ked them were better acquainted with the places than
themselves. And when the Jews had suffered this loss, the Arabians
raised their spirits after their defeat, and returning back again, slew
those that were already put to flight; and indeed all sorts of slaughter
were now frequent, and of those that escaped, a few only returned into
the camp. So king Herod, when he despaired of the battle, rode up to
them to bring them assistance; yet did he not come time enough to do
them any service, though he labored hard to do it; but the Jewish
camp was taken; so that the Arabians had unexpectedly a most glorious
success, having gained that victory which of themselves they were no
way likely to have gained, and slaying a great part of the enemy's army:
whence afterward Herod could only act like a private robber, and make
excursions upon many parts of Arabia, and distress them by sudden
incursions, while he encamped among the mountains, and avoided by any
means to come to a pitched battle; yet did he greatly harass the enemy
by his assiduity, and the hard labor he took in this matter. He also
took great care of his own forces, and used all the means he could to
restore his affairs to their old state.

2. At this time it was that the fight happened at Actium, between
Octavius Caesar and Antony, in the seventh year of the reign of Herod
[8] and then it was also that there was an earthquake in Judea, such a
one as had not happened at any other time, and which earthquake brought
a great destruction upon the cattle in that country. About ten thousand
men also perished by the fall of houses; but the army, which lodged in
the field, received no damage by this sad accident. When the Arabians
were informed of this, and when those that hated the Jews, and pleased
themselves with aggravating the reports, told them of it, they raised
their spirits, as if their enemy's country was quite overthrown, and the
men were utterly destroyed, and thought there now remained nothing that
could oppose them. Accordingly, they took the Jewish ambassadors, who
came to them after all this had happened, to make peace with them, and
slew them, and came with great alacrity against their army; but the Jews
durst not withstand them, and were so cast down by the calamities
they were under, that they took no care of their affairs, but gave up
themselves to despair; for they had no hope that they should be upon a
level again with them in battles, nor obtain any assista