Even so have these Jews done to the Greeks and Syrians in many of the cities--they who are blind and mad.

Now it is their hour, and mayhap ours.

Come, lady, these are no sights for you, though you might do well to learn to bear them, since if you escape you may see many such.
Come, and if you wish we will pray for these Jews, especially for their children, who are innocent, and for ourselves." That day at noon, most of the poorer and least protected Jews of the city having been killed, the Syrians began their attack upon the fortified palace of Benoni.

Now it was that the defenders learned that they had to deal with no mere rabble, but with savage hordes, many thousands strong, directed by officers skilled in war.

Indeed these men might be seen moving among them, and from their armour and appearance it was easy to guess that they were Romans.