This is CBSI in the world. I'm John Bachelors, spending time with Professor Barry Strauss,

Emeritus Cornell University, now the author of a new book, Jews versus Rome.

And we last left Josephus at the mercy of Vespation, and Josephus might have spent the rest of his life as a slave,

except the date, I believe, is June 67, 68, June 68, AD. News comes from Rome. Nero is dead. What happened? Yeah. So Nero was forced out by his many

enemies and Romans who had had enough, and he's forced to commit suicide. Supposedly his last

words are, what a loss for the arts. Yes, I know.

And although there's some doubt, question about what the Latin really means.

In any case, a general in the West, a man named Galba is marching on Rome and proclaimed he's hailed as the new emperor. but he in turn is assassinated and another claimant

to the throne, a man named Otho arises, only to be replaced by yet another claimant to the throne

named Vitellius. In the meantime, we're now in the year 69, in the meantime, Vespasian has halted operations in Judea.

He wisely wants to see who's in charge in Rome and what his mission is now that there will be a new emperor.

But taking stock of this situation, Vespasian decides no need to, no need for him to submit himself

to any of these pretenders to the throne. He deserves to be the emperor. And so he is proclaimed

emperor in turn. And he goes off to Egypt, and his armies march on Italy, where they succeed in

defeating Vitellius and successfully getting Vespasian acknowledged as the Roman Emperor.

In other words, Josephus told the man a prophecy that came about within a year. If you believe this,

you'll like the next part. Vespasian is now emperor of Rome, in Rome, but he leaves behind

the legions that are meant to march on Jerusalem, led by Titus. Who is Titus? Titus is his son. And Titus was at Vespasian side in the conquest of the Galilee, and most of Judea, actually, Vespasian conquers before going away. And now in the year 70, he wants to carry out the mission, complete the mission.

The rebels who have not surrendered to Rome or not been killed or captured have all fled to

Jerusalem. And why Jerusalem, in addition to it being the capital and the center of the revolt,

the religious center of the country.

It also is a very strong fortress, impregnable on three sides, but at risk on the fourth side, on the north side.

...