d others in the strength of
his hands, he was so bold as to set up for king. This man thought it so
sweet a thing to do more than ordinary injuries to others, that although
he should be killed, he did not much care if he lost his life in so
great a design. He had also four brethren, who were tall men themselves,
and were believed to be superior to others in the strength of their
hands, and thereby were encouraged to aim at great things, and thought
that strength of theirs would support them in retaining the kingdom.
Each of these ruled over a band of men of their own; for those that got
together to them were very numerous. They were every one of them also
commanders; but when they came to fight, they were subordinate to him,
and fought for him, while he put a diadem about his head, and assembled
a council to debate about what things should be done, and all things
were done according to his pleasure. And this man retained his power a
great while; he was also called king, and had nothing to hinder him from
doing what he pleased. He also, as well as his brethren, slew a great
many both of the Romans and of the king's forces, an managed matters
with the like hatred to each of them. The king's forces they fell upon,
because of the licentious conduct they had been allowed under Herod's
government; and they fell upon the Romans, because of the injuries they
had so lately received from them. But in process of time they grew more
cruel to all sorts of men, nor could any one escape from one or other
of these seditions, since they slew some out of the hopes of gain, and
others from a mere custom of slaying men. They once attacked a company
of Romans at Emmaus, who were bringing corn and weapons to the army,
and fell upon Arius, the centurion, who commanded the company, and
shot forty of the best of his foot soldiers; but the rest of them were
aftrighted at their slaughter, and left their dead behind them, but
saved themselves by the means of Gratus, who came with the king's
troops that were about him to their assistance. Now these four brethren
continued the war a long while by such sort of expeditions, and much
grieved the Romans; but did their own nation also a great deal of
mischief. Yet were they afterwards subdued; one of them in a fight with
Gratus, another with Ptolemy; Archelaus also took the eldest of
them prisoner; while the last of them was so dejected at the other's
misfortune, and saw so plainly that he had no way now l