them to our
nation, as never omitting any sort of violence, nor any unjust sort of
punishment; for he was not to be moved by pity, and never was satisfied
with any degree of gain that came in his way; nor had he any more regard
to great than to small acquisitions, but became a partner with the
robbers themselves. For a great many fell then into that practice
without fear, as having him for their security, and depending on him,
that he would save them harmless in their particular robberies; so that
there were no bounds set to the nation's miseries; but the unhappy Jews,
when they were not able to bear the devastations which the robbers made
among them, were all under a necessity of leavi