onians came to them
into that country, and demolished the [old] temples and the altars, they
assisted them in demolishing them all [18] but [for not assisting them
in rebuilding them] they either underwent losses, or sometimes obtained
forgiveness." He adds further, that "these men deserve to be admired on
that account." He also speaks of the mighty populousness of our nation,
and says that "the Persians formerly carried away many ten thousands of
our people to Babylon, as also that not a few ten thousands were removed
after Alexander's death into Egypt and Phoenicia, by reason of the
sedition that was arisen in Syria." The same person takes notice in his
history, how large the country is which we inhabit, as well as of its
excellent character, and says, that "the land in which the Jews inhabit
contains three millions of arourae, [19] and is generally of a most
excellent and most fruitful soil; nor is Judea of lesser dimensions."
The same man describe our city Jerusalem also itself as of a most
excellent structure, and very large, and inhabited from the most ancient
times. He also discourses of the multitude of men in it, and of the
construction of our temple, after the following manner: "There are many
strong places and villages [says he] in the country of Judea; but one
strong city there is, about fifty furlongs in circumference, which is
inhabited by a hundred and twenty thousand men, or thereabouts; they
call it Jerusalem. There is about the middle of the city a wall of
stone, whose length is five hundred feet, and the breadth a hundred
cubits, with double cloisters; wherein there is a square altar, not made
of hewn stone, but composed of white stones gathered together, having
each side twenty cubits long, and its altitude ten cubits. Hard by it
is a large edifice, wherein there is an altar and a candlestick, both
of gold, and in weight two talents: upon these there is a light that is
never extinguished, either by night or by day. There is no image, nor
any thing, nor any donations therein; nothing at all is there planted,
neither grove, nor any thing of that sort. The priests abide therein
both nights and days, performing certain purifications, and drinking
not the least drop of wine while they are in the temple." Moreover, he
attests that we Jews went as auxiliaries along with king Alexander,
and after him with his successors. I will add further what he says he
learned when he was himself with the same army, concern