XX. SIMON, Son of Gioras : a He put himself at the Head of a Number of seditious People, began to make Depredations, and even to commit Murders in that Part of Idumea call’d Acrabatane. Ananus sent out Troops against him, which obliged him to retire into the Castle of Massada, from whence he made Excursions into Idumea: From thence he advanced towards Jerusalem, which he put into a Consternation, by the many Cruelties he exercised against those that fell into his Power. The Zealots fearing the Progress of his Arms, fought with him, but could not subdue him; and some time after1, the People of Jerusalem being drove to Extremities by the Zealots, and seeking Means of skreening themselves from their Violence, call’d in Simon the Son of Gioras to their Assistance. Simon was received into the City with the Acclamations of the People, and began by attacking John of Giscala and the Zealots in the Temple: But they did him more Harm than he could do them. He treated very tyrannically the Inhabitants of Jerusalem who had call’d him to their Assistance, and exercised all Joseph. de Bello, l. 5. c. 33. p. 938.sorts of Cruelties against them. He caus’d the High-priest Mattathias to be kill’d, who had insisted the most strenuously upon his being call’d in to Jerusalem.
I shall not attempt to give an Account of all the wicked Actions that this Profligate committed at Jerusalem, ‘till the Taking of the City by the Romans. As his Name is not found in holy Writ, I think my self not obliged to give his whole History, but only of such as are recorded in Scripture. When therefore the Romans had taken the City and the Temple,2 Simon conceal’d himself under-ground, in some of the Common Sewers, and had taken Provisions with him. He remain’d there hid for some Months; but at last his Provisions being all gone, he was forc’d to creep out and appear above-ground, in the Place where the Temple had been, cloath’d in White, with a Robe of Purple; probably thinking, by this Means, to frighten the Romans, and so to make his Escape. They were indeed surprized at the Sight of him, and asked him, who he was? He would not tell his Name, and desired to speak with the commanding Officer. This was Terentius Rufus, for Titus was then gone from Jerusalem. He came to him, and knowing who he was, had him chain’d, sent Word to Titus of his Prisoner, and sent him after him to Cesarea. Titus carry’d him to Rome, where he serv’d to adorn his Triumph, and afterwards was publickly executed.
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