m from the ambiguity that was
in them. Now so sagacious and understanding was Solomon, that none of
these problems were too hard for him; but he conquered them all by
his reasonings, and discovered their hidden meaning, and brought it to
light. Menander also, one who translated the Tyrian archives out of the
dialect of the Phoenicians into the Greek language, makes mention of
these two kings, where he says thus: "When Abibalus was dead, his son
Hiram received the kingdom from him, who, when he had lived fifty-three
years, reigned thirty-four. He raised a bank in the large place, and
dedicated the golden pillar which is in Jupiter's temple. He also went
and cut down materials of timber out of the mountain called Libanus, for
the roof of temples; and when he had pulled down the ancient temples, he
both built the temple of Hercules and that of Astarte; and he first
set up the temple of Hercules in the month Peritius; he also made an
expedition against the Euchii, or Titii, who did not pay their tribute,
and when he had subdued them to himself he returned. Under this king
there was Abdemon, a very youth in age, who always conquered the
difficult problems which Solomon, king of Jerusalem, commanded him
to explain. Dius also makes mention of him, where he says thus: 'When
Abibalus was dead, his son Hiram reigned. He raised the eastern parts
of the city higher, and made the city itself larger. He also joined the
temple of Jupiter, which before stood by itself, to the city, by raising
a bank in the middle between them; and he adorned it with donations of
gold. Moreover, he went up to Mount Libanus, and cut down materials of
wood for the building of the temples.' He says also, that Solomon,
who was then king of Jerusalem, sent riddles to Hiram, and desired to
receive the like from him, but that he who could not solve them should
pay money to them that did solve them, and that Hiram accepted the
conditions; and when he was not able to solve the riddles proposed
by Solomon, he paid a great deal of money for his fine; but that he
afterward did solve the proposed riddles by means of Abdemon, a man of
Tyre; and that Hiram proposed other riddles, which, when Solomon could
not solve, he paid back a great deal of money to Hiram." This it is
which Dius wrote.

CHAPTER 6. How Solomon Fortified The City Of Jerusalem, And Built Great
Cities; And How He Brought Some Of The Canaanites Into Subjection, And
Entertained The Queen Of Egypt