Thus was Jerusalem destroyed on the very day of Saturn, which even now the Jews reverence most.  To commemorate the event it was ordered that the conquered, while still preserving their own ancestral customs should annually pay a tribute of two denarii to Capitoline Jupiter.  As a reward for this success both generals received the title of imperator, but neither had that of Iudaicus, although all the other privileges (including arches bearing trophies) that were proper after so great a victory were voted to them.

[Sidenote:—­8—­] Hard upon Vespasian’s entrance into Alexandria the Nile overflowed, and rose in one day a palm higher than usual; indeed, such an occurrence, it was said, had taken place only once before.  Vespasian himself healed two persons who had come to him because of a vision seen in dreams.  One of them, who had a weak hand, he cured by treading upon that member, and the other one, who was blind, by spitting upon his eyes.  His divine power herein shown gave him great repute, yet the Alexandrians, far from enjoying his society, detested him heartily; not only in private but in public they were forever making fun of and abusing him.  They had expected to receive some great reward from him because they had taken the first steps in making him emperor, but instead of securing anything they had additional contributions levied upon them.  Large were the sums he gathered from them, for he omitted not a single source of revenue, no, not even the first that might offer itself, though its character were reprehensible, but he sought money from everybody alike, of secular or religious profession.  As for taxes, he renewed many that had been abolished and increased those that were usual [and introduced still other new ones].  And he adopted this same course later in the rest of the subject territory, [in Italy] and in Rome itself.  Hence the Alexandrians [both for the reasons mentioned and because most of the royal possessions had been sold were vexed and] threw out various derogatory remarks about him, one of them being:  “You want six obols more.”  Vespasian, consequently, although the most affable of men, became indignant and gave orders that the six obols per man should be levied, and thought seriously about taking vengeance upon them. [The words themselves contained an insult, and of their many undignified and anapaestic rhythms there was not a single one but aroused his anger.] Titus, however, begged them off and Vespasian accordingly spared them.  Yet they would not let him alone, and in some assembly they all together shouted at Titus these very words:  “We forgive him.  He doesn’t understand being Caesar.”

So they continued to be foolhardy, took their thorough fill of that license which is always working to their detriment, and abused the good nature of the emperor. [Sidenote:—­9—­] Vespasian soon ceased to notice them.  He sent a despatch to Rome rescinding the disfranchisement of such persons as had been condemned for so-called acts of maiestas by Nero and succeeding rulers.  His action included living and dead alike, and he moreover stopped the indictments made upon such complaints.—­The astrologers he banished from Rome, yet he consulted all of them who were distinguished, and through the influence of Barbillus, a man of that profession, allowed the Ephesians to celebrate some sacred games.  This was a privilege he granted to no other city.