sengers to tell many more
circumstances to the rulers of the Idumeans. Now there were two active
men proposed for the carrying this message, and such as were able to
speak, and to persuade them that things were in this posture, and, what
was a qualification still more necessary than the former, they were very
swift of foot; for they knew well enough that these would immediately
comply with their desires, as being ever a tumultuous and disorderly
nation, always on the watch upon every motion, delighting in mutations;
and upon your flattering them ever so little, and petitioning them, they
soon take their arms, and put themselves into motion, and make haste to
a battle, as if it were to a feast. There was indeed occasion for quick
despatch in the carrying of this message, in which point the messengers
were no way defective. Both their names were Ananias; and they soon came
to the rulers of the Idumeans.

2. Now these rulers were greatly surprised at the contents of the
letter, and at what those that came with it further told them; whereupon
they ran about the nation like madmen, and made proclamation that the
people should come to war; so a multitude was suddenly got together,
sooner indeed than the time appointed in the proclamation, and every
body caught up their arms, in order to maintain the liberty of their
metropolis; and twenty thousand of them were put into battle-array, and
came to Jerusalem, under four commanders, John, and Jacob the son of
Sosas; and besides these were Simon, the son of Cathlas, and Phineas,
the son of Clusothus.

3. Now this exit of the messengers was not known
either to Ananus or to the guards, but the approach of the Idumeans
was known to him; for as he knew of it before they came, he ordered the
gates to be shut against them, and that the walls should be guarded. Yet
did not he by any means think of fighting against them, but, before they
came to blows, to try what persuasions would do. Accordingly, Jesus, the
eldest of the high priests next to Artanus, stood upon the tower that
was over against them, and said thus: "Many troubles indeed, and those
of various kinds, have fallen upon this city, yet in none of them have
I so much wondered at her fortune as now, when you are come to assist
wicked men, and this after a manner very extraordinary; for I see that
you are come to support the vilest of men against us, and this with
so great alacrity, as you could hardly put on the like, in case our