the antiquities of the jews-1-第215章
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as commander of the Roman forces。 He did many considerable
actions; and particularly made war with Alexander; since Hyrcanus
was not yet able to oppose his power; but was already attempting
to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem; which Pompey had overthrown;
although the Romans which were there restrained him from that his
design。 However; Alexander went over all the country round about;
and armed many of the Jews; and suddenly got together ten
thousand armed footmen; and fifteen hundred horsemen; and
fortified Alexandrium; a fortress near to Corem; and Macherus;
near the mountains of Arabia。 Gabinius therefore came upon him;
having sent Marcus Antonius; with other commanders; before。 These
armed such Romans as followed them; and; together with them; such
Jews as were subject to them; whose leaders were Pitholaus and
Malichus; and they took with them also their friends that were
with Antipater; and met Alexander; while Gabinius himself
followed with his legion。 Hereupon Alexander retired to the
neighborhood of Jerusalem; where they fell upon one another; and
it came to a pitched battle; in which the Romans slew of their
enemies about three thousand; and took a like number alive。
3。 At which time Gabinius (10) came to Alexandrium; and invited
those that were in it to deliver it up on certain conditions; and
promised that then their former offenses should be forgiven。 But
as a great number of the enemy had pitched their camp before the
fortress; whom the Romans attacked; Marcus Antonius fought
bravely; and slew a great number; and seemed to come off with the
greatest honor。 So Gabinius left part of his army there; in order
to take the place; and he himself went into other parts of Judea;
and gave order to rebuild all the cities that he met with that
had been demolished; at which time were rebuilt Samaria; Ashdod;
Scythopolis; Anthedon; Raphia; and Dora; Marissa also; and Gaza;
and not a few others besides。 And as the men acted according to
Gabinius's command; it came to pass; that at this time these
cities were securely inhabited; which had been desolate for a
long time。
4。 When Gabinius had done thus in the country; he returned to
Alexandrium; and when he urged on the siege of the place;
Alexander sent an embassage to him; desiring that he would pardon
his former offenses; he also delivered up the fortresses;
Hyrcania and Macherus; and at last Alexandrium itself which
fortresses Gabinius demolished。 But when Alexander's mother; who
was of the side of the Romans; as having her husband and other
children at Rome; came to him; he granted her whatsoever she
asked; and when he had settled matters with her; he brought
Hyrcanus to Jerusalem; and committed the care of the temple to
him。 And when he had ordained five councils; he distributed the
nation into the same number of parts。 So these councils governed
the people; the first was at Jerusalem; the second at Gadara; the
third at Amathus; the fourth at Jericho; and the fifth at
Sepphoris in Galilee。 So the Jews were now freed from monarchic
authority; and were governed by an aristocracy。
CHAPTER 6。
How Gabinius Caught Aristobulus After He Had Fled From Rome; And
Sent Him Back To Rome Again; And Now The Same Gabinius As He
Returned Out Of Egypt Overcame Alexander And The Nabateans In
Battle。
1。 Now Aristobulus ran away from Rome to Judea; and set about the
rebuilding of Alexandrium; which had been newly demolished。
Hereupon Gabinius sent soldiers against him; add for their
commanders Sisenna; and Antonius; and Servilius; in order to
hinder him from getting possession of the country; and to take
him again。 And indeed many of the Jews ran to Aristobulus; on
account of his former glory; as also because they should be glad
of an innovation。 Now there was one Pitholaus; a lieutenant at
Jerusalem; who deserted to him with a thousand men; although a
great number of those that came to him were unarmed; and when
Aristobulus had resolved to go to Macherus; he dismissed those
people; because they were unarmed; for they could not be useful
to him in what actions he was going about; but he took with him
eight thousand that were armed; and marched on; and as the Romans
fell upon them severely; the Jews fought valiantly; but were
beaten in the battle; and when they had fought with alacrity; but
were overborne by the enemy; they were put to flight; of whom
were slain about five thousand; and the rest being dispersed;
tried; as well as they were able; to save themselves。 However;
Aristobulus had with him still above a thousand; and with them he
fled to Macherus; and fortified the place; and though he had had
ill success; he still had good hope of his affairs; but when he
had struggled against the siege for two days' time; and had
received many wounds; he was brought as a captive to Gabinius;
with his son Antigonus; who also fled with him from Rome。 And
this was the fortune of Aristobulus; who was sent back again to
Rome; and was there retained in bonds; having been both king and
high priest for three years and six months; and was indeed an
eminent person; and one of a great soul。 However; the senate let
his children go; upon Gabinius's writing to them that he had
promised their mother so much when she delivered up the
fortresses to him; and accordingly they then returned into Judea。
2。 Now when Gabinius was making an expedition against the
Parthians; and had already passed over Euphrates; he changed his
mind; and resolved to return into Egypt; in order to restore
Ptolemy to his kingdom。 (11) This hath also been related
elsewhere。 However; Antipater supplied his army; which he sent
against Archelaus; with corn; and weapons; and money。 He also
made those Jews who were above Pelusium his friends and
confederates; and had been the guardians of the passes that led
into Egypt。 But when he came back out of Egypt; he found Syria in
disorder; with seditions and troubles; for Alexander; the son of
Aristobulus; having seized on the government a second time by
force; made many of the Jews revolt to him; and so he marched
over the country with a great army; and slew all the Romans he
could light upon; and proceeded to besiege the mountain called
Gerizzim; whither they had retreated。
3。 But when Gabinius found Syria in such a state; he sent
Antipater; who was a prudent man; to those that were seditious;
to try whether he could cure them of their madness; and persuade
them to return to a better mind; and when he came to them; he
brought many of them to a sound mind; and induced them to do what
they ought to do; but he could not restrain Alexander; for he had
an army of thirty thousand Jews; and met Gabinius; and joining
battle with him; was beaten; and lost ten thousand of his men
about Mount Tabor。
4。 So Gabinius settled the affairs which belonged to the city
Jerusalem; as was agreeable to Antipater's inclination; and went
against the Nabateans; and overcame them in battle。 He also sent
away in a friendly manner Mithridates and Orsanes; who were
Parthian deserters; and came to him; though the report went
abroad that they had run away from him。 And when Gabinius had
performed great and glorious actions; in his management of the
affairs of war; he returned to Rome; and delivered the government
to Crassus。 Now Nicolaus of Damascus; and Strabo of Cappadocia;
both describe the expeditions of Pompey and Gabinius against the
Jews; while neither of them say anything new which is not in the
other。
CHAPTER 7。
How Crassus Came Into Judea; And Pillaged The Temple; And Then
Marched Against The Parthians And Perished; With His Army。 Also
How Cassius Obtained Syria; And Put A Stop To The Parthians And
Then Went Up To Judea。
1。 Now Crassus; as he was going upon his expedition against the
Parthians; came into Judea; and carried off the money that was in
the temple; which Pompey had left; being two thousand talents;
and was disposed to spoil it of all the gold belonging to it;
which was eight thousand talents。 He also took a beam; which was
made of solid beaten gold; of the weight of three hundred minae;
each of which weighed two pounds and a half。 It was the priest
who was guardian of the sa