e while all the nations
in subjection to them had placed the images of Caesar in their several
cities, among the rest of their gods, for them alone to oppose it, was
almost like the behavior of revolters, and was injurious to Caesar.

4. And when they insisted on their law, and the custom of their country,
and how it was not only not permitted them to make either an image of
God, or indeed of a man, and to put it in any despicable part of their
country, much less in the temple itself, Petronius replied, "And am
not I also," said he, "bound to keep the law of my own lord? For if I
transgress it, and spare you, it is but just that I perish; while he
that sent me, and not I, will commence a war against you; for I am under
command as well as you." Hereupon the whole multitude cried out that
they were ready to suffer for their law. Petronius then quieted them,
and said to them, "Will you then make war against Caesar?" The Jews
said, "We offer sacrifices twice every day for Caesar, and for the Roman
people;" but that if he would place the images among them, he must first
sacrifice the whole Jewish nation; and that they were ready to expose
themselves, together with their children and wives, to be slain. At
this Petronius was astonished, and pitied them, on account of the
inexpressible sense of religion the men were under, and that courage
of theirs which made them ready to die for it; so they were dismissed
without success.

5. But on the following days he got together the men of power privately,
and the multitude publicly, and sometimes he used persuasions to them,
and sometimes he gave them his advice; but he chiefly made use of
threatenings to them, and insisted upon the power of the Romans, and the
anger of Caius; and besides, upon the necessity he was himself under [to
do as he was enjoined]. But as they could be no way prevailed upon, and
he saw that the country was in danger of lying without tillage; [for it
was about seed time that the multitude continued for fifty days together
idle;] so he at last got them together, and told them that it was
best for him to run some hazard himself; "for either, by the Divine
assistance, I shall prevail with Caesar, and shall myself escape the
danger as well as you, which will be matter of joy to us both; or, in
case Caesar continue in his rage, I will be ready to expose my own
life for such a great number as you are." Whereupon he dismissed the
multitude, who prayed greatly for his