THE ANNALS THE WORLD

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3743. Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus, desired to buy the favour of the people. He put though an agrarian law which was named after him as the Sempronian law. The land in Asia should be farmed out by the Roman censors. To that end he published a law to the people. It said that as soon as the money bequeathed by King Attalus was come, it should be divided among the citizens, who were by the Sempronian law, to rent the lands for farming and buy farming implements. He denied that the senate had anything to do with the cities of the kingdom of Attalus. He intended to refer them to an assembly of the people. (Cicero, Verrin. 2. Livy l. 58. Plutarch, in Tib. Gracch. Oros. l. 5. c. 8.) Since an assembly of the tribunes was held that summer, it was moved that he might continue as tribune of the people for the next year. He was stabbed in the capitol by the arrangement of P. Cornelius Nasica, the Pontifex Maximus. (Appian. Bell. Civil. l. 1. p. 358.) Scaevola and Pison were consuls, (Ascon. Pedian. in Verrin. 2.) the same summer when Attalus died.

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3744. Aristonicus pretended to descend from the royal blood according to Vellius Paterculus. He was indeed the son of King Eumenes and the brother of the dead Attalus although not by lawful wedlock but by an Ephesian courtesan, the daughter of a Misitian. He invaded Asia to obtain the right of his father's kingdom. Most of the cities who lived previously under the king's government were easily persuaded to side with him. Those few who feared the Romans and opposed him, he took by force. (Livy l. 59. Velles. Patercul. l. 2. c. 4. Strabo, l. 14. p. 646. Flor. l. 3. c. 21. Justin. l. 36. c. 4. Plutarch, sub. fin. Vita. T. Q. Flaminin. Appian. Bell. Civil. l. 1. p. 360. & Mubridatic. p. 212. Eutrop. l. 4.)

3745. The first place which he made to revolt, was a little town called Leucas. However, he was soon expelled after losing a naval battle with the Ephesians near Cuma. (Strabo. l. 14. p. 646.)

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3746. From there Aristonicus marched into the midland, where he assembled a numerous company of poor persons and slaves whom he incited to stand up for their liberty. He called them the Heliopolitans. (Strabo. l. 14. p. 646.) Wherever slaves lived under a hard master, they stopped serving him and ran away to Aristonicus. He defeated many cities. (Diod. Sic. in Excerpt. Valesii, p. 362.) Aristonicus first attacked Thiatira, then Apollonias and later the other garrisons. (Strabo. l. 14. p. 646.) He took Myndus, Samos and Colophon by force. (Florus l. 2. c. 20)

3747. To stop him, all the cities around there sent their forces. Nicomedes king of Bithynia, Ariarathes of Cappadocia, Phylaemenes of Paphlagonia and Mithridates of Pontus brought their forces to the Romans against him. Moreover, five delegates came from Rome. (Strabo. l. 14. p. 646. cum Justin. l 37. c. 1. & Eutrop. l. 4.)

3748. This was the 38th year under King Euergetes the second or Physcon, the start of his reign being from the time he began to reign with his brother Philometor. (See note on 3835 AM <<3291>) Jesus, the son of Sirach who was born at Jerusalem came into Egypt and lived there. He translated the book of his grandfather Jesus, called by the Greeks, Panaretos and Ecclesiasticus, from Hebrew into Greek as he states in the preface to his translation. This very book, Jerome in his 115th Epistle says he had seen in the Hebrew with this inscription.

``The parables of Jesus son of Sirach.''

3749. P. Rupilius was promoted from the position of a Sicilian Publican to the honour of consulship. He put down the insurrection of the slaves in Sicily. (Livy l. 59. Ascon. Pedian. Verrin. 4. Valer. Maxim. l. 2. c. 7. & l. 6. c. 9.) When he besieged Taurominium, he took as prisoner Comanus, Cleon's brother, as he was stealing out of the city. A little later at Sarapion, the Syrians betrayed the fort to him and he seized all the fugitives in the city. After he had racked them, he killed them. From there he marched to Euna, where he fought with Cleon the general, who marched out of the city to fight him. Cleon behaved himself very gallantly and received many wounds before he fell. As soon as the general was killed, that city also was betrayed to the consul. Eunus, the king of the rebels took along with him 600 of his men and escaped as fast as he could to the craggy mountains for his safety. For fear of the pursuers they hid in caves. From there he and four more of his company were dragged out and cast into prison at Morgantina. He lay there so long that his body putrefied and was infested with lice. This was a lamentable death but his rash actions deserved no better. (Diod. Sic. l. 34. in Photti, Bibliothec. cod. 214.)

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3750. In the 8th year of Antiochus Sidetes, about 10 o'clock in the morning, on the 21st day of the month Peritius or Begruary, there was an earthquake at Antioch in Syria. This is recorded in the Chronicles of John Malela of Antioch.

3751. When L. Valerius Flaccus and P. Licinius Crassus were consuls, it was proposed to the people whom they wanted to manage the war against Aristonicus. Crassus the consul and Pontifex Maximus threatened to impose a fine upon Flaccus who was his colleague in the consulship and a priest of Mars if he left the holy services. The people removed the fine, yet enjoined the priests to obey the Pontifex. For all that, the people would not consent that the managing of the war should be given to a private person. Although Scipio Africanus was the man they wanted, who the year before had triumphed over the Numantians, they voted that the war should be entrusted to Crassus the consul than to Africanus who was but a private person. (Cicero, in Philippic. 11.) So the Pontifex Maxiumus left Italy for the first time ever. (Livy l. 59.)

3752. Antiochus Sidetes marched with his army against Phraates, who succeeded his brother Arsacides or Mithridates in the kingdom of Parthia. He intended to get back his brother Demetrius Nicator. Phraates had twice captured him as he was fleeing away and sent him back into Hircania to his wife Rhodoguna and his children. This was not from kindness toward them or respect of his own alliance to them, but because he aspired to the kingdom of Syria. Therefore he wanted to use Demetrius against Antiochus, his brother, as occasion should serve and the events of the war would require. Thereupon Antiochus thought it best to begin first. Therefore he led his army which he had already hardened in the wars which he had with his neighbours into Media against the Parthians. (Justin. l. 38. c. 9, 10. & l. 42. c. 1. Livy l. 59. Athenaus, l. 10. c. 12. & l. 12. c. 19. Appian. Syriac. p. 132.)

3753. As he lived so he waged war. He had 300,000 (Orosius says 200,000) scullions followed his army of 80,000 (Orosius says 100,000) men. Most of these servants were cooks, bakers and actors. (Justin. l. 38. c. 10.) Antiochus entertained constantly every day such a large number of guests that besides what was eaten at table and taken off by heaps, everyone of the guests carried away whole joints of meat untouched. They had meat from four footed beasts, birds, sea fish already dressed. Moveover there was provided many deserts of candied honey, many coronets of frankincense and myrrh with knots and ribbons of gold which being let down at length and were as high as a man. (Posidon, Apameus, Historiar. l. 14. apud Atheneus, l. 5. c. 9. & l. 12. c. 19.) The soldiers imitated his blind and mad excesses. They drove silver nails into the soles of their shoes and prepared silver vessels for kitchen service and adorned their tents with woven imagery. All this might rather seem a booty to encourage the enemy than be a means to retard and slacken the hands of a courageous man to pursue a victory. (Valer. Maxim. l. 9. c. 1. & Justin l. 38. c. 10.)

3754. As soon as Antiochus came into those regions, many of the eastern king's surrendered themselves and their kingdoms to him and cursed the insolence of the Parthians. He soon fought the enemy. Antiochus won three battles and was about to seize Babylonia. He became famous so that the Parthians had nothing left but their own country and the people generally defected to Antiochus. (Justin. l. 38. c. 10)

3755. In this expedition, John Hyrcanus the Jew's high priest and ruler, followed Antiochus with his supplies. Concerning him, Nicholaus Damascenus tells this in his general history:

``Antiochus had erected a monument near the Lycus River where he defeated Indates, the Parthian general. He waited there for two days at the request of Hyrcanus the Jew. It happened to be the time of one of the Jews solemn festivals during which it was not lawful for the Jews to travel.''

3756. It was the feast of Pentecost which happened after the sabbath. During this time the Jews were prohibited to take any journey. (Josephus, l. 13. c. 16.) When it was over, John defeated the Hircani and was surnamed Hyrcanus because of this as is supposed by Eusebius' Chronicle and Severus Sulpitius, in the second book of his Holy History. He returned home again with a great deal of honour.

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3757. P. Crassus, the consul, came into Asia to put down king Aristonicus. By his studiousness, be became so expert in the Greek language that he knew it most exactly as it is divided into its five dialects. This earned him a great deal of favour and love among the allies when they saw him answer their requests in the very same dialect that they themselves had used. (Valer. Maximus, l. 8. c. 7. Quintilian. l. 11. c. 2.)

3758. When Crassus was preparing to besiege Leucas, he wanted a strong and large beam to make a battering ram for the walls of the town. He wrote to the chief carpenter of the Moleatenses who were confederates and allies of the Romans. He wanted the larger of two masts which he had seen there, sent to him. The carpenter understood what he wanted but sent the smaller of the two masts. He thought it more suitable for the purpose and easier to ship. Crassus ordered him to be sent for. When he had demanded why he had not sent the mast he asked for, he was not put off by his excuses and reasons and commanded him to be stripped and whipped. Crassus thought that all respect due to superiors would soon disappear, if a man might be allowed to reply to a command, not with the obedience which is expected but with an officious rendering of his own advice. (A. Gell. l. 1. c. 13.)

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3759. Antiochus Sidetes divided his army into winter quarters through the cities because they were so numerous. When he expected the cities to provide free board for his soldiers and the soldiers were poorly behaved, these cities defected from him. (Justin l. 38. c. 10) Athenaeus, one of Antiochus' captains, was the most intolerably insolent of all no matter where he went to spend the winter. (Diod. Sic. in Excerpt. Valesii. p. 374.)

3760. P. Crassus, proconsul of Asia, had a very strong force and had troops sent to him from the kings of Bithynia, Pontus, Cappadocia and Paphlagonia. However, at the end of the year, when he fought with the enemy, he was defeated. After a great slaughter of his army, the army was forced to flee. He was captured near Leneas between Elea and Smyrna by an ambush of Thracians where Aristonicus had a number of troops garrisoned. The consul remembered from what an honourable family he had descended and that he was a Roman. He thrust the stick with which he used to guide his horse into the eye of the Thracian who had charge of him. He was enraged because of the pain and ran his sword into Crassus' side. Thus he died in a way that he avoided disgrace and servitude. His head was presented to Aristonicus and his body interred at Smyrna. (Livy l. 59. Vellei Patarcul. l. 2. Strabo. l. 14. 646. Valer. Maxim. l. 3. c. 2. Flo. l. 2. c. 20. Justin, l. 36. c. 4. Julius Obsequens de prodigiis Eutrop. l. 4. Oros. l. 5. c. 10.)

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3761. When M. Perperna, the consul who succeeded Crassus, heard of his death and the defeat of the Roman army, he went quickly into Asia. He surprised Aristonicus who was keeping, as it were, a holiday for his recent conquest and routed him since he did not have his forces with him. He escaped to Stratonice, where the consul followed and besieged the city so tightly that he forced it to surrender for lack of provisions. He took Aristonicus prisoner and kept him in bonds. (Livy Patercul. Strabo, Florus, Justin, Oros. Eutrop. ut supra, Valer. Max. l. 3. c. 4.)

3762. Belosius Cuma thought so highly of Tiberius Gracchus that if he had commanded him to set fire to the capitol, he said he would do it with no regrets. After the death of Tiberius Gracchus, he went from Rome to Aristonicus into Asia. When he saw the reverse of Aristonicus' fortunes, he killed himself. (Plutarch in Tib. Graccho.)

3763. Just before the capture of Aristonicus, news came to Rome that the image of Apollo at Cuma wept for 4 days. The soothsayers were so appalled at this sign that they planned to throw the image into the sea had not the old men of Cuma interceded. The most expert soothsayers said that this sign showed the downfall of Greece from where that image was brought. Thereupon the Romans sacrificed and brought offerings into the temple. (Jul. Obsequens, de prodigiis, Augustin. de Civit. Dei, l. 3. c. 11.)

3764. Phrygia was recovered by the Romans. (Jul. Obsequens, ibid.)

3765. Phraates sent Demetrius Nicator into Syria with a company of Parthians to seize that kingdom. He hoped to draw Antiochus from Parthia and to save his own country. In the meantime, since he could not overcome Antiochus in battle, he endeavoured by all means to surprise him with stratagems. (Justin, l. 38. c. 10.)

3766. The cities, where Antiochus' army had taken up their winter quarters, were burdened with supplying quarters to the insolent troops. They revolted to the Parthians. On a set day, all of them attacked the army as it was dispersed in their various quarters. They placed ambushes so that they could not come to help one another. As soon as Antiochus knew of this, he marched to the relief of those that were next to him with that company which quartered with him. (Justin, l. 38. c. 10.)

3767. The swallows built nests in Antiochus' pavilion. He ignored the prodigy and fought with the enemy. (Jul. Obsequens, de prodig.) He behaved more gallantly than Phraates, whom he met in the way, than his army did. At the end, his army deserted him. (Justin, l. 38. c. 10.)

3768. The first man that deserted Antiochus, was Athenaeus, who fled to some of those villages which he had provoked them by his insolence when he was quartered among them. They shut their gates against him and was denied food by all. He was forced to wander up and down the country until he died from hunger. (Diod. Sic. in Excerptis Valesii, p. 374, 377.)

3769. Julius Obsequens, (l. de prodigiis.) Justinus, (l. 38. c. 10 & 39. c. 1.) Josephus, (l. 15. c. 16.) Eusebius, (in his Chronicle.) and Orosius (l. 5. c. 10.) state that Antiochus was killed by the Parthians in that battle. Appian stated he killed himself after losing the battle. (in Syriac. p. 132.) Elianus said that after he lost the battle, he threw himself down headlong from a steep place. (l. 10. de Animal c. 34.) Some modern writers think he was stoned to death by the priests of the temple Nannea in Persia, where he came with the remainder of his army to plunder the temple. They think along with Rupertus Tuitiensis, (l. 10. de victoria Verbi Dei, c. 6. 16. 24.) that this was the same Antiochus of whom mention is made in the epistle of the Jews at Jerusalem to their brethren in Egypt. /APC 2Ma 1:10-17

3770. Arsaces as Phraates was called by the common name of the king's of Parthia, buried the dead body of Antiochus. Posidonius of Apamea, in the 16th book of his histories, (according to Athenaus, l. 10. c. 12.) states Phraates reproved his debauchery:

``Thy wine, O Antiochus and thy two great confidences have deceived thee. For thou hopest in thy large cups to have swallowed down the kingdom of Arsaces.''

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3771. After Antiochus' funeral was over which Phraates carried out in a royal manner, he was enamoured with Demetrius' daughter, whom Antiochus had brought along with him and married her. He began to regret sending Demetrius away. Therefore he quickly sent some cavalry to bring him back. They found Demetrius already established in his kingdom, so that the attempt was a waste of time and they returned back to the king. (Justin l. 38. c. 10.)

3772. Antiochus and his army were defeated in Parthia and his brother Demetrius was freed from the captivity of the Parthians and restored to his kingdom. All Syria at that time bemoaned the loss of the army. However he seemed to think it a stroke of good luck and he could not have managed it better himself. One of them was taken prisoner and freed and the other was killed. (Justin l. 32. c. 1.)

3773. After the death of Antiochus, the Jews never allowed a Macedonian king to be over them but created magistrates among themselves. They annoyed Syria with continual wars (Justin l. 36. c. 1.) and subdued many parts of Syria and Phoenicia. (Strabo. l. 16. c. 761.) After the death of Antiochus, Hyrcanus revolted from the Macedonians and never again sent them any supplies either as a subject or friend. At the first rumour of Antiochus' death, he led his whole army against the cities of Syria which he supposed and it was true, had few troops to defend them. He stormed Medaba which is mentioned in /APC 1Ma 9:36). He captured it with some difficulty after a 6 month seige. He next conquered Samega and its adjacent towns. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 17.)

3774. In the meantime, Phraates resolved to start a war in Syria in vindication of Antiochus' attempt to take over the kingdom of Parthia. He was thwarted and called home to put down a rebellion of the Scythians. The Scythians were hired by the Parthians to help them against Antiochus. However they did not arrive with their supplies until the war was over. Hence the Parthians reduced their pay and justified it by saying they came too late. The Scythians were upset after they had marched so long for nothing. They asked that they might be given their pay because of their tedious march or that they might be given some other work to do. When the Parthians returned a rough answer which offended them, they started plundering the country. (Justin. l. 41. c. 1.)

3775. While Phraates was gone against the Scythians, he left behind him as viceroy, Himerus, an Hircanian by birth, who was highly favoured by him when he was a young man. Himerus forgot his former lowly position and that he was acting on the behalf of another. He instigated a great deal of tyranny and vexed the Babylonians and many other cities for no reason at all. (Justin. l. 41. c. 1.) He made many of the Babylonians his slaves and dispersed them with their whole families into Media. He set also the market place and some temples of Babylon on fire. He pulled down all the most beautiful places of the city. (Diod. Sic. in Excerpt. Valesii. p. 377.) Posidonius of Apamea also mentions the extravagant government of Himerus, in the 26th book of his Histories. (Atheneus, l. 11. c. 4.) He stated that Lysimachus, a Babylonian, invited him and 300 more to supper. When the food was taken away, he presented everyone of those 300, the silver cup of four pounds in price, in which they had drunk from.

3776. In Egypt, Ptolemy Euergetes the second or Physcon had reigned for 15 years after his brother Philometor. (Diod. Sic. shows in Excerpt. Valesii, p. 350.) His cruelty made him so odious to those very foreigners whom he had invited to Alexandria that they set his royal palace on fire. They stole away secretly to Cyprus with his son Memphites, whom his sister Cleopatra bore him and with his wife the daughter of the same Cleopatra. After this the people conferred the kingdom on Cleopatra, his sister and divorced wife. He hired an army and waged war against his own sister and native country. (Livy l. 59, Jul. Obsequens de prodigus. Justin l. 38. c. 8. Orosius l. 5. c. 10.)

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3777. John Hyrcanus took Sichem and Garizim and demolished the temple of the Cuthites 200 years after it had been built by Sanballat. (Joseph. Antiq. l. 13. c. 17.)

3778. M. Perperna was careful to have Aristonicus and the treasure which Attalus lost in his legacy to the people of Rome, shipped away from there. This action was ill received by Manius Aquilius the consul who was his successor. He immediately hurried to Perperna and intended to get Aristonicus from him. He thought Aristonicus belonged in his triumph rather than to Perperna's. However Perperna's death settled the matter. When he returned he took sick at Pergamos and died. (Strabo. l. 14. p. 646. Valer. Maximus, l. 3. c. 4. Justin, l.36. c. 4. Eutrop. l. 4. Oros. l. 5. c. 10.)

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3779. Aqullius the consul, completed the remainder of the Asian war. He forced some cities to surrender by poisoning their water supply. Although this made for a quick victory, it spoiled his reputation and made him dishonourable. (Florus. l. 2. c. 20.)

3780. Most of the Asians, who for 4 whole years had helped Aristonicus against the Romans, returned to their loyalty with Rome from fear. (Sylla, apud Appian. in Mithridatic. p. 212.) Lydia, anciently the seat of the kings, Caria, Hellespont, and both Phrigia's by joint surrender, put themselves under the power of the Romans. (Sextus, Rufus in Breviario.)

3781. The Massilians sent their ambassadors away to Rome to mediate in behalf of their founders the Phoenicians, whose city and name the senate had ordered to be totally destroyed because they in the war with Aristonicus and formerly with Antiochus the great had fought against the people of Rome. The senate granted them their pardon. (Justin. l. 37. c. 1.)

3782. The Romans gave the greater Phrygia to Mithradates Euergetes king of Pontus, as a gift for helping them against Aristonicus. (Justin l. 37. c. 1. & l. 38. c. 5.) Although it is generally believed that Manius Aquilius was well bribed for his pains and gave it to him. Therefore after the death of Mithradates, the senate took Phrygia away from his son who was not of legal age. He complained in Trogus Pompeius about this. They made it a free and independent state. (Appian. in Mithridatic. p. 177. & 208. & l. 1. Bell. Civil. p. 362, 363. cf. Justin. l. 38. c. 5.)

3783. Aquilius with ten delegates, subdued Attalus' dominion into the form of a province and made it a tributary. They called it Asia after the name of the continent. (Strabo, l. 13. p. 624. & l. 14. p. 646.)

3784. Ariarathes, king of Cappadocia, was slain in the war against Aristonicus and left behind him 6 sons by his wife Laodice. The people of Rome gave Lycaonia and Cilicia to them for their father's good service. Laodice was jealous of her sons and feared lest when they came of age, she would be deprived of the kingdom. She poisoned 5 of them but one young one escaped his mother's cruelty through the help of his family. He ruled after the people had killed Laodice for her cruelty. (Justin. l. 37. c. 1.)

3785. John Hyrcanus took Adora and Marissa which were cities of Idumea. When he had subdued all the Idumeans he had them circumcised under penalty of losing their country. They loved their native country and were circumcised and kept all the other Jewish laws. After this they were counted as Jews. (Joseph. Antiq. l. 13. c. 17. l. 15. c. 11. p. 531. cf. l. 4. Bell. c. 16. or c. 6.) Strabo relates that these Idumeans were originally Nabateans but were driven from there after some sedition. They joined themselves to the Jews and submitted to their laws. (Strabo. l. 16. p. 760.) He adds, that Herod the king of the Jews, came from there, "virum indigenam", "A stranger born". (Strabo l. 16. p. 765.) Antigonus said he was an Idumean that is, an half Jew. (Joseph. l. 14. Antiq. c. 27. p. 501.) For although Stephanus Byzantinus writes (in voc. gdoumaios) that the Idumeans were Hebrews originally, yet Ammonius the grammarian in his book de differentius verborum, from Ptolemy's first book, de Rege Herode, (perhaps that Ptolemy who was Herod's lieutenant, Joseph. l. 16. Antiq. c. 11.) had noted this difference between the Idumeans and the Jews.

``The Jews are such as were so naturally from the beginning. The Idumeans were not Jews from the beginning but Phoenicians and Syrians who were conquered by the Jews. They were compelled to be circumcised, to unite their country to the Jew's and to be subject to their laws. Therefore they were called Jews.''

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3786. They were called Jews not because of their descent but in regard of their religion and manner of life. For there were other men which were called Jews, though they were born strangers, because they lived according to their rites and constitutions. Diod. noted this in his 37th book of his Roman History. Hence it is, that, from the Hebrews, the kingdom of Herod and his posterity is styled syrnh twkls, "The Kingdom of the Proselytes" (not Hagarens, as it is rendered by Munster in Seder Olam minore, and by Scaliger in Judaici Comput. Spic. legio, l. 7. de Emendatione temporum.) For among the Jews, the term "proselytes of righteousness" as they called them came to be used at this time of the Idumeans. These proselytes were always counted and given the same honour as other Jews.

3787. Ptolemy Physcon recalled his oldest son from Cyrene and killed him. He feared the Alexandrians would set him up as king against him. Thereupon the people pulled down his statue and his images. (Justin. l. 38. c. 8.) Ptolemy thought that this was done by the instigation of his sister Cleopatra and did not know how to be avenged in any other way. Therefore he ordered his son Memphitis, who was a promising young child he had by Cleopatra, to be killed before his eyes. He had his head, hands and feet cut off and put them into a chest covered with a soldier's coat. He gave them to one of his servants to carry to Alexandria and to present them to Cleopatra on her birthday when she was in the height of her happiness for a birthday gift. This was a grievous and sad spectacle for the queen and the whole city. The whole merry mood of the celebration was changed and the court mourned this act. The nobles turned their festival into a funeral and showed the mangled limbs to the people to let them see what they themselves were to expect from their king, who had murdered his own son. (Justin l. 38. c. 8. Diod. Sic. in Excerpt. Valesii, p. 374. Livy l. 59. Jul. Obsequens, de prodigus, Valer. Maxim. l. 9. c. 2.)

3788. Ptolemy saw how detestable he had become in his country and feared the worst. He tried to secure his throne with more cruelty. He thought that if the common people were killed, his throne would be more secure. At a time when the common place of exercise was full of the young men, he surrounded it and burned it. Those that escaped the fire were killed by the sword. (Valer. Maxim. l. 9, c. 2.)

3789. Phraates led the army of the Greeks which he had taken in the war against Antiochus in his war with the Scythians. He behaved himself very imperiously toward them and did not consider the hostility toward him because of their captivity. He had exasperated them with new indignities. As soon as they saw the Parthian army give ground, they wheeled about to the enemy and executed the long desired revenge for their captivity. Phraates was killed and the Parthian army put to the sword. (Justin. l. 42. c. 1.)

3790. Artabanus, his uncle succeeded Phraates in the kingdom of the Parthians. The Scythians were contented with their victory and after they had pillaged the country of the Parthians, they returned home again. Artabanus had started a war with the Thogarii or Tochari, who were a people descended from the Scythians. He was wounded in his arm and died shortly after. He left for his successor his son, Mithridates the Great. Shortly after this Mithridates waged war with Ortodistes, the king of Armenia, (Justin l. 42. c. 2.)

3791. At 6 o'clock in the morning at Rhodes, Hipparchus observed the sun in Leo at 8 degrees 35 minutes and the moon in Taurus at 12 degrees 2 minutes. This was in the 50th year of the third Calippic period, the 16th day of the Egyptian month Epiph (August 5th). (Ptol. l. 5. c. 3.)

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3792. Hipparchus observed the vernal equinox in the same 50th year, on the first day of the Egyptian month Phamenoth. (March 23rd) (Ptol. l. 3. c. 2.)

3793. Hipparchus, in the same year observed the star in the heart of Leo 29 degrees 50 minutes from the point of the summer solstice. (Ptol. l. 3. c. 2.)

3794. Hegelochus, Ptolemy Physcon's general, was sent against Marsias the Alexandrian's general and captured him alive but killed his troops. When Marsias was brought into the king's presence, all believed the king would have given him a cruel death, but Ptolemy spared him, beyond all expectations. For he now began to repent of his previous bloody actions and was very desirous by such acts of grace to reconcile himself to the people who were extremely alienated from him. (Diod. Sic. in Excerpt. Valesii, p. 377.)

3795. After the days of mourning for her son were over, Queen Cleopatra saw that her brother, Physcon was marching against her and sent her ambassadors to ask for help from Demetrius Nicator, the king of Syria. He was her son-in-law, for Cleopatra the wife to Demetrius was the daughter of this Cleopatra and Philometor. She promised him that he should have the kingdom of Egypt for his trouble. In hopes of that prize, he marched into Egypt, and made his first attack on Peleusium. (Justin. l. 38. c. 9. & l. 39. c. 1. Porphyrius, in Gracis, Eusebianus Scaligers, p. 227.)

3877a AM, 4586 JP, 128 BC

3796. In this year, Alexander Jannaeus, son to John Hyrcanus was born, who was later the king of the Jews. He lived for 49 years (Joseph. l. 13. c. 23. fin.) As soon as he was born, he fell out of favour with his father. For it is said that Hyrcanus enquired of God who appeared to him in his sleep about his successor. He was very solicitous on the behalf of Aristobulus and Antigonus whom he loved far more than the other brothers. God told him that Jannaeus would succeed him. He was much perplexed and he sent Alexander into Galilee to receive his education. He never allowed him into his presence as long as he lived. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 20.)

3797. About this time, Simon, the son of Dositheus, Apollonius, the son of Alexander and Diodorus, the son of Jason, were sent as ambassadors from Hyrcanus and the people of the Jews to renew their friendship and amity with the Romans. Faunius, the son of Marcus, the city praetor arranged a meeting of the senate for them on the 8th of February. This was really in November (Julian Calendar) because of the mess the Roman calendar was in. It was ordered by a decree of the senate that Joppe and its parts, Gazara and the springs and the other cities which Antiochus Sidetes had taken from them, contrary to the decree of the senate, should be restored. It was further ordered that the king's soldiers should not travel through their country or through any country under their command. That whatever Antiochus had gained in that war should be set aside. That the ambassadors whom the senate sent should take care to see restored whatever Antiochus had taken away and to give an estimate of the damage the country had sustained in that war. That letters of commendation should be given to the ambassadors for the kings and free people so that they might return more safely into their country. Moreover, Faunius the praetor was ordered to supply the ambassadors with money from the common bank to provide for the needs of their journey home. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 17.)

[Soldier4Christ]

3877b AM, 4587 JP, 127 BC

3798. Hipparchus on the island of Rhodes observed the sun at 7 degrees, 45 minutes in Taurus and the moon at 21 degrees 40 minutes in Pisces. This was in the 197th year after Alexander's death and 621st of Nabonasar, on the 11th day of the Egyptian month Pharmuth (May 2nd) in the morning at 5:20 AM. (Ptol. l. 5. c. 5.)

3799. In the same year, on the 17th day of the Egyptian month Payn (July 7th) in the afternoon at 3:20 PM Hipparchus observed in the same place, the sun at 10 degrees 54 minutes in Cancer and the moon at 21 degrees 40 minutes in Pisces. (Ptol. l. 5. c. 5.)

3800. In the 9th year of Hyrcanus' high priesthood and reign, Alexander the son of Jason, Numenius, son of Antiochus and Alexander, son of Dorotheus, the ambassadors for the Jews gave the senate a vial and buckler of gold, valued at 50,000 crowns as a testimony of their ancient amity with the people of Rome. When the ambassadors had received letters for the free cities and kings to pass safely through their countries and ports, they returned home. A copy of this decree of the senate is in Josephus, (l. 14. c. 16.) for a different occasion. For Josephus had said before, that on Julius Caesar's letters, a decree was obtained giving permission to Hyrcanus the 2nd to repair the walls of Jerusalem, which Pompey had demolished. I do not know through what oversight he joined this decree instead of the other which in no way concerned the repair of the walls of Jerusalem. Yet Josephus said that this was done in the 9th year of Hycannus' high priesthood and reign in the month Panem. This occurred when as the acts themselves confirm this decree to be published in the Ides of December, (which was on the Julian September and the Macedonian Hyperberetous.) If Caesar had made that decree in favour of Hyrcanus the 2nd, then the 27th year of Hyrcanus should be written rather than the 9th. Concerning his reign nothing at all should be noted because Josephus himself shows in the 10th chapter of the same book that Gabinius had removed him as king and left him only in the high priest's office. Therefore, that decree should be referred to the 9th year of Hyrcanus the 1st when the Jewish country was still a free state and confederate with the people of Rome and not to the 9th year of Hyrcanus the 2nd. In his time, it was conquered and made tributary to the Romans.

3801. In King Demetrius Nicator's absence, the Antiochians first revolted because of his pride which was grown intolerable by his experiences with the cruel Parthians. Later the Apameans and the other cities of Syria were encouraged by their examples and revolted from him too. (Justin, l. 39. c. 1.) When Demetrius was told of this while he was in Egypt, he had to march back to Syria.

3802. When Cleopatra the Egyptian queen, had lost her best defender, Demetrius Nicator, she shipped all her goods and hurried to Syria to her daughter, Cleopatra the Syrian and Demetrius her son-in-law. (Justin l. 39. c. 1.)

3803. Demetrius was detested by the Syrians, and by his soldiers. They sent to Ptolemy Physcon and asked him to appoint someone who descended from Seleucus, whom they might appoint as king over them. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 17.) He sent to them an Egyptian youth, the son of Protarchus a merchant, who was to seize the kingdom of Syria by force of arms. He made a very elegant story about how he had been adopted into the royal blood by king Antiochus. The Syrians would very gladly submit to any king whatever rather than live any longer under Demetrius because of his insolence. (Justin. l. 39. c. 1.) Porphyrius stated how that this youth was sent as the son of Alexander Bala, who alleged himself to be the son of Antiochus Epiphanes. The youth also called himself Alexander but the Syrians surnamed him Zabina because he was generally thought to be one of Ptolemy's slaves, whom he had purchased. (in Grac. Euseb. Scalig. p. 227.) agybz, "to speak the truth", among the Syrians, means both "bought" and "redeemed" This king was not ashamed of being bought, but always put on his coins this inscription: ALEXANDPOQ ZEBENNOQS BASILEWZ

3878a AM, 4587 JP, 127 BC

3804. When this new king came with his numerous forces from Egypt, it is reported that the remains of Antiochus Sidetes, who was slain by the king of the Parthians, were sent to Syria in a silver coffin to be interred there. These were received with a great deal of reverence by the cities and King Alexander. This ingratiated him very much with the countrymen who truly believed that the tears he shed at the funeral were not fake but real. (Justin l. 39. c. 1.)

3878b AM, 4588 JP, 126 BC

3805. Both the armies fought near Damascus and Demetrius Nicator was defeated. When he saw that he was almost surrounded, he withdrew from the battle and hurried to his wife Cleopatra at Ptolemais. However, she shut the gates against him. Since he was deserted by his wife and his sons, he fled with a very small retinue to Tyre and hoped for sanctuary in the temple. (Justin l. 39. c. 1. cf Josephus and Prophyrius, in the places above cited.)

3806. Porphyrius stated that when Demetrius was denied entrance there he was killed as he was sailing to some other place. This was after 4 years of his reign after he returned from Parthia. Justin stated that he was killed by the command of the governor, as he was first landing. Josephus stated that he was taken prisoner by the enemy. They used him badly and he died in custody. Livy stated that his wife, Cleopatra, killed him (l. 60.) and so does Appian (in Syriac. p. 132.) Indeed, it is very probable, that he was killed at Tyre and she was an accessory. For doing this, the citizens of Tyre obtained its freedom and liberty either from her or from Alexander Zebinas to live according to their own laws. They derived from this very year, a new epoch of their times. This appears in Eusebius' chronicle, where the 402nd year of Tyre is the same as the 2nd year of the Emperor Probus which is the 4990 JP. The judgment of Tyre inserted into the 9th action of the council of Chalcedon was in the year after the consulship of Flavius Zeno and Posthumianus which is the 5162 JP is reckoned as the 574th year of the epoch of Tyre. Moreover, we find the city of Tyre in the inscriptions made by Grotius, (p. 605.) honoured with the commendation of being the religion, the sacred, and the independent metropolis of Phoenicia.

3807. When Alexander Zibinas had control of that kingdom, he entered into league with John Hyrcanus, the high priest and things went very well with Hyrcanus during his reign. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 17.)

3808. Manius Aquilius, the proconsul, returned in triumph from Asia on the third of the ides of November. (August JP) This may be deduced from the fragments of the triumphal tables of marble. Concerning this, Mithridates in an letter to Arasaces, (Salust. Historiar. l. 4.) stated:

``The Romans, unjustly pretended a will, that is King Attalus' will, and led Aristonicus, Eumenes' son, in triumph who had attempted to recover by force of arms, his father's kingdom.''

3809. Velleius Paterclus, (l. 2. c. 4.) intimated that Aristonicus was led in triumph by Manius Aquilius and later beheaded. He was strangled at Rome in the prison by an order from the senate. (Strabo. l. 14. p. 646. Eutrop. l. 4. Orosius l. 5. c. 10.)

3810. Manius Aquilius was accused of bribery and knew that he was guilty. He bribed his judges and so got off. (Appian. Bell. Civil. l. 1. p. 362. & 363.)

[Soldier4Christ]

3879 AM, 4589 JP, 125 BC

3811. When M. Plautius Hypsaeus and M. Fulvius Flaccus were consuls, a large army of locusts in Africa were blown into the sea and washed ashore at Cyrene. This caused such an intolerable stench, that by reason of that noxious air, many cattle died. It is reported also, that 800,000 men died from the same infection. (Julius Obsequens, de prodigiis, cum P. Orosio. l. 5. c. 11.)

3812. Mithradates Euergetes, king of Pontus sent Dorylaus of Pontus and a man expert in military affairs, to Crete to hire foreign mercenaries. While he was there, a war was started in those regions by the Cnossii against the Gortynii. The Cnossii appointed Dorylaus as their general, who quickly ended the war. This was more from luck than skill. He was highly honoured by the Cnossii for his good service and he lived among them with his whole family. A little later he received news that Mithridates had died. Dorylaus was the great grandfather to the mother of Strabo the Geographer. (Strabo, l. 10. p. 477, 478. & l. 12. p. 557.)

3880a AM, 4589 JP, 125 BC

3813. In the 188th year of the account of the contracts, the Jews of Palestine and the elders of Jerusalem and Judas were about to celebrate the feast of the dedication of the cleansing of the temple of the 25th day of the month Chisleu. They wrote to Aristobulus Ptolemy, Physcon's master who was descended from the family of the priests according to Aaron and to the Jews in Egypt that they should likewise keep the feast. /APC 2Ma 1:10,18 Rupertus Tuitiensis, (l. 10. de victoria verbi, c, 15.) thinks that Judas was the same Judas the Essean, whom Josephus notes 19 years after this to have foretold the sudden death of Antigonus, the son of John Hyrcanus. He seldom failed in his prophesies. (l. 13. c. 19.) Clemens Alexandrinus, (l. 5. Strom.) and Eusebius Caesariensis, (in the l. 8 praparat. Evange. c. 3. and in his Chronicle,) think Aristobulus to be that Jewish philosopher the Peripatetic, of whom mention was made by us before. See note on 3854 JP <<3413>>.

3880b AM, 4590 JP, 124 BC

3814. Seleucus, Demetrius Nicator's son, seized the crown without his mother Cleopatra's permission and reigned one year in Syria. (Livy l. 60. Porphyr. in Grac. Euseb. p. 227.)

3815. After much trouble, Alexander Zebinas defeated Antipater, Clonius, and Aeropus, 3 of his most eminent commanders who had revolted from him and seized the city Laodicea. He showed a great deal of gallantry toward them. He took them prisoners and in the end he pardoned all their apostasy. He was naturally of a mild disposition and pleasing temper and of a wonderful disposition in all his meetings. Hence he was extremely well liked by all men. (Diod. Sic. in Excerpt. Valesii, p. 377.)

3881a AM, 4590 JP, 124 BC

3816. Mithridates Euergetes, king of Pontus and Armenia the less, was killed by the treachery of some of his closest friends. He left his wife and his sons to succeed him in the kingdom. Mithridates, surnamed Eupator, the older brother of the two laid claim to the whole kingdom for himself. (Strabo, l. 10. p. 477. cum Justin. l. 37. c. 1.) For soon after, he put his mother in prison whom his father had intended to be viceroy with him in the kingdom. He kept her there in bonds, who, by reason of that hard usage and long imprisonment, died there. (Memnon in Excerpt. Photii, cap. 32.) As for Mithridates, Salust states in his history, that he was a child when he became king after he poisoned his mother. (Servius in Birg. l. 6. Eneid.)

3817. Strabo affirms that Mithridates was 11 years of age when he succeeded his father in the kingdom. Memnon says he was 13. We selected 12 based on Eutropius' account. He said that Mithridates reigned 60 years and lived 72. Although Pliny, (l. 25. c. 2.) says he reigned 56 years and Appian says 57. (See note on 3868 AM <<3528>>)

3818. As there appeared a comet in the year when Mithridates was born, there likewise appeared one also in the first year of his reign. For 70 nights and days the whole heaven seemed to be all on fire. For its tail covered a quarter part of the heaven or 45 degrees of the upper hemisphere and out shone the sun in brightness. Its rising and setting took four hours. (Justin. l. 37. c. 2.)

3881b AM, 4591 JP, 123 BC

3819. In Syria, Cleopatra struck her son Seleucus through with a arrow. She did this either because he had seized upon the crown without her consent or she feared lest he should in time avenge his father, Demetrius' death or because she had managed all things with the same fury and violence as he did. When Seleucus was dead, she made her other son, Antiochus Grypus, king whom she had by Demetrius She had sent him to Athens to receive his education. She gave him the title of king but ran the kingdom herself. (Livy l. 60. Justin. l. 39. c. 1. Appian. Syriac. p. 132.) Porphyrius has stated that when Seleucus was killed by his mother's treachery, Antiochus, the younger brother, succeeded him in the kingdom, in the second year of the 164th Olympiad. (in Grac. Euseb. Scaliger. p. 227.) He added that he was called Grypus and Philometor also. Josephus refers to him by this latter surname. (l. 13. c. 20.)

3882 AM, 4592 JP, 122 BC

3820. Alexander Zebmus, was puffed up with good fortune and began now by his insolence to despise Ptolemy himself, by whose means he had come to the kingdom. Thereupon Ptolemy reconciled himself to his sister Cleopatra and tried to ruin Alexander's kingdom which he had never been able to obtain had not Ptolemy sent him supplies because of his hatred for Demetrius. To that end, he sent a very considerable force to Grypus and offered his daughter, Tryphena, to him in marriage. He hoped to have the people side with his new son-in-law. This would be from respect to the former confederacy and association between them and also by virtue of his new relation and alliance. It worked. When all saw that Grypus was backed by as much strength as Egypt could levy, they began by degrees to defect from Alexander. (Justin. l. 39. c. 2.)

3821. Alexander was not very confident of his army. They were not well trained militarily so he did not risk a battle. After he had first collected the king's treasuries and pillaged the temples, he planned to steal away into Greece by night. While he attempted to plunder Jupiter's temple with the help of some of his barbarians, he was seized and he and his whole army would likely have been destroyed. However, he soon escaped from their hands and headed toward Seleucia. The Seleucians had heard a rumour of his sacrilege, and shut their gates against him. Unable to do anything there, he went to Pisidium and never after that left the sea coast. (Diod. Sic. in Excerpt. Valesii, p. 378.)

3822. Finally, Antiochus Grypus and Alexander Zebinas had a battle. Alexander was defeated and forced to flee to Antioch. As soon as he came there, he needed money to pay his soldiers. He ordered that the statue of victory be taken from Jupiter's temple. The statue was made of beaten gold. He justified his sacrilege with a jest:

``Jupiter has lent me victory.''

[Soldier4Christ]

3823. A few days later he had his soldiers start to pull down the image of Jupiter. This was to be done as quietly as possible. However, he was surprised by the common people who caught him in the very act and he was forced to flee. He was caught in a violent storm at sea and he was separated from his company. He was captured by pirates who turned him over to Grypus who had him executed. (Justin. l. 39. c. 2.) Josephus stated that he was slain in a fight with Grypus. (l. 13. c. 17.) Porphyrius that he poisoned himself when he was depressed by the loss of his army in the 4th year of the 164th Olympiad. (in Grac. Euseb. Scaliger. p. 227.)

3824. Cleopatra knew that her authority would be diminished by the victory which her son Antiochus Grypus had over Alexander Zepinas. She presented him as he came from exercising or from the army (original uncertain,) with a cup of poison. Grypus was warned of this treachery and pretended out of respect for his mother to have her drink first. When she refused, he continually urged her to. At last he charged her with plotting to poison him and showed her the one that informed him of the plot. He told her that the only way she could prove her innocence was to drink the cup which she had prepared for her son. The queen was forced to yield and so she died from the poison which she had prepared for another. After her death, Grypus quickly assumed the throne and enjoyed 8 peaceful years. (Justin. l. 39. c. 2. cf. Appian. in Syriac. p. 132.)

3883 AM, 4593 JP, 121 BC

3825. The 27th Jubilee.

3826. Lucius Opimius was the consul in the year when the tribune C. Gracchus, the brother to Tiberius Gracchus, was killed as he was encouraging the common people to revolt. The air was so warm and sunny that Pliny reports how wines made then lasted to his time, about 200 years later, and had the consistency of honey (Pliny l. 14. c. 4, 14.) In the same year a bow appeared around the sun. (Pliny l. 2. c. 29.)

3888a AM, 4597 JP, 117 BC

3827. Ptolemy Euergetes the 2nd, or Physcon, died 29 years after the death of his brother Philometor. (Ptol. in Regum Canone. Clem. Alexandrin. l. 1. Stromat. Euseb. Chronico. Epiphan. de Ponderib. & mensur. Jermone on Daniel 9) He was survived by 3 sons. Ptolemy Apion, the son of a harlot, was bequeathed the kingdom of the Cyrenians. (Justin. l. 39. c. 5. cum Appiano in Mithridaticis, p. 255.) Cleopara bore the other two sons, to him. She was the daughter of the former Cleopatra, who was both his sister and wife. The youngest was called Alexander and the oldest Ptolemy (Ptol. in Regum Canone, Prophyrius, Eusebius, Jerome, and Epiphanius) He was called Soter by (Strabo l. 17. p. 795. Trogus Ptompeius Prolog. l. 39. & 40. Pliny l. 2. c. 67. & l. c. 30. Joseph. l. 13. c. 18. Clemens Alexandrinus l. 1. Stromat.) He was called Lathurus or Lathyrus by Athenaeus (l. 6. c. 6.) and Pausanias (in Atticis.) He was called Philometor which is a variation on Philopater, by Natalis Comes who translated Athenaeus. This last name was given to him because he was so despised. Pausanias noted that there was never any king more hated by his mother than he. (Pausan. Attic. p. 7.)

3828. On his deathbed, Physcon left the kingdom of Egypt to his wife, Cleopatra, and to one of the sons of her choice. He hoped to make Egypt more quiet, and free from rebellions than the kingdom of Syria. However, when the mother chose one soon, she was sure to make the other her enemy. (Justin. l. 39. c. 3.) She thought that Alexander, the younger son, would prove more pliable to her requests and asked the Egyptians to ratify this. She was unable to prevail with the common people and was forced to select her older son, Lathurus, who was banished to Cyprus by his father upon her request. The two reigned together in Egypt for 10 years. (Justin l. 39. c. 3. Pausan. in Atticus, p. 7,8. Porphyr. in Grac. Euseb. Scaliger, p. 225.)

3888b AM, 4598 JP, 116 BC

3829. Before Cleopatra would give the kingdom to Lathurus, she took away his wife from him and forced him to divorce his most endeared sister Cleopatra. She ordered him to marry the younger sister Selene. In this action she showed more partiality toward her daughters than was befitting for a mother. She took away the husband from one and gave him to the other. (Justin. l. 39. c. 3.)

3890 AM, 4600 JP, 114 BC

3830. After Antiochus Grypus had enjoyed the kingdom of Syria for 8 peaceful years, his brother Antiochus of Cyzicenus rose up as his rival in the kingdom. They both had the same mother, but Cyzicenus' father was the uncle, Antiochus Sidetes. Grypus planned to poison his rival. His brother raised an army to fight for the kingdom faster than he thought he would. Antiochus of Cyzicenus was sent away to Cyzicum by his mother Cleopatra, for fear of Demetrius Nicator, her former husband whom she had abandoned. He was raised by Craterus the eunuch and from there received the surname of Cyzicenus. (Justin. l. 39. c. 2. Appian. Syriac. p. 132. Porphyr. ut sup. p. 227. Joseph. l. 13. c. 17.) When Grypus heard of his brothers raising forces against him in Cyzicum, he abandoned his intended expedition against the Jews and prepared to meet him. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 17.)

3891 AM, 4601 JP, 113 BC

3831. Cleopatra, who was the former wife of Ptolemy Lathurus and later divorced from her husband by Cleopatra queen of Egypt, was married to Antiochus Cyzicenus in Syria. She brought the army at Cyprus to him as her dowry. He thought that with these forces he was a match for his brother. They fought and he was defeated and fled to Antioch. Gyrpus pursued him to Antioch and besieged it. Cleopatra the wife of Cyzicenus was in the town. As soon as it was taken, Tryphena, the wife of Grypus ordered that her sister Cleopatra should be found. She did not intend to release her but wanted to see her suffer. She had invaded this kingdom mainly from envy of her and by her marriage with the sworn enemy of her sister, had made herself her enemy also. Moreover, she charged her that she was the cause of bringing in the foreign forces and of the differences between the two brothers. Since she had been divorced from her brother, she married out of the kingdom to one who was not an Egyptian, contrary to her mother's will. Grypus endeavoured to prevent his wife from acting cruelly toward her. He told her that it was against the law of arms that after a victory to act violently against women, especially those that are blood relatives as Cleopatra was. She was her own sister and his first cousin and aunt to her own children. In addition to being a blood relative, she had sought sanctuary in the temple which must be respected. He concluded that he would not reduce Cizicenus' power by killing her nor gain any advantage if he should send her back to him unharmed. On the contrary, Tryphena, thought his words were the result of love not from pity. She sent some soldiers into the temple who killed Cleopatra. They first cut off her hands as she embraced the image of the goddess so that no less hostility might appear to be between the two sisters than there was between the brothers. (Justin, l. 39. c. 3.)

3832. Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, the mother of these two sisters, in the 4th year of her reign, made Alexander her younger son, king of Cyprus, and sent him there. She hoped that by this she would seem more formidable to her oldest son Lathurus who was her partner in the kingdom. (Pausan. in Attic. p. 7, 8. Porphyr. in Grac. Euseb. p. 225.)

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3892 AM, 4602 JP, 112 BC

3833. At age 16, Alexander Jamnaeus was born to Hyrcanus by his wife Alexandra. When Herod heard of Caesar's victory at Actium, he killed Alexander when he was over 80 years old. (Josephus l. 13. c. 9.) From this we gather that this Alexandra who is also called Salina, by the ecclesiastical writers (See note on 3862 AM <<3485>>) was not the same with that Salome, the wife of Aristobulus whom the Greeks called Alexandra. After the death of her husband, she made Alexander Jamnaeus who was 22 years old, king in his place. Josephus states that he reigned 27 years and lived 49 years. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 20.)

3834. Antiochus' Cyzicenus fought with Grypus and won. He captured Tryphena, Gryphus' wife who a little before had killed her sister and his wife. He did the same to her and sacrificed her to the ghost of his wife. (Justin. l. 39. c. 3.) He chased his brother also from his kingdom and reigned over the Syrians in his place. (Appian. Syriac. p. 132.) After this defeat, Grypus withdrew to Aspendum and from there, he assumed the surname of Aspendius. Cizicenus started to reign in the 1st year of the 167th Olympiad. (Porphyr. in Grac. Euseb. p. 227.)

3893 AM, 4603 JP, 111 BC

3835. In the 2nd year of the same Olympiad, Antiochus Grypus returned from Aspendum and regained Syria but Cyzicenus held Coelosyira. Hence the kingdom was shared between them. (Porphyr. in Grac. Euseb. p. 227.)

3836. As soon as Antiochus Cyzicenus had taken over the kingdom, he gave himself up to revellings and luxury and conduct all together unseemly for kings. He was very fond of acting and stage players and all sorts of jugglers. He learned their arts very well. He applied himself also to playing with puppets. His main delight was making the images of living creatures of a size of 7 to 8 feet and he covered them over with gold and silver. He made them move by themselves with various machines. Moreover, he was very fond of hunting. He would often steal away secretly by night with a servant or two to hunt boars, lions and leopards. Many times he risked his life by his rash encounters with wild beasts. (Diod. Sic. l. 35. in Excerpt. Valesii, p. 385.) Antiochus Grypus also engaged in luxurious living as described by Athenaeus (l. 5. c. 9. & l. 12. c. 19.) as taken from the 28th book of Posidonius of Apamea's histories.

3894 AM, 4604 JP, 110 BC

3837. The war between those two brothers weakened both of them and proved a great advantage to John Hyrcanus. By this means he secured the incomes and revenues of Judea and had stored up this money for future use. He saw what pitiful havock Cyzicenus made in his brother's country and how Grypus received no supplies from Egypt to help him. He and his brother drained their resources fighting one another. In time, John stopped worrying about either of them. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 17.)

3838. Thereupon he marched with his army against the Samaritans who were under the dominion of the kings of Syria. They had attacked the Marisieni who they subdued and were Idumeans. These were under the Jews before and were farmers to the Jews and in league with them. He besieged Samaria which was a well fortified city with a trench and double wall 10 miles long. He left his sons, Antigonus and Aristobulus to manage the seige. They maintained the seige so well that famine raged within Samaria. They were driven to such extremity that they were forced to feed upon such things as were not proper food for men. At the last, they begged help from Antiochus Cyzicenus. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 18.)

3895 AM, 4605 JP, 109 BC

3839. Cyzicenus came as fast as he could to relieve the Samaritans. He was routed by Aristobulus' soldiers and the two brothers pursued him closely as far as Scythopolis and he barely escaped. On that very day it is reported that Hyrcanus the high priest, as he was offering incense alone in the temple, heard a voice which told him of the recent late victory which his sons had over Antiochus. After they had beaten Antiochus, they returned back to Samaria and forced the Samaritans to retreat within their walls. So they were constrained once more to beg for help from Antiochus. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 18.)

3840. Antiochus Cyzicenus had about 6000 soldiers which Ptolemy Lathurus had sent him in spite of his mother Cleopatra. She had not yet deposed of him. These wandered up and down Hyrcanus' dominions and he plundered with his Egyptians wherever he went. He did not dare fight with John who was far too strong for him. He hoped by his pillaging of the country, he would draw off Hyrcanus from the siege of Samaria. After he had lost many of his men by an ambush which the enemy had laid, he marched away to Tripolis. He committed the war with the Jews to two of his commanders, Callimander and Epicrates. Callimander fought with the enemy with greater resolution than discretion. His troops were routed and he was killed. Epicrates betrayed Scythopolis and some other towns to the Jews after having been well paid for the task. All this was of no help to the Samaritans. After Hyrcanus had spent a full year besieging Samaria, he was not content with the bare surrender of the city but levelled it to the very ground. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 18.)

3841. The Seleucians, who lived near Antioch in Syria had obtained a liberty of living after their own laws. They started their epoch from that time. (Fasti Siculi. anno 4th Olympiad 167)

3896 AM, 4606 JP, 108 BC

3842. Hyrcanus was of the sect of the Pharisees and was a disciple and favoured them. He invited some of the most eminent among them to a feast. He took exception with Eleazer, who falsely charged him that when his mother was taken prisoner in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, she was forced to become an harlot. Since the scandal was not so deeply resented by the rest of the company as he expected it should have been, he grew enraged against the whole sect of the Pharisees. By the instigation of Jonathan a Sadducee, he deserted the Pharisees and became a Sadducee. Now, the Pharisees commended to the people many traditions which they received from their ancestors by hand and which were not found written among Moses' laws. Therefore, the Sadducees said these customs were not binding and only what was found in Moses' law was legally valid. From this action there was a great dispute between them both. The rich sided with the Sadducees while the Pharisees appealed to the common people. Therefore Hyrcanus would have punished some of the Pharisees, who were zealous for their laws even though Hyrcanus had abrogated them. Hence there arose a rebellion among them. Although at that time he soon settled it, yet he and his sons by this action were hated by the common people. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 18.)

3843. John Hyrcanus died after serving as high priest for 29 years according as Eusebius stated from Josephus. (l. 8.) Demonstrat. Evangelic. c. 2. and Jerome translating him into Latin, repeats it in his commentaries on Daniel 9. Although in our books, and in the old translation of Ruffinus, Josephus states this was 33 years, (as in l. 1. Belli. c. 3.) sometimes 31 years. (as in Antiq. l. 13. c. 18. & l. 20. c. 8.) His father Simon died in the 177th year of the kingdom of the Greeks in the 11th month, Sabat, /APC 1Ma 16:14 about February 4579 JP. His wife Alexandra, died about November 4644 JP. There is almost 65 years and 9 months difference. So that subtracting the 37 years which Josephus assigns to the reign of his sons and his wife, there remained only 28 years, 9 months for Hyrcanus. Some of the modern men are of opinion but with no good reason, that John was the writer of the first book of the Maccabees. They say that these words in the end of the book were added by somebody else.

``Concerning the other things of John, both of his wars, and his noble acts, in which he behaved himself manfully, and of his building the walls, (viz. of Jerusalem, which were demolished by command of Antiochus Sidetes) and of other of his deeds, Behold they are written in the chronicles of his priesthood from the time he was made high priest after his father.''

3844. Probably, in the 4th book of the Maccabees which Sixtus Senensis in the end of the first book of his Bibliotheca Sanctae states which he saw translated from the Hebrew into Greek in a manuscript at Lyons, in Sontes Pagninus' library among the Predicants. It began like this:

``And after Simon was slain, John his son was made high priest in his place.''

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3845. From that book it is supposed that Josephus took his information. He tells of three things which Hyrcanus held at the same time, the kingship over the Jews, the high priesthood and prophetic office. For he tells us that because he often spoke with God, he obtained so good an insight into the future that much earlier he foretold the short time which his two oldest sons should have in the kingdom which their father left them. (Josephus, l. Bells. 2. c. 3. & l. 13. Antiq. c. 18.)

3846. Concerning the tower built by John, which Herod later called Antonius' Tower, and where he placed the robe and the rest of the high priest's ornaments, Josephus states: (Antiq. l. 20. c. 6.)

``Hyrcanus was the first high priest by that name. He built a tower near the temple and lived in it most of his time. Since he kept in his own custody the high priest's robe, which nobody else used but himself, he took it off in that place when he put on his ordinary clothes. This custom was observed by his sons also and their posterity.''

3847. After Hyrcanus died, the stones which were set in the high priest's breast plate and the onyx stone upon his right shoulder grew dim and lost their lustre. The light from these stones showed God's approval of the conduct of the Jews. Josephus stated this showed God's displeasure with them for transgressing his laws. (Antiq. l. 3. c. 9.) This was 200 years before he began to write his books concerning the Jewish history. At the end of those books, he stated he completed them in the 13th year of Domitian's reign, 4807 JP.

3848. Judas, the oldest son of Hyrcanus was otherwise called Aristobulus and surnamed Philellen from his familiarity and commerce with the Greeks. He succeeded his father in the government and the high priesthood but he held them for only a year. He was the first of anyone who after the return from the Babylonian captivity to place the crown on his head and changed the state to a monarchy. (Joseph. l. 1. Belli. c. 3. Antiq. l. 13. c. 16. & l. 20. c. 8.) However, Strabo wrote that his brother and successor Alexander, was the first that made himself king. (l. 16. p. 762.) He likely disregarded Aristobulus since he held office for so short a time.

3849. Aristobulus promoted his second brother Antigonus whom he liked far more than the rest, to be a partner in the kingdom. He committed the other three to be bound in prison. He also cast his mother into prison who quarrelled with him for the government because Hyrcanus had left her over the entire government. He rose to heights of cruelty when he starved her to death in the prison. (Joseph. l. 1. Bel. c. 3. & Antiq. l. 13. c. 19.)

3850. Cleopatra in Egypt was greatly troubled that her son Ptolemy Lathurus was joined with her in the government of the kingdom and she stirred up the people against him. (Justin, l. 39. c. 4.) She selected from among her eunuchs those whom she trusted and brought them into the public assembly pitifully cut and slashed. She charged Ptolemy as if he had secretly hired men to ambush her and disfigure her eunuchs. The Alexandrians were so enraged at that spectacle that they would have killed him. Since he had secretly sailed away out of danger, they greeted Alexander as king, who had returned from Cyprus, not very long after this event happened. (Pausan. in Attic. p. 8.)

3851. Before he was banished from the kingdom, his mother Cleopatra had taken from him his wife Selene. The indignity was the greater in that he had two sons by her. (Justin. l. 39. c. 4.) As for Alexander, who was called in by his mother and made king of Egypt in his brother's place, at that time he was in the 8th year of his reign in Cyprus and his mother was in the 11th year of her reign in Egypt. (Porphyr. in Grac. Euseb. Scaliger, p. 225.) Athenaeus (l. 12. c. 27.) notes how that Alexander grew as fat and swag bellied as his father, Physcon. He mentions this passage concerning him, from Posidonius Apamenus in the 47th book of his histories.

``The king of Egypt was not popular with the common people. He was blinded with the insinuations and flatteries of his friends and living in continual luxury. He could not walk a step unless he was supported by two men. In the dancing which was the custom at the feasts, he would leap bare-foot from the higher beds and move his body in dancing as nimbly and actively as the best.''

3898b AM, 4608 JP, 106 BC

3852. Aristobulus marched with an army into Itura and added it to Judea. He forced the inhabitants under penalty of banishment, to be circumcised and keep the other Jewish ceremonies. Strabo affirms this in these words from Timagenes the historian.

``He (Aristobulus) was an upright man and one who furthered the Jews' interest very much. He enlarged their territories and annexed part of Itura to them and secured it by the covenant of circumcision.'' (Joseph. l. 13. c. 19.)

3899a AM, 4608 JP, 106 BC

3853. Antigonus returned from the wars in triumph at the time the Jews held their solemn feast of tabernacles. It happened, that king Aristobulus fell sick and stayed in his bed in the tower which was later called Antonius' tower. However, his brother Antigonus, intended to be present at the holy solemnities and went up to the temple very gloriously attired. The main purpose of his going there was to pray for the sick king's recovery. Aristobulus was told by some wicked persons, who meant no good to Antigonus that he should beware of his brother who had a plot against him. He placed some of his guard in a dark vault underground near the tower and ordered them that if his brother came unarmed no one should touch him. Otherwise, they should attack and kill him. He sent secretly to him a man who told him he should not come armed. However, Salome the queen and the rest of Antigonus' friends persuaded the messenger to tell him just the opposite. The king wanted to see him dressed in his military attire. Judas, one of the sect of the Essenes, was a famous person for telling the future. He had foretold that Antigonus would die that very day in Straton's tower. He did not know that there was any other Straton's tower besides that which was later called the Cesarean tower and about 75 miles from Jerusalem. Therefore when he saw Antigonus going up to the temple that day, he wished he might die immediately. He feared lest he might be proved a false prophet and ruin his reputation. Shortly after this, Judas heard that Antigonus was killed in that underground place which was called by the same name of Straton's tower as was that other Cesarean tower on the sea coast. (Joseph. Belli. l. 1. c. 3. & Antiq. l. 13. c. 19.)

3854. Aristobulus' sickness grew worse and worse from the remorse from his horrid murder of his brother. At last his pains were so violent, that he vomited blood. As one of his servants was carrying forth the blood to empty it, it happened that his foot slipped and he spilt Aristobulus' blood on the very same place which was stained with Antigonus' blood. Aristobulus was told of the accident and acknowledged the just judgment of God by it. He immediately gave up the ghost in extreme anguish of body and soul. (Joseph. Antiq. l. 13. c. 19.)

3855. After Aristobulus died, his wife Salome, whom the Greeks call Alexandra, released his brothers whom he had kept prisoners for a long while. She made Alexander Jannaeus the king since he was the oldest and most modest of them. As soon as he had the kingdom, he killed one of his brothers when he discovered he was plotting against him. He acted quite civilly toward the others and was content to live a retired life and at ease. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 20.) He was called Absolom and was taken prisoner at Jerusalem by Pompey 42 years later. (Joseph. Antiq. l. 14. c. 8.)

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3899b AM, 4609 JP, 105 BC

3856. Alexander Jannaeus ordered the affairs of the kingdom in such a way as seemed most proper to him. He marched with an army against Ptolemais and defeated them in a battle. He forced the enemy to retreat within the walls and then he besieged them and made his batteries. At the same time, the two brothers Philometor or Grypus and Cyzicenus in Syria were so weakened by their battles between themselves, they took no notice of the problems of Ptolemais. Zoilus, a tyrant, saw the dissentions between the two brothers and used the opportunity to seize Straton's tower and Dora. He helped the besieged but not very much. Ptolemy Lathuras who was thrown out of the kingdom of Egypt by his mother Cleopatra, took over Cyprus. The men of Ptolemais sent ambassadors to him asking that he would come and rescue them from the danger they were in by Alexander. They promised that as soon as he entered into Syria, he would have the men of Gazaea, Ptolemais, Zoilus, Sidon and many others on his side to help. He was encouraged by their good promises and he prepared for the voyage. (Joseph. Antiq. l. 14. c. 8.)

3857. In the meantime Demenaetus, a popular and eminent authority persuaded the men of Ptolemais to alter their resolutions. He told them that they had better take the fortunes of war with the Jews where they might win than to submit to certain bondage by calling in a king over them. Moreover, thereby not only undergo the brunt of the present war, but also they were to expect another from Egypt. Cleopatra would not sit still and allow Ptolemy to gather forces from the adjacent parts but would quickly march with a strong force to hinder his work. For the queen endeavoured to drive him out of Cyprus also. (Joseph. Antiq. l. 14. c. 8.) His conjecture proved true. After Cleopatra had banished her son, she was not content. She persecuted him up and down with war and not only chased him out of Cyprus but killed the general of her own army when he let him escape after he had taken him prisoner. Justin said, if we can believe him, that Ptolemy did not leave the island not because he thought himself equal to her in power but because he was ashamed to fight against his mother. (Justin l. 39. c. 4.)

3858. Although Ptolemy had heard on the way, that the people of Ptolemais had changed their minds, yet he sailed on to Sycaminum. He landed his forces there which consisted of about 30,000 cavalry and foot soldiers. From there he marched to Ptolemais with all his forces and camped there. When he saw the Ptolemaians would not allow his delegates into the town nor hear them so much as speak, he was all the more perplexed. After that, Zoilus and the Gazaeans were come to him and desired his assistance against the Jews. Alexander who pillaged their country after he raised the siege of Ptolemais for fear of Ptolemy. (Joseph. Antiq. l. 13. c. 20.)

3900a AM, 4609 JP, 105 BC

3859. After Alexander Jannaeus had led his army home, he began to play tricks. He made a secret alliance with Cleopatra against Ptolemy but in public proclaimed him to be his friend and ally. He promised him 400 talents of silver if he for his sake would remove Zoilus the tyrant and give his country to the Jews. Ptolemy very willingly struck up the bargain with him but when he saw later how Alexander negotiated secretly with his mother Cleopatra, he broke the league which he had made with him. (Joseph. Antiq. l. 13. c. 20.)

3860. When the senate had given permission to Marius, who was on an expedition against the Cimbrians, to request supplies from the countries beyond the seas, he wrote to Nicomedes, the king of Bithynia for help. Nicomedes replied that the Bithynians were mainly carried away and kept as slaves by the custom gatherers in various places. Thereupon the senate issued a decree prohibiting any free man of the allies of the people of Rome to serve as slaves in any province. In addition they sent orders to the governors of the provinces to set them at liberty where any such were forced to work. (Diod. Sic. l. 38. in Bibliotheca, Photii. cod. 244.)

3900b AM, 4610 JP, 104 BC

3861. This decree of the senate was duly and strictly observed as soon as it was issued. Later it was neglected by Licinius Nerva, the praetor of Sicily and this caused the second slave war in Sicily. The rebels made Salvius, a soothsayer and a minstrel, their king, whom they called Tryphon later. (Id. ib. cum Dion. in Excerptis Valesii. p. 633, 634.)

3862. When C. Marius and C. Flaccus or rather Flavius were consuls, about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, there was an eclipse of the sun. (Jul. Obsequens, de prodigiis.) This was almost a total eclipse of the sun and the astronomical calculation shows that this happened on July 19th 4610 JP.

3863. When Askelon became a free state, they computed time from this time as has been noted in the Cicilian Chronicles at the 169th Olympiad. Eusebius' chronicle agrees and says that the 380th year of their epoch was the 2nd year of Ptobus the Emperor. This happened in 4990 JP.

3864. Ptolemy Lathurus left his commanders with a brigade of his army to besiege Ptolemais which shut its gates against him. They finally took the city. Meanwhile, he marched away with the remainder of his forces against Judea to pillage and subdue it. Alexander Jannaeus received news of his coming and his actions. He gathered about 50,000 (some writers rather think 80,000) men and marched to meet him. Ptolemy attacked by surprise Asochis, a city of Galilee, on the sabbath and took it. He carried away with him about 10,000 prisoners besides much plunder. Next he attacked Zephoris which was close to Asochis. When he had lost many men before the place, he withdrew to fight with Alexander Jannaeus whom he met at the Jordan River opposite Asophos. Alexander had 8000 men who fought in the vanguard carrying shields of brass. He called these men, Hecatontomachi. These faced Ptolemy's vanguard who also used shields of brass. They were pushed back by the first charge of the enemy but in the end, they were pursued by Philostephanus who was a skilled military man. They crossed over the river to the place where the Jews were camped. The battle waged and no side was the victor. Finally, Ptolemy's soldiers routed the Jews and in the pursuit they killed so many that their arms were wearied and the edge of their swords became dull. It is said that 30,000, (or as Timagenes has computed in his writings 50,000) Jews died in that battle. The rest were either taken prisoner or escaped. After the victory Ptolemy roved all that day about the country. At evening he retired into some of the villages belonging to the Jews. When he saw they were crowded with women and children, he commanded his soldiers to attack and kill indiscriminately. They had chopped them in pieces to put them into scalding cauldrons. They did this so that those who had escaped, might believe that the enemy ate human flesh. By this they would become more dreadful and formidable to the onlookers. This act of cruelty is recorded by Strabo and Nicholaus Damascenus in their histories. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 20, 21.)

3901 AM, 4611 JP, 103 BC

3865. Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt, saw her son Lathurus increasing in power daily. He subdued the city of the Gazeans and he plundered the Jews at will. She did not consider it wise to let him go on as he did especially when he did these deeds so close to Egypt and yearned for the kingdom. Therefore to check him, she immediately raised land and naval forces and entrusted them to Chelcias and Ananias. These were both Jews and sons of that Onias who built the temple in the region of Alexandria. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 18. & 21.) For that the queen did all things by the advice of those two favourites. Josephus confirmed this by this testimony taken from of the history of Strabo the Cappadocian:

``Most of those who first entered Cyprus with us and of those also who were sent there later by Cleopatra defected to Ptolemy Lathurus. Only those Jews who were on Onias' side remained loyal. In that regard, their country men Chelcias and Ananias, were held in high esteem by the queen.''

3866. Cleopatra, deposited a considerable portion of her wealth in the island Cos where also she left her grandchildren and her last will and testament. Cos was a small island close to Egypt and not the island by the same name in the Aegean Sea. She ordered Ptolemy, Alexander's son, to arrive at Phoenicia with a large fleet. After the country had revolted and flocked to her, she came to Ptolemais. She was denied entrance and she resolved to take it by storm. In the meanwhile, it happened that Chelcias one of her chief commanders died, as he was pursuing Lathurus in Coelosyria. Lathurus had left Syria and hurried to get into Egypt because he thought that the garrisons would be all drained by Cleopatra. Hence he dreamed he could take them by surprise but he was wrong. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 21.)

3867. The Egestan and Lilybetane fugitives in Sicily appointed Athenio, a Cilician shepherd as their king. He pretended that the gods by the stars had told him that he should be king of all Sicily. Therefore it behoved him to favour the country and to spare its cattle and fruits as if they were his own. However, as soon as Tryphon sent for him, he submitted himself to Tryphon as king and was content with being general over the army under Tryphon. (Diod. Sic. l. 36. ut supr. cf. Cicero, in Verro l. 2. with Florus, l. 3. Histor. c. 19. & Dion. in Excerpt. Valesii, p. 637.)

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3902 AM, 4612 JP, 102 BC

3868. Cleopatra heard that her son, Lathurus had attempted and failed to take over Egypt. She sent a brigade of her army there and chased him clean out of the country. After he was again driven from Egypt, he spent the following winter at Gaza. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 21.)

3869. In the meantime Cleopatra captured Ptolemais with its garrisons. Alexander Jannaeus came to her with presents in his hands. She entertained him in such manner as was befitting for one that had been oppressed by Lathurus and had no other refuge to go to. Certain of the queen's favourites tried to persuade her to seize that country also and not to allow such a number of good Jews to be at the command of one single person. Ananias advised her the contrary and told her that it would be most unjust for her to strip a man of his fortunes who was her fellow warrior and the kinsman of Ananias. If she did so, she would in a very short time lose the affections of the whole country of the Jews. Cleopatra followed his counsel and at that time she did no harm to him and shortly after this, she renewed their former league at Scythopolis a city of Coelosyria. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 21.)

3870. When Alexander Jannaeus was now free of any danger from Ptolemy Lathurus, he undertook an expedition into Coelosyria and besieged Gadara. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 21.)

3871. L. Licinius Lucullus was sent by the senate against the slaves that had revolted. He came into Sicily with an army of 17,000 men consisting of Italians, Bithynians, Thessalonians, Acarnans and Lucans. Athenio the Silician marched out to meet him with 40,000 men. He lost 20,000 of his men. Although he was badly wounded, he escaped by hiding among the dead carcases, (Diod. Sic. l. 36.)

3872. The Jews and the Arabians raided Syria by land and the Cilicians started a war at sea by their piracy which the Romans waged in Cilicia by Antonius. (Prolog. l. 39. Trogi.) Marcus Antonius, the orator and grandfather of M. Antonius who held the triumph, was then the praetor. He was sent to that war instead of the consul and stayed at Athens many days because of poor sailing weather. He heard Mnesarchus, Carneades and Menedemus who were three most learned men disputing there, as he did later of Metrodorus Scepsius in Asia. When he came into the province with the help of the Byzantians, he fought with the pirates with good success. However, in the battle, he lost M. Gratidius, his admiral. (Cicero in l. 1. & 2. de Oratore, & in Bruto. Livy l. 68. Corn. Tacit. l. 12.) We now mention the passage of Julius Obsequens about the consulship of C. Marcus and Q. Luctarius. The pirates in Sicily (sic. Cilicia) were defeated by the Romans. In another passage in l. 68. of Livy's Epitome it said that Antonius the praetor in Sicily (it must be read Cilicia, as in the former citation) chased the pirates at sea. By this action he held a triumph according to Pighius in the third tome of his Annals at about the end of the 661st year of Rome.

3873. The fourth Calippic period begins.

3874. Alexander Jannaeus took Gadara after he had spent 10 months besieging it. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 21.)

3875. When Marius and Catusus were consuls, Archias the poet of Antiochs, came to Rome. He later described the Mithridatic war in Greek verse and many of whose epigrams are still extant in the Greek anthology. He was mainly responsible for teaching Cicero. (Cicero, pro Archia, Poeta.)

3876. Although C. Marius was ready to fight the Cimbrians in Gaul, he delayed the battle. He pretended that by the advice of certain oracles, he only delayed for a convenient time and place for a victory. He carried around with him on a litter, Martha, a Syrian woman who was reported to have skill in prophesying. He held her in great reverence and never sacrificed without her approval. She had formerly been with the senate to entreat of those matters and foretell what should happen. However, the senate ignored her and would not give her an hearing. (Plutarch in Marius.)

3877. About the same time, Battaces or Batabaces, a priest of the great Mother Idaeus, came to Rome from Pessinunt in Phrygia. He came into the senate and told them that he was ordered there by his goddess with tidings of a great victory which should happen to the people of Rome and the fame they should get in a war. He added that the religious rites of the goddess were profaned and therefore public expiation ought to be made for them at Rome. He also brought along with him a garment and other ornaments of the body that were new and were never seen by any Roman before that time. He brought also a golden crown of an unusual size and a long robe interwoven with flowers and gilded. It was all very glorious and royal looking. After he had made a speech to the people from the orator's speaking desk and persuaded them to receive his superstitious worship, he was entertained at the public places of receipt for strangers. He was prohibited by Aulus Pompeius, the tribune of the people, to bring his crown with him. The other tribune brought him to the court and questioned him concerning the expiation of the temple. He returned a very superstitious answer. After Pompeius had called him an impostor and driven him from the court, he dissolved the assembly and went home. He suddenly became sick with a violent fever so that soon after this he became speechless and was most grievously tormented with a swollen throat. On the 3rd day (or as others, the 7th day) he died. All this, some interpreted to have happened to him by a divine providence for the indignant manner in which he treated the priest and the goddess. For the Romans were naturally inclined to superstitions. Therefore, Battaces in his holy dress was treated so magnificently by the men and women. When he left Rome, he was accompanied out of town with such great pomp. (Id. ibid. & Diod. Sic. l. 36. in Photii Bibliotheca, cod. 244.)

3878. A servant belonging to Servilius Caepio made himself an eunuch for the worship of Mother Idaeus. He was transported overseas and never returned back again to Rome. (Julius Obsequens ut supra.)

3903a AM, 4612 JP, 102 BC

3879. Alexander Jannaeus captured Amathus which was the best fortified citadel of any near Jordan. Theodorus, the son of Zenon, had stored whatever he had of value there. When Theodorus suddenly attacked Alexander, he recovered what he had lost and pillaged Alexander's wagons and killed 10,000 Jews. As soon as Alexander had recovered from this loss, he attacked the countries along that sea coast and captured Raphta and Anthedon which Herod later named Agrippias. (Joseph. Belli. l. 1. c. 3. Antiq. l. 13. c. 21.)

3903b AM, 4613 JP, 101 BC

3880. Manius Aquilius, the colleague of C. Marius in his 5th consulship, was sent as general against Athenio the Cilician. After Tryphon's death, he was made king of the renegades in Sicily. He behaved himself gallantly in the service and he won a most famous victory over the rebels. He fought with King Athenio personally and finally overcame him. When the soldiers strove among themselves whose prisoner he should be, Athenio was torn in pieces by them in the strife. (Diod. Sic. l. 36. Forus. l. 3. c. 19.)

3881. Ptolemy Lathurus left Gaza and returned again to Cyprus and his mother Cleopatra returned to Egypt. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 21.) Her harsh treatment of Lathurus frightened her young son Alexander so much that it caused him to leave Cyprus. He preferred a secure and safe life to the hazards of a kingdom. Therefore Cleopatra feared lest her oldest son Lathurus get Antiochus Cyzineus' help in recovering Egypt. She sent supplies to Antiochus Grypus and sent unto him also Selene, Lathurus' wife, to be married to the enemy of her former husband. She had her ambassadors recall her son Alexander to the kingdom. (Justin. l. 39. c. 4.) This was the cause of their civil wars which arose between the kings of Syria which Livy tells us of. (l. 68.)

3904a AM, 4613 JP, 101 BC

3882. Julius Obsequens notes in his little book, de prodigiis, that the fugitives in Sicily were all killed in various battles at the time when C. Marius and Lucius Valerius were consuls. Aquilius the proconsul pursued the remaining 10,000 fugitives until he had subdued them all. Thus the second war of the slaves was ended after it had lasted almost 4 years. (Diod. Sic. l. 36.) In these wars, Athenaeus stated that 10,000 slaves were killed. (l. 6. c. 7.)

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3904b AM, 4614 JP, 100 BC

3883. C. Marius became consul for the 6th time mainly through the help of L. Apuleius Saturninus, the tribune of the people. He banished Q. Metellus Numidrus, who went to Rhodes and devoted himself to the study of philosophy. He had the time to read authors and hear the discourses of the most eminent scholars. (Cicero in Pison. & pro Sextio. Livy l. 69. Plutarch. in Mario. Appian. Belli. Civil. l. 1. p. 367, 369.)

3884. Ambassadors came to Rome from Mithridates with a good sum of money and hoped to bribe the senate. Saturninus, tribune of the people, was a sworn enemy to the whole order of senators and noticed their arrival. He thought he had the senate under control and berated the embassy with reproaches. The ambassadors called him into question for this and so muzzled him by the instigation of the senators, who welcomed the embassy and promised them their help. Saturninus was in great danger of capital punishment for violating the rights of the ambassadors whose privileges the Romans always held in a most religious esteem. However, the people rescued him from this danger and made him tribune of the people again. (Diod. Sic. Legat. 34.) However, this action caused a new rebellion and he was killed in it. This was the very year when C. Marius, (now the 16th) and Valerius Flaccus were consuls. (Cicero in 8 Philippica, & pro Rabirio. Appian. belli. Civil. l. 1. p. 369, 360. Oros. l. 5. c. 17.)

3906 AM, 4616 JP, 98 BC

3885. In every assembly, for two whole years, the matter of ending the banishment of Q. Metellus was debated. Q. Metellus' son crossed the forum with his beard and hair overgrown and in a dirty garment. With tears in his eyes, he prostrated himself before the citizens and begged them to recall his father home again. The people would not raise the hopes of Q. Metellus by doing anything on his behalf which was contrary to law. However, from compassion for the young man and the earnestness of his pleas, they recalled Q. Metellus from his banishment and gave to his son the surname of Pius, for his outstanding affection and care he had to his father. (Diod. Sic. in Excerpt. Valesi, p. 390.) Yet Aurelius Victor, in his book de viris Illustribus, c. 62. wrote that his father, Q. Metellus was banished to Smyrna and recalled home by the Calidian law. The letters of recall were brought to him as he sat in the theatre. Although he saw the letters, he would not even read them until the show was over.

3886. C. Marius could not face Metellus after he returned home and he sailed to Cappadocia and Galatia. He pretended he wanted to worship the great Mother Idaea. His real plan was to start a new war. To accomplish this he thought it good to egg Mithridates on. He was received with all civility and respect and at that time Mithridates was obviously busy preparing for war. He said this to the king:

``Either endeavour, O king, to put yourself into such a state that you may be too hard for the Romans or else quietly submit to their commands.''

3887. This saying amazed the king. He had heard of his name, but never until now of the freeness of the Roman tongue to speak what it pleased. (Plutarch in Mario.)

3888. Alexander Jannaeus was enraged against the Gazaeans because they had called in Ptolemy Lathurus to help them against him. He attacked their city and wasted the country. In the meantime Apollodorus, commander of the Gazaeans, with 2000 mercenaries and 10,000 whom he armed from the townsmen, sallied forth by night into the Jew's camp. In the night battle, the Gazaeans had the better of it and the Jews thought that Ptolemy had come to their relief. As soon as it was daybreak when the truth of the matter appeared, the Jews rallied forth in a body and attacked the townsmen with all their might. They killed about 1000 of them. In spite of all this and though their supplies grew scarce, they would not surrender to the Jews. They were ready to undergo any hardship rather than submit to the enemy. Aretas, the king of the Arabians, raised their spirits for a while, by saying he would help them which he did not do. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 21.)

3907 AM, 4617 JP, 97 BC

3889. Lysimachus envied the great favour his brother Apollodotus had among the Gazaeans and killed him. He then gathered a band of soldiers and delivered the city to Alexander Jannaeus. At first he marched in very calmly but shortly after he turned loose the soldiers to attack the townsmen and to kill without restraint. The Gazeans were slaughtered in every street. However, they did not die unrevenged but struggled with their assailants and killed an equal number of Jews. Others retired to their houses and set them on fire to prevent the enemy from plundering them. Others killed their wives and their children with their own hands so that they might not be led away into captivity. The 500 senators retired to Apollo's temple for it happened that at that very time that the enemy was let into the city, a senate was held there. However, Alexander cut the throats of them all. After he had destroyed the city, he returned back to Jerusalem about a year after he started his siege of Gaza. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 21.)

3890. At the same time, Antiochus Grypus was killed through the treachery of Heracleon. He lived 45 years and reigned 29, (Joseph. l. 13. c. 21.) or rather 26, as it is read in Porphyrius' fragment. He reigned 11 of those 26 years alone, the other 15 years in joint partnership with Cyzicenus. He died in the 4th year of the 180th Olympiad. (in Grac. Euseb. Salig. p. 227.) Grypus was survived by 5 sons, the first named Seleucus, whom Josephus said succeeded his father. Antiochus and Philip were the second and third and were twins by Tryphena, daughter to Ptolemy Physcon, king of Egypt. Demetrius Eucarus was the 4th and Dionysius the 5th.

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3908 AM, 4618 JP, 96 BC

3891. The son, Pharnaces was born to Mithridates Eupator, the king of Pontus and he lived 50 years. (Appian. in Mithridatic. p. 254.)

3892. When Cn. Domitius and C. Cassius were consuls, Ptolemy died who was the king of the Cyrenians, Physcon's son by a courtesan. He left the people of Rome as his heir. (Livy l. 70. Jul. Obsequens de prodigiis, Cassiodorus in Chronica.) The cities of that kingdom were enfranchised by a decree of the senate, according to Livy. Although Plutarch in Lucullo stated that the Cyrenaeans soon after were miserably harassed with continual rebellions and wars.

3909 AM, 4619 JP, 95 BC

3893. Anna the prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher was married and lived with her husband 7 years from her virginity. Lu 2:36,37

3894. Tigranis, son of Tigranes who was turned over to the Parthians as a hostage, was restored by them to his father's kingdom of Armenia when they received 70 portions of his land of his country as a gratuity. (Strabo. l. 11, 532. Justin, l. 38. c. 3. Appian. in Syriac. p. 118.) This is deduced from the 25th year of his reign and mention will be made later from Plutarch's Lucullus, in the year 3934 AM.

3910a AM, 4619 JP, 95 BC

3895. Q. Mutius Scaevola was sent as the proconsul into Asia and selected his most intimate friend, P. Rutilius Rufus, for his associate. (Pomponius in D. de. orig. Juris, erroneously states he was the proconsul of Asia) He relied on his advice and counsel in managing the affairs of the province and making laws. He also had a great hand in restraining the injuries and exactions of the tax collectors who extremely oppressed that province. As often as anyone who had been wronged by those tax collectors, brought their cause to him, he condemned them no matter who they were, by upright judges. The condemned were turned over to the persons whom they had injured to be confined to prison by them. Moreover, he paid his own expenses and the expenses of his retinue from his own wealth. He soon won the hearts of all in the province toward the people of Rome. (Cicero. l. 2. de oratorc. Diod. Sic. in Excerptis Valesii, p. 393, 394.)

3910b AM, 4620 JP, 94 BC

3896. Seleucus, son of Antiochus Grypus, assembled a considerable force and marched against his uncle Antiochus Cyzicenus. Cyzicenus came with his army from Antioch and fought with him but was defeated. His horse ran away with him into the enemy's camp. When he saw no possibility of escape, he killed himself. He had reigned 18 years. When Seleucus had won the kingdom he retired to Antioch. (Porphyr. in Grac. Euseb. p. 227.) Josephus relates that Cyzicenus was taken prisoner in the fight by Seleucus and afterward killed. (l. 13. c. 21.) However Trogus stated that he died in the battle which was fought between him and Grypus' sons. (l. 40. Prolog.)

3897. When Cn. Domitius, and C. Coelius were consuls, the senate decreed that all persons were prohibited to lend money to the Cretians. (Ascon. Pedianus in argument. orat. pro C. Cornelio.) See note on 3935 AM. (from Dion.)

3898. Q. Mutius Scaevola resigned the government of Asia after nine months for fear he should be an expense to the treasury. (Cicero ad Atticum, l. 5. epist. 17, cum Asconio Pediano in orat. Cicer. contra L. Pisonem.) While he held his office in Asia, he managed it so uprightly and justly that after that time the senate by their decree held up Scaevola's administration as a model and form to be imitated by all those who should succeed him in that province. (Voler. Maxim. l. 8. c. 15.) The Greeks also inserted in their calendar a festival day in honour of him, which the Asians called Mutia. (Ascon. Pedian. in 3 tiam contra Verram, & Divinationcus contra cundem) Concerning this Cicero wrote: (in Verrem 2nd.)

``Although Mithridates was master in Asia of all that province, he did not put down the rebellion. Although he was an enemy and very violent and cruel in other matters, he would not violate the honour of the man who was hallowed with the ceremonies of the gods.''

3899. However, his associate Publius Rutilius Rufus, a person of high integrity who had helped in ridding Asia of unjust exactions and wrongs by the tax collectors, was called into question about receiving bribes. This was done by a factious party of the rich land owners whom he with the proconsul had punished for extracting exorbitantly in gathering rents. He was of such an entire trust and innocence that from the day that his accusers had set to accuse him about this, he did not let his beard grow nor put on unfashionable clothes nor set aside his senatorial robes. He was not intimated by his adversaries nor did he try to influence his judges. When the praetor had granted him permission to make his defense, he made a speech worthy of his position. He had such an attitude as would be fitting for every good man, whose lot it was to be burdened with troubles and who rather pitied the case of the state than his own condition. He did not speak a word which might seem to detract from the splendour of his previous years. (Livy l. 70, Ascon Pedian. in Divinations contra, Verrens. Valer. Maxim. l. 6. c. 4. Dio. in Excerpt. Valesii, p. 637. Oros. l. 5. c. 17.) M. Cicero in his first Dialogue de oratore, states this:

``Seeing that man was the very pattern of innocence, and not one person in the whole city of greater integrity or sanctimony: he did not petition the judges' favour and would not so much as allow his advocates to plead his cause with greater flourishes and embellishments than the bare account of the truth itself would permit. Some few particulars of his defence, he put over to Cotta, an eloquent man and his sister's son. Q. Mutius also pleaded some things on his behalf, after his old manner, without any flourish, plainly and clearly.''

3900. And in Bruto.

``At what time, that most innocent person was called to trial, by whose judgment we know the state to have been shaken. Although there were then in the city, those two eloquent men, L. Crassus and M. Antonius, he would not have either of them for his advocate. He pleaded his own cause for himself and C. Cotta spoke a few things since he was his sister's son. Although he was a youth, yet he showed himself an orator. Q. Mutius, also spoke in court, clearly indeed and smoothly as he always did yet not with such ardour and volubility as that kind of process and the graveness of the cause required.''

3901. Thus the rich land owners of Rome, by the virtue of the Gacchian laws had gotten into their hands the power of sitting in judgment. To the great grief of the city, they condemned Rutilius of bribery. There was not a man who ever lived who was more innocent than he was. (Vellei. Paterculi. l. 2.) No sooner was sentence past on him and an estimate made in money of what he stood charged in court, but he immediately parted with all that he had. By this he witnessed that he was altogether clear from the crime against him. For all he could gather did not approach the amount his accusers said he had extorted in Asia. He showed that every part of his estate was conveyed to him on just and lawful titles. C. Marius was envious of this man and hated his integrity. Rutilius did not like how matters went at Rome and could not stand Marius. Therefore he voluntarily left his country and went into Asia to live in exile at Mitylene. (Dio. ut. supr. p. 637, 638.) One of his friends tried to comfort and cheer him up in his banishment. He told him that civil wars would soon happen and then all the banished might return home. He replied:

``What wrong did I ever do to you that you should wish me a worse return home than I had going into banishment? I had rather that my country should blush at my banishment than grieve at my return home.'' (Seneca. in beneficiis, l. 6. c. 37.)

3902. His banishment did in no wise mar his former glory and wealth. All the cities of Asia sent their ambassadors to wait on him: Q. Mutius and whatever cities and kings had formerly been beholding to him for any courtesy, sent to him very many presents. He now had more wealth than he had before his banishment. (Valer. Maxim. l. 2. c. 10. Dio. ut sup. p. 638.)

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3911 AM, 4621 JP, 93 BC

3903. Antiochus Eusebes or the Pius, the son of Antiochus Cyzicenus escaped a plot by Seleucus, his first cousin. A courtesan who fell in love with Antiochus for his beauty, helped foil the plot. However, the Syrians ascribed his escape to his piety for which he had the surname Eusebes. He went to Aradus and set a crown on his head. He started a war against Seleucus. In one battle he gave Seleucus so great a defeat, that he never was able to fight with him again and was chased from Syria. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 21. Appian. in Syriac. p. 133.)

3904. Seleucus fled to Cilicia and was received by the Mopsuestians. After a while be began to exact tribute from them. They were so offended by his taxes that they set fire to his palace and burnt both him and his friends alive. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 21.) Appian states that he was burnt alive in the public place of exercise because he behaved so violently and tyrannically. (Appian p. 132.) Eusebius in Chronic. stated that he was burnt alive by Antiochus Cyzicenus' son. However, Porphyrius wrote that after he had fled to the city and knew that the Mopsuestians planned to to burn him alive, he committed suicide. (ut supr. p. 227.)

3905. The two twins of Seleucus, Antiochus and Philip, drew up their forces against Mopsuestia and took it and levelled it even to the ground in revenge for their brother's death. This was no sooner done then Antiochus Pius, the son of Cyzicenus, attacked and defeated them. When Antiochus fled on horseback from the battle, he drowned trying to cross the Orontes River. His brother Philip (to whom Scaliger attributes a coin to belong, which did had this inscription: (ILIPPOU EUERTETOU FLLADELFU BASVIAEWSV) and Antiochus Pius began their reigns together from the 3rd year of the 171st Olympiad. Both of them had considerable forces and fought to see who would be the sole ruler of Syria. (Porphyr. ut sup. p. 227.)

3912 AM, 4622 JP, 92 BC

3906. Ptolemy Lathurus sent to Cnidus for Demetrius Eucaerus, 4th son of Antiochus Grypus and made him king of Damascus. Antiochus Pius joined his forces with his brother Philip and opposed him very valiantly for a while. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 21.) At length, Antiochus was defeated and forced to flee for refuge to the Parthians. (Porphyr. ut sup. Eusebius in Chronic.)

3913a AM, 4622 JP, 92 BC

3907. When Mithridates, the king of Pontus had seized Cappadocia, he killed the two sons of Ariarathes, the king of Cappadocia. He had died in the war against Aristonicus and had two sons by Mithridates' sister Laodice who was not the same person as his sister with the same name. Mithridates turned over the kingdom of Cappadocia to Ariarathes, his own 8 year old son, and appointed Gordius for his guardian. Nicomedes Philopator, the king of Bithynia was jealous lest after Mithradates had captured Cappadocia, he might attempt to invade Bithynia which bordered on it. He bribed a very handsome youth to say he was the 3rd son of Ariarathes and he had more than 2 sons. He was to petition the senate about restoring him to his father's kingdom. He also sent to Rome Ariarathes' wife Laodice, Mithridates' sister, who after the death of her former husband Ariarathes, was married to Nicomedes. She was to testify that Ariarathes had three sons. As soon as Mithridates knew of this, he also with the like impudence, sent Gordius to Rome. He was to tell the senate that the youth to whom he had placed in the kingdom of Cappadocia, was descended from that Ariarathes who died in the war with Aristonicus. Ariarathes had brought supplies to the Romans and died in the service. (Justin. l. 38. c. 1, 2.)

3913b AM, 4623 JP, 91 BC

3908. The queen of the Galadeni waged war with the Parthians. Josephus wrote that Antiochus Pius, Cyzicenus' son, was called to help her. He fought gallantly but was killed in a battle. After his death, the kingdom of Syria remained in the power of the two brothers, Grypus' sons, Philip, and Demetrius Eucaerus. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 21.) However, Eusebius in Chronic. ends the reign of Seleucus' family in the two years which he attributes to Philip, Grypus' son. However, Appian in the end of his Syriacs stated that after this time Antiochus Pius was driven out of his kingdom by Tygranes. Josephus stated that Philip with his two brothers, Demetrius Eucaerus and Antiochus Dionysius waged war with the kings of Damascus and took over the kingdom of Syria. (Joseph. l. 13. c. 22, 23.) It seems more probable that when Antiochus Pius returned from the Parthians, as Porphyrius and Eusebius confirm, that he did not go against his enemies but to a sanctuary and refuge for himself. He recovered that part of Syria which Philip had usurped for 2 years. Philip, to recover that loss, fought with his two brothers, Demetrius and Antiochus and hoped to add the kingdom of Damascus to his government. These battles between the kings of Syria seem to be those which Livy had described in his 70th book. Philip claimed for himself all the remaining parts of Syria which were not in the hand of Cyzicenus' son. The Syrians were finally quite weary of the various skirmishes which Philip had, sometimes with Antiochus Pius and sometimes with his brothers over 8 years. They deserted the Seleucians and voluntarily put themselves under the command of Tigranes, king of Armenia according to Justin in the beginning of his 40th book. Appian (l. 40.) thinks that the surname of Pius, which was given to Antiochus, was given to him in derision by the Syrians because he had married Selene, who had formerly been the wife both of his father Cyzicenus and his uncle Grypus. Therefore he plainly tells us that he was by the just judgment of God, thrown out of the kingdom by Tigranes.

3909. The senate of Rome was well aware of the plans of the two Asiatic kings to steal away another man's kingdom by producing bogus heirs. They took Cappadocia away from Mithridates and to even the score, they took Paphlagonia from Nicomedes. So neither king could claim a victory, they made both those places a free state. The Cappadocians refused this liberty and sent ambassadors to Rome and told them that it was utterly impossible for them to live without a king. The Romans were puzzled at this and gave them permission to elect a king. Ariobarzanes was made king. (Justin, l. 38. c. 2. Strabo, l. 12. p. 540.) The Romans denounced Gordius whom Mithridates had commended to them. (Justin. l. 38. c. 5.)

3914a AM, 4623 JP, 91 BC

3910. L. Cornelius Sulla's office as a praetor expired. Velleius Pateroulus stated (l. 2. of his history), he was praetor the year before L. Caesar and P. Rutilius were consuls. He was appointed over Cilicia and was sent as an ambassador to Cappadocia. His trip was for the pretence of establishing Ariobarzanes the newly elected king, in his kingdom. His real reason was to crush Mithridates' designs whose head was full of plots. Sulla brought no great force with him. By the means of the allies who readily offered their service, he slew a large company of the Cappadocians and a far larger number of the Armenians who came to assist Gordius. He threw out Gordius and the young king Ariarathes to whom Gordius was assigned as guardian by Mithridates. Sulla proclaimed Ariobarzanes the king according to the decree of the senate. Mithridates did not say anything against it at that time. (Livy l. 70. Plutarch in Sulla. Appian. in Mithridatic, p. 208. & Bell. Civil. l. 1. p. 396.)

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3914b AM, 4624 JP, 90 BC

3911. The Parthian ambassadors came to Sulla from their King Arsaces to ask for friendship with the people of Rome. (Livy l. 70. Sextus Rufus, in Breviario.) There was never any communication between those two countries before that. Orobazus, the Parthian, headed the embassy which met with Sulla who was near the Euphrates River. Sulla is said to have had 3 seats placed, one for Ariobarzanes, another for Orobazus and the 3rd for himself. So he sat in between them and listened to what the ambassadors said. Therefore soon after this, the Parthian king killed Orobazus. Others say that he killed Sulla as if he had exposed the barbarians to public derision. While others stated that Orobazus was an arrogant, ambitious, man. It is recorded also that a certain Chalcidian in Orobazus' retinue looked carefully at Sulla's countenance. He observed the temper, bent and motions of his mind and body and his disposition by the wiles of art. He declared publicly that it was impossible for Sulla not to become a great man soon. He wondered that he could tolerate his present office and was not already head of everything. (Plut. in Sulla. compared with Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 24.)

3912. As soon as Sulla returned home to Rome, the censors impeached him for bribery who against law had taken a large sum of money from a kingdom to get friendship and amity for them with the Romans. However, he did not prosecute the accusation, but let it pass. (Plut. in Sulla.)

3913. Mithridates used Gordius to persuade Tigranes, the king of Armenia, to side with him in the war which he had been long planning against the Romans. Tigranes did not think that the Romans would take any exception to their war with Cappadocia and with Ariobarzanes, whom the Romans had set up as king over the Cappadocians. Gordius buzzed him in the ear, as if he were but a dull fellow and such an one who had neither spirit nor life in him at all. To seem to play fair play, Mithridates offered his daughter Cleopatra to Tigranes in marriage. (Justin l. 38. c. 3.)

3915a AM, 4624 JP, 90 BC

3914. Mithridates, Bagoas and Tigranes' commanders drove out Ariobarzanes. As soon as they came, he packed and fled to Rome. Mithridates placed Ariarathes in the kingdom. So with Tigranes' help, Cappadocia began again to be under Mithridates' jurisdiction. (Justin l. 38. c. 3. Appian. in Mithridatic. p. 176.)

3915. At the same time, when Nicomedes Philopator died, the senate of Rome made his son Nicomedes, king of Bithynia. He was his son by Nisa who was a common dancer as Mithridates (Justin, l. 38. c. 55.) calls her. Mithridates sent to Bithynia an army under Nicomedes' older brother Socrates who was called also Nicomedes and surnamed Chrestus or "the thrifty". After Socrates had beaten his brother, Nicomedes, he took over the kingdom. (Justin, l. 38. c. 35. Appian. p. 176. & 178. Memnon in Excerptis Photii, c. 32.)

3916. When Nicomedes was stripped of his kingdom, he made his humble address to Rome. Thereupon it was decreed in the senate that both he and Ariobarzanes should be restored to their kingdoms. To do this, Manius Aquilius, who quelled the slave war in Sicily and Malthius or (as it is read in the MS. Marcus Altinius) (Justin, l. 38. c. 35. Appian. p. 176. & 178.) and Lucius Cassius who held Asia Pergamena with a small army, were sent as ambassadors. Mithridates was ordered to help them. However, Mithridates did nothing because the ownership of Cappadocia was then in dispute and the Romans had taken away Phrygia from him. (Appian. p. 176, 177.) He put them off with a long story of his grievances and showed the ambassadors what vast expenses he had incurred in both public and private accounts. (Dio. Legat. 30. in edit. Graca, vel 31. in Graco latina.) Trogus Pompeius has recorded this speech in which Mithridates affirms that his son was turned out of Cappadocia which by the law of nations belonged to him as the victor and also that he had slain Chrestus, King of Bithynia, as a favour to the Romans. (Justin l. 38. c. 5.)

3915b AM, 4625 JP, 89 BC

3917. Mithridates soon planned to fight with the Romans and drew Tigranes into his plans by their alliance. Mithridates would have the cities and the fields for his share and Tigranes would have the people and the plunder. Mithridates knew what great a task he had undertaken and sent his ambassadors abroad for help. Some he sent to the Cimmerians, others to the Galatians, to the Samaritans and the Basternans. By his gifts and favours, he had secured each of those countries beforehand when he first conceived the idea of fighting the Romans. He also commanded an army to come to him from Scythia. (Justin. l. 38. c. 3.) All those who inhabit Tanais, Ister and the Lake Maeotis were ready to help him. He sent also into Egypt and Syria to make an alliance with the kings. He had already 300 ships with decks and built more every day. He sent for captains and pilots from Phoenicia and Egypt. He also had his father's kingdom which was 2500 miles wide. He got on his side many of the neighbouring countries including the warlike country of Colchi. (Appian. in Mithridatic. p. 178, 180.) He seized that country which is bounded by the Halys River as far as Amastris and some parts of Paphlagonia. Moreover he annexed to his kingdom the sea coast toward the west to Heraclea. On the other side, he added to Pontus, all the country between Pontus, Colchis and Armenia the lesser. (Strabo, l. 12. p. 540, 541.) Aulus Gellius wrote how that he had 25 countries which paid homage to him as subjects. (l. 17. c. 17.) Valerius Maximus, (l. 8. c. 7.) Quintilianus, (l. 11. c. 2.) and Pliny (l. 7. c. 24. & l. 25. c. 2.) state that he had 22 counties under his control. Mithridates was so well skilled in everyone of their various languages that he never used any interpreter on any occasion he had to speak with the people. We read also in Sextus Aurelius Victor, (de viris illustribus, c. 76.) how that he could speak 22 different languages. However, in this place for 22 the manuscripts state 50.

3918. The Roman delegates with Cassius' soldiers and some other forces levied from Galatia and Phrygia had established again the kingdoms for Nicomedes in Bithynia and Ariobarzanes in Cappadocia. They advised both of them to attack Mithridates' country which bordered on theirs and by this start a war. They were assured of their help if Mithridates retaliated. Neither of them so much desired to dare to provoke so potent a neighbour by outright acts of hostility. The delegates prevailed on Nicomedes to attack Mithridates. Nicomedes owed huge sums of money to the general treasury and to the delegates themselves for his restitution to the kingdom. He also owed other money which he had borrowed on interest from the Romans in Asia who now called the loan in. Thus he was forced by this pinch and much against his own will, to make inroads into Mithridates' kingdom. He destroyed and pillaged the country as far as the city Amastus without any resistance. For although Mithridates was well prepared for a fight, he restrained himself and allowed the enemy to range at pleasure. This way all the world would see that he did not start the war against the Romans but fought back with just cause. (Appian. Mithridatic. p. 177. cum Livy l. 74. & Dione. Legat. 30, vel. 31.) Concerning the insolence of the Romans, Salust (in the 4th book of his History) states this of Mithridates in a letter he wrote to Arsaces:

``For why should I lose my kingdoms on every side because it was reported that I was rich and resolved against the Romans. They provoked by the war of Nicomedes that was privy to their wickedness and testified before the kings that afterwards ensued, &c.''

3919. As soon as Nicomedes had returned home with his rich plunder, Mithridates sent Pelopidas the orator to the Roman generals and delegates. He knew well enough that Nicomedes did what he did by their instigation. He reasoned with them concerning the injuries and injustices done to him by Nicomedes. Nicomedes' ambassadors laid all the blame on Mithridates, as having started this war. The Romans replied that they were neither well pleased that Nicomedes should anyway molest Mithridates and neither would they allow Mithridates to recover his losses by waging war with Nicomedes. Mithridates received no better satisfaction. Since he knew the Romans planned to thwart his actions, he sent his son Ariarathes with a huge army to capture Cappadocia. His son soon drove out Ariobarzanes and reigned in his place. (Appian, in Mithridatic. p. 179. cf. Livy, l. 76, 77. Eutrop. l. 5. & Orosius, l. 6. c. 2.) Maltius or M. Altinius, the Roman delegate was defeated there at the same time. (Justin. l. 38. c. 4.)

3920. Mithridates sent his agents to Rome to ask the Romans that if they counted Nicomedes their friend that they would either persuade him or else compel him to do what was just and right. If they held him as an enemy that they would give Mithridates permission to avenge himself of him. The Romans did not gratify him in any one of his demands but threatened him if he did not give back Cappadocia to Ariobarzanes and make peace with Nicomedes. They ordered his ambassadors out of Rome the same day and strictly prohibited him from sending ambassadors to Rome again unless he submitted to their injunctions. (Dio. Legat. 31. or 32.)