1 Judas had heard of the reputation of the Romans. They were valiant fighters and acted amiably to all who took their side. They established a friendly alliance with all who applied to them.
2 He was also told of their battles and the brave deeds that they performed against the Gauls, conquering them and forcing them to pay tribute;
3 and what they did in Spain to get possession of the silver and gold mines there.
4 By planning and persistence they subjugated the whole region, although it was very remote from their own. They also subjugated the kings who had come against them from the far corners of the earth until they crushed them and inflicted on them severe defeat. The rest paid tribute to them every year.