the antiquities of the jews-1-第189节
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stood up in the midst of them; and said; 〃O God; the King of the
whole world! since those that stand now with me are thy people;
and those that are besieged are also thy priests; I beseech thee;
that thou wilt neither hearken to the prayers of those against
these; nor bring to effect what these pray against those。〃
Whereupon such wicked Jews as stood about him; as soon as he had
made this prayer; stoned him to death。
2。 But God punished them immediately for this their barbarity;
and took vengeance of them for the murder of Onias; in the manner
following: While the priests and Aristobulus were besieged; it
happened that the feast called the passover was come; at which it
is our custom to offer a great number of sacrifices to God; but
those that were with Aristobulus wanted sacrifices; and desired
that their countrymen without would furnish them with such
sacrifices; and assured them they should have as much money for
them as they should desire; and when they required them to pay a
thousand drachmae for each head of cattle; Aristobulus and the
priests willingly undertook to pay for them accordingly; and
those within let down the money over the walls; and gave it them。
But when the others had received it; they did not deliver the
sacrifices; but arrived at that height of wickedness as to break
the assurances they had given; and to be guilty of impiety
towards God; by not furnishing those that wanted them with
sacrifices。 And when the priests found they had been cheated; and
that the agreements they had made were violated; they prayed to
God that he would avenge them on their countrymen。 Nor did he
delay that their punishment; but sent a strong and vehement storm
of wind; that destroyed the fruits of the whole country; till a
modius of wheat was then bought for eleven drachmae。
3。 In the mean time Pompey sent Scaurus into Syria; while he was
himself in Armenia; and making war with Tigranes; but when
Scaurus was come to Damascus; and found that Lollins and Metellus
had newly taken the city; he came himself hastily into Judea。 And
when he was come thither; ambassadors came to him; both from
Aristobulus and Hyrcanus; and both desired he would assist them。
And when both of them promised to give him money; Aristobulus
four hundred talents; and Hyrcanus no less; he accepted of
Aristobulus's promise; for he was rich; and had a great soul; and
desired to obtain nothing but what was moderate; whereas the
other was poor; and tenacious; and made incredible promises in
hopes of greater advantages; for it was not the same thing to
take a city that was exceeding strong and powerful; as it was to
eject out of the country some fugitives; with a greater number of
Mabateans; who were no very warlike people。 He therefore made an
agreement with Aristobulus; for the reasons before mentioned; and
took his money; and raised the siege; and ordered Aretas to
depart; or else he should be declared an enemy to the Romans。 So
Scaurus returned to Damascus again; and Aristobulus; with a great
army; made war with Aretas and Hyrcanus; and fought them at a
place called Papyron; and beat them in the battle; and slew about
six thousand of the enemy; with whom fell Phalion also; the
brother of Antipater。
CHAPTER 3。
How Aristobulus And Hyrcanus Came To Pompey In Order To Argue Who
Ought To Have The Kingdom; And How Upon The Plight Of Aristobulus
To The Fortress Alexandrium Pompey Led His Army Against Him And
Ordered Him To Deliver Up The Fortresses Whereof He Was
Possessed。
1。 A Little afterward Pompey came to Damascus; and marched over
Celesyria; at which time there came ambassadors to him from all
Syria; and Egypt; and out of Judea also; for Aristobulus had sent
him a great present; which was a golden vine (3) of the value of
five hundred talents。 Now Strabo of Cappadocia mentions this
present in these words: 〃There came also an embassage out of
Egypt; and a crown of the value of four thousand pieces of gold;
and out of Judea there came another; whether you call it a vine
or a garden; they call the thing Terpole; the Delight。 However;
we ourselves saw that present reposited at Rome; in the temple of
Jupiter Capitolinus; with this inscription; 'The gift of
Alexander; the king of the Jews。' It was valued at five hundred
talents; and the report is; that Aristobulus; the governor of the
Jews; sent it。〃
2。 In a little time afterward came ambassadors again to him;
Antipater from Hyrcanus; and Nicodemus from Aristobulus; which
last also accused such as had taken bribes; first Gabinius; and
then Scaurus; … the one three hundred talents; and the other four
hundred; by which procedure he made these two his enemies;
besides those he had before。 And when Pompey had ordered those
that had controversies one with another to come to him in the
beginning of the spring; he brought his army out of their winter
quarters; and marched into the country of Damascus; and as he
went along he demolished the citadel that was at Apamia; which
Antiochus Cyzicenus had built; and took cognizance of the country
of Ptolemy Menneus; a wicked man; and not less so than Dionysius
of Tripoli; who had been beheaded; who was also his relation by
marriage; yet did he buy off the punishment of his crimes for a
thousand talents; with which money Pompey paid the soldiers their
wages。 He also conquered the place called Lysias; of which Silas
a Jew was tyrant。 And when he had passed over the cities of
Heliopolis and Chalcis; and got over the mountain which is on the
limit of Colesyria; he came from Pella to Damascus; and there it
was that he heard the causes of the Jews; and of their governors
Hyrcanus and Aristobulus; who were at difference one with
another; as also of the nation against them both; which did not
desire to be under kingly' government; because the form of
government they received from their forefathers was that of
subjection to the priests of that God whom they worshipped; and
'they complained'; that though these two were the posterity of
priests; yet did they seek to change the government of their
nation to another form; in order to enslave them。 Hyrcanus
complained; that although he were the elder brother; he was
deprived of the prerogative of his birth by Aristobulus; and that
he had but a small part of the country under him; Aristobulus
having taken away the rest from him by force。 He also accused
him; that the incursions which had been made into their
neighbors' countries; and the piracies that had been at sea; were
owing to him; and that the nation would not have revolted; unless
Aristobulus had been a man given to violence and disorder; and
there were no fewer than a thousand Jews; of the best esteem
among them; who confirmed this accusation; which confirmation was
procured by Antipater。 But Aristobulus alleged against him; that
it was Hyrcanus's own temper; which was inactive; and on that
account contemptible; which caused him to be deprived of the
government; and that for himself; he was necessitated to take it
upon him; for fear lest it should be transferred to others。 And
that as to his title 'of king'; it was no other than what his
father had taken 'before him'。 He also called for witnesses of
what he said some persons who were both young and insolent; whose
purple garments; fine heads of hair; and other ornaments; were
detested 'by the court'; and which they appeared in; not as
though they were to plead their cause in a court of justice; but
as if they were marching in a pompous procession。
3。 When Pompey had heard the causes of these two; and had
condemned Aristobulus for his violent procedure; he then spake
civilly to them; and sent them away; and told them; that when he
came again into their country; he would settle all their affairs;
after he had first taken a view of the affairs of the Nabateans。
In the mean time; he ordered them to be quiet; and treated
Aristobulus civilly; lest he should make the nation revolt; and
hinder his return; which yet Aristobulus did; for without
expecting any further determination; which Pompey had promised
them; he went to the city Delius; and thence marched into Judea。
4。 At this behavior Pompey was angry; and taking with him that
army which he was leading against the Nabateans; and the
auxiliaries that came from Damascus; and the other parts of
Syria; with the other Roman legions which he had with him; he
made an expedition against Aristobulus; but as he passed by Pella
and Scythopolis; he came to Corem; which is the first entrance
into Judea when one passes over the midland countries; where he
came to a most beautiful fortress that was built on the top of a
mountain called Alexandrium; whither Aristobulus had fled; and
thence Pompey sent his commands to him; that he should come to
him。 Accordingly; at the persuasions of many that he would not
make war with the Romans; he came down; and when he had disputed
with his brother about the right to the government; he went up
again to the citadel; as Pompey gave him leave to do; and this he
did two or three times; as flattering himself with the hopes of
having the kingdom granted him; so that he still pretended he
would obey Pompey in whatsoever he comman