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[408]
And at this time it was that some of those that principally excited
the people to go to war made an assault upon a certain fortress called
Masada. They took it by treachery, and slew the Romans that were there,
and put others of their own party to keep it. At the same time Eleazar,
the son of Ananias the high priest, a very bold youth, who was at that
time governor of the temple, persuaded those that officiated in the Divine
service to receive no gift or sacrifice for any foreigner. And this was
the true beginning of our war with the Romans; for they rejected the sacrifice
of Caesar on this account; and when many of the high priests and principal
men besought them not to omit the sacrifice, which it was customary for
them to offer for their princes, they would not be prevailed upon. These
relied much upon their multitude, for the most flourishing part of the
innovators assisted them; but they had the chief regard to Eleazar, the
governor of the temple.
Flavius Josephus. The Works of Flavius Josephus. Translated by. William Whiston, A.M. Auburn and Buffalo. John E. Beardsley. 1895.
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