were now become about a thousand;--at which Herod
was sore displeased, and required the robbers, as well as the money
which he had lent Obodas, by Sylleus, which was sixty talents, and since
the time of payment was now past, he desired to have it paid him; but
Sylleus, who had laid Obodas aside, and managed all by himself, denied
that the robbers were in Arabia, and put off the payment of the money;
about which there was a hearing before Saturninus and Volumnius, who
were then the presidents of Syria. [11] At last he, by their means,
agreed, that within thirty days' time Herod should be paid his
money, and that each of them should deliver up the other's subjects
reciprocally. Now, as to Herod, there was not one of the other's
subjects found in his kingdom, either as doing any injustice, or on
any other account, but it was proved that the Arabians had the robbers
amongst them.

2. When this day appointed for payment of the money was past, without
Sylleus's performing any part of his agreement, and he was gone to Rome,
Herod demanded the payment of the money, and that the robbers that were
in Arabia should be delivered up; and, by the permission of Saturninus
and Volumnius, executed the judgment himself upon those that were
refractory. He took an army that he had, and let it into Arabia, and
in three days' time marched seven mansions; and when he came to the
garrison wherein the robbers were, he made an assault upon them, and
took them all, and demolished the place, which was called Raepta, but
did no harm to any others. But as the Arabians came to their assistance,
under Naceb their captain, there ensued a battle, wherein a few of
Herod's soldiers, and Naceb, the captain of the Arabians, and about
twenty of his soldiers, fell, while the rest betook themselves to
flight. So when he had brought these to punishment, he placed three
thousand Idumeans in Trachonitis, and thereby restrained the robbers
that were there. He also sent an account to the captains that were about
Phoenicia, and demonstrated that he had done nothing but what he ought
to do, in punishing the refractory Arabians, which, upon an exact
inquiry, they found to be no more than what was true.

3. However, messengers were hasted away to Sylleus to Rome, and informed
him what had been done, and, as is usual, aggravated every thing. Now
Sylleus had already insinuated himself into the knowledge of Caesar, and
was then about the palace; and as soon as he heard