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the antiquities of the jews-1-第203章

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set free those of his family that were in Masada。 Now of the
people of the country; some joined him because of the friendship
they had had with his father; and some because of the splendid
appearance he made; and others by way of requital for the
benefits they had received from both of them; but the greatest
number came to him in hopes of getting somewhat from him
afterward; if he were once firmly settled in the kingdom。

2。 Herod had now a strong army; and as he marched on; Antigonus
laid snares and ambushes in the passes and places most proper for
them; but in truth he thereby did little or no damage to the
enemy。 So Herod received those of his family out of Masada; and
the fortress Ressa; and then went on for Jerusalem。 The soldiery
also that was with Silo accompanied him all along; as did many of
the citizens; being afraid of his power; and as soon as he had
pitched his camp on the west side of the city; the soldiers that
were set to guard that part shot their arrows and threw their
darts at him; and when some sallied out in a crowd; and came to
fight hand to hand with the first ranks of Herod's army; he gave
orders that they should; in the first place; make proclamation
about the wall; that he came for the good of the people; and for
the preservation of the city; and not to bear any old grudge at
even his most open enemies; but ready to forget the offenses
which his greatest adversaries had done him。 But Antigonus; by
way of reply to what Herod had caused to be proclaimed; and this
before the Romans; and before Silo also; said that they would not
do justly; if they gave the kingdom to Herod; who was no more
than a private man; and an Idumean; i。e。 a half Jew; (28) whereas
they ought to bestow it on one of the royal family; as their
custom was; for that in case they at present bear an ill…will to
him; and had resolved to deprive him of the kingdom; as having
received it from the Parthians; yet were there many others of his
family that might by their law take it; and these such as had no
way offended the Romans; and being of the sacerdotal family; it
would be an unworthy thing to put them by。 Now while they said
thus one to another; and fell to reproaching one another on both
sides; Antigonus permitted his own men that were upon the wall to
defend themselves; who using their bows; and showing great
alacrity against their enemies; easily drove them away from the
towers。

3。 And now it was that Silo discovered that he had taken bribes;
for he set a good number of his soldiers to complain aloud of the
want of provisions they were in; and to require money to buy them
food; and that it was fit to let them go into places proper for
winter quarters; since the places near the city were a desert; by
reason that Antigonus's soldiers had carried all away; so he set
the army upon removing; and endeavored to march away; but Herod
pressed Silo not to depart; and exhorted Silo's captains and
soldiers not to desert him; when Caesar; and Antony; and the
senate had sent him thither; for that he would provide them
plenty of all the things they wanted; and easily procure them a
great abundance of what they required; after which entreaty; he
immediately went out into the country; and left not the least
pretense to Silo for his departure; for he brought an unexpected
quantity of provisions; and sent to those friends of his who
inhabited about Samaria to bring down corn; and wine; and oil;
and cattle; and all other provisions; to Jericho; that those
might be no want of a supply for the soldiers for the time to
come。 Antigonus was sensible of this; and sent presently over the
country such as might restrain and lie in ambush for those that
went out for provisions。 So these men obeyed the orders of
Antigonus; and got together a great number of armed men about
Jericho; and sat upon the mountains; and watched those that
brought the provisions。 However; Herod was not idle in the mean
time; for he took ten bands of soldiers; of whom five were of the
Romans; and five of the Jews; with some mercenaries among them;
and with some few horsemen; and came to Jericho; and as they
found the city deserted; but that five hundred of them had
settled themselves on the tops of the hills; with their wives and
children; those he took and sent away; but the Romans fell upon
the city; and plundered it; and found the houses full of all
sorts of good things。 So the king left a garrison at Jericho; and
came back again; and sent the Roman army to take their winter
quarters in the countries that were come over to him; Judea; and
Galilee; and Samaria。 And so much did Antigonus gain of Silo for
the bribes he gave him; that part of the army should be quartered
at Lydda; in order to please Antony。 So the Romans laid their
weapons aside; and lived in plenty of all things。

4。 But Herod was not pleased with lying still; but sent out his
brother Joseph against Idumea with two thousand armed footmen;
and four hundred horsemen; while he himself came to Samaria; and
left his mother and his other relations there; for they were
already gone out of Masada; and went into Galilee; to take
certain places which were held by the garrisons of Antigonus; and
he passed on to Sepphoris; as God sent a snow; while Antigonus's
garrisons withdrew themselves; and had great plenty of
provisions。 He also went thence; and resolved to destroy those
robbers that dwelt in the caves; and did much mischief in the
country; so he sent a troop of horsemen; and three companies of
armed footmen; against them。 They were very near to a village
called Arbela; and on the fortieth day after; he came himself
with his whole army: and as the enemy sallied out boldly upon
him; the left wing of his army gave way; but he appearing with a
body of men; put those to flight who were already conquerors; and
recalled his men that ran away。 He also pressed upon his enemies;
and pursued them as far as the river Jordan; though they ran away
by different roads。 So he brought over to him all Galilee;
excepting those that dwelt in the caves; and distributed money to
every one of his soldiers; giving them a hundred and fifty
drachmae apiece; and much more to their captains; and sent them
into winter quarters; at which time Silo came to him; and his
commanders with him; because Antigonus would not give them
provisions any longer; for he supplied them for no more than one
month; nay; he had sent to all the country about; and ordered
them to carry off the provisions that were there; and retire to
the mountains; that the Romans might have no provisions to live
upon; and so might perish by famine。 But Herod committed the care
of that matter to Pheroras; his youngest brother; and ordered him
to repair Alexandrium also。 Accordingly; he quickly made the
soldiers abound with great plenty of provisions; and rebuilt
Alexandrium; which had been before desolate。

5。 About this time it was that Antony continued some time at
Athens; and that Ventidius; who was now in Syria; sent for Silo;
and commanded him to assist Herod; in the first place; to finish
the present war; and then to send for their confederates for the
war they were themselves engaged in; but as for Herod; he went in
haste against the robbers that were in the caves; and sent Silo
away to Ventidius; while he marched against them。 These caves
were in mountains that were exceeding abrupt; and in their middle
were no other than precipices; with certain entrances into the
caves; and those caves were encompassed with sharp rocks; and in
these did the robbers lie concealed; with all their families
about them; but the king caused certain chests to be made; in
order to destroy them; and to be hung down; bound about with iron
chains; by an engine; from the top of the mountain; it being not
possible to get up to them; by reason of the sharp ascent of the
mountains; nor to creep down to them from above。 Now these chests
were filled with armed men; who had long hooks in their hands; by
which they might pull out such as resisted them; and then tumble
them down; and kill them by so doing; but the letting the chests
down proved to be a matter of great danger; because of the vast
depth they were to be let down; although they had their
provisions in the chests themselves。 But when the chests were let
down; and not one of those in the mouths of the caves durst come
near them; but lay still out of fear; some of the armed men girt
on their armor; and by both their hands took hold of the chain by
which the chests were let down; and went into the mouths of the
caves; because they fretted that such delay was made by the
robbers not daring to come out of the caves; and when they were
at any of those mouths; they first killed many of those that were
in the mouths with their darts; and afterwards pulled those to
them that resisted them with their hooks; and tumbled them down
the precipices; and afterwards went into the caves; and killed
many more; and then went into their chests again; and lay still
there; but; upon this; terror seized the rest; when they heard
the lamentations that were made; and they despaired of escaping。
However; when the night came on; that put an end to the w
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