Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4, Biblical commentary 1 · Intertestamental history (6 of 7)

Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4 · Biblical commentary 1 · Intertestamental history (6 of 7)

p. 171By this time Octavius having prepared fully to go against Sicily, set forth to invade it on three parts at once, but with so ill successe by reason of tempests arising, that after the losse of many ships and men, hee returned back again to Italy only with one ship, the rest, which remayned, being diversly dispersed, yet after this being challenged by Pompey to a Sea-fight for the finall ending of the quarrell, he being ashamed to refuse the offer, although hee had never yet fought prosperously by sea, accepted of it, and so they met with 300 ships on eyther side, their foot forces remayning upon the shoare, anxiously expecting the issue. In this fight also Lepidus was with Caesar with many ships, which hee brought out of Africa, and after a long and bloudy fight the victory fell to Caesar, 28 ships of Pompeys being sunk, and the rest yielding all but 17, with which he fled away, and taking his treasure, and wife, and children with him, hee hastened away into Syria to Anthony. Whereby wee may see the instability of this World in that hee The instability of worldly things.which fled a little before now puts his adversary, by whom hee was brought into danger of his life, to flight. Lepidus after this considering the great power, which he had about him, for he had 22 Legions, thought it a fit time to take the dominion of Sicily upon him, and to breake with Caesar, because being of equall authority with him, he used him as a Legat only. Therefore he put out Caesars men, and placed Garisons of his own there. But when they should come to try the matter by battell, the souldiers of Lepidus both foot and horse, loving Caesar better then him revolted, the greater part of them, whereby he was so discouraged, that he also came to him Pride brought down.desiring mercy, and was by him well received, but deprived of his Triumvirship, and suffered to enjoy his High-priesthood, whereat, some say, hee was so discontented, that hee went into voluntary exile. Caesar now had 45 Legions of foot, 25000 horse, 600 long ships, and ships of burden innumerable: then he committed Suetonius.Africa and Sicilia to the Propretours to be governed and returned to Rome, where he was received with all honour. And when hee had made an Oration to them, and promised upon Anthonyes return to lay down the Triumvirship, they made him Tribune of the people, so that his person should be sacred for ever. Pompey fleeing towards Anthony, heard of his overthrow in Parthia, & therfore began to meditate, how to get his Dominions into his hands. Then he used this policy; he sent Embassadours to him to offer his assistance, but at the same time hee sent also to Phraates King of the Parthians, offering as a Captain to fight for him against the Romans. But his policy succeeded not; for those that went from him p. 172towards Parthia, were taken by Anthonyes men, and being brought to him to the great shame of the other Embassadours confessed the matter. Yet they excused it by saying that he sent not to the Parthians with an intent to joyne with them, unlesse he were by Anthony rejected, for he had rather associate himselfe to him then to any other man, and this Anthony tooke for an excuse. But before he heard any thing again from him, he put on Imperiall apparell, mustered more Souldiers in Syria, and tooke divers Cities, whereby he marred all. For Anthony now was very strong again, Titius bringing to him 120 ships, and 70 comming out of Sicilia whereby Pompey being terrified, fled into Armenia, and his best friend Libo forsaking him, went to Anthony with others. Titius then, and Furvius and Amyntas, pursued him, and overtooke him and slue him, and this Titius was one whom he had before saved. After this Anthony goeth again into Armenia, pretending peace and a match between his son Alexander, whom he had by Cleopatra, and that Kings daughter, whereupon the King came into his Tent, and so was treacherously taken, and after a while, bound with silver and golden chains, and carryed to Alexandria in Egypt, and there he led him, and his wife and children in triumph, causing them to be brought before Cleopatra sitting upon a Throne, but they would not bow to her. Then doting exceedingly upon her, he made her Queen of Egypt and Corcyra, &c. together with his son Ptolomes Caesareon, affirming him to be legitimate, and that shee was J. Caesars wife, that Octavius might be put down, and he gave her the title of Queen of Kings, and her other children which shee had by himselfe, of Kings of Kings, giving to the one the Kingdom of Armenia, to the other of Media. By all which, and his triumphing there to please Cleopatra, great distaste was taken at Rome. Yet Cn. Domitius and Sussius being both Antonians were made Consuls, and carryed themselves insolently against Caesar, whereupon he came guarded with his friends and Souldiers to the Senate, where he spake against them and Anthony, no man daring to answer. But both they and many Senatours fled into Egypt to Anthony. Then after many letters written from Caesar to Anthony and from Anthony to Caesar, wherein they laid divers things to the charge of one another, they came to an utter breach, and Anthony sent a divorce to Octavia. Such then as were good Common-wealths-men, especially Titius and Plancius, leaving Anthony came to Rome, and by declaring the will of Anthony, that Caesareon was the legitimate son of J. Caesar, and Octavius had no right to any thing through him, and that wheresoever he dyed his corps should be interred by Cleopatraes in Egypt, stirred up the people, so that immediately war was denounced in the Temple of Bellona, against Cleopatra, it being presumed that Anthony would never leave her. And another thing which exasperated the Romans against him, was his treachery towards the King of Armenia, to the great disgrace of the Roman Nation. Then great preparations were made on both sides, all the West being for Caesar, and all the East for Anthony, so that he had 11 Kings to help him, and 500 ships, as some say, according to others, 800. Caesar also drew with him the chiefe power of Italy, France, Spain, Africa, Sicilia, and other Islands. Their meeting was at Actium, and their fight both by sea and land. The sea forces of Anthony were compassed about by Caesars, and many burnt and 300 taken, Cleopatra then fled with 60 ships, and after her Anthony, when as he had yet 19 whole Legions, and 12000 horse, so Caesar tooke the rich spoyles which were brought out of Asia and Egypt, whence Cleopatra alone brought 20000 Talents, but Anthonies men first fought a long and bloudy battell with him, when their Emperour was gone, and at length yielding many were taken into Caesars Army. After this, Caeser not being able by the ships which he sent out after Anthony to overtake him, returned to Italy, and Cleopatra by robbing of Temples, and pilling the people, gathered again all the treasure shee could, and sent to the King of Media, the head of the King of Armenia, which she caused to be cut off, that she might procure his assistance, and so raised a great power. But Caesar being bent to Italy went no further then Brundusium, and being there met by the Senatours and many others, was made Consul the fourth time, his Office of Triumvirship for five years, and five being expired, and so with all speed after twenty or thirty dayes stay at Brundusium, hee went p. 173into Syria and towards Egypt, against Anthony and Cleopatra, who were astonished at the suddennesse of his comming, it boing also then Winter. Now therefore Anthony and Cleopatra, sent Embassadours to him for peace, together with a golden Crown and other Regall ornaments sent by Cleopatra. To her he answered, that she should have favour, but to Anthony nothing, wherefore he sent the second and third time, but received no answer, although hee sent great gifts also, and Tutullius a Senatour, who was one of the conspiratours against Julius Caesar, whom Octavius forthwith slue. Yet lest she should despaire, he sent one to Cleopatra, to promise her the Kingdom of Egypt, and to signifie, how inclining he was to shew her favour, and what love he bare to her, if shee would kill Anthony, because he feared eyther a long War in Egypt, and the burning of the treasure, which he desired to take, or their fleeing into Spain to stir up new troubles. Cleopatra then not being without hope to inveigle Caesar, if Anthony were dead, as she had done his father & Anthony, goeth amongst the monuments, as if she would, forth with dye there. Anthony being of this certified, attempted to kill himselfe and fell down in his bloud, as if he had been dead, then shee getting up to the top of the building lookt over to see him, and Anthony being raysed up again espyed her, and caused himself by ropes to be drawn up to her, and then hee immediatly Anthony payeth for his inordinate lust.dyed even in her bosome. Then she comming into the power of Caesar, when he would make no faith to her, shee suspecting, that shee should be reserved for a triumph made a shew, as if shee would go into Italy with Caesar, but in truth to get an opportunity to kill herself, because otherwise Caesars men by his command were so vigilant over her, that she could not. Having then apparelled her self in most sumptuous manner in Queens attyre, she with a small sharp ended instrument dipt in poyson, which she used to weare on her head prickt her own arm, through which shee presently dyed without any sense of pain: for such was the nature of that poyson, so soon as it met with the bloud, to kill, no pain being felt, some say, that she applyed an Aspe to her arme, whereby she suddenly dyed, which Caesar hearing caused all means to be used to suck the poyson out againe, but in vaine, at which he was much grieved, as she had in her life time desired of him, he buried her most sumptuously in the same Sepulchre with Anthony; and thus all civill Wars ended amongst the Romans, Caesar Octavius from thence-forth reigning in peace. And this Macrobius noteth to have been in the sixth monethmonth, and that Macrob.it was therefore called August, after his name Augustus, happy, but improbably, because all this was done by the Spring.

To return now again to the Jewish affairs, Julius Caesar being slain, and civill Wars thereupon arising, of which at large before, Cassius came to Syria, and exacting much money there to mayntain his army he most grievously oppressed the Jews, exacting of them 800 talents, or neer upon it. Antipater then committed the gathering of this money to his two sons, and one Malichus, who was but a treacherous Ioseph. lib. 14. c. 18.friend unto him. Herod his younger son with all diligence gathered the money, which he was to gather throughout Galilee, and bringing it to Cassius, obteined generall favour at his hands. Some Cities under other Procuratours for want of payment were sold and money raysed, and so angry was Cassius with Malichus, that hee would have slain him, because hee had not gathered his part, but that Hircanus at that instant sent by Antipater 100 talents of his own unto him. But Malichus requited him ill by plotting treacherously to kill him, of which Antipater being aware raysed forces to goe against him, Malichus then craftily denying his treacherous purpose was againe reconciled to him. But Marcus being President of Syria, hearing of the attempts of Malichus would have Ingratitude Cap. 19.slain him, but that Antipater entreated for him. But in so doing hee did but save a Serpent to sting him. For soon after he corrupted the Butler of Antipater, and poysoned him. This Phasaelus and Herod his sons conceiving to be done by Malichus, would have been revenged upon him, but he seriously denying it, and professing his grief for him, they refreined to be revenged openly. Therefore they friendly continued in friendship with him, but plotted his death secretly, and therefore Cassius being by Herod acquainted with it, he sent to the Tribunes to be assistant to Herod in his just attempts. Then they, as they were by him directed, p. 174met Malichus, as hee was passing and slue him with their daggers. After this when Cassius went out of Judaea, tumults a rose there by means of Felix left behind Bloud payeth for bloud.with an army, for he went with his forces against Phasaelus, but he was by him overcome and driven away. About this time also Antigonus the son of Aristobulus having gathered a power together infested Galilee, and took three towres, but Herod going out against him drave him away and regained the towres, for Lib. 14. 21.which he was much honoured by Hircanus and the people, so that Hircanus gave him his Niece, the daughter of Alexander son of Aristobulus to wife. And these things fell out whilst Cassius reigned or ruled in Syria, but hee being overcome by Cap. 22.Caesar Octavius, and Anthony at Philippi. Anthony ruled over all Asia subject to the Romans, and came into Syria. Then Embassadours came from all parts unto him and from Judaea came some, that accused Phasaclus and Herod for taking the rule upon them, using the High-priest Hircanus as a stale. But Herod comming speedily to Anthony, obteined such favour also with him, that his adversaries could not be heard. Then Hircanus sent a Crown of gold to Anthony, and other gifts, desiring him to set such of his Nation free, as Cassius had sold for slaves, and to restore such lands, as were by him taken away, and given to the Tyrians. To which Anthony answered by writing, and granted all his requests, and wrote to the Tyrians also to restore the said lands, because Cassius, who was now justly slain for his wickednesse, had unjustly therewith gratified his adherents, and if any presumed to hold them still he threatned punishments according to their demerits. Anthony after his comming into Cilicia, where hee met Cleopatra Cap. 23.and was ensnared with her love, many others of the Jews came to seeke to Cleopatra against Herod, but one Messala being set to plead for him, and Hircanus assisting him, Anthony for his father Antipaters sake also, whom he had dearly loved, made him and Phasaelus his brother Tetrarchs. But the Jews being discontented hereat came again, 1000 of them to Anthony speaking against him, yet he having received great gifts from these two brethren rejected them, and put 15 of them in prison, and yet when he could not yet appease the tumult, he slue those 15, and commanded the Toparch of that place to ayd Herod, in his Tetrarchship, who thereupon entreated the Jews to depart, foretelling them of the danger, that would follow, but they being obstinate stayed still and departed not, till that some of them being destroyed they were enforced to be quiet.

The next year another great trouble arose in Syria by means of Antigonus the son of Aristobulus, who stirred up Pacorus the King of Parthia to help him to the Kingdom of Judaea, promising to him 1000 talents, and 500 women. Hereupon Cap. 24.Pacorus, who as Dio sayth, was the son of Orodes the King was sent together Dio.with Labienus a Roman, who was a great instigator to this War, because Anthony was more given to take his pleasure with Cleopatra, then to any thing else, and now dissentions began to arise betwixt him and Caesar, so that he thought this to be the opportunity to subdue all Syria to the Parthians. And a Prince of Parthia called Barzaphernes was also sent with him. Then they comming with their forces in Syria subdued all, as they went and so came to Judaea, and to the City Jerusalem, where Herod had many skirmishes with them, and slue many of them. But the Feast of Pentecost comming on, many thousands of Jews resorted to the City and took all but the Kings Palace, which was kept by Herod, his brother Phasaelus defending the Walls without, and Herod sallying out, put Pacorus and many thousands of his men to flight and returned. Then Antigonus perswaded him to go with a few souldiers into the City again, under a pretence of agreeing. Meeting therefore with Phasaelus, hee perswaded him to goe into Galilee to Barzaphernes in embassage, that there might be a peace concluded. Phasaelus, though against his brother Herods will, who premonisht him of the perfidy of the barbarous, went together with Hircanus, and was at the first friendly entertained by Barzaphernes. But hearing there what an offer Antigonus had made the Parthian to help him to the Kingdom he suspected treachery, yet he would not flee away in the night, as he was by a friend admonisht to do, but stayed to expostulate about it with Barzaphernes, who stifly denied it, and then went away to Pacorus. So soon as he was gone, Phasaelus and Hircanus were taken by his p. 175men, and bound, and a messenger dispatched to Herod to draw him out of the gates, that he might be taken also. But he having intelligence before from Phasaelus Cap. 25.could not be moved to go out, although Pacorus under a pretence of letters brought since by a messenger of good news sought to draw him. Being therefore disappointed of this treachery the Parthians consult what to do, and Herod in the mean season sleeth away in the night with his souldiers and women towards Idumea, but was pursued by the Parthians, and many Jews also upon whom hee turning gave them many overthrows, and so came to the Castle Massada, where leaving the women and some others to the number of 800, hee went into Arabia petrea, thinking to crave ayd of that King for the friendship, that had been betwixt him and his father, and being denyed for feare of the Parthians, he went to Egypt to Cleopatra and Anthony, and finding no help there, for Anthony was then at Rome, he took shipping in the midst of Winter, and sayled to Rome, a most dangerous voyage. In the mean season the Parthians spoyled the Jews inhabiting Jerusalem of all their goods, and the Kings Palace also, and Phasaelus and Hircanus came into the hands of Antigonus, who cut off Hircanus his eares, that hee might never be High-priest again, & Phasalelus impatient of his captivity, because he could not otherwise make away himself, being bound, beat his head against the wall & brake his scull, and so dyed, that he might not be abused at the will of his Self murther.And not long before Herod, when he was upon the way to Arabia, the Waggon wherein his was carryed being overthrown, drew out his sword thinking also to kill himself, but that hee was disswaded from it, seeing thus hee should leave his mother and Wife and children to become a prey to his enemyes, whom he ought rather to live to defend. Herod being come to Rome, was much commiserate by Anthony and Caesar, and the more for his father Antipaters sake, whom C. 26.they both greatly loved. And then the Senate being called together he was made King of the Jews, Antigonus being condemned for his turbulent spirit, wherewith he was carryed, and his father before him against the Romans, and for his bringing the Parthians their enemyes into the land. And thus they, that always hitherto, since their return out of captivity had been under a Governour of their brethren, as of Princes of the Tribe of Judah, till the time of Mattathias, and afterwards of High-priests and Kings comming of that Tribe by the mother, began first to be subject to a stranger, whereby they might know, that the comming of the Messiah was not far off, according to the prophesie of Jaacob, the scepter shall Gen. 49. 10.Gen 49:10not depart from Judah, &c. for Herod became absolute King, all competitors being put down, and reigned anno Mundi 3930, and anno 34 of his reign Christ was Anno mundi, 3930. Funcius.born. Herods reign began not immediatly after his comming to Rome, where hee was declared King, but 22 years of Harcanus his High-priesthood being first expired, after his restitution to it, from which he had been put down by his brother Aristobulus three yeares and some moneths, so that hee was High-priest first and last 31 yeares, nine in the time of Alexandra the Queen, his mother, and then almost four years of the reign of Aristobulus the Usurper comming between, being again restored by Pompey 22 years, after which Antigonus possessed the Kingdom five yeares, and then Herod putting him down reigned, till that Christ was born. Herod being thus made King especially through Anthonyes favour, who thought it needfull to confer this honour upon him, in respect of his Wars with the Parthians, (for Herod came not to Rome with any hope to obtein this dignity, because it was contrary to the custome of the Romans to prefer any man to that Kingdom, but one of the bloud royall, and therefore he thought to have made suit for Alexander, brother to his Wife, that he might be King) was taken between Anthony and Caesar to the Capitoll to sacrifice there. In the meane season the Castle of Massada was in danger by Antigonus who came to besiege it, and they within were brought to a great streight for want of water, insomuch that Joseph Herods brother thought again to try the King of Arabia for help, but store of rain falling, their Cisterns were again supplyed with water, whereby being encouraged, they within often issued out, and fought with Antigonus, killing many of his men.

Then, as Appianus hath it, Ventidius was sent with forces against the Parthians, p. 176Appian.who encountered with Labienus and prevailed, putting the Parthians to flight which, which Ventidius seeing, feared, and disguising himselfe fled, but was taken and slain, and Pacorus sayth, Velleius was slain also. Herod then returning from Rome came to Ptolomais, and having gathered forces went first towards Ioseph. lib. 14. cap. 27.Massada. to deliver his besieged, then his army being more increased by many that flockt unto him, partly for his fathers sake, and partly because they heard that he was by the Romans made King, he moved towards Jerusalem, Silo and Ventidius being commanded by Anthony to assist him when he came to the West part of the City, they shot arrows, and threw darts at him, but he by a Trumpeter declared that he came not but for peace, and if they would open to him, he would forgive his most infense enemies, whereunto Antigenus answered, turning to the Romans, that they offered injury to help an Idumean, that was but of the halfe bloud of the Jews, to the Kingdom, seeing if he himselfe were thought unworthy to be King, yet there were others of the bloud Royall, of whom one might be set up. Then Silo being before corrupted with money by Antigonus, began to be treacherous towards Herod, for by his means his Souldiers mutined, saying, that they wanted provision, and hereupon he offered to remove to some other place to winter. But Herod importuning him to stay and supplying the army with all necessaries, he could no more have any colour to goe away, yet he provided that Antigonus within the City might know of it, to the end, that by sending out forces to meet with those that went out to get provision, he might hinder their being supplyed without. But against this Herod provided, by sending out forces, and then following himselfe to their destruction. And by this time, Ventidius having beaten the Parthians out of Syria, sent to Herod one Machera, with two Legions, but Herod finding him also apt to be corrupted by Antigonus, resolved to goe to Anthony, but that voyage was not without much opposition of barbarous enemies, whom he yet overthrew and came to Samosata to Anthony, of whom hee was honourably entertained, and by and by the place was yielded to Anthony, and he appoynted Sosius over it, commanding him to supply Herod with two of his Legions, and soon after to follow himselfe with his Army to help him, Anthony himselfe going from thence into Egypt. Now whilst Herod was thus absent, Antigonus prevailed much in Judaea, and Joseph, Herods brother, with many of his men were slain. This he hearing upon the way, hastened first to Galilee, where that was done, to be revenged upon his enemies, and then to Jerusalem, and this was three years after his being made King at Rome. And here Josephus telleth of two strange preservations of Herod, by a singular divine providence; the one, in that having been feasted in an upper room, so soon as he was gone out to take his rest, it fell down; the others, in that being in a room of an house washing, with only one Page to attend him, three armed men lurked there behinde the hanging, hiding themselves, and first one came out vvith his Herod wonderfully preservedsword drawn and vvent his way, as glad to save himselfe, and assaulted not Herod, and then the second and the third likewise.

When Herod was come to Jerusalem, Sosius also joyned himselfe there with him, and so their armyes together were 30000. Then they assaulted the City and lay long about it, by which means they within suffered by famine, yet their courage to repell the enemy continued unto the end. But Herod gained first one wall and then another, till that he came to the Temple, out of which still they fought, but in the end the Temple was entred and many were slain, and then Antigonus came and submitted himselfe to Sosius, vvho upbraided him by the name of Antigona, and put him in bands to be sent to Rome, yet Herod importuning him to it, for feare of future contention about the Kingdom, he sent him to Anthony, vvho to procure the more quiet to Herod, beheaded him. Ioseph. lib. 15. c. 1. When Ierusalem was thus taken, the souldiers killed up the people without any respect of sex or age, and spoyled them of their goods, till that Herod with great difficulty prevailed to cause them to cease, vvhen he had promised to every souldier a Anno mundi, 3930.reward, and thus the rule of the Aslamoneans came to an end 126 years after it began, and Herod came to possesse the Kingdom. Having gotten it, he slue 45 of the principall of the faction of Antigonus, and otherways consumed many p. 177more that had been enemies to him, and tooke all the stuffe of the Kings house, and the gold and silver in the City, whereof he sent great gifts to Anthony. Hircanus Ioseph. lib. 15. cap. 1.all this time was in the power of the Parthian King Phraates, since his taking, together with Phasaelus, by Barzaphernes the Parthian Lord, who used him kindly, and placed him in Babylon, to rule over the Jews there, of whom there were many, and he was amongst them had in great reverence, so that his captivity now seemed light unto him. Yet hearing that Antigonus was slain, and Herod King, he had a great desire to return to Ierusalem again. nothing doubting but that Herod, whom he had always so dearly loved, as he had also done his father Antipater, would greatly honour him, being also now as a father to him in respect of his wife of the house of Hircanus, whom he had marryed. Herod also hearing of his desire, wrote lovingly to him, promising him all honour, and so means being made to King Phraates he dismissed him. When hee was returned, Herod entertained him with all honour, placing him on his right hand, cap. 2.and calling him father, but because of his ears cut off, he made Ananelus another Priest of no obscure stock High-priest, and not one of the Assamoneans, for feare of future danger. But Alexandra his wife, Mariamnes mother, who had also a sonne sixteen years old, called Aristobulus, exceeding beautifull, as also her daughter Mariamne was, stomackt it greatly, that her son, to whom of right the High-priesthood belonged, should be neglected, and another preferred (for she bare him to Alexander, son of Aristobulus the King, and was Hircanuu his daughter, and so Mariamne her daughter was Grandchilde to Hircanus) she sent to Anthony to desire the High-priesthood for her sonne. But Anthony neglected it, till that one Gellius a friend comming to Ierusalem, saw the beauty of her two children, and was wonderfully taken with it. To him then shee spake for her son, and by his advise sent by him his picture and his sisters to Anthony, who also highly extolled them unto him, insomuch that hee was taken with their love, and would have sent for them both, but that he feared Cleopatraes taking it ill: yet he sent for her sonne, but Herod excused his not sending him, because, if he should, all Jerusalem would be in an upro…e, and so he rested satisfied. Yet Mariamne, Herods wife, ceased not importuning him for her brother, that he might be High-priest, and at length prevailed so far, that Herod calling a Councell of his friends granted it, at which both Alexandra and shee greatly rejoyced, and thanked Herod: yet he thought it still necessary to watch over Alexandra, fearing that she would attempt somthing further afterwards. This shee seeing took it indignely, for that shee thought her life, as it were, but a prisoners life, and therefore wrote to Cleopatra to complain hereof. She received her letters, and wrote back to her, that she should come over with her sonne into Egypt, but whilst she prepared in great secrecie to doe so, she was discovered to Herod, when she had conveyed herselfe and son away to the seas side, being carryed in chests, as if they had been filled with stuffe, and so they were brought back again to him. Yet Herod in great cunning carryed it fairly towards them, having a purpose in his heart to make Aristobulus shortly away. But in the mean season Ananelus being put down from the High-priesthood, and Aristobulus at 17 years of age, in his 18^th. he was moved, by the affection which he perceived to be extraordinary in the people towards him, to hasten his end, for at the Feast of Tabernacles the people beholding the great comlinesse of their High-priest, being adorned with his Pontificall attire, they expressed great affection towards him. Herod then feigning the like good affection, took him to him, and condiscended to his youth, to play with him, till that their sport being ended, they went both out into a garden, wherein were fishponds, to take the aire. And there being then certain young men washing them, and swimming in the pond. Aristobulus, at Herods motion, did the like. Then the swimmers, as they were before instructed by him, played with Aristobulus, in the water, and often duckt him, till at the last he was drowned. This being known, his mother and sister, and the whole City also, made great lamentation, and Herod with Crocodiles teares, seemed to doe the like, and spared for no cost in the burying of him, yet Alexandra his mother presuming p. 178Ioseph. l. 15. c. 4.that by Herods means her son had lost his life, studied how to be revenged, and to this end wrote to Cleopatra again, to move Anthony to call Herod in question. Therefore he going to Laodicea, sent for Herod, at which although he were much grieved, yet hee durst not but goe to him. Yet fearing the worst, hee committed the government in the interim to his brother Joseph, as Josephus sayth, forgetting himselfe that he had before written of Josephs death, whilst Herod was with Anthony. But haply he means a brother in law, husband to Salome his sister, of whom soon after. To this Joseph then he gavea charge, that if it should fall out ill unto him from Anthony, he should forth with slay his wife Mariamne, pretending that no other man might enjoy her beauty, which he sayd he suspected, Anthony would doe, if he were cut off. Being gone, Joseph often visits Alexandra, and her daughter, and somtime talked much of Herods love to her, for proofe whereof he told what he had given him in charge, if he should miscarry. But they both construing it otherwise, were much exasperated. A rumour then comming to the City, that Anthony had strangled Herod, they consulted with Joseph about fleeing away to a Roman Legion, but letters soon came from Herod, signifying how Anthony by his gifts was moved to use him kindly, and to answer Cleopatra, that he being now made a King, ought not to be questioned, and to pacifie her gave her the rule of Coelosyria, but so ambitious of dominion was she, and greedy of gain, that she asked of him all Syria also, and Iudaea, insomuch that hee gave her all betwixt the river Eloutherus and Nilus, except Tyrus and Sydon, and shee had before poysoned her brother Ptolomee being but fifteene yeares old, that shee might reign over Egypt alone, and her sister Arsinoe she caused to be slain, neyther was there any Temple within her power, but shee robbed it. Herod being feasted and dismissed by Anthony, returns home to Iudaea, then Salome his sister told him all, what Ioseph her husband and Alexander and Mariamne had conspired to doe, thereupon Herod was much offended with his wife, as being jealous for Ioseph, but she at the first clearing her selfe, they two fell to kissing and imbracing again. Then shee objecting that his love was indeed great towards her, when as if he had miscarryed, he would have had her put to death, he thrust her from him, and cryed out, now he knew she was an whore, and therefore Ioseph had opened this secret unto her, and with much adoe refrained he from killing her, but Ioseph he caused forth with to be slain unheard, and cast Alexandra into prison. Anthony about this time went into Armenia, where Cleopatra accompanied him a great part of the way, and then returned by Iudaea, to receive the profits of the parts given her by Anthony, there Herod, although he knew her to be his enemy, yet entertained her honourably, and when she had a while tarryed with him, like an impudent whore, desired to lye with him. He at the first instead of so doing, thought to take his opportunity to be revenged on her by killing her, but upon the perswasions of his friends he did not, but accompanying her homward, dismissed her into Cap. 5.Egypt. Then there fell out an occasion to Herod of warring upon the Arabians, because they denyed to pay Herod the tribute given him by Anthony. He therefore going forth with an Army, fought against them and overcame them. But they renued their forces again, and so they had another battell, wherein also Cap. 6.Herod prevailed, but immediately after this victory, Athenio a Captain of Cleopatraes in those parts, for the hatred which hee bare to Herod came upon his men being weary and slow many of them, and the Arabians seeing this turned into the battell again, whereby many more of the Jews fell, therefore Herod after this came against the Arabians at sundry times, not to open battell, but Chap. 7.after the manner of robbers. But whilst he and his souldiers were thus doing, there happened in Iudaea a grievous Earthquake, whereby 10000 people perished, and much cattell, but none of the souldiers, because they lay abroad in their Tents. The Arabians hearing this rejoyced greatly, as thinking now easily to subdue the Countrey. Wherefore they first killed the Embassadours who were sent unto them to sue for peace, then raising an Army they hastened towards Judaea, neither was there any courage in the Jews at the first to fight, so dejected in minde were they for the late destruction by the Earthquake. But Herod making p. 179an Oration to incourage them from the justice of their cause, to which, he sayd, God would never be wanting, and from the consideration of their two former victories over the Arabians; and lastly, from their suffering so much by the immediate hand of God, which argued, that having himselfe so grievously punisht them, Herods piety.he would not give them over into the hands of their enemies, they were greatly animated, and …o Herod having sacrificed, led them over Iordan to meet their enemies, and after a fore fight they put them to flight, having slain 5000 of them, then pursuing them to their Tents, they made them seeke by their Embassadours Vniust dealing against the Law of Nations punisht in the kind.for peace. which yet Herod would not grant, as being desirous to be revenged for his Embassadours sent to them before. The Arabians seeing this, put themselves, to the number of 4000, upon his merciemercy, the resideue being irked at it, resolved desperately to fight it out, rather then to come into such thraldome, but being over-powered by the Jewish army, they fell, to the number of 7000, the rest after this yielding. Herod by this victory, getting great honour amongst the c. 9.people, returned home in great pompe, but Anthony being now overcome by Caesar, he was greatly troubled for feare of his wrath, because of his friendship with Anthony, having also offered to ayd him in his last battell against Caesar, but that he sent him back to curb the Arabians. Therefore he expected no good from him, but ruine. Now because he thought, that if he were put down, Hircanus should again be advanced, as being the only man remaining of the royall stock, he had a desire to dispatch him, before he went to speake to Caesar. And whilst he was thus thinking, an occasion to execute his bloudy intention happened thus. His daughter Alexandra moved him, seeing Herod was like to be put down, to write to Malichus King of Arabia, to send him a convoy to bring him safely to Arabia, for he had a desire to come and sojourn with him. The Messenger by whom the letter was sent, treacheroasly shewed it first to Herod, to curry favour with him, although he had been greatly wronged before by him. Herod having seen it, willed him to carry it, and to bring him the Arabians answer, which he did, and then Hircanus being called into question for it, and when he was asked denying, that he had written any such letter, he was by Herods command immediately slain being above 80 years old, having continued High-priest 40 years, being always a man of a milde disposition, and patient upon all accidents, and towards Antipater and Herod his son, very beneficent, yet he was thus at last requited Anno mundi, 3935.by him in his old age, being put to a vile death. The 40 year of Hircanus his pontificality from the first beginning, are by Funccius reckoned thus. In the time Funcius Chronolog.of his mother Alexandra her reign years nine, then Aristobulus his younger brother got the Kingdome foure years, after this, Pompey confirmed him in his Highpriesthood again, & he continued 22, then his ears being cut off by Antigonus, hee was led captive into Parthia, and under that King was placed as Highpriest over the Jews in his dominions five years, during which time Antigouus was King, then he being slain by Herod the King, he made Ananelus Highpriet, and then Aristobulus son to Hircanus his daughter Alexandra, and he being dead, Ananelus again in the fourth year of his reign, wherein Hircanus dyed, therefore if the whole time be counted from the first beginning of Hircanus his High-priesthood, it was 44 to his death, and this was Anno Mundi, 3935. Then Herod preparing for his journey to Caesar, committed the government of his Kingdom to Pherata his brother, leaving his mother and sister, and the rest of his kinred in the Castle Massada, and Alexandra and Mariamne his wife in Alexandrium with Ioseph his Questor and Sobemus, commanding them if hee should miscarry, to kill them both, and to preserve the Kingdome for his children.

Things being thus ordered, hee hastened to Rhodes to speake with Caesar, Cap. 10.and when they were met, he only laying down his Crown with great courage and freenesse, told Caesar that he had loved Anthony much, and if hee had not been hindred by his wars with the Arabians, he would have been with him in his last fight against Caesar, for he was bound by his good deserts towards him to spend his life in his quarrell, and many other wayes hee spared not to shew how he had constantly cleaved unto him, in the end telling him, that if hee would p. 180make tryall of his friendship, he should in like manner finde what it was. Caesar being delighted to heare his resolute speech, restored him his crown, and willing him to be as faithfull now to him, as he had formerly been to Anthony, he used him with all kindnesse. And Herod having conducted him to Egypt, returned home more confirmed to the admiration of all men. And then going again to Caesar to Ptolomais he came yet into more grace with him by the present which he gave him of 800 talents, and his liberality and officiousnesse to his friends and army. But comming home the second time, he first went to his wife Mariamne, whom he loved above all his wives, kissing and imbracing her, and telling her of his honour with Caesar, and how he had inlarged his dominion by adding thereto divers places which Anthony taking away had given to Cleopatra. But she seemed to take no pleasure in hearing of it, because she was grieved at other things, viz. the death of her father and brother, and his late giving order again, that if he had miscartyed, she and her mother should have been slain. Herod then perceiving her discontent, whom he loved so dearly, was much offended, and his mother and sister perceiving this, put him on all that they could, because they hated her, as one that out of her pride for the high stock of which she came, did oft reproach them by their base pedigree. Yet he being still uncertain whether hee should be swayed most by wrath or love, brake not out into any thing harsh against her, till that his mother and sister accusing her for incontinencie with Sohemus, to whose custody she had been committed: neyther yet was he hereby much exasperated against her, because he beleeved it not, till that upon a certain day, being disposed to goe after dinner into his chamber, and there to ly down upon his bed, he sent for her to come to him, and being come he willed her to sit upon the bed by him, but shee denyed, and thereupon he was much more provoked. And to make her matter worse, Herods mother had secretly waged his Butler to present The treachery of a mother in law.unto him, as from Mariamne, a cup, as she bad him call it, of love drinke, and he prepared and brought it in at the same time that he was thus vexed at her, telling him, as he was instructed, that it was prepared for him at the Queens appoyntment. Herod then thinking that she would hereby have poysoned him, was much more inraged against her, and calling his Councell together, told them what had been done, and then a Page that waited upon her was fetched and put upon the wrack, because it was thought that if the Queen had plotted any such evill against him, he could not be ignorant of it, then he cryed out that he knew nothing, unlesse because Sohemus had told her that he had taken order, that she and her mother should have been slain if he had miscarryed when he went to Caesar, shee therefore to berevenged on him, had prepared for him this potion. When Herod heard this, he concluded immediately that she had been nought with Sohemus, and so served him as he had done Josephus before. And his Councell seeing it was his will, condemned Mariamne to dye, yet the King would not have execution suddenly done lest he should after wards repent it, but he commanded that she should be kept in prison, to which, as she was going, her mother Alexandra Alex. against her own daughter to flatter Herod.came out and rayled upon her, saying, she was worthy the most cruell death, that would have destroyed her husband being so loving to her, to whom she answered nothing, but lookt upon her, as giving a check to her unnaturalnesse by her countenance. Then Herods mother and sister perswaded him to hasten the execution, because if the Jews should know of her imprisonment, there would be danger of great tumults amongst them, wherefore she was brought out to execution, and suffered with an undaunted courage, as one not fearing to die, being in her own conscience innocent. Yet by her example let all women of high birth, take heed of insulting over others, and vaunting themselves of the nobility of their stock, or Against glorying in Pedigrees.glorying in their beauty and comely carriage, for herein she excelled all other women whatsoever. When she was thus cut off, Herod soon repenting him grew most melancholy, and full of wrath against every one about him, he could not eat nor rest, but called out for Mariamne, till that he went under a pretence of hunting, and hid himselfe in a wood, whereupon hee fell into a dangerous disease, insomuch, that it was despaired of his life. In which time Alexandra sought to have two principall Castles put into her hands, that if Herod dyed the Kingdom p. 181might return to her, and after remain to the Jews. But Herod by the industry and care of his Physitians, recovered, and hearing what Alexandra had attempted, though in vain, he put her to death. After this, to drive away melancholy, he set up a Theatre, and there delighted himselfe in beholding divers shews, and fightings of wilde beasts and men condemned to die, professing that he did this to the honour of Caesar, writing his name therefore in divers places about it in golden letters. But the Jews being zealous for the law of God, had great indignation at it, and at the first attempted, by a conspiracie of ten desperate persons to slay him, but this being discovered, they were taken and slain, and when they went to The spectacle of men and beasts fighting together condemned.execution, they suffered with an undaunted courage, as dying for the Law of God, against which they sayd it was, and their Countrey manner to have any such pastimes, in beholding one creature fighting with and killing another, especially, men and beasts put together to fight. The party discovering them, was soon after by some of the Jews cut in pieces, whereupon divers were tormented, to make them confesse who they were that did it, at length when no man could be made to confesse, a silly woman forced by torment, discovered them, and so they and theirs suffered for it. Herod seeing an aptnesse in the Jews to rebell about these things, built more strong places to curbe them, and inlarging and walling Samaria about, called it Sebaste, and there hee built a magnificent and large Temple.

But to leave the Jewish affairs again for a time, and to return to Caesar Octavius Augustus, he having, as was sayd before, put an end to the Romans civill Wars, lest they should afterwards breake out again, sent first and slue Antillus the eldest son of Anthony by Fulvia, and soon after Caesareon the son of Cleopatra, as he was fleeing into Ethiopia, but Cleopatra, Anthonies daughter by Cleopatra, he marryed to K. Juba, his sonne Juba, and gave him his fathers Kingdom, and unto them he gave Alexander and Ptolomee, two sons of Anthony by Cleopatra. Then seising upon the treasures of Cleopatra, he gave to every of his souldiers 250 drams a piece, and returning to Rome had all honour done unto him, and having held three Triumphs, was made Emperour, not as others formerly, but all power being given unto him, to order things as he pleased in all places, as his father Julius Caesar had. And then Temples were built both to Julius and him, and they were honoured as gods with sacrifices in divers places, and this was 14 years after the death of Julius Caesar, then the Temple of Janus was shut, in token of an Func. Chronol. Anno mundi, 3936.universall peace, and after this he reigned 42 years. But the son of Lepidus meditating revenge for his fathers injury, conspired to slay him, yet without effect, for Mecaenas the Governour of the City, finding out his conspiracy soon extinguished it. Augustus being thus dignified, would yet be Consul another year, and joyned Agrippa unto him, as being his intimate friend, giving him his sisters daughter to wife, and using his counsell in all things as he did the counsell of Mecaenas also▪ yet he was nothing the more lifted up in his minde hereby, but referred all to the greater honour of Augustus. After this Caesar built Theatres, and shewed sights to the people of divers sorts, wherein they much delighted. For his love to learning, he then built a Temple to Minerva, and a famous library to it, furnishing it with all sorts of Latine and Greeke books. After which, he bent his course towards Brittany, but being in France, Oratours were sent over to entreat for peace, and so he passed away to Spain against the Cantabri, who, with all others in Spain, relucting against the Roman yoke were in a yeare or two brought under, and then the Temple of Ianus was again shut up, because there was universall peace.

Whilst things went well thus with the Romans, the Iews suffered greatly by famine and many thousands were ready to perish hereby. Then Herod commiserating their case tooke all the vessels of gold and silver and ornaments that hee had and made money of them, which he sent into Egypt to buy corn, for the famine continued two yeares. This wonne him such love amongst them, that now all men forgetting things past greatly loved and honoured him. The people nourished by him in this time of famine were 50000 of his own subjects, besides strangers. Then plenty returning again, he beautified his Palace and erected many buildings p. 182in hor our of Caesar and Agrippa, and other great men of Rome, calling them by their names. After this espying a beautifull young da…osell, the daughter of Simon a noble Priest, hee was in love with her and took her to Wife, and that this match might be somwhat worthy of a King, hee made her father High-priest, Iesus the son of Phabes, being put from it, who had bin made High-priest the year after Hircanus his death, anno mundi 3936, and was put from it anno 3942, Anno mundi, 3936. 3942.when he had sitten six years, and then Simon the son of Boethus began anno 13 of Herods reign. annoque 13 after the Assamonean family first put down, Soon after this Herod observing a place neer the Sea fit to build a City upon between Dora and Ioppe in Phoenice, built one there, and an Haven very sumptuous, and that hee Cap. 13.might in all things attein more favour still with Caesar, he called it Caesarea, and built there a stately Temple to him, and erected two Statues, one called Roma, another Caesar, and a Theatre also, at which the Iews were not well pleased, although it were out of their limits, as seeing by this in him a declmation from the true Religion. And about this work he spent 12 years. He also sent his two sons Alexander and Aristobulus to Rome to visit Caesar, and had his dominion by Caesar, enlarged by adding to it Trachonitis, Batanea, and Auranitis, which were before held by Zenodorus, a favourer of robbers, who had spacious caves in the ground with narrow entrances, out of which they issued and did great mischief. Herod therefore by the means, that he could bringing these Countryes into better order possessed them, the Auronites, that would not yield, but kept him out by hostile means growing at length desperate, killing and drowning themselves and Zenodorus dying by the overflowing of bloud in his body, through the breaking of his heart-strings. Caesar also gave Herod leave to appoint, whether of his sons he would to reigne after him. Then Agrippa comming as President into those parts shewed all kindnesse to Herod, although there came many complaints against him, and afterwards Caesar himself comming thither honoured him likewise, and adjoyned him so to the other Governours of Syria, that they should do nothing without him. Herod being growne thus great called all his subjects to An oath put upon the people.sweare fealty to him and many, that refused, were imprisoned. But the Pharisees, who were followers of Pollio and Sameas men always gracious with Caesar were not so harshly dealt withall, although they refused, nor yet the Essees for the sake of Manahemus, who long ago, as it is sayd, when Herod was a boy and went to A prophesie touching Herod.school, foretold him, that he should be King, and gave him good counsell to doe justice to every man, and to use clemencie, but he told him he knew that he would be cruell and treacherous, but otherwise he should doe great things and attein to much honour. And afterwards when he was come to the Kingdome, he asking him how long he should reign, whether to ten years or more, he answered, to 20, to 30, and so left him. Josephus also noteth, that there being but two men of power above all others in the Roman Empire, viz. Augustus and Agrippa, Herod was made the third. After this he built a Temple of marble to the honour of Augustus, and to make the Jews lesse offended with him, he remitted them the third part of their Tribute, because they tooke some works that he made to tend to the depraving of Religion, and were hereby somwhat provoked against him. And in the 18 yeare of his reign to please them more, he prepared to build a magnificent house to the honour of God, because that house which the Jews had built after their return from the Babylonish captivity was too low and in statelinesse far inferiour to the Temple built at the first by Solomon, wherefore he propounded to build a Temple 100 cubits high, and 100 long, and that the Iews might be sure hereof, he sent up a 1000 carts to fetch materials, and provided 10000 workmen and 1000 Priests, who had skill in Masonry, whereby all things being brought together and made ready, the old Temple was taken down, and this new house built in most magnificent and sumptuous manner, the King giving 300 oxen for sacrifices, and the people so many as could not be numbred, and this Ioseph. lib. 15. cap. 14.building was finished in lesse then a yeare and a halfe, in all which time it reigned not in the day to hinder the worke, but only in the night, and at the finishing thereof, and the porch and the Courts the whole people of the Jews had great joy, and prayed for all happinesse to Herod, by whose benignity and bounty they p. 183had now again so stately a Temple built them. Josephus also describeth all things more at large concerning this rare fabrick, so that who so desires to see more therof, may read his 14 chap. lib. 15. where he sayth, that the Temple built by him at the first was 20 cubits longer then hath been spoken, but so much fell down again within a short time after and he describes the courts both of the Priests and Levits, of men that were clean, of women and of Proselytes of other Nations. But Herod according to others did not new build, but added to Zorobabels Temple. The Temple with all things belonging to it being thus finisht, Herod made a law, Ieseph. l. 16. c. 1that whosoever were found to have digged through a wall into a house, should be sold for a slave to forreigners for ever, at which the Jews were greatly offended as tending to the overthrow of their Laws against theft. But hee not passing for their offence sayled over into Italy to visit Caesar, and to bring away his two sons, Alexander and Aristobulus, who hee thought, had now been long enough at Rome to be seasoned with learning. Wherefore after honourable entertainment given him thereby Caesar, he returned home with them. This Salome his sister seeing & envying them, because of their mother Mariamne, they being goodly young men, and of a majesticall port studyed to stir up Herod to enmity against them, and to this end shee caused it to be given out, that they loved not their father, but were averse from his company, as reputing him the murtherer of their mother. But Herod was not moved at this rumour, wherefore his favour towards his sons was neverthelesse, insomuch that he marryed them being now grown up, Alexander to Glaphira the daughter of Archilaus K. of Cappadocia and Aristobulus to Bernice his sister Salome her daughter. Then hearing that Agrippa a Roman Captain was come into Asia, he went and invited him, and entertained him to his high content. And the next Spring Agrippa going against Ponticus, Herod with a many hastened unto him for his ayd, who was very joyfull at his comming, and the Pontick businesse being dispatched, they returned together to Ionia by the way, and there Agrippa gratifying Herod in any request, that he made for the Iews inhabiting those parts, hee leaving Agrippa President of Syria, returned home and told the Iews, how much favour and freedom he had procured them in all parts, as his care had always been to do them good, and remitted them now to obliege them the more to him the fourth part of their tribute, at which they much rejoyced and gave him great thanks. But whilst Herod was thus happy in publicke, he wanted not corrasives at home. For his sister Salome and Pherota sought by all means to provoke Alexander and Aristobulus, to speak in justification of their dead mother, by traducing her as worthy of her death, whereby she had suffered, and they being thus urged sayd, that the she was wrongfully cut off, wherein their father Herod being somwhat touched, their speeches were soon brought unto him. Wherefore he having a younger son called Antipater, took him into his speciall favour, so that it might easily be perceived, that putting down the two elder hee had a purpose to advance him to the Kingdome after himself. Antipater being thus preferred observes all occasions to exasperate his father yet more against them, and therefore he set some of his friends to espy their carriage secretly, that they might thence to be accused to Herod, and hee more alienated from them. Then they were observed sometimes to weep at their fathers unjust dealing towards them, and to speak against him for it, which being told him he sent Antipater with Agrippa to Rome to be acquainted with Caesar, thus to make way for his preferment, and the ruine of his other two sons. Antipater being there ceased not by letters to importune his father against his two brethren, so that now he grew more infest against them and went to Rome to accuse them to Caesar, carrying them with him, and making there a speech against them. After this both his sons stood mute for a time, but at length Alexander spake and answered all his fathers Oration, so that both he himself and all present were moved to pity. Then Caesar having spoken for them, Herod embraced his sons, and after hee had well gratified Caesar returned home with them, where he declared before the people, that his son Antipater should reigne after him, and then Alexander and Aristobulus but thus he layd a foundation of greater troubles to his frmily. For the two elder stomackt it, as a wrong done to them shewing enmity against their mother, and Antipater was not satisfied p. 184in that he should enjoy the Kingdome but for his life time, whereof he should also be in danger as long as they lived. And Salome also his sister and his brother Pherotas envyed them this preferment. Then Herods domestick troubles began greatly to increase, for Salome wrought by her daughter: Bernice to discover his secretest talk and actions, and to bring them to Herod, whereby hee and his brother were again ill thought on, and by Salome her instigation, Bernice separated from her husband, and Pherotas fell in love with her mayd-servant to draw him from the love of whom Herod offered his daughter, whom he promised sometime to take but soon after through the love of that mayd-servant he refused her. At this Herod was greatly displeased & banisht him from his Court and his sister Salome also, and some others of his neerest friends he cast off, and made away some others. Archilaus King of Cappadocia hearing of Herods displeasure against his son-in-law Alexander had thought to have gone over to him to endeavour a Ios. l. 16. c. 12.reconciliation, but upon better advice he rather sought it another way, by feigning himself very angry with his daughter for that she discovered not unto him the treachery of her husband against Herod, his father threatning to reject both her and him, if she did not, as being both guilty. Herod seeing this was moved with compassion to his son, and prayed Archilaus, who he now thought, dearly loved him, to be reconciled to his children. And Pherotas also seeking unto him to reconcile his brother to him following his direction prevayled, and so all breaches were made up, and Archilaus went home honoured with great gifts by Herod. But this lasted not long, for one Eurycles a Lacedemonian being a subtle man and a great flatterer insinuated himself into the friendship of Antipater and Alexander also, pretending himself to be a speciall friend to Archilaus, his father-in-law. By him the young man was so taken, that supposing him to be a dear friend, hee opened the secrets of his heart unto him. Then he treacherously told all to Antipater, and hee to his father Herod, who upon this was more incensed against his two sons, and committed them to prison. For Eurycles told, that Alexander and Aristobulus meditated an escape to Archilaus, by him to be conveyed to Rome, and that their hearts were bent to mischief against Antipater and their father, for which he had 50 talents given him by Antipater, and returning towards his own Countrey by Archilaus, he told him, what a good office he had done in reconciling Alexander and Herod together, when hee was very wroth with him, for Dissimulation notorious.which he also received a great reward at his hands, and going home into his own Countrey he went on in the same craft there, till at length he was banished for it. Herod having upon his relation conceived most hardly of his sons, and discovering also somthing by letters and confessions of the tormented for this purpose, examined them upon it, and all treachery being by Alexander denyed, but only hee confessed, that they intended to go to Archilaus, &c. because they could not live there out of danger by reason of their enemyes, and hee continued alienated in his affection from them, and sent to complain of them to Caesar, from whom having liberty given him to proceed against them, as he thought good, first having assembled together his two Presidents of Councell of Syria, he cast them into prison, & after a while caused them to be strangled there. And when as one Milo an old souldier of his cryed out more freely against this unjust proceeding, & being admitted to speak with him in private, told him what feares & hatred against him it might breed in the people to the indangering of his person, he also caused him to be put upon the Rack, as a Conspiratour with his sons, and when the Kings barber came in and accused him, that hee offered him a reward, in barbing of him to cut his throat, he forthwith executed him, when Antipater saw that his brethren were Ioseph. l. 17.thus made away, so that he should not need to feare, their aspiring any more to the Kingdom, to his hindrance, he began to devise how his father might be made away also, who now only was an hindrance to him, yet Herod had many children, for he had many wives, viz. nine at one time, and his son Alexander left two sonnes which he had by the daughter of Archilaus King of Cappadocia, and Aristobulus three and two daughters. And Herod their father had a sonne called Herod by the High-priests daughter, and Antopas and Archilaus by a Samaritan woman, and divers others. And suspecting nothing of Antipaters evill minde p. 185towards him, he marryed him to Bernice, his sister Salome her daughter, and made marriages between their children, to take away all grudges, yet Antipater closely meditated mischiefe, and although neither his father, nor any other perceived it, yet Salome did and bad him beware of him. Then he seeing that he could not compasse his ends, fearing lest his treason should be discovered, wrote to some private friends, that Caesar might be moved to send for him, which he did, and his father knowing nothing how this was wrought, sent him with most precious gifts to Caesar, & by letters declared him King after his decease. But whilst he was at Rome, Pherotas Herods brother fellsick, & sent for Herod to come to him, who did & then he learned that by the procurement of his son Antipater he should be poysoned, & that he had bin heard complaining to his mother of the longlife of his father, and of The son sick of the father.his many children, so that if he should come to the Kingdom after him, it would do him little good, because he should then be old, & his other sons being grown up he should not reign in safety: moreover, he was vexed, because Herod the son of the Priests daughter was appoynted to reigne after, or if he dyed before his father, after him, & not one of his own sons. These things being thus discovered to Herod, he put away Antipaters mother called Doris, being spoyled of all her costly ornaments & the Highpriest Simons daughter, deposing herfather, & making another Highpriest, viz. Mathias the son of Theophilus, & putting his son Herod out of his Testament, because she knew of all his treachery and discovered it not. Antipater knowing nothing all this while of his treason comming to light, wrote to his father of the evill sayings of his two sons at Rome, Archelaus and Philip that they murmured against him for murthering his own sons, their brethren, and sayd, when they were sent for home that he sent for them only to take occasion to adde to his unnaturall murthers. Herod receiving Antipaters letters dissembled his wrath against him, & wrote to him to hasten home again, as being desirous to see him. This he did, but hearing by the way of his mothers disgrace he feared, & therfore went not forward till after consultation had with his friends. But then being perswaded by them he came to Sebaste, & thence to the Court, where Herod sat together with Varus the President of Syria, to whom he had sent that he might consult with him. Antip. his son coming in he would not salute him, but laid open his wickedness and aggravated it before Varus, by telling how he had made him consort of the kingdom, and given him liberally what he desired, & declared him successor in the kingdom, til he could speake no further for weeping. Then Nicolaus his Orator, to whom he committed the matter, proceeded to accuse him, and more fully to lay open all things, and when Antipater had nothing to say in his own defence, but called upon God to shew some judgment upon him if he were guilty, Varus having called for the poison which had before bin discovered, & brought forth by Pherotas his wife, for he corrupted with gifts should have bin the instrument of the death of his own brother whilst Antipa. was at Rome, tryed the strength of it by giving it to a cōdemned man, who presently upon the taking of it dyed. Then he arising, after some conference had privately with Herod, departed, and Herod bound Antipater and put him in prison, Then he sent Embassadours to Caesar to lay open his treachery to him, who sent answer that he should proceed against him as he pleased: but when the answer came, Herod was sick of a grievous disease, whereinto he began to fall so soon as he had sent his Embassadours away, insomuch that men thought generally now, that it would be his death, wherefore certain young men, disciples to two most learned, Iudas and Mathias, by their instigation gathering together many people, went to the great gate of the Temple, and brake in pieces an Eagle of gold, set up there by Herod, which, they sayd, he had done against the Law of God. But Herods Captains hearing of it, went with a band of men, and others fleeing, tooke 40 resolute young men, that stood to maintain what they had done, and their two Masters Iudas and Mathias, who were ashamed to flee, and brought them to Herod. He being very angry with them and threatning them for this, they were nothing dismayed, but sayd, they must obey God and the laws given by his servant Moses rather than him, and by his law the making of Images was forbidden, and therefore they were ready to suffer any death, and feared not his wrath, seeing it was for Gods cause. Then Herod sent for the most honourable of the Jews, and declared to them his good deserts towards that Nation, and what he had done to the honour of God, yea, p. 186more then ever had been done by the Assamoneans, during the space of 125 years, wherein they reigned, upbraided them for their ingratitude, and aggravated that which was done by these men as a sin against God, to whose honour this costly Eagle had bin set up, requiring them to tell who was the author of this insurrection. They fearing his tyranny, denyed all that they had any hand in it: and then he burnt the authors hereof without delay, & because he presumed that Mathias the High-priest could not be ignorant of it, he put him from the High-priesthood, and gave it to his wives brother Jozarus. But when he had raged thus against the demolishers of the Eagle, his disease greatly increased, for he had an extream burning within, making him most greedy of meat, he had also grievous fits of the collick and an exulceration Gods judgements upon Herod.in his bowels, his feet also swelled, and his entrails and his privities were corrupt and bred wormes, and an intollerable stinke came from him, and to all these were added the shrinking of his sinews, and difficulty of breathing. Yet when all this came upon him, and he saw that he must die, he sent for all the principall men of the Jews and shut them up, requiring his sister Salome and her husband Alexas with tears, so soon as he was dead, before any knew thereof, to set the armed men upon them to slay them, because hee knew that the Jews always maligning him would rejoyce at his death, but thus their joy should be turned into mourning. Antipater all this while lying bound in prison, when he heard of the desperate case wherein his father was, offered large gifts to the prison keeper to set him at liberty, thinking now easily to get the kingdom, but he was so far from granting his request that he went and told the King of it, who thereupon sent immediately and put him to death, and so be payd for his particide and treachery, as hee was well worthy. Patricide revenged.Then Herod having made his Will, wherein he gave the kingdom to Archilaus, & a Tetrarchy, that is, the government of foure Regions to his brother Philip, and to Antipas, Galilee, and other great gifts to Salome, and to his other children and kinred, and chiefly to Caesar and his wife Julia, he dyed five dayes after Antipater, arms 700 of his age, 34 after Antigonus subdued, & 37 after he was first made King by the Romans. But Salome instead of putting the Nobles of the Jews to death, set them at liberty, saying, that Herod willed her so to doe, that every one might goe home to his own house, which got her and her husband much love of the whole Nation. And in this 34, being the last yeare of Herods reign, was the son of God Jesus Anno mundi, 3963. Funccii Chron.Christ borne of the Virgin Mary, Anno mundi 3963.

To return now again to Augustus Caesar, when he had put an end to civill Wars by the death of Anthony & Cleopatra, as was before sayd, to the end that they might be prevented for time to come, he sent & slue Anthony the son of Anthony by Fulvia, who was fled to his fathers Chappel built by Cleopatra, and Cesareon fleeing into Ethiopia, was taken by the way and slain, Cleopatra the daughter of Cleopatra, and Anthony he gave in marriage to King Juha, & to him also he granted two other of their sons, Alexander & Ptolomee. Then having spent the winter following in Syria, where Herod by his bounty and care to do him all good offices, insinuated greatly into his favour, he came into Graecia the next sommer, and permitted Temples to be made to the honour of Roma, and of his father Iulius at Nice, and Ephesus, and from thence he went into Italy and to Rome, where he was received by Valerius Potitus Consul, with all honour, he sacrificing for his prosperity and S. P. Q. R. which was a thing not formerly done, & instituted for him three triumphs, and used other great bounty towards him. Then was he made Emperour, not as others formerly, but to rule all things according to his own will, which was in the time of his 5^th. Consulship, the 15 year after the death of J. Caesar, for from thence doth his Empire begin, according to the account of Chronologers, who number of his Empire 56 years, but before the subduing of all his enemies, 15 of them were spent in wars, and now they being ended in the East, the Temple of Janus was shut by the Senats comand, but in way of flattering Caesar, because all war in Spain was not yet ended. August. being now established Emperour, had two friends Agrippa and Mecaenas whose counsell he specially used in all things, and by Mecaenas a plot of Lepidus, the son of Lepidus one of the Triumviri to kill Augustus, was discovered and prevented. The next yeare he was Consul the sixth time, and made Agrippa his Colleague, who, by his appoyntment tooke the summe of the people to Rome, p. 187August. breviar.who were found to be 400063000, and having made divers famous works, he caused the Temple of Ianus to be opened again, because the Cantabri and the Astures, two most warlike people in Spain, were not yet subdued, after it had been shut one yeare. But before his going out to those Wars, he very magnanimously calling the Senate together, offered to lay down his Imperiall power that the rule might goe as it had formerly done, professing that he tooke it upon him to punish his fathers enemies, and to quiet the civill stirs of that Common-wealth, now this being done, he would disburthen himselfe of this trouble, and live the rest of his life in quiet. The Senate hearing him speake were at the first amazed at it, but by and by they besought him with many words to continue their Emperour, as conducing most to the good of the Common-wealth, wherefore he still reteined it, and had it confirmed by the consent of the Senate and people, yet hee sayd that he would hold it but ten years, whilst all peoples about were sub dued, and then hee would again resigne it, yea, in a shorter time, if he could end the wars sooner. But those ten years being expired, it was granted him for five years more, and so from five years to five years, all his life time. And hereupon sayth Dio, the Emperours his successours after ten years from the beginning of any of their Empires kept a feast of renovation, and so every 10^th. yeare as long as they lived. Then he passed over into France, intending to goe against Brittany, but they yielding to him he passed into Spain, and there against the most Northern parts, where the Cantabri inhabited. Against them, he falling sick, used Antistius, Furnius and Agrippa, his Legats against them, who fought so valiantly that they were made to flee to a strong hold, and finding themselves unable to resist, they almost all killed and poysoned themselves, because they would not come into bondage. They being thus subdued, the Astures also were brought under soon after, although the war with them would have proved terrible to the Romans, whom they meant to have set upon in three places at once, to their own best advantage, but that by some of theirs this was treacherously discovered, and so the Romans prevailed, and they were brought under and caused that they might no Ianus his Temple shut. August. anno 19more rebell hereafter, to remove from mountainous to plain places to inhabit there, as not being not so hard to be come unto and more profitable. Then Caesar returning to Rome, caused the Temple of Ianus to be shut again, and this was the fourth time of shutting it, since the City was built, which had now stood 728 years, and it was anno 19 of Augustus his Empire. Anno 21 of his Empire, he fell sick so dangerously, that all men thought he would have dyed, but he appoynted no successour in the Empire, yet by Antonius Musa, a most skilfull Physitian he recovered his health again. And the same yeare Marcellus, his sister Octavia, her son dyed, who it was thought, should have succeeded his Uncle in the Empire. Anno 22, a great Plague, and after that a Dearth, was in Rome, which the people supposing to be, because Augustus was not that yeare Consul, they would have forced him to have beene Dictatour. Anno 23, hee went in progresse to Sicilia and thence to Greece, but in his absence great stirs were at Rome, about choosing new Consuls for which it was much desired that Augustus would return, but he causing Agrippa to dismisse his sisters daughter, whom he had formerly given him in marriage, gave him now his own daughter Iulia, that had been wife to Marcellus, and sent him to celebrate these nuptials at Rome, and so being his son in Law to rule there for him, and thus all tumults were again appeased. And as he thus wronged the former wise of Agrippa, so he had before Tiberius, whose wife Livia being big Augustus marryeth another mans wife.with childe, he took from him and marryed, and she was now with him at Samos.

Anno 24, Phraates King of the Parthians yields to him and restores the Ensignes and all other things, and prisoners before taken from the Romans, at which he much rejoyced, and tooke foure sons of his for pledges, and then having visited Syria returned to Rome. Anno 26, new stirs arising in France and Spain, Agrippa was sent to govern there, and having setled things in France, he passed into Spain, where was a bloudy warre again, many of the Romans being slain by the Cantabri, but at length they being subdued, there was peace again. Then Agrippa returning to Rome, was made Consul the third time, and by Augustus made almost his equall, that whilst hee did many p. 188businesses for him, he might be out of danger, of which he was much affraid through the envy of divers, which a man in high dignity can never avoyd. But Agrippa had a sonne by his daughter Julia, whom he called Catus, and three years after another, called Lucius, whereby Augustus to make himselfe the more secure, adopted them for his sons, without staying till they came to more years, and his successours in his Empire, anno 27. And to this year is referred the birth of the Virgin Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus. Augustus after this, prepares to goe into France, pretending to quell the stirs arising there, but indeed to avoyd The Virgin Mary born.the danger which might befall him at Rome in punishing some that had offended against his Laws, unlesse he would suffer them to lie neglected: and then he committed another foule fault, in taking with him the wife of Mecaenas, Terentia, and casting him off, who had formerly been a dear friend unto him, wherefore he left the government of the City, not to him, but to Statilius Taurus, and likewise of all Italy, and so departed. And Agrippa. by his appoyntment went into Syria to govern there. When Augustus was come into France, the Germans hearing of it were affraid and returned into their own Countrey, for they had hitherto infested France, and so both Nations were brought to quiet. And here Dio telleth Dio.a story worthy relating. Pollio a noble Roman, but most cruell, entertaining Augustus one day, and having a chrystall glasse broken by a servant, would have him cast into his pond, where he used to feed Lampryes with mans bloud therefore. The servant falls down at Caesars feet to beg pardon, but Pollio not being moved, the Emperour caused him to bring forth all his glasses, and brake them A prety story.all but one, which was hidden, at which he being much grieved, Caesar replyed, that they might better be all broken, then one man destroyed. Augustus having setled all things in peace in France and Germany, returned to Rome, anno 31, and then Lepidus, who had been hitherto High-priest, dying, he was made High-priest, and then gathering together fatidicall books, of uncertain authors, to the number of 2000, he burnt them, and reserved only the true books of the Sybils, which came to passe by a singular providence, because they spake of Christ and The Sybils books.his miraculous birth and acts. Augustus hearing of warre that began in Pannonia this yeare, sent Agrippa thither, at whose comming the Pannonians were affraid, and soon layd down their Armes, and then Agrippa returned, but before he came at Rome dyed, and his dead corps was by Augustus brought to Rome, and buryed with great honour, being layd in his own Sepulcher: and of this and all other honour, which Augustus did to him living, he was well worthy, because of his care, fidelity, and humility in the midst of all his honours, whereby hee sought not himselfe, but Augustus, and carryed himselfe so betwixt him and the A rare favourite of an Emperour.people, that he was not envied but beloved of all, a noble example to all favourites of the highest upon earth to be always followed by them. After his death the Pannonians rebelled again, but Augustus preferring Tiberius his sonne, that is, of Livia sent him thither, giving him Julia his daughter, the relict of Agrippa to wife, who comming thither overthrew the Pannonians in divers battells, and brought the Countrey under again. And about the same time there being a great rebellion in Germany, Drusus after many perilous battels undergone, brought that people again into subjection. A rebellion also that arose in Thracia was quelled by Piso. Anno 34, the Temple of Janus should have been shut again, these wars being ended, but that the Dacians invaded Pannonia, and so another warre began. This yeare also Julius a Consul feasting Augustus, and committing adultery with Julia, was put to death, and Octavia the sister of Augustus dyed, and Adultery punisht with death.was honourably buryed.