with great zeal about the Jews, and described Hyrcanus's virtue and
generosity, and how he was a benefactor to all men in common, and
particularly to every body that comes to him, we laid up the epistle in
our public records; and made a decree ourselves, that since we also are
in confederacy with the Romans, we would do every thing we could for the
Jews, according to the senate's decree. Theodorus also, who brought the
epistle, desired of our praetors, that they would send Hyrcanus a copy
of that decree, as also ambassadors to signify to him the affection
of our people to him, and to exhort them to preserve and augment their
friendship for us, and be ready to bestow other benefits upon us, as
justly expecting to receive proper requitals from us; and desiring them
to remember that our ancestors [19] were friendly to the Jews even in
the days of Abraham, who was the father of all the Hebrews, as we have
[also] found it set down in our public records."

23. The decree of those of Halicarnassus. "When Memnon, the son of
Orestidas by descent, but by adoption of Euonymus, was priest, on the
---- day of the month Aristerion, the decree of the people, upon the
representation of Marcus Alexander, was this: Since we have ever a great
regard to piety towards God, and to holiness; and since we aim to follow
the people of the Romans, who are the benefactors of all men, and
what they have written to us about a league of friendship and mutual
assistance between the Jews and our city, and that their sacred offices
and accustomed festivals and assemblies may be observed by them; we have
decreed, that as many men and women of the Jews as are willing so to do,
may celebrate their Sabbaths, and perform their holy offices, according
to Jewish laws; and may make their proseuchae at the sea-side, according
to the customs of their forefathers; and if any one, whether he be a
magistrate or private person, hindereth them from so doing, he shall be
liable to a fine, to be applied to the uses of the city."

24. The decree of the Sardians. "This decree was made by the senate and
people, upon the representation of the praetors: Whereas those Jews who
are fellow citizens, and live with us in this city, have ever had great
benefits heaped upon them by the people, and have come now into the
senate, and desired of the people, that upon the restitution of their
law and their liberty, by the senate and people of Rome, they may
assemble together, accordi