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[57]
So he laid siege to the fortress, and was superior to Ptolemy in
other respects, but was overcome by him as to the just affection [he had
for his relations]; for when Ptolemy was distressed, he brought forth his
mother, and his brethren, and set them upon the wall, and beat them with
rods in every body's sight, and threatened, that unless he would go away
immediately, he would throw them down headlong; at which sight Hyrcanus's
commiseration and concern were too hard for his anger. But his mother was
not dismayed, neither at the stripes she received, nor at the death with
which she was threatened; but stretched out her hands, and prayed her son
not to be moved with the injuries that she suffered to spare the wretch;
since it was to her better to die by the means of Ptolemy, than to live
ever so long, provided he might be punished for the injuries he done to
their family. Now John's case was this: When he considered the courage
of his mother, and heard her entreaty, he set about his attacks; but when
he saw her beaten, and torn to pieces with the stripes, he grew feeble,
and was entirely overcome by his affections. And as the siege was delayed
by this means, the year of rest came on, upon which the Jews rest every
seventh year as they do on every seventh day. On this year, therefore,
Ptolemy was freed from being besieged, and slew the brethren of John, with
their mother, and fled to Zeno, who was also called Cotylas, who was tyrant
of Philadelphia.
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