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are continually beaten； and when they seem to be conquerors； they
gain it by wickedness？ and if we suppose that any one should deem
them to be men of real courage； will not he be excited by that
very consideration to do his utmost against them？ for true valor
is not shown by fighting against weak persons； but in being able
to overcome the most hardy。 But then if the distresses we are
ourselves under； and the miseries that have come by the
earthquake； hath aftrighted any one； let him consider； in the
first place； that this very thing will deceive the Arabians； by
their supposal that what hath befallen us is greater than it
really is。 Moreover； it is not right that the same thing that
emboldens them should discourage us； for these men； you see； do
not derive their alacrity from any advantageous virtue of their
own； but from their hope； as to us； that we are quite cast down
by our misfortunes； but when we boldly march against them； we
shall soon pull down their insolent conceit of themselves； and
shall gain this by attacking them； that they will not be so
insolent when we come to the battle； for our distresses are not
so great； nor is what hath happened all indication of the anger
of God against us； as some imagine； for such things are
accidental； and adversities that come in the usual course of
things； and if we allow that this was done by the will of God； we
must allow that it is now over by his will also； and that he is
satisfied with what hath already happened； for had he been
willing to afflict us still more thereby； he had not changed his
mind so soon。 And as for the war we are engaged in； he hath
himself demonstrated that he is willing it should go on； and that
he knows it to be a just war； for while some of the people in the
country have perished； all you who were in arms have suffered
nothing； but are all preserved alive； whereby God makes it plain
to us； that if you had universally； with your children and wives；
been in the army； it had come to pass that you had not undergone
any thing that would have much hurt you。 Consider these things；
and； what is more than all the rest； that you have God at all
times for your Protector； and prosecute these men with a just
bravery； who； in point of friendship； are unjust； in their
battles perfidious； towards ambassadors impious； and always
inferior to you in valor。〃
4。 When the Jews heard this speech； they were much raised in
their minds； and more disposed to fight than before。 So Herod；
when he had offered the sacrifices appointed by the law （10） made
haste； and took them； and led them against the Arabians； and in
order to that passed over Jordan； and pitched his camp near to
that of the enemy。 He also thought fit to seize upon a certain
castle that lay in the midst of them； as hoping it would be for
his advantage； and would the sooner produce a battle； and that if
there were occasion for delay； he should by it have his camp
fortified； and as the Arabians had the same intentions upon that
place； a contest arose about it； at first they were but
skirmishes； after which there came more soldiers； and it proved a
sort of fight； and some fell on both sides； till those of the
Arabian side were beaten and retreated。 This was no small
encouragement to the Jews immediately； and when Herod observed
that the enemy's army was disposed to any thing rather than to
come to an engagement； he ventured boldly to attempt the bulwark
itself； and to pull it to pieces； and so to get nearer to their
camp； in order to fight them； for when they were forced out of
their trenches； they went out in disorder； and had not the least
alacrity； or hope of victory； yet did they fight hand to hand；
because they were more in number than the Jews； and because they
were in such a disposition of war that they were under a
necessity of coming on boldly； so they came to a terrible battle；
while not a few fell on each side。 However； at length the
Arabians fled； and so great a slaughter was made upon their being
routed； that they were not only killed by their enemies； but
became the authors of their own deaths also； and were trodden
down by the multitude； and the great current of people in
disorder； and were destroyed by their own armor； so five thousand
men lay dead upon the spot； while the rest of the multitude soon
ran within the bulwark for safety； but had no firm hope of
safety； by reason of their want of necessaries； and especially of
water。 The Jews pursued them； but could not get in with them； but
sat round about the bulwark； and watched any assistance that
would get in to them； and prevented any there； that had a mind to
it； from running away。
5。 When the Arabians were in these circumstances； they sent
ambassadors to Herod； in the first place； to propose terms of
accommodation； and after that to offer him； so pressing was their
thirst upon them； to undergo whatsoever he pleased； if he would
free them from their present distress； but he would admit of no
ambassadors； of no price of redemption； nor of any other moderate
terms whatever； being very desirous to revenge those unjust
actions which they had been guilty of towards his nation。 So they
were necessitated by other motives； and particularly by their
thirst； to come out； and deliver themselves up to him； to be
carried away captives； and in five days' time the number of four
thousand were taken prisoners； while all the rest resolved to
make a sally upon their enemies； and to fight it out with them；
choosing rather； if so it must be； to die therein； than to perish
gradually and ingloriously。 When they had taken this resolution；
they came out of their trenches； but could no way sustain the
fight； being too much disabled； both in mind and body； and having
not room to exert themselves； and thought it an advantage to be
killed； and a misery to survive； so at the first onset there fell
about seven thousand of them； after which stroke they let all the
courage they had put on before fall； and stood amazed at Herod's
warlike spirit under his own calamities； so for the future they
yielded； and made him ruler of their nation； whereupon he was
greatly elevated at so seasonable a success； and returned home；
taking great authority upon him； on account of so bold and
glorious an expedition as he had made。
CHAPTER 6。
How Herod Slew Hyrcanus And Then Hasted Away To Caesar； And
Obtained The Kingdom From Him Also； And How A Little Time
Afterward； He Entertained Caesar In A Most Honorable Manner。
1。 Herod's other affairs were now very prosperous； and he was not
to be easily assaulted on any side。 Yet did there come upon him a
danger that would hazard his entire dominions； after Antony had
been beaten at the battle of Actium by Caesar ＇Octarian＇； for at
that time both Herod's enemies and friends despaired of his
affairs； for it was not probable that he would remain without
punishment； who had showed so much friendship for Antony。 So it
happened that his friends despaired； and had no hopes of his
escape； but for his enemies； they all outwardly appeared to be
troubled at his case； but were privately very glad of it； as
hoping to obtain a change for the better。 As for Her