invade one another and are put to flight whom they found asleep and assailing them slew 20 of them and filled the whole Army with terror and amazement so that casting away their Weapons they fled with all speed and some being ignorant which were their Friends or Foes invaded one another as Enemies For imagining with themselves that only two Hebrews durst never enter their Camp they conceiv'd there was Treachery among themselves and so fell to slaughter one another so that some of them were slain others fled to escape the Sword and fell headlong down the Rocks But when the Kings Spies told him what confusion and disorder was hapned in the Camp of the Philistines C Saul demanded whether any of his Company were absent and hearing that his Son and his Armor-bearer were missing he desired the High Priest to attire himself with the Ephod that so he might learn of God what was to happen He did so and assur'd him that he should obtain the Victory over his Enemies Hedio Ruffinus cap. 7. Whereupon Saul sallied out and assaulted the Philistines Ver. 20 ad 26. whil'st they were thus confused and disordered and fighting one against another Saul hearing that there was a tumult in the Philistines camp fallieth out upon them To him there flocked in great multitudes such as before were fled into dens and places under ground as soon as they heard that the Victory inclined on Sauls side so that gathering together to the number of 10000 Hebrews he pursued his scattered Enemies thorow all the Countrey But afterward a great inconvenience hapned unto Saul proceeding from the joy he had conceived by this Victory for commonly D such as are blessed by such good fortune are not Masters of their own affections and reasons or rather proceeding from his ignorance For intending to satiate himself with revenge for all those injuries which he had received from the Philistines he published an Imprecation or Curse against any one whomsoever that intermitting the pursuit should take sustenance before Night purposing to continue the same till dark Night Ver. 27 ad 30. This Execration thus published by Saul it chanced that his Son who had not heard of it Sauls Edict unwittingly broken by Jonathan nor the general allowance of the same by the People entring into a certain Grove belonging to the Tribe of Ephraim wherein were many swarms of Bees by chance light upon a Honey-comb and pressing the Honey did eat the same Afterwards having intelligence that his Father had under a grievous penalty of Execration forbidden E any man to taste any sort of Meat before Sun-set he gave over eating yet said that his Father had done amiss in publishing that Prohibition by reason that if they had received sustenance they might with greater force and vigor have pursued the Enemy that fled and slain more of them After the slaughter of many thousands of the Philistines about Evening they began to ransack and spoil the Camp of the Philistines and they carried away great spoils and a number of Cattel part of which were slain and eaten with the blood Ver. 32. contrary to the Law Which when the Scribes had signified to the King The Hebrews feed on bloody flesh how the People had offended against God by slaughtering the Beasts and eating the flesh of them before it was either washt or purified from the blood Saul commanded that a great stone should be rowled into the midst of the Camp and that the People F should kill the Beasts upon the same and forbear to eat flesh with the blood because it was not agreeable unto God All which was performed as the King had commanded and Saul erected an Altar in that place on which he offered a Burnt-sacrifice to God This was the first Altar that he erected But Saul being desirous incontinently to assail the Enemies Camp and sack all that was therein before day whilest his Men of War diligently follow'd him and shew'd great forwardness in the execution of his command the King ask'd counsel of the High Priest Achilob Ver. 37 38. whether God would give him the victory and permit those that should enter the Enemies Camp to return from thence Conquerors The High Priest told him that God returned him no answer which when he understood Ver. 41 42. It is not without some great cause said he that God is thus silent who heretofore G was wont to give a 〈◊〉 answer what we ought to do Saul trieth by lot who hath displeased God but there must needs be some hidden sin amongst us that giving offence to him causeth him to be silent But I swear by the same God that although mine own son Jonathan should have committed that sin I will to appease God with no less severity punish him than any the least stranger that is neither by alliance nor H affinity tyed unto me Now when the People cryed out and encourag'd him to the performance of what he had spoken he presently assembled them in one place and standing with his Son apart began by casting lots to find out him that was faulty When the lot fell upon Jonathan Ver. 44. he ask'd him what Crime he had committed Jonathan answer'd I know no other thing Saul intendeth to kill his own son being prepared and resolute to dye but that yesterday being in pursuit of the Enemy and ignorant of thine Edict I tasted of an Honey-comb whereupon Saul swore that he would put him to death rather than violate his Oath the observation of which he prefer'd before his own blood and all the sentiments of nature He nothing astonish'd at his present danger with a generous and dreadless mind presented himself with this Reply O Father said he I entreat no favour at thy hands for I willingly submit to that death which may I discharge thee of thy vow Ver. 45 46. the more contentedly because I have seen so famous a victory for I shall dye contented The Israelites rescue Jonathan from his displeased Father to see the insolence of the Philistines overmastered by the power of the Hebrews This valor and courage of the young man moved the whole multitude to remorse and commiseration so that they all swore that they would not suffer Jonathan who was the Author of so famous a victory to be put to death so they rescued the young man out of the hands of his displeased Father and pray'd to God to pardon him the fault which he had committed Saul after he had slain about 6000 of his Enemies returned with victory to his own house Oba or Soba and Reigned afterwards very happily and overcame the Ammonites Philistines Moabites Idumeans Amalekites and King Zoba He had three sons Jonathan Joshua and Melchi and two Daughters Merob and Michol The K General of his Army was Abner the son of his Uncle called Neer for Neer and Cis Sauls Father were Brothers and
which hapned to the Israelites according to the prophecy of Elizeus which he foretold unto Azael at such time as he prophecied unto him that he should reign over the Syrians and them of Damascus after that he had murthered his master Ioachas being in this extremity had his recourse to God in prayer and supplication beseeching him that it might please him to deliver him from the hands of Azael and not suffer him to be under subjection and thraldom unto him God that regardeth the penitent as if they had been innocent and that gently chastiseth those whom he might utterly exterminate if he so pleased gave him assurance against the War and danger so that the Countrey having obtained peace recovered her former state and prosperity When Ioachas was dead his Son succeeded him in the G government and began to reign over the Israelites in Samaria in the 37 year of Joas King of Juda. For this King of Israel was called Joas as well as he that reigned in H Jerusalem The year of the World 3089 before Christ's Nativity 875. he governed the Kingdom sixteen years He was a good man and was not like unto Ioachas his Father About this time Elizeus the Prophet was very old and fell sick the King of Israel came to visit him and finding him in the extremity and past hope of recovery he began to weep and lament calling him his Father and his armour because that during his life he had never occasion to use the sword against the Enemy Joas King of Israel and Samaria but that by means of his predictions he had alwayes the upper hand of them without fighting that now he departed this life and left him disarmed to the mercy of the Syrians and other his enemies so that he was not secure of liberty nor life but that he rather wished to die with him than live in those dangers Elizeus being moved with these complaints Elizeus foretelleth that Joas should overcome the Syrians thrice comforted the King that lamented in this I sort and commanding him to draw his Bow that he brought with him for the King had bent the same Elizeus said unto him 2 King 13. 20 21. Draw and he shot three Arrowes and gave over at the fourth Oh said Elizeus if thou hadst shot more Arrows thou hadst utterly ruined the Kingdom of the Syrians Elizeus death and the raising of a dead man to life that was cast into his Tombe and since thou hast contented thy self with shooting thrice only thou shalt overthrow the Syrians in three battels which thou shalt fight against them and shalt recover the Countrey they have taken from thy Father After the King understood these things he departed and not long after the Prophet died who was renowned for his justice and beloved of God who shewed miraculous and incredible works by his prophecies and such as the Hebrews ought to keep in perpetual remembrance and was buried magnificently according as it behoved a man who was so highly favoured K by God It chanced about that time 2 Chron. 25. 18 ad 25. that certain thieves having cast the body of a man that was murthered by them Joas trâ—bble victory upon the body of the Prophet where he lay buried the dead body returned to life Which made it appear that God had given him a power of working miracles not only in his life time but also after his death After the death of Azael King of Syria Adad his Son obtained the Kingdom against whom Joas King of Israel made War and having overcome him three times he recovered all that Countrey and those Cities and Towns that Azael his Father had conquered before him All which came to pass according as Elizeus had prophecied After that Joas was dead the Kingdom fell to Jeroboam his Son L CHAP. X. Amasias making War against Joas King of Israel is overcome THe tenth year of the reign of Joas King of Israel Hedio Ruffiâ—â—s chap. 9. Amasias reigned over the Tribe of Juda in Jerusalem his mother was called Judah and was a Citizen of Jerusalem Amasias King of Jerusalem He was very careful to maintaine justice notwithstanding he was very young 2 King 14 1 2. And having taken upon him the Government of the Kingdom he resolved with himself that he ought first of all to revenge the death of his father Joas who was traiterously slain by his friends he therefore laid hands on them and put them M all to the sword yet extended he not his displeasure to their children but conformed his actions according to the Laws of Moses 2 King 14. which faith that it is not lawful to punish their children for their Fathers offences Deut. 24. 16. He afterwards levied an Army of the Tribes of Juda and Benjamin and chose such as were in the flower of their years and about twenty years of age the number of which amounted to three hundred thousand men whom he divided into Centuries He sent also to the King of Israel and hired an hundred thousand of his armed men for an hundred talents of Silver because he intended to make War upon the Amalechites Idumaeans and Gabelites Now whilest he made this preparation and was in a readiness to undertake this exploit a certain Prophet counseled him to dismiss the Israelites that he had with him because they were wicked men N signifying unto him from God that if he were followed by them in that War he should be overcome and on the other side that he should have the upper hand over his Enemies if he fought with a few men according to Gods direction Hereupon the King was moved because he had already paid the Israelites their wages but the Prophet ceased not to exhort him to do that which was pleasing in Gods sight The dismission of the Isâ—aelites who would give him silver in abundance Hereupon he dismissed them telling them that he freely gave them their pay and he with the forces of his owne Kingdom marched out against those Nations 2 Chron. 25. 11 12 13. and fought with them and overcame them and slew ten thousand of them and took no less number of Prisoners whom he afterwards caused to be led to a high Rock that bounded upon Arabia Amasias vâ—ctory over the â—malechites and from thence cast them down headlong and O from all these Nations he recovered a great booty and brought home much riches Whilest Amasias stood upon these terms the Israelites that had taken wages of him and were cashiered by him conceived a displeasure against him supposing themselves to be injured by him The year of the World 3106. before Christ's Nativity 858. as if he had dismissed them for want of courage For which A cause they invaded his Country and spoiled it as far as Bethsemer and carried away a great quantity of Cattel and slew three thousand men But the victory
that the Princes and Governours had concluded together to this effect that for 30 days space an intermission should be granted to the people during which time it was neither lawful for them to demand any thing neither of himself or of any man or God whatsoever and if any man should attempt any thing against this common decree it was ordered that he should be cast into the Lions Den. But the King not perceiving the drift of their malice nor how they sought by this device to entrap Daniel told them that he liked of the decree and promised to confirm the same and made a publick Edict wherein the Princes C resolutions were ratified Now whilest all men endeavoured through fear carefully and diligently to observe this Edict Daniel set light thereby and according to his accustomed manner standing in all mens sight he worshiped his God and prayed unto him Whereupon the Princes having got that occasion which they long expected came readily unto the King and accused Daniel for that he onely amongst the rest had presumed to infringe their Decree urging moreover that he did it not for his Religion sake but in contempt of the Kings Edict And because they feared lest Darius by reason of the great affection he bare unto Daniel should be ready to pardon him notwithstanding he had transgressed their Edict they pressed him earnestly to inflict the punishment which was threatened by the Law and to cast him into the Lions Den according to the D form of the Edict Darius hoping that God would deliver Daniel and that no harm should befall him by the jaws of wild Beasts v. 16. exhorted him patiently to endure that Trial. Daniel cast into the Lions Den. Now as soon as he was cast into the Den the King sealed up the Stone that closed the mouth thereof and departed spending all that night without repast or repose so much was he concerned in Daniels behalf And when the day was come as soon as he arose he came unto the Den and finding the Seal unbroken wherewith he had marked the Stone he opened the same and called unto Daniel with a loud voice asking him if he were in safety He hearing the King speak answered that he had received no hurt Whereupon Darius commanded that they should draw him out of the Lions Den. His adversaries perceiving that Daniel had escaped without harm because that God had taken E care of him would not that he should escape and thereupon told the King that the Lions did neither touch nor approach Daniel because they had been fed and gorged before For which cause the King displeased with their injurious malice commanded a quantity of flesh to be cast unto the Lions and when they were glutted he commanded that Daniels enemies should be cast among them Daniels enemies rent in pieces by the Lions to the intent he might know whether the Lions would touch them or no when they were gorged At which time Darius saw very manifestly v. 24. ad finem that God had by his power protected Daniel from death For as soon as the Nobles were cast into the Den the Lions spared not one of them but tore them all in pieces as if they had been hungry and without meat I suppose that these Lions having been a little before glutted with meat did not slay these men to satisfy their hunger but I rather F judge that their crimes provoked the rage and fury of the Beasts for when God pleaseth he maketh even unreasonable creatures to execute his vengeance against wicked men Daniels adversaries being thus destroyed Darius gave notice hereof to all the Subjects of his Provinces praising that God whom Daniel had adored saying that he was the only true God who had all power he honoured Daniel likewise with especial regard esteeming him amongst the chiefest of his Familiars He therefore being thus renowned because he was beloved by God built in Ecbatane in the Countrey of the Medes a magnificent Castle and a marvellous Monument that remaineth even unto this day which seemeth to those that look thereon that it is but newly built and made but that very day which they behold the same the Beauty G thereof seemeth so lively and perfect as that continuance of time doth in no sort deface it For it fareth with Buildings as with Men they wax old and are infeebled by years and lose their Beauty At this day all the Kings of Media H Persia and Parthia are entombed in this Castle and the charge thereof is committed to a Priest who is a Jew and this custome continueth even until this day Neither is that to be buried in silence which is worthy especial admiration in this man For all felicity that could be expected by a famous Prophet attended him and during his whole life-time Daniels Prophecies he was both most highly honoured by Kings and reverenced by the common sort and after his death his memory is immortal For all the Books which he left in writing are read amongst us even at this present and we have been perswaded by the reading thereof that Daniel had conference with God For he hath not only Prophecied of things to come as other Prophets have done but also hath determined the time wherein those things should happen And whereas other Prophets were I accustomed to foretell adversities and for that occasion were misliked both by Princes and their People Daniel foretold them always good successes so that he hath drawn unto him the good will of all men by reason of those pleasing Predictions that he pronounced and by the issues thereof he hath obtained a testimony of Truth and a reputation to have had in time a Spirit that was truly Divine and hath left us certain Writings by which he hath manifestly declared the immutability and exact certainty of his Prophecies It is said that being at Susa the Metropolitan City of Persia at such time as he walked abroad attended by his Familiars that there happened an Earthquake with a great noise so that he was left alone and all his companions fled from him And that K thereupon being sore troubled he fell upon his Face and both his Hands at which time some one touched him and commanded him to stand up and to see that which should happen to his Countrey-men after divers ages Dan. 7. 3. ad 27. Being therefore raised upright there was a great Ram shewed unto him Daniels Vision of the Ram and Goat by whom the Kings of Media and Persia were prefigured that had divers Horns the last whereof was the greatest of all Afterwards he looked towards the West and perceived a Goat carried thorow the Air that butted at the Ram and having encountred him twice had beaten and trampled him under his Feet Thirdly he saw a Goat in whose forehead there grew one great Horn onely which being broken four others brake out instead thereof bending each of them towards
disposing of the Pharisees Hiâ—canus High-Priest commanding the people to obey and serve them She also renewed and confirmed that which Hircanus had disannulled and the Pharisees according to the customs of their forefathers had introduced so that she bare the name and the Pharisees the Authority Royal. The Pharisees admitted to the administration of the Commonweal are greedy of revenge For they restored such as were banished to their estates and delivered Prisoners and in all things they demeaned themselves like great Lords Alexandra I also for her part undertook the care of the Commonweal and kept a great number of Soldiers in pay and increased her power in such sort that the Tyrants round about feared her and deliver'd the hostages and pledges of peace All the Countrey was at quiet Aristobulus his followers accuse the Pharisees of Tyranny only the Pharisees troubled the Queen persuading her to put those to death who had counselled King Alexander to put those 800 to death of whom we have spoken before and they themselves afterwards slew one that was called Diogenes and after him divers others one after another until such time as those in authority came unto the Royal Palace accompanied with Aristobulus who seemed to be displeased with that which had been done and who if the occasion were offer'd made shew that he would not permit his Mother to govern after that manner and told her that which had K hapned and in what dangers they had been to express their duty and loyalty which they ow'd to their deceased Master and how for that cause they had been greatly honour'd by him requiring of her that she would not utterly frustrate them of their hopes which they expected for their service that now they that had escaped from the danger of their foreign Enemies were in their houses murthered like Beasts by their private Foes without any relief or succors from any one They furthermore urged That if their Adversaries would content themselves with those they had slain they would endure their misfortunes patiently by reason of the sincere affection they bare unto their Lords but if they must needs as yet suffer the like they required that they might have liberty to retire For that they would not procure their safety otherwise than by her consent and would rather suffer a voluntary death near unto her Royal Palace if they might L not be spared for that it would be a shame both for themselves and for the Queen if by her toleration those who had been her deceased husbands friends should be thus abused by them which were his Enemies That Aretas King of Arabias and other Princes would be glad of this news to hear that she should deprive her self of those whose names have been dreadful even amongst those neighbouring Kings who have but heard of them And if she had resolved to make more account of the Pharisees favor than of their service they intreated her that she would at least distribute them in several Castles that rather than any ill should fall upon their Sovereign Alexander 's house they were content to lead their lives in that contemptible and despicable condition Whilest thus they spake Alexandra committeth the custody of the Castles to the Jews directing their supplications to Alexander's soul praying him to have M compassion as well of those that were already dead as of those who were in danger of their lives the tears ran from the eyes of all the assistants and Aristobulus above the rest was heartily discontent and expressed the same by finding fault with his Mother But they themselves were the cause of their own calamity because that against all right and reason they had permitted a head-strong and ambitious Woman to reign over them as if the King had no Heirs reserv'd to succeed him in the kingdom The Queen uncertain how to determine the matter at that instant committed the charge of all her Castles into their hands reserving only Hircania Alexandrion and Machaeron wherein the Princes Moveables and Wealth was kept Not long after she sent her son Aristobulus with a strong Army commanding him to N draw his Forces towards Damascus Aristobulus is sent to Damascus against Ptolomey against Ptolomey called Mennaeus who was an ill Neighbor unto that City but he returned thence without doing any memorable action About the same time news was brought that Tigranes King of Armenia invaded Syria with 500000 Men of War Tigranes invading Syria heareth news of Lucullus's pursuit of Mithridates and returneth home intending shortly to set upon Jewry This rumor afrighted the Queen and all the Commonalty and not without cause Whereupon she sent Ambassadors with many Princely Presents unto Tigranes who besieged the City of Ptolomais For Queen Selena otherwise called Cleopatra reigned in Syria and persuaded the Syrians to deny Tigranes passage But Alexandra's Ambassadors met with the King of Armenia and pray'd him to conceive a good opinion of their Queen and of all the whole Nation of the Jews who received them willingly commending them for that O they had sought him out so far to do him honour and put them in good hope After the taking in of Ptolomais it was told Tigranes that Lucullus pursued Mithridates who was not as yet apprehended for that he was fled into Iberia which was the cause that Lucullus had entred Armenia The year of the World 3894. before Christ's Nativity 70. and plunder'd it Tigranes hearing this news returned back into H his own Countrey After this Queen Alexandra fell sick of a dangerous disease whereby Aristobulus took occasion to intermeddle with the affairs of State Walking therefore abroad one night attended by a trusty servant Alexandra's sickness and Aristobulus's attempt he repaired unto those Castles which were committed to the custody of his fathers friends for he had misliked his Mothers government long and feared more than ever that if she should die all her posterity should be made subject to the power of the Pharisees For he perceived how unapt his elder brother was to govern the kingdom unto whom notwithstanding the succession appertained only his Wife whom accompanied with his Children he had left with Alexandra had an inkling of this his intent He therefore went first of all to Agaba where Galestes one I of the chiefest Potentates commanded who entertained him with great joy The next day Aristobulus seizeth the Castles and great concourse of people resort to him the Queen heard that Aristobulus was departed from Court she little suspected at first that he was retired to work some alteration in the State But when Messengers came flocking one after another and told her that after the first Castle the second and after the second all the rest had consequently been surprized by Aristobulus at that time both the Queen and the whole Nation were alarmed fearing lest he should presently usurp the Sovereignty but above all they feared
the arrogancy of his Sons he thought it good to call unto Court another Son of his whom he begat when he was a private man and to grace him with honours and to oppose him against the other two Brethren to the end to bring down and repress their fierce and haughty minds this Son of his was called Antipater not minded which after overcome by affection he did to make him sole heir of all but thinking thereby to bridle Mariamne's Children and to diminish their arrogancy by letting them see that it was not needful to keep the inheritance of so flourishing a Kingdom only for them wherefore N he introduced Antipater one opposed against them that thereby the other two laying their pride aside might shew themselves more tractable to their Father And so thought by this means to provide for their safety Antipater inciteth his Father against his Brothers But it fell out far otherwise than he expected for they esteemed this fact as an injury done unto them And Antipater was of that nature that having gotten promotion contrary to his expectation he did endeavour all ways possible to be in greater account with his Father than the other two who was already through false accusations alienated from them and every day as he also desired ready to believe any thing that might incense him against them Wherefore this was all his business Yet he had an especial care not to be thought O an accuser of his Brethren but he used others of his Complices whom the King nothing suspected who for the trust the King put in them might also have better credit given A unto their words For this man had many followers and favourers as it were gaping after preferment by his means who with a kind of counterfeit good will made a shew of love and good will towards Herod And being many in number and trusty one to another the young Princes were every day entrapped more and more For many times they shed tears for very grief of the contumelies and injuries that they suffered and many times they mentioned their Mother and complained unto those whom they thought to be their friends of their Father as one that dealt not well with them all which Antipater's Favourites maliciously noting and adding thereunto something of their own invention they did presently tell it unto Herod and so did foment the dissention of his house For the King being moved hereat and purposing to humble B Mariamne's Children Herod brought Antipater's Mother into the Palace did daily encrease and augment Antipater's honour and at his entreaties at last brought his Mother into the Court and many times writing secretly unto Caesar in favour of Antipater he especially commended him in particular unto him And being to sail to salute Agrippa who was now to depart out of Asia having governed that Province ten years he only took with him Antipater of all his Sons whom he also committed to Agrippa with many gifts Herod delivereth Antipater to Agrippa to be carried to Rome to go with him to Rome and to be brought into favour with Caesar So that now all things seemed to be done as it were by his man's beck and the other two to be already dis-inherited C CHAP. VII Antipater doth so incense his Father against his Brothers Alexander and Aristobulus that Herod bringeth them to Rome and accuseth them before Augustus for having attempted to poyson him ANtipater's Journey to Rome Antipater was honoured at Rome with his Father's Letters of Recommendation to all his friends there proved both very advantageous and honourable to him yet this was a great grief to him Antipater when he was present incited his Father against his Brethren by lies and being absent he did the same by Letters that he could not daily calumniate his Brothers for he feared lest his Father's mind should change and so would affect Mariamne's Children D most This being his daily fear though he were absent he ceased not by Letters to incite his Father against them as having care of his safety but indeed for that he thereby through his bad practises hoped to obtain the Kingdom so that he encreased Herod's wrath against them that he was become a deadly enemy unto them both But fearing rashly in his anger to commit any thing to prejudice them he determined to sail again to Rome and there to accuse his Sons before Caesar lest he being led away through indignation and displeasure against them should seem to cast off all love and fatherly affection towards them Herod sailed to Rome and followed Caesar to Aquileia And repairing to Rome and not finding Caesar there he followed him unto Aquileia and coming to speech of him and requesting him to take notice of his misfortunes he presented his two Sons and accused them E before Caesar of insolency Herod accused his Sons before Caesar and for having attempted to poyson him complaining their hatred to be gone so far that now by any wicked and execrable way whatsoever they sought their Father's Kingdom notwithstanding that Caesar had given him full power and liberty to leave the Kingdom to him whom he found most dutiful unto him And that they though thereby they might not gain the Kingdom yet they could be contented with their Father's death and that they sought it with danger of their own lives and that this horrible and detestable hatred was now rooted in their hearts And that he having long endured this calamity was now forced to open it unto Caesar and trouble his ears with these complaints And spake after this manner Have I deserved this at their hands what wrong have I done F them or how can they think it reason that I who have exposed my self to so many dangers and undergone so difficult labours for a long time to obtain the Kingdom should not peaceably enjoy the same and suffer me to be Lord of my own Dominions and permit me the liberty to leave it unto him who shall deserve such honour in the best performance of a Son-like duty So that the beholders hereof seeing piety so rewarded might hereby be the more incited hereunto especially seeing that without violating the Law of Nature it is not lawful to think any such thought For no man can affect his Father's Kingdom but he doth also desire his Father's death seeing it is not permitted men to succeed those in the Kingdom who are yet alive He alledged moreover that for his part he had had a care that they should want nothing convenient for a kind G Father to provide for Princely Children neither ornaments nor followers nor delights That also he had provided for them Wives of a Noble Race and had married one of them unto his Sister's Daughter and the other unto Archelaus his Daughter King of Cappadocia And which was the greatest matter of all he had not used the H authority of a Father against them after
beauty one of them was his Butler the other his Cook and the third his Chamberlain whom also he was wont to employ in serious affairs of his Kingdom Some one or other informed the King that these three Eunuchs were corrupted by his Son Alexander The Sons hatred towards their Father is bewrayed with great summs of money and being upon Tortures examined if they had accompanied with him they confessed all yet they affirmed that they knew no practice of his attempted against his Father But their torments being encreased by Antipater's Favourites they were forced to confess that Alexander secretly hated his Father and he exhorted them to forsake Herod who was now good for nothing who dissembled his age by painting G his face to make himself seem younger than he was and colouring his head and beard black which were already grown very white through age But rather set their minds upon him who would in despight of his Father enjoy his Kingdom due unto him and that then he would advance them to the highest honours of the Kingdom For he H had not only title unto it by his birth but also was now prepared likewise to invade it and that he had many of the Captains of the souldiers and many of the King's friends on his side who were prepared to do or endure any thing for his sake Herod hearing this fear and anger did seize on him by reason that his Son's words seemed both insolent and threatning and being for both these causes in a rage he feared some greater matter to be put in practice against him which he could not suddenly having so little warning avoid And not daring to make open enquiry he set secret spies a work to tell him how all matters stood himself now mistrusting all men and accounting it his security to mistrust all even them that deserved it not and not moderating his suspicious mind now whosoever was the nearest to him was the I more suspected Herod crediteth all tales and so putteth many to death unjustly as of most power to injure him As for others that were but only named by his spies he presently esteemed it his safety to put them to death Then they of his houshold every one being careful to save himself were one turned against another every one esteeming it his own safety to prevent others by accusing them unto Herod which done presently they incited other men's envy against him and every one of them to desire such measure as they had measured unto others and thus they also revenged their private Quarrels and presently after they themselves were taken and did by other mens means suffer the like being entrapped in the same trap they set for their enemies For the King did quickly repent for having put very many to death who were not convicted yet for all that he was K not hereby admonished to beware of the like hereafter but on his repentance for their death raged so far as to cause him to inflict the same punishment upon the accusers which he had done upon them Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. The Court was in such a lamentable condition that he commanded many of his dearest friends and them especially whose fidelity he had formerly experienced Herod denieth to be familiar with Andromachus and Gemellus not to come in his sight nor within his Court-gates For he did now shake off the friendship between Andromachus and Gemellus and himself who were his ancient friends and oftentimes had gone Ambassadours for him and always been of his counsel and had been tutors unto his Children in whom he had always reposed more trust than in any others the one of them for that his Son Demetrius was familiar with Alexander and Gemellus for that he knew him to L be a friend to Alexander for he was one of them that had brought him up and had travelled with him to Rome And no doubt but he had censured them with some more heavy sentence had it not been that they were so eminent persons Wherefore at that time he was contented to have banished them and deprived them of all their authority to the end that having disgraced these good men he might the more freely play the Tyrant Antipater the cause of all mischief Antipater was the cause of all this mischief who from the first time that he perceived his Father to be fearful and suspicious still after that joyned with him as Counseller and as it were encreased his rage and cruelty and then he gallantly played his part Many were tortured and examined for Alexander's cause endeavouring that whosoever would resist him should be made away Wherefore Andromachus and the rest of his friends being now banished the M Court the King presently tortured all that he imagined any way to favour Alexander to see if they were guilty or if they knew of any treason to be practised against him but they knowing nothing to inform him of died amidst their torments Where he so much the more tortured others for that contrary to his opinion he found not so much as an evil thought against him Antipater craftily interpreting it that they had rather in torments conceal the truth than to shew themselves not trusty to their masters and friends wherefore many being taken he caused them to be tortured to get something out of some of them At last one amongst the rest not able to endure those torments imposed upon him said that he had often heard Alexander say when any one commended his tall stature or skilful shooting and the rest of his vertues that nature had N bestowed upon him these qualities to his prejudice for his Father through envy hereat was offended so that when he talked with him he did on purpose draw his body together lest his Father should perceive the tallness of his stature and that when he went a hunting with him he on purpose did miss the mark he could have hit because he knew his Father could not endure that he should be commended And whilst these words were considered and pondred and his torments intermitted he accused Alexander again to have conspired with his Brother Aristobulus to kill his Father when he was hunting and then to fly with speed unto Rome and beg the Kingdom of Caesar There were also found some of Aristobulus his Letters written unto his Brother complaining of the injurious dealing of his Father who had given O certain Possessions to Antipater the yearly revenues whereof amounted to two hundred Talents Then Herod thinking himself to have probability enough his former A suspicion was now confirmed and so he took Alexander and cast him in prison and again he began to doubt because he did scarcely believe the informations against him neither could he devise any cause wherefore they should seek to commit Treason against him And those complaints seemed childish neither was it probable that having openly killed his Father Alexander
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
appear to the end that a man may know that neither the number of Children nor any other humane force whatsoever it be can be available without the fear of God considering that within the space of one hundred years or somewhat E less it fell out that all Herod's Line which was very populous and fruitful was extinguished a very few excepted Whereby we are given to understand what the misery of Mankind is and learn to moderate our selves It is also expedient to speak something of Agrippa who amongst all other deserveth admiration that being a man wholly in Obscurity and base in Birth he was exalted to such greatness as no one of those that knew him would ever have thought his Fortune should have such success and power And although heretofore I have spoken somewhat of this matter yet it is requisite that I speak something more expresly thereof in this place Herod the Great had two Daughters born by by Mariamne Hircanus's Daughter The one of them which was called Salampso was married by Herod to Phasaelus the Son of Phasaelus F Herod's Brother The other called Cypros was married to Antipater her Cousin who was Salome's Son who was Herod's Sister Phasaelus had five Children by Salampso three Sons Antipater Herod and Alexander and two Daughters Alexandria and Cypros whom Agrippa the Son of Aristobulus married and Alexandria was married to Timaeus of Cyprus who was a man of great dignity and with whom she died without Issue Cypros had by Agrippa her Husband two Sons and three Daughters Bernice Mariamne and Drusilla their two Sons were called Agrippa and Drusus Drusus died very young but Agrippa was Brought up by his Grandfather amongst his other Brethren Herod Aristobulus and Bernice These were Herod's Children Son unto him who was surnamed the Great Bernice was Costobarus's Daughter begotten G on Salome Herod's Sister Aristobulus died leaving his Children under age under his Father's charge with Alexander his Brother as we have already related These attaining their full age were thus married Herod Brother to Agrippa was matched with Mariamne Olympias's Daughter who was Herod the Great his Daughter and of Joseph H Herod's Brother by her he had his Son Aristobulus Aristobulus Agrippa's third Brother married Jotape the Daughter of Sampsigeram King of the Emesenians They had a Daughter which likewise was called Jotape which was deaf These were the Children begotten by Herod's three Sons But Herodias their Sister married Herod the Son of Herod the Great whom he begot on Mariamne the Daughter of Simon the High Priest by whom Salome was begotten After her birth Herodias in contempt of the Laws of the Countrey married her self with Herod her Husband's Brother begotten of the same Father being separated from him during his life time who was Tetrarch of Galilee His Daughter Salome was married to Philip the Tetrarch of Trachonitis Herod's Son Who dying without Children Aristobulus married her who was I Herod's Son and Agrippa's Brother They had three Sons Herod Agrippa and Aristobulus See here the Posterity of Phasaelus and Salampson Antipater by Cypros had a Daughter that likewise was called Cypros which was married to Alexas Selcius the Son of Alexas of whom he begat a Daughter called likewise Cypros As for Herod and Alexander who as I said were Antipater's Brothers they died without Issue Alexander Herod's Son who was killed by his Father begat Alexander and Tigranes on the Daughter of Archelaus King of Cappadocia Tigranes being King of Armenia died without Issue after he had been accused at Rome Alexander had a Son called Tigranes after his Brother's name who was sent by Nero to reign in Armenia who had a Son called Alexander who married Jotape the Daughter of Antiochus King of Comagena K This Alexander by Vespasian was elected King in Lesis a City of Cilicia As soon as Alexander's Posterity began to multiply they fell from their Countrey-Religion to â—â—llow the customs of the Greeks All the rest of King Herod's Daughters died withâ—â—â— issue Having after this manner reckoned up Herod's Posterity which continued â—â—â—il such time that Agrippa the Great began to reign It remaineth at this time to declare what adventures befel this Agrippa and how he escaping his dangers obtained at last so great Power ad Dignity 〈…〉 â—tained great Dignity and Power CHAP. VIII L By what several Accidents of Fortune Agrippa surnamed the Great who was Aristobulus's 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 succeded Tyberius SOme little time before the death of King Herod Agrippa living at Rome through his lavish Liberality groweth into Necessity Agrippa was gone to Rome where he came very well acquainted with Drusus Tyberius the Emperour's Son and was beloved of Antonia the Wife of Drusus the Elder by the means of his Mother Bernice whom Antonia held in great esteem and to whom she had recommended M her Son And whereas by nature he was of a liberal and generous spirit as long as his Mother lived he would not discover his inclination lest he should provoke her displeasure against him But immediately after Bernice was dead and he became his own Master partly by his daily and bountiful entertainment and living partly by his immoderate Liberalities but especially by his lavish Prodigality towards Caesar's Free men whose favour he hunted after he was brought into extream Poverty and could no more live at Rome the rather for that Tiberius having lost his Son forbad his friends to come into his sight lest their presence should refresh and encrease the sorrow he conceived for the loss of his Son For these causes he returned back into Judaea having but badly ordered his Affairs Agrippa bethinketh himself how he might shorten his miserable life spent his money and left himself no means to satisfie N his importunate and many Creditors For which cause uncertain how to dispose of himself and ashamed of his present estate he withdrew himself into a Castle called Malatha in Idumaea to pass away obscurely and miserably the rest of his time Which purpose of his Cypros Agrippa's Wife certifieth Herodias his Sister of his Poverty and requireth her assistance when Cypros his Wife perceived she endeavoured by all means to prevent his resolution She wrote to Herodias his Sister who was married to Herod the Tetrarch acquainted her both what Agrippa had decreed as also by what necessity he was enforced thereunto and she exhorted her that in regard of affinity she would assist him and imitate her in this who as much as in her lay relieved his misery although her Fortunes were far weaker than hers Being therefore sent for by his Sister and Wife Agrippa dwelleth at Tiberias he was commanded to dwell in Tiberias and had a certain Summ of Money O assigned him for his maintenance and for his greater honour was appointed Magistrate of
his own but the Emperour's intent who would shortly have them taste his displeasure and enforce them to bear the burthen of his indignation who were so bold as to contradict him For himself it necessarily concerned him that since by the Emperour's favour he had received so great honour he should not commit any thing contrary to his Command I hold it said he a matter most just to employ my life and honour for you to the end that so huge a number of men should not be drawn into the danger of death and I will respect the excellency of the Laws of your Fathers for which you think you ought to undergo a War and danger neither is it lawful to suffer the Temple of God to be defiled F by the Authority of Princes I will therefore write to Caesar and acquaint him with your minds and in all that I may I will assist you to obtain your Request God whose power surpasseth all industry and humane force vouchsafe to conduct you and make you constant in the observation of your Laws and grant that he through excessive desire of humane glory commit not any thing that may offend God And if Caius be displeased and enforce his inevitable displeasure against me I will undertake all danger and endure all torments both in body and spirit to the end that I may not behold so many vertuous men as you are perish in your good and juct actions Go therefore each of you and ply your work and till your Lands I will send to Rome and will employ both my Friends and my self for you After he had spoken this he dismissed the Assembly praying the chiefest amongst G them to encourage the Husbandmen to ply their business and to confirm the rest of the people in their good hope he himself also ceased not to encourage them And truly God shewed his assistance to Petronius and assisted him in all his affairs For as soon as he had finished his discourse to the Jews there suddenly fell a great rain beyond all H humane expectation for the day was very fair neither was there any appearance of rain in the Air and all that year long there was an extream Drought so that men were past hope to have any moisture notwithstanding that sometime there appeared certain Clouds in the Heavens After a long and continual Drought there fell a sudden shower At that time therefore the water fell in great abundance and besides the expectation and opinion of men the Jews conceived hope that Petronius soliciting their cause should not be repulsed But Petronius was more amazed than all the rest seeing evidently that God undertook the affairs of the Jews and gave them testimony of his manifest assurance so that they that were their professed Adversaries Petronius writeth to Caius had no power to contradict them as he himself wrote to Caius at large with inductions and exhortations to the end he should not draw so many thousand I men into a desperate resolution and unhappy death for without War it was impossible for him ever to make them forsake their Religion Moreover that he would not cut off and lose the Revenue which he received of that Nation and would not erect a Trophy of an everlasting Curse and Malediction against himself Adding moreover what the power of their God was which he had so clearly declared that no man ought to doubt but that his merciful hand was over them This is the Contents of Petronius's Letters On the other side Agrippa honoureth Caius in Rome in reward thereof Caius willeth him to demand somewhat who desireth nothing else than that Petronius's Commission to erect the Statue be revoked King Agrippa who at that time was at Rome grew more and more in favour with Caius having entertained him at a Banquet wherein he was very desirous to exceed all others as well in sumptuousness as in all other sorts of delights K and pleasures yea he entertained him so nobly that not only others but also the Emperour himself could not attain to such magnificence so much he endeavoured to surpass all others through the great desire he had to content and satisfie Caesar in all things Caius was amazed at his courage and magnificence seeing Agrippa so willing to constrain himself above his power and means to abound in Silver and all this to the intent to please him For which cause Caesar in requital of his kindness intending to honour Agrippa to his uttermost power in granting him that which he most desired being one day warm with Wine invited him to drink a Carouse adding these words Agrippa I have heretofore known the honour thou hast shewed towards me and thou L hast expressed the earnest affection that thou bearest me in hazarding thy self in divers dangers into which thou hast been drawn during Tiberius's life time and hast omitted nothing no not in that which exceedeth thy power to shew thy affection towards me For which cause I think it should be a great shame for me if I should suffer my self to be overcome by thee in kindness without some answerable correspondence I will therefore put that in practice which I have heretofore omitted for all those things that hitherto I have bestowed on thee are of no reckoning My will is that thy merits should at this time be requited by such means as might for ever make thee happy Now he spake after this manner hoping that Agrippa would beg some great Province at his hands or the Revenues of some Cities M But although he had already prepared his demand yet he did not discover his intent but gave Caius this answer that whereas he had served him to the dislike of Tiberius it was not for the gain he expected heretofore and for the present also he did nothing under hope to be rich contenting himself that he was in the Emperour 's good favour That the benefits he had received of him were great yea exceeding all that which he durst ever have hoped For said he although they be but small in comparison of your Greatness yet in respect of my self who have received them and in my conceit they are very great Caius admiring his generosity insisted to press him to ask whatsoever he had a mind to being ready to grant it Whereupon Agrippa said Dread Prince since it is your good pleasure to think me worthy to be honoured by your Presents I N will not request any thing at your hands that may tend to enrich me for that by those goods you have already given me I am greatly honoured But I beseech and request one thing at your hands which will purchase you the reputation of Piety and will procure God to be propitious unto you in all your actions and which also will breed me much glory among those who shall hear that I have not been refused in my demand which concerneth me more than the necessities of this life I therefore beseech
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
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
tormenting art tormented and F almost consumed thy wrath and fury being almost spent upon me in vain thou shalt not escape the day of judgment eternal torments are there prepared for thee which neither thy profane mind is able to endure nor thy great power to decline thy sinful Soul being condemned to eternal punishments Thus remaining constant in his faith and animated by his brothers example be departed to Heaven Then Machir Machir the third brother is brought the third son was brought whom all men now pitied for the death of his two brethren and many exhorted him by his Brothers examples to desist from his Opinion and so avoid punishment but he being angry hereat replyed One Father begot us one Mother bare us one Master instructed us we are all of one mind and all like affected do therefore no longer prolong the time in vain I came hither to suffer and not to G speak use all your tyranny possible against this body for you have no power at all over my Soul The Tyrant hereat moved to see this third nothing relent by his brothers death devised H more cruelty than humane wit alone could invent Wherefore he commanded a Globe to be brought and tyed the holy Martyr about it in such sort that all his bones were set out of joynt and displaced whereat the holy Martyr was nothing dismai'd The skin also of his head and face was pull'd off and then he was put on the Wheel but he could not be rackt any worse for that his bones were all displaced and did hang one separated from another in most pitiful manner and when the blood issued from him abundantly he was deprived of the use of his hands and feet but perceiving his life to be spent he spake thus and dyed We O Tyrant endure this Torment for the love of God and thou the Author of such unjust cruelty shalt suffer everlasting pain Then his tongue being cut out of his mouth he was put into a frying pan and so I amidst those torments yielded up the Ghost Next after followed Judas the fourth brother whom all the people perswaded and entreated to obey the King Judas the 4. brother is brought but he contemning their prayers and exhortations said thus with all constancy Your fire shall neither separate nor sever me from the Law of God nor from my brethern who instead of this mortal life enjoy life everlasting I denounce unto thee O Tyrant destruction and overthrow but to such as believe salvation make tryal of me therefore thou cruel wretch and see if God will forsake me who hath with open and stretched out Armes received my three brethren which are gone before me and whom the womb of so holy a Mother at several times brought forth unto glory The cruel Tyrant hearing this was much moved and from his Chair leapt down to K torment this Martyr himself and in his fury commanded his tongue to be cut forth but he hereat not terrified said to Antiochus This cruelty will nothing avail thee neither shalt thou hereby Tyrant as thou supposest conquer me Our Gods needs not by voice to be awakned but rather by secret cogitation to be prayed unto to help his servants be provideth for them that hold their peace and heareth the prayers of such as do call upon him if they deserve to be heard and only requireth purity of Soul For our God knoweth all things before we ask and before we our selves enter into cogitation thereof he understandeth our necessity cut out my tongue thou canst not cut out my mind while my life remaineth Those prayers which by it I have uttered to Almighty God have taught it to suffer would God thou wouldst so sanctifie all parts of my body by punishing them L for thou therein inflictest punishment on thy self and reward upon me and think not that thou shalt thus escape long unpunished When he had thus spoken his tongue was cut out of his mouth and he bound to a stake and there he was beaten with ropes ends and he did patiently endure this notwithstanding the colour of his face became dead and wan Being loosed from thence he was put upon the wheel The death of the 4. brother Achas the 5. brother presenteth himself to torments before he was called and then praying for his Country-men he by death went unto the rest of his brethren Then Achas the fifth brother before he was haled to torments spake in this manner Behold thou Tyrant I come to be punished before thou command me hope not therefore any jot to alter his mind who as thou seest desireth to be tormented The blood of my M four innocent brethren which thou hast shed hath condemned thee to Hell-fire I am to make them up the number of five that by it thy pains may be encreased Tell me bloody wretch for what offence by us committed doest thou thus punish us for what impiety doest thou so persecute us what villany have we commited what wickedness what naughtiness have we attempted This is all that thou canst alledge against us that we honour God our Creator and live justly in obedience of his Laws and therefore do not esteem thy punishments but they are to us honour and Salvation and not punishment we shall be greatly rewarded by God if no part of us be left free from torment Whilest thus he spake his executioners by the Kings command took him and cast him into a brazen pot and he was prest down in it his head to his feet and afterward he suffered N all other torments which his brethren had endured yet not amazed hereat he suddenly started up and thus bitterly inveighed against the Tyrant Cruel Tyrant how great benefits dost thou against thy will bestow upon us yea the more thou art incensed against us the more acceptable to God shalt thou make us yea I should be sorry if thou shewdest mercy upon me This short affliction gaineth us life everlasting if this temporal death should not betide me everlasting life could not befall me And thus he finisht his Agony and dyed Then the tormenters laid hands upon the sixth brother who was called Areth to whom the Tyrant made offer either of honour or punishment but he disdaining his offer said Although Tyrant I be younger in years than my martyred brethren yet my constancy O of mind to theirs is not inferiour for we were all nourisht up together all together instructed A and we will all dy together in the fear of God Hasten therefore your torments and that time which thou wouldest spend in exhorting me spend it in devising tortures for me Antiochus hereat confounded commanded him to be bound to a Pillar with his head hanging down The valour of the sixth brother in such wise as the defluxion of humours might cause ach and this done he caused a fire to be made so far off him that it could not burn him but rost him
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
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