Contra Apionem (eng)
In
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60 Finally, when Alexandria had been captured by Caesar,1Octavian, who captured Alexandria in 30 BCE, is meant here. she [Kleopatra] was reduced to such straits that she judged she could hope for survival if she could kill the Judeans with her own hands, having been conspicuous for her cruelty and disloyalty to everyone. Would you not think it something to be proud of if, as Apion says, she did not distribute grain rations to the Judea's at a time of famine?217 A case of doing wrong to one’s parents or sacrilege against God is followed by instant death, even if it is (merely) intended. On the other hand, for those who live according to the laws, the prize is neither silver or gold, no wreath of wild olive or of wild celery,2Apium graveolens: a wild green plant, similar to celery or parsley. nor any kind of such public proclamation.218 But each of them believed, by virtue of having his own conscience, which bears witness – since the lawgiver has prophesied it and since God has given a sure faith (in it) – that to those who observe the laws (and even if they had to die for them, they would die willingly) God grants to exist again and to receive a better life at the turning (of things). 219 I would have hesitated to write these things if it were not obvious to all, because of (their) deeds, that may of our people have often chosen nobly to suffer rather than to say even a single word contrary to the law.