And when the servants heard what he said, they told their masters; and they rejoiced in the prospect that Joseph would be disapproved, and would make the king angry, by the smallness of his present.When the day came, the others, even those that brought the most, offered the king not above twenty talents; but Hyrcanus gave to every one of the hundred boys and hundred maidens that he had bought a talent apiece, for them to carry, and introduced them, the boys to the king, and the maidens to Cleopatra; every body wondering at the unexpected richness of the presents, even the king and queen themselves.He also presented those that attended about the king with gifts to the value of a great number of talents, that he might escape the danger he was in from them; for to these it was that Hyrcanus's brethren had written to destroy him.Now Ptolemy admired at the young man's magnanimity, and commanded him to ask what gift he pleased.But he desired nothing else to be done for him by the king than to write to his father and brethren about him.So when the king had paid him very great respects, and had given him very large gifts, and had written to his father and his brethren, and all his commanders and officers, about him, he sent him away.But when his brethren heard that Hyrcanus had received such favors from the king, and was returning home with great honor, they went out to meet him, and to destroy him, and that with the privity of their father; for he was angry at him for the [large] sum of money that he bestowed for presents, and so had no concern for his preservation.However, Joseph concealed the anger he had at his son, out of fear of the king.And when Hyrcanus's brethren came to fight him, he slew many others of those that were with them, as also two of his brethren themselves; but the rest of them escaped to Jerusalem to their father.But when Hyrcanus came to the city, where nobody would receive him, he was afraid for himself, and retired beyond the river Jordan, and there abode, but obliging the barbarians to pay their taxes.
10.At this time Seleucus, who was called Soter, reigned over Asia, being the son of Antiochus the Great.And [now] Hyrcanus's father, Joseph, died.He was a good man, and of great magnanimity; and brought the Jews out of a state of poverty and meanness, to one that was more splendid.He retained the farm of the taxes of Syria, and Phoenicia, and Samaria twenty-two years.
His uncle also, Onias, died [about this time], and left the high priesthood to his son Simeon.And when he was dead, Onias his son succeeded him in that dignity.To him it was that Areus, king of the Lacedemonians, sent an embassage, with an epistle; the copy whereof here follows:
"Areus, King Of The Lacedemonians, To Onias, Sendeth Greeting.
"We have met with a certain writing, whereby we have discovered that both the Jews and the Lacedemonians are of one stock, and are derived from the kindred of Abraham (14) It is but just therefore that you, who are our brethren, should send to us about any of your concerns as you please.We will also do the same thing, and esteem your concerns as our own, and will look upon our concerns as in common with yours.Demoteles, who brings you this letter, will bring your answer back to us.This letter is four-square; and the seal is an eagle, with a dragon in his claws."11.And these were the contents of the epistle which was sent from the king of the Lacedemonians.But, upon the death of Joseph, the people grew seditious, on account of his sons.For whereas the elders made war against Hyrcanus, who was the youngest of Joseph's sons, the multitude was divided, but the greater part joined with the elders in this war; as did Simon the high priest, by reason he was of kin to them.However, Hyrcanus determined not to return to Jerusalem any more, but seated himself beyond Jordan, and was at perpetual war with the Arabians, and slew many of them, and took many of them captives.
He also erected a strong castle, and built it entirely of white stone to the very roof, and had animals of a prodigious magnitude engraven upon it.He also drew round it a great and deep canal of water.He also made caves of many furlongs in length, by hollowing a rock that was over against him; and then he made large rooms in it, some for feasting, and some for sleeping and living in.He introduced also a vast quantity of waters which ran along it, and which were very delightful and ornamental in the court.But still he made the entrances at the mouth of the caves so narrow, that no more than one person could enter by them at once.And the reason why he built them after that manner was a good one; it was for his own preservation, lest he should be besieged by his brethren, and run the hazard of being caught by them.Moreover, he built courts of greater magnitude than ordinary, which he adorned with vastly large gardens.And when he had brought the place to this state, he named it Tyre.This place is between Arabia and Judea, beyond Jordan, not far from the country of Heshbon.And he ruled over those parts for seven years, even all the time that Seleucus was king of Syria.But when he was dead, his brother Antiochus, who was called Epiphanes, took the kingdom.Ptolemy also, the king of Egypt, died, who was besides called Epiphanes.He left two sons, and both young in age; the elder of which was called Philometer, and the youngest Physcon.As for Hyrcanus, when he saw that Antiochus had a great army, and feared lest he should be caught by him, and brought to punishment for what he had done to the Arabians, he ended his life, and slew himself with his own hand; while Antiochus seized upon all his substance.
CHAPTER 5.
How, Upon The Quarrels One Against Another About The High Priesthood Antiochus Made An Expedition Against Jerusalem, Took The City And Pillaged The Temples.And Distressed The Jews' As Also How Many Of The Jews Forsook The Laws Of Their Country; And How The Samaritans Followed The Customs Of The Greeks And Named Their Temple At Mount Gerizzim The Temple Of Jupiter Hellenius.