ich is the first entrance into Judea when one passes over the
midland countries, where he came to a most beautiful fortress that was
built on the top of a mountain called Alexandrium, whither Aristobulus
had fled; and thence Pompey sent his commands to him, that he should
come to him. Accordingly, at the persuasions of many that he would not
make war with the Romans, he came down; and when he had disputed with
his brother about the right to the government, he went up again to the
citadel, as Pompey gave him leave to do; and this he did two or three
times, as flattering himself with the hopes of having the kingdom
granted him; so that he still pretended he would obey Pompey in
whatsoever he commanded, although at the same time he retired to his
fortress, that he might not depress himself too low, and that he might
be prepared for a war, in case it should prove as he feared, that Pompey
would transfer the government to Hyrcanus. But when Pompey enjoined
Aristobulus to deliver up the fortresses he held, and to send an
injunction to their governors under his own hand for that purpose, for
they had been forbidden to deliver them up upon any other commands,
he submitted indeed to do so; but still he retired in displeasure to
Jerusalem, and made preparation for war. A little after this, certain
persons came out of Pontus, and informed Pompey, as he was on the way,
and conducting his army against Aristobulus, that Mithridates was dead,
and was slain by his son Pharmaces.

CHAPTER 4. How Pompey When The Citizens Of Jerusalem Shut Their Gates
Against Him Besieged The City And Took It By Force; As Also What Other
Things He Did In Judea.

1. Now when Pompey had pitched his camp at Jericho, [where the palm tree
grows, and that balsam which is an ointment of all the most precious,
which upon any incision made in the wood with a sharp stone, distills
out thence like a juice,] [4] he marched in the morning to Jerusalem.
Hereupon Aristobulus repented of what he was doing, and came to Pompey,
had [promised to] give him money, and received him into Jerusalem,
and desired that he would leave off the war, and do what he pleased
peaceably. So Pompey, upon his entreaty, forgave him, and sent Gabinius,
and soldiers with him, to receive the money and the city: yet was no
part of this performed; but Gabinius came back, being both excluded
out of the city, and receiving none of the money promised, because
Aristobulus's soldiers would not