The Wars Of The
Jews
Book 2 Chapter 17
2. And at this time it was that some of those that principally
excited the people to go to war made an assault upon a certain fortress
called Masada. They took it by treachery, and slew the Romans that were
there, and put others of their own party to keep it. At the same time Eleazar, the son of Ananias the high priest, a very bold youth, who was
at that time governor of the temple, persuaded those that officiated in
the Divine service to receive no gift or sacrifice for any foreigner.
And this was the true beginning of our war with the Romans; for they
rejected the sacrifice of Caesar on this account; and when many of the
high priests and principal men besought them not to omit the sacrifice,
which it was customary for them to offer for their princes, they would
not be prevailed upon. These relied much upon their multitude, for the
most flourishing part of the innovators assisted them; but they had the
chief regard to Eleazar, the governor of the temple.
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