Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4

Spain, where Sitius being with his horsemen, came upon him and slue him. Caesar then made the Kingdom of Numidia a Province, and having settled things in Africa returned to Rome, and kept four most stately Triumphs. 1 Over France. 2 Over Egypt. 3 Over Pontus. 4 Over Africa, and was made by the Senate Dictatour for ten years, and had sumptuous Statues erected to him, being written underneath Caesar semi deus, although he was so modest as to cause this to be expunged, and shown great humility towards the gods, by going up to the Capitall upon his knees, after that in the first days triumph, the axletree of his Chariot broke, which he took as a check given him by them: And with many good words he comforted the Citizens, saying, that from his forces they should have no hurt, but they should be a guard to the City. Then he also rectified the account of the year, by the help of a famous Mathematician called Sosigenes, who found that the year was now overgone the due time 67 days, and that the Summer Solstice, fell the third of the Calends of August, and therefore between November and December that year, which was the third of Caesar's Consulship, Anno{que} mundi 3918, two months more were interposed, and four days, for which it was called, annus confusionis, and from thence forward every fourth year hath a day added to it, being for this called the Leap-year, and in honor of Julius Caesar, one month in the year was called Julius, which before was called Quintilis.

Touching the Jewish affairs at this time. Hircanus being still High-priest, was honored with the friendship both of the Romans and Athenians, and by the help of Antipater the walls of Jerusalem were repaired, he commending to the Jews their High-priest Hircanus for their Prince & exhorting them to live quietly under him without stirring up new troubles, and threatening them if they did not, that he would be their Ruler. But when he perceived of how little spirit and courage Hircanus was, he made his eldest son Phasaelus Prince of Judea, and his other son Herod being young, he set over Galilee, being then but 15 years old, yet even at that age, having wit and courage above his years, he set his mind to do something worthy his high place, and did. For he went out against Ezecias Captain of the Thieves that infested the borders of Syria, and slue him, whereby he wan to himself great credit, and his fame came to the ears of Sextus Caesar Governor of Syria, and kinsman to Julius Caesar, and his brother Phasaelus being pricked on hereby with emulation, endeavored by all means to get himself credit also by well governing over the parts committed to him, and by his continnall care to do everyone justice, Thus Antipater and his sons came to be much honored both amongst the Jews, and were in singular friendship with the Romans, to whom Antipater sent gifts from time to time in his own name, but pretending to do it for Hircanus, of whom he received the money for that end. This being observed by some of the Jews, they inform Hircanus of it, and how he was made but a stale, all the Kingly power being in Antipater and his sons, and specially against Herod for killing Ezecias without judgment given upon him according to Law. Hircanus therefore sent for Herod to answer it, and he being forwarned by his father, came with a Band of men to the Council, insomuch that all his enemies were terrified from coming to witness anything against him. But there was one Same as a just man in the Council, who stirred up Hircanus and the Council against him for coming in such a manner, and not as the accused of such crimes ought to do, foretelling if they suffered this, that they should by Herod be destroyed, which afterwards came indeed to pass: yet Hircanus out of his great love to Herod, privately admonished him to flee away to Damascus, lest the Judges should determine against him, which he did, and came to Sextus Caesar, by whom he was also preferred to the Principality of Caelosyria. Then gathering an Army, he would have gone against Jerusalem and Hircanus for his former disgrace, but that he was turned by the persuasion of his father and brother herefrom. Hircanus then sending to Rome, renewed the league of friendship with the Romans, which was done, and writings divers given hereof by Julius Caesar, wherein Hircanus and his sons were confirmed in the High-priesthood, and many privileges were granted to them and to the Jews, and the like was done by Anthony and Dolobella, Consuls after Caesar's death.

But to return to Caesar again. He having given amongst the Romans many great gifts according to his power, being now sole Consul, hastened into Spain, against the two sons of Pompey who remained yet to be subdued with their forces. And his haste his said to be such, that he came thither in 24 days, and had many battles with them, till at length in one great battle, with much hazard first undergone, to his own person and Army, he overcame Pompey, and slue of his foot men 30000, and of his horsemen 3000, losing of his own 1000 and 500 wounded. In this battle, Pompey himself was also wounded and fled, but was soon taken in a cave where he did himself, and his head being cut off was brought to Caesar his brother being in the City, when he heard of this great overthrow, immediately yielded. Then Caesar having settled things in Spain, and placed Anthony Governor, returned to Rome, and held another triumph, when by the Senate all honors were given unto him as a King, but only the Title. For he was made perpetual Dictatour, and Emperor, and High-priest, and it was decreed that all other Officers should be obedient to him, and that the Empire after him should remain to his adopted children, for he had none of his own, and was now aged 56 years. They also built Temples to his honor, as to a God, and gave him power in all things to rule at his will. Thus after four years of civil War, they ended, and in the beginning of the fifth Caesar thus triumphed. But Sextus Caesar in the mean season being President of Syria, was slain by Bassus a Pompeyan, whereupon much trouble arose in those parts, as Josephus saith, the Caesarians coming in great numbers against the Pompeyans to be revenged, in which wars also Antipater acted a part for the Caesarians. Appian saith, that Bassus was one set over a Legion by Caesar, and when he saw Sextus Caesar addicted altogether to riot, and not to attend his Prefectureship, he admonished him thereof, but was contemned, and by him sent for, and when he came not, some were sent to bring him by force, as which his Soldiers disdaining, tumultuated and slue Sextus Caesar. Then fearing Julius Caesar, they resolved unless they could have pardon, to fight together for their lives, and having drawn another Legion unto them, one Marcus with three Legions came against them and was foiled, then the Governor of Bythinia coming to his aid; Bassus and his men were overcome, and so this tumult ended. Caesar having thus quelled all enemies except the Parthians, was desired by the Senate to go against them, and because it was thought that it would require a long time before he could return again, he was desired to nominate Consuls before his going, and so Anthony and Lepidus were appointed. But his untimely death prevented him of that expedition, the envy of many at his excessive honors, putting them on to murder him, under a pretence of freeing the Common-wealth from a tyranny, yet he was most excellent for clemency and liberality, and did many good things for the benefit of the Common-wealth, in that short time of his continuance at Rome, which was but six months, as the rebuilding of many Cities decayed, and placing in them many Colonies of the Romans. The chief conspirators against him were Brutus and Cessius, the one greatly favored by him, so that he had made him Governor in France, and appoyntud him another year to be Consul, and given him a large legacy by his Will, and in case that he died, whilst Octavius his sisters son, whom he had adopted were under age, he together with Anthony, should be his tutours. Yet this Brutus was by some put on, who made him believe that he was of the race of that Brutus, who long a go by killing the King, had freed the Roman State from servitude, and therefore if he would do anything worthy the stock of which he came, he should kill Caesar, that took upon him to be King, and with him and Cassius many more conspired, to the number of a hundred and upward. The causes of their enemy were partly his ruling in all things, partly Anthony's offering to Crown him, although he modestly refused it and said, that he would not be called King, but Caesar causing the Crown therefore to be offered to Jupiter in the Capitol, saying, that none was King of the Romans but Jupiter. For notwithstanding this refusal they thought, that he desired it, and only because he perceived by the countenances of the people, that they disliked, he made this refusal. For he ruled over all as a King, and this the free spirits of the Romans could not endure, that the sovereign power should be in one, although it had been better for them, having been for many years of late so much oppressed by civil dissensions. Partly also there was a prophesy, which foretold, that the Parthians should never be overcome, but by a King, which made them to suspect the more, that Caesar must be he, before his going out against them. And lastly, his disrepect at one time to the Senate coming unto him, for he received them sitting, which was taken as an argument of an high aspiring mind. Therefore upon the 15 of March, a meeting in the Senate house with the Senators about weighty affairs of the State being appointed, the Conspirators agreed together at that place and time to dispatch him, as an invader of the liberty of the Romans, neither had he power, although he had many forewarnings to keep away to avoid those fatal strokes. For the Wizards looking into the entrails of a beast, which was without an heart, took this for an evil sign, and advised him not to go out that day, moreover, he was before by them admonished to take heed of the Ides of March, which was that day, his wife also Calphurnia was troubled about his going to the Senate, and being slain there in her dream, and therefore earnestly besought him not to go. Insomuch, that he had thought once to have sent to dismiss the Senate, and not to goat that time. But Brutus, a Favorite of his and brother to Brutus, the chief conspiratour came and importuned him to go so, that he yielded, when he told him, that the Senate had a purpose that day to make him King of all other Countries round about, but only of the Romans, and told him, how ill the Senators would take it to be dismissed, and against the ill presages said, that they were not to be regarded, and so taking him by the hand he went with him. But by the way, and when he was placed in his chair of State, he was much troubled by suitors coming with petitions to him, and the conspirators placed themselves near about him, as his friends to do him service, sometime talking to him, and sometime to one Cimber, that was a suitor to him for his banished brother, whom Caesar denied, then he laid hold upon his gown with both his hands to pull it from his neck, and upon this, as a sign given of beginning the murder, one Casca thrust him first in the neck with his sword, but made no great wound, then Caesar arising, pursued him, amazed at his own bold attempt, but he called his brother to his help, and by and by Caesar saw many swords drawn about him, and amongst others Brutus, to whom he said, o my son Brutus, and wrapped up his head in his robes, but he was immediately slain, 23 wounds being given him. And this Brutus was thought indeed to be his son by Servilia, with whom Caesar had been very familiar. All things were full of tumult, but the conspirators fled to the Capitol to the gods for succor, and continued there a night and a day, till that by their messengers having apologized for themselves that they did this merely for the good of the Common-wealth, and sworn to, maintain all the good Ordinances of Caesar, some agreement was made, especially because the Senate liked well enough of their fact, and so they came forth. But Caesar's Will coming to light, in which, as was said before, he had made Brutus and Anthony with others his executors, &c the people were enraged and sought to slay Brutus and his fellows & the Senators also, because they seemed to favor these murderers, and making a fire in the market-place, they burnt the body of Caesar, so, as that withal they set fire upon the houses of some of the conspirators, and then they set up an Altar there to Caesar, and worshipped him as a god, till that the Consuls, Anthony and Dolobella overthrew it, and with much ado repressed their fury.

Thus Caesar after four years dominion, or three and an half as Josephus saith, was cut off, and all things were again stilled by sending the chief conspirators away to certain Governments assigned unto them. Anthony then, as if he had succeeded Caesar in his power, took upon him the rule of all things, and carried away out of his house abundance of treasure, and taking Caesar's books, cancelled some of his Laws, and altered others, as he thought good, so offering them to the people, who called for Caesar's Laws. The Senate also made a new Decree, that no man should hereafter be Dictatour, and who so sought this dignity, a reward was propounded to him that should kill him. Octavins the adopted son of Caesar, the son of Attia his sister being at Apollonia all his time was a while doubtful, what to do. But at length resolved to gather together such soldiers of his fathers, as he could, and to be revenged for his death. And to this end he took treasure, which Caesar had left with him, when he prepared for his expedition against the Parthians, and went into Campania, and many resorted unto him, he being now but 18 years old. From thence he went to Rome, pretending that he came only to take possession of the inheritance left him by Caesar, and although his mother and other friends dissuaded him from it, yet he took upon him his name also, being called Caesar Octavins, nothing fearing the danger of the conspirators, which he should thus be brought into. And indeed he did herein most wisely: for now, as if Caesar himself had been still living, many men's hearts were moved towards him. Anthony, yet slighted him so far, that they in a short time grew to open difference, whereupon Caesar Octavius his power increased much, some Legions of Anthony's falling unto him. Anthony seeing this betook him into France, which was committed to the government of Brutus, willing him to go into Macedonia as President there, and when he refused, he was by Anthony besieged in Mutina, the news whereof being brought to the Senate, he was required forthwith to break up his siege, and leaving France to Brutus to pass into Macedonia to govern there. Anthony full of wrath at the hearing of this urged the siege the more, for which he was by the Senate, Cicero putting them on, declared an enemy, and his Colleague Dolobella going against Trebonius, to whom Syria was committed and entering the City, wherein he was in the night, and slaying him, was likewise declared an enemy. This Trebonius was one of the conspirators, that helped to kill Caesar, and therefore vengeance now befell him, and his head being cut off, was camped about by the soldiers, and his body indignly used cast into the Sea. Two new Consuls therefore were immediately made, viz. Hircius and Pansa, to go with Caesar Octavius against Anthony, which Caesar was now made Propretour, but the chief strength of his soldiers taken from him, lest he should become too great, and so over-rule all, as Julius Caesar had done. For this was the Senats care, to employ him in the War against Anthony, that they two might never be reconciled to join together against the conspirators, and to send the Consuls with greater power together with him. But Pansa and Caesar coming first to Mutina, after many skirmishes with Anthonyes men had a great battle with him, wherein they were put to the worst, and Pansa was greatly wounded. Yet as Anthonyes men returned from the battle singing, Hirtius with 20 fresh troops came upon them, and slue them, and forced Anthonyes tents, but in the entrance Hirtius was slain, but Caesar kept his ground and continued in his atmour all night, which coming now on ended the battle for that day. Anthony calling a Council in the night, resolved to raise his siege and be gone, then Decimus Brutus, who held the City Mtina, knowing what danger he was in now that one Consul was dead, and the other gone away sore wounded, so that all the power was in Octavius, because he was one of the conspirators against his father, sent to him to give him thanks for delivering him from the siege, and to desire a reconciliation. Octavius answered that it was not for his sake, but to persecute Anthony an enemy of the Common-wealth, that he came, and therefore he looked for no thanks from him, and for his desire of a friendly parle, this piety did forbid in him. Decimus therefore coming to the other side of the river, where he might be heard, read unto him the Decree of the Senate, that he had the government of France committed to him, and therefoce he warned him not to come thither without the Consuls. Whereupon Octavius did forbear, and coming to the place, where Pansa lay, he heard by him that the drift of the Senate was to keep him down and to humble Anthony who was grown so proud, but he for his part would deliver the Legions taken from Caesar to him, and so he died. He being dead, Torquatus the Questor, being warned by the Senate so to do, delivered those Legious to D. Brutus and to keep Caesar from growing in power. Sextus Pompetus had the government of the Navy committed to him, M. Brutus of Mecedonia, and Cassius of Syria, all the Eastern parts being commanded to be subject to them two. Caesar Octavius came to Rome full of wrath for this and demanded to triumph, but was rejected, then he persuaded Cicero, the Consuls being dead, to stand to be Consul, and that he might be another, but he was laughed at therefore by the Senate because of his youth. Then Octavius thought it best to reconcile himself to Anthony and Lepidus, another great Commander over divers Legions, and therefore to make way hereunto, he used the soldiers of Anthony, whom he had taken with all courtesy, and sent such an army to him as were desirous and wrote letters to him and to Lepidus, signifying in what danger they all were, if the conspirators continued in their authority, and showing the necessity, that there was of joining together against them. Hereupon Anthony came with his army to Lepidus, and he joining with him after some pause, their forces grew very great. This struck terror into the Senate, and stirred up much hatred against Lepidus, more then against Anthony, insomuch that Cassius and Brutus were sent for to help against them and two Legions, which were with Sextus Pompeyus, and Caesar Octavius was joined in commission with D. Brutus to pursue Anthony it being from the Senate yet concealed, what he had done to join with Anthony. Octavius hearing of this stirred up his soldiers against the Senate for want of their pay, and when they were not after means used herein satisfied, he made a speech unto them declaring, that the aim of the Senate was to set up the Pompeyans and to suppress the Cesareans, and to hinder such, as Julius Caesar had given possessions to, from enjoying them, but if he might be made Consul, he would be revenged upon the conspirators, and help every man to his right. To this a great acclamation was made by his army, and the Centurions were forth with sent to the Senate to propound it. But before this they had made Plancus and D. Brutus Consuls, thinking, that they together with Octavius should go against Anthony. Therefore the Senate refused to hearken to this motion, although they were much urged, and their objection of his youth answered by the Legates, saying, that Scipio had been made Consul being under the age required ten years, and some others also. The Centurions returning to the army exasperated them so, that they marched forthwith towards Rome, being eight Legions. Then the Senate sent with all speed to pay Caesar's army, and signify that he should keep aloof from the City, and so be chosen Consul, but two legions coming from Sextus Pompeyeus at that instant, they repented and sent out other messengers to signify it. Hereupon Caesar's army was more enraged and came to the City, and without resistance took a great part thereof, many falling to him both of the noble and common sort, The Senate seeing this for fear made him Consul immediately, and so he came to the Senate house in pomp, taking into the society of his Consulship Q. Pedius his Kinsman. The Senate then to flatter with him gave him all the power, that his father Caesar had to rule according to his will, and to be keeper of the City. And after this at his motion Anthony was sent unto by the Senate for reconciliation, and Lepidus, who also had been condemned for a public enemy, and all the conspirators against Julius Caesar were condemned to die D. Brutus hearing this prepares to flee to Cassius, & M. Brutus: but of the ten Legions, that were with him all revolted some to Caesar, and some to Anthony, except 300, and with them seeking to get over the river Rhene, but making some delay because of the difficulty of the passage, they also forsook him all but 10. Then he travelling disguised as a Frenchman was taken by robbers, and brought to the Governor of the Country, who at Anthonyes command, when he knew of it, cut off his head and sent it to Anthony, thus the second conspiratour against J. Caesar sell a year & a half after the murder, Octavius being yet but 20 years old: for he was not fully so much, when he was made Consul, in the month Sextilis, which he would for this have called August, after his own title, Caesar Octavius Augustus, and so it is called to this day, but because he was born in September, some of his friends would have had that month called so. When Anthony and Lepidus had received the message for reconciliation they went towards Rome, but not without the greatest part of their armyes, making account by their power to prevail so as to agree upon what terms they pleased Caesar, then went out with his army to meet them, and at their meeting all three parled together, because although neither loved other, yet they thought it best to agree for a time the better to be revenged upon the conspirators. Wherefore they three went into a certain Island, wherein the view of their armies they consulted two or three days together, and agreed finally that the enemies of either of them should be proscribed, of which they reckoned 200, amongst whom Cicero was one, and that they three should have the chief power in all things, and that Anthony should be Governor of France, and those parts, Lepidus of Spain and Italy, Octavius of Africa, the East parts, Syria, &c. being left undisposed of, yet because M. Brutus and Cassius held them. To the City then they came, and first published a proscription against 17, promising a reward to any that should bring in any of their heads, whether he were free or bond, and threatening proscription to such as concealed any of them, whereupon great fear arose in Rome, and many fled to Cassius and Brutus, and soon after 30 more were proscribed to be slain and spoiled of their goods, and lastly 150 more, and yet they thinking, that they had not money enough for their War, condemned 1400 rich women also, but spared 1000, because this was cried out upon, as a point of greatest cruelty, and took that which should have been taken from them, from other men. And in all this Caesar Octavius was least blamed, as by whose desire this cruelty was not shown, for he was mild and kind like his father, but of the other two especially. Thus a new office of Triumviratus was set up to continue five years, because a Dictator-ship was odious ever since Sylla, but under them, when Octavius had deposed his Consulship, and his Colleague was now dead, two more Consuls were made, viz, Ventidius and Cartinas. But the three abolished some Laws, made others new, and ruled all things at their will, so that the time of J. Caesar seemed to be a golden time to this-ward. Soon after this, Anthony with his Army sets forth, and then Octavius, but they were both hindered in their passages, Anthony by Marcus with his sea forces, Octavius by Sextus Pompeyus, who then held Sicily. Yet they went forward towards Macedonia, to which place Anthony came with all his power, but Octavius stayed behind because he fell sick. Cassius and Brutus having gathered abundance of treasure, met together near Rhodes, and agreed first to take that City, because a friend to Anthony, which Cassius did, and then the Country of the Lycians, which was done by Brutus, who both spoiled them of all their goods, threatening such with death as conceiled any. But amongst the Xanthians, that were of the Lycians, a memorable thing happened. A rich man that hid his gold, was taken and led away to be punished, he saying nothing, his mother following cried, it was not he but I that hid it, then the servant that discovered it, said, it was not she, but my master, this Brutus hearing, was so moved with the modesty of the man, and the affection of the mother, and the treachery of the servant, that he dismissed the mother and son with his gold and hanged up the servant. Cassius and Brutus his forces now together were 80000 foot and 12000 horse, besides, 5000 horse that were brought in by friends. Anthony and Caesar likewise had 12000 horse and more foot, but their Army was not so well provided with victuals, and Octavius also was sick still, or not fully recovered, although through divers jealousies about Anthony he followed him and came to the Campe within ten days. Cassius and Brutus thought it best to delay to fight, that the provision of their enemies being wasted, they might the more easily subdue them. But Anthony provoked them daily to it, so that at length the Soldiers of Brutus would no longer be held in, but rushed out upon their enemies, and falling upon Octavius his men, he being absent, put them to the worse, but of them 8000 were slain, of Octavius his men twice so many, then he coming to his Army the fight was renewed, and Cassius thinking that Brutus was overcome, first ran up to an hill to see, but by reason of the dust not able to see anything, he sent one to see, but before he returned, conceiving the worst, he caused his Armor-bearer Pindarus to slay him, when as indeed Brutus had the victory. The next day, having buried Cassius, he would have kept in his Soldiers, hoping to prevail with less bloodshed, for the want of provision in his enemies army: but they refusing to be kept in, joined battle again, and then were overcome and put to flight in the wing, which was not led by Brutus, and then although he hitherto had stood his ground, he was also hem'd in by his enemies behind, and made to flee to an hill with four Legions, upon which having continued all night, he seeing his men discouraged, procured a friends servant also to kill him. And thus the two chief of the murderers of Caesar, by a just judgment, procured their own murders within two years, being brought into a desperate condition, when in all human reason, they were most likely to have prevailed: For they had two Navies by sea, their enemies but one, and that wrecked, they had the advantage of provision, were equal in forces, and wonderfully rich in money, and most free to every Soldier, to put courage into them, and to make them stand with them, and began also victoriously by advantages given them; yet being guilty of the blood of an Emperor and a friend, vengeance would not suffer them to live. But as I should have said before, Anthony and his fellows did great honor to dead Caesar before their coming out of Rome, for they erected a Temple to him in the place where his corps was burnt, and made it an Asylum, so as no Temple in the City was besides, for though that of Romulus were, yet it now stood so that men could not come at it, Brutus his men that remained, fell all to Anthony and Octavius; being fourteen thousand, who took them into their Armies, the rest fled some to Marcus and some to Oenobarbus, Sea-captains. Anthony and Octavius having sacrificed for their victories, and honourably buried Brutus, now began to think of a new division of the World between them, Lepidus being excluded, all the East to Anthony, and the West to Octavius, Italy being left in common to them both, and so it is agreed that Octavius with part of the Army should return to Italy, & to give the soldiers the portions of land assigned to them, for a reward, and Anthony went with the other part into Egypt, where he was honourably entertained by Cleopatra and took with her beauty, he continued with her all that winter, neglecting all other things to his own ruin and hers. Caesar coming to Rome, went about to divide the lands promised both to Anthonyes Soldiers and his own, but they which then had them in possession, took their expulsion so heavily, that they resorted to L. Antonius being then Consul, stirring him up to war against these Soldiers who ranged about so licentiously, that they filled all Italy with rapine and trouble, he therefore received them, and gathering more forces, thought to reduce the Common-wealth to the old form of government, that of the Triumvir seeming unto him intolerable. And to this, Fulvia the wife of Anthony, ceased not to instigate him, because she was vexed for her husbands stay with Cleopatra, and thought by this means he would be moved to hasten to Rome. Octavius hereupon put away his wife, the daughter of Fulvia, and so the contention increasing. Lucius Antonius gathered together 17 Legions and came to Rome, which he entered without fight, through the sluggishness of Lepidus, and having stirred them up against Caesar, he went forth towards Perusium to fight with him, who had then but four Legions, and six which he sent for out of Spain, and the Pretorian Soldiers. But before they joined battle, other helps came to Caesar out of France, being led by Salvidienus, but against him went Ventidius and Asinius, till that Agrippa, another Captain of Caesar's coming in, made them turn away. Then they both bent their course against L. Antonius, who to avoid the danger, shut himself into Perusium. But Caesar and they both besieged him, and the City of Perusium being unprovided of victuals, Lucius was soon brought into a great straight through famine, wherefore he made divers sallies out, but in vain, and at length sent to such for peace, and when he could not so prevail, but upon evil conditions, he went himself in submiss manner, and was by Caesar accepted, and the next day his men being suffered to depart, Caesar entered into the City, pardoning all but a few which were Decurions, amongst whom Xestius set fire desperately upon his own house, whereby the whole City was burnt down. Of the Soldiers of Lucius Antonius that went away, some hastened with Julia the mother of the Anthonyes, to Sextus Pompeyus, and some with Plancus and Fulvia the wife of Anthony to him: Caesar Octavins in the mean season going to France, and taking Anthonyes forces which were there under Calenus, who was then dead, unto himself, whereby he increased his power to 11 Legions. Anthony in the spring took shipping, and came from Egypt to Athens, where his wife met him, whom he blamed much for the War at Perusium, and L. Antonius also. Then his mother came to him, being honourably sent out by Pompey to draw him to his part against Caesar Octavius but Anthony replied, that for his mother sending to him, he thanked him, and would requite it. But to break with Caesar Octavius he had no purpose, if he would hold to his covenants with him, in case he should not then he would use his help and if Octavius and he continued still in amity, he would do his best to reconcile Pompey also to him. But Octavius being now very potent, for he had gathered together 40 Legions, as being Lord over all France and Spain, began to devise how to destroy Anthony, that he might rule alone, and to this end he both sought to stir up such Anthonians against him, as to whom he had divided possessions. and to make friendship with Pompey, being in Sicilia, by sending and taking to wife the sister of his father in law Libo, called Scribonia, and by sending Lepidus away into Africa with six suspected Legions of Anthony's, and Lucus Anthonius with an Army into Spain, joining with him the Propretours as Legates. Antonius on the other side came with a mighty Navy of two hundred ships to Brindisi, and then Oenobarbus came to him with all his Navy also, and was accepted by him. Caesar Octavius hearing this, hastened with his Army against him. Anthony therefore sent to Pompey to invade Italy in his aid, so that much blood was likely to have been shed, but that L. Cocceius who was a friend to both, mitigated their minds so as that a peace followed, and reconciliation: The wife also of Anthony died at the same time, who had been a chief incendiary to war, and so a marriage was made betwixt Anthony and Caesar Octavius his sister Octavia, and they feasted one another. As for Pompey it was agreed that he should return to Sicily, Oenobarbus to Bythinia. But Caesar would not be reconciled to Pompey, because he had lately expelled Helenus a Captain of his out of Sardinia. Pompey hearing this, took all the passages to Italy, whereby was caused a great famine, which made the people to tumultuate, and press Caesar and Anthony both to a reconciliation with Pompey, and that with such vehemency, stoning the Magistrates when they came to appease the tumult, and the Emperors themselves, although many of them were slain by their Soldiers, so that Libo also, whose daughter Caesar Octavius had lately married, mediating betwixt them and Pompey his son in law, and Mutia the mother of Pompey, it was agreed that all they three should come to a conference, which they did, and at the second meeting agreed, that Pompey should rule in Sicilia and Sardinia, and some other Islands, and have Peloponesus delivered unto him, and this his rule to continue as long as their Triumviratus. The Emperors then feasted one another, Pompey beginning in Menodorus his Ship, where when the other two were, Menodorus moved Pompey to kill them, and so to be avenged for his fathers death, he answered that he wished Menodorus had done it without telling him, saying: Menodorus might have been perjured, but Pompey not. Then were Pompey's forces withdrawn from Italy, and they being by this means delivered from famine, rejoiced greatly in Rome, and gave exceeding great honor to Caesar Octavius and Anthony as the saviors of the Country, insomuch that they sacrificed to them. But this joy lasted not long, for Anthony returning into Asia, and Caesar into France, Pompey finding that Covenants were not kept as he expected, about the delivering of Peloponesus to him, but being first exhaust of their treasure by Anthony, living then at Athens, began to prepare for War again, first infesting the Seas by his Pirates, whereby Italy being again troubled cried out, as oppressed now with four men instead of three. Octavius hearing of this took some of the Pirates, and when they confessed Pompey to be the author of their practices, he prepared again to war, and sent to Anthony to meet him at Brindisi to consult about it, which he did, but Caesar Octavius being absent at his coming, he stayed not, but returned again to Athens. Then Caesar with the forces which he had, invaded Sicilia, but being by Pompey incountered, who was far better provided of shipping, he was at the first brought into great straits. But he sent Mecenas to Anthony to come to his aid, who came and exchanged with him 120 ships, of which Caesar had most need for 20000 Legionary soldiers, which Anthony most needed to go against the Parthians, and then returned again, leaving his wife Octavia with her brother, because he doted still upon Cleopatra, who offered to accompany him into Parthia. Then Caesar spent a year or two in preparing more ships, in which time Anthony with a mighty Army went towards Parthia, but had no better success then Crassus in times past, for which he thought by craft to come upon Phraates their King unawares, he found him so prepared that he could do no good against him, wherefore understanding that the King of Armenia was coming with a great power to the Parthians, he went another way to his Country, but not being able to enter suddenly, his army perished a great part through famine, cold, and sickness, for it was winter time, insomuch, that being in great straits, he swore a servant of his to kill him, but after this, finding means to flee away, he posted with a few into Syria, where Cleopatra met him, bringing with her great treasure to pay his Army that survived, for 20000 foot were dead; and 4000 horsemen.

By this time Octavius having prepared fully to go against Sicily, set forth to invade it on three parts at once, but with so ill success by reason of tempests arising, that after the loss of many ships and men, he returned back again to Italy only with one ship, the rest, which remained, being diversely dispersed, yet after this being challenged by Pompey to a Sea-fight for the final ending of the quarrel, he being ashamed to refuse the offer, although he had never yet fought prosperously by sea, accepted of it, and so they met with 300 ships on either side, their foot forces remaining upon the shore, anxiously expecting the issue. In this fight also Lepidus was with Caesar with many ships, which he brought out of Africa, and after a long and bloody fight the victory fell to Caesar, 28 ships of Pompey's being sunk, and the rest yielding all but 17, with which he fled away, and taking his treasure, and wife, and children with him, he hastened away into Syria to Anthony. Whereby we may see the instability of this World in that he which fled a little before now puts his adversary, by whom he 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 break with Caesar, because being of equal authority with him, he used him as a Legat only. Therefore he put out Caesar's men, and placed Garrisons of his own there. But when they should come to try the matter by battle, the soldiers 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 desiring mercy, and was by him well received, but deprived of his Triumvirship, and suffered to enjoy his High-priesthood, whereat, some say, he was so discontented, that he went into voluntary exile. Caesar now had 45 Legions of foot, 25000 horse, 600 long ships, and ships of burden innumerable: then he committed Africa and Sicilia to the Propretours to be governed and returned to Rome, where he was received with all honor. And when he 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 forever. Pompey fleeing towards Anthony, heard of his overthrow in Parthia, & therefore began to meditate, how to get his Dominions into his hands. Then he used this policy; he sent Ambassadors to him to offer his assistance, but at the same time he 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 towards Parthia, were taken by Anthonyes men, and being brought to him to the great shame of the other Ambassadors confessed the matter. Yet they excused it by saying that he sent not to the Parthians with an intent to join with them, unless he were by Anthony rejected, for he had rather associate himself to him then to any other man, and this Anthony took for an excuse. But before he heard anything again from him, he put on Imperial apparel, mustered more Soldiers in Syria, and took divers Cities, whereby he marred all. For Anthony now was very strong again, Titius bringing to him 120 ships, and 70 coming 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 overtook 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 carried 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 she was J. Caesar's wife, that Octavius might be put down, and he gave her the title of Queen of Kings, and her other children which she had by himself, 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 carried themselves insolently against Caesar, whereupon he came guarded with his friends and Soldiers to the Senate, where he spake against them and Anthony, no man daring to answer. But both they and many Senators 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 anything through him, and that wheresoever he died 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 chief 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 Caesar's, 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 took the rich spoils which were brought out of Asia and Egypt, whence Cleopatra alone brought 20000 Talents, but Anthony's men first fought a long and bloody battle with him, when their Emperor was gone, and at length yielding many were taken into Caesar's 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 she 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 Brindisi, and being there met by the Senators 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 days stay at Brindisi, he went into Syria and towards Egypt, against Anthony and Cleopatra, who were astonished at the suddenness of his coming, it boing also then Winter. Now therefore Anthony and Cleopatra, sent Ambassadors to him for peace, together with a golden Crown and other Regal ornaments sent by Cleopatra. To her he answered, that she should have favor, but to Anthony nothing, wherefore he sent the second and third time, but received no answer, although he sent great gifts also, and Tutullius a Senator, who was one of the conspirators against Julius Caesar, whom Octavius forthwith slue. Yet lest she should despair, he sent one to Cleopatra, to promise her the Kingdom of Egypt, and to signify, how inclining he was to show her favor, and what love he bare to her, if she would kill Anthony, because he feared either 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 die there. Anthony being of this certified, attempted to kill himself and fell down in his blood, as if he had been dead, then she getting up to the top of the building looked over to see him, and Anthony being raised up again espied her, and caused himself by ropes to be drawn up to her, and then he immediately died even in her bosom. Then she coming into the power of Caesar, when he would make no faith to her, she suspecting, that she should be reserved for a triumph made a show, as if she would go into Italy with Caesar, but in truth to get an opportunity to kill herself, because otherwise Caesar's men by his command were so vigilant over her, that she could not. Having then appareled herself in most sumptuous manner in Queens attire, she with a small sharp ended instrument dipt in poison, which she used to wear on her head pricked her own arm, through which she presently died without any sense of pain: for such was the nature of that poison, so soon as it met with the blood, to kill, no pain being felt, some say, that she applied an Asp to her arm, whereby she suddenly died, which Caesar hearing caused all means to be used to suck the poison out again, but in vain, at which he was much grieved, as she had in her life time desired of him, he buried her most sumptuously in the same Sepulcher with Anthony; and thus all civil Wars ended amongst the Romans, Caesar Octavius from thence-forth reigning in peace. And this Macrobius noteth to have been in the sixth month, and that 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 civil Wars thereupon arising, of which at large before, Cassius came to Syria, and exacting much money there to maintain his army he most grievously oppressed the Jews, exacting of them 800 talents, or near upon it. Antipater then committed the gathering of this money to his two sons, and one Malichus, who was but a treacherous 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, obtained general favor at his hands. Some Cities under other Procuratours for want of payment were sold and money raised, and so angry was Cassius with Malichus, that he would have slain him, because he 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 raised forces to go against him, Malichus then craftily denying his treacherous purpose was again reconciled to him. But Marcus being President of Syria, hearing of the attempts of Malichus would have slain him, but that Antipater entreated for him. But in so doing he did but save a Serpent to sting him. For soon after he corrupted the Butler of Antipater, and poisoned 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 refrained 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, met Malichus, as he was passing and slue him with their daggers. After this when Cassius went out of Judea, tumults a rose there by means of Felix left behind 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 towers, but Herod going out against him drave him away and regained the towers, for which he was much honored 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 he being overcome by Caesar Octavius, and Anthony at Philippi. Anthony ruled over all Asia subject to the Romans, and came into Syria. Then Ambassadors came from all parts unto him and from Judea came some, that accused Phasaclus and Herod for taking the rule upon them, using the High-priest Hircanus as a stale. But Herod coming speedily to Anthony, obtained such favor 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 wickedness, had unjustly therewith gratified his adherents, and if any presumed to hold them still he threatened punishments according to their demerits. Anthony after his coming into Silicia, where he met Cleopatra and was ensnared with her love, many others of the Jews came to seek 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 aid 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 Judea, promising to him 1000 talents, and 500 women. Hereupon Pacorus, who as Dio saith, was the son of Orodes the King was sent together 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 anything else, and now dissensions 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 coming with their forces in Syria subdued all, as they went and so came to Judea, and to the City Jerusalem, where Herod had many skirmishes with them, and slue many of them. But the Feast of Pentecost coming 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 persuaded him to go with a few soldiers into the City again, under a pretence of agreeing. Meeting therefore with Phasaelus, he persuaded him to go into Galilee to Barzaphernes in embassage, that there might be a peace concluded. Phasaelus, though against his brother Herod's 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 admonished to do, but stayed to expostulate about it with Barzaphernes, who stiffly denied it, and then went away to Pacorus. So soon as he was gone, Phasaelus and Hircanus were taken by his men, 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 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 soldiers and women towards Idumea, but was pursued by the Parthians, and many Jews also upon whom he turning gave them many overthrows, and so came to the Castle Massada, where leaving the women and some others to the number of 800, he went into Arabia petrea, thinking to crave aid of that King for the friendship, that had been betwixt him and his father, and being denied for fear 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 sailed to Rome, a most dangerous voyage. In the mean season the Parthians spoiled 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 ears, that he 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 died, that he might not be abused at the will of his And not long before Herod, when he was upon the way to Arabia, the Waggon wherein his was carried being overthrown, drew out his sword thinking also to kill himself, but that he was dissuaded from it, seeing thus he should leave his mother and Wife and children to become a prey to his enemies, 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 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 carried, and his father before him against the Romans, and for his bringing the Parthians their enemies into the land. And thus they, that always hitherto, since their return out of captivity had been under a Governor of their brethren, as of Princes of the Tribe of Judah, till the time of Mattathias, and afterwards of High-priests and Kings coming of that Tribe by the mother, began first to be subject to a stranger, whereby they might know, that the coming of the Messiah was not far off, according to the prophesy of Jaacob, the scepter shall not 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 born. Herod's reign began not immediately after his coming to Rome, where he 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 years and some months, so that he was High-priest first and last 31 years, nine in the time of Alexandra the Queen, his mother, and then almost four years of the reign of Aristobulus the Usurper coming between, being again restored by Pompey 22 years, after which Antigonus possessed the Kingdom five years, and then Herod putting him down reigned, till that Christ was born. Herod being thus made King especially through Anthonyes favor, who thought it needful to confer this honor upon him, in respect of his Wars with the Parthians, (for Herod came not to Rome with any hope to obtain this dignity, because it was contrary to the custom of the Romans to prefer any man to that Kingdom, but one of the blood royal, 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 Capitol to sacrifice there. In the mean season the Castle of Massada was in danger by Antigonus who came to besiege it, and they within were brought to a great straight for want of water, insomuch that Joseph Herod's brother thought again to try the King of Arabia for help, but store of rain falling, their Cisterns were again supplied 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, who encountered with Labienus and prevailed, putting the Parthians to flight which, which Ventidius seeing, feared, and disguising himself fled, but was taken and slain, and Pacorus saith, Velleius was slain also. Herod then returning from Rome came to Ptolomais, and having gathered forces went first towards Massada. to deliver his besieged, then his army being more increased by many that flocked 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 half blood of the Jews, to the Kingdom, seeing if he himself were thought unworthy to be King, yet there were others of the blood Royal, 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 Soldiers 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 color to go 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 supplied without. But against this Herod provided, by sending out forces, and then following himself 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 go 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 he was honourably entertained, and by and by the place was yielded to Anthony, and he appointed Sosius over it, commanding him to supply Herod with two of his Legions, and soon after to follow himself with his Army to help him, Anthony himself going from thence into Egypt. Now whilst Herod was thus absent, Antigonus prevailed much in Judea, and Joseph, Herod's 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 behind the hanging, hiding themselves, and first one came out with his sword drawn and went his way, as glad to save himself, and assaulted not Herod, and then the second and the third likewise.

When Herod was come to Jerusalem, Sosius also joined himself 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 repel 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 entered and many were slain, and then Antigonus came and submitted himself to Sosius, who upbraided him by the name of Antigona, and put him in bands to be sent to Rome, yet Herod importuning him to it, for fear of future contention about the Kingdom, he sent him to Anthony, who to procure the more quiet to Herod, beheaded him. Joseph. lib. 15. c. 1. When Jerusalem was thus taken, the soldiers killed up the people without any respect of sex or age, and spoiled them of their goods, till that Herod with great difficulty prevailed to cause them to cease, when he had promised to every soldier a reward, and thus the rule of the Aslamoneans came to an end 126 years after it began, and Herod came to possess the Kingdom. Having gotten it, he slue 45 of the principal of the faction of Antigonus, and otherways consumed many more that had been enemies to him, and took all the stuff of the Kings house, and the gold and silver in the City, whereof he sent great gifts to Anthony. Hircanus 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 Jerusalem again. nothing doubting but that Herod, whom he had always so dearly loved, as he had also done his father Antipater, would greatly honor him, being also now as a father to him in respect of his wife of the house of Hircanus, whom he had married. Herod also hearing of his desire, wrote lovingly to him, promising him all honor, and so means being made to King Phraates he dismissed him. When he was returned, Herod entertained him with all honor, placing him on his right hand, 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 fear of future danger. But Alexandra his wife, Mariamnes mother, who had also a son sixteen years old, called Aristobulus, exceeding beautiful, 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 son. But Anthony neglected it, till that one Gellius a friend coming to Jerusalem, saw the beauty of her two children, and was wonderfully taken with it. To him then she 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 he 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 son, 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, Herod's wife, ceased not importuning him for her brother, that he might be High-priest, and at length prevailed so far, that Herod calling a Council of his friends granted it, at which both Alexandra and she greatly rejoiced, and thanked Herod: yet he thought it still necessary to watch over Alexandra, fearing that she would attempt something further afterwards. This she seeing took it indignely, for that she 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 son into Egypt, but whilst she prepared in great secrecy to do so, she was discovered to Herod, when she had conveyed herself and son away to the seas side, being carried in chests, as if they had been filled with stuff, and so they were brought back again to him. Yet Herod in great cunning carried 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 comliness of their High-priest, being adorned with his Pontifical attire, they expressed great affection towards him. Herod then feigning the like good affection, took him to him, and condescended 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 air. And there being then certain young men washing them, and swimming in the pond. Aristobulus, at Herod's 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 tears, seemed to do the like, and spared for no cost in the burying of him, yet Alexandra his mother presuming that by Herod's 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 he durst not but go to him. Yet fearing the worst, he committed the government in the interim to his brother Joseph, as Josephus saith, forgetting himself 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 said he suspected, Anthony would do, if he were cut off. Being gone, Joseph often visits Alexandra, and her daughter, and sometime talked much of Herod's love to her, for proof 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 coming 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 pacify 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 Judea, insomuch that he gave her all betwixt the river Eloutherus and Nile, except Tyrus and Sidon, and she had before poisoned her brother Ptolemy being but fifteen years old, that she might reign over Egypt alone, and her sister Arsinoe she caused to be slain, neither was there any Temple within her power, but she robbed it. Herod being feasted and dismissed by Anthony, returns home to Judea, then Salome his sister told him all, what Joseph her husband and Alexander and Mariamne had conspired to do, thereupon Herod was much offended with his wife, as being jealous for Joseph, but she at the first clearing her self, they two fell to kissing and embracing again. Then she objecting that his love was indeed great towards her, when as if he had miscarried, he would have had her put to death, he thrust her from him, and cried out, now he knew she was an whore, and therefore Joseph had opened this secret unto her, and with much ado refrained he from killing her, but Joseph 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 Judea, 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 tarried with him, like an impudent whore, desired to lie 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 persuasions of his friends he did not, but accompanying her homward, dismissed her into Egypt. Then there fell out an occasion to Herod of warring upon the Arabians, because they denied to pay Herod the tribute given him by Anthony. He therefore going forth with an Army, fought against them and overcame them. But they renewed their forces again, and so they had another battle, wherein also Herod prevailed, but immediately after this victory, Athenio a Captain of Cleopatraes in those parts, for the hatred which he bare to Herod came upon his men being weary and slow many of them, and the Arabians seeing this turned into the battle again, whereby many more of the Jews fell, therefore Herod after this came against the Arabians at sundry times, not to open battle, but after the manner of robbers. But whilst he and his soldiers were thus doing, there happened in Judea a grievous Earthquake, whereby 10000 people perished, and much cattle, but none of the soldiers, because they lay abroad in their Tents. The Arabians hearing this rejoiced greatly, as thinking now easily to subdue the Country. Wherefore they first killed the Ambassadors who were sent unto them to sue for peace, then raising an Army they hastened towards Judea, neither was there any courage in the Jews at the first to fight, so dejected in mind were they for the late destruction by the Earthquake. But Herod making an Oration to encourage them from the justice of their cause, to which, he said, 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 himself so grievously punished them, he would not give them over into the hands of their enemies, they were greatly animated, and • o Herod having sacrificed, led them over Jordan 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 seek by their Ambassadors for peace. which yet Herod would not grant, as being desirous to be revenged for his Ambassadors sent to them before. The Arabians seeing this, put themselves, to the number of 4000, upon his mercy, the resideue being irked at it, resolved desperately to fight it out, rather then to come into such thralldom, 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 honor amongst the people, returned home in great pomp, but Anthony being now overcome by Caesar, he was greatly troubled for fear of his wrath, because of his friendship with Anthony, having also offered to aid him in his last battle against Caesar, but that he sent him back to curb the Arabians. Therefore he expected no good from him, but ruin. Now because he thought, that if he were put down, Hircanus should again be advanced, as being the only man remaining of the royal stock, he had a desire to dispatch him, before he went to speak to Caesar. And whilst he was thus thinking, an occasion to execute his bloody 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 shown it first to Herod, to curry favor 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 Herod's command immediately slain being above 80 years old, having continued High-priest 40 years, being always a man of a mild disposition, and patient upon all accidents, and towards Antipater and Herod his son, very beneficent, yet he was thus at last requited 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 of his mother Alexandra her reign years nine, then Aristobulus his younger brother got the Kingdom four years, after this, Pompey confirmed him in his Highpriesthood again, & he continued 22, then his ears being cut off by Antigonus, he was led captive into Parthia, and under that King was placed as High priest 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 died, 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 kindred in the Castle Massada, and Alexandra and Mariamne his wife in Alexandrium with Joseph his Questor and Sobemus, commanding them if he should miscarry, to kill them both, and to preserve the Kingdom for his children.

Things being thus ordered, he hastened to Rhodes to speak with Caesar, and when they were met, he only laying down his Crown with great courage and freeness, told Caesar that he had loved Anthony much, and if he had not been hindered 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 quarrel, and many other ways he spared not to show how he had constantly cleaved unto him, in the end telling him, that if he would make trial of his friendship, he should in like manner find what it was. Caesar being delighted to hear his resolute speech, restored him his crown, and willing him to be as faithful now to him, as he had formerly been to Anthony, he used him with all kindness. 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 officiousness to his friends and army. But coming home the second time, he first went to his wife Mariamne, whom he loved above all his wives, kissing and embracing her, and telling her of his honor with Caesar, and how he had enlarged 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 he should be swayed most by wrath or love, brake not out into anything harsh against her, till that his mother and sister accusing her for incontinency with Sohemus, to whose custody she had been committed: neither yet was he hereby much exasperated against her, because he believed it not, till that upon a certain day, being disposed to go after dinner into his chamber, and there to lie 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 she denied, and thereupon he was much more provoked. And to make her matter worse, Herod's mother had secretly waged his Butler to present unto him, as from Mariamne, a cup, as she bad him call it, of love drink, 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 appointment. Herod then thinking that she would hereby have poisoned him, was much more enraged against her, and calling his Council 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 evil against him, he could not be ignorant of it, then he cried out that he knew nothing, unless because Sohemus had told her that he had taken order, that she and her mother should have been slain if he had miscarried when he went to Caesar, she therefore to berevenged on him, had prepared for him this potion. When Herod heard this, he concluded immediately that she had been naught with Sohemus, and so served him as he had done Josephus before. And his Council seeing it was his will, condemned Mariamne to die, 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 came out and railed upon her, saying, she was worthy the most cruel death, that would have destroyed her husband being so loving to her, to whom she answered nothing, but looked upon her, as giving a check to her unnaturalness by her countenance. Then Herod's mother and sister persuaded 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 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 everyone about him, he could not eat nor rest, but called out for Mariamne, till that he went under a pretence of hunting, and hid himself in a wood, whereupon he fell into a dangerous disease, insomuch, that it was despaired of his life. In which time Alexandra sought to have two principal Castles put into her hands, that if Herod died the Kingdom might return to her, and after remain to the Jews. But Herod by the industry and care of his Physicians, 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 himself in beholding divers shows, and fightings of wild beasts and men condemned to die, professing that he did this to the honor 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 conspiracy of ten desperate persons to slay him, but this being discovered, they were taken and slain, and when they went to execution, they suffered with an undaunted courage, as dying for the Law of God, against which they said it was, and their Country 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 confess who they were that did it, at length when no man could be made to confess, a silly woman forced by torment, discovered them, and so they and theirs suffered for it. Herod seeing an aptness in the Jews to rebel about these things, built more strong places to curb them, and enlarging and walling Samaria about, called it Sebaste, and there he 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 said before, put an end to the Romans civil Wars, lest they should afterwards break 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, Anthony's daughter by Cleopatra, he married to K. Juba, his son Juba, and gave him his fathers Kingdom, and unto them he gave Alexander and Ptolemy, two sons of Anthony by Cleopatra. Then seising upon the treasures of Cleopatra, he gave to every of his soldiers 250 drams a piece, and returning to Rome had all honor done unto him, and having held three Triumphs, was made Emperor, 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 honored 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 universal 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 Governor of the City, finding out his conspiracy soon extinguished it. Augustus being thus dignified, would yet be Consul another year, and joined Agrippa unto him, as being his intimate friend, giving him his sisters daughter to wife, and using his counsel in all things as he did the counsel of Mecaenas also▪ yet he was nothing the more lifted up in his mind hereby, but referred all to the greater honor of Augustus. After this Caesar built Theatres, and shown 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 Latin and Greek books. After which, he bent his course towards Brittany, but being in France, Orators 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 year or two brought under, and then the Temple of Ianus was again shut up, because there was universal peace.

Whilst things went well thus with the Romans, the Jews suffered greatly by famine and many thousands were ready to perish hereby. Then Herod commiserating their case took all the vessels of gold and silver and ornaments that he had and made money of them, which he sent into Egypt to buy corn, for the famine continued two years. This won him such love amongst them, that now all men forgetting things past greatly loved and honored 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 in hor our of Caesar and Agrippa, and other great men of Rome, calling them by their names. After this espying a beautiful young da • osell, the daughter of Simon a noble Priest, he was in love with her and took her to Wife, and that this match might be somewhat worthy of a King, he made her father High-priest, Jesus the son of Phabes, being put from it, who had been made High-priest the year after Hircanus his death, anno mundi 3936, and was put from it anno 3942, when he had sitten six years, and then Simon the son of Boethus began anno 13 of Herod's reign. annoque 13 after the Assamonean family first put down, Soon after this Herod observing a place near the Sea fit to build a City upon between Dora and Ioppe in Phoenicia, built one there, and an Haven very sumptuous, and that he might in all things attain more favor still with Caesar, he called it Cesarea, and built there a stately Temple to him, and erected two Statues, one called Roma, another Caesar, and a Theatre also, at which the Jews 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 Countries 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 blood in his body, through the breaking of his heart-strings. Caesar also gave Herod leave to appoint, whether of his sons he would to reign after him. Then Agrippa coming as President into those parts shown all kindness to Herod, although there came many complaints against him, and afterwards Caesar himself coming thither honored him likewise, and adjoined him so to the other Governors of Syria, that they should do nothing without him. Herod being grown thus great called all his subjects to swear 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 withal, although they refused, nor yet the Essees for the sake of Manahemus, who long ago, as it is said, when Herod was a boy and went to school, foretold him, that he should be King, and gave him good counsel to do justice to every man, and to use clemency, but he told him he knew that he would be cruel and treacherous, but otherwise he should do great things and attain to much honor. And afterwards when he was come to the Kingdom, 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 honor of Augustus, and to make the Jews less offended with him, he remitted them the third part of their Tribute, because they took some works that he made to tend to the depraving of Religion, and were hereby somewhat provoked against him. And in the 18 year of his reign to please them more, he prepared to build a magnificent house to the honor of God, because that house which the Jews had built after their return from the Babylonish captivity was too low and in stateliness far inferior 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 Jews 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 numbered, and this building was finished in less then a year and a half, in all which time it reigned not in the day to hinder the work, 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 happiness to Herod, by whose benignity and bounty they had now again so stately a Temple built them. Josephus also describeth all things more at large concerning this rare fabric, so that who so desires to see more thereof, may read his 14 chap. lib. 15. where he saith, 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 Levites, 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 Zerubbabel's Temple. The Temple with all things belonging to it being thus finished, Herod made a law, that whosoever were found to have digged through a wall into a house, should be sold for a slave to foreigners forever, at which the Jews were greatly offended as tending to the overthrow of their Laws against theft. But he not passing for their offense sailed over into Italy to visit Caesar, and to bring away his two sons, Alexander and Aristobulus, who he thought, had now been long enough at Rome to be seasoned with learning. Wherefore after honorable 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 majestical port studied to stir up Herod to enmity against them, and to this end she caused it to be given out, that they loved not their father, but were averse from his company, as reputing him the murderer of their mother. But Herod was not moved at this rumour, wherefore his favor towards his sons was nevertheless, insomuch that he married 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 aid, who was very joyful at his coming, and the Pontick business being dispatched, they returned together to Ionia by the way, and there Agrippa gratifying Herod in any request, that he made for the Jews inhabiting those parts, he leaving Agrippa President of Syria, returned home and told the Jews, how much favor and freedom he had procured them in all parts, as his care had always been to do them good, and remitted them now to oblige them the more to him the fourth part of their tribute, at which they much rejoiced and gave him great thanks. But whilst Herod was thus happy in public, 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 said, that the she was wrongfully cut off, wherein their father Herod being somewhat touched, their speeches were soon brought unto him. Wherefore he having a younger son called Antipater, took him into his special favor, so that it might easily be perceived, that putting down the two elder he had a purpose to advance him to the Kingdom 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 he 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 ruin 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 he had well gratified Caesar returned home with them, where he declared before the people, that his son Antipater should reign after him, and then Alexander and Aristobulus but thus he laid a foundation of greater troubles to his frmily. For the two elder stomackt it, as a wrong done to them showing enmity against their mother, and Antipater was not satisfied in that he should enjoy the Kingdom 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 envied them this preferment. Then Herod's domestic 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 he 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 maid-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 maid-servant he refused her. At this Herod was greatly displeased & banished him from his Court and his sister Salome also, and some others of his nearest friends he cast off, and made away some others. Archilaus King of Cappadocia hearing of Herod's displeasure against his son-in-law Alexander had thought to have gone over to him to endeavor a 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 threatening 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 prevailed, and so all breaches were made up, and Archilaus went home honored with great gifts by Herod. But this lasted not long, for one Eurycles a Lacedaemonian being a subtle man and a great flatterer insinuated himself into the friendship of Antipater and Alexander also, pretending himself to be a special friend to Archilaus, his father-in-law. By him the young man was so taken, that supposing him to be a dear friend, he opened the secrets of his heart unto him. Then he treacherously told all to Antipater, and he 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 Country by Archilaus, he told him, what a good office he had done in reconciling Alexander and Herod together, when he was very wroth with him, for which he also received a great reward at his hands, and going home into his own Country 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 something by letters and confessions of the tormented for this purpose, examined them upon it, and all treachery being by Alexander denied, but only he confessed, that they intended to go to Archilaus, &c. because they could not live there out of danger by reason of their enemies, and he 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 Council of Syria, he cast them into prison, & after a while caused them to be strangled there. And when as one Milo an old soldier of his cried out more freely against this unjust proceeding, & being admitted to speak with him in private, told him what fears & hatred against him it might breed in the people to the endangering 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 he offered him a reward, in barbing of him to cut his throat, he forthwith executed him, when Antipater saw that his brethren were thus made away, so that he should not need to fear, their aspiring anymore 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 sons which he had by the daughter of Archilaus King of Cappadocia, and Aristobulus three and two daughters. And Herod their father had a son called Herod by the High-priests daughter, and Antopas and Archilaus by a Samaritan woman, and divers others. And suspecting nothing of Antipaters evil mind towards him, he married him to Bernice, his sister Salome her daughter, and made marriages between their children, to take away all grudges, yet Antipater closely meditated mischief, 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 compass 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 Herod's 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 poisoned, & that he had been heard complaining to his mother of the longlife of his father, and of 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 appointed to reign after, or if he died 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 spoiled of all her costly ornaments & the High priest Simon's daughter, deposing herfather, & making another High priest, 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 coming to light, wrote to his father of the evil sayings of his two sons at Rome, Archelaus and Philip that they murmured against him for murthering his own sons, their brethren, and said, when they were sent for home that he sent for them only to take occasion to add to his unnatural murders. 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, & therefore went not forward till after consultation had with his friends. But then being persuaded 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 speak 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 defense, but called upon God to show some judgment upon him if he were guilty, Varus having called for the poison which had before been discovered, & brought forth by Pherotas his wife, for he corrupted with gifts should have been the instrument of the death of his own brother whilst Antipa. was at Rome, tried the strength of it by giving it to a condemned man, who presently upon the taking of it died. Then he arising, after some conference had privately with Herod, departed, and Herod bound Antipater and put him in prison, Then he sent Ambassadors 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 Ambassadors away, insomuch that men thought generally now, that it would be his death, wherefore certain young men, disciples to two most learned, Judas 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 said, he had done against the Law of God. But Herod's Captains hearing of it, went with a band of men, and others fleeing, took 40 resolute young men, that stood to maintain what they had done, and their two Masters Judas and Mathias, who were ashamed to flee, and brought them to Herod. He being very angry with them and threatening them for this, they were nothing dismayed, but said, 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 God's cause. Then Herod sent for the most honorable of the Jews, and declared to them his good deserts towards that Nation, and what he had done to the honor of God, yea, more 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 honor this costly Eagle had been set up, requiring them to tell who was the author of this insurrection. They fearing his tyranny, denied 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 extreme burning within, making him most greedy of meat, he had also grievous fits of the colic and an exulceration in his bowels, his feet also swelled, and his entrails and his privities were corrupt and bred worms, and an intolerable stink 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 principal 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 he knew that the Jews always maligning him would rejoice 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 paid for his particide and treachery, as he was well worthy. Then Herod having made his Will, wherein he gave the kingdom to Archilaus, & a Tetrarchy, that is, the government of four Regions to his brother Philip, and to Antipas, Galilee, and other great gifts to Salome, and to his other children and kindred, and chiefly to Caesar and his wife Julia, he died five days 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 do, that everyone might go home to his own house, which got her and her husband much love of the whole Nation. And in this 34, being the last year of Herod's reign, was the son of God Jesus Christ borne of the Virgin Mary, Anno mundi 3963.

To return now again to Augustus Caesar, when he had put an end to civil Wars by the death of Anthony & Cleopatra, as was before said, 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 Chapel 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 & Ptolemy. 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 favor, he came into Greece the next summer, and permitted Temples to be made to the honor of Roma, and of his father Julius at Nice, and Ephesus, and from thence he went into Italy and to Rome, where he was received by Valerius Potitus Consul, with all honor, 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 Emperor, 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 Emperor, had two friends Agrippa and Mecaenas whose counsel 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 year he was Consul the sixth time, and made Agrippa his Colleague, who, by his appointment took the sum of the people to Rome, 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 year. But before his going out to those Wars, he very magnanimously calling the Senate together, offered to lay down his Imperial power that the rule might go as it had formerly done, professing that he took it upon him to punish his fathers enemies, and to quiet the civil stirs of that Common-wealth, now this being done, he would disburthen himself of this trouble, and live the rest of his life in quiet. The Senate hearing him speak were at the first amazed at it, but by and by they besought him with many words to continue their Emperor, as conducing most to the good of the Common-wealth, wherefore he still retained it, and had it confirmed by the consent of the Senate and people, yet he said that he would hold it but ten years, whilst all people's about were sub dued, and then he would again resign 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 saith Dio, the Emperors his successors after ten years from the beginning of any of their Empires kept a feast of renovation, and so every 10 ^th . year as long as they lived. Then he passed over into France, intending to go 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 Legates 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 poisoned 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 more rebel 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 died, but he appointed no successor in the Empire, yet by Antonius Musa, a most skillful Physician he recovered his health again. And the same year Marcellus, his sister Octavia, her son died, 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 year Consul, they would have forced him to have been Dictatour. Anno 23, he went in progress 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 dismiss his sisters daughter, whom he had formerly given him in marriage, gave him now his own daughter Julia, 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 with child, he took from him and married, and she was now with him at Samos.

Anno 24, Phraates King of the Parthians yields to him and restores the Ensigns and all other things, and prisoners before taken from the Romans, at which he much rejoiced, and took four 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 settled things in France, he passed into Spain, where was a bloody war 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 equal, that whilst he did many businesses for him, he might be out of danger, of which he was much afraid through the envy of divers, which a man in high dignity can never avoid. But Agrippa had a son by his daughter Julia, whom he called Catus, and three years after another, called Lucius, whereby Augustus to make himself the more secure, adopted them for his sons, without staying till they came to more years, and his successors 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 go into France, pretending to quell the stirs arising there, but indeed to avoid the danger which might befall him at Rome in punishing some that had offended against his Laws, unless he would suffer them to lie neglected: and then he committed another foul 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 appointment went into Syria to govern there. When Augustus was come into France, the Germans hearing of it were afraid and returned into their own Country, for they had hitherto infested France, and so both Nations were brought to quiet. And here Dio telleth a story worthy relating. Pollio a noble Roman, but most cruel, entertaining Augustus one day, and having a crystal glass broken by a servant, would have him cast into his pond, where he used to feed Lampryes with man's blood therefore. The servant falls down at Caesar's feet to beg pardon, but Pollio not being moved, the Emperor caused him to bring forth all his glasses, and brake them all but one, which was hidden, at which he being much grieved, Caesar replied, that they might better be all broken, then one man destroyed. Augustus having settled 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 pass by a singular providence, because they spake of Christ and his miraculous birth and acts. Augustus hearing of war that began in Pannonia this year, sent Agrippa thither, at whose coming the Pannonians were afraid, and soon laid down their Arms, and then Agrippa returned, but before he came at Rome died, and his dead corps was by Augustus brought to Rome, and buried with great honor, being laid in his own Sepulcher: and of this and all other honor, which Augustus did to him living, he was well worthy, because of his care, fidelity, and humility in the midst of all his honors, whereby he sought not himself, but Augustus, and carried himself so betwixt him and the people, that he was not envied but beloved of all, a noble example to all favorites of the highest upon earth to be always followed by them. After his death the Pannonians rebelled again, but Augustus preferring Tiberius his son, that is, of Livia sent him thither, giving him Julia his daughter, the relict of Agrippa to wife, who coming thither overthrew the Pannonians in divers battles, and brought the Country under again. And about the same time there being a great rebellion in Germany, Drusus after many perilous battles 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 war began. This year also Julius a Consul feasting Augustus, and committing adultery with Julia, was put to death, and Octavia the sister of Augustus died, and was honourably buried.

After this, the Germans rebelling again, Drusus was sent thither, and when he had mightily overthrown and pursued them as far as Suevia, and returned to the River of Rhene, he was by a great woman, appearing to him and speaking in Latin, forbidden to go farther, for the time of his life was short. Hereupon he stayed, and by a bruise which he had by his horse falling with him, he died within 30 days, being then Consul, and but 30 years old: his death was much lamented, especially by Augustus, whose son he was thought to be by Livia, before he married her, as also Tiberius, although having taken her from her husband and married her, he could never more have son by her, but one abortive. At his burial, Augustus made one funeral Oration, and Taberius another, then his corps being burnt in the field Martius, his ashes were laid up in Augustus his Sepulcher. After Drusus, Tiberius his brother was sent into Germany, who having perfected the subduing of it, had the title of Emperor. The same year being 36, Augustus had the Empire renewed to him for ten years more, and Mecaenas to his great grief died, who had always been a faithful friend to him, and a lover of learning, he first invented short writing by characters and left all his goods to Augustus. Tiberius after his victories in Germany, held two Triumphs at Rome, and was had in high honor amongst all men, next to Augustus. But Gaius and Lucius, the two sons of Agrippa, whom Augustus had long ago adopted, being now grown up, (for Gaius was 16 years old) they desired to be made Consuls, but because their age would not permit it, they were for the present denied by Augustus, yet he taking the Consulship the 12 ^th . time upon him, brought them in to the Court, and Gaius being three years older then Lucius had the Vi • ilis toga put upon him, and it was decreed that he should be Consul five years after, and in the mean season Prince of the youth, which was 2 great honor. But lest Tiberius should seem to be neglected, he was made Tribune for five years, which the youths seeing were offended at, and he to avoid this, left the City and went to Rhodes to the great admiration of all men.

Anno 42 of Augustus Jesus Christ, the Son of God and our Redeemer, was born of the blessed Virgin Mary, who, as Enodius saith, was brought up in the Temple, being committed to the care of the Priests 11 years, and then was by them delivered to Joseph, and to him contracted four months before her conception by the Holy Ghost, and this birth was anno 36 of Herod's reign, though some say, anno 34. some 35, &c. and about the time of the year, there be no less difference, but this is the common received opinion. But for Herod after the seeking of his destruction, and so cruelly murthering the Infants in Bethlehem, vengeance suffered him not to live above a year, but he died most miserably, as hath been before shown. Yea, Eusebius and some others consent, that he lived not above three monets after. And this was the 21 year of Simon the High-priest, so that the conjecture, that Zacharias, the father of John Baptist was now High-priest, falls to the ground although both Augustine and Ambrose be for it, and indeed how could he, seeing he offered incense by course, as others of the 24 courses did, whereas the High-priest executed his office always alone, and had no fellows to take their turns before or after him. And in this year was that tax laid upon Syria, which is spoken of Luke 2, and as Eusebius saith, by the decree of the Senate, and this saith Luke, was, when Cynnus was President of Syria, that is, together with Gaius the adopted son of Augustus, as his Governor, he being very young, and it is probable, that this tax was imposed for the Parthian War, but of it altum silentium amongst other Writers, because Livy wrote now no more, and Dio hath nothing for ten years together, in the midst of which Christ was born, and Suetonius began not his History, till after these things. Augustus also now entered upon the Consulship the 13 ^th . time, wherein he brought forth Lucius, as he had done his brother Gaius, and honored him in like manner. But he had much shame and grief by his daughter, formerly the Wife of Agrippa, now of Tiberius for her common and base whoredoms, whom he therefore sent into banishment, and sent a bill of divorce in Tiberius his name after her, and set keepers to look to her. Then Gaius was sent into the East to govern there, and as he went, he turned for honors sake to visit Tiberius at Rhodes, as other Roman Nobles used to do, where he found Tiberius living privately, and departing thence he went to Armenia to fight against Phraates, King of the Parthians, who had newly taken up arms, but being terrified at his coming he sought peace, and so their war was turned into feasting. And this time of peace had continued 12 years, since the shutting up of the Temple of Janus, as saith Orosius, so that the time of Christ's birth was a time of longer continued peace, then ever was before, since the building of the City, from which time were now 751 years, as will appear to him that readeth the foregoing History. And here it is noted of Gaius, that as he passed by Jerusalem he contemned to go to worship at the Temple there, which was then very famous, and herein he was applauded by Augustus, but he joyed not long after, but died and a few years after a great plague came upon Rome. To conclude, this most happy year of Christ's coming into the World for our redemption, it hath not been the least part of the reason, why I have hitherto drawn down the History so far beyond the sacred History▪ viz. 424 years, that some light might be attained into the prophesy of Jaacob. The scepter shall not depart from Judah nor a law giver from between his feet, till Shiloh comes, and into the 70 weeks of Daniel to the Messiah.

For the former, it will appear to the diligent Reader, that although the Jews were many years without a King of their own to sway the scepter amongst them, yet no stranger had ever this title of King of the Jews, till Herod the Great, through the great favor, in which he was with the Romans, and till a stranger set up for King, the scepter was only suspended or intermitted, but not departed. Now, how long it should be departed, that is, how many years of this strangers reign, it is not said, but only that it should not depart, till this blessed birth, implying, that he should be born in the time of his swaying the scepter, to set up a Kingdom over all true Jews, that should destroy all others, and never be it self destroyed, but abide forever, and it is excellent to consider how it presently began to do so, indeed in that Kingdom. Herod could continue King but very little time after, and then was taken away being long and grievously tormented, and after him, no regal scepter could be there attained more by any of his posterity. For Archilaus his son taking the Kingdom upon him after his fathers decease, as he had appointed through the permission of Augustus, also was not permitted to enjoy the title of King, but of a Toparoh, as shall afterwards be shown. Again, the scepter cannot be said to have departed from Judah in the time of the captivity, because there was a seed of David still preserved, which after the interruption of those 70 years came again, and one Prince succeeded another, till that Antiochns raging so greatly, and they coming to an end, Mattathias began, being High-priest, to execute the office both of Priest and Prince, and his posterity after him for 200 years, some of them attaining again to Kingly glory, and so continuing, till that Aristobulus contending for the Kingdom with his elder brother Hircanus was cut off by Pompey, and so a way was made for Herod to get the Kingdom. If it be said, but what was this to Judah, seeing Mattathias and all the Assamonean family were Levites? I answer, he took to Wife a daughter of the house of David, and so his posterity was of the tribe of Judah by the mothers side, although of Levi by the fathers.

For the prophesy of Daniel, it is a work of far greater difficulty to show, how those 70 Weeks ended at the death of Christ by reason of the divers times of beginning their account, either at the time of Cyrus his decree going out, or as Funcius singularly hath it, at the time of Ezra his being sent by Artaxerxes, anno 7 of his reign to supply the Temple with more vessels, & to set up government, and to order all things for the good of the Common-wealth, or at the time of Nehemiah his being sent to build the walls of Ierus: for some there are that stand for every of these beginnings, to say nothing of other so groundless opinions beginning this time either at the beginning of the Babylonish captivity, or 50 years after: the words of Daniel being well considered, will be the truest direction about the beginning & end, one being hereby found all others will fall of themselves. Now the words are these, From the going out of the decree to restore and to build Jerusalem to the Messiah shall be seven weeks and 62 weeks, and the street and wall shall be built again in a troublesome time. At what time then such a decree went out, these weeks must begin, and that was not at Cyrus his entering upon his Monarchy, for then liberty was given only to build the Temple and to return and to sacrifice and worship God there, as appears, Ezra 1, and if we should begin them here, because not only building, but restoring also is spoken of by the Angel to Daniel, which may imply the refurnishing of that City with inhabitants and a Temple, we must be forced from this beginning again, when we find not the end answerable, but to come out long before the Messiah his coming. Again, although such a decree went out in favor of Nehemiah, anno 20 of Artaxerxes Longimanus, yet if counting from thence to the end of these Weeks they go out after Christ's passion, this beginning is to be rejected also. And therefore they cannot be begun at any other time; but when Ezra obtained a decree, anno 7 of Artaxerxes, to go with all such, • s would willingly accompany him to replenish the City, to provide for sacrificing fully, as by the law is required, and to do whatsoever else he should think would conduce for the good thereof, for which the King gave most liberally un • o him both money and other things. Because if we compute the time of these Weeks from hence, we shall find them to end, as Funccius saith, both for year, month and day at the time of Christ's passion, or as others hold, at his inauguration to his office by the voice, that came from heaven at the time of his baptizing, he being then 30 years old, if we respect the first numbers of Weeks, seven and 62. And then in the midst of the Week remaining he caused sacrificing to cease by offering of himself, the only true and all-sufficient sacrifice presigured by all the sacrifices before going, the other half of the Week being spent in confirming the Covenant or New Testament by his Apostles with signs and wonders, which he had before confirmed during the half Week of his preaching before his death. To set therefore upon this computation to prove what hath been said. This may be done by the Olympiads of the Greeks, or the years from the building of the City of Rome most certainly, seeing so great difference is amongst Chronologers in setting forth the times of the Kings Reignes, or of High-priests continuing, but about the Olympiads and years of the City of Rome's building, there is good agreement with, but a little difference especially about the Olympiad and year thereof, which was coincident with Artaxerxes his 7 ^th . year, and the year of Rome built and it, and likewise about the 15 year of Tiberius Caesar, when Christ began to preach, and the year of the Olympiad then, and of that City. For the 7 ^th . year of Artaxerxes, fell in the first of the 80 Olympiad, and the year of Christ's Baptism, he being then 30 years old in the 4 ^th . year of the 201 Olympiad. betwixt which counting to each Olympiad 4 years, were 488. Touching the beginning and cause of these Olympiads, Iphitus the son of Hercules instituted, or rather renewed them being first instituted by his father long before in the honor of his mothers grandfather Pelops, but fallen again, so that, till their renewing by Iphitus, King of the Elaeans, no account was kept by them, but now by the Olympiads began the most certain way of reckoning throughout many ages. For there was a solemn play of trying masteryes held amongst the Grecians every fourth year, at what time the Victour had his reward, and his name written in brass, always to remain. Before the Olympiads, the reckonings of all Heathen Writers were very uncertain, but the reckonings of God's people the Jews, most certain, for the Olympiads began Anno 52 of Uzziah King of Judah, before which all times were reckoned by the Fathers that lived before the Flood, and after unto Abraham, and from Abraham unto Moses by the Patriarchs, from Moses to Saul by the Judges, and from Saul to the captivity by the Kings, from whence the reckoning goes on by the 70 years captivity, and thence forward so far as the holy History of the Old Testament extends by the Persian Kings, yet uncertainly, so that help now is to be fetched from the Olympiads of the Greeks, and the years Urb: conditae of the Romans. For the first, by that which hath been said, it appears that there is a difference but of two years, and if we reckon by the other, of three for Artaxerxes, seven was anno 293, Urb: conditae, and anno 15 of Tiberius, when Jesus was baptized. Urb: conditae 780, which time if it be computed, amounts to 487, which difference might easily happen in so long a time, and if not, the Messiah came to be manifested but seven or eight years after the time of 69 weeks set, and it is most probable, that there was not this difference neither, but that we cannot by any means come to the certain knowledge of the concurrence of the very year, because although the account by the Olympiads be certain, yet the account of the Persian Kings times may be not rightly laid hereunto, through the diversity of Writers, and so the seven of Artaxerxes reckoned to be anno 1 of Olympius, 80 might be anno 2 Olympius 78, or if we reckon by the High-priests according to Josephus and Herod the King, the result will be much alike, for when Ezra obtained a Decree of Artaxerxes, Joachim had been High-priest 15 years, and his whole time was 28. Reckon we then to

Joachim	13
Eleazir	41
Ioiada	25
Jonathan	24
Iaddua	27
Onias	27
Simon Priscus	13
Eleazar Sim: frat.	20
Manasseh	27
Simon Iustus	28
Onias fil. Sim.	39
Jason	3
Menelaus	12
Alcimus	4
Vacantia	5
Jonathan	10
Simon	8
Johannes Hircanus	31
Aristobulus	• 1
Alexander	27
Hircanus	35
Antigonus	5
Herod	34
Christus	30

sum 489, which disagreeth not from the prophesy, if we take the 70 Weeks, which are 490 years for the whole time to the Messiah, after which he was slain. However, it is manifest, if by these Weeks, so many seven years are meant, that about that time when Jesus shown himself, was the undoubted time of the Messiah, and of his suffering death for our sins, so that the time of expecting him is long ago passed & not yet to come, as the Jews fondly imagine. Now the ground of reckoning seven years to a week by the consent of the Rabbins themselves is the ordinance, Levite. 25. of counting seven Weeks of years to the Jubilee. But to hinder themselves and others, as much as they can from seeing by the direction of this prophesy Jesus to be the Messias, some against all sense will have Cyrus to be meant by the Messiah, when as he was dead long before this decreed some Herod, but as much against sense, seeing no remission of sins and everlasting righteousness comes in by him, to say nothing, that he was not slain. Lastly, some by the Messiah understand the anointed Temple, which should be destroyed within the compass of this time, in the first seven Weeks, that is 49 years, 24 being built in Darius his Reign, and then the wall of the City in the Reign of Artaxerxes by Nehemiah, and falling again by the Romans. But neither can the Temple be understood by the Messiah, because it is never so called elsewhere and if it were, yet it is said to the Messiah, the Prince shall be seven Weeks and 62 Weeks, so that if the Temple were meant, it must not have been built, till 480 years after the decree, and then in three years and an half more have perished again, to say nothing, that the destruction of the Temple cannot possibly be fitted to the time here described, because the Temple perished not, till anno 36 after the passion of our Savior Christ. And this is a thing remarkable in all the chief Rabbins, who composed the Talmud, that they determine the time of the coming of the Messiah to be the time of the destruction of the Temple, and so by consequence, that in Daniel's prophesy his coming is pointed at, and the time thereof shown: as Rabbi Moses, R. Osia, R. Joshua, R. Barnahaman, R. Barachias, R. David, &c. And if that were the time they err most grossly, that expect his coming still after 1600 years more. But what marvel, that they err so, seeing a Jew having been convinced by this place hath annexed, that if it were made as clear as the noon days light, that Jesus is the Christ, he would not yet believe it. But to us that are Christians, and to all, that are appointed to like it is so clear from hence and other undeniable arguments, that we resolve most confidently upon it, and by this faith hope to be saved, and that all of what Country or Nation soever that would be saved, must do likewise. To conclude then, here is a dividing of the time unto the Messiah into two parts, seven Weeks, that is 49 years, and 62, that is, 434: because from the going out of the decree, which Ezra carried, things succeeded well unto the Jews so long, although they met with trouble and opposition, till Nehemiah had finished the Wall. For from the going out of that decree to Nehemiah, were 13 years, he having tarried 12 years returned to the King, and eight years after went to Jerusalem again, where he lived, as some write till he was very aged, and there died, and had his monument, but in what year of his age, is not recorded, if he lived but 16 years after his second coming to Jerusalem, we have the 49 from Ezra to his death, in which time it went well with the Jews, but afterwards they went through divers miseries in the times of other Persian Kings, and afterwards of the Syrians, and specially of Antiochus Epiphanes, for which those 434 are disjoined from the 49, and so 69 weeks of years passed to the Messiah baptized. For the 70 ^th . which is the last week, that also is divided by the Prophet to show the time of his age, when he suffered death, viz. three years and an half, and the time of the Apostles confirming the Gospel by Miracles, after which revenge was taken upon Jerusalem for his death by the Romans, when the people and City were swept away as it were with a flood, and so hath remained desolate unto this day, and shall to the consummation of the World, Dan. 9. 27. not that this confirmation by the Apostles was continued no longer then three years and an half, but in that time principally, they from thence forward dispersing themselves into other parts of the World.

To return now to Archelaus the son of Herod, whom he appointed to reign after him, (for Herod died the same year in which Christ was borne, viz. about the Pasch, after that he had so cruelly caused the infants of Bethlehem to be slain, so that it may well be noted as a just judgment of God coming swiftly upon him, the diversity of miseries under which he was pressed) the said Archelaus his father being dead, first kept a mourning for him seven days, and then feasted the chief of the Jews according to the Country manner. He was then commonly congratulated as King but he would not take that title upon him till he had been at Rome for Augustus his consent. But before he could do this, a great tumult arose amongst the Jews, exclaiming upon Herod for his murthering of their Doctors and holy men, for breaking down the Eagle before spoken of, and crying out for Herod's principal friends to be delivered unto them, who had been agents in this murder. Archelaus sought by good speeches to pacify them. but could not do it, till that bringing his forces upon them, he had slain 3000 of them. Then immediately he prepared to go to Rome, and with him his mother and Nicolas, and Ptolemy, and Salome with her children, he leaving the Kingdom in the interim to be governed by his brother. Philip. Antipas also goeth by the instigation of Salome, to get the Kingdom from him, taking Ptolemy the son of Nicolas with him. This company being all come, and Archelaus having shown to Augustus his father Herod's Will, and a book of accounts of his goods and revenues. He calling his Council about him gave them audience first, who came against Archelaus, then Antipater, the son of Salome, began, and accused Archelaus as an unnatural son to Herod; weeping and mourning indeed in the day time for him, and feasting and rejoicing with music in the night. 2, For taking the Kingdom upon him, and doing Regal acts, and killing and slaying so many about the Temple at a most holy time, before any authority by Caesar given unto him. 3, He pleaded that Herod in a former will. when his senses were more perfect, had made Antipas King, who was another and better son of his, and not Archelaus, but in a later Will, when he was tormented and crazed with sicknesses. To all these Nicolas answered for Archelaus, so as that Augustus took up Archelaus being fallen at his feet with all courtesy, saying, that he would go according to the last will of his father, and so for that time dismissed the Assembly. But whilst these things were thus in agitation, news came from Varus President of Syria, that great tumults were raised again in Judea, when the people came together to the Feast of Pentecost, but the occasion was, the covetousness of Sabinus Caesar's Procuratour there, who would have taken the treasures of the King, but was by the people resisted, whereupon great slaughters followed, and burning of the Kings Palace, and divers took upon them to be Kings, amongst whom, Judas the son of a great robber, whom Herod had quelled, was one. But by the coming of Varus upon them they were subdued, and 2000 of the chief instigators executed: then an embassage of 50 Jews w ^th a train of 8000 went over to Rome, and made a great complaint against the government by Kings, laying open their miseries by means of Herod, and how greatly the chief of them had been impoverished, & whatrapes & outrages had been by him committed, and that Archelaus to give them a taste of his cruel disposition, like his father, had committed the outrage before spoken of, and therefore their desire was, that they might not live under a King anymore, but under the President of Syra, and so it should appear whether they were so tumultuous or peaceable. To this, though Nicolas made some answer, yet Caesar upon consultation would not make Archelaus King, but an Ethnarch, giving him only half of his fathers Kingdom, and to Antipas one part of the other half, and to Philip the other, making them Tetrarchs. So Archelaus had Judea, Idumaea and Samaria his revenue being 600 talents yearly, and was promised by Caesar when he deserved it, that he should be a King. Antipas had Galilee, and his revenue was 200 Talents. And Philip had Batanaea and Trachonitis and Auranitis, and his revenue 100 talents. But Archelaus enjoyed not his Principality above ten years, for being both cruel, and carried by lust to marry his brothers wife, the Jews hated him, therefore, and complained of him to Caesar, who thereupon sent for him and bauished him to Vienna in France where he spent the rest of his time in misery, and then Quirinus a Consular man was sent to raise a tax in Syria and to sell the house of Archelaus, and to join Judea to the Province of Syria. This Archelaus in the beginning of his Principality, removed Joazarus from being High-priest and set up Eleazarus his brother, but within a short time he put him down also, and set up Jesus the son of Sias for High-priest. But these and other his wicked doings went not long upunished, as hath been before said. Whilst these things were in doing amongst the Jews, Lucius the adopted son of Caesar, died at Massilia in Spain of a languishing disease, and within less then two years after Gaius his brother died also of a wound received by treachery in Armenia. And then Tiberius, who almost all the time that these young men were in such high honor, lived in exile at Rhodes, was adoptedby Caesar as heir to the Empire. And then he was sent away into Germany to govern there, Caesar in the mean season doing a strange act of clemency towards Cinna, a son of the daughter of Pompey the Great, for he being detected to conspire the death of Caesar, he by the persuasion of Livia his wife sent for him, and causing all men to depart out of the room, he made him sit down upon a seat near unto him. And then having told him how beneficial he had been unto him, he asked why contrariwise he plotted his destruction. At this Cinna crying out, as abhorring from it, he commanded him silence, and laid then open the whole plot, the time and the persons, reproving him two hours together for his ingratitude, and in fine forgave him, and exhorted him to firm friendship with him, and so had him ever after a most firm friend, and he advanced him to the Consulship to the admiration of all men. Tiberius being in Germany subdued all that rebelled, and although he had one War after another to attend upon, yet he could not keep long away from Rome for fear of some other to be preferred by Augustus before him. But whereas there was a third brother to Gaius and Lucius, called Agrippa, by whom he might have been endangered, he was so addicted to fishing, that Augustus took an utter dislike of him, and because he had no Noble qualities in him, that he banished him into an Island near Corsica, from whence he never returned again. Tiberius then followed the German and Palmatian Wars again, and when much time was spent and little done, Germanicus was sent thither with an Army also, and prevailed, whereof there was great joy, but this was again soon damped, by news coming of Varus his overthrow. who was also sent out with three Legious, and in one fight, wherein the enemy came upon him unawares, they were all overthrown through his security and want of providence. This so much affected Augustus with grief, that herefused all delights, and bear his head sometimes against the wall, crying out unto Varus to restore his Legions, he also rent his clothes, and neglected the cutting of his hair. But the next year Tiberius going again with a great Army into Germany, overthrew all where he came, neither were any able to resist him. About this time Augustus made an Oration to commend marriage, and to inveigh against fornication wherein he did notably set forth the praise of the one, and the baseness of the other, because some, though incontinent, would not marry. Yet the Vestall Virgins who kept themselves pure he greatly commended and rewarded, but for such as refrained from marriage to avoid the trouble and charge, yet following their fleshly lusts, he greatly condemned. Whilst these things were doing at Rome, or soon after, Judas Gaulonites rose up, who is otherwise called Judas of Galilee, of whom mentionis made, Acts 5. and taught the people that this tax imposed upon them was nothin • else but a bringing of them into servitude to men, whereas indeed they ought to be servants to none but only to God. By this means another Sect arose amongst the Jews, which because it was chiefly amongst the Galileans made them very hateful, and consequently the Disciples of Christ. And to wipe away this blot, both Paul. Rom. 13. taught obedience to the higher powers, and paying taxes, and Peter, Chap. 2. and Christ before saying, Give to Caesar the things of Caesar, and to God the things of God. When the people stirred up by Judas, gathered together to make a rebellion, they were pacified by Joazarus the High-priest, saith Josephus, whereby it should seem that he was restored to the High-priesthood again, from which he had been put down by Archelaus, yet Quirinus the Roman Consul, suffered him not to sit long, but removed him again, and set up Ananus the son of Seth, so unstable and wavering was the High-priesthood in those days, when the true Priest, Christ Jesus, after the order of Melchizedek, was come into the world. But chiefly when Valerius Gratus another President of Syria was sent by Tiberius at his coming on to the Empire, for being the fifth from Quirinus, he put down Ananus from being High-priest, and set up Ishmael the son of Fabius, and little after Eleazar the son of Ananus was set up, he being put down, and within a year after he being put down, he made Simon the son of Camithus High-priest, and within a year more, Josephus surnamed Caiaphas. After this, Valerius Gratus returned to Rome, and Pontius Pilatus came to be governor there, which serves to give no little light into the sacred History, as where Caiaphas is said to be High-priest that year, and where Paul saith, I know him not to be the high-priest, because there were so often changes in those days.

To return to Augustus, he with Tiberins, whom he made Tribune, took again the number of the people in the field of Mars, where an Eagle having flown sometimes about, a strange thing happened, a Thunder being at the same time, the name Caesar, was therewith stricken so, that C the first letter was blotted out, hereupon, the Augurs said, that he should live but an hundred days, and then be a God, as the rest of the name Aesar in the Hetruscan tongue signified. And accordingly he died, being 77 years old, anno 57 of his Empire, and his adopted son Tiberius succeeded him, being aged then 55 years, but of the 57 of Augustus his reign, 14 were spent in the time whilst he ruled together with Anthony, as Josephus saith. Augustus being dead, he was burnt according to the manner, and his ashes buried, and one there was a Pretour, who to flatter with Livia his wife, sware that he saw her likeness, when he was in the flames, ascending up to heaven, for which she gave him a great reward. Tiberius although he were Emperor afterhim, yet did sometime hold the people in suspense, whether he would be or no, calling the Empire a great Beast and a miserable and burthensome servitude, but at length he being importuned about it, accepted of it. The forces in Germany hearing of the death of Augustus began to tumultuate, as if they would go against their Country, and bring both the new Emperor and Senate under their girdle. But Drusus the son of Tiberius being maturely by him sent by the assistance of Junius Blesus, Delobella and of Tiberius his Letters wisely soon appeased this tumult again. Germanicus then, who had hitherto warred in Germany was by Tiberius made Consul, and called to Rome to triumph, indeed, because he seared, that he being great amongst the Soldiers, might attempt new stirs, if he continued there still, and Drusus abode there to manage the affairs of that Country. The Triumph held by Germanicus was great, he being the grandchild of Augustus the son of Agrippa Germanicus, and the son-in-law, and adopted son now of Tiberius. But whatsoever honor Tiberius did him, he secretly harboured jealousies and fears of him, wherefore there being occasion by reason of great stirs in the East, he caused him by the Decree of the Senate to be sent away thither, for great tumults were then in Parthia, and Armema by competitours for those Kingdoms which Germanicus coming quieted, and as great power was given him over all parts East ward beyond the sea, as ever Pompey had. But withal Tiberius sent out Piso to be President of Syria, that he might be an instrument secretly to bring him to his end, wherefore he was always most cross to Germanicus, and often quarrelled with him, and at length, as was thought, found means to poison him, whereof he, after long sickness, died. This being heard at Rome, the people were mad with Piso, and the Senate condemned him to die. Neither was this murder long unrevenged to Tiberius, for God suffered not his son Drusus to live to attain to the Empire, but the son of Germanicus had it, as shall afterwards beshewed.

But to return to the Jewish affairs, Archilaus being banished, as hath been said, his two brethren, Antipas, called also Herod, and Philip, provided better for themselves by insinuating into Caesar, by all the means that they could. For Herod built a City, or rather strengthened it, and changed the name from Betaramphtha to Julias, after the name of Caesar's wife, and Philip doing the like to Paneas by Jordan, named it Cesarea. And Tiberius being Emperor, Herod built a new City, and called it Tiberias, to his honor, giving great immunities thereunto, whereby he came to be numbered amongst his friends. Pontius Pilate being sent, as was said before to govern over Judea, he gave occasion of a great tumult in Judea, because he brought into Jerusalem the Imperial Banner with Eagles, and set it up there. For this the Jews took heinoufly, and in great multitudes came about him to desire the removing thereof, and although he rejected their request, yet they ceased not to importune him in the same thing from day today: wherefore one day he appointed his Soldiers to be ready in secret, and the Jews coming again to importune him, he drew them to the place where they lay, and then he giving a sign, his men rose up, and Pilate commanded them quietly to depart to their own houses, or else they should be slain all, but they showing no fear of death, fell down, and offered their throats to be cut, rather then their law should be broken, this Pilate seeing, removed his Ensigns from Jorusalem to Cesarea, and so the people were quieted again. About this time both the Egyptians and Jews were expelled out of Rome upon these occasions. The Egyptians because Panlina a noble woman, addicted to the worship of their god Isis or Anubis was fraudulently corrupted by means of his Priests. She was a very fair woman, and married to a Noble man in Rome, but extremely beloved by another Noble man called Mundus, who sought by all means to have his pleasure of her, but could not prevail, though he offered her 200000 drachmnes for once. Iden a bondwoman of his, seeing her master much troubled, and resolving by macerating his body upon this occasion to die, offered if he would give unto her 50000 drams, she would help him to his desire with Paulina. He glad of the motion, payeth her the money, and she hastens to the Priests of Isis, offering them this great reward to persuade Paulina, that Anubis their god desired to enjoy her company one night, through the great love that he bare unto her. The chief of them therefore went, and prevailed so that she came at night, and there in a dark place, Mundus lying hid, had his pleasure of her all night. And afterwards meeting her, derided her for her former coinesse, and cold her what he had done. Hereupon she was so moved, that she incited her husband to complain to the Emperor, who did so, and then the Priests and Iden were hanged, and their Countrymen all banished from Rome, and so was Mundus also.

The Jews were expelled because a certain Jew taking upon him to be an interpreter of the Law of Moses, but a wicked fellow who had fled fron his own Country for fear of punishment for his wickedness done there, taking to him three others like unto himself, persuaded Fulvia a noble woman of Rome, being addicted to the Jewish Religion, to send gold and purple to the Temple at Jerusalem, but they receiving it, converted it to their own use. This being complained of to Tiberius, all the Jews weretherefore bauished from Rome, 4000 of the ablest bodies being taken into service for the Wars in Sardinia, against the robbers there.

Touching the death of Piso President of Syria, by whose means and his Wives Germanicus was poisoned, he after this returning to Rome, where he thought to come into greater grace for this his bloody fact, when he saw, how hateful he was both to the Senate and people, slue himself, and two years after Drusus the son of Tiberius, who should have reigned after him, was poisoned by Sejanus, a man advanced by Tiberius, who through his pride aspired to the Empire. So he, through whose instigation Germanicus had been unworthily poisoned by a man set in office for that purpose in Syria by him, had his own son poisoned by a man, whom he preferred, thinking, that he should be an help unto him. But Drusus was by his father made Consul, together with himself before he died, whereupon it was foretold, that he should die a violent death, because so Germanicus, being Consul with Tiberius did before, and Piso also, and whosoever else was joined Consul with him. The year before Drusus his death, Lutetius Priscus a Roman Squire having written verses in commendation of