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tedious to expect that government by his father's donation ＇as
his successor＇； he therefore formed a treacherous design against
his father； by his mother's assistance； with whom； as the report
went； he had criminal conversation also。 So he was hated for both
these vices； while his subjects esteemed this ＇wicked＇ love of
his mother to be no way inferior to his parricide； and he was by
them； in a sedition； expelled out of the country before he grew
too great； and died。 But as the best sort of Parthians agreed
together that it was impossible they should be governed without a
king； while also it was their constant practice to choose one of
the family of Arsaces； ＇nor did their law allow of any others；
and they thought this kingdom had been sufficiently injured
already by the marriage with an Italian concubine； and by her
issue；＇ they sent ambassadors； and called Orodes ＇to take the
crown＇； for the multitude would not otherwise have borne them；
and though he was accused of very great cruelty； and was of an
untractable temper； and prone to wrath； yet still he was one of
the family of Arsaces。 However； they made a conspiracy against
him； and slew him； and that； as some say； at a festival； and
among their sacrifices； （for it is the universal custom there to
carry their swords with them；） but； as the more general report
is； they slew him when they had drawn him out a hunting。 So they
sent ambassadors to Rome； and desired they would send one of
those that were there as pledges to be their king。 Accordingly；
Vonones was preferred before the rest； and sent to them （for he
seemed capable of such great fortune； which two of the greatest
kingdoms under the sun now offered him； his own and a foreign
one）。 However； the barbarians soon changed their minds； they
being naturally of a mutable disposition； upon the supposal that
this man was not worthy to be their governor； for they could not
think of obeying the commands of one that had been a slave； （for
so they called those that had been hostages；） nor could they bear
the ignominy of that name； and this was the more intolerable；
because then the Parthians must have such a king set over them；
not by right of war； but in time of peace。 So they presently
invited Artabanus； king of Media； to be their king； he being also
of the race of Arsaces。 Artabanus complied with the offer that
was made him； and came to them with an army。 So Vonones met him；
and at first the multitude of the Parthians stood on this side；
and he put his army in array； but Artabanus was beaten； and fled
to the mountains of Media。 Yet did he a little after gather a
great army together； and fought with Vonones； and beat him；
whereupon Vonones fled away on horseback； with a few of his
attendants about him； to Seleucia ＇upon Tigris＇。 So when
Artabanus had slain a great number； and this after he had gotten
the victory by reason of the very great dismay the barbarians
were in； he retired to Ctesiphon with a great number of his
people； and so he now reigned over the Parthians。 But Vonones
fled away to Armenia； and as soon as he came thither； he had an
inclination to have the government of the country given him； and
sent ambassadors to Rome ＇for that purpose＇。 But because Tiberius
refused it him； and because he wanted courage； and because the
Parthian king threatened him； and sent ambassadors to him to
denounce war against him if he proceeded； and because he had no
way to take to regain any other kingdom； （for the people of
authority among the Armenians about Niphates joined themselves to
Artabanus；） he delivered up himself to Silanus； the president of
Syria； who； out of regard to his education at Rome； kept him in
Syria； while Artabanus gave Armenia to Orodes； one of his own
sons。
5。 At this time died Antiochus； the king of Commagene； whereupon
the multitude contended with the nobility； and both sent
ambassadors to ＇Rome＇； for the men of power were desirous that
their form of government might be changed into that of a ＇Roman＇
province； as were the multitude desirous to be under kings； as
their fathers had been。 So the senate made a decree that
Germanicus should be sent to settle the affairs of the East；
fortune hereby taking a proper opportunity for depriving him of
his life； for when he had been in the East； and settled all
affairs there； his life was taken away by the poison which Piso
gave him； as hath been related elsewhere。 （7）
CHAPTER 3。
Sedition Of The Jews Against Pontius Pilate。 Concerning Christ；
And What Befell Paulina And The Jews At Rome；
1。 But now Pilate； the procurator of Judea； removed the army from
Cesarea to Jerusalem； to take their winter quarters there； in
order to abolish the Jewish laws。 So he introduced Caesar's
effigies； which were upon the ensigns； and brought them into the
city； whereas our law forbids us the very making of images； on
which account the former procurators were wont to make their
entry into the city with such ensigns as had not those ornaments。
Pilate was the first who brought those images to Jerusalem； and
set them up there； which was done without the knowledge of the
people； because it was done in the night time； but as soon as
they knew it； they came in multitudes to Cesarea； and interceded
with Pilate many days that he would remove the images； and when
he would not grant their requests； because it would tend to the
injury of Caesar； while yet they persevered in their request； on
the sixth day he ordered his soldiers to have their weapons
privately； while he came and sat upon his judgment…seat； which
seat was so prepared in the open place of the city； that it
concealed the army that lay ready to oppress them； and when the
Jews petitioned him again； he gave a signal to the soldiers to
encompass them routed； and threatened that their punishment
should be no less than immediate death； unless they would leave
off disturbing him； and go their ways home。 But they threw
themselves upon the ground； and laid their necks bare； and said
they would take their death very willingly； rather than the
wisdom of their laws should be transgressed； upon which Pilate
was deeply affected with their firm resolution to keep their laws
inviolable； and presently commanded the images to be carried back
from Jerusalem to Cesarea。
2。 But Pilate undertook to bring a current of water to Jerusalem；
and did it with the sacred money； and derived the origin of the
stream from the distance of two hundred furlongs。 However； the
Jews （8） were not pleased with what had been done about this
water； and many ten thousands of the people got together； and
made a clamor against him； and insisted that he should leave off
that design。 Some of them also used reproaches； and abused the
man； as crowds of such people usually do。 So he habited a great
number of his soldiers in their habit； who carried daggers under
their garments； and sent them to a place where they might
surround them。 So he bid the Jews himself go away； but they
boldly casting reproaches upon him； he gave the soldiers that
signal which had been beforehand agreed on； who laid upon them
much greater blows than Pilate had commanded them； and equally
punished