rsemen, and looked
about for a proper place where he might make an impression upon the
walls; but as he was in doubt where he could possibly make an attack on
any side, [for the place was no way accessible where the valleys were,
and on the other side the first wall appeared too strong to be shaken by
the engines,] he thereupon thought it best to make his assault upon
the monument of John the high priest; for there it was that the first
fortification was lower, and the second was not joined to it, the
builders neglecting to build strong where the new city was not much
inhabited; here also was an easy passage to the third wall, through
which he thought to take the upper city, and, through the tower of
Antonia, the temple itself But at this time, as he was going round about
the city, one of his friends, whose name was Nicanor, was wounded with a
dart on his left shoulder, as he approached, together with Josephus, too
near the wall, and attempted to discourse to those that were upon the
wall, about terms of peace; for he was a person known by them. On this
account it was that Caesar, as soon as he knew their vehemence, that
they would not hear even such as approached them to persuade them to
what tended to their own preservation, was provoked to press on the
siege. He also at the same time gave his soldiers leave to set the
suburbs on fire, and ordered that they should bring timber together, and
raise banks against the city; and when he had parted his army into three
parts, in order to set about those works, he placed those that shot
darts and the archers in the midst of the banks that were then raising;
before whom he placed those engines that threw javelins, and darts, and
stones, that he might prevent the enemy from sallying out upon their
works, and might hinder those that were upon the wall from being able
to obstruct them. So the trees were now cut down immediately, and the
suburbs left naked. But now while the timber was carrying to raise the
banks, and the whole army was earnestly engaged in their works, the Jews
were not, however, quiet; and it happened that the people of Jerusalem,
who had been hitherto plundered and murdered, were now of good courage,
and supposed they should have a breathing time, while the others were
very busy in opposing their enemies without the city, and that they
should now be avenged on those that had been the authors of their
miseries, in case the Romans did but get the victory.

3. How