Athronges Athronges ( likely derived from " ethrog " , " citron " ) was a leader of the Jews during the insurrection under Herod Archelaus . He was a shepherd , in common with his four brothers . However , his humble occupation did not work against him : Abraham , Isaac , Jacob and David had also been shepherds . After proclaiming himself the messiah , Athronges led the rebellion against Archelaus and the Romans . After a protracted struggle Athronges and his brothers were defeated . Josephus wrote of him : " Athronges , a person neither eminent by the dignity of his progenitors , nor for any great wealth he possessed . For he had been a mere shepherd , not known by anybody . But because he was a tall man , and excelled others in the strength of his hands , he was so bold as to set up for king . This man thought it so sweet a thing to do more than ordinary injuries to others , that , although he risked his life , he did not much care if he lost it in so great a design . < br > < br > He had four brothers , who were tall men themselves , and were believed to be superior to others in the strength of their hands , and thereby were encouraged to aim at great things , and thought that strength of theirs would support them in retaining the kingdom . Each of these ruled over a band of men of their own ( for those that got together to them were very numerous ) . They were every one of them also commanders ; but when they came to fight , they were subordinate to him , and fought for him . After he had put a diadem about his head , he assembled a council to debate about what things should be done , and all things were done according to his pleasure . So , this man retained his power a great while ; he was also called king , and had nothing to hinder him from doing what he pleased . < br > < br > Together with his brothers , he slew a great many of both of Roman and of the king ' s forces , and managed matters with the like hatred to each of them . They fell upon the king ' s soldiers because of the licentious conduct they had been allowed under Herod ' s government ; and they fell upon the Romans , because of the injuries they had so lately received from them . But in process of time they grew more cruel to all sorts of men , nor could anyone escape from one or other of these seditions , since they slew some out of the hopes of gain , and others from a mere custom of slaying men . < br > < br > Once , they attacked a Roman company at Emmaus , soldiers who were bringing grain and weapons to the army , and fell upon Arius , the centurion , who commanded the company , and shot forty of the best of his foot soldiers . The other Romans panicked after this slaughter , left their dead behind them , and were saved by Gratus , who came to their assistance with the king ' s troops that he commanded . Now these four brethren continued the war a long while by such sort of expeditions , and they much grieved the Romans ; but they did their own nation also a great deal of mischief . < br > < br > Afterwards they were subdued ; one of them in a fight with Gratus , another with Ptolemy ; Herod Archelaus took the eldest of them prisoner ; while the last of them was so dejected at the other ' s misfortune , and saw so plainly that he had no way now left to save himself , his army being worn away with sickness and continual labors , that he also delivered himself up to Archelaus , upon his promise and oath to God to preserve his life . But these things came to pass a good while afterward . " The rebellion of Athronges against the Roman authorities may have lasted for almost two years . Josephus states how the four brothers met their fate , but he is silent on the end of Athronges himself .