law at such time as he made the similitudes of beasts of brasse to vnderprop the vessell called the great sea and those of Lyons which he caused to be set vnto his throne For that action of his ill beseemed him who had a most excellent and domesticall example of vertue in the person of his father besides the glorie that he had left him by being a faithfull seruant of God whence it came to passe that by neglecting to followe his steppes notwithstanding that God had exhorted him thereunto by appearing vnto him at two seuerall times he died most ignominiously There came therefore vnto him a prophet sent from God telling him that his sinnes were manifest and notorious in Gods sight threatning him that ere long he should repent the wickednesse he had committed Yet notwithstanding the realme should not be taken from him during his life because God had promised Dauid that he should be his successor in the same but after his decease his sonne should beare the penalty of the same not so as all the people should reuolt but that he would giue ten tribes vnto his seruant and leaue two vnto the grandchild of Dauid because he had loued God and by reason of the Citie of Ierusalem where it pleased him to make his habitation When Salomon heard these things he sorrowed and was sore troubled in that all his felicitie for which he toforetime was admired began to decline Neither passed there long time after this denunciation of the Prophet but that God so pleasing there rose vp an enemie against him who was called Ader by nation an Idumaean and of the princely stocke who vpon this occasion grounded his rebellion and insurrection For at such time as Ioab generall of Dauids army had conquered Idumaea and in the space of sixe moneths defeated all the youth and those that were capable to beare armes he fled vnto Pharao king of Aegypt who entertained him verie courteouly and gaue him an house and lands for his maintenance and loued him deerely when he came to mans estate so that he maried him with Taphines his wiues sister on whom he begat a sonne who was brought vp with the kings children who hauing intelligence in Aegypt of Dauid and Ioabs death addressed himselfe vnto Pharao and besought him to giue him leaue to repaire into his owne countrey The King asked him what he wanted or what the cause was that moued him to be so hastie to forsake him Notwithstanding therefore that he importuned and requested him diuers times yet preuailed he nothing with him for that time But when Salomons fortunes began to decline by reason of his iniquities aboue mentioned and the wrath of God prouoked against him Ader by Gods permission came into Idumea after he was licēsed by Pharao to depart But being vnable to moue the people to reuolt from Salomon by reason of the strong garrisons he held and knowing that without hazard of his owne person he could moue no alterations or innouation in that place he departed from thence went into Syria where cōfederating himself with a certaine man called Raas who was fled from his master Adarezar king of Sophene and liued like an outlaw in that Region he contracted friendship with him and a great sort of outlawes and theeues that were his followers and went into Syria and taking seazure of that countrey proclaimed himselfe king thereof From whence making excursions into the lands of the Israelites he spoyled and pillaged the same during Salomons life time Thus were the Hebrewes enforced to sustaine these outrages at Aders hands Moreouer a certaine man called Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat by nation a Iewe rebelled against Salomon and raised his hopes aboue his estate perswaded thereunto by a prophecie that concerned him and incited him vnto the action For being left verie young by his father and carefully instructed by his mother as soone as Salomon perceiued him to be of a noble and couragious spirit he made him commissarie ouer the building of the wals at such time as he immured and fortified Ierusalem In this office he behaued himselfe so well that the king thought very well thereof and in way of recompence gaue him the estate of Generall ouer the tribe of Ioseph Towards which whilest he trauelled from Ierusalem a certaine Prophet met him vpon the way who was of the Citie of Silo called Achias who approching neere vnto him and saluting him drew him out of the way into a place where none but thēselues were present there renting the garment which he wore vpon his backe into twelue peeces he commaunded Ieroboam to take ten telling him that God had so decreed and how he would rent the gouernment from Salomon and reserue only one tribe vnto his sonne with that other which was annexed vnto it by reason of the promise made vnto Dauid and to thee said he he giueth the other tenne because Salomon hath offended God and addicted himselfe to the loue of straunge women and the seruice of forraine gods Now since thou knowest the cause wherefore God hath alienated the kingdome from Salomon be thou iust and obserue thou the lawes for if thou behauest thy selfe in such sort as thou knowest Dauid did a great reward of thy pietie and recompence of thy obseruance attendeth thee so that thou shalt become as mightie as Dauid hath beene before thee Ieroboam confirmed in great hopes by these words of the Prophet being by nature haughtie in yeares young and besides that desirous of authoritie he tooke no rest but being possessed of the place of generall and remembring himselfe of that which had beene told him by Achias he presently beganne to perswade the people to reuolt from Salomon and to choose him for their king Salomon hearing newes of this his deliberation and enterprise sought the meanes to lay hands on him and to put him to death but Ieroboam preuenting him fled vnto Susac king of Egypt with whom hee remained vntill the death of Salomon And thus for that time escaped he punishment and thus was hee reserued to the fortune of a kingdome CHAP. III. After the death of Salomon the people reuolte from Roboam his sonne and proclaime Hieroboam king of the tenne tribes BVt when Salomon was very olde he died after he had raigned fourescore yeares and liued nintie foure and was buried in Ierusalem of all kings the most happy rich and prudent except that sinne wherunto he was drawen by women in his olde age of whom and those calamities that presently after befell the Hebrewes we haue sufficiently spoken After the death of Salomon as soone as his sonne Roboam whom he begat vpon an Ammonitish woman called Nooma succeeded him in the kingdome the gouernours of the people sent certaine messengers into Aegypt to recall Ieroboam who arriuing in the Citie of Sichem Roboam came thither also resoluing himself in that assembly of the Israelites to take the
houses The yeare of the world 3929. before Christs natiuitie 35. Herode being alone and naked in his house escaped vnhurt amoÌ„gst many armed enemies Herode sendeth Pappus head to his brother Phaeroras Herode besiegeth IerusaleÌ„ Herode repaireth to Samaria to marrie Alexanders daughter The yeare of the world 3929. before Christs birth 35. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 26. al. 27. Sofiâ—…s and Herode lead a mightie army against Ierusalem Herode preuenteth the dearth The Iewes without feare resist those that besieged them The outward part of the temple and the lower citie taken The Iewes flye to the vpper citie and the temple IerusaleÌ„ taken The yeare of the world 3929. before Christs birth 35. Antigonus submitteth himselfe to Sosius Herode sore troubled in pacifying the straungers The spoile of the citie hindred When Ierusalâ—… was taken Herode bribeth Antonius with money to make away Antigonus The end of the Asmonean family and the extinction of their priest hood The yeare of the world 3930. before Christs Natiuitie 3 4. Herode preferreth his fauorites and killeth his enemies The Pharisees honoured by him Pollio fore-prophecied Herodes tyrannie The slaughter of them that were of Antigonus â—…action The yeare of the world 3930. before Christs birth 34. Antigonus beheaded Strabo of Antigonus Hedio Ruffinus chap. 〈◊〉 Hircanâ—… heating â—…idings that Herode had obtained the kingdome returneth vnto him Hircanus highly honoured in Babylon by the Iewes Hircanus leauing his country expecteth fauour at Herodes hands Saramalla Herodes embasdour to Phraates Herode highly honoureth Hircanus The yeare of the world 3930. before Christs Natiuitie 34. Herode giueth the high priesthood to Ananel Alexandra soliciteth Antonius by Cleopatras mediation for the high priesthood for hir sonne Antonius requireth Aristobulus at Herods hands The causes why Aristobulus was not sent Herode inueieth against Alexandra for pretending to vsurpe the kingdome Alexandra excuseth herselfe and hauing promise of the priesthood for hir sonne is reconciled to Herode The yeare of the world 3930. before Christs birth 34. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 3. Herode taketh the Priesthood from Ananel The Priesthood taken from three Alexandra suspected by Herode is spied and watched and her actions obserued Alexandra pretending to flie into Egypt is betraied by her seruant Herode contriueth Aristobulus death The yeare of the world 3932. before Christs birth 33. Aristobulus is drowned by Herodes direction Ananell restored to the priesthood The lamentation for Aristobulus death Herodes counterfait sorrow The yeare of the world 3931. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 33. Alexandra certifieth Cleopatra of Herodes treasons and her sonnes traiterous murther Herode readie to repaire vnto Antony commaundeth Ioseph to whose charge he coÌ„mitted the kingdome to kill his wife A foolish rumour of Herodes death Herode appeaseth Anthony by presents and certifieth his friends by letters of his health The yeare of the world 3932. before Christs Natiuitie 32. Ioseph and Mariamme accused before Herode Mariamme excuseth purgeth hir selfe before the king and is reconciled Herode commandeth that Ioseph should be slaine and imprisoneth Alexandra Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. Cleopatra verie couetous Cleopatra murthereth her brother and sister The yeare of the world 3932. before Christs birth 32. Cleopatra contrieth Lysanias death Antonius giueth Cleopatra a portion deducted out of Iury and Arabia Cleopatra coÌ„meth to Herode who enstateth hir in that the part of Arabia these reuenewes of lericho that were giuen her An intemperate woman giuen to lust Herode goeth about to put Cleopatra to death and is disswaded by his â—…riends Antonius conquereth Armenia Herode bringeth Cleopatra onward off her way towards Egypt The yeâ—…e of the world 3933. before Christs birth 31. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. Herode leuieth an army to assist Antonius against Octauian Herode is incited by letters to the Arabian warre Herodes battels and conquests The yeare of the world 3934. before Christs birth 30. Cleopatras chieftaine ouerthroweth Herode The Arabians returning to the barrell kill those that flie and cake the campe The yeare of the world 3935. before Christs birth 29. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 6. An earthquake in Iudaea killeth ten thousand men The Arabians kill the Embassadours of the lewes Herode comforteth the Iewes that were out of heart for their former losses Herode comforteth and exhorteth his soldiers The cause of warre against the Arabians The yeere of the world 3935. before Christs Natiuitie 29. Legates inuiolable With whom soeuer Iustice is there is God also The yeare of the world 3935. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 19. The Arabians are ouercome by Herode The Arabians enforced by thirst require truce at Herodes hands Hedio Ruffinus chap. 7. Herode dismaied at Antonius ouerthrow The yeare of the world 3935. before Christs Natiuitie 29. Herode determineth to make away Hircanus Alexandra solliciteth Hircanus her father to require assistance at Malchus haÌ„ds Three hundreth furlongs containe nine Germaine miles Hircanus by Herodes commaund is put to death Hircanus dieth guiltlesse Hircanus life The yeare of the world 3935. before Christs birth 29. Herodes disposition of his affaires before he repaired to Caesar. Herode commeth to Caesar and declareth vnto him what pleasures he had done Antony promising him no lesse dutie and loue if so be he might be receiued into his fauour The yeare of the world 3935. before Christs Natiuitie 29. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. Caesar confirmeth Herodes authoritie Herode conducteth Caesar toward Egypt and presenteth him with many sumptuous gifts Herode inter taineth both Caesar and his at my verie heroically Herode giueth Caesar eight hundreth talents Mariamme and Alexandra displeased with Herode The yeare of the world 3935. before Christs birth 29. Sohcmus discoueteth the kings secrets Herode but coldly entertained by his wife MariaÌ„me Herodes sorrowes to see his wiues affections distracted and chaunged Hrodes siâ—…t 〈◊〉 and his mother incense the king by slaunderous reports against Mariamme Antony and Cleopatra slain Caesar Lord of Egypt Sohemus honoured by Horod with dignities Hedio Ruffinus chap. 9. Caesar enlargeth Herodes dominions The yeare of the world 3935. before Christs birth 29. Mariamme a froward womaÌ„ The yeare of the world 3936. before Christs birth 28 Sohemus suspected by Herode in Mariammes behalfe is put to death Mariamme is accused by Herode and condemned and imprisoned Mariamme by Salomes instigations is led to execution The yeare of the world 3936. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 28. Alexandra vndecently striueth to acquit her selfe of Mariammes treason Herods miserable estate moane after the death of his wife A plague inuadeth IerusaleÌ„ Herode falleth grieuously sicke Alexandra in Herodes absence seeketh to get the possession of the castles The yeare of the world 3936. before Christs Natiuitie 28. Herodes councellors certifie him of Alexandras intent Alexandra put to death Costabarus whom Herode had matched with his sister Salome vsurpeth in Idumaea Costabarus preserued by his wiues intercession Costabarus Lysimachus Antipater
mounts Carmel and Itabyr and herewith Scythopolis Gadara Gaulanitis Seleucia Gabala and of Moab Essebon Medaba Lemba Orona Telithon and Zara Antona of Cilicia and Pella This last Citie was raced by them because the inhabitants would not promise to conuert themselues to the religion of the Iewes with diuers other of the principall Cities of Syria also which were conquered by them After this king Alexander fell sicke by the meanes of his surfeit and drunkennesse and for the space of three yeeres he was trauailed with a quartane ague This notwithstanding he was alwaies in the campe vntill such time as being wearied with trauels he died in the marches of the countrey of the Gerasens at such time as he besieged Ragaba which is a Castle scituate on the other side of Iordan The Queene perceiuing that he was at deaths dore and that there remained neither hope of life nor recouerie she began to weepe and lament and to beate her breasts because both she and her children were likely now to be left desolate and in these words she bemoaned her selfe vnto him To whom wilt thou leaue both me and thy children in the estate wherein we be or why should we suruiue or liue one after another considering that thou assuredly knowest that the hearts of thy people are estranged from vs Hereupon the king comforted her gaue her this counsaile that if she would assure the kingdome both vnto her and her children she should behaue her selfe according to his direction which was first to conceale his death and not to suffer his men of warre to haue notice thereof vntill such time as she had taken this Castle Which done he aduised her to repaire to Ierusalem in pompe and triumph and that being there she should bestow some authoritie vpon the Pharisees who should recount her praises and obtaine her fauour amongst the people For said he these kind of men are in great estimation and credit with the people and can doe much hurt vnto those they hate and further them 〈◊〉 like sort very mightily towards whom they are well affected For the people easily beleeueth them when they vrge ought against any man notwithstanding it be of enuy and that he himselfe also had incurd the displeasure of the people for their sakes in that hee had offended them When as therefore said he thou shalt arriue in Ierusalem send thou for the chiefest amongst them and pray them to come vnto thee and after you haue shewed them my dead body vse the most plausible speech that you can and giue them permission to dispose of my body how they list whether it be their pleasure to interdict and deny me funerall in that they haue receiued many indignities by me or whether in aâ—…ngment of their displeasure they will offer any ignominy to my body and promise you them that you will doe nothing in the administration or gouernment of the kingdome but by their aduise If in this sort you shape both your manners and discourse towards them it will come to passe that I shall be buried by them with great magnificence which otherwise I could not be by any other meanes because they will offer no outrage to my bodie no although you should permit them and besides that you shall raigne in more assurance and quiet After he had giuen his wife these aduertisements he gaue vppe the ghost after hee had raigned seuen and twentie yeeres and liued for tie and nine CHAP. XXIIII After Alexanders death his wife Alexandra gouerneth the kingdome AFter that Alexandra had taken the Castle of Ragaba she conferred with the Pharisees according to her husbands counsaile and committed vnto their discretion not onely that which concerned her husbands obsequies but also the gouernment of the kingdome whereby she not only appeased the displeasure which before time they had conceiued against Alexander but also obtained their good will and amitie They therefore came and declaimed amongst the people making an oration of the acts and gests of Alexander complaining euery where that they had lost a good king and by the inforced praises that they vsed they incited the people to great griefe and lamentation so that they buried him with more magnificence then any king that raigned before him This Alexander left two sons behinde him the one called Hircanus the other Aristobulus and by his testament committed the gouernment of the kingdome to Alexandra his wife For Hircanus was incapable to manage affaires and rather delighted in peace and quiet and Aristobulus who was the younger was both actiue and fit for gouernment The people were well affected towards Alexandra because she had manifestly expressed how greatly she misliked her husbands misgouernment She appointed Hircanus high priest both in regard of his age as also for that by nature he was composed to peace and quiet and committed all things to the disposition of the Pharisees commanding the people to obey and obserue them She also renued and confirmed that which Hircanus had disanulled and the Pharisees according to the customes of their forefathers had introduced so that she bare the name and the Pharisees the authoritie roiall For they restored such as were banished to their estates and deliuered prisoners and in all things they demeaned themselues like great Lords Alexandra also for her part vndertooke the care of the common weale and kept a great number of souldiers in pay and increased her power in such sort that the tyrants round about her feared her and deliuered her hostages and pledges of peace All the countrey was in quiet onely the Pharisees troubled the Queene perswading her to put those to death who had counsailed king Alexander to put those eight hundreth to death of whom we haue forespoken and they themselues afterwards slew one that was called Diogenes and after him diuers others one by one vntil such time as those in authoritie came vnto the royall pallace accompanied with Aristobulus who seemed to be displeased with that which had hapned and who if the occasion were offered made shew that he would not permit his mother to gouern after that manner and told her that which had hapned and in what dangers they had been to expresse their duety and loyaltie which they ought to their deceased master and how for that cause they had been greatly honoured by him requiring her that she would not vtterly frustrate them of their hopes which they expected in lieu of their seruice that now they that had escaped froÌ„ the danger of their forrain enemies were in their houses murthered like beasts by their priuate maligners without any reliefe or succours from any one They furthermore vrged that if their aduersaries would content themselues with those they had slaine they would endure their misfortunes patiently by reason of the sincere affection they bare vnto their lords but if they must needly as yet suffer the like they required that they might haue licence to depart For that they
not seeme troublesome vnto him Which matter when Herode vnderstood he thought it no waies incident to his securitie to send Aristobulus who was a faire young man and little more at that time then sixteene yeeres olde so nobly borne considering that Antonius was at that present in such authoritie that no one in Rome was in greater credit then he and who besides that was verie much addicted to his pleasures which he openly hunted after without feare of punishment in regard of his greatnes and power He therefore wrote him this answere that if the young man should but onely depart out of the countrey all the land would incontinently be filled with warre and troubles for that the Iewes pretended alteration in gouernment and sought to innouate by preferring a new king When as therefore he had in this sort excused himselfe vnto Antonius he resolued to entertaine both the younger Aristobulus and his mother Alexandra with more respect Moreouer his wife Mariamme did continually importune him to giue the priesthood to her brother alledging that by that honour he might preuent the occasion of his trauell For which cause assembling his friends togither in counsell he grieuously accused Alexandra before them protesting that she secretly conspired against the kingdome and that by the mediation of Cleopatra she laboured to dispossesse him of the soueraigntie to the intent that her sonnes by Antonius meanes might gouerne in his steed Which practise of hirs was so much the more vniust because she depriued her owne daughter of that honour wherein she was inseated raised vp troubles likewise in that kingdome which he had conquered with great trauel and extreme daunger Yet notwithstanding that he willingly forgat that which was past and forgaue those wrongs she had vrged against him and vvas readie notwithstanding to shew all kindnes and courtesie both to her and hers Furthermore he gaue the high priesthood to young Aristobulus alledging that heretofore he had established Ananel in that place for no other respect then for that Aristobulus was vnder yeeres After that he had thus seriously and considerately discoursed in the presence of the Ladies and the consistorie of his friends Alexandra almost beside her selfe not only thorow the ioy she had conceiued by this vnexpected good fortune but also for the feare she had to be suspected began to defend her selfe with teares protestations saying that al whatsoeuer she had either practised or done was to prefer her son vnto the Priesthood whō she saw dishonoured but as touching the kingdome that she had neuer pretēded neither would if so be she should be presented therwith receiue the same thinking her selfe for the present sufficiently honoured both for that she saw Aristobulus in that estate as for the assurance that all her progeny should receiue in that he was lifted vp in dignitie aboue the rest Being therefore ouercome by those merits she accepted willingly the honour for her sonne and shewed her selfe obedient in all things requesting him that if she had committed any thing rashy and thorow inconsideration of passion either in respect of her children or in vnbridled cariage of her tongue hee would be pleased to pardon her After these debates and interchangeable discourses on either side they shooke hands the one with the other in token of a more fixed and vnfained friendship then was before burying as they then pretended all euill suspition or cause of vnkindnes CHAP. III. Herode preferreth Aristobulus his wife Mariammes brother to the Priesthood and afterwards pu◅eth him to death HEreupon Herode tooke away the Priesthood instantly from Ananel who was not that countriman borne as we haue heretofore declared but was borne amongst those Iewes that inhabite and were planted beyond Euphrates by the Assirians For diuers thousand Iewes inhabite the countrey of Babylon and from thence tooke he his originall also being otherwise of the race of the Priests and intirely affected toward Herode for a long time before with whom he had familiar acquaintance He had preferred him to this honour at such time as he was made king and degraded him likewise to appease the troubles of his family demeasning himselfe herein contrarie to the law of the countrey For whereas any one hath once beene installed in that degree he is neuer to be displaced The first that transgressed this ordinance was Antiochus Epiphanes who dispossessed Iosuah and preferred his brother Onias to his place The second was Aristobulus who tooke it away from his brother Hircanus and vsurped it himselfe Herode was the third who gaue the Priesthood to Aristobulus establishing him in Ananels place before he was dead and by this meanes supposing that he had found out a remedie to appease the discords of his family he notwithstanding all this liued not without suspition what euent would follow after this reconciliation For he feared Alexandra least demeasning her selfe in such sort as before time she had done she should seeke occasion hereafter to raise new troubles He commaunded her therefore to containe her selfe within the roial pallace and to doe nothing of her owne authoritie Besides that he had appointed certaine intelligencers who should diligently obserue that nothing should be done without his knowledge no not concerning her particular expences and table All which things exasperated her hate and increased the same against Herode for being full of feminine pride she disdained to see her selfe thus wrongfully suspected desiring rather to suffer any thing then to be depriued of the liberty of free speech and vnder colour to be honoured to liue continually in seruitude and feare Whereupon she sent certaine of her trustie friends to Cleopatra to complaine and lament vnto her the importable miseries of her present estate requiring her according to her power to giue readie and speedie reliefe Whereupon Cleopatra sent her word that both she and her sonne should resort vnto her into Aegypt with as great secrecie as might be possible Vpon which aduice and the allowance thereof she practised this policy She caused two coffins to be made such as men were wont to burie the dead in in which she hid both her selfe and her sonne commaunding those seruants of hers that were priuie to her deliberation to carie them out in the night time and to bend their course directly towards the sea where there was a barke in readinesse prepared to shape their course and conuey them into Aegypt But Esop one of her household seruants declared this enterprise of hers to Sabbion one of Alexandras friends supposing that he had beene made priuie thereunto who had no sooner inkling thereof but for that before times he was Herodes enemy by reason he was suspected to haue beene one of those that sought to poison Antipater he determined by discouery of this secret flight to conuert Herodes hate into assured friendship and presently discouered Alexandras secret enterprise to the king Who dissembling the matter vntill it
D. talents and that he had a writing in pawne wherein he was permitted after the day appointed if then it were not repaied him againe to pray vpon all the whole country and satisfie himselfe and that this was no hostile inuasion but according to law and equitie a requiring of his right and debt due vnto him And that this was not rashly done though by the writing he was so permitted to doe but by the consent of Saturninus and Volumnius presidents of Syria in whose presence Syllaeus swore by Caesars good fortune at Bery◅m that within thirtie daies after both the debt and also certaine fugitiues from the king should be restored vnto him and that Syllaeus performed none of this and so Herod went againe vnto the presidents and they permitted him to go and take pledges for his money and that so by their permission he went into Arabia And this quoth he is the warre that his aduersaries haue so tragically exaggerated and yet quoth he how can it be called a warre seeing that it was done by the consent of the presidents and that by couenant after periurie wherewith both other gods and also Caesars name was violated It now quoth he remaineth that I speake something concerning the captiues There were fortie theeues of Trachon and afterward more that fled from Herode for feare of punishment and fled vnto Arabia whom Syllaeus protected and succoured to the iniurie of all men and gaue them ground to inhabite and was partaker of their praies notwithstanding that by his forced oath he was bound to restore them togither with the borrowed money neither can he name any man beside them taken in Arabia and carried away captiue and some of them also escaped Thus his forged tale concerning the captiues being thus refuted heare O Soueraigne Caesar the lying inuention which to prouoke thee to wrath himselfe deuised For I am well able to affirme this that when the Arabian army assaulted vs and one or two of our men were slaine then at last Herode forced to make resistance he slew Nacebus and with him fiue and twentie and no more for euerie one of which Syllaeus falsely recounted vnto Caesar a hundreth and so told him that two thousand and fiue hundreth were slaine Caesar hereat greatly mooued with an angrie countenance looking vpon Syllaeus he asked him how manie Arabians were slaine in that fight he amazed and knowing not what to reply answered that he erred in the number Presently Caesar commanded the writings to be read containing the conditions betweene them and the writings of the presidents and the letters of the Cities containing the complaints of the robberies And so the matter was brought to this passe that Caesar was reconciled vnto Herode and condemned Syllaeus to die and repenting himselfe to haue written so threatning letters vnto Herode he obiected that also vnto Syllaeus affirming that by his false enformations he had caused him to passe the limits of friendship in vsing his friend so hardly And so he sent Syllaeus into his countrey that after he had satisfied his creditors he might be punished according to the sentence But he still continued angry with Aretas for that without his authoritie he had vsurped the crowne and kingdome and he was minded also to bestow Arabia vpon Herode but the letters which Herode sent him changed his minde For Olympus and Volumnius so soone as they vnderstood that Caesars wrath towards Herode was pacified presently they deliuered vnto him the letters as they were commanded wherein was contained the arguments whereby his sons were conuicted of treason against him Which Caesar hauing read he thought it not conuenient to trouble the olde man infortunate with his sonnes with an other kingdome and so he admitted Aretas Embassadours and chiding them that their king had rashly vsurped the kingdome without his authoritie and knowledge not expecting his pleasure he receiued their gifts and confirmed him in the kingdome by his authoritie This done being now reconciled vnto Herode he writ vnto him that he was sorrowfull for him that had such children and that he should if they had attempted any treason against him punish them as men that sought to murther their father for he gaue him free and full authoritie but if they onely attempted to flie he should also be sufficed with a lesse punishment Wherefore he counselled him to call a consistorie at Berytum and togither with the Roman presidents and Archelaus king of Cappadocia and the rest of his friends and the nobilitie thereabout according as they should aduise him so to doe And this was the effect of Caesars letters CHAP. XVII How Herodes sons were condemned in the councell at Berytum HErode receiuing this letter reioyced aboue measure both for that he had againe obtained Caesars fauour and also for that Caesar had giuen him full authoritie to doe what he pleased vnto his sonnes And yet I know not how it came to passe that he who in his prosperitie was a hard father did yet shew himselfe not rash in putting his sonnes to death and now his estate being better then it was and he recouering his wonted assurance he now began anew hatred Wherefore by letters he called togither all those whom Caesar appointed onely Archelaus excepted either for that he hated the man or els for that he feared he would haue withstood that his purpose and when they were all come togither as well the presidents as the rest who were called out of diuers Cities he would not bring his sonnes into the councell but kept them in a village of the Sidonians named Platan not farre distant from the Citie to the intent that if they were called for he might bring them forth Then Herod himselfe alone entring into the councel before an hundreth fifty men there assembled for that purpose began to accuse his sonnes before them and vsed a speech not onely pitifull for his owne calamities but also little becomming a father For he was verie vehement and vnheady in inueying against their offence neither did he sufficiently expresse his minde shewing many signes of furie and anger neither did he deliuer in writing any proofes of the accusations vnto the Iudges but vndecently himselfe alleadged there the father against the sonne himselfe also reading before them certaine letters written by them wherein was contained no impietie nor treason but only a consultation to fly away and certaine hard speeches whereby they shewed themselues offended Which when he came vnto he exclaimed as though hereby they confessed their trecherous practises greatly exaggerating the matter and protesting that he had rather die then heare such speeches Lastly affirming that both nature and Caesar permitted him authoritie against them and that his country lawes so cōmanded that if any one being accused his father or mother should lay their hands vpō his head and the standers by must presently stone him to death which though he might easily do in
his owne countrey and kingdome yet he thought good also to expect their censures Yet he came vnto them not for that they were to iudge his sons who were taken in a manifest crime but that by this occasion they might adde their suffrages to the iust indignation of a father offended and that they might leaue an example vnto all posteritie that such treasons ought not to be left vnpunished The king hauing thus spoken and not permitting the yong men to be brought vnto their answere all seeing what the king entended and that there was now no hope to reconcile the yong men vnto their father or saue their liues they all confirmed his authority And first of all Saturninus one that had beene Consul and had beene graced with many honours pronounced an indifferent sentence limited with circumstances to wit that he condemned Herodes sons yet not to die for quoth he my selfe haue sons and I would not adde this calamity to Herodes misfortune past After him also his three sonnes who were their fathers legats pronounced the same sentence But Volumnius pronoūced that they had deserued death who were so impious towards their father whose sentence after him the most part followed so that it seemed that they were now ordained to be put to death Presently Herode carried them with him to Tyre where he met Nicholaus who was now there arriued returning from Rome vnto whom the king first recounting what was done at Beryium he asked of him what his friends at Rome thought of his sonnes He answered that they iudged the yong mens intents impious and that they also iudged that they ought to be bound and imprisoned and then after due consideration if it were so thought expedient to be put to death least the king might be thought rather to haue giuen place vnto his choler then vnto reason yet if it might so please him they thought it best to acquit them least otherwise he do that which hereafter he may repent when it is too late And this was the opinion of most of his friends at Rome Then the king a long time pondered these his words and made no reply but commanded him to faile along in his company At his arriual at Caesarea all men were carefull what should become of his sonnes expecting an end of that tragedy for they greatly feared that by reason of the olde discord he would now cut them off yet notwithstanding they were sorrowful for them yet it was dangerous either to speake rashly or to heare any thing spoken freely concerning them but in their hearts compassionating them they concealed their griefes Onely one amongst all the rest an ancient soldier of the kings named Tyro others dissembling their griefe spake freely what he thought this Tyro had a sonne of Alexanders age and beloued of him whom Alexander much accounted of This follow many times amidst the multitudes exclaimed that truth and equitie was now banished from out of the world and that in their steede malice and vntruth reigned wherby there was such a mist and fogge caused ouer the whole world that no man could see his owne errors This his free speech though it was not without danger yet all men hereat were moued for that he had some reason to shew his fortitude in so dangerous a time and euery one was willing to heare this speech and though themselues for feare were silent yet did they not reprehend him for speaking freely For the expectation of the euent of so great mischiefe vvas able to haue wrested from euery one of them vvords of commiseration Tyro with great audacitie also came vnto the king and besought him that he might talke with him alone vvhich the king granting he vsed these words vvith great lamentation I can no longer O my king suppresse this my griefe vvhich causeth me so boldly to speake though with my own peril yet if it please thee my king that which I intend to speake shal be for thine aduantage Where now my Lord are thy wits where is that thy couragious mind euer hitherto able to match all difficult businesses whatsoeuer how hapeneth it that thou hast so few friends kinred for I account not them kinsmen or friends that permit such wickednes and hatred in thy court which earst was most happy and fortunate And what art thou vnto thy selfe wilt thou not looke and see what is done wilt thou put to death the two yong men borne vnto thee by the queene thy wife who abound in all vertue and commit thy selfe now in thy olde age vnto one onely sonne who nourisheth impious hopes desseignes and to thy kindred who by thy owne censure haue often deserued death Dost thou not perceiue that the people keeping themselues quiet and stil do both condemne the errour of thy friends and also pitie and compassionate the two young men Moreouer all thy soldiers and the captaines themselues haue compassion on them and curse the authors of this infortunate calamity The king at first tooke these words of Tyro in good part as being admonished of the perfidious dealing of them about him and his owne calamitie But Tyro immodestly and soldierlike vrging the king and for his owne simplicity not able to discerne what fitted that time the king at last thought this rather a turbulēt vpbraiding him then a friendly admonition and asking who those captaines and souldiers were he commanded them all Tyro also to be bound and kept in prison Then one Trypho the kings barbar taking hereat occasion told the king that Tyro had often sollicited him as he shaued the king to cut his throat with his razor promising him for a recōpence great rewards that he should be one of Alexāders chiefe friends Hauing spoken these words the King commanded him to be apprehended and the barbar and Tyro and his sonne to be tortured Tyro his sonne seeing his father in most miserable torments that he still obstinately persisted in them and by the Kings displeasure coniecturing that there was no hope of life told them that tortured his father that he would confesse all the truth conditionally that his father and himselfe might be no more tormented and hauing his request granted he told them that it was agreed that Tyro with his own hand should haue killed the king for he could get opportunitie to come vnto the king when no man else was with him so he would kill him and for Alexanders sake endure any torments whatsoeuer This spoken he deliuered himselfe and his father from further tortures but it is incertaine whether the tale he told was true or whether he deuised it to free them both from torments Then Herode now laying all doubt aside if before he were in any thought what death his sons should die leauing no place to repentance and mercie he hastened to execute his purpose and producing 300. captaines and Tyro his sonne and the Barbar his accuser he accused them all
high priest and because of his dull nature she thought that though he were in princely authoritie yet he would molest no man and therefore also made him king As for the yongest son Aristobulus because he was of a hot spirit she was willing that he should liue a priuate life Now there was a certaine sect among the Iewes which were called Pharisees who ioyned themselues with the Queene these people were thought to be of the godliest sort and to be more skilfull then other in interpreting the scriptures and for that cause Alexandra fauoured them the more because she was superstitiously giuen to religion These hauing by little and little insinuated themselues into the fauour of a simple woman now did domineere at their pleasure displacing deposing imprisoning and restoring to libertie whom they pleased for no other purpose but that they might enioy the profites and commodities of the kingdome and Alexandra bare all charges This Queene was alwayes desirous of high attempts and dayly studied to encrease her wealth she leuied two armies and hired a great many strangers whereby shee did not onely strengthen her owne countrey but also made her selfe to be feared of other nations She ruled others but her selfe was ruled by the Pharisees who at last killed Diogenes who was a gallant man and highly in fauour with king Alexander affirming that through his counsell the king commanded those eight hundred before mentioned to bee crucified and further they perswaded the Queene Alexandra that she should put to death all others through whose counsell Alexander her husband had beene incited against those eight hundred The Queene being blinded with superstition thought it vnlawfull to denie any thing which they requested so tha◅ they put to death whom they pleased till such time as the chiefest of those who were in this danger in humble wise came to Aristobulus who perswaded his mother to spare them for their dignitie and banish others whom she thought had deserued punishment who hauing obtained their liberty dispersed themselues through the whole country Now Alexandra sent an armie to Damascus and because Ptolomeus daylie vexed the citie she tooke it without doing anie thing worthy of memory she did solicite Tigranes king of Armenia with gifts and promises who with an armie had besieged Ptolemais wherein Cleopatra was but he for feare of troubles in his owne countrey in that Lucullus had entred into Armenia withdrew himselfe from thence In the meane time Alexandra being sicke her youngest sonne Aristobulus with his seruants which were manie in number all trusty for the heat their yong yeares got all the castels and hiring soldiers with the money he found in those castles he proclaimed himself king But Alexandra pitying the complaints of Hircanus imprisoned the wife and children of Aristobulus in a castle neere vnto the North part of the temple which in olde time was called Baris as wee said before afterwards Antonius being Emperour it was called Antonia as in like manner Sebaste and Agrippias other cities were named of Augustus and Agrippa But Alexandra died before she could reuenge Hircanus of the wrongs which Aristobulus had done him This Queene reigned nine yeeres left Hircanus in possession of al whom during her life time she had aduanced to the kingdome But Aristobulus being both stronger in power and more esteemed in authoritie encountred with his brother about Iericho where many of Hircanus souldiours forsaking their king fled vnto Aristobulus for which cause both he the remnāt of those that followed him were forced to flie into the castle called Antonia where he found hostages to redeem him For as we haue already said Aristobulus wife and children were imprisoned in that place and least any worse mishap should betide him he concluded a peace vpon condition that Aristobulus should bee king and that he as brother to the king would content himselfe with other dignities Vpon these conditions they were made friends in the Temple where in the presence of all the people they in most friendly sort embraced each other which when they had done they changed houses and Aristobulus went into the kings pallace and Hircanus vnto Aristobulus his house CHAP. V. Of the warre betweene Hircanus and the Arabians and of the taking of Ierusalem NOw a sodaine feare inuaded all the enemies of Aristobulus when they saw him contrarie to all expectation made king and especially Antipater aboue all others whom Aristobulus a long time had hated This Antipater was an Idumaean borne and for his nobilitie and riches was the chiefest and best reputed of his nation This man perswaded Hircanus to flie vnto Aretas king of Arabia and craue his helpe to set him in his kingdome Furthermore he perswaded Aretas likewise to receiue Hyrcanus and to helpe him to recouer his kingdome speaking much against the manners of Aristobulus and praising Hyrcanus adding that he being king of so famous a nation ought to assist those who were vniustly oppressed and that Hyrcanus had manifest iniurie offered him being forced to forsake his kingdome which by the right of succession was due vnto him After he had thus made his way he in the night time tooke Hyrcanus and fled with him foorth of the Citie and making all haste possible they arriued at a towne called Petra with safetie which is a towne where the kings of Arabia were accustomed to keepe their court there he deliuered Hyrcanus into the kings hands and through many gifts and intreaties obtained the fauour that he might be conducted into his kingdome And to the effecting of the same Aretas gaue him an army of fifty thousand horse and foote which power since Aristobulus was not able to resist he was ouercome vpon the first onset and was forced to flie vnto Ierusalem and he had been surely taken if Scaurus a captaine of the Romans by taking opportunitie at those troubles had notraised the siege For Pompey the Great who warred againg Tigranes sent him out of Armenia into Syria who comming to Damascus found it newly taken by Metellus and Lolius who dismissing them from thence and finding how matters stood in Iudaea hasted thither in hope of a bootie So soone as he entred into the confines of the countrey both of the brethren sent embassadours vnto him desiring him to take their parts but Aristobulus hauing sent him three hundreth talents he neglected to doe Iustice for hauing receiued that sum Scaurus sent messengers vnto the Arabians and Hyrcanus threatning the displeasure of the Romans and Pompey except they would presently raise their siege for which cause Aretas being much abashed returned out of Iudaea vnto Philadelphia and Scaurus repaired vnto Damascus Yet sufficed it not Aristobulus that he had escaped from being taken but that gathering all his forces togither he pursued his enemies and ioyning battell with them about Papyron he slew six thousand of them in which number was Cephalon Antipaters brother But Hyrcanus and Antipater being destitute of the
Messala presented himselfe to returne them answer being assisted by Hycanus by reason of the affinitie that was between him Herod Antonius hauing heard both parties demanded of Hyrcanus whom he thought to be fittest to gouerne their commonwealth who answered Herod his brethren Whereat Antonius was exceoding glad for he had bin their fathers guest and was most courteously entertained by Antipater when he came with Gabinius into Iudaea thereupon he made them both Tetrarchs leauing vnto them the rule of all Iudaea which when the Iewes Embassadors misliked he tooke fifteen of thē and put them in prison where he almost killed them and reiected derided the rest wherupon there arose greater tumults amongst them in Ierusalem At last the Iewes sent another embassage of a thousand men vnto Tyre where Antonius soiorned with an intent to come to Ierusalem with violence Antonius hearing their exclaimes sent out the Magistrates of Tyre against them commanding them to kill all they could catch of the Iewes charging them also to confirme their authoritie whom he himselfe had constituted Tetrarchs But Herod Hyrcanus went before them toward the sea shore admonishing thē earnestly to be contented least they by this their indiscreet proceedings should become not only the cause of their owne deaths but also of war against their country but for that they would not be reclaimed by these admonitiōs Antonius sent out certaine armed men who killed many of them wounded the rest Hyrcanus after this desaster both caused the dead to be buried the wounded to be cured notwithstāding all this they that escaped would not containe themselues in peace but they so troubled the citie that Antonius in his displeasure slue those that he had in hold CHAP. XI Of the warre of the Parthians against the Iewes of the slight of Herode and his fortune TWo yeeres after this Barzapharnes gouernour of the Parthians accompanied with Pacorus the kings sonne seased vpon Syria and Lysanias who succeeded his father Ptolemaeus sonne of Minaeus promising a thousand talents and fiue hundreth women perswaded him to put Antigonus in possession of the kingdome of Iudaea and depose Hyrcanus Pacorus induced by these promises went himselfe along the sea coast giuing commaundement to Barzapharnes to passe through the midst of the countrey but amongst the rest of the places bordering on the sea the Tyrians would not receiue Pacorus notwithstanding that the citizens of Ptolemais and Sidon had giuen him entertainment wherefore he gaue part of his horsemen vnto one who was the kings butler called Pacorus as himselfe was commaunding him to passe into Iudaea and learne what their enemies ment to doe and to helpe Antigonus where neede required Who as they vvasted the countrey about Carmelus many Iewes came of their owne accord and ioyned with Antigonus shewing themselues verie prompt to fight for vvhich cause he sent them before to take a place called Drymos where hauing fought vvith his enemies and put them to flight he pursued them with all speed as farre as Ierusalem and his number being augmented he came vnto the kings house But Hyrcanus and Phasaelus met them with a strong company and fought vvith them in the market place where the enemies were forced to flie and part of them vvere by Herode shut vp in the temple and he appointed sixtie men to keepe them vvhich he placed in the houses next adioyning but the people bearing a grudge to the two brethren burnt them vvith fire vvhereat Herod being angrie for that his men vvere consumed with fire set vpon the people and killed a great many of them and euery houre one laid wait for another so that euery day some was murthered Now the feast of Pentecost drawing nigh all places about the temple and all the vvhole citie vvas filled with people of the countrey whereof the most part was armed and Phasaelus kept the walles and Herode vvith a small company kept the kings pallace who assaulting their enemies vpon a sodaine as they were in the suburbs killed a great many of them and put al the rest to flight part of them he couped vp in the citie others he shut in the temple and the rest betweene the vttermost Rampire Whereupon Antigonus requested that Pacorus might come and conclude a peace betwixt them Phasaelus moued by these his praiers receiued the Parthian into the citie entertained him into his house accompanied with fiue hundreth horsmen vvho came vnder a pretence to make peace but in effect he resorted thither to helpe Antigonus he craftily conspiring against Phasaelus perswaded him to repaire vnto Barzapharnes as an Embassador to treat a peace notwithstanding that Herode altogither disswaded him vvilling him to kill the traitor and not to trust his subtiltie adding that the Parthians were naturally vnfaithfull Pacorus departing out of the citie tooke Hyrcanus with him that he might be the lesse suspected and leauing some horsemen with Herode named Eleutheri he followed Phasaelus with the rest When they came neere vnto Galilee they found the inhabitants at variance and vp in armes and met with Barzapharnes vvho craftily with pretence of courtesie and friendship hid his trecherie who after he had bestowed gifts vpon them and that they were retired laid an ambush for them vvhereof they had intelligence at such time as they came vnto a place of the sea coast named Ecdippon For in this place they vnderstood of the thousand talents that vvere promised and how that Antigonus had giuen the Parthians more then fiue hundreth vvomen of those that were amongst them and that oftentimes they had beene laid wait for and that they had beene lately taken but that delay was made till such time as Herode vvas surprised in Ierusalem for feare least he hearing vvhat vvas become of them might prouide for himselfe Now they might perceiue that these vvere not only vvords for they might behold their keepers not farre off yet vvould not Phasaelus forsake Hyrcanus notwithstanding that Offilius often exhorted him to flie vnto vvhom Saramalla the richest amongst the Syrians had declared all the platforme of their treason but he chose rather to go vnto Barzapharnes to vpbraid him to his face that he had trecherously laid vvait for him but especially for that in regard of mony he had suffered himselfe to be corrupted vvheras he himself vvould haue giuen more for his life and liberty then Antigonus had done for the kingdome At these words the Parthian with oaths protestations craftily freed himselfe from suspition and no sooner repaired he to Pacorus but presently the Parthians who stayed behind and had charge so to doe laid hands on Phasaelus and Hyrcanus who openly exclaimed against their falsehood and periurie In the meane time a butler was sent out for that purpose who sought to surprise Herod and by some stratageme to toul him out of the Citie who wrought by all the meanes hee could according as
For Caesar had giuen no such authoritie for he gaue him licence to take any one that was a fugitiue from him out of any Citie although it were not vnder his dominions And the young men were ignorant of the offences laide vnto their charge and so were more easily entrapped being vnawares of them for their father did not openly tell them of any matter but they euerie day perceiued their fathers good will towardes them to decay which so much the more encreased their griefe In like manner Antipater by little and little mooued Pheroras their vncle and Salome their aunt against them daily consulting with his wife whom he should incite against them Now Glaphyra Alexanders wife encreased their malice euery day recounting her owne nobilitie bearing her selfe aboue all that were in the whole kingdom for she deriued her petigree by the fathers side from Timenus by the mothers side from Hystaspis his sonne called Darius inueying verie much against the basenesse of Herodes wiues and his sister who were chosen for their beautie and not for their nobilitie of birth For Herod as we haue said had many wiues both for that it was lawfull by the custome of their countrey and because Herode delighted in many and all of them hated Alexander for Glaphyras pride and contumelious speeches And Aristobulus made Salome his enemy although she was his wiues mother for she was before mooued by Glaphyras speeches and he often vpbraided his wife with her base birth still telling her that he had married a priuate woman and his brother Alexander a Queene And his wife often with weeping teares told this to her mother adding moreouer that Alexander and Aristobulus threatned that if they got the kingdome they would make their other brethrens mothers weaue with their maids and that they would make them notaries of villages deriding that they applied themselues to learning Salome mooued hereat could not containe her selfe but tolde all to Herod who easily beleeued her because she spake against her sonne in law Moreouer another accusation was laid to their charge wheâ—…eat the king was greatly mooued for he was enformed that Alexander and Aristobulus did often bewaâ—…le their mother and lament her hard happe with sighes and cursed him and that often when he bestowed some of Mariammes cloathes vpon his latter wiues they threatned that in short time in steed of princely attire they should weare a black habite Whereupon Herod though he feared the constant mindes of the young men yet because he would not take away all hope of amendment he called them vnto him for he was to saile to Rome and as a king threatned them in few words and like a father gaue them many admonitions and requested them to loue their brethren promising them forgiuenes of their former offences so that hereafter they amended all But they beseeching him not to beleeue accusations forged against them vpon malice and aunswering that the effect of matters would easily acquite them requesting him not so easily to beleeue tales but refuse to giue malignant people opportunitie and recourse vnto him for that there would alwaies be some that would maliciously inuent tales to tell whilst there was any one that would giue them the hearing and beleeuing thereof For they knew that Salome was their enemie and Pheroras their vncle and both of them bare cruell minds and were hard hearted and especially Pheroras who was fellow with his brother of all sauing onely the crowne and had his owne reuenues amounting to a hundreth talents a yeere and receiued all fruits of the whole countrey beyond Iordane which was giuen him by his brother Herode also had obtained of Caesar to make him Tetrarch and bestowed vpon him a princesse for his wife despousing vnto him his wiues sister after whose decease he despoused vnto him his eldest daughter and gaue him three hundreth talents with her for a dowrie But Pheroras fell in loue with his maid and forsooke a princesse whereat Herode being angrie maried his daughter vnto his brothers sonne who was afterward slaine by the Parthians but Herode presently pardoned Pheroras offence Diuers before this time were of opinion that in the life time of the Queen he would haue poisoned Herode and Herode although he loued his brother verie well yet because many who had accesse vnto him told him so he began to misdoubt and so examining many that were suspected lastly he came to Pheroras friends none of them confessed it yet they confessed that he was determined to flie vnto the Parthians with her whom he was so in loue withall and that Costabarus Salomes husband was priuie thereunto vnto whom the king maried her after her first husband for sâ—…pition of adultery was put to death Salome her selfe also was not free from accusation for Pheroras accused her that she had contracted matrimony with Syllaeus who was procurator to Oboda king of Arabia who was a great enemie of the kings and she being conuicted both of this and all things else whereof her brother Pheroras accused her yet obtained pardon as likewise Pheroras did so that the whole tempest of all their family was turned against Alexander and light vpon his head The king had three Eunuches whom he loued dearly and euery one knowne by their offices for one of them was his butler the other was his cooke and the third got him to bed and lay with him these three Alexander with great gifts ouercame Which the king vnderstanding by torments forced them to confesse it and declared with what promises they were therto by Alexander induced and how he had deceiued them affirming that there was no trusting to Herode who was a shamelesse olde man and that he died his haire to make himselfe seeme young and that he in despite of him would be his successor and then he would be reuenged vpon his enemies and make his friends happie and especially them and that the whole nobilitie did secretly obey him and the captaines of the army and gouernours did priuily come vnto him Hereat Herode was so terrified that he durst not presently diuulgate their confessions but night and day he sent spies to learne what was said or done and whom he suspected them he presently killed so that his whole kingdome was full of iniquitie For euery one as his malice moued him fained calumniations and many desirous of bloudshed abused the kings wrath as they pleased against their enemies and credit was giuen to euerie lie and no man was so soone accused but presently he was punished and he who presently before accused others was now accused himselfe aâ—…d carried to be punished with him whom he accused For the kings perils shortned the time of triall for their liues and he became so tyrannous that he afforded not a good looke vnto them that were not accused and shewed himselfe most fierce and violent euen to his deerest friends so that he banished many out of his
souldiers in warlike order did follow their Captaines and leaders and 500. seruants and libertines carried perfumes And thus the corps was carried the space of two hundreth furlongs into the Castle named Herodion where as himselfe had appointed it was interred And this was the end of king Herode THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE WARRES OF THE IEWES WRITTEN BY FLAVIVS IOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the 2. booke 1 Of Herods successour Archelaus how he entred into the Temple and the mutinie that arose for the reuenge of those that were executed for taking away the golden Eagle 2 Of the fight and massacre in Ierusalem betweene the Iewes and Sabinians 3 Of Varus his deeds concerning the Iewes that were crucified 4 How the Iewes had an Ethnarcha constituted ouer them 5 Of the false supposed Alexander and how he was taken 6 Of the death of Archelaus 7 Of Simon the Galilean and the three sects of the Iewes 8 Of Pilates gouernment 9 Of the pride of Caius and of Petronius the President 10 Of the raigne of Claudius the Emperour and the raigne and death of Agrippa 11 Of diuers tumults in Iudaea and Samaria 12 Of the tamults in Iudaea vnder Foelix 13 Of Albiuns and Florus Presidents of Iudaea 14 Of Florus crueltie towards the Iewes of Caesarea and Ierusalem 15 Of another opperession of those of Ierusalem through Florus his meanes 16 Of Politianus the Tribune and Agrippa his oration to the Iewes wherein he exhorted them to obey the Romans 17 Of the beginning of the rebellion of the Iewes against the Romans 18 Of the murther of Ananias the high Priest Manahemus and the Roman souldiers 19 Of a great slaughter of the Iewes in Caesarea and throughout all Syria 20 Of another grieuous slaughter of the Iewes 21 Of the massacre of the Iewes at Alexandria 22 Of the massacre of the Iewes by Cestius 23 Of the battell of Cestius against Ierusalem 24 Of the besieging of Ierusalem by Cestius and the massacre there 25 Of the crueltie of them of Damascus towards the Iewes and of Iosephus his practises in Gablee 26 Of Iosephus his dangers and euasion and the malice of Iohn Giscaleus 27 How Iosephus recouered Tiberias and Sephoris 28 How the citizens of Ierusalem prepared themselues to warre and of Simon Gioras tyrannie CHAP. I. Of Herods successour Archelaus and how he entred into the Temple and the mutinie that arose for the reuenge of those that were executed for taking downe the golden Eagle ARchelaus being appointed successor in the kingdom of Herod late dead necessitie constrained him to go to Rome which iourney gaue occasion of new broyles For after that for seuen dayes space hee had celebrated his fathers funerals and largely feasted the people for this is a custome amongst the Iewes which bringeth manie of them to pouertie yet he that doth not so is reputed impious he went vnto the Temple attired in a white garment where he was with great ioy receiued of the people and he himselfe sitting in a tribunall seat a throne of gold did verie curteously admit the people to his presence and thanked them for their diligent care vsed in his fathers funerals and for that they exhibited honour vnto him as though he were alreadie king Yet he said that he would not take vpon him the authoritie nor name of a king till such time as his succession was approued by Caesar who by his fathers testament was Lord and maister of all and for that cause he withstood the souldiers at Iericho when they would haue crowned him But he promised that if he were confirmed king by those who were in authoritie he would largely recompence both the souldiers and the people for their good will and that he fully purposed to be better vnto them then his father was The multitude hereat greatly reioyced and made present triall of his mind and purpose for some cried out requesting that the tribute might be no more exacted Others desired that the yearly paiments might cease Others requested to giue all prisoners libertie Archelaus in fauour of the people graunted all their requests then offering sacrifices he banquetted with his friends when sodainly after the noone time of the day a great multitude desirous of alteration the common lamentation for the kings death being ceased began a priuate mourning bewailing their mischance whom Herod had put to death for pulling down the golden Eagle from off the porch of the Temple This sorrow was not secret but the whole citie did resound with laments for them that were thought to haue lost their liues for the temple and their countrie lawes They also cried that reuenge was to be taken vpon them whom Herod for that fact rewarded with money And that first of all he who by Herod was constituted high Priest was to bee reiected and another more holy and deuout to be put in his place Archelaus although he was hereby moued to reuenge yet because he was presently to take such a iourny abstained frō it fearing least that if he brought the multitude into hatred of him they might hinder him Wherfore he sought rather by admonishing them then by force to reclaime those that were seditious and sent the Gouernour of the souldiers to request them to bee pacified But the authours of that sedition so soone as he came to the temple before he spake one word threw stones at him and in like manner they vsed others sent after him to appease them for Archelaus dispatched many messengers vnto thē whom they spitefully intreated making a shew that if they had beene more in number they would not haue beene appeased Therefore when the feast of vnleauened bread drew nigh which the Iewes call Easter wherein an infinite number of sacrifices were appointed an innumerable multitude of people came out of all villages thereabout for deuotion sake to that solemnitie and they who so lamented the death of the Sophisters remained in the Temple seeking by all meanes to nourish their sedition Which Archelaus fearing sent a band of souldiers and a Tribune with them to take the chiefe of the seditious before such time as they had drawne vnto them the multitude of the people against whom the whole number being stirred vp slewe a great many of them with stones and the Tribune himselfe being sore hurt had much ado to escape And when they had so done they presently went and offered sacrifice as though that no hurt had beene done But Archelaus perswaded himselfe that the multitude would not be appeased without slaughter wherefore he sent vnto them the whole armie the footmen into the citie and the horsmen into the field who inuading the seditious people as they were sacrificing slew of them almost three thousand and scattered the residue into the mountaines neere adioyning There were also criers who followed Archelaus and proclaimed by vertue of his commaund that euerie one should depart home to his house so euerie one