Parthians than to his adversaries as soon as it was night concluded to make use of the time and to make away without staying any longer amongst those uncertain dangers which his enemies intended against him For which cause he fled B with those Forces he had with him and mounting his mother his sister and his betrothed whom he was to marry who was Alexander's daughter the niece of Aristobulus and her mother who was Hircanus's daughter and her younger brother with all their family and train he departed into Idumaea without suspition of the enemy Amongst whom there was not one so hard-hearted who seeing such a pitiful spectacle could not be moved to compassion beholding the mothers drag away their little children and abandon their Countrey with tears and complaints and that which was worse to leave their friends in bondage without any hope of comfort or redress But Herod mastered these misfortunes by his invincible courage Herod comforteth his friends in their flight and for that he was C a constant man in all fortunes he exhorted every one of them whom he met in the way to be of good courage and not abandon themselves to immeasurable sorrow for that by such means they might hinder his retreat on which their sole and securest conservation depended Herod seeing his mothers chariot overturned is ready to murther himself whereupon they for their part endeavoured themselves to digest their griefs according to Herod's exhortation Mean-while he hardly refrained from laying violent hands on himself by reason of the Chariot wherein his mother rode which overturned and had almost slain her yea so much did this casualty terrifie him for fear lest the enemy in pursuit should surprise him during these delays so that he drew and prepared his sword to kill himself had not some assistants and followers stept in to him and stayed the stroke beseeching him instantly not to forsake D them and leave them subject to the enemies violence assuring him that it was not the part of a valiant man to respect his own private interest and neglect his friends danger By these perswasions he was induced to hold his hands both by reason of the apprehension of these words which were spoken unto him as also for that he was over-ruled by the multitude of those who would not permit his hand to execute his will so that taking up his mother and doing her all the service that the time permitted he followed on his way and with the speediest and nearest means he could he retired toward the Castle of Massada where in the way he oftentimes fought against the Parthians that charged and pursued him Herod retiring towards Massada is assailed by the Parthians but he always got the victory The Jews also pursued him during his flight for scarcely had he travelled sixty furlogs out of the City but that they E assailed him in the high-way but he put them to flight and obtained the victory not like a desperate man enforced thereunto through necessity but like a discreet clear couraged and valiant Soldier So that in the very place where he obtained the victory against the Jews after he was made King he builded a most sumptuous Palace and a City which he called Herodium Whilst he remained at Ressa a borough of Idumaea Joseph his brother came forth to meet him and to consult with him concerning their present condition and to know of him what should become of that great multitude that followed him considering that they had no Soldiers in pay and the Castle of Massada whither they intended too fly was too little to hold all the people for which cause he sent away many to the number of Nine thousand willing them to F disperse themselves here and there in the Countrey of Idumaea and for the better dispatch of their journey he furnished them with victuals As for himself he took with him his most able Soldiers and Friends and repaired to the Castle of Massada in which place he left the women and their train to the number of Eight hundred or thereabouts The Paathians sâ—oil the Cititizens of Jerusalem and destroy Marissa and furnishing the place with Corn Water and other Provisions necessary he went unto Petra the chiefest City of Arabia As soon as it was day the Parthians plundered all that Herod left in Jerusalem and amongst other things they spoiled the Palace but they medled not with Hircanus's money which amounted to some 300 Talents They left divers other things them behind also that appertained to Herod and especially that which had been transported into Idumaea by his providence Neither G were the Parthians content with the spoil of the City but they forraged all the Countrey round about and ruined Marissa a very rich City H Thus Antigonus brought back into his Countrey by the King of the Parthians received Hircanus and Phasaelus that were Prisoners yet he was vehemently dipleased because the women was escaped whom according to his promise he intended to have delivered with the money and fearing lest Hircanus through the favor of the people should be re-established in his Kingdom who then was Prisoner in the custody of the Parthians he cut off both his ears Antigonus restored to the Kingdom by the Parthians cutteth off Hirâ—arus's â—ars to prevent his re-instalment in the Priesthood depriving him by that means from enjoying the Priesthood any more by reason of that maim because the Law commanded that they who are in that dignity should be sound in all their members But Phasaelus is to be admired for his great courage at that time for understanding that he must needs die he was no wayes disheartned with death but that which he esteemed most miserable I and dishonourable was that he must needs die by the hands of his Enemy Seeing therefore that he could not dispatch himself by other means because he was bound and chained he knockt out his own brains against a stone Phasaelus dasheth out his own brains and so ended his life with as great honour as may be imagined in such a desperate estate depriving his Enemy of that power which he intended to practise in tyrannizing over him at his pleasure Antigonus putteth poyson into Phasaelus's wounds instead of curing him It is said that the wound being very deep Antigonus sent privily Chirurgions to cure him and that under colour of healing him they should put poyson into the same wherethrough he might die But before Phasaelus gave up the ghost he understood by a certain womans that his brother Herod had escaped from his Enemies for which cause K he endured his death with far greater cheerfulness and constancy seeing that he left behind him such a man as would revenge his death and punish his Enemies But Herod was no ways discomfited with the greatness of those adversities which invironed him round about but was the more whetted on to find out new inventions and to
were put to death I came out again and join'd my self with the Priests and chiefest Pharisees whom I found surprized with great fear when they saw the People in Arms and uncertain what to do wanting the means to pacifie these mutinies But apparently perceiving the danger both I and the Pharisees feign'd our selves of their mind and counselled them to contain themselves in peace and let the Roman Forces depart in hope that Gessius would with all expedition draw out great Forces and chastise these L Peace-breakers But as soon as he arrived and fought with them he was overcome and a great number of his men slain whereupon follow'd the utter ruine of our whole Nation For such as desired the War were puffed up with that Victory and conceived assured hope that in the end they should overcome the Romans Besides this ensuing occasion presented it self The Inhabitants of the Cities that border upon Syria The Jews are plagued both by strangers and their own Countreymen laid hands on those Jews that dwelt among them and slew them with their Wives and Children without any just cause or crime committed by them For they had not conspired any ways or intended to revolt from the Romans or to use any Hostility or any secret Conspiracy against any of those with whom they were conversant But amongst all the rest the Citizens of Scythopolis exceeded all other in M impiety and wickedness For being besieged by certain of the Jews they inforced those Jews that inhabited amongst them to take Arms and fight against those of their own Nation which is expresly prohibited by our Laws and having overcome by their assistance they by a detestable perfidiousness forgot the obligation they had the faith which they had engag'd to them and slew every one of them to the number of many Thousands The like misfortune also fell upon those Jews that inhabited Damascus But of this we have more amply spoken in those our Books which we have written of the Wars of the Jews and at this present I make mention hereof onely to signifie to the Reader The Jews constrained by necessity to make War that our Nation became engaged in War with the Romans not out of voluntary intent and purpose but in great part by necessity and constraint N After that Gessius was overcome as is before declared the chiefest men of Jerusalem perceiving that the Seditious were strongly armed and provided they began to fear lest if they should be found disarmed they should suddenly be overthrown by their enemies as in effect it fell out afterwards and hearing that all Galilee was not as yet wholly revolted from the Romans but that a part thereof as yet remained in peace they sent me with two other Priests Joazar and Judas who were both virtuous and honourable men to persuade the mutinous to lay down their Arms and to let them know that it was more advantagious for the Nation that such Men as were in Authority and Reputation should have the keeping thereof The resolution that was taken O by them was that they had them always ready upon all occasions but that they expected until they were certified what the Romans intended to do A With this Commission and the like Instructions I repaired into Galilee where I found the Sephorites were ready to come to a Battel with the Galileans The danger of the Sephorites for that these latter had threatned to ravage their Countrey in regard of their league of friendship with the Romans contracted and ratified by Senius Gallus Governor of Syria But I delivered them from that fear and appeased the Common people by permiting them to send at all times when they pleased Sedition in the City of Tiberias their Hostages to Gessius who lay at Dora a City of Phoenicia I found likewise that the Inhabitants of Tiberias were already in Arms upon this occasion There were in that City three different Factions the one of the Nobility whose Chief was Julius Capella Three Factions in the City of Tiberias to whom were joined Herod the Son of Miarus Herod the Son of Gamal and Compsus the Son of Compsus For Crispus the Brother of Compsus who in times past had been made B Governor of the City for Agrippa sirnamed the Great was in his own possessions on the other side of Jordan All these I say were of opinion to remain under the Romans authority and to obey their King But Pistus alone of the Nobility would no ways acaccord to this advice by the persuasion of his Son Justus The second Faction was of the common sort who concluded upon War Justus Son of Pistus who was the Ringleader of the third Faction carried himself very doubtfully touching the War yet notwithstanding he secretly thirsted after Innovation hoping that by a change he should encrease his power The Oration of Justus Pistus's Son to the multitude Presenting himself therefore in the midst of the multitude he endeavored to persuade them that their City was always one of the chief of Galilee and that during the days of Herod the Tetrarch who founded the same it was the C chiefest City whose pleasure it was that the City of Sephoris should yield obedience to that of Tiberias That they had not lost that preheminence in the time of King Agrippa the Father but had continued the same till Faelix obtained the Government of Judaea But for the present since they had been given by Nero to the younger Agrippa they had fallen from and lost their Superiority For the City of Sephoris obtained the Sovereignty of Galilee after that she acknowledged the Roman Government which had removed the Treasure of the Charters and the Receipts of the Kings Money By these words and others of like nature against King Agrippa he incited the People to Rebellion Justus incites the people to Rebellion signifying to them That an opportunity invited them to take Arms to the end that being associated with the Galileans they might recover the advantages which D they had lost unjustly To which purpose all the Province would willingly join with them through the hatred they bare the Sephorites on whom they would revenge themselves with great power because they continued in their Allegiance which they promised to the Romans By these words he won the Peoples hearts to him for he was a Man very eloquent and by his subtilty and politick discourse Justus the off-spring of War easily overthrew all that which his Adversaries produced against him He was also skilful enough in the Greek Language to attempt the writing of the History of those Transactions to the end to disguise the truth thereof But in the process of this discourse I will shew more particularly what his ill designs were and how by his and his Brothers means he wanted little of utterly overthrowing E his Countrey When therefore this Justus had persuaded the Citizens of Tiberias to take
For it is a thing unworthy either your Majesty Jonathan certifieth David how he hath pacified his father or the name of a Man to forget good deserts With these words was Saul pacified so that he swore to his Son he would do no hurt to David for his just persuasions and arguments were stronger than the choler and fear of the King Jonathan sent to seek out David and told him these good tydings from his Father and brought him to him and David continu'd to serve him as formerly N O A CHAP. XIV How hardly David escaped the ambushes that were often laid for him by the King yet having him twice at advantage and in his power would not murther him ABout the same time v. 8 9. the Philistines again led forth their Army against the Hebrews David hath a great victory against the Philistines and Saul sent David against them accompanied with his forces who encountring them slew a great number of them and returned to the King with a great Victory But Saul entertained him not as he hoped and as the happy exploit atchieved by him merited but he envied his good actions and honourable deserts as if Davids happy B success had been Sauls disadvantage and prejudice But when the evil spirit returned to vex him he lodged him in his own chamber and having at that time a javelin in his hand he commanded him to play on his Harp and to Sing Hymns Now whilest David obeyed his command Saul stretching out his arm v. 9 10. threw his Dart at him but David foreseeing it Saul darteth his javelin at David avoided the stroke and fled to his own house where he stayed all the rest of the day When night was come the King sent certain of his Servants to watch his house lest he should escape to the end that the next day being brought forth to judgement he might be condemned and put to death But Michol Davids Wife and Sauls Daughter having intelligence of her Fathers intention went to her Husband told him in how great peril he was being desirous to save his life with the hazard of her C own Beware said she lest the Sun at his rising find thee in this place for if it do I shall never more see thee Flie therefore whilest night offereth thee opportunity which I pray to God to lengthen for thy sake for be assured that if thou be surprized in this place my Father will make thee die a miserable death This said she let him down by a window and so saved him and soon after she prepared his bed as if he lay sick therein and under the covering she laid the Liver of a new slaughtred Kid and when her Father sent the next morning to apprehend David she answered that he had been sick all the night long v. 14. and opening the Curtains Michol persuadeth the Kings Servants that David is sick she gave them to understand that David was laid therein the Coverlet being moved by the Liver which was hot and yet stirred made them believe that the Liver that lay there was David who panted and breathed very D hardly Which being signified unto Saul he commanded that he should be brought to him in that estate wherein he was because he resolved to put him to death But when Sauls messengers returned thither and opened the bed they perceived Michols subtilty v. 17. and went and certified the King thereof who reproved her very sharply for that she had saved his Enemy Michol excuseth her self for delivering David and deceived her Father But she excused her self with words full of good appearance saying that David had threatned to kill her and through fear of death she was induced to save him For which cause she ought to be pardoned since by constraint and not ofset purpose she had furthered his escape For said she I think that you seek not so greedily after the death of your Enemy as to prefer the same before the safety and security of your Daughter v. 18. Upon these reasons Saul pardoned his Daughter E David delivered from this peril David expresseth to Samuel how the King was affected towards him went to the Prophet Samuel at Ramath and told him what ambushes the King had laid for him and how hardly he had escaped death by the stroke of his javelin whereas in all things that concerned Saul he had alwayes shewed himself obedient having served him advantageously in war upon his Enemies and by Gods assistance been fortunate in all things which was the cause that Saul was so displeased with him The Prophet informed of Sauls injustice departed from Ramath and led David to a certain place called Galbaath where he remained with him But as soon as Saul was informed that David was retired v. 19 20 21. and accompanied with the Prophet he sent out certain Soldiers to lay hands on him Saul sent armed Souldiers to apprehend David who began to prophesie and he himself likewise coming thither prophesieth and bring him to him They reparing to Samuel and finding the congregation of the Prophets were seized with the F Spirit of God and began to prophesie Which when Saul understood he sent out others with the like order and they had the lâ—ke extasie For which cause he sent out others and seeing the third company prophesie likewise he was in the end so enraged that he went thither in his own person And when he drew neer the place Samuel before he saw him made him prophesie also so that he was transported out of himself and having dispoiled himself of his rayment 1 Sam. 20. v. 1. ad 4. he remained naked all day and night in the presence of Samuel and David David departed from thence and went to Jonathan to whom he complained of those ambushes which his Father had laid to intrap him David complaineth unto Jonathan of his Fathers injuries telling him that notwithstanding he had never committed any fault against his Father he earnestly pursued him to put him to death Jonathan persuaded him not to suspect these things rashly nor to be over-credulous G to those reports which parhaps might be brought to him but trust him only who was assured that his Father intended no evil against him Jonathan excuseth his Father For if he had he would have told him being never wont to act any thing without his counsel But David sware unto him that it was so and conjured him not to doubt of it but rather to consider how H to procure his security than by contemning his words expect till his death ascertained him of the truth thereof He added that his Father did not communicate his counsels with him because he was assured of the love and friendship that was between them Jonathan persuaded by Davids reasons asked him what he desired at his hands or wherein he might shew him friendship v. 5. ad 11.
priviledges granted to the Jews by Seleucus Nicanor King of Syria and permitted them to dwell in those Cities which he built in Asia and lower Syria and in Antioch which was the Metropolitane chief City Moreover he gave order that B they should be held in as great estimation as either the Macedonians or Greeks that inhabitted therein so that even unto this day that order is continued as it appeareth by this for that the Jews refusing to anoint themselves with forrain oyl do receive a certain sum of money from the Masters of the exercises in lieu of the Oyl Which when the people of Antioch intended to abolish during the present War Mutianus at that time Governour of Syria The priviledge in Antioch continued to the Jews opposed himself against them Again when Vespasian and his Son Titus had conquered the world although the Alexandrians and Antiochians desired that the priviledges which the Jews enjoyed might continue no longer yet could they not obtain it Whereby the humanity and valour of the Romans may appear and especially of Vespasian and Titus that notwithstanding they had received so great C trouble the Wars of the Jews and were so bitterly incensed against them for that they had not by laying down their Arms submitted themselves but had continued War against them to the uttermost yet they deprived them not of their privileges but put a stop to that displeasure which they had long before conceived against them and in like manner had no regard to the request of two so pusient Cities as Alexandria and Antioch wherefore they granted nothing in favour of them nor ordained any thing to the prejudice of those whom they had overcome in War so as to abolish one jot of those priviledges which they had in times past but said that they that had resisted them by Arms and who had been overcome were sufficiently punished for their obstinacy and as touching those that had not committed any offence they saw D no reason to deprive them of their rights and priviledges We know likewise that Marcus Agrippa was of the same opinion touching the Jews For whereas the Jonians were seditiously bent against them and besought Agrippa that it might be only lawful for them to make use of the priviledges which Antiochus Seleucus's Nephew whom the Greeks intituled by the Name of God had given them requiring that if the Jews were of their blood they might be tyed to adore the same gods which the Jonians worshipped When therefore this matter was referred to the determination of the Judges the Jews had the better and obtained the liberty to live according to their own Laws and Customs and he that at this time pleaded their cause was Nicholas Damascene For Agrippa pronounced That it was unlawful for them to innovate any thing And if any man desire E to have a more exact knowledge hereof let him read the 123 and 24 book of the Histories of Nicholas Neither ought this judgment of Agrippa's to seem in any sort strange for at that time our Nation had not by any Wars procured the Romans displeasure But upon just occasion may a man admire the magnanimity of Vespasian and of his son Titus who behaved themselves with such moderation after so great a War and such doubtful Battels as they had fought against us Antiochus the great King of Asia and Syria vexeth the Jews But to return to my purpose from whence I have digressed At such time as Antiochus the great reigned in Asia the Countrey of Jewry was much harassed and both the Jews and Inhabitants of Coelosyria endured many miseries For Antiochus making War against Ptolomey Philopater and his son called Ptolomey the famous they were miserably perplexed For whether Antiochus overcame or was overcome they were continually spoiled so that betwixt the prosperity and adversity of Antiochus F they fared like a ship tossed in a storm But at length after Antiochus had overcome Ptolomey he conquer'd Jewry After the death of Philopater his son sent a great Army into Coelosyria under the conduct of Scopas who seized a great number of those Cities and falling upon our Nation also he conquer'd it Not long after this Antiochus fought with Scopas near unto the River Jordan and obtained the victory discomfiting the greater part of the Enemies Army at which time Antiochus recover'd again those Cities of Coelosyria which were before taken by Scopas He took Samaria also which when the Jews perceived they submitted themselves of their own accord unto him and having received him into the City of Jerusalem they gave both his Army and his Elephants abundance of provision and willingly assisted him with their Forces to subdue those Garisons which G Scopas had placed in the fortresses of the higher City Whereupon Antiochus supposing it to be for his honour to acknowledge and remunerate the affection and forwardness which the Jews had expressed in his service wrote unto his Captains and Friends signifying unto them how forward the Jews had been in his Wars and to let them know that he was resolved to gratifie them for their service Hereafter I will insert the copy of his letters which he wrote in favour of them after A I have recited that which Polybius the Megalopolitane writeth to this purpose which I will recite out of the sixteenth Book of his histories Scopas saith he the General of Ptolomey Army marching towards the mid-land did in one winter overcome the whole nation of the Jews Ptolomey Epiphames King of Egypt wareth against the King of Syria He reciteth also in the same Book that after that Scopas had been overcome Antiochus seized Bathanaea Samaria Abila and Gadra and anon after the Jews which dwelt at Jerusalem where the Temple was joyned themselves with him and although we are to speake more amply and particularly of that appartition that hapned neare unto the Temple yet we shall defer the recital hereof untill another time This is that which Polybius hath written But to return unto our purpose I will recite B in this place the copy of those letters which were sent by the King King Antiochus to Ptolomey Health Whereas the Jews have given us most apparent testimony of there affection towards us Polybius the Megalopolitane of Scopas Ptolomeys Captain since the first time of our entrance into their Countrey and have magnificently entertained at such time as we were in person before their City by presenting themselves before us with all their Elders Antiochus Epistle to Ptolomy as touching the liberty of the Jews and have also furnished us largely with all that which was necessary for our Souldiers and our Elephants and have likewise taken Arms with us against the Aegyptian Garrison we have thought fit to afford them some satisfaction in repairing their City ruinated by casualties to the intent it might be inhabited and Peopled again by gathering together C those Jews that are scattered abroad in
he wept and joyned the Children's hands and courteously saluting every one dismissed the Council A At this action Antipater was so amazed that all the Orphans well perceived it For now he thought himself dishonoured by his Father and that he stood in great danger seing that Alexander's Son was like to have both Archelaus and Pheroras the Tetrach to protect him Moreover he considered how he was hated and how the people compassionated the children that were fatherless and look'd upon him as the murtherer of their fathers Wherefore he resolved by all means possible to break these Marriages Yet he feared to insinuate any thing to his father cunningly who was now very suspicious and mistrustful and therefore went openly unto him to make his humble sute and request to him that he would not leave him without honour nor deprive him of that Succession which before he had judged him worthy B of by giving him only the bare Title of King and leaving the authority of the Kingdom in other mens power For it would be impossible for him to obtain the Kingdom if Alexander's Son were besides Archelaus his favour made Son-in-law to Pheroras Herod's children by his seven wives Wherefore he earnestly pray'd him that seing he had many daughters he would change these Mariages for the King had nine Wives and by seven of them he had children Antipater by Doris Herod by Mariamne daughter of Simon the High Priest Archelaus by Malthace the Samaritan and a Daughter call'd Olympias whom his brother Joseph married and by Cleopatra of Jerusalem Herod and Philip and by Pallas Phaselus he had two other Daughters also Roxane and Salome one of them by Phaedra and the other by Elpis He had likewise two wives by whom C he had no issue his Cousin and Niece and beside these he had two Daughters by Mariamne Sisters to Alexander and Aristobulus Wherefore Antipater seeing his Father had such choice of Daughters requested the marriages to be altered The King Herod is perswaded by Antipater's flatteries to break off the marriages well perceiving his mind and purpose towards the Orphans and calling to remembrance the misfortune of his Sons whom he had put to death he judg'd that if ever he found occasion he would be as industrious to destroy the children by calumnies as he had done their fathers and so falling into great anger with sharp words he drove him out of his presence yet afterward he so flattered Herod that he got the marriages to be altered And first of all he joyned Aristobulus's Daughter with Antipater himself and his Son to Pheroras's Daughter Here one may see what D Antipater could do by flattering speeches for Salome in the like matter could not speed although she was his Sister and procured many times the Emperours Wife to speak for her that she might marry with Syllaeus the Arabian yet was she not permitted so to do But Herod swore that he would account her as an utter enemy except she would desist from that purpose and afterward against her will he married her to Alexas a friend of his and one of her Daughters to Alexander's son and the other to Antipater's maternal Uncle As for Mariamnes Daughters Ant. l. â—7 c. 3. one of them was married to Antipater his Sisters Son the other to Phasaelus Antipater buildeth upon the Kingdom his Brother's Son When Antipater had quite overthrown the hope of the Orphans and joyned affinity as he thought good he now held himself on E sure ground and adding confidence to his malice he became intolerable to all men And seing he could not avoid their hatred he now sought by fear to work his own safety and so much the more because Pheroras now assisted him as one that was confirmed and established for King A debate betwixt the Ladies in the Court. Also the women in the Court fell at variance and raised a new broil for Pheroras's Wife with her Mother and her Sister and the mother of Antipater did behave themselves very insolently in many things towards two of the Kings daughters of which Antipater who hated them was very glad none of the other women except Salome daring to oppose this Cabal But Salome went to the King and told him that their meetings were not for his service F The women understanding how she had informed the King and that he was offended thereat they met no more together openly but abstained from their wonted familiarity and in the Kings hearing feigned to fall out one with another Antipater also made the same shew so that he stuck not openly to affront Pheroras notwithstanding they had meetings and banquets in the night and the unity was the more confirmed the more they perceived themselves to be noted for Salome knew all this and told it to the King The King was very angry and especially against Pheroras's wife whom chiefly Salome blamed and having called together all his kindred and friends Ant. lib. 17. cap. 4. he accused her before them amongst other things that she had behaved her self contumeliously towards his daughters and that she assisted the Pharisees G against him and that by a poysonous drink she had made his Brother hate him And turning himself unto Pheroras he asked him whether he had rather renounce the friendship of him his King and Brother or abandon his Wife And he answering that he had rather die than lose his Wife Herod doubtful what to do turned him to H Antipater and commanded him to have no commerce with Pheroras or his wife or any one belonging to them after that time He obeyed this command openly in shew but secretly went to their house and fearing that Salome might perceive it he by his friends in Italy procured himself to be sent for to Rome Herod forbids Antipater of his Brothers company or to have conference with his wife by Letters brought to Herod wherein it was commanded that shortly after the receit thereof Antipater should be sent to Caesar Wherefore Herod using no delay sent him presently furnishing him with all things necessary and a great sum of money giving him likewise his last Will and Testament to carry with him to Caesar wherein was written that Antipater should be King and after him Herod the Son of Mariamne Daughter of the High Priest But Syllaeus the Arabian neglecting Caesar's commandment at I the same time sailed to Rome there to contend with Antipater about matters which were before in controversie between him and Nicholaus He had also a great contention with Aretas his King whose friends he had slain and amongst others Sohemus the most wealthy man in all the Country of Petra and Fabatus Caesar's Procurator whom he had corrupted assisted him against Herod But Herod afterwards giving Fabatus a greater sum of money alienated him from Syllaeus and by this means dispatched that which Caesar commanded and because Fabatus restored nothing he accused him that he was
all of one sort Before they eat a Priest giveth thanks and no man may eat B any meat till this Prayer be made to God Likewise when dinner is ended they pray again for both before and after they give thanks to God the Giver of all And then putting off that Apparel as Sacred they apply themselves to their work till evening At supper they do as before causing their Guests to sup with them if by fortune any come Their house is never troubled with cries or tumults for every one is appointed to speak in his turn so that their silence produces respect in strangers The cause of this moderation is their continual sobriety and that every one is limited how much to eat or drink The Esseans in compassion and helping others have free choice in other things they are ruled by their Governour And although that in all other matters they are ruled by their Superior yet in these two to wit compassionating and helping they may do as they think good for every one may when he pleaseth help those whom he thinketh deserve C help and when he pleaseth give meat to them that are in need Yet may not they give any thing to their Kindred without the lieve of their Superior They take great care to suppress their anger they keep their promise and maintain peace and people account every word they speak of as much force The Esseans swear not as if they had bound it with an oath and they shun oaths worse than perjury for they esteem him a liar who is not to be believed without he call God to witness They study diligently ancient Writers chiefly gathering out of their Writings what is most convenient for the soul and the body Out of them they learn Remedies for Diseases and the Vertues of Herbs Stones and Mettals Those who are desirous to be of their Order do not straight way converse with them but for a year before live out of the Colledge and D have the same diet a little hatchet and such a girdle as is before spoken of and a white garment But at the years end if they perceive such a person to be continent they give him a diet more agreeing with their own and he is permitted to wash himself in cold water to the end to purifie himself yet is he not admitted in common amongst them The Esseans Vows and Covenants till for two years more they have observed his life and manners And at last when he is thought worthy he is admitted to their common company But before he is received to the common Table first he is to protest solemnly to honour and serve God with all his heart to observe Justice and Fidelity towards all men never willingly to hurt any man nor injure any for another man's command but always to hate the wicked and assist the good to keep his faith to all but especially to his Superiors E The Esseans circumspect in Justice because they hold their power from God To which they add that if he be put in Authority over others he never will abuse it to the prejudice of those that are under him and neither exceed the rest in apparel nor any other ambitious pomp that he will always love the truth and severely reprove liars and that he will keep his hands and soul pure from all theft and unjust gain and that he will not conceal any mysteries or secrets of their Religion from his companions nor reveal them to any strangers although he should be thereto threatned by death Adding moreover that he will never deliver any Doctrine save that which he hath received and diligently preserve the Books as well as the Names of those from whom they received it These Protestations they oblige those to take solemnly who enter into their Order to F the end to fortifie them against Vices Those of the Society who transgress notoriously they thrust out of their company and whosoever is so punished for the most part dieth a miserable death for it being not lawful for him to eat with any stranger he is reduced to feed on grass like beasts and so he perisheth through Famine For which cause oftentimes they are moved with compassion to receive many into their Order again when ready by Famine to yield up the ghost judging them to have endured pennance enough for their offences who with famine were almost brought to death's door They are very severe and just in their Judgments and to decide any matter there is never fewer of them than an hundred and that which is by them agreed upon is irrevocable Next after God they reverence their Law-giver insomuch that if any G one revile him they forthwith condemn him to death They take it for a great duty to obey their Elders and what is appointed by many so that if ten of them sit together no man of them must speak without he be licenced thereto by nine of the company They account it a great incivility to be in the midst of the Assembly or on H their right hand And they are more severe than any other Jews in observing the Sabbath for they do not only abstain from dressing meat which they dress the Evening before that day but also they may not remove any vessel out of its place nor satisfie the necessities of Nature The Esseans reverence the Sabbaths Upon other days they dig a pit a foot deep in the ground with the hatchet which as we before said every one at his entrance into their Order hath given him and then covering themselves diligently with their garment as if they feared to be irreverent to the light of Heaven in that pit they ease themselves and then cover their ordure with the earth they took out of the pit And this they do in most secret places And although this purging of their bodies be natural yet do they by washing purifie themselves after it as after great uncleanness Furthermore I amongst themselves they are divided into four Orders according to the time which they have continued this exercise of life and they that are Juniors bear such respect to the Seniors that if they do but touch one of them they are obliged to purifie themselves The Esseans live a long time as though they had touched a stranger They are long-liv'd so that most of them live an hundred years which I judge is by reason of their well ordered diet and their temperance They contemn adversity and by constancy and fortitude triumph over torments The Esseans constancy in the War with the Romans They prefer an honourable death before life The Wars which the Jews made against the Romans shewed what invincible courage and hardiness they have in all things for they suffered the breaking of the members of their bodies fire and Sword and all kind of Tortures rather than be brought to speak the least word against K their Lawgiver The year
others burnt others halfe eaten of wild Beasts were reserved alive for the second meal The calamity of those Jews who were taken by the Romans the most miserable of all are those that are yet alive who often wish for death and cannot find it Where is now that potent City that was once the Capital City of E all our Nation so strengthened with Walls so fortified with Towers Castles to defend those Walls scarcely able to contain the provisions for War having in it so vast a multitude of men to fight for it Jerusalem the Metropolitan City razed from the foundations wherin God himself was thought to dwell What is now become of it It is razed down even to the very foundations and scarce any memory â—r reliques thereof left standing the whole people destroyed only a few old and unhappy men survive who sit among the Ashes of the Temple and a few Women whom the Enemies reserved to satisfie their filthy lust And will any amongst us considering all these things desire to behold the light of the Sun although he could live without molestation who is such an Enemy to his Native soil who is so effeminate or desirous of his life that he doth not grieve to have lived till this time would God we had been all in our graves before we had seen that sacred City fired by a hostile hand before we beheld F the Holy Temple destroyed by impious fire and seeing that the hope we had to be revenged on our Enemies is now vanished and that we are left alone in misery and necessity let us hasten to die well and take compassion on our selves our Wives and Children and that whilst we have time For we are all born to die and all that are begotten by us and the strongest men living cannot avoid it but injury and bondage and to see our Wives and Children abused before our faces is no necessity proceeding from Nature but they only are forced to endure it We are born to die and the strongest cannot avoid the same who when they might have died without it did refuse for fear We first of all trusting to our strength rebelled against the Romans afterwards they exhorted us to obedience but wee denied which of them then will not be enraged against us if they can take us alive Most miserable shall those young men be whose strength will endure many torments and those G old men will move compassion whose aged years cannot suffer tortures one shall see his Wife carried away from him and another his Son having his hands bound behind him cry out to his Father for help who now whilst they are free from the thraldom of their Enemies may H gloriously assist us with their Swords Let us with our Wives and Children die Freemen let us together depart out of this life This our Religion commandeth this our Wives and Children perswade God himself hath driven us to this necessity for this purpose The Romans would have it otherwise Eleazar tells the Jews of the Romans Tyranny who fear lest any of us should perish and not fall into their hands alive Let us therefore hasten that instead of their hope whereby they verily perswaded themselves to take us alive we may contrary to their expectation daunt them with sudden admiration of our glorious deaths It is a happiness among the Jews to die fice Whilst Eleazar was yet speaking and desirous still to continue his exhortation they interrupted him every one now in a fury bent to follow his advice made haste to effect it and as though they had been urged by some Spirit thereto one laboured to prevent I another in the execution thereof judging him to shew most valour and fortitude that first dispatched himself They were also desirous to kill their Wives and Children with themselves And which is most strange their minds were nothing altered when they came to effect this bloody work but with the same resolution they had when they heard Eleazars speech every one retained his good affection towards his Friends yet permitting reason to take no place and perswading themselves that thus they had well provided for their Children they embraced their Wives and Children for their last farewel and took their leaves of them kissing them with Tears and then all at once slew them as though it had been done by the hands of other men and not their own comforting themselves in being forced so to do and that hereby they should escape the tyranny and K cruelty of their Enemies Finally no man was so cowardly who durst not venture on this action so every one of them killed his dearest friends O miserable people whom necessity forced to slay their Wives and Children and to account this action the very least of all their miseries After which not enduring the grief that ensued upon this fact and thinking that in living any while after them they should injure those whom they had slain they with all speed possible gathered all their riches together and set them one fire which done they elected ten by lot who should kill the rest and every one prostrating himself upon his Wife and Children and embracing them in his Arms was slain willingly by those that executed that wrethched office who having without fear dispatched them they cast lots whose fortune it should be to kill all the L rest The Jews gathering all their goods together cast them into the fire and he upon whom the lot should fall was to kill the other nine and lastly himself upon them all and every one so encouraged one another that there was no difference between those that were to be killed and those that were to kill and so the rest offered themselves to death which done he who was the last of all being yet alive went amongst the dead bodies and searched to see if any still lived that needed his hand in so great a multitude of slain people Ten chosen by lot to kill the rest of the Jews and finding all of them dispatched he went and fired the Palace which done he with all his force thrust his Sword into his own body up to the Hilts and so fell down by his dearest Friends In this manner they perished with a belief that they left not one person alive to fall into the Romans hands but a certain old Woman and another who was Eleazars Cousin M who in learning and wisdom surpassed all other Women and fiue Children hid themselves in a Cave wherein Water was reserved to drink whilst the rest were busied in this Massacre the slain were in number nine hundred and sixty accounting Women and Children The Romans expect the fight This calamity hapned the fifteenth day of April In the morning the Romans expecting that the Jews would encounter them made Bridges from their Mounts to the Walls and so assaulted the Walls and seeing none of the Enemies appear but all the Walls
himself leave no room to doubt of his experience in Affairs Lastly His Life written by himself join'd with his History of the Jewish Wars make him sufficiently known And as for his manner of writing I think it needless to commend it since this Work manifests it so excellent everywhere particularly in the Nineteenth Book where he relates the Actions and Death of the Emperor Caligula which no Roman Author has done so accurately I think I may say without fear that there is not in Tacitus any History which surpasses that eloquent and judicious Narration I know some will wonder that after having mention'd the greatest Miracles he diminishes the belief of them by saying That he leaves every man at liberty to have such opinion thereof as he thinks fit But in my judgment he does it onely on this account That having compos'd this History chiefly for the Greeks and Romans as 't is easie to gather by his writing the same in Greek and not in Hebrew he fear'd their incredulity would render it suspected to them if he affirm'd positively the truth of things which seem'd to them impossible But whatever Reason induc'd him to use that Caution I pretend not to defend him either in those places or any others where he is not conformable to the Bible This alone is the Divine Fountain of written Truths which cannot be sought elsewhere without hazard of Error and one cannot excuse himself from condemning whatever is found contrary thereunto I do it with all my heart and there is no person but ought to do it in order to read this excellent History with satisfaction and without scruple Neither yet do I pretend to justifie this Author in some places where he speaks of the several sorts of Government nor as to some other particular sentiments which no body is oblig'd to follow Nor do I engage my self in any matter of Criticism the contests whereof I leave to such as are exercis'd in that sort of study If in some places as amongst others in the description of the Tabernacle and of the Table of Shew-bread some difference be found between this Translation and the Greek the cause thereof is that those passages are so corrupted in the Greek Text that all I could do was to bring them into the condition wherein they are II. Of the History of the Jewish War against the Romans c. If the History of the Jews advances its Author into the rank of the best Historians 't is plain that in that of their War against the Romans he has surpass'd himself Several reasons have concurr'd to render this History a Master-piece the greatness of the Subject the sentiments excited in his breast by the ruine of his Countrey and the share he had in the most considerable Events of that bloody War For what other Subjects can equal this great Siege which manifested to all the Earth that one City alone would have been the Rock of the Roman Glory had not God for punishment of its sins overthrown it by the storms of his wrath What sentiments of Grief can be more lively than those of a Jew and of a Priest who saw subverted the Laws of his own Nation whereof no other was ever so jealous and that magnificent Temple the object of his devotion and of his zeal reduc'd to ashes And what greater interest can an Historian have in his Work than to be oblig'd to bring into it the principal Actions of his own Life and to labour for his own Glory by an unflattering advancement of that of the Conquerors and by acquitting himself at the same time of what he ow'd to the generosity of those two excellent Princes Vespasian and Titus to whom the honour of having finish'd this great War was due But for asmuch as there are so many remarkable Occurrences in this History I think to do the Readers a pleasure in presenting them here with an Abstract thereof from which general Idea they may afterwards proceed to the particulars depending thereupon It is divided into seven Books The first Book and the second to the twenty eighth Chapter are an abridgment of the Jewish History from Antiochus Epiphanes King of Syria who spoiled the Temple and went about to abolish Religion to Florus Governor of Judea whose avarice and cruelty were the chief occasion of that War which they maintain'd against the Romans This abridgment is so delightful that Josephus seems to have design'd to shew that he could like excellent Painters represent the same objects in different manners with so much art that it should be hard to know to which to give the preference For whereas these Histories are sometimes interrupted by the Narration of things hapned at the same time they are here written in a continu'd series and give the Readers the pleasure to behold in one Table what they saw before separately in several From the twenty eighth Chapter of the second Book to the end Josephus relates what pass'd in consequence of the troubles rais'd by Florus till the defeat of the Roman Army commanded by Cestius Gallus Governor of Syria In the beginning of the third Book Josephus shews the consternation of the Emperor Nero upon this ill success of his Arms which was likely to be follow'd with a revolt of all the East and how casting his eyes on all sides he found only Vespasian fit to bear the weight of so important a War and accordingly gave him the conduct thereof He relates afterwards in what manner this great Captain accompany'd with Titus his son enter'd into Galilee whereof our Author himself was Governor and besieg'd him in Jotapat where after the greatest resistance imaginable he was taken and led Prisoner to Vespasian and how Titus took divers other places and perform'd actions of incredible valor The fourth Book brings in Vespasian conquering the rest of Galilee the Jews beginning to tumultuate in Jerusalem the Factious who took the name of Zealots becoming Masters of the Temple under the conduct of John of Giscala Ananus the High-Priest stirring up the people to besiege them there the Idumaeans coming to their assistance exercising horrible cruelties and afterwards retiring Vespasian taking sundry places in Judea blocking up Jerusalem in order to besiege it and forbearing that design by reason of the troubles risen in the Empire before and after the death of the Emperors Nero Golba and Otho Simon son of Gioras another Head of the Factious receiv'd by the people into Jerusalem Vitellius who had seiz'd upon the Empire after Otho's death rendring himself odious and contemptible for his cruelty and debauchery the Army commanded by Vespasian declaring him Emperor And lastly Vitellius assassinated at Rome after the defeat of his Forces by Antonius Primus who had embrac'd Vespasian's party The fifth Book relates how a third Faction of which Eleazar was Head was form'd in Jerusalem That afterwards those three Factions were again reduc'd to two and in what manner they made War one against another It contains
S. Matth. 23. ver 38 36. All these things had been foretold by our Saviour and written by the Evangelists before the revolt of the Jews and at a time when there was not yet the least appearance of so strange a Revolution Now inasmuch as Prophecy is the greatest of miracles and the most powerful way whereby God Almighty authorizes his doctrine this Prophecy of Jesus Christ to which no other is comparable may be justly accounted the chief and most irrefragable evidence to mankind of his Divine Birth and Mission For as no other Prophecy was ever more clear so neither was any more punctually accomplisht Jerusalem was destroy'd to the ground by the first Army that besieg'd it there remain'd not the least footstep of that proud Temple the wonder of the Vniverse and the object of the Jews vanity and the calamities which ruin'd them answer'd precisely to that dreadful Prediction of our Saviour But to the end so great an Event might serve as well for the instruction of those that were to be born in afier-times as for those that were spectators of it it was necessary as I have said that the History should be written by an irreprochable Witness To which purpose 't was fit the Writer should be a Jew and not a Christian lest he might be suspected to have accommodated the Events to the Prophesies 'T was fit he should be a person of quality to the end he might be fully inform'd of all things 'T was fit he should see with his own eyes the wonderful things which he was to relate to the end he might be capable of credit And lastly 't was fit he should be a Man whose eloquence and judgment might be sutable to the greatness of such a subject All which qualifications so necessary to render this History compleat in all points meet so perfectly in Josephus that 't is evident God Almighty chose him expresly to persuade all reasonable persons of the truth of this marvellous occurrence 'T is certain that having contributed in this manner to the confirmation of the Gospel it appears not that he made any benefit thereof for himself or that he had any share in the blessings so plentifully poured down in his time upon all the earth But if there be reason to commiserate his unhappiness in this point there is some also to bless the Providence of God who has made his blindness serve to our advantage since the things he writes concerning his own Nation are in respect of the incredulous incomparably of more force for confirmation of the Christian Religion than if he had embrac'd Christianity so that we may apply to him in particular what the Apostle saith of all the Jews III. Josephus's Answer to Appion The next of the Works of Josephus besides his Life written by himself is an Answer in two Books to what Appoin and some others had written against his History of the Jews against the Antiquity of their Race against the Purity of their Laws and against the Conduct of Moses Nothing can be more solid than this Answer wherein Josephus proves invincibly the Antiquity of his Nation by the Egyptian Chaldean Phenician and even by the Greek Historians themselves He shews that all which Appion and those other Authors have alledg'd to the disadvantage of the Jews are ridiculous Fables as well as the plurality of their Gods and he excellently sets forth the greatness of the actions of Moses and the sanctity of the Laws which God gave the Jews by his intervention IV. The Martyrdom of the Maccabees The Martyrdom of the Maccabees follows next 'T is a piece which Erasmus so famous among the Learned calls a Masterpiece of Eloquence and I confess I understand not why having with reason so advantagious an opinion of it he paraphras'd it and not translated it Never was Copy more different from its Original 'T is hardly any of its principal Lineaments and if I mistake not nothing can more advance the reputation of Josephus than to see that so able a Man intending to embellish his Work has on the contrary so much diminisht the beauty of it and thereby shew'd how much Josephus is to be esteem'd for writing not after the manner of most of the Greeks in a long-winded style but closely and compendiously as affecting to say nothing but what is necessary And I cannot sufficiently wonder that no person hitherto has made a Translation of it from the Greek either into Latin or French at least to my knowledge For Genebrard instead of Translating Josephus has only Translated Erasmus For my part I have faithfully adhered to the original Greek without following that Paraphrase of Erasmus any where which invents names that are neither in Josephus nor the Bible for the mother of the Maccabees It should seem Josephus did not write this famous Martyrdom authoriz'd by the Holy Scripture but to prove the truth of a discourse which he makes in the beginning to shew that Reason is the Mistress of Passions and he attributes to it a power over them which there would be reason to wonder at if it were strange that a Jew should be ignorant that this power belongs only to the grace of Jesus Christ He is contented to declare that he means only a Reason accompany'd with justice and piety V. The Embassy of Philo to C. Caligula the Roman Emperor This is a brief account of all the Works of Josephus Now because Philo although a Jew as well as he writ also in Greek upon part of the same Subjects but handles the same rather as a Philosopher than an Historian and because none amongst all his Writings is so esteem'd as that of his Embassage to the Emperor C. Caligula of whom Josephus speaks particularly in the 10th Chapter of the 18th Book of the Jewish Antiquities I conceiv'd that this Piece having so great affinity therewith it would not be amiss to shew by a Translation of it the different manner of writing of these two great Persons That of Josephus is undoubtedly more compendious and has nothing of the Asiatic style so that he expresses that in few words which Philo doth sometimes in as many lines The History of that Emperor may be made up from the Writings of these two famous Authors inasmuch as Philo relates as particularly and eloquently the Actions of his Life as Josephus has written nobly and excellently the passages of his Death Both the one and the other were so extraordinary that 't is an advantage there remains such Images thereof to Posterity to animate good Princes to merit by their Virtue as great affection for their Memory as People have horror for those who have shew'd themselves unworthy of the rank which they held in the World It remains only to add That as this Volume comprehends all the ancient holy History so the Readers are desir'd to peruse it not only for Divertisement or Curiosity but also with an aim to profit by the useful Considerations for which
it affords so much matter And that whereas the old Translation of Doctor Lodge was not undeservedly complain'd of on many accounts much pains hath been taken in this Edition to amend it as the Reader will easily find by comparing it with the former If it be not so complete as could be wish'd the Reader is desir'd to accept candidly what has been done for his satisfaction and to consider that though an old repair'd Building can hardly have all the beauty yet it may have all the conveniency of a new Fabrick A brief Computation very useful to the understanding of the History FRom Adam till the Deluge were years 1656 From the Deluge till Abraham's time 291 From Abraham till the Departure out of Egypt 500 From the Departure out of Egypt till the Building of the Temple by Solomon 480 From the Building of the Temple till the Babylonish Captivity 410 From the Return from the Captivity till the Maccabees time 432 From the Maccabees time till that of Herod 134 From Herods time till the final and fatal destruction of Jerusalem 103 The Jews have two sorts of years the Civil which begins in September and the Sacred or Ecclesiastick which begins in March They have twelve Months or Moons and every third Year hath a thirteenth Month of 22 dayes and the fourth hath a thirteenth Month of 23. Before the Captivity of Babylon they accounted the Months successively by 1 2 3 c. since their Return they have named them rather after the manner of the Chaldees than the Hebrews The Hebrew The English The Greek Nisan March Andineen Zin or Jar. April Veritien Sivan May. Distre Tamuz June Xantique Ab. July Arthemisien Elul August Desien Ethanin or Tisri September Paneme Bul or Marksuan October Loie Casleu November Gorpian Thebet December Hyperberete Sebath January Dien Adar February Apellâ—â—â— This Nation in their beginning was governed by Judges Moses Joshua Othoniel Adol Baruc and Debora Gedeon Abimelech Thola Jair Jeptha Absan Elon Abdon Samson Eli Samuel After them they had these Kings Saul David Solomon Roboam Abia Asa Jehoshaphat Joram Manasses Amon Josias Joachas Ochozias Athalia Joas Amasias Oziâ— Jonathan Achaz Ezechias Eliacim Joachim Zedechias The Captivity of Babylon continued 70 years Governors after the Captivity were Zorobabel Rhesa John Ben Resa Judas Hircanâ—s Joseph Abner Heli Mahat Nagge Hagaieli Naum Amos Mattathias Joseph Arses Jannes Hircanus Mattathias The Maccabees who were both Princes and Priests Judas Jonathan Simon John Hircanus These following were both Kings and Princes Aristobulus 1. John Alexander Alexandra Aristobulus 2. Hircanus Aristob son of Aristob Aristobulus 3. Hircanus The Race of Herod Antipater Herod the Great Archelaus the Great Agrippa son of Agrip. The names of the High-Priests from the Departure out of Egypt till the building of the Temple by Solomon Aaron Eleazar Phinees Abisua Busqui Oses Heli Achitob Achimelech Abiathar Sadoc Achimaas Azarias From the building of the Temple till the Captivity of Babylon Joram Joses Axioram Sudeas Joathan Vrias Nerias Odeas Sellum Helcias From the Return out of Babylon till the Maccabees time Saraia Josedech Josua Joachim Eliasib Eleazar Manasses Onias 2. Simon 2. Onias 3. Joiada Jonathan Jadus Onias 1. Simon 1. Jason Onias 4. Lysimachus Alcimus High-Priests from the Maccabees time till the final destruction of Jerusalem Simon Boethus Joseph 1. Joseph 2. Joazar Eleazar Joshua the son of Sias Joazar Ananus Ismael Theophilus Simon Mattathias Elion Joseph 3. Ananias Ismael Joseph Annas Eleazar Simon Joseph Caiaphas Jonathan Josuah son of Danneus Josuah son of Gamaliel Matthias Phinees or Panaas Kings of Israel otherwise called Kings of the ten Tribes or of Samaria Jeroboam 1. Nadab Baasa Ela Zamri Amri Achab Joram Jehu Joachaz Joas Jeroboam 2. Zachary Manahem Pecha son of Manaheâ—â— Pecha son of Romelia Oseas Kings of Assyria and Babylon Phulbelocus Phulasser Salmanasser Senacherib Assaradon Berodach Benmerodach Nabuchodonosor 1. Nabuchodonos the great Evilmerodach Neriglossorar Labosardach Baltasser Kings of Persia Cyrus Cambyses Smerdas Magus Darius son of Histaspis Xerxes son of Darius Artabanus the Tyrant Artaxerxes with a long hand Xerxes Sogdianus Darius the Bastard Artaxerxes Mnemon Artaxerxes Ochus Arsames Darius son of Arsames Kings of Syria after the death of Alexander the Great Seleucus Nicanor Antiochus Soter Antiochus sirnam god Seleucus Callinicus Seleucus Ceraunus Antiochus the Great Seleucus Philopater Antiochus Epiphanes Antiochus Eupator Demetrius Soter Alexander Epiphanes Demetrius Nicanor Antiochus Sedetes Demetrius Nicanor Alexander Zebina Antiochus Gryphus Antiochus Cyzicenus Seleucus Gryphus Antiochus Pius Kings of Egypt after the death of Alexander the Great Ptolomey Soter Philadelphus Evergetes Philopater Epiphanes Philometor Evergetes Phiscon Lathyrus Alexander Auletes Cleopatra Kings of the Tyrians Abibalus Hiram Belastartus Abdastartus Astartus Astarimus Phelletes Ithoballus Badezor Merimus Pigmalion An Explication of the Coins and Measures mention'd in this History SAth was a measure containing about some seven quarts English The Epha contained three Saths The Core or Homer contained ten Epha's that is to say thirty Saths and was the same measure both in dry and liquid things The Log contained a French measure The Hin contained twelve Logs The Bath contained as much as the Epha The Cad was a kind of Pitcher containing such a quantity as a young Maid might well carry The common Sicle contained the weight of four ounces whether it were of gold silver or any other metal The sacred or holy Sicle weighed half an ounce of any metal whatsoever The common Sicle of silver was valued at about a shilling of our money The holy Sicle of silver was valued at about two shillings The common Drachm was the eighth part of an ounce The sacred Drachm was the fourth part of an ounce The Pound weighed twelve ounces The ordinary Talent contained fifty four pounds eight ounces and a quarter of Troy weight in any metal yet it was not minted money but a mass made up after the manner of an Ingot The sacred Talent contained one hundred pounds Furthermore Note That when Josephus mentions the Olympiads without any specification of the years therein contained he ordinarily means the space of four years compleat The Stadium Stade or Furlong according to the Greeks account which I suppose Josephus most respected in this History either of 600 Foot as the Olympique that is of 120 paces or as the Pyrrhique which contained 1000 Foot that is 200 paces The Names of the AUTHORS alledged in this History A. Acusilaus Agatharcides Alexander Andrew Apion Apollonius Molo Apollodorus Ariphanes Aristaeus Aristotle B. Berosus C. Cadmus Castor Chaeremon Cherilus Clearchus Conon D. Demetrius Phalereus Dim E. Ephorus Euhemeras Eupolemus H. Hecatusaeus Hellanicus Hermippus Hermogenes Herodotus Hesiodus Hestiaeus Hierom of Egypt Homer Hyperocides I. Isidore L. Titus Livius Lysiâ—â—achus M. Manethon Menander Mnafeas Mochus N. Nicholas of Damas. P. Pherecydes Philon Philostratus Polybius Polycrates Possidonius Pythagoras S. Strabo T. Thales Theodotus Theophilus Theopompus Theophrastus Thucydides
know what their pleasure was I should do They gave me this answer that I should remain where I was and retain my Collegues that I had with me if they thought good to take charge of Galilee But they after they had gather'd great Sums of Money for the Tenths and Tithes that were due to them resolved with themselves to return to their own houses But for that I entreated them to remain with me till such time as we had setled affairs they willingly consented unto me I therefore departed with them to the City of Sephoris and came into a Borough called Bethmaus distant from Tiberias some four Furlongs and from thence I sent a Messenger O to the Council of Tiberias desiring the chiefest among the people to come and speak with me They came accompanied with Justus I told them that I was sent Ambassador A to them with my Collegues by the Commonalty of Jerusalem to persuade them to deface that Palace that was erected by Herod the Tetrach wherein divers figures of living Creatures were painted for that our Law forbad such things and I exhorted them to suffer us to set about that execution as soon as possible Capella The Palace set on fire that was in Tiberias and those of his party did for a long time refuse to consent thereunto but in the end we press'd them so much that they condescended Now whilst we debated this matter Jesus the Son of Saphiâ—s of whom we have spoken heretofore declaring how he was the Chief of the Faction of Sailers and poor men took with him certain Galileans and set fire on the Palace in hope to get great Riches thereby for that there B were certain Roofs of the House covered with Gold and they pillag'd many things against our consent After we had thus conferred with Capella and the chiefest Tiberians we retired from Bethmaus into the higher Galilee In the mean time Jesus's Men slew all the Greeks that remained there and all who before the War had been their Enemies Which when I was certified of I was much displeased and went down to Tiberias to secure the King 's Moveables for fear they should be carried away by the Robbers and having recovered divers Candlesticks of Corinthian work rich Tables and no small quantity of massive Silver I resolved with my self to reserve it to the King's use Joseph procureth the safety of the King 's goods Calling therefore ten of the chiefest Senators and Capella Son of Antillus to me I delivered the Vessels into their hands charging them to deliver the same to no Man C but my self From thence with mine Associates I went to John at Gischala to know what his mind and resolution was and I presently discover'd that he affected Innovation and Tyranny For he desir'd me to grant him liberty to Transport Caesar's Wheat that was stored up in the Villages of higher Galilee telling me that he would bestow the price of the same in re-edifying and repairing the Walls of his City But I perceiving his drift denied him that liberty For I thought that that Wheat would either serve the Romans or the Province the care of which was committed to my hands by the City of Jerusalem When therefore he could get nothing at my hands he addressed to my Companions of whom not foreseeing those Troubles that were likely to come and greedy of D Rewards he obtained a liberty to dispose of all the Corn that was in the Province in that I my self was unable to contradict them both After this John used another subtlety for he said that those Jews who inhabited Caesarea Philippi being by the Command of their King John's acts in Gischala and his covetousness restrain'd within their Walls and wanting Virgin oyl desired to buy the same of him for fear lest contrary to their Custom they should be compelled to use that of the Greeks This he said not out of respect to Religion or Devotion but for his filthy lucres sake For knowing that among the Caesareans two sextaries were sold for a drachm and that at Gischala eighty sextaries were sold for four drachms he sent all the oyl that was in that Town to them pretending my permission I dar'd not withstand the same lest the People should stone me to death By this craft John gathered E a great Sum of Money From this place Joseph sends back his companions to Jerusalem I dismissed my Companions back to Jerusalem employing my self wholly afterwards in preparing Arms and fortifying Cities In the mean time calling the stoutest Libertines before me and having in vain exhorted them to quit their Arms I persuaded the People to pay them Contribution Joseph President of Galilee which was more advantagious for them than to suffer their Countrey to be spoiled by their Excursions And thus having taken their Oaths I dismiss'd them on condition that they should not come into our Region except they were called or wanted their due pay nor spoil either the Lands of the Romans or the Inhabitants of the Countrey But above all things my care was to keep Galilee in peace Joseph joined seventy of the Nobility with him To which purpose I got seventy pledges of their F Loyalty chosen out amongst their Nobility under pretext of friendship I made them my Companions and Fellow-Judges and decreed many things according to their opinions having especial care lest through rashness I should injure Justice or for Rewards stain mine incorrupted Honour Joseph at thirty years of age offered no Woman violence and would not be bribed I was now Thirty years old and though a man who bridles himself from unlawful affections can hardly escape the poysoned sting of detraction especially if great authority be annexed to his green years yet none ever durst say that I suffer'd Violence to be done to any Woman or receiv'd a Bribe from any Man yea I refused those Tenths which in right of Priesthood I might have receiv'd Yet after the Conquest of the Syrians I took part of the spoil which I freely confess I sent to Jerusalem to my Kinsmen And though at two times I forcibly overcame G the Sephorites the Tiberians four times and the Gadarenians once and had brought John under my subjection who had oftentimes sought to entrap me yet could I not endure to revenge my self on him Joseph's bounty towards his Enemies or any of the abovenamed People as in the sequel H of this story I will make manifest For which cause I suppose The Galileans faith and love towards Joseph that God who is the Tryer and Searcher of all hearts both delivered me at this time out of the hands of mine Enemies and afterwards many times from several dangers and misfortunes as hereafter shall appear But so great was the fidelity and benevolence of the common People of Galilee towards me John desireth that he might bathe himself in the hot bathes of Tiberias
Fairs and Markets appointed for Traffick he observed the ancient order of the year beginning in December Moses writes that the Deluge began the seven and twentieth day of the second month in the year two thousand two hundred fifty and six 11. after the Creation of the first Man Adam which time is carefully B calculated in Holy Writ Gen. 5 a v 3. ad finem in which the birth and death of great personages of that time are most exactly set down This comparison doth not exactly agree with the Hebrews and the 70 Interpretrs At such time then as Adam was 230 years old his Son Seth was born unto him and the same Adam lived 930 years Seth about the age of 250 years begat Enos who after he had lived 905 years left the Government of his affairs to his Son Cainan whom he had begotten about the 190 year of his age After that Cainan had lived 910 years he had his Son Malaleel begotten by him in the 170 year of his age The said Malaleel having lived 195 years died leaving his Son Jared Gen. 5. 24. who at the age of 162 years begat Enoch Enochs death is not written in holy Scriptures who lived 962 years After Enoch succeeded his Son Methusala begotten about the age of 162 years at such time as the said Enochs Father was yet alive and after that Enoch had lived 365 years he was taken C up unto God whence it cometh to pass that his decease hath not been mentioned by any writer Methusala the Son of Enoch in the year of his age 187 had Lamech for his Son who lived 782 years and to whom he left the Soveraignty having held the same 969 years And Lamech after he had governed 707 years declared his Son Noah Governor at such time as the said Lamech had lived 182 which Noah liv'd the space of 900 years All these years calculated into one sum make the number of 2256 yet to perfect this account we ought not to seek out the decease of the Personages for they lived in the same time that their Children and successors did Gen. 7. 4. but the onely thing we are to observe is their births In the Geek copy and Moses are 40 days â—v 17. ad 20. Now God having given the sign and the rain falling for the space D of forty dayes together the waters rose and overflowed the whole earth fourteen Cubits so that there was no means of flight or place of refuge for any But as soon as the rain was ceased The Latine Josephus 90. the water began to decrease by little and little for the space of one hundred and fifty days Gen. 8. 1. till the 27 day of the seventh month when Noah perceiving that the Ark was on ground upon the top of a certain Mountain of the Countrey of Armenia he opened the window and seeing the earth a little discover it self round about he conceived some better hope and began to comfort himself Some few dayes after when the water was ebbed somewhat more Noah sendeth a Raven out of the Ark. he sent out a Raven desiring to know if the rest of the earth were delivered from the waters and whether without danger he might go out of the Ark. 8. But the Raven finding the earth still cover'd with water returned unto E Noah who the seventh day after sent out a Dove to discover the state of the earth which returned bemired and bearing in its mouth an Olive branch whereby Noah perceived that the earth was freed from the Deluge and having still waited seven dayes more Noah forsaketh the Ark and sacrificeth to God he set at liberty all living Creatures that were in the Ark. But as soon as himself his Wife and his Family came forth he offered sacrifice unto God and Feasted and reioyced 16 17. both he and all his houshold The Armenians in their language have called the place where Noah descended Apobaterion which signifieth a descent and in that place even at this present the Inhabitants of the Countrey shew some remainers of the Ark. All Historians even the Barbarians have made mention of this Deluge and of the Ark amongst whom is Berosus the Caldean who setting down the occurrances F of this Deluge writeth after this manner Some say likewise that a certain part of this Ark is still seen in Armenia upon the Mountain of the Cordaeans and that some persons have brought from thence some of the Pitch wherewith it was Calked which the Men of that place are wont to use instead of a preservative against inchantment Hierome the Egyptian also who hath written of the Antiquities of the Phoenicians hath made mention of this matter Nicholas Damascen of Noahs Ark. as also Mnaseus with divers others Nicholas of Damascus likewise in his Ninety sixth Book speaketh hereof after this manner Above the Region of the Mineans there is a great Mountain in Armenia called Baris in which it is reported that divers retired themselves for safety during the time of the Deluge and there escaped and that a certain Man born on an Ark arrived on the highest top of that Mountain and that certain pieces G of that bottom had been kept there a long while 'T is probable this is the Man of whom Moses the Law giver of the Jews maketh mention But Noah fearing lest God having condemned all Men to a general perdition should every year overflow the earth after this manner offered burnt-sacrifice unto God beseeching him that hereafter he would H maintain the antient order The year of the World 1687. before Christ's Nativity 2307. and that no such great calamity might arrive by which all living Creatures might come in danger to be utterly destroyed and exterminated but that having inflicted deserv'd punishment on the wicked he would spare the Innocent whom in his mercy he had preserved from the past danger otherwise they should be more miserable Hedio Ruffinus cap. 6. than those that had been buried in the waters if having beheld with trembling so strange a desolation they should not be preserv'd from the first but to perish by a second Gen. 8. 20. He prayed therefore that he would be pleased to accept of his sacrifice Noah praâ—eth God that he will drown the earth no more and in his mercy vouchsafe not to conceive hereafter a ruinous hate and displeasure against the earth to the end that he and his posterity might by their labours Till it and building them Cities might possess the same in peace wanting none of those commodities I which they enjoyed before the Deluge but that they might equal their fore-fathers in age and length of life Noah having in this sort finished his requests 12. God heareth Noahs Prayer God who loved him for the uprightness of his heart granted him his request and said he had not been the Author of their deaths who
were drowned Nota. but that they themselves by their own wickedness had procured those punishments due upon themselves Hedi Ruffinus cap. 8. Man is the author of his death not God For had he desired that they should be extinguished he would not have brought them into the World For better it is not to grant life than to destroy those to whom it is given But said God through their contempt of my service and graces Gods covenant with Noah they have inforced me to destroy them with the rigor of this vengeance hereafter I will not so severely pursue and punish their iniquities K in my displeasure The year of the World 2007 before Christ's Nativiâ—y 1949. especially for thy sake And if hereafter at any time I shall send any tempest fear not how great and hideous soever the storms be for there shall be no more Deluge of water upon the earth In the mean time I command you to keep your hands innocent from murther and all man-slaughter and to punish those that commit wickedness The Rainbow the sign of atonement between God and Noah Gen. 9. 11 12 14. 15. I leave the use of all other living Creatures to your sustenance or service in as much as I have made you Lords over them all as well those that breathe upon the face of the earth as those that swim in the waters and such as inhabit and flie in the air but you shall not eat any blood in as much as therein consisteth the soul and life of living Creatures Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. And I declare unto you that I will forbare to draw the shafts of my displeasure against Men And I will give you the Rainbow for a sign of the L promise which I make to you Noahs age 950. years Noah lived after the Deluge 350 years and having spent all the rest of his life in happiness he died after he had lived in the world nine hundred and fifty years Neither is there cause why any Man comparing this our present age and the shortness thereof with the long life of the Antients should think that false which I have said neither followeth it that because our present life extendeth not to such a term and continuance of years therefore they of the former World attained not the age and long life which we publish of them For they being beloved of God and newly created by him using also a kind of nutriment agreeing with their natures and proper to prolong their lives it is no absurd thing to suppose that their lives were of that continuance M Why they in timâ—s past lived longer than we do considering that God gave them long life to the end that they should teach virtue and should conveniently practice those things which they had invented the Sciences of Astronomy and Geometry the demonstrations whereof they never had attained except they had lived at the least six hundred years For the great year is accomplished by that number of years The great year whereof all they bear me witness who either Greeks or Barbarians have written antient Histories For both Manethon who hath written the History of Egypt and Berosus who registred the acts and affairs of the Chaldeans together with Mochus Hestiaeus Hierom of Egypt who writ those of the Phoenicians and others accord with me in that which I have said Hesiodus also Hecataeus Hellanicus and Acusilas Ephorus and Nicolaus do declare that they of the first World lived one thousand years Notwithstanding N let every man judge of these things Gen. 9. 18 19. as best liketh him CHAP. IV. Of the Tower of Babylon and the change of Tongues NOah had three Sons Thâ— year of the World 1790 before Christ's Nativity 2174. Sem Japhet and Cham born one hundred years before the Deluge Gen. 10. per totum These first descended from the Mountains into the Plains and there made their habitation which when other Men perceived who for fear of the Deluge had fled the Plains Nâ—ah's three Sons and for that cause were loth to forsake the Mountains they gathered courage God commanded the posterity of Noah to inhabit the â—â—â—th and persuaded themselves to do the like and the Plain where they dwelt was called Sâ—â—â—ar And whereas they were commanded by God that by reason of the O increase and multitude of Men they should send Colonies to inhabit divers Countries of the World to the end no quarrels might grow betwixt them but A contrariwise in labouring and tilling a great quantity of ground they might gather great store of fruits they were so ignorant that they disobeyed God and falling into great calamities suffered the punishment of their offence Now God seeing their number continually increase he commanded them again to divide themselves into Colonies But they forgetting that the Goods which they possessed proceeded from him and his bounty and presuming that their force was the only cause of their abundance did not obey him Ver. 8 9. but rather suspected that God sought to betray them to the end that being thus divided he might the more easily destroy them Nimrod the Grandson of Cham one of Noah's Sons incited them in this sort to mock and contemn God He put them in the head that they should not believe that their prosperity proceeded from God but that they ought to attribute B it to their own valor which furnish'd them with so much riches so that in a little space he reduced their estate to a tyranny supposing by this onely means that he might make Men revolt against God if he might persuade them to submit themselves to his Government Chap. 11. 2 3 4. giving them to understand that if God should once more threaten a Deluge he would protect them against him and to that end build a Tower to whose top the water should not reach and also revenge the death of their Predecessors The stupid People gave ear to these persuasions of Nimrod supposing it to be pusillanimity in themselves if they should obey God For which cause they began to build the Tower with their uttermost industry neither was there any one idle in all that work yea so great was the number of Labourers that in a little time the work was raised to a height beyond all expectation C The thickness of it was so great that it obscured the height and it was built of burnt Brick 〈◊〉 and cimented and joined with a bituminous morter to the end that it might become the stronger God seeing their madness yet condemned them not to a general extermination by reason that they had made no profit by their example The confusion of Tongues who perished in the first Deluge but made them mutiny the one against another by changing of their tongue Ver. 6 7 8. so that by reason of their diversity of language they could not understand one another The place
his Countrey yet hath he refused all of them desiring rather to render this respect to those of his kindred and Nation set not light therefore by his good affection and desire For besides all other blessings and good fortunes which have happily befallen me in this my journey I have by Gods especial providence found out both the Maid and your house For at such time as I drew near the City and beheld many Virgins going to fetch Water I besought God that I might light upon this Maiden Hedio Ruffinus chap 28. and he vouchsafed me my desire ratifie therefore on your part this Marriage favoured by Gods providence and honour Abraham in granting your consent to this your Daughters Marriage Gen. 24. which I am sent to request at your hands with most entire affection Now they in that they both allowed a thing so advantageous C and perceived also that it was conformable to the will of God sent their Sister unto him under the conditions demanded 58 59 60. and Isaac married her being already in possession of all his Fathers goods by reason that the other Sons of Abraham were already departed to establish their Colonies in other Provinces CHAP. XVI Of Abraham's death Gen. 24. 7 8. A Few days after Isaac's Marriage Abraham deceased a Man full of vertue to his last end Abraham died after he had lived 175. years and honoured by God according to that entire love he hath to vertue D with great affection All the dayes of his life amounted to one hundred seventy and five years and he was buried in Hebron near his Wife Sara by his Sons Isaac and Ishmael CHAP. XVII Of Isaac's Sons Hedio Ruffinus chap. 26. Esau and Jacob and of their Nativity and Education Gen. 25. AFter the death of Abraham Gen. 25. 21 22 23 24. Rebecca Isaac's Wife became big with Child in an extraordinary manner and the time of her reckoning being near at hand Isaac was sore troubled and sought counsel at Gods hands who answered him that Rebecca should bring forth Twins and that of those two Sons two Nations should be E derived both which should be called by their names and that he who seemed to be the least of them should grow to be the greatest not long after according as God had foretold him she was brought to Bed of two Twins verse 24 25. the eldest of which was very Hairy all over his body The year of the World 2124. before Christs Nativity 1840. and as he came out of his Mothers Womb his younger Brother held him by the Heel the Father loved the elder who was called Esau and Seir by reason of his Hair which the Hebrews call Seir in their language but the younger who was called Jacob was dearly loved by his Mother Now it hapned that a great Famine reigned in the Land of Canaan Isaac resolved to retire himself to Egypt Isaac came unto Gerar. Gen. 26. 1 2. by reason of the plenty of that Countrey but he went and dwelt at Gerar according as God had commanded In which place King Abimelech received F and entertained him according to the Law of Hospitality and the League of Friendship which was betwixt Abraham his Father and him At first therefore he shewed him great signs of Friendship v. 6. but afterwards the envy he had conceived hindred him from persisting in the same Abimelech expelleth Isaac being moved thereunto by envy for perceiving that God was favourable unto Isaac and had an especial care over him he drave him out of his Countrey He retired not far from Gerar to a place called Pharan that is to say The Valley and as he there dig'd to find out Springs of Water Fauces Abimelech's Shepherds came and set upon him 13 14 15 16. and hindered him in such sort as he could not finish his purpose and for that he purposely retired from them they supposed they had gotten the Victory Shortly after when he began to dig in another place other Shepherds of Abimelech outraged G him again as at the first for which cause he left this Fountain imperfect also expecting a more convenient opportunity which was afterwards offered him by reason that the King gave him leave to dig whereupon he opened a Fountain and called it Rooboth which signifieth large As for the other two he called the first of them Escon H which is to say strife 19 20 21. and the other Sienna which signifieth Hostility Thus increased he daily more and more both in power and riches 26 27 28 29. But Abimelech supposing that his affluence would be many ways hurtful unto him and remembring that he had not faithfully entertained Friendship with him but in some sort given occasion of suspition by means of some heard measure fearing least hereafter the injuries fresh in memory should more distract him than their old and ancient plighted Friendship Abimelech reneweth friendship with Isaac 30 31 32 33. and misdoubting his revenge he repaired unto him and contracted a new League of amity with him having with him one of his chiefest Captains as an Arbiter between them by whose means he obtained whatsoever he required so courteous was Isaac and so ready in memory of his Fathers old covenant to forgive new injuries So Abimelech I having obtained his purpose returned to his house Esau one of the two Sons of Isaac having attained the age of forty years took two Wives Ada the Daughtr of Edom Esaâ— his Wives 34 35. and Alibama the Daughter of Esebion two Princes of the Canaanites and that of his own authority without his Fathers advice or privity who would not have consented had the matter been remitted unto him because he held it inconvenient to mix and joyn him or his in affinity with any dwellers or inhabitants of the Countrey This notwithstanding he would not displease his Son by commanding him to put away his Wives but determined with himself to conceal and keep the matter silent When Isaac was grown old and wholly deprived of his sight Gen. 27. 3 4 5. he called Esau his Son and told him that though through his blindness he could not see the day-light Isaac sendeth Esau on Hunting nor K serve God so exactly as he had wont to do yet he would give him his blessing before he dyed and therefore he willed him to go a Hunting and to make ready what he should catch for him that he might eat The year of the World 2186. before Christs Nativity 1778. and that after his repast he would pray to God that it would please him to be assistant unto him all his life-time and be a comforter and aid unto him Since he could not better employ the little time that he had to live than in imploring the favor of God for him 6 7 8 ad 30. Hereupon Esau went a Hunting but Rebecca in the meane
2206 before Christ's Nativity 1658. that scarcely any other in all that Countrey was so happy for he surpassed all the Inhabitants of it in riches and by reason of the virtues of his Children he was both envied and regarded For they were accomplished N in all perfections endowed with stout hearts apt to execute any work of the hand and to endure all sorts of Travel finally all of them were furnished with knowledge and providence Gen. 37. 1 2. But God had such care of him and so graciously procured and furthered his good fortunes Hedio Ruffinus cap. 2. that that which seemed unto him to be grievous and contrary he brought to a prosperous issue for him to the encrease of his riches and caused that both he and his Children were the first motive to our Ancestors to forsake the Land of Egypt on that occasion which here ensueth Ver. 3 4. Jacob having begotten Joseph of Rachel lov'd him entirely both in respect of the beauty of his body 〈…〉 and of the ornaments and virtues of his mind as also his prudence wherein he exceeded all his other Brothers This cordial affection of his Father moved envy and hatred amongst his Brothers towards him together with the O Dreams which he had seen and told both to his Father and Brethren which presag'd unto him a singular felicity For it is the common custom of Men to be jealous of their prosperity with whom they are familiar A Now the visions which Joseph saw in his dream were these Being sent by his Father in the company of his Brothers à v. 5. ad 9. Josephs Dream to reap Corn in the time of Harvest he saw a vision far different from those which commonly happen in sleep which as soon as he awoke he told unto his Brethren to the end they might interpret it He told them that he thought in his dream the night past that his Sheaf of Corn stood upright in a place where he had fixed it and that theirs run towards his to bow down and reverence the same Which vision of his seemed to foretel him his ample fortune and how he should obtain the Lordship over all of them But they concealed all these things from Joseph making shew that they could in no sort interpret the dream but being by themselves apart they breathed forth contrary imprecations wishing that nothing of this prediction B might take effect but persevered more and more in envy and hatred towards him But God opposing his power against their envy sent Joseph a second and more strange vision The year of the World 2206. before Christs Nativity 1758. for he dreamed that the Sun the Moon and eleven of the Stars descended down to the earth and humbled themselves before him Which vision he revealed to his Father in the presence of his Brethren without suspition of any hatred in them towards him and desir'd him to interpret unto him the meaning thereof v. 9. 10 11. Jacob greatly rejoyced at this dream Josephs Dream of the Sun Moon and Stars by reason he conceived in his mind the interpretation thereof and in comparing and alluding his conjectures not rashly but with prudence he rejoyced at those great matters which were signified by that dream The interpretation of Josephs Dream which foretold that his Son Joseph should be very fortunate and happy and that the time should come in which his C Father Mother and Brethren should honor him and do him homage For he compared the Moon which ripeneth and encreaseth all things that grow to his Mother and the Sun which giveth form and force to his Father And as touching his Brothers who were eleven in number he compared them to the Eleven Stars which receive their force both from the Sun and the Moon Neither did Jacob without judgment and consideration so interpret this vision But Josephs Brothers were highly grieved at this presage v. 11. conceiving as enviously and hatefully thereof as if this felicity had been portended to a stranger and not to their Brother with whom they might equally partake his good fortunes being as well Allied in felicity unto him as in consanguinity Whereupon they resolved on his death and destruction Josepâ—'s Brothers complot his death and having complotted these counsels D amongst themselves and gathered in their Harvest they retired themselves with their flock Sichem a fit place to graze in v. 13 14. towards Sichem which was a part of that Countrey very fit to feed their Cattel where they kept their flocks without giving any notice of thier departure to their Father But he perceiving that no Man came from the herd that might tell him any tidings being sorrowful and careful of his Sons sent Joseph to the flocks to understand how they did and how their affairs prospered CHAP. III. How Joseph was sold into Egypt by his Brethren and grew in credit in that Countrey and how his Brethren at length were under his subjection E BUt so soon as they saw their Brother coming towards them v. 18. they rejoyced not as at the arrival of one of their neer Friends Joseph cometh unto his Brothers who resolve to murther him sent unto them by their Father but as if their Enemy had met them and was by the will of God delivered into their hands They therefore mutually agreed to put him to death and not to let slip the present opportunity Reuben dissuadeth his Brothers death But Reuben the eldest amongst them seeing their disposition and conspiracy to kill him endeavoured to dissuade them setting before their eyes how heinous and wicked the enterprise was and what hatred they might incur thereby For said he if before God and before Men it be a wicked and detestable thing v. 21. to lay hands on and to murther a stranger how much more heinous a Crime will it be held for us F to be convicted to be the murtherers of our Brother whose death will heap sorrow on our Fathers head and draw our Mother into great grief and desolation through the loss of her Son robbed and bereft from her against the ordinary course of nature He prayed therefore them to be advised in these things and to consider in their minds what might happen if this Child who was fair vertuous and young should be put to death desiring them to give over this unnatural resolution and to fear God who was both the judge and witness of their deliberation intended against their Brother adding that if they would desist from this heinous 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 The year of the World 2217. before Christs Nativity 1747. since nothing is hidden from his providence G whether it be committed in the Desart or attempted in the City For wheresoever Men are there is
at liberty saying That they found the Money among the Wheat at such time as they emptied their Sacks which now in discharge of their truth they had brought back again But he denying that he ever missed their Money and they being delivered from this fear began to be more secure so that Simeon was suddenly G set at liberty to converse among his Brethren Now when Joseph was returned from the service of the King they offer him presents and he enquiring of them how their Father did they answered that he was in health Then perceiving that Benjamin was yet alive whom he saw among them he ask'd whether that were their younger Brother H and hearing that it was vers 29. he only uttered these words Joseph unknown to his Brethren saluteth both them and Benjamin That God's providence was over all things and departed from them being unwilling that any of them should see him shed Tears which he could not any longer contain Inviting them afterwards unto a Banquet he commanded them to sit down in order according as they were wont to do when they were with their Father and whereas he kindly entertained all of them he honoured Benjamin with a double share After the Banquet when they were all laid down to rest he commanded the steward to measure out the Wheat which every one should bear away with him and to hide the price thereof again in their Sacks but in Benjamins Sack he commanded him to put his Cup which he ordinarily made use of This he did Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. with intent to make triall of their loves towards Benjamin and whether I they would stick unto him Gen. 44. 2 3 being accused of Theft or leave him behind as a malefactor and return unto their Father Joseph tempteth Benjamins Brothers whether they would assist him as if the matter no wayes touched them Which being done according as he had commanded early in the morning all Jacobs Sons arose and taking with them Simeon departed onwards of their journey rejoycing as well at his restitution as Benjamins return whom they both promised and protested to bring back again to their Father Josephs brethren are staid in their journey when behold suddenly a Troop of Horsemen beset them round amongst whom was that Servant who had hid the Cup in the Sack They being troubled by this sudden incursion and asking why they set upon them whom they so lately had both invited and entertained so honourably v. 5 12. The Egyptians answered and exclaimed against them Jacobs Sons are accused of Theft calling them wicked Men who forgetting the late benefits received K and Joseph's gentleness and humanity were so wicked as to return him injuries for his courtesies threatning them that they should be punished for their Theft and telling them that although for a time they had deceived the Officer of the Table yet could they not deceive God and again asking them whether they were well in their wits in supposing that for this offence they should not be incontinently punished with these and the like speeches the Servant insulted over them But they who nothing at all suspected this subtilty accused him saying That they wondred at the Mans unreasonableness in so rashly accusing them of Theft who had not kept back the price of their Corn which they found in their Sacks whereas none but themselves knew of that Money so far were they from purposely offering any wrong Yet in that they thought the searching L would better satisfie them than denial they bid them search their Sacks offering themselves each of them to suffer punishment if any one of them were found guilty of the Theft This search which they offered the Egyptians accepted yet agreed the punishment should be inflicted onely on him who had done the injury Afterwards beginning to search and orderly looking into each Mans Sack at length they came to Benjamin not that they were ignorant the Cup was hid in his Sack but that they might seem to discharge their duty more exactly Now all the rest being secure in themselves they were only careful of their Brother Benjamin and they hoped that he would not be found guilty of falshood for which cause they more freely upbraided their persecutors objecting unto them how through their importunity they had been hindred M a good part of their journey Now as they searched Benjamins Sack they found the Cup whereupon all the Brothers began to mourn and lament both bewailing their Brothers misfortune who was presently to suffer death for the Theft and their own mishap who having plighted their faith unto their Father for Benjamins safe return were compelled to falsifie the same through this accident And that which further increased their grief was that when as they most of all hoped to be free from dangers they were by fortunes envy thrust into so great calamity confessing themselves to be the authors both of their Fathers and this their Brothers misfortune in that they had never ceased to importune and compel their Father although he were unwilling and resisted to send the Child with them N Now the Horsemen having laid hands on Benjamin led him unto Joseph and his Brothers followed him ver 12. Joseph beholding his Brother in the others hands and the rest bemoaning him round about them Benjamin is attached for Theft Have you said he O most wicked Men either so contemned my humanity or Gods providence as that you durst attempt such a hainous injury against him who entertained you with hospitality and dismissed you with benefits To whom they answered that they were ready to suffer punishment for Benjamin calling again to their remembrance Joseph's injuries saying that he was happy who delivered by death from life was exempt from all calamities and that if he lived God inflicted that plague on them for his sake They said also that they were the plague and great misfortune of their Father because that to the former sorrow which he had endur'd O ever since the time of Josephs death they had also annexed this new misery neither did Reuben desist to reproach them in bitter manner with the wickedness which they had A committed But Joseph told them that he dismissed them all seeing that their innocence was proved to him and would be contented with the Lads punishment for said he neither is it reasonable that he should be delivered for the sake of those who have not offended nor they punished for him that hath done the Theft He commanded them therefore to depart and promised them safe conduct on their way Whilest all of them were grievously wounded with these words so that scarcely one of them could speak for sorrow Juda who had persuaded his Father to send Benjamin with them A ver 18. ad finem and who above the rest was a Man of confidence purposed to expose himself to all danger in that resolution to
Hebrews endured in Egypt for the space of 400 years THE Egyptians are a Nation addicted to pleasures and delicacy Exod. 1. impatient of labour The History of the Book of Exodus and affecting gain whence it came to pass that bearing hatred to the Hebrews and envying their happiness Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. they were very evilly disposed toward them For seeing the Race of the Israelites flourish and abound in Riches which they got by their labour M and industry Exod. 1. 1 2 c. they conceived an opinion that their advancement and increase would be the overthrow and decrease of the Egyptians so that at length they forgot the benefits which Joseph had done to them The envy of the Egyptians towards the Hebrews and after the Royalty was transported into another Family they committed divers outrages against the Israelites and complotted against them in what manner they might more grievously afflict them They enjoined them therefore to cut Nilus into divers Trenches Ver. 11. and to inviron their City with Walls and to build Fortifications and Banks The Hebrews insupportable servitude whereby the inundations of the River might be diverted They also employed our Nation in building their high and vain Pyramides compelling them to learn divers Arts and to accustom themselves to endure Labour and in such afflictions liv'd the Israelites for the space of 400 years the Egyptians studying nothing else but to N vex them with continual labor The Prophecy as touching Moses and our Countreymen endeavoring always to surmount all these difficulties Living in this estate there grew afterwards another occasion which instigated them the more to seek the ruine and desolation of our Nation For one of the Sacred Secretaries to whose predictions those kind of People do very much attribute foretold the King Ver. 16. 22. that about that time there should be One born among the Israelites that should grievously afflict the estate of the Egyptians Pharaoh commanded that all the Male-children of the Israelites should be put to death and wonderously enhance the glory of the Israelites and surpass all other in virtue and purchase to himself immortal glory if so be he should attain to mans estate Wherewith the King being greatly terrified published an Edict by the advice of this Secretary that whatsoever Male-child should be born among the Israelites it should be cast into the River to be drowned he O commanded likewise the Egyptian Midwives diligently to observe the time when the Hebrew Women Travailed with Child because he trusted not to the Midwives of their own A Nation The year of the World 2373. before Christ's Nativity 1591. He Enacted also a Law with a penalty that if any should be so bold to conceal their Children both they and all their Family should be put to death Great was their calamity not only because they were deprived of their Children and the Parents themselves made the Ministers to murther their own Children but also because they foresaw hereby the certain and infallible extirpation of their whole Nation by reason that when the Children were slain Exod. 2. 1 2 3. the Parents themselves not long after were assured to die thus lamented they in themselves the extreme misfortune whereinto they were fallen But no man whatsoever though he complot never so many stratagems can resist the Will of God Amarames Moses Father prayeth God to be merciful to the Hebrews For both the Child of whom the Sacred Secretary had fore-prophesied was secretly brought up undiscovered by the Kings Spies and proved by the B events of his life that he was no false Prophet Amram an Hebrew born and a Noble man amongst his Nation fearing both the publick peril lest the whole Nation should be brought to nothing by the want of issue and his own private misfortune whose Wife at home was big with Child and ready to lie down was troubled in his mind and uncertain what to do For which cause he made his recourse unto God beseeching him that at the length he would have mercy on that People by whom onely he had been perpetually honoured and that it would please him to bring to an end the present affliction which threatned the whole Nation with utter ruine and destruction God being moved to mercy by his most humble Prayer appeared to him in a Dream and comforted him commanding him to be of good courage telling him That he had in memory the C piety of his Ancestors and that he would reward them for it even as in times past he had been gracious to their Forefathers For it was he that had increased their posterity and multiplied them to so mighty a Nation that by his favor Abraham departing alone out of Mesopotamia into Canaan besides other felicities had issue by his Wife that was formerly barren and left ample possessions to his Successors to Ismael Arabia to Chetura's Children Troglottite and to Isaac Canaan Nor could they ever forget without impiety and ingratitude the attempts also which were happily atchieved in War by his assistance that Jacobs Name is renowned amongst Foreign Nations both in respect of the felicity wherein he lived and that which by hereditary Right he left to his posterity who taking their original from 70 Men that accompanied their Father into Egypt D were now increased to the number of 600000 and assuring him that now also he would take care of them all in general and of him in particular That this Child for fear of whose Nativity the Egyptians have condemned all the Hebrews Children to death should be born to him that he should not be discovered by the constituted Spies and having escaped beyond all expectation should he be brought up and in due time deliver the Hebrews from the thraldom of the Egyptians and obtain an eternal memory for this his famous action not only amongst his own Nation but also amongst strangers that he should also have a brother that should deserve both in himself and in his posterity to inherit the Priesthood for ever Exod. 2. 1 2 3 ad 10. After these things were declared in a Vision unto Amram he awak'd and told it to his wife Jochabel and notwithstanding the prediction E of this Dream Moses birth their suspition and fear the rather increased more and more for they were not only pensive in respect of their Child but also by reason that the future great good fortune that was promised them seemed incredible But soon after the woman being brought to Bed gave credit to the Oracle having had so easie and gentle a Labor that she beguiled the Overseers and Spies in that she felt none of those Throes which commonly afflict such as are in Labour so that she nourished the Infant three months secretly in her house without being in any sort discovered But afterwards Amram fearing to be surprized and doubting lest he should incur the Kings
sequestred them for the space of seven days after which it was lawful for them to converse with Men. The like decreed he of those that had assisted at the burial of a dead Man whom he permitted not to converse with the other till seven days were expired It was also decreed by Law that he that had a flux of seed beyond seven days should sacrifice two Wethers one of which should be sacrific'd and the other given to the Priests Also that he that hath unnatural pollution should wash himself with cold water Goâ—orrhaâ— The like must Husbands do after they have had use of their Wives Of Lepers He likewise order'd that the Leprous should be separated for ever not permitting them to frequent any Mans company but esteeming them as little differing from the dead And if any one by his prayers made unto God was delivered D from this disease and his skin reduced to its native colour such an one presented himself before God with divers oblations and sacrifices Against them that object against Moses and his Followers that they fled out of Egypt for Leprosie of which we will speak hereafter Whence it appears how ridiculous a fable it is that Moses fled out of Egypt because he was a Leper and that all the Hebrews whom he conducted with him and brought into the Land of Canaan was troubled with that disease For if that were true Moses would not have made these ordinances to his own shame and if any other had proposed them he would have opposed himself against them especially since among divers other Nations there are Lepers who are held in great honour and who are so far from disdainand contempt that they have been made Generals of Armies and elected for Governors of Common-wealths having liberty to enter the Temples and to be present at the sacrifices E What therefore hindred Moses if he had been infected with this malady to make such Laws and ordain such Statutes among those People who honoured and obeyed him whereby such as were therewith infected might be preferred By which it is manifest that those things that are objected against him are rather of malice than probability But Moses being clean from such sickness and conversing amongst his Countrey-men which were untainted made these ordinances for them that were sick having regard to the honour of God But of these things let each Man censure as best liketh him He forbad women to enter into the Temple soon after their deliverance Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. or to assist at the sacrifice until forty days were expired if they had been brought a-bed of a Son The Laws of Women that are brought a-bed but if it were a Daughter he appointed that the number of the dayes should be F doubled and that when they should enter they should present their offerings to God whereof one part was consecrated and the other belonged to the Priests And if any one suspected that his Wife had committed adultery Numb 5. v. 15. ad finem he brought an Assar of Barly Meal and cast an handful thereof upon the Altar The Laws of adultery and jealousie and the rest was reserved for the maintenance of the Priests and then the Priest placing the Woman in the porch which is right over against the Tabernacle and taking the cover from her head writeth the name of God upon a Parchment and maketh her swear that she hath not violated her faith to her Husband and wish if she had transgressed the bounds of chastity that her right thigh might be put out of joynt her belly burst and death follow thereupon but if her Husband had been inconsiderately drawn into that suspition through excess of love then it pleased G God at the end of ten months to give her a Son And after such an oath ministred unto her the Priest dippeth in water the Parchment on which the name of God was written and then taking some of the earth of the Temple according as he findeth it and having mingled the same giveth it to the Woman to drink and if she had been H unjustly accused she became with child and brought forth happily but if she had falsified her faith to her husband and forsworn her self before God then dyed she a shameful death in the manner above mentioned You see what Laws Moses provided for the sacrifices and purifications Of adultery and incest He furthermore made these Laws which ensue He generally forebad Adultery judging it to be a great felicity if Men demeaned themselves honestly in Marriage and that both in politick Estates and private Families Exod. 22. it was a thing most profitable Deut. 17. that children should be born in Lawful Matrimony Levit. 18. 20 21 29. He condemn'd also as a horrid crime for a Man to have the use of his Mother or his Fathers Wife his Aunt or his Sister or his Sons Wife and detesteth it as a most I heinous and hideous offence He prohibited also the use of a Woman when she hath her monthly sickness also the lying with Beasts or boys by reason that such affections are abominable and against the transgressors of these Laws he established Capital punishments He willed also that the Priests should be more chaste than the rest for he not onely forbad them that which he prohibited others but moreover he enjoyned them not to marry Women that had been cast off or Slaves or Prisoners or Victualers and Taverners forsaken by their Husbands for any occasion whatsoever And touching the High-Priest Lev. 21. 7 8 9 he permitted him not to match with a Widow although it were Lawful for the other Priests and granted him onely liberty to take a Virgin to his Wife What Wife the High-Priest might marry with and to keep her The said High-Priest is also forbidden to approach a dead Man K although the other Priests are not forbidden to approach their Brothers Fathers and Mothers and children deceased Requiring that they should be sincere and true in all their words and actions He likewise ordained that the Priest which had any bodily defect should be maintained by the other Priests but in the mean time that he should not approach the Altar nor enter into the Temple willing that not onely they should be pure in that which concerned the divine service but also that they should study and endeavour to be so in all the actions of their life to the end that no Man might reproach them For which cause when they wore the habit of Priests besides their general obligation to be always pure and sober they were forbidden to drink Wine and they were to offer up entire L sacrifices and no ways maimed These Statutes did Moses make in the Desart and caus'd to be observ'd during his life Levit. 25. v. 2. ad 8. Afterwards he made others also which both the People might practise in that place The
City and the Elders and Magistrates and as many of the People as might commodiously be present and spake unto them First he called unto their remembrance the many benefits which God had bestowed upon them by means whereof from a poor and afflicted condition they had attained great riches and glory Then he exhorted them to observe his Commandments most Religiously to the end God might continue his merciful hand over them since they knew that his favour could be kept to them N by no other means but by their obedience He further told them that he thought himself oblig'd before he departed out of this life to admonish them of their duty Last of all Josh 24. 39. he desired them to accept well of that his good admonition and to be perpetually mindful of the same Joshuah's death As he ended these words he gave up the Ghost and dyed in the 110 year of his age whereof he spent 40 as Minister under Moses their chief Magistrate and after his death governed the Commonwealth 25 years A Man of incomparable prudence and eloquence wise and diligent in matters of Government and equally capable of the most important affairs of Peace and War in a word the most excellent Captain Governor of his time Ver. 33. He was buried in a City called Thamna belonging to the Tribe of Ephraim Eleazar's death About the same time likewise dyed Eleazar the High O Priest leaving the Priesthood to Phinees's Son his Sepulchre is seen at this day in the City Gabatha After their deaths Phinees being demanded by the People what God's A pleasure was The year of the World 2525. before Christ's Nativity 1439. and to whose charge the Wars against the Canaanites should be committed answered them that God commanded to give the Government to the Tribe of Judah which choosing that of Simeon for their Associates undertook the War with this condition that when they had utterly rooted out the remnant of the Canaanites out of their own Tribe Judg. 1. they should likewise employ themselves to extinguish all the Reliques of that Race amongst the other Tribes CHAP. II. How the Israelites after the death of their Emperor forgetting the Religion of their Forefathers fell into extreme Calamities and how through a Civil War raised amongst B them there were only 600 of the Tribe of Benjamin left alive BUt the Canaanites whose estate at that time was very potent expected them with a great Host about the City of Bezec Hedio Ruffinus cap. 5. al. 2. having their Army conducted by the King of that place Judg. 1. 1 2 ad 5. called Adoni-Bezec which name signifieth Lord of the Bezecenities for Adoni in the Hebrew Tongue is Lord and these Men promised themselves the Victory by reason that Joshua was deceased Ten thousand Canaanites slain and Adoni-Bezec taken ver 6 7. Against these the two Tribes of Judah and Simâ—on fought very valiantly and slaying 10000 of them in the pursuit they took Adoni-Bezec Captive who having his hands and feet cut off acknowledged the divine justice for he confessed that he had used 72 Kings before times after the same manner In this condition C they conducted him near Jerusalem where departing out of this life they buried him Then they over-run the Countrey sacking and taking the Cities and after they had divers of them in their possession they besieged Jerusalem and entring the lower City they put all the Inhabitants to the Sword But the higher Town was very hard to be assaulted by reason of the Fortresses and strength of the Walls and the naturally strong situation of the place which was the cause that they rais'd their Camp to go and besiege Hebron which they took and slew all that were therein Amongst whom there were some of the Race of the Gyants whose stature was so prodigious their aspect so terrible and their voice so dreadful that it can scarce be believ'd their Bones are still to be seen at this day This City being very considerable was given to the Levites with 2000 D Cubits of Land round about the rest of the Countrey was freely given to Caleb according as Moses had commanded he having been one of those Spies which Moses sent to view the Land of Canaan Jethro's posterity who was the Father of Moses possessed of Lands They gave lands and possessions likewise to the posterity of Jethro the Madianite who was Father-in-law to Moses for that they had forsaken their own Territories and join'd themselves to the Israelites and been with them in the Desart The Tribes of Judah and Simeon took those Cities of the mountainous Countrey of Canaan and also those that were in the Plain near the Sea-coast namely Ascalon and Azoth But they could not take Gaza and Accaron for those Cities being in the Plain and defended with a great number of Chariots repelled those that assaulted the same to their disadvantage So these two Tribes having had good success in Wars retired E to their Cities to enjoy in peace the spoils which they had taken As for the Benjamites Ver. 16. to whom Jerusalem appertained The Israelites overcame not the Canaanites at one time they received the Inhabitants thereof as their Tributaries so that all being in peace and the one ceasing from slaughter and the other assured from danger they employed themselves in manuring the Countrey The rest of the Tribes did the like conforming themselves according to the example of the Benjamites Av. 22. ad 26. and contenting themselves to receive their Tributes they suffered the Canaanites to live in peace The Ephraimites recover Bethel by a stratagem The Tribe of Ephraim having long besieged the City of Bethel could not see such an end of their design as the length of time and the Travels they had taken in the Siege required and although they were very much toyled and wearied with the same yet they continued the Siege At last one of the Inhabitants F who was carrying Provisions thither fell into their hands whom they promis'd that if he would let them into the City they would save him and grant life and liberty likewise to all his Family He was persuaded and by his means they became Masters of the place he and his were spared but all the rest of the Inhabitants were put to the Sword From that time forwards the Israelites ceas'd to make War and employed themselves in Tillage of their Lands and husbanding their Fruits and being grown rich they followed the delights and pleasures of the World in such sort as they became dissolute and had no regard either of their ancient Discipline or the Laws of their Forefathers Whereupon God was highly incensed against them Hedio Ruffinus cap. 6. â—l 3. and he gave them to understand that contrary to his Command they had spared the Canaanites and that those Canaanites in G time to come Judg. 2. 1 ad
when Baracs Soldiers came to her she shewed them his dead body Thus a Woman according as Debora had foretold was the Author of this Victory But Barac A leading his Army to Asor Barac governeth the Israelites 40 years defeated and slew Jabin who came out against him with an Army razed his City to the ground govern'd the Israelites for the space of Forty years CHAP. VII How the Amalekites overcoming the Israelites destroyed their Countrey for the space of seven years B AFter the death of Barac and Debora The year of the World 2654. before Christ's Nativity 1310. which hapned almost about the same time the Midianites accompanied with the Amalekites and Arabians armed themselves against the Israelites and encountring them in open field overcame them in a great Battel and destroying their Fruits and Harvest carried away great Booty They continued these their incursions for the space of seven years and compelled the Israelites to forsake the Champain Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. and flie to the Mountains where digging themselves Caves and Houses under the earth Judg. 6. 1 2 3. they kept secretly hidden all which they had reserved from the fury of the Enemy The Midianites confederate with the Amalekites overcome the Israelites in a great Battel For the Midianites having taken their Harvest in the Summer time permitted them to Till their Lands in the Winter to the intent they might gather the fruits of their labour afterwards Thus lived they in perpetual famine and want neither was there any other hope or succor left them but onely by prayers and supplications C unto God CHAP. VIII How Gideon delivered the Israelites ABout that time as Gideon the Son of Joas God commandeth Gideon to deliver the Israelites from the Midianites one of the chiefest of the Tribe of Manasses was grinding some sheafs of Corn which he had secretly conveyed into his Press for he durst not do it openly for fear of the Enemy An Angel appeared to him in the form of a young man and told him That he was happy and beloved of God D 'T is a fair sign Judg. 6. 11 12 13. answer'd Gideon when I am forc't to use a Press instead of a Grange The Angel exhorted him to be of good courage and to endeavor to recover his Countries liberty Gideon answer'd That it was impossible by reason that the Tribe whereof he was descended had very few Men in it and that he was too young and incapable of affairs of that consequence God will supply all these defects said the Angel and under thy conduct will give the Israelites victory These things Gideon communicated to certain young men Judg. 7. 2 3 4. who willingly believing the Oracle answer'd That for the present they had Ten thousand Soldiers in readiness God commandeth Gideon to choose a few men to attempt any thing for their liberty But God appeared to Gideon in a dream and told him That Men being so vain that they are willing to owe nothing but to themselves and attribute their Victories to their own strength instead of attributing E them to his assistance The Victory is to be attributed to God he would make them know that 't was to him alone that they were indebted for them To which end he commanded him That about the mid-time of the day at such time as the heat was most vehement he should conduct his Army to the River and there diligently observe those that bowed themselves to drink which he might esteem for Men of Valor but all those that drank hastily and with noise should be marked as Men timerous and afraid of the Enemy Gideon did as God commanded and there were found but Three hundred Men that lifted water to their mouths with their hands without fear and trouble God commanded him to assail the Enemy with those Three hundred promising to give him the Victory At this time were they encamped upon the Bank of Jordan ready to pass the Ford the next Morning But Gideon F was troubled by reason that God had bid him assail the Enemy by night But God willing to deliver him of his fear commanded him to take one of his Soldiers with him and go to the Camp of the Midianites to see what pass'd there He obeyed and for his better assurance took with him one of his servants Now as he drew nigh a certain Tent Ver. 13 14. he perceived that they that were within the same were awake and heard one of them with a loud voice tell his Companion the dream which that Night he had had Gideon repaireth to the Enemies tents and by them is confirmed by a dream which was thus He thought he saw a Barley Cake which lookt as if not worth the taking up it rowled thorow all the Camp and first overthrew the Kings Tent and afterwards the Tents of all his Soldiers This dream answer'd his Companion signifi'd the loss of our whole Army The reason is that of all sorts of Corn Barley is G most contemptible and amongst all the Nations of Asia there are not at this day any People more contemned than the Israelites and in this respect they resemble Barley Now you know that they have gather'd Troops and form'd some design under the conduct of Gideon And whereas this Cake turned to overthrow our Tents I fear lest it H be a sign that God hath given the Victory to Gideon Gideon having overheard this Discourse conceived good hope and presently commanded his Followers to arm themselves after he had told to them the Dream of their Enemy Whereupon they speedily prepared themselves at his Command being encourag'd by so happy a presage to attempt any thing Ver 16 17 22. About the latter Watch of the Night Gideon led forth his Army and divided it into three Bands Gideon with 300 attempteth the fight and in every Band he put an Hundred Men all of these bare in their hands empty Pots in which were hidden burning Torches in such sort that the Enemy could not discover them when they sallied out Moreover they bare Rams Horns in their right hands which they used in stead of Trumpets The Enemies Camp took up much ground by reason they had a great number of Camels and though distributed I by Nations were all of them comprehended in one inclosure The Hebrews having had instructions from their Captain what to do at such time as they approached near their Enemies and the sign of the Battel being given they sounded their Horns and broke their Pots and with their flaming Lights fell into the Enemies Camp crying Victory Victory by the assistance of God and the strength of Gideon Trouble and Fear surprized the sleeping Enemy for this action was in the Night-time and God disposed all things to this issue that few of them fell by the Hebrews Sword but they themselves slew one another in great numbers by reason that they
taken they should never more come into his presence Now Phinces executed the office of the High Priest by the permission of his Father by reason he was very aged The Hebrews upon the arrival of the Ark conceived great hope that they should have the upper hand of their Enemies v. 5. ad 11. The Philistines likewise were dismayed fearing the presence of the same v. 11. 12. c. but the event was not answerable to the one or to the others expectation Ophni and Phinees with thirty thousand are slain and the Ark is surprised by the Enemy For when they joyned battel the victory which the Hebrews hoped N would be theirs fell to the Philistines and the loss which the Philistines feared fell upon the Hebrews who at last perceived that they had reposed their confidence on the Arke in vain For as soon as their Enemies gave them the first charge they turned their backs and lost about thirty thousand men amongst whom were the two Sons of the High Priest and the Ark was taken and carried away by the Enemy O A CHAP. XII The year of the World 2871. before Christ's Nativity 1093. Eli understanding the loss of his Sons fell from his Seat and dyed AS soon as the news of this overthrow was brought to Silo 1 Sam. 4. 13 ad 18. and it was certainly known that the Ark was taken Eli understandeth of the loss of his sons and the surprizal of the Ark. for a young Benjamite who had escap'd out of the Battel came to bring tydings thereof all the City was filled with sorrow and Eli the High Priest who sate in one of the gates on a high Throne understanding the lamentation and judging that some disaster had befallen his People sent to seek out this young B Messenger by whom he was advertis'd of that which had hapned This accident of his Sons and the Army he heard with great moderation because that before that time God had told him what should happen Ver. 18. and those adversities which are foreseen do less afflict us when they happen But when he knew that the Ark was taken Eli hearing of the loss of the Ark dyed and in the Enemies hands a Calamity so beyond his expectation in such sort augmented his grief that he suffered himself to fall from his Throne upon the ground where he dyed he lived 98 years in all and spent 40 of them in the Government of the People The same day dyed the Wife of Phinees the Son of Eli soon after she understood the misfortune of her Husband Ver. 19 20 21. for she was with Child when the message of his death was brought to her Phinees wiâ—e bare Ichabod and dyed and she was deliver'd of a Son in the seventh month which lived and C was called Ichabod which signifieth ignominy by reason of the Infamy received at that time by the Army Eli was the first that governed among the Successors of Ithamar one of the Sons of Aaron The genealogy and progeny of Eli the High Priest for before that time the house of Eleazar was possessed of the Priesthood the Son receiving it from his Father Eleazar left it to Phinees after him Abiezer his Son enjoy'd the place and left it to his Son Boci whose Son called Ozes receiv'd it after whom Eli of whom we speak at this present took the same whose Posterity retain'd that dignity till the time of the Reign of Solomon when the Posterity of Eleazar were restored to it D E F G The Sixth Book of the Antiquities of the JEWS The year of the World 2850. before Christ's Nativity 1114. H Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the Sixth Book 1. How the Philistines compelled by Pestilence and Famine sent the Ark of God back again unto the Hebrews 2. The Victory of the Hebrews under the Conduct of Samuel 3. How Samuel when his strength failed him through age committed the administration of I Affairs to his Sons 4. How the People being offended with the manners of Samuels Sons required a King that might rule over them 5. Saul by Gods Commandment anointed King 6. Sauls Victory against the Ammonites 7. The Philistines assailing the Hebrews are over come by them in Battel 8. The Victory of Saul against the Amalekites 9. Samuel translateth the Royal Dignity unto David 10. The Expedition of the Philistines against the Hebrews 11. Davids single Fight with Goliath and the slaughter of the Philistines that follow'd K 12. Saul admiring Davids fortitude giveth him his Daughter in marriage 13. How the King sought Davids death 14. How David oftentimes hardly escaped the Kings malice yet having him twice in his power he would not hurt him 15. The Hebrews are overcome in a great Battel by the Philistines wherein Saul the King and his Sons fighting valiantly are slain CHAP. I. How the Philistines compelled by Pestilence and Famine sent back the Ark of the L Covenant unto the Hebrews AFter the Philistines had got the Victory over the Hebrews 1 Sam. 5. 1 ad 6. and taken the sacred Ark Hedio Ruffiâ—us cap. 1. as we have before declared they brought it with their other spoils to the City of Azot and plac'd it in manner of a Trophee in the Temple of Dagon their Idol The sacred Ark is carried into the Temple of Dagon But the next day after when early in the Morning they entred into the Temple to adore their god they found him fallen from that Base or Pillar that sustained him and lying along the ground his face upward They of Azot are horribly plagued for taking away the Ark. before the Ark whereat being much moved they took him up and fastened him in his former place and when they came often thither and always found him prostrate M and as it were adoring before the Ark a great fear and perturbation invaded the whole People Mice devour the fruit of the Countrey of Azot At length a grievous Plague not only ranged in the City of Azot but also seized on all the Inhabitants of the Countrey For the People being suddenly taken with the Flux dyed in great Torment and some of them vomited up their Bowels being corrupted and corroded with the disease Besides this the whole Land swarmed with Mice which destroying all things neither spared the Corn nor any other Fruit. The Azotians being afflicted with these Calamities and unable longer to endure the same understood that the Ark was the cause thereof and that neither the Victory or the taking of the same had any ways procured their advantage They therefore sent to the Ascalonites desiring them to receive the Ark into their City who willingly condescending N to their Embassage and Demand received the Ark and were presently plagued with the same sicknesses which the Azotians had suffered For together with the Ark the
be enamor'd with him that she could not hide her passion even from the King her Father Sauls daughter in love with David Saul instead of being displeas'd rejoyc'd at it hoping by that means the sooner to entrap David He gave ear thereto with some shew of allowance Saul subtilly objecteth David to slaughter under a colourable condition of slaughtering the Philistines and told them who spoke of it to him that he would willingly give him his Daughter to Wife for he reason'd thus with himself I will propose that I will give him my B Daughter in marriage on condition that he bring me six hundred Philistines heads and I am certain that being valiant and generous as he is he will with joy accept this condition because the more dangerous it is the more glory it will acquire to him and so exposing himself to all manner of dangers he will be slain by the hands of the Philistines Ver. 27 c. and that intention which I have conceived against him shall succeed according to mine own hearts desire Saul under covenant of 60â— Philistines heads promiseth David his daughter for I shall be delivered of him in sending him out of the world not by my means but by other mens hands Having taken this resolution he charged his Courtiers to sound Davids sentiments and how he stood affected to the marriage and they told him That the King bare him great kindness and so rejoyc'd that the People admir'd him that he would give him in marriage the Princess his Daughter David C answer'd Think you it a small matter to be Son-in-law to the King for my self I esteem otherwise considering mine own base condition who have neither reputation nor any honourable quality When Sauls servants had reported to him what answer David made them Tell him said he that I value not Goods or Presents for that were to expose my Daughter to sale and not to match her with an Husband I seek a Son-in-law that hath Valor and that is adorned with all Virtue such as is manifest and apparent in thee and my desire is that for the dowry of my Daughter thou give me neither gold nor silver nor any other wealth out of thy Fathers house but that thou make War upon the Philistines and six hundred of their heads shall be the most acceptable dower thou canst present me with My Daughter also desires above all the dowers to be married to a Man that is so ennobled and famous for the overthrow of the D Enemies of her Father and her Countrey When these words were reported to David he was very joyful thinking that Saul acted sincerely concerning this alliance and without delay or taking counsel or deliberation whether the thing were easie or impossible for him to execute he incontinently departed with his company to find out the Enemy and execute the condition upon which the marriage was promised him God assisted David in this occasion as in all others And after he had slain a great number of them and cut off six hundred of their Heads he returned and presented them to the King and in consideration thereof desired the performance of his promise E F G CHAP. XII H Saul admiring David's fortitude giveth him his Daughter to Wife BUT Saul 1 Sam. 18. 27 c. that could not flie from his promise because it would be a great dishonour to him to fail of his word and to have promised his Daughter under colour Saul marrieth Michol to David either to murther him or to put him upon the execution of things that were impossible deliver'd his Daughter Michol unto him Nevertheless he chang'd not his purpose Hedio Ruffinus cap. 12. For perceiving that David was gracious in Gods sight and in good reputation among the People Saul resolveth to kill David he was afraid of him and being unable to conceal his fear of being I deprived of two things of such consequence as his Kingdom and Life he resolved to kill David Jonathan loves David and sheweth him his fathers determination and counselleth him to have care of his safety and stand on his guard giving Commission to his Son Jonathan and divers other of his Servants to execute the same But Jonathan amazed to see this change in his Father who in stead of the good liking he had of David in times past sought to injure him not in any slight sort but by taking away his life and on the other side being singularly affected towards him and respecting his virtue he communicated the secret intention of his Father to him counselling him to have a care of himself and to flie the next morning in the mean while he would go and salute his Father and as soon as occasion presented it self he would confer with him to know the cause of his displeasure against him to the intent he might pacifie the same conceiving it a matter unreasonable that he should be K deprived of life who had so well deserv'd of all the people and who in particular was his intimate Friend and in respect of his former merits if guilty of some offence deserved pardon I will tell thee afterwards said he what my Fathers resolution is David gave credit to his wholesom counsel and retired from the presence of the King CHAP. XIII How the King practised to murther David L THE next morning Jonathan came to Saul and finding him well disposed began to speak to him to this effect â— Sam. 19. 3 ad 6. concerning David Of what fault O Father either great or small Jonathan reckoneth up unto his father the good deserts of David praying him to pacifie his displeasure conceived against him have you found David guilty that you have commanded him to be put to death A Man that hath done you such signal service that hath reveng'd you upon the Philistines abated their Pride and advanc'd the Honour of the People of the Hebrews and hath delivered them from that disgrace and contempt under which they have layen for the space of Forty years being the onely person that dared to oppose himself against the proud defiances of that Gyant whom he so gloriously overcame and who since that time hath brought as many of the Philistines heads as were demanded of him in recompence whereof he hath taken my sister to Wife Be pleas'd to consider that his death would be a great grief to us not only upon account M of his virtue but also of his alliance with us and that by his death your Daughter will have the affliction to see her self a Widow as soon as she is a Wife Weigh these things and pacifie your displeasure and do no wrong to such a Man who hath been the Author of so good and great service as is the conservation of your person at such time as you were possessed and tormented with evil spirits Ver. 7. and the revenging you of your Enemies
all which had hapned But when his grief was abated and he returned to himself he lifted up his heart unto God and B commanded the High-Priest Abiathar to put on the Ephod and ask counsel of God and that done Ver. 7 8 9. to declare unto him how he might overtake the Amalekites if he should pursue them David taketh counsel of God whether he will assist him to recover his Wives and Goods out of the hands of the Amalekites and whether he should recover his Wives and Children that they had led away and revenge himself of his Enemies As soon as the High-Priest had certified him that he might pursue them he sallied out with 600 Soldiers and pursued the Enemy and drawing near unto the River he found a certain stragler an Egyptian by Nation very faint and feeble through want and famine having for three dayes space wandered in the Desart without any sustenance whom after he had refreshed with meat and drink he asked to whom he belonged and what he was The Egyptian told him his Countrey and how he had been left in that place by his Master because that through his weakness it was C impossible for him to follow them He confessed likewise that his Master was one of the number of those that had burned and sacked Ver. 11 ad 19. not only other quarters of Judea but Siceleg also David guided by an Egyptian slave overtaketh the Amalekites David taking this Man for his Guide overtook them finding some of them lying on the ground others banquetting and debauching and almost sensless by overmuch drink wherefore being not in a condition to defend themselves he fell upon them and slew so great a number that scarce 400 Men escaped for the slaughter continued from Noon until the Evening David assaileth the Amalekites makes a great slaughter of them and recovereth the whole prey So recovered he all that which the Enemy had ransackt and released both his own Wives and those of his Companions Whereupon they returned to the place where they had left the other 200 which could not follow them because they were appointed to guard the Baggage To these the 400 would not grant a part D of the Booty because they had not as they said followed the Enemy with them but shewed themselves slack in the pursuit alledging that they ought to content themselves with the recovery of their Wives But David thought the sentence pronounced against them to be unjust Ver. 20 ad 25. for since they had defeated their Enemies all of them deserved to partake of profit David compromitteth the debate betwixt those that pursued the chase and those that kept the Baggage touching the pillage which ought equally to be divided both amongst those that fought and amongst those that stayed behind to guard the Baggage And from that day forward this Law hath been firmly observed amongst them that they that guard the Baggage should have an equal part of the prey with those that go out to Battel But when David was returned to Siceleg he sent unto his Friends of the Tribe of Juda apart of the spoil In this manner was Siceleg sacked and burned and thus were the Amalekites discomfited E But the Philistines fought a bloody Battel with Saul wherein they got the Victory and slew a great number of their Enemies Saul King of Israel with his Sons fought valiantly and seeing that there was no hopes of conquering they endeavoured to die as honourably as they could 1 Sam. 31. 1 2 3. For since the Philistines bent all their Forces against them they could not make good their Retreat Saul and his sons seeing their Army overcome by the Philistines are desperately dismayed and slain so that incompassed by them they died in the midst of them and yet before their death slew a great number of their Enemies There were there present Sauls three sons Jonathan Aminadab and Melchi who being defeated the Hebrew Army turned their backs so that being closely pursued by the Enemy there was a great slaughter made Saul with those about him retreated in good order And although the Philistines drew out against him a multitude of Archers that shot many F Darts and Arrows at him yet were they all but a very few repulsed and although he had fought very bravely having received divers wounds yet being unable any longer to support himself he commanded his Esquire to draw his Sword and to thrust it through his Body 1 Sam. 31. 4 c. before he should be taken alive by his Enemies which he refused not daring to lay hands upon his Master Saul striveth to kill himself and being unable useth the assistance of a young Amalekite Whereupon Saul drew his own Sword and setting it to his Breast cast himself thereon but unable to force it home enough he looked back and saw a young man behind him whom he asked What he was and hearing that he was an Amalekite he requested him That he would kill him that he might not fall alive into the hands of his Enemies which he did and having taken from him the Gold which he had about his arms and the Royal Crown he fled The Esquire seeing Saul G dead presently slew himself Not one of all the Kings Guard escaped but they were all slain near unto the Mountain Gilboa When they that inhabited the Valley on the other side of Jordan and in the Plain had intelligence that Saul and his sons were dead and with them a great number of their Nation was slain The year of the World 2891 before Christ's Nativity 1073. they abandoned their Cities H and fled to others that were better fortified The Philistines finding these Cities destitute of Inhabitants seized on them The next day whil'st the Philistines spoiled the dead they found the bodies of Saul and his sons which they spoiled and beheaded sending their Heads round about the Countrey â—a Ver. 7 ad 10. to make it known that their Enemies were defeated They offered up their Arms also in the Temple of Astaroth and their Bodies they hung on the Walls of the City of Bethsan The Hebrews that inhabit the Valley beyond Jordan leaving their towns flie to defenced cities at this day called Scythopolis When they of Jabes a City of Galaad understood how the Philistines had cut off the Heads of Saul and his sons they were enraged and thought it became them not to be unconcerned whereupon the most valiant amongst them went out and marched all night till they came to Bethsan and approaching near the Walls they took down the Bodies of I Saul and his sons Ver. 9. and carried them unto Jabes without any opposition of the Enemy These men of Jabes lamented over the dead Bodies The Philistines hung up the bodies of Saul and his Sons and buried them in the best part of their Countrey called Arar Thus they mourned both Men
which he was now likely to do for David he began to fear some dieminution of his own greatness and that the Army was not like to continue under his command Abner being kindly entertained by David is friendly dismissed whereupon he endeavoured to persuade David to give no credit to the promises of Abner since he was very well assured that he had no other design than to settle the Crown upon Ishboseth that this whole treaty was nothing else but a meer trick to cheat him of his Kingdom and that Abner was returned with a great deal of joy because his designs were like to succeed so well But perceiving that these his subtilties took little effect with David v. 24 c. he attempted a more perilous exploit than the former For resolving with himself to kill Abner he sent out certain men after him whom he appointed that as soon as they should overtake him they should desire him in Davids D name to return with speed v. 26. because he had forgot to speak to him about some affairs of great importance When Abner heard the words of these messengers whoover took him in a place called Besira v. 27. some twenty Furlongs off of Hebron he struck out of the way without suspecting any treachery and Joab going before him embraced him with great kindness and like an affectionate friend and singling him from his other company and making as if he would inform him of certain secrets and having drawn him into a by-way beside the wall accompanied only with his Brother Abisai he drew his sword and thrust it into his short ribs of which wound Abner died surprised by the Treason of Joab who coloured that act of his with the revenge and death of his Brother Azael whom Abner E had slain whilst he was pursued by him in the first war at Hebron but in truth it was but the suspition of his greatness and honour fearing lest he should be deprived of his place Men inclined to ambition and avarice dare all things and Abner obtain the next degree of honour unto David Hereby may a man perceive how many and how mighty things men attempt and hazard for their avarice and ambition sake and to the end they may not be inferiour unto any others For when they desire to attain riches and honours they atchieve it by ten thousand mischiefs and at such time as they fear to be dispossest they strive to continue their estates by means more pernicious because they think it to be the less sin and that the unhappiness is less rather not to have obtained to any greatness and power than after the possession thereof to fall from it Thence it cometh that all of them intend and practise F many hazards and difficulty through the fear they have to forfeit their Grandeur But it sufficeth to have briefly touched this point David having notice of the murther of Abner conceived a great grief in his heart and called all his friends to witness lifting up his hands unto God and protesting that he was no partaker of the murther and that Abner had been slain without his knowledge He likewise uttered most grievous curses against the murtherer v. 31. his house and accomplices praying that they might be overtaken by that vengeance which useth to pursue the murtherer David with the whole people bewail Abner and honour his funeral for he greatly suspected lest he should be thought to be a party in that which had hapned unto Abner contrary to his Faith and promise which he had past unto him Moreover he commanded that all the people should weep and lament for him and that his Funerals should be honoured according G to the accustomed manner 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 Governours of the Israelites followed beating on their Breasts and shedding tears The year of the World 2899. before Christ's Nativity 1065. and testifying the love which they bare unto him during his life and their sorow for H his death who had been murthered contrary to their will and intention He was Entombed in Hebron with great Magnificence and Epitaphs composed in his praise by David himself who setting himself on the Tomb first of all lamented and gave others an example to follow him And so much was he troubled at the death of Abner that he forbore all kind of meat until the Sun-set notwithstanding the instances of his friends who urged him to take meat which act of his purchased him much love amongst the people v 33 ad 35. For they that loved Abner were very glad to be witnesses of that honour which he did him at his death David sâ—lveth his honour and avoideth the suspicion of Abners death and that faith which he maintained in honouring him as if he had been his Kinsman or friend and not embasing him with a vile and contemptible Tomb as if he had been his Enemy And in general all of them were so much possessed I with the sweetness and Royal nature of King David that they believed he would have the like kindness for them as they saw him express for deceased Abner And by this means David happily maintained his credit and increased the peoples good opinion of him escaping thereby the suspition that he might in some sort have been accessary to his death He protested also unto the people that he conceived no small grief at the loss of so good a man declaring that it was a great prejudice to the State to be deprived of him maintained their peace by his good advice and ratified the same by his executions and Warlike valour But God said he who hath care of all things shall not suffer him to die unrevenged And he it is that shall bear me witness that it lieth not in my power to punish Joab and Abisai who have greater credit in the Army than K my self yet shall they not escape Gods justice for this fault Thus ended the life of Abner CHAP. II. Ishboseth is slain through the Treason of his followers the whole Kingdom devolveth unto David WHen Ishboseth Sauls Son Hedio Ruffinus cap. 2. had notice of Abners death he was much troubled not only that he was deprived of his near kinsman but also of so great a personage as had setled the Crown on his head 2 Sam. 4. 1 ad 6. Neither did he himself long time remain alive L after him but by the Sons of Jeremon Banaoth and Than he was Traiterously slain These two being Benjamites and of the chiefest Nobility amongst them contrived to make away Ishboseth and thereby obtain a great reward from David supposing that such an act would merit the chiefest place and dignity in the Army For which cause finding Ishboseth alone in his house about mid-day laid on his bed and asleep and unattended by any
of his Guard and perceiving likewise that the Porter was asleep they entred into the lodging where Ishboseth was asleep and slew him and having cut off his head they travelled all the night and day as if they fled from those whom they had offended and sought for rescue And when they came to Hebron they presented David with Ishboseths head v. 6. ad 12. offering themselves to do him service letting him know that they M had delivered him of an enemy Ishboseths head is brought to David and made away his adversary But David allowed not their act but thus received them O cursed men on whom I intend presently to execute justice have you not heard how I punished him that murthered Saul David sharp invective against the murtherers of Ishboseth and their punishment and brought his Royal Crown unto me Yea although he slew him at his own request and to the intent the enemy should not surprise him alive Did ye think that I was changed and that I am not the same that I was but that I take delight to be partaker with you in your wickedness or that I will countenance it as if these acts of yours who are murtherers of your Master were to be commended Vngrateful Villains have you no remorse for having murthered on his Couch a Prince that never did an injury to any and had shewed so much kindness unto you but I will certainly punish you with the loss of your lives because ye have thought that Ishboseths death N would work my content for you could not in any thing dishonour me more than by conceiving such an opinion of me Which said he adjudged them to die by the most cruel torments that might be imagined and with a great deal of solemnity he caused Ishboseths head to be interred in Abners Tomb. These murtherers being thus put to death the cheif of the people repaired to David unto Hebron both they that commanded over thousands 2 Sam. 5. 1 2 3 c. and such also as were governors and submitted themselves unto him The Nobles of the Hebrews repair to David to Hebron and declare him King they recounted the good offices they had done him both during Sauls life-time as also the honour which they had always shown him since the first time that he was a Commander in that Army especially that he had been chosen by God through the mediation of the Prophet Samuel to be their King and O his children after him declaring unto him that God had given him the Country of the Hebrews to defend the same and discomfit the Philistines David accepted their rea-readiness A and affection exhorting them to persist assuring them that they should never repent themselves of their obedience and after he had entertained them he sent them to assemble the people Of the Tribe of Juda there came together about six thousand and eight hundred men of War David entertained the Nobles kindly bearing for their Arms a Buckler and a Javelin who before that time had followed Sauls Sons and were not of those that had adhered unto David Of the Tribe of Simeon The Armed Soldiers that came to David seven thousand and one hundred or somewhat more Of that of Levi 4700 whose Captain was Jodam with whom was Sadoc the High Priest accompanied with twenty and two of the same lineage Of the Tribe of Benjamin four thousand men of War for this Tribe were as yet of that opinion that some of the Heirs B of Saul should raign Of that of Ephraim 20800 strong and valiant men Of that of Manasses eight thousand Of that of Issachar two hundred who were skilful in divination and 20000 men of War Of that of Zabulon 20000 chosen fighting men for only this intire Tribe was wholly at Davids command who were armed in like manner as they of Gad were Of the Tribe of Nepthaly there were a thousand Captains famous for their valour and armed with shield and Javelin attended by an infinite number of their Tribe Of the Tribe of Dan there were 27000 chosen men Of that of Aser 40000. Of the two Tribes on the other side of Jordan and of the half Tribe of Manasses sixscore thousand armed men with Buckler Javelin Helmet and Sword The rest of the other Tribes also wore Swords All this multitude was assembled together in Hebron C before David with great provision of victuals and wine sufficient to sustain them all who all of them with one consent Hedio Ruffinus cap. 3. appointed David to be their King Now when the people had mustered and feasted for three dayes space in Hebron David dislodged from thence with his whole Host and repaired to Jerusalem But the Jebusites who at that time inhabited the City and were of the Race of the Canaanites shutting up their Gates against his coming v. 6 7 8 9 10. and placing on their walls as many as were blind and lame The Siege of Jerusalem undertaken by David or maimed in any other sort in contempt of him scoffingly jested and said That these were sufficient to keep out the Enemy so much trusted they to their fortifications Wherewith David being incensed David surpriseth the lower Town he prepared to besiege Jerusalem with all the vigor imaginable that he might by making himself Master of that place strike a terror into all the rest that should D dare to make any opposition David geteth the upper Town He took the lower Town and because the higher Town as yet held out the King resolved to encourage his men of War to shew themselves valiant The valour of Davids Soldiers and in espeacil of Joab promising them honours and rewards and that he would make him General over all the people that should first of all Scale the Wall Whilst they thus put themselves forward to mount without refusing any danger through the desire they had to obtain the Government that was promised Joab the Son of Servia was the forwardest and having got upon the Wall called from thence to the King to acquit himself of his promise CHAP. III. E David having taken Jerusalem by force turneth out all the Canaanites and delivereth the City to be inhabited by the Jews AFter therefore he had cast out the Jebusites from the higher City David expelleth the Jebusites out of the Town and City of Jerusalem and repaired Jerusalem he called it the City of David and resided there all his Raign so that the whole time that he ruled in Hebron over the Tribe of Juda was seven years and six months But after he had taken Jerusalem for his Royal City his fortunes daily more and more increased The league of friendship between Hiram and David because God was with him Hiram also King of Tyre sent unto him and made a league with him he presented him likewise with Presents of Cedar and the Workmen and Masons to build him a Royal
Horse to encounter the like number which shall be drawn out of our Army But alas it is not to be expected since you are not able to raise so great a Force Why therefore delay you Why yield you not to those that are too strong for you and are able even in spight of your resistance to ransack your City whereas you know that a willing submission is alwayes secure contrariwise whereas duty is enforced there wanteth no peril of calamity When both the Ambassadors and the People had heard what the Assyrian had spoken B 2 Kings 19. 1 2. they reported the same to Ezechias who incontinently cast his royal garments off and cloathed himself in sackcloth Ezechias in adversity hath recourse to God he is comforted by Esay discovering his trouble and sorrow in his countenance and casting himself prostrate upon the earth after the manner of their Countrey he besought God to be assistant unto him since all other hope was vain He sent also certain of his friends and some Priests unto the Prophet Esay requiring him to pray unto God That since Sacrifice was offered unto him for publick security it might please him to frustrate the enemies hopes and to have pity and compassion on his people When the Prophet had performed what was required he received an answer from God by which he assured the King and all that were about him foretelling them that the enemies should be overcome without stroke strucken and should retire with shame and not with that advantage which they promis'd to themselves at present because God had already determined C how they should be overthrown He foretold also that Senacherib himself the King of Assyria should fail of his enterprize in Egypt and that upon his return to his own Court he should be slain At that very time the Assyrian wrote Letters to Ezechias in which he called him fool and mad-man to think that he could secure himself from being his slave yea his in especial who had conquered divers and far greater Nations threatning him with utter ruine at such time as he should surprize the City if he opened not the gates of Jerusalem willingly to entertain his Army When Ezechias had read these Letters he set light by them by reason of the confidence he had in God and having opened them he spread them in the Temple And whil'st he renewed his prayers unto God for the salvation of the City and his Subjects Esay the Prophet told him That his D prayer was heard that hereafter likewise they should manure their lands in peace and security and should enjoy their possessions without fear Not long after the King of Assyria having but cold success in his expedition against Egypt turned back again without doing any thing for this cause that ensueth He had lost much time in the siege of Pelusium and at such time as he had already raised certain Bulwarks as high as the Wall so that he wanted nothing but to give the assault News was brought him that Thargises King of Ethiopia A v. 20. ad fin brought an Army to rescue the Egyptians with an intent to take his way thorow the Desart Herodotus of Senacherib and suddenly to charge the Assyrian Army Senacherib troubled with these tydings speedily departed thence with his Army But Herodotus saith That he made War with Vulcans Priests for so he stileth this King of Egypt because he was a Priest of that E false god and moreover addeth Hedio Ruffinus cap. 11. That besieging Pelusium for this cause he gave over the siege The King of Egypt called to his God for assistance by whose power the Arabians suffered much misery But in this also he erreth in that he setteth down the Arabian for the Assyrian There came one night so great a number of Rats into the Army that they gnawed to pieces all their Bowe-strings and made the rest of their Arms unserviceable whence it came to pass that the King being disarmed Ver. 35 36 37. withdrew his siege from Pelusium But Berosus a Writer among the Chaldees The punishment of Senacherib for displeasing God maketh mention of Senacherib and how he reigned among the Assyrians and troubled both Asia and Egypt with War and declareth the manner in these words But Senacherib returning from the Egyptian War came before Jerusalem and received the Army that F was there at the hands of the Governor Rabsake and God caused a pestilent sickness to fall upon his Army which was so violent that the first night of the siege there dyed an hundred fourscore and five thousand men with the Governors and Chieftains With which loss he was so affrighted Paâ—â—icides and troubled that fearing to lose his Army he fled with those that remained and retired himself into his Kingdom to the City called Nineve where after he had lived for a time he was trayterously slain by Adramelech and Selenar his two elder sons and being dead was carried into his own Temple called Arusche and his children were driven out of the Kingdom for committing the murther and retired themselves into Armenia and Asseradochus his youngest son succeeded Senacherib Such was the end of the Assyrian Army that came before Jerusalem G CHAP. II. The year of the World 3241. before Christ's Nativity 733. H Ezechias having for a time remained in peace dieth and leaveth his son Manasses to succeed him KIng Ezechias being in this sort beyond all hope delivered from his fears offered thanksgiving and sacrifices unto God Hedio Ruffinus cap. 3. with all the people acknowledging that there was no other cause that had slain part of his enemies 2 Kings 20. 1 ad 11. and put the rest to mortal fear nor delivered Jerusalem from thraldom but only Gods succour and assistance And whilest he altogether intended and was occupied about the service of God he fell sick I of a grievous disease so as the Physicians despaired of his health and his friends expected nothing but his death But that which occasioned the greatest trouble was that he had no children and saw that he was now to depart the world and to leave his house without a successor Ezechias sickness and the prolongation of his life assured by miracle and his kingdom desolate In this affliction he besought God That it would please him to lengthen his life a little time until he had children to succeed him and that he would vouchsafe that his soul might not be taken from him before he were the father of a son Hereupon God taking compassion of him and the rather because he was not grieved for that the pleasures of his kingdom were taken from him but for that he sought for a lawful heir to succeed him he sent the Prophet Esay unto him to assure him that after three days he should be recovered of his sickness and that after he had lived K some fifteen years more he should
would not transgress the Laws of their Countrey for which cause being apprehended they were instantly cast into the Furnace of Fire and protected therein by Gods providence escaped death beyond all mens expectation For the fire touched them not neither could it burn during their abode in the Furnace For God so defended their Bodies that they could not be consumed by fire N which miracle made them in great estimation with the King for that he saw that they were virtuous and beloved of God and for that cause they were highly honoured by him Not long after this the King saw another Vision in his sleep which signified unto him that being cast from his Empire he should converse with Savage Beasts and that having lived in that estate in the Desart for the space of seven years he should recover his Kingdom again Having had this Dream he assembled the Magicians once more demanding their answer and the signification thereof But it was impossible for any one of them either to find out or declarethe meaning of this Dream unto the King Onely Daniel discovered the same and the effect was answerable to his prediction For the King passed the fore-limited time in the Desart Dan. 4. 1. ad 29. so that no man durst intermeddle O with the affairs of Estate during seven years The Dream and exposition hereof But after he had called upon God that it would please him to restore him to his Kingdom he repossessed the same again Let no man in this place accuse me for reporting these particularities according as I have found them written in Holy Books The year of the World 3381. before Christ's Nativity 5â—3 for in the entrance of my History I have A answered those objections so that I have openly protested that I will onely faithfully translate the Hebrew Histories into the Greek tongue and according to my promise relate that which is contained therein without adding any thing of mine own or concealing ought of another mans Nabuchodonosors death After that Nabuchodonosor had reigned fourty three years he dyed he was a man of good Conduct and more happy than any of his Predecessors Berosus maketh mention of his acts in the third Book of the Chaldaique History where he speaketh thus His Father Nabuchodonosor having notice that the Governour whom he had appointed over Egypt and the neighboring parts of Coelosyria and Phoenicia was revolted from him being at that time in himself unable to endure the troubles of War committed apart of his Forces unto his Son Nabuchodonosor who was in the flower of his age B and sent him forth against them Berosus of Nabuchodonosor Hedio Ruffinus chap 13. who encountring the Rebels and fighting with them overcame them and brought the Countrey under his subjection Mean while Nabuchodonosor the Father died of a sickness in Babylon after he had Reigned One and twenty years Nabuchodonosor the Son having notice of his Fathers death gave order to the affairs of Egypt and the rest of the Countrey and committing the care and transportation of the Jews Syrians Egyptians and Phoenicians to his friends to bring them to Babylon with his Army and Carriage he with a few Men made hasty journeys thorow the Desart And when he had taken the administration of the Kingdom upon him which in his absence was in the hands of the Chaldees and by their Chieftain was reserved until his return unto his use he became Lord of all his Fathers Empire When his prisoners were arrived he assigned them convenient C dwelling places in the Countrey of Babylon and with the spoils of War he magnificently repaired and decked the Temple of Bell and other places He enlarged the old City and repaired and beautified it with other buildings by means whereof they that would besiege the same were hindred from cutting off the current of the River to the prejudice of the Inhabitants He invironed it within with a treble Wall and outwardly with as mighty and as many enclosures and made all of burnt Brick The Walls were magnificently builded and the Gates bravely adorned in manner of Temples He caused a Palace to be builded near unto his Fathers antient Palace the magnificence and ornaments whereof I am not able to express onely this thing most memorable I have thought good to note that these great and pompous Buildings were finished in fifteen days In this Palace he had Vaults D raised so high that in outward appearance they seemed to be Mountains on which all sorts of Trees were planted He devised and prepared also a goodly Garden and called it the hanging Garden because his Wife having been brought up in the Countrey of Media desired at Babylon Megasthenes of Nabuchodonosor to see some resemblance of her own Countrey Megasthenes in the fourth Book of his Indian History maketh mention of this Garden in that place where he enforced himself to prove Diocles. that this King surpassed Hercules in valour and execution of worthy actions Philostratus For he said that Nabuchodonosor overcame the chief City of Lybia and a great part of Spain Diocles in the Second Book of the Persian History and Philostratus in his Phoenician and Indian History make mention of this King saying that he overcame the City of Tyre at the end of thirteen years at such time as Ithobal E Reigned over the Tyrians This is the sum 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 Evilmerodach releaseth Jechonias from his long imprisonment his Son Evilmerodach obtained the Kingdom who incontinently delivered Jechonias King of Jerusalem out of prison and held him in the number of his most esteemed friends and gave him Presents and committed F the Government of the Palace of Babylon into his hands For his Father had not kept his promise with Jechonias 2 King 25. 27. when he surrendred himself his Wife Children and Friends into his hands Jer. 52. 31. ad finem in the behalf of his Countrey and to the intent that the City of Jerusalem should not be razed by those that besieged it Niglisar as we have heretofore declared Labophordach Evilmerodach died in the eighteenth year of his Reign Balthasar or Naboandel King of Babylon and Niglisar his Son obtained the Kingdom which he possessed fourty years and afterwards died After him the succession of the Kingdom came unto his Son called Labophordach which continued in him but for the space of nine moneths and after his death it came unto Balthasar who by the Babylonian was called Naboandel Against whom Cyrus King of Persia and Darius King of Media made War at such time as he was besieged in Babylon there hapned G a marvellous and prodigious spectacle H Balthasar sate upon a certain Festival day in a Royal Chamber The year of
Epistle to the Prefects of Syria Sisin and his Associates being certified of the Kings pleasure resolved to conform themselves unto it and taking the care of the sacred buildings upon them they assisted the Princes and Magistrates of the Jews Ezra 6. 17. in such sort as the building of the Temple was finished I with great diligence The finishing of the Temple by the instigation of the Prophets Aggeus and Zachary according to Gods commandment and by the directions of the Kings Cyrus and Darius so that it was finish'd within seven years In the ninth year of the Reign of Darius and the three and twenty of the eleventh month call'd by us Adar and by the Macedonians Distre the Priests and Levites and all the rest of the people offer'd sacrifices and gave thanks for the renovation of their former felicity after their captivity and for their new Temple also sacrificing 100 Bulls 200 Sheep 400 Lambs 12 Goats according to the number of the 12 Tribes of Israel and for the sins of each of them The Priests and Levites also according to the laws of Moses appointed Porters to every gate For the Jews had built Galleries round about and within the Temple K Now when the Feast of unleavened bread which is the feast of Easter drew near Ver. 15. in the first month called Xanthicus by the Macedonians The Temple dedicated 23 of March or as it is in the 1 of Esdras 6. dedicated the third of March Ver. 16 c. and Nisan by the Hebrews all the people of the Towns round about Jerusalem resorted thither and celebrated the Feast purifying themselves their wives and children according to the ordinance of their Forefathers And after they had solemniz'd the Feast call'd Easter or the Passeover in the 14th Moon they rejoyced for seven days space sparing no cost how great soever They offer'd burnt-offerings also and sacrifices of thanksgiving The Passeover celebrated acknowledging Gods goodness that had brought them home into their native Countrey to live according to the laws of their Forefathers The form of Commonweal in Jerusalem and had caused them to find favor in the eyes of the King of Persia Thus dwelt they in Jerusalem sacrificing unto and serving God and living under L the Government of their Nobility For they set up a kind of Aristocratical Government and the chief authority remain'd in the High-Priests until the Asmonaeans obtained the Kingdom for before the captivity of Babylon they were under the Government of Kings who began from Saul and Davids times about some 532 years six months and ten days and before their Kings certain Governors call'd Judges reigned and under this sort of Polity liv'd they more than 500 years The Samaritans mighty enemies of the Jews from the death of Moses and Joshua And this was the state of the Jews after their captivity during the days of Cyrus and Darius True it is that the Samaritans were their mighty and malicious adversaries and did them many mischiefs trusting in their riches and pretending to be the Persians kinsmen because their original proceeded from thence For they refused to pay M that Tribute which the King had commanded them to disburse unto the Jews to make their sacrifices and the Governors of Syria and Phoenicia lost no opportunity which might promote their design For which cause the Jews determined to send Ambassadors unto King Darius The Embassage of the Jews to Darius to accuse the Samaritans and to that intent Zorobabel and four others were sent As soon therefore as the King understood by these Ambassadors what crimes and accusations they had brought against the Samaritans he dispatched his letters and addressed them to the Governors and Council of Samaria the tenour of which letters was to this effect King Darius to Tangara and Sambaba Governors of Samaria to Sadrach and Bobelon N and to their companions our servants being in Samaria health Zorobabel Ananias and Mardocheus Ambassadors in the behalf of the Jews accuse you to be disturbers of the building of their Temple C. 7. v. 11 12. alledging that you refuse to discharge that which by my decree you ought to furnish them with A commandment to supply the charge of the building of the Temple and Sacrifices for the charge of the Sacrifices My will is therefore that upon the sight of these Letters you deliver out of the Royal Treasury in Samaria appointed for the Tributes all that which shall be necessary for them to perform their Sacrifices upon the requests of the Priests to the intent they let pass no day without sacrifice and prayer unto O God for me and for the Persians This was the contents of his Letters CHAP. V. The year of the World 3506. before Christ's Nativity 458. A Xerxes succeeds his Father Darius in the Kingdom he permitteth Esdras to return with a great number of Jews to Jerusalem Esdras obligeth those that had taken strangers to Wife to send them back His Praise and his Death Nehemiah obtains leave to build the walls of Jerusalem and finisheth that great work AFter Darius death his son Xerxes succeeded him not only as Heir in the government of his Kingdom but also as Successor unto his piety and devotion towards God for he changed not those institutions of his Father that concern'd religious service Hedio Ruffinus cap. 5. but B but with great benevolence favoured all the Jews 1 Esdras 7. During his Reign Joacim the son of Jesus was High-Priest Xerxes King of Persia amongst them also that remained in Babylon there lived a Priest with the Jews in that place called Esdras Esdras learned in the law a just man and one of great reputation amongst the people and whereas he was very skilful in the laws of Moses he was much esteem'd by the King This man intending with certain other Jews of Babylon to return to Jerusalem besought the King that he would vouchsafe to bestow his letters of commendations to the Governors of Syria in his behalf Nehem. 2. 1. ad 11. Whereupon the King gave him letters of recommendation to the Governors Xerxes favoureth the Jews certifying them of his favor towards Esdras and to the Princes in those parts to this effect C Xerxes King of Kings to Esdras the Priest and Reader of the Divine Law health It is decreed by me and seven other of my Council that whosoever in my kingdom of the Israelites their Priests or Levites will repair with thee unto Jerusalem may freely do it with my licence and may settle themselves in Judea there to serve the God of their Fathers bearing with them those Presents unto the God of Israel which I had my friends have vowed to offer unto him I likewise give thee licence to take with thee all the gold and silver which any of thy Nation living here in Babylon will offer up unto God to buy
they were brought and read A laudable custom in a King he found that a certain man whose name was there set down had received a great possession for reward of his virtue He read likewise of another that had obtained a recompence for his fidelity Esth 6. 1 2. and the like till at last he came to the place where the Eunuchs Bagotheus and Theodestes were noted down for a secret conspiracy O against the person of the King Ver. 3. 4. and how it was discover'd by Mardocheus Now when the Secretary having only recited this accident turned over to another History the King stayed him The year of the World 3554. before Christ's Nativity 410. and ask'd If he found therein written that he had given any recompence to Mardocheus A He answer'd That he found nothing set down Whereupon the King commanded him to give over and inquired of those to whom that office appertain'd what hour of the night it was and knowing that the morning was already discover'd he commanded that some one should certifie him which of his friends attended before the Palace At this time it hapned that Haman was found there who came thither sooner than he was accustomed with an intent to beseech the King that he might put Mardocheus to death When the officers had brought the King word that Haman was before the Palace they were commanded presently to call him in As soon as he came into the Kings presence he said unto him Since I am assured that no man hath so great an affection for me as thou hast I prithee give me thy counsel how I may condignly honour him as becometh my self whom I do B most affectionately love Haman thinking the advice he should give should be given for himself because he supposed that he only was beloved by the King more than all others counselled him that which in his opinion was the best after this manner If your Majesty shall think fit to express the favors towards the man for whom you pretend an extraordinary kindness Ver. 7 8 9. cause him to be mounted upon a brave Horse and let him be apparelled in a Royal habit and put a chain of gold about his neck and let some one of thy chiefest friends march before him and proclaim throughout the City That thus is the man honoured whom the King loveth The King with great satisfaction received this counsel which Haman thought he had given in favor of himself and turning towards him spake thus unto him Take one of my Horses a garment of purple and a chain of gold and seek out the Jew Mardocheus C and give them unto him and march thou before him making proclamation after that manner which you lately proposed For said he thou art my nearest friend and it is very fit that the execution of this thing be committed to thy trust which thou hast so faithfully counselled And this command I to be done because Mardocheus hath been the preserver of my life Haman upon the hearing of these words beyond all expectation was no less amazed than if he had been Thunder-struck but finding a necessity of giving obedience to a command that was so positive and express he went out having with him the horse the purple habit Ver. 10. and the chain of gold and meeting with Mardocheus before the Palace who was cloathed in sackcloth Honor offered to Mardocheus he appointed him to lay his mourning habit aside and to cloath himself in purple But he who was wholly ignorant of that which had hapned and D supposing that he mock'd him said O thou most wicked amongst men doest thou thus mock at our afflictions Notwithstanding being afterwards inform'd that the King had bestowed this honour on him for saving his life and discovering the treachery of those Eunuchs that would have slain him Ver. 11. he put on the purple robe that the King wore ordinarily and put the chain about his neck and afterwards mounting on his Horse he went round about the City Haman walking before him and crying Thus shall it be done to the man whom the King shall think fit to honour Ver. 12. Now after they had gone round the City Mardocheus gave his attendance on the King but Haman came not into the presence so much was he ashamed at that which had hapned Ver. 13. but going home he told his wife and friends with tears all that which had hapned who told him That it was no ways possible for him to revenge E himself as yet on Mardocheus because God did visibly afford him his assistance Whil'st they were thus speaking Esthers Eunuchs came to hasten Haman to the banquet Esther 7. 1. and Sabuchadas one of the Eunuchs seeing the Gibbet erected in Hamans lodging whereon he intended to execute Mardocheus demanded of one of the servants wherefore it was raised up And understanding that it was for the Queens Uncle whom Haman would require at the Kings hands to the end he might put him to death for that time he held his peace But when the King being seated with Haman at the banquet required the Queen to declare what she would require that he might grant her Ver. 2. she began to lament the danger of her people saying That she with her whole Nation were made a prey to the sword and that for that cause she brake out into that discourse For said she I F had not troubled your Majesty Ver. 3 4. nor been so much grieved if you had commanded that all the Jews should be sold and led away Captives to extreme misery for that affliction might have been born but since the utter destruction of our whole Nation is designed I could not but in this case have recourse to your Majesties clemency Ver. 5 6. The King much surprized with this discourse demanded who it was that formed that design whereupon she began publickly to accuse Haman saying That he alone was that wretched and envious man who had contrived their tragedy Hereupon the King was much troubled and arose from the banquet and went into the garden then began Haman to pray and beseech Esther to forgive him his offence And whil'st he was fallen upon her bed to beseech her favor the King entred and grew the more displeased at that he saw and said O thou cursed amongst men darest G thou attempt to violate my wife Haman was wholly confounded with this question so as H he had not a word to answer him Hereupon the Eunuch Sabuchadas steping forth accused him for that he had found him in his lodging erecting a gibbet for Mardocheus assuring the King that one of his houshold Servants had told him it at such time as he was sent to call him to the Banquet alledging moreover that the gibbet was fifty Cubits high 7 8 9 19. Which when the King understood he adjudged Haman to no other death but that which he intended
Temple of God 3. In what estimation the Jews were with the Kings of Asia and how the freedome of those Cities which they built was granted them 4. Joseph the Son of Tobias driveth away the Jews imminent calamity by reason of his friendship with King Ptolomey 5. The friendship and society between the Lacedaemonians and Onias the High Priest of the Jews 6. The Jews distracted by seditions call Antiochus to their assistance 7. How Antiochus leading his Army to Jerusalem and taking the City spoyled the Temple K 8. Antiochus forbiddeth the Jews to use the Laws of their forefathers the Son of Asmonaeus called Matthias contemned the King and put his Captains to flight 9. Mathias being dead Judas his Son succeeded him 10. Apollonius a Captain of Antiochus is overcome in Jewry and slain 11. The overthrow and death of Lysias and Gorgias sent out against the Jews 12. How dividing their Armys Simon overcame the Tyrants and Ptolomaidans and Judas the Ammonites 13. The death of Antiochus Epiphanes among the Persians 14. Antiochus Eupator overthrowing the Army of the Jews besieged Judas in the Temple 15. Antiochus giving over his siege plighteth a league of friendship with Judas L 16. Bacchides a Captain belonging to Demetrius being sent with his Army against the Jews returneth back to the King without success 17. Nicanor elected Captain after Bacchides and sent out against the Jews is slain with his whole Army 18 Bacchides sent out once more against the Jews overcometh them 19. How Judas being overcome in battle is slain CHAP. I. After the death of Alexander the Great his Army is divided amongst his Captains M Ptolomey one of the chife of them makes himself Master of Jerusalem by surprise sends several Colonies of Jews into Egypt and puts great confidence in them continual Wars betwixt the Inhabitants of Jerusalem and the Samaritans ALexander King of Macedon having overcome the Persians and establisht the state of the Jews according as hath been related departed this life The death of Alexander and the Wars of his succssors Whereupon his Dominions and Kingdoms fell into divers mens hands Antigonus made himself Governor of Asia Seleucus of Babylon and the bordering Nations Jerusalem surprized by policy and the Jews lead way captive Lysimachus had the Hellespont Cassander Macedon and N Ptolomey the Son of Lagus held Egypt Now when these men were at discord amongst themselves whilest each of them affected the soveraignty and fought the one against the other they raised divers great and bloody Wars which ruined many Cities and destroyed great numbers of their Inhabitants Syria had sufficient experience of all these miseries under the Government of Ptolomey the Son of Lagus surnamed Soter a Title which he little deserved He it was that seized on Jerusalem by a stratagem for he entred the City upon a Sabbath day under pretext to offer sacrifice and whilst the Jews suspected nothing but spent the day in ease and idleness he surprised the City without resistance and made the Citizens captives Agatharchides the Cnidian who wrote the Acts of Alexanders successors testifieth the same reproaching us of superstition as if by that means we lost our City O He writeth to this effect There is a certain Nation which are called Jews who inhabit a City which is call'd Jerusalem both strong and mighty They suffered it to fall into Ptolomeys hands because they would not stand upon their guard and through their unseasonable superstition they permitted themselves to be subdued by a Tyrant conquerour The year of the World 3634. before Christ's Nativity 321. See A here what Agatharchides saith in this place of our Nation But Ptolomey leading away with him divers prisoners from the better quarters of Judaea and the places near unto Jerusalem of Samaria and mount Garzim sent them into Egypt to inhabit there and being assured that those of Jerusalem were most firm in maintaining their oaths and promises according as it appeared by their answer made to Alexander when after the discomfiture of Darius he sent Ambassadors unto them he put divers of them into his Garrisons giving them the same priviledges in the City of Alexandria which the Macedonians had After he had received their oath that they should be faithful unto him and his successours in memory of the great trust and favours he had bestowed on them many of the other Jews likewise of their own accord went into Egypt partly B allured thereunto by the plenty of the countrey Sedition betwixt the Jews and Samaritans as touching the Temple partly by the liberality of Ptolomey towards their Nation Yet were there continual quarels betwixt their posterity and the Samaritans because they would keep and maintain the customes and ordinances of their forefathers whereupon divers wars arose amongst them For they of Jerusalem said that their Temple was the true Sanctuary of God and would have the offerings and sacrifices sent thither the Samaritans on the other side commanded them to be brought to the mount Garazim CHAP. II. Ptolomey Philadelphus caused the Laws of the Jews to be translated into C the Greek tongue and dismissing many Captive Jews dedicateth many presents to the Temple of God AFter the death of Ptolomeus Soter his Son Ptolomeus Philadelphus succeeded in the Kingdom of Egyptt Hedio Ruffinus chap. 2. and held it for nine and thirty years space he it was that translated the law into the Greek tongue and delivered the Jews from that servitude wherein they were inthralled in Egypt to the number of sixscore thousand upon this occasion 〈◊〉 library of Ptolomey Phyladelphus Demetrius Phalereus Master of the Kings Library endeavoured to make a collection of all sorts of Books that were in the world and brought all which he thought would be agreeable to the King who was very curious in his collection of Books D The Kings demanding one day how many thousands of Volumes he had already gathered he answered him that he had already gott about two hundred thousand Volums but that shortly he hoped to have to the number of five hundred thousand Besides he told him that he had been lately informed that there ware divers Volumes among the Jews wherein many things touching their Laws and policies were written which were worthy to be known and deserved a place in so memorable and famous a Liberary but that it would be very difficult to translate them into the Greek tongue for their characters seem to have some relation to the Syriack and their pronunciation likewise is not much different from it notwithstanding they have their phrase proper and peculiar unto themselves But nevertheless he believed it might be done since his Majesty would E not think much of any charge the King approved of this proposal and wrote unto the High Priest of the Jews to help him to these books In the mean time a certaâ—n man called Aristaeus who was intirely beloved by
divers places and planting them again in the same And in especial to the end that the service of God may be renewed we have set down a certain sum of money to be imployed in sacrifices and in buying Beasts for their offerings Wine Oyl and incense that is to say twenty thousand sicles of Silver and for sine Floure according to the law of the place one thousand four hundred and sixty measures of Wheat and three hundred seventy and five measures of salt And my will is that all these things that are above-named be delivered unto them according to the form of our ordinance We likewise command that the work of the Temple be finished with the galleries and other necessary buildings and that all the Timber be brought out of Judea and other places and especially out of Libanus without any tax or tallage which exemption also shall D take effect in all other necessaryes that are requisite towards the reparation of so famous a Temple My pleasure likewise is that all they of the same Nation govern their State according to their own laws Let the antient Priests and Scribes of the Temple also and the singing men be freed from all taxations that are payed by the powl and the tributes of the Crown and all other whatsoever And to the end that the City may be the sooner built I grant unto all them that inhabit the same as this present or that hereafter transport themselves thither within the month of October to inhabit the same with exemption from all charges for three years space We forgive them moreover the third part of their tributes to the intent they may recover their losses We will also that those Citizens that have been forcibly led from thence into servitude be set at liberty both they themselves and also those that are of their E alliance commanding their goods to be restored unto them Farewell These are the contents of this Letter The Edict of Antiochus the great in honor of the Temple And to yeild the more honour unto the Temple he sent an edict thorow all his Kingdom to this effect That it should not be lawfull for any stranger to enter within the inclosure of the Temple without the Jews permission except those that should be purified according to the law and custom of the place That no man should bring into the city any flesh of Horses Mules wild or tame Asses Leopards Foxes or Hares or Generally of any Cattel prohibited to be eaten by the laws of the Jews That it should not be lawful likewise for any man to bring their Skins into the City or to nourish any such beasts in the same but that it might be only lawfull to use these beasts which might be sacrificed unto God according to the law of their ancestors That F whosoever should not observe these laws he should pay three thousand drachmes of silver unto the Priests Furthermore to express his piety and fidelity towards us at such time as he heard of the troubles that happned in Phrygia and Lydia he wrought also unto Zeuxis Governour of one of the higher Provinces and his intire friend commanding him to send certain of our Nation from Babylon to Phrygia writing unto him unto this effect G H King Antiochus to Zeuxis his Father The year of the World 3790. before Christ's Nativity 204. Health Vnderstanding that those of Lydia and Phrygia are newly fallen into Rebellion I have thought good according to my duty to prevent the same and whilest I consulted with my friends what was to be done Antiochus's Epistle to Zeuxis in which he maketh honourable mention of the Jews it hath been thought fit that two thousand Families of the Jews should be sent thither all which should be drawn out of Mesopotamia and Babylon to plant them in Garisons and places of security For I am persuaded of their good affection and zeal towards us both in respect of their devotion towards God as also from the testimony which our Predecessors have given them namely that they are faithful and ready to execute that wherein I they are employed Moreover it is our pleasure that notwithstanding all difficulties you cause them to pass thither and permit them to live according to their own Laws Now when they shall arrive in that place thou shalt bestow on every one of them ground to build them houses on with sufficient Lands both for Tillage and to plant their Vineyards in for which they shall pay no Tribute for ten years space and during such time as they may gather of their own for their sustenance they shall be allowed their provision of Corn for themselves and their servants Our will is also that they who shall be employed on necessary affairs be sufficiently provided of that they need to the intent that being so bountifully dealt withall by us they may shew themselves the more affectionate in that which concerneth us Thou shalt give order also to the uttermost of thy power that this Nation be no wayes oppressed or injured by any man Farewell K Hitherto we have sufficiently declared what friendship Antiochus the Great bare unto the Jews Antiochus's friendship and confederacy with Ptolomy After this Antiochus contracted an alliance and friendship with Ptolomy who gave him his daughter Cleopatra in marriage and assigned him for her dowry Coelosyria The Samaritans molest the Jews Samaria Judea and Phoenicia and because these two Kings divided the Tributes between them the chiefest in authority in every Province collected from their Countrey and paid the Sum agreed upon to the Kings Treasury At that time the Samaritans puffed up with their prosperity vexed the Jews spoiling their Countrey Hedio Ruffinus cap. 4. and leading them away Prisoners by force This hapned under the High-Priest Onias Onias the High-Priest provoketh the King of Egypt for non-payment of his Tribute For after the decease of Eleazar Manasses his Uncle obtained the Priesthood L and after the death of Manasses Onias the son of Simon sirnamed the Just enjoyed this dignity Simon was brother to Eleazar as I have heretofore related This Onias was of no great capacity and withall was very covetous by which means he failed to pay the twenty Talents of silver which his Predecessors were wont to pay to the Kings of Egypt of the Tribute which the People paid unto him Whereupon Ptolomy Evergetes the father of Philopater was grievously incensed against him so as he sent an Ambassador to Jerusalem to accuse him because he failed to pay his accustomed Tribute threatning him that if henceforth he received it not he would divide the Countrey amongst his Soldiers and send them to inhabit it When the Jews heard this they were much troubled but Onias was no whit moved thereby because he was wholly given over to covetousness M N O CHAP. IV. The year of the World 3774. before Christ's Nativity 194. A
presently from thence to the other side of Jordan Josephs death where he past his life in receiving and gathering the tributes of the Barbarians Onias and after him Simon his Son High Priest In that time Seleucus sirnamed Soter the Son of Antiochus the great reigned in Asia At that time also died Joseph Hircanus Father who was a man of good repute and great courage who established the people of the Jews in a lasting Peace Hedio Ruffinus chaâ— â— and freed them from poverty and many disasters and collected the Tributs of Syria Phoenica and Samaria for the space of twenty two years His Uncle Onias died also about the same time leaving the Priest-hood to his Son Simon after G whose death his Son Onias was made High Priest to whom Arius King of Lacedemon sent an Embassage and letters the copy whereof heareafter ensueth CHAP. V The year of the World 3780. before Christ's Nativity 144. H Arius King of Lacedemon writes to Onias the High Priest to contract an Alliance with the Jews pretending that the Lacedemonians were descended from Abraham Hircanus builds a magnificent Paliace and kills himself for fear of falling into the hands of Antiocus Arius King of Lacedemon The Letter of the King of Lacedemon to the High Priest of the Jews to Onias Health WE have found out a certain writing wherein it is recorded that the Jews and Lacedemonians are of the same race 1 Mac. 12. and both of them desended from Abraham It is I therefore requisite that since we are brethren you let us know wherein we can serve you that we may have one common interest Demoteles our messenger bringeth you our letters written on a square leafe the seal whereof is an Eagle holding a Dragon in her talons Sedition among the people after Joseph's death These were the contents of the Lacedemonians letters After the death of Joseph it came to pass that the people began to mutinie in the quarrel of his Children For the elder brethren made War against Hircanus who was the younger by means whereof the People were divided The greater part of them followed the Elder faction Hircanus afflicteth the Arabians with continual war and the High Priest Simon also by reason of his affinity with them followed their party Whereupon Hircanus resolved to repair no more unto K Jerusalem but fixing his habitation on the other side of Jordan he made continual War against the Arabians Hircanus buildeth a strong Tower slaying a great number of them and taking many prisoners He built an huge Tower of white Marble from the bottome to the top and on it he placed the figures of many living Creatures in sculpture of greatheight About the same he cut a deep trench of water and having hewed the front of the Rock that stood over against the bulding he made divers caves therein many furlongs long He also made divers chambers therein Antiochus Epiphanes King of Syria both to eat and sleep and dwell in He drew thither likewise currents of springing water in so great abundance that it gave much delight to those that dwelt there The Sons of Ptolomey Epiâ—hance philometor and Physcon and great ornament to the whole bulding The mouth of every Cave was so little that but one only man could enter at once which he therefore L made so narrow because they might the better serve for his security and refuge that if so be he were at any time assaulted by his bretheren Hircanus killeth himself he might avoyd the danger of surprisal Moreover he built within his Castle many large halls which he adorned with great and goodly Gardens Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. and this place thus built was called by him Tyre and is scituate between Arabia and Judaea 1 Mac. 1. on the other side of Jordan not far from the Countrey of Essedon He commanded in this Countrey seven years all that time that Seleucus reigned in Syria After whose death his brother Antiochus sirnamed Epiphanes obtained the Kingdom Ptolomey also King of Egypt who was likewise called Epiphanes died and left two children very young behind him of whom the eldest was called Philometer and the younger Phiscon But when Hircanus perceived that Antiochus grew very powerful M he feared to be punished by him for his incursions made upon the Arabians whereupon he slew himself with his own hands and Antiochus enjoyed all his goods N O H CHAP. VI. The year of the World 3790. before Christ's Nativity 174. Onias sirnamed Menelaus seeing himself excluded from the High-Priesthood retires to Antiochus and renounceth the Religion of his forefathers Antiochus enters Egypt and being ready to make himself Master of it the Romans force him to retire ONias the High-Priest being dead about this time Antiochus gave the Priesthood to Jesus sirnamed Jason his brother For that son unto whom Onias had left the succession Onias sirnam'd Menelaus substituted in his place was as yet very young of whom we will speak in convenient time and I place This Jesus Onias brother was deprived of the Priesthood through the Kings displeasure conceived against him who gave it shortly after to his younger brother called Onias The Wars betwixt Jason and Menelaus For Simon had three sons who as we have declared successively possessed the Priesthood this Jesus caused himself to be called Jason as his other brother caused himself to be called Menelaus Apostates from the Jewish Religion whereas his name was Onias But Jesus who had first of all been established in the place of the High-Priest arose against Menelaus who was elected into the place after him So that the People were divided into Factions and Tobias sons were on Menelaus side but the greater number of the People followed Jason so that Menelaus and the sons of Tobias being much troubled by them retired to Antiochus telling him that they intended to forsake the Religion and Ordinances of their fathers K and to follow that of the King and to live after the manner of the Greeks exhorting him to give them licence to erect a place of Exercises in Jerusalem Which when Antiochus had granted them they so behaved themselves that there appeared no more sign of Circumcision in them so that at such time as they were naked there was no difference between them and the Greeks and neglecting all the ordinances and customs of their own Countrey they conformed themselves to the behaviour and manners of other Nations Antiochus having all things in his kingdom according to his hearts desire resolved to make War upon Egypt he contemned Ptolomy's son age who were not as yet capable to manage their affairs Arriving there near to Pelusium with a great power he circumvented by a stratagem the young Ptolomy Philometor and subdued Egypt for after L he had besieged Memphis Antiochus enforced to depart out of Egypt and taken it
in the Countrey of Persia For since he had only intended to commit Sacriledge but had not effected it he merited not to suffer punishment for it And if it seemeth good unto Polybius that Antiochus was punish'd by death L upon this occasion it is far more likely to be true that his death befell him for the Sacriledge he had committed in the Temple of Jerusalem But our purpose is not to argue against those that maintain that Polybius's reasons are of greater truth and consequence than ours are CHAP. XIV Antiochus Eupator succeeds his father Epiphanes Judas Machabeus lays siege to the Cittadel at Jerusalem Antiochus comes against him with a great Army and besiegeth Bethsura they both raise their sieges and come to a pitch'd Battel The wonderful M courage and the death of Eleazar one of the brothers of Judas Antiochus takes Bethsura and besiegeth the Temple of Jerusalem but when the Jews were reduced to the greatest extremity he raiseth the siege upon the news that was brought him of Philip's having caused himself to be proclaimed King of Persia BEfore Antiochus gave up the ghost Antiochus appointeth Philip Governor of his kingdom and committeth his son Antiochus to his charge he called for Philip one of his chief friends and made him Governor of his kingdom And having deliver'd his Diadem into his hands his Royal Robe and his Ring and Jewels he charg'd him to deliver them to his son Antiochus entreating him to take care of his education and to secure the kingdom N for him until he came to years of discretion This done Antiochus died the 149 year of the kingdom of Syria Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. After that Lysias had certifi'd the people of the Kings death he proclaim'd his son Antiochus whom at that time he had in his protection King sirnaming him Eupator Lysias createth Antiochus the younger King and sirnameth him Eupator according to the instructions that were given him About that time the Garison and Apostates that were in the Fortress of Jerusalem did much mischief unto the Jews For setting upon them that went up to the Temple to worship and offer Sacrifice The Macedonians in the Castle of Jerusalem do much harm to the Jews they slew them for the Fortress commanded the Temple For this cause Judas resolved to cut off these Garisons and to that intent he assembled all the people and besieged it This enterprize was undertook in the year 150 after that Seleucus had usurped the government of those Countries Having therefore made him certain Engines O and raised divers Platforms he industriously continued the siege But divers of those Apostates that were revolted Judas Machabeus besiegeth the Castle and of that Garison came out by night and assembling together such men as were as malicious as themselves they came unto King Antiochus beseeching him The year of the World 3803. before Christ's Nativity 161. That he would not suffer them to be abused by those of our Nation nor to be neglected A by him since their sufferings proceeded only from their having devoted themselves to his fathers service for whose sake they had forsaken their own Religion and follow'd his Laws and Ordinances Furthermore they told him That the Fortress was in danger to be surprized by Judas and his Associates The fugitive Jews flie out of the Castle and require Antiochus's assistance except some present succors were sent unto them When Antiochus the younger had notice hereof he was displeased and sent for his Captains and Friends commanding them to hire strangers and to list all those in his kingdom who were of years to bear Arms so that he gather'd in short time an Army of 100000 Foot and 20000 Horse and 32 Elephants and with this equipage marched out of Antioch committing his Army to Lysias Antiochus marcheth into Judea with his Army As soon as he came into Idumaea he went up unto Bethsura a walled City B and very difficult to be taken which he besieged but with such a disadvantage that the Bethsurians resisting him valiantly Bethsura besieged and sallying out upon him burnt those Engines which he had prepar'd for the battery of the Town When therefore a long time was consumed about the siege Judas with his forces encountreth the King at Beth-zacharia Judas having intelligence of the Kings approach raised his Camp from before the Castle of Jerusalem and marching forward to meet the Enemy he encamped in a certain streight in a place call'd Beth-zacharia about 70 furlongs from the Enemy The King having notice thereof raised his siege from Bethsura and marched toward the streight where Judas's Army was encamped and about the morning he set his Soldiers in battel aray He first of all caused his Elephants to march one after another through the streight for that it was impossible for them to march in a square body About every Elephant were 1000 Footmen and 500 Horsemen These Elephants bare high Towers on C their backs fill'd with Archers The rest of his Forces he caused to march two several wayes by the mountains under the conduct of his most trusty friends commanding them to charge their Enemies with a great shout and to discover their golden and brazen bucklers to the end the reflection thereof might dazle the eyes of the Jews whereupon the mountains resounded with the fearful cryes of Antiochus Army yet was not Judas any wayes discourag'd at it Eleazar Judas's brother killeth an Elephant For receiving the charge with a great courage he slew almost 600 of the forlorn hope But Eleazar sirnamed Auran Judas's brother seeing a huge Elephant among the rest with trappings somewhat extraordinary and supposing that the King was mounted thereon Judas returneth to Jerusalem and Antiochus followeth him he made towards him with a mighty courage and after he had slain divers of those that invironed the Elephant and scatter'd the rest he thrust D his sword into the belly of the beast and wounded him to death but the Elephant falling upon Eleazar slew him with his weight and thus honourably diedthis worthy man after that he had slain a great number of his Enemies and sold his life at a dear rate Judas seeing his Enemies Forces so great in number retir'd back to Jerusalem to continue his siege and Antiâ—chus sent part of his Army to Bethsura to take it and with the rest he himself marched toward Jerusalem The Bethsurites being afraid of this mighty Army of the King and seeing their necessary provisions failed The Bethsurites yield up their City yielded up their City after they had taken the Kings oath that he would offer no violence so that when Antiochus was Master of the City he offer'd them no injury The Temple of Jerusalem besieged only he thrust them out disarmed from the City and placed a Garison E therein He spent a long time also in besieging the Temple of Jerusalem
for they who kept it defended it valiantly For against every Engine the King built and raised up against them they erected a contrary Engine They only wanted victuals because their old provision was consumed and the ground had not been manured that year because it was the seventh in which according to the Law the Countrey ought not to be tilled which was the cause that divers of those that were besieged fled away privately for want of victuals insomuch that very few remained for the defence of the Temple In this condition were they who were besieg'd in the Temple But when King Antiochus and Lysias the General had received notice Antiochus hearing news of Philips intent to invade Persia giveth over his siege to meet him that Philip coming out of Persia intended to make himself Lord of the Countrey they concluded to give F over the siege for that time and to march forwards against Philip without giving any notice thereof to his Soldiers He only commanded that Lysias should call a Council of his Captains and without discovering of his design against Philip to tell them That he raised the siege because the place was very strong and his Army began to want victuals and the publick affairs required his presence in other parts of his Dominions Furthermore he thought it expedient to capitulate with the besieged and contract friendship with all the Nation of the Jews promising them the free exercise of their Religion because they rebelled only that they were deprived of it and he was assured that having the grant thereof they would live peaceably and he might safely return into his own Countrey When Lysias had declared these Reasons all the Army and the Captains approved thereof G H CHAP. XV. King Antiochus Eupator makes peace with the Jews but contrary to his promise he demolisheth the Wall that encompassed the Temple He cuts off the head of the High-Priest Onias sirnamed Menelaus and confers that honour upon Alcim Onias the Nephew of Menelaus retires into Egypt where the King and Queen Cleopatra his Wife permit him to build a Temple at Heliopolis in imitation of that at Jerusalem IN pursuance of this resolution Antiochus maketh peace with Judas King Antiochus sent a Herald to Judas and those that I were besieged with him promising them peace with permission to live according to their Religion The wall of the Temple defaced Which conditions they willingly embrac'd and having taken an oath of assurance from the King they surrendred up the Temple Whereupon Antiochus entred into it Onias otherwayes called Menelaus led away Prisoner and seeing it to be a place so well fortifi'd he contrary to his oath commanded his Army to level the Wall that inviron'd it even with the ground which done he return'd to Antioch leading away with him the High-Priest Onias who was called Menelaus For Lysias had counselled the King to murther Menelaus if he intended that the Jews should live in peace and the rather because it was he only who was the Author of all those evils by reason of the counsel he had given to Antiochus his father to inforce the Jews to forsake their Religion The King for that cause sent Menelaus unto Beraea K a City of Syria where he commanded him to be put to death after he had enjoy'd the High-Priesthood ten years Alcim or Jacimus made High-Priest He was a wicked man and to raise himself to that great honour and authority had caused several of our Nation to violate our most holy Laws As soon therefore as Menelaus was dead Alcim was made High-Priest who was called Jacimus Now when Antiochus found that Philip had already conquer'd a great part of his Countrey he fought with him and taking him Prisoner he put him to death But Onias the son of the High-Priest Philip slain by Antiochus whom as we have heretofore declared was left an Orphan in his infancy seeing that the King had slain his Uncle Menelaus Onias the High-Priests son built a Temple in Egypt resembling that at Jerusalem and given the Priesthood to Alcim who was not of the race of the Priests and had transferred this honour into another family at the persuasion of Lysias he fled unto Ptolomy King of L Egypt where being honourably entertained by the King and his Queen Cleopatra he obtained a place at Heliopolis where he built a Temple like unto that which was at Jerusalem whereof we shall hereafter have a more fit opportunity to speak CHAP. XVI Demetrius the son of Seleucus escapes from Rome comes into Syria and causeth himself to be crowned King and puts to death King Antiochus and Lysias He sends Bacchides with an Army into Judea to exterminate Judas and his party and to establish Alcim in the High-Priesthood he proceeds with great cruelty but Judas compels M him to retire to Demetrius for fresh supplies AT that time Demetrius the son of Seleucus fled from Rome Hedio Ruffinus cap. 15. and took possession of Tripolis in Syria and after he had set the Diadem upon his own head and had levied and hired certain Soldiers 1 Machab. 7. he invaded the kingdom Demetrius seizeth Tripolis and other Cities of â—yria and killeth Antiochus and Lysias where he was received to the general content of all men who submitting themselves unto him laid hold on the King Antiochus and Lysias and brought them alive unto him but he forthwith commanded that they should be put to death after that Antiochus had reigned two years To this new elected King divers Jews banish'd for their impiety and with them the High-Priest Alcim resorted Alcim the High-Priest with Apostates accuseth Judas before Demetrius who in general accused their own Nation and principally Judas N and his brethren objecting against them that they had slain his friends and all such as were on his side and that among all those that were in the kingdom and expected his coming some of them were slain and the rest being driven from their native Countrey were banish'd into other places Wherefore he desired him that he would send some one of his friends to take notice of the outrages committed by Judas and his brethren Demetrius was much moved by these reports and for that cause sent Bacchides who was in times past much esteemed by Antiochus Epiphanes for his valor and to whose government at that time all Mesopotamia was committed To whom he gave an Army joining with him the High-Priest Alcim with Commission to kill Judas and his Confederates Bacchides departing from Antioch with his Army came into Judea and sent an Herald unto Judas O and his brethren to treat with him upon certain Articles of Peace because his intent was to surprize them by some treachery But Judas suspecting his design gave little heed unto him for in that he came thither with so great an Army he easily conjectured that he intended no Peace
this time forward the Nation of the Jews were in quiet without any invasion and lived in peace for a little time Alcim the High-Priest dieth but afterwards they were troubled with the like incursions Whereas therefore the High-Priest Alcim intended to beat down an old wall of the Sanctuary which had been built by the holy Prophets he was suddenly strucken by God so that he lost his speech and fell to the ground and after he had endured many torments at last K he died miserably after he had enjoyed the Priesthood for the space of four years After his death Hedio Ruffinus cap. 17. the people with a general consent conferred that office upon Judas who hearing of the great power of the Romans 1 Mach. 8. and how they had conquer'd Gaule Spain Judas covenanteth a peace with the Romans Carthage Grece and the Kings Perseus and Philip and besides all these the great King Antiochus he resolved to procure their friendship and to that purpose he sent Eupolemus the son of John and Jason the son of Eleazar his two most intimate friends unto Rome to entreat the Romans to be their Allies and Confederates and to write unto Demetrius That he should forbear to make War against the Jews When the Ambassadors that were sent from Judas were arrived at Rome the Senate received them and after they had discoursed with them upon the occasion of their coming they accepted their alliance L and made a Decree the Copy whereof was then brought into Judea and the original reserved in the Capitol engraven on a Table of brass Which Decree of the Romans concerning their alliance with the Jews contained these Articles That no man under the obedience of the Romans The decree of the Romans touching society and friendship of the Jews should maintain War against the Nation of the Jews nor should furnish those with victuals ships or money that should make War against them And if any enemies should assail the Jews the Romans should give them succor to the utmost of their power and that likewise if any one should make War against the Romans the Jews should succor them That if the Jewish Nation would add or diminish any thing of that association it should be done with the common advice of the people of Rome and that that which should be ordained should remain irrevocable M This Copy was written by Eupolemus the son of John and by Jason the son of Eleazar at such time as Judas was High-Priest and his brother Simon General over the Army Thus the first amity and alliance was contracted between the Romans and the Jews CHAP. XVIII King Demetrius sends Bacchides with a new Army against Judas Machabeus who resolves to give him battel although he had but 800 men WHen Nicanor's death and the defeat of his Army was told Demetrius he sent a N new Army into Judea Hedio Ruffinus cap. 18. under the conduct of Bacchides who departing from Antioch 1 Mach. 9. and coming to Judea encamped in Arbela a City of Galilee where having taken captive a great number of those that were retir'd into Caves Demetrius sendeth Bacchides with Forces into Jury he departed from thence and went to Jerusalem And understanding that Judas was encamped in the village of Berzeth he marched out against him with 20000 Foot and 2000 Horse Judas had not on his side in all above 2000 men Bacchides meeteth Judas with 20000 Soldiers the greater part whereof being afraid of the numerous Army of the Syrians forsook their Camp and fled away by which means there remained no more with Judas than 800 men He seeing himself abandoned by so many of his men and pressed by his enemies who gave him no time to reinforce his Army he O resolved to engage with those 800 which remained whom he exhorted to be of good courage and to fight valiantly but they answer'd That they were not able to make head against so great an Army and counselled him to retire and stand on his guard for that time until he had gather'd Forces that might be able to face the enemy But Judas replied to this effect God forbid said he that the Sun should see me turn my back upon A mine enemies And if by this means I meet with my death and that I must needs spend my last blood in this battel I will never sullie so many notable actions so worthily atchieved nor diminish that glory which I have obtained by one ignominious flight And having in this manner exhorted the small remnant of those Soldiers that were with him Judas with a small Army intendeth to assail a mighty Host he commanded them that without any apprehension of danger they should make head against the enemy CHAP. XIX Judas Machabeus with 800 men engageth against the whole Army of Demetrius He is slain after he had performed actions almost incredible His praise B BAcchides drew out his Army and ranged them in battel placing the Horsemen on both the wings Bacchides disposeth his Army and fighteth with Judas his light-armed Soldiers and Archers in the front of the Army and after these a strong Band called the Macedonian Phalanx and he himself led the right wing of the battel And in this aray he approached Judas's Camp and caused the Trumpets to be sounded commanding his Soldiers to give a great shout and to charge their enemies Judas did the like and encountred Bacchides so that on both sides there was a most cruel conflict which continued until the Sun-set And when Judas perceiv'd that Bacchides and the flower of his Army fought in the right wing he chose out a certain number of his most resolute Soldiers and drew towards that quarter and setting upon C them Judas disperseth the enemies Army killeth some and at last is slain himself he brake their squadron and afterwards thrusting into the midst of them he forced them to flie and pursu'd them as far as the Mount Aza They of the left wing perceiving the flight of those in the right went after Judas and inclosed him behind So that being unable to flie and seeing himself inclosed by his enemies he resolved to fight it out And after having slain a great number of his enemies he found himself so feeble by the wounds which he had receiv'd that he fell to the ground and crowned all his other great and immortal actions by a glorious death His Soldiers seeing him dead and having no Commander of note left amongst them after the loss of so valiant a Captain betook them all to flight Simon and Jonathan his brothers upon intreaty recover'd his body Judas buried in Modin and carried it to Modin a place where his father was buried there was he interred D by all the people who wept for him divers dayes and honour'd him publickly according to the custom of their Countrey Such was Judas's end who was a valiant man
a great warrior and very respective of the commandments of his father Matthias having done and suffer'd all that was possible to recover the liberty of his Countrey Being therefore after this manner accomplished he had left behind him a perpetual renown of his worthy acts and an honourable memory of himself obtained by the liberty in which he re-established his Nation delivering them from the servitude of the Macedonians He died after he had discharged the office of the High-Priest for the space of three years E F H The Thirteenth Book of the Antiquities of the JEWS The year of the World 3085. before Christ's Nativity 159. Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the Thirteenth Book 1. Jonathan after his brother Judas's death succeedeth in the Government 2. Jonathan having wearied Bacchides by War compelleth him to make a League and draw I off his Army 3. Alexander the son of Antiochus Epiphanes maketh War upon King Demetrius 4. Demetrius sendeth an Ambassador to Jonathan with Presents persuading him to be of his party 5. Alexander by greater Presents than Demetrius and by offering the High-Priesthood to Jonathan draweth him over to his party 6. Of the Temple of God built by Onias 7. How Alexander after the death of Demetrius highly honour'd Jonathan 8. Demetrius the son of Demetrius overcoming Alexander possesseth the Kingdom and maketh an alliance with Jonathan K 9. Triphon Apamenus after he had overcome Demetrius reserved the Kingdom for Antiochus Alexander's son who receiveth Jonathan into favor 10. Demetrius being overcome by the Parthians Triphon breaketh his covenant of peace and laying hold on Jonathan traiterously killeth him and afterwards assaulteth Simon his brother 11. How the Nation of the Jews committed both the Priesthood and the Government of the Army to Simon 12. Simon driving Tryphon into Dora besieged him and maketh a League with Antiochus sirnamed Pius 13. A debate arising between Antiochus and Simon Cendebaeus the Kings Captain is driven L out of the Countrey 14. How Simon was traiterously slain at a banquet by Ptolomy his father-in-law 15. How Ptolomy's endeavors being made frustrate Hircanus obtaineth the Government 16. How Antiochus sirnamed the Just leading an Army against Hircanus for 300 Talents is reconciled and entreth into a League 17. Hircanus 's expedition into Syria 18. How Antiochus Cyzicenus assisting the Samaritans is conquered and enforced to flie 19. Aristobulus causeth himself to be crowned King 20. The acts of Alexander the King of the Jews 21. The victory of Ptolomy Lathurus against Alexander M 22. Demetrius Eucaerus overcometh Alexander in battel 23. The expedition of Antiochus Dionysius into Jewry 24. Alexander being dead his wife Alexandra succeeded him in the Kingdom CHAP. I. After the death of Judas Machabeus Jonathan his brother is by the Jews chosen General of their Army Bacchides the Commander of Demetrius's Army attempts to kill him treacherously but failing he assaults him openly A great battel and a fair retreat managed N by Jonathan The son of Amar kills his brother John and thereby draws the divine vengeance on his head Bacchides besiegeth him and Simon his brother in Bethalaga but they force him to raise his siege WE have declar'd in the former Book how the Nation of the Jews after they had been under the subjection of the Macedonians recovered their liberty we have likewise related the great wars of Judas their Captain and in which he was at last slain in the defence of their liberty how likewise after the death of Judas all the wicked Apostate Jews who had revolted from their Religion took courage molesting and doing many injuries O to the rest of their Countreymen Finally how besides their malice the Famine raged in the Countrey so that divers being unable to sustain these two scourges of Famine and War were constrain'd to submit themselves unto the Macedonians In the mean while Bacchides gathering together the Apostates who were fallen from the Religion A of the Jews with an intent to live after the manner of the Heathen committeth the government of the Countrey unto them who laying hold on Judas's friends and partakers betrayed and deliver'd them to Bacchides who first of all tormented and beat them The Jews compelled by the Apostates and by famine submit themselves to the Macedonians and afterwards put them to death This so great affliction than which the Jews had never endured a worse since their return from Babylon was the cause that those of Judas's faction who were yet alive fearing the total ruine of their Nation addressed themselves to Jonathan his brother exhorting him to imitate his brother Judas 's virtues and to have no less care of his Countrey than him who dyed in the defence of it beseeching him that he would not suffer his Nation to perish for want of a Captain Bacchides murthereth those of Judas's faction since he himself was so well B qualified to command them Jonathan answer'd them That he was ready to dye for them and being in all things esteemed no less valiant and politick than his brother Judas he was proclaimed General and Captain of the Jews Bacchides having notice hereof Jonathan by the publick instigation of the Jews undertaketh the government feared lest Jonathan should be no less troublesom to the King and the Macedonians than his brother Judas before him had been for which cause he sought means to make him away by Treason But both Jonathan and his brother Simon gat intelligence thereof and having discover'd his practice they took all their families with them Bacchides comploâ—teth to betray Jonathan and his brother and fled into the desart that confin'd upon the City of Jerusalem and retiring near unto a water call'd the Lake of Asphar they remained in that place When Bacchides perceiv'd that they mistrusted him and were driven thither he went out against them with all his Forces and being encamped on the other side of Jordan he gathered C his Army together Jonathan knowing well that Bacchides came out to seek him sent his brother John sirnamed Gaddis unto the Arabians and Nabatheans to commit the trust of their goods into their hands Bacchides draweth out his Forces against Jonathan until the end of the War betwixt him and Bacchides for the Arabians were his friends Whil'st therefore John marched towards the Nabatheans who were of the City of Medaba the sons of Amareus laid an ambush for him and after they had furiously set upon him on the way and laid hold on whatsoever he brought with him John the brother of Judas is slain by Amars son they at length slew him and all his company for which fact of theirs they were shortly after punished by his brethren as we shall relate hereafter When Bacchides knew that Jonathan was encamped in the Marshes of Jordan Bacchides assaileth Jonathan on the Sâ—bbath-day and loseth 2000 of his men he made D choice
of the Sabbath-day to set upon him hoping that he would not defend himself on that day because of the prohibition of the Law But he contrary to his expectation encouraged his Soldiers and declared unto them how it concerned their lives to be valiant for that it was impossible for them to escape because they were shut up in the midst betwixt the River and the Enemy for they had the Enemy before them and the River on their backs As soon therefore as he had made his Prayer unto his God That it might please him to grant him the victory he set upon the Enemy with great resolution and slew a great number of them and perceiving how Bacchides assaulted him with great fierceness he stretched out his right hand to strike him but he preventing the stroke by stepping aside Jonathan and his companions leapt into the River and so saved E themselves by swimming over to the other side of Jordan because the Enemy durst not pass the Water to pursue them Whereupon Bacchides returned incontinently to the Castle of Jerusalem after he had lost about 2000 of his men After this he fortifi'd divers Cities which were before ruinated namely Jericho Emaus Bethoron Bethella Thamnata Pharathon Techoa and Gazara and built in every of them certain Towers and great and strong Walls and afterwards he planted Garisons therein to sally out upon the Jews and vex them but especially he fortifi'd the Cittadel of Jerusalem in which he kept for hostages the children of the principal men of Judea About that time there came a certain man to Jonathan and his brother Simon bringing them news The Castle of Jerâ—salem 〈◊〉 that the sons of Amareus would solemnize their Nuptials and were to lead F the Bride which was daughter to one of the noblest amongst the Arabians from the City of Gabatha and it was intended that she should be conducted with great magnificence and pomp Jonathan and his brother supposing that a fit opportunity was offer'd them to revenge their brothers death Simon revengeth his brother Johns blood on the sons of Amaraeus and to punish the Medabanes for the wrongs they had done unto their brother they took with them the greatest Forces that they could and marched towards Medaba where they lay in ambush under the side of an hill But when they saw them that led the Bride and accompanied the Bridegroom and a great Troop of their Friends likewise according to the manner of Marriages they brake out of their ambush and put them all to the sword and after they had seized their jewels and all the other booty of that company that follow'd them they retired back again joyfully G having accomplish'd their design and thus revenged they the death of their brother John upon the sons of Amareus For not only these alone but their friends that accompanied H them with their Wives and Children The year of the World 3880. before Christ's Nativity 156. were all of them slain to the number of 400. And in this manner Simon and Jonathan returned into the marshes aforesaid and abode there But Bacchides having fortified all the Garisons of Judea returned back unto the King And at that time the state of the Jews was in peace for the space nigh two years But the wicked Demetrius by the sollicitation of the fugitives sendeth Bacchides against Jonathan with an Army and such as were revolted from the Religion of the Jews seeing that Jonathan and his followers conversed in the Countrey with great assurance by reason of the Peace they sent certain Ambassadors unto King Demetrius requiring him to send them Bacchides who might apprehend Jonathan declaring that it might easily be done and that in one night breaking in upon them he might murther them all before they I were aware When Bacchides by the King's commandment came into Jewry he wrote unto all his Friends Bacchides displeased with the Apostates for that they could not surprize Jonathan killeth 50 of them both Jews and also his other Allies requiring them to lay hold on Jonathan but when by no policy nor prowess of theirs they were able to apprehend him for that Jonathan having notice of their ambushes stood upon his guard Bacchides the Macedonian was displeased with the Apostates and Fugitives objecting against them that they had deceived both the King and him and laying hold on fifty of the principal of them he put them to death But Jonathan and his brother with those of their company Jonathan and his brother besieged in Bethalaga retired themselves into Bethalaga a certain village in the desart for fear of Bacchides in which place he built Towers and Walls to keep his Garison in more security Bacchides having notice of it took the Army that he had with him and those K Jews that were his Confederates and marched forward against Jonathan and approaching those fortifications that were made by him he besieged him for many dayes But Jonathan Jonathan stealing out of the City assaileth Bacchides by night for all his siege and violence was not a whit terrifi'd but stood out valiantly and leaving his brother Simon in the City to make head against Bacchides he secretly stole out and gather'd a great number of Soldiers that favor'd his proceedings and in the night-time couragiously brake into Bacchides Camp and after he had there slain a number of his men Bacchides revengeth himself on the fugitives and is enforced to retreat he gave his brother Simon notice of his coming who as soon as he heard the noise in the Enemies Camp hastily issued forth with his Soldiers and burnt all the Macedonians Engines and made a great slaughter of them Bacchides seeing that he was circumvented by his Enemies and that both before and behind he was pressed L by them being astonished at this so unexpected an encounter was almost out of his wits so much was he troubled at the issue of his siege that fell out altogether contrary to his expectation for which cause he discharged all his choler upon those Apostates supposing he was abused by them who had sent unto the King and had caused him to be sent thither so that he thought of nothing now but raising the siege and returning home with as little dishonour as he could CHAP. II. Jonathan constraineth Bacchides to make peace with the Jews and to depart out of the M Countrey WHen Jonathan knew his intentions 1 Mac. 9. he sent an Ambassador unto him to conclude a Peace betwixt them Bacchides maketh peace with Jonathan with this condition That they should each of them deliver up those Prisoners that were taken on either side Bacchides judging the Proposal to be honourable Jonathan liveth at Macâ—mas punishing the wicked and that a fit occasion was now offered him whereupon he might raise his siege without any disgrace promised Jonathan his friendship so that both of them swore from that time forward
never to make War the one against the other and each of them restored their Prisoners Thus returned Bacchides into Antioch unto his King and after that retreat he never made War again upon Judea But Jonathan having obtained his N security went and dwelt in the Town of Machmas where during his government he executed such severe justice on those that were revolted from the Religion of their Countrey that he purged the Nation from Apostates O CHAP. III. The year of the World 3813. before Christ's Nativity 151. A Alexander Ballez the son of King Antiochus Epiphanes enters with an Army into Syria The Garison of Ptolemais set open their gates to him by reason of their hatred to King Demetrius who prepares himself for War IN the hundred and sixtieth year Hedio Ruffinus cap. 11. Alexander sirnamed Ballez the son of Antiochus Epiphanes came into Syria and seized the City of Ptolemais by the reason of those Soldiers that were therein Alexander the son of Antiochus Epiphanes cometh into Syria and seizeth Ptolemais who were ill-affected towards Demetrius by reason of his arrogancy which was such that he granted no man access unto him for being locked up B in a Royal Fort fenced with four Towers which himself had built near unto Antioch he suffered no man to approach his presence but was careless and wholly negligent in his affairs living in pleasure and idleness whereby he was much hated by his Subjects as we have already declared in another place Now when Demetrius knew that Alexander had seized Ptolemais he gathered all his Forces and marched forth against him CHAP. IV. King Demetrius desireth the Alliance of Jonathan who makes use of this occasion to repair the Fortifications of Jerusalem C JN the mean time he sent Ambassadors unto Jonathan Demetrius's War against Alexander that might make an alliance and ratifie a friendship betwixt them for he determined with himself to prevent Alexander 1 Mac. 10. for fear lest he capitulating with him first of all should obtain his assistance And this did he especially for the fear he had of Jonathan lest remembring those injuries he had before received at his hands he should oppose himself against him He therefore sent unto him requiring him to assemble his Forces and to make preparation for the War commanding likewise that those Jews should be delivered into his possession whom Bacchides had shut up for hostages in the fortress of Jerusalem After that Demetrius had demeaned himself in this sort Jonathan came to Jerusalem and in the presence D of all the people and of the garison that was in the fortress he read the Kings Letters and after the reading thereof the wicked and revolted Jews that were in the fortress were afraid seeing that the King permitted Jonathan to levy an Army and to receive hostages But he receiving them into his hands restored each of them to their fathers and mothers and by this means remained Jonathan in Jerusalem where he made divers reparations and built according as he pleased For he built the City-walls of hewen stone The Macedonians forsaking their Garisons resort to Antioch to make them more durable against the assaults of War Which when they perceived who were in the Garisons throughout all Judea they forsook them all and retired back to Antioch except they that were in the City of Bethsura and those in the Fortress of Jerusalem for they consisted for the most part of those Jews that had abandoned their E Religion who for that reason feared to forsake their Garisons CHAP. V. King Alexander Ballez desireth the friendship of Jonathan and to oblige him confers on him the office of High-Priest void by the death of his brother Judas Machabeus King Demetrius on the other side makes fairer Proposals unto him and those of his Nation The two Kings come to a battel in which Demetrius is slain BUT Alexander knowing what promises Demetrius had made unto Jonathan Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. and being F well assured how valiant he was and how he behaved himself against the Macedonians and how he was persecuted by Demetrius and his Lieutenant Bacchides he told his friends that it was impossible for him to meet with a better Ally at that time than Jonathan who had approved himself a valiant man against his enemies and particularly hated Demetrius from whom he had received many injuries and on whom he had several times taken revenge wherefore if they thought it good to draw him unto their side against Demetrius the time was very fit to make an Alliance between them which advice of his being approved by his Favourites he sent a Letter unto Jonathan to this effect King Alexander to Jonathan his Brother Health G We have long since heard of your valor and fidelity which hath caused us to send our Ambassadors H unto you to treat with you of an alliance and amity betwixt us and from this day forward we elect and ordain you High-Priest of the Jews and receive you into the number of our chiefest friends Moreover as a Present I send you a Purple Robe and a Crown of Gold exhorting you That since you are thus honoured by us you will likewise yield us an answerable respect and friendship Jonathan having received this Letter Alexander endeavoureth to draw Jonathan to his party by making him High Priest invested himself in the habit of the High-Priest on the day of the feast of the Tabernacles which was the fourth year after the death of his brother Judas For during all that time there had not been any High-Priest He assembled also a great number of Soldiers and caused a great quantity of arms and I weapons to be made When Demetrius heard this he was much troubled and accused himself of sloth and too much negligence in his affairs Demetrius studieth by promises to assure himself of Jonathans friendship because he had not prevented Alexander by drawing Jonathan to his party but had suffered him to take the benefit of this occasion Nevertheless he forbore not to write to Jonathan and the rest of the people of the Jews as followeth King Demetrius to Jonathan and to all the Nation of the Jews Health Since you have observed the friendship that you bear unto us and have not engaged your selves K with our enemies notwithstanding their divers sollicitations we praise your fidelity and pray you to persevere in the same estate assuring you that you shall receive the like favors from us in all integrity For I am content to remit the greater part of the tributes and taxes that you have usually paid either to the Kings my Predecessors or to me and from this time forward I acquit you from those tributes you are to pay hereafter And moreover I release you of the prize of salt and of the gold which you were wont to give unto us for our Crown We likewise acquit you
will all in this place assemble to celebrate the praises of God according as it hath been foretold by the Prophet Isaias There shall be saith he a Temple for our Lord God in Egypt many other things also hath he foretold touching this place This is the substance of that which Onias wrote unto King Ptolomey And by his answer which he made hereunto a man may easily conjecture what piety was both in him and Cleopatra his sister and wife For they have returned the sin and transgression of the Law which through this means fell upon Onias's head by this answer that ensueth F King Ptolomey and Queen Cleopatra to Onias the High-Priest Health We have perused your Letters by which you desire us to give you leave to cleanse the Temple that is defaced at Leontopolis in the seignory of Heliopolis in the place called Bubastis in the Plain We marvel very much that a Temple built in a place so unclean and full of execrable Beasts should be acceptable unto God but since that you inform us that the Prophet Isaiah did long since prophesie the same we give you liberty if it may be done according to the Law and with this condition that we commit not any sin against God G Upon this answer Onias taking possession of the place built therein a Temple and erected an Altar unto God according to the model of the Temple of Jerusalem but H far less and less rich I think it no wayes requisite to declare the dimensions thereof nor the vessels belonging to it because I describe them particularly in my seventh book of the Wars and Captivity of the Jews neither wanted there some Levites and Priests who being of the same opinion with Onias officiated at the celebration of Divine Service A Temple built in Egypt by Ptolomey's consent But let this suffice for the present touching the Temple But it came to pass that the Jews of Alexandria and the Samaritans that brought in the Service and Worship of the Temple upon the mount Garizim under Alexander the Great The Wars of the Jews lib. 7. cap. 37. dissented from one another and debated their differences before Ptolomey For the Jews said That the Temple in Jerusalem built according to Moses laws and ordinances Sedition betwixt the Jews and Samaritans as touching their Temple was the lawful Temple but the Samaritans maintained That that which was built I on mount Garazim was the true Temple They therefore besought the King That it would please him to sit in judgment with the assistance of his friends to hear their allegations in this behalf and to condemn the party unto death who should be found faulty in his process Now the advocates which pleaded for the Samaritans were Sabbeus and Theodosius and Andronicus the son of Messalem defended the cause of those of Jerusalem and the other Jews And both of them swore both by God and the King That they would bring their proofs according to the Law beseeching Ptolomey to adjudge him to death whom he should find to have falsifi'd his oath The King therefore sat down with his friends to hear the cause and determine their differences But the Jews of Alexandria were much displeased with them that had drawn the preheminence of the Temple K at Jerusalem into question and were highly discontent that a Temple so ancient and famous and so esteemed and honoured through the whole World should be so disparaged When therefore the day of Audience was come Sabbeus and Theodosius suffered Andronicus to speak first who began to prove the lawfulness holiness and religion of the Temple in Jerusalem out of the Law and by the successive government of the High Priests who from father to son and from hand to hand had received this honour therein alledging That all the Kings of Asia had honoured the Majesty of that place with presents and rich oblations whereas neither in the record of men nor course of antiquity the Temple of Garizim had been in any estimation Hereunto he added such other reasons as persuaded the King that the Temple of Jerusalem was built according to L the ordinance of Moses and caused him to adjudge Sabbeus and Theodosius to death This may suffice to have spoken concerning the differences of the Jews of Alexandria and such things as befell them during Ptolomey Philometors time CHAP. VII Alexander Ballez finding himself by the death of Demetrius in the peaceable possession of the Realm of Syria espouseth the daughter of Ptolomey Philometor King of Egypt Great honour is done by Alexander to Jonathan the High-Priest M AFter that Demetrius was slain in the field as we have already related Alexander made himself King of Syria Hedio Ruffinus cap. 5. and wrote to Ptolomey Philometor 1 Mac. 11. 1. desiring his daughter Alexander King of Syria marrieth Cleopatra Ptolomeys daughter the Princess Cleopatra in marriage telling him That it was not below his dignity to contract affinity with him since he had obtained his fathers Empire by the favor of God and had overcome Demetrius Ptolomey yielding a willing ear to his request wrote back That he was very glad that he had recovered his fathers kingdom promising him to give him his daughter in marriage assuring him that he would meet him at Ptolomais and bring his daughter unto him to that place and there celebrate the Nuptials After he had written these Letters Ptolomey made haste to Ptolomais and led with him his daughter Cleopatra where meeting with Alexander according to their appointment he deliver'd him his daughter N and gave her a dowry worthy of so great a King Unto the solemnizing of his marriage Alexander by Letters invited the High-Priest Jonathan commanding him to come to him to Ptolomais He went thither and presented magnificent Presents to both the Kings he was highly honour'd by both insomuch as Alexander constrained him to put off his ordinary garments and to put on a purple robe and after that to sit upon a royal Throne commanding his Captains to march before him through the City and to command by publick Edict That no man should dare to speak anything against him nor offer him any cause of discontent All which the Captains performed so that they who purposely and maliciously came thither to accuse him seeing the honour that was done unto him by the King fled away lest the mischief which they designed for him should fall upon O their own heads This King Alexander loved Jonathan so intirely that he afforded him the chief place amongst his dearest friends CHAP. VIII The year of the World 3818. before Christ's Nativity 146. A Demetrius Nicanor the son of King Demetrius entreth into Cilicia with an Army King Alexander Ballez gives the command of his to Apollonius who with very ill success sets upon Jonathan the High-Priest who defeats him takes Azot and burns the Temple of Dagon Ptolemey Philometor King of Egypt
prophane hands For I already perceive that the prophane Nations despise us and contemn you as if you had no Leader Simon succeedeth his brothers Judas and Jonathan and I know already that they are marching forward to fight you By these words Simon heartned the People who were distracted with fear so that they revived their spirits and conceived better hope Simon sendeth Jonathan Absalons son to Joppa to expulse the inhabitants thereof Tryphon by fraudulent promises under certain conditions persuadeth Simon that his brother should be set at liberty Whereupon all of them cried with a loud voice That Simon was their General and that he was to succeed his two valiant brethren N Judas and Jonathan in the Government and that as touching themselves they would be obedient in all things that he should command them He therefore assembled in one instant all the men at Arms in that Countrey and hastened to repair the City walls fortifying them with high and strong Towers and sent a certain friend of his called Jonathan the son of Absalon with an Army to Joppa commanding him to turn out the Inhabitants of that City from thence feraing they would submit themselves to Tryphon as for himself he remained in Jerusalem to secure the same Tryphon departing from Ptolomais with a great Army came into Judea leading his Prisoner Jonathan with him Whereupon Simon and his Army went out against him as far as Addida a City scituate upon a Mountain at the foot whereof beginneth the Champain O Countrey of Judea Tryphon knowing that Simon was made Governor of the Jews sent messengers unto him intending to circumvent him by Treason and Policy giving him to understand That if he were desirous of his brothers enlargement he should send him one hundred Talents of silver The year of the World 3821. before Christ's Nativity 143. and two of Jonathans children for hostages to assure him that being A set at liberty he should not withdraw Judea from the obedience of the King For till that present he was held and kept Prisoner by reason of the money which he ow'd the King Simon was no ways ignorant of this cunning intent of Tryphons but knew well enough that he should both lose his money if he should deliver the same and that his brother should not be enlarged no though his children were deliver'd for hostages on the other side he feared lest the People should judge sinisterly of him as if he had been the cause of his brothers death both by not delivering the money neither yet the children Having therefore assembled the Army he declar'd unto them what Tryphon demanded telling them That the whole scope of his actions were nothing else but treacherous stratagems and subtilities yet notwithstanding he told them That he had rather send both the money and the B children to Tryphon than by refusing his conditions and demands to be accused to have neglected the life of his brother Simon sent therefore both the money and children of Jonathan but Tryphon having receiv'd both kept not his promise but detain'd Jonathan and leading his Army thorow the Countrey intended to pass by Idumaea to repair to Jerusalem He came therefore to Dora a City in Idumaea and thitherward marched Simon to encounter with him encamping always right over against him They that were in the Castle of Jerusalem hearing news hereof sent Tryphon word that he should hasten and come unto them and send them munition whereupon he addressed his Horsemen pretending that very night to ride unto Jerusalem but the snow about that time fell in such abundance that it covered the way in such sort and was so thick as the Horses could not C Travel which hindred his repair to Jerusalem For which cause he departed from thence and came into Coelosyria Jonathan is slain by Tryphon and speedily invading the Countrey of Galaad he put Jonathan to death in that place and after he had buried him there he returned to Antioch But Simon sent unto Basca and transported his brothers bones and interred them in his Countrey Modin in his fathers Sepulchre and all the People mourned and lamented for him many days Simon also built a great monument of white and polished marble for his father and brethren Jonathans Monument and rais'd it to a great height and garnish'd it round about with galleries and pillars all of one piece which was an admirable Work to behold Besides that he erected seven Pyramids for his father mother and brethren for each of them one so great and so fair as they caused admiration in those that beheld them and are D as yet to be seen at this present day So great was Simons care that Jonathan and the rest of his family should be honour'd with so magnificent a Sepulchre which Jonathan dyed after he had exercis'd the place of High-Priest and possessed the Government for four years Thus much as touching his death As soon as Simon had taken possession of the High-Priesthood by the election of the People the very first year of his Government he acquitted the People of the Tribute which they were wont to pay to the Macedonians This liberty and exemption from Tribute hapned amongst the Jews one hundred and seventy years since the time that Seleucus The Jews discharged of Tributes sirnamed Nicanor obtain'd the kingdom of Syria And in so great honour was Simon amongst the People that in their private Contracts and publick Letters the date E began Simons authority From the first year of Simon the Benefactor and Governor of the Jewish Nation For they prospered greatly under his Government and had the victory of all their neighbouring Enemies round about them For he destroy'd the Cities of Gaza Joppa and Jamnia he demolished or slighted also the Cittadel of Jerusalem and level'd it with the ground Simon razeth the Castle of Jerusalem to the intent the Enemies might never seize on it any more nor retreat thither to endamage the City as they had done before Which when he had brought to pass he thought it not amiss but very profitable to level the Hill whereon the Castle stood to the intent the Temple might be the eminentest place All this he persuaded the People to do in a common Assembly representing to them how much they had suffer'd by the Garisons and how much they were like to suffer hereafter if a stranger should once F more be master of the kingdom and build a Cittadel in that place By these exhortations he persuaded the People to finish these Works and all of them began to work without intermission both day and night so that in the space of three years they level'd the mountain and from that time forward there was nothing but the Temple that commanded the City See here what Simon perform'd hitherto G H CHAP. XII The year of the World 3824. before Christ's Nativity 140. Tryphon caused Antiochus Alexander
far Strabo This great felicity and prosperity of Hircanus Hircanus groweth in discontent with the Pharisees moved the Jews to conceive a hatred against him and especially the Pharisees opposed themselves against him These Pharisees were one of the Sects of the Jews whereof we have heretofore treated which Sect was so great in credit with the common people that when they disposed any thing were it against the King or the Priest they were presently believed Hircanus had been one of their disciples and therefore was easily believed He invited them to a feast and entertain'd them with all humanity and seeing them in a merry vein he began to tell them D That they knew his mind how that he desired nothing more than to be just and to square all his actions according to Gods will and direction according as they themselves taught He therefore requir'd them that if they perceiv'd that he mistook himself in any thing or that he wandred from the right way they would by admonition redress the same Whereupon all of them gave testimony of his perfect virtue wherewith he was highly contented But one of the company called Eleazar a man of a malicious nature and such an one as delighted in mutiny Eleaâ—â—r the Pharâ—â—ee upbraideth Hircanus that his mother was a slave said unto him Since you desire to hear the truth if so be you affect the estimation of a good man give over the place of Priesthood and content your self with the government of the people Hircanus demanded of him the cause wherefore he should forsake the Priesthood Because saith he that we have heard say by our Ancestors that your mother was a E Captive during the Reign of Antiochus the famous which notwithstanding was a false report Hircanus hearing this was sore moved against him and also all other of the Pharisees who were present Amongst the rest there was a certain man called Jonathan of the order of the Sadduces who maintain a contrary opinion against the Pharisees who was an intimate and dear friend to Hircanus with whom he communicated the injurious speeches that Eleazar had spoken by him The Sadduce Jonathan incenseth Hircanus against the Pharisees who told him That as he thought Eleazar had spoken these words by the publick consent of the Pharisees and that he might discover the same most manifestly if he enquired of them what punishment Eleazar had deserved for speaking after this sort Hircanus therefore talked with the Pharisees concerning his punishment telling them That he should very well perceive that this injury had not been pronounced F by the common consent of them all if they condemned the Offender to suffer a punishment proportionable to his offence Whereupon they decreed That he ought to be punished by imprisonment and scourging for said they an injury done in word required no capital punishment And to speak uprightly they in their thinking censured severely enough of this fault for that the Pharisees are naturally inclin'd to mercy in matter of punishment But Hircanus was sore offended with this their answer and imagined that this Eleazar had spoken after this manner by the common instigation of the rest This displeasure and conceived dislike of his Hircanus forsaketh the Pharisees and followeth the Sadduces Jonathan aggravated to the uttermost and handled the matter in such sort that he drew Hircanus to forsake the Pharisees and to subscribe to the opinions of the Sadduces abolishing their ordinances and causing them to be sharply punisht that G observe the same These practices of Hircanus incensed the people against him and his sons but we will treat of this in another place At present I will declare how the A Pharisees have made many ordinances among the People according to the Tradition of their fathers whereof there is nothing written in the Laws of Moses for which cause the Sect of the Sadduces rejecteth them affirming That they ought to keep the written ordinances and not to observe those that are grounded upon the Tradition of the fathers And great dispute and dissentions have been raised among them upon this occasion The constitutions of the Pharisees because the richer sort only and not the baser sort of People adhered to the Sadduces but the Pharisees had the Commonalty on their sides But of these two sorts and of the Esseans I have more exactly Treated in my second Book of the Wars of the Jews But Hircanus finally appeased this mutiny and lived afterwards in much peace and happiness and after he had most discreetly govern'd his Princedom for the space of 31 years Hircanus's death he died leaving B five sons behind him This man was honored by God with three great gifts the gift of Government the gift of Priesthood and the gift of Prophecy For God spake unto him divers times by Oracles and Revelations and gave him the knowledge of things to come Hircanus's Prophecy of his sons which he in such sort foretold That he declared that his two eldest sons should not possess the principality any long time whose end it shall not be amiss to set down in what manner it was to the intent that the Prophecy of their father may be the better known CHAP. XIX Aristobulus eldest son of Hircanus Prince of the Jews makes himself be crown'd King C maketh his brother Antigonus his associate of the Crown he imprisoneth the rest and his mother also whom he caused to die for hunger He becometh jealous of Antigonus he maketh him be killed and he himself afterwards dieth for grief ARistobulus Hircanus's eldest son resolved after his fathers death to exchange the Principality into an absolute Kingdom Hedio Ruffinus cap. 18. and the better to attain thereunto he first of all set the Crown upon his head Aristobulus Hircanus son was the first after the captivity of Babylon that set the Diadâ—m on his head 481 years and three months after the People of the Jews were deliver'd from the bondage of Babylon and led again unto their Countrey And for that Aristobulus amongst all his other brethren loved Antigonus best of all who was the nearest unto him in age he accepted him as a companion in the government of the D kingdom but as for the rest he shut them up in Prison He locked up his mother likewise who had contended with him concerning the Government for that Hircanus had committed all things to her disposition and so far extended his cruelty Aristobulus admitteth his brother Antgonus to be his Copartner in the kingdom and imprisoneth the rest of his brethren and famisheth his mother that he famish'd her to death in Prison After he had thus used his mother he slew his brother Antigonus also whom he pretended to love above all the rest and whom as he made shew he had made partner of his Kingdom From whom he estranged himself by reason of some slanders and false accusations raised up against him
and hated Ptolomey the son of Mennaeus Aretas led his Army into Jewry N and got a victory against Alexander near to Addida which done he retired out of Judea Aretas King of Câ—oelosyria upon a composition made between them Moreover once more Alexander marched towards the City of Dion and took it And afterwards he led his Army against Essa where Zeno had hoarded up his chiefest riches Certain Cities taken by Alexander and before he assailed the Fortress he invironed the place with three huge Walls which he built round about it and having taken it by force he marched to Gaulana and Seleucia which having overcome he made himself Master of a valley called the valley of Antiochus with the Fortress of Gamala And objecting many crimes against Demetrius the Lord of those places he dispossessed him of his government Then after he had made War for the space of three whole years he returned into his Countrey where the Jews entertained him willingly O by reason of the happy exploits which he had atchieved About the same time the Jews were already possessed of the Cities of Syria Idumaea and Phoenicia of the Tower of Straton Apollonia Joppa Jamnia Azor Gaza Anthedon Raphia Rhinocura all which were near unto the Sea and in the firm land on the one A side of Idumaea as Adora Marissa and all Samaria the Mounts Carmel and Itabyr and herewith Scythopolis Gadara Gaulanitis Seleucia Gabala and of Moab Essebon Medaba Lemba Orona Telithon and Zara Antonia of Cilicia and Pella This last City was destroy'd by them The Jews are Lords of the Cities of the Syrians Idumaeans and Phaenicians because the Inhabitants would not promise to be converted to the Religion of the Jews with divers others of the principal Cities of Syria also which were conquer'd by them After this King Alexander fell sick by the means of a surfeit and drunkenness and for the space of three years he was sick of a Quartane Ague Nevertheless he continued alwayes in the Camp Pella destroyed and razed until such time that being wearied with toyle he died on the B borders of the Countrey of the Gerasens Alexander's sickness as he besieged Regaba which is a Castle situate on the other side of Jordan The Queen perceiving that he was at deaths door and that there remained neither hope of life nor recovery she began to weep and lament and to beat her breasts because both she and her children were likely now to be left desolate and in these words she bemoaned her self unto him To whom wilt thou leave both me and thy children in the state wherein we are Or why should we survive or live one after another considering that thou assuredly knowest that the hearts of thy people are averse from us Hereupon the King comforted her and gave her this counsel That if she would assure the Kingdom both unto her self and her children she should behave her self according to his direction Alexander instructeth his wife how she should reign securely which was first to conceal his death and not to suffer his Soldiers to have notice thereof until she had taken this Castle Which done he advised her to repair to Jerusalem C in pomp and triumph and that being there she should bestow some authority upon the Pharisees The authority of the Pharisees among the people who would sound her praise and obtain her the peoples favor For said he these kind of men are in great esteem and credit with the people and can do much hurt unto those they hate and benefit them very mightily towards whom they are well affected For the people easily believeth them when they find fault with any man notwithstanding it be of envy and that himself also had incur'd the displeasure of the people for their sakes in that he had offended them When as therefore said he thou shalt arrive in Jerusalem send thou for the chiefest amongst them and pray them to come unto thee and after you have shewed them my dead body use the most plausible speech that you can and give them permission to dispose of my body as they D please whether it be their pleasure to interdict and deny me funeral in that they have received many indignities by me or whether to be revenged they will offer any ignominy to my body and promise you them that you will do nothing in the administration or government of the Kingdom but by thier advice If in this sort you frame both your manners and discourse towards them it will come to pass that I shall be buried by them with great magnificence which otherwise I could not be by any other means because they will offer no outrage to my body no although you should permit them and besides that you shall neigâ— in more assurance and quiet Having given his Wife these advertisements Alexander's death he gave up the ghost after he had reigned 27 years and lived 49. CHAP. XXIV E King Alexander leaveth two sons Hircanus who was High-Priest and Aristobulus their mother Queen Alexandra gaineth the favor of the People through the Pharisees means having given them great authority she consents through their persuasion to put the most faithful of the King her husbands servants to death and to please the rest of them she giveth them the Government of the most considerable places Tygranes King of Armenias invasion into Syria Aristobulus endeavoureth to make himself King The death of Queen Alexandra AFter that Alexander had taken the Castle of Ragaba she conferreth with the Pharisees F Alexander's funeral according to her Husbands counsel and committed unto their discretion not only that which concerned her Husbands funerals but also the government of the kingdom whereby she not only appeased the displeasure which formerly they had conceived against Alexander but also obtained their good will and friendship They came and declaimed amongst the people making an oration of the actions and deeds of Alexander lamenting everywhere that they had lost a good King Hedio Ruffinus cap. 22. and by praising him they incited the people to great grief and lamentation Hircanus and Aristobulus Alexander's sons so that they buried him with more magnificence than any King that reigned before him This Alexander left two sons behind him the one called Hircanus the other Aristobulus and by his Testament committed the government G of the kingdom to Alexandra his Wife For Hircanus was uncapable to manage affairs and rather delighted in peace and quiet and Aristobulus who was the younger H was both active and fit for government The year of the World 3890. before Christ's Nativity 74. The people were well affected towards Alexandra because she had manifestly expressed how greatly she misliked her Husbands misgovernment She appointed Hircanus High-Priest both in regard of his age as also for that by nature he was addicted to peace and quiet and committed all things to the
lest he should revenge himself on those who had abused his servants and it was thought fit that both his Wife and Children should be committed to the Castle that adjoined to the Temple But from all parts round about there resorted Soldiers to Aristobulus so that he was attended K like a King for in the space of some 15 dayes he took 22 Forts whither he made his retreats and assembled an Army of Soldiers and levied them amongst the Lords that inhabited Libanus and Trachonitis For the multitude had alwayes resort 〈◊〉 the stronger side supposing that if they submit thereunto willingly and maintain and authorize the same that they shall draw some profit thereby as being those that were the occasion of the confirmation of his Monarchy Hereupon the ancient Jews and Hircanus repaired unto the Queen Hircanus and the Elders inform the Queen and accuse Aristobulus humbly intreating her to take some mature counsel and good advice concerning the present affairs because that Aristobulus her son was already very near Lord of the whole Countrey since he had so many Forts under his command Besides that it was inconvenient and undecent for them to consult L without her express order Alexandra's death notwithstanding she were grievously sick but that the present danger compelled them The Queen desired them to do that which they thought should be most profitable for the Commonweal telling them That they had many means for that their Nation was mighty great and strong and had great store both of money and riches in the common Treasury shewing them that because she knew that she had not long to live she had no more reason to take care of those affairs Having spoken thus she died after she had reigned nine years and lived in all 73. This Woman was endued with greater excellency than could be expected from one of her sex and expressed both in her actions and ordinances how fit she was to govern a kingdom and how unworthy some Princes are of the dignities they have amongst men For making more account of the present than future occurrences M and neglecting all other things in respect of those which are requisite in a moderate Government she never upon any instigation whatsoever perverted justice notwithstanding her family fell into such inconveniencies that the same sovereignty which she had obtained by divers dangers and labours was not long after that ruinated and lost for her scare effeminate desires For she gave ear unto those who were ill-affected towards her posterity Alexandra's Family incur much trouble and left the Kingdom destitute of such as were fit to govern so that the Government which she enjoyed during her life-time was after her death distracted with infinite troubles and calamities wherewith her family was involved And notwithstanding her Government after this manner yet during her life-time she kept the kingdom N in peace And thus died Alexandra O A The Fourteenth Book of the Antiquities of the JEWS The year 〈…〉 World 3899. before Christ's Nativity 65. Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the Fourteenth Book 1. How after the death of Alexandra her youngest son Aristobulus made War against his brother Hircanus for the Kingdom who obtaining the victory compelled Hircanus B to flie into a Castle in Jerusalem And how after it was concluded between them that Aristobulus should be King and Hircanus live as a private man without dignity 2. Of the race of Antipater and how he purchased renown great power and authority both to himself and his children and the flight of Hircanus to Aretas King of Arabia 3. Aristobulus being vanquished is pursued as far as Jerusalem 4. Hircanus and Aristobulus send Ambassadors to Scaurus to request his aid and succor 5. Aristobulus and Hircanus present themselves before Pompey to debate their Titles touching the Kingdom 6. Pompey is seized of the Fortresses by a warlike stratagem 7. They of Jerusalem shut their gates against the Romans C 8. Pompey taketh the Temple and lower part of the City by force 9. Scaurus maketh War against Aretas and by the persuasion and sollicitation of Antipater maketh a league with him 10. Alexander being overcome by Gabinius retireth himself into a Castle where he is shut up and besieged 11. Aristobulus escaping out of Prison flieth from Rome who being taken again in Judea by Gabinius is sent back Prisoner to Rome 12. Crassus warring against the Parthians passeth thorow Jewry and spoileth the Treasury of the Temple 13. Pompey retireth into Epirus and Scipio cometh into Syria D 14. Caesar's voyage into Egypt wherein the Jews do him faithful service 15. Antipater's valiant acts and the amity betwixt him and Caesar 16. Caesar's Letters and the Senates decree as touching the friendship betwixt the Jews and Romans 17. Antipater committeth the government of Galilee to his son Herod and that of Jerusalem to Phasaelus his other son and how Sextus Caesar advanced Herod to great honour and dignity 18. Cassius afflicteth Jewry and exacteth 800 Talents 19. Malichus poysoneth Antipater 20. Herod putteth Malichus to death by Cassius's commandment E 21. Antigonus the son of Aristobulus seeking to recover his fathers Kingdom by the aid of the King of Tyre is discomfited and driven out of Judea by Herod 22. Herod meeting Antonius in Bithinia winneth his favor with a great sum of money to the intent he should give no ear to his accusers 23. Antonius arriving in Syria establisheth Herod and Phasaelus for Tetrarchs 24. The Parthians make War in Syria to restore Antigonus to the Kingdom 25. The Parthians take Hircanus and Phasaelus Prisoners and lead them away 26. Herod at Rome is declared King of Jewry by the Senate 27. Herod returneth from Rome and fighteth against Antigonus F 28. Antigonus is discomfited by Sosius and Herod CHAP. I. After the death of Queen Alexandra Hircanus and Aristobulus her two sons come to battel Aristobulus gets the victory and afterwards in a Treaty Aristobulus though youngest is to have the Crown and Hircanus is contented to live privately WE have already Treated in our former Book both of the Acts and Death of Queen Alexandra it now remaineth at this present to prosecute and continue the sequel of our History to the end that we G neither omit any thing through ignorance The office and duty of an Historiographer nor bury it in forgetfulness For they that make profession to write Histories and to recite such things as are observed by Antiquity ought not only studiously to conform their stile but also to beautifie the same with ornaments of eloquence that the Reader may peruse their H Writings with the more delectation But above all things they must have an especial care to set down the Truth exactly that they who know not how these things came to pass may be the more duly and fitly informed When as therefore Hircanus had taken upon him the High-Priesthood in
City of Alexandria is assigned to the Jewish Nation They have likewise their peculiar Magistrate who governeth the people endeth F and decideth their differences and maintaineth their contracts and ordinances as if he governed in his own Commonwealth By this means this Nation hath fortified and established it self in Egypt for that the Jews had their original amongst the Egyptians and for that Judea is near unto Egypt from whence the Jews are descended And as for Cyrene they have entred it in that it bordereth with that Countrey which is under the obedience of the Egyptians in like manner as Judea doth or rather for that in times past it appertained to the same Kingdom Thus far Strabo After that Crassus had disposed all things according to his own pleasure Crassus slain in Parthia he removed and marched forward to make War against the Parthians Cassius resisteth the Parthiaâ—s where both he and all his Army were destroyed as is declared in another place As for Cassius he retired himself into G Syria and took possession thereof to the end he might affront the Parthians who being A proud of their victory lately obtain'd made excursions so far and coming to Tyre he at length arrived in Judea where upon his first entrance he took the City of Tarichaea and led away from thence 30000 Prisoners He put Pitholaus also to death for having maintain'd Aristobulus's faction All which he did by Antipater's procurement and persuasion Antipater's Wife and Children who was in great credit with him and who also at that time was highly esteem'd amongst the Idumaeans amongst whom he married his Wife who was descended of one of the most famous families of Arabia her name was Cypron by whom he had these four sons Phasaelus and Herod who after was made King Joseph and Pheroras and one daughter called Salome This Antipater also made alliance with other Princes and especially with the Arabian to whose custody he committed his children during the time B he made War against Aristobulus But Cassius gather'd another Army and marched towards Euphrates to go against the Parthians as it is specified and recorded by other Writers CHAP. XIII Pompey causeth Alexander to be beheaded Aristobulus's son Philippion son of Ptolomey Mennaeus Prince of Chalcis marrieth Alexandra Aristobulus's daughter His father Ptolomey putteth him to death and marrieth this Princess C SHortly after this Caesar being Lord of Rome Pompey and the Senate being fled on the other side of the Ionian Sea Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. al. 15. set Aristobulus at liberty determining to send him into Syria with two Legions as being a sufficient man to govern the State-affairs in those parts Nevertheless Aristobulus failed of his hopes and authority he expected at Caesar's hands Aristobulus delivered out of Prison is poysoned For Pompey's adherents prevented and poyson'd him so that he was buried by those of Caesar's faction His body was kept embalm'd with honey for a long time until that Antonius sent it into Jewry Hedio Ruffinus cap. 15. al. 16. to be entomb'd amongst the Kings and Princes Scipio by Pompey's commandment caused Alexander Aristobulus sons head to be cut off charging him with some misdemeanors which he had committed against the Romans he was executed in Antioch The slaughter of Aristobulus's son Ptolomey the son of Mennaeus who govern'd in Chalcis at D the foot of the mount Libanus took his brothers and sent his son Philippion to Ascalon to Aristobulus's Wife commanding her to send her son Antigonus and his daughters one of which called Alexandra was beloved by Philippion and married by him but afterwards he being slain Pompey Philippions father married her and continued the careful maintenance of his brother and sisters-in-law CHAP. XIV Antipater by Hircanus's order assisteth Caesar mightily in the Egyptian War and sheweth much valor E AFter Pompey's death Hedio Ruffinus cap. 16. al. 17. and that Victory which Caesar had obtained against him Antipater Governor of Judea by the commandment of Hircanus was very useful unto Caesar Antipater gathereth Soldiers out of Syria for Caesar's service For whereas Mithridates the Pergamenian brought him certain supplies and could not bring them on by reason of an arm of Nilus passing through Pelusium but was constrained to stay at Ascalon Antipater came unto him and brought with him 3000 Soldiers and dealt so with the Princes of Arabia to associate them with Caesar that by his means all they of Syria gave him their assistance and never altered their affection that they bear unto Caesar These were Jamblicus a great Lord and Ptolomey his son and Tholomaeus the son of Sohemus dwelling on the mount of Libanus and well nigh all F the Cities Mithridates being departed from Syria came to Pelusium where being repulsed and excluded by the Citizens he besieged the City Antipater in this War behav'd himself valiantly Antipater helpeth Mithridates to take Pelusium and after he had beaten down a pane of the Wall he first of all set forward to enter the City Whil'st Pelusium was in this estate the Jews that inhabited Egypt in the Countrey of Onias The Jews of Onias's Countrey are confederated with Caesar would neither grant passage to Antipater nor Mithridates that marched towards Caesar But Antipater who was of their Nation persuaded them to take their parts shewing them the Letter of the High-Priest Hircanus in which he invited them to be friends unto Caesar and exhorted them to furnish his Army with whatsoever they stood in need of Memphis in Egypt so that seeing that Antipater and the High-Priest were agreed together they submitted themselves They that dwelt round about Memphis G hearing that they were thus united sent for Mithridates also unto them who came and received them into his favor CHAP. XV. The year of the World 3917. before Christ's Nativity 47. A Antipater continueth to acquire great reputation in the Egyptian War Caesar cometh to Syria establisheth Hircanus in the High-Priesthood and conferreth great honours upon Antipater notwithstanding Antigonus Aristobulus's sons complaints WHen he was come to a place called Delta The conflict of the Egyptians with Mithridates at Delta he fought with the Enemies in a place which is called the Camp of the Jews in which battel Mithridates led the right Wing and Antipater the left Being hotly engaged the Wing that Mithridates commanded Alias cap. 18. began to give ground and was like to have been utterly routed had noâ— Antipater B running with his Soldiers along the River side obtained the upper hand of his Enemies by putting the Egyptians that were Conquerors to flight and restored Mithridates And pursued them so far that he got their Camp and called Mithridates to take part of the prey that he had recover'd from the fugitive Enemy Mithridates commendeth Antipater's service to Caesar Mithridates lost 800 of his men in this battel but Antipater
good seeing himself so much honour'd by us Let this suffice to express the honours bestow'd on Hircanus by the People of Rome and the Citizens of Athens After that Caesar had given order for the affairs of Syria Hedio Ruffinus cap. 18. he returned back by Sea And as soon as Antipater had accompanied Caesar out of Syria Caesar departeth out of Syria he returned into Judea and suddenly built up the Walls of Jerusalem which Pompey had beaten down and in riding a Circuit about the Countrey he pacified the troubles not only by threatnings but by good advice also Antipater pacifieth all occasion of commotion in Judea which he gave every one to live in peace assuring them That if they submitted themselves to Hircanus their Prince they should live happily and enjoy their possessions without any trouble and that if they hoped to advance themselves by any new commotion M supposing by that means to benefit themselves they should feel that instead of a Governor they had a Master and instead of a King they should find Hircanus a Tyrant and instead of the Romans and Caesar to be their Governors they should find them to be their most hateful Enemies for 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 Country in peace N O CHAP. XVII The year of the World 3921. before Christ's Nativity 43. A Antipater gaineth great repute by his virtue His eldest son Phasaelus is made Governor of Jerusalem and Herod his second son is made Governor of Galilee Herod causeth to be executed several Robbers Some great mens jealousie against Antipater and his children They made Hircanus accuse Herod for those that he had put to death He compareth in judgment and then retireth He cometh to besiege Jerusalem which he had taken if Antipater and Phasaelus had not hindred him Hircanus reneweth his alliance with the Romans The testimony of the Romans esteem and affection for Hircanus and the Jews Caesar is B murther'd in the Capitol by Cassius and Brutus ANtipater perceiving that Hircanus was slow and idle he declared and appointed Phasaelus his eldest son Alias cap. 20. Governor over Jerusalem and the Countrey thereabout As for Herod who was very young Antipater maketh Phasaelus Governor in Jerusalem and Herod in Galilee for he was not at that time above 15 years old he committed Galilee unto his charge who although young in years yet he was ripe in courage and conduct which he witnessed in apprehending Ezechias who was the chief of those Thieves who ranged over all Syria he put him to death with divers of his Complices Which act of his got him esteem and credit among the Syrians for by that means he freed their Countrey of all those Robbers according as they desir'd He was therefore praised thorow the Villages and Cities for this action Herod executeth Ezekias and his followers for robberies as he that had given them peace C and assured possession of their Estates For this cause he was made known to Sextus Caesar who was Uncle to Caesar the Great Furthermore his brother Phasaelus was encouraged to follow his noble actions and inforced himself to obtain no less reputation than he had Sextus Caesar Governor of Syria for which cause he strove to get the good will of the common People in Jerusalem and govern'd the City with such discretion that he acted all things to every mans content The form of Phasaelus's government and abused not his power to any private mans injury which was the cause that Antipater was honour'd by the whole Nation with no less respect than if he had been their only Lord and Soveraign Antipater notwithstanding his high authority was alwayes faithful to Hircanus Yet did not this eminency of estate so far distract him that he forgot the love and duty he ought to Hircanus as in such like occasions it oftentimes falleth out notwithstanding divers of the greatest amongst the Jews seeing D Antipater and his sons so highly advanced both by the publick favor of the whole Nation as also by the Revenues that they drew both out of Jewry as also by the employment of Hircanus's money were grievously incensed against them Antipater winneth the Romans hearts by Hircanus's money and draweth the Jews into hatred For Antipater had made friendship with the Emperors of Rome and having persuaded Hircanus to send them money he had appropriated the same unto himself sending it not in Hircanus's name but in his own which though Hircanus knew yet he was not moved therewith but rather well contented But that which most of all terrifi'd the Princes of the Jews was to behold the violent and audacious nature of Herod who govern'd after a tyrannical manner The Jews accuse Antipater and Herod before Hircanus For this cause they address'd themselves to Hircanus and accus'd Antipater openly How long said they will you dissemble and wink at those things that are daily practised E See you not that Antipater and his sons possess in effect the Royal Power and Authority of the Kingdom and that you have only the name Assure your self that you are not out of danger in contemning thus both your self and your Kingdom For Antipater and his sons are not now your Substitutes neither intend they your profit or your Countries good whatsoever your opinion is of them they are publickly acknowledg'd Lords and Masters For Herod Antipater 's son hath already put Ezechias and his Confederates to death and thereby transgressed our Laws which forbid to take away any mans life how wicked soever he be except he be first of all condemned to death by the Council Herod called in question appeareth with a great train and notwithstanding this he hath been so bold as to do justice without your authority When Hircanus heard this he grew angry for their mothers whom Herod had slain had incensed him by their continual Exclamations in the Temple F exhorting the King and People to call Herod to account before the Council of that which he had done So that Hircanus moved by these Women called Herod to answer unto those accusations which were objected against him Who made his appearance forewarned by his father not to present himself after the manner of a private person but well attended and accompanied to withstand all inconveniencies Sextus Caesar writeth to Hircanus to discharge Herod After he had taken order for the affairs in Galilee according as he thought fit and that he himself was sufficiently accompanied to make his Voyage with such a Guard as neither might terrifie Hircanus with number nor leave himself unsecured in danger he resorted to Jerusalem Moreover Sextus Caesar Governor of Syria wrote unto Hircanus to absolve him adding G threats to his persuasions if so be he should perform the contrary which gave Hircanus
hers that were privy to her design to carry them out in the night time and to go directly towards M the Sea where there was a Bark in readiness prepared to convoy them into Egypt But Esop one of her houshold servants declared this enterprize of hers to Sabbion on of Alexandras friends supposing that he had been made privy thereunto who had no sooner inkling thereof but for that beforetimes he was Herods enemy by reason he was suspected to have been one of those that sought to poyson Antipatar he resolved by discovery of this secret flight to convert Herods hatred into friendship and presently discovered Alexandras secret enterprize to the King Who dissembling the matter until it was upon the point of execution surprized her at such time as she thought to fly and yet notwithstanding he pardoned her that fault in that he durst not decree any punishment against her though he could have found in his heart to have used severity N for that Cleopatra would not have contained her self had she but had such an occasion offered her to express her hatred against Herod Herod contriveth Aristobulus death For which cause under the colour of a high and magnanimous spirit he made shew to pardon her of his meere clemency yet inwardly resolved to destroy young Aristobulus yet not rashly upon the instant lest the act should grow apparent and palpable Now the feast of Tabernacles was at hand which was one of those that was ceremoniously and solemnly celebrated among us for which cause he concealed his intents during the festival dayes intending both in himself and in the presence and company of the people to follow all kind of pleasure and delight yet his envy incited him to hasten the execution of his will Aristobulus was at that time some seventeen O years old who when he approached the Altar to offer sacrifices according to the law apparelled in the High Priests Ornaments to perform the ceremonies he who for amiable countenance and good stature surpassed the tenderness of his years expressing in his countenance the dignity and Nobility of his Race The year of the World 39â—1 Before Christ's Nativity 33. drew the eyes and good affections A of all the people unto him so that they openly called to remembrance the noble actions of Aristobulus his Grand-Father All the people being therefore surmounted by their affections and at that present time being all of them overjoyed they brake out by little and little into acclamations mixt with wishes and prayers so that the good will the people bare to Aristobulus discovered it self openly and they manifestly although too hastily in such a Kingdom declared what evils they generaly endured For all which causes Herod concluded to execute that which he had plotted against Aristobulus As soon therefore as the feast was over-passed he went into Jericho where Alexandra entertained him In that place he used Aristobulus with all kindness to draw him to secure some place playing with him and counterfeting to sport after the fashion B of the young men to gratifie him Now the place where they sported being too hot they quickly wearied left their sport and went out together to take fresh air and finding a pleasant shade under certain Arbours and near certain fish-pools which were largely spred round about they beheld certain of their Servants and Friends that swom therein with whom not long after Aristobulus began to swim being perswaded thereunto by Herod Whereupon Herods confederates who were deputed to execute the murther laid hands on him and thrust him under the water pretending to duck him in sport and never gave him over untill such time as they had stifled him in the water This hapned about the evening and after this manner died Aristobulus after he had lived in all for the space of eighteen years and administred the Priest-hood one whole C year Aristobulus is drowned by Herods direction Ananel restored to the Priest-hood and after this Ananel presently recovered his former dignity When this accident was reported to the women all of them burst out in tears and were transported with strange lamentations which they uttered over the dead body All the City also was mightily troubled neither was there any private family that thought not it self touched by this inconvenience but imagined the loss in particular to concern himself and no other But above all when Alexandra had notice of this wicked deed she was more passionate and perplexed than any other being so much the more discomforted for that she knew how all things had hapned But the fear of a far greater mischief constrained her to repress her passion so that divers times she was ready to bereave her of her own life The lamentation for Aristobulus death and dispatch her self out of misery with her own hands D But she contained her self to the end that surviving and living after her son who was so fraudulently destroyed and prolonging her own life without giving any suspition or shadow that she might with more opportunity expect the occasion to revenge her self For which cause she dissembled all things concealed her grief and made shew that she knew nothing of that which was either intended or had hapned As for Herod he laboured by all means to perswade the strangers that this death had befallen Aristobulus without his knowledg and did not only prepare that which was requisite for the funeral but made shew to be truly sorrowful and it may be that in remembrance of Aristobulus beauty and flourishing young years he was realy touched with compassion notwithstanding Herods counterfeit sorrow that he imagined that his death should be a means of his own security E demeaning himself in all things circumspectly with intent to purge himself 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 grief which the Ladies had conceived was pacified after this manner of consolation F G H CHAP. IV. The year of the World 393â— before Christ's Nativity 165. Herod is obliged to repair to Antonius to clear himself from Aristobulus's death he winneth him with Presents He gave order before his way-going to his Brother-in-Law Joseph to put Mariamne to death if Antonius should condemn him to die Joseph revealed it imprudently to this Princess and Herod put him to death for being jealous of him and Mariamne Cleopatra's unsatiable ambition and avarice BUT none of all these things could either move or mollifie Alexandra but daily more and more she increased her sorrow and in the height of her tears kindled her wrath with a desire of revenge Alexandra certifieth Cleopatra of Herods Treasons and her sons traiterous murther She therefore acquainted Cleopatra by her private I Letters of Herods Treasons and her sons most miserable and untimely
assuring him that it was far below a Prince of his worth to cast himself into so manifest peril beseeching him to attempt nothing rashly Antonius conquereth Armenia For that Antonius would not endure the same notwithstanding it might be approved that it stood with his profit nay rather that by this means he should encrease his desire Further that no one colour of excuse should be left him in that she was the Woman of the greatest Note and Nobility of that time and that whatsoever profit might redound unto him by her death it would be an affront to Antonius Whereby it most evidently appeared how great damages would befal to the Kingdom and the N Kings family also advising him to humour her in all things except in her unlawfull request Herod bringeth Cleopatra onward on her way towards Egypt By these and such reasons and probable conjectures they deterred and disswaded him from adventuring upon this apparent danger and attempting so hainous an act so that contrariwise they induced him to offer Cleopatra many rich Presents and to conduct her onward on her way towards Egypt As soon therefore as Antonius had made himself Master of Armenia he sent Artabazes Tigrane's son with all his children who were great Princes Prisoners into Egypt and presented them to Cleopatra with all those precious Jewels likewise which were taken by him or found in the Kingdom But Artaxias his elder son who at that time had saved himself by flight reigned in Armenia whom Archelaas and Nero the Empeperor O drove out of his Kingdom and placed his younger brother Tigranes in his room as it shall be declared hereafter As for the Tributes of the Countreys which Herod was bound to pay unto Cleopatra for the lands bestowed on her by Antonius he without deceit The year of the World 3933. before Christ's Nativity 31. justly paid them supposing it to be very suitable to his security to continue A himself in her good favor As for the Arabians they seeing that Herod had the levying of such a Tribute payed him for some little time 200 Talents a year but afterwards they grew slow and negligent in their payments and scarcely satisfied the half CHAP. VI. Herod intendeth to go to assist Antonius against Augustus but Antonius obligeth him to follow on his design against the Arabians so he entreth their Countrey giveth them Battel and gaineth it but looseth a second when he thought to have win ARetas demeaning himself thus ungratefully and refusing to do that which in right B he ought to perform Herod made shew to take Arms against him but deferred his revenge in regard of the contentions amongst the Romans For at that time nothing else was expected but the Actian War which fell in the hundred and eighty seven Olympyade in which Augustus Caesar determined to try his Title with Antonius for the Monarchy Herod levieth an Army to assist Antonius against Octavian In the mean while Herod who had already for many years been Master of a peaceable and fruitful Countrey from whence he drew rich Revenues and many Forces gathered divers Forces with the greatest expedition that he might to succor Antonius But he by Letters signified unto him that he had no need of his assistance notwithstanding Herod is incited by Letters to the Arabian War he commanded him to make a road upon the Arabians whose perfidious dealing Antonius had not only understood by Herod himself but also by Cleopatra's advertisements For she very cunningly conceived that it would redound unto her C profit if one of these two should overthrow the other Herod according to these instructions from Antonius returned back into his Countrey and retained his Army always ready about him and presently invaded Arabia and with his Forces both Horse and Foot came directly to Diospolis where the Arabians having notice of his intended War against them came out to meet him They fought a most cruel Battel wherein at last the Jews had the upper hand After this a great Army of the Arabians assembled themselves at Cana a certain place in Coelosyria Whereof when Herod was fore-advertised he marched forth against them Herods Battels and Conquests accompanied with the greater part of his Forces As soon as he drew near to Cana he resolved to incamp in that place and after he had well fortified and intrenched his Forces to set on the Enemy with the first opportunity but D whilst he employed himself in the execution hereof all the Army of the Jews cryed out requiring him without delay to lead them forward against the Arabians and were so encouraged both in respect of the confidence they had in the good conduct and ordering of their Army as in regard of their forwardness who had been actors in the former War and partakers of the Victory so that they scarce gave their Enemies leisure to stand to their Arms. When Herod perceived that the heat and forwardness of the Souldiers could hardly be appeased he thought good to make use of the readiness of his Army and arming himself he marched on Head of his Army in battalia This sudden approach danted the Arabians For although for a while they made head against them yet perceiving their Enemies full of heart and themselves unable E to resist them divers of them retreated and betook themselves to flight so that all them had been utterly defeated had not Athenio endamaged Herod and the Jews For he having the command of that Army which Cleopatra had in that place and besides that Cleopatra's Chieftain overthroweth Herod bearing a privy grudge to Herod disposed his Army in a readiness and expecting the event of the Battel resolved with himself to contain his Forces if the Arabians overcame the Jews and so if they had the worst as indeed it came to pass to set upon the Jews who should be spent by that time and surprising them unawares even in the height of their hope of good success to massacre them with fresh supplies When the Jews had spent all their strength against their Enemies and expected nothing less than the assurance of the Victory The Arabians returning to the Battel kill those that fly and take the Camp he charged and overcame them who had retreated F into certain rough and difficult places whereunto their Enemies were better accustomed than themselves being grievously wounded by the Arabians who returned back and set upon them divers of them that fled were killed and of those that escaped few of them recovered the Camp Herod losing the hope of this Battel posted on Horseback as fast as he could to bring on fresh supplies but notwithstanding all his expedition and diligence yet could he not recover the place in time The Camp of the Jews was taken and sacked and the Arabians obtained no small success beyond their expectation From that time forward Herod began to make certain incursions into Arabia preying on the Countrey
they submitted themselves to Herod whom to their own sorrow they had approved to be a valiant Souldier CHAP. IX Antonius is overcome by Augustus in the Battle of Actium Herod put Hircanus to death his pretence for it he resolveth to repair to Augustus his orders before his way going M HErod puffed up with his successful fortune Hedio Ruffinus chap. 7. returned back into his own Countrey having obtained great reputation by his valour and vertue But when he supposed his State to be most assured Herod dismaied at Antonies overthrow he grew in danger both to lose his dignity and life by reason of that victory that Caesar obtained against Antony in the Actian War For at that time he not only supposed himself to be utterly overthrown but both his friends and Enemies that were round about him lost their hopes for that it was unlikely that he should escape unpunished with Antony Whereby it came to pass that his friends could not conceal their despair and his Enemies under their colourable and dissembled griefs covered their joy promising themselves thereafter a better and N pleasing administration of the Common-Wealth Hereupon Herod perceiving that except Hircanus Herod determineth to make away Hircanus there was not any one of the blood Royal alive determined to cut him off resolving with himself that if he hapned to escape the danger a man who at that time was worthier the Kingdom then himself should not claime the Crown and if any misfortune should befall him in regard of Caesar he desired to dispossess Hircanus of the Kingdom in regard of the envy which he bare him for that he was the only man who deserved to be advanced to that dignity Alexandra solliciteth Hiranus her father to require assistance at Malchus hands Whilest thus he was tormented in his thoughts he had an occasion offered him by Hircanus own followers to execute his intention For Hircanus being of a milde and gentle nature during all his life-time O forbare to entermeddle with State affairs committing all things to fortune and contenting himself with whatsoever condition it pleased her to allot him But Alexandra being an ambitious woman and unable to conceal with modesty the hope she conceived of change sollicited her father that he should not any longer endure the subiection of Herod who was the very scourge of their family but rather A that he should stand upon his own guard and reserve himself to his better fortune She gave him counsel to write unto Malchus who had the Government of Arabia requesting him to grant him both protection and entertainment for that if Herod should chance to be cut off by Caesars displeasure doubtless the Kingdom would return unto him both in regard of his Nobility as also of the peoples favour These perswasions of hers Hircanus at the first repulsed but afterwards being overcome by the importunity of the woman Alexandra solliciteth Hircanus her father to require assistance at Malchus hands who ceased not day and night to sing the same Song of future hope and of Herods Treasons he gave certain Letters to a friend of his written to the Arabian wherein he required him to send him certain Horsemen who might conduct him to the Asphaltite Lake which lieth distant from the confines of Jerusalem some three hundred Furlongs And therefore he committed these Letters to Dositheus trust both B for that he favoured Hircanus and his Daughter Three hundred furlongs contain nine Germane Miles and seemed likely for divers causes to hate Herod for he was Josephs kinsman who was killed by Herod and not long before certain of his Brothers were put to death amongst others at Tyre by Antonies command yet for none of those considerations continued he faithful to Hircanus For he preferring the present favour of the King that then reigned to the rest discovered the Letter unto the King who first of all giving him thanks required one office of friendship more at his hands which was that folding up the Letter and sealing it he should conveigh and deliver the same to Malchus and return his answer for that it neerly concerned him if he knew his resolution also Which when Dositheus had diligently performed the Arabian returned this answer for that it neerly concerned him if he knew C his resolution also Hircanus by Herods commands is put to death Which when Dositheus had diligently performed the Arabian returned this answer that he was ready to entertain both himself and his whole family and all those Jews likewise which were of this faction promising to send him a band of Soldiers who should be able to conduct him safely thither and should be obedient to his command in all things Now as soon as Herod had seized on these Letters he called for Hircanus and demanded of him whether he had any confederacy with Malchus he denied it but Herod protesting and bringing forth his Letter in an open assembly commanded him afterwards to be put to death Thus are these matters Registred in Herods commentaries for by some they are delivered otherwise namely that he was executed not for this crime which he had committed but for some Treasons against the King For D they Write to this effect that Herod at a certain banquet dissembling his suspition demanded of Hircanus whether he had received any Letters from Malchus and that he answered that he had received Letters but such as contained nothing else but compliments Hircanus dieth guiltless He asked him also whether he had received any present and when he had answered that he had received nothing but four Coursers for his Saddle the King wrested this to a Capitall offence of corruption and treason Hircanus life and commanded him presently to be led to death Now that he died guiltless they alledge this for a most approved argument namely his gentle disposition who evenin his youthful years never gave sign or appearance of rashness or pride or signification of audaciousness no not even then when he had the royal government in his hands but in the freedome E of authority disposed of the most things by Antipaters advice But at that time he was more then fourescore years old and knew that Herods estate was secured and that there is no likelyhood that he would remove from beyond Eufrates where he lived in great repute to live under Herods Jurisdiction or to engage in any trouble contrary to his humor and so far different from his nature so that all these things seem to be fained by Herod Thus ended Hircanus life after his variable and adverse fortunes wherewith during all his life time he was afflicted For when his mother Alexandra lived he was created High Priest of the Jews and obtained that honor for the space of nine years and after his mothers death he had scarcely governed the Kingdom for the space of three F months but that he was expulsed by his brother Aristobulus
by this means more grievously wound himself Herods sister and his mother incense the King by slandâ—rous reports against Mariamne through the desire he bare unto his deceased delight Whilst thus he was tortured in his passions and conceived sinister opinions against Mariamne his Wife Salome his sister and his mother having an inkling of his discontents thought that they had gotten a fit opportunity to express and execute their hatred towards Mariamne for which cause they conferred with Herod and whetted his spleen and displeasure with variety of slanders sufficient at one assault to engender hatred and kindle his jealousie against her To these reproaches of theirs he lent no unwilling ears yet L he had not the heart to attempt any thing against his Wife or to give free credit to their report notwithstanding his displeasure increased and was inflamed more and more against her for that neither she could colour her cares and discontents nor he contain himself from exchanging his love into hatred and perhaps at that time he had published some fatal doom against her had not a happy messenger brought him word that Anthony and Cleopatra being dead Anthony and Cleopatra slain Caesar was become Lord of Egypt for which cause Caesar Lord of Egypt hasting forward to meet and entertain him he left his family in that present estate Upon his departure he recommended Mariamne to Sohemus giving him great thanks for the care he had had of her Sohemus honoured by Herod with dignities and granting him in way of gratuity a part of Jewry to govern M When Herod was arrived in Egypt Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. and had friendly and familiarly conferred with Caesar he was highly honoured by him for Caesar gave him those four hundred French men that were of Cleopatra's guard Caesar enlargeth Herods dominions and restored that part of his Countrey unto him again which was taken away and spoiled by her He annexed also unto his Kingdom Gadara Hippon and Samaria and on the Sea Coasts the Cities of Gaza Anthedon Joppe with the Tower of Straton which when he had obtained he grew more mighty than before and after he had accompanied Caesar as far as Antioch he returned into his own Countrey Upon his arrival he found that fortune which was favourable unto him abroad too froward at home especially in regard of his Wife in whose affection he seemed to be most happy For he was as inwardly touched with the lawful love of N Mariamne Mariamne a froward woman as any other of whom the Histories make report and as for her she was both chaste and faithfull unto him yet she had a certain womanly imperfection and natural frowardness which was the cause that she presumed too much upon the intire affection wherewith her husband was intangled so that without regard of his person who had power and authority over others she entertained him oftentimes very outragiously All which endured he patiently without any shew of discontent But Mariamne upbraided and publickly reproached both the Kings mother and sister telling them that they were but abjectly and basely born Whereupon there grew a great enmity and unincoverable hatred between the Ladies and from thence also there arose an occasion of greater accusations and calumniation O than before These suspitions were nourished amongst them for the space of one whole year after Herods return from Caesar and at length this long contriv'd hatred brake out violently upon this occasion that ensueth Whenas about mid-day the King had withdrawn himself into his Chamber to take his rest The year of the World 3936. before Christ's Nativity 28. he called Mariamne to him to A sport with her being incited thereunto by the great affection that he bare unto her Upon this his command she came unto him yet would she not lie with him nor entertain his courtings with friendly acceptance but upbraided him bitterly with her fathers and brothers death The King took these reproachful words in very evil part and was almost ready to strike her but his sister hearing a greater stir and noise than was usual sent the Butler who long before that time was suborned by her whom she commanded to tell the King that Mariamne had prepared a drink for him to incite and quicken him unto love Charging him moreover that if the King in hearing him speak of this potion should seem to be moved therewith that then he should proceed further in his discourse He therefore being in this manner before-hand instructed B what he ought to do at that very instant was sent to discover his treachery unto the King for which cause with a sober and stayed countenance he entred in unto him being seriously and well prepared to discourse and told him that Mariamne had bribed him to present his Majesty with an amorous cup of drink Now when he perceived that the King was troubled with these words he prosecuted his discourse alledging that the potion was a certain medicine which Mariamne had given him the vertue whereof he knew not which he had received according as he had told him knowing that it concerned both his own security and the Kings safety Herod who before this was highly displeased hearing these words was so much C the more incensed for which cause he presently commanded Mariamne's most faithful servant to be examined by torments as concerning the poison supposing that it was impossible for her to undertake any thing whatsoever without his privity He being tried and tormented after this cruel manner confessed nothing of that for which he was tortured but declared unto the King that the hatred which his wife had conceived against him proceeded from certain words that Sohemus had told her Scarcely had he finished these words but that the King cryed out with a loud voice saying That Sohemus who before time had been most faithfull both to him and his Kingdom would not have declared these his privy commands Sohemus suspected by Herod in Mariamnes behalf is put to death except there had been some more inward familiarity and secrecy betwixt him and Mariamne for which cause he presently D commanded his Ministers to lay hands on Sohemus and to put him to death As for his wife he drew her to her tryal and to this effect he assembled his most familiar friends Mariamne is accused by Herod and condemned and imprisoned before whom he began to accuse her with great spight and spleen as touching these potions and poisons aforesaid wherein he used intemperate and unseemly speches and such as for their bitterness did ill become him in cause of justice so that in the end the assistants seeing the scope of his desire pronounced sentence of death against her Mariamne by Salomes instigations is led to execution which being past both he and all other the assistants were of his opinion that she should not so speedily be executed but that she should be kept
to his occasions he sent unto them to insinuate himself into their favors being in his own nature magnificent and fit to govern so that all his fortunes increased and E all things fell out happily according to his desire True it is that the care which he imployed in honouring Caesar and other mighty Magistrates of Rome caused him to outstrip his customs and to alter divers Ordinances of his Country in building Cities and erecting Temples in honour of them although he builded them not in the Land of Jury for the Jews would not have endured it because we are forbidden to honour images and figures formed according to the likeness of a man as the Greeks are accustomed to do but he did this in the Country and foreign Cities and excused himself to the Jews saying that he did it not of his own head but performed that according to the charge which he had from others Hâ—rod 〈…〉 who were greater than himself and in the mean while gratified Caesar and the Romans in that he respected their honour more than he did the ordinances of his F Country although in all things he had regard to his particular advantage and determined with himself to leave behind him after his death large and ample testimonies of his power and greatness which was the cause that he builded Cities with great charge and expence CHAP. XIII Herod causeth to be built a glorious City in honour of Augustus which he calleth Caesarea He sendeth his two Sons to him whom he had by Mariamne their names were Alexander and Aristobulus Augustus conferreth new favors on him The cause why Herod used the â—â—sseniens so kindly G WHen as therefore he had found out a fit and convenient place upon the Sea-coast to build a City on 〈…〉 which of long time had been called the Tower of Straton he both magnificently designed and set down the model and form thereof and made many sumptuous H buildings The year of the World 3942. before the Nativity of Christ 22 both Palaces and other private Lodgings not builded after a slight manner or of weak and fading matter but of Marble But the greatest work of all was the Haven which he made exempt and free from storms and tempests that in greatness resembled that of Piraeus and was so spacious that it was able to receive many great Ships into the Road and had divers Rooms and Warehouses to lay up the Merchandize therein And the more admirable was this Structure Piraeus the Port of Athens because the materials that were fit to finish this great work were not gotten in that place but must needs be brought from other places with great charge and expence Dora and Joppa ill Harbors This City is seated in Phoenicia upon the Coast in the way to Egypt between Joppa and Dora certain Villages scituate upon the Sea-coasts unfit either I for landing or harbour by reason of the Affrick wind and driving the sand of the Sea upon the shore giveth not any quiet road unto the ships but that the Merchants are enforced for a long time to ride at Anchor To correct this incommodity of the place he made the circuit round about the Port so spacious The Port of Caesarea that it was able to receive a great Fleet and he cast down to the bottom therof which was about some twenty sathoms deep certain huge stones that for the most part were fifty foot long eight foot broad and nine foot high some more That part of the Mole that kept off the Sea was called Procymation that is Stop flood in Greek and some less This Mole extended two hundred foot of which one half served to break the violence of the waves on the other half was built a wall fortified with Towers whereof the fairest was called by the name of Drusus Livia Augustus Empress Son who died young there was also many Vaults like Arches to lodge Sea-men K The descent being hard by incompassed all the Port like a round plat-form that served for a pleasant walking place The entrance and mouth of the Haven was toward the North which is a wind that of all other most purifieth and cleanseth The supporter and strength of all the circuit on the left hand upon the entrance to the Port was an ample and huge Tower to fasten it the more strongly and on the right hand were two huge Pillars of Stone higher than the Tower that stood opposite against them erected and fastened together All round about the Haven there were certain buildings all of a row of polished Marble and in the midst there was a little Mount on which there was a Temple dedicated to Augustus which presented it self to their sight who sailed to the Port there being two Statues the one representing Rome and the other Augustus Caesar This City also L was called Caesarea as much to be wondred at for the matter whereof it was built as for the Art whereby it was erected and no less cunning was there shewed in the Vaults and Conduits under ground then in those buildings that were about them some of them were conveyed toward the Port and discharged themselves into the Sea but there was one that went athwarts all the rest to the end that thereby the rain-water and the cleansings of the City might be conveyed into the Sea and that when the Sea should flow it might wash and cleanse all the City He erected also a Theater of Stone The Theater and Amphitheater and behind the same to the Southward an Amphitheater that was able to receive a great number of men and so pleasantly and fitly scituated Herod sendeth his sons Alexander and Aristobulus to Rome unto Caesar that from thence a man might discover Ships at a great distance on the Sea This M City was finished at the end of twelve years during which time the King was never wearied in following the work nor negligent in furnishing the necessary charges After this perceiving that the City of Sebasta was already inhabited also he resolved to send his two sons Caesar giveth Herod the Dominions of the Trachonites of Baranea and Auranita Alexander and Aristobulus to Rome to present them unto the Emperor Caesar Pollio who was Herod's most intimate friend had prepared them lodgings at his house but it was needless because Augustus gave them an appartment in his own Palace This great Emperor received them with all the kindness and civility imaginable and gave their father the freedom to make choice of either of them to succeed him in his Kingdom enlarging it with the addition of three Provinces Trachona Baranca and Auranita on this occasion that followeth Zenodorus liveth by spoil A certain man called Zenodorus had rented Lysanias lands N and not contenting himself with those revenues which he gathered but desirous to gather more he lived upon spoils and robberies in Trachona which is a Country the
from angle to angle On the inside and near unto the top there was another wall of stone extended along the Eastern side having a double porch of equal greatness with that of the wall and placed in the midst of the Temple and openeth right upon the gates thereof which the Kings formerly had adorned Round about the L Temple were planted those spoils which were taken from the Barbarians which King Herod had placed there with all those spoils which he had taken from the Arabians In a corner on the North side there stood a very strong Fortress builded by the Asmonians who were Herods predecessours and had been both Kings and High Priests and had imposed a name on that Tower which was Baris in which they kept the Priestly Vesture wherewith the High Priest was wont to be adorned at that time only when he was to offer sacrifice King Herod kept the same in that place and there remained it after his death until the time of Tiberius Caesar under whom Vitellius Governor of Syria came unto Jerusalem where he was entertained by all the people with as great magnificence as was possible and being desirous to acknowledge the favour that he had received M at their hands being requested by them that they might have the keeping of the High Priests Ornaments he wrote unto Tiberius Caesar to grant them that favour and till the death of King Agrippa the Jews had the same in their possession But after that Agrippa was dead Cassius Longinus that governed Syria and Cuspius Fadus Lieutenant of Judaea commanded the Jews to return the same into the Fortress Antonia saying That the Romans ought to be Lords thereof as they had been in times past For which cause the Jews sent Embassadors to Claudius Caesar to request his favour therein who arriving at Rome found the young King Agrippa there who besought the Emperor that it might be lawful for him to have the keeping of the habit who commanded Vitellius the Governour of Syria to deliver it into his hands It was formerly kept under the N seal of the High Priest and the custody of the Treasurers and on the Eve of a certain solemn Feast the Treasurers went up to the Captain who kept the Fortress for the Romans and after they had opened their seal they took the habit and after the Feast was past they returned it back again unto the same place and shut it up under the same seal in the presence of the Captain After that Herod had in this manner builded this strong Tower for the security and guard of the Temple The Tower of Antonia he called it Antonia for the love of Antonius his friend and one of the chiefest men in Rome In the Western part of this porch there were four gates whereof the one opened upon the Kings Palace to which there was a direct way thorow the midst of the valley the two others led unto the suburbs and the fourth O opened upon the rest of the City and gave open passage unto the same by the means of a number of stairs by which men might descend to the foot of the valley and from thence there was an ascent by other stairs to ascend upwards For the City was scituate opposite to the Temple after the manner of a Theater which ended at this valley on the South side The year of the World 3955. before Christs Nativity 9. where on the very front of this square there was also another A gate in the middle equally distant from both corners and a stately Tripple Gallery the length whereof extended from the oriental valley as far as the Western It was impossible to extend it any further for it took up all the space This work was one of the most famous pieces that was ever seen under the Sun For the depth of the valley was so great that it was impossible for a man to see the bottom if he looked downward from the higher part and notwithstanding on the same he erected this porch of so great a height The porch builded aloft above the valley that but to look from the top thereof and to consider the depth as well of the Valley as the height of the Porch it would make a man giddy and his eye could not pierce unto the bottom of the same Those Galleries B were supported by four ranks of Pillars equally distant and a strong stone wall filled up the spaces that were between the pillars of the fourth rank the thickness of the pillars was such that one was as much as three men could fathom holding one another by the hand for each of them was twenty and seven foot about with a double base at the bottom The whole number of them was one hundred sixty and two they were engraven and damaskt with Corinthian work so that it moved admiration in those that beheld it Betwixt these four ranks of pillars there were three Porches containing in breadth each of them thirty foot and in length a stade or furlong and more than fifty foot in height That in the midst was in breadth once and half as much as these two and in height twice as much The floor was made of rare planks C engraven with divers figures and the roof thereof was far higher than any of the rest in which were certain huge beams morteised on which there were certain pillars builded united and joyned so together that it is incredible to those that have not seen it The inward court into which and no further the Jews might enter and admirable to him that beholdeth it for all the work seemed to be but one stone Such was the fashion of the circuit of the first Porch In the midst and not far off from the other stood the second whereunto there was an ascent made with few steps It was inclosed with a separation of stone with an Inscription forbidding any stranger to enter the same upon pain of death This inward porch both to the Southward and the Northward had three gates in rank equidistant the one from the other and toward the eastward had one great gate by which those D men entred who were cleansed with their wives For beyond that place it was not lawful for the women to have access But the third inward space was onely accessible by the Priests In it was the Temple and within it the Altar on which they were wont to offer up sacrifices unto God But Herod durst not enter into the interiour Sanctuary because he was not a Priest he committed that Fabrick to the Priests care which they accomplished in a year and a halfs time Herod had been eight years about the rest The dedication of the Temple The people were replenished with the fulness of joy and every one gave thanks unto God for that the whole Work was finished so speedily and wished all happiness to the King for his cost and diligence in the execution and
they were excellent and especially Alexander the eldest of them It had been enough for him suppose he had condemned them either to have kept them in perpetual Prison or banished them into some far Countrey seeing that he was assured of the Roman Power under whose protection he neither needed to have feared invasion nor secret Treason against him For to put them to death only to satisfie his own furious will what else doth it argue but only an impious liberty casting K off all Fatherly humanity and kindness especially seeing that he was aged whose years could neither plead ignorance nor that he was deceived For neither was he the more excused by the delay he used nay it had been a less offence if amazed with some sudden news he had been incited to so hainous an offence But after so long deliberation at last to effect such a matter betokens a bloody mind and hardened in wickedness as he shewed afterwards not sparing the rest whom before he held most dear Who though they were less to be pitied in that they justly suffered yet was it an argument of his like cruelty in that he abstained not from their deaths also But we will speak of this hereafter L M N O A THE SEVENTEENTH BOOK Of the B ANTIQUITIES of the JEWS Written by FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The Contents of the Chapters of the Seventeenth Book 1. Antipater endeavoureth to hasten his Father's death that he may reign in his place The Children that Herod had by his nine Wives C 2. Of Zamaris a Babilonish Jew a man of singular virtue 3. Antipater Pheroras and his Wife conspire against Herod Salome acquainteth him with it he causeth some Pharisees who were of this Conspiracy to be put to death He endeavoureth to make Pheroras repudiate his Wife but he cannot be perswaded to it 4. Herod sendeth Antipater to Augustus with his Will by which he declareth him his Successor Syllaeus bribeth one of Herod's Guards to kill him but the plot is discovered 5. Pheroras's death D 6. Pheroras's Wife is accused and Herod is advertised of Antipater's Conspiracies 7. Antipater being returned back unto Judaea from Rome is convicted in the presence of Varus Governour of Syria for having endeavoured to poyson the King his Father Herod causeth him to be imprisoned and writeth to Augustus on that Subject 8. The Golden Eagle that Herod had consecrated and fixed on the Portal of the Temple is pulled off the severe punishment that he inflicteth for it The King 's terrible sickness and the cruel orders that he giveth to his Sister Salome and to her husband E 9. Augustus referreth it to Herod to dispose of Antipater as he pleaseth Herod falling into a relapse of his Torments desireth to kill himself Achiavus one of his Grand-children hindreth him It is reported that he is dead Antipater endeavoureth in vain to bribe his Keeper to set him at liberty as soon as Herod heareth of it he sendeth one to kill him 10. Herod altereth his Will declareth Archelaus his Successor he dieth five days after Antipater Herod's glorious Funeral ordained by Archelaus the peoples great acclamation in favour of Archelaus 11. Some Jews who demanded satisfaction for Judas and Matthias and others deaths F whom Herod caused to be burned for having pulled down the Eagle at the Portal of the Temple make an Insurrection which obligeth Archelaus to cause three thousand of them to be put to death He goeth afterwards to Rome to be confirmed King by Augustus His Brother Antipas who pretends to have right to the Crown repaireth thither also the Cause is pleaded before Augustus 12. A great Rebellion in Judea whilest Archelaus was at Rome Varus Governour of Syria stoppeth it Philip Archelaus's Brother goeth also to Rome in hopes to obtain one part of the Kingdom The Jews send Ambassadours to Augustus G to free them from their obedience to Kings and to re-unite them to Syria They complain to him against Archelaus and abhor the memory of Herod 13. Caesar confirms Herod's Testament and appointeth his Children to be his Successors H 14. An Impostor counterfeits himself to be Alexander Herod's Son Augustus finds out the Cheat and sends him to the Galleys 15. Archelaus marrieth Glaphyra his Brother Alexander's Widow Augustus having heard several of the Jews complaints of him confineth him to Vienna in France and uniteth his possessions to Syria Glaphyra's death CHAP. I. I Antipater endeavoureth to hasten his Father's death that he may reign in his place The Children that Herod had by his nine Wives AFter that Antipater had made away his Brothers through the extreme impiety and unbridled fury wherewith Herod their Father was incensed against them yet he did not immediately obtain that which undoubtedly he hoped for For being freed of K that fear he conceived lest his Brothers should be partakers with him in the Kingdom Hedio Ruffinus chap. 1. he found it a difficult and dangerous matter to find the means how to obtain it Antipater after he had made away his Brothers grew hateful both to the Souldiers and the people so strange and hainous a hatred had all the Nation conceived against him On the other side in shewing himself proud and lofty he more and more encreased that hatred which the Souldiers had conceived against him in whom the security of the Kingdom consisted if it should fortune to fall out that the people should attempt any alteration All which mischiefs were procured by his own sins and the unnatural murther of his Brothers Antipater governed the Kingdom with his Father Nevertheless he governed the Kingdom with his Father living only in less Authority than himself Herod also reposed more confidence in L him even in those things for which he was worthy to lose his head For the King conceived that in confirmation of his good affection towards him Antipater had accused his Brethren to continue his Father in security and not for any hatred he bore unto them more than to his Father though indeed he hated them for his Father's sake being transported with fury But all these were but as so many stratagems to insinuate himself into Herod's Counsels and Favours and these did he craftily make use of to cut off the occasion lest any should prevent or accuse him of that which he pretended to do and that Herod might be deprived of all relief if so be that Antipater should beâ—â— his Forces against him Antipater wisheth his Father's death For the Treason he complotted against his Brothers proceeded from the hatred he bare unto his Father But at that time he was the more egged on to prosecute M his intended purposes without any delay For if Herod should happen to die it was most sure that the Kingdom should be his and should his life continue any longer time and the practice Antipater went about should be discovered seeing himself invironed with these dangers he
that by detesting their malice thou mightest insinnate N thy self into the favour of their Father and thine that afterwards thou mightest more cunningly and securely bring him to his end which at length thou hast attempted to perform For whilst thou adjudgest thy guilty Brothers to death and sparest their Confederates thou makest it manifest in all men's eyes that thou hast a kindness for them whose assistance thou mightest hereafter use in oppressing thy Father Thou hast therefore enjoyed a double pleasure the one openly as if rejoycing and glorying that by thy Brother's death thou hast atchieved a matter of honour the other secretly with endeavouring by greater wickedness but more secret fraud to make an end of thy Father the revenger of whose injuries thou pretendest to be For if thou hadst truly detested their malice thou hadst never esteemed the same to be worthy of thy imitation for thou hadst not cut them off for committing O such Capital offences as were answerable unto thine but for that they had a more just Title to succeed in the Kingdom than thou hast And thou hast thought good to mix the A murther of thy Father with the massacred bodies of thy Brothers lest thou shouldst be suddenly convinced in thy conspiracies against them and to the end that the punishment that thou well deservest to suffer should light upon thy infortunate Father projecting with your self such a parricide and so unusual and hainous a murther that to this day the like thereof hath not been heard of amongst men For thou being his Son hast practised these Treasons not only against thy Father but against him that loved thee above measure and did thee good beyond expectation with whom thou hast actual participation of the Government of the Kingdom and who had appointed thee his Heir in the same being no ways hindered either for the present or in times past to participate the pleasure of Soveraignty and being assured of the hope of Succession both by the will and writing of thy B Father But you have measured the course of your affairs not according to Herod's virtue but according to your own appetite and malice intending to deprive such a Father of his part who granted you the whole and seeking in effect to murther him whom in words you pretended heretofore to protect from injury And not content your self to practise these treacheries you have infected your Mother also with no less corruption and instead of love that should have been amongst Brethren you have filled your Family with mutinies and hatreds And besides all these things thou hast been so audacious as to call thy Father beast being of thy self more malignant than those beasts which are most venomous using thine own venom against thy dearest friends and such as have best deserved at thy hands strengthening thy self with his Guard and divers treacheries both of men and C women against one old man as if thy cursed mind alone were not sufficient to satisfie thy hatred And now after so many men and women Slaves and Freemen tortured for thy cause after the open and manifest testimonies of thy parties in the conspiracy thou art so impudent as yet to contradict the truth and thou that lately hopedst to deprive thy Father of his life doest now as much as in thee lieth endeavour to abolish that Law that was instituted against Malefactors in thy kind and herewithal O Varus equity and all whatsoever is Justice in the world Dost thou therefore accuse them of falshood who were examined in torments to the end thou mightest endanger their credit who were the preservers of thy Fathers life Shall we believe thee more than them in their torments Wilt thou not O Varus deliver the King from the injury of those who are his own flesh and D blood Wilt thou not put this wicked beast to death who hath murthered his Brothers to pretend a love towards his Father and who hath at last been discovered to be the most mortal enemy of them all to the intent that at one instant he might establish the Kingdom in himself Thou knowest that Parricide is no private crime Parricide that publick injury of life and nature but a publick injury to life and nature which is no less loathsome in the thought than it is in the act which whoso punisheth not is of himself guilty of an injury offered to our common mother nature After these Speeches he added certain points concerning Antipater's Mother which through feminine frailty had been blabbed out by her to wit that she had asked counsel of Soothsayers and Conjurers to whom the Kingdom should befall and E that she had offered Sacrifices and made Prayers for the death of the King And moreover he declared what lascivious pranks Antipater had played with Pheroras's women in banqueting and amorous and wanton dalliances The informations likewise that were presented by such as were tortured with sundry testimonies of divers men some suborned the other found out to be immediately produced and confirmed For each man seeing that Antipater was exposed to the accusations of those men who had the Government in their hands and that the good fortune that had long accompanied him had openly delivered him into the hands of his enemies they immediately discovered the insatiable hatred which they had conceived against him whereas before the fear that they had of him enforced them to be silent yet he F was not so much burdened with other mens hatreds as with his own wickedness namely his deadly hatred against his Father his breach of amity amongst his Brethren whereby he filled the Kings Houshold with seditions and murthers of some complotted and acted by others neither giving place to hatred according to Justice nor to amity according to good affection but according as it might stand with his profit Which because divers men perceived long before that time they judged of events according as they had reason and the rather because that being void of hatred they spake but their opinions And whereas heretofore they had cried with a loud voice against him at such time as they were shut up at this time when they were deprived of their fear they declared all things that they knew And whereas there G were produced divers of the mischiefs committed by him Antipater accused by all men yet there seemed nothing to be feigned for that the accusers neither spake in favour of the King neither concealed any thing for fear of danger but condemned all Antipater's wicked actions and judged him worthy of death and punishment The year of the World 3962. before Christ's Nativity 1. not so much for his Fathers security as H for his own demerit Neither did they only accuse him who were by justice tied thereunto but divers voluntary witnesses also brought in their evidence so that although he was a very cunning dissembler and colourer of his lies and most impudent in their assertions yet he
for which he hoped that after his death his memory and glory should survive After this he expostulated with them for what cause they abstained not from offering him that injury during his life time Herod assembleth the Governours of the Jews and expostulateth with them about this commotion And why at Noon day and in the sight of all the people they had laid hands K on these Presents which he had dedicated unto God and had taken those things away violently which though in words they appertained to him yet in the effect if they were well examined they had taken from God The Governours suspecting his cruelty and fearing lest his unbridled passion should urge him further by which means they might be assured of some severe punishment answered him that those things were not done by their consents and that in their opinion the injury ought not to be let slip without punishment At that time Herod shewed himself more favourable towards the rest Matthias deprived of the High Priesthood and Jozarus assigned his place but he caused Matthias to be deprived of the Priesthood as one who in part had been the cause of that which had happened and in his place substituted Jozar one of his Wives Brethren During the Priesthood of this Matthias it happened also that another High Priest was elected that very day wherein the Jews did usually celebrate their Fast For Matthias the night before the day of the Fast seemed in his Dream to have the company of his Wife and whereas for this cause he was L unfit to offer the Divine Sacrifice he had Joseph the Son of Ellemus appointed him to be his Assistant by reason of his alliance Joseph Ellemi for one day High Priest Herod therefore deposed Matthias And as for the other Matthias who had moved this trouble both he and his companions were by his order consumed with fire This very night the Moon was eclipsed and Herod's sickness grew more vehement For God punished those sins which he had committed Matthias and Judas burned For he was inflamed with a slow fire which to the outward sense seemed not so vehement but inwardly searched and afflicted all his Entrails He had also a ravenous and unnatural Appetite to his meat The Eclipse which could no way be satisfied Besides that he had an Ulcer in his Bowels Hedio Rufâ—â—â— chap. 9 with a strange and furious Collick His Feet were swelled and of venomous colour 〈◊〉 horrible sickness and his Stomach was no less affected also His Members rotted and were full of crawling Worms with a filthy and no less troublesome Priapism accompanied with an intolerable Stench Besides all this he had a strong Convulsion of his Nerves and shortness of Breath For which cause it was a general opinion amongst holy men and such as had the knowledge of Prophecy M that the King was thus punished for his infinite impieties and sins committed against the Majesty of God And although he was tormented with an unsupportable sickness yet he had hopes to escape and for that cause he sent for Physicians from all places The hot Baths of Calliroes that flow into the Lake of Asphaltite and refused none of those remedies which they thought requisite for him He therefore past over Jordan and went into the hot Baths of Calliroes the Waters whereof are potable besides other vertues they have against all other kind of sickness this Water dischargeth it self into the Lake called Asphaltites Being there it was thought good by his Physicians that he should refresh himself in those Waters There being set by them into a Bathing-tub filled with Oyl he grew so sick that they held him for dead Whereupon all his Domestick servants wept and lamented and all his familiar friends cried out bewailing him and with their great noise caused him to come to himself And seeing himself wholly out of hope to escape he gave order that there should a Distribution be made to every Soldier the summ of fifty Drachmes and he offered great Presents N to their Captains and his Friends Afterwards he returned to Jericho where a melancholly humour possessed him Herod bestoweth a distribution among his Soldiers which made him unsociable and displeased against all men so that seeing that he must needs die he bethought him of this wicked action that followeth For the Noblest men amongst the Nation of the Jews resorting unto him from all parts by his command under the express Penalty of loss of life to whosoever should neglect the same the King shewed himself to be displeased as well against those whom he thought guilty Herod commandeth that the Noblest of the Jews should be slain after his death as against them who had given him no occasion of discontent For he caused them to be shut up in a place called the Hippodrome which was the Tilt-yard to run Horses in and sent for his Sister Salome and Alexas her Husband telling them that his end was at hand for that his griefs did incessantly torment him which as he said he ought to bear patiently because it was an end that should happen to all men But that which most grieved him was that he saw himself deprived of those mournings and lamentations which a King deserved For he was not ignorant of the Jews affections neither how his death was desired and longed for by them since that in his life time they O presumed so far as to revolt and dishonour and deface those gifts which he had bestowed upon the A Commonweal It therefore behoved them to afford him some solace in that his bitter anguish for that if they refused not to perform that which he had contrived in his mind the lamentation of his death should be magnificent and as great as ever any King ever had and the pleasure and laughter that might accompany his death should be abated by their sorrow who should unfeignedly lament for the whole Nation He therefore commanded them that at such time as he should give up the Ghost they should cause the Hippodrome to be invironed by his Souldiers as yet unadvertised of his death which he would not have published before this execution was ended and to command them to shoot their Arrows at those that were shut up therein And that when they had killed them all after this manner they should B make him triumph and rejoyce in a double joy first for that in his death his Commands should be ratified by effect Secondly For that he should be honoured by a memorable lamentation Thus weeping he entreated his Kinsfolk for the love they bare unto him and for the faith they bare unto God that they should not suffer him to die frustrate of his last honour and they protested that they would not transgress any point of his Commands Hereby a man may conjecture what his nature was who took pleasure in these above-named impieties and who through the
Sabinus also by his Letters accused Archelaus to Caesar but Archelaus by Ptolomey exhibited unto Caesar a Supplication containing his Right and Title unto the Kingdom his Father's Testaments and the account of the Money which Herod his Father had sealed up together with his Ring and expected the issue D But when he had read these Letters and those which Varus and Sabinus had sent him and understood what summs of money he had left and what the yearly Revenue was and how Antipas challenged the Kingdom and appropriated it to himself according as his Letters mention he assembled all his friends to have their advice thereupon Amongst them was Caius the Son of Agrippa and his Daughter Julia adopted by him whom he caused to sit in the chiefest place which done he commanded the Assistants to speak what they would concerning this matter At that Antipater Salome 's Son a man very eloquent Antipater Salome 's Son accuseth Archelaus before Augustus Caesar and a great Adversary to Archelaus spake first saying That it was a mockery for him at that time to speak of the Kingdom considering that before Caesar had granted it him he had already seized the Forces of the State when as upon a Festival day E he had killed so many who although they had deserved that punishment yet ought the justice thereof to have been reserved to a lawful Power and not to have been usurped by him either being King with Caesar's prejudice whose Authority he had contemned or by being a private man which was a great oversight For which cause he undeservedly at this time hoped for his approbation whom already as much as in him lay he had deprived of the Title and Authority of his Allowance Moreover he objected against him that of his own Authority he had changed certain Officers of the Army and that he had seated himself in the Royal Throne and like a King had determined certain causes and had granted certain demands of the people That he had left nothing undone which he might have performed had Caesar confirmed his Title He alledged also that they who were enclosed in the Hippodrome F were dismissed by him and divers other acts partly true partly probable in regard of the ambition of young men who desirous to govern do ordinarily commit such things Besides this his neglect in mourning for his Father and withal his rare Banquets all night long at that very time his Father died whereat the people began to mutiny seeing the small regard he had of his Father's death from whom he had received so great Goods and Honours How all the day long be made a shew of his sorrow and tears in his Pavilion but all the night he took pleasure like a King and being such if Caesar should grant him the Kingdom he would behave himself no less unkindly towards him than he had done to his most kind Father That it was no less than an odious crime in him to delight himself with Songs and Dances at his Father's death as if he had been his enemy That he G now came to Caesar's Presence to the intent to obtain the Kingdom by his consent whereas already he had behaved himself no otherwise than if he had already been established King by his Authority But most of all he exaggerated the Slaughter he had committed in the Temple and the Impiety perpetrated so near to the Feast of Easter at which time divers H both Strangers and Citizens had been killed after the manner of Sacrifices and the Temple filled with Carcases not by a stranger but by him who under the colour of Religion desireth the Government of the Kingdom to the end he might satisfie the injustice of his nature in exercising each way his Tyranny towards all men for which cause his Father never thought nor ever dreamt to substitute him King in his place For he knew both his life and disposition and by his former Testament and that of greatest force had ordained his Adversary Antipater to be King For he had been allotted the Kingdom by his Father not when his mind was dead before his body but when both his Judgment was sound and his body in health Yea although at that time Archelaus's Father had such a conceit of him as in his later Testament he pretendeth yet that he had already declared what kind of King he was I like to be who contemned Caesar's Authority in confirming the Kingdom and being as yet a private man doubted not to murther the Citizens in the Temple This said Antipater to give greater credit to his words bringing divers of his Kindred as Witnesses of that he had said ended his Oration Whereupon Nicholaus arose Nicholaus excuseth Archelaus and alledged in Archelau 's behalf as touching the slaughter that it was to be imputed to their impiety who could not be restrained from their Tumults and Uproars before Archelaus was enforced to appease them by force alledging That they were so much the more guilty for that they had not only exercised their malice but also had enforced others to attempt so great a revenge against them for their insolency seemed in appearance to concern Archelaus yet in a sort their contumacy K pertained to Caesar's ruine For those that had been sent by him to appease and redress their sedition were against all Law and right charged and killed by them without respect of God or regard of the solemn Feast Whose defence Antipater was not ashamed of without respect of equity so that he might satisfie that hatred which he bare unto Archelaus That therefore it was their fault who first of all abstained not from injury but whetted those Swords which were drawn in maintenance of the peace against their own bosoms He enforced all other things also whereof they had accused Archelaus against themselves saying that none of these things were done without their consents and that the offence was not so grievous as they intended it should be esteemed to the end they might discredit Archelaus So great a desire was in them to hurt their Kinsman a man both well L respected and affected by his Father as also kind and officious towards them in all things that concerned them As for the Testament that it was made by the King when he was in perfect estate of mind and body and of greater force than the former because the Authority and confirmation thereof was ascribed unto Caesar the Sovereign of the World Further that Caesar would not imitate them in that wrong they did unto Herod who being during his life-time bountifully graced by him by many benefits do now after his death go about to violate his last and truest Testament but that rather like a Friend and Confederate he would confirm his Will who like his faithful and sworn well-willer had committed all things to his trust For that there must needs be a great difference between M their Malice and Caesar's Vertue
sent for Archelaus also and esteeming it too base an indignity for him to write unto him Go said he unto him with all expedition and bring him unto me without delay He posting forward with all diligence at length arrived in Judaea where he found Archelaus banqueting with his friends and having acquainted him with Caesar's Commands Archelaus banished and confined he hastened him away As soon as he came to Rome after that Caesar had heard his Accusers and his justification he banished him and confined him in the City of Vienna in France and confiscated all his Goods But before Archelaus was sent for to Rome he reported unto his friends this Dream which ensueth He thought that he saw ten Ears full of Wheat and very ripe which E the Oxen were eating and as soon as he awaked he conceived an opinion that his Vision presaged some great matter For which cause he sent for certain Sooth-sayers who made it their profession to interpret Dreams Now whilst they were debating one with another for they differed for the most part in their exposition a certain man called Simon Simon the Essean interpreteth Archelaus's Vision an Essean having first of all obtained security and licence to speak said that the Vision prognosticated that a great alteration should befal in Archelaus's Estate to his prejudice For the Oxen signified Afflictions in respect that those kind of creatures do ordinarily labour and as for the change of Estate it was signified by this in that the earth being laboured by the Oxen altered its condition and shape and as touching the ten Ears of Corn they signified the like number of years F And therefore when as one Summer should be overpast that then the time of Archelaus's Sovereignty should be at an end Thus interpreted he this Dream And the fifth day after the Vision thereof Archelaus's Agent by Caesar's Command came into Jewry to summon him to Rome Some such like matter happened to Glaphyra his Wife also the Daughter of King Archelaus She as we have said married Alexander Herod's Son when she was a Maid and Brother to this Archelaus who being put to death by his Father she was married the second time to Juba King of Mauritania and he also being dead she living with her Father in Cappadocia was married to Archelaus who put away Mariamne his Wife for the love he bare unto Glaphyra She living with Archelaus Glaphyra's Dream had such a Dream She thought she saw Alexander by her she cherishing and G embracing him he checked her saying Glaphyra Thou verifiest that Proverb which saith Women have no Loyalty For having given me thy faith and married with me at such time as thou wert a Virgin and born Children by me thou hast forgotten and neglected my love thorough the desire thou hast had to be married the second time H Neither wast thou contented to have done me this wrong but hast taken unto thee likewise a third Husband lewdly intruding thy self into my Family and being married to Archelaus thou art content to admit my Brother for thy Husband Notwithstanding this I will not forget the love that I have born thee but will deliver thee from him who hath done thee this reproach by retaining thee for mine own as heretofore thou hast been After that she had told this Vision to some women that were her Familiars she died very shortly after Which accident I have thought good to register in this place in that I was to treat of those things and otherwise the matter seemeth to be a notable example containing a most certain argument of the Immortality of Souls and God's Providence And if any one think these things incredible let I him keep his opinion to himself and no ways contradict those who by such events are incited to the study of Virtue Cyrenius Censor of Syria Now when the Government of Archelaus was united to Syria Cyrenius who had been Consul was sent by Caesar to tax Syria and to dispose of Archelaus's house A THE EIGHTEENTH BOOK Of the B ANTIQUITIES of the JEWS Written by FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The Contents of the Chapters of the Eighteenth Book 1. Judas and Sadoc taking an opportunity by vertue of the Tax which was imposed upon C all Judea endeavour to establish a fourth Sectary and kindled a great Civil War 2. Of the four sorts of Sectaries that were among the Jews 3. Salome's death the Sister of Herod the Great Augustus's death whom Tyberius succeeds Herod the Tetrarch caused the Town of Tyberias to be built in honour of Tyberius The Troubles among the Parthians and in Armenia Other Disturbances in the Kingdom of the Comagenes Germanicus is sent from Rome to the East to establish the Authority of the Empire He is poysoned by Piso D 4. The Jews are so highly offended that Pilat Governour of Judea had suffered the Imperial Standards to be brought into Jerusalem having the Emperour's Picture on them that he was forced to cause them to be carried out again The Commendations and Praises of JESUS CHRIST A horrid injury done to a Roman Lady by the Goddess Isis's Priests how Tyberius punished them 5. Tyberius causeth all the Jews to be banished from Rome Pilat punisheth the Samaritans for having drawn themselves together in Arms They accuse him to Vitellius Governour of Syria who sends him to Rome to clear himself 6. Vitellius restoreth the High Priest's Vestments to the Jews to keep as they did formerly E He treateth in Tyberius's behalf with Artobanus King of the Parthians The cause of his hatred against Herod the Tetrarch Philip Tetrarch of Trachonitis of Gaulanitis and of Bathanaea dieth without Children his Dominions are reunited to Syria 7. A War between Aretas King of Petra and Herod the Tetrarch who having married his Daughter would repudiate her to marry Herodias Aristobulus's Daughter and his Brother Herod's Wife Herod's Army is totally routed and the Jews impute it to John the Baptist's Imprisonment Herod the Great 's Posterity 8. By what several Accidents of Fortune Agrippa surnamed the Great who was Aristobulus's F Son and Herod the Great 's Grand-child and Mariamne's was made King of the Jews by the Emperour Caius Caligula as soon as he had succeeded Tyberius 9. Herodias Herod the Tetrarch's Wife and King Agrippa's Sister being impatient to see her Brother reign in so much Prosperity compels her Husband to go to Rome to obtain a Crown also but Agrippa having written to Caius against him he banisheth him and his Wife to Lions in France 10. The Sedition of the Jews and Grecians in the City of Alexandria 11. Caius commands Petronius Governour of Syria to compel the Jews by force of Arms G to receive his Statue in the Temple but Petronius mollified by their Prayers writeth to Caius in the Jews behalf 12. Two Jews called Asinaeus and Anilaeus both Brother and of a mean extraction become so powerful near Babylon that they give
enough to do to the Parthians H Their Actions their Death The Grecians and Syrians who lived in Sylesia unite against the Jews and kill fity thousand of them unawares CHAP. I. Judas and Sadoc taking an opportunity by vertue of the Tax which was imposed upon all Judea endeavour to establish a fourth Sectary and kindled a great Civil War I CYrenius the Roman Senator having passed through all Degrees The year of the World 3973. after Christ's Nativity 11. Offices and Dignities until such time as he obtained the Consulship a man of great account was sent into Syria by Caesar's order to do justice among the people and to sess and tax every man's goods Coponius a Captain of Horse was sent with him who was appointed to be Governour of all Jewry Hedio Ruffinus chap. 1. Cyrenius therefore came into Judea which was already united to Syria to tax the Goods of the Inhabitants thereof Cyrenius is sent by Caesar into Syria to execute Justice in that place and to confiscate Archelaus's Substance And although at the first the Jews thought this Tax very unreasonable yet notwithstanding K without contradiction they submitted themselves being perswaded thereunto by the counsel of the High Priest Joazar the Son of Boethus But after this there arose a certain Jew called Judas the Gaulanite Coponius Prefect of Judaea born in the Town of Gamala who having a certain man called Sadoc the Pharisee Confederate with him laboured to stir up the people to Rebellion The Taxation of the people of the Jews alledging that the Sess was no other thing but a confession of their servitude exhorting all the Nation to maintain their liberty and putting them in hope that they thereby should happily establish their estates Alias chap. 3. and enjoy their goods with security and besides this obtain both honour and glory in prosecution of such an enterprise Moreover that God would not afford them a more assured way to settle their Fortunes than by this means namely if they would employ themselves L in the execution of their designs and if having conceived in their minds high and noble attempts they forbore not to accomplish the same notwithstanding the execution cost them their lives These speeches of theirs were entertained by the people with great pleasure and by the same they were the more confirmed and heartened to Rebellion So that there was no kind of evil which these men set not abroach yea the whole Nation was so full of miseries that it was impossible to relate them For the Wars went on with such fury that it was impossible to restrain the violence thereof so that they neither spared friends nor enemies but were wholly given over to the spoil Slaughters Thefts Seditions and Famine in Judaea There was nothing but Robberies and Murthers of the Nobility under pretence to establish the state of the Commonweal but in effect for their private profit M sake whereby the Cities were ruined with Seditions and Murthers in which the Inhabitants killed one another after a strange manner of fury and desire they had not to spare any that was not of their Faction They were afflicted with Forreign Enemies and Famine yet none of these could pacifie their fury nor make them forbear to destroy Cities and shed innocent Blood till at length the horrible mischief took such a head The Temple of Jerusalem burnt that they consumed the Temple of God and burned all the stately buildings So dangerous a thing it is to change the Customs and Manners of a Countrey For Judas and Sadoc having introduced and raised a fourth Sect Judas and Sadoâ— the Authors of the fourth Sect. and tying the Sectaries to their command filled the whole Commonweal with many troubles and planted the roots of those mischiefs which afterwards spred abroad from this unaccustomed N Sect. For which cause I think it not amiss to discourse briefly of these Sectaries opinions whereby so many evils have fallen upon our Nation A CHAP. II. Of the four sorts of Sectaries that were among the Jews THere were three Sects among the Jews of long continuance and Antiquity Hedio Ruffinus c. 11. al 5 that of the Esseans that of the Saducees and that of those who were called Pharisees Of these we have spoken in our second Book Three Sects of whom mention is made in the second Book of the Wars of the Jews of the Wars of the Jews and yet now I think it not amiss to speak somewhat of them in this place also The Pharisees use a very austere and strict kind of life and addict not themselves to any delicacy but diligently B follow that which their reason induceth them unto They honour their Elders neither dare they reply or reproach them for their admonitions They attribute all things unto fate The Pharisees Doctrine and yet they take not an assent of will from man supposing that God tempereth all things in such sort that by his Ordinance and man's will all things are performed good or evil They believe also that the Souls of men are immortal and that after death they receive their reward according as they have addicted themselves to virtue or vice in their life times the one to lie in perpetual Prison the other to rise again very shortly For which cause they are in great esteem among the people and all that which appertaineth to the service of God whether they be Prayers or Sacrifices all things are done according as they give direction So ample a Testimony C do the Cities yield of their wisdom The Saducees opinion temperance and honest life But the Saducees are of that opinion that the Souls of men perish with their Bodies They observe no other thing but that which is in the Law and hold it a Virtue to dispute with their Masters concerning the Decrees of their Sect. Their opinion is entertained by very few yet such who for the most part are men of the best account there is hardly any thing done without their advice And when they are advanced to any honours they are enforced to allow of that which the Pharisees shall propose otherwise the common people will not endure them The Esseans Opinion The Esseans attribute unto God the Government and disposition of all things They say that the Souls of men are immortal and all the uttermost of their endeavour and delight is to maintain Justice and Equity They send their Offerings D unto the Temple yet sacrifice they not with other men by reason they use more sacred and different Ceremonies for which cause they are secluded out of the common Temple The Esseans life and manners and sacrifice a-part Otherwise they are men of most reconciled behaviour and such as are wholly addicted to cultivate their Land They have one custom which is worthy admiration and such a one as is not to be found amongst any other either
Greeks or Barbarians that make account of virtue which they have practised from all Antiquity which is that they possess their goods in common neither doth the richest among them make more use of his possessions than he that hath least of all They are at least four thousand in number who have neither Wives nor Slaves supposing that Women are the occasion of injustice and Slaves do cause insurrections E and living apart by themselves they serve one another and chuse out certain upright men among the Priests to gather the Fruits and Revenues of the Lands to the end they may be maintained and nourished thereby Plisti among the Danes In a word they follow the same course of life that they do Judas â—alilaeus the Author of the fourth Sect. who are called Plisti among the Danes The fourth Sect was founded by Judas of Galilee which accordeth altogether and in all things with the Pharisees but they are extremely zealous of their liberty acknowledging but one only God Lord and Master of all things and had rather both themselves with their dearest Children and Kindred should endure the most grievous and bitter torments that may be imagined than call any mortal man their Lord. Of which constancy of theirs I forbear to discourse any further at this time for it is sufficiently known unto divers who have been F eye-witnesses thereof neither do I fear lest any one should suppose those things to be incredible which I have said of them but rather that I have spoken less than they themselves make evident in contemning their grievous tortures and punishments which courage and magnanimity of theirs encreased very mightily amongst our Nation being kindled by the most grievous injuries which were offered us by Gessius Florus our Governour Gessius Florus 's injuries by which means at length it came to pass that they revolted and rebelled against the people of Rome Thus much concerning the Sects among the Jews CHAP. III. H Salome's death the Sister of Herod the Great Augustus's death whom Tyberius succeeds Herod the Tetrarch caused the Town of Tyberias to be built in honour of Tyberius The Troubles among the Parthians and in Armenia Other Disturbances in the Kingdom of the Comagenes Germanicus is sent from Rome to the East to establish the Authority of the Empire He is poysoned by Piso AFter that Cyrenius had confiscated Archelaus's Goods Hedio Ruffinus chap. 3. and finished the valuation of I every man's Estate which happened thirty seven years after Antonies overthrow by Caesar in the Actian Battel he deposed Joazar from the Priestly Dignity Ananus the Son of Seth made High Priest in Joazar's place by reason of that Sedition which the people stirred up against him and established Ananus the Son of Seth in his place But Herod and Philip took each of them the possession of their Tetrarchy Alias cap. 6. and disposed of the Affairs thereof Herod inclosed Sephoris with a strong Wall Sephoris chief City of Galilee and made it the chiefest City and Ornament of Galilee He fortified also another City called Bataramphtha and named it Julias in honour of Julia the Emperour Caesar's Wife Betaramphtha called Julias Paneas Bethsaida Philip repaired Paneada situated near unto the head of Jordan and called it Caesarâ—a he repaired also the Borough of Bethsaida near unto the Lake of Genezareth and gave it the dignity of a City both for the number of the Inhabitants as for K other pre-eminencies Men's bones scattered in the Temple and called it Julia by Caesars Wives name As for Coponius the Governour in Judaea who as we have said was sent with Cyrenius in his time there hapned that which followeth At the Feast of Unlevened Bread which we call Pascha the custom was that the Priests opened the Temple Gates about midnight The year of the World 3974. after Christ's Nativity 12. at which time certain Samaritans who secretly entred into Jerusalem as soon as the Gates were open spred men's bones amidst the Porches and over all the Temple whereby it came to pass that the Priests began to keep a more diligent watch than they had done before Some little while after Hedio Ruffinus chap 4. Coponius returned to Rome and Marcus Ambivius succeeded him in the Government In his time Salome King Herod's Sister departing out of this life bequeathed unto Julia the City of Jamnia and all the Lands and Countrey round L about The year of the World 3975. after Christ's Nativity 13. she gave her also Phasaelis situate on the Plain and Archelais where there are divers Date Trees bearing most excellent fruit After Ambivius Annius Rufus had the Command in whose time died Augustus Caesar the second Roman Emperour after he had reigned fifty seven years six months and two days and had Antonius his Co-partner in the Monarchy for the space of fourteen years The year of the World 3977. after Christ's Nativity 15. He lived in the whole seventy seven years After Caesar succeeded Tiberius Nero the Son of Julia his Wife who was the third Roman Emperour He it was that sent the fifth Governour into Judaea whose name was Valerius Gratus who succeeded Annius Rufus This Gratus deposed Ananus and appointed Ismael the Son of Fabius High Priest The year of the World 3978. after Christ's Nativity 16. and after his decease for he lived but a M little while after Eleazar the Son of Ananus was made High Priest A year after this Eleazar was also deposed and the Priesthood was given to Simon the Son of Camithus who continuing in this dignity for a year's space and no longer Joseph called Caiphas succeeded him The year of the World 3979. after Christ's Nativity 17. After Gratus had behaved himself thus he returned to Rome after he had remained in Judaea for the space of eleven years After him came Pontius Pilate and succâ—eded him in the Government But Herod the Tetrarch being entertained into Tiberius's Friendship builded a City in honour of his name and called it Tiberias He planted it in the fruitfullest part of Galilee hard by the Lake Genezareth and near unto the natural Baths in the Borough called Emmans The year of the World 3980. after Christ's Nativity 18. This City was peopled by strangers who resorted thither from all parts and by divers of the Countreys N of Galilee some of which were constrained to inhabit the same Some of those likewise who were in authority repaired thither and from all Countreys many flocked thither who were not all assuredly held to be Free-men all which he made free and gave them great gifts on that condition that they should not abandon the City To some of them he gave houses already builded to others Lands very apt to be tilled knowing that the inhabiting of such a place was contrary to the Laws and Customs of his Countrey Tyberias builded and the
you that it will please you to give order that that Statue which you have charged Petronius to erect in the Temple of the Jews may never be put there This was Agrippa's request to the Emprour knowing very well how dangerous a matter it was and as much as concerned his life to demand any such thing at Caius's hands that was not answerable to his humour Caius on the one side moved O with the service Agrippa had done him and on the other side seeing how great an indignity it should be for him if before such an Assembly of Witnesses he should deny A that which he had so instantly pressed Agrippa to request as if suddenly he had repented himself and admiring Agrippa's virtue who having an opportunity in a moment to augment his particular Estate either by Revenues or other Commodities had preferred the Common Cause the Laws of his Countrey and Piety before all these he granted him his Supplication and wrote to Petronius praising him for that he had used such diligence in assembling his Army as also for all that whereof he had given him notice adding these words If said he you have already erected the Statue which I commanded you let it remain in the place but if it be not done be thou no more troublesome to the Jews but dismiss thine Army and repair thou in person to that place whither I have sent thee For I urge no more the erection of the Statue for the desire that I have to B gratifie Agrippa whom I entirely honour and in such sort as it is impossible for me to contradict any thing whatsoever that either he hath need of or shall require These were the Contents of those Letters which Caius wrote to Petronius before he understood that the Jews were like to revolt for they made it known that rather than they would endure the Statue they would hazard a War against the Romans Which when Caius understood he was extreamly troubled and being a man addicted to all villany and averse to all honesty and who gave place to no good counsel after he had conceived a displeasure against any man and who likewise thought it a great happiness for him to accomplish all that whatsoever he pleased he wrote again to Petronius Caius writeth to Petronius charging him to murther himself for neglecting his Command to this effect Since the Presents which the Jews have given thee have more prevailed C with thee than my Commands have done so that to please them thou hast despised that which I have enjoyned thee I make thy self the Judge how much thou hast deserved to incurr my displeasure to the end that thou mayest serve for an example to all those who shall come after thee that an Emperour's Commands ought not in any sort to be neglected Although this Epistle was both written and sent yet Petronius received it not during Caius's life time for they that carried it were stayed with cross Winds so that Petronius received those Letters that assured him of Caius's death before he received the other For God would not forget Petronius who exposed himself to great dangers for the love of the Jews and the honour of God And Caius being taken out of the world by God's wrath being kindled against him by reason that he affected Divine D honour received his reward and Petronius obtained favour both at Rome and through all the whole Government and especially among the principal Senators against whom Caius was accustomed to vomit up his cholerick Revenges He died a little after he had written the Letter to Petronius by which he threatned and denounced him death Hereafter I will declare the cause why he was taken out of this world and the manner how Treason was plotted against him Petronius receives Letters of Caius death before those whereby he was commanded to kill himself The Letter that brought the tidings of Caius's death was delivered to Petronius first and presently after he received that wherein he enjoyned him to kill himself He highly rejoyced at this his good luck and Caius's death and admired God's Providence who speedily and happily had rewarded him both for the honour that he bare unto his Temple and also for having E assisted the Jews Behold how Petronius escaped from death by an unexpected Providence CHAP. XII Two Jews called Asinaeus and Anilaeus both Brothers and of a mean extraction become so powerful near Babylon that they give enough to do to the Parthians Their Actions their Death The Grecians and Syrians who lived in Seleucia F unite against the Jews and kill fity thousand of them unawares IN those days there happened a grievous Commotion amongst those Jews that inhabited Mesopotamia and Babylon Hedio Ruffinus chap. 16. alias cap. 20. and such Slaughters and Calamities as never the like hath been declared in our former Narrations A grievous Commotion among the Jews in Mesopotamia and Babylon which in regard I intend to report both particularly and seriously I will rip up the whole cause thereof from its first Original There was a City called Nearda belonging to Babylon stored with Inhabitants and enriched with many fruitful Possessions sufficient to sustain so great a multitude Moreover it was such as might be hardly invaded by the Enemy both for that the River Euphrates surrounded it and also for that it was fortified with G very strong Walls Upon the same River also there stood another City called Nisibis in which the Jews in respect of the strength of the place kept their Dragma which they were accustomed to offer unto God and the rest of their Votive money These two Cities therefore served them for two Store-houses The year of the world 4003. after Christs Nativity 41. and from thence according H as time required they sent the money they had gathered to Jerusalem and committed the Convoy thereof to divers thousands of men for fear it should be taken away by the Parthians who at that time had the Soveraignty in Babylon Among these Jews lived Asinaeus and Anilaeus two Brothers born in Nearda whose Father being dead Asinaeus and Anilaeus born in Nâ—arda retire into a certain place and great Companies flock unto them their Mother bound them to the Weavers trade for amongst those Nations it was accounted no indignity to follow that trade for both men and women exercise themselves therein It happened that their Master with whom they learn'd their occupation beat them one day for that they came somewhat late unto their work They taking this chastisement of his as if a great injury had been done unto them betook themselves to their weapons whereof there were great store in that I house and retired themselves into a place where the River divideth it self into two parts which naturally aboundeth with excellent pastures and such fruits as were reserved for the winter To these men there flocked a number of needy persons whom they armed
It may be said he that I may furnish you with some advice more secure than yours is Chaereas for a more honester than it is who is he that can propose This said Clement returned to his house ruminating with himself upon those words which he had both heard and spoken Cornelius Sabinus But Chaeras grew fearful and conferred with the Colonel Cornelius Sabinus whom he knew to be a man of reputation a lover of liberty and greatly discontented with the estate for the miseries of the Common-weal and seeing it was necessary to attempt that with all expedition which he had intended he thought good to impart the matter to him fearing lest Clement should discover all the Conspiracy N considering that delay and procrastination would be but an occasion to hinder the action When therefore he perceiv'd him to give ear to all that which he intended and that already he was confirmed with no less resolution than himself was but in that he knew not with whom he might familarily communicate the same he said nothing whereas otherwise he was ready not only to conceal that which he had heard but also declared that which he had in his heart he was so much the more encouraged For which cause without further delay they went to Minucianus who was conformable unto them in virtue good affection and great courage and who besides that was suspected by Caius by reason of Lepidus death For Minucianus and Lepidus were very great friends and had been associates in the same dangers For Caius was feared O by all those who had any publick Office Annius Minucianus sparing none of them in particular or general but made them all groan under the burthen of his fury A Now they knew well one another that all of them were displeased to see the Common-weal in that estate but the apprehension of the danger suffered them not to manifest the hatred that each of them bare to Caius although their secret conceit ingendred among them a certain Amity For before that time as often as they met together they were accustomed to esteem Minucianus for the most honourable man of the Company as in truth among all the Citizens of Rome he was the most famous valiant and best esteemed among them being therefore assembled at that time he was first of all requested to speak his opinion For which cause he asked Chaereas what the watch-word was he had received that day for all the City knew very well what mockery Caius usually used in giving Chaereas the Watch-word Chaereas notwithstanding B this disgrace failed not to answer him relying on the wisdom of Minucianus and said unto him But give you me for the Watch-word Liberty mean while I give you thanks for that you have awakened me more speedily than of my self I have accustomed to be You need not now any further enforce your self to incite me by your words sith both you and I have undertaken the same resolution Before we were assembled in this place our thoughts were united Behold here my sword that is girt unto my side this shall suffice for us both And if you please you shall be my Captain and I will march under your Command and will follow you under assurance of your assistance and wisdom They who have valiant hearts never want Arms for it is a confident courage that makes the weapon do execution That C which kindleth me thus to this action is not the consideration of my particular interest for I have not the leysure to think on those dangers that threaten me through the grief that I conceive to see the Liberty of my Countrey changed into slavery and the force of the Laws wholly abolished and all sorts of men condemned to death by Caius cruelty It is I that deserve to be trusted in this execution and I make you my Judge since you have the like intention that I have Minucianus Chaereas with certain others intend to kill Caius perceiving with what affection Chaereas spake embraced him with all love and after he had praised him he exhorted him to continue his constancy then departed they one from the other with prayers and wishes and at that time there hapned a presage that confirmed them the more For as Chaereas entred into D the Senate some one among the people cast out a word that redoubled his courage Dispatch said he that which thou hast to do for God will assist thee Chaereas was somewhat afraid lest some one of his Associates had betrai'd him But at last he thought it was some one of those who being privy to his resolution gave him a Watch-word to animate him the more or that it was God who governing and observing humane affairs pushed him forward After he had imparted this his deliberation to divers sundry Senators Knights and Souldiers being advertised hereof were in Arms. For there was not any one that supposed not that Caius death was the greatest good hap the Common-wealth could expect For which cause all of them enforced themselves as much as they could to assist the execution with couragious and virtuous E resolution and as forward were they in affection as in power in words as in effect Calisthus Caius Freeman certifies Claudius that Caius commanded him to poyson him desiring each of them to be partakers in the dispatch of a Tyrant For Calisthus also who was Caius freeman and raised by him to great Authority yea such as almost equal'd him adjoyned himself to them for the fear he apprehended of all men and for those great riches which he had gathered together for that he was a man of a corrupt conscience and easily won by bribes and presents doing wrong to all men and abusing the power he had against whomsoever he pleas'd contrary to all right and reason Besides for that he knew the unbridled nature of Caius who having once conceived an ill opinion of any man could never afterwards be disswaded or reconciled Amongst divers other dangers that he had to apprehend the greatness of the danger F of his riches was not the least which was the cause that made him serve Claudius and secretly to follow him under hope that after Caius death he should be his Successour in the Empire and that at that time he should by him be maintained in the same estate which he enjoyed and by this means he thought to obtain his amity and good liking by giving him to understand how Caius had commanded him to poyson him and how he had invented infinite delays to defer this execution As for mine own part I think that Calisthus forged this matter For if Caius had pretended to kill Claudius he had not been disswaded by Calisthus allegations who had presently received his reward if he had deferred to execute his Masters command with all expedition in a matter so acceptable to him So it is that the Providence of God G would not permit Caius to execute that rage
those who sate to behold the pastime There was within the same a certain room separated from the rest where the Players and Musicians kept When the people were seated and Chaereas with the Captains were near about Caesar Batibius who sate on the right side of the Theatre Batibius one of the Senators a man very expert in feats of Arms asked Cluvitus privily in his ear Cluvitus who sate by him and had in like sort been Consul whether he heard any news who answering C him that he had heard nothing On this day said Batibius shall the tragedy be plaid of a Tyrants death Cluvitus made him this reply in Homers words Whist lest some Greek should listen to our talk Now whilest some one darted certain apples and rare and precious Birds at the people Caius took great pleasure to behold how they strove one with another round about him buffeting one another to see who should get the same but at that present there chanced two presages for the sport that was represented was of a Judg who was apprehended and crucified and in the Dance they represented Cynera who D was killed with Myrrha her Daughter and there was a great quantity of blood gathered to counterfeit both the murther of the Judge that was crucified as also of Cynera It is affirmed likewise that the day was the very same whereon Philip the Son of Amyntas King of Macedon had been killed by Pausanias one of his familiars at such time as he entred the Theatre Whilst Caius was incertain with himself whether he should remain until the sports were finished for that it was the last day of them or rather should resort to the Bath and after he had refreshed himself return back again thither as he had done before Minucianus sitting next unto him fearing lest the occasion should be overslipt because he had seen Chaereas go out of doors with an intent to go and encourage him But Caius catcht him by the E Gown saying Whither go you my friend At which time for the reverence sake that he bare unto Caesar he sat him down again but the fear that he had grew so forcible that he arose again so that Caius could not detain him supposing that he had gone thence to dispatch some important business At that time did Asprenas counsel Caesar to repair to the Bath telling him that after his refreshment he might return thither again all which he did being desirous that the resolution might take effect They that were with Chaereas were ready disposed to take advantage of the time and were agreed each of them to stand prepared and in a readiness in a place appointed to the intent to act the Tragedy and the delay seemed very tedious to them for it was already three a clock afternoon So that Chaereas seeing that Caius F lingred so long intended to go in unto him and assail him in his seat but he conceived that he could not bring that to pass without great loss and murther of the Senators and Knights that were present Now although he had this apprehension yet addressed he himself to the execution thereof supposing that the loss that might happen by the death of some one would be well recompensed by the security and liberty that would redound unto all men When as therefore they were in a readiness to enter the Theatre news was brought them that Caius was risen to come forth by means whereof there arose some noise For which cause the Confedesates turned back into the Theatre and appeased the people telling them that they displeased and annoyed the Emperor but the effect was to draw him aside from all those G who might yield him any assistance and so to set upon him Before Caius marched Claudius his Uncle and M. Minucianus his Sisters Husband and Valerius who at that time was Proconsul who might not by any means be drawn from their place although they had the will by reason of the Place and Dignity which they held Caius H followed after them accompanied with Paulus Auruntius Now when he was entred into the Palace he left the ready way where his Officers were and Claudius and his Associates held and turned aside by an unfrequented way to the Baths on purpose to see certain young Boys who were come out of Asia and were sent him out of that Countrey partly to sing in those Ceremonies that were instituted by him and partly to dance in Arms about the Theater and in that place Chaereas came and encountred him asking him the Watch-word which Caius gave him very reproachfully according to his custom For which cause without any further delay Chaereas assailing him both in word and act drew his sword and gave him a great wound which notwithstanding was not mortal some say that Chaereas purposely wounded I him after that manner Caius slain because he would not kill him at once but to his greater torment increase the number of his wounds but I cannot believe it for that in such executions a man hath no leysure to determine how to strike And if Chaereas had such an intention I account him the veriest fool that might be for he rather took pleasure to content his despite than readily to deliver both himself and others who by his delay in being of his Confederacy might be drawn into hazard For if Caius had not been suddenly killed he could not have wanted rescue and it should seem that Chaereas had not pretended to do so much mischief to Caius as to himself and his Fellow-confederates And being in this uncertainty whether his enterprize should have fallen out happily or no he had without reason both undone himself and lost the occasion K whereas having happily hit home he might without a word speaking secure himself against those who would offend him But let every man think what best pleaseth him Caius feeling the grief of the wound for he was stricken between the shoulder and the neck and his sword could not pierce further by reason that it hit upon the first bone of the breast he cried not at all neither called for any of his friends whether it were that he distrusted them all or that he had some other thoughts and in lamenting himself he passed forward But he was met by Cornelius Sabinus who was already prepared to encounter him who thrust him down upon his knees whereupon all of them environed him round about Aquila gave Caius his deaths wound but Chaereas was the author and chief actor of the tragedy and with mutual exhortations encouraged one another to do their utmost in murthering him At length in all L mens opinion they agreed on this that it was Aquila that gave him the deadly wound that severed his soul from his body But this act ought to be attributed to Chaereas For though divers set to their hands in the action yet was he the first who had bethought him of the action having a
long time before any of them premeditated the same after what sort it should be attempted and he also was the first that durst boldly impart it unto others and who after they had allowed of his resolution assembled them and when every one was to speak his opinion he concluded the same very discreetly and had always done far more than the rest so that by his earnest and honourable perswasions he encouraged those that were faint-hearted since at such time as the opportunity presented it self to set hand to the execution M he was the first that attempted it and who valiantly struck and made an easie way to the rest who found Caius calm enough for he was almost dead For which cause it is necessary that all which others have done should be ascribed to Chaereas advice vertue and diligence Thus died Caius being struck with many mortal wounds Now when Chaereas and his Companions had dispatched him they perceived well that it would be impossible for them to save themselves if so be they should return by the way that they came so much were they ravished with that which they had done For they drew themselves into no small danger by murthering an Emperour who was cherished and beloved through the folly of the common people and whose death the Soldiers would not N leave unpunished Now in that the ways were narrow where the murther was done and they themselves also were hindred by reason of the great number of people and Officers and Soldiers that gave their attendance that day in guarding the Emperour they took another way Chaereas with his Confederates retireth into Germanicus house and retired themselves into Germanicus's lodging who was Caius's Father whom they had lately killed This house adjoyned unto the Palace For although the Palace was but one yet consisted it of divers lodgings which were builded by several Emperours whose names whether they had begun or finished the works were imposed upon the same Buildings When therefore they had escaped from the press they were in safety as long as the inconvenience that had befallen the Emperour was yet hidden The Germans Caesars Guard The first report of his death came to the Germans O who were of his Guard being a Company chosen out of that Nation named the Celtique Band for the preservation of the Emperours Person These men A are very prone unto 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 Wars always give the first onset yielding great advantage to those on whose side they fight They having notice of Caius murther were vehemently grieved thereat for that it is their manner to censure all things not according to right but as they were answerable to their own profits Caius especially was dearly beloved by them for he had obtained their favour by bestowing much money upon them Their Captain was one called Sabinus who was not advanced to that dignity either for his virtue or for the Nobility of his Ancestors for he was but a Fencer but for his mighty strength and huge body They therefore ran about with B their naked swords searching for Caesars murtherers from house to house Sabinus with his German Souldiers seeketh for those that slew 〈◊〉 and meeting with Asprenas at first whose Gown as we have said was bebloodied with the blood of the sacrifice which was a presage that boded him but little good fortune they hewed him in pieces The second was Norbanus who for his Nobility and Ancestors might derive his Titles from the noblest Citizens amongst whom were divers Generals of Armies who seeing they made no reckoning of his Dignity Asprenas cut in pieces and being of himself endowed with great force and strength Norbanus he took a sword from one of them which first assailed him with whom he grapled and made them know that he intended they should buy his blood very dearly â—nd indeed so had he done but that being environed by divers who assailed him at once he was beaten C down Anteius and struck 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 he bare unto Caius and the pleasure that he took to see him lye dead was come out of his house being egged on with envy to feed his eyes with that spectacle For Caius had banished Anteius Father whose name likewise was Anteius and not content therewith he had sent his Souldiers to kill him He therefore with great pleasure beheld the carcase of this Tyrant but hearing the uproar that was raised in every part of the house he thought good to hide himself yet could he not avoid the narrow search of the Germans who were so displeased that they killed all they met whether they were D guilty or guiltless of the fact Thus were these three made away But after the rumour of Caius death was heard in the Theatre What sort of people they were that lamented Caius death every one was amazed and could scarcely believe it For although divers of them were very glad that he was taken out of the world perswading themselves that it would highly profit them yet did their fear hinder their belief On the other side there were some who desiring not that any such mishap should befal Caesar and conceiving in their thoughts that it was impossible to be done for that there was no men so bold as to attempt it they supposed the report to be altogether false Of this mind were certain women and children slaves and souldiers These by reason they received wages at his hand tyrannized with him being his ministers in all those abuses that he E offered to many good Citizens in partaking the booty and other advantages that Caius drew unto him As for the Women and Children they were of that opinion by reason that such kind of people take delight in Plays Jests Donations of flesh and other such Pastimes which Caius in word pretended to do to gratifie the common people but in effect it was to have means to satisfie his rage and cruelty He was also gracious among the servants and slaves for that by him they had liberty to accuse and contemn their Masters and were therein countenanced by Caius For when they falsly accused their Masters they were easily believed and when they discovered their Masters treasures in recompense of their discovery they were not only made free by him but also sent home with rich and ample rewards For the reward that F was assigned them was the eighth part of those goods that were confiscated As for certain of the Nobility although the matter seemed true to some of them for that before they were privy to that which the rest intended and notwithstanding
they desired that the enterprize should be effected yet kept they all things close and gave no sign of joy nor made any shew that they heard that which was reported For some of them feared lest if they should be frustrated of their hope they should bring themselves in danger of punishment for having discovered their intent sooner than they should have done Divers rumors of Caesars death They likewise who knew the enterprize and were Confederates with the Actors yet did they more closely conceal it the one from the other fearing lest if they should discover the matter to any one of G those who drew any commodity from Caius tyranny they might bewray them whereby if Caius should be yet alive they might incur the danger of punishment For the report was that he had been wounded in certain places yet that he was not killed but as yet alive and among his Physicians hands who dressed his wounds H No man therefore durst freely discover the secrets of his heart to his Neighbour for they that spread those reports were either friends and for that cause were suspected as favourers of his Tyranny or enemies and by that means in that they were but sinisterly affected towards Caius there was no certainty to be gathered of that which they said There arose also another report which daunted and beat down the hearts and hopes of the Nobility namely that Caius setting light by the danger wherein he was and as little also by the wounds he had received was come into the Market-place all bloody as he was and after this manner declaimed before the people See here how they that spread these rumours preferred their conjectures which were void of all reason which distracted those that heard it according as they were affected Notwithstanding I all this no man removed from his place for fear lest they should be suddenly accused knowing well that they should be accused not according to their thoughts and affections but according to the disposition of their Judges and Accusers But after that the Germans had environed the Theatre with their naked Swords The German Soldiers resort to the Theatre all that were present expected nothing but death and as soon as any man entred they were seized with such an amazement as if they had already felt the strokes so that they knew not what to do having no heart to depart from thence and otherwise perswading themselves that if they stayed there any longer it would breed them further danger At length when the Soldiers were entred into the Theatre by force all the Assembly cried out protesting that whatsoever was done it was besides their K knowledg whether it were either attempted by Conspiracy or any other means They therefore most humbly entreated them that they would spare them and not inflict the penalty of the guilty on those that were innocent For their own parts they prayed them to search out those who had committed the act if any such thing were committed And thus spake they with tears beating their breasts and calling the Gods to witness alledging that which the present danger suggested them with and as much as such as pleaded for their lives could say By these perswasions of theirs the Soldiers fury was abated so that they began to repent for what they had executed in the Theatre for this also was a cruelty as they themselves notwithstanding their barbarous incivility supposed it to be which was that the heads of Asprenas and others that were L killed were carried and set upon an Altar Whereat all the Assistants were most grievously discontented remembring themselves of the dignity of the men and having compassion of that which had befallen them considering also that they themselves were not far off from dangers being uncertain whether they should save themselves whereby it came to pass that some of those who had cause to hate Caius durst not freely rejoyce at his death because they were upon the point to lose their own lives having as yet no appearance of any safety At length Auruntius Auruntius entreth the Theatre and signifieth the Emperour's death a man who was gracious among the people and was one of the common Criers who had a strong voice and by crying such goods as were to be sold had gathered so great substance as that he was accounted one of the richest men in M Rome and in great esteem amongst all men in that behalf entred the Theatre in a mourning Habit and after a lamentable manner And although he inwardly hated Caius yet for the fear he conceived lest he should lose his goods and in consideration of the present danger he dissembled his joy wearing all those Garments of mourning and using no less lamentation than if he had bemoaned the death of his dearest friend After this manner he came into the Theatre publishing Caius's death to the intent that the people might not be ignorant of that which had hapned The Germans fury awakened by the death of Caius is pacified After this he began to repress the rage of the Germans and commanded their Captains and Tribunes to put up their Swords assuring them of the Emperour's death which act of his did manifestly save the lives of all those who were assembled in the Theatre and all them likewise N whom they could have met with For if they had had but the least surmise that Caius had as yet been alive there was not any sort of cruelty which they had not committed For they bare him so great love and affection that to secure him from that misfortune they would have redeemed him with the loss of their own lives But as soon as they understood he was dead they repressed their furious rage which egged them forward to revenge knowing that it availed them nothing to discover their affections towards him in that he could yield them no requital Besides the fear they had lest that in pursuit of their Tyrannous Murthers the Senate should be incensed against them if so be the Government of the Estate should be returned into their hands made them contain themselves Thus was the fury of those Germans appeased for the death O of Caius Mean-while Chaereas who feared very much lest Minucianus should fall into the A Germans hands and in their fury be murthered by them sought for him among the Soldiers enquiring of every one whether they knew if he were killed or no. Whereupon Minucianus and Clement were brought unto him who in his presence commended Chaereas's exploit and gave him thanks in the name of the whole Senate who witnessed that it was to the general benefit Chaereas Minucianus and Clement consult about Caesar's death and good of the Commonweal and that the greatest persons were beholding to him for that he had neither wanted good advice in his deliberation nor courage to execute his resolution alledging that the nature of Tyranny was such that being puffed up with a
is abandoned not to the wisdom of the Laws but to the fury of intemperate Governours Julius Caesar For since Jullius Caesar bent his thoughts to overthrow the Popular Government in Rome and violated the happy course of Law whereby our State flourished the Commonweal hath been overthrown For in subjecting the Law to his good liking and himself to his particular desires there is not any kind of misery and mischief that hath not overthrown our City so that his Successors have employed themselves to the L uttermost and with a certain emulation to abolish the Laws of our Countrey striving which of them might diprive our Commonweal of her Noblest Citizens For that they have made their account that their security consisted in communicating their secrets with such as were hase and abject abasing not only the great Courages of those men who were famous for their Nobility and Virtue but also by murthering a great number of them by all sorts of Punishments And whilst all of them endeavoured to be absolute in their Command they made it their business to oppress the Commonwealth But amongst all the rest Caius who this day hath lost the benefit of life hath wrought greater mischiefs himself alone than any other by discharging his brutish and beastly wrath not only against the common Citizens but also against his own Parents and Friends demeaning M himself alike towards all men and manifesting his injustice in that he pursued them most who were most innocent and by this means grew hateful not only to men but also to the Immortal Gods For it is not enough for Tyrants to satisfie their Concupiscence to use all sorts of Injuries to ravish both men's Wealth and their Wives but also they glory when they may utterly ruine both their Fortunes and Families who are their enemies For all Liberty is opposed against Tyranny and it is impossible notwithstanding all the miseries that may be imagined or offered that Free-men should agree with Tyrants how little time soever it be that they have exercised their Tyranny They also know too well with how many mischiefs they have entangled their Subjects although they have not the spirits to revenge themselves of those wrongs that are done unto them and being well assured into N what incumbrances they have drawn them perswade themselves that they have but one only means left them to secure themselves from suspitions and to procure their own security which is An Exhortation to maintain Liberty to put them to death if they may possibly do it Since therefore at this time you are delivered from so many mischiefs and are no more subject except to one another which is a Pledge of Concord for the present and of security in time to come and Glory unto him that hath redressed the Estate you shall deal very well and wisely in my opinion to provide for the Commonweal foreseeing very diligently all that which concerneth the good and profit thereof It is free for any man to speak his opinion of that which displeaseth him for that there is no Superiour to countermand their saying or that is exempt from reproof if he offend against the Commonweal or that may threaten with the Authority of O an Emperour for that shall be said For what else in these later times hath encreased and furthered our over-topping Tyranny than their slothful fear who durst in no wise oppose A themselves against his Lust For being entangled by a certain kind of pleasure of a quiet life and accustomed to live after the manner of Slaves and being afraid also to die virtuously and desirous to live with shame we are fallen into these scarce sufferable Calamities and into such mischiefs as have concerned us too nearly First of all therefore you ought to honour those who have killed the Tyrant Chaereas to be honoured for his Noble Attempt by dignifying them with as great honours as may be imagined and especially Chaereas For he only hath been the man who by the power of the Gods and through his great wisdom and valour hath given you your Liberty Neither ought you to forget him but to heap Honours on his head yea special favours as to the man who first of all consulted and first of all hazarded himself against a Tyrant for your liberty It is an honest and well-beseeming action of men of free hearts to restore B and repay suitable kindness for the benefits they have received Such is this man in your behalf not like to Brutus and Cassius who murthered Caesar for they were the Originals of Seditions and Civil Wars in this City And this man by the death of a Tyrant hath not only at once delivered you of him but also hath cut off those mischiefs that arose by him Thus spake Sentius and his advice was entertained with great applause not only by the Senators but the Knights also that were there present Whereupon a Senator called Trebellius Maximus arose and stepping to him pulled off the Ring which Sentius had on his finger wherein was inchased a Stone with Caius's Picture in it which Sentius had forgot to pull off so intent was he about that which he both said and did C and by this means the engraved Image was broken Now in regard it was late Chaereas demanded the Watch-word from the Consul Chaereas requireth a Watchword at the Consuls hands who gave him the word Liberty They were all astonished at this change and could scarcely believe that which hapned For since the Popular Government had been abolished the Consuls had never given the Watch-word until that present time For before the City was oppressed by Tyranny the Consuls commanded the Soldiers After that Chaereas had received the Word he gave it his Soldiers who subscribed to the Senate's Authority Of these there were about four Companies which preferred the Lawful Government before a Tyranny who also retired themselves to their Officers As for the people they returned to their respective homes full of joy hope and courage for that they had regained D the Government of the State which belonged unto them and not to any particular Governour In a word Chaereas was their only hope He foreseeing that there would some mischief follow if Caius's Wife and Daughter should remain alive and that if all his Friends and Family should not be utterly extinguished all those who should be spared would serve to no other end but to the ruine of the Commonweal and the Laws And on the other side desiring to see an end of that which he had begun Chaereas sendeth Julius Lupus to kill Caius's Wife and Daughter and to satisfie that hatred he had conceived against Caius he sent Julius Lupus one of the Captains of the Guard to kill both his Wife and Daughter which he did And the cause why he gave this charge chiefly to Lupus was for that Lupus was Clement's Kinsman who was a Confederate in the execution of
was changed and instead thereof he grew more averse from them daily whereby they were enforced to conspire against him and seek his ruine Now Hedio Ruffinus chap. 3. as I have heretofore declared Claudius understanding of that which had befallen Caius his Nephew and seeing all his house wholly troubled for this occasion O was in such distress that he knew not what to do to save himself but went and hid himself in a certain corner where he was surprized having no other cause to apprehend A his danger except his Nobility For during the time that he lived a private man he behaved himself modestly kindly and favourably unto all men being well seen in the Sciences and principally in the Greek tongue shunning as much as in him lay all tumult and train that might breed trouble When as therefore the people at that time were wholly amazed at the trouble and the Palace was full of fury and fear and nothing reigned more in general than confusion and disorder the Souldiers of the Guard who were the most experienced and bold consulted amongst themselves what course they were to take Neither were they much discontented with Caius death in that they supposed that upon just occasion he was put to death for which cause they rather bethought themselves on that which concerned their fortunes and how they B might assure themselves in those dangers seeing the Germans were wholly bent against those who had killed Caius rather incited thereunto of their own cruel natures than of any good affection they had towards the welfare of the Common weal. All which things troubled Claudius and put him in fear of his life the rather for that he saw Asprenas head and the rest of the Nobility that were massacred carried about to be seen for this cause he kept himself in a certain place which was only accessible by certain steps or stairs and hid himself therein because it was obscure In that place one of the Souldiers of the Palace called Gratus being unable to discern who he was in regard of the obscurity of the place and supposing him to be some one that desired to be concealed he drew near unto him to the intent he might the C better know him and when Claudius besought him that he would depart and leave him he passed the more onwards and laying hold of him and drawing him into the light knew him crying out to those that followed him This is Germanicus let us take hold of him and create him Emperour Claudius perceiving that he was ready to be attached and fearing lest they should put him to death as they had done Caius besought them that they would pardon him protesting unto them his innocency and how he had no ways been either accessary or agent in that which had been done Whereupon Gratus beginning to smile took him by the hand saying that he had no cause to suspect his life For said he it behoveth thee to rouse up thy spirits and to bethink thee how to govern an Empire of which the gods who D have the care of the whole world have deprived Caius to reward thy virtue with Arise therefore and take possession of the Throne of thine Ancestors This said he lifted him on his shoulders for that Claudius could not walk on foot through the fear and joy that he had conceived of that which had been told him Upon these speeches divers of the Souldiers of the Guard assembled about Gratus and perceiving that it was Claudius whom they supposed to be dragged to his death they had compassion of him as on an innocent for that they knew him to be a man of a milde nature who all the time of his life intermedled with nothing and who in like sort had been often in great danger during Caius life There were others of them that said Claudius against his will drawn unto the Empire that the judgment of this matter belonged to the Consuls whereupon E although a great number of Souldiers flocked about him and the simple people that were unarmed fled from them yet could not Claudius go on his way so weak and feeble felt he himself in his whole body It fortuned likewise that they who carried his litter perceiving his plight fled away for fear and left him so little hope had they that their Master should escape with his life whom they saw to be thus drawn by the Souldiers Now when Gratus and his Associates were arrived in the Court of the Palace which as it is reported is the place which was first of all inhabited in Rome they began to think upon that which was to be done thither also there flocked a great number of other Souldiers unto them The cause that induceth the Army to make Claudius Emperour who took pleasure to behold Claudius enforcing themselves to place him in the Imperial Dignity in regard of F that good affection which they bare to Germanicus his Brother whose memory was much honoured among all those who had conversed with him Moreover they ripped up how many avaritious acts the Senate had committed and how great errors the chiefest Senators had been guilty of before the Publick Government was changed Moreover they considered the danger and difficulty of their actions then in hand for that the Government being administred by one only man would be dangerous for them if he should obtain the same by any other means whereas if Claudius should enjoy the same by their permission and good will he would have them in remembrance who had favoured him and would recompence them according to their merits This was the effect of their discourse Claudius carried on mens shoulder unto the Army which they held among themselves or when they met G with one another All of them at length concluded upon this advice and environed Claudius and lifting him up upon their shoulders they carried him into the Army to the intent that no man might hinder them to finish that which they intended There fell a debate also betwixt the Senators and Citizens For the Senate desirous H to recover their former Dignity and enforcing themselves to avoid the slavery that had befallen them by the wickedness of Tyrants intending the maintenance of their present good fortune Contrariwise the people envied them that Dignity And knowing that their Emperours should be as it were bridles Difference betwixt the Citizens and Senators to restrain the avarice of the Senate and the refuge of the people they were very glad to see that Claudius was advanced making their account that if he were created Emperour they should avoid a Civil war like unto that which hapned in Pompeius time The Senate knowing that Claudius was carried into the Army by the Souldiers The Senate perswade Claudius to resign the Dignity offerâ—ed him chose out some of their order and sent them as Embassadours in their behalfs to signifie unto him that he ought to use
no violence in obtaining the Empire but rather I to remit the charge of the Common-weal to the Senate That he both was and should be one of the Senators and have the conduct of the Common-weal and dispose it according to Law perswading him to call unto his remembrance those grievous mischiefs which the former Tyrants had wrought in the Common-weal and what dangers he himself had also suffered with them during the reign of Caius their late Emperour That it should ill become him who had detested the fury of others tyranny now willingly to be drawn to oppose himself against his Countrey That if he would obey them and continue to express the virtue and constancy of his life which in times past he led with commendation he should obtain those Honors which free Citizens could afford him and in suffering himself to be governed by Laws to K the end he might have part in the command and to be commanded in his turn he should obtain the praise of virtue That if he would not be disswaded by the death of Caius which was fresh in memory for their own parts they would hinder his proceedings as much as in them lay They also alledged that they were provided with Souldiers and store of Armour and a great number of domestick servants all which they would employ against him But over and above these things they had far greater helps namely their hope and good fortune and the gods who are wont to fight for those who maintain virtue and goodness They solemnly protested also for their own parts that they were of that mind that there was nothing more honest and just than to fight for their liberty and Countrey L The Embassadours that brought this message were Veranius and Broccus who both of them were Tribunes of the people They prostrating themselves on their knees before him humbly besought him that he would not engage the Common-weal in a Civil war And seeing that Claudius was inclosed with a great number of Souldiers in respect of whom the Consuls were of no force they besought him that it would please him to demand the Government at the Senates hands and receive it from them if he were resolved to be Emperour for that it would be an act more holy and just if he should obtain the same with their good will and not in despight of those who would vouchsafe it him willingly M CHAP. III. King Agrippa encourageth Claudius to accept of the Empire The Soldiers who had been for the Senate forsake it whether Chaereas would or not and joyn with those that had sworn to Claudius So Claudius becometh Master and condemns Chaereas to die He suffers with a wonderful Constancy And Sabinus who had been one of the chiefest of the Conspiracy killeth himself ALthough Claudius knew with what presumption the Senate had sent this N Embassage Claudius denieth to give over the Dignity that was offered him yet he did modestly entertain the same for the present But supposing that it stood very little with his security to commit himself to their trust and being encouraged by the exhortation of the Souldiers Hedio and Ruffinus cap. 4. al 3. who promised him their utmost endeavour and by the incitation of King Agrippa he determined by no means to let the Soveraignty slip out of his hands in that it was so willingly and freely bestowed on him when he thought least on it After that Agrippa had performed all those duties unto Caius which were requisite for such an one as had been by him advanced to Honour and having taken his body and laid it in a litter he brought him out before the Souldiers of his Guard and assured them that Caius was yet alive and for that he found himself sick of those wounds that he had received he sent to seek for O Physicians But afterwards understanding that Claudius was taken by the Souldiers thrust so much that he got himself passage unto him whom he found altogether daunted A and ready to surrender all things into the Senates hands and encouraged him to take upon him the Government of the Empire which the Soldiers had offered him Which done he departed and was suddenly sent for by the Senate whither he resorted altogether perfumed as if he were returned from some Banquet and had known nothing of that which had happened Claudius confirmed in his resolutions by Agrippa 1. He therefore asked the Senators what was become of Claudius who told him of the truth and besides that required him to give them his opinion and counsel touching the present Affairs His answer was that he was ready to adventure his life in the behalf of the Senate Yet by the way he told them that they ought to have an especial regard of the Commonweal rather than all the pleasure they could pretend and that they who would be Lords of an Empire B had need of Arms and men to maintain themselves lest being weak and unprovided they should be deceived in their expectations The Senate replied that they had great store of Furniture and that they would contribute money that they had good store of Soldiers to whom they would add their Slaves and give them liberty Agrippa telleth the Senate his opinion But Agrippa replied Would God Grave Fathers that you were able to perform the matters you intend yet will I not fear to discover that unto you which concerneth you nearly You know well that the Army that is with Claudius consisteth of such men who have been long time trained up in Feats of Arms and that those that are to fight on your side are but men gathered together and such as you joyn them with are the very scum of your Slaves who are both C untractable and untrained We shall therefore enter fight against expert Soldiers and commit our Fortunes to such men as scarcely know how to draw their Swords I rather think it fit that we send unto Claudius such men as may perswade him to give over the Empire And to perform this Message behold my self in a readiness to be commanded by you To this effect spake Agrippa Agrippa with some others is sent to Claudius and hereunto the Senators agreed and sent him to Claudius appointing him others to accompany him As soon as he came to Claudius he secretly discovered unto him in what perplexity the Senate was and gave him instructions to answer and carry himself like an Emperour Claudius's answer to the Ambassadors and to shew his Dignity and Power Whereupon Claudius gave the Ambassadours this answer That he wondred D not that the Senate were so unwilling to be commanded by a Sovereign in regard of that cruelty which the fore-passed Emperours had used to their destruction But for the present they should taste of his mercy and feel his moderate Rule and they should live under the Government of such an one who although in name he had the Imperial
and Sabinus were come out into the streets notwithstanding they were forbidden by Pollio whom not long before Claudius had made Captain of his Guard And as soon as Claudius came into the Palace whither he assembled his friends he pronounced sentence against Chaereas For although his action was accounted both generous and noble yet he was condemned for this because he was perfidious whereupon he was adjudged to die to give example to others to the end that Princes and Emperours may hereafter live in safety He was therefore led to his death with Lupus Those that murthered Caius are executed and divers other Romans It is said of Chaereas that he endured this accident with a great courage which he expressed not only in that he changed not his countenance but also by the reproaches which he gave Lupus O who wept For when Lupus was putting off his Cloaths and complained of the cold that he felt he taunted him thus alluding to his name which was Lupus That never any cold A did harm to a Wolf Furthermore when he came to the place of Execution where a great number of people were gathered together to behold the spectacle he asked the Soldier that was appointed to behead him if he were a cunning heads-man and whether he had a new Sword wishing him to use that wherewith he murthered Caius His death was happy for he received but one stroke whereas Lupus was faint-hearted and received divers because he stretched not out his neck freely Some few days after at such time as the Romans solemnized their Expiations and that every one honoured the memory of his dear Friend they gave Chaereas a part of that honour and cast his portion into the fire saying That was to deface and purge their ingratitude whereof they were guilty towards him Thus ended Chaereas his Life But for Sabinus B although Claudius had not only absolved him but also suffered him to exercise his Office as he had done before Sabinus Killeth himself yet he thought that he should do amiss and against Justice if he falsified his Faith to his Associates and Confederates for which cause he shortned his own days thrusting his Sword through his own body to the very hilts CHAP. IV. Claudius the Emperour confirmeth Agrippa in his Kingdom adding Judaea and Samaria C thereunto He giveth the Kingdom of Chalcis to Herod Agrippa's Brother and maketh Edicts in favour of the Jews ONe of the first things that Claudius did after his establishment in the Empire Hedio Ruffinus chap 5. was to disband those Soldiers whom he suspected and published an Edict by which he confirmed the Kingdom to Agrippa Alias 4. that Caius had given him accompanying his bounty with many Praises Claudius giveth Agrippa Judaea Samaria and Lysanias 's Countrey adding moreover unto his Government all that which his Grandfather had possessed towit Judaea and Samaria which in that they were as one Lawful Inheritance appertained unto him He gave him also out of his own Dominions Abela and all the Countrey about Libanus that in times past appertained to Lysanias And D he caused the Alliance that was past betwixt them to be engraven and registred in an open place of the City of Rome Antiochus King of Comagena He took from Antiochus the Kingdom that he had and gave him in exchange a portion of Cilicia and Comagena He set Alexander Lysimachus Alebarcha at liberty Alexander Lysimachus Alebarcha who had been his old Friend and sometimes Governour in Arabia and once his Mother Antonia's Steward who had been committed Prisoner through Caius's displeasure and espoused Bernice Agrippa's Daughter to his Son Marcus which after the death of Marcus who died before he was maried was afterwards married with her Father Agrippa's allowance Herod Agrippa's Brother created King of Chalcis to Herod his Brother for whom Agrippa begg'd of Claudius the Kingdom of Chalcis At that very time the Jews that were in the City of Alexandria mutined against the Greeks For after Caius's death E the Nation of the Jews which had been oppressed during his Reign and injuriously dealt withal by the Alexandrines Sedition in Alexandria betwixt the Greeks and Jews recovered their former courage For which cause Claudius gave Commission to the Governour of Egypt to pacifie and appease that Uproar He sent also his Letters Patents into Alexandria and Syria at the request of the two Kings Agrippa and Herod to this effect Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus Claudius's Edict in favour of the Jews in Alexandria Father of the people signifieth this that followeth Vnderstanding that the Jews Inhabitants in Alexandria and for that cause called Alexandrines have at all times enjoyed the self same Privileges of the City which the ancient and first Alexandrines have had Which Favours they have obtained by the Leave of those Princes that were our Predecessors as it hath been plainly made known F unto us as well by Letters which have been written unto us as by confirmed Decrees And that since Alexandria hath been united to our Empire by Caesar Augustus their Privileges have continued in force during the several Successions of many of our Governours which Rights of theirs have never been called in question no not in that time when Aquila was Governour in Alexandria Since in like sort Caesar Augustus hath not letted them but when the Governour of their Nation was dead they might establish other Substitutes and Governours in his place commanding that all of them should yield him obedience in observation of their Laws and Customs without constraint or impulsion to do any thing contrary to their Religion Yet notwithstanding the Alexandrines have mutined against the Jews being in the City of Alexandria in the time of the Emperour Caius by reason of the G folly and frenzy of Caius who disgraced and oppressed the Nation of the Jews because they would not violate their Religion nor acknowledge the said Caius for a God Our Will and Pleasure is that no one of the Privileges of the Nation of the Jews be abolished by reason of Caius's frenzy but my mind is to maintain those which heretofore have been H given them to the end they may continue and live according to their ancient Laws and Customs Commanding you and every one of you very carefully to provide that after the publication of this our Ordinance they be in no ways troubled This was the Tenour of that Ordinance which was made in favour of the Jews in Alexandria But that which was generally made in favour of those Claudius's Edict in the behalf of the Jews scattered thorough the whole Empire who were dispersed thorough the whole World was to this effect Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus High Priest Father of the people elected Consul the second time signifieth that which ensueth Our well-beloved Friends the Kings Agrippa and Herod have required us that we will permit all those
saluted in the Theatre for a God and spieth the Owl which the German foretold him of that five days after he should die Whereupon a company of base Sycophants whose flatteries do usually poyson the hearts of Princes cried out thus Be merciful unto us hitherto we have feared thee as a man but hence-forward we will confess and acknowledge thee to be of a Nature more excellent than Mortal Frailty can attain unto Agrippa reproved them not for using these words neither rejected he their palpable and detestable Flattery as he ought to have done But not long after he looking upwards perceived an Owl over his head pearched upon a cord and knew presently that he was but I a messenger of his misfortune whereas formerly he had denounced unto him his felicity and conceived thereupon a most hearty and inward grief And suddenly he was seized with a terrible griping in his belly which began with very great vehemency For which cause turning his eyes towards his friends he spake unto them after this manner Behold him said he whom you esteem for a God condemned to die and destiny shall apparently convince you of those flattering and false speeches which you have lately used in my behalf For I who by you have been adored as one immortal am under the hands of death But I must willingly entertain that which God pleaseth to send me For I have 〈◊〉 lived in obscurity but in so great and wonderful felicity that each one of you have held me happy K Whilst he spake thus his griefs augmented in such sort that he was brought almost to his last for which cause he was with all expedition conveyed into his Royal Palace and the rumour was spread in every place that very shortly he would be dead For which cause the people with their Wives and Children put on Sack-cloth according to the custom of the Countrey to the end they might solicit God's Mercy on the King's behalf and all the City was filled with tears and lamentations The King that lay in an upper Chamber and looking down into the Court saw them lying thus on the earth could not refrain from tears And after he had for the space of five days without ceasing been tormented with griping in his belly he gave up the Ghost in the fifty fourth year of his Age and the seventh year of his Reign for he had reigned four years under the Empire of Caius Caesar having first of all governed Philip's Tetrarchy I three years to which was added the Segniory of Herod in the fourth year and three years under the Empire of Claudius Caesar during which time he governed over the above-named Countreys and moreover over Judaea Samaria and Caesarea His Revenue amounted to twelve hundred Myriades The year of the World 4009. after Christ's Nativity 47. besides which he made many Loans For in regard he was very liberal in giving he spent far more than his Revenue and spared not any thing to shew himself magnificent Before the people knew of his death Herod his Brother Prince of Chalcis and Chelcias the King's Lieutenant and Friend agreed between themselves to send Aristo 1200 Myriades amount to 15 Tuns of Gold one of their trustiest Servants to kill Silas who was their enemy as if they had been commanded by the King M Thus died King Agrippa leaving behind him a Son called Agrippa seventeen years old Herod the Prince of Chalcis and Chelcias kill Silas and three Daughters one of which that was called Bernice was married to Herod his Father's Brother when she was sixteen years old The two other were Mariamne and Drusilla this Mariamne being of the age of ten years was promised in marriage by her Father Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. alias chap. 9. to Julius Archelaus Chelcias's Son and Drusilla which was six years old was promised also to Epiphanes Son to the King of Comagena After Agrippa's death Agrippa's Children alive they of Caesarea and Sebaste forgot those benefits they had received from him and used him no less despightfully than as if he had been their utter enemy The Caesareans and Sebastians revile Agrippa being dead For they reproachfully abused him after his death and reviled him in such sort that it is unseemly to report the same Moreover all the Soldiers who were at N that time many in number went into the King's Lodging and with one accord seized the Statues of the King's Daughters and carried them to the Brothel-house where after they had placed them they uttered all the indignities they could possibly practising such shameful matters as they may not be expressed Besides this resting themselves in the publick places they banquetted in the open Street wearing Chaplets of Flowers on their heads and perfuming themselves with Odours to sacrifice to Charon drinking to one another for joy that the King was dead Thus they expressed their ingratitude not only towards their King Agrippa who had bestowed so many Liberalities on them but also towards Herod his Grand-father who had builded their Cities and to his extream charge Agrippa Agrippa 's Son erected their Ports and Temples At that time Agrippa the deceased Agrippa's Son was at Rome and was brought up under the Emperour Claudius O When Caesar understood how those of Caesarea and Sebaste had injuriously dealt with A Agrippa he was highly displeased and moved with their ingratitude And his purpose was to send the younger Agrippa with all expedition to take Possession of the Kingdom of his Father and therewithal to discharge him of his Oath but divers of his Free-men and Friends who were in great credit with him disswaded him from it alledging that it would be a dangerous thing to commit the greatness of such a Kingdom to a young man Claudius intendeth to send young Agrippa into his Father's Kingdom but is disswaded and sendeth Caspius Fadus for President into Judaea and those parts who scarcely had as yet attained to the age of eighteen years and for whom it was impossible to support the care of so great a Kingdom considering that if he were at man's estate he should find himself over-burthened with the charge of a Kingdom This advice of theirs was approved by Caesar and for this cause he sent Cuspius Fadus to govern Judaea and the whole Realm honouring his dead Friend in B this in that he would not suffer Marsus who had been his Enemy to enter into his Kingdom He gave especial Commission also that Fadus should sharply punish those of Caesarea and Sebaste for the injuries they offered to his deceased Friend and the excess that was committed against his Daughters who were yet living commanding him to transport the Companies of the Caesarians and Sebastens and the five Roman Legions into the Countrey of Pontus to serve in that place and to take those Roman Soldiers that bare Arms in Syria to serve there Yet notwithstanding this Command they were not displaced
for they sent Ambassadours to Claudius to appease him and by this means they obtained the favour to remain in Judaea The Jews themselves were the cause of those Wars which began under Florus After this they gave beginning to those most grievous mischiefs and calamities that befell the Jews for they C spred the Seed of the War which was awakened under Florus's Government And for that cause after that Vespasian had obtained the Victory as it shall be hereafter declared he caused them to depart out of that Province and made them seek their Habitation elsewhere H THE TWENTIETH BOOK Of the ANTIQUITIES of the JEWS I Written by FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The Contents of the Chapters of the Twentieth Book K 1. The Emperour Claudius taketh the Government of Syria from Marsus and giveth it to Longinus Fadus Governour of Judaea punisheth some seditious People and Robbers who disturbed the Province He commands the Jews to carry back the High Priest's Vestment to the Fort Antonia but the Emperour giveth them leave to keep them at young Agrippa's request He was King Agrippa the Great 's Son and was then at Rome 2. Izates King of Andiabena and Queen Helena his Mother embrace the Religion of the Jews Their singular Piety and the great Actions of this Prince whom God L protects visibly Fadus Governour of Judaea punisheth a man and his followers who deceived the Jews 3. Tiberius Alexander succeeds Fadus in the Government of Judaea and Cumanus succeeds Alexander Herod King of Chalcis's death his Children Claudius the Emperour giveth his Dominions to Agrippa 4. The horrid Insolence of a Roman Soldier causeth the death of twenty thousand Jews Another Soldier 's Insolence 5. A great Quarrel between the Jews of Galilee and the Samaritans who bribe Cumanus Governour of Judaea Quadratus Governour of Syria sends him to Rome M with Ananias the High Priest and several others to clear themselves before the Emperour who put some of them to death The Emperour condemns the Samaritans and banisheth Cumanus maketh Foelix Governour of Judaea giveth Agrippa the Tetrarchy that Philip had viz. Bathanaea Trachonit and Abila and taketh Chalcis from him The Marriage of Agrippa's Sisters The death of the Emperour Claudius Nero succeeds after him He giveth the Lesser Armenia to Aristobulus Herod's Son King of Chalcis and to Agrippa some part of Galilee viz. Tiberiades Tarichee and Juliad 6. Foelix Governour of Judaea causeth Eleazar the High Priest to be murthered and his Murtherers commit other Murthers even in the Temple Robbers and False N Prophets are punished A great debate betwixt the Jews and the other Inhabitants of Caesarea King Agrippa establisheth Ishmael High Priest Violences committed by the High Priests 7. Foestus succeeds Foelix in the Government of Judaea The Inhabitants of Caesarea obtain of Nero to have the Jews Freedom recalled King Agrippa causeth an Apartment to be built from whence all that was done about the Temple might be seen the people of Jerusalem cause a high Wall to be built to hinder it by the Emperour's Authority 8. Albinus succeeds Foestus in the Government of Judaea and King Agrippa giveth O and taketh away often the High Priesthood Ananus the High Priest causeth Saint James to be put to death Agrippa enlargeth the City of Caesarea and calleth it Neronias A 9. How Florus Albinus's Successor offered many injuries to the Jews which constrained them to take Arms against the Romans CHAP. I. The Emperour Claudius taketh the Government of Syria from Marsus and giveth it B to Longinus Fadus Governour of Judaea punisheth some seditious People and Robbers who disturbed the Province He commands the Jews to carry back the High Priest's Vestment to the Fort Antonia but the Emperour giveth them leave to keep them at young Agrippa's request He was King Agrippa the Great 's Son and was then at Rome AFter King Agrippa's decease as we have heretofore declared in our former Book the Emperour Claudius sent Cassius Longinus to succeed Marsus in the Government of Syria whom he deprived of that Honour in memory of Agrippa who during his C life time Hedio Ruffinus cap 1. had oftentimes required by Letters that he should not suffer Marsus to govern the State of Syria As soon as Cuspius Fadus came into Jewry Cassius Longinus Prefect of Syria to take charge of that Countrey which he was to govern under Caesar he found the Jews that dwelt on the other side of Jordan in an uproar who had taken Arms against the Philadelphians about the limits of a certain Village called Mia which was stored with valiant men Those who inhabit beyond Jordan had armed themselves in this manner without the consent of their Governours and had killed a great numper of the Philadelphians Fadus punisheth the Jews for their Insurrection against the Philadelphians Which when Fadus understood he was much displeased for that they had not reserved the cause to his hearing and complained to him of the D Philadelphians but were so bold of their own Authority and without fear as to take up Arms. Having therefore apprehended some three of them who had been Authors of the Sedition he commanded them to Prison and executed one of them called Annibas Annibas executed Amaramus and Eleazar banished and banished the other two whose names were Amram and Eleazar Not long after this Tholomaeus the Captain of the Thieves was also taken and brought unto him who commanded him to be executed for having committed many Robberies in Idumaea and Arabia Tholomaeus the Arch-thief and by this means all the Countrey of Judaea was cleared of all Thieves by the care and providence of Fadus After this he sent for the High Priests Fadus requireth that the High Priest's Garment should be delivered into the power of the Romans and kept in the Castle of Antonia aliàs chap 2. and the Governours of Jerusalem commanding them according to the Emperour's direction to deliver up into the Castle of Antonia the Sacred Robe E which the High Priest only was accustomed to wear to the end that it might be at the Romans disposal as in times past it had been They durst not contradict his Command yet notwithstanding they required Fadus and Longinus who at that time was come to Jerusalem with a great power for fear the Jews by reason of this Injunction should raise a Rebellion first that it may be lawful for them to send their Ambassadours unto Caesar to beseech him that the Sacred Robe might remain in their custody Secondly that it might please them to expect the answer which Caesar would return to their request The Jews deliver Pledges to the intent they might be permitted to send Letters to Caesar Fadus gave them this answer that he permitted them to send their Ambassadours to Rome provided that before-hand they delivered him their Children for Hostages which when they had readily performed the Ambassadours were sent
away F Now when they came to Rome the younger Agrippa who was his Son that lately died knowing the cause of their coming and being ordinarily accustomed to attend upon Caesar according as we have heretofore declared besought Caesar that he would grant the Jews their request concerning the Sacred Robe and that it might please him to signifie no less unto Fadus On this his Petition Claudius gave the Ambassadours Audience and told them that he favoured their suit desiring them to be thankful to Agrippa upon whose suit he respected them and granted their Demands And besides this Answer he delivered them a Letter to this effect Claudius Caesar Germanicus Conserver of the people Consul created the fifth time G Emperour the fourth time Father of the Countrey the tenth time to the Magistrates of Jerusalem the Senate People and all the Nation of the Jews Being required by our well beloved Agrippa whom I both have and at this present do bring up with me I have heard your Ambassadors who were admitted to my Presence by his H means and have received their thanks for the benefits I have bestowed on your Nation I have also willingly inclined to that instant and express request you have made unto me and it is my pleasure that the Sacred Robe of the High Priest and the Holy Miter remain in your custody Claudius upon the younger Agrippa's motion granteth the Jews liberty to have the custody of the High Priest's Vestments in such manner as our most dear and right honoured Friend Vitellius heretofore ordained To which demand of yours I vouchsafe my allowance first in regard of mine own Piety and that I desire that every one should serve God according to his own Religion Moreover in so doing I shall gratifie King Herod and young Aristobulus whose affection towards me I am privy to and whose good inclination towards you I can witness for whom I have a particular kindness by reason of their singular Virtue I have also written to this effect to Cuspius Fadus mine Agent the names of those who have received my I Letters are Cornelius the Son of Ceron Tryphon the Son of Theudeon Dorotheus the Son of Nathanael alias chap. 3. and John the Son of John Given the eight and twentieth of June in the year wherein Rufus and Pompeius Silvanus were Consuls Claudius's Epistle to the Jews At the same time Herod who was Agrippa 's Brother that had lately deceased to whose hands in times past the Government of Chalcis had been committed Alias cap. 9. required the Emperour Claudius to grant him the power over the Temple Herod Prince of Chalcis hath Authority granted him to create the High Priest and the Sacred Vestments and the Authority of chusing the High Priest all which he obtained And from that time forward until the end of the War of the Jews this power remained in all his Successors According to this Authority Herod deposed Canthara from the Priesthood and gave the Succession thereof to Joseph the Son of Caneus K CHAP. II. Izates King of Adiabena and Queen Helena his Mother embrace the Religion of the Jews Their singular Piety and the great Actions of this Prince whom God protects visibly Fadus Governour of Judaea punisheth a man and his followers who deceived the Jews L AT that time Helena Queen of Adiabena Hedio Ruffinus cap. 2. and her Son Izates conformed themselves to the Religion of the Jews Alias 5. upon this occasion that ensueth Monobazus King of Adiabena Monobazus the King of Adiabena begetteth two Sons on Helena his Sister Monobazus and Izates who was also called Bazeos having fallen deeply in love with his Sister Helena married her and got her with Child Upon a time it happened that sleeping with her he laid his hand on her belly whilst she lay asleep and he thought that he heard a voice that commanded him to take away his hand from off her belly lest he should crush the Fruit that was therein which by God's Providence should have a happy beginning and no less fortunate ending Monobazus was much troubled at this voice and as soon as he awoke he told it to his Wife and afterwards when the Child was born he called him Izates Besides he had another elder Son M by the same Wife who was called Monobazus according to his own name And he had also other Sons by his other Wives yet notwithstanding Izates was most manifestly his best beloved and so cherished by him as if he had been his only begotten Son for which cause his other Brothers envied him The Father manifestly perceived all this yet he pardoned them knowing that they did it not for malice but for the desire that every one of them had to be best esteemed by his Father Notwithstanding being afraid lest some mis-hap should betide Izates by reason of the hatred his Brethren bare unto him Izates sent to Abemerigus marrieth his Daughter Samacha he gave him many great Gifts and sent him to Abemerigus who reigned at that time in a Fort called Spasinus committing his Son's life into his hands Abemerigus also entertained him very kindly and loved him so N that in process of time he gave him Samacha his Daughter to Wife and for her Dowry he gave him a Countrey of great Revenue Monobazus being old Caron very fruitful in 〈◊〉 in which the Relikes of Noahs Ark are to be seen and seeing he had not long time to live desired before his death that his Son might come and visit him he therefore sent for him and received him very lovingly giving him a Countrey which he called Caeron which bringeth forth great abundance of Odoriferous Plants In this place was the remainder of the Ark in which Noah was saved during the Deluge which remnants are to be seen at this day if any man have a desire to behold the same Izates remained in that place until his Father's decease But on the very day of his death Helena sent for all the Lords and Governours of the Kingdom and Captains of all the Army and upon their O assembly she spake unto them after this manner I suppose said she that you are not ignorant of my Husband's mind who hath desired that A Izates might be King in his stead and hath esteemed him most worthy of such an honour yet I expect your judgment in this point For he that receiveth the Sovereignty not from one mans hand but from many and hath the same confirmed unto him by their consent is happy She used this discourse unto them to try what their intent was who were there assembled Izates was made King by his Mother Helena and the Nobility and Monobazus governeth the Kingdom till his coming They understanding her mind prostrated themselves first of all upon the earth before the Queen according to the custom of their Country and afterwards answered her that they approved the Kings election
Parthia and Armenia to Tiridates who was the younger When Monobazus King Izates's Brother and the rest of his Kinsfolk saw how happily all things succeeded to Izates Monobazus and his Kindred think to receive the Jews Religion and how in respect of his Piety towards God he was E honoured and reverenced by all men they also resolved themselves to forsake their Religion and to serve God after the manner of the Jews But this intent of theirs was discovered Whereupon the chiefest among them grew displeased yet they did not manifest their despight but kept it hidden in their hearts expecting some fit occasion to revenge themselves as soon as they might They wrote also to Abias King of Arabia and promised him great sums of money if he would take Arms against their King The Adiabenians conspire with the King of Arabia against Izates promising him upon the first charge they would forsake him for that they desired to be revenged on him for having forsaken their Religion Having therefore confirmed their promise with an Oath they incited him to make haste The King of Arabia performed that which they required and marched forth against Izates with a F great power And when the first charge was ready to be given and before they came to blows all Izates Soldiers forsook him and turning their backs to their enemies fled in great disorder as if they had been surprized with a Panick fear yet was Izates no ways daunted but having discovered that it was treason and conspiracy of his greatest Peers he retired also into his Camp where he enquired of the Cause that they pretended After he knew that they had plotted with the Arabian he caused the Conspirators to be put to death and the next day after went out to fight and killed a great number of his enemies and constrained the rest to betake them to flight He pursued their King also into a Fort called Arsam which he battered and assaulted with such vigour and diligence that he took the same with G a great quantity of booty that was therein and returned to Adiabena with great triumph but he took not Abias alive for he himself had prevented his captivity with his death The Lords of Adiabena seeing themselves frustrated of their former hopes in that by God's hand they were delivered into the hands of their King could not contain H their displeasure but practised further mischief for they wrote their Letters to Vologesus King of Parthia desiring him to kill Izates and to bestow another King upon them who was a Parthian for that they hated their King who had abolished their Religion The Lords of Adiabena perswade Vologesus to kill Izates and had embraced a strange Law The Parthian understanding hereof prepared himself for War and having no just colour or pretext to authorize it he sent a messenger unto him to redemand those honours which his father had given him which if he refused he denounced War against him Izates was not a little troubled in his mind when he understood this message For he thought that if he should restore the gifts he should do himself great prejudice for that it would be imagined that he did it for fear knowing on the other side that if the Parthian should recover I that which he redemanded yet he would not be quiet he therefore commended his cause to God trusting that he would take care of him And building upon this that the greatest good he might have was to have God to help he shut his wives and children in a strong Castle and his corn in his strongest Tower and afterwards burned all the hay and forrage and having after this manner provided for all things he expected the approach of his enemy The Parthian came forward sooner than he was expected with a great power of Horse and Foot For he marched forward in all haste and encamped near unto the river that separateth Adiabena from Media Izates likewise encamped not far from thence having with him about six thousand Horse To whom the Parthian sent a messenger to give him to understand how great his power K was which extended from the River Euphrates as far as Bactria shewing him what Kings he had under his subjection threatning him to punish him very severely in that he behaved himself so ungratefully towards his Benefactors yea that the God whom he adored could not deliver him out of the Kings hands Hereunto Izates answered that he knew well that the Parthian far exceeded him in power but that he was far better assured that God's power extended beyond all mens contradiction Izates calleth upon God who sendeth the Dahans and Sacans into Parthia upon whose arrival Vologesus returneth And having returned them this answer he betook himself to his prayers and prostrating himself upon the earth and casting ashes on his head and fasting himself his wives and children he called upon God and prayed after this manner O Lord Almighty if I have not vainly submitted my self to thy protection but have intirely chosen thee L for my only and true God be thou my help and assistance and not only deliver me from mine enemies but also abate and controul their pride who have not been afraid in their blasphemous language to prophane thy holy and sacred Name and utter blasphemous speeches against thy power Thus prayed he with sighs and tears and God heard him For the very same night Vologesus received Letters by which he was certified that a great number of Dahans and Sacans taking opportunity by his absence were entred into the Kingdom of Parthia and spoiled the whole Country For which cause he returned back into his Country without any further trouble And thus Izates by Gods Providence was delivered from the Parthian threats Not long after this Izates delivereth up the Kingdom to his Brother Monobazus and dieth after he had lived fifty five years and reigned four and twenty M and left behind him four and twenty sons he died and appointed his Brother Monobazus to succeed him in the Kingdom requiting hereby his faith and Loyalty in that during the time of his absence and after the death of his Father he had faithfully ruled and governed the Kingdom to his use His Mother Helena hearing news of his death lamented very grievously that she being his Mother was deprived of a Son that so zealously honoured and feared God yet notwithstanding she was comforted when she understood that her eldest Son was to succeed him in the Kingdom and hasted with all diligence to go and meet him As soon as she arrived in Adiabena she lived not long time after her Son Izates Whereupon Monobazus took both her body and his Brothers bones and sent them to Jerusalem commanding that they should be buried N in three Pyramids which Helena had builded Hedio Ruffinus cap. 5. aliàs 8. some three stades or furlongs from Jerusalem But hereafter we will recite the
acts and gests of Monobazus during his reign But during Fadus Government in Judaea Theudas perswadeth the people that with a word he will cause Jordan to divide it self yield them passage he with his followers are slain a certain Magician called Theudas perswaded a great number of the people to take all their goods and substance and to follow him to the River of Jordan for he said he was a Prophet and told them that the River should divide it self into two parts upon his commandment and yield them free passage By these words of his he deceived divers of them But Fadus sent some troops of Horse who charged them on the sudden and killed a great number of them and took divers of them Prisoners alive amongst whom was Theudas O whose head was stricken off and was afterwards carried to Jerusalem This is that which befel the Jews under Fadus's Government A CHAP. III. The year of the World 4010. after Christ's Nativity 48. Tiberius Alexander succeeds Fadus in the Government of Judaea and Cumanus succeeds Alexander Herod King of Chalcis's death his Children Claudius the Emperour giveth his Dominions to Agrippa AFter Fadus Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. alias chap. 8. succeeded Tiberius Alexander the Son of that Alexander who had been Governour of Alexandria a man of as great Riches as any one of his time and place Tiberius Alexander Governour of Judaea who surpassed likewise his Son Alexander in piety who forsook the Religion B of his Forefathers At that time there hapned a great Famine in Jewry during which Queen Helena sent huge summs of money into Egypt and bought Corn and distributed the same to those that were in want James and Simon the Sons of Judas of Galilee crucified according as I have said before At the same time James and Simon the Sons of Judas of Galilee who had busied themselves to incite the people to resist the Government of the Romans were put to death at such time as Cyrenius valued each man's Goods as we have heretofore declared These did Alexander command to be crucified The year of the World 4011. after Christ's Nativity 49. Herod King of Chalcis took away the Sovereign Priesthood from Joseph the Son of Camydas and transferred it to Ananias the Son of Nebedaeus After Tiberius Alexander succeeded Cumanus The died Herod who was Brother to King Agrippa the Great in the eighth year of Claudius Caesar He left behind C him three Sons Aristobulus whom he had by his first Wife Bernicianus and Hircanus by Bernice his Brother's Daughter Claudius Caesar gave this Kingdom to Agrippa the younger During the time that Cumanus governed there happened a Sedition in Judaea whereby divers Jews miscarried The cause of all which accidents I will rip up from the Original CHAP. IV. The horrid Insolence of a Roman Soldier causeth the death of twenty thousand Jews D Another Soldier 's Insolence AT the time of the Feast of Pascha during which time the Jews are accustomed to feed on unleavened bread a great number of people assembled themselves from all parts Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. to the City of Jerusalem Alias 10. Whereupon Cumanus fearing lest by this occasion there should arise some Commotion he gave order that a Company of his Souldiers should be armed and should keep their Guard in the Porches of the Temple to the end if any trouble should happen they might repress it Those Governours who had been his Predecessors had done the like in such manner of Assemblies It came to pass In the Feast of Pascha a certain Soldier shewing his Privy Members moveth a Sedition among the people whereby twenty thousand Jews lost their lives on the fourth day of the Feast that a certain Soldier discovering those Privities E which were undecent to be seen shewed them before the people wherewith they that beheld the same were much displeased and provoked saying that the dishonour was not done to them but to God And some of the boldest of them uttered certain speeches against Cumanus saying that the Soldier was set on by him which when Cumanus understood he was in like manner grievously offended in regard of those injuries yet exhorted those whom he saw too forward to keep the Peace for fear lest a Sedition should arise during the time of the Feast And seeing they would no ways obey him but contrariwise they ceased not to injure and revile him he commanded that all the Forces he had should be in Arms and retire themselves into the Fort of Antonia that was near unto the Temple as we have heretofore declared F The people seeing the armed Soldiers were afraid and began to fly and because the places thorough which they issued were but narrow they imagined that they were pursued by their enemies so that they thrust on one another in their flight and divers of them were thronged to death Stephen Caesar's Servant robbed in his Journey for which cause Cumanus spoileth the Villages near to the place where the Robbery was done In this mutiny there died twenty thousand men and after this instead of a Feast there was nothing but mourning and without bethinking themselves of their Prayers and Sacrifices all of them began to weep and lament So great a mischief sprung from the insolence of one Soldier This first lamentation was scarcely finished before a second succeeded the same For some of those who had a part in this Mutiny being about a hundred stades from the City robbed one Stephen that was Caesar's Servant in the High way and took from him all that G which he had Which when Cumanus understood he presently sent some of his Soldiers to spoil those Villages which were nearest to the place where the Fact was committed and to bring the chiefest Inhabitants thereof in Bonds unto him In this pillage a certain Soldier found a Book of the Law of Moses in one of those Villages which he H took and brought and before them all tore it in pieces with horrid Blasphemies and vile speeches against the Law and whole Nation The Jews understanding hereof suddenly assembled themselves in great numbers and ran to Caesarea where Cumanus kept for that present A certain Soldier teareth the Books of Moses's Law and therefore is beheaded by Cumanus's commandment requiring him that he would revenge not their cause but God's whose Law was on that sort dishonoured signifying unto him that it was impossible for them to live so long as their Law was thus contemned Cumanus fearing lest a second mutiny and uproar should be raised among the people by counsel of his Friends cut off the Soldier 's head who had committed that Crime against the Law and by this means appeased the Sedition that was ready to take head I CHAP. V. A great Quarrel between the Jews of Galilee and the Samaritans who bribe Cumanus Governour of Judaea Quadratus Governour of Syria
due justice on those whom he found guilty of that sedition Claudius favourably gave ear to this request and hearing the whole matter he found that the Samaritans were the first Authors of all those mischiefs and caused them to be put to death who came before him to plead and banished Cumanus he gave order also that Captain Celer should be sent back to Jerusalem and that there in sight of all the people he should be dragged about the City until he died He sent Claudius E Foelix Pallas Brother to govern Judaea In the twelfth year of his Reign Hedio Ruffinus cap. 2. aliàs 13. he gave Agrippa Philip's Tetrarchy with Batanea and besides that added thereunto Trachonitis and Abila which in time past appertained to Lysanias Tetrarchy Claudius Felix Governour of Judea taking from this the Province of Chalcis which he had governed for the space of four years After that Agrippa had obtained this gift at Caesar's hands he married his sister Drusilla to Azizus King of the Emessenians who consented to be circumcised Drusilla because Epiphanes King Antiochus Son would not give ear unto the marriage for that he refused to entertain the Religion of the Jews although in times past he had promised his Father no less Mariamne He gave Mariamne to Archelaus Chelcias Son who by her Fathers consent was formerly promised him on whom he begat a F Daughter called Bernice A little after this the Marriage of Azizus and Drusilla was broken off on this occasion following Felix getteth Drusilla from her husband When Felix governed Jewry he saw Drusilla and fell in love with her she surpassing all other women in Beauty He therefore sent a certain Magician called Simon who was born in Cyprus and one of his greatest friends among the Jews who perswaded her to forsake her first Husband and to marry Felix giving her to understand that she should be happy if she refused not this match She unadvised and resolved to rid her self from the hatred which her Sister Bernice bare towards her who hated her in regard of her beauty and for this cause ceased not to injure her condescended to forsake the Religion of the Jews and to marry Felix by whom she had a Son called Agrippa whose death hereafter I will G declare and how in the Emperour Titus's his time he died and was burned in the fire of the Mountain Vesuvius with his Wife Bernice remained a Widow very long after Herod's death who was both her Uncle and her Husband and the report was that she had the company of her Brother At length she wrought so much that H Polemon King of Cilicia caused himself to be circumcised to the end he might marry her purposing by that means to make it known how falsly she had been accused Whereunto Polemon gave ear because she was rich But this Marriage continued not any long time Polemon King of Cilicia marrieth Bernice For Bernice through her impudency as it is reported abandoned Polemon who giving over that Marriage forsook also the Religion of the Jews At the same time Mariamne having forsaken Archelaus her Husband married Demetrius one of the chiefest Jews that were in Alexandria Mariamne scorning Archelaus marrieth Demetrius both in regard of his descent as also his riches who at that time also exercised the office of Alubarcha that is to say the Governour of Arabia She caused the Son she had by him to be called Agrippinus But of all this I will speak more exactly hereafter I The Emperor Claudius died after he had reigned thirteen years Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. aliàs 15. eight moneths and twenty days Some say that he was poysoned by Agrippina his wife the daughter of Germanicus Claudius's Brother She was first married to Domitius Aenobarbus one of the greatest men of Rome after whose death and long Widowhood she was at length married to Claudius Agrippina Messalina and Paetina Claudius 's Wives into whose house she brought her Son called Domitius by his own Fathers name Claudius had put Messalina his wife to death for the jealousie he had of her although he had had children by her namely Britannicus and Octavia And for his daughter Antonia who was eldest of all his children and begotten on Paetina one of his former Wives she was married to Nero whom Claudius so named and adopted for his Son Agrippina fearing lest Britanicus growing to mans K estate should succeed his Father in the Empire and desirous to make her own Son Emperour as is reported she left nothing unattempted that might bring her Husband to his death an presently sent Burrus who was General of the Army with some other Captains Nero Emperor and those of the greatest power among his free-men to bring Nero into the field and to proclaim him Emperour He being thus established in the Empire caused Britannicus to be secretly poysoned and not long after this he openly caused his Mother to be put to death yielding her this recompence not only for that she had born him in her womb but also because by her means he had obtained the Empire The year of the World 4019. after Christ's Nativity 57. He likewise murthered Octavia his wife the Emperor Claudius's daughter and divers other Noble men under colour of some Conspiracy intended against L him But I will not prosecute this matter for that there are divers who have writ Nero's History Nero a tyrant of whom some have no regard of the truth but have spoken at their pleasure Nero's tyranny for that he had been their Benefactor others transported with hatred and despite against him having not been ashamed to punish such impudent lies against his renown that they deserve to be condemned Neither do I wonder that they have invented so many lyes against Nero considering that in those Histories which they wrote of the former Emperours they have not studied to speak truth although they had not any occasion to hate them considering that they lived a long time after their death For my own part I am resolved never to deviate from the truth contenting my self to touch only by the way those things that concern my M purpose neither will I treat in particular but of what relateth to my Country without dissembling our own faults any more than the afflictions that they brought upon us I will therefore return to the discovery of our affairs Azizus King of Emesene being dead the first year of the Emperour Nero's reign his Brother obtained the Kingdom Aristobulus the son of Herod King of Chalcis had the Government of the lesser Armenia from Nero who gave Agrippa a certain portion of Galilee commanding those of Tiberias and Tarichaea to live under him Besides this he gave him Julias situate beyond Jordan with fourteen Burroughs near adjoyning thereunto N CHAP. VI. Foelix Governour of Judaea causeth Eleazar the High Priest to be murthered and his
Fortresses of their Captives The Romans triumph over the Jews Finally how Titus travelling thorough the whole Countrey established a Form of Government and afterward returning into Italy triumphed with much honour All these things I have comprehended in seven Books endeavouring as much as in me lieth The cause why he wrote this History to avoid all occasion of reproof from those men who know these Affairs and were Actors in the War Which I have done for their sakes who love truth And according to that Order and Form I promised I will begin my History A THE FIRST BOOK Of the B WARS of the JEWS Written by FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The Contents of the Chapters of the First Book 1. The Destruction of Jerusalem by Antiochus King of Syria The overthrow of the Syrians by Matthias Maccabaeus and his Sons C 2. The Succession of Princes from Jonathan to Aristobulus 3. Of Aristobulus Antigonus Judas Essaeus Alexander Theodore and Demetrius 4. Of the War of Alexander King of the Jews with Antiochus and Aretas and of Aristobulus and Hircanus 5. Of the War between Hircanus and the Arabians and of the taking of Jerusalem 6. Of the War of Alexander with Hircanus and also of Aristobulus 7. Of the death of Aristobulus and the War undertaken by Antipater and Mithridates 8. How Antipater was accused before Caesar of the Priesthood of Hircanus and how Herod made War 9. Caesar's death Cassius comes into Syria Herod ingratiates with him Malichus poysons D Antipater who had sav'd his life For which Herod causes him to be slain 10. How Herod was accused and set free 11. Of the War of the Parthians against the Jews and of Herod's Flight and Fortune 12. Of Herod's War for the recovering of Jerusalem after his return from Rome and how he warred against the Thieves 13. Of the death of Joseph How Herod besieged Jerusalem and how Antigonus was slain 14. Of the treacherous practices of Cleopatra against Herod Herod's War against the Arabians and of a very great Earth-quake 15. How Herod was confirmed in the peaceable Possession of the Kingdom of Judaea by Augustus E Caesar 16. Of the Cities and Monuments repaired and builded by Herod and of his felicity and liberality towards strangers 17. Of the disagreement between Herod and his Sons Alexander and Aristobulus 18. Of Antipater's Conspiracy against his Father Herod 19. How Herod should have been poysoned and how the Treason was discovered 20. How Antipater's malicious practices against Herod were discovered and punished 21. Of the Golden Eagle and of Antipater's and Herod's death F CHAP. I. The Destruction of Jerusalem by Antiochus King of Syria The Overthrow of the Syrians by Matthias Maccabaeus and his Sons AT such time as Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes made War against Ptolomey the Sixth King of Egypt The year of the World 3800. before Christ's Nativity 162. for the whole Dominion of Syria those of the chiefest Authority and Nobility among the Jews were divided into two Parties And that of Onias the High Priest being become the G strongest expelled the Sons of Tobias out of the City who fleeing to Antiochus for refuge besought him in all humility that he would lead his Forces into Judaea offering themselves to be his Guides in the Expedition Antiochus who had long desired such an occasion easily condescended to their request H and levying a great Army he entred their Countrey took Jerusalem and slew most part of them who favoured Ptolomey He gave his Soldiers liberty to sack the City spoiled the Temple of the great Riches which were in it and for the space of three years and six months forbad the Sacrifices Ant. l. 12. c. 6. which before time were accustomed to be offered every day to God in that place Antiochus being stirred up by Tubias's Sons invadeth Judaea and surpriseth Jerusalem Whereupon Onias the High Priest fled to Ptolomey of whom having obtained the grant of a piece of Land within the Liberties and Precincts of Heliopolis he built a Town and Temple there resembling the City and Sanctuary of Jerusalem of which we shall speak in due place But Antiochus not satisfied with the unexpected surprize of the City nor with the pillage and slaughter of the Citizens Ant. l. 15. c. 4. was so far transported by his passions and incenssed I with the remembrance of those toyls which he had sustained during this War The High-Priest Onias flieth to Ptolomey that he compelled the Jews to renounce their Religion to forbear the Circumcision of their Children and to immolate Swine upon the Altar The abhorrence which the chiefest and honestest amongst them Ant. l. 12. c. 7. could not refrain to declare against these Abominations Antiochus altereth the Customs of the Jews cost them their lives For Bacchides who was Governour of all the Garisons of Judaea by the appointment of Antiochus being naturally very cruel omitted no occasion to execute his wicked Orders insomuch that he particularly tormented such as were of Noble Birth and Quality Bacchides's cruelty towards the Jews and every day represented to them the fresh face and memory of the desolation of their City But at length a Tyranny so insupportable animated those that suffered it to attempt the means of freeing themselves K from it Ant. l. 1. c. 8. and of executing revenge upon the Authors Matthias or Mathathias Maccabaeus the Son of Asmoneus Matthias confederated with others maketh War against Antiochus one of the Priests who dwelt in a Village called Modin accompanied with his five Sons and his own houshold armed with Swords slew Bacchides and fearing the power and multitude of the enemy's Garrisons presently retired himself into the Mountains Thither resorted divers of the people unto him by which conflux growing more confident and couragious he descended from the Mountains and overcoming the Captains of Antiochus drave them out of the Borders of Judaea By many instances of such happy success he became so renown'd that he was by common consent of the people whom he had delivered from the subjection of strangers made their Ruler And when he died he left his eldest Son who was called L Judas to succeed him in the Government This brave Son of so brave a Father could not doubt of the endeavours which Antiochus would use to revenge the losses he had received and therefore he gathered together an Army of his own Countrey-men and was the first among the Jews that made a League with the Romans Antiochus failed not as he had foreseen to enter into Judaea with a powerful Army and this great Captain repell'd him with a great Overthrow And whilst the remembrance of this Victory was yet fresh in men's minds he assaulted the Garrison of Jerusalem which as yet was entire in which Conflict he forced them to forsake the high Town which is called Holy and betake themselves to the lower part And having recovered the
Temple he purified it and compassed it with a Wall and made new Vessels for the M Service of God and placed them there because those that had been formerly consecrated there were prophaned He built likewise another Altar and began to renew the accustomed Sacrifice and observe the Rites of Religion Scarce was the City brought to its former Estate Antiochus dieth and leaveth the Kingdom to his Son Antiochus who gathereth a huge power and invadeth Jewry but Antiochus died leaving behind him Antiochus Eupator his Son and Heir not only of his Kingdom but also of his hatred against the Jews Who having gathered together fifty thousand Foot and almost five thousand Horse and fourscore Elephants entred by the Mountains into Judaea and took a Town called Bethsara near which Judas met him in a place called Bethzacary where the passage was something strait And before they joyned Battel Eleazar Judas's Brother seeing one Elephant higher than the rest bearing a N great Tower on his Back Ant. lib. 12. c. 14 15. and adorned with Golden Furniture thought Antiochus had been there â—leazar dieth being slain by an Elephant and ran from his Company breaking the Ranks of the Enemies till he came to the Elephant but he could not reach him whom he deemed to be the King he was so highly mounted all he could do was to wound the Elephant in the belly with his Sword till the Beast fell upon him and pressed him to death which act of his had no other success but this that by attempting so great a matter he gave testimony that he preferred Glory before his life Eleazar preferreth honour before life For he that rid on this Elephant was but a private person and although Antiochus had been there Eleazar had atchieved nothing more in this valiant attempt but yet he adventured his life in hope to perform some great exploit This act of his was a presage unto his Brother Judas of the event O of that days Battel for the Jews fought stoutly and a long time but yet Antiochus's Army being both more in number and more fortunate obtained the Victory and A Judas after the loss of many of his company fled to the Gophonites with those of his side who escaped Antiochus advanced afterwards to Jerusalem from whence after some stay he departed for want of Provisions leaving a sufficient Garrison there as for the rest of his Army he led them for their Winter-quarters into Syria But notwithstanding the King's departure Antiochus departing from Jerusalem leaveth a sufficient Garrison there Judas rested not but encouraged by many of his Nation who daily came to him and gathering also together those who escaped out of the former Battel he fought with the Forces of Antiochus at a village named Adasa where after many proofs of his valour in assaulting and slaughtering a great number of his enemies he himself at length was slain and within a few days after his Brother John also was betrayed Ant. l. 12. c 18 and slain by their treacheries who favoured B Antiochus Judas sighteth with Antiochus Captains and is slain Ant. l 13 c. 1. CHAP. II. The Succession of Princes from Jonathan to Aristobulus AFter Judas succeeded his Brother Jonathan in the dignity of Prince of the Jews The year of the World 3805. before Christ's Nativity 157. He carefully studied the peace and security of his people and fortified himself by the friendship of the Romans and was reconciled to Antiochus his Son yet did C not all these things procure his safety For Tryphon who was tutor to the young Antiochus laying wait for him Jonathan taken by Tryphon's subtilty is slain and seeking to spoil him of his friends took Jonathan at such a time as he came with a small company to Antiochus who was at Ptolemais and binding him led an Army against Judaea from whence being repulsed by Simon Jonathan's Ant. l. 15. c. â— Brother in displeasure and revenge thereof he slew Jonathan But Simon valiantly bestirring himself in the Conduct of the affairs of the Common-wealth The year of the World 3813. before Christ's Nativity 149. took Zara Joppe and Jamnia which were bordering Towns and overcoming the Garrison of Accaron he destroyed the City and assisted Antiochus against Tryphon who besieged Dora before that expedition which he made against the Medes Simon encountreth with Cendebeus and overcometh him Yet would not the greedy mind of the King be satisfied notwithstanding D Simon had thus faithfully served and assisted him to the ruine and death of Tryphon but in a short time after he sent Cendebeus the General of the Army to harass and spoil Judea and to take Simon Prisoner But Simon though very aged acted both youthfully and valiantly Ant. l 13 c. 14. and sent his Sons before with the most resolute men he had against Antiochus Simon by the tâ—eachery of his Son-in-law Ptolâ—maeus is taken and slain and himself with the residue of his Army assaulted another quarter of the enemies Camp and having laid many ambushes in the mountains he obtained a great victory After which he was made High Priest and delivered the Jews from the subjection of the Macedonians under which they had been two hundred and seventy years John otherwise called Hircanus the Son of Simon Finally by the treachery of Ptolemy his Son-in-law he was murthered at a Banquet who imprisoning his Wife and two Sons sent certain men E to kill his third Son John otherwise called Hircanus But the young man understanding the design fled to Jerusalem accompanied with a great multitude for he greatly hoped that the people would remember his Father's prowess especially because Ptolemy's iniquity was hated of all men Ptolemy also hasted to enter the City at another gate but he was speedily repulsed by the people who had already received Hircanus For which cause he presently retired himself into a Castle named Dagon situate beyond Jericho After that Hircanus had obtained the office of High Priest The year of the World 3831. before Christ's Nativity 131. which was left him by his Father and had offered Sacrifices to God he led forth his forces with all speed to besiege Ptolemy hoping to deliver his mother and brethren that were detained F Prisoners there by him His tenderness of nature was the only obstacle that hinder'd him from forcing the Castle Hircanus obtaineth the honour of the High-Priestâ—ood which his father had 〈…〉 cruelty agâ—â—â—t Hircanus's Mother For when Ptolemy perceived himself to be in danger he brought Hircanus's Mother and Brethren upon the walls and beat them where he might behold them in their torments threatning to cast them down from the wall except Hircanus would presently depart How great soever the indignation of Hircanus was it was forc'd to give place to the affection he had for persons so dear to him and to his compassion of seeing them suffer
that if Antigonus came armed they should kill him himself then lodging in a certain Castle which in times past was called Bari and afterwards Antonia by Herod in honour of Antonius with this Commission that if Antigonus came unarmed they should let him pass if otherwise they should kill him He sent certain Messengers also to Antigonus requiring him to repair unto him dis-armed But the wicked Queen prevented this good intent of his by a subtil stratagem complotted by those that with her conspired against him The Queen 's cunning Stratagem against Antigonus for she perswaded those that were to carry this message to discover nothing of what the King had commanded them but to tell Antigonus that his Brother having intelligence that he had brought very goodly Armour with other C fair Furniture for War from Galilee desired him to come to him arm'd as he was that he might have the pleasure to see him in his Warlike Ornaments Antigonus suspecteth not his Brother Which when Antigonus understood who by reason of his Brother's affection suspected no mischief he armed himself and resorted to him intending to content him with his appearance But no sooner arrived he in the strait which is called the Tower of Straton but the Guard of Aristobulus set upon him and slaughtered him yielding by this means a demonstrative testimony that Detraction is able to destroy all good nature and friendship and that there is no union of affection so great as it can always resist the attempts of envy to ruine it In this Occurrence there happened a thing which cannot be too much admired Judas the Prophet foretelleth Antigonus's death D One Judas who was of the Sect of the Esseans had so certain a knowledge of the Future that his Predictions were never found false This man beholding Antigonus pass thorough the Temple cried out to his familiars who attended him in no small number as ordinarily divers of his Disciples did Ah how happy were it for me at this present if I were dead since truth is dead before me and one of my Predictions is found faulty For behold Antigonus yet liveth who should this day have died in the Tower of Straton which is distant from this place six hundred furlongs and 't is now the fourth hour of the day now therefore is the time wherein my Divination shall be falsified Having spoken to this effect the old man sat down being altogether disconsolate and pensive within a while after it was told him that Antigonus was slain in a place under E ground called the Tower of Straton being of the same name with that at Caesarea which is scituate upon the Sea-coast which conformity of names was the cause that Judas staggered in his Divination The sorrow which incontinently seized Aristobulus Aristobulus through the grief he conceived at his Brother's death falleth sick for committing this hainous Murther augmented his sickness in such sort that his Soul was continually troubled with the thought of his sin and his body through extream heat of passion became dried up and the grief that he felt was so vehement that his Entrails became exulcerated so that he voided blood in great abundance And it so fell out by God's Providence that one of his Servants who was deputed to that Office bearing out that blood which came from him A Servant spilleth blood in the same place where Antigonus was slain missed his way and came to that place where Antigonus had F been slain where still there appeared some signs and stains of the blood of Antigonus on which he poured out the blood of the Murtherer Aristobulus Which when they perceived who stood hard by imagining that the Servant had purposely spilled the blood in that place as it were in Sacrifice to the Ghost of that Prince they cryed out so loud that Aristobulus hearing their cry demanded the cause thereof and the more that each man feared to discover the same to him the more instantly he desired to understand the truth so that at length after he had used threats he was certified of what had passed Whereupon his eyes were suddenly filled with tears and in vehement agony of mind The eye of God discovereth every sin he cryed out and said How could I hope but that the great eye of the Divine Majesty should see my wicked acts and the sudden vengeance of my Brother's blood G pursue and overtake me Aristobulus dieth miserably How long O thou miserable Body wilt thou detain my Soul from being sacrificed to the vengeance of my Mother and Brother's death Why do I thus lingeringly languish in offering a part of my blood unto them Let them take it all at once and let not the Divine Vengeance laugh any longer to see the effusion of mine Entrails The year of the World 3862. before Christ's Nativity 100 H This said he died after he had only reigned one year His Wife after his death delivered his Brother Alexander from Prison and established him King who was both the eldest and seemed to be the most moderate among the rest of his Brethren Ant. l. 13. c. 9 But growing by this means both proud and potent he put one of his Brethren to death Alexander advanced to the Kingdom useth much cruelty for aspiring after the Kingdom but spared the other alive for that he contented himself with a private and contemplative life He made War also against Ptolomey that was called Lathyrus who had surprized the City of Asoth and put a great number of his enemies to the Sword nevertheless Ptolomey's side obtained the Victory But retiring himself into the Countrey of Egypt by reason that his Mother Cleopatra pursued him with open War Alexander forcibly entred the City I of Gadara Alexander is overthrown by Theodore and the Fort of Amath one of the greatest of all those that were beyond Jordan in which place Theodore Zeno's Son had hoarded up his chiefest and most precious moveables which he took but enjoyed not long for Theodore suddenly setting upon him recovered all that which was his and furthermore laid hands on the King's Carriage in seizing which he slaughtered many Jews to the number of ten thousand But Alexander after he had recovered this loss invaded the Frontire Towns upon the Sea-coast and won Rapha Gaza and Anthedon which afterwards by King Herod was called Agrippias The Sedition of the Jews against Alexander upon a Festival day But after he had conquered these places the common sort of the Jews raised a mutiny against him during a certain solemn and holy Feast as Mutinies and Seditions are commonly raised at Banquets and it is K thought that he could not have prevailed against those Rebels had he not been assisted by the Pisidians and Cilicians whom he hired to help him for the Syrians he refused to hire by reason of their natural hatred they bare against the Jews Having therefore slain
hands Aretas furnisheth Hircanus with fifty thousand Soldiers and by many gifts and entreaties obtained of him that he O would assist him to recover his Kingdom And to the effecting of the same Aretas gave him an Army of fifty thousand Horse and Foot which power Aristobulus not A able to resist The year of the World 3073. before Christ's Nativity 89. was overcome at the first onset and forced to fly to Jerusalem Aretas besieged him there and he had been surely taken if Scaurus a Captain of the Romans taking opportunity at those troubles had not raised the Siege For Pompey the Great who warred against Tigranes sent him out of Armenia into Syria And he coming to Damascus Scaurus Captain of the Romans found it newly taken by Metellus and Lollius wherefore understanding how matters stood in Judaea he hasted thither in hope of a booty As soon as he entred into the Confines of the Countrey both the Brethren sent their Ambassadours to him The year of the World 3890. before Christ's Nativity 63. desiring him to take their parts But Aristobulus having sent him four hundred Talents these made him neglect Justice for Scaurus upon receipt of that Summ sent messengers to the Arabians and Hircanus threatning the displeasure of the Romans and B Pompey except they would presently raise their Siege Whereupon Aretas being much terrified Scaurus receiveth four hundred Talents from Aristobulus and commandeth the Arabians and Hircanus to depart out of the Countrey returned out of Judaea to Philadelphia and Scaurus to Damascus Yet it sufficed not Aristobulus that he had escaped from being taken but gathering all his Forces together he pursued his enemies and joyning Battel with them about Papyron he slew six thousand of them in which number was Cephalon Antipater's Brother But Hircanus and Antipater being destitute of the Arabians help thought fit to seek for succour from the Romans who had hinder'd them from receiving that of the Arabians For which cause as soon as Pompey had enter'd Syria and was come to Damascus they in humble manner addressed him with many gifts and made the same remonstrances to him that they had made before to Aretas earnestly requesting him C that he would consider the violence offered by Aristobulus Antipater and Hircanus seek for Pompey's help and restore Hircanus to the Kingdom to whom both by birthright and for his virtue it was due Aristobulus who became confident in that he had gained Scaurus by Presents failed not to repair to Pompey also Ant. lib. 14. cap. 6 7. and he went with the Equipage and Pomp of a King but not abiding to debase himself and thinking it disparagement longer to pay him respects in more abject manner than beseemed a King Pompey furnished with the Syrians and Roman Army setteth forth against Aristobulus he returned to Diospolis Whereat Pompey being angry at the request of Hircanus and his followers he went against Aristobulus accompanied both with the Roman Army and the Syrians their Auxiliaries When they had passed Pella and Diospolis and came to Corea where the Confines of Judaea begin as they passed thorough the midst of the Countrey they understood that D Aristobulus was fled to Alexandrium a Castle strongly built and scituate upon a very high hill Pompey commandeth Aristobulus to descend Pompey arriving there sent messengers to him commanding him to descend Which imperious manner of so proceeding appearing insupportable to Aristobulus he determined rather to hazard himself than obey But when he saw that the people began to fear Aristobulus resorteth to Pompey and that his friends advised him to consider the power of the Romans whose strength he was no ways able to resist he followed their counsel and came to Pompey where having alledged many reasons to shew that he had just Title to the Crown he returned again into the Castle And afterwards being urged by his Brother to come and plead his Title he came and returned thither again without contradiction from Pompey As he fluctuated thus betwixt hope and fear and doubted E how the matter would go with him he resolv'd to go to Pompey and tell him that he would do all that he should desire of him but as he was in the midst of his way fearing lest he should seem to derogate any thing from the Majesty of a King he returned back again Pompey willed him to write to the Governours of his Towns and Castles Aristobulus intends to fight with Pompey to surrender because he had commanded them not to do it except they received Letters written by his own hand In this he fulfilled Pompey's mind yet being angry and discontented Hedio he departed to Jerusalem and now fully determined to fight with Pompey Idumaea But Pompey not thinking it best to give him time to prepare himself followed him with all speed Pompey besiegeth Jerusalem and so much the more willingly because that near Jericho he had news of Mithridates his death This is the fruitfullest place of Judaea F where there are great store of Palms and Balm Aristobulus humbly presenteth himself to Pompey This Balsom is a Shrub whose Stem being cut with sharp stones droppeth Balm out of the wounds thereof which men gather as it droppeth from them After he had rested there that night in the morning he hasted to Jerusalem Ant. lib. 14. cap. 7 8. At his sudden arrival Aristobulus being dismayed in humble manner came to him Pompey vieweth the City which way it might most easily be battered and by promising him money and to yield himself and the City into his hands he appeased his anger But he performed no part of his promise for his Associates would not suffer Gabinius who was sent for the money to enter into the City For which cause Pompey being moved to displeasure retain'd Aristobulus in Prison and coming near the City he took a view at what place it might be easiliest entred Sedition within the City betwixt Hircanus and Aristobulus's friends for he did not lightly perceive how he could batter the Walls they were so G strong Moreover there was a deep Ditch before the Wall and hard by he beheld the Temple so fortified that though the City were taken it might be a second refuge for the enemy Whilst thus he long deliberated what to do there arose a Sedition within the City The year of the world 3903. before Christ's Nativity 59. wherein Aristobulus's Confederates thought it best to fight and deliver H the King out of Prison But those that favoured Hircanus would that the Gates should be opened to Pompey At last Aristobulus's Friends not prevailing fled into the Temple and to the end that they might fight it out to the last they cut down the Bridge which leads out of the City into the Temple Pompey and his enter the City and search the King's house When the rest had
thousand Talents which Pompey had forborn to touch But passing over Euphrates he was both himself and his whole Army M utterly overthrown of which matter it behoveth us not to speak in this place After the death of Crassus the Parthians endeavoured to enter Syria but Cassius who succeeded him in the Government repulsed them and having gotten the upper hand he speedily passed into Judaea and taking Tarichea carried away about three thousand men Captive and put Pitholaus to death for gathering a company of seditious people to Aristobulus his part Antipater's Wife a Noble woman of Arabia He that counselled his death was Antipater who was married to a Noble Woman of Arbia called Cypris by whom he had four Sons Phasaelus Herod afterwards King Joseph and Pheroras and one daughter called Salome His wise Conduct and Liberality got him the Friendship of many Princes and especially that of the King of Arabia to whose fidelity he committed his Sons when he undertook N the War against Aristobulus But Cassius made a Truce with Alexander and in the mean time went to Euphrates to hinder the passage of the Parthians as we shall shew in another place A CHAP. VII The year of the World 3917. before Christ's Nativity 45. Of the death of Aristobulus and the War undertaken by Antipater and Mithridates AFter that Caesar had forced the Senate and Pompey to flee beyond the Ionian Sea Ant lib. 14. cap. 14. and by that means made himself sole master of Rome Caesar delivereth Aristobulus from his bonds he set Aristobulus at liberty and with two Legions of men sent him in hast into Syria hoping through his means speedily to reduce both it and also all places adjoyning to Judaea But both the hope of Caesar Aristobulus and his Son slain by Pompey's friends and the forwardness of Aristobulus were frustrated by ill B Fortune for Aristobulus was poysoned by Pompey's favourers and even in his own Countrey his body lay unburied which notwithstanding was preserved from putrefaction with honey till such time as Antonius sent it to the Jews commanding them to bury it in the Sepulchre of the Kings His Son Alexander also was beheaded at Antioch by Scipio being first according to the tenour of Pompey's Letters accused before the Tribunal-seat Ant. l. 14. c. 5. of such things as he had committed against the Romans Ptolemy Prince of Chalcis which is upon Mount Libanus Ptolomaeus Son marrieth Antigonus younger Daughter and for that cause is slain by his Father sent his Son Philippio to Ascalon to the widow of Aristobulus to counsel her to send her Son Antigonus and her daughters to him Philippio falling in love with the youngest named Alexandra took her to wife But sometime after he was put to death by his Father who himself married C this Alexandra and for that affinity sake was more careful of her Brethren After the death of Pompey Antipater sought all means to get into Caesar's favour and when Mithridates of Pergamena was hindred by the Garrison at Pelusium to pass further with an Army into Egypt Ant. lib. 14. cap. 16. and was by that means stayed at Ascalon Antipater not only perswaded the Arabians to assist him but he himself seconded him with almost three thousand armed Jews Moreover he incited the Potentates of Syria and Ptolemy who inhabited Libanus Mithridates goeth to Pelusium and thereby obtaineth Antigonus's help and Jamblicus and his Son Ptolemy to assist him for whose sakes the Cities of that Country did willingly undertake the War And now Mithridates strengthned by Antipater's means came to Pelusium and because they would not suffer him to pass he besieged the City In which siege Antipater shewed D his valour for making a breach on that side of the wall where his Quarter was he first of all with his company brake into the City and so Pelusium was taken After which the Inhabitants of the Province bearing the name of Onias resolved not to suffer him to pass any further But Antipater handled the matter so discreetly with them Mithridates victory against the Egyptians that they did not only suffer him to pass but also supplied victuals for his Army Whereupon the City of Memphis would not fight but yielded of their own accord to Mithridates so that passing thorough Delta he fought with the other Egyptians in a place called The Camp of the Jews and being with all his company in danger he was rescued by Antipater who marching along the River side set upon and discomfited the left wing of the Enemies battel and rushing upon them that E pressed upon Mithridates Antipater performeth many noble exploits and exposeth himself to all dangers for Caesar's sake he slew many and pursued the rest that fled till he got their Camp and all this with the loss of fourscore men But Mithridates lost eight hundred men and being thus against all hope preserved from being cut in pieces he was without all envy a true witness before Caesar of all that Antipater had done and deserved Whereupon Caesar rewarded his courage with praise and promises and so made him forward to hazard himself for him In a word he proved and shewed himself a stout Warriour Caesar maketh Antipater a free Citizen of Rome and the many wounds he had in every part of his body were badges and testimonies of his valour and vertue Afterward when the estate of Egypt was quiet Caesar returned into Syria where he made him a Citizen of Rome and granted him the immunities thereof adding so many other F proofs of his esteem and affection that he render'd him worthy of envy and for his sake confirmed Hircanus in the High-Priesthood CHAP. VIII How Antipater was accused before Caesar Of the Priesthood of Hircanus and how Herod made war Antigonus Aristobulus's Son cometh to Caesar to accuse Pompey's friends for his fathers death AT the same time Antigonus the Son of Aristobulus repairing to Caesar was against G his will a cause of Antipater's greater felicity for coming to complain of his Fathers death who was as it was thought poyson'd by Pompey's partisans with as great hatred as sorrow he accused Hircanus and Antipater of having been the cause that he and his brethren had been so unjustly driven out of their native soil and H that their Country had suffer'd so great calamities only to satisfie their Passion alledging that they had sent aid into Egypt to Caesar's forces not for good will but for fear and that hereby they might blot out the memory of the good will they had born to Pompey Antigonus falsly accuseth Hircanus and Antipater At these words Antipater drawing aside his vesture shewed the number of his wounds saying it was not needful to use words to prove what affection he had born to Caesar for his very body shew'd it although he himself held his peace Antipater casting of his garment sheweth his
many wounds adding that he admired the impudent boldness of Antigonus who being Son to an enemy of the Romans and a fugitive from Rome and as inclinable as his Father to Rebellion dar'd to accuse before the Roman Emperour others that had been always faithful to him and that in stead of accounting himself happy in having his I life preserv'd hop'd to obtain such favours and assistance as he had no need of and which he desir'd not but to make use of the same to raise seditions against those to whom he should be beholding for them Which when Caesar heard Caesar createth Hircanus Highâ— Priest and to Antipater he giveth the Government of Judea he said that Hircanus was most worthy to be High Priest and bad Antipater name what Charge he would have who leaving that to the pleasure of the giver he was made Governour of all Judaea And moreover he obtained lieve to re-edifie the razed walls of his Country and Caesar commanded that this Decree should be engraven in Tables of Brass and in the Capitol that it might be a memorial in time to come of Antipaters's justice and vertue Ant. lib. 14. cap. 16. Antipater having attended Caesar out of Syria first of all repaired the ruined walls of his Country which Pompey K had razed Antipater repaireth the walls of his Country and going throughout all the Country he threatned the obstinate and perswaded the seditious to obedience admonishing them that if they obeyed Hircanus they might live in wealth and peace and enjoy happiness but if they suffered themselves to be led away with the vain hopes of those Antipater chargeth his Subjects to obey Hircanus who for their private commodity sought alteration then they should find him in stead of a Governour a severe Master and Hircanus instead of a King a Tyrant and the Romans and Caesar instead of friends deadly enemies for that they would not suffer his power to be overthrown whom they themselves had established King Antipater in speaking thus considered himself and the need of providing for the safety of the State Phasaelus and Herod Antipater 's Sons because he well knew the sloth an stupidity of Hircanus He made Phasaelus L his eldest Son Governour of the Army and of Jerusalem and of the whole Province Herod's fortitude and sent Herod his youngest Son to govern Galilee although he was very young who being by nature valiant and ambitious sought out occasion to shew his brave mind Herod banisheth the thieves out of Syria He took Ezechias Captain of a troop of Thieves who as he understood were wont to prey upon the confines of Syria with a great multitude and put him to death with many other Thieves which thing was so grateful to the Syrians that in all Towns and Villages they made songs of Herod as though he had restored them to peace and to their Possessions This action also made his merit known to Sextus Caesar who was Caesar the Emperour's Kinsman and Governour of Syria Phasaelus obtained the favour of the people of Jâ—rusalem Phasaelus also striving to exceed the vertue and gallantry of his Brother us'd M all his endeavours to win to himself the good will of the Inhabitants of Jerusalem so that during the time he governed the City he did nothing insolently or by force For which cause the people honoured Antipater no less than if he had been their King yet was his fidelity and affection never the less towards Hircanus But it is impossible that any man that liveth in prosperity should not be envied For Hircanus although before-time he were moved something at the glory of the Father and the young men Hircanus animated by envious men against Antipater and his Sons and especially with the prosperous success of Herod yet in particular he was stirred up by many envious person who use to haunt the Courts of Princes who were grieved that Antipater and his Sons ruled without offence These men told Hircanus that he only enjoyed the bare name of a King and that Antipater and his Sons ruled N all and that he would so long permit and wink at them till at the last they would make themselves Kings for they now did no more pretend themselves to be Ministers but leaving that Title they acted as Lords and Soveraigns without any regard or reverence towards him as appeared in Herod who had put to death a great multitude of Jews against the Law whereas neither by word of mouth nor by writing the King had given him any such authority and that Herod if he were not a King but a private person was to be brought into judgment there to answer the matter and shew the King a reason and satisfie the laws of his Countrey which permit no man to be put to death before by Law he be convicted By these perswasions Hircanus grew angry Herod called to his answer before the Councel so that not concealing his wrath he caused Herod O to be sent for to answer the matter who both for that his Father advertised him thereto and because he trusted to the equity of his cause first leaving a Garrison A in Galilee The year of the World 3922. before Christ's Nativity 4â— he repaired to the King accompanied with a sufficient Guard not so great as to give jealousie to Hircanus nor so small as to expose him to the attempts of his Adversaries Sextus Caesar who lov'd the young man much and feared lest any evil should betide him amongst his enemies sent to Hircanus warning him to absolve Herod from the crimes of which he was accus'd Hircanus absolveth Herod Hircanus once more incited by the wicked Which Hircanus who also loved Herod made no difficulty to do But Herod supposing he had done it unwillingly went to Damascus to Sextus purposing not to appear if hereafter he were sent for Hereupon Hircanus was once again incited against Herod by his enemies who certified him that he was gone away in a rage with design to enterprize something against him which Hircanus believing knew not what to do seeing his enemy B more potent than himself Shortly after Sextus Caesar proclaimed him General of the Army both in Syria and Samaria Herod gathering a great Army cometh to Jerusalem to depose Hircanus so that now he was greatly to be feared by Hircanus not only for that he was highly in favour with the Commonalty but also for the forces which he commanded Hereupon Hircanus fell into extreme fear verily perswading himself that Herod with his whole Army would presently come against him Neither was his suspicion vain Herod disswaded by Antipater from attempting against Hircanus for Herod angry at the pretended crime whereof he was accused came with a great Army to Jerusalem intending to depose Hircanus which he had effected had not his Father and Brother gone forth to meet him and pacified him intreating him that he would
account that terrour wherein he had put his enemies C and his own indignation a sufficient revenge and that he would spare the King by whose favour he came to be so potent adding moreover that he ought not to take it ill that he was called to answer his accusations since he was acquitted of them and consequently ought to shew himself grateful to the King who had saved his life Moreover that Prudence obliged him to consider the fortune of war together with the cause thereof that the justice of Hircanus side might do more for him than a whole Army and that he ought not to hope for victory being to fight against his own King who had always been gracious unto him and never had thought of doing him hurt but only being as it were urged thereunto by some of his Council who through meer envy and to satisfie their own passions had framed a shadow of an D accusation against him Herod was satisfied herewith and suppos'd it to be sufficient in order to his great designs to have shewed his forces and his power unto his Nation At this time began Civil war among the Romans near Apamia Bassus murthereth Sextus Caesar by treason in which Caecilius Bassus for the love he bare to Sextus Pompey slew Sextus Caesar at unawares and made himself Governour of his Army and other Captains of Caesar's to revenge his death made after Bassus with all their forces unto whom Antipater by his two Sons sent aid both for the sake of Caesar that was slain and of him that was yet alive for he was an entire friend and well-willer unto them both and these wars continuing long Marcus came out of Italy to succeed Sextus E CHAP. IX Caesar's death Cassius comes into Syria Herod ingratiates with him Malichus poysons Antipater who had sav'd his life For which Herod causes him to be slain AT this time arose great and bloody Civil Wars amongst the Romans after Caesar was slain by the treason of Cassius and Brutus Marcus Sextus Successor having ruled the Empire F three years and seven months Ant. l. 14. c. 2. By reason of which murther their troubles daily increased Julius Caesar slain by Brutus and Cassius and the Nobility being at variance amongst themselves every one followed that couse that they thought most expedient for themselves Whereupon Cassius presently marched into Syria Cassius levieth money in the cities to take possession of the Government of the Army which was about Apamia where he made Marcus and Bassus friends took the conduct of the Legions which they commanded and rais'd the siege from Apamia and leading the Army in his own person Herod Cassius friend he forced every City to be tributary and exacted without measure He commanded the Jews to contribute seven hundred Talents Cassius severe in his exactions Antipater fearing his displeasure appointed his Sons and others of his friends presently to gather the money and especially amongst the G rest he gave this charge to one Malichus a friend of his But Herod first of all got Cassius his favour having brought him an hunndred Talents which he had collected out of Galilee which was his part or Province As for the rest he accused them of negligence and was angry at the other Cities So that having pillaged Gophna and H Ammauntes The year of the world 3922. before Christ's Nativity 40. and other two small Cities he march'd onwards with intent to kill Malichus for that he had been so careless and negligent in gathering the tribute-money But Antipater presently disbursing unto Cassius an hundred Talents saved both him and all the rest of the Cities Malichus forgetful of Antipater's kindness Yet Malichus after Cassius was departed did no more remember how beneficial Antipater had been unto him but oftentimes treacherously laid wait to murther him because he hindered and withstood his villanous pretensions notwithstanding that himself had often confessed that Antipater had saved his life Antipater Antipater gathereth an Army against Malichus fearing both his power and subtilty passed over the River Jordan to gather an Army that he might prevent those treacheries But Malichus being discovered saw nothing left for him to do but to dissemble and accordingly by many I oaths and excuses he won Phasaelus chief of the Garrison in Jerusalem and Herod who was master of the Army that they should be a means to reconcile him unto Antipater Whereupon Antipater intreating Marcus who was General of the Army in Syria and had determined to kill him he was saved The reason that Marus would have put him to death was because Malichus was of a turbulent and factious spirit The young Caesar Octavius Augustus succeedeth after Caesar surnamed afterwards Augustus and Antonius warring against Cassius and Brutus Brutus and Cassius gathered an Army in Syria and in consideration of the great capacity of Herod they made him Procurator of all Syria giving him a band of horse and foot Cassius promiseth Herod after the War to make him King of Judaea Moreover Cassius promised him that if the war had an K happy end he would make him King of Judea But it so came to pass that the merit of Herod which raisd this hope so high was the cause of Antipater his Fathers death For Malichus being hereby put in fear hired one of the Kings officers for a certain sum of money to poyson Antipater by which means he died being thus unjustly rewarded for his good will toward wretched Malichus Antipater poysoned by Malichus He was a worthy man and fit to govern and recovered the Kingdom being lost for Hircanus Malichus perceiving the people incensed against him because they suspected that he had poysoned Antipater pacified and moderated their displeasure by denying the fact yet for his better security he gathered about him a Guard of armed men for he thought that Herod would not let the matter slip so Herod intendeth to revenge his Father's death but would presently come with an Army to L revenge his fathers death But by the counsel of his brother Phasaelus who sent him word not openly to encounter Malichus lest a sedition might arise among the people he patiently permitted it so to be and suffered Malichus to justifie himself and celebrated a solemn funeral for his Father which done he went to Samaria and appeased the sedition wherewith that City was disquieted After this he returned to Jerusalem intending to celebrate the Festival and having sent certain of his armed men before him he appointed the rest to accompany him But Malichus who feared this approach of his sollicited Hircanus to give order that no strangers should intermingle themselves among the people Malichus joyneth with Hircanus to disturb their devotion But Herod contemning this Prohibition entered the City by night whereupon Malichus once more came to him M and wept for Antipater Herod although he could very hardly
bridle his displeasure yet dissembled the same Cassius chargeth Herod by letters to revenge his fathers death and sent letters to Cassius wherein he complained of his fathers death Cassius already hated Malichus sufficiently and so he writ again to Herod willing him to revenge his father's death which that he might the better effect he secretly commanded the Captains of his Regiment to assist him Now for that after the surprizal of Laodicea all the best of the City came to Herod bringing presents and crowns he appointed this for a fit time of his intended revenge which Malichus suspecting as he was near Tyre he purposed secretly to get away his son who was there a pledge and to flee into Judaea But despair of his own safety urged him to greater matters for he hoped to incite the Jews to take Arms against the Romans N whilst Cassius was now busie in the War against Antonius so that he thought he might easily depose Hircanus and make himself King But God prevented these vain hopes For Herod suspecting he had some great design invited him and Hircanus to supper in order to which he made a shew as though he had sent one of his servants to cause a banquet to be prepared but indeed he sent him to the Roman Captains to tell them to lie in wait for Malichus who remembring what charge Cassius gave them The decree of fate laugheth at humane hope came forth of the City to the shore next adjoyning to the Town all armed with swords where compassing Malichus round about they killed him with many wounds Hircanus hereat astonished fell in a swoon and being scarcely come to himself Herod's Tribunes kill Malichus he demanded who killed Malichus one of the Captains answered that Cassius O gave the commandment whereupon he answered truly Cassius hath preserved me and my Country in killing him who was a Traitour to us both but whether herein A he spake as he thought The year of the World 3923. before Christ's Nativity 39. or that for fear he approved the fact it is uncertain Thus was Herod revenged upon Malichus CHAP. X. Ant. lib. 14. cap. 20. How Herod was accused and set free Felix cometh with an army against Phasaelus AFter Cassius was departed from Syria Phasaelus overcometh Felix and reproacheth Hircanus with ingratitude there arose another sedition in Jerusalem B for Felix came with an Army against Phasaelus to be revenged upon Herod for killing Malichus It chanced that Herod was at that time at Damascus with Fabius a Roman Captain and would have come to assist Phasaelus but by the way he fell sick so that he could not succour him but it so fell out that Phasaelus without any help did of himself overcome Felix and afterwards reproached Hircanus as ungrateful in that he had both favoured Felix and suffered Malichus's brother to seize upon divers place as already he had done and especially one of greatest strength called Massada Yet all these did not protect him from Herod who was no sooner recovered of his sickness but presently he retook them all and at Hircanus's request permitted him to depart He also chased Marion whom Cassius had made Prince of the Tyrians C out of Galilee who had got three Castles in that Country As for the Tyrians that he took he spared their lives and sent some away with rewards whereby he got the good will of the City and the hatred of the Tyrant Which Marion had gotten into his hands all Syria and for the hatred he bore to Herod took with him Antigonus Aristobulus's Son and marched against him and by Fabius's means whom Antigonus had gained to himself by money Antigonus Aristobulus's Son put to flight by Herod he also got Ptolemy to assist him in this expedition which Ptolemy was father-in-law to Antigonus and furnished him with all necessaries Herod likewise having prepar'd himself against them gave them battel in the entrance into Judea and got the victory and having put Antigonus to flight he returned to Jerusalem where he was honoured by all men for his courage in that victory so that even they D that before despised him now by reason of his affinity newly contracted with Hircanus sought his friendship and familiarity This Herod long before this time had a wife which was a noble woman of his own Country Doris Herod's first wife of good birth by whom he had Antipater named Doris and had by her a Son named Antipater but he then married Mariamne daughter of Alexander who was Aristobulus his son and of Alexandra Hircanus his daughter by reason whereof he came to be in favour with the King But when Cassius was slain near Philippi Caesar departed into Italy The chiefest Jews repair to Caesar to accuse Phasaelus and Herod and Antonius into Asia at which time the chief of the Jews came and accused Phasaelus and Herod alledging that they by force got unto themselves the rule of the Country and left Hircanus only the bare name of King But Herod being then present so wrought himself into Antonius's favour by a great sum of money E that he permitted not his enemies to speak one word more Ant. lib. 14. cap. 21. who thereupon returned home Afterward an hundred men of the most honourable amongst the Jews repaired to Daphne near Antioch to Antonius now doting on the love of Cleopatra and offered an accusation against the two brethren having chosen some of the greatest Quality and Eloquence to speak for them Messala undertook their defence being assisted by Hircanus Antonius having heard both parties demanded of Hircanus whom he thought the fittest to govern the Common-wealth who answered Herod and his brethren Whereat Antonius was exceeding glad for he had been most courteously entertained by Antipater when he came with Gabinius into Judea and thereupon he made them Tetrarchs Antonius maketh the two brothers Tetrarchs committing to them the rule of all Judaea F which when the Jews Ambassadors misliked he put fifteen of them in prison and was near resolving to put them to death the rest he sent away after he had treated them very ill The Jews once more complain against the two brothers Whereupon there arose greater tumults in Jerusalem and the Jews sent another Embassage of a thousand men to Tyre where Antonius resided with an intent to come against Jerusalem Antonius displeased with their murmurs and complaints commanded the Magistrates of Tyre to kill all they could catch of the Jews and to maintain their Authority Antonius commandeth in Zyre whom he himself had constituted Tetrarchs But Herod and Hircanus went to these Deputies who walk'd on the Sea-shore admonishing them earnestly to be contented lest by their indiscreet proceeding they should become not only the cause of their own deaths but also of War against their own Country G but because they would not be reclaimed by these admonitions Antonius sent
prostrated himself at Sosius's feet beseeching him to be merciful unto him but Sosius nothing compassionating his calamity insulted over him and called him Antigona yet did he not permit him to depart free as a woman but put him in Prison Now when Herod had conquered his enemies he endeavoured to the utmost to repress the insolence of his Auxiliary Strangers who thronged to see the Temple and F the Holy Vessels that were therein but he withheld them not only by threatnings and entreaties but also by force believing himself less unhappy to be conquered than by obtaining the Victory to minister a means whereby those things which were not lawful to be revealed should be exposed to the eyes of prophane Strangers He also restrained the Soldiers from sacking the City and told Sosius that if the Romans would desolate the City both of men and money they would leave him King of a Desart Adding further that he esteemed not the Empire of the whole World to be a recompence for such a Massacre of his Subjects Hereunto Sosius answering that the Soldiers ought to have the sacking of the Town in recompence of that labour they had spent in the Siege Herod liberally bestows money upon the Soldiers Herod replyed that he had rather recompence them out of his G own Treasury and by this means he redeemed as it were the Relicks of his desolate Countrey and in the end performed that which he had promised for he bountifully rewarded every Soldier and Captain according to his merit and gave Sosius Presents worthy of a King This done Sosius dedicated a Golden Crown unto God and H so departed leading Antigonus Captive with him to the end to present him to Antonius This man desirous to continue his life and entertaining himself with this colâ— hope even until the last received in the end that reward which his faint heart desired and was beheaded Herod being now King Antigonus beheaded he made a distinction between the Citizens and those who had favoured him he used very honourably Ant. lib. 11. cap. 1. and put those to death who had followed Antigonus And when money sailed he distributed all his Kingly Ornaments and sent them to Antonius and his Company Yet did he not quie redeem himself from all troubles for Antonius being passionately enamoured on Cleopatra in all things yielded to her desire Cleopatra's cruelty against her Kindred And Cleopatra having raged so against her own Kindred that she had I not left one of them alive now turned her fury upon strangers and acousing the Nobility of Syria to Antonius she perswaded him to put them to death that she might thereby the easier obtain their Possession Afterwards her covetous mind thought to effect the same against the Arabians and the Jews also insomuch that she secretly went about to cause the Kings of those places Malichus and Herod to be put to death Antonius made a shew as though he would have granted her request yet he thought it great impiety to kill good men and so great Kings Notwithstanding he no more accounted them his friends but took a great quantity of ground from the limits of both their Countreys and a Vineyard in Jericho where Balm grew and gave her all the Cities on this side the River Eleâ—therus Tyre and Sidon only excepted Cleopatra's covetousness Now when K she had obtained the Dominion of these Cities she followed Antonius to Euphrates when he set forward to make War against the Parthians and afterwards by Apamia and Damascus she came into Judaea where Herod having something pacified her angry mind with great gifts obtained to pay her yearly two hundred Talents for that part of his Countrey which Antonius had given her and seeking by all means possible to get himself an interest in her favour he conducted her to Pelusium Not long after Antonius returned out of Parthia and brought Artibazes the Son of Tigranes Captive and gave him to Cleopatra with all the money and Prisoners that he had taken L CHAP. XIV Of the treacherous practices of Cleopatra against Herod Herod's War against the Arabians and of a very great Earth-quake WHen War was declared between Augustus and Antonius The year of the World 3934. before Christ's Nativity 28. Herod prepared himself to attend Antonius seeing for the present all troubles were pacified in Judaea and he had already gotten the Castle of Hircanion which Antigonus's Sister had in her possession But Cleopatra craftily prevented him in this his journey so that he could M not go with Antonius Ant. lib. 15. cap. 5. For she desiring the ruines of both the Kings as was before mentioned perswaded Antonius to cause Herod to make War against the Arabians whom if he overcame Cleopatra's subtil Treason against Herod then she should be made Queen of Arabia and if himself were overcome then she should be Queen of Judaea Intending hereby that one of these Potentates should ruine the other But this practice of hers succeeded greatly to Herod's advantage for first of all making head against those of Syria that were his enemies with all the power of Cavalry he could which was very considerable and meeting them near Diospolis Ant. lib. 15. cap. 6. he overcame them though they valiantly resisted After which overthrow a mighty Army of the Arabians came to help them so that an infinite company was gathered together about Coelosyria expecting the Jews near the City called N Canatha Where King Herod meeting them purposed not to fight unadvisedly but to compass his Camp round about with a Wall but his Army puffed up with their former Victory would not be counselled but violently assaulted the Arabians and at the first onset put them to flight Herod pursuing his enemies was greatly endangered by the Treason of the Inhabitants of Canatha who were set on by Athenio one of Cleopatra's Captains who had always born him ill will for the Arabians encouraged by their help The Arabians defeat Herod's Army returned again to Battel and they two joyned their Forces together and set upon Herod in stony and difficult places and put his Army to flight and slew many of them those that escaped fled into a little Village hard by called Ormiza where the Arabians compassing them about took both the men and their Tents O with all their Furniture Not long after this overthrow of Herod's Soldiers he came and brought help but too late and to little purpose The cause of this defeat was A for that the Captains of his Army would not obey his Commandment for if they had been obedient Athenio had not had opportunity to work him that injury 〈…〉 navity 28. yet was he revenged upon the Arabians and daily made incursions upon their Borders and ceased not to invade and spoil them till by many defeats he had cried quittance with them for their one Victory While thus he pursued his enemies Another calamity
discontent and moreover being emboldened by the love which he bare her Mariamne hatefully upbraideth Herod with Hircanus's death she every day upbraided him with that which he had done to Hircanus her Uncle and to her Brother Aristobulus For Herod spared him not although he was a Child but after he had made him High Priest in the seventeenth year 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 upon a Festival day all the people K wept for joy which caused so great a jealousie in Herod that the same night he sent him to Jericho to be drowned in a Lake by the Galatians who had received commission to perform the murther These things did Mariamne daily cast in Herod's teeth and upbraided both his Mother and Sister with very sharp and reproachful words Herod's Mother and Sister do falsly accuse Mariamne to him yet he so loved her that notwithstanding all this he held his peace But the women were set on fire and that they might the rather move Herod against her they accused her of adultery and of many other things which bare a shew of truth objecting against her that she had sent her picture into Egypt to Antonius and that through immoderate lust she did what she could to make her self known unto him who doted upon womens love and was of sufficient power to do what wrong L he pleased Hereat Herod was much moved Herod secretly chargeth Joseph to kill his wife especially for that he was jealous of her whom he loved bethinking himself upon the cruelty of Cleopatra for whose sake King Lysanias and Malichus King of Arabia were put to death and now he measured not the danger by the loss of his wife but by his own death which he feared For which cause being drawn by his affairs into the Country he gave secret commandment to Joseph his Sister Salomes husband whom he knew to be trusty and one who for affinity was his well-willer to kill his wife Mariamne if so be Antonius should have killed him But Joseph not maliciously but simply to shew how greatly the King loved her disclosed that secret unto her and she when Herod was returned and amongst other talk M with many Oaths sware that he never loved woman but her Indeed said she it may well be known how greatly you love me by the commandment you gave to Joseph whom you charged to kill me Herod's suspicion betwixt Joseph and his wife Herod hearing this which he thought to be secret was like a mad man and presently perswaded himself that Joseph would never have disclosed that commandment of his except he had abused her so that hereupon he became furious and leaping out of his bed he walked up and down the Palace whereupon his Sister Salome having fit opportunity confirmed his suspicion of Joseph For which cause Herod growing now raging mad with jealousie commanded both of them to be killed Which being done his wrath was seconded by Repentance and after his anger ceased Herod commandeth both Joseph and Mariamne to be slain the passion of love was presently renewed yea so great was N the power of his affection that he would not believe she was dead but spake unto her as though she were alive until in process of time being ascertained of her funeral he equalled the affection he bare her during her life by the vehemency of his passion for her death Mariamnes Sons inheritors of her displeasure Mariamnes Sons succeeded their Mother in her hatred and recogitating what an impious act it was they accounted their Father as a mortal enemy both before and after they went to study at Rome and especially after they returned again into Judea The year of the World 3956. before Christ's Nativity 6. For as they grew in years so did the violence of their revenge increase And being now marriageable one of them married the Daughter of their Aunt Salome who accused their Mother the other married the Daughter of Archelaus King of Cappadocia And now to their hatred was joyned a liberty to speak O more freely against their Father and by this occasion of their boldness many were animated to calumniate them so that some did openly tell the King that both his A Sons sought to work treason against him and that the one of them prepared an Army to help the other to revenge the death of their Mother and that the other to wit he that was Son-in-law to Archelaus purposed to flee and accuse Herod before Caesar Herod giving ear to those calumniations sent for Antipater whom he had by Doris Herod's debate with those Sons he had by Mariamne to the end he might defend him against his two Sons and sought to advance him above them But they thought this alteration intolerable seeing one whose Mother was but a private woman so preferred and they exalted with their own Nobleness of Birth could not contain their indignation but upon every occasion shewed themselves offended Ant. lib. 16. cap. 4. by reason of which imprudence they were every day less accounted of As for Antipater he wrought himself into favour for he B knew how to flatter his Father Antipater by disgracing his Brothers is declared his Fathers heir and raised many slanders on his two Brethren partly invented by himself partly divulged by some of his Favourites whom he set awork about the matter till at last he put his Brethren out of all hope of having the Kingdom For he was now by the Kings Will and testament declared King so that he was sent as a King to Caesar in a Kingly habit and pomp only he wore no Crown and in time he so prevailed that he wrought his Mother into Mariamnes stead Herod accuseth Alexander before Caesar and with flatteries and calumniations so moved the King that he began to deliberate about putting his Sons to death For which cause he conducted his Son Alexander with him to Rome and accused him before Caesar that he had given him poyson But he with much ado having obtained lieve to plead his own cause and that before C a Judge more wise than Herod or Antipater he modestly held his peace in all things his Father had offended in and first of all he cleared his Brother Aristobulus from that crime in which he was involved with himself And afterwards he inveighed against Antipater's subtilty and complained of those injuries which had been offered him having beside the equity of his cause sufficient eloquence to acquit himself for he was a vehement Orator and knew well how to perswade Last of all he objected that his Father having a desire to put both him and his Brother to death A reconciliation between Herod and his Sons had laid an accusation upon him whereat the whole Audience wept and Caesar was so moved that not regarding the accusations that
himself M openly their enemy he caus'd his confidents to accuse them and at first made shew of defending them but afterwards he clos'd in with the accusers and cunningly perswaded Herod to credit the accusation which were that Alexander was so desirous of his death as to frame plots against his life and nothing made so much credit be given to these calumniations as that Antipater colourably excused his brother Herod incensed hereat every day withdrew his affection more and more from the two brethren and daily encreased his love towards Antipater The Nobility also were inclined after the same manner some of their own inclination and others out of compliance so did Ptolemaeus the chiefest of all the Nobility and the Kings Brethren and all his kindred for all mens expectation was upon Antipater And that which N grieved Alexander the more was that all these conspiracies design'd for his overthrow were made by the counsel of Antipater's Mother for she being Step-mother to him and his Brother was the more cruel against them because she could not endure their having the advantage above her Son of being born of so great a Queen And although many followed Antipater for the hope they had of him yet were they also compelled thereunto by the King's command who gave special charge to his dearest friends not to follow Alexander or his Brother And this Prince was a terrour not only to those of his own Kingdom but also to foreign Nations because Caesar had given him so great authority for he gave him license to take any one that was a fugitive from him out of any City although it were not under his Dominions Now the young men being O ignorant of the offences laid to their charge were in the greater danger for their Father did not openly tell them of any matter but they every day perceived A his good will towards them to decay which so much the more increased their grief In like manner Antipater by little and little animated Pheroras their Uncle and Salome their Aunt against them to whom he spoke with the same liberty as if she had been his Wife Moreover Glaphyra Glaphyra Alexander's wife encreased his conceived suspicion by her words Alexander's Wife contributed to the encreasing of these enmities by bearing her self above all women that were in the whole Kingdom for she derived her Pedigree by the Father's side from Tiâ—enus by the Mother's side from Darius Son of Histaspes and by inveying very much against the baseness of Herod's Wives who she said were chosen for their Beauty and not for their Nobility of Birth For Herod as we have said had many Wives as it was lawful for him by the B custom of the Countrey Aristobulus objecteth to his Wife her base Birth and all of them hated Alexander for Glaphyra's Pride and contumelious speeches Aristobulus also made Salome his enemy although she were his Wife's Mother because he often upbraided his Wife with her base Birth still teling her that he had married a private woman and his Brother Alexander a King's Daughter Ant. lib. 16. cap. 7. Which his Wife often with tears told to her Mother adding moreover that Alexander and Aristobulus threatned that if they got the Kingdom they would make their Father 's other Wives weave with their Maids and his other Sons Notaries of Villages because they applyed themselves to Learning Salome moved hereat could not contain her self but told all to Herod who easily believed her because she spake against her Son-in-law Alexander and Aristobulus oftentimes bewail their Mother and by that means provoke their Father Moreover another accusation was laid to their C charge whereat the King was greatly moved for he was informed that Alexander and Aristobulus did often bewail their Mother and lament her hard fate and cursed him and that often when he bestowed some of Mariamne's Cloaths upon his latter Wives they threatned that in a short time they would make them change them for Mourning Whereupon though Herod feared the fierce spirits of the young men yet because he would not take away all hope of amendment he called them to him as he was to go to Rome and as a King threatned them in few words and like a Father gave them many admonitions and requested them to love their Brethren promising them forgiveness of their former offences The two Brothers excuse themselves before their Father Herod so that hereafter they mended all But they beseeching him not to believe Accusations forged against them upon malice and answering D that the effect of matters would easily acquit them requested him not so easily to believe tales but to refuse malignant people opportunity and recourse unto him for that there would always be some that would malitiously invent tales to tell whilst there was any one that would give them the hearing and believing For they knew that Salome was their enemy and Pheroras their Uncle and both of them much to be feared especially Pheroras who was fellow with his Brother of all saving the Crown and had his own Revenues amounting to an hundred Talents a year and received all the Profits of the whole Countrey beyond Jordan which were given him by his Brother Herod also had obtained of Caesar to make him Tetrarch and had bestowed upon him for his Wife his own Wife's Sister after whose decease he offered E him his eldest Daughter and three hundred Talents with her for a Dowry But Pheroras falling in love with a mean person refused so honourable a Match whereat Herod being angry married his Daughter to his Brother's Son who was afterwards slain by the Parthians Yet after some time he pardoned Pheroras's offence Divers formerly were of opinion that in the life time of the Queen he would have poysoned Herod and Herod although he loved his Brother very well yet because many who had access unto him told him so he began to misdoubt And therefore examining by Torture many that were suspected at last he came to some of Pheroras's Friends but none of them confessed the Poyson but only that he was determined to flee to the Parthians with her whom he was so in love with and that Costabarus Salome's Husband F was privy thereunto unto whom the King had married her after her first Husband for suspicion of Adultery was put to death Salome her self was not free from Accusation for Pheroras accused her that she had purposed Matrimony with Syllaeus who was Procutator to Obodas King of Arabia a great enemy of the King 's And she being convicted both of this and all things else whereof her Brother Pheroras accused her yet obtained pardon as likewise Pheroras did so that the whole Tempest of all the Family was turned against Alexander and fell upon his head The King had three Eunuchs whom he loved extremely Alexander corrupteth his Father's Eunuchs and telleth them he is to succeed in the Kingdom and every one known
which was objected against him and that the cause which moved him to do all these things was the frantick and mad fits he fell into for the love of that woman After Pheroras had thus become his own Accuser and a Witness B against himself Pheroras by Archelaus's means pacifieth Herod Archelaus endeavoured to mitigate Herod's wrath towards him and excuse his fault by alledging for example that his Brother had attempted greater matters against him whom notwithstanding for Relation's sake he had pardoned Adding that in every Kingdom as in mighty bodies frequently some part begins to inflame which notwithstanding is not presently to be cut off but to be cured by easie means Archelaus using many speeches to Herod to this purpose at last quite appeased his wrath towards Pheroras Archelaus compelleth Herod of his own accord to be entreated for Alexander but still counterfeited himself angry with Alexander affirming that he would take his Daughter away with him till at last he brought Herod of his own accord to intercede for the young man not to break the Marriage Archelaus C after much entreaty answered that he was willing that the King should bestow his Daughter upon any save Alexander for he greatly esteemed his affinity Herod replyed that if he would not divorce his Daughter from Alexander he should think that he had bestowed his Son upon him again For they had no Children and his Daughter was dearly loved by the young man so that if he would permit her to stay still there for her sake he would pardon all Alexander's offences Hereto Archelaus with much ado agreed and so was reconciled to his Son-in-law and he to his Father Yet Herod affirmed that he must needs be sent to Rome to speak with Caesar for he had written the whole matter to Caesar Thus Archelaus craftily delivered his Son-in law from danger and after this reconciliation was made they spent the time D in Feasting and Mirth Herod dismisseth Archelaus and his friends with great Presents Upon Archelaus's departure Herod gave him seventy Talents and a Throne of pure Gold adorned with Precious Stones and Eunuchs and a Concubine named Panichis and rewarded every one of his Friends according to their deserts And all the King's Kindred by his appointment bestowed rich Gifts upon Archelaus Ant. lib. 16. cap. 11. and both he and all his Nobility accompanied him to Antioch Not long after Eurycles the Lacedemonian secretly accuseth Alexander to his Father and is the cause of his death there came one into Judaea far more subtil than Archelaus who both disannulled the reconciliation made for Alexander and caused his death also This man named Eurycles was a Lacedemonian born and brought to Herod rich Gifts as it were for a bait of that he intended He had so behaved himself in Greece that it could no longer tolerate his excess And Herod again rewarded him with far greater E Gifts than those were that he gave him But he esteemed his liberality as nothing except it were accompanied with the blood of the Princes For which cause he circumvented the King partly by flattering him partly by praising him feignedly and especially by his own craft and subtilty And quickly perceiving his inclination he both in word and deed sought in please him so that the King accounted him among his chiefest friends And both the King and all the Court honoured him the more for his Countrey-sake because he was a Lacedemonian But he perceiving the distractions of Herod's House and the hatred between the Brethren and how the King was affected towards each of them Eurycles by feigned friendship deceiveth Alexander he first of all lodged at Antipater's house making a shew in the mean while of good will towards Alexander pretending that in times F past he had been much beloved by King Archelaus his Father-in-law And by this means he quickly insinuated into favour with him and was considered as a friend and a faithful friend Alexander presently likewise brought him into friendship with Aristobulus and he having gained their affections accommodated himself to their humours in order to compass his design of adhering to Antipater and betraying Alexander And he often used incensing words to Antipater as it were chiding him that being eldest of the Brethren he so slenderly looked after them who pretended to put him besides the Crown which was his right Many times likewise he used the like words to Alexander admiring that he who was born of a Queen and Husband to a Queen would permit one descended of a private woman to succeed in the Kingdom G especially seeing he had such a fair opportunity and means to effect the contrary for he might assure himself of Archelaus's help in any thing Alexander supposed he spoke as he thought because he counterfeited friendship with Archelans so that misdoubting nothing he disclosed to him all his mind concerning Antipater saying H that it was no wonder though Herod dis-inherited them of the Kingdom since he had slain their Mother formerly Eurycles counterfeiting pity for them and sorrow for their mis-fortune enticed Aristobulus to speak to the like effect And having animated them both to complain in this sort against their Father he presently went to Antipater and disclosed to him all their secrets falsely adding also a story of some Treachery which those two Brethren intended against him which was to dispatch him with their Swords Antipater rewarded him with a great Summ of Money for this advice and commended him to his Father And thus he being hired to effect the death of Alexander and Aristobulus became himself their accuser Whereupon he came to Herod and told him that I in regard of those benefits he had received at his hand he would now venture his life for him by giving him notice of a thing which concerned his own which was that Alexander and Aristobulus had long since resolved together to kill him and that he only was the cause that they performed it not by promising them to assist them in the matter That Alexander used these speeches that Herod was not contented to enjoy a Kingdom which was another's right nor yet to have put Queen Mariamne to death but he would also leave the Kingdom belonging to their Ancestors to a pernicious Bastard Antipater But for this cause he would revenge Hircanus and Mariamne's death And that it was not fit that such a man as Antipater should receive the Kingdom without blood And every day he had occasion given him to persist in this resolution K for he could speak nothing without being calumniated for if any mention were made at any time of any ones Nobility presently he was upbraided without cause for his Father would presently say There is none Noble but Alexander whose Father 's base Birth is a shame and discredit unto him And that going a hunting if he held his peace his Father was offended if he praised him then it
could not be so severe as to judge other men's Sons to death The two other Delegates also affirmed the same and some others followed their advice But Volumnius was the first that pronounced the sorrowful Sentence after whom all the rest followed some to flatter Herod some for hatred they bare him but none for any indignation against the young men Then all Judaea and Syria expected an end of this Tragedy yet no man thought Herod such a Tyrant as to put his two Sons to death Herod caused his Sons to be brought to Tyre and from F thence by Ship he conveighed them to Caesarea bethinking himself what death he should put them to Tyro an old Soldier exclaimeth against Herod's cruelty In the mean time there was an old Soldier of the King 's named Tyro who had a Son belonging to Alexander and highly in his favour and he himself greatly loved the two young men who being very much grieved in mind at that which had past went about crying that Justice was trodden under foot Truth opprest the Sentiments of Nature extinguished and the Actions of Men full of iniquity and whatsoever else grief could put into the mind of a man who nothing esteemed his own life At last this Tyro came boldly to the King and said unto him O King thou seemest to me most unhappy who givest credit to wicked and vile persons against thy dearest Sons for Pheroras and Salome thou believest before thine own Children whom G notwithstanding thou hast often sound to have deserved death and thou perceivest not that they do this to the intent to make thee want lawful Successors and leave thee none but Antipater whom in their hearts they would have King because they can rule him as they list But bethink thy self O King how all thy Soldiers will hate him for the death of H his two Brethren for there is no man that doth not pity the two young men and many of the Nobility are displeased hereat After he had spoken this he named them who were displeased Whereupon the King commanded them and him and his Son to be laid hold on Tyro with his Son are by the King's Command laid hands on And presently one of the King's Barbers named Tryphon shewing himself to be in I know not what fury came forth and said to Herod Tyro perswaded me to kill thee with my Razor promising me that if I would so do Alexander would give me a great reward Herod hearing this caused Tyro and his Son and the Barber to be tortured Ant. lib. 16. cap. 13. the two former denied all and the Barber affirmed nothing more than he had already said Then he commanded Tyro to be more tormented whereupon Another false Accusation against Tyro his Son moved with compassion towards his Father promised to disclose all I the matter to the King if he would pardon his Father and being released of his torments presently declared that his Father through Alexander's means and procurement was purposed to have killed him Many that were present thought it was a device of the young man to free his Father from torments but others were perswaded that it was true Upon this Herod made a speech unto the people wherein he inveighed against the Officers of his Army and Tyro and made the people arm themselves Herod commandeth his Sons to be strangled and to be buried with Alexander their Mother's Uncle and kill them with staves and stones After which he sent his Sons to Sebaste which was not far from Caesarea and there he caused them to be strangled and having quickly dispatched the matter he ordered them to be brought to the Castle Alexandrium there to be buried with their Mother's Uncle And this was the K end of Alexander and Aristobulus CHAP. XVIII Of Antipater's Conspiracy against his Father Herod ANtipater now hoped without all controversie to succeed in the Kingdom Ant. lib. 17. cap. 21. but he became generally hated of the whole Nation for it was openly known that he by false calumniations had caused his Brethren's death And on the other side L he stood in no little fear of their Children whom he perceived to begin to grow to years For Alexander had by Glaphyra two Sons Tygranes and Alexander and Aristobulus had by Bernice Daughter to Salome five Children to wit three Sons Herod Agrippa and Aristobulus and two Daughters Herodias and Mariamne Herod after he had put Alexander to death sent away Glaphyra with her Dowry into Cappadocia and married Bernice Aristobulus's Wife to Antipater's Uncle for Antipater had devised this Match to become friends with Salome whom before he hated and envied Antipater striveth by Gifts and Bribes to creep into men's favours He also by his great Gifts sought to get Pheroras's favour and the Friendship of such as were Friends to Caesar sending to that end great summs of money to Rome He gave Saturninus and all the rest great Riches in Syria But the more he M gave the more he was hated of all men for every one considered his Presents not as proofs of his Liberality but as effects of his Fear so that he got not the love of them upon whom he bestowed them and they to whom he gave nothing were so much the more his enemies Yet he continued his bounty rather than diminished it when he saw against his expectation Herod made much of these Orphans whose Parents he had slain Intending to shew how much he repented their deaths by the pity and compassion he took of their Children For assembling together his friends he caused the Children to be placed by him and the tears standing in his eyes he said Since my ill Fortune hath taken away from me the Fathers of these Children Herod grievously bemoneth his Sons expressing the same by his commisseration towards their Children there is no care so great which Nature and my compassion of their present condition obligeth me not to N take of them Wherefore I will endeavour that seeing I have been a most unfortunate Father I may be a most affectionate Grand-father and leave them who are most dear unto me to reign after me In order whereunto Brother Pheroras said he I betroth your Daughter to Alexander 's eldest Son to the end that this Alliance may oblige you to serve in stead of a Father to him and to your Son Antipater said he I assure the Daughter of Aristobulus Herod betrotheth his Nephews that so you may be the same to her and my Son Herod Grand-son by his Mother to Simon the High Priest shall marry her Sisster This is my will and pleasure touching this matter and let no man who loveth me seek to alter it And I beseech Almighty God to prosper these Marriages to the good of my Countrey and of these my Nephews and to look upon these Children with a more favourable eye than he did upon their Fathers O Having thus spoken
Letters before mentioned he then made great haste homeward When he came to Celenderis he began to reflect more upon his Mothers A disgrace his mind as it were presaging some sinister fortune And the wiser sort of his friends about him counselled him not to go to his Father till such time as he were certain for what cause his Mother was banished and divorced For it was to be feared that he would be accused also of the same Crime that was laid to his Mothers charge But the more imprudent being rather desirous to see their Country than to contrive what was expedient for Antipater pressed him to make haste lest his long delay should breed any suspicion in his Father and lest thereby he should give occasion to malignant people to raise slanders For said they if any thing had passed against you it was in your absence and were you in presence no man durst do or speak against you and it were a very unwise part for uncertain suspicions B to deprive himself of certain felicity and not to return speedily to his Father and receive a Crown from his hands which he could place upon no other head but his This counsel as his ill fortune would have it Antipater followed and so arrived in the in the Haven of Caesarea Antipater hated in Caesarea having passed Sebaste where contrary to his expectation he was much surpriz'd that all men eschewed his company and no man came near him For although he was always hated yet before they durst not shew their hatred But now they abstained from coming to him for fear of the King because the rumour of those things which Antipater had done was known in every City and to every man only Antipater himself was ignorant thereof For there was never any man brought thither with greater pomp than he when he was to sail to Rome C and never man more basely entertained at his return And now apprehending the danger at home he craftily made himself ignorant thereof and notwithstanding that he was almost dead for fear yet in his countenance he counterfeited confidence For he could not now possibly make any escape nor rid himself out of the present danger and yet he heard no certain news of matters at Court because the King by an Edict had forbidden all men to give him notice thereof So that many times he comforted himself thus that either all matters concerning him were yet secret or if any thing was come to light that he by policy and impudence could acquit himself thereof for those two were his only weapons Being thus determined he went to the Kings Palace alone without any of his friends and followers who at the very D first gate were most contumeliously repulsed By chance Varus the Ruler of Syria was there and then boldly going into his Father's presence he advanced boldly near him Antipater's entertainment at his Fathers hands to salute him But Herod putting him back with his hands and shaking his head cried out What thou that hast attempted to murther thy Father darest thou yet presume to offer to embrace me being guilty of so many treasons Mayest thou perish wretch as thy crimes deserve Come not near me till thou hast cleared thy self of all that is laid to thy charge for thou shalt have justice and Varus shall be thy Judge who is by good fortune now here Go and premeditate how to acquit thee against to morrow which is all the time I will give thee to do it Hereat Antipater was so astonished with fear that he was not able to reply any E thing but silently went away Presently his Mother and his Wife came to him and told him all the proofs of treasons against him then he considered with himself how to answer every point The next day the King called an assembly of his friends and kindred Antipater is judged before Varus and to them admitted Antipater 's friends and he and Varus sitting in judgment commanded all proofs to brought and the witnesses to appear amongst whom were certain of Antipater 's Mothers servants lately apprehended who had Letters from her to carry to him to this effect Forasmuch as all things are known to thy Father beware that thou return not unto him before thou hast obtained some warrant of thy safety from Caesar These and others being brought in Antipater also came in after them and prostrating himself before his Fathers feet he said I beseech you F Sir bear no prejudicate opinion against me and lend me an open ear whilest I purge my self for if you please to give me lieve I will prove my self guiltless Herod commanding him to hold his tongue spake thus unto Varus I know well Varus that you or any other just and indifferent Judge Herod's accusation against Antipater will find Antipater to have deserved death But I fear lest you conceive an aversion against me and think me worthy so great afflictions for having been so unfortunate as to have brought such children into the world And yet this should move you to pity me Herod's kindness towards his children who have been so merciful to and careful for such wicked caitifs For I had already appointed those young men that are dead to be Kings and brought them up at Rome and gotten them Caesar's favour but they whom I had so much honoured and exalted to the Crown became traytors against my life Their death G was very advantageous to Antipater whose security I sought thereby because he was a young man and the next that should succeed me but this cruel beast hath discharged his rage upon my self and thinks my life too long and is grieved that I live to be old and hath attempted to make himself King The year of the World 3961. before Christ's Nativity 1. no other way but by murthering his Father For H which I know no other reason but that I called him out of the Country where he lived abscurely and casting off those Sons whom I had begotten of a great Queen appointed this to be heir of my Kingdom I confess my error that I incited them against me by having for Antipater's sake deprived them of their right Herod loved Antipater above the rest and bestowed many benefits on him For wherein had I so well deserved of them as of Antipater unto whom during my life-time I committed the sway and rule of my Kingdom and openly in my Will and Testament declared him my successor Besides other gratifications I bestowed upon him the yearly revenue of fifty Talents And lately when he was to sail to Rome I gave him three hundred Talents and commended him to Caesar as the only Son of all my house who had regard to his Fathers life And what was the offence of the others compared with Antipaters what proofs were produced I against them equal to those that have shewed me more clearly than the day the conspiracy framed against me by
Another proof against Antipater contained many invectives against Herod and many accusations But these Letters were feigned by Antipater who for money had perswaded Acme to write them in her own name as the Letter that she writ to Antipater evidently shewed for she writ as followeth I have writ to your Father as you requested me and sent also other Letters and I assure D my self he will not spare his sister if he do but read the Letters You may do well seeing I have performed all your requests to be mindful of your promise This Letter against Salome and others being found to be counterfeited the King began to doubt that Alexander was made away by such counterfeited Letters and he remember'd that he had almost put his Sister to death through Antipater's device Wherefore he resolved no longer to delay to punish him for all yet was he hindred by a great sickness from accomplishing his purpose Herod intendeth Antipater's punishment and therefore blotteth his name out of his Testament He only sent Letters to Caesar concerning Acme's treachery and false accusation of Salome and changed his Testament and blotted out the name of Antipater and in his room writ Antipas leaving out Archelaus and Philippus who were the elder Brethren because Antipater had render'd them odious to him E He bequeathed to Augustus a thousand Talents beside many other rich gifts and to his Wife the Empress and Children and Kindred and Freed men about five hundred he also gave great gifts to others either in land or money and left to his Sister Salome great riches CHAP. XXI Of the Golden Eagle and of Antipater's and Herod's death F HErod's disease increased partly through age and especially by his grief and sorrow Ant. lib. 17. cap. 8. for he was now threescore and ten years old and his mind was so troubled for the death of his Children that though he were in health yet he took no pleasure in any thing and his sickness was so much the more grievous to him because that Antipater was yet alive but he purposed to put him to death as soon as he was recovered of his sickness To increase his calamity there arose a tumult among the people There were in the City two Doctors reputed very skilful in our Country-laws One of them was named Judas the Son of Sariphaeus the other was called Matthias the Son of Margalote These two were followed by a great number of young men so that when they expounded the Law they had an assemby like a great Army G And hearing that the King partly by grief and partly by his disease was very like to die they told their acquaintance that now it was a fit time to revenge the injury which God received by those profane works which were made against his express Commandment The year of the World 3963. after Christ's Nativity 1. which forbids to place the Images or likeness of H any living thing in the Temple This they said because the King had set a Golden Eagle upon the chief Porch of the Temple which they exhorted the young men to take away saying that it was meritorious although danger might ensue thereon yea Judas and Matthias perswade the people to pull down the Golden Eagle even to die for their Countrey-laws For they that died for such a cause should enjoy everlasting life and glory And that many unwise men ignorant of that Doctrine so loved their lives that they chose rather to die by sickness than to spend their lives in so glorious an enterprize Whilst they spoke thus there was a rumour spread that the King was now at the last gasp whereby the young men being encouraged about Noon when many were walking in the Temple they let themselves down from the top of the Temple with great ropes and so with hatchets cut down the Eagle I Whereof the Captain of the Soldiers being advertised The young men that pulled down the Eagle are brought before Herod and are examined he went with a great many Soldiers speedily to the Temple and took almost forty of the young men and carried them to the King Who asked them if that were true that they were so bold as to cut down the Golden Eagle They confessed they had done it Then he demanded by whose Commandment They answered by the Commandment of the Law After this it was asked them why they who were presently to die were so joyful They answered Because after death they hoped to enjoy Eternal Bliss The King hereat was so greatly moved with anger that for all his disease he went forth and made a Speech to the people wherein he inveighed against these persons as Sacrilegious who under pretence and colour of their Countrey-laws and Religion attempted some great matter K and he adjudged them as impious people worthy of death The people fearing that he would torture many to learn who had favoured the act requested him that only the Authors and Actors of that Crime might receive punishment and that he would remit the offence to all the people besides The young men with the Ring leaders condemned to die The King with much ado entreated caused the young men that let themselves down with Cords and the two Doctors to be burned and the rest which were taken in the act to be beheaded After this the King's sickness spread over his whole body and he was afflicted with most grievous pains The King troubled with many diseases For he had a great Fever and an Itch over all his body which was intolerable and a dayly Collick and his feet were swelled as though he had the Dropsie Ant. l. 17. c. 9. His belly also was swelled and his privy members putrified so that the worms L bred in the putrified places He was also grievously tormented with difficulty of breath and a Convulsion of the whole body so that some said that this was a punishment laid upon him Herod seeketh remedy in his sickness at the hot Baths for the death of the two Doctors Herod notwithstanding he was afflicted with so many and grievous sicknesses yet he was desirous to live and sought remedy in hope of health At last he passed over Jordan where he used the warm Waters of Calliroe which run into the Lake of Asphaltites and are so sweet that men use to drink of them There the Physicians caused his body to be bathed in hot Oyl and he was therewith so weakened that his sense failed and he was as though he were dead whereat those that were about him being troubled with their cries they caused him to look up and now despairing of life he caused fifty Drachmes M to be distributed to every Soldier and great Summs of money to the Captains and his friends As he returned Herod full of melancholy When he came to Jericho he was in a very great likelihood to die and his melancholly put into his head a wicked
resolution For he caused the chief men of every Town and Village in all Judaea to be assembled together and then he shut them up in a place called the Hippodrome And calling unto him his Sister Salome and Alexas her Husband I know said he that the Jews will make Feasts for joy of my death yet if you will do what I desire it shall be mourned for and I shall have a remarkable Funeral As soon as I have given up the Ghost cause my Soldiers to encompass these men whom I have here in hold and kill them all By this means all Judaea and every N Hous-hold thereof shall have cause to lament The Ambassadors signifie 〈◊〉 death and bring Letters that authorize Herod to punish Antipater After he had commanded this to be done those whom he had sent to Rome brought him Letters wherein was shewed how Acme Julia's Servant was by Caesar's Command put to death and Antipater adjudged worthy to die yet Caesar writ that if his Father had rather banish him he permitted it Herod with this news was something pleased yet presently his pains and a vehement Cough seized him with that violence so that he thought to hasten his own death Herod overcome with pain would have 〈◊〉 himself and taking an Apple in his hand he called for a Knife for he was accustomed to cut the meat which he did eat and then looking about him lest any standing by should hinder him he lift up his arm to strike himself But Achab his Nephew run hastily to him and stayed his hand and presently there was made great lamentation O throughout all the King's Palace Ant. lib. 1◠cap. 16. as though the King had been dead Antipater having speedy news hereof took courage and promised the Keepers a piece of money to A let him go But the chiefest of them did not only deny to do it but also went presently to the King and told him what Antipater requested Herod hearing this lifted up his voice with more strength than was meet for a sick man and commanded his Guard to go and kill Antipater and bury him in the Castle called Hircanion And now again he altered his Testament Antipater's death and appointed Archelaus his eldest Son King and Antipas his younger Brother Tetrarch Five days after the death of his Son Antipater Herod died Ant. lib. 17. cap. 12. having reigned thirty and four years after he slew Antigonus and thirty seven years after the Romans had declared him King In many things he was as fortunate as any man for being born but a private person he got the Crown and kept it and left it to his Posterity But in his Domestick Affairs he was most unfortunate B Salome before it was known to the Soldiers that the King was dead went forth with her Husband and released all those that were in Hold whom the King had commanded to be slain saying that the King's mind was altered and therefore he gave them all Licence to depart Herod's death signified to the Soldiers And after their departure the King's death was published to the King's Soldiers who together with the other multitude were assembled in the Amphitheatre at Jericho by Ptolomey Keeper of the King's Seal who made a Speech to them and told them that Herod was now happy and he comforted the multitude and read unto them a Letter which the King left wherein he earnestly requested the Soldiers to favour and love his Successor After the Epistle read he recited the King's Testament wherein Philip was appointed Heir of Trachonitis and the places thereunto C adjoyning Antipas Tetrarch and Archelaus King He commanded his Ring to be carried to Caesar to whom he referred the cognizance and disposal of all with full Authority requiring that as to any thing else his said Testament should be performed This was no sooner read Archelaus proclaimed King after his Father's decease but presently the Skies were filled with the voices and cries of the people who congratulated Archelaus and the Soldiers and the People promised to serve him faithfully and wished him a happy Reign This done the next care was about the King's Funeral on which Archelaus spared no cost but buried the King with all Royal Pomp possible Herod's pompous Funeral The Herse whereon he was carried was adorned with Gold and Precious Stones upon it lay a Bed wrought with Purple whereupon was D laid the dead Corps of the King covered also with Purple a Crown and Diadem of pure Gold on his head and a Scepter in his Right hand About the Herse were his Sons and Kinsfolk and the Guard and Bands of Thracians Germans and Gauls all went before in order as though they had gone to Wars The rest of the Soldiers in Warlike order followed their Captains and Leaders and five hundred of his Servants and Freed-men carried Perfumes And thus the Corps was carried the space of two hundred furlongs from Jericho to the Castle of Herodion where as himself had appointed it was interred H THE SECOND BOOK OF THE WARS of the JEWS I Written by FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The Contents of the Chapters of the Second Book 1. Of Herod's Successor Archelaus how he entred into the Temple and the Mutiny that arose for the revenge of those that were executed for taking away the Golden Eagle 2. Of the Fight and Massacre in Jerusalem between the Jews and the Sabinians K 3. Varus Governour of Syria for the Romans represseth the Insurrections in Judea 4. How the Jews had an Ethnarch constituted over them 5. Of the Impostor Alexander Herod's pretended Son and how he was taken 6. Of the Banishment and Death of Archelaus 7. Of Judas the Galilean who established a fourth Sect and of the three Sects amongst the Jews 8. Of the Cities which Philip and Herod built and of Pilat's Government L 9. The Emperour Caius orders Petronius Governour of Syria to constrain the Jews by Arms to receive his Statue into the Temple Petronius forbears to do it The death of Caius saves him from Punishment 10. The Roman Army declares Claudius Emperour Of the Reign and Death of Agrippa 11. Of divers Tumults in Judea and Samaria 12. Of the Tumults in Judea under Foelix 13. Of Albinus and Florus Presidents of Judea M 14. Of Florus his cruelty against the Jews of Caesarea and Jerusalem 15. Of another Oppression of the Citizens of Jerusalem by Florus 16. Of Politianus the Tribune King Agrippa's Speech to the Jews exhorting them to obey the Romans 17. Of the Rebellion which the Jews begun against the Romans 18. Of the death of Ananias the High Priest Manahem and the Roman Soldiers 19. Of the great Massacre of the Jews at Caesarea and in all Syria N 20. Cruelties exercised against the Jews in divers other Cities and particularly by Varus 21. Fifty thousand Jews slain at Alexandria 22. Of the Massacre of the Jews by Cestius Gallus 23.
would not be quiet he left one Legion of the three which he brought out of Syria Sabinus seizeth the King's Treasure and laboureth to get possession of his Fortresses in the City and so returned to Antioch But Sabinus coming afterwards to Jerusalem was the cause that the Jews began a new Broil For he forced the Garrisons to render to him the Castles and rigorously made search for the King's Treasure And he was not only assisted by those that Varus left there but also he had a great multitude of his own Servants all armed to further his Avarice And in the Feast of Pentecost so called because it happens at the end of seven times seven days the People gathered themselves together not for Religion's sake but for anger F and hatred so that there was an infinite multitude of people which came out of Galilee Three Camps of the Jews and Idumaea and Jericho and the Countreys beyond Jordan Yet the Jews which were Inhabitants of the City surpassed the rest both in number and courage and they therefore parted themselves into three Bands and made three Camps one on the North side of the Temple another on the South towards the Hippodrome the third on the West near the Palace and so they besieged the Romans on every side Sabinus greatly fearing them both for their multitude and for their courage sent many Letters to Varus earnestly requesting him with all speed to bring succour for if he did not Sabinus getteth into the highest Tower of the strongest Castle the whole Legion would be destroyed He himself got into the highest Tower of the Castle of Phasaelus so called from the name of Herod's Brother whom G the Parthians killed and from thence he gave a sign to the Roman Soldiers to issue out suddenly upon their enemies for himself was in such a fear that he durst not come down to the Soldiers of whom he was Commander The Soldiers obeying his Command attacked the Temple and there fought a fierce Battel with the Jews who H having none to assist them and being unexperienced in Warlike Affairs were soon conquered by them that were skilful At last many Jews got upon the Porches and cast Darts at them from the Pinacles so that they killed many But the other could not revenge themselves of them A Skirmish between the Jews and Romans who fought against them from so high a place neither could they sustain the force of them who joyned Battel with them till at last the Romans fired the Porches which for greatness and curious work were admirable The Romans fire the Porches By this means many Jews were either destroyed with the suddain fire or else leaping down amidst their enemies were by them slain others going backward were cast headlong from the Wall others despairing of life killed themselves with their own Swords and they who privily came down the Walls being assaulted by the Romans I and astonished with fear were easily overcome Till at last all being either put to the Sword or fled through fear the Treasure dedicated to God was left destitute of Keepers so that the Soldiers took away thereof about four hundred Talents and that which they left Sabinus got But this loss of men and money stirred up many more Jews and those more brave than the first against the Romans whom they besieged in the King's Place and threatned all their destructions unless they would presently depart from thence Yet promising Sabinus and the Legion lieve to depart if he so liked Part of the King's Soldiers who of their own accord fled to them assisted them But the most Warlike and valiant amongst them were three thousand men of Herod's Army whose Leaders K were Ruâ—us and Gratus one of the Foot and the other of the Horse both which although they had had no Soldiers with them might yet for their Valour and Counsel have been considerable to the Party of the Romans The Jews earnestly continued the Siege and assaulted the Castle-Walls crying upon Sabinus to depart and not to hinder them now after so long time to recover their Countrey 's Liberty Sabinus though with all his heart he wished himself away yet he durst not trust them but he suspected that their courtesie was but a plot to entrap him And on the other side hoping that Varus would come and help him he still endured the danger of the Siege At the same time there were tumults in many place of Judaea Ant lib. 17. cap. 15. and many through opportunity of the time aspired to the Kingdom For in Idumaea two thousand old Soldiers L who had born Arms under Herod gathering together and having armed themselves went to attack the King's Forces commanded by Achiab Herod's Nephew who because they were old Soldiers and very well armed durst not meet them in the Field but withdrew into some Fortresses At Sephoris also a Town of Galilee Judas the Son of Ezechias Captain of the Thieves which formerly were defeated by King Herod and had wasted the Countrey gathered together a great multitude and brake into the King's Armory and armed all his Company and fought against them who affected the Royal Dignity Simon one of the King's Servants taketh the Kingdom upon him Also beyond the River one Simon who had been Herod's Servant being a goodly man and of a huge stature put a Crown upon his own head and gathering together a company of Vagrants went about with them to M Jericho and burnt the King's Palace and many fair and sumptuous houses there and so got a great Booty there and he had surely fired all other Buildings of Note had not Gratus Captain of the King's Footmen made haste to fight him with the Bow-men of Trachon and the most Warlike men of Sebaste Simon lost many men in this Encounter and when he fled into a strait Valley Gratus overtook him and cut him overthwart the neck so that he fell to the ground In like manner other of the King's Palaces near Jordan by Bethara were burnt by a multitude of other Rebels gathered together in Bands from beyond the River Athrongaeus a Shepherd usurpeth the Kingdom At this time a Shepherd named Athrongaeus pretended to make himself King His Birth was so low that formerly he had been but a simple Shepherd and he had no other merit but that he was very large N and strong of body and despised death With this resolution he armed his four Brethren each of which had a Company armed and they were as his Lieutenants to make Incursions whilst he like a King meddled only with great Affairs and wore a Crown upon his head And thus he continued a long time wasting the Countrey and killing not only the Romans and King's Soldiers but also the Jews if there was hope to gain any thing by them One day he met a Company of the Romans at Emmaus who carried Corn and Armour unto the Legion he
to the days of Herod That being by enduring such misery now accustomed to the Yoke they had willingly subjected themselves to his Son Archelaus after that Herod his Father was dead Herod's Tyranny and cruelty notwithstanding he was the Son of such a Tyrant and had publickly mourned for the death of Herod L and offered Sacrifice for the prosperity of his Successor But he to shew himself Herod 's true Son began his Reign with the slaughter of three thousand Citizens and because he had so well deserved the Kingdom he offered so many men to God for Sacrifice and on a Festival Day The Jews beseech the Romans to have compassion on the remainder of the Jews filled the Temple with so many dead bodies Wherefore 't is not strange that they who escaped that Massacre consider their own calamity and as in Battel turn their faces against those who wounded them and beseech the Romans that they would think the remnant of the Jews worthy of compassion and not abandon and expose the residue of their Nation as a Prey to them by whom they are like to be most cruelly butchered but that it may please them to adjoyn their Countrey to Syria and to let them be ruled by the Romans that so they may find that the Jews though now counted seditious and rebellious M are under peaceable and quiet Governours a peaceable Nation With this Petition the Jews ended their Accusation Nicolaus defends Archelaus before Caesar and the rest After this Nicolaus stood up against them and first of all acquitted the King 's of the Crimes laid to their charge and then reproved his Countrey-men as people not to be easily Governed and of their own nature averse except forced to obey their King And by the way he also blamed the Kindred of Archelaus who joyned with his Accusers Caesar having heard what both parts could say dismissed the Assembly Caesar maketh Archelaus Ethnarch of Jewry And within few days after he gave Archelaus half the Kingdom with the Title of Ethnarch promising moreover to make him King if he behaved himself well the other half he divided into two Tetrarchies and gave the same to the rest of Herod's Sons The distribution of the Kingdom to Herod's Children one to Philip the other to Antipas who contended with Archelaus N for the Crown Antipas his Part lay from Galilee beyond the River Jordan the Revenues whereof amounted to two hundred Talents a year Philip had Batanaea and Trachonitis and Auranitis and part of what belonged to Zenodorus near Jamnia the Revenues whereof amounted to one hundred Talents a year Archelaus had in his Ethnarchy Idumaea and all Judaea and Samaria which was freed from the fourth part of the Tribute Those Cities that were under Archelaus's subjection because they had not rebelled with the rest These Cities also were given him Straton's Tower Sebaste Joppa and Jerusalem But Gaza and Gadara and Hippon Caesar took from the Kingdom and joyned them to Syria Archelaus's yearly Revenues amounted to four hundred Talents a year Caesar also besides that which Herod had left Salome Salome Princess of Jamnia Azotus and Phasaelis as Jamnia Azotus and Phasaelis gave her the Palace O at Ascalon all which amounted to threescore Talents a year But Caesar obliged her to live in the Countrey subject to Archelaus And having confirmed the rest A of Herod's Kindred the Legacies which in his Testament he had left them he gave his two Daughters that were Virgins over and above a hundred and fifty thousand Drachmes of Silver and married them to Pheroras's two Sons Lastly he divided that which Herod had bequeathed unto himself amounting unto a thousand Talents amongst his Sons leaving himself only some Jewels of small value which he reserved in honour and remembrance of the dead CHAP. V. B Of the Impostor Alexander Herod's pretended Son and how he was taken AT the same time Ant. lib. 17. cap. 18. a certain young man a Jew born brought up by a Freed-man of Rome in the Town of Sidon A certain young man feigning himself to be that Alexander whom Herod slew deceiveth many being very like Alexander whom Herod had put to death went to Rome having one of his Countrey-men for his companion who knew very well the Estate of the Kingdom and by whose instructions he affirmed that they who should have put him and Aristobulus to death being moved to compassion let them go and put two others in their room like them With this tale he deceived many Jews living in Creet where he was honourably received From thence he sailed to Melos where he was entertained with greater pomp and enriching C himself he used such means that he got his Hosts which gave him entertainment to accompany him to Rome At his landing at Puteoli he received great Presents from the Jews who dwelt there especially those that were well affected to his Father honoured him as a King For he was so like Alexander that they that had seen Alexander and knew him well would have sworn he had been the same Wherefore when he arrived at Rome all the Jews desired to see him and an infinite multitude followed him whithersoever he went in the streets and they so doted upon him that they carried him in a Horse-litter and at their own proper cost and charges prepared for him a Royal Train But Augustus well remembred Alexander's visage for Herod had accused him before D him and although Caesar desireth to see the young man before he saw him he judged that he was some Impostor yet he made as though he believed all and sent one Celadus who knew Alexander well to bring this young man to him Celadus no sooner beheld him but forthwith he perceived the difference betwixt them and especially when he took notice of his hard flesh and servile shape he presently understood the whole matter But he could not but be greatly surprized at his bold speeches for when they demanded of him what was become of Aristobulus he answered that he was alive but on purpose tarried behind and lived in Cyprus because being asunder they could not both so easily be entrapped Celadus taking him apart from the rest of the Company told him that Caesar would save his life if he would truly confess by whose counsel he E feigned himself to be Alexander He accepting this proffer followed him to Caesar and declared to him the Jew who for lucre sake had made use of his likeness to Alexander confessing that he had received as great Gifts of the Cities by which he passed Caesar maketh the counterfeit Alexander a Galley-slave and executeth his Counsellor as they would have given Alexander if he had been alive Caesar laught at the Cheat and condemned this false Alexander to the Galleys but put the other Jew to death who had induced him to this Imposture And as for the Jews at Milo he thought
their swords The Jews as if they had agreed together fell all down at once and offered their naked necks to the stroke of the sword crying out that they would rather lose their lives than suffer their Religion to be prophaned E Then Pilate admiring the constancy of the people in their Religion presently commanded the said Ensigns to be taken out of the City of Jerusalem After this he caused another tumult among them for they have a sacred Treasure called Corban The year of the World 3998. after Christ's Nativity 39. which Pilate resolv'd to make use of to bring water into the City four hundred furlongs off for this cause the people murmured so that when Pilate came to Jerusalem they flocked about his Tribunal to make their complaint Pilate foreseeing a tumult caused Soldiers secretly armed to mingle themselves among the people in private apparrel Pilate beateth the seditious with clubs and commanded them not to use their swords but to beat those with clubs whom they saw make such clamours And when he had thus plotted F the matter sitting in his Tribunal he gave a sign unto the Soldiers and presently the Jews were beaten and many of them partly with blows and partly trodden upon by the multitude The year of the World 4001. after Christ's Nativity 36. died miserably The multitude amazed at the calamity of those that were slain held their tongues For this cause Agrippa Son of Aristobulus whom Herod the King his Father put to death Agrippa Aristobulus's Son hateth Tiberius and insinuateth himself into Caius Caligula's friendship went to Rome and accused him to Caesar Tiberius not admitting his accusation he remained still at Rome and sought the favour of other great men there and especially he courted Caius the Son of Germanicus he being yet a private person and upon a certain day having invited him to a banquet he stretched forth his hands and openly pray'd Almighty God in stead of Tiberius Caesar he might see him Lord of all the world Tiberius having notice hereof by one of his familiar friends caused Agrippa to be imprisoned where G he endured hard and strait imprisonment till the death of Tiberius which was six months after Tiberius reigned 22 years six months and 3 days After he was dead having reigned two and twenty years six months and three days Caius Caesar who succeeded him in the Empire freed him from prison The year of the World 4001. after Christ's Nativity 39. and gave him the Tetrarchy of Philip who was newly deceased and the title H of King When Agrippa came into his Kingdom Herod the Tetrarch began to envy his estate and Herodias his wife still urged him forward in hope that he should be made a King also for said she thou wantest that dignity only through slothfulness because thou wouldest not go to Caesar Caius Caesar giveth the Tetrarchy to Agrippa 〈◊〉 's Son and maketh him a King for if Agrippa be made a King being before but a private man how canst thou doubt to be made a King who art already a Tetrarch Herod herewith perswaded went to Caius Caesar who greatly reproached his ambition insomuch as he fled into Spain for Agrippa had followed him to Rome to accuse him before Caesar and Caius gave him Herod's Tetrarchy And so Herod remained in Spain with his wife till his death Ant. l. 18. 〈◊〉 Herod and his wife remain in Spain I CHAP. IX The Emperour Caius orders Petronius Governour of Syria to constrain the Jews by arms to receive his Statue into the Temple The year of the World 4002. after Christ's Nativity 40. Petronius forbears to do it The death of Caius saves him from punishment CAius Caesar so abused his Authority Ant. lib. 18. c 15. that he would be thought to be a god and so called Caius Caesar calleth and reputeth himself a God Also he put many Noble men of his Country to death by his cruelty which he likewise extended even to Judaea for he sent Petronius with an K army to Jerusalem commanding him to set his Statues in the Temple and if the Jews refused to receive them The fear the Jews had of Petronius's Army that those who withstood him should be put to the sword and the rest led away captive Almighty God did otherwise dispose this proud commandment But Petronius accompanied with three Legions and many assistants out of Syria came with all speed from Antioch to Judaea many of the Jews would not believe any war towards notwithstanding that they heard a general report thereof and they that believed it could not bethink themselves of any means to resist Suddenly all were in a great fear for the Army was now come to Ptolemais The description of Ptolemais which City is situate by the Sea-shoar in Galilee in a fair Field and on the East-side it is compassed with Mountains distant from it threescore furlongs L which belong to Galilee on the South-side it is invested with Mount Carmel which is distant an hundred and twenty furlongs on the North-side it is environed with an exceeding high Mountain which the Inhabitants call the Tyrians Ladder this Mountain is an hundred paces distant from the City Two miles from this City there is a River running by called Pelus a very little one near which is the admirable Sepulchre of Memnon Sand like Glass near Memnon's Sepulchre which is a hundred cubits high and of a concave form In this place is seen a sort of Sand as transparent as Glass which many ships carry away for Balast but though they empty the place of it yet that place is presently after covered with the like sand again For there are winds which as it were on purpose carry this sand from the higher places round about it thither and this M sand being put into the furnace is presently changed into Chrystal or Glass And that which in my opinion is more to be wondred at is that the sand being so turned into Glass if afterward any part thereof be cast upon the brink of this place it is again turned into ordinary sand And this is the nature of that place Now the Jews with their wives and children gathered themselves together in the field where the City Ptolemais is situate and humbly besought Petronius not to violate their Country-laws but to have compassion on them Petronius seeing the multitude that humbly sued to him and how earnestly they sought his favour left Caesar's statues at Ptolemais and himself went from thence to Galilee and at Tiberias called all the Jews and Nobility together Petronius certifieth the Jews of the Romans power and Caesar's threats he represents to them the power of the N Romans and how dreadful Caesar's threatnings ought to be to them adding moreover that the Jews supplication was indeed a contumely seeing all Nations under the dominion of the Romans the Jews only excepted had
having their Swords I drawn had killed the formost before Caesar understood any thing of their coming had not Agrippa hastened to advertise him of the matter He told him that if he did not presently appease the Soldiers fury now raging against the Citizens all the Nobility would presently be destroyed and he should be left Emperour of a desolate place When Claudius heard this Claudius honourably entertains the Senate he repressed the Soldier 's fury and very honourably received the Senate into his Camp and went forth presently with them and offered Sacrifice to God as the manner is for the good Estate of the Empire and to give him thanks for that Sovereignty which he held of him Agrippa's Kingdom Also he presently made Agrippa King of all his Father's Dominions giving him likewise all that Augustus had given Herod The year of the World 4008. after Christ's Nativity 46. to wit Trachonitis and Auranitis and besides them another Countrey called K the Kingdom of Lysania and published this his Gift by Edict to the people and commanded the Senate to engrave that Donation in Brazen Tables and to place it in the Capitol Moreover he gave the Kingdom of Chalcis to his Brother Herod who was become also his Son-in-law by the marriage of Bernice his Daughter Agrippa now received greater Revenues of his Kingdom than he could desire which he spent not vainly but in building such a Wall about Jerusalem as had he finished it the Romans could never have taken it Ant. lib. 19. cap. 5. But before he could end that work he died in Caesarea having reigned three years with the Title of King Agrippa after he had reigned three years in Caesarea dies and other three years before with that of Tetrarch He left behind him three Daughters which he had by Cypris Bernice Mariamne and Drusilla and one Son by the same Wife named Agrippa who L because he was very young Claudius reduced the Kingdom into a Province and made Cuspius Fadus Governour thereof After whom succeeded Tiberius Alexander who nothing violating the Laws of the Nation Herod after he had reigned in Chalcis dieth ruled them in Peace After this Herod King of Chalcis died leaving behind him two Sons which he had by his Brother's Daughter Bernice to wit Bernicianus and Hircanus and by his first Wife Mariamne Ant. lib. 19. cap. 7 8. Aristobulus His other Brother also Aristobulus died a private person leaving one Daughter Jotapa And these were the Posterity of Aristobulus Son of King Herod by Mariamne Alexander and Aristobulus 's Genealogy whom he put to death But his elder Brother Alexander's Posterity reigned in the greater Armenia M CHAP. XI Of divers Tumults in Judaea and Samaria AFter the death of Herod who reigned in Chalcis Claudius created Agrippa the Son of the former Agrippa The year of the World 4011. after Christ's Nativity 49. King of Chalcis his Unkle's Kingdom And Cumanus was made Ruler of the other Province after Tiberius Alexander under whom many new tumults and calamities befel the Jews For when they were assembled together at the Feast of Unleavened bread in Jerusalem the Roman Soldiers standing in the Porch of N the Temple for always armed men kept that place upon Festival days A filthy fact and speech of a Soldier against the Jews on a Festival day lest the people gathered together should make any tumult one of the Soldiers taking up his coat turned his bare buttocks against the Jews faces speaking words as unseemly as was his gesture At which insolence the whole multitude began to murmur and they flocked about Cumanus requesting him to punish the Soldier for his misdemeanour And some of them rash young men and prone to Sedition began to revile the Soldiers and threw stones at them Cumanus feareth the people's 〈◊〉 Cumanus fearing that the whole multitude of the Jews would violently move against him called to him many armed Soldiers and sent them to seize the Gates of the Temple Some ten thousand men thronged to death The Jews being in great fear fled and left the Temple and there was such a throng that as they hasted to flee above ten thousand people O were prest and trodden to death So that this Festival day was turned into woful lamentations and mournings in every place This calamity was followed soon after by A another The year of the World 4014. after Christ's Nativity 52. for near Bethoron one Stephanus Servant to Caesar carrying some rich houshold-stuff was robbed of it in the High-way But Cumanus sending for those in the Villages next adjoyning in order to discover the Thieves commanded them to be bound and brought to him because they had not taken the Thieves In one of which Villages a certain Soldier finding the Book of the Holy Scripture A Soldier cuts the Book of the Holy Scripture in pieces and burneth it cut it in pieces and burnt it Hereupon all the Jews of this Countrey gathered themselves together from all places being no less incensed than if they had seen their Countrey set on fire and carried by zeal for their Religion they forthwith went to Caesarea to Cumanus there beseeching him that the Soldier who had affronted God and their Law might not escape unpunished The Soldier executed that burned the Bible Cumanus perceiving that the Jews would not be appeased without B some satisfaction condemned the Soldier to death and sent him to Execution in their presence which done they all departed At the same time there arose a great difference between the Galileans and Samaritans A Galilean slain in Samaria for at a Village called Geman scituate in the great Plain of Samaria a certain Galilean of the number of the Jews that came to the Feast was slain For which fact many Galileans joyned together to be revenged of the Samaritans And the Principal of the Countrey went to Cumanus requesting him before any more harm were done to go into Galilee and punish the Authors of this Murther But Cumanus being busied in greater Affairs sent them away without granting their request When this murther was known in Jerusalem all the multitude left the solemnity of the Festival C and went to Samaria Eleazar and Alexander two Princes of the Jews exercise much cruelty refusing to be restrained by the Magistrates Of this their Tumult and Sedition the Son of Dinaeus called Eleazar and one Alexander were Captains who with violence entring the Borders of the Countrey of Lacrabatana killed man woman and child and burnt the Towns When Cumanus heard this he took the Cavalry of Sebaste and went to help them that were thus oppressed and he killed and made Prisoners many of them who took part with Eleazar Now the Magistrates of Jerusalem went out to the rest of the Jews which so wasted Samaria clothed in sack-cloth and ashes upon their heads and beseeched them not to seek revenge
upon the Samaritans lest thereby they moved the Romans to destroy Jerusalem but to be merciful to their Countrey the Temple their Wives and Children and not at once hazard D all Conspiracy in Robbery and overthrow their whole Countrey and Nation in revenging the death of one Galilean The Jews hereby were pacified and departed At the same time there were many that made it their Trade to rob and steal as most commonly people by long peace grow insolent so that they robbed in every part of the Countrey and the strongest and most audacious oppressed those that were weaker Hereupon the Samaritans went to Tyre to pray Numidius Quadratus Governour of Syria to revenge them of those that so robbed and spoiled their Countrey The chief men of the Jews went thither also and Jonathas the Son of Ananus who was High Priest defended the Jews against the Samaritans Accusation affirming the Samaritans to have been cause of that tumult by killing the Galilean and that Cumanus was cause of the rest of their E calamities who refused to punish the murtherers Quadratus for that time sent away both Parties promising them that when he came into their Countrey he would diligently enquire of the matter And coming from thence to Caesarea he crucified all those whom Cumanus had made Prisoners Quadratus Governour of Syria heareth the Samaritans and Jews And departing from thence to Lydda he heard the Samaritans complaints and sent for eighteen men whom he understood for certain to have been in that broil and beheaded them and sent the two High-Priests Jonathas and Ananias Quadratus giveth Sentence betwixt the Jews and Samaritans and his Son Ananus with some of the most considerable Jews to Caesar and also the chief of the Samaritans He likewise commanded Cumanus and Celer the Tribune to go to Rome and justifie themselves to Claudius for that which they had done in that Countrey F This done he went from Lydda to Jerusalem and finding there the multitude celebrating the Feast of Unleavened Bread without any tumult or disorder he returned to Antioch Claudius's Sentence against some Samaritans Cumanus and Celer Caesar at Rome hearing the Allegations of Cumanus and the Samaritans Agrippa was also there earnestly defending the Cause of the Jews as also Cumanus was assisted by many Potentates he pronounced sentence against the Samaritans and commanded three of their chief Nobility to be put to death and banished Cumanus and sent Celer the Tribune bound to Jerusalem that the Jews might draw him about the City and then cut off his head This done he sent Faelix Brother to Pallas to govern Judaea Samaria and Galilee And he preferred Agrippa from Chalcis to a greater Kingdom making him King of that Province whereof Philip had been Tetrarch to G wit Claudius dies and Nero succeeds him Trachonitis Batanaea and Gaulanitis adding thereunto the Kingdom of Lysania and the Tetrarchy whereof Varus had been Governour Claudius having reigned thirteen years eight months and thirty days departed this life leaving Nero to succeed him The year of the world 4014. after Christ's Nativity 52. whom by the perswasions of his Wife Agrippina he adopted to the Empire though H he had a lawful Son of his own named Britannicus by his former Wife Messalina and a Daughter called Octavia whom he married to Nero He had also another Daughter by Agrippina named Antonia How Nero abused his Wealth and Felicity and how he slew his Brother Nero killeth his Brother his Mother and Wife Mother and his Wife and afterwards raged against all his Kinddred and how in a mad vein he became a Player on a Stage because it requireth a long Narration I will speak nothing thereof CHAP. XII I Of the Tumult in Judaea under Felix BUt I think my self to relate particularly the Actions of this Emperour towards the Jews The year of the World 4018. after Christ's Nativity 56. He made Aristobulus Herod's Son King of the lesser Armenia and added to Agrippa's Kingdom four Cities and the Territories belonging unto them Two of them Abila and Julias were in the Countrey of Peraea the other Tarichaea and Tiberias Ant lib. 20. cap. 11. were in Galilee And he made Felix Governour over the rest of Judaea This Felix took Eleazar Captain of the Thieves after he had robbed and spoiled the Countrey twenty years Foelix surpriseth Eleazar the Captain of the Thieves and many others and sends them bound to Rome and many more with him and sent them bound to Caesar and he crucified a great number of them who either were Thieves and his Confederates or K else had assisted him The Countrey was no sooner cleansed from these but presently another sort of Thieves arose in Jerusalem called Sicarii from their short Swords who at high Noon in the midst of the City killed many in every place and especially at the celebrating of Holy Feasts they mixed themselves with the multitude having short Swords under their coats and therewith killed those to whom they bare any grudge Another sort of Thieves who at noon days went about the City to murther men and when men fell down dead they amongst the rest cried out of the murther By this deceitful means they were a long time unsuspected and unknown And first of all they killed Jonathan the High Priest and after him every day some were slain and the City was put in no less fear than if it had been in a time of War for each man every moment expected death and cast a diligent eye upon those that came L near him Jonathan the High Priest with many others slain and no man trusted his familiar friends and yet were they murthered whilst they were looking about them to escape danger So cunningly did these Thieves cover and conceal their actions Moreover there arose another sort of mischievous people Ant. lib. 20. cap. 12. who did not so much harm with their hands as the first but with their impious counsel more and did no less trouble the quiet Estate of the City than did the Thieves These people being Vagabonds and Juglers desiring alteration under pretence of Religion made the people frantick for they led them into the Wilderness affirming that there God would shew them tokens of his purpose to set them at liberty Foelix perceiving that these Assemblies tended to Rebellion sent an Army of Horse and Foot against these people and killed many of them M But a certain Egyptian An Egyptian Prophet gathereth well nigh thirty thousand men a false Prophet occasioned a far greater Massacre among the Jews than this for being a Magician he came into the Countrey and calling himself a Prophet he gathered unto him almost thirty thousand Jews who were by his Magick Arts seduced and leading them from the Wilderness to Mount Olivet he determined from thence to go to Jerusalem and to drive thence the Forces of the Romans and there
so great a multitude if there were some rash and foolish young men and that it was C impossible to discern all that offended seeing every one was now penitent for that which was done and at least for fear would deny it and that if he intended to maintain the quietness of the Nation and preserve the City still to the Romans he then must rather pardon a few seditious for so many good mens sake than revenge himself of a few wicked persons by the hurt and molestation of so many that thought no harm 〈…〉 of 〈◊〉 Soldiers Hereat Florus's Choler was increased and presently he commanded the Soldiers to plunder the Market-place which was the higher part of the City where things were sold and put all they met or found to the sword The Soldiers who were desirous of gain having now authority from their Ruler did not only sack the place they were sent to but also all the houses and murthered the Inhabitants D All streets and gates were filled with them that sought to flee and the dead bodies of them that fell into the Soldiers hands no sort of spoyling was omitted They also apprehended many of the Nobility and brought them to Florus and he causing them to be whipt Florus's Soldiers kill 630 Jews in one day afterward hanged them There were slain on that day of men women and Children for they spared not the infants six hundred and thirty So horried an action appeared so much the more insupportable to the Jews in regard it was a new sort of cruelty which the Romans had never exercised Florus then doing that which none before durst ever presume to do for he caused Knights before the Tribunal-seat to be whipped and after hanged who though they were Jews born yet had received that dignity from the Romans E CHAP. XV. Of another oppression of the Citizens of Jerusalem by Florus AT this time King Agrippa was gone to Alexandria Bernice requireth Florus to pacifie his displeasure against the Jews to see Alexander whom Nero had sent to be ruler over Egypt His Sister Bernice in the mean while remained in Jerusalem and seeing the cruelty of the Soldiers she was much grieved and often F sent the Lieutenant of her horsemen and her own guard to Florus requesting him to abstain from the slaughter of the Citizens But he neither regarding the multitude of them that were slain nor the dignity of her that entreated but only his private gain and what he could gather by oppression and rapine denied her request so that the rage of the Soldiers extended it self also against the Queen The fury of 〈◊〉 Soldiers against Bernice For they did not only before her face beat and kill all that came in their way but they had also killed her had she not fled into the Palace where she watcht all night keeping a guard about her in fear that the Soldiers would break in upon her She came to Jerusalem to fulfil her vow to God for it is the custom that if any be afflicted with grievous sickness or be in any other distress they must abide in prayer thirty days before they offer sacrifice and abstain from wine and shave their hair which G custom Queen Bernice then observing went also barefoot to Florus his Tribunal-seat to entreat him but he not only contemned but also put her in danger of her life This was done the sixteenth day of May. The day after the multitude gathered together in the upper part of the City in the Market-place and with great cries complain H that so many were slain and especially used contumelious words against Florus which the Nobility and high Priests fearing death apprehending beseeched them to abstain from such words as had already caused that calamity in the City and not to provoke Florus to greater indignation The people exclaim against Florus And so the multitude was pacified for their sakes who entreated and hoped that hereafter Florus would desist from such cruelty Florus when he saw the multitude quieted was sorry and that he might again provoke them he assembled together the Nobility and high Priests telling them that it would be an argument that the people did not seek alteration any more Florus reneweth the discontents of the people if they would go in courteous manner and meet the Soldiers which were coming from Caesarea Florus's subtilty and treason whereof there were two Legions Having thus assembled the Jews together to I go meet the Soldiers he also sent and commanded the Centurions not to salute the Jews who came to meet them and if therefore the Jews were offended and gave any hard speeches they should fall upon them with their weapons The high Priests assembling themselves together in the Temple desired them to go and solemnly meet and entertain the Soldiers for fear of a greater inconvenience Notwithstanding this counsel those that were seditious refused to do as they were requested and others for grief of them that were slain took part with the seditious Then all the Priests and Levites brought forth the holy vessels and ornaments of the Temple The exhortation of the Priests and Princes to the people and with Harps songs and musical instruments came before the multitude and on their knees conjur'd them by the care that they ought to have of K the honour and preservation of the Temple not to provoke the Romans through contumelious words lest they should sack the Temple There might you have seen the chief of the Priests with ashes upon their heads and their cloaths rent so that their naked breasts were perceived calling every Nobleman by his name and speaking to all the multitude requesting them not for a small offence to betray their whole Country to them who still gaped after the destruction thereof For what thanks shall ye have from the Romans for your former salutations if now in hope of amendment of your miseries you go not forth to meet them contrariwise if you would go to them in solemn manner then you take from Florus all occasion of violence and save your Country from ruine and your selves from further calamities L Adding that it was a great shame that such a multitude should be led away with a few seditious persons and that it was more fit that so many should force those few seditious people to obey them and joyn with them in opinion With these perswasions they mollified the obstinacy of the Jews and also perswaded many of the seditious people some with threats and some with reverence of themselves to be pacified And so they going before all the people followed and went out to meet the Roman Soldiers At their coming near them they saluted them who answering nothing again those of the Jews that were seditious began to rail against Florus The event sheweth Florus's intent and counsel by whose order this was done whom presently the Soldiers apprehending beat them with clubs
at Caesarea and in all Syria AT the same hour on the self-same day it happened as it were by God's Providence that the Inhabitants of Caesarea massacred the Jews that dwelt among I them so that at one time above twenty thousand were slain and not one Jew left alive in all Caesarea For those that escaped Florus took and brought them forth bound to the people The Jews spoil the Villages and burn the Cities of Syria After this Massacre done at Caesarea the whole Nation of the Jews was enraged And dividing themselves into Companies they wasted and destroyed in short time all the borders of Syria and the Cities thereabout to wit Philadelphia and Gebonitis Gerasa Pella and Scythopolis Also they took by force Gadara Hippon and Gaulanitis pulling down some places and firing others From thence they marched towards Cedasa a City of the Tyrians and Ptolemais Gaza and Caesarea and neither Sebaste nor Ascalon could resist them but they also were consumed with fire Likewise they destroyed Anthedon with Gaza And most places belonging to K these Cities were sacked to wit the Fields and Villages and a mighty slaughter was made of them that were taken in these Towns The Syrians made as great a Massacre of the Jews as this among them for all the Jews inhabiting among them were murthered not only for an old grudge but also to render their own danger less by diminishing the number of their enemies By this means all Syria was in a most deplorable condition and every City was exposed to the disorders and violences of two several Armies each of which placed their safety in making a great Effusion of Blood The days were spent in blood-shed and the nights in fear worse than death it self For though they only pretended to destroy the Jews yet were they drawn to suspect other Nations that followed the Jews Religion and because they were as it were L Neuters the Syrians thought it not good to destroy them but on the other side for their agreeing in Religion with the Jews they were constrained to hold them as enemies Many of the contrary part who before seemed modest were now through Avarice incited to meddle in this Murther so that every one took the Goods of them that were slain All Syria full of miserable calamities and carried them to other places as Conquerors He was most renowned that had stolen most or killed most There might you see in several Cities the dead bodies of all Ages unburied old men and children and women lying in most shameful manner their secret parts being uncovered Briefly all the Countrey was filled with exceeding great calamity and the fear of yet greater misery to come was unspeakable M These were the Conflicts between the Jews and Strangers Jews against Jews But afterwards making incursions upon the Borders of Scythopolis the Jews there dwelling became their enemies For they conspiring with the Citizens of Sythopolis and preferring their own Commodity and Security before Kindred and Consanguinity joyned with the Gentiles against the Jews and yet for all that they were suspected for their forwardness For the Scythopolitans fearing that they would assault the City by night and excuse their revolting by their great misery commanded all the Jews that if they would shew themselves trusty to the Gentiles they with all their Children should go into a Wood hard by The Jews forthwith did as they were required suspecting nothing and the Scythopolitans were quiet for two days after and did nothing But the third N night they sent forth Scouts to see what they were doing The Scythopolitans kill thirteen thousand Jews who finding most of them asleep they surprized them in a moment and killed them all who were in number thirteen thousand and afterwards took their Goods Here I think it not amiss to speak of the death of Simon who was the Son of Saul whose Race was very Noble He was a man of great courage and strength of body both which he used to the great hurt of his own Nation Simon daily killeth many of his Countrey-men in Scythopolis for he daily killed many Jews who dwelt near Scythopolis and often scattered divers Companies and put whole Armies to flight but at length he had an end worthy of his deeds and the murther of his Countrey-men For when the Scythopolitans had compassed the Wood about so that none could escape their hands they killed the Jews in every part thereof Simon not drawing his Sword made O no resistance to any of his enemies for he saw that it was bootless to strive against such a multitude But pitifully crying out I receive O Scythopolitans a worthy reward for A that which I have done who to shew my fidelity towards you have killed so many of mine own Countrey-men And it is a just Plague that a strange Nation should be false to us who impiously forsook our own Brethren I am not worthy to receive death from the hands of my enemies and therefore I will kill my self with my own and this death will be a sufficient Punishment for my Offences and a full Argument of my magnanimity that none of my enemies may boast of my death nor insult over me When he had thus said he beheld all his Family with compassion and rage mixt together as his Wife and Children and aged Parents Simon kills his Parents his Wife and Children and at last himself And first taking his Father by the hair of the head he stood upon him and thrust him thorough after him he killed his Mother who was willing to die after them his Wife and Children every one of them as it were offering their bodies to the B Sword and desirous to prevent the enemies When he had slain all his Kindred himself remaining alive he stretched forth his arm that they might see what he would do and thrust his Sword into his own body up to the Hilts. A young man who for his magnanimity and strength of body was worthy to be pitied yet he had a just and deserved end for uniting himself to Strangers against his own Countrey CHAP. XX. Cruelties exercised against the Jews in divers other Cities and particularly by Varus C AFter this so great A Massacre of the Jews at Scythopolis Another Slaughter of the Jews other Cities also where they inhabited rose against them and two thousand five hundred were slain at Ascalon The Cities in Arms against the Jews and two thousand at Ptolemais and the Tyrians killed divers and put more in Prison Likewise they of Gadara and Hippon slew the most valiant and those of least courage they cast into Prison Also all other Cities who either feared or hated the Jews rose up against them Only they of Antioch Sidon and Apamea spared those that dwelt with them and neither killed nor imprisoned any of them perhaps they stood in no fear of them if they should have risen because their City
one Gate upon them and the Romans the other and many thus enclosed perished by their fellows Swords and an infinite number by the rage of the Romans 12000 Jews slain having no courage to resist and revenge themselves For the Inhumanity of their own Citizens and terrour of their Enemies together utterly discouraged them and so they died all in number 12000 cursing not the Romans but the Jews their own Country-men Trajan thinking that the City was now destitute E of fighting men or if any were within that they durst not resist being thus terrified Titus with his Forces coâ—mes to Japha reserved the taking of the City for the General and sent Messengers to him requesting him to send his Son Titus to accomplish the Victory Vespasian fearing that yet there would be some resistance sent Titus with 500 Horse and 1000 Foot who hastening thither placed Trajan on the left side of the Town and himself on the right so the Romans on every side scaled the Walls and the Galileans having a while resisted A sharp Skirmish within the Town between the Galileans and the Romans at length left them Then Titus and his followers leaping down got into the City and began a vehement fight with them that were assembled therein some valiantly issuing out of the Narrow streets and assaulting them and the Women casting such things as they could get upon the Romans from the tops of their F houses and thus they held battel six hours When their fighting men were all slain then the Old Men and Children and all the other Company both in the streets and in their houses were soon dispatcht that none of them were left alive save only Infants who with the Women were led Captives The number of them that were slain both in the City and in the first conflict amounted to 15000 and the number of those that were led into Captivity were 1130. This Massacre of the Galileans hapned the 25th day of June G A CHAP. XII How Cerealis Conquered the Samaritans THe Samaritans also were partakers of the sad Effects of this bloody War The Assembly of the Samaritans on the Mountain Garizin They assembled themselves together upon Mount Garizin which they accounted a sacred place But this Assembly gave cause to believe that not warned by their neighbours harms not with any advice or judgement considering their own infirmity and the Romans power they began to be tumultuous Vespasian foreseeing this thought B good to prevent them and although all the Region of Samaria had Roman Garisons in it yet the great multitude assembled made it reasonable to fear them Wherefore he sent thither Cerealis the Tribune of the fifth Legion with six hundred Horse and three thousand Foot Cerealis thought it not the best way to go unto the Mountain and attaque the whole multitude there who were so numerous but he commanded his Souldiers to beleagure the Mountain about at the Foot thereof and to keep there all the day There hapned at that time a vehement heat and the Samaritans wanted Water Want of water in the Mountain Garizin It was then Summer and the People had not provided themselves with Victuals so that many in one day only for want of drink died of thirst others preferring death before the misery they endured fled to the Romans of whom Cerealis learned C that those that yet remained on the Mount were even dis-heartned by the misery they endured Wherefore he ascended the Mountain and compassing about the Enemies with his Army he first exhorted them to yield and promised them all their lives if they would cast down their weapons but nothing prevailing with them he set upon them 11600 Samaritans slain and killed them all in number 11600. This was done the 27th day of June These were the miseries that befel the Samaritans CHAP. XIII D How Jotapata was Taken THe Citizens of Jotapata having endured this hard Siege beyond all expectation seven and fourty dayes the Romans Mounts were now raised higher than their Walls A fugitive certifieth the weak estate of the Citizens of Jotapata and how few they were On the same day one of the City fled to Vespasian and told him in what case the City stood and how few Citizens were left and that with daily watchings and fighting they were far spent so that they were not able to resist any more and that they might be taken by policy if they were followed for in the last part of the night being weary they ceased from their labour and slept till the Morning wherefore he perswaded E Vespasian to assanlt them at that time But Vespasian knowing how faithful the Jews were one unto another and how they contemned all punishment gave little credit to this Run-away For a little before one of Jotapata being taken could not by any torments be compelled to confess or disclose the Estate of the City the fire nothing moved him and so at last he was crucified laughing and scorning death Yet a probable conjecture which he had perswaded him to give some credit to this Traitors words and for that he knew no great harm could befall him if he so assaulted the City as the Traitor advised he commanded the man to be kept and put all his army in readiness to assault the Town At the hour appointed he made towards the Wall with silence Titus marcht first accompanied with one Domitius Sabinus a Tribune F and some choice men of the fifteenth Legion who killing the Sentinels entred into the City and after them entered Sextus Cerealis and Placidus with their Companies so the Castle was taken The Romans 〈◊〉 the City whilest the Jews sleep and the Enemies were in the midst of the Town and it was fair day-light and yet the Townsmen knew nothing being now fast asleep after their great labours and watchings and they that watcht could see nothing there was so thick a mist by chance that Morning and the rest never wakened till Death was at their door and that they perceived their Calamity and Destruction The Romans mindful of all that had befallen them in the time of the siege The Romans have 〈…〉 compassion neither spared nor pitied any one but driving the people out of the higher part of the City into the lower they massacred them all They that would have fought could not for the narrowness of the G place and so being cumbred for want of room and sliding down the banks for haste H their Enemies still pursuing them they were easily slain Many of Josephs Guard seeing that they could not fight gathered themselves together in a corner of the City and slew themselves that the Romans might not kill them But some of the Watchmen who first perceived the City to be taken fled into a Tower and resisted a while this Tower was situate in the North-side of the City and at last being invironed with their Enemies towards
their Enemies should we not think it good likewise to spare our selves Truly it is meer folly to do that to our selves to avoid which we fight against them I confess it is a commendable thing to die for liberty but that is to die in fight and by their hands only who took away that liberty But now neither do they war against us nor kill us It is a goodly matter to die for liberty but yet to die fighting He is not only to be judg'd a Coward who refuseth to die when need requireth but he also who will die when no need urgeth Moreover what with-holdeth us from offering our selves to the Romans Truly fear of death Shall we therefore make that certain our selves which we fear at the Romans hands But some will say if L they spare us we are made Captives I pray consider what liberty we have now If it be said that it is a paâ—â— of courage to kill ones self I maintain on the contrary it is the part of a very Coward The similitude of a Sailer For I think him to be a very timerous Sea-man who perceiving a Tempest coming It is against the common course of Nature for a man to kill himself yea and a heinous sin against God sinketh the Ship wherein he is before it comes Moreover it is against the Law of Nature and the Sentiments of all Creatures to kill our selves and thereby we also commit a heinous crime against God There is no living creature that of his own seeking would willingly dye For every one feeleth in himself the strong and forceable Law of Nature whereby they desire to live and for this cause we judge them our Enemies that seek to take life from us and punish them that take it indeed And do you not think it a great contempt for a man to despise life which is Gods gift For we of him receive our first being and from M him let us expect our ending The Body is mortal framed of corruptible matter but our Souls are immortal The soul is immortal and a portion of God placed in our bodieâ— and in some sort partake of the Nature of God If any one abuse that which another putteth him in trust with we think him a perfidious and wicked man and shall we think that if we remove out of our Bodies that which God hath placed in the same that he shall not know of it whom we have so abused We hold those slaves worthy to be punished that run away from bad Masters and shall not we then be held for impious who flee from so good a Master as God is Do ye not know that they who according to the Law of Nature depart out of this Life and render that to God which they received of him when he who gave it requires it shall leave behind them a perpetual Name to their Posterity and Family And that unto those souls who are obedient to their Creator when he calls them he gives a holy N and sacred mansion in Heaven from whence after a revolution of the Heavens they are again remanded to animate Bodies pure as themselves God revengeth him on the author of injuries And that on the contrary they who cause their own death go into dark hell and that God punisheth this their offence upon all their posterity The custom of the antient Jews and how they dealt with those that slew themselves Hence it is that our wise Law-maker forbiddeth it who knew how God abhorreth this crime For if any amongst us kill themselves it is decreed that till the Sun go down they shall be unburied though we hold it lawful to bury before those that have been killed in War Other Nations cause their right-hand to be cut off who have killed themselves judging that as the soul thereby was separated from the body so the hand deserves to be separated from it Joseph Perâ—â—ation Wherefore O Companions think on that which is reasonable and add not to your misery O impiety against God who created us If we desire to be saved let us save our selves for A it is no disgrace to receive our lives at their hands who are witnesses of so many valiant deeds of ours If we desire to die let us die by their hands who have overcome us I will not go into my Enemies Camp to be a Traytor against my self For I bear not their mind who forsake their own company to fly to their Enemies for they fly to them to save their lives but I go to them to cause mine own death And I would to God that the Romans would break promise with me for if they kill me after they have promised to save my life I shall willingly die and with great courage seeing their breach of promise and perjury as a blemish to their late victory Joseph spoke more to this effect Joseph is in great danger to be slain to disswade his Companions from killing themselves But they stopping their ears with desperation wherewith they had armed themselves to die came furiously towards him with their swords drawn upbraiding him that B he was a Coward and every one was ready to strike him Then Joseph calling one by his Name and looking upon another with a countenance like a Governour holding anothers hand and intreating the rest distracted in such danger by this means diverted the blows they intended him for still as one came near to strike him he turned his face upon him like some wild beast encompassed with the hunters Some of them who remembred he had been their Captain in their extremity with reverence of his personage trembled so that their swords fell out of their hands and many lifting up their arms to strike him of their own accord let their weapons fall Joseph notwithstanding his desperate estate Another policy of Joseph yet was not void of judgement but trusting in Gods assistance he hazarded his life and spake unto them as followeth Seeing ye are all determined to C die let us cast lots who shall kill one another and he to whom the lot falleth shall be killed by him who shall next follow and so the lot shall be cast upon every one of us and none of us shall be forced to kill our selves For it were injustice that when some of us are slain the rest should repent themselves Joseph fellows dye by lots and Joseph and another are reserved and so escape They all liked well of this and always he upon whom the lot fell was slain by him that followed for death was more acceptabe because they thought Joseph should die with them Now it hapned by the providence of God that Joseph remained alive only with one other and he perswaded him who was left alive to live and not to seek death lest either the lot should fall upon himself and so he be slain or upon the other and so he should be polluted with the
blusht to commit such Villanies openly in the sight of them who had saved their lives and that their misdemeanours and impieties would be imputed to the Idumeans because they neither hindred their mischievous Practices nor forsook their Society That therefore it was their part seeing it was now evident that the report of Treason was only Calumny and that no assault by the Romans was to be feared and that the City was impregnable provided there were no domestick divisions to depart home and by forsaking the Society of the Impious to acquit themselves of their Impiety as being by N them deceived and so against their Wills made partakers thereof The Idumeans were hereby perswaded The Idumeans depart out of Jerusalem and first of all they freed those that were in Prison in number two thousand of the Vulgar and presently leaving the City they went to Simon of whom we will speak hereafter and so they departed home Their sudden departure was against the expectation of both parts for the People not knowing the Idmmeans were sorry for what they had done rejoyced as now delivered from their Enemies and the Zealots grew more insolent and proud as though they never had needed help and now were delivered from those in consideration of whom they abstained from some Villanies Whereupon they used no delay to effect all their Villany for they spent not much time in taking advice but whatsoever seemed best to them presently without any delay they put it in practice But O especially they murthered those men that were wise and valiant for they envied the A Nobility for their Virtue they thought it a principal point first to be effected not to leave any one man of account alive Wherefore they slew amongst the rest Gorion a Noble-man of great Birth and Dignity who loved his Country was very bountiful and a lover of Liberty so that there was none amongst the Jews like him but for his desire of Liberty Gorion's Death and Niger Peraita and his other Virtues he was put to death Neither could Niger Peraita escape their hands a man who in War against the Romans had shewed himself valiant and although he often cried out and shewed the scars of his Wounds received in defence of his Country yet they ceased not for all this most shamefully to drag him thorow the City and being led out of the City despairing of life he entreated that B he might be buried Niger's Prayers took effect as the end testifieth But the barbarous People denied his request and slew him At his death he besought God that the Romans might come and revenge it upon them and that Plague Famine and Civil Discord might light upon their City God heard his Prayers and sent upon them all which he imprecated and first of all they were plagued with Civil Wars amongst themselves Niger being thus slain they were freed from the fear they had of him that he would resist their wickedness Many of the Common People were by some forged tale or other put to death Some were slain because they had formerly born Arms against them and they who were innocent in all points were put to death for some occasion devised in the time of peace and they who did not converse with them were murdered as those that contemned them and they C that freely and friendly conversed with them were slain as those that sought to betray them In short the greatest offenders and the least were all punished alike to wit with death for no man escaped except he were either poor or of very base condition CHAP. II. The Civil Discords amongst the Jews D IN the mean while the Roman Officers had their Eyes open upon what passed in the City of Jerusalem The Souldiers incite Vespasian to resort to Jerusalem and seeing the Citizens at great variance among themselves they thought this to be for their great advantage Wherefore they pressed Vespasian their General not to lose this opportunity affirming that it was Gods providence who fought for them that the Jews should be at Civil Discord among themselves and that therefore he should not overslip so good an occasion lest the Jews should quickly be friends again one with another either by the weariness of Civil War or else repenting themselves of that which they had done To whom Vespasian answered That they were ignorant what was to be done Vespasian expecteth Victory by the civil dissention of his Enemies and desirous rather as it were in a Theater to shew their forces and strength than with him to consider what was profitable and expedient For E said he if we presently assault them our coming will make concord amongst our Enemies and so we shall bring upon our selves their forces yet firm and strong but by expecting a little while we shall have less ado to conquer them their chiefest forces being destroyed by their own Civil War God is more our friend than you are aware of who without our labour and pain will deliver the Jews into our hands and will give us the Victory without endangering our Army Wherefore it is rather our part to be beholders of the Tragedy than to fight against men desirous of death and troubled with the greatest evil possible to wit domestical Sedition and Civil War And if any think that the Victory is not glorious because gotten without fight let him know and consider the uncertain events of War and that it is better if it be possible to get a Victory without bloodshed then therewith to hazard a Defeat For they who by F Counsel and Advice do any worthy Act deserve no less praise than they who by force of Arms atchieve a Victory Moreover in the mean time that the Enemies destroy one another our Souldiers may take rest and so be stronger and better able to fight when need shall require Besides it seems not that there is much haste required to get the Victory for the Jews neither prepare Arms nor Engines of War nor levie any Forces nor seek for Aid and so by delay no damage can ensue but they will Plague one another more by Civil War than our Army can by attacquing their City And therefore whether we consider Prudence or Glory we have nothing to do but let them ruine themselves for in case we should even at this present make our selves Masters of that great City so it would be justly said that the Victory was not to be imputed to us but to their discord G The Captains all consented Many Citizens to fly the Zealous resorted to Vespasian and thought this advice of Vespasian best and presently it appeared how profitable this Counsel was For every day many Jews fled to him to escape the hands of the Zealots though it was dangerous to flie because all the ways were guarded with Watch-men And if any man upon any occasion whatsoever were H taken upon the way he was presently killed as one
was slain by the Tyrant without and there was no way to flie to the Romans Furthermore The discord between the Zealots and the Idumeans the Army of John began to be divided for all the Idumeans separated themselves from the other People and there rose a mutiny against the Tyrant partly L through envy of his Power partly through hatred of his Cruelty And so assaulting him they slew many of the Zealots and compelled the rest to fly into the Kings house built by Grapta The flight of the Zealots with the Idumeans into the Temple Father of Izat King of Adiabena The Idumeans also broke in thither with them and drave them from thence into the Temple and seized upon Johns Treasure for John lived in the Palace and had carried thither all his Spoils Then those Zealots that were dispersed in the City came to those that were in the Temple and John purposed to send them against the Townsmen and the Idumeans But they feared not so much their Forces although they knew them to be the better Warriors as they did lest now being desperate they should steal out of the Temple in the night and so slay them and fire the City Wherefore assembling themselves they deliberated with M the Priests how to avoid their assaults but it pleased God to turn their own Counsel to their destruction and that they should provide a Remedy of safety far worse than Death it self For to depose John they devised to introduce Simon and as it were to intreat another to Tyrannize over them This counsel was thought best and Matthias the Priest was sent to Simon of whom before they stood in great fear to request him to come into the City With him also came such as had fled from Jerusalem for fear of the Zealots intreating him in like manner because they desired to return to their Wives and Families So he entred into the City proudly promising them to be their Deliverer Simon enters the City with a great Army and all the People made Acclamations as he entered into the City that he was their Preserver Simon being now within the City presently deliberated N with those about him to establish his Dominion thinking as well those that called him into the City as those against whom he was called his Enemies John and the Zealots with him finding no way to come out of the Temple and having lost all that he had in the City for Simon and his Followers at their entrance took all that belonged to him began now to despair of his safety And Simon being assisted by the Citizens assaulted the Temple Simon assaults the Temple wherein the Zealots kept and the Zealots placing themselves upon the Porches and in Towers of Defence made resistance and hurt many of Simons followers For the Zealots were upon the higher ground on the right hand and so had the advantage against Simon And although by reason of the place wherein they were they prevailed against Simon yet they raised four high Towers that from hence they might shoot O Darts and Arrows against Simons Men. One of these Towers they built upon the East A side of the Temple another on the North the third upon a place opposite to the lower part of the Town and a fourth Tower they built on the top of the place called Pastophorium where one of the Priests used to stand before Sun-set to signifie to the People with the sound of the Trumpet the beginning of the Sabbath and to declare to them the other holy dayes The Office of the Priests to signifie the beginning of the seventh day by the sound of a Trumpet and in what dayes they might go about their business In these Towers they placed all kind of Engines to cast Stones and Men with Slings Then Simon perceiving many of his Souldiers languish was more remiss in his business yet when his number increased he came nearer for a-far off many of his men were slain with the Shot of those Engines B CHAP. X. How Vespasian was Elected Emperor AT this time Rome also suffered the Evils of Civil War Vitellius Encamps his Army in Rome for Vitellius was now arrived out of Germany with his Army bringing besides them an infinite multitude with him so that his Army was so great that the places appointed for quartering his Souldiers could not contain it insomuch that his Army occupied all the whole City C and every House was filled with Souldiers And they beholding the Romans wealth greater than ever they saw any and admiring their abundance of Gold and Silver not able to contain themselves began to rob and kill every one that sought to hinder them And this was the estate of the affairs in Italy Vespasian having wasted all about Jerâ—salem returned to Caesarea where he understood the troubles at Rome and how Vitellius was Emperour Vespasian knew both how to govern and how to obey Hereat though he knew as well to obey as to be obeyed yet he was moved with indignation and disdained to call him Lord who had invaded the Empire being destitute of a Ruler And much grieved hereat he could not conceal his grief nor follow the Wars against Strangers whilst his own Country was so endangered But the distance between him and Rome did as much repress him as anger incited him to D seek revenge for he considered that Fortune might cause many alterations before he could get to Rome The Captains consult with the Souldiers openly of a change especially it being Winter and so he sought to bridle his wrath which yet daily increased But his Officers and Souldiers began openly to consult of a Change and with Indignation exclaimed against the Souldiers at Rome who lived in pleasure and never heard so much as the report of War and notwithstanding took upon them to create whom they pleased Emperour and in hope of gain disposed of the Common-wealth at their own pleasure whereas they on the contrary after so many labours and dangers still continued in Arms till they became old and gray-headed and suffered the Authority due to themselves to be enjoyed by others when notwithstanding they had amongst them one who deserved the Empire more than any other and E what recompence could they ever after make him Or what occasion could they find hereafter to shew themselves grateful to him for the benefits from him received if they now omitted this occasion Vespasian's shamefastness and modesty And they thought that Vespasian was so much more worthy of the Empire than Vitellius by how much they who created Vitellius Emperor were in very many respects much inferiour to themselves For said they we have endured no less toyl than those that came out of Germany neither are we less Valiant than â—â—ey who bring a Tyrant with them out of Germany And that no body would resist Vespasian For the Senate and the People of Rome would not rather endure
he repulsed the Jews with Darts and Arrows with the help of Domitius Sabinus who in that fight proved himself a stout Warriour and continued fighting with the Jews till all his fellow-Souldiers were got off Thus the Romans having got the second Wall The Jews courage encreaseth were beaten from it again and the Citizens so encouraged they were as it were drunk with their good fortune thinking the Romans durst no more attempt upon the City and that they themselves were invincible when they were prepared to fight God because of their Iniquity had darkned E their understanding so that they never considered the Roman Forces were far greater than those they had encountred and the Famine that hung over their heads for as yet they lived upon the destruction of the People The People in want and many die for hunger and drank the blood of a City but the good People did even suffer Famine already and many of them perished for want of food yet the Seditious did rejoyce at the death of the Citizens as though thereby they were eased of a great burthen only desiring they might live that bear rebellious minds and would joyn with them against the Romans rejoycing at the death of the rest and this was the affection they bare unto their Citizens In this manner they armed themselves and resisted the Romans who now again did attempt to enter the Breach whilst the Jews threw down Stones and part of the Wall upon them as they came up Titus once more getteth the second wall F drave them back again and valiantly sustained them for three dayes But the fourth day being unable to withstand Titus his assault they were forced to retire as before and he having gotten the Wall destroyed all the North part thereof and placed a Garrison in the Towers and Fortresses of the South part CHAP. XI H Of the Mounts raised to batter the third Wall A long Oration of Jesephus to perswade the People to yield and of the Famine in the City TITUS now determined to batter the third Wall conceiving the Siege would be now but short He thought it convenient to give the Seditious some time to bethink themselves to see that if either by the taking of the second Wall or terrified with Famine they would repent For there was little or nothing left in the City to I supply them and he was posted as he desired And the time being come for every Roman Souldier to receive his proportion of Victuals Titus surceasing the Siege commandeth mony to be distributed to all his Souldiers Titus caused them to be led every one in order into a place where the Jews in the City might behold them he caused his Captains to distribute money to every one and the Souldiers as their Custom is all armed and drawing their Swords out of their sheaths marched along the Horsemen leading their Horses in great Pomp and a great part of the Suburbs glistered with gold and silver This spectacle was grateful to their own Souldiers and terrible to the Jews for all the old Walls and the North part of the City and many Houses were filled with the multitude of them who came to view this sight and there was no part of the City that was not filled with People to behold it This Spectacle struck a great K fear upon the very boldest among the Jews and perhaps would have caused the Seditious People to have relented had they not despaired to have found mercy and pardon at the Romans hands for their offences committed wherefore they thought it better to be slain fighting than to be put to death shamefully if they desisted from fight That Destiny hindred this resolution Destiny had decreed that the innocent should perish with the nocent and the City with the Seditious it being decreed that the innocent should perish with the wicked and the City with the Seditious hereupon for four dayes space they distributed necessaries to the Souldiers and on the fifth day Titus perceiving the Jews were still obstinate divided his Army into two parts and about Johns Tomb he began to raise Mounts and against Antonia hoping by them to take the higher part of the City and by Antonia to seize the Temple which except he could effect he could not safely take L the City Against either of these places he raised two Mounts each Legion making one The Jews and Simons followers opposed the work that was begun before Johns Tomb The Romans in their labour are hindred by the Jews and John likewise with a great number of the Zealots hindred them that made the Mounts over against Antonia who not only fought with the advantage of the higher ground but had learned also the use of Engines for continual use by little and little made them skilful and they had 300 Engines called Balistaes and 40 Engines to cast Stones wherewith they greatly annoyed the Romans and obstructed them in their work Titus foreseeing that Fortune would favour him Titus bounty towards the Jews and that the City would be taken M pressed it what he could never ceasing to perswade the Jews to yield adding many Arguments to his importunity for he knew that many times words prevail more than violence wherefore he exhorted them to save themselves and yield the City unto him referring them to Joseph who should make a speech to them in their own Language and he hoped they would hear their own Country-man Then Joseph keeping himself out of the danger of their shot Josephs Oration to the Jews called out unto them to commiserate themselves the City the Temple the People and not be more hard-hearted unto them than strangers For the Romans had a reverence for the Holy-places notwithstanding they had no society or portion in them That till that very day they had abstained from violating of them whereas they who were brought up among them and might save them N did wilfully cause their destruction He advised them to consider that their strongest Walls were battered down and only the weaker remaining unbattered He willed them to consider how they were not able to withstand the Roman Forces and that it was no novelty to the Jews to be subject to the Romans For although it be a good and commendable thing to fight for Liberty yet that was to have been done in the beginning for he that was once subject and rebell'd having a long time lived under the obedience of the Romans seemed rather to be desirous of a shameful Death than an honourable Liberty Moreover he reproached them that they should choose rather to be subject to a base People than to them whom the whole World obeyed For saith he What habitable place is it that the Romans have not Conquered They themselves may perceive how Fortune has still favoured them and that God had O setled the Universal Monarchy in Italy That by the Law of Nature and the Example of
it what he could upon intelligence that their rapine and plunder in the Town being not sufficient to supply their necessities the Jews were forc'd to seek out into the Valleys for food he disposed certain parties of Horse and other select men in Ambush to intercept them for though their exigences were very great yet being for the most part poor people with Families in the City they durst not run over to the Romans lest their Wives and Children should be murdered in their absence wherefore they were forc'd to make private excursions in the night to conceal themselves from the Enemy and having fallen unexpectedly into this Ambuscade they fought it couragiously as knowing it too late to expect mercy after such untractable obstinacy but they were defeated N many of them taken and tortur'd and afterwards crucified before the Walls of the City Titus crucifieth many Jews before the Walls Titus looked upon their condition as very deplorable for scarce a day past in which there were not 500 Jews taken and served in that manner by those partys of Horse yet he thought it inexpedient to remove them because they were a great security to the rest of his Army But his great design was by the cruelty of that spectacle to terrifie the City and hasten its surrender Wherefore the Souldiers in hatred to our Nation crucified all they took one after one fashion and another after another in derision And the multitude of the Captives was become so great there was left no space for the crosses nor indeed crosses for their bodies to be crucified upon But the seditious Jews within the City were so far from relenting by this massacre that rather their hearts were more hardned so that herewith they terrified the rest of the multitude O for they * The Jews carried the kindred of those that were fled out of the City to the Romans and shewed them the tortures they suffered carried the relations of those who were taken by the Romans to the Walls A that they might see how those were used that fled to the Romans the same sight they also shewed unto them that desired peace affirming that they whom the Romans had so used were those that fled unto them for succour and not captives by them taken This deterred many who would otherwise have fled to the Romans till such time as the truth hereof was known Yet some there were that ventured to the Enemy as preferring Death and Torment at their hands before the Miseries and Famine which they endured at home Hereupon Titus cut off many of the Captives hands and sent them into the City to Simon and John that their Calamity might testifie them to be Captives and not such as had fled voluntarily to the Romans willing them to admonish their Friends to yield B and not compel him to destroy the City and to assure them that in so doing they might still save their lives their Country and Temple which had not the like in the whole World and he continually went about the Rampires hastning the workmen in their business as though he presently meant to effect that in deeds which in words he had spoken The Jews both curse Caesar and is Father The Jews that stood upon the Walls reviled both him and his Father affirming that they contemned Death and would chuse rather to die than become slaves That whilest they lived they would to their power defend themselves against the Romans without any care either of themselves or their Country which Caesar sent them word were both in imminent danger Moreover they said that the whole World was a Temple dedicated to God far more excellent than theirs C which notwithstanding should be conserved by him that dwelt in it whose help they hoped to enjoy and did therefore deride all his threatnings as things that could never come to pass without his divine permission Thus did they opprobriously abuse the clemency of the Romans At this time arrived also Antiochus Epiphanes and with him a considerable supply of Men among which there was a company called the Macedonians of equal years and little older than young men all trained up in Martial Discipline and armed after the Macedonian manner from whence they took their name yet for the most part they did not answer the expectation that men had of the Macedonians For the King of Comagne was the most fortunate and happy of all Kings that were subject to the Roman Empire D till such time as he felt the frown of Fortune who in his old age proved that none ought to be accounted happy before his death whilest Comagne was in prosperity his Son said he marvelled that the Romans did delay to assault the City and enter the battered Walls for this young Man was a great Warriour and of exceeding strength to the which he trusting too much did many things rashly Titus smiled and answered The insolence of Antiochus and the Souldiers that that was a work too great for the Romans Upon which young Antiochus accompanied with his Macedonians assaulted the Wall and himself with his strength and dexterity avoided the darts of the Jews and cast his darts at them but his whole Party a few excepted were there slain for obliged by their extravagant boasting they continued longer in â—ight than it was expedient for them at last many E being wounded retired perceiving that the Macedonians to win a Victory had need of Alexanders fortune The Romans iu seventeen days build four huge bulwarks The Romans the twelfth day of May began to build their Rampires and labouring seventeen whole days with much ado they ended them the nine and twentieth of the said Month. For they builded four vast Rampires one of them over against Antonia which was built by the fifth Legion opposit to the midst of the Struthian Waters another was built by the twelfth Legion twenty Cubits distant from the other But the tenth Legion which was of more account than the two former erected a Mount opposit to the Pond called Amygdalon on the North-side and the fifteenth Legion made the fourth thirty Cubits distant from the other over against the Monument of the High Priest John F The Mounts being thus finished John undermined that which was over against Antonia and underpropped it with posts of Wood and filling the Mine with Wood Bitumen and Pitch he fired it so the posts that held it up being burnt the Mine fell and the Mount also with a hideous noise fell into it and first of all there arose a great smoak and dust for the Mines covered the flame at last the fire having consumed the matter that covered it the flame appeared The Romans at this sudden and unexpected exploit were much amazed and disordered so that thereby those who before made account of the victory as certain began now to dispair Two days after Simon and his associates set upon the other Rampires for thereon were planted
succeeded in my design since I propose nothing to my self but the Glory and happiness of imploying my life for your service When he had so said he took his Shield in his left hand and holding it above his head with his drawn Sword in his Right hand about the sixth hour of the day he went to the Wall and eleven men followed him who only imitated his vertue But Sabinus with a divine fervour of Spirit went before them all notwithstanding that on every side the Jews upon the Wall cast an infinite number of Darts at him and rowl'd down upon him huge Stones which K struck down some of the eleven that followed him But Sabinus for all the Darts and Arrows stopt not The power of Fortune till such time as he had got to the top of the Wall and put the Enemies to flight who terrified with his boldness and courage and indeed thinking that more had come up after him fled But who may not justly blame Fortune as taking pleasure to cross heroick actions Sabinus after having so gloriously executed his enterprise was struck with a Stone and thrown down flat upon his face most violently with a great noise so that now the Jews seeing him alone and lying on the ground returned again and shot at him on every side and he kneeling upon his knees and covering himself with his shield Strove to revenge himself upon his Enemies and wounded many that came near him Sabinus with three companions slain till with wounding them he was so weary that L he could strike no longer and so at last he was slain Thus the success was answerable to the difficulty of the Enterprise although his vertue merited one more happy Of those of his company three having almost got to the top of the Wall were slain with Stones and the other eight being wounded were carried back to the Camp And this was done the third day of July CHAP. II. How the Romans assaulted Antonia and how they were driven back from thence by the Jews M TWo days after The Romans invade Antonia twenty of the Souldiers which guarded the Mounts two Horsemen and an Ensigne of the fifth Legion with a Trumpeter gathered themselves together and about the ninth hour of the night they ascended by the ruines into Antonia without any resistance and finding the first Watch-men asleep they slew them and got the Wall and commanded the Trumpeter to sound by which sound the rest of the Watch-men being awak'd fled for fear imagining that a great number of the Romans was gotten upon the Wall Titus haueing notice of it presently gathered his Souldiers together and accompanied with his chief Captains and his Guards he ascended the Wall The Jews fled into the inner Temple and the Romans broke in N amongst them by the Mine that John had made to destroy the Mounts of the Romans The followers both of John and Simon fought couragiously to drive them Back A most stout fight about the entrance of the inner Temple for they thought it the utter ruin of all if the Romans got into the Holy-place which indeed was of importance to their victory So they began a sharp fight in the very entrance The Straitness of the place was incommodions for the fight the Romans striving to get the inner Temple and the Jews endeavouring to beat them back towards Antonia And now Arrows Darts and Spears nothing availed either part but they fought it out at handy blows with Swords and in the conflict no man could discern on which side any one fought for the Souldiers on both parts were mingled together and through the straitness of the place could not keep O their ranks for there was such a noise that no man could hear one another and many A were slain on both parts and the dead bodies of those that were slain on both parts and their Weapons falling with them hurt many that trod upon them and whosoever had the worst they presently cryed out pitifully and the Victours shouted for joy neither was there any place to fly or follow the fight was such that now one had the better and now the other Moreover they that stood in the forefront of the Battel were either of necessity to kill or be killed for there was no void space left between the two Armies At last the rage and despair of the Jews overcame the valour of the Romans and they were all beaten back having fought from the ninth hour of the night unto the seventh hour of the day The Jews were encouraged to fight for fear they should be overcome And this part of the Roman Army for as yet the Legions B were not come thought it sufficient at that time to have gotten the Castle of Antonia CHAP. III. Of the incredible valour of Julian a Roman Captain THere was one Julian Julian's famous fortitude a Centurion born in Bithynia of good parentage who C was the most valiant dextrous and strongest man that I knew in all this War This Julian seeing the Romans to have the worst as he was standing by Titus in Antonia he presently leapt down and all alone charged the Jews who had the Victory and made them retire into the inner Temple and the whole multitude fled deeming him by his force and courage not to have been a man But he amongst the midst of them slew whomsoever he light on one of them for haste casting down another So that this his deed seemed admirable to Cesar and terrible to his Enemies Yet did that destiny befall him which no man could foresee Julian running falls upon the pavement for having his shoes full of Nails as other Souldiers have and running upon the pavement he slipt and fell down his Armour in the fall D making a great noise whereupon his Enemies who before fled turned again upon him The Romans in Antonia fearing his life cryed out but the Jews â—â—ny at once struck at him with Swords and Spears He warded off many blows with his Shield and many times attempting to rise they struck him down again yet as he lay he wounded many neither was he quickly slain because all parts of his body were very well armed and he cover'd his head wiâ—h his buckler but no man helping him his strength failed Julians death Cesar was very sorrowful to see a man of so great fortitude slain in the sight of such a multitude and that the place wherein he was hindred him from helping him and that others that might have helped him durst not for fear At last when Julian had a long time striven with Death and wounded many of E them that assaulted him he was with much ado killed leaving behind him a renowned memory not only amongst the Romans but also amongst his Enemies The Jews â—ook his dead body and beat back the Romans and shut them up within Antonia In this Battel Alexas and Gypthaeus Valiant Souldiers
good portion thereof for them and presently uncovered that part of her Son which she had left uneaten at which sight they trembled and horror fell upon them But the Woman said This is truly my Son and my doing eat you of it for I my self have eaten thereof Be not more effeminate than a Woman nor more merciful than a Mother If Religion make you refuse this my Sacrifice I have already eaten of it and will eat the rest The B Seditious departed hereat greatly trembling and how great soever their ravenousness was they left the rest of this detestable food to the wretched Mother Presently the report of this heinous Crime was bruited all about the City and every man having before his Eyes this execrable fact trembled as though himself had done it And now all that were vexed with this Famine wished their own deaths and he was accounted happy that died before he felt this Famine The calamity recounted to the Romans This unnatural fact was soon after recounted to the Romans some of them would not believe it others pittied them within the City and many hereat encreased their hatred towards the Nation Titus to justifie himself before Almighty God protested That he was not the cause of this misery having offered the Jews Peace General Pardon and Oblivion for all C their Offences past but they rather chose War than Peace Sedition than Quietness Famine than Wealth and Plenty having with their own hands begun to set on fire the Temple which he had preserved for them that therefore such like meat was fit for them and that he would bury this abominable Crime of eating their own Children in the Ruines of their Country and that he would not in any part of the World suffer the Sun to shine upon such a City 4 Reg. 6. Ant. l. 9. c. 4. wherein Mothers eat their own Children and where the Fathers were no less culpable than the Mothers because for all their miseries they would not yet cease from Arms. Having thus spoken he considered the Desperation of the Enemies and that they would not recall themselves who had already endured all such Calamities which might if it had been possible have altered their Opinions rather D that to have endured the same CHAP. IX How the Wall was taken and the Temple burnt THE Eighth day of August two of the Roman Legions having finished their Mounts began to place their Rams against the East-Galleries without the Temple having E six days together without intermission already beaten the Wall with their strongest Rams and nothing prevailed the Stones being so strong that the Rams could not move them Others of the Romans laboured to dig up the Foundations of the Porch that was on the North side and after much toyl they only could pull away the outward Stones but the inner Stones still supported the Porch At last the Romans seeing they could not prevail by their Javelins and other Instruments set up Ladders to ascend into the Galleries The Jews did not greatly labour to hinder them from getting up but when they were within the Galleries then they came and fought with them and cast some of them down headlong forcing them to retire others they slew that stood in it and others that were upon the Ladders going down before they could defend themselves F with their Shields The Jews overcome the Romans and seize their Ensigns were with Swords strucken down they also thrust down some Ladders full of armed men So that there was a great Massacre of the Romans who fought most to recover their Ensigns which the Jews had taken from them esteeming the loss thereof a great shame to them At last the Jews kept their Ensignes and slew those that bore them and the rest terrified with their death went down again although not one of the Romans died who before he was slain did not some valiant act Besides those Seditious persons who in the former Battels had shew'd themselves valiant Eleazar Son to the Brother of Simon one of the two Tyrants got great honour Then Titus perceiving that he spared the Temple of the Jews to his loss and with the death of his Souldiers commanded fire to be put to the Porches of the Temple whereupon Ananus G of Emmaus the most cruel of all Simons followers Two of Simons guard revolt from him and Archelaus the son of Magadatus fled to Titus who for their Cruelties committed determined to put them to death though they hoped for pardon because they had now forsaken the Jews when they had H gotten the better But Titus affirmed they came not of good will but for necessity and that they did not deserve to live for forsaking their Country now set on fire by their Crimes Yet his promise bridled his wrath and he dismissed them but they were not so much esteemed as the rest Titus promise 〈…〉 his wrath The Roman Souldiers had already put fire to the Temple Gates and the Silver plate wherewith they were covered being melted the flame quickly fired the wood and encreasing took hold presently of the next Porch The Jews seeing themselves invironed with flames None of the Jews go about 〈…〉 were now altogether discouraged and their hearts 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 nor endeavouring to save the rest and so that day and all the next night the fire encreased I 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 Titus calleth the 〈…〉 before him and calling to him his Captains and six that were the chifest among them to wit Tiberius Alexander his Lieutenant General Sextus Sâ—reaâ—â—s Commander of the fifth Legion Largius Lepidus of the tenth 〈…〉 Titus Frigius of the fifteenth Aeternius Fronto Commander of the two Legions that came from Alexandria and Marcus Antonius Julianus Governour of Judaea besides some other Collonels and Captains he deliberated with them what was to be done concerning the Temple Some counselled to use the right of War for that the Jews would never live peaceably whilst their Temple was standing Titus counsel concerning the Temple for all their Nation wheresoever living would assemble themselves thither at certain times Others perswaded K Titus to save it if so be the Jews abandon'd it and ceased to defend it but if they fought for it then to burn it for it was to be considered as a Castle not a Temple and if any man were offended hereat it would not be imputed to the Romans or to their General but to the Jews who constrained them to do it and he should not offend they forcing him to fire it But Titus affirmed that although the Jews made use of their Temple as of a Fortress yet it should not be destroyed
May there was seen a Vision beyond all belief and perhaps that which D I am to recount might seem a Fable if some were not now alive that beheld it and if that Calamity worthy to be so foretold had not ensued Before the Sun-rise were seen in the Air all over the Country Chariots full of armed men in battel aray passing along in the Clouds The fifth armed Chariots men seen in the air and begirting the City And upon the Feast day called Pentecost at night the Priests going into the Inner Temple to offer their wonted Sacrifice at first felt the place to move and tremble and afterward they heard a voice which said Let us depart hence The sixth a voice in the inward Temple And that which was most wonderful of all one Jesus the Son of Ananus an ordinary Pesant four years before the War begun when the City flourished in Peace and Riches The seventh Jesus a Countryman's cry and death coming to the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles in the Temple at Jerusalem suddenly began to cry out thus A Voice from the East a Voice from the West E a Voice from the four Winds a Voice against Jerusalem and the Temple a Voice against Men and Women newly married a Voice against all this People And thus crying night and day he went about all the streets of the City Some of the best quality not able to suffer words of so ill presage caused him to be taken and severely scourged which he endured without speaking the least word to defend himself or to complain of so hard treatment but he continued repeating the same words The Magistrates then thinking as indeed it was that the man spake thus through some divine motion led him to Albinus General of the Romans where being beaten till his bones appeared he never entreated nor wept but as well as he could with a mournful voice he cryed Wo wo to Jerusalem Albinus asked him what he was and whence and wherefore he said so F but he made him no answer Yet he ceased not to bewail the misery of Jerusalem till Albinus thinking him to be out of his wits suffered him to depart After which till the time of War this man was never seen to speak to any one but still without ceasing he cryed Wo wo to Jerusalem Neither did he ever Curse any one though every day some one or other did beat him nor did he ever thank any one that offered him meat All that he spake to any man was this heavy Prophecy He went crying as is said chiefly upon holy-dayes Jesus for seven years and five months cried about the City doing so continually for the space of seven years and five months and his voice never waxed hoarse nor weary till in the time of the Siege beholding what he foretold them he ceased and then once again upon the Walls going about the City A stone from an Engine killeth Jesus with a loud voice he cryed Wo wo to the City Temple and People and lastly G he said Wo also to my self Which words were no sooner uttered but a Stone shot out of an Engine smote him and so he yielded up the Ghost lamenting them all If any one diligently consider all these things he will find that God hath a care of H mankind and doth foreshew betime what is most expedient for them and that they through their own madness voluntarily perish in their wickedness For the Jews when the Castle Antonia was taken made the Temple four-square notwithstanding that it was written in the holy Scripture that the City and Temple should be taken when the Temple was made four-square But that which chiefly incited them to this War was a doubtful Prophecy likewise found in the holy Scriptures That at the same time one in their Dominions should be Monarch of the whole World And many wise men were deceived in their Interpretation The Jews interpreting the signs to their own good liâ—king are their Countries 〈◊〉 and the cause of their own calamity making account that he should be one of their own Nation but indeed thereby was foretold Vespasian's Empire But men cannot prevent Destiny though they foresee it Thus the Jews interpreted some of the Signs I as they pleased and at others they laughed till by the ruine of their Country and their own woful overthrow their error was discovered to them CHAP. XIII How Titus was made Emperour and of the Death of the Priests AFter the Seditious were fled into the City whilst all the Temple and places there K about were still on fire the Romans placing their Engines over against the East-gate of the Temple and there offering sacrifice to God with great shouts they declared Titus Emperor Gold was sold for half price The Romans got much Spoil and Booty so that they sold Gold in Syria for half the value And among those Priests that kept on the Wall a Child being thirsty desired drink of the Roman Watchmen saying that he was thirsty They pitying both his years and his need gave him their hands that he should have no harm and then he came down and drunk and filled a bottle which he brought with him and when he had done he ran up again to his fellows and none of the watchmen were able to overtake him The craft of a Boy and they could only upbraid him with falshood But he answered That he had done nothing but that which he and they intended for they did not give him their L hands to secure him to remain with them but only to come down and take water which he had done The Roman watchmen greatly admired the subtilty of one that was but a Child The fifth day The Priests â—â—ave pardon but Titus commands them to be led to execution the Priests being almost famished came down and the watchmen carried them to Titus whom they besought to grant them their lives But he answered them That the time of pardon was past seeing that was destroyed for the sake of which he might have pardoned them and that it was meet that the Priests should perish with the Temple and so he commanded them to be put to death Then the Tyrants with their followers being on every side beset by the Romans The Seditious summon Titus to a Parley and having no way to flee they being thus beleagured round requested to speak with Titus who out of his natural gentleness yielded to their request his friends also perswading him thereto that at least he might M save the City judging indeed that now the Seditious had already their minds and so he went to the West part of the Inner Temple for there was a Gate built above a Gallery and a Bridge that joyned the Temple and City together which was then between Titus and the Tyrants Many Souldiers on both parts flocked about their Generals the Jews about Simon and John hoping
Crowns of Gold some in other works that it appear'd that without reason we judged them to be rare and scarce Moreover the Pictures of their Gods were carried with them which were admirable both for greatness workmanship and all of precious matter Moreover divers sorts of living creatures were there to be seen all adorned with some attire agreeing and alluding unto their nature There was also an infinite multitude of men in Purple Garments wrought L with Gold who carried all these things and all those that were designed to serve for this pomp were attired in such Garments than which nothing could be more Glorious Even the Captives were not without gorgeous attire The building of the Pageants but the variety and beauty of the Garments made the Sadness of their countenances less remarkable The Pageants that were born in the Triumph were of admirable bigness so that the people that beheld them wondred how it was possible that men should carry them for many were built with three or four lofts one above another surpassing all that can be imagined for work and cost some of them being hang'd about with Tapestry of Gold and all things annexed unto them whereon they were carried were made of wrought Gold or Ivory Wherein was curiously represented the manner of War and all Stratagems and Arts of M fighting that could be devised some in one part of the Pageant some in another There might one have beheld most most fertil and fortunate Countries destroyed whole Troops of Enemies slain some flying others taken Prisoners strong and huge Walls battered down with Rams Castles and Fortreses destroyed great and populous Cities assaulted and a whole Army entring the Breach all places filled with massacred men and how those that were not able to fight yielding themselves asked mercy the Temples set one fire and after all else was wasted the houses thrown down upon their owners heads and a River not flowing as it was wont into tilled places and to serve for the use of Man and Cattel to drink but carrying Streames of blood to quench part of the flames A Table of Gold of the weight of a great talent which consum'd the City to ashes all which the Jews in their War N endured These things were so artificially represented to the view of those that had not seen them as though they were now a doing Upon every Pageant stood the Governour of the City representing the manner how it was taken After all these followed many Ships and in every place were carried the spoils taken in War amongst which those that were taken in the Temple of Jerusalem were most remarkable The last of the spoils was the Law of the Jews for there was a Golden Table weighing many Talents and likewise a Golden Candelstick the use whereof was now not such as we were wont to put it to for in the midst of the stem thereof was fixed a Base and out of it proceeded many small branches framed like a three-forked spear every one being at the top made like a Lamp which were 7 in number shewing the honour of the seventh day which is called the Sabbath amongst O the Jews After all this was carried the Jews Law which was the last of all the spoils Then followed some that carried several Images of Victory all made of Gold A and Ivory Afterwards came Vespasian followed by Titus and Domitian accompanied them gallantly adorned and Mounted on an excellent Horse and so they went all to the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus and there was the end of all this pomp Here they made some stay For it was an ancient Custom of their Country to repose themselves there till some came and brought news to them of the death of him who was General of their Enemies This at this time was Simon Giora Simon the Son of Giora is drawn with a Halter about his neck thorow the market place who was also carried in the Triumph and having a Rope fastned about his neck was drawn all along the Market-place where they that drew him kil'd him For it is the custom of the Romans there to put malefactors to death that are condemned After word was brought that he he was dead all the B people made joyful exclamations and so they fell to Sacrifice which done according to the custom they returned to the Palace where they made a great Feast as others also did for themselves at their own Houses For this day was sacred amongst the Romans in joy of the Victory over their Enemies and an end of civil Calamity and the beginning of good Fortune and hope which they had in their new Princes When the Triumphs were ended Vespasian buildeth and dedicateth a Temple to Peace and all the Roman Empire quieted Vespasian built a Temple and dedicated it to Peace which he did in so short a space that it was admirable and having bestowed great cost upon it he also beautified it with divers Pictures and carved works And he placed in that Temple all things C that men of former Ages had gathered together from the uttermost parts of the Earth And he placed there all the Golden Vessels and other things that the Jews used in their Temple doing them great reverence But their Law and the Tapestry or Purple Veils of the Sanctuary he commanded to be kept in the Palace CHAP. XXV D How Herodium and Machaeron were taken by Bassus CAesar sent Lucius Bassus into Judea to be Lieutenant General there who receiving the Army of Cerealis Vetilianus took the Castle and Garrison of Herodium by composition After this gathering together all his Troops which were dispersed in divers places of the Country with the tenth Legion he purposed to War against Machaeron for he thought it necessary to destroy that Castle left its strength might move many to rebel for by reason of the situation of the place they that werein it had great assurance of safety and those that sought to assault it were in great danger For it was built upon a Rock that was exceeding high and which made E it almost inexpugnable and nature had so devised that it was hard to come to it being environed round about with Valleys of incredible depth and very difficult to pass over for that which is on the West part is threescore Furlongs large and endeth at the Lake Asphaltites on which side Machaeron hath a very high Prospect and it is environed on the North and South with Valleys of the like depth whereby it is impossible to win the Castle but that Valley which is on the East side is at least a hundred Cubits deep and endeth upon a Mountain near Macheron Alexander King of the Jews seeing the Nature of the place there built a Castle which afterward Gabinius in the War against Aristobulas destroyed But Herod when he was King Herod environeth Machaâ—ron with a great Wall and Tower judged this place worthy to
be fortified as a Principal defence F against the Neighbouring Arabians For it was aptly situate upon a Mountain whence one might behold their borders Wherefore making a large Wall he built a City there in the place that enters into the Castle he also compassed the very top thereof with another Wall and in the corner he placed Towers that were 60 Cubits high and in the very midst of all he built a Palace for largeness and beauty admirable and he made many Cisterns to receive Water in convenient places Wonderful store of Arrows and other Engines in this Tower which served the people abundantly striving as it were with nature that the places which she had made Strong he by Art might make yet inexpugnable He also laid up there in store Arms and warlike Engines and also all provisions wherewith the Inhabitans might be able to hold out a long siege G In the Kings Palace Rue of admirable greatness grew the Herb called Rue which was very admirable for the greatness for no Figtree was taller or broader then it and it was reported that it had continued ever since Herods time The year of the World 4037. after the Nativity of Christ 75. and had endured longer had not the Jews ruined it when H they took the place In the Valley that lieth on the North side of the City there is a place called Baaras where also groweth a Root of the same name the colour whereof resembleth flame and it shineth at night like the Sun-beams and is not easie to be pulled up till one cast upon it the Urine of a Woman or her flowers whosoever toucheth it is sure to dy except he carry the Root hanging on his hand It is also gathered another way without danger How Baaras is to be gathered after this manner They dig all round about it so that they leave a very little of the Root covered with Earth and then they tie a Dog to it Another fashion how to dig the Roots who striving to follow his Master who makes as though he would go away easily pulleth up the Root and the Dog presently dieth as it were in his stead that seeketh to get it but afterward none that handleth it or taketh I it need to stand in fear thereof This Herb notwithstanding all this danger is diligently sought out for the vertue it hath For it driveth away Devils which are the Souls of wicked men out of mens bodies if it be applyed unto them whereas otherwise if they had no help these Devils possessing their bodies would kill them Hot Baths out of that place also do spring certain hot Waters very different in taste one from another for some are bitter some sweet there are also sources of cold Waters one near another in a Plain but which is most admirable there is a Cave hard by not very deep environed with an eminent Rock above from which there stands out as it were two Duggs or Paps hard by one another and out of one of them floweth very cold Water out of the other very hot which mingled together K make a pleasant bath and serve to cure many Diseases and especially all pains of the sinews In the same place also are mines of Sulpher and Alum Bassus having viewed this place on every side resolved to besiege it and he endeavoured to fill up the Valley that was on the East side and so make away to it which he began to do hastning to raise a very high Mount in order to batter the Castle The Jews that were forreigners dwelt in the lower City Those that were inhabitants constrained the Jews that were strangers to go into the lower City judging them an unprofitable multitude and so they caused them to endure the first brunt of the Enemies and they themselves kept the Castle both for that it was strong and easie to defend and that they L hop'd that by yielding the place to the Romans The conflict of the Jews with the Romans they might obtain pardon of them Yet first they purposed to make Trial if they could avoid the siege and therfore very couragiously every day they made excursions Eleazar a Jew strong in hand and fierce in bold attempts and fought with those they met and many were slain on both parts Fortune and opportunity sometime caused one side to be victors sometime another for the Jews got the best when they could assault the Romans unawares and the Romans overcame when they were aware of the Jews coming and armed themselves But the siege was not ended by these Skirmishes at length a chance befel which obliged the Jews to yield the Castle Amongst those that were besieged was one Eleazar a young man very hardy and bold in any enterprize and who oftentimes made excursions and sought to M hinder the Romans work whom always in every fight he greatly endammaged and by his valour and adventurous courage gave those that were his fellows opportunity to assault the Romans and to fly again and retire in safety himself being always the last that so retired It hapned one day that the fight being ended and both parts separated he as it were contemning all men and thinking that none of his Enemies durst undertake to Combate with him stayed without the Gate speaking to those that were upon the Wall and giving great attention to them Then one Rufus an Aegyptian one of the Roman Army spying this opportunity ran upon him so suddenly that he unawares took him all unarmed as he was and they upon the Walls stood amazed whilst Rufus led him into the Roman Camp N Then the General of the Romans caused him to be led into a place where they in the City might see him and there to have all his Cloaths taken off and to be whipp'd the misfortune of this young man greatly discouraged the Jews so that all the City was melted into Tears for the calamity of this one man Bassus seeing this contriv'd this device against them in order to move them to compassion so that for to save him they should yeild their Castle Eleazar's calamity moveth the Jews to submit themselves which fell out as he desired He presently commanded a Cross to be erected as though he would presently have crucified Eleazar which sight greatly moved them in the Castle to sorrow whereupon with loud cries they lamented saying that this calamity was insupportable O Eleazar besought them not to neglect him who was now to die a most miserable A death and moreover to provide for their own safety in yielding the Castle unto the Roman Forces and success They moved with his words and many also within the City intreating for him for he came of great Parentage and had many Kindred though contrary to their natures compassion took place in them and so sending some of their company speedily they desired to parley declaring that they would yield the Castle
on condition that they might safely depart away and Eleazar might likewise be restored to them Which offer of theirs the Romans accepted and the Jews in the lower part of the City having intelligence of this agreement resolved likewise to fly away in the night but so soon as they had opened their Gates those that had agreed with Bassus B gave him intelligence thereof either envying that their Country men should escape or else fearing that Bassus would punish them for their flight yet for all this the most valiant of those that fled who got out before the rest escaped the rest were slain to the number of one thousand seven hundred men 1700 Jews slain by the Romans the Women and Children were made bondslaves And Bassus thinking it meet to keep his promise to them of the Castle permitted them safely to depart and restored Eleazar to them C CHAP. XXVI Of the Jews that Bassus slew and how the Emperor caused the Lands of Judea to be sold THis done Bassus prepared to carry his Army into the Forrest called Jardes Jardes a wood invironed by the Romans where he had notice that many Jews were assembled together having escaped from Jerusalem and Machera during the Siege So coming to the place and finding it to be as it was reported to him he first of all invironed it with Horsemen that if any of the Jews sought to escape the Horsemen might dispatch them and he commanded the D Footmen to cut down the Wood into which they had fled to hide themselves So through necessity the Jews were constrained to fight in hope by a couragious Charge to make a passage for themselves Wherefore with a great Cry they violently assaulted those by whom they were invironed and the Romans valiantly received them and by their valour and the Jews desperation the fight endured a long time yet the event of the Battle was favourable to the Romans of whom only twelve were slain and very few wounded 3000 Jews slain but all the Jews were slain in the fight being in number three thousand and also their Captain Judas the Son of Jairus of whom we have already made mention and who during the siege of Jerusalem was Commander of a Company there and hid himself in a certain Cave and secretly escaped from thence At that time Caesar E writ to Liberius Maximus his Governour A tribute imposed by Caesar on all the Jews and to Bassus to fell all the Lands of Judea for he would not build any more Cities but appropriated it to himself leaving there only eight hundred Souldiers and giving them a place to dwell in called Emaus thirty furlongs distant from Jerusalem and he imposed a Tribute upon all Jews wheresoever they lived commanding every one of them every year to pay two Drachms to the Capitol according as in former times they were wont to pay to the Temple of Jerusalem and this was the miserable estate of the Jews at that time F G CHAP. XXVII H Of the Death of King Antiochus and how the Alans invaded Armenia IN the fourth year of Vespasian's Reign it hapned that Antiochus King of Comagenaâ— with all his family fell into great misfortune upon this occasion Cesennius Petus President of Syria accuseth Antiochus before Caesar Cesennius Petus Governour of Syria either for envy or for that indeed it was so for it is not well known sent Letters to Caesar declaring to him that Antiochus was determined to revolt from the Romans together with his Son Epiphanes that he had made a League with I the King of the Parthians and that therefore it was necessary to prevent them in time lest if they first began to revolt openly they might trouble all the Roman Empire with War Caesar did not neglect this news for that the nearness of both the Kings Countries one to another seemed to require that they should be quickly prevented for Samosata the greatest City of Comagena is situate upon Euphrates and so might both easily receive the Parthians and be a strong Hold for them and also there they might easily pass over the River Wherefore Vespasian sent word to Petus That he permitted him to do what he thought expedient and he forthwith Antiochus thinking nothing suddenly entred into Comagena with the sixth Legion and certain other Companies of Foot and K some Troops of Horse accompanied with Aristobulus King of Chalcis and Sohemus King of Emesa who came to assist him They entred the Country without any fight for none of the inhabitants offered to resist Antiochus is suddenly invaded by Cesennius Antiochus though surprised with this unexpected news yet did not so much as think of any War against the Romans but determined to leave the whole Kingdom in that estate that then it was in and with his Wife and Children to depart from thence hoping hereby to clear himself to the Romans from that which they suspected of him and going almost a hundred and thirty furlongs from the City into a Plain there he encamped Petus sent men to Samosata to take it as they easily did and were left to keep the City whilst he with the rest of the Souldiers purpose to go against Antiochus But the King though by necessity urged thereto yet would L not fight against the Romans but bewailing his misfortune endured patienrly all whatsoever But his two Sons being lusty strong young men and skilfull in martial affairs could not easily abstain from fight in this their distress Wherefore they had recourse to their forces and in a great fight that endured a whole day they shewed their Valour and came off with little loss Antiochus chuseth rather to depart out of his Country with his Wife and Children than to fight with the Romans Yet Antiochus after this fight would not any longer abide in his Country but taking his Wife and Daughters he fled into Cilicia and thereby discouraged his Souldiers who dispairing to keep the Kingdom for him revolted to the Romans But Epiphanes and the rest were forced to seek to save themselves before such time as they were left destitute and so accompanied with ten Horsemen they passed the River Euphrates And so being out of danger they went to Vologesus by whom they were received Antiochus flieth with his wife into Câ—licia not as Fugitives but with great honour and according to their degree M as though they yet possessed their ancient dignity Petus coming to Tarsus of Cilicia sent a Centurion to arrest and carry Antiochus bound to Rome Epiphanes flieth to Velogeâ—us the King of Parthia But Vespasian permitted not the King to be so ill treated considering more the old Friendship between them than the offence which he believed had given occasion to this War Wherefore he commanded that in the way as he came he should be unbound and stay a while at Lacedemon and forbear his journey towards Rome allowing him money sufficient to
ought not to have expected any admonition thereunto nor to have made any L delay to do it The ancient customes which have endured ever since men had reason the divine doctrine of our Nation which hath continually been confirmed by the deeds of our predecessours do instruct us that it is miserable to live and not to die For Death dismisseth our Souls from prison to their most pure and proper place where never after they shall be touched with calamity A Soul tied in a mortal body But whilst they are bound in a mortal body and participate of his miseries they may in a manner be affirmed to be dead The power of the Soul For there is no proportion between two things one whereof is Divine and the other Mortal True it is that our Souls can do much being joyned to our bodies which they use as their instruments secretly producing in them motion and many other actions passing the Nature of Mortal things But when the Soul is loosed from that heavy burthen which weighs it down to the Earth and hath recovered its proper M habitation then it injoyeth free and perfect felicity and remaineth invisible to mortal Eyes as God himself is as likewise it is in our bodies For it cometh secretly into them and so departeth from them again that no man can perceive it being of a nature incorruptible and yet causing great changes in our bodies For whatsoever the Soul toucheth that presently liveth and flourisheth and what is forsaketh that incontinently withereth and dyeth Sleep the Argument of the immortality of the Soul so much doth it participate of immortality Sleep may be an evident argument to you of this which I speak in which the Soul not being distracted taketh a most pleasant and sweet repose and communicating with God it foreseeth many future events Wherefore then should we fear death who love the rest that we have in sleep were he not a mad man that for a short life would hinder himself of that which is enternal It is necessary that we who are instructed N in the Law of our Nation The professors of wisdom among the Indians burn themselves should give example to others to despise and contemn Death But if we seek confirmation hereof from strangers let us see the examples of the wiser sort of Indians for they being just men tolerate this life as a necessary office of nature for a certain time though against their wills yet do they even in perfect health hasten to unloose the Soul bound in this Mortal Body though not urged thereunto by any calamity or necessity but only for desire of immortality and solemnly take leave of their Friends neither doth any one seek to hinder them but esteeming them most fortunate they send by them commendations and other messages to their Friends departed so firm is their belief that the Souls of the dead have Communion and conversation together And thus having all instruction what to say to the Souls departed they with great applause leap into the fire that thereby their Souls may O be purified and separated from their Bodies And their Friends go more joyfully with them A when they go to their death than any doth that bringeth his Friend on the way when he is to go a great journey and they bewail only themselves and not those who are dead and have attained immortality Shall not we then be ashamed not to believe so firmly as the Indians do despising through our own sloth our Country-laws which are to be reverenc'd of all men Nay supposing that by our law we had been instructed contrariwise to wit that to live in this life is bliss and to die is calamity yet notwithstanding this present necessity this present time had been a sufficient motive to cause us to embrace death rather than life seeing that the will of God and necessity oblige us thereunto For who can doubt that God to punish us for having made ill use of life ha's long since resolv'd to deprive us of it and that it is not to our own forces or the clemency of the Romans that we are beholding for not being all slain in this B War An exhortation to contemn death drawn from the time and place But a more potent cause hereof there was which made them conquerours Were they the Romans that slew the Jews that inhabited at Caesarea whom the Inhabitants thereof upon the Sabboth-day they being assembled in one place together with their Wives and Children massacred notwithstanding that they had no intent to revolt from them nor ever lifted up their hand in their own defence nothing fearing the Romans who only accounted those of our Nation their Enemies that revolted from them But some may object the Jews at Caesarea and the Inhabitants thereof were always at variance and that now they revenged their old quarrel having gotten opportunity What then shall we say of the Scythopolitans who bare Arms with the Grecians against us and denied to assist their own kindred against the Romans Example taken from the Jews that were slain in Caesarea What profit did they receive by this their good will and fidelity for they were C altogether with their whole Families cruelly slain and this was the reward they had for their labour for having withstood us from doing the like to them It were too long to recount particularly all things to this effect For as ye know there is no City in all Syria that hath not massacred the Jews inhabiting in it and that is not more an Enemy than the Romans were They of Damascus although they could not devise any probable cause for it yet massacred all the Jews living among them The calamity of the Jews in Scythopolis amounting to the number of eighteen thousand beside their Wives and Children And is it not for certain reported that the number of the Jews slain by the Egyptians were above 60000 18000 Jews slain in Syria and 60000 in Egypt It may be that finding no assistance in a strange Country they were martyred by their enemies but they that in their own Country fought against the Romans wanted nothing that might have caused perfect hope of a full victory over the Romans D they had Weapons Armour Walls and strong holds inexpugnable and resolution to shun no danger for the sake of liberty in a word nothing that might put us into a condition to resist But for how long time did this suffice For our fortresses all were taken and subdued by the Enemies as though they had been built to make their victory more Famous and not to do us service And we may justly deem those happy who were slain in the War for they died in liberty Yet who doth not pity the multitude of those that fell into the Romans hands or who would not hasten to die rather than endure the like misery that they suffered Some of them were tortured with stripes
why had Amenophis this desire Forsooth because a certain King one of his Predecessors had seen them he therefore knowing by him what things they were and how he came to the sight of them needed no new device to accomplish his desire But perhaps the foresaid Prophet was a Man of great G wisdom by whom the King had confidence to attain his desire if so he had been how chanceth it that he was so unwise not to perceive that it was an impossible thing to satisfy the Kings desire for that which he promised was not brought to pass Or what H reason moved him to think that the Gods were invisible because of the Leprosie and infirmity of the people The Gods are offended with mens impieties not with the defects of their bodies And how was it possible that at one instant so many thousand Lepers and infirm persons should be gathered together or wherein did not the King obey the Prophet He commanded that the Lepers and infirme persons should be exiled the Country and the King did not banish them the Country but sent them to hew Stones as though he had needed workmen and not purposed to cleanse the Country from Lepers Lastly he saith that the Prophet foreseeing that Egypt was to suffer and fearing the wrath of the Gods killed himself and left his mind in a Book written unto the King How chanced it then that the Prophet did not at first foresee his own death and so oppose I himself to the Kings desire to see the Gods Or wherefore did he fear such calamities as were not to fall in his life or what great misery hanged over his head which might worthily cause him to kill himself to prevent it But let us hear that which followeth more sottish than all the rest The King saith he heariug this Manethon's words repeated and striken with fear did not however expel those Lepers he ought to have exiled but at their request gave them as he saith a City wherein before time the Shepherds did inhabit called Avaris whereinto being come they made a Priest of Heliopolis their Prince who devised Laws for them commanding them neither to adore the Gods nor to abstain from offering violence to such beasts as amongst the Egyptians are sacred but that they should kill and K spoil all things that they should marry with none but such as were their confederates that he bound the people with an oath to keep those Laws and that they fortified Avaris to fight against the King Adding moreover that he sent to Jerusalem for help promising to yield Avaris unto them being a place sometime possessed by their Ancestors and that they from that place leading their Forces might easily subdue all Egypt he then saith that the Egyptian King Amenophis came against them with 300000 and yet for that he would not strive against the decree of the Gods he fled into Aethiopia and carried with him Apis and other Holy Beasts and that the inhabitants of Jerusalem coming down invaded the Land fired the Towns and Cities slew their Nobles used all sorts of cruelty possible and that the Priests name who made Laws and Statutes for L them to live under was one of Heliopolis Osarsiphus by name deriving the same from Osiris the God of Heliopolis and that this man changing his name was afterward called Moses Moreover that Amenophis having lived in banishment thirty years came with a strong power out of Aethiopia and fighting with the shepherds and polluted he slew many of them and put the rest to flight pursuing them unto the borders of Syria Manethon remembreth not that here again he telleth a very unlikely tale for although the Lepers and impotent persons were offended with the King for appointing them to hew Stones yet it is to be thought that receiving their own desire at the Kings hands afterwards to wit a City to dwell in that then they again became the Kings well-willers Supposing also their hatred still continued towards him they rather should have M attempted revenge by treason against him than towards all their Nation wherein they had many dear friends and alliance And although they had purposed to War against these men yet would they not have been so impious as to have rebelled against the Gods and to have violated the Laws wherein they were brought up We have therefore cause to thank Manethon A confutation of Manethon's words alledged in that he cleareth us and affirmeth his own country-men yea a Priest to be authors of this impiety and that by oath they bound themselves so to do What can be more extravigant than to say that neither any of their country-men nor kinsmen rebelled with them but that the poor distressed people were glad to send to Jerusalem for succour But what society or friendship had they with the people of Jerusalem of whom they came to demand help N Why they were more their Enemies than the rest of their Country-men and were all of quite different manners from us They of Jerusalem as he saith presently did as they were willed to do in hope that according as they were promised they might subdue Egypt Were they ignorant of that Country out of which they had been driven by force had they lived in poverty or misery perhaps they might have been induced to have done it but seeing they inhabited a fortunate and rich City and possessed a goodly fertile soil far better than Egypt what might move them thereto What reason had they at the request of their ancient Enemies and they also so diseased as they of Jerusalem could not abide their own friends among them that had the O like diseases to thrust themselves into danger they could not fore-know the Kings A intent to fly as for Manethon himself he saith he met them at Pelusia with 300000 men And this they that went to War well knew But what reason had they to conjecture that the Kings mind would change and he flye As to what he charges upon the Auxiliaries from Jerusalem that they seized upon the stores and secur'd all the Corn that was in Egypt which brought great distress and exigence upon the people hath he forgot that considering they entred as Enemies they are not thereby to be reproached Rapacity being unavoidable among Souldiers especially if Strangers and Conquerours Hath he forgot he said before that the Lepers had done the same formerly and had to that purpose obliged themselves by oath and that he assured us that some years after Amenophis repelled the Jerusalem-Confederats and Lepers slew B many of them drove them out of those parts and pursued them to the very borders of Syria as if Egypt was a Country so easily conquer'd or that those who were then in possession meerly by conquest would not upon the first alarme of Amenophis's march have block'd up the passages and secured the Avenues on that side towards Aethiope which they might easily have done and
us he speaketh ill of them to gratifie whom he took all this pains For the Egyptians do not only use those customs which Appion in us disalloweth Appions death but also do teach others to circumcise themselves as Herodotus reporteth So that I verily think that Appion was justly punished for blaspheming his Country-Laws and Religion For being forced to circumcise himself to avoid a great disease The defence of Moses against Appollonius and Lysimachus he was hereby nothing helped but for all this his privy member rotting he in extream grief and misery L gave up the Ghost For wise men ought to persevere in their Country-Laws in all piety and not to deride and detract others but Appion forsook his own Religion and slandered and belied ours And this was Appions end and here also should end this Book but that Appollonius Molon and Lysimachus and certain others partly for ignorance partly for madness have most injuriously belied our Law-maker Moses and the Laws he made detracting him as a deceitful Magician and Author of all the malice and impiety amongst us and for such as teacheth no vertue nor goodness at all I will therefore as far as in me lieth declare both our Conversation in general M and in particular For if my Judgment be any thing our Laws are most forcible both to piety and to all humanity in general as also to Justice pains-taking and contempt of death I only request this favour of the Reader that he will not with a prejudicate or malicious opinion peruse these Writings for I do not write this as a praise and vain ostentation of our Nation but as a just Apology refuting the slanderous reports that some have used against us Appollonius doth not continually inveigh against us as Appion doth Wherein Apollonius accuseth the Jews but only here and there sometimes affirming us to be hated both of God and man sometimes to be Cowards sometimes contrariwise complaining of our Nations Boldness Saying moreover that we are more sottish than any barbarous Nation and that therefore we only have had none of our Nation founders of Arts or Sciences which N are profitable for mans life all which objections are easily refuted if we shew the contrary to all these by him reported both that we have obeyed our Laws and lived in all integrity If therefore I be forced to shew that other Nations have made contrary Laws The lovers of order and common laws are excellent in meekness and vertue not I but they are to be blamed who comparing ours with them of other Nations affirm ours to be the worse neither of which can charge us eitheir that these Laws which I will briefly set down are not ours or else that we have not persisted in them as we ought Making therefore this beginning I affirm that they who have framed themselves to live together under certain Rules and Ordinances and kept them inviolate and were the first founders of them were more to be commended O for humanity and vertue than they who live under no Rule nor Ordinance A at all and every Law-maker endeavoureth so to attribute Antiquity to their own Ordinances as that they may not be thought to imitate others but to be themselves the first Authors thereof and guides to direct other mens lives Which being so it is the duty of a good Law-maker to make choice of that which is best and most convenient for them who are to obey their Laws and to satisfie them as much as may be Moses more ancient than all other Law-makers in proving their Laws to be good and right and both in wealth and wo calamity and felicity to remain in them neuer changing nor altering them I therefore aver 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This word Law is not in Homer that our Law-maker is more ancient than any Law maker mentioned For Lycurgus and Solon and Seleuchus of Locris and those the Greeks admire are modern and of late times in in respect of him as is well known For the Greeks B themselves confess that in times past they wanted the name of Law This Homer can witness who in his whole Works never mentioneth this word Law for the people of those times were not governed by Laws but by indefinite sentences and the Princes pleasure The life of Moses using customs but not written and altering and changing them also as occasion served But our Law-maker being very ancient for this is every way manifest even by our adversaries own confessions shewed himself both a good Prince and Counsellor unto his people for making Laws to direct and govern mens lives he perswaded them voluntarily to imbrace them and firmly to persist in them with all wisdom C And first of all let us consider the works of his greatness For he undertaking the conduct of many thousand of our fore-Fathers out of Egypt into our own Country delivered them from many calamities almost impossible to be avoided for they being to pass through a place wherein was no Water and a very sandy ground being also to War and preserve their Wives and Children and goods from the variable event of Wars he in all these shewed himself a most wise and prudent Counsellor and a true Patron and Guide unto them all For he made all the multitude so to depend upon him Moses maketh God his guide and Counsellor that he might perswade them to what he pleased and yet in none of all these did he usurp any Authority over them and in that time and place wherein all men of Authority assume D power unto themselves and exercise tyranny at such time as the people do oftentimes offend and live in all manner of impiety at the same time he being in Authority did contrariwise use all lenity and mildness to the intent that he might be a pattern of vertue and justice to all the rest giving all those that willingly followed him most assured safety using in all accidents most strange works For which cause he rightly deemed God to be his Captain and Counsellor and first examining himself and finding all the Laws he had set down were agreeable to the will and pleasure of God the chiefest care he had was how to perswade his people to the same which he himself now knew for they who direct their Lives according to the will of God avoid all sins as our Law-maker did being neither Magician E nor deceiver The origin of Laws amongst the Greeks as his Enemies injuriously report but such a one as the Greeks do boast Minos and others after him to have been for some of them affirmed their Laws to be made by Jupiter others by Apollo and Delphos Oracle either so believing themselves or else thinking that the people would be easily so perswaded Now who of all the Law-makers made the best Law and who did most rightly think of God he that compareth all their Laws together may easily
and esteemed that only their felicity to do and endure any thing so that they might prevail against those against whom they enterprized Wars And that they failed also herein I omit to rehearse For not only one or two of them at once but oftentimes whole Companies of them forgetting their own Laws yielded themselves to their Enemies And can any one tell of I say not many but of one or two of us that ever was treacherous to his own Laws or that feared to dye for them I mean not a common death such as Souldiers are subject unto but such a death as is effected by all torments and tortures that can be devised Which I think those that prevail against us imposed upon us not for hatred but that they desired G to see so admirable a matter and to see we being but men and such who esteemed it the greatest impiety possible to do it could be compelled by them to speak or do any thing contrary to our Laws The strict Laws of the Jews Yet it is no wonder that we for our Law do dye with H such constancy rather than any other Nation For other Nations cannot abide to endure that which we account a trifle to wit labour and simple fare abstinence from our Wives and observation of our days of rest and we are always careful that when we fight against our Enemies we observe our Laws concerning our Meats And thus we take pleasure to observe and keep our Laws and to exercise fortitude in obeying them Let now Lysimachus or Molonus pass and all such as they be wicked lying Writers and Sophisters deceivers of young men and detracters of our Nation as though we were the wickedest People living As for me I will not examine the Laws of other Nations Moses forbideth to deride and blaspheme false gods only for the name of God imputed unto them for it is our Custom to keep and observe our own not to detract others yea and our Law-maker openly prohibited us from blaspheming such as other Nations I hold for gods only for the Name of God attributed unto them yet may we not leave the Objections of our accusers unanswered seeing that which we are to speak against them is not our own device but many before us have spoken it Who then of all the wise Greeks will not condemn the most famous Poets and especially the Law-makers who at first brought and setled such vain opinions of the gods among the common People The number of gods amongst the Gentiles 〈◊〉 affirming the number of them to be as many as they thought good and that they were born at divers times allotting to every one his proper place as unto other living Creatures some to be under the Earth others in the Sea and the ancientest amongst them in Hell fettered and bound and those whom they place in Heaven in words they do term him a Father but in deeds they shew him to be a Tyrant and for this cause they K report that his Wife his Brother and his Daughter whom they affirm to have been born of his Brain conspired against him to bind him and hang him as they report him also to have dealt by his Father The Fable of Jupiter and â—allas Against these vanities all excellent and wise men do worthily inveigh who beside this already rehearsed in derision add how some of the gods are young some are old some infants others are gods of Arts and Sciences and one is a Smith another a Weaver another a Pilgrim and at variance with mortal men others delight in Musick others in Shooting Moreover that they are at variance one with another amongst themselves and that they fall out one with another in mens behalf and that not only one of them layeth violent hands upon the other but that also they are wounded by mortal men and sorrow and grive for the wounds and that which L is most abominable of all do use carnal Copulation with mankind and that most undecently that their unbridled lust is extended both to men and women Then that their chief god Jupiter whom they call Father contemned and drowned certain women whom he himself had deceived and gotten with Child and that he could not deliver the Children born of these Women from calamity for that destiny had obliged him nor see their deaths without tears This is all good stuff as also is that which followeth to wit Adulteries committed in Heaven so openly and impudently among the gods that some profess themselves to envy their fellow gods and goddesses tied together in such filthiness And what should the rest of them do when as their King the most antient amongst them could not refrain M his lustful licentiousness and debauchery Moreover Some of them became servants unto men some built houses for money and others became Shepherds others like malefactors were chained in Hell What man then that ever was accounted wise would not blush at these follies and reprove the inventors hereof and the foolish believers also Others made them subject to terrour and fear and madness and such simplicity as that they might be deceived and all other naughty passions to be found in the nature of their gods and have perswaded whole Cities to offer sacrifice to the most noble amongst them And they are in great perplexity thinking that some of the gods are the givers of all good things others again to be their enemies and so seek to please them with gifts as they would do wicked men and they are verily perswaded that they shall N sustain great dammage by their means except they do daily pacify their wrath by frequent gifts What is the cause of this shameful ignorance What is the cause of such error concerning God and erroneous iniquity concerning God Truly I am perswaded For that their first Law-makers were themselves herein to seek and ignorant of the nature of God or else that they did not faithfully deliver unto their Common-wealth so much as themselves knew concerning this point but as though it had been a thing of least moment did willfully let it pass giving licence to Poets and permitting them to deifie and make gods whom they pleased and that the Orators should write of the Common-wealths affairs and tell what them liked of strange gods O Moreover the Painters and Image-makers amongst the Greeks had a great hand in A making of gods Poets and Painters cause the multitude of gods it being lawful for them every one to frame what shape he list and how he list some of Earth others of Colours and the chiefest god-makers amongst them used Ivory and Gold to make their god of a true argument of their mutable novelty And then the ancient gods whom at first they honoured and reverenced as much as they could possibly devise being now withered with Age are out of credit and other youngsters possess their places and honours their Temples
He also commanded him as he hung to be pricked with awls that so the heat might pierce into the holes they made in his flesh Whilst thus he was tormented much blood like froth gathered about his head and face and he then spake in this manner O noble fight O valiant War O strife between piety and impiety These men have past their Agonies whose Crown of Martyrdom is the punishment of their persecutors I do most willingly B follow my brethren that as by blood I am conjoyned unto them so by death I may not be separated from them Devise O Tyrant some new Torment for these I have already overcome O master of cruelty Enemy of piety persecuter of justice we six Brethren have conquered the Kings power and what his Kingdom or the whole world could afford Thy fire is cold and heateth not The sixth brother sharply reproves Antiochus and the Kings weapons are bended and blunted in our bodies our God giveth us more courage to suffer than thou hast to punish and so the precept of God remaineth firm in us And as he thus spake one took hold of his tongue with a hot pair of tongs and so with the same torments that his brethren had suffered being fryed in a pan he gave up the Ghost C Six of the Brethren being now dead by diversity of torments only one of the seven remained alive with his mother named Jacob younger in year but not in constancy of mind than the rest of his brethren He presenting himself before the Tyrant moved him to compassion both for that he was left alone and the last of his brethren and also that he was to perish wherefore he called the child unto him and into a place where no instruments of torments were Jacob the seventh brother brought to torments and taking him by the hand he said thus unto him hoping to win him by fair speeches By thy brethrens calamity thou now well hast learned what is prepared for thee if thou disobey me deliver thy self therefore from these torments and I will give thee what honour my kingdom can afford thou shalt be a Magistrate and General of my Army and one of my Counsellors D But perceiving himself not to prevail he caused the young man's Mother to be called unto him who coming and standing near her Son the Tyrant said thus unto her Where are now O worthy woman all thy Children Behold of such a number if thou please the destiny affords thee one advise therefore thy Child and mollifie his obstinate mind by wholsom counsel The Mother having heard what the King said made her reverence to the King which done that the King might not understand her she spake in Hebrew to her Child as followeth Pitty thy Mother O son and comfort thy sorrowfull Mother who bare thee nine months in my E womb and gave thee suck three years and with great industry have brought thee up to this age I pray thee dear son consider the Heaven and Earth and all that in them is and know that God created them all of nothing who also of nothing created Mankind Fear not this Ethnick's pains and torments but imitate thy brethren and contemn death that in the day of mercy I may receive thee and thy brethen again in Heaven As his mother thus admonished him he in the Hebrew tongue requested to be unbound for that he had a secret to disclose to the King who being unfettered he presently ran to the torments prepared for there was a Frying-pan red hot that was prepared for such as were to suffer unto the which the Child coming remembring his brethren and beholding also the King he said unto him Cruel tyrant I now know thee not only to have been cruel against my brethren but even cruelty it self Wretch that thou F art who gave thee this purple and who exalted thee to this Kingdom and dignity even he whom thou in us dost persecute whose servants and worshippers thou killest and tormentest for which thy wickedness thy self shall suffer eternal fire and torments which shall have no end Thou art of higher dignity and authority in this world than other men yet he that made other men made thee also of the same nature that they are for all men are born and must die alike He that kills another sheweth that he himself may be killed thou tearest and tormentest thy own picture and image in vain thou in thy fury killest him whom not long since God created like thy self and according to the same law thou thinkest all lawful which thy Kingly power can command thou pullest out our tongues and tearest our bodies with flesh-books and consumest with fire but they who have already suffered this have received everlasting G joy for their reward and thou shalt answer for all the punishments inflicted upon them Think not that I expect any favour at thy hands I will follow my brethren and remain constant H in our Law The Tyrant hearing this was wroth and caused him to be tormented but his Mother in his torment comforted him and with her kind hands held his head when with violence of the tortures blood issued out of his mouth nose and privy parts the tormentors not ceasing till life in him was almost spent but they by Gods appointment gave over and so he took strength again to endure more than any of his brethren had done at last his Hands and Arms being cut off he lifted up his Eyes to Heaven and cryed O Adonai O Sabaor be mercifull unto me and receive me into the company of my brethren The death of the youngest brother let thy wrath now cease and grant them mercy who by us do make intercession to thee Having said thus his tongue being pulled out he of his own accord went into the fiery I Frying pan and so to the great admiration of Antiochus died Behold how evident it is that reason can rule our affections seeing that Children hereby shewed more constancy Reason Mistress of our affection than the Tyrant could shew cruelty For it was reason's force that wrought in them that determination to suffer all torments rather than to forsake the way of Salvation These constant young men do fitly resemble inexpugnable Towers and them who after a great tempest and shipwrak do safely enter the harbour of Salvation A similitude of the waves who guiding their course amidst the boysâ—etous waves at last obtain the wished shore For every one of them strengthened the other by advice and good counsel The seven brethren exhort one another to suffer death manfully and none of them was so effeminate as to decline his Martyrdom None used delay herein but K one followed anothers example Let us therefore dy for our Law and imitate the three Children whom the Asyrians fury condemned to the fiery Furnace whose patience spread their fame even unto Heaven Whilst thus one of them exhorted the other
the three Children with the fiery Furnace as this woman was afflicted at the death of all her Children before she came to her own Agony What would another woman and Mother have done in this Case but wept and with pitiful lamentations have cryed Ah wretch thas I am most unhappy and miserable of all that breath who therefore bare so many Children into this World that their several deaths might be so many several occasions of my grief and sorrow she would have commemorated her frequent labours the pains she endured in her ten Months bearing them she would have bewailed her ill fortune who brought forth her sons to so many deaths and dangers she would have recounted the milk wherewith she fed them and their meat she had prepared for them the F pains she had taken with them how she had carried them in her Arms and sung to them and taught them to speak her cares her watchings her fear lest any mis-hap should betide them and with weeping tears would have said Shall I never be a Grandmother and embrace your Children who a while ago was a fruitful mother my self but am now deprived of you all If this day I dy I have none to bury me But this handmaid of God forgot all these complaints that another mother would have made and with an Adamantine sence more impenetrable than the never-yielding Rocks did neither forsake her Children in their torments nor in their death but rather compelled them to perish and never sorrowed thereat For being apprehended together with her seven Sons she considering Eleazar's Martyrdom did thus exhort them in the Hebrew G tongue O my most dear and loving Children The mothers speech exhorting her seven Sons to suffer let us hasten to that Martyrdom which may make us a H credit to our Nation and gain of God an everlasting reward let us without fear present our selves unto those torments which Eleazar's aged body endured calling to mind our Father Abraham of worthy memory who having but one only Son did sacrifice him being willed by God so to do and seared not to bring him to the Altar though he was the fruit and only comfort of his age Isaac also was willing to be sacrificed by his father knowing that God was to be obeyed in all things the like may be said of Daniel and the three Children believe me we are rather tried than tormented For whatsoever this World affordeth is mortal and transient Thus did this mother arm her Childrens minds with fortitude A Golden saying of the mother of her seven Children and though a woman infused courage and constancy into men And when her Children were all dead she I a worthy mother of so many Champions kneeling down in the place of torment be sought God to put an end to her life protesting that she had not for love of life so long deferred to dye The mother followed her Sons in torments but only for her Childrens sake and that now she had seen them all seven triumphing Whereupon the rage of Antiochus grew hot and he commanded this noble person to be tormented and accordingly as the Tyrant willed she was striped naked and hanged up by the hands and most cruelly whipped her dugs and paps were pulled off and she put into the red-hot Frying-pan being most willing to follow her Childrens steps in torment and lifting up her Eyes and hands to Heaven she prayed for all women with Child and so yielded her chast Soul to God But Antiochus was striken with fire from Heaven O thou mistress of justice who followed'st K thy triumphing Children O Conquerer of Tyrants and a Looking-Glass for all Martyrs O example of patience not only to women but to all men that shall be after thee reverenced of them that now are and to be worshiped of them that are to come and to be admired not only of our Nation The light of the just but of all other people Thy light obscureth the bright shining Moon 1. Cor. 15. and though she fill the World with her brightness yet is she not comparable to thy shining light Seven lights inviron thee about dazling the brightness of the seven Planets Could any Painter express or any hand in writing declare the torments which you suffered none could with dry eyes read or behold them All people would flock about to see it All people would praise and esteem him to have offered a great gift who to God's glory had painted so incomparable a picture L And if any skilful workman should engrave this Tragedy upon a Sepulchre or in his house doubtless he should be freed from all plague and misfortune But where could a stone be found able to contain so many torments Therefore the old man Eleazar the Mother and her seven Sons are for their Nobility graced with a Sepulchre and a great reverence is done unto them of all men yea even by men that are not of our Religion and there is a constellation of eight stars ordained as an argument of their justice and Angels did execute their Funerals The Tyrant himself was astonished to see the constancy of such godly minds And thus have they found such favour in the sight of God that they have obtained remission of the sins of our Nation For presently after the Tyrant was destroyed and Israel was freed from his Tyranny M But Antiochus Antiochus leavied an Army of Footmen from amongst the Hebrews seeing the greatness of their Faith and their contempt of death gathered an Army of Foot out of the Hebrews by whose help he terrified his Enemies and got great Renown O blessed seed of Abraham behold what benefit the Sufferings of the Mother and her seven Sons brought to us their Country-men let us persist in this piety that so we may be like our Forefathers behold the death of a few did end all the miseries and sins of our whole Nation and you by your Country-mens hands vanquished their persecutors Enemies Antiochus died stinking exceedingly after that victory our sins were remited last of all Antiochus being mad and his entrails devoured with Worms he smelling like Carrion gave up the Ghost 2. Mac. 9. and was ever after death punished for his offence For when he could not make the Citizens of Jerusalem to forsake their Law he made War against N the Persians and there received that which he deserved It now remaineth An Epitome of the life of the seven Sons and their mother that we briefly repeat all that is before said For in her Agony this sacred mother said thus unto the standers by Whilest it was lawful for me I kept my self a Virgin and then I married and lived a Chast Wife and forsook not my own house I brought forth such Sons as I need not be ashamed of and though dounted with my Husbands death yet I did not forsake my Faith This and many things else she recounted And
what more She set before her Childrens Eyes the examples of the Prophets how Abel by his brother was slain Isaac to be offered in stead of a sacrifice how Jacob was banished Joseph kept in prison Daniel cast before the Lions the three Children into the O fiery furnace She rehearsed also unto them the Book of Isaiah where it is said Although A thou do go through the fire the flame shall not burn thee That of David The just shall have much tribulation and Solomon who proposeth the tree of life to such as do the will of God The joy of the blessed in everlasting Life not omitting that of Ezeckiel These dry and withered bones shall live again Also that of Moses Canticle I will kill and restore to life and the length of your days is in my hand Unhappy Tyrant what did thy Cauldrons red hot and thy torments profit thee what availed thee to cut away their Eye-lids and to pull out their tongues thou thy self for so doing dost now endure far worse than all these And they whom thou killedst believe me enjoy Everlasting comfort and are now secure of bliss and revenge For they who suffer for Gods sake shall have happy success when God the Father of all things shall reward them with life everlasting that follow B him Thus have I consecrated these worthy memorials which I find in the holy Scriptures of the sacred Maccabees to the reading of all men who shall live in any age hereafter The end of all Josephus Works FINIS PHILO'S RELATION H OF AN EMBASSY I In which he was the Chief Person From the Jews of Alexandria to the Emperour CAIUS CALIGULA The PREFACE of Philo upon the blindness of man and the incomprehensible K Grandeur and Majesty of God HOW long shall we confound old Age and Infancy and be as imprudent at sixty as at sixteen For what greater imprudence can there be than to look upon Fortune as a settled and certain thing when there is nothing more inconstant and to consider this Nature which is immutable as subject to continual changes Is it not to invert the order of things and shuffle them together like Counters to fix our Eyes upon uncertain things as if they were more firm and durable than those which were certain The reason of this Error L proceeds from this that present objects doe more easily affect Men of ordinary understanding than objects that are more remote and most men do allow more credit to their Senses though deceitfull than to the reflections of their mind because nothing is more easy than to suffer our selves to be taken with what is presented to our Eyes whereas there must be Argumentation and Reason to comprehend things that are future and invisible Not but that the Eye of the Soul is as quick and piercing as the Eye of the Body but some people dazle it by their intemperance and others by their stupidity which is the greatest fault of all So many extraordinary events happening in our Age inforces a beleif that there is a providence and that God Almighty takes particular care of virtuous Men who have recourse to him in their necessityes and more especially of those who are consecrated to his service M They are as it were the partage and propriety of this Supream Soveraign whose Empire has no end To these people the Chaldeans gave the name of Israelits which is as much as to say Seers of God and certainly it is an happiness preferrable to all the Treasures of the Earth For if the presence of those whose age renders them venerable to us as our Masters Superiours and Parents imprints so great a respect in us that it many times corrects our Enormities and disposes us to virtue How great an advantage and incouragment is it to us to elevate our minds above all Created things and accustom our selves to the contemplation of God who is not only uncreated but infinitely good infinitely beautiful infinitely happy or to speak more properly whose goodness surpasses all goodness whose beauty surpasses all beauty and whose happiness surpasses all happiness and yet this is but a weak and imperfect explication N of his Grandeur for how can words be able to describe him who is so transcendently above every thing that after our mind has advanced it self as high towards him as is possible by the attributes which it has given him as by so many stairs yet it is forced back again without being able to approach or understand him for he is so vastly incomprehensible that if every Ceature of the Creation was changed into so many Tongues they could not express that sovereign power by which he Created all things that Royall conduct meriting an Eternal Monarch and by which he preserves the World and that just distribution of rewards and punishments which are dispensed with so much equity and wisdom that our chastisments may be put into the number of his Mercies and Blessings not only as they are part of his justice but as they are many times serviceable to the conversion of sinners or at least as they restrain and hinder O them from continuing in their Crimes for fear of those pains which they see inflicted upon others A CHAP. I. The incredible Felicity of the first seven Months of the Reign of the Emperour Caius Caligula The Emperour Caius Caligula is an Eminent example of what I have said Never was there seen a greater tranquillity than that which was injoyd by all the Provinces both by Sea and Land when he was advanced to the Empire after the death of Tiberius B The East the West the North and South were all in profound peace The Greeks had no difference with the Barbarians The Souldiers and Citizens lived quietly and in good intelligence together So great a felicity seemed to be incredible it could not be sufficiently admired that so young a Prince mounting the throne he should be attended with so much prosperity that his desires could not exceed his injoyments His Riches were immence his Forces both by Land Sea great and formidable his Revenues prodigious flowing into his Exchequer as from an inexhaustible Stream from all parts of the habitable World For his Empire extended to the Rhine and the Euphrates the first separating it from Germany and other wild Nations and the other bounding it from the Parthians Sarmatians Scythians and other people no less C barbarous than the Germans So that it might be said from the rising to the setting of the Sun not only upon the continent but in the Isles and even in the parts on the other side of the Sea all was in peace and felicity The people of Rome all Italy and all the Provinces both in Europe and Asia lived in a perpetual feast For it was never seen before under the Reign of any of their Emperours that every man by the blessing of God injoy'd his estate in that quietness and
bare so great a share in the publick felicity that there was nothing wanting to his desires In all the Towns there was nothing to be seen but Altars and Victims and Sacrifices and Priests in their white Robes with Garlands of flowers upon their head All places were full of Chearfulness Feasting Playing Musick Running of Horses Banqueting Dancing to the Flute D and the Harp and all other Divertisments imaginable No difference to be discerned in the contentment of either Rich or Poor Common Persons or Persons of Quality Masters and Servants or Creditor and Debtor The felicity of that time was equal to all conditions and what was verified then made it almost credible what the Poets had said formerly in their fables of the age of Saturn And in this manner they passed seven compleat Months CHAP. II. E The Emperour Caius having Reigned but seven Months fell desperatly ill The great concernment which all the Provinces expressed for it their incredible joy at his recovery The next Month this happy Emperour fell into a great fit of sickness for having left his old way of living soberly and temperately which preserves people in health and was the way he took whilst Tiberius was alive he plunged himself into Intemperance and Luxury He drank much Wine eat to excess bath'd unseasonably cram'd himself till he could not keep what he had taken down and when he had disgorged crammed himself again He gave himself up wholly to Women and to pleasures F more unnaturally criminal in short he abandoned himself to all other disorders that were most likely to alter that Temperament and Harmony of body and mind which Temperance maintains in health and vigour whereas Intemperance weakens it and exposes it to Distempers that are most commonly mortal It was then about the beginning of Autumn which is the last Season in the year that is proper for Navigation and the time in which those who traffick in forreign parts return home By this means the news of his sickness was in a moment carried all over the World and changed their joy into sadness The Towns and the houses were generally full of mourning and affliction and the Emperours sickness became the distemper of all the Provinces and theirs was the greatest because his infirmity was only in G his body but theirs in their minds apprehending to loose with their peace the injoyment of all those good things which were concomitant with it and having observed the death of their Emperors attended commonly with Famine and other calamities that H that are the consequents of War they could not see any thing so likely to exempt them as the health of their Prince His sickness beginning to abate the news was immediately spread abroad and carried joy to the very ends of the Earth For nothing is more nimble than fame and every body expected the news of his recovery with incredible patience and when it arrived every body believed himself recovered with him and restored to his former felicity It is not remembred that any joy was ever so general all people seeming to have passed as it were in a Moment from a savage and rustick to a soft and a sociable life from Desarts to Towns from Disorder to Order and all by their happiness in being under the conduct of a bountiful and legitimate Prince I CHAP. III. The Emperor Caius abandons himself to all sorts of Debauchery and with horrid ingratitude and terrible cruelty obliges young Tiberius the Emperor's Grand-son to kill himself BUT it was quickly discernable that the Spirit of man is blind in its imaginations that he is ignorant of what is most for his advantage and that he takes the K shadow many times for the substance For this Prince who was consider'd as an admirable Benefactor and one whose Muniâ—icence and Favours were spread all over Europe and Asia became a Monster for cruelty or to speak more properly he discovered that humour which though born with him he had dissembled till that time The Emperour Tiberius had by his Son â—rusus who dyed before him this young Tiberius and by his Nephew Germanicus he had Caius Caligula whom he preferred to Tiberius in the Succession of the Empire upon condition that he should acknowledg the greatness of the benefit by the manner of his comportment with his Grand-Child But Caius instead of being concernd for having received that by Adoption which belonged to young Tiberius by Succession prov'd ingratfull and carried it to that excess of Inhumanity that L not contented to have defeated him of his Empire he caused him to be put to death upon pretence of practices against him as if a person of his age had been capable of so great a design but many people are of opinion that if young Tiberius had had some few years more over his head his Grandfather would doubtless have made him his Successor and laid aside Caius of whom he began already to be jealous And this was the way which Caius took to execute his detestable Resolution upon a Person with whom in justice he ought to have parted the Soveraignty He caused the young Tiberius to appear before him assembled his friends and told them I love Tiberius not only as my Kinsman but as my Brother and I wish with all my heart it was in my power to take him presently as a partner into the Government that I might M thereby fulfil the last will and Testament of his Grand Father But you see the tenderness of his years and that he is fitter to have a Governor than to be a Governor himself Were it not for that what joy what ease would it be to me to have discharge my self of part of so great a burden as it is to manage and conduct so many several Nations Seeing then the affection which I bear him obliges me to it I think good to declare to you that I am resolved to serve and take care of him not only as a Governour but as a Father by which name I desire he may call me and I shall call him Son for the future When Caius by this Artifice had deluded all that were present and by his counterfeit Adoption rather rob'd than confer'd upon the poor Prince that part of the Empire N to which he might lawfully have pretended there was nothing left that might obstruct his falling into that Snare which he had laid for him for the Laws of the Romans do give the Parents an absolute power over their Children and then the Supream degree of authority in which he was established left no man in a Capacity to question any thing he did So that looking upon this young Prince as an Enemy he treated him accordingly without respect to his age or any consideration that he had been brought up by the Emperor with hopes of succeding him in the Government for after his Father Drusus was dead the Emperour took him into his tuition and used him
rather like his Son than his Grand-Child O A It is reported that Caius commanded him to kill himself in the presence of several Tribunes and Captains forbidding them strictly to give him any assistance because forsooth it was not decent that the descendents of an Emperour should die by any inferiour hands For he would needs pass for a strict observer of the Laws at the very time when he broke them and a Bigot in Religion when he was committing so great a Crime without the least compunction or remose for making a Stalking-Horse of the truth by so strange an hypocrisie The poor Prince who had never seen any murders before nor been accustomed to those counterfeit Combats in which young Princes are usually exercised in time of Peace presented his Throat to the person who stood next him but he and all the rest B refusing to dispatch him he took the Dagger himself ask'd them where he was to strike and they in their great Civility having instructed him he stab'd himself immediatly and that with many blows till by a lamentable and unmercifull compulsion he had murder'd himself CHAP. IIII. Caius puts to death Macro Colonel of his Pretorian bands to whom he was oblig'd C both for his life and his Empire VVHEN Caius had finished that business which of all his affairs was of the greatest importance there being no body left that could pretend to the Empire or to whom any turbulent persons could in prudence apply he turn'd his indignation upon Macro resolving that he also should feel the effects of his Cruelty and Ingratitude This Macro had not only serv'd him faithfully since his advancement to the Throne which would have been no extraordinary thing because Princes who are fortâ—nate shall never want flatterers but he had been a great means that Tiberius had chosen him D for his Successor For besides that there never was Prince of greater Sagacity and Penetration than Tiberius the experience which his years had given him gave him so large an insight into the secretest Cogitations of Man that he began to be jealous of Caius he suspected him an Enemy in his heart to the whole family of the Claudii and that if he had any natural affection at all it was only for his Relations by the Mothers side so that Tiberius began to be apprehensive for his Grand-Child if he should leave him a Minor Again he looked upon Caius as uncapable of the Government of so great an Empire by reason of the weakness and levity of his parts which seem'd rather inclining to folly than otherwise so little Solidity was there to be observed either in his word or his actions But there was no Stone that Macro left unturned to E discusse these suspitions and especially his apprehension for his Grand-Child He assured the Emperour that Caius had an extreme respect for him so great an affection for his Cousin that he would willingly leave the Empire to him that it was nothing but his retention and modesty that made people think him weak in his intellectuals When Macro found these Reasons would not work he feared not to offer himself in Caution and the Emperour had no reason to suspect his Sincerity after the Testimony which he had given of it not only in discovering but defeating the Conspiracy of Sejanus In short he was always commending Caius if it may be called commending to undertake his justification against all uncertain surmises and underermined accusations and carried himself so towards him that if Caius had been his Brother or F his Son he could not have done more Several have attributed the Cause to the respects which Caius always shew'd to Macro but more to the good offices of his Wife who for some private Reasons was always crying him up and magnifying him to her Husband and every one knows the influence of Women especially if they be immodest for then no Art nor Flattery can escape them that may conceal their transgressions from their Husband Macro being ignorant of some passages in his house interpreted these artifices for affection the greatest of his Enemies passed in his thoughts for the truest of his friends That he had preserved Caius in so many dangers and could not imagine that he would ever be ingrateful gave him the confidence to admonish him with great liberty upon an apprehension that he would either ruin himself G or be corrupted by other people He was like a good workman jealous of his own manufacture and could not endure it should be spoil'd Caius falling asleep one day at the Table Macro was bold to wake and admonish him that it was neither decent nor H secure for he in that condition might easily be slain When Caius was looking upon his Dancers or Mimicks with such extraordinary pleasure and attention that he could not contain from imitating their Gestures when not contenting himself to smile or be pleas'd he brake out into a loud Laughter among the Comedians or Buffoons or when he sung or play'd among the Musitians he jog'd him Gently if he was with in reach to the end he might give over and told him in his Ear what no body else durst have ventur'd to have said You are not SIR to abandon your self to the pleasures of your sence like other men but are rather to surpass them in gravity and prudence as much as you transcend them in dignity and I extraction How strange will it appear for the Monarch of the World to be unable to moderate himself in such slight and contemptible things The great honour that invirons you obliges you to do nothing unsuitable to the Majesty of so great and so redoubted an Emperour When you are in the Theatre or Circus or in the place of any publick exercise you are not to consider the show or spectacle so much as the pains and care which those persons who present it have taken to do it to your content and are to argue thus with your self If these persons have taken so much pains in things that are useless to the life of man and only serviceable to the pleasures of the spectators that thereby they may merit their applauses acclamation what is there incumbent upon a Prince who professes an art infinitely more estimable Do yoâ— not know that there is nothing equal to governing well seeing it causes plenty in all places capable of Cultivation and secures Navigation by which all the Provinces have Commerce and K communicate their respective Commodities Envy and Jealousie to frustrate this happy Communication have like poison infected some persons and some Towns But since your August Family has been advanced to the Sovereignty and Supreme power which extends it self as well over the Seas as Lands of the whole Earth it has repelled these monsters into the most recluse and obscure Solitudes To you alone it is that this supreme Authority is committed Providence has plac'd you as a judicious Pilot
to manage the Helm It is your office to look to the good conduct of this incomparable vessel fraughted with the welfare of all mankind and as so noble an office is aboue all estimation you ought not to take pleasure in any thing so much as in rendring so many Nations as are under your dominion happy by your benefits 'T is true they may be oblig'd by particular persons but it is from their Prince only they are to expect L this excellent conduct by which he showrs down his bounty upon them with full hands reserving only such things as in prudence are necessary for the remedying of such accidents as cannot be foreseen Thus it was that this unfortunate Counsellor advis'd Caius with designe to have made him better But his wicked nature turned his remedies into poison made a mock of his counsel and became much worse in so much as when Macro came towards him one time he said to those who were then about him Do you see that impertinent Schoolmaster that ridiculous Pedagogue he would take upon him to give instructions not only to a Child but to a person wiser than himself He prates as if a subject was to command an Emperour and an Emperour that is not ignorant in the art of Governing and he M believes himself excellent in that science But I would fain know where he learned it For my part I was brought up to it from my Cradle receiving continual instructions from my Father Brothers Uncles Cousins Grand-Father Great-Grand-Father and many other great Princes from whom I am descended both by the Father and Mother without so much as mentioning the seeds of vertue which Nature mingles with the blood of those she designs shall command For by the same reason as Children are observed to resemble their Parents not only in the lineaments of their face and the qualities of their mind but in their very gestures inclinations and actions by the same reason those who proceed from a Race accustomed to dominion do receive with their existence a disposition that makes them capable of all the impressions necessary for the formation of a great Prince I therefore may say that when my Mother N carried me in her womb and even before I was brought into the World I was instructed in the art of Governing and yet a private person whose thoughts have nothing in them that is noble and sublime has the confidence to give me Counsel in the Conduct and Regiment of my Empire which to him is an impenetrable mystery In this manner Caius conceiv'd every day more and more aversion to Macro endeavouring to charge him with false crimes but such as might at least carry in them some appearance of truth and of this sort he believed he had found one by these words which fell from Macro upon a time The Emperour is of my making and has no less obligation to me than to those who brought him into the World Three times by my prayers and contrivances have I rescued him from the O fury of Tiberius who would have put him to death and when Tiberius who would have A put him to death and when Tiberius dyed I caus'd him to be declared Emperour by the Guards which were under my Command remonstrating and inculcating to them that the only way to keep the Empire entire was to pay obedience but to one person Many people approved this discourse in Macro as knowing it was true and not yet understanding the inconstancy and dissimulation of Caius But not many days after the unfortunate Macro and his wife were put to death which was all the recompence that the ingratitude of Caius afforded to the fidelity of his servant for having secur'd him against death and advanc'd him to the Empire Some say Macro was compelled to kill himself and that his wife did the same though it was more than suspected Caius B had been kinder to her formerly But what is more unconstant than love by reason of the frequent exceptions and disgusts that happen where the affection is irregular Nay so insatiable was the cruelty of Caius that he put to death the whole family of Macro leaving not so much as one of his Servants alive CHAP. V. Caius caused his Father in Law Marcus Syllanus to be slain for giving him wise Counsel and the Murder of him was followed by the Execution C of several others WHEN this perfideous Prince had in this manner quitted himself of his Competitor in the Empire and of a person to whom he ought both his authority and life there was a third design that remained to be executed to the perpetration of which he imploy'd his utmost address His Father in Law Marcus Syllanus who was a person of great Generosity and of illustrious extraction after the death of his Daughter who died very young continued to Caius the affection of an own Father rather than of a Father in Law believing that though the D Princess was dead he could not but have the same sentiments for him Upon this score he spake to him with great liberty about the measures which he was to take by his actions to answer the hopes which were conceived of him But Caius being so vain an Opiniaster that instead of owning or mending his faults he flattered himself with a Fancy that he was excellent in all kinds of virtues look'd upon those as his Enemies who gave him good counsel he perverted the good Counsel of Syllanus reputed it an insolence grew insupportable towards him and could not endure any longer to have him an impediment to the irregularity of his passions After this he banish'd as well out of his thoughts as his heart the remembrance of his wife and by more than barbarous Cruelty caused him to be put to death for Treason from whom she had received life and who ought to have been respected by him as an own Father The noise of E this murder which was followed by the execution of several others the most considerable in the Empire was spred all over the World every body spake of it with horrour but in private their fear obstructing the publication of their resentment Nevertheless the people being easily deluded and not without difficulty to be perswaded that a Prince who had appeared so good and so gentle should be so suddenly changed it was said in his excuse That as to the death of the young Tiberius the Soveraign power could not admit of a Partner That he was only prevented by Caius for if his age would have permitted he would have treated him in the same manner That it was perhaps by the Providence of God and for the benefit of the whole World that Tiberius lost his life to secure the Empire from Civil and Forreign Wars which would have devided into factions F by the several great persons who would have espoused the interest both of the one and the other That nothing is more disirable than peace That
Peace cannot subsist but by good conduct in the Provinces and that a Province canot be well govern'd unless the Government be in a single person whose authority maintains all things in quiet and repose That as to Macro he was grown so sawcy and proud that in appearance he had quite forgot that excellent direction of the Oracle at Delphos Nosce teipsum which is a thing so necessary that with the knowledg of ones self one cannot fail to be happy nor avoid being unhappy when it is not attained That it was insupportable for Macro to set himself up above the Emperour as if it was not his office to command and the subjects to obey In this manner it was that the ignorant either out of flattery or folly interpreted the wholesome counsels of Macro and as for G Syllanus it was said that it was ridicuculous in him to pretend to as much power over his Son in Law as a Father has over his own Son seeing those Fathers who are but Citizens do submit without trouble to their own Children when they are advanced to any dignity or office and H that it was imprudently done in him to imagine that being but his Father in Law he should have a right to interpose in publick affairs without considering that his allyance with the Emperour was extinguished by the death of his Daughter Marriages being but outward ligaments which though they joyn Families together at present yet they are broken upon the death of either of the parties This was the discourse which was used in some of their assemblys to excuse the Emperour's cruelty for there having been none of his predecessors of whose meekness and bounty they had conceived a better opinion they could not as I have said imagine he should be so changed in a Moment I CHAP. VI. Cains requires the veneration of one of the Gods THese horrid and criminal actions passed in the mind of Caius for so many victories obtain'd against the most considerable person of his Empire For his fury had extinguished the lustre of the Imperial Family in the blood of his Cousin young Tiberius whom he ought in justice to have taken into the partnership of the Government His K abominable inhumanity had exasperated the Senat by the death of Syllanus his Father in Law who was one of their greatest ornaments and his horrible ingratitude had taken away the life of Macro a person of the first Rank in his Court and to whom he was oblig'd particularly for the Grandeur to which he was advanc'd Having perpetrated these great things he believed that there being no body left who durst oppose himself against his pleasure he ought not to be satisfied with the greatest honors that could be confer'd upon man but that he might expect and challeng what was given to the Gods and it is reported that to perswade himself to so strange an extravagance his argument was thus As those who conduct and have the care of Heards of Cattel whether Oxen or Sheep or L Deer are neither Oxen nor Sheep nor Deer themselves but men of a nature infinitely more excellent than the nature of those animals so they who have the command of all the men and Creatures in the World ought to be considered as more excellent than men and receive reverence like Gods Having admitted this ridiculous fancy into his head and taken the boldness to publish it he came by degrees to the effects He began first to desire to be reverenced as one of the demy-Gods such as Bacchus Hercules Castor and Pollux Tryphon Amphiarus Amphilocus and others but he laugh'd at their Oracles and Ceremonies and ravish'd them from them that they might be attributed to himself He changed his habit and dress like a player Sometimes to personat Hercules he wore M a Lions skin about his shoulders and a Club in his hand sometimes he wore a Hat like Castor and Pollux and sometimes in imitation of Bacchus he wore the skin of a young Hind But in this point he differed from those pretended deities that whereas they were contented with their respective and particular Ceremonies without envying what was confer'd upon the rest he required them all that he might be accounted above them Nevertheless that which contracted the great throng of spectators was not that he had three bodies like Gerion but because he transformed himself into as many different shapes as Proteus who as Homer describes changed himself into several Elements Animals and Plants N But Caius this vain resembance with these Demy-Gods was not the thing you ought to have affected you were rather to have imitated their actions and virtue Hercules by his glorious labours delivered both Land and Sea from such Monsters as troubled the repose of mankind Bacchus who was the first that planted the Vine brought a liquor into the World so pleasant and comfortable both to the body and mind of man that it made them forget their sorrows exhilarated and fortified their hearts in such manner that the effects of it are still seen in the dances and festivities not only of the most civiliz'd but of the most barbarous Nations As to Castor and Pollux the two Sons of Jupiter is it not said that one of them being immortal and the other mortal he who had the advantage of immortality not being able to think that his brother should O die would needs equal and debase himself to the condition of his Brother by communicating A to him part of his immortality and in some measure subjecting himself to death which was the greatest expression of kindness that could be imagined These Heros then who were the admiration of their own ages and are still the wonder of ours were not adored and reverenc'd as Gods but for their benefits and good actions to man But Caius what have you done in imitation that may in courage you to such an exaction To begin with Castor and Pollux have you imitated the perfect friendship that was between those two Brothers and made them so glorious you without compassion to the youth and tenderness of him who ought to have been to you as a Brother and with whom you were in justice obliged to have shar'd the whole Empire you I say have cruelly embrued your hands in his blood and sent his sisters B into Exile to reign with the more security and quiet your self Have you imitated Bacchus and diffus'd an universal joy and chearfulness over the whole Earth by any admirable invention you who being to be considered no otherwise but as a publick Plague have found out nothing but new inventions to turn that joy into sorrow that chearfulness into sadness and make peoples lives a burden You who in recompence of the infinite wealth and advantages which flow in to you dayly from all parts of the World do with your insatiable avarice crush aâ—d depress your people with the weight of so many new Tributes and Impositions that you
one indeed without the loss of his Life have remonstrated against so great an impiety Let us dye then said we among our selves seeing nothing can be more honourable than to lay down our Lives in defence of our Laws But our Death not being able to produce any good effect and being Embassadors as we are may it not be to augment the affliction of those who sent us and give advantage to such of our own Nation as have no friendship for us to say that to deliver our selves from some present inconvenience we deserted the Interest of the Publick though the lesser Interests are alwayes to give place to the greater and Private to Publick For in the subversion of Government all the Laws by which its Grandure and Consistance was maintained do for the most part suffer the same O Fate and are abolished with it A May it not be imputed to us likewise as a crime to abandon the Jews in Alexandria by abandoning an affair in which their Safety or Ruine is involved and the Safety or Ruine of our whole Nation and leave them in fear that a Prince of his Violence and Cruelty will entirely destroy them If it be Objected That seeing which way so ever we resolve no Success is to be expected why should not we think of retiring in safety I Answer That to do so we must have either no hearts or no knowledge in our divine Laws God perhaps will make use of this opportunity as a tryal of our Virtues and to see how we are disposed to comport under affliction Rather in stead of placing our safety in the uncertain succours of B Man let us put our whole confidence in God with a firm Faith that he will assist us as he has assisted formerly our Fore-fathers when their Perils were in appearance beyond all Remedy Thus it was we endeavoured to comfort our selves under so great and unexpected a Calamity flattering our selves with hopes of seeing happier times When we had remained silent for a time we said to him who brought us the first ill News Why do you content your self by having thrown an unhappy word among us to have kindled an universal trouble in our minds which as a single Spark will grow to a Flame and do not tell us what it is that hath transported the Emperour to so extravagant a resolution Every body knows replied the person that he would be reverenced as a God and because he is perswaded that the Jews are the only persons who will not acknowledge him for such C he believes he cannot any way afflict and punish them more than by dishonouring the Majesty and profaning the sanctity of their Temple which he knows is the most beautiful in the World decorated and enriched with the Presents of so many Ages which no doubt but his boldness and impiety will tempt him to seize Capito a Commissioner for the receipt of the Tributes in Judea has irritated him likewise against us by Letters which he has writ This Capito having little or no fortune before he was sent into this Province and having feathered his Nest well by his exaction since he came he has a mind to prevent by his Calumnies the just Complaints which he apprehended the Jews would make against him and he has made use of the occasion aforesaid Jamnia is one of the most populous Towns in Judea and all its Inhabitants are Jews except some few Strangers who unhappily for us are come thither to acquaint themselves with D the neighbouring Provinces Their aversion for our Manners and Customs is so great that they cease not to do us all the mischief that they are able to do and understanding that Caius was inslamed with an idle passion to be worshipped as a God and that on that account he had conceived a mortal hatred against us they thought they could never hope for a fairer opportunity to destroy us Wherefore they erected an Altar of Brick upon no other design but because they were sure we would never suffer the Laws of our Ancestors to be violated in that manner and their malice and cunning has had the effect which was intended For the Jews having pull'd down their Altar they who set it up made complaint immediately to Capito who was the contriver of the plot on purpose to ruine their fellow Citizens This wicked man transported as it were to have succeeded so far failed not to write to Caius exaggerating every thing and E adding much to the truth to provoke him the more The violent and audacious Emperour no sooner had the news but he commanded that in stead of an Altar of Brick they should set up a Statue of him as big as a Colossus which was to be Guilt over with Gold and placed in the Temple of Jerusalem in which resolution he had two principal Councellors Helico that notorious Buffoon and Apelles the famous Comedian who as is reported having prostituted himself and exposed his beauty for money when he was young was now got upon the Theater in his old age and the modesty of that profession every man knows By these excellent qualities these two excellent persons were got to be of Caius his Counsel With the one he consulted in matters of Railery and Wit and with the other how such a speech was to be pronounced upon the Stage not so much as concerning himself with the Peace and Tranquility of the Empire F Helico being an Egyptian bit us like an Asp and Apelles being of Ascalon was no kinder than he Every word that this person spoke was like a dagger at our hearts but these two wicked Counsellors were not long without their Reward For Caius caused Apelles to be clapt in irons for other Crimes and tortured him upon the Wheel but with several intervals to increase and spin out his punishment and Claudius succeeding Caius in the Empire he put Helico to death for other considerable Reasons G H CHAP. XIII Petronius his great trouble about executing the Order which he had received from Caius to set up his Statue in the Temple of Jerusalem because he was sensible of the injustice of it and foresaw the ill Consequences CAIuS wrote then that his Statue should be consecrated and set up in our Temple and omitted nothing that might injoyn the Execution of that Order He I commanded Petronius Governour of Syria to take half the Army which was disposed along the Euphrates to defend those Countries against the Kings and People of the East and to cause them to attend the Statue not that they were to add to the Solemnity of its Consecration but to cut those Jews in pieces who should have the boldness to oppose him Is it so then most cruel Prince that fore-seeing these poor people will sooner expose themselves to death than suffer the violation of their Laws and the profanation of their Temple you declare War against them and send a formidable army to consecrate your
Statue by the blood of so many innocent Victims without sparing either Women or Men This Order gave Petronius much trouble by reason that on the one side he knew K Caius could not endure the least delay in his obedience and on the other side he saw the execution of his Commands very difficult because the Jews would suffer a thousand deaths rather than suffer any violation of their Religion For though all other people are tender of their Laws yet it comes far short of the bigottry of the Jews who look upon theirs as Oracles given by God himself They were brought up in it from their youth They have it ingraven in their hearts They forbear not to admire it They receive into the number of their Citizens such Strangers as imbrace it Look upon those as Enemies who despise it And have so great a horror for every thing that contradicts it that there is neither grandeur nor fortune nor any temporal felicity able to tempt them to violate it Nor is there any greater evidence of their Respect and Veneration for their L Temple than that it is certain death for any of them to dare to enter into the Sanctuary But for the rest entrance is free to all those of their Nation of what Province soever Petronius revolving these things in his mind found the Enterprize so dificult that he made no hast to put it in execution and the more he considered this affair the more he was perswaded not to touch upon our Religion as well because Justice and Piety obliged him to alter nothing therein as because of the danger he was like to encounter not only from the Judgement of God but from the Resistance of the Jews who by that action would be driven to despair He considered likewise the numerousness of that Nation which is not like the rest crowded up in one Province but dispersed in so great numbers almost quite over the World both upon the Continent and in the Islands that M they are well nigh equal in number to the Natives And this gave him occasion to apprehend that assembling together from all parts they should kindle a War that could not easily be extinguished seeing they were already very strong in Judea no less Politick than Valiant and ready to dy with their Swords in their hands with invincibe Courage rather than abandon the Laws of their Fathers so excellently Just though their Enemies would needs have them to be Barbarous This wise Governour was apprehensive likewise of such of that Nation as inhabited beyond the Euphrates in Babylon and those Provinces for he knew for certain as having seen it with his Eyes that they sent every year to the Temple under the Title of First-fruits the money which they called Holy without considering the danger of the ways N how great soever it was and all because prompted by a principle of Devotion So that he believed and not without reason that as soon as the Jews should have notice of the Consecration of this Statue they would put themselves instantly into the Field and block him up on every side These thoughts detained him for some time but it put his mind into great agitation and trouble when he considered he had for his Master a young Prince who knew no other Justice than his Will who could not endure to be disobeyed let his Commands be never so unequal and whose pride and presumption transported him to that excess of folly that causing him to forget his Humanity he would needs pass for a God So that he could neither execute nor decline the execution of his Orders without manifest danger O of his Life only there was this difference he might save it perhaps in the War A where the events are uncertain where as it was impossible to escape if he refused obedience to his unmerciful Prince CHAP. XIV Petronius gave Order for this Statue but it went on but slowly He endeavoured in vain to perswade the Jews to receive it The Jews forsake the Towns and the Country to wait upon him and begg of him not to execute an Order that would B be more insupportable to them than death but to give them leave to send their Deputies to the Emperour THE Roman Officers who with Petronius had the greatest charge in the affairs of Syria were all for a War because knowing the fury of Caius they doubted not but if they declin'd it he would discharge his indignation upon them in confidence that they must needs be accessory in this disobedience But by good fortune it hapned that they had time to deliberate whilst the Satue was making for there was none sent out of Italy which I suppose God in his mercy so ordered for the safety of his People as also that there was no direction to take the hansomest and best wrought that could be found C in Syria for without that the War had broke out so suddainly that no remedy could have been found for so great a mischief Petronius having concluded to have a Statue made caused the ablest Statuaries in Phenicia to be sent for furnished them with materials and appointed Sydon to be the place as the most proper for such a business Having done so he sent for the Chief Priests and Magistrates of the Jews declared to them the Emperor's Command and exhorted them to submit and not run themselves into Calamity and Troubles which would be otherwise unavoidable for the greatest part of the Army in Syria had Orders to proceed with fire and sword in case of disobedience And Petronius did not doubâ— but if he could have prevail'd with them they could have perswaded the rest of the People but he D found himself mistaken for this discourse went so near them that after for a while they had stood still as immovable they brake out into Rivers of Tears tore their beards and their hair and cry'd out with a voice interrupted with sighs Have we then lived to this hour to see what our Ancestors never beheld But how can we possibly see it who will choose rather to lose our Eyes and our Life than be spectators of so horrible an impiety This report being spread abroad in Jerusalem and in all Judea the Jews left their Houses and Fields as it had been by consent and repaired to Phenicia to wait upon Petronius Their innumerable multitude made those People believe who were ignorant how populous a Country Judea was that it was a great Army marching against Petronius of which they gave him immediate advice but they had no other Arms then their sighs and their E cryes which fill'd the Air with such a noise that it ceased not when they laid them by and had recourse to their Prayers which the excess of their sorrow put into their mouths They were distributed into six Classes three on the one side the Antient the Young Men and the Children and three on the other the old Women the young
persons who had had the boldness to violate it of which without instancing in Forreign Examples I shall recount such as are domestick to your Majesty K When Marcus Agrippa your Grandfather in favour to King Herod my Grandfather condescended to visit Judea and coast along the Shore to Jerusalem he was so taken with the Magnificence of the Temple with its Ornaments the diversity of the Orders of the Priests with their Vestments and particularly with the habit of the Chief-Priest with the formality of their Sacrifices and the Devotion of those who assisted That he could not forbear testifying his admiration He took so much pleasure in the contemplation of these things that there was not a day past whilst he remained at Jerusalem but he visited them all offered magnificent Presents and granted to the Inhabitants of that great City all that they could desire but exemption from Taxes Herod paid him all the honour he could devise and having received much greater L from him attended him in person to the Sea-side the People flocking from all parts to throw boughs and flowers in his way accompanying him with a thousand Benedictions Is it not Sir a thing known all the World over that the Emperour Tiberius your great Uncle during the 23 years of his reign had the same respect for our Temple not suffering any body to make the least alteration in the Orders observed there Upon which account though otherwise I was a great sufferer by him I cannot contein from recounting an action that redounded much to his honour and I know you take delight in hearing the Truth Pilate the then Governour of Judea consecrated to him in the Palace of Herod at Jerusalem certain guilt Bucklers not so much in honour to M him as hatred to our Nation There was no Image ingraven upon the Bucklers nor no Inscription but the Name of him who dedicated them and the Name of him to whom they were dedicated Nevertheless the People tumultuated in such manner that they imployed the four sons of the King the other Princes of the Blood and the most considerable Persons of our Nation to perswade Pilate to cause the Buckers to be removed by reason it was contrary to the Customs of their Ancestors which Customs neither Kings nor Emperours had ever infring'd before and seeing Pilate who was of a violent and obstinate nature did seem to refuse them they cryed out Have a care of troubling the Peace which we enjoy Have a care how you provoke us to Revolt and to War 'T is not by the violation of our Laws that he Emperor is to be honoured you N must find another pretence to colour so unjust an Enterprize and so insupportable to us for this magnanimous Prince is far from intrenching upon our Customs If you have any Commission to that purpose any Letter or other Order to authorize you in what you do let us see it and we will depute persons to wait upon him with our humble Remonstrances These words exasperated Pilate yet gave him much trouble for he feared that if they sent their Deputies they would inform the Emperour of his Exactions Injustices and horrible Cruelties by which he had afflicted many innocent persons and put as many to death In so great an anxiety Pilate notwithstanding his Passion and Severity knew not what way to steer He durst not take away the Bucklers because they had been consecrated and if he durst have ventured upon that he could not frame himself to comply O with the People and besides he knew the mind of Tiberius A Those who interceded for the Jews perceiving that though he dissembled it what he could yet he repented of what he had done writ a Letter to Tiberius with great instance and respect and there needs no further proof of its effects than that after he had signified his displeasure to Pilate in his immediate Answer he sent to him his Commands to remove the Bucklers to the Temple at Cesaria which was built in honour to Augustus and it was done accordingly by which invention all due respect was paid to the Emperour without any invasion of our Laws Those Bucklers had no image upon them and yet now our Controversie is about a Statue Those Bucklers were placed only in the Palace of the Governour and this Statue must be set up in the Sanctuary a place so holy that there is only the high Priest permitted B to enter and that only one time in the year after a solemn Fast to burn Perfumes in honour to God and by his humble Prayers to implore his blessing on our whole Nation for the next year If any other not only of the Comonalty but of the Priests not excepting him who is next to the high Priest presumes to enter or if the high Priest himself enters it above once a year or more times that very day in which he has liberty to enter than what is allowed by our Law it will cost him his Life nothing can save him so peremptory has our great Lawgiver been in his Orders for the reverencing this holy Place and for the making it inaccessible You are not then to doubt great Sir but your Statue shall be no sooner erected but several of the Priests will rather kill themselves their Wives and their Children than be spectators of such C violence to their Laws Thus it was that Tiberius acted upon this occasion and as to that Prince the happiest that ever govern'd the Empire your most excellent Predecessor who having given Peace to the whole World deserved for his virtue and great exploits the glorious name of Augustus when he understood that we admitted not into our Temple any visible Image as being improper to represent an invisible God he admired the Piety and Knowledge of our Nation being learned himself and accustomed to pass the greatest part of his time at meals in discourse of Philosophical points that be had been taught by the greatest Masters and in the Conversation of learned Men which he kept constantly about him that his Mind might receive its repast as well as his D Body I could instance in several other things evincing his kindness to our Nation but I shall content my self with two Being informed that there was a neglect in bringing in our First-Fruits he sent to the Governours of the Provinces in Asia to permit only the Jews to assemble together because their meetings were not like the Bacchanals to drink and debauch and contrive against the Peace of the Publick but Academies of Virtue where People were instructed to love Justice and Temperance and as to their First-Fruits which were sent annually to Jerusalem they were imployed only to offer Sacrifices to God in the Temple Wherefore this great Prince expresly forbad every body for molesting E the Jews in what related to their Meetings and First-Fruits If these were not the very words I am sure it was the sence as your Majesty
may know by one of the Letters of C. Norbanus Flaccus of which I have brought you a Coppy C. Norbanus Flaccus to the Magistrates of Ephesus Greeting The Emperour has writ to me that in all places under my Government where there are any Jews I should permit them to assemble according to their ancient Customs and to raise mony to be sent to Jerusalem I do advise and require that you give them no interruption Doth not the favour and affection of Augustus to the Jews appear clearly hereby seeing he permits the Jews to assemble publickly to collect their First-Fruits and perform other actions of Piety and Devotion F I will give you another proof and that no less considerable He commanded that a Bull and a Ram should be offered every day at his charge in honour to our God which is observed to this day without any discontinuance yet he knew that there was no Image permitted either within the Temple or without and no person surpassing him in knowledge he thought it but reasonable that there should be a Temple peculiarly dedicated to the invisible God in which there should be no Image and where men might utter their Prayers and Devotions with confidence of relief The Emperess Julia your Majesties great Grand-mother imitating the Piety of her incomparable Husband adorned our Temple with several inestimable Vessels of Gold without any Image ingraved upon them because though Women do not G easily comprehend invisible things yet her Wit and inclination to great matters had so elevated her in that as in other things above the pitch of her sex that she understood intellectual things as well as sensible and she was perswaded that the later H were but Types and Shadows of the former Since then you have so many pregnant Examples at home of the great affection of your Predecessors to us Continue I beseech you what they from whom your person and succession is derived have so carefully preserved They are Emperours who intercede in the behalf of our Laws to an Emperour They are great Princes to a great Prince They are Grand-fathers and Grandmothers to a Grand-child Several to one single Person all of them admonishing as it were in these terms Do not you abolish what we have established and what has been alwayes observed but consider that though the subversion of this Order may possibly produce no ill effects immediately yet the uncertainty of future Events ought to make I the most hardy to fear if they have not wholly renounced the fear of their Creator Should I go about to recount all my Obligations to your Majesty the day would fail me before I had finished and yet it troubles me to pass them over too soon But so great benefits will publish themselves You have beat off my Irons but those Irons incumbred but part of my Body and the pain that I now suffer oppresses my Soul You have delivered me from the apprehension of Death and afterwards reviv'd me when a greater apprehension had put me into such a state that I was lookt upon as dead Preserve then I beseech you that Life that you have restored and would not doubtless have restor'd to have prolong'd my misfortunes Your Majesty has advanced me to the greatest honour that can be aspired you have K given me a Kingdom and added to that Kingdom Trachonitis and Galilee After such extraordinary Favours do not I beseech you refuse me another so necessary that the not granting of that will make the other unprofitable and when you have rais'd me to so glorious so illustrious a condition do not humble me down again into darkness and sorrow I do not beg of you to continue me in that high sphere where your favour has plac'd me All that I beg is That you would not interfere with the Laws of my Country and if you deny me that what will my Country-men what will the whole World think of my Interest with you Will not they have reason to believe that I have either L betrayd my Country or lost the honour of your favour which are two the greatest Evils that I dread Nevertheless I must of necessity fall into one of them seeing I must either be Cowardly or Perfidious in deserting an Interest that ought to be so dear to me Or else I must have lost my Interest in your kindness if imploring your Mercy for the preservation of the Temple and my Country you should not think fit to use me with the same favour that former Emperours have shown to all such as they did honour with their kindness If I be so unfortunate as to be pleasing to you no longer do not cast me into Bonds as Tiberius did but put me immediatly to death For why should I desire to live having lost you Majesties favour in which only I repos'd my greatest confidence and M hopes N O A CHAP. XVII Caius was wrought upon by Agrippa's Letter and sent to Petronius to do nothing in the Temple at Jerusalem But he repented presently and caused a Statue to be made in Rome which he ordered to be sent privately to Jerusalem at the same time when he should go to Alexandria where he likewise resolved to be acknowledged for a God The B Injustice and Cruelty of that Prince WHEN King Agrippa had seal'd and dispatch'd this Letter to Caius he expected the success with all imaginable impatience as judging that not only the Conservation or Ruine of Judea was at Stake but the Interest of the whole Nation of the Jews spread abroad over the whole Earth This Letter produced great agitation in the mind of Caius He could not with patience behold his Pleasure disputed and yet he could not but be touched with the Reasons and importunity of Agrippa He blam'd his affection for them who were the only People that durst withstand the Consecration of his Statue and yet he could not but approve C prove the sincerity of that Prince as proceeding from the nobleness and generosity of his mind At length his kindness for Agrippa prevailed against his Choller he was mollified by degrees returned him a favourable answer and granted him the highest of all favours that he would desist from the aforesaid Consecration After which he writ to Petronius to make no farther alteration in the Temple but he blended his grace with such severe Conditions as gave them always occasion to tremble for he added this Clause to his Letter But if in any other Town beside Jerusalem any body thinks fit to erect any Statue or Altar to me or mine and any one be found so audacious as to oppose it it is our pleasure that he be punished upon the place or sent Prisoner to us Was not this to revoke or cancel his favour at the same time when he granted it seeing D those words could not be considered but as seeds of Commotion and War For who doubted but those People who were Enemies to the
Jews would fill their Provinces with sacriledge and such marks of honour as are due only to God and that rather to destroy our Nation than to oblige Caius and then the Jews not being able to suffer such an outrage upon their Laws Caius to punish their resistance would de novo command the Statue to be set up and consecrated in the Temple Nevertheless by the manifest protection of God none of the People adjacent to Judea gave them this occasion of trouble though there was so much cause to apprehend it But some will say What advantage had they by it for though others sate still Caius himself did not For he immediately repented of the favour which he had granted reassum'd his old resolution and taking E no notice of the Statue that was making at Sidon leâ—t it should beget a revolt he gave order for a new one to be made of gilt Brass in Rome with directions that it should be sent privately by Sea and without notice set up in the Temple of Jerusalem when he went himself into Egypt He omitted no Order in the preparation for his Voyage to Alexandria so great was his desire to see it and so firm his resolution to continue therein some time because no other place seem'd to him so convenient for the execution of his ridiculous design of being owned for a God out of an opinion he had that the example of that great City by reason of its scituation and the resort thither from all parts of the world might induce other Towns less considerable to give him the same divine honour as he was assur'd F of in Alexandria Besides he was of so light and inconstant a nature he never did any good thing but he repented of it immedately and found out some way to revoke it and make things very much worse than before and of this I shall give you some proof Having set certain Prisoners at liberty one day he caused them about an hour after to be clapt up again without any hopes of ever being discharged any more though they had committed nothing in the interim that might move his displeasure Another time he sent others into Exile who had committed nothing at all and he looked upon that sentence as a favour because they knowing his horrible inhumanity expected and had prepared themselves for death Accordingly they were sent into the Islands where they were put to plough and cultivate the Earth and they took their misfortune G patiently But on a suddain though they had given no new provocation he sent Souldiers and put them all to the sword which was a great affliction to several great Families in Rome If he gave money at any time to any body he would be sure to have it again not H by way of loan or upon condition to pay them Interest but by way of Authority and Violence and the poor people were not only glad to restore it but they scap'd well if it did not cost them all their own whether it was their Parrimony or acquired by their own Industry and Labour Those who thought themselves highest in his favour he ruin'd under pretence of affection obliging them to such excessive expences in vain Feasting and Entertainments that sometimes one single Treat was so magnificent and sumptuous that it was sufficient to undo a man utterly and forced him to borrow what he was never able to pay upon which score some persons were affraid of his friendship because it was not only useless but dangerous and to be esteemed rather a snare than an advantage I This was the humour of Caius who hating no nation like the Jews no Nation felt so much the effects of his hatred He began in Alexandria to sequester their Oratories and fill them with Statues and no man durst oppose so great a Violence There was now only the Temple at Jerusalem unviolated and to compleat his Impiety he would needs ravish that from God and impropriate it to himself with this Title THE TEMPLE OF THE NEW JUPITER THE ILLUSTRIOUS CAIUS What do you intend most presumptuous and infatuated Prince You are but a Man K and would usurp upon God 'T is not enough for you to have dominion over so many People that there is scarce a Nation or Climate to which your Empire does not extend But you will not suffer in the whole World one single Place to be appropriated to God Almighty in which it may be lawful with sincere Piety to pay him that Devotion which is due to his Divine Majesty Are these the great hopes which the World conceived of your Reign Or do you not know that this course is no less than to draw upon your self and your whole Empire a deluge of all imaginable mischiefs L CHAP. XVIII With what austerity Caius treated Philo and the other Ambassadors from Alexandria and how he would not be perswaded to hear what they could say BUT we must come now to the Passages in our Embassie The day appointed M for our Audience being come we were no sooner introduced but we could easily perceive by his Mine and his Gesture that Caius was rather become a Party than a Judge For if he would have acted like a Judge he should have advised with his Counsel in an affair of that importance wherein all the Priviledges were in question that for four hundred years together had been enjoyed by so great a multitude of Jews as lived in Alexandria without the least intrenchment or molestation He ought to have heard both sides debated the whole matter with his Counsel and afterwards pronounced a just and equitable arrest But instead of proceeding by those methods of Justice the pitiless Tyrant bending his brows upon us with a furious Brutality caused the two Intendants of N the gardens of Mecenas and Lamia which are near both the town and his Palace to be called to him for he had been retired thither for his recreation three or four days He commanded them to open the doors of the several Appartments which opened into those Gardens for he was disposed to walk and gave Order that we should follow We threw our selves down at his feet and saluted him with the Titles of Emperour and August The manner in which he received our Salutation was such that we quickly found that we were to despair not only of success in our Embassie but the safety of our Lives For he told us frowning and with an angry kind of smile Are not you the declared Enemies of the gods Are not you they who when others acknowledge my Divinity do refuse and despise me And saying so he lifted up his hands towards Heaven uttering such expressions that O I heard with too much horror to repeat them again A Our Adversaries observing it and concluding that they had gain'd their Cause could not conceal their excess of Joy and there was not one of all the Attributes wherewith God himself is honoured but they
the Israelites 77. C. spoiled and their utter ruine foretold ibid. and 118. N. overcome the Israelites 135 B. are destroyed 156. O. burnt Siceleg 173. A. Amarames Moses Father See Amram Amasias K. of Juda 246. E. revengeth his fathers death 247. M. overcometh the Amalechites ibid. O. reproved and why 248. A. commandeth Joas to yield him homage ibid. D. his army flies and he taken prisoner ibid. E. is slain ibid. F. Amasa slain 194. O. Amazement of the seditious 775. G. Ambition 177. E. of Adonias 199. D. of John 698. M. of Eleazar 711. F. An Ambush laid for the Ainites 124. I. Ambushes of Saul for David 167. E. c. of Adad for Joram 238. A. Amnon deflowreth Thamar 186. L. M. Ammonites oppress the Israelites 138. M. and are overcome 139. A. injure Davids Embassadours 183. C. revenge wrought on them ibid. F. War against Josaphat 234. G. kill one another 235. K. Amorites overcome 104. M. their Country possessed by the Hebrews 105. B. Amos a wicked King 258. D. is slain ibid. Amphitheater built by Herod 410. G. 415. L. Amram Moses father 63. B. prayeth to God 63. B. casts Moses into the river and why 63. G. Amri King of Israel 225. M. slew Thaman ibid. his impiety and death ibid. N. Ananias death 631. C. Ananus High Priest 539. B. Ananias High Priest slain 736. N. Ananus stoneth James 539. C. Ananus Governour of Jerusalem 637. F. his invective against the zealous 689. A. disposeth his souldiers ibid. slain 694. K. Ananus a cruel souldier 636. K. Achimelech entertaineth David 165. B. delivers him Goliabs sword ibid. C. accused to Saul 166. I. and slain 166. K. Ancestors conceal not honest things 25. G. Angels guarded Elizaeus 238. C. Angels i. sons of God 30. L. Angel resisteth Balaam 105. F. Angels promise Abraham a son 39. A. enter Lots house ibid. foretel the destruction of Sodom ibid. Angel appeared to Agar 38. I. 40. K. to Jacob 45. B. 48. M. to Manaach his wife 139. F. foretelleth her Samâ—oâ—s birth ibid. F. worketh a miracle 140. K. 238. C. Anger See Wrath. Anilaeus receiveth charge from Artabanus 499. E. killeth a noble man 500. I. reproved and accused ibid. M. taketh Mithridates prisoner 500. O. Anna wife of Elcana prayed to God for a son 143. G. bare Samuel and consecrated him to God 144. I. Annius taketh Gerasa 702. N. Answer of Simon to Jesus Oration 691. A. Answer of Isaac 41. C. of Balaam to Balac 106. M. of God to Joshuah 124. H. of Achab to the Syrians 229. O. of Caesar to Herod 582. H. of Antipater to Herod 600. L. of John 684. M. of Eleazar to Antiochus 818. I. of Alexander 295. K. Antaeus against whom Hercules made war 42. I. Antigonus copartner in the Kingdom 349. D. his death complotted ibid. F. effected 350. H. 561. C. Antigonus accuseth Hircanus and Antipater 370. D. 568. H. promiseth the Parthians money and why 380. F. restored to the Kingdom 383. H. cutteth off Hircanus ears ibid. H. declared an enemy to the Romans 384. C. 577. E. upbraideth Herod 385. N. getteth Massada 575. A. repulseth Herods power ibid. surpriseth Herods victuallers 386. B. cruelly handleth Josephs carcass 577. O. submitteth himself to Sosius 391. H. put to death ibid. L. Antiochus the Great vexeth the Jews 305. E. recovers Cities of Coelosyria ibid. F. his Epistle to Ptolomy 306. his Edict in honour of the Temple 306. his Epistle to Zeuxis 307. I. Antiochus Epiphanes departeth Egypt 313. L. spoileth the Temple of Jerusalem ibid. N. abrogates Gods Laws 214. G. inforceth the Jews to Idolatry ibid. tortureth Eleazar 818. M. slayeth him 819. H. forbiddeth the Jews to use their Laws 314. G. c. invades Judaea again 317. I. departeth into Persia ibid. besiegeth Elymas 321. I. falleth sick and dieth ibid. K. Antiochus Eupater created King 321. N. marcheth into Judaea 312. B. fighteth with Judas Macchabeus ibid. C. marcheth against Philip ibid. E. entreth a league with Judas 323. I. slayeth Philip ibid. K. displaceth Onias ibid. is slain ibid. M. Antiochus son of Alexander 337. I. crowned King ibid. discomfited Demetrius 338. A. favoureth Jonathan ibid. Antiochus marrieth Cleopatra 343. K. putteth Triphon to flight ibid. L. warreth against Hircanus 345. I. permitteth a truce ibid. K. slain 346. A. Antiochus Gryphus overcometh Alexander 347. I. his War against his brother ibid. slain 353. M. Antiochus Cyzicenus warreth against his brother 347. K. 351. B. put to flight 347. N. slain 353. M. Antiochus Eusebius puts Seleucus to flight 353. N. slayeth Seleucus brother ibid. dieth ibid. O. Antiochus Seleucus slayeth his Uncle 353. M. burned ibid. N. Antiochus Dionysius King 355. K. thrust out of his Kingdom ibid. slain 345. M. Antiochus perfidious to his Citizens 762. M. N. Antiochus King of Comagena accused 77. O. his choice c. ibid. M. reconciled to Caesar ibid. N. Antipas Herods son 606. K. claimeth the Kingdom ibid. accuseth Archelaus 606. L. hath part of the Kingdom with Archelaus 471. D. Antipater the Idumaean 360. K. incenseth the Princes against Aristobulus 360. M. relieveth Gabinius 367. M. his wife and children 369. A. c. gathereth souldiers for Caesars service ibid. E. made a citizen of Rome and Governour over Judaea 370. C. D. E. 567. F. makes his sons Governours 372. B. perswadeth Hircanus to flye 564. N. his exploits 567. C. poisoned 377. H. 570. K. Antipater banished 585. G. advanced 426. M. inciteth his father against his brothers 426. N. his congratulation 429. F. plotteth against his brethren 433. E. 588. L. cause of mischief 436. M. governeth the Kingdom c. 448. L. practiseth his fathers death ibid. M. 598. M. could not deceive his Aunt 448. N. hateth his brothers children 449. C. his treasons 599. F. accuseth Syllaeus 598. L. 452. K. studieth to win favour 594. M. conspireth against his father 594. L. accused by Herod 455. E. 599. F. answereth his fathers objections 456. H. hated of all 599. B. 457. G. hath liberty to justifie himself ibid. D. put to death 461. G. 603. A. Antipater accuseth Antipater 453. E. Antipater accuseth Archelaus 465. E. 606. L. M. Antipatris built 430. N. burned 635. C. Antiphilus letter to Antipater 456. M. blamed 459. B. Antiquity of the Jews proved 784. M. See Arguments Antiquities when written 543. B. Antonia described 722. A. not unlike a City ibid. C. Antonius writeth to Hircanus 378. G. writeth in the Jews behalf 379. K. maketh Tetrarchs 380. C. loveth Herod 384. B. maketh Herod King ibid. C. requireth Aristobulus 394. B. giveth Cleopatra a portion of Judaea and Arabia 399. H. conquereth Armenia ibid. M. Aphrica once called Lybia 42. I. Apollonius accuseth the Jews 806. M. Apollonius sent to rob the Temple 417. B. acknowledged his offence ibid. C. General of Antiochus army 316. E. discomfited and slain ibid. E. Apollonius Davus put to flight 334. E. Apology of Achimelech 166. K. of Aristobulus 363. H. Apostacy of the Priests 294. A. Apostates
and dieth 62. I. Jaddus High Priest 293. K. meets Alexander 295. H. and in what manner ibid. shews him Daniels prophecy 295. L. Jadon prophesies against the Altar at Bethel 220. B. restores Jeroboams hand ibid. B. breaks Gods Commandment 220. E. slain of a Lion ibid. E. his prophecy detracted 220. F. Jael kills Sisera 134. O. Jair governeth Israel 138. L. was rich and had thirty Sons ibid. B. James accused and stoned 539. D. Jamse c. betrays his Countrey 704. K. Japha taken 669. C. Japhet Noahs eldest Son 23. B. his issue 22. G. covered his Fathers shame 34. O. Jason warreth against Onias 313. I. K. Javan and his Progeny 10. I. Javelin of Saul 163. B. Jaziel a Prophet 235. I assureth Josaphat of the victory ib. I. Ibes enemies unto Serpents 65. D. Ichabod when born 145. G. and why so called ibid. Idolaters plagâ—ed 108. L. M. Idolatry of the Israelites 107. D. 219. M. of Solomon 216. O. Of Joram 211. I. of Jezabel and Achab 216. B. of Amasias 248. A. and 248. B. of Achaz 251. I. of Jeroboam 219. L. M. of the Egyptians 792. I. Idols to be destroyed 111. A. Idumaea the Country of Esau 50. L. Idumaeans revolt 241. K. admit circumcision 346. D. pardoned by Varus 609. F. 20000 come to Jerusalem 690. O. shut out of the City 692. M. object reproaches against the Citizens ibid. pitch their tents near the walls ibid. N. enter the City by night 693. F. depart out of Jerusalem 696. N. consult of their submission 757. B. Jealousie 93. F. Jealousie of Herod 586. N. Jebusites expelled 179. E. Jechonias made king of Juda 261. N. revolteth 262. B. taken prisoner ibid. released 270. F. Jehu King of Israel 228. D. 242. B. slayeth Joram and Ochozias 242. F. G. despiseth Gods Laws 245. M. dieth ibid. Jehu the Prophet 234. E. reproveth Josaphat and why ibid. E. Jeptha Judge of Israel made a vow 138. O. overcometh the Ammonites 139. A. sacrificeth his daughter 139. B. killeth 40000 of the Ephramites ibid. C. D. dieth ibid. Jeremy foretelleth the Captivity 260. D. keepeth at Jerusalem ibid. B. prophecieth the destruction thereof 261. L. admonisheth Joachim ibid. I. perswadeth the Jews to yield 263. K. imprisoned in a pit ibid. his counsel to the King 264. B. set at liberty 266. B. Jericho the City surveyed 121. E. the walls thereof fell down 123. B. destroyed ibid. C. never to be re-edified ibid. D. Jeroboam rebelleth 217. N. fore-shewed to reign over ten Tribes ibid. O. fled into Egypt 218. B. recalled ibid. C. proclaimed King 219. I. perswaded the people to Idolatry ibid. L. his hand withered and was restored 220. B. his impiety 222. C. his punishment fore-prophecied ibid. E. his expedition against Abias 223. I. dieth 224. H. Jeroboam the son of Joas 248. F. warred against the Syrians and inlarged his Kingdom 248. G. dieth 249. L. Jerusalem taken 179. D. Davids royal City ibid. E. surprized 221. E. besieged 235. M. 263. K. 264. D. 579. A. taken and burned 265. K. surprized 297. N. tributary to Rome 365. L. taken by Sosius 390. F. described 713. E. F. 758. G. c. second time burned 755. F. six times spoiled 760. H. Jesse begat David 143. E. Jesus High Priest 279. H. Jesus High Priest 213. H. deposed 213. I. Jesus Christ Crucified 480. M. Jesus Captain of Thieves 7. B. Jesus conspireth against Joseph 8. N. his talk with him 17. F. Jesus exhortation to the Idumaeans 691. A. 691. F. Jesus his exclamation against Jerusalem c. 753. E. his death ibid. G. Jewels of great price 42. N. Jews more ancient than the Greeks 784. M. arguments thereof ibid. came not of the Egyptians 795. B. C. when got Judaea and built Jerusalem 796. O. trusty to their Princes 802. I. why eat not swines flesh 806. I. Jews impiety reproved 221. F. their captivity 265. L. 267. K. depart from Babylon 278. F. in danger to be exterminated 286. B. lament 288. C. fast and pray ibid. E. F. revenge them on their enemies 292. C. led away captive 297. N. set at liberty 289. K. tormented 314. C. slain on the Sabbath 315. N. brought out of Galaad 320. C. discharged of tribute 343. L. terrified 251. M. Lords of Syria c. 343. E. shut their gates against the Romans 364. L. honoured by Kings of Europe and Asia 373. N. slain 381. I. favour Herod for his bounty 413. N. complain to Agrippa 423. G. Jews Embassage to Caesar 431. F. 50000 slain 582 K. cause of the wars 527. D. Jews slain about the Temple 533. E. plagued 2. N. constrained to make war ibid. M. revolt from the Romans 11. E. valiantly defend themselves 279. B. 3000 slain 606. H. call Archelaus in question 610. I. will not consent to Pilate to alter their Laws 615. D. their fight with the Samaritanes 623. A. sedition and slaughter among them 621. B. their request to Agrippa 625. E. refuse Caesars sacrifices 629. F. take Antonia 630. M. spoil the Villages and Cities of Syria 632. K. Jews against Jews ibid. M. slain 632. 633. 634. H. c. overcome the Romans 635. D. besiege Askalon 658. I. 10000 slain 658. L. 8000 slain 658. M. repulsed 666. I. pour scalding oyl upon the Romans 668. M. 12000 slain 669. D. 40000 perisht at Jotapata 671. E. flie into the City 677. C. 9000 slain 683 F. turn their weapons against themselves 686. I. drive the Romans from their camp 713. B. shewed the tortures of the fugitives 732. O. curse Caesar 733. B. embowelled for Gold 737. F. upbraid God 736. H. afraid ibid. K. surprise the Romans Horses 746. L. burn the porch of the Temple ibid. O. eat their girdles shoes c. 748. L. overcome the Romans 747. F. arrogant in calamity 756. K. refuse to submit themselves ibid. L. 40000 saved an infinite number sold 757. D. slain in Syria and Aegypt 775. D. burn their goods 775. L. the number of captives and slain 759. B. Jezabel builded a Temple to Bel 226. B. ordained Priests and Prophets ibid. B. killed the true Prophets 227. K. complotted Naboths death 218. F. G. persecuted Elias 228. B. her death fore-shewed 228. I. devoured by dogs 243. I. Image of a godly Prince 259. M. N. Image of Gold 269. M. Imitation in sin 159. B. 219. M. 221. d. 250. E. 258 D. Immanity of the Idumaeans and Zealous 694. I. of Simon 704. M. Immunity granted to the Jews 335. B. Impiety of Elies sons 143. F. of Basa 224. O. of Achab and Jezabel 226. B. 228. B. of Amri and his Predecessors 225. M. of Achaz 251. I. 252. B. of Ochozias 246. B. of Oziâ—s 259. A. of Phacâ—ias 250. E. of Ozeas 255. C. of Manasses 258. B. of Joas 260. L. of Joachim ibid. F. Impiety cause of calamity 129. B. 130. L. M. 131. C. D. 132. M. 221. D. 222. E. 224. I. 225. M. N. 229. I. 242. A. 248. A. 251. K. 252. B. 258. B. 260. E. 261. M. N. 262. D.
Timaeus Z. Zophyrion Imprimatur Decem. 7. 1675. Geo. Hooper R mo D no. Arch. Cant. a Sacr. Domest A The Life of FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The Son of Matthias Written by himself B FOrasmuch as I derive my Original Josephus Lineage by a long series of Ancestors from the Sacerdotal Race I may with some reason value my self upon the Nobleness of my Birth since as every Nation places the Grandeur of a Family in some certain marks of Honour that accompany it so amongst us 't is one of the most signal to have the administration of Holy things But I am not onely descended of the stock of the Priests I am also of the First of the Four and twenty Families of which it consists and whose Dignity is eminent above the rest To which I may add That by my Mothers side I reckon Kings amongst my Ancestors For the Branch of the Asmoneans from whom she descended for a C long time exercised both the High Priesthood and Princely Power among our Nation In this manner stands the order of the last of my Predecessors My great Grandfafathers Grandfather Simon sirnamed Psellus the stutterer lived at such time as Hircanus was High Priest the first of that Name and the Son of Simon the High Priest This Simon Psellus had Nine Sons the one of which was Matthias sirnamed Aphlias This Matthias took to Wife the Daughter of the High Priest Jonathan by whom he had one Son who was Matthias sirnamed Curtus who was born in the first year of Hircanus's Priesthood Matthias begat Joseph in the Ninth year of Alexander's Government and of Joseph came Matthias in the Tenth year of the Reign of Archelaus and Matthias begat me in the First year of the Empire of Caius Caesar Joseph the Son of Matthias was born in the first year of Caius Caesars Empire and the 4001 year of the world and the 39 after Christs birth I likewise have D Three Sons mine eldest is Hircanus who was born in the Fourth my next Justus who was born in the Seventh and Agrippa my last who was born in the Ninth year of Vespasians Empire This Genealogy of mine do I in this manner propose according as I have found it written in the Publick Registers to the end to confound the Calumnies of my Enemies My Father Matthias was considerable for his Extraction but more for his Justice and Authority in Jerusalem which is the Metropolis of our Countrey My bringing up during my tender years was with Matthias who was my Brother by the same Father and Mother with whom I happily profited in all kind of Science having a good Memory Joseph from his infancy very studious and addicted to learning and a quick Apprehension so that being yet a Child of Fourteen years of E Age I was praised by all Men in regard of the good Affection I had to Learning and the Priests and Noblest Citizens vouchsaf'd to ask my Opinion of things that concerned our Laws and Ordinances About the Age of Sixteen years my desire was to have a search and insight into the Sects of our Nation which are Three The first of the Pharisees which is the chiefest The second of the Sadduces And the third of the Esseans And this I did to the end I might choose the better of the Three when I understood them all For which cause with great Austerities and Labours I passed thorow them all and not content with this Experience after I had heard that a certain man called Banus lived in the Desart clothing himself with that which the Trees brought forth and feeding on no other kind of meat but what they freely yielded F and washing himself oftentimes by day and night in cold water to keep himself chaste I began to imitate his course of Life and after I had lived with him for the space of Three years and satisfied my desires I returned to the City at the Age of Nineteen years At this time I began to engage my self in the exercise of a civil Life Joseph a Pharisee following the Sect of the Pharisees which very neerly resembleth that Sect among the Grecians who are called Stoicks After I was Six and twenty years old it was my fortune to repair to Rome upon this occasion Whilst Foelix governed Judea certain Priests my familiars men of much honour and more virtue were upon some slight occasion bound and sent to Rome by his commandment to answer to what should be objected against G them in Caesar's presence Whereupon being desirous to do them service and having special intelligence that the Torments wherewith they were Martyred lessened not their Piety but that they lived contentedly on Figs and Nuts for this cause I departed for Rome and was encountred with many great and grievous hazards by Sea For the H ship Joseph's shipwrack wherein I sailed was wrackt in the midst of the Adriatick Sea and about Six hundred of us were forc't to swim all Night long and at Day-break by God's Providence a Cyrenian ship came in sight and both I and certain others to the number of Fourscore out-swimming the rest were taken up into it and saved After I had in this sort escaped I came to Dicaarchia which the Italians call at this day Puteoli and grew acquainted with Aliturus a Jew born who was a Comedian and in good reputation with Nero by whose means insinuating my self into the Emperess Poppea's knowledge Joseph obtaineth the Priests liberties I determined to beseech her to procure the liberty of those Priests with all expedition which she accordingly did and being gratified likewise by her with many great gifts I returned into my Countrey There I found the Commonwealth I much disquieted with Factions and Troubles The Jews seditious and divers too prone and ready to Rebel and withdraw their Allegiance from the Romans I inforced my self to repress the seditious and exhorted them to change their opinions representing before their eyes the quality of those against whom they enterprized War with whom they could neither compare in experience of War nor in good Fortune For this cause I advised them not to hazard the overthrow of themselves their Children and their Countrey by their rashness and rage Joseph dehorteth the Jews from sedition is suspected by them of treason To this effect I spake to them and instantly intreated them to desist from their unhappy resolution for that I foresaw that the end of this War would prove to our utter Ruine but I prevailed nothing with them The fury of desperate and dissolute men prevailed above reason for which cause fearing lest by K continual inforcing of one thing I should grow into hatred and suspition amongst them as if I favoured their enemies and they should put me to death seeing that the Fort of Antonia was already seized upon by the seditious I retired my self into the Sanctuary From whence after Manahem and the chiefest Revolters
suffering great Travels and after they had once more renewed the oath of mutual Amity and Faith between them for all the time of their lives calling God to witness with imprecations against him that should fail therein Jonathan left David somewhat eased in heart and disburthened of his fear and returned to his own home But the Ziphians to gratifie Saul told him v. 19. that David was amongst them and promised to deliver him prisoner into his hands The Ziphians certifie Saul of Davids abode in their Countrey if so be he would come out against him for if he would seize all the straights of the Countrey it should be impossible for him to flie into D any other place The King praised their fidelity and promised them to require it and to remunerate them shortly for this their good affection and withall sent out certain men to seek out David and to break over the Forest promising them that shortly he would follow after them Thus did the Governours and Princes of the Ziphians offer themselves to the King to search out and apprehend him expressing their affection therein not only in outward shew but also with their whole power labouring what they might that surprizing him they might deliver him into the Kings hands But their unjust desire had as unfortunate success wicked people as they were who being to incur no peril by concealing him from pursuit promised to betray him into the Kings hands through adulation and avarice v. 26. a man that was both vertous and wrongfully persecuted E to death by his Enemies David hearing of the Kings coming flieth to save himself For David being informed of their malice and of the Kings approach quitted those narrow straights wherein he then encamped and escaped to a certain Rock sâ—ituate in the Desart of Simon Saul continued to pursue him and knowing by the way that he had overcome the straights he came to the other side of the Rock where David had surely been taken had not the King been revoked by tidings which assured him that the Philistines had forcibly entred and spoyled his Kingdom v. 27 28. For he thought it more conveninet to revenge himself on those his publick and open Enemies Saul pursueth David and having circumvented him had taken him had not he received news that revoked him and to give succor to his Countrey and people being ready to be spoiled and wasted than out of desire to lay hands on a private Enemy to betray both his Countrey and Subjects to their Swords and thus was David saved beyond all expectation and F he retired himself to the straights of Engaddi But after Saul had repelled the Philistines certain news was brought him that David was in the straights of Engaddi whereupon presently taking with him three thousand of the choicest men in all his Army he led them speedily to the forenamed place and being not far from thence he perceived near the high way a deep and large Cave where David with his four hundred men were hid and he descended alone into the Cave to disburthen the necessities of nature This was presently discovered by one of Davids followers who told him that God had presented him a fit opportunity to revenge him on his Enemy 1 Sam. 24 5. and counselled him to cut off Sauls head David cut off the lap of Sauls Garment and to discharge himself thereby of further trouble But David arising and finding him out only cut off the lap of the vesture wherewith Saul was attired and presently G thereupon repented himself saying that it were a wicked deed in him to kill his Lord whom God by Election had raised to the estate of Majesty and Empire For said he although he be unjust toward me yet ought I not to be injurious towards him who is my Lord. But when Saul was gon out of the Cave David followed him and cryed with a loud H voice beseeching Saul to give him audience Saul turning back to him David cast himself prostrate at his feet according to the custome and spake after this manner How unworthy is it for thee O King that opening thy ears to scandalous backbiters and giving trust and credit to vain and loose men thou suspectest thy most faithfull friends whom thou rather oughtest to judge by their sincere and upright actions for words may be either false or true but the mind can be descovered by no more apparent arguments than by mens actions as at this present thou mayest judge David upbraideth Saul for his subtilities to seek his death who was innocent whether thou hast raishly believed them that make me guilty before thy Majesty of that crime that was never yet so much as in my thought and who have so much exasperated thee against me that day and night thou thinkest on nothing more than my destruction Seest thou not now how vain thy opinion is whereby they persuade thee that I I am an Enemy of thy house and earnestly desirous of thy death Or with what eyes thinkest thou doth God behold thy cruelty who seekest the death of him who having an opportunity offered him to be revenged on thee spareth thy life whose life were it in thy hands were assuredly lost For as easily might I have cut off thy head as this lap of thy garment and therewithall in confirmation of his words he shewed it him yet did I forbear this just revenge But God shall bear witness hereof and shall condemn him of us two that shall be found the most culpable Saul amazed to see how strangely his life had been preserved and to consider the vertue and generosity of David v. 10 ad 17. began to weep and David wept also but Saul said that he had greater cause to lament than he Saul acknowledged his malice and Davids innocency and requesteth him that when he hath obtained the Kingdom he would be favourable to his Family For said he by thy means have I received many benefits and thou at my hands hast been repayed with infinite K injuries This day hast thou testified that thou retainest the ancient justice of our ancestors who instead of taking away the lives of their Enemies when they found them at advantage accounted it glorious to spare them Now I no longer doubt that God hath reserved the Kingdom for thee and that the Empire of all the Hebrews attendeth thee Assure thou me therefore by an oath that thou wilt not exterminate my Race or remember those injuries that I have done unto thee but that sparing my posterity thou wilt keep them under thy protection David sware to him according as he had required and suffered him to return into his Realm and both he and his companies retired themselves to the straights of Maspha About the same time died Samuel the Prophet a man who for his merit was in great estimation amongst the Hebrews Samuels death and burial the testimony of L
whose vertue and the peoples observance towards him was expressed in this that they celebrated his funeral 1 Sam. 25. 1. with great pomp and when they had performed his rites they buried him in Ramath his Countrey and lamented his death many dayes not only as a common loss but as if each one of them had in particular been allied to him For he was a man naturally framed to all justice and Goodness and for these his vertues most acceptable to God He governed the people after the death of Eli the High Priest first in his own person Nabals flocks saved by David v. 6. for the space of twelve years and afterwards during the Reign of Saul eighteen years But in those places where David at that time remained there was a certain Ziphian in a Town called Emma a man very rich and owner of much cattel named Nabal for he had a Troop of three thousand Sheep and a Herd of a thousand M Goats David forbid his people to meddle with any of his goods for any necessity or pretext whatsoever because that to violate and take another mans goods was a wicked thing and contrary to Gods commandment He instructed them in this sort imagining with himself that he gratified a good man and such an one as deserved to be in like sort favoured but Nabal was a rude and churlish person and very mischievous yet had he a Wife that was good wise and fair v. 7. ad 12. To this Nabal did David send ten of his Servants about the time of his Sheep-shearing Davids Embassage to Nabal to require relief and his currâ—â—â— answer both to salute him and to wish him all sort of prosperity for many years and also to desire him that he would impart to him something for the sustenance of his company since his Shepherds could inform him that having long remained in the desart they had N been so far from doing his flocks any harm that they had rather seemed their Shepherds and keepers He added that whatsoever courtesie he should shew to David he should bestow it on a mindful and thankful personage Thus spake the Messengers to Nabal but he answered them very discourteously and rudely demanding of them what that David was and being informed that he was the Son of Jesse what said he a fugitive who hids himself for fear of falling into his Masters hands is become audacious and imperious v. 13 ad 17. David David â—allieth out against Nabal with 400 Armed men was grievously displeased at these words and commanded four hundred of his men to take their Weapons and follow him and two hundred to keep the Baggage for at that time he had six hundred and in this equipage he marched forward against O Nabal swearing that that very night he would utterly exterminate and root out all his Race and destroy his riches Neither was he only displeased that Nabal was ingrateful A towards them The year of the World 1889. before Christ's Nativity 1075. without respect of that humanity which they had shewed towards him and his but also that without any cause of injury offered he had injured and outraged him in words In the mean while certain Shepherds that tended Nabal 's Cattel told their Mistress that David having sent to her Husband to desire some small courtesie had not only obtained nothing but also received insupportable injuries whereas till that day he had suffered his flocks to be untouched telling her that that insolency of their Lord might breed them all much mischief A ver 18 ad 25. Which when Abigail heard for so was the Woman called she loaded divers Asses with all sorts of Presents Abigail Nabals Wife appeaseth David with Presents without giving any notice to her Husband who was so drunk that he was insensible and went towards David B who as he descended the straights of the Mountain marching towards Nabal accompanied with 400 Men met her As soon as Abigail perceived him she leaped from her Horse and falling on her face prostrated herself before him beseeching him to pass by Nabals words Ver. 35. knowing that Nabals nature was answerable to his name for in the Hebrew tongue Nabal signifieth a Fool. Nabal signifieth Folly she excused her self likewise saying That she saw none of them that were sent to her Husband For which cause said she I beseech thee to pardon us and to consider what cause thou hast to give God thanks that by my means he hath hindered thee from polluting thy hands in innocent blood for if thou remain pure and innocent from bloodshed thou wilt engage him to punish thy enemies and to bring upon their heads that destruction which was ready to fall upon that of Nabal I confess that thy anger against him is C just but be pleas'd to moderate it for my sake who have no share in his fault since Goodness and Clemency are virtues worthy of a Man whom God designs one day for a Kingdom accept of these small Presents which I offer thee David accepting her Presents gave her an answer after this manner Woman said he God of his goodness hath this day brought thee hither otherwise thou hadst not liv'd or seen the next morning For I have sworn that this night I would overthrow thy house and leave none alive of that ungrateful Mans family who hath so contumeliously abused both me and mine but now God hath put thee in mind wisely to prevent and pacifie my wrath As for Nabal Ver. 36 37 38. although at this present he be exempted by thy means from punishment yet shall he not escape Davids Prophecy of Nabal but he shall perish some other way This said he dismissed Abigail who D returning to her house and finding her Husband amidst his Companions laden with Wine told him nothing at that time of that which had hapned but the next day recounting to him what was pass'd he was so much terrified by the greatness of the danger that he dyed within ten dayes Ver. 38 39. Which when David understood he said that he was deservedly punished by God Nabal conceiveth so much sorrow and fear for his immodesty against David that he dieth Apoplecticâ—â— because his own wickedness was the cause of his punishment giving thanks unto God that he had not dipped his hands in blood and by this example he learnt that no wicked Man can escape Gods judgment and that humane affairs depend not on Chance as if neglected by God but that the good are rewarded and the wicked punished according to their wickedness He afterwards sent Messengers to Nabals Wife and caused her to come unto him to the intent he might E marry her An example of Gods Providence that no sin can escape unpunished She answered the Messengers That she thought herself unworthy to lie at his feet notwithstanding she repaired to him with a good equipage and was