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which I will that ye take care that it be engraven on the public
tables; in Roman and Greek letters; and that it stand engraven in
the most illustrious places; that it may be read by all。 Marcus
Antonius; imperator; one of the triumvirate over the public
affairs; made this declaration: Since Caius Cassius; in this
revolt he hath made; hath pillaged that province which belonged
not to him; and was held by garrisons there encamped; while they
were our confederates; and hath spoiled that nation of the Jews
that was in friendship with the Roman people; as in war; and
since we have overcome his madness by arms; we now correct by our
decrees and judicial determinations what he hath laid waste; that
those things may be restored to our confederates。 And as for what
hath been sold of the Jewish possessions; whether they be bodies
or possessions; let them be released; the bodies into that state
of freedom they were originally in; and the possessions to their
former owners。 I also will that he who shall not comply with this
decree of mine shall be punished for his disobedience; and if
such a one be caught; I will take care that the offenders suffer
condign punishment。〃

6。 The same thing did Antony write to the Sidonians; and the
Antiochians; and the Aradians。 We have produced these decrees;
therefore; as marks for futurity of the truth of what we have
said; that the Romans had a great concern about our nation。

CHAPTER 13。

How Antony Made Herod And Phasaelus Tetrarchs; After They Had
Been Accused To No Purpose; And How The Parthians When They
Brought Antigonus Into Judea Took Hyrcanus And Phasaelus
Captives。 Herod's Flight; And What Afflictions Hyrcanus And
Phasaelus Endured。

1。 When after this Antony came into Syria; Cleopatra met him in
Cilicia; and brought him to fall in love with her。 And there came
now also a hundred of the most potent of the Jews to accuse Herod
and those about him; and set the men of the greatest eloquence
among them to speak。 But Messala contradicted them; on behalf of
the young men; and all this in the presence of Hyrcanus; who was
Herod's father…in…law (24) already。 When Antony had heard both
sides at Daphne; he asked Hyrcanus who they were that governed
the nation best。 He replied; Herod and his friends。 Hereupon
Antony; by reason of the old hospitable friendship he had made
with his father 'Antipater'; at that time when he was with
Gabinius; he made both Herod and Phasaelus tetrarchs; and
committed the public affairs of the Jews to them; and wrote
letters to that purpose。 He also bound fifteen of their
adversaries; and was going to kill them; but that Herod obtained
their pardon。

2。 Yet did not these men continue quiet when they were come back;
but a thousand of the Jews came to Tyre to meet him there;
whither the report was that he would come。 But Antony was
corrupted by the money which Herod and his brother had given him;
and so he gave order to the governor of the place to punish the
Jewish ambassadors; who were for making innovations; and to
settle the government upon Herod; but Herod went out hastily to
them; and Hyrcanus was with him; (for they stood upon the shore
before the city;) and he charged them to go their ways; because
great mischief would befall them if they went on with their
accusation。 But they did not acquiesce; whereupon the Romans ran
upon them with their daggers; and slew some; and wounded more of
them; and the rest fled away and went home; and lay still in
great consternation。 And when the people made a clamor against
Herod; Antony was so provoked at it; that he slew the prisoners。

3。 Now; in the second year; Pacorus; the king of Parthia's son;
and Barzapharnes; a commander of the Parthians; possessed
themselves of Syria。 Ptolemy; the son of Menneus; also was now
dead; and Lysanias his son took his government; and made a league
of friendship with Antigonus; the son of Aristobulus; and in
order to obtain it; made use of that commander; who had great
interest in him。 Now Antigonus had promised to give the Parthians
a thousand talents; and five hundred women; upon condition they
would take the government away from Hyrcanus; and bestow it upon
him; and withal kill Herod。 And although he did not give them
what he had promised; yet did the Parthians make an expedition
into Judea on that account; and carried Antigonus with them。
Pacorus went along the maritime parts; but the commander
Barzapharnes through the midland。 Now the Tyrians excluded
Pacorus; but the Sidontans and those of Ptolemais received him。
However; Pacorus sent a troop of horsemen into Judea; to take a
view of the state of the country; and to assist Antigonus; and
sent also the king's butler; of the same name with himself。 So
when the Jews that dwelt about Mount Carmel came to Antigonus;
and were ready to march with him into Judea; Antigonus hoped to
get some part of the country by their assistance。 The place is
called Drymi; and when some others came and met them; the men
privately fell upon Jerusalem; and when some more were come to
them; they got together in great numbers; and came against the
king's palace; and besieged it。 But as Phasaelus's and Herod's
party came to the other's assistance; and a battle happened
between them in the market…place; the young men beat their
enemies; and pursued them into the temple; and sent some armed
men into the adjoining houses to keep them in; who yet being
destitute of such as should support them; were burnt; and the
houses with them; by the people who rose up against them。 But
Herod was revenged on these seditious adversaries of his a little
afterward for this injury they had offered him; when he fought
with them; and slew a great number of them。

4。 But while there were daily skirmishes; the enemy waited for
the coming of the multitude out of the country to Pentecost; a
feast of ours so called; and when that day was come; many ten
thousands of the people were gathered together about the temple;
some in armor; and some without。 Now those that came guarded both
the temple and the city; excepting what belonged to the palace;
which Herod guarded with a few of his soldiers; and Phasaelus had
the charge of the wall; while Herod; with a body of his men;
sallied out upon the enemy; who lay in the suburbs; and fought
courageously; and put many ten thousands to flight; some flying
into the city; and some into the temple; and some into the outer
fortifications; for some such fortifications there were in that
place。 Phasaelus came also to his assistance; yet was Pacorus;
the general of the Parthians; at the desire of Antigonus;
admitted into the city; with a few of his horsemen; under
pretence indeed as if he would still the sedition; but in reality
to assist Antigonus in obtaining the government。 And when
Phasaelus met him; and received him kindly; Pacorus persuaded him
to go himself as ambassador to Barzapharnes; which was done
fraudulently。 Accordingly; Phasaelus; suspecting no harm;
complied with his proposal; while Herod did not give his consent
to what was done; because of the perfidiousness of these
barbarians; but desired Phasaelus rather to fight those that were
come into the city。

5。 So both Hyrcanus and Phasaelus went on the embassage; but
Pacorus left with Herod two hundred horsemen; and ten men; who
were called the freemen; and conducted the others on their
journey; and when they were in Galilee; the governors of the
cities there met them in their arms。 Barzaphanles also received
them at the first with cheerfulness; and made them presents;
though he afterward conspired against them; and Phasaelus; with
his horsemen; were conducted to the sea…side。 But when they heard
that Antigonus had promised to give the Parthians a thousand
talents; and five hundred women; to assist him against them; they
soon had a suspicion of the barbarians。 Moreover; there was one
who informed them that snares were laid for them by night; while
a guard came about them secretly; and they had then been seized
upon; had not they waited for the seizure of Herod by the
Parthians that were about Jerusalem; lest; upon the slaughter of
Hyrcanus and Phasaelus; he should have an intimation of it; and
escape out of their hands。 And these were the circumstances they
were now in; and they saw who they were that guarded them。 Some
persons indeed would have persuaded Phasaelus to fly away
immediately on horseback; and not stay any longer; and there was
one Ophellius; who; above all the rest; was earnest with him to
do so; for he had heard of this treachery from Saramalla; the
richest of all the Syrians at that time; who also promised to
provide him ships to carry him off; for the sea was just by them。
But he had no mind to desert Hyrcanus; nor bring his brother into
danger; but he went to Barzapharnes; and told him he did not act
justly when he made such a contrivance against them; for that if
he wanted money; he would give him more than Antigonus; and
besides; that it was a horrible thing to slay those that came to
him upon the security of their oaths; and that when they had done
them no injury。 But the barbarian swore to him that there was no
truth in any of his suspicions; 

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