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！
seem as if they took no notice of Herod； who； upon the change he
had made in their government； introduced such customs； and that
in a violent manner； which they had never been used to before； as
indeed in pretense a king； but in reality one that showed himself
an enemy to their whole nation； on which account ten men that
were citizens ＇of Jerusalem＇ conspired together against him； and
sware to one another to undergo any dangers in the attempt； and
took daggers with them under their garments ＇for the purpose of
killing Herod＇。 Now there was a certain blind man among those
conspirators who had thus sworn to one another； on account of the
indignation he had against what he heard to have been done； he
was not indeed able to afford the rest any assistance in the
undertaking； but was ready to undergo any suffering with them； if
so be they should come to any harm； insomuch that he became a
very great encourager of the rest of the undertakers。
4。 When they had taken this resolution； and that by common
consent； they went into the theater； hoping that； in the first
place； Herod himself could not escape them； as they should fall
upon him so unexpectedly； and supposing； however； that if they
missed him； they should kill a great many of those that were
about him； and this resolution they took； though they should die
for it； in order to suggest to the king what injuries he had done
to the multitude。 These conspirators； therefore； standing thus
prepared beforehand； went about their design with great alacrity；
but there was one of those spies of Herod； that were appointed
for such purposes； to fish out and inform him of any conspiracies
that should be made against him； who found out the whole affair；
and told the king of it； as he was about to go into the theater。
So when he reflected on the hatred which he knew the greatest
part of the people bore him； and on the disturbances that arose
upon every occasion； he thought this plot against him not to be
improbable。 Accordingly； he retired into his palace； and called
those that were accused of this conspiracy before him by their
several names； and as； upon the guards falling upon them； they
were caught in the very fact； and knew they could not escape；
they prepared themselves for their ends with all the decency they
could； and so as not at all to recede from their resolute
behavior； for they showed no shame for what they were about； nor
denied it； but when they were seized； they showed their daggers；
and professed that the conspiracy they had sworn to was a holy
and pious action； that what they intended to do was not for gain；
or out of any indulgence to their passions； but principally for
those common customs of their country； which all the Jews were
obliged to observe； or to die for them。 This was what these men
said； out of their undaunted courage in this conspiracy。 So they
were led away to execution by the king's guards that stood about
them； and patiently underwent all the torments inflicted on them
till they died。 Nor was it long before that spy who had
discovered them was seized on by some of the people； out of the
hatred they bore to him； and was not only slain by them； but
pulled to pieces； limb from limb； and given to the dogs。 This
execution was seen by many of the citizens； yet would not one of
them discover the doers of it； till upon Herod's making a strict
scrutiny after them； by bitter and severe tortures； certain women
that were tortured confessed what they had seen done； the authors
of which fact were so terribly punished by the king； that their
entire families were destroyed for this their rash attempt； yet
did not the obstinacy of the people； and that undaunted constancy
they showed in the defense of their laws； make Herod any easier
to them； but he still strengthened himself after a more secure
manner； and resolved to encompass the multitude every way； lest
such innovations should end in an open rebellion。
5。 Since； therefore； he had now the city fortified by the palace
in which he lived； and by the temple which had a strong fortress
by it； called Antonia； and was rebuilt by himself； he contrived
to make Samaria a fortress for himself also against all the
people； and called it Sebaste； supposing that this place would be
a strong hold against the country； not inferior to the former。 So
he fortified that place； which was a day's journey distant from
Jerusalem； and which would be useful to him in common； to keep
both the country and the city in awe。 He also built another
fortress for the whole nation； it was of old called Strato's
Tower； but was by him named Cesarea。 Moreover； he chose out some
select horsemen； and placed them ill the great plain； and built
＇for them＇ a place in Galilee； called Gaba with Hesebonitis； in
Perea。 And these were the places which he particularly built；
while he always was inventing somewhat further for his own
security； and encompassing the whole nation with guards； that
they might by no means get from under his power； nor fall into
tumults； which they did continually upon any small commotion； and
that if they did make any commotions； he might know of it； while
some of his spies might be upon them from the neighborhood； and
might both be able to know what they were attempting； and to
prevent it。 And when he went about building the wall of Samaria；
he contrived to bring thither many of those that had been
assisting to him in his wars； and many of the people in that
neighborhood also； whom he made fellow citizens with the rest。
This he did out of an ambitious desire of building a temple； and
out of a desire to make the city more eminent than it had been
before； but principally because he contrived that it might at
once be for his own security； and a monument of his magnificence。
He also changed its name； and called it Sebaste。 Moreover； he
parted the adjoining country； which was excellent in its kind；
among the inhabitants of Samaria； that they might be in a happy
condition； upon their first coming to inhabit。 Besides all which；
he encompassed the city with a wall of great strength； and made
use of the acclivity of the place for making its fortifications
stronger； nor was the compass of the place made now so small as
it had been before； but was such as rendered it not inferior to
the most famous cities； for it was twenty furlongs in
circumference。 Now within； and about the middle of it； he built a
sacred place； of a furlong and a half ＇in circuit＇； and adorned
it with all sorts of decorations； and therein erected a temple；
which was illustrious on account of both its largeness and
beauty。 And as to the several parts of the city； he adorned them
with decorations of all sorts also； and as to what was necessary
to provide for his own security； he made the walls very strong
for that purpose； and made it for the greatest part a citadel；
and as to the elegance of the building； it was taken care of
also； that he might leave monuments of the fineness of his taste；
and of his beneficence； to future ages。
CHAPTER 9。
Concerning The Famine That Happened In Judea And Syria； And How
Herod； After He Had Married Another Wife； Rebuilt Cesarea； And
Other