ourteenth olympiad; it is therefore evident
that our nation flourished in his time, and in the time of Alexander.
Again, Hecateus says to the same purpose, as follows: "Ptolemy got
possession of the places in Syria after that battle at Gaza; and many,
when they heard of Ptolemy's moderation and humanity, went along with
him to Egypt, and were willing to assist him in his affairs; one of whom
[Hecateus says] was Hezekiah [17] the high priest of the Jews; a man of
about sixty-six years of age, and in great dignity among his own people.
He was a very sensible man, and could speak very movingly, and was very
skillful in the management of affairs, if any other man ever were so;
although, as he says, all the priests of the Jews took tithes of the
products of the earth, and managed public affairs, and were in number
not above fifteen hundred at the most." Hecateus mentions this Hezekiah
a second time, and says, that "as he was possessed of so great a
dignity, and was become familiar with us, so did he take certain of
those that were with him, and explained to them all the circumstances
of their people; for he had all their habitations and polity down in
writing." Moreover, Hecateus declares again, "what regard we have for
our laws, and that we resolve to endure any thing rather than transgress
them, because we think it right for us to do so." Whereupon he adds,
that "although they are in a bad reputation among their neighbors,
and among all those that come to them, and have been often treated
injuriously by the kings and governors of Persia, yet can they not
be dissuaded from acting what they think best; but that when they are
stripped on this account, and have torments inflicted upon them, and
they are brought to the most terrible kinds of death, they meet them
after an extraordinary manner, beyond all other people, and will not
renounce the religion of their forefathers." Hecateus also produces
demonstrations not a few of this their resolute tenaciousness of their
laws, when he speaks thus: "Alexander was once at Babylon, and had an
intention to rebuild the temple of Belus that was fallen to decay, and
in order thereto, he commanded all his soldiers in general to bring
earth thither. But the Jews, and they only, would not comply with that
command; nay, they underwent stripes and great losses of what they had
on this account, till the king forgave them, and permitted them to live
in quiet." He adds further, that "when the Maced