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10。 Upon Festus's coming into Judea； it happened that Judea was
afflicted by the robbers； while all the villages were set on
fire； and plundered by them。 And then it was that the sicarii； as
they were called； who were robbers； grew numerous。 They made use
of small swords； not much different in length from the Persian
acinacae； but somewhat crooked； and like the Roman sicae； ＇or
sickles；＇ as they were called； and from these weapons these
robbers got their denomination； and with these weapons they slew
a great many； for they mingled themselves among the multitude at
their festivals； when they were come up in crowds from all parts
to the city to worship God； as we said before； and easily slew
those that they had a mind to slay。 They also came frequently
upon the villages belonging to their enemies； with their weapons；
and plundered them； and set them on fire。 So Festus sent forces；
both horsemen and footmen； to fall upon those that had been
seduced by a certain impostor； who promised them deliverance and
freedom from the miseries they were under； if they would but
follow him as far as the wilderness。 Accordingly； those forces
that were sent destroyed both him that had deluded them； and
those that were his followers also。
11。 About the same time king Agrippa built himself a very large
dining…room in the royal palace at Jerusalem； near to the
portico。 Now this palace had been erected of old by the children
of Asamoneus。 and was situate upon an elevation； and afforded a
most delightful prospect to those that had a mind to take a view
of the city； which prospect was desired by the king； and there he
could lie down； and eat； and thence observe what was done in the
temple； which thing； when the chief men of Jerusalem saw they
were very much displeased at it； for it was not agreeable to the
institutions of our country or law that what was done in the
temple should be viewed by others； especially what belonged to
the sacrifices。 They therefore erected a wall upon the uppermost
building which belonged to the inner court of the temple towards
the west； which wall when it was built； did not only intercept
the prospect of the dining…room in the palace； but also of the
western cloisters that belonged to the outer court of the temple
also； where it was that the Romans kept guards for the temple at
the festivals。 At these doings both king Agrippa； and principally
Festus the procurator； were much displeased； and Festus ordered
them to pull the wall down again： but the Jews petitioned him to
give them leave to send an embassage about this matter to Nero；
for they said they could not endure to live if any part of the
temple should be demolished； and when Festus had given them leave
so to do； they sent ten of their principal men to Nero； as also
Ismael the high priest； and Helcias； the keeper of the sacred
treasure。 And when Nero had heard what they had to say； he not
only forgave （22） them what they had already done； but also gave
them leave to let the wall they had built stand。 This was granted
them in order to gratify Poppea； Nero's wife； who was a religious
woman； and had requested these favors of Nero； and who gave order
to the ten ambassadors to go their way home； but retained Helcias
and Ismael as hostages with herself。 As soon as the king heard
this news； he gave the high priesthood to Joseph； who was called
Cabi； the son of Simon； formerly high priest。
CHAPTER 9。
Concerning Albinus Under Whose Procuratorship James Was Slain； As
Also What Edifices Were Built By Agrippa。
1。 And now Caesar； upon hearing the death of Festus； sent Albinus
into Judea； as procurator。 But the king deprived Joseph of the
high priesthood； and bestowed the succession to that dignity on
the son of Ananus； who was also himself called Ananus。 Now the
report goes that this eldest Ananus proved a most fortunate man；
for he had five sons who had all performed the office of a high
priest to God； and who had himself enjoyed that dignity a long
time formerly； which had never happened to any other of our high
priests。 But this younger Ananus； who； as we have told you
already； took the high priesthood； was a bold man in his temper；
and very insolent； he was also of the sect of the Sadducees； （23）
who are very rigid in judging offenders； above all the rest of
the Jews； as we have already observed； when； therefore； Ananus
was of this disposition； he thought he had now a proper
opportunity ＇to exercise his authority＇。 Festus was now dead； and
Albinus was but upon the road； so he assembled the sanhedrim of
judges； and brought before them the brother of Jesus； who was
called Christ； whose name was James； and some others； ＇or； some
of his companions＇； and when he had formed an accusation against
them as breakers of the law； he delivered them to be stoned： but
as for those who seemed the most equitable of the citizens； and
such as were the most uneasy at the breach of the laws； they
disliked what was done； they also sent to the king ＇Agrippa＇；
desiring him to send to Ananus that he should act so no more； for
that what he had already done was not to be justified； nay； some
of them went also to meet Albinus； as he was upon his journey
from Alexandria； and informed him that it was not lawful for
Ananus to assemble a sanhedrim without his consent。 （24）
Whereupon Albinus complied with what they said； and wrote in
anger to Ananus； and threatened that he would bring him to
punishment for what he had done； on which king Agrippa took the
high priesthood from him； when he had ruled but three months； and
made Jesus； the son of Damneus； high priest。
2。 Now as soon as Albinus was come to the city of Jerusalem； he
used all his endeavors and care that the country might be kept in
peace； and this by destroying many of the Sicarii。 But as for the
high priest； Ananias （25） he increased in glory every day； and
this to a great degree； and had obtained the favor and esteem of
the citizens in a signal manner； for he was a great hoarder up of
money： he therefore cultivated the friendship of Albinus； and of
the high priest ＇Jesus＇； by making them presents； he also had
servants who were very wicked； who joined themselves to the
boldest sort of the people； and went to the thrashing…floors； and
took away the tithes that belonged to the priests by violence；
and did not refrain from beating such as would not give these
tithes to them。 So the other high priests acted in the like
manner； as did those his servants； without any one being able to
prohibit them； so that ＇some of the＇ priests； that of old were
wont to be supported with those tithes； died for want of food。
3。 But now the Sicarii went into the city by night； just before
the festival； which was now at hand； and took the scribe
belonging to the governor of the temple； whose name was Eleazar；
who was the son of Ananus ＇Ananias＇ the high priest； and bound
him； and carried him away with them； after which they sent to
Ananias； and said that they would send the scribe to him； if he
would persuade Albinus to release ten of those prisoners which he
had caught of their party； so Ananias was plainly forced to
persuade Albinus； and gained his requ