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[481]
There was also a plot laid against the Jews in Agrippa's kingdom;
for he was himself gone to Cestius Gallus, to Antioch, but had left one
of his companions, whose name was Noarus, to take care of the public affairs;
which Noarus was of kin to king Sohemus. 1
Now there came certain men seventy in number, out of Batanea, who were
the most considerable for their families and prudence of the rest of the
people; these desired to have an army put into their hands, that if any
tumult should happen, they might have about them a guard sufficient to
restrain such as might rise up against them. This Noarus sent out some
of the king's armed men by night, and slew all those [seventy] men; which
bold action he ventured upon without the consent of Agrippa, and was such
a lover of money, that he chose to be so wicked to his own countrymen,
though he brought ruin on the kingdom thereby; and thus cruelly did he
treat that nation, and this contrary to the laws also, until Agrippa was
informed of it, who did not indeed dare to put him to death, out of regard
to Sohemus; but still he put an end to his procuratorship immediately.
But as to the seditious, they took the citadel which was called Cypros,
and was above Jericho, and cut the throats of the garrison, and utterly
demolished the fortifications. This was about the same time that the multitude
of the Jews that were at Machorus persuaded the Romans who were in garrison
to leave the place, and deliver it up to them. These Romans being in great
fear, lest the place should be taken by force, made an agreement with them
to depart upon certain conditions; and when they had obtained the security
they desired, they delivered up the citadel, into which the people of Macherus
put a garrison for their own security, and held it in their own power.
1 Of this Sohemus we have mention made by Tacitus. We also learn from Dio that his father was king of the Arabians of Iturea, [which Iturea is mentioned by St. Luke, ch. 3:1.] both whose testimonies are quoted here by Dr. Hudson. See Noldius, No. 371.
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