children, nor of his kindred, that should reign over the habitable earth
for many years; and that from among them there should arise a certain
king that should overcome our nation and their laws, and should take
away their political government, and should spoil the temple, and forbid
the sacrifices to be offered for three years' time. And indeed it so
came to pass, that our nation suffered these things under Antiochus
Epiphanes, according to Daniel's vision, and what he wrote many years
before they came to pass. In the very same manner Daniel also wrote
concerning the Roman government, and that our country should be made
desolate by them. All these things did this man leave in writing, as God
had showed them to him, insomuch that such as read his prophecies, and
see how they have been fulfilled, would wonder at the honor wherewith
God honored Daniel; and may thence discover how the Epicureans are in
an error, who cast Providence out of human life, and do not believe that
God takes care of the affairs of the world, nor that the universe is
governed and continued in being by that blessed and immortal nature, but
say that the world is carried along of its own accord, without a ruler
and a curator; which, were it destitute of a guide to conduct it,
as they imagine, it would be like ships without pilots, which we see
drowned by the winds, or like chariots without drivers, which are
overturned; so would the world be dashed to pieces by its being carried
without a Providence, and so perish, and come to nought. So that, by the
forementioned predictions of Daniel, those men seem to me very much to
err from the truth, who determine that God exercises no providence over
human affairs; for if that were the case, that the world went on by
mechanical necessity, we should not see that all things would come to
pass according to his prophecy. Now as to myself, I have so described
these matters as I have found them and read them; but if any one is
inclined to another opinion about them, let him enjoy his different
sentiments without any blame from me.

BOOK XI. Containing The Interval Of Two Hundred And Fifty-Three Years
And Five Months.

From The First Of Cyrus To The Death Of Alexander The Great.

CHAPTER 1. How Cyrus, King Of The Persians, Delivered The Jews Out Of
Babylon And Suffered Them To Return To Their Own Country And To Build
Their Temple, For Which Work He Gave Them Money.

1. In the first year of the reign of Cyru