Selections from Josephus - Free Audiobook
1/22Introduction Life
Selections from Josephus
(18) Extension of Herod’s Realm. His Popularity with Augustus and Agrippa
(18) Extension of Herod’s Realm. His Popularity with Augustus and Agrippa
For Palestine under Herod see the Hist. Atlas of Smith and Bartholomew, Map 42.
27 B.C.
When Herod was engaged on these enterprises[112] and had already completed the rebuilding of the city of |23 B.C.| Sebaste,[113] he resolved to send his sons, Alexander and Aristobulus, to Rome, to have audience of Cæsar.[114] On their arrival at the capital they were given lodging in the house of Pollio, one who was very assiduous in cultivating Herod’s friendship; permission was also given them to lodge in the palace of the Emperor, who gave the lads the most kindly reception. The Emperor, moreover, empowered Herod to bequeath his kingdom to any of his children at his discretion; and added to his realm the district of Trachonitis,[115] Batanæa and Auranitis, which he gave him for the following reason....
Here follows a description of Herod’s subjugation of Zenodorus and the robber bands in Trachonitis.
So Cæsar bestowed upon Herod the territory of Zenodorus, an extensive region lying between Trachonitis and Galilee (and embracing) Ulatha and Paneas[116] and the neighbouring country. He attached it[117] to the province of Syria, but instructed the provincial governors to do nothing without obtaining Herod’s approval.
In short, he reached such a height of prosperity that, whereas the burden of government of the vast Roman Empire rested upon two men, first Cæsar, and then (as Cæsar’s favourite) Agrippa, Cæsar preferred no one to Herod after Agrippa, and Agrippa made Herod his chief friend after Cæsar.—Ant. XV. 10. 1 and 3 (342 f.; 360 f.).
About
Jewish historian, military leader and Roman citizen, Titus Flavius Josephus, provides the most thorough history of the 1st century Roman Empire deals with the Jewish people. Born in Jerusalem during the reign of Caligula; present with the Roman Army of Vespasian and Titus at the siege of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple, Josephus stands preeminent among early Christian period writers.
"I have selected the passages most relevant to Christian origins and New Testament study," writes Henry St. James Thackery of King's College, UK, leading biblical scholar on Josephus and Koine Greek translator.
"Some figures which in the New Testament are little more than names, become clothed with life" by Josephus as he "gives us the background of Jewish and world history in the time of our Lord and the infant church. ... And we have full and life-like portraits of Roman governors and generals."
More than 400 footnotes and extensive appendix notes have been woven through the audio recording that the listener might experience Thackery's insights and teaching, as if in his class at King's. Many of the names and places are read with Erasmian Koine Greek pronunciation. (Summary by Rebecca Eden Walker)
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