t unapprized of this war that was coming upon them; and
after a great battle had been fought, the Jews had the victory. But
afterward there were gotten together another numerous army of the
Arabians, at Cana, which is a place of Celesyria. Herod was informed of
this beforehand; so he came marching against them with the greatest part
of the forces he had; and when he was come near to Cana, he resolved to
encamp himself; and he cast up a bulwark, that he might take a proper
season for attacking the enemy; but as he was giving those orders, the
multitude of the Jews cried out that he should make no delay, but lead
them against the Arabians. They went with great spirit, as believing
they were in very good order; and those especially were so that had been
in the former battle, and had been conquerors, and had not permitted
their enemies so much as to come to a close fight with them. And when
they were so tumultuous, and showed such great alacrity, the king
resolved to make use of that zeal the multitude then exhibited; and when
he had assured them he would not be behindhand with them in courage, he
led them on, and stood before them all in his armor, all the regiments
following him in their several ranks: whereupon a consternation fell
upon the Arabians; for when they perceived that the Jews were not to be
conquered, and were full of spirit, the greater part of them ran away,
and avoided fighting; and they had been quite destroyed, had not Anthony
fallen upon the Jews, and distressed them; for this man was Cleopatra's
general over the soldiers she had there, and was at enmity with Herod,
and very wistfully looked on to see what the event of the battle would
be. He had also resolved, that in case the Arabians did any thing that
was brave and successful, he would lie still; but in case they were
beaten, as it really happened, he would attack the Jews with those
forces he had of his own, and with those that the country had gotten
together for him. So he fell upon the Jews unexpectedly, when they were
fatigued, and thought they had already vanquished the enemy, and made
a great slaughter of them; for as the Jews had spent their courage upon
their known enemies, and were about to enjoy themselves in quietness
after their victory, they were easily beaten by these that attacked
them afresh, and in particular received a great loss in places where
the horses could not be of service, and which were very stony, and where
those that attac