his wofull predictions had weakned the hearts of the people which were otherwaies readie to fight for him and their countrey by reason that he flying vnto the enemie menaced them with the surprisal and vtter ruine of their Citie But the king in regard of the naturall humanitie and iustice that was in him was not any waies whetted in respect of his owne interest yet to the intent he might not seeme to be vtterly opposed to the gouernours by contradicting them he deliuered the Prophet into their hands to deale with him howsoeuer they pleased Who hauing obtained this libertie from the king entred the prison on the sodaine and laying hold on Ieremy they let him downe into a pit full of mud to the intent he might die in that place and be strangled by the ordure in effect he was set therein vp to the necke But one of the kings seruants an Aethiopian by nation certified the king of the Prophets affliction assuring him that his friends and gouernours did not iustly so to thrust and burie the Prophet in the mud and cursedly to conspire against him tyring him with bonds and tortours worse then death For which cause the king hearing this newes was sorie that he had deliuered the Prophet to the gouernours and commaunded the Aethiopian to take thirtie men of his court with him with cords and such other things necessary as might concerne the safetie of the Prophet charging him with all expedition to deliuer him from that captiuitie Hereupon the Aethiopian furnished with men and necessarie meanes drew the Prophet out of the mud and dismissed him without any gard That done the king sent for him in secret demaunding of him if he had any message to deliuer him from God praying him to let him vnderstand what soeuer he knew as touching the successe of the siege The Prophets answere was that although he should tel him yet it would not be beleeued that if he should exhort him he would not giue eare or listen vnto him But said he O king thy friends haue condemned me to death as if I had beene a most wretched malefactor But where are they now at this present that haue deceiued thee and bore thee in hand saying that the Babylonian would not come and besiege thee Now will I take heed how I tell thee the truth for feare least thou condemne me to death Hereupon the king swore vnto him that he should not die neither that he would deliuer him into the hands of the gouernours for which cause Ieremie grounding himselfe vpon the faith which he had plighted vnto him counselled the king to yeeld vp the Citie to the Babylonian because that God had willed him to signifie vnto the king that if he would saue his life and auoid the imminent daunger and saue his Citie from vtter ruine and preserue the temple from burning he should submit or otherwise that none but he should be the cause of all these euils that should happen vnto the Citie and Citizens and of that calamitie that should confound both him and all his familie When the king heard this he told him that he would doe according as he had counselled him and performe whatsoeuer he thought necessarie to be done but that he feared his friends who were alreadie of the Babylonian faction least being accused by them he should be deliuered by their meanes and the kings displeasure vnto death But the prophet encouraged him telling him that his feare was in vaine assuring him that he should suffer no euill if so be he yeelded vp the Citie and that neither his wife nor children nor the sacred temple should either endure desaster death or ouerthrow Vpon these words the king dismissed Ieremy charging him to communicate the counsell that was held betweene them to no one of the Citizens no not to the princes if so be they should light on any inckling of their conference or aske of him whether the king had sent for him aduising him to answere if so be they were inquisitiue that he resorted to the king to request him that he might be no more imprisoned all which the Prophet performed for they instanced him verie much to know for what cause the king had sent for him CHAP. X. Ierusalem is taken and the people carried into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor MEane while the Babylonian continued his violent siege against the Citie of Ierusalem and hauing raised towers vpon certaine bulwarks he droue away by this meanes all those that approched neere vnto the walles he raised also round about the circuit of the Citie diuers platformes that equalled the walles in height Meane while the Citie was as valiantly and couragiously defended by the inhabitants for neither pestilence nor famine plucked down their spirits And although that within the Citie they were tormented with these scourges yet were not their resolutions distracted by the warre neither did the enemies inuentions astonish them nor their engines affright them but that they inuented new countermines so that all the battel betwixt the Babylonians and Iewes seemed to be a trial both of valour art whilest these by the one doe assuredly hope to surprise the Citie and the other thought their safetie consisted herein if they ceased not by new inuentions to frustrate their enemies endeuours And in this estate continued they both for the space of eighteene moneths vntill they were consumed by famine and by the darts that were shot against them by those that shot from the towers At length the Citie was taken by the princes of Babylon in the eleuenth yeare of the raigne of Zedecias the ninth day of the fourth moneth who were put in trust by Nabuchodonosor to performe the siege For touching his owne person he made his aboad in the Citie of Reblata Now if any man be desirous to know the names of them that had commaundement at such time as Ierusalem was surprised these they be Nergelear Aremantus Emegar Nabosar and Echarampsar The Citie being taken about midnight the princes of the enemies armie entered into the temple which when Zedecias vnderstood he tooke his wiues and his children with the princes and his friends and fled thorow a great valley by the desart which when the Babylonians vnderstood by certaine Iewes that were reuolted and had submitted themselues vnto them they arose earely in the morning to pursue them and ouertooke and surpised them neere vnto Iericho Whereupon those princes and friends of Zedecias that had taken their flight with him seeing the enemies neere vnto them forsooke him scattering themselues heere and there concluded each of thē to saue himselfe When as therefore the enemies had apprehended him who was attended by a few followers only and accompanied by his children wiues they brought him vnto the kings presence who no sooner beheld him but he called him wicked and perfidious and vpbraided him with breach of his promise and contempt of his maiestie to whom he had
entrance of my history I haue answered those obiections so that I haue openly protested that I will onely faithfully translate the Hebrew Histories into the Greeke tongue according to my promise relate that which is contained therin without adding any thing of mine owne or concealing ought of an other mans After that Nabuchodonosor had raigned fortie three yeares he died he was a man of execution and more happie then any of his predecessors Berosus maketh mention of his actes in the third booke of his Chaldaique historie where he speaketh thus His father Nabuchodonosor hauing notice that the gouernour whom he had appointed ouer Aegypt the neighbouring parts of Coelosyria Phaenicia was reuolted from him being at that time in himselfe vnable to endure the troubles of warre committed a part of his forces vnto his son Nabuchodonosor who was in the flower of his age and sent him forth against him who encountring the rebell and fighting with him ouercame him and brought the countrey vnder his subiection Meane while Nabuchodonosor the father died of a sicknes in Babylon after he had raigned one and twentie yâ—…ares Nabuchodonosor the sonne hauing notice of his fathers death gaue order to the affaires of Aegypt and the rest of the countrey and committing the care and transportation of the Iewes Syrians Aegyptians and Phaenicians to his friends to bring them to Babylon with his army and carriage he with a fewe men made hastie iourneies thorow the desaâ—…t And when he had taken the administration of the kingdome vpon him which in his absence was in the hands of the Chaldees and by their chieftaine was reserued vntil his returne vnto his vse he became Lord of all his fathers Empire When his prisoners were arriued he assigned them conuenient dwelling places in the countrey of Babylon and with the spoiles of the warre he magnificently repaired and decked the Temple of Bel other places He enlarged the olde Citie and repaired beautified it with other buildings by meanes wherof they that would besiege the same were hindred from cutting off of the currant of the riuer to the preiudice of the inhabitants He enuironed it inwardly with a treble wall and outwardly with as migâ—…tie and as many enclosures and made all of burnt bricke The wals were magnificently builded the gates brauely adorned in maner of temples He caused a pallace to be builded neere vnto his fathers auncient pallace the magnificenâ—… and ornament wherof I am too weake witted to expresse onely this thing most memorable 〈◊〉 â—…ue thought good to note downe that these huge great and pompous buildings were finished in fifteene daies In this pallace he had vaultes raised so high that in outward appearance they seemed to bee mountaines on which all sorts of trees were planted He deuised and prepared also a goodly garden and called it the hanging garden because his wife hauing beene brought vp in the countrey of Media desired to haue a place conformable to that of her birth Megasthenes in the fourth booke of his Indian Historie maketh mention of this garden in that place where he inforced himselfe to proue that this King surpassed Hercules in valour and execution of worthie actions For he said that Nabuchodonosor ouercame the chiefe Citie of Libya and a great part of Spaine Diocles in the second booke of his Persian Historie and Philostratus in his Phaeâ—…ician and Indian Historie make mention of this King saying that he ouercame the Citie of Tyre at the end of thirteene yeeres at such time as Ithobal raigned ouer the Tyrians This is the summe of all that which the Historiographers write as touching this King CHAP. XI Nabuchodonosors successors the destruction of Babylon by Cyrus King of Persia. AFter Nabuchodonosors death his sonne Euilmerodach obtained the kingdome who incontinently deliuered Iechonias king of Ierusalem out of prison and held him in the number of his most esteemed friends and gaue him presents and committed the gouernment of the pallace of Babylon into his hands For his father had not kept his promise with Iechonias when he surrendred himselfe his wife children and friends into his hands in the behalfe of his countrey and to the intent that the Citie of Ierusalem should not be rased by those that besieged it as we haue heretofore declared Euilmerodach died in the eighteenth yeere of his raigne and Niglisar his sonne obtained the kingdome which hee possessed fortie veeres and afterwards died After him the succession of the kingdome came vnto his sonne called Labosardach which continued in him but for the space of nine moneths and after his death it came vnto Balthasar who by the Babylonians was called Naboandel Against him Cyrus king of Persia and Darius king of Media made warre and at such time as he was besieged in Babylon there hapned a meruailous and prodigious spectacle Balthasar sate vpon a certaine festiuall in a royall chamber where he was serued with great store of vessell fit for his maiestie and royaltie and with him at the banquet there sate his concubines and most intirest friends At which time to shew his magnificence he caused those vessels to be brought out of the temple of his God which Nabuchodonosor his predecessor fearing to employ to his owne vse had stoared vp in his Idols temple But Balthasar was so puffed with pride that he dranke out of them and employed them to his vses Now so came it to passe that whilest he quaffed and blasphemed the name of God he sawe a hand issuing from a wall which wrote in the same certaine syllables by which vision being somewhat terrified he assembled his Magitians and Chaldees and all that sort of people who amongst those barbarous nations made profession to interprete prodigies and dreames to the intent they might signifie vnto him the meaning and vnderstanding of that writing Now when these Magitians had told him that they could in no sort sound or vnderstand the same the king was sore vexed and toubled at this vnexpected vision whereupon he caused it to be proclaimed thorow his countrey that whosoeuer should read that writing and declare the meaning thereof he would giue him a golden chaine and a purple robe such as the king of Chaldees wore and besides all this the third part of his Empire After this proclamation the Magitians assembled togither with greater concourse and were farre more diligent and inquisitiue to finde out the signification of the writing but they were no lesse grounded therein then they were at the first Meane while the kings grandmother seeing him wholy amated in minde began to comfort him and to tell him that there was a certaine man amongst the prisoners of Iuda led thither at such time as Nabuchodonosor destroied Babylon whose name was Daniel a man wise and expert in searching out of things that were impossible and only knowne vnto God who euidently expounded that which Nabuchodonosor required at such time as no other man
king and you honourable assistance I could neuer yet remember that euer any man which was called in question to defend his cause before vs hath appeared in this equipage and I suppose that none of you can say that the like hath euer happened but whosoeuer commeth into this place to receiue iudgement he presenteth himselfe with humilitie and feare with a countenance prepared to implore mercie hauing his haire long and his garment blacke but this gallant Herode accused of murther and for this occasion called before vs who could imagine that he should appeare before vs in a purple robe hauing his haires trimmed and besides that a guard of armed men about him with an intent that if we condemne him according to law he may put vs to death without lawe that after he hath violated all right he might escape and saue himselfe But I blame not Herode in this action for that he hath a more inward regard of his particular profit then of the lawe but I accuse both you and the king who haue giuen him such assurance Know therefore that there is a soueraign God that will one day punish both you and the king and him whom you will deliuer by the kings meanes And so generally fell it out as he had said For as soone as Herode had obtained the kingdome he put all those of the councell to death and Hircanus himselfe likewise onely Sameas was exempted for he held him in great estimation because of his wisedome and iustice and because that at such time as the Citie was besieged by Herode and Sosius Sameas perswaded the people to receiue Herode telling them that by reason of their sins and offences they might not escape from him whereof we will speake in place conuenient Hircanus perceiuing that the iudges were inclined to condemn Herode deferred the sentence till the next day and sent secretly vnto Herode counsailing him to flie out of the Citie assuring him that there was no other meanes to saue his life Thus posted he to Damasco as if he fled from the kings presence and presenting himselfe before Sextus Caesar after he had assured his person he resolued with himselfe that if the councell should call him once more to his answere he would not obey them But after his departure the councel were displeased with Hircanus and laboured to perswade him that all these things tended to his destruction which he well perceiued yet knew he not what to doe he was so negligent and void of foresight When Sextus had made Herode gouernour of Coelesyria which estate he sold vnto him for ready mony Hircanus was affraid least Herode should make war against him neither passed there long time before the effect grew answerable to his feare For Herode marched forth against him with a great army supposing himselfe to be much wronged by the assignation he had sent him and in that he was summoned to giue a reason of his actions before the councell But his father Antipater and his brother Phasaelus came forth against him to hinder his approch towards Ierusalem striuing to appease his furie and counsailing him not to attempt any thing by way of action but that contenting himselfe that he had threatned and affrighted Hircanus he should not attempt any further against him who had raised him to that high degree They told him also that it became him not onely to remember that he was cited to answere but that he was absolued also and permitted to depart without danger or any violence Moreouer that he ought to thinke that God gouerneth the ballance of warre and that the issue of battels is vncertaine and for that cause he ought not to expect the victorie if he made warre against the king who was his familiar and from whom hee had receiued farre more kindnesse and no displeasure who though he made some appearance and shadow of seueritie touching the accusation intended against him yet notwithstanding it proceeded not so much from him as from his euill counsellors Herode in some sort pacified by these perswasions obeyed his father supposing that it sufficed him in regard of his future hopes that he had giuen the people so large a testimony of his power This was the estate of the Iewes at that time But Caesar arriuing at Rome prepared himselfe to set saile towards Affricke with an intent to make warre against Scipio and Cato To him Hircanus sent Embassadours beseeching him to confirme the amitie and association that he had with him But now at this present I thinke it very conuenient to declare all the prerogatiues and associations that the Romans and their Emperors haue made with those of our nation to the end that all other people might know that the kings of Asia and Europe haue been well affected towards vs and haue made great account of our valour and fidelitie And although diuers men lewdly affected towards vs beleeue not that which the Macedonians and Persians haue written of vs because the same matters are not extant in all places neither set downe in publike writings but only amongst our selues and some Barbarians yet is it manifest that they cannot contradict the declarations made by the Romans which are manifestly affixed in publike places in Cities as likewise also at this present they are written in the Capitol in brazen pillars Iulius Caesar in like manner in a brazen pillar erected by him hath declared vnto the Iews that inhabited Alexandria that they were free Citizens therin And to the intent that these things may more manifestly appeare I will propose the decrees of the Senate and of Iulius Caesar made in fauour of Hircanus and our nations Caius Iulius Caesar Emperour high Priest Dictator the second Time to the gouernours Senate and people of the Sidonians Health If you are well we are in health both our selues and our army I haue sent you the copy of an inscription registred in fauour of Hircanus Alexanders sonne high priest â—…d prince of the Iewes to the end it may be placed among your publike monuments and my will is that it be engrauen in a table of brasse both in Greek and Latin letters the tenour whereof is this that followeth Because Hircanus Alexanders sonne the Iew both at this present as also heretofore as well in peace as in warre hath expressed his fidelity towards vs and our estate as diuers chieftaines of our armies yeeld testimonie of him and for that in our last Alexandrine warre he seconded vs in the battell with fifteene hundreth men and hauing beene sent by vs to Mithridates hath surmounted all those of his company in valour For these causes my will is that Hircanus Alexanders sonne and his successors be princes of the Iewes and further that they continue alwaies in the high Priesthood according to the ordinance and custome of their countrey that both he and his children be our associates and be enrowled likewise amongst our chiefest
report of his death came to the Germans who were of his guard being a company chosen out of that nation named the Celtique band for the preseruation of the Emperours person These men are verie prone vnto wrath and amongst all other Barbarians it is a rare thing in them to examine the causes of their execution otherwise they are men strong in body and who in the warres alwaies giue the first onset yeelding great aduantage to those on whose side they fight They hauing notice of Caius murther were vehemently aggrieued therat for that it is their manner to censure all things not according to right but as they are answerable to their owne profits Caius in especiall was deerely beloued by them in that he had obtained their fauour by bestowing much money vpon them Their captaine was one called Sabinus who was not aduanced to that estate either for his vertue or the nobilitie of his auncestors for he was but a fencer but for his mightie strength and huge body They therefore ran about with their naked swords searching for Caesars murtherers from house to house and meeting with Asprenas at first whose gowne as we haue said was bebloudied with the bloud of the slaughtered sacrifice which was a presage that aboaded him but little good fortune they hewed him in pieces The second was Norbanus who for his nobilitie and auncestors might deriue his titles from the noblest Citizens amongst whom were diuers generals of armies who seeing they made no reckoning of his dignitie and being of himselfe endowed with great force and strength he tooke a sword from one of them which first assailed him with whom he grapled and made them know that he intended that they should buy his bloud verie deerely and in deed so had he done but that being inuironed by diuers who assailed him at once he was beaten downe and slaughtered with many deadly wounds The third was Anteius one of the number of the Senators who with some others met not with these men by chance as the two other had done but to shew the hatred that hee bare vnto Caius and the pleasure that he tooke to see him lie dead was come out of his house being egged on with enuie to feede his eies with that spectacle For Caius had banished Anteius father whose name likewise was Anteius and not content therwith he had sent his soldiers to kill him He therefore with great pleasure beheld the slaughtered carkasse of this tyrant but hearing the vprore that was raised in euerie part of the house he thought good to hide himselfe yet might he not auoid the narrow search of the Germans who were so displeased that they slew all those whom they met with whether they were guiltie or guiltlesse of the fact Thus were these three made away But after the rumour of Caius death was heard in the Theater euerie one vvas amased and could scarcely beleeue it For although diuers of them vvere verie glad that he was taken out of the vvorld perswading themselues that it vvould highly profit them yet did their feare hinder their beliefe On the other side there vvere some who desiring not that any such mishap should befall Caesar and conceiuing in their thoughts that it was impossible to be done for that there vvas no man so hardie as to enterprise the same they supposed the report to be vtterly vntrue Of this minde vvere certaine vvomen and children slaues and souldiers These by reason they receiued wages at his hand and tyrannized vvith him being his ministers in all those outrages that he offered to many good Citizens in partaking the bootie and other aduantages that Caius drew vnto him As for the women and children they vvere of that opinion by reason that such kinde of people take delight in plaies iusts donations of flesh and other such pastimes vvhich Caius in word pretended to do to gratifie the common people but in effect it was to haue means to satisfie his rage and crueltie He was also gratious among the seruants slaues for that by him they had the libertie to accuse and contemne their Masters and vvere therein countenanced by Caius For vvhen they falsely accused their Masters they vvere easily beleeued and vvhen they discouered their Masters treasures in recompence of their discouerie they vvere not onely made free by him but also sent home with rich and ample rewards For the reward that vvas assigned them vvas the eight part of those goods that were confiscated As for certaine of the nobilitie although the matter seemed true to some of them for that before time they vvere priuie to that vvhich the rest intended and notwithstanding they desired that the enterprise should be effected yet kept they all things close and gaue no signe of ioy nor made any shew that they heard that which was reported For some of them feared least if they should be frustrated of their hope they should bring themselues in danger of punishment for that they had discouered their intent sooner then they should haue done They likewise vvho knew the enterprise and vvere confederates vvith the actors yet did they more closely conceale it the one from the other fearing least if they should discouer the matter to any one of those vvho drew any commoditie from Caius tyrannie they might bewray them vvhereby if Caius should be yet aliue they might incurre the danger of punishment For the voice was that he had been vvounded in certaine places yet that he vvas not slaine but as yet aliue and among his Physitians hands vvho dresied his vvounds No man therefore durst liberally discouer the secrets of his heart to his neighbour for they that spred those reports vvere either friends and for that cause vvere suspected as fauourers of his tyrannie or enemies and by that meanes in that they vvere but sinisterly affected towards Caius there vvas no certaintie to be gathered of that vvhich they said There arose also another report vvhich abashed and beat downe the hearts and hopes of the nobilitie namely that Caius setting light by the danger vvherein he was and as little also by the vvounds he had receiued was come into the market place all bloudy as he vvas and after that manner declaimed before the people See here how they that spred these rumours preferred their coniectures vvhich were voide of all reason vvhich distracted those vncertainly that heard the same according as they were affectioned This notwithstanding no man remooued from his place for feare least they should be sodainly accused knowing well that they should be censured not according to their thoughts and affections but according to the disposition of their iudges and accusers But after that the troupe of Germans had inuironed the Theater with their naked swords all the assistance expected nothing but death and as soone as any man entred they vvere seazed vvith such an amazement as if they had alreadie felt the strokes so that they knew not vvhat to
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
at length they should too lately and vnprofitably repent them of their errour yet that God their establisher should restore Cities to the Citizens and a Temple to his people And that it should come to passe that they should not lose this only one time but also very many times Then did Moses also exhort Iesus that he should lead his army against the Chanaanits promising him that God would be assistant in his actions prophecying besides much good hap vnto the people Since that saith he I go vnto mine ancestors and that God hath prefixed this day and time of my departure I protest before you that liuing as yet and standing in your presence I giue him thanks for the care and prouidence which he hath hitherto had of your affaires not onely in propulsing your aduersaries but also in largely imparting his blessings vnto you and for that he hath alwaies fauourably helpt me whilst I indeuoured by my labour and care to reduce your fortunes to a better state And that which is more it is he that hath giuen both the entrance and the issue making vse of me but as his committee and seruant in all that good which he would should be done vnto his people For all which things I haue thought it requisite that in departing from you I should blesse the power of God who in time to come shall haue the care and charge of you And to acquit my selfe of that debt I leaue you this in remembrance which is that you ought to serue and honour him and reuerence the ordinances which he hath giuen you whereby continuing his fauours towards you he will grant you grace to conserue and keepe this excellent gift Truly that law-maker that were no more then a man would be greatly displeased and highly discontented with those men who should violate his ordinances and should set them at noughts doe not you therefore tempt God who is prouoked vnto anger when those lawes which he himselfe hath established and giuen you shall be contemned and neglected Whilest Moses pronounced these his last words and discoursed vnto the tribes their seuerall destinies the whole multitude brake into teares and the women beating their breasts shewed and expressed the sorrow they had conceiued at his death The children likewise lamented making it knowne that they could not be masters of their owne sorrow because that in their tender yeares they had vnderstood the vertue and famous acts of Moses and betwixt the elder and younger sort there was as it were a conflict who should weepe more bitterly for the one vnderstanding of how worthie a gouernour they were depriued lamented the time to come and the other were perplexed because they should then forsake him before they had sufficiently tasted and made triall how great his vertue was But how great the compassion and complaint of the people was a man may make coniecture by this that then befell the Prophet For although he were assuredly perswaded that a man was not to lament vpon the instant of his death in that it chanced vnto him both according to the will of God and the law of nature yet he beholding the affection of the people could not temperate and restraine himselfe from teares And whilest he was borne thither where he vanished out of their sight all of them followed him wetting their faces and bosomes with flowing teares Then did Moses beckening with his hand warne them from a farre off that they should stand stil and keep their places exhorted them that were neerest him by word of mouth that they should not follow nor prosecute him any further with teares for feare least they should make his departure tragicall and lamentable Onely the Senate led him forth and Eleazar the high Priest and the chiefetaine Iesus And when he was arriued vpon the mountaine called Abarim which is verie hie and scituate neere vnto Iericho and from whence he might discouer the greater part of the land of Chanaan he dismissed the elders and whilest with mutuall embraces he tooke his last leaue of Eleazar and Iesus and discoursed with them a cloud sodainly enuironed him and he was taken away into a certaine valley but in the scripture he writeth that he died fearing least for the excellencie of his vertue they might report that he was rauished and taken away by God The whole time of his life was one hundreth and twentie yeares the third part whereof he spent in gouernment one month onely exempted He died the last month of the yeare the first day of that month which the Macedonians call Dystrus and our countrimen Adar Of all men the wisest that euer was and who in execution of his good counsels had no man to equall him Moreouer in eloquence he was incomparable and in dexteritie and grace to intertaine and perswade the people he had no second and so were his affections alwaies leuelled and limited by his wisedome that he seemed vtterly to want them and that onely he knew the names of those passions which he perceiued to be too actiue in other men In his gouernment he was matchlesse in his prophecies peerlesse so that all the orations that he made seemed to be Oracles For which cause the whole multitude mourned for him during the terme of thirtie daies neither were the Hebrewes euer seased with so extreme griefe as they were at that time when the Prophet died neither did he onely leaue behind him a present desire of him but a great estimation amongst all men who haue euer chanced to read and examine his writings whilst by them they make estimate of his vertues And these are those things which I thought good to be spoken of the death of Moses THE FIFTH BOOKE OF THE ANTIQVITIES OF THE IEWES WRITTEN BY FLAVIVS IOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the 5. booke 1 How Iesus Generall of the Hebrewes hauing ouercome and slaine the Chanaanites deuided their land amongst the Tribes by Lot 2 How after the death of the Generall the Israelites neglecting the ordinances of their forefathers fell into extreme calamities and thorow a ciuill warre that was raised amongst them there were but 300. of the tribe of Beniamin left aliue 3 How for their impietie the people of Israel were deliuered by God into captiuitie under the Assyrians 4 Their libertie by Cenizus 5 How the people once more were ouercome by the Moabites and exempt from seruitude by Iodes otherwise called Ehud 6 How they were brought vnder the subiection of the Chanaanites and restored to their libertie by Barac 7 How the Amalechites hauing entred the countrey of the Israelites and conquered them possessed and spoyled the same for the space of seuen yeares 8 How Gedeon deliuered the people 9 How some successors of Gedeon waged warre against the neighbour nations round about them 10 Of Sampsons strength and what mischiefes he did in Palestine 11 How the sonnes of Eli the Prophet were slaine in battell by
three yeares space liued hidden amongst the mountaines flying the power of Abimelech Neither did there many daies ouerpasse but that the Sichemites being moued with compassion and iust reuenge in respect of the murther which was committed vpon the sonnes of Gedeon banished Abimelech out of their Citie and the whole tribe Whereupon he resolued to do some mischief to both the Citie and Citizens and for that their vintage was at hand they durst not gather the fruit fearing least they should receiue some iniury at the hands of Abimelech By good hap about that time a certaine Prince called Gaal retired thither with a troupe of soldiours and his kinred him did the Sichemites beseech that he would grant them a conuoy whilest they had gathered in their haruest which request of theirs being accepted by Gaal they issued out with their forces being seconded by him and his and securely brought in their fruits and feasting one with another in companies they were so bold as to scoffe at Abimelech and the chiefest of his followers and the chiefest of those straungers among them that came into the city to their assistance surprised by Ambuscado diuers of Abimelechs people slew them But Zebel one of the Sichemites and Abimeleches host signified vnto him by a messenger how Gaal incited the people against him inuiting him to lie in wait for him neere about the Citie promising him that he would bring Gaal thither to the end that he might easily reuenge him of that iniurie which his enemie had offered him Which done he promised to worke so wisely that he would reconcile him to the peoples fauour againe and whenas Abimelech had chosen a place fit to lie in ambush and Gaal with Zebel too carelesly liued and walked in the suburbes at length he sodainly espying certaine armed men cried out to Zebel that he had discouered the enemie whereunto Zebel replied that they were the shadowes of rocks but Gaal drawing more neere vnto them and perceiuing apparantly who they were answered Zebel that they were no shadowes but ambushes of men Whereunto Zebel replied dost not thou obiect cowardise to Abimelech why therefore shewest thou not thy great valour in fighting with him Gaal confusedly amazed assailed the soldiours of Abimelech in which conflict certaine of his followers were slaine and he himselfe fled into the Citie giuing example vnto the rest to follow him Hereupon Zebel laboured that Gaal might be expulsed out of the Citie accusing him of his cowardly encountry with the soldiers of Abimelech Now when as the same Abimelech had afterwards gotten certaine intelligence that the Sichemites would issue anew to gather to their vintage he laid an ambush neere vnto the Citie And no sooner were they issued but that the third part of his troopes surprised and seazed the gates to cut them off from their returne that thought to reenter the rest ranne after those that were scattered here and there so that there was a great slaughter on euerie side and the Citie was ruinated euen vnto the verie foundations for they could not withstand the siege and they sowed salt vpon the ruines thereof Thus perished all they that were in the Citie of Sichem But they that escaped thorow the conntrey and had auoided the daunger assembled and fortified themselues vpon a strong rocke and there incamped and began to defence the same But as soone as Abimelech had notice of their intention he hasted thither with his forces and inuironed the place with fagots of dry wood carying them thither in his owne person and encouraging thereby those of his armie to doe the like so that the rocke was incontinently compassed with wood Whereunto he set fire round about and in an instant it flamed and burned vehemently so as none of them were saued but all of them perished with their wiues and children to the number of fifteene hundred men besides many other of the weaker sort This calamitie hapned to the Sichemites in so grieuous a measure that there is not any griefe sufficient to deplore it were it not that that so horrible misfortune fel vpon them by reason of their ingratitude they had shewed to so vpright a iudge and so gratious a benefactor Abimelech alaid the courage of the Israelites by this encounter and conquest of the Sichemites and gaue sufficient testimonie that he aspired more higher and that he would neuer terminate his violence vntill he had vtterly extinguished them He therefore led forth his army against the Tebeans and their Citie which he tookè but in that towne there was a great tower whither all the people had retired themselues and whilest he prepared himselfe to besiege the same and approched likewise neere vnto the gates a certaine woman cast a peece of a milstone at him and hit him on the head which was the cause that Abimelech called at that time for his squier commaunding him to dispatch him to the intent it might not be reported that he died by the hands of a woman His squier did according as he had commaunded him and reuenged on Abimelech by putting him to death the crueltie he had committed against his brethren and the tyranny executed vpon the Sichemites on whom all these misfortunes fell according as Iothan had foretold them As soone as Abimelech was slaine all the armie was dispersed and euery one returned vnto his dwelling place and Iair the Galeadite of the tribe of Manasses tooke vpon him the gouernment Amongst other conditions of this man these were of the greatest note that he was rich and had thirtie worthie sonnes all expert vpon horse backe and exercised the magistracie in the countrey of Galaad he after he had gouerned the people for the space of twentie yeares died when he was very old and was honourably intombed in Chamon a citie of Galaad From this time forward the pollicie and estate of the Hebrewes grew more and more disordered and the lawes began to be neglected Whence it came to passe that the Ammonites and Philistines setting light by them destroyed all their countrey with a great army during which time they occupied all the land on this side Iordan and so much were they heartned as that they pressed further and possessed the better part on the other side of the riuer and conquered the same Wherupon the Hebrewes being brought to more moderation by these their aduersities had their recourse vnto God by praiers and sacrifices requiring him that it might please him to moderate his wrath and that hauing regard and respect of their supplication he would be pleased to stay his heauie hand ouer them This submission of theirs preuailed with God who inclined himselfe to assist them Whilest therefore the Ammonites led their armie into Galaad they of the countrey arose to meete and fight with them being disfurnished of a gouernour to conduct them Now there was a certaine man called Ieptha of great estimation as well for the
affectionate friend for such as enterprise any wicked action do often and subtilly dissemble and make shew of honestie to the end to expell out of the innocents mind all iealousie or euill suspition where singling him from his other company and making a shew to informe him of certaine secrets and hauing drawne him into a by-way besides the wall accompanied only with his brother Abisai he drew his rapier and thrust it into his short ribbes Of which wound Abner died surprised by the treason of Ioab who pretended and coloured that act of his with the reuenge and death of his brother Azael whom Abner had slaine vpon the chase in the first warre at Hebron but in truth it was but the suspition of his greatnesse and honour fearing least he should be depriued and Abner inseated by obtaining the next degree of honour vnto Dauid Hereby may a man conceiue how many and how mightie things men attempt and hazard for their auarice and ambition sake and to the end they may not be inferiour vnto any others in those matters For when as they desire to attaine riches and honours they atchieue it by ten thousand mischiefes and at such time as they feare to be dispossest they striue to continue their estates by meanes more pernicious because they thinke it to be the lesse sinne and that the calamitie is lesse actiue rather not to haue obtained to any greatnesse and power then after the possession thereof to fall into disgrace Thence it commeth that all of them intend and practise many hazards and difficult encountries thorow the feare they haue to lose their degree But it sufficeth to haue briefly touched this point Dauid hauing notice of the murther of Abner conceiued a great griefe in his heart and called all his assistants to witnesse lifting vp his hands vnto God and protesting that he was no partaker of the murther and that Abner had beene slaine without his commandement or will He likewise vttered most grieuous curses against the murtherer his house and accomplices by which he wished them to be subiect to the fatal penalty of murther for he greatly suspected least he should be held in suspition to be a party in that which had hapned vnto Abner contrarie to his faith oth and promise which he had past vnto him Moreouer he commanded that all the people should weep and lament for him and that the funerals of his bodie should be honored according to the accustomed fashion in renting of garments and putting on sackcloth and that the same should be done the coffin being carried before which both he and the chiefest gouernours of the Israelites followed beating on their breasts and shedding teares and testifying the loue which they bare vnto him during his life and their displeasure to see him dead who had bin murthered contrary to their wil and intention He was entombed in Hebron with great magnificence and Epitaphs composed in his praise by Dauid himselfe who setting himselfe on the tombe first of all lamented and gaue others cause of lamentation And so much was hee confused at the death of this Abner that he swore to forbeare all kind of meat vntill the sunne-set notwithstanding all the instances of his friends who vrged him to take refection which act of his purchased him much good will and loue amongst the people For they that loued Abner were verie glad to be witnesses of that honour which he did him in his death and that faith which he maintained in honouring him euerie way according to the custome as if he had been his kinsman or friend and not embasing him with a vilde and contemptible tombe as if he had beene his enemie And in generall all of them were so glad of the curtesie sweetnesse and royall nature of king Dauid that they esteemed in the like case that he would haue the like estimate of them as they saw him haue of deceased Abner And by this means Dauid happely maintained his credit and increased the peoples good opinion of him escaping thereby the suspition and conceit that he might in some sort haue bin accessarie to his death He protested also vnto the people that he conceiued no small griefe at the losse of so good a man declaring thereby that it was no small staine vnto the state of the Hebrewes to be depriued of him who had the meanes to maintaine their peace by his good aduise and to ratifie the same by his executions and warlike valour But God said he who hath care of all things shall not suffer him to die vnreuenged And he it is that shall beare me witnesse that it lieth not in my power to punish Ioab and Abisai who haue greater credit in the armie then my selfe yet shall they not escape Gods iustice for this fault Thus ended the life of Abner CHAP. II. Isboseth is slaine thorow the treason of his friends and followers the whole kingdome descendeth to Dauid WHen Isboseth Sauls sonne had notice of Abners death he was sore displeased not onely for that he perceiuing himselfe to be depriued of his neere kinsman but also of so great a personage as had setled the crowne on his head Neither did he himselfe long time remaine aliue after him but by the sonnes of Ieremon Banaoth and Thannus he was traiterously done to death These two being Beniamites and of the chiefest nobilitie amongst them made their reckoning that they would make away Isboseth and thereby obtaine great recompence at Dauids hands supposing that such an act of theirs would get them the chiefest place and dignitie in the army or some other credit For which cause finding Isboseth alone in his house about mid-day laide on his bed and asleepe and vnassisted by any of his guard and perciuing likewise that the porter was fast who thorow his trauaile and other businesse by reason of the extreme heate was laid downe to rest they entred into his lodging whereas Isboseth was a sleepe and slew him and hauing cut off his head they trauelled all the night and day long as if they fled from those whom they had offended and sought their rescues from them who would succour and assure them from perill and when they came to Hebron they presented Dauid with Isboseths head offering themselues as his most dutifull liegemen to doe him seruice who had deliuered him of an enemy and made away an aduersarie against his royaltie But Dauid allowed not their act in such sort as they hoped but spake thus vnto them O cursed men said he on whom I intend presently to execute iustice haue you not heard how I punished him that murthered Saul and brought his royall crowne vnto me Yea although he slew him vpon his owne instant request and to the intent the enemy should not surprise him aliue Were you of that opinion that I was changed and that I am not the same that I was but that I take delight to be partakers with you in your mischiefes
violence they cast themselues vpon their enemies They that were neere Vrias seeing them draw neere retired backe againe according as Ioab had before hand commanded them but Vrias being ashamed to flie or forsake his ranke expected the enemie and valiantly encountring him he slue diuers of them but at last being inclosed and shut in the middest of them he was slaine and with him some other of his companions perished in the conflict This done Ioab sent messengers vnto the king to certifie him that not enduring the delay of the siege and assailing and scaling the walles he was compelled to returne backe into his campe with losse of some men and repulse from the Citie yet had he commaunded the messengers that if they perceiued the King to be displeased with the newes they should gâ—…ue him to vnderstand that Vrias was dead The King hearing this discourse according as Ioabs messengers had deliuered it made a shew to be displeased saying that it was a fault in him that he had so neerely approched the wall alledging that he might haue done farre better to haue taken the towne by mine or engine vrging in way of example the act of Abimelech Gedeons sonne who intending to surprise by force a tower that was within the Citie of Tebez was stroken with a stone which was cast at him by an olde woman whereupon he that was a valiant man for entring an action ouerâ—…ash and dangerous shamefully died In remembrance of whose desaster they ought to haue beene more warie and not to haue approched the wall of the enemie so neerely For it is a verie good point in warre to haue in memorie both fatall and fortunate successes to the end that when a man is in the like daungers he may follow the one and flie the other Whilest thus he rebuked them the messenger certified him of Vrias death which did somewhat appease him So that he commaunded them to tell Ioab that it was but an humane accident and that such was the nature of warre that sometime the one side had the better and sometime the other to conclude that he should prouide for the siege and take care least hereafter they should receiue any further losse counselling him by trenches and engines to ruinate the wall and commaunding that all those that were in the towne should be put to the sword The messenger thus dismissed reported all these things vnto Ioab according to the Kings commaundement But Vrias wife hauing notice of the death of her husband wept and mourned for him diuers daies and when the dule and lamentations were finished and performed to the dead the king espoused her incontinently and she bare him a man child yet God beheld not this mariage with a fauourable eie but was wroth with Dauid and appearing to the Prophet Nathan in a dreame he blamed the king verie sore Now Nathan who was a wise and experienced man knew well that when kings are displeased they suffe themselues rather to be ouercome by passion then by reason for which cause he determined to conceale the menaces and threatnings that God had made for that time and discoursed of other profitable matters with Dauid after this manner requiring the king that it would please him to censure and deliuer his opinion in the same Two men said he dwelt in one and the same Citie the one of them was rich hauing many troupes of great and small cattell the other that was poore had but one only sheep which he nourished with his children sharing him out a part of that whereon he fed and louing her as tenderly as a man would doe his onely daughter It hapned that this rich man had a stranger that repaired to his house for whose entertainment he would not suffer any one of his own beasts to be slaine but sent a violent messenger who tooke away the poore mans sheepe and caused it to be dressed to entertaine his guest This report of Nathans displeased the king very sore in so much as he swore vnto him that he that had beene so bolde to commit such an act was a wicked man and that reason required that he should restore him fourefold and that after he should be put to death Whereunto Nathan replied saying that it was he that deserued this punishment who had giuen sentence against himselfe in that he had presumed to commit so grieuous a sinne Moreouer he certified him of Gods displeasure who notwithstanding he had made him king ouer all the Hebrewes and Lord ouer all the nations round about which were diuers and great and who besides these things had warranted him from the hands of Saul and had giuen him wiues whom he had espoused iustly and lawfully was so despised and dishonoured by him that he had espoused and kept by him an other mans wife and caused her husband to be slaine and betrayed him vnto his enemy For which sinnes of his he pronounced that he should be punished by God and his wiues should be violated by one of his owne sonnes who should likewise lay a snare for him so that he should suffer a manifest plague for the sinne he had committed in secret Moreouer said he the sonne which thou shalt haue by her shall shortly die After the king had receiued this message he was sore troubled and being confused he powred forth tears sighed for sorrowes confessing that he had done wickedly for vndoubtedly before this time he had alwaies feared God and had neuer in his life offended him but in that act with Vrias wife Whereupon after his submission God was appeased and tooke compassion of him promising him to continue both his life and kingdome and that he would be no more displeased with him if so be that he repented him of the sinne he had committed After that Nathan had declared these things vnto Dauid he departed vnto his owne house But God inflicted a grieuous sicknesse on the infant that was borne by Bethsabe for which cause the king was sore agrieued and for seuen daies space would take no refection notwithstanding that he was earnestly instanted thereunto by his houshold seruants He put on likewise a mourning habit and laide himselfe on the ground vpon a sacke beseeching him that it would please him to grant him the childes life towards whose mother he bare so exceeding loue and affection But when the infant was deceased about the seuenth day of his sicknesse his seruants durst not certifie him thereof supposing that if it should come vnto his eare he would the more obstinately abstain from eating the care of his person and should be in danger by reason of his disordinate griefe for his childe to procure and hasten his own death considering he had so vehemently bin afflicted and tormented for his onely sicknesse But the king perceiuing by their lookes that his seruants were troubled and that they concealed some fatall harme and gathering thereby that his sonne was dead
that he had depriued him of his kingdome by the meanes of his owne sonne and in punishment of those crimes which he had committed against his owne master This his so cruel and vnbridled libertie moued all Dauids followers to displeasure so that all of them were prepared to reuenge them on Simei and amongst the rest Abisai would haue slaine him but Dauid pacified his displeasure willing him to forbeare for feare said hee least to our present miseries we annexe a further and new occasion For in as much as concerneth my selfe I set light by this mad dogge referre the matter vnto God who is the cause that he is thus desperatly bent against vs Neither is it to be wondred at that I suffer these outrages by him since mine owne sonne is so wicked as he taketh a felicitie to disdaine me but it may be that God wil haue compassion on vs if he please we shal haue the vpper hand ouer our enimies He therfore walked onward on his way not caring what Simei said who ranne on the other side of the mountaine rayling reuiling at him When Dauid was arriued on the banke of Iordan he mustred and refreshed his army who were fore wearied meane while Absalon entring Ierusalem with Achitophel his counsellor was saluted and applauded by the whole concourse of the people amongst the rest Dauids friend came vnto them who prostrating himself before Absalons feete wished him both prosperitie and perpetuitie in his kingdome Him did Absalon aske how it came to passe that he who was reputed to be one of Dauids most indeered friends and esteemed alwaies to be most loyall and faithfull vnto him should at that time when most occasion was profered him to expresse his loyaltie abandon him and submit himselfe to his enemie To him Chusai answered both readily and wisely that it became him to follow God and the good will of the people Since therefore said he my soueraigne that both these are for you it concerneth me to follow you because you haue receiued the kingdome from God If therefore you esteeme me to be your faithfull friend I will approue vnto you my loyaltie and true affection in like manner as in your knowledge I haue testified in effect vnto your father who ought not to be displeased at that which had hapned since the kingdome is not transported into an other house but remaineth in his owne family because he who was his sonne receiued the same By such like words he reconciled himselfe to Absalon whereas before that time he was inwardly suspected Hereupon Achitophel was sent for to consult with him about their affaires in hand who gaue him counsell to abuse all his fathers concubines and make them his owne For said he from that time forward the people will beleeue that you and he will neuer be reconciled and will be more readie to beare armes and inuade your father for your sake For hitherto said he they haue vnwillingly professed themselues to be his enemies suspecting least a peace should ◅e concluded betwixt the father and the sonne Absalon beleeuing this aduise of his caused a Tent or royall Pauilion to be pitched in the sight of all the people whereinto he entred and had the company of his fathers concubines All which fell out according as the Prophet Nathan had foretold at such time as he certified Dauid that his owne sonne should make warre against him CHAP. IX Absalons warre against his father his death and the discomfiture of his armie WHen Absalon had done that which Achitophel had instructed him in he requested him once more to counsaile him concerning that warre which he had enterprised against his father who required ten thousand chosen men at his hand promising him to kill Dauid and to bring all the rest that were in his conduct vnder his subiection assuring him that Absalons kingdome would be then established when Dauids head were cut off from his shoulders When this aduise of his had highly contēted him he sent for Chusai who was the chiefest amongst Dauids friends for so Dauid himselfe had termed him to whom he discouered the aduice which Achitophel had giuen him required him to giue his opinion what he thought therof who knowing verie well that if Achitophels counsaile were followed Dauid should be in daunger to be apprehended and slaine enforced all his arguments and counsails to the contrarie For said he my Liege you are sufficiently informed both what your fathers valour is and their vertue that accompanie him who hath fought many battels and hath had the vpper hand ouer all his enemies It is to be feared also least he at this present be encamped in the field For he is well exercised in leading armies and to preuent any stratagemes whereby the enemy may inuade him and about the euening he hath perhappes left his men hidden in some streight or in ambush behinde some rock and if our men shall assaile him his soldiers will by little and little retire and afterward recouering courage by reason that the King shall be neere vnto them they will charge vs afresh and during their medly your father will sodainly breake out of his ambush and encourage his owne men and discomfort yours wisely therfore examine mine aduice and if you find that it be good neglect that which Achitophel hath giuen you Send me thorow al the countrey of the Hebrewes commanding euery one to take armes march out against your father and when you haue gathered togither these forces be you your selfe in person the generall of the army and commit it not to an other mans charge and assuredly expect to haue an easie victory ouer him if you assaile him in the open field for that he is accompanied with a verie few men and your selfe are attended by many thousands who at least wise if they loue you and will shew a good affection towards you may easily rid you of that enemy And if so be your father shut himselfe vp in any Citie we will and may subuert the same by mines and engines This aduise of his seemed to be better then that of Achitophels so that Absalon preferred the same For it was God that put this thought into his heart to neglect Achitophels and respect Chusais counsell Now when Chusai had thus preuailed he presently repaired to the high Priests Sadoc and Abiathar certifying them what Achitophel had complotted and how he had contradicted him finally how his opinion had taken place giuing them in charge to send priuate intelligence vnto Dauid thereof and to enforme him of his sonnes resolution wishing him with all speede to passe ouer the riuer of Iordan for feare least Absalon being informed of his aboad in that place should make haste and pursue him and ouertake him before he might recouer a place of securitie Now had the high Priests before hand prouided that their sonnes should lie hid without the Citie of set purpose to the end
gathered them altogither and placed them in the temple But after the priests hauing giuen order for all things about the Arke were departed from thence sodainly there fell amidst the sanctuarie a thicke cloud not pitchie nor such as resembleth winter clouds loaden with raine but diffused temperate which darkned the sight of the priests so that they saw not one another But thereby euery mans mind was easily induced and his opinion confirmed that God was descended into the temple and willingly dwelled in the same In effect all men had no other opinion But king Salomon arising from his throane wherein he was seated addressed his praiers vnto God in such words as hee thought both to be agreeable to the diuine nature and conuenient for him to vse O Lord said he thou hast an eternall house neither are we ignorant that thou hast builded this whole masse of the vniuers for thy selfe which consisteth of heauen earth ayre sea which thou altogither fillest yet art thou not contained by them But therfore haue we adorned and erected this temple to thy name to the end that we might offer vp our sacrifices praiers in the same and send them vp to heauen as a sweet sacrifice to obtaine thy fauour assuring ourselues that thou art here present also and wilt neuer be absent from this place For whereas thou seest all things hearest all things yet forsakest thou not vs all neither doest thou abandon the place where thou doest worthily inhabite but rather thou art alwaies neere vnto all men but in especiall present with those that thinke on thee day and night These words spake he looking vpwards towards God afterwards addressing himselfe vnto the people he spake vnto them as touching his power and prouidence how hee had foretold his father Dauid of all that which should happen the greater part whereof was alreadie accomplished and the rest was shortly to succeede Furthermore he declared how God himselfe had giuen him his name before he was borne and that it was knowne how he should be called and how at such time as he should be king after the decease of his father he should build him a temple which things they saw brought to passe according as they were foretold for which they ought to giue God thankes and not to lose any hope of any of those things that had been promised them in regard of their happinesse hauing occasion of beliefe by the sight of those things which they then beheld When the King had spoken after this manner vnto the people he turned againe and beheld the temple and lifting vp his hands towards the people he began thus It is impossible said he for men to yeeld effectuall thankes vnto God for those benefits they haue receiued of him for God who is more aboundant then all men hath no need of them But O Lord it behooueth vs that since of thy grace thou hast made vs more excellent thē other liuing creatures we should blesse and giue thankes vnto thy maiestie and in especiall it concemeth vs to honour thee for the benefits thou hast bestowed on our family all the Hebrew nation But with what other means then ought we to appease thee when thou art displeased and when we are to entertaine thy mercie then by that voice which we draw from the ayre and which as we know mounteth backe again into the ayre I ought therfore first of all to giue thee thanks in respect of my father whom from obscuritie thou hast raised to high maiestie next for that thou hast fulfilled all those things which thou hast foreprophessed of me vntill this present day I beseech thee for the time to come to furnish me with those things that thou maiest giue vnto men that are deere vnto thee which is that thou increase our house euery way according as thou hast promised my father Dauid to performe during his life and at such time as he was neere vnto his death namely that the kingdome should continue in our family and that his race should multiply in innumerable successions Bestow thou this benefit vpon vs and bequeath vnto all mine that vertue wherein thou takest delight Moreouer I beseech thee that a portion of thy spirit may come and dwell in this temple to the intent that we may vnderstand that thou dwellest vpon earth for not onely this temple but the whole heauen and the depth of things that are vnder the same are too little for thy habitation I beseech thee therefore that it may please thee to continue it for thine owne to the end it may neuer be destroied by the enemy but that thou wilt alwaies haue care of it as of thine owne peculiar inheritance And if it shall so fall out that thy people runne astray and that afterwards being punished by thee by some punishment of dearth pestilence or any such chastisement by which thou reclaimest those that offend thee to the obseruation of thy lawes they haue recourse vnto this temple assembling beseeching and requiring thee of mercie heare them I beseech thee as being present in this place and haue compassion on them and deliuer them from their aduersities Neither doe I onely intreat thee for the Hebrewes when they shall haue offended thee but if it happen that any one arriue here from any part of the world of what countrey soeuer he be to demaund and require the fruition of this mercie heare thou him I pray thee and grant his request For by this means all men shall know that it is thy will that thy house should be builded in this place and that we are not inhumane by nature but that we haue desired that thy helpe and the communication of thy blessings should be bestowed not onely on those of our nation but also on all the world This said he cast himselfe flat vpon his face and continued in praier a long time and afterwards rising againe he offered sacrifices vpon the altar and hauing filled the temple with intire offrings he knew most euidently that God did gratefully account and accept of his oblations for a fire trilling thorow the ayre and lighting vpon the altar in the sight of all men consumed and deuoured the sacrifice When this vision had hapned the people manifestly coniectured that Gods aboad should be in that temple with great ioy humbled themselues on their faces and lay prostrate on the pauement But the king began to praise God and incited the people to doe the like considering they had already receiued the testimonies of his mercie exhorting them to pray that he would be alwaies mercifull vnto them and that he would keepe them for euer in cleannes vncorrupt minds and that they might iustly and religiously leade their liues in obseruing those commandements which he had giuen them by Moses For in so doing the people of the Hebrewes should prosper and grow more happy then all the nations of the world Moreouer he exhorted them
In this estate were the affaires of Asa king of the two Tribes Now will I returne to Basa King of the multitude of Israel who hauing slaine Nadab the son of Ieroboam vsurped the kingdome He made his aboad in the citie of Thersa and raigned foure and twenty yeeres shewing himselfe more wicked impious then either Ieroboam or his son had bin He plagued the people many waies dishonoured God very greatly who sent the Prophet Gimon vnto him to foretell him that his whole race should perish and that his house should be persecuted with as many miseries as himselfe had inflicted on Ieroboams posterity because that hauing receiued the gouernment from God he shewed himselfe vngratefull vnto him for his goodnesse and gouerned his people impiously and vniustly whereas iustice and pietie are both profitable vnto those that practise them and wel-pleasing vnto God Further in that he had conformed himselfe in life to the dissolute course that Ieroboam vsed and was wholy contaminated with all his vices he might assure himselfe that resembling him in wickednesse he should vndoubtedly equall him in punishment When Basa heard all those euils that should shortly fall on him and his posteritie by reason of his wickednesse he redeemed not the time neither indeuoured himselfe to gaine the reputation of a reconciled life or to obtaine pardon at Gods hands by repenting himselfe of his forepassed sinnes but euen as they that haue a recompence proposed vnto them to make them more affectionate in exploiting any thing doe diligently indeuour themselues to performe the same so Basa notwithstanding the prophet had foretold him of that which should happen persisted in his wickednesse as if it had been in vertue and became worse and worse to the vtter ruine and confusion both of him and his houshold and daily addicted himselfe vnto all wickednesse with no lesse greedinesse then if he had enterprised to beare away the honour in such a combate In the end he assembled an army and assailed Ramath once more which was a great Citie some foure leagues distant off of Ierusalem which he tooke and determined to leaue a garrison therein and fortifie the same with a resolution from thence to make his roades into Asaes kingdome But Asa fearing the inuasion of his enemy and considering that the souldiers who were left in Ramath did most grieuously spoile all the dominions that were vnder him sent embassadours to the King of Damasco with gold and siluer to induce him to a societie in warre and to renew that amitie betweene them which was confirmed betwixt both their fathers Who willingly receiued those treasures that were sent him and made a league with him and brake the truce which he had with Basa so that he sent the gouernours of his dominions against those Cities that were vnder Basaes subiection with commandement to destroy them Of these they burned some and ransackt other some amongst which were Elon Dan and Abellane Which when the King of Israell vnderstood he gaue ouer the fortifying of Ramath and with all expedition returned to yeeld those of his subiects his assistance who were vtterly distracted But Asa in the meane while builded two strong townes Gabath and Maspha of that stuffe which Basa had prepared to build withall Basa afterwards preuented by the common debt of death had no more opportunitie to make warre against Asa. He was buried in the Citie of Arsane and his sonne Ela succeeded him in the kingdome who after he had raigned some two yeeres was traiterously slaine by Zamri a captaine of a halfe regiment of horsemen For whilest Ela banquetted with Osa who was the steward of his house Zamri wrought so effectually that he perswaded some of his horsemen to assault Ela who at that time was alone and destitute of men of warre and captaines for that all of them were at the siege of Gabathon a Citie of the Philistines CHAP. VII Basaes ofspring being extinct among the Israelites Zamri raigned in Israel and after him Amri and his sonne Achab. AFter that Ela was slaine Zamri tooke the Kingdome vpon him and wholy rooted out Basaes posteritie according as the prophet Gimon had foretold For after the same maner was his family vtterly ouerthrowne for their impietie as Ieroboams progeny was ex tinguished for their iniquitie as we haue toforetime declated For the army which bâ—…â—…ged Gabathon hearing newes of the Kings death that Zamri had murthered him and seased the kingdome they made Amri generall of the army and annointed him for their king who leuying the siege before Gabathon came before the royall Citie of Thersa which he besieged and tooke perforce Zamri seeing the Citie destitute of defence had retired himselfe into the most secret and retired place of the pallace where setting it on fire he burned both himselfe and it after he had raigned seuen daies Sodainly after this the Israelites fell at controuersie amongst themselues because that some of them sought to preferre Thaman to the kingdome and others were wholy addicted to Amri but they of Amries side had the better and being of the better sort slew Thaman and made Amri soueraigne ouer the people The thirteenth yeare of Asa Amri began his raigne and was King for twelue yeeres space six yeeres gouerned he in Thersa and six in Mareon which the Greekes call Samaria himselfe imposed this name of Samaria calling it by the name of Samar who had giuen him the land on which he builded this Citie He differed in nothing from the other kings his predecessors but in that he was worser then any of them for all of them busied their heads on this thing onely that by daily impieties they might alien the people from God For which cause God being displeased cansed the one of them to cut off the other and finally extinguished both the posteritie and name of one another This Amri died in Samaria and Achab his sonne was his successor Hereby a man may truely and easily perceiue what care the diuine maiestie hath of humane affaires and how he loueth the vertuous and vtterly rooteth out the vicious For the kings of Israel through their impietie in a short and successiue course the one after the other were cut off and confounded with all their families But Asa king of Ierusalem and the two Tribes liuing happily in the fauour of God for his pietie and iustice attained to a reuerend and old age and after he had raigned one and fortie yeeres he died a good death And after his decease Iosaphat his sonne whom he begat on his mother Abida succeeded him who in all things that concerned either pietie or fortitude seemed to emulate and equall his grandfather Dauid according as it shall be declared hereafter But Achab King of Israel made his aboad in Samaria and gouerned the kingdome for the space of twenty two yeeres without any alteration of those ordinances which his progenitors kings of Israel had established but that he exceeded
this cause he was sought for by the kings wife that he might be done to death The voice replied againe and commaunded him to shew himselfe openly assuring him that he should vnderstand that which it behooued him to performe Hereupon as soone as it was day he forsooke the caue he heard an earthquake and saw a light and after all things were appeased the heauenly voice which proceeded he knew not from whence willed him that he should in no waies be discomforted with that which he saw for that no one of his enemies should haue power to hurt him charging him to return vnto his house to the intent to proclaime Iehu the son of Nimsi king of the people and Azael of Damasco king of the Syrians certifying him that in his place Elizeus of the citie of Abela should be prophet and that the wicked people should be destroied the one by Azael the other by Iehu When Elias had heard these things he returned into the countrey of the Hebrewes and met Elizeus the son of Saphat at the cart and with him diuers others driuing before them twelue couple of oxen him did he approch and cast vpon him his garment who instantly began thereupon to prophetize so that forsaking his oxen he followed Elias Yet required he him that before his departure hee might take leaue of his parents which licence when he had obtained he committed them vnto God and followed Elias attending on him during all the terme of his life like his disciple and seruant This issue had the affaires of this so excellent a Prophet But a certaine Citizen called Naboth of the Citie of Azar had a vineyard neere vnto the lands of Achab who required him that he would sell him the same at what price he thought conuenient at his owne election to the intent he might annex the same to his owne lands and make them all but one possession wishing him that if he would not sell it him for siluer to choose in exchange thereof any one field of his that best liked him Naboth answered him that he would not doe it but that he intended to gather the fruit of his owne land himselfe which he had receiued as an inheritance from his father The King no lesse tormented then if he had lost his owne inheritance in that he might not bee master of an other mans patrimony would neither wash nor receiue any sustenance For which cause Iezabel his wife questioned with him as touching the cause of his discontent and how it came to passe that he neither washt dinde nor supt who told her of Naboths rude behauiour and how hauing vsed al iust and reasonable composition vnto him in abasing himselfe more then his royall authoritie permitted he had been outraged by him in that he obtained not the thing which he requested at his hands Hereupon Iezabel willed him to be of good cheer aduising him that dismissing his displeasure he should continue his ordinarie entertainment because she her selfe would take vpon her to reuenge him on Naboth Wherupon she presently sent letters in Achabs name to the gouernours of the countrey whereby she enioyned them to celebrate a fast and to assemble the people charging them that in that place Nabotl should haue a seat prepared for him by reason of his birth nobilitie willing them afterwards that suborning three impudent and false witnesses to depose against him that he had blasphemed against God and the king they should by this meanes and for this occasion cause him to be stoned and put to death by the people All which was performed according as the Queene had written and Naboth conuinced by false witnesse for scandalizing both God and the King was stoned by the people and put to death When Iezabel had tidings hereof she repaired to the kings presence and told him that he should enioy Naboths vineyard and disburse nothing for the same But God displeased with this her wickednesse sent the Prophet Elias purposely to meete with Achab in Naboths ground and to tell him that he iniustly possessed the lawfull inheritance of a legitimate heire whom he had done to death As soone as the King perceiued that he came vnto him supposing it to be vnseemely for a king to be reproued he first of all confessed the fault and offered him to make restitution according to his arbitrement Then did the prophet foretel him that in the same place where Naboths carkasse was consumed by dogs that both his and his Queenes bloud should be shed and that all his race should be destroied for that they durst commit such an impietie and so wickedly slaughter against all law so good and guiltlesse a Citizen At length Achab vpon these words was seazed with displeasure repented for the offence he had committed so that apparelling himselfe in sackcloth and walking barefoote he tasted not any meate but confessed his sinnes vnder hope to appease Gods wrath For which cause God certified him by the Prophet that during his life time the punishment of his race should be deferred because he had repented him of his misdeeds but that the threats and menaces should take effect in his sonnes time all which Elias signified vnto the king CHAP. VIII Adad King of Damasco and Syria fighteth at two seuerall times with Achab and is ouerthrowne by him WHilest Achabs affaires were after this manner disposed the sonne of Adad that raigned ouer the Syrians and those of Damasco assembled the forces of his whole countrey and associated with himselfe two and thirtie other kings with whom he came and made warre against Achab. Who being farre inferiour to him in forces came not out into the open field to bid him battell but closing vp his souldiers in his strongest cities he himselfe retired into Samaria which was begirt with a very strong wall and generally very hard to be surprised For which cause the Syrian taking his army with him resorted to Samaria and incamping before the same intended to scale and batter the Citie But first of all he sent a Herauld to Achab to require him to giue audience to his embassadours which he would send vnto him by whom he should be certified what his resolution was As soone as the King of Israel had granted them free accesse the embassadours came and according to the kings directions required that Achabs goods his children and wife should be at Adads command which if he would confesse and suffer him to seaze so many of them as best liked him he would leuy the siege and batter the Citie no more Achab gaue the embassadours commission to certifie the King of Syria that both himselfe and all whatsoeuer was his was at his commaund Vpon which answere the King sent a second message vnto Achab enioyning him the next day to admit such of his seruants as hee should send vnto him to search his royall pallace and the houses of his friends and kinsmen and take from
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
who respited the execution of the Magitians for that night vntill he might see what would become of Daniels promise who retiring himselfe with his companions into his chamber besought God all the night long to manifest vnto him the dreame and deliuer the Magitians and Chaldees from the kings wrath with whom both he and the rest of his companions were like to die except he might know what the king had dreampt the night past and what was the interpretation thereof Whereupon God hauing compassion of the daunger wherein they were and taking pleasure in Daniels wisedome signified vnto him both the dreame and the signification thereof to the intent the king might be resolued in the meaning thereof Daniel hauing receiued the truth from God arose verie ioyfully and certified his brethren who had alreadie lost all hope of life and thought on no other thing but death and gaue them courage and hope of life Hauing therefore rendred thanks vnto God for that he had had compassion of their young yeeres as soone as it was day he went vnto Arioch requesting him that he might be brought to the kings presence certifying him that he would open vnto him the dreame which he had seene the night past Now when Daniel was brought vnto the kings presence he besought him that he would not esteeme him to be more wise then the other Chaldeans and magicians in that whereas none of them could expound his dreame he did attempt to expresse the same for that came not to passe by reason of his experience or for that he was more industrious then they were but said he God hath had compassion on vs that were in daunger of death and at such time as I requested him to grant me and my countrie men life he hath certified me both of your dreame and the signification thereof I was not so much agrieued for that in our innocency we were adiudged to death by thee as afraid of thine estimation and glory which was hazarded by condemning so many and so innocent and iust men to death whereas that which you haue required of them sauoreth nothing of humane wit but is the onely worke of God Whilest therefore thou thoughtest in thy selfe who it was that should commaund the whole world after thy selfe at such time as thou wert asleepe God intending to let thee know all those that should gouerne after thee presented thee with this dreame It seemed vnto thee that thou sawest a great statue wherof the head was of gold the shoulders and armes of siluer the belly and thighes of brasse and the legs and feete of yron Thou beheldst after that a great stone that was drawen from a mountaine that fell vpon the statue and beat downe and burst the same and left no whole peece thereof so that the gold siluer yron and brasse were poudered as small as dust whereupon a violent wind seemed to blow which by the furie and force thereof was borne away and scattered into diuers countries on the other side the stone grewe so mightie that it seemed to fill the whole earth This was that vision that appeared vnto you the signification whereof is expressed after this manner The head of gold signifieth your selfe and those kings of Babylon that haue been before you The two hands and shoulders signifie that your Empyre shal be destroied by two kings the one part by the king of the east cloathed in brasse whose force shall be abated by an other power resembling that of yron and he shal haue the power ouer the whole earth by reason of the nature of yron which is more strong then gold siluer or brasse he told the king also what that stone signified But for mine owne part I thought it not expedient to expresse it in this place because the onely but and intent of my writings is onely to register such things as are past and not such matters as are to come But if any man haue a desire to know these things and cannot bridle his curiositie but will vnderstand such matters as are hidden let him â—…ead the book of Daniel which he shal find amidst the sacred scriptures When king Nabuchodonosor had heard these things and remembred himself of his dreame he was astonished at Daniels wisedome and casting himselfe prostrate on the earth after the manner of those that adore God he embrased Daniel giuing direction that sacrifice should be offered vnto him as if he were God Moreouer he called him by the name of God and committed the administration of his whole kingdome to him and his companions who by reason of the commotions and conspiracies of their maligners and detractors hapned to fall into most eminent and dreadfull daunger vpon this occasion that ensueth The king built a golden Image sixtie cubits high and sixe in bignesse and erected it in a great plaine neere vnto Babylon and being readie to dedicate the same he assembled all the gouernours and princes of his countries commanding then first of all that as soone as they should heare the trumpet sound they should prostrate themselues on the earth to adore the statue threatning that whosoeuer should do the contrarie he should be cast into a burning furnace whereas therefore all of them adored the statue vpon the sound of the trumpet Daniel and his companions vtterly refused to performe that dutie alledging for their iustification that they would not transgresse the lawes of their countrey for which cause being apprenended they were instantly cast into the furnace of fire and protected therein by Gods prouidence escaped death beyond all mens expectation For the fire touched them not neither could it burne during their aboad in the furnace For God so fortified their bodies that they could not be consumed by fire which accident made them in greater estimation with the king for that he saw they were vertuous and beloued by God and for that cause they were highly honoured by him Not long after this the king saw an other vision in his sleepe which signified vnto him that being cast from his empire he should conuerse with sauage beasts and that hauing liued in that estate in the desart for the space of seuen yeares he should recouer his kingdom again Hauing had this dreame he assembled the Magitians once more demanding their answere and the signification thereof But it was impossible for any one of them eyther to find out or declare the intelligence of this dreame vnto the king onely Daniel discouered the same and the effect was answerable to his prediction For the king passed the forelimited time in the desart so that no man durst intermeddle with the affaires of estate during seuen yeares But after he had called vpon God that it would please him to restore him to his kingdome he repossessed the same again Let no man in this place accuse me for reporting these particularities according as I haue found them written in holy books for in the
sacrificed vpon the altar of thy God and to make whatsoeuer vessels of gold or siluer which either thou or thy brethren shall thinke meete Those sacred vessels also which are giuen thee thou shalt dedicate vnto thy God and if there be ought els requisite in this behalfe that according to thy wisedome shalt thou prouide and the charges shalt thou receiue out of my treasurie I haue also commended thee to the treasurers of Syria and Phoenicia and haue written to them that whatsoeuer Esdras the priest and reader of the lawe of God shall require they shall presently deliuer it him And to the end that God may be fauourable to me and my children my will is that a hundreth measures of wheat be giuen vnto God according to the law I commaund you also that are magistrates that you exact nothing neither impose any taxations on the Priests Leuites sacred singing men porters or holy officers But thou Esdras according to the wisedome giuen thee from aboue shalt appoint Iudges who shall in Syria and Phoenicia execute iustice vnto the people according to the science of the law Teach thou likewise freely all such as are ignorant so that whosoeuer violateth either Gods or the kings law he may be fined or els condemned to death as not sinning thorow ignorance but of contumacie Farewell When Esdras had receiued this letter he was wonderfully contented and began to adore God confessing openly that it was he who was the author of that fauour he had receiued at the kings hands for which cause he said that the onely thankesgiuing appertained to him And after he had read this letter vnto the Iewes that were at that time residentin Babylon he kept the originall but sent the copy to all those of his nation being in the countrey of the Medes who vnderstanding of the kings affection towards God and his fauour towards Esdras were very ioyful and diuers amongst them tooke their goods and came vnto Babylon desiring to returne to Ierusalem but all the rest of the Israelites would not abandon or leaue their quiet dwelling there For which cause it came to passe that two tribes were vnder the obedience of the Romans in Asia and Europe but the ten tribes were on the other side of Euphrates euen vntill this day being many infinites of thousands whose number may not be comprehended With Esdras there departed a great number of Priests Leuites porters singing men and seruants of the temple Now after that he had assembled those of the captiuitie that inhabited on this side Euphrates and soiourned there three daies he commanded them to solemnize a fast and to pray vnto God for his preseruation and that no euill might happen vnto him and that neither their enemies nor any other might doe them any violence For Esdras had foretold the king that God would be their protector and that therefore he required no conuoy of horsemen at his hand for his securitie After that they had recommended themselues vnto God they set forward on their way the twelfth day of the first moneth of the seuenth yeere of the raigne of Zerxes and arriued in Ierusalem in the fift moneth of the same yeere Whereupon he incontinently presented vnto the treasurers who were of the race of the Priests the siluer that was consecrated namely six hundreth and fiftie talents and siluer vessell a hundreth talents of vessell of golde twenty talents of brasen vessell more precious then gold waying twelue talents These were the presents of the king and his friends and of the Israelites that dwelt in Babylon When Esdras had deliuered these abouenamed presents vnto the hands of the priests he offered burnt offrings vnto God according to the law namely twelue bulles for the publike conseruation of the people 72. rammes and lambes twelue goates for the expiation of sinne And after them he deliuered the kings letters to his princes and gouernors in Coelosyria and Phoenicia who being constrained to execute that which was enioyned them by the king honoured the nation of the Iewes and supplied them euerie waies in their necessities This counsaile had Esdras himselfe giuen of their departure But in my opinion God hauing regard of his wisedome and integritie did happely aduance his deliberation Not long after this there came certaine men vnto him complaining that some of the people Priests and Leuites had transgressed against the pollicie and broken the lawes of the countrey for that they had espoused certaine strange women and confounded the race of the Priests requiring him that he would haue an inward regard to Gods ordinances for feare least he conceiuing a generall hatred against them all should send them anew some grieuous calamities For which cause Esdras deuoured with sorrowe incontinently rent his clothes and tore his haire and pulled his beard and cast himselfe vpon the ground because the principals amongst the people had part in that offence And for that he feared least if he should commaund them to forsake their wiues and those children they had begotten by them he should not be obeyed he persisted in griefe and lay continually couched vpon the ground Whereupon all those resorted vnto him who were not guiltie and wept and lamented with him for that which had hapned Whereupon Esdras raising himselfe from the earth and lifting vp his hands to heauen said that he was ashamed to looke thereupon because the offences of the people were so hainous who had forgotten the inconuenients that had befallen their forefathers for their impieties beseeching God that he would reserue some remainder and seede of the aduersitie and captiuitie which at that time hapned vnto thē that he would once more establish thē again in Ierusalem their natiue countrey that he would take compassion of them and grant them pardon for those sins which at that present were cōmitted by them for which though they deserued death yet hoped they in the mercies of God for their deliuerance Whilest thus both he and those that came vnto him lamented round about him with their wiues and children a certaine man called Achonius one of the principall men of Ierusalem repaired vnto him and said that they had sinned because they had espoused straunge women and perswaded Esdras to adiure them all to banish both them and the children begotten by them wishing that they who obeied not the law might be punished Esdras perswaded by these words made all the Princes of the Priests Leuites and tribes of Israel sweare that they would dismisse their wiues and children according to the counsaile of Achonius And as soone as he had receiued their othes he departed from the temple vnto Iohns house the sonne of Eliasib and there spent he all the day without tasting any meat by reason of the griefe which so inwardly he had conceiued Whenas therefore it was published by edict that all they that were returned from the captiuitie should repaire within two or three daies to Ierusalem vnder the penalty
with their circumcised children whom according to the Kings commaund they hung about the neckes of their parents who were crucified And if in any place they found any sacred scripture they defaced burnt it and they with whom it was found were put to a most cruell death The Samaritanes seeing this affliction of the Iewes claimed them no more for their kinsmen and called their temple of Garizim no more the temple of God but as we haue heretofore declared they shewed their own corrupt and vnconstant natures and chalenged their descent from the Medes and Persians as in effect they were for which cause they sent embassadours to Antiochus with letters to this effect To King Antiochus the mightie God the suggestion of the Sidonians that dwell in Sichem Our ancestors enforced by the continuall pestilence that raunged in their countrey and induced by a certaine auncient superstition haue beene accustomed to obserue that day as festiuall which the Iewes call their Sabbath and hauing builded on the mount of Garizim a temple and dedicated it vnto a god who hath no name haue offered vp in the same diuers and solemne sacrifices But since that you haue inflicted punishment on the Iewes according as their wickednes deserueth the commissaries of the King supposing that we were tied to their customes by reason of some alliance betweene vs couple vs with them and charge vs with the same accusations whereas we are borne Sidonians as it appeareth by the rowles of our commonweale We therefore beseech you who are our benefactor and Sauiour to commaund your gouernour Apollonius and your steward Nicanor not to molest vs any more by charging vs with those accusations which appertaine vnto the Iewes who neither are tied vnto vs by alliance neither accord with vs in maners but that our temple which hath not hitherto born the name or title of any God may now be called the temple of Iupiter of Greece by which meanes we shall be deliuered from all trouble and being at libertie to intend our affaires we may the easier and more willingly pay you greater tributes To this request of the Samaritanes the King answered sending them backe their owne letter King Antiochus to Nicanor Health The Sidonians of Sichem haue sent vs this suggestion which wee annexe vnto these our letters Since therefore they who were sent vnto vs to this intent haue sufficiently approoued both to vs and our counsel of friends that they are vtterly strangers vnto those crimes wherewith the Iewes are charged and are desirous to liue according to the lawes of the Graecians we absolue them in as much as concerneth this cause and their temple which hereafter shall be called by the name of Iupiter of Greece we haue written to the like effect also to Apollonius our Magistrate Giuen the fortie and sixe yeere and the eleuenth of the Moneth Hecatombaeon which signifieth August CHAP. VIII Antiochus forbiddeth the Iewes to vse their lawes onely Matthias the sonne of Asmonaeas contradicteth him and obtaineth the victory against Antiochus captaines AT that same time there dwelt a certaine man in Modin a village of Iury whose name was Matthias who was the sonne of Iohn and who was the sonne of Simon the sonne of Asmonaeus a Priest of the ranke of Ioarib borne in Ierusalem This Matthias had fiue sons Iohn called Gaddis Simon called Matthes Iudas called Machabaeus Eleazar named Auran and Ionathas called Apphus This Matthias oftentimes complained vnto his sonnes as touching the miserable estate of their commonweale the sacke of their Citie the sacriledge of the temple and the miseries of the people telling them that it were better for them to die for the law then to liue in ignominie When as therefore the commissaries deputed by the King came vnto the Borough of Modim to constraine the Iewes to performe that which was enioyned them and to commaund them to sacrifice according to the ordinance requiring Matthias who surpassed the rest in honour and other qualities but in especiall in excellency of descent and nobilitie to begin first of all to offer sacrifice to the end that the rest might follow him and be induced by his example promising him that in so doing the King would honour him greatly Matthias answered thereunto that he would in no sort commit that idolatrie assuring them that notwithstanding al other nations of the world either in respect of loue or for feare of iustice should obey the edicts of Antiochus yet that neither he nor any of his children could or would be induced to forsake their fathers religion Now as soone as he had returned this answere and held his peace a certaine Iew stepped forth to offer sacrifice according to Antiochus ordinance wherewith Matthias was in such sort displeased that both he and his sonnes fell vpon him and with their swords hewed him to peeces He slew Apelles the kings captaine likewise with certaine other soldiers who would haue withstood him And not content herewith he ouerthrew the Altar crying out with a loud voice If said he any one be affectioned to the lawes of his fathers and the seruice of God let him follow me and this said he sodainly retired himselfe into the desart with his sons leauing the borough vtterly dispossessed The rest doing the like retired themselues into the desart with their wiues and children and made their habitation in certaine caues The Kings captains hauing intelligence hereof gathered those forces that were at that time in the Cittadel of Ierusalem and pursued the Iewes into the desart And hauing ouertaken them they laboured first of all to make them submit themselues and to make choice of that which stood with their profit rather then to indaunger themselues and inforce them to chastice their disobedience with bloud in warre But the Iewes respected them not a whit but contradicted them in their demands who had alreadie concluded and resolued among themselues rather to die then commit such an impietie For which cause they who omitted no oportunitie assailed the Iewes on a Sabbath day and burned them within their caues who neither resisted their enemies nor so much as closed vp the mouths of their caues And therefore abstained they from all defence by reason of the day resoluing with themselues in no sort to violate the Sabbath day for we are commaunded to cease from all labour on that day There were therefore about some thousand stifled in their caues accounting both men women and children Yet notwithstanding diuers escaped who ioyned themselues with Matthias whom they appointed likewise for their captaine who declared vnto them that they ought to fight on the Sabbath daie assuring them that if they did it not but scrupulously obserued the law they themselues should be enemies vnto themselues if perhaps the enemy should assaile them that day and should not stand vpon their garde for by that meanes they should be destroyed without resist By these words he perswaded them to doe as he
he especially mooued by a certaine prophecie of Esay who more then six hundreth yeeres before had foretold that a temple should be assuredly builded in Aegypt in honour of the almightie God by a Iew. Being therefore incited by this Oracle he wrote a letter to Ptolomey and Cleopatra to this effect During the time that I was emploied in your warres and by Gods fauourable assistance haue done you many seruices I haue visited Coelesvria and Phoenicia and haue been in the Citie of Leontopolis which is in the territories of Heliopolis I haue also visited diuers other places wherein the Iewes haue temples against all right and honestie which is the cause that they agree not among themselues as also the like hath hapned amongst the Aegyptians thorow the multitude of temples and the great diuersitie of religions And hauing found out a very conuenient place neere a Castle called Bubastis in the Plaine where there is store of all sorts of stuffe for building cattell fit for sacrifice I beseech you that it may be lawfull for me to purifie the temple that is leuelled in that place with the ground and dedicated to no sacred power and that in the place thereof it may be lawfull for me to erect and build a temple in honour of the highest God according to the patterne and the same dimensions of that temple which is in Ierusalem for the preseruation and prosperitie both of you your Queene and children and to the intent that those Iewes that dwell in Aegypt may assemble and serue God therein for that by how much the more there is vnitie and concord among themselues by so much the more may they be disposed to your seruice For to this effect is the prophecie of Esay which saith thus There shall be saith he a temple for our Lord God in Aegypt many other things also hath he foretold as touching this place This is the effect of that which Onias wrote vnto K. Ptolomey And by his answere which he made hereunto a man may easily coniecture what pietie was both in him and Cleopatra his sister and wife For they haue returned the sinne and transgression of the law which through this meanes fell vpon Onias head by this answere that ensueth King Ptolomey and Queene Cleopatra to Onias the high Priest Health We haue perused your letters by which you require vs to giue you licence to clense the temple that is defaced at Leontopolis in the seigniorie of Heliopolis in the place called Bubastis in the plaine We maruell very much that a temple builded in a place so vncleane and full of execrable beasts should be agreeable vnto God but since that you informe vs that the prophet Esay did long time sithence prophecie the same we giue you licence if it may be done according to the law and with this condition that we commit not any sin against God Vpon this answere Onias taking possession of the place builded therein a temple and erected an altar vnto God according to the model of the temple of Ierusalem but farre lesse and Iesse rich Yet thinke I it no waies requisite to declare the dimensions thereof neither the vessels in the same because I describe them particularly in my seuenth booke of the warres and captiuitie of the Iewes neither wanted there some Leuites and priests who being answerable to Onias in deuotion and zeale frequented the diuine seruice in that place and renued the ceremonies But let this suffice for the present as touching this temple But it came to passe that the Iewes of Alexandria and the Samaritanes that brought in the seruice and worship of the temple vpon the mount Garizim vnder Alexander the great fell at oddes and debated their differents before Ptolomey For the Iewes said that the temple in Ierusalem builded according to Moses lawes and ordinances was the lawfull temple but the Samaritanes maintained that that which was builded on mount Garizim was the true temple They therefore besought the king that it would please him to sit in iudgement with the assistance of his friends to heare their allegations in this behalfe and to condemne the party vnto death who should be found faultie in his processe Now the aduocates which pleaded for the Samaritanes were Sabbaeus and Theodosius and Andronicus the sonne of Messalam defended the cause of those of Ierusalem and the other Iewes And both of them swore both by God and by the King that they would bring their prooues according to the law beseeching Ptolomey to adiudge him to death whom he should find to haue falsified his oath The king therefore sate downe with his friends both to heare the cause and determine vpon their differents But the Iewes of Alexandria were sore mooued and displeased against them that had drawne the preheminence of the temple in Ierusalem into question and were highly discontent that a temple so auncient and famous and so esteemed and honoured thorow the whole world should in such sort be dilgraced When as therefore the day of audience was come Sabbaeus and Theodosius suffered Andronicus to declaime first who began to approoue the lawfulnesse holinesse and religion of the temple in Ierusalem out of the law and by the successiue gouernment of the high priests who from father to sonne and from hand to hand had receiued this honour therein alleadging that all the kings of Asia had honoured the maiestie of that place with presents and rich oblations whereas neither in record of men nor course of antiquitie the temple of Garizim hath been in any estimation By these and such like words Andronicus perswaded the king that the temple of Ieruusalem was builded according to the ordinance of Moses inuiting him to adiudge Sabbaeus and Theodosius to death This may suffice as touching the differents of the Iewes of Alexandria and such things as befell them during Ptolomey Philometors time CHAP. VII Alexander after Demetrius death honoureth Ionathan greatly AFter that Demetrius was slaine in fight according as we haue heretofore declared Alexander was king of Syria who wrote to Ptolomey Philometor requiring his daughter in marriage telling him that it was a matter answerable to his dignitie to contract affinitie with him first since he had obtained his fathers empire by the fauour of God and next for that he had ouercome Demetrius Ptolomey yeelding a willing eare to these his demaunds and entertaining them with great pleasure wrote backe that he was very glad that he had recouered his fathers kingdome promising him to giue him his daughter in marriage giuing him to vnderstand that he would meete him at Ptolemais and bring his daughter vnto him to that place and there celebrate the nuptials After he had written these letters Ptolomey made his speedy repaire to Ptolemais and led with him his daughter Cleopatra where meeting with Alexander according to their appointment he deliuered him his daughter with such a dowry of gold and siluer as well beseemed his kingly magnificence Vnto
mounts Carmel and Itabyr and herewith Scythopolis Gadara Gaulanitis Seleucia Gabala and of Moab Essebon Medaba Lemba Orona Telithon and Zara Antona of Cilicia and Pella This last Citie was raced by them because the inhabitants would not promise to conuert themselues to the religion of the Iewes with diuers other of the principall Cities of Syria also which were conquered by them After this king Alexander fell sicke by the meanes of his surfeit and drunkennesse and for the space of three yeeres he was trauailed with a quartane ague This notwithstanding he was alwaies in the campe vntill such time as being wearied with trauels he died in the marches of the countrey of the Gerasens at such time as he besieged Ragaba which is a Castle scituate on the other side of Iordan The Queene perceiuing that he was at deaths dore and that there remained neither hope of life nor recouerie she began to weepe and lament and to beate her breasts because both she and her children were likely now to be left desolate and in these words she bemoaned her selfe vnto him To whom wilt thou leaue both me and thy children in the estate wherein we be or why should we suruiue or liue one after another considering that thou assuredly knowest that the hearts of thy people are estranged from vs Hereupon the king comforted her gaue her this counsaile that if she would assure the kingdome both vnto her and her children she should behaue her selfe according to his direction which was first to conceale his death and not to suffer his men of warre to haue notice thereof vntill such time as she had taken this Castle Which done he aduised her to repaire to Ierusalem in pompe and triumph and that being there she should bestow some authoritie vpon the Pharisees who should recount her praises and obtaine her fauour amongst the people For said he these kind of men are in great estimation and credit with the people and can doe much hurt vnto those they hate and further them 〈◊〉 like sort very mightily towards whom they are well affected For the people easily beleeueth them when they vrge ought against any man notwithstanding it be of enuy and that he himselfe also had incurd the displeasure of the people for their sakes in that hee had offended them When as therefore said he thou shalt arriue in Ierusalem send thou for the chiefest amongst them and pray them to come vnto thee and after you haue shewed them my dead body vse the most plausible speech that you can and giue them permission to dispose of my body how they list whether it be their pleasure to interdict and deny me funerall in that they haue receiued many indignities by me or whether in aâ—…ngment of their displeasure they will offer any ignominy to my body and promise you them that you will doe nothing in the administration or gouernment of the kingdome but by their aduise If in this sort you shape both your manners and discourse towards them it will come to passe that I shall be buried by them with great magnificence which otherwise I could not be by any other meanes because they will offer no outrage to my bodie no although you should permit them and besides that you shall raigne in more assurance and quiet After he had giuen his wife these aduertisements he gaue vppe the ghost after hee had raigned seuen and twentie yeeres and liued for tie and nine CHAP. XXIIII After Alexanders death his wife Alexandra gouerneth the kingdome AFter that Alexandra had taken the Castle of Ragaba she conferred with the Pharisees according to her husbands counsaile and committed vnto their discretion not onely that which concerned her husbands obsequies but also the gouernment of the kingdome whereby she not only appeased the displeasure which before time they had conceiued against Alexander but also obtained their good will and amitie They therefore came and declaimed amongst the people making an oration of the acts and gests of Alexander complaining euery where that they had lost a good king and by the inforced praises that they vsed they incited the people to great griefe and lamentation so that they buried him with more magnificence then any king that raigned before him This Alexander left two sons behinde him the one called Hircanus the other Aristobulus and by his testament committed the gouernment of the kingdome to Alexandra his wife For Hircanus was incapable to manage affaires and rather delighted in peace and quiet and Aristobulus who was the younger was both actiue and fit for gouernment The people were well affected towards Alexandra because she had manifestly expressed how greatly she misliked her husbands misgouernment She appointed Hircanus high priest both in regard of his age as also for that by nature he was composed to peace and quiet and committed all things to the disposition of the Pharisees commanding the people to obey and obserue them She also renued and confirmed that which Hircanus had disanulled and the Pharisees according to the customes of their forefathers had introduced so that she bare the name and the Pharisees the authoritie roiall For they restored such as were banished to their estates and deliuered prisoners and in all things they demeaned themselues like great Lords Alexandra also for her part vndertooke the care of the common weale and kept a great number of souldiers in pay and increased her power in such sort that the tyrants round about her feared her and deliuered her hostages and pledges of peace All the countrey was in quiet onely the Pharisees troubled the Queene perswading her to put those to death who had counsailed king Alexander to put those eight hundreth to death of whom we haue forespoken and they themselues afterwards slew one that was called Diogenes and after him diuers others one by one vntil such time as those in authoritie came vnto the royall pallace accompanied with Aristobulus who seemed to be displeased with that which had hapned and who if the occasion were offered made shew that he would not permit his mother to gouern after that manner and told her that which had hapned and in what dangers they had been to expresse their duety and loyaltie which they ought to their deceased master and how for that cause they had been greatly honoured by him requiring her that she would not vtterly frustrate them of their hopes which they expected in lieu of their seruice that now they that had escaped froÌ„ the danger of their forrain enemies were in their houses murthered like beasts by their priuate maligners without any reliefe or succours from any one They furthermore vrged that if their aduersaries would content themselues with those they had slaine they would endure their misfortunes patiently by reason of the sincere affection they bare vnto their lords but if they must needly as yet suffer the like they required that they might haue licence to depart For that they
appeare how our nation reward entertaine such men as are vertuous and to the intent that the honour we impart vnto him may prouoke others to be the better affected towards vs. It is likewise decreed that amongst all the Athenians there be certaine Embassadours chosen who shall beare this Decree vnto him and exhort him to doe whatsoeuer is profitable for our common good seeing himselfe so much honoured by vs. Let this suffice to expresse the honors bestowed on Hircanus by the people of Rome and the Citizens of Athens After that Caesar had giuen order for the affaires of Syria he returned backe by sea And as soone as Antipater had brought Caesar out of Syria he returned into Iudaea and sodainly builded vp the walles which were before time defaced by Pompey and in riding circuit about the countrey he pacified the troubles not onely by menaces but by counsailes also which he gaue euery one to liue in peace certifying them that if they submitted themselues to Hircanus their prince they should liue happily and enioy their possessions without any trouble and that if they hoped to aduance themselues by any new commotion supposing by that meanes to profit themselues some way they should feele that in steed of a gouernor they had a master and in steed of a king they should find Hircanus a tyrant and in steed of the Romans and Caesar to be their gouernors they should feele and find them to be their most hatefull enemies for that they would not suffer that any thing should be altered that they had established By these and such like admonitions he kept and continued all the countrey in peace CHAP. XVII Antipater committeth the gouernment of Galilee to his sonne Herode and that of Ierusalem to Phasaelus his other sonne and how Sextus Caesar aduanceth Herode to great honors and dignities ANtipater perceiuing that Hircanus was slow and idle he declared and appointed Phasaelus his eldest sonne gouernour ouer Ierusalem and the countrey thereabout As for Herode who was verie young for he was not at that time aboue fifteene yeeres olde he committed Galilee vnto his charge who although he were young in yeeres yet did not his tender age any waies preiudice him because he was of a noble spirit and found out this sodaine occasion to expresse that vertue that was in him For hauing apprehended Exechias who was the prince of those theeues who ranged ouer all Syria a long time with a great troupe of outlawes he put him to death with diuers of his complices Which act of his got him no little estimation and credit among the Syrians for by that meanes he rid their countrey of all those robbers according as they desired He was therefore praised thorow the villages and Cities for this act as he that had giuen them peace and assured possession of their estates For this cause he was made knowne to Sextus Caesar who was vncle to Caesar the great Furthermore his brother Ph◅saelus was incited to follow his noble actions and inforced himselfe to obtaine no lesse reputation then he had for which cause he stroue to get the good will of the common people in Ierusalem gouerned the citie with such discretion that he acted all things to each mans content and abused not his power to any priuat mans iniurie which was the cause that Antipater was honoured by the whole nation with no lesse respect then if he had been their only Lord and soueraigne Yet did not this eminencie of estate so farre distract him that he forgot the loue and duetie he ought to Hircanus as in such like occasions it oftentimes falleth out notwithstanding diuers of the greatest amongst the Iewes seeing Antipater and his sonnes so highly aduanced both by the publike fauour of the whole nation as also by the reuenues that they drew both out of Iewry as also by the emploiment of Hircanus money were grieuously incensed against them For Antipater had made friendship with the Emperours of Rome and hauing perswaded Hircanus to send them money he had appropriated the same vnto himselfe sending it not in Hircanus name but in his owne which though Hircanus knew yet was he not mooued therewith but rather well contented But that which most of all terrified the princes of the Iewes was to behold the violent and audacious nature of Herode who gouerned after a royall and tyrannical manner For this cause they addressed themselues to Hircanus and accused Antipater openly How long said they will you dissemble and winke at those things that are daily practized see you not that Antipater and his sons possesse in effect the royall power and authoritie of the kingdome and that you haue onely the name Assure your selfe that you are not out of danger in contemning thus both your selfe and your kingdome For Antipater and his sonnes are not now your substitutes neither intend they your profit or your countries good whatsoeuer your opinion is of them but they openly are known for lords and Commanders For Herode Antipaters son hath already put Ezechias and his complices to death and thereby transgressed our lawes which forbid to take away any mans life how wicked soeuer he be except he be first of all condemned to death by the councell and notwithstanding this he hath been so bold as to doe iustice without your authoritie When Hircanus heard this he grew wroth for their mothers whom Herode had slain had incensed him by their continuall exclamations in the temple exhorting the king and people to call Herode to account before the councell of that which he had done So that Hircanus mooued by these womē called Herode to answere vnto those accusations which were obiected against him Who made his appearance forewarned by his father not to present himselfe after the maner of a priuate person but wel attended and accompanied to withstand all inconuenients After therefore he had taken order for the affaires in Galilee according as he thought meet in his owne discretion and that he himselfe was sufficiently accompanied to make his voiage with such a guard as neither might terrifie Hircanus with number nor leaue himselfe vnsecured in danger he resorted to Ierusalem Furthermore Sextus Caesar gouernour of Syria wrote vnto Hircanus to absolue him adding threats to his perswasions if so be he should performe the contrarie which gaue Hircanus occasion to deliuer Herode in despite of the councell and their intent the rather also for that he loued him as intirely as his sonne When as therefore Herode presented himselfe before the councell with his retinue all of them were astonished and none of those that accused him in his absence durst open their mouthes to speake one word but all of them kept silence not knowing what to doe Now whilest they stood vpon these tearmes a certaine man called Sameas who was of vpright conuersation and for this cause was not distracted with feare arose and spake to this effect Dread
and Anthony and Caesar the younger Wherupon Malichus mightily fearing Antipaters power determined to make him away and hauing corrupted Hircanus butler with money with whom both of them celebrated a feast hee made him away by poyson and afterwards assembling many men of warre about him he made himselfe master of the Citie When Herode and Phasaelus vnderstood of the traiterous conspiracie attempted against their father they were grieuously incensed against Malichus But hee denied all and in especiall abiured the intent or practise of the murther Thus died Antipater a iust and vertuous man and such a one as deerely loued his countrey But Herode who was his younger sonne incontinently resolued to reuenge his fathers death and came forth with an army against Malichus But Phasaelus who was the elder determined to circumuent him by policie for feare least he should raise a ciuill warre He therefore accepted of Malichus iustifications and made a shew that he supposed that he had in no such sort sought Antipaters death and only intended his fathers monument and funerals Meane while Herode resorting to Samaria and finding it in desperate estate restored the same and pacified the dissensions that were amongst the inhabitants Not long after by reason of a feast he came to Ierusalem with his men of warre Wherupon Malichus being affraid of this his accesse perswaded Hircanus that he should not permit him to enter into the Citie whereunto Hircanus condescended alleadging for pretext of his defence that amongst the holy people it was not lawfull to intermixt a troupe of polluted men But Herode made small reckoning of them that brought him this newes and notwithstanding this commaund entred the Citie by night whereat Malichus was much amazed Whereupon according to his wonted dissimulations he openly wept and bewailed the death of Antipater as his especiall friend but vnder hand he prepared a guard for his owne safetie Notwithstanding it was thought meet by Herodes friends to take no notice of this his dissimulation but to make a shew for their parts that they were wel affected towards Malichus CHAP. XX. Herode at the commaund of Cassius killeth Malichus by policie HEreupon Herode certified Cassius of Antipater his fathers death who knowing very well of what conuersation Malichus was wrote backe vnto Herode that he should reuenge the death of his father besides he sent secret letters to the captaines that were in Tyre commanding them to aide and assist Herode in that so iust execution which he intended After therefore that Cassius had taken Laodicea and the inhabitants of the countrey came togither bringing with them crownes and siluer to present him Herode expected that Malichus in that place should receiue his punishment but he entring into suspition of some like practise at such time as they drewe neere vnto Tyre in Phoenicia attempted farre greater things For whereas his sonne was an hostage in Tyre he entred the Citie with an intent to draw him thence and afterwards to returne into Iudaea After this vsurping vpon that oportunitie which he had by reason of Cassius troubles who hastily marched forward to meet with Anthony he determined to draw the people to an insurrection and to make himselfe Lord of the countrey but God disappointed his vniust purposes For Herode being a man of ripe iudgement incontinently discouered his pretence and sent one of his seruants before as if vnder purpose to prepare a banquet because he had told him before time that he would entertaine all his followers but in effect he sent him to the captaines to command them to issue out with their daggers and to meet Malichus who marching forth and meeting him neere vnto the shore of the Citie vpon the sea coast stabbed him in that place with their daggers Which act did so much astonish Hircanus that thorow amaze he waxed speechlesse and finally being much mooued he demaunded of Herodes men what accident had happened and who it was that had slaine Malichus Whereof when they certified him and how nothing was done without Cassius commaund he answered that all things were well done for that Malichus was a wretched man and a traitour to his countrey See here how Malichus was iustly punished for the wickednesse he committed against Antipater When Cassius was departed out of Syria there arose a new tumult in Iudaea for Faelix who was left in Ierusalem with an army marched forth against Phasaelus and all the people were in armes For which cause Herode speedily repaired to Fabius gouernour of Damasco and intending to succour his brother was preuented by a sicknesse so that Phasaelus obtaining the victory by his owne forces against Faelix enclosed him vp in a tower whence afterwards he dismissed him vnder composition Whereupon he presently and grieuously rebuked Hircanus for that being forgetfull of diuers benefits which he had receiued by him he had giuen aide vnto his enemies For Malichus brother being at that time reuolted planted garrisons in diuers fortresses and namely in Masada which was the strongest of them all As soone as Herode therefore had recouered his health he drew forth his forces against him and dispossessed him of diuers places that he held and after suffered him to depart with his life and goods CHAP. XXI Herode discomfiteth Antigonus the sonne of Aristobulus and driueth him out of Iudaea seeking to recouer his fathers kingdome by the aide of the prince of Tyre PTolomey Mennaeus drew vnto him by force of his money Aristobulus sonne the young Antigonus who had gathered a power and hired Fabius and was likewise drawne by Ptolomey vnder titles of consanguinitie and adoption With him ioyned Marion whom Cassius had made Gouernour in Tyre For this man hauing occupied Syria by tyrannie kept garrison therein Marion also inuaded Galilee which confined his countrey and hauing seazed three strong fortresses therein he kept garrisons in the same Herode also marching forth against him dispossessed him of them al and gratiously dismissed those Tyrians that had the keeping thereof bestowing benefits on some of them for the loue he bare vnto their citie And that done he came and encountred with Antigonus and fought with him and ouercame him before he had scarcely entred on the marches of Iudaea and droue him from thence When hee was come to Ierusalem Hircanus and all the people honoured him with crownes for already was he inserted into Hircanus family for that by promise hee was his sonne in lawe by which meanes he had more willingly vndertaken his defence for that he was to marrie Alexanders the sonne of Aristobulus daughter who was Hircanus neece on whom he begat three sonnes and two daughters Before her also had he married a wife of his owne nation who was called Doris on whom he begat Antipater his eldest sonne CHAP. XXII Herod meeting with Antonius in Bithynia giueth him a great summe of money to the ende he should not giue â—…are to those that would accuse him ANtonius and
burrough of Idumaea Ioseph his brother came forth to meete him and to consult with him as touching their whole estate and to know of him what should become of that great multitude that followed them considering that they had no souldiers in pay and the Castle of Massada whither he pretended to flie was too little to hold all the people for which cause he sent away many to the number of nine thousand willing them to disperse themselues here and there in the countrey of Idumaea and for the better dispatch of their iourney he furnished them with victuals As for himselfe he tooke with him his most able souldiers and inward friends and repaired to the Castle of Massada in which place he left the women and their traine to the number of eight hundreth or thereabouts and furnishing the place with corne water and other prouisions necessarie he went vnto Petra the chiefest Citie of Arabia As soone as it was day the Parthians sacked all that which appertained to the Citizens of Ierusalem and amongst other things they spoiled the palace notwithstanding they medled not with Hircanus money which amounted to some three hundreth talents They left diuers other things behind them also that appertained to Herode and especially that which had been transported into Idumaea by his mature prouidence Neither were the Parthians content with the spoile of the Citie but they forraged all the countrey round about and raced Marissa a verie rich Citie Thus Antigonus brought backe into his countrey by the king of the Parthians receiued Hirtanus and Phasaelus that were prisoners yet was he vehemently displeased because the women had escaped whom according to his promise he intended to haue deliuered with the money and fearing least Hircanus thorow the fauour of the people should be reestablished in his kingdome who was then prisoner in the custody of the Parthians he cut off both his eares depriuing him by that meanes from enioying the priesthood any more by reason of that maime because the law commaundeth that they who are in that dignitie should be sound in all their members But Phasaelus is to be admired for his great courage at this time for vnderstanding that hee must needly die he was no waies dismaied with death but that which he held most miserable and dishonourable was that he must needs die by the hands of his enemy Seeing therefore that he could not dispatch himselfe by other meanes because he was bound and chaiâ—…ed he knockt out his owne braines against a stone and so ended his life with as great honour as may be imagined in such a desperate estate depriuing his enemy of that power which he intended to practise in tyrannizing ouer him at his pleasure It is said that the wound being very deepe Antigonus sent priuily surgeons to cure him and that vnder colour of healing him they should put poison into the same wherethrough he might die But before Phasaelus gaue vp the ghost he vnderstood by a certaine woman that his brother Herode had escaped from his enemies for which cause he endured his death with far greater cheerfulnesse and constancie seeing that he left behind him such a man as would reuenge his death and punish his enemies But Herode was no waies discomforted with the greatnesse of those aduersities which enuironed him round about but was the more whetted on to find out new inuentions and to aduenture dangerous attempts For he went vnto Malchus king of the Arabians to whom before time he had shewed much curtesie hoping to receiue the like of him in this time of his great necessitie and to draw some money from him either by loane or gift according as he had often and verie bountifully pleasured him For being ignorant of his brothers death he endeuoured himselfe to raunsome him speedily from his enemies by paying his raunsome which amounted to three hundreth talents and for that cause he led with him the sonne of Phasaelus who was onely seuen yeeres olde to leaue him in pledge amongst the Arabians for the summe that was demaunded But certaine messengers came vnto him from Malchus who charged him in the kings behalfe to retire backe againe for that the Parthians had enioyned him that he should neither receiue nor retaine Herode And this colourable pretence vsed he because he would not pay his debts and hereunto was he perswaded by the aduice of the greatest in authoritie among the Arabians who pretended thereby to make themselues masters of that treasure that Antipater had committed to their custody Herode answered them that he repaired not into their countrey to giue them cause of any trouble but onely to consult with him about certaine matters of great importance touching his owne estate and that afterwards he was resolued to depart and withdraw himselfe into Aegypt as secretly as might be possible He returned therefore to a certaine temple where he had left diuers of his followers and the next day hee came to Rhinocura in which place he heard tidings of his brothers death But afterwards Malchus repented himselfe of his in gratitude and speedily sent after Herode but he could not ouertake him for he had gotten farre onward of his way and was already arriued in post neere to Pelusium where being denied his passage to Alexandria in those ships that were there he addressed himselfe to the magistrates of the place who highly respected and honoured him and sent him to the Citie where Cleopatra was who entertained him kindly yet notwithstanding could she not perswade him to remaine with her Whereupon he repaired towards Rome notwithstanding the winter and those grieuous troubles that at the verie same time afflicted Italie as it was reported Embarking himselfe therefore to saile into Pamphilia he was tossed with a most cruell storme so that with great danger at last he arriued in Rhodes hauing been inforced in the tempest to cast into the sea a good part of his substance There met he with Sappinas and Ptolomey two of his indeered friends He found also that the Citie of Rhodes had suffered much miserie by Cassius warres and although his meanes were very scant yet profited he them in what he might and caused their walles to be repaired notwithstanding that by so doing he greatly hindred himselfe After that he caused a little frigote to be built and embarked himselfe with his friends to repaire into Italy and arriued at Brundusium and from thence went to Rome The first to whom he discouered his misfortunes was Marcus Antonius to whom he reported all the occurrences in Iudaea and how his brother Phasaelus was taken by the Parthians and slaine and how Hircanus was imprisoned with him The manner also how they had established Antigonus king vnder promise to giue them one thousand talentes and fiue hundreth of the fairest women whom hee intended to choose out of his owne race Lastly how he stole away by night and rescued them and escaping his enemies hands
was vpon the point of execution surprised her at such time as she thought to flye and yet notwithstanding he pardoned her that fault in that he durst not decree any punishmēt against hir though he could haue found in his heart to haue vsed seueritie for that Cleopatra vvould not haue contained her selfe had she but had such an occasiō offered her to expresse her hatred against Herod For which cause vnder the colour of a high and magnanimous spirit he made shewe to pardon her of his meere clemencie yet inwardly resolued hee to make young Aristobulus away yet not rashly and vpon the instant least the act should growe apparant and palpable Now the feast of Tabernacles was at hand which was one of those that was ceremoniously and solemnly celebrated among vs for which cause he concealed his intents during the festiuall daies intending both in himselfe and in the presence and companie of the people to follow all kinde of pleasure and delight yet did his enny incite him to hasten the execution of his will Aristobulus was at that time some seuenteene yeere olde who at such time as he approched the altar to offer sacrifices according to the lawe apparelled in the high priests ornaments to performe the ceremonies he who for amiable countenance and goodly stature surpassed the young and tendernesse of his yeeres expressing in his countenance the dignitie and nobilitie of his race drew the eies and good affection of all the people vnto him so that they openly called to remembrance the noble actions of Aristobulus his grandfather All the people therfore being surmounted by those their affections and at that present time being all of them troubled with the ioy they conceiued they brake out by little and little into happy acclamations mixed with wishes and praiers so that the good will the people bare to Aristobulus discouered it selfe openly and they manifestly although too hastily in such a kingdome declared what euils they generally endured For all which causes Herode concluded to execute that which he had heretofore complotted and conceited against Aristobulus As soone therefore as the feast was ouerpassed he soiourned in Iericho where Alexandra entertained him In that place he vsed Aristobulus with all kindnesse to the end to draw him into some place where he feared nothing playing also with him and counterfaiting to sport after the fashion of the young men to gratifie him Now for that the place where they disported themselues was by nature too hoat they quickly wearied left their sport and went out togither to take the fresh aire and recouering a pleasant shade vnder certaine arbors and neere certaine fishpooles which were largely spread round about they beheld certain of their seruants and friends that swomme therein with whom not long after Aristobulus began to swim being perswaded thereunto by Herode Whereupon Herodes confederates who were deputed to execute the murther laid hands of him and thrust him vnder the water pretending to duck him in sport and neuer gaue him ouer vntill such time as they had stifled him in the water This hapned about the euening and after this manner died Aristobulus after he had liued in all for the space of eighteene yeeres and administred the priesthood one whole yeere and after this Ananel presently recouered his former dignitie Now when this accident was reported to the women all of them were sodainly deuoured in teares and transported with strange lamentations which they spent ouer the dead body All the Citie also was marueilously amated neither was there any priuate family that thought not it selfe touched by this inconuenient but imagined the losse in particular to concerne himselfe and no other But aboue all when Alexandra had notice of this wicked deede she was more passionate and perplexed then any other being so much the more discomforted for that she knew how all things had hapned But the feare of a farre greater mischiefe constrained her to represse her passion in such sort that diuers times she was ready to bereaue her of her owne life and dispatch her selfe out of miserie with her owne hands But she contained her selfe to the end that suruiuing and liuing after her sonne who was so traiterously and fraudulently slaine and prolonging her owne life without giuing any suspition or shadow that she supposed her sonne to be thus cursedly murthered she might with more opportunitie expect the occasion to reuenge her selfe For which cause she dissembled all things gouerned her griefe and made shew that she knew nothing of that which was either intended or had hapned As for Herode he laboured by all means to perswade the strangers that this death had befallen Aristobulus without his knowledge and did not onely prepare that which was requisite for the funerall but vext himselfe likewise made shew of a man truely deuoured in his sorrow and it may be that in remembrance of Aristobulus beauty and flourishing young yeeres he was truely touched with compassion notwithstanding that he imagined that this death of his should be a means of his intire securitie demeasning himselfe in all things very circumspectly with intent to purge himselfe of that crime But especially he shewed his great magnificence in the interring of his body both in the furnishing and preparation of the herse as in the perfumes and other things thereunto belonging in such sort as the griefe which the Ladies had conceiued was pacified after this manner of consolation CHAP. IIII. Cleopatra thirsting after the kingdomes of Arabia and Iewry laboureth to beg a part of them at Anthonies hands BVt none of all these things could either mooue or mollifie Alexandra but that daily more and more she increased her sorrow and in the heart of her teares kindled her wrath and heate with a desire of reuenge She therefore certified Cleopatra by her priuate letters of Herodes treasons and her sonnes most miserable and vntimely death Cleopatra long before that time desirous to assist her and hauing compassion of her miserie vndertooke the matter and ceased not to incite Anthony to reuenge Aristobulus death telling him that it was an vnpardonable errour that Herode being created king in such a state whereunto he had no right should be suffered to practise such conspiracies against the true and lawfull kings Anthony perswaded by these her words as soone as he came vnto Laodicea sent for Herode to the end that making his appearance he might answere that which might be obiected against him as touching Aristobulus death for he disliked the act notvvithstanding that Herode himselfe had attempted it But although Herode vvas affraid of this accusation and did not a little suspect Cleopatraes displeasure for that she ceased not continually to prouoke Anthony against him yet obeyed he this commandement and transported himselfe thither the rather for that he durst not otherwise do notwithstanding he left his vncle Ioseph behind him committing the gouernment both of the kingdome his priuate
should demaund what he meant he should certifie him that Mariamme hauing prepared a poison for his grace had dealt with him to deliuer it to his maiestie Charging him moreouer that if the king in hearing him speake of this portion should seeme to be mooued therewith that then he should proceede no further in his discourse He therefore being in this manner before hand instructed what he ought to doe at that very instant was sent in to discouer his treacherie vnto the king for which cause with a sober and staied countenance be entred in vnto him being seriously and well prepared to discourse and told him that Mariamme had bribed him to present his Maiestie with an amorous cup of drinke Now when he perceiued that the king was troubled with these words he prosecuted his discourse alleaging that the potion was a certaine medicine which Mariamme had giuen him the vertue whereof he knew not which he had receiued according as he had told him knowing that it concerned both his owne securitie and the kings safetie Herode who before this was highly displeased hearing these words was so much the more incensed for which cause he presently commanded Mariammes most faithfull seruant to be examined by torments as concerning the poison supposing that it was impossible for her to vndertake any thing whatsoeuer without his priuitie He being tired and tormented after this cruell manner confessed nothing of that for which he was tortured but declared vnto the king that the hatred which his wife had conceiued against him proceeded from certaine words that Sohemus had told her Scarcely had he finished these words but that the king cried out with a loud voice saying that Sohemus who before time had beene most faithfull both to him and his kingdome would not haue declared these his priuie commands except there had been some more inward familiaritie and secrecie betwixt him and Mariamme for which cause he presently commanded his ministers to lay hands on Sohemus and to put him to death As for his wife he drew her to her triall and to this effect he assembled his most familiar friends before whom he began to accuse her with great spight and spleene as touching these potions and poisons aforesaid wherin he vsed intemperate and vnseemly speeches and such as for their bitternesse did ill become him in cause of iustice so that in the end the assistants seeing the butte and bent of his desire pronounced sentence of death against her which being past both he and all other the assistants were of this opinion that she should not so speedily be executed but that she should be kept close prisoner in some sure place of the pallace But by Salomes sollicitations Herode was incited to hasten her death for that she alleaged that the king ought to feare least some sedition should be raised amongst the people if he should keepe her aliue in prison And by this meanes Mariamme was led vnto her death Alexandra her mother considering the estate of the time and fearing no lesse mischiefe from Herodes hands then her daughter was assured of she vndecently changed her minde and abiectedly laid aside her former courage and magnanimitie For intending to make it knowne that she was neither partie nor priuie to those crimes wherewith Mariamme was charged she went out to meete her daughter and entertained her iniuriously protesting publikely that she was a wicked woman vngrateful towards her husbād and that she wel deserued the punishment that was adiudged her for that she durst be so bold to attempt so hainous a fact neglecting to requite her husbands intire loue with her vnfained loyaltie Whilest thus dishonestly she counterfaited her displeasure and was readie to pull Mariamme by the haire the assistants according to her desert condemned her generally for her shamefull hypocrisie but she that was led to be punished conuicted her by her mild behauiour For first of all she gaue her no answere neither was any waies altered by her reproches neither would so much as cast her eie vpon her making it appeare that she discreetly concealed and couered her mothers imperfections was agrieued that she had so openly shewed so great indignitie expressing for her owne part a constant behaiour and going to her death without chaunge of colour so that those that beheld her perceiued in her a kind of manifest courage and nobilitie euen in her vtmost extremitie Thus died Mariamme hauing beene a woman that excelled both in continence and courage notwithstanding that she defaulted somewhat in affabilitie and impatience of nature for the rest of her parts she was of an admirable and pleasing beautie and of such a cariage in those companies wherein she was intertained that it was impossible to expresse the same in that she surpassed all those of her time which was the principall cause that she liued not graciously and contentedly with the king For being entertained by him who intirely loued her and from whom she receiued nothing that might discontent her she presumed vpon a great and intemperate libertie in her discourse She disgested also the losse of her friends verie hardly according as in open termes she made it known vnto the king whereby also it came to passe that both Herodes mother and sister and himselfe likewise grew at ods with her and in especiall her husband from whom onely she expected no hard measure After her death the king began more powerfully to be inflamed in his affections who before times as we haue declared was alreadie miserably distracted For neither did he loue after the common manner of maried folke but whereas almost euen vnto madnes he nourished this his desire he could not be induced by the too vnbridled manners of his wife to alay the heat of his affection but that daily more and more by doting on her he increased the same And all that time especially he supposed that God was displeased with him for the death of Mariamme his wife Oftentimes did he inuocate her name and more often vndecently lamented he her And notwithstanding he deuised all kind of delights and sports that might be imagined by preparing banquets and inuiting guests with princely hospitalitie to passe away the time yet all those profited him nothing For which cause he gaue ouer the charge and administration of his kingdome And in such sort was he ouerwhelmed with griefe that oftentimes he commaunded his ministers to call his wife Mariamme as if as yet she had beene aliue Whilest thus he was affected there befell a pestilence within the citie that consumed a great sort of the people and the better part of the nobilitie and each man interpreted that this punishment was inflicted by God vpon men for the vninst death of the Queene Thus the kings discontents being by these meanes increased he at last hid himselfe in a solitarie wildernesse vnder pretext of hunting where afflicting himselfe incessantly at last he fell into a most grieuous sicknes
maidseruants of theirs who were their bondwomen as also certaine other of their free seruants Now when the fact would not be extorted by reason that none of them confessed the same at length shee that was last of all put to her triall ouercome by the paines shee endured said nought else but that shee praied God that Antipaters mother might feele the like torments since shee was the cause of all those mischiefes which they endured These words of hers made Herode the more eager and inquisitiue so that by force of tortures he wrought out all the secrets of these women their banquets their secret assemblies and those verie words that Herode had spoken apart betwixt his sonne and himselfe which had beene reported vnto the women that Pheroras entertained namely that he would giue him one hundreth talents prouided he would vse no conference with Pheroras Moreouer they reckoned vp the hatred that Antipater bare vnto his father the complaints that he made vnto his mother of the too long life and continuance of his father for that in regard of himselfe he was already waxen olde so that although the kingdome should fall into his hands presently yet could he receiue but verie little contentment thereby Moreouer hee alleadged that diuers brothers and brothers children were brought vp togither with him so that he might not securely hope for any thing for that already if he should fortune to die the kingdome was to descend not to his sonne but to his brother besides this he was accustomed to accuse the king of diuers cruelties committed by him and of that murther which he executed vpon the persons of his children That for feare least he should practise his tyrannie against those that remained Antipater had found out the deuise to be summoned to Rome and Pheroras withdrew himselfe into his Tetrarchy These words which as he knew had reference vnto that which his sister had often informed him of were not by him held incredible so that being pressed with the malice of Antipater he sequestred Doris his mother from his presence spoiling her before her departure of all her iewels which were valued at many talents and from that time forward he shewed himselfe more fauourable towards those women of Pheroras household But nothing did more whet Herods displeasure against Antipater then did a certaine Samaritane who was also called Antipater who had the ordering of the affaires of Antipater the kings sonne For he being brought in question and tortured declared amongst other things that Antipater had mixed a mortall poison and deliuered the same to Pheroras his vncle commanding him to practise the kings death in his absence and by that meanes least suspected That this poison was brought out of Aegypt by one called Antiphilus Antipaters friend That it was sent to Pheroras by one called Theudion Antipaters mothers brother That this poison was kept by Pheroras wife and was committed by her husband to her custodie She being examined by the king hereupon confessed no lesse hastning forth as if she intended to fetch the same she cast her selfe downe headlond from the toppe of the house yet did she not murther her selfe because she fell vpon her feet Now after she was recouered out of her swoune and the king had promised all securitie both to her selfe and her family if so be she would discouer the truth and contrariwise threatned her with extreme torments if she obstinately continued in concealing these treasons she sware that she would discouer all things according as they were acted and as many men thought at that time she tolde nothing but the truth That poison said she was brought by Antiphilus out of Aegypt and bought there by the meanes of a brother of his who was a physition After this Theudion brought it to our house and I hauing receiued it from Pheroras hands kept the same but bought by your sonne Antipater to poison you that are his father Now therefore after that my husband fell sicke and you in kindnesse came to visit and comfort him he being mooued with compassion and conquered by your brotherly kindenesse by your good affection and louing care in giuing order for his health called me vnto him and said O Wife Antipater hath circumuented me whilest by his pestilent counsailes and poisoning practises he desireth to cut off his father and depriue me of a kinde brother Now therfore since as I perceiue there is no part of my brothers louing and naturall affection diminished towards me wherewith he was wont to entertaine me and that my latest houre of life approcheth God forbid that being ready to sleepe with my forefathers I should present them with a ghost soiled and sweltred in my brothers bloud Dispatch therefore and burne this poison before mine eies Hereupon said she I presently brought it forth according as my husband commaunded me and burnt the greatest part of the poison and the rest I reserued that if after my husbands death your grace should vse me vnkindly it might serue me to escape those extremities that would betide me After she had spoken thus she brought forth before them all the poison and the box wherein it was kept After her another of Antiphilus brothers and the mother to them both confessed no lesse being constrained thereunto by force and violence of torture and acknowledged the box The kings wife also who was the daughter of the high priest was accused for confederacie and concealement of all these treasons For which cause Herode put her away from him and raced his sonnes name out of his testament wherein he had bequeathed him the kingdome after his decease He displaced also his father in law Simon the sonne of Boëthus from the priesthood and placed Matthias the sonne of Theophilus who was borne in Ierusalem in his steed In the meane space Bathillus Antipaters freeman returned from Rome who being tortured confessed that he brought a poison with him to deliuer it to Antipaters mother and Pheroras to the ende that if the first poison were not effectuall enough to dispatch the king they might make vse of this other to cut him off speedily There came letters also to Herods hands from his friends in Rome written and deuised by Antipaters meanes to accuse Archelaus and Philip for that verie often they had refreshed the memorie of Alexander and Aristobulus death contriued by their father and for that they lamented the miserable fate of them who were innocently betraied and that now also they themselues were called backe into their countrey for no other cause but vpon their arriuall to be made partakers of their brothers miserable destinie These things did Antipaters friends certifie Herod of in that by many and mightie presents he wrought them thereunto He himselfe also wrote vnto his father colourably after a maner excusing the young men and imputing their words to their indiscretion young yeers Meane while he busied himselfe in accusing Syllaeus and coutted the chiefest Romans buying
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
priests place Now although Archelaus was sore displeased at these their violent proceedings yet notwithstanding he conformed himselfe to their good likings in that he was with all expedition to repaire vnto Rome to vnderstand and attend Caesars pleasure He therfore called for the general of his army willing him to perswade them not to seeke a reuenge for those men who were dead notwithstanding they were their friends because whatsoeuer was done was done according to lawe and that no enquirie might be made thereof except to the great preiudice of his reputation and hazard of his state in regard of the incertaintie of the time that it was more expedient for him to studie for the maintenance of peace vntil such time that being established in the kingdome by Caesars consent he should returne backe againe vnto them and that then he would consult with them for the common profit according to their iust demaunds wishing them for the present to containe themselues and to take heede least they stirred vppe sedition When he had thus instructed his Generall he sent him vnto them But they cried out with a lowd voice and would not suffer him to speake but for feare of danger and death they put him to silence And if any other were so forward as to speake vnto them and perswade them to some moderation and to alter their sinister resolutions he was also in danger for that they had this perswasion that all things ought rather to be ordered according to their pleasures then by the authoritie of their superiours supposing that although during Herodes life time they had been depriued of their deerest friends it should be now a matter vnworthy their courages after his death to be cut off from the priuiledge to demaund their reuenge For they were transported with their owne opinions and held all that for lawfull and vpright which was in any sort conformable to their pleasures without foreseeing the danger that might happen thereby so much were they pleased to be reuenged on those whom they reputed to be their enemies Now wheras diuers were sent by Archelaus to consult with them and diuers came vnto them not as messengers from him but as friends and louers of peace of their owne motion with an intent to pacifie them they would not permit any of them to speake and thorow their rage there arose a great tumult which had growne to a further extremitie if a greater number of people had ioyned themselues with them At that time fell the feast of vnleauened bread which is called Pascha which is a memoriall of their deliuerance out of Aegypt at which time all mâ—… doe most willingly present their sacrifices and a greater number of beasts are slaine at that feast then at any other time To this solemnitie also an infinite number of people assembled from all parts to honour God whereby the seditious supposing that they had gotten a fit opportunity lamented Iudas and Matthias who were the expositors of the law and kept themselues within the temple whither they had gathered good store of victuals which they were not ashamed impudently to begge for But Archelaus fearing least their rage should produce some more grieuous effect of mischiefe sent out a band of armed men with a captaine and a regiment of a thousand men to represse their headlong furie before the rest of the people were infected with their follies and to bring them likewise vnto him whom they found to be the forwardest in that commotion Against those thâ—… seditious cried out with great clamors and incensed the people against them so that al of them rushed in vpon the men of war and slew diuers of them The rest of them escaped with their captaine yet not without diuers wounds That done they which were within the temple returned againe to their diuine seruice Now Archelaus supposing that his whole fortune was endangered except he repressed the rage of the multitude he sent out all his footmen with a certaine number of horsemen to preuent least they that were without should yeeld assistance to those who had taken vp their lodging in the temple and to put those to the sword who hauing escaped the violence of the footmen supposed themselues to be in securitie These horsemen slew about three thousand men the rest retired themselues into the mountaines that were neere adioyning Hereupon Archelaus made proclamation that each one should repaire vnto his owne house For which cause they departed and abandoned the feast for feare of greater mischiefe notwithstanding they had spleen enough as it is the ordinarie custome of the ignorant multitude After this Archelaus accompanied with his mother betooke himselfe to sea and led with him Nicholas and Ptolomey with diuers other his friends committing the gouernment of all his houshold and kingdome to his brother Philip with him also departed Salome Herodes sister leading with her her children There went also diuers other of his kinred who said that they would all of them labour for Archelaus that he might obtaine the kingdome but in effect it was to contradict him with all their power and in especiall to vrge that against him with great vehemencie that was done in the temple Sabinus Caesars Viceroy in Syria posting into Iewrie to take charge of Herodes money met with Archelaus in Caesarea But Varus arriuing in the meane while detained him from finishing that voiage for Archelaus had sent for him to come thither by Ptolomey and Sabinus willing to doe Varus a pleasure would not seaze the fortresses of Iewrie neither sealed vp Herodes treasuries but left them in Archelaus possession vntill such time as Caesar had giuen order for the estate and after he had made this promise he staied in Caesarea After Archelaus had set saile towards Rome and Varus was departed for Antioch Sabinus went to Ierusalem where he seazed the kings pallace and calling before him the kings agents and the captaines of his gatrisons he required them to deliuer vp their Castles into his hands But they according as Archelaus had commanded them continued the possession in their accustomed manner according to the kings direction pretending to keep the same in Caesars behalfe At the same time Antipas Herods sonne trauailed to Rome likewise vnder the hope to be elected king in regard of Salomes promises and for that he better deserued the same then Archelaus considering that in the first testament which should be of more force then the latter he had been appointed king He led his mother also with him and Ptolomey the brother of Nicholas who had been one of Herodes most esteemed friends and was well affected to further and set forward his title But especially he was stirred vp to seeke the kingdome by Ireneus a man very eloquent and to whose charge in regard of his sufficiencie the affaires of the kingdome had been committed For which cause although he were perswaded to giue ouer the kingdome vnto his elder brother
doe hauing no heart to depart from thence and otherwise perswading themselues that if they staied there any longer it vvould breed them further danger Finally vvhen the souldiers vvere entred into the Theater by force all the vvhole assembly cried out and besought them protesting that vvhatsoeuer was done it vvas beside their knowledge vvhether it vvere either attempted by conspiracie or any other meanes They therefore most humbly intreated them that they would spare them and not inflict the peualtie of the guiltie on those that vvere innocent for their own parts they besought them to search out those vvho had committed the act if any such thing vvere committed And thus spake they with teares beating their breasts and calling the gods to vvitnesse alleadging all that which the present danger suggested them with and as much as such as pleaded for their liues could profer By these perswasions of theirs the souldiers furie was abated so that they began to repent themselues of that vvhich they had executed in the Theater for this also vvas a crueltie as they themselues notwithstanding their barbarous inciuilitie supposed it to be vvhich was that the heads of Asprenas and other that were slaine were carried and set vpon an altar VVhereat all the assistants were most grieuously discontented remembring themselues of the dignitie of the men and hauing compassion of that which had befallen them considering also that they themselues were not farre off from dangers being vncertaine whether they should saue thēselues vvherby it came to passe that some of those who had for good cause hated Caius durst not freely reioice at his death because they were vpon the point to lose their owne liues hauing as yet no appearance of any safetie At length Aruntius a man who was gratious among the people and was one of the common criers who had a strong voice and by crying such goods as were to be solde had gathered so great substance as that he was accounted one of the richest men in Rome and in great estimation amongst all men in that behalfe entred the Theater in a mourning habit and after a lamentable manner and although he inwardly hated Caius yet for the feare he conceiued least hee should lose his goods and in consideration of the present danger he dissembled his ioy wearing all those garments of mourning and vsing no lesse lamentation then if he had bemoaned the death of his deerest friend After this manner came he into the Theater publishing Caius death to the intent that the people might not be ignorant of that which had hapned after this he began to represse the rage of the Germans and commanded their captaines and tribunes to put vp their swords certifying them of the Emperours death which act of his did manifestly saue the liues of all those who were assembled in the Theater and all them likewise whom they could haue met with For if they had had but the least surmise that Caius had as yet been aliue there was not any sort of crueltie which they had not committed For they bare him so great loue and affection that to warrantize him from that mishap they would haue redeemed him with the losse of their owne liues But as soone as they vnderstood that he was dead they repressed their furious rage which egged them forward to reuenge knowing that it auailed them nothing to discouer their affections towards him in that he could yeelde them no requitall Besides the feare they had least that in pursuit of thir tyrannous murthers the Senate should bee incensed against them if so be the gouernment of the estate should be returned into their hands made them containe themselues Thus was the furie of these Germans appea◅ed for the death of Caius Meane while Chaereas who feared verie much least Minucianus should fall into the Germans hands and in their furie be slaughtered by them sought for him among the souldiers enquiring of euerie one whether they knew if he were slaine or no. Wherupon Minutianus and Clement were brought vnto him who in his presence commended Chaereas exploit and gaue him thanks in the name of the whole Senate who witnessed that it was to the general benefit and good of the common weale and that the greatest persons were beholding to him for that hee had neither wanted good aduice in his deliberation nor courage to execute his resolution alleadging that the nature of tyrannie was such that being puffed vp with a short pleasure of vniust and intolerable rule it finally as being hated by all good men determined and ended in miserie as it manifestly appeared in that which had befallen Caius who before any thing was either deuised practised or executed against him was alreadie hatefull to all men and had in such a sort violated all lawes that his greatest friends were resolued to take armes against him who in appearance had depriued him of life when both in truth and in effect it was he himselfe who was the author of his owne ruine Hereupon all they arose who were in the Theater and raised great noise and trouble in seeking to saue themselues The occasion was that a certaine Physition called Arcion being called out to go and dresse certaine men that were wounded making a shewe as if he went to go and prepare such things as were necessarie for those that were wounded made those issue out with him who sate neerest vnto him but the truth was that he did it to the end to draw them out of the present danger Meane while the Senate assembled themselues in the pallace and the people flocked togither to make enquirie after those who had murthered Caius the people with an intire and simple intent the Senate onely to vse some forward proceeding For Valerius Asiaticus who had otherwhiles been Consul came foorth among the people who were in an vprore and suposing it a strange matter that no man knew who had slaine the Emperour whilest euerie one enquired who it was that had done the deed O said he would it had been I that had done it But the Consuls published an edict containing the accusations that were presented against Caius commaunding the people and souldiers who were as yet in the Theater to retire themselues to their lodgings And the people were put in great hope that they should be eased of those taxations wherewith before time they had been burthened and the men of war were promised honours and dignities if they would containe themselues in their accustomed order and stirre vp no further trouble For it was to be feared least if they had been further fleshed in slaughters the Citie should haue fallen into some great danger thorow rapines and the spoiles both of houses and temples But by this time all the whole order of the Senate was assembled especially those who were confederates in Caius murther who seemed to gather courage and to speake boldly as if the gouernment of the estate had been fallen into their
repaired to Petronius who was gouernor of Syria and complained against these Dorites who was no lesse displeased with the action then he himselfe For he supposed that such breach of religion was the meanes to further impietie and for that cause he wrote to those which had attempted this innouation somewhat sharply to this effect following CHAP. VI. Petronius letter written to the Dorites in the behalfe of the Iewes PVblius Petronius lieutenant to Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus to the Magistrates of the countrey of Doria health Whereas Caesar hath published an edict by which he permitteth the Iewes to liue according to their lawes and customes some one amongst you haue been so presumptuous to contradict the same in effect although in words you protest that you obey him and doe all that which you can to hinder the Iewes from enioying their Synagogue in so much as in the same you haue planted Caesars image not onely therby opposing your selues against the Iewes but also against the Emperour himselfe whose image might haue been better placed in his owne temple then in a forraine temple and you haue placed it in their Synagogue whereas by right euerie one ought to be maister of his place according to Caesars iudgement For it should be verie ridiculous in me to alleadge mine owne iudgement after that of Caesars who hath granted the Iewes the liberty to liue according to their lawes and customes and hath commanded that they should conuerse in equall freedome among the Greekes For these causes I commaund you that they who haue been so bold as to contemne Augustus decree against whom their owne magistrates haue beene displeased excusing themselues that this accident hapned not by their motion but by the furie of the common people be brought before me by the captaine Proculus Vitellius to yeeld a reason of that which they haue done exhorting the magistrates that if they will not be accounted parties in this contempt they labour to discouer those that are guiltie vnto Proculus and giue order that no sedition or violence be offered thereupon Which notwithstanding it seemeth that they affect although we and the most honoured king Agrippa whom I take for my good and special friend labour nothing more then that the nation of the Iewes should not assemble and take armes vnder colour of their defence And to the end that whatsoeuer Augustus hath ordained as touching this matter may be the better knowne vnto all men I haue annexed his edict which he published in Alexandria and although they are sufficiently knowne vnto all men yet hath the most honoured king Agrippa read them vnto me at such time as I sate in my tribunal seat concluding according to right that the Iewes ought not to be excluded nor hindred from enioying those benefits which are granted vnto them by Caesar I therefore charge all men that hence forward they take heed least they seeke any occasion of mutinie or sedition and that euerie one liue according to his religion See here how Petronius proceeded in this matter both to amend that which was past as also to preuent that which was to come that none should be so bold to attempt the like After this Agrippa tooke the priesthood from Simon Canthara and gaue it againe to Ionathan the sonne of Anani whom he esteemed to be more worthy then the other But Ionathan declared that he was not desirous of this dignitie for in effect he refused it saying O King I most willingly acknowledge the honour which it pleaseth you to bestow vpon me and know well that it is a dignitie which of your owne freewill you bestow vpon me notwithstanding that God iudgeth me vnworthy It sufficeth me that I haue once been inuested with the sacred habite for at that time I wore it with more holinesse then I can now receiue it at this present yet notwithstanding if it please you to know one that is more worthy of this honour then my selfe I wil informe you of one My liege I haue a brother who towards God and you is pure and innocent whom I dare recommend vnto you for a most fit man for that dignitie The king tooke great pleasure in these his words and leauing Ionathan he bestowed the priesthood on Matthias his brother according as Ionathan had aduised him and not long after this Marsus succeeded in Petronius roome and tooke vpon him the gouernment of Syria CHAP. VII Agrippas acts vntill the time of his death SIlas was made generall ouer the kings army and for that he had alwaies beene faithfull vnto him and had neuer forsaken him in any daunger that was offered without partaking the vtmost extremitie but had alwaies aduentured on the greatest perils in respect of his intire and constant resolution he made his account that being so firme a friend to the king he should also be partaker and companion with him in the honour For which cause in all things whatsoeuer he submitted not himselfe to the king but chalenged to himselfe a liberty to speake what him listed For this cause he grew hatefull in the kings sight for that in particular he boasted of himselfe beyond measure and oftentimes refreshed the memory of those aduersities the king had past the rather to expresse how affectionate he had been toward him and his continuall talke was nothing else but of those trauailes he had endured Now for that he obserued no measure in this his discourse the king tooke it as an iniury intended to his honour was offended with the vnbridled licence of the mans prattle For nothing soundeth more harsh in a mans eare then the memorie of his forepassed miserie and it is but the fault of a foole to rip vp the courtesies he hath emploied on another man Finally Silas grieuously prouoked the kings displeasure against himself that rather subscribing to his wrath then his wit he not only dispossessed Silas of his generals roome but also sent him bound into his countrey in that place to be held prisoner This notwithstanding time asswaged his displeasure the king drawing himselfe into better consideration and remembring himselfe how many trauels Silas had endured in his behalfe he reuoked the sentence that he had pronounced At such time therfore as he was ready to celebrate the festiual day of his birth and al his subiects were addressed to take their pleasure he speedily sent for Silas to the end he might be partaker thereof and banquet with them But Silas who was of a free nature supposing that he had iust cause to be displeased concealed it not from those who were sent vnto him but spake vnto them after this manner To what honour doth the king inuite me at this present to the intent incontinently to depriue me thereof for he hath not onely depriued me of those honours which he bestowed vpon me in acknowledgement of the good affection I haue alwaies shewed vnto him but he hath altogither spoyled me and
beyond all mens contradiction And hauing returned him this answere he betooke himselfe to his prayers and prostrating himselfe vpon the earth and casting ashes on his head and fasting himselfe his wiues and all his children he called vpon God and praied after this manner O Lord Almightie if I haue not vainly submitted my selfe to thy protection but haue intirely chosen thee for mine onely and true God be thou my helpe and assistance and not onely deliuer me from mine enemies but also abate and controule their pride who haue not been affraid in their vnbridled language to prophane thy holy and sacred name and vtter blasphemous speeches against thy power Thus praied he with sighes and teares and God heard him For incontinently and the verie same night Vologesus receiued letters by which he was certified that a great number of Dahans and Sacans taking opportunitie by his absence were entred into the kingdome of Parthia and spoiled the whole countrey for which cause he returned backe into his countrey without any further trouble And thus Izates by Gods prouidence was warranted from the Parthians threats Not long after this at such time as he had liued fiftie fiue yeeres and raigned foure and twentie and left behinde him foure and twentie sonnes he died and appointed his brother Monobazus to succeed him in the kingdome requiting hereby his faith and loyaltie in that during the time of his absence and after the death of his father he had faithfully ruled and gouerned the kingdome to his vse His mother Helena hearing newes of his death lamented verie grieuously as reason would in that she being his mother was depriued of a sonne that so zealously honored and feared God Yet notwithstanding she was comforted when she vnderstood that her eldest sonne was to succeed him in the kingdome and hasted her selfe with all diligence to go and meet him As soone as she arriued in Adiabena she liued not long time after her son Izates Whereupon Monobazus tooke both her body and his brothers bones and sent them to Ierusalem commanding that they should be buried in three Pyramides which Helena had builded some three stades or furlongs off of Ierusalem But hereafter will we recite the acts and gests of Monobazus during his raigne But during Fadus gouernment in Iudaea a certaine Magician called Theudas who perswaded a great number of the people to take all their goods and substance and to follow him to the floud lordan for he said he was a prophet and told them that the riuer should deuide it selfe into two parts vpon his commandement and yeeld them free passage By these words of his he deceiued diuers of them But Fadus would not permit that such a furie of theirs should breede them any commoditie but he sent a troupe of horsemen who charged them on the sodaine and slew a great number of them and tooke diuers of them prisoners aliue amongst whom was Theudas whose head was stroken off and was afterwards carried to Ierusalem This is that which befell the Iewes vnder Fadus gouernment CHAP. III. The Gouernour Tiberius Alexander punisheth the sonnes of Iudas the Galilean AFter Fadus succeeded Tiberius Alexander the sonne of that Alexander who had been gouernour of Alexandria a man of as great riches as any one of his time and place who surpassed likewise his sonne Alexander in pietie and seruice of God who forsooke the religion of his forefathers In that time there hapned a great famine in Iewrie during which Q. Helena senthuge sums of money into Aegypt and bought come and distributed the same to those that were in want according as I haue forespoken At the same time Iames and Simon the sons of Iudas of Galilee who had busied themselues to incite the people to resist the gouernment of the Romanes were put to death at such time as Cyrenius valued each mans goods as we haue heretofore declared These did Alexander commaund to be crucified Herode king of Chalcis tooke away the soueraigne priesthood from Ioseph the sonne of Camydas and transferred it to Ananias the sonne of Nebedaeus After Tiberius Alexander succeeded Cumanus Then died Herod who was brother to king Agrippa the Great in the eighth yeere of Claudius Caesar. He left behinde him three sonnes Aristobulus whom he had by his first wife Bernicianus and Hircanus by Bernice his brothers daughter Claudius Caesar gaue the kingdome belonging to him to Agrippa the younger During the time that Cumanus gouerned there hapned a sedition in Iudaea whereby diuers Iewes miscarried The cause of all which accidents I will rippevp from the originall CHAP. IIII. How a great number of Iewes were slaine about the Temple AT the time of the feast of Pascha during which time we are accustomed to feede on vnleuened bread a great number of people assembled themselues from all parts to the citie of Ierusalem Whereupon Cumanus fearing least by this occasion there should arise some commotion he gaue order that a company of his souldiers should be armed and should keepe their guard in the porches of the temple to the end that if any trouble should happen they might represse it Those gouernours who had beene his predecessors had done the like in such manner of assemblies It came to passe on the fourth day of the feast that a certaine souldier discouering those priuities which were vndecent to be seene shewed them before the people wherewhith they that beheld the same were sore displeased and prouoked saying that the dishonour was not done vnto them but to God to whom it rightly appertained And some of them of best resolution cast out certaine speeches against Cumanus saying that the souldier was set on by him Which when Cumanus vnderstood he was in like manner grieuously offended in regard of those iniuries yet exhorted he those whom he saw too forward in raising factions to keepe the peace for feare least a sedition should grow during the time of the feast and seeing they would in no sort obey him but contrariwise that they ceased not to iniurie and reuile him he commaunded that all the forces he had should be in armes and retire themselues into the fortresse of Antonia that was neere vnto the temple as we haue heretofore declared The people seeing the armed souldiers were affraid and began to flie but because the places thorow which they issued were but narrow they imagined that they were pursued by their einmies so that they thrust on one another in their flight diuers of them were thronged to death In this mutiny there died twentie thousand men and after this in steed of a feast there was nothing but mourning and without bethinking themselues of their praiers and sacrifices all of them began to weepe and lament So great a mischiefe sprang from the insolence of one souldiour This first lamentation was scarcely finished before a second succeeded the same For some of those who had a part in this mutinie
committed against the Iewes if Nero had not pardoned him vpon his brother Pallas submission and intreaty who importuned him and was at that time in great reputation with him Furthermore two of the chiefest amongst the Syrians that wrought Berillus who had sometimes beene Neros Master and at that time was secretarie of estate in the Greeke tongue by mightie bribes to begge at Neros hand the reuocation of the right and title which the Iewes enioyed in the gouernment and administration of the common weale For which cause Berillus sollicited the Emperour and obtained a letter at his hands which was the cause of those mischiefes that afterwards hapned in our nation For the Iewes of Caesarea vnderstanding what commission the Syrians had gotten were so much the more kindled and encouraged to make warre As soone therefore as Festus was arriued in Iudaea he found the countrey grieuously afflicted with robberies and the lower countrey was spoyled by sword and fire The theeues likewise at that time encreased wondrously they vsed short swords after the manner of a Persian Cymetre and crooked like the Roman faulchion with which they slew diuers men For thrusting themselues into the presse of people that came in great multitudes on the festiuall daies to celebrate Gods seruice they killed those verie easily whom they listed and oftentimes repairing to their enemies villages they spoiled and burnt the same But Festus sent diuers forces both of horse and foote against certaine Iewes that were seduced by an enchanter who had promised them security and repose from all their troubles and molestations if so be they would followe him into the desart who slew both the deceiuer and the deceiued that followed him At that time king Agrippa erected a stately building within the pallace at Ierusalem neere vnto the porch This pallace in times past appertained to the Asmoneans was scituate in a high place with a goodly prospect from whence they that listed might with pleasure behold the whole citie of Ierusalem wherein the king tooke great delight and beheld from thence that which was done in the temple The chiefest men of Ierusalem seeing this building were sore displeased For neither doth our custome or law permit that any one should looke on that which is done in the temple and especially forbiddeth that no man should behold the sacrifices and oblations They therefore builded a high wall vpon the gallerie which was within the temple on the West side which did not onely damme vp the sight of the royall chamber but also that of the gallery without the temple on the West side where the Romanes kept guard neere vnto the temple on the festiuall daies Herewith was King Agrippa sore displeased and the gouernour Festus farre more then hee who commaunded them to pull downe the wall But they besought him that he vvould giue them licence to send their Embassadours to Nero to this intent alleaging that it was impossible for them to liue if any part of their temple should be beaten downe Which being graunted them they sent tenne of their chiefest nobilitie and with them Ismael the high priest and Chelcias the Treasurer of the temple vnto Nero who no sooner heard their suit but he pardoned them not onely for that they had done but hee commanded that the building should remaine as it was All which hee did in fauour of his wife Poppea who was intreated by the Iewes for that she was a deuout Princesse to sue for them She therefore commaunded the tenne Embassadours to returne and kept Chelcias and Ismael for pledges vvith her The king vnderstanding how all things had past gaue the high priesthood to Ioseph surnamed Cabi vvhich was the sonne of Simon who in times past had beene high Priest CHAP. VIII The gouernment of Albinus CAesar being aduertized of Festus death sent Albinus to gouerne Iudaea But king Agrippa commaunding Ioseph to lead a priuate life and aduanced in his steed a certaine man called Ananus the sonne of Ananus who is reported to haue beene most happie For he had fiue sonnes al which supplied the place of the high priest after himselfe had long time before them enioyed the roome The like whereof hath neuer hapned to any of our high Priests The younger Ananus who as we said was aduanced to this place was a rash and headstrong man that followed the sect of the Sadduces who as we haue alreadie declared were amongst all other the Iewes the most seuere in executing Iustice whereas therefore Ananus was of this disposition he thought that he had a fit occasion offered him to do what him listed after Festus death and during the time that Albinus was as yet vpon his way He therefore ascended and sate down in the tribunal assisted by the Iudges and caused Iames the brother of Iesus who was called Christ to appeare before him with certaine others and accused them for transgressing the law and blasphemy against God and caused them to be stoned to death They that were men of vpright conscience within the citie and diligent obseruers of the law vvere verie much displeased with this act and sent secretly vnto the king beseeching him to prohibite Ananus that hereafter he should commit no such like offence for that his first action was not allowable Some of them also went to meet Albinus being on his vvay from Alexandria to enforme him that it was not lawful for Ananus to assemble the councel without his licence Albinus perswaded by these words wrote a cholericke letter to Ananus wherein he threatned to punish him And for the same cause king Agrippa dispossessed him of the Priesthood after he had held the same for the space of three moneths and in his steed he established Iesus the sonne of Damneus After that Albinus was arriued in Ierusalem he employed all his care and studie to pacifie the countrey by executing diuers of the theeues But the high priest Ananias daily increased in honour and credit and purchased the good will of the citizens by his liberalitie and great gifts But he had certaine mischieuous seruants about him who conuersed with those that were most intemperate and audacious who repairing from graunge to graunge tooke vp many tenths that belonged to the Priests and beat those that reâ—…used to tender them The priests vsed no lesse force then did their seruants hauing no man that might restraine them whereby it came to passe that the piests who were before time maintained by the tenths died at that time for want of victuals And the theeues renewing their entrance into the citie by night during the feast that was celebrated at that time tooke the secretarie of captaine Eleazar aliue who vvas Ananias sonne who was the high And hauing bound him led him out of the citie sending Ananias word that they would deliuer his secretarie if he would labour so much with Albinus as to deliuer them their tenne companions then prisoners who
ruler he died leauing his eldest sonne who was called Iudas to succeed him in the gouernment Who fearing least Antiochus would stil continue warres against him gathered togither an armie of his countrimen and was the first amongst the Iewes that made a league with the Romans and droue backe Antiochus Epiphanes at such time as he enforced himselfe once more to inuade the borders of Iudaea repulsing him with a great ouerthrow And whereas the remembrance of this victorie was yet fresh in mens minds and memory he assaulted the garrison of the citie For as yet they were not destroyed in which conflict he forced them to forsake the highest part thereof which is called holy and to betake themselues into the lower part and hauing obtained the temple he made euery place cleane and compassed it with a wall and made new vessels for the seruice of the temple and planted them therein because those that had beene before time consecrated there were prophaned Hee builded likewise an other Altar and began to renue the accustomed sacrifice and obserue the rites of religion Scarcely was the citie brought to the former estate but Antiochus died who left a sonne and heire behind him who was not onely inheritor of his kingdome but also of his hatred against the Iewes who hauing gathered togither fiftie thousand footmen and almost fiue thousand horsemen and fourescore Elephants entred by the mountaines of Iudaea and tooke a towne named Bethsara neere which Iudas met him in a place called Bethzacharie where the passage was something streight and before the armies ioyned battell Eleazar Iudas brother seeing one Elephant higher then the rest bearing a great tower on his backe and adorned with golden furniture thinking Antiochus had beene there ranne from his company and breaking the rankes of the enemies came vnto the Elephant but he could not reach him whom he deemed to be the king he was so highly mounted for which cause wounding the Elephant in the belly the Elephant fell vpon him and pressed him to death which act of his had no other successe but this that by attempting so great a matter he gaue manifest testimonie that he preferred his renowne before his life Now he that gouerned the Elephant was but a priuate person and although by happe Antiochus had beene there Eleazar had atchieued nothing else in this his valiant attempt but yet he aduentured his life vnder hope to performe some valiant exploit And this act of his was a presage vnto his brother of the euent of the whole warre that ensued For the Iewes fought stoutly and a long time but yet Antiochus armie being both more in number and more prosperous obtained the vicâ—…rie so Iudas therefore after the losse of many of his companie fled vnto the Gophonites with those of his side who escaped And Antiochus went to Ierusalem from whence after some stay he departed for want of necessaries leauing a sufficient garrison as for the rest of his armie he led them for the winter time into Syria Yet notwithstanding the kings departure Iudas rested not but encouraged by many of his nation who daily came vnto him and gathering also togither those who escaped out of the former battell at a village named Adaâ—…a he fought with Antiochus captaines where after much and many approbations of his valour in assaulting and slaughtering a great number of his enemies he himselfe at length was slaine and within a few daies after his brother Iohâ—… also was slaine and betrayed by their trecheries who fauoured Antiochus CHAP. II. Of the succession of Princes from Ionathas vntill Aristobulus AFter him succeeded his brother Ionathas who carefully studied for the peace and securitie of his people and fortified himselfe by the friendship of the Romans and was reconciled to Antiochus his sonne yet did none of all these things profit him or acquit him from danger For the tyrant Tryphon who was tutour to Antiochus laying wait for him and seeking to spoile him of his friends took Ionathas at such time as he came with a small company to Antiochus who was at Ptolemais and binding him lead an army against Iudaea from whence being repulsed by Simon Ionathas brother and ouercome by him in displeasure and reuenge thereof he slue Ionathas But Simon valiantly bestirring himselfe in the gouernment and guide of the affaires of the common-wealth tooke Zara Ioppe and Iamnia which were bordering townes and ouercomming the garrison at Accaron he destroyed the citie and assisted Antiochus against Tryphon who besieged Dora before that expedition which he made against the Medes Yet would not the greedie mind of the king be satisfied notwithstanding that Simon had thus faithfully serued and assisted him in the death of Tryphon but that within short time after he sent vnto Cendebeus who was the generall of the army commaunding him to sacke and spoile Iudaea and to take Simon and make him a slaue But Simon though aged in yeeres fought both youthfully and valiantly and sent his sonnes with the most resolute men he had before against Antiochus and himselfe with the residue of his army assaulted another quarter of their enemies campe and hauing laid many ambushes euen in the mountaines he in euery place was victorious and after this his most famous victorie he was proclaimed high priest and deliuered the Iewes from the gouernment of the Macedonians vnder which they had beene 270. yeeres Finally by the trecherie of Ptolemaeus his son in law he was murthered at a banquet who imprisoning his wife and two sonnes sent certaine men to kill the third sonne whose name was Iohn otherwise called Hircanus But the yong man vnderstanding the successe of his fathers voiage hasted vnto the citie accompanied with a great multitude for he greatly hoped that the people would remember his fathers prowes especially because Ptolemaeus iniquitie was hated of all men Ptolemaeus also hasted to enter the citie at another gate but he was speedily repulsed by the people who had alreadie receiued Hircanus For which cause he presently retired himselfe into a Castle named Dagon scituate beyond Iericho After that Hircanus had obtained the office of the high Priest which was left him by his father and had offered sacrifices vnto God he led forth his forces with all speed against Ptolemaeus hoping to helpe and deliuer his mother and brethren that were detained prisoners with him and assaulting the Castle notwithstanding that in all other things he had the better hand yet was he ouercome by iust griefe and compassion For at such time and so often as Ptolemaeus perceiued himselfe to be in daunger he brought Hircanus mother and brethren vpon the walles and beat them where he might behold them in their torments threatning to cast them downe from the wal except Hircanus would presently depart For which cause Hircanus was more moued with compassion and feare then with anger wrath But his mother being no waies dismaid with stripes which she indured
he was instructed But Herod who was alwaies woont to mistrust the perfidious practises of barbarous nations being certaine that those letters which discouered the treasons were fallen into the enemies hands would not go foorth though Pacorus pretended a iust cause inciting him to ride out and meete them that brought the letters wherein was contained neither the taking of Phasaelus nor the treasons but onely what Phasaelus had done But long before this Herod by others vnderstood that his brother Phasaelus was taken and Mariamme a very wise woman Hyrcanus daughter with many entreaties perswaded Herod not to go forth but that he should beware how he trusted himselfe to the mercie of that barbarous people who did now as it were openly assault him Whilest Pacorus was consulting with his accomplices how he might priuily effect his treasons seeing it was not possible openly to circumuent a man of so great wisdome Herod in the night time whilest his enemies neither knew nor suspected his intent tooke his neerest kinsfolke and fled into Idumaea which being once knowne the Parthians followed him For which cause he made his mother his brethren and the young maiden despoused and her mother and youngest brother to keepe on their iourney and he with his seruants warily assaulted the Parthians and hauing in euerie assault killed a great number of them he hasted towards the Castle of Massada and in his retreat sustained more harme by the Iewes then by the Parthians who as they had been alwaies troublesome so now some threescore furlongs from the towne set vpon him where Herod obtaining the victorie killed a great many of them and in remembrance of that valiant act he builded vpon that place a most rich pallace for the king and erected there a most strong tower which by his owne name he called Herodium And when he fled many ioyned vvith him but vvhen he came to Thresa a towne of Idumaea his brother Ioseph met him and perswaded him to lessen the number of his followers for Massada vvould not receiue such a multitude for the number of the multitude vvas aboue nine thousand for vvhich cause Herode according to his counsell dismissed those that were vnfit for his turne and sent them into Idumaea giuing them necessaries for their iourney As for those that were chosen men and fit for his purpose he retained them with him and so was he receiued into the Castle vvhere leauing eight hundreth souldiers to defend the women and prouision sufficient for those that were within he himselfe vvent vnto Petra a Citie of Arabia Now the Parthians at Ierusalem began to sacke the houses of them that were fled and the kings pallace they onely abstained from Hyrcanus money which did amount to more then three hundreth talents as for other mens goods they found not so much as they expected for Herod long before that time suspecting the infidelitie of the Parthians had carried all his riches and iewels into Idumaea and euerie one of his followers did the like When the Parthians had taken the spoile they were so impious that they left no place of the whole countrey free from their tyrannous warre They destroied the Citie Marsa also and bound Phasaelus and Hyrcanus and deliuered them to Antigonus to be scourged who presently with his teeth bit off Hyrcanus eares to the end that if by some alteration he chanced hereafter to get loose he might be no more high priest for none might offer sacrifice that wanted any member of his body But Phasaelus his fortitude preuented the cruelty of Antigonus who hauing neither weapon nor his hands at libertie beat out his owne braines against a stone and died demonstrating himselfe by that act to be the true brother of Herode and that Hyrcanus had degenerated he died manfully by a woorthy death and answerable to so famous a life Yet some reported that he recouered after that hurt and that Antigonus sent a Chirurgion vnder pretence to cure the wound who filled the lame with venemous medicines and so killed him Well be it as it was it was in him a gallant resolution It is reported likewise that vnderstanding before his death by the meanes of a certaine woman that Herode was escaped he spake these words Now I shal die with a courage who leaue behinde me one that will take vengeance of my enemies and so he died Although the Parthians had not yet receiued the women which was the chiefe thing they looked for yet leauing them they established Antigonus in Ierusalem and lead Hyrcanus prisoner into Parthia But Herode with all speede hasted into Arabia as if his brother had beene yet aliue to the intent he might borrow money of the king of Arabia wherewith onely he hoped that the crueltie of those barbarous Parthians might be mitigated towards Phasaelus for his opinion was that although the Arabians had now forgotten his fathers friendship and were hard harted yet at least he would lend him money seeing it was to redeeme his brother whose sonne he meant to leaue in pawne for it For Herode tooke with him a sonne of his brothers into Arabia that was seuen yeeres olde and purposed to haue giuen three hundreth talents for his raunsome and had made the Tyrians intercessors for him to the Parthians but fortune preuented his endeuours so that his loue and care for his brother preuailed nothing He found also that the Arabians had now cast away the league of amitie for Malichus their king sent to him as he was yet in the way charging him with all speede to depart out of his dominions framing an excuse that the Parthians had sent Embassadours vnto him to request him to driue him out of his countrey but indeede the cause was that he would not repay that which Antipater had deserued nor recompence his sonnes now comfortlesse for those good turnes that he had receiued at their fathers hands and those who counselled him to this were such as offered to forsweare those summes which Antipater had put them in trust with who were the chiefest men about him For which cause Herod perceiuing the Arabians to be his foes for that which he thought would haue procured him friendship answered the messenger according as griefe mooued him and tooke his iourney towards Aegypt and the first night he lodged in a countrey temple to the intent that those of his companie that were behinde him might ouertake him The next day comming to Rhinocolura his brothers death was tolde him where after he had there mourned his fill he went forward Now the king of Arabia though too late repented himselfe of that which he had done to Herod and sent speedy messengers after him to will him to returne repenting himselfe that hee had so iniuriously entreated him When Herod was come to Pelusium the watchmen of the Citie would not permit him to passe for which cause he himselfe in person went to the gouernors who reuerencing the fame
but after he had made him high Priest in the seuenteenth yeere of his age he presently put him to death after he had so honoured him who when he came to the Altar clothed in sacred attire vpon a festiuall day all the people wept and the same night was he sent to Iericho and drowned in a lake by the Galatheans who had receiued commission to performe the murther These things did Mariamme daily cast in Herodes teeth and vpbraided both his mother and sister with verie sharpe and reprochfull words yet he so loued her that notwithstanding all this he held his peace But the women were set on fire and that they might the rather moue Herode against her they accused her of adulterie and of many other things which bare a shew of truth obiecting against her that she had sent her portraicture into Aegypt vnto Antonius and that through immoderate lust she did what she could to make her selfe knowen vnto him who doted vpon womens loue and was of sufficient power to do what wrong he pleased Hereat Herode was sore moued especially for that he was iealous of her whom he loued bethinking himselfe vpon the crueltie of Cleopatra for vvhose sake king Lysanias and Malichus king of Arabia were put to death and now he measured not the daunger by the losse of his wife but by his owne death which he feared For which cause being drawen by his affaires into the countrey he gaue secret commaundement vnto Ioseph his sister Salomes husband whom he knew to be trustie and one who for affinitie was his well-willer to kill his wife Mariamme if so be Antonius should haue killed him But Ioseph not maliciously but simply to shew her how greatly the king loued her disclosed that secret vnto her and she when Herode was returned and amongst other talke with many oaths sware that he neuer loued woman but her indeed quoth she it may well be knowne how greatly you loue me by the commaundement you gaue to Ioseph whom you charged to kill me Herode hearing this which he thought to be secret was like a mad man and presently perswaded himselfe that Ioseph would neuer haue disclosed that commaundement of his except he had abused her so that hereupon he became furious and leaping out of his bed he walked vp and downe the pallace vvhereupon his sister Salome hauing fit opportunitie confirmed his suspition of Ioseph For which cause Herode growing now raging mad with Iealousie commanded both of them to be killed Which done his wrath was seconded by repentance and after his anger ceased the affection of loue was presently renewed yea so great was the power of his affection that he would not beleeue she was dead but spake vnto her as though she were aliue vntill in processe of time being assertained of her funerall he equalled the affection he bare her during her life by the vehemencie of his passion for her death Mariammes sonnes succeeded their mother in her wrath and recogitating what an impious act it was they accounted their father as a mortall enemie both before and after they went to studie at Rome and especially after they came againe into Iudaea For as they encreased in yeeres so did the violence of their mind encrease And they being now mariageable one of them maried the daughter of their aunt Salome who accused their mother the other maried the daughter of Archelaus king of Cappadocia And now to their hatred was there ioyned a libertie to speake more freely against them and by this occasion of their boldnes many were animated to calumniate them so that some did openly tell the king that both his sonnes sought to worke treason against him and that the one of them prepared an army to helpe the other to reuenge the death of their mother and that the other to wit he that was sonne in law to Archelaus purposed to flie and accuse Herode before Caesar. Herode giuing eare vnto those calumniations sent for Antipater whom he had by Doris to the end he might defend him against his two sons and sought to aduance him aboue them But they thought this alteration intolerable seeing one whose mother was but a priuate woman so preferred and they moued with their owne noblenes of birth could not containe their indignation but vpon euerie occasion shewed themselues offended yet were they euery day lesse accounted of As for Antipater he wrought himselfe into fauour for he knew how to flatter his father and raised many slaunders vpon his two brethren partly inuented by himselfe partly diuulgated by some of his fauorites whom he set a worke about that matter till that at last he put his brethren out of all hope of hauing the kingdome For he was now by the kings Will and Testament declared king so that he was sent as a King vnto Caesar in a kingly habit and pompe only he wore no Crowne and in time he so preuailed that he wrought his mother into Mariammes steed and with flatteries and calumniation so moued the king that he began to deliberate about the putting to death of his sonnes For which cause he conducted his sonne Alexander with him to Rome and accused him before Caesar that he had giuen him poyson But he with much adoe hauing obtained libertie to plead his owne cause and that before an vnskilfull Iudge yet more wise then Herode or Antipater he modestly held his peace in all things that his father had offended in and first of all he purged his brother from daunger of that crime and taking the vvhole matter vpon himself he in verie good sort acquited himselfe therof And afterwards he inueighed against Antipaters subtiltie complained of those iniuries which had been offered him hauing besides the equitie of his cause sufficient eloquence to acquit himselfe for he was a vehement orator and knew wel how to perswade Last of al he obiected that his father hauing a desire to put both him and his brother to death had laid an accusation vpon him where at the whole audience wept and Caesar was so moued that not regarding the accusations that were laid vnto them he presently made Herode and them friends vpon these conditions that they in all things should be obedient vnto their father and that their father should leaue the kingdome to whom he pleased Hereupon Herode returned from Rome and though he seemed to haue forgiuen his sonnes yet laid he not his iealousie and suspition aside For Antipater stil vrged his argument to make Herod hate his other two sonnes though for feare of him that reconciled them he durst not openly shew himselfe an enemie vnto them Afterward Herode sailed by Cilicia and arriued at Elaeusa where Archelaus receiued him verie courteously thanking him for the safetie of his sonne in law and verie ioyfull for that they were made friends for he wrote vnto his friends at Rome with all speede possible that they should be
many good things and eternall blisse The king hereat greatly moued with anger ouercame his disease and vvent forth and made a speech to the people vvherein he inueighed against them as Church-robbers and that vnder pretence and colour of their country lawes and religion they attempted great matters and adiudged them as impious people worthie of death The people fearing that he would torture many to learne who fauoure that act requested him that first the authors of that crime then those that were found guilty therein should receiue punishment that he would remit the offence to all the people besides The king with much ado entreated caused the yong men that let themselues down in cords and the Sophisters to be burned the rest which were taken in that act to be beheaded After this the kings sicknesse spred ouer his whole bodie and he vvas afflicted with most grieuous paine for he had a vehement ague and an itch ouer all his whole bodie which was intolerable and a daily colicke and his feete were swollen as though he had the dropsie his belly was swollen and priuie members putrified so that vvormes bred in the putrified places He was also short winded and he vvas grieuously tormented with difficultie of breath and a conuulsion of the whole body so that some said that this was a punishment laid vpon him for the death of the two Sophisters Herod notwithstanding he was afflicted with so many grieuous sicknesses yet was he desirous to liue and sought remedie whereby he hoped for health At last he passed ouer Iordan where he vsed the vvarme vvaters of Calliroe which runne into the lake of Asphaltites and are so sweet that men vse to drinke of them There the Physitions caused his bodie to be bathed in hot oyle and it was therewith so dissolued that his sight failed and he was as though he were dead whereaâ—… those that were about him being troubled with their cries caused him to looke vp now despairing of life he willed fiftie Drachmes to be distributed vnto euery souldier and great summes of money to the captains and his friends As he returned when he came to Iericho he was in verie great likelihood to die of melancholie and there he deuised a wicked fact for he caused the chiefe men of euerie towne and village in all Iudaea to be assembled together and then he shut them vp in a place called the Hippodrome and calling vnto him Salome his sister and Alexas her husband I know quoth he that the Iewes will make feasts for ioy of my death yet if you will do my command I shall be mourned for and I shal haue a princely funeral Therefore so soone as I haue giuen vp the ghost cause souldiours to compasse these men whom I haue here in hold and kill them all for so all Iudaea and euerie houshold thereof shall against their will bewaile my death As thus he commanded this to be done the Legates came which he had sent to Rome bringing him letters wherein was shewed how Acmes Iulia her maid was by Caesars command put to death and Antipater condemned to die yet Caesar writ that if his father had rather banish him he would condiscend thereunto also Herod with this newes was something refleshed yet presently with paine he was ouercome for he both was troubled with a vehement cough and almost pined with fasting to that he thought to hasten his owne death and taking no apple in his hand he called for a knife for hee was accustomed to cut the meat which he did eare and then looking about him least any standing by might hinder him he lifted vp his arme to strike himselfe But Achiabus his cousin raâ—… hastily vnto him and stayed his hand and presently there was made great lamentation throughout the kings pallace as though the king had beene dead Antipater hauing speedy newes hereof was glad and tooke courage and promised the keepers a peece of money to let him go But the chiefest of them did not only denie to do it but also went presently to the king and told him all what Antipater requested Herod hearing this lifted vp his voice with more strength then was meete for a sicke man and commaunded his guard to go and kill Antipater and burie him in the Castle called Hyrcanium And then againe he altered his testament and writ Archelaus his eldest sonne who was brother to Antipas for king and appointed Antipas for Tetrarch Fiue dayes after the death of his sonne Antipater Herod died â—…hauing reigned thirtie and foure yeares after he slew Antigonus and thirtie seuen yeares after that the Romans had declared him king And in all other things he was as fortunate as any man for he being but a priuate person got the crowne and kept it and left it vnto his posteritie but in his houshold affaires hee was most infortunate Salome before it was knowne that the king was dead went forth with her husband and released all those that were in hold whom the king commanded to be slaine saying that the kings mind was now altered and therefore he gaue them all licence to depart and after their departure the kings death was made known to the souldiers who together with the other multitude were assembled in the Amphitheater at Iericho Where Ptolemaeus keeper of the kings seale made a speech vnto them and began to say that Herod was now happie and comforted the multitude and so he read vnto them a letter which the king left wherein he earnestly requested the souldiers to fauour and loue his successour After the Epistle read he recited the kings testament wherein Philip was appointed heire of Trachon the places therunto adioyning Antipas designed Tetrarch and Archelaus king Him also he commanded to beare his ring vnto Caesar and withall notice and intelligence of the estate of the kingdome whereof he had beene gouernor fast sealed in writing for he appointed Caesar to be ouerseer of all his ordinances vnto whose pleasure he left the performance of his testament This was no sooner reade but presently the skies were filled with the voyces and cries of the people who did congratulate Archelaus and the souldiers and the people came in companies vnto him promising their fauor and furtherance and desired God alwayes to assist him This done euerie one was busied about the kings funerals where Archelaus spared no cost but buried the King with all royall pompe possible The Beere wheron he was carried was adorned with gold and precious stones vpon it lay a bed wrought with purple whereupon was laid the dead corps of the King couered also with purple with a crowne on his head and a diademe of pure gold and a scepter in his right hand About the Beere were his sonnes and kinsfolke and the guard bands of Thracians Germans and Gauls all went before in order as though they had gone to warres The rest of the
4 How certaine townes were taken and the description of Iericho 5 Of the lake called Asphaltites 6 How Gerasa was destroied and of the death of Nero and of Galba and Otho 7 Of Simon of Gerasa Prince of a new conspiracie 8 Of Galba Otho Vitellius and Vespasian 9 Of Simons actes against the Zelous 10 How Vespasian was chosen Emperour 11 The description of Aegypt and Pharus 12 How Vespasian redeemed Ioseph from captiuitie 13 Of Vitellius his death and manners 14 How Titus was sent against the Iewes by his father CHAP. I. Of another massacre and of the returne of the Idumaeans and the crueltie of the Zelous SVCH was the end of Ananus and Iesus After whose death the Idumaeans and the Zelous massacred the people as though they had beene a flocke of pernicious beasts and euerie one was slaine wheresoeuer he was found and taking the nobilitie and younger sort of men they kept them bound in prison hoping that by deferring their deaths some of them would become partakers with them Yet none was thereby mooued but euerie one desired to die rather then impiously to conspire against their owne countrey yet were they most cruelly whipped before they were put to death their whole body being all as it were one sore place by whipping and stripes and so when they could not indure these torments any longer then were they killed And who so was taken on the day time was in the night carried to prison and those that died in prison and torments they then cast their dead bodies out that they might haue place to imprison others in their roome And the people were so terrified that none durst weepe openly for his friend nor burie the dead body of his kinsman yea those that were in prison durst not openly weepe but secretly looking about them least any of their enemies should espie them For whosoeuer mourned for any that was afflicted was presently himselfe vsed in the same manner as he had been for whom he lamented somtime some in the night scraped vp a little earth with their hands and therewithall couered the dead body of their friend and some bolder then the rest did the like in the day time And in this generall slaughter were twelue thousand young noblemen slaine by this means and thus being hated for these massacres they mocked and flouted the magistrates and made no account of their iudgments So that when they determined to put one Zacharie the sonne of Baruch to death a noble man one of the chiefe of the citie for they perceiued that he was an enemy to their wickednes and loued the vertuous and one that was rich by whose death they hoped not onely to haue the spoile of his goods but also to be rid of such a one who might be able to resist their bad purposes they called seuentie of the best amongst the common people togither as it were in iudgment yet they hauing no authoritie and before them they accused Zacharie that he had betraied the common wealth vnto the Romans and that for that intâ—… he had sent vnto Vespasian but neither shewed any euidence nor proofe thereof but onely they affirmed it to be so and therefore would haue credit giuen vnto their words When Zacharie perceiued that vnder pretence of being called into iudgement he was deceitfully brought into prison and hauing no hope of life yet he spared not to speake liberally his minde but began to scorne the rage and pretence of his enemies and purged himselfe of the crimes whereof he was accused and conuerting his speech against his accusers he laid open all their iniquities and much lamented the miseries and troubles of the Citie In the meane while the Zelous gnashed their teeth and could scarcely containe themselues from drawing their swords and were desrious that their pretended accusation and iudgement might be ended He also requested them who by these miscreants were appointed his iudges to remember iustice notwithstanding those dangerous times These seuentie iudges all pronounced that he was to be absolued and freed as vnguiltie and rather chose to die then to cause his death who was innocent This sentence being pronounced the Zelous began to shoute and crie with a loud voice and they all were angry at the iudges who did not vnderstand to what end that counterfeit authoritie was giuen them Then two of the boldest amongst them set vpon Zacharie and killed him in the middest of the temple and mocked him saying thou hast now our sentence and absolution farre more certaine then the other was and presently they cast him downe from the temple into the valley vnderneath and then contumeliously with the hilts of their swords they did beat the Iudges out of the temple yet they did not kill them to the ende that being dispersed through the whole citie they might tell the people as messengers from them of their miserable captiuitie The Idumaeans were now sorrowfull for their comming for they misliked these proceedings who being assembled altogither one of the Zelous secretly told them all that their faction had done from their beginning and that the Idumaeans had taken armes because they were enformed how that the Metropolitane citie was by the priests betraied vnto the Romans but as they might perceiue there was no proofe nor signe of any such matter and that in deede the Zelous who pretended themselues conseruers of the citie were meere enemies and exercised tyrannie ouer the Citizens euen from their beginning And although they had associated themselues with such wicked persons and made themselues partakers of such and so many murthers yet thought now to cease from such wickednes not assist men so impious to destroie their countrie lawes and religion For although they tooke it in bad part that the citie gates were shut vpon them yet now they were sufficiently reuenged of those that were the cause thereof Now was Ananus himselfe slaine and almost all the people in one night whereof many of them ere long would repent and that they might now themselues perceiue the crueltie of them who requested their aide to be more then barbarous so that they blusht not to commit their villanies openlie in the sight of them who had saued their liues and their misdemeanour and impietie would be imputed vnto the Idumaeans because they neither hindred their mischieuous practises nor sorsooke their societie And that therefore it was their parts seeing that it was now euident that the report of treason was onely calumniation and that no assault by the Romans was to be feared likewise that an inuincible force was established against the citie for to depart home and by forsaking the societie of the impious acquite themselues of their impietie as being by them deceiued and so against their wils made partakers thereof The Idumaeans were hereby perswaded and first of all they loosed them that were in prison in number two thousand of the vulgar sort
woman nor more merciful thē a mother If religion make you refuse this my sacrifice I haue already eaten of it and will eate the rest Then the seditious departed hereat onely trembling and scarcely permitting this meate to the mother Presently the report of this hainous crime was bruted all about the Citie and euerie man hauing before his eyes this excecrable fact trembled as though himselfe had done it And now all that were vexed with this famine hastned their owne deathes and he was accounted happie that died before he felt this famine This vnnatural fact was soone after recounted vnto the Romanes and some of them would not beleeue it others pitied them within the Citie and many hereat encreased their hatred towards that nation Caesar before Almightie God protested that hee was not the cause of this hauing offered the Iewes peace free pardon forgiuenesse for all their offences past and that they did rather make choyce of warre then peace of sedition then quietnesse of famine rather then vvealth and plentie hauing with their owne hands begunne to set on fire the temple vvhich he had preserued for them and that therefore such like meate vvas fit for them and that hee vvould burie this abhominable crime of eating their owne children in the ruines of their countrey and that he would not in any part of the world suffer the sunne to shine vpon such a Citie wherein mothers did eate their owne children and that such food did more beseeme fathers then mothers who for all their miseries would not yet cease from armes Hauing thus spoken he considered the desperation of the enemies and that they would not recall themselues who had already endured all such calamities which might if it had been possible haue altred their opinions rather then haue endured them CHAP. IX How the wall was taken and the temple burnt THe eight day of August two of the Roman legions hauing finished their mounts they began to place their rammes against the East galleries without the temple hauing six daies togither without intermission already beaten the wall with their strongest rams and nothing preuailed the stones being so strong that the rams could not mooue them others of the Romans laboured to dig vp the foundations of the porch that was on the North side and after much toile they only could pul away the outward stones the inner stones did stil support the porch At last the Romans seeing themselues not preuaile by their iauelines and other instruments they set ladders to ascend into the galleries The Iewes did not greatly labour to hinder them from getting vp but when they were within the galleries then they came and fought with them and cast some of them downe headlong forcing them to retire others they slew that stood to it and others that were vpon the ladders going downe before they could defend themselues with their shields were with swords strooken downe and they also thrust downe some ladders full of armed men So that there was a great massacre of the Romans some fighting for their ensignes which the Iewes had taken from them esteeming the losse thereof a great shame vnto them At last the Iewes got their auncients and slew them that came vp to rescue them and the rest terrified with their deaths that were slaine went downe againe and no one of the Romans died who before he was slaine did not some valiant act and those seditious people that in the former battels did shew themselues valiant did now also fight valiantly and beside them Eleazar sonne vnto the tyrant the brother of Simon Then Titus perceiuing that he spared the temple of the Iewes to his losse and to the death of his souldiers he commanded fire to be put vnto the temple gates presently Ananus of Emaus the most cruell of all Simons followers and Archelaus the sonne of Magadatus fled vnto Titus who for their cruelties committed determined to put them to death yet they hoped for pardon for that they had now forsaken the Iewes when they had gotten the better hand But Titus affirmed they came not of goodwill but for necessitie and that they did not deserue to liue forsaking their countrey now set on fire for their offences yet his promise bridled his wrath and he dismissed them but they were not so much esteemed as the rest The Roman souldiers did now put fire vnto the temple doores and the siluer plates wherewith they were couered being molten the flame quickly fiered the wood and encreasing tooke hold presently on the next porch The Iewes seeing themselues inuironed with flames were now altogither discouraged and their strength failed them and being amazed no man sought to extinguish the flame and so they stood still beholding the fire yet not lamenting that which was set on fire more then desiring to saue the rest and so that day and all the next night the fire encreased for the porches were burnt by little and little and not all at once The next day Titus caused part of his army to quench the fire and calling vnto him his captaines and six that were the chiefest amongst them to wit Tiberias Alexander Generall of the whole army Sextus Cerealis commander of the fift legion Largius Lepidus of the tenth Titus Frigius of the fifteenth with whom was also Aeternius Fronto commander of the two legions that came from Alexandria and Marcus Antonius Iulianus Gouernour of Iudaea and with them the colonels and captaines he deliberated with them what was to be done concerning the temple Some councelled to vse the custome of warres for that the Iewes would neuer liue peaceably their temple standing all their nation wheresoeuer liuing assembling themselues thither at certaine times Others perswaded Titus that if so be the Iewes yeelded their temple and sought not for it then to saue it but if they fought for it to burne it for now it seemed a Castle and not a temple and if any man were offended hereat it should not be imputed to the Romans or to their general but to the Iewes who constrained them to do it and he offended not they forcing him to fire it But Titus affirmed that although the Iewes fought for their temple being men without conscience yet it should not be destroied for he would not so be reuenged of their iniquities neither would he euer fire so goodly a building for so it would redound vnto the losse of the Romans as also it would be a credit vnto them if it were left remaining And now Alexander Fronto and Cerealis perceiuing Caesars minde were of his opinion and so he dismissed the conuocation and commanded the souldiers and captaines to rest that they might be more able to fight when need required and presently he appointed certaine chosen men to make the waies euen easie for the army to passe by the ruines commanding them to quench the fire and that day the Iewes being fearefull and wearie did
moreouer to prouide for their owne safetie in yeelding the castle vnto the Romans vertue and fortunate successe Then they mooued with his words and many also within the Citie intreating for him for he came of a great parentage and had many kinsfolks though contrarie to their natures compassion tooke place in them and so sending some of their companie speedily they desired to parley affirming that they would yeeld their castle vpon condition that they might safely depart away and Eleazar might be likewise restored vnto them Which offer of theirs the Romans accepted and the Iewes in the lower part of the Citie hauing intelligence of this couenant resolued themselues to flie away in the night but so soone as they had opened their gates those that had agreed with Bassus gaue him intelligence thereof either enuying that their countrimen should escape or els fearing that Bassus would punish them for their flight yet for all this the most valiant of them that sled escaped who were gone before the rest and the rest were slaine to the number of a thousand and seuen hundreth men for the women and children were made bondslaues And Bassus thinking it meete to keepe his promise vnto them of the castle permitted them safely to depart and restored Eleazar vnto them CHAP. XXVI Of the Iewes that Bassus slew and how he sold Iudaea THis done he prepared to carrie his army into the pasture called Iardes for he had notice that many Iewes were there assembled togither who had escaped from Ierusalem and Machaera during the siege So comming vnto the place and finding it to be as it was reported vnto him he first of all enuironed it with horsemen that if any one of the Iewes sought to escape the horsemen might withstand them and he commanded the footmen to cut downe the wood into the which they fled to hide themselues And so through necessitie they were constrained to fight hoping by a couragious fight to find opportunitie to flie wherefore they altogither with a crie violently assaulted them by whom they were inuironed and they did valiantly withstand them and by their valour and the Iewes desperation the fight endured a long time yet the euent of the warre was not like vnto the rest of the fight for onely twelue Romans were slaine and verie few wounded and all the Iewes were slaine in that fight being in number three thousand and their captaine Iudas the sonne of Iairus of whom we haue already made mention who during the siege of Ierusalem was commaunder of a companie there hid himselfe in a certaine caue and secretly escaped from thence At that time Caesar writ vnto Liberius Maximus his Gouernour and vnto Bassus to sell Iudaea for he did not build in all the countrey any Citie but appropriated it vnto himselfe leauing there onely eight hundreth souldiers and giuing them a place to dwell in called Emaus thirtie stounds distant from Ierusalem and he imposed a tribute vpon all Iewes vvheresoeuer they liued commanding euerie one of them euerie yeere to bring two drachmes into the Capitole according as in former times they weere woont to pay vnto the temple of Ierusalem and this was the estate of the Iewes at that time CHAP. XXVII Of the death of King Antiochus and how the Alanes inuaded Armenia IN the fourth yeere of Vespasians raigne it happened that Antiochus king of the Comagenes with all his family fell into great miserie vpon this occasion Cesennius Petus gouernour of Syria either for enuie or for that indeed it was so for it is not wel knowne sent letters vnto Caesar declaring vnto him that Antiochus was determined to reuolte from the Romans togither with his sonne Epiphanes and had made a league with the king of the Parthians and that therefore it was necessarie to preuent them in time least that if they first began to reuolt openly they might trouble all the Roman Empire with warres Caesar did not neglect these newes for that the neerenesse of both the kings countries one to another seemed to require that they should be quickly preuented for Samosata the greatest Citie of Comagena is scituate vpon Euphrates which might both easily receiue the Parthians and be a strong hold for them and also there they might easily passe ouer the riuer Wherfore Vespasian beleeuing it permitted him to doe what he thought expedient and he forthwith Antiochus thinking nothing suddenly entred into Comagene with the sixt legion and certaine other companies of footmen and troupes of horsemen accompanied with Aristobulus king of Chalcidis and Sohemus king of Emesa who came to assist him So they entred the countrey without any fight for none of the inhabitants offered to resist Antiochus daunted with these vnexpected newes did not so much as thinke of any warre against the Romans wherefore he determined to leaue the whole kingdome in that estate that then it was in and with his wife and children depart from thence hoping hereby to cleare himselfe vnto the Romans from that which they suspected of him and going almost a hundreth and thirtie stounds from the Citie into a field there he placed a tabernacle And Petus sent men vnto Samosata to take it and left them to keepe the Citie and he with the rest of the souldiers purposed to go against Antiochus But for all this the king though by necessitie vrged thereunto yet would he not fight against the Romans but bewailing his misfortune enduted patiently all whatsoeuer but his sonnes being Iustie strong young men and skilfull in martiall affaires could not easily abstaine from fight in that their distresse Wherefore Epiphanes and Callinicus his two sonnes had recourse vnto their forces and in a great fight that dured a whole day they shewed their valour and departed receiuing no losse But Antiochus after this fight would not any longer abide in his countrey but taking his wife and daughters he fled into Cilicia and thereby discouraged his souldiers who despairing to keepe the kingdome for him reuolted vnto the Romans But Epiphanes and the rest were forced to seeke to saue themselues before such time as they were left destitute and so accompanied with ten horsmen he passed the riuer Euphrates and thus being out of daunger they came to Vologesus of whom they were receiued not as fugitiues but with great honor and according to their degree as though they yet possessed their auncient dignitie And Petus comming to Tarsus of Cilicia he sent a Centurion to carrie Antiochus bound vnto Rome But Vespasian permitted not a king to be so brought vnto him thinking it meete to consider the olde friendship betweene them then to perseuer in danger and not to be pacified by reason of vvarre Wherefore he commaunded that in the way as he came he should be vnbound and a while to liue at Lacedemon and leaue his iourney towards Rome allowing great store of mony sufficient to maintaine a kingly dignitie Epiphanes and they
presence d. accused by Eutichus 474 h m. 475. a. b. imprisoned ibid. hateth Tiberius 618. h. getteth Caius friendship ibid. his happy fortune foretold 476. g. h. certified of Tiberius death 498. g. departeth to his kingdome ibid. l. his request of Caius 482. i. his speech to the Senate 504. h. 619. f 620. g. hangeth vp his golden chaine 507. d. his acts 509. a b c c. 510. 511. c. saluted for a God 510. in his death 511. c. 610 k. his children ibid. d. Agrippas request to the Empresse 5 ac m. obtaineth Philips tetrarchie 52â—… a. getteth a portion of Galilee 522. g. deposeth Ioseph 524. i inlargeth the citie of Caesarea 525. a. his kindnes to the Berytians c. f 525. b. c. his Epistles to Ioseph 550 m. Agrippa excuseth Caesar c 628. h. his oration 627. c. 628. 629. 630. driuen out of the citie 631. b. And that came to the Romans 6 7 c f. Aid of the Idumaeans 677. a b c. Ainan or Aitaken and burnt 103. e. f. Ainites discomfit three thousand Israelites and slew 36. 103. a. after put to flight and slaine by Iosuah ibid. c. Aire temperate 688 i. Albirius gouernour of Iudaea 524 i. full of wickednes 623. d. pacifieth the countrey 524. l. executeth malefactors 525. c. Alcimus high Priest 313. accuseth Iudas and his brethren ibid. c. his popularitie 314. g h. killeth of all Iudas faction ibid. h. dieth sodainly 315. d. Alexander Polyhistor 19. c. Alexander King of Macedonia 284. i. ouerthroweth Darius armie ibid. subdueth Darius 285. a. marcheth toward Ierusalem ibid. e f. honourably receiued by the high Priest and the rest 2â—…5 f. 286. g. his sacrifice in the temple ibid. h. i. adoreth the high Priest 286. g. his death and successors 287 e f. Alexander warreth against Demetrius 320. g. laboureth to win Ionathan ibid. l m. slaieth Demetrius 321. f. marieth Ptolomies daughter 323. d. sendeth presents to Ionathan 325 a. discomfited and slaine 326 g. Alexander Zebina obtaineth the kingdome 337. b. slaine ibi b. Alexander king of the Iewes 341. a. 563. a. besiegeth Ptolemais ibid. c. his ouerthrow 342. k. besiegeth Gaza 343. c. sedition raised against him 563. c. 344 h. ouercome ibid l. 563. f. citions cast at him 341. h. crucifieth 800. Iewes 345. a. 564. b. his sicknes and aduise to his wife 346. i k l. 564. l. his death and funerall 347. a b. Alexander sonne of Aristobulus 356. i. ouercome ibid. l. 668. l. beheaded 359. b. Alexander Herodes sonne 413. b. marrieth Glaphyra ibidem his defence 418. k. 419. a b c c. reconciled to his father 419. e. 427. f. bribeth the Eunuches 593. b. imprisoned 427 a. 593. b. accused of treason ibid. 431. g h c. writeth bookes 593. c. condemned 434. h. 596. m. strangled 435. c. 597. d. false Alexander c. 460 g. 613. d. condemned to tug at an oare 460. g. 614. f. g. Alexander exerciseth crueltie 261. d. Alexandra gouerneth the kingdome 347. f. imprisoneth Aristobulus wife and children 564. l. committeth charge to the Iewes 348. g. her embassage to Tigranes 348. h. her death ibid. 565. d. Alexandra solliciteth Antonius and why 384. h. excuseth her selfe ibid. suspected by Herode c. 385. b. pretending to flie is betraied ibid. c. certifieth Cleopatra of Herodes trechery 387. b. striueth to acquit her selfe 398 m 399. a. seeketh to get Herods castles 399 c. put to death 400. g. Alexas marrieth Salome 437. c. dismisseth the Nobles 450. m. Alliance of Abraham with his wife 16. l. of lacob with Laban 23. c. 25. f. of Saul and Ionathan with Dauid 145. b of Iuda with the Israelites 241. d. Allowance of Micheas 221. f. Allusion of Ionathan 147. f. Alacritie of the Romans 702. m. Alleageance renounced 748. l. Altar of incense 63. b. Altars of Idolators to be destroyed 90. h. one Altar to be erected c. and why 90. l. Altar builded by Iosuah 102. g. Altar erected by the two tribes and halfe 107. c. why 108. i. Altar of gold and of brasse where placed 198. g. h. Altar in Bethel 207. claue in twaine ibid f. Altar erected by Dauid 185. b. Amalechites warre against the Israelites 56. gh ouercome by the Israelites 57. b c spoiled and their vtter ruine foretold ibid d 98. g. ouercome the Israelites 115. f. are destroyed 139. b c. d. burne Siceleg 157. a. Aman honoured by all but the Iewes 278. h i. his petition for the Iewes ruine ibid. k. his hatred against Mardoche 282. k. his trecherie discouered 281. e f. iudged to the gallowes ibid f. his goods bestowed on Mardoche 282. g. Amarames Moses father see Amram Amasias king of Iuda 236. h. reuengeth his fathers death 237. c. ouercommeth the Amalechites ibid. c d. reproued and why 237. d e. commaundeth Ioas to yeelde him homage ibi f. his armie flies and he taken prisoner 283. g. is slaine ibid. h. Amaza slaine 181. c. Amazement of the seditious 743. a b. Ambition 162. h. of Adonias 185. i. of Iohn 685 a. of Eleazar 697. c. f. An Ambush laid for the Ainites 103. e. Abushes of Saul for Dauid 144. g h c. 145. d e f. 146. g. h. of Adad for Ioram 227. a. Ammon Lots sonne 16. h. Amnon deflowreth Thamar 172. i k. Ammonites oppresse the Israelites 119. b c. and are ouercome ibid. f. iniute Dauids Embassadours 168. k. reuenge wrought on them 169. b c d. warre against Iosaphat 223. e. kill one another 224. h. Amorites ouercome 82. l. their countrey possessed by the Hebrewes 83. b. Amos a wicked King 248. i. is slaine ibid. Amphitheater built by Herode 401. c. 406. h. Amram Moses father 41. m. praieth to God 42. g. casteth Moses into the riuer 42. k l. and why ibid. Amri King of Israel 214. g. slew Thaman ibid. his impictie and death ibid. Ananias death 633. a. Ananus high Priest 524 i. had fiue sons his successors ibid. Ananias high Priest 524. l. Ananias high priest slaine 722. i. Ananus stoneth Iames 524. k. Ananus gouernor of Ierusalem 639. d. his iruectiue against the Zealous 674. h. disposeth this soldiers c. 675 c d. slain 680. l. Ananus a cruel souldier 722. k. Achimelech entertaineth Dauid 148. g h. deliuereth him Goliahs sword ibid. h. accused to Saul 149. a. and slaine ibid. c. Ancestors conceale not honest things 〈◊〉 h. Angels guarded Elizeus 227. c. Angels i. sonnes of God c. 6. k. Angell resisteth Balaam 84. g. Angels promise Abraham a sonne 13. d. e. enter Lots house ibid. f. foretell the destruction of Sodome 15. e. Angell appeared to Agar 14. m. 17. b c d. to Iacob 22. k. l. 26. g h i k. to Manoach his wife 120. m. foretelleth hir Sampsons birth ibid. m. worketh a miracle 121. c. 227. c. Angersee wrath Anilaeus receiueth charge from Artabanus 485. c d. killeth a noble man 486. h. reproued and accused ibid. h i. taketh Mithridates prisoner 487. a Anna
Lots cast to kill one another 660. h i. 761. a b. Loue of women blindeth 86. g. and causeth to serue strange gods ib. g h. 204. i. 205. d. Loue of Ionathan toward Dauid 144. m. 146. l. 147. a b. of Ioseph to his countrey 717. a. Louers of Order c. 790. l m. Lust of Putifars wife 31. a c of the Gabaens 110. l m. 111. a. of Caius 50â—… e. of the Aegyptians 13. a. Lustie Iewes reserued 744. h. Lybia of whom called Africa 19. b c. Lycurgus among the Lacedaemonians 795. a. Lysias Generall of Antiochus army 307. b. inuadeth Iudaea ibid. i. ouercome 308. h. once againe inuadeth Iudaea ibid. i k. Lysimachus killeth Apollodotus 343. c. betrayeth Gaza ib. M Machaeras killeth many Iewes 377. e. fortifieth Geth 378. l. his iniquitie 580. h. Madnesse counterfaited 148. i. Madianites Embassage to Baalam 83. 84. g. their daughters seduce the Hebrewes 85. d. put to flight and slaine 87. c. subdue the Israelites 115. f. kill one another 117. a. Madus and his progenie 10. h. Magicians could not expound the dreame 258. k l. 259. g. Magicians deceiue many 522. l. worke much mischiefe 622. Magistrates to be obeyed 89. d e. to be honoured and reuerenced 91. d. 628. g. 786. l. their duetie 223. c. d. Magog author of the Scythians 10. h. Magnanimitie of Herod 420. l. of the Romans 786. i k. Magnificence of Salomon 202 m. 204. h. of Ezechias 243. a b. of Herod 588. i k. of Vespasians triumph 750. l. Maidens of Israel sing and daunce 143. e. Malchus king of Arabia 577. a. repelled Herod ib. a. repented him of that dealing 578. g. Male children done to death and why 41. d c. Maledictions of Moses 97. f. 98. a. Malefactors executed 525. c. Malice of Pharao 49. a. of Doeg and Saul 149. c d. of the Ziphians 150. l m. of the Aegyptians to the Iewes 776. 〈◊〉 Malichus laieth waite for Antipater 366. k. poisoneth him 367. a. slaine ibid. e. Mambres Abrahams friend k. Man created 3. f. called Adam and why ib. f. imposed names on the creatures ibid. f. placed in Paradice 4. g. transgresseth ibid. i. cast out of Paradice 5. a. author of his owne death 8. h g. Manahem foretels Herods raigne 408. i. Manahem king of Israels actes 240. h. bought his peace ib. h. dieth 240. i. Manahemus chiefe of the rebels 632. m. slaine 633. e. Manasses marrieth Sanabalats daughter 284. h. retaineth his wife ibid. k l. enioyeth his desire 285. d. Manasses Iosephs sonne 34. i. king Manasses impietie 247. c f. sed away prisoner 248. g. repenting is restored ibid. g. his actes 248. h i. dieth ib. Mandate of Cyrus 265. c. Manethon an Aegyptian writer 768. m. sheweth the comming and departure of the Iewes c. 779. i. his fabulous reports 776. k. his lies confuted 777. f. his words repeated 778. i. Manna what 55. e. food of the Israelites 55. c. how much to be gathered ibid. b. when it ceased 102. h. Manner of purification 81. f. 82. g. Manners of the Aegyptians 41. b c. of the Esseans 614. m. 615. e. of the Idumaeans 677. b c. of the Athenians 797. a. of the Persians 797. c. Manoachs wife saw an Angell 120. m. foretolde of a sonne and instructed ibid. m. 121. a. is seene of both 121. b c. Manslaughter 88. k. Mara what 53. c. March of the Romans 649. e f. Mariam Moses sister 42. l. watcht him ibid. k l. fetched his mother 43 a. her death 81. f. Mardochaeus Esthera vncle 277. d. discouereth the traytors 278. g h. his lamenting and why 279. a b. â—…red 281. c. d. Marriage when to be contracted 93. e. Marriage with an harlot forbidden ibid. e. Marriage with a bondwoman 94. l. Marriages made 598. g h. broken ibid. k. Mariamme wife of Herod 384. l. committed to Ioseph 387. c. accused excused her selfe 388. i k. displeased with Herod 396. l. coldly entertained Herod 397. b c. vpbraided Herod 589. d. accused and put to death 399. a. 589. c. 590. g. Marphad sacked Syria 13. e. killed Giants ibid. e. Marsus Gouernour of Syria 510. k. displeased ibid. Marâ—…iall discipline 640. h. 648. g. Masons how imployed 195. b c. Massacre of the Iewes 634. g c. 635. a c. 636. b c. 722. i k c. Massada a strong Castle 755. d. for what occasion builded 757. c. battered with the Ram 757. d. Matter for the building of the tabernacle 60. k l. Matter committed in trust 96. k l. Matthias refuseth to commit Idolatrie 305. b. slaieth an Apostata ib. rooteth out Idolatrie 305. e. his death 306. h. maketh warre against Antiochus 559. b. Matthias raiseth sedition 448. g c. burned ibid. 〈◊〉 Matthias cruelly handled 722. i. Measures found out and by whom 5. e. Medimnus a certaine measure 75. b. Meeting of the Hebrewes thrise a yeere 90. m. Melancholie of Herod 605. e. Melchisedech king of Solyma 14. h i. entertaineth Abraham c. ibid. i. prayseth God and receiueth the tenths 14. i. Men thronged to death 621. a b. Menelaus high priest 303. warreth against Iason ibid. Mephiboseth obtaines the possessions of Saul 168. h. purgeth himselfe of Sibas slaunders 180. 〈◊〉 restored to the halfe of his possessions ib. l. Merchandise brought to Salomon 203. e. Merchants of Arabia buy Ioseph 30. h. sold him to 〈◊〉 ib. m. of Tharsis â—…24 i. Mercie hurtfull in warre 712. k. Mercie of Varus 612. h. of Titus towards Ioseph 660. m. to his enemies 672. g. Meroe a strong Citie of Ethiopia 44. l. Messengers sent to Dauid 146. g. to Nabal 152. h. Mesopotamia troublesome to trauellers 19. d. Mesopotamians submit themselues 169. c. Method of moralitie and discipline 791. f. 792. g. Methusala Enochs sonne 6. m. 7. a. how long he liued 7 c. Mice deuoure the fruit c. 127. f. Micheas reproueth Achab and why 220. h. how rewarded ibid. i. foretelleth Achabs death and Sedechias punishment 22â—… c. d. his allowance ibid. f. Michol daughter of Saul 144. g. giuen to Dauid in mariage ibid. l. conueieth Dauid away 145. f. deceiueth Sauls messengers 146 g. h. restored to Dauid 261. b. mocked at him 165. f. Midwiues of Egypt 41. c. Mildnes of Dauid 151. d. Militarie discipline 640. h. 648. g. a Mind furnished with vertues 141. b. Ministeries of the Gabeonites 104. k. Miracles 46. g k l. 207. c f. 216 i. 214. l m. 121. c 226 l m. Miracle of the Suns going backe 247. b. Miracle of Helizaeus 688. g. Misa king of Moab 225. d. put to â—…ight 226. h i. sacrificeth his sonne ibid. i. Misdemeancur of the wicked 6. k. of Samuels sonnes 130. m. of a souldier 621. a. Miserie of the Israelites 41. e 42. k. 47. c. 54. l. foreprophecied 210. k. of the Iewes foretold 249. b. of Iudaea 463. b c. of the Iewes prophecied 630. l of the people 718. i. k. 725. 〈◊〉 three Miseries assaile Ierusalem 685. c. Mithridates king of Parthia
dissension betwixt Iohn and Simon was for rule their concord was in wickednesse The poore peoples miserie Titus crucifieth many Iews before the wals The Iewes catried the kinred of those that were fled out of the Citie to the Romans and shewed them the tortures they suffred The yeare of this world 4034. after Christs birth 72. The Iewes both curse Caesar and his father The insolence of Antiochus and the souldiers The Romans in 17. daies build foure huge bulwarks Three valiant Iewes The Romans inuironed with fire lose the mounts they had built The yeere of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. A most bitter law among the RomaÌ„s against those that forsooke their places Titus accuseth his souldiers of negligence The Iewes retire within the citie Titus consulteth with his captains The yeere of the world 4â—…34 after Christs birth 72. Titus determineth to inclose the Citie with a wall The Romans with ceasles labour build the wall One wall of 39 stounds wherof one containeth eight surlongs or there about The Romans plant their courts of guard in seuerall Castles The houses wayes full of dead men The dead liâ—… vnburied in the streetes The crueltie of the the eues against those that lie a dying The yeare of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. Thus lifting vp his hand to heauen calleth God to witnes that the fault is not his The Romans shew the Iewes their aboundance of victuals Titus pitying the remainder of the nation laboureth to saue them The blindnesse of the Iewes Simons crueltie against Mat thias and his sonnes Ananus one of the cruellest souldiers about Simon Ananias the Priest with fifteene of the noblest people slaine Iosephs father taken Iudas consulta tion with his companions Iudas with his companions is slaine by Simon The yeare of the world 4034. after the birth of Christ. 72. Ioseph wounded in the hed with a stone and the rumor is spred thorow the citie Ioseph recouereth vpon his wound Many that fled from famine at home mette with more speedy death among the Romans Two thousand Iewes embowelled in one night Titus displeased at this cursed act Auarice is not terrified with any punishment The yeare of the â—…ld 4034 after Christs birth 72. Iohn falleth to sacrilege and taketh away many presents out of the temple Six hundreth thousand dead carcasses cast out of the city Cow dung and durt gathered togither is the Iewes food The yeare of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. The multitude of carcasses heaped in the citie is hideouâ—… to behold The yeere of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. The Iewes vpbraided God in that he so long delayed to punish them Iudaea desert and desolate The Iewes and Romans are equally afraid The Romans most of al feare the desperatnes of the Iewes The Iewes with firebrands set vpon the engines but losing their hope returne backe againe The valour violence of the Iewes decreaseth The Iewes retire arguing one another of cowardize The assault of the citie the first day of Iuly The Romans vndermine the wall The yeare of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. No man dare ascend the wal that Iohn built Titus exhortation to the most valiant strongest The patient minds of the-Iewes their constancie in misfortunes The wrath of God against the Iewes is the Romanes furtherance Titus speaketh of the life to come after a poeticall maner The reward of valiant men The yeere of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. Sabinus a man of low stature but valiant both in hand and heart Sabinus with cleauen men Approcheth the wall The power of fortune Sabinus with three companions slaine The Romans inuade Antonia A most stout fight about the entrance of the inner Temple The streightnesse of the place was incommodiuâ—… for the fight The yeare of the world 4034. after the birth of Christ. 72. Iulians famous fortitude Iulian running falleth vpon the pauement Iulians death Valiant souldiers among the Iewes Titus willeth Iohn to come out to fight least with him the citie and temple should perish also Iohn raileth against Ioseph The yeare of the world 4034 after Christs birth 72. Iechonias sustained a voluntarie banishment in Babylon The Citie by the ordinance of fate Gods will was to be ouer throwne Iosephs speeches interrupted with sighs Some of the nobilitie amoÌ„g the Iewes escape to the Romans Caesars humanitie towards the Iewes Those Iewes that were sled besought the besieged with 〈◊〉 sighes to submit themselues The temple after the manner of a Castle Titus speaketh to Iohn and his companions The yeare of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. Titus in despite of the Iewes striueth to saue the temple Titus chose thirtie out of euery hundreth most strong and able men biddeth them charge the besieged Titus beholdeth from a window in Antonia what his souldiers performe The euents of battails are chaunged very shortly The yeâ—…re of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. Foure mounts raised neere vnto the teÌ„ple The Iewes surprise the Romans horses The fight of the Ieweâ—… and Romans neere vnto the mouÌ„t â—…lcon Pedanius a strong and expert horsman The captiue punished The Iewes burnt y e porches of the temple The Iewes are too slacke in putting out the fire Ionathan prouoketh the stoutest RomaÌ„ to a single coÌ„bate The yeere of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. Pudens fighting with Ionathan is slaine by him Priscus the Ceâ—…urion killeth Ionathan with an arrow The Iewes fill the voide part of the East porch with drie wood sulphure and bitumen The Romans calamitie in the fire Caesar hath compassion of the Romans that were in the fire Longus killeth himselfe Lucius dieth but Artorius saueth himself by a stratagem The porch of the Temple fired The yeâ—…re of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. The intestino warres of the Iewes that were welnie famished with hunger The Iews eate their owne girdles shoes the leather of their Targets old â—…ay The â—…thers speach before shee slew her sonne The seditious challengâ—… the meate which the desolate mother had dressed The calamitie recounted to the Romans The yeare of the world 4034. after the birth of Christ. 72. 4. Reg 6. Ant. lib. 9. cap. 4. The Iewes ouercome the Romans and â—…eaze their ensignes Two of Simons guard reuolt from him Titus promise restraineth his wrath None of the sewes goeth about to extinguish the fire Titus calleth the chieftainâ—… before him The yeare of the world 4034. after Christs birth 72. Titus counsail as concerning the temple Titus with his chosen horsmeÌ„ commeth to rescue the Romans The temple was burnt by the Romans the tenth of the moneth of August on which day before time it was burned by the king of Babylon A soldier contrarie to Caesars will burned the teÌ„ple The burning of the temple Great slaughter in the temple The yeere of the world 403â—… after Christs birth 72. Titus striueth to saue the inward temple How many yeeres
friends and that all that which appertaineth to the Priesthood according to the ordinances of the Iewes be attributed to him and his And if there happen any different as touching the discipline of the Iewes our pleasure is that it be determined by him And as touching the munitions of winter and the money to be leuied for the entertainment of soldiers we thinke it not meete that they should be charged The decrees made and granted by Caius Caesar being Consul are these That the sonnes of Hircanus be Princes ouer the nation of the Iewes and enioie the places granted vnto them That the high Priest and Prince of the Iewes giue fauour and aide vnto those that are offenced That Embassadours be sent to Hircanus the sonne of Alexander high Priest of the Iewes to intreat of amity association with vs. That a brasen table be erected in the Capitol and likewise at Sidon at Tyre and at Ascalon in the temples wherein shall be engrauen the contents hereof in Romane and Greeke letters to the end that all the tresurers that are in the cities and all other Magistrates may by this our decree vnderstand that they are our friends and that their Embassadours be entertained with kindnes and presents and that these edicts be sent into all places Caius Caesar Emperour Dictator Consul for the good of the Senate and people of Rome hath granted to the honour vertue and humanitie of Hircanus the sonne of Alexander that both hee and his children shall be High Priests in Ierusalem and of the whole nation according to the rites and customes whereby their auncestors haue enioyed the Priesthoode Caius Caesar Consul the fifth time hath ordained that they shall inhabite Ierusalem and build againe the walles of the Citie and that Hircanus Alexanders sonne the high priest and prince of the Iewes shall gouerne as best him liketh and that euery second yeere of their tribute there be a Chore deducted out of the rent they owe and that they be exempt from all other impositions and tributes Caius Caesar twice Emperour hath ordained that the Iewes shall contribute euery yeere for their cities except loppe he acquiteth them also euery seuenth yeere which they call the yeere of rest because that therein they neither reape nor sow neither gather the fruits of trees His further pleasure is that euery second yeere they bring their tributes vnto Sidon which shal be the fourth part of that which shal be sowen and besides this that they pay the tenths to Hircanus and his sonnes which they haue paid to their predecessors vnto this day Commaunding that no man whether he be gouernour captaine or embassadour or any other whatsoeuer he be leuie soldiers within the countrey of Iudaea or draw any thereout neither exact any money whether it be for garrisons in winter or for any other cause but that the Iewes be exempt from all troubles in all places and enioy all that which sithence they haue had bought and possessed It is our pleasure also that the citie of Ioppe be vnder their gouernment which they haue euer enioyed since the beginning of their friendship with the Romanes We further grant that Hircanus Alexanders sonne and his children receiue the tribute of that citie both by them that till the land as by the gates entries and issues of merchandizes that are transported vnto Sidon twentie thousand sixe hundreth seuentie and fiue bushels euery yeere exempting the seuenth yeere which is called the yeere of rest wherein they neither labour nor gather any fruite of the trees It is the Senates pleasure also that Hircanus and the Iewes haue those villages which are in the great champion which he his predecessors haue possessed and that with the like interests that they held them before this and that the same customes continue therein whereby they held and gouerned them Their will is likewise that the same lawes which haue from the beginning beene respectiuely obserued betweene the Iewes and their high priests be continued and what soeuer benefits were granted them by the consent of the Senate and people of Rome Moreouer it shall be lawfull for those of Lydda to vse the same rites and priuiledges also And as touching the demains places and habitations that haue appertained to the kings of Syria and Phoenicia by the gift made vnto them at such time as they were allied to the Romanes the Senate I say ordaineth that Hircanus the high priest prince of the Iewes possesse the same It is lawfull also for Hircanus and his sonnes and their embassadours sent by them to behold the iusts and combates and to sit among the Senators and that at all and euery time or times wherein they shall require to be brought into the Senate by the Dictator or by the master of the horse they may haue free entrance and that within ten daies at the most they receiue their answere if there be any decree ratified by the Senate Caius Caesar Emperour the fourth time Consul the fifth time Dictator for terme of life hath ratified these things as touching Hircanus the sonne of Alexander the high priest and prince of the Iewes Because that the generals my predecessors haue testified as well in the prouinces as before the Senate and people of Rome both of the good deserts of Hircanus high priest and prince of the Iewes and that nation also towards vs and our state and whereas both the Senate and people of Rome haue gratified them for the same we thinke it conuenient also to haue the same in memory and to giue order that Hircanus and his sonnes may be remunerated by the Senate and people of Rome according to the measure of their loyalties and good deserts Iulius Caius Caesar Romane Consul to the gouernours Senate and people of Patras Health The Iews are come vnto vs to Delos with some of the colonies of their countrimē in the presence of your Embassadours and certifie vs of a decree made by you whereby you forbid them the practise and auncient vse of their sacrifices and oblations I thinke it not meete that you make any such decrees against our friends and associates neither that you forbid them to liue according to their fashions and customes or to employ their purses togither in furnishing their feastes and sacrifices since in Rome it selfe they are not interdicted or forbidden to performe the same For at such time as Caius Caesar Consul had prohibited by Edict that in celebrating the Bacchanals no one should dance about the Citie yet were the Iewes alone exempted from this inhibition and neither haue they beene prohibited to contribute neither to banquet togither My selfe also in like case in the defence I haue made to forbid all other sodalities haue excepted the Iewes therein and haue giuen them leaue and licence to assemble and demeasne themselues according to the customes ceremonies and ordinances of their countrey If therefore you haue made any such decrees against our friends associates you
shall do well to disanull them by reason of the vertue of the Iewes and the forwardnes they haue protested in performance of our seruice After Caius Caesars death the Consuls Marcus Antonius and Publius Dolobella assembled the Senate and hauing brought in Hircanus Embassadours they declared their requests and contracted amitie with them the Senate likewise ordained that each thing should be granted them that they required And Dolobella hauing receiued Hircanus letters sent them thorowout all Asia and to Ephesus which is the Metropolitane citie of Asia in these termes The generall Dolobella to the Princes Senate and people of Ephesus Health Alexander the sonne of Theodore Embassadour to Hircanus the high priest and prince of the Iewes hath giuen vs to vnderstand that his subiects cannot go on warfare because it is not lawful for them to beare armes nor to trauell on the Sabboth day as also for that they may not seeke for their victuals and other necessaries on that day according to the custome of their countrey for this cause I grant them exemption from the warre in like manner as my predecessors haue done permitting them to vse the ceremonies and rites of their country assembling themselues to make their oblations and sacrifices as their lawes and customes require in contributing to the offering of the sacrifices in the temple And my will is that you write to this effect to euery citie of the prouince See heere how Dolobella honoured Hircanus at such time as he sent his Embassadours vnto him Lucius Lentulus Consul pronounceth that the Iewes that are citizens of Rome and that obserue and offer the sacrifices of the Iewes in Ephesus before the tribunall be exempt from warfare by reason of their religion Giuen the ninteenth of October There are besides these many other Edicts and ordinances made to the like effect by the same generals and by the Romane Senate in fauour of Hircanus and our nation and some other cities In like sort there were diuers decrees and writs sent vnto the gouernours and rulers of the prouinces touching our priuiledges all which may be easily beleeued by those that shall read our Historie with no preiudicate opinion if they consider those that we haue heere inserted For we haue shewed most expresse and liuely testimonies of the friendship that we haue had with the Romanes and such as at this day are affixed to pillers and engrauen in tables of brasse in the Capitol and that hereafter shall remaine affixed for euer For which cause I haue thought it to be a friuolous and vnnecessarie matter to insert all in this place and I thinke that there is not any man of so sinister iudgement that will not beleeue how much we haue been esteemed by the Romans as they haue giuen testimonies by diuers decrees published in our behalfe neither may any man suppose that we lie considering the truth of that which we publish Thus haue we sufficiently declared the amitie and association that in times past we haue had with the Romans About this time it came to passe that the estate of Syria was sore troubled vpon the occasion that ensueth Caecilius Bassus one of Pompeies partakers laid an ambush for Sextus Caesar and slew him and seazing vpon his army vsurped the gouernment wherby there arose great warre nigh Apamea For Caesars captaines marched out against Caecilius with great force both of foote and horsemen to whom Antipater sent his sonnes with a power to second them in remembrance of the benefits he had receiued at Caesars hands supposing it to be an act of iustice that the murtherer should be punished for his so hainous offence Now whereas this war continued a long time Marcus came and succeeded Sextus Meane while Caesar was slaine by Cassius and Brutus in the midst of the Senate after he had commanded three yeeres and six moneths as it is expressed in an other place CHAP. XVIII Cassius afflicteth the Iewes and exacteth about eight hundreth talents at their hands AFter Caesars death the brand of ciuill war began to flame and the greatest men of Rome trauailed the one this way the other that way to gather men of warre But Cassius came into Syria with an intent to take the army that was neere to Apamea and hauing leuied the siege he drew both Bassus and Marcus to be of his faction and trauailing from Citie to Citie he gathered a number of souldiers and much furniture and imposed huge tributes but especially he afflicted Iewry and exacted of that countrey more then seuen hundreth talents of siluer Antipater seeing the state in so great feare and trouble committed the exaction of the two parts of this money to his sonnes the other he commanded to be assigned to Malichus who was his enemy and the other part vnto an other Herode first of all gathered that which was commanded him in the countrey of Galilee and for this cause was greatly beloued by Cassius for he being prudent and discreet thought it no small policie at that time to win the Romans good will by other mens expence Vnder the other gouernours the Cities were set to sale togither with their inhabitants and amongst them these foure were the chiefest namely Gophna Emaus Lydda and Thamna for Cassius sold the people thereof to them that would giue most Furthermore Cassius was so much transported with Choler that he had slaine Malichus so much was he moued against him if Hircanus had not restrained his furie by sending him one hundreth talents of his owne money by Antipater But as soone as Cassius was departed out of the countrey of Iudaea he practised Antipaters death supposing that his cutting off would assure Hircanus state the more strongly But Antipater was not ignorant of this his resolution for hauing an inckling thereof he got himselfe on the other side of Iordan and assembled an army of souldiers both Iewes and Arabians Hereupon Malichus who was a politike and subtill fellow denied stoutly that he had intended any treason purging himselfe with an oath before Antipater and his children that he had neuer any such intent especially for that he saw that Phasaelus hâ—…ld Ierusalem and Herode had an army at commaund And in the end perceiuing the difficultie wherein he was he reconciled himselfe to Antipater and they agreed at that time that Marcus gouerned Syria who perceiuing that Malichus began to raise troubles in Iewry resorted thither and theâ—… wanted little but that hee had slaine him had not Antipater by earnest request obtained his life CHAP. XIX Malichus poysoneth Antipater BVt imprudent Antipater saued Malichus to his owne mischiefe For when Cassius and Marcus had assembled their army they committed all the charge into Herodes hands and made him gouernour of Coelesyria and deliuered him great forces both of foot and horse and ships by sea They promised him likewise the kingdome of Iudaea after they had finished the war that was at that time betwixt them