The origin of the dispute was this. Perizonius had published Ælian’s variæ historiæ, with his own notes and those of others; where taking occasion from what Ælian says of Poliager,[141] he diligently examines the signification of the verb ἁπάγχεσθαι, which saint Matthew[142] employs in relating the death of Judas; and insists that that word does not only mean strangling with a halter, but also sometimes excessive grief, by which a person is brought to the brink of death, and frequently even destroys himself. This criticism was taken amiss by Gronovius, who had already published a book _de morte Judæ_, wherein he had said that the wretch had voluntarily put an end to his life by a halter; wherefore he drew his pen, in order to refute his adversary’s reasonings, and corroborate his own. Moreover he quarrels with Perizonius about the phrase πρηνὴς γενόμενος, which he positively affirms ought to be understood not of a dying man, but solely of one actually dead, or of a dead body cast or tumbled down. For St. Matthew simply says ἀπήγξατο,[143] but St. Luke more fully, πρηνὴς γενόμενος ἐλάκησε μέσος, και ἐξεχύθη πάντα τὰ σπλάγχνα ἀυτȣ,[144] that is, _falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out_. Wherefore, if the verb ἀπάγχεσθαι can bear no other signification than that _strangling, which is performed by a halter_, it is plain that the two evangelists do not agree together; unless we say with the learned Casaubon, that Judas hanged himself, but the rope broke, and he tumbled headlong down. But this does not explain the manner of his death; which saint Luke manifestly seems to have intended; but barely adds a circumstance of little moment, which happen’d after it, or at the very instant of it. Upon the whole it is certain, that by this word is not only meant _suffocation by hanging_, but also _excessive grief_, with which those who are violently overpowered, frequently compass their own death. For, as Ovid says: _strangulat inclusus dolor_. And indeed Perizonius has clearly proved this point by a number of examples, drawn from ancient authors.[145] Nor is it less to be doubted, but that the expression πρηνὴς γενόμενος, may be used for one, who _voluntarily throws himself headlong down_, as well as for one, _who falls headlong by some accident_: which he has amply demonstrated. [141] _Lib. v. Cap. 8._ [142] _Chap. xxvii. v. 5._ [143] _Ibid._ [144] _Acts, Chap. i. v. 18._ [145] _Vid. dissert. de morte Judæ, & responsones duas ad Gronovium, Lugd. Bat. 1702 & 3._