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the antiquities of the jews-1-第227章

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what mischief he had himself done them; and because they were his
enemies also on account of his father Demetrius; who had greatly
abused them; so they watched some opportunity which they might
lay hold on to fall upon him。 And when they were informed of the
assistance that was coming to Demetrius from Jonathan; and
considered at the same time that he would raise a numerous army;
unless they prevented him; and seized upon him; they took their
weapons immediately; and encompassed his palace in the way of a
siege; and seizing upon all the ways of getting out; they sought
to subdue their king。 And when he saw that the people of Antioch
were become his bitter enemies and that they were thus in arms;
he took the mercenary soldiers which he had with them; and those
Jews who were sent by Jonathan; and assaulted the Antiochians;
but he was overpowered by them; for they were many ten thousands;
and was beaten。 But when the Jews saw that the Antiochians were
superior; they went up to the top of the palace; and shot at them
from thence; and because they were so remote from them by their
height; that they suffered nothing on their side; but did great
execution on the others; as fighting from such an elevation; they
drove them out of the adjoining houses; and immediately set them
on fire; whereupon the flame spread itself over the whole city;
and burnt it all down。 This happened by reason of the closeness
of the houses; and because they were generally built of wood。 So
the Antioehians; when they were not able to help themselves; nor
to stop the fire; were put to flight。 And as the Jews leaped from
the top of one house to the top of another; and pursued them
after that manner; it thence happened that the pursuit was so
very surprising。 But when the king saw that the Antiochians were
were busy in saving their children and their wives; and so did
not fight any longer; he fell upon them in the narrow passages;
and fought them; and slew a great many of them; till at last they
were forced to throw down their arms; and to deliver themselves
up to Demetrius。 So he forgave them this their insolent behavior;
and put an end to the sedition; and when he had given rewards to
the Jews out of the rich spoils he had gotten; and had returned
them thanks; as the cause of his victory; he sent them away to
Jerusalem to Jonathan; with an ample testimony of the assistance
they had afforded him。 Yet did he prove an ill man to Jonathan
afterward; and broke the promises he had made; and he threatened
that he would make war upon him; unless he would pay all that
tribute which the Jewish nation owed to the first kings 'of
Syria'。 And this he had done; if Trypho had not hindered him; and
diverted his preparations against Jonathan to a concern for his
own preservation; for he now returned out of Arabia into Syria;
with the child Antiochus; for he was yet in age but a youth; and
put the diadem on his head; and as the whole forces that had left
Demetrius; because they had no pay; came to his assistance; he
made war upon Demetrius; and joining battle with him; overcame
him in the fight; and took from him both his elephants and the
city Antioch。

4。 Demetrius; upon this defeat; retired into Cilicia; but the
child Antiochus sent ambassadors and an epistle to Jonathan; and
made him his friend and confederate; and confirmed to him the
high priesthood; and yielded up to him the four prefectures which
had been added to Judea。 Moreover; he sent him vessels and cups
of gold; and a purple garment; and gave him leave to use them。 He
also presented him with a golden button; and styled him one of
his principal friends; and appointed his brother Simon to be the
general over the forces; from the Ladder of Tyre unto Egypt。 So
Jonathan was so pleased with these grants made him by Antiochus;
that he sent ambassadors to him and to Trypho; and professed
himself to be their friend and confederate; and said he would
join with him in a war against Demetrius; informing him that he
had made no proper returns for the kindness he had done him; for
that when he had received many marks of kindness from him; when
he stood in great need of them; he; for such good turns; had
requited him with further injuries。

5。 So Antiochus gave Jonathan leave to raise himself a numerous
army out of Syria and Phoenicia and to make war against
Demetrius's generals; whereupon he went in haste to the several
cities which received him splendidly indeed; but put no forces
into his hands。 And when he was come from thence to Askelon; the
inhabitants of Askelon came and brought him presents; and met him
in a splendid manner。 He exhorted them; and every one of the
cities of Celesyria; to forsake Demetrius; and to join with
Antiochus; and; in assisting him; to endeavor to punish Demetrius
for what offenses he had been guilty of against themselves; and
told them there were many reasons for that their procedure; if
they had a mind so to do。 And when he had persuaded those cities
to promise their assistance to Antiochus; he came to Gaza; in
order to induce them also to be friends to Antiochus; but he
found the inhabitants of Gaza much more alienated from him than
he expected; for they had shut their gates against him; and
although they had deserted Demetrius; they had not resolved to
join themselves to Antiochus。 This provoked Jonathan to besiege
them; and to harass their country; for as he set a part of his
army round about Gaza itself; so with the rest he overran their
land; and spoiled it; and burnt what was in it。 When the of Gaza
saw themselves in this state of affliction; and that no
assistance came to them from Demetrius; that what distressed them
was at hand; but what should profit them was still at a great
distance; and it was uncertain whether it would come at all or
not; they thought it would he prudent conduct to leave off any
longer continuance with them; and to cultivate friendship with
the other; so they sent to Jonathan; and professed they would be
his friends; and afford him assistance: for such is the temper of
men; that before they have had the trial of great afflictions;
they do not understand what is for their advantage; but when they
find themselves under such afflictions; they then change their
minds; and what it had been better for them to have done before
they had been at all damaged; they choose to do; but not till
after they have suffered such damages。 However; he made a league
of friendship with them; and took from them hostages for their
performance of it; and sent these hostages to Jerusalem; while he
went himself over all the country; as far as Damascus。

6。 But when he heard that the generals of Demetrius's forces were
come to the city Cadesh with a numerous army; (the place lies
between the land of the Tyrians and Galilee;)for they supposed
they should hereby draw him out of Syria; in order to preserve
Galilee; and that he would not overlook the Galileans; who were
his own people; when war was made upon them; he went to meet
them; having left Simon in Judea; who raised as great an army as
he was able out of the country; and then sat down before
Bethsura; and besieged it; that being the
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