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government into his hands； and Costobarus was appointed to hinder
men from passing out at the gates； and to guard the city； that
those citizens that were guilty； and of the party opposite to the
king； might not get out of it； Costobarus； being sensible that
the sons of Babas were had in respect and honor by the whole
multitude； and supposing that their preservation might be of
great advantage to him in the changes of government afterward； he
set them by themselves； and concealed them in his own farms； and
when the thing was suspected； he assured Herod upon oath that he
really knew nothing of that matter； and so overcame the
suspicions that lay upon him； nay； after that； when the king had
publicly proposed a reward for the discovery； and had put in
practice all sorts of methods for searching out this matter； he
would not confess it； but being persuaded that when he had at
first denied it； if the men were found； he should not escape
unpunished； he was forced to keep them secret； not only out of
his good…will to them； but out of a necessary regard to his own
preservation also。 But when the king knew the thing； by his
sister's information； he sent men to the places where he had the
intimation they were concealed； and ordered both them； and those
that were accused as guilty with them； to be slain； insomuch that
there were now none at all left of the kindred of Hyrcanus； and
the kingdom was entirely in Herod's own power； and there was
nobody remaining of such dignity as could put a stop to what he
did against the Jewish laws。
CHAPTER 8。
How Ten Men Of The Citizens ＇Of Jerusalem＇ Made A Conspiracy
Against Herod； For The Foreign Practices He Had Introduced； Which
Was A Transgression Of The Laws Of Their Country。 Concerning The
Building Of Sebaste And Cesarea； And Other Edifices Of Herod。
1。 On this account it was that Herod revolted from the laws of
his country； and corrupted their ancient constitution； by the
introduction of foreign practices； which constitution yet ought
to have been preserved inviolable； by which means we became
guilty of great wickedness afterward； while those religious
observances which used to lead the multitude to piety were now
neglected； for； in the first place； he appointed solemn games to
be celebrated every fifth year； in honor of Caesar； and built a
theater at Jerusalem； as also a very great amphitheater in the
plain。 Both of them were indeed costly works； but opposite to the
Jewish customs； for we have had no such shows delivered down to
us as fit to be used or exhibited by us； yet did he celebrate
these games every five years； in the most solemn and splendid
manner。 He also made proclamation to the neighboring countries；
and called men together out of every nation。 The wrestlers also；
and the rest of those that strove for the prizes in such games；
were invited out of every land； both by the hopes of the rewards
there to be bestowed； and by the glory of victory to be there
gained。 So the principal persons that were the most eminent in
these sorts of exercises were gotten together； for there were
very great rewards for victory proposed； not only to those that
performed their exercises naked； but to those that played the
musicians also； and were called Thymelici； and he spared no pains
to induce all persons； the most famous for such exercises； to
come to this contest for victory。 He also proposed no small
rewards to those who ran for the prizes in chariot races； when
they were drawn by two； or three； or four pair of horses。 He also
imitated every thing； though never so costly or magnificent； in
other nations； out of an ambition that he might give most public
demonstration of his grandeur。 Inscriptions also of the great
actions of Caesar； and trophies of those nations which he had
conquered in his wars； and all made of the purest gold and
silver； encompassed the theater itself； nor was there any thing
that could be subservient to his design； whether it were precious
garments； or precious stones set in order； which was not also
exposed to sight in these games。 He had also made a great
preparation of wild beasts； and of lions themselves in great
abundance； and of such other beasts as were either of uncommon
strength； or of such a sort as were rarely seen。 These were
prepared either to fight with one another； or that men who were
condemned to death were to fight with them。 And truly foreigners
were greatly surprised and delighted at the vastness of the
expenses here exhibited； and at the great dangers that were here
seen； but to natural Jews； this was no better than a dissolution
of those customs for which they had so great a veneration。 （13）
It appeared also no better than an instance of barefaced impiety；
to throw men to wild beasts； for the affording delight to the
spectators； and it appeared an instance of no less impiety； to
change their own laws for such foreign exercises： but； above all
the rest； the trophies gave most distaste to the Jews； for as
they imagined them to be images； included within the armor that
hung round about them； they were sorely displeased at them；
because it was not the custom of their country to pay honors to
such images。
2。 Nor was Herod unacquainted with the disturbance they were
under； and as he thought it unseasonable to use violence with
them； so he spake to some of them by way of consolation； and in
order to free them from that superstitious fear they were under；
yet could not he satisfy them； but they cried out with one
accord； out of their great uneasiness at the offenses they
thought he had been guilty of； that although they should think of
bearing all the rest yet would they never bear images of men in
their city； meaning the trophies； because this was disagreeable
to the laws of their country。 Now when Herod saw them in such a
disorder； and that they would not easily change their resolution
unless they received satisfaction in this point； he called to him
the most eminent men among them； and brought them upon the
theater； and showed them the trophies； and asked them what sort
of things they took these trophies to be； and when they cried out
that they were the images of men； he gave order that they should
be stripped of these outward ornaments which were about them； and
showed them the naked pieces of wood； which pieces of wood； now
without any ornament； became matter of great sport and laughter
to them； because they had before always had the ornaments of
images themselves in derision。
3。 When therefore Herod had thus got clear of the multitude； and
had dissipated the vehemency of passion under which they had
been； the greatest part of the people were disposed to change
their conduct； and not to be displeased at him any longer； but
still some of them continued in their displeasure against him；
for his introduction of new customs； and esteemed the violation
of the laws of their country as likely to be the origin of very
great mischiefs to them； so that they deemed it an instance of
piety rather to hazard themselves ＇to be put to death＇； than to
seem as if they took no notice of Herod； who； upon the change he
had made in their government； introduced such