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uperior to that at another time； yet had Archelaus forfeited his kingdom by his own behavior； and those his actions； which were contrary to the law； and to its disadvantage。 Or what sort of a king will this man be； when he hath obtained the government from Caesar； who hath slain so many before he hath obtained it！ 6。 When Antipater had spoken largely to this purpose； and had produced a great number of Archelaus's kindred as witnesses； to prove every part of the accusation； he ended his discourse。 Then stood up Nicolaus to plead for Archelaus。 He alleged that the slaughter in the temple could not be avoided； that those that were slain were become enemies not to Archelaus's kingdom； only； but to Caesar； who was to determine about him。 He also demonstrated that Archelaus's accusers had advised him to perpetrate other things of which he might have been accused。 But he insisted that the latter testament should； for this reason； above all others； be esteemed valid； because Herod had therein appointed Caesar to be the person who should confirm the succession； for he who showed such prudence as to recede from his own power； and yield it up to the lord of the world； cannot be supposed mistaken in his judgment about him that was to be his heir； and he that so well knew whom to choose for arbitrator of the succession could not be unacquainted with him whom he chose for his successor。
7。 When Nicolaus had gone through all he had to say； Archelaus came； and fell down before Caesar's knees； without any noise； … upon which he raised him up； after a very obliging manner； and declared that truly he was worthy to succeed his father。 However； he still made no firm determination in his case； but when he had dismissed those assessors that had been with him that day； he deliberated by himself about the allegations which he had heard； whether it were fit to constitute any of those named in the testaments for Herod's successor； or whether the government should be parted among all his posterity； and this because of the number of those that seemed to stand in need of support therefrom。
CHAPTER 3。
The Jews Fight A Great Battle With Sabinus's Soldiers； And A Great Destruction Is Made At Jerusalem。
1。 Now before Caesar had determined any thing about these affairs； Malthace； Arehelaus's mother； fell sick and died。 Letters also were brought out of Syria from Varus； about a revolt of the Jews。 This was foreseen by Varus； who accordingly； after Archelaus was sailed； went up to Jerusalem to restrain the promoters of the sedition； since it was manifest that the nation would not he at rest； so he left one of those legions which he brought with him out of Syria in the city； and went himself to Antioch。 But Sabinus came； after he was gone； and gave them an occasion of making innovations； for he compelled the keepers of the citadels to deliver them up to him； and made a bitter search after the king's money； as depending not only on the soldiers which were left by Varus； but on the multitude of his own servants； all which he armed and used as the instruments of his covetousness。 Now when that feast； which was observed after seven weeks； and which the Jews called Pentecost； （i。 e。 the 50th day；） was at hand； its name being taken from the number of the days ＇after the passover＇； the people got together； but not on account of the accustomed Divine worship； but of the indignation they had ＇'at the present state of affairs'＇。 Wherefore an immense multitude ran together； out of Galilee； and Idumea； and Jericho； and Perea； that was beyond Jordan； but the people that naturally belonged to Judea itself were above the rest； both in number； and in the alacrity of the men。 So they distributed themselves into three parts； and pitched their camps in three places； one at the north side of the temple； another at the south side； by the Hippodrome； and the third part were at the palace on the west。 So they lay round about the Romans on every side； and besieged them。 2。 Now Sabinus was aftrighted； both at their multitude； and at their courage； and sent messengers to Varus continually； and besought him to come to his succor quickly； for that if he delayed； his legion would be cut to pieces。 As for Sabinus himself； he got up to the highest tower of the fortress； which was called Phasaelus； it is of the same name with Herod's brother； who was destroyed by the Parthians； and then he made signs to the soldiers of that legion to attack the enemy； for his astonishment was so great； that he durst not go down to his own men。 Hereupon the soldiers were prevailed upon； and leaped out into the temple； and fought a terrible battle with the Jews； in which； while there were none over their heads to distress them； they were too hard for them； by their skill； and the others' want of skill； in war； but when once many of the Jews had gotten up to the top of the cloisters； and threw their darts downwards； upon the heads of the Romans； there were a great many of them destroyed。 Nor was it easy to avenge themselves upon those that threw their weapons from on high； nor was it more easy for them to sustain those who came to fight them hand to hand。
3。 Since therefore the Romans were sorely afflicted by both these circumstances； they set fire to the cloisters； which were works to be admired； both on account of their magnitude and costliness。 Whereupon those that were above them were presently encompassed with the flame； and many of them perished therein； as many of them also were destroyed by the enemy； who came suddenly upon them； some of them also threw themselves down from the walls backward； and some there were who； from the desperate condition they were in； prevented the fire； by killing themselves with their own swords； but so many of them as crept out from the walls； and came upon the Romans； were easily mastere by them； by reason of the astonishment they were under； until at last some of the Jews being destroyed； and others dispersed by the terror they were in； the soldiers fell upon the treasure of God； which w now deserted； and plundered about four hundred talents； Of which sum Sabinus got together all that was not carried away by the soldiers。
4。 However； this destruction of the works ＇about the temple＇； and of the men； occasioned a much greater number； and those of a more warlike sort； to get together； to oppose the Romans。 These encompassed the palace round； and threatened to deploy all that were in it； unless they went their ways quickly； for they promised that Sabinus should come to no harm； if he would go out with his legion。 There were also a great many of the king's party who deserted the Romans； and assisted the Jews； yet did the most warlike body of them all； who were three thousand of the men of Sebaste； go over to the Romans。 Rufus also； and Gratus； their captains； did the same； （Gratus having the foot of the king's party under him； and Rufus the horse；） each of whom； even without the forces under them； were of great weight； on account of their strength and wisdom； which turn the scales in war。 Now the Jews in the siege； and tried to break down walls of the fortress； and cried out to Sabinus and his party； that they should go their ways； and not prove a hinderance to them