come to baptism. For that the washing with water would be acceptable to him, if they made use of it, not in order to the putting away, or the remission, of some sins only, but for the purification of the body: supposing still that the soul was thoroughly purified beforehand by righteousness. Now when many others came in crowds about him; for they were greatly moved, or pleased, by hearing his words; Herod, who feared lest the great influence John had over the people might put it into his power and inclination to raise a rebellion, (for they seemed ready to do any thing he should advise,) thought it best, by putting him to death, to prevent any mischief he might cause; and not bring himself into difficulties by sparing a man who might make him repent of it when it should be too late. Accordingly he was sent a prisoner, out of Herod's suspicious temper, to Macherus, the castle I before mentioned; and was there put to death.* Now the Jews had an opinion, that the destruction of this army was sent as a punishment upon Herod ; and a mark of God's displeasure to him. So Vitellius prepared to make war with Aretas, having with him two legions of armed men. He also took with him all the light infantry, and of the horsemen which belonged to them, and were drawn out of those kingdoms which were under the Romans; and made haste for Petra, and came to Ptolemais. But as he was marching very busily, and leading his army through Judea, the principal men met him; and desired that he would not thus march through their land. For that the laws of their country would not permit them to overlook those images which were brought into it; of which there were a great many in their ensigns. So he was persuaded by what they said; and changed that resolution which he had before taken in that mat. ter. Accordingly he ordered the army to march along the great plain; while he himself, with Herod the tetrarch, and his friends, went up to Jerusalem, to offer sacrifice to God: an ancient festival of the Jews being then just approaching. And when he had been honorably entertained by the multitude of the Jews, he made a stay there for three days: within which time he deprived Jonathan of the high-priesthood; and gave it to his brother Theophilus. But when on the fourth day letters came to him, announcing the death of Tiberius, he obliged the multitude to take an oath of fidelity to Caius. He also recalled his army, and made them every one go home, and take their winter quarters there: since, upon the accession of Caius, he had not the like authority of making this war which he had before. It was also reported, that when Aretas heard of the coming of Vitellius to fight him, he said, upon his consulting the diviners, that it was impossible that this army of Vitellius's could enter Petra. For that one of the rulers would die; either he that gave order for the war, or he that was marching at the other's desire, in order to be subservient to his will; or else he against whom this army was prepared. So Vitellius retired to Antioch: but Agrippa, the son of Aristobulus, went up to Rome, a year before the death of Tiberius; in order to treat of some affairs with the emperor, if he might be permitted so to do. I shall now relate the affairs of Herod and his family; partly because it is suitable to this history to speak of that matter; and partly because this thing is a demonstration of the interposition of Providence, how a multitude of children is of no advantage: no more than any other strength that mankind set their hearts upon; besides those acts of piety which are done towards God. For it happened, that within the revolution of a hundred years, the posterity of Herod, which were very numerous, were, excepting a few, utterly destroyed. One may well apply this for the instruction of mankind and learn thence how unhappy they were. It will also shew us the history of Agrippa: who as he was a person most worthy of admiration, so was he from a they were frequently guilty of in marrying their own. nephews and nieces, will deserve to be considered. See Levit. xviii. 6, 7; xxi. 10. And Noldius, De Herod. No. 269, 270). private private man, beyond all the expectation of those that knew him, advanced to great power and authority. I have said something of them* formerly, but I shall now speak more accurately about them. the son of Herod the Great, who was born of Mariamne, the daughter of Simon the highpriest; who had a daughter Salome. After whose birth Herodias took upon her to confound the laws of our country, and divorced Herod the Great had two daughters by herself from her husband, while he was alive, Mariamne, the grand-daughter of Hyrcanus. and was married to Herod her husband's The one was Salampsio: who was married to brother by the father's side, and tetrarch of Phasaelus her first cousin, who was himself the Galilee. But her daughter Salome was marson of Phasaelus, Herod's brother, her father ried to Philip, the son of Herod, and tetrarch making the match. The other was Cypros, who of Trachonitis. And as he died childless, was herself married also to her first cousin, An- Aristabulus, the son of Herod, the brother of tipater, the son of Salome, Herod's sister. Pha- Agrippa, married her. They had three sons, saelus had five children by Salampsio: Antipa- Herod, Agrippa, and Aristobulus. And this ter, Herod, and Alexander; and two daughters, was the posterity of Phasaelus and Salampsio. Alexandra, and Cypros: which last Agrippa the But the daughter of Antipater by Cypros was son of Aristobalus married. And Timius of Cypros; whom Alexias Selcias, the son of Cypros married Alexandra: he was a man of Alexias, married. They had a daughter note, but had by her no children. Agrippa named Cypros. But Herod and Alexander, had by Cypros two sons and three daughters: who, as we said, were the brothers of Antipawhich daughters were named Bernice, Ma- ter, died childless. As to Alexander, the son riamne, and Drusilla: but the names of the of Herod the king, who was slain by his fasons were Agrippa and Drusus. Of whom ther, he had sous, Alexander and Tigranes, Drusus died before he came to the years of by the daughter of Archelaus king of Cappapuberty. But their father Agrippa was docia Tigranes, who was king of Armenia, brought up with his other brethren, Herod was accused at Rome, and died childless. and Aristobulus. For these were also the Alexander had a son of the same name with sons of the son of Herod the Great, by Ber- his brother Tigranes; and was sent to take nice; but Bernice was the daughter of Costo- possession of the kingdom of Armenia by barus and of Salome, who was Herod's sister. Nero. He had a son Alexander, who marAristobulus left these infants, when he was ried ** Jotape, the daughter of Antiochus, the slain by his father, together with his brother king of Commagena. Vespasian made him Alexander, t as we have already related. king of an island in Cilicia. But these deBut when they were arrived at the years of scendants of Alexander, soon after their birth, puberty, this Herod, the brother of Agrippa, deserted the Jewish religion, and went over married Mariamne, the daughter of Olym- to that of the Greeks. But for the rest of the pias; who was the daughter of Herod the daughters of Herod the king, it happened king, and of Joseph, the son of Joseph, who that they died childless. And as these dewas brother to the king; and had by her a sdendants of Herod, whom we have enumeson Aristobulus. But Aristobulus, the third rated, were in being at the same time that brother of Agrippa, married Jotape, the daugh- || Agrippa the Great took the kingdom, and I ter of Sampsigeramus, king of t Emesa. They have now given an account of them, it remains had a daughter who was deaf; whose name that I relate the several vicissitudes which also was Jotape. And these hitherto were befell Agrippa, and how he surmounted them, the children by the male line. But Hero- and was advanced to the greatest height of dias, their sister, was married to § Herod, dignity and power. • See Book XVII, Chap. 1. t Book XVI. Chap. 11. 1 be a great unhappiness, and even reproach. It may, in some instances, have given rise to polygamy, though it There are coins still extant of this Emesa, as Span- could not justify either that or the too common practice heim informs us. of concubinage. B. Herod-Philip. Herod-Antipas. ** Spanheim also informs us of a coin still extant of this This, with many of the ancients, was considered to Jotape, daughter of the king of Commagena. CHAP. VI. OF THE VOYAGE OF KING AGRIPPA TO ROME, TO TIBERIUS LITTLE before the death of Herod A the king, Agrippa lived at Rome: design and what necessity it was which drove him thereto, and desired her as a kinswoman to give him her help, and to engage her husband to do the same: since she saw how she alleviated her husband's troubles all she could, although she had not the like wealth to do it withal. So they sent for him, and allotted him Tiberias for his habitation; and appointed him some income for his maintenance: and made him a magistrate of that city, by way of honor to him. Yet did not and was generally brought up with Drusus, Herod long continue in that resolution of supthe emperor Tiberius's son and contracted a porting him, though even that support was friendship with Antonia, the wife of Drusus not sufficient for him. For as once they were the Great: who had his mother Bernice in at a feast at Tyre, and in their cups, and regreat esteem, and was very desirous of ad- proaches were cast upon one another, Agrippa vancing her son. Now as Agrippa was mag-thought that was not to be borne; while Henanimous and generous in the presents he made, while his mother was alive this inclination of his mind did not appear, that he might be able to avoid her anger for such extravagance. But when Bernice was dead, and he was left to his own conduct, he spent a great deal extravagantly in his daily way of living, and in the immoderate presents he made; and those chiefly among Cæsar's freed-men, in order to gain their assistance. Insomuch that he was in a little time reduced to poverty, and could not live at Rome any longer. Tiberius also forbade the friends of his deceased † son to come into his sight; because on seeing them he should be put in mind of his death, and his grief would thereby be revived. rod upbraided him with his poverty, and with his owing his necessary food to him. So he went to Flaccus, one that had been consul, and had been a very great friend to him at Rome formerly, and was now president of Syria. Hereupon Flaccus received him kindly, and he lived with him. Flaccus had also with him there Aristobulus, who was Agrippa's brother, but was at variance with him. Yet did not their enmity to one another hinder the friendship of Flaccus to them both: but they were both honorably treated by him. However, Aristobulus did not abate of his ill will to Agrippa: till at length he brought him into ill terms with Flaccus. The occasion of bringing on which estrangement was For these reasons he went away from Rome, this: The Damascens were at difference with and sailed to Judea, but in evil circumstances: the Sidonians, about their limits. And when being dejected with the loss of that money Flaccus was about to hear the cause between which he once had;, and because he had not them, they understood that Agrippa had great wherewithal to pay his creditors, who were influence with him. So they desired that he many in number, and such as gave him no would be on their side; and for that favor proroom for escaping them. In this situation he mised him a great deal of money. So he was knew not what to do: but he retired to a zealous in assisting the Damascens, as far as certain tower at Malatha, in Idumea, and had he was able. Now Aristobulus had gotten thoughts of killing himself. But his wife intelligence of this promise of money to him; Cypros perceived his intentions, and tried all and accused him to Flaccus of the same. And sorts of methods to divert him from taking when upon a thorough examination of the such a course. So she sent a letter to his sis-matter it appeared plainly so to be, he rejected ter Herodias, who was now the wife of He- Agrippa out of the number of his friends. So rod the tetrarch, and let her know Agrippa's he was reduced to the utmost necessity: and came came to Ptolemais. And because he knew || not where else to get a livelihood, he thought to sail to Italy. But as he was restrained from so doing by want of money, he desired Marsyas, who was his freed-man, to find some method for procuring him as much as he wanted for that purpose, by borrowing such a sum of some person or other. So Marsyas desired of Peter, who was the freed-man of Bernice, Agrippa's mother, and by the right of her testament was bequeathed to Antonia, to lend him so much upon Agrippa's own bond and security. But he accused Agrippa of having defrauded him of certain sums of money and so obliged Marsyas, when he made the bond of twenty thousand Attic drachmæ, to accept of two thousand five hundred drachinæ *less than what he desired. Upon the receipt of this money, Agrippa came to Anthedon, and took shipping, and was going to set sail. But Herennius Capito, who was the procurator of Jamnia, sent a band of soldiers to demand of him three hundred thousand drachmæ of silver, which were by him owing to Caesar's treasury while he was at Rome: and so forced him to stay. He then pretended that he would do as he bade him. But when night came on, he cut his cables, and went off, and sailed to Alexandria where he desired Alexander the † alabarch to lend him two hundred thousand drachmæ. But he said he would not lend it to him, but would not refuse it to Cypros; as greatly astonished at her affection to her husband, and at the other instances of her virtue: so she undertook to repay it. Accordingly Alexander paid them five talents at Alexandria; and promised to pay them the rest of that sum at Dicearchia: and this he did out of the fear he was in that Agrippa would soon spend it. So this Cypros set her husband free, and dismissed him to go on with his voyage to Italy: while she and her children departed for Judea. * Spanheim observes, that we have bere an instance of the Attic quantity of use money; which was the eighth part of the original sum, or 12 per cent. For such is the proportion of 2,500 to 20,000. The governor of the Jews, in Alexandria. § The dead are too commonly forgotten. When their When Agrippa was come to Puteoli, he, wrote a letter to Tiberius Cæsar, who then lived at Capres, and told him that he was come so far in order to wait on him, and to pay him a visit: and desired that he would give him leave to come over to Capreæ. Tiberius wrote to him an obliging answer, and told him he was glad of his safe return, and desired him to came to Capreæ. And when he was come, he did not fail to treat him as kindly as he had promised in his letter. But the next day Cæsar received a letter from Herennius Capito, informing him, that Agrippa had borrowed three hundred thousand drachmæ, and had not paid it at the time appointed; but when it was demanded of him, he ran away like a fugitive, out of the places under his government and put it out of his power to get the money of him. When Cæsar read this letter, he was much troubled at it; and gave order that Agrippa should be excluded from his presence, until he had paid that debt. He however was no way daunted at Cæsar's anger; but entreated Antonia, the mother of Germanicus, and of Claudius, who was afterward Cæsar himself, to lend him those three hundred thousand drachmæ ; that he might not be deprived of Tiberius's friendship. So out of regard to § the memory of Bernice his mother, (for those two women were very familiar with one another,) and out of regard to his and Claudius's education together, she lent him the money and upon the payment of this debt, there was nothing to hinder Tiberius's friendship to him. After this Tiberius recommended to him his || grandson, and ordered that he should always accompany him when he went abroad. But upon Agrippa's kind reception by Antonia, he betook himself to pay his respects to Caius, who was her grandson: and in very high reputation, by reason of the good will they bare his father. Now there was one Thallus, a ¶ freed-man of Cæsar's, of whom he borrowed influence and power are expired, interested persons feel no motive to cherish a free remembrance of them. It is, however, an amiable trait in the character of any man, to venerate the names of such as were once the objects of his esteem or affection. B. a million of drachmæ: and thence repaid Antonia the debt he owed her. And by spending the overplus in paying his court to Caius he became a person of great authority with him. much as they can: and that those who are not to fix there, but to stay a short time, and that at an uncertainty when they shall be turned out, do the more severely hurry themselves on to fleece the people. But that if their government be long continued, they are, at last, satiated with the spoils; and so become leas sharp in their pillaging. But that if succes sors are sent quickly, the poor subjects who are exposed to them, as a prey, will not be able to bear the new ones: while they shall not have the same time allowed them wherein their predecessors had filled themselves, and so grew more unconcerned about getting more. And this because they are removed before they have had time for their oppres sions. He gave them an example to shew his meaning. A great number of flies came about the sore places of a man that had been wounded. Upon which one of the standers by pitied the man's misfortune; and thinking he was not able to drive those flies away him self, was going to drive them away for him. But he prayed him to let them alone. The Ac-But other, by way of reply, asked him the reason of such a preposterous proceeding, in preventing relief from his present misery? To which he answered, If thou drivest these flies away, thou wilt hurt me worse. For as these are already full of my blood, they do not crowd about me, nor pain me so much as before, but are sometimes more remiss; while the fresh ones that come almost famished, and find me quite tired down, will be my destruction "For this cause, therefore," said Tiberius, "I am careful not to send such new governors perpetually to those of my subjects, who are already sufficiently harassed by many oppressions, as may, like these flies, farther distress them. And so, besides their natural desire of gain, may have this additional incitement to it, that they expect to be suddenly deprived of that pleasure which they take in it." Now as the friendship which Agrippa had for Caius was come to a great height, there happened some words between them, as they once were in a chariq together, concerning Tiberius; Agrippa praying to God (for they two sat by themselves) that Tiberius might soon go off the stage, and leave the government to Caius, who was in every respect more worthy of it. Now Eutychus, who was Agrippa's freed-man, and drove his chariot, heard these words: and at that time said nothing of them. But when Agrippa accused him of stealing some garments of his, (which was certainly true,) he ran away from him. But when he was caught, and brought before Piso, the governor of the city: and the man was asked, why he ran away? he replied, that he had somewhat to say to Cæsar, that tended to his security and preservation. Accordingly Piso bound him, and sent him to Capres. But Tiberius, according to his usual custom, kept him still in bonds; being a delayer of affairs, if there ever was any other tyrant or king that was so. For he did not admit ambassadors quickly; and no successors were dispatched away to governors or procurators of the provinces, that had been formerly sent, unless they were dead. Whence it was that he was so negligent in hearing the causes of prisoners. Insomuch that when he was asked by his friends, what was the reason of his delay in such cases? he said, that he delayed to hear ambassadors, lest, upon their quick dismission, other ambassadors should be appointed, and return upon him; and so he should bring trouble upon himself, in their public reception and dismission. That he permitted those governors who had been once sent to their governments to stay there a great while, out of regard to the subjects that were under them. For that all governors are naturally disposed to get as * This dilatory temper of Tiberius's is confirmed by Tacitus, Annal. I. 8, as Spanheim here observes. The same thing is observed by Suetonius also, in Tiber. § 41. Now as a farther attestation to what I say of the dilatory nature of Tiberius, I appeal to this his practice itself. For although he were 68. See the note on Moses Chorenensis's History of Armenia, pag. 139. emperor |