3490. At that time in Syria, lived Isocratis a grammarian who belonged to a company of those that made public recitations. He was a prating braggard and hated by the Greeks. Alcaeus in his public speeches used to make fun of him. As soon as Isocratis came to Syria, he began to reproach the Syrians as being stupid. He did not stay within the bounds of his profession and began to talk of state matters and pass his judgment on them. He defended the justice of the murder of Octavius and wanted the other Roman delegates killed too, so none would be left to take the news back to Rome. By this, the Romans might be made more humble and cease interfering in the sovereignty of others. (Polyb. Legat. 122.)
3491. The Romans through their ambassadors, Canuleius and Quintus, restored Ptolemy Philometor to his kingdom and reconciled him to his younger brother Euergetes. They decreed that the kingdom should be divided between them. Philometor was to take Egypt and Cyprus for his share, Euergetes was to get Cyrene. This agreement was confirmed by all religious ceremonies and by the mutual pledging of their faith to each other. However, Euergetes hurried away to Rome to try to have the covenant voided. Thereupon Philometor also sent Menethillus of Alabanda, as his delegate there, as his advocate and representative in his quarrel with Euergetes. (Polyb. Legat. 113. & 114. Livy l. 46. Zonar. Ex Dione.)
3492. Ariarathes, the king of Cappadocia, died and his son Ariarathes surnamed Philopator succeeded him by right of inheritance. As soon as he had performed his father's funeral with the highest magnificence that could be, he sent his delegates to Rome to renew the league and alliance with the people of Rome. He was first called Mithradates, but after he came of age, he was called by his father's name, Ariarathes. When he was crowned, he treated his friends, nobles and subjects, with what respect was fitting, so that he soon won the affections of all. He was experienced in Greek and studied philosophy. Cappadocia, never before known to the Greeks, soon became a home for learned men. (Livy l. 46. Diod. Sic. in Bibliotheca, Phocy. cod. 244. & Excerp. Vales. p. 325.)
3842c AM, 4552 JP, 162 BC
3493. From spring began the 151st year of the kingdom of the Greeks, which is used in the first book of the Maccabees.
3494. When the ambassadors of Ariarathes, the new king of Cappadocia arrived at Rome, they asked the senate that they would embrace their king with all love and affection. He always wished well to all the Romans. The senate renewed the league and amity as they requested and highly commended the king's affections to them. They entertained the ambassadors very civilly. After this, Tiberius Gracchus (See note on 3838 AM <<3402>>) returned from his embassy in Asia and related many notable expressions of the affections of this king and of his father and indeed of the whole kingdom toward the people of Rome. (Polyb. Legat. 109.)
3495. The Rhodians, through Cleagoras and Lygdamis, their ambassadors at Rome, requested that they might be permitted to hold Lycia and Caria on the same terms as before. (Polyb. Legat. 110.)
3496. At that time the Calyndians in Caria revolted from the Caunii. Thereupon the Caunii attempted to besiege them. The Calyndians first required help from the Cnidyans. By their help, they were able to hold the enemy off for a while. Since the outcome of the war was uncertain, they sent an embassy to the Rhodians and they surrendered themselves and their city into their hands. The Rhodians accepted this and accordingly sent supplies both by sea and land. They raised the siege and took the city into their own jurisdiction. The senate soon after this confirmed to them the right and possession of the place. (Polyb. Legat. 111.)
3497. Ariarathes, the king of Cappadocia knew from his delegates who had returned from Rome that he was in good favour with the Romans. He thought himself secure in his kingdom and offered to the gods sacrifices and feasted his nobles. Moreover, he sent ambassadors to Lysias at Antioch, to get the bones of his sister and his mother, Antiochis, the daughter of Antiochus the Great. He gave the ambassadors instructions before they left and prayed for their success. He told them it would be best not to mention the death of Octavius even though he was quite displeased by it. He thought this might provoke Lysias and he would not grant his request. Lysias allowed him to have those bones. As soon as they were brought to him, he carried them out very solemnly and placed them very carefully in his father's tomb. (Polyb. Legat. 112.)
3498. After the two Ptolemys (brothers) had divided the kingdom between them, the younger Ptolemy went to Rome to invalidate the partition agreed upon with his brother. He said that he did not voluntarily do as he was commanded but had yielded from necessity, being forced to it by the difficulty of the times. Therefore he requested the senate that they would give Cyprus to him otherwise his portion would be much less than his brothers. On the other side, Menithyllus, Philometor's agent, stated and was confirmed by the Roman ambassadors' testimony, how the younger Ptolemy retained Cyrene but also his very life, by means of his brother. Since he was generally hated, that he might take it for a high favour that the kingdom of Greece had sided with him which was more than he could hope for or any man dream of. After Ptolemy's reply it was urged that the senate consider that the sharing of the kingdom was not quite completed, partly from their own desire to have that kingdom divided. They, as occasion should arise, would have less pains to subdue it when divided than when united. They granted the younger brother's demands and immediately sent their delegates, Titus Torquatus and Cn. Merula, with instructions to reconcile the two brothers and to give Cyprus to the younger brother. (Polyb. Legat. 113.)
3499. News came to Rome of the killing of Cn. Octavius. When the delegates of Antiochus Eupator whom Lysias had sent, arrived at Rome, they showed that their king was in no way involved in the murder. The senate sent the delegates back again and determined nothing about the matter because they would by no means reveal their minds about it. (Polyb. Legat. 114.) However, they ordered a statue to be erected in the place of common pleas, to the memory of Octavius. (Cicero Philipic. 9.)
3500. Demetrius was much disturbed by the news of that accident. He sent for Polybius, the historian and asked him whether or not, it was wise to ask the senate again about his affairs. Polybius warned him to take heed of dashing himself twice against the same stone. He told him, that he had better attempt some noble exploit worthy of a kingdom and hinted by this that he would have him stolen away from Rome as soon as he could. But Demetrius followed the counsel of Apollonius, his close friend who was a good man but very young. Demetrius came into the senate and requested that he might at least have his liberty and might be no longer detained as hostage at Rome, since they had confirmed the kingdom to Antiochus Eupator. The senate for all this stood by their decree. Thereupon, Demetrius consulted first with Diodorus who was a crafty fellow who recently came from Syria and had previously educated him. Then he talked with Polybius about how he might make his escape. Menethyllus, Ptolemy Philometor's agent, who by Polybius' means (with whom Polybius was intimately acquainted,) had been admitted into the discussion under the pretence of providing for his return home. He publicly hired a sacred ship of the Carthaginians which was about to sail to Tyre to bring the first fruits of the Carthaginians, to their ancestor gods according to the custom. When all things were ready, Demetrius sent his tutor, Diodorus, into Syria beforehand to hear what was said and to feel the pulse of the people. He took only a few with him to be companions with him on his journey. He dined at a friend's house with them and the rest he sent away to Anagnia, where he said he would come hunting the next day. (Polyb. Legat. 114.)
3501. At this time Polybius was sick in bed. He feared lest Demetrius spend too much time drinking and miss the chance to escape. Since the night was passing, he sent him a sheet sealed up with these lines written on it.
He that delays, incurs the fates Of night, boldness success creates.
Adventure, come what can, let all, Rather than thou, thyself shouldst fall.
3502. Polybius added that saying of Epicharmus, (commended by Polybius, l. 3. p. 768. & Cicero. ad Attic. l. 1. Epist. 16.) "Be sober, and remember to trust nobody, these are the very sinews of prudence." As soon as he read the note, he understood immediately what those instructions meant and from whom they came. Thereupon he pretended to need to vomit and he and his friends left the company. He told his plan to Nicanor and the rest of his friends. He came by night to Ostia, at the mouth of the Tiber River. Menithyllus went before to the sailors and told them that he received new instructions from the king so that he must of necessity stay a while longer in the city. However he would send him some trusted young men who would give him a full account of all the affairs of his brother. About the end of the third watch of the night, Demetrius came with 8 friends, 5 servants and 2 lackeys. Menithyllus commended these to the captain of the ship, who knew nothing of the plot. They set sail about day break. (Polyb. Legat. 114.)
3503. No one at Rome missed him until 4 days later. They looked for him but he was not found. On the 5th day, the senate met on the business but Demetrius was now 6 days from the city by sea and had gone as far as the strait of Sicily. The senate thought it would be of no use to follow after him since he had such an head start on them. A few days later, they sent Tib. Gracchus, Lucilius Lentulus and Servilius Glaucias as ambassadors whose business was to see how things went in Greece. After that they were to find out what Demetrius was up to, see how the kings felt toward Rome and to settle their differences with the Galatians. (Polyb. Legat. 114.)
3504. In the meantime, Demetrius had got into Lycia from where he wrote the senate that he marched not against Antiochus, his uncle's son, but against Lysias with a resolution to avenge Octavius' death. He won over Tripoli of Syria to his side, by saying he was sent by the senate to take possession of the kingdom, for no one dreamed of his escape. He captured Apamea and he mustered all his forces together and marched toward Antioch. He killed the young king Antiochus Eupator and Lysias when they came out to give him a friendly greeting. They did not want to take up arms for fear of displeasing the Romans. (Zonar. ex Dione.) He won the approval of all in Syria and he took over the kingdom. (Justin. l. 34. c. 3. Appian. in Syriac. p. 117, 118.)
3505. We read in the /APC 1Ma 7:1-4 how that in the 151st year of the kingdom of the Greeks, Demetrius, son of Seleucus, escaped from Rome and came with a few men to a city on the sea coast, that is Tripoli of Phoenicia and began to reign there. He entered into the palace of his ancestors at Antioch near Daphne, the metropolis of Syria. His soldiers seized Antiochus and Lysias and killed them by his orders. In the /APC 2Ma 14:1,2 we read that, after 3 years or in the 3rd year from the beginning of Antiochus Eupator or the purging of the temple by Judas Maccabeus as mentioned in /APC 2Ma 10:1-10, Judas was told of the arrival of Demetrius at Tripoli. With a great force and navy, he had taken the country and killed Antiochus and his tutor Lysias. However, Josephus states that Antiochus Eupator reigned only 2 years (Antiqu. l. 12. c. 16.) and so does Eusebius in his Chronicles. On the other hand, Porphyrius (in Grec. Euseb. Scaliger. p. 228.) and Sulpicius Severus, (Histor. Sacr. l. 2.) say he reigned only 18 months.
3506. Demetrius removed Heraclides from the charge of the treasury in Babylon. Antiochus Epiphanes had appointed him to that position. Demetrius also killed Heraclides' brother, Timarchus who had been appointed governor of Babylon by Antiochus Epiphanes. Timarchus had rebelled against Demetrius and ran the place poorly. The Babylonians first surnamed Demetrius, Soter. (Appian. Syriac. p. 118.)
3842d AM, 4552 JP, 162 BC
3507. Alcimus had obtained from Antiochus Eupator the high priesthood but was not accepted by the people. In the times of confusion under Antiochus Epiphanes, he wilfully defiled himself. /APC 2Ma 14:3 He tried to get the priesthood confirmed to him by Demetrius Soter and addressed the king. He was accompanied by other wicked and apostate Israelites who maligned their country men and especially the Hasmoneaus. They said he was guilty of killing the king's friends and banishing them out of the country. Demetrius resented their complaints. Thereupon he sent a large force into Judea under Bacchides, the governor of Mesopotamia and his intimate and trusty friend along with Alcimus on whom he had given the priesthood. When they had entered the land, they thought to have won over Judas Maccabeus and his brethren by their talk about peace. The Jews did not believe them when they saw their large forces. /APC 1Ma 7:5-11
3508. A company of scribes headed by Hasideans came to Alcimus and Bacchides and desired peace from them. They said:
``One that is priest of the seed of Aaron has the charge of this army who will not do us any wrong''
3509. After they had committed themselves to his safety, that wicked priest broke the agreement and his oath and executed 60 of them in one day. The historian applies the saying of the psalmist to this event. Ps 79:2,3
``The flesh of thy saints, have they (cast out,) given to the beasts of the earth, and their blood have they shed around about Jerusalem, and there was none to bury them.''
3510. Many were terrified by this act of wickedness and fled from the city. /APC 1Ma 7:12-19
3511. Bacchides left Jerusalem and camped in Bezeth or Bethzetha. From there he sent and took many of those which had forsaken him. He killed some of the Jews and cast them into a deep pit. After that, he committed the country to Alcimus' care and left him a sufficient force to help him. Bacchides returned to the king. All the rebellious of the people came to Alcimus who had done everything to ensure the priesthood for himself. When they had subdued Judea, they made great havock in Israel. Thereupon, Judas Maccabeus went out into all the land of Judea and took vengeance on all who had revolted from him. He was so successful that the enemy was confined to their garrisons and did not make any more incursions into the country. /APC 1Ma 7:19-24
3512. Ptolemy the younger, left Italy and came into Greece. There, he hired an army of very strong men. He also hired Damasippus, a Macedonian, who after he had killed the governors that sat in council at Phaco, a town of Macedonia, escaped from there as fast as he could with his wife and children. Ptolemy left and came to Persea, a land opposite Rhodes. After he had been courteously treated by the people, he planned to set sail for Cyprus. However, Torquatus and the rest of the Roman delegates saw the great number of mercenary soldiers he had. They remembered their instructions from the senate in which they were expressly charged to control him without fighting. At last they prevailed with him, to disband his mercenaries as soon as he come to Sida and to not make his intended voyage to Cyprus. He should do his best that they might meet with him concerning Cyprus. In the meantime, they were going to Alexandria to persuade the king to agree to his requests. They would meet him at the appointed place and bring the king himself along with them. These propositions had such influence on Ptolemy the younger, that he gave up the idea of conquering Cyrene (Cyprus ??) and dismissed his mercenary soldiers. He went directly to Crete and took along with him Damasippus and Cn. Merula, one of the ambassadors. As soon as he had hired 1000 soldiers, he departed to Libyna and kept them at the Port of Apis. (Polyb. Legat. 115.)
3513. In the interim, Torquatus and Titus came to Alexandria and did what they could to persuade the older Ptolemy to come to an agreement with his brother and to give Cyprus to him. Ptolemy's gave in on some things and listened to others merely to buy time. His younger brother who was camped as was agreed, before Apis in Libyna was very displeased that as yet nothing was concluded concerning the surrender of Cyprus. He sent Cn. Merula to Alexandria and hoped through him and Torquatus to accomplish his plans. (Polyb. Legat. 115.)
3843a AM, 4552 JP, 162 BC
3514. Hipparchus Bithynus attempted to transmit to posterity the exact number of the stars and to order constellations using particular instruments he invented. He showed their positions and their magnitudes. Pliny says his works were underestimated. (Pliny l. 2. c. 95.) He wrote in his book and said that in the 27th year of the third Calippic period, the 30th day of the Egyptian month Mesor, (September 27th) about sunset, he observed the autumnal equinox. (Ptol. 3. l. 2. c. 2.)
3515. This autumn began the year 151 of the account of the contracts as used in the 2nd book of the Maccabees. In this year (for so the Greek copies compute, and my Syriac Interpreter, where the Latin edition reads 150.) Alcimus came to king Demetrius and gave him a golden crown, a palm and boughs also which were used in the temple. /APC 2Ma 14:3,4 He saw how Judas Maccabeus and the Assideans who were with him had greatly increased in power. They would not allow him to come near the holy altar. Using this opportunity, he eagerly accused them to the king, as the instigators of all the rebellions and disturbers of the common peace in Judea. He complained most bitterly about this. He said he was divested of the high priesthood which was the glory of his ancestors. As long as Judas was living, he was confident Demetrius should never enjoy the kingdom quietly. This was confirmed by his friends and other implacable enemies of Judas. Demetrius was so angry that he sent Nicanor, his general into Judea with orders to destroy Judas and disperse his associates, the Assideans. He was to place Alcimus in the high priesthood. The Gentiles who fled from Judea for fear of Judas, flocked to Nicanor. They were happy about the calamities which were likely to befall the Jews. /APC 2Ma 14:3-14 1Ma 7:25,26
3516. When the Jews knew of Nicanor's coming and of the alliance of the Gentiles with him, they cast dust on their heads and prayed to God. There was a short skirmish between Simon, Judas' brother, and Nicanor near the village Dessaro. Nicanor had heard of the prowess and valour of Judas and his company in defending their country and was afraid of fighting with him. Therefore he sent Poseidonius, Thoedotus and Matthias to make peace between them. When they had discussed the matter among themselves, Judas told it to the people. They unanimously approved the articles. A day was appointed in which Judas and Nicanor were to meet. Judas did not trust the enemy, and placed some armed men in several convenient places for security in case of any violence. However the conference was very peaceful and closed in a league without the king's knowledge. After this, Nicanor stayed a while in Jerusalem and dismissed the companies which he had before collected. He lived so friendly and familiarly with Judas that Judas persuaded him to marry a wife, /APC 2Ma 14:15-25
3517. As soon as Alcimus saw what happened, he spoke a 3rd time to Demetrius and complained about Nicanor. He accused Nicanor of plotting against the king. Demetrius was so upset by all this that he immediately wrote to Nicanor to let him know that he was very upset with his actions with Judas Maccabeus. He ordered Nicanor to send Judas bound to Antioch. He was very loath to do this since it would break their articles of peace and since Judas had done nothing wrong. However he knew enough not to cross the king and he watched for a convenient time to execute the king's command by craft. /APC 2Ma 14:26-29
3518. Ptolemy Philometor with his entertainment detained the Roman delegates at Alexandria for 40 days. This was against their will since no business was transacted. The Cyrenians and some other cities revolted from Euergetes the younger brother. The Egyptian Ptolemy, whom Euergetes had appointed over the whole realm when he sailed away unto Rome knew of this matter. News of this came to Euergetes. He was also told that the Cyrenians already had an army ready for war. He feared that while he tried to add Cyprus to his kingdom, he would lose Cyrene. He set aside all other matters and left Apis where his navy was anchored in the harbour. He sailed to the great Catabathmus, as they call it and planned from there to go to Cyrene. He found the strait in Catabathmus held by the Libynians and the Cyrenians. He shipped half his men with orders to sail around those straits and to attack the enemy by surprise. He led the vanguard with the rest of the army and tried to capture the hill. As soon as the Libynians knew they were surrounded, they abandoned their stations. Hence the king took the top of the hill and captured the stronghold and its 4 towers which contained plenty of water. (Polyb. Legat. 115.)
3519. From there he marched through the wilderness in 7 days and the soldiers under Mochyrinus followed him by sea. When the Cyrenians knew of his coming, they drew out their army of 8000 foot soldiers and 500 cavalry against him. They guessed what Philometor's mind was by what he had done at Alexandria. They saw nothing of a king in Euergetes but that all his administrations were tyrannical. They could not be persuaded to freely submit to him. Thereupon they fought and defeated him. (Polyb. Legat. 115.)
3843b AM, 4553 JP, 161 BC
3520. Judas Maccabeus saw how Nicanor had grown more reserved then before and his dealings more harsh than they usually were. He thought he was up to no good and therefore gathered many of his associates and withdrew himself from his sight. /APC 2Ma 14:30
3521. Nicanor came to Jerusalem with great forces and by his fair speeches drew Judas to a meeting. However, while they were greeting one another, the enemy planned to seize Judas and carry him away. When Judas knew this, he was very afraid of him and did not want to see him any more. When Nicanor saw that his plan was discovered, he marched against Judas to fight him beside Capharsalama. Nicanor's side lost 5000 men and the rest fled to the city of David. /APC 1Ma 7:27-32
3522. After this Nicanor went to Mount Sion where he was met by some of the priests and elders of the people. They came from the sanctuary to greet him peaceably and to show him the burnt sacrifice that was offered for the king. He slighted and scoffed at them and commanded them to turn over Judas. They swore with an oath that they did not know where he was. Nicanor stretched out his right hand toward the temple and swore that unless Judas and his forces were delivered into his hands, when he returned in peace, he would burn the house of God, destroy the altar and erect in the same place another glorious temple to Bacchus. Thereupon the priests entered and stood before the altar and the temple. With great lamentations they beseeched God to frustrate Nicanor's threats and avenge his blasphemies. /APC 1Ma 7:33-38 2Ma 14:31-36
3523. Razis, one of the elders of Jerusalem, who for his love and affection to the citizens, was called, "The Father of the Jews", came to Nicanor. Therefore Nicanor thought that if he were killed, he could do what he pleased with the Jews. He sent about 500 soldiers to take him. When they had forced the outter gates of the tower where he was and were ordered to burn the other doors, he stabbed himself with his own sword. When he knew by his haste, his wound was not mortal, he threw himself headlong from the wall. Afterward, running to a steep rock, when he was almost dead, he ripped out his bowels and with both his hands threw them among the throng and so he died. /APC 2Ma 14:37-46 Concerning this event, see Augustine. (61st Epistle to Dulichius, and l. 2. against Gaudentio, c. 23.)
3524. When Nicanor saw that Judas was not in Jerusalem but in parts of Samaria, he marched from Jerusalem and camped in Bethhoron. More troops came to him from Syria. Judas camped in Hadasa about 4 miles from the enemy with 3000 men. Nicanor tried to start the battle on the sabbath day. He was presently admonished by some Jews who were compelled to march with him to reverence that day and the God who instituted it. He railed on them with a most horrid blasphemy but was unable to carry out his plan of fighting on the sabbath. Maccabeus encouraged his troops from the law and the prophets. Moreover he had them remember their former encounters and declared to them a dream of his. He saw Onias, who was the 3rd high priest by that name, praying for the people and the prophet Jeremiah reaching to him with a golden sword. Hence he encouraged the troops. Thereupon, being well armed with prayers and the sure confidence in God, on the 13th day of the 12th month Adar, they attacked the enemy. Nicanor was the first to die in the battle. Thereupon, the rest threw away their arms and fled. The Jews chased them for a whole day from Hadasa to Gazera and sounded an alarm after them with their trumpets. By this all the Jews from the various surrounding towns, hurried to the slaughter of their fleeing enemies. At least 35,000 were killed and not one of the enemy army survived. Then they fell on the spoil and took the prey. They cut off Nicanor's head and arms with the shoulder and brought them to Jerusalem. They hung his head on an high tower with his right hand with which he had so proudly stretched forth against the house of God. Judas ordered that the tongue of this wicked fellow to be cut out, chopped in pieces and fed to the birds. In commemoration of this victory, it was enacted by a general decree, that a great holiday should be kept annually on the 13th day of the 12th month, called in the Syriac, Adar, the day before the feast of Mordecai. (/APC 1Ma 7:39-49 2Ma 15:1-37 Joseph. l. 12. c. 17.)
3525. This ends the history contained in the second book of the Maccabees. This is a summary of the five books of Jason, a Jew of Cyrene. After Nicanor's death, Judea had rest from wars for a while. /APC 1Ma 7:50 During that time, Judas Maccabeus heard of the great power of the Romans and their humanity toward any that were in distress. He also knew how great Demetrius feared them. Therefore, he sent Eupolemus the son of John and Jason son of Eleazar, as agents to the senate at Rome, in the name of him, his brother, and the commonwealth of the Jews. They were to negotiate an association and alliance with the people of Rome and hoped by this to free them from the heavy yoke of King Demetrius and the empire of the Greeks. /APC 1Ma 8:1,17,18,31,32)
3526. Cneus Merula finally returned from Alexandria to Euergetes and told him that his brother Philometor would not agree to any of his demands. He urged him that they must abide by the covenants which were first ratified. When Euergetes heard this, he ordered Copmanua and his brother Ptolemy to go as his delegates to Rome along with Merula. They were to entreat with the senate concerning the wrongs done to him by his brother and to tell them of his contempt of the Romans. On their way, they met Titus Torquatus who was Cn. Merula's colleague in the embassy. He had left Alexandria also without completing the business he went there for. At the same time, Menithylius of Alabanda was sent as a delegate to the senate from Philometor. (Polyb. Legat. 116,117.)
3527. After Demetrius heard that Nicanor and his whole army were destroyed in the battle, he sent Bacchides and Alcimus for the second time into Judea. He gave them the right wing or the better part of his army. They marched on the way to Gilgal. They camped at Maesaloth or Massadoth which is in Arbela. When they captured it, they killed many people. /APC 1Ma 9:1,2
3843c AM, 4553 JP, 161 BC
3528. On the first month of the 152nd year of the kingdom of the Greeks, they moved toward Jerusalem to find Judas Maccabeus and from there they marched to Berea (or Beerzath, as it is in the Arundel copy) with 20,000 foot soldiers and 2000 cavalry. Judas camped in Eleasa with 3000 choice men with him. When they saw the large number of the enemy, they were very afraid. Thereupon many left him, so that he had only 800 left in the camp. With these few he attacked Bacchides' vast army and fought from morning till night. At last he routed his right wing in which Bacchides was and pursued them to Mount Azotus. However, those in the left wing chased Judas and those which were with him. Judas died fighting valiantly and the rest fled immediately away. Then Jonathan and Simon took up the body of their brother Judas and buried it in the sepulchre of their fathers at Modin. Israel mourned for him many days. /APC 1Ma 9:3-21 Judas was slain in the 6th year after the death of his father Mattathias.
3529. After the death of Judas, wicked men appeared all over Israel, who before had stayed out of sight for fear of Judas. There was a great famine in those days and this caused the whole country to join with them and submit to Bacchides so that they might have more provisions. Bacchides promoted those wicked men to be rulers of the country. When they found any of Judas' friends, they brought them to Bacchides to be tormented and reviled. There was a great affliction in Israel, there was nothing like this since the time of the last prophets of the Old Testament. /APC 1Ma 9:23-27
3530. In the meantime, the delegates who were sent to Rome from Judas Maccabeus concluded a peace and association with the people of Rome. The articles were written in tables of brass and said that the Jews should assist the Romans and the Romans the Jews against the common enemy. The senate also wrote letters to King Demetrius that he should stop oppressing the Jews, otherwise they would wage war with him both by sea and land to support this people who were now their friends and confederates. /APC 1Ma 8:19-32
``When they had revolted from Demetrius, (having procured an alliance with the Romans) they of all the eastern people first obtained their liberty. The Romans at that time were very free in giving away that which was not their own.''
3531. Josephus, (Antiq. l. 12. c. 17.) notes that this was the first league that was ever known to be between the Romans and the Jews. It is written in other words with this forged subscription, appended. This decree of the senate was written by Eupolemus, son of John, and Jason, son of Eleazar: (the Jew's agents)
``When Judas was high priest and his brother Simon, the general.''
3532. Jonathan was the most likely one to be the general while Judas was living. It was not until Jonathan died that Simon became the general. A little before Josephus incorrectly wrote that when Alcimus died, the people voted Judas to be the next high priest. /APC 1Ma 9:54-56 For this passage shows that Alcimus died after Judas and Josephus admits his error later and says that Jacimus or Alcimus had no successor at all and Jerusalem had no high priest for 7 whole years. (Antiq. l. 20. c. 8. p. 701.)
3533. There was a long debate in the senate between the delegates of both the Ptolemys. Titus and Cnaeus who were sent as ambassadors by the Romans testified for Euergetes and promoted his cause. The senate ordered that within 5 days Menithyllus, Philometor's delegate, should depart from Rome. The league which was between them and Philometor was void. The senate sent Publius Apustius and Caius Lentulus as ambassadors to Euergetes. They immediately went to Cyrene and with great care informed him what was done. This inflated his hopes so that soon he levied an army and plotted how to take over Cyprus. (Polyb. Legat. 117.)
3534. All Judas Maccabeus' friends met and chose Jonathan as general in his place. He was the brother of Judas and was surnamed Apphus. As soon as Bacchides heard this, he planned to kill him. Jonathan, his brother Simon and those that were with him found out about this. To thwart him, they fled into the desert of Tekoa and camped by the pool of Asphar. Jonathan sent his brother John, surnamed Gaddis with a band of soldiers, to ask the Nabathites (Arabians) that they might leave their wagons with them for they had many wagons. However, the children of Jambri from Medaba met with them on the way. They attacked and killed John and his company. They seized the spoil and went their way. Their victory was short lived. Jonathan and his brother Simon heard that those sons of Jambri were having a large wedding and were bringing the bride from Nadabath with great pomp and a long train of nobles. She was a daughter to a prince in Canaan. They arose from an ambush and attacked them. They killed 400 and the rest fled to the mountains. They seized all their spoil. After they had fully avenged the blood of their brother, they marched back to the marshes of Jordan. (/APC 1Ma 9:28-42. Joseph. l. 13. c. 1.)
3535. Bacchides followed Jonathan closely and came on the sabbath day to the banks of the Jordan River with a large army. Both the armies fought. In the fight Jonathan tried to kill Bacchides but he deflected the blow. However, 1000 of Bacchides' men were killed but Josephus says 2000. Jonathan knew he could not cope with such a large force. He and his men leaped into Jordan and crossed over to the other side. The enemy did not attempt to follow him. Bacchides returned to Jerusalem and built fortified cities in Judea and a fort in Jericho, Emmaus, Bethhoron, Bethel, Thamnatha, Pharathoni and Tephon. He strengthened them with high walls, gates and bars and put garrisons in all of them. He used these places as bases to attack and annoy the Jews. He fortified Bethsura, Gazara and the tower at Jerusalem. He supplied them with men and provisions. He seized the chief men's sons in the country for hostages and he put them in prison in the tower at Jerusalem. /APC 1Ma 9:43-53 Joseph. l. 13. c. 1.)
3536. Mithrobuzanes, one of the sons of Zadriades, king of the lesser Armenia had escaped to Ariarathes king of Cappadocia. Artaxias, the king of the greater Armenia whom Antiochus Epiphanes had conquered wanted his old kingdom. He sent an embassy to Ariarathes and asked him to side with him. They would murder one of the two brothers, whom he had under his power at that time and he would divide Sophene between them. Ariarathes detested this treachery and sharply rebuked the delegates. He sent letters to Artaxias and admonished him not to do such a wicked act. Moreover, he restored Mithrobuzanes to his father's kingdom. (Diod. Sic. in Excerpt. H. Valesii, p. 325.)
3844a AM, 4553 JP, 161 BC
3537. Ariarathes received Tiberius Gracchus, Lucius Lentulus and Servilius Glaucius, the Roman delegates in Cappadocia very royally. (Polyb. Legat. 119.) Demetrius Soter sent Menocharis there so that he could seriously debate with the Roman delegates about the settling of his kingdom. (Polyb. Legat. 120.) He also offered to King Ariarathes a marriage with his sister, who was related to Perseus, the king of the Macedonians. He declined, lest he offend the Romans. (Diod. Sic. Legat. 24. Justin l. 35. c. 1.)
3844b AM, 4554 JP, 160 BC
3538. Menocharis returned to Demetrius at Antioch and gave an account of his conferences with the Roman delegates. The king deemed it very necessary in his present condition, to gain the favour of the Roman delegates. He set aside all other matters and first sent to them into Pamphylia then again to Rhodes. He said he would do whatever he could for the Romans if they would confirm his title as king. Tiberius favoured him and helped him considerably to obtain the legal right to his kingdom. (Polyb. Legat. 120.)
3539. Leptines, who had stabbed Cn. Octavius the Roman delegate at Laodicea went to King Demetrius and told him not to be troubled by the death of Cnaeus nor to act harshly toward the Laodiceans because of this. He planned to go to Rome and state before the senate that he had done the act and that the gods approved of it. He went cheerfully of his own accord and was brought from there to Rome without any guard. Isocrates the grammarian, who by his vicious tongue had got him into trouble, went stark mad when he knew the trouble he was in. When he saw the irons put about his neck and the shackles on his hands, he neglected his personal duties including his appearance and clothes. (Polyb. Legat. 122.)
3844c AM, 4554 JP, 160 BC
3540. In the 153rd year of the kingdom of the Greeks, the second month, Alcimus commanded the wall of the inward court to be pulled down. This divided the court of the people from that of the Gentiles and was built by Zerubabel and the prophets. However, God shut the mouth of that profane high priest by striking him with a sudden palsy. He could not speak a word more nor give any orders concerning his own house. He died in great torment /APC 1Ma 9:54-56 in the third year after he had usurped the high priesthood. Josephus (l. 12. Antiq. c. 17.) said he was high priest for 4 years but in the second last chapter of the 20th book in the same work he says it was only 3 years. There he adds that after his death Jerusalem went 7 whole years without any high priest. 7 years five months elapsed between the second month of the 153rd year in which Alcimus died and the seventh month of the 160th year when Jonathan became the high priest. /APC 1Ma 10:21
3541. When Alcimus died, Bacchides returned to King Demetrius and Judea had two years of peace. /APC 1Ma 9:57
3845a AM, 4554 JP, 160 BC
3542. About the 155th olympiad, ambassadors came to Rome from Ariarathes king of Cappadocia with a crown of the value of 10000 pieces of gold. They told the senate how their king had graciously received Tiberius Gracchus and that for their sakes they refused any alliance with Demetrius and the offer of marriage with his sister. They added that he was very ready to serve the Romans, in whatever they wanted him to do. When Tiberius Gracchus and the rest of the ambassadors confirmed this as true, the senate accepted the crown and took it for a great favour. They gave them a staff and an ivory seat which the Romans highly esteemed. These ambassadors were sent by him to the senate immediately before the beginning of winter. (Polyb. Legat. 119 & 121 Diod. Sic. Legat. 24.)
3845b AM, 4555 JP, 159 BC
3543. When the new consuls, Cn. Cornelius Dolabella and Marcus Dolabella and Marcus Fulvius Nobilior assumed office, a joint embassy of Prusias, king of Bithynia and the Gallogrecians arrived and complained against Eumenes king of Pergamus to the senate. Attalus was also heard who was sent there by his brother Eumenes, to plead his cause. He was completely cleared of all the accusations and had much honour bestowed on him. He was received and dismissed with great courtesy. The hearts of the senators were aversed to king Eumenes whom they hated but they really liked Attalus. They hoped he would take over the kingdom from his brother and hence treated him royally. (Polyb. Legat. 119, 121.)
3845c AM, 4555 JP, 159 BC
3544. Menocharis and other ambassadors came to Rome from Demetrius Soter the king of Syria. They brought a crown worth 10,000 pieces of gold for a present which the king sent as a token of his gratitude for his kind treatment when he was a hostage at Rome. They turned over Leptines who had killed Cn. Octavius, the ambassador, and Isocrates the grammarian who publicly defended the murder. Isocrates was a strange spectacle to all. His countenance was terrible and fierce as a man's must be who in a whole year's time had never washed his face, trimmed his nails or cut his hair. The motion of his eyes showed he was mad. Whoever met him by chance would have preferred the attack of a wild beast instead. On the other hand, Legtines was wholy unaffected and ready at any time to come into the senate. He freely confessed the murder to anyone who talked with him. He was confident the Romans would not harm him and he was right. The senators had debated about this for a long time. Finally, the senate heard the ambassadors and received the crown from them. They made no mention of those two men as if that was a fault chargeable to all the Syrians. It was the policy of the senate to keep this matter to themselves so that as often as they pleased they might avenge this crime. They replied to Demetrius that the senate was ready to be friendly to him provided that he became their tributary again as before. (Polyb. Legat. 122. Diod. Sic. Legat. 25. Appian. Syriac. p. 118.)
3545. Orophernes, or as some call him Holophernes, spoke to Demetrius Soter, the king of Syria and complained that Ariarathes his younger brother, had driven him out of the kingdom of Cappadocia. Although, he was not the lawful heir but either put in by Queen Antiochis or adopted by her as Zonaras relates from Dion, as we said before (See note on 3832 AM <<3237>>) from Diodorus. Demetrius still bore a grudge against Ariarathes for slighting the offer of his sister to him in marriage. He was agreeable to the request and gave him 1000 talents to help dethrone Ariarathes. This was over and above the help he had from Eumenes, the king of Pergamus. (Polyb. l. 3. p. 161. Livy l. 47. Justin, l. 35. c. 1. Appian. Syriac. p. 118. Zonar. ex Dione.)
3546. When Eumenes, the king of Pergamus, was on his deathbed, he bequeathed his wife Stratonica, the sister to Ariarathes who had recently lost his kingdom to his brother Attalus. (Plutarch in Apothegm.) He reigned for 38 years. If we subtract the years as computed by Strabo, of his brothers' and his sons' reign who succeeded him from the interval inserted in the Roman history between his becoming king and the time when Pergamos ceased to be a kingdom, More than 38 years elapsed. Therefore Eumenes died in the very beginning of the 39th year. However, Strabo incorrectly states he reigned 40 years. He left Attalus Philometor, whom his wife Stratonica bare to him to inherit the kingdom after him. Since his son was so young, he appointed his brother Attalus Philadelphus, guardian of him and the kingdom, who managed its affairs for 21 years. (Strabo. l. 13. p. 624.)
3846a AM, 4555 JP, 159 BC
3547. In the morning about sunrise, Hipparchus made a second observation of the autumnal equinox in the 20th year of the Calippic Period, on the first day of the Egyptian Additionals. (September 27) (Ptol. l. 3. c. 2.)
3548. After Orophernes had expelled his brother Ariarathes, it behoved him to manage things with great prudence and ingratiate himself into the people's hearts by acts of clemency and grace. This he did not do but tried to get as much money together as he could. He most wickedly killed many. He gave Timothy whom afterwards he sent as an ambassador to Rome, 50 talents. He gave Demetrius 70 and promised to pay the another 400 talents soon along with another 600. When he saw that he was hated by the Cappadocians, he started to plunder all the people and take the the wealth of the nobility into his treasury. (Diod. Sic. in Excerpt. Valesi. p. 334.)
3549. Orophernes who was educated in Ionia (See note on 3832 AM <<3237>>) had little regard for the constitutions of his country and set up:
``The Ionic and an artificial kind of intemperance.'' (Polyb. l. 22. and Athenaum, l. 10 c. 12.)
3550. After amassing a vast sum of money, he deposited 400 talents with the Prienians, in case the times should turn against him. Later they were faithful and restored it to him again. (Polyb. & Diod. Sic. in Excerpt. Valesi. p. 170, 173. & 334.)
3846c AM, 4556 JP, 158 BC
3551. After Jonathan and his company had lived in peace for 2 years, some lying Jews suggested to Bacchides that there was a good chance of taking them all by surprise in one night. Thereupon Bacchides went toward them with a large force and sent letters secretly to all his friends in Judea. He asked for help in his plan of capturing Jonathan and his company. However, their plot was discovered by Jonathan and his men. They took the 50 men of the country, who were involved in this plot and executed them. /APC 1Ma 9:57-61
3552. Then Jonathan, Simon and those that were with him moved to Bethbasi, (or Bethlagan, as Josephus has it) which is in the wilderness. They repaired its walls which were in ruins and fortified it. As soon as Bacchides knew of this, he mustered up all his forces and summoned his adherents in Judea to come to him. Then he went and laid siege to Bethbasi and fought against it for many days with his engines. However, Jonathan, left his brother Simon in the city and crossed the country with a small troop. He killed Odoarrhes or Odomern and his brethren and the sons of Phasiron in their tents. When he began to kill all that he met and break into the enemy forces, Simon with his company sallied from the city and burned the engines. In this fight, Bacchides was defeated. He was enraged to see his plans thwarted and directed his anger against those wicked wretches that were the cause of this expedition. He killed many of them and planned to return into his own land. When Jonathan knew this, he sent commissioners to him to treat with him concerning a peace and to return the prisoners he had taken from Judea. Bacchides very readily embraced the motion, said he would do nothing against Jonathan all the days of his life. So he returned back to his own land and never entered Judea with an army again. Thus the wars were settled in Israel. Jonathan lived in Michmash in the tribe of Benjamin and began to judge his people and uproot the wicked from the land. /APC 1Ma 9:62-73
3847 AM, 4557 JP, 157 BC
3553. About noon, Hipparchus made a 3rd observation of the autumnal equinox in the 21th year of the Calippic Period, on the first day of the Egyptian Additionals. (September 27) (Ptol. l. 3. c. 2.)
3554. When Ariarathes was deprived of the kingdom, he came as an humble suppliant to Rome and sought the help of Sextus Julius, the consul. His clothes showed the great distress he was in. Demetrius sent an embassy under Miltiades. He came to defend against Ariarathes' accusations against Demetrius and to bring charges against Ariarathes. Orophernes also sent his delegates, Timothy and Diogenes to present a crown at Rome and to renew their alliance and association. Their main purpose was to justify and defend their actions and to accuse Ariarathes. Diogenes and Miltiades had the upper hand in the private conferences. They were in their prime and Ariarathes was in an afflicted and miserable condition. When they discussed the matter publicly they dared disagree with him and say anything whether it was true or not. There was no one there to refute what they said. (Polyb. Legat. 126.) Finally the senate decreed that since Ariarathes was a friend and an associate of the people of Rome, he and Orophernes should reign together as brothers and partners in the kingdom. (Appian. Syriac. p. 118. Zonar. ex Dione.)
3555. Ptolemy Euergetes, tried to capture Cyprus and was defeated in a battle there with his brother Philometor. Philometor besieged him in the city Lapithus until they were in dire straits. When he captured him, he spared him since he was of a mild disposition and because he was his brother. Also he feared the Romans. He forgave him and entered into a covenant with him and gave him back the rule of the Cyrenians. Instead of Cyprus, he gave him some cities with a annual allowance of grain. He also promised to give his daughter to him. Thus this war between the two brothers after much hard feelings was quickly settled in a peaceful manner. (Polyb. & Diod. Sic. in Excerpt. Valesii, p. 197. 334, 337. Livy l. 47. Zonar. ex Dione.)
3556. When Orophernes knew that the Romans had taken away what he enjoyed formerly, he resolved as soon as possible to pay his mercenary soldiers. He feared that from lack of pay, they might rebel. Since he was short of money, he pillaged Jupiter's temple which was located at the foot of Mount Ariadne. Up until that time it had never been touched. From the plunder he was able to pay his soldiers what he owed. (Diod. Sic. in Excerpt. Valesii, p. 337.)
3557. Attalus, Eumenes' brother and successor in the kingdom of Pergamos, drove Orophernes and Demetrius Soter from Cappadocia and restored Ariarathes to the throne. (Polyb. Legat. 126. p. 169. Zonar. ex Dione.)
3558. Demetrius Soter offered Archias 500 talents on the condition he would betray Cyprus to him. He promised him other rewards and honours if he would help him. As Archias was going about this, he was apprehended by Ptolemy Philometor. When he was questioned about what he was doing, he hanged himself with the rope of the curtain which was drawn before the hall. (Polyb. in Excerpt. Valesii, p. 170 & apud. Suidam, in voc.)
3559. After Ariarathes was restored unto the kingdom of Cappadocia, he demanded the Prienians pay the 400 talents which Orophernes had deposited with them. They honestly replied that as long as Orophernes was alive, they would not give the money to anybody but him, who had entrusted them with it. Thereupon Ariarathes sent troops to pillage the country and Attalus helped him. Indeed Attalus instigated this since there was a private grudge between him and the Prienians. There was a large slaughter of men and beasts and some were killed at the very gates of the city. However, the Prienans could not defeat them. Therefore they sent their ambassadors to the Rhodians and finally asked the Romans for protection. However, Ariarathes lightly esteemed all this news. The Prienians had faithfully restored to Orophernes the money he deposited with them. For that act, Ariarathes imposed a huge fine on them and afflicted them with most grievous calamities without just cause. (Polyb. in Excerpt. Vales. p. 173.)
3848 AM, 4558 JP, 156 BC
3560. When there were disputes between Attalus and Prusias Venator, the king of Bithynia, Attalus sent Andronicus, Prusias Niconmedes and Antiphilus as ambassadors to Rome. Thereupon, the senate sent Publius Lentulus to find out what was happening. When Andronicus began to charge Prusias with the first invasion, the Romans were not impressed with what he said. Prusias' ambassadors protested that there was no such matter. This made the senate give less credit to what was alleged against Prusias. After a more strict search into the business the senate did not know how well they could trust these agents. They sent two ambassadors of their own, L. Apulcius and C. Petronius to see how the affairs went between those two kings. (Polyb. Legat. 128.)
3849 AM, 4559 JP, 155 BC
3561. When Prusias had defeated Attalus, he entered Pergamos. After he made expensive sacrifices, he went into Esculapius' temple. As soon as he had made an end of offering, he returned again to the camp. The next day since he was unable to capture Attalus, he brought his forces to Nicephorium, which was near the walls of Pergamos. He began to pillage all the temples and rifled and ransacked the images and statues of the gods. At last even the image of Esculapius, to whom the day before he had offered so many vows and sacrifices was not spared. It was an excellent piece made by Philomachus or Phyromachus. He had his soldiers carry it away. From there he marched with his army to Elaea. He tried to besiege the city. He saw that this was not going to be successful because Sosander, the foster brother to Attalus was in the city with a strong garrison and drove him off. He went away by ship to Thyatira. On the way he sacked the temple of Diana in Hiera Cume. The temple of Apollo Cynius at Temnus was sacked and burned to the ground. When he had done this, he returned home. He had lost most of his foot soldiers to famine and a disease of a bloody flux. He had no better luck with his fleet. A violent storm in Propontis wrecked most of his ships and most of the soldiers and mariners drowned. The rest were cast on shore. (Polyb. & Diod. Sic. in Excerpt. Valesii, p. 169, 170. & 337. cum Snidas. in Voce.)
3562. After Attalus had been beaten by Prusias, he sent his brother Athenaeus along with Publius Lentulus to tell the senate what had happened to him. (Polyb. Legat. 128.)
3563. After these two had told the senate of Prusias' deeds, the senators immediately ordered that C. Clausius Cento, L. Hortensius and C. Aurunculeius should go as ambassadors with Lentulus. They were to order Prusias to stop his hostilities against Attalus. (Polyb. Legat. 129.)
3564. When P. Scipio and Marcus Marcellus were consuls, the Athenians sent three of the most famous philosophers of that age, as ambassadors to the senate and people of Rome. Carneades an academic from Cyrene, Diogenes the stoic from Babylon, and Critolaus the peripatic, were sent to obtain a release of the fine of 500 talents. This was the judgment of the Sicyonians and ordered by the senate for their devastation of Oropus. When they were brought into the senate, they used Caecilius, or C. Acilius a senator for their interpreter. Although a little before, each of them had shown their abilities and discoursed in a great assembly of people. At that time, Rutilius and Polybius stated that it was admirable to hear the eloquence of those three philosophers as they spoke. Carneades was hot and fiery, Critolaus was witty and smooth and Diogenes grave and sober in his style. Clitomachus in his history written in Greek, relates, how that Carneades to whom Clitomachus was the speaker and Diogenes the stoic stood before the senate in the capitol. A. Albinus, who was then the praetor said in jest to Carneades:
``I seem not (O Carneades) in your eyes as if I were a praetor, because I am not a philosopher, nor Rome a city, nor its people citizens.''
3565. He replied:
``This stoic perhaps takes you for no such person.''
3566. As soon as Carneades was finished speaking, Cato the Censor thought it best to send away those ambassadors immediately because, while he argued the truth could not easily be discerned. The fame of those philosophers spread all over the city and the Roman youth set aside all other pleasures and delights and followed as if they were mad after philosophy. Cato, feared lest the youth should make all their studies this way and esteem the glory of eloquence more than of action and martial discipline. He moved that all philosophers should be sent out of the city in a civil manner. When he came into the senate, he rebuked the senators because they allowed those ambassadors who were able to persuade them what they pleased, to stay so long among them without an answer. Therefore he advised also that they would without further delay conclude and decree something concerning the embassy so that they might send them home to argue among their young Greeks and not to spoil the youth of Rome. These were to be made to strictly obey the laws and magistrates as in former times. (Cicero. in Lucullo. & Tulculan. quest. l. 4. & l. 2. de oratore. Pliny l. 7. c. 30. Plutar. in Catone. Malore. A. Gellius l. 7. c. 14. Maccab. l. 1. Saturnal. c. 5.)
3850 AM, 4560 JP, 154 BC
3567. At the same time that the senate sent Qu. Opimius, the consul, to wage war with the Oxybians of Ligurea (of which Polybius makes mention in the 134th embassy) Ptolemy the younger (Euergetes) came to Rome. No sooner had he entered the senate than he accused his brother Philometor of setting an ambush for him. He showed his scars of the wounds he had received. He tried to use inflamed language to stir up the people and to create sympathy for him. Ptolemy the older sent Neolaidas and Andromachus as ambassadors to answer the charges made by his brother. The senate would not allow them to speak because they seemed to believe what the other brother had said. They were commanded to leave Rome immediately. Five ambassadors were selected among whom were Cn. Merula and L. Thermus. To each were assigned ships of five tiers of oars. Their commission was to go along with the younger Ptolemy and give him Cyprus. They wrote also to their allies in Greece and Asia to help Ptolemy recover Cyprus. (Polyb. Legat. 132.)