The Jewish War
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To be continued...
Continued from prior post↑
When at Philippi Cassius had met his end, Caesar went back to Italy and Antony to Asia. Numerous cities sent deputations to Antony in Bithynia, and with them came influential Jews to accuse Phasael and Herod of obtaining control of affairs by force and leaving Hyrcanus a mere figurehead. To counter this propaganda Herod appeared on the scene, and by coaxing Antony with huge bribes so worked upon him that he would not let Herod's enemies say a word. Thus for the time being they were silenced. But later on a hundred Jewish officials arrived at Daphne near Antioch to appeal to Antony, now a slave to his passion for Cleopatra. They put forward the most highly esteemed and eloquent men among them to accuse the two brothers. Messala replied for the defense, backed by Hyrcanus because of the marriage-connection. Antony listened to both sides, and then asked Hyrcanus which party was the more fit to govern. When Hyrcanus recommended Herod and his associates, Antony was delighted (Years before he had been the guest of Herod's father, who had given him a right royal welcome when Gabinius and he were invading Judea.) So he appointed the two brothers tetrarchs, with the task of administering all Judea.
To be continued...
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