these he came to Ptolemais. He also marched thence by night with his
army, and proceeded along Galilee. Here it was that the enemy met
him, and fought him, and were beaten, and shut up in the same place of
strength whence they had sallied out the day before. So he attacked the
place in the morning; but by reason of a great storm that was then
very violent, he was able to do nothing, but drew off his army into the
neighboring villages; yet as soon as the other legion that Antony sent
him was come to his assistance, those that were in garrison in the place
were afraid, and deserted it in the night time. Then did the king march
hastily to Jericho, intending to avenge himself on the enemy for the
slaughter of his brother; and when he had pitched his tents, he made a
feast for the principal commanders; and after this collation was over,
and he had dismissed his guests, he retired to his own chamber; and here
may one see what kindness God had for the king, for the upper part of
the house fell down when nobody was in it, and so killed none, insomuch
that all the people believed that Herod was beloved of God, since he had
escaped such a great and surprising danger.

12. But the next day six thousand of the enemy came down from the tops
of the mountains to fight the Romans, which greatly terrified them; and
the soldiers that were in light armor came near, and pelted the king's
guards that were come out with darts and stones, and one of them hit
him on the side with a dart. Antigonus also sent a commander against
Samaria, whose name was Pappus, with some forces, being desirous to show
the enemy how potent he was, and that he had men to spare in his war
with them. He sat down to oppose Macheras; but Herod, when he had taken
five cities, took such as were left in them, being about two thousand,
and slew them, and burnt the cities themselves, and then returned to go
against Pappus, who was encamped at a village called Isanas; and there
ran in to him many out of Jericho and Judea, near to which places he
was, and the enemy fell upon his men, so stout were they at this time,
and joined battle with them, but he beat them in the fight; and in order
to be revenged on them for the slaughter of his brother, he pursued them
sharply, and killed them as they ran away; and as the houses were
full of armed men, [29] and many of them ran as far as the tops of the
houses, he got them under his power, and pulled down the roofs of the
houses, and s