by the tyrant Zoilus. Now while Antiochus
Philometor, and Antiochus who was called Cyzicenus, were making war
one against another, and destroying one another's armies, the people
of Ptolemais could have no assistance from them; but when they were
distressed with this siege, Zoilus, who possessed Strato's Tower and
Dora, and maintained a legion of soldiers, and, on occasion of the
contest between the kings, affected tyranny himself, came and brought
some small assistance to the people of Ptolemais; nor indeed had the
kings such a friendship for them, as that they should hope for any
advantage from them. Both those kings were in the case of wrestlers,
who finding themselves deficient in strength, and yet being ashamed to
yield, put off the fight by laziness, and by lying still as long as they
can. The only hope they had remaining was from the kings of Egypt, and
from Ptolemy Lathyrus, who now held Cyprus, and who came to Cyprus when
he was driven from the government of Egypt by Cleopatra his mother. So
the people of Ptolemais sent to this Ptolemy Lathyrus, and desired him
to come as a confederate, to deliver them, now they were in such danger,
out of the hands of Alexander. And as the ambassadors gave him hopes,
that if he would pass over into Syria, he would have the people of Gaza
on the side of those of Ptolemais; as also they said, that Zoilus, and
besides these the Sidonians, and many others, would assist them; so he
was elevated at this, and got his fleet ready as soon as possible.

3. But in this interval Demenetus, one that was of abilities to persuade
men to do as he would have them, and a leader of the populace, made
those of Ptolemais change their opinions; and said to them, that it was
better to run the hazard of being subject to the Jews, than to admit
of evident slavery by delivering themselves up to a master; and besides
that, to have not only a war at present, but to expect a much greater
war from Egypt; for that Cleopatra would not overlook an army raised by
Ptolemy for himself out of the neighborhood, but would come against them
with a great army of her own, and this because she was laboring to
eject her son out of Cyprus also; that as for Ptolemy, if he fail of his
hopes, he can still retire to Cyprus, but that they will be left in
the greatest danger possible. Now Ptolemy, although he had heard of the
change that was made in the people of Ptolemais, yet did he still go on
with his voyage, and came to th