n do
not bring when they come to make peace, but to make war. However, some
of the people acquiesced in what Bacchides caused to be proclaimed; and
supposing they should undergo no considerable harm from Alcimus, who
was their countryman, they went over to them; and when they had received
oaths from both of them, that neither they themselves, nor those of the
same sentiments, should come to any harm, they intrusted themselves with
them. But Bacchides troubled not himself about the oaths he had taken,
but slew threescore of them, although, by not keeping his faith with
those that first went over, he deterred all the rest, who had intentions
to go over to him, from doing it. But as he was gone out of Jerusalem,
and was at the village called Bethzetho, he sent out, and caught many
of the deserters, and some of the people also, and slew them all; and
enjoined all that lived in the country to submit to Alcimus. So he left
him there, with some part of the army, that he might have wherewith to
keep the country in obedience and returned to Antioch to king Demetrius.

3. But Alcimus was desirous to have the dominion more firmly assured
to him; and understanding that, if he could bring it about that the
multitude should be his friends, he should govern with greater security,
he spake kind words to them all, and discoursed to each of them after
an agreeable and pleasant manner; by which means he quickly had a great
body of men and an army about him, although the greater part of them
were of the wicked, and the deserters. With these, whom he used as his
servants and soldiers, he went all over the country, and slew all that
he could find of Judas's party. But when Judas saw that Alcimus was
already become great, and had destroyed many of the good and holy men of
the country, he also went all over the country, and destroyed those that
were of the other party. But when Alcimus saw that he was not able to
oppose Judas, nor was equal to him in strength, he resolved to apply
himself to king Demetrius for his assistance; so he came to Antioch,
and irritated him against Judas, and accused him, alleging that he had
undergone a great many miseries by his means, and that he would do more
mischief unless he were prevented, and brought to punishment, which must
be done by sending a powerful force against him.

4. So Demetrius, being already of opinion that it would be a thing
pernicious to his own affairs to overlook Judas, now he was becoming