skirmishes； after which there came more soldiers； and it proved a
sort of fight； and some fell on both sides； till those of the
Arabian side were beaten and retreated。 This was no small
encouragement to the Jews immediately； and when Herod observed
that the enemy's army was disposed to any thing rather than to
come to an engagement； he ventured boldly to attempt the bulwark
itself； and to pull it to pieces； and so to get nearer to their
camp； in order to fight them； for when they were forced out of
their trenches； they went out in disorder； and had not the least
alacrity； or hope of victory； yet did they fight hand to hand；
because they were more in number than the Jews； and because they
were in such a disposition of war that they were under a
necessity of coming on boldly； so they came to a terrible battle；
while not a few fell on each side。 However； at length the
Arabians fled； and so great a slaughter was made upon their being
routed； that they were not only killed by their enemies； but
became the authors of their own deaths also； and were trodden
down by the multitude； and the great current of people in
disorder； and were destroyed by their own armor； so five thousand
men lay dead upon the spot； while the rest of the multitude soon
ran within the bulwark for safety； but had no firm hope of
safety； by reason of their want of necessaries； and especially of
water。 The Jews pursued them； but could not get in with them； but
sat round about the bulwark； and watched any assistance that
would get in to them； and prevented any there； that had a mind to
it； from running away。
5。 When the Arabians were in these circumstances； they sent
ambassadors to Herod； in the first place； to propose terms of
accommodation； and after that to offer him； so pressing was their
thirst upon them； to undergo whatsoever he pleased； if he would
free them from their present distress； but he would admit of no
ambassadors； of no price of redemption； nor of any other moderate
terms whatever； being very desirous to revenge those unjust
actions which they had been guilty of towards his nation。 So they
were necessitated by other motives； and particularly by their
thirst； to come out； and deliver themselves up to him； to be
carried away captives； and in five days' time the number of four
thousand were taken prisoners； while all the rest resolved to
make a sally upon their enemies； and to fight it out with them；
choosing rather； if so it must be； to die therein； than to perish
gradually and ingloriously。 When they had taken this resolution；
they came out of their trenches； but could no way sustain the
fight； being too much disabled； both in mind and body； and having
not room to exert themselves； and thought it an advantage to be
killed； and a misery to survive； so at the first onset there fell
about seven thousand of them； after which stroke they let all the
courage they had put on before fall； and stood amazed at Herod's
warlike spirit under his own calamities； so for the future they
yielded； and made him ruler of their nation； whereupon he was
greatly elevated at so seasonable a success； and returned home；
taking great authority upon him； on account of so bold and
glorious an expedition as he had made。
CHAPTER 6。
How Herod Slew Hyrcanus And Then Hasted Away To Caesar； And
Obtained The Kingdom From Him Also； And How A Little Time
Afterward； He Entertained Caesar In A Most Honorable Manner。
1。 Herod's other affairs were now very prosperous； and he was not
to be easily assaulted on any side。 Yet did there come upon him a
danger that would hazard his entire dominions； after Antony had
been beaten at the battle of Actium by Caesar ＇Octarian＇； for at
that time both Herod's enemies and friends despaired of his
affairs； for it was not probable that he would remain without
punishment； who had showed so much friendship for Antony。 So it
happened that his friends despaired； and had no hopes of his
escape； but for his enemies； they all outwardly appeared to be
troubled at his case； but were privately very glad of it； as
hoping to obtain a change for the better。 As for Herod himself he
saw that there was no one of royal dignity left but Hyrcanus； and
therefore he thought it would be for his advantage not to suffer
him to be an obstacle in his way any longer； for that in case he
himself survived； and escaped the danger he was in； he thought it
the safest way to put it out of the power of such a man to make
any attempt against him； at such junctures of affairs； as was
more worthy of the kingdom than himself； and in case he should be
slain by Caesar； his envy prompted him to desire to slay him that
would otherwise be king after him。
2。 While Herod had these things in his mind； there was a certain
occasion afforded him： for Hyrcanus was of so mild a temper； both
then and at other times； that he desired not to meddle with
public affairs； nor to concern himself with innovations； but left
all to fortune； and contented himself with what that afforded
him： but Alexandra ＇his daughter＇ was a lover of strife； and was
exceeding desirous of a change of the government； and spake to
her father not to bear for ever Herod's injurious treatment of
their family； but to anticipate their future hopes； as he safely
might； and desired him to write about these matters to Malchus；
who was then governor of Arabia； to receive them； and to secure
them ＇from Herod＇； for that if they went away； and Herod's
affairs proved to be as it was likely they would be； by reason of
Caesar's enmity to him； they should then be the only persons that
could take the government； and this； both on account of the royal
family they were of； and on account of the good disposition of：
the multitude to them。 While she used these persuasions； Hyrcanus
put off her suit； but as she showed that she was a woman； and a
contentious woman too； and would not desist either night or day；
but would always be speaking to him about these matters； and
about Herod's treacherous designs； she at last prevailed with him
to intrust Dositheus； one of his friends； with a letter； wherein
his resolution was declared； and he desired the Arabian governor
to send to him some horsemen； who should receive him； and conduct
him to the lake Asphaltites； which is from the bounds of
Jerusalem three hundred furlongs： and he did therefore trust
Dositheus with this letter； because he was a careful attendant on
him； and on Alexandra； and had no small occasions to bear
ill…will to Herod； for he was a kinsman of one Joseph； whom he
had slain； and a brother of those that were formerly slain at
Tyre by Antony： yet could not these motives induce Dositheus to
serve Hyrcanus in this affair； for； preferring the hopes he had
from the present king to those he had from him； he gave Herod the
letter。 So he took his kindness in good part； and bid him besides
do what he had already done； that is； go on in serving him； by
rolling up the epistle and sealing it again； and delivering it to
Malchus； and then to bring back his letter in answer to it； for
it would be much better if he could know Malchus's intentions
also。 And when Dositheus was very ready to serve him in this
point also； the Arabian governor returned back for answer； that
he would receive Hyrcanus； and all that should come with him； and
even all the Jews that were of his party； that he would；
moreover； send forces sufficient to secure them in their journey；
and that he should be in no want of any thing he should desire。
Now as soon as Herod had received this letter； he immediately
sent for Hyrcanus； and questioned him about the league he had
made with Malchus； and when he denied it； he showed his letter to
the Sanhedrim； and put the man to death immediately。
3。 And this account we give the reader； as it is contained in the
commentaries of king Herod： but other historians do not agree
with them； for they suppose that Herod did not find； but rather
make； this an occasion for thus putting him to death； and that by
treacherously laying a snare for him； for thus do they write：
That Herod and he were once at a treat； and that Herod had given
no occasion to suspect ＇that he was displeased at him＇； but put
this question to Hyrcanus； Whether he had received any letters
from Malchus？ and when he answered that he had received letters；
but those of salutation only； and when he asked further； whether
he had not received any presents from him？ and when he had
replied that he had received no more than four horses to ride on；
which Malchus had sent him； they pretended that Herod charged
these upon him as the crimes of bribery and treason； and gave
order that he should be led away and slain。 And in order to
demonstrate that he had been guilty of no offense； when he was
thus brought to his end； they alleged how mild his temper had
been； and that even in his youth he had never given any
demonstration of boldness or rashness； and that the case was the
same when he came to be king； but that he even then committed the
management of the greatest part of public affairs to Antipater；
and that he was now above fourscore years old； and knew that
Herod's government was in a secure state。 He also came over
Euphrates； and left those who greatly honored him beyond that
river； though he were to be entirely under Herod's government；
and that it was a most incredible thing that he should enterprise
any thing by way of innovation； and not at all agreeable to his
temper； but that this was a plot of Herod's contrivance。
4。 And this was the fate of Hyrcanus； and thus did he end his
life； after he had endured various and manifold turns of fortune
in his lifetime。 For he was made high priest of the Jewish nation
in the beginning of his mother Alexandra's reign； who held the
government nine years； and when； after his mother's death； he
took the kingdom himself； and held it three months； he lost it；
by the means of his brother Aristobulus。 He was then restored by
Pompey； and received all sorts of honor from him； and enjoyed
them forty years； but when he was again deprived by Antigonus；
and was maimed in his body； he was made a captive by the
Parthians； and thence returned home again after some time； on