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son of Margalothus； two of the most eloquent men among the Jews；
and the most celebrated interpreters of the Jewish laws； and men
well beloved by the people； because of their education of their
youth； for all those that were studious of virtue frequented
their lectures every day。 These men； when they found that the
king's distemper was incurable； excited the young men that they
would pull down all those works which the king had erected
contrary to the law of their fathers； and thereby obtain the
rewards which the law will confer on them for such actions of
piety； for that it was truly on account of Herod's rashness in
making such things as the law had forbidden； that his other
misfortunes； and this distemper also； which was so unusual among
mankind； and with which he was now afflicted； came upon him； for
Herod had caused such things to be made which were contrary to
the law； of which he was accused by Judas and Matthias； for the
king had erected over the great gate of the temple a large golden
eagle； of great value； and had dedicated it to the temple。 Now
the law forbids those that propose to live according to it； to
erect images （6） or representations of any living creature。 So
these wise men persuaded ＇their scholars＇ to pull down the golden
eagle； alleging； that although they should incur any danger；
which might bring them to their deaths； the virtue of the action
now proposed to them would appear much more advantageous to them
than the pleasures of life； since they would die for the
preservation and observation of the law of their fathers； since
they would also acquire an everlasting fame and commendation；
since they would be both commended by the present generation； and
leave an example of life that would never be forgotten to
posterity； since that common calamity of dying cannot be avoided
by our living so as to escape any such dangers； that therefore it
is a right thing for those who are in love with a virtuous
conduct； to wait for that fatal hour by such behavior as may
carry them out of the world with praise and honor； and that this
will alleviate death to a great degree； thus to come at it by the
performance of brave actions； which bring us into danger of it；
and at the same time to leave that reputation behind them to
their children； and to all their relations； whether they be men
or women； which will be of great advantage to them afterward。
3。 And with such discourses as this did these men excite the
young men to this action； and a report being come to them that
the king was dead； this was an addition to the wise men's
persuasions； so； in the very middle of the day； they got upon the
place； they pulled down the eagle； and cut it into pieces with
axes； while a great number of the people were in the temple。 And
now the king's captain； upon hearing what the undertaking was；
and supposing it was a thing of a higher nature than it proved to
be； came up thither； having a great band of soldiers with him；
such as was sufficient to put a stop to the multitude of those
who pulled down what was dedicated to God； so he fell upon them
unexpectedly； and as they were upon this bold attempt； in a
foolish presumption rather than a cautious circumspection； as is
usual with the multitude； and while they were in disorder； and
incautious of what was for their advantage； so he caught no fewer
than forty of the young men； who had the courage to stay behind
when the rest ran away； together with the authors of this bold
attempt； Judas and Matthius； who thought it an ignominious thing
to retire upon his approach； and led them to the king。 And when
they were come to the king； and he asked them if they had been so
bold as to pull down what he had dedicated to God； 〃Yes； （said
they；） what was contrived we contrived； and what hath been
performed we performed it； and that with such a virtuous courage
as becomes men； for we have given our assistance to those things
which were dedicated to the majesty of God； and we have provided
for what we have learned by hearing the law； and it ought not to
be wondered at； if we esteem those laws which Moses had suggested
to him； and were taught him by God； and which he wrote and left
behind him； more worthy of observation than thy commands。
Accordingly we will undergo death； and all sorts of punishments
which thou canst inflict upon us； with pleasure； since we are
conscious to ourselves that we shall die； not for any unrighteous
actions； but for our love to religion。〃 And thus they all said；
and their courage was still equal to their profession； and equal
to that with which they readily set about this undertaking。 And
when the king had ordered them to be bound； he sent them to
Jericho； and called together the principal men among the Jews；
and when they were come； he made them assemble in the theater；
and because he could not himself stand； he lay upon a couch； and
enumerated the many labors that he had long endured on their
account； and his building of the temple； and what a vast charge
that was to him； while the Asamoneans； during the hundred and
twenty…five years of their government； had not been able to
perform any so great a work for the honor of God as that was；
that he had also adorned it with very valuable donations； on
which account he hoped that he had left himself a memorial； and
procured himself a reputation after his death。 He then cried out；
that these men had not abstained from affronting him； even in his
lifetime； but that in the very day time； and in the sight of the
multitude； they had abused him to that degree； as to fall upon
what he had dedicated； and in that way of abuse had pulled it
down to the ground。 They pretended； indeed； that they did it to
affront him； but if any one consider the thing truly； they will
find that they were guilty of sacrilege against God therein。
4。 But the people； on account of Herod's barbarous temper； and
for fear he should be so cruel and to inflict punishment on them；
said what was done was done without their approbation； and that
it seemed to them that the actors might well be punished for what
they had done。 But as for Herod； he dealt more mildly with others
＇of the assembly＇ but he deprived Matthias of the high
priesthood； as in part an occasion of this action； and made
Joazar； who was Matthias's wife's brother； high priest in his
stead。 Now it happened； that during the time of the high
priesthood of this Matthias； there was another person made high
priest for a single day； that very day which the Jews observed as
a fast。 The occasion was this： This Matthias the high priest； on
the night before that day when the fast was to be celebrated；
seemed； in a dream； （7） to have conversation with his wife； and
because he could not officiate himself on that account； Joseph；
the son of Ellemus； his kinsman； assisted him in that sacred
office。 But Herod deprived this Matthias of the high priesthood；
and burnt the other Matthias； who had raised the sedition； with
his companions； alive。 And that very night there was an eclipse
of the moon。 （8）
5。 But now Herod's distemper greatly increased upon him after a
severe manner； and this by God's judgment upon him fo