Lectionary Calendar

Friday, March 21st, 2025
the Second Week of Lent

There are 30 days til Easter!

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Historical Writings

B.C. (Before Christ)

Writings of Flavius Josephus

The History of the Jewish War

Book 1 — From the Taking of Jerusalem by Antiochus Epiphanes to the Death of Herod the Great

Chapter 1 — How the city Jerusalem was taken, and the temple pillaged [by Antiochus Epiphanes]. As also concerning the actions of the Maccabees, Matthias and Judas; and concerning the death of Judas

Chapter 2 — Concerning the successors of Judas, who were Jonathan and Simon, and John Hyrcanus

Chapter 3 — How Aristobulus was the first that put a diadem about his head; and after he had put his mother and brother to death, died himself, when he had reigned no more than a year

Chapter 4 — What actions were done by Alexander Janneus, who reigned twenty-seven years

Chapter 5 — Alexandra reigns nine years, during which time the Pharisees were the real rulers of the nation

Chapter 6 — When Hyrcanus who was Alexander"s heir, receded from his claim to the crown Aristobulus is made king; and afterward the same Hyrcanus by the means of Antipater, is brought back by Abetas. at last Pompey is made the arbitrator of the dispute between the brothers

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

Chapter 8 — Alexander, the son of Aristobulus, who ran away from Pompey, makes an expedition against Hyrcanus; but being overcome by Gabinius he delivers up the fortresses to him. after this Aristobulus escapes from Rome and gathers an army together; but being beaten by the Romans, he is brought back to Rome; with other things relating to Gabinius, Crassus and Cassius

Chapter 9 — Aristobulus is taken off by Pompey"s friends, as is his son Alexander by Scipio. Antipater cultivates a friendship with Caesar, after Pompey"s death; he also performs great actions in that war, wherein he assisted Mithridates

Chapter 10 — Caesar makes Antipater procurator of Judea; as does Antipater appoint Phasaelus to be governor of Jerusalem, and Herod governor of Galilee; who, in some time, was called to answer for himself [before the Sanhedrim], where he is acquitted. Sextus Caesar is treacherously killed by Bassus and is succeeded by Marcus

Chapter 11 — Herod is made procurator of all Syria; Malichus is afraid of him, and takes Antipater off by poison; whereupon the tribunes of the soldiers are prevailed with to kill him

Chapter 12 — Phasaelus is too hard for Felix; Herod also overcomes Antigonus in RAttle; and the Jews accuse both Herod and Phasaelus but Antonius acquits them, and makes them Tetrarchs

Chapter 13 — The Parthians bring Antigonus back into Judea, and cast Hyrcanus and Phasaelus into prison. The flight of Herod, and the taking of Jerusalem and what Hyrcanus and Phasaelus suffered

Chapter 14 — When Herod is rejected in Arabia, he makes haste to Rome where Antony and Caesar join their interest to make him king

Chapter 15 — Antigonus besieges those that were in Masada, whom Herod frees from confinement when he came back from Rome, and presently marches to Jerusalem where he finds Silo corrupted by bribes

Chapter 16 — Herod takes Sepphoris and subdues the robbers that were in the caves ; he after that avenges himself upon Macheras, as upon an enemy of his and goes to Antony as he was besieging Samosata

Chapter 17 — The death of Joseph [Herod"s brother] which had been signified to Herod in dreams. how Herod was preserved twice after a wonderful manner. He cuts off the head of Pappus, who was the murderer of his brother and sends that head to [his other brother] Pheroras, and in no long time he besieges Jerusalem and marries Mariamne

Chapter 18 — How Herod and Sosius took Jerusalem by force; and what death Antigonus came to. Also concerning Cleopatra"s avaricious temper

Chapter 19 — How Antony at the persuasion of Cleopatra sent Herod to fight against the Arabians; and now after several battles, he at length got the victory. As also concerning a great earthquake

Chapter 20 — Herod is confirmed in his kingdom by Caesar, and cultivates a friendship with the emperor by magnificent presents; while Caesar returns his kindness by bestowing on him that part of his kingdom which had been taken away from it by Cleopatra with the addition of Zenodoruss country also

Chapter 21 — Of the [temple and] cities that were built by Herod and erected from the very foundations; as also of those other edifices that were erected by him; and what magnificence he showed to foreigners; and how fortune was in all things favorable to him

Chapter 22 — The murder of Aristobulus and Hyrcanus, the high priests, as also of Mariamne the queen

Chapter 23 — Calumnies against the sons of Mariamne. Antipateris preferred before them. They are accused before Caesar, and Herod is reconciled to them

Chapter 24 — The malice of Antipater and Doris. Alexander is very uneasy on Glaphyras account. Herod pardons Pheroras, whom he suspected, and Salome whom he knew to make mischief among them. Herod#34;s eunuchs are tortured and Alexander is bound

Chapter 25 — Archelaus procures a reconciliation between Alexander Pheroras, and Herod

Chapter 26 — How Eurycles calumniated the sons of Mariamne; and how Euaratus of costs apology for them had no effect

Chapter 27 — Herod by Caesars direction accuses his sons at Eurytus. They are not produced before the courts but yet are condemned; and in a little time they are sent to Sebaste, and strangled there

Chapter 28 — How Antipater is hated of all men; and how the king Espouses the sons of Those that had been slain to his kindred;but that Antipater made him change them for other women. Of Herod#34;s marriages, and children

Chapter 29 — Antipater becomes intolerable. he is sent to Rome, and carries Herod#34;s testament with him; Pheroras leaves his brother, that he may keep his wife. He dies at home

Chapter 30 — When Herod made inquiry about Pheroras#34;s death a discovery was made that Antipater had prepared a poisonous draught for him. Herod casts Doris and her accomplices, as also Mariamne, out of the palace and blots her son Herod out of his testament

Chapter 31 — Antipater is convicted by Bathyllus ; but he still returns from Rome without knowing it. Herod brings him to his trial

Chapter 32 — Antipater is accused before Varus, and is convicted of laying a plot [against his father] by the strongest evidence. Herod puts off his punishment till he should be recovered, and in the mean time alters his testament

Chapter 33 — The golden eagle is cut to pieces. Herod#34;s barbarity when he was ready to die. HE attempts to kill himself. He commands Antipater to be slain. He survives him five days and then dies