The Wars of the Jews; Or, The History of the Destruction of JerusalemJosephus, Flavius
Religion
The Wars of the Jews; Or, The History of the Destruction of Jerusalem
Josephus, Flavius
Jews -- History
4. When Hyrcanus and Antipater were thus deprived of their hopes from
the Arabians, they transferred the same to their adversaries; and
because Pompey had passed through Syria, and was come to Damascus, they
fled to him for assistance; and, without any bribes, they made the same
equitable pleas that they had used to Aretas, and besought him to hate
the violent behavior of Aristobulus, and to bestow the kingdom on him
to whom it justly belonged, both on account of his good character and
on account of his superiority in age. However, neither was Aristobulus
wanting to himself in this case, as relying on the bribes that Scaurus
had received: he was also there himself, and adorned himself after
a manner the most agreeable to royalty that he was able. But he soon
thought it beneath him to come in such a servile manner, and could not
endure to serve his own ends in a way so much more abject than he was
used to; so he departed from Diospolis.
5. At this his behavior Pompey had great indignation; Hyrcanus also and
his friends made great intercessions to Pompey; so he took not only his
Roman forces, but many of his Syrian auxiliaries, and marched against
Aristobulus. But when he had passed by Pella and Scythopolis, and was
come to Corea, where you enter into the country of Judea, when you go
up to it through the Mediterranean parts, he heard that Aristobulus was
fled to Alexandrium, which is a strong hold fortified with the utmost
magnificence, and situated upon a high mountain; and he sent to him, and
commanded him to come down. Now his inclination was to try his fortune
in a battle, since he was called in such an imperious manner, rather
than to comply with that call. However, he saw the multitude were in
great fear, and his friends exhorted him to consider what the power of
the Romans was, and how it was irresistible; so he complied with their
advice, and came down to Pompey; and when he had made a long apology for
himself, and for the justness of his cause in taking the government,
he returned to the fortress. And when his brother invited him again [to
plead his cause], he came down and spake about the justice of it, and
then went away without any hinderance from Pompey; so he was between
hope and fear. And when he came down, it was to prevail with Pompey to
allow him the government entirely; and when he went up to the citadel,
it was that he might not appear to debase himself too low. However,
Pompey commanded him to give up his fortified places, and forced him to
write to every one of their governors to yield them up; they having
had this charge given them, to obey no letters but what were of his
own hand-writing. Accordingly he did what he was ordered to do; but had
still an indignation at what was done, and retired to Jerusalem, and
prepared to fight with Pompey.
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