Hyrcanus II as Ethnarch

“I, Julius Caesar, imperator the second time and high priest, have made this decree, with the approbation of the Senate. Whereas Hyrcanus the son of Alexander, the Jew, has demonstrated his fidelity and diligence about our affairs, both now and in former times, both in peace and in war, as many of our generals have borne witness, and came to our assistance in the last Alexandrian war with fifteen hundred soldiers, and when he was sent by me to Mithridates showed himself superior in valor to all the rest of that army, I will that Hyrcanus the son of Alexander and his children be ethnarchs of the Jews and hold the high priesthood of the Jews forever in accordance with their ancestral customs, and that he and his sons be our allies, and that in addition to this, every one of them be reckoned among our particular friends. I also ordain that he and his children retain whatever privileges belong to the office of high priest or whatever favors have been hitherto granted them. And if at any time hereafter there arise any questions about the Jewish customs, I will that he determine the same. And I think it not proper that they should be obliged to find us winter quarters or that any money should be required of them.

“The decrees of Gaius Caesar, consul, containing what has been granted and determined, are as follows: that Hyrcanus and his children rule over the nation of the Jews and have the profits of the places bequeathed to them, and that he, as the high priest and ethnarch of the Jews, defend those who are injured. And that ambassadors be sent to Hyrcanus the son of Alexander, the high priest of the Jews, to speak with him about a league of friendship and mutual assistance. [ . . . ]

“[A]‌nd that the same original ordinances remain in force concerning the Jews with regard to their high priests, and that they enjoy the same benefits that they had before by the concession of the people and the Senate, and let them extend the same privileges in Lydda. It is the pleasure also of the Senate that Hyrcanus the ethnarch and the Jews retain the places, countries, and villages that belonged to the kings of Syria and Phoenicia, the allies of the Romans, which they bestowed on them as their free gifts. It is also granted to Hyrcanus, and to his sons, and to the ambassadors sent by them to us, that in the fights between single gladiators and those with beasts, they shall sit among the senators to see those shows, and that when they desire an audience, they shall be introduced into the Senate by the dictator or by the cavalry commander, and when they have introduced them, they shall receive a response in ten days at the latest, after the decree of the Senate is made about their affairs.”

Translated by William Whiston, adapted by Aaron Samuels.