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[432]
But now, when the fate of Jotapata was related at Jerusalem, a great
many at the first disbelieved it, on account of the vastness of the calamity,
and because they had no eye-witness to attest the truth of what was related
about it; for not one person was saved to be a messenger of that news,
but a fame was spread abroad at random that the city was taken, as such
fame usually spreads bad news about. However, the truth was known by degrees,
from the places near Jotapata, and appeared to all to be too true. Yet
were there fictitious stories added to what was really done; for it was
reported that Josephus was slain at the taking of the city, which piece
of news filled Jerusalem full of sorrow. In every house also, and among
all to whom any of the slain were allied, there was a lamentation for them;
but the mourning for the commander was a public one; and some mourned for
those that had lived with them, others for their kindred, others for their
friends, and others for their brethren, but all mourned for Josephus; insomuch
that the lamentation did not cease in the city before the thirtieth day;
and a great many hired mourners, 1
with their pipes, who should begin the melancholy ditties for them.
1 These public mourners, hired upon the supposed death of Josephus, and the real death of many more, illustrate some passages in the Bible, which suppose the same custom, as Matthew 11:17, where the reader may consult the notes of Grotius.
Flavius Josephus. The Works of Flavius Josephus. Translated by. William Whiston, A.M. Auburn and Buffalo. John E. Beardsley. 1895.
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