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good fortune of the Romans； that he took Bardanes to attempt what
was impossible to be done； and having besides sent his sons； five
in number； and they but young also； to learn accurately the
language of our nation； together with our learning； as well as he
had sent his mother to worship at our temple； as I have said
already； was the more backward to a compliance； and restrained
Bardanes； telling him perpetually of the great armies and famous
actions of the Romans； and thought thereby to terrify him； and
desired thereby to hinder him from that expedition。 But the
Parthian king was provoked at this his behavior； and denounced
war immediately against Izates。 Yet did he gain no advantage by
this war； because God cut off all his hopes therein； for the
Parthians perceiving Bardanes's intentions； and how he had
determined to make war with the Romans； slew him； and gave his
kingdom to his brother Gotarzes。 He also； in no long time；
perished by a plot made against him； and Vologases； his brother；
succeeded him； who committed two of his provinces to two of his
brothers by the same father； that of the Medes to the elder；
Pacorus； and Armenia to the younger； Tiridates。
CHAPTER 4。
How Izates Was Betrayed By His Own Subjects； And Fought Against
By The Arabians And How Izates； By The Providence Of God； Was
Delivered Out Of Their Hands。
1。 Now when the king's brother； Monobazus； and his other kindred；
saw how Izates； by his piety to God； was become greatly esteemed
by all men； they also had a desire to leave the religion of their
country； and to embrace the customs of the Jews； but that act of
theirs was discovered by Izates's subjects。 Whereupon the
grandees were much displeased； and could not contain their anger
at them； but had an intention； when they should find a proper
opportunity； to inflict a punishment upon them。 Accordingly； they
wrote to Abia； king of the Arabians； and promised him great sums
of money； if he would make an expedition against their king； and
they further promised him； that； on the first onset； they would
desert their king； because they were desirous to punish him； by
reason of the hatred he had to their religious worship； then they
obliged themselves； by oaths； to be faithful to each other； and
desired that he would make haste in this design。 The king of
Arabia complied with their desires； and brought a great army into
the field； and marched against Izates； and； in the beginning of
the first onset； and before they came to a close fight； those
Handees； as if they had a panic terror upon them； all deserted
Izates； as they had agreed to do； and； turning their backs upon
their enemies； ran away。 Yet was not Izates dismayed at this； but
when he understood that the grandees had betrayed him； he also
retired into his camp； and made inquiry into the matter； and as
soon as he knew who they were that made this conspiracy with the
king of Arabia； he cut off those that were found guilty； and
renewing the fight on the next day； he slew the greatest part of
his enemies； and forced all the rest to betake themselves to
flight。 He also pursued their king； and drove him into a fortress
called Arsamus； and following on the siege vigorously； he took
that fortress。 And when he had plundered it of all the prey that
was in it； which was not small； he returned to Adiabene； yet did
not he take Abia alive； because； when he found himself
encompassed on every side； he slew himself。
2。 But although the grandees of Adiabene had failed in their
first attempt； as being delivered up by God into their king's
hands； yet would they not even then be quiet； but wrote again to
Vologases； who was then king of Parthia； and desired that he
would kill Izates； and set over them some other potentate； who
should be of a Parthian family； for they said that they hated
their own king for abrogating the laws of their forefathers； and
embracing foreign customs。 When the king of Parthia heard this；
he boldly made war upon Izates； and as he had no just pretense
for this war； he sent to him； and demanded back those honorable
privileges which had been bestowed on him by his father； and
threatened； on his refusal； to make war upon him。 Upon hearing of
this； Izates was under no small trouble of mind； as thinking it
would be a reproach upon him to appear to resign those privileges
that had been bestowed upon him out of cowardice； yet because he
knew； that though the king of Parthia should receive back those
honors； yet would he not be quiet； he resolved to commit himself
to God； his Protector； in the present danger he was in of his
life； and as he esteemed him to be his principal assistant； he
intrusted his children and his wives to a very strong fortress；
and laid up his corn in his citadels； and set the hay and the
grass on fire。 And when he had thus put things in order； as well
as he could； he awaited the coming of the enemy。 And when the
king of Parthia was come； with a great army of footmen and
horsemen； which he did sooner than was expected； （for he marched
in great haste；） and had cast up a bank at the river that parted
Adiabene from Media； … Izates also pitched his camp not far off；
having with him six thousand horsemen。 But there came a messenger
to Izates； sent by the king of Parthia； who told him how large
his dominions were； as reaching from the river Euphrates to
Bactria； and enumerated that king's subjects； he also threatened
him that he should be punished； as a person ungrateful to his
lords； and said that the God whom he worshipped could not deliver
him out of the king's hands。 When the messenger had delivered
this his message； Izates replied that he knew the king of
Parthia's power was much greater than his own； but that he knew
also that God was much more powerful than all men。 And when he
had returned him this answer； he betook himself to make
supplication to God； and threw himself upon the ground； and put
ashes upon his head； in testimony of his confusion； and fasted；
together with his wives and children。 （7） Then he called upon
God； and said； 〃O Lord and Governor； if I have not in vain
committed myself to thy goodness； but have justly determined that
thou only art the Lord and principal of all beings； come now to
my assistance； and defend me from my enemies； not only on my own
account； but on account of their insolent behavior with regard to
thy power； while they have not feared to lift up their proud and
arrogant tongue against thee。〃 Thus did he lament and bemoan
himself； with tears in his eyes； whereupon God heard his prayer。
And immediately that very night Vologases received letters； the
contents of which were these； that a great band of Dahe and
Sacse； despising him； now he was gone so long a journey from
home； had made an expedition； and laid Parthis waste； so that he
＇was forced to＇ retire back； without doing any thing。 And thus it
was that Izates escaped the threatenings of the Parthians； by the
providence of God。
3。 It was not long ere Izates died； when he had completed
fifty…five years of his life； and had ruled his kingdom
twenty…four years。 He left behind him twenty…four sons and
twenty…four daughters。 However； he gave or