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ake hath done？ Nay； there is a signal of our enemies' destruction visible； and that a very great one also； and this is not a natural one； nor derived from the hand of foreigners neither； but it is this； that they have barbarously murdered our ambassadors； contrary to the common law of mankind； and they have destroyed so many； as if they esteemed them sacrifices for God； in relation to this war。 But they will not avoid his great eye； nor his invincible right hand； and we shall be revenged of them presently； in case we still retain any of the courage of our forefathers； and rise up boldly to punish these covenant…breakers。 Let every one therefore go on and fight； not so much for his wife or his children； or for the danger his country is in； as for these ambassadors of ours； those dead ambassadors will conduct this war of ours better than we ourselves who are alive。 And if you will be ruled by me； I will myself go before you into danger； for you know this well enough； that your courage is irresistible； unless you hurt yourselves by acting rashly。 （30）
5。 When Herod had encouraged them by this speech； and he saw with what alacrity they went； he offered sacrifice to God； and after that sacrifice； he passed over the river Jordan with his army； and pitched his camp about Philadelphia； near the enemy； and about a fortification that lay between them。 He then shot at them at a distance； and was desirous to come to an engagement presently； for some of them had been sent beforehand to seize upon that fortification： but the king sent some who immediately beat them out of the fortification； while he himself went in the forefront of the army； which he put in battle…array every day； and invited the Arabians to fight。 But as none of them came out of their camp； for they were in a terrible fright； and their general； Elthemus； was not able to say a word for fear； … so Herod came upon them； and pulled their fortification to pieces； by which means they were compelled to come out to fight； which they did in disorder； and so that the horsemen and foot…men were mixed together。 They were indeed superior to the Jews in number； but inferior in their alacrity； although they were obliged to expose themselves to danger by their very despair of victory。 6。 Now while they made opposition； they had not a great number slain； but as soon as they turned their backs； a great many were trodden to pieces by the Jews； and a great many by themselves； and so perished； till five thousand were fallen down dead in their flight； while the rest of the multitude prevented their immediate death； by crowding into the fortification。 Herod encompassed these around； and besieged them； and while they were ready to be taken by their enemies in arms； they had another additional distress upon them； which was thirst and want of water； for the king was above hearkening to their ambassadors； and when they offered five hundred talents； as the price of their redemption； he pressed still harder upon them。 And as they were burnt up by their thirst； they came out and voluntarily delivered themselves up by multitudes to the Jews； till in five days' time four thousand of them were put into bonds； and on the sixth day the multitude that were left despaired of saving themselves； and came out to fight： with these Herod fought； and slew again about seven thousand； insomuch that he punished Arabia so severely； and so far extinguished the spirits of the men； that he was chosen by the nation for their ruler。
CHAPTER 20。
Herod Is Confirmed In His Kingdom By Caesar； And Cultivates A Friendship With The Emperor By Magnificent Presents； While Caesar Returns His Kindness By Bestowing On Him That Part Of His Kingdom Which Had Been Taken Away From It By Cleopatra With The Addition Of Zenodoruss Country Also。
1。 But now Herod was under immediate concern about a most important affair； on account of his friendship with Antony； who was already overcome at Actium by Caesar； yet he was more afraid than hurt； for Caesar did not think he had quite undone Antony； while Herod continued his assistance to him。 However； the king resolved to expose himself to dangers： accordingly he sailed to Rhodes； where Caesar then abode； and came to him without his diadem； and in the habit and appearance of a private person； but in his behavior as a king。 So he concealed nothing of the truth； but spike thus before his face： 〃O Caesar； as I was made king of the Jews by Antony； so do I profess that I have used my royal authority in the best manner； and entirely for his advantage； nor will I conceal this further； that thou hadst certainly found me in arms； and an inseparable companion of his； had not the Arabians hindered me。 However； I sent him as many auxiliaries as I was able； and many ten thousand ＇cori＇ of corn。 Nay； indeed； I did not desert my benefactor after the bow that was given him at Actium； but I gave him the best advice I was able； when I was no longer able to assist him in the war； and I told him that there was but one way of recovering his affairs； and that was to kill Cleopatra； and I promised him that； if she were once dead； I would afford him money and walls for his security； with an army and myself to assist him in his war against thee： but his affections for Cleopatra stopped his ears； as did God himself also who hath bestowed the government on thee。 I own myself also to be overcome together with him； and with his last fortune I have laid aside my diadem； and am come hither to thee； having my hopes of safety in thy virtue； and I desire that thou wilt first consider how faithful a friend； and not whose friend； I have been。〃
2。 Caesar replied to him thus： 〃Nay； thou shalt not only be in safety； but thou shalt be a king； and that more firmly than thou wast before； for thou art worthy to reign over a great many subjects； by reason of the fastness of thy friendship； and do thou endeavor to be equally constant in thy friendship to me； upon my good success； which is what I depend upon from the generosity of thy disposition。 However； Antony hath done well in preferring Cleopatra to thee； for by this means we have gained thee by her madness； and thus thou hast begun to be my friend before I began to be thine； on which account Quintus Didius hath written to me that thou sentest him assistance against the gladiators。 I do therefore assure thee that I will confirm the kingdom to thee by decree： I shall also endeavor to do thee some further kindness hereafter； that thou mayst find no loss in the want of Antony。〃
3。 When Caesar had spoken such obliging things to the king； and had put the diadem again about his head； he proclaimed what he had bestowed on him by a decree； in which he enlarged in the commendation of the man after a magnificent manner。 Whereupon Herod obliged him to be kind to him by the presents he gave him； and he desired him to forgive Alexander； one of Antony's friends； who was become a supplicant to him。 But Caesar's anger against him prevailed； and he complained of the many and very great offenses the man whom he petitioned for had been guilty of； and by that means he rejected his petition。 After this Caesar went for Egypt through Syria； when Herod received him with royal and rich entertainments