按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
the siege was drawn out into length by this means； that year on
which the Jews used to rest came on； for the Jews observe this
rest every seventh year； as they do every seventh day； so that
Ptolemy being for this cause released from the war； （19） he slew
the brethren of Hyrcanus； and his mother； and when he had so
done； he fled to Zeno； who was called Cotylas； who was then the
tyrant of the city Philadelphia。
2。 But Antiochus； being very uneasy at the miseries that Simon
had brought upon him； he invaded Judea in the fourth years' of
his reign； and the first year of the principality of Hyrcanus； in
the hundred and sixty…second olympiad。 （20） And when he had burnt
the country； he shut up Hyrcanus in the city； which he
encompassed round with seven encampments； but did just nothing at
the first； because of the strength of the walls； and because of
the valor of the besieged； although they were once in want of
water； which yet they were delivered from by a large shower of
rain； which fell at the setting of the Pleiades （21） However；
about the north part of the wall； where it happened the city was
upon a level with the outward ground； the king raised a hundred
towers of three stories high； and placed bodies of soldiers upon
them； and as he made his attacks every day； he cut a double
ditch； deep and broad； and confined the inhabitants within it as
within a wall； but the besieged contrived to make frequent
sallies out； and if the enemy were not any where upon their
guard； they fell upon them； and did them a great deal of
mischief； and if they perceived them； they then retired into the
city with ease。 But because Hyrcanus discerned the inconvenience
of so great a number of men in the city； while the provisions
were the sooner spent by them； and yet； as is natural to suppose；
those great numbers did nothing； he separated the useless part；
and excluded them out of the city； and retained that part only
which were in the flower of their age； and fit for war。 However；
Antiochus would not let those that were excluded go away； who
therefore wandering about between the wails； and consuming away
by famine； died miserably； but when the feast of tabernacles was
at hand； those that were within commiserated their condition； and
received them in again。 And when Hyrcanus sent to Antiochus； and
desired there might be a truce for seven days； because of the
festival； be gave way to this piety towards God； and made that
truce accordingly。 And besides that； he sent in a magnificent
sacrifice； bulls with their horns gilded； with all sorts of sweet
spices； and with cups of gold and silver。 So those that were at
the gates received the sacrifices from those that brought them；
and led them to the temple； Antiochus the mean while feasting his
army； which was a quite different conduct from Antiochus
Epiphanes； who； when he had taken the city； offered swine upon
the altar； and sprinkled the temple with the broth of their
flesh； in order to violate the laws of the Jews； and the religion
they derived from their forefathers； for which reason our nation
made war with him； and would never be reconciled to him； but for
this Antiochus； all men called him Antiochus the Pious； for the
great zeal he had about religion。
3。 Accordingly； Hyrcanus took this moderation of his kindly； and
when he understood how religious he was towards the Deity； he
sent an embassage to him； and desired that he would restore the
settlements they received from their forefathers。 So he rejected
the counsel of those that would have him utterly destroy the
nation； （23） by reason of their way of living； which was to
others unsociable； and did not regard what they said。 But being
persuaded that all they did was out of a religious mind； he
answered the ambassadors； that if the besieged would deliver up
their arms； and pay tribute for Joppa； and the other cities which
bordered upon Judea； and admit a garrison of his； on these terms
he would make war against them no longer。 But the Jews； although
they were content with the other conditions； did not agree to
admit the garrison； because they could not associate with other
people； nor converse with them； yet were they willing； instead of
the admission of the garrison； to give him hostages； and five
hundred talents of silver； of which they paid down three hundred；
and sent the hostages immediately； which king Antiochus accepted。
One of those hostages was Hyrcanus's brother。 But still he broke
down the fortifications that encompassed the city。 And upon these
conditions Antiochus broke up the siege； and departed。
4。 But Hyrcanus opened the sepulcher of David； who excelled all
other kings in riches； and took out of it three thousand talents。
He was also the first of the Jews that； relying on this wealth；
maintained foreign troops。 There was also a league of friendship
and mutual assistance made between them； upon which Hyrcanus
admitted him into the city； and furnished him with whatsoever his
army wanted in great plenty； and with great generosity； and
marched along with him when he made an expedition against the
Parthians； of which Nicolaus of Damascus is a witness for us； who
in his history writes thus： 〃When Antiochus had erected a trophy
at the river Lycus； upon his conquest of Indates； the general of
the Parthians； he staid there two days。 It was at the desire of
Lyrcanus the Jew； because it was such a festival derived to them
from their forefathers； whereon the law of the Jews did not allow
them to travel。〃 And truly he did not speak falsely in saying so；
for that festival； which we call Pentecost； did then fall out to
be the next day to the Sabbath。 Nor is it lawful for us to
journey； either on the Sabbath day； or on a festival day （24） But
when Antiochus joined battle with Arsaces； the king of Parthin；
he lost a great part of his army； and was himself slain； and his
brother Demetrius succeeded in the kingdom of Syria； by the
permission of Arsaces； who freed him from his captivity at the
same time that Antiochus attacked Parthin； as we have formerly
related elsewhere。
CHAPTER 9。
How； After The Death Of Antiochus； Hyrcanus Made An Expedition
Against Syria； And Made A League With The Romans。 Concerning The
Death Of King Demetrius And Alexander。
1。 But when Hyrcanus heard of the death of Antiochus； he
presently made an expedition against the cities of Syria； hoping
to find them destitute of fighting men； and of such as were able
to defend them。 However； it was not till the sixth month that he
took Medaba； and that not without the greatest distress of his
army。 After this he took Samega； and the neighboring places； and
besides these； Shechem and Gerizzim； and the nation of the
Cutheans； who dwelt at the temple which resembled that temple
which was at Jerusalem； and which Alexander permitted Sanballat；
the general of his army； to build for the sake of Manasseh； who
was son…in…law to Jaddua the high priest； as we have formerly
related； which temple was now deserted two hundred years after it
was built。 Hyrcanus took also Dora and Marissa； cities of Idumea；
and subdued all the Idumeans； and permitted them to stay in that
country； if they woul