Page 727 in the Temple. Lastly he forc'd the high Priest and the other Jews to eat Swines flesh When Antiochus his Friends had debated and considered of these things, they were very earnest with him to root out the whole Nation, or at least that he would abrogate their Laws, and compel them to change their former manner of living and conversation. But the King being of a generous Spirit, and mild disposition receiv'd Hostages, and pardon'd the Jews: But demolish'd the Walls of Jerusalem, and took the Tribute that was due.
2. The Affairs of Sicily after the overthrow of—Carthage—having continu'd succesful and prosperous for the space of 60 Years; at length broke out the servile War upon the following occasions. The Sicilians (through the enjoyment of a long Peace) being grown very Rich, brought up abundance of Slaves; who being driven in Droves like so many Herds of Cattle from the several places where they were Bred and brought up, were stigmatiz'd with certain Marks burnt into their Bodies: Those that were Young, they us'd for Shepherds, others for such services as they had occasion. But their Masters were very rigid and severe with them, and took no care to provide either necessary food, or raiment for them, insomuch as that most of them were forc'd to Rob and Steal, to get necessaries: So that all places were full of slaughters and murders, as if an Army of Thieves and Robbers had been dispers'd all over the Island. The Governours of the Provinces (to say the truth) did what they could to suppress them: But because they durst not punish them, in regard their Masters (who had the sole Command and Power over their Servants) were Rich, and Men in Authority, every Governor in his several Province was forc'd to connive at the thefts and rapines that were committed. For many of the Masters being Roman Knights, and Judges of the accusations (brought before the Praetors) were a Terror even to the Governors themselves. The Slaves therefore being in this distress, and vilely beaten and scourg'd beyond all reason, were now resolv'd not to bear any longer. Therefore meeting together from time to time as they had opportunity, they consulted how to free themselves from the Yoke of Servitude they lay under, till at length they really executed what they had before agreed upon. There was a Syrian a Servant of Antigenes of Enna, born in the City of * Apanea a Magitian and Conjurer: He pretended to tell future Events (or Fortunes) discover'd to him as he said by the Gods in his Dreams, and impos'd upon many by this kind of practice. Then he proceeded further, and not only foretold things to come, reveal'd to him in Dreams, but pretended that he saw the Gods when he was awake, and they declar'd to him what was to come to pass. And tho' he thus juggled, and play'd the fool, yet by chance many things afterwards prov'd true. And whereas those things which never happen'd, were by none censur'd, but those which did come to pass were every where applauded, he grew more and more into esteem. At length by some trick of Art or other, he would breath flames of Fire out at his Mouth as from a burning Lamp, and so would prophecy as if he had been at that time inspir'd by Apollo. For he put Fire with some combustible marter to feed it, into a Nut-shell or some such thing bor'd through on both sides, then putting it into his Mouth, and forcing his Breath, upon it there would issue out both sparks and flames of Fire. Before the defection, this Juggler boasted that the Goddess Syria had appear'd to him, and told him that he should Reign, and this he declar'd not only to others but often to his own Master. The thing being become a common jest and subject of laughter, Antigenes was so taken with this jest, and ridiculous conceit of the Man, he took Eunus (for so he was call'd) with him to Feasts and Repasts, and several questions being put to him concerning the Kingdom, he was ask'd how he would deal with every one that was there present at the Table: He readily went on with his story, and told them that he would be very kind to his Masters, and like a Conjurer using many monstrous Magical terms, and expressions, he set all the Guests a laughing, upon which some of them as a reward gave him large Messes from the Table, desiring him to remember their kindness when he came to his Kingdom: But all this jesting came at length really to end in the advancing of him to the Kingdom; and all those who at the Feasts by way of ridicule had been kind to him, he rewarded in earnest.
But the beginning of the defection was in this manner, There was one Damophilus of Enna, a Man by reason of his Wealth, of a great Spirit, but of a proud and haughty disposition. This Man above all measure was cruel and severe to his Servants; and his Wife Megallis strove to exceed her Husband in all kind of cruelty and inhumanity towards the Slaves. Upon this, they that had been thus cruelly us'd, were inrag'd like wild Beasts, and plotted together to rise in Arms and cut the Throats of their Masters. To this end they appli'd themselves to Eunus, and desir'd to know of him whether the Gods would succeed them in their design. He incouraging them declar'd that they should prosper in what they had in hand, using (according to his former manner) Conjuring