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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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's eunuchs are tortured and Alexander is bound
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
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's marriages, and children
Antipater becomes intolerable. he is sent to Rome, and carries Herod's testament with him; Pheroras leaves his brother, that he may keep his wife. He dies at home
When Herod made inquiry about Pheroras'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
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
The golden eagle is cut to pieces. Herod'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
Book 2 - From the Death of Herod till Vespasian was sent to subdue the Jews by Nero
Archelaus makes a funeral feast for the people, on the account of Herod. After which a great tumult is raised by the multitude and he sends the soldiers out upon them, who destroy about three thousand of them
Archelaus goes to Rome with a great number of his kindred. He is there accused before Caesar by Antipater; but is superior to his accusers in judgment by the means of that defense which Nicolaus made for him
The Jews greatly complain of Archelaus and desire that they may be made subject to Roman governors. But when Caesar had heard what they had to say, he distributed Herod's dominions among his sons according to his own pleasure
The history of the spurious Alexander. Archelaus is banished and Glaphyra dies, after what was to happen to both of them had been showed them in dreams
The death of Salome. The cities which Herod and Philip built. Pilate occasions disturbances. Tiberius puts Agrippa into bonds but Caius frees him from them, and makes him king. Herod Antipas is banished
Concerning the government of Claudius, and the reign of Agrippa. Concerning the deaths of Agrippa and of Herod and what children they both left behind them
Nero adds four cities to Agrippas kingdom; but the other parts of Judea were under Felix. The disturbances which were raised by the Sicarii the Magicians and an Egyptian false prophet. The Jews and Syrians have a contest at Cesarea
Concerning Bernice's petition to Florus, to spare the Jews, but in vain; as also how, after the seditious flame was quenched, it was kindled again by Florus
Cestius sends Neopolitanus the Tribune to see in what condition the affairs of the Jews were. Agrippa makes a speech to the people of the Jews that he may divert them from their intentions of making war with the Romans
What Cestius did against the Jews; and how, upon his besieging Jerusalem, he retreated from the city without any just occasion in the world. As also what severe calamities he under went from the Jews in his retreat
Cestius sends ambassadors to Nero. The people of Damascus slay those Jews that lived with them. The people of Jerusalem after they had [left off] pursuing Cestius, return to the city and get things ready for its defense and make a great many generals for, their armies and particularlY Josephus the writer of these books. Some account of his administration
How Josephus was discovered by a woman, and was willing to deliver himself up to the Romans; and what discourse he had with his own men, when they endeavored to hinder him; and what he said to Vespasian, when he was brought to him; and after what manner Vespasian used him afterward
Concerning John of Gischala. Concerning the Zealots and the high priest Ananus; as also how the Jews raise seditions one against another [in Jerusalem]
The Idumeans being sent for by the zealots, came immediately to Jerusalem; and when they were excluded out of the city, they lay all night there. Jesus one of the high priests makes a speech to them; and Simon the Idumean makes a reply to it
The cruelty of the Idumeans when they were gotten into the temple during the storm; and of the zealots. Concerning the slaughter of Ananus, and Jesus, and Zacharias; and how the Idumeans retired home
How the zealots when they were freed from the Idumeans, slew a great many more of the citizens; and how Vespasian dissuaded the Romans when they were very earnest to march against the Jews from proceeding in the war at that time
How JOHN tyrannized over the rest; and what mischiefs the zealots did at Masada. How also Vespasian took Gadara; and what actions were performed by Placidus
How Vespasian, upon hearing of some commotions in Gall, made haste to finish the Jewish war. A description of Jericho, and of the great plain; with an account besides of the lake Asphaltitis
That Vespasian, after he had taken Gadara made preparation for the siege of Jerusalem; but that, upon his hearing of the death of Nero, he changed his intentions. As also concerning Simon of Geras
How the sedition was again revived within Jerusalem and yet the Jews contrived snares for the Romans. How Titus also threatened his soldiers for their ungovernable rashness
Concerning the tyrants Simon and John. How also as Titus was going round the wall of this city Nicanor was wounded by a dart; which accident provoked Titus to press on the siege
How one of the towers erected by the romans fell down of its own accord; and how the Romans after great slaughter had been made got possession of the first wall. How also Titus made his assaults upon the second wall; as also concerning Longinus the Roman, and Castor the Jew
Titus when the Jews were not at all mollified by his leaving off the siege for a while, set himself again to prosecute the same; but soon sent Josephus to discourse with his own countrymen about peace
How a great many of the people earnestly endeavored to desert to the Romans; as also what intolerable things those that staid behind suffered by famine, and the sad consequences thereof
How the Jews were crucified before the walls of the city concerning Antiochus Epiphanes; and how the Jews overthrew the banks that had been raised by the Romans
Concerning a stratagem that was devised by the Jews, by which they burnt many of the Romans; with another description of the terrible famine that was in the city
When the banks were completed and the battering rams brought, and could do nothing, Titus gave orders to set fire to the gates of the temple; in no long time after which the holy house itself was burnt down, even against his consent
How the Romans carried their ensigns to the temple, and made joyful acclamations to Titus. The speech that Titus made to the Jews when they made supplication for mercy. What reply they made thereto; and how that reply moved Titus's indignation against them
What afterward befell the seditious when they had done a great deal of mischief, and suffered many misfortunes; as also how Caesar became master of the upper city
How Caesar raised banks round about the upper city [Mount Zion] and when they were completed, gave orders that the machines should be brought. He then possessed himself of the whole city
What injunctions Caesar gave when he was come within the city. The number of the captives and of those that perished in the siege; as also concerning those that had escaped into the subterranean caverns, among whom were the tyrants Simon and John themselves
How the entire city of Jerusalem was demolished, excepting three towers; and how Titus commended his soldiers in a speech made to them, and distributed rewards to them and then dismissed many of them
How Titus upon the celebration of his brothers and fathers birthdays had many of the Jews slain. Concerning the danger the Jews were in at Antioch, by means of the transgression and impiety of one Antiochus, a Jew
How Vespasian was received at Rome; as also how the Germans revolted from the Romans, but were subdued. That the Sarmatians overran Mysia, but were compelled to retire to their own country again
Concerning the Sabbatic river which Titus saw as he was journeying through Syria; and how the people of Antioch came with a petition to Titus against the Jews but were rejected by him; as also concerning Titus's and Vespasian's triumph
Concerning the calamity that befell Antiochus, King of Commagene. As also concerning the Alans and what great mischiefs they did to the Medes and Armenians
How the people that were in the fortress were prevailed on by the words of Eleazar, two women and five children only excepted and all submitted to be killed by one another
That many of the Sicarii fled to Alexandria also and what dangers they were in there; on which account that temple which had formerly been built by Onias the high priest was destroyed