captives was not
unadorned, while the variety that was in their garments, and their fine
texture, concealed from the sight the deformity of their bodies. But
what afforded the greatest surprise of all was the structure of the
pageants that were borne along; for indeed he that met them could
not but be afraid that the bearers would not be able firmly enough to
support them, such was their magnitude; for many of them were so made,
that they were on three or even four stories, one above another. The
magnificence also of their structure afforded one both pleasure and
surprise; for upon many of them were laid carpets of gold. There
was also wrought gold and ivory fastened about them all; and many
resemblances of the war, and those in several ways, and variety of
contrivances, affording a most lively portraiture of itself. For there
was to be seen a happy country laid waste, and entire squadrons of
enemies slain; while some of them ran away, and some were carried into
captivity; with walls of great altitude and magnitude overthrown and
ruined by machines; with the strongest fortifications taken, and the
walls of most populous cities upon the tops of hills seized on, and
an army pouring itself within the walls; as also every place full of
slaughter, and supplications of the enemies, when they were no longer
able to lift up their hands in way of opposition. Fire also sent upon
temples was here represented, and houses overthrown, and falling upon
their owners: rivers also, after they came out of a large and melancholy
desert, ran down, not into a land cultivated, nor as drink for men, or
for cattle, but through a land still on fire upon every side; for the
Jews related that such a thing they had undergone during this war. Now
the workmanship of these representations was so magnificent and lively
in the construction of the things, that it exhibited what had been done
to such as did not see it, as if they had been there really present. On
the top of every one of these pageants was placed the commander of the
city that was taken, and the manner wherein he was taken. Moreover,
there followed those pageants a great number of ships; and for the other
spoils, they were carried in great plenty. But for those that were taken
in the temple of Jerusalem, [9] they made the greatest figure of them
all; that is, the golden table, of the weight of many talents; the
candlestick also, that was made of gold, though its construction were
now chang