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
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
his magnificence and gained great praise and commendations for a worthy King For he in all things so provided that the last was more pleasing and greateful than the first and caused him to be more admired And it is reported that Caesar himself and Agrippa often did say Caesar and Agrippa commend Herod's magnanimity that Herod's magnanimity was greater than his present revenues could bear and that he well deserved an Empire as big as all Syria and Egypt These sports being ended he builded another Town in a Field called Capharsaba Antipatris is built chusing for it a watery soil fit for plants the City was compassed with a River and he also planted round about it a Wood full of fine Trees This Town he called N Antipatris after his father's name Antipater After which he also builded a Castle about Jericho Cypron is built called after his mother's name Cypron which was very strongly fortified and adorned within with rare and sumptuous edifices And not forgetting his brother he dedicated unto him most stately buildings for first he built a Tower as big as Pharo in the City The Tower Town of Phasaelus is built in remembrance of his dead brother and called it by his name Phasaelus which also was the strongest Fort in all the City After this he builded a Town near unto the Valley of Jericho towards the North whereby the fields that before almost lay desart were now tilled and inhabited by the townsmen so that of them it was named Phasaelus-field It were hard to relate all his liberality in particular shewed both unto the Cities of Syria and Greeâ—a and all other places wheresoever O he came For he helped many either by building publick places or if there were any new works begun and not finished for want of money by giving them money A to finish them the chiefest among all which were that he builded at his own cost and charge the Temple of Apollo at Rhodes and gave them many talents of silver to build their ships He also builded the greatest part of the publick houses and places in the City of Actium which Caesar built for the Nicopolitans there inhabiting and that with his own proper cost and charges Herod built the Temple of Pythias He also for the Antiochians inhabiting the greatest City of Syria builded Arches on each side of the greater street that goeth quite thorow the midst of the City and doth as it were part it in two and the street it self that lay open he paved with polished stone which work was as great a conveniency to the inhabitants as a beauty unto their City He also helped to maintain the sports at Olympus with yearly revenues The sports of Olympus that for want of maintenance began to decay B So that by his means there were more solemn sacrifices and all things more sumptuous to please them that came to behold them For which liberality he was declared perpetual Master and Maintainer of those sports Why Herod was liberal to strangers and cruel to his own nation It is admirable to see in one man such diversity of minds For on the one side if we consider his liberality towards all men we must needs say he was of a most free and bountiful nature contrariwise if we consider the injuries and cruelty he shewed against his subjects and dearest friends we must confess him to have been a hard man and intractable and who passed all bounds of modesty so that we would think him to have been of two contrary dispositions But I am otherwise perswaded and think that both these did proceed from one matter For because he thirsted after glory and honour and wholly applied himself C thereunto he became liberal wheresoever he was in hope either to reap present thanks for his labour or a future remembrance Wherefore spending above his revenues for this matter he was forced to be chargeable to his subjects for it was necessary that he that so lavishly bestowed such huge summs of money upon others should some where get it though with evil means Lastly seeing himself for such like injuries hated of his subjects he thought it a hard matter to gett their good wills which he could do no ways else but by remitting the tribute they paid him Wherefore he abused the hatred of his people for his own commodity For if any one of them did not tolerate that slavery wherein they lived or did endeavour to shake off the yoke of his dominion against such he used a prodigious cruelty and injured them no less D than if they had been his enemies without regarding friendship or kindred for that he desired alone to be honoured of all men Herod greedy of honour And how greedy of honour he was we may guess by the honours he did unto Caesar Agrippa and others of their friends For he desired to be an example to his subjects that as he himself honoured men better than himself so they should all honour him likewise thereby declaring what thing he did naturally most desire But the Jews Religion doth not permit them license to honour Potentates who of necessity ought to have greater care and respect of right and equity than of such officiousness towards superiours for it was disprofit enough unto the Jews that they could not with Statues and Temples obtain the King's favour and with like flatteries satisfie the fond appetites of a vain-glorious man And this E seemeth to me to be the reason that Herod was unjust and hard towards his friends and to those whom he made partakers of his counsels and enterprizes and free and bountiful towards strangers CHAP. X. Testimonies of the Roman Emperours Affection towards the Jews THe Asian and Cyrenian Jews were greatly afflicted by the Citizens of those Countreys F Hedio Ruffinus chap. 10. who having had the same privileges granted unto them by the ancient Kings that the Citizens had The Jews of Asia and Cyrene being afflicted by the inhabitants there send an Embassage to Caesar and do obtain of him immunity were now greatly injured by the Grecians as though they carried money out of the Countrey and were prejudicial unto the rest of the inhabitants And the Grecians making no end of their injuries they were constrained by Embassadours to complain of them unto Caesar who wrote unto every Province that it was his pleasure that the Jews should enjoy like privileges with the other inhabitants of the countrey The copy of which writing we have here set down that it may the better appear how the Roman Emperours of ancient times were affected unto our Nation Caesar Augustus Pont. Max. Trib. potestatis thus decreeth For as much as the Nation G of the Jews hath always been trusty unto the Romans not only at this day but also in all former Ages and especially in the time of our father Caesar the Emperour under Hircanus their High Priest I
Antonia He built himself also a Palace in the upper part of the City Herod's Buildings and in it two very great Apartments so rich and admirable that no Temple was to be compared to them He termed one of them Caesarea and the other Agrippias in honour of Augustus and Agrippa But it was not only by Palaces that he would preserve his Name to Posterity and immortalize F his memory but in the Countrey of Samaria he built a fair City with a Wall which was about twenty stades in circuit and called it Sebaste and he sent thither six thousand Inhabitants giving them a most fertile Soil and sundry Privileges There also amongst other Buildings he erected a very fair Temple and dedicated it to Caesar About this Temple there was a piece of ground containing three stades and an half For this Testimony of Herod's affection Caesar added to his Dominion another Countrey In gratitude for which Herod erected another Temple of White Marble to him near the head of Jordan in a place called Panium where there is a Mountain rising very high into the air at the side whereof is an obscure Valley where there are high Rocks that by spouts of water falling on them are made hollow so that the water standing in G their concavity till they run over The Fountain head of Jordan falleth down with a stream of such a depth as is admirable At the foot of this Valley on the outside spring certain Fountains which many think to be the head of the River Jordan which whether it be true or no we will declare hereafter At Jericho also between the Castle of Cyprus and the other ancient Palaces he erected H other Buildings fairer and more commodious than the former calling them after the names of Augustus and Agrippa Finally there was no convenient place in the whole Kingdom wherein he erected not something in honour of Caesar and having in every place of his own Kingdom devised and dedicated Temples unto him in Syria also where he ruled he did the like founding in many Cites Temples which he called by the name of Caesar Aud perceiving that amongst the Cities of the Sea-coast there was one called Straton's Tower which being very old and ruinated and for the scituation thereof deserving reparation and cost he repaired it with White Stone and built a very Royal Palace therein in which work more than in any other he shewed how great and high his mind was For this stands in the midst between Dora I and Joppa in a Coast where there was no Port or Haven so that they who sail from Phaenicia into Egypt are in great danger by reason of the violent Winds that blow from Africa whose blasts enforce the water with such violence against the Rocks on the shore that the waves rebounding back again a good way within the Sea make the whole Sea tempestuous Herod makes a greater Port than that of Pâ—rarum .. But the King by his liberality and cost overcoming nature built Stations for Ships And although the nature of the place was altogether contrary to his intent yet he so overcame all difficulty that the Sea could do that Building no harm And it was so goodly and beautiful to behold that one would have thought there had been no difficulty in this admirable work An apt description of a Haven For having measured out a sit place for the Port he laid a Foundation twenty ells deep of Stone K whereof most of them were fifty foot long nine foot thick and ten foot broad and some bigger and all the bottom of the Haven where the water came was laid with these stones Which done he raised a Mole of two hundred foot whereof one hundred foot served to break the violence of the waves the other hundred foot served for a Foundation of the Wall wherewith the Haven was compassed and on which were built many goodly Towers the greatest and fairest whereof he called Drusius after the name of Drusus the Son of the Empress Livia Wife of Augustus Within the Port there were very many Vaults also to store such Merchandize as was brought into the Haven and divers other Vaults for Sea men to lodg in A very pleasant Descent which might serve for a Walk encompassed the whole Port The entrance hereunto L was on the North side for by reason of the scituation of the place the North Wind there is the calmest On either side of the entrance were three great Colosses set on Pilasters those on the left hand are propped up by a Tower being a solid Rock of Stone But at the entrance on the right hand were two huge stones joyned together which make a greater Tower than the other There is also a house adjoyning to the Haven built of white Stone The Streets of the City leading to this place are of one bigness and proportion Upon a Hill opposite to the mouth of the Haven he built a Temple very beautiful and exceeding great which he dedicated to Caesar wherein was placed Caesar's Statue full as great as that of Jupiter at Olympus for it was made after that Model and M another of Rome like that of Juno at Argos The City he built for the benefit of the Inhabitants of the Province Caesarea in times past called the Tower of Straton and the Port or Haven for Commerce All this he did in honour of Caesar after whose name he called it Caesarea And that nothing might be wanting to render it worthy so glorious a name he added to so many great works the fairest Market-place in the World Ant. lib 15. cap. 10. 12. besides a Theatre and an Amphitheatre not inferiour to the rest Ant. lib. 17. cap. 5. He also appointed Games and Spectacles to be celebrated every fifth year in honour of Augustus And himself first began them in the 192 Olympiade and he proposed great rewards not only to the Victors but also to the second and third after them Agrippium Moreover he repaired Anthedon which was destroyed by the Wars and called it Agrippina in honour of Agrippa whose name he caused to be engraven N over the Portal he built to the Temple Antipatris Nether was he unmindful of his Parents for in the richest Soil of the whole Kingdom he built a City in memory of his Father and by his name called it Antipatris being in a very rich Soil both for Woods and Rivers Cyprus At Jericho also he built a very goodly and strong Castle and called it Cyprus Phasaelus's Tower in honour of his Mother He likewise built a Tower in memory of his Brother Phasaelus at Jerusalem and called it Phasaelus his Tower of the strength and beauty of which we shall speak hereafter He also called another City Phasaelus which is scituate in a Valley beyond Jericho towards the North. Having thus eternized the memory of his Friends and Kindred he did not forget to
were put to death I came out again and join'd my self with the Priests and chiefest Pharisees whom I found surprized with great fear when they saw the People in Arms and uncertain what to do wanting the means to pacifie these mutinies But apparently perceiving the danger both I and the Pharisees feign'd our selves of their mind and counselled them to contain themselves in peace and let the Roman Forces depart in hope that Gessius would with all expedition draw out great Forces and chastise these L Peace-breakers But as soon as he arrived and fought with them he was overcome and a great number of his men slain whereupon follow'd the utter ruine of our whole Nation For such as desired the War were puffed up with that Victory and conceived assured hope that in the end they should overcome the Romans Besides this ensuing occasion presented it self The Inhabitants of the Cities that border upon Syria The Jews are plagued both by strangers and their own Countreymen laid hands on those Jews that dwelt among them and slew them with their Wives and Children without any just cause or crime committed by them For they had not conspired any ways or intended to revolt from the Romans or to use any Hostility or any secret Conspiracy against any of those with whom they were conversant But amongst all the rest the Citizens of Scythopolis exceeded all other in M impiety and wickedness For being besieged by certain of the Jews they inforced those Jews that inhabited amongst them to take Arms and fight against those of their own Nation which is expresly prohibited by our Laws and having overcome by their assistance they by a detestable perfidiousness forgot the obligation they had the faith which they had engag'd to them and slew every one of them to the number of many Thousands The like misfortune also fell upon those Jews that inhabited Damascus But of this we have more amply spoken in those our Books which we have written of the Wars of the Jews and at this present I make mention hereof onely to signifie to the Reader The Jews constrained by necessity to make War that our Nation became engaged in War with the Romans not out of voluntary intent and purpose but in great part by necessity and constraint N After that Gessius was overcome as is before declared the chiefest men of Jerusalem perceiving that the Seditious were strongly armed and provided they began to fear lest if they should be found disarmed they should suddenly be overthrown by their enemies as in effect it fell out afterwards and hearing that all Galilee was not as yet wholly revolted from the Romans but that a part thereof as yet remained in peace they sent me with two other Priests Joazar and Judas who were both virtuous and honourable men to persuade the mutinous to lay down their Arms and to let them know that it was more advantagious for the Nation that such Men as were in Authority and Reputation should have the keeping thereof The resolution that was taken O by them was that they had them always ready upon all occasions but that they expected until they were certified what the Romans intended to do A With this Commission and the like Instructions I repaired into Galilee where I found the Sephorites were ready to come to a Battel with the Galileans The danger of the Sephorites for that these latter had threatned to ravage their Countrey in regard of their league of friendship with the Romans contracted and ratified by Senius Gallus Governor of Syria But I delivered them from that fear and appeased the Common people by permiting them to send at all times when they pleased Sedition in the City of Tiberias their Hostages to Gessius who lay at Dora a City of Phoenicia I found likewise that the Inhabitants of Tiberias were already in Arms upon this occasion There were in that City three different Factions the one of the Nobility whose Chief was Julius Capella Three Factions in the City of Tiberias to whom were joined Herod the Son of Miarus Herod the Son of Gamal and Compsus the Son of Compsus For Crispus the Brother of Compsus who in times past had been made B Governor of the City for Agrippa sirnamed the Great was in his own possessions on the other side of Jordan All these I say were of opinion to remain under the Romans authority and to obey their King But Pistus alone of the Nobility would no ways acaccord to this advice by the persuasion of his Son Justus The second Faction was of the common sort who concluded upon War Justus Son of Pistus who was the Ringleader of the third Faction carried himself very doubtfully touching the War yet notwithstanding he secretly thirsted after Innovation hoping that by a change he should encrease his power The Oration of Justus Pistus's Son to the multitude Presenting himself therefore in the midst of the multitude he endeavored to persuade them that their City was always one of the chief of Galilee and that during the days of Herod the Tetrarch who founded the same it was the C chiefest City whose pleasure it was that the City of Sephoris should yield obedience to that of Tiberias That they had not lost that preheminence in the time of King Agrippa the Father but had continued the same till Faelix obtained the Government of Judaea But for the present since they had been given by Nero to the younger Agrippa they had fallen from and lost their Superiority For the City of Sephoris obtained the Sovereignty of Galilee after that she acknowledged the Roman Government which had removed the Treasure of the Charters and the Receipts of the Kings Money By these words and others of like nature against King Agrippa he incited the People to Rebellion Justus incites the people to Rebellion signifying to them That an opportunity invited them to take Arms to the end that being associated with the Galileans they might recover the advantages which D they had lost unjustly To which purpose all the Province would willingly join with them through the hatred they bare the Sephorites on whom they would revenge themselves with great power because they continued in their Allegiance which they promised to the Romans By these words he won the Peoples hearts to him for he was a Man very eloquent and by his subtilty and politick discourse Justus the off-spring of War easily overthrew all that which his Adversaries produced against him He was also skilful enough in the Greek Language to attempt the writing of the History of those Transactions to the end to disguise the truth thereof But in the process of this discourse I will shew more particularly what his ill designs were and how by his and his Brothers means he wanted little of utterly overthrowing E his Countrey When therefore this Justus had persuaded the Citizens of Tiberias to take
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
that are called Hesperians in Aethiopia and Sabaeus founded the Sabeans M As for Nimrod the sixth son of Chus Nabrodes or Nâ—mbroth he setled his Colony upon the Confines of Babylon and tyrannized there as is before declared All the eight sons of Misraim occupied all the Countrey from Gaza unto Egypt Palestine so named of Philestine but onely one of the eight named Philistin hath left his name to the Countrey which he possess'd for the Greeks call a part thereof Palestine As touching the rest Lom Enam and Labim Nethem Phetrosim Chestem Chreesene and Chepthom we know neither of their actions nor of their names except Labim who planted a Colony in Lybia and gave his name to it For the Aethiopians whereof hereafter we shall make mention overthrew their Cities Canaan also had eleven sons The Children of Canaan amongst whom Sidonius built and named Sidon a City in N Phoenicia and Amathus built Amath which at this day the Inhabitants call Amatha though the Macedonians call it Epiphania which signifies famous from the name of one of its Princes Arudeus possessed the Isles of Arudus and Ariceus built the City of Arce upon mount Libanus As for the other seven Eveus Cheteus Jebuseus Eucleus Sineus Samarcus and Gorgeseus there is no memory remaining of them in Sacred Scriptures but onely their names For the Hebrews razed their Cities upon the occasions which I am going to relate After the Deluge Hedio Ruffinus cap. 13. when the earth was established in its first estate Noah gave himself to Tillage Gen. 9. 19 20 21 22 23 24 25. and planted Vineyards and when the Fruit thereof was ripe and he had pressed and made Wine thereof he drank and banquetted after he had done sacrifice being thereby made drunk and overpressed with sleep he lay discovered in a most unseemly O and shameful fashion which when Cham his younger son beheld he scornfully discover'd it to his Brothers who being asham'd cover'd their Father's nakedness with A reverence Noah is made drunk lieth naked and is scorned and curseth him that derideth him Which fact of his coming to the knowledge of Noah he wished all felicity to the two other and as touching Cham out of a fatherly tenderness he cursed him not but only his posterity after him who accordingly were punisht for the sin of their Forefather as we shall shew hereafter Sem the third son of Noah had five sons who inhabited the Countrey of Asia beginning at Euphrates Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. and extending to the Indian Ocean For Elimis the eldest left the Elimeans or Elamites for his Successors whence proceeded the Persians Assur the second built the City of Ninive Gen. 7. 1. and gave his Subjects the name of Assyrians who were rich above all the rest Of the Sons of Sem the third Son of Noah and of theirs and Abraham's Progeny Arphaxad the third named those of his command Arphaxadians who at this day are called Chaldeans Aram the fourth had the Arameans whom the Greeks call Syrians B And from Ludis the fifth came the Ludéans who at this day are called Lydians Of those four sons which Aram had Vses dwelt in the Region of Trachonites and built the City of Damascus scituate between Palestine and that part of Syria which is sirnamed Caeler or hollow Otrus obtained Armenia Gether Bactria Misas was father to the Mezaneans whose Countrey is called at this day the valley of Pasin Sale Arphaxad's son was Heber's father from whose name in times past the Hebrews were denominated Heber begat Jucta and Phaleg The original of the Hebrews who was so called for that he was born at such time as Lands came to be divided for Phaleg in Hebrew signifieth Division They that follow were the sons of Jucta Elmodad Saleph Azermoth Izrais Edoram Vzal Dael Ebal Ebemael Sapham Ophir Evilas and Jobel who occupied some parcel of that Region which was between Cophen a River C in India and the hither Syria Hitherto have we spoken of the Progeny of Sem now we come to speak of the Hebrews Abraham's Genealogy Phaleg the son of Heber begat Ragaus by whom was begot Seruch from whom Nachor descended and from Nachor Thares who was Abraham's father the tenth in account from Noah and born 292 years after the Deluge For Thares being 70 years old begat Abraham Nachor at 120 years of age begat Thares Nachor was born to Seruch when he was about the years of 132 of his life and Ragaus begat Seruch when he was 130 years old and about those years Phaleg begat Ragaus But Heber at 34 years of age begat Phaleg himself begotten by Sela when he was 135 years old which Sela was begotten by Arphaxad when he was 135 years of age And Arphaxad was the son of Sem and Grandson of Noah whom he begat two years after the Deluge Abraham had two D brothers Nachor and Aram of whom Aram left Lot for his son and Sara and Melcha for his daughters and afterwards dyed in the land of Canaan in a City called Vr of the Chaldees where his Sepulchre is to be seen even at this day His daughters were married Melcha to Nachor The year of the World 2950. before Christ's Nativity 2014. and Sara to Abraham But Thares growing weary of Chaldaea after the death of his son Aram he and his Family transported themselves into Charan a City of Mesopotamia in which place they buried Thares when he had lived the space of 250 years For about this time the life of man was abridged and grew more short until the time of Moses The term of man's life about this term 120. when the space of man's life limited by God himself was 120 years to which term Moses attained Nachor had eight children by Melcha his wife Vx Baux Manuel Zacham Azam Phaleg Jadelphus and Bathuel who were the legitimate sons of Nachor E But Tabaeus and Gadan Thavan and Macham were begotten by him on his Concubine Ruma To Bathuel one of the legitimate sons of Nachor was born a daughter named Rebecca and a son called Laban CHAP. VII How Abraham Gen. 12. 1. ad 4. the Author of our Nation departed from the Land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in the Countrey of the Canaanites which is now called Judea ABraham having no Issue adopted Lot the son of Aram's brother and brother to Sara his wife The year of the World 2204 before Chri 〈…〉 Nativity 1940. he departed out of the Countrey of Chaldee when he was 75 years old having had commandment from God to depart thence into Canaan in which Countrey F he remained and left the same to his Posterity after him He was a man accomplished in all things full of understanding and apt to persuade those that gave ear unto him without any default in his foresight and providence Hedio Ruffinus cap. 15. For this cause
11. should exercise great Cruelties against them And although they were astonished at what was declared to them The Israelites omit War yet they would not resolve to renew the War both for that they had received many Tributes from the Canaanites and because being effeminated with delights they were unwilling to endure labor The year of the World 2426. before Christ's Nativity 1438. At this time the Government H of the Commonwealth was corrupted and they respected no more the ancient forms of choosing Senators or any other Magistrates they were extremely addicted to Gain and minded onely private Interest Amidst this disorder a particular quarrel hapned which brought forth a bloody Civil War Judg. 19. per totum The occasion of which ensueth A certain Levite of the common sort that dwelt in the Dominion of the Ephraimites took a Wife that was born in the City of Bethlehem The History of the Levites Wife which pertaineth to the Tribe of Judah whom by reason of her incomparable beauty he most intirely loved but was much grieved that he found not her affection answerable to his At last his reproaches of unkindness became so tedious to the Woman that tyred with disquiet she forsook her Husband and went and dwelt with her Father The Husband grieved hereat I by reason of the love he bare her went to her Fathers house and was reconciled to his Wife There abode he for the space of four days being friendly entertained by her Father and Mother On the fifth day he thought good to return to his own dwelling and both of them departed about Evening by reason that the Father and Mother were loth to part with them Thirty Stadia are four Italian Miles and had consumed the better part of the day in entertainment They had a Servant which follow'd them and an Ass likewise on which the Woman was mounted Now when they had travelled 30 Furlongs and drew near the City of Jerusalem Two Italian Miles and an half their servant counselled them to take up their lodging in some place lest by their late Travel they might fall into some disaster and the rather because they were not far from the Enemies Countrey and that the present time was such as gave K them just cause to fear But this advice pleas'd not his Master who would not lodge amongst those of a Foreign Nation for the City pertained to the Canaanites but his intent was to pass farther and Travel yet 20 Furlongs more to take up his lodging in one of his own Cities This resolution being taken they came to Giba a City of the Tribe of Benjamin when it was late and finding no man in the Market-place that would lodge them at length a certain old man returning out of the Countrey to his house who was by birth an Ephraimite and dwelt in that City meeting him asked him what he was and why he made it so late before he took up his lodging he answer'd That he was a Levite and that he brought his Wife with him from her Parents and was returning to his house A ver 22. ad 26. which was amongst the Tribe of Ephraim The old man having regard to L his Parentage The horrible wickedness of the Gibeonites by reason that he was of the same Tribe lodg'd him in his own house But certain young men of the City who had seen the Woman in the Market-place and were taken with her beauty understanding that she was gone to the old mans house who by reason of his weakness and age was not able to defend her went and knockt at his door The old man desir'd them to depart and not to offer him such a displeasure But they importun'd him to deliver them his Guest which done they promis'd him in no sort to cause his further molestation But though the old man alledg'd that she was his Kinswoman and that her Husband was a Levite and that they should commit an heinous offence in sinning for the sake of their corrupt pleasure against the Laws yet had they no regard of equity but mock'd him and menac'd to murther him because he hinder'd M them from satisfying their lust Finally he was driven to that exigent that to avoid the doing violence to his Guest and a stranger he offer'd to abandon to them his own Daughter choosing rather to let them satisfie their unbridled Concupiscence on her than that his Guest should suffer any Villany Notwithstanding all this they ceased not to urge the delivery of the Woman and they seconded their disordinate desires with violence taking her by force and leading her to their own lodgings Afterwards having all night lewdly satisfi'd their lusts on her they thrust her out of doors from them at break of day But she being desolate and discomforted by this disaster returned to her lodging and both by reason of the Villany which she had suffer'd and the shame that hinder'd her from appearing before her Husband who was outrag'd in her person N she fell down and gave up the ghost Her Husband supposing that she was only fainted away endeavor'd to recover her and to comfort her because she had not willingly condescended to their violences and lusts but in spight of her resistance was ravish'd by them and taken out of his lodging But when he saw she was dead the excess of his grief caus'd him not to lose his judgment Ver. 29. He laid the dead body upon his Ass The Levite divideth the body of his Wife into 12 parts and sent them to the twelve Tribes Judg. 20. and carried it to his house where he no sooner arriv'd but he divided the same into 12 pieces which he sent to the 12 Tribes of Israel commanding them that bare the same to tell every Tribe who were the Authors of his Wifes death and what Villany they had practised against her The Tribes were enrag'd at what they saw and heard having never heard of any the like adventure and incens'd with extreme yet just fury they assembled O themselves in Siloe before the Ark where they resolved suddenly to take Arms and to attack Giba But the Elders represented to them that they ought not after that manner A to enterprize a headlong War against their brethren The year of the World 2526. before Christ's Nativity 1438. before they had more particularly examined the crime whereof they were accused since the Law permitteth not any War no not against strangers before an Enter-parley and Embassage to demand satisfaction That accordingly it was just to send certain messengers to the Gibeonites to demand at their hands the Authors of that villany C. 20. 1. ad 25. to the end that when they were delivered The Israelites send embassadors to the Gibeonites to require those at their hands that had committed the rape they might take satisfaction by their punishment but if they should not regard that which was demanded
were different in language For confusedly encountring one another they Massacred all they met supposing them Enemies When the Rumor of this Slaughter and Gideon's Victory came K to the ears of the rest of the Israelites Ver. 22. they armed themselves and pursued and overtook the Enemy The Madianites and their Confederates kill one another being intangled in certain places unpassable through many Brooks so that being environed on every side most of them were put to the Sword amongst which were two Kings Oreb and Zeb Two other Kings Zebé and Hezerbun escap'd with their Soldiers Ver. 25. to the number of Eighteen thousand and encamped not far from the Israelites The Israelites pursue their Enemies and kill Oreb and Zeb but Gideon was no ways astonished hereat but charging them valiantly with his whole Army he defeated all the Troops and took the Kings captive There dyed in the two Battels of the Madianites and Arabians their Allies almost Sixscore thousand Judg. 2. 7. The Hebrews also took an inestimable prey of Gold Silver Apparel Camels and Horses Gideon taketh Zeb and Ezarbon But Gideon returning to Ephraim put to death the two Kings of the Madianites L which he had taken Nevertheless the Tribe of Ephraim being displeased with his happy execution Ver. 10. resolved to make War against him accusing him that he had not made them privy to his design against the Enemy 120000 Madianites with their Confederates slain But Gideon being a prudent Man and endowed with all kind of virtue gave them this modest answer That he had not proceeded by his own direction but by the command of God notwithstanding that the Victory was no less theirs than his or those of his Followers that atchieved the Enterprise With these his words appeasing their wrath he did no less service to the Hebrews by his prudence The year of the World 2292. before Christ's Nativity 1270. than by his valor delivering them from a Civil War whereinto they had fallen if his discretion had not prevented it This Tribe was punished for this outrage offered to so noble a Personage as we will declare hereafter in due place Gideon desiring to M discharge himself of the Government was constrain'd to continue the same and ruled the Israelites for the space of Forty years doing justice to every one that desir'd it at his hands Ver. 22. 32. with so great integrity ability and wisdom that the People never fail'd to confirm the judgments which he pronounc'd Gideon reigned 40 years because none could be more equitable He N dyed when he was very old and was buried in the Countrey of Ephraim O CHAP. IX How some of Gideons Successors made War with the Nations round about them GIdeon had seventy lawful Sons begotten on divers Wives Hedio Ruffinus chap. 1. and one Bastard by his Concubine Druma called Abimelech who after the decease of his Father retired to Shechem Judg. 9. v. 1. ad 5. where his Mother was born There assisted with money by his Mothers kindred Abimelech killeth 69 of his Brethren and backed by men resolute and fit for all bad actions he returned to his fathers house where he slew all his brethren except Jotham who by good hap saved himself by flight When he had once usurp'd the Government he ruled all things according B to his lust à v. 8. ad 25. and neglected the Ordinances and prescripts of Law hating all those that in any sort were maintainers of equity Jotham by an allusion upbraideth the Shechemites of their ingratitude towards Gideon One day whilst there was a solemn feast held at Shechem whereunto the whole people were usually wont to resort Jotham his Brother who as we said saved himself by flight getting up the Mountain of Garizim which over-hangeth the City of Shechem with a loud voice that might easily be over-heard by the people and in a general silence of the whole multitude desir'd them to hear him a few words and he told them that in times past the Trees were accustomed articulately to speak after the manner of men The counsel of the Trees in choice of a King and that in a certain assembly wherein they were to consult of their government they desir'd the Fig-tree to accept the soveraignty over them which when it refused and pleaded in its own behalf that it C was contented with that honour which they gave it for its fruit and desired no more The Trees ceased not to seek another Prince and offer'd that honour to the Vine which in as many words as the Fig-tree refused the same the like did the Olive-tree At last they address'd to the Bramble whose wood is good onely to burn which answered If you unfainedly desire me for your King repose your selves under my shadow but if it be only in mockery and to deceive me there shall a fire issue from me and consume you These things said Jotham I report to you not to move you to laughter but for that you having received many benefits at the hands of Gideon suffer Abimelech who in spirit differeth nothing from fire to usurp the Government after the slaughter of my brethren When he had spoken after this manner he departed and for three years lived hid amongst D the mountains flying the fury of Abimelech After some time the Shechemites being moved with compassion and just revenge v. 23 c. of the murther committed upon the Sons of Gideon drove Abimelech out of their City The Shechemites banish Abimelech and the whole Tribe Whereupon he resolved to do some mischief both to the City and the Citizens And though their Vintage was at hand yet they durst not go forth to gather the fruit for fear of him It hapned at that time a certain great man called Gaal arrived their with a Troop of Soldiers and his kindred The Shechemites desired him to grant them a Guard whilest they gathered their Harvest which request of theirs being granted by Gaal they issued out with their Forces and securely brought in their fruits and feasting one with another in companies they were so bold as to scoff at Abimelech and the chief of his E Followers And some of those strangers that came into their City to their assistance surprised v. 34. by Ambuscado divers of Abimelechs people and slew them But Zebul one of the Shechemites Abimelechs practice against the Shechemites and Abimelechs Host signified unto him by a messenger how Gaal incited the people against him and he counselled him to lye in wait for him near about the City promising to bring Gaal thither and so he might easily revenge himself of the injury which his enemy had offered him and reconcile himself to the people again When Abimelech had chosen a place sit to lie 〈◊〉 ambush and Gaal with Zebul carelesly walked in the suburbs Gaal suddenly espying certain
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
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 great warrior and very respective of the commandments of his father Matthias having done and suffer'd all that was possible to recover the liberty of his Countrey Being therefore after this manner accomplished he had left behind him a perpetual renown of his worthy acts and an honourable memory of himself obtained by the liberty in which he re-established his Nation delivering them from the servitude of the Macedonians He died after he had discharged the office of the High-Priest for the space of three years E F H The Thirteenth Book of the Antiquities of the JEWS The year of the World 3085. before Christ's Nativity 159. Written by FLAVIVS JOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the Thirteenth Book 1. Jonathan after his brother Judas's death succeedeth in the Government 2. Jonathan having wearied Bacchides by War compelleth him to make a League and draw I off his Army 3. Alexander the son of Antiochus Epiphanes maketh War upon King Demetrius 4. Demetrius sendeth an Ambassador to Jonathan with Presents persuading him to be of his party 5. Alexander by greater Presents than Demetrius and by offering the High-Priesthood to Jonathan draweth him over to his party 6. Of the Temple of God built by Onias 7. How Alexander after the death of Demetrius highly honour'd Jonathan 8. Demetrius the son of Demetrius overcoming Alexander possesseth the Kingdom and maketh an alliance with Jonathan K 9. Triphon Apamenus after he had overcome Demetrius reserved the Kingdom for Antiochus Alexander's son who receiveth Jonathan into favor 10. Demetrius being overcome by the Parthians Triphon breaketh his covenant of peace and laying hold on Jonathan traiterously killeth him and afterwards assaulteth Simon his brother 11. How the Nation of the Jews committed both the Priesthood and the Government of the Army to Simon 12. Simon driving Tryphon into Dora besieged him and maketh a League with Antiochus sirnamed Pius 13. A debate arising between Antiochus and Simon Cendebaeus the Kings Captain is driven L out of the Countrey 14. How Simon was traiterously slain at a banquet by Ptolomy his father-in-law 15. How Ptolomy's endeavors being made frustrate Hircanus obtaineth the Government 16. How Antiochus sirnamed the Just leading an Army against Hircanus for 300 Talents is reconciled and entreth into a League 17. Hircanus 's expedition into Syria 18. How Antiochus Cyzicenus assisting the Samaritans is conquered and enforced to flie 19. Aristobulus causeth himself to be crowned King 20. The acts of Alexander the King of the Jews 21. The victory of Ptolomy Lathurus against Alexander M 22. Demetrius Eucaerus overcometh Alexander in battel 23. The expedition of Antiochus Dionysius into Jewry 24. Alexander being dead his wife Alexandra succeeded him in the Kingdom CHAP. I. After the death of Judas Machabeus Jonathan his brother is by the Jews chosen General of their Army Bacchides the Commander of Demetrius's Army attempts to kill him treacherously but failing he assaults him openly A great battel and a fair retreat managed N by Jonathan The son of Amar kills his brother John and thereby draws the divine vengeance on his head Bacchides besiegeth him and Simon his brother in Bethalaga but they force him to raise his siege WE have declar'd in the former Book how the Nation of the Jews after they had been under the subjection of the Macedonians recovered their liberty we have likewise related the great wars of Judas their Captain and in which he was at last slain in the defence of their liberty how likewise after the death of Judas all the wicked Apostate Jews who had revolted from their Religion took courage molesting and doing many injuries O to the rest of their Countreymen Finally how besides their malice the Famine raged in the Countrey so that divers being unable to sustain these two scourges of Famine and War were constrain'd to submit themselves unto the Macedonians In the mean while Bacchides gathering together the Apostates who were fallen from the Religion A of the Jews with an intent to live after the manner of the Heathen committeth the government of the Countrey unto them who laying hold on Judas's friends and partakers betrayed and deliver'd them to Bacchides who first of all tormented and beat them The Jews compelled by the Apostates and by famine submit themselves to the Macedonians and afterwards put them to death This so great affliction than which the Jews had never endured a worse since their return from Babylon was the cause that those of Judas's faction who were yet alive fearing the total ruine of their Nation addressed themselves to Jonathan his brother exhorting him to imitate his brother Judas 's virtues and to have no less care of his Countrey than him who dyed in the defence of it beseeching him that he would not suffer his Nation to perish for want of a Captain Bacchides murthereth those of Judas's faction since he himself was so well B qualified to command them Jonathan answer'd them That he was ready to dye for them and being in all things esteemed no less valiant and politick than his brother Judas he was proclaimed General and Captain of the Jews Bacchides having notice hereof Jonathan by the publick instigation of the Jews undertaketh the government feared lest Jonathan should be no less troublesom to the King and the Macedonians than his brother Judas before him had been for which cause he sought means to make him away by Treason But both Jonathan and his brother Simon gat intelligence thereof and having discover'd his practice they took all their families with them Bacchides comploâ—teth to betray Jonathan and his brother and fled into the desart that confin'd upon the City of Jerusalem and retiring near unto a water call'd the Lake of Asphar they remained in that place When Bacchides perceiv'd that they mistrusted him and were driven thither he went out against them with all his Forces and being encamped on the other side of Jordan he gathered C his Army together Jonathan knowing well that Bacchides came out to seek him sent his brother John sirnamed Gaddis unto the Arabians and Nabatheans to commit the trust of their goods into their hands Bacchides draweth out his Forces against Jonathan until the end of the War betwixt him and Bacchides for the Arabians were his friends Whil'st therefore John marched towards the Nabatheans who were of the City of Medaba the sons of Amareus laid an ambush for him and after they had furiously set upon him on the way and laid hold on whatsoever he brought with him John the brother of Judas is slain by Amars son they at length slew him and all his company for which fact of theirs they were shortly after punished by his brethren as we shall relate hereafter When Bacchides knew that Jonathan was encamped in the Marshes of Jordan Bacchides assaileth Jonathan on the Sâ—bbath-day and loseth 2000 of his men he made D choice
of the Sabbath-day to set upon him hoping that he would not defend himself on that day because of the prohibition of the Law But he contrary to his expectation encouraged his Soldiers and declared unto them how it concerned their lives to be valiant for that it was impossible for them to escape because they were shut up in the midst betwixt the River and the Enemy for they had the Enemy before them and the River on their backs As soon therefore as he had made his Prayer unto his God That it might please him to grant him the victory he set upon the Enemy with great resolution and slew a great number of them and perceiving how Bacchides assaulted him with great fierceness he stretched out his right hand to strike him but he preventing the stroke by stepping aside Jonathan and his companions leapt into the River and so saved E themselves by swimming over to the other side of Jordan because the Enemy durst not pass the Water to pursue them Whereupon Bacchides returned incontinently to the Castle of Jerusalem after he had lost about 2000 of his men After this he fortifi'd divers Cities which were before ruinated namely Jericho Emaus Bethoron Bethella Thamnata Pharathon Techoa and Gazara and built in every of them certain Towers and great and strong Walls and afterwards he planted Garisons therein to sally out upon the Jews and vex them but especially he fortifi'd the Cittadel of Jerusalem in which he kept for hostages the children of the principal men of Judea About that time there came a certain man to Jonathan and his brother Simon bringing them news The Castle of Jerâ—salem 〈◊〉 that the sons of Amareus would solemnize their Nuptials and were to lead F the Bride which was daughter to one of the noblest amongst the Arabians from the City of Gabatha and it was intended that she should be conducted with great magnificence and pomp Jonathan and his brother supposing that a fit opportunity was offer'd them to revenge their brothers death Simon revengeth his brother Johns blood on the sons of Amaraeus and to punish the Medabanes for the wrongs they had done unto their brother they took with them the greatest Forces that they could and marched towards Medaba where they lay in ambush under the side of an hill But when they saw them that led the Bride and accompanied the Bridegroom and a great Troop of their Friends likewise according to the manner of Marriages they brake out of their ambush and put them all to the sword and after they had seized their jewels and all the other booty of that company that follow'd them they retired back again joyfully G having accomplish'd their design and thus revenged they the death of their brother John upon the sons of Amareus For not only these alone but their friends that accompanied H them with their Wives and Children The year of the World 3880. before Christ's Nativity 156. were all of them slain to the number of 400. And in this manner Simon and Jonathan returned into the marshes aforesaid and abode there But Bacchides having fortified all the Garisons of Judea returned back unto the King And at that time the state of the Jews was in peace for the space nigh two years But the wicked Demetrius by the sollicitation of the fugitives sendeth Bacchides against Jonathan with an Army and such as were revolted from the Religion of the Jews seeing that Jonathan and his followers conversed in the Countrey with great assurance by reason of the Peace they sent certain Ambassadors unto King Demetrius requiring him to send them Bacchides who might apprehend Jonathan declaring that it might easily be done and that in one night breaking in upon them he might murther them all before they I were aware When Bacchides by the King's commandment came into Jewry he wrote unto all his Friends Bacchides displeased with the Apostates for that they could not surprize Jonathan killeth 50 of them both Jews and also his other Allies requiring them to lay hold on Jonathan but when by no policy nor prowess of theirs they were able to apprehend him for that Jonathan having notice of their ambushes stood upon his guard Bacchides the Macedonian was displeased with the Apostates and Fugitives objecting against them that they had deceived both the King and him and laying hold on fifty of the principal of them he put them to death But Jonathan and his brother with those of their company Jonathan and his brother besieged in Bethalaga retired themselves into Bethalaga a certain village in the desart for fear of Bacchides in which place he built Towers and Walls to keep his Garison in more security Bacchides having notice of it took the Army that he had with him and those K Jews that were his Confederates and marched forward against Jonathan and approaching those fortifications that were made by him he besieged him for many dayes But Jonathan Jonathan stealing out of the City assaileth Bacchides by night for all his siege and violence was not a whit terrifi'd but stood out valiantly and leaving his brother Simon in the City to make head against Bacchides he secretly stole out and gather'd a great number of Soldiers that favor'd his proceedings and in the night-time couragiously brake into Bacchides Camp and after he had there slain a number of his men Bacchides revengeth himself on the fugitives and is enforced to retreat he gave his brother Simon notice of his coming who as soon as he heard the noise in the Enemies Camp hastily issued forth with his Soldiers and burnt all the Macedonians Engines and made a great slaughter of them Bacchides seeing that he was circumvented by his Enemies and that both before and behind he was pressed L by them being astonished at this so unexpected an encounter was almost out of his wits so much was he troubled at the issue of his siege that fell out altogether contrary to his expectation for which cause he discharged all his choler upon those Apostates supposing he was abused by them who had sent unto the King and had caused him to be sent thither so that he thought of nothing now but raising the siege and returning home with as little dishonour as he could CHAP. II. Jonathan constraineth Bacchides to make peace with the Jews and to depart out of the M Countrey WHen Jonathan knew his intentions 1 Mac. 9. he sent an Ambassador unto him to conclude a Peace betwixt them Bacchides maketh peace with Jonathan with this condition That they should each of them deliver up those Prisoners that were taken on either side Bacchides judging the Proposal to be honourable Jonathan liveth at Macâ—mas punishing the wicked and that a fit occasion was now offered him whereupon he might raise his siege without any disgrace promised Jonathan his friendship so that both of them swore from that time forward
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
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
Ballez son to be put to death and is made King his Vices rendred him so odious to his Soldiers that they offered themselves up to Cleopatra Demetrius's Relict She married Antiochus Sother Demetrius's brother and made him be crowned King heovercame Tryphon who fled to Dora and from thence to Apamee where he was taken by force and killed Antiochus took a great liking to Simon the great Sacrificer or High-Priest I NOt long after the captivity of Demetrius Hedio Ruffinus cap. 10. Tryphon killed Antiochus the son of Alexander 1 Mac. 15. sirnamed Good notwithstanding he had the care and charge of his education for four years that he reigned Tryphon murthering Alexander obtaineth the Kingdom and spreading abroad a certain report That the young King in exercising himself fortuned to dye he sent his friends and familiars to the Soldiers promising them That if they would choose him King he would give them a great sum of money giving them to understand that Demetrius was a Prisoner among the Parthians and that if Antiochus his brother should obtain the kingdom he would punish them divers ways and revenge the revolt and rebellion which they were guilty of by forsaking him The Army hoping that if they bestow'd the kingdom on Tryphon Tryphon having obtained dominion discovereth his corrupt nature it would redound highly to their profit they proclaim'd him King But after he had attain'd the fulness of his desires he shewed K how malicious and wicked his nature was For when he was a private man he flatter'd the People Tryphons Army submit to Cleopatra Demetrius's wife who married Antiochus Soter and committed the authority to his hands and made shew of moderation and by such allurements he drew them to do what he pleased but after he had taken possession of the kingdom he discover'd his hypocrisie and shew'd plainly that he was not unaptly call'd Tryphon that is to say Trifler or Mocker By which means he lost the hearts of the better sort and as for his Army it became so averse from him that it submitted it self to Cleopatra Demetrius's wife who had at that time confin'd both her self and her children in Seleucia And whereas Antiochus sirnamed the Devout and brother to Demetrius was driven from place to place Hedio Ruffinus cap. 11. and had not any City that would entertain him for fear of Tryphon Cleopatra sent unto him inviting him both to be her husband and to take possession of the kingdom L Antiochus having driven Tryphon out of Syria besieged him in Dora And hereunto did she the rather draw him partly for that she was thereunto persuaded by her friends and partly for the fear she had lest some one of Selucia should betray the City to Tryphon As soon as Antiochus was arrived in Seleucia and that from day to day his Forces encreased Tryphonâ— death he marched forth into the field and fought with Tryphon and overcame him in battel and drove him out of the higher Syria and pursu'd him as far as Phoenicia where after he had retired himself into Dora a strong and impregnable Castle he besieged him therein and sent Ambassadors to Simon the High-Priest of the Jews to confirm a friendship and confederacy with him Simon very courteously accepted his demands and presently sent Antiochus both money and victuals sufficient to furnish his Army at the siege of Dora so that in short space he was accepted amongst the number of his M entire friends Tryphon flying from Dora to Apamea was in that place besieged taken and slain after he had reigned three years CHAP. XIII Antiochus Sother's ingratitude to Simon Machabaeus They come to make War Simon gets alwayes the better and renews his alliance with the Romans BUT the innate avarice that was in Antiochus and the malignity of his nature made him forgetful of those offices and services that Simon had done him so that he sent N Sedebaeus Hedio Ruffinus cap. 12. his great friend with a mighty Army to invade Jewry and to surprize Simon But he having some privy intelligence of Antiochus's Treachery notwithstanding that at this time he was very old was so provoked with the injuries that Antiochus had done him that animated with courage more than became his age he went himself to the War as if as yet he had been but youthful Simon and his son expelleth Sedebaeus out of Jewry he therefore caused his son to march before with the best Soldiers of his Army and having left a number of his Soldiers in ambush in the hollow retreats of the mountains he executed all his designs without failing in any one of them so that after he had every way obtained the upper hand of his Enemies he ever after enjoyed his Government in peace during the remainder of his life and renewed likewise the confederacy with the Romans O CHAP. XIV The year of the World 3830. before Christ's Nativity 134. A Simon Machabaeus Prince of the Jews and High-Priest is betrayed and killed by his Son-in-law Ptolomey who at the same time makes his Relict and his two sons Prisoners HE governed Judea for the space of eight years and was at last slain at a banquet by the Treachery of Ptolomey his son-in-law Hedio Ruffinus cap. 15. who seizing on Simons Wife and his two children 1 Mac. 6. and detaining them in Prison sent out certain of his Train besides to kill John the third son No faith nor trust no not in sons-in-law sirnamed Hircanus of Jerusalem But the young man having some inkling of their drift retired himself speedily into the City and avoided the danger that B they complotted against him assuring himself of the good will of the People in consideration of the benefits they had received at his fathers hands and the hatred that they bare unto Ptolomey who intending to enter the City-gates was sharply repulsed by the Citizens for they had already entertain'd Hircanus CHAP. XV. Hircanus Simon 's son besiegeth Ptolomey in Dagon Castle but his great love towards his mother and his brothers whom Ptolomey threatens to put to death if he storm'd the Castle made him forbear to assault it and raised the siege after which Ptolomey nevertheless put C them to death WHereupon Ptolomey retired unto a certain Castle situate beyond Jericho called Dagon Hedio Ruffinus cap. 14. but Hircanus was made High-Priest in his fathers stead who after he had recommended himself to God Ptolomey besieged by Hircanus knowing the power of natural affection keepeth his mother and brethren prisoners whippeth them on the walls and threatneth to throw them down by the firstling Sacrifices that he offer'd marched out against Ptolomey his brother-in-law to make War upon him Now when he was fully resolved to besiege the place whither Ptolomey was retired he had the advantage in all other things but only by the affection that he bare unto
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
from thence unto Tyre where he was taken and after he had suffer'd many miseries by the hands of his Enemies he finally died Alexander having by this means obtained the Kingdom Alexander slain in the conflict betwixt him and Antiochus Gryphus made a league of amity with I Hircanus And whereas it fell out that Antiochus sirnamed Gryphus the son of Demetrius made War against him he was overcome and slain in the battel When Antiochus had taken possession of the Kingdom of Syria he forbare to make War against the Jews for that he had intelligence that his brother by the mothers side who was in like sort named Antiochus assembled an Army against him at Cyzicus Remaining therefore in his Countrey he resolved to make preparation against his brothers coming who was called Cyzicenus because he was brought up in that City and was the son of Antiochus called the Conserver who died in the Countrey of the Parthians and who was brother to Demetrius the father of Gryphus and it fell out that both these brothers were married to one and the same Cleopatra as we have heretofore express'd When Antiochus the Cyzicenian K was arrived in Syria he made War against his brother which continued many years during all which time Hircanus lived in peace for presently after Antiochus's death he revolted from the subjection of the Macedonians and from that time forward gave them no succors Hircanus whilest the brothers weaken themselves by civil wars liveth in peace neither as Subject or Friend but his fortunes both augmented and flourished greatly during the time of Alexander Zebina and principally during the Reign of these two brothers For the War wherein they consum'd one another gave Hircanus an opportunity to levy all the Revenues of Judea without any contradiction so that by the same means he gather'd infinite sums of money For whil'st the Cyzicenian destroy'd his brothers Countrey Hircanus also made known his inclination and disposition and seeing likewise that Antiochus was destitute of those succors he expected out of Egypt and L that both himself and his brother also through their natural discords weakned one anothers estates he despised them both CHAP. XVIII Hircanus taketh Samaria and ruines it totally How much this High-Priest was in God Almighties favor He leaveth the Pharisees and betakes him to the Sadduces His happy death HIrcanus seeing himself so powerful resolv'd to besiege Samaria which was a strong M City and is at this day called Sebasta because it was re-edifi'd by Herod as we will make manifest in time and place convenient He therefore began to besiege and batter the same with all diligence Hircanus besiegeth Samaria animated thereunto because of the extreme hatred he bare the Samaritans who on purpose to please the King of Syria had offer'd many grievous affronts to the Marissens who were descended from and allied with the Jews He therefore made a Trench round about the City with a double Wall of 80 furlongs and committed the general command of this siege to his sons Antigonus and Aristobulus who so diligently and valiantly behaved themselves Antiochus seeking to relieve the Samaritans is overcome and put to flight by Aristobulus that the Samaritans being overpressed with extreme famine were constrained to eat such things as were unusual and unaccustomed amongst men and to call Antiochus the Cyzicenian to their aid who readily repaired N thither but was repulsed by Aristobulus's Soldiers and being pursu'd by the two brethren as far as Scythopolis he hardly escaped and they returning to their siege freshly assaulted and besieged the Samaritans within their own Walls so that once more they were constrained to send Ambassadors to Antioch for aid who was their Ally who sent unto Ptolomey Lathyrus for about some 6000 men who furnish'd him with them contrary to his mothers mind who therefore had almost thrust him out of his dominion As soon as he had receiv'd them he made a road into Hircanus's Countrey and spoilt and forag'd the same as far as Egypt For he durst not give him battel hand to hand because he had not competent Forces but thought that in spoiling the Countrey he might cause them to raise the siege and forsake Samaria but after he had lost a great number of his O men by divers snares of his Enemies he went unto Tripoly committing the general charge of that War to Callimander and Epicrates two of his Captains Callimander more rashly than wisely attempting to set upon the Enemy was himself slain and his Soldiers routed The year of the World 3854. before Christ's Nativity 110. And Epicrates given over to covetousness did openly yield up Scythopolis and A other Cities into the hands of the Jews so that it was impossible for either of them to raise the siege At last after that Hircanus had continued his siege before the City for the space of one whole year he became master of it and not contenting himself with the taking hereof Epicrates corrupted with money selleth Scythopolis and other places to the Jews he utterly destroy'd it enforcing the Rivers through the midst thereof yea he ruined the same in such sort that the mud and soil both of the water and earth took away all the appearance of the City so that it seemed as if it had never been Of this Hircanus there is a certain incredible matter committed to memory namely how during his High-Priesthood God had conference with him For it is reported That the very same day wherein his sons fought against Antiochus the Cyzicenian whil'st being B himself alone Hircanus taketh Samaria he offer'd incense in the Temple he heard a voice saying That his two sons had at that present overcome Antiochus Hircanus is foretold by a voice in the Temple of his sons victory all which he incontinently signifi'd unto the people at the gate of the Temple and according as he had said so it came to pass See here what occurrences hapned in Hircanus's time About this very instant likewise the affairs of the Jews prospered not only in Jerusalem and Judea but also amongst the Inhabitants of Alexandria and finally in Egypt and Cyprus For Queen Cleopatra rebelling against her son Ptolomey Lathyrus appointed Chelcias and Ananias Chelcias and Ananias Captains of Cleopatras Army the sons of that Onias who had built the Temple in Heliopolis according to the pattern of that in Jerusalem her Generals And having committed her Army unto their hands she acted nothing without their advice according as Strabo the Cappadocian witnesseth Strabo of Cappadocia his report of the loyalty of the Jews speaking after this manner Divers of those who came with us and C of those who had been sent into Cyprus from Cleopatra suddenly revolted to Ptolomey only the Jews that were of Onias 's faction remained constant in their duty because the Queen made great account and reckoning of Chelcias and Ananias their Countreymen Thus
Gazeans had the upper hand because that they made their Enemies believe that Ptolomey was come to their rescue but as soon K as the day appeared and this opinion was found false as soon as the Jews were assured of the truth they turned back upon them and charging the Gazeans they slew about 1000 of them Notwithstanding all this the besieged stood out still being neither daunted with loss of Men nor lack of Provision whatsoever resolving rather to endure any misery than yield to their Enemies Aretas King of Arabia flattereth the Gazeans with hope of rescue and that which made them more confident was the hope of help which they expected from Aretas King of Arabia who had promised no less But it came to pass that Apollodotus was slain before his arrival and the City taken For Lysimachus his brother conceived a jealousie against him by reason of the good opinion which the Inhabitants had of him Lysimachus killeth his brother Apollodotus and betrayed Gaza to Alexander and having slain him and gather'd those fighting Men that he L might he yielded up the City unto Alexander who at the first made a peaceable entry but afterwards dispersed his Soldiers and gave them licence to execute all hostility against the Citizens so that they acted their cruelty in every place and slew many of the Gazeans Neither died these Citizens unrevenged but so manfully behaved themselves that they butchered no less number of Jews than they murthered Citizens among them Some of them likewise perceiving themselves to be alone set their Houses on fire taking away first that which was therein that the Enemy might not be 〈◊〉 with their spoils Others killed their Wives and Children with their own hands to deliver them from the Enemies cruelty But the Senators to the number of 500 fled into the Temple of Apollo for to save themselves but that did not secure them for when the Enemy M entred the Town they were by chance assembled in counsel Alexander 〈◊〉 them all to the sword and instantly razed and levelled that City with the ground which done he returned to Jerusalem after he had spent one whole year at the siege before Gaza About this time Antiochus Antiochus Gryphus slain sirnamed Gryphus died by the Treason of Heracleon in the 45 year of his age and in the â—9 of his Reign His son Seleucus had the Kingdom after him Seleucus Gryphus son maketh War with Antiochus the Cyzicenian who made War against his Uncle Antiochus sirnamed 〈◊〉 and having overcome him he slew him Not long after Antiochus the son of Cyzicenus and Antoninus sirnamed the Deâ—out came to Arade and crowned them and made War against Seleucus whom they overcame in one conflict and drove him out of all 〈◊〉 who flying into Cilicia and arriving again in the City of the Mopseates he exacted a sum of money from the Citizens N But the people were so incensed that they set his Palace on fire whereby it came to pass Antiochus Eusebes putteth Seleucus to flight that both he and his friends were burnt to dust During the time that Antiochus the son of Cyzicenuâ— reigned in â—yria another Antiochus Seleucus's brother made War against him but he was not only overcome but both he and his Army were put to the sword Antiochus Seleucus's brother fighteth against Antiochus the son of the Cyzicenian After him â—hilip his son took the Crown and governed in certain places of Syria Mean while Ptolomey Lathyrus sent to 〈◊〉 for his fourth brother Demetrius Eucaerus and made him King of Damascus Against these two brothers Antiochus made a manly and valiant resistance but died very shortly after For repairing to Laodicea to succor the Queen of the Galadenians Demetrius Eucâ—rus made King of Damascus by Ptolomey Laâ—â—â—rus who made VVar against the â—arthians he was killed fighting valiantly and his two brothers Demetrius and Philip possessed Syria as hereafter O shall be declared As for Alexander his own Subjects rebelled against him for the people arose and mutined at such time as he assisted at the Altar to solemnize the feast of Tabernacles and during the time that he intended the Sacrifice they cast Citrons at him The year of the World 3884. before Christ's Nativity 80. for as we have declared elsewhere the Jews have this custom that on the feast A of the Tabernacles each one bringeth a branch of Palm and of Citrons They upbraided him also with many injurious speeches reproaching him that he had been Prisoner in War and that he was also unworthy of the honour of the Priesthood Whereupon Citrons cast at Alexander he being moved by these disgraces put to death about 6000 Men and having made an inclosure of Wood about the Temple and the Altar as far as the place whereinto it was lawful for none to enter but the Priest he kept there to the intent the people might not apprehend him he entertained also certain foreign Soldiers Pisidians and Cilicians For being at odds with the Syrians he made no use of them After this having overcome the Arabians he constrained the Moabites and Galaadites to pay him Tribute and destroyed the City of Amath whilest Theodore for fear gave B over to resist him Amath destroyed But encountering with Obeda the King of Arabia and being surprized and betrayed by an ambuscado in certain miry places Obeda King of Arabia he was thrust by the crowd of Camels into a deep Trench near unto Gadara a Village of Galaad from whence he almost despaired to escape notwithstanding having overcome that danger he came to Jerusalem And besides this the people hated him against whom he made VVar for the space of six years and slew at the least 50000 of them and the more he entreated them to be quiet they grew worse against him for what they had suffered so that when he demanded of them What they would have him do to please them They all of them with one voice cried out That he should kill himself And thereupon they presently sent messengers to Demetrius 〈◊〉 requesting him of his favor and assistance C CHAP. XXII Demetrius Eucerus King of Syria comes to assist the Jews against their King Alexander whom he defeats in a battel and retireth The Jews prosecute the War alone against him he overcomes them in several battels and proves extreme cruel to them Demetrius besiegeth his brother Philip in Bâ—roa Mithridates Synaces King of the Parthians sends an Army against him taketh him Prisoner he dyeth shortly after DEmetrius coming onward with his Army Hedio Ruffinus cap. 20. and taking with him those who had incited D him to the enterprize Demetrius Eucâ—rus marcheth out against Alexander came and encamped near unto the City of Sicheâ— But Alexander gathering together some 20000 Jews whom he knew to be well-affected towards him with 6200 mercenary soldiers and strangers marched forward against Demetrius
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
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
good seeing himself so much honour'd by us Let this suffice to express the honours bestow'd on Hircanus by the People of Rome and the Citizens of Athens After that Caesar had given order for the affairs of Syria Hedio Ruffinus cap. 18. he returned back by Sea And as soon as Antipater had accompanied Caesar out of Syria Caesar departeth out of Syria he returned into Judea and suddenly built up the Walls of Jerusalem which Pompey had beaten down and in riding a Circuit about the Countrey he pacified the troubles not only by threatnings but by good advice also Antipater pacifieth all occasion of commotion in Judea which he gave every one to live in peace assuring them That if they submitted themselves to Hircanus their Prince they should live happily and enjoy their possessions without any trouble and that if they hoped to advance themselves by any new commotion M supposing by that means to benefit themselves they should feel that instead of a Governor they had a Master and instead of a King they should find Hircanus a Tyrant and instead of the Romans and Caesar to be their Governors they should find them to be their most hateful Enemies for they would not suffer that any thing should be altered that they had established By these and such like admonitions he kept and continued all the Country in peace N O CHAP. XVII The year of the World 3921. before Christ's Nativity 43. A Antipater gaineth great repute by his virtue His eldest son Phasaelus is made Governor of Jerusalem and Herod his second son is made Governor of Galilee Herod causeth to be executed several Robbers Some great mens jealousie against Antipater and his children They made Hircanus accuse Herod for those that he had put to death He compareth in judgment and then retireth He cometh to besiege Jerusalem which he had taken if Antipater and Phasaelus had not hindred him Hircanus reneweth his alliance with the Romans The testimony of the Romans esteem and affection for Hircanus and the Jews Caesar is B murther'd in the Capitol by Cassius and Brutus ANtipater perceiving that Hircanus was slow and idle he declared and appointed Phasaelus his eldest son Alias cap. 20. Governor over Jerusalem and the Countrey thereabout As for Herod who was very young Antipater maketh Phasaelus Governor in Jerusalem and Herod in Galilee for he was not at that time above 15 years old he committed Galilee unto his charge who although young in years yet he was ripe in courage and conduct which he witnessed in apprehending Ezechias who was the chief of those Thieves who ranged over all Syria he put him to death with divers of his Complices Which act of his got him esteem and credit among the Syrians for by that means he freed their Countrey of all those Robbers according as they desir'd He was therefore praised thorow the Villages and Cities for this action Herod executeth Ezekias and his followers for robberies as he that had given them peace C and assured possession of their Estates For this cause he was made known to Sextus Caesar who was Uncle to Caesar the Great Furthermore his brother Phasaelus was encouraged to follow his noble actions and inforced himself to obtain no less reputation than he had Sextus Caesar Governor of Syria for which cause he strove to get the good will of the common People in Jerusalem and govern'd the City with such discretion that he acted all things to every mans content The form of Phasaelus's government and abused not his power to any private mans injury which was the cause that Antipater was honour'd by the whole Nation with no less respect than if he had been their only Lord and Soveraign Antipater notwithstanding his high authority was alwayes faithful to Hircanus Yet did not this eminency of estate so far distract him that he forgot the love and duty he ought to Hircanus as in such like occasions it oftentimes falleth out notwithstanding divers of the greatest amongst the Jews seeing D Antipater and his sons so highly advanced both by the publick favor of the whole Nation as also by the Revenues that they drew both out of Jewry as also by the employment of Hircanus's money were grievously incensed against them Antipater winneth the Romans hearts by Hircanus's money and draweth the Jews into hatred For Antipater had made friendship with the Emperors of Rome and having persuaded Hircanus to send them money he had appropriated the same unto himself sending it not in Hircanus's name but in his own which though Hircanus knew yet he was not moved therewith but rather well contented But that which most of all terrifi'd the Princes of the Jews was to behold the violent and audacious nature of Herod who govern'd after a tyrannical manner The Jews accuse Antipater and Herod before Hircanus For this cause they address'd themselves to Hircanus and accus'd Antipater openly How long said they will you dissemble and wink at those things that are daily practised E See you not that Antipater and his sons possess in effect the Royal Power and Authority of the Kingdom and that you have only the name Assure your self that you are not out of danger in contemning thus both your self and your Kingdom For Antipater and his sons are not now your Substitutes neither intend they your profit or your Countries good whatsoever your opinion is of them they are publickly acknowledg'd Lords and Masters For Herod Antipater 's son hath already put Ezechias and his Confederates to death and thereby transgressed our Laws which forbid to take away any mans life how wicked soever he be except he be first of all condemned to death by the Council Herod called in question appeareth with a great train and notwithstanding this he hath been so bold as to do justice without your authority When Hircanus heard this he grew angry for their mothers whom Herod had slain had incensed him by their continual Exclamations in the Temple F exhorting the King and People to call Herod to account before the Council of that which he had done So that Hircanus moved by these Women called Herod to answer unto those accusations which were objected against him Who made his appearance forewarned by his father not to present himself after the manner of a private person but well attended and accompanied to withstand all inconveniencies Sextus Caesar writeth to Hircanus to discharge Herod After he had taken order for the affairs in Galilee according as he thought fit and that he himself was sufficiently accompanied to make his Voyage with such a Guard as neither might terrifie Hircanus with number nor leave himself unsecured in danger he resorted to Jerusalem Moreover Sextus Caesar Governor of Syria wrote unto Hircanus to absolve him adding G threats to his persuasions if so be he should perform the contrary which gave Hircanus
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
and after he had heard that which had befaln him in the way he embraced him in admiration of his virtue and did him great honour as to him whom a little before he had raised to a Royal dignity Not long after this Antiochus surrendred the Fort of Samosata to Antonius and upon this occasion the War was ended Whereupon Antonius committed the Province with the Army to Sosius and after he had commanded him to succor Herod he departed into Egypt Sosius therefore sent two Legions of Soldiers before C into Judea to succor Herod and afterwards he follow'd with the rest of his Army In the mean while Joseph is killed in Jewry Sosius hath the army committed to his charge by Antonius who departeth into Egypt on this occasion that ensueth For forgetting his brother Herod's command which he gave him when he repaired to Antonius he took five Companies of Soldiers which Machaeras had left him and marching towards Jericho to gather in the fruits of the field he pitched his Tents upon the Mountains and for that the Roman Troops were but newly levied and consisted of those Men who were untrained in the Wars Joseph Herods brother is slain by Antigonus and for the most part were gather'd out of the Countrey of Coelosyria the Enemies having advertisement hereof assailed and surprized him in certain places of disadvantage The Galileans revolt from Herod where there was a hot skirmish between them in which Joseph died fighting valiantly and all his Army was defeated The dead bodies being in D Antigonus's power he cut off Joseph's head notwithstanding that his brother Pheroras proffer'd him 50 Talents for the whole body Machaeras fortifieth Gath. Which done the Galileans revolting from their Governors Herod departeth from Daphne a Suburb of Antioch into Galilee drowned those of Herods party in the Lake so that divers Commotions and Troubles were raised in Jewry Machaeras he fortified the Castle of Gath. This misfortune of Josephs was reported to the King in a certain Suburb of Antioch called Daphne Herod fighteth with the Galileans and overcometh them and driveth them into a Castle who before the tydings had already conceived some suspition and fear grounded upon certain dreams which gave him certain intelligence of his brothers death Departing therefore from thence with all expedition he arrived near to the Mount Libanus where he took about 800 Men with him and the Roman Legion which he had and from thence came to Ptolomais from whence he departed with his Army by night and E crossed Galilee with them Whereupon the Enemies came forth against him and were overcome by him and shut up in a Fort from whence they were come out but the day before where Herod assailed them by break of day but being unable to do them any harm The house wherein Herod solemnized his Feast fell down when the guests were gone without any mans detriment by reason of the bad Weather he led his Men into the Villages near adjoining But when Antonius's second Legion was come and joined to his Forces they that were within the Fort grew disheartned and forsook the same by night So that Herod marched with all diligence to Jericho with an intent to revenge his brothers death and being encamped near unto the same he banquetted and entertained the Officers of his Army and after the Feast was ended and he had dismissed his company he withdrew himself into his lodging in which place it appeared how much God loved the King for the roof of F the house where he had solemniz'd his Feast fell down without hurt to any one whomsoever for not one was left within it Whence it came to pass that each one persuaded himself that Herod was beloved by God considering he had avoided so great and unexpected a danger The next day Herod wounded by his enemies 6000 Enemies came down from the top of the Mountains to fight with him who afrighted the Romans and their forlorn hope chased Herods Soldiers with darts Antigonus sendeth Pappus to Samaria and stones who was himself also hurt in the Thigh with an arrow Antigonus sent a Captain to Samaria whose name was Pappus with some Soldiers intending thereby to signifie unto his Enemies that he had more Forces than he needed Pappus drew near to Machaeras the Roman Captain and as for Herod he took five Cities by force and put G some 2000 of them that were in Garison to the sword and afterwards having set the houses on fire he went out to encounter Pappus who was encamped in a Borough called H Isanas The year of the World â—9â—9 before Christ's Nativity 35. Divers that came from Jericho and Jewry submitted themselves to Herod who drawing near the Enemy who marched forward with great boldness he fought them and overcame them and being inflamed with a great desire he had to revenge his brothers death he pursued them that fled and killed them even within their borâ—ugh These Houses were presently filled with Soldiers Fight in the houses and divers fled and hid themselves upon the tops thereof who were at last taken for the Roofs of the Houses were beaten down whereby divers were killed by stones that were thrown at them from above the most grievous spectable of all those that had hapned in those Wars was to see an infinite number of bodies heaped up amidst the Rooms of the Houses This exploit of Herod did very much abate the courage of his enemies who lost all I hopes of any better success for the future for a man might have seen them flie away in whole droves and had not a sudden and violent tempest fallen upon them the triumphant Army of Herod had immediately entred Jerusalem with assurance of victory which had made an end of all that War Herod being alonâ— and naked in his house escaped unhurt amongst mâ—ny armed â—nâ—mies For Antigonus had no other thoughts but to flie away and to forsake the City Now the night drawing on Herod gave order for the Soldiers to eat and himself being weary retired into his Chamber to bathe where he escaped a most evident danger through Gods providence for being naked and having no body within but one of his servants three of the enemies who had his themselves for fear started out with their Swords in their hands Herod sendeth Pappus's head to his brother Phaeroras and ran away without daring to attempt any thing against the Kings person so terrible was his presence to them The next day K Herod caused Pappus's Head to be cut off and sent it to Phaeroras to comfort him for the loss of his brother Joseph Herod besiegeth Jerusalem whom this Pappus had killed When the Tempest was over he departed from thence and approached near to Jerusalem and encamped near unto the City Herod repaireâ—h to Samaria to marry â—lexanders daughter This was about the third year after he had
death amongst the Pharisees who were the principal Authors of this Advice and with them also the Eunuch Bagoas and Carus who was his darling and one of the finest men of that time He afterwards cut off all those amongst his houshold Servants who were of the Pharisees Faction for the Pharisees had perswaded Bagoas that this new King whom they prognosticated would not only consider him as his Benefactor and Father but that he himself should also marry and find himself capable to beget Children D But after that Herod had punished those amongst the Pharisees Hedio Ruffinus chap. 4. who were convicted to have been of the Conspiracy Herod accuseth Pheroras's Wife and commandeth him to put her away he assembled a Council of his friends before whom he accused Pheroras's Wife and ripped up the injuries that were done unto his Daughters as it hath been declared ascribing the same to the pride of this woman objecting it for a crime against her for having injured his Honour Besides this he accused her that she had of set purpose stirr'd up Mutinies and by all means possible both in words and deeds contrary to all Law of Nature stirred up debate betwixt him and his Brother and that the Fine that he had imposed upon his Adversaries was satisfied at her charge so that no jot of that Conspiracy was contrived without her consent For which causes said he Brother Pheroras it shall not be amiss for you of your own accord E to drive such a wretched woman from you before you be requested and the Sentence be pronounced against her otherwise she will be the cause to kindle a War betwixt you and me For if you will continue the Friendship and Brotherhood betwixt you and me seperate your self from her In so doing I will account you for my Brother and you shall lose nothing by the affection which I bear unto you For the bond of Brotherly love cannot continue safe and inviolable unless you put her away Now although Pheroras was moved with the importance and weight of this discourse Pheroras refuseth to put away his Wife yet he said that for the love he bare unto his Wife he would forget nothing of that duty which Consanguinity required at his hands in regard of his Brother but that he had rather die than live without her company Herod interdicteth Pheroras and Antipater their privy meetings and forbiddeth the Ladies no less whom he loved more dearly than his life Herod although he took this answer F of his Brother 's for a most grievous injury yet forbare he to discover his displeasure towards him He only forbad Antipater and his Mother and in like manner Pheroras to frequent the one with the other any more He commanded the women likewise that they should give over their familiar entertainments the one with the other which all of them promised to perform Yet this notwithstanding upon fit opportunities and occasions they visited one another and Antipater and Pheroras feasted one another by night The report also went that Antipater had the company of Pheroras's Wife and that his Mother was the means and instrument of their privy meeting G CHAP. IV. H Herod sendeth Antipater to Augustus with his Will by which he declareth him his Successor Syllaeus bribeth one of Herod's Guards to kill him but the plot is discovered ANtipater suspecting his Father's distastes Herod sendeth Antipater to Caesar and fearing lest his hatred should bring him into hazard he wrote unto his friends in Rome requiring them to write their Letters unto Herod requesting him to send Antipater unto Caesar with all expedition as was possible Which being brought to pass Herod sent him thither with divers Royal I Presents and gave him his Testament and Will with him wherein he had bequeathed the Kingdom to Antipater And if it should happen that Antipater should die before him then he bequeathed the same to his Son Herod whom he had by the High Priest's Daughter About the same time Syllaeus the Arabian repaired to Rome notwithstanding he had neglected those things which Caesar had commanded him Antipater accused him before Caesar Antipater accuseth Syllaeus at Rome before Caesar for the same faults wherewith he was charged by Nicholaus Syllaeus also was accused by Aretas for murthering divers of the best account in the City of Petra countrary to his mind amongst the which was Sohemus a man of much virtue and honour and Probatus Aretas accuseth Syllaeus for killing Probatus and others Caesar's Servant of which Crimes Syllaeus was accused upon this occasion which ensueth There was a certain man of K Corinthus who was one of the King's Guard and one he put very great trust in Syllaeus perswaded him by store of money and Bribes to kill Herod which he promised to perform Probatus made privy to Syllaeus's mind he presently told it to the King who caused him to be apprehended and tortured A Traytor that sought the King's death is apprehended who confessed the whole matter He laid hands also on two Arabians perswaded by this Corinthian's confession one of which was a man of Command in his Countrey and the other was Syllaeus's chief friend They being examined confessed that they came thither to solicite with many exhortations the Corinthian to execute the murther and to assist him if he stood in need of them Which being fully proved by Herod before Saturnine he sent them to Rome there more amply to be proceeded against and so to be punished L CHAP. V. Pheroras's death HErod perceiving that his Brother Pheroras did constantly continue his affection towards his Wife he commanded him to retire himself into his own Dominions whereupon he willingly departed to his Tetrarchy An Oath solemnly observed protesting by many solemn Oaths that he would never more return into the City unless he were assured that Herod was M dead Not long after it hapned that the King fell sick he was sent for to receive certain secret instructions as from the mouth of a dying man but Pheroras would not obey him in regard of his Oath Notwithstanding Herod dealt more kindly with him and continued his love and affection towards him Pheroras in his Sickness is visited by Herod and being dead is honourably buried by him for he came to Pheroras as soon as he heard of his first Sickness without being sent for And after he was deceased he sent his body to Jerusalem and honourably entombed him in that place and grievously lamented his death This was the beginning of Antipater's mis-haps who at that time was gone to Rome For it was God's pleasure that at last he should be punished for the murther of his Brethren I will discourse of this at large that it may serve for an example to many Kings how they ought to practice and follow Virtue in all their N actions CHAP. VI. Pheroras's Wife is accused and Herod is
estate of those that were alive was far more desperate whom he not only frighted with perpetual terrour and severity but also with injurious hands had not abstained from their M Goods By which means it came to pass that he not only builded but beautified Foreign Cities inhabited by Foreign Nations to the end he might the rather utterly spoil those by exaction which were situated and seated in his own Countrey And that he enforced his Nation to extream Poverty which he received in most happy Estate whilst he spoiled those Nobles of their Estates who upon weak probabilities were condemned to die or granting them Life deprived them of their Possessions And whereas yearly Tributes were imposed on every one yet severally were the ravenous and covetous desires of his Friends and Courtiers to be satisfied yea and of his servants also who had the Authority to exact these things and by this means they might redeem their injurious wickedness As for the deflouring of Virgins and the shameful betraying N of a Matron's chastity they covered them under silence for that it is a great comfort to those that suffer such abuses if their disgraces be but known to a few In short that Herod had no other ways governed than as if the Government had been committed to a most wild Beast For which cause whereas in times past that Nation had been afflicted with many Calamities and Murthers yet that there is no example extant amongst their Monuments of Antiquity that may be compared with their present Calamity under Herod For which cause upon just respects they had with one consent named Archelaus their King supposing that whatsoever King might befall them he would always demean himself more affably than Herod had done and that to honour Archelaus they had mourned with him for his Father to gratifie him in O other things to the intent they might obtain his good affection But he without delay and all at once had made manifest to the whole Nation what opinion they were A to conceive of him notwithstanding that as yet he was not confirmed King for that it lay in Caesar's hands to grant it and as if he had been afraid lest he should assuredly be acknowledged for his Father's Son he had shewed an example of his Vertue Moderation and good Government that he would use towards his Subjects by the first Act which he had committed not only against God but also against men For in the Temple it self he hath caused three thousand of his Countrey-men to be killed in stead of Sacrifices And how can he chuse but be justly hated who besides his other cruelties objecteth against us the Crime of Rebellion and Mutiny The effect of their request therefore was this that they might not any more be governed by a King nor any such like Government but that they might be united unto Syria and submit B themselves under their Governours that should be sent thither That in so doing it should truly appear whether they were sedicious and addicted to changes or whether they would live in peace Nicholaus excuseth Herod and Archelaus when they had favourable Governours After the Jews had spoken to this effect Nicholaus discharged the Kings of those Accusations that were objected against them and namely Herod who as he said had never been accused all his life-time and that it was no reason that they who justly accusing him might have caused him to be punished during his life-time should now address their Accusations against him after he was dead And as touching those things which were objected concerning Archelaus's actions it ought to be imputed to their insolence for that engaging themselves in matters contrary to Law and having begun to murther those who C sought to appease the tumult they accused such as had kept them in obedience Besides this he objected against them that they were addicted to alterations and took pleasure to stir up Seditions for that they knew not what thing it was to obey Justice and the Laws and that there was no Nation in the World so head-strong as that of the Jews for that they would have the upper hand over all Thus spake Nicholaus CHAP. XIII Caesar confirms Herod's Testament and appointeth his Children to be his Successors D WHen Caesar had heard these things Caesar maketh Archelaus an Ethnarch and bestoweth one half of the Kingdom on Philip and Antipas he dismissed the Assembly But some few days after desirous to make an end of this matter declared Archelaus not King but Lord of half that Government that appertained to Herod promising him to bestow a Royal Dignity upon him if so be he behaved himself vertuously according as it became him As for the other Moyety he divided it between two of Herod's Sons Philip and Antipas who debated with his Brother Archelaus for the whole Kingdom The same Antipas also had the Countrey on the other side Jordan and Galilee with two hundred Talents of yearly Revenue As for Philip he had Bathanea Trachonitis and Auranitis and part of the Palace that was called by Zenodorus's name with one hundred E Talents As for Archelaus he had Idumaea Judaea and Samaria which were discharged of the fourth part of the Tributes by Caesar for that they had joyned themselves with the rest of the people during the time of the Sedition Besides that Archelaus had the Tower of Straton Sebaste Joppe and Jerusalem For Gaza Gadara and Hippon were Cities of Greece which Caesar had separated and adjoyned to Syria Archelaus had five hundred Talents of yearly Rent out of his Countrey Thus was the Patrimony divided among Herod's Sons Salome As for Salome besides that which her Brother had given her in his Will which were the Cities of Jamnia Azot Phasaelis and half a Million of money Caesar granted her a Royal house in Ascalon so as she received in the whole sixty Talents of yearly Revenue and had her house allotted her within the Dominion F of Archelaus All Herod's Kindred received that which was bequeathed unto them by his Testament Two of his Daughters that were unmarried were endowed by Caesar with a quarter of a Millon of money which he gave them besides their Father's Portion Herod's two Daughters that were Virgins married to Pheroras's Sons and they were married to Pheroras's Sons Moreover he gave Herod's Sons all which he had given him by the Testament amounting to the summ of one thousand and five hundred Talents contenting himself only to receive some few movables not so much for the value as in remembrance of the King who had given them CHAP. XIV The year of the World 3966. after Christ's Nativity 4. H An Impostor counterfeits himself to be Alexander Herod's Son Augustus finds out his Cheat and sends him to the Galleys AVgustus having thus ordained Herod's Succession Hedio Ruffinus chap. 18. a young man and a Jew born brought up in the City of
sent for Archelaus also and esteeming it too base an indignity for him to write unto him Go said he unto him with all expedition and bring him unto me without delay He posting forward with all diligence at length arrived in Judaea where he found Archelaus banqueting with his friends and having acquainted him with Caesar's Commands Archelaus banished and confined he hastened him away As soon as he came to Rome after that Caesar had heard his Accusers and his justification he banished him and confined him in the City of Vienna in France and confiscated all his Goods But before Archelaus was sent for to Rome he reported unto his friends this Dream which ensueth He thought that he saw ten Ears full of Wheat and very ripe which E the Oxen were eating and as soon as he awaked he conceived an opinion that his Vision presaged some great matter For which cause he sent for certain Sooth-sayers who made it their profession to interpret Dreams Now whilst they were debating one with another for they differed for the most part in their exposition a certain man called Simon Simon the Essean interpreteth Archelaus's Vision an Essean having first of all obtained security and licence to speak said that the Vision prognosticated that a great alteration should befal in Archelaus's Estate to his prejudice For the Oxen signified Afflictions in respect that those kind of creatures do ordinarily labour and as for the change of Estate it was signified by this in that the earth being laboured by the Oxen altered its condition and shape and as touching the ten Ears of Corn they signified the like number of years F And therefore when as one Summer should be overpast that then the time of Archelaus's Sovereignty should be at an end Thus interpreted he this Dream And the fifth day after the Vision thereof Archelaus's Agent by Caesar's Command came into Jewry to summon him to Rome Some such like matter happened to Glaphyra his Wife also the Daughter of King Archelaus She as we have said married Alexander Herod's Son when she was a Maid and Brother to this Archelaus who being put to death by his Father she was married the second time to Juba King of Mauritania and he also being dead she living with her Father in Cappadocia was married to Archelaus who put away Mariamne his Wife for the love he bare unto Glaphyra She living with Archelaus Glaphyra's Dream had such a Dream She thought she saw Alexander by her she cherishing and G embracing him he checked her saying Glaphyra Thou verifiest that Proverb which saith Women have no Loyalty For having given me thy faith and married with me at such time as thou wert a Virgin and born Children by me thou hast forgotten and neglected my love thorough the desire thou hast had to be married the second time H Neither wast thou contented to have done me this wrong but hast taken unto thee likewise a third Husband lewdly intruding thy self into my Family and being married to Archelaus thou art content to admit my Brother for thy Husband Notwithstanding this I will not forget the love that I have born thee but will deliver thee from him who hath done thee this reproach by retaining thee for mine own as heretofore thou hast been After that she had told this Vision to some women that were her Familiars she died very shortly after Which accident I have thought good to register in this place in that I was to treat of those things and otherwise the matter seemeth to be a notable example containing a most certain argument of the Immortality of Souls and God's Providence And if any one think these things incredible let I him keep his opinion to himself and no ways contradict those who by such events are incited to the study of Virtue Cyrenius Censor of Syria Now when the Government of Archelaus was united to Syria Cyrenius who had been Consul was sent by Caesar to tax Syria and to dispose of Archelaus's house A THE EIGHTEENTH BOOK Of the B ANTIQUITIES of the JEWS Written by FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The Contents of the Chapters of the Eighteenth Book 1. Judas and Sadoc taking an opportunity by vertue of the Tax which was imposed upon C all Judea endeavour to establish a fourth Sectary and kindled a great Civil War 2. Of the four sorts of Sectaries that were among the Jews 3. Salome's death the Sister of Herod the Great Augustus's death whom Tyberius succeeds Herod the Tetrarch caused the Town of Tyberias to be built in honour of Tyberius The Troubles among the Parthians and in Armenia Other Disturbances in the Kingdom of the Comagenes Germanicus is sent from Rome to the East to establish the Authority of the Empire He is poysoned by Piso D 4. The Jews are so highly offended that Pilat Governour of Judea had suffered the Imperial Standards to be brought into Jerusalem having the Emperour's Picture on them that he was forced to cause them to be carried out again The Commendations and Praises of JESUS CHRIST A horrid injury done to a Roman Lady by the Goddess Isis's Priests how Tyberius punished them 5. Tyberius causeth all the Jews to be banished from Rome Pilat punisheth the Samaritans for having drawn themselves together in Arms They accuse him to Vitellius Governour of Syria who sends him to Rome to clear himself 6. Vitellius restoreth the High Priest's Vestments to the Jews to keep as they did formerly E He treateth in Tyberius's behalf with Artobanus King of the Parthians The cause of his hatred against Herod the Tetrarch Philip Tetrarch of Trachonitis of Gaulanitis and of Bathanaea dieth without Children his Dominions are reunited to Syria 7. A War between Aretas King of Petra and Herod the Tetrarch who having married his Daughter would repudiate her to marry Herodias Aristobulus's Daughter and his Brother Herod's Wife Herod's Army is totally routed and the Jews impute it to John the Baptist's Imprisonment Herod the Great 's Posterity 8. By what several Accidents of Fortune Agrippa surnamed the Great who was Aristobulus's F Son and Herod the Great 's Grand-child and Mariamne's was made King of the Jews by the Emperour Caius Caligula as soon as he had succeeded Tyberius 9. Herodias Herod the Tetrarch's Wife and King Agrippa's Sister being impatient to see her Brother reign in so much Prosperity compels her Husband to go to Rome to obtain a Crown also but Agrippa having written to Caius against him he banisheth him and his Wife to Lions in France 10. The Sedition of the Jews and Grecians in the City of Alexandria 11. Caius commands Petronius Governour of Syria to compel the Jews by force of Arms G to receive his Statue in the Temple but Petronius mollified by their Prayers writeth to Caius in the Jews behalf 12. Two Jews called Asinaeus and Anilaeus both Brother and of a mean extraction become so powerful near Babylon that they give
appear to the end that a man may know that neither the number of Children nor any other humane force whatsoever it be can be available without the fear of God considering that within the space of one hundred years or somewhat E less it fell out that all Herod's Line which was very populous and fruitful was extinguished a very few excepted Whereby we are given to understand what the misery of Mankind is and learn to moderate our selves It is also expedient to speak something of Agrippa who amongst all other deserveth admiration that being a man wholly in Obscurity and base in Birth he was exalted to such greatness as no one of those that knew him would ever have thought his Fortune should have such success and power And although heretofore I have spoken somewhat of this matter yet it is requisite that I speak something more expresly thereof in this place Herod the Great had two Daughters born by by Mariamne Hircanus's Daughter The one of them which was called Salampso was married by Herod to Phasaelus the Son of Phasaelus F Herod's Brother The other called Cypros was married to Antipater her Cousin who was Salome's Son who was Herod's Sister Phasaelus had five Children by Salampso three Sons Antipater Herod and Alexander and two Daughters Alexandria and Cypros whom Agrippa the Son of Aristobulus married and Alexandria was married to Timaeus of Cyprus who was a man of great dignity and with whom she died without Issue Cypros had by Agrippa her Husband two Sons and three Daughters Bernice Mariamne and Drusilla their two Sons were called Agrippa and Drusus Drusus died very young but Agrippa was Brought up by his Grandfather amongst his other Brethren Herod Aristobulus and Bernice These were Herod's Children Son unto him who was surnamed the Great Bernice was Costobarus's Daughter begotten G on Salome Herod's Sister Aristobulus died leaving his Children under age under his Father's charge with Alexander his Brother as we have already related These attaining their full age were thus married Herod Brother to Agrippa was matched with Mariamne Olympias's Daughter who was Herod the Great his Daughter and of Joseph H Herod's Brother by her he had his Son Aristobulus Aristobulus Agrippa's third Brother married Jotape the Daughter of Sampsigeram King of the Emesenians They had a Daughter which likewise was called Jotape which was deaf These were the Children begotten by Herod's three Sons But Herodias their Sister married Herod the Son of Herod the Great whom he begot on Mariamne the Daughter of Simon the High Priest by whom Salome was begotten After her birth Herodias in contempt of the Laws of the Countrey married her self with Herod her Husband's Brother begotten of the same Father being separated from him during his life time who was Tetrarch of Galilee His Daughter Salome was married to Philip the Tetrarch of Trachonitis Herod's Son Who dying without Children Aristobulus married her who was I Herod's Son and Agrippa's Brother They had three Sons Herod Agrippa and Aristobulus See here the Posterity of Phasaelus and Salampson Antipater by Cypros had a Daughter that likewise was called Cypros which was married to Alexas Selcius the Son of Alexas of whom he begat a Daughter called likewise Cypros As for Herod and Alexander who as I said were Antipater's Brothers they died without Issue Alexander Herod's Son who was killed by his Father begat Alexander and Tigranes on the Daughter of Archelaus King of Cappadocia Tigranes being King of Armenia died without Issue after he had been accused at Rome Alexander had a Son called Tigranes after his Brother's name who was sent by Nero to reign in Armenia who had a Son called Alexander who married Jotape the Daughter of Antiochus King of Comagena K This Alexander by Vespasian was elected King in Lesis a City of Cilicia As soon as Alexander's Posterity began to multiply they fell from their Countrey-Religion to â—â—llow the customs of the Greeks All the rest of King Herod's Daughters died withâ—â—â— issue Having after this manner reckoned up Herod's Posterity which continued â—â—â—il such time that Agrippa the Great began to reign It remaineth at this time to declare what adventures befel this Agrippa and how he escaping his dangers obtained at last so great Power ad Dignity 〈…〉 â—tained great Dignity and Power CHAP. VIII L By what several Accidents of Fortune Agrippa surnamed the Great who was Aristobulus's Son and Herod the Great 's Grand-child and Mariamne's was made King of the Jews by the Emperour Caius Caligula as soon as he had succeded Tyberius SOme little time before the death of King Herod Agrippa living at Rome through his lavish Liberality groweth into Necessity Agrippa was gone to Rome where he came very well acquainted with Drusus Tyberius the Emperour's Son and was beloved of Antonia the Wife of Drusus the Elder by the means of his Mother Bernice whom Antonia held in great esteem and to whom she had recommended M her Son And whereas by nature he was of a liberal and generous spirit as long as his Mother lived he would not discover his inclination lest he should provoke her displeasure against him But immediately after Bernice was dead and he became his own Master partly by his daily and bountiful entertainment and living partly by his immoderate Liberalities but especially by his lavish Prodigality towards Caesar's Free men whose favour he hunted after he was brought into extream Poverty and could no more live at Rome the rather for that Tiberius having lost his Son forbad his friends to come into his sight lest their presence should refresh and encrease the sorrow he conceived for the loss of his Son For these causes he returned back into Judaea having but badly ordered his Affairs Agrippa bethinketh himself how he might shorten his miserable life spent his money and left himself no means to satisfie N his importunate and many Creditors For which cause uncertain how to dispose of himself and ashamed of his present estate he withdrew himself into a Castle called Malatha in Idumaea to pass away obscurely and miserably the rest of his time Which purpose of his Cypros Agrippa's Wife certifieth Herodias his Sister of his Poverty and requireth her assistance when Cypros his Wife perceived she endeavoured by all means to prevent his resolution She wrote to Herodias his Sister who was married to Herod the Tetrarch acquainted her both what Agrippa had decreed as also by what necessity he was enforced thereunto and she exhorted her that in regard of affinity she would assist him and imitate her in this who as much as in her lay relieved his misery although her Fortunes were far weaker than hers Being therefore sent for by his Sister and Wife Agrippa dwelleth at Tiberias he was commanded to dwell in Tiberias and had a certain Summ of Money O assigned him for his maintenance and for his greater honour was appointed Magistrate of
and Sabinus were come out into the streets notwithstanding they were forbidden by Pollio whom not long before Claudius had made Captain of his Guard And as soon as Claudius came into the Palace whither he assembled his friends he pronounced sentence against Chaereas For although his action was accounted both generous and noble yet he was condemned for this because he was perfidious whereupon he was adjudged to die to give example to others to the end that Princes and Emperours may hereafter live in safety He was therefore led to his death with Lupus Those that murthered Caius are executed and divers other Romans It is said of Chaereas that he endured this accident with a great courage which he expressed not only in that he changed not his countenance but also by the reproaches which he gave Lupus O who wept For when Lupus was putting off his Cloaths and complained of the cold that he felt he taunted him thus alluding to his name which was Lupus That never any cold A did harm to a Wolf Furthermore when he came to the place of Execution where a great number of people were gathered together to behold the spectacle he asked the Soldier that was appointed to behead him if he were a cunning heads-man and whether he had a new Sword wishing him to use that wherewith he murthered Caius His death was happy for he received but one stroke whereas Lupus was faint-hearted and received divers because he stretched not out his neck freely Some few days after at such time as the Romans solemnized their Expiations and that every one honoured the memory of his dear Friend they gave Chaereas a part of that honour and cast his portion into the fire saying That was to deface and purge their ingratitude whereof they were guilty towards him Thus ended Chaereas his Life But for Sabinus B although Claudius had not only absolved him but also suffered him to exercise his Office as he had done before Sabinus Killeth himself yet he thought that he should do amiss and against Justice if he falsified his Faith to his Associates and Confederates for which cause he shortned his own days thrusting his Sword through his own body to the very hilts CHAP. IV. Claudius the Emperour confirmeth Agrippa in his Kingdom adding Judaea and Samaria C thereunto He giveth the Kingdom of Chalcis to Herod Agrippa's Brother and maketh Edicts in favour of the Jews ONe of the first things that Claudius did after his establishment in the Empire Hedio Ruffinus chap 5. was to disband those Soldiers whom he suspected and published an Edict by which he confirmed the Kingdom to Agrippa Alias 4. that Caius had given him accompanying his bounty with many Praises Claudius giveth Agrippa Judaea Samaria and Lysanias 's Countrey adding moreover unto his Government all that which his Grandfather had possessed towit Judaea and Samaria which in that they were as one Lawful Inheritance appertained unto him He gave him also out of his own Dominions Abela and all the Countrey about Libanus that in times past appertained to Lysanias And D he caused the Alliance that was past betwixt them to be engraven and registred in an open place of the City of Rome Antiochus King of Comagena He took from Antiochus the Kingdom that he had and gave him in exchange a portion of Cilicia and Comagena He set Alexander Lysimachus Alebarcha at liberty Alexander Lysimachus Alebarcha who had been his old Friend and sometimes Governour in Arabia and once his Mother Antonia's Steward who had been committed Prisoner through Caius's displeasure and espoused Bernice Agrippa's Daughter to his Son Marcus which after the death of Marcus who died before he was maried was afterwards married with her Father Agrippa's allowance Herod Agrippa's Brother created King of Chalcis to Herod his Brother for whom Agrippa begg'd of Claudius the Kingdom of Chalcis At that very time the Jews that were in the City of Alexandria mutined against the Greeks For after Caius's death E the Nation of the Jews which had been oppressed during his Reign and injuriously dealt withal by the Alexandrines Sedition in Alexandria betwixt the Greeks and Jews recovered their former courage For which cause Claudius gave Commission to the Governour of Egypt to pacifie and appease that Uproar He sent also his Letters Patents into Alexandria and Syria at the request of the two Kings Agrippa and Herod to this effect Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus Claudius's Edict in favour of the Jews in Alexandria Father of the people signifieth this that followeth Vnderstanding that the Jews Inhabitants in Alexandria and for that cause called Alexandrines have at all times enjoyed the self same Privileges of the City which the ancient and first Alexandrines have had Which Favours they have obtained by the Leave of those Princes that were our Predecessors as it hath been plainly made known F unto us as well by Letters which have been written unto us as by confirmed Decrees And that since Alexandria hath been united to our Empire by Caesar Augustus their Privileges have continued in force during the several Successions of many of our Governours which Rights of theirs have never been called in question no not in that time when Aquila was Governour in Alexandria Since in like sort Caesar Augustus hath not letted them but when the Governour of their Nation was dead they might establish other Substitutes and Governours in his place commanding that all of them should yield him obedience in observation of their Laws and Customs without constraint or impulsion to do any thing contrary to their Religion Yet notwithstanding the Alexandrines have mutined against the Jews being in the City of Alexandria in the time of the Emperour Caius by reason of the G folly and frenzy of Caius who disgraced and oppressed the Nation of the Jews because they would not violate their Religion nor acknowledge the said Caius for a God Our Will and Pleasure is that no one of the Privileges of the Nation of the Jews be abolished by reason of Caius's frenzy but my mind is to maintain those which heretofore have been H given them to the end they may continue and live according to their ancient Laws and Customs Commanding you and every one of you very carefully to provide that after the publication of this our Ordinance they be in no ways troubled This was the Tenour of that Ordinance which was made in favour of the Jews in Alexandria But that which was generally made in favour of those Claudius's Edict in the behalf of the Jews scattered thorough the whole Empire who were dispersed thorough the whole World was to this effect Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus High Priest Father of the people elected Consul the second time signifieth that which ensueth Our well-beloved Friends the Kings Agrippa and Herod have required us that we will permit all those
many wounds adding that he admired the impudent boldness of Antigonus who being Son to an enemy of the Romans and a fugitive from Rome and as inclinable as his Father to Rebellion dar'd to accuse before the Roman Emperour others that had been always faithful to him and that in stead of accounting himself happy in having his I life preserv'd hop'd to obtain such favours and assistance as he had no need of and which he desir'd not but to make use of the same to raise seditions against those to whom he should be beholding for them Which when Caesar heard Caesar createth Hircanus Highâ— Priest and to Antipater he giveth the Government of Judea he said that Hircanus was most worthy to be High Priest and bad Antipater name what Charge he would have who leaving that to the pleasure of the giver he was made Governour of all Judaea And moreover he obtained lieve to re-edifie the razed walls of his Country and Caesar commanded that this Decree should be engraven in Tables of Brass and in the Capitol that it might be a memorial in time to come of Antipaters's justice and vertue Ant. lib. 14. cap. 16. Antipater having attended Caesar out of Syria first of all repaired the ruined walls of his Country which Pompey K had razed Antipater repaireth the walls of his Country and going throughout all the Country he threatned the obstinate and perswaded the seditious to obedience admonishing them that if they obeyed Hircanus they might live in wealth and peace and enjoy happiness but if they suffered themselves to be led away with the vain hopes of those Antipater chargeth his Subjects to obey Hircanus who for their private commodity sought alteration then they should find him in stead of a Governour a severe Master and Hircanus instead of a King a Tyrant and the Romans and Caesar instead of friends deadly enemies for that they would not suffer his power to be overthrown whom they themselves had established King Antipater in speaking thus considered himself and the need of providing for the safety of the State Phasaelus and Herod Antipater 's Sons because he well knew the sloth an stupidity of Hircanus He made Phasaelus L his eldest Son Governour of the Army and of Jerusalem and of the whole Province Herod's fortitude and sent Herod his youngest Son to govern Galilee although he was very young who being by nature valiant and ambitious sought out occasion to shew his brave mind Herod banisheth the thieves out of Syria He took Ezechias Captain of a troop of Thieves who as he understood were wont to prey upon the confines of Syria with a great multitude and put him to death with many other Thieves which thing was so grateful to the Syrians that in all Towns and Villages they made songs of Herod as though he had restored them to peace and to their Possessions This action also made his merit known to Sextus Caesar who was Caesar the Emperour's Kinsman and Governour of Syria Phasaelus obtained the favour of the people of Jâ—rusalem Phasaelus also striving to exceed the vertue and gallantry of his Brother us'd M all his endeavours to win to himself the good will of the Inhabitants of Jerusalem so that during the time he governed the City he did nothing insolently or by force For which cause the people honoured Antipater no less than if he had been their King yet was his fidelity and affection never the less towards Hircanus But it is impossible that any man that liveth in prosperity should not be envied For Hircanus although before-time he were moved something at the glory of the Father and the young men Hircanus animated by envious men against Antipater and his Sons and especially with the prosperous success of Herod yet in particular he was stirred up by many envious person who use to haunt the Courts of Princes who were grieved that Antipater and his Sons ruled without offence These men told Hircanus that he only enjoyed the bare name of a King and that Antipater and his Sons ruled N all and that he would so long permit and wink at them till at the last they would make themselves Kings for they now did no more pretend themselves to be Ministers but leaving that Title they acted as Lords and Soveraigns without any regard or reverence towards him as appeared in Herod who had put to death a great multitude of Jews against the Law whereas neither by word of mouth nor by writing the King had given him any such authority and that Herod if he were not a King but a private person was to be brought into judgment there to answer the matter and shew the King a reason and satisfie the laws of his Countrey which permit no man to be put to death before by Law he be convicted By these perswasions Hircanus grew angry Herod called to his answer before the Councel so that not concealing his wrath he caused Herod O to be sent for to answer the matter who both for that his Father advertised him thereto and because he trusted to the equity of his cause first leaving a Garrison A in Galilee The year of the World 3922. before Christ's Nativity 4â— he repaired to the King accompanied with a sufficient Guard not so great as to give jealousie to Hircanus nor so small as to expose him to the attempts of his Adversaries Sextus Caesar who lov'd the young man much and feared lest any evil should betide him amongst his enemies sent to Hircanus warning him to absolve Herod from the crimes of which he was accus'd Hircanus absolveth Herod Hircanus once more incited by the wicked Which Hircanus who also loved Herod made no difficulty to do But Herod supposing he had done it unwillingly went to Damascus to Sextus purposing not to appear if hereafter he were sent for Hereupon Hircanus was once again incited against Herod by his enemies who certified him that he was gone away in a rage with design to enterprize something against him which Hircanus believing knew not what to do seeing his enemy B more potent than himself Shortly after Sextus Caesar proclaimed him General of the Army both in Syria and Samaria Herod gathering a great Army cometh to Jerusalem to depose Hircanus so that now he was greatly to be feared by Hircanus not only for that he was highly in favour with the Commonalty but also for the forces which he commanded Hereupon Hircanus fell into extreme fear verily perswading himself that Herod with his whole Army would presently come against him Neither was his suspicion vain Herod disswaded by Antipater from attempting against Hircanus for Herod angry at the pretended crime whereof he was accused came with a great Army to Jerusalem intending to depose Hircanus which he had effected had not his Father and Brother gone forth to meet him and pacified him intreating him that he would
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
himself M openly their enemy he caus'd his confidents to accuse them and at first made shew of defending them but afterwards he clos'd in with the accusers and cunningly perswaded Herod to credit the accusation which were that Alexander was so desirous of his death as to frame plots against his life and nothing made so much credit be given to these calumniations as that Antipater colourably excused his brother Herod incensed hereat every day withdrew his affection more and more from the two brethren and daily encreased his love towards Antipater The Nobility also were inclined after the same manner some of their own inclination and others out of compliance so did Ptolemaeus the chiefest of all the Nobility and the Kings Brethren and all his kindred for all mens expectation was upon Antipater And that which N grieved Alexander the more was that all these conspiracies design'd for his overthrow were made by the counsel of Antipater's Mother for she being Step-mother to him and his Brother was the more cruel against them because she could not endure their having the advantage above her Son of being born of so great a Queen And although many followed Antipater for the hope they had of him yet were they also compelled thereunto by the King's command who gave special charge to his dearest friends not to follow Alexander or his Brother And this Prince was a terrour not only to those of his own Kingdom but also to foreign Nations because Caesar had given him so great authority for he gave him license to take any one that was a fugitive from him out of any City although it were not under his Dominions Now the young men being O ignorant of the offences laid to their charge were in the greater danger for their Father did not openly tell them of any matter but they every day perceived A his good will towards them to decay which so much the more increased their grief In like manner Antipater by little and little animated Pheroras their Uncle and Salome their Aunt against them to whom he spoke with the same liberty as if she had been his Wife Moreover Glaphyra Glaphyra Alexander's wife encreased his conceived suspicion by her words Alexander's Wife contributed to the encreasing of these enmities by bearing her self above all women that were in the whole Kingdom for she derived her Pedigree by the Father's side from Tiâ—enus by the Mother's side from Darius Son of Histaspes and by inveying very much against the baseness of Herod's Wives who she said were chosen for their Beauty and not for their Nobility of Birth For Herod as we have said had many Wives as it was lawful for him by the B custom of the Countrey Aristobulus objecteth to his Wife her base Birth and all of them hated Alexander for Glaphyra's Pride and contumelious speeches Aristobulus also made Salome his enemy although she were his Wife's Mother because he often upbraided his Wife with her base Birth still teling her that he had married a private woman and his Brother Alexander a King's Daughter Ant. lib. 16. cap. 7. Which his Wife often with tears told to her Mother adding moreover that Alexander and Aristobulus threatned that if they got the Kingdom they would make their Father 's other Wives weave with their Maids and his other Sons Notaries of Villages because they applyed themselves to Learning Salome moved hereat could not contain her self but told all to Herod who easily believed her because she spake against her Son-in-law Alexander and Aristobulus oftentimes bewail their Mother and by that means provoke their Father Moreover another accusation was laid to their C charge whereat the King was greatly moved for he was informed that Alexander and Aristobulus did often bewail their Mother and lament her hard fate and cursed him and that often when he bestowed some of Mariamne's Cloaths upon his latter Wives they threatned that in a short time they would make them change them for Mourning Whereupon though Herod feared the fierce spirits of the young men yet because he would not take away all hope of amendment he called them to him as he was to go to Rome and as a King threatned them in few words and like a Father gave them many admonitions and requested them to love their Brethren promising them forgiveness of their former offences The two Brothers excuse themselves before their Father Herod so that hereafter they mended all But they beseeching him not to believe Accusations forged against them upon malice and answering D that the effect of matters would easily acquit them requested him not so easily to believe tales but to refuse malignant people opportunity and recourse unto him for that there would always be some that would malitiously invent tales to tell whilst there was any one that would give them the hearing and believing For they knew that Salome was their enemy and Pheroras their Uncle and both of them much to be feared especially Pheroras who was fellow with his Brother of all saving the Crown and had his own Revenues amounting to an hundred Talents a year and received all the Profits of the whole Countrey beyond Jordan which were given him by his Brother Herod also had obtained of Caesar to make him Tetrarch and had bestowed upon him for his Wife his own Wife's Sister after whose decease he offered E him his eldest Daughter and three hundred Talents with her for a Dowry But Pheroras falling in love with a mean person refused so honourable a Match whereat Herod being angry married his Daughter to his Brother's Son who was afterwards slain by the Parthians Yet after some time he pardoned Pheroras's offence Divers formerly were of opinion that in the life time of the Queen he would have poysoned Herod and Herod although he loved his Brother very well yet because many who had access unto him told him so he began to misdoubt And therefore examining by Torture many that were suspected at last he came to some of Pheroras's Friends but none of them confessed the Poyson but only that he was determined to flee to the Parthians with her whom he was so in love with and that Costabarus Salome's Husband F was privy thereunto unto whom the King had married her after her first Husband for suspicion of Adultery was put to death Salome her self was not free from Accusation for Pheroras accused her that she had purposed Matrimony with Syllaeus who was Procutator to Obodas King of Arabia a great enemy of the King 's And she being convicted both of this and all things else whereof her Brother Pheroras accused her yet obtained pardon as likewise Pheroras did so that the whole Tempest of all the Family was turned against Alexander and fell upon his head The King had three Eunuchs whom he loved extremely Alexander corrupteth his Father's Eunuchs and telleth them he is to succeed in the Kingdom and every one known
Herod 462. N. O. Burning of the Temple 265. I. 476. M. 750. M. Burthen required to be eased 218. D. Bush of fire about Moses 66. O. Bushel of Corn sold for a Talent 738. M. Business of Moses 77. G. Butlers dream expounded 54. M. Butchery of the thieves 537. B. C. C. CAecinna perswaded the souldiers to revolt 309. E. F. apprehended 710. H. freed and honoured ibid. I. Caerealis conquered the Samaritans 670. B. C. Caesar confirmeth Hircanus in the Priesthood 370. D. departeth out of Syria 371. L. his testimony of the Jews 373. N. slain 569. D. 376. C. delivereth Aristobulus 567. A. Caesar slayeth Cassius 368. G. Herods friend 384. B. overcometh Antonius 403. M. confirmeth Herod in the Kingdom 405. N. giveth him 800 talents 406. G. Lord of Egypt 407. I. enlargeth Herods dominions ibid. 415. M. 583. B. made Pheroras Tetrarch 416. G. gave Herod revenues 416. F. offended with Herod 439. G. alloweth Herod to punish Malefactors 443. F. maketh Archelaus King 466. N. confirmeth Herods testament 471. D. calls a Council 606. M. makes Archelaus an Ethnarch 471. D. Caesarea built by Herod 414. G. was called Stratous Tower ibid. G. a great City 584. M. 674. H. Caiu Adams first son 29. B. slew his brother ibid. C. not bettered by Gods chastisement ibid. E. builded a City ibid. F. invented the use of the plough 29. B. father of hypocrites 30. H. Caius succeedeth Tiberius 485. C. certifieth the Senate of Tiberius death 492. L. maketh Agrippa King ibid. 616. H. banisheth Herod 493. E. usurpeth divine honour 493. G. 616. K. his Statue c. ibid. K. writeth letters to Petronius 493. C. calleth himself Jupiters brother c. 504. H. c. causeth many to be murthered 509. B. sacrifieth 509. A. builded a haven 516. L. slain 520. E. Caleb and Joshuah appease the people 96. M. Calimander slain 347. O. Calling of Moses 67. A. of Elizaâ— 228. E. Calamity of the Israelites 62. O. 73. D. E. F. 74. I. 129. B. 130. L. M. 133. B. foretold 261. L. and 262. E. Calamity of Herod 580. A. of Syria 632. L. M. Calamity in Jerusalem 738. K. L. M. c. Calamity of the Romans 747. E. of the Jews recounted to the Romans 749. B. Calamity of the Jews at Antioch 762. N. O. Calamity of the Jews taken by the Romans 775. D. Calumniation 435. B. Calves of Jeroboam 219. K. L. Caâ—byses inhibiteth the building of the Temple 275. N. O. 276. B. Camp of the enemies spoiled 240. D. Camp of the Romans how ordered 660. N. Three Camps of the Jews 607. F. Candlestick of Gold 84. O. 211. I. Capharis submits to Caerealis 705. F. Captain over a thousand 160. O. Captains of Solomon 206. H. Two Captains of Ochozias destroyed and why 236. B. the third preserved 236. C. Captain trodden to death 240. E. Captivity of Babylon fore-prophecied 257. I. 260. D. effected 265. L. 729. F. Carcasses hinder the passages 578. N. Carcasses innumerable 108. N. Carcasses cast out of the City how many 738. M. Care of God for the Israelites safety 67. F. for his servants 228. C. D. Carthage built 787. C. Carelesness of Abner touching Sauls safety 169. G. Carpenters how imployed 207. D. Cassius resisteth the Parthians 368. G. exacteth of the Jews 700 talents of silver 376. D. Cassius Longâ—â—â—â— Governour of Syria 527. C. Castle fortified 328. F. 362. L. razed ibid. F. Castle of David 717. F. Castor a subtil Jew 726. K. Catalogue of Jacobs sons and nephews 61. B. C. D. Catalogue of Gods benefits on Israel 74. I. K. Catalogue of the Commandments 79. F. G. Cattel gotten in War 124. L. 127. A. Catallus slayeth three thousand Jews 778. M. Cause of errour concerning God 812. N. Causes of discord 781. E. 782. H. Causes of malice between Egyptians and Jews 792. I. Causes of the Israelites ruine 62. M. Causes of the Wars of the Jews 622. K. Causes of Vespasians election 707. F. Causes of writing the Antiquities 25. D. E. 780. M. Caves of the thieves described 576. O. Ceasing of Manna 122. N. Celebration of the Passover 260. A. 281. K. Cells about the Temple 208. N. Candebaeus put to flight 343. N. 559. D. Cenizus delivereth the Israelites 133. C. vanquisheth Schisar ibid. G. judged Israel forty years ibid. O. Censors affixed to the brazen Altar 102. L. and why ibid. Censors of Gold 210. C. Centurion of Florm 623. A. Ceseâ—â—ius President of Syria 77. O. accused Antiochus ibid. H. I. Cestern digged to be enclosed 117. C. Cestiâ—â— G. appeaseth the people c. 622. I. burnt Zabulon and Joppe 634. N. consulteth with the Princes c. 625. B. his siege against Jerusalem 635. G. Châ—â—â—us and his compliâ—â—â— conspire Caius death 504. O. why incited against Caius 505. C. conferreth with Clement c. 506. I. intends to kill Caius ibid. expecteth occasion to assail Caius 508. I. slayeth Caius 510. L. honoured 515. A. sendeth Lupus to kill Caius wife ibid. E. executed 518. O. Challenge of a single combat 159. C. Chaldeans mutiny against Abraham 36. H. Cham Noahs son 31. O. his progeâ—y 34. K. discovereth his fathers nakedness 34. O. Chambers of pleasure 213. C. Champions of David 196. D. Canaan Jacobs inheritance 50. K. Canaanites put the Israelites to flight 98. N. wholly to be extinguished 118. M. 129. E. ten thousand slain 129. B. made Tributaries 215. B. Charges of the Temple to be supplied 281. N. Chariots of Jabin 134. K. of Solomon 206. K. Chariots armed seen in the air 753. D. Chastisement bettered not Cain 29. E. Chastity of Joseph 53. A. B. C. 816. K. Chance-medley 109. D. Change of the Jews Government 567. G. Change of names whence 34. I. Cherubin 84. H. in the Temple 209. I. Chetura Abrahams second wife 41. G. bare to Abraham six children ibid. O. Chieftains of Achis 172. N. cause David to be dismissed ibid. O. of Solomon 206. H. I. Children are to learn the Law 112. K. Seventy children of Achab slain 243. L. Children of Herod 595. B. C. Children not to be punished for the fathers offence 117. E. Children male put to death 62. O. Children of Canaan 34. N. Children of Abraham 40. I. M. of Jacob 47. N. O. Children of Roboam 221. B. Children unlike their fathers 149. B. 257. O. 241. I. K. Chodollogomor an Assyrian Captain 37. B. overthrew the Sodomites ibid. Choice of the Esseans in compassion and helping 613. C. Chorab mutineth against Moses 99. D. E. affecteth the Office of High Priest ibid. F. he and his company consumed with fire 102. L. Cosby a daughter of Midian 107. F. enticed Zambrias to Idolatry ibid. O. slain with him 108. K. Christ crucified 480. M. Chronicles of the Tyrians 254. A. Churlishness of Nabal 168. N. Chusais opposition to Achitophel 188. O. his counsel accepted 190. L. certified David of the victory 192. I. Chuthites removed unto Samaria 254. A. plagued and why 254. B. claim kindred of the Jews ibid. G. Circumcision commanded