Titus pitched his camp before the walls of Jerusalem and
displayed his legions in battle array: the Jews formed their
line close beneath their walls, being thus ready to advance
if successful, and having a refuge at hand in case they
were driven back. Some horse and light-armed foot were sent
against them, but fought indecisively; later the enemy retired,
and during the following days they engaged in many skirmishes
before their gates until at last their continual defeats
drove them within their walls.
The Romans now turned to preparations for an assault; for
the soldiers thought it beneath their dignity to wait for
the enemy to be starved out, and so they began to clamor
for danger, part being prompted by bravery, but many were
moved by their savage natures and their desire for booty.
Titus himself had before his eyes a vision of Rome, its
wealth and its pleasures, and he felt that if Jerusalem
did not fall at once, his enjoyment of them was delayed.
