The Wars of the Jews; Or, The History of the Destruction of JerusalemJosephus, Flavius
Religion
The Wars of the Jews; Or, The History of the Destruction of Jerusalem
Josephus, Flavius
Jews -- History
2. As for what is within the camp, it is set apart for tents, but the
outward circumference hath the resemblance to a wall, and is adorned
with towers at equal distances, where between the towers stand the
engines for throwing arrows and darts, and for slinging stones, and
where they lay all other engines that can annoy the enemy, all ready for
their several operations. They also erect four gates, one at every side
of the circumference, and those large enough for the entrance of the
beasts, and wide enough for making excursions, if occasion should
require. They divide the camp within into streets, very conveniently,
and place the tents of the commanders in the middle; but in the very
midst of all is the general's own tent, in the nature of a temple,
insomuch, that it appears to be a city built on the sudden, with its
market-place, and place for handicraft trades, and with seats for the
officers superior and inferior, where, if any differences arise, their
causes are heard and determined. The camp, and all that is in it, is
encompassed with a wall round about, and that sooner than one would
imagine, and this by the multitude and the skill of the laborers; and,
if occasion require, a trench is drawn round the whole, whose depth is
four cubits, and its breadth equal.
3. When they have thus secured themselves, they live together by
companies, with quietness and decency, as are all their other affairs
managed with good order and security. Each company hath also their wood,
and their corn, and their water brought them, when they stand in need
of them; for they neither sup nor dine as they please themselves singly,
but all together. Their times also for sleeping, and watching, and
rising are notified beforehand by the sound of trumpets, nor is any
thing done without such a signal; and in the morning the soldiery go
every one to their centurions, and these centurions to their tribunes,
to salute them; with whom all the superior officers go to the general
of the whole army, who then gives them of course the watchword and other
orders, to be by them carried to all that are under their command; which
is also observed when they go to fight, and thereby they turn themselves
about on the sudden, when there is occasion for making sallies, as they
come back when they are recalled in crowds also.
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