Antiquities of the Jews, Book 13

1 By what means the nation of the Jews recovered their freedom, when they had been brought into slavery by the Macedonians; and what struggles, and how great battles Judas, the general of their army, ran through, till he was slain, as he was fighting for them; has been related in the previous book. But after he was dead all the wicked, and those that transgressed the laws of their ancestors, sprang up again in Judea; and grew stronger against them, and distressed them on every side. A famine also assisted their wickedness, and afflicted the country: till quite a few, who, because of their lack of necessities, and because they were not able to bear up against the miseries that both the famine, and their enemies brought upon them, deserted their country, and went to the Macedonians. And now Bacchides gathered those Jews together who had apostatized from the accustomed way of living of their ancestors, and chose to live like their neighbours; and committed the care of the country to them. Who also caught the friends of Judas, and those of his party, and delivered them up to Bacchides. Who when he had, first, tortured and tormented them at his pleasure, he, in this way finally killed them. And when this calamity of the Jews had become so great, as they had never had experience of the like since their return out of Babylon; those that remained of the companions of Judas, seeing that the nation was ready to be miserably destroyed, came to his brother Jonathan, and asked him to imitate his brother, and that care which he took of his countrymen; for whose liberty in general he died also: and that he would not permit the nation to be without a governor, especially in those destructive circumstances in which it now was. And when Jonathan said, that he was ready to die for them; and was indeed considered in no way inferior to his brother, he was appointed to be the General of the Jewish army. 2 When Bacchides heard this, he was afraid that Jonathan might be very troublesome to the King and the Macedonians, as Judas had been before him, he sought a way to kill him by treachery. But this intention of his was not unknown to Jonathan, nor to his brother Simon. But when these two were informed of it, they took all their companions, and immediately fled into that wilderness, which was nearest to the city. And when they had come to a lake called Asphar, they stayed there. But when Bacchides was aware that they were in a weakened state, and were in that place, he hurried to attack them with all his forces: and pitching his camp beyond Jordan, he recruited his army. But when Jonathan knew that Bacchides was coming upon him, he sent his brother John, who was also called Gaddis, to the Nabatean Arabs, that he might lodge his baggage with them until the battle with Bacchides should be over. For they were the Jews friends. And the sons of Ambri laid an ambush for John from the city Medaba, and seized upon him, and upon those that were with him, and plundered all that they had with them. They also killed John, and all his companions. However they were sufficiently punished for what they now did by John’s brothers, as we shall soon relate. 3 But when Bacchides knew that Jonathan had pitched his camp among the lakes of Jordan, he observed when their sabbath day came, and then assaulted him; as supposing that he would not fight because of the law for resting on that day. But he exhorted his companions and told them, that their lives were at stake, since they were encompassed by the river, and by their enemies, and had no way to escape. For that their enemies pressed upon them from before; and the river was behind them. So after he had prayed to God to give them the victory, he joined battle with the enemy. He defeated many of them: and as he saw Bacchides coming up boldly to him, he stretched out his right hand to strike him: but the other foreseeing and avoiding his stroke, Jonathan with his companions leaped into the river, and swam over it; and by that means escaped beyond Jordan: while the enemy did not pass over that river: but Bacchides returned immediately to the citadel at Jerusalem; having lost about two thousand of his army.1 He also fortified many cities of Judea, whose walls had been demolished; Jericho, and Emmaus, and Bethoron, and Bethel, and Timna, and Pharatho, and Tecoa, and Gazara, and built towers in every one of these cities, and encompassed them with strong walls, that were very large also: and put garrisons into them, that they might come out of them, and do mischief to the Jews. He also fortified the citadel at Jerusalem more than all the rest. Moreover he took the sons of the principal Jews as pledges; and shut them up in the citadel, and in that manner guarded it. 4 About the same time, one came to Jonathan, and to his brother Simon, and told them, that the sons of Ambri were celebrating a marriage, and bringing the bride from the city Gabatha; who was the daughter of one of the illustrious men among the Arabians: and that the young woman was to be conducted with pomp, and splendour, and great wealth. So Jonathan and Simon thinking this appeared to be the best time for them to avenge the death of their brother; and that they had forces sufficient for receiving satisfaction from them for his death; they hurried to Medaba; and lay in wait among the mountains for the coming of their enemies. And as soon as they saw them conducting the virgin, and her bridegroom, and such a great company of their friends with them, as was to be expected at this wedding, they sallied out of their ambush, and killed them all; and took their ornaments, and all the prey that then followed them; and so returned, and received this satisfaction for their brother John from the sons of Ambri. For as well those sons themselves, as their friends, and wives, and children that followed them, perished; numbering about four hundred. 5 However, Simon and Jonathan returned to the lakes of the river; and stayed there. But Bacchides, when he had secured all Judea with his garrisons, returned to the King. And then the affairs of Judea were quiet for two years. But when the deserters, and the wicked saw that Jonathan and those that were with him lived in the country very quietly, because of the peace, they sent to King Demetrius; and urged him to send Bacchides to seize upon Jonathan: which they said was to be done without any trouble, and in one night: and that if they fell upon them before they were aware, they might kill them all. So the King sent Bacchides. Who when he had come into Judea, wrote to all his friends, both Jews and auxiliaries, that they should seize upon Jonathan, and bring him to him. And when, upon all their endeavours, they were not able to seize upon Jonathan, for he was aware of the snares they laid for him, and very carefully guarded against them; Bacchides was angry at these deserters, as having imposed upon him, and upon the King, and killed fifty of their leaders. Then Jonathan, with his brother, and those that were with him, retired to Bethagla; a village that lay in the wilderness; out of his fear of Bacchides. He also built towers in it, and encompassed it with walls, and took care that it should be safely guarded. Upon the hearing of which, Bacchides led his own army along with him; and besides took his Jewish auxiliaries, and came against Jonathan, and made an assault upon his fortifications, and besieged him many days. But Jonathan did not lose courage at the zeal Bacchides showed in the siege; but courageously opposed him. And while he left his brother Simon in the city, to fight with Bacchides, he himself went out secretly into the country, and got a great body of men together of his own party, and fell upon Bacchides’s camp in the night time, and destroyed a great many of them. His brother Simon knew also of this his falling upon them; because he perceived that the enemies were slain by him: so he sallied out upon them, and burnt the engines which the Macedonians used, and made a great slaughter of them. And when Bacchides saw himself surrounded with enemies, and some of them before, and some behind him, he fell into despair, and trouble of mind; as bewildered at the unexpected failure of this siege. However, he vented his displeasure at these misfortunes upon those deserters who sent for him from the King: as having deluded him. So he wanted to bring this siege to a respectable end; if he could do so; and then to return home. 6 When Jonathan understood these intentions of his, he sent ambassadors to him about a league of friendship and mutual assistance; and that they might restore those they had taken captive on both sides. So Bacchides thought this a pretty decent way of retiring home; and made a league of friendship with Jonathan. When they swore that they would no longer make war against one another. Accordingly he restored the captives, and took his own men with him, and returned to the King to Antioch. And after this his departure he never came into Judea again. Then Jonathan took the opportunity of this quiet state of things, and went and lived in the city Michmash. And there he governed the people; and punished the wicked, and ungodly; and by that means purged the nation of them.

1 Now in the hundred and sixtieth year it happened, that Alexander, the son of Antiochus Epiphanes, came up into Syria, and took Ptolemais: the soldiers within having betrayed it to him. For they were at enmity with Demetrius, on account of his insolence, and difficulty of access. For he shut himself up in a palace of his that had four towers; which he had built himself, not far from Antioch: and admitted nobody. He was also slothful, and negligent about the public affairs. By which the hatred of his subjects was the more kindled against him. As we have elsewhere already related.2 When therefore Demetrius heard that Alexander was in Ptolemais, he took his whole army, and led it against him: he also sent ambassadors to Jonathan, about a league of mutual assistance and friendship. For he resolved to act before Alexander could; in case the other should treat with him first, and gain assistance from him. And this he did out of the fear he had, that Jonathan might remember how ill Demetrius had formerly treated him; and should join with him in this war against him. He therefore gave orders that Jonathan should be allowed to raise an army, and should get armour made, and should receive back those hostages of the Jewish nation whom Bacchides had shut up in the citadel of Jerusalem. When this good fortune had happened to Jonathan, by the concession of Demetrius, he came to Jerusalem, and read the King’s letter, in the hearing of the people, and of those that kept the citadel. When these were read, these wicked men, and deserters, who were in the citadel, were greatly afraid, upon the King’s permission to Jonathan to raise an army, and to receive back the hostages. So he delivered every one of them to his own parents. And thus Jonathan settled at Jerusalem: renewing the city to a better state, and reforming the buildings as he pleased. For he gave orders that the walls of the city should be rebuilt with square stones; that it might be more secure from their enemies. And when those that kept the garrisons that were in Judea saw this, they all left them, and fled to Antioch; excepting those that were in the city Bethsura, and those that were in the citadel of Jerusalem. For most of these was of the wicked Jews and deserters; and on that account these did not deliver up their garrisons. 2 When Alexander knew what promises Demetrius had made Jonathan, and also knew his courage, and what great things he had done when he fought the Macedonians; and besides what hardships he had undergone by the means of Demetrius, and of Bacchides, the general of Demetrius’s army; he told his friends, that “He could not at present find anyone else that might afford him better assistance than Jonathan; who was both courageous against his enemies, and had a particular hatred against Demetrius; as having both suffered many hard things from him, and acted many hard things against him. If therefore they believed that they should make him their friend against Demetrius, it was more for their advantage to invite him to assist them now, than at another time.” It being therefore determined by him and his friends to send to Jonathan, he wrote to him this letter: “King Alexander, to his brother Jonathan, sends greeting. We have long ago heard of your courage, and your fidelity: and for that reason have sent to you to make with you a league of friendship, and mutual assistance. We therefore appoint you today the High Priest of the Jews; and that you are called my friend. I have also sent you, as presents, a purple robe, and a golden crown: and desire that now we have honoured you, you will likewise respect us also.” 3 When Jonathan had received this letter, he put on the priestly robe, at the time of the feast of tabernacles; four years after the death of his brother Judas. for at that time no High Priest had been made. So he raised great forces, and had abundance of armour got ready. This greatly grieved Demetrius, when he heard of it; and made him blame himself for his slowness, that he had not preceded Alexander, and got the good will of Jonathan; but had given him time to do so. However, he himself also wrote a letter to Jonathan, and to the people: the contents of which are these: “King Demetrius to Jonathan, and to the nation of the Jews, sends greeting. Since you have preserved your friendship for us; and when you have been tempted by our enemies, you have not joined yourselves to them; I both commend you for this your fidelity, and exhort you to continue in the same disposition: for which you shall be repaid, and receive rewards from us. For I will free you from most of the tributes and taxes which you formerly paid to the Kings, my predecessors, and to myself. And I now set you free from those tributes, which you have ever paid. And besides I forgive you the tax upon salt: and the value of the crowns which you used to offer to me. And instead of the third part of the fruits and the half of the fruits of the trees, I relinquish my part of them from this day. And as to the poll tax, which ought to be given me for every head of the inhabitants of Judea, and of the three toparchies that adjoin to Judea; Samaria, and Galilee, and Perea, that I relinquish to you for this time, and for all time to come. I also decree that the city of Jerusalem be holy, and inviolable, and free from the tithe, and from the taxes, to its utmost bounds. And I so far recede from my title to the citadel, as to permit Jonathan, your High Priest, to possess it; that he may place such a garrison in it, as he approves of for fidelity and good will to himself; that they may keep it for us. I also make free all those Jews who have been made captives and slaves in my Kingdom. I also order, that the beasts of the Jews not be pressed for our service. And let their sabbaths, and all their festivals, and three days before each of them be free from any imposition. In the same manner I set free the Jews that are inhabitants of my kingdom, and order that no injury be done them. I also allow those willing to enlist in my army to do so, up to thirty thousand. Which Jewish soldiers, wherever they go, shall have the same pay that my own army has. And some of them I will place in my garrisons; and some as guards about my own body, and as rulers over those that are in my court. I also allow them to use the laws of their ancestors, and to observe them; and I decree that they have power over the three toparchies3 that are added to Judea; and it shall be in the power of the High Priest to take care, that no one Jew shall have any other temple for worship,4 but only that at Jerusalem. I bequeath also, out of my own revenues, yearly, for the expenses about the sacrifices, one hundred and fifty thousand drachmæ: and whatever money remains, I decree that it shall be your own. I also release to you those ten thousand drachmæ which the Kings received from the temple; because they belong to the Priests, that minister in that temple. And whoever shall flee to the temple at Jerusalem, or to the places belonging to it; or who owe the King money; or are there on any other account; let them be set free; and let their goods be in safety. I also give you leave to repair and rebuild your temple; and that all be done at my expenses. I also allow you to build the walls of your city; and to erect high towers; and that they be erected at my expense. And if there is any fortified town that would be convenient for the Jewish country to have very strong, let it be so built at my expenses.” 4 This was what Demetrius promised, and granted to the Jews, by this letter. But King Alexander raised a great army of mercenary soldiers, and of those that deserted to him out of Syria; and made an expedition against Demetrius. And when it came to a battle, the left wing of Demetrius put those who opposed them to flight, and pursued them a great way, and killed many of them, and spoiled their camp. But the right wing, where Demetrius happened to be, was beaten. And as for all the rest they ran away. But Demetrius fought courageously, and killed a great many of the enemy. But as he was in the pursuit of the rest, his horse carried him into a deep bog, where it was hard to get out. And there it happened, that upon his horse’s falling down, he could not escape being killed. For when his enemies saw what had happened to him, they returned back, and encompassed Demetrius round; and they all threw their darts at him. But he being now on foot, fought bravely: but finally he received so many wounds, that he was not able to bear up any longer, but fell. And this is the end that Demetrius came to, when he had reigned eleven years, as we have elsewhere related.5

1 But then the son of Onias the High Priest, who was of the same name as his father, and who fled to King Ptolemy, who was called Philometor, lived now at Alexandria; as we have said already.6 When this Onias saw that Judea was oppressed by the Macedonians, and their Kings; out of a desire to secure a memorial for himself and eternal fame, he resolved to send to King Ptolemy and Queen Cleopatra, to ask their permission that he might build a temple in Egypt, like that at Jerusalem; and might ordain Levites and Priests out of their own stock. The chief reason why he was wanted to do so, was that he relied upon the Prophet Isaiah, who lived above six hundred years before, and foretold, that there certainly was to be a temple built to Almighty God in Egypt by a man that was a Jew. Onias was elevated with this prediction; and wrote the following letter to Ptolemy and Cleopatra: “Having done many and great things for you in the affairs of the war, by the assistance of God; and that in Celesyria and Phenicia; I came eventually with the Jews to Leontopolis, and to other places of your nation. Where I found that most of your people had temples in an improper manner; and that on this account they bore ill will towards one another: which happens to the Egyptians, because of the multitude of their temples; and the difference of opinions about divine worship. Now I found a very suitable place in a castle that has its name from the Country Diana; this place is full of materials of several sorts, and filled with sacred animals. I desire therefore that you will give me permission to purge this holy place; which belongs to no master, and has fallen down; and to build there a temple to Almighty God, after the pattern of that in Jerusalem, and of the same dimensions: that may be for the benefit of yourself, and your wife, and children: that those Jews which dwell in Egypt may have a place where they may come and meet together in mutual harmony with one another, and he subservient to your advantages. For the Prophet Isaiah foretold that There should be an altar in Egypt to the Lord God. And he prophesied many other such things relating to that place.” 2 And this was what Onias wrote to King Ptolemy. Now anyone may observe his piety, and that of his sister and wife Cleopatra’s, by that letter which they wrote in answer to it. For they laid the blame and the transgression of the law upon the head of Onias. And this was their reply. “King Ptolemy and Queen Cleopatra, to Onias, send greeting. We have read your petition; in which you request permission to purge that temple which has fallen down at Leontopolis in the Nomus of Heliopolis, and which is named from the country Bubastis. On which account we cannot help wondering that it should be pleasing to God to have a temple erected in a place so unclean, and so full of sacred animals. But since you say that Isaiah the Prophet foretold this long ago; we give you permission to do it; if it may be done according to your law; and so that we may not appear to have at all offended God in this.” 3 So Onias took the place, and built a temple, and an altar to God; indeed like that in Jerusalem, but smaller, and poorer. I do not think it proper for me now to describe its dimensions, or its vessels: which have been already described in my seventh book of the wars of the Jews. However, Onias found other Jews also like himself, together with priests and Levites who performed there divine service. But we have said enough about this temple. 4 Now it happened that the Alexandrian Jews, and those Samaritans who paid their worship to the temple that was built in the days of Alexander at mount Gerizzim, now stirred up strife against one another, and disputed about their temples before Ptolemy himself. The Jews saying, that, according to the laws of Moses, the temple was to be built at Jerusalem: and the Samaritans saying, that it was to be built at Gerizzim. They therefore asked the King to sit with his friends, and hear the debates about these matters; and put to death those who lost the debate. Now Sabbeus and Theodosius managed the argument for the Samaritans: and Andronicus, the son of Messalamus, for the people of Jerusalem. And they took an oath by God and the King to make their demonstrations according to the law. And they asked Ptolemy, that whoever he should find that transgressed what they had sworn to, he would put him to death. Accordingly the King took several of his friends into the council, and sat down, in order to hear what the advocates said. Now the Jews that were at Alexandria were greatly concerned for those men, whose lot it was to contend for the temple at Jerusalem. For they took it very ill that any should pretend to take away the reputation of that temple; which was so ancient, and so celebrated all over the inhabited world. Now when Sabbeus and Theodosius had allowed Andronicus to speak first, he began to demonstrate out of the law, and out of the successions of the High Priests, how they every one in succession from his father had received that dignity, and ruled over the temple; and how all the Kings of Asia had honoured that temple with their donations, and with the most splendid gifts dedicated to it. But as for that at Gerizzm, he7 made no account of it, nor regarded it as if it had never existed. By this speech, and other arguments, Andronicus persuaded the King to determine, that the temple at Jerusalem was built according to the laws of Moses: and to put Sabbeus and Theodosius to death. And these were the events that happened to the Jews at Alexandria, in the days of Ptolemy Philometor.

1 Demetrius being thus slain in battle, as we have related above, Alexander took the Kingdom of Syria; and wrote to Ptolemy Philometor, and asked for his daughter in marriage; and said it was only right that he should be joined by marriage to one that had now received the principality of his ancestors; and had been promoted to it by God’s providence; and had conquered Demetrius: and that was on other accounts not unworthy of being related to him. Ptolemy received this proposal of marriage gladly: and wrote him an answer, saluting him on account of his having received the principality of his ancestors; and promising him, that he would give him his daughter in marriage; and assured him that he was coming to meet him at Ptolemais, and asked him to meet him there. For that he would accompany her from Egypt so far; and would there marry his child to him. When Ptolemy had written thus, he came suddenly to Ptolemais, and brought his daughter Cleopatra along with him. And as he found Alexander there before him, as he had asked him to come, he gave him his child in marriage: and as her dowry gave her as much silver and gold, as befitted such a King. 2 When the wedding was over, Alexander wrote to Jonathan the High Priest; and asked him to come to Ptolemais. So when he came to these Kings, and had made them magnificent presents, he was honoured by them both. Alexander compelled him also to take off his own garments, and to take a purple garment: and made him sit with him in his throne: and commanded his captains that they should go with him into the middle of the city, and proclaim, that it was not permitted to anyone to speak against him, or to give him any disturbance. And when the captains had done this, those that were prepared to accuse Jonathan, and who bore him ill will, when they saw the honour that was done him by proclamation, and that by the King’s order, ran away, and were afraid that some harm might happen to them. Indeed King Alexander was so very kind to Jonathan, that he ranked him as the foremost of his friends. 3 But then, upon the hundred and sixty fifth year, Demetrius, the son of Demetrius, came from Crete, with a great number of mercenary soldiers: which Lasthenes, the Cretian, brought him; and sailed to Cilicia. This thing greatly distressed and troubled Alexander, when he heard it. So he hurried immediately out of Phenicia, and came to Antioch; that he might put matters on a secure footing there, before Demetrius should come. He also left Apollonius Daus governor of Celesyria, who coming to Jamnia with a great army, sent to Jonathan the High Priest, and told him, that “It was not right that he alone should live at rest, and with authority, and not be subject to the King: that this thing had made him a reproach among all men, that he had not yet made him subject to the King. Do not therefore deceive yourself, and sit still among the mountains; and pretend to have forces with you. But if you have any confidence in your strength, come down into the plain; and let our armies be compared together; and the outcome of the battle will demonstrate which of us is the most courageous. However, take notice, that the most valiant men of every city are in my army. And that these are the very men who have always beaten your ancestors. But let us have the battle in such a place of the country where we may fight with weapons, and not with stones; and where there may be no place where those that are beaten may flee.” 4 With this Jonathan was irritated: and choosing for himself ten thousand of his soldiers, he went out of Jerusalem in haste, with his brother Simon; and came to Joppa; and pitched his camp on the outside of the city; because the people of Joppa had shut their gates against him. For they had a garrison in the city put there by Apollonius. But when Jonathan was preparing to besiege them, they were afraid he would take them by force; and so they opened the gates to him. But Apollonius, when he heard that Joppa was taken by Jonathan, took three thousand horsemen, and eight thousand foot soldiers, and came to Ashdod: and leaving there, he made his journey silently and slowly; and going up to Joppa, he pretended to retreat from the place, and so drew Jonathan into the plain: as placing great confidence in his horsemen, and having his hopes of victory principally in them. However Jonathan sallied out, and pursued Apollonius to Ashdod. But as soon as Apollonius perceived that his enemy was in the plain, he came back, and gave him battle. But Apollonius had laid a thousand horsemen in ambush, in a valley; that they might be seen by their enemies as behind them: which when Jonathan perceived, he was not dismayed; but ordering his army to stand in a square battle array, he instructed them to fall on the enemy on both sides; and set them to face those that attacked them both before and behind. And while the fight lasted till the evening, he gave part of his forces to his brother Simon; and ordered him to attack the enemies: but for his part, he charged those that were with him to cover themselves with their armour, and receive the darts of the horsemen. Who did as they were commanded. So that the enemies horsemen, while they threw their darts till they had no more left, did them no harm: for the darts that were thrown did not enter into their bodies; being thrown upon the shields that were united and conjoined together: the closeness of which easily overcame the force of the darts, and they flew about without any effect. But when the enemy grew slack in throwing their darts, from morning till late at night; Simon perceived their weariness, and fell upon the body of men before him. And because his soldiers showed great eagerness, he put the enemy to flight. And when the horsemen saw that the foot soldiers ran away, they did not remain either: but they being very weary, by the duration of the fight till the evening, and their hope from the foot soldiers being quite gone, they basely ran away, and in great confusion also: till they were separated from one another, and scattered over all the plain. Upon which Jonathan pursued them as far as Ashdod; and killed a great many of them; and compelled the rest, in despair of escaping, to flee to the temple of Dagon, which was at Ashdod. But Jonathan took the city on the first attack, and burnt it, and the villages about it. Nor did he abstain from the temple of Dagon itself, but burnt it also; and destroyed those that had fled to it. Now the entire multitude of the enemies that fell in the battle, and were consumed in the temple, were eight thousand. When Jonathan therefore had overcome such a great army, he removed from Ashdod, and came to Askelon. And when he had pitched his camp outside the city, the people of Askelon came out and met him; bringing him hospitable presents, and honouring him; so he accepted their kind intentions, and returned there to Jerusalem, with a great deal of plunder; which he brought there, when he conquered his enemies. But when Alexander heard, that Apollonius, the general of his army, was beaten, he pretended to be glad of it; because he had fought with Jonathan his friend and ally against his directions. Accordingly he sent to Jonathan; and gave testimony to his worth; and gave him honorary rewards: as a golden button: which it is the custom to give the King’s kinsmen: and allowed him Ekron, and its toparchy, for his own inheritance. 5 About this time King Ptolemy, who was called Philometor, led an army, part by the sea, and part by land; and came to Syria, to the assistance of Alexander; who was his son-in-law. And accordingly all the cities received him willingly; as Alexander had commanded them to do; and conducted him as far as Ashdod. Where they all made loud complaints about the temple of Dagon, which was burnt; and accused Jonathan of having laid it waste, and destroyed the country adjoining with fire, and killed a great number of them. Ptolemy heard these accusations; but said nothing. Jonathan also went to meet Ptolemy as far as Joppa; and obtained from him hospitable presents, and those glorious in their kinds, with all the marks of honour. And when he had conducted him as far as the river called Eleutherus, he returned again to Jerusalem. 6 But as Ptolemy was at Ptolemais, he was very near to a most unexpected destruction. For a treacherous design was laid for his life by Alexander, by the means of Ammonius, who was his friend. And as the treachery was very plain, Ptolemy wrote to Alexander; and required of him that he should bring Ammonius to deserved punishment: informing him what snares had been laid for him by Ammonius, and desiring that he might he accordingly punished for it. But when Alexander did not comply with his demands, he perceived that it was he himself who laid the design, and was very angry at him. Alexander had also formerly been on very bad terms with the people of Antioch: for they had suffered very much by his means. Yet Ammonius finally suffered the punishment his insolent crimes had deserved. For he was killed in a disgraceful manner, like a woman; while he endeavoured to conceal himself in a women’s clothing: as we have elsewhere related.8 7 Then Ptolemy blamed himself, for having given his daughter in marriage to Alexander, and for the league he had made with him to assist him against Demetrius. So he dissolved his relation to him; and took his daughter away from him; and immediately sent to Demetrius, and offered to make a league of mutual assistance and friendship with him, and agreed with him to give him his daughter in marriage, and to restore him to the principality of his fathers. Demetrius was well pleased with this embassy, and accepted his assistance, and of the marriage of his daughter. But Ptolemy had still one more hard task to do; and that was to persuade the people of Antioch to receive Demetrius: because they were greatly displeased at him, on account of the injuries his father Demetrius had done them. Yet he brought this about. For as the people of Antioch hated Alexander, on Ammonius’s account, as we have showed already; they were easily persuaded to expel him from Antioch. Who thus expelled out of Antioch, came into Cilicia. Ptolemy came then to Antioch, and was made King by its inhabitants, and by the army. So that he was forced to put on two diadems; the one of Asia, the other of Egypt. But being naturally a good and a righteous man, and not desirous of what belonged to others; and besides these dispositions, being also a wise man in reasoning about future events, he determined to avoid the envy of the Romans. So he called the people of Antioch together to an assembly, and persuaded them to receive Demetrius; and assured them, that “He would not be mindful of what they did to his father, in case he should he now obliged by them; and he undertook that he would himself be a good adviser, and governor to him; and promised that he would not permit him to attempt any bad actions. But that for his own part, he was contented with the Kingdom of Egypt.” By which discourse he persuaded the people of Antioch to receive Demetrius. 8 But now Alexander hurried with a numerous and great army, and came out of Cilicia into Syria, and burnt the country belonging to Antioch, and pillaged it. Then Ptolemy, and his son-in-law Demetrius, brought their army against him: (for he had already given him his daughter in marriage:) and beat Alexander, and put him to flight. And accordingly he fled into Arabia. Now it happened in the time of the battle, that Ptolemy’s horse, upon hearing the noise of an elephant, cast him off his back, and threw him on the ground. Upon the sight of which accident his enemies fell upon him, and gave him many wounds upon his head, and brought him into danger of death. For when his guards caught him up, he was so very ill, that for four days he was not able either to understand, or to speak. However, Zabdiel, a prince among the Arabians, cut off Alexander’s head, and sent it to Ptolemy. Who recovering from his wounds, and regaining his senses on the fifth day, heard at once most welcome news, and saw a most agreeable sight: which were the death, and the head of Alexander. Yet a little after this his joy for the death of Alexander, with which he was so greatly satisfied, he also died. Now Alexander, who was called Balas, reigned over Asia five years; as we have elsewhere related.9 9 But when Demetrius, who was styled Nicator, had taken the Kingdom, he was so wicked as to treat Ptolemy’s soldiers very harshly; neither remembering the league of mutual assistance that was between them; nor that he was his son-in-law and kinsman, by Cleopatra’s marriage to him. So the soldiers fled from his wicked treatment, to Alexandria. But Demetrius kept his elephants. But Jonathan, the High Priest, levied an army out of all Judea, and attacked the citadel at Jerusalem, and besieged it. It was held by a garrison of Macedonians; and by some of those wicked men who had deserted the customs of their ancestors. These men at first despised the attempts of Jonathan for taking the place; as depending on its strength. But some of those wicked men went out by night, and came to Demetrius, and informed him, that the citadel was besieged. Who was irritated with what he heard, and took his army, and came from Antioch against Jonathan. And when he was at Antioch, he wrote to him, and commanded him to come to him quickly, to Ptolemais. Upon which Jonathan did not interrupt the siege of the citadel; but took with him the elders of the people, and the priests; and carried with him gold, and silver, and garments, and a great number of presents of friendship; and came to Demetrius, and presented him with them; and in this way pacified the King’s anger. So he was honoured by him, and received from him the confirmation of his High Priesthood, as he had possessed it by the grants of the Kings his predecessors. And when the Jewish deserters accused him, Demetrius was so far from believing them, that when he petitioned him that he would demand no more than three hundred talents for the tribute of all Judea, and the three toparchies of Samaria, and Perea, and Galilee, he complied with the proposal, and gave him a letter confirming all those grants: whose contents were as follows. “King Demetrius to Jonathan his brother, and to the nation of the Jews, sends greeting. We have sent you a copy of that letter which we have written to Lasthenes, our kinsman; that you may know its contents. King Demetrus to Lasthenes our father, sends greeting. I have determined to return thanks, and to show favour to the nation of the Jews, which has observed the rules of justice in our concerns. Accordingly I remit to them the three prefectures Apherima, and Lydda, and Ramatha, which have been added to Judea out of Samaria, with their appurtenances. As also what the Kings my predecessors received from those that offered sacrifices in Jerusalem; and what are due from the fruits of the earth, and of the trees, and what else belongs to us; with the salt pits, and the crowns that used to be presented to us. Nor shall they be compelled to pay any of those taxes from this time for all future time. Take care therefore that a copy of this letter be taken, and given to Jonathan; and be set up in a prominent place of their holy temple.” And these were the contents of this writing. And now when Demetrius saw that there was peace everywhere, and that there was no danger, nor fear of war, he disbanded most of his army, and diminished their pay; and even retained in pay no others than such foreigners as came up with him from Crete, and from the other Islands. However, this procured him ill will and hatred from the soldiers: on whom he bestowed nothing from this time: while the Kings before him used to pay them in time of peace; as they did before; that they might have their good will; and that they might be very ready to undergo the difficulties of war, if any occasion should require it.

1 Now there was a certain commander of Alexander’s forces, he was of Apamia by birth: his name was Diodotus; but he was also called Trypho. This man ook notice the ill will the soldiers bore to Demetrius; and went to Malchus, the Arabian, who brought up Antiochus, the son of Alexander; and told him what ill will the armies bore Demetrius; and persuaded him to give him Antiochus; because he would make him King, and recover to him the Kingdom of his father. Malchus at first opposed him in this attempt; because he could not believe him: but when Trypho pressed him hard for a long time, he eventually persuaded him to comply with Trypho’s intentions, and pleas. And this was the state Trypho was now in. 2 But Jonathan, the High Priest, wanting to rid himself of those that were in the citadel of Jerusalem; and of the Jewish deserters, and wicked men; as well as of those in all the garrisons in the country; sent presents and ambassadors to Demetrius; and begged him to take away his soldiers out of the strongholds of Judea. Demetrius answered, That after the war, which he was now deeply engaged in, was over, he would not only grant him that, but greater things than that also. And he desired he would send him some assistance: and informed him that his army had deserted him. So Jonathan chose three thousand of his soldiers, and sent them to Demetrius. 3 Now the people of Antioch hated Demetrius, both on account of what mischief he had himself done them; and because they were his enemies also on account of his father Demetrius, who had greatly abused them. So they watched some opportunity, which they might lay hold on, to fall upon him. And when they were informed of the assistance that was coming to Demetrius from Jonathan, and considered at the same time that he would raise a numerous army, unless they prevented him, and seized upon him; they took their weapons immediately, and encompassed his palace, in the way of a siege; and seizing upon all the ways of getting out, they sought to subdue their King. And when he saw that the people of Antioch had become his bitter enemies, and that they were thus in arms, he took the mercenary soldiers which he had with them, and those Jews who were sent by Jonathan, and assaulted the Antiochians. But he was overpowered by them: for they were many tens of thousands; and was beaten. But when the Jews saw that the Antiochians were superior, they went up to the top of the palace, and shot at them from there. And because they were so remote from them by their height, that they suffered nothing on their side, but did great execution on the others, as fighting from such an elevation; they drove them out of the adjoining houses; and immediately set them on fire. Then the flame spread itself over the whole city, and burnt it all down. This happened because of the closeness of the houses; and because they were generally built of wood. So the Antiochians, when they were not able to help themselves, nor to stop the fire, were put to flight. And as the Jews leaped from the top of one house, to the top of another, and pursued them in that manner; it there happened that the pursuit was so very surprising. But when the King saw that the Antiochians were very busy in saving their children, and their wives; and so did not fight any longer; he fell upon them in the narrow passages, and fought them, and killed a great many of them: till at last they were forced to throw down their arms, and to deliver themselves up to Demetrius. So he forgave them this insolent behaviour of theirs; and put an end to the sedition. And when he had given rewards to the Jews out of the rich spoils he had obtained; and had thanked them, as the cause of his victory; he sent them away to Jerusalem, to Jonathan, with an ample testimony of the assistance they had afforded him. Yet he proved treacherous to Jonathan afterward; and broke the promises he had made: and he threatened that he would make war upon him, unless he would pay all that tribute which the Jewish nation owed to the first Kings of Syria. And he would have done this, if Trypho had not hindered him, and diverted his preparations against Jonathan, to a concern for his own preservation. For he now returned out of Arabia into Syria, with the child Antiochus: for he was still only a youth in age: and put the diadem on his head. And as the whole forces that had left Demetrius, because they had no pay, came to his assistance, he made war upon Demetrius, and joining battle with him, overcame him in the fight: and took from him both his elephants, and the city Antioch. 4 Demetrius, upon this defeat, retired into Cilicia: but the child Antiochus sent ambassadors, and a letter to Jonathan: and made him his friend, and confederate, and confirmed to him the High Priesthood; and yielded up to him the four prefectures10 which had been added to Judea. Moreover he sent him vessels, and cups of gold, and a purple garment; and allowed him to use them. He also presented him with a golden button; and styled him one of his principal friends: and appointed his brother Simon, to be the general over the forces from the ladder of Tyre, to Egypt. So Jonathan was so pleased with these grants made him by Antiochus, that he sent ambassadors to him, and to Trypho; and professed himself to be their friend, and confederate: and said he would join with him in a war against Demetrius. Informing him that he had not properly repaid the kindnesses he had done him. For that when he had received many marks of kindness from him, when he stood in great need of them, he, for such good turns, had repaid him with further injuries. 5 So Antiochus allowed Jonathan to raise for himself a numerous army out of Syria, and Phenicia, and to make war against Demetrius’s generals. Then he went in haste to the several cities; which received him splendidly indeed; but put no forces into his hands. And when he had come from there to Askelon, the inhabitants of Askelon came, and brought him presents, and met him in a splendid manner. He exhorted them, and every one of the cities of Celesyria to forsake Demetrius and to join with Antiochus: and in assisting him, to endeavour to punish Demetrius, for what offences he had been guilty of against themselves; and told them, there were many reasons for this course of action; if they wanted to do so. And when he had persuaded those cities to promise their assistance to Antiochus, he came to Gaza, in order to induce them also to be friends to Antiochus. But he found the inhabitants of Gaza much more alienated from him than he expected: for they had shut their gates against him: and although they had deserted Demetrius, they had not resolved to join themselves to Antiochus. This provoked Jonathan to besiege them, and to harass their country. For as he set a part of his army around Gaza itself, so with the rest he overran their land, and spoiled it, and burnt what was in it. When the inhabitants of Gaza saw themselves in this state of affliction; and that no assistance came to them from Demetrius; that what distressed them was at hand; but what should profit them was still at a great distance; and it was uncertain whether it would come at all or not; they thought it would be prudent conduct to stop supporting him any longer, and to cultivate friendship with the other. So they sent to Jonathan, and professed they would be his friends, and afford him assistance. For such is the temper of men; that before they have had the trial of great afflictions, they do not understand what is for their advantage: but when they find themselves to be under such afflictions, they then change their minds; and what it had been better for them to have done before they had been at all damaged, they choose to do, but not till after they have suffered such damages. However, he made a league of friendship with them, and took from them hostages for their performance of it; and sent these hostages to Jerusalem: while he himself went over all the country, as far as Damascus. 6 But when he heard that the generals of Demetrius’s forces had come to the city Cadesh, with a numerous army, (the place lies between the land of the Tyrians, and Galilee.) For they supposed they should in this way draw him out of Syria, in order to preserve Galilee; and that he would not overlook the Galileans, who were his own people, when war was made upon them; he went to meet them, having left Simon in Judea: who raised as great an army as he was able out of the country, and then sat down before Bethsura, and besieged it; that being the strongest place in all Judea: and a garrison of Demetrius’s kept it; as we have already related. But as Simon was raising banks, and bringing his engines of war against Bethsura, and was very earnest about the siege of it, the garrison was afraid that the place should be taken of Simon by force, and they put to the sword. So they sent to Simon, and asked for the assurance of his oath, that they should come to no harm from him; and that then they would leave the place, and go away to Demetrius. Accordingly he gave them his oath, and expelled them from the city; and he put in it a garrison of his own. 7 But Jonathan removed out of Galilee, and from the waters which are called Gennesar: for there he was before encamped: and came into the plain that is called Asor: without knowing that the enemy was there. When therefore Demetrius’s men knew a day beforehand that Jonathan was coming against them, they laid an ambush in the mountain, who were to assault him suddenly; while they themselves met him with an army in the plain. Which army when Jonathan saw ready to engage him, he also got ready his own soldiers for the battle, as well as he was able. But those that were laid in ambush by Demetrius’s generals being behind them, the Jews were afraid that they should be caught in the middle between two bodies, and perish. So they ran away in haste: and indeed all the rest left Jonathan; but there were a few, numbering about fifty, who stayed with him: and with them Mattathias the son of Absalom, and Judas the son of Chapseus; who were commanders of the whole army. These marched boldly, and like desperate men, against the enemy; and so pushed them, that by their courage they daunted them; and with their weapons in their hands they put them to flight. And when those soldiers of Jonathan, that had retired, saw the enemy giving way, they got together after their flight, and pursued them with great violence. And they did this as far as Cadesh, where the camp of the enemy lay. 8 Jonathan having thus won a glorious victory, and slain two thousand of the enemy, returned to Jerusalem. So when he saw that all his affairs prospered, as he wished, by the providence of God, he sent ambassadors to the Romans; being desirous of renewing that friendship which their nation had with them formerly.11 He enjoined the same ambassadors, that, as they came back, they should go to the Spartans; and remind them of their friendship and kindred.12 So when the ambassadors came to Rome, they went into their senate, and said what they were commanded by Jonathan the High Priest to say: how he had sent them to confirm their friendship. The senate then confirmed what had been formerly decreed concerning their friendship with the Jews; and gave them letters to carry to all the Kings of Asia and Europe, and to the governors of the cities, that they might safely conduct them to their own country. Accordingly, as they returned, they came to Sparta; and delivered the letter which they had received of Jonathan to them. A copy of which here follows: “Jonathan, the High Priest of the Jewish nation, and the senate, and body of the people of the Jews, to the Ephori and senate, and people of the Lacedemonians, send greeting. If you are well, and both your public and private affairs are as you wish, it is according to our wishes. We are well also. When in former times a letter was brought to Onias,13 who was then our High Priest, from Areus, who at that time was your King, by Demoteles, concerning the kindred that was between us and you: a copy of which is here included: we both joyfully received the letter, and were well pleased with Demoteles, and Areus. Although we did not need such a demonstration; because we were satisfied about it, from the sacred writings. Yet we did not think it appropriate first to begin the claim of this relation to you; for fear that we might seem too early in taking to ourselves the glory which is now given us by you. It is a long time since this relation of ours to you has been renewed: and when we, upon holy and festival days, offer sacrifices to God, we pray to him for your preservation and victory. As to ourselves, although we have had many wars that have compassed us round, because of the covetousness of our neighbours, yet we did not determine to be troublesome either to you, or to others that were related to us. But since we have now overcome our enemies, and have occasion to send Numenius, the son of Antiochus, and Antipater, the son of Jason, who are both honourable men belonging to our senate, to the Romans, we gave them this letter to you also: that they might renew that friendship which is between us. You will therefore do well yourselves to write to us, and send us an account of what you need from us: since we are in all things disposed to act according to your desires.” So the Lacedemonians received the ambassadors kindly; and made a decree for friendship and mutual assistance, and sent it to them. 9 At this time there were three sects among the Jews, who had different opinions concerning human actions. The one was called the sect of the Pharisees; another the sect of the Sadducees; and the other the sect of the Essens. Now for the Pharisees, they say that some actions, but not all are the work of fate: and some of them are in our own power; and that they are liable to fate,14 but are not caused by fate. But the sect of the Essens affirm, that fate governs all things; and that nothing happens to men but what is according to its determination. And for the Sadducees, they take away fate; and say there is no such thing; and that the events of human affairs are not at its disposal: but they suppose that all our actions are in our own power; so that we are ourselves the causes of what is good, and receive what is evil from our own folly.⁠a However, I have given a more exact account of these opinions in the second book of the Jewish War.15 10 But now the generals of Demetrius being willing to recover the defeat they had had, gathered a greater army together than they had before, and came against Jonathan. But as soon as he was informed of their coming, he went suddenly to meet them, to the country of Hamath: for he resolved to give them no opportunity of coming into Judea. So he pitched his camp at fifty furlongs distance from the enemy; and sent out spies to take a view of their camp, and how they were encamped. When his spies had given him full information, and had seized upon some of them by night,16 who told him the enemy would soon attack him, he, thus informed beforehand, provided for his security, and placed watchmen beyond his camp, and kept all his forces armed all night. And he instructed them to be of good courage, and to have their minds prepared to fight in the night time, if they should be required to do so; so that their enemies’ plans might not remain concealed from them. But when Demetrius’s commanders were informed, that Jonathan knew what they intended, their counsels were disordered; and it alarmed them to find that the enemy had discovered those intentions of theirs. Nor did they expect to overcome them any other way, now they had failed in the snares they had laid for them. For should they risk an open battle, they did not think they should be a match for Jonathan’s army. So they resolved to flee: and having lighted many fires, that when the enemy saw them they might suppose they were there still, they retired. But when Jonathan came to give them battle in the morning in their camp, and found it deserted; and understood they had fled, he pursued them. Yet he could not overtake them: for they had already passed over the river Eleutherus: and were out of danger.17 So when Jonathan had returned there, he went into Arabia, and fought against the Nabateans; and drove away a great deal of their prey, and took captives, and came to Damascus: and there sold off what he had taken. About the same time it was that Simon, his brother, went over all Judea, and Palestine, as far as Askelon; and fortified the strongholds; and when he had made them very strong, both in the edifices erected, and in the garrisons placed in them, he came to Joppa: and when he had taken it, he brought a great garrison into it. For he heard that the people of Joppa were disposed to deliver up the city to Demetrius’s generals. 11 When Simon and Jonathan had finished these affairs, they returned to Jerusalem. Where Jonathan gathered all the people together, and took counsel to restore the walls of Jerusalem, and to rebuild the wall that encompassed the temple, which had been thrown down;18 and to make the places adjoining stronger by very high towers; and besides that, to build another wall in the midst of the city, in order to exclude the market place from the garrison which was in the citadel; and by that means to hinder them from any plenty of provisions: and moreover to make the fortresses that were in the country much stronger and more defensible than they were before. And when these things were approved of by the multitude, as rightly proposed, Jonathan himself took care of the building that belonged to the city; and sent Simon away to make the fortresses in the country more secure than formerly. But Demetrius passed over [Euphrates], and came into Mesopotamia; as desirous to retain that country still, as well as Babylon: and when he should have obtained the dominion of the upper provinces,19 to lay a foundation for recovering his entire Kingdom. For those Greeks and Macedonians who lived there frequently sent ambassadors to him, and promised, that if he would come to them, they would deliver themselves up to him, and assist him in fighting against Arsaces, the King of the Parthians. So he was elevated with these hopes, and came hastily to them; as having resolved that, if he had once overthrown the Parthians, and obtained an army of his own, he would make war against Trypho, and expel him from Syria. And the people of that country received him with great eagerness. So he raised forces, with which he fought against Arsaces, and lost all his army, and was himself captured alive: as we have elsewhere related.20

1 Now when Trypho knew what had happened to Demetrius, he was no longer loyal to Antiochus; but contrived by deceit to kill him; and then take possession of his Kingdom. But the fear that he was in of Jonathan was an obstacle to this plan of his: for Jonathan was a friend to Antiochus. For this reason he resolved first to take Jonathan out of the way; and then to set about his design relating to Antiochus. But he judging it best to kill him by deceit and treachery, came from Antioch to Bethshan;21 which by the Greeks is called Scythopolis: at which place Jonathan met him, with forty thousand chosen men. For he thought that he came to fight him. But when he perceived that Jonathan was ready to fight, he attempted to gain him by presents, and kind treatment: and ordered to his captains to obey him: and by these means was desirous to give assurance of his good will, and to take away all suspicions out of his min;, that so he might make him careless, and inconsiderate; and might take him when he was unguarded. He also advised him to dismiss his army; because there was no need for bringing it with him: when there was no war, but all was in peace. However, he asked him to retain a few about him, and go with him to Ptolemais: for that he would deliver the city up to him; and would bring all the fortresses that were in the country under his dominion; and he told him that he came with those very designs. 2 Yet Jonathan did not suspect anything at all by this conduct of his: but believed that Trypho gave him this advice out of kindness, and with a sincere design. Accordingly he dismissed his army, and retained no more than three thousand of them with him; and left two thousand in Galilee, and he himself, with one thousand came with Trypho to Ptolemais. But when the people of Ptolemais had shut their gates, as it had been commanded by Trypho to do; he captured Jonathan alive; and killed all that were with him. He also sent soldiers against those two thousand that were left in Galilee, in order to destroy them. But those men having heard the report of what had happened to Jonathan, they prevented the execution; and before those that were sent by Trypho came, they covered themselves with their armour, and went away out of the country. Now when those that were sent against them saw that they were ready to fight for their lives, they gave them no disturbance; but returned to Trypho. 3 But when the people of Jerusalem heard that Jonathan was taken; and that the soldiers who were with him were destroyed; they deplored his sad fate: and there was earnest enquiry made about him by everybody: and a great and just fear fell upon them, and made them sad, for fear that now they were deprived of the courage and conduct of Jonathan, the nations about them should bear them ill will; and as they were before quiet on account of Jonathan, they should now rise up against them; and by making war with them should force them into the utmost dangers. And indeed what they suspected really happened to them. For when those nations heard of the death of Jonathan, they began to make war with the Jews; as now destitute of a governor. And Trypho himself got an army together, and had an intention to go up to Judea, and make war against its inhabitants. But when Simon saw that the people of Jerusalem were terrified at the circumstances they were in, he desired to make a speech to them; and in this way to render them more resolute in opposing Tryphon, when he should come against them. He then called the people together into the temple; and from this began thus to encourage them: “My countrymen, you are not ignorant that our father, myself, and my brothers have ventured to risk our lives, and that willingly for the recovery of your liberty. Since I have therefore such plenty of examples before me; and we of our family have determined with ourselves to die for our laws, and our divine worship; no terror shall be so great as to banish this resolution from our souls; nor to introduce in its place a love of life, and a contempt of glory. Therefore follow me eagerly, wherever I shall lead you: as not destitute of such a captain as is willing to suffer, and to do the greatest things for you. For neither am I better than my brothers, that I should be sparing of my own life; nor so far worse than they, as to avoid and refuse what they thought the most honourable of all things, I mean to face death for your laws, and for that worship of God which is peculiar to you. I will therefore give such proper demonstrations as will show that I am their own brother. And I am so bold as to expect that I shall avenge their blood upon our enemies; and deliver you all, with your wives and children, from the injuries they intend against you; and, with God’s assistance, to preserve your temple from destruction by them. For I see that these nations have you in contempt; as being without a governor: and that they from this are encouraged to make war against you.” 4 By this speech of Simon’s he inspired the multitude with courage: and as they had been before dispirited through fear, they were now raised to a good hope of better things. So much so, that the whole multitude of the people cried out all at once, that Simon should be their leader: and that instead of Judas, and Jonathan, his brothers, he should have the government over them: and they promised that they would readily obey him in whatever he should command them. So he got together immediately all his own soldiers, that were fit for war; and hurried to rebuild the walls of the city, and strengthened them by very high and strong towers; and sent a friend of his, one Jonathan, the son of Absalom, to Joppa, and ordered him to expel the inhabitants from the city. For he was afraid that they should deliver up the city to Trypho.22 But he himself stayed to secure Jerusalem. 5 But Trypho removed from Ptolemais, with a great army, and came into Judea; and brought Jonathan with him in bonds. Simon also met him with his army, at the city Adida; which is upon a hill; and beneath it lie the plains of Judea. And when Trypho knew that Simon had been made their governor by the Jews, he sent to him, and would have deceived him by deceit and treachery; and desired him, if he wanted his brother Jonathan released, that he would send him a hundred talents of silver, and two of Jonathan’s sons; as hostages: that when he shall be released he may not make Judea revolt from the King. For that at present he was kept in bonds on account of the money he had borrowed of the King, and now owed it to him. But Simon was aware of the craft of Trypho: and although he knew that if he gave him the money he should lose it, and that Trypho would not set his brother free; and also should deliver the sons of Jonathan to the enemy; yet because he was afraid that he should have a calumny raised against him among the multitude, as the cause of his brother’s death; if he neither gave the money, nor sent Jonathan’s sons; he gathered his army together, and told them, what offers Trypho had made: and added this, that the offers were ensnaring and treacherous: and yet that it was preferable to send the money, and Jonathan’s sons; than to be liable to the imputation of not complying with Trypho’s offers, and in this way refusing to save his brother. Accordingly Simon sent the sons of Jonathan, and the money. But when Trypho had received them, he did not keep his promise, nor set Jonathan free: but took his army, and went about all the country, and resolved to go up afterward to Jerusalem by the way of Idumea: while Simon went opposite him with his army; and all along pitched his own camp opposite his. 6 But when those that were in the citadel had sent to Trypho, and begged him to hurry, and come to them, and to send them provisions, he prepared his cavalry, as though he would be at Jerusalem that very night. But so great a quantity of snow fell in the night that it covered the roads, and made them so deep, that there was no passing, especially for the cavalry. This hindered him from coming to Jerusalem. Then Trypho removed there, and came into Celesyria: and falling vehemently upon the land of Gilead, he killed Jonathan there, and when he had ordered his burial, he himself returned to Antioch. However Simon sent some to the city Basca to bring away his brother’s bones; and buried them in their own city, Modin. And all the people made great lamentation over him. Simon also erected a very large monument for his father, and his brothers, of white and polished stone; and raised it a great height, and so as to be seen a long way off:⁠a and made cloisters about it, and set up pillars, which were of one stone apiece. It was a wonderful work to see. Moreover he built seven pyramids also, for his parents, and his brothers, one for each of them:23 which were made very surprising, both for their largeness, and beauty: and which have been preserved to this day. And we know that it was Simon who bestowed so much zeal about the burial of Jonathan, and the building of these monuments for his relations. Now Jonathan died when he had been High Priest four years: and had been also the governor of his nation. And these were the circumstances that concerned his death. 7 But Simon, who was made High Priest by the multitude; on the very first year of his High Priesthood set his people free from their slavery under the Macedonians; and permitted them to pay tribute to them no longer. Which liberty and freedom from tribute they obtained after a hundred and seventy years of the Kingdom of the Assyrians: which was after Seleucus, who was called Nicator, got the dominion over Syria. Now the affection of the multitude toward Simon was so great, that in their contracts with one another, and in their public records they wrote, “In the first year of Simon, the benefactor and ethnarch of the Jews.” For under him they were very happy, and overcame the enemies that were around them. For Simon overthrew the city Gazara, and Joppa, and Jamnia. He also took the citadel of Jerusalem by siege; and razed it to the ground;⁠b that it might not be any more a place of refuge to their enemies, when they took it, to do them a mischief; as it had been till now. And when he had done this, he thought it their best way, and most for their advantage, to level the very mountain itself, upon which the citadel happened to stand: that so the temple might be higher than it. And indeed when he had called the multitude to an assembly, he persuaded them to have it so demolished; and this by reminding them of what miseries they had suffered by its garrison, and the Jewish deserters; and what miseries they might hereafter suffer in case any foreigner should obtain the Kingdom, and put a garrison into that citadel. This speech induced the multitude to a compliance; because he exhorted them to do nothing but what was for their own good. So they all set themselves to the work; and levelled the mountain; and in that work spent both day and night, without any interruption; which cost them three whole years before it was removed, and brought to an entire level with the plain of the rest of the city. After which the temple was the highest of all the buildings; now the citadel, as well as the mountain on which it stood, were demolished. And these actions were thus performed under Simon.

1 Now a little while after Demetrius had been carried into captivity, Trypho his governor, destroyed Antiochus, the son of Alexander, who was also called the God: and this when he had reigned four years. Though he claimed that he died under the surgeons’ care. He then sent his friends, and those that were most intimate with him to the soldiers; and promised that he would give them a great deal of money if they would make him King. He intimated to them that Demetrius was made a captive by the Parthians: and that Demetrius’s brother Antiochus, if he came to be King, would do them a great deal of mischief, in way of revenge for their revolting from his brother. So the soldiers, in expectation of the wealth they should get by bestowing the Kingdom on Trypho, made him their ruler. However, when Trypho had gained the management of affairs, he demonstrated his disposition to be wicked. For while he was a private person he cultivated close relations with the multitude, and pretended to great moderation; and so drew them on artfully to whatever he pleased. But when he had once taken the Kingdom, he laid aside any further dissimulation, and was true Trypho: which behaviour made his enemies superior to him. For the soldiery hated him, and revolted from him to Cleopatra, the wife of Demetrius; who was then shut up in Seleucia, with her children. But as Antiochus, the brother24 of Demetrius, who was called Soter, was not admitted by any of the cities on account of Trypho; Cleopatra sent to him, and invited him to marry her, and to take the kingdom. The reasons why she made this invitation were these: That her friends persuaded her to it: and that she was afraid for herself, in case some of the people of Seleucia should deliver up the city to Trypho. 2 As Antiochus had now come to Seleucia, and his forces increased every day, he marched to fight Trypho: and having beaten him in the battle, he expelled him from the upper Syria into Phenicia: and pursued him there; and besieged him in Dora: which was a fortress hard to be taken, where he had fled. He also sent ambassadors to Simon, the Jewish High Priest, about a league of friendship and mutual assistance. Who readily accepted the invitation; and sent to Antiochus great sums of money; and provisions, for those that besieged Dora; and in this way supplied them very plentifully. So that for a little while he was looked upon as one of his most intimate friends. But still Trypho fled from Dora to Apamia:25 where he was taken, during the siege, and put to death; when he had reigned three years.26 3 However, Antiochus forgot the kind assistance that Simon had afforded him in his necessity; because of his covetous and wicked disposition: and committed an army of soldiers to his friend Cendebeus; and sent him at once to ravage Judea, and to seize Simon. When Simon heard of Antiochus’s breaking his league with him, although he was now elderly, yet, provoked with the unjust treatment he had met with from Antiochus, and taking a resolution brisker than his age could well bear, he went like a young man to act as general of his army. He also sent his sons before, among the most hardy of his soldiers; and he himself marched on with his army another way; and laid many of his men in ambushes, in the narrow valleys, between the mountains. Nor did he fail of success in any one of his attempts; but was too strong for his enemies in every one of them. So he led the rest of his life in peace, and himself also made a league with the Romans. 4 Now he was the ruler of the Jews in all eight years:27 but at a feast came to his end. It was caused by the treachery of his son-in-law, Ptolemy. Who caught also his wife, and two of his sons, and kept them in bonds. He also sent some to kill John, the third son; whose name was Hyrcanus.28 But the young man perceiving them coming, he avoided the danger he was in from them, and hurried into the city as relying on the good will of the multitude; because of the benefits they had received from his father; and because of the hatred the same multitude bear to Ptolemy. So that when Ptolemy was endeavouring to enter the city by another gate, they drove him away; as having already admitted Hyrcanus.

1 So Ptolemy retired to one of the fortresses that was above Jericho; which was called Dagon. But Hyrcanus having taken the High Priesthood, that had been his father’s before, and first propitiated God by sacrifices, he then made an expedition against Ptolemy. And when he made his attacks upon the place, in other points he was too strong for him; but was rendered weaker than he by the commiseration he had for his mother and brothers; and by that only. For Ptolemy brought them upon the wall, and tormented them in the sight of all, and threatened that he would throw them down headlong, unless Hyrcanus would abandon the siege. And as he thought that so far as he relaxed as to the siege and taking of the place, so much favour did he show to those that were dearest to him, by preventing their misery; his zeal about it was cooled. However, his mother spread out her hands, and begged of him, that he would not slacken his efforts on her account; but indulge his indignation so much the more: and that he would do his utmost to take the place quickly, in order to get their enemy under his power; and then to avenge upon him what he had done to those that were dearest to himself. For that death would be to her sweet, though with torment; if that enemy of theirs might but be brought to punishment for his wicked dealings to them. Now when his mother said so, he resolved to take the fortress immediately: but when he saw her beaten, and torn to pieces, his courage failed him; and he could not help sympathizing with what his mother suffered, and was in this way overcome. And as the siege was prolonged by this means, that year on which the Jews use to rest came on. For the Jews observe this rest every seventh year, as they do every seventh day. So that Ptolemy being for this cause released from the war, he killed the brothers of Hyrcanus, and his mother. And when he had done this, he fled to Zeno, who was called Cotylas; who was then the tyrant29 of the city Philadelphia.30 2 But Antiochus, being very uneasy at the miseries that Simon had brought upon him, he invaded Judea, in the fourth year of his reign, and the first year of the principality of Hyrcanus in the hundred sixty second olympiad. And when he had burnt the country, he shut up Hyrcanus in the city: which he encompassed round with seven encampments: but achieved nothing at first; because of the strength of the walls; and because of the valour of the besieged: although they were once lacking water: which yet they were delivered from by a large shower of rain, which fell at the setting of the Pleiades. However, about the north part of the wall, where it happened the city was level with the outward ground, the King raised a hundred towers of three stories high, and placed bodies of soldiers upon them; and as he made his attacks every day, he cut a double ditch, deep, and broad; and confined the inhabitants within it, as within a wall. But the besieged contrived to make frequent sallies out: and if the enemy were not anywhere upon their guard, they fell upon them, and did them a great deal of mischief: and if they perceived them, they then retired into the city with ease. But because Hyrcanus discerned the inconvenience of such a great number of men in the city; while the provisions were the sooner spent by them, and yet, as is natural to suppose, those great numbers did nothing; he separated the useless part; and excluded them out of the city; and retained that part only which were in the prime of their lives, and fit for war. However Antiochus would not let those that were excluded go away. Who therefore wandering about between the walls, and consuming away by famine, died miserably. But when the feast of tabernacles was at hand, those that were within commiserated their condition, and received them in again. And when Hyrcanus sent to Antiochus, and desired there might be a truce for seven days, because of the festival; he gave way to this piety towards God, and made that truce accordingly. And besides that, he sent in a magnificent sacrifice, bulls with their horns gilded; with all sorts of sweet spices; and with cups of gold and silver. So those that were at the gates received the sacrifices from those that brought them, and led them to the temple. Antiochus meanwhile, feasting his army. Which was a quite different conduct from Antiochus Epiphanes: who when he had taken the city, he offered swine upon the altar, and sprinkled the temple with the broth of their flesh; in order to violate the laws of the Jews, and the religion they derived from their ancestors. For which reason our nation made war with him; and would never be reconciled to him: But for this Antiochus, all men called him Antiochus the pious; for the great zeal he had about religion. 3 Accordingly Hyrcanus took this moderation of his kindly: and when he understood how religious he was towards the Deity, he sent an embassy to him; and desired that he would restore the settlements they received from their ancestors. So he rejected the counsel of those that would have him utterly destroy the nation; because of their way of living which was to others unsociable; and did not regard what they said. But being persuaded that all they did was out of a religious mind, he answered the ambassadors, that if the besieged would deliver up their arms, and pay tribute for Joppa and the other cities which bordered upon Judea, and admit a garrison of his; on these terms he would make war against them no longer. But the Jews, although they were content with the other conditions, did not agree to admit the garrison, because they could not associate with other people, nor converse with them. Yet they were willing, instead of the admission of the garrison, to give him hostages, and five hundred talents of silver. Of which they paid down three hundred, and sent the hostages immediately: which King Antiochus accepted. One of those hostages was Hyrcanus’s brother. But still he broke down the fortifications that encompassed the city: And upon these conditions Antiochus broke up the siege, and departed. 4 But Hyrcanus opened the tomb of David; 31 who excelled all other Kings in riches, and took out of it three thousand talents. He was also the first of the Jews that, relying on this wealth, maintained foreign troops. There was also a league of friendship and mutual assistance made between them: Upon which Hyrcanus admitted him into the city, and furnished him with whatever his army wanted in great plenty, and with great generosity; and marched along with him when he made an expedition against the Parthians. Of which Nicolaus of Damascus is a witness for us: who in his history writes this: “When Antiochus had erected a trophy at the river Lycus, upon his conquest of Indates the general of the Parthians, he stayed there two days. It was at the desire of Hyrcanus, the Jew; because it was such a festival derived to them from their ancestors, on which the law of the Jews did not allow them to travel.” And truly he did not speak falsely in saying so. For that festival, which we call pentecost, then fell on the day after the sabbath. Nor is it lawful for us to journey, either on the sabbath day, or on a festival day. But when Antiochus joined battle with Arsaces, the King of Parthia, he lost a great part of his army; and was himself slain. And his brother Demetrius succeeded in the Kingdom of Syria, by the permission of Arsaces; who freed him from his captivity, at the same time that Antiochus attacked Parthia. As we have formerly related elsewhere.32

1 But when Hyrcanus heard of the death of Antiochus, he immediately made an expedition against the cities of Syria;33 hoping to find them destitute of fighting men, and of such as were able to defend them. However, it was not till the sixth month that he took Medaba, and that not without the great distress of his army: After this he took Samega, and the neighbouring places. And besides these, Shechem, and Gerizzim, and the nation of the Cutheans, who lived at the temple which resembled that temple which was at Jerusalem: and which Alexander permitted Sanballat, the general of his army, to build, for the sake of Manasseh, who was son-in-law to Jaddua, the High Priest: as we have formerly related.34 Which temple was now deserted, two hundred years after it was built.35 Hyrcanus took also Dora, and Marissa, cities of Idumea; and subdued all the Idumeans; and permitted them to stay in that country, if they would circumcise their genitals, and make use of the laws of the Jews. And they were so desirous of living in the country of their ancestors, that they submitted to the use of circumcision, and of the rest of the Jewish ways of living. At which time therefore this happened to them, that they were hereafter no other than Jews. 2 But Hyrcanus, the High Priest, was desirous to renew that league of friendship they had with the Romans. Accordingly he sent an embassy to them. And when the senate had received their letter, they made a league of friendship with them, in the following manner: “Fanius, the son of Marcus, the pretor, gathered the senate together, on the eighth day before the ides of February, in the senate house: when Lucius Manlius, the son of Lucius, of the Mentine tribe, and Caius Sempronius, the son of Caius, of the Falernian tribe were present. The occasion was that the ambassadors, sent by the people of the Jews, Simon the son of Dositheus, and Apollonius the son of Alexander, and Diodorus the son of Jason, who were good and virtuous men, had something to propose about that league of friendship and mutual assistance which subsisted between them and the Romans: and about other public affairs: who desired that Joppa, and the harbours, and Gazara, and the springs of Jordan, and the several other cities and countries of theirs, which Antiochus had taken from them in the war, contrary to the decree of the senate, might be restored to them: and that it might not be lawful for the King’s troops to pass through their country, and the countries of those that are subject to them. And that what attempts Antiochus had made during that war, without the decree of the senate, might be made void; and that they would send ambassadors, who should take care that restitution be made them of what Antiochus had taken from them; and that they should make an estimate of the country that had been laid waste in the war; and that they would grant them letters of protection to the Kings, and free people; in order to their quiet return home. It was therefore decreed, as to these points, to renew their league of friendship and mutual assistance with these good men, and who were sent by a good and a friendly people.” But that as to the letters desired, their answer was, that the senate would consult about that matter, when their own affairs would allow them: and that they would endeavour in future, that no like injury should be done them: and that their pretor, Fanius, should give them money out of the public treasury, to bear their expenses home. And thus Fanius dismissed the Jewish ambassadors; and gave them money out of the public treasury; and gave the decree of the senate to those that were to conduct them, and to take care that they should return home in safety. 3 And this was the state of the affairs of Hyrcanus, the High Priest. But as for King Demetrius, who wanted to make war against Hyrcanus, there was no opportunity nor room for it; while both the Syrians, and the soldiers bear ill will to him, because he was a bad man. But when they had sent ambassadors to Ptolemy, who was called Physcon, that he would send them one of the family of Seleucus, in order to take the Kingdom; and he had sent them Alexander, who was called Zebina, with an army, and there had been a battle between them, Demetrius was beaten in the fight, and fled to Cleopatra his wife, to Ptolemais; but his wife would not receive him. He went there to Tyre, and was there caught; and when he had suffered much from his enemies before his death, he was slain by them. So Alexander took the Kingdom, and made a league with Hyrcanus. Who yet when he afterward fought with Antiochus, the son of Demetrius, who was called Grypus, was also beaten in the fight, and slain. [An. 122]

1 When Antiochus had taken the Kingdom, he was afraid to make war against Judea; because he heard that his brother by the same mother, who was also called Antiochus, was raising an army against him out of Cyzicum. So he stayed in his own land; and resolved to prepare himself for the attack he expected from his brother, who was called Cyzicenus; because he had been brought up in that city. He was the son of Antiochus that was called Soter, who died in Parthia.36 He was the brother of Demetrius, the father of Grypus. For it had so happened, that one and the same Cleopatra was married to two, who were brothers: as we have related elsewhere.37 But Antiochus Cyzicenus coming into Syria, continued many years at war with his brother.38 Now Hyrcanus lived throughout this time in peace. For after the death of Antiochus, he revolted from the Macedonians; nor did he any longer pay them the least regard; either as their subject, or their friend: but his affairs were in a very improving and flourishing condition in the times of Alexander Zebina, and especially under these brothers. For the war which they had with one another gave Hyrcanus the opportunity of enjoying himself in Judea quietly; so much so that he got an immense quantity of money. However, when Antiochus Cyzicenus distressed his land, he then openly showed what he meant. And when he saw that Antiochus was destitute of Egyptian auxiliaries, and that both he and his brother were in a bad condition in the struggles they had with one another; he despised them both. 2 So he made an expedition against Samaria: which was a very strong city. Of whose present name Sebaste, and its rebuilding by Herod, we shall speak at a proper time.39 But he made his attack against it and besieged it with great effort. For he was greatly displeased with the Samaritans, for the injuries they had done to the people of Marissa, a colony of the Jews, and confederate with them; and this in compliance with the Kings of Syria. When he had therefore drawn a ditch, and built a double wall round the city; which were eighty furlongs long; he set his sons Antigonus and Aristobulus over the siege. Which brought the Samaritans to that great distress by famine, that they were forced to eat what did not use to be eaten; and to call for Antiochus Cyzicenus to help them. Who came readily to their assistance; but was beaten by Aristobulus. And when he was pursued as far as Scythopolis by the two brothers, he got away. So they returned to Samaria, and shut them again within the wall, till they were forced to send for the same Antiochus a second time to help them. Who procured about six thousand men from Ptolemy Lathyrus, which were sent them without his mother’s consent, who had then in a manner turned him out of his government. With these Egyptians Antiochus did at first overrun and ravage the country of Hyrcanus, like a robber: for he did not dare meet him face to face to fight with him; as not having an army sufficient for that purpose: but only from this supposition, that by thus harassing his land he should force Hyrcanus to raise the siege of Samaria. But because he fell into snares, and lost many of his soldiers in them, he went away to Tripoli, and committed the prosecution of the war against the Jews to Callimander, and Epicrates. 3 But as to Callimander, he attacked the enemy too rashly; and was put to flight, and destroyed immediately. And as to Epicrates, he was such a lover of money, that he openly betrayed Scythopolis and other places near it to the Jews: but was not able to make them raise the siege of Samaria. And when Hyrcanus had taken that city; which was not done till after a year’s siege; he was not contented with doing that only; but he demolished it entirely; and brought rivulets to it to drown it. For he dug such hollows as might let the water run under it. Indeed he took away the very marks that there had ever been such a city there. Now a very surprising thing is related of this High Priest, Hyrcanus: how God came to speak with him. For they say, that on the very same day on which his sons fought with Antiochus Cyzicenus, he was alone in the temple, as High Priest, offering incense, and heard a voice,40 that “His sons had just then overcome Antiochus.” And this he openly declared before all the multitude upon his coming out of the temple. And it accordingly proved true. And this was the state of the affairs of Hyrcanus. 4 Now it happened at this time, that not only those Jews who were at Jerusalem and in Judea were in prosperity, but also those of them who were at Alexandria, and in Egypt, and Cyprus. For Cleopatra, the Queen, was at variance with her son Ptolemy, who was called Lathyrus; and appointed for her generals Chelcias and Ananias, the sons of that Onias who built the temple in the prefecture of Heliopolis, like that at Jerusalem; as we have elsewhere related.41 Cleopatra entrusted these men with her army: and did nothing without their advice: as Strabo of Cappadocia attests, when he says this, “Now the greater part, both those that came to Cyprus with us, and those that were sent afterward there, revolted to Ptolemy immediately; only those that were called Onias’s party, being Jews, continued faithful, because their countrymen Chelcias and Ananias were in chief favour with the queen.” These are the words of Strabo. 5 However this prosperous state of affairs moved the Jews to envy Hyrcanus: but they that were the worst disposed to him were the Pharisees, who are one of the sects of the Jews, as we have informed you already. These have such great power over the multitude, that when they say anything against the King, or against the High Priest, they are immediately believed. Now Hyrcanus was a disciple of theirs; and greatly loved by them. And when he once invited them to a feast, and entertained them very kindly; when he saw them in a good humour, he began to say to them, that “They knew he was desirous to be a righteous man, and to do all things by which he might please God: which was the profession of the Pharisees also. However, he desired that if they observed him offending in any point, and going out of the right way, they would recall him back, and correct him.” On which occasion they attested to his being entirely virtuous. With which commendation he was well pleased. But still there was one of his guests there, whose name was Eleazar, a bad-tempered man, and delighting in seditious practices. This man said; “Since you desire to know the truth, if you will be righteous in earnest, give up your High Priesthood, and content yourself with the civil government of the people.”⁠a And when he desired to know for what cause he ought to give up the High Priesthood? the other replied, “We have heard it from old men, that your mother had been a captive under the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes.” This story was false: and Hyrcanus was provoked against him; and all the Pharisees had a very great indignation against him. 6 Now there was one Jonathan, a very great friend of Hyrcanus’s, but of the sect of the Sadducees; whose notions are quite contrary to those of the Pharisees. He told Hyrcanus, that “Eleazar had cast such a reproach upon him according to the common sentiments of all the Pharisees: and that this would be made clear if he would but ask them the question, what punishment they thought this man deserved? For that he might depend upon it, that the reproach was not laid on him with their approval; if they were for punishing him as his crime deserved.” So the Pharisees answered, that “He deserved lashes and imprisonment: but that it did not seem right to punish reproaches with death.” And indeed the Pharisees, even upon other occasions, are not apt to be severe in punishments. At this gentle sentence Hyrcanus was very angry: and thought that this man reproached him with their approval. It was this Jonathanj, who chiefly irritated him, and influenced him so far, that he made him leave the party of the Pharisees, and abolish the decrees they had imposed on the people; and to punish those that observed them. From this source arose that hatred, which he and his sons met with from the multitude. But of these matters we shall speak hereafter. What I would now explain is this, that the Pharisees have delivered to the people a great many observances by succession from their fathers, which are not written in the laws of Moses: and for that reason it is, that the Sadducees reject them: and say, that we are to esteem those observances to be obligatory which are in the written word; but are not to observe what are derived from the tradition of our ancestors. And concerning these things it is that great disputes and differences have arisen among them. While the Sadducees are able to persuade none but the rich; and do not have the populace obedient to them: but the Pharisees have the multitude on their side.42 But about these two sects, and that of the Essens, I have treated accurately in the second book of Jewish affairs.43 7 But when Hyrcanus had put an end to this sedition, he after that lived happily, and administered the government in the best manner for thirty one years:44 and then died: leaving behind him five sons. He was esteemed by God worthy of three of the greatest privileges, the government of his nation, the dignity of the High Priesthood, and prophecy; for God was with him, and enabled him to know future events; and to foretell this in particular, that as to his two eldest sons, he foretold that they would not long continue in the government of public affairs: whose unhappy catastrophe will be worth our description, that we may from this learn how very much they were inferior to their father’s happiness.

1 Now when their father Hyrcanus was dead, the eldest son, Aristobulus, intending to change the government into a Kingdom; for he resolved to do so; first of all put a diadem on his head, four hundred eighty and one years and three months,45 after the people had been delivered from the Babylonian slavery, and had returned to their own country again. This Aristobulus loved his next brother Antigonus; and treated him as his equal: but the others he held in bonds. He also cast his mother into prison; because she disputed the government with him. For Hyrcanus had left her to be mistress of all. He also proceeded to that degree of barbarity, as to starve her to death in prison. Indeed he was alienated from his brother Antigonus by calumnies, and added him to the rest whom he killed: yet he seemed to have an affection for him, and made him above the rest a partner with him in the Kingdom. At first he did not believe those slanders: partly because he loved him, and so did not give heed to what was said against him: and partly because he thought the reproaches were derived from the envy of the relators. But when Antigonus was once returned from the army, and that feast was then at hand when they make tabernacles to God, it happened that Aristobulus had fallen sick, and that Antigonus went up most splendidly adorned, and with his soldiers about him in their armour, to the temple; to celebrate the feast, and to put up many prayers for the recovery of his brother. When some wicked persons, who greatly wanted to create a division between the brothers, made use of this opportunity of the pompous appearance of Antigonus, and of the great actions which he had done; and went to the King, and spitefully aggravated the pompous show of his at the feast; and pretended that all these circumstances were not like those of a private person: that these actions were indications of an affectation of royal authority; and that his coming with a strong body of men, must be with an intention to kill him: and that his way of reasoning was this; that it was a silly thing in him, while it was in his power to reign himself, to look upon it as a great favour that he was honoured with a lower dignity by his brother. 2 Aristobulus yielded to these imputations: but took care both that his brother should not suspect him, and that he himself might not risk his own safety: so he ordered his guards to lie in a certain place that was underground and dark; (he himself then lying sick in the tower which was called Antonia;) and he commanded them, that in case Antigonus came in to him unarmed, they should not touch anybody; but if armed they should kill him. Yet he sent to Antigonus, and asked him to come unarmed. But the Queen, and those that joined with her in the plot against Antigonus, persuaded the messenger to tell him the exact opposite: how his brother had heard that he had made himself a fine suit of armour for war; and asked him to come to him in that armour; that he might see how fine it was. So Antigonus, suspecting no treachery, but depending on the good will of his brother, came to Aristobulus armed, as he used to be, with his entire armour; in order to show it to him. But when he had come at a place which was called Strato’s tower, where the passage happened to be exceedingly dark, the guards killed him. Which death of his demonstrates, that nothing is stronger than envy and calumny; and that nothing does more certainly divide the good will and natural affections of men than those passions. But here one may take occasion to wonder at one Judas; who was of the sect of the Essens; and who never missed the truth in his predictions. For this man, when he saw Antigonus passing by the temple, cried out to his companions, and friends, who lived with him, as his scholars, in order to learn the art of foretelling things to come; that “It was good for him to die now, since he had spoken falsely about Antigonus who is still alive, and I see him passing by: although he had foretold he should die at the place called Strato’s Tower, that very day: while yet the place is six hundred furlongs off, where he had foretold he should be slain: and still this day is a great part of it already past: so that he was in danger of proving a false prophet.” As he was saying this, and that in a melancholy mood, the news came that Antigonus was slain, in a place underground; which itself was also called Strato’s Tower: or of the same name as that Cesarea which is seated at the sea. This event greatly distressed the prophet. 3 But Aristobulus repented immediately of this slaughter of his brother. On which account his disease increased upon him, and he was disturbed in his mind, upon the guilt of such wickedness: so much so that his entrails were corrupted by his intolerable pain: and he vomited blood. At which time one of the servants that attended upon him, and was carrying his blood away, did, by divine providence, as I cannot help supposing, slip down, and shed part of his blood at the very place where there were spots of Antigonus’s blood, there slain, still remaining. And when there was a cry made by the spectators; as if the servant had on purpose shed the blood in that place; Aristobulus heard it; and enquired what the matter was? And as they did not answer him, he was the more earnest to know what it was. It being natural to men to suspect that what is thus concealed is very bad. So upon his threatening, and forcing them by threats to speak, they finally told him the truth. Then he shed many tears, in that disorder of mind which arose from his consciousness of what he had done; and gave a deep groan, and said, “I am not therefore, I perceive, to be concealed from God, in the impious and horrid crimes I have been guilty of: but a sudden punishment is coming upon me, for the shedding the blood of my relations. And now, You most impudent body of mine, how long will you retain a soul, that ought to die, in order to appease the ghosts of my brother, and my mother? Why do you not give it all up at once? And why do I deliver up my blood drop by drop, to those whom I have so wickedly murdered?” In saying which last words he died: having reigned a year. He was called a lover of the Grecians: and had conferred many benefits on his own country, and made war against Iturea, and added a great part of it to Judea, and compelled the inhabitants, if they would continue in that country, to be circumcised, and to live according to the Jewish laws. He was naturally a man of candour, and of great modesty: as Strabo bears witness, in the name of Timagenes; who says this: “This man was a person of candour, and very serviceable to the Jews. For he added a country to them, and obtained a part of the nation of the Itureans for them; and bound them to them by the bond of the circumcision of their genitals.”

1 When Aristobulus was dead, his wife Salome, who, by the Greeks, was called Alexandra, let his brothers out of prison, (for Aristobulus had kept them in bonds; as we have said already:) and made Alexander Janneus King. Who was the superior in age, and in moderation. This child happened to be hated by his father, as soon as he was born; and could never be permitted to come into his fathers sight, till he died. The occasion of which hatred is thus reported. When Hyrcanus chiefly loved the two eldest of his sons, Antigonus and Aristobulus, God appeared to him in his sleep. Of whom he enquired, which of his sons should be his successor? Upon God’s representing to him the face of Alexander, he was grieved, that he was to be the heir of all his goods: and allowed him to be brought up in Galilee. However, God did not deceive Hyrcanus: for after the death of Aristobulus, he certainly took the Kingdom: and he killed one of his brothers, who aspired to the Kingdom: and he held the other, who chose to live a private and quiet life, in esteem. 2 When Alexander Janneus had settled the government, in the manner that he judged best, he made an expedition against Ptolemais. And having overcome the men in battle, he shut them up in the city, and sat around it, and besieged it. For of the maritime cities there remained only Ptolemais, and Gaza to be conquered: besides Strato’s Tower, and Dora, which were held by the tyrant Zoilus. Now while Antiochus Philometor,46 and Antiochus, who was called Cyzicenus, were making war against one another, and destroying one another’s armies; the people of Ptolemais could have no assistance from them. But when they were distressed with this siege, Zoilus, who possessed Strato’s tower, and Dora, and maintained a legion of soldiers; and on occasion of the contest between the Kings, affected tyranny himself, came and brought some small assistance to the people of Ptolemais. Nor indeed had the Kings such a friendship for them, as that they should hope for any advantage from them. Both those Kings were in the case of wrestlers: who finding themselves deficient in strength, and yet being ashamed to yield, put off the fight by laziness, and by lying still as long as they can. The only hope they had remaining, was from the Kings of Egypt, and from Ptolemy Lathyrus, who now held Cyprus; and who came to Cyprus when he was driven from the government of Egypt by Cleopatra his mother. So the people of Ptolemais sent to this Ptolemy Lathyrus; and asked him to come, as a confederate, to deliver them, now they were in such danger, out of the hands of Alexander. And as the ambassadors gave him hopes, that, if he would pass over into Syria, he would have the people of Gaza on the side of those of Ptolemais. As also they said, that Zoilus, and besides these the Sidonians, and many others would assist them; so he was elevated at this, and got his fleet ready as soon as possible. 3 But in this interval Demenetus, one that was able to persuade men to do as he would have them, and a leader of the populace, made those of Ptolemais change their opinions, and said to them, that “It was better to run the risk of being subject to the Jews, than to admit of evident slavery, by delivering themselves up to a master; and besides that, to have not only a war at present, but to expect a much greater war from Egypt. For that Cleopatra would not overlook an army raised by Ptolemy for himself, out of the neighbourhood; but would come against them with a great army of her own: and this because she was labouring to expel her son from Cyprus also: that as for Ptolemy, if he fail of his hopes, he can still retire to Cyprus: but that they will be left in the greatest danger possible.” Now Ptolemy, although he had heard of the change that was made in the people of Ptolemais, yet he still went on with his voyage; and came to the country called Sycamine; and there set his army on shore. This army of his in the whole, horse and foot together, were about thirty thousand: with which he marched near to Ptolemais, and there pitched his camp. But when the people of Ptolemais neither received his ambassadors, nor would hear what they had to say, he was greatly distressed. 4 But when Zoilus, and the people of Gaza came to him, and desired his assistance; because their country was laid waste by the Jews, and by Alexander; Alexander raised the siege, for fear of Ptolemy. And when he had drawn off his army into his own country, he used a stratagem afterwards; by privately inviting Cleopatra to come against Ptolemy; but publicly pretending to desire a league of friendship and mutual assistance with him. And promising to give him four hundred talents of silver, he desired that, by way of requital, he would kill Zoilus the tyrant, and give his country to the Jews. And then indeed Ptolemy, with pleasure, made such a league of friendship with Alexander; and subdued Zoilus. But when he afterward heard, that he had secretly sent to Cleopatra his mother; he broke the league with him, which yet he had confirmed with an oath; and fell upon him, and besieged Ptolemais; because it would not receive him. However, leaving his generals with some part of his forces to go on with the siege, he himself went immediately with the rest to lay Judea waste. And when Alexander understood this to be Ptolemy’s intention, he also got together about fifty thousand soldiers, out of his own country; indeed, as some writers have said, eighty thousand. He then took his army, and went to meet Ptolemy. But Ptolemy fell upon Asochis, a city of Galilee, and took it by force on the sabbath day: and there he took about ten thousand slaves, and a great deal of other plunder. 5 He then tried to take Sepphoris, which was a city not far from that which was destroyed: but lost many of his men. Yet he then went to fight with Alexander. Which Alexander met him at the river Jordan; near a certain place called Saphoth; and pitched his camp near to the enemy. He had however eight thousand in the first rank, which he styled Hecatontomachi,47 having shields of brass. Those in the first rank of Ptolemy’s soldiers also had shields covered with brass. But Ptolemy’s soldiers in other respects were inferior to those of Alexander: and therefore were more fearful of taking risks. But Philostephanus, the camp-master, put great courage into them; and ordered them to pass the river, which was between their camps. Nor did Alexander think it appropriate to hinder their passage over it: for he thought, that if the enemy had once got the river behind them, that he should the easier take them prisoners, when they could not flee out of the battle. In the beginning of which; the acts on both sides with their hands, and with their eagerness, were alike; and a great slaughter was made by both the armies. But Alexander was superior; till Philostephanus opportunely brought up the auxiliaries to help those that were giving way. But as there were no auxiliaries to afford help to that part of the Jews that gave way, it happened that they fled; and those near them did not assist them: but fled along with them. However, Ptolemy’s soldiers acted quite otherwise. For they followed the Jews, and killed them; till finally those that killed them pursued after them, when they had made them all run away; and killed them so long, that their weapons of iron were blunted, and their hands quite tired with the slaughter. For the report was, that thirty thousand men were then slain. Timagenes says they were fifty thousand. As for the rest, they were part of them taken captives; and the other part ran away to their own country. 6 After this victory Ptolemy overran all the country; and when night came on, he stayed in certain villages of Judea. Which when he found full of women, and children, he commanded his soldiers to strangle them, and to cut them in pieces, and then to cast them into boiling cauldrons, and then to devour their limbs, as sacrifices. This commandment was given, that such as fled from the battle, and came to them, might suppose their enemies were cannibals: and eat men’s flesh: and might on that account be still more terrified at them, upon such a sight. And both Strabo and Nicolaus affirm, that they treated these people in this manner: as I have already related. Ptolemy also took Ptolemais by force: as we have declared elsewhere.48

1 When Cleopatra saw that her son had grown powerful, and laid Judea waste, without disturbance; and had got the city of Gaza under his power; she resolved no longer to overlook what he did; when he was almost at her gates; and she concluded, that now he was so much stronger than before, he would be very desirous of the dominion over the Egyptians. But she immediately marched against him with a fleet at sea, and an army of foot at land; and made Chelcias and Ananias the Jews,49 generals of her whole army. While she sent the greatest part of her riches, her grandchildren, and her testament to the people of Cos. Cleopatra also ordered her son Alexander to sail with a great fleet to Phenicia: and when that country had revolted, she came to Ptolemais: and because the people of Ptolemais did not receive her, she besieged the city. But Ptolemy went out of Syria, and hurried into Egypt, supposing that he should find it destitute of an army, and soon take it. Although he failed of his hopes. At this time Chelcias, one of Cleopatra’s generals, happened to die in Celesyrial as he was in pursuit of Ptolemy. 2 When Cleopatra heard of her son’s attempt, and that his Egyptian expedition did not succeed according to his expectations, she sent there part of her army, and drove him out of that country. So when he had returned out of Egypt again, he stayed, during the winter, at Gaza. In which time Cleopatra took the garrison that was in Ptolemais by siege; as well as the city. And when Alexander came to her, he gave her presents, and such marks of respect as were only proper: since under the miseries he endured by Ptolemy he had no other refuge but her. Now there were some of her friends who persuaded her to seize Alexander, and to overrun and take possession of the country; and not to sit still and see such a multitude of brave Jews subject to one man. But Ananias’s counsel was contrary to theirs; who said, that “She would do an unjust action if she deprived a man that was her ally of that authority which belonged to him; and this a man who is related to us. For, he said, I would not have you ignorant of this, that what injustice you do to him, will make all us that are Jews to be your enemies.” This desire of Ananias’s, Cleopatra complied with, and did no injury to Alexander; but made a league of mutual assistance with him, at Scythopolis, a city of Celesyria. 3 So when Alexander was delivered from the fear he was in of Ptolemy, he immediately made an expedition against Celesyria. He also took Gadara, after a siege of ten months. He took also Amathus, a very strong fortress belonging to the inhabitants above Jordan: where Theodorus, the son of Zeno, had his chief treasure; and what he esteemed most precious. This Zeno fell unexpectedly upon the Jews, and killed ten thousand of them; and seized upon Alexander’s baggage: Yet this misfortune did not terrify Alexander; but he made an expedition upon the maritime parts of the country, Raphia, and Anthedon, (the name of which King Herod afterward changed to Agrippias,) and took even that by force; but when Alexander saw that Ptolemy was retired from Gaza to Cyprus; and his mother Cleopatra had returned to Egypt; he grew angry at the people of Gaza, because they had invited Ptolemy to assist them; and besieged their city, and ravaged their country. But as Apollodotus, the general of the army of Gaza fell upon the camp of the Jews by night, with two thousand foreign, and ten thousand50 of his own forces; while the night lasted, those of Gaza prevailed; because the enemy was made to believe that it was Ptolemy who attacked them. But when day had come on, and that mistake was corrected, and the Jews knew the truth of the matter, they came back again, and fell upon those of Gaza, and killed of them about a thousand. But as those of Gaza stoutly resisted them, and would not yield for either their lack of anything, nor for the great multitude that were slain: for they would rather suffer any hardship whatever, than come under the power of their enemies: Aretas, King of the Arabians, a person then very illustrious, encouraged them to carry on eagerly; and promised them that he would come to their assistance. But it happened, that before he came, Apollodotus was slain. For his brother Lysimachus envying him for the great reputation he had gained among the citizens, killed him; and got the army together, and delivered up the city to Alexander. Who when he came in at first lay quiet; but afterward set his army upon the inhabitants of Gaza, and allowed them to punish them. So some went one way, and some went another, and killed the inhabitants of Gaza. Yet they were not of cowardly hearts; but opposed those that came to kill them, and killed as many of the Jews: and some of them, when they saw themselves deserted, burnt their own houses; that the enemy might get none of their spoils. Indeed some of them with their own hands killed their children, and their wives: having no other way but this of avoiding slavery for them. But the senators, who were in all five hundred, fled to Apollo’s temple: (for this attack happened to be made as they were sitting), whom Alexander killed: and when he had utterly overthrown their city, he returned to Jerusalem: having spent a year in that siege. 4 About this very time Antiochus, who was called Grypus, died. His death was caused by Heracleon’s treachery; when he had lived forty five years, and had reigned twenty nine. His son Seleucus succeeded him in the Kingdom; and made war with Antiochus, his father’s brother, who was called Antiochus Cyzicenus, and beat him, and took him prisoner, and killed him. But after a while Antiochus, the son of Cyzicenus, who was called Pius, came to Aradus; and put the diadem on his own head; and made war with Seleucus, and beat him, and drove him out of all Syria. But when he fled out of Syria, he came to Mopsuestia again, and levied money upon them. But the people of Mopsuestia had indignation at what he did; and burnt down his palace, and killed him, together with his friends. But when Antiochus, the son of Cyzicenus, was King of Syria; Antiochus, the brother of Seleucus, made war upon him, and was overcome, and destroyed, he and his army. After him his brother Philip put on the diadem, and reigned over some part of Syria. But Ptolemy Lathyrus sent for his fourth brother, Demetrius, who was called Eucerus, from Cnidus; and made him King of Damascus. Antiochus vehemently opposed both these brothers; but immediately died. For when he had come as an auxiliary to Laodice,51 Queen of the Gileadites, when she was making war against the Parthians, and he was fighting courageously, he fell: while Demetrius and Philip governed Syria, as has been elsewhere related. 5 As to Alexander, his own people were seditious against him. For at a festival which was then celebrated, when he stood upon the altar, and was going to sacrifice, the nation rose upon him, and pelted him with citrons. They then had these in their hands because the law of the Jews required, that at the feast of tabernacles everyone should have branches of the palm tree and citron tree: which thing we have elsewhere related.52 They also reviled him, as derived from a captive, and so unworthy of his dignity, and of sacrificing. At this he was in a rage, and killed of them about six thousand. He also built a partition wall of wood round the altar; and the temple; as far as that partition; within which it was only lawful for the priests to enter. And by this means he obstructed the multitude from coming at him. He also maintained foreigners of Pisidiæ and Cilicia. For as to the Syrians, he was at war with them, and so made no use of them. He also overcame the Arabians; such as the Moabites, and Gileadites, and made them bring tribute. Moreover he demolished Amathus: while Theodorus did not dare fight with him. But as he had joined battle with Obedas, King of the Arabians, and fell into an ambush, in places that were rugged and difficult to be travelled over, he was thrown down into a deep valley, by the multitude of the camels, at Gadara, a village of Gilead, and hardly escaped with his life. From there he fled to Jerusalem. Where, besides his other failures, the nation insulted him, and he fought against them for six years, and killed no fewer than fifty thousand of them. And when he desired that they would desist from their ill will to him, they hated him so much the more, on account of what had already happened. And when he had asked them what he ought to do? They all cried out, that “he ought to kill himself.” They also sent to Demetrius Eucerus, and asked him to make a league of mutual defence with them.

1 So Demetrius came with an army; and took those that invited him; and pitched his camp near the city Shechem. Upon which Alexander, with his six thousand two hundred mercenaries, and about twenty thousand Jews, who were of his party, went against Demetrius; who had three thousand horsemen, and forty thousand foot soldiers. Now there were great endeavours used on both sides: Demetrius trying to bring off the mercenaries that were with Alexander, because they were Greeks: and Alexander trying to bring off the Jews that were with Demetrius. However, when neither of them could persuade them to do so, they came to a battle: and Demetrius was the conqueror: in which all Alexander’s mercenaries were killed, when they had given demonstration of their fidelity and courage. A great number of Demetrius’s soldiers were slain also. 2 Now as Alexander fled to the mountains, six thousand of the Jews then came together from Demetrius to him, out of pity at the change of his fortunes. Upon which Demetrius was afraid, and retired out of the country. After which the Jews fought against Alexander: and, being beaten, were slain in great numbers, in the several battles which they had. And when he had shut up the most powerful of them in the city Bethome, he besieged them in it. And when he had taken the city, and got the men into his power, he brought them to Jerusalem: and did one of the most barbarous actions in the world to them. For as he was feasting with his concubines, in the sight of all the city, he ordered about eight hundred of them to be crucified: and while they were living he ordered the throats of their children and wives to be cut before their eyes. This was indeed by way of revenge for the injuries they had done him: which punishment yet was of an inhuman nature: though we suppose that he had been never so much distressed, as indeed he had been, by his wars with them. For he had, by their means, come to the last degree of hazard, both of his life, and of his Kingdom: while they were not satisfied by themselves only to fight against him; but introduced foreigners also for the same purpose. Indeed eventually they reduced him to that degree of necessity, that he was forced to deliver back to the King of Arabia, the land of Moab and Gilead, which he had subdued, and the places that were in them; that they might not join with them in the war against him, as they had done ten thousand other things that tended to affront and reproach him. However, this barbarity seems to have been without any necessity. On which account he bore the name of a Thracian among the Jews. Then the soldiers that had fought against him, being about eight thousand in number, ran away by night, and continued fugitives all the time that Alexander lived. Who being now freed from any further disturbance from them, reigned the rest of his time in the utmost tranquillity. 3 But when Demetrius had departed out of Judea, he went to Berea, and besieged his brother Philip: having with him ten thousand foot soldiers, and a thousand horsemen. However, Strato the tyrant of Berea, the confederate of Philip, called in Zizon, the ruler of the Arabian tribes, and Mithridates Sinax, the ruler of the Parthians; who coming with a great number of forces, and besieging Demetrius in his encampment; into which they had driven them with their arrows; they compelled those that were with him by thirst to deliver up themselves. So they took a great many spoils out of that country, and Demetrius himself: whom they sent to Mithridates, who was then King of Parthia. But as to those whom they took captives of the people of Antioch, they restored them to the Antiochians, without any reward. Now Mithridates, the King of Parthia, had Demetrius in great honour; till Demetrius died of sickness. So Philip, immediately after the fight was over, came to Antioch, and took it, and reigned over Syria.

1 After this Antiochus, who was called Dionysus, and was Philip’s brother,53 aspired to the dominion; and came to Damascus, and got the power into his hands, and there he reigned. But as he was making war against the Arabians, his brother Philip heard of it, and came to Damascus: where Milesius, who had been left governor of the citadel, and the Damascens themselves delivered up the city to him. Yet because Philip had become ungrateful to him, and had bestowed upon him nothing of that in hopes of which he had received him into the city; but wanted it to be believed that it was rather delivered up out of fear, than by the kindness of Milesius; and because he had not rewarded him as he ought to have done, he became suspected by him; and so he was obliged to leave Damascus again. For Milesius caught him marching out into the Hippodrome, and shut him up in it; and kept Damascus for Antiochus Eucerus. Who, hearing how Philip’s affairs stood, came back out of Arabia. He also came immediately, and made an expedition against Judea, with eight thousand foot soldiers armed, and eight hundred horsemen. So Alexander, out of fear of his coming, dug a deep ditch, beginning at Chabarzaba, which is now called Antipatris, to the sea of Joppa, on which part only his army could be brought against him. He also raised a wall, and erected wooden towers, and intermediate redoubts for one hundred and fifty furlongs in length; and there expected the coming of Antiochus. But he soon burnt them all: and made his army pass by that way into Arabia. The Arabian King Aretas at first retreated: but afterward appeared suddenly with ten thousand horsemen. Antiochus gave them the meeting, and fought desperately; and indeed when he had won the victory, and was bringing some auxiliaries to that part of his army that was in distress, he was slain. When Antiochus had fallen, his army fled to the village Cana: where most of them perished by famine. 2 After him Aretas reigned over Celesyria: being called to the government by those that held Damascus; because of the hatred they bore to Ptolemy Menneus. He also made from there an expedition against Judea, and beat Alexander in battle, near a place called Adida: yet he retired upon certain conditions agreed on between them out of Judea. 3 But Alexander marched again to the city Dios,54 and took it: and then made an expedition against Essa: where was the best part of Zeno’s treasures: and there he encompassed the place with three walls. And when he had taken the city by fighting, he marched to Golan, and Seleucia. And when he had taken these cities, he, besides them, took that valley which is called the valley of Antiochus: as also the fortress of Gamala. He also accused Demetrius, who was governor of those places, of many crimes; and turned him out. And after he had spent three years in this war, he returned to his own country: when the Jews joyfully received him, upon this success of his. 4 Now at this time the Jews were in possession of the following cities that had belonged to the Syrians, and Idumeans, and Phenicians. At the seaside Strato’s Tower, Apollonia, Joppa, Jamnia, Ashdod, Gaza, Anthedon, Raphia, and Rhinocolura. In the middle of the country, near to Idumea, Adora, and Marissa: near the country of Samaria, Mount Carmel, and Mount Tabor, Scythopolis, and Gadara. Of the country of Gaulonitis, Seleucia, and Gabala: In the country of Moab, Heshbon,55 and Medaba, Lemba, and Oronas, Gelithon, Zara, the valley of the Cilices, and Pella. Which last they utterly destroyed; because its inhabitants would not bear to change their religious rites for those peculiar to the Jews. The Jews also possessed others of the principal cities of Syria, which had been destroyed. 5 After this, King Alexander, although he fell into an illness by hard drinking, and had a quartan fever, which held him three years, yet would not stop going out with his army; till he was quite spent with the labours he had undergone, and died in the bounds of Ragaba,56 a fortress beyond Jordan. But when his Queen saw that he was ready to die; and had no longer any hopes of surviving; she came to him weeping, and lamenting: and bewailed herself, and her sons, on the desolate condition they should be left in: and said to him, “To whom do you thus leave me, and my children; who are destitute of all other supports; and this when you know how much ill will your nation bears you?” But he gave her the following advice: that “She need but follow what he would suggest to her, in order to retain the Kingdom securely, with her children: that she should conceal his death from the soldiers, till she should have taken that place; that after this she should go in triumph, as upon a victory, to Jerusalem; and put some of her authority into the hands of the Pharisees: for that they would commend her for the honour she had done them; and would reconcile the nation to her. For he told her, they had great authority among the Jews, both to do hurt to such as they hated, and to bring advantages to those to whom they were friendly disposed. For that they are then believed best of all by the multitude, when they speak any severe thing against others; though it be only out of envy at them. And he said, that it was by their means that he had incurred the displeasure of the nation, whom indeed he had injured. You should, therefore, he said, when you have come to Jerusalem, send for the leading men among them; and show them my body: and, with great appearance of sincerity, allow them to use it as they themselves please: whether they will dishonour the dead body by refusing it burial; as having severely suffered by my means: or whether, in their anger, they will offer any other injury to that body. Promise them also, that you will do nothing without them, in the affairs of the Kingdom. If you do but say this to them, I shall have the honour of a more glorious funeral from them than you could have made for me: and when it is in their power to abuse my dead body, they will do it no injury at all, and you will rule in safety.” So when he had given his wife this advice, he died: after he had reigned twenty seven years,57 and lived forty-nine years.

1 So Alexandra, when she had taken the fortress, acted as her husband had suggested to her; and spoke to the Pharisees, and put all things into their power; both as to the dead body, and as to the affairs of the Kingdom: and in this way pacified their anger against Alexander, and made them bear good will and friendship to him. Who then came among the multitude, and made speeches to them; and laid before them the actions of Alexander; and told them, that they had lost a righteous King: and by the commendations they gave him, they brought them to grieve, and to be sorrowful for him: so that he had a funeral more splendid than any of the Kings before him had had. Alexander left behind him two sons: Hyrcanus, and Aristobulus: but committed the Kingdom to Alexandra. Now as to these two sons, Hyrcanus was indeed unable to manage public affairs; and delighted rather in a quiet life. But the younger, Aristobulus, was an active and a bold man. And for this woman herself, Alexandra, she was loved by the multitude; because she seemed displeased at the offences her husband had been guilty of. 2 So she made Hyrcanus High Priest; because he was the elder: but much more because he did not care to meddle with politics; and permitted the Pharisees to do everything. To whom also she ordered the multitude to be obedient. She also restored again those practices which the Pharisees had introduced, according to the traditions of their ancestors; and which her father-in-law, Hyrcanus, had abrogated. So she had indeed the name of the Regent; but the Pharisees had the authority. For it was they who restored such as had been banished, and set those who were prisoners free: and, to put it briefly, they differed in nothing from Lords. However, the Queen also took care of the affairs of the Kingdom, and got together a great body of mercenary soldiers; and increased her own army to such a degree, that she became terrible to the neighbouring tyrants; and took hostages of them. And the country was entirely at peace; excepting the Pharisees, for they disturbed the Queen, and asked her to kill those who persuaded Alexander to kill the eight hundred men. After which they cut the throat of one of them, Diogenes; and after him they did the same to several, one after another: till the men that were the most potent came into the palace, and Aristobulus with them: for he seemed to be displeased at what was done; and it appeared openly, that if he had an opportunity, he would not permit his mother to go on so. “These reminded the Queen, what great dangers they had gone through, and great things they had done: by which they had demonstrated the firmness of their fidelity to their master. So much so that they had received the greatest marks of favour from him. And they begged of her, that she would not utterly blast their hopes; as it now happened; that when they had escaped the hazards that arose from their enemies, they were to be cut off at home, by their enemies, like brute beasts; without any help whatever. They said also, that if their adversaries would be satisfied with those that had been slain already, they would take what had been done patiently; on account of their natural love to their governors: but if they must expect the same for the future also, they implored of her a dismissal from her service. For they could not bear to think of attempting any method for their deliverance without her: but would rather die willingly, before the palace gate, in case she would not forgive them. And that it was a great shame, both for themselves, and for the Queen, that when they were neglected by her, they should come under the lash of her husband’s enemies. For that Aretas, the Arabian King, and the monarchs,58 would give any reward if they could get such men as foreign auxiliaries; to whom their very names, before their voices be heard, may, perhaps, be terrible. But if they could not obtain this their second request, and if she had determined to prefer the Pharisees before them, they still insisted, that she would place them every one in her fortresses. For if some fatal demon has a constant spite against Alexander’s house, they would be willing to bear their part, and to live in a private station there.” 3 As these men said thus, and called upon Alexander’s ghost for commiseration of those already slain, and those in danger of it; all the bystanders broke out into tears. But Aristobulus chiefly made clear what were his sentiments; and used many reproachful expressions to his mother: “Indeed, the case is this; that they have been themselves the authors of their own calamities: who have permitted a woman, who, against reason, was mad with ambition, to reign over them, when there were sons in the prime of their lives fitter for it.” So Alexandra, not knowing what to do with any decency, committed the fortresses to them; all but Hyrcania, and Alexandrium, and Macherus, where her principal treasures were. After a little while also, she sent her son Aristobulus with an army to Damascus; against Ptolemy, who was called Menneus: who was such a bad neighbour to the city. But he did nothing significant there, and so returned home. 4 About this time news was brought that Tigranes, the King of Armenia, had invaded Syria with five hundred thousand soldiers; and was coming against Judea. This news, as may well be supposed, terrified the Queen, and the nation. Accordingly they sent him many and very valuable presents; as also ambassadors: and that as he was besieging Ptolemais. For Selene the Queen, the same that was also called Cleopatra, ruled then over Syria: who had persuaded the inhabitants to exclude Tigranes. So the Jewish ambassadors interceded with him, and begged him that he would determine nothing that was severe about their Queen, or nation. He commended them for the respects they paid him, at such a great distance: and gave them good hopes of his favour. But as soon as Ptolemais was taken, news came to Tigranes, that Lucullus, in his pursuit of Mithridates, could not find him, who had fled into Iberia; but was laying waste Armenia; and besieging its cities. Now, when Tigranes knew this, he returned home. 5 After this, when the Queen had fallen dangerously ill, Aristobulus resolved to attempt the seizing of the government. So he stole away secretly by night, with only one of his servants; and went to the fortresses, in which his friends, that were such from the days of his father, were settled. For as he had been a great while displeased at his mother’s conduct, so he was now much more afraid that, upon her death, their whole family should be under the power of the Pharisees. For he saw the inability of his brother, who was to succeed in the government. Nor was anyone conscious of what he was doing but only his wife: whom he left at Jerusalem, with their children. He first of all came to Agaba,59 where was Galestes, one of the potent men beforementioned; and was received by him. When it was day the Queen perceived that Aristobulus had fled: and for some time she supposed that his departure was not in order to make any innovation. But when messengers came one after another, with the news that he had secured the first place, the second place, and all the places: for as soon as one had begun, they all submitted to his disposal: then it was that the Queen and the nation were in the greatest disorder. For they were aware, that it would not be long before Aristobulus would be able to settle himself firmly in the government. What they were principally afraid of was this; that he would inflict punishment upon them for the mad treatment his house had had from them. So they resolved to take his wife and children into custody, and keep them in the fortress, that was over the temple. Now there was a mighty influx of people that came to Aristobulus from all parts: so much so that he had a kind of royal attendance about him. For in a little more than fifteen days, he got twenty two strong places: which gave him the opportunity of raising an army from Libanus, and Trachonitis, and the Monarchs.60 For men are easily led by the greater number; and easily submit to them. And besides this, they supposed, that by affording him their assistance, when he could not expect it, they, as well as he, should have the advantages that would come by his being King: because they had been the occasion of his gaining the Kingdom. Now the elders of the Jews, and Hyrcanus with them, went in to the Queen; and desired that “She would give them her sentiments about the present state of affairs. For that Aristobulus was in effect Lord of almost all the Kingdom; by possessing of so many strongholds: and that it was absurd for them to take any counsel by themselves, however ill she was, while she was alive: and that the danger would be upon them in no long time.” But she “Told them do what they thought proper to be done: that they had many circumstances in their favour still remaining: a nation in good heart; an army; and money in their several treasuries: for that she had small concern about public affairs now, when the strength of her body already failed her.” 6 Now a little while after she had said this to them, she died; when she had reigned nine years;61 and had in all lived seventy three. She was a woman who showed no signs of the weakness of her sex. For she was sagacious to the greatest degree in her ambition of governing; and demonstrated by her doings at once that her mind was fit for action; and that sometimes men themselves show the little understanding they have by the frequent mistakes they make in point of government. For she always preferred the present to the future; and preferred the power of an imperious dominion above all things: and in comparison of that had no regard to what was good, or what was right.62 However, she brought the affairs of her house to such an unfortunate condition, that she was the occasion of the taking away that authority from it, and that in no long time afterward, which she had obtained by a vast number of hazards and misfortunes; and this out of a desire of what does not belong to a woman: and all by a compliance in her sentiments with those that bore ill will to their family; and by leaving the administration destitute of a proper support of great men. And indeed her management, during her administration, while she was alive, was such, as filled the palace after her death with calamities and disturbance. However, although this had been her way of governing, she preserved the nation in peace. And this is the conclusion of the affairs of Alexandra.