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then living at Rome; professed to instruct men in the wisdom of
the laws of Moses。 He procured also three other men; entirely of
the same character with himself; to be his partners。 These men
persuaded Fulvia; a woman of great dignity; and one that had
embraced the Jewish religion; to send purple and gold to the
temple at Jerusalem; and when they had gotten them; they employed
them for their own uses; and spent the money themselves; on which
account it was that they at first required it of her。 Whereupon
Tiberius; who had been informed of the thing by Saturninus; the
husband of Fulvia; who desired inquiry might be made about it;
ordered all the Jews to be banished out of Rome; at which time
the consuls listed four thousand men out of them; and sent them
to the island Sardinia; but punished a greater number of them;
who were unwilling to become soldiers; on account of keeping the
laws of their forefathers。 (11) Thus were these Jews banished out
of the city by the wickedness of four men。
CHAPTER 4。
How The Samaritans Made A Tumult And Pilate Destroyed Many Of
Them; How Pilate Was Accused And What Things Were Done By
Vitellius Relating To The Jews And The Parthians。
1。 But the nation of the Samaritans did not escape without
tumults。 The man who excited them to it was one who thought lying
a thing of little consequence; and who contrived every thing so
that the multitude might be pleased; so he bid them to get
together upon Mount Gerizzim; which is by them looked upon as the
most holy of all mountains; and assured them; that when they were
come thither; he would show them those sacred vessels which were
laid under that place; because Moses put them there (12) So they
came thither armed; and thought the discourse of the man
probable; and as they abode at a certain village; which was
called Tirathaba; they got the rest together to them; and desired
to go up the mountain in a great multitude together; but Pilate
prevented their going up; by seizing upon file roads with a great
band of horsemen and foot…men; who fell upon those that were
gotten together in the village; and when it came to an action;
some of them they slew; and others of them they put to flight;
and took a great many alive; the principal of which; and also the
most potent of those that fled away; Pilate ordered to be slain。
2。 But when this tumult was appeased; the Samaritan senate sent
an embassy to Vitellius; a man that had been consul; and who was
now president of Syria; and accused Pilate of the murder of those
that were killed; for that they did not go to Tirathaba in order
to revolt from the Romans; but to escape the violence of Pilate。
So Vitellius sent Marcellus; a friend of his; to take care of the
affairs of Judea; and ordered Pilate to go to Rome; to answer
before the emperor to the accusations of the Jews。 So Pilate;
when he had tarried ten years in Judea; made haste to Rome; and
this in obedience to the orders of Vitellius; which he durst not
contradict; but before he could get to Rome Tiberius was dead。
3。 But Vitellius came into Judea; and went up to Jerusalem; it
was at the time of that festival which is called the Passover。
Vitellius was there magnificently received; and released the
inhabitants of Jerusalem from all the taxes upon the fruits that
were bought and sold; and gave them leave to have the care of the
high priest's vestments; with all their ornaments; and to have
them under the custody of the priests in the temple; which power
they used to have formerly; although at this time they were laid
up in the tower of Antonia; the citadel so called; and that on
the occasion following: There was one of the 'high' priests;
named Hyrcanus; and as there were many of that name; he was the
first of them; this man built a tower near the temple; and when
he had so done; he generally dwelt in it; and had these vestments
with him; because it was lawful for him alone to put them on; and
he had them there reposited when he went down into the city; and
took his ordinary garments; the same things were continued to be
done by his sons; and by their sons after them。 But when Herod
came to be king; he rebuilt this tower; which was very
conveniently situated; in a magnificent manner; and because he
was a friend to Antonius; he called it by the name of Antonia。
And as he found these vestments lying there; he retained them in
the same place; as believing; that while he had them in his
custody; the people would make no innovations against him。 The
like to what Herod did was done by his son Archelaus; who was
made king after him; after whom the Romans; when they entered on
the government; took possession of these vestments of the high
priest; and had them reposited in a stone…chamber; under the seal
of the priests; and of the keepers of the temple; the captain of
the guard lighting a lamp there every day; and seven days before
a festival (13) they were delivered to them by the captain of the
guard; when the high priest having purified them; and made use of
them; laid them up again in the same chamber where they had been
laid up before; and this the very next day after the feast was
over。 This was the practice at the three yearly festivals; and on
the fast day; but Vitellius put those garments into our own
power; as in the days of our forefathers; and ordered the captain
of the guard not to trouble himself to inquire where they were
laid; or when they were to be used; and this he did as an act of
kindness; to oblige the nation to him。 Besides which; he also
deprived Joseph; who was also called Caiaphas; of the high
priesthood; and appointed Jonathan the son of Ananus; the former
high priest; to succeed him。 After which; he took his journey
back to Antioch。
4。 Moreover; Tiberius sent a letter to Vitellius; and commanded
him to make a league of friendship with Artabanus; the king of
Parthia; for while he was his enemy; he terrified him; because he
had taken Armenia away from him; lest he should proceed further;
and told him he should no otherwise trust him than upon his
giving him hostages; and especially his son Artabanus。 Upon
Tiberius's writing thus to Vitellius; by the offer of great
presents of money; he persuaded both the king of Iberia and the
king of Albania to make no delay; but to fight against Artabanus;
and although they would not do it themselves; yet did they give
the Scythians a passage through their country; and opened the
Caspian gates to them; and brought them upon Artabanus。 So
Armenia was again taken from the Parthians; and the country of
Parthis was filled with war; and the principal of their men were
slain; and all things were in disorder among them: the king's son
also himself fell in these wars; together with。 many ten
thousands of his army。 Vitellius had also sent such great sums of
money to Artabanus's father's kinsmen and friends; that he had
almost procured him to be slain by the means of those bribes
which they had taken。 And when Artabanus perceived that the plot
laid against him was not to be avoided; because it was laid by
the principal men; and those a great many in number; and that it
would certainly take effect; … when h