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in this case； it would appear to deserve condemnation； on account
of the insolence he must take upon him in doing it： which
considerations made it very plain that in so doing he would find
his government filled with mischief； both great and lasting； both
to himself and his posterity； whereas it was still in his power
to reject that wickedness she would persuade him to； and to come
off honorably at the same time。 So by thus affrighting Herod； and
representing to him the hazard he must； in all probability； run
by this undertaking； they restrained him from it。 So he treated
Cleopatra kindly； and made her presents； and conducted her on her
way to Egypt。
3。 But Antony subdued Armenia； and sent Artabazes； the son of
Tigranes； in bonds； with his children and procurators； to Egypt；
and made a present of them； and of all the royal ornaments which
he had taken out of that kingdom； to Cleopatra。 And Artaxias； the
eldest of his sons； who had escaped at that time； took the
kingdom of Armenia； who yet was ejected by Archclaus and Nero
Caesar； when they restored Tigranes； his younger brother； to that
kingdom； but this happened a good while afterward。
4。 But then； as to the tributes which Herod was to pay Cleopatra
for that country which Antony had given her； he acted fairly with
her； as deeming it not safe for him to afford any cause for
Cleopatra to hate him。 As for the king of Arabia； whose tribute
Herod had undertaken to pay her； for some time indeed he paid him
as much as came to two hundred talents； but he afterwards became
very niggardly and slow in his payments； and could hardly be
brought to pay some parts of it； and was not willing to pay even
them without some deductions。
CHAPTER 5。
How Herod Made War With The King Of Arabia； And After They Had
Fought Many Battles； At Length Conquered Him； And Was Chosen By
The Arabs To Be Governor Of That Nation； As Also Concerning A
Great Earthquake。
1。 Hereupon Herod held himself ready to go against the king of
Arabia； because of his ingratitude to him； and because； after
all； he would do nothing that was just to him； although Herod
made the Roman war an occasion of delaying his own； for the
battle at Actium was now expected； which fell into the hundred
eighty and seventh olympiad； where Caesar and Antony were to
fight for the supreme power of the world； but Herod having
enjoyed a country that was very fruitful； and that now for a long
time； and having received great taxes； and raised great armies
therewith； got together a body of men； and carefully furnished
them with all necessaries； and designed them as auxiliaries for
Antony。 But Antony said he had no want of his assistance； but he
commanded him to punish the king of Arabia； for he had heard both
from him； and from Cleopatra； how perfidious he was； for this was
what Cleopatra desired； who thought it for her own advantage that
these two kings should do one another as great mischief as
possible。 Upon this message from Antony； Herod returned back； but
kept his army with him； in order to invade Arabia immediately。 So
when his army of horsemen and footmen was ready； he marched to
Diospolis； whither the Arabians came also to meet them； for they
were not unapprized of this war that was coming upon them； and
after a great battle had been fought； the Jews had the victory。
But afterward there were gotten together another numerous army of
the Arabians； at Cana； which is a place of Celesyria。 Herod was
informed of this beforehand； so he came marching against them
with the greatest part of the forces he had； and when he was come
near to Cana； he resolved to encamp himself； and he cast up a
bulwark； that he might take a proper season for attacking the
enemy； but as he was giving those orders； the multitude of the
Jews cried out that he should make no delay； but lead them
against the Arabians。 They went with great spirit； as believing
they were in very good order； and those especially were so that
had been in the former battle； and had been conquerors； and had
not permitted their enemies so much as to come to a close fight
with them。 And when they were so tumultuous； and showed such
great alacrity； the king resolved to make use of that zeal the
multitude then exhibited； and when he had assured them he would
not be behindhand with them in courage； he led them on； and stood
before them all in his armor； all the regiments following him in
their several ranks： whereupon a consternation fell upon the
Arabians； for when they perceived that the Jews were not to be
conquered； and were full of spirit； the greater part of them ran
away； and avoided fighting； and they had been quite destroyed；
had not Anthony fallen upon the Jews； and distressed them； for
this man was Cleopatra's general over the soldiers she had there；
and was at enmity with Herod； and very wistfully looked on to see
what the event of the battle would be。 He had also resolved； that
in case the Arabians did any thing that was brave and successful；
he would lie still； but in case they were beaten； as it really
happened； he would attack the Jews with those forces he had of
his own； and with those that the country had gotten together for
him。 So he fell upon the Jews unexpectedly； when they were
fatigued； and thought they had already vanquished the enemy； and
made a great slaughter of them； for as the Jews had spent their
courage upon their known enemies； and were about to enjoy
themselves in quietness after their victory； they were easily
beaten by these that attacked them afresh； and in particular
received a great loss in places where the horses could not be of
service； and which were very stony； and where those that attacked
them were better acquainted with the places than themselves。 And
when the Jews had suffered this loss； the Arabians raised their
spirits after their defeat； and returning back again； slew those
that were already put to flight； and indeed all sorts of
slaughter were now frequent； and of those that escaped； a few
only returned into the camp。 So king Herod； when he despaired of
the battle； rode up to them to bring them assistance； yet did he
not come time enough to do them any service； though he labored
hard to do it； but the Jewish camp was taken； so that the
Arabians had unexpectedly a most glorious success； having gained
that victory which of themselves they were no way likely to have
gained； and slaying a great part of the enemy's army： whence
afterward Herod could only act like a private robber； and make
excursions upon many parts of Arabia； and distress them by sudden
incursions； while he encamped among the mountains； and avoided by
any means to come to a pitched battle； yet did he greatly harass
the enemy by his assiduity； and the hard labor he took in this
matter。 He also took great care of his own forces； and used all
the means he could to restore his affairs to their old state。
2。 At this time it was that the fight happened at Actium； between
Octavius Caesar and Antony； in the seventh year of the reign of
Herod （8） and then it was also that there was an earthquake in
Judea； such a one as had not happened at any other time； and
which earthquake brought