nd drachmae of silver." Moreover, this Antiochus bare
testimony to our piety and fidelity, in an epistle of his, written when
he was informed of a sedition in Phrygia and Lydia, at which time he was
in the superior provinces, wherein he commanded Zenxis, the general of
his forces, and his most intimate friend, to send some of our nation out
of Babylon into Phrygia. The epistle was this:

King Antiochus To Zeuxis His Father, Sendeth Greeting.

"If you are in health, it is well. I also am in health. Having been
informed that a sedition is arisen in Lydia and Phrygia, I thought that
matter required great care; and upon advising with my friends what
was fit to be done, it hath been thought proper to remove two thousand
families of Jews, with their effects, out of Mesopotamia and Babylon,
unto the castles and places that lie most convenient; for I am persuaded
that they will be well-disposed guardians of our possessions, because
of their piety towards God, and because I know that my predecessors have
borne witness to them, that they are faithful, and with alacrity do
what they are desired to do. I will, therefore, though it be a laborious
work, that thou remove these Jews, under a promise, that they shall be
permitted to use their own laws. And when thou shalt have brought them
to the places forementioned, thou shalt give everyone of their families
a place for building their houses, and a portion of the land for
their husbandry, and for the plantation of their vines; and thou shalt
discharge them from paying taxes of the fruits of the earth for ten
years; and let them have a proper quantity of wheat for the maintenance
of their servants, until they receive bread corn out of the earth;
also let a sufficient share be given to such as minister to them in the
necessaries of life, that by enjoying the effects of our humanity, they
may show themselves the more willing and ready about our affairs. Take
care likewise of that nation, as far as thou art able, that they may
not have any disturbance given them by any one." Now these testimonials
which I have produced are sufficient to declare the friendship that
Antiochus the Great bare to the Jews.

CHAPTER 4. How Antiochus Made A League With Ptolemy And How Onias
Provoked Ptolemy Euergetes To Anger; And How Joseph Brought All Things
Right Again, And Entered Into Friendship With Him; And What Other Things
Were Done By Joseph, And His Son Hyrcanus.

1. After this Antiochus ma