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In the mean time Antiochus Epiphanes came to the city, having with
him a considerable number of other armed men, and a band called the Macedonian
band about him, all of the same age, tall, and just past their childhood,
armed, and instructed after the Macedonian manner, whence it was that they
took that name. Yet were many of them unworthy of so famous a nation; for
it had so happened, that the king of Commagene had flourished more than
any other kings that were under the power of the Romans, till a change
happened in his condition; and when he was become an old man, he declared
plainly that we ought not to call any man happy before he is dead. But
this son of his, who was then come thither before his father was decaying,
said that he could not but wonder what made the Romans so tardy in making
their attacks upon the wall. Now he was a warlike man, and naturally bold
in exposing himself to dangers; he was also so strong a man, that his boldness
seldom failed of having success. Upon this Titus smiled, and said he would
share the pains of an attack with him. However, Antiochus went as he then
was, and with his Macedonians made a sudden assault upon the wall; and,
indeed, for his own part, his strength and skill were so great, that he
guarded himself from the Jewish darts, and yet shot his darts at them,
while yet the young men with him were almost all sorely galled; for they
had so great a regard to the promises that had been made of their courage,
that they would needs persevere in their fighting, and at length many of
them retired, but not till they were wounded; and then they perceived that
true Macedonians, if they were to be conquerors, must have Alexander's
good fortune also.
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