ose respects
which the kings paid to him, by coming thus to see him. However,
while these kings staid with him, Marcus, the president of Syria, came
thither. So the king, in order to preserve the respect that was due to
the Romans, went out of the city to meet him, as far as seven furlongs.
But this proved to be the beginning of a difference between him and
Marcus; for he took with him in his chariot those other kings as his
assessors. But Marcus had a suspicion what the meaning could be of so
great a friendship of these kings one with another, and did not think so
close an agreement of so many potentates to be for the interest of the
Romans. He therefore sent some of his domestics to every one of them,
and enjoined them to go their ways home without further delay. This was
very ill taken by Agrippa, who after that became his enemy. And now he
took the high priesthood away from Matthias, and made Elioneus, the son
of Cantheras, high priest in his stead.

2. Now when Agrippa had reigned three years over all Judea, he came to
the city Cesarea, which was formerly called Strato's Tower; and there he
exhibited shows in honor of Caesar, upon his being informed that there
was a certain festival celebrated to make vows for his safety. At which
festival a great multitude was gotten together of the principal persons,
and such as were of dignity through his province. On the second day
of which shows he put on a garment made wholly of silver, and of a
contexture truly wonderful, and came into the theater early in the
morning; at which time the silver of his garment being illuminated
by the fresh reflection of the sun's rays upon it, shone out after a
surprising manner, and was so resplendent as to spread a horror over
those that looked intently upon him; and presently his flatterers cried
out, one from one place, and another from another, [though not for his
good,] that he was a god; and they added, "Be thou merciful to us; for
although we have hitherto reverenced thee only as a man, yet shall we
henceforth own thee as superior to mortal nature." Upon this the king
did neither rebuke them, nor reject their impious flattery. But as he
presently afterward looked up, he saw an owl [21] sitting on a certain
rope over his head, and immediately understood that this bird was the
messenger of ill tidings, as it had once been the messenger of good
tidings to him; and fell into the deepest sorrow. A severe pain also
arose in his belly, and b