Judas Sends Envoys to Rome

Judas heard reports about the Romans. People said they were strong in war and welcomed those who joined themselves to them as friends. He heard of their campaigns, their victories in distant places, and how other rulers were forced to pay tribute to them year by year.

He also heard of kings they had defeated, including Philip, Perseus king of Chittim, and Antiochus, the great king of Asia. Antiochus came with elephants, cavalry, chariots, and a huge army, yet the Romans overcame him, took tribute from him and those who ruled after him, and took some of his best provinces away.

More reports followed. When enemies planned to destroy the Romans, the Romans learned of it and sent a general against them. Many fell in battle, wives and children were taken captive, strongholds were torn down, and peoples were brought into bondage. Other kingdoms and islands that rose against Rome were subdued, but Rome stayed friendly with its friends.

Judas heard that Rome could raise up kings or remove them, and its power was great. Yet he also heard that they did not wear crowns or purple robes to make themselves look grand. Instead, they had a senate house where three hundred twenty men sat in council for the people, and each year they entrusted rule to one man.

So Judas chose Eupolemus son of John son of Accos, and Jason son of Eleazar, and sent them to Rome. They were to establish friendship and alliance, because the kingdom of the Greeks kept Israel in bondage. After a very long journey they entered the senate house and spoke for Judas, his kindred, and the people of the Jews, asking for peace and to be counted as allies and friends. Their request pleased the Romans.