commenced just forty-six years before Christ's first

passover.

CHAPTER XXX.

Herod visits his sons at Rome-Attends the Olympic

Games on his way-Is received with honor by Augus-

tus-Brings his sons back to Jerusalem-The rebuild-

ing of the temple is driven on-Imprudent speeches of

Herod's sons, Alexander and Aristobulus--Domestic

troubles of Herod increase-Becomes more suspicious

-The
young men, his sons, continue to indulge in rash

speeches-Archelaus king of Cappadocia and father-

in-law to Alexander, comes to Jerusalem--Herod's

expedition to Arabia-Difference between him and

his sons increases-Augustus recommends a council-

Herod accuses his sons, and the judges pronounce

sentence of condemnation against them—Herod causes

this sentence to be carried into execution at Sebaste,

by strangulation.

CHAPTER XXXI.

:

Antipater conspires against the life of his father-Phero-

ras displeases his brother by refusing one of his daugh-

ters, and marrying a maid-servant--He joins the plot

of Antipater-The Temple of Janus, at Rome, closed

-The Angel Gabriel sent to Mary at Nazareth-

Birth of Jesus Christ at Bethlehem—The registration

which called them thither-Luke and Josephus recon-

ciled-Visit of the Magians-Massacre of the infants--

Herod causes his son Antipater to to be put to death--

Gives orders to slay all the eminent men of the coun-

try, that there might be mourning at his own death,

which he perceived was near-Death of Herod-His

family and descendents-Division of the kingdom

among his sons.

CHAPTER XXXII.

Joseph returns from Egypt-Vulgar era-Archelaus goes.

to Rome and is deposed-Cyrenius governor of Syria

-The Jews resist the taxation by the Romans--Annas.

appointed high priest by the Romans-Death of

Augustus.

273

279

287,

296

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Procuratorship of Valerius Gratus-Annas removed from

the office of high priest and Ismael substituted-Elea-

zar son of Annas is put in his place--And the next

year Gratus removes him and substitutes Simon son of

Cannith--Caiaphas Gratus recalled and succeeded

by Pontius Pilate-Preaching of John the Baptist-

Baptism of Christ--Death of John-Public ministry of

Christ-Death of Christ-His resurrection and ascen-

sion--Pilates account of Christ, sent to the emperor-

Pilate removed by Vitellius, governor of Syria, and

sent to Rome-Whence he was banished to Gaul-

Tiberius dies, and is succeeded by Caias Caligula.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Preaching of the apostles-Martyrdom of Stephen and

ensuing persecution-Conversion of Paul-Caiphas

removed from the high priesthood by Vitellius, and

Annas substituted-Agrippa acquires the supreme

power of Judea-Herod Antipas banished to Gan-

Embassy from Alexandria to Rome-Philo Judeus-

Caius succeeded by Claudius-Tehophilus removed

from the priesthood, and Simon put in his place-Pe-

tronius, governor of Syria, succeeded by Marsus—

Agrippa, zealous for the Jewish religion, but severe

towards the Christians-Remarkable death of Agrippa

-His character and successors.

CHAPTER XXXV.

Fadus made procurator of Judea-Dearth in the reign

of Claudius--Proselytes to Judaism-False Messiah-

Fadus recalled, and succeeded by Tiberius Alexander

-Herod king of Chalcis displaced Joseph the son of

Camus from the high priesthood, and substituted Ana-

nias the son of Nebedeus-Tiberius Alexander re-

called, and Cumanus appointed to succeed him-Com-

motions at Jerusalem-Dispute between the Galileans

and Samaritans-Cumanus recalled and Felix appoint-

ed Procurator-Tumultuous conduct of the Jews-

Death of Claudius-Succeeded by Nero--Anarchical

300.

306

state of Judea, during the Procuratorship of Felix--

Is succeeded by Festus--Both reside at Cesarea-Fes-

tus dies-Is succeeded by Albinus--State of society

more and more disordered--Ananus made high priest—

Cestius Gallus visits Jerusalem.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Rome set on fire by Nero--Disturbances at Cesarea-

Florus, the procurator, excites insurrection-His cru-

elty--The Jews complain to Agrippa-Eleazar son of

the high priest, and master of the temple, persuades

the Priests to reject all Pagan sacrifices--Dreadful

commotions in Judea, and massacres in the temple-

Cestius Gallus marches an army towards Jerusalem—

The Jews, assembled at the feast of Tabernacles, furi-

ously rush on the hostile army, and slay five hundred

men--
--Agrippa interposes-Persuades the Jews to take

peace-But in vain-Gallus brings back his army to the

gates of Jerusalem--Retires again to Scopas--Is

attacked in the defile of an ambuscade, and flies with a

few hundred men-Josephus. the historian, appointed

to the command of Galilee and Gamala-Nero sends

Vaspasian to Judea-He first subdues Galilee-Bands

of robbers infest the country-The Zealots-Parties in

Jerusalem-Cruelties perpetrated.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

Vespasians preparations for carrying on the war-State

of parties in Jerusalem-Titus marches his army to

Jerusalem and commences the siege-Great multi-

tudes of people within the walls-External part of the

city taken by Titus-Great efforts made to bring the

Jews to terms, but in vain-Castle of Antonia Demo-

lished-A lady eats her own child in the famine-The

temple is set on fire and destroyed, contrary to the

wishes and orders of Titus--The walls thrown down,

and the site of the temple ploughed over-Dreadful

infatuation of the Jewish nation-Their restoration

clearly predicted.

314

326

341

HISTORY

CHAPTER 1.

OF THE JEWS, FROM THE EDICT OF CYRUS PERMITTING THEIR RETURN TO THEIR OWN LAND, TO THE FINISHING OF THE SECOND TEMPLE.

1. CYRUS, king of Persia, having taken Babylon, and become the sole sovereign by the death of his uncle, who in Scripture is called Darius the Mede, made a decree, that as many of the children of Israel as chose should return to Judea, and rebuild their city and temple.

2. To aid them in this pious and patriotic work, he directed that supplies should be granted them from his own revenues; and, also, that they should be at liberty to receive donations from their brethren who chose to remain in Chaldea.

3. It is said, that Cyrus was induced to resolve on this measure, by having the remarkable prophecies which related to himself, shown to him by Daniel the prophet, who was still alive at Babylon, though very old.

4. The decree of Cyrus for the rebuilding of Jerusalem was issued about five hundred and thirty-six years before the birth of Christ.

5. On this occasion, Cyrus brought out all the vessels which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple at Jerusalem, and gave them into the hands of the

B

leaders of the Jews, who were about to return to their own land.

6. The chief leaders were Zerubbabel, who was of the royal seed, and Joshua, who was by regular descent, the high priest of the nation.

The number of vessels of gold and silver, delivered by Cyrus into the hands of Zerubbabel and Joshua, was five thousand four hundred.

7. They who returned to Judea, at this time, were not all from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin carried captive by Nebuchadnezzar; but some of the other tribes, carried away by Tiglath Pilezer, Salmanezer, and Esarhaddon, also returned with their brethren.

8. The whole number of this first company was fifty-two thousand three hundred and sixty; whereas, they who are numbered in the book of Ezra and Nehemiah, as belonging to Judah, Benjamin, and Levi, amounted to no more than thirty thousand.

9. Of the twenty-four courses of priests instituted by David, no more than four returned, making up the number of four thousand two hundred and eighty-nine persons. The rest either remained, or had become extinct. But to keep up the ancient number of courses, each of these four divided itself into six, and took the names of those which had become extinct.

10. The first work to which they addressed themselves, after their return, was, the erection of an altar of burnt-offerings; so that the daily service of God, according to the law of Moses, might immediately be resumed.

11. Next, they proceeded to lay the foundation of the temple. This they erected exactly on the site of the old edifice, and made it of the same length and breadth, and according to the same plan; but as they