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[494]
Now when he perceived that those who were for innovations would not
be pacified till some great calamity should overtake them, he sent out
upon them those two Roman legions that were in the city, and together with
them five thousand other soldiers, who, by chance, were come together out
of Libya, to the ruin of the Jews. They were also permitted not only to
kill them, but to plunder them of what they had, and to set fire to their
houses. These soldiers rushed violently into that part of the city that
was called Delta, where the Jewish people lived together, and did as they
were bidden, though not without bloodshed on their own side also; for the
Jews got together, and set those that were the best armed among them in
the forefront, and made a resistance for a great while; but when once they
gave back, they were destroyed unmercifully; and this their destruction
was complete, some being caught in the open field, and others forced into
their houses, which houses were first plundered of what was in them, and
then set on fire by the Romans; wherein no mercy was shown to the infants,
and no regard had to the aged; but they went on in the slaughter of persons
of every age, till all the place was overflowed with blood, and fifty thousand
of them lay dead upon heaps; nor had the remainder been preserved, had
they not be-taken themselves to supplication. So Alexander commiserated
their condition, and gave orders to the Romans to retire; accordingly,
these being accustomed to obey orders, left off killing at the first intimation;
but the populace of Alexandria bare so very great hatred to the Jews, that
it was difficult to recall them, and it was a hard thing to make them leave
their dead bodies.
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