These meeting with Ioseph on the way began to mocke at his basenesse and pouertie But when he came to Alexandria and had intelligence that the king was at Memphis he set forward and went out to meet him When as therefore the king accompanied with the queen and Athenion his friend who had discharged the place of Embassadour in Ierusalem came riding onward in his chariot Athenion who had been honourably entertained by Ioseph perceiuing him vpon the way certified the king that it was he of whom he had spoken vpon his returne from Ierusalem protesting on his behalfe that he was both a good and honourable yoong man Whereupon Ptolomey embraced him aboue the rest and made him mount his chariot Where he was no sooner seated but the king began to accuse Onias for that which he had committed But Ioseph said vnto him Pardon him O King and haue respect to his old old yeeres For you know that ordinarily old men yong children haue one and the same vnderstanding but for our selues who are young you shall haue what you please to require without any pretext or cause of discontent Hereupon the king tooke pleasure in the good behauiour and pleasant discourse of the young man and began to loue him the more as if he had receiued a present attestation of his wisedome whereupon he commaunded that he should be lodged in his owne pallace and that daily he should accompany him at his princely table As soone as the king came back to Alexandria the Lords of Syria seeing Ioseph sitting neere vnto the king were sore displeased and the day drawing neere wherein they were to receiue the assurance of their tribute they that were of the greatest reckoning in their countrey farmed the same so that the tributes of Coelesyria Phaenicia Iudaea and Samaria amounted together to eight thousand talents Whereupon Ioseph arising blamed the farmers for that they had plotted amongst themselues to beate downe the price of the tributes promising to giue the double and that he would likewise returne the forfeitures that were leuied vpon the goods of such as offended which were farmed together with the tributes The king gaue eare to this discourse of his with great content and said that he approoued the sale of these tributes vnto Ioseph who in this sort augmented his reuenue When as therefore he was demanded whether he could giue sureties he made him answere with a bold courage O king said he I will giue thee such pledges as are both worthy and honourable and such as you cannot mistrust Whenas therefore the king instanted him to produce them I w◅ said he O king present thee for sureties thy selfe the Queene thy wife that one of you may be a suretie for me to the other Ptolomey smiling hereat granted him the farme of the tribute without further suretie This fauour of his displeased those gouernours of the Cities that were come into Aegypt in that they saw themselues contemned and constrained to returne with shame vnto their houses But Ioseph obtained two thousand footmen from the king to the end to enforce the tribute from those Cities who were negligent in their paiments and after he had borrowed fiue hundreth talents of the kings friends in Alexandria hee departed into Syria As soone as he came to Ascalon he demaunded the payment of the tribute at the Citizens hands which they not onely refused to performe but moreouer vpbraided him with iniurious words For which cause laying hold on about some twentie of the principals among them he put them to death and hauing gathered their substances togither he sent the King some thousand talents certifying him of that which he had done Ptolomey admiring at his wisedome and allowing of his execution permitted him to dispose of all things at his pleasure The Syrians vnderstanding hereof were sore abashed and perceiuing that the Acalonites were slaine by Ioseph thorow the seueritie of his iustice and their disobedience they opened him the gates and receiued him willingly and payed him their tributes Wheras also the Scythopolitanes in way of cōtumacy refused to lay down according to order their accustomed tributes he slue the chiefest amongst them the confiscations of whose goods he sent vnto the king When as therefore he had gathered much siluer and made great gaines of the purchase of the tributes to the intent to establish and make his power of more continuance he liberally employed his gettings considering with himselfe that it was a part of wisedome to keepe and entertaine his good happe by those riches which he himselfe had gotten For he sent many presents both to the King and Queene and bestowed liberall bountie both on their familiars and fauourites and also on all those which had any authoritie credit or fauour in the court to win and bind them vnto him by his beneuolence And in this felicitie of his continued he the terme of twentie two yeares during which time he was the father of seuen children by one wife and of an other called Hircanus whom he begot on the daughter of his brother Solymius whom he married vpon this occasion which ensueth Walking vpon a time in Alexandria in the company of his brother who led with him his daughter alreadie mariageable to the intent to bestow her vpon some Iewe of good qualitie whilest he sate at meat with the king there entred into the banquet a certain faire damsel trained vp in dancing with whom growing enamored he told his brother thereof praying him that since by the lawes of their countrey it was forbidden that a Iew might marry with a stranger that he would hide his fault and be a faithfull assistant vnto him to the end that he might enioy her whom his heart desired His brother promised him to shew his willing forwardnes herein and in the meane time he adorned and decked his owne daughter and brought her by night vnto his bed whereupon he lay with her not knowing who she was by reason he had drunke ouermuch and had her company Which comming to passe diuers times he was as yet farre more burningly inflamed with the loue of this dancer and told his brother that he was in daunger to be enamoured all his life time and that notwithstanding the king would not grant her vnto him His brother told him that he ought not to vexe himselfe promising him that he should assuredly enioie her whom he loued and that already she was his wife opening vnto him how all things had hapned and how he had rather wrong his owne daughter then to suffer his brother to fall into dishonour After that Ioseph had praised the kind natural affection of his brother towards him he tooke his daughter to wife who bare him a sonne called Hircanus as it hath beene said Who being thirteene yeares olde gaue testimonie of that naturall spirit and dexteritie that was in him by reason whereof his brethren conceiued a certaine hatred against him
assured from daunger both of them imployed themselues in manuring the countrey The rest of the tribes did the like conforming themselues according to the example of the Beniamites and contenting themselues to receiue their tributes they suffered the Chanaanites to liue in peace The tribe of Ephraim besieging the Citie of Bethel could not see such an end of their desseigne as the length of time and the trauels they had taken in the siege required and although they were very much toyled and wearied with the same yet desisted they not the continuance of the siege At last they tooke one of the Citie who issued forth to find out certaine necessarie things that he wanted whom they assured that if he would deliuer them the Citie they would saue him and grant life and liberty likewise to all them that were of his linage who sware vnto them that he would deliuer the Citie into their hand which when he had performed both he and his were wholy warranted but all the rest of the inhabitants were put to the sword From that time forward the Israelites behaued themselues more mildly towards the enemie and imployed them in tillage of their lands and husbanding their fruits and being growen in riches they followed the delights and pleasures of the world yea in such sort grew they dissolute that they had no mind neither of their pollicy nor the lawes of their forefathers Whereupon God was grieuously incensed against them who gaue them to vnderstand first of all that contrarie to his commaund they had spared the Chanaanites afterwards that those Chanaanites in time to come should exercise great cruelties against them And although they were astonished at that which was declared vnto them yet notwithstanding they tooke no pleasure in feats of armes both for that they had receiued many profits by the Chanaanits as also for that being effeminate thorow delights they were vnapt for labour It hapned thē at such time as their Aristocratical gouerment was corrupted and that they respected not their elders or any other magistrates before time ordained and were extremly addicted vnto gaine infinitely tooke pleasure therein that amidst their greatest securitie a grieuous mutinie and commotion was once more raysed amongst them so that at length they fell at oddes one with another on that occasion which ensueth A certaine Leuite and one of them of the common sort that dwelt within the dominions of the Ephraimites tooke a wife that was borne in the Citie of Bethleem which pertaineth to the tribe of Iuda whom by reason of her incomparable beautie he most intirely loued and found himselfe much aggrieued for that he found not her affection answerable to his loue at last his passion so much preuailed with him as they grew at ods and fell into contentious mislikes whence at last it fell out that the woman tired with disquiet forsooke her husband and went and dwelt with her father The husband sore aggrieued thereat by reason of the loue which he bare her came vnto her fathers house and appeased the differents and was reconciled vnto her There abode he for the space of foure daies being friendly intreated and intertained by his wiues father and mother On the fift day he thought good to returne to his owne dwelling and both of them departed about mid-day by reason that the father and the mother gaue them a loth farewell and consumed the better part of the day in entertainement They had a seruant which followed them an asse likewise on which the woman was mounted Now when they had traueled the space of thirty Stadia or furlongs that they drew neere the citie of Ierusalem their seruant counselled them to take vp their lodging in some place for feare least by their late trauell they might fall into some disaster the rather for that they were not farre from the enemies countrie and that the present time was such as might make those things that were most assured suspected But this opinion of his pleased not his maister who would not lodge amongst those of a forraine nation for the citie pertained to the Chanaanites but his intent was to passe further and trauell yet twentie furlongs more to take vp his lodging in one of their cities This aduise of his being allowed they came to Gaba of the Tribe of Beniemin when it was late and whereas they found no man in the market place that might lodge them at length a certaine old man returning out of the countrey to his house who was by birth an Ephraimite and dwelt in that Citie meeting with him asked him what he was and for what cause so late as it was hee sought for his supper He answered that he was a Leuite and that he brought his wife with him from her father and mother and was returning to his house which was amongst the Tribe of Ephraim The old man hauing regard vnto parentage by reason that he was of the same tribe and that by good hap they had after that maner met the one with the other lodged him in his owne house But certaine yong men amongst the Gabeonites perceiuing the woman in that place were rauished in admiration of her beautie and good graces and getting some notice afterwards that she had beene brought thither as a guest they set light by him by reason of his weakenes and age and the smal retinue that he had in his house and came knockt at his doore The old man required them to depart and that they should offer him no violence nor to her outrage But contrariwise they importuned him to deliuer them his guest and that done they promised him in no sort to procure his further molestation But although that the old man alleaged that she was of his parentage and that her husband was a Leuite and that they should commit an hainous offence in sinning for their corrupt pleasures sake against the lawes yet had they no regard of equitie but mocked him menacing him likewise to murther him because he hindred them from satisfying their lust Finally he was driuen to that exigent that to the intent they should not offer violence to his guest and a stranger he abandoned and prostituted vnto them his owne daughter supposing it to be a lesse inconuenient to let them satisfie their vnbridled concupiscence on her then that his guest should suffer any villany at leastwise he made this account that by this meanes he should not be guiltie of any iniurie done vnto them Notwithstanding all this they intermitted not to sollicit and vrge the deliuerie of the woman being incēnsed in vnbridled lust towards her Contrariwise he besought them that they would not be so audacious as to violate the lawes but they seconded their disordinate desires with extreme violence and rauished her perforce and led her to their owne lodgings Afterwards when as during all the night time they had lewdly appeased their lusts on her they thrust her
answere his hart more more failed him in that he manifestly perceiued what sinister successe would betide him if God should not assist him in the conflict He therfore commāded that they should search him out some Pythonissa or cunning enchantresse who inuocated and raised the spirits of the dead to the end that by her meanes he might know if his warres should haue that successe which he pretended for the diuiners which giue answere by the belly which the Greekes call Engastrimythes declare their aduentures to those that aske them And when as by the report of a certaine familiar friend of his he was aduertised that there was such a one at Endor vnwitting to his whole arme and laying aside his royall habites and attended onely by two whom he esteemed for his most faithfull seruants he repaired to Endor to this woman requiring her to diuine and raise vp the spirit of him whom he should name The woman denied and said that she ought not contradict the kings edict who had driuen out of his realme all such sort of soothsaiers telling him that he did not well that hauing receiued no wrong at her hands he should thus sound her and seeke to bring her in lapse of the kings lawes cause her to be punished But Saul swore vnto her that no man should knowe thereof and that he would not discouer her diuination to others briefely that shee should incurre no daunger thereby After then that by his othes and protestations he had perswaded her that she should haue no cause to feare he commanded her to raise the spirit of Samuel She not knowing what Samuel was called him from hell and he sodainly appeared But when she perceiued that it was an honourable man and of diuine semblance she was sore troubled and being wholy discomforted with this vision she turned and said vnto the king art not thou Saul for Samuel had certified her no lesse Saul confessed that it was he and asked her for what cause she seemed to be so much troubled she answered that she saw a man ascend that resembled God Saul commanded her to declare vnto him his shape habite and age and she gaue him to vnderstand that he was a reuerend olde man attired in the vestment of a high priest By these markes Saul knew that it was Samuel whereupon prostrating himselfe on the earth he adored and saluted him The spirit of Samuel asked him for what cause he had troubled and raised him To whom he complained and lamented that he was inforced thereunto by necessitie for that a grieuous host of his enemies were at hand and that void of counsaile he was forsaken by God hauing from him no prediction either by prophecie or dreame for which cause said he I made my recourse vnto thee who hast alwaies had care both of me and my fortunes But Samuel foreseeing that the kings death was hard at hand answered him that it was in vaine for him to question with him as touching those things that should happen since thou knowest that thou art forsaken by God Know therfore said he that Dauid shall possesse the kingdome and that it is he that shall establish the estate by armes but as concerning thy selfe thou shalt lose both thy kingdome and thy life because thou hast disobeyed God in thy warre against the Amalechites and hast not obserued his commandements according as I foretold thee at such time as I was aliue Know therefore that thy people and host shall be discomfited by the enemy and that both thou and thy sons shall be to morrow slaine in the battell and be with me When Saul vnderstood these things he became speechlesse thorow the sorrow wherewith he was seased and fell downe on the pauement either for that his forces failed him thorow sodaine griefe or for his want of meat because that neither that night nor the day before he had vouchsafed his body any refection or sustenance At length hardly recouering himselfe out of his swoun the woman importuned him to receiue some sustenance beseeching him to doe her that fauour in recompence of her vnexpected diuination which though interdicted she had aduentured to performe for his sake before she were ascertained that it was he that had forbidden them in consideration wherof she prayed him that sitting downe at the table he would refresh himselfe with some sustenance to the end he might be the more able to returne vnto his army And although he resisted and vtterly refused to eat in that he had no appetite and was vtterly desperate yet so effectually importuned she that finally she perswaded him to receiue some little nourishment And whereas shee had but one calfe which she bred vp in her house with some particular care for she was but a poore woman and had no other riches yet spared she not to kill it and dresse the flesh for Saul his seruants Thus refected Saul returned backe againe into his campe The curtesie of this woman deserueth to be praised for although she knew that the king had prohibited her art whereby both she and her family sufficiently maintained themselues and although before that time she had neuer seene Saul yet so it is that without remembring her that it was he by whom her art had bin condemned she entertained him not as a stranger or like the man she had neuer seene before but had compassion of him and comforted him exhorting him to eate although he refused it and presented him willingly and hartily with that little which she had in her pouertie All which she did not vnder hope of recompence or expected preferment knowing well that Saul should shortly lose his life nor according to the ordinarie course of men that naturally honour those that haue bestowed some dignitie vpon them and become seruiceable to those from whom they pretend to draw some profit hereafter She therefore ought to be imitated and in her appeareth an excellent example of bountie approuing that there is nothing more worthie praise then to relieue those that are in necessitie neither any thing more becomming men or whereby we may obtaine Gods fauour and graces better then by it Thus much sufficeth at this present in respect of this woman But now methinketh I shall do vvell if I insert in this place and in these my vvritings another eaxmple both profitable to people and nations and in especiall an incitation to noble men and such as are borne vnto glory to follow vertue vvhich also shall expresse vvhat honour is and exemplifie how a man may eternize his memorie vvhich ought to engender in the hearts of kings of nations and of gouerners of commonweales a singular desire and affection to addict themselues to noble actions and to encourage them to entertaine dangers yea death it selfe and teach them to endure all difficulties vvhatsoeuer for their countries cause To vvhich intent the historie of Saul the king of the Hebrewes yeeldeth me matter
spoiled the temple of Diana in the countrey of Persia. For since he had onely intended to commit sacriledge but had not effected it he merited not to suffer punishment for the same And if it seemeth good vnto Polybius that Antiochus was punished by death for this occasion it is farre more likely to be true that his death befell him for the sacriledge he had committed in the temple of Ierusalem But our purpose is not to argue against those that maintaine that Polybius reasons are of greater truth and consequence then ours are CHAP. XIIII Antiochus Eupator discomfiteth the Iewes and besiegeth Iudas and shutteth him vp in the temple BEfore Antiochus gaue vp the ghost he called for Philip one of his chiefest familiars and made him gouernor of his kingdome And hauing deliuered the diademe into his hands his royall robe and his ring with other iewels he charged him to beare and deliuer them to his sonne Antiochus requiring him earnestly to haue care of his bringing vp and to maintaine the kingdome in his behalfe vntill he comming vnto the yeeres of discretion were fit to manage it himselfe This done Antiochus died the hundreth fortie and ninth yeâ—…re of the kingdome of Syria After that Lysias had certified the people of the kings death he pâ—…oclaimed his sonne Antiochus whom at that time he had in his protection king surnaming him Eupator according to the instructions that were giuen him About that time the garrisons and Apostataes that were in the fortresse in Ierusalem did much mischiefe vnto the Iewes For setting vpon those at vnawares who ascended the temple to worship and offer their sacrifice they slew them for the fortresse commanded the temple For these causes Iudas resolued to cutte off these garrisons and to that intent he assembled all the people and besieged it This enterprise was vndertooke in the yeere one hundreth and fiftie after that Seleucus had vsurped the gouernment of those countries Hauing therefore made him certaine engins and raised diuers rammes he industriously continued the siege But diuers of those Apostataes that were reuolted and of that garrison issued out by night and assembling togither such men as were of so malicious nature as themselues they came vnto king Antiochus requiring him that he would not suffer them to be abused in such sort by those of our nation nor so carelesly neglected by them considering their disgrace grew by his fathers seruice for whose sake they had forsaken their own religion followed his lawes and ordinances Furthermore they inferred that the fortresse was in danger to be surprised by Iudas and his associates except some present succours were sent vnto them When Antiochus the yonger had notice hereof he was sore displeased and sent for his captaines and friends commanding them to hire strange souldiers and all those in his kingdome who were of yeeres to beare armes so that he gathered in short time an army of one hundreth thousand footmen and twentie thousand horsemen and thirtie two Elephants and with this Equipage departed he out of Antioch committing his army to Lysias direction As soone as he came into Idumaea he went vp vnto Bethsura a walled Citie and very difficult to be surprised which he besieged and begirt but with such disaduantage that the Bethsurians resisting him valiantly and sallying out vpon him burned those preparations and engines which he had furnished for the batterie of the town When as therefore a long time was consumed about this siege Iudas hauing intelligence of the kings approch raised his campe from before the Castle of Ierusalem and marching forward to meet the enemy he shut his army in a certaine streight in a place called Beth-zacharia some seuentie stounds distant from the enemies campe The king hauing tidings hereof raised his siege from Bethsura marched towards the streight wherein Iudas army was inclosed and about the morning he set his souldiers in battel aray He first of all caused his Elephants to march one after another thorow the streight for that it was impossible for them to march in square About euery Elephant were one thousand footmen and fiue hundreth horsemen These Elephants bare high towers on their backs garnished with archers Touching the rest of his forces he caused them to ascend two seuerall waies by the mountaines vnder the conduct of his most intirest friends commanding them with a huge shout and crie to charge their enemies to discouer their golden and brazen bucklers to the end the reflection thereof might dazel the eies of the Iewes whereupon the mountaines resounded with fearfull cries of Antiochus army Yet was not Iudas any waies amated hereat For entertaining the charge with a noble courage he slew almost six hundreth of the forlorne hope But Eleazar surnamed Auranes Iudas brother seeing a huge Elephant among the rest armed with royal trappings supposing that the king was vpon the same he ran against him with a mightie courage and after he had slaine diuers of them that enuironed the Elephant and scattered the rest he thrust his sword into the belly of the beast and wounded him to the death so that the Elephant falling vpon Eleazar slew him with the waight thereof and thus nobly died this worthy man ouerthrowing a great number of his enemies thorow his infinite valour Iudas seeing his enemies forces so great in number retired backe to Ierusalem to continue his siege and Antiochus sent part of his army to Bethsura to surprise the same and with the rest he himselfe marched onward to Ierusalem The Bethsurites being affraid of this mighty army of the king and seeing their necessarie prouisions failed them yeelded vp their Citie after they had taken the kings oth that they should receiue no outrage When as therefore Antiochus became Lord of this Citie he offered them no iniurie onely he thrust them out disarmed from the Citie and planted a garrison therein Hee spent a long time also in besieging the temple of Ierusalem for that they who kept the same defended it valiantly For against euerie engine the king builded raised vp against them they erected a counter-engine Their only want was victuals because their old prouision was consumed the ground had not bin manured that yeere because it was the seuenth in which according to the law the countrey soyle should not be stirred which was the cause that diuers of those that were besieged fled secretly for want of victuals insomuch that very fewe remained for the defence of the temple In this estate were they who were besieged in the temple When as King Antiochus and Lysias the generall had receiued tidings that Philip comming out of Persia intended to make himselfe master and lord of the countrey they concluded to giue ouer the siege for that time and to march forward against Philip without giuing any inckling thereof either to his souldiers or captaines He onely commanded that Lysias should communicate the same with the captaines
This disease of his was an inflammation or paine in the necke he seemed also in some sort to raue and waxe mad neither could any remedies relieue him of his agony but when as the sicknes seemed rather to increase all men at last grewe almost desperate of his recouery For which cause his phisition partly in respect of the contumacy of his disease partly because in so great daunger there was not any free election of diet they gaue him leaue to taste whatsoeuer best pleased his appetite committing the vncertaine euent of his health to the hands of fortune Whilest thus he soiourned in Samaria which now is called Sebaste Alexandra inhabiting at that time in Ierusalem hauing notice of this his estate sought to reduce all the strong fortresses that were within the citie vnder her subiection the one of which abutted vpon the temple the other was scituate within the citie for they that are Lords of these keepe all the rest of the nation vnder their awe because that without these neither the vsuall and daily sacrifices may be performed neither may the Iewes liue without such sacrifices and oblations who had rather loose their liues then contemne their religion She therefore laboured those that had the gouernment thereof to surrender them vp to her and Herods children begotten of her daughter Mariamme for feare least he being dead they should be seazed by others and if it should fortune him to recouer his health in the meane while they might be kept and held by no man more securely then such as were his domesticall friends This suite and sollicitation of hers was but coldly conceited of and the captaines who at other times shewed themselues alwaies faithfull at that time were the rather farre more constant in their dutie both for that they hated Alexandra as also for that they thought it a great offence to dispaire of the health of their prince For these were the kings olde friends and one of them was Herodes owne nephew whose name was Achiabus For which cause they sent present messengers vnto him to certifie him of Alexandras intent who hauing heard these newes presently commanded her to be slaine and at length ouercōming his sicknes he grew so badly affected both in bodie and mind that hee waxed hatefull vnto all men so that all those who offended him for how little cause soeuer were readily sought for to be punished In this his intemperance he imbrued his hands in the bloud of diuers of his inward friends as Costabarus Lysimachus Antipater surnamed Gadias and Dositheus for this occasion that ensueth Costabarus was an Idumean and one of the greatest account amongst his countrimen who was descended from the Priests of Cozas whom the Idumaeans esteeme for a God Now after that Hircanus had drawen the policy of the Idumaeans to the reformed customes of the Iewes Herode was made king of the Iewes and appointed Costabarus to be gouernour in Idumaea and Gaza giuing him Salome his sister to wife after he had put Ioseph to death to whom she had bin maried before time as we haue heretofore declared Costabarus seeing himselfe in this estate beyond his expectation grew more elate and proud then his good fortune required and in a little time forgot himselfe so farre that he thought himselfe dishonoured if he should performe that which Herod commaunded him and scorned that the Idumaeans should be vnder the Iewes subiection notwithstanding they had receiued their manner of gouernment from them He therefore sent messengers vnto Cleopatra giuing her to vnderstand that Idumaea had alwaies beene vnder her ancestors subiection and for that cause she ought vpon iust cause to demaund and beg that countrie at Antonius hands and that in respect of himselfe he was readie to become her seruant All which he practised not to gratifie Cleopatra in any sort whatsoeuer but to the intent that if Herodes fortunes should be any waies weakned he might more easily by this meanes both inlarge and obtaine the kingdome of Idumaea And with these foolish hopes was he transported in regard of his birth and riches which he had heaped togither by such dishonest meanes as he continually practized as he that intended no small matters But notwithstanding Cleopatras often and earnest petition to obtaine this soueraigntie yet could she not obtaine it at Antonius hands When Herode had notice of these couert and cunning practises he was readie to kill Costabarus But vpon the earnest supplications of his sister and hir mother he dismissed and pardoned him yet held him alwaies in suspition by reason of this his practise Not long after it hapned that Salome fell at debate with Costabarus for which cause she sent a libell of diuorse to her husband notwithstanding it were against the lawes and ordinarie customes of the Iewes For according to our ordinances it is onely lawfull for the husband to do the same and as touching the wife notwithstanding she were separated yet is it not lawfull for her to marrie againe except hir husband first giue her licence But Salome without respect of the lawes of the countrey grounding her selfe too much vpon her owne authoritie forsooke her husband saying that she separated her selfe from her husband by reason of the great friendship which she bare vnto her brother for that she had receiued some notice that Costabarus practised some innouation with Antipater Lysimachus and Dositheus And this accusation of hers confirmed she by Babas children whom he had alreadie kept with him in all securitie for the space of twelue yeeres All which was true and at that time beyond all mens expectation wonderfully troubled Herode as soone as he heard it For as touching Babas sonnes he had heretofore resolued to cut them off for that they had been alwaies badly affected towards him and all his enterprises but all that time he had let them passe because by continuance they were growen out of his remembrance Now the cause of this enmitie and hatred which he bare towards them was gathered from this ground At such time as Antigonus enioyed the soueraignty and Herode besieged the citie of Ierusalem with an army now those incommodities necessities that ordinarily happen vnto those that are besieged were the cause that diuers acknowledged Herode and fixed their hopes vpon him But Babas sonnes being in authoritie and besides that attended by a great number of men perseuered in their faithfull obseruation of Antigonus and blamed Herode continually encouraging the inhabitants to continue the kingdome in those to whom it appertained by discent and they themselues followed that course which in their opinion was most profitably for the commonweale But after that the citie was surprised by Herode and he grew master of the estate Costabarus who was appointed to keepe the citie gates and to lie in wait that none of those who were accused to haue forsaken the kings side should escape knowing that the sonnes of Babas were greatly esteemed
and your selfe great profit and securitie For you your selues know that in those aduersities that haue befallen you I haue beene no waies negligent in that which concerned your profit and in those buildings I haue erected by Gods assistance I haue not so much regarded my selfe as that which concerneth you all and my hope is by the will of God that I haue brought the estate of the Iewes to that degree of felicitie that they neuer had or expected before this time As for that which I haue particularly exploited in the heart of the country in the cities which I haue augmented as wel with ornament and beautie as with a number of inhabitants since you your selues know I thinke it a ridiculous matter to reduce them to your memorie But I must at this time assure you that the desseigne which I will presently enterprise is far more holy and more excellent then may be performed by vs. For our predecessors after they were returned from the captiuity of Babylon builded a tēple in honour of our great and mightie God which in height wanted sixtie cubits of that which Salomon first built yet ought we not to obiect as a blame or ascribe this action to any impietie in our ancestors For the temple was not at their disposition but the measure of the building was set them downe by Cyrus and Darius the sonne of Hystaspes to whom and their successors they haue first of all beene slaues as after their time they haue beene vnder the subiection of the Macedonians so that they had not the meanes and opportunity to raise this religious monument according to his first patterne to that requisite and conuenient height But since at this present by Gods permission I haue obtained the kingdome and that for a long time hitherto we haue enioied a happie peace and that neither money nor great reuenues are wanting and that which is our greatest good we are made happie by the fauour of the Romanes who in a sort are the Lords of the whole world and in effect are our entire friends I will enforce my selfe to repaire that defect which hapned in times past thorow the miseries and weake meanes of our noble predecessors resoluing with my selfe to perfect that which is requisite for the seruice of God in acknowledgement of the benefits which I haue receiued from him by whose mercy and meanes I haue obtained my kingdome This sodaine and vnexpected speech of Herodes filled all mens eares with wonder and hearts with expectation in that he seemed to promise such a thing as was beyond their hope and as they thought farre greater then his power and that which most distracted them was for that they had conceiued a feare least after he had pulled downe the olde he should not be of abilitie to erect a new For which cause his counsaile seemed to be daungerous and attempt ouer difficult But the king perceiuing with what doubts they were detained encouraged them promising in no sort to deface the olde temple before all that was prepared and polished which was requisite for the building of the new And in this he kept his word For he appointed a thousand chariots to draw stones vnto the place and chose out amongst the rest ten thousand cunning and expert workmen He apparrailed also at his owne charge one thousand Priests in their accustomed vestments whereof some gaue the masons instructions how they should worke and the rest assisted the carpenters This done after he had fitly and readily performed and prepared all things requisite he caused them to fall to their building As soone as therefore the former foundations were taken away and other meere newe were planted in their place the temple was erected vpon them in length one hundreth cubits and twentie cubits in height aboue those hundreth cubits which the former contained which twentie cubits were in some sort scantled after that by succession of time the foundations began to be setled and during Neroes raigne our countrimen had thought to haue raised it to the first height The building was of white and strong marble stones which were each of them twentie and fiue cubits long eight cubits high and about some twelue cubits broad All the structure of the fame was made after the manner of a princely pallace on all sides and the middle part thereof was higher then the rest so that it might easily be discouered by the inhabitants of the countrey many furlongs off and especially it was most apparant and subiect to their sight who dwelt opposite against it or repaired vnto the citie The doores thereof and their tramsomes were correspondent to the rest of the magnificence of the temple garnished with diuers rapestries azured flowers which inuested adorned the pillars vnder whose chapters a golden vine spred it selfe on each side replenished with many goodly clusters of grapes hanging downe which was an admirable worke to behold both in respect of the greatnes as also for the workmanship and matter whereof it was made He encompassed all the temple with most goodly galleries and porches correspondent to the magnificence of the same and surpassing those in times past for the cost so that neuer any man before him so magnificently adorned the temple Two of which were vnder-propped with verie strong wals whose workemanship was so exquisite as it is incredible to be reported amongst men There was a stony rising or hillocke and verie straight and high the top whereof towards the eastermost part of the citie was somewhat smooth and vpright The first that incompassed it with a wall was Salomon our king who by Gods fauour and the mediation and labour of diuers workmen did first of all build the higher part Herode also inuested the lower part thereof with an other wall vnder which to the southward there lieth a most deepe valley This wall was made of huge stones close fastned the one vnto the other with lead shutting all within his enclosure extending it selfe very deepe so that the greatnes and height of this foure square building was an incredible thing to be imagined The greatnes of the stones appeared in the front but on the inside they were fastned togiether with claspes of yron which fortified and strengthned the building for euer against all iniuries of times This worke hauing beene thus continued to the top and the void space betweene the wal and the rising hillocke filling vp the floore aboue was made plaine and equal The whole circuit of the tower contained about foure stades or furlongs a stade or furlong in length to euerie pane from angle to angle On the inside and neere vnto the top there was an other wall of stone extended along the easterne side hauing a double porch of equall greatnes with that of the wall and placed in the midst of the temple and openeth right vpon the gates thereof which the kings before time had adorned Round about the temple were planted those spoiles which
diuers that obserued the religion of the Iewes resorted vnto him from all places so that this countrey was verie well peopled by reason of the enfranchisement of the Tribute which continued during Herodes life time But Philip who succeeded him exacted afterward some small tribute of them and that but for a little while But Agrippa the great and his sonne of the same name vexed them very grieuously with taxations yet permitted them to enioy their libertie whose successors the Romans imposed many grieuous tributes vpon them yet continued their freedome of whom hereafter we will more particularly and largely discourse in due place and in processe of my historie Now this Iew Zamaris to whom Herod had giuen the possession of this countrey died after he had liued vertuously and left a vertuous ofspring behinde him amongst whom was Iacim renoumed for his dexteritie on horsebacke who with his troup of horse was of the king of Babylons guard This Iacim died when he was verie olde and left his sonne Philip to succeed him a man valiant in armes and addicted to all sorts of vertue as much as anyone that hath been renoumed in writing for which cause king Agrippa loued him and put his trust in him and committed the trust and training of his souldiers vnto him who led them also foorth if any occasion of seruice was proffered CHAP. III. Antipater conspireth against Herod WHilest the estate and affaires of Herode were thus disposed all mens eies were fixed vpon Antipate◅ after that Herode had permitted him to intend his particular profit This permission was granted him vnder the hope that his father had that he would behaue himselfe faithfully and affectionately towards him but he abused this authoritie more audaciously then could be expected for he traiterously coloured his conceiued malice and easily drewe his father to beleeue him in whatsoeuer he said He was feared by all men not onely for his force and authoritie but for his subtilties and pollicies But aboue all the rest Pheroras respected him most and was inlike manner as greatly esteemed by him For Antipater had circumuented him by the meanes of certaine women who fauoured his faction For Pheroras was commanded by his wife his mother and sister in law notwithstanding that he hated them by reason of the outrage they had offered to his daughters who were virgins naithelesse he was enforced to dissemble all things because he could doe nothing but that they were alwaies round about him and had such masterie of his affaires that they wrought him to performe whatsoeuer they pleased To these likewise ◅as Antipater neerely tied both of himselfe and by his mother for these foure women were of one minde and affection in all things and spake as it were by one mouth yet was Pheroras at ods with Antipater vpon some sleight mislikes and she that wrought this debate betwixt them was the kings sister who had of long time espied all their drifts knowing that the frendship they bare one another tended to the ouerthrow of Herode neither refused she to expresse what her opinion was therin And they knowing wel that the king disliked this their inward familiaritie and that he was priuie to that which they pretended which was his vtter ruine resolued betweene themselues to refraine their pub like familiaritie and to make a shew that they were at ods one with another to which intent they reproched one another especially at suchtime as they were either in Herods presence or there was any one with thē who as they thought wold certifie him therof But in secret they intermitted not their accustomed friendship and continued their intercourses with more priuie affability such was their ordinary demeanour behauiour yet was not Salome ignorant hereof neither when they first deuised this drift neither afterwards when they put it in execution for she diligently noted all things aggrauated the same in her reports to her brother whō she informed of their secret assemblies bāquetting vrging their secret consultations which as she said had no other issue but his ruine except vpon their discouery he soughtto represse them in time Further that for the present they behaued themselues like enemies in outward shew all their speeches tended to disgrace one another but that in secret they were friends and that in priuate they entertained their amitie promised each other their mutual assistance to strengthen themselues against those to whom they were loth their friendship should be discouered These things obserued she with all diligence signified the same vnto her brother who of himselfe had alreadie many probabilities thereof But he durst not make shew therof because he knew that his sister was a woman too much addicted to reprochfull accusation There was amongst the Iewes a sect of people that were called Pharisees who were too much addicted to selfe-opinion and boasted themselues to be the exactest obseruers of the law in all the countrey to whom these women were verie much addicted as to those who were much beloued of God as in outward appearance they made shew for These were such as durst oppose themselues against kings full of fraud arrogancie and rebellion presuming to raise warre vpon their motions and to rebell and offend their princes at their pleasures whereas therefore all the nation of the Iewes had sworne to be faithfull to Caesar and to the estate of the king these onely refused to take the oth of this sect there were to the number of sixe thousand For which cause the king hauing imposed an amercement vpon them Pheroras wife paid it for them for which cause they pretending to gratifie her and being esteemed for such as were skilfull in foretelling such things as were to come by reason of their often communication with God foretold her that God had decreed to bring the kingdome of Herode and his posteritie to an end and would bring to passe that the crowne should descend to Pheroras and his sonnes Salome had got an inkling hereof and had told Herode no lesse and how they likewise corrupted euery one of his courtiers for which cause he put those to death amongst the Pharisees who were the principall authors of this aduise and with them also the Eunnch Bagoas and Carus who was his darling and one of the goodliest men of that time He afterwards cut off all those amongst his household seruants who were of the Pharisees faction For Bagoas was bewitched with that hope by them that he suffered himselfe to be called the father and benefactor of the king who should be established according to their prediction and who should haue the gouernment of al things should be strengthned by marriages and descent of his lawfull and naturall children But after that Herode had punished those amongst the Pharisees who were conuicted to haue beene of the conspiracie he assembled a Councell of his friends before whom he accused Pheroras wife
practise these trecheries you haue poisoned your mother also with no lesse corruption and in steed of the loue that should haue beene amongst brethren you haue filled your family with mutinies and hatreds And after and besides all these things thou hast beene so audacious as to call thy father beast being of thy selfe more malignant then those beasts that are most venemous vsing thine owne venome against thy deerest friends and such as haue best deserued at thy hands strengthing thy selfe with his guard and diuers trecheries both of men and women against one olde man as if thy cursed mind alone were not sufficient to satisfie thy hatred And now after so many men and women slaues and free men tortured for thy cause after the open and manifest testimonies of thy parties in the conspiracy thou art so impudent as yet to contradict the trueth and thou that lately hopedst to depriue thy father of his life doest now as much as in thee lieth endeuour to abolish that law that was instituted against malefactors in thy kind herewithall Varus equitie and all whatsoeuer iustice is in the world Dost thou therefore accuse them of falsehood who were examined in torments to the end thou mightest endaunger their credit who were the preseruers of thy fathers life shall we beleeue thee more then them in their torments Wilt thou not O Varus deliuer the king from the iniuries of those who are his owne flesh and bloud wilt thou not put this wicked beast to death who hath murthered his brothers to pretend a loue towards his father and who hath at last beene discouered to bee the most mortall enemie of them all to the intent that at one instant hee might establish the kingdome in himselfe Thou knowest that Patricide is no priuate crime but a publike iniurie to life and nature which is no lesse lothsome in the thought then it is in the act which who so punisheth not is of himselfe guiltie of an iniurie offered to our common mother nature After these speeches he annexed certaine points as touching Antipaters mother which thorow feminine frailtie had beene blabbed out by her to wit that she had asked counsaile of southsaiers and diuiners to whom the kingdome should befall And that she had offered sacrifices and made prayers for the death of the king And moreouer he declared what lasciuious pranks Antipater had plaied with Pheroras women in banqueting and amorous and wanton dalliances The informations likewise that were presented by such as were tortured with sundry testimonies of diuers men some suborned the other found out to be incontinently produced and confirmed For each man seeing that Antipater was exposed to the accusations of those men who had the gouernment in their hands and that the good fortune that had long time accompanied him had openly deliuered him into the hands of his enemies they manifestly discouered the insatiable hatred which they had conceiued against him whereas before time the feare that they had of him inforced them to be silent yet was he not so much burdened with other mens hatreds as with his owne wickednes namely his deadly hatred against his father his breach of amitie amongst his brethren wherby he filled the kings houshold with seditions and murthers of some complotted and acted by other some neither giuing place to hatred according to iustice nor to amitie according to good affection but according as it might stand with his profit Which for that diuers men perceiued long before that time they iudged of euents according as they had reason and the rather because that being voide of hatred they spake but their opinions And whereas heretofore they had cried with a lowd voice against him at such time as they were shut vp at this time when as they were depriued of their feare they declared al things that they knew And whereas there were diuers produced of the mischiefes committed by him yet seemed there nothing to be fained for that the accusers neither spake in fauor of the king neither concealed any thing for feare of perill but condemned all Antipaters wicked actions and iudged him worthy of death and punishment not so much for his fathers security as of his own deinerit Neither did they onely accuse him who were by iustice tied thereunto but diuers voluntarie witnesses also brought in their euidence so that although he was a verie cunning dissembler and colourer of his lies and most impudent in his assertions yet durst he not once open his mouth or mutter against the same As soone as Nicholas had finished his discourse and accusations Varus cummanded Antipater to answere to those crimes that were obiected against him if he had any thing to alleadge that he was not guiltie of those forfaits or hainous crimes that were laid vnto his charge For of himselfe he desired nothing more and knew well that Herode his father desired no lesse then that he should iustifie himselfe and maintaine his innocencie But he humbling himselfe vpon his face and lowly bending his body to the ground besought God who was the searcher of all hearts to approoue his innocencie by some euident signe how he had neuer attempted anything to his fathers preiudice For this is the custome of all wicked men that as often as they attempt any hainous act they engage themselues in all wickednesse without any respect of Gods iustice and when as by their misdeeds they are fallen into perill then call they God to their mindes by whose inuocation and testimonie they desire to be deliuered making a shew that they commit all things to his determination The like whereof at that time happened in Antipater who wheras before time disposed all his actions in such sort as if there had been no God that had the ouersway of humane affaires at such time as iustice ouertooke him and he was disfurnished of the benefit of the lawe had his recourse to Gods power alleadging that he was reserued by God to this end that he might diligently intend his fathers safetie Hereupon Varus when as by often questionings he could wrest nothing from him but that he onely cried vpon God seeing that otherwise there would be no end of these debates he commaunded the poison to be brought forth before them all that hee might make experience of what force it was which being presently brought vnto him and ministred to one that was condemned to die it presently killed the man Which done he arose and departed out of the councell and the next day went to Antioch where for the most part he was wont to haue his residence for that it was the chiefe Citie of the Assyrians But Herod presently commanded his sonne to be put in bonds no man knowing what talke had been betweene him and Varus vpon his departure but all mens opinion was that the king did nothing in imprisoning him but by his counsaile When as therefore he had fast bound him he sent vnto Caesar and wrote
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
Varus sitting in iudgement commanded all proofes to be brought and witnesses to appeare amongst whom were certaine of Antipaters mothers seruants lately apprehended who had letters from her to carie vnto him to this effect For asmuch as all those things are now knowne vnto thy father beware that thou returne not vnto him before thou hast obtained some warrant of thy safetie from Caesar. These and others being brought in Antipater also came in with them and prostrating himselfe before his fathers feete he said I beseech thee O father beare no preiudicate opinion against me lend me an open eare whilst I purge my selfe for if you please to giue me leaue I will proue my selfe guiltlesse But Herod with a vehement voice commanding him to hold his tongue spake thus vnto Varus I know Varus that both thou or anie other iust and indifferent Iudge will adiudge Antipater to haue deserued death and I feare me least you also should disdaine me for my bad fortune and thinke me worthy of all calamitie who haue begotten such sonnes as you see And yet this should moue thee so much the more to pitie me who haue beene so mercifull and carefull for such wicked caitifes For I had alreadie appointed those young men that are dead to be kings and brought them vp at Rome gotten them Caesars fauor but they whom I had so much honored and exalted vnto the crowne became traitors against mine owne life whose death was much auaileable to Antipater For his securitie I sought therein because he was a young man and the next that should succeed me but this cruell beast being more then full gorged with my sufferance patience hath emptied his stomacke euen vpon my selfe and thinketh my life too long is grieued that I liue to be old hath attēpted to make himself king not any other way but by murthering his father And for what cause did this come so to passe for that I recalled him out of the field where he was contemptible and casting them off whom I had begotten of a Queene appointed this to be heire of my kingdome I confesse vnto thee Varus my errour for I incited them against mee because that for Antipaters sake I depriued them of their right For wherein had I so well deserued of them as at this mans hands vnto whom being yet aliue I committed the sway and rule of my kingdome and openly in my will and testament declared him to be my heir and successor whole charges I with mine owne money haue still supported notwithstanding that I had bestowed vpon him the yeerely reuenues of fiftie talents And lately when he was to saile to Rome I gaue him three hundred talents and commended him vnto Caesar as the onely man of all my house who had preserued his fathers life And what was their offence if it be compared with Antipaters and what proofe vvas there of that for vvhich they suffred none but that vvhich this fellovv trecherously inuented Nay I may boldly say so of him vvho hath attempted to murder his father and novv doth hope to colour all againe vvith craft and deceit Beware Varus that he deceiue not thee for I knovv this beast and I euen novv see by his fained teares hovv probable a tale he vvill tell This fellovv once vvarned me that vvhilest Alexander liued I should bevvare of him and not put euerie one in trust vvith my person This is he vvho vvas vvont to go before me into my bed-chamber and looke about in euerie corner least some should haue lyen in vvait to haue effected any treason against me This is he vvho vvatched me in my sleepe and through vvhom I thought my selfe secure vvho comforted me vvhen I mourned for them that vvere put to death This is he vvho censured the good vvil of his brethren vvhen they vvere aliue This vvas my defender chāpion O Varus vvhen I remember his crafts and subtilties and all his counterfeitings I scarcely thinke my selfe aliue admiring how I escaped the hands of such a traitor and seeing that Fortune stirreth vp those of mine owne house against me and that those whom I most esteeme of are my greatest enemies I will bewaile mine owne fortune and alone lament mine owne desolation and not one that hath thirsted after my bloud shall escape although proofe be brought against euerie one of my children And thus his heart being surcharged with sorrow hee was forced to breake off his speech and presently he commanded Nicholaus one of his friends to shew all the proofes and euidences All this while Antipater lay prostrate at his fathers feete and lifting vp his head he cryed aloud Thou thy selfe O father sufficiently purgest me For how should I be one who sought to murther thee when thy selfe dost confesse that I alwayes haue preserued thee from all dangers Or if as thou saist I did it fainedly was it probable that I wold be so circumspect in other affaires and at other times and now in so waightie a matter play the part of a foolish sencelesse man nay I might well thinke that although such a thought might haue beene kept secret from men yet it could not be hidden from God who seeth all things Was I ignorant what befell my brethren whom God so punished for their wicked intents towards thee Or what should cause me to enuie at thy life The hope of the kingdom Why I had the kingdome Or a suspition of thy hatred towards mee I knew thou louedst mee Or anie feare which I had of thee Nay in obeying thee I was feared of others Perhaps want might cause mee thereto Much lesse For who might spend more then I Truly if I had beene the wickedst person in the world or the cruellest beast vpon the earth yet should I haue relented being ouercome by the benefits of so louing a father seeing as thy selfe hast said thou didst recall and preferre me before so many sonnes And thou yet aliue didst proclaime me king and made me a spectacle to all men for to emulate through the benefits thou bestowedst vpon me O wretch that I am O vnhappie time of my absence out of my country what an head did I giue to enuie what oportunitie to malicious deceitfull people Yet O father it was for thy sake and about thy affaires that I went to Rome that Syllaeus might not triumph ouer thy old age Rome can witnesse my pietie and Caesar the Prince of the whole world who did often call me a louer of my father Receiue here O father his letter farrer 〈◊〉 then these fained calumniations against me let these plead my cause let these shew my affection towards thee remember how vnwilling Iovas to saile to Rome knowing I had here in thy countrey many secret enemies Thou like an vnwise father hast cast me away thou force 〈◊〉 to giue enuie time to frame accusations against mee but now I vvill come to the proofes of
of the Iewes THE THIRD BOOKE OF THE WARRES OF THE IEWES WRITTEN BY FLAVIVS IOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the 3. booke 1 Of the comming of Vespasian generall of the Romans into Iudaea and of the two massacres of the Iewes and how the Sephorites yeelded themselues to Vespasian 2 The description of Galilee Samaria and Iudaea 3 Of the helpe sent v◅to them of Sepphoris and of the militarie discipline amongst the Romans 4 How Placidus assaulted Iotapata 5 How Vespasian inuaded Galilaea and at his onely presence how the Galileans fled 6 How Gadara was taken 7 How Iotapata was besieged and of the situation and batterie thereof 8 Of the siege of Iotapata by Vespasian and of Iosephs diligence and of the excursions of the Iewes against the Romans 9 How Vespasian did beate the wals of Iotapata with a Ram and other warlike engines 10 How Iotapata was againe assaulted 11 How Traian and Titus tooke Iapha 12 How Cerealis ouercame the Samaritans 13 How Iotapata was taken 14 How Ioseph being taken saued his owne life 15 How Ioppe was taken againe 16 How Tyberias was yeelded 17 How Tarichea was besieged 18 Of the lake called Genesar and the fountaines of Iordan 19 How Tarichea was deliuered CHAP. I. Of Vespasians comming into Iudaea and of the two massacres of the Iewes AFTER that Nero vnderstood of his euill successe against the Iewes he was seazed with feare and astonishment yet he dissembled it as much as necessitie would permit him In the meane while he set a good face on the matter and made as though he were of more courage saying that that which happened was rather by the fault of his generall then by the valour of their aduersaries thinking that it behooued him who was emperour not to shew himselfe mooued with a little bad newes and the greatnesse of his Empire shewed he had a mind which yeelded to no misfortune Yet it appeared by the vexation of his spirit that he was much moued in great care vnto whom he should cōmit the charge of the East which rebelled who both would conquer the Iewes and chastife the inhabitants about them that bare the same minde as they did At last he found Vespasian whom he thought only meet for that purpose a man who from his infancie had been trained vp in warres euen vntill he was gray headed who had appeased the people of the West helped them being troubled by the Germans and recouered it for the Romans as also he did Britannie which was vnknowne before and for that cause made his father Claudius triumph without taking any paines for it Nero considered all these and his prudence grounded in olde age with his experience who also had sonnes in the flower of their age to be pledges for his fidelitie that represented their fathers wisedome God as it should seeme euen then disposing something of the whole common wealth Nero sent him to gouerne the armies in Syria greatly encouraging him with faire speeches and promises as at that time neede required Thus he departed out of Achaia where he was with Nero and he commanded Titus his son to leade the fift and tenth legions from Alexandria and he himselfe crossing ouer to Hellespont went after by land into Syria where he assembled all the Roman forces and all the helpe of the kings adioyning that were confederates But the Iewes after Cestius vnfortunate successe became proud of their victorie and could not containe themselues but like men tossed at fortunes pleasure they still gaue more occasion of warre and gathering all their warlike forces togither they went to Ascalon which is an olde Citie seuen hundreth and twentie furlongs distant from Ierusalem which the Iewes alwaies hated for which cause also they first assaulted it The Gouernors in this expedition were three men excellent aboue the rest for strength and wisedome to wit Niger of Peraea Silas the Babylonian and Iohn the Essean Now the Citie of Ascalon had verie strong wals but few men to defend it for it had onely one company of footmen and one band of horsemen whom Antonius gouerned The Iewes made such haste as though they had dwelt hard by Antonius perswading himselfe that they would assault him caused his horsmen to i◅ue foorth of the Citie and neither fearing the multitude nor the malice of his aduersaries he valiantly aboad the first assault of the enemies and beate them backe that attempted to assault the wall So the Iewes who were vnkilfull hauing to doe with them that were expert and they being on foote fighting against horsemen without order against those that were in good order being light◅y armed against their aduersaries who were well prouided were easily repulsed Finally they were more led by rage and wrath then by good counsell and they against whom they fo◅ght were obedient and would doe nothing without the commandement of their leader For their first rankes being broken they were forced by the horsemen to turne their backs and turning themselues to their owne companie who turned toward the wall became as it were enemies to themselues So that euerie one seeking to auoide the horsemen they were all dispersed about the field which was in euerie place for the aduantage of the horsemen This greatly helped the Romans to kill so many Iewes for they that fled were easily ouertaken by the Romans and killed and others compassing diuers of the Iewes about slew them with dartes so that the Iewes were in as great desperation for all their huge multitude as if they had been alone The Iewes indeuouring to ouercome their misfortunes were ashamed to flie and so fled not hastily hoping that fortune would change But the Romans not wearied in that which they did with great dexteritie continued the fight the most part of the day so that there were slaine of the Iewes ten thousand and two of their leaders Iohn and Silas The rest many being wounded followed their Generall Niger who fled into a little towne of Idumaea named Salis many of the Romans also were wounded in that fight But the Iewes were not daunted with this misfortune but the griefe thereof much encreased their courage neither were they dismaied with the former losse of so many men within so short time but rather calling to minde their great victorie they had before were drawne to vndergo yet another mishap Shortly after before the mens wounds were healed they gathered togither all their forces and went againe to Ascalon in greater number and furie but with the same successe and skill in warlike affaires which they had before For Antonius hauing warning which way they meant to come placed an ambush in the waye and the horsemen setting vpon them at vnawares they killed aboue eight thousand of them before they could prepare themselues to fight and all the rest fled and Niger with them shewing as he fled many arguments of a valiant minde and for that the enemies
her selfe yea and double the same Doe thou goe forward in that which thou hast in hand to wit in spreading the praise of those Martyrs making that vertuous example more commendable and your Citie more famous Farewell FLAVIVS IOSEPHVS OF THE RVLE OF REASON A MOST ELOQVENT BOOKE CORRECTED BY DESIDERIVS ERASMVS MOST LIVELY SETTING DOWNE THE MARTYRDOME OF THE MACHABEES I Am vpon the instant request of Polybius of Megalopolis to commit to writing the constant suffering of the Machabees worthie all admiration not in a Rhetoricall and pleasing stile but rather after our owne Countrie fashion thereby to exhort our nation patience in their calamities But first of all it is necessary for vs to speake something of reason and assigne vnto it the power vertue to deliberate For he who hath once fully determined to suffer all miserie for Gods sake is in my opinion alreadie a Martyr it is therefore a great merite once to haue so determined and therefore as is aboue said reason beareth the rule of all inferiour passions and then if destinie denie vs opportunitie to suffer yet haue we suffered all because we purposed to suffer all Who so therefore wil renownee the world and aspire onely to celestiall things hee must first exercise sobrietie banish gluttonie with his page lasciuiousnesse and all other such like vices as may possesse and captiue the mind hee must likewise mount-vp vnto the top of vertues towre that after he may from thence warre against the vices of this body feare and griefe the first whereof assaulteth vs when wee begin and the last when we haue begunne There are many examples of the valiant souldiers of God which I would vse but that the ornaments sprung from the wombe of one woman may suffice me which shee brought forth not at one birth but with the same pietie and zeale And first I will speake of Eleazer the cause and example of their passion and then I wil relate what tortures and torments their mother indured yet cannot man but onely God determine who amongst them was first and who last in this noble agonie They therefore being all setled in one opinion resembling one an other more in mind then they did in body duely considered the frailtie of this life and therefore neither delighted in the flatteries of this world nor any alluring inchauntments thereof They shewed themselues not to esteeme of torments fetters nor no other sort of tortures imposed vpon them and to returne to our first saying they premeditated patience to indure whatsoeuer the iudges crueltie could deuise I will there in what I may prayse the fortitude of these brethren or rather I will with all truth rehearse the most worthie agonie of these holy men which deserueth all commendations and setting all adulation a part prosecute with a bare Historicall narration the manner of their martyrdome But before I begin to declare the death of nobilitie I will a little entreate of reason which as I haue affirmed is no smal motiue to martyrdome Reason it is that maketh vs obserue fasts and vse abstinence it is reason that maketh vs despise money and by it wee are taught not to account of dignities and honours which all men generally ayme at yea reasons gift it is that we doe resist the heat of lustfull desires Hence commeth it that hauing once ouercome such things as the flesh delighteth in we find our selues a little able to resist we also learne to despise paines torments and so resolue to suffer all things that shall be imposed vpon vs. Which that it may more plainly appeare let vs search out the cause of this order and we shall finde wisedome to be the cause hereof For no man can determine and distinguish good from euill that is not endued with wisedome this wisedome is alwaies accompanied with iustice and iustice is still ioyned with vertue and vertue and temperance cannot be seperated so that this wisedome consisteth vpon foure parts Besides these there are two things that either do cause or hinder passion to wit paine and pleasure one of the which we doe alwaies refuse and the other we alwaies desire yet where pleasure ariseth and is presently by reasons rule put away the minde is there strengthened and paine compared with glorie is through hope of a greater reward contemned before it come and being come our minde is ashamed not to suffer that which it was before resolued to doe for reason therefore is the guide of all our actions and by it we despise torments and detest vice which like a skilfull â—…usbandman pruneth and cutteth away superfluous branches and killeth the heate of all corrupt and hurtfull humors onely leauing that to remaine in vse which may someway be profitable vnto vs. Thus reason purifieth vs by passion encouraging to suffer and in our suffering and agonie strengthening vs. Who is not desirous to eate of the flesh of wilde beasts and fishes And who lusteth not to eate of feathered soules nay doe not the daintie dishes gotten either in Sea or land inuite vs to eate of them What then causeth vs to abstaine from them that all men desire them yet no man eateth them Euen in this thing the minde is taught to ouercome it selfe in delightfull obiects and so to bridle all pleasure that when occasion of martyrdome is offered the minde setting aside all vanities will not for a little pleasure forget his accustomed vertue For this cause was Ioseph iustly praised in that he was not ouercome by lust which raigneth in a youthfull body this reason so worketh with sound aduise and mature counsell that it againe recouereth lost friendship and getteth new and suffereth no crueltie to be committed Of this we haue also the example of Moses who had he not iust occasion to be angrie against Dathan and Abiram reason no doubt would haue caused him to haue smothered all griefe of minde Did not our father Iacob with great vehemencie reproue his sonnes Simon and Leui that without reason they had vsed such crueltie saying cursed be your anger which anger and wrath of theirs had it been bridled with reason neither had they been cursed nor the other had perished For this cause God the maker of mankinde when he fashioned vs and our manners hauing finished all lineaments of the body he now placed the minde to be in it and to rule it leauing it certaine precepts to obserue and keepe to wit temperance and to embrace and follow that which is good and cleaue vnto iustice and rule and bridle all passions in the body subiect vnto it and obserue the precepts of God But some will aske me wherefore we offer to commit wickednesse seeing that reason ruleth our passion But it is a ridiculous thing to thinke that reason so ruleth for reasons rule cannot hinder the appetite from desire but onely correct desire and so preuaile that it suffer with patience the losse or abstinence from such things as
these speeches he ioyfully yeelded vp the Ghost It is most true therefore which we at first affirmed to wit that the enduring of paines and torments is wrought by our reasons lore which once determined and resolued maketh a prosperous suffering of paines with all patience who wisely aduising men to that which is best doth settle confirme our opinions to follow it If therefore reason and the inferiour powers be at variance we must subiect them to reason if we will make a perfect victorie With this guide of reason our father Eleazar was most safely directed neither to be ouercome with paines nor to giue place vnto vnlawfull enticements and allurements he saued the ship of his bodie from all shipwracke that might arise by the tempestuous stormes of vanitie and suffered himselfe with no contrarie winde to be driuen from the right course yea though it was tossed vpon the waues of tyrannie yet did it remaine sound and vnbroken and keeping a direct course arriued in the hauen of saluation Neuer any man did seeke so valiantly to defend his Citie from an enemie as this holy olde man did his soule who amongst stripes crosses and flames was still the same man he was before For as the toppe of a high rocke standeth sase and resisteth the waue without any domage vnto it selfe euen so did the rocke of reason in this man beat backe the rage of those tempestuous waues that did beat against his bodie not permitting them to breake in and pierce the celestiall and diuine power of the soule O happie olde man more blessed then all of thy age O priest more sacred then all other priests who didst not pollute thy sacred lips with prophane meats impietie found no entrance that way from whence so many praiers to God had proceeded The tyrants cruelty could not preuaile against thee thou therfore art made an example for all priests of God to imitate Such a one behooued it a priest to be more strong then torments more able to suffer then the torturers to inflict punishment more forcible then princes commands yea and more potent then the fire wherein thou didst perish and finally thou wast ordained to be crowned with the lawrell of martyrdome for thy sufferance Thou hast surpassed all antiquitie thou shalt be an example to all posterity If then feeble olde age wherein al strength and heat of bodie was extinguished now vnfit to suffer torments as being alreadie broken with age could by the aduice of reason endure so many torments so many miseries who dare denie reason to be the chiefe cause of our sufferance We haue seene that all cruelty hath beene ouercome by a determination to persist in the seruice and feare of God yet many affirme that not all men who vse the aduice of reason are able to vndergoe such agonies but their assertion is vaine and of no force for most euident it is that he onely is ouercome by paine whom wisedome hath not armed with patience And no maruaile if he who rashly enterprise so waightie a matter and with due consideration do at last forsake and repent himselfe of that which he so vnaduisedly vndertooke But if we with due aduice and deliberation arme ourselues it is not an easie matter to remoue vs by any misfortune from our determination when we make account that misfortune will betide vs we are not easily dismaied thereat when it doth beride for that nothing befell vs that we expected not Therefore he that is wise and valiant is able to conquer his passions for that he doth well deli berate and when he commeth to his agony can put his determination in execution Neither is the wisedome of this olde man so much to be admired seeing children and as it were infants haue so deserued commendations in this point that they did worke astonishment in their tormentors for the courage and crueltie of Antiochus being ouercome by the wisedome of old age was now the more increased and by wicked counsell caused seuen worthie children of the Hebrews to be brought vnto Antioch out of their Castle Sosandrum who being young in yeeres and so as hee thought weake and vnable to suffer torments his hope was that either by perswasions or terror of tortures he might force them to renounce their religion He therefore commaunded these seuen together with their mother Salomona who now grew well in yeeres to bee brought before him so they according to his commaund were brought being of excellent beautie and worthie children of so vertuous a mother yea they resembled angels their faces shining like the cleare light of the Sunne their eyes sparkled in most comely and decent maner as testifying that they surpassed in vertue al other of humane race and condition Shee was descended of most vertuous and noble parentage and so shee her selfe had continued and liued but that excellent feature of body enriched with nobilitie of bloud and dignitie was now also made more noble by vertue and fortitude wherein shee passed all other things that could bee said in her commendations The tyrant beholding them and their mother amongst them with merrie and gladsome countenance hee thus craftily spake vnto the children I wish your good O admirable young-men for so both your beautie of body and noble parentage perswade me doe not therefore like mad men resist my commaund auoide not onely torments but death also For I desire not onely to exalt you vnto honour but also to increase your riches and possessions contemne the superstitious and superfluous beliefe of your Countrimen and imbrace our religion Which if you refuse to doe as I hope you will not I will deuise all torments whereby I may by a lingering and paineful death consume you And to the end to terrifie them the more he commaunded all instruments of torment to bee presented vnto their view and eye-sight So wheeles roddes hookes rakes rackes caudrons cagâ—… gridirons were brought forth and engines to torment the fingers and hands gauntlets awles bellowes brazen pots and frying pans for these are the names which we find For that which I terme bellowes was a thinne plate of yron to kindle or blow the fire with like a fanne and farre more horrible deuises of torments were shewed vnto them too long to rehearse whereof they hauing had a sight Antiochus said Consent vnto me O prudent young men for if that I commaund you to commit a sinne yet doe you not offend in doing it seeing you commit it onely vpon compulsion But the young youthes inflamed with a diuine spirit and sense contemned so many kinds of torments and despised the tyrants threates and flatteries and most godly for they gaue him no iust occasion they did driue the tyrant into a greater rage And by this it is euident how reason is maister ouer passion for if any slouthful man not before trained vp to it should of a sodaine come to such a push at the verie sight of such torments