the enemy, and about a fortification
that lay between them. He then shot at them at a distance, and was
desirous to come to an engagement presently; for some of them had been
sent beforehand to seize upon that fortification: but the king sent some
who immediately beat them out of the fortification, while he himself
went in the forefront of the army, which he put in battle-array every
day, and invited the Arabians to fight. But as none of them came out
of their camp, for they were in a terrible fright, and their general,
Elthemus, was not able to say a word for fear,--so Herod came upon
them, and pulled their fortification to pieces, by which means they were
compelled to come out to fight, which they did in disorder, and so that
the horsemen and foot-men were mixed together. They were indeed superior
to the Jews in number, but inferior in their alacrity, although they
were obliged to expose themselves to danger by their very despair of
victory.

6. Now while they made opposition, they had not a great number
slain; but as soon as they turned their backs, a great many were trodden
to pieces by the Jews, and a great many by themselves, and so perished,
till five thousand were fallen down dead in their flight, while the rest
of the multitude prevented their immediate death, by crowding into the
fortification. Herod encompassed these around, and besieged them; and
while they were ready to be taken by their enemies in arms, they had
another additional distress upon them, which was thirst and want of
water; for the king was above hearkening to their ambassadors; and when
they offered five hundred talents, as the price of their redemption,
he pressed still harder upon them. And as they were burnt up by their
thirst, they came out and voluntarily delivered themselves up by
multitudes to the Jews, till in five days' time four thousand of them
were put into bonds; and on the sixth day the multitude that were left
despaired of saving themselves, and came out to fight: with these Herod
fought, and slew again about seven thousand, insomuch that he punished
Arabia so severely, and so far extinguished the spirits of the men, that
he was chosen by the nation for their ruler.

CHAPTER 20.

Herod Is Confirmed In His Kingdom By Caesar, And Cultivates
A Friendship With The Emperor By Magnificent Presents; While
Caesar Returns His Kindness By Bestowing On Him That Part Of
His Kingdom Which Had Been Taken Away From