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the antiquities of the jews-1-第302章

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opportunity of delivering their letters to Caesar; because they
found him reconciled to Herod; for the circumstances of
Nicolaus's embassage had been as follows: As soon as he was come
to Rome; and was about the court; he did not first of all set
about what he was come for only; but he thought fit also to
accuse Sylleus。 Now the Arabians; even before he came to talk
with them; were quarrelling one with another; and some of them
left Sylleus's party; and joining themselves to Nicolaus;
informed him of all the wicked things that had been done; and
produced to him evident demonstrations of the slaughter of a
great number of Obodas's friends by Sylleus; for when these men
left Sylleus; they had carried off with them those letters
whereby they could convict him。 When Nicolaus saw such an
opportunity afforded him; he made use of it; in order to gain his
own point afterward; and endeavored immediately to make a
reconciliation between Caesar and Herod; for he was fully
satisfied; that if he should desire to make a defense for Herod
directly; he should not be allowed that liberty; but that if he
desired to accuse Sylleus; there would an occasion present itself
of speaking on Herod's behalf。 So when the cause was ready for a
hearing; and the day was appointed; Nicolaus; while Aretas's
ambassadors were present; accused Sylleus; and said that he
imputed to him the destruction of the king 'Obodas'; and of many
others of the Arabians; that he had borrowed money for no good
design; and he proved that he had been guilty of adultery; not
only with the Arabian; but Reinan women also。 And。 he added; that
above all the rest he had alienated Caesar from Herod; and that
all that he had said about the actions of Herod were falsities。
When Nicolaus was come to this topic; Caesar stopped him from
going on; and desired him only to speak to this affair of Herod;
and to show that he had not led an army into Arabia; nor slain
two thousand five hundred men there; nor taken prisoners; nor
pillaged the country。 To which Nicolaus made this answer: 〃I
shall principally demonstrate; that either nothing at all; or but
a very little; of those imputations are true; of which thou hast
been informed; for had they been true; thou mightest justly have
been still more angry at Herod。〃 At this strange assertion Caesar
was very attentive; and Nicolaus said that there was a debt due
to Herod of five hundred talents; and a bond; wherein it was
written; that if the time appointed be lapsed; it should be
lawful to make a seizure out of any part of his country。 〃As for
the pretended army;〃 he said; 〃it was no army; but a party sent
out to require the just payment of the money; that this was not
sent immediately; nor so soon as the bond allowed; but that
Sylleus had frequently come before Saturninus and Volumnius; the
presidents of Syria; and that at last he had sworn at Berytus; by
thy fortune; (13) that he would certainly pay the money within
thirty days; and deliver up the fugitives that were under his
dominion。 And that when Sylleus had performed nothing of this;
Herod came again before the presidents; and upon their permission
to make a seizure for his money; he; with difficulty; went out of
his country with a party of soldiers for that purpose。 And this
is all the war which these men so tragically describe; and this
is the affair of the expedition into Arabia。 And how can this be
called a war; when thy presidents permitted it; the covenants
allowed it; and it was not executed till thy name; O Caesar; as
well as that of the other gods; had been profaned? And now I must
speak in order about the captives。 There were robbers that dwelt
in Trachonitis; at first their number was no more than forty; but
they became more afterwards; and they escaped the punishment
Herod would have inflicted on them; by making Arabia their
refuge。 Sylleus received them; and supported them with food; that
they might be mischievous to all mankind; and gave them a country
to inhabit; and himself received the gains they made by robbery;
yet did he promise that he would deliver up these men; and that
by the same oaths and same time that he sware and fixed for
payment of his debt: nor can he by any means show that any other
persons have at this time been taken out of Arabia besides these;
and indeed not all these neither; but only so many as could not
conceal themselves。 And thus does the calumny of the captives;
which hath been so odiously represented; appear to be no better
than a fiction and a lie; made on purpose to provoke thy
indignation; for I venture to affirm that when the forces of the
Arabians came upon us; and one or two of Herod's party fell; he
then only defended himself; and there fell Nacebus their general;
and in all about twenty…five others; and no more; whence Sylleus;
by multiplying every single soldier to a hundred; he reckons the
slain to have been two thousand five hundred。〃

9。 This provoked Caesar more than ever。 So he turned to Sylleus
full of rage; and asked him how many of the Arabians were slain。
Hereupon he hesitated; and said he had been imposed upon。 The
covenants also were read about the money he had borrowed; and the
letters of the presidents of Syria; and the complaints of the
several cities; so many as had been injured by the robbers。 The
conclusion was this; that Sylleus was condemned to die; and that
Caesar was reconciled to Herod; and owned his repentance for what
severe things he had written to him; occasioned by calumny;
insomuch that he told Sylleus; that he had compelled him; by his
lying account of things; to be guilty of ingratitude against a
man that was his friend。 At the last all came to this; Sylleus
was sent away to answer Herod's suit; and to repay the debt that
he owed; and after that to be punished 'with death'。 But still
Caesar was offended with Aretas; that he had taken upon himself
the government; without his consent first obtained; for he had
determined to bestow Arabia upon Herod; but that the letters he
had sent hindered him from so doing; for Olympus and Volumnius;
perceiving that Caesar was now become favorable to Herod; thought
fit immediately to deliver him the letters they were commanded by
Herod to give him concerning his sons。 When Caesar had read them;
he thought it would not be proper to add another government to
him; now he was old; and in an ill state with relation to his
sons; so he admitted Aretas's ambassadors; and after he had just
reproved him for his rashness; in not tarrying till he received
the kingdom from him; he accepted of his presents; and confirmed
him in his government。

CHAPTER 11。

HOW HEROD; BY PERMISSION FROM CAESAR ACCUSED HIS SONS BEFORE An
Assembly Of Judges At Berytus ; And What Tero Suffered For Using
A Boundless And Military Liberty Of Speech。 Concerning Also The
Death Of The Young Men And Their Burial At Alexandrium。

1。 So Caesar was now reconciled to Herod; and wrote thus to him:
That he was grieved for him on account of his sons; and that in
case they had been guilty of any profane and insolent crimes
against him; it would behoove him to punish them as parricides;
for which he gave him power a
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