murder and slaughter of one of his Friends Joseph being thus delivered from extream danger both from the D Romans Joseph resorteth to Vespasian with Nicanor and from those of his own Nation went with Nicanor to Vespasian All the Romans came about him to see him and pressing about their General they made a great noise some rejoycing that he was taken others crying out to punish him others striving to come near to behold him better and they who were afar off cryed out to kill that Enemy of the Romans Fame But those who were near and beheld him remembring his great Actions An example of Titus grace and mercy towards Joseph were astonished at his change of Fortune No Captain or Ruler but although before they were all moved against him yet now beholding him they begin to pity him especially Titus who being of a gentle disposition admired Josephs valour his constancy in adversity and considered his Age and thereby was moved to take compassion upon him remembring what a manner of man he had been during E the Wars and what he now was being fallen into his Enemies hands calling also to mind the power and force of Fortune and how uncertain the chance of War is and that humane affairs have no stedfastness His Example drew many minds to pity him so that Titus was the chief author of Josephs life Yet Vespasian caused him to be carefully kept as though he meant to send him to Caesar Which Joseph hearing requested that he might speak a word or two with him alone Whereupon all but his Son Titus departing Joseph hath private conference with Vespasian and two of his Friends Joseph spoke to him in these terms You think only that you have Joseph for your Captive but I am a Messenger to you of greater matters from God Joseph foretelleth Vespasian of his future honours Otherwise I knew my Country Laws and how it behoved the Generals of our Nation to die and not to be taken alive by their Enemies You will send me F to Nero Wherefore since Nero and those that are to succeed him before you have so little time to live you O Vespasian shall be Caesar and Emperor of Rome and Titus your Son after you keep me therefore in bonds with you for you are not only my Lord but Lord of all the World Sea and Land and all Man-kind And if I now fain these things in this state of mine own mind against God let me be reserved to greater punishment After he had thus spoken Vespasian gave small credit to his words thinking that Joseph fained these things of himself to save his Life yet by little and little he began to give credit to him because God put it in his mind to hope for the Empire and fore-told him of his Reign by many signs and tokens and he also found Joseph to tell the truth in other matters For one of Vespasians friends saying that it was strange that he knowing this G could not prophesie of the event of the War against Jotapata Josephs truth in all things and what was like to befal himself that so he might avoid those evils Joseph answered that he had foretold the Citizens of Jotapata that after seven and fourty dayes they should be destroyed and that the Romans should keep him alive in hold Vespasian secretly enquired of these H matters and finding by the relation of the Captives that it was true he began to give more credit to that which Joseph had told him concerning himself So he commanded Joseph to be kept Prisoner yet he gave him apparel and divers other things in most courteous manner Joseph is kept bound yet rewarded by Vespasian and Titus greatly honoured him The fourth day of July Vespasian returned to Ptolemais and from thence he came to the Sea-coast to Caesarea which is the greatest City of Judaea whose Inhabitants are for the most part Greeks The Inhabitants received the Army and the General with all friendship possible Caâ—sarea a great City by the Sea-side inhabited for the most part by Greeks both for that they loved the Romans and especially also for that they hated the Jews so that many intreated Vespasian to put Joseph to death But Vespasian judging this a rash Petition would make no answer to it and he left two Legions to Winter at Caesarea I because he saw it was a fit place and he sent the tenth and fifth to Scythopolis because he would not over-charge Cesarea with the whole Army Scythopolis This place is warm in Winter and exceeding hot in Summer by reason it is situate on a Plain by the Sea-coast CHAP. XV. How Joppa was taken by the Romans K IN the mean time a great multitude being gathered together Joppa the retreat of the Seditious and Thieves who either were seditious persons or thieves or such as had escaped out of the taken-Cities re-edified Joppa for their refuge which Cestius formerly had destroyed and seeing they could not find provision in the Countrey which was already wasted and left desolate by the War they purposed to become Pirates and so building Ships for that purpose they robbed the Phoenicians Syrians and Aegyptians not suffering any to pass those Seas without danger Vespasian understanding their practices sent Horse and Foot against Joppa who finding the City not guarded got into it in the night which the Inhabitants perceiving were so terrifi'd that they durst not make any resistance to expel L the Romans but they all fled to their Ships and there stayed all night a flight-shot from the shore Joppa is naturally no road for Ships for it is situated upon a turbulent Shore and on every side hath very high and eminent Rocks which trouble the Seas and make huge Waves In this place if we may believe the fable one may see the signs of Andromeda's Chains Of Andromeda read lib. 4. Ovid Metamorph When the North Wind blows it striketh the Waves against the Rocks and so causeth a dangerous Sea that it were far more safe to be in the midst of the Seas than at that Shore when the said Wind bloweth The Inhabitants of Joppa rode there all night A huge tempest drowneth those of Joppa in the Sea and by break of day the North Wind began to blow fiercely and drove some of the Ships one against another and others against the Rocks and many striving against Wind and Weather and seeking to get into the midst of the Sea for fear of the Rocky Shore and their Enemies there were drowned M They that escaped neither had any place of refuge nor hope of safety for the tempest drove them from the Sea and the Romans from the City so that the air was filled with cities of the people expecting to be drowned and with the noise and sound of the Ships beating one against another By this means some of the Inhabitants of Joppa were swallowed up by the
should be enforced to make his Father his Enemy For which cause he was very liberal to all those that were about his Father Antipater spared no cost to win his Father's friends and through the great gifts he bestowed upon them he extinguished that hatred which all of them bare unto him and above all things he continued himself in credit with those friends which Herod had at Rome by sending them divers Presents and namely Saturninus who was Governour of Syria He hoped also by bribes and rewards to draw his Father's Brother into his faction and to corrupt the King's Sister also who was married to N one of the King 's most esteemed friends in Court He was a subtil and politick man in entertaining those men with colourable shew of friendship with whom he conversed and to draw himself into credit with them he was sufficiently dexterous to dissemble his malice and discontents which he had conceived against any man Notwithstanding all this Antipater could not deceive his Aunt he could not deceive Salome his Aunt who of long time before had sounded his inclinations and who was not so simple as to suffer her self to be deceived but had already by all cunning means that might be prevented his malice although she had a Daughter married unto his Uncle by the Mother's side This Daughter was first of all wedded to Aristobulus and afterwards by Antipater's means to his Uncle For Callaeas her Husband's Son had married the other But neither could this affinity colour the O matter so much but that his malice was discovered neither could that former consanguinity extinguish the deserved hatred conceived against him Herod constrained Salome A who through amorous passion had thought to have married her self to Syllaeus the Arabian to marry with Alexas and that by the mediation and perswasion of Julia Caesar's wife who advised Salome not to refuse that Marriage lest he should prove her mortal enemy for Herod had made an Oath that if Salome condescended not to marry Alexas Herod compelleth Salome to marry Alexas he would never make account of her For which cause she followed Julia's advice who was Caesar's wife and counselled her also to her profit and preferment At the same time Herod sent his Daughter Glaphyra to King Archelaus who had been married to Alexander Glaphyra sometimes Alexander's Wife is sent back to Archelaus King of Cappadocia Hedio and Ruffinus c. 1. presenting him a Dowry out of his own Treasury lest there should any difference arise between them and he himself most carefully brought up his Sons Children For Alexander had two Sons by Glaphyra and Aristobulus begat B on Bernice Salomes Daughter three Sons and two Daughters Sometimes he would recommend them unto his Friends and bewailing the misfortune of his Sons would beseech God that no such ill fortune might befall their children but rather that they might increase in virtue and acknowledge their education and bringing up with all dutiful respects unto their Parents Herod bringeth up his Sons children He provided them also each of them with a wife when they were ready for Marriage Namely the Daughter of Pheroras for the eldest of Alexander's Sons and the Daughter of Antipater for Aristobulus's eldest Son and one of Aristobulus's Daughters was married to Antipater's Son and the other to Herod his own Son whom he had begotten of the Daughter of the High Priest For it is lawful in our Countrey and according to our custom to have divers Wives at one C time The King procured these Marriages through the compassion he had of those Orphans thinking by this mutual Alliance to cause Antipater to be their Friend But Antipater conceived no less hatred toward the children than he had done malice towards their Fathers Antipater hateth his Brothers children For the care that Herod had of them increased his hatred in that he pretended to be the greatest among the Brethren and he especially feared lest when they should grow to mans estate they would resist his power being assisted by King Archelaus as his Sons in Law and Pheroras who was a Tetrarch should do the like for that he had married his Son to Alexander's Daughter And so much the more was he incited because all the people had compassion of these Orphans and had conceived a hatred against him who never ceased to express his malice against his D Brethren Antipater laboureth his Father to break of the Marriages he intended He therefore devised all the means that were possible to disanul the Decrees which his Father had resolved upon to this effect being very loath that they should ever live to be partners with him in the Kingdom So that at last Herod condescended to Antipater's demand which was that he might marry Aristobulus's Daughter and his Son to Pheroras's Daughter and thus were the forementioned Marriages wholly cut off Herod's nine Wives yea even against Herod's former Decree At that time Herod had nine Wives namely Antipater's Mother the High Priests Daughter by whom he had a Son that bare his name and a Daughter of his Brothers and a Cozen of his own by whom he had no children He had another Wife also that by Nation was a Samaritane by whom he had two Sons Antipas and Archelaus and a Daughter called Olympias E who was afterward married to Joseph the Kings Cozen. As for Archelaus and Antipas they were brought up at Rome with a certain private Friend of his Moreover he married one that was called Cleopatra that was born in Jerusalem by whom he had Herod and Philip which Philip was brought up at Rome By Pallas he had Phasaelus by Phedra and Helpia he had two Daughters Roxane and Salome As for his eldest Daughters Alexander's Sisters by the Mothers side whom Pheroras had refused to take in Marriage he match'd the one with Antipater his Sisters Son and the other he wedded to Phasaelus his Brothers Son and this was Herod's Progeny F CHAP. II. Of Zamaris a Babylonish Jew a man of singular virtue AFter this Herod buildeth a Castle in the Region of the Trachonites and maketh Zamaris the Jew that came from Babylon Governour therein intending to assure his Estate in the Countrey of Trachonite he resolved to build a Borough of the bigness of a City in the midst of the Countrey as well to secure his Countrey as to be in better readiness to repulse his Enemies with more expedition And having intelligence that a certain Jew was come from Babylon with five hundred Archers on Horseback and about one hundred of his Kinsmen G and had adventured to pass Euphrates and was in the Countrey adjoyning to Antioch near unto Daphne in Syria where Saturnine General of the Roman Army had given him a Castle called Valatha to inhabit he sent for him and his followers promising to give him both Lands and Lordships in the Segniory of Batanea which H bordereth on
guard his own person And the hirelings only excepted the rest of the Soldiers were provided for by the Cities for every N City before mentioned sent one half of their men for Soldiers and the other half they kept to provide Victuals for them that one part being employed in War the other might do such business as the City required O A CHAP. XXVI Of Joseph's danger and escape and of the malice of John of Giscala WHilst Joseph thus ordered the Estate of Galilee John a notable dissembler and a thirsty murtherer under hope of gain there arose a Traytor born in Giscala John the Son of Levias a most subtil and deceitful man who by vile means was now become the richest person in that Countrey having before been very poor and unable to put his Villanies in practice He could lie at his pleasure and thought deceit a Virtue which he used even towards his dearest friends he was also a B great Counterfeiter of Humanity and yet for the hope of gain became a cruel Murtherer He always aimed at high matters with an aspiring mind and at first nourished his hope with small Villanies For first he was a Thief alone and lived in Woods and solitary places at last he got to him a company of audacious people like himself at first small but afterwards he greatly encreased it He also had a great care to chuse no weak persons but such as were strong of body valiant of mind and skilful in Martial Affairs Of these he gathered four hundred most of them out of Tyre and the Villages thereabout and with them he wasted all Galilee and killed many of those whom the fear of War had driven thither This man long time before had desired to be General of a formed Army and aspired to greater matters only the want C of money hindred him And perceiving that Joseph considered him as a serviceable man he perswaded him to suffer him to build the Walls of that place where he was born and which was now desolate and to accomplish this he gathered great summs of money of the richer sort After which having perswaded Joseph to give order to all the Jews that were dispersed over all Syria that they should send no Oyl to the neighbouring places save only that which was made by their own Nation he caused great quantities of Oyl to be brought to the Confines of Galilee and buying four Barrels for a piece of Tyrian money which amounted to four Attick Groats he sold them again to the Syrian Jews the half of one Barrel for as much as all four cost him And for that Galilee abounded with Oyls and especially at that time he conveyed it to D such places where there was great want John employeth the money he got against him by whose means he gained it and none was brought but by himself By this means he gathered an infinite mass of Money which presently he turned to the prejudice of him who had given him licence to get it And thinking that if he could depose Joseph he might come to be Ruler over Galilee he commanded his followers to rob and spoil more than they did before and so to trouble the Countrey that he might either kill the Governour treacherously if he sought to redress it or if he neglected it to accuse him of slothfulness and so make him odious to the people Moreover he had already given out speeches that Joseph went about to betray Galilee to the Romans and he devised many things to this effect to work Joseph's Overthrow It happened that at that time Agrippa's President robbed some of the Village of Dabarita who watched in the E field set upon Ptolomey who was Steward to King Agrippa and his Sister Bernice and plundered all his Carriages wherein was much costly Apparel and many Silver Vessels and six hundred pieces of Gold And for that they could not carry this secretly they brought all the whole Booty to Joseph at Tarichea who reproving them for offering violence to the King's Servants commanded the things to be kept at the house of Aeneas who was one of the richest men in the Town and should restore them to the owner when time served wherein thinking to do himself great good he brought himself into much danger For the Thieves being offended that they received no part thereof and seeing that Joseph would restore to Agrippa and his Sister Bernice that which they had laboured for they went round about the Villages in the F night Ten thousand Armed men come out against Joseph and spred this false report in every place that Joseph was a Traytor to his Countrey and with the same rumour also they filled the Cities thereabout So that early in the next morning ten thousand men armed assembled themselves together in the Theatre at Tarichea the greatest part of them cryed out in their fury that the Traytor Joseph ought to be stoned others that he ought to be burned and John himself with one Jesus the Son of Sapphias All Joseph's Friends and Guard save four flee from him who at that time was a Magistrate in Tiberias omitted nothing to animate the people yet more against him All the Friends of Joseph and his Guards being terrified with such a multitude fled four only excepted Joseph in the mean while was asleep and had he slept a little longer they had set his house on fire The Tumult awakened him and the four that remained with him G counselled him to flee But he not dismayed for that he was left alone nor that so great a multitude came against him went boldly towards them with his Garment all torn and Ashes upon his head holding his hands behind him and his Sword upon his neck At this sight they that bare him good will especially the people of Tarichea H were moved to compassion but the Countrey people who thought he overlaid them with Taxes and Tributes cursed him and bad him bring forth the publick Treasure and confess his Treason for seeing him in this plight they thought he would not deny any thing whereof he was accused and that he came so only to move them to compassion in order to obtain pardon for his offence This his humility stood him in good stead for hereby those that before were enraged against him now began one to fall out with another in his behalf when he promised to confess the whole matter Joseph's Oration in the Seditious And having obtained licence to speak he said I was never minded to send back that money to Agrippa nor to keep it to my private use For God forbid that I should ever hold him for my friend who is your open Enemy or that I should so seek my I own profit as thereby to damnifie you all But O ye men of Tarichea for as much as I perceived that your City especially had great need to be fortified and that you were not able to
Evening yielded The fight of the Jews with the Romans in the Tower and offered themselves to be slain The Romans might have boasted that this Victory had been without blood-shed on their part had not Antonius a Centurion been slain treacherously Antonius slain by a Jew treacherously For one of them who fled into the Caves as many did requested Antonius to give him his hand in token that he might come out safe and without danger which he doing unadvisedly the Jew with I a spear struck him in the flank whereof he presently died The Romans that day slew all the people that they found and the days following they searcht all the secret places and drew those out of the Caves and Dens that had fled thither and slew all but Women and Infants 40000 Jews perish during the Siege and in the former battel so that they took away a thousand and two hundred Captives and the number of them who were slain during the siege and at such time as the City was taken amounted to fourty thousand Vespasian commanded the City to be destroyed and the Castles to be burnt Thus Jotapata was taken the thirteenth year of Nero's Reign on the first of July K CHAP. XIV How Joseph was taken and how he redeem'd his Life with Deeds and Words BUT especially above all others the Romans made diligent search for Joseph both for the animosity they had against him and also because Vespasian greatly desired to get him into his hands conceiving he being taken the greatest part of the War would then be ended so they sought him among the dead and amongst those that were L hid Joseph leaps into a deep trench and lieth hidden in a Cave but he fortune favouring him when the City was taken escaped from the midst of his Enemies and leapt into a deep Well which had a large Cave on the one side which they above could not perceive where he found fourty of the bravest of his men who had provision there for many days There in the day-time he lay hid and in the night he went forth to see if he could escape but perceiving that all places about were diligently watcht for to take him he returned again into the Cave and lay there two days Vespasian by Tribunes send Joseph assurance the third day a certain woman that had been with them in the Cave discovered him Then Vespasian sent two Tribunes to him to promise him safety and bring him before him the Tribunes names were Paulinus and Gallicanethus But Joseph would not accept the offer fearing that because he had been the Author of all M the Evils that the Romans had endured Nicanor the Tribune known to Joseph they sought him out to punish him till Vespasian sent Joseph Nicanor the third Tribune one of Josephs acquaintance Nicanor recounted to him how mild the Romans were towards them whom they had conquered and that the Roman Generals rather admired him for his Virtue than hated him Moreover that his General intended not to punish him which if he pleased he might do whether he yielded himself or no but to save him being so valiant a man adding also that if Vespasian meant ill he would never have imployed his Friend in such a message to use friendship so noble a Virtue to so evil a purpose as to work Treason and that he though Vespasian had been so minded would never have consented to have betrayed his friend Joseph For all Nicanors words he still hesitated as unresolved N what to do Whereat the Roman Souldiers being angry began to cast fire into the Cave but Vespasian hindred them being desirous to take Joseph alive Nicanor ceased not to intreat him and he perceiving how his Enemies began to be enraged and calling to mind the dreams he had had Josephs dream of the slaughter of the Jews wherein God had fore-shew'd him all the Jews calamities and what happy success should befal the Romans for he could interpret dreams and whatsoever God obscurely shewed being instructed in the Holy Books of the Prophets and himself a Priest as his Parents were being as it were now filled with the Spirit of God and the Dreams and Visions coming into his mind he prayed secretly to God after this manner Joseph filled with the Spirit of God secretly prayeth O great Creator of the Universe Seeing it pleaseth thee to ruin the Nation of the Jews and to send all good Fortune to the Romans and O that thou hast chosen me to foretell future events I submit to thy will and render my self to the Romans to save my life protesting that I mean not to go them to play the Traitor to my Country but as thy Minister And having thus spoken he yeilded himself to Nicanor H But they who were in the Cave with Joseph perceiving that he yeelded himself to the Romans flocked about him and cryed out What is become of all our love for our Laws Where are those generous Souls and true Jews to whom God when he created them inspired so great a contempt of Death Joseph consents to Nicanor Art thou O Joseph so desirous to live as to become a vile Bond-slave How soon hast thou forgotten thy self How many hast thou perswaded to embrace death for the sake of their liberty The Jews violence and expostulation against Joseph Truly thou hast but a shadow of valour and prudence in thee if thou dost hope that they will save thy life against whom thou hast so behav'd thy self or if they would save thee to desire life at their hands But seeing the Romans offer hath made thee forget thy self yet we to preserve the honour and credit of our Country will lend thee our Arms and Swords and so if thou be willing to die die like the General of the I Jews which if thou refuse to do thou shalt whether thou wilt or no die like a Traitor to thy Country When they had thus said they all threatned to kill him with their Swords if he yeilded to the Romans Joseph fearing their violence and being perswaded that if he died before he had revealed to his Nation the things which God had declared to him 〈◊〉 should fail in his duty to God he had recourse to the reasons which he thought most likely to prevail and spoke to this effect Wherefore Josephs Oration to his Countrymen O my Friends said he are you become murtherers of your selves Wherefore are ye so eager to divide things so united as the Soul and the Body are If any man imagine that my mind is changed the Romans know whether that be true or no. I confess K it is a thing most honourable to dye in War not any way but according to the Law of Arms to wit by the Conquerours hand If I entreat the Romans to spare my life then I am worthy to perish with mine own sword and hand But if they think good to spare
in all those affairs For I was D Captian of the Galileans amongst our Nation so long as any resistance could be made against the Romans and then it so fell out that I was taken by the Romans and being Prisoner to Titus and Vespasian they caused me to be an eye-witness of all things that past First In bonds and fretters and afterwards freed from them I was brought from Alexandria with Titus when he went to the Seige of Jerusalem So that nothing could then pass whereof I had not notice For beholding the Roman Army I committed to writing all things with all possible diligence My self did only manage all matters disclosed to the Romans by such as yielded themselves Joseph writ the History of the Jews wars being at Rome for that I only did perfectly understand them Lastly Being at Rome and having leisure after all business was past I used the help of some Friends for the skill of the Greek tongue and so I published a E History of all that had hapened in the foresaid War which History of mine is so true that I fear not to call Vespasian and Titus the chief Commanders in that War to witness for them I first gave a Copy of that Book to them and afterwards to many noble Romans who also were present in the War I sold also many of them to our own Nation to such as understood the Greek language amongst whom were Julius Archelaus Herod Some do derogate from Josephs History a Man of great vertue and to the most worthy King Agrippa who all do testify that my History containeth nothing but truth and who would not have been silent if either for ignorance or flattery I had changed or omitted any particular Yet notwithstanding all this some ill disposed Persons endeavour to discredit my History as though they were disputing pro and contra amongst children in schools never considering F that he who promiseth other men a true Relation of things past must either be privy to them by his own knowledg as having been present in the affairs or else have that which he speaketh from other mens mouths by report of those who know them both which I have done For I gathered my other Books of Antiquity out of holy Scripture being my self a Priest and skilful in our Law and the History of our War I have written my self being an Agent in many matters therein contained and an eye-wirness of the rest so that nothing was said or done whereof I had not notice How then can any one excuse them from impudency and malice who labour against me to prove my Relation false Perhaps they alledge that they have read the Commentaries of Vespasian and Titus yet for all this they were not present in any action repugnant G to that which my History recounteth Thus as I thought necessary I have made a digression to shew how they are able to H perform their word who discrediting my History promise to set down the truth in writing I have also sufficiently as I think demonstrated that the registring of things is more ancient amongst other Nations than amongst the Greeks I will now first of all dispute against those who labour to prove our Nation of no Antiquity because as they say no Greek Writer maketh any mention of it Two things which Joseph intendeth This done I will bring forth proof and testimony of the Antiquity thereof out of other Writers and so I will shew that their malice who seek to discredit our Nation First therefore our Nation neither inhabiteth a Country bordering upon the Sea nor are we delighted in merchandise nor for this cause wearied with pilgrimages from place to place The Jews care to bring up their Children But our Cities lye far from the Sea in a most fertile soil which we cultivate with all industry and our I whole endeavours are how to get food for our Children The ancient Jews had no need to traffick with the Grecians and to keep our country Laws and to leave to our posterity the knowledg of Piety in which work we think all our Age ought to be employed Beside all this we have a form of living different from all other Nations All which concurring together we had no need to traffick with the Greeks as the Egyptians and the Phoenicians do who give themselves to bargaining and merchandise only for the covetousness of money Neither were our Ancestors delighted in thefts and robberies nor did our Fathers make war upon any Nation for desire of larger possessions nowithstanding our Country was furnished with many thousands of strong warlike men Wherefore the Phoenicians sailing to the Greeks to traffick with them they were thus made known to them and by them the Egyptians K and all other Nations sailing upon the Seas brought Merchandise into Greece The Medes also and Persians were known to them after such time as they reigned over Asia and the Persians brought war even into Europe Moreover the Greeks knew the Thracians because they were their Neighbours and the Scythians by sailing to Pontus and finally all that were disposed to write knew all the Nations bordering either upon the Eastern and Western Seas but such as dwelt far from the Sea-coast were long time unknown as also appears in Europe For neither Thucidides nor Herodotus nor any other of that time make any mention of Rome notwithstanding that so long since it was mighty and made so great Wars because it was but lately that the Greeks heard of it The Romans were lately known to the Greeks Yea their most exact Writers L and particularly Ephorus were so ignorant of the French and Spaniards that they thought the Spaniards to be a People only denominated from one City Certain Historiographers report Spain to be only one City wherein they inhabited whereas the whole World now knoweth them to inhabit a vast Country and a great part of the Western World Likewise the said Greek Writers relate the manners of the foresaid People to be such as neither are nor were ever used among them And the only cause why they were ignorant of the Truth was the distance of place and these Writers would seem to tell something which others of former time had not spoken of No marvel therefore though our Nation was unknown and none of them in their Writings made any mention of us being both so far from the Sea and living after a different manner M Suppose therefore I should deny the Greeks to be of any antiquity and to prove my assertion should conclude their Nation to be modern because our Histories make no mention of them Arguments to prove the Jews of more antiquity than the Greeks would they not laugh at this reason and use the Testimony of their neighbour Nations to prove their Antiquity I therefore may argue in like manner and use the Testimony of the Egyptians and Phoenicians whose Record the Greeks cannot
apart I told him I was not ignorant of those Treasons which he intended against me nor by whose provocations he attempted the same Yet I told him that I would pardon him if so D be by changing his manners he would be faithful to me hereafter He promised me all that I demanded Joseph's bounty towards Jesus and I dismissed him with his Weapons yet threatned to punish the Sephorites except hereafter they desisted from their Treasons About the same time there came to me two Noblemen who were Subjects to the King of Trachonites bringing with them both Horsemen Armor and Money whom when the Jews would have constrain'd to be circumcised Joseph's care of Religion if so be they would remain amongst them I would not permit them to be troublesom to the Trachonites alledging that every Man ought to serve God according to his own mind and not by other Mens impulsion and that it was not to be suffer'd that they who for their security fled unto us should repent themselves of the trust they put in us And E thus having persuaded the multitude I freely and abundantly furnished these Men with all things necessary In the mean space Agrippa sent out his Forces under the Conduct of Equus Modius to take the Castle Magdola by force which for that they durst not assault they beset the ways and only troubled Gamala by placing Forces upon the Avenues Ebutius against Joseph But Ebutius Decadarcus who had the Government of the great Plain hearing that I was come to a certain Village called Simonias scituate on the Confines of Galilee and distant from the same some sixty furlongs took with him by night an hundred Horse that attended him and about two hundred Footmen with certain Inhabitants of the City of Gaba their Associates whom he conducted by F night and beset the Borough where I was Against whom after I had drawn forth a valiant Band of Men Ebutius laboured all he could to toul us into the Field for that he trusted very much in his Horsemen but I would not give him that advantage considering we were but Footmen and resolv'd to fight in the place where we were Ebutius departeth without performing any thing and accordingly Ebutius charged us for awhile very valiantly At length perceiving that he had no use of his Horsemen in that place he sounded a Retreat and departed back again with lost labour to Gaba having onely lost three Men in the Battel But I presently pursued him with two thousand Men and when I came to Besara which is scituate on the Confines of Ptolemais some twenty furlongs from Gaba where Ebutius encamped at that time I G beset all the passages with Corps of Guard whereby we might be more secure from the Excursions of our Enemies till we had carried out the Wheat whereof there was a great quantity stored up in that place Joseph transporteth Corn to Galilee which was gathered out of H the Townships thereabout belonging to Queen Bernice and loading divers Camels and Asses which to that end I had brought with me I sent the same into Galilee Joseph against Neopolitanus Having finished this business I offered Ebutius Battel and whereas he detracted the same being terrified by our boldness I took my course to encounter with Neopolitanus who as it was reported was in the Territory of the Tiberians and foraged there This Neopolitanus was a Captain of Horsemen and had undertaken to defend Scythopolis against their Enemies I hinder'd him from doing any wrong in the Countrey belonging to the Tiberians and provided for the security of Galilee But John the Son of Levi John maligneth Joseph's good success who as I said lived at Gischala after he heard I that all things fell out fortunately with me that I was loved by the People and feared by mine Enemies he consider'd my good fortune as an obstacle to his own and being filled with no small envy and greater hope to hinder my good success if so be he could bring me in hatred with the People he sollicited those of Tiberias and Sephoris and the Gabarenians to revolt to him which Cities are the chiefest in Galilee For he told them that under his Conduct they should be more happily govern'd But amongst the rest the Sephorites gave least ear unto him and neglecting us both onely held for the Romans As for the Tiberians they would not consent to Rebel yet promised him some friendship The Gabarenians revolt upon John's persuasion But the Gabarenians wholly addicted themselves to John by the means K of one Simon a principal Citizen who was John's friend Yet did they not openly declare for him because they feared the Galileans whose good will towards me they were long time assured of but privily they sought other means to entrap me And truly I fell into great danger upon this occasion For when certain Debarrittenians being audacious young Men had intelligence that Ptolomy's Wife the Kings steward The Debarittenians spoil Ptolomy's Wife was Travelling along the great Plain with a great Equipage out of the Kings Countrey into the Roman Government they suddenly set upon her and putting the Woman to flight they seized on all the Baggage which she carried with her Which done they came to Taricheas where I then was with four Mules laden with Apparel and Houshold-stuff of divers sorts among which were L divers silver Vessels and five hundred pieces of Gold Intending therefore to reserve these things for Ptolomy as being a Jew because our Law permitteth not to take any from those of our own Nation though they be our Enemies I told those that brought the Goods that the same should be kept to be sold and the price bestowed upon repairing the Walls of Jerusalem This motion of mine the young men interpreted very hardly because they were depriv'd of the prey which they hoped for For which cause dispersing themselves in the streets of Tiberias they spread a rumor that I design'd to betray the Countrey to the Romans and that I onely feigned that the prey was destinated to repair the Walls of Jerusalem but the truth was I kept the same to the intent to restore it to Ptolomy M In which matter they were not deceived For after the departure of the young Men I called to me two chief Citizens Dassian and Jannaeus the Sons of Levi Joseph laboureth to restore Ptolomy to his Goods true Friends to the King and commanded them to take the Houshold-stuff and convey it to the King threatning them with death if they revealed this secret to any Man But when the rumor was spread thorow Galilee that I would deliver the Province into the hands of the Romans all the People were incens'd against me and resolv'd to destroy me They of Taricheas also giving credit to the young Mens feigned speeches persuaded my Guard and the rest of the Soldiers to take a time whilst I was asleep
and come to the Horse-race there to consult with others N how to effect their design At the appointed place they found many others assembled Sedition against Joseph Jesus the Son of Saphias conspireth against Joseph and all of them determin'd with one consent to treat me as a Traytor to the Commonwealth But he that most of all incited them to this was Jesus the Son of Saphias who at that time was a principal Judge in Tiberias a Man given over to all Wickedness and born to breed Troubles and Sedition This Man holding the Law of Moses in his hand in the midst of the Assembly spake thus with a loud voice If said he you be touched with no care of your selves yet at least contemn not these Sacred Laws which that perfidious Joseph your Governor hath not feared to violate and for so great a Crime cannot be too severely O punisht A After he had thus spoken and saw he was approved by the acclamations of the people he took some armed men with him and repaired to the house where I lodg'd with intent to put me to death Simon one of Josephs guard awaketh him I suspecting nothing of all this Tumult and tired with labor was at rest when suddenly Simon one of my Guard who at that time only remained with me seeing this furious Troop of people came and awakened me and certifying me of the imminent peril he counsel'd me rather generously to kill my self than shamefully die by mine Enemies hands I recommended my self to God and putting on a black Garment to disguise me and having onely my Sword by my side I went forth and pass'd through the midst of these people and so went strait to the Hippodrome by a by way There falling prostrate on my face Joseph moves the people to compassion in view of all the people I water'd the earth with my tears B to move all men that beheld me to compassion And when I perceived the people begin to melt I laboured all I could to divide them in opinion before the armed Soldiers returned from my house I confess'd that I had kept the booty for which I was accus'd but I desir'd them to hear to what use I had reserved it after which if they pleas'd they might kill me Hereupon the multitude commanded me to speak and the armed men being returned back at the same time and beholding me would have fallen upon me to murther me but they were restrained by the peoples exclamations and they suppos'd that after I had confess'd that I design'd to restore the booty to the King I should pass for a Traytor and they might kill me without opposition Now silence being made to hear me Joseph's oration and confession before his adversaries I spake thus If in your opinion I deserve death C I refuse not to die yet permit me before my death to certifie you of the whole truth When I observed that this City was most commodious and fit to entertain strangers and that many forsaking their own Countries came to dwell here and were willing to partake with you in all sorts of Fortune I resolved to employ this money to build you Walls to your City for which being thus destinated to do you good your indignation is provoked against me Upon these words the Taricheans and strangers cried out that I deserv'd thanks and wish'd me to be of good courage But the Galileans and Tiberians continued in their animosity so that they fell to dissent betwixt themselves the one threatning me with punishment the other contrariwise willing me to assure my self of security But after I had promised the Tiberians and those of other Cities that I would D build their Walls Joseph escapeth from danger where it was convenient they credited my words the multitude separated and I beyond all expectation having escap'd so great a peril with certain of my Friends and some twenty Soldiers returned to my house But once again the Authors of this Sedition Joseph in another danger fearing lest they should be punished for their offence begirt my Lodging with six hundred armed men intending to consume it with fire Of whose arrival as soon as I had intelligence imagining with my self that it would be much dishonor for me to flie I resolved to use valor and courage against them for which cause commanding the Gates to be shut I required them from the top of the house to send in some of them to me to receive that money for which they had been drawn into this mutiny whereby they might have no further cause to be incensed against E me Joseph's stratagem Which done laying hold of one of the most troublesom Fellows that with the rest came into me I caused him to be beaten with many grievous strokes and his hand to be cut off and hung about his neck and thus handled we thrust him out of doors to return to those that had sent him Another Sedition So bold an action made them wonderously afraid and suspecting I had a great number of armed Soldiers in my house they suddenly all of them fled away And thus by my resolution and address I escaped this second danger Yet wanted there not some who incited the people once more against me saying that the two Lords who fled to me for refuge ought not to live except they submitted themselves to their Laws and Customs from whom they required protection They likewise accused them that they were of the Roman Faction and prisoners and presently the people began F to mutiny being deceived by their words who laboured to flatter them Which when I heard I once more informed the people that they ought not to persecute those who resorted unto them for succor that the poysoning they spoke of was a Fancy and a Chimera and that the Romans would not vainly nourish so many thousands of Soldiers if they pretended to make away their Enemies with poyson Being by these words somewhat pacified they had scarcely withdrawn themselves awhile but that by certain outcasts and wicked men they were incited against the two Lords so that with Weapons they went to their Lodging intending to murther them Which when I heard I was afraid that if this wickedness should be committed no man hereafter would dare to trust his life in my hand For which cause being assisted by divers others I presently resorted G to their Lodging Joseph privately dismisseth the Tricheanâ— and shut up the Gates and cutting a Trench betwixt it and the Lake I called for a Bark and entring into the same with them I conducted them to the Confines of the Hippenians and furnishing them with money to buy them Horses because they could not transport their own with them in their flight I dismissed them desiring H them to bear their present misfortune with a constant mind But indeed it troubled me that I was once more forced to expose those men in
the Enemies Countrey who had committed themselves to my trust yet thinking that if it should so fall out that they fell into the Romans hands they would be safer than if by suffering them to remain in my Countrey I should see them opprest I adventured them thus Yet were they saved and the King pardon'd them And this was the end of this Tumult But they of Tiberias wrote to the King desiring him to send a Garrison into their Countrey The Tiberians Letters to Agrippa Seven stadia maketh almost a German mile on which condition they would submit to him As soon as I knew of it I went to them and they desired me that I would build them those Walls which I had promised them for they had already heard that Tarichea was invironed with Walls Whereunto I I condescended and gathering Materials I set the Workmen to their task But some three days after departing from Tiberias toward Tarichea which was thirty stades distant from thence by chance a Troop of Roman Horsmen were discovered not far from the City which the Inhabitants believ'd were the Kings Army Whereupon they presently began to utter many things in honour of the King Sedition and Rebellion in Tiberias and more in my reproach And presently a certain friend posted to me and told me what their mind was and how they intended to revolt from me Which when I understood I was wonderously troubled For I had sent back my men of War from Tarichea to their houses because the next day was the Sabbath for I would by no means that the Citizens of Tarichea should be charged or troubled with entertaining Soldiers And at all times when I remained in that City I took K no care of the guard of mine own person having had often proof of the affection of the Inhabitants towards me Joseph in danger for the Tiberians sake Being therefore at that time attended only with seven Soldiers and a few of my Friends I knew not what to determine For I thought it not fit to call back my Forces because the day was well nigh past and although they should have been with me the next morning yet they might not have taken Arms because our Laws forbid the same how great soever the occasion be that is offered And although I should have drawn forth the Taricheans and the strangers that were retired thither and under hope of prey have led them forth yet I saw that they were too feeble to resist the enemy On the other side I already perceived that if I stayed over-long the Army which was sent by the King being already entred the City would have excluded me I therefore determined to L use this stratagem I presently set a Guard at the gates of the City consisting of my most trusty Friends suffering no man to pass out of them and assembling the chief of every Family I commanded them to lanch their Boats into the Lake and to follow me with the Masters of their ships Joseph saileth to Tiberias After which both I and my Friends and seven other Soldiers betook us to a Bark and sailed toward Tiberias But when the Tiberians saw that no Forces were come from the King and that the whole Lake was covered with Barks amazed and fearing the ruine of their City for that they supposed the ships to be full of Soldiers they changed their sentiments And laying by their Weapons themselves with their Wives and Children came forth to meet me and receiv'd me with joyful acclamations for they though I had had no notice of their intents beseeching me that for the safety M of their City I would enter the same But I drawing near the City commanded the Masters of the Barks to cast Anchor far off the shore lest the Townsmen might perceive that the ships were empty And I my self drawing near with mine own Bark to them reproached them that contrary to their Oaths they had been so foolishly induced to revolt After which I promised them pardon if so be they would deliver me ten of their chiefest Nobility which when they had incontinently performed I shipt them in a Bark and sent them Prisoners to Tarichea Then I demanded ten more and I continu'd to use the same artifice till I had by little and little got all the Senate of Tiberias and many of the chiefest Citizens and sent them thither At length the rest of the multitude perceiving in how great danger they were they N besought me that I would punish the chief Author of this Conspiracy Clytus the Author of the Sedition in Tiberias who was called Clytus a bold and rash young man I was unresolv'd what to do being loth to kill one of my own Nation and yet it was expedient to punish him wherefore I commanded Levias one of my Guard to seize on him and cut off his hand Levias not daring for that he was alone to enter into so huge a multitude I for fear lest his Cowardise should be discovered by the Tiberians called Clytus unto me and said unto him Vngrateful and perfidious man as thou art since thou deservest to lose both thy hands I charge thee to become thine own Executioner left through delay thou procure thy further punishment And whereas with many prayers he besought me to grant him one of his hands Clytus cuts off his own left hand I hardly condescended At length of his own accord for fear he should lose both he took a Knife O and cut off his left hand and thus was this Tumult appeased A As soon as I returned to Taricheâ— and the Tiberians understood what stratagem I had used with them they were all amazed seeing how I had punished their ingratitude and disobedience without any bloodshed Afterwards I sent for such of the people of Tiberias as were in Prison amongst whom was Justus and his father Pistus and invited them to sup with me and during the repast I told them that I was not ignorant that the Roman Army excelled all Men of the world in power and force notwithstanding that I kept my self silent in the respect of the Seditious that were round about and I counselled them that they also would do the like in expectation of better days and yet that in the mean time they would not think amiss of my Government because no other could treat them better I reminded Justus also that before I came from Jerusalem the Galileans B had cut off his Brothers hands accusing him to have forged false Letters before the War and that after Philip's departure the Gamelites being at odds with the Babylonians slew Cares Philip's own Kinsman Joseph dismisseth the Tiberians whereas I had moderately punished his Brother-in-law Jesus who had married his Sister After this discourse during supper time I set Justus and his Friends Philip the Son of Jacim early in the Morning at liberty But before this came to pass it hapned that
consequently might easily be wrought upon with it Whereupon I said unto him if thou wilt drink with me thou shalt have a drachm for every glass thou drinkest To this the Soldier listned willingly and having drunk good store of Wine to get the more Money he became drunk so that he was unable any longer to conceal his secrets but of his own accord he declared the Treason that was prepared and how the sentence of death was given by them against me Joseph's policy Which when I understood I answer'd them to this effect Joseph's answer to Jonathan Joseph to Jonathan and those that accompany him Health I am F very glad to hear that you are arrived in Galilee in good health especially because I may now deliver into your hands the government of the affairs thereof to the end according as I have long time desired I may return into my Countrey I am willing not only to come to you at Xallon but to any further place also though you should not send for me But you will please to pardon me though I come not at this present for I am now at Chabalon to attend Placidus who pretendeth to invade Galilee Resort you therefore unto me after you shall have read these my Letters Farewel After I had written this answer and deliver'd it to the Soldier to carry it to them I sent with him thirty of my most approved Friends of Galilee commanding them to salute the Deputies without any further speech of any business whatsoever I assigned also to G each of these one of my most resolute and best Soldiers to watch carefully if any of those I sent should confer with Jonathan's Men. They therefore set forward on their way and Jonathan and the other seeing their first purpose failed them they sent me another Letter to this effect Jonathan's Message and Letter to Joseph Jonathan and his Company to Joseph Health We command you that H within three dayes you make your appearance before us without any of your Soldiers in the Borough of Gadara to the end we may take cognisance of the Crimes whereof you have accused John As soon as they had written this and received those Galileans whom I had sent they went to Japha which is the greatest Town of Galilee fenced with strong Walls and peopled with many Inhabitants The People of that City with their Wives and Children The Ambassadors of Jerusalem coldly entertained in Galilee came forth to meet them exclaiming against them with loud cryes and charging them to return back and not to deprive them of the good Governor they had Jonathan and his Companions though displeas'd with these words yet durst not make any open shew of their displeasure but without returning them any answer they resorted to other Towns where they met with no less peremptory Exclamations from the Multitude I who protested plainly that they would have no other Governor but Joseph Whereupon Jonathan with his Followers departed without any further speech and went to Sephoris the greatest City of Galilee The Inhabitants thereof being affected to the Romans went forth to meet them but they said nothing at all concerning me Departing from Sephoris they went to Asochim where the Citizens sung the same Song that the Japheans did Whereupon they being unable to contain their displeasure commanded their Soldiers to beat with their Truncheons those that exclaimed against them and desir'd me for their Governor And when they drew near Gabara John came out to meet them accompanied with 3000 Soldiers and I having intelligence by their Letters that they were resolved to make War against me departed from Chabalon accompanied with 3000 Soldiers and K having committed the Camp to the charge of one of my trustiest Friends I went to Jotapata because I would be within forty stades of them and sent them this Letter If your will be that I must needs come unto you Joseph writeth again to them there are in Galilee two hundred and four Cities and Boroughs I will meet you in any one of them which you please except Gabara and Gischala for that the one is the place of John 's Nativity and the other is Confederate with him After Jonathan had received this answer he replied no more but sought means to entrap me The consultation of the Ambassadors against Joseph John was of the opinion to write to all the Cities and Boroughs of Galilee supposing that without question there were one or two in them that were mine Enemies whom they might incense against me as against their common Enemy He gave order also that this his resolution should be sent to Jerusalem to the end that those of the City L understanding that I was adjudged an Enemy by the Galileans might in like sort confirm that their decree by their opinion For he said that by this means it would come to pass that the Galileans who were well affected towards me would forsake me for the fear they stood in of them This advice of Johns greatly pleased them all and was presently brought unto me about the third hour of the Night by one Sacchaeas who flying from them came and brought me the News and particularly related to me their intent For which cause perceiving that the time requir'd no longer delay I commanded Jacob who was one of my most assured and trusty Servants Joseph besetteth the wayes of Galilee to take two hundred Men with him and to beset the wayes between Gabara and Galilee and to send me those Passengers whom he should take and especially those that carried Letters I sent Jeremy also who was one M of my Friends to the marches of Galilee with six hundred Men at Arms to keep the passages that way toward Jerusalem commanding him to seize on all those that carried Letters and to commit the Men to Prison and to send me their Packets After I had in this sort instructed those whom I sent I commanded the Galileans the next day following to take their Arms Joseph with his Troops resorteth to Gabaroth and to furnish themselves with Victuals for three dayes and to attend me at the Borough of Gabaroth Those Soldiers that I had I distributed into four Companies and kept those with me in whom I reposed most confidence for the guard of my person and having appointed Captains over them and commanded them to be careful I charged them to suffer no unknown Soldier to enter in among them The next day I came to Gabaroth at the fifth hour of the day where I found all the N fields about the City full of armed Galileans who resorted thither to assist me according as I had commanded them Thither also came a multitude of other Men from other Boroughs As soon as I came amongst them and was ready to speak to them all of them began to cry out calling me their Benefactor and the Maintainer of their Countrey After I had solemnly given them
Vespasian to lose thy head whom he made Prisoner twice and as many times past the sentence of Banishment against and once commanded to be thine own Murtherer spar'd thy life upon the importunate sollicitation of his sister Bernice And after so many Crimes committed by thee having entertained thee for his Secretary when he found thy corruption in that office he banished thee from his presence O A But I will say no more of these matters notwithstanding I wonder at thine impudence that hast openly protested Justus knew nothing of the Wars of the Jews that thou hast written more exactly and perfectly of this matter than any man whereas thou art utterly ignorant of those things that were done in Galilee For at that time thou wert at Berytum with the King and knewest not what the Romans suffer'd at the siege of Jotapata seeing thou didst not follow us Neither couldst thou be able to learn how I behaved my self therein for that there was not one of those that helpt me to defend it left alive to give thee certain intelligence Thou wilt perhaps say that thou hast carefully described that which hapned during the siege of Jerusalem And how is this possible For thou wert neither agent nor spectator in that War neither hast thou read the Commentaries of Vespasian Which I clearly affirm because thou hast written clean contrary to that which is B contained therein Justus published his Book when Titus and Vespasian were dead And if thou art so confident that thy History is truer than others why didst thou not publish it during the lives of Vespasian and Titus who were the Generals of that War or during the life of King Agrippa and his Relations who were all of them very expert in the Greek tongue For thou hast kept it written by thee above twenty years and mightest have produced witness of thine exact diligence before them who were privy to all things But now when they are dead and thou thinkest that no man liveth that may reprove thee thou hast taken the boldness to publish thy Work I have used no such policy in my Books but presented them to the Emperors themselves Manifest Testimonies of the truth of Josephus History who were eye-witnesses and actors thereof For I knew in mine own soul that I had set down all things truly Whereupon I obtained my expected approbation Moreover I communicated the same History with divers others whereof C some of them were present in the War as was King Agrippa and some of his kindred And Titus the Emperor himself was so desirous that posterity should learn the truth of that History out of these Books that he placed them in his Library and caused them to be published being subscribed with his own hand As for King Agrippa he sent me seventy two Epistles testifying the truth of my Books whereof two are subjoin'd to the end that the truth may appear thereby King Agrippa to his dear friend Joseph Health I have with great contentment read the Book wherein thou seemest in my opinion to have handled this matter more exactly The first Epistle than any other For which cause I pray thee send me the rest Farewel my friend King Agrippa to Joseph his dear friend Health I perceive by thy writings that thou needest no information from me The second Epistle how matters passed from the beginning yet when we D meet next I will between me and thee tell thee certain things which thou knowest not Thus was he a witness of the truth of my History Josephus prosecuteth his History and leaveth to debare with Justus not flattering me for it became him not neither deriding me for far was it from so noble a mind to be subject to so servile a folly but onely to this end that the truth of my writings might be commended to the Reader by his testimony And thus much have I thought good to set down by way of answer to Justus Now as soon as I had pacified these troubles in Tiberias and had established a council of such as were well affected towards me I bethought my self of what concerned me to do in respect of John All they of Galilee were of the opinion that I should gather together all the forces of my Government and march against John and do justice upon E him as he that had been the Author of all this mischief But for mine own part I misliked their counsels because my desire was to extinguish these Troubles without blood-shed and for that cause I injoyn'd them with all diligence possible to learn the names of all those who served under him which being done I published a Proclamation by which I promised safety and pardon to all those that should forsake John assigning them the term of twenty daies to determine of that which seemed best for their own security and I threatned to set fire on their houses and confiscate their goods Four thousand of John's Followers forsake him and follow Joseph except they quitted their Arms. They hearing these things were greatly troubled and forsook John and after they had laid down their Arms they came unto me to the number of four thousand so that only about fifteen hundred Men remained F with John either of Citizens or strangers of Tyre When John perceived that he was circumvented by this policy he ever after remained quiet in his Countrey in great fear At that time the Sephorites grew so bold that they took Arms in confidence of the strength of their walls and for that they saw me distracted with other business They sent to Cestius Gallus Governour of Syria praying him to repair to them with all expedition and take possession of their City or send them a Garrison at least Gallus promised to come to them but he set down no certain time of his approach Whereof when I was advertised I took the Men of War I had and marched against the Sephorites and took their City by force The Galileans very glad of this opportunity and supposing the time was come wherein they might satisfy the insatiable hatred G they bare against that City omitted nothing that might wholly ruine the City with all the Inhabitants They set fire on the houses which they found desolate for the Inhabitants were fled away for fear and retired into a Fortress They plundred the Town and left nothing unspoiled neither was there any kind of misery which they H inflicted not on their Countrymen Sephoris spoiled Which when I saw I was much grieved and commanded them to give over telling them it was impiety in them to shew themselves so savage towards their Countreymen And seeing that neither by any prayer or command I could draw them to obedience for that their animosity was so violent I commanded those that were about me and whom I most trusted to spread a rumor that the Romans were entring on the other side of the City with
the wrist I was carried to the Borough of Cepharnom My Soldiers hearing hereof and fearing least some worse Misfortune had befaln me than indeed there had restrained themseves from pursuing the Enemy any further Having therefore sent for Physitians and caused my self to be dressed I stayed there for that day and being seiz'd with a Fever I was carried by Night to Tarichea according to the advice of my Physitians Silas and his Soldiers having News of my accident recovered their courages and understanding that we kept but slender watch in our Camp they laid an Ambush by Night on this side Jordan Joseph's misfortune animateth the Enemy with their Horsemen and as soon as the day appear'd he invited D out our Soldiers to fight who willingly condescended thereunto and being come into the Plain they perceiv'd the Men that lay in Ambush by whom they were put to flight and six of our Men were slain But they pursued their Victory no further For having News that certain Troops were coming from Tarichea to Julias they were afraid and returned back Not long after Vespasian arrived at Tyre accompanied with King Agrippa Against whom the Tyrians began to utter many reproaches telling Vespasian that the King was an Enemy both to the Tyrians and the Romans Vespasian and Agrippa arrive at Tyre and that Philip his General had betray'd the King's Palace and the Roman Army in Jerusalem and that by the King's Commission Which when Vespasian understood he reprov'd this impudent boldness of the Tyrians E for blaming a King of that power and a Friend to the Romans and advised the King to send Philip to Rome to give account of his actions But notwithstanding that Philip was sent thither yet he presented not himself before Nero for finding him extremely busied with Troubles and Civil Wars he return'd to the King without doing any thing When Vespasian was arriv'd at Ptolemais The governors of Dceapolis accuse Justus the Inhabitants of Decapolis accused Justus the Tiberian for burning their Boroughs Vespasian therefore deliver'd him bound to the King Of Vespasian's arrival and the siege of Jotapata read Josephus l. 4. c. 5. of the Wars of the Jews as being his Subject that he might be punished And the King before that time unwitting to Vespasian kept him Prisoner as it hath been heretofore declared The Sephorites also resorted to Vespasian to salute him and receiv'd a Garison from him with their Commander Placidus against whom I made War until such time as Vespasian arriv'd in F Galilee of which arrival I have amply spoken in my Books of the Wars of the Jews how he came how he fought against me the first time near the City of Tarichea how I departed from thence to Jotapata how I fell into the hands of the Romans how I was afterwards set at liberty and in a word all my actions and fortunes during the Wars of the Jews and the siege of the City of Jerusalem But now it seemeth necessary that I describe other things exploited by me during my life-time in other places than in the Wars of the Jews After the siege of Jotapata was ended I was Prisoner with the Romans and kept very carefully notwithstanding Vespasian did me much honour For by his commandment I married a Virgin that was one of those that had been taken captive in Caesarea But she remain'd not long with me for after I was set at liberty and G that I follow'd Vespasian to Alexandria she left me After which I married another Wife in Alexandria from whence I was sent to Titus to the siege of Jerusalem where I was oftentimes in danger of death For the Jews labour'd what they could to destroy me and the Romans supposing that as often as the lot of Arms was not favourable to H them The dangers that Joseph past betwixt the Romans and Jews it was by my Treason cryed out continually to the Emperor to execute me for a Traytor But Titus well-experienc'd in the Chances of War pacified the violence which his Soldiers intended against me by his silence And after the City of Jerusalem was taken Titus often sollicited me to take what I lik'd among the Ruines of Jerusalem promising to give it me But I making small account of any thing after the Ruine of my Countrey pray'd him onely to give me the liberty of some persons and the Sacred Bible which I receiv'd for a great consolation in my miseries All which he graciously granted me Not long after having beg'd my Brother and fifty other of my Friends they were given me Joseph dischargeth a number of Captives and I was refused in nothing Entring into the Temple by Titus's permission I found a great number of Prisoners shut up therein and all those Women I and Children of my Friends and Familiars whom I knew I deliver'd to the number of 190 without paying any Ransom and I restor'd them to their former free condition Being sent with Cerealis and a thousand Horse into the City of Tecoa by the Emperor Titus to see if the place were fit for a Camp in returning from thence I saw divers Prisoners Crucifi'd Joseph delivereth three from the Gâ—bbet amongst which were three of my Familiars whereat I was griev'd in my Soul and I came and signifi'd the same to Titus with tears who incontinently commanded that they should be taken down and as carefully drest and cured as might be two of which dyed notwithstanding the utmost diligence of the Physitians and the third surviv'd After Titus had appeas'd the Troubles of Judea Joseph repaireth with Titus to Rome and is honorably entertained by Vespasian conceiving with himself that the K possessions which I had about Jerusalem would yield me but little profit by reason of the Roman Garison that should be placed there he gave me Lands a greater distance and intending to embark himself for Rome he took me with him in his own ship and did me great honour As soon as we came to Rome Vespasian had great care of me for he lodg'd me in his own house where he liv'd before he was Emperor and honour'd me with the title of a Citizen of Rome and gave me an annual Pension and as long as he lived continued his good affection towards me omitting no kind of bounty which he might use towards me Whereupon I was so much envied that I came in danger thereby to lose my life For a certain Jew called Jonathan having stirred up a sedition in Cyrene Joseph envied and slandered and gathered about him some two thousand Inhabitants of the Countrey who L were all severely punisht and himself being sent bound by the Governor of that Countrey to the Emperor he accus'd me that I had sent him Arms and Money But Vespasian knew his falshood and caused his head to be cut off After this my Enemies objected divers Crimes against me in regard that I was in good Reputation
had four sons Elein Gunnes Sares and Hellim Dan had onely one son called Vsis Now if these be added to the abovenamed they make up the number of Fifty four But Gad and Asser were born by Zelpha Leah's handmaid Gad was attended by seven sons Zophonias Vgis Sunis Zabros Erines Erodes and Ariel Asser had one daughter Ver. 30. and six sons Jacob almost deceased for joy whose names were Jomnes Essus Juba Baris Abars Melmiel These D fifteen being added to the foresaid Fifty four make up the number Seventy together with Jacob. Gen. 47. 2. But Joseph understanding that his father was at hand for Juda posted before to give him notice thereof went out to meet him Joseph with his five Brethren and did so near a Town called Heros Jacob was fill'd with such extreme and unexpected joy that he had almost expired and that of Joseph was little less He desir'd his father to march onwards by easie journies and taking with him his five brethren hasted unto the King signifying unto him that his father with all his family were arrived The King no sooner understood it but he joyfully asked Joseph in what employments he took delight who answer'd him that his exercise was in keeping of Cattel and that he had no other Trade This answer he made to the intent they might not be divided one from another but that living E all together they might take care of their father another reason was lest emulation should happen betwixt them and the Egyptians if so be they should be conversant in the same profession Ver. 3 ad 10. whereas this people had little experience in the keeping of Cattel Jacob talketh with Pharaoh and is appointed to inhabit Heliopolis Now when Jacob was brought into the King's presence and had done him reverence and pray'd God for the prosperity both of him and his Realm Pharaoh ask'd him how old he was and he answer'd that he was an hundred and thirty years old at which when the King admir'd he added that his Ancestors had lived far longer Then Pharaoh appointed him and his sons to dwell in Heliopolis where also the King's shepherds had their pastures But the Famine increased in Egypt and the calamity was without remedy The famine in Egypt by reason that Nilus did not overflow the earth after its usual manner and on F the other side God rained not upon the earth Moreover in that the sterility was foreseen it was more grievous especially to the Commonalty who had laid up nothing neither did Joseph give them Corn without ready money Ver. 16 17 20. which when they began to want A great profit redounded to the King by this famine they exchang'd their Cattel and Slaves for Corn and they that had Lands sold a portion thereof unto the King for their provision And when by this means all these possessions came into the King's hands they went to inhabit here and there as they could to the end that the King might be more assured of the possession of their Land the Priests onely were excepted to whom the Lands which they had remained intire Finally this necessity reduced both the minds and bodies of the whole Nation into servitude after such a manner that they esteemed no labour or means unseemly that G might serve them towards their sustenance But when the Famine ceas'd and the earth water'd by the overflow of the River began to recover her former fertility Joseph visiting every City of the Kingdom and assembling the multitude in every one of them restored them the possession of those Lands which they had sold to the King The year of the World 2311. before Christ's Nativity 1653. and exhorted H them to manure the same in no worse manner than they would do their own on condition to pay the fifth part unto the King which was due unto him by his Prerogative and Kingly right The People rejoycing at this unexpected restitution earnestly intended and prosecuted their Tillage Joseph commanded them to pay the fifth part of their profits to the King and by this means not only Joseph's authority but also the Peoples hearts were not a little tyed unto the King and the inheritance of the fifth part of the profits remained with the Kings that succeeded and all their Posterity But Jacob after he had lived 17 years in Egypt ended his life in the arms of his Sons having first prayed God to give them prosperity and abundance and prophesied that every one of their posterities should attain to the possession of a part of the Land of Canaan Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. as in process of time it came to pass Besides praising his Son Joseph for that forgetting I the injuries done unto him he had bestowed divers benefits on his Brethren yea and such as well beseemed his Benefactors he commanded his Sons that they should admit Joseph's Sons Gen. 49. 33. Ephraim and Manasses Jacob dyed when he was 147 years old into their number at such time as they should divide the Land of Canaan as hereafter it shall be declared Last of all he prayed them to bury him in Hebron He liv'd 150 years wanting three being second to none of his Ancestors in piety Gen. 50. 13. and obtain'd the same blessing Jacob is buried in Hebron in that he was a man adorned with equal virtues Joseph by the King's permission transported his Fathers body to Hebron and there buried it very magnificently But his Brothers fearing to return with him into Egypt in that they suspected lest their Father being dead he should be revenged on them in that they had not any Friend left alive under whose favor they might hope for pardon he K commanded them that laying their suspitions aside they should fear no evil and having brought them back again with him he gave them great possessions neither did he ever cease to entertain them with brotherly kindness Joseph dyeth when he was 110 years old But he likewise dyed when he had lived 110 years a man endowed with admirable virtue prudent in all Affairs and moderate in his Government by which means it came to pass that neither his Foreign Birth nor his Calamities whereof we have spoken did any ways hinder him but that he was exalted and continued in high dignity Gen. 50. 22 ad 26. The rest of his Brothers also having spent their lives in happiness dyed in Egypt whose bodies their Sons and Nephews transported and buried in Hebron Joseph's Bones translated into Canaan but Joseph's bones were afterwards translated by the Hebrews into Canaan at such time as they departed out of Egypt into Canaan for hereunto had he L bound them by an Oath But being oblig'd to declare this and other actions of this Nation I will first of all shew the cause why they departed out of Egypt CHAP. V. Of the affliction which the
Joseph the Nephew of the High-Priest Onias obtains pardon for his Vncle of Ptolomy King of Egypt gets the favor of that Prince and raiseth a very considerable fortune for himself Hircanus the son of Joseph becomes a great Favourite of Ptolomy The death of Joseph BUt a certain man call'd Joseph The Taxation of the High-Priest for offending the King the son of Tobias and of Onias sister who was the High-Priest being young in years but honored in Jerusalem for his wisdom foresight and justice having certain notice by his mother of the arrival of this Ambassador came unto the City for he had been absent in the Village of Phicala where he was born and sharply reproved Onias his Uncle on the mothers side because he did not any wayes provide B for the security of his Countrey but sought to draw his Countreymen into a general hazard in that he retained in his hands that mony which was levied for the Tributeâ— whereby he told him that he had obtained the Government over the people and purchased the High Priesthood And that if he were so bewitched with mony that for the love of it he could have the patience to see his Countreymen in hazard and behold his Citizens suffer all that which cruelty could inflict upon them he advised him to repair to the King and to require him to bestow the whole or the half of the Tribute upon him Hereunto Onias answer'd That he would no more execute the Government and that if it was possible for him he was ready to give over the Priesthood rather than repair unto the King Whereupon Joseph asked him If he would permit him in the peoples behalf to go Ambassador to Ptolomy C Whereunto Onias answer'd That he gave him leave Upon this occasion Joseph went up into the Temple and summoned the people to a general Assembly exhorting them to be no ways troubled and to conceive no fear through the negligence of his Uncle Onias wishing them to be of good courage and promising them that he himself would go Ambassador unto the King and faithfully plead their Cause before him and persuade him that they had committed no insolent neglect or contempt against his Majesty which when the people understood they gave Joseph hearty thanks Whereupon he presently came down from the Temple and honorably entertained the Ambassadors that came from Ptolomy and having presented them with gifts of great value and feasted them magnificently for many dayes he sent them back to their Prince assuring them that he would in person follow D them And the rather was he incited to this journey because the Ambassador had persuaded him to come into Egypt under such assurance that he would obtain all his requests at Ptolomy's hands the rather for that he was won with the young mans free spirit and noble entertainment The Kings Ambassador honourably entertained who reporteth Joseph's liberality upon his return into his Countrey As soon as the Ambassador returned into Egypt he certified the King of Onias's ingratitude and Joseph's humanity certifying him that he would come in person to entreat pardon for the People for that offence they had committed against him and the rather for that he was in especial authority among the People and he so far enlarged himself in the praise of Joseph that both the King and Queen Cleopatra had a good opinion of him although he was as yet absent But Joseph sent unto Samaria to his Friends and E borrow'd money making preparation for his Voyage Having therefore furnished himself with Apparel Vessels and Horses and with almost twenty thousand drachms he arrived at Alexandria At that time it hapned that the Princes and Governors of Phoenicia and Syria repaired thither to farm their Tributes for the King was accustomed every year to sell them to the men of most respect in every City these meeting with Joseph on the way began to mock at his baseness and poverty But when he came to Alexandria and had intelligence that the King was at Memphis he set forward and went out to meet him When therefore the King accompanied with the Queen and Athenion his Friend who had discharged the place of Ambassador in Jerusalem came riding in his Chariot Athenion who had been F honorably entertained by Joseph perceiving him upon the way certified the King that it was he of whom he had spoken upon his return from Jerusalem protesting on his behalf that he was a virtuous and honorable young man Whereupon Ptolomy received him with more kindness than the rest and made him come up into his Chariot where he was no sooner seated but the King began to accuse Onias for what he had committed But Joseph said unto him Pardon him O King and have respect to his old age For you know that ordinarily old men and young children have one and the same understanding but from our selves who are young you shall have what you please to require without any pretext or cause of discontent G H This wise answer increased the affection which the King had allready conceived for him The year of the World 3770. before Christ's Nativity 194. whereupon he commanded that he should be lodged in his own Palace and that daily he should accompany him at his Table As soon as the King came back to Alexandria the Lords of Syria seeing Joseph sitting near unto the King were displeased and the day drawing near wherein they were to know what they should pay for their tribute they that were of the greatest quality in their countrey farmed it so that the Tributes of Coelosyria Phoenicia Judea and Samaria amounted together to eight thousand talents Whereupon Joseph arising blamed the farmers because they had designed amongst themselves to beat down the price of the tributes promising to give double and that he would likewise return the I forfeitures that were levied upon the goods of such as offended The tributes of Coelosyria committed to Joseph which were farmed together with the tributes The King gave ear to this discourse of his with great content and said that he approved the sale of these tributes unto Joseph who would hereby so considerably augment his revenue When therefore he was asked whether he could give suretie he made him answer with great confidence O King said he I will give thee such pledges as are both worthy and honorable and such as you cannot mistrust When therefore the King desired him to produce them I will said he O King present thee for sureties thy self and the Queen thy Wife that one of you may be surety for me to the other Ptolomey smiling hereat granted him the farm of the tribute without farther surety This favor of his displeased those Governours of the Cities that were come into Egypt in that K they saw themselves contemned and constrained to return with shame unto their houses But Joseph obtained 2000 footmen from the King that he might by their
the Senate had made as touching E this matter The first day of Herod's Reign Antonius feasted him and after this manner he was established King the hundred and eighty fourth Olympiade in the year wherein C. Domitius Calvinus twice Consul and Caius Asinius Pollio were Consuls Mean while Antigonus besieged those that were in the Castle of Massada who were plentifully furnished with all things necessary except it were water for which cause Joseph Herods family besieged by Antigonus in Massada Herod's Brother that was within and Two hundred of his friends had concluded to fly unto the Arabians for that they understood that Malchus had repented himself of the fault he had committed against Herod But whilst they stood upon these terms God poured down a huge rain on a certain night that in short time filled their Cisterns so that they had no more necessity to fly and from that time forward they took courage and made F a sally upon their Enemies in which they charged Antigonus's Soldiers after such a manner sometimes in open field sometimes by surprizal that they slew a great number of them Venâ—idius under 〈◊〉 to help â—â—seph fsheth to 〈◊〉 money of Antigonus At that time Ventidius a Roman Captain was sent into Syria to drive the Parthians from thence and after their departure he arrived in Jewry making show that he would assist Joseph but in effect all his pretence was to draw money from Antigonus Being therefore encamped near unto Jerusalem and having drawn sufficient money from Antigonus he retired himself with the greater part of his Forces and to the intent his deceitful dealing might not be discovered he left Silo with a company of his Soldiers who likewise was honoured by Antigonus lest he should be cause of some new trouble before the Parthians whose coming he expected should yield him aid G CHAP. XXVII The year of the World 3926. before Christ's Nativity 38. Herod being returned from Rome raiseth an Army taketh some places and besiegeth Jerusalem but cannot take it he defeateth the enemy in a great battel the art he used to draw several of his Jews who had hid themselves in dens from Antigonus party he marched with some troops to find out Antonius who was making war against the Parthians the five battels that he fought on the way Joseph Herods brother is killed in a fight and Antigonus caused his head to be cut off The manner how Herod revenged this death he besiegeth Jerusalem where Sosius joyneth him with a Roman I army during this siege Herod Marrieth Mariamna AFter that Herod was come from Italy by Sea to Ptolomais and that he had assembled no small number of Soldiers both strangers and his own Country-men Hedio Ruffinus chap. 24. al. 16. he marched forward against Antigonus and passed thorow Galilee Silo and Ventidius also gave him assistance in this action having received direction by Gellius from Antonius Herod returning back out of Italy leadeth forth his army against Antigonus that they should assist Herod to recover his Countrey But Ventidius was employed in appeasing the troubles that were raised in the Cities by the Parthians and as touching Silo he kept in Judaea having been corrupted by Antigonus But the further that Herod daily marched into the Countrey the more his forces did increase and all Galilee except a very few submitted themselves unto him Herod assaulteth Joppe and taketh it Whilest he marched forward K towards Massada being moved thereunto for to relieve his parents that were besieged therein the City of Joppe would not grant him passage for the Citizens thereof were his Enemies so that it behoved him first of all to ruinate the same to the end he might leave no retreat behind him for his Enemy if he made toward Jerusalem Upon which occasion Silo laying hold dislodged his army and made thitherward whom when the Jews did pursue Herod sallieth out with a small company and put them to flight and saved Silo who could not resist any longer Afterwards having seized on Joppe he hasted forwards to deliver his friends that were besieged in Massada but part of the inhabitants submitted themselves unto him for the friendship they had born unto his father Many submit themselves to Herod and others of them for the honor that they bear unto him the rest admitted L his government in acknowledgement of those favors they had received from them both But the greatest part was moved thereunto by the hope they had conceived of their new elected King and the confirmation of his Government Thus by these means was his Army mightily increased Whilest thus he marched forward Antigonus seized on those places that were fittest to lay ambushes in or to fight at advantages by the way notwithstanding that by those stratagems he did but small or no hurt at all to his enemy so that Herod raised the siege and relieved his friends out of the Castle of Massada and after he had taken the Fort of Ressa Ressa taken Massada delivered from the siege after which Herod marcheth towards Jerusalem he approached Jerusalem being attended by Silo's Army and by divers Citizens of the City who were afraid of his power And when he had M pitched his Camp to the westward of the City those that kept the watch and guard on that side shot their Arrows and threw stones against him divers likewise sallied forth and fought hand to hand against those that were planted there For which cause first of all Herod caused a Proclamation to be made round about the Walls Herod proclaimeth about the walls of Jerusalem that he repaireth thither for the good of the people and the common Weal signifying unto them that he resorted thither for the common good of the people and for the conservation of the City without intent of revenge or memory of any wrongs that his private Enemies had offered him promising his most free pardon to all those whosoever had hainously offended him Hereunto Antigonus made this answer directing his speech to Silo and the Roman Soldiers that contrary to all justice they gave the Kingdom to Herod who was a private man and an Idumaean that is to say a half N Jew whereas it hath been a custome to bestow the same on them that are of the line of the Priests Antigonus upbraideth Herod that he is but half a Jew and of no Kingly Race For albeit at that present they were displeased with him for that he had seized on the Kingdom by the means of the Parthians and had resolved with themselves to dispossess him yet that there were divers others of that Royal Race who might be made Kings according to the law The enemy repulseth Herods power from the wall who have no wayes misdemeanded themselves towards the Romanes and moreover there are Priests who should not be justly and uprightly dealt withall if they should be deprived of that honor which
Caves Hedio Ruffinus chap 25. but fear constrained them to hold themselves quiet But a certain Souldier having girt his Sword by his side Herod leadeth his Soldiers against those theeves that held the caves and taken hold of the chain with both his hands whereto the Coffer was fastned slid down as far as the entry of the Cave and being displeased that none came out he shot divers Arrows at those that were within I Herod letteth down his Souldiers from the top of the mountain in Coffers and wounded them and after that with his hook he drew those unto him who resisted and tumbled them down headlong from the steep Rock which done he rushed in upon those that were within the Cave and slew many of them and afterwards returned and rested himself in his Coffer Divers hearing the groans of those that were wounded were surprised with fear and dispair of their life but the nights approach was the cause that the matter was not fully accomplished and many of them getting notice of the Kings free pardon by a Herauld submitted themselves The next day they renewed and continued the same manner of fight and divers went out of their Coffers to fight at the enterances of the Caves throwing in fire which there being much fewel in the Caves did great execution Within these Caves there was a certain old man apprehended K A certain old man killeth his wife and seven of his sons and at last casteth himself headlong from the Rock with his wife and seven Sons who being desired by them that he would suffer them to go and submit themselves to their enemies took up the entrey of the cave and as his Sons advanced to get out he slew them all and after them his Wife and at last when he had cast their dead bodies down the Rocks he threw himself down headlong after them prefering death to slavery Yet before his death he reviled Herod bitterly and upbraided him with his ignoble extraction and although Herod who saw all that which had happned stretched out his hand unto him for pardon yet he would not give ear to him and by this means were all these Caves entred and the theeves taken Now when the King had established Ptolomey General over the Army in that Countrey Herod retireth toward Samaria to fight with Antigomus he retired into Samaria with six hundred horse and three thousand foot with a resolution L to fight Antigonus and to end their quarrel But Ptolomey had but very slender success in his Government for they that before-time had troubled the Countrey of Galilee sallied out upon him and defeated him After which execution they fled into the Marishes and unaccessible places where they robbed and spoiled all the Countrey But Herod returning and setting upon them punished them for he slew some of them and the rest were constrained to flie into strong places where he besieged them and entring their fortresses perforce put them to the sword and destroyed their fortifications and having brought this rebellion to an end he condemned the Cities to pay him the sum of one hundred talents Mean while Pacorus was killed in the War and the Parthians were defeated with him Herod punisheth the Rebels in Galilee which was the cause that Ventidius sent Machaeras to succor M Herod with two legions and 1000 horse by Antonius order corupted by Antigonus mony Ventidius overcometh Pacorus and the â—arthians in baâ—â—el But Machaeras was notwithstanding Herods disswasion yet he went to him alleadging that he did it to look into his actions But Antigonus suspecting his sudden approach entertained him not but caused him to be darted at and driven thence giving him to understand by his entertainment what opinion he had of him who at that time perceived plainly that Herod had given him good counsel Machaeras killeth many Jews and that himself had failed in misbelieving his advice for which cause he returned to the City Emaus and killed all those Jews whom he met withall in the way Herod resolving to depart to Antonius and to accuse Macharas is reconciled by him and leaveth his brother Joseph with an army behind him being much troubled at it whether friends or enemies he was so highly displeased at that which had happned Herod came to Samaria resolving with himself to go to Antonius to complain of these grievances and to tell N him that he had no need of such associates who did him more harm than his enemies whereas of himself he was able to make good his War against Antigonus But Machaeras hasted after him entreating him to stay and to go no further on that journey and prayed him to leave his brother Joseph behind him to go with him against Antigonus By these perswasions and instant intreaties of Machaeras he was somewhat appeased so that he left his brother Joseph behind him with an Army charging him no way to hazard his fortune Herod repaireth to Antonius at the siege of Samaria and in the way killeth many Barbarians or to fall at odds with Machaeras As for himself he hasted toward Antony who at that time besieged Samotsata a City situate near unto Euphrates having with him an Army of his associates both horse and foot When Herod was arrived in Antioch he found divers men assembled there who were desirous to go and seek out Antony O but they durst not advance for fear the Barbarians should set upon them in their journey Herod encouraged them and offered himself to be their guide When they were come two dayes journy off Samosala the Barbarians laid an ambush for them and had barred up the way with Hurdles and had likewise hidden some Horsemen thereabouts until the A Passengers had recover'd the Plain Now when the foremost were past the ambush consisting of about some 500 Horsemen they suddenly charged Herod who was in the Rear when they had broken the first Ranks whom they had met Herod with his Troop that was about him immediately repulsed them and after he had encouraged his followers and whetted them on to the fight he did so much that he made those that fled to face about and fight so that the Barbarians were put to the sword on all sides The King also pursu'd them so long until at last he recover'd that which had been taken by them which was a certain number of Sumpter-horses and Slaves But being charged afresh by others and they in greater number than those who encountred him at first he likewise B rallying his Forces together charged and overcame them and killing divers of them he secured the way to those that follow'd after who all of them acknowledg'd him for their preserver When he drew near unto Samosata Herod was honourably entertained by Antonius and his Host Antonius sent out the best of his Army to meet and honour him As soon as he came to Antonius's presence he entertain'd him kindly
and afterwards restored by Pompeys assistance and receiving all his former honours he lived in full possession of them for the space of fourty years After this he was once more dispossessed by Antigonus and being maimed in his body lived certain years in captivity among the Parthians from whence not long after he returned home and though he had many things promised him by Herod yet after so many alterations of fortune he obtained nothing at his hands and that which amongst all the rest is most of all to be lamented as we have said he was unjustly put to death an innocent and in his old age For he was a lover of justice and an observer of perpetual modesty and governed his Kingdom for the most part by other mens direction being only guilty in himself of ignorance and the love G of idleness Truly Antipater and Herod by this mans goodness obtained so great riches For which deserts of his against all Law and right he was cruelly put to death H But Herod after Hircanus's death addressed himself to perform his journey towards Caesar and having little hope of any good fortune in regard of his friendship with Antonius he grew desperately jealous of Alexandra lest she taking opportunity of the time should incite the people to rebel and fill the Kingdom with domestical sedition for which cause Herods disposition of his affairs before he repaired to Caesar committing the Government to his brother Pheroras he left his mother Cypros his sister and all his Kindred in the Castle of Massada and commanded his brother that if any misfortune should befal him he should retain the Kingdom in his own hands and maintain it As for his Wife Mariamne for that by reason of certain dislikes betwixt her his mother and sister he left her with her mother in the Castle of Alexandrion and committed them to the custody of his Treasurer Joseph and Sohemus the Iturean I and with her the keeping of his Castles both which had always been his faithful friends and to whom in way of honour he committed the custody of these Princely Ladies But he gave them also this command That if they should be certainly informed that any sinister mishap had befallen him they should presently kill them both and to the utmost of their power continue the Kingdom in his Children and his Brother Pheroras CHAP. X. Herod speaketh so generously to Augustus that he obtained his favor he accompanieth him K into Egypt and receiveth him with such an extraordinary magnificence that it put him in repute with all the Romans AFter he had in this sort given order for all his affairs Herod cometh to Caesar and declareth unto him what pleasures he had done Antony promising him no less duty and love if so be he might be received into his favor he took shipping to Rhodes to meet with Caesar And as soon as he arrived in that City he took the Crown from his Head and laid it apart but as for his other Princely ornaments he changed them not and being admitted to Caesars presence he gave a more ample testimony of the greatness of his courage than ever for he neither addressed his speech to intreat his favor according to the custom of suppliants neither presented he any request as if he had in any sort offended him but gave account of all that which he had done without being daunted L in the least For he freely confessed before Caesar that he had intirely loved Antonius and that to the utmost of his power he had done him service to the end that he might obtain the soveraignty and the Empire of the World not by joining his Forces unto his in that he was otherwise imployed in the Arabian War but in furnishing him both with Wheat and Money and that this was the least office which it behoved him to perform towards Antonius for that being once his professed friend it behoved him not onely to imploy his best endeavors on his so Princely benefactor but also to hazard both his head and happiness to deliver him from perils All which said he I have not performed according as I ought to have done yet notwithstanding I know that at such time as he was overcome in the Actian Battel I did not alter my affection with M his fortune neither did I restrain my self for although I befriended not Antonius with my presence and assistance in the Actian War yet at least I assisted him with my counsel assuring him that he had but one onely means left him for his security and prevention of his utter ruine which was to put Cleopatra to death for that by cutting her off he might enjoy her estate and might more easily obtain his peace and pacifie thy displeasure against him And for that he gave but slender regard to these my admonitions by his own sottishness and indiscretion he hath hurt himself and profited you because as I said he did not follow my counsel Now therefore O Caesar in regard of the hatred which you bear unto Antony you condemn my friendship also I will not deny that which I have done neither am I afraid freely and publickly to protest how much I have loved him but if without regard of persons N you consider how kindly I am affected towards my benefactors and how resolute and constant a friend I am and how mindful of kindness the effect of that which I have done may make me known unto thee For if the name be onely changed the friendship notwithstanding may remain and deserve a due praise By these words which were manifest testimonies of his resolute and noble courage he so inwardly indeared himself unto Caesar Hedio Ruffinus cap. 8. who was a magnificent and worthy Monarch Caesar confirmeth Herods authority that he converted this his accusation into an occasion to win and work him to be his friend for which cause Caesar setting the Crown upon his head exhorted him that he should no less respect his friendship than he had in former times Antonies and withal did him much honour certifying him moreover that Capidius had written unto O him how much Herod had assisted him in his Wars that he had with the Monarchs of Syria Herod seeing that he was thus entertained and that contrary to his expectation the Kingdom was more surely confirmed unto him than before time both by Caesars bounty and also by the decree of the Senate The year of the World 3935. before Christ's Nativity 29. which he had practised to obtain for A his greater assurance accompanied Caesar as far as Aegypt presenting both himself and his friends with many rich gifts beyond the proportion of his estate endeavoring by these means both to win their favor and to shew also the greatness of his courage requiring moreover at Caesars hands Herod conducteth Caesar toward Egypt and presenteth him with many sumptuous gifts that Alexander who was one of Antonies
Where first of all in regard of the familiarity between his Father and him he went to Antonius declaring unto him both his own calamity and the miserable desolation of the whole Countrey and how leaving his dearest friends besieged in a Castle himself through the stormy Winter Seas was come to him to implore his assistance Antonius compassionating his calamity and remembring his familiarity with Antipater and esteeming the merit of Herod which stood before him determined to make him King of the Jews whom before he himself had made Tetrarch For he loved not Herod so well but he hated Antigonus as much holding him both a seditious person Ant. lib. 14. cap. 13. and an enemy to the Romans Now to the accomplishment M of this Herod findeth both Caesar and Antonius favourable unto him he found Caesar far more ready than himself when he called to mind the service that Antipater did in Egypt under his Father and his entertainment and friendship in all things And besides all these he was much satisfied with Herod's courage and ability Wherefore he caused the Senate to be assembled wherein Messala and himself Herod praised before the Senate in the presence of Herod recounted his Father's deserts and fidelity towards the Romans declaring Antigonus to be an enemy not only because he had formerly revolted but for that now lately in despight of the Romans he had by the assistance of the Parthians Herod made King by the Roman Senate usurped the Kingdom With which considerations the Senate being moved and Antonius affirming it to be expedient for the Roman Wars a-against the Parthians that Herod should be created King the whole Senate consented N and when it was dismissed Antonius and Caesar came forth with Herod between them and the Consuls marched before him accompanied with other Magistrates to offer Sacrifice and to Register the Decree of the Senate in the Capitol After which Antonius feasted Herod the first day of his Reign A CHAP. XII Of Herod's War for the recovering of Jerusalem after his return from Rome and how he warred against the Thieves AT this time Antigonus besieged those that were left in the Castle of Massada Ant. lib. 14. cap. 23. who had great store of Victuals Antigonus getteth Massada and wanted nothing but Water Joseph Herod's Brother who defended it purposed to go to the Arabians with two hundred of his dearest friends for that he had intelligence that Malichus repented that he had given B Herod no better entertainment And accordingly he had forsaken the Castle had not great store of rain fallen that very night wherein he intended to flee but the Wells and Cisterns being now filled with Water The Wars between Antigonus's Soldiers and Joseph Herod's Brother there was no cause to flee so that issuing out of the Castle he assaulted Antigonus's Soldiers and killed very many of them sometimes in open fight and sometimes by pollicy Yet he fought not always with fortunate success but returned sometimes with loss In the mean time Ventidius who was General of the Roman Army which was sent to expel the Parthians out of Syria after he had repulsed them Ventidius the Roman General taketh money from Antigonus came into Judaea under pretence to succour Joseph and the rest that were besieged out in effect to get money from Antigonus When therefore he drew near Jerusalem and had received the money he looked for he departed with C the greatest part of his Army Ant. lib. 14. cap. 24. leaving Silo behind him with a few to colour his pretence And Antigonus hoping for a second Supply from the Parthians corrupted Silo not to molest him for the present Herod against Antigonus By this time Herod having sailed from Italy to Ptolemais and gathered a great Army of strangers and his own Countreymen together came into Galilee against Antigonus being assisted with the Forces of Ventidius and Silo whom Gellius who was sent from Antonius perswaded to establish Herod in his Kingdom Herod intendeth after he hath taken Massada and Joppa to besiege Jerusalem But Ventidius was busie in appeasing the Broils that the Parthians had made in the Cities and Silo was corrupted by Antigonus Yet did not Herod want aid for every day the further he marched into the Countrey the more his Army encreased all Galilee very little excepted yielding unto him Whereupon he D purposed first of all to go to Massada to deliver his friends that were there besieged but Joppa hindred his purpose which being an enemy Town he thought best to take it before he went any further lest whilst he was going to Jerusalem his enemies should have a place behind him to flee to Now Silo joyned Armies with Herod rejoycing that he had found occasion to retire but he was pursued by the Jews of Antigonus's Party who Herod with a loose Wing of his Army and a small Company of men encountred and presently put to flight and saved Silo who had much ado to make resistance against them This done and Joppa taken he hasted to Massada and the people of the Countrey some for his Father's sake others for his own and many for both joyned themselves to him Many also came to him for hope because he was E now King so that now he had a very puissant Army But Antigonus hindred his journey by planting certain Ambushes in places convenient where Herod was to pass though by all this they little harmed him Herod having raised the Siege of Massada Herod begirteth Jerusalem with a Siege and proclaimeth the cause of his coming and rescued his friends from thence went to Jerusalem where both Silo's Soldiers and many of the City came and joyned with him Being now terrified with the greatness of his Forces there pitching their Tents at the west side of the Town they that guarded that part assaulted them with Darts and Arrows and others issuing by Troops forth of the City assaulted the Front of the Army Whereupon Herod caused one to go about the Walls of the City and to proclaim how that he was come for the good of the whole City and that he would F not take revenge of any though his open enemy but would pardon even them that had been most seditious But when Antigonus his followers with loud exclamations hindred the Crier's voice from being heard lest any man should alter his mind Herod presently commanded his men to beat the enemies off from the Wall upon which order they shot such a flight of Arrows and Darts from the top of the Towers that they forced them to retire At this time Silo was detected to have been corrupted with money Silo's subtilty being corrupted by the Jews for he solicited many Soldiers to cry out that they wanted Provisions and to ask money and Victuals and to crave to be dismissed and sent into some fit place of Quarter during the Winter because Antigonus had laid
Antipas who was also besieged by them in the Kings Palace he would not flee with the rest and so was killed by the Rebels Divers of the noblest Jews forsake the City as if they had been in a ship ready to sink But Cestius sent Saul and the rest of his Company into Achaia unto Nero to inform him of the cause of E his retreat and to shew how Florus had caused all these wars for so he hoped that Nero would turn his anger against Florus and free him from danger Then the people of Damascus understanding the defeat of the Romans devised how to destroy the Jews which inhabited amongst them and they thought it was easie to be accomplished for that the Jews were already assembled in the common places of exercise for fear of some such matter yet they mistrusted their own Wives who all except a few The Damascenes kill 10000 Jews in one hour were Jews in Religion Wherefore they took great heed to conceal their intent from them and so assaulting the Jews in a narrow place and unarm'd they put them all to the sword to the number of ten thousand After the Rebels that had pursued Cestius were returned to Jerusalem Joseph the Son of Corion and Ananus the high Priest appointed to Govern the City they laboured to joyn all to them that F favoured the Romans either by force or by flattery and assembling themselves in the Temple they determined to chuse a great number of Captains to carry on the War Joseph the Son of Corion and Ananus the high Priest were appointed Rulers of the City and especially to see the Walls thereof repaired Eleazar the Son of Simon was put into no authority notwithstanding that he had in his custody great prey and spoil taken from the Romans and Cestius his money and a great part of the publick treasure because they perceived he aspired to a Tyranny and had his greatest Confidents about him as his Guards yet in time Eleazar by money and craft perswaded the people to obey him in all things They also chose other Captains to be sent into Idumea who were Jesus the Son of Sapphas and Eleazar the Son of the new G high Priest and they commanded Niger who was born beyond Jordan to obey these Captains who was therefore called Peraites and was then Governour of Idumea they neglected not to do the like by other Regions for Joseph the Son of Simon was sent to Jericho and Manasses beyond the River and John the Essean to Tamna every H one to assume the Government of his Country as a Toparchy Lydda Joppe and Amaus were annexed to John the Essean and John the Son of Ananias was appointed Governour of Gophnitis and Acrabatena Joseph the Son of Matthias was made Ruler over both Galilees Joseph the Historiographer Governour of both Galilees unto which was joyned Gamala the strongest City in all that Country Each of these Governours discharged his place according to his wisdom and dexterity When Joseph came to Galilee which was committed to his protection his first care was to get the good will of the Inhabitants knowing that it might much profit him although in other matters he should offend considering that he should have I the most considerable persons his friends if he made them pertakers of his Authority He chose seventy of the most ancient wise men amongst them Joseph maketh 70 Elders Rulers in Galilee and appointeth seven in every City to determine the causes of less weight and made them Rulers over all Galilee and elected seven Judges over the lesser Towns to judge inferiour matters but he reserved all great affairs and Criminal Causes to his own hearing Moreover having ordained a form of Justice that those seventy should follow he took counsel how to provide for his security abroad And being assured that the Romans would come into Galilee he compassed those places with strong Walls that were fit for his purpose to wit Jotapata Bersabea Selamis Perecho Japha and Sigoph Tarichea and Tiberias Joseph fortifieth the convenient Cities with Walls Moreover he fortified the Hill Itaburin and the Caves near the Lake of Genesareth which is in lower Galilee and in high Galilee Petra which is also called Acheberon and Seph Jamnith and Mero in Gaulanitis also Seleucia and Soganes K and Gamala he only permitted them of Sephoris to build their own Walls because he perceived them to be rich and prone to War of themselves Likewise John the Son of Levias at Joseph's command built the Walls of Giscala himself alone but in all other places that were fortified Joseph put to his helping hand and directed how they should be done He listed an hundred thousand men who were all young persons and fit for the War and he armed them with old Armour which he had gathered from all parts of the Country And considering that that which made the Roman Army invincible was that they were all obedient to their Officers and well disciplin'd and that he could not exercise them in martial discipline by reason of his other occasions he thought good at least to teach them to be obedient And L calling to mind that the multitude of Rulers made obedience he ordained many Captains and constituted divers sorts of Soldiers as the Romans used to do making some Governours of ten others over a hundred and others over a thousand and appointed likewise Rulers over them He taught them also how to give the sign of War Joseph instructeth the Galileans in War and how to sound the trumpet both to call to combat and to retire how to march in length and cast in a ring and how to succour those that were most in danger and in short he taught them whatsoever might either encourage them or make them active Joseph teacheth the Galileans how they should obey in the Wars but especially he exercised them in good Discipline imitating in particular the order of the Romans and often telling them that they were to fight with men who for strength of body and courage surpassed all nations of the World Also M he told them that hereby he should perceive whether they would be obedient in War if now they abstained from such things as were usual to Soldiers to wit robbing and spoiling their Country-men crafty and deceitful dealing and spoiling those with whom they conversed for their own gain for those Wars had always best success where the Soldiers carried good Consciences and those that were bad should not only have men Every one of the Cities of Galilee send the half of their multitude to warfare the rest they keep to provide them Victuals but God also for their enemy After this manner he daily exhorted them and now he had got together as many men as he desired for their number was 60000 Foot and 250 Horse besides 4500 strangers whom he hired and to whom he chiefly trusted and 600 chosen men to
build the Walls and for that I feared the people of Tiberias and others adjoyning who still gaped after this Prey and Wealth that was taken from Agrippa I determined to get those Spoils for you to re-edifie your Walls If ye mislike this I will bring out the Treasure and give it to be divided amongst you But if you like thereof then you are obliged to defend me This Speech of his well pleased the people of Tarichea who gave him great Praises and displeased them of Tiberias so that they breathed out threatnings against him Thus they both left Joseph and contested one against another Joseph now having many K partakers for the people of Tarichea were almost forty thousand spake more boldly to the multitude and rebuked their temerity telling them that it was necessary to strengthen Tarichea with that present money and that he would also provide to strengthen other Cities and that they should not want money if they would agree and conspire together against those from whom they might get it and not offer violence to him who could procure it for them The multitude being thus deceived though they were angry yet departed Yet two thousand of those that were animated against him offered to set upon him but he being already retired into his house they there besieged him Another stratagem of Joseph against the Jews Wherefore Joseph used another device likewise to repress these and getting to the top of the house he beckned unto them with his hand to L keep silence and then said that he was ignorant what they requested at his hands for he could not hear one for another because their voices were confounded with their number but if they would send some into the house to talk friendly with him he would do whatsoever they requested The Nobles and Magistrates hearing this presently entred into the house whom when he had led into the innermost part of the house and shut the doors he caused to be beaten so long till that their ribs appeared The doors in the mean time being fast the people stayed before the house thinking that the cause of their long tarrying was to debate reasons to and fro But presently Joseph opening the doors put them forth amongst the people all bloody as they were whereat they were so daunted that leaving their Weapons behind them M they ran away John's Envy and Treason against Joseph Hereat John took occasion to encrease his hatred and jealousie against Joseph and having ill success in this policy he still attempted other plots to bring Joseph in danger First he counterfeited himself sick and requested Joseph to permit him to go to Tiberias and use the hot Baths in order to recover his health Joseph not having yet perceived his Treason writ Letters in his behalf to the Governour of the Town to provide John with good accommodation and to let him want nothing that he needed John perswadeth the Tiberians to revolt from Joseph Two days after his arrival there he went about the business which he designed and enticed some with money others with flatteries to revolt from Joseph Silas whom Joseph had made Governour of the City understanding this presently by Letters gave notice thereof to Joseph who receiving the same in the night went to N Tiberias very early in the morning All the people except those that John had corrupted went out to meet him but John notwithstanding he judged that he came against him still counterfeited himself sick in bed and sent a man of his acquaintance to excuse his absence for not coming to meet Joseph John sendeth certain Armed men to kill Joseph Then Joseph assembled the Tiberians together in a place to speak to them concerning that which was written to him And John sent armed men thither with Commandment to kill Joseph The people perceiving them to draw their Swords cryed out and Joseph at their cry looking about him and perceiving their Swords even almost at his throat he leaped down a little Hill upon the Shore which was six cubits high upon which he stood to speak to the people Joseph flees in a little Boat by the Lake And going into a boat with two of his Guard which he found there he went O into the midst of the Lake and presently his Guard taking their Weapons assaulted the Traytors Joseph fearing that a great conflict would ensue and so the whole City A for a few men's fault be destroyed sent to his Soldiers charging them only to take care for their own safety and no more and to kill none nor reprove any for that wicked fact and they forthwith obeying his Command ceased from fight But those that inhabited about the City and heard of the Treason and by whom it was attempted John fleeth in to his Countrey Giscala armed themselves and came against John but he before their coming fled to Giscala where he was born In the mean while all Galilee came and joyned with Joseph The Galileans flock to Joseph against John and there were many thousands of Armed men gathered together affirming that they came against John and to fire that City which had received him Joseph thanked them for their good will saying that he had rather conquer his enemies by moderation than by fire and Sword and therefore requested them to B be content He also published an Edict wherein he declared that all those that had rebelled with John and did not forsake him within five days next following should lose all their Estates and their houses should be sacked and set on fire Hereupon three thousand presently forsook John and came and laid down their weapons at Joseph's feet John's Treason against Joseph prostrating themselves before him so that there remained with John but two thousand fugitive Syrians By whom being assisted he again went secretly to work having had so ill success by open dealing and so he privily sent messengers to Jerusalem to accuse Joseph that he had gathered a great Army and that except he were quickly prevented he would come and usurp Dominion over the Mother-city But the people understanding before of John's hatred did not regard it yet divers C rich men and Magistrates who envied Joseph secretly sent money to John to hire Forreign Soldiers that he might make War against Joseph whom they determined amongst themselves to displace And thinking that their order was not sufficient to effect it they sent moreover two thousand five hundred men and four of their Principal Nobility with them to wit Joazar the Lawyer and Ananias the Saducee and Simon and Judas the Sons of Jonathas all very eloquent men and learned in our Laws to withdraw the people's minds from Joseph giving them charge that if he of his own accord came to them then they should permit him to speak for himself but if he refused so to do then they should hold him as an enemy Joseph's Friends at Jerusalem gave him intelligence
the rest of the City is environed with high Mountains so that it cannot be discerned by any before they be hard by it such was the strength of Jotapata Vespatian determined both to combate the nature of the place Vespatian intends to begin a sharp Siege and the hardiness of the Jews and therefore called all his Captains together and consulted with them to begin a hot siege at last they resolved to rear a Mount in that place where the City was C easiest to be entred He sent his whole Army to provide wood to do it who cut much on the Mountains near the Town and great store of wood and stone being brought and having set hurdles before them to bear off the Darts and Arrows he began to raise a Mount so that they received little or no harm by Darts cast from off the Walls whilst others brought earth from places thereabouts and no man was idle The Jews cast continually great stones and all kind of Darts upon that which defended them which though they pierced not thorow yet they made a great noise and terrified the Workmen Which Vespatian seeing caused all Engines that cast stones and darts which were in number an hundred and threescore to be placed against the Walls to beat the Jews from thence And so they cast Stones Darts Fire and Arrows in great D abundance so that they not only beat the Jews from off the Walls but also out of the reach of their shot for the Arabian Archers and those that used Slings and Darts The Jews break out and beat down the Bulwark and all the Engines continually played upon them For all this the Jews rested not but running out in Companies they pull'd down the Sheds which defended the Workmen and then assaulted them having no defence and when they had beaten them away destroyed and fired all that the Romans had wrought for their own defence and safeguard At last Vespatian perceived that these damages hapned for that there was some space left between all these works whereby the Enemies had access to do them such harms Wherefore he united them together and so hindred the excursions of the Jews Joseph 〈◊〉 stakes in the ground and fasteneth unto them raw Oxe Hides to raise the Wall and beat off the Shot When the Mount was almost made and the Towers upon it finished E Joseph shun'd to do nothing for the safeguard of the Town called all workmen necessary together and commanded them to build a Wall there higher than the Romans Work but they said it was impossible for them to work for the number of Darts in that place Then Joseph made this device to defend them he fixed stakes in the ground and fastened to them hides of Kine and Oxen new slain by which they were defended from shot and fire so that labouring night and day they raised the Wall twenty cubits high erecting also upon it many Towers and by this means they made it a strong defence The Romans who before thought themselves sure of the Town were now greatly dismayed both by this device of Joseph and also by the hardiness of the Jews F CHAP. VIII Of the Siege of Jotapata by Vespatian and the diligence that Joseph used and how the Jews made Sallies against the Romans THis Stratagem and the Courage of the Jews greatly moved Vespatian for now they receiving courage from that defence made assaults upon the Romans of their own accord and every day skirmished running out in Companies and like Thieves G taking away whatsoever they lighted upon and what they could not carry away they A set on fire At last Vespasian would not permit his Souldiers to fight any longer but determined to take it by Famine and either to make them come and yield themselves for lack of Food or if they held out to famish them conceiving that it would be more easie to take it by force if ceasing a while from assaulting it he afterwards set upon it when their Case was more desperate Vespasian restraineth his Souldiers from fight and besiegeth the City Wherefore he commanded all passages to be kept that none could go out of the City but they had great store of Corn and of all other things else except Salt and Water whereof they stood in great want for there is never a Fountain in the City and they have little rain in Summer so that the Inhabitants were in great distress Joseph delivereth his Souldiers water by measure for there was hardly any Water left in the City Joseph perceiving there was abundance of all things else and that the Citizens were valiant B as also the Siege like to continue long he gave to every one water in measure with which they were not contented thinking it as good to want altogether as to have it in that manner and now they began to faint and refuse to labour The Romans perceiving this being upon a high hill over against the place whither all the Jews came together to receive Water they with their shot killed many that came thither insomuch that Vespasian hoped that within short time their Water would be spent and they constrained to yield Josephs Stratagem But Joseph to frustrate this hope commanded a great many Garments to be laid in water and hanged upon the Walls so that the Water might run down on every side When the Romans saw this they were much surprised imagining that they would not waste so much Water in mockery if they wanted Water to C drink wherefore Vespasian no longer hoping to win the City by Famine purposed to assault it again by force The Jews were very glad of this and being in manifest danger Another Policy of Joseph rather wish't to be slain than perish through hunger or thirst Joseph devised also another way to get Water out of the Country There was a little Valley out of the way and therefore not regarded by the Romans by this way Joseph sent men into the Country to his Friends for such things as the City wanted commanding them when they came near the Watchmen to hide and cover themselves with hairy Skins that the Watchmen might think them to be Dogs and this he used a good while till at last the Watchmen perceived it and so set a guard there to stop the passage When Joseph perceived the City could not hold out long and fearing his own Life if D he still continued there The people beseech Joseph that he would not forsake them he consulted with the chief of his Officers how he might flie But the People discovering his intent flocked about him and besought him to take pity upon them and not forsake them who had no hope but in him affirming that for his sake they were all couragious and bold to fight and if they were taken yet he would be a comfort to them and that it did not become him to flie from his Enemies nor forsake his
blusht to commit such Villanies openly in the sight of them who had saved their lives and that their misdemeanours and impieties would be imputed to the Idumeans because they neither hindred their mischievous Practices nor forsook their Society That therefore it was their part seeing it was now evident that the report of Treason was only Calumny and that no assault by the Romans was to be feared and that the City was impregnable provided there were no domestick divisions to depart home and by forsaking the Society of the Impious to acquit themselves of their Impiety as being by N them deceived and so against their Wills made partakers thereof The Idumeans were hereby perswaded The Idumeans depart out of Jerusalem and first of all they freed those that were in Prison in number two thousand of the Vulgar and presently leaving the City they went to Simon of whom we will speak hereafter and so they departed home Their sudden departure was against the expectation of both parts for the People not knowing the Idmmeans were sorry for what they had done rejoyced as now delivered from their Enemies and the Zealots grew more insolent and proud as though they never had needed help and now were delivered from those in consideration of whom they abstained from some Villanies Whereupon they used no delay to effect all their Villany for they spent not much time in taking advice but whatsoever seemed best to them presently without any delay they put it in practice But O especially they murthered those men that were wise and valiant for they envied the A Nobility for their Virtue they thought it a principal point first to be effected not to leave any one man of account alive Wherefore they slew amongst the rest Gorion a Noble-man of great Birth and Dignity who loved his Country was very bountiful and a lover of Liberty so that there was none amongst the Jews like him but for his desire of Liberty Gorion's Death and Niger Peraita and his other Virtues he was put to death Neither could Niger Peraita escape their hands a man who in War against the Romans had shewed himself valiant and although he often cried out and shewed the scars of his Wounds received in defence of his Country yet they ceased not for all this most shamefully to drag him thorow the City and being led out of the City despairing of life he entreated that B he might be buried Niger's Prayers took effect as the end testifieth But the barbarous People denied his request and slew him At his death he besought God that the Romans might come and revenge it upon them and that Plague Famine and Civil Discord might light upon their City God heard his Prayers and sent upon them all which he imprecated and first of all they were plagued with Civil Wars amongst themselves Niger being thus slain they were freed from the fear they had of him that he would resist their wickedness Many of the Common People were by some forged tale or other put to death Some were slain because they had formerly born Arms against them and they who were innocent in all points were put to death for some occasion devised in the time of peace and they who did not converse with them were murdered as those that contemned them and they C that freely and friendly conversed with them were slain as those that sought to betray them In short the greatest offenders and the least were all punished alike to wit with death for no man escaped except he were either poor or of very base condition CHAP. II. The Civil Discords amongst the Jews D IN the mean while the Roman Officers had their Eyes open upon what passed in the City of Jerusalem The Souldiers incite Vespasian to resort to Jerusalem and seeing the Citizens at great variance among themselves they thought this to be for their great advantage Wherefore they pressed Vespasian their General not to lose this opportunity affirming that it was Gods providence who fought for them that the Jews should be at Civil Discord among themselves and that therefore he should not overslip so good an occasion lest the Jews should quickly be friends again one with another either by the weariness of Civil War or else repenting themselves of that which they had done To whom Vespasian answered That they were ignorant what was to be done Vespasian expecteth Victory by the civil dissention of his Enemies and desirous rather as it were in a Theater to shew their forces and strength than with him to consider what was profitable and expedient For E said he if we presently assault them our coming will make concord amongst our Enemies and so we shall bring upon our selves their forces yet firm and strong but by expecting a little while we shall have less ado to conquer them their chiefest forces being destroyed by their own Civil War God is more our friend than you are aware of who without our labour and pain will deliver the Jews into our hands and will give us the Victory without endangering our Army Wherefore it is rather our part to be beholders of the Tragedy than to fight against men desirous of death and troubled with the greatest evil possible to wit domestical Sedition and Civil War And if any think that the Victory is not glorious because gotten without fight let him know and consider the uncertain events of War and that it is better if it be possible to get a Victory without bloodshed then therewith to hazard a Defeat For they who by F Counsel and Advice do any worthy Act deserve no less praise than they who by force of Arms atchieve a Victory Moreover in the mean time that the Enemies destroy one another our Souldiers may take rest and so be stronger and better able to fight when need shall require Besides it seems not that there is much haste required to get the Victory for the Jews neither prepare Arms nor Engines of War nor levie any Forces nor seek for Aid and so by delay no damage can ensue but they will Plague one another more by Civil War than our Army can by attacquing their City And therefore whether we consider Prudence or Glory we have nothing to do but let them ruine themselves for in case we should even at this present make our selves Masters of that great City so it would be justly said that the Victory was not to be imputed to us but to their discord G The Captains all consented Many Citizens to fly the Zealous resorted to Vespasian and thought this advice of Vespasian best and presently it appeared how profitable this Counsel was For every day many Jews fled to him to escape the hands of the Zealots though it was dangerous to flie because all the ways were guarded with Watch-men And if any man upon any occasion whatsoever were H taken upon the way he was presently killed as one
Captains about Josephs liberty who was yet in hold But calling Mutianus and the rest of his friends C together first of all he told them how Valiant Joseph had been and what difficulty he had to win Jotapata only because of his Valour and then his Prophecies which at that time he esteemed only Fables fained for fear but now time and event had proved them true Wherefore it seemed an unreasonable thing that he who had been the foreteller of his Exaltation and a Messenger to him from God should still continue in bonds like a Captive and be left in adversity So calling for Joseph he commanded him to be set at liberty This fact of his made the Captains under him hope for great reward at his hands seeing he had been so kind to a stranger Titus being there present said It is meet O Father that as you acquit Joseph from Captivity so you also take away the shame of that which he hath already endured For if we D not only unty his Chains but also break them in sunder he shall be as though he had never been in bondage for this is the manner used for redress when any one being guiltless is commited to bonds Vespasian hereto agreed and so one came with an Axe and hewed his Chains in pieces Thus was Joseph rewarded for his Prophecy and thenceforward he was esteemed worthy to be believed CHAP. XIII Of Vetellius his Death and Manners E WHen Vespasian had answered the Embassadors and disposed of all the Commands of his Army according to every ones merit he went to Antioch and there deliberated whither to go first Vespasian bethinks himself to return to Rome and it seemed best to him to go to Rome rather than to Alexandria for he knew that Alexandria was quiet firm but Rome was held by Vitellius Wherefore he sent Mutianus into Italy with many Troops of Foot and Horse who fearing to go by Sea went thorow Cappadocia and Phrygia for it was Winter-time Antonius Primus who was Governour of Moesia brought from thence the third Legion remaining there and march'd against Vitellius Vitellius sent Caecinna to meet him with a great Army who departing from Rome met with Antonius at Cremona a Town of Lombardy F situate upon the confines of Italy but beholding the discipline order of his Forces he durst not fight with them and thinking it very dangerous to flie design'd to revolt and so calling to him the Centurions and Tribunes of his Army he perswaded them to go and joyn with Antonius after he had extenuated Vitellius his Power and extolled that of Vespasian Cecinna perswades the Souldiers to forsake Vitellius and honour Vespasian affirming the first to have only the bare name of the Emperour and the last to have also all Vertues meet for an Emperour Moreover that it would be better for them to do that of their own accord which otherwise they should be compelled to and seeing themselves already surpassed in number it was Prudence to prevent all danger For Vespasian was able without their assistance to subdue all the rest but Vitellius was not able with their help to keep that he had And speaking to this effect he perswaded G them to all that he would have done And so with his whole Army joyn'd with Antonius The same night the Souldiers repenting themselves of what they had done and also lest fearing Vitellius should get the upper hand who sent them against Antonius drew H their Swords and would have slain Cecinna And they had done it had not the Tribunes come and entreated them to the contrary wherefore they did not kill him but kept him bound meaning to send him to Vitellius as a Traitor Primus Antonius hearing this went with his Army and assaulted them who revolted from him Caecinna is apprel ended for Treason and they a while resisted yet at last forced to retire they fled to Cremona and Primus accompanied with Horsemen prevented their escape and so slew most of them before they got into the City and afterward setting upon it he gave his Souldiers the spoil of it Many Merchants of other Countries many Townsmen were slain all Vitellius Army consisting of 30200 men Antonius lost in this battel 4500 of those whom he brought out of Moesia And delivering Cecinna from Prison Vespasian honours Caecinna with unexpected honours and is acquitted of Treason he sent him to carry the news hereof to Vespasian who praised I him for his fact and honoured him above his expectation in reward of his Treason Sabinus who was at Rome hearing that Antonius was at hand greatly rejoyced and took courage and gathering together the Companies of the City-watch in the night-time he seiz'd on the Capitol Sabinus takes the Capitol and leaves Vitellius and in the morning many of the Nobles joyned with him amongst others Domitian his Brothers Son who was a great cause and help to obtain the Victory Vitellius little esteeming Primus turned his anger against Sabinus and those that had revolted with him as it were naturally thirsting after the blood of the Nobility he sent all the Army he brought out of Germany with him to assault the Capitol where many valiant deeds were shewed on both parts and at last the Germans being most in number got the Capitol Hill Domitian with many brave Noblemen as it K were by Gods providence escaped safe the rest of the multitude were there slain Sabinus was carried to Vitellius and by his commandment instantly put to death and the Souldiers taking away all the gifts and treasure in the Temple set it one fire The day after Antonius arrived Vitellius slain and Vitellius his Souldiers met him there was fighting in three several places of the City the forces of Vitellius were all defeated whereupon Vitellius came out of his Palace drunk and full gorged with delicate meat he was imediately seiz'd upon and drawn thorow the midst of the streets and after many contumelies slain having reigned Eight months and five days if he had lived longer the whole Empire had scarce been sufficient to have maintained his Gluttony There were slain above 50000 of other people And this was done the third day of October The day after L Mutianus with his Army entred Rome and repressed the Souldiers of Antonius who still sought about in every place for Vitellius's Souldiers The people of Rome proclaim Vespasian Emperour and many of his favourites and slew whom they thought good not examining any matter by reason of their fury and bringing out Domitian he declared to the people that he was to govern the City till his Father came The people being delivered from fear proclaimed Vespasian Emperour and made Feasts and Triumphs both under one for his establishing in the Empire and for joy that Vitellius was deposed CHAP. XIV M How Titus was sent by his Father against the Jews WHen Vespasian came to Alexandria
two of the strongest of the Enemies striking one of them over the Face and slaying another with his own Dart which he took from him who for this deed was greatly honoured Longinus breaketh into the midst of the Jews army and disturbeth it having broken through a strong Body of the Jews that were placed before the Walls and cast Darts at him on either side Many of the Romans by this his Example were inticed to do the like The Jews now regarded not what they suffered but only devised which way to harm their Enemies not reguarding death so that they might kill any of the Romans But Titus had as much care to preserve his Souldiers as he had to get the Victory attributeing these rash Sallyes to the desperation of the Jews and accounting that only Virtue I which was done warily and with discretion CHAP. IX How Castor the Jew derided the Romans THen Titus commanded the Ram to be set up against the Tower on the North part of the City wherein a crafty and politick Jew with ten men had hid himself all K the rest being fled Castor a subtle and politick Jew this Jew was named Castor These men having lain still a while in their Arms at last being afraid and the Tower beginning to shake they Iept up and Castor stretching forth his hand did as it were humbly crave favour at Caesars hands and with a lamentable voice besought him to spare him Titus seeing the mans simplicity as he thought and perswading himself that the Jews did now repent of their Obstinacy he caused the Ram to cease from battery and the Archers to hold their hands and permitted Castor to speak his pleasure Castor said That he desired to treat and make a League of Peace And Titus answered That he would grant it if all the rest would be concluded and that he would presently confirm a League of Peace between him and the City Five L of Castors fellows seemed to be willing but the other five seemed to oppose it Crying out aloud That they would never be sleves to the Romans whilst they could die in liberty Whilst Castor and his fellows were debating the matter the battery ceased In the mean time Castor privily sent word unto Simon willing him whilst the Battery was stopt to think of some expedient to be done in this necessity for for a while he would undertake to delude the Roman Emperour and hold him in suspence In the mean time he seemed to exhort his Companions to accept the kind offer of Titus and they as it were angry thereat drew their Swords and struck upon their Corslets and fell down as though they had been slain Titus and his Souldiers were amazed at their obstinacy for being on the lower ground they could not well perceive what was done M they wondred exceedingly at their desperation and pittied their calamity At the same time one struck Castor in the Buttock with a Dart and Castor pulling it out of his flesh shewed it unto the Emperour and complained of it as a breach of the Truce Titus with sharp words corrected him that shot it and forthwith would have sent Joseph to promise Castor pardon and peace But Joseph denyed to go affirming that Castor only dissembled and hindred his friends that would have gone At last one Aeneas who had fled unto the Romans offered himself to go Castor invited him as though he would give him something to secure him of his true meaning Aeneas opened the skirt of his garment thinking Castor would have cast him down something of worth and when he came underneath the Tower Castor took a great stone and threw it down upon N him yet hurt him not because he was aware of it and avoided the stone but it wounded another Souldier standing by Then Caesar considering this deceit began to think that Pitty and Mercy in War was hurtful Mercy in Wars hurtful and that Cruelty was not so easily deceived and being very angry at this deceit he caused the Wall to be beaten with the Ram more than before Castor and his fellows perceiving the Tower to shake they set it on fire and so passed thorow the flame and conveyed themselves into a mine of the Tower giving the Romans fresh occasion to admire their Courage in passing thorow the Flames Titus assaulting the Wall on his part Titus taketh the second Wall took it five dayes after and forcing the Jews from thence He accompanied with a thousand choice men entred where the Woolmen O Copper-Smiths and Merchant-Taylors dwelt which place was the new City A with narrow and strait ways to go to the Wall And had he presently beaten down a great part of the Wall or as he might have done by the Law of Arms destroyed what he had gotten he had obtained the Victory without any loss on his side Yet hoping the Jews would yield when they were in his power he gave them more liberty to retire for he did not think that they whose good he sought would have been Traitors unto him who came to relieve them B CHAP. X. How the Romans did twice take the second Wall TItus having entred the City suffered none of them that were taken to be slain nor the Houses to be burned but permitted the Seditious if they were so minded to fight and that without prejudice to the People he also promised the People to restore unto them all their Goods They interpret warlike Titus's humanity for Cowardize For many besought him to spare the City for them and the Temple for the City The People were glad hereof and many of the warlike Jews thought the humanity of Titus to proceed from cowardize and judged that Titus for that he despaired to win the rest of the City did now Coward-like propound these C conditions They likewise threatned the People that whosoever should speak one word concerning Peace The Romans are driven out by the Jews and yielding unto the Romans should presently die and some of them did resist the Romans from out of their houses others in the narrow ways and others going out at the higher Gates renewed the fight wherewith the Watchmen being troubled fled from the Wall and forsaking the Towers retired themselves into the Camp The Roman Souldiers within the City cryed out because they were inclosed with Enemies the Gates being shut and assaulted without by those who apprehended their Companions to be in great danger The number of the Jews encreasing and prevailing for that they knew the ways and turnings of the Streets many of the Romans were slain and violently born down when they offered to resist in that necessity D for a multitude together could not flie by reason of the narrowness of the Streets that went unto the Wall and all that entred into the City had been slain had not Titus succoured them For placing at the end of every Street Archers and himself being where most need was
A Beasts as well as men we are taught to give place unto them that are stronger than our selves and be contented to submit to their Victory that are valiantest in Arms. This said he was the cause that your Ancestors who were far more strong aad politick than you and had better means to resist did submit themselves unto the Romans which if God had not been pleased withal he would never have permitted And how could they hope to resist seeing the City was as it were already taken and the Citizens whilst their Walls were whole most of them destroyed For the Romans well knew the Famine that was among them how it every day wasted the people Famine in the City and would in short time devour their Souldiers For suppose said he the Romans would desist withdraw their Siege and offer no violence there is a Civil War within the City which you cannot overcome or avert unless you B could fight against Hunger and the adversity of Fortune He added That it was best before intolerable Calamities befell them to change their opinion and whilst they had time to be counselled by good advice That the Romans would not punish them for what was already past except they persisted in their obstinacy For they are said he Kind Courteous Gentle to their Subjects and prefer their Commodity before Revenge They thought it their interest to have the City in their Power and the Country about it and therefore the Emperour proposed to make a league of Peace with them but if he took the City by force he would spare none seeing they were admonish'd so kindly before and in their greatest necessity refused to obey him He told them also that the third Wall would in a short time be taken as they might perceive by the other two and though the City were inexpugnable yet the Famine would force C it to yeild in despite of its Strength As Joseph did thus advise them those upon the Walls rail'd at him upbraided him and shot at him Joseph seeing he could not avert them from their imminent calamities recounted unto them out of their own Histories whatever made for his purpose O wretches saith he and ungrateful to your Friends The Emperor striveth to be at Peace with the Romans You resist the Romans and continue perverse as though you had conquered others that came as they now do against you When doth God the maker of all things deny help unto us if we be oppressed Will you not remember your selves Joseph rippeth up the ancient Histories and some foreign For what cause did you enterprise these Wars And how great a Friend and Protector do you daily offend Do ye not remember the miraculous Works of your Ancestors in this Holy place and how in times past it was by the Enemies destroyed But I D tremble to recount the works of God to such unworthy hearers Nechias a King of Egypt But consider and you will find that you do not only resist the Romans but God himself Nechias at that time King of Egypt who also was called Pharao came and with an infinite Army took away Queen Sara the Mother of our Nation And what did our first Father Abraham in this case Did he betake himself to Arms to revenge that injury though he had under his command three hundred and eighteen Captains and under them an infinite multitude Did he not rather desist from War perceiving God not to accompany him and lifting up his pure hands towards this Holy-place which now you have defiled and prophaned implore the assistance of his invincible God And was not the Queen the second night after sent home again unto him untouched whilst the Egyptian adoring this Holy-place which ye have polluted with E Murders of your own Nation and trembling at the Visions he saw in the night time fled rewarding the Hebrews with Gold and Silver whom he perceived to be so beloved of God Shall I recount unto you the going of our Ancestors into Egypt The Hebrews under the Tyranny of Egypt four hundred years who having for four hundred years been slaves to the Egyptian Tyrants and Kings and able to have revenged themselves by force of Arms yet did they rather expect and stay Gods leisure Who knoweth not that then Egypt in revenge of their tyranny to the Hebrews was overrun withall kinds of Serpents and infected with all kind of Diseases the Earth became barren Nilus dry and the ten plagues followed one another our Ancestors were safely delivered without bloodshed God Almighty conducting them as willing to reserve them for his Priests When the Assyrians had taken away from us the Holy Ark The Sacred Ark taken away by the Assyrians and restored to the Jews did not Palestina and Dagon F repent that fact Did not the whole Nation that took it weep and lament therefore For their privy parts being putrified their Bowels and meat came from them and with unclean hands they were forced to bring it back again with Cymbals and Trumpets to make Satisfaction for their offence Senacherib King of Assur It was God that did this for our Ancestors because that depositing their Arms they resigned themselves wholly to his pleasure Was Senacherib King of Assyria with all his Power out of Asia incamping before this City overcome by humane force Did not our Ancestours wave their own force and betake themselves to prayer The Captivity of Babylon and God by his Angel in one night destroyed an infinite Army so as that the next day the Assyrian found a hundred fourscore and five thousand of his men dead and fled with the rest from the unarm'd Hebrews though they never pursued You know also G that in the Captivity of Babylon where the people lived the space of seventy years they got not their liberty till such time as God disposed Cyrus to suffer them to depart into their own Country And continuing his assistance they again as the Priests in old time were H wont did serve and reverence their helper In brief our Ancestors did never atchieve any great matter by force of Arms neither did they leave any thing undone wherein they expected Gods help but still remaining quiet at home they overcome their Enemies wholly by his Providence and when they trusted to their own strength they always miscarryed For when Zedechias our King contrary to the admonition of the Prophet Jeremy went forth to fight with the King of Babylon at that time besieging the City both he and his whole Party were taken The destruction of Jerusalem by the King of Babylon and this City destroyed Yet consider how far your Generals are inferiour to that King and your selves to the people of those times For Jeremy declaring to the City that God was offended at their iniquity and that except they did yield it should be taken by force yet did not the King nor any of the people lay hands upon
assistance levy the tribute from those Cities who were negligent in their payments and after he had borrowed five hundred talents of the Kings friends in Alexandria he departed into Syria As soon as he came to Ascalon he demanded the payment of the tribute at the Citizens hands which they not only refused but moreover upbraided him with injurious words Whereupon laying hold on about twenty of the principal among them he put them to death and having gathered their substances together he sent the King some thousand talents certifying him of that which he had done Ptolomy admiring L at his wisdom The Ascalonites and Scythopolitanes punished for their conâ—mpt and approving what he had done permitted him to dispose of all things at his pleasure The Syrians when they heard this began to fear the like severity and perceiving that the Ascalonites were slain by Joseph they opened their gates and received him willingly and payed him their tributes Whereas also the Scythopolitanes contumaciously refused to lay down according to order their accustomed tributes he slew the chiefest amongst them and sent the confiscation of their goods unto the King When therefore he had gathered much silver and made great gains of the farming of the tributes to the intent he might establish and make his power of longer continuance he liberally employed his gains considering with himself that it was a part of wisdom to secure his good fortune by those riches which he himself had gotten For he sent M many presents both to the King and Queen and gave liberally to their friends and favorites and to all those which had any authority or credit in the Court that he might win and bind them unto him by his benevolence And in this felicity continued he twenty two years during which time he was the father of seven children by one wife and of another called Hircanus by another Wife who was the Daughter of his Brother Solymius whom he married upon this occasion Going once to Alexandria in the company of his brother who carried with him his daughter already marriageable Josephs wealth and children intending to bestow her upon some Jew of good quality whilest he sate at meat with the King a fair Damsel coming into the room danced so well that she gained the heart of Joseph whereupon he told his brother of it praying N him since by the laws of their Countrey it was forbidden to a Jew to marry a stranger that he would hide his fault and be an assistant unto him that he might procure her for his Mistriss His brother promised him his assistance and in the mean time he dress'd up his own daughter and brought her by night unto his bed whereupon he lay with her not knowing who she was because he had drunk over much and had her company His love still increased and not knowing how to conquer his passion he told his brother that he feared the King would not bestow this Damsel on him His brother told him that he need not trouble himself promising that he should enjoy her whom he loved and that allready she was his wife letting him know the whole contrivance and how he had rather wrong his own daughter than to suffer his brother to fall into dishonor O After that Joseph had commended the kind and natural affection of his brother towards him Hericanâ—â— off-spring and towardness he took his daughter to Wife who bare him a Son called Hircanus as it hath been said Who being thirteen years old gave testimony of that natural spirit and dexerity that was in him The year of the World 3750. before Christ's Nativity 944. by reason whereof his brethren conceived an hatred against him A and the rather because he excelled them in all things and thereby instead of gaining their love he raised their jealousy and hatred Whereas Joseph was desirous to know which of his children had the ripest Judgement and understanding he sent them one after another to those masters who were most renowned for Science in that time but all of them returned back unto him rude and illiterate because they were negligent and idle Whereupon he sent Hircanus the youngest of them into a desart place distant from the high way some seven dayes journey and gave him with him three hundred couple of Oxen to sow the ground in that barren place concealing from him the yokes that should couple them together B When therefore he came unto the place and perceived that the yokes were missing he asked advice of some of the husbandmen who counselled him to send some one back unto his Father to fetch the couples But he supposing he ought not to lose so much time as would be spent in sending back a messenger he made use of a contrivance which seemed much beyond his years For he caused ten couple of the oxen to be slain and distributed the flesh amongst his workmen and made them cut the Skins and fashion couples thereof and having yoked his Oxen he caused the land to be manured according to his Fathers direction and afterwards returned home unto him Whereupon he loved him the more intirely by reason of his wisdom and the subtlety of his understanding and esteemed him as if he had no other child but him alone but this increased the malice and envy of his brothers C When news was brought unto Joseph Joseph sendeth his Son Hircanus to Ptolomey that about that time King Ptolomey was blessed with a young Son and how all the chiefest Lords of Syria and the Countries under his obeysance repaired to Alexandria in great pomp to celebrate the birth-day of the Kings Son he being of himself unable by reason of his age to go thither he asked his Children whether any one of them would go and compliement the King When therefore the eldest Sons had excused themselves and refused to undertake the journey pretending they were unfit to performe the message and understood not the manner of living at Court all of them advising that their brother Hircanus might be sent Joseph was well pleased thereat and calling for Hircanus asked him if he would go to King Ptolomy he promised to undertake the journey and told his Father he needed no great sum of D money to perform it because he should travel frugally and content himself for the whole expence with ten thousand drachms Joseph was very glad to hear of his Sons prudence and after Hircanus had kept silence for a while he advised his Father that he should not present the King with any thing out of Judea but that he should write unto his factor in Alexandria commanding him to deliver such summes of money as he thought convenient to buy that which he found to be most magnificent and of best esteem in the City Joseph imagining that perhaps he would imploy about ten talents in presents and approving of his Sons Counsel wrote unto his factor Arion who had the use
Vitellius his unsatiable Lust than Vespasian's Chastity and Temperance nor a cruel Tyrant rather than a good and courteous Emperour whose Son also was of extraordinary Merit and dâ—served the Empire For true F Valour in 〈◊〉 Emperour is a great defence of Peace Therefore if the Empire were due to aged Experience they had Vespasian if to Valiant Youth they had amongst them Titus that they might 〈◊〉 commodity by both their Ages and that they would not only assist him with the Forces of the Empire having there three Legions besides the Auxiliary Troops of the King but also all the East part of Europe was out of fear of Vitellius The causes that moved the People to elect Vespasian Emperour Moreover they had in Italy some that would assist Vespasian to wit his Brothor and his Son whereof the one they hoped would get many young men to follow him and the other was Prefect of the City an Office very considerable especially in the beginning of such an Enterprise Lastly it might so fall out that the Senate would declare him Emperour whom now the Souldiers being as it were their Preserver had Elected G This was first talked amongst the Companies of Souldiers at last exhorting one another thereto they went and saluted Vespasian Emperour and requested him to accept this Dignity for preservation of the Empire being in great danger to be lost Albeit H Vespasian had alwayes been careful of the Publick-Good yet he refused to be Emperour deeming himself indeed to have deserved it but he rather chose to live a Private Life wherein was security than in the height of Fortune and Honour with perpetual danger The Souldiers elect Vespasian Emperor The Captains were the more earnest because he refused it and the Souldiers flocked about him with drawn Swords threatning his death except he would consent to live as he deserved but after long time striving to avert this their determination to make him Emperour at last seeing he could not avoid it he accepted their offer I CHAP. XI The Description of Aegypt MUtianus and the rest of the Captains that had elected him to the Empire together with the whole Army with great Acclamations desir'd Vespasian to lead them against their common Enemy But Vespasian thought it best first to make sure of Alexandria knowing that Aegypt for the supply of Corn was the greatest and best part of the Empire which if he once were sure of he hoped that although Vitellius were K stronger than he yet he could bring him under because the People would not endure that for his sake the City should be famish'd which would have come to pass except they had supply of Corn out of Aegypt Moreover he desired to joyn to himself those two Legions that were at Alexandria and he considered that that Country might be a defence and refuge for him if any adverse Fortune should betide him for it is not easie to be entred by an Army and the Sea-coasts have no Havens The bounds of Aegypt nor Harbours to receive Ships On the West it bordereth upon the dry and barren part of Lybia on the South upon the Frontiers which separate Syene from Aethiopia and the Cataracts of Nilus hinder the entering of it by Ships L On the East it bordereth upon the Red-Sea The length and breadth of Aegypt which defends it as far as the City Copton on the North it reaches to Syria and is defended by the Aegyptian Sea wherein there is no Haven Thus Aegypt is strong on every side and reacheth in length 2000 Furlongs from Pelusium to Syene and from Plinthia to Pelusium they sayl 3600 Furlongs And Nilus is navigable even unto the City Elephantine Moreover the Haven of Alexandria is dangerous to enter into even in a Calm for the entrance into it is very strait and beside that the way goes not directly on but is made crooked by great stony Rocks and the left side is compassed artificially with a strong Dike but on the right side is the Isle Pharus A most high Tower in the Island Pharus giving light to those that sail 300. stands off having a Tower upon it exceeding great so that a Light in it is seen by Mariners 300 Furlongs off to the end that before they come near it they may provide to bring their Ships in with safety M This Isle is inclosed with high Walls made by Art against which the Sea beating and so returning back again maketh the entrance into the Haven more dangerous Yet this Haven within is very safe and 30 Furlongs long so that whatsoever this Country wants it is brought them into that Haven and whatsoever aboundeth amongst them and which other Nations need is carried from thence all over the whole World So that Vespasian did not unadvisedly seek to make himself Master of Alexandria and to dispose thereof for his own profit being to begin his Empire Wherefore he sent Letters to Tiberius Alexander Tiberius Alexander governs Alexandria and Egypt who was Governour of Alexandria and Aegypt and told him of the Souldiers Resolution and how that seeing he could not avoid it but was forced to N take upon him the Empire he now requested him to help him what he could Alexander receiving Vespasians Letters agreed willingly thereto and presently caused his Army and the People also to swear to Vespasian which they all did willingly having understood Vespasians Virtue by reason that he Governed so near them And so Alexander having now engaged himself prepared all things necessary for the reception of this Prince O A CHAP. XII How Vespasian delivered Joseph out of Captivity IT is incredible how quickly the news was carried into all parts of the World Vespasian by Common voice is created Emperour and Crowned that Vespasian was declared Emperor in the East and how all the Cities rejoyced and made Triumphs and offered Sacrifices for his fortunate success Moreover the Legions in Moesia and Pannonia who not long before revolted from Vitellius by reason of his cruelty now willingly swore obedience to Vespasian Vespasian returned by Berytum to Caesarea where many Embassadours came to him offering him Crowns B and applauding and rejoycing at his good fortune they came out of Syria and all other places thereabout Thither came also Mutianus Governour of Syria who brought tidings how joyfully all the People received him for their Emperour and had sworn obedience to him So all things falling out prosperously on Vespasians side and Fortune seconding what he desired he began to think with himself it was God's providence that he was made Emperour and brought to that estate And so he called to mind all tokens and signs as there had hapned many which foretold that he should be Emperor and among the rest he remembred that which Joseph had told him and though Nero was yet alive presumed to call him Emperour and he admired the man Vespasian consults with his