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they offered them； and the avaricious management of their
affairs。
7。 But because Athronges； a person neither eminent by the dignity
of his progenitors； nor for any great wealth he was possessed of；
but one that had in all respects been a shepherd only； and was
not known by any body； yet because he was a tall man； and
excelled others in the strength of his hands； he was so bold as
to set up for king。 This man thought it so sweet a thing to do
more than ordinary injuries to others； that although he should be
killed； he did not much care if he lost his life in so great a
design。 He had also four brethren； who were tall men themselves；
and were believed to be superior to others in the strength of
their hands； and thereby were encouraged to aim at great things；
and thought that strength of theirs would support them in
retaining the kingdom。 Each of these ruled over a band of men of
their own； for those that got together to them were very
numerous。 They were every one of them also commanders； but when
they came to fight； they were subordinate to him； and fought for
him； while he put a diadem about his head； and assembled a
council to debate about what things should be done； and all
things were done according to his pleasure。 And this man retained
his power a great while； he was also called king； and had nothing
to hinder him from doing what he pleased。 He also； as well as his
brethren； slew a great many both of the Romans and of the king's
forces； an managed matters with the like hatred to each of them。
The king's forces they fell upon； because of the licentious
conduct they had been allowed under Herod's government； and they
fell upon the Romans； because of the injuries they had so lately
received from them。 But in process of time they grew more cruel
to all sorts of men； nor could any one escape from one or other
of these seditions； since they slew some out of the hopes of
gain； and others from a mere custom of slaying men。 They once
attacked a company of Romans at Emmaus； who were bringing corn
and weapons to the army； and fell upon Arius； the centurion； who
commanded the company； and shot forty of the best of his foot
soldiers； but the rest of them were aftrighted at their
slaughter； and left their dead behind them； but saved themselves
by the means of Gratus； who came with the king's troops that were
about him to their assistance。 Now these four brethren continued
the war a long while by such sort of expeditions； and much
grieved the Romans； but did their own nation also a great deal of
mischief。 Yet were they afterwards subdued； one of them in a
fight with Gratus； another with Ptolemy； Archelaus also took the
eldest of them prisoner； while the last of them was so dejected
at the other's misfortune； and saw so plainly that he had no way
now left to save himself； his army being worn away with sickness
and continual labors； that he also delivered himself up to
Archclaus； upon his promise and oath to God ＇to preserve his
life。＇ But these things came to pass a good while afterward。
8。 And now Judea was full of robberies； and as the several
companies of the seditious lighted upon any one to head them； he
was created a king immediately； in order to do mischief to the
public。 They were in some small measure indeed； and in small
matters； hurtful to the Romans； but the murders they committed
upon their own people lasted a long while。
9。 As soon as Varus was once informed of the state of Judea by
Sabinus's writing to him； he was afraid for the legion he had
left there； so he took the two other legions； （for there were
three legions in all belonging to Syria；） and four troops of
horsemen； with the several auxiliary forces which either the
kings or certain of the tetrarchs afforded him； and made what
haste he could to assist those that were then besieged in Judea。
He also gave order that all that were sent out for this
expedition； should make haste to Ptolemais。 The citizens of
Berytus also gave him fifteen hundred auxiliaries as he passed
through their city。 Aretas also； the king of Arabia Petrea； out
of his hatred to Herod； and in order to purchase the favor of the
Romans； sent him no small assistance； besides their footmen and
horsemen； and when he had now collected all his forces together；
he committed part of them to his son； and to a friend of his； and
sent them upon an expedition into Galilee； which lies in the
neighborhood of Ptolemais； who made an attack upon the enemy； and
put them to flight； and took Sepphoris； and made its inhabitants
slaves； and burnt the city。 But Varus himself pursued his march
for Samaria with his whole army； yet did not he meddle with the
city of that name； because it had not at all joined with the
seditious； but pitched his camp at a certain village that
belonged to Ptolemy； whose name was Arus； which the Arabians
burnt； out of their hatred to Herod； and out of the enmity they
bore to his friends； whence they marched to another village；
whose name was Sampho； which the Arabians plundered and burnt；
although it was a fortified and a strong place； and all along
this march nothing escaped them； but all places were full of fire
and of slaughter。 Emmaus was also burnt by Varus's order； after
its inhabitants had deserted it； that he might avenge those that
had there been destroyed。 From thence he now marched to
Jerusalem； whereupon those Jews whose camp lay there； and who had
besieged the Roman legion； not bearing the coming of this army；
left the siege imperfect： but as to the Jerusalem Jews； when
Varus reproached them bitterly for what had been done； they
cleared themselves of the accusation； and alleged that the
conflux of the people was occasioned by the feast； that the war
was not made with their approbation； but by the rashness of the
strangers； while they were on the side of the Romans； and
besieged together with them； rather than having any inclination
to besiege them。 There also came beforehand to meet Varus；
Joseph； the cousin…german of king Herod； as also Gratus and
Rufus； who brought their soldiers along with them； together with
those Romans who had been besieged； but Sabinus did not come into
Varus's presence； but stole out of the city privately； and went
to the sea…side。
10。 Upon this； Varus sent a part of his army into the country； to
seek out those that had been the authors of the revolt； and when
they were discovered； he punished some of them that were most
guilty； and some he dismissed： now the number of those that were
crucified on this account were two thousand。 After which he
disbanded his army； which he found no way useful to him in the
affairs he came about； for they behaved themselves very
disorderly； and disobeyed his orders； and what Varus desired them
to do； and this out of regard to that gain which they made by the
mischief they did。 As for himself； when he was informed that ten
thousand Jews had gotten together； he made haste to catch them；
but they did not proceed so far as to fight him； but； by the
advice of Achiabus； they came together； and delivered themselves
up to him： hereupon Varus forgave the crime of revolting to the
multitude； but sent their several comm