THE ANNALS THE WORLD

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3939a AM, 4648 JP, 66 BC

4427. A few days before C. Julius Caesar entered into the office of the aedile, he was suspected of a conspiracy with Marcus Crassus the consul. Sulla and Antionius were also suspected as their term as consuls expired. They were condemned for trying to overthrow the republic at the beginning of the year. (January corresponded to October on the Julian calendar when Cotta and Torquatus entered the consulship.) They planned to invade the senate and kill whom they pleased and Crassus was to become the dictator and he should be called the master of his horse. The whole state would be run as they saw fit and the consulship would be restored to Sulla and Antonius. From this it was that Cicero in an letter to Axius stated that when Caesar was consul, he settled the kingdom as he planned to when he was an aedile. (Sueton, in Julius Caesar, c. 9.)

4428. Pompey left Armenia under the command of Afranius and pursued Mithridates through those countries that lie around the Caucasus. These were the large countries of the Albanians and Iberians. They allowed him to go through when he first came. (Plutarch) However, Livy (l. 101.) said that Pompey fought and overcame them because they refused to allow him access. This battle is briefly mentioned by Plutarch and Appian. Dio. gave more details. Pompey divided his army into three parts and took his winter quarters near the Cyrnus River in the country around Tanais. In spite of this he did not have peace. Oroesus, the king of the Albanians who inhabited the country above the Cyrnus River (or Cyrus) (Florus, l. 3, c. 5. & Eutropius, l. 6. & Orosius, l. 6. c. 4. called him Orodes.) advanced against the Romans. He did this partly to gratify his friend, Tigranes the younger but especially because he feared the Romans would invade Albania. He hoped that if he attacked in the winter by surprise, then they would not have pitched their camp in one place. He wanted to do some brave exploit. He advanced with his army against the Romans in the midst of their Saturnals. He personally marched against Metellus Celer who had Tigranes with him. Others went against Pompey while others against the commander of the third party under Lucius Flaccus. He wanted to attack all three at once so they could not help one another. (Dio, l. 36.) Appian stated that Oroezes, the king of the Albanians and Otocus, (or rather Artocus) the king of the Iberians, set an ambush with 70,000 men for Pompey near the Cyrnus River. Plutarch stated that at least 40,000 barbarians crossed the river against Pompey in the Roman festivals to Saturn which were celebrated in the month of December. (In that year it happened in September or the Julian October that is in the beginning of autumn or winter according to those that divide the year into two parts only, summer and winter. This we saw in Thucydides history of the Peloponnesian war.)

4429. Metellus defeated Oroesus. Flaccus made an inner ditch around his camp. The first ditch around his camp was too large to be defended. The enemy thought he did this from fear and advanced into the outer ditch. Flaccus made an unexpected sally on them and killed many in the conflict and many in the chase. Pompey knew of the barbarian attacks on the two camps. He attacked those who were marching against him and defeated them. Pompey went directly against Oroesus himself but could not find him. After Oroesus was beaten by Metellus and had heard of the defeats of the others, he fled. (Dio.)

4430. Pompey camped where they crossed the Cyrnus River. He finally agreed to their supplications and gave them peace. He planned to recompense their attacks by invading their country. Since it was winter, this would be difficult to do. (Dio l. 36. fin) Plutarch wrote that Pompey routed a great number of them and brought in their colours. Later their king sent ambassadors and he made peace with him.

4431. Mithridates wintered in Dioscuriade (Appian. p. 240.) where the isthmus between the Euxine and the Caspian Sea begins. (Strabo. l. 11. p. 468.)

4432. Antipater urged Hyrcanus to flee to Areta, the king of the Arabians and promised to help him. He was barely able to convince him, yet he finally did go. Arabia bordered on Judea. Antipater was sent ahead to the king to get his promise that he would not deliver up Hyrcanus to his enemies. As soon as he had given his word, Antipater returned quickly to Hyrcanus at Jerusalem. Antipater took him by night along with him and they stole from the city and after a long journey, they came to a city called Petra where Areta's court was. (Joseph. l. 14. c. 2.)

4433. Antipater was very close to Areta and requested that he would restore Judea to Hyrcanus. His constant urgings and his presents finally convinced him to help Hyrcanus. Hyrcanus promised if he would help him get his kingdom again, he would return to him a country with 12 cities which his father, Alexander Jannaeus, had taken away from the Arabians. The cites were these: Medaba, Naballo, Livias, Tharabasa, Agalla, Athone, Zoara, Orouae, Marisa, Rydda, Lusa and Oryba. (Joseph. l. 14. c. 2.)

3939b AM, 4649 JP, 65 BC

4434. Alexander 2nd, the king of Egypt and the son of Alexander 1st, was expelled by the Alexandrians. (Suet. in Juli. Casare.) Ptolemy, a natural son, replaced him and he was the son of Ptolemy Lathurus. He was called Dionysius the New, or Bacchus and Auletes because he most effeminately followed the ways of the Dionysii. He put on women's clothes and danced to the cymbals in the celebrations of Bacchus. (Lucian de non tem. cred. calum.) He also practised their piping so much that he boasted of it. He was not ashamed to celebrate contests in his court in which he contested with others. (Strabo. l. 17. p. 796.)

4435. Aretas, the king of the Arabians, with 50,000 men defeated Aristobulus. After this battle many ran away to Hyrcanus so that Aristobulus was abandoned and fled to Jerusalem. Aretas brought his army with him and besieged him in the temple. The people helped Hyrcanus and only the priests were loyal to Aristobulus. Aretas, with the Jewish and Arabian army, most vigorously continued the siege. (Joseph. l. 14. c. 3.)

4436. These things were done before the time of the feast of unleavened bread. The leaders of the Jews abandoned their country and fled into Egypt. Onias in Judea was an honest and just man. In a great drought, he prevailed by the piety of his prayers for rain. When he foresaw the civil war that followed, he hid himself in a cave. However, the Jews caught him and brought him into their camp. They wanted him to curse Aristobulus and his side just as he had prayed for rain. For a long time he refused. Finally the multitude compelled him and he stood in their midst and prayed:

``O God, thou that art King of the whole world, for as much as these that are with me are thy people and those that are besieged are thy priests, I beseech thee that thou wouldst neither hear these against them nor them praying against these.''

4437. After this some wicked men of the Jews surrounded him and killed him with stones. God immediately revenged this wickedness and punished the slaughter of Onias in this way. (Joseph. l. 14. c. 3.)

4438. While Aristobulus was besieged with his priests, the feast of the passover arrived. It was the custom for them to make many sacrifices to their God. Because of the siege, they asked the Jews that besieged them if they would give them sacrifices at whatever price they would set. They demanded 1000 groats should be sent them for every ox. Aristobulus and his priests willingly agreed to this and let down their money from the wall. When they had the money, they gave no animals in return for the sacrifice. This was the height of impiety in that they broke their faith with men and robbed God of his due honour. But the priests who were defrauded, prayed to God that he would take vengeance on them. This soon happened. A violent storm greatly wasted their grain so that a bushel of wheat was sold for 15 groats. (Joseph. l. 14. c. 3.)

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4439. Pompey waged war with the Iberians. They were exceedingly desirous to gain the favour of Mithridates and to drive out Pompey. Up until now they had never been subject to the Medes, Persians, Alexander or the Macedonians. (Plutarch.) When Lucius Cotta and Lu. Torquarus were consuls, Artoces, their king, feared lest Pompey would attack him. He sent ambassadors to Pompey under pretence of treating for peace but in the meantime he prepared to attack them by surprise. Pompey knew this and before Artoces had sufficiently prepared and secured the passes, Pompey attacked their country. Before Artoces knew anything of his coming, Pompey had advanced as far as the city of Acropolis which was located in those passes where the Caucasus Mountains runs. It was fortified for the defence of that pass. Artoces lost the opportunity of strengthening himself and he was terrified. He crossed the Cyrnus River and burned the bridge. When the city saw him flee and themselves beaten, they surrendered the town. By this means, Pompey got control of the passes and put a garrison over them. He marched from there and subdued the whole country that lay on that side of the river. (Dio. init. l. 37.)

4440. Pompey was about to cross Cyrnus River when Artoces begged a truce by his ambassadors. He offered to make him a bridge and to furnish him with all supplies besides. This he did to obtain peace. As soon as Pompey had crossed that river, Artoces immediately fled to the Pelorus River. He ran from Pompey whom he had helped cross the river when he might have prevented his crossing. Pompey was aware of this and pursued him. When he caught up to him, he fought and defeated him easily. Before the bowmen came to fight, he had routed them. When Artoces had crossed the Pelorus River and burnt that bridge also, he fled. The remainder were cut off. Some died in the battle and some attempted to cross the river on foot. Many fled to the woods and held out for some days by shooting arrows from the large trees. Pompey had the trees cut down and they also died. (Dio. init. l. 37.) Plutarch reports there was 6,000 killed in the battle and more than 10,000 taken prisoners.

4441. Artoces sent ambassadors to Pompey to sue for peace. They brought presents of a bed, a table and a chair, all of gold which he begged him to accept. Pompey took the presents and turned them over to the quaesters to be recorded in the public records. He refused to give them peace unless Artoces would deliver his sons for hostages. Artoces hesitated until the Romans had found a ford in the river in summer time and crossed it with much trouble although no one hindered their crossing. Artoces sent his sons for hostages and made peace with Pompey. (Dio. l. 37. & Plutarch. & Flor. l. 3. c. 4.) Eutropius stated that Pompey defeated Arthaces, the king of Iberia, in battle, and received him into favour on some conditions. Sextus Rufus and Jomandes stated that the kings of both Iberia and Arthaces, surrendered themselves to him. However, Orosius (l. 6. c. 4.) stated that he defeated Artoces, the king of the Iberians, and subdued all of Iberia.

4442. Mithridates travelled through the country of the Scythians who were offended by his presence. He persuaded some and others he constrained by force to help him. He went to the Heniochians but the Archaeans tried to resist him and were defeated. Later he entered into the Maeotic countries and defeated many of their commanders. Because of the fame of his achievements, he was warmly welcomed. He gave and received many gifts. He formed marriage alliances with the most powerful men there. (Livy, l. 101. Appian p. 240, 241, Dio. l. 36.) Strabo also refers to this place. (l. 11. p. 496.) The Heniochi had 4 kings at that time when Mithridates fled through their country into Bosphorus from Pontus. He gave up any hopes of passing through the Zygians because the way was difficult and the people were fierce. Therefore with much trouble he was many times forced to follow the sea and marched along the shore. Finally he arrived among the Achaeans who received him. (Appian said they resisted him.) Here he ended his journey of almost 500 miles which began at Phasis. Strabo stated the countries he passed through, based on those writers who wrote of the affairs of Mithridates. The countries in this order were: the Achaeans, the Zygians, Heniochians, Cercetans, Moschians and the Colchians. (p. 497.) Hypsicrate his queen went through all these unruly countries with an indefatigable mind and body. She followed her distressed husband. So she might more easily share in his labour and pains, she shaved her hair. She was accustomed to ride on horse back and bear arms. She was faithful in all his distresses and was the greatest and most pleasant asset to Mithridates. He seemed to wander with his whole fortune and family while his wife accompanied him in his banishment. (Valer. Maxim. l. 4. c. 6.)

4443. Machares, the son of Mithridates, reigned in Bosphorus Cimerius and favoured the Romans. He heard that his father in so short a time had overcome so many fierce and warlike countries and passed the very borders of Scythia which were never passed before. He sent ambassadors to him to let him know it was of necessity that had forced him to that friendship with the Romans. He knew his father's animosity so he fled into Pontius Chersonesus and burned his ships to prevent his father from following him. When he sent against Mithridates another fleet, he was killed. (??) Mithridates killed all those friends that he had sent with his son for companions when Machares first went into his kingdom. Mithridates sent his servants away safely. (Appian p. 241.) However Dio (l. 36.) stated that the father corrupted his son's friends with promises of safety and with bribes. He persuaded them to kill his son. Orosius said that Machares was killed by his father. (l. 6. c. 5.)

4444. Pompey made his journey into the northern parts of Scythia by the stars as if he had been at sea and attacked the Colchi. He camped beneath the Caucasus Mountains and ordered their king Orodes to come down into the plains. (Florus l. 3. c. 5.) Florus said that Orodes was king of the Alcans along with Eutropius and Oronus. For "Orodes" in this place means the name "Olthaces", whom Appian said was the king of the Colchi and was led in triumph by Pompey (p. 253.) or "Aristarchus", whom Appian said (p. 251.) and Eutropius (l. 6.) was said to be made king of Colchis in his place.

4445. Plutarch says that at the Phasis River, Servilius met Pompey with the fleet which was left for the defence of Pontus. The pursuit of Mithridates who had hid himself in the countries around Bosphorus and Maeotis had caused him much trouble. Pompey went to Colchis that he might see the place of the wanderings of the Argonauts and Castor and Pollux. He especially wanted to see the place where Prometheus was said to be bound to the Caucasus Mountains. These sights drew him from the neighbouring countries. (Appian. p. 241, 242.) He won the Colchi also and the hostile countries to his side, partly by fair words and partly by fear. He found that his journey would be difficult by land through many warlike and unknown countries. If he went by sea it was would be worse. The inhabitants were hostile and the country lacked ports. Pompey commanded his ships to stay there and to watch Mithridates that he might not be allowed to escape and to block all provisions going to him. Pompey headed against the Albani but took a round about way so they would think themselves safe and he could come suddenly on them and easily defeat them. However, Plutarch stated that the Albani finally revolted and that Pompey was incensed with anger and desire for revenge. He marched immediately against them but he returned to Armenia and crossed the Cyrnus River. It was fordable at that time of the year. (Dio. l. 37.)

4446. After great difficulty, he crossed this river. The barbarians had for a long time fortified it by pounding down stakes into it. (Plutarch.) Where the river was calm, Pompey first crossed over with his cavalry, then his train and then his foot soldiers. He had the horses break the force of the river with their bodies and if anything of the train should be carried away by the current it, would land against those who accompanied it and be carried no further. (Dio.) After he had come from a long, dry and rocky way, he filled 10,000 water bottles and continued his journey. (Plut.)

4447. Finally, with no resistance from the enemy, he arrived at the Gambyses River. His whole army was badly bothered by the heat and from thirst although they marched mainly in the night. He selected guides from the prisoners but they did not show him the easiest way. Moreover the river proved harmful too. The water was extremely cold and they drank too much and it made them quite sick. They did not rest until they came to the Abans River. All that time they took only water, for the inhabitants bountifully supplied their needs. Hence they marched through and did them no harm. (Dio.)

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4448. When they had crossed the river, they heard that Oroeses was coming toward them. (Dio.) He had in his army 60,000 foot soldiers and 12,000 or 22,000 (according to Strabo) cavalry. Most of these were poorly armed and clothed with only the skins of wild beasts. They were commanded by Cossis, the king's brother. (Plut. & Strabo, l. 41. p. 502.) Pompey wanted to draw them into a battle before they knew the numbers of the Romans. He first drew up his cavalry and told them what to do. Behind them he placed his foot soldiers. He had them lay down and cover themselves with their shields and lie still without making any noise. By this, Oroeses had no knowledge of them until he had joined battle. He despised the cavalry whom he thought were all alone and attacked them. In a moment they fled as they were ordered to by Pompey and Oroeses chased them furiously. The foot soldiers rose up suddenly and made a space to allow the cavalry to retreat through. They charged the enemy and surrounded a large number of them and killed them. The rest were killed by the cavalry who came around on the right hand and the left and attacked their rear. So the cavalry killed a large number. The enemy fled to the woods which was set on fire and killed them. The Romans shouted to them to remember what happened at the Saturnals. About that time as is said before, the Albani laid an ambush and attacked the Romans by surprise. (Dio. l. 37.)

4449. In the battle, Cossis the king's brother charged Pompey himself, and with his dart struck him through the joint of his arms. Pompey ran him through with his spear and killed him. In this fight it was reported that certain Amazons that lived in the mountains next to the Thermontes River, came to help the barbarians. While the Romans were taking the plunder in the field, they found some Amazon shields and buskins but no women were found. (Plut.) Also Appian (p. 242.) stated that this and the former battle with the Albani were the same battle. However, Orosius with Eutropius and Sextus Rufus stated that Pompey defeated Oroeses, the king of the Albani and his commanders. (l. 6. c. 4.)

4450. Pompey destroyed the country around there. Finally he was persuaded to accept a peace from Orodis or Oroeses. He sent Pompey a golden bed and other presents to make peace. (Florus, l. 3. c. 5. Dio. l. 37, Eurtop. l. 6. Oros. l. 6. c. 4.) They commemorated their Italian origins because they followed Hercules from the Mount Albanus and they greeted Pompey as one of the mothers of their country. (Justin, l. 42. c. 3.) Pompey made peace with the Albans and all the inhabitants from Mount Caucasus in the Caspian Sea even so far as that mountain that was in Pontus. These people requested peace through their ambassadors. (Dio. l. 37.) Strabo wrote that from all parts and both the Chipeari and the Cholchian, he warred against the Ibearians and Albani. (l. 11. p. 492.) Pompey wanted to see Hyrcania and the Caspian Sea since it was only a 3 day journey from there. He was thwarted from that plan by the number of deadly serpents in the area. Hence he went into Armenia the Less. (Plutarch) (This paragraph in both the English and Latin copies is almost unreadable. Editor.)

4451. After Pompey had crossed the Taurus Mountains, he advanced to Antiochus Commagenus and finally received him into favour (Appian. p. 244.) when he surrendered to Pompey Seleucia, a castle in Mesopotamia with all that he had captured in his excursion there. (Appian. p. 251 & Strabo. l. 16. p. 745.) Pompey defeated Darius and the Medes either because he had helped Antiochus now or Tigranes previously. Appian in his Mithridatic. (p. 244.) stated that Darius and the Medes were numbered among the princes and peoples that Pompey defeated. (p. 250, 253.) Velleius Patercules, (l. 2. c. 40.) numbered Media among those countries Pompey had successfully invaded. Although Plutarch stated that Pompey only returned a civil answer to the kings of the Medes and Elymaes who had sent ambassadors to him.

4452. Phraates, the king of the Parthians saw Pompey warring so successfully that Armenia and that part of Pontus that was next him was taken by Pompey's commanders. Gabinius had crossed the Euphrates River and was advancing as far as the Tigris River. He was frightened and sent ambassadors to Pompey to renew the peace with the Romans which they had before. The embassy was unsuccessful because Pompey was elated with his present successes and the hopes he had of future conquests. Hence he had little respect for Phraates. Among his arrogant demands, he ordered that Cordenies or Gordyones be given to him. This was a disputed country between Phraates and Tigranes. The ambassadors did not have the authority to do this so they did not reply. Hence, Pompey wrote to Phraates. (Dio. l. 37.)

4453. In his letters Pompey neglected to give Phraates the title of King of kings. All other people gave him this title including the Romans and Pompey did, after in his triumph. He addressed him only as a king. Phraates scorned the letter since his kingdom was plundered also. Pompey did not wait for a reply but sent Afranius immediately with an army into Cordenies. They defeated those Parthians that had invaded it and pursued them as far as Arbelius. Thus they restored the country to Tigranes. (Dio. l. 37. Plut. in Pompey.)

4454. Josephus stated that Gabinius was sent from Armenia into Syria by Pompey (Belli, l. 1. c. 5. & Antiq. l. 14. c. 4.) This we think was Armenia the Lesser into which we have learned from by Plutarch that when Pompey retired there when he had finished the war with the Albanians. Josephus was mistaken by the similarity of the names and thought it was the Greater. Therefore he wrote that at the same time when Pompey was fighting with Tigranes, Gabinius was sent into Syria. This could not be unless with Appian, he made Tigranes defeat to follow after his expedition against the Albanians. This we showed from Livy, Velleius, Florus, Plutarch, Eutrop. and Orosius, to be before not after that expedition.

4455. As soon as Scaurus came to Damascus, he found it recently captured by Metellus and Lollius. He left there and understood that something was happening in Judea. He went there as a convenient place. As soon as he had entered the country, he met ambassadors from Hyrcanus that had besieged the temple of Jerusalem and from his brother, Aristobulus who was besieged there. Both asked for his help. When Aristobulus offered 400 talents, Hyrcanus offered him as much. However, Scaurus preferred Aristobulus and when he received his money, he sent ambassadors to Hyrcanus and Areta the king. They were helped by many of the Nabathae although they were not very enthusiastic about the war. He commanded them in the name of the Romans and Pompey, to lift the siege. Aretas was frightened and withdrew from Judea into Philadelphia and Scaurus returned to Damascus. Aristobulus gathered all the forces together that he had and planned to punish Aretas and Hyrcanus. He fought with them at Papyron and defeated them. About 7000 of the enemy were killed including Cephalius, the brother of Antipater. (Joseph. Antiq. l. 14. c. 4.)

4456. Pompey returned from Armenia and met with certain kings and rulers, whom Plutarch stated to be 12 barbarian kings. He heard their complaints and gave them his judgments. He confirmed some in their kingdoms. He increased some kingdoms and he took away from others their kingdoms. (Xiphilin ex Dione) Va. Maximus seems to refer to this famous time in history.

4457. Ariobarzanes turned over his kingdom of Cappadocia to his son in the sight of Cn. Pompey. Ariobarzanes had taken the throne by Pompey's invitation. When he sat on the throne, he saw his son with his secretary in a place inferior to his dignity and fortune. He could not stand to see his son beneath himself, so he arose from his seat and put the crown upon his head. He urged him to go up to the throne. The young man immediately started weeping and his body trembled and the crown fell to the ground. He could not bring himself to ascend to the throne. Even when his father urged him to receive the kingdom he refused. This matter was not settled until Pompey concurred with his father. Pompey called his son, king and ordered him to take the crown and to sit in the ivory chair. (Valer. Max. l. 5. c. 7.)

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4458. From there, Pompey went into Coelosyria and Phoenicia which were recently liberated from their kings and invaded by the Arabians and Tigranes. He stayed there although Antiochus tried in vain to recapture them. Pompey subdued them and made them into one province. They received the laws from him and were administered according to the custom of the people of Rome. (Xiphilin. ex Dione.)

4459. Justin, (l. 40. c. 2.) Appian in Mithridatic. (p. 244.) and Porphyrius, (in Gracis Eusebianis Scaliger, p. 227.) stated that this was Antiochus Pius, the son of Antiochus Cyzicenus. However, the same Appian more correctly in his Syriacis, (p. 119 & 133.) stated that he was Antiochus Asiaticus, the son of Antiochus Pius and Selena. 4 years earlier, either by Lucullus' favour or permission, he was given the kingdom of Syria which Tigranes had abandoned. In Pompey's festivals, (which he mentioned on p. 133.) while Pompey was busy in other matters, Antiochus kept it for one whole year. This was after Tigranes had most justly surrendered what he had in Syria to the people of Rome. Although in Pompey's presence he desired his father's kingdom, yet Pompey did not give it to him even though he had done nothing against the people of Rome. Indeed, it was an easy matter for so large an army to oppress an unarmed prince. However, another reason was given in that it seemed unfair that after the ancient kings who had been defeated by Tigranes' armies and driven from Syria, that the kingdom should go to the defeated Seleucians rather than the Romans who defeated them. Pompey did not think it was right to give Antiochus that which he was unable to defend from being invaded by the Jews and Arabians. (Justin. & Appian in places noted above)

4460. When Julius Caesar was an aedile, he won the favour of the people and tried through some of the tribunes to get the government of Egypt by an order from the people. There was a reason for this command in that the Alexandrians had driven out their prince who was an associate and friend of the Romans. The senate disallowed this commission by the people because a large number of the nobles opposed it. (Sueton, in Julio. c. 11.)

4461. Pompey was called into Egypt by Alexander the second who was expelled. Pompey was to quell some rebellions there. He was presented with many gifts like money and clothes for his whole army. Pompey did not go there either from regard of the envy of his enemies or because of the oracle of Sibyl or for some other reasons. (See note on 3948 AM << >>) (Appian. Mithridatic. p. 251.)

4462. Pompey came to Damascus and went about Coelosyria. At that time, ambassadors came to him from all parts of Syria, Egypt and Judea. At the same time, it appears that the 12 kings came to him that Plutarch mentions. Josephus mentioned this from Strabo's history: (Antiq. l. 14. c. 5.)

``There came from Egypt an embassy with a crown of 4000 crowns of gold. Judea sent a vine or a garden which piece of workmanship was called "the Delight". We saw this present at Rome and it was dedicated in the temple of Jupiter Capitoline with this inscription, "From Alexander, the king of the Jews." It was valued at 500 talents.''

4463. This present was placed by Alexander Jannaeus in the temple at Jerusalem and sent to Pompey by his son Aristobulus, whom Pliny among the "Acts of Pompey's Triumphs" described like this: It was a square mountain of gold with harts and lions and all kinds of apples with a vine of gold surrounding it. (Pliny, l. 37. c. 2.)

3940a AM, 4649 JP, 65 BC

4464. Ambassadors again came from Judea to Pompey, Antipater for Hyrcanus and Nicomedes for Aristobulus. Aristobulus' ambassador complained of Gabinius, that he had received 300 talents of money and later of Scaurus who had received 400 talents to become his enemies. Pompey commanded both parties, Hyrcanus and Aristobulus, to appear before him. (Joseph. l. 14. c. 5.)

4465. Afranius came to Syria after the treaty began between Pompey and Phraates. He lost his way as he went and endured much hardship because it was winter and supplies were scarce. He would have died unless he had been rescued by the Macedonian colony of the Carrenses and brought them back. (Dio. l. 37.)

4466. Pompey made his winter quarters at Aspis in Pontus and received into favour all those parts of the country which before were hostile. This we gather from the fragments of Dio (l. 37.) which the reader easily may compare them and deduce that this happened in the consulship of Caesar and Figulus. Pompey did not touch any of Mithridates' concubines who were brought to him and sent them back to their parents and kindred. They were mainly the wives and daughters of rulers and commanders. (Plutarch.)

4467. Dio stated that Stratonix was found in the citadel of Symphori and brought to Pompey. She was the daughter of a musician and one of the king's wives or concubines. She was furious that she was abandoned by Mithridates while he was wandering about Pontus. She sent most of the garrison out for provisions and let the Romans in on this single condition. Pompey would take her son Xiphares prisoner and keep him in safety for his mother. She knew of a large treasury that was hidden underground which consisted mainly of many brass vessels bound about with hoops of iron. She told Pompey where it was. He only selected the items he thought would give most splendour to the temple and to his triumph. He gave the rest to Stratonix. (Plut. Appian. Dio.)

4468. When Mithridates knew of this, he had her son, Xiphares, to be killed while his mother watched on the other side of the river. He then threw away his body without burial and neglected all piety so that he might make her repent of what she had done. (Appian.)

4469. Pompey also took that almost impregnable citadel, called the "New". Mithridates had stored his most valuable things here and Pompey later dedicated these to the capitol. (Strabo. l. 12. p. 556. 557.) Pompey took many of Mithridates' most secret records from there which he freely examined to determine the extent of Mithridates' numbers and his wealth. (Plutarch.) Among them there were also some physical inventions of Mithridates which Pompey ordered Lenaeus, a learned grammarian, to translate into Latin. (Pliny. l. 25. c. 2.)

4470. Phraates sent ambassadors to Pompey by whom he complained of the wrongs he had received. Pompey kept Tigranes the younger as prisoner and Phraates desired that his son-in-law might be returned. He assumed the Euphrates River was the extent of his empire and he warned Pompey of crossing it. Pompey replied that Tigranes ought to be turned over to his father rather than his father-in-law and he would respect his boundaries. (Plut. cum Dio.)

4471. In the spring when Lu. Caesar and C. Figulus were consuls, Phraates made an expedition against Tigranes. He was defeated in one battle but later he defeated his enemy. (Dio. l. 37.)

4472. In the beginning of the spring, Pompey drew out his forces from their winter quarters and marched into Damascus. On the way, he demolished a citadel in Apamia which Antiochus Cyzicenus had fortified. Pompey also attacked the country of Ptolemy Mennaeus who was no less dangerous than Dionysius Trioplitanus who was allied to him and beheaded. Ptolemy paid 1000 talents and redeemed himself. Pompey distributed this among his soldiers. He also destroyed the citadel of Lysias whose governor was Silas a Jew. After that he marched by Heliopolis and Chalcis and crossed the middle of the mountain, he came into Coelosyria and from Pella and arrived at Damascus. (Joseph. l. 14. c. 5.)

[Soldier4Christ]

4473. There he listened to the Jews and to Hyrcanus and Aristobulus, their princes. They were at odds with each other as their country was with both of them. In their ancient laws, the Jews have a precept that they should give obedience to the priests of God and refused to be governed by kings. These two were of the priestly line but planned to change the government and bring the people into servitude. Hyrcanus complained that his younger brother, had taken most of the country by force and invaded and usurped it. On land he had made hostile invasions on his borders and at sea he had harbours for his pirates. There were above 1000 of the leaders of the Jews whom Antipator had persuaded to confirm what he said was true. On the other side, Aristobulus pleaded that Hyrcanus was removed for his sloth and he was held in general contempt among the people of his own country. He had taken the government by necessity, lest it might have been transferred to some other family. He called to attest this, some insolent young men who offended everybody by the fineness of their cloths, the exactness of their hair and their other accoutrements. Their dress was much more proper had they come to a triumph rather than a court. (Joseph. l. 14. c. 5.)

4474. Pompey heard their cases and rebuked the violence of Aristobulus. He dismissed them peaceably with this promise, that he would come himself into their country as soon as he had settled the affairs of the Nabataei. In the meantime he urged them to be peaceful and treated Aristobulus with great civility lest if he were provoked, he would oppose Pompey's journey. However, he gained no favour from Aristobulus, who had arrayed himself with as much splendour as was possible. He did not like the way he was treated and thought it intolerable to endure anything beneath the majesty of a king. He left Diospolis and went to the town of Delius. From there, he went to Judea to order his own affairs. (Joseph. l. 14. c. 5. & Belli, l. 1. c. 5.)

4475. When Alexander the 2nd was driven from Egypt, he went to Tyre and died there. In his will, he left his kingdom of Egypt to the people of Rome. Cicero on his first speech that he made the first day of his consulship said this about that:

``The Decemvirs say, that which was often spoken by many, that Alexander the king had in his last will, left his kingdom to the Romans. The Egyptian wanted to give Alexandria to those privately whom you did oppose publicly and fought with in battle.''

4476. In his second speech, he said more fully:

``What about Alexandria and all Egypt, how secretly doth it lie? How privately is it kept? How obscurely reported to the Decemviri? Which of you are ignorant that it is said that kingdom was by Alexander's last will conferred on the Romans. In this case I, though a Roman consul, am so far from determining anything, that I withhold my opinion. For it seems to me no small matter, not only to judge, but to speak of this thing. I see him that will assert the making of the will. I suppose there still are records in the senate concerning their possession of their heritage. After that time when Alexander died, we sent ambassadors to Tyre for the restitution of the money that was disposed by us. This I remember I have often heard L. Philippus affirm in the senate. It is granted almost by all sides, that he, who at this time rules, (Ptolemy Auletes) is neither of the royal family nor the honour of a king. On the other side it is said there is no will and that the people of Rome ought not to appear covetous of every kingdom. It was the richness of the fool, and the plenty of all things that attracted the people there. Concerning so great an affair, P. Ruffus, with the rest of the his colleagues on the Decemviri will judge.''

4477. It is also reported that when M. Crassus, who was the censor and tried to make Egypt a tributary to the people of Rome, strongly opposed Lutatious Catulus, his colleague in his censorship. The dissention became so sharp that they voluntarily laid down their office and power. (Plutarch in Crasso.)

4478. Pompey wanted to recover Syria and so to pass through Arabia to the Red Sea. In his pursuit of the Albani he had extended the Roman Empire almost to the Hyrcanian (or Caspian) Sea, just as in the west the Roman Empire was bounded by the Atlantic. Likewise in his conquest in the east, he wanted to extend it to the Red Sea. He saw much difficulty in taking Mithridates for he was more troublesome in his flight than when he stood and fought him. He hoped to starve him out by having his ships intercept merchants who traded into the Bosphorus with Mithridates. He threatened them with death if he captured them helping Mithridates. Then Pompey took most of his army and he started his journey. (Plutarch in Pompeio.)

4479. He invaded Coelosyria and Phoenicia. First he overran the Ituraeans and Arabians, (Appian. p. 244. Iutrop, l. 6. Oros. l. 6. c. 6.) who lived in the hilly country around Libanus and invaded and plundered their neighbours. Their retreats were very strongly fortified. On the hills were Sinna, Borrhama and other strongholds. In the valleys were Botrys, Gigartus besides a port by the sea side. There was a citadel on a mountain called the "face of God". Pompey dismantled it and overran Biblus or Palaebiblus which was a country of Cinyrae. He freed it by cutting off the governor's head. (Strabo, l. 16. p. 755.)

4480. After Afranius had subdued the Arabians near Amanus, he came down to Syria which had no king. He subdued it and made it a Roman province. (Strabo, l. 16. p. 755.) He received a sum of money from Antioch and enfranchised their city but left them to the use their own laws. (Porphyrie in Gracis Eusebianis Scaligeri, p. 227.) He indulged the citizens of Antioch and restored the place of their public confession which was in decay. He respected them greatly since they traced their lineage from the Athenians. (Johan. Malela Antiochenus, in Chronico.)

4481. He gave Seleucea (Pieria) a very strong city, which was adjacent to Antioch, its liberty because it had refused to admit Tigranes. (Strabo. l. 16. p. 751. Eutrop. l. 6.) He released the hostages from Antioch. He gave to the Daphnenses a certain parcel of a field for the enlargement of their grove. This place was delightfully pleasant and had plenty of water. (Eutrop. l. 6.) Strabo noted that the grove was 10 miles in circumference and well watered with springs. (l. 16. p. 750.) Sextus Rufus in Breviario wrote that Pompey consecrated this grove of the Daphnenses and enlarged it. Jerom added in his commentary on Ezekiel 16 that it was planted by Pompey's orders by the hands of his soldiers. In his chronicle, he said it was consecrated to Apollo which if spoken of the new trees that were added, may be true. (See not on 3704 AM <<2636>>, & see note on 3834a AM <<3257>> concerning the old grove.

4482. Cato Minor was in Syria and was later called Uticensis. He was a philosopher of the sect of the stoics. Although he was a young man he was held in great esteem. Because of the great friendship between his father and him, he was invited to Syria by Dejotares king or tetrarch of the Galatari. He travelled through Asia and observed the manners, customs and strength of every province he passed through. He always walked on foot while his friends who accompanied him, rode. He came to see Antioch in Pompey's absence and saw a great throng of people in white before the gate. The men were on one side of the way and the children on the other. He thought this ceremony was for him. Therefore he odered his friends to get off their horses and walk with him. As they approached, an old man who ordered and commanded the whole multitude approached and carried in his hand a rod and a crown. He talked first to Cato and without so much as greeting him, he inquired how Demetrius was and when he would come there. Demetrius had been Pompey's servant but was freed and because he had much influence with Pompey, he was reverenced by everybody. Cato's friends burst out laughing. Cato cried out, "O miserable city", and passed on without any other answer. As often as he remembered it, he started laughing at himself. (Plutarch in Pompey, & Cato Minor.)

[Soldier4Christ]

4483. When Tigranes the Armenian was defeated by Phraates the Parthian, he requested help from Pompey who was then in Syria. Phraates presently sent ambassadors to Pompey and accused both the Romans and Tigranes so earnestly that they made Pompey both afraid and ashamed. So he did not help Tigranes nor, although many urged him to, he did not wage war later with Phraates. He said he had no commands from the people of Rome for that expedition and that Mithridates was still at large. For the present he was contented that Tigranes should meet with misfortune at last. He extenuated Phraates accusations and did not refute them. He hoped to get some difference between him and Tigranes about their boundaries. This worked and he promised to send 3 commissioners who would judge the matter. Pompey sent them and they were received as arbitrators by the kings and settled all differences between them. Tigranes was angry that he did not get help from the Romans. However, Phraates wanted Tigranes to be safe. He would need his help if things came so about in the future against the Romans. It was obvious to both of them that whoever overcame the other, he was certain to have a fight with the Romans and more easily to fall into their power. When they considered this, they made peace. (Dio. l. 37. & Plutarch, & Appian. p. 244.)

4484. While Pompey was thus occupied, Mithridates went around Pontus and took over Panticapaeum which was a market town in Europe at the mouth of the Pontic River. (Appian. p. 244.) He sent also ambassadors to Pompey who was in Syria. Pompey did not know if Mithridates was still alive. They promised that if Pompey would restore him his father's kingdom again, he would become tributary to the people of Rome. When Pompey urged that the king should come to him as Tigranes had done, he refused to come. He said this was not suitable to Mithridates but he said he would send his sons and others of his friends. (Appian. p. 245.)

4485. After these things, Mithridates summoned all people indiscriminately as servants as well as free. He made also a great supply of arms, arrows and other engines. He spared nothing, not even their oxen for the plowing. These he killed that he might have their nerves for strings for their bows. He laid a tax also on all the people which was raised but did great harm to many although Mithridates was unaware of that. He was at that time troubled with a certain ulcerous disease in his face. No one could see him but the eunuch that was his doctor. He was finally cured. His army was ready at the same time and consisted of 60 companies each of them containing 600 men and a numerous multitude of ships and places of convenience which his commanders had fortified while he was sick. He carried part of his army to Phanagorium, another town located in the mouth of the river too, so that on all sides he might secure the pass. All this time, Pompey was in Syria. (Appian. p. 245.)

4486. In Bosphorus, while Mithridates was celebrating to Ceres, there was suddenly violent earthquake which was the greatest in the memory of man, and destroyed many cities and damaged the fields greatly. (Dio. l. 37. Oros. l. 6. c. 5.) This was not the same earthquake that Justin ex Trago mentioned which killed 170,000 men and destroyed many cities in Syria. The prognosticators said this sign predicted a great change in affairs. (Justin. l. 40. c. 2.)

4487. At the same time, Castor that was commander-in-chief for Mithridates in Phanagoriam, killed Tripho the king's eunuch by whom he had been previously abused as he was entering into the town. After this he stirred up the people to fight for their liberty. He led them against the citadel that was held by Artaphernes and the rest of Mithridates' children. They got wood and other combustible things together from all places and set the citadel on fire. This forced Artaphernes, Darius, Xerxes, Oxathres, and Eupatia, the children of Mithridates to surrender. Among these, Artaphernes was the only personwho was 40 years old. The rest were attractive youths. Cleopatra another daughter stood out against them. Her generosity delighted her father. Mithridates sent a squadron of galleys and rescued her. After Castor controlled the citadel, he sent the children to the Romans. (Appian. p. 245, 246. Oros. l. 6. c. 5.)

4488. Those citadels which were nearby and recently taken by Mithridates, followed the bad example of the Phanagorenses and also revolted. These were at Chersonessus, Theudosia, Nymphaeum and other places about Pontus that were good military positions. (Appian.)

4489. Mithridates was very angry and killed some of the renegades that he had taken and also many of his friends including Exipodras, one of his children. (Dio. l. 37. Oros. l. 6. c. 5.) Mithridates saw their great problems and suspected the entire army because they were forced and under extraordinary taxes. He thought the adversity of his fortune would always be in the minds of a mutable and constrained people. Therefore he sent his eunuchs to the princes of Scythia, to ask about marrying their daughters. He wanted them to come quickly with their forces to his relief. They were escorted by 500 soldiers and had not gone far from Mithridates, when the soldiers killed the eunuchs. They did this because the eunuchs had great authority with the king and had been always troublesome to them. After this they carried the ladies to Pompey. (Appian.)

4490. Pompey left Syria and crossed into Asia where he furthered his ambition. He did the very thing that he had so much reprehended Lucullus for. While Mithridates still controlled the Bosphorus and had gathered a very considerable army, Pompey disposed of several provinces and conferred gifts. (Plutarch.)

4491. Livy (l. 102.) stated that he brought Pontus into the form of a province in Mithridates' lifetime. It was added to Galatia and divided into eleven regions and was called Bithynia. (Strabo, l. 12. p. 541.)

4492. Pompey captured Mithridatium from Pontus and gave it to Bogodiatorus. (Strabo, l. 12. p. 541.) He made Archelaus, son of that Archelaus who was in honour with Sulla and the senate, (See note on 3919 AM <3488>>) the chief priest of Luna. She was a goddess of the Comana in Pontus. Pompey restored the princely dynasty and added to the sacred revenue of that office the quantity of two schoeni or 60 stadii (about 7.5 miles) of land. He ordered the inhabitants of Comana to obey Archelaus. Hence he was their prince, and the chief lord of all the priests of that temple. More than 6000 lived in the city. He did not have the power to sell them. (Strabo, l. 12. p. 558. & l. 17. p. 796. & Appian, p. 251.)

4493. Appian stated that Attalus had the kingdom of Paphlagonia given to him by Pompey. (Appian. p. 251.) Eutropius said it was given to Attalus and Polaemenes and Sextus Rufus and Jornandes state that on his deathbed, Polaemenes left the kingdom of Paphlagonia to the people of Rome. Pompey gave Armenia (the Less) to Dejotares, the king of Galatia (or rather tetrarch) because he was an ally in the Mithridatic war. (Eutrop. l. 6.) Pompey thought Dejotares was the best friend the Romans had. (Cicero in Philippica 11.) Therefore Pompey gave to him Godolonite, part of Pontus and all to Pharnacia and Trapezunte, the Colchi to Armenia (the Less) and declared him king of that region. Before he had by inheritance from his father, the tetrarch of the Tolistoborgians of Galatia. (Strabo. l. 7. p. 547.) Pompey left Galatia to the tetrarchs of his family. (Strabo l. 7. p. 541. cf. Appian. p. 351.) A little later, it came into the hands of three only, then of the two, and last of all into the sole power of Dejotares. (Strabo. l. 12. p. 567.)

4494. After Mithridates had lost most of his children, many citadels and his whole kingdom, he was not discouraged. He did not consider the lowness of his condition when he had also lost his dignity and had no hope of any help from Scythia. He journeyed to the Europian Gauls whom he had befriended before. He hoped to get their help. He planned to go through Scythia and Ister so that with them he might cross the Alps into Italy. He hoped many Italians would join him who also hated the Romans. (Flor. l. 3. c. 5. Appian, p. 246. Dio. l. 37.)

[Soldier4Christ]

4495. The soldiers disliked these grand plans and were afraid of the boldness of the enterprise and the length of the march. They were to fight against men whom they were not able to handle in their own country. They thought Mithridates was in so desperate a condition, that he planned to end his life valiantly than as a defeated man. They stayed with him for a while and quietly let him go on planning because he was no lowly or contemptible prince even under the greatest misfortunes. (Appian.)

4496. Aretas, the king of Arabia Petrea, (or the rocky) to the Red Sea, had often previously invaded Syria. The Romans came to help the Syrians and defeated him. However, he still continued the war. Pompey made an expedition against him and his neighbours. Phraates now behaved himself and Syria and Phoenicia were well settled. (Dio. l. 37.) The soldiers were not all that happy about this expedition for they thought they should be going after Mithridates who was their old enemy and was now recruiting his forces. He was prepared to march through Scythia and Panonia to invade Italy with an army. However, Pompey was satisfied it was nobler to defeat a warring foe than to take the body of a conquered and fleeing enemy. (Plutarch.)

4497. Before Pompey began his journey, he gave a very noble and handsome burial to the dead that fell under Triarius in that unlucky fight they had with Mithridates in Pontus and whom Lucullus had left unburied. Aretas, who before condemned the Roman arms, now was terrified and wrote to Pompey that he would do whatever he would command. However, Pompey, to better know his true feelings, attacked Petra. (Plutarch.) He easily defeated the king and his allies and delivered them to custody (Dio. l. 37.)after he captured their city Petra. (Oros. l. 6. c. 6.) Although Josephus wrote that he did not fight them and went to fight Aristobulus. Plutarch stated that when he was gone a little from Petra, he heard the news of Mithridates' death and he returned from Arabia and came to Amisus.

4498. When P. Servilius Rullus, the tribune of the people at Rome assumed his office, he passed the Agrarian law which created a commission of Decemviri. They were to sell or dispose into colonies all the public revenues in Italy and Syria and the land gained by Pompey. This law was passed in January which, as the year then went at Rome happened on the beginning of the Julian October. This happened when Cicero became consul. He spoke against Ruffus and freed all from the general fear they were in of that Law. (Cicero in 12. Agraria, & l. 2. ad Attic. ep. 1. cum Plut. in Cicero.)

4499. The Decemviri had the power to sell:

``All those lands which Mithridates had possessed in Paphlagonia, Pontus and Cappadocia.''

4500. In his second Agrarian speech before the people, Cicero reprehended the injustice of that popular decree in this way:

``Is it so? without any law made, without the vote of the emperor, before the war is ended, when King Mithridates lost his army and is expelled from his kingdom, yet he makes his attempts in the remotest regions and is defended by the rabble and the difficulty of the way and the height of the mountains from the invincible army of Cn. Pompey, while the emperor is engaged in the war and in those very places the name of a war remains? Will the Decemviri sell those lands, which by the custom of our ancestors, ought to remain in the power and at the disposal of Cnius Pompey?''

4501. L. Valerius Flaccus, who was the praetor at Rome, was sent as praetor into Asia. His office in Asia was for one year. Quitus Cicero was the 5th that held it as Mareus Cicero, his brother, witnessed in his speech accusing this Flaccus of bribery.

3941a AM, 4650 JP, 64 BC

4502. Pharnaces plotted against Mithridates. He was his best beloved son and whom he had often appointed his heir in the kingdom. He did this either because he thought the Italian expedition would permanently alienate the Romans or from some other cause or for covetousness. Those who were guilty in the plot were put to the rack. However Menophanes persuaded Mithridates to pardon his son. (Appian.) Dio (as Salianus notes) said nothing of the pardon and stated that men were sent to take Pharnaces whom he persuaded to join his party. After they had taken Panticapaeum, they captured his father. He also noted that although Mithridates was otherwise a very wise king, he never considered that arms and multitudes of his subjects are of little value without their good will and love. On the contrary if they are unfaithful, there is the least safety where the greatest numbers are. Appian made the same observation.

4503. Pharnaces knew that the soldiers were very much against the expedition into Italy. At night, he went to those Romans that had defected to Mithridates and told them of the great danger of their crossing into Italy which they well knew. He promised them great matters if they would stay and he persuaded them to defect from his father. Presently, in the same night, he sent messengers to other nearby tents and persuaded them also to join him. In the morning, first the Italian fugitives and then all the other adjoining camps talked about this and so did the naval forces. With a great shout, they proclaimed their defection. They were not told beforehand of this nor were bribed. They were either induced by the example of so many whom they saw they could not withstand or were overcome by the extremity of the old king's misfortune.

4504. When Mithridates heard the shout of the army, he sent some to know what they wanted. They were told they wanted his son to be king. They wanted a young man instead of an old one who was fond of eunuchs and who caused the death of many sons, captains and friends. When Mithridates heard this, he went out to speak to them himself. Many of his guard defected to the fugitives. They were not received unless they would do something to show their unfaithfulness to the king. They showed them Mithridates' horse which was killed as he was fleeing. They now greeted Pharnaces as king as if they had obtained their heart's desire. Some of them took a very large skin of parchment which they had brought from the temple and put it around his head instead of a diadem.

4505. The old man saw this from the upper porch and sent one after another to Pharnaces to request a safe passage for him but none returned. He feared lest he might be turned over to the Romans. He praised those men and his friends that still stood by him and sent them to the new king. Some were killed by the army on the way, contrary to all expectations. (Appian.) When he had begged from the walls his son in vain and saw him unbending, Mithridates is said to have uttered these words when he was about to die.

``O country gods, if you so grant that at some time or another, he may receive the same words from his children.''

[Soldier4Christ]

4506. He went to his wives and concubines and gave them poison. (Oros. l. 6. c. 5.)

4507. Two virgin daughters that were brought up with him, Mithridatis and Nissa and were betrothed to the king of Egypt and Cyprus, earnestly entreated their father that they might drink their poisoned potion before him. They desired for him to wait until they had done this. (Appian.) However, neither the poison Mithridates always carried about in his sword nor the wound he had given himself with the sword, were sufficient to kill him. Although he walked about most strenuously so that the poison would spread itself through his veins and might act more quickly, nothing happened. He had vaccinated his body against poison with daily preservative medicines, which to this day are called Mithridatica. His sword wound was poorly executed because of his age, his present distresses and the partial effect of the poison. He had not killed himself but still lingered. The wall was now broken down and Bitoetus or Bithocus, a soldier and Gaul wandered about. He was terrified by the majesty of his countenance. Mithridates called him back and caused the soldier's trembling hand to put an end to his life. (Dio. l. 37. cf. Livy, l. 102. Flor. l. 3. c. 5. Valer. Max. l. 9. c. 2. Pliny l. 25. c. 2. Justin. l. 37. c. 2. A Gelloi. l. 17. c. 16. Appian. p. 248, Aurel. Vict. de Vir. Illust. c. 76. & Oros. l. 6. c. 5.)

4508. Thus Mithridates ended his life at Panticapaeum in Bosphorus Cimmerius.

``A man neither to be passed over in silence, nor to be spoken of without respect. He was most valiant in war, of outstanding virtue, greatest, sometimes in fortune, but always in control. He was a most discreet general and an excellent soldier of his troops.'' (Velleius Paterculus l. 2. c. 18.)

4509. Cicero (in his Lucullus) called him:

``The greatest king after Alexander.''

4510. Because of these eulogies, I have been as careful about recording his life as I was about Alexander.

4511. Orosius wrote thus of the time of the Mithridatic war: (l. 6. c. 1. fin.)

``The Mithridatic war, or rather the end of the Mithridatic war which involved many provinces, was carried on for 40 years. For it began in the 662nd year after the foundation of Rome, as I said before, (l. 5. c. 19.) in the same year as the first civil war began. This was in the consulship of Cicero and Antony. (that I may use the words of that excellent poet, Lucan.''

"----Barbarico vix consummata veneno"

``Scarcely ended by the barbaric poison of Mithridates. In this time there are found 30 years of that war. Why most write 40, is not easy to know.''

4512. We read in Justin, (l. 37. c. 1.) that Mithridates warred with the Romans for 40 years. Appian, in the beginning of his Mithridatics, (p. 170.) said that the Mithridatic war lasted 42 years. (in Syriac. p. 118. & Mithridatics, p. 249.) Florus (l. 3. c. 5.) agrees with Appian. However Eutropius (l. 6.) only allows 40 years. In Pliny, (l. 7. c. 26.) the title placed by Pompey in the temple of Minerva showed that this war lasted only 30 years. From the beginning of the first Mithridatic war to the death of Mithridates is only 26 years. This includes those years of the peace between the two wars. So that the war may be said to last 30 years to make it a round figure. Cicero (Orat. in L. Pisonem.) in his consulship hinted that he defended C. Rabirius 40 years earlier, who was guilty of treason, for the murder of Saturninus by the authority of the senate. Dio (l. 37.) more accurately said this happened 36 years before. For more information consult that Pisconian speech by Asconius Pedianus.

4513. At that time when Pompey was in Judea, he was angry with Aristobulus and marched against him. Hyrcanus urged him to do this. He went with the Roman legions and with the auxiliaries that he raised in Damascus, and in other parts of Syria. He went through Pella and Scythopolis and came to Coreae near the border of Judea toward the Mediterranean. He learned that Aristobulus had fled into Alexandrion, a good citadel that was located on the top of an hill. He summoned Aristobulus to come to him. He was persuaded by many of his friends not to start a war against the Romans and he came to Pompey. After he discussed his title with his brother Hyrcanus about the kingdom, Pompey gave him permission to retire to his citadel again. He did this 2 or 3 times and always flattered Pompey. He hoped to get the kingdom and feigned that he would obey Pompey in all things. In the meanwhile, he returned and fortified the citadel. He prepared for war, for fear lest the kingdom should be given to his brother Hyrcanus. (Joseph. Belli, l. 1. Antiq. l. 14, c. 6.)

4514. Pompey commanded Aristobulus to surrender the citadels and he wrote to the governors concerning this. They would not have obeyed him, unless the letters had been written with Aristobulus own hand. Aristobulus submitted, but in discontent, he went to Jerusalem. He fully intended to prepare for war. Pompey immediately followed him with his army and thought it best not to give him any time for preparation. (Joseph. Belli, l. 1. Antiq. l. 14, c. 6.)

4515. As Pompey was marching near Jericho, a messenger came and told him that Mithridates was killed by his son Pharnaces. (Joseph. Belli, l. 1. Antiq. l. 14, c. 6.) Those who brought the news wreathed their javelins' heads with laurels. There was no high place for Pompey to speak to the soldiers. The camp was made with turfs that were cut and laid one on top of another. Hence they made a mound. Pompey ascended this mound and told his soldiers that Mithridates had killed himself and that Pharnaces had reserved all things for himself and the Romans. (Plutarch in Pompey)

4516. Thereupon the army greatly rejoiced and spent their time in sacrificing and feasting as if by Mithridates death, had died huge numbers of their enemies. Pompey was very glad that he had put an end to all Mithridates' acts and expeditions much easier than he thought he would. (Plutarch in Pompey) For Mithridates had worried Pompey so much that although he conquered all his kingdom, he did not think the war was over as long as Mithridates was alive. (Cicero, pro Murena.) Lucan mentions Pompey bragging about this:

Skulking about Pontus, and while he watched to bring Ruin to the Romans that untamed king, With better luck than Sulla, I've made to die.

4517. Pompey first camped at Jericho where there was most excellent dates and balsam which was the most precious of all ointments. The next morning he marched toward Jerusalem. Aristobulus was sorry for what he had done and came and met him. He promised him money and that he would surrender himself and the city to him. He only desired that there would be no war and that things would be settled peaceably. Pompey pardoned him and sent Gabinius with the soldiers to receive the money. They returned without either for Aristobulus' soldiers would not honour his promise. Pompey became very angry and committed Aristobulus to custody. He marched in person against the city. It was strongly fortified except toward the north side which was easiest to be battered. (Joseph. Antiq. l. 15. c. 7.)

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4518. The citizens within the city were divided. Those that sided with Hyrcanus, said that the city should be surrendered to Pompey. Many agreed who feared the determination of the Romans. However, Aristobulus' side ordered the gates to be shut and to prepare for war because Pompey held the king prisoner. These first seized the temple and cut down the bridge by which they went into the city. They stood prepared to fight. Hyrcanus' party received the army within the city and turned over to Pompey the city and the king's palace. Pompey committed these to Piso, his lieutenant who fortified the houses and other buildings that were near the temple. First he offered the besieged conditions of peace. When they refused, Pompey prepared for a general assault and was helped by Hyrcanus in all matters. (Joseph. Bell. l. 1. c. 5. & Antiq. l. 14. c. 8.)

4519. Pompey camped on the north side of the city, which was the easiest to attack. There were also high towers and a handmade ditch in addition to a deep valley which was around the temple. All places around the city went down quite steeply especially where the bridge was taken away and on the side where Pompey camped. However, the Romans raised mounts daily and cut down trees around there. They filled up the trench with materials that the soldiers brought. The work was very difficult because the trench was so deep and the Jews fought from above. (Joseph. Bell. l. 1. c. 5. & Antiq. l. 14. c. 8.)

4520. Josephus stated that if the Jews had not observed the sabbath, the Romans could not have finished the mounts for the Jewish resistance. For the law permitted the Jews to defend themselves against an attacking enemy but not to hinder any work that the enemy does. This is not a written law but received by tradition from their doctors. When the Romans knew the way the Jews acted on the sabbath, they did not shoot any arrows against the Jews nor fought with them in any way. They only erected their mounts and towers and planted their engines so that they might use them on the next day against the Jews. (Joseph. Antiq. l. 14. c. 8.) King Agrippa (Joseph. Bell. l. 2.) said that Pompey especially chose those days to carry on the war to prevent the Jews from attacking them on their sabbath.

4521. Pompey's letters were read in the senate concerning the death of Mithridates and the end of that war. Cicero, the consul, proposed that there was to be a procession for 12 days decreed for Pompey. (Cicero, de provinciis Consularibus.) The Romans kept these festival days, to celebrate being freed from a great enemy. (Appian. p. 250.)

4522. Titus Ampius and Titus Labienus, who were the tribunes of the people, proposed a law that Pompey should wear a laurel crown and the triumphal clothes in the Circensian and Scenical plays. He only wore the purple gown and a laurel crown once in these plays. (Vellei, Patercul. l. 2. c. 40. Dio. l. 37.)

4523. At Jerusalem the trench was being filled and the tower fitted upon the mounts. The engines from Tyre were placed and the Romans shot huge stones and battered the temple stones. However, the towers were exceeding strong and beautiful and endured the assaults of the besiegers. The Romans were very tired and Pompey wondered at the faithfulness of the Jews. Among others, he especially marvelled at their constantly observing the whole service of God amid all their enemies' attacks as if they were at peace. All the time of the attacks, they performed the daily sacrifices. Twice a day, the priests in the morning and at the 9th hour offered sacrifices on the altar. They did not stop their sacrifices no matter what happened. {Josephus, Wars, l. 1. c. 5. & Antiq. l. 14. c. 8.}

4524. The Latin Feriae were held at Rome. (This feast was not on a set day but appointed by the magistrates.) At this feast, a comet appeared and the moon was eclipsed on the 7th day of the Julian November, 2 hours after midnight. Concerning this, Cicero in the second book of his consulship mentions in these verses.

''When Albans snowy heaps thou viewdst, and when With glad milk the Latina celebratedst, then Comets of fire did tremble in thy sight, And thou a conflict fancydst in the night. Which time scarce escaped inauspicious; when The moon withdrew her light and sight from men, And on a sudden left a starry night.''

4525. In the 3rd month of the siege of Jerusalem, the largest tower fell after being shaken by the many batteries of the ram. A large part of the wall fell with it. Through this breach large numbers of the enemy broke into the temple. The first man who climbed the wall, was Cornelius Faustus the son of Sulla, with his band of soldiers. Immediately after him, came the centurion Furius with his regiment and between them both, the centurion Fabius with a valiant band of his soldiers. These surrounded the temple while some fought to hide themselves. Others made some resistance and were killed. Although many priests saw the enemies rushing in with their drawn swords, they were not at all dismayed and continued their sacrifices. They were slain even while they offered and burned incense in the temple. They preferred to observe their religious duty rather than save their own lives. {Josephus, Wars, l. 1. c. 5. & Antiq. l. 14. c. 8.}

4526. All the places were full of the dead. Some of the Jews were killed by the Romans and others by their own countrymen of the opposing faction. Many threw themselves headlong down the rocks. Others set their houses on fire and burnt themselves alive. They could not endure to behold those things that were done by the enemy. About 12,000 Jews died. Very few of the Romans were killed but many wounded. Among the captives was Absalom, the uncle and father-in-law of Aristobulus and the son of John Hyrcanus. Josephus {Josephus, Antiq, l. 13. c. 20.} wrote that he was honoured by Alexander Jannaeus because he was contented to live a private life. {Josephus, Wars, l. 1. c. 5. & Antiq. l. 14. c. 8.}

4527. The temple was taken on the fast day when C. Antonius and M. Tullius Cicero were consuls in the 179th Olympiad. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 14. c. 8.} Eusebius {Eusebius, Demponstrat. Evangel., l. 8. c. 2.} stated that it was at the start of the year in the holy fast of the 3rd month on which the city was later taken by Sosius. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 14. c. ult.} It is to be taken for the 3rd month of the civil year which started in the autumn according to the Hebrews and other eastern accounts. {Josephus, Antiq, init. c. 4.} {Jerom, in the beginning of Ezekiel} That is it was the 3rd month of the Syrians called by them, the "Former Canun" and by the Hebrews "Chisleu". It was on the 28th day of this month the Jews, even to this very day, keep a fast in memory of the sacred roll being burnt by wicked Jehoiakim. Jer 36:9,22,23 (See note on 3398 AM <<782-6>>) This fast was appointed for the first taking of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar when the Jews began first to serve the Babylonians. Peritrope noted that on the same day of the same month, the temple was taken after 543 years by Pompey when the Jews began to serve the Romans. Again 26 years later, it was taken by Sosius when they began to serve Herod the Idumaean and his posterity. The 28th day of the month Chisleu corresponds to the 28th day of the Julian December this year and (which also is worth noting) it was on a Saturday or the Jewish sabbath when the temple was taken by assault. Dio notes that this was reckoned the 79th year from the 170th of the Greek empire, in which it is read that the yoke of the heathen was taken away from Israel. /APC 1Ma 13:41 From this, it may be gathered how short a time they enjoyed their liberty.

4528. Pompey and many others entered the temple and saw those things that were not lawful to be seen by any but the high priest. In the temple there was the table, candlesticks, with the lamps, all vessels for sacrifice, the censers all of gold and an huge pile of spices. In the treasuries of sacred money they found about 2000 talents. Pompey did not touch any of this but on the next day he ordered them that had the charge of the temple to purify and cleanse it and to offer their solemn sacrifices to God. {Josephus, Wars, l. 1. c. 5. & Antiq. l. 14. c. 8.}

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4529. Pompey restored the high priesthood to Hyrcanus because he had readily helped him in the siege and he had hindered the Jews that were in the whole country from joining with Aristobulus. (Joseph. Bell. l. 1. c. 5. Antiq. l. 14. c. 8.) Pompey also gave him the kingdom but forbid him to wear a crown. From this time plus the previous 9 years in which he was high priest during the reign of his mother Alexandra, he was the high priest for another 24 and an half years. {Josephus, Wars, l. 1. c. 5. & Antiq. l. 20. c. 8.}

4530. Pompey put to death those that were the main cause of the war and gave great honours and rewards to Faustus and others who first had ascended the wall. {Josephus, Wars, l. 1. c. 5. & Antiq. l. 14. c. 8.}

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4531. Pompey made the Jews tributary to the Romans {Josephus, Antiq., l. 14. c. 8.} {Eusebius, Chron. Sever. Sulpic. Histor. Sacr. l. 2.} and he took away the cities which they had previously conquered in Coleosyria. He ordered them to obey their own governors and reduced the boundaries of the country to their ancient bounds. As a favour to Demetrius of Gadara, a libertine of his, (of whose insolence, Plutarch mentions {Plutarch, in Pompey}) he rebuilt Gadara which the Jews had previously destroyed. He restored the inhabitants to their inland cities of Hippon, Scythopolis, Pella, Dion, Samaria, Marissa, Azotus, Jamnia and Arathusa. He did not restore the inhabitants to any city that was destroyed. He did the same with the coastal towns of Gaza, Joppe, Dora and the town of Straton. It was later magnificently rebuilt by Herod and called Caesarea. Pompey set at liberty these cities and annexed all of them to the province of Syria. {Josephus, Wars, l. 1. c. 5. & Antiq., l. 14. c. 8.}

4532. Josephus stated: {Josephus, Antiq., l. 14. c. 8.}

``Hyrcanus and Aristobulus through their quarrelling and dissentions, were the cause of this calamity to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. For at that time, we first began to lose our liberty and were made subject to the government of the Romans. In addition, we were forced to surrender to the Syrians that country we had recently taken from them in war. Also the Romans have exacted from us more than 10,000 talents in a short time.''

4533. After this Josephus affirms {Josephus, Antiq., l. 14. c. 12.} that Crassus alone took so much from the temple. He may be understood to speak here of the tributes and taxes imposed on the people.

4534. It is interesting to compare what Josephus wrote with other non-Jewish historians about Pompey's action against the Jews. Cicero, in whose consulship these things happened is the main writer. We found this testimony of Pompey's restraint. {Cicero, Pro Flacco}

``When C. Pompey had taken Jerusalem, he removed nothing from that temple. As in all things, first he acted most wisely in this. In so large and rebellious a city, he permitted no place for the speeches of slanderous detractors. I think the religion of the Jews was no offence, but a shame to this excellent emperor.''

4535. As much as could be expected from a heathen, he made a comparison between the Roman and the Jewish religion in this manner.

``Every city has its particular religion and we have ours. While Jerusalem stood and the Jews were at league with us, their religion did abhor the splendour of the sacred rites of our empire, the majesty of our name and the institutions of our ancestors. Now, which is more, that nation showed their opinion of us by their arms, it is sufficiently obvious how dear they are to the immortal gods in that they are conquered, farmed and made servants.''

4536. From Titus Livy, {Livy, l. 102.} we find this.

``Cn. Pompey subdued the Jews and took their temple, which until that time had been undamaged.''

4537. Unless we should think that Eutropius and Orosius (as they did in many other parts of their histories) borrowed this from him. Eutropius {Eutropius, l. 6.} stated this:

``...passing over against the Jews, the 3rd month he took Jerusalem, the capital of the country. 12,000 Jews were killed and the rest were taken into league.''

4538. Orosius {Orosius, l. 6. c. 6.} wrote that Pompey went from Petra in Arabia against the Jews:

``over whom Aristobulus reigned after he expelled his brother, Hyrcanus (who was the first king of a priest).''

4539. This shows that he took this part of his history not from Josephus but someone less knowledgable in the Jewish affairs. In spite of this, he accurately relates what Pompey did.

``He sent Gabinius with an army to Jerusalem, their city. He presently came later and was received into the city by the chief elders. He was driven from the walls of the temple by the common people and he planned to take it. The place was well fortified by its natural location and surrounded by a very large wall. Notwithstanding one legion after another, night and day, without stopping attacked the walls. He took 3 months to capture it. Finally after much trouble, he captured it. 13,000 (Josephus and Eutropius have 12,000) Jews were killed and the rest made a truce. Pompey ordered the walls of the city to be levelled to the ground. After he had beheaded some princes of the Jews, he restored Hyrcanus to the high priesthood and brought Aristobulus as a prisoner to Rome.''

4540. Strabo (Strabo, l. 6.) wrote:

``When Judea was now openly oppressed with tyranny, Alexander was the first who had made himself king instead of priest. His sons, Hyrcanus and Aristobulus fought for the government. Pompey came in and deposed and demolished their bulwarks and first took Jerusalem by force. That wall was all of stone and well guarded. Inside they were well supplied with water, but outside, it was very dry. It had a ditch cut in the rock, 60 feet deep, and 250 feet wide. The walls of the temple were made of the stone that were cut out from the ditch. Pompey took it, as it is reported, by taking the opportunity of a fast day, in which they abstained from all manner of labours. When he had filled the ditch, he crossed the wall by his scaling ladders. He commanded all the walls to be demolished, and as much as he could, destroyed all the places of robbers and all those places where the tyrant's treasures were stored. Two of them were located in the entrance in Jericho, Thrax, and Taurus, the rest were Alexandrium, Hyrcanium, Macharus, Lysias, and some places about Philadelphia, Scythopolis also next to Galilee. {Strabo, l. 6. p. 792, 763.} Later, Pompey took away some places, that the Jews had captured by force and made Hyrcanus, the high priest. {Strabo, l. 6. p. 764, 765.}

4541. In Lucan, {Lucan, Pharsalia, l. 3} stated that among the other countries that Pompey conquered, that Judah was described thus:

To the Arabs and the war like Heniochi tamed And the fleece deprived Colchi I am known: my famed Ensigns the Cappadocians, and the Jews, who adore, An unknown God, and soft Sophene: fear full sore Taurus, Armenia and Cilicia I have subdued.

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4542. Plutarch {Plutarch, in Pompey} stated:

``He subdued Judea and took their king Aristobulus.''

4543. Appian {Appian, in Mithridaticis, p. 244} said this:

``He made war upon Aretas, the king of the Arabians of Nabathea, and the Jews also who had revolted from their king, Aristobulus. He took Jerusalem, a city which in their conceit they thought most holy.''

4544. In Appian {Appian, in Syriacis, p. 119.} he stated:

``Only the country of the Jews remained unconquered, whose King Aristobulus, the conquering Pompey, sent to Rome. He overthrew the walls of Jerusalem, the greatest and most holy city in all that country.''

4545. Cornel. Tacitus, {Tacitus, Histories, l. 5. c. 9.} stated:

``Cn. Pompey was the first that conquered the Jews of all the Romans and entered the temple by right of conquest. There was first published that their temple was on the inside without any images and had an empty seat. The walls of Jerusalem were thrown down but the temple stood still.''

4546. L. Florus, {Florus, History, l, 3. c. 9.} said concerning the same:

``Pompey marched through Libanus in Syria and Damascus. He placed the Roman ensigns. He passed through those sweat smelling groves of frankincense and balms. The Arabians were at his service. The Jews were afraid to defend Jerusalem. He also entered and saw openly that grand mystery of that wicked nation as under a sky of beaten gold. (Concerning this see {Lypsius, Elector., l. 2. c. 5.}) The brothers were at odds about the kingdom and Pompey was made the umpire. He gave the kingdom to Hyrcanus and put irons on Aristobulus for refusing to abide by the agreement.''

4547. Dio, {Dio, l. 37.} in the consulship of M. Tullius Cicero, and C. Antonius, stated:

``Pompey marched into Syria Palestine because their inhabitants had invaded Phoenicia. This country was governed by two brothers, Hyrcanus and Aristobulus. They were at odds with each other at that time about the priesthood of God which is the same as ruling the kingdom with them. One of them filled the city with seditions. Pompey therefore presently, without fighting, conquered Hyrcanus because he had no forces able to resist him. Aristobulus was besieged in a certain citadel and was forced to accept conditions of peace. Since he would neither give him money nor surrender the castle, Pompey cast him into prison and then easily conquered the rest. The taking of Jerusalem caused Pompey much trouble. He easily took the city and was let in by those that favoured Hyrcanus. However, he did not easily take the temple that was seized by them of the opposing faction. It was located on an hill and fortified with a wall of stone. If they had defended it on all days, it would never have been conquered. They did not defend it on Saturdays and because they rested from all work on those days, they gave the Romans the opportunity of overthrowing the wall. For when they observed this custom of the enemies, they did nothing against the wall on the other days. When the week was past and Saturday came, then they started working heartily and took the temple by force. Finally the Jews were overcome and did not defend themselves. Their treasures were taken away and the kingdom was given to Hyrcanus. Aristobulus was carried away prisoner. These things happened at this time in Palestine.''

4548. While Pompey made war about Judea, Ptolemy (Auletes) maintained 8000 cavalry at his own expense and feasted 1000 guests with as many gold drinking cups. He always changed the cups as they changed the dishes, as Varro relates. {Pliny, l. 33.} He was paid annually 12,500 talents in tribute from Egypt, as Cicero said in a speech (which is lost.) {Strabo, l. 17. p. 799.} Although Diodorus Siculus stated that the revenue of Egypt at this time was only 6000 talents.

4549. Seleucis in Palestine was built by Pompey. {Appian. p. 253.}

4550. Pompey left the government of Coelosyria to Scaurus, from Euphrates River as far as the borders of Egypt. Pompey departed into Cilicia with two legions and took Aristobulus prisoner with him with his two sons and two daughters. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 14. c. 8.} One son called Alexander, escaped on his journey but the younger, called Antigonus with his sisters were carried to Rome. {Josephus, Wars, l. 1. c. 5. fin.}

4551. Appian wrote that when Pompey left Syria he put his quaester, Scaurus in charge. (Appian, in Syriacis, p. 119.} {Josephus, Wars, l. 5. p. 676. 677.} Josephus added {Josephus, Wars, l. 1. c. 8} that he gave the government of Syria and Judea, also to Scaurus. Also Ammianus Marcellinus {Ammianus, l. 14.} affirmed this:

``After Pompey had conquered the Jews and taken Jerusalem, he arranged Palestine into the form of a province, he committed its jurisdiction to a governor.''

4552. Hyrcanus retained the name of king but without a crown. He was so dull witted, that the governors of Syria took the power to themselves. They managed the tributes and all other things at their own pleasure in Palestine. This we shall see later in the government of Gabinius.

4553. When Cicero and Antonius were consuls, on the 9th day before the month of October, Octavian was born to Octavian and his wife, Atia who was sister of C. Julius Caesar. {Suetonius, in Octavio, c. 4, 5.} Octavian was later called Caesar Augustus and in whose reign our Lord Jesus Christ, the saviour of the world, was born. Lu 2:1,6,7. Julius Marathus reported that a few months before Augustus was born, a prodigy or oracle happened at Rome and was publicly known. It stated that nature was about to bring forth a king over the people of Rome. The senate was afraid and made a law that no male child that was born that year should be raised. Those whose wives were pregnant objected for everyone thought this sign may apply to their future son. They said this act should not be brought into the treasury and then enrolled. Suetonius {Seutonius, in Octavio, c. 4, 5.} confirms his birthday on the 9th of the month of October. Augustus agrees with Suetonius in a letter to his nephew Caius. {Gellius. l. 15. c. 7.} The new calendar {in Scriptionibus Gruteri 133.}, the Narbon stone {in Scriptionibus Gruteri, p.229.} and Dion {Dion, l. 56.} state that he was born on the 23rd of September. For in the Julian September of 30 days, the 9th of the month of October is the 23rd of September. Although in the Pompilian September which has but 29 days, it is the 22nd of the same month. However, September, as the year was (before the corrections of Julius Caesar) at Rome, happened in June of the Julian period 4651.

4554. The Catiline conspiracy broke out at Rome. Q. Martius Rex and Q. Metellus Creticus were both generals in the city. They were both prevented from a triumph by the false accusation of some few, whose custom it was to assail all things whether honest or false. {Sallust, in conjuration. Catiline}

4555. The Philadelphians calculate their years from the second year of the 179th Olympiad. {Fasti Siculi} This Philadelphia is not far from Judea concerning which Josephus, {Josephus, Wars, l. 1. c. 5.} {Strabo, l. 16. p. 760,763.} notes that around that area was the hang out of thieves. It was captured this year and the thieves taken away by Pompey. This may explain the reason of the first institution of this epoch.

4556. Pompey marched around the rest of Cilicia which did not acknowledge the Roman power and subdued it to Roman authority without a fight {Appian, p. 244.} except that part which was occupied by the Eleuthero-Cilices. Their town was located in the mountain Amanus and they were later conquered by Cicero, the proconsul of Syria.

4557. Pharnaces sent to Pompey the body of his father Mithridates preserved in brine. He surrendered to him both himself and his kingdom. {Dio. l. 37.} Appian wrote that he sent it to Pompey to Synope in a galley along with those that had taken Manius Aquilius and many Greek and barbarian hostages. Pharnaces desired that he might retain either his father's kingdom or the Bosphorus only which his brother Machan had received from Mithridates. Plutarch says that when Pompey came to Amisus, he found many gifts brought from Pharnaces and many of the royal family. The corpse of Mithridates was not very well known by his face but was known by the scars by them who desired to see that sight. Pompey did not see it but sent it to Synope.

4558. Pompey thought that all hostility died with Mithridates and did no harm to the corpse but ordered it to be buried in the sepulchre of his fathers. {Dio, l. 37.} He turned the corpse over to them who would take care of it and paid for the funeral. He ordered that it should be royally interred at Synope. He commended Mithridates for the excellence of his exploits as the most famous king of his time. {Appian, p. 250.}

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4559. Pompey admired the wonderful rich apparel and the arms he wore. However, Publius stole the scabbard of his sword which cost 400 talents and sold it to Ariarathes. Caius, the foster brother of Mithridates, privately gave Mithridates' hat of wonderful workmanship, to Faustus, the son of Sulla who begged it from him. Pompey did not know about this but when Pharnaces found out later, he punished those that had done those things. {Plutarch}

4560. Pompey enrolled Pharnaces and Castor Phanagonasis among the friends and allies of the people of Rome. {Appian, p. 251.} {Dio, l. 37.} He also gave the kingdom of Bosphorus to Pharnaces because he had freed Italy from many difficulties. The Phanagorenses were not given to Pharnaces. Pompey granted them their liberty because they were the first to trouble Mithridates by revolting from him when he was again gathering up his forces and when he had an army and fleet. By their example to others, they were the cause of his downfall. {Appian, p. 250.} After Pompey left, Pharnaces attacked the Phanagorenses and their neighbours until through famine, they were forced to come out and fight with him and were defeated. He did not harm them and he received them into friendship with him and only took hostages from them. {Appian, p. 253,254.}

4561. Pompey recovered the citadels in Pontus. They were surrendered personally to Pompey by the garrisons that controlled them because they thought if they turned them over to anyone else the treasure would be looted and they would be held accountable. {Dio, l. 37.} The city of Talaura was the place where Mithridates stored his belongings. They found 2000 cups of onyx stone that were fastened together with gold. They also found many cups for hot and cold drinks as well as beds and chairs that were all most splendid. They found bridles for horses and trappings for breasts and shoulders that were all covered with gold and precious stones. The treasurer spent 30 days recording what was found. Part of the treasure came from Darius, the son of Hystaspes, and was handed down to his successors. Cleopatra had deposited part of the Ptolemy treasure at Cos which Mithridates had carried from there when the citizens handed it over to him. Some of the treasure belonged to Mithridates who was being extremely desirous to have a rich household of stuff. {Appian, p. 251, 252.}

4562. At Rome at the time when consuls are elected, Cicero, the consul, made a speech for Murena who was chosen consul for the following year. He was accused for unlawful bribery for the office. In the speech Cicero says that the army of L. Lucullus, which had come to his triumph, came to help Murena in demanding the consulship. Concerning this triumph, Cicero, {Cicero, on Lucullus} mentions this:

``When he returned the conqueror from the Mithridatic war, he triumphed three years later than he ought to have done, through the false accusations of his enemies. We that are consuls, were most honoured to bring in the chariot of that famous man into the city.''

4563. C. Mummius had set the people of Rome against him, as if he had embeazelled much of the spoils and had protracted the war. Hence he persuaded the people that they should deny Lucullus his triumph. However, the noble men, and those that were most in authority, intermixed with the tribes and they intreated them so much by suit and persuasion that finally they persuaded them to allow Lucullus' triumph. {Plutarch, in Lucullus}

4564. He made his triumphant entry not burdensome for its long show nor for the number of things that he brought there as many captains had done before him. Instead he outfitted the show place (called Circus Flaminius) with a large number of the enemy's weapons and with the king's battering engines. This was a pleasant sight to see. In their triumph there was a certain company of bravely armed men, ten chariots with scythes, and 60 friends and captains of the two kings and 110 long ships that were armed on their prows. Also displayed was a six foot high solid gold statue of Mithridates and a shield set with precious stones, the crown of Trigranes, twenty cupboards of silver plate and 32 cupboards of golden vessels and armour and coins. These were carried upon men's shoulders. Eight mules carried golden beds, 56 carried silver bullion and 107 that carried silver coins worth a little less than 2,700,000 drachmas. Moreover, there were books of accounts carried of what he had given to his own soldiers which was 950 drachmas a piece. Then Lucullus feasted all the cities and villages around there. {Plutarch, in Lucullus}

4565. After the triumph, an account was given of the Mithridatic war. Lucullus engaged in a lifestyle that was far more magnificent than ancient temperance and behaviour of the Romans of old. He was the first of the Romans that brought in all manner of luxuries after that he had received the riches of the two kings, Tigranes and Mithridates. {Nicolaus Damascen. Historiar. l. 27.} {Athenaeus, l. 6. c. ult. & l. 12. c. 21.} Velleius Paterculus also confirms that he was the first that brought in the profuse luxury in buildings and household goods. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 33.}

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4566. Pompey rebuilt Eupatoria, which Mithridates Eupator had built and called after his own name and destroyed it again because it entertained the Romans. Pompey gave to it lands and inhabitants and called it Magnopolis. {Strabo. l. 12. p. 556.} {Appian. p. 251.} He built Cabira into a city and called it Diopolis. {Strabo, l. 12. p. 557.} He appointed laws and statutes for the Bithynians and those of Pontus. Pliny, the praetor of Bithynia, mentioned these in his letter to Trojan. {Pliny, l. 10.}

4567. Pompey marched from Pontus into Asia (properly so called) and wintered at Ephesus. {Dio, l. 37.} When he had finished his task on sea and land, he ordered the cities of Asia to furnish him with a fleet, equivalent to the price of L. Sulla's imposition which he described. {Cicero, pro Flacco.}

4568. L. Valerius Flaccus, who in the previous year was praetor at Rome, was this year praetor of Asia. {Cicero, pro Flacco.}

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3942b AM, 4652 JP, 62 BC

4569. About the end of winter, Pompey distributed the rewards to his conquering army. Each received 1500 Attic drachmas. (Plutarch confirms that each man received at least that much.) The tribunes and centurions received amounts according to their dignity. The total sum of money was calculated to be 16,000 talents. {Appian, p. 252.} He gave to the lieutenants and quaestors that defended the sea coast, 2000 festertium's and to each of the soldiers, fifty, if Pliny is correct. {Pliny, l. 37. c. 2.}

4570. When D. Julius Silanus and L. Murena were consuls, Metellus had a triumph for conquering Crete {Eutrop. l. 6.} in the month of June. (For as much as we can gather from the fragments of the triumphal marbles.) This was in the Julian March. The main attraction of the triumph was the captive captains who Pompey took from him. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 40} He took Lasthenes and Panares with the help of one of the common people whom he persuaded to. {Dio, l. 36.} However, the triumph of Lucullus and Metellus were much favoured by every good man because of their merit and especially in envy to Pompey {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 34.} Appian also makes mention of the triumph of Metellus Creticus. {Appian, Legat. 30.}

4571. Cato came to Ephesus to greet Pompey as one that was older and greater in dignity than he. When Pompey saw him come, he would not allow him to come to him as he sat in his seat but went to meet him as one of the chiefest noble men. He took Cato by the hand and embraced and greeted him. He commended Cato in the presence of all men both when he was present and when he was absent. However, Pompey was glad when he was gone as though he could not command freely when he was there. He also commended to Cato the care of his wife and children. Pompey never did this to any others that sailed to Rome although indeed Cato was allied to them. {Plutarch, in Cato Minore.}

4572. Pompey had partly by war overcome many princes and kings, and partly allied them to him by firm conditions of peace. He had taken not less than 900 cities and rebuilt 39 cities that were either ruined or destroyed in war (as was Mazaca the head city of Cappadocia) and had enlarged eight cities and countries with colonies. He instructed the most of the countries through Asia that belonged to the Romans in his own laws and ordained a commonwealth for them. Finally, he sailed from Ephesus through the islands and Greece and went toward Italy in very great pomp. {Dio, l. 37.} {Appian, p. 251.} {Plutarch, in Pompey}

4573. When Pompey was come to Lesbos, he released the city of all taxes as a favour to Theophanes. {Plutarch, in Pompey} For the Mitylenians had surrendered Marius Aquilius and other prisoners. They were granted liberty by Pompey as a favour to Theophanes. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 18.} This was Balbus Cornelius Theophanes a Mitylenian, a writer of Pompey's deeds. Pompey esteemed him as one of his most intimate friends and made him a citizen of Rome in the presence of the whole army. The Greeks bestowed divine honours on Theophanes when he died. {Cicero, pro Archia poeta} {Strabo, l. 13. p. 617.} {Valerius Maximus, l. 8. c. 14.} {Tacitus, Annals, l. 6. c. 1.} {Julius Capitolinus, in Maximo & Balbino}

4574. At Mitylene, Pompey saw the poets perform plays. The theme of all the performances was Pompey's deeds and acts. Pompey was very delighted with the theatre and made a plan of it so that he might make a similar one at Rome only larger and more magnificent. {Plutarch, in Pompey}

4575. When he came to Rhodes, he heard the sophists dispute and gave each of them a talent. Posidonius had written the disputation he made before Pompey, against Hermagoras the rhetorician about the general question. {Plutarch, in Pompey} As Pompey was about to go into Posidonius' house, he forbid his lictor (as the manner was) to knock on the door, and he himself laid down the lictor's rod, at the door, to whom both the east and the west submitted. {Pliny, l. 7. c. 20.} Concerning this meeting Cicero {Cicero, Tusculine Questions, l. 2.} relates this based on Pompey's own account:

``I have often seen Posidonius myself but I will tell you what Pompey had often said to me. As he came from Syria and arrived at Rhodes, he intended to hear Posidonius. When he heard that he was very sick and in great pain with the gout, he still wanted to see that famous philosopher. When Pompey had seen him and greeted him, he gave him very good compliments. Pompey told him that he was very sorry that he could not hear him. He replied that he may and would not allow that pain of his body to frustrate the arrival of so great a man to me. So Pompey told me that the philosopher disputed very gravely and fully concerning this subject, "That there was nothing good, but what was honest." He was all on fire as it were with pain, as if so many torches had been put to him. He often said in pain, "All that you do is nothing, although you are troublesome, yet I will never confess you are evil."''

4576. Some also say that Pompey came to Rhodes at the time he went to the Mithridatic war. The time when he was about to march against Mithridates, was the time when he talked to Posidonius. As Pompey was leaving, he asked him if he would advise him in anything. Posidonius repeated that verse in Homer:

``Act nobly and remember to excel.''

[Soldier4Christ]

4577. This is recorded in Strabo. {Strabo, l. 11. p. 492.}

4578. When Valerius Flaccus was praetor, he commanded the cities of Asia to furnish him with money and sailors for a fleet. This fleet was half the size of the one Pompey used. He divided it into two squadrons. One was to sail north of Ephesus and the other south. In this fleet, M. Crassus sailed from Aenus, (in Thrace) into Asia, and Flaccus from Asia into Macedonia. Each year gold was exported (in the name of the Jews) from Italy and all the Roman provinces to Jerusalem. Therefore, Flaccus ordered that no gold should be exported from Asia. At Apamea more than an hundred pounds of gold was intercepted. It was weighed before the praetor himself in the court of Sextus Coesius, a Roman equestrian at Laodicea. More than twenty pounds of gold was weighed before L. Peducaeus at Adramirum by the lieutenant Cn. Domitius. At Pergamus not much gold was taken. (??) This gold was stored in the treasury. These things are mentioned in Flaccus' speech for him and defended these actions. (??)

4579. Scaurus, who was left president of Syria by Pompey, marched into Arabia. Because the way was difficult, he did not go as far as Petra. However, he wasted the country around there. He endured much suffering for his army was afflicted with famine even though Hyrcanus by Antipater's means supplied him with grain and other needs from Judea. Antipater also was sent as ambassador from Scaurus, to Aretas, because he was his very close friend. He tried to persuade him that by paying a sum of money, he might redeem his country from destruction. He paid to him 300 talents on the condition that the war was ended. Thus the war ended to the satisfaction of neither Scaurus nor Aretas. {Josephus, Wars, l. 1. c. 6. & Antiquit., l. 14. c. 3.} Scaurus had a silver coin to be stamped in his aedilship. One side showed a king wearing barbarous clothes who kneeled before Scaurus. He was wearing a loose coat and hose. He was presented a crown from him that was riding on a camel's back. These letters were written about it, "M. SCAVRVS AED. CVR. EX. S. C." This meant "M. Scaurus aedile by the decree of the senate." Below was written "REX ARETAS", or King Aretas. {Pighius, Annals Roman, tom. 3. p. 341. 362.}

4580. When Pompey had sent his lieutenant Piso to demand the consulship for Piso, the Romans deferred the request until Piso arrived. They chose Piso as consul by the general consent. This commendation of Piso by Pompey was confirmed by both his friends and enemies for they were all afraid of Pompey before he had dismissed his army. {Dio, l. 37.}

3943a AM, 4652 JP, 62 BC

4581. About the time of Piso's consulship, (in the Julian November) Pompey came into Italy. {Cicero, Letters to Atticus, l. 1. epist. 9. & 11.} It was feared that he would come with his army and he would order the public liberty after his own pleasure and make himself lord of all Italy and all the power of the Romans. As soon as he came to Brundusium, he voluntarily discharged all his forces, before there came to him any decree either from the senate or the people. {Velleius Paterculus l. 2. c. 40.} {Plutarch} {Appian} {Dio} Plutarch said that when Pompey had kindly discharged his soldiers, he ordered them to meet him again at his triumph. However, Dio affirmed that he did not intend to use them at his triumph. {Dio, l. 37.}

4582. In a speech at Rome, Pompey declared that he had made war in the East with 22 kings. {Oros. l. 6. c. 6.} When he received command for Asia, it was the outmost province but now when he restored it to his country again it was the middlemost. {Pliny, l. 7. c. 26.} {Florus l. 3. c. 5.}

4583. Q. Tullius Cicero, the younger brother of Marcus, was chosen to be praetor by lot over Asia and succeeded L. Valerius Flaccus. {Cicero, Pro Flacco} {Cicero, Letters to Atticus, l. 1.}

4584. When he was to go into his province, he wanted that T. Pomponius Atticus, his wife's brother, should go with him as his lieutenant. He thought it not befitting him that if he was not to be a praetor, to be a servant of the praetor. {Cornelius Nepos, Life of Atticus} Cicero was offended by this. {Cicero, Letters to Atticus, l. 1. Epist. 14.}

4585. P. Clodius was accused of the revolt of Nisibis, of entering into a temple in woman's clothes (which it was not lawful for a man to enter), of defiling the wife of Metellus the high priest and of C. Caesar, and unseemly behaviour with his own sister. He was acquitted by the judges who were bribed with money. {Cicero, Letters to Atticus, l. 1. epist. 13.} {Livy, l. 103.} {Plutarch, in Cicero} {Dio, l. 37.}

4586. Cicero wrote to Atticus that he had taken from the consul Piso, Syria that was promised unto him. {Cicero, Letters to Atticus, l. 1. epist. 13.} Therefore Marcius Philippus, who had been praetor, was sent as the successor to Scaurus who was left in Syria by Pompey. He had skirmished with the Arabians, who lived near there and invaded Syria. {Appian, in Syriac, p. 119, 120.}

4587. In the ninth year of the priesthood and government of Hyrcanus (that is from the death of his mother Alexandra, before Gavinius took the government from her) in the month Panemus or June, the decree of the Athenians, in the honour of Hyrcanus seemed to have been published as recorded by Josephus. {Josephus, Antiq., l. 14. c. 16.} Although, Josephus refers that time to a former decree of the Roman senate. It was set out both in the time of the previous Hyrcanus, the son of Simeon, and on the ides of December. (See note on 3877a AM <<3605>>.) However, this decree made in the honour of Hyrcanus, the second son of Alexander was written on the 11th day of Munychion Attic, (about the 28th day of the Julian April), by Euclis, the son of Menander the Almusian. He was the secretary and delivered to the governors on the pemph apisntos of the Macedonian Panemus, or the 27th day, (answering to the 20th day of the Julian June) Agathocle who was the praetor at Athens. This we have shown in the first chapter of the book, "Concerning the Solar Year of the Macedonians and Athenians."

[Soldier4Christ]

3943b AM, 4653 JP, 61 BC

4588. First, Cicero, eased the cities of Asia of the cost of providing sailors and a fleet {Cicero, Pro Flacco.} and restored many cities that were almost deserted. Two of these were Samos, a most illustrious city of Ionia and Halicarnassus, a city of Caria. {Cicero, Letter to Quintum Fratrem, l. 1 epist. 1.}

4589. Pompey deferred his triumph two days before his birthday which he celebrated on the day (??) before the month of October. (His birthday, happened either in July or June of the Julian account.) M. Messala and M. Piso were consuls when this happened as may be gathered from the "Marble Fragments of the Triumphal Records". It may be more fully deduced from the "Records of the Triumphs of Pompey". {Pliny, l. 7. c. 26. & l. 37. c. 2.} He had a most magnificent triumph of so many kings for two whole days. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 40.} {Appian. in Mithridatic.} Even though this triumph lasted for two days, Plutarch says the greatness of it was not fully seen. A great part of the preparation, which would have served to furnish another triumph was not presented.

4590. They who tried to compare Pompey in all things with Alexander the Great would have us believe he was not yet 34 years old when he was really 40 years old if we believe Plutarch's account. Pompey, even from his youth, by the talk of his flatterers, believed that he was like Alexander and he imitated both his actions and counsels. {Sallust, Historiar. l. 3.} {Nonium Marcellum, in voc. Emulus.} However, Velleius very elegantly observed that they were too much concerned about the age of that great man. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 53.}

``who were deceived by five years. Whereas the setting right of these things was easily done from the consulships of C. Attilius and Quintus Servilius.''

4591. Plutarch made the same mistake while he corrects others. He said that Pompey was only 40 years old when indeed he was 45.

4592. Pompey made his first triumph over Africa, the second over Europe and the third over Asia. He made the three parts of the world as monuments of his victory. {Velleius Paterculus, l. 2. c. 40.} {Plutarch in Pompey} Thereupon this great triumph was called "The Triumph of the whole World". {Dio, l. 37.} By this the whole assembly greeted him by the surname of "Great". {Livy, l. 103.} He was pleased with this surname although by his famous deeds he might have received many new names. {Dio, l. 37.}

4593. The preface of the triumph (as it is described in {Pliny, l. 7. c. 26.} from his own records) was this:

``When he had freed the sea coast from pirates and had restored the command of the sea to the people of Rome, he triumphed over Asia, Pontus, Armenia. Paphlagonia, Cappadocia, Cilicia, Syria, Scythians, Jews, Albanians, Iberia, the Isle of Crete, Bastarna, and above all these, over the kings, Mithridates and Tigranes.''

4594. Plutarch adds:

``Media, Colchis, Mesopotamia and Arabia.''

4595. Appian adds:

``the Heniochi and Achaeans.''

4596. Pompey brought 700 ships that were intact. There was a vast number of wagons that carried the armour and also the ramming prows of the ships. After these came a multitude of captives and pirates who were not bound but clothed in their country clothes. After them came noble men, captains or sons of the kings. Some were captives and others were hostages for a total of 324. These went before Pompey who sat on a lofty chariot. {Appian}

4597. Among these was Tigranes, the son of Tigranes, the king of Armenia, with his wife and daughters and Zosime the wife of Tigranes himself. Moreover the sister and five sons of Mithridates (Artaphernes, Cyrus, Oxathres, Darius and Xerxes) and two daughters, Orsabaris and Eupatra were in the procession. There was also Olthaces, the king of the Colchians, Aristobulus, the king of the Jews and the tyrants of the Cilicians. There were women of the royal family of the Scythians, three commanders of the Iberians, two of the Albanians, along with Menander of Laodice, who was general of Mithridates' cavalry. Also there were the hostages of the Albanians and Iberians and of the king of the Commagenians. He had many other trophies in the procession according to the number of battles that either he or his lieutenant had won in various places. {Appian} {Plutarch}

4598. Although Tigranes and Mithridates were not present, pictures of them were carried showing how they fought, gave ground and fled. The attacks of Mithridates were displayed and how he secretly fled away by night. Last of all came pictures showing his death and the virgins who were the companions of his death displayed. Tables were carried with the images of his sons and daughters that died before him and the figures of the barbarian gods in their own country attire. {Appian}

4599. Pompey was carried in a chariot set with precious stones, clothed, as was reported, in the armour of Alexander the Great. After his chariot came the companions of this expedition, the colonels both of the cavalry and foot soldiers. {Appian}

4600. The day before the month of October which was his birthday, Pompey brought a pair of tables with the men of two precious stones. The tables were three foot wide and four long. On them was a thirty pound golden Moon, three parlour tables, nine cupboards of gold plate and precious stones. There were three golden images of Minerva, Mars, and Apollo as well as three crowns set with pearls. There was a square golden mount, covered with stags, lions and fruits of all kinds. These were surrounded by a golden vine. (See note on 3939 AM <<3980>>) There was a bower of pearls on the top of which was a sundial. Pompey's own image of pearl was there. {Pliny, l. 37. c. 2.} Pompey also wrote that he carried trees in the triumph, namely the elm tree and the balsam tree, which only grew in Judea. {Pliny, l. 12. c. 4. & 25.}

4601. There were also carts and other vessels laden with gold and various other ornaments. Among them was the bed of Darius the son of Hystaspes and the throne and sceptre of Mithridates Eupator and a golden image of him twelve feet to his breast. {Appian} There was a silver statue of Pharnaces who first reigned in Pontus and gold and silver chariots. {Pliny, l. 37. c. 12.} Also there were 7000 myriads of silver coins and 510 drachmas. {Appian} Moreover it was shown in the records that all the tribute of the people of Rome before this totalled only 5000 myriads but with these that Pompey had gotten for the people of Rome amounted to 8500 myriads. {Plutarch}

4602. There was also carried a table containing a summary of those things which Pompey had done in the east. It was inscribed with this title. "800 ships with prows were taken; eight cities built in Cappadocia, in Cilicia, and Coelosyria, twenty in Palestina Seleucis. Kings conquered: Tigranes the Armenian, Artoces the Iberian, Orozes the Albanian." This was the title, {Appian} and a similar one Pliny mentions {Pliny, l. 7. c. 26.} was placed in the temple of Minerva and dedicated of the spoils.

``Cn. Pompey Magnus, captain general, finished a war of thirty years. He overthrew, routed, killed and had yielded to him, 2,183,000 men, sunk and taken 846 ships, had surrendered to him 1538 towns and citadels. He conquered from the lake of Maetis to the Red Sea and deservedly offers this vow to Minerva.''