CHAP. VII. [ I]
Festus succeeds Foelix in the Government of Judaea. The Inhabitants of Caesarea obtain of Nero to have the Jews Freedom recalled. King Agrippa causeth an A∣partment to be built, from whence all that was done about the Temple might be seen; the people of Jerusalem cause a high Wall to be built to hinder it, by the Emperour's Authority.
AFter that Portius Festus had been sent by Nero to succeed Foelix in the Govern∣ment [ K] of Judaea, the chiefest of those Jews that inhabited Caesarea, repaired to Rome to accuse Foelix; and without all doubt he had been punished for the injuries he had committed against the Jews, if Nero had not pardoned him upon his Brother Palas's submission and entreaty, who importuned him, and was at that time in great reputation with him. Furthermore, two of the chiefest amongst the Syrians wrought Berillus, who had sometimes been Nero's Master, and at that time was Secretary of Estate in the Greek Tongue, by mighty Bribes, to beg of Nero the revocation of the Right and Title which the Jews enjoyed in the Government and Administration of the Commonweal. For which cause Berillus solicited the Emperour, and obtained a Letter from him, which was the cause of those mischiefs that afterwards happened in our Nation; for the Jews of Caesarea, understanding what Commission the Syrians had got∣ten, [ L] were so much the more encouraged to make War.
Therefore, as soon as Festus was arrived in Judaea, he found the Countrey griev∣ously afflicted with Robberies, and the whole Countrey was ruined with Fire and Sword. The Thieves likewise at that time encreased mightily; they used short Swords, after the manner of a Persian Cymetre, and crooked like the Roman Faul∣chion; with which they killed divers: For, thrusting themselves into the press of the people that came in great multitudes on the Festival days, to celebrate God's ser∣vice, they killed those very easily whom they pleased; and oftentimes repairing to their enemies Villages, they spoiled and burnt them. But Festus sent divers Forces, [ M] both of Horse and Foot, against certain Jews that were seduced by an Enchanter, who had promised them to free them from all their troubles, if they would follow him into the Desart; they killed both the deceiver and the deceived that followed him. At that time King Agrippa erected a stately Building within the Palace at Jerusalem, near unto the Porch. This Palace in times past appertained to the Asmoneans, and was scituate in a high place, with a fine Prospect, from whence they might with pleasure behold the City of Jerusalem, wherein the King took great delight, and beheld from thence that which was done in the Temple. The chiefest men of Jerusalem, seeing this Building, were very much displeased; for neither doth our Custom or Law permit that any one should look on that which is done in the Temple, and espe∣cially [ N] forbiddeth that any man should behold the Sacrifices and Oblations: They therefore builded a high Wall upon the Gallery, which was within the Temple on the West side, which did not only hinder the sight of the Royal Chamber, but also that of the Gallery without the Temple on the West side, where the Romans kept Guard near unto the Temple, on the Festival days. Herewith was King Agrippa high∣ly displeased, and the Governour Festus far more than he, who commanded them to pull down the Wall: But they besought him that he would give them Licence to send their Ambassadours to Nero, to this intent; alledging that it was impossible for them to live, if any part of their Temple should be beaten down. Which being granted them, they sent ten of their chiefest Nobility, and with them Ismael the High [ O] Priest, and Chelcias, the Treasurer of the Temple unto Nero; who no sooner heard their suit, but he pardoned them, not only for that they had done, but he commanded