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[145]
But Pompey himself filled up the ditch that was oil the north side
of the temple, and the entire valley also, the army itself being obliged
to carry the materials for that purpose. And indeed it was a hard thing
to fill up that valley, by reason of its immense depth, especially as the
Jews used all the means possible to repel them from their superior situation;
nor had the Romans succeeded in their endeavors, had not Pompey taken notice
of the seventh days, on which the Jews abstain from all sorts of work on
a religious account, and raised his bank, but restrained his soldiers from
fighting on those days; for the Jews only acted defensively on sabbath
days. But as soon as Pompey had filled up the valley, he erected high towers
upon the bank, and brought those engines which they had fetched from Tyre
near to the wall, and tried to batter it down; and the slingers of stones
beat off those that stood above them, and drove them away; but the towers
on this side of the city made very great resistance, and were indeed extraordinary
both for largeness and magnificence.
Flavius Josephus. The Works of Flavius Josephus. Translated by. William Whiston, A.M. Auburn and Buffalo. John E. Beardsley. 1895.
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