Tobiad Family Conflict: War between Hyrcanus and His Brothers

Upon Joseph’s death, the people grew rebellious on account of his sons. For whereas the brothers made war against Hyrcanus, who was the youngest of Joseph’s sons, the multitude was divided, but the greater part joined with them [the brothers] in this war, as did Simeon the high priest because he was of kin to them. However, Hyrcanus determined not to return to Jerusalem anymore, but seated himself beyond the Jordan and was at perpetual war with the Arabians, slew many of them, and took many of them captive. He erected a strong castle and built it entirely of white stone to the very roof and had very large animals engraved upon it. He also created around it a great and deep canal of water. He made caves many furlongs in length by hollowing a rock that was opposite him; and then he made large rooms in it, some for feasting and others for sleeping and living. He introduced a vast quantity of water, which ran along it, which was very delightful and ornamental in the court. But still he made the entrances at the mouth of the caves so narrow that no more than one person could enter through them at once. And the reason why he built them after that manner was a good one: it was for his own safety, lest he be besieged by his brothers and run the hazard of being caught by them. Moreover, he built courts of greater-than-ordinary magnitude, which he adorned with vast gardens. And when he had brought the place to this state, he named it Tyre. This place is between Arabia and Judaea, beyond the Jordan, not far from the country of Heshbon. And he ruled over those parts for seven years, even all the time that Seleucus was king of Syria. But when he [Seleucus] died, his brother Antiochus, who was called Epiphanes, took the kingdom. Ptolemy, the king of Egypt, died, who was also called Epiphanes. He left two sons, both young, the elder of whom was called Philometer, and the younger, Physcon. As for Hyrcanus, when he saw that Antiochus had a great army, he feared lest he should be caught by him and be brought to punishment for what he had done to the Arabians; he committed suicide, and Antiochus seized all of his property.

Translated byWilliam Whiston, adapted byCarol Bakhos, in consultation withRalph Marcus.