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第294章

the antiquities of the jews-1-第294章

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of her brother in an envious manner; particularly when she saw
that he had a greater dignity bestowed on him than her husband
had; since; when he ran away; it was because he was not able to
pay his debts; and now he was come back; he was in a way of
dignity; and of great good fortune。 She was therefore grieved and
much displeased at so great a mutation of his affairs; and
chiefly when she saw him marching among the multitude with the
usual ensigns of royal authority; she was not able to conceal how
miserable she was; by reason of the envy she had towards him; but
she excited her husband; and desired him that he would sail to
Rome; to court honors equal to his; for she said that she could
not bear to live any longer; while Agrippa; the son of that
Aristobulus who was condemned to die by his father; one that came
to her husband in such extreme poverty; that the necessaries of
life were forced to be entirely supplied him day by day; and when
he fled away from his creditors by sea; he now returned a king;
while he was himself the son of a king; and while the near
relation he bare to royal authority called upon him to gain the
like dignity; he sat still; and was contented with a privater
life。 〃But then; Herod; although thou wast formerly not concerned
to be in a lower condition than thy father from whom thou wast
derived had been; yet do thou now seek after the dignity which
thy kinsman hath attained to; and do not thou bear this contempt;
that a man who admired thy riches should he in greater honor than
thyself; nor suffer his poverty to show itself able to purchase
greater things than our abundance; nor do thou esteem it other
than a shameful thing to be inferior to one who; the other day;
lived upon thy charity。 But let us go to Rome; and let us spare
no pains nor expenses; either of silver or gold; since they
cannot be kept for any better use than for the obtaining of a
kingdom。〃

2。 But for Herod; he opposed her request at this time; out of the
love of ease; and having a suspicion of the trouble he should
have at Rome; so he tried to instruct her better。 But the more
she saw him draw back; the more she pressed him to it; and
desired him to leave no stone unturned in order to be king; and
at last she left not off till she engaged him; whether he would
or not; to be of her sentiments; because he could no otherwise
avoid her importunity。 So he got all things ready; after as
sumptuous a manner as he was able; and spared for nothing; and
went up to Rome; and took Herodias along with him。 But Agrippa;
when he was made sensible of their intentions and preparations;
he also prepared to go thither; and as soon as he heard they set
sail; he sent Fortunatus; one of his freed…men; to Rome; to carry
presents to the emperor; and letters against Herod; and to give
Caius a particular account of those matters; if he should have
any opportunity。 This man followed Herod so quick; and had so
prosperous a voyage; and came so little after Herod; that while
Herod was with Caius; he came himself; and delivered his letters;
for they both sailed to Dicearchia; and found Caius at Bairn;
which is itself a little city of Campania; at the distance of
about five furlongs from Dicearchia。 There are in that place
royal palaces; with sumptuous apartments; every emperor still
endeavoring to outdo his predecessor's magnificence; the place
;also affords warm baths; that spring out of the ground of their
own accord; which are of advantage for the recovery of the health
of those that make use of them; and; besides; they minister to
men's luxury also。 Now Caius saluted Herod; for he first met with
him; and then looked upon the letters which Agrippa had sent him;
and which were written in order to accuse Herod; wherein he
accused him; that he had been in confederacy with Sejanus against
Tiberius's and that he was now confederate with Artabanus; the
king of Parthia; in opposition to the government of Caius; as a
demonstration of which he alleged; that he had armor sufficient
for seventy thousand men ready in his armory。 Caius was moved at
this information; and asked Herod whether what was said about the
armor was true; and when he confessed there was such armor there;
for he could not deny the same; the truth of it being too
notorious; Caius took that to be a sufficient proof of the
accusation; that he intended to revolt。 So he took away from him
his tetrarchy; and gave it by way of addition to Agrippa's
kingdom; he also gave Herod's money to Agrippa; and; by way of
punishment; awarded him a perpetual banishment; and appointed
Lyons; a city of Gaul; to be his place of habitation。 But when he
was informed that Herodias was Agrippa's sister; he made her a
present of what money was her own; and told her that it was her
brother who prevented her being put under the same calamity with
her husband。 But she made this reply: 〃Thou; indeed; O emperor!
actest after a magnificent manner; and as becomes thyself in what
thou offerest me; but the kindness which I have for my husband
hinders me from partaking of the favor of thy gift; for it is not
just that I; who have been made a partner in his prosperity;
should forsake him in his misfortunes。〃 Hereupon Caius was angry
at her; and sent her with Herod into banishment; and gave her
estate to Agrippa。 And thus did God punish Herodias for her envy
at her brother; and Herod also for giving ear to the vain
discourses of a woman。 Now Caius managed public affairs with
great magnanimity during the first and second year of his reign;
and behaved himself with such moderation; that he gained the
good…will of the Romans themselves; and of his other subjects。
But; in process of time; he went beyond the bounds of human
nature in his conceit of himself; and by reason of the vastness
of his dominions made himself a god; and took upon himself to act
in all things to the reproach of the Deity itself。

CHAPTER 8。

Concerning The Embassage Of The Jews To Caius; (28) And How Caius
Sent Petronius Into Syria To Make War Against The Jews; Unless
They Would Receive His Statue。

1。 There was now a tumult arisen at Alexandria; between the
Jewish inhabitants and the Greeks; and three ambassadors were
chosen out of each party that were at variance; who came to
Caius。 Now one of these ambassadors from the people of Alexandria
was Apion; (29) who uttered many blasphemies against the Jews;
and; among other things that he said; he charged them with
neglecting the honors that belonged to Caesar; for that while all
who were subject to the Roman empire built altars and temples to
Caius; and in other regards universally received him as they
received the gods; these Jews alone thought it a dishonorable
thing for them to erect statues in honor of him; as well as to
swear by his name。 Many of these severe things were said by
Apion; by which he hoped to provoke Caius to anger at the Jews;
as he was likely to be。 But Philo; the principal of the Jewish
embassage; a man eminent on all accounts; brother to Alexander
the alabarch; (30) and one not unskillful in philosophy; was
ready to betake himself to make his defense against those
accusations; but Caius prohibited him; and bid him begone; he was
also in such a rage; that it openly appeared he was about to do
them some very great mischief。 So Philo being thus affronted;
went out; and said to those Jews who were about him; that they
should be of good courage; since Caius's words indeed showed
anger at them; but in reality had already set God against
himself。

2。 Hereupon Caius; taking it very heinously that he should be
thus despised by the Jews alone; sent Petronius to be president
of Syria; and successor in the government to Vitellius; and gave
him order to make an invasion into Judea; with a great body of
troops; and if they would admit of his statue willingly; to erect
it in the temple of God; but if they were obstinate; to conquer
them by war; and then to do it。 Accordingly; Petronius took the
government of Syria; and made haste to obey Caesar's epistle。 He
got together as great a number of auxiliaries as he possibly
could; and took with him two legions of the Roman army; and came
to Ptolemai

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