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brother； and those that were with him； retired to Bethagla； a
village that lay in the wilderness； out of his fear of Bacchides。
He also built towers in it； and encompassed it with walls； and
took care that it should be safely guarded。 Upon the hearing of
which Bacchides led his own army along with him； and besides took
his Jewish auxiliaries； and came against Jonathan； and made an
assault upon his fortifications； and besieged him many days； but
Jonathan did not abate of his courage at the zeal Bacchides used
in the siege； but courageously opposed him。 And while he left his
brother Simon in the city to fight with Bacchides； he went
privately out himself into the country； and got a great body of
men together of his own party； and fell upon Bacchides's camp in
the night time； and destroyed a great many of them。 His brother
Simon knew also of this his falling upon them； because he
perceived that the enemies were slain by him； so he sallied out
upon them； and burnt the engines which the Macedonians used； and
made a great slaughter of them。 And when Bacchides saw himself
encompassed with enemies； and some of them before and some behind
him； he fell into despair and trouble of mind； as confounded at
the unexpected ill success of this siege。 However； he vented his
displeasure at these misfortunes upon those deserters who sent
for him from the king； as having deluded him。 So he had a mind to
finish this siege after a decent manner； if it were possible for
him so to do； and then to return home。
6。 When Jonathan understood these his intentions； he sent
ambassadors to him about a league of friendship and mutual
assistance； and that they might restore those they had taken
captive on both sides。 So Bacchides thought this a pretty decent
way of retiring home； and made a league of friendship with
Jonathan； when they sware that they would not any more make war
one against another。 Accordingly； he restored the captives； and
took his own men with him； and returned to the king at Antioch；
and after this his departure； he never came into Judea again。
Then did Jonathan take the opportunity of this quiet state of
things； and went and lived in the city Michmash； and there
governed the multitude； and punished the wicked and ungodly； and
by that means purged the nation of them。
CHAPTER 2。
How Alexander ＇Bala＇ In His War With Demetrius； Granted Jonathan
Many Advantages And Appointed Him To Be High Priest And Persuaded
Him To Assist Him Although Demetrius Promised Him Greater
Advantages On The Other Side。 Concerning The Death Of Demetrius。
1。 Now in the hundred and sixtieth year； it fell out that
Alexander； the son of Antiochus Epiphanes； （1） came up into
Syria； and took Ptolemais the soldiers within having betrayed it
to him； for they were at enmity with Demetrius； on account of his
insolence and difficulty of access； for he shut himself up in a
palace of his that had four towers which he had built himself；
not far from Antioch and admitted nobody。 He was withal slothful
and negligent about the public affairs； whereby the hatred of his
subjects was the more kindled against him； as we have elsewhere
already related。 When therefore Demetrius heard that Alexander
was in Ptolemais； he took his whole army； and led it against him；
he also sent ambassadors to Jonathan about a league of mutual
assistance and friendship； for he resolved to be beforehand with
Alexander； lest the other should treat with him first； and gain
assistance from him； and this he did out of the fear he had lest
Jonathan should remember how ill Demetrius had formerly treated
him； and should join with him in this war against him。 He
therefore gave orders that Jonathan should be allowed to raise an
army； and should get armor made； and should receive back those
hostages of the Jewish nation whom Baechides had shut up in the
citadel of Jerusalem。 When this good fortune had befallen
Jonathan； by the concession of Demetrius； he came to Jerusalem；
and read the king's letter in the audience of the people； and of
those that kept the citadel。 When these were read； these wicked
men and deserters； who were in the citadel； were greatly afraid；
upon the king's permission to Jonathan to raise an army； and to
receive back the hostages。 So he delivered every one of them to
his own parents。 And thus did Jonathan make his abode at
Jerusalem； renewing the city to a better state； and reforming the
buildings as he pleased； for he gave orders that the walls of the
city should be rebuilt with square stones； that it might be more
secure from their enemies。 And when those that kept the garrisons
that were in Judea saw this； they all left them； and fled to
Antioch； excepting those that were in the city Bethsura； and
those that were in the citadel of Jerusalem； for the greater part
of these was of the wicked Jews and deserters； and on that
account these did not deliver up their garrisons。
2。 When Alexander knew what promises Demetrius had made Jonathan；
and withal knew his courage； and what great things he had done
when he fought the Macedonians； and besides what hardships he had
undergone by the means of Demetrius； and of Bacchides； the
general of Demetrius's army； he told his friends that he could
not at present find any one else that might afford him better
assistance than Jonathan； who was both courageous against his
enemies； and had a particular hatred against Demetrius； as having
both suffered many hard things from him； and acted many hard
things against him。 If therefore they were of opinion that they
should make him their friend against Demetrius； it was more for
their advantage to invite him to assist them now than at another
time。 It being therefore determined by him and his friends to
send to Jonathan； he wrote to him this epistle： 〃King Alexander
to his brother Jonathan； sendeth greeting。 We have long ago heard
of thy courage and thy fidelity； and for that reason have sent to
thee； to make with thee a league of friendship and mutual
assistance。 We therefore do ordain thee this day the high priest
of the Jews； and that thou beest called my friend。 I have also
sent thee； as presents； a purple robe and a golden crown； and
desire that； now thou art by us honored； thou wilt in like manner
respect us also。〃
3。 When Jonathan had received this letter； he put on the
pontifical robe at the time of the feast of tabernacles； （2） four
years after the death of his brother Judas； for at that time no
high priest had been made。 So he raised great forces； and had
abundance of armor got ready。 This greatly grieved Demetrius when
he heard of it； and made him blame himself for his slowness； that
he had not prevented Alexander； and got the good…will of
Jonathan； but had given him time so to do。 However； he also
himself wrote a letter to Jonathan； and to the people； the
contents whereof are these： 〃King Demetrius to Jonathan； and to
the nation of the Jews； sendeth greeting。 Since you have
preserved your friendship for us； and when you have been tempted
by our enemies； you have not joined yourselves to them； I both
commend you for this your fidelity； and exhort you to continue in
the same disposition； for wh