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第12章

the wars of the jews-第12章

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Kill Him。

1。 There; was at this time a mighty war raised among the Romans upon the sudden and treacherous slaughter of Caesar by Cassius and Brutus; after he had held the government for three years and seven months。 (14) Upon this murder there were very great agitations; and the great men were mightily at difference one with another; and every one betook himself to that party where they had the greatest hopes of their own; of advancing themselves。 Accordingly; Cassius came into Syria; in order to receive the forces that were at Apamia; where he procured a reconciliation between Bassus and Marcus; and the legions which were at difference with him; so he raised the siege of Apamia; and took upon him the command of the army; and went about exacting tribute of the cities; and demanding their money to such a degree as they were not able to bear。

2。 So he gave command that the Jews should bring in seven hundred talents; whereupon Antipater; out of his dread of Cassius's threats; parted the raising of this sum among his sons; and among others of his acquaintance; and to be done immediately; and among them he required one Malichus; who was at enmity with him; to do his part also; which necessity forced him to do。 Now Herod; in the first place; mitigated the passion of Cassius; by bringing his share out of Galilee; which was a hundred talents; on which account he was in the highest favor with him; and when he reproached the rest for being tardy; he was angry at the cities themselves; so he made slaves of Gophna and Emmaus; and two others of less note; nay; he proceeded as if he would kill Malichus; because he had not made greater haste in exacting his tribute; but Antipater prevented the ruin of this man; and of the other cities; and got into Cassius's favor by bringing in a hundred talents immediately。 (15)

3。 However; when Cassius was gone Malichus forgot the kindness that Antipater had done him; and laid frequent plots against him that had saved him; as making haste to get him out of the way; who was an obstacle to his wicked practices; but Antipater was so much afraid of the power and cunning of the man; that he went beyond Jordan; in order to get an army to guard himself against his treacherous designs; but when Malichus was caught in his plot; he put upon Antipater's sons by his impudence; for he thoroughly deluded Phasaelus; who was the guardian of Jerusalem; and Herod who was intrusted with the weapons of war; and this by a great many excuses and oaths; and persuaded them to procure his reconciliation to his father。 Thus was he preserved again by Antipater; who dissuaded Marcus; the then president of Syria; from his resolution of killing Malichus; on account of his attempts for innovation。

4。 Upon the war between Cassius and Brutus on one side; against the younger Caesar 'Augustus' and Antony on the other; Cassius and Marcus got together an army out of Syria; and because Herod was likely to have a great share in providing necessaries; they then made him procurator of all Syria; and gave him an army of foot and horse。 Cassius premised him also; that after the war was over; he would make him king of Judea。 But it so happened that the power and hopes of his son became the cause of his perdition; for as Malichus was afraid of this; he corrupted one of the king's cup…bearers with money to give a poisoned potion to Antipater; so he became a sacrifice to Malichus's wickedness; and died at a feast。 He was a man in other respects active in the management of affairs; and one that recovered the government to Hyrcanus; and preserved it in his hands。

5。 However; Malichus; when lie was suspected ef poisoning Antipater; and when the multitude was angry with him for it; denied it; and made the people believe he was not guilty。 He also prepared to make a greater figure; and raised soldiers; for he did not suppose that Herod would be quiet; who indeed came upon him with an army presently; in order to revenge his father's death; but; upon hearing the advice of his brother Phasaelus; not to punish him in an open manner; lest the multitude should fall into a sedition; he admitted of Malichus's apology; and professed that he cleared him of that suspicion; he also made a pompous funeral for his father。

6。 So Herod went to Samaria; which was then in a tumult; and settled the city in peace; after which at the 'Pentecost' festival; he returned to Jerusalem; having his armed men with him: hereupon Hyrcanus; at the request of Malichus; who feared his reproach; forbade them to introduce foreigners to mix themselves with the people of the country while they were purifying themselves; but Herod despised the pretense; and him that gave that command; and came in by night。 Upon which Malithus came to him; and bewailed Antipater; Herod also made him believe 'he admitted of his lamentations as real'; although he had much ado to restrain his passion at him; however; he did himself bewail the murder of his father in his letters to Cassius; who; on other accounts; also hated Malichus。 Cassius sent him word back that he should avenge his father's death upon him; and privately gave order to the tribunes that were under him; that they should assist Herod in a righteous action he was about。  7。 And because; upon the taking of Laodicea by Cassius; the men of power were gotten together from all quarters; with presents and crowns in their hands; Herod allotted this time for the punishment of Malichus。 When Malichus suspected that; and was at Tyre; he resolved to withdraw his son privately from among the Tyrians; who was a hostage there; while he got ready to fly away into Judea; the despair he was in of escaping excited him to think of greater things; for he hoped that he should raise the nation to a revolt from the Romans; while Cassius was busy about the war against Antony; and that he should easily depose Hyrcanus; and get the crown for himself。

8。 But fate laughed at the hopes he had; for Herod foresaw what he was so zealous about; and invited both Hyrcanus and him to supper; but calling one of the principal servants that stood by him to him; he sent him out; as though it were to get things ready for supper; but in reality to give notice beforehand about the plot that was laid against him; accordingly they called to mind what orders Cassius had given them; and went out of the city with their swords in their hands upon the sea…shore; where they encompassed Malichus round about; and killed him with many wounds。 Upon which Hyrcanus was immediately aftrighted; till he swooned away and fell down at the surprise he was in; and it was with difficulty that he was recovered; when he asked who it was that had killed Malichus。 And when one of the tribunes replied that it was done by the command of Cassius;〃 Then;〃 said he; 〃Cassius hath saved both me and my country; by cutting off one that was laying plots against them both。〃 Whether he spake according to his own sentiments; or whether his fear was such that he was obliged to commend the action by saying so; is uncertain; however; by this method Herod inflicted punishment upon Malichus。

CHAPTER 12。

Phasaelus Is Too Hard For Felix; Herod Also Overcomes Antigonus In Rattle; And The Jews Accuse Both Herod And Phasaelus But Antonius Acquits Them; And Makes Them Tetrarchs。

1。 When Cassius was gone out of Syria; another sedition arose at Jerusalem; wherein Felix assaulted Phasaelus with an army; that he might revenge the death of Malichus upon Herod; by falling upon his brother。 Now Herod happened then to be with Fabius; the governor of Damascus; and as he was going to his brother's assistance; he was detained by sickness; in the mean time; Phasaelus was by himself too hard for Felix; and reproached Hyrcanus on account of his ingratitude; both for what assistance he had afforded Maliehus; and for overlooking Malichus's brother; when he possessed himself of the fortresses; for he had gotten a great many of them already; and among them the strongest of them all; Masada。

2。 However; nothing could be sufficient for him against the force of Herod; who; as soon as he was recovered; took the other fortresses again; and drove him out of Masada in the posture of a supplicant; he also drove away Marion; the tyrant of the

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