Ptolemy (X)

X. PTOLEMY, Son of Abubi or Abobi, Son-in-law of Simon Maccabeus, and Governor of the Castle of Doch or Dagon, and of the Plain of Jericho. This Man being puff’d up with Pride, pretended to the Government of all Judea, and with this View form’d a Design against the Life of Simon Maccabeus his Father-in-law.¹ Simon was then employ’d in visiting all the Cities of Judea; and arriving at Jericho with his two Sons, Matthias and Judas,² he went to lodge with his Son-in-law, at the Castle of Doch or Dagon Ptolemy made a great Entertainment for them, and in the Midst of Supper, some Men provided for that Purpose entering the Room, kill’d Simon and his two Sons, and some of their People. He gave Information of this to Antiochus Sidetes King of Syria, desiring him to send him speedy Assistance, in order to deliver the Country from the Yoke of the Maccabees, and that he might take Possession of it in the King’s Name. At the same time he sent Messengers to Gazara, to kill John Hyrcanus the eldest Son of Simon; and gave Orders to others of his People to go to Jerusalem, to seize the City and the holy Mountain.

But God did not permit him to succeed in these Projects. John Hyrcanus was quickly advertis’d of this Villainy, and put upon his guard. He caus’d those to be slain that Ptolemy had sent to put him to death, and hasting away with all Speed, he came soon enough to Jerusalem, to frustrate the Designs that Ptolemy had upon it. For John was received into the City, and the Gates were shut against Ptolemy, who had attempted to enter on the other Side. This is what is related by Josephus. The first Book of the Maccabees does not inform us what was the Event of this Murder, committed on the Body of Simon and his Sons. But the Book we quote under the Name of the fourth of the Maccabees says, that Ptolemy having massacred Simon and his two Sons, Hyrcanus being acquainted with it retired to Gaza, (probably Gazera or Gadera) whither Ptolemy pursued him with all his Forces. But the People of Gaza taking Side with Hyrcanus, shut the Gates against Ptolemy, who was therefore oblig’d to retire. Thence Hyrcanus went to Jerusalem,³ salem, was acknowledg’d as High-priest and Prince of his Nation, assembled a great Army, and march’d against Ptolemy, who had shut himself up in the Castle of Dagon.

He lay down before it, and began to batter the Place with his Rams. But as he was upon the Point of becoming Master of it, Ptolemy caus’d the Mother and two Brothers of Hyrcanus to be brought upon the Wall, and had them whipp’d in a pitiless Manner, threatning, that if he persever’d to press him, he would there whip them to death. Hyrcanus was overcome by his Compassion, and discontinued the Attack. But his Mother encourag’d him to go on, representing to him, that their Death was unavoidable; and as for himself, that no Consideration should prevail with him to forbear revenging the Death of his Father Simon. Hyrcanus being animated afresh by these Discourses, began the Assault again with new Vigour; and Ptolemy also began again to whip the Mother and Brethren of Hyrcanus. But he not being able to bear this Spectacle, retired into his Camp, contenting himself to keep the Castle block’d up. In the mean time the Feast of Tabernacles being come, he was obliged to go to Jerusalem, there to discharge his Office as High-priest; and Ptolemy taking the Advantage of his Absence, withdrew himself into another Place, whither Hyrcanus could not follow him.

This is what is said by the Author of the fourth Book of the Maccabees. Josephus relates the same Story in his Antiquities, l. 13. c. 14, 15. and in the first Book of the War of the Jews, c. 2. p. 710. But he adds, that Hyrcanus was obliged to quit the Siege because of the sabbatical Year which then began; and that Ptolemy withdrew to Zeno sirnamed Cotyla, who was King of Philadelphia, the capital City of the Ammonites. But these are Circumstances that are sufficiently refuted by Salian upon the Year of the World 3919, and by Usher upon the Year 3869. The first Book of the Maccabees, which the Church [of Rome] receives as Canonical, says nothing of the Mother of Hyrcanus, and affirms expressly, that Ptolemy not only murther’d Simon at the Banquet, but his two Sons also; which gives us Occasion to believe, that the whole Story is no more than a mere Fiction.

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