The Annals of the World, History 2 · 6 (continued) (5 of 15)

The Annals of the World · History 2 · 6 (continued) (5 of 15)

p. 482In the mean while, Numenius and his company came from Rome, bringing with them letters to the Kings and Provinces, and a copy of the same to Simon the High Priest, [Ibid. 15, 24.]

Simon sent 2000 choice men with silver and gold, and many Engines of war to Antiochus at the siege at Dora: But he refused them all; brake whatever covenants he had formerly made with him, and wholly estranged himself from him. He sent likewise Athenobius to demand of him, the resignation of Gazara, Joppe, and the Fort in Jerusalem; and to require the Tributs of those places beyond the bounds of Judea which were possessed by him, or in lieu thereof, to demand 500 talents of silver, and in consideration of the hurt he had done, and the Tributes of the Cities, 500 talents more: menacing war ulesse all things were done according to his commands, [Ibid. 25, 31.]

Athenobius, a friend of the Kings, coming to Hierusalem, as soon as he saw Simons p. 483glory, his cupboard set with gold and silver plate, and other furniture of the house, he was astonished, and told him the Kings message. But Simon denied, that they had seized upon any Towns that belonged to others, but onelyonly had recovered from the enemy by law of arms some Towns of their own which were kept back from them. As for Joppe, and Gazara, albeit the people had been much prejudiced by the enemy, yet he offered 100 talents. Athenobius returned back in a rage to Antiochus, and told him both what he had heard, and seen: neither was the King himself lesse passionate, when he saw that his commands were not submitted unto, nor his great menaces of war regarded, [Ibid. 32, 36.]

In the mean while Tryphon took shipping and escaped away to Orthosias, another maritime City of Phenicia, [Ibid. 37.]

Then did Antiochus make Cendebaeus Governour of the sea coast: and supplying him with Horse and Foot, commanded him to build Cedron (or as the Latin edition hath it, Gedor: concerning which Josh. 15. 58.) and to engage the Jews in a war: as for the King himself, he attended Tryphons motion, [Ibid. 38, 39.]

Cendebaeus being come as far as Jamnia, began to invade Judea, and to take the people prisoners, and to kill and slay: and when he had built Cedron (or Gedor) he placed there some Horse, and some companies of Foot, who were to make outroades into the high-ways of Judea, as the king had given him order to do, [Ib. 40, 41.]

John (Hircanus) came up from Gazara, Year of the World 3866 and signified to his father Simon, what pranks Cendebaeus had played: who now, worn out by old age, committed the whole care and managing of the war to his two elder sonnes, Judas and John. Whereupon they choose out of the Country, twenty thousand men of war, and with some Horse, marched against Cendebeus, and took up quarters that night at Modin, the place of their nativity. From thence the next morning they took the field, where the enemy met them with a powerful army: howbeit there was a Brook betwixt them. John attempted first to wade over, and then the people followed their Leader apace. He divided his body in such wise, that the Horse being placed in the midst of the Foot, they did mutually protect each other, against the enemies numerous Chevalrly. Then founded they with their holy Trumpets, whereupon Cendebaeus was routed, and many of his army slain; as for the remainder, some of them fled to his Fort (Cedron) which he lately built, and others of them escaped to other places. John (his brother Judas being wounded) pursued them as far as the Towers which were in the fields of Azotus, and in the pursuit, killed about 2000 men: and when he had burnt the Towers to the ground, he lead back his army safe and entire into Judea, [1 Mac. 16. 1, 10.]

Tryphon at last, The Julian Period. 4576 retired to his own Country-men at Apamea: Year before Christ 138 at which time that happened which Frontinus relates of him, [lib. 2. Stratagem. cap. 13.] How that all the way he went, he scattered money, on purpose to retarde Antiochus his souldiers in their pursuit of him, and so escaped out of their hands. But Josephus intimates, That Apamea was taken by assault, and Tryphon killed, in the third year after Demetrius was taken prisoner by the Parthians, [lib. 13. cap. 12.] Appian writes, That he was at length taken by Antiochus, and slain, though with much adoe, [Syriac. pag. 132.] Strabo, That he was shut up in a certain Castle, and driven to that extremity, that he killed himself, [lib. 14. pag. 668.] and Georgius Syncellus reports, That being driven out of Orthosias, he leaped into the fire and therein perished.

Hierax, General for the war in Egypt, in regard he was a very expert souldier, and very popular in publick assemblies, and moreover of a high spirit, took upon himself the kingdom of Ptolemei Physcon: For, observing Ptolemei in distresse for money, and the souldiers for want of their pay ready to revolt to Galaestes, he compressed the mutiny, by paying the souldiers arreares out of his own purse. As for the King himself, the Egyptians plainly vilified and contemned him, when they saw how childish he was in his discourses, how impetuous and prone to the vilest lusts, and how effeminated in his body by his intemperance, [Diodor. Sicul. in Excerpt. H. Valesii, pag. 361, & 362.]

In that part of Asia where Pergamus is, Attalus Philadelphus, brother to Eumenes, grew so dissolute thorough long idleness and peace, that Philopoemen, one of his friends swayed him which way he pleased: in such wise, that the Romans in a jeere to him, would often aske of those that sailed out of Asia; whether the King had any interesse in Philopoemen, [Plutarch in lib. whether the managing of a Common-wealth ought to be entrusted to an old man] yet would not Attalus leave his kingdom to any of his own sons; but in his life time, set the Crown upon the head of his brother Eumenes his son (whose Guardian he was) now come to age, and transferred upon him the Title of King, [Id. in Apophthegm. & in lib. foreign.]

After the death of Attalus the Uncle, Attalus surnamed Philometor, son to Eumenes by Stratonica, daughter of Ariarathes King of the Cappadocians, held the kingdom of Pergamus five years. [Strabo. lib. 13. pag. 624.]

p. 484He no sooner was possessed of the kingdom, but he stained and dishonoured it by the massacres of his friends, and proceedings against his kindred; pretending, how that at one time, his mother, an old woman, at another time, Beronice his spouse, dyed by their enchantments. [Justin. l. 36. c. 4.] And because he was somwhat jealous of the chiefest and most eminent of his fathers friends, least they should engage in some treasonable act against him, he resolved to dispatch them all out of the way: to that end, out of his barbarous mercenaries, he made choice of the most bloudy and covetous of them, and placed them in several private rooms in the palace; and then having called together to Court those of his friends which he had in greatest suspition, he committed them to the mercy of the barbarians, who slew them, and immediately after issued out his commands to proceed against their wives and children after the same manner: as for his other friends, who had either command in the army, or were appointed over Cities, some of them he removed by circumventions and treachery: others, as fast as he light upon them, he beheaded with their whole families; so that by reason of his cruelty, he became detestable, not onelyonly to his own Subjects, but also to his neighbours round about: whereupon all under his dominion harkened extreamly after a change in the state. [Diod, Sicul. in Excerpt. Valesii. p. 370.]

After this mad furious fit was over, Year of the World 3867 he put on a nasty garment, let his hair and his beard grow as criminous persons use to do; he appeared not in publick, would not shew himself unto the people, gave no entertainments at home, or had the least symptom of a man in his wits: insomuch, that he seemed to be haunted by the ghosts of those he had so lately murdered. [Iustin. lib. 36. cap. 4.]

Attalus, The Julian Period. 4577 having resigned the government of the kingdom to his nephew, Year before Christ 137 betook himself to diging of Gardens, sowing of herbs, mingling the unwholsom ones with the wholsom; to all of them he gave a tincture of some poysonous juyce, and sent them as rare presents to his friends. [Id. Ibid,] Neither did he onelyonly sow and plant henbane, and hellebore in the Kings Gardens, but also hemlock, woolf-bane, and the herb doryenium, wherewith arrows are wont to be poysoned: He studyed also to know the nature of their juyces, seeds, and fruits, and to gather them all in their proper season. [Plutarch in Demeirio.] We learn moreover by Varro, [de re rustic. lib. 1. cap. 2.] Colomella, [lib, 1. cap. 1.] and Pliny [lib. 18. cap. 3.] that he writ some books concerning husbandry.

Antiochus Sidetes persecuted extreamely those Cities which had revolted in the beginning of his brothers reign, and having mastered them, joyned them to his own kingdom. [Iustin. lib. 36. cap. 1.]

Ptolemei Euergetes the second, Year of the World 3868 (or Phiscon) slew many of those Alexandrians which had called him first into the kingdom, The Julian Period. 4578 and banished no small number of those, Year before Christ 136 who in their minority were brought up with his brother Philometor (with whom he had had some differences) and were now come to age. And having given licence to his forreign souldiers to kill and slay, as they themselves pleased, all places dayly streamed with blood. [Iustin lib. 38. cap. 8. Atheneus, lib. 4. cap. 24. fin.] Moreover, he divorced Cleopatra her self, who was both his sister and wife, and having first ravished her daughter, a virgin, took her to wife. These strange occurrences so apalled the people, that for fear of death they quitted their Country, and went into banishment, some to one place, some to another, in such wife, that Ptolemei and his company were left alone in so spacious a City: and when he saw that he was a King of empty houses rather than of men, he invited strangers by his edicts, [Iustin ibid.] And upon that account, replenished the Cities and Islands with Grammarians, Philosophers, Geometricians, Musitians, School-masters, Limners, Physitians, and many other Artizans, who teaching their arts to get their livings, made many excellent men, whereby it came to passe, that the liberall Arts and Sciences, were again restored in those parts; the knowledge wereof was interrupted and grown out of date, by reason of the continuall wars and combustions that happened in the times of Alexanders successours, [Athen. ut supra.]

P. Scipio Emilianus (who upon the subversion of Carthage, was surnamed Africanus) Spurius Mummius, and L. Metellus (assigned Ambassadors from the Roman Senate, to …ee in what condition Kingdoms and Cities of their Allyes were in, and to comp…mize their differences) took a strict survey of Egypt, Syria, Asia, and Greece. [Cicero. in Somnio Scipionis, Strabo lib. 14. pag. 669. Justin lib. 38. cap. 8. Plutarch in Apothegm. Athenaeus, lib. 6. cap. 18. & lib. 12. cap. 27.] Cicero in Lucullo writes, That Scipio was imployed in this famous Embassie, before he was made Censor: but in Somn…o Scipionis, the same Cicero saith, it was after he was Censor, a little before his second Consulship: Valerius Maximus vouches this Embassie to be performed by him, after his two Consulships, and his two chief triumphs, the Carthaginian and Numa…tine. [lib. 4, cap, 3.] Polybius, who in a particular treatise hath made a description of the Numantine war, (as appears out of the 5 lib. of Cicero, ad familiar. epist. 12,) mentioneth this Embassie, (as we gather from Athenaeus, [lib. 6. cap. 8. and p. 485out of Suidas in the word foreign, compared with Diodorus Siculus, Legat. 32.] not having any fitter introduction to his intented work, then that. Scipio, after he had dispatcht that Embassie, was sent out to conclude the Numantine war. And upon that ground, of those three different opinions, we thought it meet to chuse the middle one.

In this Embassie, Scipio, out of all his friends, took one companion onelyonly along with him, who was not Ca…us Lelius (as it is read in the corrupt Copies of Aurelius victor, de viris illustribus cap. 58.) but Panaetius the Philosopher. [Cicero in Lucullo, Plutarch in Apothgm. and in lib. de Philosophando cum Principibus, out of Posidonius his History.] To whom Athenaeus [lib. 12. cap. 27,] falsely joynes Posidonius the Stoick, who was long after him, as shall be made appear in his proper place. Scipio had in his retinue five servants onelyonly, by the testimony of Posidonius and Polybius (so that out of them both Valerins Maximus, who assigned seven to him, and Aurelius Victor, who allows two, are to be corrected) and of those one dyed in the journey, yet would not Scipio buy another servant, but wrote home for another to be sent from Rome to supply his place of the deceased, [Athenaeus lib. 6. c. 8. Plutarch in Apothegm.] so that as he passed through the Countries of Allyes and Strangers, they did not so much count his slaves as his severall victories: neither was notice taken how great a weight of gold and silver he brought along with him, but of the extent of his greatnesse. [Valer. Maximus, lib. 4. cap. 3.]

Forraigners repairing to Alexandria upon Ptolemei Euergetes his proclamation, Year of the World 3869 the Ambassadors of the Romans arrived there. [Iustin lib. 38. cap. 8.] When Scipio came out of the ship to land, he walked with his head covered with his cloak, but the Alexandrians flocking about him, desired him to unvayle his face, and discover himself to the people, for they had a great mind to behold him: which as soon as he condescended unto, they shouted, and made great acclamations. [Plutarch in Apothegm.]

As for the King himself, who came to meet the Ambassadors, he seemed somewhat rediculous to the Romans, for he was of an horrid look, short stature, swag belly, more like a beast than a man: which uncomlinesse he made seem greater, by the thinnesse of a transparent garment, as if he had contrived on purpose to discover those things, which every modest man would by all means possible endeavour to have concealed; for thus Justin out of Trogus Pompeius, [lib. 38. cap. 8.] hath described the man, whom Athenaeus out of the seventh book of Posidonius the Stoick, hath represented unto us in this guise, [lib. 12. cap. 27.] as Natalis Comes hath interpreted him. His body by reason of his luxury was grown grosse and foule, and his belly so big, that a man could hardly compasse him with his arms, which forced him to wear a long garment, with sleeves down to his ancles nor did he ever walk a foot, unlesse at this time, in respect to Scipio: who, observing that the King, by reason of this sluggishnesse and tendernesse of body, could scarce with great straining himself, keep pace with him, whispered Panethius in the ear: Now the Alexandrians have re…ped some fruits from our travel hither, who, in civility to us, have seen their King walking. [Plutarch in Apothegm.] from whence we may perceive, how well Dalechampius, who translated Athenaeus, hath rendred those words, foreign, He never walked on foot, but leaning on his staffe.

The King entertained the Legates very nobly, and shewed them his Palace and his Treasury. But they, being persons eminent in vertue, contented themselves with reasonable dyet, and such as was holsome, scorning that rich provision as prejudicall, both to the mind and body: as for those things which the King esteemed as rarities and admirable, they onelyonly glanced their eyes upon them, and looked on them as things of no value; but what was worth their eying, those things they viewed most exactly, viz. The cituation of the City, and capacities thereof; and particularly Pharos, and what belonged thereto: thence they sailed to Memphis, and took notice of the goodnesse of the Country, the conveniences of Nilus, the number of the Cities, the infinite thousands of inhabitants, the fortification of Egypt, and the excellency of the Country, how well it was provided, both to the security and extent of an Empire. In brief, having sufficiently admired both the populousnesse of Egypt, and the conveniences of the places therein, they were of opinion, that the kingdom of Egypt would easily swell into a vast Empire, if it were so fortunate as to meet with masters answerable. After they had well viewed Egypt, they went to Cyprus, and from thence into Syria. [Diod. Sicul. Legat. 32.]

To Mithridates Euergetes King of Pontus was born that famous Mithridates, surnamed Dionysius or Bacchus, and Eupator, whereupon he called the City which he built Eupatoria. [Appia…. in Mithridat. p. 176. & 251.] But he was both born and bred in the City Sinope, and therefore held it allwayes in high esteem, and made it the Metropolis of the whole kingdom. [Strabo lib. 12. pag. 545.]

p. 486In the same year that Mithridates was born, there appeared a great Comet, [Justin lib. 37. cap. 2.] The very same which Seneca speaks of in lib. 7. cap. 15. of his natural Questions. In the time of Attalus his reign, there appeared a Comet, at the first but small, but afterwards it elevated and spread it self, and came as far as the Equinoctial circle, so that its extent equalized that region of the heaven, which we call the milkie way. For we allow (with Eutropis [lib. 6.] and Orosius, [lib. 6. cap. 5.] who usually follow Livy) to Mithridates 72 years of life: but if we had said with Appian, [pag. 249.] that he he lived onelyonly 68 years, or 69 years, then this Comet had appeared after Attalus was dead, and not in his reign.

Simon the High Priest, The Julian Period. 4579 and ruler of the Jews, Year before Christ 135 traversing the Cities of Judea, and providing for their orderly government, came down with his sons, Mattathias and Judas to Jericho, in the 177 year of the kingdom of the Grecians, the eleventh monethmonth, which is called Sabal. There Ptolemei the son of Abubus (Simon the High Priests son in law) entertained them in Doc Castle which he had fortified. This Ptolemei being by his father in law appointed over the province of Jericho, and a very wealthy person, had a great mind to get the government of the Country to himself: whereupon, whilst he was treating Simon and his sons with a banquet, where they had drank somewhat freely, he with his army of Ruffians, whom he had placed in some private place, entered into the house, and treacherously slew Simon and his sons, and some of his servants. [1 Maccab. 16. 11, 17.] Josephus relates, how that Simon was slain at a banquet by the treachery of his own son in law, after he was set over the Jews just eight years. [lib. 13. cap. 14,] But we gather out of the story of the Maccabees, that he, after the decease of his brother Jonathan discharged the High Priests office for the space of eight years and about three moneths.

Ptolemei immediately after acquainted Antiochus Sidetes the King with this Villany, desiring him that he would send an army to his assistance; and he would soon deliver the Country and Cities of the Jews into his hands. [1 Maccab. 16. 18.] This so sudden intimation of that fact to the King, and the promise of resigning up the Country unto him, gives occasion to suspect, that this businesse was not undertaken, but with the Kings privity; and that that place of honour which the traytour so much aspired after, was before engaged unto him by the King, as a reward of the enterprize, as Jacobus Salianus observes in the epitomie of his Annals: to which is to be reserved that passage in the Pologue of the 36 book of Trogus Pompeius. Antiochus, after Hircanus was slain, subdued the Jews. Hircanus the son, falsely put for Simon the father; as on the contrary, Eusebius in Chronic, touching upon the history, of the conquest of Judea by Antiochus, writes, That he forced Simon the High Priest to conditions, putting Simon the father, instead of Hircanus the son.

This Perfidious Ptolemei sent other villaines to Gazara, to supprize John (Hircanus) and to kill him: He trucked also with the Colonels of the Jewi…sh Militia, and wrote letters unto them, whereby he made large promises to them, if so be they would revolt to his side. He dispatched others also, to seize upon Jerusalem, and the mountain of the Temple: but one ran before to Gazara, and told John, that his father and his brethren were slain, and that others were sent to do as much to him. John, allthough much astonished at the sad news, persecuted the murderers, by falling upon them first; and so was made High Priest in the room of his father. [1 Maccab. 16. 19, 24.]

He… ends the first book of the Maccabees, containing the History of XL years, which Josephus continuing onwards, begins with an improbable relation: for saies he, John Hircanus escaped in the very nick to the City, and was received in by the people, who shut out Ptolomei, attempting to enter in at another gate; that John after he had discharged the holy services, led his army out of the City against Ptolomei, and shut him up in the Fort Dagon, situate above Jericho, that whilst John was endeavouring to reduce the fort, Ptolemei commanded to bring both Johns mother, and his two brothers, who were with him in the Fort, and to scourge them soundly with whips, threatning moreover to throw them down over the wall, except he desisted. That John touched with commiseration of their hard usage, grew somewhat coole and faint in his opposition: and although, the mother very resolutely exhorted the son not to relent out of affection to her, but to doe what in him lay to take vengeance of the traytour, yet the hard usage of his mother made such a deep impression in his affections, that he surceased his batteries as often as he beheld his mother whipt. But the Sabbathical year coming on, in which the Jews rested from their works, as on the seventh day John raised his siege, and Ptolemei was set at liberty: who, after he had killed Hircanus his mother, and brothers, flew to Zeno, sirnamed Cotylas, who was governour of Philadelphia. [Iosephus lib. 1. of the war, cap. 2. & lib. 13. Antiquit. cap. 14, 15.]

p. 487All which Salianus in the sixth Tome of his Annals, convinces of a great deal of variety, considering the persons, time and place, [ad Ann. Mundi. 3919. Sect. 5, 6, 7. & 3920. Sect. 5, 6.] Where he well adviseth to take notice, That in the Sabbaticall year, the waging of war, or besieging of Cities, or raising of sortifications, was no where prohibited to the Jews, by the Law of God. To which we add moreover, That this year indeed was the Sabbaticall year, but it began not after, but four moneths before, Simons death, viz. in the beginning of the CLXXVII year of the account of the contracts, as appears by the list of the Sabbaticall year, kept by the Jews themselves to their very times.

In the 43 year of the third Calippick Period, on the 29 day of the Egyptian monethmonth, Mechis (on the beginning of the 24 day of the Julian March) after midnight, the Vernal Equinox was observed by Hipparchus, [Potlem. lib. 3. cap. 2.] and at the end of the same year of the same Period, the summer solstice was also observed by him, [Id. ibid.]

Antiochus Sidetes, in the end of the fourth year of his reign, and in the beginning of the first of Hircanus, entred with an army into Judea, and having wasted the Country, forced Hircanus to retire to the City Jerusalem and then laid siege to it, at seven places, having divided his whole army into seven brigades, that so he might obstruct all the passings to and fro of the besieged. [Joseph. lib. 13. cap. 16.]

Scipio Africanus, and the other Roman Ambassadors, having travelled through very many parts of the world, were received generally with a great deal of affection and love: wheresoever they came, they did their utmost to compromise differences, by reconciling some, and perswading others to yield to what was just and equall: those that were impudently refractory, they forced to a condescention, and when they met with any causes, which were somewhat difficult to be decided, those they referred to the Senate. And having had this commerce with divers Kings and people, and renewed their ancient friendship and alliance with all of them, they returned home: Those whom they had visited, dispatching Ambassadors to Rome, who applauded the Senate for sending such men unto them. [Diodorus Siculus. Legat. 32.]

The siege of Jerusalem was prolonged, through the strength of the walls, and courage of the defendants: At last, on the other side of the wall, where the passage was more levell, Antiochus erected an 100 Towers, three stories high, and having placed in them bands of souldiers, dayly attempted the walls. He made also a double trench, both long and broad, so that the Jews were so straightly begirted, that they could not get out any way. On the contrary, they within made often sallyes forth, and if at any time they found the enemies Camp any whit neglected in their guards, they fell upon them, but if ready for resistance, they retreated back to their holds. [Josephus lib. 13. cap. 16.]

Hircanus, after he had considered how prejudicial the multitudes of them in the City would be unto him, by reason of the unprofitable consuming of the victuall, cast the infirmer route out of the walls, reserving onelyonly such as were able to bear armes: But Antiochus would not suffer them to passe, so that being …orced to wander about the walls, many of them miserably perished by famme. [Id. Ibid.]

When the feast of tabernacles was come, Year of the World 3870 they took pity upon the excluded, and received them again into the City. They requested also Antiochus, that he would for their feast sake grant a cassation of hostility for seven dayes, which he did not onelyonly indulge unto them, but also brought, in great pomp, to the very gates of the City, Buls with guilded hornes, and gold and silver Cups filled with all manner of spices: and having delivered sacrifices to the Priests of the Jews, and made a feast to the army, he returned to the Camp. [Id. Ibid. cum Plutarch in Apothegm.]

When upon the setting of the Pleiades, plentifull showers had supplyed the besieged with water, (for want whereof they were much distressed before,) and the Sabbaticall year being now ended, if the Jews were hindred from sowing their grounds, a famine must undoubtedly have followed: Hircanus, considering Antiochus his justice and piety, sent Ambassadors unto him, requesting him, that he would give them leave to live according to the laws of their forefathers. Many of the Kings friends pressed him to demolish the City, and to put the whole nation of the Jews to the sword, as being a people unsociable, and severed from all other nations by their peculiar constitutions: or if not so, yet they urged him at least to abrogate their laws, and force them to change their manner of life. But the King, who was of a high spirit, and gentle in his behaviour, rejected their counsel, and approving the Jews piety, commanded, that the besieged should deliver up their arms to him, dismantle the City walls, pay all customs due from Joppe, and the other Cities without Judea, and moreover, receive a p. 488Garrison into them: upon their conditions he would conclude a peace with them. They consented to all the Kings propositions, excepting that one of receiving in a Garrison amongst them, in regard that they would avoide all commerce with strangers. In leiu of that, they chose rather to give hostages, amongst whom Hircanus his own brother should be one, and 500 talents besides; whereof, 300 were paid down presently after; so they threw down the battery from the wall, and raised the siege, and discharged the Jews of all impeachments. [Joseph. ibid. cum Diodor. Sicul. lib. 34. in Bibliotheca. Photii. …cod. 244.]

Hircanus having opened the Sepulchre of David, which was the richest of all the King, took thence 3000 talents: in confidence of this treasure, he began to entertaine forreign auxiliaries, which never any of the Jews did before: so Josephus, [lib. Bell: 1. cap. 2. lib. 3. Antiquit. cap. 12. & lib. 13. cap. 16. & lib 16. cap. 11.] of this, [see Salianus his censure, Tom. 6. of his Annals in the year of the World, 3921, Sect. 8, 9,]

In the first year of Hircanus Matthias, surnamed Aphlias the son of Simon Psellus, Priest of the course of Joarib, had by the daughter of Jonathan the High Priest, Matthias surnamed Curtus, the great grandfather of Josephus the Historian, as he himself shews in the beginning of the book of his life.

P. Africanus, The Julian Period. 4580 and Caius Fulvius, Year before Christ 134 being Consuls, there arose a servile war, from the servants in Sicilia, [Liv. lib. 56. Julius Obsequens, de prodigiis.] It was commenced by one Eunus a servant, a Syrian, born in the City Apemea, a man much addicted to magicall incantations, and jugling. He faigned himself to have received the knowledge of future events, by the inspiration of the gods, first appearing to him in his sleep, but afterwards, when he was awake. And although he failed in many of his prognostications and predictions, yet because in some he hit right by chance, no body objected his errours, but for his true predictions, they were diligently noted and applauded, so that his name began to be cryed up more and more amongst men. At last, feigning himself mad, whilst he pretended the ceremonies of the goddese of Syria, and gave out, That she had appeared unto him in his sleep, and promised to promote him to kingly honour, he stirred up the servants to appear for their liberty, and to take up arms, by the command of the gods; and to prove that this was no designe of his own head, but proceeded first from the instigation of the gods: he concealed in his mouth a nutshell, crammed with sulphur and fire, so that his breath caused him to send out a flash of fire as ofte as he spake. This very miracle raised him two thousand men at first, of the ordinary sort, which he improved in an instant to an army of 40 thousand, having broken open the prisons by law of arms. Hereupon, Eunus was by the slaves created King, who after the Crown was set upon his head, and his wife (who was also a Syrian, and his fellow Citizen) proclaimed Queen, chose out of the whole company, some that seemed wiser than the rest, to be of his councel, stiling himself Antiochus, and his associates, the revolting Syrians. These fellows succeded so fortunately, that Cleon, another slave, was encouraged by these successes, to raise an army also, he was born in Cilicia, not far from Mount Taurus, an high-way robber from his youth. But he submitted himself upon Eunus his bare command, who as King made him his General, in regard he had an army of 5000 of his own souldiers (or as it is in Livy his Epitomie, 70000.) This was done about 30 dayes after the first breaking out of the rebellion: which because the Pretors were not able to quell it, was turned over to C. Fulviu the Consul. [Diodor. Sicul. lib. 34. in Photii. Bibliotheca. cod. 244. & Excerptis. II. Valesii, pag. 369, 370. Liv. lib. 56. Florus, lib. 3. cap. 19.] This president caused the like descention of slaves in some other places, particularly at Delos, [Diodor. Sicul. ut sup.] in which Island there was such a shop of slaves, that it could take in and put off again myriades of them in a day; insomuch, that it grew into a proverb, Merchant, put in h…ther, set forth your slaves, you shall sell them all off immediately. [Strabo. lib. 14. 668.]

Scipio Africanus, the other Consul, was marched into Spain, to put an end to the Numantine war, whither 'King Attalus sent unto him out of Asia very costly presents, as we find it in Ciceros Oration, in the behalf of Dejotarus, which Scipio took in the …ight of his army. The like was done by Antiochus Sidetes, as appears in the Epitome of Livies 57 book: Though it was the fashion of other Generalls to conceals Kings gratuities, yet Scipio said, he would receive the rich gifts which Antiochus Sidetes sent him in open Court: and commanded moreover the treasurer to register them all in the publick Tables, that so he might have wherewithall to reward the gallantry of his Souldiers.

Attalus, Year of the World 3875 the last King of Pergamus in Asia, The Julian Period. 4581 called Philometor, Year before Christ 135 having given himself over to the working in art of brass, and being much delighted in making of instruments, and melting and stamping of brasse; at last, set upon making a Sepulchre for his mother: but being too intent of the work, he caught a surfet by reason of the violent heat p. 489of the furnace, and died the seventh day after, [Justin, lib. 36. cap. 4.]

Eudemus of Pergamus brought Attalus his Will to Rome, and delivered to Tiberius Gracchus the tribute of the people, the King of Pergamus his Crown, and Purple Robes, [Plutarch in Tiber. Gracch.] In the Will was written; Let the people of Rome be the heir of my goods. So that the people of Rome, reckoning the kingdom as part of the Kings goods, held that Province, not by force of arms, but by vertue of the Will, [Florus, lib. 2. cap. 20.] Whereas Asia by the Will of Attalus the King, was so bequeathed to the people of Rome (if so be it was bequeathed) that it ought to be free, [Liv. lib. 59.] Indeed the Romans are charged with the counterfeiting of this Will in Mithridates his letter to Arsaces, in the fourth of Salusts History. And that they were not lawful heirs to Attalus, Horace himself gives a private hint: as Acron hath observed in his notes upon the 18 Ode of the second book of Verses.

—Neque Attali

Ignotus haeres regiam occupavi:

Neither have I as an obscure he…rinvaded

Attalus his Court.

Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus, desirous to purchase unto himself the peoples favour, ordained by the agrarian law (which from him was called the Sempronian law) that land in Asia should be framed out by the Roman Censors: and to that end published a law to the people; That as soon as the money bequeathed by King Attalus was come, it should be divided amongst the Citizens, who were by the Sempronian law to rent the lands, towards the managing of their farms, and providing instruments of husbandry. As for the Cities of the kingdom of Attalus, he denied that the Senate had any thing to do with them, and that he intended to refer them to an assembly of the people, [Cicero, Verrin. 2. Liv. lib. 58. Plutarch, in Tib. Gracch. Oros. lib. 5. cap. 8.] But because in an assembly of the tribunes held that Summer, it was moved, that he might be continued Tribune of the people for the year following, he was stabbed in the Capitol, by the designment of P. Cornelius Nasica, the Pontifex Maximus, [Appian. Bell. Civil. lib. 1. pag. 358.] Scaevola and Pison being Consuls, [Ascon. Pedian. in Verrin. 2.] the same Summer in which Attalus died.

Aristonicus falsely pretending his descent from the Blood Royal, Year of the World 3872 as sayes Vellius Paterculus; indeed the son of King Eumenes, and the brother of Attalus deceased, though not by lawful wedlock, but by an Ephesian Curtesan, the daughter of a Musitian, invaded Asia in right of his father. Most of the Cities (living formerly under kingly government) he easily perswaded to be of his side; and those few which for fear of the Romans stood out against him, he reduced by force, [Liv. lib. 59. Velles. Patercul. lib. 2. cap. 4. Strabo, lib. 14. pag. 646. Flor. lib. 3. cap. 20. Justin. lib. 36. cap. 4. Plutarch, sub. fin. Vitae. T. Q. Flaminin. Appian. Bell. Civil. lib. 1. pag. 360. & Muhridatic. pag. 212. Eutrop. lib. 4.]

The first place which he wrought to a revolt, was a little Town called Leucas: but he was soon thrust out thence upon a defeat given him by the Ephesians in a sea-fight near Cuma, [Strabo, ut supr.]

From then Aristonicus marched into the midland, The Julian Period. 4582 where he drew together a numerous company of beggarly persons, Year before Christ 132 and slaves, whom he incited to stand up for their liberty, and whom he called Heliopolitans, [id. ibid.] Whatsoever slaves had the hap to live under hard masters, quitted their services, and ran away to him: and gave great overthrows to many Cities, [Diod. Sicul. in Excerpt. Valesti, pag. 362.] Aristonicus first set upon Thiatira, next seized upon Apollonias, and afterwards the other Garrisons, [Strabo, ut supr.] Myndus, Samos, Colophon, he took by storme, [Florus lib. 2. cap. 20.]

To stop his careere, all the Cities round about sent their Forces: Nicomedes king of Bithynia, Ariarathes of Cappadocia, Phylaemenes of Paphlagonia, and Mithridates of Pontus, brought their supplies to the Romans against him. Moreover, five Legates came from Rome, [Strabo, ut supr. cum Justin. lib. 37. cap. 1 & Eutrop. lib. 4.]

In the 38 year under king Euergets, (the second, or Physcon, the Epoch of his reign, being taken from the time he began to reign with his brother Philometor, concerning which see above ad ann. Mundi, 3835.) Jesus the son of Sirach born at Hierusalem, coming into Egypt, and residing there, translated the book of his Grandfather Jesus (called by the Greeks Panaretos, and Eeclesiasticus) out of Hebrew into Greek, as he himself shews in the Preface to his translation: which very book, Heirome in his 115. Epist. sayes, he hath seen in the Hebrew, with this inscription. The parables of Jesus son of Sirach.

P. Rupilius, being raised from the condition of a Sicilian Publican, to the honour of p. 490Consulship, quelled the insurrection of the slaves in Sicily, [Liv. lib. 59. Ascon. Pedian. Verrin. 4. Va…er. Maxim. lib. 2. cap. 7. & lib. 6. cap. 9.] At his besiege of Taurominium, he took prisoner Comanus, Cleons brother, as he was stealing out of the City: and a while after, upon Sarapion the Syrians betraying the Fort unto him, he seized upon all the fugitives in the City: whom after he had put upon the rack, he tumbled down headlong. From thence he marched to Euna, where he encountred with Cleon the General, who marched out of the City to fight him: Cleon behaved himself very gallantly, and received many a wound before he fell: as soon as the General was slain, that City also was betrayed unto the Consul. As for Eunus, the king of the Rebels, he took along with him 600 of his men and escaped as fast as he could to the craggy mountains for his security; where for fear of the pursuers they crept into caves, from whence, he and four more of his company were dragged out, and cast in prison at Morgantina, where he lay so long, until his body purified and resolved into lice. A lamenable death it was, but his rash enterprises deserved no better, [Diodor. Sicul. lib. 34. in Photii, Bibliothec. cod. 214.]

In the 8 year of Antiochus Sidetes, Year of the World 3873 about 10 of the clock in the forenoon, The Julian Period. 4583 on the 21 day of the monethmonth Peritius, Year before Christ 131 or February, there happened an earthquake at Antioch in Syria; as may be gathered out of the Chronicles of John Malela of Antioch.

L. Valerius Flaccus, and P. Licinius Crassus, being Consuls, it was propounded to the people, whom they would be pleased to assign for the managing of the war against Aristonicus: Crassus the Consul, and Pontifex Maxim. threatned to set a fine upon Flaccus who was his Collegue in the Consulship, and Mars his Flamen, if so be he left the holy services. The people took off the fine, yet enjoyned the Flamen to observe the Pontilex: Yet for all that, the people would by no means give their consent, that the managing of the war should be committed to a private person: although Scipio Africanus were the man they pitched upon, who the year before had triumphed over the Numantians: but voted the war should be entrusted rather to Crassut the Consul, than to Africanus who was but a private person, [Cicero, in Philippic. 11.] And so the Pontifex Max. (which was more than ever was done before) went out of Italy, Liv. lib. 59.]

Antiochus Sidetes marched with his army against Phraates, who succeeded his brother Arsacides, or Mithridates, in the kingdom of Parthia: his design was to fetch back his brother Demetrius Nicator. Phraates had twice taken him as he was fleeing away, and sent him back into Hircania to his wife Rhodoguna and his children: not out of commiseration towards them, or respect of his own alliance to them, but because he aspired to the kingdom of Syria, and therefore might make use of Demetrius against Antiochus his brother, as occasion should serve, and the event of the war require. Whereupon Antioch…s thought it best to begin first, and therefore led his army, which he had already hardened in the wars which he had with his neighbours, into Media against the Parthians, [Justin. lib. 38. cap. 9, 10. & lib. 42. cap. 1. Liv. lib. 59. Athenaeus, lib. 10. cap. 12. & lib. 12. cap. 19. Appian. Syria…. pag. 132.]

But his preparation for luxury was not lesse, than that for the wat: for 300 (Orosius 200) …housand scullions followed his army, which consisted of 80 (Orosius saith 100) thousand men: The greater number of them were Cooks, Bakers, and Stage-players, [Justin. lib. 38. cap. 10.] Antiochus entertained constantly every day such a multitude of guests, that besides what was eaten at table, and taken off by heaps, every one of the guests carried away with them whole joynts of meat untouched; flesh of sour-footed beasts, fowles, sea-fish, ready dressed: there was moreover provided much sweet-meats, made of candid honey, many coronets of frankincense and myrrhe, with knots and ribbands of Gold, which being let down at length, were as high as a man, [Posidon. Apamous, Historiar. lib. 14. apud Athenaeum, lib. 5. cap. 9. & lib. 12. cap. 19.] The souldiery imitating this his blind and mad profusenesse, drave silver nailes into the soles of their shoes: they prepared also silver vessels for kitchin service, and adorned their tents with woven Imagery. All which might rather seem a booty to encourge the enemy, than be a means to retard and slacken the hands of a couragious man to pursue a victory, [Valer. Maxim. lib. 9. cap. 1. & Iustin. lib. 38. cap. 10.]

As soon as Antiochus was come into those parts, many of the Eastern Kings tendered themselves and their kingdoms unto him, cursing and devoting the insolencies of the Parthians: Neither was it long before he engaged the enemy. Antiochus having had the better in three several battles, and being seized of Babylonia, began to be in some repute: so that the Parthians had nothing left but their own Country, the people generally falling off from them to Antiochus, [Iustin. lib. 38. cap. 10.]

In this expedition, John Hircanus the Jews High Priest and Ruler, followed Antiochus with his supplies: of whom Nicholaus Damascenus hath related this passage in his general History. Antiochus having erected a Trophie near the River Lycus, where he p. 491overthrew Indaetes, the Parthians Generall, tarryed there two dayes upon Hircanus the Jew his entreaty, because it happened that one of the Jews solemne festivals fell out at that very time, during which, it was not lawfull for the Iews to travell. It was the feast of Penticost, which drew on after the Sabbath: all which time the Jews were prohibited to take any journey. [Iosephus, lib. 13. cap. 16.] When that was over, John having overthrown the Hyrcani, in battle, and from thence obtained the name Hyrcanus, (as is supposed by Eusebius in his Chronicle, and Severus Sulpitius, in the second Book of his Holy History.) returned home again with a great deal of honour.

P. Crassus the Consul, coming into Asia, to quell King Aristonicus, by his great industry, grew so expert in the Greek tongue, that he knew it most exactly, as it is divided into its five Dialects, which procured him a great deale of favour and love amongst the Allyes, when they saw he returned answer to their demands, in the very same Dialect that they themselves made their addresses in. [Valer. Maximus, lib. 8. cap. 7. Quintilian. lib. 11. cap. 2.]

When the same Crassus was preparing to lay his siege to Leucas, and wanted a strong and large beam to make a Ramme of, to batter the walls of the Town; he wrote to the chief Carpenter of the Moleatenses, who were confederates and Allyes of the Romans, That of two Mastes which he had seen there, he should be sure to send him the biggest. The Carpenter, understanding wherefore he desired the Maste, did not, as he was bid, send the greater, but the lesse, supposing it more fit for the purpose, and easier for carriage: Crassus ordered him to be sent for, and when he had demanded, how chance he had not sent that Maste which he required, not weighing his excuses and reasons, commanded him to be stript, and whipt: being of opinion, that all regard and respect due to superiours would soon decay and vanish, if so be a man might be suffered to answer a command, not with that obedience which is expected, but with an officious giving his advice. [A. Gell. lib. 1. cap. 13.]

Antiochus Sidetes, Year of the World 3874 in regard of his great number, divided his army into winter quarters through the Cities: which upon the exacting of free quarter, and the misdeamours of the souldery, fell off from him, [Iustin lib. 38. cap. 10.] where above all others, Athenaeus, one of Antiochus his Captains, was intolerably insolent into whatsoever quarters he came. [Diodor. Sicul. in Excerpt. Valesii. pag. 374.]

P. Crassus, Proconsul of Asia, notwithstanding he was very strong, what with his own forces, and the supplies sent him from the Kings of Bithynia, Pontus, Cappadocia, and Paphlagonia, yet at the end of the year, adventuring to engage the enemy before he had put his men in a posture to fight, was overcome, and after a great slaughter of his men, his army was forced to flye: As for himself, he fell into the hands of the enemy, being taken near Leucas, between Elea and Smyrna, by an ambush of Thracians, whereof Aristonicus had good store in Garrison. But the Consul, remembring of what family he was descended, and that he was a Roman, thrust the stick, with which he used to guide his horse, into the eye of the Thracians, who had the charge of him, who being enraged by reason of the pain and anguish, run his sword into Crassus his side: thus by contriving a way to dye, he avoided both disgrace and servitude. His head was presented to Aristonicus, and his body interred at Smyrna. [Liv. lib. 59. Vellei Patarcul. lib. 2. Strabo. lib. 14. pag. 646. Valer. Maxim. lib. 3. cap. 2. Flo. lib. 2. cap. 20. Iustin, lib. 36. cap. 4. Iulius Obsequens de prodigiis Europ. lib. 4. Oros. lib. 5. cap. 10.]

M. Perperna Consul, The Julian Period. 4584 who succeeded Crassus, Year before Christ 130 hearing of his death, and the overthrow of the Roman army, made what speed he could into Asia: where he surprized Aristonicus, keeping, as it were, holyday for his late conquest, and put him to flight, not having at that time his forces about him. He escaped to Stratonice, whither the Consul hasted after him, and laid such close siege to the City, that he forced it to resign for want of provision; he took Aristonicus prisoner, and kept him in bonds, [Liv. Patercul. Strabo, Florus, Iustin, Oros. Eutrop. ut supra. Valer. Max. lib. 3. cap. 4.]

Belosius Cuma, who after the death of Tiberius Gracchus, (whom he so highly esteemed, that if he had commanded him to set fire to the Capitol, he professed he thought it no shame to have put it in execution) went from Rome to Aristonicus into Asia: when he saw how Aristonicus his affaires, went backwards, he slew himself. [Plutarch in Tib. Graccho.]

Just before the taking of Aristonicus, news was brought to Rome, how the image of Apollo at Cuma wept for four dayes together: the southsayers were so apalled at the prodigie, that they had thrown the image into the sea, had not the old men p. 492of Cuma interceded; but the more expert southsayers answered, that thereby the fatality of Greece was portended, from whence that image was brought. Hereupon the Romans sacrificed, and brought offerings into the temple. [Iul. Obsequens, de prodigiis, Augustin. de Civit. Dei, lib. 3. cap. 11.]

Phrygia was recovered by the Romans, [Iul. Obsequens, ibid.]

Phraates sends Demetrius Nicator into Syria, with a company of Parthians to seize upon that kingdom, hoping thereby to draw Antiochus out of Parthia, to save his own Country; in the mean time, not being able to annoy Antiochus in open war, he endeavoured by all means to surprize him with stratagems. [Iustin, lib. 38. cap, 10.]

The Cities, where Antiochus his army had taken up their winter quarters, taking it very ill that they were oppressed with the quarter, and not brooking also the incivilities of the souldiers, revolted to the Parthians: and upon a set day, all of them fell upon the army as it lay dispersed in their severall quarters, having so placed ambushes, that they could not come to assist one another. As soon as Antiochus had notice hereof, he marchto the relief of those that were next to him, with that company which quartered with him. [Id. ib.]

The Swallows builded nests in Antiochus his pavilion, but he neglecting the prodigree, encountered the enemy, [Jul. Obsequens, de prodig.] And truly, for his own part, he expressed more gallantry in his engagement with Phraates, whom he met in the way, than his army did; but at the close, his party cowardly ran away, and deserted him, [Justin ut sup.]

The first man that took himself to his heels, and deserted Antiochus, was Athenaeus, who flying to some of those villages, which he had provoked by his insolencies, when he was quartered amongst them, had the doors shut against him, and was denyed victuals by all: so that he was forced to wander up and down the Country, till at length he dyed for hunger. [Diodorus Siculus. in Excerptis Valesii, pag. 374, 377.]

As for Antiochus himself, Julius Obsequens, [lib. de prodigiis.] Justinus, [lib. 38. cap. 10. & 39. cap. 1.] Josephus, [lib. 15. cap. 16.] Eusebius, [in his Chronicle.] and Orosius [lib. 5. cap. 10.] relate, That he was slain by the Parthians in that fight. Appian reports, That being worsted in the battle, he laid violent hands upon himself. [in Syriac. pag. 132.] Elianus tell us, That upon his ill successe, he threw himself down headlong from a steep place. [lib. 10. de Animalib. cap. 34.] Some Modern Writers think he was stoned to death by the Priests of the Temple Nannea in Persia, whither he came with the remainder of his army, with an intention to ransack the Temple: Supposing with Rupertus Tuitiensis, [lib. 10. de victoria Verbi Dei, cap. 6. 16. 24.] that this was the same Antiochus, of whom mention is made in the Epistle of the Jews at Jerusalem to their brethren in Egypt. [2 Mac. 1. 10, 17.]

When Arsaces (so Phraates was called by the general name of the Kings of Parthia) interred the dead corps of Antiochus, Posidonius of Apamea, in the 16 book of his Histories, [according to Athenaeus, lib. 10. cap. 12.] reports that he said, reproving his debauchery; Thy wine, O Antiochus, and thy two great confidences have deceived thee: for thou hopeast in thy great cups, to have swallowed down the kingdom of Arsaces.

After Antiochus his funerall was over, which Phraates discharged in a Princely manner, he was enamoured with Demetrius his daughter, whom Antiochus had brought along with him, and took her to wife: and now he began to repent of his sending Demetrius away: wherefore he dispatched in all hast some troups of Horse to fetch him back again; who found Demetrius, fearing some such thing, seated in the kingdom, so that having attempted all in vain, they returned back to the King. [Iustin lib. 38. cap. 10.]

Antiochus and his army being overthrown in Parthia, his brother Demetrius being freed from the siege of the Parthians, and restored to his kingdom, though all Syria at that time bemoaned the losse of the army, yet he seemed to resent the accident no otherwise than if he had managed his own and his brothers wars against the Parthians, with all the good luck that might be, (wherein the one of them was taken prisoner, the other was slain outright.) [Id. lib. 36. cap. 1.]

Antiochus being dead and gone, the Jews never after suffered a Macedonian King to be over them; but creating magistrates amongst themselves, they pestered Syria with continuall wars. [Id. lib. 36. cap. 1.] and subdued many parts of Syria and Phaenicia. [Strabo. lib. 16. cap. 761.] For Hircanus, after the death of Antiochus, revolted from the Macedonians, and never after sent them any supplies, either as subject, or friend. But at the first bruite of Antiochus his death, he led his whole army against the Cities of Syria, supposing (which was true) that he should find them bereft, and void of defendants: he stormed Medaba (of which 1 Maccab. 9. 36.) and took it, though p. 493with some difficulty, having layen sixe moneths before it: next he possessed himself of Samega, and the towns adjacent. [Ioseph. lib. 13. cap. 17.]

In the mean time Phraates, resolving to commence a war in Syria, in vindication of Antiochus his attempting the kingdom of Parthia, was taken off his designe, and called home to defend his own, by reason of some commotions of the Scythians in the Country. For the Scythians, the ground of the quarrel was this, The Scythians were hired by the Parthians, to assist them against Antiochus King of Syria: but they came not with their supplies, till the businesse was over, so that the Parthians cut them short of their pay, objecting their coming too late. The Scythians being vexed, that they had taken such a long march to no purpose, moved, That they might be either allowed their pay, in consideration of their tedious march, or that they might be commanded upon some other service: the Parthians returned them but a rough answer, which, they taking exception at, became their own carvers, and fell to plundering the Country, [Iustin. lib. 42. cap. 1.]

Whilst Phraathes was gone against the Scythians, he left behind him as viceroy, one Himerus, an Hircanian by birth, a great favourit of his, upon the score of the flower of his youth. But he forgetting his former condition, and not considering he was but anothers deputy, proceeded with a great deal of tyranny, and vexed the Babylonians, and many other Cities upon no occasion. [Id. ib.] For he made many of the babylonians his slaves, and dispersed them with their whole families into Media. He set also the market place on fire, and some Temples of Babylon, and pulled down all the most beautifull places of the City. [Diodor. Sicul. in Excerpt. Valesii. pag. 377.] Posidonius of Apamea also mentions the exorbitant government of this Himerus, in the 26 book of his Histories, [Athenaeus, lib. 11. c. 4.] where he relates, how that one Lysimachus a Babilonian invited him and 300 more to supper; and when meat was taken off, presented to every one of those 300, the silver cup of four pound price, in which they had drunk.

In Egypt, Ptolemei Euergetes the second, or Physcon, having reigned 15 years after his brother Philometor [as Diodor. Sicul. shew in Excerpt. Valesii, pag. 350.] having already, by his cruelty, rendered himself so odious to those very forreigners he had invited to Alexandria, that they set his royall palace on fire, stole away privately into Cyprus, with his son Memphites, whom his sister Cleopatra bore unto him, and with his wise the daughter of the same Cleopatra. And whereas the people conferred the kingdom upon Cleopatra his sister and divorced wife: he hired an army, and waged war both against his own sister and native Country, [Livie. lib. 59, Jul. Obsequens de prodigiis. Iustin lib. 38. cap. 8. Orosius lib. 5. cap. 10.]

John Hircanus took Sichem and Garizim, Year of the World 3875 and demolished the Temple of the Cuthites two hundred years after it had been built by Sa…ballat. [Iosephus, lib. 13. cap. 17.]

M. Perperna took care to get Aristonicus, and the treasure which Attalus lost in legacy to the people of Rome, to be shipped away thither, which was ill taken by Manius Aquilius Consul his successor, who forthwith made what hast he could to Perperna, intending to get Aristonicus out of his hands, as belonging to his triumph rather than to Perperna's: But Perperna's death decided the controversy; who upon his returne …ell sick at Pergamus, and dyed of that disease. [Strabo, lib. 14. pag. 646. Valer. Maximus, lib. 3. cap. 4. Iustin, lib. 36. cap. 4. Eutrop. lib. 4. Oros. lib. 5. cap. 10.]

Aqullius Consul, The Julian Period. 4585 compleated the remainder of the A…iatick war, Year before Christ 129 forceing some Cities to resigne, by poysoning their waters: which though it occasioned a speedy victory, yet it withwall rendred it in famous and dishonorable. [Florus, lib. 2. cap. 20.]

Most of the Asians, who for four years entire had assisted Aristonicus against the Romans, for fear returned to their loyalty. [Sylla, apud Appian. in Mithridatic. pag. 212.] And so Lydia anciently, the Senate of the Kings, Caria, Hellespont, and both Phrigia's by joynt resignation put themselves under the power of the Romans. [Sextus, Rufus in Breviario.]

The Massilians sent their Ambassadors away to Rome, to mediate in behalf of their founders the Phocensians, whose City and name the Senate had ordered to be quite rased out, because both now in the war with Aristonicus, and formerly with Antiochus the great, they had borne arms against the people of Rome, the Senate granted them their pardon. [Iustin lib. 37. cap. 1.]

The Romans gave the greater Phrygia to Mithridates Euergetes King of Pontus, as a gratuity for assisting them against Aristonicus. [Id ibid. & lib. 38. cap. 5.] Although it is generally believed that Manius Aquilius being well bribed for his paines, gave it unto him. Wherefore, after the death of Mithridates, the Senate took Phrygia away from his son, in his minority, (as he himself complaines in Trogus Pompeius) and made it a free State and independent. [Appiau. in Mithridatic. pag. 177. & 208. & p. 494lib. 1. Bell. Civil. pag. 362, 363. compared with Iustin. lib. 38. cap. 5.]

Aquilius with ten Legates, reduced Attalus his Dominion into the form of a Province, and made it tributary; and called it by the common name of the Continent, Asia, [Strabo, lib. 13. pag. 624. & lib. 14. pag. 646.]

Ariarathes, King of Cappadocia, was slain in the war against Aristonicus, leaving behind him six sons, by his wife Laodice, to whom the people of Rome gave Lycaonia and Cilicia, for their fathers good service. But Laodice, being jealous of her sons, and fearing least when they came to age, she should not enjoy the kingdom long after, poisoned five of them: one young one escaped the mothers cruelty, by being secured in the hands of some of the kindred; who, after the killing of Laodice (for the people had dispatched her for her cruelty) had the kingdom to himself, [Iustin. lib. 37. cap. 1.]

John Hircanus took Adora, and Marissa, Cities of Idumea: and having subdued all the Idumeans, enjoyned them circumcision, under penalty of quitting their mansions: But they, out of love to their native Country, admitted both circumcision, and all other Jewish constitutions: and from that time forward, they were reckoned amongst the Jews, [Ioseph. Antiquit. lib. 13. cap. 17. lib. 15. cap. 11. pag. 531. compared with lib. 4. Bell. cap. 16. al. cap. 6.] Strabo relates that these Idumeans were Nabateans originally; but being driven thence upon some sedition, they joyned themselves to the Jews, and submitted to their laws, [lib. 16. pag. 760.] He addes, that Herod the King of the Jews, came from thence, foreign, virum indigenam; A stranger born, [Ibid. pag. 765.] Whereas Antigonus said he was an Idumean; that is, an half Jew, [Ioseph. lib. 14. Antiquit. cap. 27. pag. 501.] For although Stephanus Byzantinus writes [in voc. foreign] that the Idumeans were Hebrews originally; yet Ammonius the Grammarian in his book de differentiis verborum, out of Ptolemeis first book, de Rege Herode, (perhaps that Ptolemei who was Herods Leiutenant, Ioseph. lib. 16. Antiquit. cap. 11.) hath noted this difference betwixt the Idumeans and the Jews. The Iews are such as were so naturally from the beginning: But the Idumeans were not Iews from the beginning, but Phenicians and Syrians: who being conquered by the Iews, were compelled to be circumcised, to unite their nation to the Iewish, and to be subject to their Iawes; And therefore were called Iews: not in respect of their Descent, but in regard of their Religion and manner of life: For there were other men which were called Iews, though they were strangers born, because they lived according to their rites and constitutions; as Diod. hath noted in his 37 book of his Roman History. And hence it is, that, from the Hebrews, the kingdom of Herod and his posterity is stiled foreign The Kingdom of the Proselytes (not Hagarens, as it is rendred by Munster in Seder Olam minore, and by Scaliger in Judaici Comput. Spic. legio, lib. 7. de Emendatione temporum:) For amongst the Jews, the Proselytes of righteousnesse, or the righteous Proselytes (as they termed them) such as since that time the Idumeans are thought to be, were alwayes reckoned in the same place and account with the Jews.

Ptolemei Physcon, having fetched his eldest son out of Cyrene, put him to death, for fear the Alexandrians should set him up King against him: whereupon the people pulled down his Statue, and his Images, [Iustin. lib. 38. cap. 8.] Ptolemei supposed that this was done by the instigation of his sister Cleopatra, and not well knowing how to be avenged any other way, commanded his son Memphitis, who was of an ingenuous countenance, and a very hopeful child, and which he had by her, to be slain before his eyes: and cutting off his head, hands and feet, put them into a chest covered with a souldiers coate, and gave them to one of his servants to carry to Alexandria, and to present them to Cleopatra on the Festival of her nativity, when she was in the height of her jollity, for a Birth-day gift. This was a grievous and sad spectacle, not to the Queen onelyonly, but to the whole City, and it struck such a damp upon the merry meeting, that the Court of a sudden was overcast with a general sadnesse. The Nobles turning their Festival into a Funeral, shewed the mangled limbs to the people: to let them see what they themselves were to expect from their King, who had thus murdered his own son. [Id. ibid. Diodor. Sicul. in Excerpt. Valesil, pag. 374. Liv. lib. 59. Jul. Obsequens, de prodigiis, Valer. Maxim. lib. 9. cap. 2.]

Ptolemei, perceiving how detestable he was grown to his Country, and fearing somewhat might follow thereupon, went about to secure himself by a new piece of cruelty: supposing, that if the common people were put to the sword, he should sit the faster in his Throne; At a time when the common place of exercise was full of the young men, he begyrted it round with fire and sword; and destroyed them all by one of those two, [Valer. Maxim. ibid.]

Phraates led the army of Grecians (which he had taken in the war against Antiochus, and since behaved himself very imperiously and tyrannically towards them) along with him to the war against the Scythians: not considering, that their captivity had not abated any thing of their hostile minds; and moreover, how he had exasperated p. 495them with fresh injuries and indignities: As soon therefore as they espied the Parthian army to give ground, they wheeled about to the enemy, and at last put in execution the long desired revenge of their captivity: the Parthian army and Phraates himself being put to the sword, [Iustin. lib. 42. cap. 1.]

Artabanus his Uncle succeeded him in the kingdom of the Parthians: As for the Scythians they being contented with their victory, after they had pillaged the Country of the Parthians, returned home again. But Artabanus, having commenced a war with the Thogarii (or Tochari, a people descended from the Scythians) received a wound in his arme, and died presently after: He left for his successour his son Mithridates the great; who (not long after) waged a war with Ortoadistes King of Armenia, [Id. ibid. cap. 2.]

In the 50 year of the third Calippick Period, or the 16 day of the Egyptian monethmonth Epiph (August the fifth according to the Julian account) at the Equinoctial hours, at 6 in the forenoon in the Island of Rhodes, Hipparchus observed the Sun in degree 8. minute 35. of Leo, and the Moon in degree 12. minute 2. of Taurus, [Ptolem. lib. 5. cap. 3.]

In the same 50 year, Year of the World 3876 on the first day of the Egyptian monethmonth Phamenoth (23 day of the Julian March) the vernal Equinox was observed by Hipparchus, The Julian Period. 4586 [Id. lib. 3. c. 2.]

The same Hipparchus, in the same year observed the Star in the heart of Leo to be distant from the point of the Summer Solstice 29 degrees, and 50 minutes, [Id. lib. 7. cap. 2.]

Hegelochus, Ptolemei Physcons General, being dispatched against Marsias the Alexandrians General, took him prisoner alive, but put all his Forces to the sword. When Marsias was brought into the Kings presence, all believed the King would have adjudged him to some cruel death: but Ptolemei, beyond all expectation, spared him. For he now began to repent of his former bloody proceedings, and was very desirous by such acts of grace, to reconcile himself to the people, extremely alienated from him, [Diodor. Sicul. in Excerpt. Valesii, pag. 377.]

Queen Cleopatra (the dayes of mourning for her son being over) seeing her brother Physoon was marching against her, sent by her Embassadors to entreat assistance from Demetrius Nicator King of Syria, her son in law, (for Cleopatra wife to Demetrius, was daughter to this Cleopatra, and Philometor) promising him, that he should have the kingdom of Egypt for his paines: In hopes of that prize, he marched into Egypt, and made his first attempt upon Peleusium, [Justin. lib. 38. cap. 9. & lib. 39. cap. 1. Porphyrius, in Graci…, Eusebianus Scaligers, pag. 227.]

In this year, Year of the World 3877 Alxander Jannaeus, son to John Hircanus was born, afterwards King of the Jews, who lived 49 years, [Ioseph. lib. 13. cap. 23. fin.] As soon as he was born, he grew out of favour with his father: For it is reported, that Hircanus enquired of God appearing to him in his sleep, concerning his successour: being very solicitous on the behalf of Aristobulus and Antigonus, whom he loved far above the other brothers: upon Gods representing unto him this Jannaeus, he was much perplexed, that he should succeed him in all his fortunes; whereupon he sent him into Galilee, to receive his education; neither did he ever admit him into his presence as long as he lived, [Id. ibid. cap. 20.]

About this time, Simon son of Dositheus, Apollonius the son of Alexander, and Diodorus son of Jason, were sent Embassadors from Hircanus and the people of the Jews, to renew their friendship and amity with the Romans. Faunius son of Marcus, the City Praetor, procured them a meeting of the Senate for their audience VIII. Id. February; which, as the Roman year then went, falls upon the Julian November: And it was ordered by a Decree of the Senate, That Joppe and the parts thereof, Gazara and the Springs, and the other Cities, which Antiochus Sidetes had taken from them, contrary to the Decree of the Senate, should be restored. It was further ordered, That the Kings souldiers should not travel thorough their Country, or thorough any Country under their command. That whatsover Antiochus had attempted in that war, should be null. That the Embassadors which the Senate sent, should take care to see restored whatsoever Antiochus had carried away, and to give an estimate of the damage the Country had sustained in that war. That letters commendatory should be given the Embassadors to the Kings and free people, that so they might return more secure into their Country. Moreover, Faunius the Praetor received order, to supply the Embassadors with monies out of the common Bank, to provide necessaries for their return homewards, [Ioseph. lib. 13. cap. 17.]

In the 197 year after Alezanders death, and 621 of Nabonasar, on the 11 day of the Egyptian monethmonth Pharmuth (2 day of the Julian May) in the forenoon, Equinoctial hours 5, minutes 20. Hipparchus in the Island of Rhodes observed the Sun in 7 degrees, minuts 45. of Taurus: the Moon in degrees 21. minute 40. of Piscis, [Ptolem. lib. 5. cap. 5.]

p. 496In the same year, on the 17 day of the Egyptian monethmonth Payn (the seventh of the Julian July) in the afternoon, in the hours Equinoctial 3. minut. 20, Hipparchus observed in the same place, the sun in degree. 10, minut. 54. in Cancer, the moon in degree, 21, minut. 40, of Pisces. [Id. Ibid.]

In the ninth year of Hircanus his High Priesthood, and reign, Alexander the son of Jason, Numenius, son of Antiochus, and Alexander, son of Dorotheus, Ambassadors for the Jews, presented the Senate with a Viall and Buckler of gold, valued 50 thousand Crowns in estimation, as a testimony of their ancient amity with the people of Rome: who, after they had received letters to the free Cities and Kings, to passe securely thorough their Countries and Ports, returned home. A Copy of this decree of the Senate is extant in Josephus, [lib. 14. cap. 16.] upon a far different occasion: For whereas, Josephus had said before, That upon Julius Caesars letters, a Decree was obtained, giving licence to Hircanus the second, for the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem, which Pompeus had demolished; I know not through what oversight he subjoyned this Decree instead of the other, which did no whit concern the repaire of the walls of Jerusalem: and yet he saies, this was done in the ninth year of Hyrcanus his High Priesthood and reign, in the monethmonth Panem, when as the Acts themselves confirm this Decree to be published in the Ides of December, (which fall upon the Julian September, and the Macedonian Hyperberetous.) But if Caesar had procured that Decree in favour of Hircanus the second, then the 27 year of Hircanus should have been set down, rather than the ninth, and of his reign none at all: for Josephes himself shews in the tenth Chapter of the same book, that Gabinius had deprived him of his soverainty, and left him onelyonly the High Priests office. That Decree therefore is to be referred to the ninth year of Hircanus the first, at which time the Jewish Common-wealth was a free state, and confederate with the people of Rome, and not to the ninth year of the second Hircanus, in whose time it was conquered, and made tributary unto them.

In the absence of King Demetrius Nicator, first the Antiochians, for his pride, which was grown intollerable by his conversation, with the cruell Parthians, and presently after the Apameans, and the other Cities of Syria, encouraged by their examples, revolted from them. [Justin, lib. 39. cap. 1.] Demetrius having received intelligence of the revolt was forced to quit Egypt, and march back into Syria.

Cleopatra the Egyptian Queen, having lost her best bulwork, (Demetrius Nicator) shipped all her goods, and made what hast she could into Syria, unto her daughter Cleopatra the Syrian, and Demetrius her son in law. [Justin ut supra.]

And because Demetrius was every whit as odious to the Syrians, generally, as he was to the souldery, they sent unto Ptolemei Physcon, desiring him that he would assigne some one descended from Seleucus, whom they might appoint as King over them. [Ioseph. l…b. 13. cap. 17.] He sent unto them an Egyptian youth, the son of Protarchus a Merchant, who was to seize upon the Kingdom of Syria by force of Arms, having made a very formal story, how he had been adopted into the blood-royall by King Antiochus: as for the Syrians, they would very gladly submit to any King whatsoever, rather than live any longer under Demetrius his insolency, [Justin. lib. 39. cap. 1.] Porphyrius relates, how that this youth was sent as the son of Alexander, (Bala, viz. who was reported to be the son of Antiochus Epiphanes) and that he was called Alexander himself, but the Syrians surnamed him Zabina, because he was generally reputed to be one of Ptolemies slaves, which he had purchased, [in Graec. Euseb. Scalig. pag. 227.] to speak truth foreign amongst the Syrians, signifies both bought and redeemed: neither did this substituted King disdaine the memory of his being bought, but allwayes retained it upon his coyn, which bare this inscription, foreign.

When this new King was come with his numerous supplies out of Egypt, Year of the World 3878 it is reported, That the relicks also of Antiochus Sidetes, who was slain by the King of the Parthians, were sent into Syria in a silver Coffin, to be interred there; which were received with a great deal of observance both by the Cities and King Alexander himself. This ingratiated him very much with the Countrymen; who verily believed the tears he shed at the solemnity were not counterfeit but reall. [Justin. lib. 39. cap. 1.]

Both the armies engaged about Damascus, The Julian Period. 4588 and Demetrius Nicator was worsted, Year before Christ 126 who observing how he was environed with difficulties, withdrew out of the fight, and made what hast he could to his wife Cleopatra, at Ptolemais, but she shut the gates against him. Being thus deserted by his wife and his sons, with a very small retinue he made to Tyrus, hoping the Temple might be his Sanctuary, and protection. [Id. ib. with Josephus and Porphyrius, in the places above cited.]

p. 497Porphyrius gives out, how that he, being denied entrance thither, was slain as he was taking shipping to some other place, four years of his reign being compleated after his return out of Parthia. Justin, That he was slain upon command of the Governour, as he was first landing. Josephus, That he was taken prisoner by the enemy, upon whose hard usage he ended his life. Livy, That his wife Cleopatra killed him, [lib. 60.] And so Appian also [in Syriac. pag. 132.] Indeed, it is very probable, that he was killed at Tyrus and she accessory: and that, the Tyrians for so doing obtained either of her, or of Alexander Zebinas, their freedom, and liberty, to live according to their own constitutions. For that they derived from this very year, a new Epoch of their times, appears both out of Eusebius his Chronicle, where the 402 year of the Tyrians is joyned with the second year of the Emperour Probus, which is the 4990 year of the Julian Period; as also by the Tyrian judgement inserted into the ninth action of the Council of Chalcedon, where the year after the consulship of Flavius Zeno, and Posthumianus, which is the 5162 year of the same Period, is computed the 574 year of the Tyrians account. Moreover we find the City of the Tyrians, in the Inscriptions set out by Grotius, pag. MCV. honoured with the commendation of being the Religious, the Sacred, and the Independent Metropolis of Phoenicia.

Alexander Zebinas, having got possession of that kingdom, entered into League with John Hircanus the High Priest: and things went very well with Hircanus, during his reign, [Joseph. lib. 13. cap. 17.]

Manius Aquilius, Proconsul, returned in triumph out of Asia upon the third of the Ides of November (which at that time fell upon the Julian August) as may be gathered out of the fragments of the triumphal Tables of Marble: concerning which, Mithridates in an Epistle to Arsaces, (Salust. Historiar. lib. 4.) hath this passage. The Romanes, pretending a Will. (viz. King Attalus his Will) though unjustly, led Aristonicus, Eumenes son, in triumph, who had attempted to recover by force of armes, his fathers kingdom. Velleius Paterclus, [lib. 2. cap. 4.] intimates, how that Aristonicus was led in triumph by Manius Aquilius, and afterwards beheaded. For he was strangled at Rome in the prison by an order from the Senate, [Strabo, lib. 14. pag. 646. Eutrop. lib. 4. Orosius lib. 5. cap. 10.]

Manius Aquilius, being questioned for bribery, and knowing himself faulty, corrupted his Judges, and so got off, [Appian. Bell. Civil. lib. 1. pag. 362. & 363.]

M. Plautius Hypsaeus, Year of the World 3879 and M. Fulvius Flaccus, The Julian Period. 4589 being Consuls: Year before Christ 125 A great company of Locusts in Africa were by the wind blown into the sea, and by the waves cast up again at Cyrene: which caused such an intollerable stanch, that by reason of that pestilent vapour, there ensued a lamentable mortality of cattel: and it is reported also, that 800000 men died upon the same infection, [Julius Obsequens, de prodigiis, cum P. Orosio. lib. 5. cap. 11.]

Whilst Dorylaus of Pontus (a man very expert in ordering of an army) was busie in Crete, being sent thither by Mithridates Euergetes King of Pontus, about hiring of forreign souldiers: a war was commenced in those parts by the Cnossii against the Gortynii. The Cnossii made Dorylaus their General, who quickly put an end to the war; yet not with more speed than good luck. And having had great honour conferred upon him by the Cnossii for his good service, he resided amongst them with his whole family, having a little after, received intelligence of Mithridates his death: Dorylaus was great Grandfather to the mother of Strabo the Geographer, [Strabo, lib. 10. pag. 477, 478. & lib. 12. pag. 557.]

In the 188 year of the account of the contracts, Year of the World 3880 the Jews of Palestine, and the Senate of Hierusalem and Judas, being about celebrating the Feast of the Dedication of the cleansing of the Temple on the 25 day of the monethmonth Chasleu, wrote to Aristobulus Ptolemei (Physcons) master (who was descended from the Royal stock of the Priests according to Aaron) and to the Jews in Egypt, that they should do the same likewise, [2 Mac. 1. 10, 18.] Repertus Tuitiensis, [lib. 10. de victoria verbi, cap. 15.] conceives that Judas, to be the same Judas the Essean, whom Josephus reports, 19 years after this, to have foretold the sudden death of Antigonus (son of John Hircanus,) and seldom failed in his prophesies, [lib. 13. cap. 19.] And as for Aristobulus, Clemens Alexandrinus, [lib. 5. Srom.] and Eusebius Caesariensis, both [in the 8 lib. Praeparat. Evangel. c. 3. and in his Chronicle,] suppose him to be that Jewish Philosopher the Peripatetick, of whom mention was made by us afore at the end of 3854 yeare of the World.

Seleucus Demetrius, The Julian Period. 4590 Nicators son, Year before Christ 124 without leave of his mother Cleopatra, seized upon the Crown, and reigned one year in Syria, [Liv. lib. 60. Porphyr. in Graec. Euseb. pag. 227.]

Alexander Zebinas, with much adoe, vanquished Antipater, Clonius, and Aeropus, three of his most eminent Commanders, who had revolted from him, and seized the p. 498City Laodicea. Yet he expressed a great deal of gallantry towards them, after he had taken them prisoners, and in the close, pardoned the apostacy of them all, for he was naturally of a mild disposition, and pleasing temper, and of a wonderful affability in all his meetings and discourses; so that hereby he was extremely beloved of all men, [Diod. Sicul. in Excerpt. Valesii, pag. 377.]

Mithridates Euergetes, Year of the World 3881 King of Pontus, and Armenia the lesse, made away by the treachery of some of his intimate acquaintance, left his wife and his sons to succeed him in the kingdom. But Mithridates, sirnamed Eupator, the elder brother of the two, laid claime to the whole kingdom for himself, [Strabo, lib. 10. pag. 477. cum Justin. lib. 37. cap. 1.] For soon after, he clapt his mother (whom his father had designed joynt partner with him in the kingdom) into prison, and kept her there in bonds, who, by reason of that hard usage, and long imprisonment, ended her dayes there. So Memnon [in Excerpt. Photii, cap. 32.] As for Mithridates himself, Salust reports in his History, That he was a very child when he first entred the kingdom, having made his way, by poysoning of his mother, [Servius in Virg. lib. 6. Aeneid.]

Strabo affirms, That Mithridates was eleven years of age, when he succeeded his father in the kingdom; Memnon thirteen: we have chosen the middle year, and account him 12 years old; following Eutropius, who tells us, That he reigned 60 years, and lived 72. although Pliny, [lib. 25. cap. 2.] allots him but 56 years of reign, and Appian 57, [Vid. supr. ann. Mundi 3868.]

As there appeared a Comet in the year in which Mithridates was born, so there appeared one also in the first year of his reign, which shined so night and day for 70 days together, that the whole heaven seemed to be all a fire. For both the tayle of it covered the fourth part of the heaven (or 45 degrees of the upper Hemisphere) and out vyed the Sun in brightnesse: and also its rising and setting took up the space of four hours, [Justin. lib. 37. cap. 2.]

In Syria, The Julian Period. 4591 Cleopatra struck her son Seleucus thorough with a Dart, Year before Christ 123 either because he had seized upon the Crown without her consent, or fearing least he should in time revenge his father Demetrius his death, or because she her self managed all things with the same fury and violence as he did. Having thus dispatched Seleucus, she set up in his room her other son by Demetrius, Antiochus Grypus, whom she had sent to Athens to receive his education: investing him with the Title of King, but reserving to her self the whole power and authority, [Liv. lib. 60. Iustin. lib. 39. cap. 1. Appian. Syriac. pag. 132.] But Porphyrius hath intimated, how that Seleucus being deposed by his mothers treachery, Antiochus the younger brother succeeded in the kingdom, in the second year of the CLXIV Olympiade, [in Graec. Euseb. Scaliger. pag. 227.] adding withal, that he was not onelyonly called Grypus, but Philometor also: which later sirname, Josephus also gives unto him, [lib. 13. cap. 20.]

Alexander Zebinas, Year of the World 3882 puffed up with prosperous successes, The Julian Period. 4592 began now by his insolencie to despise Ptolemei himself, Year before Christ 122 by whose means he was advanced to the kingdom. Whereupon Ptolemei reconciled himself to his sister Cleopatra, and endeavoured what in him lay, to ruine Alexanders kingdom, which he had never been able to obtain, had not Ptolemei sent him supplies out of his malice to Demetrius. To that end, he sent a very considerable force to Grypus, and profered his daughter Tryphena to him in marriage, that so he might draw several people to side with his son in law; not onelyonly because of the confederacy and association which had formerly been between them, but also by vertue of this his new relation and alliance, which proved accordingly: for when all saw how Grypus was furnished with as much strength as Egypt could levy, they began by degrees to fall off from Alexander, [Iustin. lib. 39. cap. 2.]

Alexander, not being very confident of the multitude, both in regard of their rawness in martial affairs, as also their natural inconstancy, and hankering after innovations, would not adventure upon a pitcht field: but having first collected the Kings Treasuries, and pillaged the Temples, resolved by night to steal away into Greece. But, whilst he attempted, by the help of some of his Barbarians, to plunder Jupiters Temple, he was seized upon, and himself and his whole army had like to have been cut off. But he soon escaped out of their hands, and made towards Seleucia: but the Seleucians having heard aforehand the bruite of his sacriledge, shut their gates against him: failling there of his purpose, he went to Pisidium. and never after departed from the sea coast, [Diodor. Sicul. in Excerpt. Valesii, pag. 378.]

At length Antiochus Grypus, and Alexander Zebinas engaged in a fight, in which Alexander was worsted, and forced to escape to Antiochia. As soon as he came thither, being in distresse for monies wherewith to discharge the souldiers pay, he gave order to take out of Jupiters Temple, the Statue of Victory which was of beaten gold, varnishing his sacriledge with a jest; for, said he, Iupiter hath lent me Victory. A few dayes after, having set his souldiers to pull down the Image of Jupiter himself, although so, as not to make any hubbub; yet he was surprized by the common people in the p. 499act, and forced to flee for it: Being in a grievous tempest at sea, and divided from his company, he fell amongst Pirates, who took him prisoner, and delivered him upto Grypus, by whom he was put to death, [Iustin. lib. 39. cap. 2.] Josephus reports, that he was slain in a fight with Grypus, [lib. 13. cap. 17.] Porphyrius, That he poisoned himself upon discontent for the losse of his army, in the fourth year of the CLXIV Olympiad, [in Graec. Euseb. Scaliger. pag. 227.]

Cleopatra upon regret that her honour was likely to be somewhat impaired by the victory which her son Antiochus Grypus had obtained over Alexander Zebinas, presented him as he came ab exercitatione (an ab exercitu?) from the exercise, (or rather from the army) with a cup of poison. But Grypus, having had some intimation of the treachery before hand, pretended respect to his mother, desired her to drink first, and upon her refusal, urged her with much importunity. At last he charged her with the design of poisoning him, and sets before her the party that discovered it to him: telling her, That she had no other plea left for her innocency, then to drink her self, what she had prepared for her son. The Queen was forced to yeild, so that she her self perished by that same poison, which she had tempered for another. She being removed, Grypus was pretty fast seated in his Throne, enjoying an eight years peace, without any disturbance in State, [Iustin. lib. 39. cap. 2. compared with Appian. in Syriac. pag. Year of the World 3883 132.]

The 27 Jubilie. The Julian Period. 4593

Lucius Opimius, Year before Christ 121 Consul in the year in which C. Gracchus (brother to Tibecius Gracchus) the Tribune, was slain as he was encouraging the commons to sedition, the aire was so temperate, that Pliny reports, how wines then made, lasted to his time, which was about 200 years, being brought to a form of candid honey, [Plin. lib. 14. cap. 4. and 14.] In the same year also there appeared a bow about the body of the Sun, [Id. lib. 2. cap. 29.]

Ptolemei Euergetes the II, Year of the World 3888. a. or Physcon, The Julian Period. 4597 died 29 years after the decease of his brother Philometor, Year before Christ 117 [Ptolem. in Regum Canone. Clem. Alexandrin. lib. 1. Stromat. Euseb. Chronico. Epiphan. de Ponderib. & mensur. Hieronym. in cap. 9. Daniel.] He left behind him three sons. One was called Ptolemei Apion, a By-blow by a Harlot; to whom was bequeathed by his father in his Legacy, the kingdom of the Cyrenians, [Iustin. lib. 39. cap. 5. cum Appiano in Mithridaticis, pag. 255.] The other two sons Cleopatra bare unto him, the daughter of the former Cleopatra, who was both his sister and wife: the younger of the two was called Alexander; but the Senior, by Ptolemei in Regum Canone, as also by Porphyrius, Eusebius, Hierome, and Epiphanius, called Soter; by Strabo, [lib. 17. pag. 795.] Trogus Pompeius, [Prolog. lib. 39. & 40.] Pliny, [lib. 2. cap. 67. & lib. 6. cap. 30.] Josephus, [lib. 13. cap. 18.] and Clemens Alexandrinus, [lib. 1. Stromat.] Lathurus, or Lathyrus: by Athenaeus, [lib. 6. cap. 6.] and Pausanias in Atticis, Philometor: which last sirname (viciously rendred Philopater by Natalis Comes who translated Athenaeus (was given him by way of derision, as Pausanias hath observed: for never was there any of the Kings, that more hated his mother than he did, [Pausan. Attic. pag. 7.]

Physcon, upon his death-bed, left the kingdom of Egypt to Cleopatra his wife, and to one of the sons, whom she should make choice of. As if it were likely the State of Egypt should be more quiet, and free from commotions than the kingdom of Syria; when the mother by making choice of one of the sons, was sure to make the other her enemy, [Iustin. lib. 39. cap. 3.] She, supposing that Alexander the younger son would prove more plyable and flexible to her commands, moved the Egypcians in his behalf: But seeing she could not prevaile with the commons to receive him for their King, she was forced to elect her eldest son Lathurus (who was banished to Cyprus by his father upon her instigation:) They two reigned together in Egypt ten years, [Id. ibid. Pausan. in Atticis, pag. 7, 8. Porphyr. in Graec. Euseb. Scaliger, pag. 225.]

Cleopatra, Year of the World b. before she would give the kingdom to Lathurus, The Julian Period. 4598 took away his wife from him; Year before Christ 116 and having forced him to divorce his most endeared sister Cleopatra, commanded him to marry the younger sister Selene: In which action she shewed more partiality towards her daughters, than was befitting a mother, whilst she took away the husband from the one, and gave him to the other, [Iustin. ut supra.]

After Antiochus Grypus had enjoyed to himself the kingdom of Syria 8 years entire without any interruption, Year of the World 3890 up started his brother Antiochus of Cyzicenus as his rival in the kingdom; The Julian Period. 4600 they both had the same mother, Year before Christ 114 but Cyzicenus came by the Uncle Antiochus Sidetes: Grypus had a design of removing him by poison, which was the cause he appeared sooner in armes in competition for the kingdom than he thought to have done. This Antiochus was sent away by his mother Cleopatra (for fear of Demetrius Nicator her former husband whom she had forsaken) to Cyzicum, and was brought up by Craterus the Eunuch, and from thence received the sirname Cyzicenus, [Iustin. lib. 39. p. 500cap. 2. Appian. Syriac. p. 132. Porphyr. ut sup. p. 227. Ioseph. lib. 13. c. 17.] But Grypus, hearing of his brothers levying of forces against him at Cyzicum, laid aside his intended expedition against the Jews, and prepared to meet him, [Iosephus, ibid.]

Cleopatra, Year of the World 3891 formerly the wife of Ptolemei Lathurus, The Julian Period. 4601 but afterwards divorced from her husband by Cleopatra Queen of Egypt, Year before Christ 113 as hath been said, was married to Antiochus Cyzicenus in Syria: who, that she might not seem at her marriage to bring to her husband the bare name of wife, trucked with the army which lay at Cyprus, and brought it over to her husband as her dowry. By the accesse of those forces, he thought himself to be upon pretty even terms with his brother, so that he gave him battle, but he was foiled in the field, and forced to fly away to Antioch. Grypus made after him to Antioch, and besieged it: Cleopatra the wife of Cyzicenus was in the Town: which as soon as taken, Tryphena, the wife of Grypus, commanded in the first place, that her sister Cleopatra should be sought for, not out of any mind she had to release her now she was prisoner, but least she should chance to escape the miseries which commonly attend Captivity, who had invaded this kingdom chiefly out of emulation to her, and who by her espousals with the sworn enemy of her sister, had made her self her enemy also. Moreover, she laid to her charge, That she was the cause of bringing in the forreign forces, upon the differences betwixt the two brothers, and also, that upon her being divorced from her brother, she married out of the kingdom to one who was no Egyptian, contrary to her mothers will. But Grypus endeavoured what in him lay to stave off his wife from her intended cruelty, and told her that it was against the law of arms, after victory obtained, to proceed violently against women, especially such as are allyed in blood to us, as Cleopatra was, who was her own sister, his Cousin German, and Aunt to her own children. To these relations of blood he added the reverence which was due to the Temple, where she had taken Sanctuary, winding up all with this, That he should neither impaire any thing of Cizicenus his power, by putting her to death, nor advantage him if he should send her back to him inviolate. On the contrary, Tryphena, deeming these speeches to proceed from downright love rather than from pity and commiseration, sent some souldiers into the Temple, who killed Cleopatra, having first cut off her hands, as she embraced the image of the goddesse, that no lesse hostility might appeare to be betwixt the two sisters, than there was betwixt the brothers. [Justin, lib. 39. cap. 3.]

Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, the mother of these two sisters (in the fourth year of her reign) having made Alexander her younger son King of Cyprus, sent him thither in person, that by his means, she her self might seem more formidable to her eldest son Lathurus, who was her partner in the government of the kingdom. [Pausan. in Attic. pag. 7, 8. Porphyr. in Graec. Euseb. p. 225.]

Alexander Jamnaeus, Year of the World 3892 in the 16 year of his age, had by his wife Alexandra a son, called Hircanus, whom upon the tidings of Caesars victory at Actium, Herod put to death, when he had passed the age of 80 years. [Joseph. lib. 13. cap. 9.] From whence we gather, that this Alexandra, called also Salian, by the Ecclesiastical Writers (as is above, the year of the World, 3862.) was not the same with that Salome, wife of Aristobulus, whom the Grecians call Alexandra; and who, after the decease of her husband, constituted this Alexander Jamnaeus, at that time 22 years old, King in his room, (for Josephus computes that he reigned 27 years, and lived 49) as is to be seen in Josephus, [lib. 13. cap. 20.]

Upon a second clash between the two brothers, The Julian Period. 4602 Antiochs's, Year before Christ 112 Cyzicenus and Grypus, Cyzicenus won the day, and withall, took Tryphena, Gryphus his wife, prisoner; who a little before had killed her sister, & by serving her the same sauce, sacrificed to the ghost of his wife. [Iustin. lib. 39. cap. 3.] He chased his brother also out of his kingdom, and reigned over the Syrians in his room. [Appian. Syriac. pag. 132.] Grypus upon this his deprivation, withdrew to Aspendum, and from thence he took upon him the surname Aspendius. But Cizicenus entred upon his kingdom the first year of 167 Olympiade. [Porphyr. in Graec. Euseb. pag. 227.]

In the second year of the same Olympiade, Year of the World 3893 Antiochus Grypus returned from Aspendum, The Julian Period. 4605 and regained Syria, Year before Christ 111 but Cyzicenus held Coelosyria; so that the Empire was shared between them. [Id. ib.]