his letters vnto him as touching Antipater sending certaine appointed messengers who by word of mouth might certifie him of his cursed treasons At the verie same time there was a letter intercepted sent by Antiphilus to Antipater which Antiphilus remained in Aegypt which letter being opened by the king was written to this effect I haue sent you Armes letter hazarding thereby mine owne life for you know that I am in danger of the displeasure of two mightie families if I should be discouered As for your selfe bethinke you well of your affaires in this respect Such were the contents of this letter The king made diligent search for others also but he could finde none for Antiphilus seruant who had brought that which was read denied that he had any other But whilest the king was in this doubt one of his seruants and friends perceiued that the inside of the messengers vnder-coat was newly sowed for he had two garments the one vpon the other and coniecturing that the letters might be hidden in the sould thereof as indeed they were he ripped the same and found them The tēnour thereof was this Acme to Antipater Health I haue written the letters to your father according as you gaue me instructions and haue counterfaited the copy of my letter as if it had been sent by Salome my mistris I assure my selfe that when he hath read the same he wil punish Salome as one that hath practised treason against him But that letter that was supposed to haue been written by Salome to Acme was of Antipaters inuention and written in Salomes name according to his inuention and in Acmes stile The contents were these Acme to king Herode Health Whereas I haue an especiall care that nothing be concealed from thee that concerneth thy securitie hauing found a letter of Salomes written against thee vnto my Ladie I haue not without danger taken the copy therof and sent it vnto you in which she required that she might haue licence to marrie Syllaeus Teare this copy least thorow the knowledge of the same I grow in danger of my life Now in that which she had written to Antipater she had discouered that she had written these words to Herode according to that commandement he had giuen her as if Salome had conspired to worke some treason against him She sent also the copy of those counterfaite letters in the name of Salome and sent them vnto her mistris to worke treason This Acme was a Iew borne and chambermaid to Iulia Caesars wife and did that which is aboue written for the loue which she bare to Antipater whom he had hired by great summes of money to the end that she should assist him to execute the mischiefe which he practised against his father and against his Aunt Herode made almost desperate by the great mischiefes of Antipater was stirred vp on the sodaine to shorten his daies for that he was the only meanes that stirred vp these great tempests of sedition in his kingdome and who not only practised against his father and his Aunt but against his sister also and had in like sort corrupted Caesars familie Salome also incensed him the more beating her breasts and offering her selfe to all deaths if any such like matter might be duely prooued against her For which cause Herod sent for Antipater commanding him to speake freely all that which he had to say without feare But he hauing not one word to answere for his defence Herode said vnto him Since that on all sides thou art conuicted and surprised in thy wickednesse delay not but discouer those that are of thy confederacie Whereupon he laid all the fault vpon Antiphilus and named none other At that time Herode being wounded by extreme griefe would haue sent Antipater to Rome vnto Caesar that he might receiue his iudgement from him but afterwards he feared least by the interest of his friends he should escape the danger for which cause he kept him bound and fettered in prison as he had done before And in the meane while sent certaine messengers with letters to Caesar to accuse his sonne and to declare wherein Acme had been his confederate producing the copy of the letters These embassadors therefore resorted to Rome instructed in those things they were to answere to those interrogatories that should be offered them and with them he sent his letters CHAP. VIII Herodes sicknesse and the sedition amongst the Iewes MEane while Herode fell sicke and made his will and appointed his youngest sonne to succeede him in the kingdome for that through Antipaters instigations he had conceiued a hatred against Archelaus and Philip. He sent also one thousand talents vnto Caesar and fiue hundreth to his wife and to his children friends and freemen He bestowed also money rents and lands vpon his own children he gaue his sister Salome an ample possession for that she had alwaies perseuered in louing him and had neuer offended him And hauing lost all hope of recouerie for that he was about seuentie yeeres olde he became verie tutchie and froward in whatsoeuer his affaires The cause hereof was that opinion he had conceiued that he waxed contemptible and that the whole nation tooke pleasure in those mishaps which befortuned him which some of those who were fauoured by the people made him the rather beleeue vpon this occasion which ensueth Amongst those that were most learned among the Iewes Iudas the son of Saripheus and Matthias the sonne of Margalothus the most excellent interpreters of the lawes and ordinances of the countrey and for this cause were in greatest estimation among the people by reason that they instructed and trained vp the youth For all those that desired to obtaine vertue spent all their time with them who vnderstanding that the kings sicknesse was dangerous they incensed the younger sort counsailing them to ouerthrow all those workes that the king had caused to be made contrarie to the law and custome of the countrey to the ende that they fighting for pietie might obtaine the reward that attendeth the same For in that the king had enterprised and done many things contrarie to the law diuers vnaccustomed miseries had befallen him and namely that sicknes wherewith he was detained For Herod had done diuers things contrarie to the auncient lawe against which Iudas and Matthias exclaimed openly For he had erected ouer the portall of the great temple an Aegle of gold of great valew Now the law prohibiteth that they who pretend to liue according to the same should not in any sort erect any image nor represent any figures of liuing creatures whatsoeuer For this cause these doctors counsailed them to pull down that Aegle telling that that although the matter seemed to want no peril yet ought they rather to prefer an honest death before a pleasant life if so be it be imploied for the defence of their countrey lawes and religion For in so doing they should
according as the beams of the sunne do sundry waies fall vpon it And in many places it casteth vp pieces of black bitumen in greatnesse and shape like a bull without a head and these floate aboue the water They that get their liuing vpon this water finding this bitumen that is thus gathered togither drawe it to their boates and it is so tough and clammy that hauing filled their boates herewith it is not easie for them to get them away but their boate is as it were fastned so it hangeth vpon the rest of that masse of bituminous matter till it be separated from it by the tearmes or vrine of a woman This bituminous matter is good for to close the rifts of shippes and also to cure many diseases This lake is fiue hundreth and eightie furlongs long being extended vnto Zoar which is in Arabia and it is a hundreth and fiftie furlongs broade Neere vnto this lake is the land of Sodome and Gomorrah sometime both fertile and rich now all burnt being as it is reported for the impietie of the inhabitants consumed with lightning and thunder To be short one may here behold as it were the signe and reliques of that fire that by Gods appointment destroied the place for one may yet see as it were the fashion and tokens of fiue cities and trees fruits springing vp in the ashes which fruit to the eye seemeth like vnto other fruits but if you handle them they fall into ashes and smoake And so the report of the land of Sodome is knowen to be true to them that behold it CHAP. VI. How Gerasa was destroyed of Neroes death and of Galba and Otho VEspasian desirous to be besiege Ierusalem on euerie side builded castles at Iericho and Adida and left there both the souldiers that came to assist him and also Romans with them And he sent L. Annius to Gerasa giuing him many footmen and part of his horsemen who at the first assault tooke the Citie and slew a thousand young men who thought to haue fled and lead whole families captiue giuing the souldiers the spoile of their goods and so firing their houses hee went to other places adioyning They who were able fled and the weaker sort who could not flie were slaine and whatsoeuer came in their way they consumed it with fire Thus all places both mountaines and plaines being wasted and oppressed with warres the inhabitants liuing at Ierusalem had not whither to goe when they desired to flie from the Zealous by whom they were kept in And they who were against the Romans were kept in themselues the Citie being on euerie side enclosed and compassed with the armie After that Vespasian was returned vnto Caesarea and with all his armie purposing to go to Ierusalem newes was brought him that Nero was slaine hauing raigned thirteene yeeres and eight daies Touching whom I will not recount how he did dishonour the Empire committing the whole sway of all the commonwealth vnto two most wicked men to wit Nymphidius and Tigillinus and of least worth amongst all the Libertines and how hee being taken by the trecherie of these two men was forsaken of all his Senators and so fled onely with foure trustie Libertines into the suburbes and there killed himselfe and how that long time after they that deposed him were punished for that offence and how the warres ended in Gallia and that Galba being created Emperour returned to Rome out of Spayne and how hee was accused by the souldiers and by them killed in the market place as one of base condition and how Otho vvas declared Emperour and led his souldiers against Vitellius his armie also Vitellius his broiles and his fight before the Capitoll and how Antonius Primus and Mutianus slewe Vitellius and so appeased the Germane troupes and ciuill warres Of all these I haue refused to speake because I hope that both the Greekes and Romanes haue written these things at large yet I haue briefelye recapitulated all to continue my Historie After Vespasian heard these newes of Nero he deferred the siege of Ierusalem expecting who should be created Emperour after him And vvhen he was certified that Galba raigned hee determined to doe nothing but lie quiet till such time as hee also should write vnto him his mind whether he would haue him proceede in those warres against the Iewes And hee sent vnto him his sonne Titus both to salute him and also to know his pleasure concerning the Iewes Likewise King Agrippa went with Titus for the same cause vnto Galba But as they were passing by Achaia with long shippes in winter time as the custome is newes was brought that Galba was slaine hauing raigned seuen moneths and seuen daies After whom succeeded Otho who gouerned the Empire three moneths Agrippa not terrified with this alteration still kept on his iourney to Rome But Titus as God would haue it returned from Achaia vnto Syria and so to Caesarea vnto his father They both were as it were in suspence what would ensue and who should be Emperour the Empire being so full of troubles and so they neglected the warres against the Iewes fearing their owne countrey and therefore thinking it an vnfit time to assault straungers CHAP. VII Of Simon of Gerasa author of i new conspiracie FOr all this the war at Ierusalem was increased For there was one Simon the sonne of Giora borne in Gerasa young in yeeres and inferiour to Iohn who now alreadie had gotten the dominion ouer the citie yet was he in strength and boldnes more excellent then Iohn This Simon being for this cause also dâ—…en out of the countrey of Acrabatena where he was gouernour by the means Ananus the hie priest he came to the theeues that seased vpon Massada This Simon at his first comming was so suspected to the theeues that they onely permitted him and the women that came with him to dwel in the lower part of the castle they them selues kept the higher part yet afterwards his manners and behauiour were such that they put confidence in him for he was their captaine alwaies when they went to spoile and rob any part of the countrie about Massada So he feared not to perswade them to attempt greater matters for being desirous of rule after he heard that Ananus was dead he departed into the high places of the countrie and with the voice of a crier promised and proclaimed that all bondslaues that would follow him should haue their libertie and all other should be richly rewarded and so he gathered togither all the wicked and desperate people in the countrey And hauing now a large armie he robbed and spoiled all the townes and villages there about and his number daily increasing he also now presumed to come into the plaine countries so that now cities stoode in awe of him and many potentates now feared him for his strength and prosperous successe And his armie did not onely
Aristobulus 3. Hyrcaâ—…us The race of Herod Antipater Herod the great Archelaus the great Agrippa the son of Agrippa The names of such as were high Priests from the time of their departure out of Egypt vntill the building of the temple which was made by Salomon Aaron Eleazâ—… Phinees Abiâ—…a Busqui Oses Heli Achitob Achimelech Ab aâ—… haâ—… Sadoc Achimaas Azarias From the building of the temple vntill the Captiuâ—…tie of Babylon Ioraâ—… Ioses Axioram Sudeas Ioathan Urias Nerias Odeas Sellum Helcias From their returne out of Babylon vntill the Machabees time Sarâ—…ia Iosedech Iosâ—… Ioacim Eliasib Eleazar Manasses Onias 2. Simon 2. Onias 3. Ioiada Ionathaâ—… Iadus Onias 1. Simon 1. Iason Onias 4. Lysimachus Alcimus High Priests since the Machabees time vntill the last destruction and ouerthrow of that Citie and nation Simon Bâ—…thus Ioseph 1. Ioseph 2. Ioazar Eleazar Iosuah the son of Sias Ioazar Aâ—…us 〈◊〉 Theophâ—… Sâ—… Mattathias Elion Ioseph 3. Ananias Ismael Ioseph Annas Eleazar Simon Ioseph Caiphas Ionathan Iosuah the son of Daâ—…eus Iosuah the son of Gâ—…liel Matthias Phinees or Paâ—…s Kingâ—… of Israel otherwise called kings of the ten tribes or of Samaria Ieroboam 1. Nadab Baasa Ela Zamri Amri Achab Ioram Iehu Ioachaâ—… Ioas Ieroboam 2. Zacharie Manahem Pecha the son of Manahem Pecha the son of Romelia Oseas Kings of Assyria and Babylon Phulhelechus Phulassar Salmanassar Sennacherib Assaradon Berodach Benmerodach Nabuchodonosor 1. Nabuchodonosor the great Euilmerodach Neriglossorar Labosardach Baltassar Kings of Persia. Cyrus Cambyses Smerdes Magus Darius the son of Hystaspis Zerxes the son of Darius Artabanus the tyrant Artaxerxes w t a long hand Zerxes Sogdianus Darius the bastard Artaxerxes Mnemoâ—… Artaxerxes Ochus Arsames Darius the son of Arsames Kings of Syria after the death of Alexander the great Seleucus Nicanor Antiochus Soter Antiochus surnamed God Seleucus Callinicus Seleucus Cerauâ—…s Antiochus the great Seleucus Philopator Antiochus Epiphanes Antiochus Eupator Demetrius Soter Alexander Epiphanes Demetrius Nicâ—…nor Antiochus Sedetes Demetrius Nicanor Alexander Zebina Antiochus Gryphus Antiochus Cyzicenâ—… Seleucus Gryphius Antiochus Pius The kings of Egypt after the death of Alexander the great Ptolomey Soter Philadelphus Euergetes Philopator Epiphanes Philometor Euergetes Phiscon Lathyrus Alexander Auletes Cleopatra Kings of the Tyrians Abibalus Hiram Belastartus Abdastartus Astartus Astarimus Phelletes Ithoballus Badezor Mettâ—… Pigmâ—…lion For the better vnderstanding of the Coines and measures whereof there is some mention made in this Historie obserue I pray you that which followeth Sath was a measure containing about some seuen pintes French The Epha contained three Saths The Core or Homer contained ten Ephas that is to say thirtie Saths and was the same measure both in drie and liquid things The Log contained a French pinte in measure The Hin contained twelue Logs The Bath contained as much as the Epha The Cad was a kinde of pitcher containing such a quantitie as a young maiden might well carrie The common Sicle contained the waight of foure ounces whether it were of gold siluer or of any other mettall The sacred or holy Sicle waied halfe an ounce of any mettall whatsoeuer The common Sicle of siluer was valued at about some shilling of our money The holy Siâ—…e of siluer was valued at about some two shâ—…llings The common Drachme was the eight part of an ounce The sacred Diachme was the fouâ—…th part of an ounce The Pound waied twelue ounces The ordinarie Taleâ—… contained fiftie foure pounds eight ounces and a quarter of Troy waight in any mettall yet was it not currant money but a masse made vp after the manner of an ingot The sacred Talent contained one hundreth pounds Furthermore note this for your better knowledge that when as Iosephus quoteth the Olympiades without any specification of the yeeres therein contained he orderly comprehendeth the space of foure yeers compleat Furthermore where the Latin word Stadium hath diuers Significations amongst both Greekes and Latins as the 〈◊〉 betweene Pâ—…ie and Diodorus Siculus may well testifie and for that diuers of our English translators haue somenmes called it a Stade other whiâ—…e a Stound and otherwhiles improperly a Fuâ—…long I pray you in reading this Historie wheras any of these words occurre suppose them for one and the same measure of ground and according to the Greekes account which I suppose Iosephus most respected in this Historie conclude it to be either of 600. foote as the Olympique that is of 120. paces or as the Pyrâ—…hique which contained 1000. foote that is 200. paces As for the furlong either multiply him 8. times to make him a Stade or as an ouersight in the printing let it passe with the Errata The names of those Authors which are alleadged in this Historie A Acusilaus Agatharcidâ—…s Alexander Andrew Apioâ—… Apollonius Molo Apollodorus Ariphanes Aristaeus Aristotle B Berosus C Cadmus Castor Chaeremon Chaerilus Clearcus Conon D Demetrius Phalereus Dius E Ephorus Euhemerus Eupolenâ—…us H Hecataeus Hellanicus Hermippus Hermogenes Herodotus Hesiodus Hestiaeus Hierâ—…m of Egypt Homer Hyâ—…rochides I Isidorâ—… L Titus Liuius Lysimachus M Manethon Menander Mnaseas Mochus N Nicholas of Damas. P Pherecydes Philon Philostratuâ—… Polybiâ—… Polycratet Posidonius Pythagoras S Strabo T Thales Theodotus Theophilus Theopompus Theophrastus Thucydides Timaeus Z Zopyrion Francis Patritius de Regno lib. 2. cap. 10. Historiarum cognitio Regibus Ducibus Imperatoribus et omnibus principibus perquam necessaria habenda est quam Cicero appellat testem temporum vitae Magistram veram memoriae et veritatis nunciam GEntle reader let it stand with thy patience I beseech thee to correct those errors that shall occurre in this historie as fauourablie as wee haue ouerslipt them vnwillinglie and count it no lesse virtue in thee to wincke at them with discretion as for mee to let them passe thorowe ouer-sight if thou doe this hope better for thy sufferance shall make me circumspect if not according to that in Plautus Quod dedi non datum vellem quod reliquum est non dabo Errata Fol. 4. line 3. for who read which f. 21. l. 14. for sâ—…aightes read straightes Ibidem l. 50. for Sara read Rebecca f. 37. l. 42. for thou read you f. coâ—… l. 45. for thou read you f. 134. l. 51. for deliuer them from those read deliuer those f. 261. l. 40. for Babylon read Ierusalem f. 274. l. 39. for be began read begâ—…n f. 279.l 38. for compassion read composition f. 299. l. 57 read for ould ould yeares ould yeares f. 361. l. 36. read for Iâ—…dea Iudaea f. â—…80 l. 40. for 15 read 50. f. 63â—… l. 1. for aide read warre THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE MOST AVNCIENT HISTORIE OF THE IEWES WRITTEN BY IOSEPH THE SONNE OF MATTHIAS A most excellent Preface containing the causes which induced the Author to write this Historie together with the contents and intents of the same CHAP. I. THEY that indeuour themselues to write Histories seeme not in my opinion to haue one and the same intent and
obedient to his omnipotent will and for that cause that honor and thanksgiuing should wholy be ascribed to him For which causes and counsailes of his seeing the Chaldeans and Mesapotamians began to mutiny against him he thought it expedient to forsake that countrey and following the will and fauour of God he went and dwelt at Chanaan where beâ—…ng seated he builded an aultar and sacrificed vnto God Berosus amongst other things maketh mention of our father Abraham although he nameth him not when he speaketh after this manner After the Deluge and during the tenth generation there dwelt among the Chaldeans a most iust excellent and vpright man and exercised in the knowledge of the celestiall bodies But Hecataeus made more then a mention of him for he hath left a volume which he hath written of him And as touching Nicholaus Damascenus heare what he saith of him in the fourth booke of his Histories Abraham raigned in Damasco where he was a stranger whether he arriued with his army from a countrey scituate aboue Babylon called Chaldaea who a little while after departing out of that region went and dwelt with his people in a countrey at that time called Chanaan and at this day Iudea and his posteritie multiplied therein In an other treatise I will recite that which is reported of him The name of Abraham euen at this day is honourable in the countrey of Damasco aâ—…d there is a village to be seene which beareth his name and is called Abrahams house CHAP. IX Abraham oppressed by famine departeth into Egypt where staying a while at last he returned backe againe AFter this when famine had inuaded the land of Chanaan Abraham had intelligence that the Egyptians abounded in all plentie and decreed with himselfe to retire himselfe towards them as well to conferre with their priest and discourse with them of diuine things and their knowledge as touching God as also to follow them if they were more grounded in vnderstanding or reconcile them if his iudgement were more assured then theirs he led with him his wife Sara and vnderstanding that the Egyptians were much addicted vnto women to the end the King should not put him to death of purpose that he might enioy his wife Sara who was very beautiful he deuised this excuse to say that she was his sister charging her that if the matter came in question she should not faile but confirme the like But no sooner came he into Aegypt but the like fortune encountred tâ—…m as Abraham had before time suspected for the beawtie of his wife was sodainly published in euery place For which cause Pharao the King of that Nation desirous to see that with his eies 〈◊〉 which he had heard with his eares he sought for sent and lusted after her but God withstood this his vnbridled lust by afflicting the Kings subiects with a plague and his affaires by sedition Whereupon taking counsell of the Priests what remedie might be vsed and meanes might be sought to appease the diuine maiesty they answered him that this was the cause of their afflictions for that he thought to haue done violence to the straungers wife whereat being much affrighted the King first questioneth with the woman what she was and who her companion should be and at last resolued of the trueth he satisfied Abraham saving he supposed her to be his sister not his wife and that his purpose was not to offer iniury but seeke alliance so giuing him a great summe of money hegaue him leaue to conferre with the most excellentest learnedest Priests among the Egyptians Whence it came to passe that he grew into great estimation in regard of his vertues for whereas that Nation was deuided into different sects and opinions thorow mutuall contempt diuision were incensed the one against the other he declared that their opinions different and confuted by themselues in respect of religion were most vaine and deuoide of all trueth For these his disputations he was held in great regard amongst them and esteemed for a man most wise and a personage most exccellent not onely in well conceiuing but also in expressing and perswading that which he vndertooke to teach to these most gratiously imparted he the science of Arithmetike and the obseruation of the celestiall bodies For before that Abraham came into Aegypt the Aegyptians vvere altogether ignorant of those sciences but he transported them from Chaldaea into Aegypt and from thence are they deriued to the Greekes As soone as he returned into Chanaan he deuided the countrey with Lot and for that there grew a contention betwixt their shepheards as touching the bounding of those pastures where they fed their cattel he gaue Lot the choise and election of the countrey vvhich best pleased him reâ—…aining vnto himselfe that which was left Thus pitching his tents neere the mountain in a Citie called Hebron which is by seuen yeares more auncient then Tanis in Aegypt he dwelled there But Lot chose the plaine neere to the floud of Iordane not farre from Sodome vvhich in those daies vvas a goodlie Citie but at this present by the diuine iustice and vvrath of God is vtterly defaced so that no memorie remayneth thereof The causes of which iudgemenâ—… shall bee expressed hereafter CHAP. X. The ouerthrow of the Sodomites by the Syrians AT that time when the Assyrians were Lords ouer all Asia the estate of Sodome flourished in all affluence increased in great riches and mulâ—…itude of gallant youthes and the countrey was gouerned by fiue Kings these were Ballas Bareas Senabarus Symoborus and Balin each one particularly seased of his prouince and kingdome Against these the Assyrians incamped themselues and hauing deuided their armie into foure parts vnder the conduct of foure gouernours they waged battell with them in which the Assyrians attayning the day they imposed a tribute on the Kings of Sodome who after they had for twelue yeares space performed their duety and paid their tribute in the thirteenth yeare reuolted from them Whereby it came to passe that the Assyrians leuied a new armie against them vnder the conduct and commaund of Marphad Arioch Chodollogomor Thargal who sacked all Syria and extinguished the posteritie of the Giants And drawing neere to Sodome they encamped neere to the bituminous pits for at that time there were pits in that place but as soone as Sodome was destroyed there arose a lake in that place which by reason of the bituminous matter that flowed in the same was called Asphalâ—…ites that is to say bituminous of this lake hereafter we wil speake somewhat But the Sodomites encountering with the Assyrians there was a dangerous skirmish fought wherein many perished on both sides and the most were eyther staine or taken amongst whom was Lot led away captiue who came thither to assist the Sodomites CHAP. XI Abraham pursueth the Assyrians and returneth victorious ABraham hearing of these things and moued both
vertue of his ancestors as his owne particular valour the rather for that he had beene trained and maintained in warlike seruice To him they sent a messenger requiring him that he would assist them promising him that he should continue in the gouernment during the terme of his life But he was nothing mollified with this their request but reprochfully obiected against them that they had abandoned him at that time when as his brothers had done him open wrong for by reason he was not their brother by the same mother but a straunger begotten on a woman which their father had entertained for his paramour they had driuen him out of their family setting light by him by reason of his base birth yet notwithstanding he had liued in Galaad receiuing all those into wages which came vnto him of what place soeuer they were But after they had besought him and sworne vnto him that he should continue in the gouernment he became their generall in warre and speedily prouiding and foreseeing whatsoeuer was necessarie he encamped himselfe neere vnto Maspha and sent Embassadours to the Ammonites accusing them for inuading a countrey that belonged not vnto them They contrariwise blamed the Israelites for that they were fled like fugitiues from Egypt and commaunded that the Israelites should depart out of Amorrhaea which was their ancient patrimonie Ieptha answered that they had no reason to accuse their ancestors in respect of Amorrhaea but rather that they ought to giue them thanks for that they hac permitted them to enioy the countrey of Ammon by reason it was in Moses power to haue commaunded the same In a word they were resolued not to forsake the countrey which God had both giuen and purchased for them and which they had held in their possession for the space of three hundreth yeares alledging that he would defend the same against them by dint of sword with these words dismissed he the Embassadours of the Ammonites Then besought he God that it might please him to grant him victotie and he made a vow that if he returned vnto his house whole and in safetie he would offer vp in sacrifice that of his which he should first meete withall in his returne whereupon incountring the enemie he defeated him and pursued him killing those that fled continually till he came to the Citie of Maniathen Then entring the countrey of the Ammonites he destroyed diuers Cities and led away a great pray and deliuered and ransomed diuers slaues of that nation who had endured that seruitude for the space of eighteene yeares But as he returned homeward he fell into such an inconuenient as was no waies answerable to his noble actions For his onely daughter of the age of eighteene yeares came out to meete him whereupon resoluing and melting himself into teares he began to checke her for that so hastily she had issued forth to meet him by reason he had consecrated the first thing he mette withal to God But this accident was no waies displeasant vnto the Damsell but that she willingly died both for the victorie of her father and the deliuerance of her brethren she therefore besought her father that it would please him to grant her two months before she should be sacrificed to the end she might lament her youth with her companions and that after that terme her father might acquit himselfe of that vowe which he had made Ieptha granted her the terme and time she had limited which being expired he sacrificed his daughter for a burnt offering which oblation of his was neither conformable to the law nor agreeable vnto God by reason he examined not in his vnderstanding before â—…ee committed the act how it would be taken by those that should heare the report thereof The tribe of Ephraim hearing of his victories would haue sent out men of warre against him by reason he had not communicated his enterprise against the Ammonites with them but had onely reserued the pray and vsurped the honour of the execution to himselfe whereunto he answered first of all that being of his kinred they could not be ignorant that both hee and his were assailed by warre and had besides that also beene required to giue them their assistance whereunto they had answered verie faintly and being requested would not be present Secondly he tould them that that which they vndertooke was both vnlawfull and most wicked in that not daring to confront or assaile the enemie they made no bones to set vpon and assault their own brothers and familiars threatning them that if they gouerned not themselues he would by the assistance of God be reuenged on them But these words of his were both neglected and despised so that he was forced to arme himselfe against them and with an host of men sent from Galaad he made a great slaughter partly in pursuing those that fled partly also in preuenting their passage who fled vnto Iordan and the number of those that were slaine amounted to fortie thousand or thereabouts But after that Ieptha had gouerned sixe yeares he deceased and was buried in Sebei in the place where he was borne and in the countrey of Galaad After his decease Apsan tooke vpon him the gouernment He was of the tribe of Iuda of the Citie of Bethleem and had sixtie children thirtie males thirtie females which he left all aliue and maried he died when he was verie old without performing any thing worthie either recitall or memory during the space of his seuen yeers gouerment he was buried in his countrey Elon a Zabulonite his successour differed nothing from him in the same during the terme of ten yeares wherein he gouerned he atchieued nothing that was worthie commendation Abdon the sonne of Elon of the tribe of Ephraim of the Citie of Pharathon was declared soueraigne Iudge after Elon and is renowmed onely for his felicitie in his children by reason that the estate was in peace and securitie and that he exployted nothing worthy glorie he had fortie sonnes who had thirtie other children and he rode accompanied with these seuentie who were all of them expert on horsebacke He left them all aliue and died when he was verie old and was magnifically buried in Pharathon CHAP. X. Of Sampsons valour and how many mischiefes he did vnto the Philistines AFter his death the Philistines had the vpper hand ouer the Israelites and exacted tribute from them for the space of fortie yeares From that miserie were they ransomed after this manner Manoach an excellent man and one of the chiefest of the tribe of Dan recounted without exception for the onely esteemed Prince amongst them had a wife most famous for her beautie and excellent amongst all other of that time yet had he no children by her whereat he was verie sore displeased and for this cause he made his continuall praiers vnto God departing with his wife to his countrey farme beseeching him that it
in the fift yeere after the destruction of Ierusalem which was the three and twentith yeere of the raigne of Nabuchodonosor Nabuchodonosor in his owne person led his army into Coelosyria and hauing conquered the same he made warre vpon the Ammonites and Moabites And after he had brought these nations vnder his obeisance he went and sought against the king of Aegypt and ouercame him and after he had slaine their king that gouerned at that time and planted an other in his place he afterwards tooke the Iewes that he found in that countrey and carried them prisoners into Babylon By this means we haue learned that the state of the Hebrewes being brought to this point hath bin translated twise to the other side of Euphrates For the people of the two tribes were captiued by the Assyrians during the raigne of Oseas and consequently that of the two tribes vnder Nabuchodonosor king of the Babylonians and Chaldees vpon the taking in of Ierusalem True it is that Salmanazar after he had displaced the Israelites planted the Chutheans in their place who beforetime inhabited the innermost of the countries of Persia and Media and were called Samaritanes according to the name of the place which they inhabited but the Babylonian hauing led the two tribes prisoners hath not planted any other people in their places For this cause Iudaea Ierusalem and the temple remained desert for the space of seuentie yeeres and all the time that passed betweene the captiuitie of the Israelites vntill the destruction of the two tribes was a hundreth and thirtie yeeres six moneths and ten daies But Nabuchodonosor chose the most noblest yoong men amongst the Iewes and such as were allied to king Sedecias and esteemed likewise for the good disposition and faire proportion of their bodies and faces and committed them to masters to be instructed commaunding that euery one of them should be gelded according as they were accustomed to deale with yoong children of other nations whom he subdued by force He allowed them victuall from his owne table and they were taught and instructed in the disciplines of the countrey and in the Chaldeetoong These were verie apte to learne wisedome and for that cause he commanded that they should be trained vp in the exercise thereof Of these there were foure of Zedechias kindred faire in body and vertuous in nature who were called Daniel Ananias Misael and Azarias whose names the Babylonian changed and willed them to be called by other names distinct and different from their own Daniel was called Balthasar Ananias Sidrach Misael Misach and Azarias Abdenago These did the king esteeme very highly for their excellent nature and for the great affection that they had to attaine vnto learning and wisedome wherein they profited greatly and were for that cause highly reckoned of by him And whereas Daniel and his kinsemen thought good to liue austerely and to abstaine from those meates that came from the kings table and in generall from all things that had life they went vnto Askenas the Eunuch who had the care and charge ouer them beseeching him to conuert those meates to his owne vse which were sent them from the kings table and to allow them herbes and dates and such things as had no life because they intended to hold that course of life and to forsake all other Askenas told them that he was ready to condescend vnto their demaunds but that he feared least being called for by the king they should be found to be leane in body and discoloured in face for without doubt in following that diet they must needly lose their colours and be lesse dispost in comparison of others which might be the cause to bring him into hazard of his head They perceiuing that Askenas intended nought els but his securitie perswaded him to allow them but ten daies of approbation vnder condition that if by that regiment of diet their habitude of body should not be any waies altered they might continue in that fashion of life and diet which they had intended from that day forwards but if they should be found leane and weake and lesse proportionable then they that sed vpon the kings allowance that then they should returne to their accustomed diet Now it so fell out that not onely their bodies were better in growth but they seemed rather better fed and of a taller statute then the rest so that they that liued vpon the kings ordinarie seemed leane and wearish where as Daniel and his companions made shew as if they had beene nourished with dainties and brought vp in aboundance From that time forward Askenas tooke all that which was allowed the foure yoong men from the kings table and boldly kept it to himselfe giuing them in steed thereof the diet that they chose and delighted in They hauing their spirits more pure and subtill to comprehend their masters instructions and their bodies more strong to endure labour for their spirits were not charged with diuersitie of meates nor their bodies effeminated for the same cause attained the more readily to all that doctrine that was taught them by the Hebrewes and Chaldees Daniel especially hauing profited in wisedome studied the interpretation of dreames and God appeared vnto him Two yeeres after the surprisall of Aegypt king Nabuchodonosor dreamed a wonderfull dreame the issue whereof God made him see in a dreame but he forgat the same when he arose out of his bed And for that cause sent he for his Chaldees and diuines telling them that he had dreampt a dreame but that he had forgot the same commanding them to declare vnto him what the dreame was and the signification thereof also Whereunto they answered that it was impossible for men to sound out the secret thereof notwithstanding they promised him that if he would declare his vision vnto them they would cause him to vnderstand the signification thereof Hereupon Nabuchodonosor threatned them with death except they represented his dreame vnto him and they protesting that they could not fulfill his request he commanded them all to be slaine But Daniel hearing how the King had condemned all the sages to death and knowing that both he and his companions had part in that danger addressed himselfe to Ariochus the captaine of the Kings guard requiring him to informe him for what cause the king had adiudged the Chaldees and sages to be put to death And hauing intelligence what had hapned as touching the dream how the king by forgetting the same had charged them to informe him therin how they had answered that it was impossible for them to performe the same and how thereby they had prouoked the king to displeasure he besought Ariochus to go vnto the king and to procure one nights repriue in the behalfe of the Aegyptians and Chaldees in that he hoped during that night time to beseech God and intreat from him both the dreame and the signification thereof Hereupon Ariochus told the king what Daniel had requested
to Athens and Polycrates to Lacedaemon and the Author that writ Tripoliticum for it was not Theopompus as some suppose vsed the Citie of Thebes verie hardly and Timaeus in his Histories of the foresaid places doth many times detract both them and others And this they doe calumniating the most excellent that are in something or other some for enuie and malice others that their fond babling may make them famous and so indeede it doth amongst fooles that are knowne to haue no sound iudgement but wise men will condemne their malice To bee short this is the cause of so many slaunderous reports forged against our nation Some to gratifie the Aegyptians haue attempted to depriue the truth and so haue neither reported the veritie concerning our auncestors comming into Egypt nor touching their departure from thence and they haue had many causes of malice and enuie vrging them hereto And chiefely for that our progenitors in their countrie waxed mightie and so departing to their owne Countrie were made happie and fortunate Secondly the diuersitie of our two religions made great discorde and variance amongst vs our religion so farre excelling theirs in pietie as the diuine essence of God excelleth vnreasonable creatures for they commonly worshippe such bruite beastes for gods and euerie one worshipeth diuers kinds vaine and foolish men who from the beginning haue beene accustomed to such sottish opinions as would not permit them to imitate vs in our diuine religion and conformable to reason and yet seeing many fauour and followe our religion they were hereby incited to such hatred that to derogate from vs they feared not to falsifie their owne auncient Recordes not considering that in so doing they were led through a blind passion to wit against themselues Moreouer I will proue all I haue now spoken to bee true by one mans words whom a little before being a famous Historiographer we haue produced as a witnesse of our antiquitie Manethon therefore who professeth himselfe to haue gathered the Egyptian Historie out of their holy writings hauing by way of a Preface recounted how our predecessors came into Egypt with many thousands and there conquered the Inhabitants hee afterwards confesseth that loosing all their possessions in Egypt they got that Countrie which is now called Iewrie and in it builded a Citie named Ierusalem and a Temple and thus farre hee imitateth auncient writers And then vsurping to himselfe authoritie to lie protesting that hee will inâ—…ert into his Historie â—…aine reports diuulged amongst the common people hee reporteth things of the Iewes all together incredible intending to mixe with our nation the Lepers of the Egyptians and other sicke people of other Countries who as he saith being abhominable to the Egyptians made an escape froÌ„ thence affirming also that they had a King named Amenophis which is a fained name and therefore he durst not presume to speake determinately of the time of his reigne whereas hee speaketh exactly of the reigne of all other kings Hereupon also he addeth certaine fables forgetting himselfe that he reported the shepheards departure out of Egypt to Ierusalem to haue beene almost fiue hundred and eighteene yeeres before his time for king Themusis reigned when they departed out of Egypt from whome the time that other kings did reigne vntill the two brethren Sethâ—… and Hermeus accomplisheth the terme of three hundred fourescore and thirteene yeeres Hee also saith that the eldest of these two Sethon was called Egyptus and the other Hermâ—…as was called Danaus whome his brother Sethon expelled and afterward reigned fiftie â—…ne yeeres and after him Rampses his eldest sonne reigned threescore and sixe yeers Hauing therfore confessed our auncestors to haue departed out of Egypt so many yeeres beâ—…e now lastly hee addeth that Amenophis was their king who was a contemplator of the gods as Orus their king before him was and that one Amenophis a Priest the soâ—…e of Papius did in all things most excellently accomplish his desire which Priest seemed to participate of some â—…ne nature for he excelled in wisedome could foretell things to come and that he gaue the king his surname that he might also see the gods if so be he would 〈◊〉 to clense the countrey from Lepers and other vncleane people Wherat the king reioycing gathered togither all the impotent people of his land amounting to the number of foure score thousand and sent them and other Aegyptians appointed to this worke into the East part of Nilus there to hew and square stones And that amongst them there were also certaine learned priests infected wich leprosie also that this diuine priest Amenophis greatly feared least the indignation of the gods would fall vpon the king and himselfe who had perswaded and councelled the king to doe violence vnto the foresaid Lepars likewise that he said that because he vsed the helpe of vncleane persons they should obtaine dominion ouer Aegypâ—… for thirteene yeeres yet durst he not presume to signifie this vnto the king but he killed himselfe leauing this written in a booke where men might finde it and the king hauing notice hereof fell into great sorrow and heauinesse This done he speaketh as followeth So the king being requested for their quietnesse and defence to assigne them a Citie to inhabite he appointed vnto them a desolate place called Auaris which had been the shepheards Citie this Citie the auncient diuines call Triphonis but they hauing gotten the possession of this place fit for rebellion they made choice of one of the priests of Heliopolis to be their captaine whose name was Osarsiphus and bound themselues with an oath to obay him in all things and he presently made a law that they should neither worship the gods of the Aegyptians nor that they should abstaine from those beasts which the Aegyptians count holy and that they should marrie with none but such as they iudged to be their friends Hauing ordained this and many things els contrarie to the Aegyptians religion he commanded them wiâ—…h great labour to enuiron their Citie with a wall and to make preparation to warre against king Amenophis and he himselfe making choice of some priests and a few other vncleane persons sent to Ierusalem to the shepheards which were driuen out of Aegypt by king Themusis declaring vnto them their owne and their fellowes iniuries and requesting them to leuie an army to fight with them against Aegypt promising them free entrance into Auaris the countrey where their forefathers inhabited and that he would furnish them with all necessaries telling them that they should now fight in so happy a time as that without all doubt they might conquer the countrey The shepheards hereat reioycing all of them armed themselues to the number of two hundred thousand and leauing their Citie they came to Auaris But Amenophis king of Aegypt hearing of their inuasion and remembring what Amenophis the sonne of the priest Papius had left in writing was in great feare and
Caius coÌ„mandeth Quintiliana to be tortured who confesseth nothing Popedius is absolued Cheraeas conferreth with Clement and Papinius The yeare of the world 4004. after Christs birth 42. Cornelius Sabinust Annius Minutianus Chaereas with certaine others intend to kill Caius Calisthus Caius freeman certifieth Claudius that Caius commaunded him to poison him The yeare of the world 4005. after Christs birtâ—… 43. Chaereas expeâ—…h the occasion to assaile Caius The finall conclusion of the confederates as touching Caius death The yeare of the world 4005. after Chrisâ—…s Natiuitie 43. Caius sacrificeth to Augustus Caesar. Asprenas The Theater Batibius Cluuitus The yeare of the world 400â—… after Christs birth 43. Caius slaine Aquila gaue Caius his deaths wound but Chaereas was the author and chiefe actor of the tragedie The yeare of the 〈◊〉 4005. after Chrâ—…ts Natiâ—…tie 43. Chaereas with his confederates reâ—…reth into Germanicuâ—… house The Germans Caesars guard Sabinus with his Germaine souldiers seeketh for those that slue Caius Asprenas cut in peeces Norbanus Anteius What sort of people they were that lamented Caius death The yeare of the world 4005. after Christs birth 43. Diuers â—…umors of Caesars death The Germain souldiers resort to the Theater Aruntius entreth the Theater and signifieth the Emperours death The Germainâ—… fury awakned by the death of Caius is pacified The yeare of the world 4005. after Christs Natiuitie 43. Chaereas Minutianus and ClemeÌ„t consult about Caesars death Arcion a certaine Phisition dismisseth some The Senate people enquire after those that flue Caius Valerius Asiaticus wisheth he had beene the author Hedio Ruffinus cap. 2. The souldiers elect Claudius Emperour The yeare of thâ—… world 4005. after the Naâ—…tie of Christ. 43. Cnaius Sentiuâ—… Saturninus declaimeth in the Senate Libertie a prâ—…cious thing Liberty purchased by vertue TyraÌ„nies breed many mischifes in commonweales Iulius Caesar. The yeare of the world 4005. after Christs birth 43. An exhortation to maintaine liberty Chaereas to be honoured for his noble attempt Chaereas requireth a watchword at the Consuls â—…ands Chaereas sendeth Iulius Lupus to kill Caius wife and daughter The yeare of the world 4005. after Christs birth 43. Caesonia accuseth Caius for that he would not giue credit â—…o her counsailâ—… Caius a wicked man Caius giuen ouer to lust Caius builded a hauen Caius an excellent Orator The yeare of the world 4005. after Christs natiuitie 43. Hedio Ruffinus cap. 3. Claudius against his will drawen vnto the Empire The cause that induced the army to make Claudius Emperour The yeare of the world 4005. after the Naâ—…tie of Christ. 4â—… Claudius caried on mens shoulders into the army Defference betwixt the citizens and Senators The Senate perswade Claudius to resigne the dignitie oâ—…ered him Claudius denieth to giue ouer the dignitie that was offered him Hedio Ruffinus cap. 4. al. 3. The yeere of the world 4005. after Christs birth 43. Claudius confirmed in his resolutions by Agrippa Agrippa telleth the Senat his opinion Agrippa with some other is sent to Claudius Claudius aunswere to the Embassadors The souldiers oaths taken The souldiers require a Monarch at the Senats bands The yeare of the world 4005. after Christs birth 43. Some affect the Empire The souldierâ—… with displaied ensignâ—…s repaire to Claudius Sabinus rather choseth death then to allow of Claudius Q. Pompeiuâ—… the Consul with otherâ—… resort to Claudiuâ—… Claudius is perswaded bâ—… Agrippa to vse the senators more mildly Those that murthered Caius are executed The yeâ—…e of the world 4005. after Christs Naâ—…itie 43. Sabinus killeth himselfe Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. â—…l 4. Claudius giueth Agrippa Iudaea Samaria and Lysanias countrey Antiochus king of Comagena Alexander Lysimachus Alabarcha Herode Agrippas brother created king of Chalcis Sedirion in Alexandria betwixt the Greekes and Iewes Claudius edict in fauour of the Iewes in Alexandria Theâ—… yere of the world 4005. after Christs birth 43. Claudius edict in the behalfe of the Iewes scattered thorow the whole empire Claudius sendeth Agrippa into his kingdome Agrippa hangeth vp his golden chaine ouer the treasury chamber in the temple Simon the son of Boethus placed in Theophilus roome 〈◊〉 â—…finus cap. 6. Agrippa â—…eleaseth the tributes to those of Ierusalem Silas The Doriteâ—… place Caesars statue in the synagogue of the Iewes and thereby vehemently offend both Agrippa and Petronius The yeare of the world 4005. after Christs natiuitâ—… 43. Alias cap. 5. P. Petronius writeth to the Dorites to send them vnto him who haue broken Caesarâ—… edict Ionathan the sonne of Ananus is restored to the priesthood refuseth it and praieth that his brother Matthias may minister therin Marsus prefect of Syria The yeare of the world 4005. after Christs birth 43. Hedio Ruffinus cap. 7. Silas by too much reuiuing the kings miseries and misfortunes and ripping vp his owne deserts groweth into y e kings hatred and is sent prisoner into his countrey Agrippa sendeth for Silas out of prison who dissembling not his displeasure is left still in prison Agrippa fortifieth the wals of Ierusalem Claudius commandeth Agrippa to desist from building the wals Agrippa â—…ored the 〈◊〉 more then Herode The yeare of the world 4005. after Christs Natiuitie 43. Simon the lawyer backbiteth the king who crauing pardon is reconciled vnto him Alias cap. 6. Agrippa honoreth Beryth with good ornaments Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. Agrippa is displeased with Marsus for sending away the kings Alias cap. 7. Aelioneus the sonne of Cithaeus made high priest Agrippa is salâ—…d in the Theater for a God and spieth the owle which the Germane foretold him of that fiue daies after he should die The yeare of the world 4005. after the Natâ—…itie of Christ 43. The yeare of the world 4009. after Christs birth 47. 1â—…00 Myriades amount to 15 tunnes o gold Herode the prince of Chalcis and Chelcias kill Silas Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. al. cap. 8. Agrippaâ—… children aliue The Caelerias and SebasteaÌ„s râ—…uile Agrippâ—… being dead Agrippa Agrippas sonne Claudius inteÌ„deth to send yong Agrippa into his fathers kingdom but is disswaded sendeth Cuspius Fadus for president into Iudaea those parts The yeâ—…e of the world 4009. after Christs birth 47. The Iewes themselues were the cause of those wars which began vnder Flotus Hedio Ruffinus cap. 1. Casâ—… Longiâ—… presect of Syria Fadus punisheth the Iewes for their insurrection against the Philadelphians Theâ—… yere of the world 4â—…09 after Christs birth 47. Annibas executed 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 banished Tholomaeus the arch thiese Fadus requiteth the high priests gaâ—…meÌ„t should be deliuered into the power of the Romanes and kept in y e 〈◊〉 of Aâ—…onia Alias cap. 2. The Iewes deliuer pledges to the intent they might be permitted to send letters to Caesar. Claudius vpon the yonger Agrippâ—…s motâ—…on granteth the Iewes liberty to haue the custodie of the hie priests vestment Aliâ—…s cap. 3. Claudius Epistle to the Iewes Alias cap. 9. Herode prince of Chalcis hath authoritie