THE

ANTIQUITIES

OF

THE JEWS.

BOOK XIX. ·

Containing an Interval of Thirty-three Years and a Half.

FROM THE DEPARTURE OF THE JEWS OUT OF BABYLON, TO FADUS THE ROMAN PROCURATOR.

CHAP. I.

*OF THE ASSASSINATION OF CAIUS BY CHEREA.

NOW +Caius did not only demonstrate his madness in offering injuries to the Jews at Jerusalem, or to those that dwelt in the neighbourhood, but suffered it to extend itself through all the earth and the sea, so far as was in subjection to the Romans; and filled it with ten thousand mischiefs: so many indeed, in number, as no former history relates. But Rome itself felt the most dismal effects of what he did: while he deemed that not to be any way more honourable than the rest of the cities: but he persecuted its citizens, and especially the senate and the nobility, and such as had been dignified by illustrious ancestors.

*N. B. In this and the three next chapters, we have, I think, a larger and more distinct account of the slaughter of Caius, and the succession of Claudius, than we have of any such ancient facts elsewhere. Some of the occasions of which probably were, Josephus's bitter hatred against tyranny; and the pleasure he took in giving the history of the slaughter of such a barbarous tyrant as was this Caius Caligula; as also the deliverance his own nation had by that slaughter.

He also had ten thousand devices against such of the equestrian order, as it was styled, who were esteemed by the citizens equal in dignity and wealth with the senators; because out of them the senators themselves were chosen. These he treated after an ignominious manner, and removed them out of his way: while they were at once slain, and their wealth plundered: because he slew men generally in order to seize on their riches. He also asserted his own divinity; and insisted on greater honours to be paid him by his subjects than are due to mankind. He also frequented that temple of Jupiter, which they style the capitol; which is with them the most holy of all their temples: and had boldness enough to call himself the brother of Jupiter. And other pranks he did like a madman. As when he laid* a bridge from the city Dicearchia, to Misenum, another city upon the sea side, from one promontory to another, of the length of thirty furlongs, as measured over the sea. And this was done, because he esteemed it to be a most tedious thing to row over it, in a small ship: and thought it became him to make that bridge, since he was lord of the sea, and might oblige it to give marks of obedience as well as the earth. So he inclosed the whole bay within his bridge, and drove his chariot over it: and thought that, as he was a god, it was fit for him to travel over such roads as this was. Nor did he abstain from the plunder of any of the Grecian temples; but gave order that all the engravings and sculptures, and the rest of the ornaments of the statues and donations therein dedicated, should be brought to him: saying, that the best things ought to be set nowhere but in the best place; and that the city of Rome was that best place. He also adorned his house and gardens with the curiosities brought from those temples; together with the houses he lay at when he travelled all over Italy. Whence he did not scruple to give a command, that the statue of Jupiter Olympius, so called, because he was honoured at the Olympian games by the Greeks, which was the work of Phidias the Athenian,

*This bridge over an arm of the sea, from Puteoli to Misenum, made by Caius Caligula is, in general, mentioned by Dio, LIX. page 650, 651. Its length is given us by Suetonius, in Caius, chap. XIX. of 3600 paces; which is about the same length with these 30 furlongs in Josephus. See Hudson's and Spanheim's Notes here:

should be brought to Rome. Yet did he not compass his end; because the architects told Memmius Regulus, who was commanded to remove that statue of Jupiter, that the workmanship was such as would be spoiled, and would not bear the removal. It was also reported that Memmius, both on that account, and on account of some such mighty prodigies as are of an incredible nature, put off the taking of it down: and wrote to Caius those accounts as an apology for not having done what his epistle required of him. And that when he was thence in danger of perishing, he was saved by Caius being killed himself, before he had put him to death.

Nay, Caius's madness came to this height, that when he had a daughter born, he carried her into the capitol, and put her upon the knees of the statue, and said, that the child was common to him and to Jupiter; and determined that she had two fathers: but which of those fathers was the greatest, he left undetermined. And yet mankind bore with him in such absurdities. He also gave leave to slaves to accuse their masters of any crimes, whatsoever they pleased.* For all such accusations were terrible; because they were in great part made to please him, and at his suggestion. Insomuch that Pollux, Claudius's slave, had the boldness to lay an accusation against Claudius himself; and Caius was not ashamed to be present at his trial of life and death, to hear that trial of his uncle, in hopes of being able to take him off: although this did not succeed to his mind. But when he had filled the habitable world which he governed, with false accusations and miseries, and had occasioned the greatest insults of slaves against their masters, who indeed in great measure ruled them, there were many secret plots laid against him. Some in anger, and in order for men to revenge themselves, on account of the miseries they had already undergone from him; and others made attempts upon him,

*Nothing could be more dangerous than this permission, since it may be easily imagined that many things might induce the slaves to be active in such a work. Base men commonly discover the degeneracy of their minds, by the mischievous devices they sanction and execute.

B.

+ Caius's encouragement of a slave to accuse his uncle Claudius, who was the slave's master, is particularly hinted at by Suetonius in Claud, chap. IX.

in order to take him off, before they should fall into such great miseries. His death came very fortunately for the preservation of the laws of all men, and had a great influence upon the public welfare. And this happened most happily for our nation in particular, which had almost utterly perished, if he had not been suddenly slain. And I confess I am inclined to give a full account of this matter, particularly because it will afford great assurance of the power of God, and great comfort to those that are under afflictions; and wise caution to those who think their happiness will never end, nor bring them at length to the most lasting miseries, if they do not conduct their lives by the principles of virtue.

sons.

There were three several conspiracies made in order to take off Caius: and each of these was conducted by excellent perEmilius Regulus, born at Corduba in Spain, got some men together; and was desirous to take Caius off, either by them, or by himself. Another conspiracy was laid by them under the conduct of Cherea Cassius, the tribune of the Pretorian band. Minucianus Annius was also one of great consequence among those that were prepared to oppose his tyranny. Now the several occasions of these men's hatred and conspiracy against Caius, were these: Regulus had indignation and hatred against all injustice: for he had a mind naturally bold, and free; which made him not conceal his counsels. So he communicated them to many of his friends, and to others, who seemed to him persons of activity and vigour. Minucianus entered into this conspiracy, because of the injustice done to Lepidus, his particular friend, and one of the best character of all the citizens whom Caius had slain; as also because he was afraid of himself: as the wrath of Caius tended to the slaughter of all alike. And Cherea came in because he thought it a deed worthy of a free ingenuous man to kill a tyrant: and was ashamed of the reproaches he lay under from Caius, as though he were a coward; as also because he was himself in danger every day from his friendship with him, and the observance he paid him. These men proposed this attempt to all the rest that were concerned who saw the injuries that were offered them, and were desirous that Caius's slaughter might succeed by their mutual

assistance of one another; and they might themselves escape being killed by the taking off Caius. That perhaps they should gain their point; and that it would be a happy thing if they - should gain it, to approve themselves to so many excellent persons, as earnestly wished to be partakers with them in their design; for the delivery of the city, and of the government, even at the hazard of their own lives. But still Cherea was the most zealous of them all: both out of a desire of getting himself the greatest name; and also by reason of his access to Caius's presence, with less danger, because he was tribune; and could, therefore, the more easily kill him.

Now at this time came on the horse-races, or Circensian games; the view of which was eagerly desired by the people of Rome.. For they come with great alacrity into the Hippodrome* at such times: and petition their emperors in great multitudes, for what they stand in need of. And their requests were, in general, readily and gratefully granted them. Accordingly they most importunately desired that Caius would now ease them in their tributes, and abate somewhat of the rigour of the taxes imposed upon them. But he would not fhear their petition; and when their clamours increased, he sent soldiers, some one way, and some another, and gave order that they should lay hold on those that made the clamour; and, without any more ado, bring them out, and put them to death. These were Caius's commands: and those who were commanded executed the same. And the number of those who were slain on this occasion was very great. Now the people saw this, and bore it so far, that they left off clamouring; because they saw, that this petition to be relieved, as to the payment of their mo-· ney, brought immediate death upon them. These things made Cherea more resolute to go on with his plot; in order to put an end to this barbarity of Caius. He therefore, at several times, thought to fall upon Caius, even as he was feasting: yet did he restrain himself by some considerations. Not that he had any

*The Circus.

+ This rigour in exacting tribute and taxes of all with the utmost barbarity, is also noticed by Suetonius, in Caius, chap. XL.