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the wars of the jews-第5部分

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rn of affairs; but supposing that Alexander was already become a match for him again; and that all the nation would 'at length' run to him; he left the country; and went his way。

6。 However; the rest of the 'Jewish' multitude did not lay aside their quarrels with him; when the 'foreign' auxiliaries were gone; but they had a perpetual war with Alexander; until he had slain the greatest part of them; and driven the rest into the city Berneselis; and when he had demolished that city; he carried the captives to Jerusalem。 Nay; his rage was grown so extravagant; that his barbarity proceeded to the degree of impiety; for when he had ordered eight hundred to be hung upon crosses in the midst of the city; he had the throats of their wives and children cut before their eyes; and these executions he saw as he was drinking and lying down with his concubines。 Upon which so deep a surprise seized on the people; that eight thousand of his opposers fled away the very next night; out of all Judea; whose flight was only terminated by Alexander's death; so at last; though not till late; and with great difficulty; he; by such actions; procured quiet to his kingdom; and left off fighting any more。

7。 Yet did that Antiochus; who was also called Dionysius; become an origin of troubles again。 This man was the brother of Demetrius; and the last of the race of the Seleucidse。 (3) Alexander was afraid of him; when he was marching against the Arabians; so he cut a deep trench between Antipatris; which was near the mountains; and the shores of Joppa; he also erected a high wall before the trench; and built wooden towers; in order to hinder any sudden approaches。 But still he was not able to exclude Antiochus; for he burnt the towers; and filled up the trenches; and marched on with his army。 And as he looked upon taking his revenge on Alexander; for endeavoring to stop him; as a thing of less consequence; he marched directly against the Arabians; whose king retired into such parts of the country as were fittest for engaging the enemy; and then on the sudden made his horse turn back; which were in number ten thousand; and fell upon Antiochus's army while they were in disorder; and a terrible battle ensued。 Antiochus's troops; so long as he was alive; fought it out; although a mighty slaughter was made among them by the Arabians; but when he fell; for he was in the forefront; in the utmost danger; in rallying his troops; they all gave ground; and the greatest part of his army were destroyed; either in the action or the flight; and for the rest; who fled to the village of Cana; it happened that they were all consumed by want of necessaries; a few only excepted。

8。 About this time it was that the people of Damascus; out of their hatred to Ptolemy; the son of Menhens; invited Aretas 'to take the government'; and made him king of Celesyria。 This man also made an expedition against Judea; and beat Alexander in battle; but afterwards retired by mutual agreement。 But Alexander; when he had taken Pella; marched to Gerasa again; out of the covetous desire he had of Theodorus's possessions; and when he had built a triple wall about the garrison; he took the place by force。 He also demolished Golan; and Seleucia; and what was called the Valley of Antiochus; besides which; he took the strong fortress of Gamala; and stripped Demetrius; who was governor therein; of what he had; on account of the many crimes laid to his charge; and then returned into Judea; after he had been three whole years in this expedition。 And now he was kindly received of the nation; because of the good success he had。 So when he was at rest from war; he fell into a distemper; for he was afflicted with a quartan ague; and supposed that; by exercising himself again in martial affairs; he should get rid of this distemper; but by making such expeditions at unseasonable times; and forcing his body to undergo greater hardships than it was able to bear; he brought himself to his end。 He died; therefore; in the midst of his troubles; after he had reigned seven and twenty years。

CHAPTER 5。

Alexandra Reigns Nine Years; During Which Time The Pharisees Were The Real Rulers Of The Nation。

1。 Now Alexander left the kingdom to Alexandra his wife; and depended upon it that the Jews would now very readily submit to her; because she had been very averse to such cruelty as he had treated them with; and had opposed his violation of their laws; and had thereby got the good…will of the people。 Nor was he mistaken as to his expectations; for this woman kept the dominion; by the opinion that the people had of her piety; for she chiefly studied the ancient customs of her country; and cast those men out of the government that offended against their holy laws。 And as she had two sons by Alexander; she made Hyrcanus the elder high priest; on account of his age; as also; besides that; on account of his inactive temper; no way disposing him to disturb the public。 But she retained the younger; Aristobulus; with her as a private person; by reason of the warmth of his temper。

2。 And now the Pharisees joined themselves to her; to assist her in the government。 These are a certain sect of the Jews that appear more religious than others; and seem to interpret the laws more accurately。 low Alexandra hearkened to them to an extraordinary degree; as being herself a woman of great piety towards God。 But these Pharisees artfully insinuated themselves into her favor by little and little; and became themselves the real administrators of the public affairs: they banished and reduced whom they pleased; they bound and loosed 'men' at their pleasure; (4) and; to say all at once; they had the enjoyment of the royal authority; whilst the expenses and the difficulties of it belonged to Alexandra。 She was a sagacious woman in the management of great affairs; and intent always upon gathering soldiers together; so that she increased the army the one half; and procured a great body of foreign troops; till her own nation became not only very powerful at home; but terrible also to foreign potentates; while she governed other people; and the Pharisees governed her。

3。 Accordingly; they themselves slew Diogenes; a person of figure; and one that had been a friend to Alexander; and accused him as having assisted the king with his advice; for crucifying the eight hundred men 'before mentioned。' They also prevailed with Alexandra to put to death the rest of those who had irritated him against them。 Now she was so superstitious as to comply with their desires; and accordingly they slew whom they pleased themselves。 But the principal of those that were in danger fled to Aristobulus; who persuaded his mother to spare the men on account of their dignity; but to expel them out of the city; unless she took them to be innocent; so they were suffered to go unpunished; and were dispersed all over the country。 But when Alexandra sent out her army to Damascus; under pretense that Ptolemy was always oppressing that city; she got possession of it; nor did it make any considerable resistance。 She also prevailed with Tigranes; king of Armenia; who lay with his troops about Ptolemais; and besieged Cleopatra; (5) by agreements and presents; to go away。 Accordingly; Tigranes soon arose from the siege; by reason of those domestic tumults which happened upon Lucullus's expedition into Armenia。

4。 In the mean time; Alexandra fell sick; and Aristobulus; her younger son; took hold of this opportunity; with his domestics; of which he had a great many; who were all of them his friends; on account of the warmth of their youth; and got possession of all the fortresses。 He also used the sums of money he found in them to get together a number of mercenary soldiers; and made himself king; and besides this; upon Hyrcanus's complaint to his mother; she compassionated his case; and put Aristobulus's wife and sons under restraint in Antonia; which was a fortress that joined to the north part of the temple。 It was; as I have already said; of old called the Citadel; but afterwards got the name of Antonia; when Antony was 'lord of the East'; just as the other cities; Sebaste and Agrippias; had their names changed; and these given them from Sebastus and Agrippa。 But Alexandra died before she could punish Aristobulus for his disinheriting his brother; after she had reigned nine years。

CHAPTER 6。

When Hyrcanus Who Was Alexander's Heir; Receded From His Claim To The Crown Aristobulus Is Made King; And Afterward The Same Hyrcanus By The Means Of Antipater; Is Brought Back By Abetas。 At Last Pompey Is Made The Arbitrator Of The Dispute Between The Brothers。

1。 Now Hyrcanus was heir to the kingdom; and to him did his mother commit it before she died; but Aristobulus was superior to him in power and magnanimity; and when there was a battle between them; to decide the dispute about the kingdom; near Jericho; the greatest part deserted Hyrcanus; and went over to Aristobulus; but Hyrcanus; with those of his party who staid with him; fled to Antonia; and got into his power the hostages that might he for his preservation (which were Aristobulus's wife; with her children); but they came to an agreement before things should come to extremities; that Aristobulus should be king; and Hyrcanus should resign that up; but retain all the rest of his dignities; as being the king's brother。 Hereupon they were reconciled to each other in the temple; and embraced one another in a very kind manner; while the people stood round about them; they also changed their houses; while Aristobulus went to the royal palace; and Hyrcanus retired to the house of Aristobulus。  2。 Now those other people which were at variance with Aristobulus were afraid upon his unexpected obtaining the government; and especially this concerned Antipater (6) whom Aristobulus hated of old。 He was by birth an Idumean; and one of the principal of that nation; on account of his ancestors and riches; and other authority to him belonging: he also persuaded Hyrcanus to fly to Aretas; the king of Arabia; and to lay claim to the kingdom; as also he persuaded Aretas to receive Hyrcanus; and to bring him back to his kingdom: he also cast great reproaches upon Aristobulus; as to his morals; and gave great commendations to Hyrcanus; and exhorted
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