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！
accused of great acts of wickedness； though falsely； is a
terrible thing； but if thou hast any fear remaining； continue
thou on in thy pious life； we will give this reason for our own
conduct； our life is not so desirable to us as to desire to have
it； if it tend to the harm of our father who gave it us。〃
4。 When Alexander had thus spoken； Caesar； who did not before
believe so gross a calumny； was still more moved by it； and
looked intently upon Herod； and perceived he was a little
confounded： the persons there present were under an anxiety about
the young men； and the fame that was spread abroad made the king
hated； for the very incredibility of the calumny； and the
commiseration of the flower of youth； the beauty of body； which
were in the young men； pleaded for assistance； and the more so on
this account； that Alexander had made their defense with
dexterity and prudence； nay； they did not themselves any longer
continue in their former countenances； which had been bedewed
with tears； and cast downwards to the ground； but now there arose
in them hope of the best； and the king himself appeared not to
have had foundation enough to build such an accusation upon； he
having no real evidence wherewith to correct them。 Indeed he
wanted some apology for making the accusation； but Caesar； after
some delay； said； that although the young men were thoroughly
innocent of that for which they were calumniated； yet had they
been so far to blame； that they had not demeaned themselves
towards their father so as to prevent that suspicion which was
spread abroad concerning them。 He also exhorted Herod to lay all
such suspicions aside； and to be reconciled to his sons； for that
it was not just to give any credit to such reports concerning his
own children； and that this repentance on both sides might still
heal those breaches that had happened between them； and might
improve that their good…will to one another； whereby those on
both sides； excusing the rashness of their suspicions； might
resolve to bear a greater degree of affection towards each other
than they had before。 After Caesar had given them this
admonition； he beckoned to the young men。 When therefore they
were disposed to fall down to make intercession to their father；
he took them up； and embraced them； as they were in tears； and
took each of them distinctly in his arms； till not one of those
that were present； whether free…man or slave； but was deeply
affected with what they saw。 （5）
5。 Then did they return thanks to Caesar； and went away together；
and with them went Antipater； with an hypocritical pretense that
he rejoiced at this reconciliation。 And in the last days they
were with Caesar； Herod made him a present of three hundred
talents； as he was then exhibiting shows and largesses to the
people of Rome； and Caesar made him a present of half the revenue
of the copper mines in Cyprus； and committed the care of the
other half to him； and honored him with other gifts and incomes；
and as to his own kingdom； he left it in his own power to appoint
which of his sons he pleased for his successor； or to distribute
it in parts to every one； that the dignity might thereby come to
them all。 And when Herod was disposed to make such a settlement
immediately； Caesar said he would not give him leave to deprive
himself； while he was alive； of the power over his kingdom； or
over his sons。
6。 After this； Herod returned to Judea again。 But during his
absence no small part of his dominion about Trachon had revolted；
whom yet the commanders he left there had vanquished； and
compelled to a submission again。 Now as Herod was sailing with
his sons； and was come over against Cilicia； to ＇the island＇
Eleusa； which hath now changed its name for Sebaste； he met with
Archelaus； king of Cappadocia； who received him kindly； as
rejoicing that he was reconciled to his sons； and that the
accusation against Alexander； who had married his daughter； was
at an end。 They also made one another such presents as it became
kings to make； From thence Herod came to Judea and to the temple；
where he made a speech to the people concerning what had been
done in this his journey。 He also discoursed to them about
Caesar's kindness to him； and about as many of the particulars he
had done as he thought it for his advantage other people should
be acquainted with。 At last he turned his speech to the
admonition of his sons； and exhorted those that lived at court；
and the multitude； to concord； and informed them that his sons
were to reign after him； Antipater first； and then Alexander and
Aristobulus； the sons of Mariamne： but he desired that at present
they should all have regard to himself； and esteem him king and
lord of all； since he was not yet hindered by old age； but was in
that period of life when he must be the most skillful in
governing； and that he was not deficient in other arts of
management that might enable him to govern the kingdom well； and
to rule over his children also。 He further told the rulers under
him； and the soldiery； that in case they would look upon him
alone； their life would be led in a peaceable manner； and they
would make one another happy。 And when he had said this； he
dismissed the assembly。 Which speech was acceptable to the
greatest part of the audience； but not so to them all； for the
contention among his sons； and the hopes he had given them；
occasioned thoughts and desires of innovations among them。
CHAPTER 5。
How Herod Celebrated The Games That Were To Return Every Fifth
Year Upon The Building Of Cesarea； And How He Built And Adorned
Many Other Places After A Magnificent Manner； And Did Many Other
Actions Gloriously
1。 About this time it was that Cesarea Sebaste； which he had
built； was finished。 The entire building being accomplished： in
the tenth year； the solemnity of it fell into the twenty…eighth
year of Herod's reign； and into the hundred and ninety…second
olympiad。 There was accordingly a great festival and most
sumptuous preparations made presently； in order to its
dedication； for he had appointed a contention in music； and games
to be performed naked。 He had also gotten ready a great number of
those that fight single combats； and of beasts for the like
purpose； horse races also； and the most chargeable of such sports
and shows as used to be exhibited at Rome； and in other places。
He consecrated this combat to Caesar； and ordered it to be
celebrated every fifth year。 He also sent all sorts of ornaments
for it out of his own furniture； that it might want nothing to
make it decent； nay； Julia； Caesar's wife； sent a great part of
her most valuable furniture ＇from Rome＇； insomuch that he had no
want of any thing。 The sum of them all was estimated at five
hundred talents。 Now when a great multitude was come to that city
to see the shows； as well as the ambassadors whom other people
sent； on account of the benefits they had received from Herod； he
entertained them all in the public inns； and at public tables；
and with perpetual feasts； this solemnity having in the day time
the diversions of the fights； and in the night time such merry
meetings as cost vast sums of money；