514 A SHORT VIEW OF SCRIPTURE HISTORY. melted gold was poured down his throat by way of insult over his insatiable covetousness. 46. Q. What was the final effect of this victory of the Romans ? A. Pompey demolished the wall of Jerusalem, put to death some of the chief supporters of Aristobulus, re- stored Hyrcanus to the priesthood, and made him also gover- nor, but under tribute to the Romans, and reduced his do.. minions to narrower bounds : then he carriedAristobulus, with his children, prisoners to Rome ; except his eldest son, who escaped. Note, from this quarrel between Hyrcanus the second, and Aristobulus, the ruin of Jerusalem and Judea must be dated ; the final loss of the liberty of the Jews, and the translation of the sovereign authority to the Romans, which had till then des- cended with the priesthood, and been possessed by the Jews, though oftenunder some tribute to heathen princes. 47. Q. Did Aristobulus, or his sons, ever attempt the re- covery of their power and government ? A. Being escaped from prison, they made several vigorous attempts, but without success. 48. Q. What changes did Jerusalem pass under through these times ? A. Gabinus, a Roman general, marching through Judea, in a little time made a great change in the government, lessened the power of Hyrcanus yet further, altered the consti- tution of the sanhedrim or Jewish senate ? but all was restored again shortly afterward by Julius Casar: for, at Hyrcanus's re- quest, he gave him leave to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, and by a decree of the senate of Rome, the ancient friendship with the Jews was renewed. 49. Q. Where was Antipater all this while, who had ex- cited Hyrcanus to recover the government of Judea ? A. He did many services for Casar, in his wars in the neighbouring countries ; whereupon he was made his lieutenant in Judea, under Hyrcanus, who was confirmed by Casar in the govern- ment and high-priesthood : and, at the same time, Antipater procured Phasael, his eldest son, to be made governor of the city of Jerusalem, and Herod his second son, governor ofJudea. Note, This Herod grew up to high power afterward ; he was called Herod the great, and was king of Judea when our Saviour was born. 50. Q. What became of Antipater at last ? A. He was poisoned by one Malichus, a rival, who envied Isis greatness and power in Judea: but his death was revenged by his son Herod, who was permitted by the Roman general to procure Malichus tp be murdered. 51. Q. What further troubles did the Jews meet with about this time ? A. Some parts sor other of their nation were con- tinually subject to plunders, sometimesfrom the Roman generals,
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