encountred with a vision in which he wrastled with an apparition and hee became victor Now this vision spake vnto him exhorting him to reioice at that which had hapned vnto him assuring him that he had not atchieued an easie matter but that he had surmuonted an Angell of God which was a signe of great good which should befortune him and that his posteritie should be inuincible and that neuer man whatsoeuer he were should ouercome him commanding him to call his name Israel that is to say according to the Hebrewes a resister of an Angell These things were foretold vnto Iacob vpon his request who perceiuing also that hee was an Angel of God prayed him to informe him of that which should happen vnto him which the vision did and afterwards vanished Iacob tooke great pleasure thereat and called the place Phanuel that is to say the face of God and for that in w◅astling he had hurt his broad nerue he afterwards abstained from eating of the same and by reason thereof our nation doe neuer feede thereon Now when he had intelligence that his brother neerely approched him he commanded his wiues that they should march forward euery one with their handmaidens to the end that they might from a farre behold the fight of the men if so be that his brother should assaile them But himselfe he hūbled in reuerencing his brother who drew neere vnto him without intent of circumuention and Esau saluted him and enquired of him as touching the companies of women and children and after he vnderstood how all went he was desirous to lead them to his father But Iacob excused himselfe by reason of the wearines of his cattell and Esau retired to Sa◅r where he made his aboade and had imposed that name on that countrey by reason of his thicke haire Iacob also retired himselfe to a place which at this day also is called the Tents and from thence into Sichem a citie of the Chanaanites Now at such time as the Sichemites celebrated their feast Dina which was Iacobs only daughter went into the Citie to see the brauerie of the women of that countrey But Sichem the sonne of king Emmor rauished her and deflowred her and being surprised with her loue he besought his father that he might take her to wife who listning there unto went vnto Iacob praying him to ioine Dina his daughter in lawfull marriage with his sonne Sichem Iacob nor daring to contradict him by reason of his authoritie and qualitie and on the other side not thinking it to be either a thing lawfull or conuenient to match his daughter with a stranger required at his hands a time of deliberation to consult thereupon Hereon the king departed hoping that Iacob would listen to the mariage But Iacob hauing discouered vnto his sonnes the rauishment of their sister and the request of Emmor desired them to deliberate amongst themselues what thing was to be done ◅n the matter whereupon some held their peace not knowing what to say but Simeon and Leui the brothers of the same wombe with their sister complotted togither this practise In as much as it was a festiuall and that the Sichemites intended nought but pleasure and banquetting they issued by night vpon their first guards and killed them that were a bed and from thence entring into the Citie they killed all the males and with them the king and his son but to the women they offered no violence Which being executed without the knowledge of their father they brought their sister backe againe Iacob was verie much astonished at this accident so strangely executed and was wroth with his children but God appeared vnto him and comforted him and commanded him that he should purifie his tents and accomplish those sacrifices which he had vowed to performe at such time when first he went into Mesopotamia and the vision appeared vnto him Whilest then he cleansed those which followed him he found the Gods of Laban which beside his knowledge Rachel had stolne and hid them in Sichem in the earth vnder an Oake Afterwards departing from thence he sacrificed in Bethel where he had seene the vision at such time as he first of all tooke his iourney into Mesopotamia and as he trauailed in the land of Ephrata Rachel died in child-bed and was buried there and she onely hath not enioyed the honour which is done in Hebron to those of her parentage After he had made great lamentation he named the child which she bare at that time Beniamin by reason of the dolours which hapned vnto his mother These are all the children of Iacob twelue males and one daughter of whom eight were begotten on his lawfull wiues sixe of Lea and two of Rachel and on their chamber-maides foure two of each of them whose names I haue heretofore recorded From thence went Iacob to Hebron a Citie of Chanaan where Isaac made his aboade and they liued but a small time together because Rachel was dead and departed from him CHAP. XX. Isaac dieth and is buried in Hebron ISaac died a little time after the arriuall of his sonne and was buried with his wife by his sonne in Hebron among their fathers This Isaac was a man beloued of God and guided by his especiall prouidence After the decease of Abraham he liued a long time and after he had passed his life in all vertue for the space of 185. yeares he deceased THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE ANTIQVITIES OF THE IEWES WRITTEN BY FLAVIVS IOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the 2. booke 1 How Esau and Iacob Isaacs sonnes deuided their habitations and how Idumaea fell to Esaus lot and Chanaan to Iacobs 2 How Ioseph the yongest of Iacobs sonnes by reason of his dreames which foretold his future felicitie incurred his brothers enuie 3 How Ioseph was sould by his brethren into Egypt and grew in great authoritie in that countrey and how at length he had his brothers vnder his power 4 How Iacob with all his progenie came vnto his sonne 5 Of the affliction of the Hebrewes in Egypt for the space of 400. yeares 6 How vnder the conduct of Moses they forsooke Egypt 7 How the redde sea diuided it selfe and gaue the Hebrewes a passage at such time as they fled out of Egypt CHAP. I. How Esau and Iacob Isaacs sonnes deuided their inheritance and how Idumaea fell to Esaues lot and Chanaan to Iacobs BVT when Isaac was dead the sonnes deuided their habitations among themselues and were neither of them content with that which they inherited by their father but Esau leauing the Citie of Hebron to his brother went and dwelt in Seir and was Lord of the countrey of Idumaea which he named by his name for it was surnamed Edom for the occasion which followeth He being verie yong returned one day sore wearied trauailed and hungrie from hunting and finding his brother dressing for himselfe a messe of lentill pottage which were verie red in colour and
thorow extreame thirst are inforced to yeeld to thâ—… Iewes Ant. lib. 〈◊〉 cap. 7. Herods oration to Augustus Caesar. Herode speaketh freely before Câ—… The yeare of the world 3934. before Christs birth 30 Caesars anâ—… to Herod Herods gratulation toward Caesar. Caesar increaseth Herodes Dominion Herode made gouernour of Syria The yeâ—…re of the world 3947. before Christs birth 17. Ant. lib. 15. cap. 10. 12. 13. 14. Herodes buildings The yeare of the world 3947. before the birth of Christ. 17. The fountaine head of Iordan Herod maketh a greater port then that of Piraeum An apt description of a haueÌ„ The yeere of the world 3947. before Christs birth 17. Caesarea in time past called the tower of Straton Ant. lib. 15. ca. 10. 12. lib. 17. cap. 5. Agrippium Antipatris Cyprus Phasaelus tower Herodium Herodium a castle resembling a citie Herods bountie to all men Herod famous thorow the world The yeare of the world 3954 before Christs birth 10. Herode a great hunter The yeare of the world 3954. before Christs Natiuitie 8. Herod besides the vertue of mind and body had the blessings of fortune Ant. lib. 15. cap. 3. 8. lib. 16. cap. 13. Herod expelseth Antipater out of the citie and killeth Hyrcanus his wiues grandmother Herods children by Maririamme Mariamme hatefully vpbraideth Herode with Hyrcanus death Herods mother and sister do falsely accuse Mariamme to him Herod secretly chargeth Ioseph to kill his wife Herodes suspition betwixt Ioseph and his wife The yeare of the world 3954. before Christs birth 10. Herode commandeth both Ioseph and Mariamme to be slaine Mariammes sons inheritor of her displeasure The yeare of the world 3956. before Christs birth 8. Herods debate with those sons he had by Mariamme Ant lib. 16. cap. 4. Antipater by disgracing his brothers is declared his fathers heire Herod accuseth Alexander before Caesar. A reconciliation betweene Herode and his sonnes Archelaus kindly entertaineth Herod and his sonnes Herods worthy oration to the people wherein he distributeth honours to his three sonnes The yeare of the world 3956. before the birth of Christ. 8. Herod giueth not the kingdome to his sons but the honours of the kingdome Herode conuerteth his speech to his sonnes Herod by his words did not vtterly extinguish the hatred betweenâ—… his sonnes Antipaters treason against his brother Alexander By whatmeans Antipater corrupted his brother Alexanders friends Anupater whetâ—…eth Herode and his courtiers against Alexander The yeare of the world 3956 before Christs birth 8. Glaphyra Alexanders wiâ—…e increased his conceiued suspition by her words Aristobulus obiecteth to his wife her base birth Ant. lib. 16. cap. 7. Alexander and Aristobulus often times bewaile their mother and by that meanes prouoke their father The two brothers excuse themselues before their father Herod The yeare of thâ—… world 3956. before Christs Natiuitie 8. Alexander corrupteth his fathers Eunuches and telleth them â—…e 〈◊〉 to succeed in the kingdome Herod seareth his sonne Alexander Ant. lib. 17. cap. 8. Hrods cruelty Herode casteth Alexander into prisoâ—… and tortured his friends Alexander during his imprisonment wrote â—…oure bookes against his enemies Archelaus king of Cappadocia The yeare of the world 3956. before Christs birth 8. Archelaus and Herode consulte vpon Alexanders bookes Herode is incensed against his brother Pheroras Pheroras attired in a mourning garment with teares falleth before Herodes 〈◊〉 and craueth pardon Pheroras by Archelaus meanes pacifieth Herode Archelaus compelleth Herode of his owne accord to be intreated for Alexander Herod dismisseth Archelaus and his friends with great presents Ant. lib. 16. cap. 11. Eurycles the Lacedemonian secretly accuseth AlexaÌ„der to his father and is the cause of his death The yeare of the world 3956. before Christs birth 8. Eurycles by fained friendship deceiueth Alexander Another false accusation of Alexander his brother moueth Herod to indignation The yeere of the world 3956. before Christs birth 8. Diophanrus the kings notary writeth fained letters in Alexanders name Cous Euaratus Ant. lib. 16. cap. 12. Herode by Salomes counsaile imprisoneth his sons The yeare of the world 3961. before Christs birth 3. Ant. lib 16. cap. 13. Herode gathereth a councell against Alexander Aristobulus Herode accuseth his sonnes in open iudgement Herodes sentence against his sonnes The yeare of the world 3961. before the birth of Christ. 3. Tiro an olde souldier exclameth against Herodes crueltie Tyro with his sonne are by the kings command laid hands on Ant. lib. 16. cap. 13. Another false accusation against Tyro Herode commaundeth his sonnes to be strangled and to be buried with Alexander their mothers vncle Ant. lib. 17. cap. 21. Anupater striueth by gifts and bribes to creepe into mens fauours The yeare of the world 3961 before Christs birth 3. Herode grieuously bemoned his sons expressing the same by his â—…ation toward their children Herode betrotheth his nephewes Herodes children by his seuen wiues Herode is perswaded by Antipaters flatteries to breake off the mariages Ant. lib. 17. cap. 3. Antipater buildeth vpon the kingdome Adebaâ—… betwixt the Ladies in y t court The yeare of the world 3961. before Christs birth 3. Ant. li. 17. ca. 4. Herode forbiddeth Antipater of his brothers company or to haue conference with his wife Fabatus Caesars gouernor discouereth Syllaeus secrets Herod banisheth his brother Pheroras and and his wife Pheroras died and was buried in Ierusalem Ant. lib. 17. cap. 5. The yeare of the world 3961. before Christs birth 3. A witch of Arabia The confession oâ—… the women in their tortures Doris Antipaters mother is spoyled of her Iewels and thrust out of the pallace Pheroras wife freely confesseth what was become of the poyson The yeare of the world 396â—… before Christs Natiuitie 3. Gods iustice leaueth nothing vnpunished Antipaters treasons against Archelaus and Philip his brothers Antipater giueth a great summe of money to those that counterfait letters against his brothers Ant. lib. 18. cap. 8. Antipater is solicited By Herode with many kind words to hasten his returne The yeare of the world 3961 before Christs birth 3. Antipater hated in Caesarea Antipaters entertainment at his fathers hands Antipater is iudged before Varus Herods accusation against Antipater The years of the world 3961. before Christs birth 3. Herodes kindnes towards his children Herode loued Antipater aboue the rest and bestowed many benefits on him Antipaters answer and excuse Antipater calleth Rome and Caesar to witnesse The yeere of the world 3â—…61 before Christs birth 3. Nicholaus by the kings commaund beginneth a most hainous and bitter accusation against Antipater Nicholaus peroration The venome tried vpon a condemned man An other proofe against Antipater Herod intendeth Antipaters punishment therefore blotteth his name out of his Testament Ant. lib. 17. cap. 8. The yeare of the world 3963. before Christs Natiuitie 3. Iudas and Matthias perswade the people to pul downe the golden Eagle The yong men that puld downe the Eagle are brought before Herod
flieth with his wife into Cilicia Epiphanes flieth to Vologesus the king of Parthia Antiochus taken The yeare of the world 4037. after Christs birth 75. Antiochus reconciled to Caesar. The Alans enter Media to spoile the same Armenia wasted The yeare of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76 The time among the Iewes which was most fruitful in all manner of impiety Iohn Giscala The yeere of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76. Simon sonne of Giora The Idumaeans The Zealous The end of the Iewes answerable to their liues Silua the captaine of the Romans besiegeth Massada The scituation of Massada The iourney by the rock called the Snake The top more fruitfull and fatter soile the the plaine Herods pallace The yeere of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76. A â—…ower to the Westside Great store of prouision in the Castle Fruit for a hundreth yeeres kept vncorrupt Herode suspecting a double perill builded this place for a refuge There was but one place about Massada to raise a mount to batter one The Citie battered with a large Ramme and by Siluas appointment Firebrands daâ—…â—…ed against the walâ—… The North wind diuerting the flame turneth it vpon the Romanâ—… The yeare of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76. Eleazars Oration to his companions Eleazar conteâ—… Gods wrâ—…t â—…o bee kâ—…led against tâ—…e people The punish 〈◊〉 â—…ese 〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 â—…es â—…n 〈◊〉 attempâ—… agâ—…inst the â—…es 〈◊〉 graue 〈◊〉 â—…en lâ—… 〈◊〉 maintained Eleazars Oraâ—…n as touchâ—…g the immor talitie of the soule The yeare of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76. A soule tied in a mortal body The power of the soule Sleepe the argument of the immortalniâ—… of the soule The professors of wisedome among the indians burne themselues An exhortation to contemn death drawne from the time and place Example taken from the Iews that were staine in Caesâ—…a The Calamitie of the Iewes in Scithopoliâ—… The yeare of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76. Eighteen thousand Iews slain in Syria and threescore thousand in Aegypt The calamitie of those Iewes who were taken by the Romans Ierusalem the Metropolitane citie razed froÌ„ the foundations We are borne to die and the most strongest cannot auoid the same Eleazar telleth the Iewes of the Romans tyrannie It is a happines among the Iewes to die free The yeare of the world 4â—…38 after Christs birth 76. The Iewes gathering all their goods togither cast theÌ„ into the fire Ten chosen by lot to kill the rest of the Iewes The Romans expect the fight The Romans admire at the Iewes fortitude and obstinate contempt of death The murtherers authors of new calamitie The Iewes assemble and consult about the murtherers The yeere of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76. Diuers sorts of torments and tortures inflicted on them who reâ—…use Caesars soueraintie Onias by Ptoâ—…es consent buildeth a citie and temple in Egypt Onias temple built in Egypt Lupus shutteth the Iewes out of the temple The yeare of the world 4038. after Christs birth 76 A part of Ionathans companions were taken and slaine the rest kept captiue aliue and brought to Catullus Three thousand Iewes slaine by Catullus Ioseph by Catullus perswasion is accused by Ionathas Ionathas being first beaten is burnt aliue The conclusion of the seuen bookes of the warres of the Iewes The historie of the antiquitie containeth the euents of fiue thousand yeers The causes that moued him to write this book All things among the Greekes are moderne but such things as were done among the Egyp tians Chaldies and Phaenicians are of happie memorie and venerable antiquitie Innumerable corruptions inuaded Greece The Phoenicians and Cadmus the first inuentors of letters Among the Greekes there is not any writing more ancient then Homers poem Thucidides writ a most exact historie of his time The causes of discord among the Iewes Another cause of their discord recorded by the Graecian Historiographers The signe of a true historie A custome which the priests obserued The priests amongst the Iewes are euerie one registred with the name of their fathers and this custome hath continued 2000 yeers Two and twentie bookes of holy writ The Iewes and Greeks are compared together Some others haue written of the wars of the Iewes Ioseph was present in all the wars of the Iewes Ioseph did write the historie of the Iewes wars being at Rome Ioseph sold his bookes to many Some do derogate from Iosephs historie Two things which Ioseph entendeth The Iewes careto bring vp their â—…heildreÌ„ The ancient Iewes had no need to trafficke with the Graecians The Romans were lately knowne to the Greekes Certaine Historiographers report Spaine to be onely one citie Arguments to proue the Iewes of more antiquitie then the Greeks Manethon an Egyptian writer Saltis subdued the Egyptians Kings shepheards Sethosis king of Egypt made his brother Ar mais Gouernour of his Countrie Where upon Egypt tooke his name Manethon sheweth the Iewes comming into Egypt and their departure Salomon built a â—…emple in 〈◊〉 143. yeeres and eight months before the Tyrians builded Carthage The friendship of the Tyrian king and oâ—… king Salomon Problemes of Hiramus and Salomon The testimony of Menander the Ephesian The Genealogie of king Hiramus Carthage built in Affricke by Dido Pigmalions sister Berosus the Historiographer a Chaldean Nabulassarus father to Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon and Chaldea Nabuchodonosor conquered the rebels Nabuchodonosor succeedeth in his fathers kingdome Nabuchodonosor builded a pallace Semiramis did not build Babylon The king of Babylon excelled Hercules in strength and noble valorous deeds The wals of Babylon built of bricke and bytumen Cyrus expelled Nabodâ—…us from Babylon The testimony of the Phoenicians touching the Iewes Antiquitie Nabuchodonozor besieged Tyre The Chaldaeis and Tyrians agree with the Iewes historie Hermippus writings and testimony of Pythagoras Theophrastus Corban the gift of God Herodotus the Halicarnassian touching the Iewes circumcision Chaerilus an ancient Poet his testimonie of the Iewes Asphaltites the lake The testimony of Clearchus disciple of Aristotle touching the Iewes Hecataeus Abderita brought vp with king Alexander A thousand fiue hundreth priests receiue the Iewes tenths The Iewes constancy against Alexander The largnes of Iurie Fiftie stounds are almost sixe Germaine miles The Priests do dwell in the Temple and drink no wine Agatarchides his testimonie of the Iewes The Iewes Sabaoth Why certaine writers omit to speake of the Iewes The last part against certain detractions â—…aunders The cause of malice betweene the Egyptians and Iewes The Egyptians Idolatrie Manethon an Egyption Historiographer Manethons fabulous reports of the Egyptian Lepers Osarsiphus captâ—…ine of Auaâ—…is The warre of the banished against the Aegyptians The Aegyptian king fled into Aethiopia and was by the Aethiopian king courteously entertained Osarsiphus was afterwards called Moses Manethons lies are confuted Manethons words repeated A conâ—…utation of Manethons words alleadged The Epiloge that the Iewet came not of the Egyptians An answere vnto Manethous slanders touching
that time kept silence in that he was loath to hinder them who anie wayes pretended to receiue anie fruit of the vertue of his sonne in lawe But when he found him at conuenient leisure he withdrew him apart and told him betwixt them twaine that which he ought to doe counselling him that hee should discharge himselfe of that paine concerning affaires of so little consequence and reserue onely to himselfe those affaires which were of the greatest importance and concerned the publike estate of them all For that there were diuers persons amongst the Hebrewes to bee found who would be capable and sufficient to heare and determine the pleas but touching the care of so many thousand soules no man could vndertake it except he were another Moses Knowing therefore said he thy vertue and how worthily thou hast be haued thy selfe towards the people being the Minister of God as concerning their safetie suffer them to comprimit amongst themselues those actions and quarels that fall amongst them and reserue this interest to thy selfe that thou maist wholy intend the seruice of God whereby thou maist more easily exempt the people from their present necessities If therefore thou giuest credit to my counsails in humane affaires thou shalt make diligent search and musters of thy whole army and thou shalt establish Chieftaines that shall gouerne ouer ten thousands and thousands and fiue hundreths and ouer fifties and shalt ordaine Gouernours ouer them who diuiding them by thirties twenties and tennes may conduct and gouerne them and let some be appointed amongst them who may receiue their titles according to the number and names of those he commaundeth Who being approued by the whole companie to bee of good fame and vpright conscience may censure and compound all their differences and if any controuersie shall fall out amongst any of them in authoritie they shall referre the deciding of that difficultie to thine owne person By this meanes neither shall any one of the Hebrewes be defrauded of his right and thou thy selfe seruing God without molestation maist procure God to bee more fauourable vnto thine armie This coun̄sell of Raguel highly contented Moses so that he fulfilled all that whereunto hee had suggested him not concealing the inuention of this policie neither attributing it to himselfe but declaring publikely vnto all men that his father in law was the inuenter thereof He hath likewise written in his bookes that Raguel was the authour of this gouernement accounting it no lesse honour to attribute praise to those that deserue it then shame to vsurpe vpon another mans desert so that hereby you may coniecture his vertue of which hereafter in many places we haue more to say Moses afterwards assembling all the people told them that hee would ascend the mountaine of Sinai to talke with God to the end that he might afterwardes returne vnto them and impart vnto them whatsoeuer profitable thing hee had receiued from him in their behalfe He likewise commaunded them to pitch their tents about the mountaine and to haue it in reuerence by reason of the Proximitie of God CHAP. IIII. Moses ascendeth the mountaine and receiueth the Tables of the ten Commandements at Gods hands and gaue them to the people THis said he ascended the mountaine Sinai which is the highest beyond comparison of all that countrey and which by reason of his strange height and for his steepe and vnaccessible ragged rockes is not onely vnfrequented by men but also may not be beheld by reason it trauelleth the eye Further for that it is reported that God conuerseth and dwelleth on the same it is held sacred by the inhabitants and dreadfull and vnaccessible to all that behold it But the Hebrewes according to the commandement of the Prophet remouing their tents pitched them at the foote of the hil suspending their iudgements and expecting the execution of the promises of those goods which Moses had foreprophesied vnto them at such time as he returned frō God And in the meane space while they expected their guide they kept holy day and feasted and purified themselues for the space of three daies in all sorts of purification and abstinence from the company of their wiues following that which Moses had commaunded them They besought God also that he would be fauourable and assist Moses and by his means to blesse them with some fauor that might make their life good happie They banquetted also in great pompe and their wiues and children were richly attired Now after they had feasted fortie daies space on the third day before sunne rising a cloud couered all the Hebrewes camp a thing before time vnseene by them and inuironed al the place where they pitched their pauillions And although all the rest of the countrey had a cleere and vntroubled skie yet thereabout violent winds were raised and hideously rored and a tempestuous raine succeeded them and thunderclaps dreadfull to heare and lightnings horrible to behold signified that God was there present and that Moses with good successe and for their profit had conferred with him Let those that read this iudge thereof as it shall please them but as touching my selfe it is not any waies lawfull for me to depart in any sort from that which is written in holy scriptures That which the Hebrewes both heard and saw in that it was straunge and vnaccustomed vnto them troubled them greatly Furthermore the report that was published as touching that mountaine that God repaired and dwelt on the same marueilously amated their spirits they therefore sad and pensiue contained themselues within their rents thinking that Moses was destroyed thorow the wrath of God and expecting no lesse miserie themselues But whilest they were thus troubled in thought Moses presented himselfe vnto them with a countenance full fraught with a pleasing maiestie and lookes so contented as they testified the inward consolation of his mind whom they no sooner beheld but so dainly all their feare vanished and in place thereof a hope of some great good happe succeeded and withall the ayre vpon his arriuall recouered his former cleerenesse and serenitie Hereupon he summoned the people to a solemne and generall assembly to the end he might report and they heare what commaundements God had giuen them by him no sooner were they assembled but he from an vpper place to the end that all the people might both see and heare him stood vp and spake after this manner Know saith he you Hebrewes that Almightie God as he hath neuer neglected my prayers hitherto so at this time also hath he entertained me being your truchman and messenger verie gratiously behold himselfe here in presence in your companie and propitious to your supplications readie to prouide you of meat to sustaine your bodies and order and dispose your policy to make it lasting and happie now although that you see me and that a humane tongue speaketh vnto you yet despise not my words no more then you doe his workes
and because he would not be thought rashly to haue committed his sonne to prison he caused the most noble and eminent of all Alexanders welwillers to be tortured and they confessing no such matter as he expected he put them to death Whilest thus all the court did resound with feare torments and contentions a certaine man accused Alexander to haue sent letters to his friends at Rome to entreate them to cause him to be sent for by Caesar thither that he might accuse his father of certaine conspiracies against Caesar and how he more esteemed the friendship of Mithridates king of the Parthians then the friendship of the Romans affirming also that he had poison ready prepared at Ascalon Herod hearing this was comforted by the parasites about him as hauing not done any thing rashly and so he gaue now full credite vnto all yet the poison was diligently sought for but could not be found Alexander being now oppressed with this calamitie he yet tooke courage and because he would more incite his fathers displeasure against him he did not deny it perhaps meaning to make his father ashamed of himselfe for giuing credite so easily vnto forged tales or at least if he could not effect that entangle all the court and him too in calamitie and miserie Which that he might the better doe he writ foure little bookes and sent them vnto his father telling him that it was needlesse to vse any more torments for indeed treason was intended against him and that Pheroras and his most trustie friends were herein conspirators And that in the night time Salome came secretly vnto him and as it were forced him to lie with her and that all of them aymed at this mark to haue him made away that so they might enioy their wished liberty He also accused Ptolomeus and Sapinnius of this conspiracie who were more faithful vnto the king then all others so that now these men who before were most friendly one to an other began like madde men to rage one against another and punishment so hastily pursued euerie one that they had not leisure giuen them to speake in their owne defence neither was their punishment deferred till their cause was tried and the truth knowne that some were bound and imprâ—…oned othersome presently put to death other laughed in their sleeues to see that day yet discontented for that any delay was vsed for their punishment so that the kings court was now greatly defaced with sorrow and heauinesse wherewith the wonted felicitie thereof was destroyed Herode himselfe amidst these calamities could not but be wearie of his life who not daring trust himselfe in any bodies hand he was tormented with a daily and hourely feare of some vntimely death that would befall him and many times perswaded himselfe that he did see his sonnes before him with a drawne sword ready to kill him and this was his cogitation night and day so that herewith he almost ranne madde CHAP. XII How Archelaus king of Cappadocia reconciled Alexander vnto his father WHilest Herode was thus troubled in his minde Archelaus king of Cappadocia carefull for his daughter and the young man his sonne in law and pitying his friend Herode entangled in such calamities he thought it his duetie to make a iourney vnto him And finding him so affected as it was reported vnto him before his comming he thought it an vnfit way to argue him of too much credulitie and rashnesse perceiuing that thereby he would bee rather exasperated so much the more labouring to excuse himselfe Wherefore Archelaus deuised an other way to appease these troubles Wherefore he counterfaited indignation against the young man approouing all the kings actions for good affirming that he would breake the band of wedlocke betweene his daughter and Alexander and that if she knew of the conspiracie and did not informe the king thereof himselfe would punish her Then Herode contrarie to his expectation seeing Archelaus so angry for the offence committed against him began to remit his anger and now with iust consideration waighing what he had done by little and little he began to haue a fatherly affection and to be hereby mooued to compassion yet so oft as any one sought to excuse the young man he grew to be verie angrie thereat But when Archelaus also began to accuse him then Herods hart relented and he with teares besought Archelaus not to yeeld too much to anger nor for the young mans offence breake off the marriage Then Archelaus perceiuing him to relent began to turne the matter against Herods friends as the causers of all this mischiefe who had corrupted the young man who of himselfe was voide of malice and especially he aggrauated the matter against Pheroras the kings brother Pheroras hauing now incurred the kings displeasure perceiued that none could so soone reconcile him vnto the king as Archelaus wherefore cloathed in blacke and making other signes as though he despaired of his life he went vnto him who did not denie to helpe him what he could yet he tolde him that it was no easie matter for him to pacifie the king so highly offended perswading him rather himselfe to go vnto the king his brother and craue pardon of him confessing himselfe to haue beene cause of all this mischiefe by which confession of his the kings wrath would be greatly appeased and so he also should haue better occasion to entreat for him Pheroras followed his counsell which fell out happily for them both for the young man contrarie to any ones expectation was freed from all his troubles and Archelaus made Pheroras and Herode friends and he himselfe hauing now gotten great friendship of the king in those his aduerse and troublous times of his he returned ioyfull into Cappadocia being rewarded with rich gifts and being accounted of as Herodes chiefest friend They also agreed amongst themselues that Herode should go to Rome because he had already written vnto Caesar concerning this matter and they both went togither vnto Antiochia and there Herode reconciled Titus the president of Syria vnto Archelaus and so he returned into Iudaea CHAP. XIII How the Trachonites reuolted WHilest Herode going to Rome was absent from his kingdome the Arabian wars began hereby taking an occasion The inhabitants of Trachon whose countrey Caesar taking from Zenodorus gaue it vnto Herode being forbidden and hindered from stealing were now forced to frame themselues to liue like husbandmen in more ciuilitie then before but this kinde of life pleased them not neither did their countrey yeeld fruits worth their labours yet at first Herode compelling them thereunto they abstained from iniuring the inhabitants bordering vpon them which did greatly redound vnto Herodes credite by whose diligence they were brought vnto it But when Herode was sayled into Italy to accuse Alexander and to commend Antipater vnto Caesar the Trachonites hearing a bruite of his death reuolted and turned to their accustomed robberies Yet were
Herode to this effect Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus Father of the people signifieth this that followeth Vnderstanding that the Iewes inhabitants in Alexandria and for this cause called Alexandrines haue at all times enioyed the selfesame priuiledges of the Citie which the ancient and first Alexandrines haue had Which fauors they haue obtained by the largesse of those princes that were our predecessors as it hath been plainly made knowne vnto vs as well by letters which haue been written vnto vs as by confirmed decrees and that since Alexandria hath beene annexed to our Empire by Caesar Augustus their priuiledges haue continued in force during the seuerall successions of many of our gouernours which rights of theirs haue neuer been called in question no not in that time when Aquila was gouernour in Alexandria Since in like sort Caesar Augustus hath not letted them but when the chiefetaine of their nation was dead they might establish other substitutes and gouernours in his place willing that all of them should yeeld him obedience in obseruation of their lawes and customâ—…s without constraint or impulsion to doe any thing contrarie to their religion yet notwithstanding the Alexandrines haue mutined against the Iewes being in the Citie of Alexandria in the time of the Emperour Caius by reason of the folly and frenzie of Caius who disgraced and oppressed the nation of the Iewes because they would not violate their religion nor acknowledge the said Caius for a god Our wil and pleasure is that no one of the priuiledges of the nation of the Iewes be abolished by reason of Caius frenzie but my minde is to maintaine those which heretofore haue beene giuen them to the ende they may continue and liue according to their auncient lawes and customes Commanding you and euerie one of you verie carefully to prouide that after the publication of this our ordinance they be in no sort troubled This was the tenor of that ordinance which was made in fauour of the Iewes in Alexandria But that which was generally made in fauour of those who were dispersed thorow the whole world was to this effect Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus High priest Father of the people elected Consul the second time signifieth that which ensueth Our we beloued friends the kings Agrippa and Herode haue required vs that we will permit all those Iewes that liue vnder the Roman Empire to vse the same lawes and priuiledges which they haue vsed heretofore as we haue granted to the Iewes that dwell in Alexandria Which suite of theirs we haue willingly granted not onely in fauour of those that require the same but also for that I thinke them worthy such a grace for whom I haue been intreated in regard of the fidelity and friendship they haue alwaies expressed towards the Romans My pleasure therfore is that no Citie either Grecian or otherwise shall deny any priuiledge from whence they shall be excluded for that since the Emperour Augustus time they haue neuer been exempted from them It standeth with reason therefore that henceforth the Iewes who liue vnder our Empire of what place soeuer they bee may obserue their auncient customes without any contradiction Giuing them to vnderstand that hereafter they vse our clemencie so much the more moderately without neglecting the religion of other nations in retaining their own And our wil is that this present ordinance be published by the Magistrates of Cities Colonies and countries of Italy and be sent vnto kings and forraine princes by fit embassadours within thirtie daies at the least to the end that they should be in such sort set vp that they may be seene and read by all those that passe by CHAP. V. Agrippas returne into Iudaea BY these edicts of Claudius Caesar which he sent both to Alexandria and other parts of the world it plainly appeareth how well affected he was towards the nation of the Iewes And presently after this after he had dignified Agrippa with all kinds of honour he sent him backe into his kingdome to gouerne the same commanding all his presidents and lieutenants in his prouinces thorow which he was to passe to giue him a friendly and honourable conuoy But he hauing wisely and happily dispatched his affaires returned in all haste As soone as he came to Ierusalem he offered his sacrifices of thanksgiuing which he had vowed without omitting any thing that was commanded by the law He caused also diuers Nazarites to be pould and offered in gift that chaine of gold that Caius had giuen him which was of the same weight the yron chaine was of wherewith his royall hands were manacled in memorie of the aduersitie he had past and the testimonie of the exchange thereof into better fortune commaunding that it should be hanged vp in the temple and ouer the chamber of the treasurie to testifie vnto those that should behold the same that the highest estates are subiect to alterations and that God can raise men againe from obscuritie to happy fortune For this chaine that hanged in the temple being consecrated to God manifestly expressed vnto all men that king Agrippa was vpon a verie small occasion despoiled of his former dignitie and made prisoner and then a little while after that he being deliuered from his bonds was raised and exalted to a famous kingdome To signifie thereby that humane affaires are of that nature that that which is the greatest may be easily ouerthrowne and that which is declining may recouer againe his auncient honour and dignitie When as therfore Agrippa had duely and deuoutly acknowledged Gods mercies he deposed the hie priest Theophilus the son of Ananus and bestowed that honour on Simon surnamed Canthara the son of Boëthus This Simon had two brothers Boëthus was their father whose daughter had bin married to king Herod as heretofore it hath bin spoken Simon held the priesthood with his brethren and his father in such sort as before time the three sons of Simon hie priest son of Onias had done during the Empire of the Macedonians as we haue declared in our former bookes After the king had giuen order for the priesthood he thought good to recompence the good affection that they of Ierusalem had borne vnto him for which cause he acquited them of those tributes that euerie family paied knowing well that it became him to shew kindnesse vnto them who had been faithfull and wel affected towards him He created Silas who had been his companion in many dangers generall of all his army Not long after certaine young men that were Dorites vnder the colour of constancie in case of religion who also had daily expressed in their actions an vnbridled rashnesse brought the image of Caesar into the temple of the Iewes and erected it in that place which insolence of theirs highly offended Agrippa who construed it as an act that tended to the abolition of the religion of their countrey for which cause with all expedition he
kingdome and railed against such as he had no power ouer Antipater increased this mischiefe more and more and gathering togither a great company of his friends he omitted no kind of calumniation The king likewise was terrified by the rumours tales of pickthanks that he thought alwaies that he saw Alexander before him with a drawen sword For which cause he sodainly tooke him and cast him in prison and tortured his friends many of which died in torments because they would not confesse more then in conscience was true others not able to endure the torments were forced to confesse that Alexander and his brother Aristobulus thought to haue wrought treason against their father that they expected their time till he went a hunting resolued in themselues that hauing killed him they would presently flie to Rome Although these and such like calumniations were nowaies probable yet extremitie of paine forced men extempore to inuent them and the king willingly beleeued them as it were comforting himselfe thereby in that he might not be thought to haue imprisoned his sonne vn◅stly Alexander perceluing that it was vnpossible for him to abolish his fathers suspition thought it better to yeeld hi◅selfe guiltio and so wrote foure bookes against his aduersaries and confessed the treason affirming that he had many partakers therein namely Pheroras Salome who were the chiefe auouching that before that time he had had the vse of her body in the night time and how though he himselfe was vnwilling yet she forced him thereunto Now the bookes came vnto Herods hands which charged the greatest amongst the nobilitie with most hainous matters Archelaus fearing his son in law and daughter to be in great danger speedily came into Iudaea and ingeniously appeased the kings wrath for so soone as he came vnto Herod he cried where is that wicked son in law of mine or where may I see the face of that wre◅h that goeth about to murther his father that I may teare him in peeces with mine own hands marrie my daughter anew to a better husband for although she be not priuie to his cou◅sell yet is she defiled for that she was wife to such a man Nay I admire thy patience who art in such daunger and sufferest Alexander yet to liue for I came thus hastily out of Cappadocia thinking he had beene put to death to talke with thee concerning my daughter whom I maried to him for thy sake and honour Wherefore now let vs take counsell what to do with them both and seeing thouart too father like and not able to punish thy sonne thy ◅echerous sonne let vs chaunge roumes and let me be in t◅y place to reuenge thee with such like inuections he deceiued Herode though otherwise firme in his purpose Then Herode shewed him the bookes that Alexander had writ and reading euery chapter with deliberation Archelaus tooke occasion fit for his purpose and by little and little laid al the fault on Pheroras and those that were accused in the booke And perceiuing the king to giue eare vnto him let vs quoth he consider whether the young man was not circumuented by the trechery of so many lewde persens and not thou by the yong man for there appeares no cause why he should fall into such wickednes who now enioyed the kingdome and hoped to succeed thee therein had he not beene perswaded thereto by other men who seeing him a young man entised him vnto such naughtines For we see that through such men not onely young men but also olde men and most noble families yea and whole kingdomes are ruinated Herode vpon these speeches began somewhat to relent so that he appeased his wrath toward Alexāder encreased it towards Pheroras for he was as it were the subiect of the whole booke Who perceiuing the king so to trust vnto Archelaus friendship that he was lead by him to do what he pleased leauing Alexander he in humble manner came to Archelaus seeking impudently for succour at his hands of whom he had not deserued any fauour Archelaus answered him that he knew no waies to obtaine his pardon who was guiltie of so hainous crimes and conuicted manifestly to haue practised high treason against the kings owne person and to be the cause of all these miseries that had now befallen the young man except that he would lay aside all subtle dealing and denying of his fact and confesse the crimes wherof he was accused and so in humble wise go vnto his brother who loued him dearely and craue pardon promising him that if he would so do he would do him what good he could Hereupon Pheroras obeyed Archelaus his counsell and putting on a blacke attire he in pitifull maner and with teares prostrated himselfe at Herodes feete and crauing pardon obtained it confessing himselfe to be a most wicked and vile person and to be guiltie of al that which was obiected against him and that the cause which moued him to do al those things was the franticke and madde fits he fell into for the loue of that woman Now when Pheroras became his owne accuser a witnesse against himselfe then Archelaus endeuored to mitigate Herodes wrath towards him and excuse his faultes with fit examples for he alleaged that his brother attempted greater matters against him whom notwithstanding for natures cause he pardoned adding that in euery kingdome as in mightie bodies alwaies some part began to swell which notwithstanding was not presently to be cut off but to be cured by easie means Archelaus vsing many speeches vnto Herod to this purpose at last quite appeased his wrath toward Pheroras still counterfaiting himselfe to be angrie with Alexander affirming that he would take his daughter away with him till at last he forced Herode of his owne accord to entreat for the yong man requesting him again to despouse his daughter vnto him Archelaus after much entreatie answered that he was willing the king should bestow his daughter vpō any saue Alexander for he greatly esteemed the law of affinity Herod replied that if he did not diuorce his daughter from Alexander he should thinke that he bestowed his sonne vpon him for they had no children and his daughter was dearely loued of the young man so that if he would permit her to stay still there for her sake he would pardon all Alexanders offences Heereto Archelaus with much ado agreed and so was reconciled vnto his sonne in law and he vnto his father Yet Herode affirmed that he must needs be sent to Rome to speake with Caesar for he had written the whole matter vnto Caesar. Thus Archelaus craftily deliuered his sonne in law from daunger and after this reconciliation was made they spent the time in feasting and mirth Vpon Archelaus departure Herode gaue him seuentie talents and a throne of pure gold adorned with precious stones and Eunuches and a concubine named Pannychis and rewarded euery one of his
of the Iewes THE THIRD BOOKE OF THE WARRES OF THE IEWES WRITTEN BY FLAVIVS IOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the 3. booke 1 Of the comming of Vespasian generall of the Romans into Iudaea and of the two massacres of the Iewes and how the Sephorites yeelded themselues to Vespasian 2 The description of Galilee Samaria and Iudaea 3 Of the helpe sent v◅to them of Sepphoris and of the militarie discipline amongst the Romans 4 How Placidus assaulted Iotapata 5 How Vespasian inuaded Galilaea and at his onely presence how the Galileans fled 6 How Gadara was taken 7 How Iotapata was besieged and of the situation and batterie thereof 8 Of the siege of Iotapata by Vespasian and of Iosephs diligence and of the excursions of the Iewes against the Romans 9 How Vespasian did beate the wals of Iotapata with a Ram and other warlike engines 10 How Iotapata was againe assaulted 11 How Traian and Titus tooke Iapha 12 How Cerealis ouercame the Samaritans 13 How Iotapata was taken 14 How Ioseph being taken saued his owne life 15 How Ioppe was taken againe 16 How Tyberias was yeelded 17 How Tarichea was besieged 18 Of the lake called Genesar and the fountaines of Iordan 19 How Tarichea was deliuered CHAP. I. Of Vespasians comming into Iudaea and of the two massacres of the Iewes AFTER that Nero vnderstood of his euill successe against the Iewes he was seazed with feare and astonishment yet he dissembled it as much as necessitie would permit him In the meane while he set a good face on the matter and made as though he were of more courage saying that that which happened was rather by the fault of his generall then by the valour of their aduersaries thinking that it behooued him who was emperour not to shew himselfe mooued with a little bad newes and the greatnesse of his Empire shewed he had a mind which yeelded to no misfortune Yet it appeared by the vexation of his spirit that he was much moued in great care vnto whom he should cōmit the charge of the East which rebelled who both would conquer the Iewes and chastife the inhabitants about them that bare the same minde as they did At last he found Vespasian whom he thought only meet for that purpose a man who from his infancie had been trained vp in warres euen vntill he was gray headed who had appeased the people of the West helped them being troubled by the Germans and recouered it for the Romans as also he did Britannie which was vnknowne before and for that cause made his father Claudius triumph without taking any paines for it Nero considered all these and his prudence grounded in olde age with his experience who also had sonnes in the flower of their age to be pledges for his fidelitie that represented their fathers wisedome God as it should seeme euen then disposing something of the whole common wealth Nero sent him to gouerne the armies in Syria greatly encouraging him with faire speeches and promises as at that time neede required Thus he departed out of Achaia where he was with Nero and he commanded Titus his son to leade the fift and tenth legions from Alexandria and he himselfe crossing ouer to Hellespont went after by land into Syria where he assembled all the Roman forces and all the helpe of the kings adioyning that were confederates But the Iewes after Cestius vnfortunate successe became proud of their victorie and could not containe themselues but like men tossed at fortunes pleasure they still gaue more occasion of warre and gathering all their warlike forces togither they went to Ascalon which is an olde Citie seuen hundreth and twentie furlongs distant from Ierusalem which the Iewes alwaies hated for which cause also they first assaulted it The Gouernors in this expedition were three men excellent aboue the rest for strength and wisedome to wit Niger of Peraea Silas the Babylonian and Iohn the Essean Now the Citie of Ascalon had verie strong wals but few men to defend it for it had onely one company of footmen and one band of horsemen whom Antonius gouerned The Iewes made such haste as though they had dwelt hard by Antonius perswading himselfe that they would assault him caused his horsmen to i◅ue foorth of the Citie and neither fearing the multitude nor the malice of his aduersaries he valiantly aboad the first assault of the enemies and beate them backe that attempted to assault the wall So the Iewes who were vnkilfull hauing to doe with them that were expert and they being on foote fighting against horsemen without order against those that were in good order being light◅y armed against their aduersaries who were well prouided were easily repulsed Finally they were more led by rage and wrath then by good counsell and they against whom they fo◅ght were obedient and would doe nothing without the commandement of their leader For their first rankes being broken they were forced by the horsemen to turne their backs and turning themselues to their owne companie who turned toward the wall became as it were enemies to themselues So that euerie one seeking to auoide the horsemen they were all dispersed about the field which was in euerie place for the aduantage of the horsemen This greatly helped the Romans to kill so many Iewes for they that fled were easily ouertaken by the Romans and killed and others compassing diuers of the Iewes about slew them with dartes so that the Iewes were in as great desperation for all their huge multitude as if they had been alone The Iewes indeuouring to ouercome their misfortunes were ashamed to flie and so fled not hastily hoping that fortune would change But the Romans not wearied in that which they did with great dexteritie continued the fight the most part of the day so that there were slaine of the Iewes ten thousand and two of their leaders Iohn and Silas The rest many being wounded followed their Generall Niger who fled into a little towne of Idumaea named Salis many of the Romans also were wounded in that fight But the Iewes were not daunted with this misfortune but the griefe thereof much encreased their courage neither were they dismaied with the former losse of so many men within so short time but rather calling to minde their great victorie they had before were drawne to vndergo yet another mishap Shortly after before the mens wounds were healed they gathered togither all their forces and went againe to Ascalon in greater number and furie but with the same successe and skill in warlike affaires which they had before For Antonius hauing warning which way they meant to come placed an ambush in the waye and the horsemen setting vpon them at vnawares they killed aboue eight thousand of them before they could prepare themselues to fight and all the rest fled and Niger with them shewing as he fled many arguments of a valiant minde and for that the enemies
were dead in all the citie 600000. poore folks which were cast out of the gates the others that died were innumerable that when so many died that they were not able to burie thē that then they gathered their bodies togither in the greatest houses adioyning and there shut them vp And that a bushel of corn was solde for a talent which is six hundreth crowns and that after the Citie was compassed with a wal that now they could not go out to gather any more hearbs many were driuen to that necessitie that they raked sinkes and priuies to finde olde dung of Oxen to eate and so the dung that was loathsome to behold was their meate The Romans hearing this were mooued to compassion yet the seditious within the Citie who beheld this miserable sight were nothing mooued nor repented not but suffered them to be brought to that calamitie for their hearts were so blinded by the prouidence of God that they could not see what hanged ouer their heads and ouer the Citie THE SEVENTH BOOKE OF THE WARRES OF THE IEWES WRITTEN BY FLAVIVS IOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the 7. booke 1 Of the breach made in the wals how the mounts were fired how Sabinus assaulted the wal 2 How the Romans assaulted Anto◅a and were ◅pulsed by the Iewes 3 Of the exceeding valour of Iulian a Roman souldier 4 Iosephs speech perswading the Iewes to yeeld their Citie and how the Iewes fled vnto the Romans 5 Of another battaile the Rampiers being againe builded and of the excursions of the Iewes 6 How the Romans were by the deuice of the Iewes consumed with fire 7 Of the famine amongst the Iewes 8 Of a woman that for hunger did seethe her own sonne 9 How the wall was taken and the Temple burnt 10 How the Temple was set on fire against Titus his will 11 Of the Priests the treasure house and the porch 12 Of the signes and tokens which appeared before the destruction of the Citie 13 Of Titus his rule and gouernment and how the priests were staine 14 Of the pray of the seditious and the burning of the inner part of the Citie 15 How the higher part of the Citie was assaulted and how some of the Iewes fled vnto Titus 16 How the rest of the Citie was taken 17 Of the number of the captiues and them that were slaine 18 A briefe histor◅e of the Citie of Ierusalem 19 How the souldiers were rewarded 20 Of Vespasians sailing how Simon was taken of the spectacles shewes made vpon Vespasian birth-day 21 Of the calamitie of the Iewes amongst the Antiochians 22 How Vespasian at his returne was receiued by the Romans 23 Of Domitians actes against the Germans and Frenchmen 24 Of the riuer Sabbaticus and of the famous triumph of Vespasian and Titus 25 How Herodium and Machaera were taken by Bassus 26 Of the Iewes that were slaine by Bassus and how Iudaea was sold. 27 Of the death of King Antiochus and how the Alans brake into Armenia 28 How Massada the strongest Castle of all was taken and destroyed 29 Of the death of the Sicarians that fled into Alexandria and Thebes 30 How the Temple which Onias built at Alexandria was shut vp 31 Of the Massacre of the Iewes at Cyrene CHAP. I. Of the breach made in the wals and how the mounts were burned and how Sabinus assaulted the wall THE miserie of Ierusalem euery day encreased the seditious being by reason of their miserie more more incited against the people for now the famine was not only amongst the people but amongst them also And it was a miserable sight to see the multitude of dead bodies heaped togither in the Citie from which came a pestilent infectious smel so that it hindred the soldiers from making excursions For they were forced to tread vpon dead bodies as though they were to march along a field couered with dead carcasses Hauing now embrued their hands in the bloud of their countrimen they prepared to resist and fight with their enemies and as it seemeth to me hereby vpbraiding God in that he so deferred to punish them For the greatest part of them did now fight more earnestly then before not for hope of safetie but as despairing of all The Romans though much troubled to get wood to build withall yet did they in one and twentie daies finish their mounts hauing cut downe all the woods neere the citie by nintie furlongs It was miserable to behold that countrey and place before all beset with trees and fertile plants now to lie plaine like a desart all cut downe neither was there any straunger that before time had seene Iudaea and the beautifull suburbs of Ierusalem who now beholding it could abstaine from teares or not lament the woful change so farre different from the former For now this warre extinguished vtterly all signes of beauty neither could one comming sodainly now know the place which he well knew before When the mounts were ended both the Romans and the Iewes greatly feared the Iewes for that except they were destroyed their citie would be presently taken the Romans for that if these were ouerthrowne they knew not how to erect more wanting matter and now their bodies were wearied with labour and their minds with many griefes and molestations But the Romans were more grieued at the calamitie of the citie then the citizens within for the Iewes notwithstanding these miseries did neuerthelesse stoutly defend their wals but the courages of the Romans failed whē they saw that the Iewes policy made their mounts vnprofitable that the strength of the wals resisted their engines that the Iewes boldnesse ouercame their strength in sight and especially seeing that the Iewes hauing endured such calamitie famine and miserie were still more couragious then before so that they deemed their strength not to be ouercome and that their minds were inuincible who were hardened and encouraged by miserie For who were able to abide their forces in prosperitie who by aduersitie were incited to vertue Wherefore the Romans made a stronger watch about their mounts But Iohns followers who were in the Castle Antonia fearing what might ensue if the wall were battered preuented it in what they could before the Rams were set vp and taking firebrands in their hands they assaulted the mount but deceiued with a vaine hope they retired themselues For first of all they seemed to disagree amongst themselues so that they came from their wals one after another and some space betweene euery one so that they came softly and fearefully and briefely not after the manner of the Iewes for they wanted courage rashnes and a flocking togither at once which is proper vnto all that nation and so came more soberly and with lesse courage then they were wont They did also finde the Romans more couragious then of late who so defended their mounts with their bodies and weapons that it was not
by many ages For our lawes established amongst vs haue beene imitated of all other nations For though the first Greekes did colourably obserue lawes yet all their Philosophers did imitate ours and our opinions of God and in humilitie taught others communion of life and conuersation yea the common people did long since imitate our pietie neither is there any nation either Greekes or Barbarians who haue not after some manner obserued a Sabaoth as we do and fasting daies and candlestickes with light all which they learned of vs yea many do also obserue our customes concerning their meats and our vnitie and concord wherein we excell all other nations our communitie also and industrie in arts and labours and sufferance for our lawes And which is most to be admired our law not hauing any to force vs to obserue it hath so obliged our hearts that as God is of all the world honoured without compulsion so are our lawes amongst vs all we not forced therevnto And whosoeuer doth diligently consider his owne nation and family shall find that which I haue reported to be true I will now generally reprehend the voluntarie malice of all men for either they meane that we hauing these good lawes do yet little esteeme them and follow worse or if they do not so meane let theÌ„ hold their malitious tongue from any further calumniatiation For I doe not take vpon me the defence of this cause for that I beare any hatred to any man but for that I and all Iewes do honour and reuerence our lawmaker and beleeue that whatsoeuer he prophecied proceeded from God yea although our selues did not know the goodnesse of our lawes yet the multitude of them that imitate them were a sufficient motiue to enduce vs thereunto But I haue at large and with all sinceritie discoursed our lawes and commonwealth in my bookes of our antiquitie And I now againe haue made mention of them neither in contumely of other nations nor in praise of our own but only to reproue such as haue most maliciously and impudently belied vs contrarie to the knowne truth And I thinke I haue alreadie fully performed thâ—… which I promised For I haue shewed our nation contrarie to their affirmations to be most ancient which I haue proued by the testimonie of many ancient writers who in their works haue mentioned vs. Our aduersaries affirme vs to haue come of Aegyptians I haue shewed that our forefathers came into Aegypt out of some other place They alledge that we were expelled Aegypt for their miserie in that they were infected with disease I haue proued that they came from thence to their owne countrey by meanes of their owne prowesse and force of their owne accord Others labour to defame our lawmaker as a wicked person whose vertue many of ancient times so long time as hath beene since him do witnesse It is not needful to speake more largely of our lawes for they by themselues appeare pious and good such as do not inuite or incite vs to the hatred of other nations but rather to communion and friendshp being both enemies to iniquitie and commaunders of iustice banishers of luxuriousnes and teachers of frugalitie and labour forbidding all wars enterprised for auarice and preparing the people to shew fortitude in them and for them inflicting ineuitable punishment vpon their transgressors not easily to be deceiued by gloasings speeches and executing in action all that they in word commaund yea amongst vs the execution of them obseruation is more readie then the words of them I therefore confidently affirme that we do teach more pious and vertuous manners then other nations doe For what can be better then inuiolate pietie What more iust then to obey the law what more profitable and commodious then to be at vnitie and peace amongst ourselues and neither to forsake one another in calamity nor iniurie one another in prosperitie to contemne and dispise death in time of warre and in peace to labour and till our grounds to vse other arts and works and alwaies to thinke and beleeue that God beholdeth all our actions and ruleth and disposeth all things If this be either written or reserued by any one before this time we are then to thanke them as being their schollers but if they are knowne neuer before to haue beene extant then we are knowne to be the first authors and inuentors of it Let therefore all Apions and Moions go and all others that with them are conuicted of lying and slaundering And this bookeis written to the Epaphroditus who louest the truth and to others who by thee wil or are desirous to know the same DESIDERIVS ERASMVS ROTERODAMVS TO THE MOST VERTVOVS AND LEARNED FATHER HELIAS MARCEVS THE MACHABAETAN RVLER OF THE RENOWMED COLLEDGE OF THE MACHABAES I Haue not grudged vertuous Father to dedicate vnto thee a dayes labour wherein I haue perused and what in me lyeth amended the booke which Ioseph writ of the seuen Machabees brethren And would it had lyen in my power more aboundantly to haue answered your expectation I haue now for that I counted the Greeke copie by the Latine coniectured the Greeke and altered some things yet but verie few Ioseph doth not falfely boast himselfe to haue attained to the excellencie of the Greeke tongue and this booke will sufficiently witnesse the same wherein he shewed both great vanitie and Emphasis in so much as hee seemeth to haue handled that famous worke with eloquent stile and ornament of discourse Saint Ierome for this cause entitleth this booke great eloquence Suidas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 out of them both wee amend the corrupted title cal it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is of the rule of reason for the scope of this booke tendeth all to proue that reason is of no force in man except it beare soueraigntie ouer all our inordinate appetites This is most euidently proued by the bookes of the Machabees in the Scripture which books the Iewes doe not receiue as Canonicall yet doe they account it amongst their sacred writ I cannot but congratulate this worthy Colledge which though famous for many other things yet is more happie for that it is so blessed as to inioy so worthie and vnspeakable a treasure Or rather all Colonia Agrippina that happie and fortunate Citie yet in nothing more happie then for that it alone doth in her bosome shrine so many so sacred and excellent pledges of pietie yet should it be more happie if it could expresse their vertues whose sacred reliques it so religiously keepeth and imitate their manners whose bodies it possesseth to wit if in sinceritie of religion it imitated the pietie of three Kings and the sacred puritie of the eleuen Virgins if it resembled the most valiant yong men the Machabes and the inuincible courage of that woman whose valorous constancie no miserie could conquer And this best portion and part of her felicitie this worthie Citie might bestow vpon
presence d. accused by Eutichus 474 h m. 475. a. b. imprisoned ibid. hateth Tiberius 618. h. getteth Caius friendship ibid. his happy fortune foretold 476. g. h. certified of Tiberius death 498. g. departeth to his kingdome ibid. l. his request of Caius 482. i. his speech to the Senate 504. h. 619. f 620. g. hangeth vp his golden chaine 507. d. his acts 509. a b c c. 510. 511. c. saluted for a God 510. in his death 511. c. 610 k. his children ibid. d. Agrippas request to the Empresse 5 ac m. obtaineth Philips tetrarchie 52â—… a. getteth a portion of Galilee 522. g. deposeth Ioseph 524. i inlargeth the citie of Caesarea 525. a. his kindnes to the Berytians c. f 525. b. c. his Epistles to Ioseph 550 m. Agrippa excuseth Caesar c 628. h. his oration 627. c. 628. 629. 630. driuen out of the citie 631. b. And that came to the Romans 6 7 c f. Aid of the Idumaeans 677. a b c. Ainan or Aitaken and burnt 103. e. f. Ainites discomfit three thousand Israelites and slew 36. 103. a. after put to flight and slaine by Iosuah ibid. c. Aire temperate 688 i. Albirius gouernour of Iudaea 524 i. full of wickednes 623. d. pacifieth the countrey 524. l. executeth malefactors 525. c. Alcimus high Priest 313. accuseth Iudas and his brethren ibid. c. his popularitie 314. g h. killeth of all Iudas faction ibid. h. dieth sodainly 315. d. Alexander Polyhistor 19. c. Alexander King of Macedonia 284. i. ouerthroweth Darius armie ibid. subdueth Darius 285. a. marcheth toward Ierusalem ibid. e f. honourably receiued by the high Priest and the rest 2â—…5 f. 286. g. his sacrifice in the temple ibid. h. i. adoreth the high Priest 286. g. his death and successors 287 e f. Alexander warreth against Demetrius 320. g. laboureth to win Ionathan ibid. l m. slaieth Demetrius 321. f. marieth Ptolomies daughter 323. d. sendeth presents to Ionathan 325 a. discomfited and slaine 326 g. Alexander Zebina obtaineth the kingdome 337. b. slaine ibi b. Alexander king of the Iewes 341. a. 563. a. besiegeth Ptolemais ibid. c. his ouerthrow 342. k. besiegeth Gaza 343. c. sedition raised against him 563. c. 344 h. ouercome ibid l. 563. f. citions cast at him 341. h. crucifieth 800. Iewes 345. a. 564. b. his sicknes and aduise to his wife 346. i k l. 564. l. his death and funerall 347. a b. Alexander sonne of Aristobulus 356. i. ouercome ibid. l. 668. l. beheaded 359. b. Alexander Herodes sonne 413. b. marrieth Glaphyra ibidem his defence 418. k. 419. a b c c. reconciled to his father 419. e. 427. f. bribeth the Eunuches 593. b. imprisoned 427 a. 593. b. accused of treason ibid. 431. g h c. writeth bookes 593. c. condemned 434. h. 596. m. strangled 435. c. 597. d. false Alexander c. 460 g. 613. d. condemned to tug at an oare 460. g. 614. f. g. Alexander exerciseth crueltie 261. d. Alexandra gouerneth the kingdome 347. f. imprisoneth Aristobulus wife and children 564. l. committeth charge to the Iewes 348. g. her embassage to Tigranes 348. h. her death ibid. 565. d. Alexandra solliciteth Antonius and why 384. h. excuseth her selfe ibid. suspected by Herode c. 385. b. pretending to flie is betraied ibid. c. certifieth Cleopatra of Herodes trechery 387. b. striueth to acquit her selfe 398 m 399. a. seeketh to get Herods castles 399 c. put to death 400. g. Alexas marrieth Salome 437. c. dismisseth the Nobles 450. m. Alliance of Abraham with his wife 16. l. of lacob with Laban 23. c. 25. f. of Saul and Ionathan with Dauid 145. b of Iuda with the Israelites 241. d. Allowance of Micheas 221. f. Allusion of Ionathan 147. f. Alacritie of the Romans 702. m. Alleageance renounced 748. l. Altar of incense 63. b. Altars of Idolators to be destroyed 90. h. one Altar to be erected c. and why 90. l. Altar builded by Iosuah 102. g. Altar erected by the two tribes and halfe 107. c. why 108. i. Altar of gold and of brasse where placed 198. g. h. Altar in Bethel 207. claue in twaine ibid f. Altar erected by Dauid 185. b. Amalechites warre against the Israelites 56. gh ouercome by the Israelites 57. b c spoiled and their vtter ruine foretold ibid d 98. g. ouercome the Israelites 115. f. are destroyed 139. b c. d. burne Siceleg 157. a. Aman honoured by all but the Iewes 278. h i. his petition for the Iewes ruine ibid. k. his hatred against Mardoche 282. k. his trecherie discouered 281. e f. iudged to the gallowes ibid f. his goods bestowed on Mardoche 282. g. Amarames Moses father see Amram Amasias king of Iuda 236. h. reuengeth his fathers death 237. c. ouercommeth the Amalechites ibid. c d. reproued and why 237. d e. commaundeth Ioas to yeelde him homage ibi f. his armie flies and he taken prisoner 283. g. is slaine ibid. h. Amaza slaine 181. c. Amazement of the seditious 743. a b. Ambition 162. h. of Adonias 185. i. of Iohn 685 a. of Eleazar 697. c. f. An Ambush laid for the Ainites 103. e. Abushes of Saul for Dauid 144. g h c. 145. d e f. 146. g. h. of Adad for Ioram 227. a. Ammon Lots sonne 16. h. Amnon deflowreth Thamar 172. i k. Ammonites oppresse the Israelites 119. b c. and are ouercome ibid. f. iniute Dauids Embassadours 168. k. reuenge wrought on them 169. b c d. warre against Iosaphat 223. e. kill one another 224. h. Amorites ouercome 82. l. their countrey possessed by the Hebrewes 83. b. Amos a wicked King 248. i. is slaine ibid. Amphitheater built by Herode 401. c. 406. h. Amram Moses father 41. m. praieth to God 42. g. casteth Moses into the riuer 42. k l. and why ibid. Amri King of Israel 214. g. slew Thaman ibid. his impictie and death ibid. Ananias death 633. a. Ananus high Priest 524 i. had fiue sons his successors ibid. Ananias high Priest 524. l. Ananias high priest slaine 722. i. Ananus stoneth Iames 524. k. Ananus gouernor of Ierusalem 639. d. his iruectiue against the Zealous 674. h. disposeth this soldiers c. 675 c d. slain 680. l. Ananus a cruel souldier 722. k. Achimelech entertaineth Dauid 148. g h. deliuereth him Goliahs sword ibid. h. accused to Saul 149. a. and slaine ibid. c. Ancestors conceale not honest things 〈◊〉 h. Angels guarded Elizeus 227. c. Angels i. sonnes of God c. 6. k. Angell resisteth Balaam 84. g. Angels promise Abraham a sonne 13. d. e. enter Lots house ibid. f. foretell the destruction of Sodome 15. e. Angell appeared to Agar 14. m. 17. b c d. to Iacob 22. k. l. 26. g h i k. to Manoach his wife 120. m. foretelleth hir Sampsons birth ibid. m. worketh a miracle 121. c. 227. c. Angersee wrath Anilaeus receiueth charge from Artabanus 485. c d. killeth a noble man 486. h. reproued and accused ibid. h i. taketh Mithridates prisoner 487. a Anna