Judea； such a one as had not happened at any other time； and
which earthquake brought a great destruction upon the cattle in
that country。 About ten thousand men also perished by the fall of
houses； but the army； which lodged in the field； received no
damage by this sad accident。 When the Arabians were informed of
this； and when those that hated the Jews； and pleased themselves
with aggravating the reports； told them of it； they raised their
spirits； as if their enemy's country was quite overthrown； and
the men were utterly destroyed； and thought there now remained
nothing that could oppose them。 Accordingly； they took the Jewish
ambassadors； who came to them after all this had happened； to
make peace with them； and slew them； and came with great alacrity
against their army； but the Jews durst not withstand them； and
were so cast down by the calamities they were under； that they
took no care of their affairs； but gave up themselves to despair；
for they had no hope that they should be upon a level again with
them in battles； nor obtain any assistance elsewhere； while their
affairs at home were in such great distress also。 When matters
were in this condition； the king persuaded the commanders by his
words； and tried to raise their spirits； which were quite sunk；
and first he endeavored to encourage and embolden some of the
better sort beforehand； and then ventured to make a speech to the
multitude； which he had before avoided to do； lest he should find
them uneasy thereat； because of the misfortunes which had
happened； so he made a consolatory speech to the multitude； in
the manner following：
3。 〃You are not unacquainted； my fellow soldiers； that we have
had； not long since； many accidents that have put a stop to what
we are about； and it is probable that even those that are most
distinguished above others for their courage can hardly keep up
their spirits in such circumstances； but since we cannot avoid
fighting； and nothing that hath happened is of such a nature but
it may by ourselves be recovered into a good state； and this by
one brave action only well performed； I have proposed to myself
both to give you some encouragement； and； at the same time； some
information； both which parts of my design will tend to this
point； that you may still continue in your own proper fortitude。
I will then； in the first place； demonstrate to you that this war
is a just one on our side； and that on this account it is a war
of necessity； and occasioned by the injustice of our adversaries；
for if you be once satisfied of this； it will be a real cause of
alacrity to you； after which I will further demonstrate； that the
misfortunes we are under are of no great consequence； and that we
have the greatest reason to hope for victory。 I shall begin with
the first； and appeal to yourselves as witnesses to what I shall
say。 You are not ignorant certainly of the wickedness of the
Arabians； which is to that degree as to appear incredible to all
other men； and to include somewhat that shows the grossest
barbarity and ignorance of God。 The chief things wherein they
have affronted us have arisen from covetousness and envy； and
they have attacked us in an insidious manner； and on the sudden。
And what occasion is there for me to mention many instances of
such their procedure？ When they were in danger of losing their
own government of themselves； and of being slaves to Cleopatra；
what others were they that freed them from that fear？ for it was
the friendship。 I had with Antony； and the kind disposition he
was in towards us； that hath been the occasion that even these
Arabians have not been utterly undone； Antony being unwilling to
undertake any thing which might be suspected by us of unkindness：
but when he had a mind to bestow some parts of each of our
dominions on Cleopatra； I also managed that matter so； that by
giving him presents of my own； I might obtain a security to both
nations； while I undertook myself to answer for the money； and
gave him two hundred talents； and became surety for those two
hundred more which were imposed upon the land that was subject to
this tribute； and this they have defrauded us of； although it was
not reasonable that Jews should pay tribute to any man living； or
allow part of their land to be taxable； but although that was to
be； yet ought we not to pay tribute for these Arabians； whom we
have ourselves preserved； nor is it fit that they； who have
professed （and that with great integrity and sense of our
kindness） that it is by our means that they keep their
principality； should injure us； and deprive us of what is our
due； and this while we have been still not their enemies； but
their friends。 And whereas observation of covenants takes place
among the bitterest enemies； but among friends is absolutely
necessary； this is not observed among these men； who think gain
to be the best of all things； let it be by any means whatsoever；
and that injustice is no harm； if they may but get money by it：
is it therefore a question with you； whether the unjust are to be
punished or not？ when God himself hath declared his mind that so
it ought to be； and hath commanded that we ever should hate
injuries and injustice； which is not only just； but necessary； in
wars between several nations； for these Arabians have done what
both the Greeks and barbarians own to be an instance of the
grossest wickedness； with regard to our ambassadors； which they
have beheaded； while the Greeks declare that such ambassadors are
sacred and inviolable。 （9） And for ourselves； we have learned
from God the most excellent of our doctrines； and the most holy
part of our law； by angels or ambassadors； for this name brings
God to the knowledge of mankind； and is sufficient to reconcile
enemies one to another。 What wickedness then can be greater than
the slaughter of ambassadors； who come to treat about doing what
is right？ And when such have been their actions； how is it
possible they can either live securely in common life； or be
successful in war？ In my opinion； this is impossible； but perhaps
some will say； that what is holy； and what is righteous； is
indeed on our side； but that the Arabians are either more
courageous or more numerous than we are。 Now； as to this； in the
first place； it is not fit for us to say so； for with whom is
what is righteous； with them is God himself； now where God is；
there is both multitude and courage。 But to examine our own
circumstances a little； we were conquerors in the first battle；
and when we fought again； they were not able to oppose us； but
ran away； and could not endure our attacks or our courage； but
when we had conquered them； then came Athenion； and made war
against us without declaring it； and pray； is this an instance of
their manhood？ or is it not a second instance of their wickedness
and treachery？ Why are we therefore of less courage； on account
of that which ought to inspire us with stronger hopes？ and why
are we terrified at these； who； when they fight upon the level；
are continually beaten； and when they seem to be conquerors； they
gain it by wickedness？ and if we suppose that any one should deem
them to be men of real courage； will not he be excited by that
very consideration to do his utmost against them？ for true valor
is not shown by fighting against weak persons； but in being able
to overcome the most hardy。 But then if the distresses we are
ourselves under； and the miseries that have come by the
earthquake； hath aftrighted any one； let him consider； in the
first place； that this very thing will deceive the Arabians； by
their supposal that what hath befallen us is greater than it
really is。 Moreover； it is not right that the same thing that
emboldens them should discourage us； for these men； you see； do
not derive their alacrity from any advantageous virtue of their
own； but from their hope； as to us； that we are quite cast down
by our misfortunes； but when we boldly march against them； we
shall soon pull down their insolent conceit of themselves； and
shall gain this by attacking them； that they will not be so
insolent when we come to the battle； for our distresses are not
so great； nor is what hath happened all indication of the anger
of God against us； as some imagine； for such things are
accidental； and adversities that come in the usual course of
things； and if we allow that this was done by the will of God； we
must allow that it is now over by his will also； and that he is
satisfied with what hath already happened； for had he been
willing to afflict us still more thereby； he had not changed his
mind so soon。 And as for the war we are engaged in； he hath
himself demonstrated that he is willing it should go on； and that
he knows it to be a just war； for while some of the people in the
country have perished； all you who were in arms have suffered
nothing； but are all preserved alive； whereby God makes it plain
to us； that if you had universally； with your children and wives；
been in the army； it had come to pass that you had not undergone
any thing that would have much hurt you。 Consider these things；
and； what is more than all the rest； that you have God at all
times for your Protector； and prosecute these men with a just
bravery； who； in point of friendship； are unjust； in their
battles perfidious； towards ambassadors impious； and always
inferior to you in valor。〃
4。 When the Jews heard this speech； they were much raised in
their minds； and more disposed to fight than before。 So Herod；
when he had offered the sacrifices appointed by the law （10） made
haste； and took them； and led them against the Arabians； and in
order to that passed over Jordan； and pitched his camp near to
that of the enemy。 He also thought fit to seize upon a certain
castle that lay in the midst of them； as hoping it would be for
his advantage； and would the sooner produce a battle； and that if
there were occasion for delay； he should by it have his camp
fortified； and as the Arabians had the same intentions upon that
place； a contest arose about it； at first they were but
skirmishes； after which there came more soldiers； and it proved a
sort of fight； and some fell on both sides； till those of t