d gestures, implored his own soldiers,
and the Jews alike, to assist in subduing the flames.

But the clamour and din drowned his voice. The legionaries, pouring
in after him, added to the confusion. So great was the crowd that
many of the soldiers were crushed to death; while many fell among
the ruins of the still smouldering cloisters, and were either
smothered or burned. Those who reached the sanctuary paid no
attention to the remonstrances, commands, or even threats of Titus;
but shouted to those in front of them to complete the work of
destruction.

Titus pressed forward, with his guards, to the vestibule; and then
entered, first the Holy, and then the Holy of Holies. After one
glance at the beauty and magnificence of the marvellous shrine, he
rushed back and again implored his soldiers to exert themselves to
save it; and ordered Liberatus to strike down any who disobeyed.
But the soldiers were now altogether beyond control, and were mad
with triumph, fury, and hate. One of the bodyguard, as Titus left
the sanctuary, seized a brand and applied it to the woodwork. The
flames leaped up, and soon the whole Temple was wrapped in fire.

The soldiers spread through the building, snatching at the golden
ornaments and vessels, and slaying all they met--unarmed men,
priests in their robes, women and children. Many of the Jews threw
themselves into the flames. Some of the priests found their way on
to the broad wall of the inner Temple; where they remained, until
compelled by famine to come down, when they were all executed. Six
thousand of the populace took refuge on the roof of the Royal
Cloister, along the south side of the outer Temple. The Romans set
fire to this, and every soul upon it perished.

As soon as they felt that their efforts to extinguish the fire were
vain, and that the Temple was indeed lost, John of Gischala, Simon,
and John called their men together and, issuing out, fell with the
fury of desperation upon the dense ranks of the Roman soldiers in
the inner court and, in spite of their resistance, cut their way
through to the outer court; and gained the bridge leading from the
southwest corner, across the Valley of the Tyropceon, to the upper
city; and were therefore, for a time, in safety.

John, bewildered, exhausted, and heartbroken from the terrible
events of the past few days, staggered back to his house, and threw
himself on his couch; and lay there for a long time, crushed by the
severity of