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principal man in the world who appeared almost inexorable in
punishing crimes in his own family； but very generous in
remitting the offenses that were committed elsewhere。 And while
they accused Herod of injuries； and plunderings； and subversions
of temples； he stood unconcerned； and was ready to make his
defense。 However； Caesar gave him his right hand； and remitted
nothing of his kindness to him； upon this disturbance by the
multitude； and indeed these things were alleged the first day；
but the hearing proceeded no further； for as the Gadarens saw the
inclination of Caesar and of his assessors； and expected； as they
had reason to do； that they should be delivered up to the king；
some of them； out of a dread of the torments they might undergo；
cut their own throats in the night time； and some of them threw
themselves down precipices； and others of them cast themselves
into the river； and destroyed themselves of their own accord；
which accidents seemed a sufficient condemnation of the rashness
and crimes they had been guilty of； whereupon Caesar made no
longer delay； but cleared Herod from the crimes he was accused
of。 Another happy accident there was； which was a further great
advantage to Herod at this time； for Zenodorus's belly burst； and
a great quantity of blood issued from him in his sickness； and he
thereby departed this life at Antioch in Syria； so Caesar
bestowed his country； which was no small one； upon Herod； it lay
between Trachon and Galilee； and contained Ulatha； and Paneas；
and the country round about。 He also made him one of the
procurators of Syria； and commanded that they should do every
thing with his approbation； and； in short； he arrived at that
pitch of felicity； that whereas there were but two men that
governed the vast Roman empire； first Caesar； and then Agrippa；
who was his principal favorite； Caesar preferred no one to Herod
besides Agrippa； and Agrippa made no one his greater friend than
Herod besides Caesar。 And when he had acquired such freedom； he
begged of Caesar a tetrarchy （21） for his brother Pheroras； while
he did himself bestow upon him a revenue of a hundred talents out
of his own kingdom； that in case he came to any harm himself； his
brother might be in safety； and that his sons might not have
dominion over him。 So when he had conducted Caesar to the sea；
and was returned home； he built him a most beautiful temple； of
the whitest stone； in Zenodorus's country； near the place called
Panlure。 This is a very fine cave in a mountain； under which
there is a great cavity in the earth； and the cavern is abrupt；
and prodigiously deep； and frill of a still water； over it hangs
a vast mountain； and under the caverns arise the springs of the
river Jordan。 Herod adorned this place； which was already a very
remarkable one； still further by the erection of this temple；
which he dedicated to Caesar。
4。 At which time Herod released to his subjects the third part of
their taxes； under pretense indeed of relieving them； after the
dearth they had had； but the main reason was； to recover their
good…will； which he now wanted； for they were uneasy at him；
because of the innovations he had introduced in their practices；
of the dissolution of their religion； and of the disuse of their
own customs； and the people every where talked against him； like
those that were still more provoked and disturbed at his
procedure； against which discontents he greatly guarded himself；
and took away the opportunities they might have to disturb him；
and enjoined them to be always at work； nor did he permit the
citizens either to meet together； or to walk or eat together； but
watched every thing they did； and when any were caught； they were
severely punished； and many there were who were brought to the
citadel Hyrcania； both openly and secretly； and were there put to
death； and there were spies set every where； both in the city and
in the roads； who watched those that met together； nay； it is
reported that he did not himself neglect this part of caution；
but that he would oftentimes himself take the habit of a private
man； and mix among the multitude； in the night time； and make
trial what opinion they had of his government： and as for those
that could no way be reduced to acquiesce under his scheme of
government； he prosecuted them all manner of ways； but for the
rest of the multitude； he required that they should be obliged to
take an oath of fidelity to him； and at the same time compelled
them to swear that they would bear him good…will； and continue
certainly so to do； in his management of the government； and
indeed a great part of them； either to please him； or out of fear
of him； yielded to what he required of them； but for such as were
of a more open and generous disposition； and had indignation at
the force he used to them； he by one means or other made away；
with them。 He endeavored also to persuade Pollio the Pharisee；
and Satneas； and the greatest part of their scholars； to take the
oath； but these would neither submit so to do； nor were they
punished together with the rest； out of the reverence he bore to
Pollio。 The Essens also； as we call a sect of ours； were excused
from this imposition。 These men live the same kind of life as do
those whom the Greeks call Pythagoreans； concerning whom I shall
discourse more fully elsewhere。 However； it is but fit to set
down here the reasons wherefore Herod had these Essens in such
honor； and thought higher of them than their mortal nature
required； nor will this account be unsuitable to the nature of
this history； as it will show the opinion men had of these
Essens。
5。 Now there was one of these Essens； whose name was Manahem； who
had this testimony； that he not only conducted his life after an
excellent manner； but had the foreknowledge of future events
given him by God also。 This man once saw Herod when he was a
child； and going to school； and saluted him as king of the Jews；
but he； thinking that either he did not know him； or that he was
in jest； put him in mind that he was but a private man； but
Manahem smiled to himself； and clapped him on his backside with
his hand； and said；〃 However that be； thou wilt be king； and wilt
begin thy reign happily； for God finds thee worthy of it。 And do
thou remember the blows that Manahem hath given thee； as being a
signal of the change of thy fortune。 And truly this will be the
best reasoning for thee； that thou love justice ＇towards men＇；
and piety towards God； and clemency towards thy citizens； yet do
I know how thy whole conduct will be； that thou wilt not be such
a one； for thou wilt excel all men in happiness； and obtain an
everlasting reputation； but wilt forget piety and righteousness；
and these crimes will not be concealed from God； at the
conclusion of thy life； when thou wilt find that he will be
mindful of them； and punish time for them。〃 Now at that time
Herod did not at all attend to what Manahem said； as having no
hopes of such advancement； but a little afterward； when he was so
fortunate as to be advanced to the dignity of king； and was in
the height of his dominion； he sent for Manahem； and asked him
how long he