certified him by the Prophet That during his life-time the punishment of his Race should be deferred because he had repented him of his misdeeds but that K the threats and menaces should take effect in his sons time CHAP. VIII Adad King of Damascus and Syria fighteth two several Battels with Achab and is overthrown by him WHilest Achabs affairs were after this manner disposed 1 Kings 20. 1 ad 〈◊〉 the son of Adad that reigned over the Syrians Adab's War against Achab. and those of Damascus assembled the Forces of his whole Countrey and associated with him two and thirty other Kings with whom he came and made War against Achab. Who being far inferior to him in power came not into the L open field to bid him battel but closing up his Soldiers in his strongest Cities he himself retired into Samaria which was begirt with a very strong wall and very hard to be taken For which cause the Syrian taking his Army with him came to Samaria and encamping before it The Syrianâ— intended to batter the City But first of all he sent a Herald to Achab Embassage to Achab. to require him to give audience to his Ambassadors which he would send unto him by whom he should be certified what his resolution was As soon as the King of Israel had granted them free access the Ambassadors came and according to the Kings directions required that Achabs goods his children and wife should be at Adads command which if he would yield to and suffer him to take so many as he pleased he would raise the siege and batter the City no more Achab gave the Ambassadors order M to certifie the King of Syria that both himself and all whatsoever was his was at his command Upon which answer the King sent a second message unto Achab enjoining him the next day to admit such of his servants as he should send unto him to search his Royal Palace and the houses of his friends and kinsmen and take from thence that which they liked best Achab amazed at this second Embassage of the King of Syria assembled his People and let them know that he was ready to deliver up into the Enemies hands his wives and children for their safety and repose and to abandon all that likewise which was in his possession for the Syrian had demanded no less at his hands in his first Embassage But that now he required that his Servants might be admitted to ransack all their houses N to the end they may leave nothing therein that was of any value making it hereby appear to the World that he had no intent to make Peace since that after the Syrian was sensible that Achabs tenderness for his Subjects security had prevail'd so far with him as to grant him whatsoever belonged peculiarly to himself he sought nevertheless an occasion of a breach by demanding liberty to seize upon their Proprieties notwithstanding that he would do whatsoever they should think good of To this the People answer'd That they could not endure that any of his demands should be listened unto or respected but that the King should prepare for War Whereupon he called for the Ambassadors and dismissed them with this answer Ver. 10 11. That they should report unto their Master that Achab agreed unto those things which were required His answer to the Lâ—gatâ—s because he desired the happiness of his Subjects but O touching his second demand that he would no wayes condescend thereunto and thus sent he them away When Adad heard this answer he was moved and sent unto Achab the third time threatning him That his Soldiers should make a bulwark higher than the walls he so much trusted in yea The year of the World 340. before Christ's Nativity 924. though only each of them should bring but an handful of earth with A them which boast he used to terrifie him and to express thereby how great a multitude of Men he had to oppose against him But Achab answered That he ought not to glory in his Army but in those actions that should determine the War When the Ambassadors were returned back they found the King at Dinner with two and thirty Kings his Allies to whom they made report of Achabs answer Hereupon Adad gave commandment to begirt the City with Palisadoes Ver. 12. and to raise bulwarks of earth Adads confidence in his Soldiers and to streighten the siege Whil'st these things were in hand Achab was grievously troubled and all the People with him but at length he grew confident and cast off all his fear through the arrival of a certain Prophet who said unto him That God promised to deliver all those thousands of Soldiers and his Enemies which he beheld into his hands The same Prophet B being afterwards asked By whose means this victory might be gained He said That it should be by the Sons of the Governors whom the King himself should lead forth Achab therefore calling unto him the Governors Sons found that their number amounted to 232 and having notice that the Syrians intended nought else but pleasure and banquetting V. 13 14 c. he opened the City-gates The Israelites God promiseth victory against the Syrians and sent these young Men out against them Now when the Centinels of the adverse part had discovered them they certified Adad thereof who sent out certain Soldiers against them commanding them That if they were come out in warlike sort to bid the Battel they should bring them unto him fast bound and if they came in peace they should do the like Now Achab had within the City ranged another Army and kept them in a readiness When therefore the young men had charged the Syrian guard and slain C a great number of them and had pursued the rest even unto their own Camp Achab spying his present victory and advantage caused his whole Army to sally forth who giving an unexpected charge upon the enemies Ver. 20 21 discomfited the Syrians who little expected such a stratagem from the Hebrews and assailed them disarmed and drunken Achab's victory against the Syrians so that they left both armor and weapons behind them and fled from their Camp and their King likewise was so hotly pursued that he scarcely had opportunity to save himself by the swiftness of his Horse Achab made a long chase in following the Syrians and slaughtering them that fled he spoiled their Camp likewise and carried thence great riches and an huge quantity of gold and silver He took Adabs Chariots and Horses also and with them returned back into the City D But whereas by the advice of the said Prophet he was persuaded to prepare and keep an Army in readiness against the next year for that the Syrians were resolved to assault him again the King omitted no preparation that concerned the War For Adad being escaped from the fight with those few Forces
consequently might easily be wrought upon with it Whereupon I said unto him if thou wilt drink with me thou shalt have a drachm for every glass thou drinkest To this the Soldier listned willingly and having drunk good store of Wine to get the more Money he became drunk so that he was unable any longer to conceal his secrets but of his own accord he declared the Treason that was prepared and how the sentence of death was given by them against me Joseph's policy Which when I understood I answer'd them to this effect Joseph's answer to Jonathan Joseph to Jonathan and those that accompany him Health I am F very glad to hear that you are arrived in Galilee in good health especially because I may now deliver into your hands the government of the affairs thereof to the end according as I have long time desired I may return into my Countrey I am willing not only to come to you at Xallon but to any further place also though you should not send for me But you will please to pardon me though I come not at this present for I am now at Chabalon to attend Placidus who pretendeth to invade Galilee Resort you therefore unto me after you shall have read these my Letters Farewel After I had written this answer and deliver'd it to the Soldier to carry it to them I sent with him thirty of my most approved Friends of Galilee commanding them to salute the Deputies without any further speech of any business whatsoever I assigned also to G each of these one of my most resolute and best Soldiers to watch carefully if any of those I sent should confer with Jonathan's Men. They therefore set forward on their way and Jonathan and the other seeing their first purpose failed them they sent me another Letter to this effect Jonathan's Message and Letter to Joseph Jonathan and his Company to Joseph Health We command you that H within three dayes you make your appearance before us without any of your Soldiers in the Borough of Gadara to the end we may take cognisance of the Crimes whereof you have accused John As soon as they had written this and received those Galileans whom I had sent they went to Japha which is the greatest Town of Galilee fenced with strong Walls and peopled with many Inhabitants The People of that City with their Wives and Children The Ambassadors of Jerusalem coldly entertained in Galilee came forth to meet them exclaiming against them with loud cryes and charging them to return back and not to deprive them of the good Governor they had Jonathan and his Companions though displeas'd with these words yet durst not make any open shew of their displeasure but without returning them any answer they resorted to other Towns where they met with no less peremptory Exclamations from the Multitude I who protested plainly that they would have no other Governor but Joseph Whereupon Jonathan with his Followers departed without any further speech and went to Sephoris the greatest City of Galilee The Inhabitants thereof being affected to the Romans went forth to meet them but they said nothing at all concerning me Departing from Sephoris they went to Asochim where the Citizens sung the same Song that the Japheans did Whereupon they being unable to contain their displeasure commanded their Soldiers to beat with their Truncheons those that exclaimed against them and desir'd me for their Governor And when they drew near Gabara John came out to meet them accompanied with 3000 Soldiers and I having intelligence by their Letters that they were resolved to make War against me departed from Chabalon accompanied with 3000 Soldiers and K having committed the Camp to the charge of one of my trustiest Friends I went to Jotapata because I would be within forty stades of them and sent them this Letter If your will be that I must needs come unto you Joseph writeth again to them there are in Galilee two hundred and four Cities and Boroughs I will meet you in any one of them which you please except Gabara and Gischala for that the one is the place of John 's Nativity and the other is Confederate with him After Jonathan had received this answer he replied no more but sought means to entrap me The consultation of the Ambassadors against Joseph John was of the opinion to write to all the Cities and Boroughs of Galilee supposing that without question there were one or two in them that were mine Enemies whom they might incense against me as against their common Enemy He gave order also that this his resolution should be sent to Jerusalem to the end that those of the City L understanding that I was adjudged an Enemy by the Galileans might in like sort confirm that their decree by their opinion For he said that by this means it would come to pass that the Galileans who were well affected towards me would forsake me for the fear they stood in of them This advice of Johns greatly pleased them all and was presently brought unto me about the third hour of the Night by one Sacchaeas who flying from them came and brought me the News and particularly related to me their intent For which cause perceiving that the time requir'd no longer delay I commanded Jacob who was one of my most assured and trusty Servants Joseph besetteth the wayes of Galilee to take two hundred Men with him and to beset the wayes between Gabara and Galilee and to send me those Passengers whom he should take and especially those that carried Letters I sent Jeremy also who was one M of my Friends to the marches of Galilee with six hundred Men at Arms to keep the passages that way toward Jerusalem commanding him to seize on all those that carried Letters and to commit the Men to Prison and to send me their Packets After I had in this sort instructed those whom I sent I commanded the Galileans the next day following to take their Arms Joseph with his Troops resorteth to Gabaroth and to furnish themselves with Victuals for three dayes and to attend me at the Borough of Gabaroth Those Soldiers that I had I distributed into four Companies and kept those with me in whom I reposed most confidence for the guard of my person and having appointed Captains over them and commanded them to be careful I charged them to suffer no unknown Soldier to enter in among them The next day I came to Gabaroth at the fifth hour of the day where I found all the N fields about the City full of armed Galileans who resorted thither to assist me according as I had commanded them Thither also came a multitude of other Men from other Boroughs As soon as I came amongst them and was ready to speak to them all of them began to cry out calling me their Benefactor and the Maintainer of their Countrey After I had solemnly given them
as the Prophet had foretold him and God N visited him with a disease in his bowels Ver. 19 20. whereof he dyed miserably the People likewise handled his body ignominiously supposing that being cut off in that sort by Gods displeasure he was unworthy of a Royal Funeral for he was not buried in the Sepulchre of the Kings neither was any honor done unto him He lived 40 years and reigned eight they made Ochozias King CHAP. IV. The King of Damascus maketh War against the King of Israel JOram King of Israel 2 Kings 8. 25 ad finem hoping to recover Ramath in Galaad from the Assyrians after he had made great preparations for War Hedio Ruffinus cap. 6. led his Army against it In this siege he was hurt O by an Arrow shot by a certain Syrian and retir'd himself into the City of Jezrael untill he should recover of his wound Joram's expedition against â—amath leaving Jehu with his Army at Ramath who took the City intending to make War against the Syrians But Elizeus sent one of his disciples to Ramath gave him holy oyl The year of the World 3060. before Christ's Nativity 904. willed him to anoint Jehu and to say That God had chosen and anointed A him for King and after he had given him some other instructions he commanded him to depart as one that flieth making no man privy to it When this disciple of his came to the City he found Jehu in the midst of the Captains of War as Elizeus had told him and drawing near 2 Kings 9. 1. ad 6. he told him That he would communicate certain secrets unto him for which cause he arose and follow'd him Whereupon the young man taking out the oyl poured it on his head Jehu by Gods commandment anointed King saying That God had chosen him to exterminate the race of Achab and revenge the blood of the Prophets unjustly murthered by Jezabel and that both he and his house might be brought to nought in like sort as the sons of Jeroboam the son of Nebat and the children of Basa were extinguished for their impiety so that no one of the race of Achab might survive in the world As soon as he had spoken thus he issued out of the chamber that he might not B be discovered by any of the Army Ver. 11. Now when Jehu came out he returned to his place to his Captains who besought him to declare unto them wherefore the young man came unto him alledging that they supposed him to be out of his wits Truly said he you have divined well for he hath talked unto me after the manner of a mad man wherein he told them what he had said unto him namely how God had chosen him to be King over the people As soon as he had spoke Ver. 13. every one of them cast off their garments and spread them before him and sounding a Trumpet they proclaimed Jehu King who assembling his Army determined to conduct them toward the City of Jezrael against Joram who lay there to recover his wound which he had received at the siege of Ramath in Galaad as we have heretofore declared Thither also resorted in the way of friendship and consanguinity C Ochozias King of Jerusalem to visit Joram and to see how he was recovered of his wound for he was his nephew and son unto his sister as we have said before Jehu desirous to surprize Joram and his followers on the sudden gave command that none of the Soldiers should run before to give any intelligence of his repair unto Joram alledging that it should be a demonstration of their good will towards him whereas contrariwise they that did otherwise declared that they held him not for their King CHAP. V. Joram with all his Race is slain by Jehu Ochozias King of Jerusalem is likewise slain D THE Men of War were very joyful to execute this his command Ver. 17. ad 23. and guarded the ways that no Man might secretly steal into Jezrael and bare tydings of that which had hapned Mean-while Jehu attended by his choicest Horsemen and mounted in his Chariot marched towards Jezrael And when he drew near unto the City the Centinel that was appointed by Joram to discover those that repaired to the City perceived Jehu resorting thither with a multitude of attendants and told Joram that a Troop of Horsemen were at hand Whereupon a Scout was sent out to discover who they were who drawing near unto Jehu asked him what News there was in the Army telling him that the King was desirous to know the same Jehu willed him to take no care thereof but to folâ—ow after him The Centinel perceiving this certified Joram that the Messenger E whom he had sent went along with them that came and followed their General Whereupon the King sent out a Messenger the second time and Jehu commanded him to attend him as he did the first which the Câ—ntinel signified to Joram likewise who thereupon took his Chariot to meet them accompanied with Ochozias King of Jerusalem who as we have said was come to the City to see how the King was recovered of his hurt because he was allied unto him But Jehu marched on in good aray till Joram meeting him in the field of Naboth asked him how the Army did who instead of returning an answer reviled him bitterly and called him the son of a Poysoner and of an Harlot For which cause Joram fearing his turbulent spirit and suspecting he designed some Treason against him fled away as swiftly as his Chariot could be driven telling Ochozias F that they were both of them betrayed but Jehu flung a Dart at him and pierced him thorow the heart Ver. 24. Whereupon Joram instantly fell on his knees Jorams slaughter and dyed Hereupon Jehu commanded Badac to cast Jorams body into Naboths field remembring him of the Prophecy of Elias foretold to Achab Ver. 25 26. who murthered Naboth The truth of Elias Prophesie namely That he and his Race should dye in that field For sitting behind Achabs Chariot he heard these words pronounced by the Prophet in effect it so fell out as he had prophesied When Joram was fallen down Ochozias was afraid to be slain for which cause he turned his Chariot to take another way Ver. 27. hoping that Jehu would not discover him The death of Ochozias King of Jerusalem and his burial But he was overtaken in a steep way and was hurt with an Arrow whereupon he forsook his Chariot and being mounted on a swift Horse posted to Maggedo where after his wounds had been dressed G some few dayes he deceased and was carried to Jerusalem and buried there after he had reigned one year and surpassed his father in wickedness H CHAP. VI. Jehu reigneth over Israel and keepeth his Court in Samaria and after him his Progeny to the fourth generation
Temple of God 3. In what estimation the Jews were with the Kings of Asia and how the freedome of those Cities which they built was granted them 4. Joseph the Son of Tobias driveth away the Jews imminent calamity by reason of his friendship with King Ptolomey 5. The friendship and society between the Lacedaemonians and Onias the High Priest of the Jews 6. The Jews distracted by seditions call Antiochus to their assistance 7. How Antiochus leading his Army to Jerusalem and taking the City spoyled the Temple K 8. Antiochus forbiddeth the Jews to use the Laws of their forefathers the Son of Asmonaeus called Matthias contemned the King and put his Captains to flight 9. Mathias being dead Judas his Son succeeded him 10. Apollonius a Captain of Antiochus is overcome in Jewry and slain 11. The overthrow and death of Lysias and Gorgias sent out against the Jews 12. How dividing their Armys Simon overcame the Tyrants and Ptolomaidans and Judas the Ammonites 13. The death of Antiochus Epiphanes among the Persians 14. Antiochus Eupator overthrowing the Army of the Jews besieged Judas in the Temple 15. Antiochus giving over his siege plighteth a league of friendship with Judas L 16. Bacchides a Captain belonging to Demetrius being sent with his Army against the Jews returneth back to the King without success 17. Nicanor elected Captain after Bacchides and sent out against the Jews is slain with his whole Army 18 Bacchides sent out once more against the Jews overcometh them 19. How Judas being overcome in battle is slain CHAP. I. After the death of Alexander the Great his Army is divided amongst his Captains M Ptolomey one of the chife of them makes himself Master of Jerusalem by surprise sends several Colonies of Jews into Egypt and puts great confidence in them continual Wars betwixt the Inhabitants of Jerusalem and the Samaritans ALexander King of Macedon having overcome the Persians and establisht the state of the Jews according as hath been related departed this life The death of Alexander and the Wars of his succssors Whereupon his Dominions and Kingdoms fell into divers mens hands Antigonus made himself Governor of Asia Seleucus of Babylon and the bordering Nations Jerusalem surprized by policy and the Jews lead way captive Lysimachus had the Hellespont Cassander Macedon and N Ptolomey the Son of Lagus held Egypt Now when these men were at discord amongst themselves whilest each of them affected the soveraignty and fought the one against the other they raised divers great and bloody Wars which ruined many Cities and destroyed great numbers of their Inhabitants Syria had sufficient experience of all these miseries under the Government of Ptolomey the Son of Lagus surnamed Soter a Title which he little deserved He it was that seized on Jerusalem by a stratagem for he entred the City upon a Sabbath day under pretext to offer sacrifice and whilst the Jews suspected nothing but spent the day in ease and idleness he surprised the City without resistance and made the Citizens captives Agatharchides the Cnidian who wrote the Acts of Alexanders successors testifieth the same reproaching us of superstition as if by that means we lost our City O He writeth to this effect There is a certain Nation which are called Jews who inhabit a City which is call'd Jerusalem both strong and mighty They suffered it to fall into Ptolomeys hands because they would not stand upon their guard and through their unseasonable superstition they permitted themselves to be subdued by a Tyrant conquerour The year of the World 3634. before Christ's Nativity 321. See A here what Agatharchides saith in this place of our Nation But Ptolomey leading away with him divers prisoners from the better quarters of Judaea and the places near unto Jerusalem of Samaria and mount Garzim sent them into Egypt to inhabit there and being assured that those of Jerusalem were most firm in maintaining their oaths and promises according as it appeared by their answer made to Alexander when after the discomfiture of Darius he sent Ambassadors unto them he put divers of them into his Garrisons giving them the same priviledges in the City of Alexandria which the Macedonians had After he had received their oath that they should be faithful unto him and his successours in memory of the great trust and favours he had bestowed on them many of the other Jews likewise of their own accord went into Egypt partly B allured thereunto by the plenty of the countrey Sedition betwixt the Jews and Samaritans as touching the Temple partly by the liberality of Ptolomey towards their Nation Yet were there continual quarels betwixt their posterity and the Samaritans because they would keep and maintain the customes and ordinances of their forefathers whereupon divers wars arose amongst them For they of Jerusalem said that their Temple was the true Sanctuary of God and would have the offerings and sacrifices sent thither the Samaritans on the other side commanded them to be brought to the mount Garazim CHAP. II. Ptolomey Philadelphus caused the Laws of the Jews to be translated into C the Greek tongue and dismissing many Captive Jews dedicateth many presents to the Temple of God AFter the death of Ptolomeus Soter his Son Ptolomeus Philadelphus succeeded in the Kingdom of Egyptt Hedio Ruffinus chap. 2. and held it for nine and thirty years space he it was that translated the law into the Greek tongue and delivered the Jews from that servitude wherein they were inthralled in Egypt to the number of sixscore thousand upon this occasion 〈◊〉 library of Ptolomey Phyladelphus Demetrius Phalereus Master of the Kings Library endeavoured to make a collection of all sorts of Books that were in the world and brought all which he thought would be agreeable to the King who was very curious in his collection of Books D The Kings demanding one day how many thousands of Volumes he had already gathered he answered him that he had already gott about two hundred thousand Volums but that shortly he hoped to have to the number of five hundred thousand Besides he told him that he had been lately informed that there ware divers Volumes among the Jews wherein many things touching their Laws and policies were written which were worthy to be known and deserved a place in so memorable and famous a Liberary but that it would be very difficult to translate them into the Greek tongue for their characters seem to have some relation to the Syriack and their pronunciation likewise is not much different from it notwithstanding they have their phrase proper and peculiar unto themselves But nevertheless he believed it might be done since his Majesty would E not think much of any charge the King approved of this proposal and wrote unto the High Priest of the Jews to help him to these books In the mean time a certaâ—n man called Aristaeus who was intirely beloved by
make War upon him unless he paid him those Tributes which the people of the Jews ought and were wont to pay unto the Kings Ancestors heretofore And that he had certainly done had not Tryphon hindred him for he was forced to turn those Forces that he had prepar'd against Jonathan Demetrius thrust out of Antiâ—ch to make War upon Tryphon O who returning from Arabia into Syria with the younger Antiochus who at that time was under age he set the diadem upon his head All the Army likewise that had abandon'd Demetrius for contracting their Pay came and follow'd him and made open War against their Master The year of the World 3820. before Christ's Nativity 144. and under Antiochus and Tryphon fought with him and overcame A him seized his Elephants and made themselves Masters of the City of Antioch Whereupon Demetrius being wholly discomfited fled into Cilicia But the younger Antiochus sent Ambassadors and Letters to Jonathan calling him his Allie and Friend confirming the Priesthood unto him Jonathan for the favors and benefits he received at Tryphons and Antiochus's hands offereth and performeth his best endeavors against Demetrius and assigned him the four governments annexed to Judea and besides these he gave him vessels of gold a robe of purple with permission to wear the same he gave him also a pendent of gold and assured him that he esteemed of him as one of his friends and created his brother Simon General of his Army from the marches of Tyre as far as Egypt Jonathan finding such honours as these heaped upon him sent Ambassadors both unto him and Tryphon protesting That he was their Friend and Allie and that he would fight on his side against Demetrius of whom he had so great reason to complain B in that he had made no other return but ingratitude for all the services which he had done him But after that Antiochus had granted him leave to levy a great Army out of Syria and Phoenicia to fight against Demetrius he went into the neighbouring Cities and was by them very kindly received yet did they not afford him any Men of War Coming from thence unto Ascalon the Citizens in honourable aray came out to meet him with Presents whom together with the Cities of Coelofyria he exhorted to forsake Demetrius's part and to follow Antiochus to the end that joining themselves with him they might all of them combine their Forces against Demetrius and take vengeance of those mischiefs which they had oftentimes endur'd by his means and which if they prudently examin'd they had many reasons to prosecute their revenge After he had persuaded C these Cities to enter into confederation against Demetrius he came to Gaza to induce them likewise and reconcile them to Antiochus But he found the Gazeans to be of a far contrary disposition than that which he expected for they flatly resisted him and although they were intended to forsake Demetrius yet would they not join their Forces or submit the City to his government For which cause Jonathan besieged their City and spoiled their Countrey for with the one half of his Army he begirt Gaza and with the other half he over-ran the Countrey spoiling and burning the same The Gazeans seeing these miseries which they were constrain'd to endure and perceiving that no succors came unto them from Demetrius but that their own overthrow was at hand and their assistance far off and that which was worse most uncertain they thought it to be the D wisest part for them to forsake the one and follow the other Whereupon they sent messengers unto Jonathan protesting that they would be both his friends and confederates For men do unwillingly take knowledge of their profit before they have bought it to their sorrow and that which they neglected at first and was most expedient for them to perform before they were afflicted that do they earnestly hunt after at such time as they have been chastised Upon this submission of theirs Jonathan receiv'd them into favor and took pledges of them and sent them to Jerusalem and from thence marched he along the Countrey as far as Damasco And whereas an huge Host sent by Demetrius came out against him as far as the City Cedasa near unto Tyre and Galilee making their reckoning to divert Jonathan from Syria by succouring and relieving those of Galilee who were their confederates Jonathan E went out speedily to meet with them recommending the state of Judea to the charge of his brother Simon Simon Jonathan's brother taketh in Bethsura Who assembling all the power that was possible to be gather'd throughout all the Countrey encamped before Bethsura a strong Fort in Judea and besieg'd it for Demetrius being before-time seized thereof kept Garison therein as before this we have declar'd When as therefore Simon raised his Bulwarks and fitted his Engines to assault the City and employ'd all his study to surprize the same they that were besieged waxed afraid lest if he should take the Town by force they should lose their lives For which cause they sent an Herald unto Simon requesting him that he would permit them to depart out of Bethsura with the safety of their lives and goods and go unto Demetrius who satisfying their demands they presently departed out of the City F and he planted a Garison therein of their own men in place of the Macedonians In the mean while Jonathan who was in Galilee caused his Army to dislodge from a place called the waters of Genezareth where he was encamped and marched towards the Plain of Azot without any suspition that his Enemies had been planted thereabouts When as therefore Demetrius's Soldiers had intelligence the day before that Jonathan should march forward against them they laid an ambush for him which they placed near the mountain preparing the rest of their Forces to bid him battel in the Plain As soon as Jonathan perceiv'd their preparation to the battel he arranged his Army as conveniently as was possible but when they that lay in ambush arose and charged the Jews upon their backs they fearing to be enclosed and consequently easily slain began to flie so that all of them G abandoned Jonathan except some few to the number of 50 with Matthias the son of Absalom and Judas the son of Chapsaeus Lieutenant-Generals of Jonathan who boldly H entred and like desperate men charged the Enemy in the Vanguard with such fury that they made them amazed at their and compelled them to trust to their heels Which when they that had abandoned Jonathan perceiv'd they rallied and pursu'd them as far as Cedasa where the Enemies were encamped When Jonathan had obtain'd this glorious victory Jonathan putteth Demetrius's Soldiers to flight wherein there fell about 2000 of the Enemy he returned to Jerusalem and seeing that all things fell out according as he desir'd he sent Ambassadors unto Rome to renew the ancient league that was made betwixt
Encounter betwixt them and Gratus the other in fighting against Ptolomey Athronges his Brethren taken The eldest was taken by Archelaus and the last being dis-heartened with the Accidents and seeing no means to escape for besides his other mishaps his Souldiers were afflicted with sickness he with the rest upon Archelaus's Faith and Oath submitted himself unto him But this was done some little while after At this time all Judaea was full of Robberies Hedio Ruffinus chap. 16. and as many seditious Assemblies as drew together so many Kings were there elected who were raised to the utter ruine of D the Commonweal Amongst the rest the Romans were they that smarted least but the Murthers were executed against those that were out of the Countrey But Varus understanding by Sabinus's Letters in what dangers they were and fearing the utter overthrow of his third Legion he took with him the two other for to the uttermost in Syria there were but three and with the assistance of the Kings and Tetrarchs he hasted into Jewry to relieve those that were besieged commanding those that were sent out before he dislodged to meet him at Ptolemais and passing by the City of the Berythians he received a thousand and five hundred Soldiers at their hands to attend him in his War Aretas also who was Lord of Petra drawing himself into Confederacy with the Romans in regard of that hatred he bare Herod sent him E Horse and Foot When all these Forces were assembled at Ptolemais he delivered a part thereof to his Son and one of his Friends commanding them to make War against the Galileans who bordered uopn that City who entring that Countrey and putting all those to flight whosoever durst make head against him he took Sephoris and selling the Inhabitants under the Spear he consumed the City with fire Varus himself marching towards Samaria with his Army violenced not the City in that he knew it was free from the Contagion of the Seditious but he pitched his Camp in a certain Village Arus burned by the Arabians which was Ptolomey's Possession called Arus The same did the Arabians burn revenging themselves on Herod's Friend for his sake and marching forward Sampho and Emmaus burned the Arabians spoiled also another Village called Sampho and for that it was F strongly fortified burned it Besides in that journey nothing escaped their hands but they put all to Fire and Sword For both Emmaus was burned by Varus's Command and in revenge of his Soldiers that were killed in that place it was left desolate and void of Inhabitants Varus repaireth to Jerusalem and delivereth the Legion that was besieged From thence drawing near to Jerusalem those Jews that besieged the Legion of that side upon the sudden view and approach of the Army of the Romans fearfully fled giving over that Siege which they intended But those Jews of Jerusalem being sharply reproved by Varus alledged in their excuse that the people in regard of the Feast were assembled in that place and that the War was not begun by their consent but undertaken by their boldness who resorted thither from divers places and that they were so far off from assailing the Romans that they rather G seemed to be besieged by them And long before this Joseph King Herod's Nephew Gratus and Rufus with their Soldiers were gone out to meet Varus and those Romans that had sustained the Siege had done no less But as for Sabinus he would not appear in Varus's presence by stealing away privily out of the City he fled towards H the Sea Then Varus sending a part of his Army thorough the whole Countrey sought out those Authors of this Sedition and those that were noted men in the action some of which who were most guilty were punished the rest were delivered Of those that were punished for this occasion The Punishment of the Conspirators there were about two thousand crucified and that done seeing that this Army stood him in little stead he dismissed them For divers disorders and injuries contrary to Varus's express Command were acted by his Souldiers who sought after nothing more than to encrease their means by other men's miseries And hearing that ten thousand Jews were assembled together he hasted to apprehend them but they not daring to hazard their fortune in a fight with him by Achiabus's advice submitted themselves But Varus having pardoned the people for I their Rebellion sent all those that were the Ring-leaders thereof to Caesar who pardoned divers of them Hedio Ruffinus chap. 16. al. 17. But he chastised certain of Herod's Allies and such as bare Arms with them for that neither in regard of Kindred nor respect of Justice they had abstained from Insurrection After that Varus had thus appeased all the troubles in Jewry and left the first Legion in Garrison in Jerusalem he returned to Antioch But Archelaus was crossed in Rome by another Occurrent that arose upon this occasion The year of the World 3966. after Christ's Nativity 4. Certain Ambassadours of the Jews resorted thither by Varus's permission requiring that it might be lawful for them to live according to their own Laws these presented themselves to the number of fifty and were back'd by eight thousand Jews K that inhabited the City The Embassage of the Jews to Rome And when Caesar had assembled the Council of his Friends and chief Citizens in Apollo's Temple which he had builded to his mighty charge thither resorted the Ambassadours Archelaus the Ambassadours of the Jews appear before Caesar who were followed by a Troop of Jews and Archelaus also attended by his Friends But the King's Kindred neither stood by Archelaus in regard of the hate they bare him and yet disdained to assist the Ambassadours for that they were ashamed in Caesar's presence to oppose themselves against their nearest Friend and Kinsman Philip Herod ' s Son Philip also was present at that time who by Varus's perswasion resorted thither out of Syria especially to plead for his Brother to whom Varus wished all good fortune Besides that hoping not a little that if the Jews should obtain the liberty to live according to their Laws it might come to pass L that the Kingdom being divided amongst Herod's Children he might also light on some part thereof Therefore after the Ambassadours of the Jews had obtained Licence to propose their demands pretending with themselves wholly to exstinguish the Royalty The Ambassadours of the Jews rip up Herod's and Archelaus's iniquity They began to rip up Herod's disgraces alledging how only in name he had been a King whereas otherwise he had used all the Tyrannous practices that the wickedest person could have invented towards the destruction of his Nation and that not content with these he had of his own head practised and invented new Neither that it needed to reckon up how many he had deprived of life when the
no part of Judea that did not suffer together with Jerusalem their Mother-City Those that fled to the Romans certified Vespasian hereof for although the seditious persons kept and observ'd all passages and kill'd them that offered to fly yet many secretly stole away from them The Fugitives beseech Vespasian to assist the City and preserve the rest of the people and besought Vespasian both to help the oppressed City and D to take compassion upon the reliques of their Nation affirming that many had been butchered for wishing well to the Romans and many being yet alive were yet in great danger Vespasian moved to compassionate their calamities came with his Army nearer Jerusalem as though he would have besieged it but indeed his intent was to deliver it from the oppression of these wicked persons who in a manner kept it continually besieg'd hoping in the mean time to conquer that part of the Country that was yet untoucht and so to leave nothing to hinder him when he should begin the siege Wherefore coming to Gadara the strongest of all the Cities beyond the River he entred into it the fourth day of March for the Chiefest of the City unknown to the seditious people had sent Embassadors to him to desire Peace and to save E their goods and lives they promised him to yield the Town into his hands for there were many rich men dwelling in Gadara but their Enemies knew not of their Embassage till they saw Vespasian at the City Gates And so despairing that they were able to keep the City by reason they had in the Town many Enemies more in number and stronger than themselves and moreover seeing Vespasian even now almost at the City and thinking shame to flie and not to be revenged of their Enemies they took Dolesus a Noble-man and chief of the City The Gadarensians entertain Vespasian with joy and acclamation and also the Author of that Embassage and killed him and for anger beating him after he was dead they fled out of the City Now the Romans Army approaching near the City the people of Gadara went forth and received Vespasian joyfully who also confirmed a League betwixt F them and him and left them a Company of Horse and Foot to defend them against the incursions of the Fugitives their Enemies for they themselves before the Romans requested it destroyed the City Walls that so they might shew their desire of Peace because having destroyed their Walls if after they desired to rebel they could not Vespasian then sent Placidus with five hundred Horsemen Placidus conflict with the Fugitives and three thousand Footmen to pursue those that were fled out of Gadara and he with the rest of his Army returned to Caesarea But the Fugitives perceiving themselves to be pursued by Placidus before he could overtake them got into a Town called Bethenabris and finding there many young men partly for that they were willing partly by force they compelled them to arm themselves and so rashly they came against Placidus G Placidus and his Army seemed a little to give back to the intent to draw them further from the Wall and then having compassed them about in a fit place they wounded them afar off with Darts and Arrows The Jews seeking to flie were H prevented by the Horsemen and they who offered to fight were by the Romans Footmen all put to the Sword never shewing any sign of valour For the Jews assaulted the Romans who were all covered with their Shields as with a Wall and not being able to break into their battle they were slain by the Romans Darts but their Darts could do the Romans no harm and so like fierce and Savage Beasts they wilfully ran upon their Enemies Swords and all were either slain or dispers'd by the Horsemen Placidus taketh and burneth Bethenabris For Placidus was careful to intercept their passage to the Town and to hinder their recourse unto it and forc'd those back again that fled towards it using his Darts and killing those that were next him till at last the strongest amongst them broke away and got to the Town Walls Those that were within the City knew I not what to do for they would not shut the Fugitives of Gadara out of the City because they desired to let their own Citizens in and again they perceived that if they let these in the other thereby would work the overthrow of the City as it fell out indeed they did For the Gates being set open for them to come in the Roman Horsemen almost broke into the Town with them yet the Gates were shut before they could get in Then Placidus with all his Souldiers assaulted the Town and after a sore fight which continued till the Evening at last he got the Walls and the Town and slew the weaker sort for the stronger fled so the Souldiers first sacked the Houses and then fired the Town They who escaped thence incited the whole Country to fly with them reporting their Calamities with the most and K affirming that all the Roman Army was at hand and so they put all the Inhabitants there in great fear and having assembled a great multitude they fled to Jericho in which place they put their confidence for that it was strong and populous Placidus having Horsemen and incouraged with his former Victory pursued them to Jordan and whomsoever he overtook he slew and at the River he fought with all the multitude there gathered together because that the River being grown deeper by abundance of Rain that had lately faln they could not pass over it Wherefore necessity forced them to fight because they could not flie and placing themselves along the Banks of the River Placidus Victory over the Fugitives they there received the Horsemen and warded their Darts Many for fear fell into the River and the Romans slew L there 13000 and the rest not able to resist cast themselves into the River which were an infinite number also the Romans took 2200 men alive and a great booty of Sheep Asses Camels and Oxen. This Slaughter though it was no greater than the former yet it seemed to the Jews far greater because that many all over the Country flying were killed and Jordan was so filled with dead Carkasses that none could pass over it and also the Lake Asphaltites was full of dead bodies brought thither out of divers Rivers Placidus maketh use of his good fortune against the Jews Placidus having so good success went to the Towns and Villages adjoyned and took Abila Julias Besemoth and all the Towns even to the Lake Asphaltites and placed in them Garisons of the Jews that had fled to him and afterward preparing Ships and furnishing them with Souldiers he pursued M them that were fled by Water and overcome them So all the Country beyond Jordan as far as Machaeron was reduc'd under the Power of the Romans CHAP. IV How certain Towns were taken
Titus repairs to Jerusalem news was brought to him of what was done at Rome And Embassadors came to him from all parts of the World to congratulate him And although next after Rome this City was the greatest in the World yet was it scarcely able to receive the people that came thither to him Vespasian being now established Emperour of all the World and the Common-wealth of the Romans being contrary to his expectation freed from troubles he now began to think upon the reliques of Judea Titus comes to Cesaeea and gathers his â—orces there And he himself winter being ended prepared to go to Rome and in the mean time he hasted to dispose of all things at Alexandria Moreover he sent his Son Titus N with his best Troops to destroy Jerusalem Titus departed by land from Alexandria to Nicopolis which is distant from it 20 furlongs and there he ship'd his men and sailed along the River Nilus by Medensia to Thumin here landing his men he came to the City called Tanis The second place he rested in was the City Heraclea and the third Pelusium where having refresh'd his Souldiers two days space the third day he past the borders of Pelusium and having gone one days journey through the wilderness he pitcht his Camp at the Temple of Jupiter Cassian and the next day at Ostracine where there is no water but all that the Inhabitants use they have from other places After this he rested at Rhinocolura and from thence in four dayes he went to Raphia where begin the borders of Syria and the fifth day he lodged at Gaza and from thence going to Ascalon O and so to Jamnia and Joppa he arrived at Caesarea purposing to gather some other Forces there A The SIXTH BOOK Of the WARS of the JEVVS The year of the World 4034. after the Nativity of Christ 72. B Written by Flavius Josephus The Contents of the Chapters of the Sixth Book 1 OF Three Seditions in Jerusalem 2 How Titus went to Jerusalem to see their strength and how he was in danger 3 How the Jews did issue out upon the Romans pitching their Tents C 4 Of the fight within the City upon the Feast of Unleavened-Bread 5 Of the deceit of the Jews used against the Romans 6 The Description of Jerusalem 7 The Jews refuse to yield and assault the Romans 8 Of the fall of the Tower and how two of the Walls were won 9 How Castor the Jew did flout the Romans 10 How the Romans did twice get the second Wall 11 Of the Mounts raised against the third Wall and a long Oration of Joseph perswading the Jews to yield and of the Famine within the City 12 Of the Jews that were Crucified and how the Towers were burnt 13 How the Romans in three dayes space built a Wall about Jerusalem D 14 Of the Famine in Jerusalem and how they built another Tower or Mount 15 Of the Massacre of the Jews both within and without the City 16 Of the Sacriledge about the Temple and the dead Bodies that were cast out of the City and of the Famine CHAP. I. E Of the three sorts of Sedition in Jerusalem TItus being thus come out of Aegypt by the Desart into Syria he departed for Caesarea purposing there to set his Army in order And whilst he was with his Father Vespasian at Alexandria disposing of the Empires that God had given him it happened that the Sedition at Jerusalem divided into three parts and fought one against another and well it was they were so equally divided We have already sufficiently declared who were the Authors of the Faction of the Zealots A threefold Sedition in Jerusalem whose tyranny over the City was the ruine thereof and this may be said to F be a Sedition out of a Sedition which like a hungry wild Beast wanting his prey turned his cruelty against his own bowels So Eleazar the Son of Simon who was the first that in the Temple divided the Zealots from the People faining himself to be displeased with that which John every day did yet in Truth for that he envied that a greater Tyrant than himself should be Ruler desirous to be Chief and make himself Mighty he revolted from the rest and with him Judas the Son of Chelcias and Simon the Son of Ezron two of the most potent amongst them Besides them was also Ezechias the Son of Chobarus a Nobleman all of which had many of the Zealots following them and possessing themselves of the inner part of the Temple they set a Guard in the entrance and in the sacred Gates presuming upon the fulness of their Stores for there was great quantity of sacred Provision which they thought it no impiety to make G use of yet fearing their small number they permitted many of the Company that were killed to remain in the places where they were slain John was superiour in number but inferiour in the quality of the place for having his Enemies above his head he H could not without danger make incursions yet his Rage would not suffer him to forbear infesting his Enemies though thereby his party had more harm than those of Eleazars and he still assaulted them to his own cost Thus many Assaults were continually made and many Darts cast and the Temple was prophaned with murders Simon the Son of Giora incited by the People to be their Leader in hope he would have assisted them having in his hands both the higher part of the City and greater part of the lower did now more boldly than before assault John and his followers because they were assailed by those above yet he being as it were beneath John and his party sustained as much loss at their hands The fight between John and Eleazar as John himself did from them who were above him Thus John was doubly engaged with Eleazar who infested him from above and I Simon from below But Simons assaults from below were easily repulsed and it was not a little mischief he did those who gaul'd him with their Darts from above Simon and John skirmish in the Temple by certain Engines that he invented by which he cast Stones and Darts among them and slew several both of their Souldiers and Priests as they were offering Sacrifice to their God For though they were generally too prone to all manner of wickedness yet those that would were permitted to offer Sacrifice watching and diligently guarding those of their Nation For Strangers which came thither for devotion were not mistrusted But after these wicked People had permitted them to Sacrifice when they had finished their devotions Great slaughter in the Temple they were made a prey and consumed by this Sedition For Darts and other shot with force of the Engines came into the Temple and Altar and slew the K Priests at the Altar And many who came from the uttermost parts of the World unto that holy place
l. marrieth a wife ib. m. propoundeth a riddle ib. m. his acts against the Philistines 141 d e f. prayeth and why 141 d. betrayed by Dalila 142 h. the slaughter of the Philistines and of himself ibid. k. Samuel his parents 144 i. consecrated to God ibid. i God called him thrice ibid. k. fore-shewed the death of Eli and his sons 144 l. offereth sacrifice 148 l. comforteth the people ibid. his victory and recovery of lands 148 n. committeth the Common weal to his sons 149 b. troubled and why 149 e. bidden to create a King ib. f. sheweth the people's estate under a King ibid. anointeth Saul King 150 o. justifieth himself and why 153 b. striveth to reconcile Saul to God 157 c. killeth Agag 158 i. telleth Saul of God's displeasure 157 f. anointeth David King 158 n. his death burial and praise 168 l. Sanballat Governour of the Samaritans 293 k. followeth Alexander 294 b. buildeth a Temple ibid. f. Sanctuary 93 b. 209 h. 211 i. Sanctuaries or places of refuge for whom 109 â— Sand like glass 616 m. Sara daughter of Aram 35 o. Abraham's wife ibid. d. her beauty 36 l. King of Egypt enamoured on her ibid b. bringeth Agar to Abraham 38 i her age when she conceived Isaac 38 o preserved from Abimelech and how 39 e. brought forth Isaac ib. caused Ismael to be expelled c. 40 k l. affecteth Isaac ib. m. her death 41 f. Saraeus high Priest took Prisoner 265 l. Saturninus President of Syria 438 o. 4â—9 a. permitteth Herod to enter Arabia ib. b. his indifferent sentence 444 m Saul seeketh the lost Asses 150 k anointed King by God's commandment ib. o. confirmed therein 15 b. hideth himself ibid. f. saluted by the people for their King ib. f. promiseth the Jabesites assistance 152 l. killeth King Naas ib. n. sacrificeth and is reproved 154 l. overcometh the Philistines 155 e. would have slain Jonathan 156 h. always a conqueror ib. k. taketh and spareth Agag 157 b. slayeth the Amalekites and razeth their Cities 156 o. offendeth God 157 b. loseth his Kingdom and why ib. f. denied pardon renteth Samuel's garment ib. g. slew the Philistines 160 m. resolveth to kill David 162 i. darteth his Javelin at David 163 b. prophesieth 163 f. questioneth about David's absence c. 164 n. maketh an Oration to his Captains 165 f. pursueth David 167 e. condemneth himself and justifieth David 168 k. pursueth David again and his life saved 169 f. banisheth diviners 171 a. by a sorceress is foretold the event of the battel ib. c d. praised 172 k. is slain 173 f g. Scarcity fore-signified 55 e. how to be prevented 55 f. among the Israelites 95 e. very great in Claudius his time 97 d e. in Samaria 238 g h. Scarcity of corn 413 i k. Scaurus maketh peace with Aristobulus 362 b. Presidenâ— of Coelosyria 363 n. his war against Aretas 364 h. 5â—5 a. bribed ibid. Science of the celestial bodies 30 k. Schisar King of the Assyrians 133 b. oppressed the Israelites ibid. b. Scopas General of Ptolomy's Army 306 a. discomfited ib. overcometh the Jews 306 a b. Scythopolitans kill 3000 Jews 634 l. Sea of Pamphilia divided it self 72 n. Red Sea divided at the stroke of Moses's rod 72 k. returning to his course drowneth the Egyptians ibid. l. Brazen Sea 209 l. Sebas 196 e. Sebaste a haven 455 a. Secretary or Priest fore-telleth Moses's greatness 62 n. willeth him to be killed 64 n. Security promised to Rahab and hers 122 i. Sects of the Jews 339 m. 477 a. 612 l. Secrets of Syllaeus disclosed 599 d. Sedechias a false Prophet 231 e. contradicteth Micheas ib. e f. Sedechias King of Juda 262 d. revolteth ib. seduced ib. 263 h c. neglecteth the Prophet's counsel ib. o. surprised 264 f his eyes put out 265 h. his death ib. n. Sedition against Moses 95 e. 99 b. and 100 i. of Chore for the Priesthood 99 d. Sedition against Roboam 219 h. of the Samaritans against the Jews 298 b. among the people 312 k. of the Jews 494 h. betwixt Senate and people 516 h. Sedition at the Passover 464 l. between the Jews and Samaritans 534 l. for the golden Eagle 605 d. in Jerusalem 607 e. 621 d. between Greeks and Jews 634 h. threefold sedition 711 f. took the City 723 b. Seditious more impious than the Sodomites 724 h. Seditious 620 k l. beaten 615 f. bribe Albinus 621 d. fly to the Temple and why 624 n. gave not ear to those in authority 629 f put the Romans to flight 675 e. agree among themselves 712 o. 724 i. challenge the sodden child 749 a. summon Titus to parley 754 m. take away the King's Treasure 756 i. their utmost hope 756 m. kept in Acra and in Vaults 757 f. Seed of the Woman 28 n. shall bruise the Serpent's head ib Seeds at first grew out of the earth 27 f. Seeds not to be mixed together 113 d. Sehon King of the Amorites denieth passage to the Hebrews 104 m. overthrown by them ib. o. is slain ib. Seir what it signifies 43 e. Seir Esau's dwelling place 49 a. Seleucus Nicanor privilegeth the Jews 305 b. Seleucus Soâ—er reigneth in Asia 31â— f. Sem Noah's third son 32 o. covereth his father's shame 35 a. his progeny ib. b Semochonitis a lake 680 m. Semiramis built not Babylon 788 k. Senaar a plain 32 o. Senabarus one of the five Kings of Assyria 37 a. Senacherib surpriseth the Cities of Judah 255 l besiegeth Jerusalem ib. m. his Army stricken with the Pestilence 256 f. himself slain ib Senate perswadeth Claudius to resign 516 i. Senate's decree c. 378 f. Senate's answer to Agrippa 617 f. their repair to Claudius ddd 618 i. Senselesness of Achaz 252 b. Sentence against Herod's sons 593 e. Sephora Moses's wife 66 n. Sephoris walled 478 i. spoiled 22 h. entertaineth the Romans 635 b. Sepâ—lchre of David 202 o. of Memnon 618 l. Serpents tempting of Eve 28 l. his subtilty ib. l. his punishment ib. o. enemy to man ib. o. wherein his strength lyeth and how easily killed 29 a. Serpents very hurtful destroyed 65 d e. Servant of Elizeus 238 c. Servants of Solomon happy and why 215 e. Servant of Abraham taketh his oath 42 k. his prayer and care in discharge of his message ib. k. and 43 a b. Service of God neglected 252 b. Service of forreign gods 216 o. 248 b. 252 b. Service of Antipater 574 m. Services of the Gabeonites 125 a. Servitude of the Egyptians great 61 o. of the Hebrews insupportable 62 n. 67 a. and 68 i. Servitude of the Israelites 133 b. and why ibid. 134 k. 729 e. c. Seth son of Adam 30 i. a virtuous man ib. i. left a godly issue ib. k. his age and death 31 b. Sethosis King of Egypt 786 h. Seven men of Saul's kindred punished 195 n. Seventy Jews with John and Simon sent into Italy 765 f Seventy Interpreters 302 o. 801 a. Severity of Herod 416 e Sextus
the Enemies Countrey who had committed themselves to my trust yet thinking that if it should so fall out that they fell into the Romans hands they would be safer than if by suffering them to remain in my Countrey I should see them opprest I adventured them thus Yet were they saved and the King pardon'd them And this was the end of this Tumult But they of Tiberias wrote to the King desiring him to send a Garrison into their Countrey The Tiberians Letters to Agrippa Seven stadia maketh almost a German mile on which condition they would submit to him As soon as I knew of it I went to them and they desired me that I would build them those Walls which I had promised them for they had already heard that Tarichea was invironed with Walls Whereunto I I condescended and gathering Materials I set the Workmen to their task But some three days after departing from Tiberias toward Tarichea which was thirty stades distant from thence by chance a Troop of Roman Horsmen were discovered not far from the City which the Inhabitants believ'd were the Kings Army Whereupon they presently began to utter many things in honour of the King Sedition and Rebellion in Tiberias and more in my reproach And presently a certain friend posted to me and told me what their mind was and how they intended to revolt from me Which when I understood I was wonderously troubled For I had sent back my men of War from Tarichea to their houses because the next day was the Sabbath for I would by no means that the Citizens of Tarichea should be charged or troubled with entertaining Soldiers And at all times when I remained in that City I took K no care of the guard of mine own person having had often proof of the affection of the Inhabitants towards me Joseph in danger for the Tiberians sake Being therefore at that time attended only with seven Soldiers and a few of my Friends I knew not what to determine For I thought it not fit to call back my Forces because the day was well nigh past and although they should have been with me the next morning yet they might not have taken Arms because our Laws forbid the same how great soever the occasion be that is offered And although I should have drawn forth the Taricheans and the strangers that were retired thither and under hope of prey have led them forth yet I saw that they were too feeble to resist the enemy On the other side I already perceived that if I stayed over-long the Army which was sent by the King being already entred the City would have excluded me I therefore determined to L use this stratagem I presently set a Guard at the gates of the City consisting of my most trusty Friends suffering no man to pass out of them and assembling the chief of every Family I commanded them to lanch their Boats into the Lake and to follow me with the Masters of their ships Joseph saileth to Tiberias After which both I and my Friends and seven other Soldiers betook us to a Bark and sailed toward Tiberias But when the Tiberians saw that no Forces were come from the King and that the whole Lake was covered with Barks amazed and fearing the ruine of their City for that they supposed the ships to be full of Soldiers they changed their sentiments And laying by their Weapons themselves with their Wives and Children came forth to meet me and receiv'd me with joyful acclamations for they though I had had no notice of their intents beseeching me that for the safety M of their City I would enter the same But I drawing near the City commanded the Masters of the Barks to cast Anchor far off the shore lest the Townsmen might perceive that the ships were empty And I my self drawing near with mine own Bark to them reproached them that contrary to their Oaths they had been so foolishly induced to revolt After which I promised them pardon if so be they would deliver me ten of their chiefest Nobility which when they had incontinently performed I shipt them in a Bark and sent them Prisoners to Tarichea Then I demanded ten more and I continu'd to use the same artifice till I had by little and little got all the Senate of Tiberias and many of the chiefest Citizens and sent them thither At length the rest of the multitude perceiving in how great danger they were they N besought me that I would punish the chief Author of this Conspiracy Clytus the Author of the Sedition in Tiberias who was called Clytus a bold and rash young man I was unresolv'd what to do being loth to kill one of my own Nation and yet it was expedient to punish him wherefore I commanded Levias one of my Guard to seize on him and cut off his hand Levias not daring for that he was alone to enter into so huge a multitude I for fear lest his Cowardise should be discovered by the Tiberians called Clytus unto me and said unto him Vngrateful and perfidious man as thou art since thou deservest to lose both thy hands I charge thee to become thine own Executioner left through delay thou procure thy further punishment And whereas with many prayers he besought me to grant him one of his hands Clytus cuts off his own left hand I hardly condescended At length of his own accord for fear he should lose both he took a Knife O and cut off his left hand and thus was this Tumult appeased A As soon as I returned to Taricheâ— and the Tiberians understood what stratagem I had used with them they were all amazed seeing how I had punished their ingratitude and disobedience without any bloodshed Afterwards I sent for such of the people of Tiberias as were in Prison amongst whom was Justus and his father Pistus and invited them to sup with me and during the repast I told them that I was not ignorant that the Roman Army excelled all Men of the world in power and force notwithstanding that I kept my self silent in the respect of the Seditious that were round about and I counselled them that they also would do the like in expectation of better days and yet that in the mean time they would not think amiss of my Government because no other could treat them better I reminded Justus also that before I came from Jerusalem the Galileans B had cut off his Brothers hands accusing him to have forged false Letters before the War and that after Philip's departure the Gamelites being at odds with the Babylonians slew Cares Philip's own Kinsman Joseph dismisseth the Tiberians whereas I had moderately punished his Brother-in-law Jesus who had married his Sister After this discourse during supper time I set Justus and his Friends Philip the Son of Jacim early in the Morning at liberty But before this came to pass it hapned that
Philip the Son of Jacim departed from the Fort of Gamala upon this occasion As soon as he understood that Varus was revolted from King Agrippa and that Modius Equus who was his Friend was sent to succeed him he certified him of his estate by his Letters Agrippa's kindness and humanity towards Philip. which when he had received he highly rejoyced at Philip's safety and sent those Letters to the King and Queen who lived at Berytus Whereupon the King understanding C the false rumor that ran touching Philip that he was the Chieftain of the Jews Army who undertook the War against the Romans sent certain Horsemen to Philip to bring him to his presence before whom he no sooner arrived but he embraced him very kindly and shewed him to the Roman Captains telling them that that was Philip of whom it was commonly reported Hedio Gadara that he was in Rebellion against the Romans After which he sent him with a party of Horsemen in all diligence to the Fort of Gamala to draw his houshold servants from thence and re-establish the Babylonians in Batanaea and travel to his uttermost power that the Subjects might be continued in obedience and peace After Philip had received this commandment from the King he hasted to perform the same D But one Joseph a pretended Physitian or Treacle-seller One Joseph stirred up a sedition in Gamala gathering together a sort of bold young Men and inciting the Nobility of Gamala persuaded the People to fall from the King and take Arms for recovery of their former liberty Having thus drawn many to his party he fell to killing of all those that durst contradict him Amongst these died Cares Jesus his Kinsman and the Sister of Justus the Tiberian as we have heretofore declared After this they requested me by Letters that I would send them aid and Labourers to build Walls for their Town To both which Requests of theirs I easily condescended About this time the Countrey of Gaâ—lonitis as far as the Borough of Solyma rebelled against Agrippa I also inclosed with Walls Seleucia and Sogon which were two strong places unaccessible Many Jews revolt from the Romans and fortified by Nature I did the like also by Jemnia E Ameritha and Charabe a Borough of higher Galilee although they were scituated among the Rocks I fortified in like sort Taricheas also and Tiberias and Sephoris Cities of Galilee and the Cave of the Arbalians Bersobe Selamen Jotapa Capharath Comosogona Nepapha and the Mountain Itabyrim In which places I stor'd up great plenty of Corn and laid up much of Armor and Munition for defence Mean-while John laboureth to supplant Joseph in his Government John the Son of Levi increased his hatred daily more and more towards me being greatly grieved to see my prosperity and whereas he was fully resolved to rid me of my Life after he had encompassed his Countrey Giscala with Walls he sent Simon his Brother with an hundred Soldiers to Jerusalem to Simon the Son of Gamaliel desiring him to labour the matter in such sort with the City that my Authority might be F disannulled and that John by common consent might be ordained Governor of Galilee in my place This Simon was born in Jerusalem Noble in Birth and in Sect a Pharisee which Sect of all other is most strictly observant in the Laws of our Countrey a Man of excellent wisdom who by his counsel was able to repair the decaying Ruines of his Countrey and who of long time had made use of John's friendship because he was at that time mine Enemy This Man sollicited by the intercession of his Friends persuaded the High Priest Ananus and Jesus the Son of Gamala and other of his Faction to stop my increasing honors before I attain'd to a higher degree of power For it should be very advantagious for them also if I were removed from the Government of Galilee Further he told Ananus G and the rest Simon 's counsel against Joseph that they were not to delay the matter lest upon discovery of their counsel I should attack the City with an Army Ananus the High Priest replied That is could not easily be done for that divers Priests and Governors of the People bare witness for me that I behaved my self honestly in that Government and that it was ill done to H bring an Accusation against a Man who could not be charged with any Misdemeanor When Simon heard what Ananus said he pray'd him and the rest at least to speak nothing thereof nor to make his motion known for he himself would undertake the execution of it And calling unto him the Brother of John he charged him to tell his Brother that the way to accomplish his design was to send Presents to Ananus For said he they will work so much with him that they will make him change his opinion In the end Simon obtained that which he long time sought after For Ananus and his Adherents being corrupted with Money accorded to remove me from the Government of Galilee without the consent or allowance of any other of the Citizens For which cause they thought good to send certain persons Noble in Birth and no ways inferior to one I another in Learning whereof two were of the common sort and Pharisees the one called Jonathas Simons second counsel against Joseph the other Ananias the third was Jozarus of the Tribe of Levi who was also a Pharisee and of the race of the Priests To these they joined Simon who was also descended of the High Priests and the youngest of them all These they commanded to call together a Council of the Galileans and demand of them why they loved me so well If they answered that it was because I was of Jerusalem they should say that Jerusalem was their Countrey likewise But if they said it was because of my knowledge in the Law they were willed to say that they understood the same as well as I. If they said it was in regard I was a Priest that they loved me Ambassadors with Soldiers sent to Joseph they should likewise averr that two of them were Priests Being thus instructed and receiving forty thousand silver K drachms of the Publick treasure with their Fellow and Collegue Jonathan they set forwards And for that at the very same time a certain man called Jesus of Galilee was come to Jerusalem with a band of six hundred Soldiers they sent for him and hired him and gave him three Months pay commanding him to follow Jonathan and his Companions and to do as they should command them and to these they adjoined three hundred Citizens whom they hired with Rewards With this preparation the Legates set forward being accompanied with Simon John's Brother who had one hundred Soldiers with him with Commission from those that sent them that if I willingly laid down Arms they should send me alive to Jerusalem and if I resisted by
their Authority they might lawfully kill L me Joseph's Father signifieth all these News unto him They had Letters also directed to John which incited him to make War against me Moreover they charged the Sephorites Gabarites and Tiberians to maintain John against me After I had intelligence hereof by my Fathers Letters who had notice thereof by Jesus the Son of Gamâ—â—a one of those who were present at the deliberation and who intirely loved me I was much grieved seeing with how much ingratitude my Countreymen requited me and of malice had decreed my death and for that my Father invited me by most affectionate Letters to draw my self homeward telling me how much he desired to see me who was his Son before he left this life I imparted these things to my Friends and certified them that within three days I would forsake their Countrey and retire my self into mine own Joseph resolveth to return home Whereupon they were surprized with great sadness M and besought me with tears that I would not forsake them for that they should be utterly overthrown if so be they were left destitute of my conduct But whereas they could by no means persuade me and the care of mine own security prevailed very much with me the Galileans fearing lest I should leave them and by that means the Thieves should be encouraged to set upon them they sent Messengers thorow all Galilee to signifie unto them the resolution of my departure Whereupon divers understanding the news resorted unto me from all parts bringing with them their Wives and Children not so much as I suppose for the sorrow they conceived at my departure as the fear that they had for themselves For they persuaded themselves that if I remained among them there could no mischief befall them They assembled therefore in a great Plain called N Asochim where I remained That night in my sleep I had a strange dream Joseph's admirable dream For lying in my bed and being wholly disconsolate and troubled with the News I had received methought a certain Man from above spake unto me after this manner Comfort thy self and fear not For the distress in which thou art shall be the cause to make thee great and happy beyond thine expectation For not only these things shall turn to a fortunate issue but also many other Be not thou therefore dismayed but remember the advice that I give thee to make War against the Romans After this dream A number of Galileans besought Joseph that he would not forsake them I awak'd and as I prepared to go down into the Plain the people of Galilee with their Wives and Children humbling themselves to the earth and weeping besought me that I would not leave them for a prey to their Enemies or abandon their O Countrey to their discretion But seeing that I made small reckoning of their prayers they uttered a thousand curses against the people of Jerusalem that envied them the peace and happiness which they enjoyed under my conduct A After I had heard these words and seen the desolation of the People my heart was melted with compassion Joseph consenteth to stay in Galilee and I resolved in my self that in respect of so great a multitude my life could not be better hazarded than for their preservation I therefore gave my consent to remain with them and gave order that five thousand of the best Soldiers with fit provisions should attend me as for the rest I sent them back to their own houses When these five thousand presented themselves I join'd them to the other three thousand that I had with me and drew out with them fourscore Horsemen and marched on towards Chabalon a Borough upon the marches of Ptolemais where I undertook to prepare them for the Battel Placidus against Joseph expecting some assault from Placidus who was come with two Companies of Footmen and one of Horsemen sent by Cestius Gallus to B burn the Countrey-towns of Galilee and other little Boroughs that border on Ptolemais And for that he was entrenched before the City of Ptolemais I encamped my Army likewise not far from the Borough Chabalon some sixty stades off and divers times drew I out my Forces to bid him Battel but there pass'd nothing but skirmishes For Placidus perceiving my forwardness to fight was dismay'd thereat and retired himself yet he departed not from Ptolemais About this time came Jonathan with the other Ambassadors who as we have heretofore declared were sent by Simon and the High Priest Ananus they labour'd to entrap me by policy for that they durst not assail me in open field To which purpose they writ a Letter to me to this effect Jonathan's Letter to Joseph Jonathan and the Ambassadors with him who C are sent by those of Jerusalem to Joseph Greeting The chief Men of Jerusalem being informed that John of Gischala hath oftentimes sought to betray you we are sent to repress his malice and to exhort him hereafter to submit himself unto you And being desirous to confer with you touching what concerneth the publick good we pray you to resort to us as soon as you can with some few Attendants because the Borough is not able to entertain many To this effect they writ to me hoping that one of these two things would fall out either that coming disarmed I should be easily surprized by them or else bringing with me 〈◊〉 great Company I should be condemned for an Enemy to my Countrey The Messenger that brought me this Letter was a valiant young Man mounted on Horse-back and had in times past born Arms for the King A Horseman brought the Letters The time at which he came to me was two hours within night D when I was banquetting with my Friends and the chief Governors of Galilee After that one of my Houshold Servants had certified me that a certain Jew on Horseback was come to speak with me I commanded he should be brought in who saluted me but coldly and delivering me the Letter said unto me They that are come from Jerusalem send you this Letter give them a speedy answer For I am commanded to make a speedy return They that sate at the Table with me were amazed at the Soldiers insolence But for my self I willed him to sit down and sup with us but he refusing the same I open'd the Letter without the observation of any present and having seen what it contain'd I folded it up again and held it in my hand in such manner as I had received it and began to talk with my Friends of other affairs and not long after rising from Supper and dismissing the rest E to their repose I only retained with me some of my most intimate Friends and gave order that the Soldier should receive twenty drachms to bear the charges of his Voyage He having received the same and giving me thanks I perceived well that he lov'd Money and
Lodging where Jonathan and the Embassadors were Whereupon seeing that it was impossible to restrain their fury I incontinently betook me to my Horse and commanded the People to follow me to Sogan a Borough of the Arabians distant from thence some 20 stades By this means I brought to pass that the beginning of a Civil War might not be imputed to me When I arrived at Sogan I made a halt and admonisht my Followers not to give way to their froward displeasures Joseph sends one hundred Ambassadors to Jerusalem nor entertain any desire of revenge and I commanded I them to choose out an hundred of the chiefest and eldest amongst them who should repair to the City of Jerusalem and there complain unto the People against those that had kindled Sedition in their Province And I said unto them If the People be favourable and listen to your discourse you shall persuade them to write unto me that by their authority I remain in Galilee and that John and his Followers depart from hence After I had given them this charge and that they were furnished with all things necessary for their journey with all expedition on the third day I dispatched them and sent five hundred armed Men with them I writ also to my Friends in Samaria so to provide for their passage that they might finish their journey in all security For Samaria was already in subjection to the Romans and it behoved my Men of necessity in order to make a short K journey to pass that way For from Galilee by this means a man may in three days arrive at Jerusalem Furthermore I conducted the Ambassadors my self as far as the Frontiers of Galilee setting Guards upon the ways to the end that none might easily know of their departure Which done I sojourned for a certain time at Japha But Jonathan and his Companions having failed of their purpose intended against me dismissed John to Gischala as for themselves they went to Tiberias hoping to bring the same under their obedience The Ambassadors hope to get Tiberias into their hands and possession for that Jesus who was President at that time had writen to them and promised them to persuade the People to entertain them and to take their part if they came in which hope they retired thither Sylas who as I declared was left by me as Agent in Tiberias certified me of all this by his Letters advising me to return in all diligence L in doing which I was brought in danger of my life upon this occasion that ensueth Jonathan and his Followers being come to Tiberias persuaded divers who were mine Enemies to revolt from me Joseph falleth in danger but after they were certified that I was there in person they were afraid and came unto me and saluting me told me that they reputed me happy in that I had so wisely behaved myself in Galilee and they rejoyced also in appearance that I was returned with honor telling me that they participated in that honor as being their Fellow-Citizen And they protested to me that the friendship which I bore them was more considerable to them than that of John and desired me to return promising very shortly to deliver John into my hands and these speeches of theirs they seconded with dreadful Oaths Jonathan and his Confederates policy which made me think that I had no cause to disbelieve them Furthermore they M prayed me to take up my Lodging in another place because the Sabbath being near it were an inconvenience that the City of Tiberias should be drawn into trouble on that day I who suspected nothing repaired to Tarichea leaving notwithstanding certain of my Friends behind me in Tiberias who might curiously observe what the common talk was of me and all along the way betwixt Tarichea and Tiberias I laid certain Men in wait who from one to another might certifie me of that which was discovered by them who remained in the City The next day therefore they all assembled in the Proseucha or Oratory which was a large house wherein they prayed and capable of a great Multitude The People assemble in the Proseucha When Jonathan was entred into this place he durst not openly speak to them of a revolt but only told them that their City had need of a better Governor But the President N Jesus without dissembling spake plainly after this manner unto them It were better for you my Friends that you were subject to four Men of Nobility and great wisdom than to one and thereupon he pointed to Jonathan and his Collegues Justus stood up and praised this advice and drew some of the people to his opinion But the greater part assented not and there had presently followed a mutiny had not the Assembly been dismissed The Jews sixt hour is to ui eleven or twelve a Clock at noon by reason it was mid-day which is the ordinary hour amongst them to take their repast Thus did Jonathans consorts remit the determination of the matter until the next day retiring themselves without any good done Which being reported to me I resolved with my self the next morning to repair to the City of Tiberias and accordingly arriving there very early I found the People already assembled in the place of O prayer but they knew not the cause why they were assembled Jonathan and his Collegues seeing me there contrary to their expectation were very much troubled and A bethought themselves of this subtilty They told the Multitude that a certain Friend of theirs had inform'd them Jonathan and his Associates subtilty that he had discovered certain Roman Horsemen upon the Frontiers of that Territory some thirty stades from the City in a place called Homonoea Whereupon they cry'd out that they ought not to endure their Countrey to be pillag'd by the Enemy in their sight They used this Speech supposing that under pretext of rescuing the Countrey they might send me abroad and so remain Masters of the City by getting the affection of the Inhabitants to my prejudice Now although I knew very well their intent yet I gave ear to them lest I should bring the Tiberians into an opinion that I was negligent and careless of their security I therefore rode out and came to the place of which they had spoken where finding no footstep B or appearance of an Enemy False Accusations and Epistles produced by the Ambassadors against Joseph I returned speedily without delay to Tiberias When I came there I found the whole Council assembled with a Multitude of People and Jonathan making against me a very vehement Invective that I made no account to relieve them in their Wars and studied nothing but mine own pleasure And whil'st they spake these words they produced four Letters as written unto them by those who live upon the Marches of Galilee requiring succor of them for that the Roman Horsemen and Footmen would within three days forage
Egypt they abstained from his slaughter Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. al. 7. Being therefore thus born and brought up when he increased in years he evidently by his virtue made it known unto the Egyptians that he was O born to abase their pride and to exalt the Hebrews by this occasion which ensueth The Ethiopians who confine upon Egypt having spoiled and destroyed the Countrey round A about them spoiled and made pillage of all the Goods of the Egyptians who incensed against them for the wrongs and injuries which they had done levied an Army intending to revenge them of that disgrace which their Enemies had offered them but in the Battel they were all put to flight so that many of them were slain and the rest shamefully flying Ver. 11. returned with ignominy worse than death into their own Countrey The Ethiopians proud with this good fortune The Egyptians war against the Ethiopians instantly pursued them and supposing it a cowardly part not to take the benefit of their present good fortune and conceiving an assured hope of conquering Egypt they enter'd the Countrey and generally wasted the same and having tasted of the sweetness of pillage without any temper or moderation in their Victory they were encouraged to attempt greater matters And whereas B they perceived that having wasted all the Neighbor-regions no man durst sally out to encounter them in Arms they marched forward toward Memphis even to the Sea arriving near no City that had the heart or durst make head against them By which calamities the Egyptians being much oppressed they send one to ask counsel of the Oracle by what means they might redress their miseries and when an answer was given them That they should choose an Hebrew to assist them in the Wars the King commanded his daughter to give them Moses who together with the Empire might govern the whole Army She taking an Oath of the King that no injury or violence should be offered him delivered him into his hands esteeming it to be a great good fortune for Moses that he was called to the succor of her Countrey and on the other side blaming the Priests C who were not ashamed to demand his aid and assistance The Egyptians require Moses to be their Captain whom they had adjudged to be slain as their common Enemy But Moses exhorted by Thermuthis and the King willingly took the charge upon him Whereat the Priests of both Nations were very joyful for the Egyptians hoped that when by his virtue and valor he had overcome their Enemies they afterwards might more easily dispatch and murther him by some treason and sinister means Moses marcheth against the Ethiopians and the Hebrews conceived an hope that they might get out of Egypt by reason that Moses was the General of the Army Moses therefore making haste before such time as the Enemies had any notice that he was dislodged he levied his Army and conducted them not along the banks of the River but through the main Land wherein he made manifest his most admirable prudence For the journey by Land being very D dangerous by reason of the multitude of Serpents which the Countrey thereabouts breeds of all sorts and some of that kind that the like thereof are not seen in any other place all different in malignity and horrible form and some winged ones who not only offend those that they encounter on the earth very privily but also towre very high in the Air and hover about to hurt those that are not aware of them he for the security of his Army and to the end he might march without any inconvenience invented this marvellous and admirable stratagem He caused two Paniers of Sedge to be made in form of Coffers and filled them with certain Birds called Ibis who are mortal Enemies to Serpents and before whom the Serpents flee and sometimes in flying from them like Harts they are laid hold of and swallowed by them Otherwise these Birds are managed E and made tame and are not harmful to any but to Serpents of whom I will now cease to write any further because the Greeks do already know what kind of Bird it is When therefore he arrived in the Countrey of Serpents The victory which Moses and the Egyptians had against the Ethiopians he let flie his Ibis against the venomous Beasts and made use of them to encounter the other And having marched in this sort he surprized the Ethiopians before they suspected him and suddenly charging them he overcame them in Battel spoiling them of the hope they had to conquer Egypt and entring the Towns of Ethiopia he razed them and made a great slaughter of the Inhabitants The Egyptian Army having tasted this happy success under the conduct of Moses omitted not the pursuit especially for that they saw that the Ethiopians were well nigh conquered Saba their chief City besieged or rather wholly destroyed and in the end having driven them F even to Saba the chief City of Ethiopia which Cambyses called Meroe for the love which he bore unto his sister who was so called they besieged them The City was strong and very hard to be assailed by reason of the River Nilus which environs it round about on the other side the Rivers of Astapus and Astaobora flow in so fiercely that they could neither break the course of the water nor wade over the stream for the City is built in an Island environed with a strong wall round about having great Ramparts betwixt the Rivers and the walls built to resist the inundations of the waters by reason whereof that the City could be very hardly taken although the opposite Army had found means to pass the water Now when Moses was much troubled that his Army profited nothing Tharbis the King of Ethiops daughter requireth love and marriage at Moses handsâ— by reason that the Enemy durst not encounter them in open field G behold what a chance hapned Tharbis the daughter of the King of Ethiopia beholding Moses as he approached with his Army near the walls of the City and seeing how valiantly he fought and behaved himself and wondring at the Exploits and Enterprises which he made The year of the World 2400. before Christ's Nativity 1564. which was the cause that the Egyptians almost despairing of their H estates and liberty were grown desperate and how the Ethiopians not long before esteemed the Conquerors and happy in their warlike exploits and fortunate executions were in the greatest extremity of danger she was surprized with love of him and for that this passion augmented more and more in her she sent to him seven of her most faithful houshold servants to offer him her love Which he accepted on condition that she should deliver the City into his hands promising her by a solemn Oath That when he was Master thereof he would take her to Wife without falsifying or breach of his promise
passages of their Country by which they thought their Enemy might break in preparing themselves to repell them with force and valor Yet no sooner did Phinees with his Forces charge them Cap. 3. 8. ad 18. but upon the first encounter so great a multitude of the Madianites was slain Five Kings of the Madianites slain that the number of the Carcasses could hardly be reckoned Neither were their Kings saved from the Sword these were Och Sur Robeas Vbes and Rechem from whom the chiefest City of the Arabians deriveth its name Otherwise Aâ—â—â—eme or Arca. and at this day retaineth O the same and is call'd Receme and by the Grecians Petra The Hebrews having thus put their Enemies to flight ravaged the Region and carried away with them great A spoils The year of the World 2493. before Christ's Nativity 1471. and killing all the Inhabitants thereof both Men and Women they onely spared the Virgins according to the command Phinees had received from Moses who returning home with his Army in safety brought with him a memorable and glorious prey of Oxen 52067 of Asses 60000 of gold and silver Vessels an incredible number which the Madianites were wont to use for their domestick occasions A great prey gotten from the Madianites so great was their great Riches and Luxury There were also led Captives about 30000 Virgins But Moses dividing the prey gave the fiftieth part thereof to Eleazar and the Priests and to the Levites another fiftieth Num. 27. 18. the remainder he distributed amongst the People who after this Battel lived in great security Deut. 3. 22. having gotten Riches by their Valor Moses appointed Joshua for his Successor and Peace also to enjoy the same Now for that Moses was well stricken in years he appointed Joshua to B succeed him in the Offices both of a Prophet a Prince and a Governor for God had so commanded that he should make choice of him to be his Successor in the principality for he was most expert in all divine and humane knowledge Numb 32. 1 5 c. being therein instructed by his Master Moses The Tribes of Reuben Gad and the half of Manasses require the land of the Amorites About that time the two Tribes of Gad and Reuben with the half Tribe of Manasses being abundantly stored with Cattel and all other manner of Riches by common consent requested Moses to give and assign to them in particular the Country of the Amorites which not long since they had conquered by the Sword for that it was full of rich Pastures But he suspecting that through fear they sought to withdraw themselves from the War with the Canaanites under pretext of care of their Cattel sharply reproved them saying that they were fearful and that their desire was to possess C that Land which was conquered by the Valor of the whole People to the end they might lead their lives in idleness and pleasure and not to bear Arms with the rest of the Host to help them to posses the Land beyond Jordan which God had promised them by overcoming those Nations which he commanded them to account for their Enemies These Tribes lest he should seem to be deservedly incensed against them answered that neither through fear they fled danger neither through sloth shunned labour but onely design'd to leave their prey in commodious places to the end they might be more fit to follow the War saying that they were ready if so be they might receive Cities for the defence and receipt of their Wives Children and Substance to follow the rest of the Army whithersoever they were conducted and to adventure their lives with them D for the common interest Moses satisfi'd with their reason in the presence of Eleazar the High Priest and Joshua with the rest of the Magistrates granted them the Land of the Amorites with this condition that together with the rest of the People they should march against their common Enemies Numb 35. 34 c. till the War were accomplished according to their desire accordingly having received that which they demanded they built them walled Cities Deut. 4. 43. and left their Children Josh 20. 8 9. Wives and Substance in the same Moses also built ten Cities in that Region which are to be reckoned in the number of those 48 abovemention'd in three whereof he appointed Sanctuaries The Cities of refuge and places of refuge which they only might take benefit of who fled thither for Casual Homicide and he appointed them their term of Exile till the time of the death of the High Priest under whom the E Manslaughter was committed at which time they might safely return into their Countrey And during the time of their Exile it was lawful for any of the Kin to take revenge upon the Offender by killing him only at such time as he was found without the City of Refuge which right he gave onely to those that were akin but not to others Now the Cities of Refuge were these in the Confines of Arabia Bosora in the Region of Galadena Numb 36. 1 2. Arimanum in the Countrey of Bazan Gaul Moses also ordained that after the Conquest of Canaan The daughters of Salpades have their inheritance in their fathers place three more Cities of the Levites should be appointed to that end that they might give refuge and habitation to such sort of Offenders At that time when one of the Magistrates called Salphates of the Tribe of Manasses was dead and had onely left Daughters behind him the Governors of the Tribe came unto Moses F and asked his counsel The history of Deuteronomy Whether they should inherit the Lands of their Father Moses answered them Ruffin cap. 5. That if they married within their Tribe they should inherit but if they made choice to marry themselves into another Tribe Hedio cap. 8. then they should lose their Patrimony in their own Deut. 41 c. ad 43. and for this cause made he this Ordinance to the end that every Tribe should continually possess its proper inheritance But whereas now there remained but 30 days only to fulfill the number of 40 years since their departure out of Egypt Moses summoning an Assembly in that place near to Jordan where now the City of Abila is scituate environed with fields beset with Palm-trees as soon as he saw the People ready to hear him spake unto them after this manner G CHAP. VIII H Moses Laws and how he was taken out of this world from the company of Men Deut. 4. MY dear friends Moses oration unto the people before his death and companions in my long Travels with whom I have run through so many dangers since it is thought requisite by God and mine age amounting to the number of one hundred and twenty years requireth no less that I must depart out of this life and
could speak they would accuse you that without cause they are ill treated against all right and that if they had the power to depart from thence they would transplant themselves into L another Countrey But when the Battel is ended and the day is yours kill all those Enemies that resisted you in the Fight Deut. 20. 15 16 17. the rest reserve as your tributaries except the people of the Land of Canaan The Canaanites are wholly to be extinguished for they with all their Families are to be exterminated Beware also but especially in War that neither a Woman use a Mans apparel nor a Man that of a Womans These are the Laws which Moses left Deut. 30. 31 32 33 34. He gave them likewise certain Institutions which he had written forty years before whereof we will speak in another Treatise Some few dayes after for he assembled the people six days together he gave them his blessing and pronounced his maledictions against those which should not live according M to his Laws but should transgress the determinations thereof He read also unto them a Canticle of six measures which he had registred in the holy book containing a prediction of things to come according to which all things have and do fall out without varying any ways from the truth These Volumes and the Ark he gave to the Priests in which he also placed the ten Commandments written in the two Tables Deut. 25. 19. He committed also unto them the custody of the Tabernacle He likewise exhorted the people that when by force they had conquered the promised Countrey The Amalechites to be punished and were planted therein they should not forget the injury which the Amalechites had done them but that they should lead forth their Army against them and take vengeance of the wrongs they had done them at such time as they were in the Desart And N he commanded them that as soon as they had taken the Countrey of Canaan they should exterminate and extinguish all the people He commanded them also to erect an Altar towards the East not far from the City of Sichem between the two Mountains Garizim on the right hand and the other called Gebal on the left and that distributing the people into two parts six Tribes in every part they should place them on these Mountains And he commanded that the Levites and Priests should be with them and that they that were upon the Mountain of Garizim should pray to God to multiply his blessings upon them that are zealous of his service and careful of the conservation of his Laws which had been given them by Moses The six other also were appointed to answer them and when these six O last had prayed the six first were to answer them and confirm that which they had pronounced This done they pronounced maledictions against the transgressors each one A answering the other in ratification of that which had been spoken He reduced also into writing these blessings and curses to the intent that the memory thereof might never be suppressed or extinguished by time which he also being near his death caused to be written on the Altar on the two sides thereof and permitted the people to come near it onely that day and there to offer burnt offerings which is forbidden to them by the Law These ordinances did Moses establish and these the Hebrew Nation observe inviolably even unto this day On the next morning he re-assembled all the people with their Wives and Children he likewise commanded Deut. 29 1 ad 10. the slaves should be present binding them by an oath to maintain and keep the Laws Moses bindeth the Hebrews by an oath to keep the Law and that diligently tying themselves to the will of God they B should not so much esteem either their kindred or means or perils or any other cause whatsoever as thereby to be driven to neglect the Laws or depart from the ordinances thereof but whether any one of their kindred or any City whatsoever should seek to alter and disturb the same or strive to weaken the authority thereof that both in particular and publick they should expose themselves and endeavour to punish them and if they should fortune to take such a City they should raze and utterly deface the same and if it were possible not leave one stone upon another but destroy the foundation But if they were too feeble to take such a revenge yet that they should make it known that they were not consenting to their impiety Hereunto the whole multitude consented and promis'd with an oath He afterwards told them how the people should C know when the Sacrifices were agreeable unto God and how they ought to march out to Battel taking a sign from the stones of the High Priest's Rational of which I have fore-spoken Josua likewise during the life and in the presence of Moses Prophesied whatsoever he intended to perform for the profit of the people either abroad in the administration of War or at home in prescribing Laws and preparing them to that order of life which was newly prescribed them he told them that by instructions from God he Prophesied that if they violated their Countrey Religion they should not escape destruction their Countrey should be filled with Foreign Arms their Cities Sackt their Temple Burnt and themselves sold under the Spear and that they should serve a D Nation Deut. 33. 23. which would not be moved or touched with commiseration of their afflictions and miseries and at length they should too late and unprofitably repent of their error yet that God their establisher would restore the Cities to the ancient Citizens and the Temple to his people Deut. 34. 9. And that this should come to pass not onely once but also many times Moses exhorteth Josua Then did Moses also appoint Josua to lead his Army against the Canaanites promising him that God would be assisting to his actions and wishing all sort of happiness to the people Seeing that saith he I go unto mine Ancestors and God hath prefixed this day for my departure it is very just that living as yet and standing in your presence I give him thanks for the care and providence which he hath hitherto had of your affairs not onely in delivering E you from so many evils but also in largely imparting his blessings unto you and for that he hath alwayes favourably helpt me whilest I endeavoured by my labour and care to reduce your fortunes to a better state Deut. 3. 13. 23. for it is he which hath given both the beginning and the accomplishment Deut. 34. 9. making use of me but as his Minister and Servant in all that good which hath been done to his people For all which things I have thought requisite in departing from you to bless the goodness of God who in time to come shall have the care and charge of you
in necessity for they reap'd the Corn of the Canaanites which at that time was ripe and carried away much other prey In the same season likewise their nourishment of Manna failed them whereon they had fed for the space of forty years And whereas the Israelites did all these things with security and freely and the Canaanites never sallied out against them but dismay'd with fear kept themselves up within their walls Joshua resolved to besiege them in their Cities so that on the first day of the Feast the Priests bearing the Ark and guarded on every side with Troops of Armed Men Josh 6. 3. drew near Jericho sounding seven Horns thereby O to animate the Soldiers to behave themselves manfully Joshua with his Army walketh about the City and they walked about the walls being attended by the Senate neither did they any other thing but Blow their A Horns and so returned back into their Camp Which when they had done for the space of six dayes on the seventh Joshua assembled the Army and all the people bringing them joyful news of the City which that day should be taken without labour the walls falling down of their own accord and without mans hand and yielding them free passage and entrance into the City and he encouraged them to kill all those whom they met Cap. 6. vers 21 22 23. and not to give over the slaughter of their enemies although they were weary nor to be moved with compassion Joshua commandeth that none but Rahab and hers should be saved nor allured from the slaughter and execution by desire of prey or to permit the enemy in any sort to flye but that they should extinguish and root out all that had life reserving nothing for prey or private profit He commanded likewise that all the gold and silver that was found should be brought into one place B to offer to God as the first fruits and in thanksgiving for his assistance and that only Rahab with her Kindred should be spared by reason of the oath which the Spies had sworn unto her vers 10. This said he advanced his Army towards the City then did they once more walk round about the City The walls of Jericho fall down of themselves the Ark marching before them and encouraging them to Valour by the sound of their Cornets And after they had environed the walls seven times and had a little reposed themselves the walls fell though the Hebrews had forced no Engine nor used any other violence against them So that they entering into the City slew all those that were therein who were already discomforted by the sudden and unexpected overthrow of their walls vers 24 25. and thorow their sudden fear made unapt to fight Jericho is taken the men slain and the City destroyed and burnt so that they were slain in their streets finding neither refuge nor C relief to succour them and so great was the slaughter that they neither spared Women nor Children but filled the City with dead Carcasses which at length being set on fire served for a Funeral flame to consume them Rahab and hers reserved and with like fury they ravaged and burnt the houses of the Countrey only Rahab and her houshold who kept themselves within her house were saved by the Spies and being brought to Joshuah's presence he gave her thanks for saving his Spies and promised her that he would reward her courtesies and soon after he gave her possessions and ever held her in great honour All of the City which the fire spared the sword consumed And Joshua pronounced Curses against those who should afterward endeavour to erect that which he had ruined namely that he that should lay the first foundation should be deprived of his first begotten Son D and he that should finish the work might lose his youngest Son and it hath pleased God that this imprecation hath not been frustrate as hereafter shall be shewen At the surprize and sack of this City there was gathered an infinite quantity of Gold Silver and Brass and none but one man brake the Edict or sought any prey or lucre for himself These spoils Joshua delivered to the Priests to be laid up in the Treasury and after this manner was the City of Jericho destroyed But Achar the Son of Zebedias of the Tribe of Judah having got the Kings Coat embroidered with Gold and an Ingot of Gold of two hundred Sicles in weight Joshua 7. v. 1. and thinking in him self that it were not just that the profit he had got by the hazard of his life Achar hideth certain parts of the prey contrary to Gods Commandment should be taken from him and presented to God who had no need thereof he digged a deep Pit in his Tent and buried E his spoils therein thinking by this means to defraud God as well as his Companions At that time their Tents were pitched in a place called Gilgal which signifieth Enfranchized because being delivered from the affliction of Egypt and the penury of the Desart they thought they had nothing more to fear Gilgal signifieth liberty But some few dayes after the destruction of Jericho Joshua 7. 5. Joshua sent out three thousand Armed men against Ain a City situate a little above Jericho who encountering with the Ainites in Battel The Israelites are put to flight by the Aâ—inites and by them put to flight lost thirty six of their company The news of which disaster being brought to the Camp the Israelites were seized with exceeding grief not onely for the men they had lost which were all of them valiant men and worthy of honour but also by reason of the despair they conceived of their future success For whereas F they had persuaded themselves that they were already Masters of the field and that their Army should be alwayes Victorious according as God had promised them they saw on the contrary that this success had raised the hearts of their adversaries so that cloathing themselves with sackcloth they spent three dayes in tears and lamentations without tasting any meat Josuah's prayer unto God so grievously were they afflicted with the defeat that had hapned Joshua seeing the Army dejected after this manner falling on his face to the earth addressed himself to God Joshua 7. 6 7 8 9. saying We have not been induced by our own temerity to attempt the conquest of this Land by force but we have been hereunto encouraged by thy Servant Moses to whom thou hast promised by divers signs that thou wouldest give us this Countrey to inhabit in and that our Army should have always the victory in battel and of these thy G promises we have oftentimes experienced the event But now beyond all expectation having received an overthrow and lost some of our Soldiers being terrified by this accident and suspicious of thy promises to Moses we both abstain from War
against the Gibeonites and contrariwise hoped for help from those Hebrews with whom they had contracted amity notwithstanding that they arrived in that Countrey to destroy the whole Nation of the Canaanites Joshua therefore hasting onward with his whole Army to give them assistance and marching both day and night early in the morning charged the Enemy at such time as he intended his assault and having put them to flight vers 9 10 11 he pursued them by a steep tract Joshua driveth them of Jerusalem to flight which place is called Bethora where he saw manifestly that God fought for him by the Thunder Lightning and Hail that fell at that time far bigger than was accustomed The day also the like whereof was never heard before was lengthned vers 1. 3. lest by the speedy approach of the night the Enemy C should escape from the Victor The Sun stood still and Joshua took all those five Kings in a certain Cave near Makkedah where they were hidden and condemned them all to death And that this day was longer than ordinary Five Kings slain it is registred in the sacred Volumes which are reserved in the Temple After this wonderful success Joshua led his Army to the Mountains of Canaan Joshua 11 12. per totum where having made a great slaughter of Men and taken rich booty he brought back his Army to Gilgal Now when the renown of the Hebrews valiant acts and their giving no quarter to any one person of their Enemies was bruited abroad amongst the neighbour Nations they were possessed with great fear so that the Kings of the Canaanites Joshua 11. 1. ad 5. that bordered upon Libanus and they also of the Plain of Canaan The Kings of the Canaanites move War against the Hebrews joyned themselves Confederates with the Philistines and all of them encamped D near Berotha a City of the higher Galilee not far from Cedes which is also scituate in the Land of Canaan The whole Army consisted of three hundred thousand Footmen ten thousand Horsmen The huge Army of the Canaanites and twenty thousand Chariots This great multitude of the Enemy astonished Joshua and the Israelites so that they conceived little hope of obtaining the Victory but God reproached and upbraided them for their timidity and for that they suspected themselves to be unsecure under his protection he promised them likewise that he would overcome their Enemies and make their Horse unprofitable and consume their Chariots by fire Joshua emboldened by these promises from God marched out against his Enemies and came upon them the fifth day The encounter was strong and the slaughter so great that they who heard the same would scarcely believe it Many E were slain in the pursuit so that a few only excepted the whole Army was put to the Sword The Kings also were all slain Joshua also commanded that their Horses should be slain v. 7. ad finem and he burnt their Chariots and Victoriously marched thorow the whole Countrey All the Kings of the Canaanites slain so that no man durst come out or make head against him He besieged likewise their strong places and killed all those that fell into his hands Now when the fifth year was ended Joshua spoyleth the whole Land of Canaan and none of the Canaanites were left alive except such as were fled into their Cities and Fortresses Joshua once more retired his Camp towards the Mountains and placed the sacred Tabernacles in the City of Siloe which seemed to be a very convenient place by reason of the beauty of the same where the Ark might remain till such time as their affairs permitted them to build a Temple From thence he departed F with all the people to Sichem and there built an Altar according as Moses had formerly commanded and having divided his Army he planted half of them on the Mountain of Garizim and the other half on the Mountain of Gebal on which also he built an Altar with the Levites and the Priests and after they had sacrificed and pronounced the curses formerly mentioned and ingraven them on the Altar they returned to Siloe Now inasmuch as Joshua was well stricken in years and very well perceived that the Cities of the Canaanites were hardly to be assaulted both in respect of the places wherein they were scituate and of the munitions wherewith besides other advantages of nature their Walls were strengthned and fortified for the Canaanites having intelligence of the departure of the Israelites out of Egypt and how G they hastned thither with intent utterly to extinguish and overthrow that Nation spent all that time in fencing and fortifying their Cities he assembled all the people in Siloe where he represented to them the happy success which till that time God had favoured them with The year of the World 2499. before Christ's Nativity 1465. because they had observed his Laws That the 31 Kings which had H been so hardy as to encounter them had by them been overcome that all the Armies that had opposed them in battel were wholly discomfited and most of their Cities taken so that there remained not any memory of them But for that some of the Cities which remained were so fortifi'd that they required long Sieges to get them v. 23. he thought good that the Tribes which had been drawn from out the Countrey beyond Jordan Joshua divideth his Army into parts to be Associates in this common cause of Conquest and by reason of affinity had made themselves companions in their perils Hedio Ruffinus chap 3. Joshua 13. a v. 1. ad 12. should be sent back into their own Countrey with thanks And that some of each Tribe of approved uprightness and loyalty should be chosen who surveying the Countrey might faithfully give a report of the extent thereof Joshua commandeth the dividing of the Countrey and counselleth that the two Tribes and an half should be dismissed This sentence was approved by the whole multitude and thereupon divers men I were sent accompanied with such as were skilfull in Geometry to measure out the Land and to estimate its goodness For the nature of the Land of Canaan is such that though there are great Plains very fertile yet the Land being compared with other places of the same Countrey cannot be esteemed excellent compared with the other Countries of Jericho and the Land about Jerusalem it may seem to be nothing worth although generally the whole Countrey be small and for the great part mountainous yet in respect of the abundance Joshua sendeth certain men to measure and divide the Land and beauty of the fruits thereof it is second to no other whatsoever For this cause he thought good that the portions should rather be estimated according to their value than their measure by reason that oftentimes one Plow-land was worth one thousand other Those which were sent were
City and the Elders and Magistrates and as many of the People as might commodiously be present and spake unto them First he called unto their remembrance the many benefits which God had bestowed upon them by means whereof from a poor and afflicted condition they had attained great riches and glory Then he exhorted them to observe his Commandments most Religiously to the end God might continue his merciful hand over them since they knew that his favour could be kept to them N by no other means but by their obedience He further told them that he thought himself oblig'd before he departed out of this life to admonish them of their duty Last of all Josh 24. 39. he desired them to accept well of that his good admonition and to be perpetually mindful of the same Joshuah's death As he ended these words he gave up the Ghost and dyed in the 110 year of his age whereof he spent 40 as Minister under Moses their chief Magistrate and after his death governed the Commonwealth 25 years A Man of incomparable prudence and eloquence wise and diligent in matters of Government and equally capable of the most important affairs of Peace and War in a word the most excellent Captain Governor of his time Ver. 33. He was buried in a City called Thamna belonging to the Tribe of Ephraim Eleazar's death About the same time likewise dyed Eleazar the High O Priest leaving the Priesthood to Phinees's Son his Sepulchre is seen at this day in the City Gabatha After their deaths Phinees being demanded by the People what God's A pleasure was The year of the World 2525. before Christ's Nativity 1439. and to whose charge the Wars against the Canaanites should be committed answered them that God commanded to give the Government to the Tribe of Judah which choosing that of Simeon for their Associates undertook the War with this condition that when they had utterly rooted out the remnant of the Canaanites out of their own Tribe Judg. 1. they should likewise employ themselves to extinguish all the Reliques of that Race amongst the other Tribes CHAP. II. How the Israelites after the death of their Emperor forgetting the Religion of their Forefathers fell into extreme Calamities and how through a Civil War raised amongst B them there were only 600 of the Tribe of Benjamin left alive BUt the Canaanites whose estate at that time was very potent expected them with a great Host about the City of Bezec Hedio Ruffinus cap. 5. al. 2. having their Army conducted by the King of that place Judg. 1. 1 2 ad 5. called Adoni-Bezec which name signifieth Lord of the Bezecenities for Adoni in the Hebrew Tongue is Lord and these Men promised themselves the Victory by reason that Joshua was deceased Ten thousand Canaanites slain and Adoni-Bezec taken ver 6 7. Against these the two Tribes of Judah and Simâ—on fought very valiantly and slaying 10000 of them in the pursuit they took Adoni-Bezec Captive who having his hands and feet cut off acknowledged the divine justice for he confessed that he had used 72 Kings before times after the same manner In this condition C they conducted him near Jerusalem where departing out of this life they buried him Then they over-run the Countrey sacking and taking the Cities and after they had divers of them in their possession they besieged Jerusalem and entring the lower City they put all the Inhabitants to the Sword But the higher Town was very hard to be assaulted by reason of the Fortresses and strength of the Walls and the naturally strong situation of the place which was the cause that they rais'd their Camp to go and besiege Hebron which they took and slew all that were therein Amongst whom there were some of the Race of the Gyants whose stature was so prodigious their aspect so terrible and their voice so dreadful that it can scarce be believ'd their Bones are still to be seen at this day This City being very considerable was given to the Levites with 2000 D Cubits of Land round about the rest of the Countrey was freely given to Caleb according as Moses had commanded he having been one of those Spies which Moses sent to view the Land of Canaan Jethro's posterity who was the Father of Moses possessed of Lands They gave lands and possessions likewise to the posterity of Jethro the Madianite who was Father-in-law to Moses for that they had forsaken their own Territories and join'd themselves to the Israelites and been with them in the Desart The Tribes of Judah and Simeon took those Cities of the mountainous Countrey of Canaan and also those that were in the Plain near the Sea-coast namely Ascalon and Azoth But they could not take Gaza and Accaron for those Cities being in the Plain and defended with a great number of Chariots repelled those that assaulted the same to their disadvantage So these two Tribes having had good success in Wars retired E to their Cities to enjoy in peace the spoils which they had taken As for the Benjamites Ver. 16. to whom Jerusalem appertained The Israelites overcame not the Canaanites at one time they received the Inhabitants thereof as their Tributaries so that all being in peace and the one ceasing from slaughter and the other assured from danger they employed themselves in manuring the Countrey The rest of the Tribes did the like conforming themselves according to the example of the Benjamites Av. 22. ad 26. and contenting themselves to receive their Tributes they suffered the Canaanites to live in peace The Ephraimites recover Bethel by a stratagem The Tribe of Ephraim having long besieged the City of Bethel could not see such an end of their design as the length of time and the Travels they had taken in the Siege required and although they were very much toyled and wearied with the same yet they continued the Siege At last one of the Inhabitants F who was carrying Provisions thither fell into their hands whom they promis'd that if he would let them into the City they would save him and grant life and liberty likewise to all his Family He was persuaded and by his means they became Masters of the place he and his were spared but all the rest of the Inhabitants were put to the Sword From that time forwards the Israelites ceas'd to make War and employed themselves in Tillage of their Lands and husbanding their Fruits and being grown rich they followed the delights and pleasures of the World in such sort as they became dissolute and had no regard either of their ancient Discipline or the Laws of their Forefathers Whereupon God was highly incensed against them Hedio Ruffinus cap. 6. â—l 3. and he gave them to understand that contrary to his Command they had spared the Canaanites and that those Canaanites in G time to come Judg. 2. 1 ad
of these as they can 〈◊〉 let the Benjamites lay hold of without reproof neither being inhibited nor encouraged by us and if their Fathers shall be displeased therewith and shall require revenge we will say that they are in the fault who have negligently kept their Daughters and that we ought not too much to whet our wrath against the Benjamites for that we had too much already used the same toward them Ver. 20. ad fin This advice was approved by all and it was decreed The Benjamites are permitted to ravish them Wives That it was lawful for the Benjamites to seize and violently take to themselves Wives amongst them Now when the Feast was at hand the 200 Benjamites of K whom we have spoken came two by two and three by three and lay in ambush near the City amongst the Vines and other Thickets and close places in which they might hide themselves to surprize the Damsels who suspecting nothing securely and pleasantly wantoned on their way but the young men breaking from the ambush laid hold of them being scattered and divided here and there and after they had married them they departed home to labour their Land and began to study anew how to recover their former prosperity Thus the Tribe of Benjamin which was well nigh utterly exterminated was preserved by the wisdom of the Israelites and it flourished and increased in a little time as well in number of men as in all other things The like accident hapned to the Tribe of Dan Hedio Ruffin cap. 7. al. 4. which fell into the like mischief for this L cause which ensueth The Israelites about this time having forgotten the exercise of Arms Judg. 18. 2 c. and being onely occupied in Tilling their Land The Tribe of Dan oppressed by the Canaanites the Canaanites in contempt of them raised Forces not for that they were afraid for their own Estates but to the intent that defeating the Hebrews with some memorable overthrow they might more securely inhabit their Cities for the future They brought into the Field a great number of Footmen and Chariots and they drew Aschalon and Acharon two Cities within the lot of Judah into thier Confederacy and divers other Cities of the Champion Countrey so that the Tribe of Dan was driven into the Mountains having no place in the Champion where they might peaceably inhabit and for that they were neither able to recover their Lands from M the enemy nor had sufficient habitation for their number of Men they sent five Men of their Tribe into the Champion Countrey to see if they could find any place that were fit and convenient for them to establish and fix their Colonies These Men Travelled a days journey not far from the Mountain of Libranus and lower than the sources of Jordan bordering upon the great Plain of the City of Sidon In which place having observed that the Land was good and fertile in all sorts of fruits they made their report to their People who Travelling thither with their Army built a City in that place called Dan by the name of the son of Jacob so called and of their own Tribe Many adversities befell the Israelites from that time forwards They of Dan seek out a place to inhabit both by reason they were unexercised in Travel and for that they contemned Piety For having once forsaken the N observation of the Ordinances they abandon'd themselves to Pleasures living according to their own appetites so that they polluted themselves with those Vices which were most usual amongst the Canaanites O A CHAP. III The year of the World 2586. before Christ's Nativity 1438. How the people of Israel by reason of their wickedness were by God delivered to the servitude of the Assyrians FOr this cause the wrath of God was kindled against them Judg. 31. 2 3 4. in such sort that he abandon'd them and through their luxury they soon lost the felicity which they had gotten by infinite pains The Israelites oppressed by Schisart For Schisart King of the Assyrians levied and an Army against them killed a great number of their men in fight and either by force or composition took divers of their Cities and brought them under his subjection Many also willingly submitted B themselves to him through fear and payed great tribute enduring all kind of outrage for the space of eight years after which they were delivered by these means following CHAP. IV. Their liberty restored by Cenez A Certain man of the Tribe of Juda called Cenez a man of understanding and courage was advertised by a voice from Heaven Ibidem c. 3. v. 9 10 11. that he should not permit the Israelites to be reduced into so extreme necessity without taking care for them but adventure himself to set them at liberty Cenizus or as the holo Scripture speaks his Son Athaniel rigned eight years Upon which calling to him some few whom he knew C generous enough to fear no danger when a yoke so insupportable was to be shaken of They began with outting the throats of the Assyrian Garison which Schisart had placed over them This first success caus'd the number of his followers to increase a little more and more so that in a little time they seemed sufficient to equal the enemy in open field whereupon encountring him in one battel they overcame him and recovered their liberty and the rest of the scattered and confused Army retired toward Euphrates After Cenez had by this action given proof of his valour he received the government at the peoples hands and exercised the office of Judge forty years and died CHAP. V. D How the people were made subject to the Moabites and how by Jodes they were exempt from servitude AFter his death the government being void the affairs of the Israelites began again to fall to ruine Hedio Ruffinus chap. 8. and the rather for that they neither yielded due honour to God Judg. 3. 12 ad 15. or obedience to the Laws whence it came to pass that Eglon King of the Moabites seeing the disorder of their policy made war against them Eglon King of the Moabites conquereth the Israelites and defeated them many times And for that he was a Prince of greater puissance than any of his Predecessors he weakened their Forces so that he constrained them to pay tribute This man removing his Court to Jericho and proud of his Victories omitted no E means whereby he might vex and molest the people so that they lived for the space of 18. years in great misery But God being moved with compassion of their calamities delivered them from their intolerable thraldom after this manner Jodes the Son of Gera of the Tribe of Benjamin a young man endow'd with Valour of mind and strength of body to attempt any worthy action dwelt at Jericho Jodes or Ehud insinuated himself into Eglons
familiarity This man insinuated himself into Eglons familiarity and by presents courted him in such sort that he was well beloved and esteemed amongst all the Courtiers and had frequent access to the Palace It chanced one day that bearing certain Presents unto the King attended by two of his Houshold servants he secretly hid a Dagger under his cloaths v. 10. at such time as he entred in to the King Now it was Summer and Mid-day likewise and the watch was F grown more careless partly by reason of the heat and partly for that the guard were at their dinner The young man therefore offering his presents unto Eglon who at that time refreshed himself in a certain Summer Chamber began to discourse with him Now they were both alone by reason that the King resolving to talk familiarly with Jodes had sent away his Guard but Jodes fearing lest he might miss his blow as the King sate upon the Throne desired him to rise telling him that he had a Dream to relate to him by the commandment of God Whereat he rejoycing arose from his seat and Jodes stab'd him to the heart and leaving the Poynard sticking in the wound locked the door after him and escaped For the Guard supposing the King laid down to rest let him pass But Jodes giving private notice hereof to the Israelites offered G himself to be their leader for recovery of their liberty and they willingly accepting thereof presently took Arms and sent Trumpets about to summon the rest of their Countreymen They that were about Eglon were wholly ignorant of what had hapned but about Evening fearing lest some mishap had befaln him they entred into H the Chamber where he was The year of the World 2641. before Christ's Nativity 1350. and found him dead whereat they were greatly astonished so that they knew not what course to take so that before they had assembled their Forces together the Israelites came upon them and kill'd some the rest being Ten thousand in number Ver. 29 30. fled in hope to recover their Countrey of Moab but the Israelites having before way-laid and fortifi'd the passages of Jordan pursued and slew them The Moabites put to flight and slain by the Israelites so that many of them perish'd in the River and not one escap'd their hands By this means the Israelites were deliver'd from the servitude of the Moabites and Jodes was advanced to the Government of the People After he had lived Fourscore years he dyed A Man besides the action now mention'd worthy of praise for many other things After him Sanagar the Son of Anath was elected Governor and in the first year of his I Rule he left this life for the fruition of another CHAP. VI. How the Israelites were brought under the subjection of the Canaanites and deliver'd from Servitude by Barac BUT the Israelites in no sort reclaim'd or better'd by their forepass'd Calamities fell again into their former impiety and disobedience Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. and before they had sufficiently shaken off the servitude of the Moabites Judg. 4. 1 2 3. were subjected to Jabin King of the Canaanites K Jabin King of the Canaanites subdueth the Israelites This Man kept his imperial residence at Asar a City situate on the Lake Sachonites and had in his Pay Thirty thousand Foot and Ten thousand Horse and besides these he had Three thousand warlike Chariots This great Army was commanded by Sisara Ver. 2. an eminent Man amongst the Kings Favourites who encountring with the Israelites Sisares or Sisara the Captain of the Host brought their affairs into so desperate an estate that they willingly for their own security accepted servitude and paid Tribute whereunto they were forced almost for the space of Twenty years not daring to lift up their heads all which fell upon them by the Will of God to punish the too great contumacy and ingratitude of that Nation At the end of which time repenting themselves and acknowledging that the cause of their Calamities Ver. 4 5. proceeded from the contempt of Gods Laws they repaired L to a certain Prophetess Debora the Prophetess called Debora which name in the Hebrew Tongue signifieth a Bee beseeching her that by her prayers she would endeavor to move God to mercy and not suffer them so to be oppressed by the Canaanites God being inclined by her prayers granted them help Ver. 6. and appointed Barac to be their Governor a Man of the Tribe of Nepthali Barac appointed Emperor against the Enemy whose name signifieth Lightning Debora sending for Barac commanded him to choose out Ten thousand Men and lead them forth against the Enemy saying that their number were sufficient since God had promis'd him the Victory But Barac denying to undertake the Government except she also would join in the administration of it with him she mov'd with anger reply'd Art thou not asham'd to surrender the dignity which God hath given thee to a Woman Well I will not refuse it Whereupon M levying Ten thousand Men Ver. 8 9. they pitched their Tents near the Mountain of Thebor Sisara at that time according as the King had commanded him presently marched out to meet them and encamped not far from them But Barac and the rest of the Israelites being terrified with the multitude of the Enemies was encouraged by Debora Ver. 14. who commanded them that very day to undertake the Battel Debora and Barac charge the Enemy assuring them that the Victory should be theirs and that God would assist them Whereupon they charged the Enemy and there suddenly fell a storm of Rain mixed with Hail which the wind drove against the faces of the Canaanites and took away their sight rendring those that carried Darts and served with the Sling unprofitable in the service likewise those that were heavily arm'd having their hands benum'd with cold could not wield their Swords N But the Tempest beating on the backs of the Israelites not only gave them less offence but made them also more couragious as being a manifest sign of Gods favour and presence Whereupon disaraying and breaking thorow their Enemies Battel they made a great slaughter of them Ver. 15. so that part of them fell by the weapons of the Israelites the rest were over-run by their own Horsemen and Chariots Sisara slain with his Host Sisara seeing his Soldiers turn their backs leap'd from his Chariot and fled away till at last he arrived at the Tent of a woman of Cenetis called Jael whom he desired to conceal and hide him She admitted him and when he desired drink she gave him sowre milk which when he had largely drunk Ver. 21. he fell asleep The Woman seeing him in this condition took a Mallet Jael killeth Sisara with an iron Nail and drove an Iron Nail thorow his temples and fastned him to the pavement soon O after
Armed men coming towards him cried out to Zebul That he had discovered the 〈◊〉 Zebul replied that it was nothing but the shadow of Rocks But Gaal drawing nearer them and seeing apparently who they were answered F Zebul That they were no shadows but ambushes of 〈◊〉 Zebul replyed Dost thou not object cowardize to Abimelech Why therefore 〈◊〉 thou not thy great valour in fighting with him Gaal confusedly amazed bore the first charge of the Soldiers of Abimelech in which conflict some of his Followers were slain and he himself fled into the City giving example to the rest to follow him v. 39 40 41. Hereupon Zebul laboured that Gaal might be expelled out of the City Gaal put to flight by Abimelech is banished out of Shechem accusing him of cowardize in his encounter with the Soldiers of Abimelech Now when Abimelech had afterwards gotten certain intelligence that the Shechemites would go out again to gather their Vintage he laid an ambush near to the City And no sooner were they come forth but a third part of his Troops surprized the Gates to cut off their return v. 45. the rest ran after those that were scattered here and G there so that there was a great slaughter on every side Shechem taken and sacked and razed to the ground and the City was ruined to the very foundations and they sowed Salt upon the ruines thereof But they that escaped thorow the Countrey and had avoided the danger assembled to fortifie themselves upon a strong Rock The year of the World 2493. before Christ's Nativity 1470. whereon they incamped But as soon as Abimelech had notice of H their intention he hasted thither with his forces and environed the place with faggots of dry wood carrying them thither in his own person and encouraging thereby those of his Army to do the like so that the Rock was incontinently compassed with wood whereunto he set fire round about v. 46. 47 48 49. and in an instant it flamed and burnt vehemently so that none of them were saved but all perished with their Wives and Children to the number of fifteen hundred men The Shechemites flying are burned upon a Rock besides many of the weaker sort This calamity hapned to the Shechemites who were worthy of compassion if they had not deserv'd this punishment for their ingratitude towards so upright a Judge and so gracious a Benefactor Abimelech cool'd the courage of the Israelites by this treatment of the Shechemites and gave sufficient testimony that he aspired higher and would never terminate I his ambition till he had totally subdu'd them He therefore led forth his Army against the Thebans and their City which he took in the Town there was a great Tower whither all the people had retired themselves and as he prepared to besiege the same and approached near the Gates Abimelech taketh Tebez a certain woman cast a piece of a Milstone at him which hit him on the head and made him fall to the ground Abimelech feeling that he was wounded to death v. 52 53 54 55 commanded his Armor-bearer to dispatch him that it might not be reported that he died by the hand of a woman A woman woundeth Abimelech and his Squire killeth him The man did as he was commanded and so Abimelech suffer'd the punishment of the cruelty he had committed against his Brethren and the tyranny executed upon the Shechemites according as Jotham had foretold As soon as Abimelech was slain all the Army dispersed and returned to their K dwellings Hedio Ruffinus chap. 12. al. 19. and Jair the Galeadite of the Tribe of Manasses took upon him the Government Amongst other felicities of this man these were of greatest note that he was rich Judg. 10. and had thirty Valiant Sons all prudent men and of chief rank in the Country of Galaad After he had governed the people twenty years he died when he was very old and was honourably intombed in Chamon a City of Galaad From this time forward the policy and estate of the Hebrews grew more and more disordered and the Laws began to be neglected Thola reigned 23. years Whence it came to pass that the Ammonites and Philistines destroyed all their Countrey with a great Army and made themselves masters of the Land on this side Jordan After him Jair 22. years and so much were they heartned that they pressed further to possess the other side of the River Judg. 102 34. and conquer the same Whereupon the Hebrews being brought to L more moderation by these their adversities had recourse unto God by prayers and sacrifices desiring that it would please him to moderate his wrath if he would not wholly appease it stay his heavy hand over them This submission of theirs prevailed with God who promis'd to assist them Whilst therefore the Ammonites led their Army into Galaad they of the Countrey arose to meet and fight with them being destitute of a Governour to conduct them Now their was a certain man called Jeptha of great estimation as well for the virtue of his ancestors as his own valour for he had a considerable body of men in his own service To him they sent a messenger desiring him to assist them v. 5 6 7 8. and promising him The Israelites oppressed by the Ammonites and Philistineâ— that he should continue in the Government during the term of his life But he was nothing moved with this request but reproachfully M objected against them that they had abandoned him when his Brothers did him open wrong by driving him out of their Family by reason he was not their Brother by the same Mother but begotten on a woman which their Father had entertained for his Paramour and it was to revenge this injury that he had lived in Galaad receiving all â—â—ose into wages which came unto him of what place soever But after they had presthdhm and sworn to him he joyned his Troops with them and became their General and speedily providing whatsoever was necessary he encamped near Maspha and sent Ambassadors to the Ammonites accusing them for invading a Countrey that belonged not to them They on the contrary blamed the Israelites for that they coming out of Egypt had usurpt that Countrey from his Ancestors who were lawful Lords of N it Judg. 11 v. 5 6 9 10 11. Jeptha answered that they had no reason to accuse their Ancestors in respect of Amorrhaea Jeptha is created the Judge of Israel but rather they were beholden to them for that they had permitted them to enjoy the Countrey of Ammon it being in Moses power to have conquered the same In a word they were resolved not to forsake the Countrey which God had given them and they had held in their possession for the space of three hundred years and would defend against them by dint of Sword With these words dismissed he the
favourable to you it behoveth you not only to be touched with a desire of recovering your liberty but also to endeavor to recover the same in effect Hedio Ruffin cap. 2. Beware therefore lest through the corruption of your own manners you make your selves unworthy thereof and let each one of you endeavor to follow justice and expelling all sin out of your minds The punishment of the Israelites 1 Sam. 7. 3 ad 6. convert your selves in all purity to God and persevere constantly in his service For in doing these things you shall shortly obtain all felicity and especially a new liberty and an assured victory against your Enemies which neither by valor or by the strength of your bodies or by the multitude of your Armies Samuels oration to the people you were able to obtain for God hath not proposed Rewards for these things but for virtue and justice and trust me he will not deceive your I expectation Samuels exhortation to the people as touching their repentance nor fail in the execution of his promises When he had spoken after this manner all the People testified their consent by acclamations shewing the pleasure they conceived by this discourse and promising to do that which should be well-pleasing to God Whereupon Samuel assembled them the second time in the City of Maspha which word signifieth conspicuous there they erected an Altar and sacrificed unto God and after they had fasted for a days space they made publick Prayers to God The Philistines being advertis'd of this Assembly came suddenly with a great Army and many Forces intending to surprize the Hebrews who neither expected nor were prepared for them This sudden approach of theirs much dismayed the Hebrews so that running to Samuel they told him that their hearts failed them through fear The prayers supplications and fasts of the Israelites in Maspha and their minds were troubled K with the remembrance of their former losses for which cause they ought to hold themselves in quiet for fear lest the Enemy should employ his power against them Thou hast led us hither to pray sacrifice and offer up our vows to God and behold the Philistines are encamped near us v. 8. 9 and ready to surprize us naked and disarmed we have no other hope therefore of security What things in warfare are to be opposed against the-Enemy but what proceedeth from thee and unless God moved by thy prayers give us means to escape their hands Samuel in way of answer wished them to be of good cheer assuring them that God would give them some testimony of his assistance whereupon sacrificing a sucking Lamb in the name of the People he pray'd God that it would please him to stretch forth his right hand for them in the Battel against the Philistines Samuel comforted the people v. 10. and that he would not permit them to fall this second L time into the Enemies hands To these prayers of his God gave ear and accepted their humble hearts and dutiful observance v. 11 12 c. being well-pleas'd with their offering and promising them victory Samuels sacrifice and prayer Before the Sacrifice was wholly consumed with the flame and the Ceremonies performed the Enemies ranged their Battels in the Israelites sight supposing the day already theirs The sacrifice devoured by celestial flame a token of Gods assistance in that they had surprized the Jews unprepared for fight as being assembled in that place to no such end But the matter fell out contrary to what they expected and had they been foretold the same they would have scarcely believed it For first by an effect of Gods Omnipotence the Earth trembled under their feet so that they could scarce stand v. 10 and some were suddenly swallowed up by the Earthquake A horrible earth-quake among the Enemies and a great Thunder was accompanied with such scorching Lightnings that their eyes being M dazled and their hands blasted therewith they could not wield or manage their Weapons Samuels victory over the Enemy and so were constrained to repose all their hope and confidence in flight But Samuel seeing them thus dismayed suddenly set upon them and killing many of them ceased not to pursue the rest as far as a place called Corre where he erected a stone for a Trophee or mark both of his own Victory and the Enemies flight and called the same the strong Rock to testifie that the People had received from God all the strength which they had us'd in this famous Battel The Philistines after they had received this overthrow sallied not out any more against the Israelites but remembring their fear and the strange accidents that befel them they remained in peace offering no further invasion for the confidence which the Philistines had before that time conceived against the Hebrews was N removed into the hearts of the Hebrews ever after this Victory Samuel continu'd the War against them v. 14. and slew a great number of them and for ever abased their pride taking from them that Countrey which formerly by Conquest they had cut off from the inheritance of the Jews Samuel recovereth those Lands which the Israelites had lost which Countrey extendeth from the Frontier of Geth to the City of Accaron and the rest of the Canaanites at that time had peace with the Israelites O A CHAP. III. The year of the World 2871. before Christ's Nativity 1093. Samuel unable by reason of his old age any longer to Govern the State committeth it to the administration of his Sons NOw when the Prophet Samuel had reduced the people to a good form of Government Samuel prescribeth laws and disposeth the judgment-seat in several Cities he assigned them a City whither they might appeal and decide those differences that fell out amongst them and he travelled twice every year from City to City Hedio Ruffinus chap. 3. to administer justice unto them and continued this policy for a long time But when he found himself overburdened with years and unapt to execute his ordinary B offices 1 Sam. 8. 1 2. surrendred the Government and Superintendency of the people to his Sons the elder of whom was called Joel Samuel committeth the Government and care of the common-wealth to his two Sons and the younger Abiha and he commanded that one of them should make his seat of justice in Bethel and the other reside at Bersheba dividing the people and attributing each part to its particular Judge Now it became manifest by experience that Children are not alwayes like their Fathers but sometimes of evil Parents there are good Children bred Joel and Abia. as contrariwise at this time of a good Father there were evil Sons For forsaking the instructions of their Father they followed a quite contrary course and perverted justice with corruptions and rewards and surfeited in delights and pleasures in contempt of
more v. 21. he stole away from the presence of those men over whom he was to command Sauls modesty and temperance in undertaking the Government and obliged them to seek after him and labour to find him out Whilest therefore they carefully sought and knew not what was become of Saul the Prophet prayed God that he would shew them where he was and bring him into their presence which having obtained he sent out certain messengers to conduct him thither v. 22. and as soon as he came amongst them Saul hideth himself from the presence of the people Samuel placed him in the midst of the people Now he was taller than any of the company by the shoulders F and had a Kingly and goodly shape and appearance Then spake the Prophet after this manner v. 23. God hath given you this man to be your King behold how he surpasseth you all and shews himself worthy to be your Prince Saul of a high stature But assoon as the people had cried God save the King v. 24. the Prophet who had reduced into writing all those mischiefs that should befall them Saul saluted by the people for their King read the same to them in the hearing of the King and put the book into the Tabernacle of God for a perpetual testimony to posterity of those things which in future ages should succeed v. 26 27. according as he had prophesied which done Samuel dismissed the people and returned to the City of Ramath Divers attend on Saul othersome contemn him which was his Countrey But Saul departing to Gabatha divers worthy men gave their attendance on him and paid him the honour that appertained to a King But divers seditious and loose companions who set him at naught G both mocked them Hedio Ruffinus chap. 5. and those things which he did neither brought they any presents unto Saul 1 Sam. 11. â— ad 4. nor seemed either in affection or in word to respect their King A month after this installment there fell a War betwixt him and Nahas King of the Ammonites which brought him great reputation This Nahas had offered divers outrages to those H Jews that dwell on the other side of Jordan For he had passed the River with a great Army levied against them and had taken divers of their Cities And to the intent they might not revolt to deliver themselves from his subjection he used this subtilty and prevention To all that surrendred themselves to his mercy or that were taken Captives in the wars he plucked out their right eyes and this he did to the end that when they would defend themselves they might have their left eyes covered with their Bucklers and by that means unable to use their Armor Sauls War against the Ammonites The King of the Ammonites having after this manner dealt with those on the other side of Jordan he led his Army against the Galaadites and encamped near their chief City called Jabehs 1 Sam. 11. 3 4 5 6. to which he sent Heralds to summon the inhabitants to surrender on these conditions either to suffer their right eyes I to be pulled out or else by enduring the siege to see the final overthrow both of themselves and of their City requiring them to chuse which they lik'd either to lose a little part of their body Nahas King of the Ammonites offereth unjust conditions of peace to the Galaadites or hazard both their Fortunes and lives together The Galaadites terrified with this dreadful election knew not what to resolve upon but asked truce for seven dayes to the end that sending their messengers to those of their Nation they might crave their aid which if they could obtain they would War otherwise they promised to submit themselves unto the enemy on what conditions were best pleasing unto him The Ambassadours of the Galaadites to the Israelites Nahas made no difficulty to grant them what they demanded so much he contemned the Israelites and he permitted them likewise to crave assistance at all their hands who were their associates Whereupon they presently sent messengers K from City to City and certified the Israelites of all that Nahas had done unto them and the extremity whereunto they were reduced The Israelites understanding in what estate they of Jabesh were greatly lamented their condition but their fear suffered them to assist their friends in no other manner than by commiseration Yet as soon as their messengers arrived in the City where Saul was and that they had recounted to him the dangers wherewith the Jabesites were oppressed the people were also moved with unprofitable compassion But Saul at his returning from the field into the City perceiving the inhabitants drowned in tears and enquiring for what cause they were so dejected he no sooner understood it but he was stirred up by the Spirit of God and sent the Ambassadors back again to those that sent them promising that within three L days he would succour them v. 7 8 9. and that he would have the upper hand of the enemy before Sun-rise Saul promiseth assistance to the Jabesites to the end that the rising Sun might behold them victorious and delivered from all fear In the mean time he commanded some of them to stay with him to the intent they might guide him in the way CHAP. VI. The Combat and Victory of Saul over the Ammonites SAul desirous Sauls serious exhortations and command for War by the fear of punishment to incite the people to take arms immediatly and make War upon the Ammonites cut the hams of his own oxen and threatned M all those whom he met with to do the like to theirs except the next day they presented themselves with their Arms upon the bank of Jordan to follow the King and the Prophet Samuel whither they would conduct them The fear of this penalty published among the Tribes made them gather to a body about the same time so that all the parties of the people were mustred in the City of Bala In this survey besides those of the Tribe of Juda were numbred seven hundred thousand men and of the Tribe of Juda in particular 1 Sam. 11 v. 11 12. there were seventy thousand Saul having passed Jordan and marched all night came before Sun-rise to the place where he intended to conduct them Ten Shâ—oeni or Cables length of Nilus so called by the cords that draw the Ships by Nilus make 37 Italian miles and dividing his Army into three parts he attaqued the enemy on every side who suspected no such encounter and fighting valiantly against them he N slew divers and amongst the rest Nahas King of the Ammonites This victory made Sauls name famous amongst the Hebrews so that he was wonderfully praised and honoured for his valour and if before any contemned him now they changed their opinions and honoured him and accounted him the
been judged to have done an injury to your Majesty Wherefore you ought not to think evil of me or that if David at this time hath some ill design against you v. 15 16 17. that by reason of the courtesie I have shewed him The unjust slaughter of Abimelech with his whole Family I either favour him or maintain him to your prejudice Notwithstanding all these just allegations Saul could not be induced to believe him but imagined that it K was fear that made Abimelech speak in this manner so that he commanded certain armed men that were about him to put both him and all his family to the sword But when they excused themselves because it was no less than Sacriledge to violate by violent death Nob the City of the Priests is burnt and all the inhabitants slain such persons as were consecrated unto God Saul commanded Doeg the Syrian to commit the slaughter who accordingly with certain other sacrilegious and impious men murthered Abimelech and all his Race who were in number three hundred thirty and five Sup. li. 5. ca. 11. He further sent to Nob the City of the Priests and put all of them to the sword sparing neither woman nor child and consumed the whole City with fire only one Son of Abimelech escaped 1 King 2. 3. who was called Abiathar All which came to pass according as God had foretold to the High Priest Eli that by reason of the transgression L of his two Sons his posterity should be extinguished This cruel and detestable act perpetrated by King Saul in shedding the blood of all the Sacerdotal Race v. 18 19. without either compassion of Infants or reverence of old age A manifest exemplification of that proverb Honours change manners and his destroying of that City which God had chosen to be the residence of the Priests and Prophets manifestly shews how far the pravity of the mind of man may proceed For so long as men are low and limited by a private estate because they neither dare nor can give scope to their wicked inclinations they seem good and just and make shew of great love of justice and of a sence of pity Note diligently and are persuaded that God is present in all our actions and discerneth all our cogitations But no sooner do they attain to Power and Empire but they lay aside their former fair semblances they take upon them as it were a new part and another personage becoming M audacious and insolent and contemners of both Divine and Humane Laws And though the height of their sâ—ution exposing even their least actions to the view of all the World ought to make them comport themselves irreprehensibly yet as if they thought that God shut his eyes or feared them they will needs have him approve and men account just all that their Fear Hatred or Imprudence suggests to them without troubling themselves what will be the issue So that after having rewarded great services with great honours they are not contented to deprive those that had so justly merited them upon false reports and calumnies but they also take away their lives not considering how deservedly they oppress but only giving credit without proof to rash and scandalous detractions executing and satiating their rage not on those they ought to punish but on those that may most easily be destroyed A manifest example whereof appears N in Saul the Son of Cis who after the Government of the Nobility and that of the Judges having been established the first King of the Hebrews slew three hundred Priests and Prophets only for that he suspected Abimelech and after he had slain them destroyed their City with fire v. 20. 21. and as much as in him lay deprived the High Temple of God of Priests Abiathar escaping from Sauls hands telleth David of the slaughter of Abimelech his Father and of the Priests sacred Ministers and after so hideous a slaughter neither spared their Countrey nor any of their off-spring But Abiathar Abimelechs Son who only escaped of all his family flying to David declared to him both the overthrow of his family and the death of his Father David answered him that he expected no less than that which hapned at such time as he espied Doeg there who as his mind gave him would not fail to calumniate Abimelech to Saul yet he was extreamly sorrowful for the misfortune that hapned O to his friend by his means and therefore prayed him to remain with him because he could not be concealed or secured in any place better than with himself A About the same time David understanding that the Philistines made an inroad into the Countrey of Ceila and wasted the same he determined to assault them if after the Prophet had asked counsel of God he should be by the Oracle animated to it which accordingly falling out he sallied out accompained by his friends and set upon the Philistines and made a great slaughter of them and recovered a very rich prey and gave safeguard to the Ceilans till they had safely gathered in and housed all their Corn and fruit The rumor of this his exploit was presently brought to Saul for this great action was not shut up within the limits of the place where it was performed David defendeth Cilla against the incursions of the Philistines but the renown thereof was dispersed every where and both the Action and the Author thereof were highly commended Saul was very joyful to hear that David was in Ceila B imagining that God had delivered him into his hands by leading him to shut up himself in a City inclosed with Walls 1 Sam. 23. 1 2 3 ad 7. Gates and Barrs whereupon he suddenly gave commandement to his Soldiers to march against Ceila v. 7 8. and besiege the same and not to raise the Siege till David were either taken or slain Saul seeketh to besiege David in Cilla But David having intelligence hereof and advertised by God that if he stayed among the Ceilans v. 9. 10 11 12. they would deliver him into the hands of Saul took with him his four hundred men David admonished by God flieth from his danger and withdrew himself from the City into the Desart and encamped on a hill called Engaddi Whereof the King being advertized forbore to send out an Army against him From thence David departed into the territories of Ziph where Jonathan v. 13 14. Sauls Son David came with his Army to Caena or Ziphia where Jonathan cometh unto him comforteth him and reneweth his covenant met him and after embraces exhorted him to be of good courage C and to conceive assured hope of future good fortune and not to give place to his present miseries because he should one day obtain the Kingdom and have the whole State of the Hebrews subject to him but that such things were not wont to happen till after
the truth for he of whom he speakth is that Adad that made War I in Samaria during the Reign of Achab King of Israel of whom we will speak hereafter But when David had led forth his Army against Damascus Jerusalem spoiled by Syssac King of Egypt and against the rest of the Countrey of Syria he reduced them all under his obedience placing garrisons in their Countrey and imposing tribute upon them He dedicated also to God in the City of Jerusalem the Golden quivers and Arms of Adads guard which afterward Syssac King of Egypt took when he vauquished Roboham his Nephew and carried away great riches out of the temple of Jerusalem as it shall be declared hereafter when we come to treat of that matter This King of the Hebrews being inspired by God who made him prosperous in all his warrs encamped before the chiefest cities of Adrezar that is to say Betha and Mazcon which he besieged took and spoiled where there was found great store of Gold K and Silver and of Brass 3 King 14. which was more precious then Gold whereof Solomon made that great vessel called the Sea The prey that was made in the War and other fair lavers as such time as he adorned and furnished the Temple of God When Thoy King of Amoth understood all which had hapned to Adarezer 2 Sam 8 6. c. and how his power and forces were destroyed he grew afraid of his own estate The King of the Amathens requireth a League at Davids hands and resolved to enter into a league and confederacy with David before he should come out against him and to that intent he sent his Son Adoram unto him to congratulate his success against Adarezer his Enemy and to contract an amity with him He sent him presents also namely vessels of antique worke of Gold of Silver and of Brass whereupon David made a league with him and received the presents that were sent unto him and afterwards honourably dismissed his Son both for the one L and the other and consecrated that to God which he had presented him together with the Gold and Silver which he had taken from the Cities and Nations that were subiect unto him For God did not only so far favour him as to make him victorious and happy in his own Warrs David compelleth the Idumeans to pay tribute by the Pole but having also sent Abisai Joabs Brother the Lieutenant of his Army against the Idumeans he likewise granted him victory for Abisai slew in the battel about eighteen thousand of them and filled all Idumea with garrisons imposing a tribute throughout the Countrey by the Pole The distribution of Offices This King loved justice of his own nature and the judgment which he gave was always most equitable He had for his Lieutenant General of his Armies Joab 2 King 9. and appointed Josaphat the Son of Achilles chief over the Registers After Abiather he established Sadock of the house of Phinees for M High Priest who was his friend Sisa was his Secretary Banaia the Son of Ioiada was Captain over his guard and all the Elders were ordinarily about him to guard and attend him He remembring himself also of the covenants and oaths that past 'twixt him and Jonathan the Son of Saul and of their amity and affection for amongst his other excellent qualities he was alwayes most eminent for his gratitude He caused inquiry to be made if any one of the house and family of Jonathan were left alive to the intent he might return the friendship he had received from Jonathan Whereupon a certain man named Ziba was brought unto him who was enfranchised by Saul that might inform him what one of his Race was alive C. 9. v. 1 c. who asked him if he knew any N of Jonathans Sons then living David maketh an enquiry if any of Jonathans kindred were left alive to whom he might make some return of the kindness which he had formerly received from their Father Who answered him that he had one Son remaining whose name was Mephibosheth who was lame of his legges for when the news came that both his Father and Grandfather were slain his Nurse hastily snatching up the child let him fall from her shoulders and so hurt him When he heard where he was brought up he sent unto the City of Labath to Machir with whom Mephibosheth was kept v. 7 8. and commanded him to be brought unto him Now when he came to Davids presence David giveth Mephibosheth his father Joâ—athans house and Sauls inheritance he cast himself on his face before him but the King exhorted him to be of good courage and to hope hereafter for better fortune and gave him his Fathers house with all the possessions that were purchased by Saul his grandfather appointing him to eat with him daily at his own table The young man did him reverence thanking him O for the Royal offers he had made him At that time David called for Siba and told him how he had given Mephibosheth his Fathers house and all Sauls purchases commanding A him to manure his possessions The year of the World 2910 before Christ's Nativity 1014. and to have a care of all things and to return the revenue to Jerusalem because Mephibosheth was every day to sit at his table charging both him and his fifteen Sons and twenty Servants to do him service After the King had thus disposed of him Siba did him reverence and after he had promised to perform whatsoever he had given him in charge v. 9. 10 11. he departed and Jonathans Son remained in Jerusalem David committeth the disposing of Mephibosheths Lands to Siba and commandeth him to make the return of his revenues in Jerusalem where he lived at the Kings table and was entertained and tended as carefully as if he had been his own Son he had a Son also called Mica These were the honours that those children which survived after Jonathan and Sauls death received at Davids hands About the same day died Nahas King of the Ammonites who during his life-time was Davids friend and his Son succeeded him in his Kingdom to whom David sent B Ambassadors to comfort him exhorting him to bear his Fathers death with patience assuring him that he would express no less love towards him than he did unto his Father Hedio Ruffinus cap. 6. But the Governours of the Ammonites entertained this Embassage very contumeliously and not according as David had intended it and murmured against their King telling him that they were but spies sent by David to inquire into their forces 2 Sam. 10. v. 1 2 3 4. and discover the strength of their Countrey David sendeth Ambassadours to comfort the Son of the King of the Ammonites who are bâ—sely abused under a pretext of kindness advising him to stand upon his guard and not to give ear to
his protestation lest being deceived he should fall into some remediless inconveniency Nahas King of the Ammonites supposing that his Governors spake nothing but truth unworthily affronted the Ambassadors that were sent unto him for causing the half of C their Beards to be shaven close by the chin and cutting away the half of their Vestments he sent them back again v. 5. 6. Which when David saw he was much displeased and protested that he would not suffer that injury so easily to be digested David is sore displeased with the injury offered to his Ambassadors intending revenge but that he would make War on the Ammonites and revenge those indignities that were offered to his Ambassadors The Friends and Governors of Nahas considering how they had violated and broken the Peace and how for that occasion they deserved to be punished prepared for that War and sent a thousand talents to Syrus King of Mesopotamia desiring him that he would be their confederate in that War The Ammonites hire their confederates and prepare for the War against David and receive their pay they requested the like of Subas these Kings had 20000 footmen in pay They hired also with their mony the King of the Countrey called Michas and the fourth called Istob which two brought D with them twelve thousand Men. CHAP. VII How David overcame the Mesopotamians BUt David being nothing discouraged v. 7 8. either with the confederacy or force of the Ammonites David sendeth out Joab with the choisest flower of his Army against the Ammonites but trusting in God since he was satisfied that his cause was just persisted to the revenge of those outrages which he had received from them Having therefore mustered under Joab the flower of his whole Army he commanded him to depart and make War upon them who came and incamped himself before their chief City E called Aramath which when the Enemies perceived they came forth and ranged themselves in battel not in one body but two several parties For their confederates and allies were incamped apart in the Plain and the Ammonites stood in battle-array near unto their City gate to make head against the Hebrews Joab perceiving this took this course Joab and Abisaies Armies that he might meet them without any disadvantage for he chose out the ablest and stoutest of his men to serve under him against Syrus v. 9 10 11. and the other Kings confederate with him and gave the rest to his brother Abisai commanding him to oppose himself against the Ammonites whilest he charged the rest and appointing him that if he perceived that the Syrians were stronger than he and did put him to the worst that he should come to succour him promising to do the like if he perceived him to be oppressed F by the Ammonites When therefore he had exhorted his Brother to behave himself valiantly he sent him before to charge the Ammonites and he on the other side assailed the Syrians who valiantly resisted him for a little space but Joab having slain many of them constrained them at length to turn their backs Which when the Ammonites perceived who were afraid of Abisai and his people retreated likewise v. 12 13 14. and following the example of their allies Joabs victory they took their flight into the City By which means Joab having defeated his Enemies returned in triumph and with victory unto the King to Jerusalem Yet were not the Ammonites wholly weakned by this loss for although they had by experience a certain knowledg that the Hebrews were stronger than themselves yet would G they by no means hearken to a Peace They sent unto Chalama King of the Syrians on the other side of Euphrates whose confederacy they attained by bribes and huge sums of money This King had one called Sobac for his Lieutenant-General and under him fourscore thousand foot The year of the Woâ—ld 2910. before Christ's Nativity 1540. and ten thousand horse David understanding that the Ammonitâ—s drew H to an head and intended to assault him again he surceased to send his Lieutenants but went himself in Person and meeting them he overcame them and killed fourty thousand of their Foot and seven thousand Horse he hurt Sobac also Chalamas Lieutenant so that he died of his wounds Hereupon the Mesopotamians yielded themselves unto David 15 16 17 18 19. and gave him many great and magnificent Presents He therefore by reason of the Winter The Syrians with the Ammonites assembled themselves against David retired to Jerusalem but at the Spring he sent out his Lieutenant Ioab once more to make War upon the Ammonites who overrunning their Countrey utterly spoiled it and shut them up in Aramath their principal City which he besieged and took About this time it so fell out that David notwithstanding he were a just man and one that feared God The Mesopotamians submit themselves to David and an exact observer of all the Laws and ordinances of his forefathers I fell into a great sin and offended God For as he walked on the top of his Royal Palace in the evening he discovered a Woman of incomparable Beauty whose name was Bethsabe bathing her self Aramath besieged His passion became forthwith so impetuous that he could not resist it whereupon he sent for her and kept her with him till she conceived She desired him to bethink himself of some means whereby her shame might be concealed Hedro Ruffinus chap. 7. and her life which was in hazard 2 Sam. 11. 1 2 3 4 c. by the Law for her Adultery might be preserved Who thereupon sent for Vrias Bethsabes Husband and one of Joabs Captains who at that time was at the siege of Aramath and enquired of him upon his arrival touching the state of the siege Davids adultery and of the Army who answering him that all things were fallen out according to his wish v 5. David took a part of his own supper and gave it him Bethsabe certifieth the King that she is with child willing him K to repair unto his own house and repose himself with his Wife But Vrias slept among his fellow-souldiers near unto the person of the King Which when David understood he asked him wherefore he repaired not to his own house v. 6 7 8. according to the custome of Husbands that had been long absent David sendeth for Urias and willeth him to repair home unto his Wife which he doth not and why he visited not his Wife from whom he had been so long parted Vrias replied That it became him not either to repose or take pleasure with his Wife whilest his companions and General lay upon the ground in the Enemies Countrey Which said David commanded him to sojourn there all the day long to the end that on the next morrow he might send him back again to Joab That night the King invited him to supper
the field For he is well exercised in leading Armies to prevent any stratagems I whereby the enemy may injure him and about the evening he hath perhaps left a party of his men in some straights or placed them in ambush behind some Rock and if our men shall assail him his Soldiers will by little and little retire and afterward recovering courage by reason that the King shall be near unto them they will charge us afresh and during the encounter your father will suddenly break out of his ambush and encourage his own men and discomfort yours wisely therefore examine mine advice and if you find that it be good neglect that which Achitophel hath given you Therefore in my opinion without following the advice of Achitophel your Majesty ought to gather together all your Forces and to take the command of them your self without committing them to the conduct of any other and by this means you may assuredly expect to have an easie victory over him if you assail him in the open field because he is accompanied with a very few men and your self are attended by many thousands who K will be very forward to express their affection towards you at the beginning of your Reign whereby you may easily rid you of your enemy Ver. 14. And if so be your father shut himself up in any City Chusai's counsel accepted Achitophels rejected we may easily take the same by Mines and Engines This advice of his seemed to be better than that of Achitophels so that Absalon accepted it For it was God that put this into his heart to neglect Achitophels and respect Chusai 's counsel Now when Chusai had thus prevailed he presently went to the High Priests Sadoc and Abiathar acquainting them with Achitophels designs and how he had contradicted him finally how his opinion had taken place giving them in charge to send private intelligence unto David thereof and to inform him of his sons resolution wishing him with all speed to pass over the River of Jordan lest Absalon being informed of his abode L in that place should make haste and pursue him and overtake him before he might recover a place of security The High Priests before-hand Ver. 15 16. had provided that their sons should lie hid without the City Sadoc and Abiathars sons sent unto David on purpose that they might be sent unto David to inform him how affairs went They therefore sent a trusty servant unto their sons who brought them news of Absalons intentions with express commandment to inform the King thereof with all speed who presently upon this intelligence like good and faithful ministers posted away to report their fathers message unto the King But scarcely had they travelled two furlongs Ver. 17 18 ad 22. when certain Horsemen discover'd them M and brought news thereof unto Absalon who presently sent out Scouts to apprehend them The High Priests sons being pursued are hidden by a Woman in a Pit which when the children of the High Priest perceived they forsook the High-way and retired into a certain Village near unto Jerusalem which is called Bocchura where they besought a certain Woman to hide them and shut them in some place of security who let them down into a Well and covered the mouth thereof with bundles of Wooll She being demanded by those that pursued them Whether she saw them denied the same saying That as soon as she had given them drink they departed from her presently assuring them that if they presently pursued them they might easily apprehend them But after they had a long time followed Ver. 22. and could not find them David informed of Absalons deliberation passeth himself and his whole Army over Jordan by night they returned from whence they came The Woman perceiving that they were departed and that there was no cause of fear lest the young men should be surprized she drew them out of the Pit and N set them on their way who with as great speed as was possible repaired unto David and declared unto him Absalons designs Hereupon David passed the River Jordan with all his men and although it were night he was not discouraged by the darkness But Achitophel seeing that his counsel was rejected Ver. 23. took his Horse and went unto his Country of Gelmone Achitophel perceiving his counsel was despised hung himself there calling together his houshold servants he related unto them what advice he had given Absalon which since he had not accepted he told them that they should shortly find that he was a lost man and that David would be victorious and return into his Kingdom It is better therefore said he for me as it becometh a valiant man to depart out of this life than to submit my self to Davids punishment for having joined my self unto Absalon and giving him counsel This said he went into the most private O part of his House and hung himself being both his own Judge and Executioner after which his kinsmen cut him down and buried him But David having past Jordan came A and encamped in a strong City The year of the World 2940. before Christ's Nativity 7300. the best fortified in that Countrey there was he kindly entertained by all the Noblemen of that Countrey partly moved thereunto by the mans present necessity partly through the reverence of his former felicity The chief of these were Berzillai the Galaadite and Siphar the Governor of the Province of the Ammonites Ver. 24. ad fin and Machir the chief of the Countrey of Galaad who supplied David and his Army with whatsoever they wanted David câ—meth to Mahanaim where he is royally entertained by the Peers so that they lacked neither beds nor bread nor flesh but were plentifully stored with all things They that were sick and wearied also wanted nothing that either might serve for their repose or refection In this state remained he But Absalon assembled a great multitude of people to make War upon his father Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. and after he had passed Jordan he pitched his Tents near unto his fathers within B the Countrey of Galaad and made Amasa General of his Army opposing him against Joab his cousin Ver. 24. for Amasa was the son of Jothar and Abigal the sister of Sarvia the mother of Joab Absalon passeth over Jordan both of them sisters unto David When David had mustered and numbered his Forces and found that he had 40000 fighting men it was thought sit to put it forthwith to a battel and not to expect till Absalon should attack him He therefore appointed Colonels over thousands and divided them into three squadrons 2 Sam. 18. 1 2. the one of which he gave to Joab the second to Abisai his brother and the third to Ethei his familiar friend who was of the City of Geth The division of Davids Army In this battle his friends would not
Army and the place of General he might send him to make War upon the Son of Bochri Joab by reason of Amasa's delay is sent out against Siba by David After that Amasa was departed and had employed his time in gathering up his Army the King seeing that he failed to return upon the third day told Joab that it was dangerous to permit Siba to gather a greater head by N delay and thereby breed more trouble and molestation than Absalon had done For which cause said he stay thou not but take unto thee those forces which thou hast in readiness and my six hundred men with thy brother Abisai and pursue thou the Enemy and in what place soever thou meetest him by all means endeavour to give him the Battel Haste therefore and overtake him lest he seize some of our strongest Cities and thereby create us a greater trouble Joab with all expedition obeyed his commandment and took with him the six hundred with his Brother Abisai and commanded all the forces that were in Jerusalem to follow after him and marched in good order after Siba When he came unto Gabaon a Village about forty furlongs distant from Jerusalem Amasa met him with great forces Joab having his Sword girt by his â—ide v. 9 10. whilst Amasa came onward to salute him he on purpose O let his Sword slip out of his sheath Joab killeth Amasa and taking it up from the ground with one hand he drew near unto Amasa under pretence to salute him and taking him by the beard he H thrust the Sword that was in his other hand into his belly and slew him Which action of his was hainous and detestable proceeding from a jealousie he had conceived against a virtuous young man one of great merit and of great hopes being his near Relation who had in no sort offended him but only by accepting the place of General which the King had conferred on him and because David had equalled him in honour with him for which very cause heretofore he had slain Abner Notwithstanding that act of his seemed in some sort more excusable by reason of the wrong which he had pretended to be done unto his Brother Azael v. 9 10. yet was not this a sufficient colour to excuse the murther of Amasa Joab killeth Amasa When this was done he pursued Siba and left a certain man to wait upon the body of Amasa who had commandment given him to proclaim with a loud voice I thorow the whole army that he was justly and deservedly slain commanding those that favored the Kings title to follow their General Joab and his Brother Abisai whilest his body lay thus in the way and all the multitude as it is usual in such like accidents flocked round about it he that had charge of the body took it up and bare it into a certain place out of the way and covered it with a Garment which done all the people followed Joab Now whilest he pursued Siba thorow all the Region of the Israelites he told him that he had retired himself into a certain strong City called Abelmacha where he no sooner arrived but that he begirt the City and entrenched it round about commanding his Soldiers to undermine and overthrow the walls for he was much incensed because they had shut the gates against him Joab besiegeth and shutteth up Siba within Abelmachaea But a certain prudent woman seeing her countrey in extreme K peril she went up to the top of the walls and called unto Joab who coming forth unto her she spake after this manner God hath ordained Kings and Generals of Armies to the end they might destroy the Enemies of the Hebrews and plant amongst them an universal and perpetual peace v. 16. ad 22. but you enforce your selves to destroy one of the chief Cities of Israel A woman rebuketh Joab for seeking the subversion of the City which he rather ought to protect that hath in no sort offended you Joab declared that far from any such design he wished them all happiness and prosperity and said that for his own part it was not his meaning that any one of the City should die neither his pretence to raze and deface so famous a City his intent only was that if Siba the Son of Bochri and the Kings adversary were delivered into his hands to do justice on him he would raise the siege and cause his Army to retire from thence When the woman heard what Joab had said Joabs conditions of peace proposed to the besieged she prayed him to stay a little while promising him L very speedily to cast his head over unto him Whereupon she came down amongst the assembly of the Citizens to whom she spake after this manner Wretched men that you are The punishment of Siba will you miserably suffer your Wives and Children to be slain for a wicked mans cause and a stranger whom ye know not will you admit him in the place of David your King from whose hands you have received so many benefits v. 23. ad finem think you that one only City can resist so vast an Army Officers distributed by David After this manner persuaded she them to cut off Sibas head and to cast it into Joabs camp which done Joab commanded the retreat to be sounded and raised the siege and returning back unto Jerusalem was once more declared General of all the people The King also appointed Benaja Captain of his Guards and of six hundred Soldiers Adoram was made Treasurer to gather in the Tributes Sabath and Achilaus had M the charge of Registers Hedio Ruffinus cap. 2. Susa was made Secretary Sadoc and Abiathar were made the High-Priests 2 Sam. 21. 1. 2. After this it hapned that the Countrey was afflicted with a famine For which cause David besought God that he would have compassion on his people A famine inflâ—cted on the Israelites for breach of oath and that it might please him to manifest not only the cause but also the remedy of the malady The Prophets answered him that God would be revenged of the wrong done to the Gibeonites whom King Saul had deceived and traiterously slain without respect of the oath which the Governour Josuah and the Elders made unto them If therefore he would suffer the Gibeonites to revenge the death of their slaughtered friends according to their desire God had promised to be appeased and to deliver the people from their imminent and present evils As soon as he understood by the Prophets what God required he sent N for the Gibeonites and asked them what it was which they required who wished him to deliver into their hands seven of Sauls Sons to take their revenge on them whereupon the King made search after them only sparing and protecting Mephiboseth the Son of Jonathan v. 7 9. When the Gibeonites had laid hold of these seven
Seven men of Sauls kindred delivered to the Gabeonites to be puniâ—hed they executed them according to their pleasures and thereupon God incontinently sent down Rain and disposed the earth to bear fruit allaying the drought so that the Land of the Hebrews recovered again its former fruitfulness Not long after the King made War upon the Philistines and vanquished them in a great Battel but it so fell out that the King hotly pursuing the chase was left alone and discovered in his weariness by one of the Enemies called Aâ—mon v. 16. 17. the Son of Araph of the race of the Giants David in hazard of 〈◊〉 life is delivered by Abisai who beside his Sword had a Javelin O the point whereof weighed three hundred sicles and a coat of Mail this man turning back charged David very violently with an intent to kill the King of his enemies by reason that he saw him spent with travel But about the same instant Abisai Joabs Brother arrived in the place The year of the World 2924 before Christ's Nativity 1400. who stept between them ane preserved the King and slew his A Enemy The whole Army for a whill was very much concerned for the danger wherein the King had been and the chiefe Captains obliged him to promise with an oath that he would never for the future ingage himself in person lest he might fall into some disaster David perswaded to abstain from War by reason of his forwardness and by that means should deprive the people of a most excellent Prince whose wise conduct was the chief security of their happines The King having intelligence that the Philistines were assembled in the City of Gazara sent out an Army against them in which the Hittite Sobach one of Davids chief Captains behaved himself very valiantly v. 18 19 20. and got great reputation for he slew divers of them that vaunted themselves to be of the Race of the Giants Davids valiant Captains Sabath and that were very proud and puffed up with presumption of their valour and was the chief authour of that victory B which the Hebrews obtained After this last defeat the Philistines once more hazarded their fortunes against whom when David sent out an Army Nephan his kinsman shewed himself very valiant For fighting hand to hand against him that was accounted the most valiant Champion amongst all the Philistines he slew him and put the rest to flight very many of them dying in the Battel in process of time they re-incamped near unto a City not far from the Frontiers of the Countrey of the Hebrews Nephanus In this Army their was a man six Cubits high who had on either foot six toes and on either hand six fingers Against whom Jonathan the Son of Sama one of those that were sent by David in this Army fought hand to hand Jonathan and slew him so that approving himself to be the means of that victory C he bare away the honour of the Battel and praise of his valour for this Philistine boasted likewise that he was descended of the Race of the Giants After this Battel they warred no more on the Israelites Hereupon David delivered from War and danger and ever after enjoying a perfect peace composed Odes and Hymnes in praise of God in divers kinds of verse 2 Sam. 72. per totum for some were Trimeters other were Pentameters He made Instruments also David a Poet. and taught the Levites to praise God upon them on the Sabbath days and other Feasts Davids instruments of Musick The form of these Instruments was after this manner The Vaial was Composed of ten strings and plaid upon with a bow The Nable containeth twelve sounds of cords and is stricken with the fingers The Cymbals were large and made of Brass 2 Sam. 23. 8 9. of which it sufficeth in this sort to make some mention lest the nature of those D Instruments should wholy be unknown Davids thirty eight champions Now all those that were about the King were valiant men but amongst all the rest there were eight most notable and heroick men The noble actions of five of which I will declare which will give some specimen of that extraordinary and heroick courage by which they were able to conquer whole Nations The first of them was Issem the Son of Achem who having thrust himself into the midst of his disordered Enemies Issem never gave over fighting till he had slain nine hundred of them Eleazar After him was Eleazar the Son of Dodeias who had accompained the King in Sarphat He in a certain Battel wherein through the multitude of the Enemies the Israelites were affrighted and put to flight kept his place and faced the Enemy and rushing in among them made a great slaughter of them so that thorow the E great quantity of blood which he shed his Sword stuck fast to his hand and the Israelites seeing the Philistines put to flight by him came down and ran upon them and obtained a great victory over them For Eleazar slaughtered those that fled and the rest of the Army followed and spoiled those that were slain The third was the Son of Ilus called Sebas who fighting against the Philistines in a place called the Jaw and seeing the Hebrews to be afraid of their power and almost out of heart resisted them alone as if he had been an Army and slew some of them and pursued and put the rest to flight in that they were unable to sustain his force and violence These three performed with their own hands these great atchievments About that time that the King lived in Jerusalem the Army of the Philistines came out to make War upon him F and David as we have declared heretofore was gon up into the higher City to ask counsel of God what the event of that War should be and the Enemies being encamped in that Valley that extendeth it self as far as Bethleem a City some twenty Furlongs distant from Jerusalem David said to his companions There is very good water in the place where I was borne Sebas and especially that which is in the pit v. 13 ad 16. which is near unto the gate if any one will bring me of that water to drink I shall esteem it more than if he gave me gaeat riches Three Champions passe thorow the Enemies camp and drew water in Bethleem and brought it unto David These three men hearing these words instantly ran out and past thorow the Enemies Camp and went to Bethleem where having drawn water they returned back unto the King forcing their way through the midst of their Enemies declaring that the Philistines being afraid of their hardiness and great courage kept themselves G upon their guard and dared not charge them notwithstanding their small number But the King tasted not of this water which they brought him saying that it was
worthy of a great Prince and in this great authority wherein he was placed he stept not any ways awry but in the case of Vria's Wife He left as much or rather more riches behind him than any other King of the Hebrews or other Nations had F done His Son Solomon buried him most Royally in Jerusalem with all those ceremonies which were accustomed in Royal obsequies and amongst other things he buried a great quantity of riches with him the incredible estimate whereof may be conjectured by that which followeth The sumptuous Sepulchre of David For one thousand three hundred years after the High Priest Hircanus being besieged by Antiochus surnamed the Religious who was Demetrius's Son and willing to gratifie him with some summe of money to the intent he might raise the siege Hircanus â—aketh a huge sum of money out of Davids Tomb. and remove his Army and unable to levy money by any other means he opened the Sepulchre of David from whence he took three thousand talents which he delivered to Antiochus and by this means delivered the City from the siege as we have declared in another place Herod spoileth Davids Sepulchre And again a long time after this Herod also opened it and took from G thence a great summe Nevertheless no man violated that part of the monument where the body of the King was laid for it was so artificially hidden under ground that it would be very difficult to discover it A The Eighth Book of the Antiquities of the JEWS Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the Eighth Book 1. How Solomon obtaining the Kingdom expelled his enemies 2. Of the riches prudence and wisdom of Solomon and how first of all he builded the Temple in Jerusalem B 3. How Solomon being dead the people revolted from Rehoboam his son and made Jeroboam King of the ten Tribes 4. How Susac King of Egypt sacking Jerusalem carried away the riches of that City into Egypt 5. The War of Jeroboam against Abias Rehobohams son and the slaughter of his Army and how Basanes extirpated Jeroboams posterity and possess'd the Kingdom 6. The Invasion of the Ethiopians under Asa and the overthrow of their Army 7. The Race of Basanes being rooted out Zamri ruled in Israel with his son Ahab 8. Adad King of Damascus and Syria is twice overthrown by Ahab 9. Of Jehoshaphat King of Jerusalem C 10. Ahab being provoked to War by the Syrians is overcome and slain in battel CHAP. I. How Solomon obtaining the Kingdom expelled his enemies WE have declared in the former Book what David was how great his virtue hath been 1 Kings 2. what profits and benefits those of his Nation received by him Solomon King of Israel after Davids death what Wars he undertook what Victories he obtained and how happily at last through extremity of age he departed D out of this life But after that Solomon his son being at that time very young had obtained the Kingdom and was placed in his fathers Throne according as David had determined and the divine power had decreed the whole people according to the common course in the election of new Princes with many acclamations wished him a long and prosperous Reign But Adonias who during his fathers life-time thought to possess and seize himself of the Royal estate came unto the Kings mother and with all humility and reverence saluted her To whom Bethsabe said That if there were any thing wherein she might serve him he should let her know it and that she would willingly apply her self unto it Whereupon he began to say That it was a thing very well known that the Kingdom appertained unto him both in regard of his age as also in respect of E the favor and good liking of the people Ver. 17 ad 24. but since that it had been transferred unto Solomon her son Adonias requireth Abisag to wife by the Will of God he was content therewith and would be his servant being very glad of the fortunate success of his Affairs He therefore besought her that she would sollicite Solomon in his behalf and persuade him to give him Abisag to Wife â—ho had slept with David for that he had not any carnal company with her by reason of his age and that as yet she was fully possessed of her virginity Bethsabe promised him to further his suit to the uttermost of her power and willingly to employ herself toward the accomplishment of the Marriage since she knew the King was willing to gratifie her in whatsoever she should desire as also for that she would instantly intreat him so that he departed from her with assured hope of good success in F his designed Marriage Hereupon Bethsabe presently addressed herself to the King intending to certifie him both what Adonias had requested and what she had granted When Solomon heard that his Mother came to visit him he went out to meet her and embraced her and afterwards conducting her into his Presence-chamber he sate him down and commanded his servants to place a seat on his right hand for his Mother who being seated by him spake unto him after this manner My son vouchsafe me one favor that I shall request at thy hands and send me not hence discontented and dissatisfied through thy refusal Solomon answered her That she should command him by reason that duty tyed him to the satisfaction and favor of his Mothers suits reproving her for that insinuation she had used by reason that thereby she evidently expressed that she was not G thorowly assured to obtain her demand but that she feared a refusal and repulse she therefore required him to give the Damsel Abisag for Wife to Adonias his Brother The King displeased at this her suit dismissed his Mother alledging that Adonias had ill designs and that he wondered that in requiring Abisag to Wife he had not requested Solomon H likewise to give him place in the Kingdom for Adonias was elder than he and had more mighty friends than he had namely the General Joab and the High Priest Abiathar For which cause he forthwith sent Benaia Captain of his Guard to kill Adonias his Brother Ver. 25. Then calling unto him the High Priest Abiathar The pains said he that thou hast endured by accompanying my father David Adonias is slain and attending and bearing the Ark with him make thee escape from death yet notwithstanding for that thou hast been assistant to Adonias Ver. 26. 27. and followed his faction Abiathar iâ— dispossessed of the Priesthood I banish thee from my presence charging thee not to see my face any more but to retire thy self to thine own house and there to live in thy Countrey until thou hast ended thy dayes since you have made your self unworthy of that charge wherewith you are entrusted For this cause was the House of Ithamar deprived of the Priestly I
roofs for Temples For having pulled down some ancient Temples he builded that of Hercules and that of Astarte and made his first building of Hercules in the month of Peritien which is February and made War against the Eyceens who refused to pay their tributes and after he had brought them under his subjection H he returned to his own Palace In his time lived a young man called Abdemon who alwayes resolved those questions which Solomon King of Jerusalem proposed Dion also maketh mention of him in these terms After the decease of Abibale his son Hiram reigned he it was that fortified the quarter of the City to the Eastward and enlarged the same Dion maketh mention of Hiram and joined the Temple of Olympian Jupiter to the City which before that time was in another place and filled all the place between them with earth and adorned it with pendants of gold and afterwards going up to Libanus he hewed down timber to build Temples withall He said also that Solomon reigning at that time in Jerusalem sent unto Hiram certain subtile questions demanding the exposition thereof under this condition that if he explained them not Dion of Solomon by way of penalty he should pay a great Sum of money and afterwards that a certain I Tyrian called Abdemon expounded that which had been proposed and in lieu thereof proposed certain others which Solomon could not expound and for that occasion he paid a great Sum of money unto Hiram This is that which Dion writeth The King seeing that the City of Jerusalem wanted both Bulwarks and Towers to secure the same Solomon repaireth the walls of Jerusalem and erecteth towers and that the strength of it was no way answerable to the dignity thereof he repaired the walls and erected great Towers on the same Moreover he built certain Cities Hedio Ruffinus cap. 6. which deserve to be commemorated amongst the most Renowned namely Ascor and Magedon and the City of Gaza in the Countrey of the Philistines against which Pharaoh King of Egypt led out his Army Solomon buildeth certain Cities Azor Mageâ—on Gaga Betachor Baleth and took it by force and after he had put all the Inhabitants thereof to the Sword he destroyed the same and he gave it in K dower unto his daughter which was married to Solomon For which cause the King fortified it seeing it to be already sufficiently fenced by nature and that it stood very commodiously for the War and to hinder the incursions of the enemy Not far from thence he fortified two other Cities whereof one was called Betachor and the other Baleth Besides these he built others which were Cities of recreation and pleasure by reason of the good temperature of the Air and the pleasantness of the fruits and in especially the sweet Rivers wherewith they were watered Afterwards entering into the Desart that is above Syria and conquering the same he built another great City two dayes journey distant from the higher Syria a dayes journey from Euphrates and six from the great Babylon The cause why this City was inhabited far from peopled quarters of Syria was L because in no place of the lower Countrey there was water to be found and in this City onely there were fountains and springs Thadamor or Palmira He therefore built this City and begirt it with strong walls and called it Thadamor which is the name which the Syrians term it by even at this day and amongst the Greeks it is called Palmyra And these were Solomons works in that time But since divers are inquisitive to know the reason why the Kings of Egypt that have been since Mineus the founder of Memphis Why the Egyptian Kings were called Pharaohs who reigned divers years before our great Ancestor Abraham till Solomons time for the space of more than Thirteen hundred years have been called Pharaohs deriving that name from one that reigned in the midtime between both I have thought fit to give some account of it The name of Pharaoh amongst the Egyptians signifieth as much as King But I suppose M that from their childhood they had other distinct names and that afterward when they are created Kings they take upon them that name which in their Mother-tongue signifieth no less than Authority For the Kings of Alexandria having been heretofore called by other names The Egyptian Kings called Pharaohs at such time as they take upon them the Kingdom they are called Ptolomies by the name of their first King The Roman Emperors likewise notwithstanding they have other names at the time of their birth Ptolomei yet are they called Caesars Caesars because the sovereignty and honour whereunto they are raised Herodotus writeth not the names of the Egyptian Kings imposeth that title on them and the name that was given them by their Fathers is no more retained For this cause it is that although Herodotus of Halicarnasseus saith that since Mineus the Founder of Memphis there have been Three hundred and thirty Kings of Egypt yet declareth he N not their names Nicaule Queen of Egypt and Ethiope cometh to Solomon because they were called Pharaohs For when after these a Woman had obtained the Kingdom he called her by her own proper name Nicaule whence it appeareth that the men who have been Kings were usually called by this name and that it had not been communicated unto this Woman for which cause it was necessary to declare her own first name For mine own part I have found in the Books of our Nation that since Pharaoh who was Father-in-law to Solomon none of the Kings of Egypt have been called by that name and that some little while after the forementioned Woman came unto Solomon who reigned in Egypt and Ethiopia of whom we shall speak hereafter But at this present I have made mention of it that it might appear that our Records and the Chronicles of the Egyptians agree in many things O But King Solomon conquered the Canaanites which till that time were not under his subjection and those that inhabited the mountain Libanus as far as the City of Amath A and made them Tributaries The year of the World 2953. before Christ's Nativity 1011. and chose out from amongst them every year such as he might employ in servile works and domestick affairs and tillage of the land For no Hebrew was a slave neither was it convenient that since God had subjected divers Nations under them whom they might make slaves of that they should tye those of their own Nation to that bondage 1 Kings 9. 16. ad 21. who were all of them employed in Arms and rather took delight to ride in Chariots and on Horses than to submit to any mean or servile employment Solomon compelleth the remainer of the Canaanites to pay Tribute Over the Canaanites whom he employed in his service he appointed Five hundred and fifty Commissaries who had their
misled by the sinister counsels of certain wicked persons and spake unto you certain words which seemed harsh in your ears you have forsaken him in your displeasure but in effect you have separated your selves from God and his Commandments Truly you should have pardoned a young man untrained and untaught in Oratory not onely for the rude words which he used but although his youth and L ignorance should have moved him to commit some churlish and indiscreet action and error yet should you have endured the same For the obligations which you had received from my Grandfather Solomon ought to have prevail'd with you to pass by the defects of his son my father But you have had no regard of all this neither then nor at this present but led forth a great Army against us But whereupon ground you the hope of your victory Is it on your Calves of gold Is it on your Altars on the mountains which are witnesses of your impiety and irreligion Is it your great number that surpasseth ours by far that maketh you confident Truly the force of many thousands is of no value where the Army fighteth in an unjust quarrel For in justice only and piety towards God consisteth the most assured hope of obtaining victory over a mans enemies which must needs be on our side who observe at all times the ordinances of our M God whom mens hands have not fashioned of corruptible matter nor the subtlety of a cunning King could forge to deceive a Commonalty but such an one whose work is the beginning and ending of all things I therefore advise you that presently you repent your selves and that taking a better way you desist from your War and acknowledge the Laws of your Forefathers and those Ordinances which have advanced you to so great felicity Thus spake Abias to the people But whil'st he yet continued his discourse Jeroboam sent certain of his Soldiers by by-wayes to inclose Abias within two straits Ver. 13. before his followers could discover them Now when Abias was thus inclosed in the midst of his enemies his Army began to be discomforted and to lose their courage but he encouraged them and exhorted them to put their trust in God who could not be inclosed by N his enemies so that altogether having called upon God to assist them and after that the Priests had sounded the Trumpet they thrust in amongst their enemies with great shout and God so blinded the understanding and abated the force of Jeroboams Soldiers that they fled and those on Abias side obtained the victory Never was there War recorded by the Historians either amongst the Greeks or Barbarians that was pursued with so great a slaughter as the Army of Jeroboam whereby it appeared that this wonderful and admirable victory came from God For they discomfited five hundred thousand of their enemies and took their most defenced places by force and spoiled them Bethel and Ithan also with their lands and signiories belonging unto them so that as long as Abias lived The death of Abias Jeroboam was never after able to raise any power since the loss he received Abias O survived after this his victory onely for the space of three years and was buried in Jerusalem 1 Reg. 15. 9. in the Sepulchre of his Ancestors leaving twenty two sons and sixteen daughters behind him Asa King of Juda. all which he begat on sixteen Women His son Asa succeeded him in the Kingdom The year of the World 2991. before Christ's Nativity 973. whose Mother was called Maacha under his Government the Countrey H of Israel enjoyed a firm peace for the space of ten years This is that which we have observed of Abias son of Rehoboam the son of Solomon Jeroboam the King of the ten Tribes dyed likewise after he had reigned twenty two years and Nadab his son succeeded him at such time as Asa had already reigned two years The son of Jeroboam governed two years resembling his father in impiety and wickedness During these two years he made War against Gaban a City of the Philistines and encamped thereabout to surprize it by force Hedio Ruffinus cap. 12. aâ— 8. but being betrayed by the treachery of a certain friend of his called Baasa the son of Machil he dyed This Baasa taking possession of the Kingdom exterminated all the posterity of Jeroboam Asa's piety and it came to pass that they of Jeroboams Race that dyed in the City 1 Kings 15. 9 ad 24. were torn in pieces and devoured by Dogs and they that I were in the fields 2 Chron. 14. 1 ad finem were made a prey unto Birds according as God had foretold by his Prophet By this means the house of Jeroboam suffered a deserved punishment for their impiety and wickedness CHAP. VI. The Ethiopians besiege Jerusalem during the Reign of Asa and are repulsed BUT Asa King of Jerusalem was a man of an upright and honest life and one that feared God neither proposed he to himself any other rule of his Actions than the Divine Law He corrected whatsoever was vicious and irregular in his Kingdom purging K it from all impiety He had an Army of three hundred thousand men of the Tribe of Juda armed with Bucklers and Javelins and two hundred and fifty thousand of the Tribe of Benjamin bearing Bucklers and Bowes After he had reigned ten years Zaraeus King of Ethiopia came out against him with a great Army of nine hundred thousand footmen and one hundred thousand horsemen with three hundred chariots and destroyed all the Land as far as Maresa a City of Juda in which place Asa met him and set his Army in aray against him The Ethiopians war against Asa in the valley of Saphath not far from the City Where seeing the great number of the Ethiopians he besought God that he would give him the victory over his enemies because he had not come forth against so formidable a power but in confidence of his assistance who had the power to make a few men superior unto many and the feeble to overcome the mighty L Whil'st Asa prayed thus unto God 2 Chron. 14 9 ad 14. a certain sign of victory was given him so being confirmed in that God had given him a token that he would assist him he assailed his enemies and slew a great number of the Ethiopians as for the rest that were put to flight he pursued them as far as the Countrey of Gerar and after they had conquered their Enemies they sacked the City of Gerar and brought from thence a great mass of gold and much spoil with Camels Dromedaries and Herds of divers kinds of Cattel When Asa had obtained at Gods hands such a victory Asa's victory and so great riches he returned back again to Jerusalem Ver. 12. and when he drew near unto the City the Prophet Azarias came out to meet them who stayed him and
Governors and Priests of his Countrey enjoining them to ride their Circuit about the Provinces and to teach the Inhabitants of every City the Law of Moses training them up in the observance thereof and in the study of piety The peace in Jehoshaphats time Which all the Citizens embraced and entertained so willingly that they seemed to emulate and strive one with the other which of them should exceed the rest in the service of God Jehoshaphats Army The Nations likewise that dwelt round about him loved Jehoshaphat and were at peace with him Ver. 13. The Philistines also payed those Tributes which were imposed on them And the Arabians furnish'd him every year with six hundred and threescore Lambs and the like number of Horses He fortified also other great Cities of importance and made preparation of Munition of War and Arms against the O Enemy He mustered in the Tribe of Juda Three hundred thousand Men over whom he placed Edraus General and Two hundred thousand under the conduct of Johanan who besides these had Two hundred thousand Archers on foot of the Tribe of Benjamin Another Chieftain called Ochobat The year of the World 3047. before Christ's Nativity 917. levied and led for the King One hundred and fourscore A thousand Men armed at all points besides those which he sent into fenced Cities He married his Son Joram to Athalia the Daughter of Achab King of the ten Tribes And not long after resorting to Samaria Achab received him very courteously and magnificently entertained his Army with bread wine and flesh in abundance desiring him to yield him his assistance against the King of Syria Jehoshaphats expedition with Achab against the Syrians to the intent he might recover the City of Ramath in the Countrey of Galaad which Adabs father had won and conquered from his father Jehoshaphat promised to assist him and being no wayes inferior unto him in force he sent his Army from Jerusalem to Samaria When these two Kings were departed out of the City 1 Kings 22. 2 ad 8. and each of them were seated upon their Thrones they B distributed their Pay to every one of their Soldiers At that time Jehoshaphat commanded 2 Chron. 18. 1 ad 8. That if at that present there were as yet any Prophets amongst them they might be sent for to give notice what the issue should be of this their War against the Syrians and whether they thought it good to make War against them by reason that at that time there was amity and peace betwixt Achab and the Syrians confirmed for the space of three years since the time that he took Adad Prisoner and delivered him CHAP. X. Achab fighteth against the Syrians and is overcome and slain in the battel C HEreupon Achab called for the Prophets who were in number four hundred and commanded them to enquire of God 1 Kings 22. 6. Whether he would give him the victory in that War which he undertook against Adad 2 Chron. 18. 5. And whether he should recover the City which he intended to besiege The false Prophets prophesie plausibly Who answered and counselled him to hazard the Battel For he should over come the Syrian and should take him Prisoner as he had done before Jehoshaphat understanding by their words that they were false Prophets asked Achab If he had not any other Prophet of God who might more exactly certifie him of that which should follow Achab answered That he had one as yet remaining but that he hated him because he prophesied nought else but mishap and misery unto him and had foretold him That if he should fight against the Syrians 1 Kings 22. 14. ad 28. he should be overcome and slain and for that cause he held him at that time in D Prison signifying unto him that his name was Micheas the son of Imlah Jehoshophat desired that he might be brought into his presence 2 Chron. 18. 13 ad fin which was accordingly performed by one of his Eunuchs Micheas the true Prophet who by the way certified Micheas That all the other Prophets had prophesied to the King victory But Micheas told him That it was not lawful for him to lye against God but that it concerned him to speak that which God should inform him of concerning the King As soon as he came before Achab and was adjured to speak the truth he said That God had shewed him the Israelites put to flight and dispersed by the Syrians that pursued them no otherwise than sheep without their shepherd All which signifieth no less said he but that the rest of the people returning home in safety Achab only should be slain in the battel When Micheas had spoken after this manner Achab turning himself towards Jehoshaphat E said unto him I told you before how this fellow was affected towards me But Micheas constantly avowed That he prophesied nothing but that which God had commanded him to speak assuring Achab that he was sollicited by the false Prophets unto War under hope of victory whereas he should assuredly perish in the Battel These words of his made Achab much discomforted But Sedechias one of the false Prophets stepped forth and exhorted him to set light by Micheas's words because he spake untruly And for confirmation of this he appealed to Elias who was a far more skilful Prophet in foretelling things to come than Micheas was yet that the same Elias had foretold that the Dogs should lick Achabs blood in the City of Jezrael in the field of Naboth because Naboth had been stoned to death at the instance of Achab. Whereby it appeared manifestly that since he contradicted a Prophet so F excellent as he was he lyed in saying that the King should dye within three dayes Moreover said he it shall appear whether he be truly sent from God or no if as soon as he shall receive a buffet from me he cause my hand to wither according as Jadon made Jeroboams hand shrink at such time as he thought to apprehend him For I think said he O King that thou art assuredly informed hereof which said he struck him and because no inconveniency fell upon him by reason of that his audacious attempt Achab assured himself and recovered his courage and set forth against the Assyrian Army For as it is to be supposed the Will of God was such that it caused the false Prophets to triumph over the true which was the cause that the false Prophets were trusted more than the true to the intent that Gods preordained Will might be fulfilled G But Sedechias made him iron horns and said unto Achab that God by them signified unto him that he should lay waste all Syria but Micheas prophesied to the contrary that H within very few days Sedechias should walk from Cave to Cave to hide himself and avoid the punishment of his falshood Achab displeased hereat commanded that he should be
led thence and kept Prisoner with Achmon the Governor of the City allowing him nothing but bread and water for his sustenance Thus marched these two Kings with their Armies against Ramath which is in Galaad Hedâ—o Râ—ffinus cap. 15. which when the King of Syria understood he drew his Army into the field and came out to meet them and encamped near unto Ramath 1 Kings 22. 28 ad 38. Now it was concluded betwixt these two confederate Kings that Achab should enter the battel in a private habit 2 Chron. 18. 28 ad fin and Jehoshaphat should be invested with the Royal ornaments and supply Achabs place to the intent that Micheas prediction might be made frustrate Achab and Jehosaphat War against the Syrians But notwithstanding this disguise Gods justice prevented him for Adad King I of Syria commanded his Army that they should put no one of the Enemy to the sword but only the King of Israel As soon as the battel was begun the Syrians perceiving Jehoshaphat in the front of the Army and conjecturing that it was Achab they made head all together against him and having invironed and pressed him very nearly they perceived that it was not he for which cause they retired back again But although they had fought from the morning until the evening Ver. 34. and had the upper hand yet slew they no man because they sought after no other but Achab to put him to the sword whom notwithstanding they could by no means meet withall Achab wounded by an arrow in the battel dyeth At length one of Adads servants called Aman shot at random amongst the Enemies and hurt Achab in the breast and shot him thorow the lungs K This hurt of his concealed he from his Soldiers for fear lest they should be discomforted For which cause he commanded his servant to drive his Chariot out of the battel for that he felt himself mortally wounded Ver. 38. and although he were in much pain yet sate he in his Chariot until Sun-set The dogs liâ—â— Achabs blood according to Elias prediction at which time he gave up the ghost When night came the Syrian Army withdrew themselves into their Camp and receiving tydings by an Herald that Achab was dead every one retired home unto his house but Achabs body was conveyed to Samaria and interred in that place As for his Chariot it was washed in the fountain of Jezrael 1 King 22. 28. because it was bloody by reason of the Kings hurt whereby the truth of Elias Prediction was ratified and confirmed 2 Chron. 18. 27. for the Dogs lickt his blood and from that time forward The oracles of the Prophets are to be reverenced the common Women continually washed themselves in that L fountain he dyed also in Ramath according as Micheas had prophesied Whereas therefore all things fell unto Achab according as two Prophets had foretold him it appeareth that we ought to honour and magnifie the Majesty of God and to reverence his Prophesies and to ascribe always more credit unto them than to the vain and plausible speech of flatterers and no less to respect them than things of infinite profit since by them we are divinely admonished what we ought to take heed of It behoveth us also to consider what force the Decree of God is of by examining those things which befell Achab. For it is impossible to avoid what God has fore-ordain'd notwithstanding that Men flatter themselves with vain hopes which inveigle them so far that finally they are overtaken in the snares thereof The matchless necessity of fate For this careless inconsideration was fatal to King Achab M in that he believed not his death which was foretold him but being deceived by the flattering persuasions of false Prophets ran headlong upon his own danger and ruine After him succeeded his son Ochozias N O The Ninth Book of the Antiquities of the JEWS The year of the World 3048. before Christ's Nativity 916. A Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the Ninth Book 1. Joram Achabs Son overcometh the Moabites in battel 2. Joram King of Jerusalem obtaining the Crown killeth his brothers and his fathers friends 3. Jorams Army is overthrown by his Enemies and his Sons are slain only one excepted at B length he himself dieth a miserable death 4. The King of Damascus warreth against the King of Israel 5. Joram with all his posterity is slain by Jehu Ochozias King of Jerusalem is slain also 6. Jehu reigneth amongst the Israelites in Samaria and his posterity after him till the fourth generation 7. Athalia reigneth five years in Jerusalem and is slain by the High Priest Joas Ochozias Son is Proclaimed King 8. Azael King of Damascus gathereth an Army first against the Israelites and afterwards against Jerusalem 9. Amasias King of Jerusalem maketh War against the Idumaeans and Amalechites and obtaineth the victory C 10. Amasias making war against Joas King of the Israelites is overcome 11. Ozias overcometh the Nations round about him 12. Rasin or Rabe King of Damascus vexeth the inhabitants of Jerusalem with War Achar their King is compelled to call the King of Assyria to assist him 13. The King of Assyria taketh Damascus by force and slayeth the King and translateth the people into Media and planteth other Colonies in their City 14. Salmanazar taking the King of Israel captive translateth ten of the twelve Tribes into Media and causeth the Cuthaeans to inhabit their Countrey D CHAP. I. Joram Achabs Son overcometh the Moabites in battel AS soon as King Jehosaphat was returned back again to Jerusalem from the War wherein he had assisted Achab against Adad the King of Syria 2 Chron. 19. 2 v. 2. as we have before related the Prophet Iehu in his return came forth and met him Jehu the Prophet reprehended Jehosaphat for helping Achab. and reproved him because he had given Achab who had been an impious man his assistance assuring him that God was displeased with that his confederacy yet notwithstanding that he of his goodness had delivered him from his Enemies Jehosaphat reneweth the true service of God although he had provoked him to anger After this admonition Jehosaphat E began to offer sacrifices and thanksgivings and peace offerings unto God Which done he rode in progress about those Countries that were under his dominion v. 5. giving order that the people should be instructed in those ordinances which were delivered from God by the hands of Moses Jehosaphat placed Judges and Magistrates in every City aud exhorted his Subjects to the practice of piety He placed Judges likewise in every City commanding them to execute justice without respect of persons He charged them likewise that they should not be corrupted with rewards or seduced by dignity riches or Nobility but that they should do justice indifferently to all men knowing that God seeth
not escape that sickness Elias did that which God had commanded and the Messengers of the King having understood that which was declared unto them returned O back again with all expedition Ochozias marvelling much at their sudden return asked them the cause whereupon they answered him that a certain man came unto them and forbad them to pass any further but to return The year of the World 3048. before Christ's Nativity 915. and let their Master know from God that his sickness should wax worse and worse A Hereupon the King commanded them to describe what manner of Man he was that spake these words unto them who answer'd That he was an hairy Man girded with a leathern girdle And understanding hereby that it was Elias he sent a Captain with 50 Soldiers unto him Ver. 8. commanding him to bring the Prophet prisoner unto him This Captain that was sent Elias 〈◊〉 anâ— habit perceiving Elias sitting on the top of a Mountain commanded him to come down and repair unto the King who had sent for him which if he performed not presently Ver. 9 10. he threatned him to make him do it by force 〈◊〉 Solâ—iers sent to fetch Elias are consumed with lightning Elias answered him To the end thou mayest know by thine own experience that I am a true Prophet I will pray that fire may fall from Heaven and consume both thee and thy Soldiers And incontinently after Elias had prayed lightning fell down from heaven and consumed both the Captain and his Soldiers B When the King had tydings of this loss he was sore displeased and sent another Captain to Elias with the like number of Soldiers who threatned the Prophet that if he would not willingly come down he would violently pull him thence but Elias prayed that fire might fall from Heaven and incontinently both he and his were consumed in like manner as the first When the King had understood likewise how his second messenger had sped he sent a third but he being a discreet man when he came to the place where Elias was he saluted him very courteously and said unto him That contrary to his own will and to no other purpose but to fulfill the Kings pleasure he was come unto him and that they that were sent with him came not thither voluntarily but by the same command He therefore required him to have compassion both of him and his Soldiers and to vouchsafe to C come down and to come after them to the King Elias being moved by his discreet and courteous demeanor came down and followed him As soon as he came into the Kings presence he prophesied Ver. 17. and told him that God said That since he had despised him and so lightly accounted of him 〈◊〉 dying without issue Jâ—ram his brother reigned in his stead as if he had been no God or else such an one as had no power to foretell him any truth touching his sickness but that he had sent to the gods of Accaron to enquire after the success of his sickness know said he that thou shalt dye And not long after according to the Prophecy he dyed as Elias had foretold him and his brother Joram succeeded him in the Kingdom because he departed without issue This Joram was a wicked man also 2 Kings 2. â— 1. and as impious as his father for abandoning the service of the true God Elias according as Enoâ—h was taken from the sight of men he set up strange gods In all things else he was a man fit for D government In his time Elias was no more seen amongst men and until this day no man knoweth what his end was But he left a Disciple behind him called Elizeus as we have heretofore declared It is written in Holy Writ touching Elias and Enoch who was before the Deluge Hedio Ruffinus cap. 3. that they disappeared for no man hath known the manner of their dâ—â—ths 1 Kings 3. After that Joram had taken possession of the kingdom Elizeus he resolved to make war upon Misa the King of the Moabites Ver 11 13. who paid Achab his father before him the tribute of two hundred thousand sheep bearing wooll Jâ—ram asketh aid against the Moabites When he had assembled his Forces he sent unto Jehoshaphat requiring him That since he had been his fathers friend he would likewise second him and send him aid in his War intended against the Moabites who had then newly revolted from his government Jehoshaphat not only promised him to afford E him succors but moreover he assured him That he would draw the King of Idumaea who depended on him into their association When Joram understood these things by those whom he had sent unto Jehoshaphat he took his Army with him and repaired to Jerusalem where he was magnificently received and entertained by the King of that City where after they had concluded to march thorow the Desart of Idumaea and that way to charge the Enemy Ver. 17. in that they expected nothing less than to be endangered on that side these three Kings departed together from Jerusalem namely Wanâ— of water in the Hebrews Army the King of Jerusalem the King of Samaria and the King of Idumaea When they had marched seven dayes journey they found a great scarcity of water amongst them both to water their Horses and to refresh their whole Army by reason that their Guides had led them astray out of F the High-way so that they were in great want and especially Joram who by reason of the necessity wherewith he was pressed cryed unto God expostulating with him for what offence of his he would deliver up three such Kings into the hands of the King of Moab But Jehoshaphat who was a virtuous man encouraged him and sent into the Army to know whether there were any Prophet of God that had followed them to the battel Ver. 13. to the intent said he that we may understand from God what we ought to do The Kings 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 at Elizeus's hand and whereas one of the servants of Joram said that he had seen Elizeus the Son of Saphat the Disciple of Elias all the three Kings by the persuasion of Jehoshaphat resorted unto him When they drew near unto the Prophets Tent which he had pitched apart from the rest of the company they asked him what should become of the Army and Joram especially G To whom Elizeus answered That he had no reason to sollicite him in this sort but to repair unto his fathers and mothers Prophets who would certifie him the truth Notwithstanding H Joram intreated him The year of the World 3049. before Christ's Nativity 915. that he would prophesie and preserve the Army and his life but Elizeus sware by the living God That he would answer him nothing except for Jehoshaphats sake who was an upright man and one that feared God
married two Wives which the High Priest gave him by whom he had Sons and Daughters This is all that I have thought good to declare as concerning Joas both how he escaped Athalias treasons and obtained the Kingdom CHAP. VIII Azael King of Damascus levyeth an Army and first of all assaulteth the Israelites and after marcheth forward against Jerusalem M BUt Azael King of Syria making War against the Israelites and against their King Jehu 2 King 12. 18. destroyed the Countrey on the other side of Jordan and all the Eastern tract inhabited by the Reubenites Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. Gadites and Manassites Furthermore he burnt and spoiled Galaad The War between Azael and Jehu and Bathanaea violating and outraging all those that he met withall For Jehu went not out against him to resist him but being become a contemner of God and his Laws he died after he had reigned seven and twenty years over the Israelites he was buried in Samaria and left behind him Joas his Son to succeed him in his Kingdom But Joas King of Jerusalem was desirous to repair the Temple for which cause calling unto him Ioiada the High Priest he commanded him to send thorow all the Countrey the Levites and Priests and to levy upon every one of their heads half a sicle of silver for N the building and reparation of the Temple which was fallen to decay in Joram Athalia and her successors times 2 Choâ— 24. 4. ad 14. But the High Priest would not obey him herein knowing well no man would willingly disburs money But in the three and twentieth year of his reign The restoring of the Temple the King sent both for Joiada and the Levites also and expostulated with them for disobeying his commandment enjoyning them from that time forth to provide for the bulding of the Temple Whereupon the High Priest used present dispatch in levying the money wherewith the people were well pleased He therefore made a chest of wood closed on every side except that on the upper lid thereof there was a little cranny left open which he placed neer unto the Altar commanding that every one should offer according to his devotion and put in his offering thorow the cranny into O the coffer to be imployed in the repairing of the Temple whereunto all the people shewed themselves affectionate so that they gathered together a great quantity of Gold and Silver with great zeale and when the coffer was filled it was emptied and the account thereof taken and summ'd up by the Secretary and High Priest in the Kings presence The year of the World 3089. before Christ's Nativity 97â— A and afterwards was brought together into one place assigned for it which order was observed every day And when it was supposed that there was sufficient money gathered the High Priest Joiada and King Joas hired Masons and Carpenters and prepared great beams of excellent Timber After that the Temple was repaired they employed the remainder of Gold and Silver which was of no small quantity to make cups pots and vessels and other utensils and every day offered they sacrifice of great value upon the Altar and this custome was continued so long as Joiada lived But after his decease which hapned in the hundred and thirtieth year of his age Joas impiety after Joiadas death and how he was reproved by the Prophet after he had lived a just and upright life and was interred in the sepulchre of David in Jerusalem because he had established the Kingdom in B Davids posterity King Joas had no more care to serve God and with him the rest of the Governours of the people were corrupted so that they broke the laws and ordinances of their forefathers For which cause God being provoked by this change and incensed against the King and the rest 2 Chroâ— 24 17. ad 20. sent his Prophets unto them to protest against them and expostulate with them for their offences and to withdraw them from their iniquity But they pursued sin the more vehemently so that neither the punishments by which they who had offended God before-times had been plagued with all their posterities neither all the advertisements given them by the Prophets could induce them to amend or to forsake those sins wherein they were engaged but that which is worst King Joas stoned Zachary v. 21. Joiadas Son Zâ—chary stoned to death and put him to death in the Temple forgetting himself most ungratefully C of the benefits he had received from his Father And the occasion was for that Zachary having received a charge from God to prophesie came into the midst of the people and counâ—elled both them and him to follow justice foretelling them that they should be grievously punished except they did believe This Zachary did at his death call God to witness to judge of those calamities he endured suffering a violent death for the good counsel which he had given them and the benefits which his Father had in times past done unto Joas But many dayes passed not before the King suffered due punishment for these misdeeds For Azael King of the Syrians invaded his Countrey and after he had first of all ruinated Girta he marched forward with an intent to besiege him at last in Jerusalem Joas desperate of all succors emptied all the treasures of the D Temple and those of the Kings and took away the presents that were hung up in the Temple and sent them to the Syrians raising the siege by this means lest he should be drawn into hazard to lose all The spoil of the Temple The Syrians pacified with so great riches and abundant treasure Joas death suffered not his Army to pass to Jerusalem After this Joas was seized with a grievous sickness and to the intent that the death of Zachary the Son of Joiada might not escape unrevenged his friends conspired against him and he died by their hands He was entombed in Jerusalem but not in the sepulchre of his Ancestors because he had faln from God He lived seven and forty years CHAP. IX E Amasias King of Jerusalem made War against the Idumaeans and Amalechites and obtained the victory AMasias his Son succeeded him in the Kingdom 2 King 14. 1 ad 15. But in the 21 year of Joas's reign Ioachas the Son of Jehu took possession of the Kingdom of Israel in Samaria and reigned for the space of seventeen years Amasias King of Jerusalem But he followed not his Fathers steps but rather behaving himself impiously according as his predecessors in the Kingdom and contemners of God had done The forces of Israel weakned and restored by God For which cause the King of Syria subdued him and cut off a great part of his dominions and took his greatest Cities from him and defeated his Armies so that at length he had but ten thousand footmen and five hundred horsmen F All
impiety in that sort to thrust a stranger into that manifest perdition whose life had been committed to their trust But since the storm more and more increased and grew so vehement that they wanted very little of being shipwrackt and being besides that incited by K Jonas himself and likewise by the fear they conceived to lose their lives they cast him into the Sea Jonah 2. per totum whereupon suddenly the storm ceased It was likewise said that being swallowed up by a great fish for the space of three days and three nights Jonâ—s cast into the Sea is devoured by a Wâ—ale and cast upon the coaâ—t of Ninivie foretelleth them of the loss of their Empire he was at the last vomited out and cast by the same fish on shore of the Euxine Sea alive and without any maim in any of his members There besought he God that he would pardon him the sin which he had committed and afterwards he went to the City of Ninivie where going up to a place from whence he might be heard he published with a loud voice unto them that they should lose the Empire of Asia which after he had pronounced he returned back again This recital have I made according as I have found it registred in writing L King Jeroboam having passed all his life time in prosperity and reigned for the space of forty years departed his life and was intombed in Samaria and Zachary his Son succeeded him in this Kingdom At the same time Ozias the Son of Amasias reigned in Jerusalem over the two Tribes 2 Reg. 14. 23. after that Jeroboam had already reigned fourteen years his Mother was called Achia Jeroboams death and was of the City of Jerusalem He was a man of good nature Ozias King of Juda. and such an one as loved justice of a noble courage and very laborious in providing for all occasions he made War against the Philistines and after that he had overcome them in battel he took Ita and Amnia two of their strong Forts and razed them This exploit being past he set upon the Arabians that bordered upon Egypt and after that having built a City upon the Red Sea he planted a Garison M therein He afterwards discomfited the Ammonites constraining them to pay him tribute and subdued all as far as the marshes of Egypt Ozias expedition and the repairing of the City After that he began to provide for the City of Jerusalem for he built it anew and repaired the walls thereof that had been beaten down or decayed either by continuance of time or by negligence of those Kings who were his predecessors 2 Chron. 26. 1 2 3 4 5. he repaired those also which the King of Israel had beaten down at such time as having taken Amasias prisoner he rode in triumph into the City Besides this he erected a number of Towers each of them one hundred and fifty Cubits high These inclosed he with walls to set Garisons therein and in divers barren places he caused divers fountain-heads to be made Ozias riches and Army for he had an infinite multitude of beasts of carriage and other cattel v. 8 9 10. in that the Countrey was fit for pasture N He took pleasure also in tillage for which cause he was often busied about his Land in sowing and planting the same He had about him a chosen Army to the number of three hundred and seventy thousand fighting men whose Generals Conductors and Captains were valiant and invincible men and were in number two thousand He taughâ— his soldiers to march in square battel in manner of the Macedonian Phalanx arming each of them with Swords Targets and Corselets of Brass with Arrows and Darts He made also great preparation of divers Engins to batter Cities and to shoot Stones and Darts besides divers hookes and other such like instruments But whil'st he was intent on these studies and preparations he grew insolent and proud and being puffed up with arrogance v. 6. he contemned that which endureth for ever that is O piety towards God and the observation of his commandments For which cause he was overthrown by his prosperity and fell into his fathers sins through the happiness and greatness of his estate wherein he could not moderately contain himself So that upon a certain solemn Feast-day The year of the World 3120. before Christ's Nativity 944. wherein all the People were assembled together he A attired himself in the High-Priests vestments and entered into the Temple to offer sacrifice unto God upon the golden Altar notwithstanding the High-Priest Azarias accompanied with fourscore Priests forbade him telling him That it was not lawful for him to sacrifice in that it was onely allowed in those that were of the posterity of the High-Priest Aaron Whil'st after this manner Azarias expostulated with him commanding him to go out of the Temple Ver. 17 18 19. and not to contradict the ordinances of God the King waxed wroth and threatned to take his life from him except he kept himself quiet Whereupon there fell a great trembling and earthquake and the Temple cleft in twain and a great light B of the Sun entered thereinto Ver. 20 21. and reflected on the Kings face in such manner that all his body was instantly covered with a leprosie Ozias transgresseth his vocation and is punished with a leprosie and compelled to depart out of the City and before the City in a place called Eroge the half of a Mountain that stood to the Eastward brake and fell and removed for the space of four stadia towards the Oriental Mountain where it rested so that the publick wayes were shut up and choaked and the Kings gardens of pleasure were wholly ruinated and disfigured When the Priests beheld the Kings face covered with a leprosie they told him what inconvenience had hapned unto him and enjoined him to depart out of the Town according to the custom of Men that were polluted Whereupon he wholly confused at so grievous an accident and having no more courage to speak obeyed the commandment that was given him enduring a lamentable punishment for his pride and for that he committed such impiety against God He therefore C remained without the City for a certain time and led a private life and his son Jotham succeeded him in the kingdom Finally he dyed through grief and discontent after he had accomplished 68 years whereof he reigned 52 and was buried in his Garden Zachary Jeroboams son having reigned six Months over the Israelites was slain by Treason complotted against him by a familiar friend of his called Sellum 2 Kings 25. 7 8 9. the son of Jabes who possessing the kingdom after him Zacharias slâ—ughter enjoyed not the same above 30 dayes For the General Manahem being at that time in the City of Tharsa and understanding of that which had hapned to Zachary departed thence with all
them that they mocked them and esteemed them to be mad and spit upon those Prophets that exhorted them to piety and foretold them the evils they should suffer if they served not the true God and finally they laid hold on them and put them to the sword And not contenting themselves with this presumption they attempted yet far worser things and never gave over until that God for a punishment of their impiety subjected them to their enemies 2 Chron. 29. as shall appear hereafter But divers of the Tribes of Manasses Zabulon and Issachar The Word of God is never without fruit respecting the good counsels of the Prophets submitted themselves to the service of God and repaired all together to Jerusalem to King Ezechias to honour G God As soon as they were arrived there Ezechias went up into the Temple accompanied with the Governors and all the People and offered there seven Bulls seven Rams H and as many Goats The year of the World 3618. before Christ's Nativity 746. and after that he and all the Governors had laid their hands upon the heads of the Sacrifice they deliver'd them to the Priest according as it appertained to them and they sacrificed and made burnt-offerings of them The Levites also assisting round about with Instruments of Musick sung Hymns and Songs unto God according as they had been taught by the ordinance of David Ezechias's sacrifice The other Priests had Trumpets which they used in consort to the tune of their Hymns Which done the King and all the People cast themselves prostrate upon the ground 2 Chron. 29. â—â— 20 21. and adored God and afterwards sacrificed seven Oxen an 100 Sheep and 200 Lambs The King likewise bestowed 600 Oxen and 3000 sheep upon the People to feast withall And when the Priests had joyfully perform'd all things according to the custom contain'd in the Law I the King sate down and eat with the People and gave thanks unto God And when the feast of unleavened bread was come they eat the Passeover and during the seven other dayes Ver. 30 31. they offer'd up their other Sacrifices The King gave in way of gratuity unto the People besides that which had been offer'd 2000 Oxen Reformation of Gods service and 7000 Sheep The Governors did the like and gave the People a 1000 Bulls and 1400 Sheep and thus was the feast solemnized which had not been so magnificently and devoutly celebrated since Solomon's time When the solemnity of this feast was past they journeyed and went thorow the Countrey and purifi'd it They purged the City likewise of all Idols and the King ordained that the daily Sacrifices should be made according to the Law upon his charge He enacted also That the People should pay the Tenths to the Priests and Levites K with the first-fruits to the intent they might wholly intend piety and never estrange themselves from the service of God By which means it came to pass that the People brought all kind of fruit to the Priests and Levites The King overcometh the Philistines which the King put up in certain store-houses which he had built to be distributed to every one of them their Wives and Children and by this means they returned again to their former purity in Religion After the King had disposed all things in this sort 2 Kings 19. he made War upon the Philistines Ezechias forsaketh the service of the King of Assyria and overcame them and seized all their Cities between Gaza and Geth About this time the King of Assyria sent unto him and threatned him That if he would not pay those Tributes which his father before him had paid unto him he would destroy all his Countrey Nevertheless Ezechias set light by his threats assuring himself in that piety and zeal he bore L towards God and in the Prophet Esay by whom he was exactly instructed touching all those things that were to succeed CHAP. XIV Salmanasar slayeth the King of Israel and leadeth the Israelites captive into the Countrey of Media WHen tydings was brought to Salmanasar King of Assyria that the King of Israel had privily sent unto Soan Hedio Ruffinus cap. 5. King of Egypt to request his assistance against the M Assyrians he was sore displeased and drew forth his Army against Samaria in the seventh year of the Reign of Oseas But the King of Israel withstood his entrance into the City by which means he was besieged therein for three years space and finally Samaria was taken by force 2 Kings 17 24. in the ninth year of Oseas and the seventh of Ezechias's Reign At which time all the Kingdom of Israel was destroy'd and all the People transported into the Countries of Media and Persia and amongst the rest King Oseas was taken Prisoner The King of Assyria caused certain Nations of a Countrey called Chut so stiled from a River of that name to remove their habitation and to dwell in Samaria and inhabit the Countrey of Israel As for the ten Tribes of Israel they were transported out of their Countrey 947 years The Israelites removed from their possessions are translated into the Region of the Chuthites since their Predecessors departing out of Egypt possessed N the Countrey of Canaan 800 years after the government of Joshua and 240 years seven months and seven dayes since they revolted from Roboam Davids Nephew to give the Kingdom to Jeroboam This was the end of the Israelites who transgressed the Laws and disobeyed the Prophets who foretold them of that calamity which should happen unto them except they repented them of their impieties The sedition that they rais'd against Roboam in taking his servant for their King was the original of their mischiefs For Jeroboam committing impiety against God and they imitating his wickedness caused God to be displeas'd with them so that he punish'd them according as they deserved But the King of Assyria ravaged and spoiled all Syria and Phoenicia with his Army and his name is found written in the Chronicles of the Tyrians for he made War against the Tyrians O at such time as Eulaleus reigned in Tyre whereof Menander maketh mention who wrote the History of Tyre which hath been Translated into the Greek Tongue The King Eluleus saith he reigned 36 years The year of the World 3224. before Christ's Nativity 740. and pursued the Chutheans that were revolted from A him by Sea and made them subject Against whom the King of Assyria sent forth his Army and invaded all Phoenicia and afterwards having made a Peace with them he returned back again into the Cities of Sydon Arce and old Tyre and divers other Cities revolted from the Tyrians and submitted themselves to the King of Assyria For this cause The Tyrians Chronicles touching the Wars of Salmanaâ—ar against the Tyrians written by Menander and for that they of Tyre did not obey him he drew his Army
forth once more against them and he was furnished by the Phoenicians with 60 ships and 800 rowers The Tyrians charging their ships with 12 of their vessels overthrew the Navy of the Assyrians and took about 500 men Prisoners which act of theirs wonderfully increased their honour But the King of Assyria returning back again planted a Garison upon the River set a guard upon the fountain heads to the intent the Tyrians might draw no water which act of B his continuing for the space of five years they were enforced to find and dig for new springs to sustain themselves These things are written in the Registers of the Tyrians themselves as also the exploits of the King of Assyria against them But these Chutheans from the Region of Chut which is in Persia Gods displeasure against the idolatrous Chuthites where there is a River of that name for that they were of five several Nations they brought with them each of them the god whom they honour'd in their Nation to the number of five gods whom they served after the manner of their Countrey Whereupon the true God was displeas'd and provok'd against them for a Plague fell amongst them that consumed them in such sort that they could find no remedy until they were told that they ought to adore the God of the Hebrews The Chutheans embrace the service of God and in prosperity claim kinred of the Jews and that therein consisted C their safety They therefore sent unto the King of Assyria requiring him to send them Priests from amongst the Israelites whom he had led away Prisoners in War By whose assistance they learnt the Law and the manner of Gods service and began very diligently to observe both by which means the Plague ceased And now even unto this day continue they in the same Religion and are called by the Hebrews Chutheans and Samaritans by the Greeks These as often as they find the Jews in prosperity call them their Cousins according to the variety and changes of time but if they perceive their fortunes to be on the declining hand then adjure they consanguinity and renounce their relation to them and say That they were planted in the Countrey and drawn thither from a foreign Nation But in time and place convenient we will speak of them more largely D E F G H The Tenth Book of the Antiquities of the JEWS The year of the World 3231. before Christ's Nativity 733. Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the Tenth Book 1. Senacherib King of Assyria besiegeth Ezechias in Jerusalem 2. Ezechias having lived for a certain time in peace dyeth and leaveth his Son Manasses I to succeed him 3. The Kings of the Chaldees and the King of Babylon make War against Manasses and lead him away Captive 4. The History of King Josias 5. Josias death in battel he hindereth the King of Egypt from leading his Army against the Babylonians and the event thereof 6. The Army of Nabuchodonosor cometh into Syria 7. Nabuchodonosor putteth Joachim to death and maketh Joachin King 8. Nabuchodonosor changeth his purpose besiegeth Joachim and is reconciled upon composition K 9. Sedechias is appointed King over Jerusalem 10. Jerusalem is taken and the people translated into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor 11. The Successors of Nabuchodonosor the destruction of Babylon by Cyrus King of Persia CHAP. I. Senacherib King of Assyria besiegeth Ezechias in Jerusalem IN the Fourteenth year of the Reign of Ezechias King of the two Tribes 2 King 18 19. Senacherib L The destruction of Judea King of Assyria drew forth a huge Army against him and surprized all the Cities of Juda and Benjamin by strong hand To him Ezechias sent Ambassadors promising him obedience and such a Tribute as it should please him to impose When Senacherib had heard the Ambassadors he resolved on Peace and accepted Ezechias offer promising that he would depart as soon as he should have received Three hundred Talents of silver and Thirty Talents of gold swearing unto the Ambassadors The oath of Senacherib and his breach thereof That upon these conditions he would depart away without committing any outrage Ezechias giving credit to these words of his emptied the Treasuries and sent the prefixed sum to Senacherib hoping to be delivered from his enemy and the hazard wherein his Countrey stood But the Assyrians having received the money set light by their promises M so that Senacherib went in person to make War against the Egyptians and Ethiopians and left Rapsaces his General in Judaea with a great power accompanied with two of his chief Minions and Courtiers with commission to spoil Jerusalem The names of these two were Tharata and Anacheris As soon as they were encamped near unto the Walls they sent unto Ezechias and commanded him to come and speak with them but he through fear which he had conceived went not unto them but sent three of his most familiar friends Eliacim the Superintendent of his Realm Sobna and Joachas that had the commission of his Registers These three presented themselves before the Chieftains of the Assyrian Army whom when Rapsaces beheld he commanded them to return unto their Master and to tell him N That the great King Senacherib was desirous to know upon what hope he slighteth his Summons and refuseth to admit his Army into the City Is it perhaps because he hopeth the Egyptians will have the upper hand of the Kings Army If that be his hope doubtless he is deceived shewing himself to be like unto a man that stayeth himself upon a broken reed by which he is not only not supported but in his fall hath his hand pierced therewith He likewise wished him to conceive that this his expedition was not without the Will of God who as in times past hath given them the victory over the Israelites so now also is pleased to humble Ezechias and to make both him and his Subjects stoop under the Assyrian government Whil'st Rapsaces spake thus in the Hebrew language Ver. 17. wherein he was very skilful Eliacim fearing lest the multitude should be strucken with fear upon the hearing of these words besought him O to speak in the Syriack Tongue Rapsaces persuasion to cause Ezechias to submit But he sufficiently instructed what it was that he feared answer'd him with a louder voice in the Hebrew Tongue and told them They ought to give ear unto the Kings commandment and to yield themselves to his mercy because it concerned their security The year of the World 3231. before Christ's Nativity 737. I am not ignorant said he that both you and your King do flatter the people A with vain hopes and fraudulently allure them to bear Arms against us But if your Valor be ought at all and you suppose that you can raise the siege from your walls let us have same specimen of your courage and send out 2000
Horse to encounter the like number which shall be drawn out of our Army But alas it is not to be expected since you are not able to raise so great a Force Why therefore delay you Why yield you not to those that are too strong for you and are able even in spight of your resistance to ransack your City whereas you know that a willing submission is alwayes secure contrariwise whereas duty is enforced there wanteth no peril of calamity When both the Ambassadors and the People had heard what the Assyrian had spoken B 2 Kings 19. 1 2. they reported the same to Ezechias who incontinently cast his royal garments off and cloathed himself in sackcloth Ezechias in adversity hath recourse to God he is comforted by Esay discovering his trouble and sorrow in his countenance and casting himself prostrate upon the earth after the manner of their Countrey he besought God to be assistant unto him since all other hope was vain He sent also certain of his friends and some Priests unto the Prophet Esay requiring him to pray unto God That since Sacrifice was offered unto him for publick security it might please him to frustrate the enemies hopes and to have pity and compassion on his people When the Prophet had performed what was required he received an answer from God by which he assured the King and all that were about him foretelling them that the enemies should be overcome without stroke strucken and should retire with shame and not with that advantage which they promis'd to themselves at present because God had already determined C how they should be overthrown He foretold also that Senacherib himself the King of Assyria should fail of his enterprize in Egypt and that upon his return to his own Court he should be slain At that very time the Assyrian wrote Letters to Ezechias in which he called him fool and mad-man to think that he could secure himself from being his slave yea his in especial who had conquered divers and far greater Nations threatning him with utter ruine at such time as he should surprize the City if he opened not the gates of Jerusalem willingly to entertain his Army When Ezechias had read these Letters he set light by them by reason of the confidence he had in God and having opened them he spread them in the Temple And whil'st he renewed his prayers unto God for the salvation of the City and his Subjects Esay the Prophet told him That his D prayer was heard that hereafter likewise they should manure their lands in peace and security and should enjoy their possessions without fear Not long after the King of Assyria having but cold success in his expedition against Egypt turned back again without doing any thing for this cause that ensueth He had lost much time in the siege of Pelusium and at such time as he had already raised certain Bulwarks as high as the Wall so that he wanted nothing but to give the assault News was brought him that Thargises King of Ethiopia A v. 20. ad fin brought an Army to rescue the Egyptians with an intent to take his way thorow the Desart Herodotus of Senacherib and suddenly to charge the Assyrian Army Senacherib troubled with these tydings speedily departed thence with his Army But Herodotus saith That he made War with Vulcans Priests for so he stileth this King of Egypt because he was a Priest of that E false god and moreover addeth Hedio Ruffinus cap. 11. That besieging Pelusium for this cause he gave over the siege The King of Egypt called to his God for assistance by whose power the Arabians suffered much misery But in this also he erreth in that he setteth down the Arabian for the Assyrian There came one night so great a number of Rats into the Army that they gnawed to pieces all their Bowe-strings and made the rest of their Arms unserviceable whence it came to pass that the King being disarmed Ver. 35 36 37. withdrew his siege from Pelusium But Berosus a Writer among the Chaldees The punishment of Senacherib for displeasing God maketh mention of Senacherib and how he reigned among the Assyrians and troubled both Asia and Egypt with War and declareth the manner in these words But Senacherib returning from the Egyptian War came before Jerusalem and received the Army that F was there at the hands of the Governor Rabsake and God caused a pestilent sickness to fall upon his Army which was so violent that the first night of the siege there dyed an hundred fourscore and five thousand men with the Governors and Chieftains With which loss he was so affrighted Paâ—â—icides and troubled that fearing to lose his Army he fled with those that remained and retired himself into his Kingdom to the City called Nineve where after he had lived for a time he was trayterously slain by Adramelech and Selenar his two elder sons and being dead was carried into his own Temple called Arusche and his children were driven out of the Kingdom for committing the murther and retired themselves into Armenia and Asseradochus his youngest son succeeded Senacherib Such was the end of the Assyrian Army that came before Jerusalem G CHAP. II. The year of the World 3241. before Christ's Nativity 733. H Ezechias having for a time remained in peace dieth and leaveth his son Manasses to succeed him KIng Ezechias being in this sort beyond all hope delivered from his fears offered thanksgiving and sacrifices unto God Hedio Ruffinus cap. 3. with all the people acknowledging that there was no other cause that had slain part of his enemies 2 Kings 20. 1 ad 11. and put the rest to mortal fear nor delivered Jerusalem from thraldom but only Gods succour and assistance And whilest he altogether intended and was occupied about the service of God he fell sick I of a grievous disease so as the Physicians despaired of his health and his friends expected nothing but his death But that which occasioned the greatest trouble was that he had no children and saw that he was now to depart the world and to leave his house without a successor Ezechias sickness and the prolongation of his life assured by miracle and his kingdom desolate In this affliction he besought God That it would please him to lengthen his life a little time until he had children to succeed him and that he would vouchsafe that his soul might not be taken from him before he were the father of a son Hereupon God taking compassion of him and the rather because he was not grieved for that the pleasures of his kingdom were taken from him but for that he sought for a lawful heir to succeed him he sent the Prophet Esay unto him to assure him that after three days he should be recovered of his sickness and that after he had lived K some fifteen years more he should
offering up Sacrifices unto God they besought him to shew himself favourable and merciful towards them The King likewise commanded the High-Priest that if there were any vessels in the Temple which were made by his Predecessors in honour of Idols and strange gods he should cast them out and after that a great number were found therein all of them were gather'd together and burnt and the ashes afterwards were scatter'd abroad And as touching the Priests that appertained to Idols that were not of the Race of Aaron he put them to death The truth of the divine oracles When these things were thus executed in Jerusalem he came afterwards to the plain Countrey and all that which Jeroboam had erected there in honour of Idols 1 Kings 13. 1. ad 4. he utterly defaced it and the bones of N the false Prophets were burnt upon the Altar that Jeroboam had built This had the Prophet foretold that came to Jeroboam at such time as he offered Sacrifice and told him in the presence of all the people all that which should happen namely That one of Davids posterity called Josias should do thâ—se things which Prophecy took effect 361 years after After this King Josias applied himself to the Israelites who had avoided the captivity and servitude of the Assyrians and persuaded them to forsake their impieties and the services they had performed to strange gods and to honour the sovereign and true God of their fathers and to cleave unto him He made a search also thorow every house borough and city fearing lest as yet there should be an Idol hidden He likewise sought out the Chariots that were made by his ancestors in honour of the Sun O and all that which was adored whatsoever it were and utterly abolished the same After he had in this sort purged the Countrey he assembled all the people in Jerusalem where he celebrated the Feast of unleavened bread which we call Easter Towards the performance whereof The year of the World 23â—â— before Christ's Nativity 643. he gave the people young kids and lambs to the number of 30000 A and 3000 Bullocks for burnt-offerings and the chief among the Levites distributed amongst the other Levites 500 Lambs and 500 Bullocks Having therefore such an abundance of Beasts they sacrificed according to the Law of Moses the Priests taking charge thereof 2 Kings 23. â— 11. and confirming the rest of the people by their example Neither was there ever such a solemnity kept by the Hebrews since the time of Samuel the Prophet because all things were done according to the Laws and the ancient Customs Tâ—e celebration of the Pâ—sseover which were observed in the time of their Fathers After this Josias lived in peace riches honour and estimation amongst all men Ver. 21 c. and thus ended his life Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. 〈◊〉 cap. 5. CHAP. V. B Divers Exploits of Nechao Nechao The Eâ—yptians 〈…〉 King of Egypt having gathered great Forces conducted his Army towards the River Euphrates to war against the Medes and Babylonians who had destroyed the Empire of Assyria for Nechao affected the government of all Asia Now when he drew near unto the City of Mende which was under Josias subjection King Josias denied him passage and would not suffer his Army to march thorow his Countrey For which cause Nechao sent an Herald unto him to let him understand That it was not against him that he made War 〈…〉 but that he bent his course towards Euphrates for which cause C he wished him in no sort to hinder his intended journey 2 Chrâ—n â—5 22 23 24. lest thereby he should be constrained to make War upon him An Epitâ—ph written by Jeremy on Josiâ—â— But Josias regarded not this demand of his but resolved himself to hinder his passage thorow his Countrey And I am persuaded that his evil Genius put him upon making this resistance to the end that he might have some occasion to do something against Nechao Ver. 25. For whil'st he set in order his Army and rode from one Band to another Which was the 〈…〉 being mounted upon his Chariot he was strucken with an Arrow that was shot by a certain Egyptian which put a stop to his proceedings For feeling himself oppressed with pain 〈…〉 by reason of his wound he commanded his Army to retire and returned himself to Jerusalem where he dyed of his wound and was buried with his Fathers with great magnificence after he had lived 39 years and reigned 31. For him D the people mourned with great heaviness 〈…〉 lamenting for many days The Prophet Jeremy also made an Elegy upon him in verse 〈…〉 which is as yet extant even in these days This Prophet foretold in writing those evils which should afterwards happen unto the City and the Captivity wherewith we are intangled at this present 〈…〉 and the surprisal of Babylon 〈…〉 Neither hath he alone foretold the same but the Prophet Ezekiel hath likewise done the like who first left two Books written of the same Argument These two Prophets were of the race of the Priests â—span â— But Jeremy kept in Jerusalem from the 14th year of the Reign of Josias 〈…〉 until the destruction of the City and Temple as in time and place convenient we will declare setting down those occurrences that hapned to this Prophet After the death of Josias hitherto mentioned his son Joaz succeeded him E in the Kingdom at such time as he was 23 years old he reigned in Jerusalem and his mothers name was Ametala he was a man full of impiety and of a malignant and perverse nature The King of Egypt returning from the War sent unto Joaz commanding him to meet him in Samath a City of Syria where he was no sooner arrived but he kept him Prisoner committing the Kingdom to Eliachim his brother on the Fathers side who was his elder brother likewise He changed his name likewise and call'd him Joachim he impos'd a Tribute also on Judea of 100 Talents of silver and a Talent of gold which Joachim paid and as touching Joaz he led him into Egypt where he finished his days after he had been King three months and ten days Now Joachims mother was called Zâ—buda of the City of Abuma He was a wicked person and of a malignant nature F having neither piety towards God nor respect towards men CHAP. VI. Nabuchodonosors Army cometh into Syria IN the fourth year of the Reign of Joachim 〈…〉 a certain man called Nabuchodonosor possessed the Kingdom of Babylon who at that time went out with a great Army against 〈◊〉 a City scituate near unto Euphrates resolving with himself to fight against Nechao King of Egypt under whose power all Syria was subject Nechao understanding G of the Babylonians intent and how great his Army was made very little account thereof but with a huge Army
outrages were best liking unto them For this cause the Prophet Jeremy came unto him protesting oftentimes against him and denouncing That if he would not forsake his impieties and addict himself to that which was just but gave ear unto his Governors amongst which there were many wicked men nnd to those false Prophets that mis-led him trusting that the Babylonians should not make War against his City but that the Egyptians should levy an Army and overcome them that then he should suffer much misery For said he they have no truth in their sayings and they will always mislead you by false reports Whil'st Sedechias gave ear to these discourses of the Prophet he was persuaded and acknowledg'd all that to be true which he had spoken and very profitable both for him Ezekiel prophesieth the destruction of the Temple and his people but anon after his friends corrupted him and diverted him according E to their own opinions Ezekiel also at the same time had prophesied in Babylon concerning all those calamities which were to fall upon the Temple and sent notice to Jerusalem of that which he had received from God Notwithstanding Sedechias gave no credit to his Prophesies by reason that all the Prophets were accustomed to accord in all things the one with the other as touching the surprisal of the City and the imprisonment of Sedechias but Ezekiel differed in this that he said that Sedechias should not see Babylon notwithstanding that Jeremy had prophesied that the King of Babylon should lead him away Prisoner in bonds Ver. 20. because therefore these two accorded not in all their sayings Sedechiâ—s revolts from the Babylonian he concluded that the matter wherein they agreed was of no consequence Notwithstanding all things hapned unto him according as the Prophets had pronounced as F we will declare hereafter Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. After that he had continued his alliance and friendship with the King of Babylon for the space of eight years 2 Kings 25. 4. ad 12. he brake the league that was between them and confederated with the Egyptians under hope that they should overcome the Babylonians The King of Egypt coming to rescue the King of Jerusaâ—em is overthrown by Nabuchodonosor with all his Army and driven out of Syria Which when the King of Babylon understood he led forth his Army against him and destroy'd his Countrey to the uttermost so that after he had taken his Cities of defence he brought his Army before Jerusalem and besieged it The Egyptian perceiving the state wherein his Ally Sedechias was levied an huge Army and came into Judea with an intent to raise the siege Whereupon the Babylonian withdrew his Army from Jerusalem to encounter with the Egyptian and fought with him and overcame him in battel and pressed on him with such courage that he put him to flight and drave him G out of Syria As soon as the Babylonian was dislodged from Jerusalem the false Prophets deceived Zedechias telling him That the Babilonian should never more return to make War either H against him or his Nation and that he should never any more depart from his house in Babylon and that they who had been led away captives should return home again loaden with those vessels of the Temple which the King of Babylon had taken from them But the Prophet Jeremy presenting himself before the King prophesied the contrary to these Impostors Zedechias seduced by false Prophets assuring both him and the People That no profit could befall them by means of the Egyptians for that the Babilonians should overcome them and should return and encamp before Jerusalem The Prophecy of the captivity of Babylon and the delivery and besiege the same and destroy the People by Famine and lead them away Prisoners that were remaining and carry away all their substance and that after they were seized of the riches of their Temple they should finally burn the same As for the City they should raze it Jer. 25. v. 1. ad 12. and said he they shall keep us captive for the space of 70 years And I from this servitude the Persians and Medes shall deliver us at such time as they have gotten the Empire out of the hands of the Babilonians Jer. 29. 1 ad 10. then shall they send us back again into our Countrey C. 37. per tot and we shall build our Temple anew and establish the City of Jerusalem Divers men gave credit to these words of Jeremy but the Governors and such as contemned God intreated him very cruelly as if he had been a man beside himself And whereas he had an intent to visit his Native Countrey Anathoth some 20 furlongs from Jerusalem one of the Magistrates encountring him in his journey and laying hold on him retained him loading him with this slander That he stole away to submit himself to the Babilonians But Jeremy answer'd That he was falsely accused and that he repaired only to the place where he was born This Prince giving him no credit arrested him and brought him K before the judgment-seat Jerusalem besieged where he sustained all sorts of outrages and torments and was shut up in Prison to be punish'd and remain'd there for a time suffering the extremity of wrong and injury 2 Kings 25. 1 ad 10. The ninth year of the Reign of Zedechias and on the tenth day of the ninth month Jer. 39. 1 ad 19. the King of Babilon came and encamped the second time before Jerusalem Two mighty enemies Famine and Pestilence and intrenched himself round about the same for the space of 18 months and laid siege thereto using his utmost endeavor to make himself Master of the place And they that were besieged therein were afflicted with two of the greatest calamities Famine and a most grievous Pestilence Jeremy persuadeth them to yield At this time the Prophet Jeremy being in Prison held not his peace but cryed with a loud voice and preached and exhorted the People willing them to entertain the Babilonians and to open their gates unto them because that in so L doing they might secure themselves with their families whereas otherwayes they were assured of destruction He foretold them also That if any one remained in the City he should most assuredly either perish by famine or the enemies fury but if so be they submitted themselves to the enemies mercy they should escape from death But those Governors that heard him speak after this sort gave him no credit in that they were not as yet pressed with the danger for which cause they came unto the King and after a despiteful manner told him all that which had been spoken accusing Jeremy and reproving him for a mad man urging this That he had abated their courage and by his woful predictions had weakned the hearts of the people which were otherwayes ready to fight for him and their Countrey
by reason that he flying unto the enemy M menac'd them with the surprizal and utter ruine of their City The King in regard of the natural humanity and justice that was in him was not any wayes hereby provoked against Jeremy Jer. 39. 11 12. yet to the intent that he might not seem utterly to oppose the Governors The reward of godly Preachers in this life he deliver'd the Prophet into their hands to deal with him howsoever they pleased Who having obtained this liberty from the King entred the Prison on the sudden and laying hold on Jeremy they let him down into a Pit full of mud to the intent he might die in that place and be strangled by the filth in effect he was set therein up to the neck But one of the Kings servants an Ethiopian by Nation certifi'd the King of the Prophets affliction assuring him That his Friends and Governors did not justly so to thrust and bury the Prophet in the mud and cursedly to conspire against him N tiring him with bonds and tortures worse than death Whereupon the King hearing this was sorry that he had deliver'd the Prophet to the Governors and commanded the Ethiopian to take 30 men of his Court with him with cords and such other things necessary as might concern the safety of the Prophet charging him with all expedition to deliver him from that captivity Hereupon the Ethiopian furnish'd with men and necessary means drew the Prophet out of the mud and dismiss'd him without any guard That done the King sent for him in private demanding of him If he had any message to deliver him from God Zedechias neglecteth the Prophets good counsel for fear of the Governors praying him to let him understand whatsoever he knew as touching the success of the siege The Prophets answer was That although he should tell him yet it would not be believed and that if he should exhort him he would not give ear or listen unto him O But said he O King thy friends have condemned me to death as if I had been a most wicked Malefactor But where are they now at this present that have deceived thee and born thee in hand The year of the World 3354. before Christ's Nativity 610. saying That the Babylonian would not come and besiege thee Now will I take heed how A I tell thee the truth for fear lest thou condemn me to death Hereupon the King swore unto him That he should not die neither that he would deliver him into the hands of the Governors For which cause Jeremy grounding himself upon the faith which he had plighted unto him counselled the King to yield up the City to the Babilonians because that God had willed him to signifie unto the King that if he would save his life and avoid the imminent danger and save his City from utter ruine and preserve the Temple from burning he should submit or otherwise that none but he should be reputed to be the cause of all those evils that should happen unto the City and Citizens and of that calamity that should confound both him and all his family When the King heard this he told him B That he would do according as he had counselled him and perform whatsoever he thought necessary to be done but that he feared that his Subjects who were already gone over to the King of Babylon would do him ill offices with that King and that by their means he might be accused and deliver'd unto death But the Prophet encourag'd him telling him That his fear was in vain assuring him that he should suffer no evil if so be he yielded up the City and that neither his wife nor children nor the sacred Temple should suffer any mischief Upon these words the King dismissed Jeremy charging him to communicate the counsel that was held between them to no one of the Citizens no not to the Princes if they should ask of him wherefore the King had sent for him advising him to answer if so be they were inquisitive That he resorted to the King to request him that he might be no more imprisoned all which the Prophet performed but they pressed him very much to know C for what cause the King had sent for him CHAP. X. Jerusalem is taken and the People carried into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor MEan-while the Babylonian continued his violent siege against the City of Jerusalem 2 Kings 25. 1. c. and having raised Towers upon certain Bulwarks Jerusalem besieged eighteen months and at length taken he drave away by this means D all those that approached near unto the walls he raised also round about the City divers platforms that equalled the walls in height Mean-while the City was as valiantly and couragiously defended by the Inhabitants for neither Pestilence nor Famine plucked down their spirits And although that within the City they were tormented with these scourges yet were not their resolutions broken nor did the enemies inventions astonish them nor their engines afright them so that all the battel betwixt the Babylonians and Jews seem'd to be a tryal both of valor and art whil'st these do assuredly hope to surprize the City Ver. 5 6 7. and the other thought their safety consisteth herein Zedechias flieth by night and is surprized by the enemy if they ceased not by new inventions to frustrate their enemies endeavors And in this state continu'd they both for the space of 18 months until they were consumed by Famine E and by the darts that were shot against them by those that shot from the Towers At length the City was taken by the Princes of Babylon in the eleventh year of the Reign of Zedechias the ninth day of the fourth month who were put in trust by Nabuchodonosor to manage the siege for he himself made his abode in the City of Reblata Now if any man be desirous to know the names of them that had command at such time as Jerusalem was surpriz'd these they be Nergelear Aremantus Emegar Nabosar and Echarampsor The City being taken about midnight the Princes of the Enemies Army entred into the Temple which when Zedechias understood he took his wives and his children with the Princes and his friends and fled thorow a great valley by the desart which when the Babylonians understood by certain Jews that were revolted and had submitted themselves F unto them they arose early in the morning to pursue them and overtook and surprized them near unto Jericho Whereupon those Princes and friends of Zedechias that had taken their flight with him seeing the Enemies near unto them forsook him and scattering themselves here and there endeavour'd each of them to save himself When therefore the Enemies had apprehended him attended by a few followers only and accompanied by his children and wives they brought him unto the Kings presence who no sooner beheld him but he called him wicked and perfidious and upbraided him
with breach of his promise and contempt of his Majesty Furthermore he reproached him for his ingratitude in that having received the Royalty from his hands which he had G taken from Joachin to bestow on him he had notwithstanding employed all his Forces against his Benefactor H But said he that great God that hateth thy Treachery The year of the World 3356. before Christ's Nativity 6â—8 hath delivered thee into my hands and when he had spoken these words he caused Zedechias Friends and Children to be slain before his eyes with all his other prisoners afterwards commanding his eyes to be plucked out he led him to Babylon All which happened unto him according as the Prophets Jeremy and Ezekiel had foretold him V. 5. 6. 7. namely that he should be surprized and brought before the King of Babylon Zedechias hath his eyes pulled out and his Children slain before his face and should speak with him face to face and should see him with his eyes for so had Jeremy prophecied but being made blind and conducted to Babylon he should not see the City of Babylon according as Ezekiel had foretold All which may sufficiently express to those that know not the nature of God how divers and admirable his judgements be in disposing all things in good order and pre-signifying those things that are to come even as I in this place there appeareth a most signal example of humane error and incredulity How many and how long the Kings reigned that were of David's Line by which it was not lawful for them to avoid their future calamity nor shun their unalterable destiny Thus was the Race of the Kings extinguished that descended from David who were in number One and twenty that Reigned after him All of them together governed Five hundred and fourteen years V. 9. ad 18. six months and ten days adding thereunto the twenty years of the first King Saul The Temple the Palace and the City spoiled and burnt who was of another Tribe After this the Babylonian sent Nabuzaradan General of his Army unto Jerusalem to spoil the Temple giving him in charge to burn both it and the Kings Palace and to raze and level the City with the ground and afterwards to transport the People unto Babylon Nabuzaradan arrived there the eleventh year of the Reign of Zedechias and spoiled the Temple and carried away the Vessels that were consecrated K to Gods service both those of Gold as also those of Silver he took likewise the great Laver that was given by Solomon the Columns and Pillars of Brass with their Chapters likewise and the Tables and Candlesticks of Gold and after he had born away all things he burned the Temple the first day of the 5th month of the eleventh year of Zedechias Reign which was the eighteenth of Nabuchodonosor's He burned also the Kings Royal Palace and razed the City This Temple was burned 470 years six moneths and ten days after the foundation thereof and in the year 1062. six months and ten days after the departure of the people out of Egypt and 1950 years six months and ten days after the Deluge from the Creation of Adam V. 18. ad 22. until the ruin of the Temple there were three thousand five hundred and thirteen years six moneths and ten days The captivity of Babylon Thus have we set down the number of the years and L expressed in what time every thing hath been performed The General for the King of Babylon having destroyed the City and transported the People took prisoner the High Priest Sareas and his Collegue the Priest Saphan with the Governors and Keepers of the Temple which were three the Eunuch also which had the charge over the rest and seven of Zedechias friends and his Secretary besides sixty other Governors all which together with the Vessels which he had pillaged he sent to Reblatha a City of Syria unto the King of Babylon who commanded in that place that the High Priest and Governours should be beheaded as for the rest of the prisoners and Zedechias the King he carried them with him to Babylon he sent also in Bonds with the rest Josadoch the Son of Sareas the High Priest whom he had put to death in Reblatha M as we have before related And since we have reckoned up the race of the Kings that swayed the Scepter of Juda and given an account how long they Reigned it will not be unnecessary to recite the names of the High Priests The high Priests in Jerusalem and to report who they have been that have administred the Priesthood under the Kings Sadoc was the first High Priest of the Temple built by Solomon After him his Son Achimas succeeded in that Honour and after Achimas Azaras after whom succeeded Joram and after Joram Joschua after Joschua Axioram who had for his successor Phideas to Phideas succeeded Sudeas to Sudeas Julus to Julus Jotham to Jotham Vrias to Vrias Nerias to Nerias Odeas to Odeas Saldum to Saldum Elcias to Elcias Sareas to Sareas Josadoch who was carried away prisoner into Babylon all which have succeeded in the Priesthood by lineal descent N Jer. 52. 10. 11. When Nebuchodonosor was come to Babylon he shut up Zedechias in prison where he kept him until he died Zedechias death and after his death he honoured him with a Royal Tomb. He likewise offered the Vessels that he had taken out of the Temple of Jerusalem unto his gods Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. and caused the people to inhabit the Countrey of Babylon delivering the High Priest from his Bonds The General Nabuzaradan that led the people away captive left the poorer sort in the Countrey of Judea and those also that voluntarily yielded themselves unto him over whom he appointed Godolias the Son of Aicam Governour a man that was both upright and noble commanding them to till the Land and to pay their assigned Tribute to the King C. 40. v 4. He delivered the Prophet Jeremy also out of prison Godolias Captain of the Fugitives persuading him to repair with him to the King of Babylon telling him that he had O received express commandment from the King to furnish him with all things necessary for that journey but if he were not contented to repair to Babylon he should declare unto him in what place he would make his abode to the intent he might certify the King thereof But the Prophet would not follow him or sojourn in any other place desiring rather to live amidst the ruins of his Countrey and among the pitious Reliques of his poor Nation When the General Nabuzaradan understood his resolution he gave charge to the Governour Godolias whom he left in Judea to have care of him Jeremy set at liberty by the Babylonian and richly offered and presented and to furnish him with all that which he wanted and after he had gratified him
the World 3421. before Christ's Nativity 543. where he was served with great store of Vessels fit for his Majesty and with him at the Banquet there sate his Concubines and most intimate friends At which time to shew his Magnificence he caused those Vessels to be brought out of the Temple of his God which Nabuchodonosor his predecessor fearing to employ to his own use had stored up in his Idols Temple Dan. 5. 5 6 7 ad 30. But Balthasar was so puffed with pride Baâ—thasar seeth a hand thrust out of a Wall and writing certain Syâ—lables that he drank out of them and employed them to his own use Now came it to pass that whilest he quaffed and blasphemed the Name of God he saw a hand issuing from a Wall which wrote on the same certain words by which Vision being somewhat terrified he assembled his Magicians and Chaldees and all that sort of people who amongst those barbarous Nations made profession to interpret I Prodigies and Dreams to the intent they might signify unto him the meaning and signification of that Writing Now when these Magicians had told them that they could not give an interpretation of it the King was sore vexed and troubled at this unexpected Vision whereupon he caused it to be proclaimed thorow his Countrey that whosoever should read that Writing and declare the meaning thereof he would give him a Golden Chain and a Purple Robe such as the King of the Chaldees wore and besides all this the third part of his Empire After this Proclamation the Magicians assembled tegether with a great concourse and were far more diligent and inquisitive to find out the signification of the Writing but they advanced nothing more than at the first Mean while the Kings Grandmother seeing him wholly dejected in mind began to comfort K him and to tell him that there was a certain man amongst the prisoners of Juda led thither at such time as Nabuchodonosor destroyed Jerusalem whose name was Daniel a man wise and expert in searching out of things that were onely known unto God who evidently expounded that which Nabuchodonosor required at such time as no other man could satisfy his demand Whereupon the King called him unto his Presence and telling him what proofs he had heard of his Wisdom and of that Divine Spirit that was in him and how he onely was fit to interpret those things which were concealed from other mens knowledge he prayed him to inform him what that hand-writing signified promising him in reward thereof a Purple Garment a Golden Chain and the third part of his Empire to the end that being honoured with these rewards for his wisdom L he might grow famous amongst all men who demanding the reason should know the intent why he was honoured But Daniel refusing all these Presents of his in that the wisdom that is given from above is not corrupted thereby but is freely imparted to those that have need thereof told him that that Writing did foretell the end of his life because he had not learned to fear God neither to lift up his thoughts higher than humane nature notwithstanding he had seen the chastisement wherewith his predecessor had been punished for the outrages he committed against God For that Nabuchodonosor having been driven to lead his life amongst Beasts by reason of his Impieties after divers requests and supplications had obtained mercy and was returned unto humane conversation and into his own Kingdom for which cause all the time of M his life he praised Almighty God the Governour of all things whereas he had omitted to do the like and had blasphemed the name of God and had debauched himself with his Concubines in the Vessels dedicated to God For this cause God was displeased with him and certified him by his Writing what end he should expect Whereupon he expounded the Writings after this manner Mane which is as much to say as number sheweth that God hath numbred the days of thy Life and Reign which shall endure but a little while Thekel signifieth a balance God therefore said he weighing the government sheweth that it shall be overthrown Phares this word signifieth a fragment God shall break thy Kingdom and divide it among the Medes and Persians When the King had heard this interpretation he was very sorrowful according N as the nature of things so disasterous and so apparent required Notwithstanding he delayed not to bestow those Presents which he had promised the Prophet although as he well perceived the words boaded him ill yet he gave him all that which he promised him v. 2. ad 29. considering with himself Daniel interpreteth the Writing to the King that it was his own destiny that he ought to accuse and not Daniel who like an honest man had declared the Truth notwithstanding it were very unwelcome to his ear Not long after this Balthasar and the City were overthrown and taken by Cyrus King of Persia and his Army The King performed his promises to Daniel For this was that Balthasar under whom and in the seventeenth year of whose Reign the surprisal of Babylon hapened This as far as I could gather was the end of King Nebuchodonosors posterity v. 31. O Darius Babylon surprized by Cyrus King of Persia who with his ally Cyrus had destroyed the state of the Babylonians was threescore and two years old at such a time as he took Babylon He was Astyages Son and is otherways called by the Greeks He took the Prophet Daniel and led him with him into Media The year of the World 3425. before Christ's Nativity 539. and kept him near unto him doing him much honour for he was of the number A of three Governours whom he constituted over three hundred and threescore Provinces for so had Darius commanded it Now Daniel being thus honoured and beloved by Darius and trusted by him in all things for that God was with him was much hated as they usually are The force of envy who have the greatest interest in Princes favours Whereas therefore they that were jealous of the good esteem which he had with Darius soughâ— occasion to calumniate and backbite him Daniels honour and uprightness he warily cut off all opportunity thereof for he would neither be bribed with Silver nor corrupted with Presents supposing it to be an act of much dishonesty to receive gifts after a man had done any courtesies Hedio and Ruffinus chap. 14. He therefore gave his maligners no manner of ground to detract from his reputation But they still persisted in their malice Dan. 6. Ã v. 4. ad 15. and all other attempts failing they thought upon one at last by B which they imagined they might destroy him For they perceiving that Daniel did thrice every day make his Pray'rs unto God they supposed that they had found a just pretext to work his ruine Whereupon they came unto Darius certifying him
which he intended As soon as he came to Babylon he took divers of his Countreymen with him who willingly follow'd him and went with him unto Jerusalem in the 25 year of the Reign of Xerxes and after G he had deliver'd his Letters to Sadeas and the other Governors he assembled the people of Jerusalem and standing up in the midst of them he spake unto the whole Congregation H to this effect The year of the World 3519. before Christ's Nativity 445. You men of Jury there is none of you but know what care God Almighty hath been pleased to take of our Forefathers Abraham Isaac and Jacob in regard of their piety and love to justice and he doth still make it evident that he will not abandon us in that I have obeained favour of the King and permission by his assistance to rebuild the Walls of our City and finish the rest of the Temple I therefore pray you who are assuredly persuaded of the envy and hatred the neighbouring Nations bear unto you Nehemias having gotten licence and authority to build the walls of Jerusalem inciteth the people thereunto who hearing that we are intent upon our building will overpress us and labour by all means possible to hinder us first to relie upon Gods Providence who will oppose himself against the hatred which they bear us and afterwards to intermit neither day nor night in prosecution of the building but with all care continue the work in that the opportunity doth require our diligence After he had spoken I to this effect he gave order that the Governors should take the measure of the Wall and distribute the task among the people Nehem. 2. v. 1. ad 11. according to the Burroughs and Towns and to every mans ability and after he had promised to employ both himself and all his family therein he dismissed the Assembly Hereupon the Jews incited by his authority addressed themselves to the work and then it was that they first began to give the name of Jews to those of our Nation who returned from the Captivity and to the Countrey the name of Judea because it had been heretofore inhabited by those of the Tribe of Juda. The Ammonites Moabites Samaritans and all the Inhabitants of Coelosyria understanding that the walls were raised with such haste and diligence Nehem. 4. 1. ad 15. were much troubled and resolved K with themselves to lie in ambush and to hinder them in the prosecution of their work so that they slew divers Jews and sought the means likewise to murther Nehemias himself and having hired certain strangers with money to commit the fact they â—ay in wait for him V. 16. ad fin They endeavour'd also to terrifie the Jews with vain reports The ardent care in building the walls of Jerusalem and by spreading certain rumors that divers Nations intended to make War against them by which reports being much troubled they desisted for a time from the prosecution of their building Yet none of these things could weaken Nehemia's diligence or resolution but that keeping a guard round about him he diligently prosecuted his design setting light by all occurrents so great was his affection to accomplish the work And therefore he carefully stood upon his guard not that he fear'd death but because he was persuaded L that his Fellow-Citizens would abate of their courage and resolution if he continued not with them to animate them to the prosecution of so holy an enterprize He commanded likewise that the Workmen while they wrought should have their Arms near them so that both Masons and Labourers carried their Swords Moreover he gave order that they should have their Targets by them and he placed certain Trumpetters some 500 foot distant the one from the other charging them that as soon as they discover'd the Enemy from any part they should incontinently sound the alarum and give notice unto the people to arm themselves and prepare for the fight for fear they should be surprized and found unprovided He himself also walked the round about the City by night The walls of Jerusalem finished with an indefatigable courage and without either eating or M sleeping but only for necessity sake and this labour endured he for the space of two years and three months for the Wall of Jerusalem was built again in that time in the 28 year of the Reign of Xerxes and in the ninth month After the City was fortified Nehemias and the people offered Sacrifices unto God Provision for the Priests and spent eight dayes in feasting When the rumor was spread abroad that this building was finished the Inhabitants of Syria were sore displeased But Nehemias perceiving that the City was weakly manned besought the Priests and Levites to forsake their dwellings without the City and to come and dwell within and to that intent he built them houses upon his own charge He ordained likewise that they that intended their Husbandry should bring the Tenths of their fruits unto Jerusalem to the intent that the Priests and Levites by enjoying their continual N maintenance 1 Esdras 10. might omit no time in the service of God The death of Nehemias wherein he was readily obey'd By this means the City of Jerusalem was very well peopled After that Nehemias had honourably accomplish'd divers other worthy actions deserving praise he died in a good old age He was a man so good so just and highly affectionate towards his Countrey and one to whom they are so much obliged for the benefits which they have receiv'd that his memory will remain for ever among the Jews O CHAP. VI. The year of the World 3543. before Christ's Nativity 421. A Artaxerxes succeeds his father Xerxes in the Kingdom of Persia he repudiates Queen Vashti his Wife and espouseth Esther the Neece of Mardocheus A man persuades Artaxerxes to banish all the Jews and to apprehend Mardocheus but he is hanged and Mardocheus established in his place AFter the death of Xerxes Hedio Ruffinus cap. 6. the Kingdom fell to Cyrus his son who by the Grecians was call'd Artaxerxes Under his government all the race of the Jews both Men Women and Children were in danger to be utterly exterminated the cause whereof I B will hereafter declare But first of all I must speak somewhat of the King and declare how it came to pass Esther 1 2. that he married an Hebrew Woman of the Blood Royal by whose means as it is said our Nation was preserv'd After that Artaxerxes had taken the Kingdom upon him and establish'd Governors over 127 Provinces from India as far as Aethiopia in the third year of his Reign he entertain'd and feasted all his Friends with great magnificence the Nations of Persia likewise with their Governors for 180 days He feasted after this for the space of seven days the Ambassadors of all Nations in the City of Susa after this manner
so doing they should be in security For the thirteenth day of the twelfth month by the Hebrews called Adar and by the Mecedonians Distre the posts that carried the Kings letters certified them that they should exterminate their enemies on that very day whereon they themselves were in danger to be exterminated The Governors likewise of the Provinces the Lords and chief Magistrates did honour to the Jews for the fear they had of Mardocehus and after the Kings Letters were published it came to pass that the Jews slew about five hundred of their enemies Within the City of Susa the King declared unto Esther the number of the dead that perished in the City Esther 9. v. 2. 5 10 13. and suspecting what might happen thorow the whole Countrey he asked her if she requested any further matter promising her that D he would see it executed she besought him that it might be lawful for the Jews to revenge themselves yet once more the next day upon their enemies and to hang Hamans ten Sons upon the gibbet which the King being loth to contradict Esther permitted so that on the 14. day of the Month Distre they slew about three hundred more of their enemies without taking the smallest portion of their goods Furthermore the Jews slew in the Countrey and in the Cities about sixty five thousand of their enemies whom they dispatched the thirteenth day of the month and solemnized the day following in mirth and feasting The Jews that were at Susan assembled themselves likewise on the fourteenth day of the month and banquetted that whole day Whence it cometh to pass that all the Jews which are throughout the world keep and solemnize E this day for a festival and send Presents the one unto the other Mardocheus also wrote unto the Jews who lived under the Empire of Artaxerxes commanding them to observe those dayes and to solemnize them willing them to charge their Successors to do the like to the end that this feast might continue for ever For since on that day they should have been destroyed by Haman they should do well if after they had escaped that danger and taken revenge on their enemies they should observe the same day to give thanks to God For this cause the Jews keep a solemn feast on these dayes and call it Purim that is to say Lotts But Mardocheus was great and powerfull with the King Governing the whole Kingdom under him and had also all the power that could be conferred on him by the Queen and for this cause the affairs of the Jews had F better success than was hoped but there was nothing during the whole reign of Artaxerxes which hapned to be of greater importanance than this which we are going to relate C. 10 per totum Puraea festa Mardocheus authority G H CHAP. VII The year of the World 3584. before Christ's Nativity 380. John the High-Priest kills Jesus his brother in the Temple Manasses the brother of Jaddus the High-Priest espouseth the daughter of Sanaballath Governor of Samaria AFter the death of Eliasib the High-Priest Judas his son succeeded in the office And Judas being dead Hedio Ruffinus cap. 7. John his son obtained the place and was the cause that Bagoses General of Artaxerxes Army The revenge taken of John for slaying his brother polluted the Temple and made the Jews tributaries so I that before they could offer their ordinary and daily sacrifices they were compelled to pay for every Lamb 50 drachmes which hapned upon this occasion John had a brother called Jesus whom Bagoses favoured and promised to give him the High-Priesthood One day these two Brethren being in the Temple they fell out about the succession and the quarrel rose so high that John slew his brother Jesus in that holy place It was a thing very strange that John being a Priest should commit such an impiety against his brother and yet far more strange in that so cruel an act and an offence so impious hath neither hapned amongst Greeks nor Barbarians But God left it not unpunished in that for the same sin the people lost their liberty and the Temple was polluted by the Persians When Bagoses had intelligence that John the High-Priest among the Jews had slain his brother Jesus in the Temple Jaddus High-Priest whose brother Manasses marrieth Sanaballaths daughter he came thither in all haste and began to break K forth into bitter threats against the Jews Have you said he been so bold as to commit murther in your Temple And when he attempted to enter they hindered him Whereupon he replied Am I therefore more polluted than the body that lieth dead in the Temple And having spoken thus he entred thereinto and for the space of seven years Bagoses being thus incensed against the Jews punish'd them for murthering Jesus After that John was deceased Jaddus his son was made High-Priest who had a brother called Manasses Sanaballath sent by the late King Darius to govern Samaria for he also was of the race of the Chuteans from whom came the Samaritans knowing that Jerusalem was a famous City and that the Kings thereof wrought much trouble unto the Inhabitants of Assyria and Coelosyria he willingly marrieth his daughter Nicasis to this Manasses with L an intent that this Marriage should be as a pledge of his good will to the Nation of the Jews CHAP. VIII Alexander the great King of Macedonia passeth out of Europe into Asia destroyes the Empire of the Persians and when it was believed that he would have demolish'd the City of Jerusalem he pardons the Jews and treats them very favourably M ABout this time Philip King of Macedon died in the City of Aegaea being traiterously slain by Pausanias the son of Cerastes Alexander made King after Philip his father King of Macedon of the race of Orestes and his son Alexander succeeded him in the kingdom who passing over the Hellespont gave battel unto the huge Army of Darius near the River Granic and there obtained a famous victory And hereupon also invading the Countrey of Lydia after he had conquered Jonia and over-run Caria he fell upon the quarters of Pamphilia as is declared in another place But the Elders of Jerusalem were much displeased that Jaddus's brother who was at that time High Priest and had married a foreign Woman should be companion and associate with him in the Priesthood so as they mutined against him For they supposed that that Marriage would be but a means to animate those who had a mind to profane Marriages N and prove an inducement to others to communicate in Marriage with strangers calling to mind that the cause of their evils and first captivity was because some of them had fallen and offended by coupling themselves with Women of foreign Nations They therefore commanded Manasses either to forsake his Wife or else never more to approach the Altar The High-Priest likewise being
a Watch by reason that from that place a man may discover the City and Temple of Jerusalem The Phoenicians and Chaldeans that were in Alexanders Army grounding their hopes upon his displeasure doubted not but that he would give I them leave to sack the City and to hew the High-Priest in pieces but it fell out quite contrary for Alexander espying the People from afar in white Rayments and the Priests going before them in their Rochets and the High-Priest attired in a Robe of Purple broidered with Gold having his Mitre on his head and his plate of Gold wherein the Name of God was written Alexander himself marched forward before the rest of his company and fell prostrate on his face before that Name saluting first of all the High Priest and at the same instant all the Jews together saluted the King with one voice and encompassed him round about The Kings of Syria and the rest that saw that which hapned were wonderfully astonished and thought that the King was out of his wits Parmenio only drew near unto him and ask'd him what he meant to adore the Priest of the K Jews whereas all other men adored him To whom he answer'd I do not adore him but that God whom the Priest worshippeth for in my sleep I saw him in such a habit as I see him in at this present at such time as I was in Dio a City of Macedonia and whilest I consulted with my self by what means I might attain to the conquest of Asia he counselled me to make no delay but to march forward boldly assuring me that it would be he that would guide both me and mine Army and would deliver the Empire of the Persians into my hands Since that time I have not seen any one attired after the same manner and at this present beholding this man and calling to mind the vision and exhortation that he gave me in my sleep I hope that mine Army being conducted by divine providence I shall overcome Darius and discomfit the Persians and that my designs shall have a happy issue L When he had thus answer'd Parmenio Alexander's sacrifice in the Temple the confirmation of his conquest by Daniel's prophecy his bounty to the Jews he gave the High-Priest his hand and went with him into the City being conducted by the Priests after this when he came into the Temple he offered sacrifice according to the High-Priests direction whom he honoured likewise with very great reverence And when Jaddus shewed him the Prophecy of Daniel wherein he declared that a certain man of the Nation of the Greeks should destroy the Empire of the Persians and that in his opinion he was the man Alexander was very joyful and dismissed the multitude that attended him for that time The next day assembling the Jews he commanded them to let him know what favors they desired at his hands Whereupon the High-Priest answer'd That he desired that they might be permitted to live according to the Laws and Customs of their Forefathers and that every seventh year they M might be exempted from tributes Which was granted them fully They besought him likewise That by his permission the Jews that were in the Countries of Babylon and Media might live according to their laws And he promis'd them willingly to do all that which they desired He made Proclamation also among the People That if any one of them would bear Arms under him and live according to the custom of their Nation he was ready to receive them whereupon divers listed themselves under him in the Wars After that Alexander had thus behaved himself at Jerusalem he marched with his Army against the neighbouring Cities and wheresoever he went he was received with great affection But the Samaritans whose Metropolitan City at that time was Sichem scituate near unto the Mountain of Garizim in which there dwelt divers Jews also that were N revolted from their Nation seeing how favourably Alexander had received those of Jerusalem they resolved to profess themselves to be Jews For such is the nature of the Samaritans as we have declared heretofore that when the Jews are in affliction they renounce all alliance with them wherein they confess the truth But when they perceive our Affairs to be in prosperous condition The Samaritans be kinsmen to the Jews in prosperity strangers in adversity they endeavour to persuade the World that we are both sprung from the same original and are descended of the race of Ephraim and Manasses the sons of Joseph They came therefore to the Kings presence and met him near unto Jerusalem with great magnificence and demonstration of singular affection towards him And after that Alexander had entertained them they of Sichem approached near unto him being accompanied with those Men of War that Sanaballath had sent O unto the King beseeching him That he would visit their City and honour their Temple with his presence whereupon he promised That at his return he would visit them They required him also The year of the World 3632. before Christ's Nativity 332. That he would acquit them of the Tribute of the seventh year because they did A not sowe in the same He ask'd them Who they were that made that request They answer'd him That they were Hebrews but that they were called Sichemites by the Sidonians He ask'd them again If they were Jews And they said They were not Well said he I have made this grant unto the Jews The Temple on the Mount of Garizim when therefore I shall return and be more particularly informed I shall do that which shall be requisite Thus dismissed he the Sichemites but he commanded Sanaballaths Men of War to follow him into Egypt Onias son of Jaddus High-Priest promising in that place to give them possessions by lot which afterwards he did enjoining them to live in Garison in the City of Thebais to make good that Countrey After Alexander's death his Empire was divided amongst his Successors and the Temple built near unto Mount B Garizim remained entire And if any one were accused in Jerusalem for eating unlawful meats or for breaking the Sabbath or for any such like fault he fled unto the Sichemites saying That he was accused unjustly In that time deceased the High-Priest Jaddus and Onias his son succeeded him This was the state of the Inhabitants of Jerusalem at that time C D E F G H The Twelfth Book of the Antiquities of the JEWS The year of the World 3643. before Christ's Nativity 321. Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the Twelfth Book 1. Ptolomey the Son of Lagus is made Governour of Jerusalem and the rest of Judaea by a stratagem and leadeth divers Jews with him Prisoners into Egypt I 2. Ptolomey Philadelphus translateth the Laws of the Jews into the Greek tongue and dismissing divers Captives of that Nation he dedicateth many presents to the
priviledges granted to the Jews by Seleucus Nicanor King of Syria and permitted them to dwell in those Cities which he built in Asia and lower Syria and in Antioch which was the Metropolitane chief City Moreover he gave order that B they should be held in as great estimation as either the Macedonians or Greeks that inhabitted therein so that even unto this day that order is continued as it appeareth by this for that the Jews refusing to anoint themselves with forrain oyl do receive a certain sum of money from the Masters of the exercises in lieu of the Oyl Which when the people of Antioch intended to abolish during the present War Mutianus at that time Governour of Syria The priviledge in Antioch continued to the Jews opposed himself against them Again when Vespasian and his Son Titus had conquered the world although the Alexandrians and Antiochians desired that the priviledges which the Jews enjoyed might continue no longer yet could they not obtain it Whereby the humanity and valour of the Romans may appear and especially of Vespasian and Titus that notwithstanding they had received so great C trouble the Wars of the Jews and were so bitterly incensed against them for that they had not by laying down their Arms submitted themselves but had continued War against them to the uttermost yet they deprived them not of their privileges but put a stop to that displeasure which they had long before conceived against them and in like manner had no regard to the request of two so pusient Cities as Alexandria and Antioch wherefore they granted nothing in favour of them nor ordained any thing to the prejudice of those whom they had overcome in War so as to abolish one jot of those priviledges which they had in times past but said that they that had resisted them by Arms and who had been overcome were sufficiently punished for their obstinacy and as touching those that had not committed any offence they saw D no reason to deprive them of their rights and priviledges We know likewise that Marcus Agrippa was of the same opinion touching the Jews For whereas the Jonians were seditiously bent against them and besought Agrippa that it might be only lawful for them to make use of the priviledges which Antiochus Seleucus's Nephew whom the Greeks intituled by the Name of God had given them requiring that if the Jews were of their blood they might be tyed to adore the same gods which the Jonians worshipped When therefore this matter was referred to the determination of the Judges the Jews had the better and obtained the liberty to live according to their own Laws and Customs and he that at this time pleaded their cause was Nicholas Damascene For Agrippa pronounced That it was unlawful for them to innovate any thing And if any man desire E to have a more exact knowledge hereof let him read the 123 and 24 book of the Histories of Nicholas Neither ought this judgment of Agrippa's to seem in any sort strange for at that time our Nation had not by any Wars procured the Romans displeasure But upon just occasion may a man admire the magnanimity of Vespasian and of his son Titus who behaved themselves with such moderation after so great a War and such doubtful Battels as they had fought against us Antiochus the great King of Asia and Syria vexeth the Jews But to return to my purpose from whence I have digressed At such time as Antiochus the great reigned in Asia the Countrey of Jewry was much harassed and both the Jews and Inhabitants of Coelosyria endured many miseries For Antiochus making War against Ptolomey Philopater and his son called Ptolomey the famous they were miserably perplexed For whether Antiochus overcame or was overcome they were continually spoiled so that betwixt the prosperity and adversity of Antiochus F they fared like a ship tossed in a storm But at length after Antiochus had overcome Ptolomey he conquer'd Jewry After the death of Philopater his son sent a great Army into Coelosyria under the conduct of Scopas who seized a great number of those Cities and falling upon our Nation also he conquer'd it Not long after this Antiochus fought with Scopas near unto the River Jordan and obtained the victory discomfiting the greater part of the Enemies Army at which time Antiochus recover'd again those Cities of Coelosyria which were before taken by Scopas He took Samaria also which when the Jews perceived they submitted themselves of their own accord unto him and having received him into the City of Jerusalem they gave both his Army and his Elephants abundance of provision and willingly assisted him with their Forces to subdue those Garisons which G Scopas had placed in the fortresses of the higher City Whereupon Antiochus supposing it to be for his honour to acknowledge and remunerate the affection and forwardness which the Jews had expressed in his service wrote unto his Captains and Friends signifying unto them how forward the Jews had been in his Wars and to let them know that he was resolved to gratifie them for their service Hereafter I will insert the copy of his letters which he wrote in favour of them after A I have recited that which Polybius the Megalopolitane writeth to this purpose which I will recite out of the sixteenth Book of his histories Scopas saith he the General of Ptolomey Army marching towards the mid-land did in one winter overcome the whole nation of the Jews Ptolomey Epiphames King of Egypt wareth against the King of Syria He reciteth also in the same Book that after that Scopas had been overcome Antiochus seized Bathanaea Samaria Abila and Gadra and anon after the Jews which dwelt at Jerusalem where the Temple was joyned themselves with him and although we are to speake more amply and particularly of that appartition that hapned neare unto the Temple yet we shall defer the recital hereof untill another time This is that which Polybius hath written But to return unto our purpose I will recite B in this place the copy of those letters which were sent by the King King Antiochus to Ptolomey Health Whereas the Jews have given us most apparent testimony of there affection towards us Polybius the Megalopolitane of Scopas Ptolomeys Captain since the first time of our entrance into their Countrey and have magnificently entertained at such time as we were in person before their City by presenting themselves before us with all their Elders Antiochus Epistle to Ptolomy as touching the liberty of the Jews and have also furnished us largely with all that which was necessary for our Souldiers and our Elephants and have likewise taken Arms with us against the Aegyptian Garrison we have thought fit to afford them some satisfaction in repairing their City ruinated by casualties to the intent it might be inhabited and Peopled again by gathering together C those Jews that are scattered abroad in
Joseph the Nephew of the High-Priest Onias obtains pardon for his Vncle of Ptolomy King of Egypt gets the favor of that Prince and raiseth a very considerable fortune for himself Hircanus the son of Joseph becomes a great Favourite of Ptolomy The death of Joseph BUt a certain man call'd Joseph The Taxation of the High-Priest for offending the King the son of Tobias and of Onias sister who was the High-Priest being young in years but honored in Jerusalem for his wisdom foresight and justice having certain notice by his mother of the arrival of this Ambassador came unto the City for he had been absent in the Village of Phicala where he was born and sharply reproved Onias his Uncle on the mothers side because he did not any wayes provide B for the security of his Countrey but sought to draw his Countreymen into a general hazard in that he retained in his hands that mony which was levied for the Tributeâ— whereby he told him that he had obtained the Government over the people and purchased the High Priesthood And that if he were so bewitched with mony that for the love of it he could have the patience to see his Countreymen in hazard and behold his Citizens suffer all that which cruelty could inflict upon them he advised him to repair to the King and to require him to bestow the whole or the half of the Tribute upon him Hereunto Onias answer'd That he would no more execute the Government and that if it was possible for him he was ready to give over the Priesthood rather than repair unto the King Whereupon Joseph asked him If he would permit him in the peoples behalf to go Ambassador to Ptolomy C Whereunto Onias answer'd That he gave him leave Upon this occasion Joseph went up into the Temple and summoned the people to a general Assembly exhorting them to be no ways troubled and to conceive no fear through the negligence of his Uncle Onias wishing them to be of good courage and promising them that he himself would go Ambassador unto the King and faithfully plead their Cause before him and persuade him that they had committed no insolent neglect or contempt against his Majesty which when the people understood they gave Joseph hearty thanks Whereupon he presently came down from the Temple and honorably entertained the Ambassadors that came from Ptolomy and having presented them with gifts of great value and feasted them magnificently for many dayes he sent them back to their Prince assuring them that he would in person follow D them And the rather was he incited to this journey because the Ambassador had persuaded him to come into Egypt under such assurance that he would obtain all his requests at Ptolomy's hands the rather for that he was won with the young mans free spirit and noble entertainment The Kings Ambassador honourably entertained who reporteth Joseph's liberality upon his return into his Countrey As soon as the Ambassador returned into Egypt he certified the King of Onias's ingratitude and Joseph's humanity certifying him that he would come in person to entreat pardon for the People for that offence they had committed against him and the rather for that he was in especial authority among the People and he so far enlarged himself in the praise of Joseph that both the King and Queen Cleopatra had a good opinion of him although he was as yet absent But Joseph sent unto Samaria to his Friends and E borrow'd money making preparation for his Voyage Having therefore furnished himself with Apparel Vessels and Horses and with almost twenty thousand drachms he arrived at Alexandria At that time it hapned that the Princes and Governors of Phoenicia and Syria repaired thither to farm their Tributes for the King was accustomed every year to sell them to the men of most respect in every City these meeting with Joseph on the way began to mock at his baseness and poverty But when he came to Alexandria and had intelligence that the King was at Memphis he set forward and went out to meet him When therefore the King accompanied with the Queen and Athenion his Friend who had discharged the place of Ambassador in Jerusalem came riding in his Chariot Athenion who had been F honorably entertained by Joseph perceiving him upon the way certified the King that it was he of whom he had spoken upon his return from Jerusalem protesting on his behalf that he was a virtuous and honorable young man Whereupon Ptolomy received him with more kindness than the rest and made him come up into his Chariot where he was no sooner seated but the King began to accuse Onias for what he had committed But Joseph said unto him Pardon him O King and have respect to his old age For you know that ordinarily old men and young children have one and the same understanding but from our selves who are young you shall have what you please to require without any pretext or cause of discontent G H This wise answer increased the affection which the King had allready conceived for him The year of the World 3770. before Christ's Nativity 194. whereupon he commanded that he should be lodged in his own Palace and that daily he should accompany him at his Table As soon as the King came back to Alexandria the Lords of Syria seeing Joseph sitting near unto the King were displeased and the day drawing near wherein they were to know what they should pay for their tribute they that were of the greatest quality in their countrey farmed it so that the Tributes of Coelosyria Phoenicia Judea and Samaria amounted together to eight thousand talents Whereupon Joseph arising blamed the farmers because they had designed amongst themselves to beat down the price of the tributes promising to give double and that he would likewise return the I forfeitures that were levied upon the goods of such as offended The tributes of Coelosyria committed to Joseph which were farmed together with the tributes The King gave ear to this discourse of his with great content and said that he approved the sale of these tributes unto Joseph who would hereby so considerably augment his revenue When therefore he was asked whether he could give suretie he made him answer with great confidence O King said he I will give thee such pledges as are both worthy and honorable and such as you cannot mistrust When therefore the King desired him to produce them I will said he O King present thee for sureties thy self and the Queen thy Wife that one of you may be surety for me to the other Ptolomey smiling hereat granted him the farm of the tribute without farther surety This favor of his displeased those Governours of the Cities that were come into Egypt in that K they saw themselves contemned and constrained to return with shame unto their houses But Joseph obtained 2000 footmen from the King that he might by their
he came to Alexandria with an intent to besiege the City and to lay hold of the King who was therein But he was driven not only from Alexandria but also out of all Egypt by the summons that were sent him by the Romans The History of Antiochus Epiphanes who commanded him to depart and withdraw his Army out of that Countrey as we have heretofore declared in another place Now will I more largely and particularly discourse the acts of this King who overcame Judea and spoiled the Temple for having only made a brief mention of him in my former works I think it necessary in this place to make a more exact recital of his History CHAP. VII M King Antiochus being received into Jerusalem utterly ruines it pillageth the Temple and builds a Cittadel that commands the Town He abolisheth the worship of God many Jews forsake their Religion The Samaritans disown their relation to the Jews and consecrate the Temple at Samaria to Jupiter AFter that King Antiochus was returned out of Egypt and for the fear of the Romans had forsaken that Countrey Antiochus entering Jerusalem spoileth the Temple he led his Army against Jerusalem and encamped before the City and took it by surrender the Gates of the City being set open unto him by those of his Faction which hapned in the 143 year since the beginning of N the Reign of Seleucus When he saw himself Lord and Master of Jerusalem he slew divers of the contrary Faction and after he had gather'd together many great and rich spoils he return'd back to Antioch Two years after in the 145 year of the Reign of that Family on the 25 day of that month which we call Chasleu and the Macedons Apellaeus the Romans December in the 153 Olympiade he returned again to Jerusalem at which time he spared not them who gave him peaceable entrance and opened the Gates But his insatiable avarice transported him so far that he feared not to violate the Temple and to spoil it of all those riches which he knew to be there laid up being no less insolent towards his friend than to the offender he spared neither For having seen what quantity of Gold was in the Temple and how great a number of Presents O and precious Ornaments were there laid up he was so covetous that he brake and violated all covenants and conditions After therefore he had spoiled the Temple and carried away the vessels dedicated unto God the golden Candlestick the golden Altar the Table of the Shew-bread The year of the World 3789. before Christ's Nativity 164. the Censers and pulled down the Curtains made of fine linen A and scarlet After he had emptied the treasures that were hidden and left nothing behind him of any value to compleat the miseries of the Jews he forbade them to offer their usual and daily sacrifice unto God according to the order of the Law and after he had spoiled the whole City he slew a great part of the Inhabitants and carried away the rest of them into captivity with their wives and children to the number of 10000. Furthermore he burnt the fairest buildings of the City and razed the walls and raised a Fortress in the lower City For the Temple was as it were a high Cittadel commanding the rest For this cause having inclosed it with high walls and towers he placed a Garison of Macedonians therein with whom remained the rabble and scum of the wicked Apostate Jews who were given over to all impieties and who also afflicted their Fellow-Citizens B with many injuries The King also commanded that an Altar should be erected in the Temple Antiochus abrogating Gods Law through extreme tyranny enforceth the Jews to Idolatry and fortifieth the Temple on which he caused Swine to be slaughtered offering Sacrifice contrary to the Religion and Ordinances of the Jews He constrained them likewise to forsake the worship of the true God and to adore those Idols whom he reverenced for gods building in every City and Borough both Temples and Altars on which he ordinarily caused Swine to be offered He forbade them likewise to circumcise their children threatning to punish him whosoever he were that was found to do the contrary Moreover he chose certain overseers that should compel them to observe his commands Hedio Ruffinus cap. 7. so that a great number of Jews some of their own accord others for fear of punishment conformed to the Kings commands But those men who were of upright hearts and valiant C minds little regarded these menaces For having more respect to their laws and customs than to the torments wherewith they were threatned if they observed not the Edict they were beaten and exposed to most cruel punishments for many dayes amidst which many times they yielded up the ghost For after they were whipt and maim'd in their bodies they were crucifi'd and tortur'd alive they strangled the Women also with their circumcised children whom according to the Kings command they hung about the necks of their Parents who were crucified And if in any place they found any part of the sacred Scripture they defac'd and burnt it and they with whom it was found were put to a most cruel death The Samaritans seeing this affliction of the Jews The Devil seeketh to abolish the Bible pretended no further alliance to D them and called their Temple of Garazim no more the Temple of God but as we have heretofore declared they shewed their own corrupt and unconstant natures The variable wits of the Samaritans which made them so odious in the sight of the Jews and derived their descent from the Medes and Persians as in effect they were wherefore they sent Ambassadors to Antiochus with Letters to this effect To King Antiochus the visible God the request of the Sidonians that dwell in Sichem Our Ancestors enforced by the continual Pestilence that reigned in their Countrey and induced by a certain ancient Superstition have been accustomed to observe that day as a festival which the Jews call their Sabbath and having built on the Mount of Garazim a Temple and E dedicated it unto a God who hath no name they have offered up in the same divers solemn Sacrifices But since that you have inflicted punishment on the Jews according as their wickedness deserveth the Commissaries of the King supposing that we were tied to their customs by reason of some Alliance between us join us with them and charge us with the same Accusations whereas we are born Sidonians as appeareth by our publick Records We therefore beseech you who are our Benefactor and Saviour to command your Governor Apollonius and your Steward Nicanor not to molest us any more by charging us with those Accusations which are peculiar to the Jews who neither are tied to us by Alliance nor agree with us in Customs but that our Temple which hath not hitherto born the name or title of any god
Timotheus's Soldiers perceiving that it was Machabeus whose valor and good fortune they had already experienced to their great loss they without delay betook themselves to flight But Judas with his Army followed after them and slew about 8000 of them and marching toward Malla A a City of the enemies he surprized it and slew all the men therein and afterwards consumed it with fire After this departing thence he took and destroyed Chaspoma Bosor and divers other places in Galaad Shortly after Timothy's Soldiers slain Timothy levied another great Army and drew out with him all his Allies to his succor and a number of Arabians whom he had hired with this Army of his passed he the River Malla taken and burnt and encamped near unto a Town called Rapha exhorting his Soldiers to behave themselves like valiant men against their Enemies the Jews Chaspoma and Bosor taken and to hinder their passage because all their hopes of victory depended upon the securing of that Pass Judas understanding that Timotheus was prepared to fight Timothy gathereth new Forces and is overcome by Judas took with him all his Forces and marched hastily against the Enemy so that having passed the River he set upon them B killing divers of them that resisted and terrifying the rest who casting away their Arms were constrained to flie There were some of them who saved themselves by their swiftness and some by retreating into a Temple called Carnain where they were in hope to be secured and so to escape but after that Judas had taken the City where the Temple was he slew them and burnt it and caused all his Enemies to perish either by the sword or by fire After this overthrow he led away with him from Galaad all the Jews their wives and children The Jews are brought out of the Countrey of Galaad into Judea and substance and brought them with him unto Judea When as therefore he drew near unto the Town of Ephron which was scituate directly in his way so that it was impossible for him to march any other wayes in his return home without going very much about and putting himself to great inconveniencies he sent Messengers C to the Inhabitants Ephron besieged and burnt to pray them to open their gates and to grant him free passage through their City for they had made barricadoes of stones to cut off the passage But when therefore the Ephronites would give no ear unto him he besieged their City for a day and nights space and took and burnt it and slew all the men that were therein and afterwards went onward on his way and so great a number was there of those that were slain that he marched upon the bodies of dead men After they had past Jordan An admirable victory of Judas Machabeus who in all these conflicts lost not one man they came into a great Plain wherein the City of Bethsan by the Greeks called Scythopolis stood from whence they departed and came into Judea with joy and gladness singing and praising God and using their accustomed pastimes and songs of victory This done he offer'd up sacrifices of Thanksgiving for their happy D success and the safety of his Army especially since in all those battels and encounters he had not lost one Jew Joseph and Zachary overcome by Gorgias lose 2000 Soldiers In the mean while two Captains to wit Joseph the son of Zachary and Azarias who were left for the guard of Judea whil'st Simon went into the Countrey of Galilee against those of Ptolemais and Judas and Jonathan his brother were in Galaad against the Ammonites desirous also to obtain the honour and reputation of valiant men by some notable exploit marched with the Forces under their command towards Jamnia Against these came forth Gorgias who was Governor in that place and charg'd them in that manner that the Jews lost 2000 men and fled as far as the Marches of Judea This mischief fell upon them because they had disobey'd Judas's commandment who had prohibited E them to fight with any before his return And this gives us just cause more and more to admire the providence and excellent conduct of this great Captain of the Jews Judas and his brethren making War against the Idumeans Chebron and Marissa besieged gave them no respite but continually charging them on every side they took also the City of Chebron and destroyed all the fortifications thereof and burnt the Towers spoiling all the Countrey of the enemies and razed the City of Marissa likewise Afterwards coming to Azor they took and spoiled it and carried away a great quantity of booty from thence and returned back into Judea in safety F G H CHAP. XIII King Antiochus Epiphanes being forced shamefully to raise his siege from before Elymais a Town in Persia where he designed to pillage a Temple consecrated to Diana and troubled for the defeat of several of his Captains which he sent against the Jews dyeth for grief AT this time Antiochus passing through the upper Provinces of his Kingdom understood that there was a very wealthy City in Persia called Elymais Hedio Ruffinus cap. 13. in which I there was a Temple dedicated to Diana 1 Mac. 6. full of all sorts of Presents wherein also he was inform'd Antiochus desirous to spoil Diana's Temple besiegeth Elymais and is shamefully repulsed to Babylon that the shield and Cuirasse of Alexander was kept who was Philip King of Macedons son Hereupon he resolv'd to make himself Master of the place and forthwith besieg'd it And the Inhabitants thereof being neither affrighted with his approach nor terrifi'd with his siege made a stout resistance so that he failed of his purpose For they drave him from their City and sallying out upon him they pursu'd him so hotly that he fled back to Babylon and lost a great number of his men After this defeat Antiochus Epipiphanes burden'd with cares falleth sick and frustration of his hope news was brought him of the overthrow of his Captains whom he had left to War against the Jews and how they of Jewry were now the stronger and had the upper hand This trouble seconding his former discontent K touched him so nearly Polybius Megalopolitane of the cause of Antiochus sickness that he fell sick and his disease aggravated with other accidents increasing he knew well that he should die and therefore he call'd for his most familiar friends and told them That his sickness was violent and desperate and that he deserv'd this affliction because be had persecuted the people of the Jews and destroyed their Temple committed horrible Sacriledge and contemned that God which they adored And whil'st he thus spake unto them he gave up the ghost So that I wonder at Polybius the Megalopolitane who is in other things a good Historian who writeth That Antiochus died because he would have spoiled the Temple of Diana
comes to the relief of King Alexander his Son-in-law who appoints Apollonius to lay an ambush to surprize him Ptolemey takes away his daughter and marrieth her to Demetrius whom he causeth to be received by the Inhabitants of Antioch from whence he had driven Alexander but he returns with a great Army Ptolemey and Demetrius unite their Forces and overcome him in a pitch'd Battel but Ptolemey dyed of his wounds which he received after he had seen the head of B Alexander sent to him by an Arabian Prince Jonathan besiegeth the Cittadel at Jerusalem and by Presents appeaseth King Demetrius who granteth new favors to the Jews This Prince seeing himself at peace disbandeth his old Soldiers IN the 165th year of the Reign of the Greeks Demetrius the son of Demetrius accompanied with divers hired Soldiers whom Lasthenes who was of Crete furnish'd him with departed out of Candia and came into Cilicia Which news as soon as Alexander heard Hedio Ruffinus cap. 6. he was much troubled whereupon he instantly posed from Phoenicia to Antioch Demetrius the son of Demetrius passeth out of Grece into Cilicia and seeketh to make himself Lord of Syria with intent to secure the affairs of his Kingdom in those parts before the arrival of Demetrius He left behind him for his Governor in Coelosyria Apollonius Danus who coming unto Jamnia with a great Army sent a messenger unto the High-Priest Jonathan C to let him know That it was very strange that he only should live at his own ease and in quiet without submitting himself unto the King who would not long pass by unpunished that affront which he offered him in not submitting to his obedience Wherefore said he deceive not thy self neither hope thou by sculking in the Mountains or depending on thy Forces to continue thy greatness but if thou trustest to thy power come down into the field and engage with me and my Army in the Plain A man confident in battel to the end that the issue of the Victory may shew which of us is most valiant Knowest thou not that the chief Nobility of every City bear Arms under one who hath always overcome thy Predecessors Wherefore I challenge thee to meet me in that place where we may use our swords and no stones and where the vanquished shall have no advantage by his flight Jonathan provoked by this bravade chose out 10000 of his best D Soldiers and departed from Jerusalem accompanied with his brother Simon and came unto Joppa and encamped without the City because the Citizens had shut the gates against him for they had a Garison placed in that place by Apollonius But as soon as he prepared to batter the City the Inhabitants were afraid lest he should surprize it by force and therefore they opened the gates Apollonius understanding that Joppa was taken by Jonathan he took 3000 Horsemen and 8000 Footmen with him and came into Azot whence he departed leading out his Army with an easie march and arriving at Joppa he retired back to draw Jonathan into the field putting great confidence in his Horsemen and grounding his hope of victory upon them But Jonathan coming forth boldly pursued Apollonius as far as Azot who finding himself in the open Countrey E turned back upon him Apollonius fighteth with Jonathan and is put to flight and charged him Jonathan was not at all surprized to see the thousand Horsemen that Apollonius had laid in ambush near unto a certain River to the end they might charge the Jews behind but disposed his Army after such a manner that his Soldiers on every side turned their faces upon the Enemy commanding his men to defend themselves on both sides fighting with those that assailed them either in the Van or the Reer After that the battel had continued until evening Jonathan gave his brother Simon a part of his Forces charging him to set upon the Enemies battel as for himself he drew his Soldiers into the form of a Battalion resembling a Tortoise to the end that being covered with their bucklers joined the one with the other they might defend themselves against the Horsemens arrows to which all of them were obedient F The Enemies Horsemen shooting all their arrows against them did them no harm for they pierced not as far as the flesh but lighting upon the bucklers enclosed and fastned the one within the other they were easily beaten back and born off and fell down being shot all in vain But when the Enemies were wearied with shooting all the day long and that Simon perceiv'd they could charge no further he set upon their Infantry so couragiously that he put them all to flight The Horse of Apollonius perceiving that the Foot were disordered Jonathan pursueth the enemy as far as Azot and burneth Dagons Temple and killeth 8000 men grew heartless likewise and having lost the hope they had in their Foot they betook themselves to flight in great disorder and confusion so that they brake their ranks of themselves and were scattered thorow all the Plain Jonathan also pursued G them as far as Azot and taking the City by assault he slew divers of them constraining the rest that were in despair to flie into the Temple of Dagon which is in Azot and taking the City by assault he burnt it with the Villages H round about and spared not the Temple of Dagon but burnt it and all those that were therein The number as well of those that were slain in the battel as of those that were consumed by fire in the Temple was 8000 Men. Having after this manner discomfited this Army he departed from Azot and marched toward Ascalon and as he was encamped without the City the Ascalonites came out unto him and offered him Presents which he received and departed from thence and marched towards Jerusalem laden with great spoils As soon as Alexander heard that Apollonius the General of his Army was defeated Alexander sendeth Presents to Jonathan and forced to flie he made a shew that he was glad thereof pretending that it was without his knowledge that Jonathan had been assaulted who was both his friend and his allie I Whereupon he sent an Ambassador unto him to let him know how much he rejoyced at his victory offering him Presents and Honours with a chain of gold such as the Kings were accustomed to give to those of their kinred he likewise gave him Accaron and the Countrey thereabout to him and his heirs for ever About the same time Hedio Ruffinus cap. 7. King Ptolomey Philometor set out an Army by Sea and another by Land to go into Syria and to succor his Son-in-law Alexander and in his way all the Cities received him with great joy Ptolomey Philometor repaireth unto Syria with an Army to assist his Son-in-law Alexander according as Alexander had commanded them and conducted him as far as the City of Azot but that place
the Romans and the people of the Jews commanding his Ambassadors upon their return from Rome to go likewise to Sparta and renew their alliance with that City As soon as they were come to Rome and had presented themselves before the Senate I they declar'd how they were sent from the High-Priest Jonathan Jonathan reneweth his friendship and confederacy with the Romans and Lacedemonians who desir'd to renew their alliance Whereupon the Senate granted all which they demanded and gave them their Letters of recommendation to all the Governors of Asia and Europe and to those of each particular City commanding them to grant them free passage to return into their Countrey in their return they went to Lacedemon and deliver'd those Letters which Jonathan had written to that State which were to this effect Jonathan the High-Priest of the Senate and People of the Jews To the Ephores Senate and People of Sparta Health K Forasmuch as heretofore we have received a Letter by the hands of Demotheles written from Arius your King to Onias our High-Priest making mention of that alliance which is between you and us the Copy whereof we have here under inserted we received those Letters with great joy and testified the same both to Demotheles and Arius notwithstanding we were not ignorant of this consanguinity long before because we were informed thereof by our sacred Scriptures And whereas we have not first of all acknowledged our alliance it was for no other reason but that we might give you the opportunity of preventing us Since which time wherein we have contracted friendship with you we have on our holy and solemn days sacrificed unto our God beseeching him to continue and keep you in prosperity and forasmuch as we have been environed with many Wars caused by the inordinate desires of our Neighbours we have not L thought it meet to be troublesom unto you or to any other of our Allies But since we have obtained an hapyy issue of all these troubles we have sent Numenius the son of Antimachus and Antipater the son of Jason Men honourable amongst our Counsellers both to the Romans and to you also to whom we have given our Letters to be presented unto you in our behalf to the end they might renew the amity which is between you and us you shall therefore do well if you write back unto us and certifie us wherein we may serve you there being no good office which we are not ready to perform These Ambassadors were kindly entertained by the Lacedemonians who made a publick ordinance touching their association and amity with the Jews which they delivered M unto them At this time there were three Sects among the Jews who had different and contrary opinions touching humane affairs Three Sects of the Jews the first was that of the Pharisees the second of the Sadduces and the third of the Essenians The Pharisees affirm That some things are directed by destiny and others are left to our liberty The Pharisees The Essenians said The Essenians That destiny govern'd all things The Sadduces and that nothing hapned amongst men that was not disposed thereby The Sadduces avow That there is no destiny and that humane affairs cannot be governed and disposed thereby but that all things depend upon our selves so that we are the Authors of all the good or evil that hapneth unto us The wars of the Jews l. 2. c. 12 according as we follow good or evil counsels But hereof have I treated more exactly in my second Book of the Wars of the Jews N Demetrius's Captains being desirous to wipe off the dishonour of their defeat and recover the loss that had lately befaln them gather'd together a greater power than the former and went out against Jonathan who having intelligence of their coming marched speedily to encounter them near unto the Plain of Amath for he resolved to prevent their incursions into Judea Whereupon he encamped about 50 Furlongs from the Enemy and sent out Spies to discover of what force they were and how they were encamped Who when they had by a most diligent view known all that possibly they could returning took certain Prisoners and brought them away by night with them by whose confession the design of the Enemies was discover'd to Jonathan which was to set upon him on the sudden But Jonathan with a provident care speedily fortifi'd O his Camp placed his outguards and prepared all things necessary for defence keeping his Soldiers up in Arms all the Night and exhorted them to be valiant and ready if there should be a necessity of fighting by Night to prevent the surprisal of their Enemies But when the Captains of Demetrius understood that their design was discover'd A unto Jonathan The year of the World 3821. before Christ's Nativity 143. and knew that they were not strong enough to give him battel in the open field they decamped in the Night and left a great number of fires burning that they might the better conceal their retreat On the morrow when Jonathan came to attack them in their Camp Demetrius's Captains once more make War upon Jonathan and seeing their purposes discovered flie by night and saw it abandoned and conjectured thereby that they were fled he follow'd after them but he could not overtake them because they had already past the River Eleutherus and were retired into their strong holds and places of security Returning therefore from thence into Arabia and making War on the Nabatheans he spoiled their Countrey took great Booties and led away many Prisoners and from thence came to Damascus and there sold all that he had taken About this time Simon his brother marching throughout all Judea and Palestine as far as Ascalon placed his Garisons in such B places as he thought for his purpose and fortifi'd them both with men and munition and at length came to Joppa which he took by force and planted a great Garison therein because he was advertised Jonathan marcheth to Arabia and spoileth the Nabatheans that they of Joppa intended to surrender the City to Demetrius's Forces When Simon and Jonathan had signalized themselves by so many great actions they returned to Jerusalem and assembled the People together in the Temple and persuaded them to repair the Walls of the City and to rebuild that of the Temple that was ruinated Simon his brother taketh Joppa advising them to fortifie the same with strong Towers and besides this he caused another Wall to be built in the midst of the City to secure it against the Garison of the Cittadel Jonathan and Simon repair the City of Jerusalem and the Fortresses of Jewry to the intent that by that means they might cut off and stop up the passages to victual the Fort. He advised them likewise to build far stronger C Fortresses throughout the Countrey than those that were already finish'd All that he proposed was well
approved of whereupon he took care of the City himself and committed the Countrey to his brother Simon But Demetrius passing the River came into Mesopotamia with a design to make himself Master of Babylon intending to make that the seat of the Empire when he should have subdu'd the other Provinces For the Greeks and Macedonians who inhabited that Countrey had sollicited him often by Ambassadors to come unto them promising him to submit to his authority and to serve him in the War against Arsaces King of the Parthians Demetrius maketh War upon Arsaces King of the Parthians and is taken Prisoner Demetrius flattering himself with those hopes marched towards them with great speed presuming that if he could overcome the Parthians he might easily vanquish Tryphon and drive him out of the kingdom of D Syria Being therefore entertain'd by those of the Countrey with great joy he levied a great Army and made War against Arsaces but he lost the day and was himself taken Prisoner as we have elsewhere declar'd CHAP. X. Tryphon seeing Demetrius ruined contrives how he may quit himself of Antiochus that he might reign in his stead and likewise how he may destroy Jonathan He deceives him causeth a thousand of his men to be put to death at Ptolemais and keepeth him Prisoner E WHen Tryphon understood that Demetrius was utterly ruined Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. he forsook Antiochus and contrived how he might kill him 2 Mac. 11. 13. and make himself King But the fear that he had of Jonathan Antiochus's friend Tryphon labouring to transfer Antiochus's kingdom unto his own hands and fearing Jonathans opposition traitetously complotteth his death hindred his design whereupon he resolv'd first of all to deliver himself of Jonathan and afterwards to kill the young King Antiochus Having therefore resolv'd to kill Jonathan by some Treason he came from Antioch to Bethsan which the Greeks call Scythopolis whither Jonathan came to meet him with 40000 chosen men supposing that Tryphon came thither to make War upon him But he knowing that Jonathan came thither with so great a strength and imagining that he could not prevail upon him by open force he had recourse to fraud he made him rich Presents and accompanied them with a great deal of civility and that he might free him from all F distrust and ruine him when he should least suspect it he commanded the Officers of his Army to obey him in all things After this he invited Jonathan to come to Ptolomais and to bring with him some few of his Soldiers promising to deliver the City into his hands and resign all the Fortresses that were in the Countrey into his possession assuring him That he came into that Countrey to no other purpose Jonathan suspecting no sinister dealing and believing that Tryphon spake what he intended disbanded his Forces and took only 3000 men with him whereof two he left in Galilee and with 1000 he came to Tryphon at Ptolomais But the Inhabitants of the City shutting the gates as soon as he was entred according as Tryphon had commanded them took Jonathan Prisoner and slew all those that attended upon him Hereupon Tryphon presently sent part G of his Army unto the 2000 that were left in Galilee to the intent to put them all to the Sword but they having notice of that which had befaln their Chieftain took up their H Arms The year of the World 382â— before Christ's Nativity 124. and departed out of Galilee without any loss And although the Soldiers of Tryphon exceeded them far in the number yet were they not so hardy to attack them because they knew that the Jews were ready to expose themselves to all dangers to defend their lives and so they returned back to him that sent them without doing any thing CHAP. XI The Jews make choice of Simon Machabeus for their General in the place of Jonathan his brother who was kept Prisoner by Tryphon who after he had received an hundred and I two Talents of his Children for his ransom breaks his promise and puts him to death Simon erects a stately Monument for his father and his other brethren He is created Prince and High-Priest of the Jews His admirable conduct he delivers his Nation from the Macedonian yoke takes by storm the Fortress of Jerusalem and defaceth it levelling both the Cittadel and the Hill whereon it stood even with the ground WHen the Inhabitants of Jerusalem heard of the surprizal of Jonathan 2 Macch. 14. and the loss of his Soldiers Jonathans want lamented by all men they were much troubled that so great a man was taken from them for they feared and that not without cause that being depriv'd of his valor and conduct the neighbouring Nations would invade them with K all manner of hostility which till then they durst not attempt standing so much in awe of Jonathan The neighbouring Nation and Tryphoâ— invade Judea Neither did their expectation deceive them For they understanding Jonathan's death began presently to invade the Jews on all sides as those who had no longer any Captain under whose conduct they might make War and shew their valor And Tryphon having likewise gather'd Forces was resolved to march into Judea to make War against the Inhabitants thereof Simon perceiving that the Citizens of Jerusalem were alarum'd with the fear which they apprehended of those Rumors and new Tumults of War and being desirous to animate them against all incursions and attempts intended by Tryphon assembled the People in the Temple and began to exhort them after this manner L You are not ignorant men and brethren how both I Simon Jonathans brother assembleth the people and animateth them my father and brethren have voluntarily exposed our selves to all dangers for your liberty Since therefore I have abundance of such like examples and that it is the ordinary course of our family to die for our Law and Religion there is no fear so great as to hinder me to prefer my honour and duty to my life Wherefore since you have a Commander who despiseth all danger to procure and maintain your safety you ought to follow me couragiously to what place soever â— shall conduct you For I am of no better account than my brethren to value my life more than others neither am I less than they to be backward and cowardly to follow their footsteps but I shall rather glory to imitate them in dying for the defence of our Countrey Laws and Religion I will make manifest therefore by M all the testimonies that I can that I am their true and lawful brother for I trust in God that he will give me power to take vengeance of our enemies and deliver not only all of you but your wives and children from the injury which they intended against you and by the grace of God I will preserve the holy Temple that it may not be ruinated by their
prophane hands For I already perceive that the prophane Nations despise us and contemn you as if you had no Leader Simon succeedeth his brothers Judas and Jonathan and I know already that they are marching forward to fight you By these words Simon heartned the People who were distracted with fear so that they revived their spirits and conceived better hope Simon sendeth Jonathan Absalons son to Joppa to expulse the inhabitants thereof Tryphon by fraudulent promises under certain conditions persuadeth Simon that his brother should be set at liberty Whereupon all of them cried with a loud voice That Simon was their General and that he was to succeed his two valiant brethren N Judas and Jonathan in the Government and that as touching themselves they would be obedient in all things that he should command them He therefore assembled in one instant all the men at Arms in that Countrey and hastened to repair the City walls fortifying them with high and strong Towers and sent a certain friend of his called Jonathan the son of Absalon with an Army to Joppa commanding him to turn out the Inhabitants of that City from thence feraing they would submit themselves to Tryphon as for himself he remained in Jerusalem to secure the same Tryphon departing from Ptolomais with a great Army came into Judea leading his Prisoner Jonathan with him Whereupon Simon and his Army went out against him as far as Addida a City scituate upon a Mountain at the foot whereof beginneth the Champain O Countrey of Judea Tryphon knowing that Simon was made Governor of the Jews sent messengers unto him intending to circumvent him by Treason and Policy giving him to understand That if he were desirous of his brothers enlargement he should send him one hundred Talents of silver The year of the World 3821. before Christ's Nativity 143. and two of Jonathans children for hostages to assure him that being A set at liberty he should not withdraw Judea from the obedience of the King For till that present he was held and kept Prisoner by reason of the money which he ow'd the King Simon was no ways ignorant of this cunning intent of Tryphons but knew well enough that he should both lose his money if he should deliver the same and that his brother should not be enlarged no though his children were deliver'd for hostages on the other side he feared lest the People should judge sinisterly of him as if he had been the cause of his brothers death both by not delivering the money neither yet the children Having therefore assembled the Army he declar'd unto them what Tryphon demanded telling them That the whole scope of his actions were nothing else but treacherous stratagems and subtilities yet notwithstanding he told them That he had rather send both the money and the B children to Tryphon than by refusing his conditions and demands to be accused to have neglected the life of his brother Simon sent therefore both the money and children of Jonathan but Tryphon having receiv'd both kept not his promise but detain'd Jonathan and leading his Army thorow the Countrey intended to pass by Idumaea to repair to Jerusalem He came therefore to Dora a City in Idumaea and thitherward marched Simon to encounter with him encamping always right over against him They that were in the Castle of Jerusalem hearing news hereof sent Tryphon word that he should hasten and come unto them and send them munition whereupon he addressed his Horsemen pretending that very night to ride unto Jerusalem but the snow about that time fell in such abundance that it covered the way in such sort and was so thick as the Horses could not C Travel which hindred his repair to Jerusalem For which cause he departed from thence and came into Coelosyria Jonathan is slain by Tryphon and speedily invading the Countrey of Galaad he put Jonathan to death in that place and after he had buried him there he returned to Antioch But Simon sent unto Basca and transported his brothers bones and interred them in his Countrey Modin in his fathers Sepulchre and all the People mourned and lamented for him many days Simon also built a great monument of white and polished marble for his father and brethren Jonathans Monument and rais'd it to a great height and garnish'd it round about with galleries and pillars all of one piece which was an admirable Work to behold Besides that he erected seven Pyramids for his father mother and brethren for each of them one so great and so fair as they caused admiration in those that beheld them and are D as yet to be seen at this present day So great was Simons care that Jonathan and the rest of his family should be honour'd with so magnificent a Sepulchre which Jonathan dyed after he had exercis'd the place of High-Priest and possessed the Government for four years Thus much as touching his death As soon as Simon had taken possession of the High-Priesthood by the election of the People the very first year of his Government he acquitted the People of the Tribute which they were wont to pay to the Macedonians This liberty and exemption from Tribute hapned amongst the Jews one hundred and seventy years since the time that Seleucus The Jews discharged of Tributes sirnamed Nicanor obtain'd the kingdom of Syria And in so great honour was Simon amongst the People that in their private Contracts and publick Letters the date E began Simons authority From the first year of Simon the Benefactor and Governor of the Jewish Nation For they prospered greatly under his Government and had the victory of all their neighbouring Enemies round about them For he destroy'd the Cities of Gaza Joppa and Jamnia he demolished or slighted also the Cittadel of Jerusalem and level'd it with the ground Simon razeth the Castle of Jerusalem to the intent the Enemies might never seize on it any more nor retreat thither to endamage the City as they had done before Which when he had brought to pass he thought it not amiss but very profitable to level the Hill whereon the Castle stood to the intent the Temple might be the eminentest place All this he persuaded the People to do in a common Assembly representing to them how much they had suffer'd by the Garisons and how much they were like to suffer hereafter if a stranger should once F more be master of the kingdom and build a Cittadel in that place By these exhortations he persuaded the People to finish these Works and all of them began to work without intermission both day and night so that in the space of three years they level'd the mountain and from that time forward there was nothing but the Temple that commanded the City See here what Simon perform'd hitherto G H CHAP. XII The year of the World 3824. before Christ's Nativity 140. Tryphon caused Antiochus Alexander
his mother and his brethren he was overcome For Ptolomey having taken them and whipt them upon the Walls in all mens presence threatned Hircanus That unless he levied his siege he would cast them down headlong D from the top of the Castle now whereas one way Hircanus had a great desire to force and surprize the place so also on the other side he was wholly disheartned through the desire that he had to redeem those whom he loved from the Enemies Tyranny True it is That his Mother stretching out her hands besought him That for her sake he would not give over valiantly to assault the place but that he should be the more encouraged to surprize the Fortress and to lay hold upon his Enemy and to be revenged of the wrong that was offer'd unto his dearest friends alledging that she thought it better to die in the midst of a thousand torments than that the enemy should escape unpunished who had been so manifest an occasion of their misery When Hircanus heard his Mother speak thus he was more furiously incensed to give the assault but as soon as he saw his Mother so beaten and sore wounded his heart melted E within him and the fervent desire which he before had to better and beat down the City was presently allayed and cooled and so the pitiful compassion of his Mother surmounted and overcame his wrathful desire of revenge The end of the History of the Bible Whil'st thus the siege was continued and prolonged the year of Repose celebrated amongst the Jews was come For they observed the seventh year as the seventh day is observed in the week so that by this occasion Ptolomey was deliver'd of this siege who afterwards slew both Hircanus's Mother and Brethren which done he fled unto Zeno sirnamed Cotyla who at that time Tyrannized in the City of the Philadelphians F G H CHAP. XVI The year of the World 383â— before Christ's Nativity 133. King Antiochus Sother besiegeth Hircanus in the Castle of Jerusalem and raiseth the siege after a Treaty Hircanus accompanieth him in the War against the Parthians where Antiochus is killed and his brother Demetrius whom Arsaces King of the Parthians had set at liberty taketh possession of the kingdom of Syria ANtiochus calling to mind the manifold losses he had receiv'd by Simons means Hedio Ruffinus cap. 15. invaded Jewry in the fourth year of his Reign Hircanus is driven into the City by Antiochus and in the first of Hircanus's Government I which was in the 162 Olympiade And after he had spoilt all the Countrey he blockt up Hircanus within the City of Jerusalem which he had besieg'd with seven Camps yet with no advantage at all Pleiades the seven stars both in regard of the strength of the Walls and the valor of the Citizens besides the want of Water which he had in his Camp which was notwithstanding remedied by a great fall of rain which fell about the setting of the Pleiades in the beginning of April On the North-side also where there is a great Plain Antiochus caused 100 Towers to be erected every one three stories high on which he planted certain Companies of armed Soldiers who daily fought with the besieged and who by the means of a double and deep Trench depriv'd them of all conveniencies They on the other side made often sallies and if they chanced at any time to charge the Enemy K on a sudden The weaker fort are thrust out of the City they made a great slaughter but if they were discover'd they marched back in order But Hircanus considering the great number of People that were in the City who rather consumed Soldiers victuals than performed any service he divided those that were unfit for War and sent them out of the City retaining only those with him who were valiant and warlike But Antiochus permitted them not to have free liberty to depart Antiochus affordeth seven dayes truce to celebrate the feast of Tabernacles so that wandring here and there between the Walls and the Camp they were consumed with Famine and died miserably When as therefore the feast of Tabernacles was to be celebrated during these affairs they that were within had compassion of their Countreymen and drew them within the Walls and entertain'd them within the City At this time Hircanus sent a messenger to beseech Antiochus to grant him Truce L for seven days by reason of the solemnity of the Feast which he granted for the honour which he bare unto God Furthermore he sent a magnificent Sacrifice into Jerusalem of Bulls with gilded Horns and vessels full of divers Perfumes with other vessels of gold and silver Those that had the charge of the gates received the Sacrifices at their hands that brought the same and offer'd them in the Temple Antiochus himself also gave the Soldiers certain meats to grace their Festival shewing himself herein to be of a far better disposition than Antiochus Epiphanes who after he had taken the City caused Swines flesh to be sacrificed upon the Altar and besprinkled the Temple with the Hogs blood making a confusion of the ordinances of the Law of God which was the cause that this Nation rebelled and conceived a deadly hatred against him But Antiochus of whom M we speak at this present was by all men call'd devout because of the incredible affection that he had to the service of God Hircanus acknowledging the bounty and affection he had towards God and his Sacrifices Hircanus maketh peace with Antiochus and the siege is given over sent Ambassadors unto him requiring him that he would permit them to live according to the ancient Laws and Customs of their Forefathers Whereupon the good King rejected their counsel who advis'd him to destroy the Jewish Nation for being contrary to the customs of all other People And understanding that all the conversation of the Jews was conformable unto piety he answer'd the Ambassadors That if the besieged would yield up their Arms and pay the Tributes of Joppa and the other Cities that were out of Judea and would receive a Garison such as he should appoint he would discharge them of this War They accepted all other his conditions but they consented N not to receive a Garison lest they should be enforced to entertain such with whom they could not converse but instead of the Garison they gave Pledges and paid 500 Talents of silver of which the King receiv'd 300 in hand with the Pledges amongst which Hircanus taketh a huge sum of money out of King Davids tomb was Hircanus's brother and after he had beaten down the Cope and Panes of the Walls with the other fortifications he rais'd the siege and departed But Hircanus opening Davids monument who surpassed all other Kings in riches during his time drew 3000 Talents out of the same Nicholas Damascene whereby he took occasion first of all among the
Jews to entertain a foreign Army There was also a friendship and alliance betwixt him and Antiochus whom he entertain'd in the City with all his Army and furnish'd him largely and magnificently with all that which was necessary for the same and that which is O more Antiochus having undertaken an Expedition against the Parthians Hircanus marched also in his company Nicholas Damascene beareth witness hereof writing after this manner in his History Antiochus erected a Pageant near the flood Lycus after he had overcome Indates General of the Army of the Parthians The year of the World 3838. before Christ's Nativity 126. and abode there two days at Hircanus the Jews A request by reason of a solemn Feast at that time in which it was not lawful for the Jews to travel wherein he is no ways mistaken For the Feast of Pentecost was at that present the next day after the Sabbath and it is not lawful for us neither in our Sabbaths nor Feasts to journey any ways Antiochus slain in the conflict against the Parthians Antiochus fighting against Arsaces King of the Parthians lost the greater part of his Army and was himself slain His brother Demetrius succeeded him in the kingdom of Syria whom Arsaces had set at liberty at such time as Antiochus came into the kingdom of the Parthians as we have declared heretofore in another place CHAP. XVII B Hircanus after King Antiochus's death took back again many places in Syria and reneweth his alliance with the Romans King Demetrius is overcome by Alexander Zebinus who was descended of King Seleucus is taken afterwards in Tyre and dieth miserably Antiochus Gripus being his son overcometh Alexander who is killed in the battel Antiochus Syzicus who was his brother on the mothers side being Antiochus Sother's son maketh War against him and Hircanus in the mean time reigns peaceably in Judea HIrcanus hearing news of Antiochus death Hedio Ruffinus cap. 16. led forth his Army with all Expedition against the Cities of Syria Hircanus surprizeth divers Cities of Syria and layeth desolate the temple that was built on the hill Garizim hoping to find them unprovided both of garisons and means of defence as in effect it came to pass He therefore took the City of Medaba at C the end of six months after that his Army had suffer'd many calamities Afterwards he seized Samega and the Cities thereabout the Cities of Sichem and Garizim also where the Cutheans dwelt who had a Temple there made according to the model of the Temple of Jerusalem which Alexander the great permitted Sanaballath to build in favor of his Son-in-law Manasses The Idumaeans conquered by Hircanus admit circumcision and the laws of the Jews brother to the High-Priest Jaddus as we have heretofore declar'd which Temple was laid desolate 200 years after it was built Hircanus also took certain Fortresses and Cities of Idumaea as Adora and Marissa and after he had subdu'd all the Idumaeans he permitted them to inhabit the Countrey under this condition That they should consent to be circumcised and to live according to the Laws and Religion of the Jews D They through the desire they had to live in the place where they were born submitted themselves to be circumcis'd and to live according to the customs and ordinances of the Jews and from that day forward they were comprehended within the number of the Jews Hiâ—canus maketh a league with the Romans Whil'st thus Hircanus was High-Priest he thought good to renew the amity betwixt the Jews and the Romans and to this effect he sent an Embassage with Letters unto the Senate As soon as the Senate had receiv'd his Letters they made alliance with him to this effect ensuing Fanius M. F. Pr. assembled the Senate in the field of Mars the eighth day of February in the presence of L. Manlius L. F. Mentina and C. Sempronius C. F. Falerna concerning that which Simon the son of Dositheus Apollonius the son of Alexander Diodorus the son of Jason men of good reputation and honour and sent Ambassadors E by the People of the Jews have proposed who have dealt with us as touching the confederation and amity that this Nation had with the Romans and have likewise conferred as touching the affairs of State namely that Joppa and the Ports thereof Gazara and the Fountains thereunto belonging and those other Cities of the Countrey which Antiochus took from them contrary to the decree of the Senate should be restor'd unto them and that it may not be lawful for the Kings Soldiers to pass through their Countrey neither any of those Provinces that are under their government and that those things which were attempted by Antiochus during this War contrary to the arrest and decree of the Senate should be declar'd void to the end that the Ambassadors sent in the Senates behalf may provide for the restitution of those things which Antiochus had spoilt them of and may rate and set down the damages which the Countrey hath F receiv'd by this War Item That Letters of recommendation should be written in the behalf of the Jewish Ambassadors to the Kings and free People for their secure and safe return into their Countrey It hath been held convenient to make and ratifie this ordinance to the end to renew friendship and alliance with men of so good respect sent unto them by a Nation so good and faithful towards them And as touching the Letters the answer was That they should be written at such time as the affairs of the Senate would permit them any leisure and that from this time forward they would have care that no injury should be offer'd them And the Pretor Fanius was commanded also to deliver the Ambassadors money out of the common Purse to bear their charges home into their Countrey And thus did Fanius dismiss the Ambassadors of the Jews after he had given them money out of the common Treasury with the decree of G the Senate addressed to those that should conduct them and give them a sure convoy or safeguard to return into their Countrey And this was the state of the affairs during Hircanus Priesthood H But King Demetrius being sharply whetted to make War against Hircanus The year of the World 3844. before Christ's Nativity 120. could have neither time nor opportunity to fulfill his desire by reason that both the Syrians and his Soldiers were become his Enemies because of his wickedness of life For they sent Ambassadors to Ptolomey sirnamed Physcon to require him to send some one of Seleucus's race unto them Demetrius being overcome by Alexander is slain to be establish'd King Whereupon Ptolomey sent them Alexander sirnamed Zebina accompanied with an Army who giving battel to Demetrius worsted him and constrain'd him to flie to his Wife Cleopatra to Ptolomais who neither accepting nor entertaining him Hedio Ruffinus cap. 17. he was constrain'd to retire
practiseth great cruelties there several Wars concerning the kingdom of Syria The greatest part of the Jews extreme hatred against their King Alexander They call Demetrius Eucerus to their aid HE afterwards set upon Sephor a City near unto Azoch Ptolomey assaulteth Sephor from whence he departed with the loss of many men with an intent to fight with Alexander who came B forth to encounter him Hecatontamachi or the Warriors by hundreds and met with him near unto Jordan in a place called Asophon and encamped right over against the Enemy He had in his Vanguard 8000 men but the rest of his Forces not finding themselves so well armed were fearful to engage who carried brazen Bucklers Ptolomey's Vanguard also had Bucklers after the same fashion Philostephanus the Camp-master did not a little encourage them For he caused them to pass the River which separated the two Camps which Alexander would not oppose promising himself the victory if his Enemies could not retreat In the beginning of the skirmish each one of them fought with answerable valor so that a great number of them fell on both sides Alexander's overthrow But Philostephanus perceiving that Alexander's Army had the better he took a part of his followers and speedily seconded those who were ready to flie The C Wing of the Jews Vanguard seeing themselves freshly charged and not succoured by any means began to flie and so far were those that marched next them from yielding them assistance that all of them became partners in one shameful flight But they of Ptolomeys side behaved themselves far otherwise for they pursued and slew them and after they had put them in disorder they charged them so hotly that they blunted their Weapons and wearied their Arms with killing them It is reported that 30000 were slain in the battel Timagenes saith 50000 as for the rest some of them were taken Prisoners Ptolomey to the end he might afflict the Jews with more terror causeth his Soldiers to eat mans flesh and othersome fled unto their Houses After that Ptolomey had obtained this victory he over-ran and spoiled the whole Countrey and in the evening he quartered himself in certain Villages of Judea which he found full of Women and Children and D commanded his Soldiers without respect of person to cut their Throats and to chop them into pieces and afterwards to cast the morsels into a boyling Cauldron and when they were well boiled to eat the same All which he acted to the intent that they that were fled from the battel and retired to their own Habitations should know that their Enemies would eat mens flesh that by this means they might be more afraid of them Strabo and Nicholas report Ptolomais taken by force that they demeaned themselves after this manner as I have declared And Ptolomey took Ptolomais also by force as I have made known elsewhere But Cleopatra perceiving how her son prospered and how he had spoilt Jewry without any prejudice Cleopatra prepareth an Army against her son and subdued the City of Gaza she concluded with her self that she ought E not to suffer him to go on after that manner considering it was upon the borders of Egypt whose soveraignty he affected For which cause she suddenly marched out against him with an Army both by Sea and Land committing the command of her whole Forces to Chelcias and Ananias both Jews and sent the greater part of her riches into the Isle of Coos with her Nephews and her Will to be reserved and kept there in safety And after she had commanded her son Alexander to set sail toward Phoenicia with a great Navy because the Inhabitants of that Countrey were revolted she her self came to Ptolomais and besieged it when she perceived that they refused to grant her entry Ptolomey made haste to depart out of Syria and to enter Egypt hoping to be Master thereof when he should find the Countrey unarmed but he was deceived At that time it fortuned F Ptolomey driven out of Egypt that Chelcias one of the two Generals of Cleopatra's Army dyed in Coelosyria being in pursuit of Ptolomey Cleopatra having tydings of her sons enterprise and that the success and fortune he expected in Egypt had failed him she sent part of her Army to drive him out of the Countrey so that he was enforced to return back again out of Egypt Ptolomais besieged and taken by Cleopatra and to go and spend his Winter at Gaza Meanwhile Cleopatra besieged and took the City of Ptolomais whither Alexander resorted unto her with great Presents she received him very kindly in regard Ptolomey had used him so ill he having now no other recourse left him but to her favour and assistance Upon his arrival certain of her familiars counselled her to lay hands on him and to seize the Countrey and not to permit that so great number of Jews and so valiant men should become Subjects unto one man But Ananias gave G her counsel to the contrary alledging That she should commit an act of great injustice if she should depose him who was her Allie from the Government who was beside that very nearly H allied unto her The year of the World 3873. before Christ's Nativity 91. For said he I would you should know that by committing this wrong you shall raise in all the rest of the Jews a heinous hatred against you Cleopatra conforming her self to Ananias counsel resolved with her self to offer Alexander no injury but in stead thereof she entertain'd him as her allie and friend at Scythopolis a City of Coelosyria Now when Alexander perceived Alexander's peace with Cleopatra renewed that he was freed from the fear which he had conceived of Ptolomey he incontinently drew his Army into Coelosyria and after six months siege took Gadaâ—a he took shortly after Amath also which is a great Fortress belonging to the Inhabitants about Jordan where Theodore Alexander taketh Gadara the son of Zenon had hoarded up the richest and best part of his substance who surprising the Jews unawares slew about 10000 of them and pill aged Alexanders baggage I This did not any wayes astonish Alexander but notwithstanding the disaster he marched forward toward the Cities Raphia and Anthedon which Herod afterwards called Agrippias situate on the Sea-coasts and took them perforce and seeing that Ptolomey was retired from Gaza into Cyprus and that Cleopatra his mother was in Egypt he besieged the City of Gaza Alexander besiegeth Gaza and spoilt all the Countrey round about it by reason of the displeasure which he had conceived against the Citizens Apollodotus by night invadeth the Camp of the Jews for that they had sought Ptolomey's assistance against him Apollodotus Captain of the Gazeans made a sally by night and entred the Camp of the Jews having only with him 2000 foreign Soldiers and 1000 of his own followers And as long as the night lasted the
Demetrius fighteth with Alexander had the upper hand who led with him 3000 Horsemen and 40000 Footmen Both on the one and the other side there fell out many subtil stratagems the one of them striving on the one side to inveigle and withdraw the foreign Soldiers who were Grecians and the other inforcing himself to reconcile those Jews that were of Demetrius's followers to his faction Alexander in this fight loseth all his hired Soldiers but neither the one noâ— other prevailed at all by these devices so that at length they were driven to decide their quarrel by the sword in which encounter Demetriâ—s had the upper hand For all the strangers that were on Alexanders side were every one E hewed in pieces after they had made sufficient proof both of their fidelity and valour There fell also many of Demetrius's Soldiers But after that Alexander had fled unto the mountains Six thousand men resort unto Alexander divers Jews to the number of 6000 in commiseration of his desperate estate and through the fear they had of Demetriâ—â— resorted unto him which when the Conqueror heard Alexander being assailed by the Jews besieged the mightiest of them in Bethom he retired himself After this the Jews made VVar against Alexander and in divers losses which they received there fell a great number of them in divers combats At length after he had 〈◊〉 up the best amongst them in the City of Bethom he besieged them and after he had taken the City and brought them under his subjection he carried them to Jerusalem where he committed an unspeakable and cruel murther Alexander crucifieth 800 Jews and murthereth their wives and children in their presence For whil'st he banquetted with his Concubines in the sight of them all he F commanded 800 of them or thereabout to be crucified and before their eyes whil'st they yet lived he caused their wives and childrens Threats to be cut All which he did to be revenged of those wrongs which he had received but he exceeded the bounds of Humanity herein notwithstanding they had rebelled against him and reduc'd him into a most pitiful estate and put him in danger both of his life and kingdom For being not content to assail and make VVar upon him with their Forces they drew strangers also into his Countrey against him and at length they overpower'd him so that he was constrained to yield up into the King of Arabians hands the Countries and Cities that he had conquered from the Moâ—bites and Galaadites for fear they should join with the Jews and make War against him Alexander sirnamed Thracidas besides other innumerable injuries and outrages which they G committed against him All this cannot hinder but that he ought to be abhorred for his cruelty so that he was justly called Thracidas that is to say as cruel as Thracian and H this Title continued amongst the Jews The year of the World 3887. before Christ's Nativity 77. The Soldiers of the contrary party who amounted to the number of 8000 fled by night into strong and sure holds and as long as Alexander lived they were in exile But at last he was deliver'd of all these Troubles he lived in quiet and governed his kingdom peaceably all the rest of his life-time But Demetrius marching from Judea to Beroea besieged his brother Philip with 10000 Foot and 1000 Horse But Straton Lord of Beroea allied to Philip called Zizus Duke of the Arabians and Mithridates Sinaces Governor of the Parthians unto his help who repairing unto him with great Forces besieged Demetrius in his own Trenches in which they so inclosed him by continual shooting of Darts and want of Water that they constrained him Demetrius besiegeth his brother Philip in Beroea and those that were with him to submit themselves to I their mercy When they had spoilt the whole Countrey and had seized on Demetrius they sent him prisoner to Mithridates who at that time was King of Parthia And as for the Antiochians as many of them as were found in the Camp were suffered to be gone with the safety of their lives and baggage and to return to Antioch But Mithridates King of Parthia honour'd Demetrius by all means possible until he was surprized with a sickness whereof he died Immediately after the battel Philip came into Antioch and having obtained the kingdom ruled over Syria CHAP. XXIII K Divers Wars of the Kings of Syria Alexander King of the Jews takes many places His death and his advice to his Queen Alexandra to insinuate her self in the favor of the Pharisees for to gain the love of the People AFter this Antiochus called Dionysius who was Philip's brother came into Damascus to make himself Master of it Hedio Ruffinus cap. 21. which he did quickly in his brothers absence who was gone against the Arabians Antiochus King of Damascus When his brother Philip who had an Army in a readiness to invade the Arabians had tydings hereof he came to Damascus with great speed and made him surrender up the City Antiochus thrust out of his kingdom by his brother both by the means of Milesius whom Antiochus had left Governor in the Castle and also by the consent of the Citizens themselves L But Philip shewed himself ungrateful towards Milesius performing nothing of that which he had promis'd him at the recovery of the City that the World might think that the fear of his power and not Milesius's favor was the cause of the surrender of Damascus Which act of his made Milesius suspect him and was the cause that he lost the City again For departing from thence to exercise himself at Tilt Milesius lockt the gates against him and kept the City for Antiochus Who having intelligence of that which had befallen Philip Caâ—pâ—â—asa called Antipatris returned out of Arabia and at that very instant led his Army into Judea in which were 800 Foot and 800 Horse Alexander fearing his approach made a deep Trench from Caparsabe Antioâ—hus's death and the Famine amongst his Army which is called at this day Antipatris as far as the Sea of Joppa which was the only streight whereby he might be assailed and made M a Wall fortified with wooden Towers with their Courts of Guard distant the one from the other 150 Furlongs to keep back Antiochus But he fired all his fortifications and made his Army pass into Arabia thorow this streight The King of Arabia retired upon the first assault but afterwards he presently came into the field with 10000 Horsemen whom Antiochus charged very valiantly and in the onset lost his life yet with victory whil'st he sought to succor a company of his men that were hard put to it After Antiochus's death his Army retired to the borough of Cana where divers of them dyed for hunger After him Aretas reigned in Coelosyria who was called unto that kingdom by those that held Damascus
and hated Ptolomey the son of Mennaeus Aretas led his Army into Jewry N and got a victory against Alexander near to Addida which done he retired out of Judea Aretas King of Câ—oelosyria upon a composition made between them Moreover once more Alexander marched towards the City of Dion and took it And afterwards he led his Army against Essa where Zeno had hoarded up his chiefest riches Certain Cities taken by Alexander and before he assailed the Fortress he invironed the place with three huge Walls which he built round about it and having taken it by force he marched to Gaulana and Seleucia which having overcome he made himself Master of a valley called the valley of Antiochus with the Fortress of Gamala And objecting many crimes against Demetrius the Lord of those places he dispossessed him of his government Then after he had made War for the space of three whole years he returned into his Countrey where the Jews entertained him willingly O by reason of the happy exploits which he had atchieved About the same time the Jews were already possessed of the Cities of Syria Idumaea and Phoenicia of the Tower of Straton Apollonia Joppa Jamnia Azor Gaza Anthedon Raphia Rhinocura all which were near unto the Sea and in the firm land on the one A side of Idumaea as Adora Marissa and all Samaria the Mounts Carmel and Itabyr and herewith Scythopolis Gadara Gaulanitis Seleucia Gabala and of Moab Essebon Medaba Lemba Orona Telithon and Zara Antonia of Cilicia and Pella This last City was destroy'd by them The Jews are Lords of the Cities of the Syrians Idumaeans and Phaenicians because the Inhabitants would not promise to be converted to the Religion of the Jews with divers others of the principal Cities of Syria also which were conquer'd by them After this King Alexander fell sick by the means of a surfeit and drunkenness and for the space of three years he was sick of a Quartane Ague Nevertheless he continued alwayes in the Camp Pella destroyed and razed until such time that being wearied with toyle he died on the B borders of the Countrey of the Gerasens Alexander's sickness as he besieged Regaba which is a Castle situate on the other side of Jordan The Queen perceiving that he was at deaths door and that there remained neither hope of life nor recovery she began to weep and lament and to beat her breasts because both she and her children were likely now to be left desolate and in these words she bemoaned her self unto him To whom wilt thou leave both me and thy children in the state wherein we are Or why should we survive or live one after another considering that thou assuredly knowest that the hearts of thy people are averse from us Hereupon the King comforted her and gave her this counsel That if she would assure the Kingdom both unto her self and her children she should behave her self according to his direction Alexander instructeth his wife how she should reign securely which was first to conceal his death and not to suffer his Soldiers to have notice thereof until she had taken this Castle Which done he advised her to repair to Jerusalem C in pomp and triumph and that being there she should bestow some authority upon the Pharisees The authority of the Pharisees among the people who would sound her praise and obtain her the peoples favor For said he these kind of men are in great esteem and credit with the people and can do much hurt unto those they hate and benefit them very mightily towards whom they are well affected For the people easily believeth them when they find fault with any man notwithstanding it be of envy and that himself also had incur'd the displeasure of the people for their sakes in that he had offended them When as therefore said he thou shalt arrive in Jerusalem send thou for the chiefest amongst them and pray them to come unto thee and after you have shewed them my dead body use the most plausible speech that you can and give them permission to dispose of my body as they D please whether it be their pleasure to interdict and deny me funeral in that they have received many indignities by me or whether to be revenged they will offer any ignominy to my body and promise you them that you will do nothing in the administration or government of the Kingdom but by thier advice If in this sort you frame both your manners and discourse towards them it will come to pass that I shall be buried by them with great magnificence which otherwise I could not be by any other means because they will offer no outrage to my body no although you should permit them and besides that you shall neigâ— in more assurance and quiet Having given his Wife these advertisements Alexander's death he gave up the ghost after he had reigned 27 years and lived 49. CHAP. XXIV E King Alexander leaveth two sons Hircanus who was High-Priest and Aristobulus their mother Queen Alexandra gaineth the favor of the People through the Pharisees means having given them great authority she consents through their persuasion to put the most faithful of the King her husbands servants to death and to please the rest of them she giveth them the Government of the most considerable places Tygranes King of Armenias invasion into Syria Aristobulus endeavoureth to make himself King The death of Queen Alexandra AFter that Alexander had taken the Castle of Ragaba she conferreth with the Pharisees F Alexander's funeral according to her Husbands counsel and committed unto their discretion not only that which concerned her Husbands funerals but also the government of the kingdom whereby she not only appeased the displeasure which formerly they had conceived against Alexander but also obtained their good will and friendship They came and declaimed amongst the people making an oration of the actions and deeds of Alexander lamenting everywhere that they had lost a good King Hedio Ruffinus cap. 22. and by praising him they incited the people to great grief and lamentation Hircanus and Aristobulus Alexander's sons so that they buried him with more magnificence than any King that reigned before him This Alexander left two sons behind him the one called Hircanus the other Aristobulus and by his Testament committed the government G of the kingdom to Alexandra his Wife For Hircanus was uncapable to manage affairs and rather delighted in peace and quiet and Aristobulus who was the younger H was both active and fit for government The year of the World 3890. before Christ's Nativity 74. The people were well affected towards Alexandra because she had manifestly expressed how greatly she misliked her Husbands misgovernment She appointed Hircanus High-Priest both in regard of his age as also for that by nature he was addicted to peace and quiet and committed all things to the
disposing of the Pharisees Hiâ—canus High-Priest commanding the people to obey and serve them She also renewed and confirmed that which Hircanus had disannulled and the Pharisees according to the customs of their forefathers had introduced so that she bare the name and the Pharisees the Authority Royal. The Pharisees admitted to the administration of the Commonweal are greedy of revenge For they restored such as were banished to their estates and delivered Prisoners and in all things they demeaned themselves like great Lords Alexandra I also for her part undertook the care of the Commonweal and kept a great number of Soldiers in pay and increased her power in such sort that the Tyrants round about feared her and deliver'd the hostages and pledges of peace All the Countrey was at quiet Aristobulus his followers accuse the Pharisees of Tyranny only the Pharisees troubled the Queen persuading her to put those to death who had counselled King Alexander to put those 800 to death of whom we have spoken before and they themselves afterwards slew one that was called Diogenes and after him divers others one after another until such time as those in authority came unto the Royal Palace accompanied with Aristobulus who seemed to be displeased with that which had been done and who if the occasion were offer'd made shew that he would not permit his Mother to govern after that manner and told her that which had K hapned and in what dangers they had been to express their duty and loyalty which they ow'd to their deceased Master and how for that cause they had been greatly honour'd by him requiring of her that she would not utterly frustrate them of their hopes which they expected for their service that now they that had escaped from the danger of their foreign Enemies were in their houses murthered like Beasts by their private Foes without any relief or succors from any one They furthermore urged That if their Adversaries would content themselves with those they had slain they would endure their misfortunes patiently by reason of the sincere affection they bare unto their Lords but if they must needs as yet suffer the like they required that they might have liberty to retire For that they would not procure their safety otherwise than by her consent and would rather suffer a voluntary death near unto her Royal Palace if they might L not be spared for that it would be a shame both for themselves and for the Queen if by her toleration those who had been her deceased husbands friends should be thus abused by them which were his Enemies That Aretas King of Arabias and other Princes would be glad of this news to hear that she should deprive her self of those whose names have been dreadful even amongst those neighbouring Kings who have but heard of them And if she had resolved to make more account of the Pharisees favor than of their service they intreated her that she would at least distribute them in several Castles that rather than any ill should fall upon their Sovereign Alexander 's house they were content to lead their lives in that contemptible and despicable condition Whilest thus they spake Alexandra committeth the custody of the Castles to the Jews directing their supplications to Alexander's soul praying him to have M compassion as well of those that were already dead as of those who were in danger of their lives the tears ran from the eyes of all the assistants and Aristobulus above the rest was heartily discontent and expressed the same by finding fault with his Mother But they themselves were the cause of their own calamity because that against all right and reason they had permitted a head-strong and ambitious Woman to reign over them as if the King had no Heirs reserv'd to succeed him in the kingdom The Queen uncertain how to determine the matter at that instant committed the charge of all her Castles into their hands reserving only Hircania Alexandrion and Machaeron wherein the Princes Moveables and Wealth was kept Not long after she sent her son Aristobulus with a strong Army commanding him to N draw his Forces towards Damascus Aristobulus is sent to Damascus against Ptolomey against Ptolomey called Mennaeus who was an ill Neighbor unto that City but he returned thence without doing any memorable action About the same time news was brought that Tigranes King of Armenia invaded Syria with 500000 Men of War Tigranes invading Syria heareth news of Lucullus's pursuit of Mithridates and returneth home intending shortly to set upon Jewry This rumor afrighted the Queen and all the Commonalty and not without cause Whereupon she sent Ambassadors with many Princely Presents unto Tigranes who besieged the City of Ptolomais For Queen Selena otherwise called Cleopatra reigned in Syria and persuaded the Syrians to deny Tigranes passage But Alexandra's Ambassadors met with the King of Armenia and pray'd him to conceive a good opinion of their Queen and of all the whole Nation of the Jews who received them willingly commending them for that O they had sought him out so far to do him honour and put them in good hope After the taking in of Ptolomais it was told Tigranes that Lucullus pursued Mithridates who was not as yet apprehended for that he was fled into Iberia which was the cause that Lucullus had entred Armenia The year of the World 3894. before Christ's Nativity 70. and plunder'd it Tigranes hearing this news returned back into H his own Countrey After this Queen Alexandra fell sick of a dangerous disease whereby Aristobulus took occasion to intermeddle with the affairs of State Walking therefore abroad one night attended by a trusty servant Alexandra's sickness and Aristobulus's attempt he repaired unto those Castles which were committed to the custody of his fathers friends for he had misliked his Mothers government long and feared more than ever that if she should die all her posterity should be made subject to the power of the Pharisees For he perceived how unapt his elder brother was to govern the kingdom unto whom notwithstanding the succession appertained only his Wife whom accompanied with his Children he had left with Alexandra had an inkling of this his intent He therefore went first of all to Agaba where Galestes one I of the chiefest Potentates commanded who entertained him with great joy The next day Aristobulus seizeth the Castles and great concourse of people resort to him the Queen heard that Aristobulus was departed from Court she little suspected at first that he was retired to work some alteration in the State But when Messengers came flocking one after another and told her that after the first Castle the second and after the second all the rest had consequently been surprized by Aristobulus at that time both the Queen and the whole Nation were alarmed fearing lest he should presently usurp the Sovereignty but above all they feared
of some continuance This man therefore being surprized and brought into the Camp of the Jews they required him that as by his prayers he had obtained water so at that time likewise he would by his imprecations incense God against Aristobulus and his adherents But whereas he refused and excused himself he was at last constrained by the people to perform their request so that standing L up in the midst of them he spake after this manner O God King of the whole world since they who are at this present here with me are thy people and those that are besieged are thy Priests I humbly beseech thee that when they shall require thee to be incensed against their brethren thou wilt not hear them and when as likewise they shall provoke thee against the other Onias contradicting the Jews petition is stoned to death thou wilt not respect them Hereupon a certain sort of reprobate Soldiers amongst the Jews hearing these words of his stoneth him to death But God immediately punished this cruelty in them and the murther of Onias so cursedly perpetrated was revenged by this means which ensueth Aristobulus and the Priests being besieged the feast of Eastâ—r or the Passeover fell out during which time it was an usual custom among the Jews to honour God with many sacrifices M Now they who were with Aristobulite not having any beasts to offer up in sacrifice they requested the other Jews that were without That they might have some delivered unto them for their money Whereunto it was answered That if they would give one thousand drachnis for every head they should have some delivered into them To this demand of theirs Aristobulus and the Priests that were with him willingly condescended and let down the prefixed price and deliver'd the same from the wall but the others after they had received the money deliver'd them not those beasts which they desired them to sell them to sacrifice but they were so impious that they falsified their oaths not only toward men Breach of faith and the revenge thereof but defrauded God also in denying that which they had promised toward the furnishing of their sacrifice For which cause the Priests being defrauded in this N manner contrary to the oath and protestations of their adversaries besought God to shew vengeance on their Countreymen that had committed this heinous and perjurious impiety neither did God defer their punishment but immediately after he sent a great and violent Wind that spoiled all the fruits of the Countrey so that a measure of Wheat was sold for eleven drachms O CHAP. IV. A Scaurus being sent by Pompey into Syria Aristobulus gained his friendship He forced King Aretas to raise the siege of Jerusalem Aristobulus gaineth a Battel against Aretas and Hircanus MEanwhile Pompey sent Scaurus into Syria himself being in person detained in Armenia Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. in pursuit of the War betwixt him and Tigranes When Scaurus came unto Damascus Hircanus and Aristobulus send Ambassadors unto Scaurus he found that Metellus and Lollius had newly taken the City for which B cause he marched on towards Jewry where being arrived certain Ambassadors came unto him in the behalf of Aristobulus and others also in the name of Hircanus requiring alliance and confederacy in the behalf of them both and offering from each of them a Tribute of 400 Talents But Scaurus preferred Aristobulus's promises because he was the ablest Scaurus is presented and of the noblest spirit and withall more moderate in his demand whereas Hircanus was poor and covetous notwithstanding he demanded greater things than his brother did for it was a harder matter to subdue a City that was so strong than to beat a company of runnagate Nabatheans and scarcely well animated to prosecute that War Aristobulus maketh War against Aretas and Hircanus For these causes therefore he receiving his money raised the siege commanding Aretas to return which if he refused he declared him an Enemy to Rome This done Scaurus returned to Damascus and Aristobulus led forth his Army against Aretas and C Hircanus and fighting with them in a place called Papyron he obtained the victory and killed about some 7000 of his Enemies amongst the number of which was â—ephalius Antipater's brother CHAP. V. Pompey cometh into the lower Syria Aristobulus sends him a rich Present Antipater repaireth to him in Hircanus's behalf Both the brothers case was stated to Pompey who defers the decision of it till he reduce the Nabatheans Aristobulus without expecting till then retired into Judea D NOt long after this Pompey cometh into Syria and Aristobulus sendeth a Royal Present unto him Pompey came unto Damascus and as he travelled through Coelosyria divers Ambassadors resorted unto him from all parts of Syria Egypt and Judea For Aristobulus sent him a Present of great value namely a golden Vine of 500 Talents price Hereof Strabo the Cappadocian maketh mention in these words There came an Ambassador out of Egypt bearing a Crown of 4000 pieces of gold and another from Jewry with a Vine or Garden and the workmanship was called Terpole that is to say Recreation I have seen this Vine at Rome in the Temple of Jupiter Capitoline having the inscription of Alexander King of the Jews Antipater for Hircanus and Nicodemus for Aristobulus come as Ambassadors to Pompey and it was esteemed and valued at 500 Talents It is said that Aristobulus Prince of the Jews sent the same E Straight after this there came other fresh Ambassadors to Pompey Antipater from Hircanus and Nicodemus from Aristobulus who accused those that had taken money namely Gabimus for that he first of all had received 300 Talents besides other Presents and secondly Scaurus Hedio Ruffinus cap. 5. who had received 400 alledging that by that means they had incensed them against him A Castle destroyed in Apamea He therefore gave direction that they should repair unto him about the Spring each of them to justifie and maintain their several Rights as for himself he drew his Forces from their wintering places and marched towards Damascus destroying in his way a certain Fortress which Antiochus the Cyzicenian had fortified in Apamaea He visited also the Countrey of Ptolomey Mennaeus who was a wicked and perverse man Ptolomey Mennaeus fined at a great sum of money and no wayes differed from Dionysius Tripolitane who was punished F with the loss of his head and was united also with him in friendship and affinity yet acquitted of the death he deserved by the means of a 1000 Talents Ransom which Ptolomey distributed among his Soldiers for their pay He demolished likewise the Castle of Lysias wherein a Jew called Sylas tyrannized and passing by the Cities of Heliopolis and Chalcis and having likewise ascended the mountain which is between them he came to Coelosyria and from Pella repaired to Damascus In which place he gave audience to
the Jews and their Princes Hircanus and Aristobulus who were at odds the one against the other Aristobulus and Hircanus accused by the Jews before Pompey concerning their particular interests the Jews complained against Hircanus and Aristobulus both and alledged that they would not be governed by Kings because their custom was to obey Gods Priests whom they honoured affirming that these G two brethren who were descended of the race of Priests endeavoured to draw their Nation under a different form of government and to reduce them under slavery Hircanus H complained The year of the World 3902. before Christ's Nativity 62. that being the elder born he had been deprived of his inheritance by Aristobulus and had only but a small portion of the Countrey alotted him because Aristobulus had seized the rest by force He complained likewise of those incursions that both by Land and Sea Aristobulus's followers had endamaged their Frontiers with For the people had not revolted if he had not been a violent and turbulent man To this accusation of his Aristobulus's Apology before Pompey a thousand of the principallest of the Jews drawn on by Antipater's persuasion subscribed But Aristobulus answered That Hircanus was dispossessed of the Kingdom by reason of his incapacity and natural defects alledging for himself That the government was forced on him of necessity lest it should be transported to others he protested that he challenged no other title than that which his father Alexander I had had He brought in also for his Witnesses certain arrogant young men who were hated for their pomp purple Robes their curiosity in painting and curling their Hair and other braveries which they presented not like men that intended to hear a Case decided but rather to shew their vanity After that Pompey had heard them he condemn'd Aristobulus's violence but for that time he dismiss'd them after some favorable and gracious conference promising them that he would come into their Countrey Hedio Ruffinus cap. 6. and determine their differences after he had seen the Region of the Nabatheans commanding them in the meanwhile to live in peace He used Aristobulus likewise very kindly fearing lest he should incense the people and shut up his passage which notwithstanding came to pass For Aristobulus came into the City of Delion and from thence K went into Judea without regarding what Pompey had commanded him CHAP. VI. Pompey is offended at Aristobulus's retreat He marcheth against him Their several meetings without taking any effect POmpey hearing this was very much displeased and taking with him his Army which he had prepared against the Nabatheans with the supplies he had in Damascus and the rest of Syria Pompey marcheth out against Aristobulus besides the other Roman companies that he had he marched forth L against Aristobulus when he had passed Pella and Sâ—â—hopolis he came to Coreas which is the entrance into Judea drawing toward the heart of the Countrey There he found a strong Castle situate upon the top of a mountain called Alexandrion Aristobulus descendeth from his Fortress to confer with Pompey whither Aristobulus was retired He sent to invite him to come and parley with him who persuaded by the counsel of many of his best friends by no means to make War against the Romans Aristobulus delivereth the Fortresses to Pompey's hands came down to him and after he had debated his title with his brother concerning the Kingdom Pompey permitted him to return again into his Castle And this he did two or three times alwayes flattering Pompey through the hope he had of the Kingdom Hedio Ruffinus cap. 7. Meanwhile he retired himself and fortified the place and made preparation for the War lest Pompey should alot the Kingdom to Hircanus Pompey commanded him to M deliver up the fortresses that he held Mithridates King of Pontus slain by his son Pharnaces and to write with his own hand to the Captains of the Garisons who otherwise would not have obeyed him Aristobulus submitted but was so displeased that he repaired to Jerusalem on purpose to make preparations for War Immediately after Pompey marched towards him with his Army and a messenger coming from Pontus brought him news of Mithridates's death who was slain by his son Pharnaces N O CHAP. VII The year of the World 3903. before Christ's Nativity 61. H Aristobulus repents cometh to Pompey and treateth with him But his Soldiers refusing to deliver the money that he had promised and to receive the Romans into Jerusalem Pompey keepeth him Prisoner and besiegeth the Temple where Aristobulus's men were retired POmpey having encamped near Jericho where there was a number of Date-trees and where also groweth that balm which is the most precious Gabinius coming to receive the money Aristobulus had promised hath the City Gates shut against him of all other ointments distilling from a little shrub which is opened and slit by a sharp cutting stone the next morning he marched towards Jerusalem Aristobulus being sorry for his misbehavior came unto him offering him money and promising him to receive I him into Jerusalem he intreated him to lay aside all quarrels and to order all as he thought fit without coming to War Whereupon Pompey pardon'd him and condescended to his request Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. and sent Gabinius with his Soldiers both to receive the money as also to enter the City Pompey besiegeth Jerusalem but could do neither for Aristobulus's Soldiers would not permit that any promise should be perform'd which Pompey took so ill that after he had committed Aristobulus to Prison he went in person against the City which was strongly fortified on every side except toward the quarter that extendeth Northward which was easie to be beaten down for this side is invironed with a large and deep Valley compassing the Temple which is inclosed with a very strong stone Wall K CHAP. VIII Pompey after a three months siege took the Temple of Jerusalem by assault and forbeareth plundering of it He lessens the Jews power He leaveth Scaurus to command his Army carrieth Aristobulus Prisoner to Rome with Alexander and Antigonus his two sons and his two daughters Alexander maketh his escape out of Prison IN the mean time the City of Jerusalem was divided for some thought good to yield up the City to Pompey Jerusalem partly betrayed partly besieged by Pompey others that were of Aristobulus's faction counselled that the gates should be kept shut and preparation for War should be made because the Romans L detained Aristobulus Prisoner The last prevailing seized the Temple and breaking down the bridge which was betwixt it and the City resolved to stand on their defence But the others not only deliver'd the City into Pompey's hands but the Royal Palace also who sent Piso his Lieutenant thither with his Forces to take possession thereof and to plant his Garisons therein
the frontiers of Egypt with two Legions of the Romans he went into Cilicia and from thence drew towards Rome leading with him Aristobulus in bonds and his children who were two sons and two daughters one of which called N Alexander escaped and as for Antigonâ—s who was the younger he was led to Rome with his sisters O CHAP. IX The year of the World 3904. before Christ's Nativity 60. A Antipater proveth very useful to Scaurus in Arabia SCaurus led forth his Army against Petra a City in Arabia Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. and the wayes being so bad that he could hardly get to it he spoilt all the Countrey round about his Army was pressed with famine Antipater by the order of Hircanus furnish'd him with Corn and all other necessaries out of Jewry who being sent Ambassador to Aretas from Scaurus persuaded him to contribute a certain sum of silver to secure his Country from being pillaged and he himself also became pledge for 300 Talents This done Scaurus B finished the War according to his desire and with no less contentment to Aretas and his Country CHAP. X. Alexander Aristobulus's son armeth in Judea and fortifieth the Towns Gabinius overthrows him in battel and besiegeth him in the Castle of Alexandrion Alexander delivereth it up to him with several other places Gabinius establisheth Hircanus High-Priest in his room and reduceth Judea to be governed under the Nobility NOt long after this Alexander Aristobulus's son made divers inroads into Jewry for C which cause Gabinius came from Rome into Syria Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. al. 11. and besides other things worthy of memory which he atchieved he led forth his Army against Alexander for that Hircanus had not as yet sufficient power to resist him Castles fortified being otherwise exercised in building the Walls of Jerusalem that were beaten down by Pompey notwithstanding the Romans that were in Jewry hindred him from performing the same This Alexander travelling through the whole Countrey assembled divers Jews so that in short time having gotten together 10000 Foot and 1500 Horse with good ammunition he fortified the Castle of Alexandrion near to the City of Coreas He fortified Machaeron also in the mountains of Arabia Gabinius therefore came forth against him having sent before him D Marcus Antonius accompanied with other Commanders who recruited the Romans with their coming and the Jews that were under their obedience whose Captains were Pitholaus and Malichus They took also those Allies whom Antipater had hired and in this equipage they came against Alexander Gabinius also seconded them with his Troops Hereupon Alexander drew nearer with his Army towards Jerusalem where giving battel to the Romans he lost about 3000 of his followers and the like number of his men were led away Prisoners After this Gabinius repaired to Alexandrion and invited those that held it to yield promising them pardon for the Rebellion they had begun And many of his Enemies having encamped themselves before the Fort the Romans charged them in which conflict Marcus Antonius behaved himself very valiantly Gabinius causeth divers Cities in Jewry to be repaired that were defaced having killed several E of the Enemy with his own hand Gabinius left a part of his Army in that place to the end that during the siege thereof he might go and visit the Countrey of Judea he commanded therefore all those Cities which in his journey he found either desolate or destroyed to be repaired for that Samaria Azot Scythopolis Anthedon Raphia Dora Marissa and Gaza with divers others were new built so that through the obedience that was given to Gabinius's command it came to pass that the Cities were safely inhabited which had layen long time before desart And after Gabinius had behaved himself in this manner in the Countrey he returned to Alexandrion Hedio Ruffinus cap. 11. al. 12. Whil'st he thus insisted about the siege Alexander sent Ambassadors unto him demanding pardon for his offences and restoring into his hands the Castles of F Hircania and Machaeron Alexandrion and other Castles razed and finally that of Alexandrion which Gabinius levelled with the ground And whereas Alexander's mother came unto him who favoured the Roman faction and whose husband and children were kept in Prison in Rome she obtained all that which she requested at his hands and after he had carefully and friendly disposed of her affairs he led Hircanus to Jerusalem to take charge of the Temple and Priesthood He ordained also five judgment seats and places of session Five prâ—â—â—ial sieges in Jewry and divided the Province into answerable parts for the one answered in Jerusalem the second at Gadara the third in Amatha the fourth at Jericho and the fifth at Saphora which is a Town of Galilee By this means the Jews were deliver'd of their Monarchy and lived under an Aristocracy or government of the Nobility G H CHAP. XI Aristobulus being Prisoner at Rome maketh his escape with Antigonus one of his sons and cometh to Judea The Romans overcome him in battel He retreateth into Alexandrion where he is besieged and taken Gabinius sends him back Prisoner to Rome He defeats Alexander Aristobulus's son in a battel returns to Rome and leaveth â—rassus in his place BUt Aristobulus flying from Rome Hedio Ruffinus cap. 12. al. 13. returneth to Jewry and resolved to rebuild the Castle I of Alexandrion which not long since was ruinated Against him Gabinius sent out certain Men of War with their Captains Aristobulus returning from Rome seeketh to re-establish Alexandrion namely Sisenna Antonius and Servilius both to keep him from the possession of the place and to apprehend and surprize him likewise For many Jews resorted unto him being drawn thereunto by the ancient Reputation that he had who desired likewise revolutions and changes Pitholaus also who was established Lieutenant-General in Jerusalem of his own accord came unto him with a 1000 Men well armed but the other that were retired within for the most part were not sufficiently furnish'd with Arms for Aristobulus making his reckoning to seize Machaeron dismissed those followers of his that were disarmed and were unapt for any execution and retaining only 8000 well armed Men he marched thither But the Romans K pursuing and overtaking him Aristobulus overcome in battel by the Romans fought desperately with him and overcame both him and his notwithstanding their valiant resistance about 5000 of them were killed and the rest dispersed wandring here and there where they could best secure themselves but Aristobulus fled to Machaeron with more than a 1000 followers and fortified the place And though his affairs had very slender success yet he lost not his hope but after he had endured the siege some two dayes and received many Wounds he was taken Prisoner and with his son Antigonus who fled from Rome with him led away Captive by Gabinius
and his sons may be remunerated by the Senate and People of Rome according to the measure of their loyalties and good deserts Julius Caius Caesar Roman Consul To the Governors Senate and People of Patras Health The Jews are come unto us to Delos with some of the Colonies of their Countreymen in the presence of your Ambassadors and assure us of a Decree made by you whereby you forbid them the practice and ancient use of their sacrifices and oblations I think it not fit that you make any such Decrees against our friends and associates neither that you forbid them to live according to their fashions and customs or to employ their purses together in supplying their feasts and sacrifices since in Rome it self they are not interdicted or forbidden to perform the same For at such time as Caius Caesar Consul had prohibited by Edict That in celebrating the Bacchanals no one should dance about the City yet were the L Jews alone exempted from this inhibition and neither have they been prohibited to contribute neither to banquet together My self also in like case in the defence I have made to forbid all other societies have excepted the Jews therein and have given them leave to assemble and demean themselves according to the customs ceremonies and ordinances of their Countrey If therefore you have made any such Decrees against our friends and associates you shall do well to disanul them by reason of the vertue of the Jews and the forwardness they have protested in performance of our service After Caius Caesar's death M. Antonius and P. Dolobella bring Hircanue's Embassadors into the Senate the Consuls Marcus Antonius and Publius Dolobella assembled the Senate and having brought in Hircanus's Embassadors they declared their request and contracted amity with them The Senate likewise ordained that each thing should M be granted them that they required And Dolobella having received Hircanus's Letters sent them throughout all Asia to Ephesus which is the Metropolitan City of Asia in these The General Dolobella to the Princes Dolobellas's Letters to the Ephesians Senate and People of Ephesus Health terms The General or Emperor Dolobella this word Emperor was in those times a title of honour conferred on those Generals who had obtained some great Victory Alexander the son of Theodore Embassador to Hircanus the High-Priest and Prince of the Jews hath given us to understand that his Subjects cannot go to Wars because it is not lawful for them to bear Arms nor travel on the Sabbath day as also for that they may not seek for their victuals and other necessaries on that day according to the custom of their Countrey for this cause I grant them exemption from the War as my Predecessors have done permitting them N to use the ceremonies and rites of their Countrey assembling themselves to make their oblations and sacrifices as their laws and customs require in contributing to the offering of the sacrifices in the Temple And my will is That you write to this effect to every City of the Province See here how Dolobella honoured Hircanus when he sent his Embassadors unto him Lucius Lentulus Consul pronounceth that the Jews that are Citizens of Rome Lucius Luâ—ulllus in the French Lentulus in the Latine being Consul maketh an Edict in the behalf of the Jews and that observe and offer the sacrifices of the Jews in Ephesus before the Tribunal be exempt from warfare by reason of their Religion Given the nineteenth of October There are besides these many other Edicts and Ordinances made to this purpose by the same Generals and by the Roman Senate in favor of Hircanus and our Nation and some O other Cities In like sort there were divers Decrees and writs sent unto the Governors and Rulers of the Provinces concerning our Priviledges all which may be easily believed by those that shall read our History with no prejudicate opinion if they consider those that we have here inserted The year of the World 39â—2 Before Christ's Nativity 42. For we have shewed more express and lively A testimonies of the friendship that we have had with the Romans and such as at this day are affixed to Pillars and engraven in Tables of Brass on the Capitol and that hereafter shall remain affixed for ever For which cause I have thought it to be a frivolous and unnecessary matter to insert all in this place Josephus's conclusion concerning these Edicts and I think that there is not any man of so sinister judgment that will not believe how much we have been esteemed by the Romans as they have given testimonies by divers Decrees published in our behalf neither may any man suppose that we lie considering the truth of that which we publish Thus have we sufficiently declared the amity and league that in time past we have had with the Romans Caecilius â—assus murthereth Sextus Caesar About this time it came to pass that the estate of â—yria was B sore troubled upon the occasion that ensueth Caecilius â—assus one of Pompeys followers laid an ambush for Sextus Caesar and slew him and seising upon his Army usurped the Government Whereby there arose great War near Apamea For Caesars Captains marched out against Caecilius with great force both of Foot and Horse to whom Antipater sent his sons with forces to second them in remembrance of the benefits he had received at Caesars hands supposing it to be an act of justice that the murtherer should be punished for his so hainous offence Marcus succeedeth Sextus in Syria Now whereas this War continued a long time Câ—sar slain by Cassius and Brutus Marcus came and succeeded Sextus And Caesar was slain by Cassius and Brutus in the midst of the Senate after he had commanded three years and six months as it is expressed in another place C CHAP. XVIII Cassius cometh from Syria draweth Seven hundred Talents out of Judaea Herod gains his favor Malichus's ingratitude towards Antipater AFter Caesar's death Hedio Ruffinus chap. 20. the brand of Civil War began to flame and the chiefest of Rome made it their business to raise forces Cassius cometh into Syria and exacteth more then 700 Talents of silver from the Jews But Cassius came into Syria with an intent to take the Army that was near to Apamea and having raised the siege he drew both Bassus and Marcus to be of his faction and travelling from City to City he gathered a number of Soldiers and much warlike provision and imposed huge Tributes D Herod winneth Cassius's heart by the money that he levieth in Galilee but especially he afflicted Jewry and exacted of that Countrey Seven hundred Talents of Silver Antipater seeing the State in so great fear and trouble committing the exaction of a part of this money to his sons the rest he commanded to be assigned to Malichus who was his Enemy Herod first of all gathered that which was commanded him
composition Whereupon he grievously rebuked Hircanus that being forgetful of divers good offices which he had received by him The year of the World 3924. before Christ's Nativity 40. he had given aid unto his enemies For Malichus's brother being at that time A revolted planted Garisons in divers Fortresses and namely in Masada which was the strongest of them all As soon as Herod had recovered his health he drew forth his forces against him and dipossessed him of divers places that he held and after suffered him to depart with his life and goods CHAP. XXI Antigâ—nus Aristobulus's son gets an Army Herod overcometh him and returneth triumphing to Jerusalem Hircanus promiseth him his Grand-daughter Mariamna daughter of Alexander Aristobulus's son B ANtigonus Ptolomey Mennaeus adopteth Antigonus Aristobulus 's son Aristobulus's son got an Army together and hired Fabius Ptolomey Mennaeus adopted Antigonus for being of his near relations He was also assisted by Marion whom Cassius had made Governor of Tyre and tyrannized over Syria having put Garisons in several places of it and had taken possession of three places in Galilee which bordered with his Countrey Herod expelleth Antigonus out of Jewry Herod also marching forth against him dispossessed him of them all and graciously dismissed those Tyrians that had the keeping thereof bestowing Presents on some of them for the love he bare unto their City And that done he came and encountred with Antigonus and fought him and overcame him before he had scarcely entred on the marches of Judaea and drove him from thence C Being come in triumph to Jerusalem Herod marrieth Mariamne Hircanus's niece by his daughter Hircanus and all the People honoured him with Crowns For Hircanus look'd upon him as one of his Family because he was to marry Mariamna daughter of Alexander son of Aristobulus and of Alexandra Hircanus's daughter on whom he begat three sons and two daughters Before her also had he married a Wife of his own Nation Doris Herod's wife who was called Doris on whom he begat Antipater his eldest son CHAP. XXII After Cassius's defeat near the City of Philippi Antonius cometh into Asia Herod obtaineth D his friendship by great Presents Antonius's Edicts in favor of Hircanus and of the Jewish Nation ANtonius and Caesar having overcome Cassius near unto the City of Philippi Caesar went from thence into France and Antonius into Asia And being in Bithynia The Judge corrupted with monâ—â— Embassadors resorted to him from all parts Thither also repaired certain principal Men among the Jews to accuse Phasaelus and Herod saying that Hircanus had onely the name but he the authority of the Kingdom But Antonius greatly honoured Herod Hircanus's Embassadors present Antonius with a Crown of Gold and require the captive Jews liberty sold by Cassius who came unto him to answer those accusations that they had imposed on him for which cause they that were his adversaries could obtain no Audience for E Herod had bought that priviledge from them with his Money As soon as Antonius was arrived in Ephesus Hircanus the High-Priest and all our Nation presently sent an Embassador unto him with a Crown of Gold requiring him that he would write unto the Provinces that the Jews whom Cassius had taken Prisoners contrary to the law of Arms might be set at liberty and that their Countrey which was taken from them in Cassius's time might be restored Antonius supposing that the demands which the Jews had proposed were reasonable wrote back presently to the High-Priest Hircanus and the Jews and sent an Edict also to the Tyrians ta this effect Marcus Antonius Emperor to Hircanus High-Priest and Prince of the Jews Health F Lysimachus the son of Pausanias and Joseph the son of Mennaeus and Alexander the son of Theodore your Ambassadors came unto me to Ephesus and have renewed the same Embassage which they heretofore brought to Rome 〈…〉 and at this present likewise they have duly and faithfully acquitted themselves of the Embassage which they present in the behalf of you and your Nation by giving us to understand what affection you bear towards us so that I esteem you for our friend since I understand how friendly you have behaved your self towards us both in words and deeds For when our adversaries and enemies of the Roman Nation spoiled all the Countrey of Asia and without regard of their Oaths spared neither Cities nor Temples we have opposed our selves against them not onely for our private G respect but in the quarrel of the Common-weal to punish the authors of such offences committed against Men and of such impieties perpetrated against God for which we suppose H that the Sun hath in a manner obscured himself by beholding with unwilling eyes what an hainous offence was committed against Caesar But we have gotten the upper hand of their impious enterprizes which are fallen upon Macedonia as on the Countrey and Air from whence proceed such detestable designs and we have likewise cut off the course of their desperate resolution which made them encounter us near to Philippi a City of Macedonia where we seized their places fortified by nature and enclosed with mountains as if it were with walls as far as the Sea so that the passage was barred up as it were with a gate had not the gods given us way by resisting their unjust exploits and furthering ours Brutus is likewise compelled to flie to Philippi where being besieged by us he suffered with his Consort Cassius and since they have been punished as they deserved we hope for the I future to enjoy peace and tranquility and that Asia shall be delivered from all the miseries of War and as for your part you may assure your selves that both you and your Countrey shall have your share in this happiness because we have so great a kindness for you to lose any opportunity to procure your advantage and all the body thereof seems to be relieved from a grievous malady by means of our victory We have already sent Letters from City to City to the intent that if any one among you either captive or free-man have been sold to the utmost by Caius Cassius or any of that Army they may be set at liberty And our will is that you reap the fruits of all the favors that we and Dolobella have granted you forbidding the Tyrians to molest you and commanding them to restore all that which they have taken from the Jews in goods or possessions As for the Crown which you sent me I accept K of it Marcus Antonius Emperor Marcus Antonius writeth to the Magistrates of Tyre to restore Hircanus and the Jews their Lands Goods and Liberties to the Governors Senate and People of Tyre Health I have been informed in Ephesus by Hircanus's Embassadors who is High-Priest and Prince â— the Jews that you have seized on their Countrey and spoiled the same when our adversaries held that
the Kings chief Cup-bearer who was also called Pacorus The Jews inhabiting about Mount Caâ—el joyn themselves with Antigonus Certain Jews inhabiting about the Carmel joined themselves with Antigonus and were prepared with him to invade his Enemies he conceived some hope that he might by their means reduce a certain part of the Countrey under his Government which is called Drymae and other Jews joining with him in the way perswaded G him to press forward as far as Jerusalem where being seconded by others and his followers already much increased in number they put themselves in a posture to assault the Kings Palace The two Brothers viz. Phasaelus and Herod with their followfollowers H attacked them in the Market-place The year of the World 3952. before Christ's Nativity 39. repulsed the Enemy and drove him into the Temple Which done they sent armed men into the houses near adjoining to guard them but the people rushing in upon them and seeing they were destitute of aid burned both them and the houses wherein they were But this cruelty of theirs was presently revenged by Herod Pentecost who in a skirmish that he had with them killed a great number of them Herod fighteth with his enemies in the suburbs And whereas there were daily skirmishes between both parties the enemies expected until the people assembled from all parts of the Countrey should repair to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost Which being come many thousands of men assembled about the Temple both armed and unarmed who seized both the Temple and the City except the Kings house onely which Herod I made good with a few Men of War The Wall thereof Phasaelus his Brother defended Herod with a company of his followers sallied out upon the Enmy who were planted in the suburbs and fighting valiantly against them he put divers thousands of them to flight whereof some retired into the City others into the Temple the rest into a certain Bulwark near at hand In this battel Phasaelus shewed no little valor Pacorus Conductor of the Parthians Pacorus Chieftain of the Parthians entring the City perswadeth Phasaelus to go Embassador to Barzapharnes came into the City with some few Horsemen at Antigonus's request making shew that he came to appease the sedition but the scope of his coming was to obtain the soveraignty for Antigonus After that Phasaelus was come out to meet him and courteously entertain'd him in his house Pacorus perswaded him to go Embassador with him to Barzapharnes intending under this pretence to surprise K him He suspecting no treacheries was easily perswaded notwithstanding that Herod misliked the course who knowing the perfidious manner of the Barbarians exhorted him rather to assail Pacorus and to assault and oppress his Forces when they were come unto him Nevertheless Hircanus and Phasaelus undertook this Embassage and Pacorus leaving with Herod Two hundred Horsemen and Ten of those whom they call Free-men conducted the Embassadors Now as soon as they came into Galilee the Governors of the Cities in that Countrey came forth armed to meet them Barzapharnes also at the first gave them friendly entertainment and honoured them with Presents but shortly after he began to practise treachery The Parthians complot treacheries against Phasaelus For Phasaelus and his attendants were conducted to a lodging that adjoined the Sea where hearing tidings that Antigonus L had promised One thousand Talents and Five hundred Virgins to the Parthians he began already to suspect the Barbarians For a certain friend of his had given him an inkling that there were treasons intended against him that very night and that his lodging was privily beset with a Guard And surely they had been surprised had they not expected that the Parthians who were round about Jerusalem should have seized on Herod fearing lest he having an inkling of their disaster should betake himself to flight This was shortly confirmed to be true by the guards that arrived For which cause there were some of Phasaelus's friends who counselled him that without any more delay he should betake him to his Horse and fly from thence and amongst the rest Ofilius was most earnest who had discovered this plot by Saramalla a rich Syrian who M offered them his ships that road hard by to further their flight Phasaelus would neither forsake Hircanus nor leave his Brother Herod in danger but repairing to Barzapharnes he told him that he did him wrong to use these sinister practises against him For that if he had need of money he was more likely to receive it at his hands than from Antigonus and that it was an intollerable injustice to put Embassadors to death who came unto him upon his honour and had no ways offended him But the Barbarian hearing these things protested by an Oath that not one point of that which he had suspected was true whereupon he presently went to Pacorus CHAP. XXV Barzapharnes detaineth Phasaelus and Hircanus Prisoners sendeth to Jerusalem to secure Herod N whoretireth by night with his Men and his Relations he is set upon by the way but getteth always the upper-hand Phasaelus killeth himself The King of the Arabian's ingratitude torwards Herod he goeth to Rome AS soon as Barzapharnes was gone Hircanus and Phasaelus surprised by the Parthians some of the Parthians took Hircanus and Phasaelus prisoners who mightily detested his perjuries But the Eunuch that was sent unto Herod had instructions given him to intice him without the City Walls and afterwards to apprehend him But Herod was forewarned of this treachery by certain Messengers who were sent by Phasaelus to give him notice thereof who being intercepted by the enemy in the way and Herod getteth notice thereof he addressed himself to Pacorus and those in greatest authority among the Parthians who subtilly dissembled O notwithstanding they knew how all things went telling him that he should do well to repair with them without the Wall to go and meet those Messengers who brought him Letters who had not as yet been seized by their adversaries but came to acquaint him that Phasaelus was well But Herod gave them no credit because he was already otherways advertised of his brothers surprisal and had also far greater suspition of the Parthians A by the sollicitation of Hircanus's daughter whom he had married And although the rest made no account of her advertisements yet Herod gave credit unto her for that she was a most wise woman The Parthians lâ—y a plot to surprise Herod he discovereth iâ— and preventeth them by flight Now whilst the Parthians were in deliberation what were best to be done in that it was held no policy to make open assault upon such a man they deferred the whole matter until the next morning Whilst thus they were debating of their differences Herod who rather gaving credit to that which he had heard as concerning his brother and touching the treasons intended against him by the
appertaineth unto them Whilest they debated the matter after this manner between them and grew to hot and injurious taunts the one against the other Antigonus commanded his men to assail those that were near unto the wall who shooting many Arrows with O great courage against them drove them easily from the Tower they kept At that time Silon gave manifest proof that he had been corrupted by money for he suborned divers of his Soldiers who cried out that they wanted victuals and demanded greater pay for their maintenance and requested that they might be placed in some convenient garrisons to winter in The year of the World 3929. before Christ's Nativity 35. for that the places round about the City were desolate A because all necessaries for maintenance of life had been taken away and wasted by Antigonus Soldiers Thus was the whole Army discomposed so that each of them prepared themselves to dislodge But Herod importuned and cried out upon the Captains and Soldiers that were under Silons charge telling them that it concerned them not to abandon him whom Caesar Antony and the Senate of Rome had sent thither That for his own part he would give order that they should have abundance of whatsoever they demanded Silon suborneth some of his Soldiers to take an occasion to depart from Jerusalem and immediatly after he deprived Silon of all colour and pretext of flight for he caused an incredible quantity of victuals to be brought them and commanded his friends that inhabited the confines of Samaria to bring them Corn Wine Oyl Cattel and all other such provision from Jericho to the end that from that time B forward the Souldiers might want nothing Antigonus was not ignorant thereof so that he presently sent men thorowout the Countrey Herod procured furnished the army with victuals and abundant munition to intercept and surprize the purvâ—iors and victualars Who following Antigonus command assembled a great number of Soldiers near unto Jericho and encamping in the mountains espied and watched those that brought the victuals Mean-while Herod lay still but took with him ten companies five of Roman Soldiers Antigonus sendeth out Soldiers to surprize Herods victualers and five of the Jews with home he intermixed some forrain Soldiers with some few horsemen and came to Jericho where being arrived he seized on the Town which was abandoned by the inhabitants of whom five hundred with their Wives and Children were retired into the top of the mountains whom he took and afterwards set at liberty but the Roman Soldiers entring into their houses and finding them full of all sorts of moveables The Romans sent to their Garisons to winter they plundred them And the King C having left a Garrison in Jericho dismissed the Roman Army to go and winter in the Countries lately surrendred unto him namely in Idumaea Galilee and Samaria Antigonus also purchased his favour at Silons hands by store of bribes that part of his Army was lodged in Lydda all which he did to currie favour with Antony Whilest thus the Romans lived in all abundance and bare no Arms Herod would not be idle but sent his brother Joseph in Idumaea with a thousand foot and four hundred horse and himself resorted to Samaria where his mother and his other praents kept who were removed out of Massada After this he went into Galilee to surprize certain Castles which were held by Antigonus Garrisons and being arrived at Sephoris during a great snow after that Antigonus Garrisons were gone out of the foresaid D Castles Robbers he found a great abundance of all sorts of necessary provision And there having notice of certain thieves who inhabited in Caves he sent a troop of horse with three companys of foot Herod fighteth with his enemies in Galilee and overcometh them and bringeth all Galilee under his subection against them whom he commanded to punish those robbers the place where they lay was not far from a borough called Arbela and fourty dayes after he himself with all his Army marched thither where the enemies charged him fiercely that the left wing of his squadaon retreated but he coming on with his main battel put them to flight who were already almost masters of the field and made those of his followers that fled face about and to pursue their enemies as far as the flood Jordan who fled some one way and some another so that he drew all Galilee under his subjection except those that lurked in the Caves He distributed money E also amongst his Soldiers and gave each Soldier an hundred and fifty drachmes and far more unto their officers and afterwards sent them to winter in Garrisons near at hand About this time Silon and his Captains Antigonus refuseth to victual the Romane army who had passed the Winter in the said Garrisons came unto him Antigonus would no more furnish them with victuals for he gave them maintenance for no more time then a month commanding those that dwelt round about them to spoil the Countrey and afterwards to retire themselves into the mountains to the end that the Romans might be destitute of necessary maintenance and by that means might be consumed with famine Herod gave Pheroras his youngest brother the charge of that provision commanding him to inclose the fort of Alexandrion with F a wall who speedily brought to pass that the Soldiers had all sorts of necessaries at command Ventius sendeth for Silon to War against the Parthians re-edefied also the fort of Alexandrion which had been laid desolate About that time Antony was in Hthenes and Ventidius was in Syria who having sent for Silon to accompany him against the Parthians did first of all charge him to assist Herod in that War and afterwards to excite the provincial confederates to further his War But Herod dismissing Silon and his company to follow their destinated Wars with Ventidius did in his own person lead out his Soldiers against those thieves that lived in dens These Caves were situate in the most highest and inaccessible Mountains impregnable through narrow paths environed with sharp Rocks wherein the robbers inhabited secretly with all their families King Herod caused a certain number of Coffers to be G made fast to iron Chains which he caused to be let down by an Engins from the top H hill to ascend the same from beneath The year of the World 3927. before Christ's Nativity 37. neither from above to creep downward against them These Chests were filled with Soldiers armed with great Hooks to draw these thieves unto them and to break their necks headlong from the height to the bottom But the use of these Coffers was dangerous for it was necessary to let them down an infinite depth into the caves especially for that the thieves had necessary provision among them notwithstanding when they had gotten down none of the Thieves durst peep out of the mouths of their
Caves Hedio Ruffinus chap 25. but fear constrained them to hold themselves quiet But a certain Souldier having girt his Sword by his side Herod leadeth his Soldiers against those theeves that held the caves and taken hold of the chain with both his hands whereto the Coffer was fastned slid down as far as the entry of the Cave and being displeased that none came out he shot divers Arrows at those that were within I Herod letteth down his Souldiers from the top of the mountain in Coffers and wounded them and after that with his hook he drew those unto him who resisted and tumbled them down headlong from the steep Rock which done he rushed in upon those that were within the Cave and slew many of them and afterwards returned and rested himself in his Coffer Divers hearing the groans of those that were wounded were surprised with fear and dispair of their life but the nights approach was the cause that the matter was not fully accomplished and many of them getting notice of the Kings free pardon by a Herauld submitted themselves The next day they renewed and continued the same manner of fight and divers went out of their Coffers to fight at the enterances of the Caves throwing in fire which there being much fewel in the Caves did great execution Within these Caves there was a certain old man apprehended K A certain old man killeth his wife and seven of his sons and at last casteth himself headlong from the Rock with his wife and seven Sons who being desired by them that he would suffer them to go and submit themselves to their enemies took up the entrey of the cave and as his Sons advanced to get out he slew them all and after them his Wife and at last when he had cast their dead bodies down the Rocks he threw himself down headlong after them prefering death to slavery Yet before his death he reviled Herod bitterly and upbraided him with his ignoble extraction and although Herod who saw all that which had happned stretched out his hand unto him for pardon yet he would not give ear to him and by this means were all these Caves entred and the theeves taken Now when the King had established Ptolomey General over the Army in that Countrey Herod retireth toward Samaria to fight with Antigomus he retired into Samaria with six hundred horse and three thousand foot with a resolution L to fight Antigonus and to end their quarrel But Ptolomey had but very slender success in his Government for they that before-time had troubled the Countrey of Galilee sallied out upon him and defeated him After which execution they fled into the Marishes and unaccessible places where they robbed and spoiled all the Countrey But Herod returning and setting upon them punished them for he slew some of them and the rest were constrained to flie into strong places where he besieged them and entring their fortresses perforce put them to the sword and destroyed their fortifications and having brought this rebellion to an end he condemned the Cities to pay him the sum of one hundred talents Mean while Pacorus was killed in the War and the Parthians were defeated with him Herod punisheth the Rebels in Galilee which was the cause that Ventidius sent Machaeras to succor M Herod with two legions and 1000 horse by Antonius order corupted by Antigonus mony Ventidius overcometh Pacorus and the â—arthians in baâ—â—el But Machaeras was notwithstanding Herods disswasion yet he went to him alleadging that he did it to look into his actions But Antigonus suspecting his sudden approach entertained him not but caused him to be darted at and driven thence giving him to understand by his entertainment what opinion he had of him who at that time perceived plainly that Herod had given him good counsel Machaeras killeth many Jews and that himself had failed in misbelieving his advice for which cause he returned to the City Emaus and killed all those Jews whom he met withall in the way Herod resolving to depart to Antonius and to accuse Macharas is reconciled by him and leaveth his brother Joseph with an army behind him being much troubled at it whether friends or enemies he was so highly displeased at that which had happned Herod came to Samaria resolving with himself to go to Antonius to complain of these grievances and to tell N him that he had no need of such associates who did him more harm than his enemies whereas of himself he was able to make good his War against Antigonus But Machaeras hasted after him entreating him to stay and to go no further on that journey and prayed him to leave his brother Joseph behind him to go with him against Antigonus By these perswasions and instant intreaties of Machaeras he was somewhat appeased so that he left his brother Joseph behind him with an Army charging him no way to hazard his fortune Herod repaireth to Antonius at the siege of Samaria and in the way killeth many Barbarians or to fall at odds with Machaeras As for himself he hasted toward Antony who at that time besieged Samotsata a City situate near unto Euphrates having with him an Army of his associates both horse and foot When Herod was arrived in Antioch he found divers men assembled there who were desirous to go and seek out Antony O but they durst not advance for fear the Barbarians should set upon them in their journey Herod encouraged them and offered himself to be their guide When they were come two dayes journy off Samosala the Barbarians laid an ambush for them and had barred up the way with Hurdles and had likewise hidden some Horsemen thereabouts until the A Passengers had recover'd the Plain Now when the foremost were past the ambush consisting of about some 500 Horsemen they suddenly charged Herod who was in the Rear when they had broken the first Ranks whom they had met Herod with his Troop that was about him immediately repulsed them and after he had encouraged his followers and whetted them on to the fight he did so much that he made those that fled to face about and fight so that the Barbarians were put to the sword on all sides The King also pursu'd them so long until at last he recover'd that which had been taken by them which was a certain number of Sumpter-horses and Slaves But being charged afresh by others and they in greater number than those who encountred him at first he likewise B rallying his Forces together charged and overcame them and killing divers of them he secured the way to those that follow'd after who all of them acknowledg'd him for their preserver When he drew near unto Samosata Herod was honourably entertained by Antonius and his Host Antonius sent out the best of his Army to meet and honour him As soon as he came to Antonius's presence he entertain'd him kindly
been declared King at Rome and encamping in the places which were fittest for battery he took up his own quarter before the Temple as Pompey had done formerly Having therefore erected three bulwarks in three places he built Towers thereon by means of a great quantity of Wood which he caused to be cut down round about the place and having pâ—t the siege in a forwardness he went to Samaria to marry Mariamna who was Alexander's daughter and Aristobulus's Grand-daughter with whom he had been contracted as we have already L told you M N O CHAP. XXVIII A Herod assisted by Sosius General of a Roman Army taketh Jerusalem by force buyeth the Plunder from the Soldiers in favor of the City Sosius taketh Antigonus Prisoner and carrieth him away to Antonius AFter this Marriage was solemniz'd Hedio Ruffinus cap. 26. Al. 27. Sosius repaireth thither through the Countrey of Phoenicia and having first of all sent his Army through the Continent he himself also resorted thither with many Foot and Horse thither also repaired the King from Samaria Sosius and Herod lead a mighty Army against Jerusalem with a considerable Army to join with the old Bands for he had about 30000 B Men. All these assembled themselves together near unto the Walls of Jerusalem and planted their siege nigh unto the Wall of the City that extendeth towards the Northward The Army consisted of eleven Legions of Foot with 6000 Horse besides the Auxiliaries that came from Syria Two Generals commanded this Army namely Sosius who was sent by Antonius to succor Herod and Herod himself who made War for himself with an intent that having dispossessed Antigonus whom he had proclaimed Enemy to Rome he himself might be King in his place according to the Senates decree Those Jews that were within the Walls that is to say almost all the Nation resisted the Herodians with great courage boasting much of the Temple of the Lord and wishing all good success to the people namely that God would deliver them from all dangers C and spoiling all provision without the City that was either behoveful for the use of man and beast by their secret excursions they made the besiegers destitute of victuals Herod preventeth the dearth Which inconvenience Herod prevented having laid ambushes to out them off As for victuals he made much provision be brought from remote places so that within a very little space they had abundance of all that which was necessary in the Camp He erected also with no less care three bulwarks by the diligent labour of a great number of Workmen for it was Summer-time and neither was the air incommodious or negligence of the Workmen such but that they presently furnish'd and finish'd them Afterwards having raised their Engines upon them they batter'd the Wall with as much violence and diligence as was possible notwithstanding all this they did no wayes daunt D those that were within who for their parts used all the cunning imaginable to defend themselves and by divers sallies set on fire the Enemies Engines and burnt not only those that were half made but those that were wholly perfected and when necessity drave them to close fighting The Jews without fear resist those that besieged them they shew no less valor than the Romans but they were inferior to them in skill and martial discipline And when as the first Wall was beaten down they built up a new and countermined against those Mines that were made by the Enemy so that they fought under-ground hand to hand Thus using despair rather than courage they resisted to the uttermost notwithstanding they were besieged by a great Army and pressed by famine and want of victuals for the year wherein the siege was continued was the seventh in which the earth was unmanured which by us is called E the year of rest But at last 20 chosen Soldiers first of all mounted upon the Wall and after them one of Sosius's Centurions for the first Wall was taken in the fortieth day after the siege and the second on the fiftieth and some galleries were burnt which were near unto the Temple which as Herod said were burnt by Antigonus to bring him into more hatred among the Jews When the outward part of the Temple and the lower part of the City were taken The outward part of the Temple and the lower City taken the Jews fled into the Temple and into the higher Town lest the Romans should hinder them from offering their daily and ordinary sacrifices unto God and they sent Aâ—â—â—dors to their Enemies to require that it might be lawful for them only to bring in certain beasts to offer them for sacrifices VVhich F Herod their King granted them The Jews flâ—e to the upper City and the Temple Jerusalem taken hoping by this means that they would submit themselves and yield up the places But perceiving that his opinion failed him herein and that they obstinately resisted him to continue the sovereignty in Antigonus he gave the assault and took the City by force where all places were presently filled with murthers in that the Romans were displeased because they had continued the siege so long and the Jews that were on Herods side enforced them utterly to destroy all those that were of the contrary party so that slaughters ranged and reigned everywhere both in porches and in the houses whereinto they entred Neither did the religious reverence of the Temple save those Suppliants that resorted thither for safety but without compassion both old and young were put to death neither did their murthering hand spare or refrain from Women nay not so much as from young Infants And although the King requested G them to forbear yet no man gave over but all sorts of persons were murthered by them without respect either of sex or age Antigonus inconsiderate of that estate wherein he H had been or the fortune and disaster that at that present attended him came down from the Tower and humbled himself on his knees before Sosius's feet who having no compassion of the change of that estate wherein he saw him outragiously mocked him calling him Madam Antigona yet he left him not without guard after the manner of a Woman Antigonus submitteth himself to Sosius but fast bound for his further assurance But Herod was busied in devising how he might moderate his associates and strangers after he had the upper hand over his Enemies for the strangers swarmed into the City and not only into the Temple but also into the Sanctuary He therefore exhorted some and threatned others and restrained the rest by force of arms and he was more troubled at that present in being a Conqueror than if he had been conquered for that those things that were not lawful to be I seen were beheld by prophane men He prevented likewise the spoil of the City as much as in him lay beseeching Sosius most
soever were presently punished In this his intemperance he imbrued his hands in the blood of divers of his friends as Costabarus Lysimachus Antipater sirnamed Gadias and Dositheus for this occasion that ensueth Costabarus was an Idumaean and one of the greatest account amongst his countreymen who was descended from the Priests of Cozas whom the Idumaeans esteem for a god before that Hircanus had obliged them to embrace the Jews Religion Herod being made King of the Jews appointed Costabarus to be Governor in Idumaea O and Gaza Costabarus whom Herod had matched with his sister Salome usurpeth in Idumaea giving him Salome his sister to wife after he had put Joseph to death to whom she had been married before as we have declared Costabarus seeing himself in this estate beyond his expectation grew more proud then this good fortune required and in a little time forgot himself so far that he thought himself dishonoured if he should perform that which Herod commanded him and scorned that the Idumaeans should be under the A Jews subjection notwithstanding they had received their manner of government from them He therefore sent messengers unto Cleopatra giving her to understand that Idumaea had alwayes been under her ancestors subjection and for that cause she ought upon just cause to demand and beg that countrey at Antonius hands and that for himself he was ready to become her servant All which he practised not to gratifie Cleopatra in any sort whatsoever but to the intent that if Herods fortunes should be any wayes weakned he might more easily by this means both enlarge and obtain the Kingdom of Idumaea And with these foolish hopes was he transported in regard of his birth and riches which he had heaped together by such dishonest means as he continually practised as he that intended B no small matters But notwithstanding Cleopatra's often and earnest petition to obtain his soveraignty Costabarus preserved by his wives intercession yet could she not obtain it at Antonius hands When Herod had notice of these covert and cunning practices he was ready to kill Costabarus But upon the earnest supplications of his sister and her mother he dismissed and pardoned him yet held him alwayes insuspicion by reason of this practice Not long after it hapned that Salome fell at debate with Costabarus for which cause she sent a Bill of divorce to her husband notwithstanding it were against the laws and ordinary customs of the Jews For according to our ordinances it is only lawful for the husband to do the same and as touching the wife notwithstanding she were separated yet it is not lawful for her to marry again except her husband first give her licence But Salome without respect of the laws of the countrey grounding C her self too much upon her own authority forsook her husband saying that she separated her self from her husband by reason of the great friendship which she bare unto her brother for that she had received some notice that Costabarus conspired against her with Antipater Costabarus Lysimachus Antipater and Dositheus accused before Herod Lysimachus and Dositheus And this accusation she confirmed by Babas children whom he had already kept with him in all security for the space of twelve years All which was true and at that time beyond all mens expectation wonderfully troubled Herod as soon as he heard it Babas sons preserved by Costabarus For as for Babas sons he had heretofore resolved to cut them off for that they had been alwayes disaffected towards him and all his enterprises but all that time he had let them pass because by continuance they were grown out of his remembrance Now the cause of this enmity and hatred which he bare towards them was gathered from this D ground when Antigonus enjoyed the soveraignty and Herod besieged the City of Jerusalem with an army those incommodities and necessities that ordinarily happen unto those that are besieged were the cause that divers acknowledged Herod and fixed their hopes upon him But Babas sons being in authority and besides that attended by a great number of men persevered in their faithful observation of Antigonus and blamed Herod continually encouraging the inhabitants to continue the Kingdom in those to whom it appâ—râ—â—ined by descent and they themselves followed that course which in their opinion was most profitable for the Commonweal But after that the City was surprized by Herod and he grew master of the estate Costabarus who was appointed to keep the City gates and to lie in wait that none of those who were accused to have forsaken the Kings side should escape knowing E that the sons of Babas were greatly esteemed and honoured among the people and foreseeing that their safety might be no small furtherance to himself if at any time there might ensue any alteration he discharged and hid them within his own possessions and notwithstanding that at that time he had protested to Herod by an oath that he knew not what was become of them yet though suspected of perjury he concealed them And afterwards when the King had by Proclamation promised a reward to him that should discover them and sought for them by all means neither then also would he confess the fact For being afraid lest he should be punished for his first denial he concealed them still not so much for their sake as for his own interest Now when the King had notice hereof by his sisters report Babas sons and others are accused before Herod and slain he sent to the place where F they were hidden and made kill them and all those that were guilty of the same crime so that no one of Hircanus kindred was now left alive but all of them being killed Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. who excelled in nobility and dignity he did what he pleased without any contradiction for which cause he by little and little forsook the ceremonies and ordinances of his Countrey Herod introduceth divers forrain customs and corrupted the decrees and institutions of their ancestors which he ought to have kept inviolable by his new and strange inventions In whose time there was a very great change and alteration of the ancient and good manner of living The year of the world 3939. before Christs Nativity 25. for all fell from bad to worse and the politick order whereby the people ought to be governed and kept within compass of their duty went to decay For first of all he ordained certain wrastlings from five years to five years in honour of Caesar and builded a G Theater for that purpose within Jerusalem The Theater and the Wrastling places He erected also a most huge Amphitheater within the Plain which were two Monuments worthy to be seen by reason of the sumptuousness thereof but wholly contrary to the fashions of the Jews For neither the H use nor the presentation of these spectacles hath ever been practised or taught by
do in the design they had in writing For such as in times past published any worthy History endeavoured to write that which they themselves had seen and they were Eye-witnesses of those Affairs they committed to writing they more effectually performed all that they promised because they accounted it an act of dishonesty to report and publish Lyes in stead of History And truly in my opinion that man is worthy commendation who striveth by his studious endeavours to Register not only the Occurrences of times past but also those memorable events that have happened in N his own days And he only and truly is to be accounted industrious not that altereth and pruneth at his pleasure another man's Works but he that of himself compileth an History whereof no man hath before written For my own part being a stranger I have spared no labour and expence to declare the truth of these events in the ears of the Greeks and Romans For as touching their own learned men their mouths are always open where their own interest publick or private is concerned but if they come to a History Who may rightly be called a Historiographer wherein they should both tell truth and with great labour enquire of those things that are past here the travel is too tedious the bit is in their teeth so that they leave the matter to their performance who are uncapable and unapt both in stile and study to register the Actions of Princes and great O Captains whereby it appears that the Grecians make as little account of the truth of History as we esteem and seek it A Now to discover unto you the Original of the Jews what their Estate hath been in times past and after what manner they departed out of Egypt to shew what Countreys they conquered and what Colonies they planted were in my judgment both impertinent and to little purpose considering that divers of mine own Nation have before my time written an exact History of the actions of our Ancestors yea many Greeks also have translated these men's Writings into their own Tongue without much deviating from the truth I will therefore begin my History in that time where these Writers and our own Prophets have ended theirs and set down at large all those Wars that happened in my time As for those things that precede B my particular knowledge I will only touch them briefly and in a word or two First I will relate how Antiochus Antiochus Epiphanes the first Author and Fountain of the Wars of the Jews surnamed Epiphanes took the City of Jerusalem and possessed the same for the space of three years and six months and how he was driven out of that Countrey at last by the Asmoneans After this I will set down the Dissentions that happened amongst Antiochus's Successors for the Kingdom and how by this means they drew Pompey and the Romans into their Affairs The Epitome of the Wars of the Jews How Herod likewise the Son of Antipater being assisted by Sosius put an end to the Rule of the Asmonean Princes And how in Augustus Caesar's time after the death of Herod and during the Government of Quintilius Varus a Sedition was raised among the people And how in the twelfth year of Nero's Reign the War began What C likewise happened in Cestius's time and what Warlike Exploits the Jews performed in their first Attempts and Revolts how they strengthened the Cities and Forts about them and how Nero hearing of the great Overthrow which his Army received under Cestius their General and fearing lest he should lose all made Titus Vespasian General of his Army who being attended by his eldest Son came into Judaea accompanied with as great a number of Romans as he could possibly gather how a great number of his Allies were defeated in Galilee what Cities they took in that Province either by Assault or by Composition Besides all these things I will express what Order and Discipline the Romans observe in their Wars and how they are accustomed to exercise their Soldiers I will describe also the places and nature D of the Countrey of Galilee and Judaea together with the Mountains Lakes and Fountains thereof with all the Properties of the same not forgetting those miseries which the Captive Cities suffered and how they were surprized All which together with all those evils and miseries which during those troubles befell my self I will discourse with all truth and diligence the rather because I publish them to many who are no ways ignorant of them After this The signs and changes after Nero's death I will set down how upon the declining and downfall of the Jews Nero died and how at such time as Vespasian had undertaken the Expedition to Jerusalem he was recalled from it to receive the Imperial Dignity and how when E he returned into Egypt to establish that Province the Jews began to mutiny among themselves how many Tyrants arose among them who hatched much civil discord and debate in their Government Moreover how Titus departing out of Egypt came the second time into Judaea and ranged over the Countrey and how and where he levied and encamped his Armies How and how often the City was vexed by Seditions especially at such time as he himself was present What Onsets he gave Titus besiegeth Jerusalem and how many Mounts he raised in begirting the City with a triple Wall The strength and Provision of the City The manners and Sacrifices of the Jews The Scituation and Plat-form of the Temple and the Altars therein The Rites and Ceremonies used on Festival days The seven Purifications and the Offices of the Priests The Garments also of the High F Priest and the Holy Sanctuary of the Temple All which I will recount without any dissimulation or swerving from the truth of History After this I will relate what cruelty the Tyrants used towards their own Countrey-men The Humanity of the Romans towards the Jews what Humanity the Romans shewed to strangers and how often Titus who desired to save both the City and Temple exhorted the Seditious to mutual Amity Furthermore I will report how the people of the Jews after the many and grievous Calamities which they suffered in the Siege by War Sedition and Hunger were at length reduced into servitude after the taking of that great and potent City Neither will I omit the slaughter of such as deserted their Nation neither the punishment inflicted on those that were Captive The burning of the Temple and the overthrow of the City I will set down how the Temple was burnt against Caesar's Will and G what an infinite Mass of Sacred Treasure was consumed by the Fire and what signs and wonders happened before the same The Captivity also of the Tyrants themselves and the number of those that were led away into Captivity and what miseries they H endured How the Romans continuing their Wars utterly ruined the
Fortresses of their Captives The Romans triumph over the Jews Finally how Titus travelling thorough the whole Countrey established a Form of Government and afterward returning into Italy triumphed with much honour All these things I have comprehended in seven Books endeavouring as much as in me lieth The cause why he wrote this History to avoid all occasion of reproof from those men who know these Affairs and were Actors in the War Which I have done for their sakes who love truth And according to that Order and Form I promised I will begin my History A THE FIRST BOOK Of the B WARS of the JEWS Written by FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The Contents of the Chapters of the First Book 1. The Destruction of Jerusalem by Antiochus King of Syria The overthrow of the Syrians by Matthias Maccabaeus and his Sons C 2. The Succession of Princes from Jonathan to Aristobulus 3. Of Aristobulus Antigonus Judas Essaeus Alexander Theodore and Demetrius 4. Of the War of Alexander King of the Jews with Antiochus and Aretas and of Aristobulus and Hircanus 5. Of the War between Hircanus and the Arabians and of the taking of Jerusalem 6. Of the War of Alexander with Hircanus and also of Aristobulus 7. Of the death of Aristobulus and the War undertaken by Antipater and Mithridates 8. How Antipater was accused before Caesar of the Priesthood of Hircanus and how Herod made War 9. Caesar's death Cassius comes into Syria Herod ingratiates with him Malichus poysons D Antipater who had sav'd his life For which Herod causes him to be slain 10. How Herod was accused and set free 11. Of the War of the Parthians against the Jews and of Herod's Flight and Fortune 12. Of Herod's War for the recovering of Jerusalem after his return from Rome and how he warred against the Thieves 13. Of the death of Joseph How Herod besieged Jerusalem and how Antigonus was slain 14. Of the treacherous practices of Cleopatra against Herod Herod's War against the Arabians and of a very great Earth-quake 15. How Herod was confirmed in the peaceable Possession of the Kingdom of Judaea by Augustus E Caesar 16. Of the Cities and Monuments repaired and builded by Herod and of his felicity and liberality towards strangers 17. Of the disagreement between Herod and his Sons Alexander and Aristobulus 18. Of Antipater's Conspiracy against his Father Herod 19. How Herod should have been poysoned and how the Treason was discovered 20. How Antipater's malicious practices against Herod were discovered and punished 21. Of the Golden Eagle and of Antipater's and Herod's death F CHAP. I. The Destruction of Jerusalem by Antiochus King of Syria The Overthrow of the Syrians by Matthias Maccabaeus and his Sons AT such time as Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes made War against Ptolomey the Sixth King of Egypt The year of the World 3800. before Christ's Nativity 162. for the whole Dominion of Syria those of the chiefest Authority and Nobility among the Jews were divided into two Parties And that of Onias the High Priest being become the G strongest expelled the Sons of Tobias out of the City who fleeing to Antiochus for refuge besought him in all humility that he would lead his Forces into Judaea offering themselves to be his Guides in the Expedition Antiochus who had long desired such an occasion easily condescended to their request H and levying a great Army he entred their Countrey took Jerusalem and slew most part of them who favoured Ptolomey He gave his Soldiers liberty to sack the City spoiled the Temple of the great Riches which were in it and for the space of three years and six months forbad the Sacrifices Ant. l. 12. c. 6. which before time were accustomed to be offered every day to God in that place Antiochus being stirred up by Tubias's Sons invadeth Judaea and surpriseth Jerusalem Whereupon Onias the High Priest fled to Ptolomey of whom having obtained the grant of a piece of Land within the Liberties and Precincts of Heliopolis he built a Town and Temple there resembling the City and Sanctuary of Jerusalem of which we shall speak in due place But Antiochus not satisfied with the unexpected surprize of the City nor with the pillage and slaughter of the Citizens Ant. l. 15. c. 4. was so far transported by his passions and incenssed I with the remembrance of those toyls which he had sustained during this War The High-Priest Onias flieth to Ptolomey that he compelled the Jews to renounce their Religion to forbear the Circumcision of their Children and to immolate Swine upon the Altar The abhorrence which the chiefest and honestest amongst them Ant. l. 12. c. 7. could not refrain to declare against these Abominations Antiochus altereth the Customs of the Jews cost them their lives For Bacchides who was Governour of all the Garisons of Judaea by the appointment of Antiochus being naturally very cruel omitted no occasion to execute his wicked Orders insomuch that he particularly tormented such as were of Noble Birth and Quality Bacchides's cruelty towards the Jews and every day represented to them the fresh face and memory of the desolation of their City But at length a Tyranny so insupportable animated those that suffered it to attempt the means of freeing themselves K from it Ant. l. 1. c. 8. and of executing revenge upon the Authors Matthias or Mathathias Maccabaeus the Son of Asmoneus Matthias confederated with others maketh War against Antiochus one of the Priests who dwelt in a Village called Modin accompanied with his five Sons and his own houshold armed with Swords slew Bacchides and fearing the power and multitude of the enemy's Garrisons presently retired himself into the Mountains Thither resorted divers of the people unto him by which conflux growing more confident and couragious he descended from the Mountains and overcoming the Captains of Antiochus drave them out of the Borders of Judaea By many instances of such happy success he became so renown'd that he was by common consent of the people whom he had delivered from the subjection of strangers made their Ruler And when he died he left his eldest Son who was called L Judas to succeed him in the Government This brave Son of so brave a Father could not doubt of the endeavours which Antiochus would use to revenge the losses he had received and therefore he gathered together an Army of his own Countrey-men and was the first among the Jews that made a League with the Romans Antiochus failed not as he had foreseen to enter into Judaea with a powerful Army and this great Captain repell'd him with a great Overthrow And whilst the remembrance of this Victory was yet fresh in men's minds he assaulted the Garrison of Jerusalem which as yet was entire in which Conflict he forced them to forsake the high Town which is called Holy and betake themselves to the lower part And having recovered the
But his Mother being no way dismayed with the stripes which she endured nor with the death wherewith she was threatned lifted up her hands to her Son beseeching him that he would not in regard of her miseries be moved to spare so impious a person for she should esteem her death G happy if so be Ptolemy might receive just punishment for the villany which he had impiously committed against their house Hircanus seeing the resolute mind of his Mother and hearing her entreaty was moved to assault the Castle but straightway seeing her beaten and torn he relented with compassion and his mind agitated with H different Sentiments was full of confusion and trouble By which means the Siege continued long and the Jubilee year was come which falleth out every seventh year Ptolomey was no sooner delivered from the Siege by this occasion but he put Hircanus's Mother and his Brethren to death Ptolâ—maeus murthereth Hircanus's Mother and Brethren and afterwards fled to Zeno the Tyrant of Philadelphia who was also surnamed Cotylas In the mean while Antiochus to be revenged for the Victory which Simon had got over his Generals entred with an Army into Judaea and besieged Hircanus in Jerusalem who opening the Sepulchre of David who had been one of the richest of all the Kings of Judaea took more than three thousand Talents from thence The year of the world 3839. before Christ's Nativity 123. of which he gave three hundred to Antiochus and so obliged him to depart the Countrey This I Hircanus was the first Prince that entertained Forreign Soldiers But so soon as Antiochus had bent his Power and Forces against the Medes he took that opportunity to revenge himself Antiochus upon the payment of three hundred Talents raiseth his Siege and presently assaulted the Towers of Syria assuring himself he should find them as indeed they were void of Soldiers to defend them He made himself Master of Medaba Samea Sichem and Garizim and subdued the Cuthaeans who inhabit the places adjoyning to the Temple that was built in imitation of that which is at Jerusalem Ant. lib. 13. cap. 15. Moreover he took many Cities of Idumaea and amongst the rest Doteon and Marisa and coming into Samaria which Herod afterwards rebuilt and called Sebaste he besieged it on every side Ariâ—â—obulus and Antigonus besiege Sâ—basâ—â— and left his two Sons Aristobulus and Antigonus to continue the Siege They omitted nothing to the purpose and there came such a Famine K in the City that the Inhabitants were constrained to eat very unaccustomed Meats In this extremity they desired aid of Antiochus surnamed Spondius who speedily came to relieve them but he was overcome by Aristobulus and Antigonus and was pursued by them to Scythopolis whither he retired himself But they returning again to Samaria Sebasâ— overthrown and spoiled straitned the City and at last taking it by force destroyed the same and led away their Inhabitants Captives Whilst thus Fortune favoured them they ceased not to pursue their good success but led their Army beyond Scythopolis and shared between them all the Land of Mount Carmel L CHAP. III. Of Aristobulus Antigonus Judas Essaeus Alexander Theodorus and Demetrius THis Felicity and good hap of Hircanus and his Sons was accompanied with the envy of many of his Countrey-men and their discontent was the cause of an open Rebellion The Seditious overcome in War For divers of the Jews rising up in Arms against them were so much over-ruled by their ambitious passion that they could not contain themselves from the prosecution of an open and bloody War Hircanus after he had happily governed the Countrey for thirty three years space dieth wherein notwithstanding they were put to the worst From that day forward Hircanus passed the remainder of his life in all M tranquillity and happiness and after he had governed the Commonwealth for the space of thirty and three years he departed this life leaving behind him five valiant Sons He was a man of more than ordinary felicity being possessed of three excellent endowments together for he was the Prince of his Countrey High Priest and a Prophet The year of the world 3861. before Christ's Nativity 101. to whom God spake and gave him the knowledge of future accidents He foresaw and foretold that his two eldest Sons should not continue long in the Government whose ends are worth rehearsal being very different from their Father's felicity for the eldest Son Aristobulus after his Father's death changed the Principality into a Kingdom and was the first that put a Crown on his head four hundred twenty one years Ant. lib. 13. cap. 19. and three months after the deliverance of the people from the Captivity of Babylon N As for Antigonus who was his second Brother and whom in appearance he seemed to love most entirely he made him partaker of his Dignity and committed the rest of them to Prison He imprisoned his Mother also for that she had contended with him for the Government of which Hircanus had made her Regent Aristobulus famisheth his Mother And he was so given over to all kind of cruelty that he not only kept her Prisoner in Bonds but also put her to death by Famine Aristobulus loved Antigonus very dearly To which Impiety he added that of killing his own Brother Antigonus whom he had entirely loved and made Partner with him in the Kingdom For by reason of certain scandalous slanders which his envious and malignant Courtiers contrived and invented against him he commanded him to be put to death Upon their first information Aristobulus swayed by Brotherly affection gave them no O credit conceiving those Accusations to proceed from envy rather than any good ground But when Antigonus returned from the War at that Festival time wherein A according to the custom of our Countrey we celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles it happened that Aristobulus fell sick Antigonus therefore about the end of those Festival days attended with a great Equipage and Train of armed men ascended up into the Temple to offer Sacrifice and to pray God for the health of the King his Brother Hereupon certain cursed and wicked detractors repaired to the King and told him that this great Guard of Soldiers which accompanied Antigonus Antigonus in honour of his Brother ascended up into the Temple and his magnificent Pomp shew'd that he was not contented with the honour he had done him in associating him in the Royalty but was minded to possess it wholly to himself in which resolution they said he was come accompanied with so many Soldiers Antigonus falsly accused to his Brother that it could not be doubted but that it was to murther him Aristobulus though unwillingly yet at B last being won to believe them desirous to hide his suspicion commanded his Guard to hide themselves in a certain place under ground Aristobulus commandeth his Guard
business for which cause labouring under his disease Ant. lib. 13. cap. 22. he applied himself to War and toiling above his strength amidst those tumults he yielded up the Ghost in the thirty seventh year of his Reign leaving the Kingdom to Alexandra his Wife Alexandra Alexander's Wife through the opinion of Vertue obtaineth the Kingdom fully accounting that the Jews would in all things obey her because that she always misliking and seeking to hinder his cruelty and iniquity had won the hearts of the people Neither was he deceived for she being admired for her piety amongst them they easily submitted to her the rather F for that she was well acquainted with the Customs of her Countrey and even from her Childhood detested them who violated our holy Laws Hircanus first made High Priest and afterwards King She had by Alexander two Sons the eldest was called Hircanus whom by reason of his years she made High Priest and because of his dull nature she thought that though he were in Princely Authority yet he would molest no man As for the youngest Son Aristobulus because he was of a hot spirit she was willing that he should lead a private life Now there was a certain Sect among the Jews The Pharisees getting in favour with the Queen are made her chief Governours and enjoy all honours which were called Pharisees who joyned themselves with the Queen These people were thought to be of the godliest sort and to be more skilful than others in interpreting the Scriptures and Alexandra favoured them the more because she was much given to Religion These having by G little and little insinuated themselves into her favour domineer'd at their pleasure displacing disposing imprisoning and restoring to liberty whom they pleased for no other purpose but that they might enjoy the Profits and Commodities of the Kingdom leaving to Alexandra nothing but the Expences and care of the Government H This Queen was always desirous of high attempts and daily studied to encrease her wealth She levied two Armies and hired many strangers whereby she not only strengthened her own Countrey but also made her self feared by other Nations Alexandra willingly obeyeth the Pharisees She ruled others but her self was ruled by the Pharisees who at last killed Diogenes a gallant man and highly in favour with King Alexander affirming that through his counsel the King commanded those eight hundred before-mentioned to be crucified The Pharisees by their envy and Accusations are the death of many good men And further they perswaded the Queen Alexandra that she should put to death all others through whose counsel Alexander her Husband had been incited against those eight hundred The Queen being blinded with Superstition thought it unlawful to deny any thing which they requested so that they put to death whom they I pleased till such time as the chiefest of those who were in this danger in humble wise came to Aristobulus Aristobulus expostulateth with his Mother who perswaded his Mother to spare some and to banish others who she thought had deserved punishment which Exiles dispersed themselves through the whole Countrey Now Alexandra sent an Army to Damascus and because Ptolomey daily vexed the City she took it without doing any thing worthy of memory She also solicited Tigranes King of Armenia with Gifts and Promises who with an Army had besieged Ptolemais wherein Cleopatra was but he for fear of troubles in his own Countrey in that Lucullus had entred into Armenia withdrew himself from thence Shortly after Alexandra falling sick Aristobulus proclaimeth himself King her youngest Son Aristobulus with his Servants K which were many in number all trusty and in the heat of their youth got all the Castles Alexandra imprisoneth Aristobulus's Wife and Children 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 near the North part of the Temple which in old time was called Baris as we said before afterwards Antonia from Antonius The year of the World 3863. before Christ's Nativity â—â— as in like manner Sebaste and Agrippias other Cities were named of Augustus and Agrippa But Alexandra died before she could revenge Hircanus of the wrongs which Aristobulus had done him This Queen reigned nine years and left Hircanus in possession of all whom during her life time she had advanced to the Kingdom But Aristobulus being both stronger in power Alexandra dieth and Hircanus succeedeth her in the Kingdom and greater in authority encountred with his L Brother about Jericho where many of Hircanus's Soldiers forsaking their King fled to Aristobulus so that he and the remnant that followed him were forced to fly into the Castle called Antonia where he found Hostages to redeem them for as we have already said Aristobulus his Wife and Children were imprisoned in that place Ant. l. 14 c. 1. And lest any worse mis-hap should betide him The Brethren contending for the Kingdom are accorded upon certain conditions he concluded a Peace upon condition that Aristobulus should be King and that he as Brother to the King should enjoy some other Dignities Upon these conditions they were made friends in the Temple where in the presence of all the people they friendly embraced each other which when they had done Ant. lib. 14. cap. 2 3 4. they changed houses and Aristobulus went to the King's Palace and Hircanus to Aristobulus's house M CHAP. V. Of the War between Hircanus and the Arabians Antipater perswadeth Hircanus to fly to Aretas King of Arabia and to crave his assistance to recover his Kingdom and of the taking of Jerusalem NOw a sudden fear invaded all the enemies of Aristobulus when they saw him contrary to all expectation made King and especially Antipater above all others whom Aristobulus had long hated This Antipater was an Idumaean born and for Nobility and Riches the chief and best reputed of his Nation This man perswaded N Hircanus to fly to Aretas King of Arabia and crave his help to set him in his Kingdom He exhorted Aretas likewise to receive Hircanus and to help him to recover his Kingdom Antipater with Hircanus fly from Jerusalem by night to Aretas King of Arabia speaking much against the manners of Aristobulus and praising Hircanus adding that he being King of so famous a Nation ought to assist those who were unjustly oppressed and that Hircanus had manifest injury offered him being forced to forsake his Kingdom which by the right of Succession was due unto him After he had thus made his way he took in the night time Hircanus and fled with him out of the City and making all haste possible they arrived safe at a Town called Petra a Town where the King 's of Arabia are accustomed to keep their Court there he delivered Hircanus into the King's
Judaea and hoped quickly to take Jerusalem because the Wall which was destroyed by Pompey had not been built up again But Gabinius a great Captain who was sent into Syria to succeed Scaurus march'd with an Army against him Whereupon The year of the World 3904. before Christ's Nativity 58. fearing the worst he assembled all the Forces he could to make resistance D so that he had ten thousand Foot and a thousand and five hundred Horse He fortified also the commodious places of the Countrey to wit Alâ—â—candrium Hircania and Machaeron which are near the Mountains of Arabia Gabinius sent Marcus Antonius before him with part of the Army Alexander gathereth ten thousand Foot and fifteen hundred Horse and followed after with the rest and certain chosen men out of Antipater's Company and other Companies of the Jews whereof Malichus and Pitholaus were made chief joyned themselves with Marcus Antonius and presently after them followed Gabinius with all his Company to meet Alexander Alexander perceiving himself unable to encounter all those united Forces Antipater with his Forces goeth out to meet Alexander fled but drawing near Jerusalem he was constrained to hazard the fight where losing to the E number of six thousand whereof three thousand were taken alive and other three thousand slain he escaped with the rest Alexander fighteth with his Enemies and loseth six thousand men Gabiâ—ius pursued him and as soon as he came to the Castle called Alexandrium understanding that many Jews had forsaken their Colours he by promising them Pardon sought to unite them to his Party again but when he perceived that they hammered on no abject resolution he slew the most of them Marcus Antonius a Captain and for the rest he drove them into the Castle In this Battel Marcus Antonius did many things worthy of renown and although he had always shewed himself valiant yet there especially his courage appeared Gabinius leaving some to besiege the Castle went to the Cities of the Province and strengthned those that were not yet assaulted and re-edified those that were destroyed and by his Commandment F Scythopolis What Cities the Jews received to inhabit Samaria Anthedon Apollonia Jamnia Raphia Marissa Dora Gadara and Azotus and many more began to be inhabited so that their Inhabitants joyfully returned and dwelt therein Which when he had done he returned to Alexandrium Ant. lib. 14. cap. 11. and began a more close Siege whereat Alexander being terrified and made desperate Alexander's Mother striveth to pacifie Gabinius with rewards sent Ambassadours to him beseeching him to pardon him promising to render unto him the Castles of Machaeron and Hircania which were in his power besides Alexandrium All which Gabinius by counsel of Alexander's Mother destroyed lest they might be occasion of new Wars For the apprehension which this Princess had for her Husband The change of the Government of the Jews and for her other Children Prisoners at Rome made her omit nothing to endeavour to gain the affection of Gabinius After this Gabinius carried G Hircanus to Jerusalem and committing the Temple to his charge he committed to others of the Nobility the care of the Commonwealth Ant. lib. 14. cap. 1â— and divided the whole Nation of the Jews into five parts and Governments whereof one was established at Jerusalem another at Doris the third at Amathon the fourth at Jericho and the fifth at Sephoris H a City of Galilee And the Jews being delivered from the Government of one man only willingly suffered themselves to be ruled by an Aristocratical Government But shortly after Aristobulus escaping from Rome raised new troubles and gathering a great Army Aristobulus escaping from Rome raiseth new troubles partly of those that desired a change and partly of such as loved him before took Alexandrium and began to compass it again with a Wall But hearing that Gabinius had sent Sisenna Antonius and Servilius against him with an Army he went to Machaeron Aristobulus fighteth with the Romans and dismissing those that were not fit for War he took with him only eight thousand armed men amongst whom was Pitholaus Governour of them that were revolted who with one thousand men fled out of Jerusalem But the Romans pursued them and joyning Battel with them Aristobulus with his men fought I valiantly till being by force overcome the Romans slew five thousand of them and almost two thousand men fled into a Mountain and the other thousand breaking the Ranks of the Romans with Aristobulus retreated to Machaeron where the King hiding himself the first night amongst the Ruines hoped that having respit he might gather another Army The Romans obtain the Victory and carry away Aristobulus and his Son to Rome and fortifie the Castle But having for two days sustained the Forces of the Romans with extraordinary courage at last he was taken and with his Son Antigonus who had been imprisoned with him at Rome he was carried to Gabinius and from thence to Rome where the Senate put him in Prison but his Sons they sent into Judaea because Gabinius writ that he had so promised Aristobulus's Wife upon condition the Castles might be yielded K Whilst Gabinius prepared to war against the Parthians Ptolomey hindred him being returned from Euphrates into Egypt Antipater and Hircanus assisted him with all things belonging to the War as Money Weapons Corn and Men and Antipater perswaded the Jews who kept the ways that lead to Pelusium to suffer Gabinius to pass Now Alexander Aristobulus's Son once more provoketh the Jews to Rebellion in the other part of Syria at the departure of Gabinius there began a Commotion and Alexander Aristobulus's Son once more incited the Jews to Rebellion and having gathered a mighty power purposed to destroy all the Romans that were in that Countrey Which Gabinius fearing who was returned out of Egypt at the beginning of these tumults he sent Antipater before who perswaded some of the Rebels to be quiet yet thirty thousand remained with Alexander For which cause he was L very forward to fight The Jews overcome by the Romans and went out to Battel near Itabyrium they fought the Romans prevailed and ten thousand were slain and the rest were put to flight and Gabinius returned to Jerusalem by the counsel of Antipater Gabinius overcometh the Nabathaeans in Battel where having established all things he marched thence and overcame the Nabathaeans in Battel he likewise permitted Mithridates and Orsanes two Parthian Noblemen who were fled to him from the Parthians Ant. lib. 14. cap. 13. secretly to depart saying that they had escaped from the Soldiers In the mean time Crassus who was appointed to be his Successor had Syria delivered him Marcus Crassus taketh away the rest of the Gold of the Temple and towards the maintenance of the Parthian Wars he took all the Gold that was in the Temple of Jerusalem besides the two
account that terrour wherein he had put his enemies C and his own indignation a sufficient revenge and that he would spare the King by whose favour he came to be so potent adding moreover that he ought not to take it ill that he was called to answer his accusations since he was acquitted of them and consequently ought to shew himself grateful to the King who had saved his life Moreover that Prudence obliged him to consider the fortune of war together with the cause thereof that the justice of Hircanus side might do more for him than a whole Army and that he ought not to hope for victory being to fight against his own King who had always been gracious unto him and never had thought of doing him hurt but only being as it were urged thereunto by some of his Council who through meer envy and to satisfie their own passions had framed a shadow of an D accusation against him Herod was satisfied herewith and suppos'd it to be sufficient in order to his great designs to have shewed his forces and his power unto his Nation At this time began Civil war among the Romans near Apamia Bassus murthereth Sextus Caesar by treason in which Caecilius Bassus for the love he bare to Sextus Pompey slew Sextus Caesar at unawares and made himself Governour of his Army and other Captains of Caesar's to revenge his death made after Bassus with all their forces unto whom Antipater by his two Sons sent aid both for the sake of Caesar that was slain and of him that was yet alive for he was an entire friend and well-willer unto them both and these wars continuing long Marcus came out of Italy to succeed Sextus E CHAP. IX Caesar's death Cassius comes into Syria Herod ingratiates with him Malichus poysons Antipater who had sav'd his life For which Herod causes him to be slain AT this time arose great and bloody Civil Wars amongst the Romans after Caesar was slain by the treason of Cassius and Brutus Marcus Sextus Successor having ruled the Empire F three years and seven months Ant. l. 14. c. 2. By reason of which murther their troubles daily increased Julius Caesar slain by Brutus and Cassius and the Nobility being at variance amongst themselves every one followed that couse that they thought most expedient for themselves Whereupon Cassius presently marched into Syria Cassius levieth money in the cities to take possession of the Government of the Army which was about Apamia where he made Marcus and Bassus friends took the conduct of the Legions which they commanded and rais'd the siege from Apamia and leading the Army in his own person Herod Cassius friend he forced every City to be tributary and exacted without measure He commanded the Jews to contribute seven hundred Talents Cassius severe in his exactions Antipater fearing his displeasure appointed his Sons and others of his friends presently to gather the money and especially amongst the G rest he gave this charge to one Malichus a friend of his But Herod first of all got Cassius his favour having brought him an hunndred Talents which he had collected out of Galilee which was his part or Province As for the rest he accused them of negligence and was angry at the other Cities So that having pillaged Gophna and H Ammauntes The year of the world 3922. before Christ's Nativity 40. and other two small Cities he march'd onwards with intent to kill Malichus for that he had been so careless and negligent in gathering the tribute-money But Antipater presently disbursing unto Cassius an hundred Talents saved both him and all the rest of the Cities Malichus forgetful of Antipater's kindness Yet Malichus after Cassius was departed did no more remember how beneficial Antipater had been unto him but oftentimes treacherously laid wait to murther him because he hindered and withstood his villanous pretensions notwithstanding that himself had often confessed that Antipater had saved his life Antipater Antipater gathereth an Army against Malichus fearing both his power and subtilty passed over the River Jordan to gather an Army that he might prevent those treacheries But Malichus being discovered saw nothing left for him to do but to dissemble and accordingly by many I oaths and excuses he won Phasaelus chief of the Garrison in Jerusalem and Herod who was master of the Army that they should be a means to reconcile him unto Antipater Whereupon Antipater intreating Marcus who was General of the Army in Syria and had determined to kill him he was saved The reason that Marus would have put him to death was because Malichus was of a turbulent and factious spirit The young Caesar Octavius Augustus succeedeth after Caesar surnamed afterwards Augustus and Antonius warring against Cassius and Brutus Brutus and Cassius gathered an Army in Syria and in consideration of the great capacity of Herod they made him Procurator of all Syria giving him a band of horse and foot Cassius promiseth Herod after the War to make him King of Judaea Moreover Cassius promised him that if the war had an K happy end he would make him King of Judea But it so came to pass that the merit of Herod which raisd this hope so high was the cause of Antipater his Fathers death For Malichus being hereby put in fear hired one of the Kings officers for a certain sum of money to poyson Antipater by which means he died being thus unjustly rewarded for his good will toward wretched Malichus Antipater poysoned by Malichus He was a worthy man and fit to govern and recovered the Kingdom being lost for Hircanus Malichus perceiving the people incensed against him because they suspected that he had poysoned Antipater pacified and moderated their displeasure by denying the fact yet for his better security he gathered about him a Guard of armed men for he thought that Herod would not let the matter slip so Herod intendeth to revenge his Father's death but would presently come with an Army to L revenge his fathers death But by the counsel of his brother Phasaelus who sent him word not openly to encounter Malichus lest a sedition might arise among the people he patiently permitted it so to be and suffered Malichus to justifie himself and celebrated a solemn funeral for his Father which done he went to Samaria and appeased the sedition wherewith that City was disquieted After this he returned to Jerusalem intending to celebrate the Festival and having sent certain of his armed men before him he appointed the rest to accompany him But Malichus who feared this approach of his sollicited Hircanus to give order that no strangers should intermingle themselves among the people Malichus joyneth with Hircanus to disturb their devotion But Herod contemning this Prohibition entered the City by night whereupon Malichus once more came to him M and wept for Antipater Herod although he could very hardly
out certain armed men who killed many of them and wounded the rest Hircanus after this disaster caused the dead to be buried and the wounded to be cured notwithstanding all this they that escaped would not contain themselves in Peace but so troubled the H City that Antonius in displeasure slew those that he had in hold CHAP. XI Of the War of the Parthians against the Jews Of the flight of Herod and his being made King of Judaea TWo years after this Ant. lib. 14. cap. 21. and when Barzapharnes a great Noble man of the Parthians governed Syria with Pacorus the King's Son Lysanias perswadeth Barzapharnes to depose Hircanus and enstate Antigonus Lysanias who had succeeded his Father I Ptolomaeus Son of Minaeus promised them a thousand Talents and five hundred Women to put Antigonus in possession of the Kingdom of Judaea and depose Hircanus Being induced by these promises Pacorus march'd along the Sea-coast and Barzapharnes past through the midst of the Countrey But amongst the rest of the places bordering on the Sea the Tyrians would not receive Pacorus notwithstanding the Citizens of Ptolemais and Sidon had given him entertainment wherefore he gave part of his Horse unto one who was the King's Butler called Pacorus as himself was commanding him to pass into Judaea and learn what their enemies meant to do and to help Antigonus where need required As they wasted the Countrey about Carmel many Jews came of their own accord and joyned with Antigonus shewing themselves K very prompt to fight for which cause he sent them before to take a place called Drymos where having fought with his enemies and put them to flight he pursued them with all speed as far as Jerusalem And his number being augmented he came to the King's Palace A sore fight in the Market-place betwixt Antigonus and Hircanus But Hircanus and Phasaelus met them with a strong Company and fought with them in the Market-place where the enemies were forced to fly and part of them were by Herod shut up in the Temple and he appointed to keep them sixty men which he placed in the houses next adjoyning But the people bearing a grudge to the two Brethren Daily slaughters in Jerusalem set the houses on fire Whereat Herod being angry for that his men were consumed with fire set upon the people and killed a great many of them and every hour one laid wait for another so that every day some were murthered L Now the Feast of Pentecost drawing nigh all places about the Temple and the whole City was filled with people of the Countrey whereof the most part was armed and Phasaelus kept the Walls and Herod with a small Company kept the King's Palace and assaulting their enemies upon the suddain as they were in the Suburbs they killed a great many of them and put all the rest to flight part of them he couped up in the City others he shut in the Temple and the rest between that and the uttermost Rampire Whereupon Antigonus requested that Pacorus might come and treat a Peace betwixt them Phasaelus entertaineth the Parthian and with him five hundred Horse Pacorus's Treason and subtilty Phasaelus moved by these prayers received the Parthian into the City and entertained him into his house accompanied with five hundred Horse who came under a pretence to make Peace but in effect he resorted M thither to help Antigonus for craftily conspiring against Phasaelus he perswaded him to repair to Barzapharnes as an Ambassadour to treat a Peace notwithstanding that Herod altogether disswaded him willing him to kill the Traitor and not to trust his subtilty adding that the Parthians were naturally unfaithful Pacorus departing out of the City The year of the World 3924. before Christ's Nativity 38. took Hircanus with him that he might be the less suspected and leaving some Horse with Herod named * Or free Eleutheri he followed Phasaelus with the rest When they came near Galilee they found the Inhabitants at variance and up in Arms and met with Barzapharnes who craftily with pretence of courtesie and friendship hid his Treachery who after he had bestowed Presents upon them and that they were retired laid an Ambush for them whereof they had intelligence N as they came to a place near the Sea-coast named Edippon Here they were informed of the thousand Talents that were promised Herod in Jerusalem and Phasaelus in the Camp are in danger of their lives and how that Antigonus had given the Parthians more than five hundred women of those that were amongst them and that oftentimes they had been laid wait for and had been lately taken but that delay was made till such time as Herod was surprized in Jerusalem lest he hearing what was become of them might provide for himself Now they perceived that these were not only words for they beheld some Guards not far off Yet would not Phasaelus forsake Hircanus notwithstanding that Oselius to whom Saramalla the richest among the Syrians had declared all the Treason exhorted him to fly but he chose rather to to go to Barzapharnes and to upbraid him to his face that he had treacherously laid O wait for him and for money had suffered himself to be corrupted whereas he himself would have given more for his life and liberty than Antigonus had done for the Kingdom A At these words the Parthian with Oaths and Protestations craftily freed himself from suspition and repaired to Pacorus But presently the Parthians who stayed behind and had charge so to do laid hands on Phasaelus and Hircanus who openly exclaimed against their falshood and perjury In the mean time Pacorus was sent out to surprize Herod and by some stratagem to â—oul him out of the City Herod is laid for to be betrayed He wrought by all the means he could according as he was instructed but Herod who was always wont to mistrust the perfideous practices of the Parthian and believed that the Letters which Phasaelus had writ to him to discover the Treason were fallen into the enemies hands would not go forth though Pacorus incited him to ride out and meet them that brought the Letters for he had already learnt B the taking of Phasaelus and Mariamne a very wise woman Hircanus's Daughter with many entreaties perswaded Herod not to go forth but to beware how he trusted himself to the mercy of that Barbarous people whose ill designs he could not be ignorant of Herod in the night time flyeth into Idumaea Whilst Pacorus was consulting with his Complices how he might privily effect his Treasons seeing it was not possible openly to circumvent a man of so great Wisdom Herod in the night time whilst his enemies neither knew nor suspected his intent took his nearest kindred and fled into Idumaea which being once known the Parthians followed him For which cause he made his Mother his Brethren and Mariamne whom he had espoused and
her Mother and youngest Brother to keep on their journey Herod more hotly pursued by the Jews than the Parthians and he with his Servants warily assaulted the Parthians and having in divers assaults C killed a great number of them he hasted towards the Castle of Massada and in his retreat sustained more harm by the Jews than by the Parthians who as they had been always troublesome so now within three score furlongs from the Town they set upon him Herod's Victory The Battel was long but Herod obtained the Victory killed a great many of them and in remembrance of the action built on that place a most stately Palace Herodion and a strong Castle which from his own name he called Herodion In this retreat many joyned with him But when he came to Thersa a Town of Idumaea his Brother Joseph met him and perswaded him to lessen the number of his followers because Massada could not receive such a multitude for the number amounted to above nine thousand Massada Herod according to his counsel dismissed those that were unfit for D his turn and sent them into Idumaea giving them necessaries for their journey As for those that were chosen men and fit for his purpose he retained them with him and so he was received into the Castle where leaving eight hundred Soldiers to defend the women Petra a City of Arabia and Provision sufficient for those that were within he himself went to Petra a City of Arabia In the mean time the Parthians at Jerusalem began to sack the houses of them that were fled The year of the World 3925. before Christ's Nativity 37. and the King's Palace they only abstained from Hircanus's money which amounted to more than three hundred Talents As for other men's Goods they found not so much as they expected for Herod long before suspecting the infidelity of the Parthians had sent all his Riches and Jewels into Idumaea as his followers also had E done When the Parthians had taken the spoil they were so impious that they left no place of the whole Countrey free from Pillage They destroyed the City of Marsa and bound Phasaelus and Hircanus and delivered them in Chains to Antigonus who presently cut off Hircanus's ears Antigonus cutteth off Hircanus's ears to the end that if by some alteration he chanced hereafter to get loose he might be no more High Priest for by our Law none may offer Sacrifice that wants any member of his body But Phasaelus his fortitude prevented the cruelty of Antigonus for having neither Weapon nor his hands at liberty he beat out his own brains against a stone and died demonstrating himself by that act to be the true Brother of Herod and not a Poltron like Hircanus Yet some report that Antigonus sent a Chirurgeon under pretence to cure the wound who filled the same with venomous F Medicines Phasaelus's words before he died and so killed him It is reported likewise that understanding before his death by means of a certain woman that Herod was escaped he spake these words Now I shall die without regret since I leave behind me one that will take vengeance of my enemies The Parthians established Antigonus King and so he died Although the Parthians had not yet received the five hundred women promised them which was the chief thing they looked for yet they established Antigonus in Jerusalem and led Hircanus Prisoner into Parthia But Herod with all speed hasted into Arabia as if his Brother had been yet alive to the intent to borrow money of the King of Arabia with which alone he hoped that the cruelty of those barbarous Parthians might be mitigated towards Phasaelus For his opinion was that although the Arabian had now forgot his Father's Friendship and G were hard-hearted yet at least he would lend him money seeing it was to redeem his Brother whose Son he meant to leave as a Pledge for it For Herod took with him a Son of his Brother 's into Arabia that was seven years old and purposed to give 300 Talents for his Ransom and had made the Tyrians intercessors for him to the Parthians H But Fortune prevented his endeavours so that his love and care for his Brother prevailed nothing He found also that the Arabians renounc'd the League of Amity for Malichus their King sent to him as he was yet in the way charging him with all speed to depart out of his Dominions pretending that the Parthians had sent Ambassadours to him to request him to drive him out of his Countrey but indeed the cause was that his ingratitude suffered him not to pay that which Antipater had deserved or requite his Sons now comfortless for those good turns that he had received at their Father's hands And those who counselled him to this were such as offered to forswear those Summs which Antipater had put them in trust with who were the chiefest men about him Herod perceiveth the Arabians to be his enemies Herod perceiving the Arabians to be his foes for that which I he thought would procure him friendship answered the Messenger according as his resentment moved him and took his journey towards Egypt and the first night he lodged in a Countrey Temple to the intent that those of his company that were behind him might overtake him The next day coming to Rhinoslura his Brother's death was told him after he had paid what he could not refuse to the first sentiments of so violent a sorrow he went forward In the mean time the King of Arabia though too late repented himself of that which he had done to Herod and sent Messengers after him to desire him to return but they could not overtake him he had marched so fast When Herod was come to Pelusium the Mariners of the City would not receive him into their Vessels for which K cause he in person went to the Governours who reverencing the Fame and Dignity of the man conducted him to Alexandria whither he no sooner came but Cleopatra received him very honourably intending to make him General of her Army which she was preparing at that time Herod in great dangers repaireth to Rome But he neither regarding the offers of the Queen nor yet discouraged by the hard Winter Season nor the dangers of the Seas took his journey towards Rome and being in great danger of Shipwrack near Pamphilia both he and the rest of the Passengers were forced to cast away the most part of their lading with much ado he arrived safe at Rhodes which had been much ruined in the War against Cassius there he was entertained by two of his friends Ptolomey and Sapinas and although his money grew scant yet there he built a great Galley with three Ranks of L Oars and in it being accompanied with his friends he sailed to Brundusium and from thence went straight to Rome Herod repairing to Rome hath conference with Antonius
Where first of all in regard of the familiarity between his Father and him he went to Antonius declaring unto him both his own calamity and the miserable desolation of the whole Countrey and how leaving his dearest friends besieged in a Castle himself through the stormy Winter Seas was come to him to implore his assistance Antonius compassionating his calamity and remembring his familiarity with Antipater and esteeming the merit of Herod which stood before him determined to make him King of the Jews whom before he himself had made Tetrarch For he loved not Herod so well but he hated Antigonus as much holding him both a seditious person Ant. lib. 14. cap. 13. and an enemy to the Romans Now to the accomplishment M of this Herod findeth both Caesar and Antonius favourable unto him he found Caesar far more ready than himself when he called to mind the service that Antipater did in Egypt under his Father and his entertainment and friendship in all things And besides all these he was much satisfied with Herod's courage and ability Wherefore he caused the Senate to be assembled wherein Messala and himself Herod praised before the Senate in the presence of Herod recounted his Father's deserts and fidelity towards the Romans declaring Antigonus to be an enemy not only because he had formerly revolted but for that now lately in despight of the Romans he had by the assistance of the Parthians Herod made King by the Roman Senate usurped the Kingdom With which considerations the Senate being moved and Antonius affirming it to be expedient for the Roman Wars a-against the Parthians that Herod should be created King the whole Senate consented N and when it was dismissed Antonius and Caesar came forth with Herod between them and the Consuls marched before him accompanied with other Magistrates to offer Sacrifice and to Register the Decree of the Senate in the Capitol After which Antonius feasted Herod the first day of his Reign A CHAP. XII Of Herod's War for the recovering of Jerusalem after his return from Rome and how he warred against the Thieves AT this time Antigonus besieged those that were left in the Castle of Massada Ant. lib. 14. cap. 23. who had great store of Victuals Antigonus getteth Massada and wanted nothing but Water Joseph Herod's Brother who defended it purposed to go to the Arabians with two hundred of his dearest friends for that he had intelligence that Malichus repented that he had given B Herod no better entertainment And accordingly he had forsaken the Castle had not great store of rain fallen that very night wherein he intended to flee but the Wells and Cisterns being now filled with Water The Wars between Antigonus's Soldiers and Joseph Herod's Brother there was no cause to flee so that issuing out of the Castle he assaulted Antigonus's Soldiers and killed very many of them sometimes in open fight and sometimes by pollicy Yet he fought not always with fortunate success but returned sometimes with loss In the mean time Ventidius who was General of the Roman Army which was sent to expel the Parthians out of Syria after he had repulsed them Ventidius the Roman General taketh money from Antigonus came into Judaea under pretence to succour Joseph and the rest that were besieged out in effect to get money from Antigonus When therefore he drew near Jerusalem and had received the money he looked for he departed with C the greatest part of his Army Ant. lib. 14. cap. 24. leaving Silo behind him with a few to colour his pretence And Antigonus hoping for a second Supply from the Parthians corrupted Silo not to molest him for the present Herod against Antigonus By this time Herod having sailed from Italy to Ptolemais and gathered a great Army of strangers and his own Countreymen together came into Galilee against Antigonus being assisted with the Forces of Ventidius and Silo whom Gellius who was sent from Antonius perswaded to establish Herod in his Kingdom Herod intendeth after he hath taken Massada and Joppa to besiege Jerusalem But Ventidius was busie in appeasing the Broils that the Parthians had made in the Cities and Silo was corrupted by Antigonus Yet did not Herod want aid for every day the further he marched into the Countrey the more his Army encreased all Galilee very little excepted yielding unto him Whereupon he D purposed first of all to go to Massada to deliver his friends that were there besieged but Joppa hindred his purpose which being an enemy Town he thought best to take it before he went any further lest whilst he was going to Jerusalem his enemies should have a place behind him to flee to Now Silo joyned Armies with Herod rejoycing that he had found occasion to retire but he was pursued by the Jews of Antigonus's Party who Herod with a loose Wing of his Army and a small Company of men encountred and presently put to flight and saved Silo who had much ado to make resistance against them This done and Joppa taken he hasted to Massada and the people of the Countrey some for his Father's sake others for his own and many for both joyned themselves to him Many also came to him for hope because he was E now King so that now he had a very puissant Army But Antigonus hindred his journey by planting certain Ambushes in places convenient where Herod was to pass though by all this they little harmed him Herod having raised the Siege of Massada Herod begirteth Jerusalem with a Siege and proclaimeth the cause of his coming and rescued his friends from thence went to Jerusalem where both Silo's Soldiers and many of the City came and joyned with him Being now terrified with the greatness of his Forces there pitching their Tents at the west side of the Town they that guarded that part assaulted them with Darts and Arrows and others issuing by Troops forth of the City assaulted the Front of the Army Whereupon Herod caused one to go about the Walls of the City and to proclaim how that he was come for the good of the whole City and that he would F not take revenge of any though his open enemy but would pardon even them that had been most seditious But when Antigonus his followers with loud exclamations hindred the Crier's voice from being heard lest any man should alter his mind Herod presently commanded his men to beat the enemies off from the Wall upon which order they shot such a flight of Arrows and Darts from the top of the Towers that they forced them to retire At this time Silo was detected to have been corrupted with money Silo's subtilty being corrupted by the Jews for he solicited many Soldiers to cry out that they wanted Provisions and to ask money and Victuals and to crave to be dismissed and sent into some fit place of Quarter during the Winter because Antigonus had laid
defeat Machaera Herod on the other side went about the enemies Countrey and took five Towns and destroyed two thousand of the Inhabitants and firing the houses returned to his Army near a Village called Cana. Every day there came flocking to him a very great number of Jews both from Jericho and other parts of the Countrey some out of hatred to Antigonus and others out of love of change and an esteem of Herod Whilst thus he hasted to fight Pappus with his men neither fearing the multitude nor strength of their enemies came fiercely upon them and offered Battel Which being begun those that were not engaged against Herod resisted a while but Herod remembring his Brother's death ventured more than the rest to the end to be revenged upon them that were the Authors thereof M and so he easily overcame the enemies and still assaulting the fresh men put them all to flight There was a mighty slaughter for many being forced to flee into the Village from whence they came he pursued them and slew an infinite number though all the houses and house-tops were full of armed men to defend it After he had slain those that were abroad he overthrew the houses and so forced them that were within to come forth Others he killed in Companies with the ruines of the houses wherein they were and if any one chanced to escape the Soldiers without killed them So that the heaps of dead bodies were so great The number of the Carcases hinder the Soldiers passage that they who had the Victory could not pass thorough the streets for them Those of the Countrey were so dismayed with this overthrow that the whole multitude of them fled away and Herod by the benefit of N his good fortune had even then come to Jerusalem had not a great storm hindred him which was the only cause that at that time he got not a full Conquest and Antigonus was not utterly overthrown who through fear and desperation was preparing to leave the City But Herod towards night having given his friends leave to depart to refresh themselves being himself heated with his Armour after the manner of Soldiers entred into a Bath accompanied only with one Page And as he was there three of his enemies that had escaped out of the Battel and came to the Bath to hide themselves seeing the King there were so terrified with the King's Presence although at that time he was naked and weaponless that they thought of nothing but flight and being no body was present there to surprize them they escaped and Herod was very O well contented that he had no harm by them Herod beheadeth Pappus Antigonus 's Captain The next day he beheaded Pappus who was the General of Antigonus his Army and sent his head to his Brother Pheroras to comfort him for their common loss for Pappus was he that slew Joseph A The Winter being past The year of the World 3928. before Christ's Nativity 34. he with his Army came to Jerusalem and besieged it pitching his Tents before the Temple where it was easiest to take the City and where formerly Pompey had entred it It was now the third year after Herod had been declared King at Rome Now when he had quartered his Army as he thought best for his purpose Aâ—t lib. 14. cap. 12. and divided the Suburbs he caused three Rampiers to be raised for Towers to be built upon them and leaving there his trusty friends that would not slack their business Jerusalem besieged he went to Samaria to visit Mariamne the Daughter of Alexander who was Son to Aristobulus formerly as we before made mention espoused to him And he wedded her even in the time of the Siege to shew how he contemned his enemies After his Marriage-rites were performed he returned to Jerusalem with a far greater B Army Sosius also seconded him with a great Army of Foot and Horse whom he sent before him through the midst of the Countrey and he himself came after by Phoenicia Now when all his whole Army was joyned together The year of the world 3929. before Christ's Nativity 33. to the number of about eleven Legions of Foot and six thousand Horse besides the Syrians that came to help him which were no small number he laid his Assault and Battery to the Northermost Wall He grounded his Right upon the Decree of the Senate whereby he was declared to be King The Jews valiantly defend themselves Sosius also was warranted by Antonius's Letters whereby he commanded him to help Herod with all the Forces under his Command Mean-while the Jews that were within the City were diversly troubled for the weaker sort gathering themselves together about the Temple deplored their unhappiness and envied C the felicity of those that died before they were reduced to these miseries But those who were hardiest among them joyning themselves together robbed and took away what they could especially Victuals from those places that were next the City so that they neither left meat for Horses nor Men And the valiantest of them all being set to defend the Walls against those that besieged them hindred the Adversaries from erecting their Batteries by some new device Neither did they any ways prevail so much as by their Mines The King sought to repress the Excursions of the Plunderers by placing an Ambush of men to intercept them and relieved the want and scarcity of Victuals by fetching Provision from places far distant But notwithstanding they in fight failed not to express incredible valour yet did the military experience of the D Romans surpass them A wall no sooner began to totter but they wrought with so great diligence to make another that this was finished before that was fallen In a word they neither spared hands nor Engines but were all of them determined to fight it out to the last And although they were besieged by two so potent Armies yet they defended the Town five months Herod's Soldiers after five months Siege enter the City But at last certain of Herod's bravest men by a breach entered the City and the Romans the like on another side Those places nearest the Temple were the first that they seized upon afterwards the whole Army entring the City it was lamentable to see how in every corner the people were massacred Slaughter in Jerusalem for the Romans being displeased that the Siege continued so long time became more cruel and Herod's Army endeavoured to let none of the adverse part escape E So that many were slain both in the streets and in their own houses yea even then also when they fled into the Temple without respect of Age or Sex For although the King commanded the Soldiers to spare the people yet for all that they never restrained their cruel hands but like mad men raged against all men women and children Sosius taketh Antigonus Antigonus not considering his former condition came and
prostrated himself at Sosius's feet beseeching him to be merciful unto him but Sosius nothing compassionating his calamity insulted over him and called him Antigona yet did he not permit him to depart free as a woman but put him in Prison Now when Herod had conquered his enemies he endeavoured to the utmost to repress the insolence of his Auxiliary Strangers who thronged to see the Temple and F the Holy Vessels that were therein but he withheld them not only by threatnings and entreaties but also by force believing himself less unhappy to be conquered than by obtaining the Victory to minister a means whereby those things which were not lawful to be revealed should be exposed to the eyes of prophane Strangers He also restrained the Soldiers from sacking the City and told Sosius that if the Romans would desolate the City both of men and money they would leave him King of a Desart Adding further that he esteemed not the Empire of the whole World to be a recompence for such a Massacre of his Subjects Hereunto Sosius answering that the Soldiers ought to have the sacking of the Town in recompence of that labour they had spent in the Siege Herod liberally bestows money upon the Soldiers Herod replyed that he had rather recompence them out of his G own Treasury and by this means he redeemed as it were the Relicks of his desolate Countrey and in the end performed that which he had promised for he bountifully rewarded every Soldier and Captain according to his merit and gave Sosius Presents worthy of a King This done Sosius dedicated a Golden Crown unto God and H so departed leading Antigonus Captive with him to the end to present him to Antonius This man desirous to continue his life and entertaining himself with this colâ— hope even until the last received in the end that reward which his faint heart desired and was beheaded Herod being now King Antigonus beheaded he made a distinction between the Citizens and those who had favoured him he used very honourably Ant. lib. 11. cap. 1. and put those to death who had followed Antigonus And when money sailed he distributed all his Kingly Ornaments and sent them to Antonius and his Company Yet did he not quie redeem himself from all troubles for Antonius being passionately enamoured on Cleopatra in all things yielded to her desire Cleopatra's cruelty against her Kindred And Cleopatra having raged so against her own Kindred that she had I not left one of them alive now turned her fury upon strangers and acousing the Nobility of Syria to Antonius she perswaded him to put them to death that she might thereby the easier obtain their Possession Afterwards her covetous mind thought to effect the same against the Arabians and the Jews also insomuch that she secretly went about to cause the Kings of those places Malichus and Herod to be put to death Antonius made a shew as though he would have granted her request yet he thought it great impiety to kill good men and so great Kings Notwithstanding he no more accounted them his friends but took a great quantity of ground from the limits of both their Countreys and a Vineyard in Jericho where Balm grew and gave her all the Cities on this side the River Eleâ—therus Tyre and Sidon only excepted Cleopatra's covetousness Now when K she had obtained the Dominion of these Cities she followed Antonius to Euphrates when he set forward to make War against the Parthians and afterwards by Apamia and Damascus she came into Judaea where Herod having something pacified her angry mind with great gifts obtained to pay her yearly two hundred Talents for that part of his Countrey which Antonius had given her and seeking by all means possible to get himself an interest in her favour he conducted her to Pelusium Not long after Antonius returned out of Parthia and brought Artibazes the Son of Tigranes Captive and gave him to Cleopatra with all the money and Prisoners that he had taken L CHAP. XIV Of the treacherous practices of Cleopatra against Herod Herod's War against the Arabians and of a very great Earth-quake WHen War was declared between Augustus and Antonius The year of the World 3934. before Christ's Nativity 28. Herod prepared himself to attend Antonius seeing for the present all troubles were pacified in Judaea and he had already gotten the Castle of Hircanion which Antigonus's Sister had in her possession But Cleopatra craftily prevented him in this his journey so that he could M not go with Antonius Ant. lib. 15. cap. 5. For she desiring the ruines of both the Kings as was before mentioned perswaded Antonius to cause Herod to make War against the Arabians whom if he overcame Cleopatra's subtil Treason against Herod then she should be made Queen of Arabia and if himself were overcome then she should be Queen of Judaea Intending hereby that one of these Potentates should ruine the other But this practice of hers succeeded greatly to Herod's advantage for first of all making head against those of Syria that were his enemies with all the power of Cavalry he could which was very considerable and meeting them near Diospolis Ant. lib. 15. cap. 6. he overcame them though they valiantly resisted After which overthrow a mighty Army of the Arabians came to help them so that an infinite company was gathered together about Coelosyria expecting the Jews near the City called N Canatha Where King Herod meeting them purposed not to fight unadvisedly but to compass his Camp round about with a Wall but his Army puffed up with their former Victory would not be counselled but violently assaulted the Arabians and at the first onset put them to flight Herod pursuing his enemies was greatly endangered by the Treason of the Inhabitants of Canatha who were set on by Athenio one of Cleopatra's Captains who had always born him ill will for the Arabians encouraged by their help The Arabians defeat Herod's Army returned again to Battel and they two joyned their Forces together and set upon Herod in stony and difficult places and put his Army to flight and slew many of them those that escaped fled into a little Village hard by called Ormiza where the Arabians compassing them about took both the men and their Tents O with all their Furniture Not long after this overthrow of Herod's Soldiers he came and brought help but too late and to little purpose The cause of this defeat was A for that the Captains of his Army would not obey his Commandment for if they had been obedient Athenio had not had opportunity to work him that injury 〈…〉 navity 28. yet was he revenged upon the Arabians and daily made incursions upon their Borders and ceased not to invade and spoil them till by many defeats he had cried quittance with them for their one Victory While thus he pursued his enemies Another calamity
resolution For he caused the chief men of every Town and Village in all Judaea to be assembled together and then he shut them up in a place called the Hippodrome And calling unto him his Sister Salome and Alexas her Husband I know said he that the Jews will make Feasts for joy of my death yet if you will do what I desire it shall be mourned for and I shall have a remarkable Funeral As soon as I have given up the Ghost cause my Soldiers to encompass these men whom I have here in hold and kill them all By this means all Judaea and every N Hous-hold thereof shall have cause to lament The Ambassadors signifie 〈◊〉 death and bring Letters that authorize Herod to punish Antipater After he had commanded this to be done those whom he had sent to Rome brought him Letters wherein was shewed how Acme Julia's Servant was by Caesar's Command put to death and Antipater adjudged worthy to die yet Caesar writ that if his Father had rather banish him he permitted it Herod with this news was something pleased yet presently his pains and a vehement Cough seized him with that violence so that he thought to hasten his own death Herod overcome with pain would have 〈◊〉 himself and taking an Apple in his hand he called for a Knife for he was accustomed to cut the meat which he did eat and then looking about him lest any standing by should hinder him he lift up his arm to strike himself But Achab his Nephew run hastily to him and stayed his hand and presently there was made great lamentation O throughout all the King's Palace Ant. lib. 1◠cap. 16. as though the King had been dead Antipater having speedy news hereof took courage and promised the Keepers a piece of money to A let him go But the chiefest of them did not only deny to do it but also went presently to the King and told him what Antipater requested Herod hearing this lifted up his voice with more strength than was meet for a sick man and commanded his Guard to go and kill Antipater and bury him in the Castle called Hircanion And now again he altered his Testament Antipater's death and appointed Archelaus his eldest Son King and Antipas his younger Brother Tetrarch Five days after the death of his Son Antipater Herod died Ant. lib. 17. cap. 12. having reigned thirty and four years after he slew Antigonus and thirty seven years after the Romans had declared him King In many things he was as fortunate as any man for being born but a private person he got the Crown and kept it and left it to his Posterity But in his Domestick Affairs he was most unfortunate B Salome before it was known to the Soldiers that the King was dead went forth with her Husband and released all those that were in Hold whom the King had commanded to be slain saying that the King's mind was altered and therefore he gave them all Licence to depart Herod's death signified to the Soldiers And after their departure the King's death was published to the King's Soldiers who together with the other multitude were assembled in the Amphitheatre at Jericho by Ptolomey Keeper of the King's Seal who made a Speech to them and told them that Herod was now happy and he comforted the multitude and read unto them a Letter which the King left wherein he earnestly requested the Soldiers to favour and love his Successor After the Epistle read he recited the King's Testament wherein Philip was appointed Heir of Trachonitis and the places thereunto C adjoyning Antipas Tetrarch and Archelaus King He commanded his Ring to be carried to Caesar to whom he referred the cognizance and disposal of all with full Authority requiring that as to any thing else his said Testament should be performed This was no sooner read Archelaus proclaimed King after his Father's decease but presently the Skies were filled with the voices and cries of the people who congratulated Archelaus and the Soldiers and the People promised to serve him faithfully and wished him a happy Reign This done the next care was about the King's Funeral on which Archelaus spared no cost but buried the King with all Royal Pomp possible Herod's pompous Funeral The Herse whereon he was carried was adorned with Gold and Precious Stones upon it lay a Bed wrought with Purple whereupon was D laid the dead Corps of the King covered also with Purple a Crown and Diadem of pure Gold on his head and a Scepter in his Right hand About the Herse were his Sons and Kinsfolk and the Guard and Bands of Thracians Germans and Gauls all went before in order as though they had gone to Wars The rest of the Soldiers in Warlike order followed their Captains and Leaders and five hundred of his Servants and Freed-men carried Perfumes And thus the Corps was carried the space of two hundred furlongs from Jericho to the Castle of Herodion where as himself had appointed it was interred H THE SECOND BOOK OF THE WARS of the JEWS I Written by FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The Contents of the Chapters of the Second Book 1. Of Herod's Successor Archelaus how he entred into the Temple and the Mutiny that arose for the revenge of those that were executed for taking away the Golden Eagle 2. Of the Fight and Massacre in Jerusalem between the Jews and the Sabinians K 3. Varus Governour of Syria for the Romans represseth the Insurrections in Judea 4. How the Jews had an Ethnarch constituted over them 5. Of the Impostor Alexander Herod's pretended Son and how he was taken 6. Of the Banishment and Death of Archelaus 7. Of Judas the Galilean who established a fourth Sect and of the three Sects amongst the Jews 8. Of the Cities which Philip and Herod built and of Pilat's Government L 9. The Emperour Caius orders Petronius Governour of Syria to constrain the Jews by Arms to receive his Statue into the Temple Petronius forbears to do it The death of Caius saves him from Punishment 10. The Roman Army declares Claudius Emperour Of the Reign and Death of Agrippa 11. Of divers Tumults in Judea and Samaria 12. Of the Tumults in Judea under Foelix 13. Of Albinus and Florus Presidents of Judea M 14. Of Florus his cruelty against the Jews of Caesarea and Jerusalem 15. Of another Oppression of the Citizens of Jerusalem by Florus 16. Of Politianus the Tribune King Agrippa's Speech to the Jews exhorting them to obey the Romans 17. Of the Rebellion which the Jews begun against the Romans 18. Of the death of Ananias the High Priest Manahem and the Roman Soldiers 19. Of the great Massacre of the Jews at Caesarea and in all Syria N 20. Cruelties exercised against the Jews in divers other Cities and particularly by Varus 21. Fifty thousand Jews slain at Alexandria 22. Of the Massacre of the Jews by Cestius Gallus 23.
fought with them and killed one Arius a Centurion and forty of the most valiant amongst them upon the place the rest being in like danger through the help of Gratus with the Soldiers of Sebaste escaped The End and 〈◊〉 of the War After they had done many things in this manner against their own Countrey-men O as well as strangers at last three of them were taken the eldest by Archelaus and the two other who were eldest after him fell into the hands of Gratus and A Ptolomey and the fourth yielded himself to Archelaus upon Composition Such was the success of the bold Enterprize of these five men But at that time a War of Thieves filled all Judaea with Troubles and Robberies CHAP. â— Varus Governour of Syria for the Romans represses the Insurrections in Judea WHen Varus had Ant. lib. 17. cap. 16. by the Letters of Sabinus understood the danger wherein the B whole Legion was Varus assisteth the Romans against the Jews being besieged in Jerusalem he hasted to succour them But first he went to Ptolemais with two other Legions and four Cornets of Horse where he had appointed the King's Forces and the other Auxiliary Troops to meet him As he passed by Beritus the Inhabitants gave him fifteen hundred men Also Aretas the King of Arabia for the hatred he bare to Herod sent him a great number both of Horse and Foot As soon as the Host was assembled Varus incontinently directed part of his Army into Galilee adjoyning to Ptolemais and appointed a friend of his the Son of Caius their Governour who presently put all to flight against whom he was sent and having taken the Castle of Sephoris he fired it and made all the Inhabitants thereof Slaves Varus taketh divers Cities and Castles of Judaea Varus with the rest of the Army went to Samaria and C took it yet he did the City no harm because he found that amidst all these Tumults they had been quiet When he had pitched his Tents at a Village called Arus which belonged to Ptolomey the Arabians sacked it for they hated those that loved Herod From thence they went to Sampho another strong Burrough which they in like manner sacked and destroyed without sparing any thing All was filled with the slaughter and fires which the Arabians made Emmaus burnt there was no end nor hindrance of their Avarice Also Varus commanded Emmaus to be burnt being angry for the death of Arius and the rest that were slain there and the Inhabitants thereof abandoned it every one by flight seeking to save himself Varus cometh to Jerusalem with his Army and with his only Presence dismayeth the Jews From thence he went to Jerusalem and at his approach the Jews that besieged the Roman Legion fled and scattered themselves D some here some there all about the Countrey They that remained in the City excused themselves that they were not consenting to the Tumult but that for the Celebration of the Feast they permitted those Seditious to come into the City affirming that they had rather have been besieged together with the Romans than have joyned with those of the Sedition and so they laid the cause of that Tumult upon others But first Josephus The year of the World 3966. after Christ's Nativity 4. Archelaus's Cousin with Gratus and Rufus went to meet him leading the King's Army and the Sibastians and the Roman Soldiers adorned in their accustomed Apparel Sabinus durst not be seen by Varus and therefore got him out of the Town before and went to the Sea-coast Varus divided his Army and sent some Parties into the Countrey Varus crucified two thousand of the Seditious to seek the Authors of the Tumult And those that E were brought to him who were in less fault he committed to Prison those who were the chiefest he crucified to the number of two thousand And understanding that in Idumaea there yet remained ten thousand men in Arms he presently sent the Arabians home because he perceived that they did not serve as they that came to help him but as they themselves pleased wasting the Countrey against his Orders and so accompanied with his own Army he hastned against the Enemies But they without any fight through Achiab's Counsel yielded themselves to Varus And he pardoned the Common Soldiers and sent the Captains to Caesar to answer the matter Varus's mercy and bounty to the Idumeans Who pardoning most of them yet punished some that were of Herod's Kindred because they had rebelled against their own King Varus having F thus quieted the Estate of Judea and Jerusalem left in the Fortress of Jerusalem the same Legion that was there before and departed to Antioch CHAP. IV. H How the Jews had an Ethnarch constituted over them The year of the world 3966. after Christ's Nativity 4. NOw Archelaus met a new obsâ—acle at Rome Ant. lib. 17. cap. 17. for the Jews who before the Sedition with the lieve of Varus were gone to Rome to crave the liberty of their Countrey Ethnarcha Ruler or Governour Those who went as Ambassadours in their Countrey 's behalf were fifty in number and they were assisted by more than eight thousand Jews that lived at Rome The Jews call Archelaus in question Whereupon Caesar called a Council of the Nobility of Rome in the stately Temple of Apollo which he had built on Mount Palatine The whole Body of the I Jews appeared with the Legats against Archelaus and his friends Archelaus's Kindred neither came with him nor with the rest of the Jews with him they would not joyn for envy and with the Jews they durst not for shame Amongst them also was Philip the Brother of Archelaus whom Varus sent in courteous manner to assist his Brother or to the end that if it should please Caesar to divide Herod's Kingdom among his Children he might have a part The Ambassadours spoke first and began to declaim against Herod's Memory First of all they said that they found him not a King but the most cruel Tyrant that ever was and that he had murthered many and those whom he left alive endured such misery as they thought themselves far more unhappy than those that were so butchered A bitter Accusation of the Jews against Herod and his Sons For said they he was not only contented K to tear his Subject's bodies with torments but also defaced and ruined the Cities of his own Countrey to adorn and beautifie the Cities of Strangers And he permitted Forreigners to massacre the Jews without revenge And instead of their ancient and wonted happiness which Judea enjoyed by a Religious observation of the Laws the Countrey was by him made so poor and so wasted with Injustice that within these few years that Herod reigned they have suffered more Murthers and Massacres than all their Ancestors had from the time of their departure out of Babylon in the Reign of Xerxes
that they had punishment sufficient in losing all that which they had laid out and bestowed upon him F CHAP. VI. Of the Banishment and Death of Archelaus ARchelaus being now made Prince Ant. lib. 17. cap. 19. remembred the contests past and in revenge thereof Archelaus banished for his Tyranny and his goods confiscated he ill treated not only the Jews but also the Samaritans But in the ninth year of his Reign the Jews and Samaritans sent Ambassadours against him to Caesar by whom he was banished to Vienna a City of Gallia and all his Goods confiscated 'T is reported that before he was summoned to appear before Caesar he had a strange Dream Archelaus's Dream of the Oxen and ears of Corn. in which he saw nine great Ears of Corn devoured by Oxen and G presently sending for some Chaldeans he demanded what that Dream betokened Some interpreted it one way and some another but one Simon an Essean told him that the nine Ears of Corn betokened the number of years he had reigned and the Oxen signified the change of his Fortune for as much as these creatures in labouring H the Land turned up and altered the face of it And therefore nine years being past since he had been established Prince he was to prepare himself for death Five days after this Interpretation Archelaus was sent for to Rome to answer before Augustus the things whereof he was accused I have also thought it worth rehearsing to set down the Dream of his Wife Glaphyra Daughter to Archelaus King of Cappadocia who was first married to Alexander Brother to this man and Son to King Herod by whom he was put to death as we have said before After whose death she was married to Juba King of Lybia and he being dead she returned home to her Father where living in her Widowhood Archelaus refusing Mariamne marrieth Glaphyra Archelaus the Ethnarch beholding her was so inflamed with her love that presently he divorced his Wife Mariamne and married her Soon I after she came into Judaea she dreamed that she saw Alexander her first Husband standing before her and saying unto her Glaphyra saw Alexander in her sleep It had been enough for thee to have married the King of Lybia but thou not contented therewith comest again to my house greedy of a third Husband and which is worst of all art now married to mine own Brother I will not conceal nor dissemble this injury which thou dost me but I will recover thee against thy will And she scarcely lived two days after she had related this Dream to her friends CHAP. VII K Of Judas the Galilean who established a fourth Sect and of the three Sects amongst the Jews AFter that Archelaus's Dominions were reduced into a Province Ant. lib. 18. cap. 12. a certain Roman Knight called Coponius was made Governour thereof During his Administration The year of the World 3973. after Christ's Nativity 11. a certain Galilean named Judas incited his Countrey-men to revolt reproaching them for paying Tribute to the Romans and for being subject to any but to God This Judas was Author of a new Sect of his own devising nothing like other Sects For there are three Sects of Philosophers amongst the Jews one is that of the Pharisees L Three Sects among the Jews of which the Esseans were the best another of the Sadducees and the third of the Esseans which is the most famous of all the three The Esseans are Jews born but live in the greatest union together imaginable They consider all Pleasures as Vices that are to be avoided and esteem Continence and Victory over the Passions as the greatest Vertues They reject Marriage and account other men's Children put to them to be taught whilst young The Esseans Doctrine of Marriage as their own Kins-men whom they diligently instruct in their Manners and Opinions not for that they condemn Marriage and Propagation of Mankind but to avoid women's incontinence for they think that none of them keep themselves true to one man Among the Esseans goods are common Also they contemn Riches and all things with them are common and no man amongst them is richer than other And they have a Law amongst themselves M that whosoever will embrace their Sect he must make his Goods common for so neither any amongst them seems abject for Poverty nor any great for Riches but they have as it were all equal Patrimonies like Brethren They account it a shame to anoint the body with Oyl and if any man though against his Will be anointed therewith they use all diligence to wipe it away And they account themselves fine enough if their Cloaths be white They have amongst them Stewards to oversee all things for their common benefit who are chosen from amongst them by a common consent Their Revenue is distributed according to the need that every one haâ—h The Esseans Hospitality They have not one certain City but are dispersed in many Cities and if any of their Sect though a stranger come to them from another place they give N him any thing they have as if he were their ancient Acquaintance In like manner they go boldly to those whom they never in their lives saw before as though they were familiarly acquainted with them And therefore when they take a journey they only arm themselves against Thieves and carry nothing with them else In every City there is one appointed whose Office is to receive and lodge those of their Sect that come thither and to see that they neither want Cloaths nor any thing else necessary for them The Esseans Appâ—â—el All Children under Government brought up by them go apparelled alike and they never change their Apparel nor Shooes except they have worn out their first Apparel Among themselves they neither buy nor sell but every man that hath any thing which another wanteth giveth him it and taketh that of O him which himself needeth yea every one of them may take any thing he hath need of from whom he pleaseth without any change Above all towards God they A are very Religious for before the Son rise they speak of nothing but holy things and then they make certain Vows and Prayers after the custom of their Countrey as it were praying that God would please to make it rise upon the earth After this every one is dismissed to practice the Art he knoweth And when every one hath diligently laboured till eleven a clock Their Religion and labour they all meet together again and being covered with linen cloaths they wash their bodies with cold water and having thus purged themselves they go to their Cells into which no man that is not of their Sect is admitted And then they come to the Refectory as into a holy Temple where all sitting down with silence there is set before every man in order a loaf and a little mess of pottage
himself to him with lyes devising with himself how to make the Jews rebel which he thought was the safest means to cloak his villanies for if they continued in peace and obedience Cestius Gallus appeaseth the people promiseth a mitigation of Florus's severity he feared that some of them would accuse him before Caesar but if he could make them revolt then he hoped that their great fault would shadow his injustices Wherefore to bring about his purpose he every day oppressed them with new calamities in order to force them to rebel against the Romans At this time the Gentiles of Caesarea got their Cause against the Jews before Nero and brought Letters to testifie the Decree in their favour The beginning of the war of the Jews the 12. year of Nero's Reign Which was the beginning of the War of the Jews in the twelfth year of Nero his Empire and the seventeenth of Agrippa's reign I in the month of May. CHAP. XIV Of Florus his cruelty against the Jews of Caesarea and Jerusalem HOw great soever the Evils were which Florus perpetrated tyrannically Ant. lib. 20. cap. 15. our Nation suffer'd them without revolting The causes of the War of the Jews But that which hapned at Caesarea was as a spark that kindled the fire of War The Jews dwelling at Caesarea had a Synagogue near unto a piece of ground that belonged unto a Gentile dwelling there The Jews often K sought to purchase it of him The year of the World 4030. after Christ's Nativity 68. offering him far more than it was worth but the man not only contemn'd their request but also to their great grief he resolv'd in that place to build Taverns and so to leave them a very strait and narrow passage to go to their Synagogue Some young men among the Jews led with zeal resisted the workmen Florus's perjury and deceit toward the Jews and would not suffer them to build Florus hearing this commanded the Jews to let the workmen go forward in their work The Jews not knowing what to do one John a Publican offered Florus eight talents to hinder the building whom he promised for that money to fulfil their request and now having it he presently departed from Caesarea and went to Sebaste without performing any thing giving as it were occasion of sedition as though he had received money L of the Nobility of the Jews to permit them to fight a certain time The next day which was the Jews Sabbath when they were all assembled to go to the Synagogue one of Caesarea a seditious person took a great earthen vessel and set it at the entrance into the Synagogue and upon it offer'd Birds This fact so moved the Jews that they would not be pacified because it was done in contempt of their Religion and thereby the place was profaned One part of the Jews that was more modest and wise counselled the Jews to complain to them that were in Authority but those who by heat of youth were prone to sedition began contumeliously to revile their adversaries On the other side the authors of this action and the more seditious of the people of Caesarea were also prepared to fight with them having M caused it to be done before the Synagogue The conflict of the Jews with the Caesareans only to pick a quarrel and so they fought together Jucundus General of the Horse that was left to keep all in quiet presently came with Soldiers and commanded the Vessel to be taken away and so endeavoured to appease the tumult but not being able to do it through the violence of them of Caesarea the Jews took the Books of their Law and retired themselves to a place called Narbata belonging to them which was distant from Caesarea threescore furlongs from whence twelve of the chief of them together with John the Publican went to Florus being at Sebaste to complain of the injury done to them and to request him to assist them and modestly put him in mind of the eight Talents they gave him But he presently commanded them to be bound and imprisoned N Florus imprisoneth twelve of the chiefest Jews in Caesarea because they had presumed to take and carry their Law from Caesarea Hereat those of Jerusalem were greatly moved but they shewed it not Whereupon Florus as upon set purpose to give occasion of rebellion sent for seventeen Talents out of the Sacred Treasury pretending that it was to be employed in Caesar's affairs At this time the people were much troubled and ran to the Temple calling upon the name of Caesar that he would deliver them from Florus his tyranny Some of them being seditious began to curse Florus bitterly and took a Box and carried it about and begged an alms for Florus Another cause of war raised by Florus which they did in derision as who should say he was as miserable as beggars that have nothing Florus for all this abated not his avarice but was more eager to rob the inhabitants of their goods O So that when he should have gone to Caesarea to have quieted the sedition and removed the cause of tumults as also he had received money to that end taking an A army of horse and foot he march'd to Jerusalem that with the help of the Roman Soldiers he might effect his pleasure and terrifie the whole City The people to pacifie him went out in courteous sort to meet the Army shewing themselves ready to give them the best entertainment they could and to receive Florus with all honour and reverence Another occasion of the War But he sent before him one Capito a Centurion with fifty horsemen commanding them to depart and not to mock him with a pretence of honour whom they had so heynously affronted That if they had any courage Florus scorneth the gratulation of the Jews they should flout and reproach him to his face and not only in words but in deeds shew that they desired liberty Herewithal the multitude was terrified and the horsemen that came with Capito assaulting them with violence every B one fled before they saluted Florus or did any honour to his troops and going every one unto his house they past the watchful night in fear and sorrow Florus for that night lodged in the King's Palace The next day he caused a Tribunal openly to be placed and the high Priest and all the chief of the Jews resorted thither and stood before the Tribunal Florus in his tribunal requireth them to be yielded unto him who had spoken ill of him Then Florus sitting in the Tribunal-seat commanded them to bring forth presently all those that had used any opprobrious words against him and threatned to be revenged on them except they did it The Jews made answer that the people intended nothing but peace and quietness and requested that they that had offended in words might obtain pardon For it was no marvel in
have presumed to have counselled you in any thing For it is in vain to give G counsel of such things as are expedient where all the Auditors are already determined to follow that which is contrary to the counsel given them But for that some are ignorant what misery War produces because by reason of their young years they have not known it others are moved with a rash and unadvised desire of liberty and others are drawn by H avarice and hope of gain in combustions I thought good to assemble you all together and declare unto you what means are to be used to restrain such people that the good may the better know how to resist and overcome the practices of the wicked But let no man murmur Agrippa striveth to make the common sort flexible and attentive if he hear that which displeaseth him and I will tell you nothing but that which seemeth expedient for you For they that are so bent to rebellion that they will not be recalled may for all my words continue in the same mind still And I will speak nothing at all except you will all keep silence I know many seek to aggravate the injuries that are done by the Rulers of this Country and highly commend and extol liberty yet before I begin to declare unto you the difference between you and those against whom ye purpose to make war I must first divide and separate two things which you think inseparable I For if you seek only to get satisfaction upon those that have injur'd you why do ye so extol liberty or if you think it not tolerable to obey any other these complaints against your Rulers are superfluous for although they were never so mild still would subjection be intolerable Call all things to mind and consider what a small cause of war is given you And first of all weigh with your selves the crimes and offences of your Rulers It behoveth to honour the Magistrate and not to provoke him by injury for you ought to shew your selves humble and dutiful to those that are in authority and not exasperate and provoke them to wrath by reproachful speeches For in reviling them for small offences you incite against you those whom you so revile and whereas before they only did you a little injury and with some shame now being moved by your resistance they will openly set upon you and destroy you There is nothing that so restraineth K cruelty as patience so that oft-times the patience of them who have suffered injury makes them that did the injury ashamed thereof Be it so that they which are sent into the Provinces and appointed by the Romans for your Governours Agrippa excuseth Caesar and the Romans are grievous to you yet all the Romans do not oppress you nor Caesar against whom you must take arms For they command no cruel Governours to come to you nor can they who are in the furthest part of the West easily know what is done in the East or indeed be exactly informed thereof And truly it is a thing most against reason to take arms for so small a cause especially when they against whom you take arms know nothing of the matter But there is reason to hope Depulsion of the Jews liberty which they so vehemently seek that these matters you now complain of will not be always so For there will not be always the same Governour and it is credible that they who succeed this will L be more gentle and courteous But if once you begin to make war it is not easie to end or sustain it without great calamities And let them who so thirst after liberty diligently advise with themselves that they do not bring upon their necks a greater bondage Slavery is a cruel thing and it seemeth a lawful cause to make War to avoid being brought into it yet he that is already in bondage and revolteth is rather a rebellious slave than one who loveth liberty You should therefore have endeavoured to resist the Romans when first Pompey entred this Land but then our ancestors and their Kings far exceeding you in riches strength of body and courage were not able to withstand a small part of the Roman forces and do you who are their successors and far weaker than they having succeeded them in subjection think that you are able to resist all the whole power of the M Romans The Athenians The example of the Athenians and others who obey the Roman Empire who sometime to preserve the liberty of Greece feared not to set their own City on fire and with a small fleet defeated that proud Xerxes whom they forced to flee with one ship though he had such a navy that the seas had scarce room for one ship to sail by another and all Europe was not able to receive his army and got that famous victory over Asia The Lacedemonians near the little Isle of Salamina yet now are subject to the Romans and that City the Queen of all Greece is now ruled by the commands it receives from Italy The Macedonians The Lacedemonians also after they had gotten such a victory at the Thermopyles and under their General Agesilaus sacked Asia acknowledge now the Romans for their Lords The Macedonians also who had before their eyes the valour of Philip N and Alexander The comparison of the Romans force with the Jews weakness and promised themselves the Empire of the whole world now patiently bear this change and obey them whom fortune hath made their masters Many other Nations who for their power and strength have far more cause than you to seek their liberty yet patiently endure to serve the Romans But you only think it a disgrace to obey them The Romans have brought the whole world under their government and have sought another world beyond the Ocean sea who are Lords of the whole World And where are the armies that you trust in or your navy to make you masters of the Romans Seas Where are your treasures to effect what you intend Think you that you are to war against the Egyptians or Arabians and do you not consider the bounds of the Romans Empire Do you not consider your own inability Know you not that your neighbour-nations have often by force taken your City and that the forces of the Romans have passed thorow the whole world unconquered and O as it were searching for something geater than the world Their dominion towards the East is extended beyond Euphrates and towards the North beyond Ister and towards A East is extended beyond Euphrates and towards the North beyond Ister and towards the South beyond the Wilderness of Libya and towards the West beyond Gades they have found another World beyond the Ocean and with an army entred Britain where never any came before Are you richer than the Gauls stronger than the Germans wiser than the Greeks are you more in number than
at Caesarea and in all Syria AT the same hour on the self-same day it happened as it were by God's Providence that the Inhabitants of Caesarea massacred the Jews that dwelt among I them so that at one time above twenty thousand were slain and not one Jew left alive in all Caesarea For those that escaped Florus took and brought them forth bound to the people The Jews spoil the Villages and burn the Cities of Syria After this Massacre done at Caesarea the whole Nation of the Jews was enraged And dividing themselves into Companies they wasted and destroyed in short time all the borders of Syria and the Cities thereabout to wit Philadelphia and Gebonitis Gerasa Pella and Scythopolis Also they took by force Gadara Hippon and Gaulanitis pulling down some places and firing others From thence they marched towards Cedasa a City of the Tyrians and Ptolemais Gaza and Caesarea and neither Sebaste nor Ascalon could resist them but they also were consumed with fire Likewise they destroyed Anthedon with Gaza And most places belonging to K these Cities were sacked to wit the Fields and Villages and a mighty slaughter was made of them that were taken in these Towns The Syrians made as great a Massacre of the Jews as this among them for all the Jews inhabiting among them were murthered not only for an old grudge but also to render their own danger less by diminishing the number of their enemies By this means all Syria was in a most deplorable condition and every City was exposed to the disorders and violences of two several Armies each of which placed their safety in making a great Effusion of Blood The days were spent in blood-shed and the nights in fear worse than death it self For though they only pretended to destroy the Jews yet were they drawn to suspect other Nations that followed the Jews Religion and because they were as it were L Neuters the Syrians thought it not good to destroy them but on the other side for their agreeing in Religion with the Jews they were constrained to hold them as enemies Many of the contrary part who before seemed modest were now through Avarice incited to meddle in this Murther so that every one took the Goods of them that were slain All Syria full of miserable calamities and carried them to other places as Conquerors He was most renowned that had stolen most or killed most There might you see in several Cities the dead bodies of all Ages unburied old men and children and women lying in most shameful manner their secret parts being uncovered Briefly all the Countrey was filled with exceeding great calamity and the fear of yet greater misery to come was unspeakable M These were the Conflicts between the Jews and Strangers Jews against Jews But afterwards making incursions upon the Borders of Scythopolis the Jews there dwelling became their enemies For they conspiring with the Citizens of Sythopolis and preferring their own Commodity and Security before Kindred and Consanguinity joyned with the Gentiles against the Jews and yet for all that they were suspected for their forwardness For the Scythopolitans fearing that they would assault the City by night and excuse their revolting by their great misery commanded all the Jews that if they would shew themselves trusty to the Gentiles they with all their Children should go into a Wood hard by The Jews forthwith did as they were required suspecting nothing and the Scythopolitans were quiet for two days after and did nothing But the third N night they sent forth Scouts to see what they were doing The Scythopolitans kill thirteen thousand Jews who finding most of them asleep they surprized them in a moment and killed them all who were in number thirteen thousand and afterwards took their Goods Here I think it not amiss to speak of the death of Simon who was the Son of Saul whose Race was very Noble He was a man of great courage and strength of body both which he used to the great hurt of his own Nation Simon daily killeth many of his Countrey-men in Scythopolis for he daily killed many Jews who dwelt near Scythopolis and often scattered divers Companies and put whole Armies to flight but at length he had an end worthy of his deeds and the murther of his Countrey-men For when the Scythopolitans had compassed the Wood about so that none could escape their hands they killed the Jews in every part thereof Simon not drawing his Sword made O no resistance to any of his enemies for he saw that it was bootless to strive against such a multitude But pitifully crying out I receive O Scythopolitans a worthy reward for A that which I have done who to shew my fidelity towards you have killed so many of mine own Countrey-men And it is a just Plague that a strange Nation should be false to us who impiously forsook our own Brethren I am not worthy to receive death from the hands of my enemies and therefore I will kill my self with my own and this death will be a sufficient Punishment for my Offences and a full Argument of my magnanimity that none of my enemies may boast of my death nor insult over me When he had thus said he beheld all his Family with compassion and rage mixt together as his Wife and Children and aged Parents Simon kills his Parents his Wife and Children and at last himself And first taking his Father by the hair of the head he stood upon him and thrust him thorough after him he killed his Mother who was willing to die after them his Wife and Children every one of them as it were offering their bodies to the B Sword and desirous to prevent the enemies When he had slain all his Kindred himself remaining alive he stretched forth his arm that they might see what he would do and thrust his Sword into his own body up to the Hilts. A young man who for his magnanimity and strength of body was worthy to be pitied yet he had a just and deserved end for uniting himself to Strangers against his own Countrey CHAP. XX. Cruelties exercised against the Jews in divers other Cities and particularly by Varus C AFter this so great A Massacre of the Jews at Scythopolis Another Slaughter of the Jews other Cities also where they inhabited rose against them and two thousand five hundred were slain at Ascalon The Cities in Arms against the Jews and two thousand at Ptolemais and the Tyrians killed divers and put more in Prison Likewise they of Gadara and Hippon slew the most valiant and those of least courage they cast into Prison Also all other Cities who either feared or hated the Jews rose up against them Only they of Antioch Sidon and Apamea spared those that dwelt with them and neither killed nor imprisoned any of them perhaps they stood in no fear of them if they should have risen because their City
was so populous yet I think they spared them only for pity sake because they saw they were D quiet and not seditious The Inhabitants also of Gerasa did no harm to the Jews amongst them but when they desired to depart they conducted them safely to the end of their Borders In the Kingdom also of Agrippa much cruelty was shewed against the Jews for he being gone to Cestius Gallus at Antioch left the Rule of his Countrey to one of his Friends named Varus Kinsman to King Sohemus to whom there came seventy of the chief Nobility of the Countrey of Batanaea requesting a Garrison to repress those that should attempt Rebellion amongst them Varus kills seventy Jews in their journey Varus instead of receiving them well sent certain of the King's Soldiers by night and killed them all as they were coming to him He committed this Murther without Agrippa his consent only for Avarice But being emboldened by this Fact he ruined the whole Realm E still continuing such Cruelties and Violences against his Nation till such time as Agrippa understood thereof who for Sohemus's sake durst not put him to death but dispossessed him of his place In the mean while the Revolters took the Castle of Cypros which is situate above Jericho The Romans yield up their Castle in Macheron to the Jews and after they had killed the Garrison they destroyed the Fortress At the same time a multitude of Jews laid Siege before the Castle of Macheron and perswaded the Soldiers left in Garrison to yield the Castle who fearing that if they denyed they should be compelled thereto delivered it to them upon condition that they might quietly depart Which done the Jews place a strong Garrison in it F CHAP. XXI Fifty thousand Jews slain at Alexandria THe Citizens of Alexandria had always a quarrel against the Jews that lived with them since the time that Alexander the Great for their help against the Egyptians permitted them to inhabit Alexandria and to have the same Privileges with the Grecians This Honour and Privilege was also continued to them by the Successors of Alexander who also gave them a certain place in the City to dwell in that they G might live more commodiously and not be mingled with the Gentiles And permitted them also to call themselves Macedonians Afterwards when Egypt was brought under the rule of the Romans neither Caesar nor the following Emperors diminished the Jews Privileges which Alexander had given them But there were daily contests H between them and the Greeks and although the Judges on both parts still punished those that were in fault yet the Sedition more and more encreased and though all Cities else were filled with Troubles yet here the Tumult was most vehement For when the Alexandrians had called together the people Sedition in Alexandria between the Greeks and Jews to determine of an Embassage to Nero certain Jews mingled themselves amongst the Greeks and so went into the Amphitheatre Who being espyed by their Adversaries the Greeks cryed out that the Jews were enemies and came as Spies and so they laid violent hands upon them Some of them fled only three of them were taken by the Greeks whom they drew to a place to burn them alive All the Jews of the City came to succour them and I first they threw stones at them and then taking fire-brands they ran in a rage into the Amphitheatre and threatned to burn all the people there assembled which they had done Tiberius Alexander exhorteth the seditious Jews to keep peace if Tiberius Alexander Governour of the City had not appeased their fury who did not at first use Force of Arms against them but sent some of their chief men to perswade them to cease and not to incite the Roman Army against them But the seditious Jews refused this advice and mocked Tiberius Who seeing that they would not otherwise be appeased sent two Legions of Romans and five thousand other Soldiers who by chance came out of Lybia and gave them charge not only to kill them but also to fire their houses and take their Goods The Soldiers presently went into the place called Delta where the Jews were gathered together and did as they were commanded though not without a bloody Victory For the Jews gathering themselves K together placed those amongst them that were best armed in the Front who held out for a long time But when they began to flee they were massacred like Beasts some of them were killed in the field some were burnt in their houses the Romans first taking what they found and sparing neither Infants nor Old men but killing all Ages and Sexes A cruel victory wherein fifty thousand Jews were slain So that all that place flowed with blood for there were slain fifty thousand Jews and all the rest had been extinguished had not Alexander moved to compassion by their entreaties commanded the Soldiers to leave off who being obedient to him presently departed But the people of Alexandria were hardly withdrawn from the Massacre because of the hatred which they had conceived against the Jews and with much ado they were withheld from tyrannizing over the L dead bodies And this befel the Jews of Alexandria CHAP. XXII Of the Massacre of the Jews by Cestius Gallus CEstius Gallus now thought it time to bestir himself Huge companies of the Romans for as much as the Jews were now hated every where and taking with him the twelfth Legion out of Antioch two thousand chosen Foot and four Companies of Horse out of the other Legions M and with them the King's Forces that came to help him to wit two thousand Horsemen of Antioch three thousand Foot all Bow-men and three thousand Foot sent by Agrippa a thousand Horse and four thousand which Sohemus brought whereof the third part were Horse the rest Foot and for the most part Bow-men he went towards Ptolemais Many joyned themselves to them out of every City who though they were not so skilful in War as the Romans yet their hatred was more than theirs Agrippa himself was there with Cestius Zabulon a strong City of Galilee spoiled and burnt commanding those he brought There Cestius taking a part of the Army went to Zabulon which is the strongest City of Galilee called also Andron and parts the Borders of the Jews from Ptolemais and when he found it desolate of Inhabitants who were fled into the Mountains but full of Riches N giving licence to the Soldiers to sack it he afterwards set it on fire although he admired the beauty thereof for it was not inferior to Tyre or Sidon or Beritum and after spoiled all the Territories about it When he had burnt all the Villages thereabout he returned to Ptolemais The Syrians and especially those of Berith stayed still behind to get Booties The Jews kill two thousand Syrians Which when the Jews understood and that Cestius was departed they took
courage and came and set upon them and killed of them two thousand Cestius departing from Ptolemais went to Caesarea and sent part of his Army before to Joppa The Romans take Joppa and burn it and kill eight thousand four hundred Jews commanding them to keep the Town if they could get it and if the Townsmen made any resistance that then they should stay till he came with the rest of the Army Some of them attacked it by Sea some by Land by which O means they easily took it The people thereof had neither time to flee nor to prepare themselves to fight but they were all killed with their Families After the sacking A of the Town they set it on fire The slain were 8400. In like manner he sent part of his horsemen to Narbatena in the Toparchy near Samaria who spoiled the Country killed a great number of the inhabitants rob'd and burnt the villages and carried away much booty with them CHAP. XXIII Of Cestius his Battel against Jerusalem B HE sent also Cesennius Gallus Sephoris and other Cities of Galilee do friendly entertain the Romans General of the twelfth Legion into Galilee and gave him as many other Troops as he thought sufficient to conquer that nation The strongest City of Galilee called Sephoris open'd the gates to them and other Cities followed their example They that were seditious and gave themselves to robbing retir'd to the Mountain of Azamon which is situate in the midst of Galilee over against Sephoris These Gallus went to attacque with his Army and so long as they kept the higher part of the Mountain they easily repelled the Romans and killed above 200 of them but when they saw the Romans had gain'd a higher place than that wherein they kept they resisted no longer for not being armed they could not stand out and if they should have fled they could not have escaped the Horsemen so that C only a few who hid themselves in difficult places escaped Two thousand seditious slain in Galilee by the Romans and above 2000 of them were slain Gallus finding he had no more to do in Galilee returned with his troops to Caesarea and Cestius with his whole Army went to Antipatris were understanding that a great company of Jews were gathered together in the Tower called Aphec Antipatris spoiled and burned he sent some before to attacque them but the Jews would not abide battel and the Romans burnt their Tents and the Villages adjoyning Cestius going from thence to Lydda found the City desolate Lydda burnt for all the people were gone to Jerusalem because of the Feast of Tabernacles Câ—stius planteth his Army fifty furlongs from Jerusalem and when he had killed fifty persons whom he found there he fired the Town and went by Bethoron to Gabaon which is but fifty furlongs distant from Jerusalem When the Jews saw the War draw near their D capital City they left their solemnity and run to their arms and having got together a great multitude The assault and victory of the Jews against the Romans they went to fight with the Romans observing no order nor regarding the Sabbath which formerly they held in so great estimation and the same fury that made them leave their devotion made them also victorious in the battel for they assaulted the Romans with such courage that they brake their body and killing all that resisted pressed into the midst thereof and if a fresh supply both of Horse and Foot had not come in in time all Cestius's Army had been in danger There were slain five hundred and fifteen Romans whereof four hundred were Foot and the rest Horse but of the Jews only two and twenty The most valiant in this combat were Monobazus and Cenelaeus Kinsmen to Monobazus King E of Adiabena and next to them Paraides Niger and Silas a Babylonian who had fled to the Jews from King Agrippa whom he had lately served But at length the Jews being repulsed The courage of the Jews against the Romans returned to Jerusalem and Simon the Son of Gioras attacqued the Romans as they were returning towards Bethoron and slew many of the Rereward and took many Carts and much Baggage which he brought into the City Cestius staied three days in the Field and the Jews kept the high places observing which way he would go with a purpose to set upon the Romans if they stirr'd F CHAP. XXIV Of the Siege of Jerusalem by Cestius and of the Massacre AGrippa perceiving the Romans to be in great danger because all the Mountains were covered with infinite numbers of Jews he purposed to try if with gentle words he could perswade them to desist from war or if some refused to receive those that were willing Wherefore he sent unto them Borcaeus and Phoebus two of his Captains whom they well knew with charge to promise them pardon in the name of Cestius The Rebels kill one of the Kings Ambassadors another of them escaped being wounded and of the Romans for all that they had already done if they would lay down their Arms and return to their duty But the Revolters fearing that all G the multitude in hope of safety would joyn with Agrippa determined to kill these Deputies and they slew Phoebus before he spake a word Borcaeus being wounded escaped But the people were angry hereat and with stones and clubs drave them into the Town that were the authors of this fact Cestius perceiving them divided H among themselves thought that he had now a fit opportunity to assault them and so came upon them with his whole Army and putting them to flight he pursued them to Jerusalem And when he had pitched his Tents in the place called Scopus Cestius draweth forth his whole Army against the Jews seven furlongs from the City he did nothing against it for three days space perhaps hoping that they within would relent and in the mean time he sent a great many Soldiers into the Vilages adjoyning to fetch Corn. The fourth day which was the thirteenth of October he came against the City with his Army in battel array The Jews were so surpriz'd and terrified to behold the Roman Discipline that they forsook the outmost parts of the City and retir'd into the Temple Cestius passing Betheza burnt Scenopolis and the place called the new Market and coming I to the higher part of the City he took up his quarters near the King's Palace and if at any time he had violently given the assault he had taken the City and ended the War But Tyrannus Priscus General of the Foot and many other Rulers and Captains of the Horse being corrupted with money by Florus hindred that his purpose whereby the War was prolonged and a thousand Calamities befel the Jews In the mean time many of the chiefest among the Jews Divers Jews call for Cestius as if they 〈…〉 to open 〈…〉 and Ananus the
Son of Jonathas made an offer to Cestius to open the Gates to him but either through anger or diffidence he contemned the offer The Rebels understanding this Treason with stones constrained Ananus and his complies to throw themselves over the wall for their safety Which done they retired thmselves to the Towers from whence K 〈◊〉 beat back those that scaled the walls The Romans for five days space assaulted 〈◊〉 â—alls on every side but all invain and the sixth day Cestius with many chosen Solâ—â—â— and Bowmen assaulted the Temple on the North-side 〈…〉 burn the Temple-gates The Jews valiantly made reâ—â—ance out of the Porches and often repulsed the Romans as they approach'd the Walls yet at last by the multitude of their adversaries darts they were forced to give back Then the formost of the Romans holding their shields over their heads and leaning against the wall they in the second rank also held their Shields against those in the first and so in order until the last thereby making a Tortoise as the Romans call it or defence that all their shot and darts could do them no harm so that the Soldiers safely undermined the walls and attempted to fire the Gates of the Temple L The seditious were hereat greatly amazed and many fled out of the City as if it would presently be taken But the people were as glad of it as the Rebels were dismaied and came to the Gates to open them to Cestius as one who had well deserved at their hands And truly if he had but a little longer continued the siege he had taken the City But I think that God being angry with these wicked persons would not suffer the War to be ended at that time For Cestius neither regarding the good will of the people nor the desperation of the Rebels removed his Army from thence and having received no loss very unadvisedly departed from the City Cestius's sudden departure maketh the Thieves more confident at whose unlooked for flight the Rebels took heart and making after him they killed some Horse and foot of his Rear Cestius quarter'd that day in the Camp M which he had fortified near Scopion The next day he went further into the Country whereby he more encouraged the Rebels who following killed many of his Rere because the place thorough which the Romans march'd was narrow the Jews assaulted them on the flank and the last durst not cast any darts against them who wounded them on their backs thinking that an infinite multitude had followed them and they were not able to resist them that assaulted them on each side being heavy arm'd and not daring to break their order whilst on the contrary the Jews were active and light so that the Romans endured much harm at the hands of their Enemies and did them none And thus were they beaten all the way long and many of them killed amongst whom was Priscus Captain of the sixth Legion and N Longinus the Tribune and Aemilius Jucundus Campmaster of a Regiment of Horse And so with much ado they came to Gabio where they first pitch'd their Tents casting away much of their baggage which might any way hinder them Cestius staied there two days doubtful what to do The third day he perceived his enemies increased and all places about filled with Jews whereby he saw that his slowness was to his disadvantage and the number of his enemies would still increase if he made any longer abode there Wherefore that he might flee speedily he caused the Soldiers to cast away all those things that might be a hindrance to them and to kill their Mules Asses and Cattel saving only those that carried munition fearing that if he should not destroy them the Jews might make use of them against O him and so he led his Army toward Bethoron The Jews in large passages little molested his Army but when they were to pass a strait then they set upon those of A the Rere and drove others down precipices and all the army of the Jews were spread upon the eminent places where the Romans were to pass expecting to welcome them with their Arrows While the Roman Foot were in this extremity the Horse were in greater danger for they could not keep their ranks for the multitude of darts and arrows The Jews pursue their Enemies and bring them into a desperate Estate neither could they get up to their enemies the ascent to the top of the Mountains was so steep and they were compassed on each side with Rocks and deep Valleys so that if any went out of the way he fell down and was killed and thus there was no way either to flee or to resist In this desperation they fell to lamentations and outcries which the Jews answered with shouts of joy encouraging one another to play the men being glad of their enemies adversity The mourning and lamentation of the Romans and the Jews exhortation and all the Army of Cestius B had there perished had not the night come on and helped them which by the darkness gave leisure to the Romans to flee into Bethoron In the mean while the Jews kept all the places thereabouts besieged and guarded the passages Cestius seeing it not possible to march openly Cestius's stratagem thought best to flee and chose almost 400 of his strongest Soldiers and set them in very eminent places commanding them that when they were aloft they should cry as they did before that the Jews might think that the whole Army was there and so he with the rest of his Army marched quietly 30 Furlongs In the morning the Jews perceiving the Romans to be fled assaulted the 400 by whom they were deceived and presently killing them with Darts they C pursued Cestius who having fled away in the night made more haste the next day so that the Soldiers for fear left their Arms and Instruments to beat down Walls and Slings and much other munition which the Jews taking after used against them Thus they followed the Romans to Antipatris and seeing they could not overtake them they returned bringing with them the warlike Instruments and rifling those that were slain and taking whatsoever the Romans had left behind and so singing Songs of Victory they returned to Jerusalem having lost very few of their company and slain 5380 of the Roman Foot and their Auxiliaries and 980 Horse And this was done upon the eighth day of October and in the twelfth year of the Reign of Nero. D CHAP. XXV Of the Cruelty of those of Damascus against the Jews and of Joseph's affairs in Galilee AFter this ill success of Cestius The year of the World 4031. after Christ's Nativity 69. many of the chiefest among the Jews daily fled and forsook the City as a ship presently ready to sink Costobarus and Saul two Brethren and Philip the Son of Joachim General of Agrippa's Army retir'd themselves to Cestius As for
committed no act of hostility and also spoiled all that was without the Cities and always repulsed the Inhabitants if at any time they took courage to revenge themselves Joseph seeing things in this posture assaulted the City Sephoris in hope to take it but before such time as it revolted unto the Romans he had compassed it with so strong Walls that the Romans themselves could not have taken it and so his hope was frustrate for neither by force nor fair means would the Sephorites yield to him Hereat the Romans being angry troubled the Country more than before they now neither night nor day ceased from destroying it but robbed and spoiled all they found and all men able to bear Arms they slew and made the rest their slaves Thus all Galilee K was filled with fire and sword and no man escaped that calamity only those saved themselves that fled into the Cities that Joseph had walled In the mean time Titus came to Alexandria during Winter sooner than he was expected Titus bringeth a mighty Army into Judaea and so received there the Souldiers that he was sent for and having a prosperous journey he quickly came to Ptolemais and finding his Father there to two of the chiefest Legions to wit the fifth and tenth he also adjoyned that fifteenth Legion that he brought with him and there followed them eighteen Companies five out of Caesarea one Troop of Horse and five Companies of Horse out of Syria ten of these Companies of Foot had in every one of them a thousand Men the rest only six hundred and thirteen and in every Troop of Horse were an hundred and twenty L The Princes that were Allies also brought great Aid for Antiochus Agrippa and Sohemus brought each of them two thousand Bowmen and a thousand Horse and Malchus King of Arabia brought five thousand Foot and one thousand Horse the most of his Foot were Archers so that the whole Army together with the Kings Aid amounted to the number of threescore thousand Horse and Foot together besides them that followed the camp who were a great multitude and inferiour to none but their Masters in warlike discipline for one cannot too much admire the Romans who so train up their servants in time of Peace that they are very fit for War So that whosoever well beholdeth their Military Disciplin he shall perceive that they gained not this their goodly Empire by chance and fortune but by their valour for they do M not only then begin to use weapons when they come to fight but they practise military discipline before they need and they are not idle in time of peace but always practise themselves therein without ceasing Their exercises are like War it self and every Souldier is every day inur'd to some sort of Weapon The diligence and labour of the Romans in providing things necessary for the Wars even as though they were fighting against the enemy so that hereby they easily indure the burthen and travel of War For no disorder makes them forget what to do neither doth fear dismay them nor continuance of Fight and War weary and tire them So that whosoever they fight against who are not so well expert in these affairs as they they always overcome them and one may well call their exercises amongst themselves conflicts without blood-shed and their wars conflicts with blood-shed They are not easily overcome N at unawares for in what Enemy-country soever they come they fight not before they have fortified their Camp about The industry of the Romans which they do not rashly nor pitch their Tents in marish or high places after a disordered manner for if the place be unequal they make it plain And they proportion their Camp four-square for they have many Smiths The order of the Romans in their Camp and all kind of Workmen needful which still follow the Army to perform such business And in the innermost part of the Camp they make Quarters whose outside resembleth a Wall with Towers equally distant one from another and between them Engines of War to cast Stones and such-like that all kind of shot may be in readiness They also build four Gates large and wide both for their Horse easily to come in at and also for themselves if need require to enter in or issue out speedily O Within the camp there are streets divided by certain spaces in the midst lodge A their Officers and the Pretorium or Generals Tent is like a Temple so that it seemeth a City and a Market full of shops made in an instant There are also seats built for the Chief Officers to judg of controversies if any arise between the Souldiers and others All this place and all things belonging thereto are made in an instant partly by reason of the multitude partly by the industry of such as work and if need require they compass it with a Trench four Cubits deep and as many broad Thus the Souldiers enclosed with their Arms live quietly in their Tents without disorder and all things are done with good advice and prudence whether they need Water or Corn or Wood they all go to dinner at the time appointed and all sleep at once and a Trumpet giveth notice when to watch and guard The reverence and obedience of the Roman Souldiers to their Cap-Captains and nothing is done that is not commanded B In the morning all the Souldiers come to their Captains to salute them the Captains go to the Tribunes and they all to the General who gives them a Watch-word and tells them what he thinks good and how they shall behave themselves towards those that are under them how in fight to demean themselves and when to assault and when to retire How the Romans forsake their Camp When they go forth of the Camp a Trumpet sounds and no man is idle but at the first notice takes away his Tent and makes all ready for departure Then the Trumpet soundeth again warning them to be ready and having loden their Beasts with their baggage they expect the sound again as though they were to run a race and at their departure they burn their Camp because it is easie to build the like again and also least afterwards it should advantage their Enemies When the C Trumpet hath sounded the third time which is a sign to set forward then they hasten those that are slow lest they break their ranks And a Herald standeth on the right hand of the General asking thrice if they be prepared to fight and they as often answer that they are holding up their right hands with courage and so they march on orderly every man keeping his rank The Armour of the Roman Footmen as though they were ready to give Battel The Footmen have a Head-piece a Breast-plate and a Sword on the left side and on the right side a Dagger The Footmen guarding the General have a Javelin and a Shield the
he thought fit by the sight of his Army to terrifie his enemies and give them time to repent if any one would alter his mind before the War began Yet in the mean time he prepared all things necessary for a siege The only Rumor of his coming made many Rebels faint-hearted For Josephs Souldiers who had pitched his Tents a little from Sephoris when they knew that the enemy approch'd and that they were presently to fight with the Romans they fled not only before they fought but also before they saw them Joseph being left with a very few and knowing that he was not able to abide his enemies and that the Jews were dismayed and that if he put any trust in them 〈…〉 they would for the most part revolt to the enemies for that time abstained O from battel and thought to get himself out of Danger and so accompanied with those that remained with him he went to Tiberias A CHAP. VI. How Gadara was besieged and taken VEspatian went first to Gadara and took it easily at the first assault for all the able men and fit for War were fled out of the City The Romans entring the place put all to death without mercy partly for the hatred they had conceived against the Jews and partly in revenge of that which had befaln Cestius And they burnt the B City and all Towns and Villages adjoining some of which were already desolate and the inhabitants of the rest were made slaves Joseph's presence in the City which he had made choice of for his safeguard filled it with fear For the People of Tiberias thought he would never have fled if there had been any hope of withstanding the Romans wherein they judged not amiss for he foresaw what event the War would have and that their safety consisted only in changing their rebellious minds He himself though he hoped to obtain pardon of the Romans yet had much rather have died then lived pleasantly with them against whom he was sent and so become a Traytor to the Country comitted to his charge Wherefore he determined faithfully to write a true state of the Country to the Nobility at Jerusalem Joseph is afraid of the Romans and writeth to Jerusalem and not to extol the enemies forces too much lest they should say he was a Coward nor yet put them in any comfort lest C perhaps now penitent for what they had done they should by his Letters be incited to go foreward in their rebellious course He desir'd them presently to write an answer whether they thought good to enter into League with the Romans or if they would make War then they should send a sufficient Army against them And having written to this effect he presently sent men away to Jerusalem to carry the Letters CHAP. VII D Of the Seige of Jotapata VEspatian was very desirous to take Jotapata because he knew many of his enemies were fled thither and this was the strongest Refuge they had So he sent before some Foot and Horse with Pioneers to plain the ways which were full of ragged stones so that it was hard for Footmen to pass and altogether unpossible for Horsemen Within four dayes they effected that which they were commanded and made a large way for the Army to pass On the fifth day which was the one and twentieth of March Joseph comes to Jotapata from Tiberias Joseph before they came entred into the City coming thither from Tiberias to encourage the Jews who were dismayed A certain run-away told Vespatian E that Joseph was come thither and advised him to hasten thither for if he could take Joseph he might easily take all Judea Hereat Vespatian was very glad and took it as a good fortune that the most prudent and potent of his enemies should God so disposing put himself as it were in hold And so presently he sent Placidus before with a thousand Horsemen and with him Ebutius a man both valiant and prudent and commanded them to invest the City on all sides lest Joseph should privily escape from thence The day after he himself followed with the whole Army and about noon came to Jotapata Jotapata besieged and leading his Army to the North side of the Town he pitched his Tents upon a Hill seven stades distant from the City purposely placing himself within the view of his Enemies that the very sight of his Army might terrifie them F as it also did for presently all were in such a fear that none durst go out of the City The Romans being wearied that day would not assault the City but they beset the Gates with two Squadrons of Horse and a third that consisted of Foot was placed without to intercept all passages that none of the Jews could pass any-whither Hereupon the Jews now in desperation took heart for in War nothing is more forcible then necessity Nothing is more effectual in War or more desperate than necessity The next day began the Battery and the Jews kept themselves in order and resisted the Romans before their Walls But when Vespasian sent all the Bowmen and Slingers and other Engineers to beat them off from the Walls and he himself with Foot assaulted the Wall in another place where it might easily be entred then Joseph accompanied with all his Forces issued out the Town and assaulted the G Romans fiercely and drove them from the Walls with great courage though they themselves suffered as much harm as they did to their Enemies For as the Jews were animated by desperation so were the Romans with shame these latter had Military A knowledge and strength and the Jews had despair and rage to encourage them The fight continued all day even till night wherein many Romans were wounded and only thirteen slain and of the Jews there were six hundred wounded and seventeen slain A fight between the Romans and the Jews continued a whole day and broken off by night The next day also they encountred the Romans and resisted them more stoutly than before taking courage that they the day before had resisted them contrary to their expectation The Romans also fought more valiantly ashamed as it were of themselves in suffering the Jews to resist them thinking withal that they themselves were overcome if they did not quickly suppress their Enemies Wherefore the Romans for five dayes together ceased not to assult the Town and the Jews strongly repelled them and neither the Jews feared their Enemies nor the Romans were dismayed B with the difficulty of taking the Town The situation of Jotapata Jotapata is almost all situate upon a Rock and compassed about with deep Valleys which descend strait down like a Wall so that one can scarcely see the bottom without dazling There is only one access to it on the North where it is seated upon a declining Mountain which Joseph enclosed with a Wall to the end it might be no passage for the Enemies all
the rest of the City is environed with high Mountains so that it cannot be discerned by any before they be hard by it such was the strength of Jotapata Vespatian determined both to combate the nature of the place Vespatian intends to begin a sharp Siege and the hardiness of the Jews and therefore called all his Captains together and consulted with them to begin a hot siege at last they resolved to rear a Mount in that place where the City was C easiest to be entred He sent his whole Army to provide wood to do it who cut much on the Mountains near the Town and great store of wood and stone being brought and having set hurdles before them to bear off the Darts and Arrows he began to raise a Mount so that they received little or no harm by Darts cast from off the Walls whilst others brought earth from places thereabouts and no man was idle The Jews cast continually great stones and all kind of Darts upon that which defended them which though they pierced not thorow yet they made a great noise and terrified the Workmen Which Vespatian seeing caused all Engines that cast stones and darts which were in number an hundred and threescore to be placed against the Walls to beat the Jews from thence And so they cast Stones Darts Fire and Arrows in great D abundance so that they not only beat the Jews from off the Walls but also out of the reach of their shot for the Arabian Archers and those that used Slings and Darts The Jews break out and beat down the Bulwark and all the Engines continually played upon them For all this the Jews rested not but running out in Companies they pull'd down the Sheds which defended the Workmen and then assaulted them having no defence and when they had beaten them away destroyed and fired all that the Romans had wrought for their own defence and safeguard At last Vespatian perceived that these damages hapned for that there was some space left between all these works whereby the Enemies had access to do them such harms Wherefore he united them together and so hindred the excursions of the Jews Joseph 〈◊〉 stakes in the ground and fasteneth unto them raw Oxe Hides to raise the Wall and beat off the Shot When the Mount was almost made and the Towers upon it finished E Joseph shun'd to do nothing for the safeguard of the Town called all workmen necessary together and commanded them to build a Wall there higher than the Romans Work but they said it was impossible for them to work for the number of Darts in that place Then Joseph made this device to defend them he fixed stakes in the ground and fastened to them hides of Kine and Oxen new slain by which they were defended from shot and fire so that labouring night and day they raised the Wall twenty cubits high erecting also upon it many Towers and by this means they made it a strong defence The Romans who before thought themselves sure of the Town were now greatly dismayed both by this device of Joseph and also by the hardiness of the Jews F CHAP. VIII Of the Siege of Jotapata by Vespatian and the diligence that Joseph used and how the Jews made Sallies against the Romans THis Stratagem and the Courage of the Jews greatly moved Vespatian for now they receiving courage from that defence made assaults upon the Romans of their own accord and every day skirmished running out in Companies and like Thieves G taking away whatsoever they lighted upon and what they could not carry away they A set on fire At last Vespasian would not permit his Souldiers to fight any longer but determined to take it by Famine and either to make them come and yield themselves for lack of Food or if they held out to famish them conceiving that it would be more easie to take it by force if ceasing a while from assaulting it he afterwards set upon it when their Case was more desperate Vespasian restraineth his Souldiers from fight and besiegeth the City Wherefore he commanded all passages to be kept that none could go out of the City but they had great store of Corn and of all other things else except Salt and Water whereof they stood in great want for there is never a Fountain in the City and they have little rain in Summer so that the Inhabitants were in great distress Joseph delivereth his Souldiers water by measure for there was hardly any Water left in the City Joseph perceiving there was abundance of all things else and that the Citizens were valiant B as also the Siege like to continue long he gave to every one water in measure with which they were not contented thinking it as good to want altogether as to have it in that manner and now they began to faint and refuse to labour The Romans perceiving this being upon a high hill over against the place whither all the Jews came together to receive Water they with their shot killed many that came thither insomuch that Vespasian hoped that within short time their Water would be spent and they constrained to yield Josephs Stratagem But Joseph to frustrate this hope commanded a great many Garments to be laid in water and hanged upon the Walls so that the Water might run down on every side When the Romans saw this they were much surprised imagining that they would not waste so much Water in mockery if they wanted Water to C drink wherefore Vespasian no longer hoping to win the City by Famine purposed to assault it again by force The Jews were very glad of this and being in manifest danger Another Policy of Joseph rather wish't to be slain than perish through hunger or thirst Joseph devised also another way to get Water out of the Country There was a little Valley out of the way and therefore not regarded by the Romans by this way Joseph sent men into the Country to his Friends for such things as the City wanted commanding them when they came near the Watchmen to hide and cover themselves with hairy Skins that the Watchmen might think them to be Dogs and this he used a good while till at last the Watchmen perceived it and so set a guard there to stop the passage When Joseph perceived the City could not hold out long and fearing his own Life if D he still continued there The people beseech Joseph that he would not forsake them he consulted with the chief of his Officers how he might flie But the People discovering his intent flocked about him and besought him to take pity upon them and not forsake them who had no hope but in him affirming that for his sake they were all couragious and bold to fight and if they were taken yet he would be a comfort to them and that it did not become him to flie from his Enemies nor forsake his
upon dry matter with Brimstone and Pitch wonderfully increased so that in one hours space it consumed all the works that the Romans had made with so great labour There was an action of a Jew one Samson of Eleazar which deserves eternal memory the man was born at Saab in Galilee He took up a great stone and cast it down with such force upon the Ram Eleazar's strength and courage that he brake off the head thereof and nothing fearing leapt down amongst the midst of his Enemies and brought the head away to the foot of the Wall where being unarmed and as it were a mark for his enemies to shoot at he received in his body five Arrows and as though he had not felt them he got up the Wall again where that all might see him he boldly stood still till through grief of his O wounds having the head of the Ram in his arms he fel down Next to him two brethren of A Ramath in Galilee shewed themselves valiant named Netiras and Philip who assaulted the tenth Legion of the Romans with such violence that they broke their ranks and put all to flight that endeavour'd to withstand them At the same time Joseph and a good number with him took fire and burnt the Engins Works and Huts of the fifth and tenth Legions Netiras and Philips valour against the Romans and those that followed him destroyed all Engines and other matter that was left In the evening the Romans again erected the Ram against that part of the City which before they had beaten and one of the Jews shot an Arrow from the Wall and wounded Vespasian in the sole of the foot yet the wound was not great for that the force of the Arrow was spent before it came to him having come a great way off B This fact greatly troubled the Romans Vespasian wounded in the sole of the Foot by an Arrow who seeing Vespasian bleed presently spread the news through the whole Army and almost all of them came running to see their General and especially Titus who feared his fathers danger But Vespasian presently freed the Army from all perturbation and his Son Titus from fear For the dissembling grief of the wound he shewed himself to all that were sorrowful for him and incited them to fight against the Jews more earnestly than before Whereupon every one as it were to revenge their General despised all danger and assaulted the Walls exhorting one another The War renewed against the Jews Joseph and his associates notwithstanding many of them were killed with Shot Darts and Arrows yet forsook not the Walls but with Fire and Sword and Stones fiercely assaulted them that being defended with Hurdles battered C the Walls with the Ram but to little purpose for they were continually killed by their Enemies because they could not see them But their Fire made such a light as though it had been day so that the Romans easily perceived whither to direct their shot And for that their Engines were not perceived afar off the Jews could not defend themselves from the Arrows and Stones that were shot against them by which means many of them were slain and the tops and corners of the Towers beaten down And many that were behind were slain by force of those stones so that any man may know of what force that Engine is by that which hapned that night For one that stood neer Joseph upon the Wall was struck with a Stone and his head carried from his body by violence of the blow three furlongs off as though it had been D cast out of a sling and the next day a Woman great with Child was struck on the belly with one of those stones and the Child carried forth of her from the place where she was struck three furlongs so great was the force of this Engine Thus the violence of the Engines was most terrible The force of the Roman Darts and likewise the noise of Darts Arrows and other shot Many were slain on every side and the bodies of those that were killed being dasht against the Wall made a great noise and within the City was heard a pitiful lamentation and weeping amongst the Women and without a heavy mourning and cry of them that were wounded to death and all that part of the Wall where the fight was flowed with Blood so that now the multitude of dead bodies had so filled the ditch before the Wall that the Romans might easily pass over into the City and E the Mountains about Eccho'd with the cries of the Citizens and all that night long nothing wanted that either might by the Eye or Ear move terrour Thus many stoutly fighting for Jotapata died most valiantly many also were sore wounded and notwithstanding the Wall was continually battered yet it was almost Morning before it fell being all night long beaten with the Ram. And then they of Jotapata repaired the breach with in defatigable labour before the Romans could set up a Bridge to enter it F CHAP. X. How Jotapata was again assaulted THe next day in the Morning Vespasian brought his Army to enter the breach Vespasian leadeth on his Army to enter the City having given them but little rest after their whole nights labour and desirous to make the Jews that defended the breach forsake their Station before such time as he entred he took the most valiant of his Horsemen and unhorsed them being armed from Head to Foot and placed them in three ranks that they being so armed might besiege round that part of the Wall that was battered having long Pikes in their hands G so that as soon as the Bridges were set they might first enter the breach After them he placed the strongest of his Foot the rest of his Horse he set round about the City upon the Mountain to the end that none might escape After the Footmen he commanded H Archers to follow with their Arrows ready in their hands and them that used slings also and other Engines for shot And he caused others to scale the Walls where they were not battered to the intent that the Townsmen busied in resisting them might leave the breach unmanned and the rest being wearied and opprest with the thickness of the shot might be forc'd to forsake their standing But Joseph perceiving his intent Joseph's subtil Policie placed the old Men and Children and those that were already wearied upon those parts of the Walls that were not battered and himself with the stoutest of the City went to defend the breach and he placed six men before them whom he chose out himself being one of them to sustain the first brunt of the enemies assault commanding them likewise to stop their Ears to the end that they might not I be terrified with the cries of the Army and to cover themselves with their shields against the Darts and Arrows and give back a little till such time
one Gate upon them and the Romans the other and many thus enclosed perished by their fellows Swords and an infinite number by the rage of the Romans 12000 Jews slain having no courage to resist and revenge themselves For the Inhumanity of their own Citizens and terrour of their Enemies together utterly discouraged them and so they died all in number 12000 cursing not the Romans but the Jews their own Country-men Trajan thinking that the City was now destitute E of fighting men or if any were within that they durst not resist being thus terrified Titus with his Forces coâ—mes to Japha reserved the taking of the City for the General and sent Messengers to him requesting him to send his Son Titus to accomplish the Victory Vespasian fearing that yet there would be some resistance sent Titus with 500 Horse and 1000 Foot who hastening thither placed Trajan on the left side of the Town and himself on the right so the Romans on every side scaled the Walls and the Galileans having a while resisted A sharp Skirmish within the Town between the Galileans and the Romans at length left them Then Titus and his followers leaping down got into the City and began a vehement fight with them that were assembled therein some valiantly issuing out of the Narrow streets and assaulting them and the Women casting such things as they could get upon the Romans from the tops of their F houses and thus they held battel six hours When their fighting men were all slain then the Old Men and Children and all the other Company both in the streets and in their houses were soon dispatcht that none of them were left alive save only Infants who with the Women were led Captives The number of them that were slain both in the City and in the first conflict amounted to 15000 and the number of those that were led into Captivity were 1130. This Massacre of the Galileans hapned the 25th day of June G A CHAP. XII How Cerealis Conquered the Samaritans THe Samaritans also were partakers of the sad Effects of this bloody War The Assembly of the Samaritans on the Mountain Garizin They assembled themselves together upon Mount Garizin which they accounted a sacred place But this Assembly gave cause to believe that not warned by their neighbours harms not with any advice or judgement considering their own infirmity and the Romans power they began to be tumultuous Vespasian foreseeing this thought B good to prevent them and although all the Region of Samaria had Roman Garisons in it yet the great multitude assembled made it reasonable to fear them Wherefore he sent thither Cerealis the Tribune of the fifth Legion with six hundred Horse and three thousand Foot Cerealis thought it not the best way to go unto the Mountain and attaque the whole multitude there who were so numerous but he commanded his Souldiers to beleagure the Mountain about at the Foot thereof and to keep there all the day There hapned at that time a vehement heat and the Samaritans wanted Water Want of water in the Mountain Garizin It was then Summer and the People had not provided themselves with Victuals so that many in one day only for want of drink died of thirst others preferring death before the misery they endured fled to the Romans of whom Cerealis learned C that those that yet remained on the Mount were even dis-heartned by the misery they endured Wherefore he ascended the Mountain and compassing about the Enemies with his Army he first exhorted them to yield and promised them all their lives if they would cast down their weapons but nothing prevailing with them he set upon them 11600 Samaritans slain and killed them all in number 11600. This was done the 27th day of June These were the miseries that befel the Samaritans CHAP. XIII D How Jotapata was Taken THe Citizens of Jotapata having endured this hard Siege beyond all expectation seven and fourty dayes the Romans Mounts were now raised higher than their Walls A fugitive certifieth the weak estate of the Citizens of Jotapata and how few they were On the same day one of the City fled to Vespasian and told him in what case the City stood and how few Citizens were left and that with daily watchings and fighting they were far spent so that they were not able to resist any more and that they might be taken by policy if they were followed for in the last part of the night being weary they ceased from their labour and slept till the Morning wherefore he perswaded E Vespasian to assanlt them at that time But Vespasian knowing how faithful the Jews were one unto another and how they contemned all punishment gave little credit to this Run-away For a little before one of Jotapata being taken could not by any torments be compelled to confess or disclose the Estate of the City the fire nothing moved him and so at last he was crucified laughing and scorning death Yet a probable conjecture which he had perswaded him to give some credit to this Traitors words and for that he knew no great harm could befall him if he so assaulted the City as the Traitor advised he commanded the man to be kept and put all his army in readiness to assault the Town At the hour appointed he made towards the Wall with silence Titus marcht first accompanied with one Domitius Sabinus a Tribune F and some choice men of the fifteenth Legion who killing the Sentinels entred into the City and after them entered Sextus Cerealis and Placidus with their Companies so the Castle was taken The Romans 〈◊〉 the City whilest the Jews sleep and the Enemies were in the midst of the Town and it was fair day-light and yet the Townsmen knew nothing being now fast asleep after their great labours and watchings and they that watcht could see nothing there was so thick a mist by chance that Morning and the rest never wakened till Death was at their door and that they perceived their Calamity and Destruction The Romans mindful of all that had befallen them in the time of the siege The Romans have 〈…〉 compassion neither spared nor pitied any one but driving the people out of the higher part of the City into the lower they massacred them all They that would have fought could not for the narrowness of the G place and so being cumbred for want of room and sliding down the banks for haste H their Enemies still pursuing them they were easily slain Many of Josephs Guard seeing that they could not fight gathered themselves together in a corner of the City and slew themselves that the Romans might not kill them But some of the Watchmen who first perceived the City to be taken fled into a Tower and resisted a while this Tower was situate in the North-side of the City and at last being invironed with their Enemies towards
murder and slaughter of one of his Friends Joseph being thus delivered from extream danger both from the D Romans Joseph resorteth to Vespasian with Nicanor and from those of his own Nation went with Nicanor to Vespasian All the Romans came about him to see him and pressing about their General they made a great noise some rejoycing that he was taken others crying out to punish him others striving to come near to behold him better and they who were afar off cryed out to kill that Enemy of the Romans Fame But those who were near and beheld him remembring his great Actions An example of Titus grace and mercy towards Joseph were astonished at his change of Fortune No Captain or Ruler but although before they were all moved against him yet now beholding him they begin to pity him especially Titus who being of a gentle disposition admired Josephs valour his constancy in adversity and considered his Age and thereby was moved to take compassion upon him remembring what a manner of man he had been during E the Wars and what he now was being fallen into his Enemies hands calling also to mind the power and force of Fortune and how uncertain the chance of War is and that humane affairs have no stedfastness His Example drew many minds to pity him so that Titus was the chief author of Josephs life Yet Vespasian caused him to be carefully kept as though he meant to send him to Caesar Which Joseph hearing requested that he might speak a word or two with him alone Whereupon all but his Son Titus departing Joseph hath private conference with Vespasian and two of his Friends Joseph spoke to him in these terms You think only that you have Joseph for your Captive but I am a Messenger to you of greater matters from God Joseph foretelleth Vespasian of his future honours Otherwise I knew my Country Laws and how it behoved the Generals of our Nation to die and not to be taken alive by their Enemies You will send me F to Nero Wherefore since Nero and those that are to succeed him before you have so little time to live you O Vespasian shall be Caesar and Emperor of Rome and Titus your Son after you keep me therefore in bonds with you for you are not only my Lord but Lord of all the World Sea and Land and all Man-kind And if I now fain these things in this state of mine own mind against God let me be reserved to greater punishment After he had thus spoken Vespasian gave small credit to his words thinking that Joseph fained these things of himself to save his Life yet by little and little he began to give credit to him because God put it in his mind to hope for the Empire and fore-told him of his Reign by many signs and tokens and he also found Joseph to tell the truth in other matters For one of Vespasians friends saying that it was strange that he knowing this G could not prophesie of the event of the War against Jotapata Josephs truth in all things and what was like to befal himself that so he might avoid those evils Joseph answered that he had foretold the Citizens of Jotapata that after seven and fourty dayes they should be destroyed and that the Romans should keep him alive in hold Vespasian secretly enquired of these H matters and finding by the relation of the Captives that it was true he began to give more credit to that which Joseph had told him concerning himself So he commanded Joseph to be kept Prisoner yet he gave him apparel and divers other things in most courteous manner Joseph is kept bound yet rewarded by Vespasian and Titus greatly honoured him The fourth day of July Vespasian returned to Ptolemais and from thence he came to the Sea-coast to Caesarea which is the greatest City of Judaea whose Inhabitants are for the most part Greeks The Inhabitants received the Army and the General with all friendship possible Caâ—sarea a great City by the Sea-side inhabited for the most part by Greeks both for that they loved the Romans and especially also for that they hated the Jews so that many intreated Vespasian to put Joseph to death But Vespasian judging this a rash Petition would make no answer to it and he left two Legions to Winter at Caesarea I because he saw it was a fit place and he sent the tenth and fifth to Scythopolis because he would not over-charge Cesarea with the whole Army Scythopolis This place is warm in Winter and exceeding hot in Summer by reason it is situate on a Plain by the Sea-coast CHAP. XV. How Joppa was taken by the Romans K IN the mean time a great multitude being gathered together Joppa the retreat of the Seditious and Thieves who either were seditious persons or thieves or such as had escaped out of the taken-Cities re-edified Joppa for their refuge which Cestius formerly had destroyed and seeing they could not find provision in the Countrey which was already wasted and left desolate by the War they purposed to become Pirates and so building Ships for that purpose they robbed the Phoenicians Syrians and Aegyptians not suffering any to pass those Seas without danger Vespasian understanding their practices sent Horse and Foot against Joppa who finding the City not guarded got into it in the night which the Inhabitants perceiving were so terrifi'd that they durst not make any resistance to expel L the Romans but they all fled to their Ships and there stayed all night a flight-shot from the shore Joppa is naturally no road for Ships for it is situated upon a turbulent Shore and on every side hath very high and eminent Rocks which trouble the Seas and make huge Waves In this place if we may believe the fable one may see the signs of Andromeda's Chains Of Andromeda read lib. 4. Ovid Metamorph When the North Wind blows it striketh the Waves against the Rocks and so causeth a dangerous Sea that it were far more safe to be in the midst of the Seas than at that Shore when the said Wind bloweth The Inhabitants of Joppa rode there all night A huge tempest drowneth those of Joppa in the Sea and by break of day the North Wind began to blow fiercely and drove some of the Ships one against another and others against the Rocks and many striving against Wind and Weather and seeking to get into the midst of the Sea for fear of the Rocky Shore and their Enemies there were drowned M They that escaped neither had any place of refuge nor hope of safety for the tempest drove them from the Sea and the Romans from the City so that the air was filled with cities of the people expecting to be drowned and with the noise and sound of the Ships beating one against another By this means some of the Inhabitants of Joppa were swallowed up by the
Waves others suffered shipwrack some killed themselves rather than to be drowned many with the Waves were stricken against the Rocks so that the Sea was bloody and all the shore covered with dead Bodies and whosoever escaped the Sea and got to shore the Roman Souldiers there standing ready killed them Four thousand and two hundred bodies cast out Four thousand and two hundred dead Bodies were cast upon the shore So the N Romans having without any fight taken the City destroyed it and thus was Joppa taken and twice destroyed by the Romans in a short time Vespasian built there a Castle Vespasian taketh Joppa and encampeth in the Castle and placed in it some few Horsemen and Footmen to the end that none of the Jews might come thither again to play the Pirates and that the Footmen might keep the Castle and in the mean time the Horsemen might go forth and spoil all the Towns and Villages and Territories belonging to Joppa which also they did When the news of the destruction of Jotapata was brought to Jerusalem many gave small credit to it partly for the greatness of the Calamity partly for that no man could say he had seen the destruction of the City for none escaped the Massacre to carry the news â—ame it self declareth the destruction of Jotapata but only report thereof was spread abroad But at the last it was confirmed to O be true by those that dwelt near the place and then they believed it Many things also which were false were reported as true For it was bruited that Joseph was slain A in the destruction of the City All Jerusalem was so afflicted his for death that whereas others were lamented only by their Kindred all the City bewailed his supposed Death They mourned for him thirty days and hired Musicians to sing Funeral Songs for him At last truth discovered it self and the true news of the destruction of Jotapata with the accidents there Joseph is said to be slain in Jerusalem also how Joseph was not slain but was living in the hands of the Romans and that the Romans honoured him more than a Captive could expect The hatred malice and wrath in Jerusalem against Joseph Then the Jews began as much to hate him now living as before they had mourned for him when they supposed him dead Some said he was a Coward others that he was a Traitour to his Country and the whole City vented reproachful speeches against him These heavy tydings encreased their rage and their adversity which to wise B men had been a warning to provide lest the like should befal themselves made them more outragious so that always the end of one mischief was the beginning of another To be short now they were more incensed against the Romans than before in the thought that by revenging themselves of them they might also be revenged of Joseph And this was the Estate of the Citizens of Jerusalem CHAP. XVI C How Tiberias was yielded VEspasian was desirous to see the Kingdom of Agrippa for the King had intreated him to go thither Vespasian cometh unto Agrippas Kingdom and recreateth himself there and feasteth twenty days partly to the intent to feast him and his whole Army partly that he might repress some troubles arising in his Kingdom in the time of his absence And so he departed from Cesarea upon the Sea-coast and went to Caesarea Philippi where he stayed and refreshed his Souldiers twenty dayes and himself also feasted giving God thanks for his prosperous success in the War This done he had Intelligence that Tiberias and Tarichea were revolted both which Cities belonged to Agrippa's Kingdom whereupon determining utterly to destroy the Jews which inhabited thereabouts D he thought good to lead his Army against these two places especially that he might reward Agrippa for his good entertainment by surrendring these Cities to him In order whereunto he sent his Son Titus to Caesarea to bring the Souldiers there to Scythopolis which was the greatest City of all Decapolis and was near Tiberias whither himself being come he expected his Son's coming and departing from thence with three Legions he pitched his tent in a place called Enabris where the seditious people of Tiberias might behold his Army this place was thirty Furlongs from Tiberias From thence he sent Valerianus a Captain to exhort them to peace Valerianus peaceably speaks to the Townsmen and he sent fifty Horsmen to accompany him for he understood that the people desired peace and against their will were forced to War by some of the Seditious amongst E them Valerianus coming near the City Walls lighted from his Horse and commanded all his Company to do the like that they of Tiberias might not think that they came to fight The seditious sally out and put the Romans to flight but in peaceable manner before he spoke a word the boldest of the seditious persons issued out against him having one Jesus the Son of Tobias who had been a Captain of Thieves for their Leader Valerianus not presuming to fight without Authority from his General although he had been certain of the Victory and considering that it was great danger for so few to fight against a whole multitude and withal terrified with the boldness of the Jews contrary to his expectation he fled away on Foot accompanied only with five other leaving his Horse and the rest behind him whom Jesus and his followers took and brought into the City rejoycing F as though they had taken them in fight and not by treachery But the Senators and chief of the City The Citizens of Tiberias prostratet themselves before Vespasian and obtain pardon fearing what might ensue upon this fact went to King Agrippa who presented them to Vespasian they prostrated themselves at his feet beseeching him to have compassion on them and not to think the whole City partakers with those few wicked persons that so had merited his displeasure but to spare the people who always had honoured the Romans and only punish the Authors of that revolt and misdemeanour who also had with-held the whole City till now from yielding it self to the Romans Vespasian moved by their entreaties pardoned the City though he was exasperated against them all for taking of Valerianus Horse and because he perceived Agrippa was Solicitous for fear that the City should be destroyed and G so Vespasian promised the Citizens pardon Then Jesus and his associates thinking it not safe for them to abide there fled to Tarichea The next day Vespasian sent be-before before him Trajanus with certain Horsemen into the Castle to see if all the people desired H peace and finding them to be peaceably despos'd he with his whole Army came to the City The Inhabitants opening the Gates of the City went to meet him with great joy all crying out that he was the Author of their welfare and Benefactor and wishing him all
prosperity and felicity The Tiberians entertain Vespasian with acclamations The Gates of the City were narrow so that the Army could not quickly enter in wherefore Vespasian commanded a part of the Wall on the Southside to be pull'd down and so entred forbidding to spoil the Citizens or ruine the Walls for Agrippa's sake who promised that from thenceforth the Citizens should be quiet And indeed this King spared no pains to repair the mischiefs which Division had caus'd amongst them I CHAP. XVII How Tarichea was besieged VEspasian departed from Tiberias Vespasian besieged Tarichea and encamped near Tarichea and fortifi'd his Camp foreseeing that the Siege of this place would cost much time for all Rebels that had desired War were got thither trusting both to the strength of the City and the Lake adjoyning to it called Genesareth For this City was built like Tiberias upon a Mountain and Joseph had inclosed it with a Wall where it was not compassed by the Lake But the Wall though strong yet was not so strong as that of Tiberias K for Joseph built that in the beginning of the Revolt having men and money at will but that of Tarichea was built only by the remainder of his liberality The Taricheans had great store of Ships in the Lake adjoyning to the end that if they were overcome by Land they might flie by Water to which end they had prepared their Ships for Battel by Water if need should be Whilst the Romans entrenched themselves Jesus and his followers not dismayed either with the multitude or Military Discipline of his Enemies issued out of the City and slew the Workmen and destroyed part of the Work The Romans drive the Jews to their Ships till perceiving the Romans assembled together against him he fled again to his Company without any loss or harm received But the Romans pursued them so fast that they forced them to take their Ships and so being gone so far from the L shore as that yet they might easily reach them with the shot of an Arrow they cast Anchor and disposed their Ships in Warlike manner and fought against the Romans who were on Shore Vespasian understanding at the same time that a great multitude of them were gathered together in a place neer the City sent his Son Titus against them with 600 Horse who finding the number of his Enemies too great to encounter he certified his Father that he needed more Forces Yet perceiving many of those Horsemen of good courage before any more aid came though some of them were afraid of the Jews he got upon a high place where all might hear him Titus Oration to his terrified Souldiers and said O ye Romans I will first put you in mind who you are and of what Nation that so considering what your selves are you may also consider who they are with whom we are to fight As for you was there ever any M Enemy in any part of the World that could escape our hands Jews are not to be feared And as for he Jews though they endure and manfully bear out their misery yet they look upon themselves as vanquisht If therefore they constantly endure misery and fight valiantly being in adversity what should we do who are in prosperity I rejoyce to see you shew good Countenance yet I fear lest so great a multitude of our Enemies may discourage some of you Let every one therefore once again consider who himself is and with whom he is to fight and that although the Jews be bold and valiant enough yet they observe no warlike order and are unarmed and so are rather to be termed a multitude than an Army I need not speak of your knowledg and skill in War since for this only cause we are trained up in Warlike discipline in time of Peace to the end that our courage should answer the number of our enemies when we are to joyn Battel for what N fruit shall we shew of this our perpetual warlike order and discipline if we dare only fight with a rude multitude that are no more in number than our selves consider that you being armed are to fight with men unarmed and being Horsmen are to fight with Footmen and being guided by good Officers with those who have no Head or Ruler All which things supply in us the want of more men and the contrary in our Enemies doth much deminish their number Victory doth not depend on the multitude of men be they never so warlike but in a few if they be valiant 〈…〉 for as they are few so are they easiâ—y kept in order and may easily come to help one another not being pestered whereas great multitudes do more hinder one another than do good and oftentimes do themselves more â—arm than their Enemies The Jews indeed are led with Desperation Rage and Fury which when good fortune seconds them are of some force but the O least ill fortune quickly extinguishes that order But we are led by Vertue and Obedience A and fortitude which are of force in prosperity and also are good in adversity Moreover we have greater reason to fight than the Jews have for they fight only for their Country and Liberty but we fight for Renown and Empire that since we have already gained the Empire of the whole World it might not be thought that our Enemies the Jews are Adversaries able to match us Consider moreover that ye need not fear any great danger for we have many to help us and that hard by let us therefore atchieve the Victory before any more succour come to us so shall our honour and our Victory be greater Now there will be a trial made of me my Father and you whether he deserves the reputation he enjoys whether I am worthy to be his Son and whether I may esteem my self happy in commanding you For he is wont to be victorious and shall I return to him being conquered and are you not asham'd to be dismayed B seeing that I your Captain offer my self It becometh Souldiers to obey their Captain and will undergo the greatest perils my self will bear the brunt of the Enemies and first encounter with them and let none of you depart from me perswade your selves that God will assist me in this fight and boldly presume that we can do much more being in the midst of our Enemies then if we should only fight with them at distance Titus having thus spoken as it were by Gods providence all his Souldiers took heart and courage so that now they were sorry to see Trajan come with 400 Horsmen more before the fight began as though their Victory would be less renowned because he came to help them Vespasian also sent Antonius and Silo with 2000 Archers to take the Mountain that was just opposite to the Town Vespasian sendeth new supplies to Titus and to beat them that defended the City off from the Walls and they
were within the City were terrified with the noise hereof and ran up and down as though all the Enemies were already entred into it And Chares Josephs Companion being sick yielded up the Ghost fear encreasing his Disease and helping to shorten his life The Romans remembring the bad success at the last assault did not enter the City till the twenty-third of the Month aforesaid Then Titus animated by resentment of the misfortune of the Romans in his absence Titus with two hundred Horse besides chosen Foot-men entreth Gamala accompanied with 200 Horsemen and some chosen Foot-men entred the City no man resisting him the Watch-men then first perceiving it cryed To Arms. Those within the City fearing that Titus was entred some took their Children some their Wives D and fled into the Castle with pitiful Cries and weeping others met Titus and were all put to the Sword and they that could not get into the Castle not knowing what to do fell among the Roman Guards Then the skies were filled with the cries of men dying and the lower places of the City flowed with blood Vespasian led his whole Army against those that fled into the Castle The top of the Castle of Gamala stony and hard to be climbed which was of a great height and scarcely accessible standing in a stony place full of Ditches and deep Dens and compassed with steep Rocks The Jews drove down the Romans that offered to come up to them partly with Darts partly with Stones which they rowled down upon them and they were so high that the Romans Arrows could not reach them But at last as it were by Gods providence The Romans Victory by Gods Providence who would have it so a Whirlwind arose which carried E the Roman Arrows amongst them in the Castle and the Jews Arrows from the Romans and the Wind was so violent that it was not possible for them to stand upon those high places and so not being able to stand nor to see those that came against them the Romans ascended and took the Castle some resisting for their defence others yielding themselves The Romans now call to mind their fellows that had perished in the first assault and so became more cruel Many despairing of their lives cast their Wives their Children and themselves headlong down those Precipices into the deep Vallies underneath 9000 Jews slain in Gamala and only two Women escape So that the Cruelty the Romans shewed against the people of Gamala was not so great as that which they used against themselves for there were only four thousand that perisht by the Romans Sword and the number of them F who so cast themselves down was found to be five thousand and not one escaped but two Women that were Sisters and Daughters to Philip Son of Joachim a worthy Man and General of Agrippa's Army and these two were saved only because at such time as the City was taken they hid themselves for they spared not Infants but many took them and cast them down from the Castle And thus was Gamala destroyed the 23 day of October having begun to Revolt the 21 day of September G CHAP. IV. The year of the World 4032. after the Nativity of Christ 70. H How Titus took Giscala NOw all the Cities and strong Places of Galilee were taken Giscala only excepted Part of the Inhabitants whereof desired Peace for that they were Husbandmen and their riches consisted in the Fruits of the Earth John a Poysoner and a deceitful man inforceth the Citizens of Giscala to Rebel but there were many factious Free-booters in the City and amongst them many of the natural Inhabitants These people were incited to Revolt by one John a very wicked and deceitful person Son to one I Levias he was of ill manners bold to attempt any thing and making no conscience of any thing he took in hand and he was known to all men for one that desired War to make himself mighty This man was a Ring-leader of the Seditious persons in Giscala and for fear of him the People who perhaps otherwise would have sent Legats to the Romans to request peace were hindred and forced to stay till the Romans came to fight against them Against these People Vespasian sent Titus and with him a thousand Horsemen and the tenth Legion towards Scythopolis Himself with the rest went to Caesarea to refresh them after their great labour at the charge of the Towns adjoyning judging it necessary to fit them to sustain manfully the toyls that were to ensue for he foresaw that he should have much ado to win Jerusalem both for that it was very K strong Vespasian foreseeth his no small trouble in the Siege of Jerusalem and was the Chief City of all the Nation And his care in this point was so much the more for that he perceived many out of all parts fled thither and that it was compassed with almost invincible Walls and besides this the boldness and desperate courage of the Inhabitants who although that they had had no Walls at all yet had been scarcely to be Conquered and therefore he thought it necessary to refresh his Souldiers before this Enterprise as Champions are prepared for the Combate Titus having taken a view of Giscala Titus his compassion toward those of Giscala judg'd that it might easily be taken yet knowing that if it were taken by force all the People would be destroyed by the Romans he being weary of blood-shed and commiserating the innocent People which were otherwise like to perish together with the culpable attempted to take it by surrender L Wherefore the Walls being full of People Titus his merciful Oration to those of Giscala among whom were many of the Seditious he told them that he marvelled what help they expected or by whose advice all other Cities being now taken they alone would resist the Roman Forces especially whenas they had already seen many Towns far stronger than theirs overthrown at the first assault and that contrariwise those who had yielded themselves to the Romans lived in peace and enjoyed all that was theirs Which offer said he I now also make to you and am not yet incensed against you because that which you do is in hope of your liberty but if you still persevere in your rebellious course and refuse this kind offer you shall presently perceive the Roman Sword drawn out for your destruction and incontinently find your Walls but a mockery and no wayes able to resist the Roman M Engines whereas contrariwise if you yield your selves and trust to the fidelity of the Romans you shall be the most happy people of all Galilee None of the Townsmen were admitted to make answer nor to come to the Walls for the Seditious were Masters of them Johns answer to Titus's Exhortation and a Guard was placed at every Gate lest any should go out to submit themselves or any Horsemen
upheld by many noble-men who were imployed in these affairs John sweareth to be faithful to the people Wherefore they thought good to request of him an oath of friendship which he denied not but added moreover that he would be true to the people and neither disclose any deed or secret Counsel of theirs to the Enemies but with heart and hand would truly endeavour to suppress the Rebels So Ananus did no more mistrust him because of his oath and admitted him afterward to all their Counsels F nothing suspecting him Nay they now trusted him so far that they sent him as Agent to the Zealots to perswade them to peace for they were very careful lest the Temple through their deeds should be defiled and prophaned or that any of the Jews should there be slain But he as though he had sworn to the Zealots and not to the Citizens entred boldly amongst them and standing in the midst of them he recounted to them that he had often for their sakes undergone great danger John contrary to his Oath revealeth their secrets to the Zealots by suffering none of the Townsmens secrets to be concealed from them but declared unto them all that ever Ananus and his Confederates determined against them and that even now he was like together with them to fall into extream Danger except it pleased God as it were miraculously to assist them For said he now Ananus without delay will G send to Vespasian who will come with his Army in all haste and take the City and that he had appointed the day following for Purification to purifie the people that so under pretence of piety he might let them into the City or else they might enter in by H force and that he could not see how either they were able to endure a long siege or encounter with so huge an Army adding moreover that it was Gods providence that he should be sent to them to make a peace when Ananus purposed so soon as they were unarmed to set upon them John stirreth up the Zealots against the Citizens Wherefore if they had any care of themselves they should either entreat the Watchmen that besieged them to be favourable to them or else get some succour from some place without the Temple For said he he that amongst you hopeth for pardon if you be overcome doth not remember what hath past and what he hath done but let them perswade themselves as they please they that have been injured will not forget and forgive so soon as he that injured them is sorry for his fact Nay many times the repentance of malefactors maketh them I more hated than before and the wrath of men that are injured is increased by Authority and licence to do what they please And they might be sure that the friends and kindred of them that were slain would always lay wait to requite the injuries and that all the people were incensed against them for breaking the Laws so that although some few would take pity upon them yet the greater number would prevail With these and such like speeches John terrified the Zealots yet durst he not openly tell them what he meant by forreign help notwithstanding he meant the Idumeans And that he might more enflame the Thieves he went to the chiefest of them and secretly told them that Ananus was cruelly bent against them and breathed out many threatnings against some in particular K CHAP. VI. How the Idumeans came to Jerusalem and what they did there AMongst the Zealots there were two principal Eleazer one of the Zealots causeth the Idumeans to be sent for Eleazer the Son of Simon who above all the rest was thought most fit both to give counsel and to execute that which was consulted upon and Zacharias the Son of Amphicalus who both L were descended from the Line of the Priests These two understanding that beside the general threatnings their death was especially resolved and that the faction of Ananus to get him into Authority had sent to call the Romans for this John had fained deliberated with themselves what to do having so short time to provide For they supposed that presently the people would assault them and they bethought themselves that now it was too late to seek forreign help for they might endure all calamity before they could give notice hereof unto any that would help them Yet at last they determined to call the Idumaeans to aid them The Zealots require help from the Idumeans and so they write a short Epistle to them letting them understand how Ananus having seduced the people meant to betray the Mother-City of their Nation to the Romans and that they fighting for M their liberty were by him besieged in the Temple that the time wherein they expected safety was very short and that if they were not presently succour'd they were like to fall into Ananus and their enemies hands and the City to be brought in subjection to the Romans they also order'd many things to be spoken by word of mouth to the Rulers of Idumea For which purpose were chosen two principal men eloquent and apt to perswade The nature and manners of the Idumeans and that which was in this case required swift of foot It was certain that the Idumeans would presently aid them being a bruitish rude Nation and prone to sedition and alteration much rejoycing therein and by flattery easily entreated to War and would make as much haste to them as if they went to some festival solemnity so that there only was requisite two speedy messengers Which two were N ready and quick men for such an exploit and were both called by the name of Ananias These presently went to the Governours of Idumea who reading the Epistle and hearing that which the messengers were to say to them like Mad-Men assembled all the people together in great haste and proclaim'd War so the people in an instant gathered themselves together and were all armed to fight for the liberty of their Mother-City and twenty thousand being assembled together under the Government of four Captains Twenty thousand Idumeans come to Jerusalem came with all speed to Jerusalem the names of them were John and James the Sons of Sosa and Simon the Son of Cathlas and Phineas the Son of Closoth Ananus and his Watch knew not of the going of those two Messengers nor of the Watches in the City but they understood of the Idumeans coming and so shut O the Gates and placed watchmen upon the Walls yet they thought not good to go out A and fight with them but first with peaceable words to perswade them to concord and peace Wherefore Jesus the eldest of the Priests next after Ananus stood in a Tower opposite against them and spake in this manner Though many and divers tumults and troubles have molested this City yet I never so much wondred at any of them
Jesus Oration and exhortation to the Idumeans as that you are come with such fury and readiness to help these wicked people against all expectation for said he you are come against us to help most vile persons and so rashly as it behoved not you to have done if your Metropolitan City had requested your help against barbarous people If I judged your manners like theirs that have requested your help I should then think you had some reason to come for nothing causeth firmer friendship than agreement or sympathy in manners But they if their actions be considered B have every one deserved a thousand deaths For they are the outcast and basest of all the Country people who having spent their patrimonies riotously and played the thieves in all places and Cities about them now at last have got into this holy City most religious of all Cities and have profaned the holy-Place by their impiety they tremble not to be drunk even in the holy Temple and there they consume in banqueting the spoils they had gotten from them whom they massacred And you come to help these men with as great an Army and Provision as though that this your Mother-City had by publick consent requested your help against forreign Enemies Is not this a great injustice of Fortune that your whole Nation hath conspired and bent all their forces against us to help these miscreants Till now I knew not what moved you so quickly and so suddenly to arm your selves to assist Thieves against C your native Countrymen What Have you been informed of the Romans coming and of the betraying of the City For even now I heard some of you mutter that you came to deliver your Mother-City The disproof of the Zealots faction who intended the overthrow of the City and betraying-thereof Is it not a wonder to see this device and invention of these malefactors But they could devise no other way to incite others against us who even naturally desire liberty and are ready for the same to spend our dearest blood in conflict with the enemy but to fain us to be enemies of Liberty But it behoves you to consider who are these Calumniators and against whom these Calumnies are devised and then to gather the verity of the matter not from forged tales fained at mens pleasures but from the thing it self What should move us now to yield to the Romans having endured us yet nothing to constrain us thereunto when if we had liked to live under their obedience we needed not at D first to have revolted and beside that if we had repented our selves 〈◊〉 might have again submitted our selves and obtained their favour before this time that all the Country round about us is destroyed Nay if we now would yield it is not easie for us for the spoils of Galilee which they have already conquered hath made them proud and by humbling our selves to them being now near us should we not incur an infamy worse than death it self True it is Peace is better than War I think peace better than War yet being once provoked to War and the War once begun I had rather die a glorious death than live in Captivity Do they inform you that we have secretly sent the chief of our City to the Romans or that by common consent of all the people we have done it If they say we did it secretly let them then tell what Friends of ours were sent or what Servants of ours were Ministers to effect this Treason E Did they take any Messenger of ours and find Letters about him How can that be hid from all our Citizens with whom we do every hour converse And is it possible that a few shut up in the Temple who could not come into the City should know our secrets and all the whole City know nothing or do they now first know it when they are like to be punished for their impiety never suspecting any of us to be Traytors so long as they were in no fear If they say that it was done by common consent of all the people then all men were there when the speech was made to the people to exhort them thereunto and request their consent and so the news thereof would quickly have come to your ears But what need had we to send Ambassadors if we had been now already certain to come to composition with the Romans Let them tell you who was appointed for that Embassage These are but devices and contrivances F of them who fear to have a death according to their desert and seek shifts to escape punishment If Fate had so decreed that our City should be betrayed to the Enemy Jesus exhorteth the Idumeans that since they are come they should oppose themselves against the Zealots assure your selves they who thus accuse us would have betrayed it themselves having commited already all sort of impieties Treason only excepted It is your part seeing you are come hither in Arms first as Reason and Justice requireth to assist your Mother-City against them who tyranniâ—e over us and violate our Laws make all that Justice which they can effect with their Sword First of all they took Noble-men and cast them into prison having drawn them from amidst the publick assembly and never being accused nor condemned nothing respecting their entreaties they put them to death If it please you to come in peaceably and not in hostile manner into our City your selves shall plainly behold evident tokens of this that I G say to you to wit Houses ruinated and made desolate by their Robberies the Wives and Families of them that are slain in mourning apparrel and weeping in every part of the City for there is none amongst us that hath tasted the persecution of these wretched men who are H gone so far that not content to make this City their refuge which is the chief and a Spectacle to all others for Sanctity and to have robbed and spoiled all the Country and Villages and Cities hereabout now lastly they have made the sacred Temple a refuge and place to carry all their spoils unto which they have impiously gotten it this City This Temple they make their Fortress to issue out and to retire unto from thence they make incursions upon the Citizens and this is the place where they practise their villanies against us This sacred Place which all the World even the most barbarous and savage people reverence is now defiled by the horrible Robberies which those born amongst us have committed And now being in desperation they rejoyce to see Nation against Nation and City against City and People against People and our own Countrymen to turn themselves against their own I bowels when contrariwise as I have aleady said it had been your parts and duties to joyn with us and help us to exterminate these malefactors and be revenged of them for this lie by which they presumed to call you to help
who intended to have fled to the Romans Yet if any one fee'd the Watch-men with money he escaped away safely and he that did not was counted as a Traitor so that only rich men could escape and the poor were left to the slaughter The multitude of the dead bodies that lay on heaps together was innumerable and through the horror of which sight many of those who had fled to the Romans The Zealots tyrannize both over the living and the dead returned again into the City choosing rather to die there for the hope they had to be buried in their native soil made death there seem more tolerable But the Zealots became so cruel that they neither permitted them who were slain within nor them without the City to be buried But like men that had now determined together with their County-Laws to abolish the Law of Nature yea and by I their impiety to defy God himself let the dead Bodies rot above ground and whosoever attempted to bury any of them that were slain whether Friend or Kinsman he was presently put to death and left unburied and to give Sepulchre to another was crime enough to deserve it To be brief nothing so much increased their indignation as Mercy for the wicked People were herewith provoked to wrath their displeasure and cruelty was extended from the living to the dead and from the dead to the living And such fear fell upon the whole City that those that were left alive deemed them happy that being dead were at rest and free from those miseries and they that were in Prison in respect of the torments they endured thought themselves more unhappy than they who lay unburied K All humane Justice was perverted and they scorned and mocked at all divine and holy things and proudly derided the Oracles of the Prophets esteeming them as Fables and Jests But having now contemned all Laws established by their fore-fathers for the punishment of Vice and increasing of Virtue at last they found that true which was fore-told concerning the Destruction of themselves and their Country For there was an old Prophesie that when Sedition reigned amongst them and their own hands had violated the Temple of God and holy things then their City should be destroyed by War and their holy Places burned with fire according to the manner and custom of War L CHAP. III. How Gadara was yielded and of the Massacre there BUt John who long ago aspired to be Tyrant over all the rest could not endure that others should partake in Authority with him Johns Pride and Ambition wherefore by little and little he divided himself from their union and fellowship after he had drawn to himself such as by their impious life were capable of the greatest crimes so that now every M one perceived in that he always neglected what others commanded and imperiously commanded what himself thought good that he affected Principality Many joyned to him for fear some for favour for he had a smooth tongue able to perswade to what he would many also followed him thinking it better that all the impiety before committed were laid to one mans charge in particular than upon them all Moreover being a valiant man of his hands and one able to give politick counsel he wanted not followers not withstanding that many of the contrary faction left him envying that he who before was their equal should now be their Master and Commander The greater part of the contrary faction fall from John Fear also terrified them from living under the Government of one man for they thought that if he once prevailed he could not easily be overcome and again if he N were deposed that he would pick quarrels against them in the end because that they resisted him in the beginning So every man determined rather to suffer all misery in War then to submit himself and become a Slave Thus the parties were divided and John was chief of one Faction so between them they appointed Guards in every place and if by chance they combated together they did little or no hurt to one another but the chief contention was who should bear most sway amongst the People and who should have the greatest part of the Spoil Thus the City at one time was vexed with three intolerable mischiefs and evils The tempest of of three misaries assailed Jerusalem at once to wit War Tyranny and Sedition and yet the War seemed a less evil than the rest to the Commonalty Wherefore many leaving their native soil fled to strangers for succour and found among the O Romans safety who with their own Nation lived in continual danger There was A also added a fourth evil which wrought the ruine of the whole Nation Not far from the City there was a Castle called Massada built by the ancient Kings of Jerusalem very strong to lay up their treasure and munition for War and to retire themselves thereunto in time of need for the safety of their persons This Castle was taken and kept by that sort of Thieves that were called Sicarii by reason of their smal number durst Rob no more openly These Thieves seeing the Roman Army now idle and the people in Jerusalem at civil War and Sedition among themselves took courage and again fell to their Villanies Of those desperate Rebels that kept â—he Castle of Massada And so on that day which is the Feast of unleavened Bread which the Jews keep holy in memory of their deliverance from the Aegyptian Captivity deceiving the Watchmen they seized upon a Fort called Engaddi B and before the Townsmen could arm and unite themselves together they were by these persons driven out of the Town who also killed them that could not flie to wit Women and Children to the number of more than seven hundred and so sacking the Houses and taking the Fruits that were now ripe they carried all to Massada and so they wasted all the Villages and whole Country round about them many wicked persons daily flocking unto them and joining with them and by their example other Thieves that a while had been quiet now robbed again and spoiled in every part of Judea Slaughter and desolation thorow Jurie And as in a body if the principal member thereof be sick all other parts of it are afflicted so Jerusalem being filled with tumults and discord those that were without the City found licence to rob and spoil and all those that had C their Towns destroyed where they were wont to inhabit went into the Wilderness where assembling and uniting themselves together not so many as an Army yet more than a Company of Thieves A similitude they broke into the Towns and Temples and as in War it cometh to pass the Country people purposed to assault them by whom they had suffered such injury but they were prevented for the Thieves understanding their coming fled with the spoil they had gotten And there was
the Description of Jericho AT this time came news of the troubles in Gallia Troubles in France and how that Vindex together N with the Nobility of that Country had revolted from Nero whereof we have made mention in another place This news caused Vespasian to be more earnest to end the Wars of the Jews for even then he foresaw the Civil War that ensued and the danger of the whole Empire and he thought that if he could before the beginning of those troubles end the Wars in the East part of the World that then Italy was not in so much danger But Winter hindring him he in the mean time placed Garisons in all Towns and Villages about the whole Country and appointed Officers in every City and repaired many places which he had before destroyed And first of all he with his whole Army that was at Caesarea marcht to Antipatris and having setled the Estate of that City after his abode there two dayes the third day O he departed spoiling and burning all the Country as also all the Country about A of Thamnia the Toparchy and so went to Lydda and Jamnia But seeing that those two places submitted themselves unto him he left there such Inhabitants as he thought good and went thence to Ammaus and placing himself in the way to Jerusalem he there entrenched his Camp and leaving the fifth Legion there with the rest he went into the Toparchy of Bethlepton Vespasian visiteth all Judea firing it and all places thereabout as also the Borders of Idumea but he reserved certain Castles in fit places and fortified them And having taken two Towns in the midst of Idumea to wit Begabri and Caphartopha he slew there above ten thousand men and took almost a thousand and driving out the rest of the Inhabitants he left a great part of his Army there who made Incursions and wasted all the High Places thereabout with the rest he returned to Jamnia and B from thence by Samaria and Neapolis called by the Inhabitants Nabortha The second day of June he came to Corea and pitching his Tent there the next day he came to Jericho where one of his Captains named Trajan met him with the Souldiers he brought from beyond Jordan which place he had conquered But before the Romans came Vespasian cometh to Jericho many fled from Jericho into the high Country over against Jerusalem and many that stayed behind were there slain So he found the City desolate being scituate in a Plain under a great barren Mountain which is of a huge length for it reacheth on the North side to the Borders of Sythopolis and on the South to the Borders of Sodom and the Lake of Asphaltites It is Rocky and not inhabited because it beareth no fruit Over against this near Jordan is situate another Mountain beginning on the C North-side at Julias and reaching to Bacra on the South which is the Limits of Petra a City of Arabia In this place is that Mountain which is called the Mountain of Iron reaching to the Country of the Moabites The Country between these two Mountains is called the Great Field reaching from the Village Gennabara to the Lake of Asphaltites The great Field being in length two hundred and thirty Furlongs and in breadth a hundred and twenty in the midst it is divided by the River Jordan These are also two Lakes of contrary natures Asphaltites and Tiberias for one of them is Salt and hath no Fish but that of Tiberias sweet and abounds with Fish Two Lakes Asphaltites and the Tiberian Lake This Plain in Summer time is burnt with the heat of the Sun and the Air is infected in all places thereabouts save only about Jordan and this D is the cause that the Palm-trees that grow about the River side do flourish most and are more fertil than the rest Near Jericho there is a large great Fountain which plentifully watereth the fields thereabout and riseth with a great stream out of the ground near the old City which Joshua the Son of Nâ—â— General of the Hebrews took by War the first of all that he took in the Land of Canaan It is reported that in the beginning the Waters of this Fountain destroy'd all Fruits of the Earth and also made Women be delivered before their time A large Fountain neer Jericho and infected all places with diseases and the plague but afterward by Elisha the successour of Elias was made sweet and good for conception which happened in this manner That admirable person being once courteously entertained by the Inhabitants of Jericho did thus reward them and E all the Country for that their kindness and going unto the Fountain he cast a Pitcher full of Salt into the Water and lifting up his hands to Heaven and tempering with this Fountain-Water certain sweet Waters he prayed God to amend the ill qualities thereof A miracle wrought by Elias and to make it slow with more sweet Streams which both might cause plenty of Fruits and also of Children to the Inhabitants and that the Water might have the vertue to make Women Fruitful so long as they persisted in piety These prayers had the Power to alter the Fountain and from that time this Fountain which before was the cause of Famine and Sterility became the cause of Plenty and Fertility And so it watereth the ground that where a little of it cometh it doth more good than all other waters which lie long upon it F and so they that water their grounds but a little with it receive much Fruit and they that water their Grounds with it much do not receive them in that measure yet it watereth a greater compass of ground than other Fountains and in length it runneth through a Plain seventy Furlongs long Fruitful and pleasant Gardens about Jericho and twenty broad Here are most pleasant and goodly Orchards and many sorts of Palm-trees growing by brooks sides which are divers in the taste of their Fruits the fattest whereof being pressed yield a juice like Honey nothing inferiour to other Honey yet there is great store of Honey in the Country and the juice of Balm which is more precious than all other Fruits whatsoever Here grow also Cypress-Trees and Myrabolans so that one may justly say that this part of the Earth hath something Divine where G what Fruit soever is most dear and precious is in most abundance Also in all other Fruits it surpasseth all Countries in the World for all things multiply and increase sooner there The cause hereof I judge to be these pleasant Waters and the H warm nourishing Air which gently inviteth all things to spring up and then encreaseth them as the moisture causeth all things to take firm root and also defendeth them from drought in Summer time when the Country is vexed with such intollerable heats that all things are scorched so that nothing then will grow yet if
they be watered with Water drawn before Sun-rise The cause why the ground about Jericho is fruitful by the blowing of a mild and temperate wind it is refreshed and it receives a contrary nature In Winter-time it is almost luke-warm and temperate to them that go into it The Air here is so temperate The Air temperate and Warm that when it snoweth in other parts of Judea and is extreme cold the Inhabitants in this place only wear a linen Garment This Country is distant from I Jerusalem a hundred and fifty Furlongs and threescore from Jordan and all the ground betwixt it and Jerusalem is desart and stony and so likewise between it and Jordan and Asphaltites though it be lower ground than the other Thus we have sufficiently declared the fertility of Jericho CHAP. V. The Description of the Lake Asphaltites IT is worth the labour to describe the Lake Asphaltites An admirable property of the Asphaltite Lake which is Salt and uncapable K of feeding Fish yet what ever is cast into it how weighty soever it be it swimmeth above the Water so that one though he would on purpose cannot sink to the bottom Vespasian coming thither to see it took men who could not swim and caus'd their hands to be bound behind them and cast them into the midst thereof and all of them came up to the Top of the Water as if some Wind had forc'd them from the bottom Moreover it is admirable how this Lake thrice in every day changeth colour and shineth diversly according as the beams of the Sun sundry ways fall upon it And in many places it casteth up pieces of black Bitumen in greatness and shape like a Bull without a head and these float above the Water They that get L their living upon this Water by gathering this Bitumen draw it to their Boats and it is so tough and clammy that having filled their Boats herewith it is not easie for them to get them away but their Boat is as it were fastened and hangeth upon the rest of that mass of bituminous matter till it be separated from it by the terms or urine of a Woman This bitumenous matter is good to close the rifts of Ships and also to cure many diseases The Land of Sodom is near unto the Lake Asphaltites This Lake is five hundred and eighty Furlongs long extending to Zoar which is in Arabia and it is a hundred and fifty Furlongs broad Near this Lake is the Land of Sodom and Gomorrah sometime both fertil and rich now all burnt having been for the impiety of the Inhabitants consumed with lightning and thunder To be short one may here behold as it were the reliques of that M fire that by Gods appointment destroyed the place for one may yet see some remainders of those five Cities and Trees and Fruits springing up in the ashes which fruit to the Eye seemeth like other fruits but if you handle them they fall into ashes and smoak Teâ—tul Apolog c. 39. And so the History of the destruction of Sodom is verifi'd to the Eye of them that behold it CHAP. VI. How Gerasa was destroyed of Nero's Death and of Galba and Otho N VEspasian desirous to besiege Jerusalem on every side built Castles at Jericho and Adida and left there Garisons of the Souldiers that came to assist him and also Romans with them L. Annius taketh Gerasa And he sent L. Annius to Gerasa with a Body of Foot and Horse who at the first assault took the City and slew a thousand young men who had not time to flie and made whole Families Slaves giving the Souldiers the spoil of their goods and so firing their Houses he went to other places adjoyning They who were able fled and the weaker sort who could not flie were slain and whatsoever came in their way they consumed with fire Thus all places both Mountains and Plains O being wasted and ruined with War the Inhabitants of Jerusalem had no whither to go A when they desired to flie from the Zelots by whom they were kept in The year of the World 4033. after the Nativity of Christ 71. And they themselves who were against the Romans were also kept in the City being on every side enclosed and encompassed with the Roman Army After Vespasian was returned to Cesarea and with all his Army purposed to go to Jerusalem Vespasian hath tydings of Nerâ—es death news was brought him that Nero was slain having reigned thirteen years and eight dayes Touching whom I will not recount how he dishonour'd the Empire committing the whole sway of all the Common-wealth to two most wicked men to wit Nimphidius and Tigillinus who were of least worth amongst all his Freed-men and how being betrayed by these two men he was forsaken of all his Guards and so fled only with four trusty Freed-men into the Suburbs and there kill'd himself And how that B sometime after they that deposed him were punished for that offence And how the Wars ended in Gallia Galba and that Galba being created Emperour returned to Rome out Spain and how he was accused of Cowardize by the Souldiers and by them killed in the Market-place Otho as one of base condition Vitellius and how Otho was declared Emperour and led his Souldiers against Vitellius also Vitellius his troubles and his fight before the Capitol and how Antonius Primus and Mutianus slew Vitellius and so appeased the German Troops and the Civil War Of all these I have forborn to speak because I presume both the Greeks and Romans have written these things at large yet I have briefly recapitulated this to continue my History After Vespasian heard this news Vespasian deferreth his siege at Jerusalem he deferred the Siege of Jerusalem expecting who C should be created Emperour after Nero. And when he was certified that Galba reigned he determined to do nothing but lie quiet till such time as he should write to him his mind whether he would have him proceed in the War against the Jews And he sent to him his Son Titus both to salute him and also to know his pleasure concerning the Jews Likewise King Agrippa went with Titus for the same cause to Galba But as they were passing by Achaia with long Ships in Winter time as the Custome is news was brought that Galba was slain having reigned seven Months and seven dayes After whom succeeded Otho who governed the Empire three Months Agrippa not dismayed with this alteration still kept on his Journey to Rome But Titus as God would have it returned from Achaia to Syria Galba is slain and Otho governeth and so to Caesarea to his Father They D both were in suspence what would ensue and who should be be Emperour the Empire being so full of trouble and so they neglected the War against the Jews fearing for their own Country and therefore thinking it an unfit
time to invade Strangers CHAP. VII Of Simon of Gerasa Author of a new Conspiracy E IN the mean time a new War broke out at Jerusalem among the Jews For there was one Simon the Son of Giora born in Gerasa young in years and inferiour to John in subtilty Simon of Gerasa resorteth to the Thieves who now already had gotten the dominion over the City yet in Vigor and Boldness exceeded John This Simon having been for this cause also driven out of the Country of Acrabatena where he was Governour by the means of Ananus the high Priest Simon assembleth all robbers in the mountanous places came to the Thieves that seized upon Massada At his first coming he was so suspected by the Thieves that they only permitted him and the Women that came with him to dwell in the lower part of the Castle and they themselves kept the higher part yet afterwards his manners and behaviour was such that they put confidence in him and he became their Captain always when they went to spoil and rob any part of F of the Country about Massada After which he did all that he could to persweade them to attempt greater matters for being desirous of rule after he heard that Ananus was dead he departed into the high Places of the Country and with the voice as of a Crier proclaimed that all Bond-slaves that would follow him should have their Liberty and all others should be richly rewarded by which means he gathered together all the wicked and desperate People in the Country And having now a considerable Army he robbed and spoiled all the Towns and Villages thereabout and his number daily encreasing he also presumed to come into the plain Countries so that now Cities stood in awe of him and many considerable persons fearing him for his strength and prosperous success joyned with him So that his Army did not only consist of Thieves and G Slaves but many People of the Country came to him reverencing him as their Prince and King and they made Excursions into the Toparchy of Acrabatena and into the greater Idumea For he had fortified a Town called Nain wall'd about which he used H for his Retreat And in the Valley called Pharan he made many Caves and found many already made and in these Caves he kept his Treasure and the Booties he got also all Fruits of the Earth that he robbed and stole there he laid up in store as also Ammunition for many Companies The Fight between Simon and the Zealots And now no man doubted but that being thus furnished with Men and Ammunition he would go to Jerusalem The Zealots fearing this and desirous to prevent him who they saw every day encreased his number and grew more potent against them they armed many of their Company and went out to meet him Simon was not daunted at this but boldly encountred them and gave them so sharp a Battle that he slew many of them in fight and forced the rest to retire themselves into the Town yet not having men sufficient he would not besiege the I Town but first of all he purposed to subdue Idumea and so accompanied with 20000 armed men he hasted towards the borders thereof The Princes of Idumea understanding this presently assembled five and twenty thousand armed men and leaving at home sufficient Garisons to defend their Country against the Sicarii who held the Fortress of Massada they accompanied with these Forces went out and expected Simons coming into the borders of their Country where having met him they joyned battle and fought a whole day yet it appeared not which part got the Victory Then Simon returned to Nain and the Idumeans home Not long after Simon with a greater Army than before assaulted the borders of their Country and pitching his Tents in a Village called Thecue he sent one of his Companions L named Eleazar to them that kept the Castle Herodium not far from that place to sollicite them to yield it to him The Garison there presently received him into the Castle not knowing the cause of his coming But so soon as he began to perswade them to Treason they drew their Swords to kill him and he not having any place to flie to cast himself from off the Castle Wall into the Valley underneath and so died The Idumeans something fearing Simons Forces Eleazar Simon 's fellow casteth himself headlong into the trench and presently dieth James of Idumea the Betrayer of his Country before they would offer him Battle thought best to espie what number of men he had to effect which business one Jacob a Captain among them offered himself meaning indeed to betray his Country to Simon So departing from Olurus where the Idumean Forces were assembled he went to Simon and promised him to betray his Country to him receiving of him an Oath that for reward K of this deed he should be alwayes next in dignity to Simon himself and so he presently promised to help subdue all Idumea For this cause he was welcome to Simon and feasted liberally and had great Promises if he performed that which he offered and then returned to the Idumeans and fained that Simons Army was far greater than indeed it was And so terrifying the Governours of his Country and the People he by little and little perswaded them to receive Simon and without any more fight to yield to him the Sovereign Authority over them Jacob studying to bring this his purpose to pass privily sent Messengers to Simon willing him to come with his Forces and promising him to dissipate the Idumeans for M him which he also did For when Simons Army drew near he first of all got upon his Horse and together with his Associates that were partakers of his Treason fled to the Enemy Then fear fell on the Idumeans and every one without any more ado fled home Thus Simon against his own expectation entred Idumea without blood-shed Simon beyond all expectation enters Idumea without blood-shed and first of all assaulting a little Village called Chebron he took it and in it an exceeding great Booty a great quantity of Corn and many Fruits all which he carried away The Inhabitants report that this Chebron is not only more ancient than all Cities of that Land Hebron an ancient City where Abrahams house was but also than Memphis in Aegypt for they affirm it to have been built two thousand three hundred years since They also say that this was the place where Abraham N the Father of the Jews dwelt after he forsook Mesopotamia and that his Posterity departed from hence to Aegypt Indeed there are yet seen Monuments in the City richly wrought in fine Marble Six Furlongs from the Town there is an exceeding great Turpentine Tree A Turpentine Tree that hath continued ever since the Creation of the World which they affirm to have endured ever since the Creation of the World until this day
Simon having obtained this place from hence invaded all Idumea and not only robbed and spoiled all the Towns and Cities thereof but also wasted and destroyed much of the Country for besides his Army there followed him fourty thousand men so that he could not find Victuals for such a Multitude Moreover besides this Calamity that he brought upon Idumea he exercised great Cruelty and Out-rage upon the Country and caused great spoil therein And as after great swarms of Locusts the Trees and O Woods are dispoiled so wheresoever Simon had been all the Country was left desolate A And either by fire or by ruinating places where he came or else by treading upon the Corn-Fields with the feet of his Army or by destroying such as they found they left nothing standing or growing either in Field or Town and only by passing thorow fertile places he made the fields harder than barren ground and left no sign in places which he had destroyed that ever they had been tilled Hereat the Zealots were again animated against him Simon spoiled all Idumea yet durst they not fight with him in open field The Zealots take Simons Wife but placing Ambushes in the way he was to pass they took Simons Wife and many of her Servants and so came again into the City rejoycing as though they had taken Simon himself For they perswaded themselves that Simon would presently lay down Arms and come in humble manner to entreat them to restore B him his Wife But Simon was not moved with compassion for the loss of his Wife but with fury and coming to the Walls of Jerusalem like a cruel Beast that had been wounded and could not come to them that hurt him he killed all he met And taking them that went out of the City to gather Herbs and Wood he caused them to be whipt to death whether they were young or old This cruelty seemed only wanting in him that he did not eat the flesh of the dead Bodies Also he took many and cut off their hands and so sent them into the City thereby to terrifie his Enemies and to cause the People to abandon the Zealots and he bad them tell the Citizens that except they presently restored his Wife to him he swore by God who governed all that he would break down their Walls and use all he found in the City after that fashion and that he would spare no age nor respect the innocent more than the guilty C These his threats did not only terrifie the People The Zealots send back Simons Wife but also the Zealots insomuch that they sent him his Wife again and so his anger being somewhat asswaged he ceased a while from his Murders CHAP. VIII Of Galba Otho Vitellius and Vespasian D NOT only in Judea Sedition thorow the whole Roman Empire but also in Italy at this time was Civil War for Galba was slain in the midst of Rome after whom Otho was created Emperour and fought against Vitellius who affected the Empire being chosen Emperour by the German Legions The Battel was fought near Bebrias a Town in Gallia Cisalpina the first day Otho got the Victory against Valens and Cecinna the Generals of Vitellius his Army But the day following they overcame Otho and so many being slain on both parts and news being brought that Vitellius his Army had gotten the Victory Otho being at Brixels slew himself when he had held the Empire three Months and two days Otho's Souldiers turned to Vitellius his Captains and joyned with them and so Vitellius came E to Rome with his Army Vespasian once more invades Judea In the mean time Vespasian the fifth day of June departed from Cesarea and went to those parts of Judea which were yet unconquered and first of all he went into the high Countrys and subdued the two Toparchies of Acrabatena and Gophnitis and after them two Towns called Bethel and Ephrem and placed Garisons in them and so went to Jerusalem killing many that he found in the way and taking many Captives One of his Captains called Cerealis with a party of Horse and Foot wasted all the higher Idumea Gaphâ—â—mitts 〈◊〉 and in the way as he went he took Caphetra a Castle and burnt it and besieged another called Capharis enclosed with a strong Wall by reason of which he deemed he should have made long abode there but contrary to his expectation the F Inhabitants opened the Gates to him and yielded themselves Cerealis buâ—â—eth the anciâ—â— City of Hebron beseeching him to be good to them When he had overcome them he went to Hebron an antient City and set it on fire this Hebron as I have already said was scituated upon the Mountains and near Jerusalem and breaking into it by force he slew all them that he found there and fired the City And having subdued all places save only three Castles to wit Herodium Massada and Macheron which were kept by the Thieves now only Jerusalem remained to be Conquered G CHAP. IX H Of Simons Acts against the Zealots AFter Simon had recovered his Wife from the Zealots he went into Idumea to rob and spoil that which was left and chasing the Inhabitans up and down at last he forced them to flie to Jerusalem and he himself pursued them thither and at the foot of the Walls The Zealots fill the whole City with iniquity he killed all the People he took that returned out of the fields from their labour Thus Simon without the City was more terrible to the People I than the Romans and the Zealots within the City crueller than them both being incouraged and incited thereto by the counsel of the Galileans For they had put John in Authority and John in reward thereof permitted all things to be done as they requested There was no end of robbing and spoiling rich mens Houses and of slaughtering both of Men and Women and to kill Men and Women was but a Pastime And having with blood bedew'd their prey and without all fear gotten what they liked they now began to lust after Women yea they became effeminate and lascivious they curl their Hair and clothed themselves in Womens Apparel and anointed themselves with sweet Ointments that their beauty might be pleasing and alluring they now not only imitate the Attire of Prostitutes but also their impudency and became so shameless K that they thirsted after unnatural pleasures as though Jerusalem were become a Stews and so profaned the whole City with their execrable impurities Yet though they effeminated their Faces their Hands were prone to blood-shed and though they lived in ignominious manner as People given over to pleasure yet could they quickly become Warriors and in the habits of Women drawing their Swords they killed whomsoever they met Whosoever escaped Johns hands Simon the more cruel murthered and whosover escaped the Tyrant within the City The way of flight was quite cut off
was slain by the Tyrant without and there was no way to flie to the Romans Furthermore The discord between the Zealots and the Idumeans the Army of John began to be divided for all the Idumeans separated themselves from the other People and there rose a mutiny against the Tyrant partly L through envy of his Power partly through hatred of his Cruelty And so assaulting him they slew many of the Zealots and compelled the rest to fly into the Kings house built by Grapta The flight of the Zealots with the Idumeans into the Temple Father of Izat King of Adiabena The Idumeans also broke in thither with them and drave them from thence into the Temple and seized upon Johns Treasure for John lived in the Palace and had carried thither all his Spoils Then those Zealots that were dispersed in the City came to those that were in the Temple and John purposed to send them against the Townsmen and the Idumeans But they feared not so much their Forces although they knew them to be the better Warriors as they did lest now being desperate they should steal out of the Temple in the night and so slay them and fire the City Wherefore assembling themselves they deliberated with M the Priests how to avoid their assaults but it pleased God to turn their own Counsel to their destruction and that they should provide a Remedy of safety far worse than Death it self For to depose John they devised to introduce Simon and as it were to intreat another to Tyrannize over them This counsel was thought best and Matthias the Priest was sent to Simon of whom before they stood in great fear to request him to come into the City With him also came such as had fled from Jerusalem for fear of the Zealots intreating him in like manner because they desired to return to their Wives and Families So he entred into the City proudly promising them to be their Deliverer Simon enters the City with a great Army and all the People made Acclamations as he entered into the City that he was their Preserver Simon being now within the City presently deliberated N with those about him to establish his Dominion thinking as well those that called him into the City as those against whom he was called his Enemies John and the Zealots with him finding no way to come out of the Temple and having lost all that he had in the City for Simon and his Followers at their entrance took all that belonged to him began now to despair of his safety And Simon being assisted by the Citizens assaulted the Temple Simon assaults the Temple wherein the Zealots kept and the Zealots placing themselves upon the Porches and in Towers of Defence made resistance and hurt many of Simons followers For the Zealots were upon the higher ground on the right hand and so had the advantage against Simon And although by reason of the place wherein they were they prevailed against Simon yet they raised four high Towers that from hence they might shoot O Darts and Arrows against Simons Men. One of these Towers they built upon the East A side of the Temple another on the North the third upon a place opposite to the lower part of the Town and a fourth Tower they built on the top of the place called Pastophorium where one of the Priests used to stand before Sun-set to signifie to the People with the sound of the Trumpet the beginning of the Sabbath and to declare to them the other holy dayes The Office of the Priests to signifie the beginning of the seventh day by the sound of a Trumpet and in what dayes they might go about their business In these Towers they placed all kind of Engines to cast Stones and Men with Slings Then Simon perceiving many of his Souldiers languish was more remiss in his business yet when his number increased he came nearer for a-far off many of his men were slain with the Shot of those Engines B CHAP. X. How Vespasian was Elected Emperor AT this time Rome also suffered the Evils of Civil War Vitellius Encamps his Army in Rome for Vitellius was now arrived out of Germany with his Army bringing besides them an infinite multitude with him so that his Army was so great that the places appointed for quartering his Souldiers could not contain it insomuch that his Army occupied all the whole City C and every House was filled with Souldiers And they beholding the Romans wealth greater than ever they saw any and admiring their abundance of Gold and Silver not able to contain themselves began to rob and kill every one that sought to hinder them And this was the estate of the affairs in Italy Vespasian having wasted all about Jerâ—salem returned to Caesarea where he understood the troubles at Rome and how Vitellius was Emperour Vespasian knew both how to govern and how to obey Hereat though he knew as well to obey as to be obeyed yet he was moved with indignation and disdained to call him Lord who had invaded the Empire being destitute of a Ruler And much grieved hereat he could not conceal his grief nor follow the Wars against Strangers whilst his own Country was so endangered But the distance between him and Rome did as much repress him as anger incited him to D seek revenge for he considered that Fortune might cause many alterations before he could get to Rome The Captains consult with the Souldiers openly of a change especially it being Winter and so he sought to bridle his wrath which yet daily increased But his Officers and Souldiers began openly to consult of a Change and with Indignation exclaimed against the Souldiers at Rome who lived in pleasure and never heard so much as the report of War and notwithstanding took upon them to create whom they pleased Emperour and in hope of gain disposed of the Common-wealth at their own pleasure whereas they on the contrary after so many labours and dangers still continued in Arms till they became old and gray-headed and suffered the Authority due to themselves to be enjoyed by others when notwithstanding they had amongst them one who deserved the Empire more than any other and E what recompence could they ever after make him Or what occasion could they find hereafter to shew themselves grateful to him for the benefits from him received if they now omitted this occasion Vespasian's shamefastness and modesty And they thought that Vespasian was so much more worthy of the Empire than Vitellius by how much they who created Vitellius Emperor were in very many respects much inferiour to themselves For said they we have endured no less toyl than those that came out of Germany neither are we less Valiant than â—â—ey who bring a Tyrant with them out of Germany And that no body would resist Vespasian For the Senate and the People of Rome would not rather endure
Captains about Josephs liberty who was yet in hold But calling Mutianus and the rest of his friends C together first of all he told them how Valiant Joseph had been and what difficulty he had to win Jotapata only because of his Valour and then his Prophecies which at that time he esteemed only Fables fained for fear but now time and event had proved them true Wherefore it seemed an unreasonable thing that he who had been the foreteller of his Exaltation and a Messenger to him from God should still continue in bonds like a Captive and be left in adversity So calling for Joseph he commanded him to be set at liberty This fact of his made the Captains under him hope for great reward at his hands seeing he had been so kind to a stranger Titus being there present said It is meet O Father that as you acquit Joseph from Captivity so you also take away the shame of that which he hath already endured For if we D not only unty his Chains but also break them in sunder he shall be as though he had never been in bondage for this is the manner used for redress when any one being guiltless is commited to bonds Vespasian hereto agreed and so one came with an Axe and hewed his Chains in pieces Thus was Joseph rewarded for his Prophecy and thenceforward he was esteemed worthy to be believed CHAP. XIII Of Vetellius his Death and Manners E WHen Vespasian had answered the Embassadors and disposed of all the Commands of his Army according to every ones merit he went to Antioch and there deliberated whither to go first Vespasian bethinks himself to return to Rome and it seemed best to him to go to Rome rather than to Alexandria for he knew that Alexandria was quiet firm but Rome was held by Vitellius Wherefore he sent Mutianus into Italy with many Troops of Foot and Horse who fearing to go by Sea went thorow Cappadocia and Phrygia for it was Winter-time Antonius Primus who was Governour of Moesia brought from thence the third Legion remaining there and march'd against Vitellius Vitellius sent Caecinna to meet him with a great Army who departing from Rome met with Antonius at Cremona a Town of Lombardy F situate upon the confines of Italy but beholding the discipline order of his Forces he durst not fight with them and thinking it very dangerous to flie design'd to revolt and so calling to him the Centurions and Tribunes of his Army he perswaded them to go and joyn with Antonius after he had extenuated Vitellius his Power and extolled that of Vespasian Cecinna perswades the Souldiers to forsake Vitellius and honour Vespasian affirming the first to have only the bare name of the Emperour and the last to have also all Vertues meet for an Emperour Moreover that it would be better for them to do that of their own accord which otherwise they should be compelled to and seeing themselves already surpassed in number it was Prudence to prevent all danger For Vespasian was able without their assistance to subdue all the rest but Vitellius was not able with their help to keep that he had And speaking to this effect he perswaded G them to all that he would have done And so with his whole Army joyn'd with Antonius The same night the Souldiers repenting themselves of what they had done and also lest fearing Vitellius should get the upper hand who sent them against Antonius drew H their Swords and would have slain Cecinna And they had done it had not the Tribunes come and entreated them to the contrary wherefore they did not kill him but kept him bound meaning to send him to Vitellius as a Traitor Primus Antonius hearing this went with his Army and assaulted them who revolted from him Caecinna is apprel ended for Treason and they a while resisted yet at last forced to retire they fled to Cremona and Primus accompanied with Horsemen prevented their escape and so slew most of them before they got into the City and afterward setting upon it he gave his Souldiers the spoil of it Many Merchants of other Countries many Townsmen were slain all Vitellius Army consisting of 30200 men Antonius lost in this battel 4500 of those whom he brought out of Moesia And delivering Cecinna from Prison Vespasian honours Caecinna with unexpected honours and is acquitted of Treason he sent him to carry the news hereof to Vespasian who praised I him for his fact and honoured him above his expectation in reward of his Treason Sabinus who was at Rome hearing that Antonius was at hand greatly rejoyced and took courage and gathering together the Companies of the City-watch in the night-time he seiz'd on the Capitol Sabinus takes the Capitol and leaves Vitellius and in the morning many of the Nobles joyned with him amongst others Domitian his Brothers Son who was a great cause and help to obtain the Victory Vitellius little esteeming Primus turned his anger against Sabinus and those that had revolted with him as it were naturally thirsting after the blood of the Nobility he sent all the Army he brought out of Germany with him to assault the Capitol where many valiant deeds were shewed on both parts and at last the Germans being most in number got the Capitol Hill Domitian with many brave Noblemen as it K were by Gods providence escaped safe the rest of the multitude were there slain Sabinus was carried to Vitellius and by his commandment instantly put to death and the Souldiers taking away all the gifts and treasure in the Temple set it one fire The day after Antonius arrived Vitellius slain and Vitellius his Souldiers met him there was fighting in three several places of the City the forces of Vitellius were all defeated whereupon Vitellius came out of his Palace drunk and full gorged with delicate meat he was imediately seiz'd upon and drawn thorow the midst of the streets and after many contumelies slain having reigned Eight months and five days if he had lived longer the whole Empire had scarce been sufficient to have maintained his Gluttony There were slain above 50000 of other people And this was done the third day of October The day after L Mutianus with his Army entred Rome and repressed the Souldiers of Antonius who still sought about in every place for Vitellius's Souldiers The people of Rome proclaim Vespasian Emperour and many of his favourites and slew whom they thought good not examining any matter by reason of their fury and bringing out Domitian he declared to the people that he was to govern the City till his Father came The people being delivered from fear proclaimed Vespasian Emperour and made Feasts and Triumphs both under one for his establishing in the Empire and for joy that Vitellius was deposed CHAP. XIV M How Titus was sent by his Father against the Jews WHen Vespasian came to Alexandria
were slain as they offered sacrifice and imbrued the Altar with their blood which all the Greeks and barbarous People did reverence The strangers and Priests were forced to remain promiscuously among the dead Bodies and the place about the Altar was full of Blood O miserable City What didst thou suffer at the Romans hands to be compared to this although they set thee on fire to purge thee from Iniquity Now thou wert separate from the service of God and couldst not subsist long being made a Sepulchre of thine own Inhabitants and thy Temple by thy Civil Wars become a Grave of dead Bodies Nevertheless It is not impossible but thou mayst be restored to thy former Estate if first thou appease Gods wrath that hath made thee desolate But I must not give place unto sorrow L and write a Lamentation of my miserable Country seeing I have undertaken to write a History of all things that past there Wherefore I will recount the rest of the Impieties of these Seditious The seditious People being divided into three Companies John assaulted on both sides Eleazar and his followers who had the keeping of the holy first-fruits and all the sacred Oblations came against John when they were drunk And they who followed John spoiling the People assaulted Simon who was succoured by the City Wherefore when John was assaulted on both sides he turned some of his Souldiers against Simon and the rest against Eleazar against Simon he used Darts to cast from the Porches of the Temple and against Eleazar he used Engines for shot And alwayes so often as they above his head ceased as M often they did They of Jerusalem had wel-nigh burnt all their Corn. being either weary or drunken he fiercely assaulted Simon and his men Also as far as he drave them into the City so far did he fire all and burnt Houses full of Corn and other Necessaries and that which he left unburned Simon at his return when John was gone into the Temple set on fire as if on purpose to give the Romans an advantage they had consumed all their Provisions for the Siege To be short all was consumed with fire about the Temple and the City was levelled and made plain ground to fight in and the Corn burnt that might have sufficed for many years A wretched calamity in Jerusalem by which means they were reduced by a Famine of their own making which could not have been brought upon them had they not caused it themselves The Citizens were in every place a prey to those that were Seditious on one side and to them N that besieged them on the other and like a great Body torn in pieces betwen these two The old Men and Women astonished with these Calamities prayed for the good success of the Romans and desired their forreign Enemy might deliver them from their Civil Dissentions This was the occasion of great fear and terrour among them all and the more because it was no time now to consult and no hope left of accommodation or flight to them that desired it For all places were kept and the Rebels within kill'd whoever they perceived well-wishers to the Romans or did endeavour to fly to them as common Enemies However these wicked persons agreed in this to put the just Men to death who best deserved to live Day and night nothing could be heard but the noise of them O that fought one against another yet the condition of them that lived in perpetual A fear was far more â—â—â—able who every day had new causes and occasions of sorrow given them yet durst they not publickly lament for fear and so not daring to shew their grief they secretly sorrowed no man observed any reverence to them that were alive amongst them nor took any care to bury the dead The cause of both which was Lamentation and mourning in Jerusalem that every man despaired of himself For whosoever were not joyned with the Seditious grew to be careless of all things as making account presently to die a thousand deaths But the Seditious gathering the dead bodies upon heaps continued their fighting and trod upon them and as it were encouraging themselves by the dead under their feet The cruelty of the Seditious in Jerusalem they became more cruel still devising new stratagems one against another and immediately executing whatsoever they devised without any B commiseration omitting no kind of Murther and leaving no cruelty unpractised so that John prophan'd the holy things of the Temple and made them Engins of War For formerly the Priests and People had determined to underprop the Temple and build it twenty Cubits higher and King Agrippa with great labour and expence had sent them in Timber for that purpose from Mount Libanus Which being put off by the Wars John made use of the Wood that was kept for holy uses to make Engines of John took the Timber and made use of it for that design he erected a Tower to fight against those that assaulted him from off the Temple and this Tower he built along the Wall over against the Chapter-house that standeth on the West side of the Temple for he could build it in no other place so conveniently And having thus impiously furnished himself with Engines he hoped hereby to have destroyd C his Enemies But God made his labour in vain and before he could prevail against them brought the Romans against the City For after that Titus had gathered together part of his Army The order of Titus Army and ordered the rest to meet him at Jerusalem he departed from Caesarea having three Legions that lately under the conduct of his Father Vespasian had wasted all Judea and the twelfth Legion that sometime under Cestius were overcome and put to flight by the Jews who being valiant enough of themselves were impatient to be imploy'd again against the Jews to revenge themselves of their former disgrace Titus commanded the fifth Legion to meet him at Jerusalem and to march by Emmaus and the tenth Legion by Jericho the rest he took with himself accompanied with the Kings forces that came D to help him having been reinforced with considerable Supplys out of Syria Titus also brought forces with him to supply the number that was wanting which forces were sent by Vespasian under Mutianus into Italy for he brought two thousand select men from the Legions at Alexandria and three thousand followed him from Euphrates together with Tiberius Alexander his cheifest friend and one next him in Authority who before was Governour of Egypt and thought a fit man to be Governour of the Army for that he was the first that entertain'd the Emperour being new elected and joyn'd faithfully with him before he knew what success he should have he was present with him in all his affairs as his chiefest Counsellor and was renowned both for his Wisdom and Experience E CHAP. II. How Titus went to
Jerusalem to see their strength and how he was in great danger TItus being now to go into the Enemies Country Titus comâ—â— to Judea caused all his Auxiliaries to march in the Van after whom followed the Pioneers and those appointed to F pitch the Tents after them the baggage of the Rulers and Governours of his Army with them the armed Souldiers Next these came Titus himself accompanied with his choice men and many that bare his Colours next the Horsemen march'd immediately before the Engines And the Prefects and Tribunes with certain chosen men and their Companies followed After them the Eagle with many other Ensignes and the Trumpets went before them And after them followed the Army marching six in a rank then the multitude of Servants that followed every Legion did drive their baggage before them lastly came the Hirelings and those that were appointed to guard them Marching in such comely and warlike manner as the Romans are wont he came by Samaria into Gophna which place was already conquered G by his Father and then also was under the custody of the Roman Garisons Staying there one night he departed from thence the next day and after a days journey pitched his Tents in a place which in the Jews language â—â—â—lled Acanthonaulona H that is the Valley of Thorns neer unto a Village named Gabah Saul which signifieth the Valley of Saul which is almost thirty Furlongs from Jerusalem From thence accompanied with 600 chosen Horsemen he went to Jerusalem to view how strong it was Titus repairs to Jerusalem to â—ound the dispositions of the people and of what courage the Jews were to see if peradventure at sight of him they would yield without any further adoe For Titus understood and it was true that the people desired Peace but were overpowerd by the Seditious and so durst not attempt any thing Titus riding along the high-way that went to the Walls saw no man but turning aside towards the Tower Psephinos with his Horsemen an infinite number presently issued out by the Towers of Women at a Gate opposite to Helens Tomb brake his Guard of Horsemen into two parts and advanc'd to hinder I those Horsemen that were yet in the high way Titus in danger from joyning with the rest that had crost the way by which means they had divided Titus from the rest of his company in so much as he could proceed no further for the Ditch of the Town-Wall on one side and for the Garden Pales on the other side and there was no way for him to return unto his Souldiers the Enemies being between him and home Many of his Souldiers not knowing their General was in any danger but supposing him amongst them still fled away Titus seeing that he had only his own valour to trust to turned his Horse against his Enemies and with a loud voice exhorted his followers to do the like Titus fighteth valiantly with his Enemies and so he brake violently into the midst of them hasting to get unto his Company It was evident at that time that God giveth the Victory and hath a K particular care of Kings Princes and Emperours For notwithstanding that an infinite number of Darts and Arrows were shot at Titus and he had no Armour at all for as we have already said he came to view not to fight yet had he not one wound but all past him as though purposely every one had striven to miss him But Titus with his Sword made way cut down many that opposed themselves against him Titus putteth his Enemies to flight and returns in safety to his Camp and with his Horse past over them The Jews seeing Titus his valour cried out and exhorted one another to set upon him but whithersoever he turned the Jews fled and would not abide by it likewise those Souldiers that were with him encompassed him round For every mans hope lay in charging through with Titus before they were closed in and oppressed Two of the most valiant amongst them L were slain the Horse of the one was killed with his master but the others Horse was taken by the Jews But Titus and the rest came safe into the Camâ— And thus the Jews being succesful at first were mightily encouraged and that encouragement being of moment made them confident or rather rash a long time after CHAP. III. How the Jews sallied out upon the Romans as they were M pitching their Tents THe Legion that was to pass by Emmaus being joyned to the rest of the Army over night Cesar the next morning removed and came to Scopos where he had a full view of the City and Temple on the North part the ground adjoyning unto the City being very low and not improperly called Scopos being distant seven Furlongs from the City Titus Camp was 7. stades oâ— the City in that quarter Titus commanded two Legions to encamp themselves and the fifth Legion to retire three Furlongs off to the intent that the Souldiers who were wearied with travelling all night might entrench themselves without fear or danger no sooner had they begun their work but presently the tenth Legion came N who were to pass by Jericho which Vespasian had already subdued and placed a Garison there This Legion was commanded to encamp six Furlongs from Jerusalem near Mount Olivet on the East part of the City and is enclosed with a deep Valley called Cedron This great Army so suddenly arriving reconciled the dissentions within the City for some time and the three Factions beholding with admiration the Roman Camp became friends and all differences were composed They began to examine and consider what madness had caused them to suffer themselves to be enclosed with three Walls The Seditious agree among themselves to their prejudice and loss of their lives and that they should stand still and be spectators as it were of such dangerous preparations without making the least Countermine or provision to defeit them whilst some cried O We are only valiant against our selves by our sedition massacring and murdering A one another till at last we shall betray our City into the hands of the Romans Thus being assembled they exhorted one another and betaking themselves to their Arms they issued out of the City first upon the tenth Legion and with a great shout set upon the Romans that were entrenched in the Valley The Citizens assail the Romans The Romans being all at work in the Trenches and most of them having laid down their Weapons presuming the Jews durst not have made any salley by reason of the variance amongst themselves were so much surprized that great part of them immediately fled some of them stood to their Arms but were slain before they could get into a posture of defence The number of the Jews was daily increased by their first success and B though yet their number was but small they thought themselves many and so did
all the way was plain'd from Scopos to Herods Monument which is not far from the Lake of Serpents called formerly Bethora CHAP. V. The Jews stratagem against the Roman Souldiers M ABout this time the Jews devised this stratagem against the Romans The most couragious among the Seditious people went out unto the places called the Womens Towers and pretended to be driven thither by that party in the City that desired peace and that fearing the Romans they were come thither for shelter others got up on the Walls and pretended themselves Citizens they called out for Peace and desired their friendship promising to throw open their Gates that the Romans might enter and whilst they were so doing they threw stones at their Companions aforesaid pretending to drive them from the Gates The alacrity of the Souldiers among the Romans contrary to Titus ordinance They pretend likewise great earnestness N and importunity to the people for their consent and as if that had fail'd they seemed to endeavour to force their passage to the Gates sometimes advancing as if they would have gone off to the Romans and then again retreating as men in great trouble and confusion The Romans perceived not their designe but seeing the Seditious ready to fall into their hands and the people as they thought ready to open the Gates prepar'd in post-haste to have entred into the City But Titus suspected their Kindness as seeing no reason for it For the day before having by Joseph offered them peace he perceived their minds far from any such thoughts wherefore he commanded the Souldiers to keep their quarters and not remove yet some of them appointed to work in the Trenches taking their weapons ran unto the Gates and the Jews who O seemed to be driven out of the City fled in appearance but at last when they came unto A the Gates of the Towers faced about and encompassed the Romans and assaulted them upon their backs and they that were upon the Walls cast all kind of Darts and Stones upon them so that they slew many and wounded more for it was not easie to escape being assaulted both behind and before Moreover they were conscious that they had offended The Victory of the Jews and in fear of being punished caused them to resist the more stoutly so that after a long conflict and many wounds given and received at last the Romans were worsted and the Jews pursued them to Herods Monument And having done them much mischief the Jews returned with great joy deriding the Romans for being so easily deceived lifting up their Shields and Bucklers by way of exultation The Roman Souldiers were highly threatned by their Captains and Caesar accosted B them with this speech Caesar's sharp oration to his Souldiers The Jews led only with desperation do all things with advice and counsel devising deceits and fortune favoureth their practices because they are orderly and true one to another But the Romans whom for their Obedience and Discipline fortune was wont formerly to favour do contrariwise offend herein and for their rash and unadvised fighting are overcome and which is worst of all in Caesars presence offering to fight without Orders contrary to military Law and Discipline which I am sure my Father will be unsatisfied to hear For he who from his infancy hath been trained up in Arms never offended in this sort and what shall we say to our Law that punisheth the least disobedience with death when our whole Army disobey the Emperours command But saith he they who so arrogantly have disobeyed our command shall presently understand that among the Romans C Victory against the Generals command is but infamy Titus having spoken in anger declared what he would do and how he purposed to punish them Which strook them so deeply The Romans Souldiers beseech Titus for their fellows in Arms. they looked upon themselves as desperate and people appointed to die But all the other Legions flocking about Titus besought him to pardon their fellow-Souldiers and to remit the rashness of some few for the obedience of the rest assuring him that their future valour should be a recompence for this their offence Whereupon Caesar was pacified partly thinking it most profitable partly to gratifie the rest for he purposed to punish one man only but to rebuke all and signifie his displeasue and so he was reconciled to his Souldiers strictly charging them to be wiser for the future after which he devised how he might be revenged on the Jews D When all the ground between the Walls of Jerusalem and his Army was in four days made plain Titus being desirous to conduct the baggage and the rest of the multitude in safety placed the best of his men in good order and caused them to march from the North part of the City unto the West along by the Walls of the City placing his Foot in the Front his Horse in the Rear and between them both the Archers whereby the Jews were disabled to make any Salley Titus Souldiers being thus disposed the baggage of the three Legions and the multitude passed along without any interruption How and in what places Titus besieged Jerusalem And Titus himself being advanced within two Furlongs of the City Walls pitched his Tent against that Angle that is called Psephynos where the compass of the Wall from the North bends into the West the other part of the E Army entrenched itself against that part of the Wall that is called Hippicos distant in like manner two Furlongs from the City But the tenth Legion remained upon Mount Olivet where it was before CHAP. VI. The description of Jerusalem F JErusalem was compassed round with a treble Wall The treble Walls of Jerusalem only on one side it was inclosed with Valleys inaccessible and on that side it had only one Wall It was built upon two little Hills opposit to one another and separated with a Valley wonderfully thick built with houses One of these Hills is far higher and steeper than the other insomuch that because of the strength of it The Castle of David King David in times past called it a Castle this David was the Father of King Solomon who first builded the Temple in that place but we at this day call it the high Market-place The other Hill called Acra Acra sustains the lower part of the City is the place where the lower part of the City stands Opposite against this Hill there was also another lower than this Acra and divided from it formerly with a large Valley but afterward when the Asmoneans reigned they fill'd up this G Valley to joyn the City unto the Temple taking down the top of Acra and making it lower that it might not hide the Temple The Valley by which the two higher Hills are separated is called Tyropoeon and reacheth unto Siloa which is a Fountain H of sweet Water Without the City were
he repulsed the Jews with Darts and Arrows with the help of Domitius Sabinus who in that fight proved himself a stout Warriour and continued fighting with the Jews till all his fellow-Souldiers were got off Thus the Romans having got the second Wall The Jews courage encreaseth were beaten from it again and the Citizens so encouraged they were as it were drunk with their good fortune thinking the Romans durst no more attempt upon the City and that they themselves were invincible when they were prepared to fight God because of their Iniquity had darkned E their understanding so that they never considered the Roman Forces were far greater than those they had encountred and the Famine that hung over their heads for as yet they lived upon the destruction of the People The People in want and many die for hunger and drank the blood of a City but the good People did even suffer Famine already and many of them perished for want of food yet the Seditious did rejoyce at the death of the Citizens as though thereby they were eased of a great burthen only desiring they might live that bear rebellious minds and would joyn with them against the Romans rejoycing at the death of the rest and this was the affection they bare unto their Citizens In this manner they armed themselves and resisted the Romans who now again did attempt to enter the Breach whilst the Jews threw down Stones and part of the Wall upon them as they came up Titus once more getteth the second wall F drave them back again and valiantly sustained them for three dayes But the fourth day being unable to withstand Titus his assault they were forced to retire as before and he having gotten the Wall destroyed all the North part thereof and placed a Garrison in the Towers and Fortresses of the South part CHAP. XI H Of the Mounts raised to batter the third Wall A long Oration of Jesephus to perswade the People to yield and of the Famine in the City TITUS now determined to batter the third Wall conceiving the Siege would be now but short He thought it convenient to give the Seditious some time to bethink themselves to see that if either by the taking of the second Wall or terrified with Famine they would repent For there was little or nothing left in the City to I supply them and he was posted as he desired And the time being come for every Roman Souldier to receive his proportion of Victuals Titus surceasing the Siege commandeth mony to be distributed to all his Souldiers Titus caused them to be led every one in order into a place where the Jews in the City might behold them he caused his Captains to distribute money to every one and the Souldiers as their Custom is all armed and drawing their Swords out of their sheaths marched along the Horsemen leading their Horses in great Pomp and a great part of the Suburbs glistered with gold and silver This spectacle was grateful to their own Souldiers and terrible to the Jews for all the old Walls and the North part of the City and many Houses were filled with the multitude of them who came to view this sight and there was no part of the City that was not filled with People to behold it This Spectacle struck a great K fear upon the very boldest among the Jews and perhaps would have caused the Seditious People to have relented had they not despaired to have found mercy and pardon at the Romans hands for their offences committed wherefore they thought it better to be slain fighting than to be put to death shamefully if they desisted from fight That Destiny hindred this resolution Destiny had decreed that the innocent should perish with the nocent and the City with the Seditious it being decreed that the innocent should perish with the wicked and the City with the Seditious hereupon for four dayes space they distributed necessaries to the Souldiers and on the fifth day Titus perceiving the Jews were still obstinate divided his Army into two parts and about Johns Tomb he began to raise Mounts and against Antonia hoping by them to take the higher part of the City and by Antonia to seize the Temple which except he could effect he could not safely take L the City Against either of these places he raised two Mounts each Legion making one The Jews and Simons followers opposed the work that was begun before Johns Tomb The Romans in their labour are hindred by the Jews and John likewise with a great number of the Zealots hindred them that made the Mounts over against Antonia who not only fought with the advantage of the higher ground but had learned also the use of Engines for continual use by little and little made them skilful and they had 300 Engines called Balistaes and 40 Engines to cast Stones wherewith they greatly annoyed the Romans and obstructed them in their work Titus foreseeing that Fortune would favour him Titus bounty towards the Jews and that the City would be taken M pressed it what he could never ceasing to perswade the Jews to yield adding many Arguments to his importunity for he knew that many times words prevail more than violence wherefore he exhorted them to save themselves and yield the City unto him referring them to Joseph who should make a speech to them in their own Language and he hoped they would hear their own Country-man Then Joseph keeping himself out of the danger of their shot Josephs Oration to the Jews called out unto them to commiserate themselves the City the Temple the People and not be more hard-hearted unto them than strangers For the Romans had a reverence for the Holy-places notwithstanding they had no society or portion in them That till that very day they had abstained from violating of them whereas they who were brought up among them and might save them N did wilfully cause their destruction He advised them to consider that their strongest Walls were battered down and only the weaker remaining unbattered He willed them to consider how they were not able to withstand the Roman Forces and that it was no novelty to the Jews to be subject to the Romans For although it be a good and commendable thing to fight for Liberty yet that was to have been done in the beginning for he that was once subject and rebell'd having a long time lived under the obedience of the Romans seemed rather to be desirous of a shameful Death than an honourable Liberty Moreover he reproached them that they should choose rather to be subject to a base People than to them whom the whole World obeyed For saith he What habitable place is it that the Romans have not Conquered They themselves may perceive how Fortune has still favoured them and that God had O setled the Universal Monarchy in Italy That by the Law of Nature and the Example of
A Beasts as well as men we are taught to give place unto them that are stronger than our selves and be contented to submit to their Victory that are valiantest in Arms. This said he was the cause that your Ancestors who were far more strong aad politick than you and had better means to resist did submit themselves unto the Romans which if God had not been pleased withal he would never have permitted And how could they hope to resist seeing the City was as it were already taken and the Citizens whilst their Walls were whole most of them destroyed For the Romans well knew the Famine that was among them how it every day wasted the people Famine in the City and would in short time devour their Souldiers For suppose said he the Romans would desist withdraw their Siege and offer no violence there is a Civil War within the City which you cannot overcome or avert unless you B could fight against Hunger and the adversity of Fortune He added That it was best before intolerable Calamities befell them to change their opinion and whilst they had time to be counselled by good advice That the Romans would not punish them for what was already past except they persisted in their obstinacy For they are said he Kind Courteous Gentle to their Subjects and prefer their Commodity before Revenge They thought it their interest to have the City in their Power and the Country about it and therefore the Emperour proposed to make a league of Peace with them but if he took the City by force he would spare none seeing they were admonish'd so kindly before and in their greatest necessity refused to obey him He told them also that the third Wall would in a short time be taken as they might perceive by the other two and though the City were inexpugnable yet the Famine would force C it to yeild in despite of its Strength As Joseph did thus advise them those upon the Walls rail'd at him upbraided him and shot at him Joseph seeing he could not avert them from their imminent calamities recounted unto them out of their own Histories whatever made for his purpose O wretches saith he and ungrateful to your Friends The Emperor striveth to be at Peace with the Romans You resist the Romans and continue perverse as though you had conquered others that came as they now do against you When doth God the maker of all things deny help unto us if we be oppressed Will you not remember your selves Joseph rippeth up the ancient Histories and some foreign For what cause did you enterprise these Wars And how great a Friend and Protector do you daily offend Do ye not remember the miraculous Works of your Ancestors in this Holy place and how in times past it was by the Enemies destroyed But I D tremble to recount the works of God to such unworthy hearers Nechias a King of Egypt But consider and you will find that you do not only resist the Romans but God himself Nechias at that time King of Egypt who also was called Pharao came and with an infinite Army took away Queen Sara the Mother of our Nation And what did our first Father Abraham in this case Did he betake himself to Arms to revenge that injury though he had under his command three hundred and eighteen Captains and under them an infinite multitude Did he not rather desist from War perceiving God not to accompany him and lifting up his pure hands towards this Holy-place which now you have defiled and prophaned implore the assistance of his invincible God And was not the Queen the second night after sent home again unto him untouched whilst the Egyptian adoring this Holy-place which ye have polluted with E Murders of your own Nation and trembling at the Visions he saw in the night time fled rewarding the Hebrews with Gold and Silver whom he perceived to be so beloved of God Shall I recount unto you the going of our Ancestors into Egypt The Hebrews under the Tyranny of Egypt four hundred years who having for four hundred years been slaves to the Egyptian Tyrants and Kings and able to have revenged themselves by force of Arms yet did they rather expect and stay Gods leisure Who knoweth not that then Egypt in revenge of their tyranny to the Hebrews was overrun withall kinds of Serpents and infected with all kind of Diseases the Earth became barren Nilus dry and the ten plagues followed one another our Ancestors were safely delivered without bloodshed God Almighty conducting them as willing to reserve them for his Priests When the Assyrians had taken away from us the Holy Ark The Sacred Ark taken away by the Assyrians and restored to the Jews did not Palestina and Dagon F repent that fact Did not the whole Nation that took it weep and lament therefore For their privy parts being putrified their Bowels and meat came from them and with unclean hands they were forced to bring it back again with Cymbals and Trumpets to make Satisfaction for their offence Senacherib King of Assur It was God that did this for our Ancestors because that depositing their Arms they resigned themselves wholly to his pleasure Was Senacherib King of Assyria with all his Power out of Asia incamping before this City overcome by humane force Did not our Ancestours wave their own force and betake themselves to prayer The Captivity of Babylon and God by his Angel in one night destroyed an infinite Army so as that the next day the Assyrian found a hundred fourscore and five thousand of his men dead and fled with the rest from the unarm'd Hebrews though they never pursued You know also G that in the Captivity of Babylon where the people lived the space of seventy years they got not their liberty till such time as God disposed Cyrus to suffer them to depart into their own Country And continuing his assistance they again as the Priests in old time were H wont did serve and reverence their helper In brief our Ancestors did never atchieve any great matter by force of Arms neither did they leave any thing undone wherein they expected Gods help but still remaining quiet at home they overcome their Enemies wholly by his Providence and when they trusted to their own strength they always miscarryed For when Zedechias our King contrary to the admonition of the Prophet Jeremy went forth to fight with the King of Babylon at that time besieging the City both he and his whole Party were taken The destruction of Jerusalem by the King of Babylon and this City destroyed Yet consider how far your Generals are inferiour to that King and your selves to the people of those times For Jeremy declaring to the City that God was offended at their iniquity and that except they did yield it should be taken by force yet did not the King nor any of the people lay hands upon
him And you that I I may omit your iniquity done within the City which though I would I could not sufficiently decipher do revile and attempt to kill me for giving you wholsom Counsel for your good only for that I put you in mind of your sins which you have not patience to hear The same happened also when Antiochus sirnamed Epiphanes besieged the City God was highly displeased at our Ancestors permited them to be slain the Town spoiled and this Holy-place for three years and six months to be made desolate What should I shew unto you any more examples Who first incited the Romans against the Jews Was it not the impiety of our own Countrey-Men that did it Whence was our bondage at that time Did it not proceed from the Sedition of our Ancestors Josephs bitter invective against them when the fury of Aristobulus and Hircanus brought Pompey into our City and God subdued them by the Romans being grown unworthy of K liberty and at length after a three months siege though they were not so great offenders as you are and better able to abide the siege yet they yielded themselves Are we ignorant of the end of Antigonus the Son of Aristobulus who invaded the Kingdom and brought our Nation again into subjection God laying this bondage upon them being provoked by the iniquity of our Nation Herod the Son of Antipater brought Sosius and the Roman Army and besieged the City six months and at last for the greatness of our iniquity it was taken and punished and sacked by the Enemies Thus you evidently see that our Nation never prevail'd by force of Arms. And assure your selves that even now the City will be taken It is meet therefore that you who keep this Holy-place commit your selves wholly to God and then you need not fear the forces of your Enemies when your piety assures L you of Gods help and succour The Jews sins against the Laws But what one Article of Gods Law have you observed Nay what have you not done that he forbad How far greater is your impiety than theirs and yet they suddenly perished for their sins For making small account of secret sins as Stealing Deceit and Adulteries you violently take away mens Goods by force you murder whom you please devise new ways to sin have made the Holy Temple the place of your impieties and what the Romans themselves did adore is by your own Nation polluted and defiled whilst you derogate from the honour of our Religion by the impiety of your actions and yet hope for his help whom you have so heinously offended you are very just people and obedient The Romans use the same manner of overthrow against the Jews as the Assyrians did and it is with pure hands you beg assistance of God Did our King pray so unto God when he obteined that in one night so many of the Assyrians should be destroyed Or M do the Romans commit such impiety as the Assyrians did that you may hope of the like revenge upon them The Assyrian received a sum of Money to save the City and yet not regarding his Oath indeavoured to destroy it The Romans do only request the same Tribute that was paid by our Ancestors and if they may have it will never destroy the City nor touch our Holy things They will also permit you to enjoy freely your Familes and Possessions God knoweth when to revenge and suffer your Laws to remain inviolate It is madness for you to hope that God will punish just men as he did sinners and impious persons seeing he can punish as he pleases To be short he destroyed the Assyrians the first night they encamped before the City And if he had purposed to deliver you and punish the Romans he would have done it when Pompey and Sosius came against the City or when Vespasian wasted Galilee or now N when Titus made his assault The Fountains that before-time were dry now slow to Titus But neither Pompey nor Sosius suffered any harm and both of them took the City Vespasian prospered so well in his Wars against you that he hath got the whole Empire And the Fountains which yielded you no Water before do give it to Titus in abundance For you know that before his coming the Fountains without the City and Siloa were so dry that Water was sold by measure yet now they flow plentifully and do not only serve his Army but water all the Gardens about What this wonder foretelleth you have already experienced when the King of Babylon came with his Army and destroyed the City took it and fired it and the Temple notwithstanding that as I am perswaded the Jews at that time were not so wicked as now I think therefore that God hath forsaken this Holy place and is gone over to your Enemies Will not a good man fly a wicked house O and abhor the impiety of the Inhabitants And do you think that God will abide your impiety A who beholdeth all secrets and knoweth all things that are hid But what is secret amongst you Or what do you seek to find Nay what do you that your Enemies do not know All your iniquities are apparent and your contention with one another is who shall be most impious and with as much labour endeavour to be Vitious as others do to be Vertuous Yet for all this it is not too late to amend God is wont to shew mercy to those who confess and be peditent God's wrath will be appeased if ye acknowledg your sins and be penitent for your offences Throw away your Arms then and pity your Country now ruined by your own means Turn your Eyes and behold the beauty of the Place whose ruine you seek How brave a City how magnificent a Temple how rich with the Gifts of all Nations Who would fire these who would desire the ruin of these Or what is there B in the World that better deserveth to be preserved O hard-hearted people more blockish and insensible than Stones Or if you do not pity your Temple let your Families move you look upon your Children your Wives and your Parents all ready to be consumed either with Sword or Famine I am sensible my Wife my Children and Family must perish with you and there was a time when they would have been considered and it may be thought it is to save their lives I give this advice but kill them and sacrifice me for your welfare I am prepared to die if my death may be a means to preserve you in being Whilst Joseph made this speech unto them the Tears trickled down his Cheeks but the Seditious being nothing moved Joseph love and constancy towards his Country replyed that it was not safe for them to yeild The C people however were perswaded to fly and selling their possessions and what they had at small rates they swallow'd down the Gold which they received lest
Rams wherewith the Romans began to beat the Walls Amongst the rest a G man named Tâ—ptheus of Garsus a City of Galilee Megassarus one of Queen Mariammes Servants Three Valiant Jews and with them one of Adiabena the Son of Mabateus who for his fortune was named Agiras which signified lame these three taking fire-brands ran unto H the Engines and there was none found in all the Roman Army more valiant than these men nor more terrible for they ran amidst the throng oftheir Enemies so bodly as though they had gone amongst their Friends and never made any stay but breaking through the midst of their Enemies The Romans invironed with fire lose the Mounts they had built they fired their Engines and notwithstanding that on every side they were assaulted with Darts and Arrows yet did they not give back nor seek to avoid the danger till such time as the fire had taken hold of the Engines The flame mounting on high the Romans came running out their Camp to succour their fellows and the Jews upon the Wall with Darts and Arrows hindred them that sought to quench the flame exposing their own Bodies The Romans endeavoured to draw off the Rams And the Jews were as earnest to hinder them I however the Romans preserved their Rams From thence the fire caught hold of the Rampires those that opposed themselves were burned and the fire increased so that it could not be extinguished so the Romans invironed with the flame and despairing to rescue their Works retired into their Camp and left them on fire But the Jews were so much the more earnest their number still encreasing by new supplies out of the City A most bitter Law among the Romans against those that forsook their places and so encouraged by their Victory they rashly adventured unto the Romans Camp and assaulted the Guard there Which guard was a Company placed round before the Camp in Armour with orders not to leave their ground upon pain of death And these men esteeming it better to die gloriously than ignominiously to suffer resisted very valiantly so that many that had fled retired themselves K back again to fight both for shame that they had forsaken their place and for fear of punishment thereof and placing new Engines upon the Rampire of their Camp they stopt the Jews from Sallying any more for they came out unarmed without any Arms of defence For the Jews without any consideration came rashly upon their Enemies Pikes and assaulted them with their fists So that the Jews prevailed more by their courage than their Arms and the Romans fled more for the Jews boldness than any harm they sustained by them Titus repairing with all speed from Antonia Titus accused his Souldiers of negligence where he had been viewing a place for another Rampire blamed the Souldiers exceedingly who having gotten the Enemies Walls L did notwithstanding suffer themselves to be repell'd and were forced to abide that which first the Jews did suffer being now as it were broken out of Prison and so he with certain chosen men assaulted the Enemies on one side who though desperately overpowered yet stoutly resisted him and so joyning the Battle the dust was so thick that none could see one another nor hear what was said for the cries and noise were so great no man could discern his friends from his foes The Jews persisted still in the Battle not for that they trusted to their force or thereby prevailed but because they were desperate The Romans on the other part took courage and fought stoutly for shame The Jews retire within the City and for that Caesar himself was in danger amongst them So that I think that had not the Jews retired into the City the fury of the Romans had then consumed the M whole multitude The Romans were now sorrowful for the loss of their Rampires who in one hours time had lost that which with such labour they so long had been making and many of their Engines being now displaced they dispaired to take the City CHAP. XIII Of the Wall which the Roman Army built about Jerusalem in three days space TItus deliberated with his Captains what was to be done Titus confuâ—â—eth with his Captains and they that were most forward amongst them thought it best with the whole Army to assault the Walls N for that as yet the Jews had only fought with a part and were not able to withstand the force of the whole Army but would be all consumed with Darts and Arrows The wiser sort perswaded Titus to repair his Rampires but others counselled the coutrary to hold themselves quiet there and only to keep all places about that no food should be conveyed into the City and so famish it without fighting For that the Jews being now desperate and desirous to be slain would not be overcome by force But Titus thought it dishonourable to lie idle with so huge an Army and do nothing yet he deemed it superfluous to fight with them who would willingly fight to be slain and he could not make any Mounts because he wanted Materials and it was most difficult of all to guard every place about the City that none could go forth for that it could O not be beleaguered round on every side by reason of the difficult places and great compass A thereof fearing also the dangers that might ensue the Jews issuing out of the City For the Jews seeing their open ways possessed by the Romans they would devise some secret ways both urged thereunto by necessity and also because they knew all places thereabout very well And if so be that the Jews should secretly effect any thing to prejudice them that then their Siege was like to continue so much the longer so that he feared that the continuance of time would diminish the Glory of his Victory For though all those ways might be taken yet he preferred Speed before Certainty and if so be he would use celerity and safety then it was needful for him to compass the whole City round about with a Wall Titus determineth to inclose the City with a Wall for so all ways and passages might be blockt up and the Jews seeing no hope of safety should be compelled either to yield the City B or to be consumed with Famine Nor by any other means could be secure but by erecting Mounts having that Wall to defend them And if any one think that work difficult and not to be atchieved let him consider that it did not become the Romans to make a base and slender piece of work and that no man in the World could without labour effect any great matter but God only Having with these speeches encouraged his Captains he caused them to lead the Souldiers and dispose them all about these businesses The Souldiers had as it were some divine vigour and courage faln upon them for not only the Captains parting the circuit
amongst the Jews two of Johns faction and of Simons faction Malachias and Judas the Son of Merton and James the Son of Sosa Captain of the Idumeans and two brethren of the Zealots the Sons of Jairus Simon and Judas signaliz'd themselves F CHAP. IV. Josephs speech perswading the Jews to yield the City many of them fled unto the Romans AFter that Titus had commanded his Souldiers to ruine the foundations of Antonia and make an easie entrance for the whole Army he called Joseph to him for he understood that that day being the seventeenth of July the Jews were wont to celebrate a certain Feast to God which they called Entelechâ—smus that is to say the breaking of the Tables and that they were much troubled that they could not celebrate the â—ame and again commanded him to tell John as he had formerly done That if he G desired to fight he should have liberty to come with what multitude he pleased so that the City and the Temple might not both perish with him that he ought to desist from prophaning the Holy-place and from sinning against God and that if he so H pleased he would grant him leave to Celebrate the Feast which had been now long time omitted and that by what company he would Joseph to the intent that not only John might hear this offer of Titus but also the rest of the people got upon an eminent place Titus willeth John to come out to fight lest with him the City and temple should perish also from whence he might be heard and in the Hebrew tongue declared to the Jews Caesars pleasure earnestly requesting them to spare their Country and prevent the fire now ready to take hold of their Temple and to offer the accustomed Sacrifices to God When he had thus said the people were very sorrowful and all held their peace not daring to speak But the Tyrant John having used many railing speeches against Joseph John raileth against Joseph at last answered that he need not fear the destruction of the Temple and City seeing that it belouged to God I Then Joseph with a loud voice cryed out True it is you have kept it pure and unprophaned for God and the Holy-things you have kept inviolate neither have you committed any iniquity against him from whom you expect help but have offered solemn Sacrifice unto him If any man should take from you your daily food no doubt you would account him your Enemy And can you then hope that God whom you have deprived of daily Sacrifice will assist you in this War Do you impute these offences to the Romans why they even now defend our Religion and command the Sacrifice to be offered which you have forbidden Who doth not bewail this unexpected change and lament our City Strangers and Enemies correct your impiety and you a Jew born and brought up in our Law are more cruel than they But consider John it is no shame to repent your wickedness in extremity and at K the last Jechonias sustained a voluntary banishment in Babylon If you be desirous to save your Country you have a good example of Jechonias sometime King of the Jews Who when the Babylonians warred against him of his own accord went out of the City before it was taken and willingly endured Captivity with all his Family and Kindred only to hinder the ruine of the City the profanation of the Holy-things and the burning of the Temple And for this act of his he is of Sacred memory among the Jews and hath thereby gained immortal praise amongst all posterity This is a good example O John now danger is at hand and I will promise you pardon from the Romans consider that I your Country-man admonish you and promise this unto the Jews and that in the name of Caesar God forbid that ever I should be such a wretch as to forget whence I took my birth and what love I ought to have for the Laws of my Country Yet you are incensed L against me and exclaim on me and curse me True it is I deserve worse than this because I seek to perswade contrary to the determination of Gods providence The City by the ordinance of fate and Gods will was to be overthrown and strive to save them whom his sentence hath condemned Who is ignorant of the writings of the ancient Prophets and their Prophecies wherein this wretched City is foretold to be destroyed by those that being born Jews murther our own Nation and now not only the City but also the Temple is full of your dead bodies Certainly it is God that joyns with the Romans to expiate all these Abominations with fire Joseph thus discoursing with Tears and Lamentations Josephs speech is interrupted with sighs could speak no more for sighing And the Romans compassionating his sorrow and affliction were astonished But John and his confederates were so much the more incited against the Romans and M sought to take Joseph yet his speech mov'd many of the Nobles and divers fearing the Seditious Guards remained still where they were making full account both of their own destruction and the subversion of the City Yet some there were who finding opportunity fled to the Romans amongst whom were two Priests Joseph and Jesus and three Sons of Ismael the Priest who was beheaded at Cyrena and the fourth Son of Matthias the Priest who escaped to the Romans before his father was put to death by Simon Giora Some of the Nobility among the Jews escape to the Romans with his three other Sons as is before related many other Nobles also came away with the Priests whom the Emperour received very courteously and sent them to Gophna knowing that it was a grief to them to converse amongst people of different manners from them and he willed them to remain there N and promised every one of them great possessions after the War was ended So they joyfully departed to the place appointed but the Seditious because they were not seen reported to the people that they who had fled to the Romans were slain designing hereby to terrifie the rest from flying to them Caesar's humanity towards the Jews and thus their device a while prevailed as their former did and they that fain would durst not now fly for fear But afterward Those Jews that were fled besought the besieged with tears and sighs to submit themselves when Titus recalled them from Gophna and commanded them to go about the Walls with Joseph and shew themselves to the people then many more of the Jews fled to the Romans And after they had gathered themselves together standing all before the Romans they besought the Seditious with tears to receive the Romans into the City and save O their Country or if this pleased them not at least to depart out of the Temple and A to deliver it up to them For the Romans durst not except necessity urged
for pardon the Romans about Titus desirous to hear what he would say unto them and Titus having commanded his Souldiers to be quiet and to forbear shooting Arrows spoke to them first in token of his Victory by an Interpreter to this effect Titus Oration to the Jews by an Interpreter Are ye not wearied said he with the Calamities suffered by your Country You who without considering our power and your own weakness have with rash fury destroyed your People City and Temple Your selves also have justly deserved N to perish who since Pompey first Conquered you have never ceased to be Seditious and at last have openly declared War against the Romans Did you trust to your multitude You have seen that a small parcel of the Roman Army hath sufficiently resisted you Or did you expect forreign aid What Nation is not under our Dominion And who would rather make choice of the Jews than of the Romans Did you trust in your strength of Body Why you know the Germans serve us Or in the strength of your Walls What Wall or what greater hinderance than the Ocean wherewith the Britains invironed have yielded to the Roman Forces Or to your Courage and politick Counsel of your Captains You have already heard that the Carthaginians have been by us surprized The Romans humanity incited the Jews against them It was therefore the Romans humanity that incited you against themselves who first of all permitted you to possess your Country and gave you Kings of O your own Nation and after all this we kept your Laws inviolate and suffered you to live A as your selves desired not only in your own Country but also amongst other Nations and which is the greatest of all our benefits bestowed upon you we permitted you to gather Contributions and Gifts to the maintenance of your Temple and Sacrifices to God of all which we neither forbad any to be brought unto you nor hindred any that would offer to your Temple but suffered you our Enemies to be made richer than our selves so that you have used our own money against us Having received so many benefits at our hands you have now diâ—gorged your selves upon us and like spiteful Serpents spit your poyson upon them that made much of you Let us omit that by Nero's negligence you became forgetful of your duty and like some Member in the Body broken or shrunk you being still tamultuous at last were taken in a greater offence and were encouraged with immoderate desires to hope for unlawful liberty My B Father came into your Country not to punish you for your Revolt against Cestius but by good counsel and gentleness to reduce you to good order And whereas if he had come to destroy your Nation he ought first to have cut down the very Root to have come to this City and destroyed it with the Inhabitants he rather chose first to enter Galilee and the places adjoyning that in the mean time you might repent you and consider of your Estate But this his mercy towards you was held for cowardliness and weakness in him and by our long-suffering you were emboldned against us and when Nero was dead you did as treacherous subjects are wont to do and took occasion by our civil dissention to revolt from us and whilst my Father and I were gone into Aegypt you prepared your selves for a War against us neither were you ashamed to oppose us when my Father was declared Emperour whom notwithstanding you had found most C gentle Captains unto you At last when the Empire fell to us and all things being now quieted all Nations with gifts and presents came to congratulate us behold again the Jews shewed themselves our Enemies and you sent an Embassador beyond Euphrates only to get aid to your Rebellion You wall'd and fortified your Towns anew and falling into factions among your selves at last you came to a Civil War all which none but the most vile people in the world would have committed Wherefore being commanded by my Faâ—her who was now urged thereunto I came against this City with a heavy charge yet did I rejoyce when I heard that the People desired Peace Before I exercised Hostility against you I exhorted you to Peace after the War was begnn I desisted a while from using severity I spared all those that of their own accord fled to me and kept my Promise to them pitying those that were Captives D I punished only those that drew you into this War and till forced so to do I set not the Rams against your Walls but alwayes restrained my Souldiers so much desirous of your blood As often as I overcame you so often did I exhort you to peace as though I had been vanquished Again when I approached the Temple I willingly omitting the Law of Arms requested you to spare both it and the holy things offering you leave to depart and promising you safety or licensing you to fight another time in another place if so you thought good All these my Offers you refused and with your own hands fired your Temple And now you wicked wretches dare to present your selves before me in Arms. What thing can you now preserve so excellent 〈◊〉 that which is already perished What pardon can you expect seeing your Temple is destroyed nay even now you stand armed not so much as counterfeiting E submission at the last cast O wretches with what hope Is not your People dead Is not your Temple destroyed and your City now in my hands yea and your lives too And can you imagine after this to end them by an honourable death I will not strive with your obstinacy yet if you will cast down your weapons and yield to my discretion Titus grants the Jews life on condition they should lay aside their weapons and submit themselves I will spare your lives and I shall reserve the rest to my self to use as a good Master who punishes not but with regret even the most unpardonable crimes To this they answered That they could not yield themselves to him though he gave them his word having vowed the contrary but they requested licence to depart with their Wives and Children into the Desart and leave the City to the Romans Titus was greatly enraged that they being in a manner already his Captives should impose upon him Conditions F as though they were Victors and he commanded a Herald to tell them that henceforth they should not flie to him nor hope that he would receive them that he would pardon none and that they might employ all their force to fight and save themselves as they could for he would now in all things use the Law of Arms and so he permitted the Souldiers to sack the City and set it on fire The same day they did nothing The Souldiers set the City on fire but the next day following they fired the Councel house the Palace Acra and Ophia the place of
of the Valour of the Romans who had mastered a City so well fortified as by these it appeared to have bee All the rest of the City they so plained that those who had not seen it before could not L believe that it had ever been inhabited This was the end of their madness who were alwayes given to Sedition in Jerusalem a most beautiful City and famous amongst all Nations CHAP. XIX How the Souldiers were rewarded M CAesar determined to leave the tenth Legion for a Garison in Jerusalem with some Troops of Horse and other Companies of Foot and all Wars being now ended he purposed to give solemn praise to the whole Army for their valiant Acts and to reward the most Couragious for their deserts Titus thanketh his Souldiers for that they had continued their love towards him Wherefore placing a great Tribunal in the midst before the Camp and standing up in it with the chief Officers about him from whence the whole Army might hear him he gave them hearty thanks that of their good will towards him they had patiently abode with him during those Wars praising them for their loyalty during all the time and that in many actions they had shewed themselves valiant and by their valour had enlarged the dominions of their Country N likewise that they had now given all Nations to understand that neither the multitude of Enemies nor strong holds nor greatness of Cities nor the rashness or barbarous cruelty of their Adversaries could ever resist the Forces of the Romans Titus promises recompence to his valiant Souldiers or escape their hands notwithstanding that in many things fortune favoured them adding that it was glorious for them to have ended this War that had continued so long which was all they hoped for at their coming and especially that his Father and himself whom they had elected to be the Roman Emperors were approved and imbraced by all men all standing to their appointment and acknowledging themselves beholding to them that elected them Moreover that he admired them and loved them all for that they had shewed themselves valiant and couragious and that he would now recompence those with honours O and due rewards who had behaved themselves most valiantly most hazarded themselves A and effected worthy deeds and whosoever had been forwarder than the rest should have reward according to his desert and that he would be more carefull in honouring those that had been his Companions in that War than in punishing their offences then presently he willed them to whom it appertained to nominate those who had valiantly behaved themselves in this War and had performed any worthy exploit which being done he called them by their names and praised them in such sort as testifi'd that he was no less affected with their Glory than with his own he Crowned them with Crowns of Gold Titus largest unto his Souldiers and put Chains of Gold about their necks and gave them Spears pointed with Gold and Silver Medals he also distributed to every one of them Gold and Silver money rich Garments and other things of value which were part of the B booty and thus having rewarded every one according to his merit he descended with great applause from the Tribunal all the Army making vows for his prosperity and went to offer Sacrifices for the Victory Titu's Sacrifice for his Victory He caused a great multitude of Oxen to be Sacrificed and distributed the flesh to his Army and during three days he feasted all his principal Officers after which he dismissed all the Troops to the places design'd for them appointing the tenth Legion to keep Jerusalem aud not sending it back to Euphrates The twelfth Legion under Cestius leading gave place to the Jews where before it was He also remov'd the twelfth Legion out of Syria remembring that under Cestius his Government they had fled from the Jews being before at Raphanaeas which he sent unto Malta that is situate by Euphrates in the confines of Armenia and Cappadocia the other two he kept with himself as sufficient to C guard him into Aegypt which were the fifth and fifteenth Legions And coming to Câ—esarea by the Sea-coast he there laid up all his spoils and caused the Captives to be kept because the Winter-Season permitted him not to sail into Italy CHAP. XX. How the Emperour Vespasian went from Alexandria into Italy during the siege of Jerusalem and Titus went to Caesarea Philippi D where many captive Jews were slain in the Spectacles which he gave to the people WHilst Titus was busied in the siege of Jerusalem Vespasian's sailing and journey Vespasian in a Merchants Ship sailed to Rhodes and from thence departing in a Galley he visited all the Cities by which he passed being joyfully received of them all and went from Ionia into Greece from thence to Coâ—cyâ—a and into Slavonia and afterwards by Land Titus being returned from Caesarea on the Sea-Coast came to Caesarea Philippi and there made a long abode Shews at Caesarea proclaiming all sorts of pastimes wherein many Captives perished some being cast to wild Beasts other â—orced in great Companies to fight E one against another Being in this place he understood that Simon the Son of Giora was taken This Simon at such time as Jerusalem was besieged was in the higher part of the City when the Roman Army entered the Walls and begun to waste it and with his most trusty Friends and certain Masons having provided them all necessary Tools and Victuals that might suffice them all for many days he went into a secret Cave Simon gets down into the Vault and hopeth to escape from thence in safety unto the end thereof and there he caused them to dig further hoping so to get out at some place where he might safely escape away Yet this his hope had not so good success as he expected for they had digged but a little way before their Victuals failed them notwithstanding that they had made very great sparing thereof Then Simon thinking to deceive the Romans cloathed himself in white and put on a F purple Cloak about him and so came out of the Earth in that place where the Temple had formerly stood They that did see him were astonished a while and stirred not but let him alone yet at last they came to him and demanded what he was but Simon would not tell them willing them to call their Captain unto him and presently some of the Souldiers run to call him and so he came at that time Terentius Rufus was Captain of the Souldiers Terentius having learned the truth of all kept him bound Simon is taken by the Romans and related to Caesar the manner of his taking and thus Simon was by the will of God delivered into his Enemies hands who hated him above measure and so he was justly punished for having so cruelly tyrannized over his own Country-men not taken by
of Water and runneth with a swift stâ—ream but having flowed six days it is on the seventh day so dry that you may see the bottom The flood Sabbaticus and the next day it coutinueth his course for which cause the Jews call it Sabbaticus taking the name thereof from the Jews Sabbath which is the seventh day When the Antiochians understood that Titus was coming to their City they could not contain themselves within their Walls for joy but all went out to meet him and not only Men but also Women and Children expected his coming thirty Furlongs off and when he approached near them they holding up C their hands to him Saluted him with great joy and having received many courtesies from him they returned with him and amongst other acclamations they often besought him to banish the Jews out of their City Titus cometh to Antioch But Titus returned no answer making as though he heard not what they requested Yet the Jews doubtful what he would do The Prayer of the Citizens against the Jews and what his intent was were all in exceeding great fear Titus tarried not at Antioch but passed from thence to Zeugma towards Euphrates where the Ambassadors of Vologesus â—ing of the Parthians came to him and presented him a Golden Crown for his Conquest of the Jews which he receiving feasted the Ambassadors and so returned to Antioch where the Senate and people besought him to come into the Theater all the people being assembled there expecting him and he accorded so to do D and again they besought him to expel the Jews out of their City but he answered that their Country whereunto he might have banished them was now destroyed and there was no place that would recive them The Antiochians seeing they could not obtain their first petition requested another thing of him to wit that he would take away the Brazen Tables wherein were engraven the Jews priviledges But Titus would not grant that but leaving the Jews in the same Estate he found them he departed from thence into Egypt And as in the way he past by Jerusalem comparing the desolation of that place with the beauty goodly buildings it had before it was destroyed Titus lamenteth the loss and desolation of Jerusalem he lamented and pitied the overthrow thereof not insolently rejoycing as another would have done for having destroyed so fair and strong a City but cursing the Seditious E who forced him to destroy it The Romans find no small part of the Riches of Jerusalem and being sorry he had made his virtue known by the calamity of that miserable people For still great part of the Treasure of the City was found in the Ruins and some the Romans found of themselves but the most they got the Captives told them of which was Gold and Silver and other precious things buried by the owners in the Earth being uncertain what would betide them Titus going forward in his journey speedily past through this deplorable Solitude and came to Alexandria and determining now to sayl in to Italy he sent the two Legions that accompanied him unto the places from whence they came the fifth into Maesia and the tenth into Pannonia commanding John and Simon the two chief of the Prisoners and others John and Simon and seventy other goodly Jews are reserved by Titus to be sent unto Italy to the number of seven hundred all of goodly stature and beautiful to be F carried into Italy in order to use them in his triumph When he arrived at Rome as he desired the people were affected towards him as if he had been their Father and went out to meet him Vespasian also honoured his Son Titus meeting him in his own person with great joy all the Citizens likewise received him with exceeding joy seeing that now the Father and his two Sons were met Within a few days after they purposed to make but one Triumph for both though the Senate had decreed to each a peculiar Triumph for their valiant deeds and in the day prefixed for the same no man in all the City remained at home but every one got a place to stand in that they might see the Emperours leaving only Room between them for their passage All the Souldiers before day-light with their Captains in the head of the Companies came and G expected the Emperour not at the Palace Gate but near the Temple of Isis where the Emperours that night lodged and at day-break Vespasian and Titus came forth both crowned with Lawrel The year of the World 4036. after the Nativity of Christ 74. and in Purple Garments made after their Country fashion H and they went to Octavian's walks where the Senate Nobles and Roman Knights expected their coming Before the Porch was raised a Tribunal and in it were placed Seats of Ivory on which they ascending sat down and presently all the Souldiers with a loud voice shouted forth their praises The triumphant attire of Vespasian and Titus The Emperours were unarmed and cloathed in Silk and crowned with Lawrel Vespasian having received their praises as they offer'd still to speak more in his commendations he beckned with his hand and made a sign to them to be silent which done he rose up and covering the greatest part of his head with his Garment he made the accustomed prayers and vows and Titus also did the like Their vows and dinner before their Triumph Then Vespasian spoke to them all in general but in few words and so dismissed the Souldiers to go to dinner which according to the custome the Emperour I was to provide for them himself departed from them to the triumphant Gate socalled for that all Triumphs passed that way and after they had eat there they put on triumphant Robes and offered Sacrifices to the Gods whose Images were placed by the Gate The magnificence of the Triumph and so went in triumph all along the places designed for publick Shews to the end that all people might have a better view of their magnificence But the spectacles there exhibited both for number variety and constliness cannot be described sufficiently being excellent in all things which any man could devise both workmanship Riches Variety and Novelty For almost all things that ever were in any place amongst men that lived in felicity either Rich or Glorious and pleasant to behold all were that day shewed and seen in this Triumph as a Testimony of the grandeur of K the Roman Empire The most precious Garments For there was such store of works of Gold Silver and Ivory that one would not have deemed them to have been made only for the pomp of that day but to have been so plentiful as if they had flowed all about the City some carried fine Tapestry made of all sorts of Purple curiously wrought with Pictures Babylonian works and there was so many Gems and precious Stones some set in
Crowns of Gold some in other works that it appear'd that without reason we judged them to be rare and scarce Moreover the Pictures of their Gods were carried with them which were admirable both for greatness workmanship and all of precious matter Moreover divers sorts of living creatures were there to be seen all adorned with some attire agreeing and alluding unto their nature There was also an infinite multitude of men in Purple Garments wrought L with Gold who carried all these things and all those that were designed to serve for this pomp were attired in such Garments than which nothing could be more Glorious Even the Captives were not without gorgeous attire The building of the Pageants but the variety and beauty of the Garments made the Sadness of their countenances less remarkable The Pageants that were born in the Triumph were of admirable bigness so that the people that beheld them wondred how it was possible that men should carry them for many were built with three or four lofts one above another surpassing all that can be imagined for work and cost some of them being hang'd about with Tapestry of Gold and all things annexed unto them whereon they were carried were made of wrought Gold or Ivory Wherein was curiously represented the manner of War and all Stratagems and Arts of M fighting that could be devised some in one part of the Pageant some in another There might one have beheld most most fertil and fortunate Countries destroyed whole Troops of Enemies slain some flying others taken Prisoners strong and huge Walls battered down with Rams Castles and Fortreses destroyed great and populous Cities assaulted and a whole Army entring the Breach all places filled with massacred men and how those that were not able to fight yielding themselves asked mercy the Temples set one fire and after all else was wasted the houses thrown down upon their owners heads and a River not flowing as it was wont into tilled places and to serve for the use of Man and Cattel to drink but carrying Streames of blood to quench part of the flames A Table of Gold of the weight of a great talent which consum'd the City to ashes all which the Jews in their War N endured These things were so artificially represented to the view of those that had not seen them as though they were now a doing Upon every Pageant stood the Governour of the City representing the manner how it was taken After all these followed many Ships and in every place were carried the spoils taken in War amongst which those that were taken in the Temple of Jerusalem were most remarkable The last of the spoils was the Law of the Jews for there was a Golden Table weighing many Talents and likewise a Golden Candelstick the use whereof was now not such as we were wont to put it to for in the midst of the stem thereof was fixed a Base and out of it proceeded many small branches framed like a three-forked spear every one being at the top made like a Lamp which were 7 in number shewing the honour of the seventh day which is called the Sabbath amongst O the Jews After all this was carried the Jews Law which was the last of all the spoils Then followed some that carried several Images of Victory all made of Gold A and Ivory Afterwards came Vespasian followed by Titus and Domitian accompanied them gallantly adorned and Mounted on an excellent Horse and so they went all to the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus and there was the end of all this pomp Here they made some stay For it was an ancient Custom of their Country to repose themselves there till some came and brought news to them of the death of him who was General of their Enemies This at this time was Simon Giora Simon the Son of Giora is drawn with a Halter about his neck thorow the market place who was also carried in the Triumph and having a Rope fastned about his neck was drawn all along the Market-place where they that drew him kil'd him For it is the custom of the Romans there to put malefactors to death that are condemned After word was brought that he he was dead all the B people made joyful exclamations and so they fell to Sacrifice which done according to the custom they returned to the Palace where they made a great Feast as others also did for themselves at their own Houses For this day was sacred amongst the Romans in joy of the Victory over their Enemies and an end of civil Calamity and the beginning of good Fortune and hope which they had in their new Princes When the Triumphs were ended Vespasian buildeth and dedicateth a Temple to Peace and all the Roman Empire quieted Vespasian built a Temple and dedicated it to Peace which he did in so short a space that it was admirable and having bestowed great cost upon it he also beautified it with divers Pictures and carved works And he placed in that Temple all things C that men of former Ages had gathered together from the uttermost parts of the Earth And he placed there all the Golden Vessels and other things that the Jews used in their Temple doing them great reverence But their Law and the Tapestry or Purple Veils of the Sanctuary he commanded to be kept in the Palace CHAP. XXV D How Herodium and Machaeron were taken by Bassus CAesar sent Lucius Bassus into Judea to be Lieutenant General there who receiving the Army of Cerealis Vetilianus took the Castle and Garrison of Herodium by composition After this gathering together all his Troops which were dispersed in divers places of the Country with the tenth Legion he purposed to War against Machaeron for he thought it necessary to destroy that Castle left its strength might move many to rebel for by reason of the situation of the place they that werein it had great assurance of safety and those that sought to assault it were in great danger For it was built upon a Rock that was exceeding high and which made E it almost inexpugnable and nature had so devised that it was hard to come to it being environed round about with Valleys of incredible depth and very difficult to pass over for that which is on the West part is threescore Furlongs large and endeth at the Lake Asphaltites on which side Machaeron hath a very high Prospect and it is environed on the North and South with Valleys of the like depth whereby it is impossible to win the Castle but that Valley which is on the East side is at least a hundred Cubits deep and endeth upon a Mountain near Macheron Alexander King of the Jews seeing the Nature of the place there built a Castle which afterward Gabinius in the War against Aristobulas destroyed But Herod when he was King Herod environeth Machaâ—ron with a great Wall and Tower judged this place worthy to
marry her as she hoped who having an Army at Babylon warred against Antioch and had taken the City and that she fled into Selucia whereas she might have made a C speedier escape by water but was forewarned to the contrary in a sleep and that she was there taken and died c. Agatarchides having used this Preface and inveighed against Stratonices superstition useth an Examyle of our Nation on this manner The People that are called Jews inhabit a most strong City which they call Jerusalem these People are wont to rest upon the seventh day The Jews Sabbath and do neither bear Arms nor till their Grounds nor any other business on that day hut their custom is to remain in their Temple and there with stretched out armes continue in prayer till night And so upon a time they persevering in that foolery whilst they should have defended their City Ptolomeus Lagus entred it with a great Army and greatly tyrannized over them instructing them by experience that the solemnity appointed by their Law was prejudicial unto them Such like Churches as this did teach D them and all Nations else to flie unto dreams which their Law teacheth neither considering that humane policy cannot prevail against that which must necessarily happen Agatarchides thought this which he reports of us to be ridiculous but they that weigh it with indifferency shall perceive that it is greater commendation to our Nation who rather suffer their Country and safety to be lost and endamaged Why certain Writers omit to speak of the Jews than to violate the Laws of God I think I am thus able to shew that many Writers omitted to make mention of our Nation not for that they knew us not but for envy For Jerom writ a Book of the Successors in the same time that Hecateus lived and being a friend to King Antigonus and President of Syria never mentioneth us in all his History notwithstanding he was brought up almost in our Country whereas Hecateus writ an entire Book of us so E different are the minds of men for one of them thought our Nation worthy to be diligently recorded the other through malice was hindred from speaking the truth yet the Histories of the Chaldeans Egyptians and Phoenicians may suffice to prove our Antiquity together with the Greek Writers for besides those before mentioned Theophrastus also Theodotus Manaseas Ariphanes Hermogenes Euemeus Conon Zepyrion and many others no doubt for I have not perused all mens Books have manifestly testified of us For many of the foresaid men were blinded with errors as not having read our holy Scriptures yet they all joyntly testify our Antiquity for which I now alledge them Truly Demetrius Phalerius Philon the elder and Eupolemus did not much erre from the truth and therefore reason it is they should be born withal for they were not so skilful F as to teach our Writings with so much curiosity Being come thus far it resteth that I now present one point more whereof I made mention in the beginning of this Book The last part against certain detractions and slanders to wit that I declare the detractions and slanderous reports of divers concerning our Nation to be false and void of truth and I will use the Testimony of those Writers who record that the lying Historigraphers at such time as they committed to writing the foresaid detractions did also even against themselves register such like slanders as they did against us And I doubt not but that all those who are conversant in Histories can testifie that the like hath been done by most Writers upon private hatred or such like respects For some of the Gentiles have attempted to deface the honour and reputation of the most renowned Cities and to defame G the manners of their Inhabitants Thus did Theopompus to Athens and Ptolicrates to Lacedemon and the Author that writ Tripoliticum for it was not Theopompus as some suppose used the City Thebes very hardly And Timeus in his Histories of the foresaid H places doth many times detract both them and others And this they do calumniating the most excellent that are in something or other some for envy and malice others that their fond babling may make them famous and so indeed it doth among fools that are known to have no sound judgment but wise men will condemn their malice To be short The cause of malice between the Egyptians and Jews this is the cause of so many slanderous reports forged against our Nation some to gratify the Egyptians have attempted to deprave the truth and so have neither reported the Circumstances concerning our Ancestors coming into Egypt nor touching their departure from thence and they have had many causes of malice and envy urging them hereto And chiefly for that our Progenitors in their Country waxed mighty I and so departing to their own Country were made happy and fortunate Secondly The Egyptians Idolatry the diversity of our two Religions made great discord and variance amongst us our Religion so far excelling theirs in piety as the divine Essence GOD excelleth unreasonable Creatures for they commonly worship such bruit beasts for gods and every one worshipeth divers kinds vain and foolish men who from the beginning have been accustomed to such sottish opinions as would not permit them to imitate us in our divine Religion and comformable to Reason and yet seeing many favour and follow our Religion they were hereby incited to such hatred that to derogate from us they feared not to falsify their own ancient Records not considering that in so doing they were led through a blind passion to write against themselves Moreover I will prove K all I have spoken to be true Manethon an Egyptian Historiographer by one mans words whom a little before being a famous Historigrapher we have produced as a witness of our Antiquity Manethon therefore who confesseth himself to have gathered the Egyptian History out of their holy Writings having by way of Preface recounted how our Predecessours came into Egypt with many thousands and there conquered the Inhabitants afterward confesseth Manethons fabulous reports of the Egyptian Lepers that losing all their Possessions in Egypt they got the Country which is now called Jury and in it builded a City named Jerusalem and a Temple and thus far he followeth ancient Writers And then usurping to himself authority to lye protesting that he will insert into his History certain reports divulged amongst the common People he reports things of the Jews altogether incredible intending to mix with our L Nation the Lepers of the Egyptians and other sick people of other Countries who as he saith being abominable to the Egyptians fled to us affirming also that they had a King named Amenophis which being a feigned name he durst not presume to speak determinately of the time of his Reign though he speaketh exactly of the Reign of all other Kings Hereupon also
drawn together what forces they had pleased to defend them And is it not as improbable when he says that that Prince made not only a great slaughter among them but pursued them with his whole army cross the Desart to the very frontiers of Syria whereas it is notoriously known that Desart is so dry that there being no Water to be found in the whole tract it is almost impossible for an entire Army to march through it though there was no Enemy to give them C impediment To conclude therefore our Nation neither came of the Egyptians as Manethon confesseth The Epilogue that the Jews came not of the Egyptians neither was mingled with the diseased of that Country for it is probable that many of those sick people perished in the Stone-works many in the great fight and battel and the rest of them in the flight It now remaineth that I refute that which he speaks of Moses The Egyptians do all agree that this man was a divine person An answer to Manethons slanders touching Moses and one to be admired and they commit great impiety in labouring to challenge him for their Country-man saying that he was a Priest of Heliopolis banished with the rest for leprosie For he is recorded to have lived five hundred and eighteen years before this time and to have guided our Ancestors out of Egypt Moses was not a Leper into that Country wherein we now inhabit D and his own words testifiy his body to have been clean from that Disease of Leprosie for he commandeth all Lepers to be expelled out of the Towns and Villages and to live apart by themselves To be cloathed in different Garments and declared that whosoever touched them or came under the same roof with them should be accounted unclean And if a Leper happened to be cured of that disease he appointed certain purifications cleansings and baths of fortunate waters and all his hair should be shaved off and that then after many and sundry Sacrifices he should be admitted into the holy City Certainly had he been visited with that infection and calamity himself he would surely have been more gentle and merciful to such as should have been E afflicted with that Disease He did not only make these severe Laws against Lepers but he also interdicted all that wanted any joynt or parcel of the body from being Priests or exercising any office at the Alter Moses took his name of Moy which in the Egyptian tongue signifieth Water yea he also appointed that if any Priest should have any of these defects betide him after he was a Priest that then he should be deprived of the dignity How can it then be probable that to his own prejudice and discredit he would have enacted such Laws And as to what he says about changing his name Osarsiph into Moses it is as incredible as the rest there being no analogy between them the name of Moses importing preservation from the Water for Moy among the Egyptians signifies Water Against Cheremon the Historiographer and now I suppose I have made it apparent that Manethon whilst he kept himself F to the writings of the ancients did not err much but when he left them he forsook the truth and fell upon ridiculous stories which he either invented himself or beleived out of prejudice to our nation I now think it not amiss to examine a little the words of Chaeremon who professing himself to write the Egyptian History maketh mention of the same King Amenophis his Son Rhamses as Manethon doth and reporteth that the Goddess Isis appeared to Amenophis in his sleep checking him for that her Temple was destroyed and that Phiritiphantes a holy Scribe told the King that if he would expel all polluted and unclean persons out of Egypt that then he should not be any more terrified with these night-visions Moreover that hereupon making search for all sick and diseased persons he banished them out of his Land to the number of 250000. And that their Captains were called Moses and Joseph holy Scribes G also that these Egyptians names were so that Moses was named â—isithes and Joseph Petesephus and that they came to Pelusium where they found 380000 left there by Amenohpis whom he would not permit to come into Egypt also they all entring into H a league together suddenly invaded Egypt and Amenophis not abiding the brunt fled into Aethiopia leaving his wife great with child who hiding her self in caves and dens did bring forth a child whom they called Messenes Messenes Son of Amenophis who afterward drove the Jews into Syria being in number 200000 and this done he recalled his Father Amenophis out of Aethiopia And thus Chaeremon saith But I imagine that which I have already said to be sufficient to declare the vanity of both these Writers For if that which they report were true it were impossible that they should so much differ but they labour to devise lyes and write nothing agreeable to other mens writings Manethon's Chaeremon's history compared together For Manethon feigneth that the cause of the banishment of the Lepers was the â—ings desire to see the Gods and Chaeremon saith that it was for I that Isis after appeared unto him in his sleep Manetâ—on also saith that Amenophis gave the King that counsel so to cleanse the Country and Chaeremon saith that he that counselled the King was called Phiritipâ—antes Nor do they agree better in their numbers Manethon reports them 80000 the other 250000. Manethon says these Lepers were sent directly to the Quarries to work there in the squaring of Stone and that afterwards Avaris was given them for a Quarter where having begun their War they sent Embassadors to Jerusalem to get that City into Confederacy Chaeremon tells us on the other side that when they were forced out of Egypt they found at Pelusium 380000 men whom Amenophis had repulsed that joyning with them they returned againe into Egypt and compelled Amenophis to fly into Aethiopia But that which is most observable K is that an Author that was so exact in the Story of the apparition of Isis should forget to let us know from whence this great Army of 380000 did come whether they were Egyptians or Strangers and for what reason Amenophis refused to admit them Moreover The difference between Manethon's and Chaeremâ—n's History Chaeremon feigneth a dream of the Lepers and Isis and reporteth that Joseph together with Moses was expelled whereas Joseph lived four ages before Moses every age containing at least a hundred and seventy years Ramesses also Amenophis Son according to Manethons History being a young man fled into Aethiopia and was banished with his Father and afterwards assisted him in the Wars whereas Chaeremon reporteth that he was born in a Cave after his Fathers departure and that he getting the victory did drive the Jews into Syria who were in number two hundred thousand L
only money but hopes of procuring him great honours as soon as the Emperor C should come to Alexandria where they did not question but he would suddenly be and on the other side there was nothing but he promised them so much did he hugg himself in the hopes of receiving those great honours in the presence of the Embassadors who would not fail to repair to so famous a City from all parts of the World to pay their Complements to so great a Prince Having no knowledge that we had an Enemy so dangerous and considerable as Helico we aimed only to defend our selves against such as were professed But when we found it we applyed all our Interest and industry to sweeten and take him off No man did or could do us more mischief than he for he was one at all Games at all Recreations Feasts and Debaucheries with Caius His Office of first Gentleman of the D Bed-Chamber which was one of the best places about the Court gave him the advantage of his Ear when ever he desired and his Master took great pleasure in hearing him He laid aside all other designs and intended nothing so earnestly as to ruine us by his Calumnies and Scandals which he did with so much artifice and mingled them with his Jokes in so pleasant a manner under pretence of entertaining of Caius rather than malice to us that he made such an impression against us in the Emperours mind as we could never extinguish E CHAP. XI The Jews of Alexandria appoint an Embassie to Caius to represent their Sufferings in which Embassie Philo is chief Caius receives them kindly in appearance but Philo found he was not to be trusted AFter we had tried all our skill to make Helico our Friend finding it was but labour in vain because he was so insolent and proud no body durst come near him and not knowing besides whether it was from any personal or particular spleen against us that he provoked and exasperated the Emperour to our Destruction we concluded to F steer another Course and resolved to present a Petition to the Emperour which should contein in short what we had Remonstrated not long before to King Agrippa when he was at Alexandria in his passage to Syria to take possession of that Kingdom which had been conferred upon him by Caius Hereupon we departed for Rome secure as we thought of finding the Emperour an equitable Judge whereas we could not have had a mortaller Enemy He received us in the field of Mars as he was coming out of his Mothers Gardens his Countenance was pleasant and chearful his Words obliging he made a sign with his hand that he would be our Friend and sent us word afterward by the Master of the Ceremonies called Homus that he would hear our business at leisure In so much as there was not one of those who were present nor indeed one of G our whole Nation unless of more than ordinary sagacity that believed not our Embassie would succeed to our desires and every body came and Complemented us thereupon But my age and experience in Mundane affairs giving me a further prospect H and penetration that which transported other people became suspected by me for I reasoned thus with my self How comes it to pass that Embassadors being here from all quarters of the World we should be the only persons to whom the Emperour should vouchsafe to send word that he would give us Audience For do's not he know that being Jews we should think our selves happy to be treated like other People Can we without folly expect favour extraordinary from a young Prince of another Nation or believe that he has not greater inclination for the Alexandrians than for us and makes such haste to determine our business in obligation to them I wish to God that in stead of being an equal Arbitrator his sentence be not Arbitrary and that he does not prove himself our Enemy and their Protector I CHAP. XII Philo and his Collegues discover that Caius had commanded Petronius the Governour of Syria to set up his Statue in the Temple of Hierusalem WHilst these thoughts were in my head and gave me no quiet either night or day another misfortune that could not be foreseen and portended not only K the destruction of a part but of the whole Nation of the Jews fell out to accomplish my trouble We waited upon the Emperour to Puteoli to which place being retired along the River for diversion he entertain'd himself in the Houses of Pleasure which are numerous and very Magnificent not thinking in the least of our Affaire though he had ordered us to follow the Court and we were ready expecting every hour when he should have decided our Controversie when on a suddain a certain Person came to us with his Eyes staring his Breath spent and an universal discomposure in his Looks he took some of us aside and said Have ye not heard the terrible News He would have proceeded but his Tears came so fast upon him that they stifled his Words so strangely that do what he could it was not possible for him to go L on One may easily conceive our astonishment and surprize We conjur'd him to tell us the cause of his affliction seeing it was nothing in appearance but for weeping before us and if the occasion was worthy of so many tears it was but just being accustomed to sorrows as we had been that we should consent and add our Compassion to his He made a new effort and told us with more sighs than words The Ruine of our Temple is decreed for the Emperour has ordered his Statue to be set up in the Sanctuary and to give the Name of Jupiter to it as an Inscription The unexpectedness of the news made us almost immovable and it was quickly confirmed to us by other People We immediately retired and shut our selves up in our Lodgings to lament the general destruction of our Nation and sorrow being Eloquent what was it that it did not prompt us to say M Having in this manner expos'd our selves in the midst of Winter to the perils of a dangerous Voyage in hopes to have founâ—d some redress for our Sufferings we met upon the Land with a Tempest much more cruel than those which happen at Sea because they are natural and by consequence supportable whereas this was caused by a man who had nothing humane but his shape by a young Prince who lov'd nothing but change and trouble and who seeing his Will and Pleasure sustained by the whole Power of the Empire he suffered himself to be carried away without any restraint to all Licentiousness and Tyranny which was an Evil the more great and deplorable because not capable of any visible remedy For who durst be so bold as to represent to him that it was not consistent with his duty to violate the sanctity of the most August N Temple in the World Or could
of the Roman Horsemen 661. D. Fury of Florus Soldier 623. F. G. GAbaens lust and villany 130. L. would not deliver the authors thereof 131. B. destroyed and their City burned 331. F. Gibeonites send Embassadours to Joshuah 124. M. perswade Joshuah to make a league with them ibid. M. appointed to publick Ministeries 125. A. Gabinus overcometh Alexander 266. D. 569. D. repaireth Cities in Jury ibid. takes Aristobulus 367. K. overcomes the Nabathaeans 568. L. Gad the son of Jacob 46. O. what it signifies ibid. O. his children 61. B. Gadara besieged and taken 353. H. 663. B. Gadareans accuse Herod 416. B. entertain Vespasian 699. G. Gaal assisted the Sichemites to gather their fruits 137. D. E. banished out of Sichem ibid. F. Galaad a pillar 48. I. Galaadites besieged by Naas 152. N. and succoured by Saul ibid. M. Galba foretold to the Emperour 491. C. slain 703. B. A Galilean slain 619. C. his death cause of a tumult ibid. E. Galileans murthered 534. L. revenge themselves ibid. their faith and love toward Joseph 6. H. desire to invade Tiberias 6. N. intreat Joseph to stay 12. O. their testimony of Joseph 15. E. flock to Joseph 641. A. Galilee described 659. B. the length and breadth thereof ibid. C. Galley built by Herod 577. C. Gamala faithful to Rome 623. G. how scituated 680. M. inexpugnable ibid. N. taken 683. E. Games Circensian 505. I. Ganges called also Phison 28. K. Gardens c. about Jericho 701. F. Garden of pleasure 28. I. Adam placed there ibid. I. Garment of Joseph 53. E. Garment of linnen and woollen 112. H. Garment of the Priest 210. C. Garment of the High Priests 721. F. Garrison of the Philistines won 154. I. Garrison placed in Syria 182. I. in Idumaea ibid. L. Gedeon called and encouraged 435. D. his men and means ibid. E. obtains the victory and how 136. H. kills Oreb and Zeb and pacifies Ephraim ibid. L. M. Gehon a River of Paradise 28. K. called also Nilus ibid. K. Germans Caesars Guard 410. O. resort to the Theatre 512. K. their fury pacified ibid. Germanicus poisoned 479. F. Genealogy of Noe 30. O. of Abraham 35. C. of Ely 145. C. of Shadoc 204. I. of Alexander and Aristobulus 618. M. Generals of Armies 121. E. 164. M. 176. H. 204. L. 255. M. 265. I. 283. F. 293. H. Genezar the lake described 678. C. the length and breadth thereof ibid. D. E. Gerson Moses son 67. G. Ghost of Samuel 171. C. certifies Saul of his end ibid. E. Giants engendred 30. M. horrible to look on 129. C. Giants extinguished 37. B. Gifts of the Princes of the Tribes 90. M. of the Kings to Solomon 216. K. L. Gifts of Herod 585. B. 591. F. of Antipater 574. I. 598. L. Gimon a Prophet 224. O. foretels the miseries of Basa and his race ibid. O. Giscala burned 3. F. Gladness of Anna 144. I. Glaphira wife of Alexander 422. O. Archelaus daughter ibid. encreaseth suspicion 589. B. examined 441. I. sent back to her father 449. B. 594. E. her dream 473. G. Gleanings to be left for the poor 113. E. Gluttony of Vitellius 710. K. God created the world 27. F. resteth the seventh day ibid. G. speaks to Adam 28. M. punisheth him Evah and the Serpent 28. N. O. sends the Deluge 30. O. willeth the Earth to be inhabited 32. O. appears to Jacob 60. A. his Providence in saving Moses 64. H. and 64. N. appeareth to Moses 66. O. feeds the Israelites c. 75. B. C. comforteth Samuel 149. E. certifieth him whom to create King 150. M. sends him to Bethlem 158. K. appears twice to Salomon 205. B. 212. E. speaketh to Elias 228. D. Gods favour to the Romans 628. K. 728. O. knows when to revenge 730. M. Godliness of Ancestors remembred 63. B. Gods of Laban digged up 49. D. Gods of other Countries 112. H. Godoliâ—s Captain of the fugitives 265. O. slain 266. E. Gold in great quantity 77. C. 108. O. 123. B. 124. K. L. sold for half the price 754. K. Golden Statue erected 269. M. Golden Eagle 459. F. Golden Chain 520. M. Goliah the Philistine 159. C. challengeth a single combat ibid. C. encountred and slain 160. M. Gomar Japhers son 33. G. his Progeny ibid G. Gonorrhoea a Running of the Reins 93. C. Good deserts not to be forgotten 162. L. Goodliness of personage not respected 158. N. Goods that are found 115. M. Goods of Archeâ—aus confiscate 611. G. common 614. G. of Aman 291. I. Gorions death c. 697. A. Government of the Romans how far c. 661. G. Government of the Tribe of Juda 129. A. Of Governments the best kind 113. A. Governments of the Hebrews distinct 153. B. Government of the Jews changed 567. G. What Governour to be chosen 78. I. 112. L. The Governour Moses commended 120. K. Governours of Salomon 206. H. I. Governour of both Galilees who 638. I. Grapes not to be forbidden the gatherers 113. G. Grashoppers one of the plagues of Egypt 69. F. Gratuity of Solomon 213. F. Gratulation of the Jews scorned 623. A. Gratulation of the Bethsamites 147. E. of Herod 586. I. of the people 463. A. B. Gratus conflict 463. M. See Fight Graves of concupiscence 95. G. Grief causeth or hindreth passion 816. H. Ground about Jericho fruitful 702. I. H. HAbit or form of Elias 236. B. Habitations of Isaacs sons 50. K. L. Hail one of the plagues of Egypt 69. E. Haman honoured by all but the Jews 287. L. his petition for the Jews ruine ibid. his hatred against Mardoche 289. M. his treachery discovered 291. H. judged to the Gallows ibid. his goods bestowed on Mardoche ibid. I. Hand of Moses 67. C. Hand of Jeroboam withered 220. B. restored ibid. B. Handmaids of Jacobs wives 46. M. N. Harbours 415. I. Ill Harvest of the Egyptians destroyed 69. F. Hatred of Josephs brethren 50. O. of the Egyptians to the Hebrews 62. M. of Saul against David 160. N. of Absalon against Amnon 180. M. of the Souldiers against Demetrius 336. G. of sons to the father 435. F. Haven of Caius 516. L. Haven described 517. D. Heaven created 28. E. and how placed ibid. Hebrew Slave when to be freed 116. M. Hebrews Original 35. B. of whom so called ibid. C. their insupportable servitude 62. N. O. and ibid. G. chiefest of them meet Moses 68. H. perswaded to obey ibid. H. celebrated their Passover 70. I. departed out of Egypt ibid. K. and go thorow the Red Sea 71. K. sing songs of praise 72. N. fight with the Canaanites 98. N. overthrow the Amorites 104. N. possess their land 105. B. revolt from the Laws of their Fathers 187. E. overcome the Midianites 108. O. bound by oath to keep the Law 119. B. overthrow the Canaanites 125. E. bring the Ark into battel 144. M. feed on bloudy flesh 155. E. Hebron a place of burial 41. F. 43. D. 49. F. 62. K. Hebron the City taken 120. C. Davids royal seat 179. E. Hecataeus
e. Ochozias King of Israel reproved and why 235 n o. his soldiers consumed ibid. m. 236 b. his death foretold 236 c. Ochozias King of Judah 241 n. visiteth Joram 242 c. slain ibid. g. Office of Judges 112 l m. of an Historiographer 359 g. of the Priests 70â— a. Off-spring of Noah Abraham c. look progeny Og King of Galadine 105 b. is slain with his army ib. b. his high stature and great strength ibid. b. Oil in the pot multiplyed 226 d. 237 o. Scalding Oil thrown on the Romans 668 m. Olda the Prophetess 259 l. Old man killeth his wife c. 387 k. Old and weak Jews slain 758 n. One sacred City one Temple and one Altar 111 b. Onias high Priest 296 b Onias high Priest 307 l. paid not his tribute ibid. Onias high Priest's son 323 i. wins the favour of Ptolomy 332 g. buildeth a Temple in Egypt 333 h. 777 n. Onias stoned to death 361 b. Ophni son of Eli 143 e. his impiety and wickedness ib. e. is slain 144 n. Opinion of the Esseans and Grecians of the soul 614 k l. Opinion of the Pharisees and Sadduces 477 b c. Opinion of the wisest Greeks c. 807 f. Oppression of the Israelites 133 a o. ibid. m. 135 b. 1 8 m. 139 f. of the Jews 631 e f. 622 h c. 623 a b. c. Oracle of God to Joshuah 124 h. Oracles of the Prophets to be reverenced 233 l. Oration of Abraham 41 b. of Ruben 56 m and 59 o. of Juda 59 b. c. of Joseph 60 i k. of Moses to the people 79 b. to the seditious 100 i c. of Zambrias 110 h. of Moses before his death 107 g. of the Gabeonites 124 n. of Josuah c. 127 b. of Phinees 127 g. of Samuel 148 i. 151 b. of Saul 165 f. of Abias 223 k. of Herod 401 b. 402 a c. 581 b. 582 l. of Nicholaus 424 i. 425 k. 456 m. 587 f. of Agrippa 626 g. of Joseph 640 i. 672 k c. of Titus 676 m. 684 l. of Ananus 687 e c. of Jesus 691 a. of Caesar c. 717 b. of Joseph to the Jews 728 n. 729 a. of Titus to the Jews 754 n. c. of Eleazar 773 f. Orchards 701 f. Order of the Romans 660 n. Order of the superior bodies 30 i. Order of the Army c. 95 a b. Order of the Carpenters Masons c. 207 d e. Order of the Cities of Galilee 638 m n. Order of Titus's Army 711 d e. Ordinance of Artaxerxes 287 n o. 291 l m. Ordinance of the Fathers transgressed 107 â— Oreb slain 136 l. Original of the Hebrews 35 b. Original of the Troglodytes 42 h. Original of the Israelites mischiefs 253 n. Original of the Grecian laws 807 e. Original of the Jews laws 815 b. Ornaments of the high Priest 87 a b c c. Ornaments of Solomon's Palace 213 c. Oronna or Orphana a Jebusite spared 179 g. giveth David his floor 198 i k. Oseas King of Israel overcome 252 o. made tributary ibid. c. taken prisoner 253 m. his subjects transported and why ibid. n o. Oath how in time past taken 42 k. Oath taken to observe the law 119 b. 259 m. Oath how and when to be kept 132 i. Oath of Jonathan to David 164 k l. Oath of Sâ—nacharib falsified 255 m. Oath observed 452 m. Otho Emperor 705 f. slain ibid. Overthrow of the Sodomites 33 a b. of the Amorites 104 m. of the Hebrews 98 n. and 173 f. of Antony 403 m. Outrages of Elies sons 143 f. of Naas offered the Israelites 152 h. of Azael 245 m. 246 f g. of Florus Soldiers 623 c. Outward Court of the Temple c. 721 d. Oxen seven what do signifie 55 e. how many taken at once 109 a. not to be muzled 113 f. Ox that striketh 117 b Oza suddenly strucken dead 180 n. and why ibid. Ozias King of Juda's warlike exploits 249 l m. acts and studies ib. n o. stricken with a leprosie and why 250 b. enjoyned to depart the City ib. and 250 b. his death and burial 250 c. P. Pacorus sendeth horsmen to Antigonus 380 f. 572 i. his perswasion to Phaselus 381 i. his treason and subtilty ib. k l. 572 m. Pageants built 766 l. Painters cause multitude of gods 813 â— Palestine whence took his name 34 m. Philistines overcome the Israelites 139 f. 144 m. invade the Israelites 144 i. are overcome 155 c d. 160 m. 180 i k. Palace in Tiberias burned 943 a. Palace built in Jerusalem 414 b. Palace of Solomon 212 g. Palace of the King 719 d. burned ibid. e. Palm-trees 701 d f. Pamphilian Sea divided it self 72 n. Pappus beheaded 389 k. 5780. Paradise 28 i. where situate ibid. k. adorned with all sorts of plants ibid. l. Parents compelled to murder their children 63 a. Paricide a publick injury 457 d. Paricides 256 f. Parthians restore Antigonus 380 f. 373 f. complâ—t treachery against Phasaelus 381 k l. surprize him and Hircanus ibid. n. lay a plot for Herod 382 a. lose Armenia 483 d. Parts of the Temple 209 i. Pascha or Passover of the Hebrews 70 i k. celebrated 253 h. 269 a. 281 k. Passage of the Isralites over Jordan 122 l m. Passages stopped up from the Hebrews 71 d. Patience of Joseph 54 k. Pauliâ—â— deceived and defiled 481 c d. Peace bought 245 n. 250 e. Peace of the Israelites 206 i. of the Jews 231 n. Peace better than War 691 d. A Penalty most cruel 61o c. Penalty of a woman married for a Virgin c. 114 m. Penalty published 15â— d. what it wrought ibid. Pensioner to Saul David 159 b. Penitent obtain mercy 731 a. Penury of water 582 â— see want People of Israel afflicted 62 m. 63 a b. 67 a. 68 i k. departed out of Egypt 71 b. exhorted to put their trust in God ibid. f g. and to obey the will of God 110 i k. c. drive away the Cattel of the Amalechites 157 b. require mitigation of their burthen 218 d. revolt from Roboam 219 i. are transported and why 253 n. fly with their money 731 c. People enjoyned by oath to serve God 245 k. 259 m. People of Judah bless God 235 k l. and why ibid. l. Peoples love to Joseph 18 h. People permit not Pilate to alter their laws 615 d. People exclaim against Florus 624 h. die for want c. 727 â— Perfection of mind respected 158 l. Perjury of Florus 622 k. Peroration of Herod 581 e. of Joseph 672 o. Perplexity of the Israelites 71 d. Perswasion of Jeroboam to Idolatry 219 m. Perswasion of false Prophets dangerous 233 l m. Perswasion of Rapsaces 255 o. Pestilence one of the Plagues of Egypt 69 e. Pestilence destroyeth Senacherib's Army 256 f. Pestilence a great affliction 253 k. Petra a City of Arabia 573 d Petronius's charge for placing Caius's statue 494 l. c. executeth it not and why 494 m n. certifieth the
Vespasian to lose thy head whom he made Prisoner twice and as many times past the sentence of Banishment against and once commanded to be thine own Murtherer spar'd thy life upon the importunate sollicitation of his sister Bernice And after so many Crimes committed by thee having entertained thee for his Secretary when he found thy corruption in that office he banished thee from his presence O A But I will say no more of these matters notwithstanding I wonder at thine impudence that hast openly protested Justus knew nothing of the Wars of the Jews that thou hast written more exactly and perfectly of this matter than any man whereas thou art utterly ignorant of those things that were done in Galilee For at that time thou wert at Berytum with the King and knewest not what the Romans suffer'd at the siege of Jotapata seeing thou didst not follow us Neither couldst thou be able to learn how I behaved my self therein for that there was not one of those that helpt me to defend it left alive to give thee certain intelligence Thou wilt perhaps say that thou hast carefully described that which hapned during the siege of Jerusalem And how is this possible For thou wert neither agent nor spectator in that War neither hast thou read the Commentaries of Vespasian Which I clearly affirm because thou hast written clean contrary to that which is B contained therein Justus published his Book when Titus and Vespasian were dead And if thou art so confident that thy History is truer than others why didst thou not publish it during the lives of Vespasian and Titus who were the Generals of that War or during the life of King Agrippa and his Relations who were all of them very expert in the Greek tongue For thou hast kept it written by thee above twenty years and mightest have produced witness of thine exact diligence before them who were privy to all things But now when they are dead and thou thinkest that no man liveth that may reprove thee thou hast taken the boldness to publish thy Work I have used no such policy in my Books but presented them to the Emperors themselves Manifest Testimonies of the truth of Josephus History who were eye-witnesses and actors thereof For I knew in mine own soul that I had set down all things truly Whereupon I obtained my expected approbation Moreover I communicated the same History with divers others whereof C some of them were present in the War as was King Agrippa and some of his kindred And Titus the Emperor himself was so desirous that posterity should learn the truth of that History out of these Books that he placed them in his Library and caused them to be published being subscribed with his own hand As for King Agrippa he sent me seventy two Epistles testifying the truth of my Books whereof two are subjoin'd to the end that the truth may appear thereby King Agrippa to his dear friend Joseph Health I have with great contentment read the Book wherein thou seemest in my opinion to have handled this matter more exactly The first Epistle than any other For which cause I pray thee send me the rest Farewel my friend King Agrippa to Joseph his dear friend Health I perceive by thy writings that thou needest no information from me The second Epistle how matters passed from the beginning yet when we D meet next I will between me and thee tell thee certain things which thou knowest not Thus was he a witness of the truth of my History Josephus prosecuteth his History and leaveth to debare with Justus not flattering me for it became him not neither deriding me for far was it from so noble a mind to be subject to so servile a folly but onely to this end that the truth of my writings might be commended to the Reader by his testimony And thus much have I thought good to set down by way of answer to Justus Now as soon as I had pacified these troubles in Tiberias and had established a council of such as were well affected towards me I bethought my self of what concerned me to do in respect of John All they of Galilee were of the opinion that I should gather together all the forces of my Government and march against John and do justice upon E him as he that had been the Author of all this mischief But for mine own part I misliked their counsels because my desire was to extinguish these Troubles without blood-shed and for that cause I injoyn'd them with all diligence possible to learn the names of all those who served under him which being done I published a Proclamation by which I promised safety and pardon to all those that should forsake John assigning them the term of twenty daies to determine of that which seemed best for their own security and I threatned to set fire on their houses and confiscate their goods Four thousand of John's Followers forsake him and follow Joseph except they quitted their Arms. They hearing these things were greatly troubled and forsook John and after they had laid down their Arms they came unto me to the number of four thousand so that only about fifteen hundred Men remained F with John either of Citizens or strangers of Tyre When John perceived that he was circumvented by this policy he ever after remained quiet in his Countrey in great fear At that time the Sephorites grew so bold that they took Arms in confidence of the strength of their walls and for that they saw me distracted with other business They sent to Cestius Gallus Governour of Syria praying him to repair to them with all expedition and take possession of their City or send them a Garrison at least Gallus promised to come to them but he set down no certain time of his approach Whereof when I was advertised I took the Men of War I had and marched against the Sephorites and took their City by force The Galileans very glad of this opportunity and supposing the time was come wherein they might satisfy the insatiable hatred G they bare against that City omitted nothing that might wholly ruine the City with all the Inhabitants They set fire on the houses which they found desolate for the Inhabitants were fled away for fear and retired into a Fortress They plundred the Town and left nothing unspoiled neither was there any kind of misery which they H inflicted not on their Countrymen Sephoris spoiled Which when I saw I was much grieved and commanded them to give over telling them it was impiety in them to shew themselves so savage towards their Countreymen And seeing that neither by any prayer or command I could draw them to obedience for that their animosity was so violent I commanded those that were about me and whom I most trusted to spread a rumor that the Romans were entring on the other side of the City with
a great Army All which I did to the end that by this rumor I might restrain the fury of the Galileans and save the City of Sephoris And this policy took good effect For when they heard this news they were afraid and forsook their pillage to trust to their heels because I who was their General did the like For I made a shew that I believed the rumor to be I true as well as they and by this stratagem the City Sephoris was saved beyond all hope Tiberias also hardly escaped from being spoiled by the Galileans Tiberias in danger of ruine through this occasion which ensueth The chiefest of their Council writ to the King to desire him to come and take possession of their City The King promised to satisfie them very shortly and deliver his Letters to one of his chamber called Crispus a Jew born to carry the same to the Tiberians The Galileans took this messenger on the way and brought him unto me which when the common people understood of meer spleen they fell to Arms and the next day divers of them assembled themselves from all parts and came to the City of Asoch where I made my abode and made great exclamations calling the Tiberians traitors and the Kings friends and demanding of me K liberty to repair to Tiberias and raze it to the ground being as much displeased against the Tiberians as they were against the Sephorites Which when I heard I stood in great doubt how to deliver the Tiberians from that displeasure which the Galileans had conceived against them for I could not deny but that the Tiberians had written and sent for the King for the answer which he made them Joseph consulteth with himself did evidently express the same Having along while debated the matter with my self I said unto them I know as well as you that the Tiberians have offended neither will I hinder you from spoiling their City but you must proceed to the execution thereof with some prudence For the Tiberians alone do not betray the publick liberty but others also who are more accounted of in the Countrey of Galilee Stay L therefore until such time as I am throughly informed who they be that are Authors of this Treason and then you shall have them all under your hands with all such you paticularly think worthy punishment By this discourse I appeas'd the People who departed from me contented The Galileans wrath pacified conceived against the Tiberians As for the messenger that was sent by the King I caused him to be imprisoned having respect to an urgent necessity of mine own which constrained me to depart out of the Kingdom within a little while And calling Crispus secretly unto me I charged him to make the Soldier drunk who had the charge of him to the end that he might in all security flie back to the King Thus Tiberias being ready to be destroyed the second time by my government and providence avoided a great and fatal danger M At the same time Justus the son of Pistus fled to the King without my knowledge the cause of which flight I will orderly express As soon as the Romans had begun the War against the Jews Justus desireth to command Galilee the Tiberians concluded to obey the King and in no sort to rebel against the Romans But Justus persuaded them to take Arms thirsting after alteration and hoping to usurp the Government of Galilee and of his own Countrey but his hope failed him for the Galileans being enviously bent against the Tiberians for those injuries they had suffered at their hands before the War would not allow Justus to be their Governor My self also whom the People of Jerusalem put in trust with the Government of Galilee was oftentimes so much moved that I failed little of killing Justus so intolerable was his perfidiousness He therefore fearing least my displeasure should shorten his days went N to the King supposing that he might live more freely and securely with him The Sephorites beyond their expectation having escaped this first danger writ to Cestus Gallus the second time desiring him to come to them to the end he might seize their City or else send them Forces to withstand the incursions of their enemies And they wrought so much that Gallus sent them a Body of Horsemen and after them Footmen who came by night and were received into their City But seeing that the Country round about was but in poor estate by reason of the Roman Horsemen I drew my Forces together and came to Garizim where I encamped some twenty stades from Sephoris and by night I approached the same Joseph assailed the walls of Sephoris and set Ladders to the wall with which I entred a great number of my Soldiers and became Master of the better part of the City from O whence notwithstanding we were afterwards constrained to retire because we knew not all the ways killing before our departure twelve Roman Footmen and two Horsemen A with some Sephorites with the loss of one of ours Afterwards a Fight hapning between us and their Horsemen in open field we fought for a long time with disadvantage For the Romans having invironed me on all sides my Reerward through the fear they conceived began to retire In this skirmish I lost one of my Guard called Justus who in times past had served in the very same place under the King Silas Captain of the King's Guard After this the King's Forces both of Horse and Foot came thither under the Government of Silas Captain of the Guard who encamping some five stades off from Julias beset the Highways that lead towards Cana with Men of War and the Fort of Gamala to hinder the Inhabitants from receiving any Commodities from the Countrey of Galilee As soon as I received News hereof I sent out two thousand Soldiers under the command B of Jeremy who lodging themselves within a stade of Julias near the River Jordan offered nothing else but light skirmishes until such time as I had gathered three thousand Soldiers more and came to them The next day having planted an Ambush in a certain Trench near the enclosure of their Camp I touled out the King's Soldiers to skirmish having first forewarned my Soldiers to feign a flight till they had drawn their Enemies as far as the Ambush which they cunningly executed But Silas supposing that our Men fled for Cowardice set forward to follow them as fast as he could but they that lay in Ambush charged him on the back Joseph putteth the King's Soldiers to flight and discomfited his Army and I presently turning and making head against them constrained the King's Forces to trust to their heels and I should have got a signal Victory had not Fortune cross'd my C success For the Horse whereon I rode falling into a certain Bog cast me on the ground whereby my hand being put out of joint about
that if you act after this manner God will not forsake you but taking pleasure in your virtue he will once more establish you in your former peace and liberty Matthias exhorteth his sons to piety fortitude and concord and will permit you to live again after the manner of your Ancestors True it is our bodies are mortal and subject unto destiny but the memory of our virtuous actions will never perish being therefore stirred up with the love thereof strive and bestir your selves to obtain honour to the end that projecting mighty things you make no difficulty to hazard your lives in the execution of the same Above all things I exhort you unto concord to the end that in whatsoever one of you shall be found more naturally apt and fitted than another he may prosecute it without any contradiction of the rest I charge you also to observe B and obey your brother Simon who is a politick and valiant man in whatsoever he shall counsel you And for your Captain you shall choose Machabeus because he is both valiant and strong for he shall revenge the injuries and outrages which have been done to our Nation and put our enemies to flight And assure your selves that there is no man that hath any love to Virtue and Religion who will not join himself unto you in so holy an enterprize CHAP. IX The death of Matthias Judas Machabeus one of his sons takes upon him the management of the publick Affairs He delivers his Countrey and purgeth it from the Abominations C which had been committed therein AFter Matthias had thus spoken unto his sons 1 Mac. 3. and pray'd God to favor their enterprizes Matthias death and to restore the People to their ancient policy and their accustomed manner of living Judas Machabeus appointed Governor which they had in former times observ'd he dyed and was buried in Modin After the People had mourned for him for a certain time and perform'd publickly such honour at his funerals as was agreeable to his quality his son Judas Machabeus took upon him the management of the War in the 146 year and by the assistance of his brethren and other Jews he drave the Enemies out of the Countrey and put those of his own Nation to death who had forsaken their Religion and purged the Countrey of all abominations D which had been committed therein CHAP. X. Apollonius General of Antiochus's Army cometh into Jewry and is discomfited and slain and also Serron Governor of the lower Syria WHen Apollonius Hedio Ruffinus cap. 9. who was Antiochus's General in Samaria heard hereof he gather'd his Army together Judas Machabeus overcometh Apollonius in battel and invaded Judea against whom Machabeus made head and overcame him in a battel wherein there died many and amongst the rest Apollonius E whose sword Machabeus got as his part in the spoil There were a great number of them also wounded Seron Governor of Coelosyria is put to flight in Judea and much booty was taken in the Enemies Camp after which victory enriched with spoils he retreated But Seron Governor of Coelosyria hearing hereof and understanding that divers had joined themselves with Judas and that he had already about him a sufficient power to keep the field and give him battel he thought that it concern'd him to begin to punish those who obey'd not the Kings Edicts Whereupon after he had assembled all the Forces that he had and besides them hired certain Apostates or fugitive Jews he marched forth against Judas and came as far as Bethoron a village in Jewry where he encamped Judas also came out to meet with him resolving to give him battel and seeing that his Soldiers would hardly be drawn out to fight both by F reason of their inequality of number as also because they were faint by fasting a long time he encourag'd them saying That the means to obtain victory and to have the upper hand over their Enemies consisted not in the greatness of their number but in their dependance upon God whereof they had a most eminent example in their Forefathers who had oftentimes defeated with a small number of men divers thousands of their Enemies because they fought for the defence of their Laws and for their Children for the greatest power said he that a man can have is to be innocent and without offence By these words persuaded he his Soldiers so that without any fear of the multitude of their Enemies they all together ran upon Seron and encountring with him they discomfited the Syrians For their Chieftain being slain all the rest betook themselves to flight in which thing only consisted the safety G of their lives Judas therefore pursuing them as far as the Champain slew about 800 of them The rest saved themselves in those quarters that bounded upon the Sea H CHAP. XI Judas Machabeus defeats a great Army which King Antiochus sent against the Jews Lysias the next year returns with a much greater power Judas kills five thousand of his men and causeth him to retreat He purifieth the Temple and setteth it in order Other great Exploits perform'd by him WHen King Antiochus heard these things Antiochus's preparation to invade Judea he was much displeased at that which had hapned whereupon he mustered all his Forces and hiring divers strangers and I mercenary Islanders he prepar'd himself to invade Judea about the Spring-time But after the muster of his Army when he found that his treasure failed him and that he was in great scarcity of money for his Tributes were not duly paid him because the Nations were rebellious being likewise in his own nature a man of great and magnificent spirit which put him upon great expences he resolved first of all to go into Persia to gather his Tributes Antiochus committing his Kingdom Provinces and son to Lysias's charge departeth into Persia He therefore left the charge of his affairs with Lysias a man very much esteemed by him and one that govern'd all the Countrey from Euphrates as far as the borders of Egypt and the lower Asia giving him likewise a part of his Army and some of his Elephants To him had the King given charge to see his son Antiochus carefully trained up until his return commanding him expresly That when he had conquered K Judea he should make the Inhabitants thereof his slaves and sell them to those that would give most and destroy Jerusalem and utterly abolish that race The King having given this charge to Lysias led forth his Army towards the Countrey of Persia in the 147 year And after he had passed Euphrates he marched onward toward the upper Provinces Lysias chose Ptolomy the son of Dorymenis Nicanor and Gorgias men of great power and authority amongst the Kings friends and gave them 40000 Footmen and 7000 Horsemen to invade Jewry Who marching as far as the City of Emaus encamped in the Plain near unto it and
strengthned their Army with divers Allies out of Syria and the Countries thereabouts and with divers Jews also who were Apostates There came also certain Merchants with them with an intent to buy those that should be taken Prisoners L bringing Gives with them to manacle those that should be captivated and money to pay for them When Judas had view'd the Camp and numbred the Enemy Hâ—dio Ruffinus cap. 10. he encourag'd the Soldiers exhorting them to repose their confidence and hope of victory in God willing them to invocate and call upon him Ptolomy Gorgias and Nicanors War in Judea according to their Law and that cloathing themselves in sackcloth they should humble themselves according to their accustomed manner in such extreme dangers and call upon God with supplications and prayers and that in so doing God would have compassion on them and give them power to stand against their Enemies and put them to flight When therefore he had order'd his battel according to the custom of his Countrey by thousands and hundreds and sent away those that were M newly married and such as had newly bought possessions lest the love of their Wives or Estates should abate something of their courage he stood up in the midst of them and exhorted his Soldiers to fight valiantly in these or such like words My Countreymen and Companions never have we hither to had any occasion more necessary wherein we ought to shew our courage Judas's Oration to his Soldiers and contemn our dangers than at this present For at this time if you fight couragiously you may recover your liberty which of it self is so acceptable unto you all and ought the rather to be desired because thereby you will enjoy the free exercise of your Religion As therefore you shall behave your selves at this time you may obtain the victory and enjoy a happy life which consisteth in living according to our Laws and ancient customs but if you prove Cowards you are to expect nothing less than the extreamest infamy N and the utter extermination of all your race Think therefore with your selves that if you fight not you must die and on the other side assure your selves that in fighting for your liberty for your laws and for piety you shall obtain immortal glory prepare your selves therefore that tomorrow morning you may give your enemies battel Thus spake Judas to his Army to encourage them Whil'st he was intent upon the battel certain tydings was brought him that Gorgias was sent with 1000 Horsemen and 5000 Footmen 1 Mach. 4 to the end that under the conduct of some fugitives he might by night and when he least suspected him set upon him whereupon he resolved the very same night to break into the Enemies Army especially since he knew that their Forces were divided Having therefore refresh'd both himself and his O Army and left a number of sires in his Camp he marched all that night and sought out the Enemy who was at Emaus Gorgias perceiving that the Jews had forsaken their Camp suppos'd they were retir'd for fear into the Mountains to hide themselves so that he resolved to proceed The year of the World 3800. before Christ's Nativity 164. and search for them diligently But early in the morning A Judas accompanied with 3000 Men who were ill arm'd by reason of their poverty came up unto his Enemies who were at Emaus and after he had seen their warlike discipline and mighty number and how Soldier-like they were encamped he exhorted his followers telling them That they ought to fight although they were naked for although they were in that condition yet God who took pleasure in the greatness of their courage had already given them the victory against a number of armed Soldiers And forthwith he commanded the Trumpets to sound so that rushing in upon his Enemies on the sudden the surprize and astonishment was so great that he slew divers of them who resisted and put the rest to flight he pursu'd them as far as Gadara and the Plains of Idumea of Azor and of Jamnia Judas overcometh Lysias's Army In this Encounter there dyed about 3000 of the Enemy Notwithstanding B Judas would not permit his Soldiers as yet to take the benefit of the spoil because they were to fight against Gorgias and his Army assuring them That as soon as they should have defeated him they might take their booty without fear because they should have no more Enemies to expect Whil'st he thus spake unto his Soldiers they that were with Gorgias perceived from the top of an hill that the Army that was left behind them was put to flight and that their Camp was on fire for although they were far off yet did the smoke assure them of it Which when they understood and perceiv'd Judas and his fellows in battel aray expecting their coming Judas gathereth a huge prey they feared and betook themselves to flight When as therefore Judas perceived that Gorgias Troops were discomfited without stroke strucken he went C out to gather the pillage and after he had gotten together great store of gold silver scarlet and purple he returned to his quarters with joy praising God for their happy success for this victory did not a little advantage them towards the attainment of their liberty Lysias once 〈◊〉 invadeth Judea and loseth 5000 of his Soldiers But Lysias to repair the dishonour which he had suffer'd by this defeat raised the next year another Army of almost 60000 chosen Men and 5000 Horsemen to invade Judea After he had therefore made his entry by the Mountains he encamped in Bethsura a village of Judea Judas having notice thereof came forth against him accompanied with 10000 Men and discovering the number of his Enemies far to exceed his after he had besought God by Prayer That it would please him to assist him in the battel he charged the Vanguard D of the Enemy with so great courage that he discomfited them and slew about 5000 leaving the rest in great fear Lysias knowing the resolution of the Jews and how they were resolved to dye except they might enjoy their liberty and fearing their desperation more than their force he gather'd together the rest of his Army and returned back to Antioch The Temple of Jerusalem where he sojourned hiring many Foreign Soldiers to make a greater Army to invade Jewry After that Antiochus's Captains had been discomfited so many times Judas assembled the People together and told them That after they had obtained so many victories through the mercy of God it behoved them to go up to Jerusalem and to purifie the Temple that was left desolate and to offer those Sacrifices ordained by the Law When he came thither with a multitude of people he found the Temple like a Desart and the E Gates thereof burnt and Grafs growing within it so great a desolation drew sighs from his heart and