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第199章

the antiquities of the jews-1-第199章

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were forced to throw down their arms; and to deliver themselves
up to Demetrius。 So he forgave them this their insolent behavior;
and put an end to the sedition; and when he had given rewards to
the Jews out of the rich spoils he had gotten; and had returned
them thanks; as the cause of his victory; he sent them away to
Jerusalem to Jonathan; with an ample testimony of the assistance
they had afforded him。 Yet did he prove an ill man to Jonathan
afterward; and broke the promises he had made; and he threatened
that he would make war upon him; unless he would pay all that
tribute which the Jewish nation owed to the first kings 'of
Syria'。 And this he had done; if Trypho had not hindered him; and
diverted his preparations against Jonathan to a concern for his
own preservation; for he now returned out of Arabia into Syria;
with the child Antiochus; for he was yet in age but a youth; and
put the diadem on his head; and as the whole forces that had left
Demetrius; because they had no pay; came to his assistance; he
made war upon Demetrius; and joining battle with him; overcame
him in the fight; and took from him both his elephants and the
city Antioch。

4。 Demetrius; upon this defeat; retired into Cilicia; but the
child Antiochus sent ambassadors and an epistle to Jonathan; and
made him his friend and confederate; and confirmed to him the
high priesthood; and yielded up to him the four prefectures which
had been added to Judea。 Moreover; he sent him vessels and cups
of gold; and a purple garment; and gave him leave to use them。 He
also presented him with a golden button; and styled him one of
his principal friends; and appointed his brother Simon to be the
general over the forces; from the Ladder of Tyre unto Egypt。 So
Jonathan was so pleased with these grants made him by Antiochus;
that he sent ambassadors to him and to Trypho; and professed
himself to be their friend and confederate; and said he would
join with him in a war against Demetrius; informing him that he
had made no proper returns for the kindness he had done him; for
that when he had received many marks of kindness from him; when
he stood in great need of them; he; for such good turns; had
requited him with further injuries。

5。 So Antiochus gave Jonathan leave to raise himself a numerous
army out of Syria and Phoenicia and to make war against
Demetrius's generals; whereupon he went in haste to the several
cities which received him splendidly indeed; but put no forces
into his hands。 And when he was come from thence to Askelon; the
inhabitants of Askelon came and brought him presents; and met him
in a splendid manner。 He exhorted them; and every one of the
cities of Celesyria; to forsake Demetrius; and to join with
Antiochus; and; in assisting him; to endeavor to punish Demetrius
for what offenses he had been guilty of against themselves; and
told them there were many reasons for that their procedure; if
they had a mind so to do。 And when he had persuaded those cities
to promise their assistance to Antiochus; he came to Gaza; in
order to induce them also to be friends to Antiochus; but he
found the inhabitants of Gaza much more alienated from him than
he expected; for they had shut their gates against him; and
although they had deserted Demetrius; they had not resolved to
join themselves to Antiochus。 This provoked Jonathan to besiege
them; and to harass their country; for as he set a part of his
army round about Gaza itself; so with the rest he overran their
land; and spoiled it; and burnt what was in it。 When the of Gaza
saw themselves in this state of affliction; and that no
assistance came to them from Demetrius; that what distressed them
was at hand; but what should profit them was still at a great
distance; and it was uncertain whether it would come at all or
not; they thought it would he prudent conduct to leave off any
longer continuance with them; and to cultivate friendship with
the other; so they sent to Jonathan; and professed they would be
his friends; and afford him assistance: for such is the temper of
men; that before they have had the trial of great afflictions;
they do not understand what is for their advantage; but when they
find themselves under such afflictions; they then change their
minds; and what it had been better for them to have done before
they had been at all damaged; they choose to do; but not till
after they have suffered such damages。 However; he made a league
of friendship with them; and took from them hostages for their
performance of it; and sent these hostages to Jerusalem; while he
went himself over all the country; as far as Damascus。

6。 But when he heard that the generals of Demetrius's forces were
come to the city Cadesh with a numerous army; (the place lies
between the land of the Tyrians and Galilee;)for they supposed
they should hereby draw him out of Syria; in order to preserve
Galilee; and that he would not overlook the Galileans; who were
his own people; when war was made upon them; he went to meet
them; having left Simon in Judea; who raised as great an army as
he was able out of the country; and then sat down before
Bethsura; and besieged it; that being the strongest place in all
Judea; and a garrison of Demetrius's kept it; as we have already
related。 But as Simon was raising banks; and bringing his engines
of war against Bethsura; and was very earnest about the siege of
it; the garrison was afraid lest the place should be taken of
Simon by force; and they put to the sword; so they sent to Simon;
and desired the security of his oath; that they should come to no
harm from him; and that they would leave the place; and go away
to Demetrius。 Accordingly he gave them his oath; and ejected them
out of the city; and he put therein a garrison of his own。

7。 But Jonathan removed out of Galilee; and from the waters which
are called Gennesar; for there he was before encamped; and came
into the plain that is called Asor; without knowing that the
enemy was there。 When therefore Demetrius's men knew a day
beforehand that Jonathan was coming against them; they laid an
ambush in the mountain; who were to assault him on the sudden;
while they themselves met him with an army in the plain; which
army; when Jonathan saw ready to engage him; he also got ready
his own soldiers for the battle as well as he was able; but those
that were laid in ambush by Demetrius's generals being behind
them; the Jews were afraid lest they should be caught in the
midst between two bodies; and perish; so they ran away in haste;
and indeed all the rest left Jonathan; but a few there were; in
number about fifty; who staid with him; and with them Mattathias;
the son of Absalom; and Judas; the son of Chapseus; who were
commanders of the whole army。 These marched boldly; and like men
desperate; against the enemy; and so pushed them; that by their
courage they daunted them; and with their weapons in their hands
they put them to flight。 And when those soldiers of Jonathan that
had retired saw the enemy giving way; they got together after
their flight; and pursued them with great violence; and this did
they as far as Cadesh; where the camp of the enemy lay。

8。 Jonathan having thus gotten a glorious victory; and slain two
thousand of the enemy; returned to Jerusalem。 So when he saw that
all his affairs prospered according to his mind; by the
providence of God; he sent ambassadors to the Romans; being
desirous of renewing that friendship which their nation had with
them formerly。 He enjoined the same ambassadors; that; as they
came back; they should go to the Spartans; and put them in mind
of their friendship and kindred。 So when the ambassadors came to
Rome; they went into their senate; and said what they were
commanded by Jonathan the high priest to say; how he had sent
them to confirm their friendship。 The senate then confirmed what
had been formerly decreed concerning their friendship with the
Jews; and gave them letters to carry to all the kings of Asia and
Europe; and to the governors of the cities; that they might
safely conduct them to their own country。 Accordingly; as they
returned; they came to Sparta; and delivered the epistle which

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