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[257]
THERE was now a tumult arisen at Alexandria, between the Jewish inhabitants
and the Greeks; and three ambassadors were chosen out of each party that
were at variance, who came to Caius. Now one of these ambassadors from
the people of Alexandria was Apion,
who uttered many blasphemies against the Jews; and, among other things
that he said, he charged them with neglecting the honors that belonged
to Caesar; for that while all who were subject to the Roman empire built
altars and temples to Caius, and in other regards universally received
him as they received the gods, these Jews alone thought it a dishonorable
thing for them to erect statues in honor of him, as well as to swear by
his name. Many of these severe things were said by Apion, by which he hoped
to provoke Caius to anger at the Jews, as he was likely to be. But Philo,
the principal of the Jewish embassage, a man eminent on all accounts, brother
to Alexander the alabarch,
and one not unskillful in philosophy, was ready to betake himself to make
his defense against those accusations; but Caius prohibited him, and bid
him begone; he was also in such a rage, that it openly appeared he was
about to do them some very great mischief. So Philo being thus affronted,
went out, and said to those Jews who were about him, that they should be
of good courage, since Caius's words indeed showed anger at them, but in
reality had already set God against himself.
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