228 THE HOL\ LAND. 
CHAP. This lake was the scene of a most bloody 
' , ' naval engagement between the Romans under 
Antient Veshasiau, and the Jew^ who had revolted 
^laval En- \ 
gagement. during the administration of u4grippa. The 
account of the action, as given by Josephus, 
proves that the vessels of the country were 
nothing more than mere boats : even those of 
the Romans, expressly built for that occasion, 
and described as larger than the ships used 
by the Jews, consisted of small craft, rapidly 
constructed, and for the building of which, 
it is said, they had abundance both of artificers 
and materials'. Titus and Trajan were present 
in that engagement ; and Vespasian was himself 
on board the Roman fleet. The rebel army 
consisted of an immense multitude of seditious 
people, from all the towns of the country, and 
especially from those bordering upon the lake, 
who, as fugitives after the capture of Tar?c^<j'a'^ by 
(1) Josephus, lib. iii. de Bell. Jud. cap. 17- 
(2) Taricli(Fa was situate beyond the Baths of Emmaus, at the 
southern extremity of the Lake of Gentusareth, three miles and three 
quarters distant from Tiberias; or thirty stadia, according to 
Josephus. Between these two cities f^espasian^s army was often 
encamped, and generally at the Baths of Emmaus. /"/««/, speaking 
of Taric/uca, says, that, by some, the lake was called after the name 
of this city : " A meridie Tarichca, quo nomine aliqui et lacum 
appellant." {Plin. Hist. Nat. lib. v. cap. 15. L. Bat. 1635. ^om. I. p. 262.) 
la the same manner, the Lake of Geneva is by some called the Lake 
of Lausanne ; and espcciallv by Gibbmi, who was offended at being 
censured 
