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
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
Ant. lib. 14. cap. 11. Alexanders mother striueth to pacifie Gabinius with rewards The change of y e gouernment of the Iewes Ant. lib. 14. cap. 12. Aristobulus escaping from Rome raiseth new troubles Aristobulus fighteth with the Romans The Romans obtaine the victory and cary away Aristobulus and his son to Rome Alexander Aristobulus son once more prouoketh the Iewes to rebellion The Iewes ouercome by the Romans Gabinius ouercommeth the Nabathaeans in battell Ant. lib. 14. cap 13. Marcus crassus taketh away the rest of the gold of the temple Antipaters wife a noble woman of Arabia The yeare of the world 3917 before Christs birth 47. Ant lib. 14. cap. 14. Caesar deliuereth Aristobulus from his bonds Aristobulus his son slain by PoÌ„peies frieÌ„ds Ant. lib. 14. cap. 15. Ptolemaeus son marieth Antigonus yonger daughter and for that cause is slaine by his father Ant. lib. 14. cap. 16. Mithridates goeth to Pelusium therby obtaineth Antigonus helpe Mithridates victory against the Egyptians Antipater performeth many noble exploits and exposeth himselfe to all daunger for Caesars sake Caesar maketh Antipater a free citizen of Rome Antigonus Aristobulus son commeth to Caesar to accuse Pompeies friends for his fathers death The yeare of the world 3917. before the birth of Christs 47. Antigonus fallely accuseth Hyrcanus and Antipater Antipater casting off his garment sheweth his many woundes Caesar createth Hyrcanus hie priest and to Antipater he giueth the gouerâ—…ment of Iudaea Ant. lib. 14. cap. 16. Antipater repaireth y e wals of his country Antipater chargeth his subiects to obey Hyrcanus Phasaelus and Herode Antipaters sonnes Herodes fortitude Herod banisheth y e theeues out of Syria Phasaelus obtained the fauour of the people of Ierusalem Hyrcanus animated by enuious men against Antipater and his sonnes Herode called to his answere before the councell The yeare of the world 3922. before Christs birth 24. Hyrcanus absolueth Herod Hircanus once more incited by the wicked Herode gathering a great army commeth to Ierusalem to depose Hyrcanus Herode disswaded by Antipater from attempting against Hyrcanus Bassus murthereth Sextus Caesar by treason Marcus Sextus successor Ant. lib. 14. cap. 2. Iulius Caesar slaâ—…ne by Brutus Cassius Cassius leuieth money in the cities Herode Cassius friend Cassius seuere in his exactions The yeare of the world 3922. before Christs birth 42. Malichus forgetfull of Antipaters kindnes Antipater gathereth an armie against Malichus Octauius Augustus succeedeth after Caesar Cassius promiseth Herode after the warre to make him king of Iudaea Antipater poisoned by Malichus Herode intendeth to reuege his fathers death Malichus ioyneth with Hyrcanus Cassius chargeth Herode by letters to reuenge his fathers death The decree of fate laugheth at human hope Herods tribunes murther Malichus The yeare of the world 3923 before Christs birth 41. Ant. lib. 14. cap. 20. Foelix commeth with an army against Phasaelus Phasaelus ouercommeth Foelix toucheth Hyrcanus with ingratitude Antigonus Aristobulus son put to flight by Herode Doris Herods first wife of good birth by whom he had Antipater The chiefest Iewes repaire to Caesar to accuse Phasaelus and Herod Ant. lib. 14. cap 21. The Iewes once more coÌ„plaine against y e two brothers Antonius maketh the two brothers Tetrarches Antonius coÌ„mandeth in Tyre Sedition in IerusaleÌ„ against the brethren Antonius slue the captiues The yeare of the world 3923. before the birth of Christ. 41. Ant. lib. 14. cap. 21. Lysanias persuadeth Batzapharnes to depose Hyrcanus and enstate Antigonus A sore fight in the market place betwixt Antigonus and Hyrcanus Daily slaughters in Ierusalem Phasaelus entertaineth the Parthians and with him fiue hundreth horse Pacorus treason and subtiltie The yeare of the world 3924. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 40. * Or free Herode in Ierusalem and Phasaelus in the camp are in danger of their liues The yeare of the world 3924. before Christs birth 40. Herod is laid for to be betraied Herode in the night time flieth into Idumaea Herod more hotely pursued by the Iewes then the Parthians Herods victory Herodium Massada Petra a citie of Arabia The yeare of the world 3925. before Christs birth 39. Antigonus â—…weth off Hircanus eares Phasaelus words before he died The Parthians establish Antigonus king The yeare of the world 3925. before Christs Natiuitie 39. Animaters to impudence Herode perceiueth the Arabians to be his enemies Herod in great dangers repaireth to Rome Herod repairing to Rome hath conference with Antonius Ant. lib. 14. cap. 13. Herod â—…ndeth both Caesar and Antonius fauourable vnto him Herode praised before the Senate Herode made king by the 〈◊〉 Romane Senate The yeare of the world 3925 before Christs birth 39. Ant. lib. 14. cap. 23. Antigonus getteth Massada The wars between Antigonus soldiers Ioseph Herods brother Ventidius the Romane generall taketh money from Antigonus Ant. lib. 14. cap. 24. Herod against Antigonus Herod intendeth that after he hath taken Massada and Ioppe to besiege Ierusalem Herod begirteth Ierusalem with a siege proclaimeth the cause of his comming Siloes subtiltie being corrupted by y e Iewes Herod gathereth great store of prouision The yeare of the world 3925. before Christs birth 39. Herod accompanied with ten troupes commeth to Iericho The Romane got a great pray Ant. lib. 14. cap. 24. Herod taketh the citie of Sephoris Herode setteth forth against the theeues The yeare of the world 3926. before Christs birth 38. Ant. lib. ca. 25. The description of the caues where the theeues kept The yeere of the world 3926. before Christs birth 38. Ptolemey captaine of Herods souldiers slaine Machaeras iniquitie The yeare of the world 3927. before Christs birth 37. Antonius admireth Herods valour Antigonus cruelty against Iosephs care as The yeare of the world 3927. before Christs Natiuitie 37. Herode certified of his brothers death in a dreame Herods dining roume fell after he had forsaken it and gone to bed The number of the carcasses hinder the souldiers passage The yeare of the world 3928 before Christs birth 36. Herode beheadeth Pappus Antigonus captaine Ant. lib. 14. cap. 1â—… Ierusalem besieged The yeare of the world 3929 before Christs birth 35. The Iewes valiantly defend themselues Herods souldiers after fiue moneths siege enter the citie Slaughter in Ierusalem Sosius taketh Antigonus The yeare of the world 3929. before the birth of Christ. 35. Herode liberally bestoweth mony vpoÌ„ the souldiers Antigonus beheaded Ant. lib. 14. cap. 1. Cleopatras cruelty against her kinred Cleopatras couetousnes The yeare of the world 3934. before Christs birth 30. Ant. lib. 15. cap. 5. Clapatras subtill treason against Herode The yeare of the world 3934. before Christs birth 30. Ant. lib. 15. cap. 6. The Arabians defeat Herods army The Actian warre between Antonius and Augustus Another calamitie of Herodes Herodes oration to his dismaied souldiers Feare giueth confidence Thâ—… yâ—…re of 〈◊〉 world 3934. befoâ—… Christs birth 30. Herodes peroration Herode sacrificeth to God before the battell Herode assaileth the enemie The Arabiâ—…
pleased to accept of his sacrifice and in his mercy vouchsafe that he would hereafter conceiue no more any so hainous hate and displeasure against the earth to the ende that men might by their labours till it and building them Cities might possesse the same in pcace wanting none of those commodâ—…ties which they enioyed before the Deluge but that they might equall their forefathers in olde yeares and length of life Noe hauing in this sort finished his requestes God who loued him for the vprightnes of his heart granted him his request denying himselfe to be the author of their deaths who were drowned but that they themselues by their owne malice had procured those pnuishments due vnto them For had he desired that they should be extinguished he would not haue brought them into the world For better is â—…ot to grant life then to destroy those to whom thou hast giuen it But saith God thorow 〈◊〉 â—…ntempt of my seruice and graces they haue inforced me to humble â—…hem vnder the rigorâ—… vengeance hereafter I will not so exactly pursue and examine their iniquities to the ende to chastice them in my displeasure especially for thy sake And if hereafter at any time I shall send any tempest feare not how huge and hideous soeuer the stormes be for there shall be no more Deluge of water vpon the earth In the meane time I commaund you to keepe your hands innocent from murthers and all manslaughter and to punish those that commit wickednes I leaue the vse of all other liuing creatures to your sustenance or seruice in as much as I haue made you Lord ouer all as well those that breath vpon the face of the earth as those that swimme in the waters and such as inhabite and flye amidst the ayre but you shall not eate any bloud in as much as therein consisteth the soule and life of liuing creatures And I declare vnto you that I will desist to draw the shafts of my displeasure against men And I will giue you the rainebow for a signe for this bowe in their opinion is the bow of God And after that God had pronounced these words and made these promises he departed Noe liued after the Deluge three hundreth and fiftie yeares and hauing spent all this time of his life in happines he died after he had liued in the world nine hundreth and fiâ—…ie yeares Neither is there cause why any man comparing this our present age and the shortnesse of the yeares thereof with the long life of the auncients should thinke that false which I haue said neither followeth it consequently that because our present life extendeth not to such a terme and continuance of yeares that therefore they of the former world attained not the age and long life which we publish of them For they being beloued of God and newly created by him vsing also a kinde of nutriment agreeing with their natures and proper to multiply their years it is no absurd thing to suppose that their yeares were of that continuance Considering that God gaue them long life to the ende they should teach vertue and should conueniently practise those things which they had inuented in Astronomie and by Geometry the demonstrations whereof they neuer had attainde except they had liued at the least sixe hundreth yeares For the great yeare is accomplished by that number of yeares whereof all they beare me witnesse who either Greekes or Barbarians haue written auncient histories For both Manethon who hath written the historie of Aegypt and Berosus who hath registred the acts and affaires of the Chaldeans together with Mochus Hestiaeus Hierome of Aegypt who historified the state of the Phaenicians with others accord with me in that which I haue said Hesiâ—…dus also Hecataeus Hellanicus and Acusilaus Ephorus and Nicolaus doe declare that they of the first world liued one thousand yeares Notwithstanding let euery man iudge of these things as best liketh him CHAP. V. Of the tower of Babylon and the câ—…unge of tongues NOe had three sonnes Sem Iaphet and Cham borne one hundreth yeares before the Deluge These first descended from the mountaines into the plaines and there made they their habitation which when other men perceiued who for feare of the Deluge had fled the plaines and for that cause were loth to forsake the mountaines they gathered courage and perswaded themselues to doe the like and the plaine where they all dwelt was called Senaar And whereas they were commaunded by God that by reason of the increase and multitude of men they should send certaine distinct Colonies to inhabite diuers countries of the world to the ende that no seditions might grow betwixt the one and the other but contrariwise in labouring and tilling a great quantitie of ground they might gather great store of fruite they were so ignorant that they disobeyed God and falling into great calamities suffered the punishment of their offences For whereas they florished in increase by reason of the great number of their youth God counselled them againe that they should deuide themselues into colonies But they thinking that the goods which they possessed proceeded not from him or his bountie but presuming that their force was the onely cause of their aboundance did not obey him but rather suspected that God sought to betray them to the ende that being thus deuided he might the better subdue them Nemrod incited them in this sort to mocke and contemne God He was the nephew of Cham the sonne of Noe a man valianâ—… and apt for armes he put them in the head that they should not beleeue that their good hap proceeded from God but that they ought to attribute it to their own vertue which furnished them with so much riches so that in a little space he reduced the estate to a tyrannie supposing by this only meanes that he might make men reuolt against God if he might perswade them to submit theÌ„selues to his gouernment giuing them to vnderstand that if God should once more send a deluge he would take reuenge on him in mens behalfe and that he would build a tower to whose top the water should not attempt and reuenge the death of his predecessors The common sort was ready to follow these ordinances of Nemrod supposing it to be pusillanimitie in themselues if they should obey God For which cause they began to build the tower with their vttermost industrie neither was there any one idle in all that worke yea so great a number of labourers were there that the worke was raised to a height beyond all expectation The thicknesse thereof was so great that it obscured the height thereof and it was builded of burnt bricke cimented and ioined with a bituminous morter to the ende it should not receiue any cleft in the same But God seeing their madnesse condemned them not to a generall extermination by reason that they had made no profit by their example who perished in the
returne backe againe to his friendes he should depart with such rewards and honours as might well beseeme a friend so neerely allied vnto him as he was Which when Iacob vnderstood he answered that he would willingly indure any sort of labour in Labans seruice and that his deuoire towards him would be a delight to himselfe but that in lieu of his labours he required Rachel to wife who deserued to be honoured by him with no lesse title for many causes but in especiall for that she had brought him thither auowing that the loue which he bare vnto her was the cause why he vsed those speeches Laban being highly delighted and contented with this his discourse granted him his consent in the mariage telling him that he could not haue wisht for a better sonne in lawe and that if he would soiourne a while with him he would make him Lord of all that his heart desired especially for that he was no waies minded to send his daughter among the Chananites and that it repented him that by reason of mariage his sister had beene drawen thither Iacob coâ—…descended vpon these conditions and couenanted to abide with him for the space of seuen yeares for he determined to serue his father in law during that terme of yeares to the end that hauing made proofe of his vertue it might the better appeare what he was Now the time which was couenanted betweene them being expired and Iacob expecting the contented possession of his loue which was promised him Laban prepared a nuptiall feast and when the night drewe on and Iacob least suspected he bringeth his daughter lesse faire in face and more elder in yeares and layeth her by him who deceiued with the darknes and for that he had drunke liberally lay with her but the day after discouering the deceithe questioned with Laban and accused him who asked him pardon alledging the necessitie which inforced him to doe that which he did For he had not brought in Lea vnder intent to deceiue him but that the custome of the countrey compelled him thereunto yet that the same should no waies hinder him but that he should enioy Rachel and receiue see and haue vse of her after seuen yeares more were fully expired Herewith Iacob grewe pacified and suffered himselfe to be perswaded in that the loue which he bare vnto Rachel suffered him to doe no other waies and when the other seuen yeares were expired he maried Rachel Now both of these had two chambermaids which their father had giuen them Leas maid was called Zelpha and Rachels Bala who were no slaues but onely subiectes Lea was touched with great griefe in that Iacob bare greater affection to her sister then to her selfe bethinking her oftentimes that if she might haue children she should be better esteemed and beloued by her husband for which cause she continually besought Almightie God that it might please him to giue her issue whereupon it happened that God gaue her a sonne and Iacobs affection was turned towards her for which cause she called him Ruben that is to say the sonne of Vision because she had obtained him thorow the mercy of God After him she bare three children Simeon whose name signifieth that God had heard her Leui which is as much to say as the firmenes of societie and last of all Iuda which signifieth thanksgiuing At that time Rachel fearing least she should lose the better part of her husbands loue by reason of the fertilitie and fruitfulriesse of her sister caused her chambermaide Bala to lie with him by whom he had a sonne called Dan that is to say the iudgement of God and after him Nepthalim which signifieth ingenious by reason that she had vsed subtiltie to requite her sisters subtiltie In like sort of Zelpha he begat Gad which signifieth aduenturous and after him Aser that is to say good hap bringer because that Lea was more honoured by the multitude of her progeny Ruben the eldest of all the sonnes of Lea brought his mother apples of Mandragora which when Rachel had perceiued she desired her to giue her a part thereof in that she longed to tast of the same whereunto Lea would yeeld no consent replying that she ought to contentheâ—… selfe in that she had the prerogatiue in loue in respect of both their beloued which was Iacob Rachel mollifying the heart of her sister with kind words said vnto her that she would be content that Iacob should lie with her for that night which Iacob performed for the loue of Rachel Lea once more had children namely Isachar which signifieth Come by hire and Zabulon which importeth a pledge of good will besides whom she had a daughter also called Dina. Not long after this Rachel lay with Iacob and brought forth a sonne who was called Ioseph which name signifieth an addition During all this time which was for the space of twentie yeares Iacob had the gouernment of his father in lawes flockes but afterwards he thought good accompanied with his wiues to returne to his owne inheritance which when his father in lawe apperceiued he would in no sort giue his consent thereunto for which cause he couertly determined to forsake him To this intent he made trial of his wiues to see how theywere affected towards his flight who hartned him by their consents insomuch as Rachel hauing surprised all the Images of those Gods which were honoured in that countrey fled away with her sister who both of them led with them all their children on both sides their handmaids with the rest of all their substance Iacob also droue away the moitie of the cattell without the witting or will of Laban Rachel also bare with her the Images of the Gods althongh she had beene taught by Iacob to contemne them and yeeld them no honour but she supposed that if Laban pursued and ouertooke them in hauing recourse to them she might obtaine pardon But Laban a day after the departure of Iacob and his wiues had notice thereof and being therewith sore aggreeued he pursued after them intending to assaile them by force and on the seuenth day he ouertooke them vpon a certaine hil where they sat them downe to take their rest in that it was euening but God appearing to him in a dreame gaue him counsell to vse no violence neither towards his sonne in lawe nor his daughters but rather to pacifie his ire towards them and to listen to a peaceable accord betwixt himselfe and Iacob assuring him that if in contempt of Iacobs weaken esse he should lift vp his arme to assaile him that he himselfe would ioyne with Iacob to yeeld him succours The next day after that Laban had receiued this Oracle from the mouth of God as soone as it was day he called Iacob vnto him to the ende they might conferre together hiding nothing from him which the night before he had beheld in his dreame As soone as Iacob was come
be helde for vs to be conuicted to be the murtherers of our brother whose death will heape sorrow on our fathers head and draw our mother into great griefe and desolation thorough the losse of her sonne robbed and bereft from her beyond the ordinarie course of men For which cause he praied them to be aduised in these things that they would consider in their mindes what thing might happen if this child who was faire vertuous and yoong should be done to death praying them to giue ouer this vnnaturall resolution and to feare God who was both the iudge and witnesse of their deliberation intended against their brother and that if they would desist from this haynous act God would take pleasure in their repentance and reconcilement but if they proceeded in their enterprise he assured them that he would punish them like fratricides since nothing is hidden from his prouidence whether it be committed in the desart or attempted in the Citie For wheresoeuer men are there is it alwaies to be thought that God likewise is Further that when they should haue perpetrated this fact that they should alwaies haue their consciences as an armed aduersarie against them which neuer would forsake them whether they were good or whether such as theirs would be if they should fortune to murther their brother Furthermore he alleadged that it was an impious fact to kill a mans owne brother although he had done him iniurie and much more meritorious to forgiue a mans friend that had offended against him Moreouer he said that Ioseph had done them no wrong whose tender yeares rather required care and compassion at their handes then hate and tyrannie Besides that the cause of his slaughter would aggrauate their offence if it should be knowen that for enuie of his future felicitie they should take away his life all which good happe they likewise might participate by reason of consanguinitie and that it was their dutie to thinke that whatsoeuer blessing God imparted to Ioseph was theirs that for that cause they were to imagine that God would be more displeased against them if they should endeuour to depriue him of his life whom he had esteemed and adiudged worthy of prosperitie to come Ruben alledging these and many other things besought them and laboured to diuert them from shedding their brothers bloud but seeing that all these his motiues could in no sort mollifie them but that they hastened the rather to commit and perpetrate the murther he counselled them that at least wise they should allot him some milder kinde of death Telling them that he endeuoured all what in him lay at the first to disswade them but since it was throughly resolued among them that he should not liue that lesse mischiefe should follow of it if they would be ruled by his counsell for by that meanes their will should haue effect yet a more milde and lesse hurtfull in comparison of murther that it were better for them to temper their hands and keepe them immaculate by casting him into the next pit and there leauing him in the hands of death to this counsell all of them agreed So Ruben tooke Ioseph and bound him with cords and let him downe easily into a pit which was drie which done he departed to seeke out a more conuenient place for pasture But when Ruben was gone Iuda one of Iacobs sonnes espying certaine merchants of Arabia of the countrey of the Ismaelites who from the countrey of Galadena caried Spicerie and Syrian merchandise into Egypt he counselled his brothers to draw vp Ioseph out of the well and to sell him to those Arabians assuring them that by that meanes it would come to passe that Ioseph should die the farther off from them amongst straungers and as touching themselues they should be exempt from that pollution which counsell of his being commended by them all they drew Ioseph out of the pit and sold him to the Arabians for the summe of twentie siluerlings at such time as he was seuenteene yeares of age Now had Ruben resolued in himselfe to saue Ioseph without his brothers priuitie for which cause comming by night vnto the pit he called him with a loud voice seeing that he gaue him no answer he began to coniecture with himselfe that his brethren had done him to death he reproued them therefore verie bitterly but after they had told him what was become of him he gaue ouer his mourning After these things were thus brought to passe the brethren consulted amongst themselues in what sort they might cleere themselues from their fathers suspition and conclude among themselues to teare the coat wherewith Ioseph was attired at such time as he came vnto them and which they had taken from him when they cast him into the well to the end that hauing defiled it in the bloud of a Goate they might afterwards beare it vnto their father and shew it him to the ende he might suppose that Ioseph was slaine by wild beastes which done they came vnto the olde man not altogether ignorant of his sonnes misfortunes and told him that they had not seene their brother Ioseph neither could they assure him what mishappe had befallen him but that notwithstanding they had found his Ierkin altogether bebloudied and torne which made them suspect that he was slaine by some wilde beastes if so be he were sent vnto them attired in that coate But Iacob that hitherto expected and hoped for more succesfull tidings in that he supposed and hoped that Ioseph had onely beene captiue gaue ouer this opinion and tooke the coate for a most assured testimonie of his sonnes death for he knew that he was apparelled therewith at such time as he sent him to his brothers for which cause he lamented Ioseph from that time forward as being dead and as if he had not any more sonnes And such was the griefe of his heart that he conceiued no consolation in the rest but suffered himselfe to be perswaded by the brothers that Ioseph had beene slaine by sauage beastes he therefore sat him downe being clothed in sackcloth and charged with sorrow and neither could his sonnes by their counsels mittigate his moanes nor he himselfe remit the rigor of his Iamentation Now Ioseph was sold by the merchants and bought by Putiphar an Aegyptian Lord and a steward of King Pharaos houshold who held him in high estimation and trained him vp in all liberall sciences suffering him to liue not after a seruile but liberall manner and committing vnto his charge the care of all his houshold all which fauours he made vse of Yet was he no waies diuerted by these his priuiledges and promotions from his innated vertue testifying hereby that prudence doth not submit to aduerse fortune if a man vse the same orderly and not at that time onely when fortune fauneth and flattereth It fortuned not long after that his masters wife was enamoured with him both in
cause calling vnto him some fewe companions of his perils who were discontented with their present estate and desired a change he first of all discomfited the garrison which Schisart had placed ouer them and so much was he furthered with his first successe that the number of his followers increased more and more so that they seemed sufficient to equall the enemy in open field whereupon encountring him in one battaile they ouercame him and recouered their libertie and the rest of the scattered and confused army retyred themselues toward Euphrates Now after that Cenizus had by this effect giuen proofe of his valour he receiued the gouernment at the peoples hands and exercised the office of iudge fortie yeares at the end whereof he died CHAP. V. How the people were againe made subiect to the Moabites and how by Iodes they were exempt from seruitude AFter whose death the gouernment and seate being voide the affaires of the Israelites began againe to fall to ruine and the rather for that they neither yeelded due honour vnto God neither obedience to the lawes whence it came to passe that Eglon king of the Moabites seeing the disorder of their pollicie set them at nought so that he waged warre against them and ouercame them many times And for that he was a prince of greater forecast then any of his predecessors he fought against them and weakened their forces and constrained them to pay tribute This man translating his court to Iericho and proud in his victories omitted no meanes whereby he might vexe and molest the people so that they liued for the space of 18. yeares in great miserie But God being moued with their calamities and supplications deliuered them from their intolerable thraldome after this manner Iodes the sonne of Gera of the tribe of Beniamin a yong man both addressed by valour of minde and strength of hand to attempt any worthy action dwelt at Iericho This man insinuated himselfe into Eglons familiaritie and by presents and gifts entertained and courted him in such sort as he was well beloued and esteemed amongst all those courtiers that were neerest about the king It chanced one day that bearing certaine presents vnto the king attended by two of his houshold seruants he secretly girt a dagger to his right thigh at such time as he entred into the king now it was about midsommer and mid-day likewise whereby the watch was growne the more carelesse and slothfull partly by reason of the heate and partly for that the guard were occupied about their dinner The yong man therefore offering his presents vnto Eglon who at that time disported himselfe in a certaine sommer chamber began to discourse with him Now they were both alone by reason that the king resoluing to talke familiarlie with Iodes had sent away his guard and sate him downe in a seate but Iodes fearing least failing to stab home enough he should not giue him a fatall and deadly wound required him to rise telling him that he had a dreame to report vnto him by the commandement of God Whereat he reioicing very much leapt from his seate whereupon Iodes stabd him to the heart and leauing the poiniard sticking in his wound he escaped and locked the doore after him the guard making no noise at all supposing that the king had laide him downe to rest But Iodes giuing priuate notice hereof to them of Iericho offered himselfe to be their leader in the recouerie of their former libertie who willingly accepting thereof presently tooke armes and sent trumpets to publish the same thorow the whole countrey for after that manner were they woont to assemble the people They that were about Eglon were wholy ignorant of that which had hapned but about the eeuen-tide fearing least some mishap had befallen him they entred into the place where he was found him dead wherat they were greatly astonished so as they knew not what to doe For before they had assembled their forces togither the Israelites fiercely charged them and some they killed instantly the rest that were ten thousand in number betooke then selues to flie vnder hope to recouer their countrey of Moab but the Israelites hauing before that laide and fortified the passages of Iordan pursued them and slew them so that diuers of them perished in the Ferrie and not one of them remained that escaped their hands By this meanes the Israelites were deliuered from the seruitude of the Moabites and for this cause Iodes was aduanced to the gouernment of the people Finally after he had liued for the space of fourescore yeares he died A man besides the act of late rehearsed worthy of praise in all other things After him Sanagar the sonne of Anath was elected gouernour and in the first yeare of his raigne he left this life to partake the fruition of another CHAP. VI. How the Israelites were brought vnder the subiection of the Chanaanites and raunsomed from seruitude by Barac BVt the Israelites in no sort reclaimed or reconciled by their forepassed calamities fell againe into their former impietie and disobedlence and before they had sufficiently shaken off the seruitude of the Moabites were subiected vnto Iabin king of the Chanaanites This man kept his residence imperiall at Asor a Citie scituate on the lake of Sachonites he had in pay thirtie thousand foore and ten thousand horse and besides these hee had three thousand warlike Chariots Ouer all this huge army commanded Sisares an especiall man amongst the kings fauourites who encountring with the Israelites brought their affaires into so desperate an estate that they willingly for their owne securitie sake accepted seruitude and paied tribute whereunto they were inforced through the austeritie of their subiection almost for the space of twentie yeares not daring to lift vp their heads all which fell vpon them by the will of God to the end he might punish the too great contumacie and ingratitude of that nation Who at length repenting themselues and acknowledging the cause of their calamities namely that it proceeded from the contempt of their lawes they repaired to a certaine Prophetesse called Debora which name in the Hebrew toong signifieth a Bee beseeching her that by her prayers she would endeuour to prouoke God vnto mercie to the intent he should not suffer them so to be oppressed by the Chanaanites Hereupon God being inclined to take compassion on them granted them helpe and appointed Barac to be their gouernour a man of the tribe of Nephthali whose name signifieth lightning Debora therefore sending for Barac commandeth him to picke out and muster ten thousand chosen men and lead them foorth against the enemy alleadging that they were sufficient to obtaine the victorie which God had promised by his Oracle But Barac denying to vndertake the gouernment except she also would administer the same with him she moued therewith spake thes Wilt thou said she surrender the dignitie which God hath giuen thee
people were mustered in the Citie of Bala In this suruey besides those of the tribe of Iuda there were numbred seuen hundreth thousand men and of the tribe of Iuda in particular there were seuentie thousand Hauing therefore passed Iordan and marched some ten cables length of Nilus which is about some three leagues all the night time before the sunne rise he attained the place whither he intended to conduct them and deuiding his army into three parts he assailed the enemie on euery side that expected no such encountry and fighting valiantly against them he slew diuers and amongst the rest Nahas king of the Ammonites This victorie made Sauls name famous amongst all the Hebrewes so that he was wonderfully praised and honoured for his valour so that if before that time any one had contemned him at that time they chaunged their opinions and honoured him and accounted him the worthiest of them all For he was not satisfied to redeeme and deliuer those of Iabes but he entred the countrey of the Ammonites also and forraged the same with his army and vtterly ouerthrew them and after he had obtained a great bootie and pray both he and his victoriously magnifically returnd to their dwelling places The people highly pleased with this noble action atchieued by Saul reioyced because they had chosen them so noble a King and exclaimed against those that said that it would be discommodious and vnprofitable for their common-weale saying where are now these murmurers let them be put to death with other such like words that a people besorted with some good successe is wont to speake and inforce against them that set light by the authors inducers of the same Saul receiued great content and comfort thorow this good liking and allowance of the people yet notwithstanding he swore that no one of their tribe should be put to death that day because it would not seeme conuenient nor agreeable that the victorie which was giuen them by God should be mixed with the bloud of their brethren but rather that it was more decent and comely that the time should be spent in feast and iollitie Hereupon Samuel told them that it behooued them to confirme the kingdome to Saul by a second election and to that end they assembled together in the Citie of Galgal according as he had commanded them and there in the sight of all the people Samuel annointed Saul the second time with the consecrated oyle and proclaimed him king ar◅ew Thus was the Aristocracie and gouernment of the better sort amongst the Hebrewes turned into a Monarchie For vnder Moses and his disciple Iesus who gouerned the Empyre and armie at that time the nobilitie and elected worthie men ruled the state After whose death for the space of 18. whole yeares the people was without gouernment the common-weale not long after reassumed her pristine pollicie and the gouernment was giuen vnto him which was esteemed the most valiant in warre and the most vpright in doing of Iustice. All which time for this cause hath beene called the time of the Iudges After this the Prophet Samuel assembled the people and spake vnto them after this manner I coniure you by that great God that hath giuen life to those two brothers I meane Moses and Aaron and that hath deliuered your forefathers from the Egyptians and their tyranny that without any affection either of feare or shame or instigation of any other passion you truly testifie whether I haue committed any sinister or wicked act either for profit sake or for auarice or fauor Reproue me if I haue taken away any mans calfe or sheepe or any other thing-whatsoeuer but that which I might lawfully take for my reliefe and sustenance and at such hands as willingly offered me the same or if I haue drawen any mans beasts to my vse or vsed his cattell to my profit and his hinderance in these and such like if I haue offended any man let him now accuse me in the presence of the king All of them cried out with one voice that no such default had beene committed by him but that he had gouerned their nation in holines and iustice After that the people had thus publikely testified in the behalfe of Samuel he said vnto them Since you haue liberally freely protested that you haue no cause of wrong to vrge or inforce against me heare I pray you that wherewith I can iustly accuse you of You haue grieuously offended against the maiestie of God in that you haue required a king at his hands you should haue rather remembred that your old father Iacob accompanied onely with his 70. sons came into Egypt constrained thereunto by famine and that in that countrey diuers thousands of persons issued from his loynes whom the Egyptians kept in captiuitie offering them extreme outrages And whenas your fathers called vpon God how he wonderfully deliuered thē from the necessities wherin they were without giuing them any king contenting themselues with two brothers Moses and Aaron who brought and conducted you into this countrey which you possesse at this present And although you participated these benefits by the hands of God yet notwithstanding you haue not forborne both to forget religion and neglect pietie This notwithstanding at such time as you haue beene conquered by your enemies he hath set you free gracing you first of all with the ouerthrow of the Assyrians their forces secondly giuing you victorie ouer the Ammonites and Moabites and finally ouer the Philistines Now these great exploits were performed by you not vnder the conduct of a king but by the direction of Ieptha and Gedeon what folly therefore hath bewirched you to make you flie from God and to seeke to liue vnder the subiection of a king But I haue named such a one vnto you whom God hath chosen to be your gouernour Notwithstāding to the intent that I may giue you a manifest testimony that Gods wrath is whetted against you because you haue desired to haue a king I will striue to expresse it vnto you by visible signes done by God himselfe I will therefore require of God that he wil make you see in this place and in the hart of sommer such a storme that there is not any one of you that hath euer seene the like thereof Scarce had he spoken the words but that so dainly there fell great store of lightning thunder and haile in approbation of that which the Prophet had said so that amased and transported with feare all of them confessed that they had offended They notwithstanding professed that their errour was of ignorance not of obstinacie and besought the Prophet that with a good and fatherly affection he would beseech God to appease his wrath towards them and forgiue them their offences at that present which to their other grieuous negligences they had annexed and whereby they had transgressed his holy will All which Samuel promised them to
their messengers to euerie corporation aduertising them how many benefits they had receiued at Dauids hands and how after many and grieuous warres he had brought them to a secure libertie and how iniustly expelling him they had committed the kingdome vnto another For which cause it behooued them that since he was dead whom they had chosen to make their supplication and submission vnto Dauid that dismissing his wrath he would receiue the people into his fauour and according as before time so now also he would vouchsafe them his pardon and protection Of these things sundry intelligences came vnto the kings eares so that by expresse letters he commanded Sadoc and Abiathar the chiefe priests that they should certifie the princes of the tribe of Iuda that it should be a great indignitie for them that other tribes should preferre Dauid to the kingdome before them especially since he was both of their tribe and their kinsman also In like manner he commanded them to speake with Amasa the generall and expostulate with him why hee who was his Nephew by the sisters side did not perswade the army to recommend the kingdome to his hands willing them to assure him that he was not only to hope for pardon for that which had hapned but also for the gouernment of the whole army according as Absalon had granted him Hereupon the high priests not only conferred with the princes aforesaid but also informing Amasa what the king had promised in his behalfe wherby they drew him to their faction And first of all those of his owne tribe reuoked Dauid very instantly into the kingdome the rest of the Israelites by their example and Amasas authoritie did the like also and these embassadors flocked vnto him to receiue him into Ierusalem But wonderfull and praiseworthy was the diligence of the tribe of Iuda who went out as far as the banke of Iordan to meete with him with these came Simei the sonne of Gera with a thousand men which he had brought with him of the tribe of Beniamin Siba likewise Sauls freeman came thither with his fifteene sonnes and twentie seruants who made a bridge ouer Iordan that the king might the more easily passe ouer both himselfe and his armie As soone as he came vnto Iordan he was saluted by the tribe of Iuda and Simei marching onward on the bridge prostrating himselfe at the kings feete asked pardon of his offences and besought him to remit his displeasure and that in recouering his authoritie he would not first of all doe iustice on him but that he should remember this also that he being induced by the repentance of his errour did with the formost march out to meet him vpon his returne Whilest thus he besought and lamented Abisai Ioabs brother spake after this manner Why should he not die that hath thus villanously outraged the King whom God hath established But Dauid turned backe vnto him and said yee sons of Seruia will you neuer cease to hatch new troubles and to adde newe diuisions to your former commotions Know you not that this is the first day of my raigne for which cause I sweare an oth that I will pardon all them that haue committed any impietie against me and that no one man shall depart from me in my disfauour For which cause be of good cheere Simei feare thou not that I wil seeke thy bloud Whereupon he adored the King marched onward before him After this Mephiboseth Sauls nephew came out to meete him cloathed in a desolate sorie rayment hauing his haires hanging down in a neglected and sorrowful manner For since the time that Dauid fled fosooke the citie he had in such sort beene distressed that he neither had trimmed his haire nor changed or cleansed his garment supposing this calamity deposition to touch him as neerly as it did the king and further in that by Siba his steward he had beene vniustly detracted accused to the king After he had prostrated himselfe and adored the king Dauid asked him for what cause he forsooke him in his troubles and offered not himselfe to accompanie him in his flight Who answered that it was the wickednes of Siba who was the cause thereof for he said he being commaunded to prepare my necessaries for that iourney neglected the execution thereof contemning both me and it as if I had beene some abiect slaue Otherwise had I had the vse of my feete and the meanes to haue waited on thee in thy iourney I had neuer endured to haue forsaken thee Neither was he contented my liege to hinder my deuout seruice towards thee but furthermore he hath maliciously incensed your maiestie against me yet know I well that your wisedome will not admit or giue credence to his detractions both for that you are iust as also for that God and truth which you onely aspire to are onely beloued by you For whereas during my grandfathers daies you were alwaies conuersant amongst the most difficult dangers and followed and attempted by him and whereas all our posteritie by that meanes deserued to be vtterly extinguished yet haue you vsed both moderation and meeknes especially in forgetting those indignities at such time as the memorie thereof affoorded you meanes to punish them And notwithstanding all these things you haue entertained me like your friend feasted me at your dailie table and dignified me with no lesse honours then if I had beene one of your neerest and deerest kinsmen When Dauid had heard these things he neither thought good to punish Mephiboseth neither to examine whether Siba had wrongfully accused him but after he had certified him that he had giuen Siba all his goods yet did he pardon him and promise him the restitution of halfe his possessions Whereunto Mephiboseth replied Let Siba saith he possesse the whole it onely sufficeth me that I see your maiestie restored againe into your kingdome After this Dauid inuited Berzillai the Galaadite a vertuous man and of great authoritie and by whose bountie during the time of his warre he was assisted and who had attended him as farre as Iordan to accompanie him vnto Ierusalem promising him to make no lesse account of him then of his father and assuring him liberally to allow him in all things that concerned his honour and age But he being desirous to liue in priuate besought his maiestie to dismisse him from the court because as he said his age was so extreme as it made him vnapt for courtly pleasures considering that he had attained to the age of fourescore yeares alledging that it better became him to thinke of death and the departure out of this world For which cause he besought Dauid to fauour him so much as that he might gouerne himselfe according to his own desire because that by reason of his age he neither knew howe to sauour meate nor drinke besides for that his hearing was lost so that he could not distinguish nor discerne the
heate To speake in a word all the building was made of white marble of Cedar of gold and of siluer the floores and walles were figured with diuersitie of flowers and of precious stones inchaced in gold after the maner of the Temple of God which shined with such like ornaments There was likewise erected a most mightie throne made in forme of a tribunall with sixe steps of pure iuorie on each side of which there stood two ramping lyons and the like number were placed aboue The stage of the Throne was after the forme of hands that laid hold on the king and he sate vpon a halfe Oxe looking backwards and this throne was all inuironed with gold Salomon builded all this that hath beene spoken of in the space of twentie yeeres being furnished by Hiram king of the Tyrians for these his buildings with great summes of gold and farre more greater of siluer besides a quantitie of Cedar and Pine trees Salomon also remunerated him and gaue him great presents and sent him euerie yeare sufficient of corne wine and oyle as we haue heretofore declared whereof he stood in great need by reason that his countrie was an Island And besides that he gaue him twentie cities in Galilee not farre distant from Tyre Hiram hauing visited them and not wel pleased with them sent vnto Salomon to certifie him therof that he had no vse for his cities and from that time forward they were called the countrie of Chebal which is as much to say in the Phoenician tongue as Vnpleasant Hiram likwise sent vnto Salomon certaine mysteries and difficult questions requiring him to decide the same and to dissolue those doubts and difficulties that occurred in his demaunds Salomon being a man of ripe iudgement and vnderstanding pretermitted none of them but after he had attained their resolution in his owne opinion and had gathered the sence he expressed and opened the same Of these two kings Menander who translated the antiquities of the Tyrians out of the Phoenician tongue into the Greeke maketh mention speaking after this maner After the decease of Abibale Hiram his sonne succeeded him in the kingdome who liued fiftie and three yeares and reigned thirtie and foure He annexed the field which is called Ample vnto the Island and dedicated a golden piller in Iupiters Temple He also caused a great quantitie of wood to bee hewed downe in the mountaine Libanus to make couers and roofes for temples For hauing pulled down some auncient temples he builded that of Hercules and that of Astrate and made this first building of Hercules in the moneth Peritien and made warre against the Eucecans who refused to pay their tributes and after he had once againe brought them vnder his subiection here turned to his owne pallace In his time liued the young sonne of Abdimon who alwaies resolued those questions which Salomon king of Ierusalem proposed Dius also maketh mention of him in these termes After the decease of Abibale his sonne Hiram raigned he it was that fortified the quarter of the Citie to the Eastward and enlarged the same and conioyned the temple of Olympian Iupiter to the Citie which before that time was in an other place and filled all the place betweene them with earth and adorned it with pendants of gold and afterwards going vp to Libanus he hewed downe timber to build temples withall He said also that Salomon raigning at that time in Ierusalem sent vnto Hiram certaine subtill questions demaunding the exposition thereof vnder this condition that if he declared them not in way of penaltie hee should pay a great summe of money and afterwards that a certaine Tyrian called Abdimon expounded that which had beene proposed and in lieu thereof proposed certaine others which Salomon could not expound and for that occasion he paid a great summe of money vnto Hiram This is it that Dius writeth The king seeing that the Citie wanted both bulwarks and towers to secure the same and that the strength of the same was no waies answerable to the dignitie thereof he repaired the walles and erected great towers on the same Moreouer he builded certaine Cities which deserue to be memorized among the most renowmed namely Asor and Magedon and for the third the citie of Gaza in the country of the Philistines against which Pharao king of Aegypt led out his army and tooke it by force and after he had put all the inhabitants thereof to the sword he destroyed the same and afterwards he gaue it in dower vnto his daughter which maried with Salomon For which cause the king fortified it seeing it to be alreadie sufficiently defenced by nature and that it stood verie commodiously for the warre and to hinder the inuasions of the enemie that might happen Not farre from thence he fortified two other Cities whereof one was called Betachor and the other Baleth Besides these he builded others which were Cities of recreation and pleasure by reason of the good temperature of the ayre and the pleasantnes of the fruits and in especiall the sweet streamie riuers wherewith they were watered Afterwards entering into the desart that is aboue Syria cōquering the same he builded an other great city two daies iourney distant from the higher Syria a daies iourney from Euphrates and sixe from the great Babylon The cause why this Citie was inhabited farre from the ciuill and peopled quarters of Syria was because in no place of the lower countrey there was water to be found in this Citie only there were fountaines and springs He therefore builded this Citie and begirt it with strong walles and called it Thadamor which is the name which the Syrians tearme it by euen at this day and amongst the Greekes it is called Palmyra And these were Salomons works in that time But for that there are diuers that demaund the question how it commeth to passe that all the kings of Aegypt that haue beene since Minaeus the founder of Memphis and who raigned diuers yeeres before our great ancestor Abraham who I say haue beene till Salomons time for the space of more then thirteene hundred yeeres haue beene called Pharaohs deriuing that name from one that raigned in the mid time betweene both I haue thought it requisite to manifest the same to the intent to resolue that doubt and expresse the cause of that name The name of Pharao amongst the Aegyptians signifieth as much as King But I thinke that from their childhood they had other distinct names and that afterwards when they are created kings they take vpon them that name which in their mother toong signifieth no lesse then Authoritie For the kings of Alexandria hauing been before time called by other names at such time as they are introduced into the kingdome they are called Ptolemies by the name of their first king The Romaine Emperours likewise notwithstanding they haue other names at the time of their birth yet are they called Caesars because
and feasted for diuers daies Thus after the death of Athalia the citie was in quiet Ioas was 7. yeers old at such time as he was made king his mother was called Sabia was of the town Bersabe He carefully obserued the lawes and highly affected the seruice of God all his life time and when he grew to mans estate he maried two wiues which the high Priest gaue him by whom he had sonnes and daughters This is all that I haue thought good to declare as concerning Ioas both how he escaped Athalias treasons and obtained the kingdome CHAP. VIII Azael King of Damasco leuieth an army and first of all assaulteth the Israelites and after marcheth forward against Ierusalem BVt Azael king of Syria making warre against the Israelites and against their king Iehu destroyed the countrey on the other side of Iordan and all the easterne tract inhabited by the Rubenites Gadites and Manassites Furthermore he burnt spoyled Galaad and Bathanaea violenting and outraging all those that he met withall For Iehu went not out against him to resist him but being become a contemner of God a despiser of pietie and his lawes he died after he had raigned seuen and twentie yeares ouer the Israelites he was buried in Samaria and left behind him Ioas his sonne to succeed him in the kingdome But Ioas king of Ierusalem conceiued a certaine desire to renewe the Temple for which cause calling vnto him Ioiada the high Priest he commaunded him to send thorow all the countrey the Leuites and Priests and to leuie vpon euery one of their heads halfe a sicle of siluer for the building reparation of the temple which was fallen into decay in Ioram Athalia and her followers times But the high Priest would not obey him herein knowing well that no man would willingly disburse money But in the three and twentith yeare of his raigne the king sent both for Ioiada and the Leuites also and expostulated with them for disobeying his commandement enioyning them from that time forth to prouide for the building of the Temple Wherupon the high Priest vsed present dispatch in leuying the money wherewith the people were highly contented He therefore made a chest of wood closed on euerie side except that on the vpper lid thereof there was a little cranny left open which he placed neere vnto the Altar commaunding that euerie one should offer according to his deuotion and put in his offering thorowâ—… the cranny into the coffer to be imployed in the repairing of the Temple whereunto all the people shewed themselues affectionate so that they gathered together a great quantitie of gold and siluer with great zeale and when the cofer was filled it was emptied and the account thereof taken and sumde vp by the secretary and high Priest in the kings presence and afterwards all was brought together into one assigned place which order was obserued euery day And when as it was supposed that there was sufficient money gathered the high Priest Ioiada and king Ioas hired masons and carpenters and prepared great beames of excellent timber After that the Temple was repaired they imployed the remainder of gold and siluer which was of no small quantitie to make cuppes pots and vessels and other vtensils and euery day offered they sacrifice of great value vpon the Altar and this custome was continued so long as Ioiada liued But after his decease which hapned in the hundreth and thirtith yeare of his age after he had liued a iust and vpright life and was interred in the sepulcher of Dauid in Ierusalem because he had established the kingdome in Dauids posteritie king Ioas had no more care to serue God and with him the rest of the gouernours of the people were corrupted in contradiction of the lawes and ordinances which they knew were verie conuenient for them For which cause God being prouoked by this change and incensed against the king and the rest sent his Prophets vnto them to protest to expostulate with them for their offences and to withdraw them from their iniquitie But they pursued sinne the more vehemently so that neither the punishments by which they who had offended God before times had beene plagued with all their posterities neither all the aduertisments giuen them by the Prophets could induce them to amend or to forsake those sinnes wherein they were engaged but that which is worst King Ioas stoned Zacharie Ioiadas sonne and put him to death in the Temple forgetting himselfe most vngratefully of the benefits he had receiued by his father And the occasion was for that Zachary hauing receiued a charge from God to prophecy came into the midst of the people and counsailed both them him to follow iustice foretelling them that they should be grieuously punished except they did beleeue This Zachary did at his death call God to witnesse and iudge of those calamities he endured in dying grieuously and violently for the good counsaile which he had giuen them and the benefits which his father had in times past done vnto Ioas. But many daies passed not before the king suffered due punishment for these misdeeds For Azael king of the Syrians inuaded his countrey and after he had first of all ruinated Gitta he marched forward with an intent to besiege him at last in Ierusalem Ioas desperate of all succours emptied all the treasures of God and those of the kings and tooke away the presents that were hung vp in the Temple and sent them to the Syrian redeeming the siege by this meanes least he should be drawen into hazard to lose all The Syrian pacified with such and so great riches and aboundant treasure suffered not his army to passe to Ierusalem After this Ioas was seazed with a greeuous sicknes and to the intent that the death of Zachary the sonne of Ioiada might not escape vnreuenged his friends conspired against him and he died by their hands He was entombed in Ierusalem but not in the sepulcher of his ancestors because he had fallen from God He liued seuen and fortie yeares CHAP. IX Amasias king of Ierusalem made warre against the Idumaeans and Amalechites and obtained the victory AMasias his sonne succeeded him in the kingdome But in the one and twentith yeare of Ioas raigne Ioachas the sonne of Iehu tooke possession of the kingdome of Israel in Samaria and was seazed thereof for the space of seuenteene yeares But he followed not his fathers steps but rather behauing himselfe impiously according as his predecessors in the kingdom contemners of God had done For which cause the king of Syria subdued him and cut off a great part of his dominions and tooke his greatest cities from him and defeated his armies so that at length he had but ten thousand footmen and fiue hundreth horsemen All which hapned to the Israelits according to the prophecy of Elizeus which he foretold vnto Azael at such time as he prophecied
that he setteth downe the Arabian for the Assyrian In one night said he there was such a multitude of mice that they gnew all the enemies bowes and other armes whence it came to passe that the king being disarmed withdrew his siege from Pelusium But Berosus a writer among the Chaldees maketh mention of Senacharib and how he raigned amongst the Assyrians and troubled both Asia and Aegypt with warre and declareth the maner in these words But Senacharib returning from the Aegyptian warre came before Ierusalem and receiued the army that was there at the hands of his gouernour Rhabsace and God caused a pestilent sicknesse to fall vpon his army which was so violent that the first night of the siege there died one hundreth fourescore and fiue thousand men with their gouernors and chieftains With which losse he was so affrighted and troubled that fearing to lose all his army he fled with those that remained retired himselfe into his kingdome to the citie called Niniue where after he had liued for a time he was traiterously slaine by Adramelech and Selenar his two elder sons and being dead was carried into his own temple called Arusche and his children were driuen out of the kingdome for committing the murther and retired themselues into Armenia and Asseradochus succeeded Senacharib Such was the end of the Assyrian army that came before Ierusalem CHAP. II. Ezechias hauing for a time remained in peace dieth and leaueth his sonne Manasses to succeed him KIng Ezechias being in this sort beyond al hope deliuered from his feares offered thanksgiuing and sacrifices vnto God with all the people acknowledging that there was no other cause that had slaine part of his enemies and put the rest to mortall feare neither that had deliuered Ierusalem from thraldome but only Gods succour and assistance And whilst he altogither intended and was occupied about the seruice of God he fell sicke of a grieuous disease so as the Physitions despaired of his health and his friends expected nothing but his death This sicknesse of his was accompanied with a grieuous care because hee had no children and sawe that he was now to depart the world and to leaue his house desart and his kingdome desolate Being therefore in this sort toyled with discontents he lamented and besought God that it would please him to lengthen his life a little time vntil he had children to succeed him and that he would vouchsafe that his soule might not be taken from him before he were the father of a sonne Hereupon God taking compassion of him and the rather because he was not grieued for that the pleasures of his kingdome were taken from him but for that he sought for a lawful heire to succeed him in the princedome he sent the Prophet Esay vnto him to assure him that after three daies he should be recouered of his sicknesse and that after he had liued some fifteene yeers more he should depart out of this life and leaue a lawfull heire behind him When the Prophet according as he was commanded had brought these tidings to the king he doubted both the vnexpected messenger and the mightinesse of his disease for which cause he required some prodigious signe at Esatas hands to the intent that he might certainly beleeue that he was sent as a messenger from God vnto him for the truth of those things which either exceede our hope or reason are wont to bee confirmed by these meanes Whereupon Esay asked him what signe he required and it should be giuen him For which cause he requested that since the declining sun had alreadie aduanced his shadow ten degrees within the royall lodging he would cause it to return vnto the place where it was before and ouerrun againe the same lines of shadow On this occasion the Prophet besought God that it would please him to confirme the king by this miracle who seeing that which he desired was sodainly deliuered from his sicknesse and ascended the temple to worship and praise God At that time it hapned that the monarchie of the Assyrians was destroied by the Medes whereof I will speake in another place Anon after Balad King of Babylon sent an Embassadour to Ezechias with presents calling him his allie and friend who receiuing his messengers willingly feasted them and shewed them his treasures his arsenall and all other magnificence that he had of gold and precious stones and after he had giuen them presents for Balad he dismissed them Whereupon the Prophet Esay came vnto him asking him from whence those embassadours came To whom Ezechias answered that they were of Babylon came vnto him from the king telling the Prophet how he had shewed them all that which he had to the end that hauing seene and obserued his riches and power they might afterwards certifie their king thereof Whereunto the Prophet replied saying Know thou that within a little time thy riches shall be transported into Babylon and thy children shall be made Eunuches and being no more men shall be slaues vnto the King of Babylon All which God gaue him to vnderstand before it hapned For which cause Ezechias was sore troubled to heare these tidings saying that he desired that his people might not fall into those miseries but since it was impossible to change the decree of God he required that he might haue peace during his life time Of this Balad king of Babylon Berosus maketh mention This Prophet truly diuine and admirable for the veritie of his prophecies is accounted to haue spoken nothing that was vntrue but to haue left in writing all that which he prophecied the truth whereof hath afterwards in effect appeared to posteritie Neither did he alone performe this much but besides him twelue others haue done the like and all that which is hapned vnto vs either good or euill hath fallen out truly according to their prophecies But hereafter we will speake of euerie one of them Now when as Ezechias had liued his prefixed time according as we haue forespoken and gouerned his kingdome in peace he died when he was fiftie foure yeeres olde and in the nine and twentith yeere of his raigne CHAP. III. The Kings of Chaldaea and Babylon warre against Manasses and take him prisoner HIs sonne Manasses the sonne of Achiba a woman borne in Ierusalem succeeded him in the kingdome This man forsooke his fathers waies and followed sinister customes expressing in his manners all kindes of mischiefe not omitting any impietie but addicting himselfe to all the iniquities of the Israelites who were destroied because of their sinnes committed against God He was so impudent as he spared not to pollute the verie temple of God the Citie and the whole countrey for making his entrie in despite of God he slew afterwards all those that were vertuous men among the Hebrewes And although he had no want of Prophets yet so it is that he killed euery day some so that
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
brother which was this Eleazar of whom we speake at this present tooke vpon him the priesthood and to him wrote Ptolomey in such maner as is hereafter expressed King Ptolomey to the high priest Eleazar Health Whereas diuers Iewes dwelt in my kingdome whom my father hath honoured though during the raigne of the Persians they were drawen thither as prisoners some of whom he hath established to be chieftaines in warre vnder honourable wages conditions To other some borne in his time in Aegypt he hath committed his forts and garrisons to the end they might be respected among the Aegyptians After that I haue beene called to the gouernment I haue behaued my selfe graciously towards all men and especially towards those of your nation of whom I haue deliuered more then one hundreth thousand out of captiuitie disbursing their ransome out of mine owne cofers I haue likewise inrouled some of those that were of age in the companies and bands of my men of warre I haue receiued some into my court whom I tooke to be faithfull and loyall and in my opinion well worthy of such preferment supposing that the most acceptable and the deerest present I might offer vp vnto God for his prouidence extended toward mee in aduancing me to the kingdome was to performe the same And being desirous not only to gratifie them but also all those Iewes that are in the whole world I haue determined to cause your law to be translated that after it hath been transcripted out of Hebrew into Greeke I might place it in my librarie You shall therfore doe well if you choose me out six disereet and learned men of euery tribe amongst you who are already stept in yeers and send them vnto me who by reason of their age shall be well instructed in your lawes and sufficiently enabled to expound the same For in so doing I shall accept it at your hands as a great honour For this cause I send vnto you Andrew the principall captaine of my guard and Aristaeus also whom we especially honour to conferre with you by whom I haue sent you one hundreth talents of siluer as the first fruits of those gifts and sacrifices which we intend to offer in the temple You shall doe vs an especiall fauour if you signifie your mind vnto vs by your letters As soone as Eleazar had receiued the kings letters he returned him an answere full of honor and affection according to the tenour which ensueth The high Priest Eleazar to king Ptolomey Health If you your Queene Arsinoe and your children be in health all our affaires likewise haue no lesse fortunate successe We haue receiued your princely letters with no small ioy and haue both read and considered vpon the contents thereof we haue also published them in the presence of all the people and haue declared vnto them your pietie towards God and haue shewed them those viols which you sent vs twenty of gold and thirty of siluer with fiue vessels and a table which in way of present you haue sent vnto vs. We haue likewise shewed them those hundreth talents which Andrew and Aristaeus very vertuous and excellently learned men and honoured by you amongst your deerest friends haue brought vnto vs to be imploied in sacrifices and other necessities of the temple Know therefore that whatsoeuer standeth either with your content or profit we will enforce our owne natures to the ende we may acknowledge the benefits which you haue diuers waies bestowed vpon our nation We haue therefore duly and continually offered sacrifice for you your sister Arsinoe your children and friends the people likewise haue praied that God would send you happy successe in whatsoeuer you desire that your kingdome may be continued in peace and that the translation of our law may be accomplished in such sort as you desire for your owne commodity To that intent we haue chosen fix Elders out of euery tribe whom we send vnto you together with the originall of our law Our request is that according to your accustomed pietie and iustice you returne vs both our lawes and these interpreters in safety as soone as they haue satisfied your expectation Fare you well This is the answere which the high Priest sent vnto him Yet haue I thought it to be a matter meerely vnnecessarie to set downe the names of the seuentie two Elders in particular who were sent by Eleazar togither with the lawe notwithstanding they are set downe in the Epistle Yet thinke I it not amisse to recite the excellencie and fashion of those presents that were sent by the king and offered vp vnto God to the end that all men may know how zealous he was towards the seruice of God For in performance thereof he spared no immeasurable expence but continually assisted the workemen and examined their workmanship to the end that nothing might be carelesly finished or negligently performed I will therefore set downe as neere as in me lieth the excellencie of euery piece although it may bee thought that the course of historie requireth it not but therefore will I discourse the same because my desire is by so doing to expresse vnto the readers how great the liberalitie and generositie of the king hath been And first of all I will begin to describe the table The king desirous to make it great in all dimensions desired to know the greatnesse of that which was at Ierusalem to the intent that he might cause it to be far greater And hauing certain notice how great it was and that there was no let but that he might make his far greater he said that he would haue it fiue times greater then the other but that he feared least being so great it would be vnfit to offer sacrifice thereupon and his intention was that the oblations which he offered should not only serue for shew but that they might also be somewhat proper for the vse and seruice of the temple For this cause concluding that the first was of sufficient and conuenable measure he resolued that his should not exceede the other in greatnesse but that equalling the same in quantity of gold it might exceed the other in varietie and beauty of workmanship For he was ingenious to obserue the nature of diuers things and to inuent new and vnexpected fashion so that by his ripe iudgement he shewed the workemen such inuentions as before time had not been in vse and commanded them to make and finish them hauing alwaies an eie to the model that he had proposed them to worke by He vndertooke therefore to make the table of two cubits and a halfe in length of one in breadth and of one and a halfe in height all of massiue gold about the which there was made a border a hand breadth large enriched with mouing waues on which there was a bend grauen with admirable art appearing on three sides For being triangulary euery angle presented the same engrauing so that when
had said and vntill this day it is a custome among vs that if need require we make no difficulty to fight on the Sabbath day Matthias therefore hauing assembled a sufficient number of men about him destroyed the Altars and slue those that had forsaken their religion as many of them as he could lay hands on For diuers were scattered heere and there among the nations for the feare they had these commaunded he to circumcise their children that were not circumcised driuing those from euery place whom King Antiochus had ordained to see his law executed After therefore Matthias had gouerned for the space of one yeere he fell sicke of a most desperate disease for which cause he called for his sonnes and spake vnto them after this manner My sonnes I must now walke the way that is destinated vnto all men I therefore recommend and exhort you to follow my deliberation and diligently to obserue the same remembring you of the intent of me your father who haue begot and nourished you which is to maintaine the lawes of our countrey and to establish our estate which is vpon the point to be ouerthrowen except you submit vnto those who either voluntarily or forcibly betray the same shew your selues therefore to be worthy sons of me who am your father strengthen your hearts with courage to ouercome all force and necessitie thinking with your selues that if God see that you be such he will not forsake you but taking pleasure in your vertue he will once more grant you the fauour to recouer your former peace and liberty and will establish you in assured possession of your auncient lawes True it is our bodies are mortall and subiect vnto destinie but the memorie of our vertuous actions are enfranchised by immortalitie being therefore stirred vp with the loue thereof striue and bestirre your selues to obtaine honour to the end that proiecting mighty things you make no difficultie to hazard your liues in the execution of the same Aboue al things I exhort you vnto cōcord to the end that in whatsoeuer one of you shal be found more naturally apt and fitted then another he may prosecute the same without any contradiction of the rest I charge you also to obserue and obey your brother Simon who is a politique and valiant man in whatsoeuer he shall counsaile you As touching your chiefetaine you shall serue vnder Machabaeus because he is both valiant and strong for he shall reuenge the iniuries and outrages which haue been done to our nation and put our enemies to flight second him therfore with men of valour and such as feare God and by this means you shall augment your forces CHAP. IX Matthias dieth and his sonne Iudas succeedeth him AFter Matthias had spoken in this sort vnto his sonnes and praied God to fauour their enterprises and to restore the people to their auncient policie and the accustomed fashion of their life which they had in former times continued and obserued hee died anon after and was buried in Modin And after the people had grieuously lamented and mourned for him for a certaine time and performed publikely such honour in his funerals as was agreeable to his estate his sonne Iudas Machabaeus tooke vpon him the gouernment of the warres in the hundreth fortie and sixt yeere and by the assistance both of his brethren and other Iewes he droue the enemies out of the countrey and put those of his owne nation to death who had forsaken their religion and purged the countrey of all vncleannes which had been brought into it CHAP. X. Apollonius generall of Antiochus army commeth into Iewry and is discomfited and slaine WHen Apollonius who was Antiochus generall in Samaria heard hereof he gathered his army togither and inuaded Iudaea against whom Machabaeus made head and ouercame him in a battell wherein there died many and among the rest Apollonius whose sword Machabeus got as his part in the spoile There were a great number of them also who were wounded and much booty was taken in the enemies campe after which execution enriched with spoiles he retired himselfe But Seron gouernour of Coelesyria hearing hereof and vnderstanding that diuers had ioyned themselues with Iudas and that he had already about him a sufficient power to keepe the field and bidde the battell he thought that it concerned him to begin to punish those who resisted the kings Edicts For which cause after he had assembled all the forces that he had and besides them hired certaine apostate or figitiue Iewes he marched foorth against Iudas and came as farre as Bethoron a village in Iewry where he incamped Iudas also came out to meete with him determining with himselfe to bid him battell and seeing that his souldiers would hardly be drawne out to fight both by reason of their inequalitie of number as also for that they had eaten no meate but had fasted a long time he encouraged them saying that the meanes to obtaine victorie and to haue the vpper hand ouer their enemies consisted not in the greatnesse of their number but in their deuotion towards God whereof they had a most euident example in their forefathers who had oftentimes defeated with a small number of men diuers thousands of their enemies because they fought for iustice for their law and for their children for the greatest force said he that a man may haue is to be innocent and without iniurie By these words perswaded he his souldiers so that without any feare of the multitude of their enemies they all togither ranne vpon Seron and encountring with him they discomfited the Syrians For their chiefetaine being slaine all the rest betooke them to their heeles in which thing onely consisted the safetie of their liues Iudas therefore pursuing them as farre as the Champion slew about eight hundreth of them The rest saued themselues in those quarters that bounded vpon the sea CHAP. XI Lysias and Gorgias leade their armies into Iewry and are ouerthrowne WHen King Antiochus heard these tidings he was highly displeased at that which had hapned he therefore assembled all his forces and hiring diuers straungers and mercenarie Islanders he prepared himselfe to inuade Iudaea about the spring time But after the muster of his army when he truely found that his treasures failed him and that he was in great scarcitie of money for all his tributes were not truely paid him because the nations were rebellious being likewise in his owne nature a man of a great and magnificent spirit that could not be contented with that which he then had he resolued first of all to go into Persia to gather his tributes He therefore left the charge of his affaires with Lysias a man very much esteemed by him and such a one as gouerned all the countrey from Euphrates as farre as the borders of Aegypt and the lower Asia giuing him likewise a part of his army and some of his Elephants To him had the King
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
the solemnizing of this marriage Alexander by letters inuited the high Priest Ionathan commanding him to repaire vnto him to Prolemais Where after he was arriued and had both presented his seruice with other magnificent presents to both the kings he was highly honoured by both insomuch as Alexander constrained him to put off his ordinarie garments and to put on a purple to be and after that to sit vpon a royall throne commanding his captaines to march before him thorow the Citie and to commaund by publike edict that no man should dare to speake any thing against him neither offer him any cause of discontent in what sort soeuer All which the captaines performed so that they who purposely and maliciously repaired thither to accuse him seeing the honour that was done vnto him by this publication fled away hastily for feare least some mishap should befal the. This king Alexander loued Ionathan so intirely that he affoorded him the chiefest place amongst the number of his deerest friends CHAP. VIII Demetrius the sonne of Demetrius ouer commeth Alexander obtaineth the kingdome and contracteth friendship with Ionathan IN the hundreth sixtie and fifth yeere of the raigne of the Greekes Demetrius the sonne of Demetrius accompanied with diuers hired soldiers whom Lasthenes Candiot furnished him with departed out of Candia and came into Cilicia Which newes as soone as Alexander heard he was grieuously vexed troubled for which cause he instantly posted from Phaenicia to Antioch with intent to assure the affaires of his kingdome in that place before the arriual of Demetrius He left behind him for his gouernor in Coelesyria Apollonius Dauus who comming vnto Iamnia with a great army sent a messenger vnto the high Priest IonathaÌ„ signifying vnto him that it was not conuenient that he onely should liue in assurance at his owne ease and in authoritie without submitting himselfe vnto a King and that it was a great indignitie for him in all mens eies for that he had not inforced himselfe to stoupe vnder the obedience of a King For which cause said he deceiue not thy selfe neither hope thou by skulking in the mountaines or depending on thy forces to continue thy greatnes but if thou trustest to thy power come down into the field encounter with me my army in the plaine to the end that the issue of the victory may shew which of vs is most valiant Be not thou so ignorant that the noblest of euerie Citie beare armes vnder one who haue alwaies ouercome thy predecessors For which cause I challenge thee to meet me in that place where we may vse our swords and no stones and where the vanquished shall haue no aduantage by his flight Ionathan whetted by this bitter message chose out ten thousand of his best soldiers and departed from Ierusalem accompanied with his brother Simon and came vnto Ioppe and encamped without the Citie because the Citizens had shut the gates against him for they had a garrison planted in that place by Apollonius But as soone as he addressed himselfe to batter the Citie the inhabitants were afraid for feare least he should surprise the same by force and for that cause they opened him the gates Apollonius vnderstanding that Ioppe was taken by Ionathan he tooke three thousand horsemen and eight thousand footmen with him and came into Azot whence he departed leading out his army with a sober march foot by foot arriuing at Ioppe he retired back to draw Ionathan into the field assuring himselfe vpon his horsemen and grounding his hope of victorie vpon them But Ionathan issuing out boldly pursued Apollonius as farre as Azot who finding himselfe in the champion field tumed backe vpon him and charged him Ionathan was in no sort abashed to see the thousand horsmen that Apollonius had laid in ambush neere vnto a certaine streame to the end they might charge the Iewes behind but disposed his army in such sort that his soldiers on euery side turned their faces vpon the enemy commaunding his mento defend themselues on both sides fighting with those that assailed them eyther in the vantgard or the rereward This battell continued vntill euening and Ionathan had giuen his brother Simon a part of his forces charging him to set vpon the enemies battell as for himselfe he drew himselfe and his soldiers into a forme of a battalion resembling a Tortuse to the end that being couered with their bucklers ioyned the oâ—…e with the other they might beare off the horsmens arrowes to which all of them shewed themselues obedient The enemies horsemen shooting all their arrowes against them did them no harme for they pierced not as farre as the flesh but lighting vpon the bucklers enclosed and fastned the one within the other they were easily beaten backe borne off and fell downe being shot all in vaine But when as the enemies were wearied with shooting from betimes in the morning vntill euening and that Simon perceiued they could charge no further he set vpon them with his soldiers so couragiously that he put them all to flight The horsmen of Apollonius perceiuing that the footemen were disarâ—…aid grew heartles likewise and wearied also for that they had fought vntill the euening and hauing lost the hope that they had in the footmen they took their flight in great disorder and confusion so that they brake their rankes of themselues and were scattered thorow all the plaine Ionathan also pursued them as farre as Azot and taking the Citie by assault he slue diuers of them constraining the rest that were in despaire to flie into the temple of Dagon which is in Azot and taking the Citie by assault he burned it with the villages round about and spared not the temple of Dagon but burned it and al 〈◊〉 that were therein The number as well of those that were slaine in the battell as of those that were consumed by fire in the temple was eight thousand men Hauing therefore in this sort discomfited this army he departed from Azot and marched towards Ascalon and as he was encamped without the Citie the Ascalonites came out vnto him and both presented and honoured him He willingly entertaining their good affection departed from thence and iournied towards Ierusalem charged with great spoiles which after his victory against his enemy he droue before him after he had spoiled the countrey As soone as Alexander heard that Apollonius the generall of his army was discomfited and forced to flie he made a shew that he was glad thereof pretending that it was against his will that Ionathan had beene molested by warre who was both his friend and ally Whereupon be sent an Embassadour vnto him to signifie vnto him how much he reioyced at his victory offering him presents and honours with a chaine of gold such as the kings were accustomed to giue to those of their kinred he likewise gaue him Accaron and the countrey thereunto belonging to him and his heires for euer
had afterwards endured many paines and miseries Furthermore that his friends were in great daunger and left besieged for which cause hee had sailed by winter and despised all daungers onely to seeke for assistance at his hands on whom depended his hope and last refuge CHAP. XXVI Herode is made king of Iury by the Romane Senate ANtonius hearing all those alterations that had befallen Herode had compassion of his misery bethinking himselfe of the estate and condition of great men who are likewise subiect to no lesse casualties and the rather was he induced to doe him good both in remembrance of the friendship he had with Antipater his father as also by reason of Herodes promises of certaine summes of money if so be he were made king by his meanes as he had beene before time declared Tetrarch But that which most moued him hereunto was the hatred which he bare vnto Antigonus whom he accounted to be a mutinons man and an enemy to the Romans fortune On the other side Caesar was wel inclined to succour him both in regard of those armies which Antipater had brought into Aegyptin his fathers seruice as also because of the good hospitality and kindnes that he had shewed him in all things as in especiall to gratifie Antonius who was well affected towards Herode Whereupon the Senate being assembled Messala and Atratinus brought forth Herode and after they had praised him and recited the benefits which the Romans had receiued by his father and the great affection and good will which he bare to the people of Rome they accused declared Antigonus for the Romanes enemy not onely for his ancient crimes but also for that in contempt of the Romans he had receiued the kingdome from the Parthians Whilest the Senate was sore displeased at the report of these things Antonius arose and declared openly before thē all that in furtherance of the Parthian warre it were not amisse that Herode should be made king which opinion of his was generally allowed and finally ratified The principall demonstration of the loue and affection which Antonius bare vnto Herode was that he not onely obtained him the kingdome beyond all hope for neuer thought he that the Romans would grant that dignity vnto him who were wont to reserue that honour to those of the kings bloud and therefore he intended to haue demaunded it for his wiues brother Alexander and nephew to Aristobulus by the fathers side and to Hircanus by the mother which Alexander Herode afterwards put to death as it shall be declared in place conuenient but also for that within the terme of seuen daies he sent him out of Italy with the vnexpected titles of his felicitie As soone as the Senate weas risen Antonius and Caesar issued forth leading Herode betweene them and being accompanied by the Consuls and other magistrates went vp into the capitol to do sacrifice and to place there this decree the Senate had made as touching this matter The first day of Herodes raigne Antonius feasted him and after this sort was he established king in the hundreth eightie and fourth Olympiade in the yeere wherein C. Domitius Caluinus twice Consul and Caius Asinius Pollio were Consuls Meane while Antigonus besieged those that were in the castle of Massada who were plentifully furnished with all things necessary except it were water for which cause Ioseph Herodes brother that was within and two hundreth of his friends had concluded to flie vnto the Arabians for that they vnderstood that Malchus had repented himselfe of the fault he had committed against Herode But whilest they stoode vpon these termes God powred downe a huge raine on a certaine night that in short time filled their cestemes in such sort as that they had no more necessitie to flie and from that time forward they waxed confident and for that this abundance of water befel them by Gods prouidence they made a sallie vpon their enemies in which they charged Antigonus soldiers after such a maner somtime in open field sometime by couert assault that they slue a great number of them At that time Ventidius a Romane captaine was sent into Syria to driue the Parthians from thence after their departure he arriued in Iury making shew that he would assist Ioseph but in effect all his pretence was to draw money form Antigonus Being therefore encamped neer vnto Ierusalem and hauing drawn sufficient money from Antigonus he retired himselfe with the greater part of his forces and to the intent his deceitfull dealing might not be discouered he left Silo with a company of his soldiers who likewise was honoured by Antigonus for feare least he should be cause of some newe trouble before such time as the Parthians whose comming he expected should yeelde him aide CHAP. XXVII Herode returneth from Rome by sea and fighteth against Antigonus AFter that Herode was come from Italy by sea to Ptolemais and that he had assembled no small number of soldiers both straungers and his owne countrimen he marched forward against Antigonus and passed thorow Galilee Silo and Ventidius also gaue him assistance in this action hauing receiued direction by Gellius from Antonius that they should assist Herode to recouer his countrey But Ventidius was employed in appeasing the troubles that were raised in the cities by the Parthians and as touching Silo he kept in Iudaea hauing beene corrupted by Antigonus But the further that Herode daily marched into the countrey the more and more increased his forces and all Galilee except a very few submitted themselues vnto him Whilest therefore hee marched forward toward Massada being vrged thereunto in that he was to relieue his parents that were besieged therein the citie of Ioppe would not grant him passage for the citizens thereof were his enemies so that it behooued him first of all to ruinate the same to the end he might leaue no retreat or place of rescous for his enemy on his backe if so be he made towards Ierusalem Vpon which occasion Silo laying hold dislodged his army made thitherward whom when the Iewes did pursue Herode sallied out with a small company and put them to flight and saued Silo notwithstanding he fought very coldly and cowardly Afterwards being seazed of Ioppe he hasted onwards to deliuer his friends that were besieged in Massada but part of the inhabitants submitted themselues vnto him for the friendship they had borne vnto his father an other sort of them for the honour that they bare vnto him the rest admitted his goue◅ment in acknowledgement of those benefits they had receiued from them both But the greatest part was thereunto moued by the hope they had conceiued of their new elected king and the confirmation of his gouernment Thus by these meanes was his army mightily increased Whilest thus he marched forward Antigonus seazed those places that were fittest to lay ambushes in or to fight at aduantages by the way
so many sacrifices as that scarcely they may be comprehended in number for that their multitude exceedeth their estimate About the verie time of the celebration of this feast in honour of the reedification of the Temple the kings day of coronation fell out which he was woont to solemnize euerie yeere with great ioye and for this twofolde occasion the solemnitie and ioy was farre more sumptuous and compleate The king also caused a conduit of water to be made and conuaied by pipes vnder ground drawing it from the Castle Antonia vnto the Orientall gate of the temple neere to which he builded an other Tower also to the end that by the conduits hee might ascend priuily vnto the Temple if happely the people should practise any insurrections against his roialtie It is reported that during the building of this temple it neuer rained by day time but onely by night to the intent the worke might not be interrupted and our predecessors haue testified no lesse vnto vs. Neither is this thing vncredible if we attentiuely consider those other effects of Gods prouidence Hitherto concerning the reedification of the Temple THE XVI BOOKE OF THE ANTIQVITIES OF THE IEWES WRITTEN BY FLAVIVS IOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the 16. booke 1 How Alexander and Aristobulus returning vnto Herode their father were calumniated by Salomes and Pheroras meanes 2 How Herode gaue Alexander and Aristobulus wiues 3 How Herode sailed vnto Agrippa 4 The Iewes of Ionia accused the men of that countrey before Agrippa for indeuouring to take away their priuiledges granted vnto them by the Romans 5 How Herode returned into Iudaea 6 Of the discord in Herodes house betweene him and his sonnes 7 How Antipater being at Rome Herode brought Alexander and his brother and accused them before Caesar. 8 Of the defence of Alexander and how he was reconciled vnto his father 9 How Herode did celebrate euery fiue yeeres certaine sportes for hauing finished Caesarea 10 The Embassage of the Cyrenian and Asian Iewes vnto Caesar. 11 How Herode needing money entred into Dauids Sepulchre 12 How Archelaus king of Cappadocia did reconcile Alexander vnto his father 13 How the Trachonites reuolted 14 Of Herodes expedition into Arabia 15 How Syllaeus accused Herode vnto Caesar. 16 Of Euryclis his calumniations against Herodes sonnes 17 How Herodes sonnes were condemned in a councell at Berytus CHAP. I. How Alexander and Aristobulus being returned vnto their father were assailed and calumniated by Salome and Pheroras AMongst the rest of the affaires of the common wealth the king thought it behooued him to redresse and hinder priuate iniuries both in the Citie and country for the which purpose he made a new law vnlike to the former that it should be lawfull for such as were wall-breakers to be sold for slaues out of the limits of his kingdome which law did not seeme so much to intend the punishment of malefactors as the dissolution of his own countrey customs For to serue forraine nations who liued not after the manner of the Iewes and to doe whatsoeuer they commanded them was more preiudiciall vnto religion then vnto the parties conuicted of that fact Wherefore it was sufficiently already in the olde auncient lawes prouided for the punishment of such people to wit that a theefe should restore four times as much as he stole which if he was not able to doe that then he was to be solde not vnto strangers nor into perpetuall bondage but onely for seuen yeeres at which time he should againe be set free So that the common people did interpret this new lawe to set downe an vniust punishment and rather to sauour of tyrannie then of princely dignitie and to be enacted not without contempte of their auncient lawes so that for this cause all men spoke verie ill of the king At the same time Herode sayled into Italy to salute Caesar and to see his children liuing at Rome Where Caesar receiuing him verie curteously permitted him to take his sons home with him as being now sufficiently instructed in the liberall artes Who returning into their country were ioyfully receiued of all their countrimen both for that they were of comely stature and of curteous conditions and in their very behauiour did shew that they came of kingly linage Which things mooued Salome and the rest by whose false accusations their mother Mariamme was oppressed to enuy them fearing their puissance and verily perswading themselues that they would be reuengers of their mothers iniuries So taking hereby occasion they began also falsly to accuse them as misliking their father who had caused their mother to be slaine and as though they had an auersion from him whose hands was imbrued in their mothers bloud For they well perceiued that by such calumniations they might draw them into hatred and auert their fathers good will from them Yet did they not carrie these their inuentions to the kings eares but contented themselues to brute them abroad amongst the common people which so in the end comming to his hearing would cause in him such enmitie and hatred against his sonnes as that it would ouercome in him all naturall affection CHAP. II. How Herode gaue wiues vnto Alexander and Aristobulus BVt the king as yet mistrusting nothing moued with a fatherly care ouer them had them in such estimation as reason did require and for that they were now come vnto mans estate he married them both and vnto Aristobulus he gaue Bernice the daughter of Salome and vnto Alexander Graphyra the daughter of Archelaus king of Cappadocia Which done vnderstanding that Marcus Agrippa was returned out of Italy into Asia he went vnto him thither and inuited him into his kingdome requesting him to accept of his friends entertainment Which Agrippa yeelding vnto Herode omitted nothing that might delight him for he receiued him in his Cities newly built shewing him the faire houses and goodly edifices entertaining him and the rest of his friends and followers with all sorts of delights pompe magnificence as well at Sebaste as at the hauen of Caesarea and in the Castles he built to wit Alexandrium Herodium and Hircania He also brought him to Ietusalem where all the people met him apparelled in such goodly and braue attire as they were accustomed to adorne themselues withall when as they celebrated their festiuals and with many ioyfull acclamations receiued and saluted him Agrippa offered a hundreth head of fat oxen to God and feasted all the people and although he would willingly haue made a longer abode there yet winter drawing nigh fearing tempestuous weather he was forced to saile away with all speed into Ionia both he and his friends being honoured with very great presents CHAP. III. How Herode sayled vnto Agrippa HErode hauing past the winter at home and hearing that Agrippa was now with an army minded to go to Bosphorus the spring time being now at hand he sayled vnto him againe and
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
obtaine immortall praise for the present and a memorable and eternall glorie in time to come neither that they should protract the execution therof for feare of danger since death was a thing that might not be auoided so that since by the generall course of nature they must needly die it should become them brauely to forsake their liues with praise and honour in embracing vertue For to die in the execution of some noble exploit which cannot be atchieued without hazard or danger their children should be richly rewarded with the fruits thereof their other parents that should ou◅liue them of what sex soeuer should reape the fruits of that glorie which was honourably atchieued by them In these or such like words encouraged they the young men About that time there was a rumour spred that the king was dead which gaue verie great furtherance to the doctors resolution For at high noone they went vp into the temple they pulled and hewed downe the Aegle with their axes in the sight and assembly of a great number of people that were in the temple Now when the tidings hereof came vnto the eares of the kings captaine he fearing least some further and more fatall tumult might be raised drew out a strong companie of souldiers with him to repulse those that were assembled to hew downe the Aegle and charging the rude disarmed multitude who were gathered togither he easily flew and dispersed the most as for those 40. young men that valiantly addressed thēselues to resist he apprehended them and with them the authors of this sedition Iudas Matthias who thought scorne to submit thēselues and led them to the king who demanding of them how they durst deface the sacred image they answered that long before that time they had resolued it and that now according as they had resolued they had like valiant men performed the same For we said they maintaine the honour of God and the doctrine of our lawe whereof we are disciples neither ought you to admire that with contempt of your ordinances we haue preferred the lawes of our forefathers which Moses hath left vs in writing according as he was suggested and taught them by God neither doe we refuse any death or punishment which thou shalt inflict vpon vs being assured in our consciences that we suffer not for our impietie but pietie sake Thus spake they all of them continuing the like constant boldnesse in their answeres as they had shewed in their actions being also ready constantly to endure any punishment for that which they had attēpted Hereupon the king commanded them to be bound and sent them to Iericho then calling before him those principall Iewes who had the gouernment vnder him being brought into their assembly vpon his pallat by reason of his weaknesse he recited vnto them the numberlesse trauels he had endured for their sakes in like manner how vpon his great charges he had repaired and reedified the temple whereas the Asmoneans for the space of 125. yeeres wherein they raigned could not performe such a building in the honour of God Moreouer he signified vnto them how he had adorned the same with precious gifts for which he hoped that after his death his memorie and glorie should suruiue After this he expostulated with them for what cause they abstained not from offering him that outrage during his life time And why at noon daies and in the sight of all the people they had laid hands on those presents which he had dedicated vnto God and had taken those things away violently which though in words they appertained to him yet in effect if the act were well examined they had taken from God The gouernors suspecting his crueltie and fearing least his vnbridled passion should vrge him further by which meanes they might be assured of some seuere punishment answered him that those things were not done by their consents and that in their opinion the iniurie ought not to be let slip without punishment At that time Herod shewed himselfe more fauourable towards the rest but he caused Matthias to be depriued of the priesthood as one in part who had been the cause of that which had hapned and in his place substituted Iozar one of his wiues brethren During the priesthood of this Matthias it hapned also that an other high priest was elected that verie day wherein the Iewes did vsually celebrate their fast For Matthias the night before the day of the fast seemed in his dream to haue had the company of his wife and whereas for this cause he was vnfit to offer the deuine sacrifice he had Ioseph the sonne of Ellemus appointed him to be his assister and substitute by reason of his alliance Herode therefore deposed Matthias and as touching the other Matthias who had mooued this trouble both he and his companions were by his commandement consumed with fire This verie night the moone was ecclipsed Herods sicknesse grew more vehement For God punished those sins which he had committed For he was inflamed with a lent or slow fire which to the outward sense seemed not so vehement but Inwardly searched and afflicted all his entrails he had also a rauenous and an vnnaturall appetite to his meat which might no waies be satisfied Besides that he had an vlcer in his bowels with a strange and furious colicke His feet were swolne with moist and shining f◅egme and his stomacke was no lesse affected also His members rotted were full of crawling wormes with a filthie and no lesse troublesome Priapisme accompanied with an intollerable stench besides all this he had a strong con◅ulsion of his nerues and shortnesse of breath For which cause it was a generall opinion amongst holy men and such as had the knowledge of prophecie that the king was thus punished for his infinite impieties and sinnes committed against the maiestie of God And although he was tormented with an vnsupportable sicknes yet had he hope to escape and for that cause he sent for phisitions from all places and refused none of those remedies which they thought behoouefull for him He therefore past ouer Iordan and went into the hot bathes of Calliroes the waters whereof are potable besides other vertues they haue against all other kind of sicknes this water dischargeth it selfe into the lake called Asphaltite Being there it was thought good by his phisitions that he should refresh himselfe in those waters There being set by them into a bathing tub be filled with oyle he waxed so sicke that they held him for dead Whereupon all his household seruants wept and grieuously lamented and all his familiar friends crying out and bewailing him with their great noise caused him to come to himselfe and seeing himselfe wholy out of hope to escape he gaue order that there should a distribution be made to euery soldier the summe of fiftie drachmes and he offered great presents to their captaines his friends Afterwards
conferre with Anilaeus They hauing suruaied the place wherein Anilaeus kept assailed both himselfe and his followers by night and slew all those they encountred with without resist and among the rest Anilaeus When the Babylonians sawe that they were deliuered from the oppression of Anilaeus who till that time had been as it were a bridle vnto them to restraine and curbe the hatred they conceiued against the Iewes with whom they had oftentimes been at oddes by reason of the contrarietie of their religions whereby it grew that they oftentimes fell at debate vpon each opportunitie wherein they met At that time therefore that Anilaeus men were discomfited the Babylonians set vpon the Iewes on all sides who seeing themselues in danger by reason of the insolence of the Babylonians against whom they were too weake to make resist and on the other side vnable to liue amongst them they went and dwelt at Seleucia a Citie famous in regard of Seleucus the sonne of Nicanor who builded it In that Citie dwelt diuers Macedons diuers Greekes and a great number of Syrians The Iewes fled thither and soiourned there about some fiue yeeres without any molestation but in the sixt yeere when the plague grew rise in Babylon the Iewes that remained there vvere enforced to seeke them some newe habitation and that remooue of theirs into the Citie of Seleucia was the cause likewise of their further mischiefe as I will make manifest The Greeks who dwell in Seleucia are ordinarily at debate with the Syrians haue alwaies the vpper hand but after that the Iewes came to inhabite in that place in a certaine sedition that arose among them the Syrians had the vpper hand by the meanes of the Iewes who ioyned their forces with theirs who of themselues were valiant and good souldiers The Greeks who had been repulsed in this tumult seeing they had but one onely meanes left them to maintaine their former honour but to breake that league of friendship which was betweene the Syrians and the Iewes deuised in priuate each one with those Syrians with whom they were acquainted promising to liue in peace and amitie with them whereunto they condiscended willingly For the chiefest of these two nations concluded the peace which presently after followed to the end that on both parts they should ioyne in hatred against the Iewes So that altogither charging them at vnawares they slew more then fiftie thousand of them and all of them were slaine except some few who thorow the mercie of their friends and warâ—…ntize of their neighbours were suffered to escape These retired themselues to Ctesiphon a Citie of Greece that was not farre from Seleucia where the king soiourneth euerie yeere and keepeth the greatest part of his mooueables hoping in that place thorow the reuerence of the king they might remaine in more safetie and securitie All the nation of the Iewes that vvere in these quarters stood in great feare For the Babylonians and the Seleucians vvith all the Assyrians of that countrey accorded among themselues to make a generall warre against the Iewes vvhereby it came to passe that they assembled themselues at Nearda Nisibis trusting themselues to the strength of these fortresses which were inhabited also by men who were expert in armes See here what the estate of those Iewes was who remained in Babylon THE XIX BOOKE OF THE ANTIQVITIES OF THE IEWES WRITTEN BY FLAVIVS IOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the 19. booke 1 How Caius was slaine by Cheraeas 2 How Claudius obtained the Empire 3 Dissension betwixt the Senate and the people 4 How Claudius aduaunced Agrippa to his fathers Kingdome and his edicts in fauour of the Iewes 5 Agrippas returne into Iudaea 6 Petronius Epistle to Doritas in the behalfe of the Iewes 7 Agrippas actions vntill the time of his death CHAP. I. How Caius was slaine by Cheraeas CAius did not onely expresse and manifest his furie towards those Iewes that dwelt in Ierusalem and in other neighbouring places but also thorow all the countries both by land and sea which were subiect to the Romane Empire filling the whole world with an infinite number of mischiefes yea such and so hainous as the like hereof hitheâ—…to haue neuer beene heard of But Rome in especiall felt the force of his furie which partooke no lesse calamity and misery then any other citie but especially the Senators Patricians and noble men were plagued They also that were called Romane knights who in wealth and dignitie were next vnto the Senators for that out of their number such men were chosen who were to supply the Senat were vexed with intolerable iniuries For with ignominies they were detracted with banishments and confiscations weakned by slaughters wholy exterminated He likewise vsurped the name of a God commaunding his subiects to dignifie him with more then humane honours and ascending the Capitol which amongst all the temples in Rome is most religiously honoured he was so bold as to salute Iupiter and to call him brother Many such impieties committed he by which he expressed that his vnbridled and boundles madnes did neuer forsake him Amongst his other madde prankes that he plaied this is worthie of memorie for on a time thinking it to be too much trouble for him to crosse the sea between Puteol a citie in Campania and Misenum an other towne seated by the sea shore in a galley and otherwaies esteeming it a thing correspondent to his greatnes who was Emperour to exact that superioritie on the sea which was answerable to his soueraignty on the land betwixt one cape of the sea vnto another for the space of thirtie furlongs or stades betwixt which the gulph had his course he caused a bridge to be built on which he commaunded himselfe to be drawen in a chariot as if that way were aunswerable to the dignitie of his deitie He left not one temple of Greece whatsoeuer that he spoiled not of those excellent pictures or imagery that was therein Giuing a commission that all statues and whatsoeuer ornaments or gifts presents that were dedicated in any temple should be brought vnto him saying that such things as were admirable should be reserued for a place of admiration such as was the citie of Rome with these spoyles of the temples decked he his pallace and gardens and generally all his houses and pallaces that he had in Italy He was so impudent also as to giue direction that Iupiter Olympius statue which the Greekes had in great estimation and Phideas the Athenian caruer had made should be transported to Rome But Memmius Regulus to whom he had directed this commission executed it not because the masons informed him that without spoyling it they could not remoue it from the place It is reported also that he was hindered from this execution by such prodigies as are almost incredible which he certified Caius of giuing him to vnderstand what the occasion was that had moued
was her daughter slaine which was very young This did Lupus certifie Chaereas of with all expedition This was Caius end after he had liued 4. yeers wanting 4. moneths Before such time as he obtained the Empire he was an intemperate and wicked man addicted to his pleasure a fauourer of tale-bearers exceedingly fearefull and for that cause when he got the vpper hand of any man he was ready to kil him He esteemed this the only fruit of his power when he abused the same against innocents and gathered or heaped vp great spoiles and booties by wicked and vniust murthers rapines and oppressions lifting himselfe aboue all humane authoritie and affecting to be esteemed as a God suffering himselfe to be trāsported by the peoples praises Furthermore all that which the lawe condemned and punished as a thing most detestable that made he vse of to punish vertue with He neuer remembred any friendship that had been done him how great soeuer it either was or had been at such time as he was in his choler and was apt to inflict punishments in his rage on iust and vpright men All that which was answerable to vertue was odious in his eies In all things that him listed he had so violent appetites that it was impossible to contradict him so that he was not ashamed to vse the vnlawfull companie of his owne sister whereby it came to passe that the Citizens of Rome began to hate him extremely for that the like matter had not been seene nor heard of of a long time men could not beleeue the same yet notwithstanding they sufficiently expressed the hatred they bare against the fact he had committed It cannot be said of him that he builded any worke beseeming his royall magnificence worthy the mentioning or profitable either to the present or future world except some ports that he made neere to Rhegium and Sicilia for harbour of such ships as came and went into Aegypt for corne which doubtlesse is a goodly and mightie worke and verie profitable for such as trauell by sea True it is that it was not brought to perfection but onely halfe finished because the workemen trauailed leisurely But the chiefe cause thereof was that he spent his study in vnprofitable matters and loued rather to consume his substance to feede his owne priuate lustes wherein he tooke great delight then to erect and build any goodly or famous worke which might haue redounded to the profit of the common weale Otherwise he was a man well spoken and verie expert in the Greek and vulgar Roman tongues apprehending presently that which others said and although they had spent long time in discouering their mindes yet answered he them vpon the instant and in affaires of consequence he had such a moouing perswasion and power as no man could exceede him both in regard of his quicke spirit and easie apprehension as of the exercise and paine he had taken For being Tiberius brothers sonne whole successour also he was he was enforced to be studious seeing that Tiberius who was of the same veers was in like manner excellently learned Caius therefore inforced himselfe to imitate the Emperor Tiberius whose neere kinsman he was surpassed all those that were in Rome at that time yet notwithstanding all these great aduantages which his good instruction had bred in him could not hinder the misfortune that befell him by the abuse of his authoritie So rare a thing it is to see them who haue libertie to doe what they list without punishment to gouerne themselues with modestie In the beginning he tooke delight in the friendship of verie honest men to get credit and reputation thinking to outstrip the most excellent but after he was giuen ouer to licentiousnes the affection that he bare them was changed and in steede thereof he grew in hatred of them from day to day whereby they were inforced to conspire against him and seeke his ruine Now as I haue heretofore declared Claudius vnderstanding of that which had befallen Caius his Nephew and seeing all his house wholy troubled for this occasion was in such distrust that he knew not what to doe to saue himselfe but went and hid himselfe in a certaine corner where he was surprised hauing no other cause to apprehend his danger except his nobilitie For during the time that he liued a priuate man he behaued himselfe modestly kindly and fauourably vnto all men being well seene in the sciences and principally in the Greek tongue shunning as much as in him lay all tumult and traine that might breed trouble When as therefore the people at that time were wholy amazed at the trouble and the pallace was replenished with souldierlike furie and feare and nothing raigned more in generall then confusion and disorder the souldiers of the guard who were the most experienced and hardy amongst the men of warre consulted amongst themselues what course they were to take Neither were they much discontented with Caius death in that they supposed that vpon iust occasion he was done to death for which cause they rather bethought themselues on that which concerned their estates and how they might assure themselues in those dangers seeing the Germans were wholy bent against those who had slaughtered Caius rather incited thereunto of their owne cruell natures then of any good affection they had towards the welfare of the common weale All which things troubled Claudi◅s and put him in feare of his life the rather for that he sawe Asprenas head and the rest of the nobilitie that were massacred carried about to be seene for this cause he kept himselfe in a certaine place which was onely accessible by certaine steps or staires and hid himselfe therein because it was obscure In that place one of the souldiers of the pallace called Gratus being vnable to discerne who he was in regard of the obscuritie of the place and supposing him to be some one that desired to be concealed he drew neere vnto him to the intent he might the better know him And when as Claudius besought him that he would depart and leaue him he passed the more onwards and laying hold of him and drawing him into the light knew him crying out to those that followed him This is Germanicus let vs take holde of him and create him Emperor Claudius perceiuing that he was ready to be attached and fearing least they should put him to death in the like manner as they had done Caius besought them that they would pardon him protesting vnto them his innocencie and how he had in no sort bin either accessarie or agent in that which had been done Whereupon Gratus beginning to smile tooke him by the hand saying that he had no cause in that sort to suspect his life For said he it behooueth thee to pull vp thy spirits and to bethinke thee how to gouerne an Empire of which the gods who haue the care of the whole world haue despoiled Caius to reward thy
the second day of this solemnitie he shewed himselfe being apparrelled in a Robe of siluer made with admirable workmanship and came in the same to the Theater in the morning Whereas the first reflexe of the rising sunne â—…eat vpon his Robe he shined after such a sort that all those that beheld him were seazed with reuerence and feare Whereupon certaine sycophants which did not a little dishonour him exclaimed one on the one side the other on the other saluting him for a God and in speaking to him cried out thus Be mercifull vnto vs hitherto haue we feared thee as a man but hence forward we wil confesse and acknowledge thee to be of a nature more excellent then mortall frailtie can attaine vnto Agrippa reproued them not for vsing these words neither reiected he their palpable and detestable flattery But not long after he looking vpwards perceiued an owle ouer his head perched vpon a cord and knew the same incontinently that he was but a message of his misfortune whereas before time he had denounced vnto him his felicitie and conceiued thereupon a most hearty and inward griefe And sodainly he was seazed with a terrible griping in his belly which began with verie great vehemencie for which cause turning his eies towards his friends he spake vnto them after this manner Behold him said he whom you esteeme for a God condemned to die and destinie shall apparantly conuince you of those flattering and false speeches which you haue lately vsed in my behalfe For I who by you haue been adored as one immoitall am vnder the hands of death But I must willingly entertaine that which God pleaseth to send me For I haue not liued in obscuritie but in so great and wonderfull felicitie that each one of you haue tearmed and helde me happy Whilest he spake thus his griefes augmented in such sort as he was brought almost to his last for which cause with all expedition he was conuaied into his royall pallace and the rumor was spred in euerie place that verie shortly he would be dead For which cause the people with their wiues and children put on sackcloth according to the custome of the countrey to the end they might sollicit Gods mercie in the kings behalfe and all the Citie was filled with teares and lamentations The king that lay in an vpper chamber and looking downe into the court sawe them lying thus on the earth could not refraine himselfe from teares And after he had for the space of fiue daies without ceasing beene tormented with griping in his belly hee gaue vp the ghost in the fiftie fourth yeere of his age and the seuenth yeere of his raigne For hee had raigned foure yeeres vnder the Empire of Caius Caesar hauing first of all gouerned Philips Tetrarchy three yeeres to which was annexed the signiorie of Herode in the fourth yeere and three yeeres vnder the Empire of Claudius Caesar during which time he gouerned ouer the aboue named countries and moreouer ouer Iudaea Samaria and Caesarea His reuenue amounted to twelue hundreth myriades besides which he made many loanes For in that he was verie liberal in giuing he spent farre more then his reuenue and spared not any thing to shew himselfe magnificent Before the people knew of his death Herode his brother prince of Chalcis and Chelcias the kings lieutenaut and friend agreed betweene themselues to send Aristo one of their trustiest seruants to kill Silas who was their enemie as if they had beene commaunded by the king Thus died king Agrippa leauing behinde him a son called Agrippa seuenteen yeeres old and three daughters one of which that was called Bernice was married to Herode his fathers brother when she was sixteene yeeres olde The two other were Mariamme and Drâ—…silla this Mariamme being of the age of ten yeeres was promised in marriage by her father to Iulius Archelaus Chelcias sonne and Drusilla which was sixe yeeres olde was promised also to Epiphanes sonne to the king of Comagena After Agrippas death they of Caesarea Sebaste forgot themselues of those benefits they had receiued from him and vsed him no lesse despitefully then as if he had been their vtter enemy For they reprochfully abused him after his death and reuiled him in such sort as it is vnseemely to report the same Furthermore all the men of warre who were at that time many in number went vnto the kings lodging and with one accord seazed the statues of the kings daughters and carried them to the brothell house where after they had placed them they vttered all the indignities that they could possibly practizing such shamefull matters as they may not be expressed Besides this resting themselues in the publike places they banqueted in the open street wearing chaplets of flowres vpon their heads and perfuming themselues with odors to sacrifice to Charon drinking to one another for ioy the king was dead Thus expressed they their ingratitude not only towards their king Agrippa who had bestowed so many liberalities on them but also towards Herode his grandfather who had builded their Cities and to his extreame charge erected their ports and temples At that time Agrippa the deceased Agrippas son was at Rome and was brought vp vnder the Emperour Claudius When Caesar vnderstood how those of Caesarea and Sebaste had iniuriously dealt with Agrippa he was sore displeased and mooued with their ingratitude his purpose was to send the younger Agrippa with all expedition to take possession of the kingdome of his father and therewithall to discharge himselfe of his oath but diuers of his freeman and friends who were in great credit with him disswaded him from the same alleadging that it would be a dangerous matter to commit the greatnesse of such a kingdome to a young man who scarcely had as yet attained to the age of eighteene yeeres and for whom it was impossible to support the care of so great a kingdome considering that if he were at mans estate he should finde himselfe ouerburthened with the charge of a kingdome This aduice of theirs was allowed by Caesar and for this cause hee sent Cuspius Fadus to gouerne Iudaea and the whole realme honouring his dead friend in this in that he would not suffer Marsus who had been his enemy to enter into his kingdome He gaue especiall commission also that Fadus should sharply punish those of Caesarea and Sebaste for the outrages they had offered to his deceased friend and the excesse that was committed against his daughters who were yet liuing commaunding him to transport the companies of the Caesarians and Sebastens and the fiue Roman legions into the countrey of Pontus to serue in that place and to take those Roman souldiers that bare armes in Syria to serue in their place yet notwithstanding this commandement of his they were not displaced For they sent Embassadours to Claudius to appease him and by this means they obtained the fauour to remaine in Iudaea
speake any more He that constrained vs to raise our swords against the Romans was Florus who made his account that it was better for them to die all at once in great troupes then to perish by little and little In briefe the warre began the second yeere of the gouernment of Florus in that prouince which was the twelfth yeere of Neros Empire But they that desire to know exactly all that which we haue beene constrained both to doe and suffer may peruse my bookes as touching the Warres of the Iewes For which cause in this place I will end this ancient historie after which I haue begun to describe the historie of the Warre This auncient historie containeth all that which hath been reported to be done since the first creation of man vntill the twelfth yeere of Neros Empire omitting nothing that hath befallen the Iewes as well in Aegypt as in Syria and Palestine All that likewise which we haue beene enforced to suffer vnder the Assyrians and Babylonians as also our estate vnder the Persians and Macedons and finally vnder the Romans All this as I suppose I haue compiled and gathered togither with carefull diligence and I haue enforced my selfe to recite the number of those who haue been high priest for the space of two thousand yeeres I haue also collected the succession of kings their actions and gouernments with the power of their monarchies according as it is amply described in holy scriptures as also I haue promised in the beginning of my historie Furthermore I dare boldly say that whatsoeuer I haue set downe is so assured that there is no man either Iew or of what nation soeuer yea although he should haue employed the vttermost of his power could more exactly communicate the same vnto the Greekes then I haue done For in their confessions and opinions who are of our nation I haue such knowledge in that which concerneth our doctrine as I surpasse them all And as touching the Grecian disciplines I haue studied and learnt the toung although I cannot boast of the familiar and fit pronunciation of the same for that I haue liued in the countrey For amongst vs we make but slender reckoning of those who are exercised in diuers tongues for that this study is accounted prophane by vs and common not only vnto free persons but also vnto slaues and they onely are esteemed to haue profited in wisedome who fully know the contents of the lawe and who can expound the holy scriptures For this cause although diuers haue trauailed in this exercise of writing histories yet are there scarcely two or three of them that haue written successefully and haue receiued the fruits of their labours And it may be that it shall not be misthought of if I freely speake somewhat of my progenie and life considering that there are men at this day liuing who can approue or reproue me in that I set downe And in this place will I make an end of mine ancient historie which I haue reduced into twentie bookes containing sixtie thousand verses And if God grant me life I will shortly entreat of our warres and the euents of the same that haue hapned hitherto which is the thirteenth yeere of Domitianus Caesars Empire and the fiftie sixe yeere of mine age Moreouer I am resolued to discouer in foure bookes the diuers opinions of the sects of the Iewes as touching God and his essence and our lawes according to which certaine things are permitted vs and othersome are forbidden The end of the Antiquities of the Iewes THE LIFE OF FLAVIVS IOSEPHVS THE SONNE OF MATTHIAS WRITTEN BY HIMSELFE KNOW therfore that I am not basely but nobly descended being both on the father and mothers side deriued from the line of the priests for as much as some are accustomed to draw the ground of their nobility the one from this man the other from that so among our nation the marke of true nobilitie is to deriue a mans petegree from the priesthood Touching my selfe I am not only lineally issued from the priests but I draw my original from them who amongst the foure twenty ranks or families of priests iustly chalenge the superioritie Moreouer by my mothers side I am of the bloud royall For the heires of the Asmoneans from whom she is descended haue for a long time exercised the priesthood and princely power among our nation I wil likewise make it knowne how my predecessors haue succeeded the one after the other My great grandfathers father was Simon surnamed Psellus that is the stutterer who liued at such time as Hircanus the high priest the first of that name and the sonne of Simon the high priest was in office This Simon Psellus had nine sonnes the one of these was Matthias surnamed Aphlias This Matthias tooke to wife the daughter of the high priest Ionathan by whom he had one sonne who was Matthias surnamed Curtus who was borne in the first yeere of Hircanus priesthood Matthias begat Ioseph the ninth yeere of Alexandras gouernment and of Ioseph came Matthias the tenth yeere of the raigne of Archelaus and Matthias begat me the first yeere of the Empire of Caius Caesar. I likewise haue three sonnes mine eldest is Hircanus who was borne in the fourth my next Iustus who was borne in the seuenth and Agrippa my last was borne in the ninth yeere of Vespasians Empire This genealogie of mine do I in this manner propose according as I haue found it written in the publike registers to put them to silence who shal pretend to reproue or detract the same My father Matthias was not onely famous for his expresse nobilitie but hath also beene praised by reason of his iustice and authoritie in Ierusalem which is the mother citie of all the rest in our countrey My bringing vp during my tender yeeres was with Matthias who was my brother by the same father and mother with whom I happily profited in all kind of sciences hauing a good memorie and a quick apprehending spirit so that being as yet a child of fourteene yeers of age I was praised by al men in regard of the good affection I bare to learning and the priests noblest citizens alwaies assembled about me to receiue certaine exact instructions from me in any thing that concerned our ordinances About the age of sixteene yeeres my desire was to haue a search and insight into the sects of our nation which as I haue said are three the first of the Pharisees which is the chiefest The second of the Sadduces And the third of the Esseans For I truly thought with my selfe that I might easily choose the better of the three at such time as I had beene exercised and acquainted with them all for which cause with great abstinence and no lesse labour I passed thorow them all and not content with this experience after I had heard that a certaine man called Banus liued in the desart clothing himselfe with that which
ground After this he presently assaulted Oboda king of the Arabians who hauing laid ambushments in the countrey of Galaad in a place fit for such a purpose discomfited him and his whole army being driuen thence into a deepe valley where they were pestered with a multitude of Camels But Alexander escaped vnto Ierusalem where the people who had conceiued a hatred against him being encouraged by his great losse and slaughter of men began againe to rebell but then also he ouercame them and in six yeeres space at sundry battels he slewe aboue fiftie thousand Iewes notwithstanding he neuer reioiced in his victorie because the strength of his country was consumed thereby For which cause giuing ouer his warres he began to seeke the peoples fauour by sweete and milde speeches but they so much hated his inconstant and variable manners that when he demaunded of them what he might doe to win their fauours they answered if he would die for that scarcely they would pardon him if so be he were dead who had committed so many hainous crimes And thereupon the Iewes sent vnto Demetrius surnamed Aâ—…aerus for helpe who in hope of great rewards came and ioyned his forces with the Iewes about Sichem where Alexander met them both with a thousand horsmen and six thousand footmen that were hired hauing at that time ten thousand Iewes his fauourites and of the contrarie part there were three thousand horsemen and forâ—…ie thousand footmen Before the fight began the two kings sent messengers one vnto anothers army perswading one anothers men to forsake their colours and captaines for Demetrius hoped that Alexanders hired men would haue forsaken Alexander and come vnto him Alexander hoped that the Iewes that followed Demetrius would haue left Demetrius and come to him But when both parties perceiued that the Iewes continued obstinate in their purpose and the Greekes kept their fidelitie the two armies encountred in which encounter Demetrius had the vpper hand although Alexanders hirelings euidently shewed strength and courage But the end of this victorie was such as neither partie expected for they who sent for Demetrius after his victorie did forsake him and fortune chaunging her colours six thousand Iewes fled vnto Alexander into the mountaines whither for saferie he had betaken himselfe This reuolting much displeased discouraged Demetrius for he now thought that Alexander vniting his forces was able to bid him battel he feared that al the Iewes would at that present follow Alexander for which cause he returned home Yet the rest of the Iewes hauing thus lost the helpe of Demetrius would not for all this desist from their rebellion nay they so long warred with Alexander till at last the most of them being slaine he droue the rest into the citie of Bemeselin and when he had surprised and sackt the citie he led them captiues into Ierusalem But immoderate anger turned his crueltie into impietie for hauing crucified eight hundreth captiues in the middest of the citie he killed their wiues and the children he massacred before their mothers faces and this pitifull spectacle he beheld with pleasure drinking and making merry with his concubines Whereat the people were so terrified that the night after eight thousand of the contrarie part fled out of the countrey of Iudaea who staied in banishment during the life of Alexander Thus after he had by those actions sought for the tranquillitie of his kingdome which he obtained not but with long time and great difficultie he ceased to make warre against his countrey CHAP. IIII. Of the warre of Alexander with Antiochus and Aretas and of Alexandra and Hircanus AFter this Antiochus who likewise was called Dionysius the brother to Demetrius who was the last of all the race of Seleucus raised vp new broiles against Alexander who fearing him because he had prepared warre against the Arabians drew a deepe trench along that ground which lieth betweene Antipatris and the sea coast of Ioppe and before the trench he builded a verie high wall and raised towers of wood to hinder his enemies passage But all this could not keepe out Antiochus but that burning the towers and filling vp the trenches he entred and passed ouer them with his forces And not tarrying at that time to reuenge himselfe of him who had thus forbidden him passage â—…he presently marched forward against the Arabians But the king of Arabia retiring himselfe into certaine places of his countrey which were fittest for defence returning sodainly to battel with his horsmen who were in num ber ten thousand rushed hastily vpon Antiochus souldiers and found them vnprouided so that a hotte skirmish began betwixt them in which the souldiers of Antiochus whilst he liued shewed themselues valiant though they were on euerie side massacred by the Arabians but so soon as he was slaine who was alwaies readie to assist those that were in danger all of them fled and the greatest part of them were slaine in the battaile and in flight as for those that escaped they fled into the towne of Cana where they all except a very few died for hunger After this the people of Damascus being incited by the hatred they bare to Ptolomey the sonne of Mineus sent for Aretas and established him King ouer Coelesyria who warring against Iudaea and ouercomming Alexander in battell retired himâ—…lfe vpon composition Alexander hauing taken Pella resorted once more to the towne of Gerasa in that he was desirous of Theodorus riches and tooke the place notwithstanding that it was foâ—…ified with three walles and that vpon euerie wall there was planted a garrison He tooke Gaulan and Seleucia and that towne which is called the valley of Antiochus Moreouer hauing taken Gamala which was a most strong castle and imprisoned the gouernour thereof who was called Demetrius because he was a wicked person he returned into Iudaea after he had spent three yeeres in warrâ—…s where for his prosperous successe he was ioyfully receiued of his nation But no sooner ceased he from warre but he fell sicke and falling into a quartaine ague he thought that he should driue away his sicknes if he employed himselfe in some busines for which cause being not rid of his disease he applied himselfe to warre and labouring aboue his strength amids those tumults yeelded vp the ghost in the seuen and thirtith yeere of his raigne leauing the kingdome to Alexandra his wife fully acouâ—…ting that the Iewes would in all things obey her because that she alwaies by misliking and seeking to hinder his crueltie and iniquitie had woone the hearts of the people Neither was he doceiued for she being admired for her pietie amongst them obtained the principalitie the rather for that she was well acquainted with the customes of her countrey and euen from her childhood detested them who violated the holy law She had by Alexander two sonnes the eldest was called Hircanus whom by reason of his yeeres she proclaimed
high priest and because of his dull nature she thought that though he were in princely authoritie yet he would molest no man and therefore also made him king As for the yongest son Aristobulus because he was of a hot spirit she was willing that he should liue a priuate life Now there was a certaine sect among the Iewes which were called Pharisees who ioyned themselues with the Queene these people were thought to be of the godliest sort and to be more skilfull then other in interpreting the scriptures and for that cause Alexandra fauoured them the more because she was superstitiously giuen to religion These hauing by little and little insinuated themselues into the fauour of a simple woman now did domineere at their pleasure displacing deposing imprisoning and restoring to libertie whom they pleased for no other purpose but that they might enioy the profites and commodities of the kingdome and Alexandra bare all charges This Queene was alwayes desirous of high attempts and dayly studied to encrease her wealth she leuied two armies and hired a great many strangers whereby shee did not onely strengthen her owne countrey but also made her selfe to be feared of other nations She ruled others but her selfe was ruled by the Pharisees who at last killed Diogenes who was a gallant man and highly in fauour with king Alexander affirming that through his counsell the king commanded those eight hundred before mentioned to bee crucified and further they perswaded the Queene Alexandra that she should put to death all others through whose counsell Alexander her husband had beene incited against those eight hundred The Queene being blinded with superstition thought it vnlawfull to denie any thing which they requested so tha◅ they put to death whom they pleased till such time as the chiefest of those who were in this danger in humble wise came to Aristobulus who perswaded his mother to spare them for their dignitie and banish others whom she thought had deserued punishment who hauing obtained their liberty dispersed themselues through the whole country Now Alexandra sent an armie to Damascus and because Ptolomeus daylie vexed the citie she tooke it without doing anie thing worthy of memory she did solicite Tigranes king of Armenia with gifts and promises who with an armie had besieged Ptolemais wherein Cleopatra was but he for feare of troubles in his owne countrey in that Lucullus had entred into Armenia withdrew himselfe from thence In the meane time Alexandra being sicke her youngest sonne Aristobulus with his seruants which were manie in number all trusty for the heat their yong yeares got all the castels and hiring soldiers with the money he found in those castles he proclaimed himself king But Alexandra pitying the complaints of Hircanus imprisoned the wife and children of Aristobulus in a castle neere vnto the North part of the temple which in olde time was called Baris as wee said before afterwards Antonius being Emperour it was called Antonia as in like manner Sebaste and Agrippias other cities were named of Augustus and Agrippa But Alexandra died before she could reuenge Hircanus of the wrongs which Aristobulus had done him This Queene reigned nine yeeres left Hircanus in possession of al whom during her life time she had aduanced to the kingdome But Aristobulus being both stronger in power and more esteemed in authoritie encountred with his brother about Iericho where many of Hircanus souldiours forsaking their king fled vnto Aristobulus for which cause both he the remnāt of those that followed him were forced to flie into the castle called Antonia where he found hostages to redeem him For as we haue already said Aristobulus wife and children were imprisoned in that place and least any worse mishap should betide him he concluded a peace vpon condition that Aristobulus should bee king and that he as brother to the king would content himselfe with other dignities Vpon these conditions they were made friends in the Temple where in the presence of all the people they in most friendly sort embraced each other which when they had done they changed houses and Aristobulus went into the kings pallace and Hircanus vnto Aristobulus his house CHAP. V. Of the warre betweene Hircanus and the Arabians and of the taking of Ierusalem NOw a sodaine feare inuaded all the enemies of Aristobulus when they saw him contrarie to all expectation made king and especially Antipater aboue all others whom Aristobulus a long time had hated This Antipater was an Idumaean borne and for his nobilitie and riches was the chiefest and best reputed of his nation This man perswaded Hircanus to flie vnto Aretas king of Arabia and craue his helpe to set him in his kingdome Furthermore he perswaded Aretas likewise to receiue Hyrcanus and to helpe him to recouer his kingdome speaking much against the manners of Aristobulus and praising Hyrcanus adding that he being king of so famous a nation ought to assist those who were vniustly oppressed and that Hyrcanus had manifest iniurie offered him being forced to forsake his kingdome which by the right of succession was due vnto him After he had thus made his way he in the night time tooke Hyrcanus and fled with him foorth of the Citie and making all haste possible they arriued at a towne called Petra with safetie which is a towne where the kings of Arabia were accustomed to keepe their court there he deliuered Hyrcanus into the kings hands and through many gifts and intreaties obtained the fauour that he might be conducted into his kingdome And to the effecting of the same Aretas gaue him an army of fifty thousand horse and foote which power since Aristobulus was not able to resist he was ouercome vpon the first onset and was forced to flie vnto Ierusalem and he had been surely taken if Scaurus a captaine of the Romans by taking opportunitie at those troubles had notraised the siege For Pompey the Great who warred againg Tigranes sent him out of Armenia into Syria who comming to Damascus found it newly taken by Metellus and Lolius who dismissing them from thence and finding how matters stood in Iudaea hasted thither in hope of a bootie So soone as he entred into the confines of the countrey both of the brethren sent embassadours vnto him desiring him to take their parts but Aristobulus hauing sent him three hundreth talents he neglected to doe Iustice for hauing receiued that sum Scaurus sent messengers vnto the Arabians and Hyrcanus threatning the displeasure of the Romans and Pompey except they would presently raise their siege for which cause Aretas being much abashed returned out of Iudaea vnto Philadelphia and Scaurus repaired vnto Damascus Yet sufficed it not Aristobulus that he had escaped from being taken but that gathering all his forces togither he pursued his enemies and ioyning battell with them about Papyron he slew six thousand of them in which number was Cephalon Antipaters brother But Hyrcanus and Antipater being destitute of the
fauourable vnto Alexander when he came to plead his cause And after this entertainement he conducted Herode vnto Zephyrius giuing him gifts to the value of thirtie talents and so tooke his leaue of him Herode so soone as he came to Ierusalem assembled the people togither being assisted by his three sons he shewed vnto them the cause of his going to Rome and blessed God and thanked Caesar who had appeased the discord of his house and that had made his sons friends which he esteemed more then his kingdome and I quoth he will make their friendship firme For Caesar appointed me king and gaue me leaue to chuse whom I pleased for my successour for the which I giue him heartie thanks And now I here constitute al three of my sons kings which purpose of mine first I beseech Almightie God and secondly you to fauour for the one of them for his yeers the other for their nobilitie of birth haue right to the crown kingdom which is so large that it may suffice many so that you for your parts reuerēce them whom Caesar conioyned and I their father ordained giuing them not vnfit nor vnlike honours but such as they haue deserued For a man cannot do a greater pleasure vnto him whom he honoureth aboue his yeeres then he shall giue discontent vnto him whom he dishonoureth For which cause I will constitute to euery one of them such friends welwillers as with whom they be most conuersant and of them I will require pledges of a concord and vnitie amongst them For I know that discords and contentions arise by malice of those who are conuersant with Princes and that if they be well disposed they will encrease friendship And I request that not onely these but also all such as beare rule in my army that they hope in me onely for the present for I giue not my sonnes the kingdome but the honour and dignitie thereof and they shall haue pleasure as though they were kings themselues yet I my selfe will beare sway although I am vnwilling to do it Let euery one of you consider my age my course of life and pietie for I am not so olde that any one may quickly despaire of me nor I haue not accustomed my selfe to such kind of pleasure as is wont to shorten young mens daies and we haue beene so religious that we are in great hope of long life But if any one despise me and seeke to please my sonnes such a one will I punish I doe not forbid them to be honoured whom my selfe haue begotten for that I enuie them but because I know wel that such applauses nourish pride and arrogancie in the fierce minds of young men Wherefore if all they that apply themselues in their seruice consider that I will be readie to reward the good and that those who are seditious shall find their malice to haue an vnprofitable euent at their hands whom they so flatter I easily perswade my selfe that all men will be of my mind that are of my sonnes mind For it is good for them that I raigne and that I am friends with my sonnes And you O my good sonnes retaine in your minds that sacred nature which maketh the very brute beast to entertaine naturall affection then reuerence Caesar who rconciled vs and last of all obey me who request and entreat that at your hands which I might commaund namely that you remaine brethren And I will now giue you both kingly attire and honour and I pray God that if you will continue and remaine friends I may continue in this mind After he had thus spoken he saluted them verie louingly and dismissed the people some praying that it might be as he had said others who desired alteration made as though they had heard nothing Yet for all this the dissension amongst the brethren was not appeased but each of them mistrusting worser euents departed from one another For Alexander and Aristobulus stomached the matter that Antipater had his desert confirmed and Antipater was grieued that his brethren should haue the second place after him yet he could craftily so carrie himselfe that no man could perceiue his hatred towards them And they deriued of a noble race spake all they thought and many endeuoured to set them on and others as friends insinuated themselues into their companie to learne what newes so that Alexander could not speake a worde but presently it was carried to Antipater and from him to Herod with an addition so that when Alexander spake any thing simply meaning no harme it was presently interpreted in the worst sense possible and if hee chaunced at any time to speake freely of any matter presently it was made a great thing Antipater suborned men to set him on that so his lies might be shadowed with a colour of truth and that if he could prooue any one thing true all lies and tales els diuulgated might thereby be iustified to be true Now all Antipaters familiars were either naturally secret or els he stopped their mouthes with bribes least they should disclose his intents so that one might iustly haue termed his life a secrecie of malice All Alexanders friends were either corrupted by mony or flattering speeches wherwith Antipater ouercame al made thē theeues and proditors of such things as were either done or spoken against him and himselfe doing all things he dealt so warily that at last those calumniations came vnto Herodes eare and he counterfeited his brothers person and suborned other tale carriers telling what they could against Alexander pretēding good will towards his brother at first fainedly reproued thē afterward seriously alleadged their sayings as accusations so that hereby Herod was verie wrath but turned all as though Alexander went about treason and sought to kill his father and nothing made so much credit be giuē to these calumniations as that Antipater colorably excused his brother Herod incēsed herat euerie day withdrew his affection more more frō the two brethren daily encreased his loue towards Antipater The nobilitie also were inclined after the same manner partly of their onwe accord and partly for that they were so commanded so did Ptolemaeus the chiefest of all the nobilitie and the kings brethren and all his kinred for all mens expectation was vpon Antipater And that which grieued Alexander the more was that all these mischiefes wrought to his ouerthrow were done by the counsell of Antipaters mother for she being a step mother was cruell and hated them being borne of a Queene farre more then a steppe mother doth her sonnes in lawe And although all men followed Antipater for the hope which they had of him yet were they also compelled thereunto by the kings commaunde who gaue an especiall charge to their dearest friends that none should follow Alexander or his brother so that he did not only terrifie those of his owne kingdome but also those of other forraine nations
the people in great multitude Nay he was not ashamed by the publike voyce of a crier to proclaime it through the whole coutrie lawfull for any one that would to rob and steale so that they would bring him a part of their bootie In briefe his cruelty was such that the country was almost left desolate people forsaking their own natiue home flying into strange lands And during the time that Cestius Gallus was gouernour of Syria no man durst go to him to make anie complaint against Florus But when at the feast of vnleauened bread Gallus came to Ierusalem there met him a multitude of the Iewes aboue three hundred thousand all beseeching him to helpe and succour their afflicted countrey and banish Florus who was the verie plague of their nation Yet Florus was so impudent that being with Gallus and hearing these cries against him he was no whit moued thereat but laughed at it Cestius for that time appeased the people promising that hereafter he would make Florus more gentle vnto them and so returned to Antiochia Florus conducted him to Caesarea to stop his mouth with lies deuising with himselfe how to make the Iewes rebel and that he thought was the safest meanes for to cloake his villanies for if they continued in peace and obedience he feared that some of them would accuse him before Caesar marie if he could make them reuolt then he hoped that their great fault would shadow his impieties Wherefore to bring about his purpose he euerie day oppressed them with new calamities forcing them hereby to rebell against the Romans At this time the Gentiles of Caesarea got the victorie ouer the Iewes and brought letters to testifie that decree before Nero. This was the beginning of the wars of the Iewes in the twelfth yeare of Nero his empire and the seuenteenth of Agrippas raigne in the moneth of May. CHAP. XIIII Of Florus crueltie against the Iewes of Caesarea and Ierusalem FLorus had no iust cause for any of these calamities which he inflicted vpon the Iewes The Iewes dwelling at Caesarea had a synagogue neere a peece of ground that belonged to a Gentile dwelling in Caesarea The Iewes often sought to compound with him for that peece of ground offering him far more then it was worth but the Landlord of the soile did not only contemne their request but also to their great griefe in that place builded tauerns so that he left them a verie streight and narrow passage to go to their synagogue Some young men among the Iewes being verie zealous resisted the workmen and would not suffer them to build Florus hearing this commanded the Iewes to let the workmen goe forward in their worke The Iewes not knowing what to do especially one Iohn a Publican offered Florus eight talents to hinder the building he promised for that mony to fulfill their request and now hauing it ◅e presently departed from Caesarea and went to Sebaste without perfourming anie thing giuing as it were occasion of sedition as though he had receiued money of the Nobilitie of the Iewes to permit them to fight a certaine time The next day which was the Iewes Sabboth when they were all assembled to go to the synagogue one of Caesarea a seditious person tooke a great ear then vessel and set it euen at the entrie into their synagogue and vpon it did offer birds This fact so moued the Iewes that they would not be pacified because it was done in contempt of their religion and thereby the place was profaned One part of the Iewes that was most modest and wisest counselled the people to complaine to them that were in authority but those who for heat of their youth were prone to seditiō begā contumeliously to reuile the aduersaries For the most seditious of the people of Caesarea were also prepared to fight with them and had caused that to bee done before the synagogue only to picke a quarrell and so they fought together Iucundus General of the horsmen that was left to keepe all in quiet presently came with souldiers and commanded that vessell to be taken away and so indeuoured to appease the tumult but not being able to doe it through the violence of them of Caesarea the Iewes tooke the bookes of their lawes and retired themselues to a place called Narbata belonging to them which was distant from Caesarea threescore furlongs Twelue of the chiefe of them together with Iohn the Publican went vnto Florus being at Sebaste to complaine of the iniurie done vnto them requesting him to assist them and modestly put him in mind of the eight talents they gaue him But he presently commaunded them to bee bound and imprisoned because they had presumed to take and carie their law from Caesarea Hereat those of Ierusalem were greatly moued yet they shewed it not Florus as vpon set purpose giuing occasion of rebellion sent for seuenteene talents out of the sacred treasurie pretending that it was to be imployed in Caesars affaires At this the people was much troubled calling and crying vpon the name of Caesar praying that he would deliuer them from Florus his tyrannie Some of them being seditious began to curse Florus bitterly and took a basket and caried it about and begged an almes for Florus which they did in derision as who should say he were as miserable as beggers that haue nothing Florus for all this left not his couetousnes but was more earnest to rob the inhabitants of their goods So that when he should haue gone to Caesarea to haue quieted the sedition remoued the cause of tumults as also he had receiued mony so to do taking an armie of horse and foot he came to Ierusalem that with the help of the Roman souldiers he might effect his pleasure and terrifie the whole citie The people to pacifie his wrath went out in curteous sort to meete the armie shewing themselues readie to giue them the best entertainment they could and to receiue Florus with all honour and reuerence Florus vnderstanding of them sent before him one Capito a Centurion with fiftie horsemen commanding them to depart and not to mocke him with a pretence of honour whom they had so hainously abused And that if they were as good as their words they should flout and reproch him to his face and not onely in words but in deedes shew that they desired libertie Herewithall the multitude being terrified and also for that the horsemen that came with Capito assaulted them with violence euerie one fled before they saluted Florus or did their accustomed duety vnto the army and going euerie one vnto his house they past the watchfull night in feare and sorrow Florus for that night lodged in the kings pallace The next day he caused a tribunall openly to be placed and the high priest and all the chiefe of the Iewes resorted thither and stood before the tribunall Then Florus sitting in the tribunall seate commaunded them to
make no resistance The day following taking heart and assembled togither they assaulted the watchmen that kept without the temple the second houre of the day The Romans valiantly resisted their first assault so defending themselues with their shields as though they had a wal before thē yet sure it was that they would not long abide for that they were fewer in number then their enemies and not so desperat as they were Then Caesar before his men retired beholding the fight from Antonia with certain chosen horsmen came to succour them whose force the Iewes not sustaining but the first of them being slaine the rest fled and the Romans departing they returned and fought against them and when the Romans returned againe presently they fled till about the fift houre of the day the Iewes were forced to betake themselues into the temple and there they were shut vp Then Titus returned into Antonia purposing the next day to assault them with all his armie and winne the temple But the sentence of God had already determined that it should be consumed with fire and now the fatal day was come after many yeeres which was the tenth of August vpon which day also the king of Babylon did once before fire it yet was it now first set a fire by our owne countrimen who were indeed the cause thereof For the seditious being quiet till Titus was departed then againe they assaulted the Romans and so fought with the guard that were without the temple labouring to extinguish the flame who putting the Iewes to flight came vnto the temple CHAP. X. How the temple was burnt against the will of Titus THen a certaine souldier who expected no commaund nor feared to doe so execrable a fact being mooued with some diuine furie and lifted vp by his fellow tooke in his hand a flaming firebrand and cast it into the golden gate which entred into the roomes on the North part of the temple and the flame presently arose which caused a great crie amongst the Iewes expressing their calamitie and euerie one hasted to extinguish the fire now neither accounting of their liues nor forces hauing lost that for which they so fought Newes hereof was presently brought vnto Titus by one who came from the fight who then was resting in his tabernacle and he presently arose and ranne vnto the temple to hinder the fire and all the captaines after him whereat the souldiers being terrified followed and there arose a great crie and tumult in that army being vnordered Caesar both with voice and hand made a signe vnto the souldiers that were fighting to quench the fire But they did not heare him there was so great a noise neither did they perceiue the signe he made vnto them with his hand because that some were distracted with fight others with anger and the soldiers issued in not restrained neither by commaunds nor threatnings but euerie one went whither furie carried him and thronging togither at the entrance many pressed one another to death and many being amongst the firie ruines of the galleries perished as miserably as those that were ouercome When they came vnto the temple euerie one counterfeited himselfe not to heare Caesars command and so exhorted his fellowes that were before him to fire the temple The seditious now had no hope to withstand them but either fled or were slain and many vnarmed and vnable people wheresoeuer they were found were slaine so that about the altar was an innumerable companie of dead bodies heaped togither and their bloud flowed down the temple staires and their bodies that there were slaine rouled downe Caesar seeing he could not restraine the surie of the madbraine soldiers and that the fire encreased entred into the temple with his nobles and beheld all the holy things there and vvhat soeuer else vvas there farre surpassing all report vvhich straungers had giuen of it and equall to that report vvhich the Iewes made of it And the flame not hauing yet pierced into the inner part of the temple nor yet consumed the houses and roomes about it he deemed that as yet it might be preserued vvherfore himselfe came and intreated the soldiers to extinguish the fire commaunding Liberalis the Centurion of his guard to beat those with a trunchion that vvould not be obedient and driue them away But their furie and the rage of vvarre and the hatred they bare against the Iewes ouercame in them all Caesars commaunds and feare of them that forbad them Many were incited so to do hoping of some bootie thinking that all the temple within vvas full of money because they saw the gates of gold Moreouer a certaine souldier vvhen Caesar sought to queneh the flame fired the poastes aboue the doores and presently the flame appearing within Caesar and the Captaines departed and so euerie one stood looking vpon it and no man sought to extinguish it Thus the temple vvas burnt against Titus his will And although enerieman will iudge it a lamentable case that such a building surpassing all that euer was seene or heard of both in greatnesse workemanship costlinesse and plentie of all things in this yet we may comfort our selues in that the destinies had so determined For neither liuing creatures nor places nor buildings can auoide their destinie One may also admire the exact and iust reuolution of time for it was now destroyed in the same moneth and on the same day that the Babylonians first destroyed it and from that time that Salomon beganne the first temple vnto the destruction of the second temple which hapned the second yeere of Vespasians raigne were a thousand a hundreth and thirtie yeeres seuen moneths and fifteene daies and from the building of the latter temple which Aggaeus built in the second yeere of the raigne of King Cyrus vnto the destruction thereof now in Vespasians raigne were sixe hundreth thirtie nine yeeres and fiue and fortie daies CHAP. XI Of the Priests the Treasure house and the Porch WHen the temple was thus consumed with fire whatsoeuer the soldiers found therein they caried away and put all to the sword that were in it which was an infinite number neither did they shew any pitie to olde age or infants but olde young priests common people all were slaine without respect all sorts of people tasted the calamitie of war whether they resisted or intreated mercy And now the flame encreased which grieued euen thē that were yeelding vp the ghost and by reason of the height of the hill and the building togither one would haue thought the whole citie had beene on fire Then a most lamentable crie was raised betweene the Roman legions and the seditious now enuironed with fire and sword and of the people that vvere taken in the higher part of the citie had fled vnto the Romans lamenting their calamitie and they of the citie answered the teares and cries of them in the hill and many whose eies death by famine
of the castle which is thus scituate It is enuironed round with a huge stone verie high on euerie side and the valley vnderneath is so deepe that one cannot see the bottome all rockie and inaccessible to all liuing creatures saue onely that in two places there is a difficult passage vnto it one of them is from the lake Asphaltites towards the East and the easiest of the two is the West â—…side the first is called a snake taking his name of the straiâ—…es and crooked turnings for the rocke that is eminent seemeth as if it were broken insunder and by little and little often returneth againe vnto it selfe and it is by little little extended in length so that he that goeth that way can make no haste but must step with one foot first vpon them and the other vpon another must stand vpon one foot whilest he remoueth the other and he that falleth is sure to be slaine in the fall for there is such a hollow place on either side between the rocks that it is able to terrifie the boldest man aliue WheÌ„ thou hast gone thirtie stoundes by this way then thou commest to the top of the hill which is not steepe at the top but hath a plaine aboue it and Ionathas the high priest was the first that built a castle in this place and called it Massada and Herode after him bestowed great labour and cost in building that place for he enuironed it all with a wall seuen stounds circuite all of white stone twelue cubits high and eight cubits broad and placed vpon it seuen and twentie towers that were fiftie cubits high by the which men passed into the houses that were round about the wall within for the king appointed the top of the hill for tillage because it was a more fertile and fatter soyle then any ground else so that if at any time they within the castle wanted prouision from other places yet they might not be famished hauing this to finde them He also builded in this place a pallace for himselfe the way to which was on the West side within the Castle wall whose prospect vvas toward the North and enuironed the same vvith a most strong wall and in the corners thereof he built foure most firme towers three score cubits high verie sumptuous within hauing diuers roomes and galleries and bathes supported in euerie place with pillars euere one of vvhich was one onely stone the vvals thereof vvere of solide stone of diuers colours and to euerie house and in the top of the hill and round about the pallaee he hewed certaine cesternes out of the rocke 〈◊〉 to beare water so that by this meanes water vvas as plentifull as though they had fountaines within the castle There was a way vnto the castle vnder the ground from the Kings pallace which they that were without could not perceiue the way aboue ground was inaccessible for as wee haue alreadie said the way on the East side no man could passe and as for that on the West side it was stopped vp with a tower built in the striect thereof distant a thousand cubites from the Castle by which it was impossible to passe and it was not easie to get it by force and the more leasurely they went the neerer they were to danger And thus was this fortresse strenghned both by art and nature The prouision within the Castle was admirable both for the magnificence thereof and also for the long time it had continued for there was corne sufficient for many yeeres and Wine and Oyle and diuers other prouision and heapes of dates All which Eleazar found readie there hauing deceitfully obtained the Castle with his Sicarians which prouision was all as sound and as fresh as though it had newly beene laid vp in store notwithstanding that from the time it remained there vnto the time that the Romans tooke it were a hundred yeeres and the Romanes found the reliques of the fruite incorrupted and one may iustly thinke that the cause hereof is the ayre about the Castle which by reason of the height of the place is most pure and free from all earthly corruption Therewas also found all manner of Armour in great quantitie which Herode made and would haue armed ten thousand men also vnwrought yron brasse and lead so that one may iudge that prouision to haue beene reserued for some great cause It is reported that Herode prepared that Castle for his refuge when hee doubted two great daungers first that the people of the Iewes would depose him and make them Kinges whose auncestors had before reigned The other which was more dangerous then the first was for that he feared Cleopatra Queene of Aegypt who not concealing her intent did often request Antonius that Herode might be slaine and that shee might haue the kingdome of the Iewes giuen to her And it was a great maruaile that Antonius doting so vpon her did not fulfill her request Herode for these occasions hauing bâ—…ilded Massada left it furnished as the last bulwarke for the Romanes to make warre against the Iewes For the Generall of the Romanes hauing now compassed all the place without it with a wall as is before said to the end that none might escape he did verie wisely and so began to assault the Castle finding one onely place that would beaâ—…e a mount For behind the tower that on the West side stopped vp the passage into the Castle and pallace there was a great rocke verie large and long yet not so high as Massada by three hundred cubites This rocke was called Leuce which signifieth white When Silua had gotten this rocke and ascended it he commanded his souldiers to build a mount thereupon and they chearefully labouring raised a sodaine mount two hundred cubites high by reason of the height it seemed not firme nor sufficient enough to beare the engines but vppon it was built a Tribunall with great stones fiftie cubites high and as many cubites broade and the engines were such as first Vespasian and after him Titus deuised two batter walles with and so they made a tower threescore cubites high all plated about with yron Now the Romans with many shot did driue the Iewes off from the Castle wals not suffering them to lifâ—… vp their heads And Silua hauing builded a mightie Ramme caused the wall to bee continually beaten therewith but it could scarcely enter vpon it and the Sicarians quickly preuented that building another wall within which could not bee broken with the Ramme being yet soft and so would breake the force thereof for they did sawe timber in peeces and as it were made two rayles and then filled the space betweene the two rayles with earth and with other planckes they kept the earth from falling downe so that they made a worke like the wall of a house and for that it yeelded vnto the blowes of the Ramme being soft earth the Ramme could not
the sacred tongue signifieth a King and Sos a shepheard or shepheards according to the common speech and Hicsos is a compound word Some say these people were Arabians but in other coppies I find that Hicsos is not interpreted kings shepheards but shepheards that were captiues for Hic and Hac also when it is pronounced doth in the Egyptian tongue signifie a captiue and this latter exposition seemeth to me to bee the truest for it is more agreeable with the historie Wherefore Manathon reporteth these foresaide kinges and sheapheards to haue ruled Egypt fiue hundreth and eleuen yeares and after these the king of Thebes and the king of the residue of Egypt vniting their forces togither inuaded the sayde sheapheards and held on great and long wars against them and that the sayde sheapheards were ouercome by the king Alisfragumthosis also that then they lost all Egypt which hee had in their power and that they were shut vp in a place called Auaris conteining ten thousand acres of ground which as Manathon reporteth these shepheards enuironed round about with a huge wall to the end that all their whole prouision might be fortified and all their prayses which they got defended Moreouer that Themosis sonne of the saide Alisfragumthosis endeuored by force to subdue them and for this cause besieged them with foure hundreth and foure score thousand armed men and at last despairing to take them by siege he couenanted with them that they should safly depart out of Egypt whether they would and that they vpon these conditions togither with all their families and goods and cattle departed out of Egypt into the wildernes so into Syria being in number two hundreth fortie thousand that fearing the puissaunce of the Assirians who at that time raigned in Asia they builded a citie in the countrie now called Iudea which they made so large as that it might receiue them all and this citie they called Ierusalem Further the saide Manathon in an other booke of the Egyptians affaires sayth that in the holy writings he sendeth the foresaide shepheards called captiues wherein he saith most true For our auncesters were wont to feede cattle so leading a pastorall life were called shepheards neither are they vniustly called captiues for our forefather Ioseph tould the king of Egypt that he was a captiue and long time after hee called his brethren into Egypt by the kinges commaund but wee will hereafter examine this point more straightly I will now cite the testimonie of the Egyptians concerning this point and also relate the words of Manethon touching the time when this befell who sayeth as followeth After that the nation of shepheards were departed out of Egypt vnto Ierusalem king Themosis who droue them out of the land raigned twentie fiue yeares and foure moneths and then dyed and his sonne Chebron succeeded him who raigned thirteene yeares and after him Amenophis twentie yeares and seuen moneths next his sister Amesses one and twentie yeares and nine moneths then raigned Mephios twelue yeares and nine moneths Mephamuthosis twentie fiue yeares and ten moneths Thimosis nine yeares and eight moneths Amenophis thirtie yeares and ten moneths Orus thirtie sixe yeeres and fiue moneths after him his daughter Achencheres twelue yeeres and one moneth and the brother of Rathotis nine yeeres Achencheres twelue yeeres and fiue moneths an other Achencheres twelue yeeres and three moneths Armais foure yeeres and one moneth Armesis one yeere and foure moneths Armesesmiamus threescore and sixe yeeres and two moneths Amenophis nineteene yeeres and sixe moneths Moreouer that Sethosis hauing made readie a huge armie both of foote and horse and also a Nauie at Sea left the gouernment of Aegypt vnto his brother Armais and permitted vnto him all other kingly authoritie onely forbidding him to weare a Diademe and to oppresse the Queene mother to his children commaunding him also to abstaine from the rest of the Kings concubines And Sethosis himselfe went to Cyprus and Phaenicia against the Assirians and Medes and subdued them all partly by the sword partly by feare of his power and greatnesse and being proud of all this his fortunate successe he bent himselfe against the Easterne Countrie and destroyed with fire and sword the Cities of that place with whole Prouinces and spending much time in these warres his brother Armais whome hee left in Egypt did without feare commit all that hee forbad him to doe for hee oppressed the Queene violently and dayly lay with the rest of the Kings concubines and being thereto councelled by his friends hee put a Crowne vpon his head and rebelled against his brother Also that he who was then â—…hiefe of the Egyptians holy customes sent letters vnto Sethosis containing all that had happened and how Armais had rebelled against him who returning to Pelusia came and enioyed againe his owne kingdome which by his name was called Egypt for Manethon writeth that this Sethosis was named Egyptus and his brother Armais Danaus Thus farre Manethon out of whome it is euident by computation of the foresaid times that our nation was deliuered out of Egypt three hundred nintie and three yeeres before Danaus and inhabited this Countrie of Iudaea so long before Danaus came vnto Argos notwithstanding the Inhabitants of Argos boast that their Citie is most auncient Wherefore Manethon recounteth two things for vs out of the Egyptian letters first that we came from another place to them afterwards went out of their Countrie againe and that so long agoe as it was almost a thousand yeeres before the Troyan warres Touching those things which Manethon professeth himselfe not to haue gathered out of the writings of the Egyptians who did write out of certaine tales and reports I will hereafter shew how they are alleadged without any reason for them For I will once againe leaue these and go to the testimonie of the Phaenicians which they writ concerning our nation The Tyrians therefore haue Chronicles of verie great antiquitie which they haue kept with all diligence concerning that which hath beene done amongst them and indeed they are worthie of memorie Amongst these Recordes it is written that king Salomon built a Temple at Ierusalem a hundred fortie three yeeres and eight months before the Tyrians erected Carthage So they haue registred the building of our Temple for Hiramus king of the Tyrians was our kings Salomons friend obliged vnto him for his fathers sake who for this cause also of his owne liberalitie gaue Salomon a hundred and twentie talents of gold towardes the building of the Temple and cut downe the most goodly wood called Libanus which hee bestowed vpon him to make the roofe of the Temple withall for which bountie Salomon gaue him againe manie liberall gifts and among the rest a Countrie of Galilee named Zabulon but Salomons wisedome was the chiefe cause of this Kings friendship towards him For they sent problemes one to the other to bee answered and Salomon in his answeres appeared
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
Ioas treble victory The yeare of the world 3◅03 before the Natiuitie of Christ. 86◅ Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. Amasias king of Ierusalem 4. Reg. 14. De◅ 24. The yeare of the world 3106. before Christs birth 858. The dismission of the Israelits 2 Paral. 25. Amasias victory ouer the Amalechites Amasias i◅ reprehended◅y a proohet for his idolatry The yeare of the world 3106. before Christs Natiuitie 858. Amasias expedition against Ioas king of Israel Amasias taken prisoner by the king of Israel Ierusalem ruinated The temple spoyled Amasias slaine The yeare of the world 3120. before Christs birth 844. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. 4. Reg. 14. The enlargement of the kingdome of Israel Ionas 1 Ionas sēt vnto Niniue flieth the presence of God and ascending a ship is cast in a strome into the sea The yeare of the world 3120. before Christs Natiuitie 844. Ionas cast into the sea is deuou red by a whale and cast vpon the coast of Niniue foretelleth them of the losse of their empire Ionas 2. 3. 4. Reg. 14. 15 Ieroboams death Ozias king of Iuda The yeare of the world 3136. before Christs birth 828. Ozias expedition and the repaiting of the city 2. Paral. 26. The yeare of the world 3150. before Christs natiuitie 814. Ozias riches and army Ozias transgresseth his vocation and is punished with a leprosie and compelled to depart out of the city The yeare of the world 3170. before Christ birth 794. The yeare of the world 3170. before Christs birth 794. Zacharias slaughter 4. Reg. 35. Manahem king of Israel The yeare of the world 3174. before the birth of Christ. 790. The Tapsians slaughter Peace bought with money The yeare of the world 3185. before Christs birth 779. Phaceias The translatiō of the Israelits The yeare of the world 3187. before Christs birth 777. Iothams piety Hedio Ruffinus chap. 7. The prophecy of the destruction of Niniue Naum. 2. The yeare of the world 3204. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 760. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 13. Achaz impiety The sacrifice of his sonne The punishment of impietie Esay 7. 4. Reg. 16. The slaughter of the army of Iuda 4. Reg. 16. The Israelites by the prophets aduice dismisse those prisoners they had takē of the tribes of Iuda and Beniamin The yeare of the world 3207. before Christs birth 757. The yeare of the world 3207. before Christs birth 757. 4. Reg. 16 17. The translatiō of the Israelites Achaz giueth the gold and siluer of the temple to the king of the Assyrians Achaz shutteth the doors of Gods temple and honoureth strāge gods Achaz death The yeare of the world 3215. before Christs birth 749. Oseas impietie and punishment Hedio Ruffinus chap 14. 4 Reg 17. The pietie of Ezechias king of Iuda Ezechias embassadours that were sent to the Israelites to exhort them to celebrate the feast of vnleuened bread are slaine by them 2. Paral. 29. 30 The word of God is neuer without fruit The yeare of the world 3218. before Christs Natiuitie 746. Ezechias sacrifice Reformation of Gods seruice The yeare of the world 3224. before Christs birth 740. The king ouercommeth the Philistines Ezechias forsaketh the seruice of the king of Assyria Hedio Ruffinus chap. 15. 4. Reg. 17. The Israelites remoued from their possessions are translated into the region of the Chuthites The yeare of the world 3224 before Christs birth 740. The Tyrians Chronicles touching the wars of Salmanazar against the Tyrians written by Menander Gods displeasure against the idolatrous Chuthites The Chuteans embrace the seruice of God and in prosperitie claime kindred of the Iewes The yeare of the world 3231. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 733. 4. Reg. 18. The destruction of Iudaea The oth of Senacherib and his breach thereof Rapsaces perswasion to cause Ezechias submit 4. Reg. 19. Ezechias in aduersity hath recourse to God he is cōsorted by Esay The yeare of the world 3231. before Christs Natiuity 733. Herodotus of Senacharib Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. The punishment of Senacharib for displeasing God Patricides Hedio Ruffinus chap. 3. 4. Reg. 20. Ezechias sicknesse and the prolongation of his life assured by miracle The yeare of the world 3231. before Christs Natiuitie 733. The Assyrian Monarchie destroied The embassage of the king of Babylon to Ezechias The captiuitie of Babylon foreprophecied by Esay The yeare of the world 3232. before Christs birth 732. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. Ezechias death 4. Reg. 21. Manasses impiety and cruelty The yeare of the world 3247. before Christs birth 717. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. Alias cap. 4. The yeare of the world 3247. before Christs Natiuitie 717. Manasses surprised and led prisoner into Babylon and after his repentance restored to his kingdome The yeare of the world 3288. before Christs birth 676. Manasses purifieth the citie and consecrateth the temple againe The yeare of the world 3302. before Christs birth 662. Manasses death Amos king of Iuda a wicked prince The yeare of the world 3304. before the birth of Christ. 660. Iosias king of Iudae 4 Reg. 22. Iosias restoreth the true seruice of God The feare of the world 3307. before Christs birth 657. Iosias rooteth outidolairie The yeare of the world 3321. be fore Christ birth 643. Iudges The zeale of the people in the reparation of the temple The yeare of the world 3321. before Christs birth 643. Moses sacred bookes found in the temple Olda the prophetesse sent vnto by Iosias The pophecie of the Iewes miserie 4 Reg. 23. A liuely image of a godly prince The truth of the diuine oracles 3. Reg. 13. The celebration of the passeouer The yeare of the world 3321. before Christs birth 643. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. Alias cap. 5. The yeare of the world 3334. before Christs birth 630. The Egyptians worke their passage thorow Iudaea 4. Reg. 23. Iosias death An Epitaph written by Ieremy on Iosias 2. Paral. 25. Ieremy prophecieth the captiuitie of Babylon In what time Ieremie liued Ioaz king of Iuda 4. Reg. 23. 2. Paral 36. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 7. Alias chap. 6. Eliacim called Ioachim made king of Iuda The yeare of the world 3335. before Christs birth 629. The yeare of the world 3336. before the birth of Christ. 628. Nabuchodo nosor king of Babylon warreth against the Egyptians The yeare of the world 3336. before Christs birth 628. Ioachim paseth Nabuchadnezzar tribute 4. Reg. 24. The yeare of the world 3343. before Christs natiuitie 621. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. Ioachim reuolteth from the king of Babylon The yeare of the world 3345. before Christs Natiuity 619. Ieremy foretelleth the destruction of Ierusalem Ier. 22. Nabuchadnezzars entertainment into the citie and his crueltie 4. Reg. 24. 2. Paral. 36. Ioachin or Iechonias king of Iuda The yeare of the world 3346. before Christs Natiuitie 618. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. 4. Reg. 25. Nabuchodonosor a truce ◅eaker Sedechias king of Ierusalem seduced by his courteours false
prophets giueth no eare to Ieremy Ezechiel prophecieth the destruction of the temple The yeare of the world 3354. before Christ birth 610. Sedechias reuolt from the Babylonian Hedio and Ruffinus chap. 10. The king of Egypt comming to rescue the king of Ierusalē is ouerthrowne by Nabuchodonosor with all his army and driuen out of Syria The yeare of the world 3346. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 618. Sedechias seduced by false prophets The prophecy of the captiuitie of Babylon and the deliuerie Ier. 25. 29. 37. The yeare of the world 3354. before Christs birth 610. Ierusalem besieged 4 Reg. 25. Ier. 39. Two mightie enemies Famine and pestilence Ieremy perswadeth them to yeeld The reward of godly preachers in this life Sedechias neglecteth the prophets good counsaile for feare of the gouernours The yeare of the world 3354 before Christs birth 610. Ierusalem besieged eighteene moneths and at length taken The yeare of the world 3356. before Christs birth 608. Sedecias flyeth by night and is suprised by the enemie The yeare of the world 3356. before Christs Natiuitie 608. Sedechias hath his eies pulled out and his children slaine before his face How many and how long the kings raigned that were of Dauids luie The temple the pallace and the citie spoiled and burnt The captiuitle of Babylon The high Priests in Ierusalem Sedecias death Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. The yeare of the world 3356. before Christs birth 608. Godolias captaine of the fugitiues Ieremy set at libertie by the Baby lonian and richly offered and presented Baruch dismissed out of prison The Iewes resort to Masphath to Godolias The yeare of the world 3356. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 608. Iohn releaseth limaels captiues Iohn asketh counsaile of God and being informed refuseth the same Ier. 42. 43. The prophecy of the Babylonian armie and the Iewes captiuitie The yeare of the world 3361. before Christ birth 603. The yeare of the world 3361 before Christs birth 603. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 12. Dan 1. Daniels forwardnes and his fellowes towardnes in studying wisedome and good letters The yeare of the world 3363. before Christs natiuite 601. Dan. 2. Nauchodonosor dreaming forgetteth his vision sendeth for the magitions not able to discouer his doubts he threatneth them with death The yeare of the world 3◅63 before Christs birth 601. The vision and the Rouelation thereof opened to Daniel Daniel telleth the king his dreame and the enterpretation thereof Nabuchodonosors dreame of the foure monarches of the world Daniel and his fellowes aduanced to honour The yeare of the world 3364 before Christs birth 600 The kings edict for honouring the goldē statue Dan. 3. Daniel and his kinsmen refusing to adore the statue are cast into the furnace The yeare of the world 3364. before Christs Natiuitie 600. The yeare of the ◅ld 3369. before Christs na◅uitie 595. Dan. 4. The dreame and exposition thereof Nabuc◅odosors death The yeare of the world 3381. before Christs birth 583. Berosus of Nabuchodosor Hedio Ruffinus chap. 13. Megasthenes of Nabuchodonosor D◅ocles Philostratus The yeare of the world 3382. before Christs Natiuitie 582. Euilmerodach releaseth lechonias from his long imprisonment 4. Reg 25. Ierem. 52. Niglisar Labosardach Balthasar or Naboandel king of Babyl◅ The yeare of th◅ world 3421. before Christs birth 543. Dan. 5 Balthasar see◅h a hand thrust out of a wall and writing certaine sillables The yeare of the world 3425. before the birth of Christ. 539. ◅he yeare of the ◅rld ◅25 before Christs birth 9◅9 Daniel interpreteth the writing to the king The king performeth his promises to Daniel Babylon surprised by Cyrus king of Persia. The force of enuie Daniels honour and vprightnes Hedio Ruffinus chap. 14. Dan. 6. Daniel cast into the Lions denne The yeare of the world 3425. before Christs birth 539. Daniels enemies rent in pieces by the Lions Daniels prophecies Daniels vision of the Ramme and Goat by whom the king of Media and Persia were prefiguted Dan. 2. The yeare of the world 3425. before Christs Natiuitie 539. Daniels predictions of the Romane Empyre Dan. 9. The Epicures errour conuicted The yeare of the world 3426. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 538. The end of the Babylonian captiuitie after seuentie yeares 1. Esd. 1. 3. Esd. 2. The edict of Cyrus king of Persia. Esay chap. 44. 45. his prophecy of Cyrus Cyrus permitteth the Iewes to returne into their countrey to build their temple citie The vessels belonging to the temple sent backe from Babylon to Ierusalem Cyrus mandate to the princes of Syria The yeare of the ◅orld 3426. before Chriss birth 538. The number of the Iewes that returned from the captiuity of Babylon to Ierusalem Hedio Ruffinus chap. 2. 1. Esd. 4. The Samaritanes inhibite the Iewes from building the temple Alias cap. 3. The letters of the Samaritās and others written to Cambysis as touching the reedifying of the citie and tēple of Ierusalem The yeare of the world 3435. before Christs birth 529. Cambyses answere wherein he inhibiteth the Iewes from building the citie or temple The yeare of th◅ world 3443. before Christ birth 521. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. al. chap 4. Darius the son of Hystaspis made emperour of the Persians 1. Esd. 5. 6. Darius voweth to send the sacred vessels to Ierusalem Zorooabel Dar◅us propoundeth three questions to three of his gard 3. Esd. 4. The first expresseth the power of wine The second extelleth the kings power 3. Esd 4. The yeare of the world 3443. before Christs birth 521. Zorobabel the third expresseth the power of women and at length attributeth the palme vnto truth Zorobabel obtained both praise great rewards by his good discourse Darius being put in memory of his vow commandeth that the temple should be restored Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. The yeare of t◅e world 3443. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 521. Darius letters for the liberty possession and erection of the temple granted to the Iewes 1. Esd. 6. Glad tidings brought to the Iewes The Iewes depart from Babylon to Ierusalem 3. Esd. 5. The number of the Iewes that went ou◅ of Babylon 3. Esd. 2. Zorobabel chieftaine and Iesus high priest of this company 1. Esd. 3. The yeare of the ◅orld 3443 before Christs birth 521. The feast of Tabernacles The temple began to be built The Samaritans desirous to further the building of the temple are reiected The Samaritanes suppose to hinder the building of the temple The Syrian princes examine the cause why the Iewes repaire their citie and tēple The yeare of the world 3444. before Christs birth 520. 1. Esdras 5. Aggeus and Zachary the Prophets The Satharitans indeuouring to hinder the reparatiō of the temple and citie doe further it the more Cyrus decree as touching the temple and the Iewes The yeare of the world 3450. before Christs birth 514. 3. Esdras 6. Darius epistle to the prefects of Syria The finishing of the temple The yeare of the ◅orld 3450. before Christs
temple Antiochus Epistle to Zeuxis in which he maketh honourable mention of the Iewes The yeare of the world 3764. before Christs birth 200. Antiochus friendship and confederacy with Ptolomey The Samaritanes molest the Iewes The yeare of the world 3770. before Christs Natiuitie 194. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. Onias the hâ—…gh priest prouoketh the king of Egypt for non paiment of his tribute The yeare of the world 3770. before Christs birth 194. The taxatioÌ„ of the hie priest for offending the king The kings embassadour honourably entertained who reporteth Iosephs liberality vpon his returne into his countrey The yeare of the world 3770. before Christs birth 194. The tributes of Coelesyria coÌ„mitted to Ioseph The Ascalonites and Scythopolitans punished for their conteÌ„pt Iosephs welth and children The yeare of the world 3770. before Christs Natiuitie 194. Hyrcanus ofspring and towardnes Ioseph sendeth his sonne Hircanus to Ptolomey The yeare of the world 3780. before Christs birth 184. Treason intended against Hircanus The yeare of the world 3780. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 184. Hircanus apology of his actions Hircanus iests Hircanus sounding what other meÌ„ would giue gauemore then the rest for which he receiueth another kingly reward Hircanus brothers assailing him on the way are slaine and discomfited The yeare of the world 3780. before Christs birth 184. Iosephs death Onias and after him Simon his sonne high priest Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. The letter of the king of Lacedemon to the high priest of the Iewes 1. Machab. 12. Sedition amongst the people after Iosephs death Hircanus afflicteth the Arabians with continual war Hircanus buildeth a strong tower The yeare of the world 3790. before Christs Natiuitie 174. Antiochus Epiphanes king of Syria The sonnes of Prolomey Epiphanes Philometor and Physcon Hircanus killeth himselfe Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. 1. Macchab. 1. Iesus created high Priest by Antiochus Epiphanes Iesus depriued of the priesthoode The yeare the of world 3790. before Christs birth 174. Onias surnamed Menelaus substituted in his place The wars betwixt Iason and Menelaus Apostates froÌ„ the Iewish religion Antiochus enforced to depart out of Egypt The history of Antiochus Epiphanes Antiochus entring IerusaleÌ„ spoileth the temple The yeare of the world 3796. before Christs birth 168. The yeare of the world 3798. before Christs birth 166. The yeare of the world 379â—… before Christs birth 166. Antiochus abrogating Gods law thorow extreme tyranny enforceth the Iewes to Idolatry and fortifieth the temple Hedio Ruffinus chap. 7. The deuil seekehth to abolish the Bible The variable wits of the Samaritanes which made them so odious in the sight of the Iewes The yeare of the world 3799. before Christs birth 165. The yeare of the world 3799. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 165. The zeale and piety of Matthias and his sonnes An Apostata slaine by Matthias Matthias with his sons Hieth into the desart The Iewes are slaine on the Sabbath day which slaughter maketh Matthias more werie Matthias rooteth out all Idolatry Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. Matthias exhorteth his sons to pietie fortitude and concord The yeare of the world 3799 before Christs birth 165. 〈◊〉 Macchab. 3. Matthias death Iudas Machabaeus appointed gouernor Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. Iudas Machabaeus ouercoÌ„meth Apollonius in battell Seron gouernour of Coelesyria is put to flight in Iudaea The yeare of the world 3799. before Christs birth 165. Antiochus preparation to inuade Iudaea Antiochus committing his kingdome prouinces and sonne to Lysias charge departeth into Persia The yeare of the world 3800. before Christs birth 164. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. Ptolomey Gorgias aand Nicanors war in Iudaea Iudas oration to his soldiers 1. Machab. 4. The yeare of the world 38â—…0 before Christs Natiuitie 164. Iudas ouercommeth Lysias army Iudas gathereâ—… a huge 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 once 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and loâ—… fiue thousand of his soldiers The temple of Ierusalem The yeare of the world 3801. before Christs birth 163. The temple left desolate for three whole yeeres space Dan. 12. The yeare of the world 3801. before Christs birth 163. The festiuall solemnized for the reestablishment of the temple Hedio Ruffinus chap. 21. Mach. 5. Iudas maketh continuall warre with the neighbouring nations Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. Simo ouercoÌ„ming his enemies in Galilee deliuereth the Iewes that were captiue Iudas and Ionathas succour the Iews besieged in Galaad Bosra taken and burnt The yeare of the world 3801. before Christs birth 163. Iudas succoureth the besieged Iewes Timothies soldiers slaine Malla taken and buâ—…nt Chaspoma and Bosor takeÌ„ Timothy gathereth new forces and is ouercome by Iudas The Iewes are brought out of the country of Galaad into Iuâ—…aea Ephron besieged burnt An admirable victory of Iudas Machabaeus who in all these conflictes lost not one man Ioseph and Zachary ouercome by Gorgias lose two thousand â—…olgiers Chebron and Marissa besieged The yeare of the world 38â—…1 before Christs birth 163. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 13. 1. Mac. 〈◊〉 Antiochus desirous to spoile Dianaes teÌ„ple besiegeth Elymias and is shamefully repulsed to Babylon The yeare of the world 3802. before Christs birth 162. Antiochus Epiphanes burdned with cares falleth sicke Polybius Megalopolitan of the cause of Antiochus sicknes Antiochus appointeth Philip gouernour of his kingdome and committeth his sonne Antiochus to his charge Hedio Ruffinus chap. 14. Lysias createth Antiochus the yonger king and surnameth him Eupator The Macedons in the castle of Ierusalem doe much harme â—…o the Iewes Iudas Machabaeus besiegeth the castle The fugitiue Iewes fly out of the castle and require Antiochus assistance The yeare of the world 3803. before Christs Natiuitie 161. Antiochus marcheth into Iudae a with his army Bethsura besieged Iudas with his forces encountreth the king at Bethzacharia Eleazar Iudas brother killeth an Elephant Iudas returneth to Ierusalem and Antiochus followeth him The Bethsurites yeeld vp their citie The temple of Ierusalem besieged Antiochus hearing newes of Philips intent to inuade Persia giueth ouer his siege to meet him The yeare of the world 3803. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 161. Antiochus maketh peace with Iudas The wal of the teÌ„ple defaced Onias otherwaies called Menelaus led away prisoner Alcimus or lacimus made high priest The yeare of the world 3804. before Christs birth 160. Philip slaine by Antiochus Onias the high priests sonne builded a teÌ„ple in Egypt resembling that at Ierusalem Hedio Ruffinus chap. 15. 1. Machab. 7. Demetrius seazeth Tripolis and other cities of Syria and killeth Antiochus and Lysias Alcimus the high priest with Apostates accuseth Iudas before Demetrius Bacchides killeth diuers that trust his oth The yeare of the world 3804 before Christs birth 160. Bacchides vseth great tyranny in Bethzeth Alcimus vseth popularity and familiarity to win the peoples hearts and killeth all such as were of Iudas factioÌ„ Iudas resisteth Alcimus power Alcimus accuseth Iudas to Demetrius Hedio Ruffinus chap. 16. Demetrius sendeth Nicanor against Iudas Nicanor dissembling with Iudas
houses The yeare of the world 3929. before Christs natiuitie 35. Herode being alone and naked in his house escaped vnhurt amoÌ„gst many armed enemies Herode sendeth Pappus head to his brother Phaeroras Herode besiegeth IerusaleÌ„ Herode repaireth to Samaria to marrie Alexanders daughter The yeare of the world 3929. before Christs birth 35. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 26. al. 27. Sofiâ—…s and Herode lead a mightie army against Ierusalem Herode preuenteth the dearth The Iewes without feare resist those that besieged them The outward part of the temple and the lower citie taken The Iewes flye to the vpper citie and the temple IerusaleÌ„ taken The yeare of the world 3929. before Christs birth 35. Antigonus submitteth himselfe to Sosius Herode sore troubled in pacifying the straungers The spoile of the citie hindred When Ierusalâ—… was taken Herode bribeth Antonius with money to make away Antigonus The end of the Asmonean family and the extinction of their priest hood The yeare of the world 3930. before Christs Natiuitie 3 4. Herode preferreth his fauorites and killeth his enemies The Pharisees honoured by him Pollio fore-prophecied Herodes tyrannie The slaughter of them that were of Antigonus â—…action The yeare of the world 3930. before Christs birth 34. Antigonus beheaded Strabo of Antigonus Hedio Ruffinus chap. 〈◊〉 Hircanâ—… heating â—…idings that Herode had obtained the kingdome returneth vnto him Hircanus highly honoured in Babylon by the Iewes Hircanus leauing his country expecteth fauour at Herodes hands Saramalla Herodes embasdour to Phraates Herode highly honoureth Hircanus The yeare of the world 3930. before Christs Natiuitie 34. Herode giueth the high priesthood to Ananel Alexandra soliciteth Antonius by Cleopatras mediation for the high priesthood for hir sonne Antonius requireth Aristobulus at Herods hands The causes why Aristobulus was not sent Herode inueieth against Alexandra for pretending to vsurpe the kingdome Alexandra excuseth herselfe and hauing promise of the priesthood for hir sonne is reconciled to Herode The yeare of the world 3930. before Christs birth 34. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 3. Herode taketh the Priesthood from Ananel The Priesthood taken from three Alexandra suspected by Herode is spied and watched and her actions obserued Alexandra pretending to flie into Egypt is betraied by her seruant Herode contriueth Aristobulus death The yeare of the world 3932. before Christs birth 33. Aristobulus is drowned by Herodes direction Ananell restored to the priesthood The lamentation for Aristobulus death Herodes counterfait sorrow The yeare of the world 3931. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 33. Alexandra certifieth Cleopatra of Herodes treasons and her sonnes traiterous murther Herode readie to repaire vnto Antony commaundeth Ioseph to whose charge he coÌ„mitted the kingdome to kill his wife A foolish rumour of Herodes death Herode appeaseth Anthony by presents and certifieth his friends by letters of his health The yeare of the world 3932. before Christs Natiuitie 32. Ioseph and Mariamme accused before Herode Mariamme excuseth purgeth hir selfe before the king and is reconciled Herode commandeth that Ioseph should be slaine and imprisoneth Alexandra Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. Cleopatra verie couetous Cleopatra murthereth her brother and sister The yeare of the world 3932. before Christs birth 32. Cleopatra contrieth Lysanias death Antonius giueth Cleopatra a portion deducted out of Iury and Arabia Cleopatra coÌ„meth to Herode who enstateth hir in that the part of Arabia these reuenewes of lericho that were giuen her An intemperate woman giuen to lust Herode goeth about to put Cleopatra to death and is disswaded by his â—…riends Antonius conquereth Armenia Herode bringeth Cleopatra onward off her way towards Egypt The yeâ—…e of the world 3933. before Christs birth 31. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. Herode leuieth an army to assist Antonius against Octauian Herode is incited by letters to the Arabian warre Herodes battels and conquests The yeare of the world 3934. before Christs birth 30. Cleopatras chieftaine ouerthroweth Herode The Arabians returning to the barrell kill those that flie and cake the campe The yeare of the world 3935. before Christs birth 29. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. An earthquake in Iudaea killeth ten thousand men The Arabians kill the Embassadours of the lewes Herode comforteth the Iewes that were out of heart for their former losses Herode comforteth and exhorteth his soldiers The cause of warre against the Arabians The yeere of the world 3935. before Christs Natiuitie 29. Legates inuiolable With whom soeuer Iustice is there is God also The yeare of the world 3935. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 19. The Arabians are ouercome by Herode The Arabians enforced by thirst require truce at Herodes hands Hedio Ruffinus chap. 7. Herode dismaied at Antonius ouerthrow The yeare of the world 3935. before Christs Natiuitie 29. Herode determineth to make away Hircanus Alexandra solliciteth Hircanus her father to require assistance at Malchus haÌ„ds Three hundreth furlongs containe nine Germaine miles Hircanus by Herodes commaund is put to death Hircanus dieth guiltlesse Hircanus life The yeare of the world 3935. before Christs birth 29. Herodes disposition of his affaires before he repaired to Caesar. Herode commeth to Caesar and declareth vnto him what pleasures he had done Antony promising him no lesse dutie and loue if so be he might be receiued into his fauour The yeare of the world 3935. before Christs Natiuitie 29. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. Caesar confirmeth Herodes authoritie Herode conducteth Caesar toward Egypt and presenteth him with many sumptuous gifts Herode inter taineth both Caesar and his at my verie heroically Herode giueth Caesar eight hundreth talents Mariamme and Alexandra displeased with Herode The yeare of the world 3935. before Christs birth 29. Sohcmus discoueteth the kings secrets Herode but coldly entertained by his wife MariaÌ„me Herodes sorrowes to see his wiues affections distracted and chaunged Hrodes siâ—…t 〈◊〉 and his mother incense the king by slaunderous reports against Mariamme Antony and Cleopatra slain Caesar Lord of Egypt Sohemus honoured by Horod with dignities Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. Caesar enlargeth Herodes dominions The yeare of the world 3935. before Christs birth 29. Mariamme a froward womaÌ„ The yeare of the world 3936. before Christs birth 28 Sohemus suspected by Herode in Mariammes behalfe is put to death Mariamme is accused by Herode and condemned and imprisoned Mariamme by Salomes instigations is led to execution The yeare of the world 3936. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 28. Alexandra vndecently striueth to acquit her selfe of Mariammes treason Herods miserable estate moane after the death of his wife A plague inuadeth IerusaleÌ„ Herode falleth grieuously sicke Alexandra in Herodes absence seeketh to get the possession of the castles The yeare of the world 3936. before Christs Natiuitie 28. Herodes councellors certifie him of Alexandras intent Alexandra put to death Costabarus whom Herode had matched with his sister Salome vsurpeth in Idumaea Costabarus preserued by his wiues intercession Costabarus Lysimachus Antipater
and Dositheus accused before Herode Babas sonnes preserued by Costabarus The yeare of the world 3936. before Christs birth 28. Babas sonnes and others are accused before Herode and slaine Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. Herode introduceth diuers forraine customes The yeare of the world 3939. before Christs birth 25. The theater the wrastling places Herode obtained no small honour by these expēces The Iewes suppose that the Trophees coue red with armes were Images The yeare of the world 3939. before Christs birth 25. Ten men conspire against Herode Herode hath intelligence of the conspiracy The ten men are executed and the intelligencer is cut in peeces Herode fortifieth two castles within Ierusale Antonia Samaria or Sebaste Stratons tower or Casarea Gabala Herode planteth garrisons in the fortresses to withstād conspiracies The yeare of the world 3942. before Christs birth 22. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. al. 10. A daily drought and sterilitie in Iudaea The want of victuals breedeth the plague Herode maketh money of all his rich ornaments and household stuffe of gold and siluer and buieth corne Herode distributeth the corn he had bought among the people The yeare of the world 3942. before Christs Natiuitie 2◅ The Iewes fauour Herode for his bounty Herode sendeth Caesar fiue hundreth of his guard The pallace built in Ierusalem Hedio Ruffinus chap. 12. Herode remoueth Iesus from his Priest hood and placeth Simon in his roome and marieth his daughter The yeare of the world 3942. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 22. Herod bestowed great diligence and no lesse costs in his buildings The tower of Straton otherwise called Caesarea builded by Herode Piraeus the port of Athens Dora and Ioppa ill harbours The port of Caesarea The yeare of the world 3942. before Christs Natiuitie 2◅ The theater Amphitheater Herode sendeth his sons Alexander and Aristobulus to Rome vnto Caesar. Caesar giueth Herode the dominions of the Trachonites of Batanea and Auranita Zenodorus liueth by spoile Herode punisheth the robbets Hedio Ruffinus chap. 13. Agrippa is sent into Asia Agrippa sendeth the Gadareans bound vnto Hetode who came to accuse him Zenodorus signiory sold to the Auranites and bestowed on Herode by Caesar is the cause of the warres The yeare of the world 3942. before Christs birth 22. Caesar commeth into Syria before him the Gadareans accule Herode and afterwards murther themselues The yeare of the world 3946. before Christs natiuitie 18. Vlatha Paneaas and other regions are giuen to Herod Herode highly esteemed by Caesar and Agrippa Caesar maketh Pheroras a Tetrarth Herede buildeth a temple neere vnto Panion Herode remitteth the third part of his tribute The yeere of the world 3946. before Christs Natiuitis 18. Herode bindeth the people by an oth Herode excuseth the Pharisees frō swearing for Polias and Same as sakes The Esseans not much vnlike the Pithagorists Manahē foretelleth He todes gouernment Herode questioneth with Manahem about the continuance or his kingdome and loueth the Esseans for his sake Hedio Ruffinus chap. 14. al. 11. Herode intendeth to reedifie Gods temple Herode certifieth the people that he wil reedifie the temple The yeare of the world 3947. before Christs birth 17. The Iewes fearing least Herode should pul downe the olde temple before he had prepared matter for the new he promiseth the contrarie Conuenient stuffe is gathered for the building of the temple How the temple was builded by Herod The yeare of the world 3947. before Christs Natiuitie 17. The place where the high priests stole was kept Vnder whose custodie the stole was The tower of Antonia The porch builded aloft aboue the valley The yeare of the world 3955. before Christs birth 9. The inward court into which and no further the Iewes might enter The dedicatiō of the temple A conduit vnder ground from the castle Antonia During the building of thē temple it neuer rained by day The yeare of the world 3955. before Christs Natiuiti◅ 9. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 1. Herode made a new law that wall breakers should be sold into bondage out of the kingdome The punishmēt of theft according to the law of Moses Exod. 1. 22. Deut. 12. 15. Herode sailed into Italy and brought home his sons from Rome The years of the world 3955. before Christs birth 9. Salome and others falsely accused Herodes sonnes and made their father hate them Herode maried his sonne Arist◅ to Bernice Salomes daughter and Alexander to ◅phyta the daughter of the kinge of Cappadocia Hedio Ruffinus chap. 2. Herode caried Ma◅ Agrippa all about his kingdome Agrippa offered a hundreth beasts at Ierusalem Herode sailed vnto Agrippa to Chius and gaue a great summe of money to reedifi◅ the porch Herode found Agrippa at Synope a citie of Pontus and was by him honourably entertained Herode still present with Agrippa in sports and serious affaires Agrippa went by land to Ephesus The yeare of the world 3956. before Christs birth 8. Herod helped many in the way with money Herod was a mediator for many to Agrippa The citizens of Ilia are reconciled to Agrippa and they of Chius obtaine a priuiledge The Iewes of Ionia complaine vnto Agrippa of the iniuries offered them by those countrimen Nicholaus did make a speech vnto Agrippa in the behalfe of the Iewes The yeare of the world 3956. before Christs birth 8. Agrippa confirmeth the Iewes priuiledges Agrippa departed from Lesbus The yeare of the world 3956. before Christs Natiuitie 8. Herode returned to Ierusalē and made a speech vnto the people and let them vnderstand the cause of his iniury and remitted the fourth part of his tribute Hedio Ruffinus chap. 3. al. 7. Salome perlecuteth Mariammes children with naturall hatred Alexander and Aristobulus being by Salome and Pheroras drawen into bad words are by them accused to their father Herode Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. al. 8. Pheroras and Salome accuse Alexander and Aristobulus before Herode Herode was fortunate abroad and vnfortunate at home Herod aduanceth Antipater to bridie the arrogancy of his sonnes The yeare of the world 3956. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 8 Antipater enciteth his father aganist his brothers Herod brought Antipaters mother into his pallace Herode deliuereth Antipater to Agrippa to be caried to Rome Antipater was honoured at Rome Antipater whē he was present incited his father against his brethren by hes and being absent he did the same by letters Herude failed to Rome and followed Caesar to Aquileia Herode accused his sons before Caesar. The yeare of the world 3956. before Christs birth 8. Alias chap. 9. Alexander and Aristo bulus moue all that were present euen their father and accuser to teares and cōpassion Alexander speaketh in his owne and his brothers defence The yeare of the world 3956. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 8 All men do pittie the yong men Caesar pronounceth the yong mē herein to haue oftended that they gaue occasion of
suspition and he exhorreth the father to be reconciled to his children Herode is reconciled to his children Antipater friendly dotâ—… congratulate his brethreÌ„ returned into his fathers fauour Herode ditâ—… giue Caesar â—…00 taleâ—… The yeare of the world 3956. before Christs Natiuitie 8. Caesar gaue Herode halfe his reuennes out of the mines of Cyprus The rebels are conquered The yeare of the world 3957. before Christs natiuitie 7. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. al. 10. Caesrea is finished Oâ—…nale â—…men Caesar and Agrippa commend Herods magnanimity Aâ—…ipartis is built Cypron is built The tower and towne of Phasaelus is built The yeare of the world 3957. before Christs birth 7. Herode built the temple of Pythius The sports of Olympus Why Herode was liberall to strangers and cruell to his owne nation Herod greedie of honour Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. The Iewes of Asia and Cyrenc being afflicted by the inhabitaÌ„ts there send an embassage to Caesar and do obtain of him immunitie The yeare of the world 3957. before Christs Natiuitie 7. Agrippa writ vnto the rulers of Ephesus in the Iewes behalfe and to Syllanus and the magistrats of Cyrena Caius Norbanus Flaccus writeth in the Iewes behalfe Iulius Antonius procoÌ„full The yeare of the world 3957. before Christs birth 7. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 7. al. 7. 12. The desire of gold Herode lost two of his men in Dauids sepulchre Nicholaus the histotiographer reproued Ioseph came of the priestly line of the Asamoncens A discord in Herods house Antipaters crafty plotting against his brethren The women ax discord and variance Pheroras refused the kings daughter offered him tâ—… wife The yeere of the world 3957. before Christs Natiuitie 7. Salome entised 〈◊〉 daughter to bewray her husbands seâ—…ts Herode greatly moued against Pheroras for aâ—…firming that he was a in loue with Glaphyra The yeare of the world 3957. before Christs birâ—… 7. Salome excuseth her selfe The effect of calumniation Syllaeus the Arabian desiring Salome to wife was denied Herod maried his daughter to Pheroras son The sons hatred towards their father is bewraied The yeare of the world 3957. before Christs Natiuitie 7. Herode crediteth all tales and so putteth many to death vniustly Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. Herode denieth to be familiar with Andromachus and Gemellus Antipater the cause of all mischiefe Many were tortured and examined for Alexanders cause The yeare of the world 3957. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 7. Alexander being in prison his frieÌ„ds were tortured One accused Alexander to haue sent letters to Rome against his father Alexander confesseth the treason and who had a hand in it Herode was so troubled with the contention in his house that he was wearie of his life Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. al. 13. Archelaus the king of Cappadocia seineth displeasure against Alexander his son in law and so reconciled Herods vnto him The yeare of the world 3957. before Christs birth 7. Archelaus lai cth the fault of Alexanders offence vpon others and especially vpon â—…roas Pheroras confessed himselfe to be author of all mischiefe and obtaineth pardon of his brother Herode accompanied Archelaus vnto Antioch The yeare of the world 3958. before Christs natiuitie 6. The cause of the Arabian warre Caesar gaue Trachonitis to Herode Alias chap. 14. Herodes captaines subdue the rebels in Arabia The theeues taken and punished Alias chap. 15 Herode demaunded the theeues to be deliuered vnto him and the money he had lent to be repared The yeare of the world 3958. before Christs birth 6. Saturninus Volumnius the rulers of Syria do reconcile Herod the ArabiaÌ„s Herode by the permission of Saturninus Volumnius entred into Arabia with an army destroied the castle callep Repra Nacebus with 25. Arabians slaine Herode caried 3000. Idumaeans into Trachon Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. al. 16. Syllaeus accused Herode vnto Caesar. The Arabians and Trachonites vnderstanding that Caesar was offended with Herode resolce thereat The yeare of the world 3960. before Christs Natiuitie 4. Caesar offended with Herode Obodas dying Aeneassucceeded him in the Arabian kingdome Caesar would not giue audience to the Arabian embassadors Herode sent Nicholaus Damascene to Caesar. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. al. 17. Eurycles a Lacedemonian â—…nuateth 〈◊〉 into Herodes familiaritie Eurycles insinuated himselfe into Alexanders friendship Eurycles obseruing all Alexanders words and actions related them to Antipater and Herode Eurycles by craft got mony of Archelaus The yeare of the world 3960. before the Natiuitie of Christ 4â—… Herode doth giue care vnto the accusers of Alexander Aristobulus Iucundus and Tyrannus confesse that Alexander did solicite them to kill Herode as he was a hunting How AlexaÌ„der writ vnto the captaine of AlexandriuÌ„ to receiue him Dyophantus the scribe doth counterfait other mens hands Alexander and Aristobulus arâ—… imprisoned and Aristobulus warneth his mother in law AlexaÌ„der confesseth to Herode that he purposed to fly to Archâ—…laus Mela embassador of Archelauâ—… king of Cappadocia Glaphyra Alexanders wiâ—… is demanded if she knew of any treason against Herode The â—…art of the world 3960. before Christs birth 4â—… Archelaus excuseth himselfe to Herode Caesar and Herode made friends Hedio Ruffinus chap. 12. al. 18. Nicholaus accuseth Syllaeus and excuseth Herode A â—…arration of the Arabian wars the boâ—…owed money The theeues of Trachon The yeare of the world 3960. before Christs birth 4. Syllaeus condemned to dy Caesar was purposed to giue the kingdome of Arabia to Herode was altered by Herodes letters The yeare of the world 3961. before Christs birth 3. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 13. Aretas embassadors vnto Caesar. Caesar alloweth Herode to punish malefactors Herode affembleth all that Caesar willed except Archâ—…laus Herode â—…ccuseth his sons The yeare of the world 3961. before Christs Naâ—…tie 3. Saturninus doth pronouÌ„ce an indifferent sentence Volumnius other of Herods friends pronounce Herodes sons to be beheaded Herode asked of Nicholaus what his frieÌ„ds at Rome thought of his sonnes Tyro speaketh to Herode and not obseruing modesty he and the captaines were imprisoned The yeare of the world 3961. before Christs birth 3. Tyro is by his son and a barber accused to haue practised treason against the king Tyro with 300 captains are accused before the people and slaine Alexander Aristobulus strangled at Sebaste and buried in Alexandrium The cause of these calamities was destiny and Gods prouidence Wherein Alexander and Aristobulus offended Herod shamefull errour not to be excused The yeare of the world 3961. before Christs Natiuitie 3. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 1. Antipater after hee had made away his brothers grew hatefull both to the soldiers and the people Antipater gouerned the kingdom with his father Antipater wish eth his fathers death The yeare of the world 3961. before Christs birth 3. Antipater spared no cost to winne his fathers friends Antipater could not deceiue his aunt Herode compelleth Salome
his pouerty requireth her assistance Agrippa dwelleth at Tiberias Herode taunteth Agrippa with his pouerty The yeare of the world 4001. after Christs birth 39. Agrippâ—…â—…ieth himselfe to Flaccus Aristobulus draweth Agrippa into Flaccus disfauour Agrippa by Marsias meanâ—… borroweth mony of Protus Agrippa whilst HereÌ„nius Capito 〈◊〉 money at his hands fâ—…ieth to Alexandria by night Agrippa borroweth money at Alexandria Agrippa arriueth at Puteol is admitted to Caesars presence Agrippa borroweth 300000 siluer drachmes of Antonia Germanicus and Claudius mother Caius commended to Agrippas chargâ—… Allius Caesars freeman lendeth Agrippa money The yeare of the world 4001. after Christs Natiuitie 39. Hedio Ruffinus cap. 13. Eutychus Agrippas freemaÌ„ bethâ—…keth him to accuse Agrippa to the Emperour For what cause Tiberius changed not his gouernours Why Caesar would not giue audience to his prisoners Agrippa soliciteth Antonia to bring Eu â—…ychus to his answere Antonia verie much honoured by Tiberius Antonia discouereth Seianus conspiracie to Caesar. The yeare of the world 4001. after the Natiuitie of Christ. 39. Agrippa vrgeth Eutychuâ—… triall and for certaine speeches of his is cast into bonds Thaumastus Caius seruant giueth Agrippa drink whom he promiseth to procure his freedome The yeare of the world 4001. after Christs birth â—…9 A certaine Germane foretelleth Agrippa of his happie fortunes to come and the manner of his death Agrippa liued six moneths in prison Tiberius salleth sicke and sendeth for his sonnes Tiberius Gemellus the son of Drusus Caius the gracious Germanicus sonne Tiberius by an Augury vnderderstandeth Caius successe and succession before his death The yeare of the world 4001. after Christs birth 39. Tiberius addicted to the Mathemaâ—…kes He foretelleth Galbas succession in the empire Tibetius recommendeth the Romane empire and Tiberius his grandchild to Caius Caius killeth Tiberius Caius Caligula the foâ—… Romane emperour Tiberius a tyrant The yeare of the world 4001 after Christs Natiuitie 39. Marsias Agrippas freeman certifieth him of Tiberius death The rumour was spred in Rome that Tiberius was aliue Caius certifyeth the Senate and Piso of Tiberius death and his succession and willeth that Agrippa should be lent to his owne lodging Tiberius funerall Caius createth Agrippa king and giueth him two tetratchies Agrippa departeth into his kingdome The yeare of the world 4002. after Christs naâ—…uitie 40. Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. Alias cap. 16. Herodias Agrippas fister enuieth hir brothers happines and inciteth her husband to seeke 〈◊〉 kingdome The yeare of the world 4002. after the Natâ—…tie of Christs 40. He rode with Herodias repaire to Rome Agrippa sendeth Forunatus with letters and presents after him Baiae are certaine hathes in Campanis not farre from Puteol Herode is accused for fauouring Artabanus the Parthian Herode is perpetually banished and confined in Liâ—…ons in Fraheâ—… and Agrippa is made Lord of his lands and goods and Herodias despising Caesars bounty accompanieth him in exile Caius at the first gouerned the common-weale verie happily but after wards vsurped diuine honours The yeare of the world 4002. after Christs birth 40. Hedio Ruffinus cap. 15. al. cap. 17. Appion prince of the Alexandrians embassage accuseth the Iewes because they ascribed not diuinitie to Caefar Philo Iudaeus for the Iewes is shut out and can get no audience committeth the cause to God Alias cap. 19. Caesar sendeth Petronius into Syria and coÌ„maundeth him in spight of the Iewes to plant his statue in Gods temple The Iewes repaire to Prolemais beseeching him that he would not bring his statues into the holy citie The yeare of the world 4002. after Chriss birth 40. The Iewes meet Petronius at Tiberias Beseeching him not to violate the sacred citie with his images Aristobulus king Agrippas brother and Elcias the high Priest intreat Petronius in the Iewes behalfe Petronius promiseth the Iewes to write vnto Caius in their behalfe and exhorreth them to follow their husbandry The yeare of the world 4002. after Christs Natiuitie 40. After a long continuall draught there fell a sodaine shower Petronius writeth to Caius Agrippa honoureth Caius in Rome and in rewarde thereof Caius willeth him to demand somewhat who desireth nothing else then that Petronius coÌ„mission to erect the statue should be reuoked The yeare of the world 4002. after Christs birth 40. Caius writeth to Petronius charging him to murther him selfe for neglecting his commaund Petronius receiueth letters of Caius death before those whereby he was commanded to kill himselfe Hedio Ruffinus cap. 16. al. cap. 20. A grieuous commotion among the Iewes in Mesopotamia and Babylon The yeare of the world 4003. after Christs Natiuitie 41. Nearda Nisibis two cities of Babylon Asinaeus and Anilaeus boris in Nearda retire into a certaine place and great companies flocke vnto them Asinaeus and his companions be set by the gouernors and princes of Babylon Asinaeus after he had incouraged his soldi ers putteth his enemies â—…o flight The yeare of the world 4003. after Christs birth 41. Asinaeus and Anilaeus are sought vnto by Artabanus for friendship Abdagasiâ—… would haue slaine Asinaeus but Artabanius will not permit him Artabanus committeth the territories of Babylon to Asinaeus charge and dismisseth him with gifts The yeare of the world 4003. after Christs Natiuitie 41. Anilaeus killeth a noble man of the Parthians and leadeth away his wife Anilaeus being reprooued for his wifes idolatrie killeth one of his friends Anilaeus is accused before his brother Asinaeus but he winketh at his Fault Asinâ—…us poisoned by the Parthian woman Anilaeus draweth his forces into Mithridates countrey and spoileth his villages and taketh him prisoner The yeare of the world 4003. after the Natâ—…tie of Christ. 41. Anilaeus dismisleth Mithridates A great number of dissolute persons flocke â—…o Anilaeus with whoÌ„ he spoyleth certaine boroughs of the Babylonians The Babylonians require Anilaeus that they may punish him they assaile â—…ay him The yeare of the world 4003. after Christs birth 41. The Iewes afflicted by the Babylonians repaire to Seleucia Fiftie thousand Iewes slaine in Seleucia The Iewes that were saued repaire to Câ—…phon The Iewes retire into Neâ—…da Nisibis The yeare of the world 4004. after Christs birth 42. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 1. Caius tyranny towards the Iewes Caius tyranny towards the Senators and Patricians Caius calleth himselfe Iupiters brother Caius spoyled al the temples of Greece Caius commaundeth Memmius Regulus to transferre Iupiter Olympius to Rome Caius compareth himselfe with Iupiter Caius gaue slaues â—…ree liberty to accuse their masters counteaÌ„nced Pollux to accuse his master Claudius Many conspiracies against Caius The yeere of the world 4004. after Christs Natiuitie 42. Three conspiracies against Caius Emilius Regulus Cassius Chaereas Annius Minucianus The Cireensian games Câ—…ius câ—…useth diuers to be murthered who request mitigation of their exactioÌ„s Chaereas for many causes is incited against Caius The yeare of the world 4004. after the Natiuitie of Christ. 42. Popedius is accused of a crime by Timidius vnto Caesar.
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
granted him to create the hie priest Hedio Ruffinus chap. 2. al. 5. Monobazuâ—… the king of Adiabena begetteth two sons on Helena his sister Monobazus and Izates The yeare of the world 4009. after Christs natiuitie 47. Izates sent to Abemerigus marieth his daughter Samacha Caeron very fruitful in Amomum in which the reliques of Noes aâ—…ke are to be seene Izates was made king by his mother Helena the nobility and Monabazus gouerneth the kingdome till his comming Izates and his mother Helena learne the true seruice of God according to the manner of the Iewes The yeare of the world 4009. after the Natiuitie of Christ. 47. Izates sendeth his brothers to Claudius Caesar and Artabanus Izates is disswaded by Helena his mother and Ananias from circumcision Eleazar perswadeth Izares to be circumcised They that â—…olie on God put their confideÌ„ce in him do alwaies reap the reward of their pietie Helena the Queene of Adiabena resorteth to Ierusalem Alias cap. 6. The yeare of the world 4009. after Christs birth 47. Artabanus reâ—…reth himselfe to Izates and requireth his assistance Izates comforteth Artabanus promiseth him his assistance Izates writeth to the Parthians and perswadeth them to receiue their king Cinnamus restoreth the kingdome to Artabanus Izates receiueth great honours and gifts at Artabanus hands Antiochia and Mygdonia builded by the Macedons Vardanes after his fathers death laboreth to perswade Izates to make warre against the Romanes but he preuaileth not The yeare of the world 4009. after Christs birth 47. After Vardanes was slaine the kingdome is comâ—…ted to Gotarza Vologelus king of Parthia Monobazus and his kinred thinke to receiue the Iewes religioÌ„ The Adiabenians conspire with the king of Arabia against Izates The Lords of Adiabena perswade Vologesus to kill Izates Izates calleth vpon God who sendeth the Dahans and Sacans into Parthiâ—… vpon whose arriuall Volgesus returneth The yeare of the world 4010. after Christs Natiuitie 48. Izates deliuereth vp the kingdome to his brother Monobazus and dâ—…eth Hedio Ruffinus cap. 5. al. 8. Theudas perswadeth the â—…eople that with a word he will cause Iordan to deuide it 〈◊〉 yeeld them passage he with his followers are slaine Hedio Ruffinus cap. 5. al. 8. Tiberius Alexander gouernour of Iudaea Iames and Simon the sons of Iudas of Galilee crucified The yeare of the world 4011. after Christs birth 49. The yeere of the world 4011. after Christs birth 49. Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. al. 10. In the feast of Pascha a certaine souldier shewing his priuie members moueth a sedition amoÌ„g the people whereby twentie thousand Iewes lost their liues Stephen Caesars seruant robbed in his iourney for which cause Cumanus spoileth the villages neere to the place where the robbery was done A certaine soldier â—…eareth the bookes of Moses â—…aw and therefore is beheaded by Cumanus coÌ„maundement Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. al. cap. 12. Certaine Samaritanes kill diuers Galileans in their way to Ierusalem The yeare of the world 4014. after Christs birth 52. The yeare of the world 4014. after Christs natiuitie 52. The Galileans in reuenge of their iniuries burne certaine villages of the Samaritanes and spoyle the same Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. al. 12. The Samaritanes accuse the Iewes before Numidius Quadratus The Iewes lay the burthen of the warres on the Samaritanes and Cumanus Dortus with foure other are crucified Ananias Ananus Cumanus Celer and some other are sent to Rome Alias cap. 13. Agrippa moueth Agrippina to intreat Caesar to heare the cause of the Iewes The yeare of the world 4015. after Christs birth 53. Hedio Ruffinus cap 9. al. 14. Claudius â—…oelix gouernour of Iudaea Drusilla Mariamme â—…oelix getteth Drusilla from her former husband Polemon king of Cilâ—…cia marrieth Bernice The yeaÌ„re of the world 4018. after Christs birth 56. Mariamme scorning Archelaus marrieth Demetrius Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. al. 15. Agrippina Meslaâ—…na and Paetinâ—… Clâ—…dius wiues Nero Emperour The yeare of the world 4019. after Christs birth 57. Nero a tyrant Neros tyranny The yeare of the world 4019. after Christs Natiuitie 57. Alias cap. 16. Foelix punisheth y t theeues and Magicians and other seducers of the people Eleazar the sonne of Dinaeus sent to Rome Foelix conspireth against Ionathas Butchery The deceitfull Magicians Hedio Ruffinus cap. 12. al. cap. 17. A falle prophet draweth the Iewes to the mount Oliuet The yeare of the world 4019. after the Natiuitie of Christ. 57. Hedio Ruffinus cap. 13. al 18. A broile in Caesarea betweene the Syrians and Iewes The yeare of the world 4020. after Christs birth 58. Ismael the son of Phabeus the high priest The strife betweene the high priests the priests Alias cap. 19. Foelix acculed Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. The cutthroâ—… among the Iewes Festus discomfiteth a great deceiuer with all his â—…ollowers Hedio Ruffinus cap. 15. al. 10. The yeare of the world 4020. after Châ—…sts birth 58. The chiefest men of Ierusalem stop vp the prospect of Agrippaâ—… house Ioseph Cabi y t son of Simon made high priest Albinus gouernour of Iudaea Ananus the son of Ananus the high priest Hedio Ruffinus cap. 16. al. 21. Ananus had fiue sons that succeeded him in the priesthood The â—…eare of the world 4025. after Christs birth 43. Iames the brother of â—…ur Lord stoned Ananus accused before Albinus Iesus the sonne of Damneus possesseth Aâ—…anus place Some forcibly gather the tenths of the â—…riests The yeâ—…re of the world 4026. after Christs birth 64. The theeues apprehend Ananias kinred and seruants Caesarea Philippi new builded by Agrippa and called Neronias The Berytianâ—… receiue much kindnes at Agrippas hands Ananias Costobarus and Saul prepared to spoile the weaker Hedio Ruffinus cap. 17. al. 22. Albinus executeth the hainous malefactors Agrippa giueth them of the tribe of Leuâ—… leaue to wâ—…are linnen garments Agrippa permitteth the ministers of the temple to sing the sacred hymnes The people of the Iewes beseech the king that it may be lawfull for theÌ„ to repaire the porch Matthias the sonne of Theophilus high priest The yeare of the world 4026. after Christs natiuitie 64 Hedio Ruffinus cap. 18. The succession and number of the hie priests among the Iewes Aaron and his progenie There were 83. high priests in all The yeare of the world 4026. after the Natiuitie of Christ. 64. Aristobulus slaine by Herode supra lib. 15. cap. 3. The yeare of the world 4028. after the birth of Christ. 66. Gessius Florus gouernour of Iudaea Gessius Floruâ—… worse then Albinus The yeare of the world 4030. after Christs birth 68. Florus the originall cause of the wars of the Iewes The beginning of the warres The Epilog of the Antiquitles of the Iewes The yeere of the world 4030. after Christs birth 68. Ioseph expert in the Greeke and Hebrew tongues This volume was written The yeare of the world 4057. after Christs birth 95. Iosephus Ilnage Ioseph the son
The yeare of the world 4014 after Christs birth 52. The souldier executed that burned the Bible A Galilean slaine in Samaria Eleazar and Alexander two princes of the Iewes exercise much crueltie Conspiracy in robbery Quadratus gouernour of Syria heareth the Samaritanes Iewes Quadratus giueth sentence betwixt the Iewes and Samaritanes The yeere of the world 4014. after Christs birth 52. Claudius sentence against some Samaritanes Cumanus and Celer Claudius dieth and Nero succeeded him The yeare of the world 4015. after the Natiuitie of Christ. 53. Nero killeth his brother his mother and wife The yeare of the world 4018. after Christs natiuitie 56. Ant. lib. 20. cap. 1â—… Felix surpriseth Eleazar the captaine of the theeues and many others and sendeth them bound to Rome Another sort of theeues who at 〈◊〉 daies went about the city to murther men Ionathas the high priest with many others slaine Ant. lib. 20. cap. 12. An Egyptian Prophet gathereth welny â—…0000 men Felix ouerthroweth the Egyptian The theeues and magitians work much mischiefe to many men The yeare of the world 4020. after the 〈◊〉 of Christ. 50. Ant lib. 20. cap. 13. A fight betweene the Iewes and Syrians about Caesarea Sedition and slaughter among the Iewes The yeare of the world 4024. after Chrisâ—… 〈◊〉 62. Ant lib. 20. cap 11. Albinus president of Iudaea full of all wickednes The seditious bribe Albinus to winke at their robberies The yeare of the world 4028. after Christs birth 66. Ant. lib. 20. cap. 16. Gessius Florus succeeded Albinus and proued worser then Albinus The couetousnes of Florus spoileth whole cities The yeare of the world 4018. after Christs birth 66. Cestius Gallus appeaseth the people and requireth a mitigation of Florus seueritie The beginning of the warre of the Iewes the 12. yeare of Neros raigne Ant. lib. 20. cap. 15. The causes of the warre of the Iewes The yeare of the world 4030. after Christs birth 68. Florus periury and decoit toward the Iewes The conflict of the Iewes with the Caesareans Florus imprisoneth twelue of the chiefest Iewes in Caesarea Another cause of warre raised by Florus The yeare of the world 4030. after Christs Natiuitie 68. Another occasion of the war Florus scorneth the gratulation of the Iewes Florus in his tribunal requireth them to be yeelded vnto him who had spoken ill of him The outrage of Florus soldiers Florus soldiers kill 630. Iewes in one day Berenice requi reth Florus to pacifie his displeasure against the Iewes The furie of the souldiers against Beroâ—… nice The people exclaime against Floruâ—… The yeare of the world 4030 after Christs birth 68. Florus renueth the discontents of the people Florus subtiltie and treason The exhortation of the priests and princes to the people The euent sheweth Florus intent counsel The slaughter of the Iewes The seditious for 〈◊〉 least Florus should seâ—…se their spoiles flie to the temple Florus taketh the spoiles and entreth the temple Florus seeing the Iewes inexpugnable in the temple surceaseth his violence and leauing a band behind him goeth to Caesarea The yeare of the world 403â—… after Christs birth 68. Cestus Gallus president of Syria coâ—…ulteth with the princes what were bestro be done Politianus is sent to Ierusalem and meeteth with Agrippa The multitude of the people go out to meet Agrippa and Politianus Politianus assembleth the people and inciteth them to peace and after returneth to Cestius The Iewes require the king y t there might be some embassadors sent to Rome to conplaine of Florus to Nero. Agrippas oration to the Iewes Agrippa striueth to make the common sort flexible attentiue The yeâ—…re of the world 4030. after Christs birth 68. It be hooueth to honour the magistrate and not to prouoke him by iniury Agrippa excuseth Caesar and the Romanes Depulsion of the Iewes libertie which they so vehemently seeke forâ—… The exaÌ„ple of the Athenians others who obey the Romane empire The Lacedemonians The Macedonians The comparison of the Romans force with the Iewes weaknes The Romans haue brought the whole world vnder their gouernment haue â—…ought another world beyond the Ocean The 〈◊〉 of the world 4030. after Christs Natiuitie 68. Fiftie Cities of Asia obey the Romans The defence of France The Spaniards subiect to the Romans The Germains mulâ—…de vertue and huge stature The Britaines subiect to the Romans The Parthians The Carthaginians made subiect by Scipâ—…os hands The Romans gouerne the Moores The yeare of the world 4030 after Christs birth 68. Alexandria acknowledgeth the power of the Romans Gods fauour towaâ—…ds the Romans The last argument that proueth the Iewes destitute of Gods mans helpe and vnapt to make warre Whilest the ship is yet in the Port it is good to preuent the â—…uture tempest Agrippas prophecie of the Iewes future miserie Agrippâ—… protesteth that hee hath omit ted no counsel that he thoght expedient for the Iewes The yeare of the world 4030. after the birth of Christ. 68. Agrippa the king is by the people driuen out of the citie with stones The Iewes refuse Caesars sacrifices for the prosperitie of the Romanâ—… Against those who refuse forrain sacrifices None of the seditious gaue eare to those that were in authoritie Embassadours sent to Florus and Agrippa against the seditious The yeare of the world 4030. after Câ—…sts birth 68. Warre in Ierusalem between thâ—… seditious and those that â—…auored peace Xylophoria aâ—…east The kings souldiers are ouercome The Iews take Antonia and burne it Manahemus the chiefe of y t rebels giues the kings faction and friends licence to depart The Romans forsaking the Stratopedon flie into the Kings sortes The yeare of the world 4030. after Chrâ—…sts birth 68. The death of Ananias the high priest and Ezechias his brother Eleazars followers assault Manahem in the Temple Manahem with the princes slaine The Romans vnable any â—…on ger to resist yeeld themselues The Romanâ—… against all couenant law are all slaine saue Metiliâ—… Slaughter on the Sabaoth day The yeere of the world 4030. after Christs birth 68. The Iewes spoyle the villages and burn the Cities of Syria Al Syria full of miserable calamities Iewes against Iewes The Scythopolitans kill thirteene thousand Iewes Simon daily killeth many of his countrimen in Scythopolis The yeare of thâ—… world 4030. after the birth of Christ. 68. Simon killeth his parents his wife and children and at last himselfe An other slaughter of the Iewes The cities in armes against the Iewes Varus killeth 70. Iewes in in their iourney The Romans yeeld vp theiâ—… castle in Marichunte to the Iewes Sedition in 〈◊〉 betweene thâ—… Greeks and Ieweâ—… The yeere of the world 4030. after Christs birth 68. Tiberius Alexander exhorteth the seditious Iewes to keepe peace A cruell victorie wherein 〈◊〉 thousand Iewes are slaine Huge companies of the Romans Zâ—…bulon 〈◊〉 strong Citie of Galilee spoiled and burnt The Iewes kill two thousand Syrians The Romans take Ioppe and burne it and kill eight thousand and foure hundreth 〈◊〉 â—…nd
Christs birth 69. The Romanes retire without obtaining their purpose Vespasian erecteth higher platformes and towers The Citizens of Iotapata valiantly sustaine the siege The taking in of Iapha by Traiane The Iewes shut vp by the Romans between two wals are slaine Twelue thousand Iewes slaine Titus with his forces commeth to Iapha A sharpe skirmish within the towne betweene the Galileans and the Romans The yeare of the world 4031. after the birth of Christ. 69. The assembly of the Samaritans on the mountaine Garizin Want of water in the mountaine Garizin Eleuen Thousand and sixe hundreth Samaritās slain◅ A fugitiue certifieth the weake estate of the citizen◅ of Iotapata how few they were The Romans enter the citie whilst the Iew◅ are a sleepe The yeare of the world 4031. after Christs birth 69. The Romans are touched with no mercy nor compassiō The fight of the Iewes with the Romans in the tower Antonius slain by a Iewe thorow treason Fortie thousād Iewes perish during the siege and in the former battels Ioseph lept into a deepe trench and lyeth hidden in a caue Vespasian by Tribunes sendeth Ioseph assurance Nicanor the tribune known to Ioseph Iosephs dream of the slaughter of the Iewes Ioseph filled with the spirit of God secretly praieth Ioseph consenteth to Nicanor The yeare of the world 4031. after Christs Natiuitie 69. The Iewes violence and expostulation against Ioseph Iosephs oration to his countrey men It is a goodly matter to die for libertie but yet to die fighting The similitude of a sayler It is against the commō course of nature for a man to kill himselfe yea and a hanoue sinne against God The soule is immortall and aportiō of God placed in our bodies God reuenge◅ him on the autors of iniuries The custome of ancient Iewes and how they delt with those that slue themselues Iosephs peroration The yeere of the world 4031. after Christs birth 69. Ioseph is in great daunger to be slaine Another pollicy of Ioseph Iosephs fellowes die by lots and Ioseph and another are reserued Ioseph resorteth to Vespasian with Nicanor An example of Titus grace and mercy towards Ioseph Ioseph hath priuate consetēce with Vespasian Ioseph foretelleth Vespasian of his future honours Iosephs truth in all things The yeere of the world 4031. after Christs birth 69. Ioseph is kept bound yet rewarded by Vespasian Cesarca a great Citie by the Sea side inhabited for the most part by Greekes Scythopolis Ioppe the retreate of the seditious and theeues Of Andromeda read 4. Ouid Metamorph A huge tempest drowneth those of Ioppe in the Sea Foure thousand and two hundreth bodies cast out Vespasian taketh Ioppe and encampeth in the Castle Fame it selfe declareth the destruction of Iotapata The yeare of the world 4031. after Christs birth 69. Ioseph is said to be slaine in Ierusalem The hatred malice wrath in Ierusalem against Ioseph Vespasian com meth vnto Agrippas kingdome and recreateth himselfe there and feasteth twentie dayes Valerianus peaceably speaketh to the townes-men The seditious sally out and put the Romans to flight The Citizens of Tyberias prostrate them selues before Vespasian and obtaine pardon The yeare of the world 4031. after the birth of Christ. 69. The Tiberians entertain Vespasian with acclamations Vespasian besiegeth Tarichea The Romans driue the Iews to their ships Titus Oration to his terrified souldiers Iewes are not to be feared Victorie consisteth not in the multitude but in the courage of a few that fight valiantly The yeare of the world 4031. after Christs birth 69. The Romans haue greater cause of warre then the Iewes It becommeth souldiers to obey their captaine Vespasian sendeth new supplies to Titus The Iewes flie into the Citie A bitter dissension and sedition in the citie Titus Oration to the Roman souldiers Iesus with his followers flieth into the fields Titus certifieth his father of his exploits and victorie The yeare of the world 4031. after Christs birth c 9. The fountaine of Iordan The description of Genezar The fertilitie of Genezar The length and breadth of Genezar A fight by sea against the Taricheans The yeere of the world 4031. after Christs birth 69. Vespasians victorie in the lake of Genezar against the Taricheās The end of the battell by sea in which there died sixe thousand and fiue hundreth men Vespasian con◅ulteth with his chieftains about the Iewes The destruction and sale of the Iewes The yeare of the world 4031. af◅er Christs Na◅iuitie 69. The victorie of the Romans against the Iewes Semechonitis a lake The fountaine of Iordan The situation of Gamala The Citie of Gamala inexpugnable and strong Vespasian besieged Gamala One with a sling woundeth Agrippa The Romans besiege Gamala and assault the same The yeere of the world 4031. after Christs birth 69. The Romans fal downe with the ruines of the Iewes houses Many Romans slaine spoyled Vespasians fortitude and war like valour Vespasians fight with the Iewes Gallus with ten souldiers lieth hid in a certaine house Vespasian comforteth his souldiers The inconstancie and mutabilitie of fortune The yeare of the world 4031. after the birth of Christ. 69. The Roman souldiers do all things with discretion The Romans once more attempt the assault of Gamala The height of the mountaine Itaburium Fraud paide with fraud Placidus victorie The Romans vndermine a certain tower and it falleth with a great noise The yeare of the world 4031. after Christs birth 69. Titus with two hūdreth horse besides chosen footmen entreth Gamala The top of the Castle of Gamala stonie hard to be climed The Romans victorie by Gods prouidence Nine thousand Iewes slaine in Gamala and only two women escape The yeare of the world 4032. after Christs birth 70. Iohn a poisoner and a deceitfull man inforceth the Citizens of Giscala to rebell Vespasian foreseeth his no small trouble in the siege of Ierusalem Titus his compassiō towards those of Giscala The yeare of the world 4032. af◅ter Christs Na◅iuitie 70. Titus his merciful oration to those of Giscala Iohns answere to Titus exhortation Iohn reserued by Gods prouidence to be at the siege of Ierusalem The feare of those Iewes that fled with Iohn The citizens of Giscala entertaine Titus with all obedience The yeare of the world 4032. after Christs birth 70. Titus mercy to his enemies It is better to leaue an enemie in susp◅nce thorow feare then with the guiltie to confound the innocent The courage of Iohn and those that fled with him stirreth vp the Iewes to make warre against the Romans Intestine discord in Iurie The Iewes turn their weapons against themselues The theeues trouping togither in Ierusalem spoile the countrey The yeere of the world 4032. after Christs birth 70. Rapines and spoyles committed by day time The nobilitie of the Citie are taken and slaine by the theeues The theeues at their pleasure make a high Priest A high Priest chosen by thē contrarie to the ancient custome Phanes a countrie clowne made a high Priest The best
Citizens exhort the people to reuenge The yeere of the world 4032. after Christs birth 70. The Zelous the most wretched occasiō of these violences Ananus sharpe inuectiue against the Zelous Ananus twitteth the Iews with their feare The crueltie of the theeues The Temple the strongest fortres of the Citie Warres are intended for libertie The comparison of the Romans and Iews and their properties The yeare of the world 4032. after the birth of Christ. 70. An answere to their contrarie opinion who obiect the number and boldnesse of the enemy The Epilogue of Ananus Oration to the people Ananus disposeth his souldiers against the Zelous The fight of the Citizens and Zelous in the temple The yeare of the world 4032 after Christs birth 70. Iohnful of deceit and a betraier of the citizens Iohn sweareth to be faithfull to the people Iohn contrarie to his oath reuealeth their secrets to the Zelous Iohn stirreth vp the Zelous against the Citizens Eleazar one of the Zelous causeth the Idumaeans to besent for The yeare of the world 4032. after Christs birth 70. The Zealous require helpe from the Idumaeans The nature and manners of the Idumaeans Twentie thousand Idumaeās come to Ierusalem Iesus oration and exhortation to the Idumaeans The disproofe of the Zealous fiction who intended the ouerthrow of the citie and obiected the betraying thereof The yeare of the world 403◅ after Christs birth 70. Peace is better then death Iesus exhorteth the Idumaeans that since they are come they should oppose themselues against the Zealous Iesus requireth the Idumaeans to iudge the differents betweene the Zealous and them The end of Iesus oration to the Idumaeans The yeare of the world 4032. aftter Christs Naiuitie 70. Simons answer to Iesus oration The Idumaeans are displeased because the Citie gates were lockt against them The reproches the Idumeans obiect against the high priests and Citizens The Idumaeans pitch their tabernacles neer the wals A huge storme The Zelous consult to breake open the gates to assaile the watch and let in the Idumaeans The yeere of the world 4032. after Christs birth 70. The watchmen are oppressed with sleepe The Idumaeans by the meanes of the Zelous enter by night The Idumaeans ioyne themselues with the Zelous in the Temple The immanitie of the Idumaeans and Zelous against the Citizens of Ierusalem Ananus and Iesus the high Priests executed Ananus death the first cause of the destruction of the Citie The praise of Ananus the hie priest The yeare of the world 4032. after the birth of Christ. 70. The yeare of the world 4032. after Christs birth 70. The crueltie of the Idumaeans the Zelous Twelue thousand of the nobilitie executed Zacharie condemned to death by the Zelous Seuentie iudges absolue and acquite Zacharie Zacharie slaine in the midst of the temple One of the Zelous discouereth their crueltie and barbarous dealing to the Idumaeans The yeare of the world 4032. after Christs Natiuitie 70. The Idumaeans depart out of Ierusalem Gorions death and Niger Peraita Nigers praiers tooke effect as the end testified The souldiers incite Vespasian to resort to Ierusalem The yeere of the world 4032. after Christs birth 70 Vespasian expecteth victory by the ciuill dissension of his enemies Many citizens to flie the Zealous resorted to Vespasian The Zealous tytannize both ouer the liuing and the dead The yeere of th◅ world 4032. after Christs birth 70. Iohns pride and ambition The greater part of the con trarie faction fall from Iohn The tempest of three miseries assailed Ierusalem at once Of those desperate rebels that kept the Castle of Massada Slaughter and desolation thorow Iurie A Similitude The sugitiue◅ beseech Vespasian to assist the Citie and reserue ◅he rest of the people The ye◅re of the world 4032. after Christs birth 70. The Gadarensian◅ entertain Vespasian with ioy and acclamations Placidus con◅ct with the fugitiues Placidus taketh and burneth Bethenabris Placidus victorie ouer the fugitiues The yeare of the world 4032. after the birth of Christ. 70. Placidus maketh vse o◅ his good fortune against the Iewes Troubles in France Vespasian visiteth all Iudaea Vespasian commeth to Iericho The grea◅ field Two lakes Asphaltite and y e Tiberian lake A large fountaine neere Iericho The yeare of the world 4032. after Christs birth 70. A miracle wrought by Helizaeu◅ Fruitfull and pleasant gardens about Iericho The cause why the ground about Iericho is fruitfull The ayre temperate and warme An admirable propertie of the Asphaltite lake The land of Sodom is neer vnto the lake Asphaltite The yeere of the world 4032. after Christs birth 70. Ter◅ul in Apologet cap. 39. L. Annius taketh Gerasa Vespasian hath tidings of Neroes death Galba Otho Vitell◅ Vespasian de◅erreth his siege at Ierusalem Galba is slaine and Otho gouerneth The ye◅re of the ◅ld 4033. after Christs birth 71. Simon of Gerasa resorteth to the theeues Simon assemble◅ all robbers in the mountainous places The fight betweene Simon the Zealous Eleazar Simōs fellow casteth himselfe headlong into the trench and presently dieth Iames of Idumaea the betraier of his countrey The yeare of th◅ world 4033. after Christs birth 71. Simon beyond all expectation entreth Idumaea without bloudshed Hebron an ancient Citie where Abrahams house was A Turpentine tree that hath continued since the creation of the world Simon spoyled all Idumaea The Zelous take Simons wife Simons immanitie cruelty The Zelous ◅nd backe Simons wife Sedition thorow the whole Romane Empi◅e Vespasian onc◅ more inuadet◅ Iudaea The yeare of the world 4033. after Christs birth 71. Capharis submits to Cerealis Cerealis burneth the ancient Citie of Hebron The Zelous fill the whole Citie with iniquitie The way of flight was quite cut off The discord betweene the Zelous and the Idumaeans The fight of the Zealous with the Idumaeans in the Temple Simon entreth the Citie with a great army The yeare of the world 4033. after the birth of Christ. 71. Simon assaulteth the temple wherin the Zelous kept The office of the priests to sig◅e the beginning of the seuenth day by the sound of a ◅umpet Vitellius incampeth his army in Rome Vespasiā knew both how to gouerne and how to obey The captaines consult with the souldiers openly of a change Vespasians shame◅astnesse and modestie The yeare of the world 4033. after Christs birth 71. The causes that mooued the people to elect Vespasian Emperour The souldiers elect Vespasian Emperour The bounds of Aegypt The length and breadth of Aegypt A most high tower in the Island Pharos giuing light to those that faile three hundreth stounds off Tiberius Alexander gouerneth Alexandria Aegypt The yeare of the world 4033. after Christs birth 71. Vespasian by common voice is created Emperour and crowned Vespasian consulteth with his captains about Iosephs liberty Ioseph discharged out of bonds and rewarded Vespasian bethinketh himselfe to returne to Rome Caecinna perswadeth the souldiers to forsake Vitellius and honour Vespasian The yeere of the world 4033.
there were betweene the first building of the temple vnder king Salomon and the destruction vnder Titus The crie and howling of the murthered Iewes The temple filled with fire and bloud Two noble men cast themselues into the fire The yeare of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72 Sixe thousand in the porch consumed by fire False prophets suborned by the seditious The blindnes of the people The first prodigie A comet like vnto a sword The second prodigie was that a bright light shined about the altar and temple by night The third prodigie was of a co◅ y e brought forth a lambe in the midst of the temple The fourth the brasen gate of the temple opened it selfe The fift armed chariots and men seene in the aire The sixt a voice in the inward temple The Seuenth prodigie Iesus a countrey mans crie and death The yeare of the world 4034 af◅r Christs birth 72. Iesus for seuen yeeres space fiue months cried about the Citie A stone shot from an engine killeth Iesus The Iewes interpret the signes to their own good liking are their Countries ruine and the cause of their owne calamity Gold was sold for halfe the price The craft of a boy The Priests ◅raue pardon but Titus commandeth them to be led to execution The seditious summon Titus to a parly The yeare of the ◅ld 4034. after Christs birth 71. Titus Oration to the Iewes by an interpreter The Romans humanitie incited the Iewes against them The yeare of the world 4034. after the birth of Christ. 72. Titus granteth the Iewes li◅e on condition they should lay aside their weapons and submit themselues The souldiers set the citie on fire Caesar cōstant in his resolution The seditious resorting to the kings house take away the treasure The punishment of a Roman souldier taken by the Iewes The Iewes are arrogant in midst of their calamitie The Iewes refuse to submit themselues to the Romans yet are they vnable to wag◅ warre with them The yeare of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. The tyrants vttermost hope was in their vaults Rapine and slaughter in the vaults The Idumaeans consult in their assembly about their submission Fortie thousand of the people saued Iesus a priest the sonne of Thebathus Phineas the treasurer of the temple taken The yeare of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. Some of the seditious kept in Acra the rest in the vault of the clue The feare and amazement of the seditious The tyrants do inieble themselues and of their owne accords for sake the towers frō whence by nomeanes but famine they might be driuen The Romans enter the town and obtaine the victory The houses and ◅ilie of best reckoning are left full of dead bodies The yeere of the world ◅034 af◅er Christs birth 72. These munitions of the citie and defence of the tower which the tyrants abandoned for feare impregnable Fortunes monument The olde and weake Iewes are slaine and the strong and Iustie relerued Titus distributeth the Iewes The number of the captiues and such as died during the siege of the citie The Romans searching the graues and vaults finde much treasure Iohn and Simon apprehended in the vaults The yeere of the world 4034. after Chris◅ birth 7◅ Ierusalem being fiue times spoyled was at that time once more sackt The Roma◅ wholy ruinate both the Citie and the temple Titus thanketh his souldier◅ for that they had continued their loue towards him Titus promises recompence to his valiant souldiers The yeare of the world 4034. after Christs birth◅ 72. Titus larges to his souldiers Titus sacrifice for his victorie The twelfth legion vnder Cestius leading gaue place to the Iewes Vespasians sayling and iournie Shewes at Caesarea Simon getteth downe into the vault and hopeth to escape from thence in saftie Simon i◅ taken by the Roman◅ Sinne cannot shunne Gods iustice A great multitude of the seditious taken in vaults The yeare of the world 4034. after the birth of Christ. 72. In a shew in Caesarea 2500. Iewes die Titus celebrateth Vespasians birthday The nation of the Iewes intermixed among all the people of the world A number of Iewes in Antioch A Iew called Antiochus is the cause of their mightie miscrie in Antioch Antiochus perfidious to his Citizens Antiochus forbiddeth to sanctifie the seuenth day Another calamitie at Anuoch The yeare of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. A sort of wicked men by meanes they were indebted burne the market place and the publike records The yeare of the world 4035. after Christs natiuite 73. The Citie of Rome entertaineth Vespasian with all willingnesse and pompe The Romans issue out to meet with Vespasian Vespasian celebrateth gratulatory sacrifice for his safe arriuall The causes of the reuolt of the Germans and French from the Romans The yeare of the world 4035. after Christs birth 73. Ciuilis compelleth the Germans to subiection Domitianus Titus brother The Scithians and Sarmates rebellion against the Romans Titus celebrateth many sumptuous pastimes in all the cities of Syria The floud Sabbaticus Titus comming to Antioch The praiers of the citizens against the Iewes The yeere of the world 4036. after Christs bir◅ 74. Titus lamenteth the losse desolation of Ierusalem The Romans find no small part of the riches of Ierualem Iohn and Simon and seuentie other goodly Iewes are reserued by Titus to be sent into Italy The triumphāt attire of Vespasian and Titus Their vowes and dinner before their triumph The magnificence of the triumph The most precious garments The yeare of the world 4036. after Christs birth 74. The building of the Pageants The yeare of the world 4037. after Christs birth 75 A table of gold of the weight of a great talent The last of the spoyles was the law of the Iewes Simon the sonne of Giora is drawne with a halter about his neck through the market place Vespasian buildeth and dedicateth a Temple to peace The yeere of the world 4037. after Christs birth 75. Herode inuironeth Mache rus with a great wall and towers Wonderfull store of arrows and other engines in this tower Rue of admirable greatnes How Baaras is to be gathered Another fashion how to dig the roote Hot bathes The yeare of the world 4037. after the birth of Christ. 75. The Iewes that were for◅ners dwelt in ◅he lower Citie The conflict of the Iewes with the Romans Eleazar a Iew strong in hand and fierce in bold attempts Eleazar is taken and stripped naked and whipt Eleazars calamitie moueth the Iewes to submit themselues One thousand seuen hūdreth Iewes slaine by the Romans Iardes a wood inuironed by the Romans The yeare of the world 4037. after Christs birth 75. Three thousand Iewes slaine A tribute imposed by Caesar on all the Iewes Cesennius Petus president of Syria accuseth Antiochus before Caesar. Antiochus is sodainly inuaded by Cesennius Antiochus chuseth rather to depart out of his country with his wife and children then to fight with the Romans Antiochus
flieth with his wife into Cilicia Epiphanes flieth to Vologesus the king of Parthia Antiochus taken The yeare of the world 4037. after Christs birth 75. Antiochus reconciled to Caesar. The Alans enter Media to spoile the same Armenia wasted The yeare of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76 The time among the Iewes which was most fruitful in all manner of impiety Iohn Giscala The yeere of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76. Simon sonne of Giora The Idumaeans The Zealous The end of the Iewes answerable to their liues Silua the captaine of the Romans besiegeth Massada The scituation of Massada The iourney by the rock called the Snake The top more fruitfull and fatter soile the the plaine Herods pallace The yeere of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76. A â—…ower to the Westside Great store of prouision in the Castle Fruit for a hundreth yeeres kept vncorrupt Herode suspecting a double perill builded this place for a refuge There was but one place about Massada to raise a mount to batter one The Citie battered with a large Ramme and by Siluas appointment Firebrands daâ—…â—…ed against the walâ—… The North wind diuerting the flame turneth it vpon the Romanâ—… The yeare of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76. Eleazars Oration to his companions Eleazar conteâ—… Gods wrâ—…t â—…o bee kâ—…led against tâ—…e people The punish 〈◊〉 â—…ese 〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 â—…es â—…n 〈◊〉 attempâ—… agâ—…inst the â—…es 〈◊〉 graue 〈◊〉 â—…en lâ—… 〈◊〉 maintained Eleazars Oraâ—…n as touchâ—…g the immor talitie of the soule The yeare of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76. A soule tied in a mortal body The power of the soule Sleepe the argument of the immortalniâ—… of the soule The professors of wisedome among the indians burne themselues An exhortation to contemn death drawne from the time and place Example taken from the Iews that were staine in Caesâ—…a The Calamitie of the Iewes in Scithopoliâ—… The yeare of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76. Eighteen thousand Iews slain in Syria and threescore thousand in Aegypt The calamitie of those Iewes who were taken by the Romans Ierusalem the Metropolitane citie razed froÌ„ the foundations We are borne to die and the most strongest cannot auoid the same Eleazar telleth the Iewes of the Romans tyrannie It is a happines among the Iewes to die free The yeare of the world 4â—…38 after Christs birth 76. The Iewes gathering all their goods togither cast theÌ„ into the fire Ten chosen by lot to kill the rest of the Iewes The Romans expect the fight The Romans admire at the Iewes fortitude and obstinate contempt of death The murtherers authors of new calamitie The Iewes assemble and consult about the murtherers The yeere of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76. Diuers sorts of torments and tortures inflicted on them who reâ—…use Caesars soueraintie Onias by Ptoâ—…es consent buildeth a citie and temple in Egypt Onias temple built in Egypt Lupus shutteth the Iewes out of the temple The yeare of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76 A part of Ionathans companions were taken and slaine the rest kept captiue aliue and brought to Catullus Three thousand Iewes slaine by Catullus Ioseph by Catullus perswasion is accused by Ionathas Ionathas being first beaten is burnt aliue The conclusion of the seuen bookes of the warres of the Iewes The historie of the antiquitie containeth the euents of fiue thousand yeers The causes that moued him to write this book All things among the Greekes are moderne but such things as were done among the Egyp tians Chaldies and Phaenicians are of happie memorie and venerable antiquitie Innumerable corruptions inuaded Greece The Phoenicians and Cadmus the first inuentors of letters Among the Greekes there is not any writing more ancient then Homers poem Thucidides writ a most exact historie of his time The causes of discord among the Iewes Another cause of their discord recorded by the Graecian Historiographers The signe of a true historie A custome which the priests obserued The priests amongst the Iewes are euerie one registred with the name of their fathers and this custome hath continued 2000 yeers Two and twentie bookes of holy writ The Iewes and Greeks are compared together Some others haue written of the wars of the Iewes Ioseph was present in all the wars of the Iewes Ioseph did write the historie of the Iewes wars being at Rome Ioseph sold his bookes to many Some do derogate from Iosephs historie Two things which Ioseph entendeth The Iewes careto bring vp their â—…heildreÌ„ The ancient Iewes had no need to trafficke with the Graecians The Romans were lately knowne to the Greekes Certaine Historiographers report Spaine to be onely one citie Arguments to proue the Iewes of more antiquitie then the Greeks Manethon an Egyptian writer Saltis subdued the Egyptians Kings shepheards Sethosis king of Egypt made his brother Ar mais Gouernour of his Countrie Where upon Egypt tooke his name Manethon sheweth the Iewes comming into Egypt and their departure Salomon built a â—…emple in 〈◊〉 143. yeeres and eight months before the Tyrians builded Carthage The friendship of the Tyrian king and oâ—… king Salomon Problemes of Hiramus and Salomon The testimony of Menander the Ephesian The Genealogie of king Hiramus Carthage built in Affricke by Dido Pigmalions sister Berosus the Historiographer a Chaldean Nabulassarus father to Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon and Chaldea Nabuchodonosor conquered the rebels Nabuchodonosor succeedeth in his fathers kingdome Nabuchodonosor builded a pallace Semiramis did not build Babylon The king of Babylon excelled Hercules in strength and noble valorous deeds The wals of Babylon built of bricke and bytumen Cyrus expelled Nabodâ—…us from Babylon The testimony of the Phoenicians touching the Iewes Antiquitie Nabuchodonozor besieged Tyre The Chaldaeis and Tyrians agree with the Iewes historie Hermippus writings and testimony of Pythagoras Theophrastus Corban the gift of God Herodotus the Halicarnassian touching the Iewes circumcision Chaerilus an ancient Poet his testimonie of the Iewes Asphaltites the lake The testimony of Clearchus disciple of Aristotle touching the Iewes Hecataeus Abderita brought vp with king Alexander A thousand fiue hundreth priests receiue the Iewes tenths The Iewes constancy against Alexander The largnes of Iurie Fiftie stounds are almost sixe Germaine miles The Priests do dwell in the Temple and drink no wine Agatarchides his testimonie of the Iewes The Iewes Sabaoth Why certaine writers omit to speake of the Iewes The last part against certain detractions â—…aunders The cause of malice betweene the Egyptians and Iewes The Egyptians Idolatrie Manethon an Egyption Historiographer Manethons fabulous reports of the Egyptian Lepers Osarsiphus captâ—…ine of Auaâ—…is The warre of the banished against the Aegyptians The Aegyptian king fled into Aethiopia and was by the Aethiopian king courteously entertained Osarsiphus was afterwards called Moses Manethons lies are confuted Manethons words repeated A conâ—…utation of Manethons words alleadged The Epiloge that the Iewet came not of the Egyptians An answere vnto Manethous slanders touching
tribe And although they thought them iustly oppressed in battell by reason they had offended against the lawes of God yet celebrated they a fast in the behalfe of the dead They sent Embassadours also and reuoked those sixe hundreth that were fled and held a certaine rocke in the desart which was call Rhoa The Embassadours complained not onely for that the warre had extinguished them but also for that the Israelites had lost their parents and by these perswasions they preuailed so much that they bare their crosse and losse with lesse grief and they came vnto them besought them that they would not giue sentence of the total extinctiō of the tribe of Beniamin We grant you said they the reuenues of your whole tribe and as much bootie as you may driue away But they acknowledging their iniustice and that they were condemned by the iustiudgement of God returned into the possessions of their tribe and the Israelites gaue them in marriage those foure hundreth virgins of Iabes and for the rest which were two hundreth they deliberated with themselues how they might prouide them of wiues to the intent they might haue issue And when as before time in the beginning of their warre it was decreed by an oath that none of them might match his daughter with any of the tribe of Beniamin there were some of them that thought good that the oth might be despensed withal by reason it was grounded vpon wrath not on iudgement alledging further that they should do nothing contrarie to the will of God if they might saue a tribe which was in daunger vtterly to be extinct That periuries were daungerous and noysome not at such time as they are inforced by constraint but when they are practised with an intent to do euill But when as the Elders reclaimed hereagainst abhorring the mention of periurie there arose vp a certaine man amongst them that said he had a pollicie whereby without breach of oth the Beniamites might light vpon wiues And being commaunded by the Senate to expresse the same we haue a custome euery yeare said he to assemble and keepe a feast at Siloe and for companions in those our congregations we haue both our wiues and daughters as many of these as they can rauish let the Beniamites lay hold of without reproofe neither being inhibited nor encouraged by vs and if their fathers shall be displeased therewith and shall require reuenge we will say that they are in the fault who haue negligently kept their daughters that we ought not too much to whet our wrath against the Beniamites for that we had too much alreadie vsed and abused the same towards them This sentence was allowed by all of them and it was decreed that it was lawfull for the Beniamites to rauish and violently take to themselues wiues amongst them Now when the feast was at hand the two hundreth Beniamites of whom we haue spoken came two by two and three by three and lay in ambush neere vnto the Citie amongst the vines and other thickets and close places in which they might hide themselues to surprise the Damsels Now they suspecting nothing securely and pleasantly wantoned on their way but the yong men breaking from their ambush laid hold of them being scattered and diuided here and there and after they had married them they departed home to labour their land and began to studie anew how to recouer their former good hap Thus the tribe of Beniamin which was welny vtterly exterminated was restored to his former dignitie after this manner by the wisedome of the Israelites and it incontinently flourished and increased in a little time as well in number of men as in all other things Thus finished this fatall warre The like accident hapned to the Tribe of Dan which fell into the like incombrance for this cause which ensueth The Israelites about this time hauing forgotten the exercise of armes and being onely occupied in tilling and trimming their land the Chanaanites in contempt of that nation raised forces not for that they were affraid of their owne estates but to the intent that ouerlopping the Hebrewes with some memorable ouerthrow they might more securely inhabite their Cities thereafter and conspiring togither and arming a great number of footmen and ioyning to them certaine chariots they drew Ascalon and Accharon two cities within the Lot of Iuda into their confederacie and diuers other cities of the Champion countrey so as they of Dan were driuen into the mountaines hauing no place in the champion where they might peaceably inhabite who for that neither in warre they were able to confront them neither had sufficient habitation for the number of men which they had sent fiue men of their tribe into the Champion countrey and Midland to spie if they could finde any place that were fit and conuenient for them to establish and fixe their Colonies in These trauelled a daies iourney not farre from the mountaine of Libanus and more lower then are the sources of Iordan bordering vpon the great plaine of the Citie of Sidon In which place hauing obserued that the land was good and fertile in all sorts of fruites they made it knowne vnto their people who trauailing thither with their army builded a citie in that place called Dan by the name of the sonne of Iacob so called and in honour of the tribe of Dan. Many aduersities befell the Israelites from that time forwards both for that they were vnexercised in trauaile and for that they contemned pietie For hauing once forsaken the obseruation of their ordinances they suffered themselues to be deuoured in pleasures liuing according to their own appetites so that they gorged and glutted themselues with those vices which were most of all accustomed and vsuall amongst the Chanaanites CHAP. III. How the people of Israell by reason of their wickednesse were by God deliuered to the seruitude of the Assyrians FOr this cause the wrath of God was kindled against them in such sort as thorow their negligence they lost the good which they had gotten by infinite trauaile For Schisart king of the Assyrians leuied an army against them who killed a great number of their men in the fight and either by force or composition tooke diuers of them prisoners and brought their citie vnder his subiection Diuers also willingly submitted themselues vnto him thorow the feare they had conceiued and they paied tributes exceeding their powers induring all kind of outrage for the space of eight yeares after which they were deliuered by these meanes following CHAP. IIII. Their libertie restored by Cenizus A Certaine man of the Tribe of Iuda called Cenizus a man of execution and of braue courage was aduertised by a voice from heauen that he should not permit the Israelites in that sort to be reduced into so extreame necessitie without taking care for them but that he ought to aduenture himselfe to set them at libertie For which