greatly moved against Pheroras for affirming that he was in love with Glaphyra The young Prince hearing this became jealous and was in a great rage and now what honour soever or gifts Herod for the love of his Son gave her Alexander did interpret it in the worst sence and not able to put up such M injuries he went to his Father and with tears related unto him what Pheroras had told him Herod was never more surprised and not enduring to be falsely accused of so shameful a fact inveying against the great malice of his friends who for his good offices he did them so rewarded him He presently sending for Pheroras very sharply began to chide him saying O most impious that liveth amongst men art thou become so ungrateful either to speak or think such a matter of us Thinkest thou that I do not perceive thy drift that thou spakest not these words unto my Son to discredit me but also to the intent by this means thou mightest work some treason against me and cause me to be poysoned For who but a good Son as this is would suffer his Father suspected for such a matter to live and not to be revenged of him for such offence Whether dost thou think that thou didst put N these speeches into his mind or by them a sword into his hand to kill his Father withal Or what was thy intent seeing thou hatest him and his Brother and only counterfeiting good will towards me to belye me and to report that of me that without impiety could not be thought Get thee hence thou wretched Imp seeing thou hast thus abused thy Brother who hath deserved so well at thy hands Go basest of men I will leave thee to the gnawing worm of thy own perfidious Conscience to be thy Executioner all thy life time And for your greater confusion I will content my self to confound your wickedness with my goodness in not punishing you according to your deserts but treating you with that mercy of which all the world knoweth you to be so unworthy The King having uttered his anger against his Brother Pheroras he being taken in a manifest fault answered that that report was first devised by Salome O of whom he heard it Salome excuseth her self Which she being then present hearing began to exclaim saying it was not her device and that they all laboured to make the King hate her and put her to A death being one who did especially wish him well and what in her lay seeking his safety and that now he was in danger of more Treason than ever before For said she I was the only cause that you did put away the woman whom you so doted after perswading you to marry the King's Daughter and this is the cause that you hate me With these speeches tearing her hair and striking her breast she made a shew of innocency but this gesture was a colour to hide her bad intent So Pheroras was left in great perplexity not knowing what to say or do and could find no pretence to excuse his fact for on the one side he confessed that he told it unto Alexander and on the other he could not make Herod believe that he heard it of Salome This contention endured a good while at last the King being wearied sent away his Brother and his Sister and B greatly commending his Son 's moderate mind and that he had given him intelligence of those speeches it being then late he went to supper After this contention The effect of calumniation Salome was hardly thought of because she was judged to be the Author of this ill report and the King's Wives hated her because they knew her to have strange qualities and so variable that one while she would profess friendship and presently after hatred Wherefore they still had something to inform Herod of against her taking occasion happening by chance which was this There was a King of the Arabians named Obodas a slothful man and one given to idleness And there was one Syllaeus that did govern all this man was a crafty fellow and in the prime of his youth and very beautiful This Syllaeus coming unto Herod about C some business and viewing Salome who then sat at supper with him began to set his mind upon her and finding she was a Widow he entred into talk with her and she finding her Brother now not so friendly unto her as before he had been and also entangled with the beauty of this young man did not greatly deny to marry him and many Feasts being made at that time they shewed evident signs of their mutual consent and love one to another The King's Wives told the King of this in jest Herod commanded Pheroras at supper time to note if he could espy any tokens of familiarity betwixt them and Pheroras told him that by signs and mutual viewing one another Syllaeus the Arabian desiring Salome to wife was denied they sufficiently shewed their intents After this the Arabian being suspected departed into his own Countrey But two or three months after he came again into D Judaea only for this purpose and talked with Herod touching this matter requesting him to let Salome be his Wife affirming that that affinity would be profitable unto him for the traffick between his people and the Arabians whose Prince he was to be and did already enjoy a great part of the Dominion Herod told all this unto his Sister and asked her if she would marry him and she answered she would Then they requested that Syllaeus should become a Jew in Religion or else it was not lawful for him to marry her He would not condescend hereunto affirming that he should be stoned to death by his people if he did it and so he departed without obtaining his purpose From that time forth Pheroras and especially the King's Wives accused Salome of intemperancy affirming that she had had the company of the Arabian Now Herod E determined to marry his Daughter unto Salome's Son whom Pheroras refused for the love of his Maid which Son of Salome's was her eldest that she had by Costabarus to shew his good will towards Salome his Sister But he was disswaded by Pheroras who told him that the young man would never love such a Father in Law because of his Father's death perswading him rather to marry her to his eldest Son who was to succeed him in his Tetrarchy which he easily perswaded the King unto and so obtained pardon for his former offence Herod married his Daughter to Pheroras's Son Wherefore the match being changed the Maid was married unto the young man who had a hundred Talents in dowry with her more than otherwise should have been given with her But all this while this dissention of Herod's house did not cease but rather encreased F it having a shameful beginning and coming to a sorrowful end Herod had three Eunuchs whom he greatly esteemed for their
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.
but God deliver'd me from them all Moreover I received in gift from Vespasian an ample possession in Judaea and about the â—â—me time I forsook my Wife because her manners pleased me not although she was the Mother of my three Children of whom two are deceased and the third called Hircanus is yet alive After this I married a Wife that was born in Candy Joseph's third Wife by Nation a Jew and by Birth Noble and one of the greatest Reputation amongst the Inhabitants endow'd with as laudable manners as any other Woman M whatsoever Bâ— her I had two Sons Justus who was the eldest and Simon who was also sirnamed Agrippa Thus far touching my domestical affairs To which I must add that I have always continu'd to be honour'd with the good-will of the Emperors For after Vespasian's death Titus who succeeded him in the Empire continued the same favor which his Father had shew'd me For although I was oftentimes accused yet were not my Adversaries believ'd Domitian who succeeded him augmented my Honors For he punish'd those Jews that accused me and gave order that the Eunuch and slave whom I kept to teach my Son The perpetual favor of the Caesars towards Joseph and by whom I was accus'd should be punished He granted me exemption also from all the Tributes of Judaea which is one of the greatest Honors that a Man can receive And as for Domitia the Emperor's Wife she always continued N her good affection towards me Behold here the short Recital of my whole Life whereby let each Man conjecture of my Manners As for you O thrice excellent Epaphroditus after I have dedicated to you the Continuation of my Antiquities I will forbear to say more thereof A MAP OF THE HOLY LAND delineated for the better understanding of the HISTORY OF IOSEPHUS By P. du Val the King's Geographer 1675. R White sculp THE HOLY LAND described according to the NEW TESTAMENT to shew the places remarkable for the residences and journeys of our SAVIOUR A Scale of Leagues each consisting of 3000 Geometrical Paces A THE HISTORY OF THE B JEWS C The Preface of Josephus THey who apply themselves to write History have not all one and the same intent and motive but oftentimes very different causes of their labours For some are led to this study by a desire to shew their Eloquence and to gain Reputation Others do it to oblige the persons whose actions they relate and they strive to the uttermost to please them Others engage upon it because having born a part in the Events which they describe they are willing that the Publick should have knowledge of the same Lastly D others employ themselves this way for that they cannot suffer that things worthy to be known by all the world should remain buried in silence Now of these forenamed causes the two last are these that incited me to write For on the one side in regard I was an Actor in the War against the Romans and a Witness of the Actions which pass'd therein and also know what were the several Events thereof I conceiv'd my self oblig'd and in a manner forc'd to write the History of the same to the end to manifest the unfaithfulness of those who having written concerning this Subject before me have disguis'd and perverted the Truth And on the other side I have reason to believe that the Greeks will be well pleas'd with this Work because it will afford them an Account of the Antiquity of our Nation and the Form of our Common-wealth Translated out of Hebrew into their own Tongue When I began the History of the E foresaid War I purposed to lay open to the World How and whence the Jews had their first original What alterations in Fortune they had fall'n into By what Lawmaker they had been instructed in Piety and incited to the exercise of Virtue What Wars they sustained through several Ages and finally How against their will they became engaged in this last against the Romans But for that this Subject was too ample and copious to be treated only in passing I thought fit to make a separate Work after it and accordingly set upon this Treatise Afterwards as it usually hapneth to those that attempt matters of great difficulty I fell into a certain slothfulness which made me very backward to resolve upon the Translation of so long a History into a Foreign Language Yet some there were who inflamed with a desire of knowledge animated me to this action and especially Epaphroditus a man enamor'd of all Learning F and particularly History which is not to be wonder'd at since himself hath had very considerable Employments and experienc'd several Accidents of Fortune in all which he hath shewed a marvellous magnanimity of courage with an unmoveable resolution to follow Virtue Being thus persuaded by him who is accustomed to encourage those whom he perceives dispos'd to perform things profitable and honest and which is more being ashamed in my self that I should rather take delight to follow idleness than addict my self to so laudable an exercise I resum'd my Work and with so much the greater cheerfulness when I consider'd with my self that our Ancestors never made any difficulty to communicate matters of this nature to strangers and that the most famous among the Greeks have been curious to understand what passes amongst us For Ptolomy King of Egypt the second of the Name highly affectioned G to good Letters and desirous to store and gather Books at incredible charge caus'd our Laws and Customs and manners of living to be Translated into the Greek Tongue And our High Priest Eleazar who was not second in virtue to any other whatsoever thought not fit to deny this satisfaction to that Prince as he would without doubt have done had it not been the H ordinary course of our Ancestors not to conceal from other men such things as are good and laudable For which cause I have held it a matter no ways undecent for me to follow the goodness and generosity of that worthy High Priest and the rather for that even at this day I suppose many are no less well affected to good Letters than that great King Yet the Copy of all the Holy Scripture was not given him but those Translators who were sent unto him to Alexandria did only communicate that unto him which belongs to our Law But the things that are found written in the Sacred Books of Holy Scripture are innumerable being the History of five thousand years in which divers extraordinary Events and Revolutions sundry great Wars and many glorious Actions done by excellent Captains are described In sum if any one have a desire to read this History he shall principally learn and observe That all things fall out I happily and beyond their expectation to those men who observe the Will of God and are afraid to transgress his Commandments and that God hath prepared for such
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
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
in the Countrey of Galilee and for this cause was greatly beloved by Cassius for he being prudent and discreet thought it no small policy at that time to win the Romans good will on other mens expences Under the other Governors the Cities were set to sale together with their Inhabitants and amongst them these four were the chiefest namely Gophna Emaus Lydda and Thamna for Cassius sold the people thereof to them that would give most Besides Cassius was so much transported with choler E that he had slain Malichus if Hircanus had not restrained his fury by sending him One hundred Talents of his own money by Antipater But as soon as Cassius was departed out of the Countrey of Judaea he practised Antipater's death supposing that his cutting off would assure Hircanus's state But Antipater was not ignorant of this his resolution for having an inkling thereof he got himself on the other side of Jordan and assembled an Army of Soldiers both Jews and Arabians Hereupon Malichus who was a politick and subtil fellow denied stoutly that he had intended any Treason Maâ—ichus layeth in wait to murther Antipater but forsweareth the same and is reconciled clearing himself with an Oath before Antipater and his Children that he had never any such intent especially seeing that Phasaelus held Jerusalem and Herod F had an Army at command And in the end perceiving the difficulty wherein he was he reconciled himself to Antipater and they agreed at that time that Marcus governed Syria who perceiving that Malichus began to raise troubles in Jewry resorted thither and there wanted little but that he had slain him had not Antipater by earnest request obtained his life CHAP. XIX Cassius and Marcus leaving Sâ—ria give Herod the command of the Army which they had raised promising to establish him King Malichus causeth Antipater to be poysoned Herod dissembleth with him BUT imprudent Antipater saved Malichus to his own mischief Cassius and Marâ—â—us make Herod Governor of Coelosyria For when Cassius G and Marcus had assembled their Army they committed all the charge into Herods hands and made him Governor of Coelosyria and delivered him great forces both of H Foot and Horse The year of the World 3923. before Christ's Nativity 41. and Ships by Sea They promised him likewise the Kingdom of Judaea after they had finished the War that was at that time betwixt them and Anthony and Caesar the younger Whereupon Malichus mightily fearing Antipaters power determined to destroy him and having corrupted Hircanus's Butler with Money with whom both of them celebrated a Feast he poysoned him Malichus causeth Antipater to be poisoned and afterwards assembling many Soldiers about him he made himself Master of the City When Herod and Phasaelus understood the traiterous conspiracy attempted against their Father they were grievously incensed against Malichus But he denied all and especial abjured the intent or practice of the murther Thus died Antipater a just and virtuous man and such an one as dearly loved his Countrey But Herod who was his younger son immediately resolved to I revenge his fathers death and came forth with an Army against Malichus But Phasaelus who was the elder resolved to circumvent him by policy lest he should raise a Civil War He therefore accepted of Malichus justifications and made a shew that he supposed that he had in no manner contrived Antipater's death and onely minded his Fathers Monument and Funerals Mean while Herod resorting to Samaria and finding it in a desperate condition restored the same and pacified the dissentions that were amongst the Inhabitants Not long after by reason of a Feast he came to Jerusalem with his Soldiers Malichus being afraid of his access perswaded Hircanus that he should not permit him to enter into the City whereunto Hircanus condescended alleadging that amongst the holy People it was not lawful to intermix a Troop of polluted K Men. But Herod slighted them that brought him this news and notwithstanding his command entred the City by night whereat Malichus was much amazed Whereupon according to his ordinary dissimulation he openly wept and bewailed the death of Antipater his especial friend but under-hand he prepared a guard for his own safety Notwithstanding it was thought fit by Herod's friends to take no notice of his dissimulation but to make shew that they were well-affected towards Malichus CHAP. XX. Cassius at Herod's entreaty sends orders to the Commanders of the Roman Troops to revenge L Antipater's death they stab Malichus Felix who commands the Roman Garison in Jerusalem attacketh Phasaelus who reduceth him to capitulate HErod having assured Cassius of Antipater his fathers death he knowing very well of what a wicked man Malichus was wrote back unto Herod that he should revenge the death of his father besides he sent secret Letters to the Captains that were in Tyre commanding them to aid and assist Herod in that just execution which he intended After that Cassius had taken Laodicea and the Inhabitants of the Countrey came together bringing with them Crowns and Silver to present him Herod expecting that Malichus should receive his punishment there but Malichus mistrusting their designs M when he was drawing near to Tyre in Phaenicia he contriv'd a greater enterprize For whereas his son was an hostage in Tyre he entred the City to draw him thence and afterwards return into Judaea taking that opportunity by reason of Cassius's troubles who marched to meet with Anthony he resolved to draw the people to an insurrection and to make himself Lord of the Countrey but God disappointed his unjust purposes For Herod being a man of a ripe judgment immediately discovered his intention and sent one of his servants before under the notion to prepare a banquet because he had told him formerly that he would entertein all his followers but in effect he sent him to the Captains to command them to go out with their Daggers and to meet Malichus who marching forth and meeting with him near the shore he N stabbed him Which act did so much astonish Hircanus that through amaze he grew speechless and being much moved he demanded of Herod's men how this accident had hapned and who it was that had killed Malichus which having heard and how nothing was done without Cassius's commannd he answered that all was well done Malichus being a wicked Man and a Traitor to his Countrey See here how Malichus was justly punished for the wickedness he committed against Antipater When Cassius was gone out of Syria there arose a new tumult in Judaea for Felix who was left in Jerusalem with an Army marched forth against Phasaelus and all the people were in arms For which cause Herod speedily repaired to Fabius Governor of Damasco and intending to succor his brother was prevented by a sickness so that O Phasaelus obtaining a victory by his own forces against Faelix enclosed him up in a Tower whence afterwards he dismissed him under
and took pleasure to obey Izates whom his Father deservedly and to all their contents and the desire of the common people had preferred above the rest of his Brethren alledging moreover that they would put his Brethren and Kinsmen to death before his coming to the end that he might enjoy the Kingdom B with all security for by their deaths all the fear that might grow by their hatred and envie might be extinguished Hereunto the Queen answered that she gave them thanks for the favour they bare unto her and her Son Izates notwithstanding she required them to suspend their judgments touching the death of his Brethren until such time as Izates himself should give his consent thereunto They seeing they might not obtain the liberty to put them to death were of opinion that they should be kept prisoners until his coming to the end that they might do him no harm in his absence and that moreover until his coming there might one be appointed to govern the State whom she should esteem most trusty and faithful unto him Whereunto Helena condescended and made his elder Brother Monobazus C King and set the Diadem on his head and gave him his Fathers Seal-ring with that Robe which they call Sampsera exhorting him to govern the Kingdom until his Brothers arrival Izates having certain notice of his Fathers death resorted thither speedily and receiving his Brother Monobazus willing surrender took upon him the Government of the Kingdom Whilest Izates was in the Fortress of Spasinus Izates and his mother Helena learn the true service of God according to the manner of the Jews a certain Merchant who was a Jew called Ananias having access to the Kings wives taught them the manner how to serve God according to the Religion of the Jews and Ananias by their means growing acquainted with Izates taught him the like and accompanied him into Adiabena being drawn thereunto by his earnest intreaties when Izates resorted thither upon his D Fathers sending for It chanced also that Helena was in like manner instructed by another Jew and retained the Rites and Religion of the Jews After that Izates came into his Kingdom and knew that his Brethren and Kinsfolk were imprisoned he was much grieved Conceiving therefore with himself that it would be a great impiety in him to suffer them to be put to death or kept in prison and that on the other side it were a dangerous matter for him if being at liberty they should remember the evil they had endured Izates sendeth his Brothers to Claudius Caesar and Artabanus for this cause he sent some of them to Rome for Hostages with their Children unto the Emperour Claudius and the rest unto Artabanus King of Parthia Afterwards when he was thoroughly assured that his Mother was wholly addicted to the Religion of the Jews Izates is disswaded by Helena his Mother and Ananias from circumcision he endeavoured the more to E shew himself zealous therein and supposing that he could not be a perfect Jew except he were circumcised he prepared himself to be circumcised Which when his Mother understood she endeavoured to her uttermost to hinder his resolution assuring him that in so doing he should bring himself in great danger for that in being King he would draw himself into the dislike of his Subjects if they should have notice that he was addicted to a new Religion and to strange Ceremonies and that they would not endure that being a Jew he should be their King so she for a while by her disswasion restrained him from his desire But the King required of Ananias who according with Helena in the course of her dislike threatned Izates that if he would not obey his Mother he would forsake him and depart from him for that he feared F lest if the matter should be publickly known he should suffer some punishment as being the only Author and Instructer of the King in undecent matters that otherwise he might serve God although he were not circumcised since he had resolved to live according to the institution and Laws of the Jews and that God would pardon him for in this true Religion consisteth more than in circumcision of the body though he were not actually circumcised since the necessity and fear of his Subjects over-ruled him By which words the King for that time was perswaded to proceed no further But a little after for he was not wholly altered in that affection which he had another Jew called Eleazar Eleazar perswadeth 〈◊〉 to be circumcised coming from Galilee and accounted a Learned man in the Doctrine of our Religion perswaded him to be circumcised For coming G one day unto him to salute him he found him reading of the Books of Moses and said unto him O King contrary to your knowledge you offend the Law and God likewise for it sufficeth you not that you understand the same but the chiefest matter you are tied unto is to do that which the Law commandeth how long therefore H will you remain uncircumcised And if as yet you have not perused the Law as touching this point read it now to the end you may know what great impiety it is to omit it After the King had heard this he would no longer defer his Circumcision for which cause withdrawing himself into another chamber he called a Surgeon unto him who acted that which he required and afterwards calling his Mother and Master Ananias unto him he told them what had past whereupon they grew strangely amazed fearing the King should be in danger to lose his Kingdom if this action of his should come to light for that his Subjects would not endure that such a man that followed a contrary Religion should be their King They feared also lest they themselves should be in danger They that rely on God and put their confidence in him do always reap the reward of their Piety forasmuch as the cause of all this matter would be imputed I to them But God by his Providence prevented lest any of those things which they feared should come to pass for he delivered Izates himself and his Children likewise out of many dangers yielding them his assistance in their doubtful and desperate conditions declaring in effect that those that only put their trust in him and depend upon his Providence are never deprived of the fruit of their Piety But of these things we will speak hereafter When Helena the Kings Mother perceived that the state of the Kingdom was in peace Helena the Queen of Adiabena resorteth to Jerusalem and that by all mens opinion both home-bred and strangers her Son was reputed happy by the good will of God she was seized with a desire to go and visit the City of Jerusalem and adore God in the Temple which was so much renowned K through the whole world Aliàs cap. 6. and offer Sacrifice of Thanksgiving therein for which cause she besought her
But his Mother being no way dismayed with the stripes which she endured nor with the death wherewith she was threatned lifted up her hands to her Son beseeching him that he would not in regard of her miseries be moved to spare so impious a person for she should esteem her death G happy if so be Ptolemy might receive just punishment for the villany which he had impiously committed against their house Hircanus seeing the resolute mind of his Mother and hearing her entreaty was moved to assault the Castle but straightway seeing her beaten and torn he relented with compassion and his mind agitated with H different Sentiments was full of confusion and trouble By which means the Siege continued long and the Jubilee year was come which falleth out every seventh year Ptolomey was no sooner delivered from the Siege by this occasion but he put Hircanus's Mother and his Brethren to death Ptolâ—maeus murthereth Hircanus's Mother and Brethren and afterwards fled to Zeno the Tyrant of Philadelphia who was also surnamed Cotylas In the mean while Antiochus to be revenged for the Victory which Simon had got over his Generals entred with an Army into Judaea and besieged Hircanus in Jerusalem who opening the Sepulchre of David who had been one of the richest of all the Kings of Judaea took more than three thousand Talents from thence The year of the world 3839. before Christ's Nativity 123. of which he gave three hundred to Antiochus and so obliged him to depart the Countrey This I Hircanus was the first Prince that entertained Forreign Soldiers But so soon as Antiochus had bent his Power and Forces against the Medes he took that opportunity to revenge himself Antiochus upon the payment of three hundred Talents raiseth his Siege and presently assaulted the Towers of Syria assuring himself he should find them as indeed they were void of Soldiers to defend them He made himself Master of Medaba Samea Sichem and Garizim and subdued the Cuthaeans who inhabit the places adjoyning to the Temple that was built in imitation of that which is at Jerusalem Ant. lib. 13. cap. 15. Moreover he took many Cities of Idumaea and amongst the rest Doteon and Marisa and coming into Samaria which Herod afterwards rebuilt and called Sebaste he besieged it on every side Ariâ—â—obulus and Antigonus besiege Sâ—basâ—â— and left his two Sons Aristobulus and Antigonus to continue the Siege They omitted nothing to the purpose and there came such a Famine K in the City that the Inhabitants were constrained to eat very unaccustomed Meats In this extremity they desired aid of Antiochus surnamed Spondius who speedily came to relieve them but he was overcome by Aristobulus and Antigonus and was pursued by them to Scythopolis whither he retired himself But they returning again to Samaria Sebasâ— overthrown and spoiled straitned the City and at last taking it by force destroyed the same and led away their Inhabitants Captives Whilst thus Fortune favoured them they ceased not to pursue their good success but led their Army beyond Scythopolis and shared between them all the Land of Mount Carmel L CHAP. III. Of Aristobulus Antigonus Judas Essaeus Alexander Theodorus and Demetrius THis Felicity and good hap of Hircanus and his Sons was accompanied with the envy of many of his Countrey-men and their discontent was the cause of an open Rebellion The Seditious overcome in War For divers of the Jews rising up in Arms against them were so much over-ruled by their ambitious passion that they could not contain themselves from the prosecution of an open and bloody War Hircanus after he had happily governed the Countrey for thirty three years space dieth wherein notwithstanding they were put to the worst From that day forward Hircanus passed the remainder of his life in all M tranquillity and happiness and after he had governed the Commonwealth for the space of thirty and three years he departed this life leaving behind him five valiant Sons He was a man of more than ordinary felicity being possessed of three excellent endowments together for he was the Prince of his Countrey High Priest and a Prophet The year of the world 3861. before Christ's Nativity 101. to whom God spake and gave him the knowledge of future accidents He foresaw and foretold that his two eldest Sons should not continue long in the Government whose ends are worth rehearsal being very different from their Father's felicity for the eldest Son Aristobulus after his Father's death changed the Principality into a Kingdom and was the first that put a Crown on his head four hundred twenty one years Ant. lib. 13. cap. 19. and three months after the deliverance of the people from the Captivity of Babylon N As for Antigonus who was his second Brother and whom in appearance he seemed to love most entirely he made him partaker of his Dignity and committed the rest of them to Prison He imprisoned his Mother also for that she had contended with him for the Government of which Hircanus had made her Regent Aristobulus famisheth his Mother And he was so given over to all kind of cruelty that he not only kept her Prisoner in Bonds but also put her to death by Famine Aristobulus loved Antigonus very dearly To which Impiety he added that of killing his own Brother Antigonus whom he had entirely loved and made Partner with him in the Kingdom For by reason of certain scandalous slanders which his envious and malignant Courtiers contrived and invented against him he commanded him to be put to death Upon their first information Aristobulus swayed by Brotherly affection gave them no O credit conceiving those Accusations to proceed from envy rather than any good ground But when Antigonus returned from the War at that Festival time wherein A according to the custom of our Countrey we celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles it happened that Aristobulus fell sick Antigonus therefore about the end of those Festival days attended with a great Equipage and Train of armed men ascended up into the Temple to offer Sacrifice and to pray God for the health of the King his Brother Hereupon certain cursed and wicked detractors repaired to the King and told him that this great Guard of Soldiers which accompanied Antigonus Antigonus in honour of his Brother ascended up into the Temple and his magnificent Pomp shew'd that he was not contented with the honour he had done him in associating him in the Royalty but was minded to possess it wholly to himself in which resolution they said he was come accompanied with so many Soldiers Antigonus falsly accused to his Brother that it could not be doubted but that it was to murther him Aristobulus though unwillingly yet at B last being won to believe them desirous to hide his suspicion commanded his Guard to hide themselves in a certain place under ground Aristobulus commandeth his Guard
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
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
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