ly undertook to pay for them accordingly, and those
within let down the money over the walls, and gave it them. But when the
others had received it, they did not deliver the sacrifices, but arrived
at that height of wickedness as to break the assurances they had given,
and to be guilty of impiety towards God, by not furnishing those that
wanted them with sacrifices. And when the priests found they had been
cheated, and that the agreements they had made were violated, they
prayed to God that he would avenge them on their countrymen. Nor did
he delay that their punishment, but sent a strong and vehement storm of
wind, that destroyed the fruits of the whole country, till a modius of
wheat was then bought for eleven drachmae.

3. In the mean time Pompey sent Scaurus into Syria, while he was himself
in Armenia, and making war with Tigranes; but when Scaurus was come to
Damascus, and found that Lollins and Metellus had newly taken the
city, he came himself hastily into Judea. And when he was come thither,
ambassadors came to him, both from Aristobulus and Hyrcanus, and both
desired he would assist them. And when both of them promised to give
him money, Aristobulus four hundred talents, and Hyrcanus no less, he
accepted of Aristobulus's promise, for he was rich, and had a great
soul, and desired to obtain nothing but what was moderate; whereas the
other was poor, and tenacious, and made incredible promises in hopes of
greater advantages; for it was not the same thing to take a city that
was exceeding strong and powerful, as it was to eject out of the country
some fugitives, with a greater number of Mabateans, who were no very
warlike people. He therefore made an agreement with Aristobulus, for the
reasons before mentioned, and took his money, and raised the siege, and
ordered Aretas to depart, or else he should be declared an enemy to the
Romans. So Scaurus returned to Damascus again; and Aristobulus, with
a great army, made war with Aretas and Hyrcanus, and fought them at a
place called Papyron, and beat them in the battle, and slew about six
thousand of the enemy, with whom fell Phalion also, the brother of
Antipater.

CHAPTER 3. How Aristobulus And Hyrcanus Came To Pompey In Order To Argue
Who Ought To Have The Kingdom; And How Upon The Plight Of Aristobulus To
The Fortress Alexandrium Pompey Led His Army Against Him And Ordered Him
To Deliver Up The Fortresses Whereof He Was Possessed.

1. A Little afterward Pomp