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!
October。〃
19。 〃In the month Quntius; when Lucius Lentulus and Caius
Mercellus were consuls; and there were present Titus Appius
Balbus; the son of Titus; lieutenant of the Horatian tribe; Titus
Tongius of the Crustumine tribe; Quintus Resius; the son of
Quintus; Titus Pompeius; the son of Titus; Cornelius Longinus;
Caius Servilius Bracchus; the son of Caius; a military tribune;
of the Terentine tribe; Publius Clusius Gallus; the son of
Publius; of the Veturian tribe; Caius Teutius; the son of Caius;
a milital tribune; of the EmilJan tribe; Sextus Atilius Serranus;
the son of Sextus; of the Esquiline tribe; Caius Pompeius; the
son of Caius; of the Sabbatine tribe; Titus Appius Menander; the
son of Titus; Publius Servilius Strabo; the son of Publius;
Lucius Paccius Capito; the son of Lucius; of the Colline tribe;
Aulus Furius Tertius; the son of Aulus; and Appius Menus。 In the
presence of these it was that Lentulus pronounced this decree: I
have before the tribunal dismissed those Jews that are Roman
citizens; and are accustomed to observe the sacred rites of the
Jews at Ephesus; on account of the superstition they are under。〃
20。 〃The magistrates of the Laodiceans to Caius Rubilius; the son
of Caius; the consul; sendeth greeting。 Sopater; the ambassador
of Hyrcanus the high priest; hath delivered us an epistle from
thee; whereby he lets us know that certain ambassadors were come
from Hyrcanus; the high priest of the Jews; and brought an
epistle written concerning their nation; wherein they desire that
the Jews may be allowed to observe their Sabbaths; and other
sacred rites; according to the laws of their forefathers; and
that they may be under no command; because they are our friends
and confederates; and that nobody may injure them in our
provinces。 Now although the Trallians there present contradicted
them; and were not pleased with these decrees; yet didst thou
give order that they should be observed; and informedst us that
thou hadst been desired to write this to us about them。 We
therefore; in obedience to the injunctions we have received from
thee; have received the epistle which thou sentest us; and have
laid it up by itself among our public records。 And as to the
other things about which thou didst send to us; we will take care
that no complaint be made against us。〃
21。 〃Publius Servilius; the son of Publius; of the Galban tribe;
the proconsul; to the magistrates; senate; and people of the
Mileslans; sendeth greeting。 Prytanes; the son of Hermes; a
citizen of yours; came to me when I was at Tralles; and held a
court there; and informed me that you used the Jews in a way
different from my opinion; and forbade them to celebrate their
Sabbaths; and to perform the Sacred rites received from their
forefathers; and to manage the fruits of the land; according to
their ancient custom; and that he had himself been the promulger
of your decree; according as your laws require: I would therefore
have you know; that upon hearing the pleadings on both sides; I
gave sentence that the Jews should not be prohibited to make use
of their own customs。〃
22。 The decree of those of Pergamus。 〃When Cratippus was
prytanis; on the first day of the month Desius; the decree of the
praetors was this: Since the Romans; following the conduct of
their ancestors; undertake dangers for the common safety of all
mankind; and are ambitious to settle their confederates and
friends in happiness; and in firm peace; and since the nation of
the Jews; and their high priest Hyrcanus; sent as ambassadors to
them; Strato; the son of Theodatus; and Apollonius; the son of
Alexander; and Eneas; the son of Antipater; and Aristobulus; the
son of Amyntas; and Sosipater; the son of Philip; worthy and good
men; who gave a particular account of their affairs; the senate
thereupon made a decree about what they had desired of them; that
Antiochus the king; the son of Antiochus; should do no injury to
the Jews; the confederates of the Romans; and that the
fortresses; and the havens; and the country; and whatsoever else
he had taken from them; should be restored to them; and that it
may be lawful for them to export their goods out of their own
havens; and that no king nor people may have leave to export any
goods; either out of the country of Judea; or out of their
havens; without paying customs; but only Ptolemy; the king of
Alexandria; because he is our confederate and friend; and that;
according to their desire; the garrison that is in Joppa may be
ejected。 Now Lucius Pettius; one of our senators; a worthy and
good man; gave order that we should take care that these things
should be done according to the senate's decree; and that we
should take care also that their ambassadors might return home in
safety。 Accordingly; we admitted Theodorus into our senate and
assembly; and took the epistle out his hands; as well as the
decree of the senate。 And as he discoursed with great zeal about
the Jews; and described Hyrcanus's virtue and generosity; and how
he was a benefactor to all men in common; and particularly to
every body that comes to him; we laid up the epistle in our
public records; and made a decree ourselves; that since we also
are in confederacy with the Romans; we would do every thing we
could for the Jews; according to the senate's decree。 Theodorus
also; who brought the epistle; desired of our praetors; that they
would send Hyrcanus a copy of that decree; as also ambassadors to
signify to him the affection of our people to him; and to exhort
them to preserve and augment their friendship for us; and be
ready to bestow other benefits upon us; as justly expecting to
receive proper requitals from us; and desiring them to remember
that our ancestors (19) were friendly to the Jews even in the
days of Abraham; who was the father of all the Hebrews; as we
have 'also' found it set down in our public records。〃
23。 The decree of those of Halicarnassus。 〃When Memnon; the son
of Orestidas by descent; but by adoption of Euonymus; was priest;
on the * * * day of the month Aristerion; the decree of the
people; upon the representation of Marcus Alexander; was this:
Since we have ever a great regard to piety towards God; and to
holiness; and since we aim to follow the people of the Romans;
who are the benefactors of all men; and what they have written to
us about a league of friendship and mutual assistance between the
Jews and our city; and that their sacred offices and accustomed
festivals and assemblies may be observed by them; we have
decreed; that as many men and women of the Jews as are willing so
to do; may celebrate their Sabbaths; and perform their holy
offices; according to Jewish laws; and may make their proseuchae
at the sea…side; according to the customs of their forefathers;
and if any one; whether he be a magistrate or private person;
hindereth them from so doing; he shall be liable to a fine; to be
applied to the uses of the city。〃
24。 The decree of the Sardians。 〃This decree was made by the
senate and people; upon the representation of the praetors:
Whereas those Jews who are fellow citizens; and live with us in
this city; have ever had great benef