Letter of Aristeas

1917 printed page 44 / §§100–104

Printed page 44 Original marginal section labels beginning on this page: §100, §101, §102, §103, §104. The opening continues §99 from the preceding page. man who witnesses the spectacle which I have described will experience an amazement and wonder indescribable, and will be profoundly moved in his mind at the sanctity attaching to every detail. _(e)_ THE CITADEL AND ITS GUARDS To obtain an accurate knowledge of everything, we ascended to the citadel of the city, which lies hard by, and looked around us. It is situated on a very lofty spot and is fortified with several towers, which are constructed right up to the top of great blocks of stone, as a defence, so we are informed, to the precincts of the temple; so that, in case of any attack or revolution or invasion of an enemy, no one might effect an entrance within the ring-walls of the Temple.{1} On the towers of the citadel there are engines for discharging missiles and machines of divers kinds, and the place commands the enclosing walls aforementioned. The towers are guarded, too, by the most trusted men, whose achievements have fully proved their loyalty to their country. These men had orders not to quit the citadel, except on the feast days, and then only in turn, nor did they suffer any one to enter it. Even when any injunction was given by their leader{2} to admit any persons as sightseers, great care was exercised, as was shown in our case. For although we were but two unarmed men, they could hardly be brought to admit us to witness the offering of the sacrifices. And they said that they were pledged by oaths to act thus. For they all had sworn, and had of bounden duty and for conscience' sake fulfilled their bond, that they, although numbering five hundred men, TRANSLATOR’S NOTES (1917) — printed page 44 {1} Lit. "house." {2} Apparently the high priest is meant (cf. § 122).