Not Simon, not John, not Titus, had discovered the logical appeal to the city's unbalanced impulses.

But the reckless woman, robing herself in the ancient garb of the days to which the citizens would revert, assuming the pose of a woman they had sanctified, preaching the dogma they would hear, showing them the sign that helped them most, held Jerusalem, at least for that hour, in her hands.
He realized at once that to attempt to denounce her would expose him to destruction at the wolfish hands of the frenzied mob.

There were not soldiers enough in the city to destroy her influence, for she had achieved in her followers that infatuation that goes down to death before it relinquishes its conviction.

Her control was complete.
Seraiah was the anointed one, but the prophetess, the instigator, the founder of the worship, as follows in all apostasies, was the final recipient of the benefits of that devotion.
Philadelphus walked away from the sight of Salome's triumph.

He had surrendered instantly his hope of regaining the treasure.