their
homes, and fled to Jerusalem for refuge and, when the country was
left a desert and no more plunder was to be gained, these robber
bands gradually entered Jerusalem. As you know, the gates of the
holy city were always open to all the Jewish people; and none
thought of excluding the strangers who entered, believing that
every armed man would add to the power of resistance, when the
Romans appeared before it.

"The robbers, who came singly or in small parties from all parts of
the country, soon gathered themselves together in the city, and
established a sort of terror over the peaceable inhabitants. Men
were robbed, and murdered, openly in the street; houses were broken
open, and pillaged; none dare walk in the street, without the risk
of insult or assault. Antipas, Levias, and Saphias--all of royal
blood--were seized, thrown into prison, and there murdered; and
many others of the principal people were slain.

"Then the robbers proceeded to further lengths. They took upon
themselves to appoint a high priest; selected a family which had no
claim whatever to the distinction and, drawing lots among them,
chose as high priest one Phannias--a country priest, ignorant,
boorish, and wholly unable to discharge the function of the office.
Hitherto, the people had submitted to the oppression of the
Zealots, but this desecration of the holy office filled them with
rage and indignation; and Ananus--the oldest of the chief priests,
a man of piety and wisdom--was the head of the movement and,
calling the people together, exhorted them to resist the tyranny
which oppressed them, and which was now desecrating the Temple--for
the Zealots had taken refuge there, and made the holy place their
headquarters.

"The people seized their arms, but before they were ready for the
attack the Zealots, learning what was going on, took the initiative
and fell upon them. The people were less accustomed to arms than
their foes, but they had the superiority of numbers, and fought
with fury. At first the Zealots gained the advantage, but the
people increased in numbers. Those behind pressed those in front
forward, and the Zealots were driven back into the Temple, and the
Quadrangle of the Gentiles was taken.

"The Zealots fled into the inner court, and closed the gates.
Thither their wounded had already been carried, and the whole place
was defiled with their blood. But Ananus, having the fear of God
before his eyes, did not like to attack the