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against apion-第11章

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hemselves also in their writings; and yet were so blinded by their passions as not to discern it。

26。 And now I will turn my discourse to one of their principal writers; whom I have a little before made use of as a witness to our antiquity; I mean Manetho。 (22) He promised to interpret the Egyptian history out of their sacred writings; and premised this: that 〃our people had come into Egypt; many ten thousands in number; and subdued its inhabitants;〃 and when he had further confessed that 〃we went out of that country afterward; and settled in that country which is now called Judea; and there built Jerusalem and its temple。〃 Now thus far he followed his ancient records; but after this he permits himself; in order to appear to have written what rumors and reports passed abroad about the Jews; and introduces incredible narrations; as if he would have the Egyptian multitude; that had the leprosy and other distempers; to have been mixed with us; as he says they were; and that they were condemned to fly out of Egypt together; for he mentions Amenophis; a fictitious king's name; though on that account he durst not set down the number of years of his reign; which yet he had accurately done as to the other kings he mentions; he then ascribes certain fabulous stories to this king; as having in a manner forgotten how he had already related that the departure of the shepherds for Jerusalem had been five hundred and eighteen years before; for Tethmosis was king when they went away。 Now; from his days; the reigns of the intermediate kings; according to Manethe; amounted to three hundred and ninety…three years; as he says himself; till the two brothers Sethos and Hermeus; the one of whom; Sethos; was called by that other name of Egyptus; and the other; Hermeus; by that of Danaus。 He also says that Sethos east the other out of Egypt; and reigned fifty…nine years; as did his eldest son Rhampses reign after him sixty…six years。 When Manethe therefore had acknowledged that our forefathers were gone out of Egypt so many years ago; he introduces his fictitious king Amenophis; and says thus: 〃This king was desirous to become a spectator of the gods; as had Orus; one of his predecessors in that kingdom; desired the same before him; he also communicated that his desire to his namesake Amenophis; who was the son of Papis; and one that seemed to partake of a divine nature; both as to wisdom and the knowledge of futurities。〃 Manethe adds; 〃how this namesake of his told him that he might see the gods; if he would clear the whole country of the lepers and of the other impure people; that the king was pleased with this injunction; and got together all that had any defect in their bodies out of Egypt; and that their number was eighty thousand; whom he sent to those quarries which are on the east side of the Nile; that they might work in them; and might be separated from the rest of the Egyptians。〃 He says further; that 〃there were some of the learned priests that were polluted with the leprosy; but that still this Amenophis; the wise man and the prophet; was afraid that the gods would be angry at him and at the king; if there should appear to have been violence offered them; who also added this further; 'out of his sagacity about futurities;' that certain people would come to the assistance of these polluted wretches; and would conquer Egypt; and keep it in their possession thirteen years; that; however; he durst not tell the king of these things; but that he left a writing behind him about all those matters; and then slew himself; which made the king disconsolate。〃 After which he writes thus verbatim: 〃After those that were sent to work in the quarries had continued in that miserable state for a long while; the king was desired that he would set apart the city Avaris; which was then left desolate of the shepherds; for their habitation and protection; which desire he granted them。 Now this city; according to the ancient theology; was Typho's city。 But when these men were gotten into it; and found the place fit for a revolt; they appointed themselves a ruler out of the priests of Hellopolis; whose name was Osarsiph; and they took their oaths that they would be obedient to him in all things。 He then; in the first place; made this law for them; That they should neither worship the Egyptian gods; nor should abstain from any one of those sacred animals which they have in the highest esteem; but kill and destroy them all; that they should join themselves to nobody but to those that were of this confederacy。 When he had made such laws as these; and many more such as were mainly opposite to the customs of the Egyptians; (23) he gave order that they should use the multitude of the hands they had in building walls about their City; and make themselves ready for a war with king Amenophis; while he did himself take into his friendship the other priests; and those that were polluted with them; and sent ambassadors to those shepherds who had been driven out of the land by Tefilmosis to the city called Jerusalem; whereby he informed them of his own affairs; and of the state of those others that had been treated after such an ignominious manner; and desired that they would come with one consent to his assistance in this war against Egypt。 He also promised that he would; in the first place; bring them back to their ancient city and country Avaris; and provide a plentiful maintenance for their multitude; that he would protect them and fight for them as occasion should require; and would easily reduce the country under their dominion。 These shepherds were all very glad of this message; and came away with alacrity all together; being in number two hundred thousand men; and in a little time they came to Avaris。 And now Amenophis the king of Egypt; upon his being informed of their invasion; was in great confusion; as calling to mind what Amenophis; the son of Papis; had foretold him; and; in the first place; he assembled the multitude of the Egyptians; and took counsel with their leaders; and sent for their sacred animals to him; especially for those that were principally worshipped in their temples; and gave a particular charge to the priests distinctly; that they should hide the images of their gods with the utmost care he also sent his son Sethos; who was also named Ramesses; from his father Rhampses; being but five years old; to a friend of his。 He then passed on with the rest of the Egyptians; being three hundred thousand of the most warlike of them; against the enemy; who met them。 Yet did he not join battle with them; but thinking that would be to fight against the gods; he returned back and came to Memphis; where he took Apis and the other sacred animals which he had sent for to him; and presently marched into Ethiopia; together with his whole army and multitude of Egyptians; for the king of Ethiopia was under an obligation to him; on which account he received him; and took care of all the multitude that was with him; while the country supplied all that was necessary for the food of the men。 He also allotted cities and villages for this exile; that was to be from its beginning during those fatally determined thirteen years。 Moreover; he pitched a camp for his Ethiopian ar
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