the antiquities of the jews-1-第248章
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begged of Caesar a tetrarchy (21) for his brother Pheroras; while
he did himself bestow upon him a revenue of a hundred talents out
of his own kingdom; that in case he came to any harm himself; his
brother might be in safety; and that his sons might not have
dominion over him。 So when he had conducted Caesar to the sea;
and was returned home; he built him a most beautiful temple; of
the whitest stone; in Zenodorus's country; near the place called
Panlure。 This is a very fine cave in a mountain; under which
there is a great cavity in the earth; and the cavern is abrupt;
and prodigiously deep; and frill of a still water; over it hangs
a vast mountain; and under the caverns arise the springs of the
river Jordan。 Herod adorned this place; which was already a very
remarkable one; still further by the erection of this temple;
which he dedicated to Caesar。
4。 At which time Herod released to his subjects the third part of
their taxes; under pretense indeed of relieving them; after the
dearth they had had; but the main reason was; to recover their
good…will; which he now wanted; for they were uneasy at him;
because of the innovations he had introduced in their practices;
of the dissolution of their religion; and of the disuse of their
own customs; and the people every where talked against him; like
those that were still more provoked and disturbed at his
procedure; against which discontents he greatly guarded himself;
and took away the opportunities they might have to disturb him;
and enjoined them to be always at work; nor did he permit the
citizens either to meet together; or to walk or eat together; but
watched every thing they did; and when any were caught; they were
severely punished; and many there were who were brought to the
citadel Hyrcania; both openly and secretly; and were there put to
death; and there were spies set every where; both in the city and
in the roads; who watched those that met together; nay; it is
reported that he did not himself neglect this part of caution;
but that he would oftentimes himself take the habit of a private
man; and mix among the multitude; in the night time; and make
trial what opinion they had of his government: and as for those
that could no way be reduced to acquiesce under his scheme of
government; he prosecuted them all manner of ways; but for the
rest of the multitude; he required that they should be obliged to
take an oath of fidelity to him; and at the same time compelled
them to swear that they would bear him good…will; and continue
certainly so to do; in his management of the government; and
indeed a great part of them; either to please him; or out of fear
of him; yielded to what he required of them; but for such as were
of a more open and generous disposition; and had indignation at
the force he used to them; he by one means or other made away;
with them。 He endeavored also to persuade Pollio the Pharisee;
and Satneas; and the greatest part of their scholars; to take the
oath; but these would neither submit so to do; nor were they
punished together with the rest; out of the reverence he bore to
Pollio。 The Essens also; as we call a sect of ours; were excused
from this imposition。 These men live the same kind of life as do
those whom the Greeks call Pythagoreans; concerning whom I shall
discourse more fully elsewhere。 However; it is but fit to set
down here the reasons wherefore Herod had these Essens in such
honor; and thought higher of them than their mortal nature
required; nor will this account be unsuitable to the nature of
this history; as it will show the opinion men had of these
Essens。
5。 Now there was one of these Essens; whose name was Manahem; who
had this testimony; that he not only conducted his life after an
excellent manner; but had the foreknowledge of future events
given him by God also。 This man once saw Herod when he was a
child; and going to school; and saluted him as king of the Jews;
but he; thinking that either he did not know him; or that he was
in jest; put him in mind that he was but a private man; but
Manahem smiled to himself; and clapped him on his backside with
his hand; and said;〃 However that be; thou wilt be king; and wilt
begin thy reign happily; for God finds thee worthy of it。 And do
thou remember the blows that Manahem hath given thee; as being a
signal of the change of thy fortune。 And truly this will be the
best reasoning for thee; that thou love justice 'towards men';
and piety towards God; and clemency towards thy citizens; yet do
I know how thy whole conduct will be; that thou wilt not be such
a one; for thou wilt excel all men in happiness; and obtain an
everlasting reputation; but wilt forget piety and righteousness;
and these crimes will not be concealed from God; at the
conclusion of thy life; when thou wilt find that he will be
mindful of them; and punish time for them。〃 Now at that time
Herod did not at all attend to what Manahem said; as having no
hopes of such advancement; but a little afterward; when he was so
fortunate as to be advanced to the dignity of king; and was in
the height of his dominion; he sent for Manahem; and asked him
how long he should reign。 Manahem did not tell him the full
length of his reign; wherefore; upon that silence of his; he
asked him further; whether he should reign ten years or not? He
replied; 〃Yes; twenty; nay; thirty years;〃 but did not assign the
just determinate limit of his reign。 Herod was satisfied with
these replies; and gave Manahem his hand; and dismissed him; and
from that time he continued to honor all the Essens。 We have
thought it proper to relate these facts to our readers; how
strange soever they be; and to declare what hath happened among
us; because many of these Essens have; by their excellent virtue;
been thought worthy of this knowledge of Divine revelations。
CHAPTER 11。
How Herod Rebuilt The Temple And Raised It Higher And Made It
More Magnificent Than It Was Before; As Also Concerning That
Tower Which He Called Antonia。
1。 And now Herod; in the eighteenth year of his reign; and after
the acts already mentioned; undertook a very great work; that is;
to build of himself the temple of God; (22) and make it larger in
compass; and to raise it to a most magnificent altitude; as
esteeming it to be the most glorious of all his actions; as it
really was; to bring it to perfection; and that this would be
sufficient for an everlasting memorial of him; but as he knew the
multitude were not ready nor willing to assist him in so vast a
design; he thought to prepare them first by making a speech to
them; and then set about the work itself; so he called them
together; and spake thus to them: 〃I think I need not speak to
you; my countrymen; about such other works as I have done since I
came to the kingdom; although I may say they have been performed
in such a manner as to bring more security to you than glory to
myself; for I have neither been negligent in the most difficult
times about what tended to ease your necessities; nor have the
buildings。 I have made been so proper to preserve me as
yourselves from injuries; and I imagine that; with God's
assistance; I have advanced the nation of the Jews to a degree of
happiness which they never had before; and for the particular
edifices belonging to your own country; and your own cities; as
also to those cities that we have lately acquired; which we have
erected and greatly adorned; and thereby augmented the dignity of
your nation; it seems to me a needless task to enumerate them to
you; since you well know them yourselves; but as to that
undertaking which I have a mind to set about at present; and
which will be a work of the greatest piety and excellence that
can possibly be undertaken by us; I will now declare it to you。
Our fathers; indeed; when they were returned from Babylon; built
this temple to God Almighty; yet does it want sixty cubits of its
largeness in altitude; for so much did that first temple which
Solomon built exceed this temple; nor let any one condemn our
fathers for their negligence or want of piety herein; for it was
not their fault that the temple was no higher; for they were
Cyrus; and Darius the s