e his army
was superior to the others, although the darts which were thrown by the
engines were carried a great way, and slew many of those that fought for
him.

CHAPTER 10.

How The Soldiers, Both In Judea And Egypt, Proclaimed
Vespasian Emperor; And How Vespasian Released Josephus From
His Bonds.

1. Now about this very time it was that heavy calamities came about Rome
on all sides; for Vitellius was come from Germany with his soldiery, and
drew along with him a great multitude of other men besides. And when the
spaces allotted for soldiers could not contain them, he made all Rome
itself his camp, and filled all the houses with his armed men; which
men, when they saw the riches of Rome with those eyes which had never
seen such riches before, and found themselves shone round about on all
sides with silver and gold, they had much ado to contain their covetous
desires, and were ready to betake themselves to plunder, and to the
slaughter of such as should stand in their way. And this was the state
of affairs in Italy at that time.

2. But when Vespasian had overthrown all the places that were near to
Jerusalem, he returned to Cesarea, and heard of the troubles that were
at Rome, and that Vitellius was emperor. This produced indignation in
him, although he well knew how to be governed as well as to govern,
and could not, with any satisfaction, own him for his lord who acted so
madly, and seized upon the government as if it were absolutely destitute
of a governor. And as this sorrow of his was violent, he was not able to
support the torments he was under, nor to apply himself further in other
wars, when his native country was laid waste; but then, as much as his
passion excited him to avenge his country, so much was he restrained
by the consideration of his distance therefrom; because fortune might
prevent him, and do a world of mischief before he could himself sail
over the sea to Italy, especially as it was still the winter season; so
he restrained his anger, how vehement soever it was at this time.

3. But now his commanders and soldiers met in several companies, and
consulted openly about changing the public affairs; and, out of their
indignation, cried out, how "at Rome there are soldiers that live
delicately, and when they have not ventured so much as to hear the fame
of war, they ordain whom they please for our governors, and in hopes
of gain make them emperors; while you, who have gone throu