mple are
going on so fast, and not to overlook this matter, that thou mayst
search into the books of thy fathers, for thou wilt find in them that
the Jews have been rebels, and enemies to kings, as hath their city been
also, which, for that reason, hath been till now laid waste. We thought
proper also to inform thee of this matter, because thou mayst otherwise
perhaps be ignorant of it, that if this city be once inhabited and be
entirely encompassed with walls, thou wilt be excluded from thy passage
to Celesyria and Phoenicia."

2. When Cambyses had read the epistle, being naturally wicked, he was
irritated at what they told him, and wrote back to them as follows:
"Cambyses the king, to Rathumus the historiographer, to Beeltethmus, to
Semellius the scribe, and the rest that are in commission, and dwelling
in Samaria and Phoenicia, after this manner: I have read the epistle
that was sent from you; and I gave order that the books of my
forefathers should be searched into, and it is there found that this
city hath always been an enemy to kings, and its inhabitants have raised
seditions and wars. We also are sensible that their kings have been
powerful and tyrannical, and have exacted tribute of Celesyria and
Phoenicia. Wherefore I gave order, that the Jews shall not be permitted
to build that city, lest such mischief as they used to bring upon
kings be greatly augmented." When this epistle was read, Rathumus, and
Semellius the scribe, and their associates, got suddenly on horseback,
and made haste to Jerusalem; they also brought a great company
with them, and forbade the Jews to build the city and the temple.
Accordingly, these works were hindered from going on till the second
year of the reign of Darius, for nine years more; for Cambyses reigned
six years, and within that time overthrew Egypt, and when he was come
back, he died at Damascus.

CHAPTER 3. How After The Death Of Cambyses And The Slaughter Of The Magi
But Under The Reign Of Darius, Zorobabel Was Superior To The Rest In The
Solution Of Problems And Thereby Obtained This Favor Of The King, That
The Temple Should Be Built.

1. After the slaughter of file Magi, who, upon the death of Cambyses,
attained the government of the Persians for a year, those families which
were called the seven families of the Persians appointed Darius, the son
of Hystaspes, to be their king. Now he, while he was a private man, had
made a vow to God, that if he came to be king,