[
123]
Now those other people which were at variance with Aristobulus were
afraid upon his unexpected obtaining the government; and especially this
concerned Antipater
1
whom Aristobulus hated of old. He was by birth an Idumean, and one of the
principal of that nation, on account of his ancestors and riches, and other
authority to him belonging: he also persuaded Hyrcanus to fly to Aretas,
the king of
Arabia, and to lay claim to the kingdom; as also he persuaded
Aretas to receive Hyrcanus, and to bring him back to his kingdom: he also
cast great reproaches upon Aristobulus, as to his morals, and gave great
commendations to Hyrcanus, and exhorted Aretas to receive him, and told
him how becoming a filing it would be for him, who ruled so great a kingdom,
to afford his assistance to such as are injured; alleging that Hyrcanus
was treated unjustly, by being deprived of that dominion which belonged
to him by the prerogative of his birth. And when he had predisposed them
both to do what he would have them, he took Hyrcanus by night, and ran
away from the city, and, continuing his flight with great swiftness, he
escaped to the place called
Petra, which is the royal seat of the king
of
Arabia, where he put Hyrcanus into Aretas's hand; and by discoursing
much with him, and gaining upon him with many presents, he prevailed with
him to give him an army that might restore him to his kingdom. This army
consisted of fifty thousand footmen and horsemen, against which Aristobulus
was not able to make resistance, but was deserted in his first onset, and
was driven to
Jerusalem; he also had been taken at first by force, if Scaurus,
the Roman general, had not come and seasonably interposed himself, and
raised the siege. This Scaurus was sent into
Syria from
Armenia by Pompey
the Great, when he fought against Tigranes; so Scaurus came to
Damascus,
which had been lately taken by Metellus and Lollius, and caused them to
leave the place; and, upon his hearing how the affairs of
Judea stood,
he made haste thither as to a certain booty.