Section 93
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 61 CHAPTER XL Concerning the impostor Theudas and his followers. As Luke in the Acts, also introduces Gamaliel in the consulta tion respecting the apostles, saying, that at this time "arose Theudas, who gave out that he was some one, but who was de stroyed, and all that obeyed him were dispersed," let us now, also, add the written testimony of Josephus respecting the same circumstance. He relates, in the book already quoted, the fol lowing particulars. " While Fadus was procurator of Judea, a certain impostor called Theudas persuaded the multitude to take their possessions with them and follow him to the river Jordan. For he said he was a prophet, and that the Jordan should be di vided at his command, and afford them an easy passage through it. And with such promises he deceived many. But Fadus did not suffer them to enjoy their folly, but sent a troop of horsemen against them, who, falling upon them unexpectedly, slew many and took many alive ; but having taken Theudas himself captive, they cut off his head and carried it to Jerusalem." Besides this, he also mentions the famine that took place under Claudius, as fol lows. CHAPTER XII. Helen, queen of the Osrhoenians. ABOUT this time it happened that the great famine took place in Judea, in which also queen Helen having purchased grain from Egypt, with large sums, distributed to the needy. You will also find this statement in accordance with that in the Acts of the Apostles, where it is said, that according to the ability of the dis ciples at Antioch, they determined, each one, to send to the as sistance of those in Judea. Which also they did, sending to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Paul. Of this same Helen,