The subjugation of Galilee had hitherto employed the whole of
Vespasian's army; and such had been the courage and obstinacy
displayed by the Jews, that it had cost the Romans much labour and
pains to subdue the rebellious province. The leaders of the nation
in Jerusalem had sent no forces to assist their Galilean brethren,
nor had they used any other means for the relief of the besieged
places. All their time and all their strength were wasted in violent
civil dissensions, and furious struggles for power and authority in
the metropolis. Perhaps also they hoped that the patience of the
Romans would be exhausted, by the long continuance of the war in
Galilee, and by the time and labour that were required to reduce one
rebellious town after another; and that they would at length depart,
and leave Jerusalem to its assumed independence. But far better
would it have been if they had employed the time that was allowed
them in preparing for the part which they ultimately had to perform;
and if instead of admitting John of Gischala and his unprincipled
followers into the city, they had sought to compose the dissensions
that already existed, and to unite under one chief, for the general
protection and safety.
But the fame of John had reached their ears, and the fact that he had
been the rival and the enemy of the now despised Josephus, only
raised him in the estimation of the people. As soon as it was known
that he was approaching the city, multitudes flocked out to meet and
welcome him. The exhausted and breathless condition of the men and
their horses too plainly told that they had travelled far and fast;
but the deceitful John assured the inquiring populace that they had
not fled from necessity or fear, but that they were unwilling to
spend their strength and courage in the cause of meaner towns, and
had come to shed their blood in the defence of the capital. This
reply, however, did not satisfy all who heard it; and, from the
evident confusion and discomfiture of the fugitives, and the dreadful
details of massacre and ruin which they received from some of the
men, they felt convinced that they had fled to save their lives from
the Roman vengeance, and foreboded the fate that probably awaited
themselves. John was a man of subtle and insinuating manner, and he
employed his eloquence and his artifice successfully in persuading
the people of Jerusalem that the Roman power was already so broken,
and their troops so wearied and dispirited, that they would never
venture to enter on the siege of such a formidable place as their
beloved city.
The young and daring listened and applauded with loud shouts of
approbation, but the old men doubted and feared for the future. The
party of John was increased by numbers of fresh adherents, and the
city became more than ever the scene of discord and violence. One
faction was for war, another for peace; and the conflicting opinions
distracted the public councils, and divided even private families
into fierce and opposing parties. Every individual who had power or
wealth sufficient, gathered around himself a band of adherents; and
these lawless companies overspread the neighbouring country,
insulting, robbing, and murdering the unoffending peasantry, who
refused to join them in their crimes and violence. Multitudes of the
inhabitants of the villages, believing that they could have nothing
worse to fear from the Romans than what they suffered from their own
countrymen, fled to the garrison towns; but the Romans either
rejoiced in the civil discord and mutual destruction, or considered
that they had no concern in their quarrels, and they afforded the
sufferers but little protection.
At length a powerful and numerous body of these marauders contrived
to get into Jerusalem, and establish themselves permanently in the
Holy City. They were not expelled or opposed; for the warlike party
hoped by the accession of these bold and daring men, to gain strength
for the defence of the metropolis. But they only added to the misery
and tumult that already reigned within the walls; and with the
multitude of persons who flocked from the neighbouring towns and
villages, to take refuge in Jerusalem, they greatly hastened the
consumption of provisions, which ought to have been reserved for a
time of need, and famine began to be felt among other evils and woes.
The wise and excellent Zadok, with a few of his friends who were not
actuated by avarice, ambition, or revenge, strove to stem the torrent
of sedition and violence, and preserve order and decorum among the
populace. But what could the efforts of a few individuals, however
well-directed, effect against the influence of bribery, and passion,
and intemperance, and licensed crime? Beyond their own families and
immediate dependents, their counsels and warnings were unheeded and
despised: and robberies, burglaries, and assassinations took place in
the open day in the streets of Jerusalem. The robbers seized on
Antipas, a man of royal blood, who had the charge of the public
treasures, and cast him into prison. The next victims were Saphias
and Levias, two members of the Herodian family, and many others of
noble rank shared the same fate.
The people saw and feared; but so long as they were themselves
unmolested, they took no measures to stay the growing evils.
Emboldened by their present impunity, the ruffians proceeded to
greater atrocities, and unwilling either to release their prisoners,
or to keep them any longer captive, they sent ten of their party with
drawn swords into the prison, who speedily massacred the unfortunate
captives. At length they dared to invade the sacred temple, and
insult the majesty of Heaven with their impieties: the very holy of
holies was entered and polluted by the feet of the murderers; and
then the indignation of the populace broke forth. Ananus, the eldest
of the chief priests, was the acknowledged leader of the party
opposed to the robbers. He was a man of wisdom and moderation, but
he now incited the people to resistance; and the band of Zealots fled
to the temple, which they made their head-quarters, and turned into a
garrison. That holy and beautiful house of God, the object of the
fondest veneration and pride to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, was
now the scene of warlike preparation and boisterous intemperance; and
instead of hymns of prayer and praise, and the harmony of musical
instruments, its marble and gilded walls re-echoed with the shouts
and songs of the drunkards, or the clash of arms.
The Zealots even presumed to elect a high-priest by lot, and
proclaimed the deposition of Matthias, who had a rightful claim to
that dignity. The people rose unanimously at this sacrilegious act;
and even those of the priests who had hitherto sought to preserve
peace, now exhorted them to throw off the yoke of the Zealots. Zadok
joined with Ananus and Joseph, and others, and both in public and
private harangued the infuriated populace.
An assembly was convened, and Ananus, in a long and eloquent speech,
pointed out to his hearers the state of degradation to which they had
allowed themselves to be reduced, far more disgraceful than if they
had submitted to the power of the Romans; and as he spoke, he turned
his tearful eyes towards the violated temple, and reproached the
people with abandoning it into the hands of robbers. He was listened
to with deep attention, and at the close of his harangue the crowd
around him demanded to be led instantly to the rescue of the temple.
The spies of the Zealot party who were among the multitude, gave them
instant intelligence of the feeling which was excited against them,
and while Ananus and Zadok were ordering their forces, a band of
these robbers fell upon them. The battle raged with fury; numbers
were slain on both sides, and their bodies carried off. Those of the
Zealots who fell were borne back to the temple, and the polished
marble pavement was stained and polluted with their blood. The
populace pressed on, and drove the Zealots back into the temple,
following them within the sacred walls with furious cries. The
robbers passed the outer court, and secured the gates of the next
enclosure against their pursuers; and Ananus would not allow his
followers to press their advantage, and assault the gates, for he
feared to commit violence in so holy a spot, or to take his people
into that court which was yet polluted with slaughter and crime. He
therefore retired, leaving six thousand men in the cloisters, to keep
guard and watch the motions of the robbers.
The subtle John of Gischala had hitherto professed to support the
cause of Ananus, but all the while he maintained a correspondence
with the adverse party; and to prevent his double dealing from being
suspected, he made such vehement protestations of fidelity to Ananus,
and so readily took an oath of obedience and devotion, that the
priests and their party were entirely deceived, and admitted him into
their most secret councils, and even deputed him to go to the temple,
and endeavour to bring their enemies to terms.
The traitor undertook the mission; but no sooner was he within the
temple walls, than he threw off the mask, and addressed the robber
crew as if he had taken an oath to support them, and not to oppose
them. He told them that he had incurred serious dangers in the
endeavour to befriend them; that schemes were now being concerted for
delivering the city up to the Romans: and that their destruction was
inevitable, as Ananus had resolved to get into the temple, either
under the pretence of performing worship, or else by main force; and
he warned them that if they did not obtain some succour speedily,
they would be at the mercy of the enraged populace. The leaders of
the Zealots were Eleazer, the old enemy of Ananus, and Zacharias, the
son of Phalea. They readily believed that vengeance would be taken
on them by the opposing party; and instantly adopting the crafty
suggestions of John, they despatched swift messengers to the
Idumeans, to demand their assistance.
These fierce and uncivilized people were incorporated with the Jews
as one nation; but they retained the love of adventure which belonged
to their Arab blood, and the application of the Zealots was received
with wild cries of joy. They hastily assembled, and formed
themselves into a regular army of twenty thousand men, under the
command of James and John the sons of Lofas, Simon the son of
Cathlas, and Phineas the son of Clusothas, This numerous and powerful
body advanced immediately towards Jerusalem, proclaiming that they
were marching to the relief of the capital.
Suddenly they appeared beneath the walls and demanded admittance.
The gates were closed, and Jesus, one of the chief priests, was
deputed by Ananus to expostulate with them. He proposed to them
either to join with the inhabitants in punishing those who caused the
present tumult, or to enter without arms and mediate between the
contending parties; or else to depart again to their own homes, and
leave Jerusalem to finish its own internal war. All these
propositions were rudely refused by the Idumeans; and Simon the son
of Cathlas, replied, that they came to protect the patriotic party
against those who wished to sell them to the Romans, and they were
resolved to accomplish this design. His words were received with
loud shouts by the Idumeans, and Jesus returned to Ananus,
discouraged and apprehensive.
Simon encamped before the gates, and thus the party of Ananus found
themselves besieged by two separate forces. The Zealots could not
communicate with their new allies, for they were closely shut up in
the temple; and the Idumeans could gain no access to them. Their
camp was inconvenient, and in an exposed situation; and many of them
repented of their hasty march for as night drew on a fearful tempest
gathered over the city, and broke with such violence as to strike
terror into all who heard it; and every heart trembled in the
conviction that it was a dreadful omen of coming destruction and woe.
The rain fell in torrents, and was accompanied by terrific thunder
and lightning, while the earth shook with the frequent vibrations of
an earthquake. The Idumeans were exposed to the violence of the
storm, with but little shelter, except their own broad shields, which
they locked together over their heads, and thus obtained some
protection from the heavy rain; while the Zealots looked forth from
their elevated situation in the temple, anxious for the fate of their
new allies, and eagerly sought some opportunity of rendering them
assistance. Some of the most daring among them proposed to sally
forth amid the darkness and tumult of the storm, force their way to
the gates, and open them to admit their friends; trusting by the
suddenness and fury of their assault, to overpower and scatter the
guards who were placed in the outer court. But the more prudent
objected strongly to this desperate measure, as they knew that the
guards were more numerous than their own party, and also that the
city walls and gates were closely watched, to prevent a surprise from
the Idumeans. It was likewise the nightly custom of Ananus to pass
up and down continually, and see that the sentinels were all at their
posts, and he was now expected every moment.
On this one dreadful night, this necessary precaution was omitted.
Perhaps Ananus trusted to the strength of the guard, which had been
doubled since the arrival of the Idumeans; or perhaps from the
violence of the tempest, he felt assured that no attack would be
attempted at that time. Whatever were his motives, assuredly they
were overruled by an all-directing Providence, and made instrumental
in bringing about the destruction and massacre which were permitted
that night for the chastisement of a rebellious people. The darkness
was profound; the storm raged fearfully; and many of the guard stole
away for rest and shelter. This negligence was discovered by the
watchful Zealots; and seizing on the sacred instruments of the
temple, they proceeded to wrench off the hinges of one of the gates,
and thus to open to themselves a way into the streets. The whistling
and roaring of the wind, and the loud claps of thunder, drowned the
noise of their operations, and a strong party of them reached the
walls of the city undiscovered. They immediately applied their saws
and crowbars to the gate, near which the Idumeans were encamped, and
quickly tore it open.
The Idumeans at first suspected that this was some artifice of
Ananus, to draw them on to destruction and they retreated in terror;
but soon the Zealots approached, and reassured them, offering to
conduct them to victory and revenge; and had they instantly made an
attack on the city, nothing could have prevented a fearful and
general slaughter. But their guides persuaded them first to hasten
to the temple, and rescue the remainder of their party ere the guard
should be aroused; for if those who watched the gates were once
secured, and the whole band of Zealots released, they were assured
that the conquest of the city would soon be accomplished amid the
darkness and confusion of night.
Meanwhile the Zealots in the temple were anxiously awaiting the
result of their enterprise; and when they found that the Idumeans
were entering the sacred enclosure, they boldly came forth and joined
them, and then altogether falling on the guard, many of whom were
buried in a profound sleep, they commenced a fearful slaughter. The
guard at first gathered themselves together, and made head against
their assailants; but when they found that the Idumeans were among
their foes, they were convinced that the city was betrayed, and the
greater part of them threw down their arms in a sudden panic. A few
of the youngest and most courageous still maintained the conflict,
and supported the attack of the Idumeans, while some of the older men
escaped, and fled shrieking down the streets, awaking and alarming
the slumbering inhabitants with an announcement of the dreadful
calamity. They were answered by the screams and cries of women and
children, sounding shrilly through the storm; while the wild shouts
of the Idumeans and the Zealots came fearfully from the heights of
Mount Moriah, and murky clouds gave forth their awful flashes and
pealing thunders. No mercy was shown by the Idumeans to any of the
guard who fell into their hands. In vain they appealed to the
sanctity of the holy temple for protection; even its most sacred
precincts were deluged with blood; and in despair many of the
terrified men threw themselves headlong from the lofty rock on which
the temple stood, and were dashed to pieces in the deep abyss below.
[Illustration: DEATH OF ANANUS.]
The whole of the outer court was strewed with the dead and dying; and
when daylight broke on this awful scene of carnage, eight thousand
five hundred bodies were found heaped on this one spot.
But the pure light of day did not put an end to the deeds of darkness
and of blood that disgraced it. The ruffian band broke into the
city, slaying and pillaging on every side. Ananus--the wise, the
patriotic Ananus, on whom rested the hopes of all the rational and
well-disposed inhabitants--and Jesus the son of Gamala, were seized
and put to death, and their bodies trampled under the feet of their
murderers, who reproached them with being traitors to the nation. To
such a height did they carry their barbarity, as to cast forth the
mangled remains of these priestly men to be devoured by dogs and
birds of prey, in defiance of the superstitious veneration which had
ever been entertained by the Jews towards the bodies of the dead.
Had Ananus lived, doubtless the affairs of Jerusalem might have
terminated more favourably; but her time was come, and it pleased God
to remove all obstacles to the fulfilment of his righteous decree.
With the venerable Ananus expired all hopes of peace with the Romans,
and all prospect of tranquillity in the city; and the Jewish
historian dates the utter ruin of Jerusalem from the death of this
deeply-regretted man.
Having exercised their cruelty on these distinguished persons, the
Idumeans raged with uncontrollable fury among the rest of the
inhabitants, and slew multitudes of the meaner sort like so many wild
beasts; but the young men and the nobles they cast into prison, in
the hope that they might be induced to join their party. Not one
complied with their wishes, and though scourged and tortured they yet
resolutely endured, until their tormentors put an end to their
sufferings by death.
During the bloody scenes of this terrific night, of which we have
given but a faint sketch, the family of Zadok were agitated by the
deepest anxiety. A few days previous to the arrival of the Idumeans,
Naomi had left the city with her uncle Amaziah, and his wife Judith,
to reside for a short time with them in a beautiful country-house
which they possessed near the village of Bethany. Her return was
expected on that fatal day, when a host of barbarous enemies so
suddenly and unexpectedly appeared before the walls of Jerusalem.
The gates were immediately closed and strictly guarded, and orders
were issued that no person should, on any pretence, be allowed either
to pass in or out of the city. Zadok was hastily summoned to assist
the council of Ananus; and in trembling anxiety did Salome, and
Claudia, and the aged Deborah, remain seated on the housetop, looking
out over the dense multitude of Idumeans beneath the walls, and
straining their eyes in the direction in which they expected Naomi
and her friends to approach. What might be their fate if they came
within sight of the barbarous invaders?--and from the hollow
situation in which the Idumeans were encamped, they could not be
perceived by those descending the Mount of Olives, until they might
be so near them as to render escape impossible.
In this emergency, what course could be pursued, and how would it be
practicable to send intelligence to Amaziah of the alarming state of
the city! Salome at length resolved to go herself to Ananus, and
entreat his aid and counsel. The present state of suspense was not
to be borne, and any danger was preferable to the chance of her
lovely and beloved daughter falling into the hands of the barbarians.
The dreadful thought inspired even the timid Salome with courage; and
covering herself with a thick veil, she descended from the flat roof
of her dwelling, and went forth into the crowded and tumultuous
streets, followed by several armed servants, and accompanied by the
faithful Deborah, who could not be persuaded to remain behind.
The way by which Salome had to pass to the house of Ananus was
thronged with men, many of them armed, and all in a state of great
excitement. The adverse parties which tore the city with their
dissensions were not united by the common danger that now threatened
them, and loud and angry were the voices that fell on the ears of the
trembling Salome as she hastily pursued her way through the crowd,
and expected every moment to be assailed by the rude hands of robbery
and violence. Happily the minds of all men were so much occupied
with the dangers that then menaced the city, that Salome and her
little group of attendants passed unnoticed, and reached the lofty
portico in front of dwelling of Ananus in safety. The marble stops
were crowded with priests and elders, and the chief men of the city,
who were hurrying to and fro, to execute the orders of Ananus, or to
join in the deliberations that were going forward in the
council-chamber. Salome was at first unheeded, and sought in vain to
obtain admittance to the chief-priest; but at length she raised her
veil to look around among the throng for some one with whom she was
acquainted, and who would conduct her to Ananus. The first
countenance that met her gaze was that of Zadok, who started with
surprise and alarm at beholding his gentle and timid wife so far from
her home, and exposed to the tumult and disorder of the excited
populace.
He hastily approached her, and inquired what could have led her forth
at such a time. And when Salome felt that she was leaning on the arm
of her intrepid and high-minded husband her confidence returned, and
she quickly told him the object that had brought her thither, and had
made her almost forget her own danger in anxiety for the safety of
Naomi. In the hurry and occupation of the last few hours, it had not
occurred to Zadok that his daughter had appointed that day for her
return to the city, and thus might be exposed to the peril of falling
into the power of the Idumeans. But now his whole soul was filled
with apprehension on her account; and, accompanied by Salome, he
hastily entered the council-chamber, and entreated that he might be
permitted to go out of the city by one of the gates the furthest
removed from the Idumean camp, and endeavour to make his way by
secret paths to the house of Amaziah, in the hope that he might be in
time to warn him of the danger of approaching the city.
Ananus hesitated; he was most unwilling to be deprived of the council
and the assistance of Zadok at a period of so much danger and
anxiety; and he also dreaded his falling into the hands of the enemy,
who would show no mercy to one who was well known to be his friend
and adviser. But the perilous situation of Naomi and her relations
moved him, and he demanded whether no other person of courage and
fidelity could be found who would go on the errand, and who could be
better spared than Zadok, in case it should be found impossible to
return into the city. The mission was a dangerous one, and who could
be found ready to undertake it? Zadok again requested that he might
himself go forth, and promised at all risks to attempt a speedy
return. At that moment Theophilus, the son of Amaziah, entered the
apartment, and begged permission instantly to depart from the city
and seek his father. He had been to the house of Zadok, and there
Claudia had informed him of Salome's fears, and her errand to Ananus,
and he had hurried after her to offer himself as the messenger.
Ananus gave his consent, and Salome saw the brave youth depart, with
a feeling of joy that her husband was not exposed to the perils of
the enterprise. Zadok then himself conducted her home, and
immediately returned to the council; while his wife and Claudia again
took their station among the flowering shrubs with which the roof was
thickly planted, and from whence, unobserved by the crowds beneath
them, they could perceive the movements of the multitudes both within
and without the walls, and watch for the distant figure of Theophilus
when he should pass over the highest part of the road to Bethany.
The day closed in, and darkness covered the scene with even greater
suddenness than usual, for thick clouds had gathered over the sky,
and the sun went down into a red and lurid horizon. Soon the rain
fell heavily, and Salome and her young companion were forced to leave
the housetop and take refuge in their apartment, where they passed
the whole of that tremendous night in fear and watchfulness,
listening to the warring elements without, and trembling when, amid
the fury of the tempest, they heard the savage shouts of the Idumeans
and the nearer cries of the fugitives from the temple.
Zadok had not returned to his home that night; at the close of the
evening he had sent a messenger to inform his wife that the
deliberations were still continued, but that before midnight he
purposed going the rounds of the guard with Ananus, and would
afterwards hasten back to his family. Midnight came, but then the
storm raged furiously, and Salome hoped that Zadok was safe in the
house of Ananus. As the hours passed slowly on, the terrors of that
night increased, and Salome knew from the tumult and the shouts, that
some fierce commotion was going on in the city. Her fears were
strongly excited for Zadok, who being with Ananus, and well known to
be a powerful supporter of his party, would be exposed to the
vengeance of the Zealots, if they had broken forth from the temple.
Fervently did she implore the Divine protection to shield him from
harm, while Claudia and Deborah joined their prayers to hers; and
amid all their fears and anxiety, they could not but rejoice that
Naomi at least was removed from this scene of terror, and, as they
hoped, yet enjoying a temporary peace in her uncle's house.
When the day began to dawn, they looked forth into the street, and
though their dwelling was near the walls, and situated at a
considerable distance from the principal thoroughfares, where the
work of carnage had been chiefly performed, yet numbers of human
bodies were scattered on the ground--the mangled remains of those who
had fled to this secluded part of the city for refuge, but had been
pursued and murdered by their savage enemies. No living beings were
to be seen in the desolate street, except a few lean and hungry dogs
which had crept out to tear and devour the yet warm carcases that
promised them an ample meal; but the din of war and cries of agony
and fear resounded from the temple and the higher parts of the city.
Salome's heart sickened, and she turned away: might not her noble,
her beloved husband, be already as one of these lifeless corpses? In
agony of mind she wept, and poured out her soul before the Lord.
Her attention was recalled by a loud exclamation of joy from Claudia.
"Oh, Salome," she cried, "here is Theophilus. He is approaching the
house, and doubtless he brings tidings of our dear Naomi." The
affectionate girl ran swiftly down to the court; and unbarring the
heavy gate that opened into the street, she even ventured several
paces beyond the threshold in her eagerness to know the fate of her
friend. Theophilus assured her that Naomi was safe; and then having
carefully secured the gate, he followed her to the vestibule, where
Salome met them, and there hastily told them the particulars of his
expedition. He had narrowly escaped being taken by some scattered
parties of the Idumeans, and had only saved himself by his swiftness
in running, and his intimate knowledge of the paths through the
groves and orchards by which he had to pass. He had happily
succeeded in eluding his pursuers, but only just in time to prevent
the cavalcade of Amaziah and his family from ascending the hill on
the eastern side, and appearing in full view of the Idumean
sentinels. His father had received no intelligence of the arrival of
their army, and was returning with Judith and Naomi to the city, as
he had appointed. On hearing the disastrous news, however, he
immediately turned back, and hastened again to the house from which
he had come. There he placed his wife and Naomi, in as great
security as the circumstances would permit, and left all his servants
well armed under the direction of his faithful steward Josiah, to
protect them from any wandering bands of robbers, or Idumeans.
Amaziah had then accompanied Theophilus back to the city, and in the
darkness and tumult of the storm, which had become violent by the
time they reached the walls, they had escaped the observation of the
Idumeans, and passed safely to their own house. There they had
remained until the shouts of the Zealots and their allies had aroused
them to a knowledge of the distracted state of Jerusalem, and called
them from the shelter of their home, to mingle in the tumult, and
give their aid in opposing the massacres and pillage that were going
forward.
Their efforts to reach Ananus had been in vain, for they found his
dwelling entirely surrounded by a dense crowd of infuriated Zealots,
crying loudly for his blood; and Amaziah had therefore again retired
to his home, with a few of his friends, to seek some means of
succouring the chief-priest and restoring order to the city; "While
I," continued Theophilus, "have hastened to you, Salome, to satisfy
your mind of the safety of your daughter, and to inquire whether my
uncle is with you, for my father earnestly desires to confer with
him."
"Alas!" cried Salome, "Zadok has not appeared at home during the
whole of this dreadful night. He was with Ananus when the storm
commenced, and I have remained in the agony of suspense ever since.
I know not whether he yet lives, or whether the ruffians who now rage
through the city have destroyed the noblest, the wisest, the most
virtuous man who dwelt within its walls. Oh, Theophilus! he is your
father's only brother!--will you not endeavour to save him? or will
you not at least seek for some intelligence of his fate, and let me
know the worst? If he is slain--oh!--save his sacred form from the
insults of the murderers. Bear it to me, and let me once more
behold, though lifeless, that countenance which is dearer to me than
all on earth beside. Take with you all the men of our household; we
have many faithful servants, and they are well provided with arms.
They will risk their lives to save their master, or to rescue his
honoured remains from the sacrilegious hands of the Zealots. Go,
summon the domestics, and sally forth. Lose not a moment, and the
blessing of a breaking heart shall be with you."
Theophilus was deeply moved by the grief of Salome, and the danger of
his uncle. He had seen the house of Ananus beset by the Zealots, and
he knew that Zadok would find no mercy from them. He did not however
add to the fears of Salome by expressing his own; but hastily
complied with her entreaties, and set out, attended by all the
servants except two or three, whom he charged to guard the gate, and
on no account to open it until his return.
His absence was long. To Salome it appeared endless; and more than
once she and Claudia ventured to the housetop and looked along the
street, in the hope of seeing him return. Once the sound of coming
footsteps made her heart beat violently, and she gazed out in hope
and in fear; but it was only a party of wretched women and children
flying down the street, and soon appeared their pursuers, with drawn
swords reeking with blood, and gained rapidly on the miserable
fugitives. Salome and Claudia retreated with a cry of horror. They
saw not the massacre, but the shrieks that rose upon their ears told
them but too plainly that the work of death was done. The ruffians
turned towards their dwelling, and they heard them loudly demanding
an entrance, and even striking at the gate with their swords. But it
was too strong for their efforts, and they were already almost
satiated with plunder and carnage. They retreated, and the trembling
inmates heard them pass along the street, which echoed with their
wild shouts and impious songs.
All Salome's resolutions and endurance were exhausted. Her naturally
timid spirit had been roused to unusual excitement and energy; but
these feelings had subsided, and she sank into a state of exhaustion,
and almost of stupor. Had Zadok been by her side, she would have
felt some confidence, but his absence and her apprehensions for his
safety were more than she could bear. Even if Naomi had been with
her she would have been some support. Her sanguine temper and
courageous spirit would have suggested fresh hope and inspired fresh
confidence; but Claudia was unable to administer comfort which she
did not feel, or to combat terrors that filled her own breast also.
Meanwhile Theophilus and his band of armed servants hurried along the
streets towards the house of Ananus. Every dwelling which they
passed appeared to be deserted; for where the inhabitants had not
either been slain, or fled to some cave or hiding-place for refuge,
they had carefully closed and barricadoed every gate and entrance to
their houses, and remained concealed within, expecting the arrival of
the Zealots and Idumeans, to rob, to murder, and to destroy. The
pavements were strewed with human bodies, and stained with gore: it
seemed a "city of the dead;" but the peacefulness of death was not
there--the tumult had not ceased. The murderers had only gone
further in quest of other victims, and richer plunder; and the sounds
of conflict and slaughter were audible in the distance.
Theophilus reached the splendid dwelling of Ananus. The crowd had
abandoned it; and the open gates and scattered wreck of costly
furniture told that the work of destruction was completed, and that
the venerable priest no longer dwelt in his marble halls. It was
evident that a severe contest had been maintained on the grand flight
of steps leading to the entrance; for there the dead bodies of the
combatants lay heaped together; and beneath the dreadful burden
Theophilus beheld the robe of Zadok. It was a garment of fringes,
the work of Naomi's hands, and he well remembered to have seen his
uncle attired in it when he met him the previous evening in the
council-chamber. His worst fears were then realized; and the noble
Zadok had fallen, probably in the defence of his friend and
chieftain; and all that he could now do for the wretched Salome,
would be to carry home the lifeless body of her husband, and thus
afford her the melancholy satisfaction of bedewing it with her tears,
and rendering to the honoured clay the holy rites of sepulture, so
sacred to the heart of a Jew. No sooner did the servants perceive
the body of their master, than they broke forth into loud cries of
grief and rage, and demanded vengeance with all the vehemence of
their national character; but Theophilus commanded them to be silent,
and to lose no time in disengaging the corpse from its present
situation, and bearing it away; for he feared that their outcries
might attract the attention of the Idumeans, who were prowling all
over the city, and that their object might then be frustrated.
Hastily the men obeyed him; and having removed the mangled carcases
that lay heavily above the body of Zadok, they raised it from the
ground, and carried it into the vestibule, that they might procure a
couch on which to transport it home.
They were startled on entering by a rustling sound, as of some person
escaping from the vestibule; and on following the steps of the
fugitive, they overtook one of the domestics of Ananus, who had
escaped the notice of the murderers, and was anxiously watching for
an opportunity to flee from the palace unobserved, when he saw a
party of armed men enter the house, and concluded that they belonged
to the Zealot party. The eight of Theophilus, who was well known to
him, restored his courage; and he immediately directed his attendants
where to procure a couch, on which the body was immediately laid, and
a richly embroidered curtain, which had been dropped by the
plunderers, was thrown over it. The servants placed their long
spears beneath the couch, and in this manner carried it forth into
the street and proceeded, with the greatest possible expedition
towards their home. They were within a few paces of the gate, when a
party of drunken Idumeans sallied out of a neighbouring house loaded
with spoil, and placing themselves before the melancholy cavalcade,
demanded what they were thus secretly carrying away? On being
informed that it was merely the body of a friend, they tauntingly
replied, that dead bodies were now too plentiful to be worth so much
trouble, and insisted on uncovering the corpse. To avoid a struggle,
Theophilus raised the lower end of the covering, and when the
ruffians saw that it was really a human body, they uttered a shout of
derision, and one of them wantonly cast a javelin at the corpse,
which pierced the arm, and the blood flowed profusely over the damask
curtain. The Idumeans knew not the rank of Theophilus, nor were they
aware that it was the body of Zadok, the friend of Ananus, that was
being carried to its rest, otherwise they would probably have
attempted to wrest it from the attendants; but satisfied with
insulting it, they went on their way to seek more profitable
adventures.
At the voice of Theophilus, the servants left on guard unclosed the
massy gates, and uttered a cry of despair when they beheld the bier.
The cry reached Salome's ears, and roused her to animation. She rose
to rush forward and ascertain the cause, but her trembling limbs
refused to support her, and she sank again into her seat, with a
feeble sign to Claudia to hasten to the court. Claudia flew along
the gallery, and met the procession at the entrance of the hall. The
whole sad truth rushed upon her mind, and in deep grief she returned
to her afflicted friend. Pale and speechless she appeared before
Salome, and when she met her inquiring gaze, she replied only by a
burst of tears. Salome saw that all hope was over, and a deep swoon
deprived her for a time of the consciousness of her bereavement.
When at length she recovered, she desired instantly to be led to the
spot where her husband was laid; and leaning on Claudia and her
faithful Deborah, she entered the hall. In the centre of the marble
pavement stood the funeral couch, yet covered with embroidered
drapery. With a desperate effort Salome approached, and raising the
drapery, she sunk upon her knees with a passionate exclamation of
despair, to gaze upon the beloved but motionless countenance. Oh
what words shall tell her feelings when she heard a struggling sigh
from Zadok's lips, and saw those eyes which she believed to be closed
for ever, slowly open, and fix upon her face a look of wonder and of
love! She thought her brain was wandering, and covered her eyes that
she might not cheat her heart with vain delusions. But then the
voice of Zadok came upon her ear as if it had been the voice of an
angel, and though weak and faltering, she could not doubt those
tones. The ecstasy, the gratitude, the wonder, that filled and
overpowered her heart, may not be described by any human pen. Those
who know what it is to recover once again a being dearer far to them
than their own life, alone can know what Salome felt.
Restoratives were quickly procured, and in a short time Zadok was
sufficiently recovered to relate the events which had occurred,
previous to the time when he was struck to the earth by a heavy blow
from the butt of a broken spear; and ere his senses returned, he must
have been buried beneath the bodies that rapidly fell around him.
Ananus had that night, as we have seen, omitted to go his usual
rounds to inspect the guard, but had continued in deep consultation
with the counsellors until long after midnight. Their deliberations
were at length interrupted by a sudden and violent uproar, and on
going to the entrance to discover the cause, they saw by the light of
torches, that the street was filled with armed men. A shout, as if
from a host of demons, greeted the appearance of the priests and
elders, and a furious rush was made by the Zealots up the flight of
steps, on the summit of which they were standing. Vain was it to
address them; and vain would it have been to fly. A struggle for
life or death was maintained a few moments, but overpowered by
numbers, they quickly fell. Zadok knew not the fate of Ananus: it
was in warding off a blow aimed at the head of his chief that he had
been struck to the earth, and remained insensible to the conclusion
of the tragic scene.
The servant of Ananus, who had accompanied Theophilus to Zadok's
house, now informed him that the aged priest had been seized and
slain, and that with him was murdered Jesus, the son of Gamala.
Their bodies were dragged away by the savage troop, and he feared
must have been subject to the grossest indignities.
Zadok groaned when he heard that Ananus had fallen. He loved and
respected him as a friend; and in him alone had he placed any
confidence, as the means of restoring peace to his distracted
country. But his present weakness prevented him from taking any
active measures, and forced him to think of his own preservation and
recovery. The wound which had been so cruelly inflicted by the
Idumean, had in fact been the cause of his restoration to life; for
the blood had flowed freely, and combined with the rapid motion and
fresh air, had removed the stupor consequent on the blow he had
received, and which might doubtless have ended in death had not
circulation been restored by the javelin of the robber.
It was a very happy circumstance that the fall of Zadok had been seen
by many of the Zealots, and that the belief of his death became
general, otherwise his well-known character would have exposed him
and his family to destruction. And as his weakness compelled him,
though most unwillingly, to remain idle within his own walls, no
inquiries were made about him; and his house was left unmolested,
except by wandering bands of robbers, who found the gates too strong
for their efforts. Amaziah, who had passed that night of horror in
active exertions to assist the unoffending inhabitants, repaired to
his brother's house, when he found he could no longer be of service
in the contest, and that the Zealots were complete masters of the
city. He had heard and believed that Zadok was slain, and his joy
was great at finding his brother alive, when he had only hoped to be
a support and protection to his widow. He only remained a few days
with his brother, and then returned to his anxious wife, leaving
Theophilus as a comfort to Salome and Claudia.
For many days the massacre continued, until at length the Zealots
were weary of such indiscriminate slaughter, and affected to set up
the forms of justice. They composed a Sanhedrim of seventy of the
populace, and before this court they arraigned Zacharias, the son of
Baruch, a man of worth and high character, and with no fault but that
of being rich and patriotic. The Zealots thirsted for his wealth and
his blood; and they accused him of holding correspondence with the
Romans.
Zacharias boldly defended himself from their charges, and despairing
of saving his life, he ridiculed his accusers, and set them at
defiance, and even reproached them with their iniquity and injustice.
The Zealots drew their swords, but ere they used them, they called on
the judges to condemn the innocent victim. The Sanhedrim unanimously
acquitted the prisoner, and declared that they would die with him
rather than condemn him to death.
Then the fury of the Zealots broke forth, and two of them rushing
forward, struck Zacharias dead, as he stood undaunted in the court of
the holy temple. They then dragged the body along the pavement, and
cast it into the abyss below. They beat the judges with their
swords, and drove them out of the court with every indignity.
The Idumeans, now satiated with plunder and revenge, began to repent
of the bloody work in which they were engaged, and declared that they
had come to Jerusalem to defend the city against the Romans, and not
to share in murder and rapine; and they announced their intention of
abandoning the Zealots to themselves. Before they departed, however,
they opened all the prisons, and released two thousand of the people,
who immediately fled away and joined Simon the son of Gioras. The
populace, relieved of the presence of the Idumeans, began to resume
their confidence, and many ventured out in open daylight, to gather
up the bodies of their friends for burial, or to cast over them a
little earth where they lay, to protect them from the birds of prey
and ravenous dogs. But the Zealots did not lay aside their power or
their cruelty, with the departure of their allies; they continued
their lawless iniquities, and every day fresh victims fell.
The state of the city was well known to Vespasian, and his friends
besought him to march to the capital, and at once put an end to the
war. But he preferred leaving it to its own inward distractions,
which he was convinced would soon bring it to utter weakness; and he
was encouraged in this opinion by the multitude of deserters who
every day flocked to his camp; though some of these afterwards
returned to Jerusalem of their own accord, that they might die in the
holy city, so great was their attachment to the hallowed spot.
During all this confusion, John of Gischala pursued his ambitious
schemes; and at length all the real authority and power was centred
in him. The Zealots now formed two parties; one surrounded John as a
despotic chief, the other composed a lawless democracy; and both vied
with each other in cruelty and oppression towards the people. To add
to the miseries of war, tyranny, and sedition, the Sicarii or
Assassins, who had obtained possession of the fortress of Massada
near the Dead Sea, now sallied out and surprised Engaddi, during the
night of the passover (A.D. 68), and slew about seven hundred
persons. Other bands collected in the neighbouring regions, and the
whole country was filled with confusion and rapine.
[Illustration: Absalom's Tomb]