From the Taking of Jerusalem by Antiochus Epiphanes to the Death of Herod the Great - Flavius Josephus
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with <strong>the</strong>ir Divine worship, and were slain while <strong>the</strong>y were <strong>of</strong>fering <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
drink-<strong>of</strong>ferings, and burning <strong>the</strong>ir incense, as preferring <strong>the</strong> duties about <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
worship <strong>to</strong> God before <strong>the</strong>ir own preservation. The greatest part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m<br />
were slain <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir own countrymen, <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> adverse faction, and an<br />
innumerable multitude threw <strong>the</strong>mselves down precipices; nay, some <strong>the</strong>re<br />
were who were so distracted among <strong>the</strong> insuperable difficulties <strong>the</strong>y were<br />
under, that <strong>the</strong>y set fire <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> buildings that were near <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> wall, and were<br />
burnt <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r with <strong>the</strong>m. Now <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Jews were slain twelve thousand; but<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Romans very few were slain, but a greater number was wounded.<br />
6. But <strong>the</strong>re was nothing that affected <strong>the</strong> nation so much, in <strong>the</strong><br />
calamities <strong>the</strong>y were <strong>the</strong>n under, as that <strong>the</strong>ir holy place, which had been<br />
hi<strong>the</strong>r<strong>to</strong> seen <strong>by</strong> none, should be laid open <strong>to</strong> strangers; for Pompey, and<br />
those that were about him, went in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> temple itself (1) whi<strong>the</strong>r it was not<br />
lawful for any <strong>to</strong> enter but <strong>the</strong> high priest, and saw what was reposited<br />
<strong>the</strong>rein, <strong>the</strong> candlestick with its lamps, and <strong>the</strong> table, and <strong>the</strong> pouring vessels,<br />
and <strong>the</strong> censers, all made entirely <strong>of</strong> gold, as also a great quantity <strong>of</strong> spices<br />
heaped <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r, with two thousand talents <strong>of</strong> sacred money. Yet did not he<br />
<strong>to</strong>uch that money, nor any thing else that was <strong>the</strong>re reposited; but he<br />
commanded <strong>the</strong> ministers about <strong>the</strong> temple, <strong>the</strong> very next day after he had<br />
taken it, <strong>to</strong> cleanse it, and <strong>to</strong> perform <strong>the</strong>ir accus<strong>to</strong>med sacrifices. Moreover,<br />
he made Hyrcanus high priest, as one that not only in o<strong>the</strong>r respects had<br />
showed great alacrity, on his side, during <strong>the</strong> siege, but as he had been <strong>the</strong><br />
means <strong>of</strong> hindering <strong>the</strong> multitude that was in <strong>the</strong> country from fighting for<br />
Aris<strong>to</strong>bulus, which <strong>the</strong>y were o<strong>the</strong>rwise very ready <strong>to</strong> have done; <strong>by</strong> which<br />
means he acted <strong>the</strong> part <strong>of</strong> a good general, and reconciled <strong>the</strong> people <strong>to</strong> him<br />
more <strong>by</strong> benevolence than <strong>by</strong> terror. Now, among <strong>the</strong> Captives, Aris<strong>to</strong>bulus's<br />
fa<strong>the</strong>r-in-law was taken, who was also his uncle: so those that were <strong>the</strong> most<br />
guilty he punished with decollatlon; but rewarded Faustus, and those with<br />
him that had fought so bravely, with glorious presents, and laid a tribute<br />
upon <strong>the</strong> country, and upon <strong>Jerusalem</strong> itself.<br />
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