ristobulus hated of old. He was by birth
an Idumean, and one of the principal of that nation, on account of his
ancestors and riches, and other authority to him belonging: he also
persuaded Hyrcanus to fly to Aretas, the king of Arabia, and to lay
claim to the kingdom; as also he persuaded Aretas to receive Hyrcanus,
and to bring him back to his kingdom: he also cast great reproaches upon
Aristobulus, as to his morals, and gave great commendations to Hyrcanus,
and exhorted Aretas to receive him, and told him how becoming a filing
it would be for him, who ruled so great a kingdom, to afford his
assistance to such as are injured; alleging that Hyrcanus was treated
unjustly, by being deprived of that dominion which belonged to him by
the prerogative of his birth. And when he had predisposed them both to
do what he would have them, he took Hyrcanus by night, and ran away from
the city, and, continuing his flight with great swiftness, he escaped to
the place called Petra, which is the royal seat of the king of Arabia,
where he put Hyrcanus into Aretas's hand; and by discoursing much with
him, and gaining upon him with many presents, he prevailed with him to
give him an army that might restore him to his kingdom. This army
consisted of fifty thousand footmen and horsemen, against which
Aristobulus was not able to make resistance, but was deserted in his
first onset, and was driven to Jerusalem; he also had been taken at
first by force, if Scaurus, the Roman general, had not come and
seasonably interposed himself, and raised the siege. This Scaurus was
sent into Syria from Armenia by Pompey the Great, when he fought against
Tigranes; so Scaurus came to Damascus, which had been lately taken by
Metellus and Lollius, and caused them to leave the place; and, upon his
hearing how the affairs of Judea stood, he made haste thither as to a
certain booty.

3. As soon, therefore, as he was come into the country, there
came ambassadors from both the brothers, each of them desiring his
assistance; but Aristobulus's three hundred talents had more weight with
him than the justice of the cause; which sum, when Scaurus had received,
he sent a herald to Hyrcanus and the Arabians, and threatened them with
the resentment of the Romans and of Pompey, unless they would raise
the siege. So Aretas was terrified, and retired out of Judea to
Philadelphia, as did Scaurus return to Damascus again; nor was
Aristobulus satisfied with escaping [out of his