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!
such as did not live after the manner of Jews; and this necessity
that they were under to do whatsoever such men should command;
was an offense against our religious settlement; rather than a
punishment to such as were found to have offended; such a
punishment being avoided in our original laws; for those laws
ordain; that the thief shall restore fourfold; and that if he
have not so much; he shall be sold indeed; but not to foreigners;
nor so that he be under perpetual slavery; for he must have been
released after six years。 But this law; thus enacted; in order to
introduce a severe and illegal punishment; seemed to be a piece
of insolence of Herod; when he did not act as a king; but as a
tyrant; and thus contemptuously; and without any regard to his
subjects; did he venture to introduce such a punishment。 Now this
penalty; thus brought into practice; was like Herod's other
actions; and became a part of his accusation; and an occasion of
the hatred he lay under。
2。 Now at this time it was that he sailed to Italy; as very
desirous to meet with Caesar; and to see his sons who lived at
Rome; and Caesar was not only very obliging to him in other
respects; but delivered him his sons again; that he might take
them home with him; as having already completed themselves in the
sciences; but as soon as the young men were come from Italy; the
multitude were very desirous to see them; and they became
conspicuous among them all; as adorned with great blessings of
fortune; and having the countenances of persons of royal dignity。
So they soon appeared to be the objects of envy to Salome; the
king's sister; and to such as had raised calumnies against
Mariamne; for they were suspicious; that when these came to the
government; they should be punished for the wickedness they had
been guilty of against their mother; so they made this very fear
of theirs a motive to raise calumnies against them also。 They
gave it out that they were not pleased with their father's
company; because he had put their mother to death; as if it were
not agreeable to piety to appear to converse with their mother's
murderer。 Now; by carrying these stories; that had indeed a true
foundation 'in the fact'; but were only built on probabilities as
to the present accusation; they were able to do them mischief;
and to make Herod take away that kindness from his sons which he
had before borne to them; for they did not say these things to
him openly; but scattered abroad such words; among the rest of
the multitude; from which words; when carried to Herod; he was
induced 'at last' to hate them; and which natural affection
itself; even in length of time; was not able to overcome; yet was
the king at that time in a condition to prefer the natural
affection of a father before all the suspicions and calumnies his
sons lay under。 So he respected them as he ought to do; and
married them to wives; now they were of an age suitable thereto。
To Aristobulus he gave for a wife Bernice; Salome's daughter; and
to Alexander; Glaphyra; the daughter of Archelaus; king of
Cappadocia。
CHAPTER 2。
How Herod Twice Sailed To Agrippa; And How Upon The Complaint In
Ionia Against The Greeks Agrippa Confirmed The Laws To Them。
1。 When Herod had despatched these affairs; and he understood
that Marcus Agrippa had sailed again out of Italy into Asia; he
made haste to him; and besought him to come to him into his
kingdom; and to partake of what he might justly expect from one
that had been his guest; and was his friend。 This request he
greatly pressed; and to it Agrippa agreed; and came into Judea;
whereupon Herod omitted nothing that might please him。 He
entertained him in his new…built cities; and showed him the
edifices he had built; and provided all sorts of the best and
most costly dainties for him and his friends; and that at Sebaste
and Cesarea; about that port that he had built; and at the
fortresses which he had erected at great expenses; Alexandrium;
and Herodium; and Hyrcania。 He also conducted him to the city
Jerusalem; where all the people met him in their festival
garments; and received him with acclamations。 Agrippa also
offered a hecatomb of sacrifices to God; and feasted the people;
without omitting any of the greatest dainties that could be
gotten。 He also took so much pleasure there; that he abode many
days with them; and would willingly have staid longer; but that
the season of the year made him make haste away; for as winter
was coming on; he thought it not safe to go to sea later; and yet
he was of necessity to return again to Ionia。
2。 So Agrippa went away; when Herod had bestowed on him; and on
the principal of those that were with him; many presents; but
king Herod; when he had passed the winter in his own dominions;
made haste to get to him again in the spring; when he knew he
designed to go to a campaign at the Bosptiorus。 So when he had
sailed by Rhodes and by Cos; he touched at Lesbos; as thinking he
should have overtaken Agrippa there; but he was taken short here
by a north wind; which hindered his ship from going to the shore;
so he continued many days at Chius; and there he kindly treated a
great many that came to him; and obliged them by giving them
royal gifts。 And when he saw that the portico of the city was
fallen down; which as it was overthrown in the Mithridatic war;
and was very large and fine building; so was it not so easy to
rebuild that as it was the rest; yet did he furnish a sum not
only large enough for that purpose; but what was more than
sufficient to finish the building; and ordered them not to
overlook that portico; but to rebuild it quickly; that so the
city might recover its proper ornaments。 And when the high winds
were laid; he sailed to Mytilene; and thence to Byzantium; and
when he heard that Agrippa was sailed beyond the Cyanean rocks;
he made all the haste possible to overtake him; and came up with
him about Sinope; in Pontus。 He was seen sailing by the ship…men
most unexpectedly; but appeared to their great joy; and many
friendly salutations there were between them; insomuch that
Agrippa thought he had received the greatest marks of the king's
kindness and humanity towards him possible; since the king had
come so long a voyage; and at a very proper season; for his
assistance; and had left the government of his own dominions; and
thought it more worth his while to come to him。 Accordingly;
Herod was all in all to Agrippa; in the management of the war;
and a great assistant in civil affairs; and in giving him counsel
as to particular matters。 He was also a pleasant companion for
him when he relaxed himself; and a joint partaker with him in all
things; ill troubles because of his kindness; and in prosperity
because of the respect Agrippa had for him。 Now as soon as those
affairs of Pontus were finished; for whose sake Agrippa was sent
thither; they did not think fit to return by sea; but passed
through Paphlagonia and Cappadocia; they then traveled thence
over great Phrygia; and came to Ephesus; and then they sailed
from Ephesus to Samos。 And indeed the king bestowed a great many
benefits on every city that he came to; according as they stood
in need of them; for as for those that wanted either money or
kind treatment; he was not wanting to them; but he supplied the
former himself out of his own expenses: he also became an
intercessor with Agrippa for all such as sought after his favor;
and he brought things so about; that the petitioners failed in
none of their suits to him; Agrippa being himself of a good
disposition; and of great generosity; and ready to grant all such
requests as might be advantageous to the petitioners; provided
they were not to the detriment of others。 The inclination of the
king was of great weight also; and still excited Agrippa; who was
himself ready to do good; for he made a reconciliation between
the people of Ilium; at whom he was angry; and paid what money
the people of Chius owed Caesar's procurators; and discharged
them of their tributes; and helped all others; according as their
several necessities required。
3。 But now; when Agrippa and Herod were in Ionia; a great
multitude of Jews; who dwelt in their cities; came to them; and
laying hold of the opportunity and the liberty now given them;
laid before them the injuries which they suffered; while they
were not permitted to use their own laws; but were compelled to
prosecute their law…suits; by the ill usage of the judges; upon
their holy days; and were deprived of the money they used to lay
up at Jerusalem; and were forced into the army; and upon such
other offices as obliged them to spend their sacred money; from
which burdens they always used to be freed by the Romans; who had
still permitted them to live according to their own laws。 When
this clamor was made; the king desired of Agrippa that he would
hear their cause; and assigned Nicolaus; one of his friends; to
plead for those their privileges。 Accordingly; when Agrippa had
called the principal of the Romans; and such of the kings and
rulers as were there; to be his assessors; Nicolaus stood up; and
pleaded for the Jews; as follows: 〃It is of necessity incumbent
on such a