Chapter 1.
How
Ptolemy, the son of
Lagus, took
Jerusalem and
Judea by deceit and treachery; and carried many of the
Jews thence, and planted them in
Egypt.
[An. 323.] 1. Now when Alexander King of Macedon had put an end to the dominion of the Persians, and had settled the affairs in Judea after the forementioned manner, he ended his life. And as his government fell among many, Antigonus obtained Asia: Seleucus, Babylon: and of the other nations which were there, Lysimachus governed the Hellespont, and Cassander possessed Macedonia. As did Ptolemy the son of Lagus seize upon Egypt. And while these princes ambitiously strove one against another, every one for his own principality, it came to pass that there were continual wars, and those lasting wars too: and the cities were sufferers, and lost a great many of their inhabitants in these times of distress. [An. 320.] Insomuch that all Syria, by the means of Ptolemy the son of Lagus, underwent the reverse of that denomination of Saviour, which he then had. He also seized upon Jerusalem: and for that end made use of deceit and treachery. For as he came into the city on a sabbath day, as if he would offer sacrifice, he, without any trouble, gained the city: while the Jews did not oppose him. For they did not suspect him to be their enemy: and he gained it thus, because they were free from suspicion of him; and because on that day they were at rest and quietness: and when he had gained it, he ruled over it in a cruel manner. Nay Agatharchides of Cnidus, who wrote the acts of Alexander’s successors, reproaches us with superstition; as if we, by it, had lost our liberty: where he says thus: “There is a nation called the nation of the Jews; who inhabit a city strong and great, named Jerusalem. These men took no care, but let it come into the hands of Ptolemy: as not willing to take arms: and thereby they submitted to be under an hard master, by reason of their unseasonable superstition.” This is what Agatharchides relates of our nation. But when Ptolemy had taken a great many captives, both from the mountainous parts of Judea, and from the places about Jerusalem and Samaria; and the places near mount Gerizzim; he led them all into Egypt, and settled them there. And as he knew that the people of Jerusalem were most faithful in the observation of oaths and covenants; and this from the answer they made to Alexander,
1 when he sent an ambassage to them, after he had beaten Darius in battel; so he distributed many of them into garrisons; and at Alexandria gave them equal privileges of citizens with the Macedonians themselves;
2 and required of them to take their oaths, that they would keep their fidelity to the posterity of those who committed these places to their care. Nay there were not a few other Jews, who, of their own accord, went into Egypt: as invited by the goodness of the soil; and by the liberality of Ptolemy. However, there were disoders among their posterity, with relation to the Samaritans; on account of their resolution to preserve that conduct of life which was delivered to them by their forefathers: and they thereupon contended one with another: while those of Jerusalem said, that their temple was holy; and resolved to send their sacrifices thither: but the Samaritans were resolved that they should be sent to mount Gerizzim.
Chapter 2.
How
Ptolemy Philadelphus procured the laws of the
Jews to be translated into the
Greek tongue; and set many captives free; and dedicated many gifts to God.
1. [An. 284.] When Alexander had reigned twelve years, and after him Ptolemy Soter forty years, Philadelphus then took the kingdom of Egypt, and held it forty years within one. He procured the law to be interpreted; and set free those that were come from Jerusalem into Egypt, and were in slavery there; who were an hundred and twenty thousand. [An. 278.] The occasion was this: Demetrius Phalereus, who was library keeper to the King, was now endeavouring, if it were possible, to gather together all the books that were in the habitable earth: and buying whatsoever was any where valuable, or agreeable to the King’s inclination; (who was very earnestly set upon collecting of books to which inclination of his Demetrius was zealously subservient. And when once Ptolemy asked him, How many ten thousands of books he had collected, he replied, that he had already about twenty times ten thousand: but that, in a little time, he should have fifty times ten thousand. But he said, he had been informed, that there were many books of laws among the Jews, worthy of enquiring after, and worthy of the King’s library; but which being written in characters and in a dialect of their own, will cause no small pains in getting them translated into the Greek tongue: that the character in which they are written seems to be like to that which is the proper character of the Syrians; and that its sound, when pronounced, is like theirs also: and that this sound appears to be peculiar to themselves. Wherefore he said, that nothing hindred why they might not get those books to be translated also. For while nothing is wanting that is necessary for that purpose, we may have their books also in this library. So the King thought that Demetrius was very zealous to procure him abundance of books, and that he suggested what was exceeding proper for him to do: and accordingly, he wrote to the Jewish High Priest, that he should act accordingly.”
3. [An. 278.] When Aristeus was saying thus, the King looked upon him with a chearful and joyful countenance, and said, “How many ten thousands dost thou suppose there are of such as want to be made free?” To which Andreas replied, as he stood by, and said, “A few more than ten times ten thousand.” The King made answer, “And is this a small gift that thou askest, Aristeus?” But Sosibius, and the rest that stood by, said, that “He ought to offer such a thank offering as was worthy of his greatness of soul, to that God who had given him his Kingdom.” With this answer he was much pleased; and gave order, that when they payed the soldiers their wages, they should lay down [an hundred and] twenty drachmæ for every one of the slaves. And he promised to publish a magnificent decree, about what they requested, which should confirm what Aristeus had proposed, and especially what God willed should be done; whereby he said he would not only set those free who had been led away captive by his father, and his army; but those also who were in his Kingdom before; and those also, if any such there were, who had been brought away since. And when they said that their redemption money would amount to above four hundred talents, he granted it. A copy of which decree I have determined to preserve; that the magnanimity of this King may be made known. Its contents were as follows, “Let all those who were soldiers under our father; and who, when they overran Syria and Phenicia, and laid waste Judea, took the Jews captives, and made them slaves, and brought them into our cities, and into this countrey, and then sold them; as also those that were in my Kingdom before them: and if there be any that have been lately brought thither, be made free by those that possess them; and let them accept of [an hundred and] twenty drachmæ for every slave. And let the soldiers receive this redemption money with their pay; but the rest out of the King’s treasury. For I suppose that they were made captives without our father’s consent, and against equity; and that their countrey was harassed by the insolence of the soldiers; and that by removing them into Egypt, the soldiers have made a great profit by them. Out of regard therefore to justice; and out of pity to those that have been tyrannized over, contrary to equity, I enjoin those that have such Jews in their service to set them at liberty; upon the receipt of the before mentioned sum; and that no one use any deceit about them, but obey what is here commanded. And I will that they give in their names within three days, after the publication of this edict, to such as are appointed to execute the same; and to produce the slaves before them also.
