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Readers,

This is an excerpt from a book that I hope to publish in 2008, so if any of you know of a literary agent who handles historical drama involving Biblical characters, please pass on this link and if they have any interest ask them to contact me via:

yuyajoe@yahoo.ca

Peace and Blessings,

Yuya Joe

Celebration of the Coin

Excerpts from
The First Messiah by Yuya Joseph

A burst of sunlight entered the room and the sounds of children playing were heard as young Jeshua Justus ran laughing into his parents’ bedroom, and he playfully jumped up onto the bed with them.

Ari and Salome rose simultaneously and after washing they shared breakfast. Ari Jesh took his tea in one hand, and Salome’s hand in the other, and they began walking through the grounds behind the Palace.

Aristobulus was still thinking about the coin and how the world would react, for it was important to him how history would remember himself and Sal. He turned towards Salome and began sharing his thoughts, “Other than aesthetic concerns, the language and exact wording is really the last major issue remaining … I mean, the perception of Our offering may depend on the decision that We take in this matter. We converse among Samaritans and Judeans in Aramaic, but its range is minimal. There are only three main choices: Egyptian, Hebrew, or Greek, or some combination of these.

Salome offered her thoughts. “They are all and have all been crucial to Our People. What are your considerations?”

Ari answered immediately. “Think back my princess, to the days the elders speak about, when Egypt ruled the world and Joseph saved the nation, and the Chosen People of the Book were granted favoured status in many lands. We may have been subservient to the earth’s major power, but we had their ear and they sheltered Us for generations. If we use any Egyptian writing or symbols, We will honour Our foreparents in that nation, but there will still be some confusion about the relevance to these troubling times we live in. It could also be misconstrued as tacit approval of Roman domination, for who are the Egyptians, indeed the Babylonians, of these times we live in? May as well fully capitulate and go with Latin if we went that way, but neither feels right.”

“If We use Hebrew, or even better, ancient Hebrew, then the coin will become scriptural in its own sense, and I am not sure where that will lead us as a nation. How many countries will use it if they don’t know what it says? I have thought about this extensively, and I believe there should be more Hebrew coins released, but Our Unity coin must be seen as a coin for everyone to use.”

“So that leaves Greek. It is the language of commerce, and significantly, it is also a major language of learning.”

Salome agreed. “It makes sense to me. Most people within the southern and eastern Roman territories have been spending Greek coinage for over two hundred years, and even beyond these regions they have solid trading value. Besides, who else is issuing coins in Greek these days? Think about it, it’s been a long while.”

Ari nodded in assent. “Egypt represents the past, and however glorious it was, it remains a symbol of the days of old, and many only remember the captivity, and not the triumphs. Hebrew would reflect the present, and the strains of life the Judaic people know so well. Yet I believe that the Teachings are meant for all of humanikind, including men, women, young, old, all ethnicities and all faiths. Greek must be core to the future of the Chosen. When I read of wise men like Democritus and Socrates, I know that they also are of the Book. Some day soon scripture will not only be translated into Greek, but will actually be written in that language.”

Salome wondered aloud. “What will the actual message be? Have you considered the wording?”

It was something that Aristobulus had ruminated long and hard about, for he had been awake almost half the night, and he was certain of his reply. “No message; the coin itself is the message. The inscription will be simple and unassailable. On one side there will be me, and the words “Of King Aristobulus,” and on your side will be your portrait and the title, “Queen Salome.”

“The Wise Counselor and Our Lady of Peace together in your satchel.”

With that Ari Jesh broke into his hearty laugh.

Salome slipped her arm around his waist as they turned back toward the palace, leaning into each other and the Light. The sun was shining brightly on the grounds as they walked together up the steps and onto the terrace.

That evening, Ari and Salome sat together on their couch, and Salome had a worried look on her face, asking her husband “How long shall men die?”

Ari replied, “As long as ye women give birth.”

Salome asked a second question. “How long shall children suffer?”

Ari replied. “As long as ye women give birth. The poor shall always be with ye.”

Salome continued her probing line of questioning, saying “And how long shall injustice rule this sacred land?”

Ari spoke firmly. “Until the Day.”

Salome enquired further. “And when shall this Day come? When shall what We speak of be known?”

Again Jeshua Aristobulus answered his beloved soulmate, only this time he expanded his thoughts. “Injustice shall be a burden until the Day when the two become One, neither man nor woman, neither male nor female. When the garment of shame is first trampled upon and then cast into the fire, and all are equal, all become One. Until that Day, wickedness and war shall prevail.”

Over the preceding and following weeks, Ari purchased or traded for another 77 coins of 55 different issuances, and he and Salome studied them for beauty and meaning, texture and durability. Among the more obvious examples of coins they looked at were the recent offerings of Antoninus Felix, the reigning Roman procurator, and earlier mintages by such as the elegant representation of Cleopatra Selene, and by Ptolemy Philometer and his Queen, who shared one side of their coins with a profile double royal portrait. Roman, Egyptian and Parthian coins of the past one hundred years were compared and ranked for beauty and meaning. King Juba II gleamed forth on coins that had been issued forty years previous, and this was the durability Jesh sought, and more.

Antigonus Mattathias had issued beautiful, meaningful coins 100 years earlier, introducing the seven-branched candlestick and providing lettering in both Greek and Hebrew. He was the last of the Maccabean / Hyrcanus line kings, and from the Herodian era forward, the lettering was usually in Greek only.

Of the total collection of almost ninety different coins, about forty had male portraits, and about two dozen had images of grains and fruits, yet only a few older mintages featured female royalty, either by themselves or sharing one side with their partners. Cleopatra was one standout. As far as Ari and Salome knew, nobody had ever released a coin with the King on one side, and the Queen on the other. It was a breathtaking move, and each of these two blessed souls became more invigorated by their increased creative and historical responsibility.

Various designs were presented to Salome and Aristobulus, with both agreeing that a simple portrait with minimal text would be the way to go. Subtlety was the order of the day, and many grandiose, overly ambitious suggestions were quickly brushed off.

Aristobulus sat for three different artists and Salome for two; she could have had a third but was really pleased with the first artist’s work, which she felt was understated and fittingly humble. There was something about the beauty of her neck and her locks that struck her heart, and she knew this was the image. Of Ari’s portraits, in one way she preferred a different look, a more virile pose, but the noble presentation that Jesh wanted to go with was both agreeable and regal, and more importantly, ideally suited for currency. It was a striking profile of a powerful yet widely respected man, with his humble dignified lady right there with him. Salome smiled inside at the thought of those who had considered both herself and Jeshua as rebels in the early days, and here they were now, posing for posterity. She never had any ill-will toward the nay-sayers, but she and Jesh alike did enjoy the irony when these types needed some healing or even some wisdom, and came calling God’s name in front of Ari and the other healers. Some even came seeking help under cover of darkness, and their secrets were safe with the divine couple.

Final artwork was eventually decided upon and the artisans left the palace to head back and create proofs at the mint in Caesarea. Two weeks later, silver and bronze specimens of the coin were presented to Ari and he immediately brought these to share with Salome. They looked into each other’s eyes and then back to the coins in hand. They agreed that the result was magnificent, and together they knelt down to pray, giving thanks to Our Lord Above.

It didn’t matter who received an invitation to the celebration, the reaction was the same throughout the land, pure joyousness. Salome and Ari each represented the confluence of royalty and divinity, and as a power couple, they were rivaled in status in recent decades in Judea, Samaria and Galilee only by their relatives, Agrippa II and his twin sister Bernice (Ari’s former step mom), and the emerging Antoninus Felix and Princess Drusilla. Many royal followers even considered Ari and Sal to be the Antony and Cleopatra of their own generation. Messengers were sent to Alexandria, Rafah the Exalted and Hebron, to Jerusalem and Jericho, to Qumran and to Joffa. Salome and Jesh did some of the invitations by themselves, and these were in Aramaic, Hebrew, Greek, Arabic and Latin. Jews and pagans alike, in Judea and Idumaea, Samaria and Perea, and in nearby Capolis and Golan, were all enthralled with the news.

Relatives that had been invited to their wedding some sixteen years earlier were asked to come visit again, if they were still living and within traveling distance. The invitation list from the coronation ceremony had been retained and was also utilized on this occasion, and these invitees sometimes brought both young and grown children with them. Local businessmen and landowners helped with some of the accommodations, as Chalcis and Galilee became the talk of the whole Middle Earth Sea region; a who’s who of first century Judaic families made plans to attend. Romans, Greeks and Syrians were invited also, and anticipation was building as far away as Rome and Athens, Alexandria and Cyprus, Emesa and Macedonia, and everywhere kings and queens, princes and princesses were planning for their journey to Chalcis. It seemed an unusual request, to celebrate the release of new coinage in such a festive manner, but the mystique of Aristobulus and Salome was already widespread, and conscious folk felt like a giant magnet was pulling them to northern Palestine.

Above the city of Caesarea Philippi in the village of al-Is, north of Pania, workmen were finishing up another addition to the palace, which would be the new reception and foyer, being built on the front and side of the existing structure. A large tent was being erected in the rear of the palace, and supplies were being laid in. Neighbors and nearby relatives were being asked to put up visiting dignitaries, for even though the palace had seven bedrooms of its own, these were quickly allocated to key Herodian relatives, and guest rooms for important royalty were arranged with adjacent landowners, in town and in nearby villages. Important regional families were often willing to sleep in their own cottages and barns, for the opportunity to rent out their home to a visiting royal family, Roman senator, or some other wealthy relative or friend. Others offered up the cottages themselves, moving help into the main house, and even more offered up their master bedroom or the guest room only. Cooperation on the logistics of the highly anticipated function was almost universal, for even those who were indifferent to the Jews in general or to Ari and Sal in particular were in this case enthralled by the opportunity presented by visiting dignitaries and the inherent possibility of personal enhancement.

Although Salome sometimes became flustered when preparations seemed behind schedule, Ari was unfazed by all the commotion and was inwardly very confident, quite sure the event would go well. He was really happy that he and Salome had decided to go forward with the coin, and his serene contentment was even more evident than usual. When skeptical people mentioned to him that they had never heard of someone creating a sort of festival around the release of a coin, he never took the bait, always replying to the effect that nobody had ever put out a coin like this either. Let’s have a party!

Part Two

People were saying that this was one of the greatest gatherings of minds the world had ever seen, and perhaps it was to be true. For the learned and the Blessed came from Egypt, from Spain, from Gaul and from Briton, while Arabia, Idumaea, Persia and Greece sent their finest royal princes and princesses. Jews, Buddhists and Hindus alike brought tribute from India, Antioch offered a present from the entire town, Emesa sent their finest musicians, and Armenia provided a royal contingent and an armed horse guard as extra security for the palace and premises. Jesh’s mom Mariamne IV would always be considered a Queen of Adiabene (meaning New Goodness, a contemporary name for the region), and the officers accompanying the equine contingent were most pleased to see her and speak with her again.

Fish were procured from several nearby cities and towns, and these were from the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan River, and even treasures from the Middle Earth Sea. Lambs were being fattened; goats were getting nervous about all the commotion. The finest birds were purchased, even from Arabia and Persia, as no expense was spared in ensuring that the guests would be filled with meal upon meal of delicious foods. Bushels of lemons and onions, barrels of olives, cartloads of pomegranates and dates and the fruit of every tree, plus great mounds of grain were purchased ahead of the feast. Goat cheese and spinach were baked together with butter and spices and the finest flour in the royal ovens, and a roomful of pastries with fruit jelly, cheese and other sumptuous fillings was prepared on the day before the feast. Deliveries of sumptuous food and drink arrived almost continuously on the day of the event, including many foodstuffs that had been ordered, plus a few incredibly well thought-out, endearing surprise gifts, including some incredible smoked fish, an array of eighteen different sized species!

Of the total of 144,000 bronze coins that were to be minted, an order for the first 48,000 had already been placed. It was decided to calculate the tithe based on the full potential run, and a gift of 1,200 coins was sent to the leader of each of the Twelve Tribes, making 14,400 in that delivery alone. These lots were taken from the first run pressing of 23,000 coins, and were delivered to each of the Elders seven days before the celebration was to begin. An additional 120 coins each were set aside for offering to each of the Chosen Brethren including Shimon Peter Gamaliel (son of Gamaliel the Elder), and James Zebedee and John Zebedee, Andrew Peter, Judas Simon Alexander, Thomas Didymus, Philip Ptolemy and Nathanael Bartholemew, Mattathias Antipater, and of course James Herod and Jude and other brothers.

This and local obligations left Salome and Ari with a temporary allocation of about 7,000 coins remaining, but as the next shipment, of 25,000 coins, was due in two weeks, there were plenty to go around. Most suppliers to the event were to be paid the balance of their contracts from the second shipment, and had taken their deposits in existing currency. In any case, the temporary semi-scarcity was one of the factors that gave the shiny new specimens a short-term value three to four times and more what had been expected, relative to the actual weight of the metal. In Galilee and Chalcis and many regions the coin would retain its premium, and rise further with time.

There were also 144 proofs of the coin, each cast in pure gold; these were strictly reserved for close relations and reigning powers. A tiny run was also done in silver, but it was said that it numbered only in the dozens, possibly somewhere between fifty and seventy in total, and only very old priests and teenaged family members were ever seen to spend one. Their rarity guaranteed they always brought a tidy sum, and with the right buyer, these silver pieces could attract fifty to seventy times their face value, and for about three decades traded higher than the gold proofs. After that, both issuances disappeared as the pieces that hadn’t worn out or been melted down or lost in shipwrecks were now only in a few private collections, rarely surfacing through the centuries.

About 24 royals and nobles plus an additional 36 close friends and relatives were designated as the core of the Invited Guests, and given the status of Honoured Family at the gathering. A silver cup with one gold coin and ten regular coins was set aside as a parting gift for each of these, with an additional 12 cups prepared and available for gifting at the discretion of Ari and Salome.

When a large contingent of Roman soldiers was seen coming up the road, townspeople became concerned and word was relayed to Jeshua. A semi-frantic man was heard yelling through the main gates, “Tell Jesh that there are about twenty or more Romans, including some on horses, they say eight on horseback, coming up the road right now. They are less than one mile away.”

Ari Jeshua believed this would likely be Felix, and he was right, for he and his men had come early in order to assist with the security detail. Jesh conferred with his own team and with the leader of the Armenian horse guard that had already arrived, and the latter quickly agreed to have his men and horses be subservient to the Roman soldiers. Even though the chain of command was through Felix, nothing needed his attention throughout the festivities, for there was a brotherhood of horsemen out front and at the side of the palace, and the positive vibrations were everywhere rising. The Roman and Armenian soldiers together decided to mix the palace gates lineup, alternating horseman and soldier, horseman and soldier, blending Roman and Armenian into each line.

As the guests walked through the front gates and up the center court to enter the palace through the main doors, soldiers and horses, and music and children, greeted each of them. Some felt as if they were entering Heaven itself, so honoured were they to be sharing a celebration with the royal holy couple. The horses from the Armenian / Roman palace guard were working shifts, half frolicking in the paddock while the other half stood at attention out front. They were to alternate through the night, with the most trustworthy of these horses getting longer shifts out front if they wanted them, and some did, even if it was just for the treats.

Jeshua had arranged for a special section of the gardens to be set aside for the youth to see his mammals and birds, a fenced-off area that had been set to grass and grazed to a perfect level. Animals were brought from the house and the barn and from nearby farms for the kids to play with and pet, and even a few donkeys were made available for rides. There were various types of sheep and goats, plus some milking cows. Local pheasants and doves and exotic birds from Africa, Asia and Europe were lined up in cages against the outside wall for everyone to enjoy. He and Salome and their son Agrippa all took great pleasure in leading the kids to the area and seeing the joy on their faces as they joined the other children in the frolicking.

The Alabarchs arrived from Alexandria, the Frugi / Piso / Flavian extended clan (17 members came!) was in from Rome, relatives poured in from Armenia, Athens, Carthage, Idumaea, Persia and Babylon. About half of the attendees were from Galilee, Samaria and Judea, half of those from Jerusalem Herself, most of the rest from Galileean towns such as Cana, Ptolemais, Nazareth and Tiberias. There had been one hundred and fifty invited guests, plus spouses, and attendance had been expected to be about 280 to 320 people, but it now seemed as though there may be as many as 370 to 390 people having arrived on the grounds by the early evening of the festivities, with another 45 or 50 still expected to reach the gates over the next few hours. Jesh had hired the best bands from Beirut, Damascus and Jerusalem, and there was a lot of jamming in addition to the scheduled appearances. Musicians and dancers were performing in the tent and in the house, and though it was only dusk, the party was already starting to swing.

Some of the women were envious of Salome, but as soon as they saw the coin and felt it in their hands, most thought it quite charming to see her portrayed in such a regal, international manner, and very few remained jealous after witnessing the elegance of the offering. Greek was the language of commerce and culture, and the other ladies were admiring of the piece’s beauty, enamored of the artistic detail in the portraits. A few had already been asking their husbands what they had in mind for honouring their own wives. This set Ari into waters he didn’t enjoy, though most of the Brethren kept their concerns to a minimum, allowing the topic to seep into the conversation only through humour, which Jesh was known to be particularly fond of.

The general consensus was that the coin was both an attractive and revolutionary, trans-national offering that all attending would own and utilize with respect, and people had fun looking at it. Even those who were not openly supportive of the rights of women were impressed with the novelty and courage of the initiative and the sophisticated presentation of the design.

Philip and Nathaniel arrived with their wives, and the men joined Ari and James Herod who were conversing at the side of the main hall. As every person attending, even children, were handed a coin on their way into the home, even those who had not been previously familiar with its charms were now able to take a quick liking to it. Ari had gathered a few of his closer Brethren to one side, and when the group numbered seven in total, he motioned for them to follow him.

“I just want to show you the coin collection I put together while researching for our offering,” said Ari as he led the believers into the hallway and then up a winding flight of stairs. They followed him into the study, and he opened a box and set out about two-dozen coins in front of them, from Ptolemaic days in Egypt, through Cleopatra to a series of two centuries of Judaic coins, from falcons to pomegranates and sheaves of plenty to more modern portraiture-style issues, from Maccabees to Herodians. Then he unwrapped some really choice specimens that had been protected in layers of fine cloth. Most of the recent offerings were near mint condition, and even the older creations, though having lost some lustre, had retained a great deal of their detail. Some Judaic coins had natural symbols, such as pomegranates, palm trees or branches, or the sun / stars, while others had more overtly religious art including the Temple, the Menorah, trumpets or cornucopia. Each told a story, and Ari Jesh knew the full truth, or most of what people could remember, behind every one of these legends.

At the end of the row of laid out specimens, there was a bowl of the coins of Antoninus Felix, who had just arrived, plus other Roman and Greek offerings that had been issued in the previous few years. Jesh mentioned for them to take a few of Felix’ and the other newer coins if they desired, knowing that two of the men in the room had fallen on hard times. The scene unfolded just as he’d envisioned it, with both of those two gents taking three coins (while quietly offering a “Thank You, Lord”). He dug six more out of the bowl and handed three apiece to the brothers, and secretly passed both of them two of his own coins at the same time; one in each pair was not bronze. The two poorest of the brethren would soon walk out of the room with pockets eight coins heavier, and they were also to be receiving a Cup at the closing ceremonies. That meant nineteen coins, including two that were high value, and no sustenance struggles for them or their families, for many months ahead.

A couple of the close Brethren told Ari how proud they were of him and Salome, and Mattathias Levi mentioned that Jesh was the One human being who could truly be remembered forever. Jeshu looked from one Brother to the other and almost whispered. “I tell the truth and keep quiet about things that don’t concern me.”

As they perused the coins and talked of old times, Nate used friction to light an incense bowl, breathing in the clouds of gladness before passing it along to Jeshua, Simon and Jahn. Everyone enjoyed the privacy of the moment, the viewing had been a wonderfully spiritual reunion and they were feeling thankful, with Simon Pater stopping before leaving the room to comment, “Yours is the most beautiful coin I have ever seen. My wife thinks it is a revelation.”

They rejoined the party downstairs, which was shaping up as a joyous occasion, but there were also serious conversations taking place; Ari Jesh and Salome were vital contributors to the discourse. There were side dialogues where the less-connected and the furtive congregated, among these a group hearing skepticism from a weary Greek, another enduring the displeasure of a rigid Essene, while a third cluster was pondering the curiosity of a Roman senator and the exuberant admiration of an Ethiopian cousin.

The gathering built momentum and discussions got a tad hotter, with humans speaking passionately of truth and rights, equality and slavery. There were clusters of men and women talking about Greek culture and Roman politics, Judaic Law and Egyptian tradition. Aristobulus and His Lady Salome held an immaculate court, and their lives were unequalled among any, even unto this day. Though it is true that most in these years recall the former, in that Day the Two were considered One, and their glory shone throughout the lands.

After overhearing a conversation about how international Ari and Sal were, Our Essene friend felt it necessary to speak up, saying ancient Hebrew script engraved on the coin would have been more in keeping with Jeshua’s eternal mission; “How do We know what will come of Greek?” he asked. His comments were made in Greek, the irony of which was not lost on those who stood silent around him, and then one of them turned his head aside to chuckle. The Essene brother was offended and shook his body as he walked away.

Lucius Piso, a Roman doctor and cousin who was in Chalcis just for this special occasion, speculated on how Caesar and his cohorts would react, offering the cryptic analysis of “I wonder if this is enough to drive Nero to sanity … no, not even this.” Felix was not nearby when it was said, but would later hear the comment word-for-word, through a third-hand report. The remark perplexed him, but he decided to let it slide, thinking wine could have been a factor.

Total respect and appreciation were expressed by the young Ethiopian man, Menelik Gabriel, an emissary from Queen Candace and Her Royal Family, who believed this coin illustrated the power of the ancient Judaic, Egyptian and Ityopian Queens, from Nefertiti and Sarah to Tiye the Queen of the Lions of Judah, and the Queens of Sheba, even Cleopatra of Alexandria and Cleopatra of Jerusalem. When Jesh was later told of this man’s comments, he delegated a task to a nearby senior servant. “All of the core invited guests are getting a silver cup with 11 coins in it as a parting gift. See that he is added to the list and place an additional 10 pieces in there for him, making 21 in total for this servant of Our LORD.”

That was only the small half of it. A little while later, Felix and Ari met on the back terrace of the palace, and were standing together drinking wine, talking and looking out into the starlit night, voices of celebration rising with the other-worldly music, while nearby three men and two ladies were sharing conversation over a hookah bowl.

After family pleasantries and obligatory shoptalk, Jesh said straight out, “It was a smooth move for you to marry my cousin. Our families get closer by the decade.”

Felix Antoninus smiled at the clever compliment. “You believe it was an intelligent decision, but I feel I’ve been provided with luck, and been blessed by Adonai. Only you and Salome seem to really understand what Dru and I have together. I resisted the idea of this appointment at first, but I now thank God every day for being in Our Family, for this blessing and this duty.”

Ari Jesh let the brotherly tenderness of the moment hang in the air, and then had an interesting question for Felix. “Do any of your men have blank citizenship forms with them?” he asked.

Felix was quick to reply. “Sure, I always carry one, and I have a man with me who carries three. Why do you ask?”

Jesh smiled and expanded upon his idea. “Well, I was just thinking. We have a guest of the Ethiopian Royal Court here with Us this evening, and his name is Menelik Gabriel. I have been told that he wishes to travel to Rome, but is fearful for his life, as he is unsure if the stories of barbarity he has heard are true, and he is also curious as to whether any of what he has been told would apply to him. The uncertainty is making him believe that his very life could be threatened, and that he should not visit Rome.”

“My idea is this. We are presenting some silver cups, with coins in them, just before dawn. I believe we should grant him Roman citizenship, and both you and I should endorse and sign his paper.” Jeshua paused to gauge Felix’ reaction.

After a moment of silence, Felix Antoninus responded. “On whose word do you trust here; has more than one told you of his fidelity and worthiness?”

“Yes, my friend. Though I have only heard one first-hand report, and an additional second-hand reference, it is true that my family knows his, many of his people descend from Moses and Solomon and Enoch and Isaiah, and my mother and I were fortunate to spend time with his kin while we were all in Egypt attending the same festival. I first met him when he was just four years old, though I believe he doesn’t remember me from that day.”

Felix nodded his approval of the plan, and motioned for one of his men, two of whom had been standing nearby at a respectful distance, to come forward. Ari Jesh and Felix did the paperwork right then and there, and the form was written in triplicate and carefully signed before being torn along two lines. Felix kept two copies for Rome and handed Jesh the citizenship paper for Menelik Gabriel.

“Wonderful, I will make sure your men get an extra portion of the gifts,” offered Ari Jesh. Now all Ari had to think about was refining the presentation. “How do we want to do this, known to all, known to a few, or known to none?” Ari asked Felix, deferring to the Procurator for guidance on the next step.

“It’s a true festival here, the mood is more than perfect. Known to all is fine,” answered Felix Antoninus.

“Thank you, my brother,” Jesh said appreciatively. “I follow the ways of Our forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They each blazed a trail, and you are a truly worthy member of the family. Deep is Our thankfulness to God for this grace. I wish you many blessings and the riches of this life and the afterworld, and if you know me you know I wouldn’t wish that on someone who wasn’t both deserving and capable of leadership.” The two of them clinked cups and headed back into the party.

Ghadara, a Lebanese artist and the wife of Phasaulus, who would be remembered in history and scripture as Paul, arrived in the early eve with their two teenaged sons, and Jeshua was pleased and surprised to see the three of them. He hadn’t seen his nephews since they were children, as they had been at school in Rome these past few years, and before that he and Phasaulus … well, they hadn’t spoken directly in a long time, now over half a decade. Salome was elated to see Ghadara and the boys, and spent a generous portion of the evening showing the lady around the palace, and presenting her nephews to all whom she wanted to meet and know them.

Phasaulus would have liked to be there, but with recent judicial developments in Jerusalem, he had both testified against followers of the Way and also supported a motion in opposition to them during a tribunal. He had been heard to liken the Nazarenes to zealots, and considered them a mighty, seditious threat. So you can see why he stayed home …

High Priest Ishmael ben Fabus sent his regards and best wishes for the event, for he was unable to attend as his wife’s family had a wedding in Egypt, and he was expected to perform the vows there. This news was taken at face value by the hosts, but there were murmurs within Sadducee circles of Ishmael being displeased about the choice of Greek as the language on the coin. Many Sadducean priests had felt their rations and wages were reduced because of the appointment of a Pharisee, Ishmael, to the High Priest position, so they believed they had nothing to lose by trying to stir up trouble. The reality was the drought and famine had hurt many in Judea and Idumaea, and the Temple was hard-pressed to deal with needs of believers in Jerusalem and the starving in the countryside, and Ishmael would prove to be fair to all, remembered as a worthy High Priest, especially considering the treacherous times he lived in.

Vespasian was working as a Roman officer in the capitol and was unable to attend but the eighteen-year-old Titus represented his family. He was heading into his final year of college in Rome, and Ari Jesh and Salome were considering sending Timothy to the same school. Titus would graduate the same year Timothy was a freshman, and Agrippa Barnabbas Josephus started there two years after Timothy Herod.

Part Three

Ari and Salome together with their two eldest sons, Timothy Herod and Agrippa Josephus, each carried trays loaded with bowls of food to those waiting outside the gates. Two trips were made by each of them, and the bowls were divided between vegetarian and meat included. The families with children were fed on the first run, while the adults were told to wait for the second offering, and they were patient and understanding.

The return trip was met with much appreciation and the food was accepted warmly, and Tim and Agrippa headed back into the party. Standing out in the crowd by the front gates were two tallish boys that seemed to be almost identical, except one looked to be about sixteen years of age, and the other fourteen or so, and they requested a vegetarian meal. “Why?” asked Salome. “Is it because of your family’s faith?”

“No, not entirely my Queen, though my family is faithful and teaches souls to not be gluttonous. In this case we are uninvited attendees; we are not guests. The meat should be reserved for your guests, and perhaps for some of our fellow-travelers here who are in need of deeper nourishment than we.”

Salome was impressed with his answer, and Ari, overhearing this last bit, now also walked over to the two. As the last bowls had already been handed out, the four of them stood talking while the young men ate their food, taking turns at the portion given for them to share.

“That seems rather noble of you both. Where does your mother live?” asked Jeshua.

“She doesn’t, not anymore,” answered the elder youth. “We were raised in Shiloh, and our father died when he was forced into a battle while in a caravan traveling back from Arabia. Our mother had a deep slide after that, and the LORD took her home over three years ago. We stayed with an aunt for a couple of years, but then we heard that there were many new buildings under construction in Tiberias and Caesarea Philippi, and so we decided to come and see for ourselves. We are both apprentice carpenters”

Salome looked up to Jesh, held his gaze, and shot a mildly inquisitive look his way, narrowing her eyes in an almost imperceptible way, then staring up at the clouds for a brief second. As her attention returned, He nodded slightly.

“Come inside and enjoy the rest of the party,” said Salome as she extended her hand to the younger lad. “You guys will have to sleep on the couches, or maybe even in the tent, but we can sure feed you tonight.”

The elder lad gave the food remaining in his bowl to a mother with two kids nearby, and the two fortunate young men walked between Ari and Sal as they sauntered onto the palace grounds. The people outside the gates saw what was happening and none seemed at all jealous, most looked happy and a few were joyous, shouting “Praise Arisa! Praise Arisa! The Lord is a shepherd for His People. Praise Arisa! Praise Arisa!”

The name Arisa had sometimes meant just Aristobulus, but in recent months, as news of the coin began to build, the term again became a short form of Ari and Sal, as it had originally been Praise AriSal. So it came to represent the Holy Royal Couple, and to some it was becoming synonymous with Oneness in general, and the Unity of All. This is the likely Syrian origin of the Arabic / Islamic name for Jeshua Aristobulus, that being Isa. In Ethiopia He is translated as Iyasus, differentiating him from King Tut Yeshua and the earlier Joshua, by referring to his previous incarnations as Iyasu. It appears that Ethiopia has attained a reminder of the Greek moniker Jah Zeus in the name Iya-Sus, much like England and Spain and many other nations, who spell His Name as Jesus, which is essentially the ancient Greek translation of Jeshua carried forth into modern times. Over the decades Aristobulus would increasingly be referred to as Jeshua and then Jesus, and Salome would mostly become known as Mary Magdelene in folklore and Johann the Beloved or John the Beloved in scripture, though she does get a cameo under her main name, as a dancer and innocent foil at her mother’s second wedding, a gory scene that is a metaphor for her mom Herodias’ displeasure with Salome’s marriage to Philip Jahn the Baptist. If anyone in the world was happier than Salome on the day of her wedding to Ari Jesh, it may possibly have been Herodias, for she wanted her daughter to have the entire kingdom. Agrippa the Younger may have been her own brother, but in her heart she felt Aristobulus and Salome were the true leaders of Israel.

Re-entering the palace, Salome first sent a servant to distribute money and desserts to those outside the gate, three coins for each adult and four for each child, and then brought the two new guests to the dining room, where she saw her own son Timothy Herod speaking with his cousins, Ghadara’s sons. She told Timothy and the lads to make sure these two newcomers were given some food and drink and shown around the grounds.

In the midst of all the commotion of people entering the celebration and greeting relatives they hadn’t seen in years, Ari and Salome found a moment to themselves in the hallway.

“I’m having fun but I’m not sure if this is really what I had envisioned. How do you imagine we’ll be remembered?” Ari asked Salome.

“I doubt it’ll be for this party,” replied Salome, laughing playfully. “Honey, with the stories people are already writing about you, I believe that your teachings will help ensure all of Us will be remembered quite fondly.”

At that Ari smiled and clasped Salome’s hand, and just then a few more long-lost faces entered the hall with outstretched arms and shouts of “Ari! Salome! So Good to see you!”

The party was climaxing in festivity just after the midnight hour, but the dancing and eating and drinking and conversations continued into the wee hours, finishing with each of the core invited guests, plus a few attending dignitaries and accomplished elders, receiving shiny new coins in their new silver cups, with the words “King Aristobulus and Queen Salome” engraved on the side.

Most people knew of Ari Jeshua’s love for and devotion to children, but there really wasn’t anyone else around who also cared so much for the elderly, and he had performed healing work with the aged and the infirm since he was fifteen years old. At the last moment Ari and Salome joyously added two children (a nephew and a cousin) and five more elders to the list of honourees, all of the latter being parents and grandparents of friends and family that had been most faithful to the royal couple.

A few who had to leave early had already been given their gifts, but most came out to the tent to experience the departing banquet, scheduled to begin around an hour and a quarter before dawn (timed to conclude with Ari Justus receiving his cup just as the sun broke the horizon), and many were certain that their name was not on the list. Only the leaders of the twelve tribes, plus the twelve chosen brethren and core family members were apprised of their inclusion in the offering ahead of the banquet ceremony.

The esteemed names were called out, and people walked slowly up to Aristobulus and Salome and their offspring, and each was handed their cup by the divine twosome and one of the sons, alternating in turn. As a way of building suspense, the tribes and the twelve got their cups first, then close family members, then the dignitaries and unsung heroes, though immediate family were left to the very end as a way of signaling the termination of the proceedings. Certainly nobody was naïve enough to believe they would be rewarded with a cup after young Aristobulus Justus had received his (he had to be awakened for the occasion, for he had fallen asleep on a chair beside his family, having just turned seven only weeks before), the sun returning vigorously for the final presentation of the affair.

There was an entirely new buffet table uncovered in the tent, and this included offerings from the chefs that accompanied the various royal families on their trip to Chalcis, and these pros had arrived from Gaul, Rome, Persia, Beirut and Damascus over the previous days. Those who had room for more food were treated to some of the tastiest creations mankind had ever experienced. Hindu and Arabian chefs prepared sumptuous delicacies that rounded out the international flavours offered up to the revelers.

The middle section of the proceedings generated the greatest interest, for major dignitaries and relatives alike were applauded and appreciative as they approached the royal family after hearing their names called. Salome had added the two lads from outside to the list without even telling Jesh, and when their names were read out, both were proclaimed as sons of their devout father and mother whose names sounded so heavenly to them that they nearly collapsed on their way to the front, the younger lad steadying the elder. It was an unexpected, electrifying moment, and Salome Herself was serene or even blissful at seeing the smiles on everyone, including Her Husband.

Felix’s name was announced, and as he and Drusilla had been married for a few years and were expecting their first child, she walked up to the edge of the stage with him. Just when they sat back down at their table, Princess Drusilla’s name was spoken aloud by Jesh, and everyone now looked to Procurator Antoninus Felix in amusement. He almost immediately popped up out of his chair, and held out his hand for Drusilla to stand beside him, and walked her regally back to the edge of the stage, where her cousin Yuya Agrippa and her Aunt Salome handed her the gift. To many it seemed that Felix was now firmly in the family, and that this was a sign that relations with Rome were improving. Unimaginable clashes with the Romans were to come over the next ten years, but at this point, the roses smelled fantastic and love was everywhere in the air.

Menelik heard his name called and walked quickly to the stage, and the Ethiopian bowed three times before each member of the royal family. Even still, he was not yet fully aware of what he was being so thankful for. As he was handed his Cup, Salome asked him to unfurl the small scroll attached to it, and before he had half-finished unrolling it, he had read the words clearly written at the top, Roman Citizenship, Name, Menelik Gabriel, and that was enough to have him leaping in the air. People were unsure what was going on, and then Jesh announced that through the benevolence of Felix Antoninus, Procurator of the Roman Empire, a new citizen of Rome had just been declared. At this news, people shared in the joy, everyone clapping and cheering. Some were recalling the day they were given their own citizenship, while the conscious among those who were born with it knew even more of its value. At the time, Pax Romana was all internationalists could cling to. As the cheering seemed to be as much now for Felix as for Gabriel, he stood and bowed, but the crowd continued clapping. Then Felix got Drusilla to stand up with him and they both bowed, and when Felix then motioned for everyone to quiet down, they did as he suggested.

As the roll-call of royalty rang out, many were astonished to discover that someone they had thought was just another nameless relative or family friend, was actually a prince or princess of a faraway land, and this was learned as the full names and titles were read with each cup presented. Everyone whose name had been in the offering book felt extremely honoured, and many cups were wrapped seven or eight times over before being hidden deep in travel baggage.

After the departing banquet, the guests either slept on the spot (blankets were laid out along one side of the tent, where many younger children were already sleeping) or quietly packed for departure, while servants were cleaning up. The commotion around the royal family had dissipated. Our Ethiopian traveler, Menelik Gabriel, came up before Ari and Sal and bowed humbly. “Your honour, I have visited many lands, across Ethiopia and Egypt, Arabia and India, Syria and Greece. Nobody has ever done such a kind and generous thing for me, never in my life … the Procurator told me the action was upon your suggestion, and I … ” his voice trailed off as he looked down at his own feet, dusty in well-worn sandals. “I am appreciative, but feel I am not worthy of your offering. I will surely let you down.”

The humble Ethiopian brother continued staring downwards. Ari Jesh reached and touched his shoulder, laid his hand there, and Menelik looked up. Jesh spoke to him as if he was close family, even talking somewhat jovially. “Brother Gabriel, I and I have not had time to speak and become better acquainted, but I have heard inspired things about you, from people that do not even know that I know you.”

At these words, Menelik smiled, yet was still inquisitive, clearly uncertain of what was meant.

Jesh continued. “When I went to university in Egypt, I used to take trips up the Nile, once per year. One season my mother was able to travel with me, and we were hosted and honoured in Karnak by a Prince and Princess of Ethiopia, a daughter of Candace together with her husband, their children, and two nephews, including you. They were also visiting Thebes at this time, and had traveled up from Axum via Meroe and Napata, and they were your aunt and uncle. Your grandmother Naharayem was the Queen of Sheba during that era. I still remember you well; you were only four years old at the time, that was twenty-two years ago but your face is the same.”

Menelik Gabriel fell to his knees, and then leaned forward towards Jeshua, crying softly, clutching at Ari’s ankles. “My LORD, My LORD, that was You! My Father told me I would find You.”

Ari Jeshu tapped Gabriel on the shoulder, and motioned for him to rise, and as he did, Jesh let the tips of his fingers on his right hand rest on Menelik’s forehead. “By the power of Melchizedek, “ spoke Ari softly, “dominion on Earth shall pass from Belial to the Righteous Sons of Light. Serve Him with truth of heart, become a new man with a new doctrine. As a man cannot see both Heaven and Earth at one and the same time, so also it is impossible to love God and this world.”

The birth of Jeshua Justus, and later the release of the coin, each marked the transition points for Ari in his personal and spiritual evolution from Joshua to Joseph, or Yeshua to Yuya. The boy-king was now a real King, and almost nothing from his later life made it into the story of Jesus, for the Jeshua character is hugely dominant in the telling of the New Testament gospels. His tenderness with Mary and the children still manages to shine through, and these are the elements of personality that allowed for the successful transition to the Yuseph role.

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