he said to his most intimate friends, that there came in a man that would one day have the dignity of the Roman empire. So that Tiberius was more addicted to all sorts of diviners than any other of the Roman emperors: because he had found them to have told him truth in his own affairs. And indeed he was now in great distress upon this accident that had be fallen him, and was very much grieved at the destruction of his grandson, which he foresaw: and complained of himself that he should have made use of such a method of divination beforehand; while it was in his power to have died without grief by this knowledge of futurity: whereas he was now tormented by his foreknowledge of the misfortune of such as were dearest to him, and must die under that torment. Now although he were disordered at this unexpected revolution of the government to those for whom he did not intend it, he spake thus to Caius, though unwillingly, and against his own inclination, "O child! although Tiberius be nearer related to me than thou art, I, by my own determination, and the conspiring suffrage of the gods do give, and put into thy hands, the Roman empire. And I desire thee never to be unmindful, when thou comest to it, either of my kindness to thee, who set thee in so high a dignity, or of thy relation to Tiberius. But as thou knowest that I am, together with, and after the gods, the procurer of so great happiness to thee; so I desire that thou wilt make me a return for my readiness to assist thee, and wilt take care of Tiberius, because of his near relationship to thee. Besides which thou art to know, that while Tiberius is alive, he will be a security to thee, both as to empire, and as to thy own preservation: but if he die, that will be but a prelude to thy own misfortunes. For to be alone under the weight of such vast affairs is very dangerous. Nor will the gods suffer those actions, which are unjustly done, contrary to that law which directs men to act otherwise, to go off unpunished." This was the speech which Tiberius made: which did not persuade Caius to act accordingly: although he promised so to do. But when he was settled in the government, he * took off this Tiberius, as was predicted by the other: as he was also himself in no long time afterward slain by a secret plot laid against him.

Tiberius appointed Caius to be his successor, having survived but a few days, and then died: after he had held the government twenty-two years, five

* Of the slaughter of this Tiberius, the grandson of Tiberius Cæsar, by Caius Cæsar, his brother Drusus's grandson, when he was come to the empire; see Philo's legation to this Caius, pag. 995. D. E. and pag. 996. who assures us, that Caius obliged him to kill himself. Though I here prefer the testimony of Suetonius, who says that Caius sent a tribune, who slew him suddenly, when he expected

months, and three days. Now Caius was the fourth emperor. But when the Romans understood that Tiberius was dead, they rejoiced at the good news but had not courage to believe it. Not because they were unwilling it should be true; for they would have given large sums of money that it might be so; but because they were afraid, that if they shewed their joy when the news proved false, their joy would be openly known, and they should be accused for it, and be thereby undone. For this Tiberius had brought a vast number of miseries on the best families of the Romans; since he was easily inflamed with passion in all cases; and was of such a temper, as rendered his anger irrevocable, till he had executed the same: although he had taken a hatred against men without reason. For he was by nature fierce in all the sentences he gave, and made death the penalty for the slightest offences. Insomuch that when the Romans heard the rumor about his death gladly, they were restrained from the enjoyment of that pleasure by the dread of such miseries as they foresaw would follow, if their hopes proved ill founded. Now Marsyas, Agrippa's freed-man, as soon as he heard of Tiberius's death, came running to tell Agrippa the news. And finding him going out to the bath, he gave him a nod, and said in the Hebrew tongue, "The lion is dead." Who understanding his meaning; and being overjoyed at the news," Nay, said he, but all sorts of thanks and happiness attend thee for this news of thine. Only I wish that what thou sayest may prove true." Now the centurion who was set to keep Agrippa, when he saw with what haste Marsyas came, and what joy Agrippa had from what he said, he had a suspicion that his words implied some great innovation of affairs and he asked them about what was said. They at first diverted the discourse: but upon his farther pressing, Agrippa, without more ado, told him; for he was already become his friend. So he joined with him in that pleasure which this news occasioned; because it would be so fortunate to Agrippa: and made him a supper. But as they were feasting, and the cups went about, there came one who said, that Tiberius was still alive; and would return to the city in a few days. At this news the centurion was exccedingly troubled: because he had done what might cost him his life, to have treated so joyfully a prisoner, and this upon the news of the death of Cæsar. So he thrust Agrippa from the couch whereon he lay,

no such thing. In Caio, § 25. which best agrees with Josephus also.

This name of a lion is often given to tyrants, especially by the Jews, such as Agrippa, and probably his freed-man Marsyas, in effect were; Ezek. xix 1--9. Esth. xiv 13. 2 Tim. iv. 17. They are also sometimes compared to, or represented by wild beasts: of which the lion is the principal. Dan, vii. 38. Apoc. xiii. 1, 2.

and

4

and said, "Dost thou think fo cheat me by a lie about the death of the emperor, without punishment? And shalt not thou pay for this malicious report at the price of thine head? When he had so said, he ordered Agrippa to he bound again, (for he had loosed him before;) and kept a severer guard over him than formerly. And in this evil condition was Agrippa that night. But the next day the rumor increased in the city, and confirmed the news that Tiberius was certainly dead. Insomuch that men durst now openly and freely talk about it. Nay some offered sacrifices on that account. Several letters also came from Caius; one of them to the senate, which informed them of the death of Tiberius, and of his own entrance on the government: another to Piso, the governor of the city; which told him the same thing. He also gave order that Agrippa should be removed out of the camp, and go to that house where he lived before he was put in prison. So that he was now out of fear as to his own affairs, for although he were still in custody, yet was it now with ease as to his own affairs. Now as soon as Caius was come to Rome, and had brought Tiberius's dead body with him, and had made a sumptuous funeral for him, according to the laws of his country, he was much disposed to set Agrippa at liberty that very day. But Antonia hindered him. Not out of any ill will to the prisoner; but out of regard to decency in Caius; lest that should make men believe that he received the death of Tiberius with pleasure, when he loosed one whom he had bound, immediately. However, there did not many days pass before he sent for him to his house, and had him shaved, and made him change his raiment. After which he put a diadem upon his head, and appointed him to be king of the tetrachy of Philip. He also gave him the tetrarchy of Lysanius; and changed his iron chain for a golden one of equal weight. He also sent Marullus to be procurator of Judea.*

Now in the second year of the reign of Caius Cæsar, Agrippa desired leave to sail home, and settle the affairs of his government; and he promised to return again, when he had put the rest in order. So upon the emperor's permission he came into his own country, and appeared to them all unexpectedly as a king; and thereby demonstrated to the men that saw him, the power of fortune; when they compared his former poverty with his present, happy affluence. So some called him a happy man, and others could not well believe that things were so much changed with him for the better.

Although Caius now promised to give Agrippa the tetrarchy of Lysanias, yet was it not all actually con

CHAP. VII.

Of the banishment of Herod the tetrarch.

BU

UT Herodias, Agrippa's sister, who now lived as wife to that Herod who was tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, took this authority of her brother in an envious manner; particularly when she saw that he had a greater dignity bestowed on him than her husband had: since when he ran away, it was because he was not able to pay his debts; and now he was come back, he was in a way of dignity, and of great good fortune. She was therefore grieved, and much displeased at so great a mutation of his affairs: and chiefly when she saw him marching among the multitude with the usual ensigns of royal authority, she was not able to conceal how miserable she was, by reason of the envy she had towards him. But she excited her husband, and desired him that he would sail to Rome, to court honors equal to his: for she said that she could not bear to live any longer, while Agrippa, the son of that Aristobolus who was condemned to die by his father: one that came to her husband in such extreme poverty, that the necessaries of life were forced to be entirely supplied him day by day; and when he fled away from his creditors by sea, he now returned a king. While he was himself the son of a king; and, while the near relation he bore to royal authority called upon him to gain the like dignity, he sat still, and was contented with a mere private life. "But Herod," said she, "although thou wast formerly not concerned to be in a lower condition than thy father, from whom thou wast derived, yet do thou now seek after the dignity which thy kinsman hath attained to. And do not thou bear this contempt, that a man who admired thy riches, should be in greater honor than thyself: nor suffer his poverty to shew itself able to purchase greater things than our abundance: nor do thou esteem it other than a shameful thing, to be inferior to one who, the other day, lived upon thy charity. But let us go to Rome; and let us spare no pains, nor expences, either of silver or gold; since they cannot be kept for any better use, than for the obtaining of a kingdom.".

But for Herod, he opposed her request at this time, out of the love of ease, and having a suspicion of the trouble he should have at Rome. So

he tried to instruct her better. But the more she saw him draw back, the more she pressed him to it; and desired him to leave no stone unturned in order to be a king. And at last she left not off till she engaged him, whether he would or not, to be

ferred upon him till the reign of Claudius, as we learn XIX. 5.

of her sentiments; because he could no otherwise avoid her importunity. So he got all things ready* after as sumptuous a "manner as he was able, an i spared for nothing, and went up to Rome, and took Herodias along with him. But Agrippa, when he was made sensible of their intentions and preparations, also prepared to go thither. And as soon as he heard they set sail, he sent Fortunatus, one of his freed-men to Rome, to carry presents to the emperor, and letters against Herod; and to give Caius a particular account of those matters, if he should have an opportunity. This man followed Herod so quick, and had so prosperous a voyage, and came so little after Herod, that while Herod was with Caius he came himself, and delivered his letters. For they both sailed to † Dicearchia, and found Caius at Baiæ, a little city of Campania, at the distance of about five furlongs from Dicearch a. There are in that place royal palaces, with sumptuous apartments; every emperor still endeavoring to outdo his predecessors in magnificence. The place also affords warm baths, that spring out of the ground of their own accord; which are of advantage for the recovery of the health of those that make use of them; and besides, they minister to men's luxury also. Now Caius saluted Herod, for he first met with him; and then looked upon the letters which Agrippa had sent him, and which were written in order to accuse Herod; wherein he accused him, that he had been in confederacy with Sejanus against Tiberius's government; and that he was now confederate with Artabanus, king of Parthia, in opposition to the government of Caius. As a demonstration of which he alledged, that he had armor sufficient for seventy thousand men ready in his armory. Caius was moved at this information; and asked Herod, whether what was said about the

armor were true? And when he confessed there

was such armor there, (for he could not deny the same, the truth of it being notorious,) Caius took that to be a sufficient proof of the accusation, that he intended to revolt. So he took away from him his tetrarchy, and gave it, by way of addition, to Agrippa's kingdom. He also gave Herod's money to Agrippa: and, by way of punishment, awarded him a perpetual banishment; and appointed Lyons,

* A. D. 40. + Puteoli.

This is a most remarkable chapter: as containing such instances of the interposition of providence, as have been always very rare among the other idolatrous nations; but of old very many among the posterity of Abraham, the worshippers of the true God. Nor do these seem much inferior to those in the Old Testament; which are the more remarkable, because among all their other follies and vices, the Jews were not at this time idolaters; and › the deliverances here mentioned were done in order to prevent their relapse int that idolatry.

VOL. II.—NO. XXXVI.

my

a city of Gaul, to be his place of habitation, But when he was informed that Herodias was Agrippa's sister, he made her a present of what money was her own; and told her, that it was her brother who prevented her being put under the same calamity with her husband. But she made this reply, "Thou indeed, O emperor, actest after a magnificent manner, and as becomes thyself in what thou offerest me but the kindness which I have for : husband hinders me from partaking of the favor of thy gift, For it is not just that I, who have been made a partner in his prosperity, should forsake him in his misfortunes." Hereupon Caius was angry at her, and sent her with Herod into banishment; and gave her estate to Agrippa. And thus did God punish Herodias for her envy at her brother; and Herod also, for giving ear to the vain discourses of a woman. Now Caius managed public affairs with very great magnanimity, during the first and second years of his reign; and behaved himself with such moderation, that he gained the good will both of the Romans themselves, and of his other subjects. But in process of time he went beyond the bounds of human nature, in his conceit of himself: and, by reason of the vastness of his dominions, made himself a god; and took upon himself to act in all things to the reproach of the Deity itself.

CHAP. VIII.

Of the ambassage of the Jews to Caius; and of the orders given to Petronius to make war against the Jews, unless they would receive the Emperor's statue.

THERE was now a tumult at Alexandria, be

tween the Jewish inhabitants and the Greeks; and three ambassadors were chosen out of each party that were at variance, who came to Caius. Now one of these ambassadors from the people of Alexandria was Apion; who uttered many blasphemies against the Jews; and, among other things that he said, he charged them with neglecting the honors that belonged to Cæsar. For that while all who were subject to the Roman empire built altars

§ Josephus here assures us, that the ambassadors from Alexandria to Caius were on each part no more than three in number, for the Jews and for the Gentiles, which are but six in all. Whereas Philo, who was the principal ambassador from the Jews, as Josephus here confesses, (as was Apion for the Gentiles,) says, the Jews' ambassadors were themselves no fewer than five; towards the end of his legation to Caius: which, if there be no mistake in the copies, must be supposed the truth. Nor, in that case, would Josephus have contradicted so authentic a witness, had he seen that account of Philo's; which that he ever did, does not appear

F

and

and temples to Caius, and in other regards universally received him as they received the gods, these Jews alone thought it a dishonorable thing for them to erect statues in honor of him, as well as to swear by his name. Many of these severe things were said by Apion; by which he hoped to provoke Caius to anger at the Jews, as he was likely to do. But Philo, the principal of the Jewish ambassage, a man eminent on all accounts, brother to * Alexander the alabarch, and one not unskilful in philosophy, was ready to betake himself to make his defence against those accusations: but Caius prohibited him, and hade him begone. He was also in such a rage, that it openly appeared he was about to do them some very great mischief. So Philo, being thus affronted, went out, and said to those Jews who were about him, that they should be of good courage: since Caius's words indeed shewed anger at them, but in reality had already set God against himself.

Hereupon Caius, taking it very heinously that he should be thus despised by the Jews, sent Petronius to be president of Syria, and successor in the government to Vitellius: and gave him order to make an invasion into Judea, with a great body of troops : and if they would admit of his statue willingly, to erect it in the temple of God; but if they were obstinate, to conquer them by war, and then to do it. Accordingly Petronius took the government of Syria, and made haste to obey Cæsar's epistle. He got together as great a number of auxiliaries as he possibly could, and took with him two legions of the Roman army; and came to Ptolemais, and there wintered; as intending to set about the war in the spring. He also wrote word to Caius what he had resolved to do; who commended him for his alacrity, and ordered him to go on, and to make war with them, in case they would not obey his commands. But there came many of the Jews to Petronius, to Ptolemais, to offer their petitions to him, that he would not compel them to transgress and violate the law of their forefathers. "But if," said they, "thou art entirely resolved to bring this statue, and erect it, do thou first kill us, and then do what thou hast resolved on: for while we are alive we cannot permit such things as are forbidden us to be done by the authority of our legislator, and by our forefathers' determination that such prohibitions are instances of virtue." But Petronius was angry at them, and said, "If indeed I were myself emperor, and were at liberty to follow my own inclination, and then had designed to act thus, these your words

*This Alexander, the alabarch, or governor of the Jews at Alexandria, and brother to Philo, is supposed by Bp. Pearson, in Act. Apost. page 41, 42. to be the same with that Alexander who is mentioned by St. Luke, as of the kindred of the high-priests, Acts iv, 6.

would be justly spoken to me. But now Cæsar hath sent to me, I am under the utmost necessity of being subservient to his decrees; because a disobedience to them will bring upon me inevitable destruction." Then the Jews replied, "Since thou art so disposed, O Petronius, that thou wilt not disobey Caius's epistles, neither will we transgress the commands of our law. And as we depend upon the excellency of our laws, and by the labours of our ancestors have continued hitherto without suffering them to be transgressed, we dare not by any means suffer ourselves to be so timorous, as to transgress those laws out of the fear of death, which God hath determined are for our advantage. And if we fall into misfortunes we will bear them, in order to preserve our laws; as knowing that those who expose themselves to dangers have good hope of escaping them, because God will stand on our side, when out of regard to him we undergo afflictions, and sustain the uncertain turns of fortune. But if we should submit to thee, we should be greatly reproached for our cowardice; as thereby shewing ourselves ready to transgress our law; and we should incur the great anger of God also, who, even thyself being judge, is superior to Caius."

And

When Petronius saw by their words that their determination was hard to be removed, and that without a war he should not be able to be subservient to Caius in the dedication of his statue, and that there must be a great deal of bloodshed, he took his friends, and the servants that were about him, and hasted to Tiberias; as wanting to know in what posture the affairs of the Jews were. many thousands of the Jews met him again, when he was come to Tiberias. These thought they must run a mighty hazard if they should have a war with the Romans; but judged that the transgression of the law was of much greater consequence; and made supplication to him, that he would by no means reduce them to such distresses, nor defile their city by the dedication of the statue. Petronius said to them, "Will you then make war with Cæsar, without considering his great preparations for war, and your own weakness?" They replied, "We will not by any means make war with him; but still we will die before we will see our laws transgressed." So they threw themselves down upon their faces, and stretched out their throats, and said, they were ready to be slain. And this they did for forty days together: and in the mean time left off the tilling of their ground; and that while the season of the year required them to sow

+ The Jewish governor at Alexandria.

Then

What Josephus here relates as done by the Jews before seed-time, is in Philo, not far off the time when the corn was ripe: who, as Le Clerc notes, differ here one from the other. This is another indication that Josephus it

it. Thus they continued firm in their resolution," and proposed to themselves to die willingly, rather than to see the dedication of the statue.

When matters were in this state, Aristobulus, king Agrippa's brother, and Helcias the Great, and the other principal men of that family with them, went in unto Petronius, and besought him, that since he saw the resolution of the multitude, he would not make any alteration, and thereby drive them to despair; but would write to Caius, that the Jews had an insuperable aversion to the reception of the statue; and how they continued with him, and left off the tillage of their ground that they were not willing to go to war with him, because they were not able to do it; but were ready to die with pleasure, rather than suffer their laws to be transgressed. And that, upon the lands continuing unsown, robberies would grow up, on the inability they would be under of paying their tributes. And that perhaps Caius might be thereby moved to pity, and not order any barbarous action to be done to them, nor think of destroying the nation. That if he continued inflexible in his former opinion, to bring a war upon them, he might then himself set about it. And thus did Aristobulus, and the rest with him, supplicate Petronius. So* Petronius, partly on account of the pressing instances which Aristobulus and the rest with him made; and because of the great consequence of what they desired, and the earnestness wherewith they made their supplication; partly on account of the firmness of the opposition made by the Jews, which he saw; while he thought it a horrible thing for him to be such a slave to the madness of Caius, as to slay so many thousand men, only because of their religious disposition towards God, and after that to pass his life in expectation of punishment: Petronius, I say, thought it much better to send to Caius, and to let him know how intolerable it was to bear the anger he might have against him for not serving hin sooner, in obedience to his epistle; for that perhaps he might persuade him; and that if his mad resolution continued, he might then begin the war against them: nay, that in case he should turn his hatred against himself, it was fit for virtuous persons even to die for the sake of such vast multitudes of men. Accordingly he determined to hearken to the petitioners in this matter.

when he wrote this account, had not seen Philo's Legat. ad Caium, otherwise he would hardly have herein differed from him.

This Publius Petronius was after this still president of Syria under Claudius: and at the desire of Agrippa, published a severe decree against the inhabitants of Dora; who, in a sort of imitation of Caius, had set up a statue of Claudius in a Jewish synagogue there. This decree is extant, XIX, 6. and greatly confirms the present ac

66

He then called the Jews together at Tiberias, who came many thousands in number: he, also placed the army he now had with him opposite to them: but did not discover his own meaning, but the commands of the emperor; and told them, that his wrath would be executed without delay, on such as had the courage to disobey what he had com. manded, and this immediately; and that it was fit for him, who had obtained so great a diguity by his grant, not to contradict him in any thing. Yet," said he, "I do not think it just to have such a regard to my own safety and honor, as to refuse to sacrifice them for your preservation; who are so many in number, and endeavor to preserve the regard that is due to your law: which as it hath come down to you from your forefathers, so do you esteem its preservation worthy of your utmost contention. Nor, with the supreme assistance and power of God, will I be so hardy as to suffer your temple to fall into contempt, by means of the imperial authority. I will therefore send to Caius, and let him know what your resolutions are, and will assist your suit as far as I am able; that you may not be exposed to suffer on account of the honest designs you have proposed to yourselves. And may God be our assistant; for his authority is beyond all the contrivance and power of men: and may he procure you the preservation of your ancient laws; and may not he be deprived, though without your consent, of his accustomed honors. But if Caius be irritated, and turu the violence of his rage upon me, I will rather undergo all that danger and affliction that may come either on my body or my soul, than see so many of you perish, while you are acting in so excellent a manner. Do you therefore, every one of you, return to your own occupations, and attend to the cultivation of your ground. I will, in the mean time, send to Rome; and will not refuse to serve you in all things, both by myself and by my friends."

When Petronius had said this, and had dismissed the assembly of the Jews, he desired the principal of them, to take care of their husbandry, and to speak kindly to the people, and encourage them to have good hope of their affairs. Thus did he readily bring the multitude to be cheerful again. And now did God shew his + presence to Petronius, and sig nify to him, that he would afford him his assistance

counts of Josephus: as do the other decrees of Claudius relating to the like Jewish affairs, XIX. 5. To which I here refer the inquisitive reader: as also to Usher's Annals, at A. D. 42. till which year Petronius continued president of Syria.

+ Josephus here uses the solemn New Testament words, παρεσια and ἐπιφάνεια, the presence, and appearance of God, for the extraordinary manifestation of his power and providence to Petronius, by sending rain in a time of

in