The Capture of Jerusalem
[10.38.4] Ammirālius itaque quī erat in Turrī Dāvīd, reddidit sē comitī, eīque aperuit portam, ubi peregrīnī persolvere solēbant tribūta. Intrantēs autem nostrī cīvitātem peregrīnī, persequēbantur et occīdēbant Saracēnōs usque ad Templum Salomōnis. In quō congregātī, dedērunt nostrīs maximum bellum per tōtum diem, ita ut sanguis illōrum per tōtum templum flueret. Tandem, superātīs pāgānīs, apprehendērunt nostrī masculōs et fēminās sat in templō, et occīdērunt quōs voluērunt, et quōs voluērunt retinuērunt vīvōs. Super Templum vērō Salomōnis erat maxima pāgānōrum congregātiō utriusque sexūs, quibus Tancredus et Gastōn dē Beert dedērunt sua vēxilla.
[10.38.5] Mox cucurrērunt per ūniversam urbem, capientēs aurum et argentum, equōs et mūlōs, domōsque plēnās omnibus bonīs. Vēnērunt autem omnēs nostrī gaudentēs et prae nimiō gaudiō plōrantēs ad nostrī Salvātōris Iēsū sepulchrum adōrandum, et reddidērunt eī capitāle dēbitum. Māne autem factō ascendērunt nostrī cautē suprā tēctum templī, et invāsērunt Saracēnōs masculōs et fēminās, dēcollantēs eōs nūdīs ēnsibus. Aliī vērō dabant sē praecipitēs ē templō. Hoc vidēns Tancredus īrātus est nimis.
notes
(July 1099) The Muslim commander of the Tower of David surrenders. The crusaders chase down and slaughter the inhabitants. Many gather on the roof of the Mosque of Omar (The Dome of the Rock), and Tancred extends his protection. Crusaders loot the city, then return and slaughter the people Tancred had protected, making Tancred angry.
10.38.4
in Turrī Dāvīd: The "Tower of David" or "Citadel" was near the Jaffa Gate; it was crucial to the defense of the city.
portam, ubi peregrīnī persolvere solēbant tribūta: This was the Jaffa Gate, where apparently Christian pilgrims would pay the fees levied on non-Muslims. We might have expected soluerant (plupf.), but CL doesn’t have a perfect active form of soleō.
usque ad Templum Salomōnis: now the Dome of the Rock/Mosque of Omar; see 10.38.2.
Gastōn dē Beert: Gaston, viscount of Béarn.
dedērunt sua vēxilla: i.e., they accepted their surrender and promised their protection.
10.38.5
Mox cucurrērunt: sc. nostrī or Francī, etc.
et reddidērunt eī capitāle dēbitum: “and they fulfilled their vow.”
suprā tēctum templī: i.e., on top of the Mosque of Omar.
nūdīs ēnsibus: “with swords drawn”; nūdus here means “unsheathed.”
Aliī vērō dabant sē = aliī (Saracēnī) dabant sē.
Hoc vidēns Tancredus īrātus est nimis: Tancred was angry because he had extended his protection (see above); the killings were thus an insult, and they deprived him of ransom money.
vocabulary
10.38.4
persolvō persolvere persolvī persolūtum: to unravel, explain; to pay, render
sat: enough, sufficient (a CL alternate form of satis)
vēxillum –ī, n.: a military ensign, standard, banner
10.38.5
capitālis –e: chief, relating to life
tēctum –ī, n.: a covered structure, roof, house
ēnsis –is, f.: sword
praeceps praecipitis: headlong
