do and besought God that it would please him to pardon them the errour which they had committed in that behalfe and that it would please him to be appeased by his praiers Besides this he exhorted them to liue vprightly and to keepe in their continuall remembrance what euils had hapned vnto them for that they had forsaken the way of vertue and what wonders God had done and what lawes he had giuen by Moses all which they ought to meditate on if they desired to be in safetie and liue happily with their king But if they should contemne the same he foretold them that both themselues their kings should be grieuously punished Samuel hauing prophecied these things vnto the Hebrewes dismissed them to their own dwellings after he had confirmed the kingdome to Saul the second time CHAP. VII The Palestines assailing the Hebrewes are ouercome in battell BVt when the king had mustered his men and chosen out three thousand of the choisest soldiers he appointed two thousand of thē for the guard of his person with them went dwelt at Bethel The rest he gaue in charge to his son Ionathan sent them into Gaba to attend and guard him there who followed by them valiantly ouercame a garrison of the Philistines neere vnto Gebal For the Philistines of Gaba hauing gotten the vpper hand ouer the Iewes had taken their armes from them and seased and fortified both with men and munition the strongest Cities of their countrey prohibiting them to beare armes and in generall from the vse of any yron by reason of which inhibition if their husbandmen had at any time need of anie yron worke as of plough-shares mattockes or any other such instrument fit for mannuring or tillage of their landes they were inforced to fetch it and get it forged amongst the Philistines Now when the Philistines had gotten some intelligence that their garrison was after this maner defeated they were wonderfully moued and supposing amongst themselues that the iniurie and outrage was in no sort to be suffered they armed themselues against the Iewes and went out embattailed with three hundreth thousand footmen thirtie thousand chariots and sixe thousand horse encamping with their whole host neere vnto the Citie of Machmas Which when Saul the king of the Hebrewes vnderstood he marched towards the Citie of Galgal and as he trauailed thorow the countrey he animated and encouraged the people to recouer their libertie proclaiming warre against the Philistines whose forces he so little feared as he mockt thereat saying that they deserued not to be feared for their multitudes nor any daunger which might acrewe by their encountry But when Sauls souldiers were certified of the true number of their enemies they were wholy discomforted so that some of them hid themselues in dennes and places vnder the earth othersome fled on the other side of Iordan into the countrey of the Gadites and Rubenites But Saul sent for the Prophet resoluing to consult with him vpō the estate of the warre who gaue him answere that he should attend in the same place where he was and that he should prepare beasts for sacrifice because that within seuen daies he would come vnto him and sacrifice on the seuenth day which done he might encounter the enemie According to this direction of the Prophet he expected yet obserued he not intirely all that which Samuel had enioyned him For when he perceiued that he was somewhat slacke in comming and that his soldiers waxed wearie he tooke the beasts that were prepared for the sacrifice and offered a burnt offering but afterwards vnderstanding that Samuel was arriued he went out to meete him and doe him honour Samuel told him that he had done amisse by reason he had neglected that which was commanded him presuming before his arriuall who was sent thither by the conduct and will of God to offer praiers and sacrifice for the people in which action of his he both discouered his rashnes and disorder in sacrificing Saul excused himselfe alledging that he had staied during the terme of seuen daies which were appointed him vrging further that necessitie and the depart of his soldiours together with the feare of the aduerse army which were in Machmas and the intelligence he had receiued that Samuel was gone to Galgal had induced him to offer sacrifice Samuel replied saying Thou hadst done more aduisedly if thou hadst obeyed and not contemned God by thine ouerhaste whose minister and Prophet I am for by thine obedience thou mightest both haue gotten an assurance and continuance of thy kingdome to thy selfe and succession to thy posteritie This said being displeased with that which had hapned he retired backe to his owne house and Saul with sixe hundreth soldiers onely accompanied with his sonne Ionathan came vnto the Citie of Gabeon The greater part of these men were disarmed by reason that the countrey was intirely destitute of iron and workemen that were expert and skilfull in forging making armour for the Philistines permitted them not to haue any as we haue declared a little before These diuiding their army into three battels inuaded the countrey of the Hebrewes by so many waies destroying and foraging all things both in the sight of king Saul and of his son who neither could inhibite their incursions nor by reason of their multitudes make head against them Both he therefore and his sonne and Achias the high Priest sate them downe vpon a hillocke and seeing the countrey spoyled round about them they were much dismaied But Sauls sonne conspired and concluded with his esquire and harnesse-bearer to enter secretly into the enemies campe and raise an vprore and allarum in the same who willingly promising and offering him his seruice to aduenture with him in all occasions and places with the hazard of his life they both of them descended from the mountaine and marched directly towards the enemies campe who had pitched their tents on a hie pointed rocke which extended it selfe in length with three Angles and was each way begirt with a banke as it were a wall and fortification against the incursion of their enemies For which cause they kept their watch somewhat too carelesly because the place was fortified by nature so that no man might ascend or assaile them but with disaduantage When as therefore they had gotten neere vnto the campe Ionathan incouraged his companion and animated him to assaile the enemy after this manner If saith he they espie vs and will vs ascend let vs take this sommons of theirs for an assured token of victorie but if they hold their peace and call vs not let vs returne backe againe As therefore they approched the enemies host about the beginning and brie of day the Philistines said the one vnto the other the Hebrewes creepe out of their caues and dens Then cried they out to Ionathan and his harnesse-bearer saying Come hither come hither vnto vs to the end we may plague
in heauen and from thence after a reuolution of the heauens departing are againe commanded to dwel in chast bodies And that they who haue vvrought their owne death goe vnto darke hell and that God punisheth this their offence vpon all their posteritie Hence it is that God is displeased therewith and it is forbidden by our most wise lawmaker For if any amongst vs kill themselues it is decreed that till the sunne go downe they shall lie vnburied yet we hold it lawfull to burie our enemies Other nations cause their right hands to be cut off who haue killed themselues iudging that as the soule thereby was made a straunger to the bodie euen so by that fact was the hand made a straunger vnto it Wherefore O companions thinke on that which is decent and not to adde to our humane misery impietie against God who created vs. If vve desire to be saued let vs saue our selues for it is no disgrace to receiue our liues at their hands vvho are witnesses of so many valiant deeds of ours If we desire to die let vs die by their hands that haue ouercome vs. I will not go into my enemies campe to be a traitor against my selfe For I beare not their mind who forsake their owne company to flie vnto their enemies for they flie vnto them to saue their liues but I go vnto them to worke mine owne death euen the death of my selfe And I would to God that the Romans would breake promise with me for if they kil me after they haue promised to saue my life I shall willingly die and with great courage hauing their breach of promise and periurie for a comfort of the last victorie Ioseph spake much to this effect to disswade his companions from killing themselues But they stopping their eares with desperation wherewith they had armed themselues to die came furiously towards him with their swords drawne vpbraiding him that he was a coward and euerie one was readie to strike him Then Ioseph calling one by his name and looking vpon another with a countenance like a gouernour holding anothers hand and intreating the rest distracted in such daunger at last escaped from being killed at that instant for stil as one came neere him to strike him he turned his face vpon him like some cruell beast and some of them who remembred how he had beene their captaine in their extremitie with reuerence of his personage trembled so that their swords fel out of their hands and many lifting vp their armes to strike him of their owne accord let their weapons fall Ioseph notwithstanding his desperate estate yet was he not voide of counsell but assisted by Gods prouidence he hazarded his life and spake vnto them as followeth Seeing quoth he that ye are all determined to die let vs cast lots who shall kill one another and he vnto whom the lot falleth shall be killed by him who next ensueth and so the lots shall be cast vpon euerie one of vs so that none of vs shall be forced to kill our selues For it were iniustice that when some of vs be slaine the rest should repent themselues and so escape They all liked well of this and alwaies he vpon whom the lot fell was slaine by him that followed as though they were now to die with their captaine for death was more acceptable because they thought Ioseph should die with them Now it hapned by the prouidence of God that Ioseph remained aliue only with one other and then perswaded him who was left aliue to liue and not seeke death for feare the lot should fall vpon himselfe and for that if he suruiued he should be polluted with the murther and slaughter of his owne nation Thus Ioseph deliuered both from the warres of the Romans and also of his owne nation went with Nicanor vnto Vespasian All the Romans came about him to see him and pressing about their generall they made a great noyse some reioycing that he vvas taken others crying out to punish him others striuing to come neere to behold him better and they who were a farre off cried to kill their enemie but those that vvere neere him and beheld him remembring his prowesse vvere astonished to see that chaunge And there was no captaine nor ruler but although before they were all moued against him yet now beholding him they all began to pitie him and especially Titus who being of a gentle disposition admited Iosephs vaiour his constancy in aduersitie and his age and thereby was moued to take compassion vpon him remembring what a manner of man he had beene during the wars and vvhat he now was being fallen into his enemies hands calling also to mind the force and power of fortune and how small a stay the chance of warres had and that no humane affaires had any stay or hold in them wherefore he drew many mens minds to pitie him so that Titus vvas the chiefe author of Iosephs life yet Vespasian caused him to be carefully kept as though he meant to send him to Caesar. Which Ioseph hearing requested that he might speake a vvord or two with him alone then all but his sonne Titus departing and two of his friends Thou O Vespasian quoth he thinkest onely that thou hast Ioseph for thy captiue but I am a messenger vnto thee of greater matters from God otherwise I knew my countrey lawes and how it behooued the generals of our nation to die and not to be taken aliue by their enemies Wilt thou send me to Nero Wherefore As though Nero should still liue and thou not succeed him Thou O Vespasian art Caesar and the Emperour of Rome and Titus also thy sonne and keepe me in bonds with thee for thou art not onely my Lord but Lord of all the world and sea and land and all mankind And if I now faine these things in this state that I am of my owne mind against God let me be reserued vnto a greater punishment After hee had thus spoken Vespasian gaue small credit vnto his words and onely thought that Ioseph feined these things of himselfe to saue his life yet by little and little hee began to giue credit vnto him because God put it in his mind to hope for the Empire and foretelling his reigne by many signes and tokens he also found Ioseph to tel the truth in other matters For one of Vespasians friends answered that it was marueile that hee knowing that could not prophecie the euent of the warres against Iotapata and what was like to befall himselfe that so he might haue auoided those euils Ioseph answered that he foretold the Citizens of Iotapata that after seuen and fortie dayes they should be destroyed and that the Romans should keepe him aliue in hold Vespasian secretly enquired of these matters and finding by the relation of the captiues that it was true he began to giue more credit vnto that which Ioseph had told him concerning himselfe
proofe both of their faith and valour There died also many of Demetrius soldiers But after that Alexander had fled vnto the mountaines diuers Iewes to the number of sixe thousand in commiseration of his desperate estate and thorow the feare they had of Demetrius resorted vnto him which when the conquerer heard he retired himselfe After this the Iewes made warre against Alexander and in diuers losses which they receiued there died a great number of them in diuers combates Finally after he had closed vp the most strongest amongst them in the Citie of Bethom he besieged them and after he had taken the Citie and brought them vnder his subiection he caried them to Ierusalem where he perpetrated an vnspeakable and cruell murther For whilest he banquetted with his concubines in the sight of them all he commaunded eight hundreth of them or thereabout to be crucified and before their eies whilest they yet liued he caused their wiues and childrens throats to be cur All which he did to reuenge himselfe of those wrongs which he had receiued but he exceeded the bounds of humanitie herein notwithstanding they had rebelled against him and reduced him into a most piteous estate and put him in daunger both of his life and kingdom For being not content to assaile and make warre vpon him with their owne forces they drewe straungers also into his countrey against him and finally they ouerpressed him in such sort that he was constrained to yeeld vp into the king of Arabias hands the countries and cities that he had conquered from the Moabites and Galaadites for feare least they should ioyne with the Iewes and make warre against him besides other innumerable iniuries and outrages committed by them against him This notstanding it cannot be excused but that he ouershot himselfe herein so that by reason of this his so enormous cruelty he was called Thracidas that is to say as cruell as a Thracian and this title continued among the Iewes The soldiers of the contrary party who amounted to the number of eight thousand fled by night into strong and sure holds and as long as Alexander liued they were in exile But at the last after he was deliuered of all these troubles he liued in quiet and gouerned his kingdome peaceably all the remnant of his life But Demetrius departing from Iudaea to Beroea besieged his brother Philip with ten thousand footmen and one thousand horse But Straton Lord of Beroea allied to Philip called Zizus Duke of the Arabians and Mithridates Sinaces gouernour of the Parthians vnto his helpe who repairing vnto him with great forces besieged Demetrius in his owne trenches in which they so inclosed him by continuall shooting of dartes and want of water that they constrained him and those that were with him to submit themselues to their mercy When as therefore they had praied the whole countrey and were seazed of Demetrius they sent him prisoner to Mithridates who at that time was King of Parthia And as touching the Antiochians as many of them as were found in the campe were suffered to depart with the safety of their liues and baggage and to returne to Antioch But Mithridates King of Parthia honoured Demetrius by all meanes possible vntill such time as he was surprised with a sicknes whereof he died Incontinently after the battell Philip came into Antioch and hauing obtained the kingdome ruled ouer Syria CHAP. XXIII The explaites of Antiochus Dionysius against Iudaea AFter this Antiochus called Dionysius who was Philips brother came into Damasco to obtaine the soueraigutie therein and there in short space accomplishing his affaires got possession of the crowne When his brother Philip who had an army in a readines to inuade the Arabians had tidings hereof he came to Damasco with great speed and made him sirrender vp the Citie both by the meanes of Milesius whom Antiochus had left gouernour in the Castle as also by the consent of the Citizens themselues But Philip shewed himselfe vngratefull toward Milesius performing nothing of that which he had promised him at such time as he deliuered him the Citie because his intent was that the world should thinke that the feare of his power and not Milesius sauour was the cause of the surprisall of Damasco Which act of his drew him into suspicion with Milesius and was the cause that he lost the Citie againe For departing from thence to exercise himselfe at tile Milesius locke the gates against him and kept the Citie for Antiochus Who hauing intelligence of that which had befallen Philip returned out of Arabia at that verse instant-led his army into Iudaea in which there were eight thousand footmen and eight hundreth horsemen Alexander fearing his approch made a deepe trench from Caparsabe which is called at this day Antipatris as farre as the sea of Ioppe which was the onely streight whereby he might be assailed and made a wal furnished with wooden towers with their courts of guard distant the one from the other an hundreth and fiftie furlongs to keepe backe Antiochus But he fired all these his fortifications and made his army passe into Arabia thorow this streight The king of Arabia retired vpon the first assault but afterwards he presently came into the field with ten thousand horsemen whom Antiochus charged very valiantly and in the onset lost his life yet with victorie whilest he sought to succour a company of his men that were hardly laid to After Antiochus death his army retired to the burrough of Cana where diuers of them died for hunger After him Aretas raigned in Coelesyria who was called vnto that kingdome by those that held Damasco and hated Ptolomey the sonne of Mennaeus Aretas led his army into Iewry and got a victorie against Alexander neere to Adida which done he retired out of Iudaea vpon a coposition made between them Moreouer once more Alexander marched towards the city of Dion and tooke the same And afterwards he led his army against Essa where Zeno had hoorded vp his chiefest riches and before he assailed the fortresse he inuironed the place with three huge walles which he builded round about it and hauing taken it by force he marched to Gaulana and Seleucia which wen he had ouercome he made himselfe master of a valley called the valley of Antiochus with the fortresse of Gamala And obiecting many crimes against Demetrius the lord of those places he dispossessed him of his gouernment Finally after he had made warre for the space of three whole yeeres he returned into his countrey where the Iewes intertained him willingly by reason of the happy exploits which he had atchieued About the same time the Iewes were already possessed of the Cities of Syria Idumaea and Phoenicia of the tower of Straton Apollonia Ioppe Iamnia Azoth Gaza Anthedon Raphia Rhinocura all which were neere vnto the sea and in the firme land on the side of Idumaea as Adora Marissa and all Samaria the
diuers of them that were in the pallace issued out and submitted themselues vnto them But Rufus and Gratus hauing three thousand of those valiant souldiers vnder their charge who had serued Herode ioyned themselues with the Romans The like did those horsemen which followed Rufus who in like manner submitted themselues to their direction yet for all this the Iewes continued and intended their siege vndermining the wals and exhorting their aduersaries to depart and not to exempt them of their libertie which they had long time enioied vnder their predecessors Sabinus was willing to depart from thence with his souldiers yet durst he not trust them in regard of their former attempt and he suspected ouer much the ouer liberall offer his enemies had made him but neglected the same because he expected Varus At the same time infinite other troubles were raised in diuers other places of Iudaea according as each man either was incensed with a desire of gaine or a wil to reuenge For two thousand men of warre who had sometime serued vnder Herode and being at that time cashierd liued at home assembling themselues togither assailed those of the kings faction who made head against them vnder the conduct of Herodes nephew Achiabus who neuer daring to encounter them in a place of equall aduantage in that they were olde souldiers and well exercised in warre defended himselfe and that he held and kept himselfe as neere as he could in the mountaines and places of aduantage Moreouer Iudas the sonne of Ezechias the Archthiefe whom Herode ouercame with so much difficultie at Sephoris a Citie of Galilee gathering vnto him a band of desperate men made incursions vpon the kings dominions And hauing taken all those armes and weapons which he might recouer in that place he armed from the first to the last all those souldiers that were with him he tooke away all that money which was reserued for the king in that place and affrighting the inhabitants round about him he spoiled all those with whomsoeuer he met aspiring to the kingdome and affecting the same not by lawfull meanes of which he was vnskilfull but by a libertie to do iniurie Whilest these troubles ranged in euerie place Simon also who had been one of Herodes seruants and both for his shape stature and strength was esteemed amongst all men vndertooke the kingdome and being attended by a mightie army and proclaimed king by them who were a wicked and vnbridled multitude and perswading himselfe that he was worthy to be king aboue any other he first of all set fire on the pallace in Iericho and spoiled all that which was therein He burnt also diuers other royall pallaces belonging to the king which were in diuers places of the countrey giuing them free licence who were his followers in the action to beare away the prey that remained and farre more licentious prankes had he plaid had not his practises been speedily and wisely preuented For Gratus who with the kings souldiers had coupled himselfe with the Romans and gathered all the forces that he had went out against this Simon And after a fierce battell they on the other side of Iordan were put to flight and fighting rather vnder courage then militarie discipline they were ouercome And whilest Simon in trauersing a valley sought to saue himselfe by flight Gratus met with him and cut off his head About the same time also the royall pallace of Amatha that was fast by Iordan was burned by men of as bad disposition as Simon was And thus thorow the whole nation raigned this raging rebellion for that the countrey had no king who by his vertue might gouerne and moderate the people for that the strangers who were sent to represse these mutinies did rather incense them thorow their violence and auarice For a certaine obscure and base man neither esteemed for vertue nor worthy regard for his riches but being a shepheard vtterly vnknowne before time and only famous for his huge stature and strength called Athronges was so audacious as to aspire to royall dignitie and tooke pleasure to offer violence setting light by his life exposing himselfe to all hazards for the onely vnbridled affection he bare to soueraigntie He had foure brothers of as goodly stature as himselfe who were esâ—…emed for men of valour and execution whereby they imagined they had the meanes offered them to occupie the kingdome Each one of these had the commaund ouer a companie For a great companie of people resorted daily vnto them the charge of whom was committed vnto his brethren at such time as any occasion of warre was offered and he in the meane while wearing the diademe on his head ordered counsailed and commaunded all things The power of this Gallant endured a long time who was not called king for nought for he disposed all things according to his owne pleasure and both he and his brethren were flesht with the slaughter of the Romans and those of the kings side whom he hated alike these by reason of the insolence they had vsed during Herodes life time the other in regard of those iniuries which lately they supposed themselues to haue receiued by them This hatred of theirs daily increased more and more and there was no man that could escape their hands both in respect of the gaine they sought as for the custome they had to shed bloud They therefore at that time set vpon the Romans and surprised them on the sodaine neere to Emmaus at such time as they carried victuals and munition vnto their campe and hauing enclosed the Centurion Arius with fortie of their most valiant footmen they shotte him thorow with their darts The rest that expected nothing lesse then life were saued by Gratus who came in vpon them with the kings souldiers whereupon leauing the deadbodies they retired Continuing their warre after this maner a long time according as occasion was offered they had done much mischiefe to the Romans and farre more iniurie to the nation of the Iewes Finally they were surprised the one in an encountrie betwixt them and Gratus the other in fighting against Ptolomey The eldest was taken by Archelaus the last being dismaid with these accidents and seeing no meanes to escape for besides his other mishaps his souldiers were afflicted with sicknesse he with the rest vpon Archelaus faith and oath submitted himselfe vnto him But this was done some little while after At this time was all Iudaea full of robberies and as many seditious assemblies as drew togither so many kings were there elected who were raised to the vtter ruine of the common weale Amongst the rest the Romans were they that smarted least but the murthers were executed against those that were of the countrey But Varus vnderstanding by Sabinus letters in what dangers they were and fearing the vtter ouerthrow of his third legion he tooke with him the two other for to the vttermost in Syria there were but
came to espie not to fight yet had he not one wound but all past him as though vpon purpose euery one had striuen to haue mist him But Titus with his sword made way and cut many vpon the face that opposed themselues against him and so they falling downe he with his horse past ouer them The Iewes seeing Titus his valour cried and exhorted one another to set vpon him but whithersoeuer he turned the Iewes fled and would not abide by it likewise those souldiers that were in the like danger with him came of either side him and behind him For no man had any hope to saue his life but onely by making themselues way with Titus before they were so enclosed and oppressed So of two of the most valiant amongst them one was slaine and his horse likewise the other was slaine and his horse taken by the Iewes And Titus with the rest of his followers came safe into the campe And the Iewes getting the first victorie rashly tooke courage and that encouragement being of moment made them verie confident a long time after CHAP. III. How the Iewes did issue out vpon the Romans pitching their tents SO soone as the legion that was to passe by Ammaus was ioyned to the rest of the army that night Caesar presently the next morning remooued and came to Scopos where he might perfectly view the Citie and the temple on the North part where the ground adioyning vnto the Citie is verie low and is properly called Scopos being distant seuen furlongs from the Citie and there Titus commanded two legions to encampe themselues and the fift legion to retire three furlongs further off to the intent that the souldiers who were wearied with trauailing all night might entrench themselues without feare or danger No sooner had they began their worke but presently the tenth legion came who were to passe by Iericho which Vespasian had already subdued and had placed there a garrison This legion was commanded to encampe six furlongs from Ierusalem neere mount Oliuet which is opposite to the East part of the Citie and is enclosed with a deepe valley called Cedron This great and huge army so sodainly arriuing presently staied the warres within the Citie and these three sects of seditious people beholding with admiration the Romans campe became friends and made agreement amongst themselues They began also to question one with another what furie caused them to suffer themselues to be enclosed with three wals to their preiudice and losse of their liues and seeing such preparation of wars towards that they should be as it were beholders of that which was done keeping themselues quiet and not prouiding to resist the assaults of their enemies and some cried we are onely valiant against our selues and we by our sedition massacring one another shall betray our citie into the Romans hands Thus they being assembled togither exhorted one another and presently arming themselues they issued out of the citie and assaulted the tenth legion and with a huge crie set vpon the Romans that were entrenching themselues in the valley The Romans being euerie one appointed to doe some busines for the furtherance of that worke and for that cause the most of them hauing laid down their weapons for they thought the Iewes durst not haue made any excursions although they would that yet they were hindred being at variance amongst themselues they were troubled aboue measure and presently leauing the worke some fled many arming themselues to fight were slaine before they were prepared to resist The multitude of the Iewes was daily encreased because that at the first they got the vpper hand and notwithstanding their number was small yet did they thinke themselues many and so did the Romans thinke them to be because of their good fortune The Romans who were alwaies wont to obserue militarie discipline and order at that time by their sodaine assaulting were so troubled that they obserued no order and so fled yet whensoeuer they turned againe vpon them that followed them they easily wounded the Iewes partly because that they were so earnest that they did not greatly seeke to defend themselues and also they did easily stay the Iewes from pursuing them Yet the number of them that pursued them still encreasing they were also more troubled and so at last forced to forsake the field and leaue their tents and the whole legion had beene in greater daunger had no◅ Titus hauing present newes hereof speedily came and succoured them and vpbraiding their cowardlinesse recalled them from flight who with them and the chosen men he brought encountring the Iewes on one side he slew many of them and wounded diuers and put the rest to flight and forced them into the valley The Iewes being now in the lower ground and hauing endured much at the Romans hands since fortune frowned vpon them turned againe hauing the valley between thē they fought with the Romans And thus the fight continued til the midst of the day A little after midday Titus guarding the rest with those that he brought to succour them and placing others to preuent the excursions of the Iewes he commaunded the rest to ent◅ench themselues in the toppe of the mountaine The Iewes thought the Romans had fled and their sentinell vpon their wals making a signe vnto them by shaking his garment vp and down a great multitude of them ran so violently vpon the Romans as though they had beene sauage beasts so that none of their enemies were able to withstand them but as though they had beene stricken with some engine so all of them were diuersly scattered forced to flie into the mountaine But Titus in the midst of the side of the mountaine remained alone hauing but a fewe with him notwithstanding his friends who for the loue they bare to their Emperor staied with him and abode the daunger did earnestly perswade him to flie from the Iewes who desperately ran vpon their owne deaths and not to endaunger himselfe for them who ought rather to abide it thē he And that he should think vpon his own estate who was not a souldier but general of them all and Lord of the whole world and that he should not abide when all others fled so fast and in such daunger But he made as though he heard them not and opposed himselfe against them that offered to assault him striking them vpon the faces and killing them that made resistance and he pursued them downe the hill and so forced them to retire The Iewes amazed at his valour did not yet flie into the citie but auoided him on both sides and fled into the valley then againe pursuing them that fled from them yet Titus crossing them as they went hindred their pursuit In the meane time those that were encamping themselues aboue seeing them beneath put to flight were discomfited and all fled thinking that they were not able to resist the Iewes and imagining
destroy the citie telling that in so doing euen now at the last they should saue their owne liues country and temple which had not the like in the world and he continually went about the Rampiers hastening the workemē in their busines as though he presently meant to effect that in deeds which in words he had spoken The Iewes that stood vpon the wals cursed both him and his father reuiling them and affirming that they contemned death and that they did chuse rather to die then to become bondslaues and that whilest life lasted they would as much as lay in them harme the Romanes neither hauing care of themselues nor of ther countrey which Caesar sent them word were both presently to perish Moreouer he said that the whole world was a temple dedicated to God farre more excellent then that of theirs which notwithstanding should be conserued by him that dwelt in it whose helpe they also enioying would deride all his threatnings which could not come to passe God being the end of all And thus opprobriously they exclaimed against the Romans At this time arriued also Antiochus Epiphanes and with him many armed men and beside them guarded with a companie called the Macedonians who were all of like age and little older then young men in their youth all trained vp in armes and armed after the Macedonian manner whereof also they tooke their name yet for the most part not able to answere the expectation that men had of the Macedonians For the king of Comagene was the most fortunate and happie of all kings that were subiect vnto the Roman Empire till such time as he felt the frowne of fortune who in his aged yeeres shewed that none ought to be accounted happie before his death he yet florishing his sonne said hee marueiled that the Romans did delay so long to assault the Citie and enter the battered walles for this young man was a fine warrior and of exceeding strength to the which he trusted too much so that he did many things rashly Titus hereat smiled and answered that that was a labour not onely for the Romans but for all in common After he had said thus presently this young man Antiochus as he was accompanied with his Macedonians assaulted the wall and himselfe with his strength and dexteritie auoided the dartes of the Iewes and cast his darts at them but all his young men only a few excepted were there slain for ashamed of their boasting speeches they cōtinued longer in fight then it was expedient for them at last many being wounded retired themselues now perceiuing that the Macedonians to win a victorie had need of Alexanders fortune The Romans the 12. day of May began to build their Rampires and labouring full ieuenteene whole daies with much ado they ended them the nine and twentith day of the said moneth For they builded foure most huge rampiers one of them ouer against Antonia which was builded by the fift legion opposite to the midst of the Struthian waters another was builded by the twelft legion 20. cubits distant from the other But the tenth legion which was of more account then the two former erected a mount opposite to the pond called Amygdalon on the North side and the fifteenth legion made the fourth thirtie cubits distant from the other ouer against the monumēt of the high Priest Iohn The mounts being thus finished Iohn vndermined that which was ouer against Antonia and vnderpropped it with posts of wood and filling the mine with wood bitumen and pitch he fired it so the post that held it vp being burnt the mine fell and the mount also with a hideous noise fell into it and first of all there arose a great smoke and dust for the mines did couer the flame at last the fire hauing consumed the matter that couered it the flame cleerely appeared The Romans at this sodaine and vnexpected exploit were amazed being grieued at it so that thereby those who before made account of the victorie as though it had beene theirs alreadie began to despaire Two daies after Simon and his associates did set vpon the other Rampiers for thereon were planted Rammes where with the Romans began to beate the wals Amongst the rest a certaine man named Tepthaeus of Garsus a citie of Galilee and Megassarus one of Queene Mariammes seruants and with them one of Adiabena the sonne of Nabateus who for his fortune was named Agiras which signifieth lame these three taking firebrands ran vnto the engines and there was none found in all the Roman armie more valiant then these men nor more terrible for they ran amidst the throng of their enemies so boldly as though they had gone amongst their friends and neuer made any stay but breaking through the midst of their enemies they fired their engines and notwithstanding that on euerie side they were assaulted with darts and arrowes yet did they not giue backe nor seeke to auoid the daunger till such time as the fire had taken hold of the engines The flame mounting on high the Romans now came running out of their campe to succour their fellowes and the Iewes vpon the wall with dartes and arrowes hindred them fighting with them that sought to quench the flame nothing sparing their owne bodies The Romans began to draw away the Rammes their shelters being fired And the Iewes amidst the flames sought to keepe them there yet for all this the Romans saued their Rammes From thence the fire caught hold of the Rampiers and those that would haue preuented it were burned and the fire so increased that it could not be extinguished so the Romans now enuironed with a flame and despairing to rescue their workes retired themselues into their campe and left them on fire But the Iewes were so much the more earnest their number still encreasing by new supply comming out of the Citie so encouraged by this their victorie they rashly aduentured vnto the Romans campe and assaulted the guard there Whichguard was a companie placed round about before the campe in armour and there was a law made that whosoeuer of them that forsooke his place he should lose his life so that they esteeming rather to die a glorious death then ignominiously to suffer a penal punishmēt resisted verie valiantly so that many that had fled retired themselues back againe to fight both for shame that they had forsaken their place and for feare of punishment therefore and placing Engines vpon the rampier of their campe they hindred the Iewes from issuing out of the citie any more for they came out vnarmed hauing nothing to defend their bodies withall For the Iewes fought with whom soeuer they met and rashly running amongst their enemies pikes they stroke them with their fists For the Iewes preuailed more by their hardinesse then by their deeds and the Romans fled more for the Iewes boldnesse then for any harme they sustained by them Then Titus came from Antonia where he had
Ant. lib. 14. cap. 11. Alexanders mother striueth to pacifie Gabinius with rewards The change of y e gouernment of the Iewes Ant. lib. 14. cap. 12. Aristobulus escaping from Rome raiseth new troubles Aristobulus fighteth with the Romans The Romans obtaine the victory and cary away Aristobulus and his son to Rome Alexander Aristobulus son once more prouoketh the Iewes to rebellion The Iewes ouercome by the Romans Gabinius ouercommeth the Nabathaeans in battell Ant. lib. 14. cap 13. Marcus crassus taketh away the rest of the gold of the temple Antipaters wife a noble woman of Arabia The yeare of the world 3917 before Christs birth 47. Ant lib. 14. cap. 14. Caesar deliuereth Aristobulus from his bonds Aristobulus his son slain by PoÌ„peies frieÌ„ds Ant. lib. 14. cap. 15. Ptolemaeus son marieth Antigonus yonger daughter and for that cause is slaine by his father Ant. lib. 14. cap. 16. Mithridates goeth to Pelusium therby obtaineth Antigonus helpe Mithridates victory against the Egyptians Antipater performeth many noble exploits and exposeth himselfe to all daunger for Caesars sake Caesar maketh Antipater a free citizen of Rome Antigonus Aristobulus son commeth to Caesar to accuse Pompeies friends for his fathers death The yeare of the world 3917. before the birth of Christs 47. Antigonus fallely accuseth Hyrcanus and Antipater Antipater casting off his garment sheweth his many woundes Caesar createth Hyrcanus hie priest and to Antipater he giueth the gouerâ—…ment of Iudaea Ant. lib. 14. cap. 16. Antipater repaireth y e wals of his country Antipater chargeth his subiects to obey Hyrcanus Phasaelus and Herode Antipaters sonnes Herodes fortitude Herod banisheth y e theeues out of Syria Phasaelus obtained the fauour of the people of Ierusalem Hyrcanus animated by enuious men against Antipater and his sonnes Herode called to his answere before the councell The yeare of the world 3922. before Christs birth 24. Hyrcanus absolueth Herod Hircanus once more incited by the wicked Herode gathering a great army commeth to Ierusalem to depose Hyrcanus Herode disswaded by Antipater from attempting against Hyrcanus Bassus murthereth Sextus Caesar by treason Marcus Sextus successor Ant. lib. 14. cap. 2. Iulius Caesar slaâ—…ne by Brutus Cassius Cassius leuieth money in the cities Herode Cassius friend Cassius seuere in his exactions The yeare of the world 3922. before Christs birth 42. Malichus forgetfull of Antipaters kindnes Antipater gathereth an armie against Malichus Octauius Augustus succeedeth after Caesar Cassius promiseth Herode after the warre to make him king of Iudaea Antipater poisoned by Malichus Herode intendeth to reuege his fathers death Malichus ioyneth with Hyrcanus Cassius chargeth Herode by letters to reuenge his fathers death The decree of fate laugheth at human hope Herods tribunes murther Malichus The yeare of the world 3923 before Christs birth 41. Ant. lib. 14. cap. 20. Foelix commeth with an army against Phasaelus Phasaelus ouercommeth Foelix toucheth Hyrcanus with ingratitude Antigonus Aristobulus son put to flight by Herode Doris Herods first wife of good birth by whom he had Antipater The chiefest Iewes repaire to Caesar to accuse Phasaelus and Herod Ant. lib. 14. cap 21. The Iewes once more coÌ„plaine against y e two brothers Antonius maketh the two brothers Tetrarches Antonius coÌ„mandeth in Tyre Sedition in IerusaleÌ„ against the brethren Antonius slue the captiues The yeare of the world 3923. before the birth of Christ. 41. Ant. lib. 14. cap. 21. Lysanias persuadeth Batzapharnes to depose Hyrcanus and enstate Antigonus A sore fight in the market place betwixt Antigonus and Hyrcanus Daily slaughters in Ierusalem Phasaelus entertaineth the Parthians and with him fiue hundreth horse Pacorus treason and subtiltie The yeare of the world 3924. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 40. * Or free Herode in Ierusalem and Phasaelus in the camp are in danger of their liues The yeare of the world 3924. before Christs birth 40. Herod is laid for to be betraied Herode in the night time flieth into Idumaea Herod more hotely pursued by the Iewes then the Parthians Herods victory Herodium Massada Petra a citie of Arabia The yeare of the world 3925. before Christs birth 39. Antigonus â—…weth off Hircanus eares Phasaelus words before he died The Parthians establish Antigonus king The yeare of the world 3925. before Christs Natiuitie 39. Animaters to impudence Herode perceiueth the Arabians to be his enemies Herod in great dangers repaireth to Rome Herod repairing to Rome hath conference with Antonius Ant. lib. 14. cap. 13. Herod â—…ndeth both Caesar and Antonius fauourable vnto him Herode praised before the Senate Herode made king by the 〈◊〉 Romane Senate The yeare of the world 3925 before Christs birth 39. Ant. lib. 14. cap. 23. Antigonus getteth Massada The wars between Antigonus soldiers Ioseph Herods brother Ventidius the Romane generall taketh money from Antigonus Ant. lib. 14. cap. 24. Herod against Antigonus Herod intendeth that after he hath taken Massada and Ioppe to besiege Ierusalem Herod begirteth Ierusalem with a siege proclaimeth the cause of his comming Siloes subtiltie being corrupted by y e Iewes Herod gathereth great store of prouision The yeare of the world 3925. before Christs birth 39. Herod accompanied with ten troupes commeth to Iericho The Romane got a great pray Ant. lib. 14. cap. 24. Herod taketh the citie of Sephoris Herode setteth forth against the theeues The yeare of the world 3926. before Christs birth 38. Ant. lib. ca. 25. The description of the caues where the theeues kept The yeere of the world 3926. before Christs birth 38. Ptolemey captaine of Herods souldiers slaine Machaeras iniquitie The yeare of the world 3927. before Christs birth 37. Antonius admireth Herods valour Antigonus cruelty against Iosephs care as The yeare of the world 3927. before Christs Natiuitie 37. Herode certified of his brothers death in a dreame Herods dining roume fell after he had forsaken it and gone to bed The number of the carcasses hinder the souldiers passage The yeare of the world 3928 before Christs birth 36. Herode beheadeth Pappus Antigonus captaine Ant. lib. 14. cap. 1â—… Ierusalem besieged The yeare of the world 3929 before Christs birth 35. The Iewes valiantly defend themselues Herods souldiers after fiue moneths siege enter the citie Slaughter in Ierusalem Sosius taketh Antigonus The yeare of the world 3929. before the birth of Christ. 35. Herode liberally bestoweth mony vpoÌ„ the souldiers Antigonus beheaded Ant. lib. 14. cap. 1. Cleopatras cruelty against her kinred Cleopatras couetousnes The yeare of the world 3934. before Christs birth 30. Ant. lib. 15. cap. 5. Clapatras subtill treason against Herode The yeare of the world 3934. before Christs birth 30. Ant. lib. 15. cap. 6. The Arabians defeat Herods army The Actian warre between Antonius and Augustus Another calamitie of Herodes Herodes oration to his dismaied souldiers Feare giueth confidence Thâ—… yâ—…re of 〈◊〉 world 3934. befoâ—… Christs birth 30. Herodes peroration Herode sacrificeth to God before the battell Herode assaileth the enemie The Arabiâ—…