on himself, he ascended the wall, and was followed by the rest.

The Romans now all rushed to the temple, thinking the city taken if once they had possession of that: while both parties of the Jews joined in their anxiety to prevent them.

So a terrible battle was fought at the entrance; the Romans forcing their way into the temple, and the Jews driving them back into the tower of Antonia. Darts and spears were then thrown away: each party drew their swords, and fell upon one another, hand to hand. The place was so small, that they fought at random, and the noise of the heavy-armed Romans falling on the ground was very tremendous.

Whichever side was for a time victorious set up a loud shout; while the vanquished were almost equally noisy in their lamentations. There was room neither for flight nor pursuit; those who came behind pushing on the foremost, till they met face to face with their enemies.

But the violent zeal of the Jews was too much for the skill of the Romans, and the battle was already in their favour. It

had lasted a great number of hours, and still fresh Jews came pouring from the city to defend their temple; while but a part of the Roman army could come up. For the present, therefore, the Romans were obliged to be content with the conquest of the tower of Antonia.

We should not omit to mention here another instance of Roman valour, in a centurion of the name of Julian. He was by birth a Bithynian, a man of great fame, owing to his skill in war, the strength of his body, and the courage of his soul. This man was standing by Titus in the tower of Antonia when the Romans were giving ground. He leaped down, and with his single arm alone put the Jews to flight, and made them retire as far as the corner of the inner temple. The Jews fled from him in crowds, fancying his strength more than human. On he rushed through the midst of them, as they were flying, and killed all whom he caught.

Titus watched him eagerly, wondering at his extraordinary deeds; but at last he saw him stagger and fall on the pavement of the temple. His shoes, like those of all Roman soldiers,

R

ceived; till at length, when his body was quite covered with darts, he fell down and died.

Sabinus deserved a better fate, though his fall was to be expected. As for his brave companions, three of them were killed with stones as they were ascending the walls; and the other eight, being wounded, were pulled down by the Romans, and carried back to their camp.

Two days afterwards, however, an attempt was made against the tower with more success. Twelve of the men who kept watch upon the banks got together, and called to them the standard-bearer of the fifth legion, and two others of a troop of horsemen, and one trumpeter.

These men crept gently along, at the ninth hour of the night, through the ruins, up to the tower of Antonia. They cut the throats of the first watch, who were sleeping, got possession of the wall, and ordered the trumpeter to sound his trumpet. The rest of the watchmen started up from their sleep, and fled, without waiting to see how many of the enemy were got in. Titus, upon hearing the sound of the trumpet, summoned his army, and leading his officers