heir sentiments. Upon the hearing of which,
they first of all paid their homage to the queen, as their custom was,
and then they said that they confirmed the king's determination, and
would submit to it; and they rejoiced that Izates's father had preferred
him before the rest of his brethren, as being agreeable to all their
wishes: but that they were desirous first of all to slay his brethren
and kinsmen, that so the government might come securely to Izates;
because if they were once destroyed, all that fear would be over which
might arise from their hatred and envy to him. Helena replied to this,
that she returned them her thanks for their kindness to herself and to
Izates; but desired that they would however defer the execution of this
slaughter of Izates's brethren till he should be there himself, and give
his approbation to it. So since these men had not prevailed with her,
when they advised her to slay them, they exhorted her at least to keep
them in bonds till he should come, and that for their own security; they
also gave her counsel to set up some one whom she could put the greatest
trust in, as a governor of the kingdom in the mean time. So queen Helena
complied with this counsel of theirs, and set up Monobazus, the eldest
son, to be king, and put the diadem upon his head, and gave him his
father's ring, with its signet; as also the ornament which they call
Sampser, and exhorted him to administer the affairs of the kingdom till
his brother should come; who came suddenly upon hearing that his father
was dead, and succeeded his brother Monobazus, who resigned up the
government to him.

3. Now, during the time Izates abode at Charax-Spasini, a certain Jewish
merchant, whose name was Ananias, got among the women that belonged
to the king, and taught them to worship God according to the Jewish
religion. He, moreover, by their means, became known to Izates, and
persuaded him, in like manner, to embrace that religion; he also, at the
earnest entreaty of Izates, accompanied him when he was sent for by his
father to come to Adiabene; it also happened that Helena, about the same
time, was instructed by a certain other Jew and went over to them. But
when Izates had taken the kingdom, and was come to Adiabene, and there
saw his brethren and other kinsmen in bonds, he was displeased at it;
and as he thought it an instance of impiety either to slay or imprison
them, but still thought it a hazardous thing for to let them have