Izates

IZATES, King of the Adiabenians, of whom there is frequent mention in Josephus, some authors make him a Christian, whereas Josephus says, he was a convert to Judaism. Izates was the son of Monobazus King of the Adiabenians, and Orosius book vi. c. 6. says that Helena the mother of Izates had embraced Christianity.Helena his wife and sister. Monobazus had a particular affection for Izates; and fearing the effects of envy in this young Prince’s brothers, he sent him to Abennerick King of Charax Spasin upon the Tigris, at the head of the Persian Gulph. In this Country Izates met with a Jewish merchant, who taught him to serve the true God. Some time after Izates was sent for by his father, and set over a small Province of Armenia, called Kæron ; where, says Josephus, are to be seen the remains of Noah’s Ark. After the death of his father he returned into Adiabene, where his mother Helena procured him to be acknowledged King, and engaged Monabazus one of his brothers to restore to him the diadem. He always continued his affection for Judaism¹, and was very glad to hear, that his mother had embraced Antiq. l. xx. c. 2. and l. vi. c. 36. de Bello Jud. p. 964.the same Religion, by the means of another Jew.

Izates would have made an open profession of Judaism and received circumcision; but his mother diverted him from it, apprehending the consequences of such a step as this: Ananias himself (this is the name of the Jew who had instructed him) did not insist on this ; telling him ; that as affairs then stood, God would be content with the disposition of his heart. But another Jew finding him one day reading the book of Moses, demonstrated to him, that he could not observe the law, nor be partaker of the covenant without having himself circumcised ; which determined him immediately to receive circumcision. He declared what he had done to Helena his mother and Ananias. This action was attended with no ill consequence, and Izates continued to reign with great happiness. His brothers and relations did at last likewise embrace Judaism, which caused a defection of the great men of the country, who stir’d up powerful enemies against him, and prevailed with them to declare war with him. But he had the advantage of them, and reigned four and twenty years. He died in the year of J. C. 61. at farthest, in the fifty fifth year of his Age, and left the crown to his son Monobazus. The bones of Izates were sent to Jerusalem, and buried with those of Helena his mother in a magnificent Mausoleum, built by her order near this city. At the last siege of Jerusalem when Titus lay before it, some of Izates’s sons and brothers were shut up in the place, whose lives were given them by Titus, in the year of J. C. 70.

Read this article in its place on the printed pages