1920-22 Draft of the Seven Pillars of Wisdom – Page 418

Chaptr. cxxxvi Damascus was still the chiefe Cytie in all Syria; ffor the grecians resolv'd not to leave this stately Towne, but keepe it subiect. After the death of Demetrius the son of Seleucus (who was slaine by his mother & her minioes) Syria became a Pray to every one that could possess it himselfe. First Antiochus, surnamed Dionysius (so perhaps because he lov'd wine overmuch, as that Love useth more play than reason) made himselfe King there: and then Aretas King of Arabia Petræa the next. About this time were two Captaines in Damascus under the Arabian Authority; whereof the one siding with the Citizens against Aretas, and the other with Aretas against the Citizens, there arose great Troubles in the Towne. Theodorus one of these Captaines called in Ptolemæus Mennæus Prince of Chalcis, to assist him both with men and money against the other party: ffor which he payd him 800 talents. In this meane time one Alexander an Arabian surnamed Zabinas, came forth and tooke upon him the Stile of King of Syria. Agaynst him came Demetrius Nicator; but losing a Battayle, fled into Cilicia: from whence he agayne returned with new Forces: insomuch that onely Damascus in all Syria adhered to this Alexandrian Aretas supplyed him with an Army, wherewith hee was able to raise the Seige of Damascus. This the two Captaines perceiving, they would by a Wile deceive Aretas and Nicator: so inviting both their Forces into the Towne, on a night they shut the Gates upon them; That none of their Soldiers might enter. But the Soldiers strave so hard to enter, that they forced open the Gates for their Kings to passe in. Aretas and Alexander entred together: and then Alexander most trayterously caused Aretas to bee slaine, being his Assistant in that Warre. After this inhumane acte of Tyranny, Alexander was content to part stakes with Demetrius the Son of Demetrius about those Quarters; supposing that the name of a Partner in the Kingdome, would more easily establish his new usurped Authority. But Demetrius, howsoever at first seemed to give way to it, yet foorthwith practised Alexandrian destruction: by vertue whereof, Hee being vanquished not long after by Antiochus Dionysius the Brother of Demetrius: and put to fly into Arabia, with 5 or 6 Friends onely attending him; first, hee killed three of them for meat to preserue his Life: then wandring up and downe those Arabian Desarts for his better security, hee was taken and brought before Obodas then King of that Country (once most famous for Paul's Conversion) and by him put to a most cruell death. Thus dyed Alexander the base sonne of a base Merchant, after those insulting bravadoes and treacherous acts of His, which will perpetually blurr and blot that Alexandrian name; most notable in the greatest and best Prince of all those fower Successors of Alexander the Great. I supposed News were spred a broad that the world was weary of Conquerors there: and it might bee desyred that Som peaceable and vertuous person might beare the Stile of K. of Syria; for that New Stormes began to threaten the territories of Damascus and those Quarters, from another part. The Jewes having had now foure years continuing peace, under the Domination of Demetrius; yet the Devill so farre prevayled with Damascus, to suggest unto that Nation, if ever they meant to have their ancient condition againe, it was high time to bee stirring before the Troubles increased. So a certayne crafty and seditious man, whose name is uncertaine, first began to excite Tumults in Damascus: which was presently seconded there by those Jewes; moving to take up Armes against that Government, because they were prohibited the free exercise of their Religion. Ninus a Jewe (say some) others a Grecian by Race, a Citizen only of Damascus, to begin with, gathered a number of that faction, and tooke the feild against the