he came down, it was to prevail with Pompey to
allow him the government entirely; and when he went up to the citadel,
it was that he might not appear to debase himself too low. However,
Pompey commanded him to give up his fortified places, and forced him to
write to every one of their governors to yield them up; they having
had this charge given them, to obey no letters but what were of his
own hand-writing. Accordingly he did what he was ordered to do; but had
still an indignation at what was done, and retired to Jerusalem, and
prepared to fight with Pompey.

6. But Pompey did not give him time to make any preparations [for a
siege], but followed him at his heels; he was also obliged to make haste
in his attempt, by the death of Mithridates, of which he was informed
about Jericho. Now here is the most fruitful country of Judea, which
bears a vast number of palm trees [7] besides the balsam tree, whose
sprouts they cut with sharp stones, and at the incisions they gather the
juice, which drops down like tears. So Pompey pitched his camp in that
place one night, and then hasted away the next morning to Jerusalem; but
Aristobulus was so aftrighted at his approach, that he came and met him
by way of supplication. He also promised him money, and that he would
deliver up both himself and the city into his disposal, and thereby
mitigated the anger of Pompey. Yet did not he perform any of the
conditions he had agreed to; for Aristobulus's party would not so much
as admit Gabinius into the city, who was sent to receive the money that
he had promised.

CHAPTER 7.

How Pompey Had The City Of Jerusalem Delivered Up To Him But
Took The Temple By Force. How He Went Into The Holy Of
Holies; As Also What Were His Other Exploits In Judea.

1. At this treatment Pompey was very angry, and took Aristobulus into
custody. And when he was come to the city, he looked about where he
might make his attack; for he saw the walls were so firm, that it would
be hard to overcome them; and that the valley before the walls was
terrible; and that the temple, which was within that valley, was itself
encompassed with a very strong wall, insomuch that if the city were
taken, that temple would be a second place of refuge for the enemy to
retire to.

2. Now as he was long in deliberating about this matter, a sedition
arose among the people within the city; Aristobulus's party being
willing to fight, and to set their king at liberty,