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their substance brought into the king's treasury。〃 And such was
the import of this epistle。 Now the number of those that came out
of captivity to Jerusalem； were forty…two thousand four hundred
and sixty…two。
CHAPTER 2。
How Upon The Death Of Cyrus The Jews Were Hindered In Building Of
The Temple By The Cutheans； And The Neighboring Governors； And
How Cambyses Entirely Forbade The Jews To Do Any Such Thing。
1。 When the foundations of the temple were laying； and when the
Jews were very zealous about building it； the neighboring
nations； and especially the Cutheans； whom Shalmanezer； king of
Assyria； had brought out of Persia and Media； and had planted in
Samaria； when he carried the people of Israel captives； besought
the governors； and those that had the care of such affairs； that
they would interrupt the Jews； both in the rebuilding of their
city； and in the building of their temple。 Now as these men were
corrupted by them with money； they sold the Cutheans their
interest for rendering this building a slow and a careless work；
for Cyrus； who was busy about other wars； knew nothing of all
this； and it so happened； that when he had led his army against
the Massagetae； he ended his life。 （4） But when Cambyses； the son
of Cyrus； had taken the kingdom； the governors in Syria； and
Phoenicia； and in the countries of Amlnon； and Moab； and Samaria；
wrote an epistle to Calnbyses； whose contents were as follow： 〃To
our lord Cambyses。 We thy servants； Rathumus the historiographer；
and Semellius the scribe； and the rest that are thy judges in
Syria and Phoenicia； send greeting。 It is fit； O king； that thou
shouldst know that those Jews which were carried to Babylon are
come into our country； and are building that rebellious and
wicked city； and its market…places； and setting up its walls； and
raising up the temple； know therefore； that when these things are
finished； they will not be willing to pay tribute； nor will they
submit to thy commands； but will resist kings； and will choose
rather to rule over others than be ruled over themselves。 We
therefore thought it proper to write to thee； O king； while the
works about the temple are going on so fast； and not to overlook
this matter； that thou mayst search into the books of thy
fathers； for thou wilt find in them that the Jews have been
rebels； and enemies to kings； as hath their city been also；
which； for that reason； hath been till now laid waste。 We thought
proper also to inform thee of this matter； because thou mayst
otherwise perhaps be ignorant of it； that if this city be once
inhabited and be entirely encompassed with walls； thou wilt be
excluded from thy passage to Celesyria and Phoenicia。〃
2。 When Cambyses had read the epistle； being naturally wicked； he
was irritated at what they told him； and wrote back to them as
follows： 〃Cambyses the king； to Rathumus the historiographer； to
Beeltethmus； to Semellius the scribe； and the rest that are in
commission； and dwelling in Samaria and Phoenicia； after this
manner： I have read the epistle that was sent from you； and I
gave order that the books of my forefathers should be searched
into； and it is there found that this city hath always been an
enemy to kings； and its inhabitants have raised seditions and
wars。 We also are sensible that their kings have been powerful
and tyrannical； and have exacted tribute of Celesyria and
Phoenicia。 Wherefore I gave order； that the Jews shall not be
permitted to build that city； lest such mischief as they used to
bring upon kings be greatly augmented。〃 When this epistle was
read； Rathumus； and Semellius the scribe； and their associates；
got suddenly on horseback； and made haste to Jerusalem； they also
brought a great company with them； and forbade the Jews to build
the city and the temple。 Accordingly； these works were hindered
from going on till the second year of the reign of Darius； for
nine years more； for Cambyses reigned six years； and within that
time overthrew Egypt； and when he was come back； he died at
Damascus。
CHAPTER 3。
How After The Death Of Cambyses And The Slaughter Of The Magi But
Under The Reign Of Darius； Zorobabel Was Superior To The Rest 1n
The Solution Of Problems And Thereby Obtained This Favor Of The
King； That The Temple Should Be Built。
1。 After the slaughter of file Magi； who； upon the death of
Cambyses； attained the government of the Persians for a year；
those families which were called the seven families of the
Persians appointed Darius； the son of Hystaspes； to be their
king。 Now he； while he was a private man； had made a vow to God；
that if he came to be king； he would send all the vessels of God
that were in Babylon to the temple at Jerusalem。 Now it so fell
out； that about this time Zorobabel； who had been made governor
of the Jews that had been in captivity； came to Darius； from
Jerusalem； for there had been an old friendship between him and
the king。 He was also； with two others； thought worthy to be
guard of the king's body； and obtained that honor which he hoped
for。
2。 Now； in the first year of the king's reign； Darius feasted
those that were about him； and those born in his house； with the
rulers of the Medes； and princes of the Persians； and the
toparchs of India and Ethiopia； and the generals of the armies of
his hundred and twenty…seven provinces。 But when they had eaten
and drunk to satiety； and abundantly； they every one departed to
go to bed at their own houses； and Darius the king went to bed；
but after he had rested a little part of the night； he awaked；
and not being able to sleep any more； he fell into conversation
with the three guards of his body； and promised； that to him who
should make an oration about points that he should inquire of；
such as should be most agreeable to truth； and to the dictates of
wisdom； he would grant it as a reward of his victory； to put on a
purple garment； and to drink in cups of gold； and to sleep upon
gold； and to have a chariot with bridles of gold； and a head tire
of fine linen； and a chain of gold about his neck； and to sit
next to himself； on account of his wisdom； 〃and；〃 says he； 〃he
shall be called my cousin。〃 Now when he had promised to give them
these gifts； he asked the first of them； 〃Whether wine was not
the strongest？〃the second； 〃Whether kings were not such？〃 … and
the third； 〃Whether women were not such？ or whether truth was not
the strongest of all？〃 When he had proposed that they should make
their inquiries about these problems； he went to rest； but in the
morning he sent for his great men； his princes； and toparchs of
Persia and Media； and set himself down in the place where he used
to give audience； and bid each of the guards of his body to
declare what they thought proper concerning the proposed
questions； in the hearing of them all。
3。 Accordingly； the first of them began to speak of the strength
of wine； and demonstrated it thus： 〃When；〃 said he；〃 I am to give
my opinion of wine； O you men； I find that it exceeds every
thing； by the following indications： It deceives the mind of
those that drink it； and reduces that of the king to the same
state with that of the orphan； and he