it hangs
a vast mountain; and under the caverns arise the springs of the river
Jordan. Herod adorned this place, which was already a very remarkable
one, still further by the erection of this temple, which he dedicated to
Caesar.

4. At which time Herod released to his subjects the third part of their
taxes, under pretense indeed of relieving them, after the dearth they
had had; but the main reason was, to recover their good-will, which he
now wanted; for they were uneasy at him, because of the innovations he
had introduced in their practices, of the dissolution of their religion,
and of the disuse of their own customs; and the people every where
talked against him, like those that were still more provoked and
disturbed at his procedure; against which discontents he greatly guarded
himself, and took away the opportunities they might have to disturb him,
and enjoined them to be always at work; nor did he permit the citizens
either to meet together, or to walk or eat together, but watched every
thing they did, and when any were caught, they were severely punished;
and many there were who were brought to the citadel Hyrcania, both
openly and secretly, and were there put to death; and there were spies
set every where, both in the city and in the roads, who watched those
that met together; nay, it is reported that he did not himself neglect
this part of caution, but that he would oftentimes himself take the
habit of a private man, and mix among the multitude, in the night time,
and make trial what opinion they had of his government: and as for
those that could no way be reduced to acquiesce under his scheme of
government, he prosecuted them all manner of ways; but for the rest of
the multitude, he required that they should be obliged to take an oath
of fidelity to him, and at the same time compelled them to swear that
they would bear him good-will, and continue certainly so to do, in his
management of the government; and indeed a great part of them, either to
please him, or out of fear of him, yielded to what he required of them;
but for such as were of a more open and generous disposition, and had
indignation at the force he used to them, he by one means or other made
away, with them. He endeavored also to persuade Pollio the Pharisee, and
Satneas, and the greatest part of their scholars, to take the oath; but
these would neither submit so to do, nor were they punished together
with the rest, out of the reverence he bore t