rocurator. This Felix took Eleazar
the arch-robber, and many that were with him, alive, when they had
ravaged the country for twenty years together, and sent them to Rome;
but as to the number of the robbers whom he caused to be crucified, and
of those who were caught among them, and whom he brought to punishment,
they were a multitude not to be enumerated.

3. When the country was purged of these, there sprang up another sort of
robbers in Jerusalem, which were called Sicarii, who slew men in the
day time, and in the midst of the city; this they did chiefly at
the festivals, when they mingled themselves among the multitude, and
concealed daggers under their garments, with which they stabbed those
that were their enemies; and when any fell down dead, the murderers
became a part of those that had indignation against them; by which means
they appeared persons of such reputation, that they could by no means
be discovered. The first man who was slain by them was Jonathan the high
priest, after whose death many were slain every day, while the fear men
were in of being so served was more afflicting than the calamity itself;
and while every body expected death every hour, as men do in war, so men
were obliged to look before them, and to take notice of their enemies at
a great distance; nor, if their friends were coming to them, durst
they trust them any longer; but, in the midst of their suspicions and
guarding of themselves, they were slain. Such was the celerity of the
plotters against them, and so cunning was their contrivance.

4. There was also another body of wicked men gotten together, not so
impure in their actions, but more wicked in their intentions, which
laid waste the happy state of the city no less than did these murderers.
These were such men as deceived and deluded the people under pretense
of Divine inspiration, but were for procuring innovations and changes
of the government; and these prevailed with the multitude to act like
madmen, and went before them into the wilderness, as pretending that
God would there show them the signals of liberty. But Felix thought this
procedure was to be the beginning of a revolt; so he sent some horsemen
and footmen both armed, who destroyed a great number of them.

5. But there was an Egyptian false prophet that did the Jews more
mischief than the former; for he was a cheat, and pretended to be a
prophet also, and got together thirty thousand men that were deluded by
him; th