stands the modern Acre) he was met by a deputation from
Sepphoris. That city had only been prevented from declaring for the
Romans by the exertions of Josephus, and the knowledge that all
Galilee would follow him to attack it, should it revolt. But as
soon as Vespasian arrived at Ptolemais, which was scarce twenty
miles away, they sent deputies with their submission to him;
begging that a force might be sent, to defend them against any
attack by the Jews.

Vespasian received them with courtesy; and sent Placidus, with a
thousand horse and six thousand foot, to the city. The infantry
took up their quarters in the town; but the horsemen made raids
over the plains, burning the villages, slaying all the men capable
of bearing arms, and carrying off the rest of the population as
slaves.

The day after the conversation between Joab and John, a man brought
the news to Jotapata that Placidus was marching against it.
Josephus at once ordered the fighting men to assemble and, marching
out, placed them in ambuscade, in the mountains, on the road by
which the Romans would approach.

As soon as the latter had fairly entered the pass, the Jews sprang
to their feet, and hurled their javelins and shot their arrows
among them. The Romans, in vain, endeavored to reach their
assailants; and numbers were wounded, as they tried to climb the
heights, but few were killed--for they were so completely covered,
by their armor and shields, that the Jewish missiles, thrown from a
distance, seldom inflicted mortal wounds. They were, however,
unable to make their way further; and Placidus was obliged to
retire to Sepphoris, having failed, signally, in gaining the credit
he had hoped for, from the capture of the strongest of the Jewish
strongholds in Upper Galilee.

The Jews, on their part, were greatly inspirited by the success of
their first encounter with the Romans; and returned, rejoicing, to
their stronghold.

All being ready at Jotapata, Josephus--with a considerable number
of the fighting men--proceeded to Garis, not far from Sepphoris,
where the army had assembled. But no sooner had the news arrived,
that the great army of Vespasian was in movement, than they
dispersed in all directions; and Josephus was left with a mere
handful of followers, with whom he fled to Tiberias. Thence he
wrote earnest letters to Jerusalem; saying that, unless a strong
army was fitted out and put in the field, it was useless to attempt
to fight the Roman