“Holy War: Rome And The Jews” Excerpt 2

Peloni:  As a follow-up to our publication of excerpts from Joseph Shellim’s “Philistine-To-Palestine”, we are happy to be able to present a series of excerpts from his informative “BEN HUR II – EXILE” [aka “HOLY-WAR: ROME AND THE JEWS“.  Below is the second installment.  Link at bottom for previous installment

HOLY WAR – ROME’S MARCH OF MIGHT

As the dawn breaks, Mighty Rome’s war processions have burst forth like a gigantic caterpillar heaving through the cobbled stone grounds of the ancient towns of Judea. The Hebrew scribe Josephus is now embedded in Rome’s march of might, to account history’s greatest super power marching to the calamitous destination of the famed holy city of Jerusalem.

Josephus stands in a royal open top carriage, his scroll in hand, as he accounts the protocols of the procession of unsurpassed power, of one mighty force that alone ruled the world, and now challenged by one small lone nation. As he writes, Josephus tells what he beholds of history’s most terrible holy war, one that will alter both history and humanity:

“The passing through of each town takes up the entire day and night. Such is the great mass of men and machines in the towns they pass.”

The war processions from Caesarea contain Titus’ 10th Legion, the 12th and 15th Legions and the 3rd Augusta and 18th Legions; each legion is fronted by their raised ensigns and numbers. They march with the numerous recruited auxiliaries from Briton, Ghoul, Germania and Cyprus, and their Arabian mercenaries and labourers; they march with their beasts of burden; the trumpet and drum bearers; and the largess of the world’s most formidable new war machines.

The faces of the Jews are marked with disdain and fear, and awe and wonder as the processions of terrifying war machines pass. The Jews peep from their windows and roof tops, and throngs line the town’s edges. Mothers cling to babies; food stalls are dislodged from the legion’s paths and domestic lambs, donkeys and chickens run amok. The Jews assure each other:

“God will help us!”

“Be not afraid!”

“None can breach the fortress walls!”

As the only first hand witness, Josephus accounts the measure and the threading route of Rome’s march of might:

“From their base of Caesarea’s coastline, and proceeding south to Joppa, then turning inland, the pomp and excellence of this mighty power passing through Judea’s towns shakes the grounds and hearts of its peoples. A double drum beat pounds the ears and feet of the Jews of Rome’s legions approaching in the distance.”

Behind the hills, in parallel to the Legions marching, swarms of Jews are proceeding covertly through Samaria, Judea, Parea and the Galilee – they are heading to the safety of the Jerusalem fortress.

Josephus describes the strict protocols of Rome’s march of might:

“As the armies march through Bet El toward Jerusalem, they proceed in the strictest order, their steps and movements in the most excellent accord of their strong drum beatings. A foreboding assembly of bands and a passing show of might heralds to all that Rome’s war has begun.”

Josephus accounts the Roman divisions:

“First march the archers, footmen and horsemen – these to prevent any sudden pelting or ambush from the Jews. Next to these follow ten out of every hundred to measure out a camp. After them are those who make the road level, so the army might not be in distress or tired with their marching. Behind these come the carriages of Titus’ army.”

The beasts of burden, which are the heavy laden animals, are pulling the monster war machines mounted on massive wooden wheels:

“Next come the mules that carry the heavy war engines for sieges implements. In the front moves the Torsion Ballista, developed by Alexander the Great, a machine which can be placed on embankments and able to hurl massive rocks great distances against defensive walls. Every group of 100 soldiers is allocated one Ballista.”

Josephus explains the particular usage of each war machine as they pass:

“This is the Oneger, a Roman machine so named for its kick of a wild ass action; this machine acts as a catapult which throws out inflammable projectiles into defensive towers. It is a most feared machine and usually followed with the Legion’s final onslaught. Then follows the Scorpion machines, each given to groups of ten soldiers, these being the most accurate against approaching enemy forces.”

Massive tree logs with iron belting wraps and heads of ferocious Ram heads pass:

“Then follows a separate procession of the most formidable Battering Rams – they cause any defensive wall to be shattered, allowing entry into the enemy’s strongholds. These monster machines have iron sculpted heads of charging Rams, hence its name. Roman law made any defenders who failed to surrender before the first Ram touched the wall to be denied any rights thereafter. A gold crown, called the ‘Corona Muralis’ is awarded to the first man who captures the wall of an enemy city, seen here on several heads of the marching soldiers; they account the fall of all nations that Rome prevailed upon.”

The Aquila, a golden eagle with wings raised and towering above its body, as in a swooping attack action on its prey, with red beak and claws, and mounted on a silver staff, is lifted before each legion. Josephus:

“Then come the showcasing of the Aquila, Rome’s sacred ensign – the eagle, the strongest of all birds, which to Rome was the sign of dominion. They shall conquer all against whom they march – true indeed! Finally, the trumpeters and the main army in their squadrons and battalions, six men in depth, are followed at last by a centurion.”

Now the enlisted Mercenaries and Red cages with young concubines pass: 142

“As for the servants, they all follow the footmen and lead the baggage of the soldiers, borne by the mules and other beasts of burden.

Behind all the legions comes the multitude of the war contracted mercenaries. The bright red carriages house the Roman concubines of pleasure women.”

Excerpt from the book: https://amzn.to/3t2CLH4 

Next week’s installment:  ROME’S MARCH OF MIGHT

“BEN HUR II – EXILE”: What ‘REALLY’ happened in the First Century?

Previous Installment:

Extract 1: HOLY WAR – APRIL 70 AD/CE – DAWN