The consent of time disciphering the errors of the Grecians in their Olympiads, the vncertaine computation of the Romanes in their penteterydes and building of Rome, of the Persians in their accompt of Cyrus, and of the vanities of the Gentiles in fables of antiquities, disagreeing with the Hebrewes, and with the sacred histories in consent of time. VVherein is also set downe the beginning, continuance, succession, and ouerthrowes of kings, kingdomes, states, and gouernments. By Lodovvik Lloid Esquire.

CHAP. VIII.

Of the Machabees, and of the last kings of Iuda, and of their go∣uernement vnder the Romanes, and of the last destruction of Hierusalem by Titus the Emperour.

THey tooke courage in God: they prouided * 1.1 to resist the violence of tyranny, and when Mattathias died after one yeeres gouerne∣ment, he appointed Iudas Machabeus whom hee knewe bestable in body, and most wil∣ling in mind, to be in armes with their God against this Antiochus and his idoles.

And though these brethren were not of the stocke of Da∣uid, nor of the tribe of Iuda, as you may reade in the Maccha∣bees, and in Iosephus: yet they ioyned their force and power together, and appointed Iudas Macchabeus chiefe captaine and ruler ouer them: for in his actes he was liks a lion, for the * 1.2 wicked fled for feare of him, he killed Apollonius and Seron, two princes of Syria, and the most part of Antiochus armie, who gathered the Gentiles, and a great host of Samaria to fight against Israel, who were slaine and scattered like sheepe be∣fore Iudas sworde: and Iudas goeth forward against Gorgias, doth the like, he slue their souldiers, and putteth Gorgias and the rest of his armie to flight.

Lysias lieftenant general of Antiochus hearing of this, waxed * 1.3 wroth, disdained his campe, gathered 60000. chosen foote∣men, and 5000. horsemen to fight against Ierusalem, came to Iudea, & pitched his tents in Bethsura, where Iudas came with ten thousand souldiers against him: who with confidence in God, and prayers made, slue fiue thousande, and put the rest to flight, and Lysias himselfe escaped to Antiochus. Iudas ha∣uing these victories ouer Antiochus the great, went vp to Ie∣rusalem to repaire the Sanctuarie which lay wasted, & made a new altar (for Antiochus had erected & altar, and the Image vpon it) where they sacrificed according to the lawe, and praysed God for their good successe.

Now while Iudas had vanquished the Heathens that went about to destroy Israel, for they of Tyre and Sidon, of Ptolemais, * 1.4 of all Galile, of the Heathens & of the Gentiles were set in force against Israel: after that Iudas had fought with the Edumeans & Ammonites, & hearing of these newes, Iudas gaue to his bro∣ther Simon 3000. souldiers to goe vnto Galile, and he tooke his brother Ionathan with him to Galaad with 8000. and they had good successe and victorie in all their warres. Antiochus in the meane season traueiling through the countrey of Per∣sia, hearing of the riches and treasures of Ptolemais, besieged it, but was by the Citizens forced to flee, who died within a while after. Lysias hauing knowledge of the kings death, hee caused Antiochus Epiphanes, the 2. sonne of Antiochus the great, to be crowned king after his father: who vsed much * 1.5 more extremitie in Ierusalem then his father did, killing, de∣stroying the Citizens, robbing the Temple, and putting Idoles and images vpon the altar. Being slaine in Persia, his brothers eldest sonne Demetrius being at Rome, came with all haste possible to Tripolis, a Towne in Syria: and hauing possessed the most part of Syria, being their lawfull king by descent, the people brought Antiochus Eupator and Lysias before Demetrius, who commaunded them to bee killed before they came to his sight. Now when that Demetrius was set on his fathers throne, a great enemie of Iuda waxed hote

to reuenge the slaughter which Iudas Machabeus made of his friends and fauourers, while yet Demetrius saued himselfe in Rome. Iudas perceiuing the cruell meaning of Demetrius, * 1.6 and knowing well the power and force of the Romanes, made them his friends through peace of mutuall friendship, sen∣ding messengers vnto them Eupolemus and Iason, brethrens children to Iudas Machabeus, which of the Romanes were most louingly accepted: and they sent to Ierusalem a letter written in tables of brasse, wherein they had a memoriall or monu∣ment of their friendship and peace. In the meane time Deme∣trius hauing heard of the death of Nichanor, sendeth his ar∣mie against Iudas: in the which battell, after many ioyfull victories which Iudas had ouer his enemies, he is now slaine * 1.7 by his enemies: for he that was wont to pray & to ouercome, and now omitted to pray, trusting to his strength, and to the Romanes force, was left of God to himselfe.

Iudas nowe being dead, his brother Ionathan succeeded him, and had present battell with Bacchides, one of Demetrius * 1.8 captaines, and with Alcimus, and put them to flight. During these broiles in Iudea, Demetrius perceiuing he coulde gaine nothing by Ionathan, desireth peace with the Iewes: which be∣ing done, Ionathan gouerned Israel quietly. When Alexander the sonne of Antiochus had heard the promises which Deme∣trius made to Ionathan, and also hearing of the courage, ver∣tue, and manhood of Iudas, Ionathan, Simon, and of the two o∣ther brethren, hee sought the fauour of Ionathan, and friend∣ship of the Iewes. Then Alexander maketh warres against De∣metrius, * 1.9 gathered a great host, and ioyned in battell with the armie of Demetrius, and the two kings fought it out, vntil De∣metrius was slaine. Then Alexander sent his Embassadors to Ptolomeus king of Egypt, signifying vnto him howe he wanne his fathers kingdome, and sate on his throne, requesting the kings daughter in mariage, & so to be in league of amitie, & to continue perpetual friends: wherein Ptolomeus gladly con∣sented, and maried his daughter Cleopatra vnto Alexander at * 1.10 Ptolomais, and they continued friends, vntil discention fel be∣tweene Ptolomeus & his sonne in law Alexander: for Ptolomeus

tooke his daughter Cleopatra, and gaue her to Demetrius the * 1.11 sonne of king Demetrius, which Alexander slue a little before.

When Alexander heard howe that his wife was giuen to his enemie Demetrius in mariage, hee came with an host a∣gainst Ptolomeus his father in lawe: for Ptolomeus had put two crownes vpon his owne head, the crowne of Asia, and the crowne of Egypt, and had driuen Demetrius after the ouer∣throwing of his army, vnto Arabia, where he had his head cut off by Zabelus, and sent to Ptolomeus to Egypt, who likewise died shortly after, and Demetrius reigned after him. All these kinges sought friendship at Ionathans hands: for as Iudas Ma∣chabeus * 1.12 slue Nicanor, Apollonius and Seron, princes of Syria, ouerthrewe Lysius Antiochus generall, and his nigh cousin, and putteth Gorgias and his host to flight, as hee vanquished the heathens, and ouerthrew the Citie of Ephron, and wanne Bosorra, with many more victories which hee had of Coun∣tries, cities & townes: so Ionathan prospered against Bacchides * 1.13 Alcimus, against the children of Ambrie, against the princes of Demetrius, so that Demetrius the king sought the fauour of Ionathan, & Alexander entreated for friendship with Ionathan.

Thus God blessed the sonnes of Mattathias, because they were zealous in the lawes of God: for after king Demetrius * 1.14 was slaine by Alexander, and Alexander slaine againe by De∣metrius sonne, named Demetrius, the Iewes all this while were quiet, and so peace in Israel continued vnder Ionathan and Simon, as in the Machabees you may reade, vntill contention grewe betweene the Samaritanes and the Iewes in Alexandria, * 1.15 concerning the religion and holines of their temples: which was with great malice followed, standing one with an other in defiance, vntill the matter was to be iudged before Ptolo∣meus Philometor king of Egypt, the Iewes hauing one Androni∣cus a learned Iewe to open the priuiledge & authoritie of the Temple of Hierusalem, & the Samaritans had also one Sabbeus, a wise discreete man to pleade for the Temple of Samaria.

For there dwelled amōgst the Iewes at that time 3. sects of re∣ligion: * 1.16 the first were called Pharises, the 2. Saduces, the 3. Esseni.

The Pharises acknowledged the iudgement of God to come, with the reward of good and euill, confessing the immorta∣litie of the soule. The Saduces cleane contrary, holding an opinion stoute against the Pharises in all points. The Esseni supposed al things to be gouerned by fate, and that nothing could happen to man but by destinie. After this Ionathan * 1.17 sent to Sparta, and to Rome, to renewe the couenant betwene the Iewes and the people of Sparta: for it was founde and knowen in their Chronicles, that the Spartians came of the generation of Abraham. In the meane time one Triphon that * 1.18 was tutor to Alexanders sonne named Antiochus, a very yong man, expected to be king in Syria in the roome of his father, considering how falsly and traiterously he was slaine by the meanes of Ptolomeus his father in lawe, and Demetrius, to whom Cleopatra his wife was wrongfully giuen in mariage.

This Triphon by the colour of this title to yong Antiochus * 1.19 Sedetes sonne to Antiochus Epiphanes, became very ambi∣cious of the kingdome himselfe, layd wait to kil Ionathan and take him by deceite: and hauing also heard howe Demetrius calamities encreased by the Parthians, sawe an easie way to obteine the kingdome by killing of the yong king Antio∣chus, to whome he promised faith and seruice to restore him to his kingdome, for that his father Alexander was wrong∣fully deposed and slaine. For as soone as Triphon had slaine Ionathan and his two sonnes, and also king Antiochus, hee * 1.20 straight wayes maketh warres vpon Simon the brother of Io∣nathan, who succeeded in his roome to defend the Iewes, pro∣mising to followe the steps of his father and of his brethren: for Simon was well beloued of the Iewes, and therefore in great authoritie proceeded with the like courage as his bre∣thren did to warre vpon the enemies, and came in armes against Gazara, Iamnia, and Ioppa, wasted them, and spoyled them, layde siege to Ierusalem, and wanne the castle, pursued Triphon (which then vsurped the kingdome of Syria,) to the castle of Dora, from whence he secretly fled vnto Apania, a ci∣tie in Phenicia, where he was slaine by Antiochus friendes,

within 3. yeeres after he had falsly vsurped Syria.

After this, grew strife betweene Antiochus and Simon, and therefore Cendebaeus was appointed Captaine by Antiochus against Simon: but Simon preuailed in all his actions, prospe∣red * 1.21 in al his warres, and conquered his enemies for the space of 8. yeeres, vntill Ptolome who maried Simons daughter con∣spired against him, slewe him and his 2. sonnes at a banquet, and sent secretly to kill Iohn named likewise Hircanus the sonne of Simon. But he hauing intelligēce that his father and * 1.22 his 2. brethren were slaine, and that Ptolome had sent to slay him also, he preuented that, and slewe them, and fled to a ca∣stle called Dagon.

Now Hircanus possessing the office of his father, not forget∣ting the villenie and cruel murther of this Ptolomeus, thought * 1.23 to reuenge it when time would serue. In the meane season, Antiochus sirnamed Pius, being mindeful of iniuries receiued of Hircanus father Simon, came with a great hoste to Iudea in the 162. Olympiad, compassed the Citie Ierusalem with his ar∣mie, kept Hircanus close within the citie, not daring to looke out: but after that Hircanus had promised 500. talents to An∣tiochus * 1.24 to depart in peace, hee opened the graue of Dauid, where he founde 3000. talents of siluer, of the which he sa∣tisfied Antiochus, which within a short time after was slaine amongst the Parthians, in whose place succeeded his brother Demetrius Hircanus. When he had heard that Antiochus was dead, he came presently with an armie to Syria, destroyed the temple in Samaria which Alexander the great permitted to be builded, tooke Samega before called Samaria, with the citie Si∣cima and many townes beside, where the nations of the Cuthe∣ans dwelt, which Salmanassar brought with him to inhabite Samaria, in stead of the 10. tribes which he caried captiue a∣way to Babylon: for after that Samaria was destroyed, first by Salmanasser, the Samaritans were called Chutheans, a people of Babylon and of Caldea. Now it was plagued by Hircanus & be∣sieged by Aristobulus and Antigonus, the sōnes of Hircanus, that * 1.25 after one yeres siege, they broght Samaria euen to the groūd,

and caused riuers & lakes to ouerflow the place where Sama∣ria * 1.26 was, that no man knewe where Samaria stood, so wicked a seate, and so vngodly a towne, full of all horrible idolatrie and blasphemie: For Samaria had bene twise builded, first by Omri which was destroyed by Salmanasser king of Syria, after builded by Manasses the brother of Iaddus the hie Priest, by the meanes of his father in lawe Sanabalat chiefe gouernour vnder Darius, builded a Church to encounter with Hierusa∣lem in mount Garizin at Samaria, where from Babylon and from Assyria men and women came to dwell, willing to receiue the lawes of Moses, but not to forsake their Idols. At what time Onias builded the 3. temples in AEgypt: this was the sonne of that Onias which was the hie Priest at Hierusalem, whom Antiochus Epiphanes king of Syria slewe at his ransaking * 1.27 of Hierusalem, at what time hee destroyed the citie, spoyled the temple, and put vp the Image of Iupiter Olympus vpon the altar of the Lord: this 3. temple continued at Heliopolis in E∣gypt 330. yeres. Reade more of this in the Machabees. Beside al * 1.28 this (I meane the tabernacle, the hie hilles called excelsa, the 3. temples) they had certaine other meetings and seruing of God, though not in temples, yet in places that resembled the temple. Of this no mention is made, neither in the histo∣rie of the Iudges, nor of the Kings, and therefore it seemeth that after the Iewes were captiuated into Babylon, and their kingdome destroyed, many of them being dispersed, some to Egypt, some to Asia, and some to Europa, met together as many as were in one citie or countrey, hauing no temples * 1.29 but places by themselues, made like temples which were called after Synagogues, and so continued: for after the 70. yeeres of captiuitie, the Iewes being permitted by Cyrus to returne and to reare their temple for strangers that dwelt in other Prouinces, as at Alexandria, Silicia, Asia, and in diuers other places and yet Iewes borne, when they came to Hieru∣salem, either to the feast which was thrise a yeere, or vpon any other busines of their owne, they went into the Syna∣gogues appointed and made for them, and not into the

temple which was onely for the citizens of Hierusalem, for both were frequented in our Sauiours time, proued by him∣selfe, saying, I haue taught in the temple, and in so many Sy∣nagogues in Galilee & Asia mentioned: so that one temple was in Hierusalem, and many Synagogues, and so many, that I finde in an Hebrew cōmentary 480. Synagogues were within the city of Hierusalem, and diuers other Synagogues dispersed through all Iudea: but God commanded that he should be but in one place worshipped, which was first in Silo in the tribe and mount of Ephraim, after in Hierusalem in mount Sion in the tribe of Iuda. Of the vse of the Tabernacle after the temple was by Salomon builded, the Talmudists write many fables which I omit to recite.

Samaria being thus the second time destroyed by Aristo∣bulus * 1.30 and Antigonus, the Pharisees, corrupt, euil, and seditious men, much enuied the prosperitie of Hircanus & his sonnes, perswading the people to hate him: but Hircanus after that hee had done great seruice for the Iewes, and brought all things in quietnes, he foresawe things to come: and after he had gouerned Israel 31. yeres, leauing behinde him 5. sonnes * 1.31 he died. All this while there was no king in Iudea since the captiuitie of Babylon 481. yeeres: but now after Hircanus time Aristobulus his eldest sonne succeeded him in gouernment, who by report of slaunderers and backbiters, caused his bro∣ther * 1.32 Antigonus whom he loued very dearely to be killed, be∣ing most falsly accused of his enemies: he left his owne mo∣ther to perish for famine, and put the rest of his brethren in close prison.

But after a while his conscience did accuse him, and tor∣tured him in such sort, that Aristobulus commaunded to bee brought to the place where Antigonus his brother was slaine: and being caried to the place, hee vomited blood in such a∣bundance that he cried and said, O corpus impudens quousque * 1.33 retinebis animam, quam materni ac fraterni manes flagitant? and so with torment hee died, leauing behinde him his wife So∣lome whome the Greekes call Alexandra: shee enlarged the

sonnes of Hircanus which Aristobulus layed in prison, one of them named Iannaeus, which was also called Alexander, not * 1.34 well thought of by his father, but nowe made king after his brothers death by the meanes of Alexandra Aristobulus wife: he as soone as hee had obteined the gouernement, vsed the like tricke as his brother did before him: hee caused one of his two brethren to be slaine, and the other hee esteemed with honour.

This being done, he went with an armie against the citie of Ptolomais, at what time Ptolome sirnamed Lathurus was dri∣uen by his mother Cleopatra out of Egypt, and being at Cy∣prus she forced him thence, so that Ptolome the sonne and Cleo∣patra the mother, vsed their policie and exercised their ty∣rannie * 1.35 one against another. When Cleopatra had gotten the citie Ptolomais after a long siege, her sonne againe being dri∣uen out of Egypt, Alexander king of the Iewes renewed friend∣ship with Cleopatra, for that her sonne Ptolome had plagued Iudea. Now being ayded by Cleopatra hee tooke Gadara, and a strong fort called Amathuta, to whome Demetrius Euserus gaue battell and discomfited his armie, and fled himselfe to the mountaines: hee straight gathered some strength, and hauing gotten 6000. souldiers againe in a readines, pursued after Demetrius, who for feare fled at that time. After this the Iewes being sundry times thus afflicted by their owne * 1.36 crueltie and tyrannie, they conspired against Alexander, and were in armes oft times, but still ouerthrowne.

Such was Alexanders hard happe, that sixe yeeres he was molested, afflicted and persecuted of his owne nations and subiects, that hee slewe of them from time to time about 50000. and yet still moued hee them to hate him, so that be∣ing demaunded by him of the people what they would haue him to doe, they with one consent saide, Hang thy selfe. Alexander hauing taken the citie Betoma, after much slaugh∣ter and blood, he brought the wealthiest and chiefest men of the citie, in bandes and fetters prisoners to Ierusalem, where he commanded before his face where he sate in a high rome

of his palace, 800. of the greatest and chiefest men to be han∣ged: and before they were hāged, he likewise cōmanded that * 1.37 their wiues and children should be flaine before their eyes.

While this tragedy was played at Ierusalem by Alexander, Antiochus Griphus was slaine by the falshod of Heracleon, after * 1.38 whom succeeded his sonne Seleucus, & made warres with his vncle Antiochus sirnamed Cizicenus, whom Seleucus tooke in * 1.39 battel and slew. Alexander was at that time called of the Iewes for his tyrannie for his sirname Thracida: for while Alexander liued, 8000. Iewes liued out of their coūtrey banished & came not to Iewry during the time of Alexāder which was 27. yeres. The Iewes were miserably hādled vnder this king: for Ptolome Lamyrus slew 30000. Iewes at one time: he made the captiues * 1.40 and prisoners to eat the flesh of their own countreymen, be∣ing slaine in the warres of Alexander. Himself slew 600. of his subiects being moued & allured to seditiō against their king by the Pharisees a sect of the Iewes, that extremely hated Alex∣ander. Now his wife Alexandra called Salomine the time of her * 1.41 first husband Aristobulus, she raigned quietly after her hus∣band 9. yeres. Alexander had 2. sonnes, Hircanus and Aristo∣bulus: and though that Hircanus was the elder brother & heire to the crowne, yet did Aristobulus gather an army and inuaded Iudea, while yet Alexandra his mother liued. Antipater the Idu∣mean, and Aretas king of Arabia, tooke part to ayde the elder * 1.42 brother Hircanus. Alexander had giuen councel to his wife before hee died, to speake faire to the Pharisees, who could much perswade the people, and also to conceale his death vntill she had gotten the castle of Ierusalem, considering his life to be offensiue to the people, and to make no accompt of his burial, but let the people vse their discretion. She vsing this her husbands aduice, became in great fauour with the people: in the meane season Aristobulus fortified himselfe, (being by nature very quicke & industrious) made himselfe strong, and hauing corrupted the Romane Scaurus, then Pom∣peius the great Embassadour, to be his friend to the Senators.

Hircanus againe sent to Rome, opening his iniuries, accu∣sing

and declaring the infidelitie and corruption of his Em∣bassador, crauing their ayde and helpe being the elder bro∣ther to haue his right. Vpon this cōplaint, Pompey being then in Armenia against Tigranes, and comming to Damascus (be∣ing newly by Metellus and Lolius taken) he repared to Ierusa∣lem with an hoste of souldiers, at what time Caius Anthonius restored to Hircanus the gouernment and the office of the high Priest: hee caried captiue with him to Rome, Aristobulus with his 2. sonnes Alexander and Antigonus. This furie of do∣mesticall * 1.43 sedition, this tyrannie and bloodshedding of bre∣thren brought all Iudea frō a kingdome to a prouince: againe by this meanes, strange magistrates gouerned them, and for∣ren strength feared them, that since the time that Aristobulus Hircanus sonne became the first king after the captiuitie, no∣thing prospered with him, as by the familie & stocke of Hir∣canus may appeare, one brother killing another, as before you haue read. Now Alexander and Antigonus prisoners at Rome with Aristobulus their father, their fortune was thus, that Alexander hauing escaped frō Rome to Cilicia, came to Iudea, and tooke a part of Galilee, where hee thought to haue more force, he spoiled that which Pompey spared, he tooke not only the 2000. talents which was left of Pompeius, but also spoiled, robd & ransackt the temple of treasures to the value of 8000. pounds. But he was taken with Gabinius, sent to Rome, and af∣ter slaine of Scipio Pompeius sonne in law in Antiochia. This was * 1.44 the end of Alexrnder one of Aristobulus sonnes. Antigonus the other sonne, was let loose by Iulius Caesar, after the ciuil warres betwene Pompey and him, he gathered an army of the Parthi∣ans & thought to recouer Iudea, the rather that Antipater was dead, and that the Iewes had rather haue Antigonus to be their king, then any of the sonnes of Antipater, he toke the old man Hircanus his vncle, to whom Antipater stood a friend while he liued, stirring the Iewes against this Antigonus father. So like∣wise * 1.45 the king of Arabia, Areta to whō Hircanus fled for aid, An∣tigonus after he had taken his vncle, being high Priest, & had cut off both his eares, & had caried him prisoner to Parthia,

euen hee was slaine by Marcus Antonius within 3. yeeres after Herod was made king, that was Antigonus ende. And Herod af∣ter that called Hircanus from Parthia, and caused him to bee slaine being 80. yeeres of age.

This was the tragical ende of the Machabees, whome God * 1.46 endued with great haps and singular fauour to rule his peo∣ple: for the Iewes neuer prospered vnder kings, neither be∣fore the captiuitie, at what time raigned 22. kings in Iuda, of the which nomber there were but seuen vnder whome Iuda flourished.

• Dauid,
• Salomon,
• Abia,
• Asa,
• Iosaphat,
• Ezechias,
• and Iosias.

Neither prospered they vnder kings after the captiuitie, during the time ofseuen kings, as

• Aristobulus,
• Alex. Iamnaeus,
• Hircanus,
• Aristobulus, 2.
• Antigonus the sonne of the last Aristobulus, and last of the line of the Machabees.
• Herod the great whome the Romanes crea∣ted king.
• And Archelaus Herods sonne.

After the Machabees race Antipater the Idumean and his * 1.47 posteritie became great in Iudea, by the fauour of Iulius Cae∣sar, who at that time was in Egypt with an armie of souldiers, to whome Antipater stoode in steade by good seruice at that time done vnto Caesar: for he brought Memphis the great citie, with all the countrey about to obey Caesar, and therefore Caesar gaue him the regiment of Iudea, not yet as a king, but as chiefe gouernour. The Iewes could not well disgest the go∣uernement of strangers, which knewe by Moses and by the Prophets, that the tribe of Iuda should rule Israel vntill the Messias were borne: therefore they were mutinous and full ofsedition.

Antipater perceiuing the enuie and malice to strangers, * 1.48 ruled discreetely, and behaued himselfe wisely, and yet hee was poysoned by a Iewe named Malchus, whome afterwarde

Herod the sonne of Antipater slew at Tirus: this Herod sirna∣med Astalomites, grewe great in his fathers dayes, for the Iewes thought after Antipaters death, to shake off his chil∣dren, and not to admit any of them to gouerne. Now they had called Antigonus Aristobulus sonne, from the Parthians to Ierusalem, but Herod ouerthrewe their purpose, and forced Antigonus to flee from Ierusalem. Marcus Anthonius returning * 1.49 from the citie Philippos, where he and Augustus ouerthrewe Brutus and Cassius the murtherers of Iulius Caesar, came to By∣thinia, where Herod and Phasaelus his brother were accused * 1.50 by the Ambassadors of Iudea, that Hircanus the high Priest gouerned as a sipher, and they as kings: yet notwithstanding Herods fortune and his brothers so encreased, that he and his brother were named by Marcus Anthonius, the Tetrarches of all Iudea, and within a while after Herod came to Rome in 185. Olympiad, where he was created king of all Iudea; and hee was * 1.51 solemnly brought to the Capitol in the midst betwene Octaui∣us and Marcus Anthonius, with al the magistrats and Consuls of Rome accompanying him.

In the 30. yeere of Herods raigne, was our Sauiour Christ borne. Herod had three sonnes, Archelaus whom he left king * 1.52 by wil to gouerne Iudea: Herodes Antipas which he appointed Tetrarche to gouerne Galilee by whome Iohn Baptist was be∣headed: and Philippe which gouerned Ituria or Trachenitida. Herod after hee had raigned 37. yeeres, and had sent infinite treasure to Caesar and to his wife Iulia, died, & was with great pompe buried in a towne of his own name called Herodium. * 1.53 But though Herods testament was by Caesar first confirmed and pronounced, Archelaus king of Iudea afterward altered: he appointed to Archelaus, halfe Iudea for his regiment, and the other halfe betwene Herod Antipas & his brother Philip.

Now while Archelaus was a gouernour of this people, they were much offended with him, and sent to Caesar great com∣plaints, with letters frō Sabinus, that he was seditious, cruel, and vnobedient to Caesar▪ which being thorowly wayed and * 1.54 found true by Caesar, Archelaus was banished, and his part of

Iudea was made a prouince for Romane magistrates, the other two brethren Herod and Philippe gouerned their Tetrarchies with some care and feare of Caesar, and therefore to get the more fauour at the Emperours hand, either of them builded a towne. Philip to flatter Caesar builded a towne and named it Caesarea, and Herod Antipas builded another and named it Ti∣berias, for that the Emperours name was Tiberius Caesar, two townes for one name.

The Romanes againe brought Iudea in subiection of the Empire, and sent these deputies folowing:

1 C. Coponius, the first lieu∣tenant.	one yeere.	These 3. were sent by Octauius Augustus.
2 Marcus Ambinius.	1. yeere.
3 Annius Rufus.	1. yeere.
4 Valerius Gratus.	2. yeere.
5 Pontius Pilatus,	10. yeere. Vnder whom our redeemer and Sauiour suffered his last passion vpon the Crosse, he was sent by Tiberius Caesar.
6 Marcellus.	3. yeere.
Herodes was made king of the Iewes, by C. Claudius the Emperour which raigned 10. yeeres.
After Agrippas time raigned ouer the Iewes Romanes depu∣ties againe, as after Marcellus, Caspius Fadus was 7. depu∣tie, and gouerned Iuda,	3. yeeres.
8 Tiberius Alexander.	2. yeeres.
9 Cumanus.	3. yeeres.
10 Antonius Felix.	10. yeeres.
11 Portius Festus.	11. yeeres.
12 Albinus.	3. yeeres.
13 Gersius Florus, being the last deputie ouer Iuda, at what time Ierusalem was destroyed by Titus.

When Vespatian layed siege to Ierusalem, euen the last

ouerthrow and conquest of the Iewes, at what time Caius An∣thonius & Marcus Cicero were consuls at Rome, Hierusalem was three moneths besieged by Pompey the great, but taken at last by the Romans, Cornelius Festus, Sillas sonne, and Furus Centurio entred first the Citie, and after the whole Romane armie rushed in and slew 22. thousand Iewes, spared the temple and the sacred treasures therein, defiled not the Sanctuarie: nei∣ther touched Pompey the golden table, neither tooke away with him one penie of the 2000. talents which was the trea∣sure of the temple. But Crassus in short time after going a∣gainst the Parthians, in his voyage spared neither treasure nor the temple.

Ierusalem was builded in Iudea by Sem the sonne of Noah, and was by him first named Solima or Salem, a citie most fa∣mous, and the soile it selfe most fertile, and so by God blessed and preserued from the first building in the time of Sem, vnto the last ouerthrowe of the same by Titus the Romane Empe∣rour being 2177. yeeres. Iosephus doeth describe the situa∣tion * 1.55 and building of this towne, that it was builded vpon two hilles, the one hill higher then the other: Dauid the first king of the tribe of Iuda, in whose time for that he fortified the higher hill, after his dayes it was called Castellum Dauid, the lower hil was called Acra: ouer against this hil Acra they began afterwards to drawe another hill to enlarge this citie, and to ioyne the temple within the same, for the temple was builded on a hard high rocke, for that it might the better be seene, that the state and magnificence thereof might be be∣holden and seene aboue the towne, and aboue the high towres of the walles: for Hierusalem was compassed with * 1.56 three seuerall walles, fronted one against another, with such high strong towers, that some of them were 70. cubites higher then the walles, as the tower called Psephina, like∣wise the tower of Hippicos was fourescore and fiue cu∣bites * 1.57 high. The second towre called Phasaelis after He∣rods brothers name, was fourescore and tenne cubites high: the thirde named after his wiues name Mariannes, which

farre excelled the rest, whose large descriptions you shall reade in Iosephus, a Iewe borne and brought vp in Ierusalem * 1.58 vntil the destruction thereof, where he was taken prisoner by Titus: there it is set forth to the ful, the situation of the citie, the beautie of the temple, the strength of the walles, the height and largenesse of the towres, the port and state of the gates, the full description of the foure hilles which Hierusa∣lem was builded on, and other things which now I omit, for the circuite of Hierusalems walles, was no more but thirtie and nine furlongs.

This towne was nothing like in bignesse to Babylon, or to Niniue, but farre greater in fame and in victories: for Hie∣rusalem had triumphed and sawe the ende and last destru∣ction * 1.59 of the Caldeans, Assyrians, Egyptians, Arabians and Per∣sians: for litle Iudea endured the force and power of the three first Monarchies, which was the Assyrians, the Persians, and the Grecians, though it was before conquered fiue seuerall times by the iust iudgement of God for their transgression and sinne, yet by the mercie of God saued and preserued, as is before mentioned, vntil thirtie & eight yeres after Christs death. All that while that they serued God and followed the steppes of their forefathers, I meane Abraham, Isaac, Iaa∣cob, Daniel, Iosaphat, Ezechias and Iosias, they preuailed a∣gainst all nations, they conquered all Countreys, and brought all the kingdomes of the worlde to admire their vertues to feare their force, and to seeke fauour and friend∣ship at their handes, though they were sometime touched for their stiffenecked stubbernes and too much iniquities, as in Egypt, in the wildernes, and after they had possessed the land of Promes: for still they offended the Lorde, for the which these seuerall fiue conquests were had ouer them.

The first was by Nabuchodonosor, the great king of Babylon: * 1.60 the second by Asocheus king of Egypt: the thirde time by An∣tiochus the great king of Syria: the fourth by Pompeius the great: and the fift and last was by Titus Vespatian. In the which last subuersion and ouerthrowe of Hierusalem, wee

reade in Iosephus being then a present souldier in the warres, the calamities and great miseries that then fel on the citie of Ierusalem, and on the inhabitants thereof. Their hunger and * 1.61 famine was so great, that one did eate an others vomite: the fathers did eate their children, and the mothers fed on their owne babes in the cradle, in so much that stinking carions and dead bodies which died for hunger in the streete, was meate of great daintines in Ierusalem. They were constrai∣ned to eate beastes dung, dried leather, girdles, shoes, and skinnes which couered their shields, yea they sought their foode in Iakeses, many slewe and butchered one another in the citie. Besides this, the plague was so hote amongst them, that lodgings, houses, temples, and all the streetes in Ierusa∣lem were filled with dead bodies.

The slaughter was such, as within 18. moneths siege * 1.62 110000. were slaine within the citie, and most of them stran∣gers and Gentiles which came vp to the feast, according to the custome of the Iewes, where suddenly they were taken and besieged, you must thinke by famine and by the sword. During which time 97000. were taken prisoners and cap∣tiues: there were found of the Iewes in priuies and Iakeses, and hiding themselues in caues, sinkes, and holes of the earth, aboue 2000. Some sent of these to the nomber of 70. thousand to Egypt as bond slaues, there to moile like beastes in intollerable toile: some solde more cheape then dogs: for Egesippus witnesseth, that 30. Iewes were solde for a penie, and those were yong boyes vnder sixteene yeeres.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Iudas Machab.
• * 1.2

  Apolonius and Seron 2. prin∣ces of Syria slaine.
• * 1.3

  Lisias lieuete∣nant to Antio∣chus the great.
• * 1.4

  Machab. lib. 1. cap. 5.
• * 1.5

  Melancthon. 2. Chron.
• * 1.6

  Iudas Macha∣beus sendeth to conclude peace with the Romanes.
• * 1.7

  Iudas Macha∣beus slaine.
• * 1.8

  Machab. lib. 1. cap. 9. 10.
• * 1.9

  Alexanders ar∣mie against Demetrius. Demetrius slaine.
• * 1.10

  Alexander maried Cleo∣patra.
• * 1.11

  Cleopatra giuen to Demetrius.
• * 1.12

  Iudas victor•…•….
• * 1.13

  Ionathans vi∣ctorie.
• * 1.14

  Ieseph. lib. 13. cap. 3.
• * 1.15

  Strife be∣tweene the Iewes and the Samaritans.
• * 1.16

  3. sectes of the Iewes.
• * 1.17

  Lacedemoni∣ans came from Abra∣ham stocke.
• * 1.18

  Triphon yong Antiochus tutor.
• * 1.19

  The falshood of Triphon.
• * 1.20

  Ioseph. lib. 13. cap. 8. 9.
• * 1.21

  Ioseph. lib. 13. cap. 14.
• * 1.22

  Simon and his two sonnes slaine.
• * 1.23

  Hircanus Si∣mons sonne.
• * 1.24

  Ioseph. lib. 13. cap. 16. 17. 3838
• * 1.25

  Aristobulus & Antigonus.
• * 1.26

  Samaria the se∣cond time de∣stroyed.
• * 1.27

  Ioseph. lib 7.
• * 1.28

  2. Macca. cap. 1.
• * 1.29

  The first vse of the Syna∣gogues after the captiuitie.
• * 1.30

  Samaria the seconde time destroyed.
• * 1.31

  Hircanus died.
• * 1.32

  Aristobulus slewe his bro∣ther Antigo∣nus, the first king of the Iewes after the captiuitie.
• * 1.33

  Aristobulus death.
• * 1.34

  Alexander the third brother.
• * 1.35

  The vnquiet state of the Iewes.
• * 1.36

  The tyranny of Alexander.
• * 1.37

  800 of the Iewes hanged.
• * 1.38

  Antiochus Gri∣phus slaine.
• * 1.39

  Seleucus his sonne.
• * 1.40

  Ptolomeus La∣myrus slewe 30000. Iewes.
• * 1.41

  Alexandra.
• * 1.42

  Aretas king of Arabia ay•…•…ed Hir•…•…us.
• * 1.43

  A•…•…istobulus with his two sonnes caried to Rome.
• * 1.44

  Alexander ta∣ken & brought to Rome by Gabinius.
• * 1.45

  Hircanus had both his eares cut off by his brothers sonne Anti∣gonus.
• * 1.46

  The ende of the Macha∣bees race.
• * 1.47

  Antipater the first gouer∣nour vnder the Romans.
• * 1.48

  Antipater poy∣soned.
• * 1.49

  Marcus An∣thonius.
• * 1.50

  Herod and Phasaelus ac∣cused. Hircanus the high Priest.
• * 1.51

  Herode made king of Iurie.
• * 1.52

  Her•…•…ds 3. sonnes Arche∣laus, Herod Antipas, and Philip.
• * 1.53

  Ioseph. lib. 17. cap. 9. 10. 12.
• * 1.54

  Archelaus was banished Iudea.
• * 1.55

  The continu∣ance of Hie∣rusalem.
• * 1.56

  Ioseph. lib. 6. cap. 6. de bello Iudaico.
• * 1.57

  Hippicos the third tower.
• * 1.58

  I•…•…sephus a Iewe borne.
• * 1.59

  The long con∣tinuance of Ierusalem.
• * 1.60

  Fiue times Ie∣rusalem taken and destroied.
• * 1.61

  The miserie of Hi•…•…rusalem.
• * 1.62

  Ioseph. lib. 7. cap. 7.