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done the thing； upon which they were presently struck with
astonishment and fear； and that to a great degree； lest the thing
should be openly discovered and censured； and the king should
hazard the loss of his kingdom； while his subjects would not bear
to be governed by a man who was so zealous in another religion；
and lest they should themselves run some hazard； because they
would be supposed the occasion of his so doing。 But it was God
himself who hindered what they feared from taking effect； for he
preserved both Izates himself and his sons when they fell into
many dangers； and procured their deliverance when it seemed to be
impossible； and demonstrated thereby that the fruit of piety does
not perish as to those that have regard to him； and fix their
faith upon him only。 （4） But these events we shall relate
hereafter。
5。 But as to Helena； the king's mother； when she saw that the
affairs of Izates's kingdom were in peace； and that her son was a
happy man； and admired among all men； and even among foreigners；
by the means of God's providence over him； she had a mind to go
to the city of Jerusalem； in order to worship at that temple of
God which was so very famous among all men； and to offer her
thank…offerings there。 So she desired her son to give her leave
to go thither； upon which he gave his consent to what she desired
very willingly； and made great preparations for her dismission；
and gave her a great deal of money； and she went down to the city
Jerusalem； her son conducting her on her journey a great way。 Now
her coming was of very great advantage to the people of
Jerusalem； for whereas a famine did oppress them at that time；
and many people died for want of what was necessary to procure
food withal； queen Helena sent some of her servants to Alexandria
with money to buy a great quantity of corn； and others of them to
Cyprus； to bring a cargo of dried figs。 And as soon as they were
come back； and had brought those provisions； which was done very
quickly； she distributed food to those that were in want of it；
and left a most excellent memorial behind her of this
benefaction； which she bestowed on our whole nation。 And when her
son Izates was informed of this famine； （5） he sent great sums of
money to the principal men in Jerusalem。 However； what favors
this queen and king conferred upon our city Jerusalem shall be
further related hereafter。
CHAPTER 3。
How Artabanus； the King of Parthia out of Fear of the Secret
Contrivances of His Subjects Against Him； Went to Izates； and Was
By Him Reinstated in His Government； as Also How Bardanes His Son
Denounced War Against Izates。
1。 But now Artabanus； king of the Parthians perceiving that the
governors of the provinces had framed a plot against him； did not
think it safe for him to continue among them； but resolved to go
to Izates； in hopes of finding some way for his preservation by
his means； and； if possible； for his return to his own dominions。
So he came to Izates； and brought a thousand of his kindred and
servants with him； and met him upon the road； while he well knew
Izates； but Izates did not know him。 When Artabanus stood near
him； and； in the first place； worshipped him； according to the
custom； he then said to him； 〃O king！ do not thou overlook me thy
servant； nor do thou proudly reject the suit I make thee； for as
I am reduced to a low estate； by the change of fortune； and of a
king am become a private man； I stand in need of thy assistance。
Have regard； therefore； unto the uncertainty of fortune； and
esteem the care thou shalt take of me to he taken of thyself
also； for if I be neglected； and my subjects go off unpunished；
many other subjects will become the more insolent towards other
kings also。〃 And this speech Artabanus made with tears in his
eyes； and with a dejected countenance。 Now as soon as Izates
heard Artabanus's name； and saw him stand as a supplicant before
him； he leaped down from his horse immediately； and said to him；
〃Take courage； O king！ nor be disturbed at thy present calamity；
as if it were incurable； for the change of thy sad condition
shall be sudden； for thou shalt find me to be more thy friend and
thy assistant than thy hopes can promise thee； for I will either
re…establish thee in the kingdom of Parthia； or lose my own。〃
2。 When he had said this； he set Artabanus upon his horse； and
followed him on foot； in honor of a king whom he owned as greater
than himself； which； when Artabanus saw； he was very uneasy at
it； and sware by his present fortune and honor that he would get
down from his horse； unless Izates would get upon his horse
again； and go before him。 So he complied with his desire； and
leaped upon his horse； and when he had brought him to his royal
palace； he showed him all sorts of respect when they sat
together； and he gave him the upper place at festivals also； as
regarding not his present fortune； but his former dignity； and
that upon this consideration also； that the changes of fortune
are common to all men。 He also wrote to the Parthians； to
persuade them to receive Artabanus again； and gave them his right
hand and his faith； that he should forget what was past and done；
and that he would undertake for this as a mediator between them。
Now the Parthians did not themselves refuse to receive him again；
but pleaded that it was not now in their power so to do； because
they had committed the government to another person； who had
accepted of it； and whose name was Cinnamus； and that they were
afraid lest a civil war should arise on this account。 When
Cinnamus understood their intentions； he wrote to Artabanus
himself； for he had been brought up by him； and was of a nature
good and gentle also； and desired him to put confidence in him；
and to come and take his own dominions again。 Accordingly；
Artabanus trusted him； and returned home； when Cinnamus met him；
worshipped him； and saluted him as a king； and took the diadem
off his own head； and put it on the head of Artabanus。
3。 And thus was Artahanus restored to his kingdom again by the
means of Izates； when he had lost it by the means of the grandees
of the kingdom。 Nor was he unmindful of the benefits he had
conferred upon him； but rewarded him with such honors as were of
the greatest esteem among them； for he gave him leave to wear his
tiara upright； （6） and to sleep upon a golden bed； which are
privileges and marks of honor peculiar to the kings of Parthia。
He also cut off a large and fruitful country from the king of
Armenia； and bestowed it upon him。 The name of the country is
Nisibis； wherein the Macedonians had formerly built that city
which they called Antioch of Mygodonla。 And these were the honors
that were paid Izates by the king of the Parthians。
4。 But in no long time Artabanus died； and left his kingdom to
his son Bardanes。 Now this Bardanes came to Izates； and would
have persuaded him to join him with his army； and to assist him
in the war he was preparing to make with the Romans； but he could
not prevail with him。 For Izates so well knew the strength and
good fortune of the Romans； that he took Bardanes to attempt what
was impossible to be done； and h