按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Jerusalem To Phasaelus； As Also How Herod Upon The Jews' Envy At
Antipater Was Accused Before Hyrcanus。
1。 Now when Caesar had settled the affairs of Syria； he sailed
away。 And as soon as Antipater had conducted Caesar out of Syria；
he returned to Judea。 He then immediately raised up the wall
which had been thrown down by Pompey； and； by coming thither； he
pacified that tumult which had been in the country； and this by
both threatening and advising them to be quiet； for that if they
would be of Hyrcanus's side； they would live happily； and lead
their lives without disturbance； and in the enjoyment of their
own possessions； but if they were addicted to the hopes of what
might come by innovation； and aimed to get wealth thereby； they
should have him a severe master instead of a gentle governor； and
Hyrcanus a tyrant instead of a king； and the Romans； together
with Caesar； their bitter enemies instead of rulers； for that
they would never bear him to be set aside whom they had appointed
to govern。 And when Antipater had said this to them； he himself
settled the affairs of this country。
2。 And seeing that Hyrcanus was of a slow and slothful temper； he
made Phasaelus； his eldest son； governor of Jerusalem； and of the
places that were about it； but committed Galilee to Herod； his
next son； who was then a very young man； for he was but fifteen
years of age （14） But that youth of his was no impediment to him；
but as he was a youth of great mind； he presently met with an
opportunity of signalizing his courage； for finding that there
was one Hezekiah； a captain of a band of robbers； who overran the
neighboring parts of Syria with a great troop of them； he seized
him and slew him； as well as a great number of the other robbers
that were with him； for which action he was greatly beloved by
the Syrians； for when they were very desirous to have their
country freed from this nest of robbers； he purged it of them。 So
they sung songs in his commendation in their villages and cities；
as having procured them peace； and the secure enjoyment of their
possessions； and on this account it was that he became known to
Sextus Caesar； who was a relation of the great Caesar； and was
now president of Syria。 Now Phasaetus； Herod's brother； was moved
with emulation at his actions； and envied the fame be had thereby
gotten； and became ambitious not to be behindhand with him in
deserving it。 So he made the inhabitants of Jerusalem bear him
the greatest good…will while he held the city himself； but did
neither manage its affairs improperly； nor abuse his authority
therein。 This conduct procured from the nation to Antipater such
respect as is due to kings； and such honors as he might partake
of if he were an absolute lord of the country。 Yet did not this
splendor of his； as frequently happens； in the least diminish in
him that kindness and fidelity which he owed to Hyrcanus。
3。 But now the principal men among the Jews； when they saw
Antipater and his sons to grow so much in the good…will the
nation bare to them； and in the revenues which they received out
of Judea； and out of Hyrcanus's own wealth； they became
ill…disposed to him； for indeed Antipater had contracted a
friendship with the Roman emperors； and when he had prevailed
with Hyrcanus to send them money； he took it to himself； and
purloined the present intended； and sent it as if it were his
own； and not Hyrcanus's gift to them。 Hyrcanus heard of this his
management； but took no care about it； nay； he rather was very
glad of it。 But the chief men of the Jews were therefore in fear；
because they saw that Herod was a violent and bold man； and very
desirous of acting tyrannically； so they came to Hyrcanus； and
now accused Antipater openly； and said to him； 〃How long wilt
thou be quiet under such actions as are now done？ Or dost thou
not see that Antipater and his sons have already seized upon the
government； and that it is only the name of a king which is given
thee？ But do not thou suffer these things to be hidden from thee；
nor do thou think to escape danger by being so careless of
thyself and of thy kingdom； for Antipater and his sons are not
now stewards of thine affairs： do not thou deceive thyself with
such a notion； they are evidently absolute lords； for Herod；
Antipater's son； hath slain Hezekiah； and those that were with
him； and hath thereby transgressed our law； which hath forbidden
to slay any man； even though he were a wicked man； unless he had
been first condemned to suffer death by the Sanhedrim （15） yet
hath he been so insolent as to do this； and that without any
authority from thee。〃
4。 Upon Hyrcanus hearing this； he complied with them。 The mothers
also of those that had been slain by Herod raised his
indignation； for those women continued every day in the temple；
persuading the king and the people that Herod might undergo a
trial before the Sanhedrim for what he had done。 Hyrcanus was so
moved by these complaints； that he summoned Herod to come to his
trial for what was charged upon him。 Accordingly he came； but his
father had persuaded him to come not like a private man； but with
a guard； for the security of his person； and that when he had
settled the affairs of Galilee in the best manner he could for
his own advantage； he should come to his trial； but still with a
body of men sufficient for his security on his journey； yet so
that he should not come with so great a force as might look like
terrifying Hyrcanus； but still such a one as might not expose him
naked and unguarded ＇to his enemies。＇ However； Sextus Caesar；
president of Syria； wrote to Hyrcanus； and desired him to clear
Herod； and dismiss him at his trial； and threatened him
beforehand if he did not do it。 Which epistle of his was the
occasion of Hyrcanus delivering Herod from suffering any harm
from the Sanhedrim； for he loved him as his own son。 But when
Herod stood before the Sanhedrim； with his body of men about him；
he aftrighted them all； and no one of his former accusers durst
after that bring any charge against him； but there was a deep
silence； and nobody knew what was to be done。 When affairs stood
thus； one whose name was Sameas； （16） a righteous man he was； and
for that reason above all fear； rose up； and said； 〃O you that
are assessors with me； and O thou that art our king； I neither
have ever myself known such a case； nor do I suppose that any one
of you can name its parallel； that one who is called to take his
trial by us ever stood in such a manner before us； but every one；
whosoever he be； that comes to be tried by this Sanhedrim；
presents himself in a submissive manner； and like one that is in
fear of himself； and that endeavors to move us to compassion；
with his hair dishevelled； and in a black and mourning garment：
but this admirable man Herod； who is accused of murder； and
called to answer so heavy an accusation； stands here clothed in
purple； and with the hair of his head finely trimmed； and with
his armed men about him； that if we shall condemn him by our law；
he may slay us； and by overbearing justice may himself escape
death。 Yet do not I make this complaint against Herod himself； he
is to