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第282章

the antiquities of the jews-1-第282章

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Judea; and the country of Samaria paid tribute to Archelaus; but
had now a fourth part of that tribute taken off by the order of
Caesar; who decreed them that mitigation; because they did not
join in this revolt with the rest of the multitude。 There were
also certain of the cities which paid tribute to Archelaus:
Strato's Tower and Sebaste; with Joppa and Jerusalem; for as to
Gaza; and Gadara; and Hippos; they were Grecian cities; which
Caesar separated from his government; and added them to the
province of Syria。 Now the tribute…money that came to Archelaus
every year from his own dominions amounted to six hundred
talents。

5。 And so much came to Herod's sons from their father's
inheritance。 But Salome; besides what her brother left her by his
testament; which were Jamnia; and Ashdod; and Phasaelis; and five
hundred thousand 'drachmae' of coined silver; Caesar made her a
present of a royal habitation at Askelo; in all; her revenues
amounted to sixty talents by the year; and her dwelling…house was
within Archelaus's government。 The rest also of the king's
relations received what his testament allotted them。 Moreover;
Caesar made a present to each of Herod's two virgin daughters;
besides what their father left them; of two hundred and fifty
thousand 'drachmae' of silver; and married them to Pheroras's
sons: he also granted all that was bequeathed to himself to the
king's sons; which was one thousand five hundred talents;
excepting a few of the vessels; which he reserved for himself;
and they were acceptable to him; not so much for the great value
they were of; as because they were memorials of the king to him。

CHAPTER 13。

Concerning A Spurious Alexander。

1。 When these affairs had been thus settled by Caesar; a certain
young man; by birth a Jew; but brought up by a Roman freed…man in
the city Sidon; ingrafted himself into the kindred of Herod; by
the resemblance of his countenance; which those that saw him
attested to be that of Alexander; the son of Herod; whom he had
slain; and this was an incitement to him to endeavor to obtain
the government; so he took to him as an assistant a man of his
own country; (one that was well acquainted with the affairs of
the palace; but; on other accounts; an ill man; and one whose
nature made him capable of causing great disturbances to the
public; and one that became a teacher of such a mischievous
contrivance to the other;) and declared himself to be Alexander;
and the son of Herod; but stolen away。 by one of those that were
sent to slay him; who; in reality; slew other men; in order to
deceive the spectators; but saved both him and his brother
Aristobulus。 Thus was this man elated; and able to impose on
those that came to him; and when he was come to Crete; he made
all the Jews that came to discourse with him believe him 'to be
Alexander'。 And when he had gotten much money which had been
presented to him there; he passed over to Melos; where he got
much more money than he had before; out of the belief they had
that he was of the royal family; and their hopes that he would
recover his father's principality; and reward his benefactors; so
he made haste to Rome; and was conducted thither by those
strangers who entertained him。 He was also so fortunate; as; upon
his landing at Dicearchia; to bring the Jews that were there into
the same delusion; and not only other people; but also all those
that had been great with Herod; or had a kindness for him; joined
themselves to this man as to their king。 The cause of it was
this; that men were glad of his pretenses; which were seconded by
the likeness of his countenance; which made those that had been
acquainted with Alexander strongly to believe that he was no
other but the very same person; which they also confirmed to
others by oath; insomuch that when the report went about him that
he was coming to Rome; the whole multitude of the Jews that were
there went out to meet him; ascribing it to Divine Providence
that he has so unexpectedly escaped; and being very joyful on
account of his mother's family。 And when he was come; he was
carried in a royal litter through the streets; and all the
ornaments about him were such as kings are adorned withal; and
this was at the expense of those that entertained him。 The
multitude also flocked about him greatly; and made mighty
acclamations to him; and nothing was omitted which could be
thought suitable to such as had been so unexpectedly preserved。

2。 When this thing was told Caesar; he did not believe it;
because Herod was not easily to be imposed upon in such affairs
as were of great concern to him; yet; having some suspicion it
might be so; he sent one Celadus; a freed…man of his; and one
that had conversed with the young men themselves; and bade him
bring Alexander into his presence; so he brought him; being no
more accurate in judging about him than the rest of the
multitude。 Yet did not he deceive Caesar; for although there was
a resemblance between him and Alexander; yet was it not so exact
as to impose on such as were prudent in discerning; for this
spurious Alexander had his hands rough; by the labors he had been
put to and instead of that softness of body which the other had;
and this as derived from his delicate and generous education;
this man; for the contrary reason; had a rugged body。 When;
therefore; Caesar saw how the master and the scholar agreed in
this lying story; and in a bold way of talking; he inquired about
Aristobulus; and asked what became of him who (it seems) was
stolen away together with him; and for what reason it was that he
did not come along with him; and endeavor to recover that
dominion which was due to his high birth also。 And when he said
that he had been left in the isle of Crete; for fear of the
dangers of the sea; that; in case any accident should come to
himself; the posterity of Mariamne might not utterly perish; but
that Aristobulus might survive; and punish those that laid such
treacherous designs against them; and when he persevered in his
affirmations; and the author of the imposture agreed in
supporting it; Caesar took the young man by himself; and said to
him; 〃If thou wilt not impose upon me; thou shalt have this for
thy reward; that thou shalt escape with thy life; tell me; then;
who thou art; and who it was that had boldness enough to contrive
such a cheat as this。 For this contrivance is too considerable a
piece of villainy to be undertaken by one of thy age。〃
Accordingly; because he had no other way to take; he told Caesar
the contrivance; and after what manner and by whom it was laid
together。 So Caesar; upon observing the spurious Alexander to be
a strong active man; and fit to work with his hands; that he
might not break his promise to him; put him among those that were
to row among the mariners; but slew him that induced him to do
what he had done; for as for the people of Melos; he thought them
sufficiently punished; in having thrown away so much of their
money upon this spurious Alexander。 And such was the ignominious
conclusion of this bold contrivance about the spurious Alexander。

CHAPTER 13。

How Archelaus Upon A Second Accusation; Was Banished To Vienna。

1。 When Archelaus was entered on his ethnarchy; and was come into
Judea; he accused Joazar; the son of Boethus; of assisting the
seditious; and took away the high priesthood from him; and put
Eleazar his brother in his place。 He also magnificently rebuilt
the royal palace that had been at Jericho; and he diverted half
the water with which the village of Neara used to be watered; and
drew off that water into the plain; to water those palm trees
which he had there planted: he also built a village; and put his
own name upon it; and called it Archelais。 Moreover; he
transgressed the law of our fathers (23) and married Glaphyra;
the daughter of Archelaus; who had been the wife of his brother
Alexander; which Alexander had three children by her; while it
was a thing detestable among the Jews to marry the brother's
wife。 Nor did this Eleazar abide long in the high priesthood;
Jesus; the son of Sie; being put in his room while he was still
living。

2。 But in the tenth year 

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