Theodorus, the ambassador of Hyrcanus, the son of Alexander, the high-priest and ethnarch of the Jews, appeared before me, to show that his countrymen could not go into their armies, because they are not allowed to bear arms, or to travel on the sabbath days; nor there to procure themselves those sorts of food which they have been used to eat, from the times of their forefathers. I therefore grant them a freedom from going into the army, as the former prefects have done; and permit them to use the customs of their forefathers, in assembling together for sacred and religious purposes, as their law requires; and for collecting oblations necessary for sacrifices: and my will is, that you write this to the several cities under your jurisdiction." Those were the concessions that Dolabella made to our nation, when Hyrcanus sent an ambassage to him. But Lucius the consul's decree ran thus: "I have at my tribunal set those Jews, who are citizens of Rome, and follow the Jewish religious rites, and yet live at Ephesus, free from going into the army, on account of the superstition they are under. This was done before the twelfth of the calends of October, when Lucius Lentulus and Caius Marcellus were consuls. In the presence of Titus Appius Balgus, the son of Titus, and lieutenant, of the Horatian tribe; of Titus Tongius, the son of Titus, of the Crustamine tribe; of Quintus Resius, the son of Quintus; of Titus Pompeius Longinus, the son of Titus; of Caius Servilius, the son of Caius, of the Tarentine tribe; of Bracchus, the military tribune; of Publius Lucius Gallus, the son of Publius, of the Veturian tribe; of Caius Sentius, the son of Caius, of the Sabbatine tribe; of Titus Atilius Bulbus, the son of Titus, lieutenant and vice-prætor; to the magistrates, senate, and people, of the Ephesians, sendeth greeting. Lucius Lentulus, the consul, freed the Jews that are in Asia from going into the armies, at my intercession for them. And when I had made the same petition some time afterward to Phanius, the imperator, and to Lucius Antonius, the vice-quæstor, I obtained that privilege of them also: and my will is, that you take care that no one give them any disturb ance." The decree of the Delians. "The answer of the prætors, when Beotus was archon; on the twentieth day of the month Thargeleon. While Marcus Piso, the lieutenant, lived in our city, who was also appointed over the choice of the soldiers, he called us, and many others of the citizens, and gave order, that if there be here any Jews, who are Roman citizens, no one is to give them any disturbance about going into the army: because Cornelius Lentulus, the consul, freed the Jews from going into the army, on account of the su perstition they are under. You are therefore obliged to submit to the prætor." And the like decree was also made respecting us by the Sardians. "Caius Phanius, the son of Caius, imperator, and consul, to the magistrates of Cos, sendeth greeting. I would have you know that the ambassadors of the Jews have been with me, and desired they might have those decrees, which the senate had made about them: which decrees are here subjoined. My will is, that you have a regard to, and take care of, these men, according to the senate's decrees; that they may be safely conveyed home through your country." The declaration of Lucius Lentulus, the consul. "I have dismissed those Jews who are Roman citizens, and who appear to me to have their religious rites, and to observe the laws of the Jews at Ephesus, on account of the superstition they are under. This act was done before the thirteenth of the calends of October." "Lucius Antonius, the son of Marcus, vice-quæstor, and vice-prætor; To the magistrates, senate, and people of the Sardians, sendeth greeting. Those Jews that are our fellow-citizens of Rome came to me, and demonstrated, that they had an assembly of their own, according to the laws of their forefathers; and this from the beginning: as also a place of their own, wherein they determined their suits and controversies with one another. Upon their petition therefore to me, that these might be lawful for them, I give order that these privileges be preserved, and they be permitted to do accordingly." The declaration of Marcus Publius, the son of Spurius; and of Marcus, the son of Marcus, and of Lucius, the son of Publius. "We went to the proconsul, and informed him of what Dositheus, the son of Cleopatrida of Alexandria, desired; that, if he thought good, he would dismiss those Jews who were Roman citizens, and were wont to observe the rites of the Jewish religion, on account of the superstition they were under. Accordingly he did dismiss them. This was done before the thirteenth of the calends of October. "In the month *Quintilis, when Lucius Lentulus and Caius Marcellus were consuls; and there were present Titus Appius Balbus, the son of Titus, lieutenant, of the Horatian tribe; Titus Ton gius, of the Crustumine tribe; Quintus Resius, the son of Quintus; Titus Pompeius, the son of Titus; Cornelius Longinus; Caius Servilius Bracchus, * July. the son of Caius, a military tribune, of the Taren-ings on both sides, I gave sentence, that the Jews tine tribe; Publius Clusius Gallus, the son of Pub- should not be prohibited from making use of their lius, of the Veturian tribe; Caius Teutius, the son own customs." of Caius, a military tribune, of the Emilian tribe; Sextus Antilius Serranus, the son of Sextus, of the Esquiline tribe; Caius Pompeius, the son of Caius, of the Sabbatine tribe; Titus Appius Menander, the son of Titus; Publius Servilius Strabo, the son of Publius; Lucius Paccius Capito, the son of Lucius, of the Colline tribe; Aulus Furius Tertius, the son of Aulus; and Appius Menas. In the presence of these persons Lentulus pronounced this decree: I have before the tribunal dismissed those Jews that are Roman citizens, and are accustomed to observe the sacred rites of the Jews at Ephesus; on account of the superstition they are under. "The magistrates of the Laodiceans, to Caius Rubilius, the son of Caius, the consul, send greeting. Sopater, the ambassador of Hyrcanus the high-priest, hath delivered us an epistle from thee; whereby he lets us know that certain ambassadors were come from Hyrcanus, the high-priest of the Jews, and brought an epistle written concerning their nation; wherein they desire that the Jews may be allowed to observe their sabbaths, and other sacred rites, according to the laws of their forefathers; and that they may not be prevented therefrom; because they are our friends and confederates; and that nobody may injure them in our provinces. Now although the Trallians there present contradicted them, and were not pleased with these decrees, yet didst thou give order that they should be observed; and informedst us that thou hadst been desired to write this to us about them. We therefore, in obedience to the injunctions received from thee, have received thy epistle; and have laid it up among our public records. And as to the other things about which thou didst send, we will take care that no complaint be made against us." "The decree of those of Pergamus. When Cratippus was prytanis, on the first day of the month Desius, the decree of the prætors was this. Since the Romans, following the conduct of their ancestors, undertake dangers for the common safety of all mankind; and are ambitious to settle their confederates and friends in happiness, and in firm peace; and since the nation of the Jews, and their high-priest Hyrcanus, sent as ambassadors to them, Strabo the son of Theodatus, Apollonius, the son of Alexander, Eneas, the son of Antipater, Aristobulus, the son of Amyntas, and Sosipater, the son of Philip, worthy and good men; who gave a particular account of their affairs: the senate thereupon made a decree about what they had desired of them; that Antiochus the king, the son of Antiochus, should do no injury to the Jews, the confederates of the Romans; and that the fortresses and the havens, and the country, and whatsoever else he had taken from them, should be restored; and that it may be lawful for them to export their goods out of their own havens; and that no king nor people may have leave to export any goods, either out of the country of Judea, or out of their havens, without paying customs; but only Ptolemy, king of Alexandria: because he is our confederate, and friend: and that according to their desire the garrison that is in Joppa may be ejected. Now Lucius Pettius, one of our senators, a worthy and good man, gave order that we should take care that these things should be done, according to the senate's decree; and that their ambassadors might return home in safety. Accordingly we admitted Theodorus into our senate, and took the epistle out of his hands, as well as the decree of the senate. And as he discoursed with great zeal about the Jews, and described Hyrcanus's virtue and generosity, and how he was a benefactor to all "Publius Servilius, the son of Publius, of the men in common, and particularly to every body Galban tribe, proconsul, to the magistrates, senate, that comes to him; we laid up the epistle in our and people of the Milesians, sendeth greeting. public records; and made a decree ourselves, that Prytanes, the son of Hermes, a citizen of yours, since we also are in confederacy with the Romans, came to me when I was at Tralles, and held a we would do every thing we could for the Jews, court there; and informed me, that you used the according to the senate's decree. Theodorus also, Jews in a way different from my opinion; and for- who brought the epistle, desired of our prætors bade them to celebrate their sabbaths, and to per- that they would send Hyrcanus a copy of that deform their sacred rites received from their fore- cree; as also ambassadors to signify to him the fathers; and to manage the fruits of the land affection of our people; and to exhort them to according to their ancient custom; and that he preserve and augment their friendship for us, and had himself been the promulger of your decree, be ready to bestow other benefits upon us; as according as your laws require. I would there- justly expecting to receive proper requitals from fore have you know, that upon hearing the plead-us; and desiring them to remember, that our *ancestors were friendly to the Jews, even in the days of Abraham; who was the father of all the Hebrews; as we have also found it set down in our public records." "The decree of those of Halicarnassus. When Memnon, the son of Orestidas, by descent, but by adoption of Euonymus, was priest, in the month Aristerion, the decree of the people, upon the representation of Marcus Alexander, was this: Since we have ever a great regard to piety towards God, and to holiness; and since we aim to follow the people of the Romans, who are the benefactors of all men, and what they have written to us about a league of friendship and mutual assistance between the Jews and our city, and that their sacred offices, and accustomed festivals and assemblies, may be observed by them: we have decreed, that as many men and women of the Jews as are willing so to do, may celebrate their sabbaths, and perform their holy offices according to the Jewish laws, and may† make their proseuchæ at the sea-side: according to the custom of their forefathers. And if any one, whether he be a magistrate, or private person, hinder them from so doing, he shall be liable to a fine; to be applied to the uses of the city." "The decree of the Sardians. This decree was made by the senate and people, upon the representation of the prætors. Whereas those Jews who are our fellow-citizens, and live with us in this city, have ever had great benefits heaped upon them by the people; and have come now into the senate, and desired of the people that, upon the restitution of their law, and their liberty by the senate and people of Rome, they may assemble together according to their ancient legal custom; and that we will not bring any suit against them about it; and that a place may be given, where they may have their congregations, with their wives and children; and may offer, as did their forefathers, their prayers and sacrifices to God: now the senate and people have decreed to permit * We have a more remarkable and authentic attestation of the citizens of Pergamus, that Abraham was the father of all the Hebrews; that their own ancestors were, in the eldest times, the friends of those Hebrews; and that the public acts of their city then extant confirmed the same. This evidence is too strong to be evaded by our present ignorance of the particular occasion of such ancient friendship and alliance between those people. See the like full evidence of the kindred of the Lacedæmonians and the Jews; and that because they were both the posterity of Abraham: by a public epistle of these people to the Jews, preserved in the first book of the Maccabees xii. 19-23, and thence by Josephus, in his Antiquities, XII. 4, both which authentic records are highly valuable. It is also worthy of observation, what Moses Chorenensis, the principal Armenian historian, informs us of, page 83, that Arsaces, who raised the Par them to assemble together on the days formerly appointed; and to act according to their own laws: and that such a place shall be set apart for them by the prætors, for the building and inhabiting the same, as they shall esteem fit for that purpose. And that those who take care of the provisions for the city, shall take care that such sorts of food, as they esteem fit for their eating, may be imported into the city." "The decree of the Ephesians. When Menophilus was prytanis; on the first day of the month Artemisius, this decree was made by the people; and Nicanor, the son of Euphemus, pronounced it, upon the representation of the prætors. Since the Jews that dwell in this city have petitioned Marcus Julius Pompeius, the son of Brutus, the proconsul, that they may be allowed to observe their sabbaths; and to act in all things according to the customs of their forefathers, without impediment from any body; the prætor hath granted their petition. Accordingly it was decreed by the senate and people, that, in this affair that concerned the Romans, no one of them should be hindered from keeping the sabbath day, nor be fined for so doing: but that they be allowed to do all things according to their own laws." Now there are many such decrees of the senate and imperators of the Romans, and those different from these before us, which have been made in favour of Hyrcanus, and of our nation; as also there have been more decrees of the cities, and rescripts of the prætors to such epistles as concerned our rights and privileges. And certainly such as are not ill disposed to what we write, may believe that they are all to this purpose; and that by these specimens which we have inserted. For since we have produced evident marks, that may still be seen, of the friendship we have had with the Romans, and demonstrated that those marks are engraven upon columns and tables of brass in the capitol, that are still in being, and preserved to this day, we have omitted to set them all down, thian empire, was of the seed of Abraham, by Chetura; and that thereby was accomplished that prediction, which said, "Kings of nations shall proceed from thee." Gen. xvii. 6. † See the note on Book XII. chap. 2. If we compare Josephus's former promises to produce all the public decrees of the Romans in favour of the Jews, with his excuse here, for omitting many of them; we may observe, that when he came to transcribe all those decrees he had collected, he found them so numerous, that he thought he should too much tire his readers if he had attempted it: which he thought a sufficient apology for his omitting the rest of them. Yet do those by him produced, afford such a strong confirmation to his history, and give such great light to even the Roman antiquities themselves; that I believe the curious are not a little sorry for such omissions. as needless and uninteresting. For I cannot sup-collection of that sum, and appointed his two sons pose any one so perverse, as not to believe the to gather it. And so, that part of it was to be friendship we have had with the Romans; while exacted from Malichus, who was ill disposed to they have demonstrated the same by such a great him; and part by others. And because Herod number of their decrees relating to us. Nor will did exact what was required of him from Galilee they doubt of our fidelity as to the rest of those before others, he was in the greatest favour with decrees; since we have shown the same in those Cassius. For he thought it prudent to cultivate a we have produced. And thus have we sufficiently friendship with the Romans; and to gain their explained that friendship and confederacy we at good-will at the expense of others. Whereas the those times had with the Romans. curators of the other cities, with their citizens, were sold for slaves: and Cassius reduced four cities into a state of slavery; the two most potent of which were Gophna and Emmaus: and besides these, Dydda and Thamma. Nay, Cassius was so very angry at Malichus, that he would have killed him, had not Hyrcanus, by the means of Antipater, sent him a hundred talents of his own, and thereby pacified his anger. CHAP. XI. MARCUS SUCCEEDS TO THE PRESIDENCY OF SYRIA, ON THE ASSAS- ABOUT this time the affairs of Syria were in great disorder, on the following occasion. Cecilius Bassus, one of Pompey's party, laid a treacherous design against Sextus Cæsar, and slew him: and then took his army, and got the management of public affairs into his own hands. So there arose a great war about Apamia; while Cæsar's generals came against him, with an army of horsemen and footmen. To these Antipater also sent succours, and his sons with them; as calling to mind the kindnesses they had received from Cæsar; and on that account he thought it but just to require punishment for him, and to take vengeance on the man that had murdered him. And as the war was‡ drawn out into a great length, Marcus came from Rome to take Sextus's government upon him. But Cæsar was slain by Cassius and Brutus, in the senate-house, after he had retained the government three years and six months. As the war that arose upon the death of Cæsar was now§ begun, and the principal men were all gone, some one way, and some another, to raise armies, Cassius came from Rome into Syria, in order to receive the army that lay in the camp at Apamia; and having raised the siege, he brought over both Bassus and Marcus to his party. He then went over the cities, and got together weapons and soldiers; and laid great taxes upon those cities. And he chiefly oppressed Judea, and exacted of it seven hundred talents. But Antipater, when he saw the state to be in so great consternation and disorder, he divided the * For Marcus, this president of Syria, sent as successor to Sextus Cæsar, the Roman historians require us to read Murcus in Josephus; and this perpetually, both in these Antiquities, and in his history of the War: as the learned generally agree. Whether he himself originally wrote the name Marcus or Murcus; or whether the transcribers have not put a usual for an unusual name; which is supposed to have been a practice not uncommon amongst them; cannot now be known. After Cassius was gone out of Judea, Malichus laid snares for Antipater: as thinking that his death would be the preservation of Hyrcanus's government. But Antipater perceived his design, and retired beyond Jordan, and got together an army, partly of Arabs, and partly of his own countrymen. However, Malichus being one of great cunning, denied that he had laid any snares for him; and made his defence with an oath, both to himself and his sons: and said, that while Phasaleus had a garrison in Jerusalem, and Herod had the weapons of war in his custody, he could never have a thought of any such thing. So Antipater perceiving the distress that Malichus was in, was reconciled to him; and made an agreement with him. This was when Marcus was president of Syria, who yet perceiving that this Malichus was making a disturbance in Judea, proceeded so far, that he had almost killed him: but still, at the intercession of Antipater, he saved him. Antipater, however, little thought that by saving Malichus, he had preserved his own murderer. For now Cassius and Marcus had got together an army, and intrusted the entire care of it with Herod, and made him general of the forces of Cole-Syria, and gave him a fleet of ships, and an army of horsemen and footmen; and promised that, after the war was over, they would make him king of Judea. For a war was already begun † An. 45. The reason of the protraction of this war at Apamea, before the murder of Cæsar, Dr. Hudson observes, may be seen in Strabo, XVI. page 752, though the entire passage be too large for this place. See Prideaux at the years 46, 45, 44, 43. § An. 44. between Antony and the younger Cæsar. But as Malichus was most afraid of Antipater, he took him out of the way: and by the offer of money persuaded the butler of Hyrcanus, with whom they were both to feast, to kill him by poison.* This being done, and he having armed men with him, settled the affairs of the city. But when Antipater's sons, Herod and Phasaelus, were acquainted with this conspiracy against their father, and had indignation at it, Malichus denied all; and utterly disclaimed any knowledge of the murder. And thus died Antipater; a man that had distinguished himself for piety, and justice, and love to his country. And whereas Herod resolved immediately to revenge his father's death, and was coming upon Malichus with an army for that purpose; the eldest of his sons, Phasaelus, thought it best rather to get this man into their hands by policy, lest they should appear to begin a civil war in the country. So he accepted of Malichus's defence for himself, and pretended to believe him that he had no hand in the violent death of Antipater his father: but erected a fine monument for him. Herod also went to Samaria; and when he found them in great distress, he revived their spirits, and | composed their differences. A short time after this, Herod, upon the approach of a festival, came with his soldiers into the city whereupon Malichus was alarmed, and persuaded Hyrcanus not to permit him to come into the city. Hyrcanus complied: and for a pretence of excluding him, alleged, that a rout of strangers ought not to be admitted when the multitude were purifying themselves. But Herod had little regard to the messengers that were sent to him, and entered the city in the night-time, and affrighted Malichus. Yet did he remit nothing of his former dissimulation; but wept for Antipater, and bewailed him as a friend of his, with a loud voice. But Herod and his friends thought it proper not openly to contradict Malichus's hypocrisy; but to give him tokens of mutual friendship, in order to prevent his suspicion of them. However, Herod sent an account of his father's murder to Cassius; who knowing what sort of man Malichus was, as to his morals, sent him back word, that he should revenge his father's death; and also sent privately to the commanders of his army at Tyre, with orders to assist in the execution of a very just design. Now when Cassius had taken Laodicea, they all went together to him, and carried him garlands and money. And Herod thought that Malichus might be punished while he was there. But he was somewhat apprehensive of the thing, and designed to make some great attempt; and because his son was then a hostage at Tyre, he went to that city, and resolved to steal him away privately, and to march thence into Judea ; and as Cassius was in haste to march against Antony, he thought to bring the country to revolt, and to procure the government for himself. But Providence opposed his counsels; and Herod, being a shrewd man, and perceiving what his intention was, sent a servant thither beforehand, in appearance indeed to get a supper ready; (for he had said before, that he would feast them all there :) but in reality to the commanders of the army, whom he persuaded to go out against Malichus with their daggers. So they went out, and met him near the city, upon the sea-shore, and stabbed him. Hyrcanus was so astonished that his speech failed him: and when, after some difficulty, he had recovered himself, he asked Herod, what the matter could be? and who it was that slew Malichus? And when he said, that it was done by the command of Cassius, he commended the action: for that Malichus was a very wicked man, and one that conspired against his own country. And this was the punishment that was inflicted on Malichus, for what he wickedly did to Antipater. But when Cassius was marched out of Syria, disturbances arose in Judea: for Felix, who was left at Jerusalem with an army, made a sudden attempt against Phasaelus; and the people themselves rose in arms. But Herod went to Fabius, the prefect of Damascus, and was desirous to run to his brother's assistance; but was hindered by a distemper that seized upon him; till Phasaelus by himself had been too hard for Felix, and had shut him up in the tower; and there on certain conditions dismissed him. Phasaelus also complained of Hyrcanus; that although he had received many benefits from them, yet did he support their enemies. For Malichus's brother had caused many places to revolt, and kept garrisons in them; and particularly Massada, the strongest fortress of them all. In the mean time Herod recovered of his disease, and came, and took from Felix all the places he had gotten; and, upon certain conditions, dismissed him also. CHAP. XII. HEROD EJECTS ANTIOCHUS, THE SON OF ARISTOBULUS, OUT OF JUDEA; AND GAINS THE FRIENDSHIP OF ANTONY, BY SENDING HIM MUCH MONEY. ANTONY WRITES TO THE TYRIANS ON BEHALF OF THE JEWS. Now Ptolemy, the son of Menneus, brought back into Judea Antigonus, the son of Aristobulus; mark, how truly Gronovius observes, in his notes on the Roman decrees in favour of the Jews, that their rights and privileges |