Gallus (sources)
Survey of ancient sources on Cestius Gallus.
Overview
Jewish sources
Josephus' Jewish War
Bel III 14 2 -- ...while Cestius Gallus was president of the province of Syria, nobody durst do so much as send an embassage to him against Florus; but when he was come to Jerusalem, upon the approach of the feast of unleavened bread, the people came about him not fewer in number than three millions these besought him to commiserate the calamities of their nation, and cried out upon Florus as the bane of their country. But as he was present, and stood by Cestius, he laughed at their words. However, Cestius, when he had quieted the multitude, and had assured them that he would take care that Florus should hereafter treat them in a more gentle manner, returned to Antioch. Florus also conducted him as far as Caesarea, and deluded him...
Bel III 14 1 -- Florus contrived another way to oblige the Jews to begin the war, and sent to Cestius, and accused the Jews falsely of revolting [from the Roman government]... Yet were not the governors of Jerusalem silent upon this occasion, but did themselves write to Cestius, as did Berenice also, about the illegal practices of which Florus had been guilty against the city; who, upon reading both accounts, consulted with his captains [what he should do]. Now some of them thought it best for Cestius to go up with his army, either to punish the revolt, if it was real, or to settle the Roman affairs on a surer foundation, if the Jews continued quiet under them; but he thought it best himself to send one of his intimate friends beforehand, to see the state of affairs, and to give him a faithful account of the intentions of the Jews. Accordingly, he sent one of his tribunes, whose name was Neopolitanus, who met with king Agrippa as he was returning from Alexandria, at Jamnia, and told him who it was that sent him, and on what errands he was sent... [3] ...(After visiting Jerusalem and completing his mission, Neipolitanus) returned to Cestius.
Bel III 18:9 - 19:9 - The disastrous campaign of Cestius Gallus
Greco-Roman sources
Suetonius, Life of Vespasian
...the rebellious Jews... murdered their Governor, routed the Governor of Syria when he came down to restore order, and captured an Eagle...
Tacitus, Histories V
...the endurance of the Jews lasted till Gessius Florus was procurator. In his time the war broke out. Cestius Gallus, legate of Syria, who attempted to crush it, had to fight several battles, generally with ill-success. Cestius dying, either in the course of nature, or from vexation...