e neighboring
cities; and how Nero, upon Cestius's defeat, was in fear of the entire
event of the war, and thereupon made Vespasian general in this war; and
how this Vespasian, with the elder of his sons [4] made an expedition
into the country of Judea; what was the number of the Roman army that
he made use of; and how many of his auxiliaries were cut off in all
Galilee; and how he took some of its cities entirely, and by force, and
others of them by treaty, and on terms. Now, when I am come so far, I
shall describe the good order of the Romans in war, and the discipline
of their legions; the amplitude of both the Galilees, with its nature,
and the limits of Judea. And, besides this, I shall particularly go over
what is peculiar to the country, the lakes and fountains that are in
them, and what miseries happened to every city as they were taken; and
all this with accuracy, as I saw the things done, or suffered in them.
For I shall not conceal any of the calamities I myself endured, since I
shall relate them to such as know the truth of them.

9. After this, [I shall relate] how, When the Jews' affairs were
become very bad, Nero died, and Vespasian, when he was going to attack
Jerusalem, was called back to take the government upon him; what signs
happened to him relating to his gaining that government, and what
mutations of government then happened at Rome, and how he was
unwillingly made emperor by his soldiers; and how, upon his departure to
Egypt, to take upon him the government of the empire, the affairs of
the Jews became very tumultuous; as also how the tyrants rose up against
them, and fell into dissensions among themselves.

10. Moreover, [I shall relate] how Titus marched out of Egypt into Judea
the second time; as also how, and where, and how many forces he got
together; and in what state the city was, by the means of the seditious,
at his coming; what attacks he made, and how many ramparts he cast up;
of the three walls that encompassed the city, and of their measures;
of the strength of the city, and the structure of the temple and holy
house; and besides, the measures of those edifices, and of the altar,
and all accurately determined. A description also of certain of their
festivals, and seven purifications of purity, [5] and the sacred
ministrations of the priests, with the garments of the priests, and
of the high priests; and of the nature of the most holy place of the
temple; without concealing any thing