Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4, Biblical commentary 1 · Intertestamental history (1 of 7)

Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4 · Biblical commentary 1 · Intertestamental history (1 of 7)

p. 74A CONTINUATION Anno Mundi 3539.OF THE HISTORY, From Anno 40 of ARTAXERXES, in which NEHEMIAH endeth, untill the comming of CHRIST JESƲS.

NOthing is by any Historian recorded, touching the affairs of the Iews after Nehemiah, till the time of Joannes, the sonne of Judas, the sonne of Eliasib the High-priest, who, sayth Josephus, had Anno 3599. Iosephus Antiq. lib. 11. 7.a brother called Jesus, to whom Bagoses, the Generall of all the Persian forces, being a friend promised to give him the Highpriesthood. Hereupon Jesus carryed himselfe insolently against his brother in the Temple, provoking him so far, that he fell upon him and slew him in the Temple. Bagoses hearing of this was wrath, and going to the Temple upbraided the High-priest by this bloudy fact committed in the very Temple, from the like unto which even Heathens abhorred, and therefore when they would have put him back from entring the Temple, lest it should thus be defiled, hee proceeded saying, it is not as much defiled by a body murthered and lying in it, as by my entrance? And by way of penalty he laid upon the Iews 50 drams to be paid every yeare for seven years, before they offered their daily sacrifices. For the reckoning of the time to this I finde nothing in Iosephus, but Fanccius having given to Eliasib the High-priest, that was in the time of Nehemiah, Chap. 13, 4. 41 years puts Iojadah for High-priest next unto him, instead of Iudas, as Iosephus calls him, giving unto him 25 years, and after him to this his sonne Ioannes 24 years, reckoning this horrible murther to have been committed, Anno 16 of his pontificality. And the next Duke after Nehemiah over Iudah Ioanna Ben Resa, 53 years, beginning Anno 33 of Eliasib, then Hircanus, 31, beginning Anno 21 of Ioannes the High-priest.

Within this time Artaxerxes yet reigning over the Persians, contentions a rose Artax. Anno 35amongst the Graecians, whereupon a long war of 27 years followed, called the Peloponesian warre. There had been indeed peace amongst them 15 years, but Contentions in Greece.now great strife arose betwixt the two chiefe Cities of Greece, Athens and Lacedemonia. The first occasion whereof according to Thucydides was a conflict between the Thebans and the Boetians the friends of the Athenians. For the Thucyd. l. 2. & 3.Thebans entering into Plataea a City of Boetia, tooke it easily, although they were but 300 by yeilding, because the Plataeans thought that they had been many more, against whom, comming upon them on the sudden, they were unable to stand. But in the night, finding out that they were but few, they set upon them both men and women, and killing many, tooke 180 prisoners. Then other p. 75Thebans comming to rescue their fellows, took many of the Plataeans prisoners, and then agreed with the men of Plataea to exchange them for theirs, the Plataeans fraudulently consented, but would have theirs delivered first, promising; without delay, to deliver to the Thebans theirs, which they did indeed, but first having slain them all most perfidiously. Of this complaint being made to the Lacedemonians, they prepared to be revenged, setting out a strong power under Archidamus their Generall and King. But he first sent an Embassadour to Athens, the Athenians would not admit of him, nor heare him, unlesse the forces brought into their confines were first withdrawn again. Then Pericles the Captain of the Athenians being glad of this opportunity, perswaded them to war against the Lacedemonians, bringing those things which they had in the fields into the City, and therefore defending themselves by land, and in the meane season to send out 100 ships against the Lacedemonians to Peloponesus. And to move them the more, he put them in minde of their great power and wealth. And this he did that he might not be called to an account for 8000 talents of the common treasure committed to his custody, whereof he had wasted much. And according to his advice a Navy was sent out, even when Archidamus was wasting their corn fields in their sight, at which the Souldiers in the City had great indignation, that they might not goe out to fight with them. But the Lacedemonians hearing of the great Navy sent out, returned at the end of the Summer to defend their own, Then a great pestilence began amongst the Athenians, destroying many of them, whereby they were much weakned, and Pericles made the more unable with his Navy to invade the Peloponesians. And here Thucydides noteth, that when he was setting forth with this Navy the Sun had a great ecclipse, at which the Governour of the ship in which Pericles was, being stricken into a feare, he casting his coat before his face said that there was no more difference betwixt that which darkened A vilifier of signes given from Heaven.the Sun and his face, but that it was greater. But he proved it by experience to be ominous when so many of his men were destroyed by this pestilence. For hee was hereby compelled with the remainder of them to return to Athens, being able to doe nothing by this expedition. Then the Athenians were incensed against him, as author of their miseries, and putting him from his office, they laid a fine Diodorus Siculus.of many talents upon him, and sent Embassadours to the Lacedemonians for peace, but they would not now consent to any peace, wherefore they sought againe to Pericles, as being thought the ablest and wisest Captain that they had, and hee with much perswasion used by Alcibiades his friend consented to their request. Then Phormio was sent out to Peloponesus with 20 ships, but the Plague raging amongst his men, he returned again, when he had lost above 1000 of them, and so Thucydides.two years ended, since the beginning of this warre.

In the third yeare Pericles dyed, and Archidamus with his Lacedemonians came against Plataea, and besieged it, but not being able to take it, he returned. Towards winter, leaving the Boetians and others to continue the siege. In the meane season Xenophon sent by the Athenians with an Armie against the Chalcedonians in Thracia confederates of the Lacedemonians, had no good successe, but was compelled when he had lost 400 men and three Captains, to return again to Athens. But the Peloponesians had as ill successe in other places.

In the fourth yeare the Isle Lesbos revolted from the Athenians to the Lacedemonians, and Plataea was left by 200 of her inhabitants, who brake through the Army of their enemies besieging them, and escaped to Athens. In the fifth yeare they of Mitelene, who had revolted from the Athenians, were brought again into their power, and then many of them were out off, after it had been first determined that they should all have been slain. But the Plataeans about the same time, which still remained besieged, desparing of succour from the Athenians, yeilded their City and themselves to the merciemercy of their enemies, and when they were come into their power, they were severally demanded, what good they had ever done to the Lacedemonians, for which they might be spared, and being not able to say that they had done any, they were all slain, and their women made slaves. A just reward for their treachery against the Thebans, spoken of before, in killing Note. their men, and then delivering their dead bodies, after that they had agreed upon an exchange.

p. 76In the sixth yeare of this war, the Pestilence raged again amongst the Athenians, and the Lacedemonians comming out to waste the Atticke fields being of their confederates, were terrified with a great earth quake, and returned under Agis their King, the sonne of Archidamus. In the seventh yeare Agis went out again with his Lacedemonians against the Attickes, but hearing within 15 dayes that a place called Pilus of great consequence, at the further end of Peloponesus was taken by the Athenians and fortified, they returned to Sparta, and from thence went with a Navy to recover Pilus, but there came a Navy of the Athenians thither also, betwixt whom a great battell being fought, the Athenians got the victory. But the Lacedemonians weary of these wars, sued now to the Athenians for peace, and gave 60 ships for Hostages, whilst they sent to Athens about it, yet they prevailed not, and their ships were also kept from them, under a pretence that they had broken the truce. Then the warre was again renewed, and Cleon the Generall of the Athenians, was sent to the Isle Pilus, and after a long battell fought, the Lacedemonians, there being 292, yeilded to the Athenians, and were carryed away to Athens, at which all men wondered, because they thouht that they would all rather have dyed in battell then have yeilded. Being brought to Athens they were put in chaines, neither would the Athenians again deliver them, although they were sought unto, or make any peace with the Lacedemonians.

In the eighth yeare Xerxes, the sonne of Artaxerxes succeeded his father in the Persian Kingdom, after he had reigned 40 years. He had many other brothers, Xerxes King of Persia.but they were all bastards except himselfe, and amongst them, Secundianus or Sogdianus was one, and Ochus another. The one of these, viz. Sogdianus, being ambitious of the Kingdom, joyned an Eunuch, being a great man, called Pharmacias unto him, and they together slew Xerxes being drunken, when he had reigned but 45 dayes, so Ctesias, who also telleth of a strange thing touching the chariot horses appointed to draw the body of Artaxerxes away to the buriall, Ctesias.before the death of his sonne Xerxes, they would by no means goe forward, being tryed again and again, but now his body being laid also into the same chariot, they went away with them both together most willingly, so that they stayed as it were, knowing that they had not till then, all their load.

Sogdianus being King after the death of Xerxes, began to exercise his cruelty first against Bagerazus an Eunuch, for he pickt a quarrell against him, because Sogdianus King of Persia.his fathers corps was no sooner carryed away, and caused him to be overwhelmed with stones therefore. But by this meanes, he purchased unto himselfe great hatred, and for the death of his brother Xerxes. Then he sending for his brother Ochus to come unto him, he delayed so to doe untill that he had gotten a great company about him, the Captain of Sogdianus his horsmen also falling to him, and the President of Egypt, and the President of Armenia. Then comming to Sogdianus, he feared, but Ochus swearing to him, and speaking him faire, he came forth and was taken and cast into ashes, and so dyed, when he had reigned six moneths, and 15 dayes. Of this kinde of death they write thus, a Tower 50 cubits high 2 Machab. 13. 5.being filled with ashes, by an instrument in it turning round, he that was adjudged to death, was turned into them, and so dyed, and was buried altogether.

To return to the Athenians, they went this yeare with 60 ships, and tooke the Island Cithera, lying neere to the Lacedemonians, whereby the Lacedemonians were brought into great streights, having their enemies now on both sides of them, for Cithera was on the one side, and Pilus before spoken of on the other. But after this they attempting somwhat against Sicilia were frustrated by the joyning of the Sicilians together in one, who were before divided, so that by this means they were by them put to flight and returned home. The Athenians lifted up with their former victories, thought scorne of this repulse, and punisht the Captains that returned, some by fines and some by banishment, as if they had played the cowards, or been bribed to depart. But this their pride was pulled down soon after, when Brasidas a Captain of the Lacedemonians came into Thracia, and many of the parts thereabouts revolted from the Athenians unto him, because he carryed himselfe most justly and equally amongst them. For hereby they were p. 77drawn to a desire of the friendship of the Lacedemonians, thinking them all to be Thucyd. l. 4.like unto this Brasidas, and on the contrary side they feared the Athenians, aspiring to a tyranny. The Boetians also fought by Land against the Athenians, and slew of them 1000 men, and Hippocrates their Captain, and the Corinthians overcame Diodor. Siculus.Demosthenes of Athens, killing and taking many of his men.

In this time Ochus having slain Sogdianus, reigned over the Persians 19 years, Ochus, or Darius, King of Persia.changing his name to Darius, and so was commonly called Darius Nothus.

In the ninth yeare of the Peloponesian warre a truce was made betwixt the Athenians and Lacedemonians, to continue for one yeare, but even in that time some Cities revolted from the Athenians to the Lacedemonians, which occasioned much trouble.

In the 10 yeare a war began again at Amphipolis, Cleon being sent as Captain by the Athenians, and Brasidas by the Lacedemonians, in which after a cruell fight, the victory fell to the Lacedemonians, and yet Brasidas dyed of his wounds therein received, and Cleon also was slain, and of his Athenians 600, of the Lacedemonians but seven. Brasidas, for the great estimation in which he was had for his vertue, was honourably buried in Amphipolis, and had a monument built for him, by the men of that City, who afterwards prosecuted him as one of the Heroes, with divine honour These two Captains being thus slain, both the Athenians and Lacedemonians were desirous of peace, and concluded a peace for 50 yerres. But because the Corinthians, and some others in Greece were not consenting, they linking themselves with the Argives, were enemies to them both, neither did the Athenians and Lacedemonians hold their peace long, but fell to variance again, and so the war was renewed: and aboot the 17 yeare of the Peloponesian warre translated into Sicily, where the Athenians having long fought unhappily with the Sicilians and Syracusians aided by the Lacedemonians, were brought into great misery, and all their armies were lost in the space of three years, and their treasure wasted, yet repairing their forces again about Anno 21 of the said warre they came to fight at Peloponesus again, Anno 22. and then the victory fell first to the Lacedemonians, under the conduct of Hegesandridas, but Alcibiades (who had long lived out of his Countrey amongst the Persians, for some distaste taken against him) comming at the time of their fight with 20 ships, joyned himselfe with the Athenians, and so the victory was turned to them, and they carryed away, according to some 30, according to others 10 ships of their enemies. Alcibiades having obtained so great a victory, went to Tissaphernes Governour of a province under Darius, of whom he had thought to have been had in honour for this exploit, but he causing him to be apprehended, cast him into prison in Sardis. But he soone found means to escape and came to Sestus, where the Athenian navy lay, and there hearing that Pharnabazus and Mindarus a Spartan Captain were come together in Cizicum, he encouraged the Athenians to fight with all courage against them, but he taking 40 ships went before to draw the enemies from their harbour. They seeing no more, immediately came forth with 60 ships, and fought with them till that Alchibiades feigning a flight to draw them further, gave a signe to the rest as he had appointed, and then they comming to him, the Lacedemonians were soon overcome and put to flight. But Alcibiades following them till they came to land, and there fought a cruell battell, till that Mindarus was slain, and he got the City Cizicum and the whole Navy. But he stayed there onelyonly 20 dayes, exacting of the Citizens great sums of money, and so without doing them any further harme he departed. The Lacedemonians being much dejected by this great overthrow, were comforted by Pharnabazus, bidding them not be troubled for the losse of wood, for the King had abundance, of which they might make new ships, and so they did, being also maintained by the Kings treasure in this work, and all the souldiers new coated▪ and pay given them for two moneths. But in the 24 yeare Alcibiades, having Thrasylus joyned with him went to Abydum, and there fought with Pharnabazus who came with many horse-men in ayd of the Lacedemonians, and put them to flight. Anno 25 he went against Chalcedon, and then against, Bizantium, both which was brought under his power. But fighting long against Bizantium in vain, hee used this p. 78police before that he could prevail, he feigned a losing of the siege by withdrawing his ships, but when he had landed many of his men upon a place convenient to assaile the City on the other side, he returned with his ships in the night, in which time his land forces assaulting the City, all the Souldiers within were drawn thither, and in the mean season, they in the ships with scaling ladders ascending the walls had an easie entrance. But they were soon strongly resisted, both by the Citizens and Lacedemonians, being there to aid them, till that Alcibiades had made it to be proclaimed, that he would not hurt any of the Bizantians, but the Lacedemonians onelyonly. For hereupon they forbearing to fight more, the Lacedemonians were slain, who still stood to it, all but 500 that tooke sanctuary, and were carryed away to Athens. But in the mean season, the Lacedemonians recovered the Isle Pilus again.

Anno 26, Alcibiades being desirous to return to his Countrey, from which he had been absent now many years, came to Athens, where he was received with great honour, all the people thronging to see him, and then he was in such esteeme that they thought him fit to have all the government of their Armies committed to him, wherefore he went out again within a short time with a navy of 100 ships, and so many men as he desired. But not with that successe which he had in times past, for he assayed to win two Cities, departing from either without prevailing. In the mean season Lysander was made Generall by Sea, for the Lacedemonians, and unto his aid, Cyrus also, the sonne of Darius came with great store of men and money, yet he durst not goe against Alcibiades, lying then at Rhodes, and he at Ephesus, but kept his ships, being 70 in that Haven. Then Alcibiades hearing that Thrasybulus was beyond Helespont, he sayled to him, committing his Navy in the mean season to Antiochus, with a charge not to goe out to fight against Lysander till his return. But he out of insolencie with a couple of galleyes went by Lysander at Ephesus provoking him to fight. Wherefore he first sent out a few ships against him, but more comming to his aid, more also came in of the Lacedemonians, and so Antiochus was overcome and slain, and 10 of the Athenian ships taken. Wherefore Alcibiades at his return seeing what was done, and conceiving how his credit at Athens would be hereby impared, immediately with those ships which remained sayled to Ephesus, but could not provoke Lysander to fight. The Athenians hearing of their losse, began immediately by the instigation The mutability of the people.of some of Alcibiades his enemies, to vilifie him as much as before they had honoured him, and sent to remove him from his Captainship, setting up to other Captains in his stead. But he being moved with indignation hereat, went away, and hired Thracians with his own money, and did great acts for the benefit of all Graecia, and tooke great spoiles from the Barbarians. But Lysanders time of Admiralty being expired, the Lacedemonians sent Calicratidas to govern over the Navy in his stead. He although a valiant and good man, and one that prevailed greatly against the Athenians at the first: for he fought against Conon their chiefe sea Captain, and tooke many of his ships, driving him to a great streight, where he was besieged by sea and land, and when he having given notice to Athens hereof, 10 ships were forthwith sent to help him, he tooke them also, yet at length a great navy of above 100 ships being sent by the Athenians to aid Conon, under eight Captains, he incountring with them perished in a cruell fight, wherein 10 Athenian ships were lost, and many more of the Lacedemonians. But those Captains returning to Athens were ill rewarded, for they were punisht both in their goods and lives, because they had left some of their fellows behind them, who were wracked and wounded, and some dead, taking no care of their buriall, which amongst the Athenians was counted an heinous thing. But indeed as they answered for themselves, they were beaten from them by a tempest, so that they could not. When Calicratidas was dead, Lysander was made Generall again, Anno, 27. who having provided a mighty Navy, the Athenians also did the like, and came forth under Conon to fight with them. Lysander politikely kept him in the Haven at Ephesus, and would not come forth to fight, although the Athenians by hovering about upon the sea, daily provoked him. But he commanded some of his ships, when they went away, to observe them, which they did p. 79foure dayes, and by them Lysander learning, that when they were at their own port, not far distant from him, they used to goe on shore to get provision, hee commanded that they should observe them again when they went on shore, and then hold up a shield for a signe, which they did, and then he comming in with all his power, they in haste returned to their ships, but in such confusion, and so unprepared through want of oares, that they were soon vanquished, and all lost saving one that escaped to Athens to bring the tydings, and eight with which the Captains remaining, fled into another Countrey for feare of the Athenians for Malum consilium consultori pessimum.this losse, if they should come into their hands. There were 3000 taken, and when they were accused to have threatned the Lacedemonians, to cut off the right hands of such as they should take, and to cast some down headlong from an high rock, they were all cut off except one Captain that had been against this cruell motion, and first of all one Captain that had made it, was put to a most cruell death. Lysander then hastened to Athens, being now without ships and Souldiers, besieged them, and at length, forced them to yeild, and for ever after to come under the Lacedemonians, the government of Greece being in all places altered by Lysander, and so an end was put to the Peloponesian warre, and the pride The Athenians fall. Pride and cruelty punished.and cruelty of the Athenians, who affected a tyranny over all Greece, was worthily pulled down and punished, and especially their ingratitude to Alcibiades, and tyranicall executing of the Captains before spoken of, whom they ought rather for their great valour and victory to have rewarded, so pride goeth before a fall, and justice sleepeth not for ever.

About this time Darius Nothus departing out of this life, appointed his sonne Artaxerxes to be King, who was afterwards called Artaxerxes Mnemon, for the Artax. Mnemon King of Persia.memorable acts that he did. Cyrus his other sonne hoping verily, that by means of his mother, he should have been made King, was greatly discontented hereat, and mediated how to kill him: But Artaxerxes having some intelligence of it, apprehended him, but at the intreaty of his mother, with many teares, he was sent away to Lydia, to attend as Governour over the sea affairs. The reason why he expected to have been made King was, because although Artaxerxes were his elder brother, yet hee was borne to Darius before that he was King, Cyrus after.

This yeare also Alcibiades was slain by the Persians, at the instigation of the Lacedemonians their confederates, who thought, that the Athenians would not Alcibiades slaincontinue quietly in their obedience as long as he lived. The manner was thus, His house in which he was, as a friend amongst them, was set on fire, he seeing this, woond the coverlet and blankets of his bed together, and having cast them upon the flame, leapt down upon them with his drawn sword in his hand, and so escaped burning, but when none of the Persians were so hardy as to encounter with him, they yet pursued him, fleeing away with their arrows, till that he was wounded and slain. But to return to Cyrus, his brothers levity in dismissing and preferring him, was so far from pacifying his minde, that he might rest content with his estate, that he aspired the more after the Kingdom, and ceased not to plot the destruction of Artaxerxes to this end. But he covered his intention, and onelyonly Absalom like, first by his courtesie to every man to win their love, and under divers pretences for the good of the Commonwealth, raised forces in divers places, And at length having by his large offers, drawn to him an Army of 13000 Graecians, he marched with them and 100000 Barbarians towards his brother. But Artaxerxes hearing of his preparations by Tissaphernes a President of his, neare to Cyrus (although put out of his authority for Cyrus his sake, to inlarge Cyrus his So Xenophon. Plutarch.jurisdiction) he gathered an Army together of 1200000 foot, and 6000 horse, and met with him at a place called Cumaxa beyond Euphrates. Then a bloudy battell begun, but the barbarous of the Kings Army, against whom the Graecians fought, were soon by them put to flight, yet the middle battell wherein the King was, stood un-assaulted, which Cyrus perceiving, set upon it with 600 chosen horsemen, having with him Clearchus a Graecian Captain. Now this battell consisted of 6000 horsemen about the King, and before them 600 foot: but Cyrus having soon overcome the footmen, set upon the horsemen, and made them p. 80also to flee. Then he would have had Clearchus to have gone with him immediately against the King, but he being very cautelous, lest he and his men should have been by this means invironed by the Persians, pursued the horse-men fleeing, but Cyrus pressed on towards the King, and when he came in sight of him, hee cryed out with aloud voice, This is the man, ran immediately at him, and piercing through his breastplate, wounded him, but another with a speare, wounded Cyrus in the eye, then the King and Cyrus fighting together, and others comming in to the Kings aid, Cyrus was slain, and his head and right hand were presently cut off.

In this battell, sayth Diodorus, were slain on Artaxerxes his part, 15000, and Diodorus Siculus.on Cyrus his part, 3000, of the Graecians, a few were wounded, but none slain. Herein it appeareth that God is against the treacherous, to bring them to condigne punishment, how far so ever they may seeme to be from it. For in humane reason God against the treacherous.Artaxerxes was most likely to have been slain, for that he was first pierced by Cyrus his spear through his breastplate, he was also a man of greater courage, and had by his Graecian forces, put his enemies in a great part to flight, and by his own valour, and of a few about him, had broken the greatest strength of the King, and had not Clearchus the Graecian Captain then forsaken him, the King had been undoubtedly slain. But the divine justice wrought against him, when he was even come to the period of his victory, that all brothers and others might feare to be treacherous against their Prince. For no such ever prospered, but when any of their treacherous projects have taken effect, their Kingdom founded in bloud never continued; as we may see in Athaliah and divers Kings of Israel, atteining the Diadem by bloudshed. When these Armies came first together to fight, Statica the wife of Artaxerxes, brake out into virulent speeches against Parysatis his mother, because she had delivered Cyrus to breed this great disturbance, but shee to be revenged, tooke a course forthwith to poyson her, and effected it in this manner. Shee caused a knife to be poisoned on the one side onelyonly, and herewith having divided a bird, whilst they were at meat together, shee eate the one halfe A cunning poysoning.and gave her the other, and so she presently dyed. But the fault being laid upon the Eunuchs who attended her, and Ginges a wanton, that was familiar with her they were put to a tormenting death for it, but she escaped. After the battell ended, Parafites exercised horrible cruelty against one Cates, who vaunted that he The Barbarians cruelties.had slain Cyrus, for she caused him to be tormented 10 dayes together, and then moulten brasse to be put into his ears till he dyed. Artaxerxes also, put Methridates to as cruell a death, because in his drunkennesse he vaunted that he slew Cyrus, which the King thought to be greatly derogatory to him, and would not have any take that honour from himself. For he caused him to be put between two boats, in the one being laid along with his face upward, and the other laid upon him, so as that all his body was covered, saving his head, hands, and feet, which hung out, then meat was given to him, and his eyes pickt, and honey and milke poured upon him, whereby swarms of flies were drawn to those parts, lying to the Sun till he dyed. But because they ceased not daily to feed him, whereby he was long in dying, the excrements comming from him, wherein he lay, bred worms in the mean season, that eat into his body, to the great increase of his torment.

The Graecians having lost Cyrus, were in a great streight, being in an enemies Countrey, and having no ships to return, and by the way to the sea in continuall danger of the Barbarians, yet they tooke ther journey homeward, being led by Clearchus. Tissaphernes being unwilling that such enemies should escape, but The Barbarians perfidiousnesse.not daring to enter battell against them, feigned himselfe their friend, and sware unto them for their more security, and so with a great Host of men went along with them into the Countrey of Cyrus, and by the way, Clearchus and the other Captains came to have such a confidence in him, that they feared no danger. They being come therefore together to his City, he permitted foure chiefe Captains, and 20 others, with 200 souldiers, by way of friendship to come in, and brought them to his Court, where the foure chiefe were called in, and the 20 within the gates, where they were forthwith all laid hold upon and slain, and then all the souldiers that were let into the City were destroyed. The other without p. 81seeing what was done, through many dangers in a long time, got home into their own Countrey.

Tissaphernes being now for his good service made the Kings sonne in Law, had the Lordship over which Cyrus had been, added to his own, whereby he growing very great, required the Jonians, being Graecians, dwelling in Asia, that had been formerly subject to Cyrus, to yeild the like obedience to him; but they refused, and sent to the Lacedemonians for helpe against him. To this they readily yeilded, being put on by those their Countreymen who had been with Cyrus, and were now through many dangers returned. For they sayd, that there was nothing amongst the Persians, but wealth, and pride, and women, and that they were not able to stand against the Graecians.

An Army then was sent out by the Lacedemonians to help the Jonians under Thimbro, but when he satisfied not, because he did no great matters, another Commander was sent in his stead, called Dercillidas, and he called home, and grievously punished for suffering his souldiers to prey upon the Jonians. Dercillidas being a man prudent and active, was much feared by Tissaphernes, and therefore he made his peace with him, and therefore leaving him he went to fight against another President of the Persian Kings, Pharnabazus, and when he also preferred peace with him for eight moneths, he went amongst the Thracians for that time. And then returning again, he found Tissaphernes and Pharnabazus joyned together with a great Armie against him, of 20000 foot, and 10000 horsmen, he not having above 7000, yet so sensible was Tissaphernes of the Graecians prowesse, since the last battell against Artaxerxes, that he came to Propositions of peace, and then Dercillidas returned to Lacedemonia, to know the minde of his Citizens touching them and Tissaphernes to Artaxerxes, to see whether hee would consent: But now Agis, the King of the Lacedemonians being aged, dyeth, and a contention arose between Agesilaus his brother, and Leotychides, pretending that he was his sonne; but it was objected, that he was the sonne of Alcibiades, and not of Agis. And although he brought many witnesses that Agis acknowledged him for his sonne upon his death bed, and a Priest came warning the Lacedemonians from the Oracle, not to make a lame man their King, and Agesilaus was lame, yet by the help of Lysander he was made King, and another interpretation made of the Oracle, viz. that one lame in respect of his descent from Hercules, of whom the Lacedemonian Kings came, should not be made.

Lysander then moved the people to desire that Agesilaus might goe against the Persians, which was done accordingly, and so preparation being made, he with Lysander and 30 Counsellours, which he tooke along with him, passed into Asia. Tissaphernes went to meete him, and there were propositions of peace made as before, that the Graecians in Jonia should live according to their own Laws. But about this he agreed first to goe and consult with the King, swearing to a truce for a certain time. But he sware deceitfully, for he went to the King onelyonly to procure great forces, and then came contrary to his oath to fight against the Graecians. Agesilaus nothing dismayed here at sayd, that the gods he knew would help him, because although he perceived before the fraud of Tissaphernes, yet he kept his oath, but then would be against Tissaphernes because he was perjured. Periury odious to the godsSo a great battell was fought, and although Tissaphernes his Armie exceeded in number yet he was overthrown and put to flight, and the Persian King being certified hereof was hereby much incensed against him, and sent and beheaded Periury punisht.him. Thus the perjured wretch that had not feared to sweare fraudulently twice, once to Clearchus before, and now to Agesilaus, was justly cut off as hee was well worthy. In this time, it is also worth the noting, that Lysander bearing himselfe upon the Kings favour, for his good deserts towards him, grew so ambitious, that he drew all such as had suits to the King, to seeke him by his mediation, so that he had far greater companies of men following him, and attending at his house, then the King at his Court, yea, Agesilaus was but as a private person in comparison of him. But the King perceiving it, both denyed all suitors that came by him, and granted to such as came without him, and when he was by Lysander p. 82challenged therefore, he answered that he dealt so with such onelyonly as would be greater then himselfe, and so Lysander, who would be of greatest authority, and Pride hath a fall.carryed it as a King, was not admitted to be so much as a mediator to a King. Much like doe the Papists daily to the Virgin Mary in greater multitudes frequenting her shrines then Christs, so that shee seemes to be the Queen, but Christ Seeking to Christ by the mediation of Mary.a private person. But let them looke to be dealt with, as they that came by Lysander to Agesilaus, that is, to be dismissed without a grant, when such as come without her mediation shall prevail. Tissaphernes being cut off, Tithraustes who succeeded him, sent to Agesilaus willing him to depart, seeing the author of these troubles was now cut off, and the Jonians should now be permitted to live according to their Laws, paying of their accustomed Tribute. He answered, that hee could doe nothing, untill that he had answer about it from Lacedemonia, but in the A King without the consent of the State can doe nothing.mean season he agreed to depart into Phrygla for 30 Talents and so did. Then having authority given him over the Sea forces, as well as over the Land, he regarded not to give answer to Tithraustes, but added unto his Land forces 120 ships, over which he set his wives brother. But Tithraustes being moved at this, sent Timocrates a Rhodian with 50 Talents of gold to Thebes, Corinth, and other places in Greece, hereby to provoke the Governours there to fall from the Lacedemonians, which they did accordingly, and the Athenians, though not waged, joyned with them also, being in hope by this means to erect their State again, and thus great troubles begun again in Greece. But Agesilaus, in the meane season, prevailed greatly in Phrygia and Paphlagonia, and so comming against the Countrey of Pharnabazus, the Persian tooke that also, but he soon came to an agreement with him, and departed out of his Countrey again, purposing to goe on and subdue other Countreys of the Persians, but the Lacedemonians being in this time indangered by the Athenians, Thebans, Argives, and Corinthians, to whom also the Spartans joyned themselves under their Captain Conon, were inforced to send for Agosilaus to his great griefe to return home, to which he immediatly prepared, leaving 4000 in Garisons in the towns which he had taken. But before he could come to Lacedemonia, a cruell battell was fought, an whole day together, betwixt the Lacedemonians and those that revolted from them, the victory falling to the Lacedemonians, there being slain of their enemies 2800, of them 1100.

The news hereof being brought to Agesilaus, and soon after that Conon with the help of Pharnabazus, had gotten a great victory over the Lacedemonians by Sea, he wisely dissembled it, and led on his Army towards his Countrey, the Sun The Sun horned as the Moon.appearing to him in the way like unto the two horned moon. Then comming to Boetia, they of that Countrey, and the Lacedemonians with many more joyned unto him, and so he went and fought a bloudy battell against the Thebans, in which he received many wounds, but put them to flight. Then he dedicated to God the tithe of the spoyles which he had taken at Delos, not lesse worth then 100 talents, and so was carryed home by water. But the Lacedemonians went on victoriously by land, from place to place, and Pharnabazus with Conon prevailed every where almost by sea. Yet at length Telentias being made Captain by sea, knit the hearts of his souldiers so unto him by his offering to endure any hardship with them, that he thought now he might goe upon any desperate attempt. And therefore having but 12 ships, he adventured upon the great Navy of the Athenians upon the sodain, lying at the haven Periaum, the souldiers being for the most part gone ashore for their pleasure, and fearing nothing lesse, wherefore he tooke their ships with ease, and having sent them away to Aegina an Island neere, he went on and tooke many more as he met with them, some fishers, and some Merchants laden with wares, and by this means in a short time, he grew so strong, that he did the Athenians much mischiefe. It was not long therefore after this, before that a peace was made again betwixt the Lacedemonians, Athenians, and their associates, and with the Persians also, because that Artaxerxes had other wars to intend, so that he thought it the best way to be at peace with all the Graecians. But the peace amongst the Graecians lasted not long, for wars again soon followed in divers places, untill that the Lacedemonians grew too mighty for them all. But yet neither did they continue long in that case, but the Thebans p. 83with their Confederates prevailed mightily against them, and slew many of them under their Captain Epaminondas, neither would a peace be made again in Greece as long as Artaxerxes lived, although the Athenians joyning with the Lacedemonians greatly sought it. But the Thebans by Embassadours to the King, prevailing for a Decree, that the Athenians should not help the Lacedemonians, and that divers other States should separate from them, otherwise he by his unresistible forces would make war upon them, thought to attain to the Empire of all Graecia. but they were deceived, those States not being moved by the threats of the King to leave the Lacedemonians, and not long after Artaxerxes Mnemon dyed, leaving his Kingdom to his sonne Ochus, who called himselfe Artaxerxes Ochus, when he had reigned according to some, 40 years, to some 36, and according to some, Diodorus. Euseb Chron. Funcius more. Anno Mundi 3599.but 21, whereof 11 with his father Darius Nothus, such diversity is there amongst Historians, about the time of this King. But going by the High-priests and Dukes of the Jews, according to Funccius, he dyed in the 16 yeare of Joannes his Highpriesthood, and Artaxerxes Ochus succeeded him, about which time, the said Joannes slew his brother in the Temple, as hath been before declared. Artaxerxes Plutarch. Q. Curtius.Mnemon is reported to have been a peaceable King, but greatly taken with the love of over many women, for he had 360 concubines, and by them 115 sonnes, yea he tooke his own daughter Atossa and Amestris his daughter taken from Heathen Marriages.Tribazus, to whom he had formerly given her in marriage. Ochus having attained the Kingdom, as Justinus sayth, by treacherously making away two brothers, that were in his fathers favour before him, lest any of his brothers surviving should trouble his reigne, slew them all, sparing no age or sex, and so made war against the Caduceans.

Touching the Graecian affairs, Epaminondas with his Thebans, when they could draw none on the Lacedemonians or Athenians side unto them, desperately set upon Sparta, but Archidamus comming to the rescue of the City, they were forced by a few to retire, although they were many. Then his time being neare, that he must leave his Captainship, lest his glory should be ecclipsed, which he had formerly gotten, he resolved to fight against Mantinea, where the greatest forces of his enemies were, and so, if he prevailed to doe away the dishonour which he had formerly gotten by fighting without successe, or else in fighting valiantly to dye. Wherefore he with all his forces drew neare to that City, and began to intrench his Army, which the enemies seeing, supposed that he would not yet fight against the City, but after the finishing of his trench, and therefore letting their A stratagem of Epaminondas.Armes and horses be here and there, they walked carelesly about. Epaminondas therefore when he saw it fall out according to his expectation, sodainly drew out his Forces, went against them and slew many, whilst they were getting their Armes and horses, but at length when he had put them to flight, in pursuing them he was mortally wounded, and being carryed to his Tent, when the weapon was drawn out of him, dyed, rejoycing for the victory, although he in getting it lost his life, and his father Xenophon being nothing daunted, when news was brought him of his death, sayd, Novi me eum genuisse mortalem.

After this great battell, the Greeks in all parts grew weary of warre, and inclined to termes of peace, and agreeed to an universall peace, all but Lacedemonia, by reason of the Messenians, whom they would not have left free, seeing they had subdued and held them under now these 20 years. And by this means wars soon began again. At this time also there were great stirs in Persia, for many of his Princes neare the sea, revolted from him, and Taches the King of Aegypt revolted also, and asking help of the Lacedemonians, they sent unto his ayd Agesilaus their King with 1000 men compleatly armed, and when he came. Taches added to his number, 10000 more, and set forth his sonne Nectanabus with 80000, which Armies, together with the Princes in Asia that revolted, and their forces, would greatly have indangered the Kingdom of Persia, but that they were soone divided amongst themselves, whereby all their preparations were frustrated. For Orontes to whose leading all the other Princes committed their forces, to regain the Kings favour, apprehended and sent many of them bound to the King, and Reomithres who was set over the Navy, did the like. And when the King of p. 84Aegypt was gone forth to war, being in Phoenicia, he heard that the man whom he had made Viceroy in his absence, usurped the Kingdom, and sent to his sonne Nactanabus to come back with his Forces to take his fathers Kingdom, which he immediately did, and then Taches fled to Artaxerxes, and craved pardon for his fault, which was both granted, and he made Generall of all the Forces to goe and fight against his sonne. He came therefore to Agesilaus, and so together they marched with their Armies towards his sonne. But he comming forth with 100000 against him, Taches durst not fight but withdrew himselfe to a City, which yet when Nactanabus besieged, Agesilaus going forth against him, put him to flight, and restored Taches to his Kingdom again, but because he was not made Generalll of all his Forces, he being sought unto by Nactanabus, went to him, and removing Taches again, made him King, being therefore rewarded with 230 Talents of silver, but in his return homeward he dyed, when he had reigned 41 years.

And now we are come to the fourth yeare of Artaxerxes Ochus, wherein Philip Euseb. Chron.the sonne of Amyntas began to reigne over Macedonia, it will be necessary, because Alexander the Great came of him, who subdued the Persian Monarchy, and erected the Graecian, to looke back to the beginning of this Kingdom, and to shew the state thereof in the dayes of this Philip. Caranus of the stock of Heraclidas was the first that united divers peoples into one, calling the whole Region Macedonia, being as, some say, directed thither by the Oracle, with many Graecians, and he reigned 28 years, him Coenus succeeding reigned 12, then Turymas 38, then Perdicas 51, Argeus 38, Philip 30, then Eropus who came to the Kingdom being a childe, but there being war then between the Illyrians and Macedonians, in which the Macedonians were put to the worst, they went again into the field carrying their King with them in his cradle, and so fighting the more couragiously, gave the Illyrians a great overthrow. Then, as Justinus sayth, reigned Amyntas, but Eusebius putteth nine more before him, and this Amyntas Iustine.was father to Philip. How weake the Kingdom of Macedonia was in his time and before, appeareth in that it was of no fame, but whilst the wars were in Greece, they always sought to joyne with the strongest side, and when Amyntas was King, by the Illyrians comming against him, he was driven out of his Kingdom, and was without hope of recovering it again, till that he was by the Thessalians and Spartans restored to it again, yet still he was a tributary to the Illyrians, reigning first and last 18 years, and for his fidelity to the Illyrians, he gave them his youngest sonne Philip for a pledge. Then he dying left foure sonnes, Alexander, Alorites, Perdicas, and Philip, who being given for a pledge, was brought up at Thebes in good literature. Alexander succeeding in the Kingdom, was slain treacherously by Alorites, when he had reigned one yeare, and Alorites likewise by Perdicas, when he had reigned foure; then Perdicas having reigned six years, attempting to shake off the Illyrian yoke, was slain in a cruell battell, and with him 4000 Macedonians. The Kingdom being by this means without a King Philip, by a wonderfull providence, escaping from Sparta, came and tooke the Kingdom upon him. yet at the first rather acting the part of a tutour to the sonne of Perdicas a childe then of a King, till that necessity inforcing it, he being chosen and desired by the people, reigned in Macedonia. But then he was in a very uncertain and dangerous estate by reason of other competitours, as Pausanias a kinsman, who sought the Kingdom by the help of the King of Thracia, and Argeus by help of the Athenians, with these therefore he agreed by gifts and fair promises in part, namely with the Paeonians, abettours of the said Argeus, and when Argeus came, notwithstanding with the Athenians to try the Macedonians whether they would revolt unto him, they refusing, he retired, and being pursued by Philip, many of his men were slain. Philip then sent to Athens, and because he yeilded up Amphipolis unto them, of which they were greatly desirous, he easily prevailed with them not to molest him any more. And as touching Pausanias, he by sending gifts to the King of Thracia, stayed him from comming against him. He was also a man apt to win good will, because he was both of an excellent wit, and well spoken. Having therefore by these his gifts and speeches made unto his p. 85Macedonians to incourage them, put them in good comfort and expectation of greater matters to be done by him for the good of that Kingdom, and by the prophesie which then went of the sonnes of Amyntas, that one of them should greatly inlarge that Kingdom, he first made war upon the Paeonians, taking the opportunity of their Kings death, because they had formerly wasted the fields of the Macedonians, and subdued them, then he went against the Illyrians, the old enemies of his Kingdom, sending first Embassadours to Bardiles their King requiring him to restore those Cities, which had been formerly taken by the Illyrians from the Macedonians, which when he refused to doe, they came together to battell, Philip bringing with him an Army of 10000 foot, and 600 horse. They fought valiantly on both sides, but in the end Philip got the victory, and of the Illyrians there were slain 7000, wherefore the Illyrians were glad to sue for peace, and when Georg: Gemistius.they had left all the Macedonian Towns, as was required, it was granted. After this he fought against Amphipolis and wan it, because since his leaving of it, they being under the protection of the Athenians had shewed great enmity against him. Then he subdued Pydnah to the Olynthians, that he might enjoy their friendship, and Potidaea also. After that he tooke Crenidas, which he called after his name Philippi. There he finding mines of gold by building works, brought them to be worth to him above, 1000 Talents per annum, and hereby being greatly inriched, he increased his Army. Then an opportunity offered it selfe, to draw him with his forces into Thessalia, for Alexander Pheraeus, the Tyrant being Diodorus.slain by his wife and brethren, and his said brethren exercising the like tyranny, the Nobles of the Land called in Philip thither to ayd them against these tyrants, wherefore he went and subdued them, and by this means had the Thessalian horsmen, which were the most excellent of all others, to assist him in his wars always after, both he and his sonne Alexander, when he was dead. And now Philip tooke to wife Olympiad, the daughter of Neoptolemus King of the Molossians, by whom he had his sonne Alexander.

In this time there were two things onelyonly memorable touching Artaxerxes Ochus the Persian King. 1 There was one Datames a great Prince under him, The Persian affairs.with whom he had been greatly offended, but he was at length in shew reconciled, continuing still desirous to have him taken out of the way, and to this end using many policies, which he still being very wary avoyded, at length one A subtile policie.Methridates, the sonne of Ariobazanes undertooke to fulfill his desire, so that he would give him his right hand and promise, that whatsoever he should doe to this end, he would never punish him for it. This being done, he feigned a defection from the King, and invading the Kings Territories he tooke Castles, and carrying away great preyes, sending part to Datames, as one that greatly desired his friendship. When he had thus done long, Datames believing that he was revolted from the King indeed, esteeming him a true friend, and therefore Methridates sending to him, to desire a meeting with him, to consult how to prosecute the wars begun with greater Forces against the King, he appointed a place and time of meeting, but to that place Methridates went, with one trusty friend before, and hid some swords, and so when they met and had conferred, and were now parted, he returning took a sword, and hiding it under his coat, called back A new friend not to be trusted.Datames, as if he would speake a word more with him, and then unawares slew him. 2 Great wars being betwixt the Athenians and Rhodians, Chians and other States that revolted from them, Chares was made Generall over the Athenian forces by sea, being 60 ships, and unto him were soon after joyned Iphicrates and Timotheus, who brought 60 sayls more. Now when these together would have set upon Bizantium, which was one of the revolters, a suddain storme came with such violence, that they were by force hereof beaten far away. Hereupon these two advised not to return to fight against Bizantium again, but Chares would return, and when he could not bring them to agree to him, he wrote to the Athenians so against them, that they were called home, and a mulct of many Talents was layd upon them, and Chares alone was made Captain over all. Wherefore he to ease the Athenians of the charge of the wars what he could, hastened to Pharnabazus, a Prince of the Persians, who had revolted from the King, and now p. 86was ready to be set upon by 70000 sent out against him, when his forces were but small, and joyning his forces with them obteined a great victory for him, for which he was rewarded with great treasure, that sufficed to pay his whole Army. The Athenians hearing of this were joyfull for a time, but the King of Persia was so provoked hereby, that he expostulated with them by his Embassadours for it, and sent 300 sayls to ayd the Byzantians, &c. This being heard at Athens, they immediately sought peace with the Byzantians, and Rhodians, and others which had falne from them, and without much difficulty obteined it.

To return again to Philip of Macedonia, the Illyrians and others whom he Philip of Macedon.had subdued, being vexed that they were thus brought under, now meditated revenge by joyning all together against him, to expell him out of his Kingdom, but he hearing of their plot came suddainly upon them, and compelled them to continue in their obedience, then he overcame Methon and Pogas, which last belonged anciently to Macedonia, but in winning Methon he lost one of his eyes, by a shaft shot by one Aster, having written upon it, Aster Philippo telum jaca mortiferum, but Philip returned him another with this inscription, Asterem Philippus captum faciet pensilem: and having won the City he razed it to the ground, but whether he hanged Aster or no, I read not. After this he was desired again to return into Thessalia, because Lycophron, one of the Tyrants by him formerly subdued, had taken the Kingdom again upon him, being ayded by Onomarchus with an huge Army, and Phaillus his brother having another Armie of 7000. These fighting against Philip overcame him once or twice, whereby he was put in great danger, and compelled to retire to Macedonia. But he having renewed his Army, went again into Thessalia against Lycophron, and Onomarchus being by him desired, returned again to help him, with 20000 foot and 3000 horse of the Phocians, whose Captain he was, but not with his former successe. For now Philip prevailed, and put his whole Army to flight, killing 6000, and taking 3000, amongst whom Onomarchus being one, was hanged, through a just judgement, because he was Captain of those that had robbed the Temple of Apollo at Delphos, and taken away the great treasures thereof. For although he were no God, but a Devill, yet because the Graecians generally reverenced him as a God, sacriledge Sacrilege punisht.was thus punished in him, and the 3000 taken with him, were for the like cause east into the sea, none of them being spared. But to recite the History of this sacriledge from the beginning.

After the Mantinean battell before spoken of, there was a common Councell of twelve peoples of Greece assembled to settle the whole countrey in peace. There the Thebans accused the Lacedemonians for taking a Castle from them in time of truce, and the Phocians for taking away a great tract of dedicated ground, for which they were adjudged to lose their own land to make satisfaction. Phil…meli… a chiefe man amongst them, being impatient of this great mulct, exhorted his countrey men to take the Temple at Delphos, seeing that was within their bounds, whereby they might be supplyed with money enough, to wage Souldiers to defend themselves against all Graecia, and when they consented, he imparted it to Archidamus King of the Lacedemonians, desiring his aid, and having obtained of him 15 Talents, and putting to as many of his own, with many of the Phocians, and 1000 hired Souldiers, he went and tooke that Temple. For this the L…ctians first being angry with him, went against him to battell, but with ill successe, wherefore they called the Boetians to their ayd, and the Boetians thought to stir up all Grecia, But the Lacedemonians tooke part with the Phocians, and some also of the Athenians, and when great Forces were raised on both sides, a cruell battell was fought, and Philomelus was put to flight, and so hard pursued, that to avoid taking, he leapt from an high rock and killed himselfe, thus paying for his sacriledge. Then Onomarchus being made Captain of the same sacrilegious rout for a time prevailed, but at length had his condigne punishment also, as hath been shewed. But yet the Sacrilegious ceased not to prosecute their begun warre, for they made Phaislus, brother to Onomarchus, now their Captain, who converting all the gold and silver in the Temple at Delphos into money, hired great Forces therewith, and went against the Boetians. For he broke up, as Diodorus sayth, p. 87Diodorus.100 pavements or bricks of gold, given sometime by Croesus to that Temple, and tooke 360 golden Vials, a golden Lyon and a Woman, comming altogether to 30 The riches of Apollo his Temple.Talents, and of silver gifts, as much as made them up 10000 Talents. So that now by the large stipends profered, viz. double wages, he drew so many from all parts unto him, that his power far exceeded any that had been raised before. And the Lacedemonians sent also to him 1000, the Athenians 5000, and 400 horse, the Achei 2000, and Lycophron expelled by Philip out of Thessalia came to him with 2000, yet with all this Army he could not prevail, God being against him for his sacrilege, but within a few dayes, being smitten with tormenting pangs, when he had lyen long consuming under them he dyed in the space of one year after. But this I rather think came upon him from the Devill, God permitting it, seeing both he and his Souldiers had mancipated themselves to his service, being all Idolaters, and an Idoll being nothing but a Devill, as Saint Paul teacheth. He being dead, yet this war ended not, but Phapechus was made Commander, being the sonne of Onomarchus, and because he was very young, one Mnaseas was joyned unto him, as a tutor. Against them Philip returning from Thessaly, bent his course, but being hindered by the Athenians at the streights of Thermophile (they fearing that if he were imployed in these wars, that they should all be in danger of being brought under by him) he went into Macedonia. But this young Commander seeking rather to inrich himselfe with the spoiles of the Temple, then to prosecute any Wars, was at length found out and put from his Office, and threee others set up in his stead, by whom all the Captains that had an hand in that businesse were made miserably to perish. Then the Phocians went against the Boetians and Thebans, and they fearing their own strength, sought to Philip of Macedonia forayd, who came with his Army, and gave the Phocians a great overthrow, in so much that whilst they fled, some hither, and some thither, 500 of them fled into the Temple of Apollo, and then there being much straw neere, which was fired, the Temple was also therewith burnt, and all that fled into it together. But they which still remained, sent for ayd to the Lacedemonians, and obteined it, whereupon Philip was sent for again, and came with a great power of Macedonians and Thessalians. The Phocians then being terrified, sought peace, and thus an end was put to this warte, which had now lasted nine or ten years, Philip referred it to the Boetians and Thebans, upon what conditions peace should be granted to them, and they would have this judged by the generall Councell of Greece, wherein Philip for his valour had a double voyce A Decree against the sacrilegious Phocians.granted unto him, which the Phocian State was wont to have, and that for ever deprived thereof, and of the Temple, and three of their chiefe Cities were judged to have their walls beaten down, and that they should not possesse any Armes or horses any more, till they had made recompence to that Temple for the harmes done to it, and till this were done, pay 60 Talents per annum to that god, and both theirs, and the Armes of their hired Souldiers should be broken in pieces, in detestation of their wickednesse.

Whilst these things were in doing in Greece, the King of Egypt, Nectonabus revolted from Artaxerxes Ochus, and by his example the Phoenicians and Cyprians, The Persian affairs.being hardly used by the Persians revolted likewise, and sent to Nectonabus to joyue with him, making all manner of preparatious for war. And to the end that the King might not want matter of provocation, they spoyled his gardens, burnt up his hey, and abused his Officers, wherefore Artaxerxes prepared a mighty Army both of horse and foot to goe against them, first sending out the Kings of Syria and Cilicia, who being incountered by Tennes King of the Sidonians, or Phaenicians, holpen by Mentor a Rhodian with 4000 Graecians were beaten out of the Countrey again. But when Ochus approached, such a terrour was stricken by the excessive greatnesse of his Army into them, that Mentor sent Thessalius a faithfull friend privately unto him, to promise him to deliver the Sidonians into his hands, and by his experience that he had of the Egyptian affairs, to help him to conquer that Kingdom also, if he would accept of him. The King giving him his hand, promised a great reward if he did thus, then he drew Tennes to the satne conspiracle with him, upon hope to regain the Kings favour also. He p. 88therefore first tooke 100 of the chiefe Citizens of Sidon, as authors of the revolt at a meeting pretended to be for consultation, and delivered them to Ochus, who used him friendly, but slew them forthwith. This being done, 500 of the Sidonians came humbly with olive branches to sue for peace, but when Ochus had consulted with Tennes, and was by him advertised, that he might take the City without conditions, he tooke and slew all these also. Then by his means he comming to be let into the City, and having gotten it into his possession, he smote the treacherous King also, as thinking him no further serviceable to him, as he The reward of treachery.was well worth, seeing that instead of a Protector he played the Traytor to his Kingdom. Sidon being thus gotten, all the rest of the Towns about readily yeilded, but the Citizens seeing in what case they were, shut themselves into their houses with their wives and children, and setting fire upon them, were together with the whole City burnt, the very flooers of their houses being covered with melted gold and silver, of which Artaxerxes Ochus made many Talents. Then the King wrote to Idricus a Prince, to raise forces against the Cyprians, which being done, they were easily brought to submit themselves to the Persian again, although they were nine Cities, every one having a petty King. After this he passed on to Egypt, having many Graecians added to his Army, and the Egyptians had likewise 20000 Graecians in his Army, and 20000 Africans, and 60000 Egyptians, wherefore the battell was stoutly upheld for a time at Pelusium, but when they heard that Nectanabus their King was fled out of Pelusium to Memphis, that City was soon yeilded. Mentor also by promising courteous usage to all that would return to Ochus, but threatning such destruction to all that stood out, as came to the Sidonians prevailed to bring in many other Cities, and then Nectanabus not daring to abide at Memphis to defend his Kingdome by battell, but utterly despairing of holding it any longer, fled into Ethiopia, there to live in exile all the rest of his dayes. Thus Ochus easily brought that whole Kingdom under his obedience again, and having broken down the walls of their Cities, and spoiled their Temples, he returned full of rich spoils to Babylon, leaving Phecendales to govern over Egypt. But Funccius relateth before this out of Eusebius Funecius.his overthrowing of Apodasmus a City of the Jews, and carrying them to Hircania, by the Caspian Sea, and placing them there. But Paulus Orosius sayth, P. Orosius. The lews place in Hircania.that they were carryed out of Egypt thither, and therefore this being the first time of this Kings comming into Egypt, it must needs be at this time and no sooner. The King being returned home from the Egyptian warre, began to reward Mentor with 100 Talents of silver, and the Prefectureship of all the Asiatick Coast, and he accordingly did him great good service in subduing partly by fraud, and partly by force, many of his rebels. From henceforth I finde nothing more memorable touching Ochus, but that as he began his reigne in bloud, by killing of his brethren, so he continued cruell and bloudy to his end, in so much that Athenaeus Athenaeus.propounds his saying to his son, when he asked him how he had held this Kingdom so long, Pietate erga Deos, & justatia in homines, for a paradox. And as his life had been, so was his death, by a just judgement his life was also taken away by poysoning, when he had reigned according to some 23, according to others 26 years. And this was done by Bagoas an Egyptian Eunuch, who he had made Tribune of his souldiers, reposing the greatest trust in him, that he did in any man. The cause was an hatred conceived against the King, because when he subdued Egypt, he derided their superstitions, and caused Apis their god to be killed, and part of his flesh to be eaten at his table, wherefore after divers years he wrought his death by his Physitian, whom he corupted with gifts to poyson him. Being dead he cut his body in pieces and cast it to cats, as Elianus sayth, and Aelian. variae histor. Arses King. Anno Mundi 3608. …addah Highpriest.of his skin made scabberds for swords.

He being dead, he set up his youngest sonne Arses, killing all the rest of his brethren. To return a little to the Jews, In the tenth yeare of Ochus, Jadduah was made their High-priest, and solived two years, that is to the time of Alexanders Monarchy. He had a brother called Manasseth, who contrary to the Law of God marryed the daughter of Sanballat, Prince of the Samaritans, at this, the Elders of the Jews being grieved, came to the High-priest, and desired that p. 89Josephus, antiq. lib. 11. c. 8.either he should put away his strange wife again, or else be put from the Altar. Manasseh therefore went to Sanballat, and told him, that although he loved his daughter well, yet he would not for her sake be put from the Priesthood, which was amongst the Jews counted a great dignity. He answered, that if he would keepe her still, he would obtain of Darius the Persian King, leave to build him a Temple upon Mount Gerizim in Samaria, in which he should be High-Priest as his brother was at Jerusalem. Now whilst this was plotting, Alexander came against Darius, and having overcome him, Sanballat turned to Alexander▪ with 8000 men, and of him he being friendly received, obtained leave to build a Temple upon Mount Gerizim, and to make Manasseh High-Priest there, pretending, that it would make for the Kings benefit, because thus the power of the Jews might he divided, and the more easily subdued. Manasseh being thus advanced, many resorted to him that had married strange wives, or been otherwise delinquents against the Law, by which means he was the more confirmed in his Pontificality, and so continued all the time of King Alexanders Reigne and after.

But to proceed in the History of Philip where we left it, there was now peace Betwixt Philip and the Athenians peace.made betwixt Him and the Athenians, in the time whereof he removed the inhabitants of one Countrey into another by exchange, and so made one large Kingdome of Macedonia of them all, thinking by this means to keepe them the more Iustinus l. 8.quiet. And at this time came Aristotle to him, and was made Tutour to his Son Alexander, being then 14 years old. Then Philip with a mighty Army invaded the Illyrians, and having wasted their fields, and overthrown many Cities, returned home with a rich prey. At which time Alexander being but a youth, Alex. pueri fortitudo.hearing it, is sayd to have greived, saying, that his Father would leave nothing for him to doe whereby he might win any glory.

The next memorable thing done by Philip was his war against Chersobleptes the King of Thracia, for when he invaded many Cities of Greece about Helespont, Philip went with a great Army against him, fought many battels with him, and brought them so much under, that the Thracians thenceforth pay their tenths to the King of Macedonia: And he built some strong places in Thracia, whereby the better to keepe them in aw, whereby the Graecians hearts were so wonne unto Philip, that they willingly associated themselves unto him in his wars, thus Diodorus, Diodorus.but Justinus sayth, that he circumvented the Thracian King by fraud, and so made a prey of him. Things succeeding so well unto Philip, he cast in his minde how to win all Graecia, and because Byzantium stood so, as that no corne could be transported thither but by this City, and without it they could not live, he first bends his Forces against Byzantium and Perinthus neere unto it, and being, as it were, the base Town thereof. The men of Byzantium seeing the great Forces brought against them, sent to Athens for aid. The Athenians taking this invading of Byzantium for a breach of the peace on Philips part, by the perswasion of Demosthenes sent a great Navy of 120 ships to ayd them, which Philip seeing, renewed his peace again with the Athenians, and departed towards Scythia, being sent for by Marthea the King to ayd him against the King of the Istrians, promising to make him his succcessour in that Kingdom. But whilst he was upon the way, the King of the Istrians dyed, and then the Maccdonians were sent away derided, and unpaid their charges. Philip being much displeased at this, thought to be revenged, but for a colour he sent to the King of Scythia, that he might have leave to come to the mouth of Istrus, and set up an Image to Hercules to procure his favour in his wars. The King smelling out fraud herein, returned answer, that if he would send an Image to be set up he would see it done, but if otherwise he would come against his will to set it up, he would surely pull it down again, to make arrow heads to shoot at him. Philip yet being unsatisfied made great preparations to goe against the Scythians, and then went and took great spoils, when he had overcome them 20000 women and children, and 20000 excellent mares for breed: but in his return, the Scythothracians would not let him passe, unlesse he would give them part of his prey, whereupon an hot battell was sought, Philips great danger.and Philip was wounded on his thigh, through which his horse was slain under p. 90him, and whilst his men thinking that he had been slain, came about him, the prey was carried away, and Philip lost all that he went for, indangering his life also. But when he was healed of his wound, the peace betwixt him and the Athenians being broken, he went to war against them and the Thebans with 30000 foot, and …000 horsemen. They likewise came to fight against him with a greater number in Cher…naea of Boeotia. Then Philip leading one wing, committed the other to his son Alexander, being now 19 years old, who behaved himselfe so valiantly, that when he had fought long and could not prevaile, at length he brake in amongst his enemies, and made them to flee after great slaughters. Philip seeing this, inforced himselfe likewise, and beat back and overthrew those that were placed against him, and so after the fall of 2000 and 2000 taken prisoners, he got the Iustin.victory▪ and by that means the Empire of all Graecia. But the way whereby he compassed it was this. Making the Thebans subject to him, and selling the Captives taken of them, and placing Magistrates over them, he sent to make a league with the Athenians, and restoring their Captives gratis, he sent to call a Councell together of all the Graecians, wherein he complained of the wrongs done to the Greeks by the Persians and to their gods, saying, that he had in his minde to goe into Asia, and to be revenged therefore, if they would choose him Emperour of all Graecia. And when he had obtained this, he mustered the forces of Graecia, to prepare for his expedition into Asia, and found them to be 200000 foot, and 15000 horse, besides his Army of Macedonians. Whilst this preparation was making, Philip put away his wife Olympias, for suspition of adultery, and marryed Cleopatra, the neece of Attalus, one of his greatest Commanders. At this marriage, when Attalus was merry with wine, he told the Macedonians that they should now pray to the gods for a worthy successour to Philip by this marriage. But Alexander being vexed at his words sayd. Et quìd nos tibi sumus scelus, num adulterini videmur? and taking up a cup, was ready to throw it at him: Philip being moved at this, rose from his place with his sword drawn to strike at Alexander, but by the way he stumbled and fell, at which Alexander Alexander mocks Philip.mocking, sayd, is he likely to lead the Macedonians into Asia, who cannot goe from one bed to another without falling? which was the part of an undutifull Deriding Parents.sonne, howsoever he was provoked, and therefore God suffered him not to live long, as he hath promised to children, that honour not their parents. Hereupon Alexander placing his mother Olympias in Epyrus, with that King her brother went away into Illyria. Philip then sent Attalus, Parmenio, and Amyntas, with part of his Army into Graecia before him, but staying still till the next yeare, called home his son Alexander to him again, by the perswasion of his friend Damaratus. Philip then gave his daughter Cleopatra in marriage to Alexander King of Epyrus, who was her uncle, and for the solemnization of this marriage, made great preparations. Amongst other shews then prepared, there was one of the twelve gods of Graecia most curiously wrought, carryed about with great solemnity, and after them a thirteenth of Philip, in like manner adorned, whereby the proud man tooke now upon him, as if he also were a god. But for this his pride Pride punisht.he soone perished by the hand of a young man, one Pausanias who was angry with him, because that being made drunken by Attalus, and then his body exposed to grosse abuses by him, he comming to himselfe had complained to Philip without any amends. When the King therefore was most secure, and walked without his guard about him in a long white robe between two Alexanders, the guard being commanded to follow after him, Pausanias tooke his time to thrust him through, and then fleeing towards his horse, which was ready at the gate, his foot was snarled in a vine, and so Perdiccas comming upon him with others, Dioderus.slew and cut him in peeces. Thus Philip dyed, Anno 25 of his reigne, of his age 47. And Justin sayth, that Pausanias was thought to have been moved to this Iustin.murther by Alexander and Olympias his mother mad for the divorce, when he complained to them of the wrong done unto him without punishment. And some signe there was hereof, because the mangled body of Pausanias being hanged, …mans cruelty being …her hus…a…d put awayOlympias sent a Crown of gold to be set upon his head, and when the Kings body was burned, according to the manner, shee caused his body to be burnt upon it, p. 91and his ashes to be buried in the same place with his. And touching Cleopatra and the childe which Philip had by her, which Iustine calls a daughter, Diodorus a son, shee having killed the childe in the mothers bosome, sayth Iustine, shee hanged her: but Pausanias sayth, that shee put them both into a vessell of brasse, Paus…ni…s.and so making a great fire about it, tormented them to death. If Alexander had any hand in this murther, here was another evident cause why he was so soone cut off.

Whilst Philip was thus preparing against the Persian, Narses the King thinking Narses the King of Persia murdered.not to take away Bagoas for his insolencies, was by him prevented, when hee smelt what he went about, and treacherously slain, both he and his children when he had reigned three years. Then Arsanus a valiant man was chosen King, say some, there remayning neither brother nor child, but Diodorus sayth, he was the Diodorus. Darius King of Persia.son of Arsanus the brother of Artaxerxes Ochus, his name Darius, but the other, that this name was given him for the more honour. He being King, when Bagoas had thought to have made him away also by a poysoned Cup, hee called The treacherous perishing in his own device.him friendly to him, and then compelled him to drink it, and so hee was at length taken in his own trap. Darius hearing of the Macedonian preparations against his Countreys, began both diligently to make ready his forces against the Graecians, that were come into Asia, and by great gifts to stirreup the Athenians, Thebans, and other peoples in Greece, against the King of Macedonia, to effect which he also hired Demosthenes with 70 Talents. But when hee heard, that Philip was dead, he had at the first no fear of Alexander for his youth, yet Alexander at the first entrance into his Kingdome doing great exploits against the Illyrians, Thracians, and others in those parts, whom hee thought it not safe to leave, but first wholly subdued, when he should go into Asia, Darius began again to look about him, and by his instruments and gifts wrought many Greek States to a revolting from Alexander, whilst he was absent, & to move them the more, it was given out, that Alexan. was slain in Thracia. But he with great celerity having subdued those parts returned into Grecia, which made his enemies to feare, and the Athenians having soon recōciled themselves unto him, the Thebans yet stood out against him. Wherefore he came against them with 30000 foot, and 3000 horsmen: but the Thebans being most valiant and resolved to die in battell for their Countries liberty fought stiffly a long time, and made many of the Macedonians to flee. This Alexander seeing, opposed them with his band so fiercely, that he by and by turned the fortune of the battell and drave them into the City, rushing in together with them, and so obteined a wonderfull victory, 6000 of them being slain, and 30000 taken prisoners, who were sold for 440 Talents of silver. Then the walls of Iustinus.Thebes were beaten down, the King being stirred up to make an utter destruction of this State by the Phocians, Plateans and others, who had holpen Alexander in this war, complaining of their treacheries and wrongs done formerly to them, and their complying with the Persian King to betray the liberty of all Greece, wherefore he would shew no favour, but selling for slaves all that remained, he distributed their Lands amongst his Macedonians. Yet when his heat was over, he was sorry for that which he had done, and laid all the fault upon the Phocians, &c. and used such Thebans as afterwards happened to come into his hands more gently. The Athenians hearing what was done, were greatly terrified, but sent ten of their principall men to Alexander to congratulate his victory, and then he demanded nine of them to be delivered unto him, whereof Demosthenes was one, for being authors of former troubles, and of their revolt from him in that City. Phocion then an enemy to Demosthenes moved that they might be delivered, and sayd, that it was an unworthy part in them to refuse to die for the safety of their Countrey. But Demosthenes having made an Oration, Dametes the President The force of Oratory. Arrianus. Diodorus.was so moved hereby, and by five Talents given unto him by Demosthenes, that he undertooke to goe to Alexander, and to pacifie him touching these men, which he did and prevailed. Then Alexander returned into Macedonia, and consulted with his Princes about his going to war into Asia: but Antipater and Parmenio his two speciall friends, advised him first to take a wife, by whom he might have an heir, and after that to passe thither. This counsell his stirring and valiant minde p. 92would by no means embrace, wherefore resolving the spring following to goe into Asia, he spent the winter, in the mean season, in many pleasures. And before Iustinus.he went, he caused all the kinred of his mother in law, whom Philip had highly advanced, to be slain, not sparing those that were of his own kinred, lest any new stirs should by their means in his absence arise, but this his cruelty went not long unrevenged. He also sent Hecataeus into Asia to take Attalus, who being Uncle to Cleopatra, Philips second wife, had been by Philip sent thither with an Army before, or to kill him, because he had heard that Demosthenes had written to him before to turn from Alexander to the Graecians.

Attalus hearing that Alexander was displeased with him, sent him Demosthenes Letters, and wrote also flatteringly to him, yet Hecataeus intended his charge so well, that he soone cut▪ him off unawares. In the spring, Alexander having committed Macedonia and all Graecia to Antipater sailed over into Asia, in 50 long ships, having with him 30000 foot, and 5000 horse-men. So soone as he came on the shore he stuck down his speare, saying, that the gods had subdued unto him all Asia, and vowing the erecting of 12 Altars for good successe, as if Alexanders blind piety.he had already the possession, he distributed all that he had in Europe to his friends, saying, that Asia alone would suffice him. The Persian Captains hearing of Alexanders comming, entered into counsell, Memnon the Rhodian perswading to spoyle all the Countrey before them a great way; that the Macedonians finding no provision, might be forced to return home again, and to send Forces over into Greece, that hereby they might be moved, but others to fight with them, to avoyd the imputation of cowardize, and to save the Countrey from spoyling, and this prevailed. Then they marched into Phrygia towards Helespont, by which way Alexander came, pitching their tents so, that they might have the River Granicus on one side for a defence, and kill the Macedonians as they should come over to them. But Alexander hearing where they were, came with speed to the place, and got his men so early over the river the next morning, that the Persians could not be ready time enough to resist them in their passage. Then a bloudy battell began, first between the horse-men, being on the Persians side 10000, and their foot 100000, wherein Alexander was so forward, that he soone spurd his horse amongst the Persians, and encountering hand to hand with Spithrobates Darius his sonne in law, slew him with no small hazard to himselfe, and then forced the rest to flee, killing 10000 foot and 2000 horse-men, and taking 20000 prisoners. The terrour stricken into men by this victory, made the Sardians to yeild to Alexander as soone as he came at them, and Ephesus, and many Aeolick, and Ionick Cities more. Then he marched to Miletum, a City to which Memnon and the rest fled, besieged it and tooke it in a short time, the Citizens falling at his feet were spared, but the Souldiers were many of them slain, many taken and made slaves, the rest fled with Memnon to Halicarnassus, the greatest City of Caria. Alexander following besieged them there, and began to batter the walls, till that the Persians making an irruption out in the night, fired their engines, and slew many of the Macedonians comming to quench them, and soon after Ephialtes a mighty man an Athenian, issued out with 2000 most valiant, killing many, and after him came Memnon with other fresh supplies, making the Macedonians to give way, and putting Alexander himselfe to his trumps. But at length the old Macedonian Souldiers taking new courage to them, set upon the Persians so valiantly, that they compelled them to flee into the City, and that night Memnon with his Army forsaking it fled into the Isle Con, leaving onelyonly some of his men in the Tower to keepe that. The winter then comming on, Alexander after that he had taken almost all the Maritim Towns either by force or yeelding, resting in those parts, sending over some of his young men to winter in Greece, and to bring with them at their return, as great Forces more as they could get. Memnon in the mean season declaring to Darius, how his counsell of invading Greece was rejected, whereupon things succeeded so ill, obteined of him a great masse of money, wherewith he prepared 300 sailes to goe against Greece, and subdued Chios, Lesbos, and almost all Eubaea, and many more parts of Greece, some by force, and some by gifts, so that Alexanders case now seemed p. 93to be somwhat doubtfull. But Memnon soon sickned and dyed, and then great consultation was entered into between the King and his Princes, who should succeed him as Generall, and when some would have Darius to goe in person, Charidemus an Athenian Captain, whom Alexander had expelled thence, being fled to the Persians, withstood it, because of the danger which might be to the whole Kingdom, by the Kings hazarding of his person, offering himselfe to this service, and when contention hereabout grew betwixt the Persian Lords and him through their envie, the King in an anger caused him to be put to death, and thus having lost two such famous Graecian Captains as Memnon and he were, he soone came to ruine. Darius then being much grieved, but too late, for Charidemus, gathered an Army together of 400000 foot, and 100000 hotse, and so went from Babylon towards Alexander, together with his vvife, sonne, and two daughters, whilst these things were in doing. Alexander had a great sicknesse, by which his life was indangered, and being recovered, another danger hung over his head, by another Alexander, Captain of the Thessalian horse-men, vvho offered for a revvard to Darius to kill Alexander, sending him this vvord by Amynthas a Graecian run avvay, vvhereupon he sent Asisimes to him, to promise him in his name, that if he did it, he would make him King of Macedonia, and give him 1000 Talents of gold. but Asisimes being taken in his passage by Parmenio, confessed all unto him, and that Alexander was taken and put in prison, that he could not effect his devilish designe. Darius then vvent on vvith his Army, and vvhen Alexander heard that he vvith his huge Army vvas vvithin 30 furlongs, he prepared to fight, making an exhortation first to his Souldiers to be couragious, and then he leading one vving, committed the other to the Thessalian horse-men, and comming on, he bent himselfe vvholy to that part of the Army vvhere Darius vvas, vvhere great slaughter by most valiant Souldiers vvas made on both sides. Then Orathres the brother of Darius, seeing the danger vvherein the King vvas, hastened to rescue him, and after heaps of dead carcasses made by fierce fighting on both sides, the Kings chariot horses at length vvere vvounded, then he being removed into another chariot fled, and his vvhole Army after him, they being then slain and trodden dovvn by the horse-men, pursuing them to the number of 120000 foot, and 10000 horse-men, but of the Macedonians there fell but 300 Diodorus.foot, and 150 horse-men. Darius that he might flee vvith the more haste, lest his Chariot and rod on horseback, changing often till he was out of all danger. Then Alexander took his Tents, wherein hee had 3000 talents, besides other riches in abundance, and his mother, wife and children, and many other great Princesses and Ladies. And when they lamented their condition, Alexander shewed the greatest courtesie and continency towards them, that ever any Prince did An Heathens moderation towards women.in the like case. For he neither offered to do any of them the least dishonour, neither would he suffer any other, although he were young without a wife and they most beautifull: but he embraced the Kings son, being but six yeares, and kissed him, and carried himself towards Darius his mother, as to his own mother, and towards his wife, as towards his sister, insomuch, that Darius hearing of it, fell down upon his knees and prayed unto the Gods, that if it were their will, that the Kingdom should now go from him, no other man might have it, but Alexander. Then he wrote unto Alexander to take one of his daughters to wife, offering with her all that part of his Kingdom, which lay next unto the Sea, unto vvhichwhich motion yet he vvas not willing to hearken, being desirous to vvinne the vvhole World, unto the great spoyls gotten in the tents of Darius, there vvere soon added more treasures laid up at Damascus, by the treachery of the Governour of that City, vvho to vvin favour vvith Alexander, sent unto him an offer to betray the City unto him, so he sending Parmenio easily took it, but the traitour Treachery punisht.vvas punished in his kind vvith the losse of his head, vvhichwhich one of his fellovvs cut off, and carried to Darius. Then Alexander had many other places for feare yielded unto him, and the Sidonians also submitted themselves, and they of Tyre made a shevv of submission by their Embassadours, offering to do his commands, but vvhen he returned ansvver, that he vvould come to Tyre to sacrifice to Hercules, they denied him leave so to doe, vvhereby hee vvas greatly exasperated, and p. 94thought hovv to be revenged by taking Tyre. But it vvas both by nature and art so strong, that this might seem impossible. For it stood upon a little Island foure furlongs from land, and was compassed with high and strong walls, had a mighty Navy and all manner of provision and wealth enough. Yet Alexander attempts it first by pulling down old Tyre, that stood upon the Continent, and herewith landing up the Sea towards it, in which worke although he met vvith many difficulties, and especially when he brought it neare the City, by their shooting from their walls at his men, yet at length he effected it, and battered and made breaches in the walls, and finally, although with great losse of men, and danger of his own person, tooke it after seven moneths, and then he slew all the armed men within the City, being 6000, and hanged up 2000 of them upon the shore, and made the rest slaves, and fired the City. But in the time of this seige, so active was he, that he tooke some of his forces and made an excursion into Antilibanus in Arabia, and tooke it, returning again in ten dayes. Then he also sent to Jerusi, to Jadduah the High-Priest to help him, and to doe so towards him, as he had formerly done towards Darius, but he answering that he was sworn to Darius, and therefore could not, during his life, ayd any other against him. Alexander was full of wrath, and threatned, when he had overcome Tyre, to leade his Army against Jerusi, that all men might know to whom they ought to keepe their oath. Tyre being destroyed according to the threatning of Ezechiel, Chap. 26. Alexander subdued also wirh ease other parts towards Egypt, but Gaza in the way towards Jerusi, stood out and would not yeild, but he having overcome it in two moneths, marched towards Ierusi, at the hearing of which, Iadduah the High-Priest Iosephus.was stricken with great feare: but fleeing to God, by assembling the people together to sacrificing and prayer, he had a dream the night following, wherein he was much comforted. For the Lord appeared unto him and told him, that Alexander should not do him or the City any harm. Wherefore go forth, sayth he, to meet him clad with thy Priestly garments, and the other Priests according to their manner and the people in white, being secure of protection by my providence. This being by him related, they all rejoyced, and so the gates being opened, he went forth with a reverend train following him, untill that he came neer Alexanders army. Then Alexanders followers expecting, that he would have permitted him to their abusing, because he was incensed against him, it fell out clean contrary. For Alexander no sooner saw the High-priest in his ornaments and Mitre with the plate of gold upon his head, wherein the name of God was written, but hee alone went out to meet him, and reverently saluted him, all men about him wondring at the thing. Then Parmenio asking him the reason, hee answered, that when hee was yet in Dio in Macedon: deliberating with himselfe about this expedition into Asia, God appeared unto him in such a likenesse, bidding him to be of a good courage, and to passe over into into Asia, for under his conduct he should obteine the Persian Empire, wherefore he now honoured him in honouring his High-priest. Then going into the City, and to the Temple, hee sacrificed and bade the Jews aske, what they would have him doe for them, Jadduah asked, that they might live according to their owne rights, and be free from tribute every seventh yeer, which he immediatly granted. The Samaritans then seeing, how well the Iews sped, came and intreated him to visit their Temple, saying, that they also were Iews, and therefore craved of him the like Immunities, but he suspecting, that they were not Iews, and more strictly questioning, whether they were or not, they denied it, and so he deferred answering their petition, till afterwards. Jadduah also shewed Alexander the prophesie of Daniel, which spake of him, and hereby being filled with more confidence, he departed towards Egypt, where Masazes the Viceroy under the Persian, having heard of Alexanders former great victory, soon yielded that Country unto Arrianus.him, receiving him most friendly into it. Then Alexander went to visit the Temple of Jupiter Ammonius, which was an Idoll composed of Margarites and other precious stones, carryed upon the shoulders of 80 Priests in a ship of Gold. This Temple stood in the midst of a most pleasant place, abounding with all manner of fruits, and cleer springs, the compasse of fifty furlongs. But to come to it, hee p. 95must needs passe over most dry and sandy places, where the sands driven by the winds, made the passage most hard to be found, because there vvas no beaten vvay for vvhichwhich that Idoll vvas called Ammon. But Alexander had vvater given him from Heaven, as he vvent, and Dragons and Crovvs vvent before him to direct him the vvay.