umea, and Jericho, and Perea, that
was beyond Jordan; but the people that naturally belonged to Judea
itself were above the rest, both in number, and in the alacrity of the
men. So they distributed themselves into three parts, and pitched their
camps in three places; one at the north side of the temple, another at
the south side, by the Hippodrome, and the third part were at the palace
on the west. So they lay round about the Romans on every side, and
besieged them.

2. Now Sabinus was aftrighted, both at their multitude,
and at their courage, and sent messengers to Varus continually, and
besought him to come to his succor quickly; for that if he delayed, his
legion would be cut to pieces. As for Sabinus himself, he got up to the
highest tower of the fortress, which was called Phasaelus; it is of the
same name with Herod's brother, who was destroyed by the Parthians; and
then he made signs to the soldiers of that legion to attack the enemy;
for his astonishment was so great, that he durst not go down to his own
men. Hereupon the soldiers were prevailed upon, and leaped out into
the temple, and fought a terrible battle with the Jews; in which, while
there were none over their heads to distress them, they were too hard
for them, by their skill, and the others' want of skill, in war; but
when once many of the Jews had gotten up to the top of the cloisters,
and threw their darts downwards, upon the heads of the Romans,
there were a great many of them destroyed. Nor was it easy to avenge
themselves upon those that threw their weapons from on high, nor was it
more easy for them to sustain those who came to fight them hand to hand.

3. Since therefore the Romans were sorely afflicted by both these
circumstances, they set fire to the cloisters, which were works to be
admired, both on account of their magnitude and costliness. Whereupon
those that were above them were presently encompassed with the flame,
and many of them perished therein; as many of them also were destroyed
by the enemy, who came suddenly upon them; some of them also threw
themselves down from the walls backward, and some there were who, from
the desperate condition they were in, prevented the fire, by killing
themselves with their own swords; but so many of them as crept out from
the walls, and came upon the Romans, were easily mastered by them, by
reason of the astonishment they were under; until at last some of the
Jews being destroyed, and others dispersed