From the Taking of Jerusalem by Antiochus Epiphanes to the Death of Herod the Great - Flavius Josephus
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Chapter 6<br />
Pompey Is Made <strong>the</strong> Arbitra<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Dispute<br />
Between <strong>the</strong> Bro<strong>the</strong>rs<br />
1. Now Hyrcanus was heir <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> kingdom, and <strong>to</strong> him did his mo<strong>the</strong>r<br />
commit it before she died; but Aris<strong>to</strong>bulus was superior <strong>to</strong> him in power and<br />
magnanimity; and when <strong>the</strong>re was a battle between <strong>the</strong>m, <strong>to</strong> decide <strong>the</strong><br />
dispute about <strong>the</strong> kingdom, near Jericho, <strong>the</strong> greatest part deserted Hyrcanus,<br />
and went over <strong>to</strong> Aris<strong>to</strong>bulus; but Hyrcanus, with those <strong>of</strong> his party who<br />
staid with him, fled <strong>to</strong> An<strong>to</strong>nia, and got in<strong>to</strong> his power <strong>the</strong> hostages that<br />
might he for his preservation (which were Aris<strong>to</strong>bulus's wife, with her<br />
children); but <strong>the</strong>y came <strong>to</strong> an agreement before things should come <strong>to</strong><br />
extremities, that Aris<strong>to</strong>bulus should be king, and Hyrcanus should resign that<br />
up, but retain all <strong>the</strong> rest <strong>of</strong> his dignities, as being <strong>the</strong> king's bro<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
Hereupon <strong>the</strong>y were reconciled <strong>to</strong> each o<strong>the</strong>r in <strong>the</strong> temple, and embraced<br />
one ano<strong>the</strong>r in a very kind manner, while <strong>the</strong> people s<strong>to</strong>od round about <strong>the</strong>m;<br />
<strong>the</strong>y also changed <strong>the</strong>ir houses, while Aris<strong>to</strong>bulus went <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> royal palace,<br />
and Hyrcanus retired <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> house <strong>of</strong> Aris<strong>to</strong>bulus.<br />
2. Now those o<strong>the</strong>r people which were at variance with Aris<strong>to</strong>bulus were<br />
afraid upon his unexpected obtaining <strong>the</strong> government; and especially this<br />
concerned Antipater (1) whom Aris<strong>to</strong>bulus hated <strong>of</strong> old. He was <strong>by</strong> birth an<br />
Idumean, and one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> principal <strong>of</strong> that nation, on account <strong>of</strong> his ances<strong>to</strong>rs<br />
and riches, and o<strong>the</strong>r authority <strong>to</strong> him belonging: he also persuaded Hyrcanus<br />
<strong>to</strong> fly <strong>to</strong> Aretas, <strong>the</strong> king <strong>of</strong> Arabia, and <strong>to</strong> lay claim <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> kingdom; as also<br />
he persuaded Aretas <strong>to</strong> receive Hyrcanus, and <strong>to</strong> bring him back <strong>to</strong> his<br />
kingdom: he also cast great reproaches upon Aris<strong>to</strong>bulus, as <strong>to</strong> his morals,<br />
and gave great commendations <strong>to</strong> Hyrcanus, and exhorted Aretas <strong>to</strong> receive<br />
him, and <strong>to</strong>ld him how becoming a filing it would be for him, who ruled so<br />
great a kingdom, <strong>to</strong> afford his assistance <strong>to</strong> such as are injured; alleging that<br />
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