9. When the Greeks made plans to attack and destroy them,
10. the Romans learnt of the plans and sent a general to fight against them. The Romans killed many of the Greeks, took their wives and children captive, plundered their possessions, occupied their land, tore down their fortresses, and made them slaves, as they are today.
11. They also destroyed or made slaves of other kingdoms, the islands, and everyone who had ever fought against them.
12. But they maintained their friendship with their allies and those who relied on them for protection. They conquered kings near and far, and everyone who heard of their reputation was afraid of them.
13. They helped some men to become kings, while they deposed others; they had become a world power.
14. In spite of all this, no Roman ever tried to advance his own position by wearing a crown or putting on royal robes.
15. They created a senate, and each day 320 senators came together to deliberate about the affairs of the people and their wellbeing.
16. Each year they entrusted to one man the responsibility of governing them and controlling their whole territory. Everyone obeyed this one man, and there was no envy or jealousy among them.
17. Judas chose Eupolemus, the son of John and grandson of Accos, and Jason son of Eleazar and sent them to Rome to make a treaty of friendship and alliance with the Romans.
18. He did this to get rid of Syrian oppression, since the Jews clearly saw that they were being reduced to slavery.
19. After a long and difficult journey, Eupolemus and Jason reached Rome and entered the Senate. They addressed the assembly in these terms:
20. “Judas Maccabaeus, his brothers, and the Jewish people have sent us here to make a mutual defence treaty with you, so that we may be officially recorded as your friends and allies.”
21. The Romans accepted the proposal,
22. and what follows is a copy of the letter which was engraved on bronze tablets and sent to Jerusalem to remain there as a record of the treaty: