For the Temple: A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem

G. A. Henty (1832 - 1902)

In all history, there is no drama of more terrible interest than that which terminated with the total destruction of Jerusalem. Had the whole Jewish nation joined in the desperate resistance made, by a section of it, to the overwhelming strength of Rome, the world would have had no record of truer patriotism than that displayed, by this small people, in their resistance to the forces of the mistress of the world.

Unhappily, the reverse of this was the case. Except in the defense of Jotapata and Gamala, it can scarcely be said that the Jewish people, as a body, offered any serious resistance to the arms of Rome. The defenders of Jerusalem were a mere fraction of its population--a fraction composed almost entirely of turbulent characters and robber bands, who fought with the fury of desperation; after having placed themselves beyond the pale of forgiveness, or mercy, by the deeds of unutterable cruelty with which they had desolated the city, before its siege by the Romans. They fought, it is true, with unflinching courage--a courage never surpassed in history--but it was the courage of despair; and its result was to bring destruction upon the whole population, as well as upon themselves.

Fortunately the narrative of Josephus, an eyewitness of the events which he describes, has come down to us; and it is the storehouse from which all subsequent histories of the events have been drawn. It is, no doubt, tinged throughout by his desire to stand well with his patrons, Vespasian and Titus; but there is no reason to doubt the accuracy of his descriptions. I have endeavored to present you with as vivid a picture as possible of the events of the war, without encumbering the story with details and, except as regards the exploits of John of Gamala, of whom Josephus says nothing, have strictly followed, in every particular, the narrative of the historian. (Summary from the text)

Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 Preface and The Lake of Tiberias 3200runner
00:30:18
Play 02 Chapter 2: A Storm On Galilee Joan Freeman
00:36:26
Play 03 Chapter 3: The Revolt Against Rome Joan Freeman
00:36:05
Play 04 Chapter 4: The Lull Before the Storm 3200runner
00:27:55
Play 05 Chapter 5: The Siege of Jotapata 3200runner
00:27:27
Play 06 Chapter 6: The Fall of the City Dory
00:39:11
Play 07 Chapter 7: The Massacre On The Lake Dory
00:27:30
Play 08 Chapter 8: Among The Mountains Dory
00:33:12
Play 09 Chapter 9: The Storming of Gamala Joan Freeman
00:35:55
Play 10 Chapter 10: Captives, part 1 Dory
00:25:56
Play 11 Chapter 10: Captives, part 2 Dory
00:26:09
Play 12 Chapter 11: A Tale of Civil Strife Dory
00:29:38
Play 13 Chapter 12: Desultory Fighting Dory
00:36:34
Play 14 Chapter 13: The Test of Devotion Dory
00:34:46
Play 15 Chapter 14: Jerusalem Dory
00:31:57
Play 16 Chapter 15: The Siege Is Begun Dory
00:32:25
Play 17 Chapter 16: The Subterranean Passage Dory
00:31:48
Play 18 Chapter 17: The Capture of The Temple Dory
00:31:37
Play 19 Chapter 18: Slaves Dory
00:37:26
Play 20 Chapter 19: At Rome Dory
00:38:56