he had a mind, by
letting them be plundered, to give them some good instruction, while at
the same time he regained their good-will by restoring them their money
again.

CHAPTER 22.

The Jews Make All Ready For The War; And Simon, The Son Of
Gioras, Falls To Plundering.

1. And thus were the disturbances of Galilee quieted, when, upon their
ceasing to prosecute their civil dissensions, they betook themselves to
make preparations for the war with the Romans. Now in Jerusalem the high
priest Artanus, and do as many of the men of power as were not in the
interest of the Romans, both repaired the walls, and made a great many
warlike instruments, insomuch that in all parts of the city darts and
all sorts of armor were upon the anvil. Although the multitude of the
young men were engaged in exercises, without any regularity, and all
places were full of tumultuous doings; yet the moderate sort were
exceedingly sad; and a great many there were who, out of the prospect
they had of the calamities that were coming upon them, made great
lamentations. There were also such omens observed as were understood to
be forerunners of evils by such as loved peace, but were by those that
kindled the war interpreted so as to suit their own inclinations; and
the very state of the city, even before the Romans came against it, was
that of a place doomed to destruction. However, Ananus's concern was
this, to lay aside, for a while, the preparations for the war, and to
persuade the seditious to consult their own interest, and to restrain
the madness of those that had the name of zealots; but their violence
was too hard for him; and what end he came to we shall relate hereafter.

2. But as for the Acrabbene toparchy, Simon, the son of Gioras, got a
great number of those that were fond of innovations together, and betook
himself to ravage the country; nor did he only harass the rich men's
houses, but tormented their bodies, and appeared openly and beforehand
to affect tyranny in his government. And when an army was sent against
him by Artanus, and the other rulers, he and his band retired to the
robbers that were at Masada, and staid there, and plundered the country
of Idumea with them, till both Ananus and his other adversaries were
slain; and until the rulers of that country were so afflicted with the
multitude of those that were slain, and with the continual ravage of
what they had, that they raised an army, and put garrisons into