josephus - war of the jews - book1€¦ · book1 1 chapter 1 1. at the same time that antiochus,...

Josephus–WaroftheJews–Book1

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Chapter11. ATthesametimethatAntiochus,whowascalledEpiphanes,hadaquarrelwiththe

sixthPtolemyabouthisrighttothewholecountryofSyria,agreatseditionfellamongthemenofpowerinJudea,andtheyhadacontentionaboutobtainingthegovernment;whileeachofthosethatwereofdignitycouldnotenduretobesubjecttotheirequals.However,Onias,oneofthehighpriests,gotthebetter,andcastthesonsofTobiasoutofthecity;whofledtoAntiochus,andbesoughthimtomakeuseofthemforhisleaders,andtomakeanexpeditionintoJudea.Thekingbeingtheretodisposedbeforehand,compliedwiththem,andcameupontheJewswithagreatarmy,andtooktheircitybyforce,andslewagreatmultitudeofthosethatfavoredPtolemy,andsentouthissoldierstoplunderthemwithoutmercy.Healsospoiledthetemple,andputastoptotheconstantpracticeofofferingadailysacrificeofexpiationforthreeyearsandsixmonths.ButOnias,thehighpriest,fledtoPtolemy,andreceivedaplacefromhimintheNomusofHeliopolis,wherehebuiltacityresemblingJerusalem,andatemplethatwaslikeitstempleconcerningwhichweshallspeakmoreinitsproperplacehereafter.

2. NowAntiochuswasnotsatisfiedeitherwithhisunexpectedtakingthecity,orwithitspillage,orwiththegreatslaughterhehadmadethere;butbeingovercomewithhisviolentpassions,andrememberingwhathehadsufferedduringthesiege,hecompelledtheJewstodissolvethelawsoftheircountry,andtokeeptheirinfantsuncircumcised,andtosacrificeswine’sfleshuponthealtar;againstwhichtheyallopposedthemselves,andthemostapprovedamongthemwereputtodeath.Bacchidesalso,whowassenttokeepthefortresses,havingthesewickedcommands,joinedtohisownnaturalbarbarity,indulgedallsortsoftheextremestwickedness,andtormentedtheworthiestoftheinhabitants,manbyman,andthreatenedtheircityeverydaywithopendestruction,tillatlengthheprovokedthepoorsufferersbytheextremityofhiswickeddoingstoavengethemselves.

3. AccordinglyMatthias,thesonofAsamoneus,oneofthepriestswholivedinavillagecalledModin,armedhimself,togetherwithhisownfamily,whichhadfivesonsofhisinit,andslewBacchideswithdaggers;andthereupon,outofthefearofthemanygarrisons[oftheenemy],hefledtothemountains;andsomanyofthepeoplefollowedhim,thathewasencouragedtocomedownfromthemountains,andtogivebattletoAntiochus’sgenerals,whenhebeatthem,anddrovethemoutofJudea.Sohecametothegovernmentbythishissuccess,andbecametheprinceofhisownpeoplebytheirownfreeconsent,andthendied,leavingthegovernmenttoJudas,hiseldestson.

4. NowJudas,supposingthatAntiochuswouldnotliestill,gatheredanarmyoutofhisowncountrymen,andwasthefirstthatmadealeagueoffriendshipwiththeRomans,anddroveEpiphanesoutofthecountrywhenhehadmadeasecondexpeditionintoit,andthisbygivinghimagreatdefeatthere;andwhenhewaswarmedbythisgreatsuccess,hemadeanassaultuponthegarrisonthatwasinthecity,forithadnotbeencutoffhitherto;soheejectedthemoutoftheuppercity,anddrovethesoldiersintothelower,whichpartofthecitywascalledtheCitadel.Hethengotthetempleunderhispower,andcleansedthewholeplace,andwalledit


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roundabout,andmadenewvesselsforsacredministrations,andbroughtthemintothetemple,becausetheformervesselshadbeenprofaned.Healsobuiltanotheraltar,andbegantoofferthesacrifices;andwhenthecityhadalreadyreceiveditssacredconstitutionagain,Antiochusdied;whosesonAntiochussucceededhiminthekingdom,andinhishatredtotheJewsalso.

5. SothisAntiochusgottogetherfiftythousandfootmen,andfivethousandhorsemen,andfourscoreelephants,andmarchedthroughJudeaintothemountainousparts.HethentookBethsura,whichwasasmallcity;butataplacecalledBethzacharis,wherethepassagewasnarrow,Judasmethimwithhisarmy.However,beforetheforcesjoinedbattle,Judas’sbrotherEleazar,seeingtheveryhighestoftheelephantsadornedwithalargetower,andwithmilitarytrappingsofgoldtoguardhim,andsupposingthatAntiochushimselfwasuponhim,heranagreatwaybeforehisownarmy,andcuttinghiswaythroughtheenemy’stroops,hegotuptotheelephant;yetcouldhenotreachhimwhoseemedtobetheking,byreasonofhisbeingsohigh;butstillheranhisweaponintothebellyofthebeast,andbroughthimdownuponhimself,andwascrushedtodeath,havingdonenomorethanattemptedgreatthings,andshowedthathepreferredglorybeforelife.Nowhethatgovernedtheelephantwasbutaprivateman;andhadheprovedtobeAntiochus,Eleazarhadperformednothingmorebythisboldstrokethanthatitmightappearhechosetodie,whenhehadthebarehopeoftherebydoingagloriousaction;nay,thisdisappointmentprovedanomentohisbrother[Judas]howtheentirebattlewouldend.ItistruethattheJewsfoughtitoutbravelyforalongtime,buttheking’sforces,beingsuperiorinnumber,andhavingfortuneontheirside,obtainedthevictory.Andwhenagreatmanyofhismenwereslain,Judastooktherestwithhim,andfledtothetoparchyofGophna.SoAntiochuswenttoJerusalem,andstaidtherebutafewdays,forhewantedprovisions,andsohewenthisway.Heleftindeedagarrisonbehindhim,suchashethoughtsufficienttokeeptheplace,butdrewtherestofhisarmyoff,totaketheirwinter-quartersinSyria.

6. Now,afterthekingwasdeparted,Judaswasnotidle;forasmanyofhisownnationcametohim,sodidhegatherthosethathadescapedoutofthebattletogether,andgavebattleagaintoAntiochus’sgeneralsatavillagecalledAdasa;andbeingtoohardforhisenemiesinthebattle,andkillingagreatnumberofthem,hewasatlasthimselfslainalso.NorwasitmanydaysafterwardthathisbrotherJohnhadaplotlaidagainsthimbyAntiochus’sparty,andwasslainbythem.


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Chapter21. WHENJonathan,whowasJudas’sbrother,succeededhim,hebehavedhimselfwith

greatcircumspectioninotherrespects,withrelationtohisownpeople;andhecorroboratedhisauthoritybypreservinghisfriendshipwiththeRomans.HealsomadealeaguewithAntiochustheson.Yetwasnotallthissufficientforhissecurity;forthetyrantTrypho,whowasguardiantoAntiochus’sson,laidaplotagainsthim;andbesidesthat,endeavoredtotakeoffhisfriends,andcaughtJonathanbyawile,ashewasgoingtoPtolemaistoAntiochus,withafewpersonsinhiscompany,andputhiminbonds,andthenmadeanexpeditionagainsttheJews;butwhenhewasafterwarddrivenawaybySimon,whowasJonathan’sbrother,andwasenragedathisdefeat,heputJonathantodeath.

2. However,Simonmanagedthepublicaffairsafteracourageousmanner,andtookGazara,andJoppa,andJamnia,whichwerecitiesinhisneighborhood.Healsogotthegarrisonunder,anddemolishedthecitadel.HewasafterwardanauxiliarytoAntiochus,againstTrypho,whomhebesiegedinDora,beforehewentonhisexpeditionagainsttheMedes;yetcouldnothemakethekingashamedofhisambition,thoughhehadassistedhiminkillingTrypho;foritwasnotlongereAntiochussentCendebeushisgeneralwithanarmytolaywasteJudea,andtosubdueSimon;yethe,thoughhewasnowinyears,conductedthewarasifhewereamuchyoungerman.HealsosenthissonswithabandofstrongmenagainstAntiochus,whilehetookpartofthearmyhimselfwithhim,andfelluponhimfromanotherquarter.Healsolaidagreatmanymeninambushinmanyplacesofthemountains,andwassuperiorinallhisattacksuponthem;andwhenhehadbeenconqueroraftersogloriousamanner,hewasmadehighpriest,andalsofreedtheJewsfromthedominionoftheMacedonians,afteronehundredandseventyyearsoftheempire[ofSeleucus].

3. ThisSimonalsohadaplotlaidagainsthim,andwasslainatafeastbyhisson-in-lawPtolemy,whoputhiswifeandtwosonsintoprison,andsentsomepersonstokillJohn,whowasalsocalledHyrcanus.Butwhentheyoungmanwasinformedoftheircomingbeforehand,hemadehastetogettothecity,ashavingaverygreatconfidenceinthepeoplethere,bothonaccountofthememoryofthegloriousactionsofhisfather,andofthehatredtheycouldnotbutbeartotheinjusticeofPtolemy.Ptolemyalsomadeanattempttogetintothecitybyanothergate;butwasrepelledbythepeople,whohadjustthenadmittedofHyrcanus;soheretiredpresentlytooneofthefortressesthatwereaboutJericho,whichwascalledDagon.NowwhenHyrcanushadreceivedthehighpriesthood,whichhisfatherhadheldbefore,andhadofferedsacrificetoGod,hemadegreathastetoattackPtolemy,thathemightaffordrelieftohismotherandbrethren.

4. Sohelaidsiegetothefortress,andwassuperiortoPtolemyinotherrespects,butwasovercomebyhimastothejustaffection[hehadforhisrelations];forwhenPtolemywasdistressed,hebroughtforthhismother,andhisbrethren,andsetthemuponthewall,andbeatthemwithrodsineverybody’ssight,andthreatened,thatunlesshewouldgoawayimmediately,hewouldthrowthemdownheadlong;atwhichsightHyrcanus’scommiserationandconcernweretoohardforhisanger.But


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hismotherwasnotdismayed,neitheratthestripesshereceived,noratthedeathwithwhichshewasthreatened;butstretchedoutherhands,andprayedhersonnottobemovedwiththeinjuriesthatshesufferedtosparethewretch;sinceitwastoherbettertodiebythemeansofPtolemy,thantoliveeversolong,providedhemightbepunishedfortheinjurieshedonetotheirfamily.NowJohn’scasewasthis:Whenheconsideredthecourageofhismother,andheardherentreaty,hesetabouthisattacks;butwhenhesawherbeaten,andtorntopieceswiththestripes,hegrewfeeble,andwasentirelyovercomebyhisaffections.Andasthesiegewasdelayedbythismeans,theyearofrestcameon,uponwhichtheJewsresteveryseventhyearastheydooneveryseventhday.Onthisyear,therefore,Ptolemywasfreedfrombeingbesieged,andslewthebrethrenofJohn,withtheirmother,andfledtoZeno,whowasalsocalledCotylas,whowastyrantofPhiladelphia.

5. AndnowAntiochuswassoangryatwhathehadsufferedfromSimon,thathemadeanexpeditionintoJudea,andsatdownbeforeJerusalemandbesiegedHyrcanus;butHyrcanusopenedthesepulcherofDavid,whowastherichestofallkings,andtookthenceaboutthreethousandtalentsinmoney,andinducedAntiochus,bythepromiseofthreethousandtalents,toraisethesiege.Moreover,hewasthefirstoftheJewsthathadmoneyenough,andbegantohireforeignauxiliariesalso.

6. However,atanothertime,whenAntiochuswasgoneuponanexpeditionagainsttheMedes,andsogaveHyrcanusanopportunityofbeingrevengeduponhim,heimmediatelymadeanattackuponthecitiesofSyria,asthinking,whatprovedtobethecasewiththem,thatheshouldfindthememptyofgodtroops.SohetookMedabaandSamea,withthetownsintheirneighborhood,asalsoShechem,andGerizzim;andbesidesthese,[hesubdued]thenationoftheCutheans,whodweltroundaboutthattemplewhichwasbuiltinimitationofthetempleatJerusalem;healsotookagreatmanyothercitiesofIdumea,withAdoreonandMarissa.

7. HealsoproceededasfarasSamaria,whereisnowthecitySebaste,whichwasbuiltbyHerodtheking,andencompasseditallroundwithawall,andsethissons,AristobulusandAntigonus,overthesiege;whopusheditonsohard,thatafaminesofarprevailedwithinthecity,thattheywereforcedtoeatwhatneverwasesteemedfood.TheyalsoinvitedAntiochus,whowascalledCyzicenus,tocometotheirassistance;whereuponhegotready,andcompliedwiththeirinvitation,butwasbeatenbyAristobulusandAntigonus;andindeedhewaspursuedasfarasScythopolisbythesebrethren,andfledawayfromthem.SotheyreturnedbacktoSamaria,andshutthemultitudeagainwithinthewall;andwhentheyhadtakenthecity,theydemolishedit,andmadeslavesofitsinhabitants.Andastheyhadstillgreatsuccessintheirundertakings,theydidnotsuffertheirzealtocool,butmarchedwithanarmyasfarasScythopolis,andmadeanincursionuponit,andlaidwasteallthecountrythatlaywithinMountCarmel.

8. ButthenthesesuccessesofJohnandofhissonsmadethembeenvied,andoccasionedaseditioninthecountry;andmanytherewerewhogottogether,andwouldnotbeatresttilltheybrakeoutintoopenwar,inwhichwartheywerebeaten.SoJohnlivedtherestofhislifeveryhappily,andadministeredthegovernmentafteramostextraordinarymanner,andthisforthirty-threeentireyearstogether.Hedied,leavingfivesonsbehindhim.Hewascertainlyaveryhappyman,andaffordednooccasiontohaveanycomplaintmadeoffortuneonhisaccount.Heitwaswhoalonehadthreeofthemostdesirablethingsintheworld,-


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thegovernmentofhisnation,andthehighpriesthood,andthegiftofprophecy.FortheDeityconversedwithhim,andhewasnotignorantofanythingthatwastocomeafterward;insomuchthatheforesawandforetoldthathistwoeldestsonswouldnotcontinuemastersofthegovernment;anditwillhighlydeserveournarrationtodescribetheircatastrophe,andhowfarinferiorthesemenweretotheirfatherinfelicity.


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Chapter31. FORafterthedeathoftheirfather,theelderofthem,Aristobulus,changedthe

governmentintoakingdom,andwasthefirstthatputadiademuponhishead,fourhundredseventyandoneyearsandthreemonthsafterourpeoplecamedownintothiscountry,whentheyweresetfreefromtheBabylonianslavery.Now,ofhisbrethren,heappearedtohaveanaffectionforAntigonus,whowasnexttohim,andmadehimhisequal;butfortherest,heboundthem,andputtheminprison.Healsoputhismotherinbonds,forhercontestingthegovernmentwithhim;forJohnhadlefthertobethegovernessofpublicaffairs.Healsoproceededtothatdegreeofbarbarityastocausehertobepinedtodeathinprison.

2. ButvengeancecircumventedhimintheaffairofhisbrotherAntigonus,whomheloved,andwhomhemadehispartnerinthekingdom;forheslewhimbythemeansofthecalumnieswhichillmenaboutthepalacecontrivedagainsthim.Atfirst,indeed,Aristobuluswouldnotbelievetheirreports,partlyoutoftheaffectionhehadforhisbrother,andpartlybecausehethoughtthatagreatpartofthesetaleswereowingtotheenvyoftheirrelaters:however,asAntigonuscameonceinasplendidmannerfromthearmytothatfestival,whereinourancientcustomistomaketabernaclesforGod,ithappened,inthosedays,thatAristobuluswassick,andthat,attheconclusionofthefeast,Antigonuscameuptoit,withhisarmedmenabouthim;andthiswhenhewasadornedinthefinestmannerpossible;andthat,inagreatmeasure,topraytoGodonthebehalfofhisbrother.Nowatthisverytimeitwasthattheseillmencametotheking,andtoldhiminwhatapompousmannerthearmedmencame,andwithwhatinsolenceAntigonusmarched,andthatsuchhisinsolencewastoogreatforaprivateperson,andthataccordinglyhewascomewithagreatbandofmentokillhim;forthathecouldnotendurethisbareenjoymentofroyalhonor,whenitwasinhispowertotakethekingdomhimself.

3. NowAristobulus,bydegrees,andunwillingly,gavecredittotheseaccusations;andaccordinglyhetookcarenottodiscoverhissuspicionopenly,thoughheprovidedtobesecureagainstanyaccidents;soheplacedtheguardsofhisbodyinacertaindarksubterraneanpassage;forhelaysickinaplacecalledformerlytheCitadel,thoughafterwardsitsnamewaschangedtoAntonia;andhegaveordersthatifAntigonuscameunarmed,theyshouldlethimalone;butifhecametohiminhisarmor,theyshouldkillhim.Healsosentsometolethimknowbeforehandthatheshouldcomeunarmed.But,uponthisoccasion,thequeenverycunninglycontrivedthematterwiththosethatplottedhisruin,forshepersuadedthosethatweresenttoconcealtheking’smessage;buttotellAntigonushowhisbrotherhadheardhehadgotaverythesuitofarmormadewithfinemartialornaments,inGalilee;andbecausehispresentsicknesshinderedhimfromcomingandseeingallthatfinery,heverymuchdesiredtoseehimnowinhisarmor;because,saidhe,inalittletimethouartgoingawayfromme.

4. AssoonasAntigonusheardthis,thegoodtemperofhisbrothernotallowinghimtosuspectanyharmfromhim,hecamealongwithhisarmoron,toshowittohisbrother;butwhenhewasgoingalongthatdarkpassagewhichwascalledStrato’sTower,hewasslainbythebodyguards,andbecameaneminentinstancehowcalumnydestroysallgood-willandnaturalaffection,andhownoneofourgoodaffectionsarestrongenoughtoresistenvyperpetually.


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5. AndtrulyanyonewouldbesurprisedatJudasuponthisoccasion.HewasofthesectoftheEssens,andhadneverfailedordeceivedmeninhispredictionsbefore.NowthismansawAntigonusashewaspassingalongbythetemple,andcriedouttohisacquaintance,(theywerenotafewwhoattendeduponhimashisscholars,)“Ostrange!”saidhe,“itisgoodformetodienow,sincetruthisdeadbeforeme,andsomewhatthatIhaveforetoldhathprovedfalse;forthisAntigonusisthisdayalive,whooughttoharediedthisday;andtheplacewhereheoughttobeslain,accordingtothatfataldecree,wasStrato’sTower,whichisatthedistanceofsixhundredfurlongsfromthisplace;andyetfourhoursofthisdayareoveralready;whichpointoftimerendersthepredictionimpossibletobefillfilled.”Andwhentheoldmanhadsaidthis,hewasdejectedinhismind,andsocontinued.ButinalittletimenewscamethatAntigonuswasslaininasubterraneousplace,whichwasitselfalsocalledStrato’sTower,bythesamenamewiththatCesareawhichlaybythesea-side;andthisambiguityitwaswhichcausedtheprophet’sdisorder.

6. HereuponAristobulusrepentedofthegreatcrimehehadbeenguiltyof,andthisgaveoccasiontotheincreaseofhisdistemper.Healsogrewworseandworse,andhissoulwasconstantlydisturbedatthethoughtsofwhathehaddone,tillhisverybowelsbeingtorntopiecesbytheintolerablegriefhewasunder,hethrewupagreatquantityofblood.Andasoneofthoseservantsthatattendedhimcarriedoutthatblood,he,bysomesupernaturalprovidence,slippedandfelldownintheveryplacewhereAntigonushadbeenslain;andsohespiltsomeofthemurderer’sblooduponthespotsofthebloodofhimthathadbeenmurdered,whichstillappeared.Hereuponalamentablecryaroseamongthespectators,asiftheservanthadspilledthebloodonpurposeinthatplace;andasthekingheardthatcry,heinquiredwhatwasthecauseofit;andwhilenobodydursttellhim,hepressedthemsomuchthemoretolethimknowwhatwasthematter;soatlength,whenhehadthreatenedthem,andforcedthemtospeakout,theytold;whereuponheburstintotears,andgroaned,andsaid,“SoIperceiveIamnotliketoescapetheall-seeingeyeofGod,astothegreatcrimesIhavecommitted;butthevengeanceofthebloodofmykinsmanpursuesmehastily.Othoumostimpudentbody!howlongwiltthouretainasoulthatoughttodieonaccountofthatpunishmentitoughttosufferforamotherandabrotherslain!HowlongshallImyselfspendmyblooddropbydrop?letthemtakeitallatonce;andlettheirghostsnolongerbedisappointedbyafewparcelsofmybowelsofferedtothem.”Assoonashehadsaidthesewords,hepresentlydied,whenhehadreignednolongerthanayear.


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Chapter41. ANDnowtheking’swifeloosedtheking’sbrethren,andmadeAlexanderking,who

appearedbothelderinage,andmoremoderateinhistemperthantherest;who,whenhecametothegovernment,slewoneofhisbrethren,asaffectingtogovernhimself;buthadtheotherofthemingreatesteem,aslovingaquietlife,withoutmeddlingwithpublicaffairs.

2. NowithappenedthattherewasabattlebetweenhimandPtolemy,whowascalledLathyrus,whohadtakenthecityAsochis.Heindeedslewagreatmanyofhisenemies,butthevictoryratherinclinedtoPtolemy.ButwhenthisPtolemywaspursuedbyhismotherCleopatra,andretiredintoEgypt,AlexanderbesiegedGadara,andtookit;asalsohedidAmathus,whichwasthestrongestofallthefortressesthatwereaboutJordan,andthereinwerethemostpreciousofallthepossessionsofTheodorus,thesonofZeno.WhereuponTheodopusmarchedagainsthim,andtookwhatbelongedtohimselfaswellastheking’sbaggage,andslewtenthousandoftheJews.However,Alexanderrecoveredthisblow,andturnedhisforcetowardsthemaritimeparts,andtookRaphiaandGaza,withAnthedonalso,whichwasafterwardscalledAgrippiasbykingHerod.

3. Butwhenhehadmadeslavesofthecitizensofallthesecities,thenationoftheJewsmadeaninsurrectionagainsthimatafestival;foratthosefeastsseditionsaregenerallybegun;anditlookedasifheshouldnotbeabletoescapetheplottheyhadlaidforhim,hadnothisforeignauxiliaries,thePisidiansandCilicians,assistedhim;forastotheSyrians,heneveradmittedthemamonghismercenarytroops,onaccountoftheirinnateenmityagainsttheJewishnation.Andwhenhehadslainmorethansixthousandoftherebels,hemadeanincursionintoArabia;andwhenhehadtakenthatcountry,togetherwiththeGileadiresandMoabites,heenjoinedthemtopayhimtribute,andreturnedtoAreathus;andasTheodoruswassurprisedathisgreatsuccess,hetookthefortress,anddemolishedit.

4. However,whenhefoughtwithObodas,kingoftheArabians,whohadlaidanambushforhimnearGolan,andaplotagainsthim,helosthisentirearmy,whichwascrowdedtogetherinadeepvalley,andbrokentopiecesbythemultitudeofcamels.AndwhenhehadmadehisescapetoJerusalem,heprovokedthemultitude,whichhatedhimbefore,tomakeaninsurrectionagainsthim,andthisonaccountofthegreatnessofthecalamitythathewasunder.However,hewasthentoohardforthem;and,intheseveralbattlesthatwerefoughtonbothsides,heslewnotfewerthanfiftythousandoftheJewsintheintervalofsixyears.Yethadhenoreasontorejoiceinthesevictories,sincehedidbutconsumehisownkingdom;tillatlengthheleftofffighting,andendeavoredtocometoacompositionwiththem,bytalkingwithhissubjects.Butthismutabilityandirregularityofhisconductmadethemhatehimstillmore.Andwhenheaskedthemwhytheysohatedhim,andwhatheshoulddoinordertoappeasethem,theysaid,bykillinghimself;forthatitwouldbethenalltheycoulddotobereconciledtohim,whohaddonesuchtragicalthingstothem,evenwhenhewasdead.AtthesametimetheyinvitedDemetrius,whowascalledEucerus,toassistthem;andashereadilycompliedwiththeirrequests,inhopesofgreatadvantages,andcamewithhisarmy,theJewsjoinedwiththosetheirauxiliariesaboutShechem.


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5. YetdidAlexandermeetboththeseforceswithonethousandhorsemen,andeightthousandmercenariesthatwereonfoot.HehadalsowithhimthatpartoftheJewswhichfavoredhim,tothenumberoftenthousand;whiletheadversepartyhadthreethousandhorsemen,andfourteenthousandfootmen.Now,beforetheyjoinedbattle,thekingsmadeproclamation,andendeavoredtodrawoffeachother’ssoldiers,andmakethemrevolt;whileDemetriushopedtoinduceAlexander’smercenariestoleavehim,andAlexanderhopedtoinducetheJewsthatwerewithDemetriustoleavehim.ButsinceneithertheJewswouldleaveofftheirrage,northeGreeksproveunfaithful,theycametoanengagement,andtoaclosefightwiththeirweapons.InwhichbattleDemetriuswastheconqueror,althoughAlexander’smercenariesshowedthegreatestexploits,bothinsoulandbody.Yetdidtheupshotofthisbattleprovedifferentfromwhatwasexpected,astobothofthem;forneitherdidthosethatinvitedDemetriustocometothemcontinuefirmtohim,thoughhewasconqueror;andsixthousandJews,outofpitytothechangeofAlexander’scondition,whenhewasfledtothemountains,cameovertohim.YetcouldnotDemetriusbearthisturnofaffairs;butsupposingthatAlexanderwasalreadybecomeamatchforhimagain,andthatallthenationwould[atlength]runtohim,heleftthecountry,andwenthisway.

6. However,therestofthe[Jewish]multitudedidnotlayasidetheirquarrelswithhim,whenthe[foreign]auxiliariesweregone;buttheyhadaperpetualwarwithAlexander,untilhehadslainthegreatestpartofthem,anddriventherestintothecityBerneselis;andwhenhehaddemolishedthatcity,hecarriedthecaptivestoJerusalem.Nay,hisragewasgrownsoextravagant,thathisbarbarityproceededtothedegreeofimpiety;forwhenhehadorderedeighthundredtobehunguponcrossesinthemidstofthecity,hehadthethroatsoftheirwivesandchildrencutbeforetheireyes;andtheseexecutionshesawashewasdrinkingandlyingdownwithhisconcubines.Uponwhichsodeepasurpriseseizedonthepeople,thateightthousandofhisopposersfledawaytheverynextnight,outofallJudea,whoseflightwasonlyterminatedbyAlexander’sdeath;soatlast,thoughnottilllate,andwithgreatdifficulty,he,bysuchactions,procuredquiettohiskingdom,andleftofffightinganymore.

7. YetdidthatAntiochus,whowasalsocalledDionysius,becomeanoriginoftroublesagain.ThismanwasthebrotherofDemetrius,andthelastoftheraceoftheSeleucidse.Alexanderwasafraidofhim,whenhewasmarchingagainsttheArabians;sohecutadeeptrenchbetweenAntipatris,whichwasnearthemountains,andtheshoresofJoppa;healsoerectedahighwallbeforethetrench,andbuiltwoodentowers,inordertohinderanysuddenapproaches.ButstillhewasnotabletoexcludeAntiochus,forheburntthetowers,andfilledupthetrenches,andmarchedonwithhisarmy.AndashelookedupontakinghisrevengeonAlexander,forendeavoringtostophim,asathingoflessconsequence,hemarcheddirectlyagainsttheArabians,whosekingretiredintosuchpartsofthecountryaswerefittestforengagingtheenemy,andthenonthesuddenmadehishorseturnback,whichwereinnumbertenthousand,andfelluponAntiochus’sarmywhiletheywereindisorder,andaterriblebattleensued.Antiochus’stroops,solongashewasalive,foughtitout,althoughamightyslaughterwasmadeamongthembytheArabians;butwhenhefell,forhewasintheforefront,intheutmostdanger,inrallyinghistroops,theyallgaveground,andthegreatestpartofhisarmywere


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destroyed,eitherintheactionortheflight;andfortherest,whofledtothevillageofCana,ithappenedthattheywereallconsumedbywantofnecessaries,afewonlyexcepted.

8. AboutthistimeitwasthatthepeopleofDamascus,outoftheirhatredtoPtolemy,thesonofMenhens,invitedAretas[totakethegovernment],andmadehimkingofCelesyria.ThismanalsomadeanexpeditionagainstJudea,andbeatAlexanderinbattle;butafterwardsretiredbymutualagreement.ButAlexander,whenhehadtakenPella,marchedtoGerasaagain,outofthecovetousdesirehehadofTheodorus’spossessions;andwhenhehadbuiltatriplewallaboutthegarrison,hetooktheplacebyforce.HealsodemolishedGolan,andSeleucia,andwhatwascalledtheValleyofAntiochus;besideswhich,hetookthestrongfortressofGamala,andstrippedDemetrius,whowasgovernortherein,ofwhathehad,onaccountofthemanycrimeslaidtohischarge,andthenreturnedintoJudea,afterhehadbeenthreewholeyearsinthisexpedition.Andnowhewaskindlyreceivedofthenation,becauseofthegoodsuccesshehad.Sowhenhewasatrestfromwar,hefellintoadistemper;forhewasafflictedwithaquartanague,andsupposedthat,byexercisinghimselfagaininmartialaffairs,heshouldgetridofthisdistemper;butbymakingsuchexpeditionsatunseasonabletimes,andforcinghisbodytoundergogreaterhardshipsthanitwasabletobear,hebroughthimselftohisend.Hedied,therefore,inthemidstofhistroubles,afterhehadreignedsevenandtwentyyears.


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Chapter51. NOWAlexanderleftthekingdomtoAlexandrahiswife,anddependeduponitthat

theJewswouldnowveryreadilysubmittoher,becauseshehadbeenveryaversetosuchcrueltyashehadtreatedthemwith,andhadopposedhisviolationoftheirlaws,andhadtherebygotthegood-willofthepeople.Norwashemistakenastohisexpectations;forthiswomankeptthedominion,bytheopinionthatthepeoplehadofherpiety;forshechieflystudiedtheancientcustomsofhercountry,andcastthosemenoutofthegovernmentthatoffendedagainsttheirholylaws.AndasshehadtwosonsbyAlexander,shemadeHyrcanustheelderhighpriest,onaccountofhisage,asalso,besidesthat,onaccountofhisinactivetemper,nowaydisposinghimtodisturbthepublic.Butsheretainedtheyounger,Aristobulus,withherasaprivateperson,byreasonofthewarmthofhistemper.

2. AndnowthePhariseesjoinedthemselvestoher,toassistherinthegovernment.TheseareacertainsectoftheJewsthatappearmorereligiousthanothers,andseemtointerpretthelawsmoreaccurately.lowAlexandrahearkenedtothemtoanextraordinarydegree,asbeingherselfawomanofgreatpietytowardsGod.ButthesePhariseesartfullyinsinuatedthemselvesintoherfavorbylittleandlittle,andbecamethemselvestherealadministratorsofthepublicaffairs:theybanishedandreducedwhomtheypleased;theyboundandloosed[men]attheirpleasure;and,tosayallatonce,theyhadtheenjoymentoftheroyalauthority,whilsttheexpensesandthedifficultiesofitbelongedtoAlexandra.Shewasasagaciouswomaninthemanagementofgreataffairs,andintentalwaysupongatheringsoldierstogether;sothatsheincreasedthearmytheonehalf,andprocuredagreatbodyofforeigntroops,tillherownnationbecamenotonlyverypowerfulathome,butterriblealsotoforeignpotentates,whileshegovernedotherpeople,andthePhariseesgovernedher.

3. Accordingly,theythemselvesslewDiogenes,apersonoffigure,andonethathadbeenafriendtoAlexander;andaccusedhimashavingassistedthekingwithhisadvice,forcrucifyingtheeighthundredmen[beforementioned.]TheyalsoprevailedwithAlexandratoputtodeaththerestofthosewhohadirritatedhimagainstthem.Nowshewassosuperstitiousastocomplywiththeirdesires,andaccordinglytheyslewwhomtheypleasedthemselves.ButtheprincipalofthosethatwereindangerfledtoAristobulus,whopersuadedhismothertosparethemenonaccountoftheirdignity,buttoexpelthemoutofthecity,unlessshetookthemtobeinnocent;sotheyweresufferedtogounpunished,andweredispersedalloverthecountry.ButwhenAlexandrasentoutherarmytoDamascus,underpretensethatPtolemywasalwaysoppressingthatcity,shegotpossessionofit;nordiditmakeanyconsiderableresistance.ShealsoprevailedwithTigranes,kingofArmenia,wholaywithhistroopsaboutPtolemais,andbesiegedCleopatra,byagreementsandpresents,togoaway.Accordingly,Tigranessoonarosefromthesiege,byreasonofthosedomestictumultswhichhappeneduponLucullus’sexpeditionintoArmenia.

4. Inthemeantime,Alexandrafellsick,andAristobulus,heryoungerson,tookholdofthisopportunity,withhisdomestics,ofwhichhehadagreatmany,whowereallofthemhisfriends,onaccountofthewarmthoftheiryouth,andgotpossessionofallthefortresses.Healsousedthesumsofmoneyhefoundinthemtogettogetheranumberofmercenarysoldiers,andmadehimselfking;andbesidesthis,upon


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Hyrcanus’scomplainttohismother,shecompassionatedhiscase,andputAristobulus’swifeandsonsunderrestraintinAntonia,whichwasafortressthatjoinedtothenorthpartofthetemple.Itwas,asIhavealreadysaid,ofoldcalledtheCitadel;butafterwardsgotthenameofAntonia,whenAntonywas[lordoftheEast],justastheothercities,SebasteandAgrippias,hadtheirnameschanged,andthesegiventhemfromSebastusandAgrippa.ButAlexandradiedbeforeshecouldpunishAristobulusforhisdisinheritinghisbrother,aftershehadreignednineyears.


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Chapter61. NOWHyrcanuswasheirtothekingdom,andtohimdidhismothercommititbefore

shedied;butAristobuluswassuperiortohiminpowerandmagnanimity;andwhentherewasabattlebetweenthem,todecidethedisputeaboutthekingdom,nearJericho,thegreatestpartdesertedHyrcanus,andwentovertoAristobulus;butHyrcanus,withthoseofhispartywhostaidwithhim,fledtoAntonia,andgotintohispowerthehostagesthatmightheforhispreservation(whichwereAristobulus’swife,withherchildren);buttheycametoanagreementbeforethingsshouldcometoextremities,thatAristobulusshouldbeking,andHyrcanusshouldresignthatup,butretainalltherestofhisdignities,asbeingtheking’sbrother.Hereupontheywerereconciledtoeachotherinthetemple,andembracedoneanotherinaverykindmanner,whilethepeoplestoodroundaboutthem;theyalsochangedtheirhouses,whileAristobuluswenttotheroyalpalace,andHyrcanusretiredtothehouseofAristobulus.

2. NowthoseotherpeoplewhichwereatvariancewithAristobuluswereafraiduponhisunexpectedobtainingthegovernment;andespeciallythisconcernedAntipaterwhomAristobulushatedofold.HewasbybirthanIdumean,andoneoftheprincipalofthatnation,onaccountofhisancestorsandriches,andotherauthoritytohimbelonging:healsopersuadedHyrcanustoflytoAretas,thekingofArabia,andtolayclaimtothekingdom;asalsohepersuadedAretastoreceiveHyrcanus,andtobringhimbacktohiskingdom:healsocastgreatreproachesuponAristobulus,astohismorals,andgavegreatcommendationstoHyrcanus,andexhortedAretastoreceivehim,andtoldhimhowbecomingafilingitwouldbeforhim,whoruledsogreatakingdom,toaffordhisassistancetosuchasareinjured;allegingthatHyrcanuswastreatedunjustly,bybeingdeprivedofthatdominionwhichbelongedtohimbytheprerogativeofhisbirth.Andwhenhehadpredisposedthembothtodowhathewouldhavethem,hetookHyrcanusbynight,andranawayfromthecity,and,continuinghisflightwithgreatswiftness,heescapedtotheplacecalledPetra,whichistheroyalseatofthekingofArabia,whereheputHyrcanusintoAretas’shand;andbydiscoursingmuchwithhim,andgaininguponhimwithmanypresents,heprevailedwithhimtogivehimanarmythatmightrestorehimtohiskingdom.Thisarmyconsistedoffiftythousandfootmenandhorsemen,againstwhichAristobuluswasnotabletomakeresistance,butwasdesertedinhisfirstonset,andwasdriventoJerusalem;healsohadbeentakenatfirstbyforce,ifScaurus,theRomangeneral,hadnotcomeandseasonablyinterposedhimself,andraisedthesiege.ThisScauruswassentintoSyriafromArmeniabyPompeytheGreat,whenhefoughtagainstTigranes;soScauruscametoDamascus,whichhadbeenlatelytakenbyMetellusandLollius,andcausedthemtoleavetheplace;and,uponhishearinghowtheaffairsofJudeastood,hemadehastethitherastoacertainbooty.

3. Assoon,therefore,ashewascomeintothecountry,therecameambassadorsfromboththebrothers,eachofthemdesiringhisassistance;butAristobulus’sthreehundredtalentshadmoreweightwithhimthanthejusticeofthecause;whichsum,whenScaurushadreceived,hesentaheraldtoHyrcanusandtheArabians,andthreatenedthemwiththeresentmentoftheRomansandofPompey,unlesstheywouldraisethesiege.SoAretaswasterrified,andretiredoutofJudeato


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Philadelphia,asdidScaurusreturntoDamascusagain;norwasAristobulussatisfiedwithescaping[outofhisbrother’shands,]butgatheredallhisforcestogether,andpursuedhisenemies,andfoughtthemataplacecalledPapyron,andslewaboutsixthousandofthem,and,togetherwiththemAntipater’sbrotherPhalion.

4. WhenHyrcanusandAntipaterwerethusdeprivedoftheirhopesfromtheArabians,theytransferredthesametotheiradversaries;andbecausePompeyhadpassedthroughSyria,andwascometoDamascus,theyfledtohimforassistance;and,withoutanybribes,theymadethesameequitablepleasthattheyhadusedtoAretas,andbesoughthimtohatetheviolentbehaviorofAristobulus,andtobestowthekingdomonhimtowhomitjustlybelonged,bothonaccountofhisgoodcharacterandonaccountofhissuperiorityinage.However,neitherwasAristobuluswantingtohimselfinthiscase,asrelyingonthebribesthatScaurushadreceived:hewasalsotherehimself,andadornedhimselfafteramannerthemostagreeabletoroyaltythathewasable.Buthesoonthoughtitbeneathhimtocomeinsuchaservilemanner,andcouldnotenduretoservehisownendsinawaysomuchmoreabjectthanhewasusedto;sohedepartedfromDiospolis.

5. AtthishisbehaviorPompeyhadgreatindignation;HyrcanusalsoandhisfriendsmadegreatintercessionstoPompey;sohetooknotonlyhisRomanforces,butmanyofhisSyrianauxiliaries,andmarchedagainstAristobulus.ButwhenhehadpassedbyPellaandScythopolis,andwascometoCorea,whereyouenterintothecountryofJudea,whenyougouptoitthroughtheMediterraneanparts,heheardthatAristobuluswasfledtoAlexandrium,whichisastrongholdfortifiedwiththeutmostmagnificence,andsituateduponahighmountain;andhesenttohim,andcommandedhimtocomedown.Nowhisinclinationwastotryhisfortuneinabattle,sincehewascalledinsuchanimperiousmanner,ratherthantocomplywiththatcall.However,hesawthemultitudewereingreatfear,andhisfriendsexhortedhimtoconsiderwhatthepoweroftheRomanswas,andhowitwasirresistible;sohecompliedwiththeiradvice,andcamedowntoPompey;andwhenhehadmadealongapologyforhimself,andforthejustnessofhiscauseintakingthegovernment,hereturnedtothefortress.Andwhenhisbrotherinvitedhimagain[topleadhiscause],hecamedownandspakeaboutthejusticeofit,andthenwentawaywithoutanyhinderancefromPompey;sohewasbetweenhopeandfear.Andwhenhecamedown,itwastoprevailwithPompeytoallowhimthegovernmententirely;andwhenhewentuptothecitadel,itwasthathemightnotappeartodebasehimselftoolow.However,Pompeycommandedhimtogiveuphisfortifiedplaces,andforcedhimtowritetoeveryoneoftheirgovernorstoyieldthemup;theyhavinghadthischargegiventhem,toobeynolettersbutwhatwereofhisownhand-writing.Accordinglyhedidwhathewasorderedtodo;buthadstillanindignationatwhatwasdone,andretiredtoJerusalem,andpreparedtofightwithPompey.

6. ButPompeydidnotgivehimtimetomakeanypreparations[forasiege],butfollowedhimathisheels;hewasalsoobligedtomakehasteinhisattempt,bythedeathofMithridates,ofwhichhewasinformedaboutJericho.NowhereisthemostfruitfulcountryofJudea,whichbearsavastnumberofpalmtreesbesidesthebalsamtree,whosesproutstheycutwithsharpstones,andattheincisionstheygatherthejuice,whichdropsdownliketears.SoPompeypitchedhiscampinthatplaceonenight,andthenhastedawaythenextmorningtoJerusalem;butAristobuluswassoaftrightedathisapproach,thathecameandmethimbywayof


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supplication.Healsopromisedhimmoney,andthathewoulddeliverupbothhimselfandthecityintohisdisposal,andtherebymitigatedtheangerofPompey.Yetdidnotheperformanyoftheconditionshehadagreedto;forAristobulus’spartywouldnotsomuchasadmitGabiniusintothecity,whowassenttoreceivethemoneythathehadpromised.


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Chapter71. AtthistreatmentPompeywasveryangry,andtookAristobulusintocustody.And

whenhewascometothecity,helookedaboutwherehemightmakehisattack;forhesawthewallsweresofirm,thatitwouldbehardtoovercomethem;andthatthevalleybeforethewallswasterrible;andthatthetemple,whichwaswithinthatvalley,wasitselfencompassedwithaverystrongwall,insomuchthatifthecityweretaken,thattemplewouldbeasecondplaceofrefugefortheenemytoretireto.

2. Nowasbewaslongindeliberatingaboutthismatter,aseditionaroseamongthepeoplewithinthecity;Aristobulus’spartybeingwillingtofight,andtosettheirkingatliberty,whilethepartyofHyrcanuswereforopeningthegatestoPompey;andthedreadpeoplewereinoccasionedtheselasttobeaverynumerousparty,whentheylookedupontheexcellentordertheRomansoldierswerein.SoAristobulus’spartywasworsted,andretiredintothetemple,andcutoffthecommunicationbetweenthetempleandthecity,bybreakingdownthebridgethatjoinedthemtogether,andpreparedtomakeanoppositiontotheutmost;butastheothershadreceivedtheRomansintothecity,andhaddeliveredupthepalacetohim,PompeysentPiso,oneofhisgreatofficers,intothatpalacewithanarmy,whodistributedagarrisonaboutthecity,becausehecouldnotpersuadeanyoneofthosethathadfledtothetempletocometotermsofaccommodation;hethendisposedallthingsthatwereroundaboutthemsoasmightfavortheirattacks,ashavingHyrcanus’spartyveryreadytoaffordthembothcounselandassistance.

3. ButPompeyhimselffilleduptheditchthatwasoilthenorthsideofthetemple,andtheentirevalleyalso,thearmyitselfbeingobligedtocarrythematerialsforthatpurpose.Andindeeditwasahardthingtofillupthatvalley,byreasonofitsimmensedepth,especiallyastheJewsusedallthemeanspossibletorepelthemfromtheirsuperiorsituation;norhadtheRomanssucceededintheirendeavors,hadnotPompeytakennoticeoftheseventhdays,onwhichtheJewsabstainfromallsortsofworkonareligiousaccount,andraisedhisbank,butrestrainedhissoldiersfromfightingonthosedays;fortheJewsonlyacteddefensivelyonsabbathdays.ButassoonasPompeyhadfilledupthevalley,heerectedhightowersuponthebank,andbroughtthoseengineswhichtheyhadfetchedfromTyreneartothewall,andtriedtobatteritdown;andtheslingersofstonesbeatoffthosethatstoodabovethem,anddrovethemaway;butthetowersonthissideofthecitymadeverygreatresistance,andwereindeedextraordinarybothforlargenessandmagnificence.

4. Nowhereitwasthat,uponthemanyhardshipswhichtheRomansunderwent,PompeycouldnotbutadmirenotonlyattheotherinstancesoftheJews’fortitude,butespeciallythattheydidnotatallintermittheirreligiousservices,evenwhentheywereencompassedwithdartsonallsides;for,asifthecitywereinfullpeace,theirdailysacrificesandpurifications,andeverybranchoftheirreligiousworship,wasstillperformedtoGodwiththeutmostexactness.Norindeedwhenthetemplewasactuallytaken,andtheywereeverydayslainaboutthealtar,didtheyleaveofftheinstancesoftheirDivineworshipthatwereappointedbytheirlaw;foritwasinthethirdmonthofthesiegebeforetheRomanscouldevenwithgreatdifficultyoverthrowoneofthetowers,andgetintothetemple.Nowhethatfirstofallventuredtogetoverthewall,wasFaustusCorneliusthesonofSylla;andnextafterhimweretwocenturions,FuriusandFabius;andeveryoneofthesewasfollowedby


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acohortofhisown,whoencompassedtheJewsonallsides,andslewthem,someofthemastheywererunningforsheltertothetemple,andothersasthey,forawhile,foughtintheirowndefense.

5. Andnowdidmanyofthepriests,evenwhentheysawtheirenemiesassailingthemwithswordsintheirhands,withoutanydisturbance,goonwiththeirDivineworship,andwereslainwhiletheywereofferingtheirdrink-offerings,andburningtheirincense,aspreferringthedutiesabouttheirworshiptoGodbeforetheirownpreservation.Thegreatestpartofthemwereslainbytheirowncountrymen,oftheadversefaction,andaninnumerablemultitudethrewthemselvesdownprecipices;nay,sometherewerewhoweresodistractedamongtheinsuperabledifficultiestheywereunder,thattheysetfiretothebuildingsthatwereneartothewall,andwereburnttogetherwiththem.NowoftheJewswereslaintwelvethousand;butoftheRomansveryfewwereslain,butagreaternumberwaswounded.

6. Buttherewasnothingthataffectedthenationsomuch,inthecalamitiestheywerethenunder,asthattheirholyplace,whichhadbeenhithertoseenbynone,shouldbelaidopentostrangers;forPompey,andthosethatwereabouthim,wentintothetempleitselfwhitheritwasnotlawfulforanytoenterbutthehighpriest,andsawwhatwasrepositedtherein,thecandlestickwithitslamps,andthetable,andthepouringvessels,andthecensers,allmadeentirelyofgold,asalsoagreatquantityofspicesheapedtogether,withtwothousandtalentsofsacredmoney.Yetdidnothetouchthatmoney,noranythingelsethatwastherereposited;buthecommandedtheministersaboutthetemple,theverynextdayafterhehadtakenit,tocleanseit,andtoperformtheiraccustomedsacrifices.Moreover,hemadeHyrcanushighpriest,asonethatnotonlyinotherrespectshadshowedgreatalacrity,onhisside,duringthesiege,butashehadbeenthemeansofhinderingthemultitudethatwasinthecountryfromfightingforAristobulus,whichtheywereotherwiseveryreadytohavedone;bywhichmeansheactedthepartofagoodgeneral,andreconciledthepeopletohimmorebybenevolencethanbyterror.Now,amongtheCaptives,Aristobulus’sfather-in-lawwastaken,whowasalsohisuncle:sothosethatwerethemostguiltyhepunishedwithdecollatlon;butrewardedFaustus,andthosewithhimthathadfoughtsobravely,withgloriouspresents,andlaidatributeuponthecountry,anduponJerusalemitself.

7. Healsotookawayfromthenationallthosecitiesthattheyhadformerlytaken,andthatbelongedtoCelesyria,andmadethemsubjecttohimthatwasatthattimeappointedtobetheRomanpresidentthere;andreducedJudeawithinitsproperbounds.HealsorebuiltGadara,thathadbeendemolishedbytheJews,inordertogratifyoneDemetrius,whowasofGadara,andwasoneofhisownfreed-men.Healsomadeothercitiesfreefromtheirdominion,thatlayinthemidstofthecountry,such,Imean,astheyhadnotdemolishedbeforethattime;Hippos,andScythopolis,asalsoPella,andSamaria,andMarissa;andbesidestheseAshdod,andJamnia,andArethusa;andinlikemannerdealthewiththemaritimecities,Gaza,andJoppa,andDora,andthatwhichwasancientlycalledStrato’sTower,butwasafterwardrebuiltwiththemostmagnificentedifices,andhaditsnamechangedtoCesarea,bykingHerod.Allwhichherestoredtotheirowncitizens,andputthemundertheprovinceofSyria;whichprovince,togetherwithJudea,andthecountriesasfarasEgyptandEuphrates,hecommittedtoScaurusastheirgovernor,andgavehimtwolegionstosupporthim;whilehemadeallthehastehecouldhimselftogothroughCilicia,in


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hiswaytoRome,havingAristobulusandhischildrenalongwithhimashiscaptives.Theyweretwodaughtersandtwosons;theoneofwhichsons,Alexander,ranawayashewasgoing;buttheyounger,Antigonus,withhissisters,werecarriedtoRome.


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Chapter81. INthemeantime,ScaurusmadeanexpeditionintoArabia,butwasstoppedbythe

difficultyoftheplacesaboutPetra.However,helaidwastethecountryaboutPella,thougheventherehewasundergreathardship;forhisarmywasafflictedwithfamine.Inordertosupplywhichwant,Hyrcanusaffordedhimsomeassistance,andsenthimprovisionsbythemeansofAntipater;whomalsoScaurussenttoAretas,asonewellacquaintedwithhim,toinducehimtopayhimmoneytobuyhispeace.ThekingofArabiacompliedwiththeproposal,andgavehimthreehundredtalents;uponwhichScaurusdrewhisarmyoutofArabia

2. ButasforAlexander,thatsonofAristobuluswhoranawayfromPompey,insometimehegotaconsiderablebandofmentogether,andlayheavyuponHyrcanus,andoverranJudea,andwaslikelytooverturnhimquickly;andindeedhehadcometoJerusalem,andhadventuredtorebuilditswallthatwasthrowndownbyPompey,hadnotGabinius,whowassentassuccessortoScaurusintoSyria,showedhisbravery,asinmanyotherpoints,soinmakinganexpeditionagainstAlexander;who,ashewasafraidthathewouldattackhim,sohegottogetheralargearmy,composedoftenthousandarmedfootmen,andfifteenhundredhorsemen.Healsobuiltwallsaboutproperplaces;Alexandrium,andHyrcanium,andMachorus,thatlayuponthemountainsofArabia.

3. However,GabiniussentbeforehimMarcusAntonius,andfollowedhimselfwithhiswholearmy;butfortheselectbodyofsoldiersthatwereaboutAntipater,andanotherbodyofJewsunderthecommandofMalichusandPitholaus,thesejoinedthemselvestothosecaptainsthatwereaboutMarcusAntonius,andmetAlexander;towhichbodycameOabiniuswithhismainarmysoonafterward;andasAlexanderwasnotabletosustainthechargeoftheenemies’forces,nowtheywerejoined,heretired.ButwhenhewascomeneartoJerusalem,hewasforcedtofight,andlostsixthousandmeninthebattle;threethousandofwhichfelldowndead,andthreethousandweretakenalive;sohefledwiththeremaindertoAlexandrium.

4. NowwhenGabiniuswascometoAlexandrium,becausehefoundagreatmanythereen-camped,hetried,bypromisingthempardonfortheirformeroffenses,toinducethemtocomeovertohimbeforeitcametoafight;butwhentheywouldhearkentonotermsofaccommodation,heslewagreatnumberofthem,andshutupagreatnumberoftheminthecitadel.NowMarcusAntonius,theirleader,signalizedhimselfinthisbattle,who,ashealwaysshowedgreatcourage,sodidhenevershowitsomuchasnow;butGabinius,leavingforcestotakethecitadel,wentawayhimself,andsettledthecitiesthathadnotbeendemolished,andrebuiltthosethathadbeendestroyed.Accordingly,uponhisinjunctions,thefollowingcitieswererestored:Scythopolis,andSamaria,andAnthedon,andApollonia,andJamnia,andRaphia,andMariassa,andAdoreus,andGamala,andAshdod,andmanyothers;whileagreatnumberofmenreadilyrantoeachofthem,andbecametheirinhabitants.

5. WhenGabiniushadtakencareofthesecities,hereturnedtoAlexandrium,andpressedonthesiege.SowhenAlexanderdespairedofeverobtainingthegovernment,hesentambassadorstohim,andprayedhimtoforgivewhathehadoffendedhimin,andgaveuptohimtheremainingfortresses,HyrcaniumandMacherus,asheputAlexandriumintohishandsafterwards;allwhichGabiniusdemolished,atthepersuasionofAlexander’smother,thattheymightnotbe


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receptaclesofmeninasecondwar.ShewasnowthereinordertomollifyGabinius,outofherconcernforherrelationsthatwerecaptivesatRome,whichwereherhusbandandherotherchildren.AfterthisGabiniusbroughtHyrcanustoJerusalem,andcommittedthecareofthetempletohim;butordainedtheotherpoliticalgovernmenttobebyanaristocracy.Healsopartedthewholenationintofiveconventions,assigningoneportiontoJerusalem,anothertoGadara,thatanothershouldbelongtoAmathus,afourthtoJericho,andtothefifthdivisionwasallottedSepphoris,acityofGalilee.Sothepeopleweregladtobethusfreedfrommonarchicalgovernment,andweregovernedforthefuturebyallaristocracy.

6. YetdidAristobulusaffordanotherfoundationfornewdisturbances.HefledawayfromRome,andgottogetheragainmanyoftheJewsthatweredesirousofachange,suchashadborneanaffectiontohimofold;andwhenhehadtakenAlexandriuminthefirstplace,heattemptedtobuildawallaboutit;butassoonasGabiniushadsentanarmyagainsthimunderSiscuria,andAntonius,andServilius,hewasawareofit,andretreatedtoMacherus.Andasfortheunprofitablemultitude,hedismissedthem,andonlymarchedonwiththosethatwerearmed,beingtothenumberofeightthousand,amongwhomwasPitholaus,whohadbeenthelieutenantatJerusalem,butdesertedtoAristobuluswithathousandofhismen;sotheRomansfollowedhim,andwhenitcametoabattle,Aristobulus’spartyforalongtimefoughtcourageously;butatlengththeywereoverbornebytheRomans,andofthemfivethousandfelldowndead,andabouttwothousandfledtoacertainlittlehill,butthethousandthatremainedwithAristobulusbrakethroughtheRomanarmy,andmarchedtogethertoMacherus;andwhenthekinghadlodgedthefirstnightuponitsruins,hewasinhopesofraisinganotherarmy,ifthewarwouldbutceaseawhile;accordingly,hefortifiedthatstronghold,thoughitwasdoneafterapoormanner.ButtheRomansfallinguponhim,heresisted,evenbeyondhisabilities,fortwodays,andthenwastaken,andbroughtaprisonertoGabinius,withAntigonushisson,whohadfledawaytogetherwithhimfromRome;andfromGabiniushewascarriedtoRomeagain.Whereforethesenateputhimunderconfinement,butreturnedhischildrenbacktoJudea,becauseGabiniusinformedthembylettersthathehadpromisedAristobulus’smothertodoso,forherdeliveringthefortressesuptohim.

7. ButnowasGabiniuswasmarchingtothewaragainsttheParthians,hewashinderedbyPtolemy,whom,uponhisreturnfromEuphrates,hebroughtbackintoEgypt,makinguseofHyrcanusandAntipatertoprovideeverythingthatwasnecessaryforthisexpedition;forAntipaterfurnishedhimwithmoney,andweapons,andcorn,andauxiliaries;healsoprevailedwiththeJewsthatwerethere,andguardedtheavenuesatPelusium,toletthempass.Butnow,uponGabinius’sabsence,theotherpartofSyriawasinmotion,andAlexander,thesonofAristobulus,broughttheJewstorevoltagain.Accordingly,hegottogetheraverygreatarmy,andsetaboutkillingalltheRomansthatwereinthecountry;hereuponGabiniuswasafraid,(forhewascomebackalreadyoutofEgypt,andobligedtocomebackquicklybythesetumults,)andsentAntipater,whoprevailedwithsomeoftherevolterstobequiet.However,thirtythousandstillcontinuedwithAlexander,whowashimselfeagertofightalso;accordingly,Gabiniuswentouttofight,whentheJewsmethim;andasthebattlewasfoughtnearMountTabor,tenthousandofthemwereslain,andtherestofthemultitudedispersedthemselves,andfledaway.


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SoGabiniuscametoJerusalem,andsettledthegovernmentasAntipaterwouldhaveit;thencehemarched,andfoughtandbeattheNabateans:asforMithridatesandOrsanes,whofledoutofParthin,hesentthemawayprivately,butgaveitoutamongthesoldiersthattheyhadrunaway.

8. Inthemeantime,CrassuscameassuccessortoGabiniusinSyria.HetookawayalltherestofthegoldbelongingtothetempleofJerusalem,inordertofurnishhimselfforhisexpeditionagainsttheParthians.HealsotookawaythetwothousandtalentswhichPompeyhadnottouched;butwhenhehadpassedoverEuphrates,heperishedhimself,andhisarmywithhim;concerningwhichaffairsthisisnotapropertimetospeak[morelargely].

9. ButnowCassius,afterCrassus,putastoptotheParthians,whoweremarchinginordertoenterSyria.Cassiushadfledintothatprovince,andwhenhehadtakenpossessionofthesame,hemadeahastymarchintoJudea;and,uponhistakingTaricheae,hecarriedthirtythousandJewsintoslavery.HealsoslewPitholaus,whohadsupportedtheseditiousfollowersofAristobulus;anditwasAntipaterwhoadvisedhimsotodo.NowthisAntipatermarriedawifeofaneminentfamilyamongtheArabisus,whosenamewasCypros,andhadfoursonsborntohimbyher,PhasaelusandHerod,whowasafterwardsking,and,besidesthese,JosephandPheroras;andhehadadaughterwhosenamewasSalome.Nowashemadehimselffriendsamongthemenofpowereverywhere,bythekindofficeshedidthem,andthehospitablemannerthathetreatedthem;sodidhecontractthegreatestfriendshipwiththekingofArabia,bymarryinghisrelation;insomuchthatwhenhemadewarwithAristobulus,hesentandintrustedhischildrenwithhim.SowhenCassiushadforcedAlexandertocometotermsandtobequiet,hereturnedtoEuphrates,inordertopreventtheParthiansfromrepassingit;concerningwhichmatterweshallspeakelsewhere.


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Chapter91. NOW,upontheflightofPompeyandofthesenatebeyondtheIonianSea,Caesargot

Romeandtheempireunderhispower,andreleasedAristobulusfromhisbonds.Healsocommittedtwolegionstohim,andsenthiminhasteintoSyria,ashopingthatbyhismeansheshouldeasilyconquerthatcountry,andthepartsadjoiningtoJudea.ButenvypreventedanyeffectofAristobulus’salacrity,andthehopesofCaesar;forhewastakenoffbypoisongivenhimbythoseofPompey’sparty;and,foralongwhile,hehadnotsomuchasaburialvouchsafedhiminhisowncountry;buthisdeadbodylay[aboveground],preservedinhoney,untilitwassenttotheJewsbyAntony,inordertobeburiedintheroyalsepulchers.

2. HissonAlexanderalsowasbeheadedbySci-pioatAntioch,andthatbythecommandofPompey,anduponanaccusationlaidagainsthimbeforehistribunal,forthemischiefshehaddonetotheRomans.ButPtolemy,thesonofMenneus,whowasthenrulerofChalcis,underLibanus,tookhisbrethrentohimbysendinghissonPhilippioforthemtoAscalon,whotookAntigonus,aswellashissisters,awayfromAristobulus’swife,andbroughtthemtohisfather;andfallinginlovewiththeyoungerdaughter,hemarriedher,andwasafterwardsslainbyhisfatheronheraccount;forPtolemyhimself,afterhehadslainhisson,marriedher,whosenamewasAlexandra;ontheaccountofwhichmarriagehetookthegreatercareofherbrotherandsister.

3. Now,afterPompeywasdead,Antipaterchangedsides,andcultivatedafriendshipwithCaesar.AndsinceMithridatesofPergamus,withtheforcesheledagainstEgypt,wasexcludedfromtheavenuesaboutPelusium,andwasforcedtostayatAsealon,hepersuadedtheArabians,amongwhomhehadlived,toassisthim,andcamehimselftohim,attheheadofthreethousandarmedmen.HealsoencouragedthemenofpowerinSyriatocometohisassistance,asalsooftheinhabitantsofLibanus,Ptolemy,andJamblicus,andanotherPtolemy;bywhichmeansthecitiesofthatcountrycamereadilyintothiswar;insomuchthatMithridatesventurednow,independenceupontheadditionalstrengththathehadgottenbyAntipater,tomarchforwardtoPelusium;andwhentheyrefusedhimapassagethroughit,hebesiegedthecity;intheattackofwhichplaceAntipaterprincipallysignalizedhimself,forhebroughtdownthatpartofthewallwhichwasoveragainsthim,andleapedfirstofallintothecity,withthementhatwereabouthim.

4. ThuswasPelusiumtaken.Butstill,astheyweremarchingon,thoseEgyptianJewsthatinhabitedthecountrycalledthecountryofOniasstoppedthem.ThendidAntipaternotonlypersuadethemnottostopthem,buttoaffordprovisionsfortheirarmy;onwhichaccounteventhepeopleaboutMemphiswouldnotfightagainstthem,butoftheirownaccordjoinedMithridates.WhereuponhewentroundaboutDelta,andfoughttherestoftheEgyptiansataplacecalledtheJews’Camp;nay,whenhewasindangerinthebattlewithallhisrightwing,Antipaterwheeledabout,andcamealongthebankoftherivertohim;forhehadbeatenthosethatopposedhimasheledtheleftwing.AfterwhichsuccesshefelluponthosethatpursuedMithridates,andslewagreatmanyofthem,andpursuedtheremaindersofarthathetooktheircamp,whilehelostnomorethanfourscoreofhisownmen;asMithridateslost,duringthepursuitthatwasmadeafterhim,abouteighthundred.


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Hewasalsohimselfsavedunexpectedly,andbecameanunreproachablewitnesstoCaesarofthegreatactionsofAntipater.

5. WhereuponCaesarencouragedAntipatertoundertakeotherhazardousenterprisesforhim,andthatbygivinghimgreatcommendationsandhopesofreward.Inallwhichenterpriseshereadilyexposedhimselftomanydangers,andbecameamostcourageouswarrior;andhadmanywoundsalmostalloverhisbody,asdemonstrationsofhisvalor.AndwhenCaesarhadsettledtheaffairsofEgypt,andwasreturningintoSyriaagain,hegavehimtheprivilegeofaRomancitizen,andfreedomfromtaxes,andrenderedhimanobjectofadmirationbythehonorsandmarksoffriendshiphebestoweduponhim.OnthisaccountitwasthathealsoconfirmedHyrcanusinthehighpriesthood.


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Chapter101. ABOUTthistimeitwasthatAntigonus,thesonofAristobulus,cametoCaesar,and

became,inasurprisingmanner,theoccasionofAntipater’sfurtheradvancement;forwhereasheoughttohavelamentedthathisfatherappearedtohavebeenpoisonedonaccountofhisquarrelswithPompey,andtohavecomplainedofScipio’sbarbaritytowardshisbrother,andnottomixanyinvidiouspassionwhenhewassuingformercy;besidesthosethings,hecamebeforeCaesar,andaccusedHyrcanusandAntipater,howtheyhaddrivenhimandhisbrethrenentirelyoutoftheirnativecountry,andhadactedinagreatmanyinstancesunjustlyandextravagantlywithrelationtotheirnation;andthatastotheassistancetheyhadsenthimintoEgypt,itwasnotdoneoutofgood-willtohim,butoutofthefeartheywereinfromformerquarrels,andinordertogainpardonfortheirfriendshipto[hisenemy]Pompey.

2. HereuponAntipaterthrewawayhisgarments,andshowedthemultitudeofthewoundshehad,andsaid,thatastohisgood-willtoCaesar,hehadnooccasiontosayaword,becausehisbodycriedaloud,thoughhesaidnothinghimself;thathewonderedatAntigonus’sboldness,whilehewashimselfnootherthanthesonofanenemytotheRomans,andofafugitive,andhaditbyinheritancefromhisfathertobefondofinnovationsandseditions,thatheshouldundertaketoaccuseothermenbeforetheRomangovernor,andendeavortogainsomeadvantagestohimself,whenheoughttobecontentedthathewassufferedtolive;forthatthereasonofhisdesireofgoverningpublicaffairswasnotsomuchbecausehewasinwantofit,butbecause,ifhecouldonceobtainthesame,hemightstirupaseditionamongtheJews,andusewhatheshouldgainfromtheRomanstothedisserviceofthosethatgaveithim.

3. WhenCaesarheardthis,hedeclaredHyrcanustobethemostworthyofthehighpriesthood,andgaveleavetoAntipatertochoosewhatauthorityhepleased;butheleftthedeterminationofsuchdignitytohimthatbestowedthedignityuponhim;sohewasconstitutedprocuratorofallJudea,andobtainedleave,moreover,torebuildthosewallsofhiscountrythathadbeenthrowndown.ThesehonorarygrantsCaesarsentorderstohaveengravedintheCapitol,thattheymightstandthereasindicationsofhisownjustice,andofthevirtueofAntipater.

4. ButassoonasAntipaterhadconductedCaesaroutofSyriahereturnedtoJudea,andthefirstthinghedidwastorebuildthatwallofhisowncountry[Jerusalem]whichPompeyhadoverthrown,andthentogooverthecountry,andtoquietthetumultsthatweretherein;wherehepartlythreatened,andpartlyadvised,everyone,andtoldthemthatincasetheywouldsubmittoHyrcanus,theywouldlivehappilyandpeaceably,andenjoywhattheypossessed,andthatwithuniversalpeaceandquietness;butthatincasetheyhearkenedtosuchashadsomefrigidhopesbyraisingnewtroublestogetthemselvessomegain,theyshouldthenfindhimtobetheirlordinsteadoftheirprocurator;andfindHyrcanustobeatyrantinsteadofaking;andboththeRomansandCaesartobetheirenemies,insteadofrulers;forthattheywouldnotsufferhimtoberemovedfromthegovernment,whomtheyhadmadetheirgovernor.And,atthesametimethathesaidthis,hesettledtheaffairsofthecountrybyhimself,becausehesawthatHyrcanuswasinactive,andnotfittomanagetheaffairsofthekingdom.Soheconstitutedhis


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eldestson,Phasaelus,governorofJerusalem,andofthepartsaboutit;healsosenthisnextson,Herod,whowasveryyoung,withequalauthorityintoGalilee.

5. NowHerodwasanactiveman,andsoonfoundpropermaterialsforhisactivespirittoworkupon.AsthereforehefoundthatHezekias,theheadoftherobbers,ranovertheneighboringpartsofSyriawithagreatbandofmen,hecaughthimandslewhim,andmanymoreoftherobberswithhim;whichexploitwaschieflygratefultotheSyrians,insomuchthathymnsweresunginHerod’scommendation,bothinthevillagesandinthecities,ashavingprocuredtheirquietness,andhavingpreservedwhattheypossessedtothem;onwhichoccasionhebecameacquaintedwithSextusCaesar,akinsmanofthegreatCaesar,andpresidentofSyria.AjustemulationofhisgloriousactionsexcitedPhasaelusalsotoimitatehim.Accordingly,heprocuredthegood-willoftheinhabitantsofJerusalem,byhisownmanagementofthecityaffairs,anddidnotabusehispowerinanydisagreeablemanner;whenceitcametopassthatthenationpaidAntipatertherespectsthatweredueonlytoaking,andthehonorstheyallyieldedhimwereequaltothehonorsduetoanabsolutelord;yetdidhenotabateanypartofthatgood-willorfidelitywhichheowedtoHyrcanus.

6. However,hefounditimpossibletoescapeenvyinsuchhisprosperity;forthegloryoftheseyoungmenaffectedevenHyrcanushimselfalreadyprivately,thoughhesaidnothingofittoanybody;butwhatheprincipallywasgrievedatwasthegreatactionsofHerod,andthatsomanymessengerscameonebeforeanother,andinformedhimofthegreatreputationhegotinallhisundertakings.Therewerealsomanypeopleintheroyalpalaceitselfwhoinflamedhisenvyathim;those,Imean,whowereobstructedintheirdesignsbytheprudenceeitheroftheyoungmen,orofAntipater.Thesemensaid,thatbycommittingthepublicaffairstothemanagementofAntipaterandofhissons,hesatdownwithnothingbutthebarenameofaking,withoutanyofitsauthority;andtheyaskedhimhowlonghewouldsofarmistakehimself,astobreedupkingsagainsthisowninterest;forthattheydidnotnowconcealtheirgovernmentofaffairsanylonger,butwereplainlylordsofthenation,andhadthrusthimoutofhisauthority;thatthiswasthecasewhenHerodslewsomanymenwithouthisgivinghimanycommandtodoit,eitherbywordofmouth,orbyhisletter,andthisincontradictiontothelawoftheJews;whotherefore,incasehebenotaking,butaprivateman,stilloughttocometohistrial,andanswerittohim,andtothelawsofhiscountry,whichdonotpermitanyonetobekilledtillhehathbeencondemnedinjudgment.

7. NowHyrcanuswas,bydegrees,inflamedwiththesediscourses,andatlengthcouldbearnolonger,buthesummonedHerodtotakehistrial.Accordingly,byhisfather’sadvice,andassoonastheaffairsofGalileewouldgivehimleave,hecameupto[Jerusalem],whenhehadfirstplacedgarrisonsinGalilee;however,hecamewithasufficientbodyofsoldiers,somanyindeedthathemightnotappeartohavewithhimanarmyabletooverthrowHyrcanus’sgovernment,noryetsofewastoexposehimtotheinsultsofthosethatenviedhim.However,SextusCaesarwasinfearfortheyoungman,lestheshouldbetakenbyhisenemies,andbroughttopunishment;sohesentsometodenounceexpresslytoHyrcanusthatheshouldacquitHerodofthecapitalchargeagainsthim;whoacquittedhimaccordingly,asbeingotherwiseinclinedalsosotodo,forhelovedHerod.

8. ButHerod,supposingthathehadescapedpunishmentwithouttheconsentoftheking,retiredtoSextus,toDamascus,andgoteverythingready,inordernottoobey


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himifheshouldsummonhimagain;whereuponthosethatwereevil-disposedirritatedHyrcanus,andtoldhimthatHerodwasgoneawayinanger,andwaspreparedtomakewaruponhim;andasthekingbelievedwhattheysaid,heknewnotwhattodo,sincehesawhisantagonistwasstrongerthanhewashimself.Andnow,sinceHerodwasmadegeneralofCoelesyriaandSamariabySextusCaesar,hewasformidable,notonlyfromthegood-willwhichthenationborehim,butbythepowerhehimselfhad;insomuchthatHyrcanusfellintotheutmostdegreeofterror,andexpectedhewouldpresentlymarchagainsthimwithhisarmy.

9. Norwashemistakenintheconjecturehemade;forHerodgothisarmytogether,outoftheangerhebarehimforhisthreateninghimwiththeaccusationinapubliccourt,andledittoJerusalem,inordertothrowHyrcanusdownfromhiskingdom;andthishehadsoondone,unlesshisfatherandbrotherhadgoneouttogetherandbrokentheforceofhisfury,andthisbyexhortinghimtocarryhisrevengenofurtherthantothreateningandaffrighting,buttosparetheking,underwhomhehadbeenadvancedtosuchadegreeofpower;andthatheoughtnottobesomuchprovokedathisbeingtried,astoforgettobethankfulthathewasacquitted;norsolongtothinkuponwhatwasofamelancholynature,astobeungratefulforhisdeliverance;andifweoughttoreckonthatGodisthearbitratorofsuccessinwar,anunjustcauseisofmoredisadvantagethananarmycanbeofadvantage;andthatthereforeheoughtnottobeentirelyconfidentofsuccessinacasewhereheistofightagainsthisking,hissupporter,andonethathadoftenbeenhisbenefactor,andthathadneverbeenseveretohim,anyotherwisethanashehadhearkenedtoevilcounselors,andthisnofurtherthanbybringingashadowofinjusticeuponhim.SoHerodwasprevaileduponbythesearguments,andsupposedthatwhathehadalreadydonewassufficientforhisfuturehopes,andthathehadenoughshownhispowertothenation.

10.Inthemeantime,therewasadisturbanceamongtheRomansaboutApamia,andacivilwaroccasionedbythetreacherousslaughterofSextusCaesar,byCeciliusBassus,whichheperpetratedoutofhisgood-willtoPompey;healsotooktheauthorityoverhisforces;butastherestofCaesar’scommandersattackedBassuswiththeirwholearmy,inordertopunishhimforthemurderofCaesar,Antipateralsosentthemassistancebyhissons,bothonaccountofhimthatwasmurdered,andonaccountofthatCaesarwhowasstillalive,bothofwhichweretheirfriends;andasthiswargrewtobeofaconsiderablelength,MarcuscameoutofItalyassuccessortoSextus.


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Chapter111. THERE,wasatthistimeamightywarraisedamongtheRomansuponthesudden

andtreacherousslaughterofCaesarbyCassiusandBrutus,afterhehadheldthegovernmentforthreeyearsandsevenmonths.Uponthismurdertherewereverygreatagitations,andthegreatmenweremightilyatdifferenceonewithanother,andeveryonebetookhimselftothatpartywheretheyhadthegreatesthopesoftheirown,ofadvancingthemselves.Accordingly,CassiuscameintoSyria,inordertoreceivetheforcesthatwereatApamia,whereheprocuredareconciliationbetweenBassusandMarcus,andthelegionswhichwereatdifferencewithhim;soheraisedthesiegeofApamia,andtookuponhimthecommandofthearmy,andwentaboutexactingtributeofthecities,anddemandingtheirmoneytosuchadegreeastheywerenotabletobear.

2. SohegavecommandthattheJewsshouldbringinsevenhundredtalents;whereuponAntipater,outofhisdreadofCassius’sthreats,partedtheraisingofthissumamonghissons,andamongothersofhisacquaintance,andtobedoneimmediately;andamongthemherequiredoneMalichus,whowasatenmitywithhim,todohispartalso,whichnecessityforcedhimtodo.NowHerod,inthefirstplace,mitigatedthepassionofCassius,bybringinghisshareoutofGalilee,whichwasahundredtalents,onwhichaccounthewasinthehighestfavorwithhim;andwhenhereproachedtherestforbeingtardy,hewasangryatthecitiesthemselves;sohemadeslavesofGophnaandEmmaus,andtwoothersoflessnote;nay,heproceededasifhewouldkillMalichus,becausehehadnotmadegreaterhasteinexactinghistribute;butAntipaterpreventedtheruinofthisman,andoftheothercities,andgotintoCassius’sfavorbybringinginahundredtalentsimmediately.

3. However,whenCassiuswasgoneMalichusforgotthekindnessthatAntipaterhaddonehim,andlaidfrequentplotsagainsthimthathadsavedhim,asmakinghastetogethimoutoftheway,whowasanobstacletohiswickedpractices;butAntipaterwassomuchafraidofthepowerandcunningoftheman,thathewentbeyondJordan,inordertogetanarmytoguardhimselfagainsthistreacherousdesigns;butwhenMalichuswascaughtinhisplot,heputuponAntipater’ssonsbyhisimpudence,forhethoroughlydeludedPhasaelus,whowastheguardianofJerusalem,andHerodwhowasintrustedwiththeweaponsofwar,andthisbyagreatmanyexcusesandoaths,andpersuadedthemtoprocurehisreconciliationtohisfather.ThuswashepreservedagainbyAntipater,whodissuadedMarcus,thethenpresidentofSyria,fromhisresolutionofkillingMalichus,onaccountofhisattemptsforinnovation.

4. UponthewarbetweenCassiusandBrutusononeside,againsttheyoungerCaesar[Augustus]andAntonyontheother,CassiusandMarcusgottogetheranarmyoutofSyria;andbecauseHerodwaslikelytohaveagreatshareinprovidingnecessaries,theythenmadehimprocuratorofallSyria,andgavehimanarmyoffootandhorse.Cassiuspremisedhimalso,thatafterthewarwasover,hewouldmakehimkingofJudea.Butitsohappenedthatthepowerandhopesofhissonbecamethecauseofhisperdition;forasMalichuswasafraidofthis,hecorruptedoneoftheking’scup-bearerswithmoneytogiveapoisonedpotiontoAntipater;sohebecameasacrificetoMalichus’swickedness,anddiedatafeast.Hewasamaninotherrespectsactive


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inthemanagementofaffairs,andonethatrecoveredthegovernmenttoHyrcanus,andpreserveditinhishands.

5. However,Malichus,whenliewassuspectedefpoisoningAntipater,andwhenthemultitudewasangrywithhimforit,deniedit,andmadethepeoplebelievehewasnotguilty.Healsopreparedtomakeagreaterfigure,andraisedsoldiers;forhedidnotsupposethatHerodwouldbequiet,whoindeedcameuponhimwithanarmypresently,inordertorevengehisfather’sdeath;but,uponhearingtheadviceofhisbrotherPhasaelus,nottopunishhiminanopenmanner,lestthemultitudeshouldfallintoasedition,headmittedofMalichus’sapology,andprofessedthatheclearedhimofthatsuspicion;healsomadeapompousfuneralforhisfather.

6. SoHerodwenttoSamaria,whichwastheninatumult,andsettledthecityinpeace;afterwhichatthe[Pentecost]festival,hereturnedtoJerusalem,havinghisarmedmenwithhim:hereuponHyrcanus,attherequestofMalichus,whofearedhisreproach,forbadethemtointroduceforeignerstomixthemselveswiththepeopleofthecountrywhiletheywerepurifyingthemselves;butHeroddespisedthepretense,andhimthatgavethatcommand,andcameinbynight.UponwhichMalithuscametohim,andbewailedAntipater;Herodalsomadehimbelieve[headmittedofhislamentationsasreal],althoughhehadmuchadotorestrainhispassionathim;however,hedidhimselfbewailthemurderofhisfatherinhisletterstoCassius,who,onotheraccounts,alsohatedMalichus.Cassiussenthimwordbackthatheshouldavengehisfather’sdeathuponhim,andprivatelygaveordertothetribunesthatwereunderhim,thattheyshouldassistHerodinarighteousactionhewasabout.

7. Andbecause,uponthetakingofLaodiceabyCassius,themenofpowerweregottentogetherfromallquarters,withpresentsandcrownsintheirhands,HerodallottedthistimeforthepunishmentofMalichus.WhenMalichussuspectedthat,andwasatTyre,heresolvedtowithdrawhissonprivatelyfromamongtheTyrians,whowasahostagethere,whilehegotreadytoflyawayintoJudea;thedespairhewasinofescapingexcitedhimtothinkofgreaterthings;forhehopedthatheshouldraisethenationtoarevoltfromtheRomans,whileCassiuswasbusyaboutthewaragainstAntony,andthatheshouldeasilydeposeHyrcanus,andgetthecrownforhimself.

8. Butfatelaughedatthehopeshehad;forHerodforesawwhathewassozealousabout,andinvitedbothHyrcanusandhimtosupper;butcallingoneoftheprincipalservantsthatstoodbyhimtohim,hesenthimout,asthoughitweretogetthingsreadyforsupper,butinrealitytogivenoticebeforehandabouttheplotthatwaslaidagainsthim;accordinglytheycalledtomindwhatordersCassiushadgiventhem,andwentoutofthecitywiththeirswordsintheirhandsuponthesea-shore,wheretheyencompassedMalichusroundabout,andkilledhimwithmanywounds.UponwhichHyrcanuswasimmediatelyaftrighted,tillheswoonedawayandfelldownatthesurprisehewasin;anditwaswithdifficultythathewasrecovered,whenheaskedwhoitwasthathadkilledMalichus.AndwhenoneofthetribunesrepliedthatitwasdonebythecommandofCassius,”Then,”saidhe,“Cassiushathsavedbothmeandmycountry,bycuttingoffonethatwaslayingplotsagainstthemboth.”Whetherhespakeaccordingtohisownsentiments,orwhetherhisfearwassuchthathewasobligedtocommendtheactionbysayingso,isuncertain;however,bythismethodHerodinflictedpunishmentuponMalichus.


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Chapter121. WHENCassiuswasgoneoutofSyria,anotherseditionaroseatJerusalem,wherein

FelixassaultedPhasaeluswithanarmy,thathemightrevengethedeathofMalichusuponHerod,byfallinguponhisbrother.NowHerodhappenedthentobewithFabius,thegovernorofDamascus,andashewasgoingtohisbrother’sassistance,hewasdetainedbysickness;inthemeantime,PhasaeluswasbyhimselftoohardforFelix,andreproachedHyrcanusonaccountofhisingratitude,bothforwhatassistancehehadaffordedMaliehus,andforoverlookingMalichus’sbrother,whenhepossessedhimselfofthefortresses;forhehadgottenagreatmanyofthemalready,andamongthemthestrongestofthemall,Masada.

2. However,nothingcouldbesufficientforhimagainsttheforceofHerod,who,assoonashewasrecovered,tooktheotherfortressesagain,anddrovehimoutofMasadainthepostureofasupplicant;healsodroveawayMarion,thetyrantoftheTyrians,outofGalilee,whenhehadalreadypossessedhimselfofthreefortifiedplaces;butastothoseTyrianswhomhehadcaught,hepreservedthemallalive;nay,someofthemhegavepresentsto,andsosentthemaway,andtherebyprocuredgood-willtohimselffromthecity,andhatredtothetyrant.MarionhadindeedobtainedthattyrannicalpowerofCassius,whosettyrantsoverallSyriaandoutofhatredtoHeroditwasthatheassistedAntigonus,thesonofAristobulus,andprincipallyonFabius’saccount,whomAntigonushadmadehisassistantbymoney,andhadhimaccordinglyonhissidewhenhemadehisdescent;butitwasPtolemy,thekinsmanofAntigonus,thatsuppliedallthathewanted.

3. WhenHerodhadfoughtagainsttheseintheavenuesofJudea,hewasconquerorinthebattle,anddroveawayAntigonus,andreturnedtoJerusalem,belovedbyeverybodyforthegloriousactionhehaddone;forthosewhodidnotbeforefavorhimdidjointhemselvestohimnow,becauseofhismarriageintothefamilyofHyrcanus;forashehadformerlymarriedawifeoutofhisowncountryofnoignobleblood,whowascalledDoris,ofwhomhebegatAntipater;sodidhenowmarryMariamne,thedaughterofAlexander,thesonofAristobulus,andthegranddaughterofHyrcanus,andwasbecometherebyarelationoftheking.

4. ButwhenCaesarandAntonyhadslainCassiusnearPhilippi,andCaesarwasgonetoItaly,andAntonytoAsia,amongsttherestofthecitieswhichsentambassadorstoAntonyuntoBithynia,thegreatmenoftheJewscamealso,andaccusedPhasaelusandHerod,thattheykeptthegovernmentbyforce,andthatHyrcanushadnomorethananhonorablename.Herodappearedreadytoanswerthisaccusation;andhavingmadeAntonyhisfriendbythelargesumsofmoneywhichhegavehim,hebroughthimtosuchatemperasnottoheartheothersspeakagainsthim;andthusdidtheypartatthistime.

5. However,afterthis,therecameahundredoftheprincipalmenamongtheJewstoDaphnebyAntiochtoAntony,whowasalreadyinlovewithCleopatratothedegreeofslavery;theseJewsputthosementhatwerethemostpotent,bothindignityandeloquence,foremost,andaccusedthebrethren.ButMessalaopposedthem,anddefendedthebrethren,andthatwhileHyrcanusstoodbyhim,onaccountofhisrelationtothem.WhenAntonyhadheardbothsides,heaskedHyrcanuswhichpartywasthefittesttogovern,whorepliedthatHerodandhispartywerethefittest.Antonywasgladofthatanswer,forhehadbeenformerlytreatedinanhospitable


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andobligingmannerbyhisfatherAntipater,whenhemarchedintoJudeawithGabinius;soheconstitutedthebrethrentetrarchs,andcommittedtothemthegovernmentofJudea.

6. Butwhentheambassadorshadindignationatthisprocedure,Antonytookfifteenofthem,andputthemintocustody,whomhewasalsogoingtokillpresently,andtheresthedroveawaywithdisgrace;onwhichoccasionastillgreatertumultaroseatJerusalem;sotheysentagainathousandambassadorstoTyre,whereAntonynowabode,ashewasmarchingtoJerusalem;uponthesemenwhomadeaclamorhesentoutthegovernorofTyre,andorderedhimtopunishallthathecouldcatchofthem,andtosettlethoseintheadministrationwhomhehadmadetetrarchs.

7. ButbeforethisHerod,andHyrcanuswentoutuponthesea-shore,andearnestlydesiredoftheseambassadorsthattheywouldneitherbringruinuponthemselves,norwarupontheirnativecountry,bytheirrashcontentions;andwhentheygrewstillmoreoutrageous,Antonysentoutarmedmen,andslewagreatmany,andwoundedmoreofthem;ofwhomthosethatwereslainwereburiedbyHyrcanus,aswerethewoundedputunderthecareofphysiciansbyhim;yetwouldnotthosethathadescapedbequietstill,butputtheaffairsofthecityintosuchdisorder,andsoprovokedAntony,thatheslewthosewhomhehadinbondsalso.


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Chapter131. Nowtwoyearsafterward,whenBarzapharnes,agovernoramongtheParthians,and

Paeorus,theking’sson,hadpossessedthemselvesofSyria,andwhenLysaniashadalreadysucceededuponthedeathofhisfatherPtolemy,thesonofMenneus,inthegovernment[ofChalcis],heprevailedwiththegovernor,byapromiseofathousandtalents,andfivehundredwomen,tobringbackAntigonustohiskingdom,andtoturnHyrcanusoutofit.Pacoruswasbythesemeansinducedsotodo,andmarchedalongthesea-coast,whileheorderedBarzapharnestofallupontheJewsashewentalongtheMediterraneanpartofthecountry;butofthemaritimepeople,theTyrianswouldnotreceivePacorus,althoughthoseofPtolemaisandSidonhadreceivedhim;sohecommittedatroopofhishorsetoacertaincup-bearerbelongingtotheroyalfamily,ofhisownname[Pacorus],andgavehimorderstomarchintoJudea,inordertolearnthestateofaffairsamongtheirenemies,andtohelpAntigonuswhenheshouldwanthisassistance.

2. NowasthesemenwereravagingCarmel,manyoftheJewsrantogethertoAntigonus,andshowedthemselvesreadytomakeanincursionintothecountry;sohesentthembeforeintothatplacecalledDrymus,[thewoodland]toseizeupontheplace;whereuponabattlewasfoughtbetweenthem,andtheydrovetheenemyaway,andpursuedthem,andranafterthemasfarasJerusalem,andastheirnumbersincreased,theyproceededasfarastheking’spalace;butasHyrcanusandPhasaelusreceivedthemwithastrongbodyofmen,therehappenedabattleinthemarket-place,inwhichHerod’spartybeattheenemy,andshutthemupinthetemple,andsetsixtymeninthehousesadjoiningasaguardtothem.Butthepeoplethatweretumultuousagainstthebrethrencamein,andburntthosemen;whileHerod,inhisrageforkillingthem,attackedandslewmanyofthepeople,tillonepartymadeincursionsontheotherbyturns,daybyday,inthewayofambushes,andslaughtersweremadecontinuallyamongthem.

3. NowwhenthatfestivalwhichwecallPentecostwasathand,alltheplacesaboutthetemple,andthewholecity,wasfullofamultitudeofpeoplethatwerecomeoutofthecountry,andwhichwerethegreatestpartofthemarmedalso,atwhichtimePhasaelusguardedthewall,andHerod,withafew,guardedtheroyalpalace;andwhenhemadeanassaultuponhisenemies,astheywereoutoftheirranks,onthenorthquarterofthecity,heslewaverygreatnumberofthem,andputthemalltoflight;andsomeofthemheshutupwithinthecity,andotherswithintheoutwardrampart.Inthemeantime,AntigonusdesiredthatPacorusmightbeadmittedtobeareconcilerbetweenthem;andPhasaeluswasprevailedupontoadmittheParthianintothecitywithfivehundredhorse,andtotreathiminanhospitablemanner,whopretendedthathecametoquellthetumult,butinrealityhecametoassistAntigonus;however,helaidaplotforPhasaelus,andpersuadedhimtogoasanambassadortoBarzapharnes,inordertoputanendtothewar,althoughHerodwasveryearnestwithhimtothecontrary,andexhortedhimtokilltheplotter,butnotexposehimselftothesnareshehadlaidforhim,becausethebarbariansarenaturallyperfidious.However,PacoruswentoutandtookHyrcanuswithhim,thathemightbethelesssuspected;healsoleftsomeofthehorsemen,calledtheFreemen,withHerod,andconductedPhasaeluswiththerest.


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4. Butnow,whentheywerecometoGalilee,theyfoundthatthepeopleofthatcountryhadrevolted,andwereinarms,whocameverycunninglytotheirleader,andbesoughthimtoconcealhistreacherousintentionsbyanobligingbehaviortothem;accordingly,heatfirstmadethempresents;andafterward,astheywentaway,laidambushesforthem;andwhentheywerecometooneofthemaritimecitiescalledEcdippon,theyperceivedthataplotwaslaidforthem;fortheywerethereinformedofthepromiseofathousandtalents,andhowAntigonushaddevotedthegreatestnumberofthewomenthatweretherewiththem,amongthefivehundred,totheParthians;theyalsoperceivedthatanambushwasalwayslaidforthembythebarbariansinthenighttime;theyhadalsobeenseizedonbeforethis,unlesstheyhadwaitedfortheseizureofHerodfirstatJerusalem,becauseifhewereonceinformedofthistreacheryoftheirs,hewouldtakecareofhimself;norwasthisamerereport,buttheysawtheguardsalreadynotfaroffthem.

5. NorwouldPhasaelusthinkofforsakingHyrcanusandflyingaway,althoughOphelliusearnestlypersuadedhimtoit;forthismanhadlearnedthewholeschemeoftheplotfromSaramalla,therichestofalltheSyrians.ButPhasaeluswentuptotheParfiliangovernor,andreproachedhimtohisfaceforlayingthistreacherousplotagainstthem,andchieflybecausehehaddoneitformoney;andhepromisedhimthathewouldgivehimmoremoneyfortheirpreservation,thanAntigonushadpromisedtogiveforthekingdom.ButtheslyParthianendeavoredtoremoveallthissuspicionbyapologiesandbyoaths,andthenwent[totheother]Pacorus;immediatelyafterwhichthoseParthianswhowereleft,andhaditincharge,seizeduponPhasaelusandHyrcanus,whocoulddonomorethancursetheirperfidiousnessandtheirperjury.

6. Inthemeantime,thecup-bearerwassent[back],andlaidaplothowtoseizeuponHerod,bydeludinghim,andgettinghimoutofthecity,ashewascommandedtodo.ButHerodsuspectedthebarbariansfromthebeginning;andhavingthenreceivedintelligencethatamessenger,whowastobringhimthelettersthatinformedhimofthetreacheryintended,hadfallenamongtheenemy,hewouldnotgooutofthecity;thoughPacorussaidverypositivelythatheoughttogoout,andmeetthemessengersthatbroughttheletters,forthattheenemyhadnottakenthem,andthatthecontentsofthemwerenotaccountsofanyplotsuponthem,butofwhatPhasaelushaddone;yethadheheardfromothersthathisbrotherwasseized;andAlexandratheshrewdestwomanintheworld,Hyrcanus’sdaughter,beggedofhimthathewouldnotgoout,nortrusthimselftothosebarbarians,whonowwerecometomakeanattemptuponhimopenly.

7. NowasPacorusandhisfriendswereconsideringhowtheymightbringtheirplottobearprivately,becauseitwasnotpossibletocircumventamanofsogreatprudencebyopenlyattackinghim,Herodpreventedthem,andwentoffwiththepersonsthatwerethemostnearlyrelatedtohimbynight,andthiswithouttheirenemiesbeingapprizedofit.ButassoonastheParthiansperceivedit,theypursuedafterthem;andashegaveordersforhismother,andsister,andtheyoungwomanwhowasbetrothedtohim,withhermother,andhisyoungestbrother,tomakethebestoftheirway,hehimself,withhisservants,tookallthecaretheycouldtokeepoffthebarbarians;andwhenateveryassaulthehadslainagreatmanyofthem,hecametothestrongholdofMasada.


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8. Nay,hefoundbyexperiencethattheJewsfellmoreheavilyuponhimthandidtheParthians,andcreatedhimtroublesperpetually,andthiseversincehewasgottensixtyfurlongsfromthecity;thesesometimesbroughtittoasortofaregularbattle.NowintheplacewhereHerodbeatthem,andkilledagreatnumberofthem,thereheafterwardbuiltacitadel,inmemoryofthegreatactionshedidthere,andadorneditwiththemostcostlypalaces,anderectedverystrongfortifications,andcalledit,fromhisownname,Herodium.Nowastheywereintheirflight,manyjoinedthemselvestohimeveryday;andataplacecalledThressaofIdumeahisbrotherJosephmethim,andadvisedhimtoeasehimselfofagreatnumberofhisfollowers,becauseMasadawouldnotcontainsogreatamultitude,whichwereaboveninethousand.Herodcompliedwiththisadvice,andsentawaythemostcumbersomepartofhisretinue,thattheymightgointoIdumea,andgavethemprovisionsfortheirjourney;buthegotsafetothefortresswithhisnearestrelations,andretainedwithhimonlythestoutestofhisfollowers;andthereitwasthathelefteighthundredofhismenasaguardforthewomen,andprovisionssufficientforasiege;buthemadehastehimselftoPetraofArabia.

9. AsfortheParthiansinJerusalem,theybetookthemselvestoplundering,andfelluponthehousesofthosethatwerefled,andupontheking’spalace,andsparednothingbutHyrcanus’smoney,whichwasnotabovethreehundredtalents.Theylightedonothermen’smoneyalso,butnotsomuchastheyhopedfor;forHerodhavingalongwhilehadasuspicionoftheperfidiousnessofthebarbarians,hadtakencaretohavewhatwasmostsplendidamonghistreasuresconveyedintoIdumea,aseveryonebelongingtohimhadinlikemannerdonealso.ButtheParthiansproceededtothatdegreeofinjustice,astofillallthecountrywithwarwithoutdenouncingit,andtodemolishthecityMarissa,andnotonlytosetupAntigonusforking,buttodeliverPhasaelusandHyrcanusboundintohis.hands,inordertotheirbeingtormentedbyhim.AntigonushimselfalsobitoffHyrcanus’searswithhisownteeth,ashefelldownuponhiskneestohim,thatsohemightneverbeableuponanymutationofaffairstotakethehighpriesthoodagain,forthehighprieststhatofficiatedweretobecomplete,andwithoutblemish.

10.However,hefailedinhispurposeofabusingPhasaelus,byreasonofhiscourage;forthoughheneitherhadthecommandofhisswordnorofhishands,hepreventedallabusesbydashinghisheadagainstastone;sohedemonstratedhimselftobeHerod’sownbrother,andHyrcanusamostdegeneraterelation,anddiedwithgreatbravery,andmadetheendofhislifeagreeabletotheactionsofit.Thereisalsoanotherreportabouthisend,viz.thatherecoveredofthatstroke,andthatasurgeon,whowassentbyAntigonustohealhim,filledthewoundwithpoisonousingredients,andsokilledhim;whichsoeverofthesedeathshecameto,thebeginningofitwasglorious.ItisalsoreportedthatbeforeheexpiredhewasinformedbyacertainpoorwomanhowHerodhadescapedoutoftheirhands,andthathesaidthereupon,“Inowdiewithcomfort,sinceIleavebehindmeonealivethatwillavengemeofmineenemies.”

11.ThiswasthedeathofPhasaelus;buttheParthians,althoughtheyhadfailedofthewomentheychieflydesired,yetdidtheyputthegovernmentofJerusalemintothehandsofAntigonus,andtookawayHyrcanus,andboundhim,andcarriedhimtoParthia.


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Chapter141. NOWHeroddidthemorezealouslypursuehisjourneyintoArabia,asmakinghaste

togetmoneyoftheking,whilehisbrotherwasyetalive;bywhichmoneyaloneitwasthathehopedtoprevailuponthecovetoustemperofthebarbarianstosparePhasaelus;forhereasonedthuswithhimself,:-thatiftheArabiankingwastooforgetfulofhisfather’sfriendshipwithhim,andwastoocovetoustomakehimafreegift,hewouldhoweverborrowofhimasmuchasmightredeemhisbrother,andputintohishands,asapledge,thesonofhimthatwastoberedeemed.Accordinglyheledhisbrother’ssonalongwithhim,whowasoftheageofsevenyears.Nowhewasreadytogivethreehundredtalentsforhisbrother,andintendedtodesiretheintercessionoftheTyrians,togetthemaccepted;however,fatehadbeentooquickforhisdiligence;andsincePhasaeluswasdead,Herod’sbrotherlylovewasnowinvain.Moreover,hewasnotabletofindanylastingfriendshipamongtheArabians;fortheirking,Malichus,senttohimimmediately,andcommandedhimtoreturnbackoutofhiscountry,andusedthenameoftheParthiansasapretenseforsodoing,asthoughthesehaddenouncedtohimbytheirambassadorstocastHerodoutofArabia;whileinrealitytheyhadamindtokeepbackwhattheyowedtoAntipater,andnotbeobligedtomakerequitalstohissonsforthefreegiftsthefatherhadmadethem.Healsotooktheimpudentadviceofthosewho,equallywithhimself,werewillingtodepriveHerodofwhatAntipaterhaddepositedamongthem;andthesemenwerethemostpotentofallwhomhehadinhiskingdom.

2. SowhenHerodhadfoundthattheArabianswerehisenemies,andthisforthoseveryreasonswhencehehopedtheywouldhavebeenthemostfriendly,andhadgiventhemsuchananswerashispassionsuggested,hereturnedback,andwentforEgypt.Nowhelodgedthefirsteveningatoneofthetemplesofthatcountry,inordertomeetwiththosewhomheleftbehind;butonthenextdaywordwasbroughthim,ashewasgoingtoRhinocurura,thathisbrotherwasdead,andhowhecamebyhisdeath;andwhenhehadlamentedhimasmuchashispresentcircumstancescouldbear,hesoonlaidasidesuchcares,andproceededonhisjourney.Butnow,aftersometime,thekingofArabiarepentedofwhathehaddone,andsentpresentlyawaymessengerstocallhimback:Herodhadpreventedthem,andwascometoPelusium,wherehecouldnotobtainapassagefromthosethatlaywiththefleet,sohebesoughttheircaptainstolethimgobythem;accordingly,outofthereverencetheyboretothefameanddignityoftheman,theyconductedhimtoAlexandria;andwhenhecameintothecity,hewasreceivedbyCleopatrawithgreatsplendor,whohopedhemightbepersuadedtobecommanderofherforcesintheexpeditionshewasnowabout;butherejectedthequeen’ssolicitations,andbeingneitheraftrightedattheheightofthatstormwhich.thenhappened,noratthetumultsthatwerenowinItaly,hesailedforRome.

3. ButashewasinperilaboutPamphylia,andobligedtocastoutthegreatestpartoftheship’slading,hewithdifficultygotsafetoRhodes,aplacewhichhadbeengrievouslyharassedinthewarwithCassius.Hewastherereceivedbyhisfriends,PtolemyandSappinius;andalthoughhewastheninwantofmoney,hefittedupathree-deckedshipofverygreatmagnitude,whereinheandhisfriendssailedtoBrundusium,andwentthencetoRomewithallspeed;wherehefirstofallwentto


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Antony,onaccountofthefriendshiphisfatherhadwithhim,andlaidbeforehimthecalamitiesofhimselfandhisfamily;andthathehadlefthisnearestrelationsbesiegedinafortress,andhadsailedtohimthroughastorm,tomakesupplicationtohimforassistance.

4. HereuponAntonywasmovedtocompassionatthechangethathadbeenmadeinHerod’saffairs,andthisbothuponhiscallingtomindhowhospitablyhehadbeentreatedbyAntipater,butmoreespeciallyonaccountofHerod’sownvirtue;sohethenresolvedtogethimmadekingoftheJews,whomhehadhimselfformerlymadetetrarch.ThecontestalsothathehadwithAntigonuswasanotherinducement,andthatofnolessweightthanthegreatregardhehadforHerod;forhelookeduponAntigonusasaseditiousperson,andanenemyoftheRomans;andasforCaesar,HerodfoundhimbetterpreparedthanAntony,asrememberingveryfreshthewarshehadgonethroughtogetherwithhisfather,thehospitabletreatmenthehadmetwithfromhim,andtheentiregood-willhehadshowedtohim;besidestheactivitywhichhesawinHerodhimself.Sohecalledthesenatetogether,whereinMessalas,andafterhimAtratinus,producedHerodbeforethem,andgaveafullaccountofthemeritsofhisfather,andhisowngood-willtotheRomans.AtthesametimetheydemonstratedthatAntigonuswastheirenemy,notonlybecausehesoonquarreledwiththem,butbecausehenowoverlookedtheRomans,andtookthegovernmentbythemeansoftheParthians.Thesereasonsgreatlymovedthesenate;atwhichjunctureAntonycamein,andtoldthemthatitwasfortheiradvantageintheParthianwarthatHerodshouldbeking;sotheyallgavetheirvotesforit.Andwhenthesenatewasseparated,AntonyandCaesarwentout,withHerodbetweenthem;whiletheconsulandtherestofthemagistrateswentbeforethem,inordertooffersacrifices,andtolaythedecreeintheCapitol.AntonyalsomadeafeastforHerodonthefirstdayofhisreign.


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Chapter151. NOWduringthistimeAntigonusbesiegedthosethatwereinMasada,whohadall

othernecessariesinsufficientquantity,butwereinwantofwater;onwhichaccountJoseph,Herod’sbrother,wasdisposedtorunawaytotheArabians,withtwohundredofhisownfriends,becausehehadheardthatMalichusrepentedofhisoffenseswithregardtoHerod;andhehadbeensoquickastohavebeengoneoutofthefortressalready,unless,onthatverynightwhenhewasgoingaway,therehadfallenagreatdealofrain,insomuchthathisreservoirswerefullofwater,andsohewasundernonecessityofrunningaway.Afterwhich,therefore,theymadeanirruptionuponAntigonus’sparty,andslewagreatmanyofthem,someinopenbattles,andsomeinprivateambush;norhadtheyalwayssuccessintheirattempts,forsometimestheywerebeaten,andranaway.

2. InthemeantimeVentidius,theRomangeneral,wassentoutofSyria,torestraintheincursionsoftheParthians;andafterhehaddonethat,hecameintoJudea,inpretenseindeedtoassistJosephandhisparty,butinrealitytogetmoneyofAntigonus;,andwhenhehadpitchedhiscampveryneartoJerusalem,assoonashehadgotmoneyenough,hewentawaywiththegreatestpartofhisforces;yetstilldidheleaveSilowithsomepartofthem,lestifhehadtakenthemallaway,histakingofbribesmighthavebeentooopenlydiscovered.NowAntigonushopedthattheParthianswouldcomeagaintohisassistance,andthereforecultivatedagoodunderstandingwithSilointhemeantime,lestanyinterruptionshouldbegiventohishopes.

3. NowbythistimeHerodhadsailedoutofItaly,andwascometoPtolemais;andassoonashehadgottentogethernosmallarmyofforeigners,andofhisowncountrymen,hemarchedthroughGalileeagainstAntigonus,whereinhewasassistedbyVentidiusandSilo,bothwhomDellius,apersonsentbyAntony,persuadedtobringHerod[intohiskingdom].NowVentidiuswasatthistimeamongthecities,andcomposingthedisturbanceswhichhadhappenedbymeansoftheParthians,aswasSiloinJudeacorruptedbythebribesthatAntigonushadgivenhim;yetwasnotHerodhimselfdestituteofpower,butthenumberofhisforcesincreasedeverydayashewentalong,andallGalilee,withfewexceptions,joinedthemselvestohim.Soheproposedtohimselftosetabouthismostnecessaryenterprise,andthatwasMasada,inordertodeliverhisrelationsfromthesiegetheyendured.ButstillJoppastoodinhisway,andhinderedhisgoingthither;foritwasnecessarytotakethatcityfirst,whichwasintheenemies’hands,thatwhenheshouldgotoJerusalem,nofortressmightbeleftintheenemies’powerbehindhim.Siloalsowillinglyjoinedhim,ashavingnowaplausibleoccasionofdrawingoffhisforces[fromJerusalem];andwhentheJewspursuedhim,andpresseduponhim,[inhisretreat,]Herodmadeallexcursionuponthemwithasmallbodyofhismen,andsoonputthemtoflight,andsavedSilowhenhewasindistress.

4. AfterthisHerodtookJoppa,andthenmadehastetoMasadatofreehisrelations.Now,ashewasmarching,manycameintohim,inducedbytheirfriendshiptohisfather,somebythereputationhehadalreadygainedhimself,andsomeinordertorepaythebenefitstheyhadreceivedfromthemboth;butstillwhatengagedthegreatestnumberonhisside,wasthehopesfromhimwhenheshouldbeestablishedinhiskingdom;sothathehadgottentogetheralreadyanarmyhardtobe


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conquered.ButAntigonuslaidanambushforhimashemarchedout,inwhichhedidlittleornoharmtohisenemies.However,heeasilyrecoveredhisrelationsagainthatwereinMasada,aswellasthefortressRessa,andthenmarchedtoJerusalem,wherethesoldiersthatwerewithSilojoinedthemselvestohisown,asdidmanyoutofthecity,fromadreadofhispower.

5. Nowwhenhehadpitchedhiscamponthewestsideofthecity,theguardsthatwerethereshottheirarrowsandthrewtheirdartsatthem,whileothersranoutincompanies,andattackedthoseintheforefront;butHerodcommandedproclamationtobemadeatthewall,thathewascomeforthegoodofthepeopleandthepreservationofthecity,withoutanydesigntoberevengedonhisopenenemies,buttograntobliviontothem,thoughtheyhadbeenthemostobstinateagainsthim.NowthesoldiersthatwereforAntigonusmadeacontraryclamor,anddidneitherpermitanybodytohearthatproclamation,nortochangetheirparty;soAntigonusgaveordertohisforcestobeattheenemyfromthewalls;accordingly,theysoonthrewtheirdartsatthemfromthetowers,andputthemtoflight.

6. AndhereitwasthatSilodiscoveredhehadtakenbribes;forhesetmanyofthesoldierstoclamorabouttheirwantofnecessaries,andtorequiretheirpay,inordertobuythemselvesfood,andtodemandthathewouldleadthemintoplacesconvenientfortheirwinterquarters;becauseallthepartsaboutthecitywerelaidwastebythemeansofAntigonus’sarmy,whichhadtakenallthingsaway.Bythishemovedthearmy,andattemptedtogetthemoffthesiege;butHerodwenttothecaptainsthatwereunderSilo,andtoagreatmanyofthesoldiers,andbeggedofthemnottoleavehim,whowassentthitherbyCaesar,andAntony,andthesenate;forthathewouldtakecaretohavetheirwantssuppliedthatveryday.Afterthemakingofwhichentreaty,hewenthastilyintothecountry,andbroughtthithersogreatanabundanceofnecessaries,thathecutoffallSilo’spretenses;andinordertoprovidethatforthefollowingdaystheyshouldnotwantsupplies,hesenttothepeoplethatwereaboutSamaria(whichcityhadjoineditselftohim)tobringcorn,andwine,andoil,andcattletoJericho.WhenAntigonusheardofthis,besentsomeofhispartywithorderstohinder,andlayambushesforthesecollectorsofcorn.Thiscommandwasobeyed,andagreatmultitudeofarmedmenweregatheredtogetheraboutJericho,andlayuponthemountains,towatchthosethatbroughttheprovisions.YetwasHerodnotidle,buttookwithhimtencohorts,fiveofthemwereRomans,andfivewereJewishcohorts,togetherwithsomemercenarytroopsintermixedamongthem,andbesidesthoseafewhorsemen,andcametoJericho;andwhenhecame,hefoundthecitydeserted,butthattherewerefivehundredmen,withtheirwivesandchildren,whohadtakenpossessionofthetopsofthemountains;thesehetook,anddismissedthem,whiletheRomansfellupontherestofthecity,andplunderedit,havingfoundthehousesfullofallsortsofgoodthings.SothekingleftagarrisonatJericho,andcameback,andsenttheRomanarmyintothosecitieswhichwerecomeovertohim,totaketheirwinterquartersthere,viz.intoJudea,[orIdumea,]andGalilee,andSamaria.AntigonusalsobybribesobtainedofSilotoletapartofhisarmybereceivedatLydda,asacomplimenttoAntonius.


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Chapter161. SOtheRomanslivedinplentyofallthings,andrestedfromwar.However,Herod

didnotlieatrest,butseizeduponIdumea,andkeptit,withtwothousandfootmen,andfourhundredhorsemen;andthishedidbysendinghisbrotherJosephthither,thatnoinnovationmightbemadebyAntigonus.Healsoremovedhismother,andallhisrelations,whohadbeeninMasada,toSamaria;andwhenhehadsettledthemsecurely,hemarchedtotaketheremainingpartsofGalilee,andtodriveawaythegarrisonsplacedtherebyAntigonus.

2. ButwhenHerodhadreachedSepphoris,inaverygreatsnow,hetookthecitywithoutanydifficulty;theguardsthatshouldhavekeptitflyingawaybeforeitwasassaulted;wherehegaveanopportunitytohisfollowersthathadbeenindistresstorefreshthemselves,therebeinginthatcityagreatabundanceofnecessaries.Afterwhichhehastedawaytotherobbersthatwereinthecaves,whooverranagreatpartofthecountry,anddidasgreatmischieftoitsinhabitantsasawaritselfcouldhavedone.Accordingly,hesentbeforehandthreecohortsoffootmen,andonetroopofhorsemen,tothevillageArbela,andcamehimselffortydaysafterwardswiththerestofhisforcesYetwerenottheenemyaftrightedathisassaultbutmethiminarms;fortheirskillwasthatofwarriors,buttheirboldnesswastheboldnessofrobbers:whenthereforeitcametoapitchedbattle,theyputtoflightHerod’sleftwingwiththeirrightone;butHerod,wheelingaboutonthesuddenfromhisownrightwing,cametotheirassistance,andbothmadehisownleftwingreturnbackfromitsflight,andfelluponthepursuers,andcooledtheircourage,tilltheycouldnotbeartheattemptsthatweremadedirectlyuponthem,andsoturnedbackandranaway.

3. ButHerodfollowedthem,andslewthemashefollowedthem,anddestroyedagreatpartofthem,tillthosethatremainedwerescatteredbeyondtheriver[Jordan;]andGalileewasfreedfromtheterrorstheyhadbeenunder,exceptingfromthosethatremained,andlayconcealedincaves,whichrequiredlongertimeeretheycouldbeconquered.InordertowhichHerod,inthefirstplace,distributedthefruitsoftheirformerlaborstothesoldiers,andgaveeveryoneofthemahundredandfiftydrachmaeofsilver,andagreatdealmoretotheircommanders,andsentthemintotheirwinterquarters.HealsosenttohisyoungestbrotherPheroas,totakecareofagoodmarketforthem,wheretheymightbuythemselvesprovisions,andtobuildawallaboutAlexandrium;whotookcareofboththoseinjunctionsaccordingly.

4. InthemeantimeAntonyabodeatAthens,whileVentidiuscalledforSiloandHerodtocometothewaragainsttheParthians,butorderedthemfirsttosettletheaffairsofJudea;soHerodwillinglydismissedSilotogotoVentidius,buthemadeanexpeditionhimselfagainstthosethatlayinthecaves.Nowthesecaveswereintheprecipicesofcraggymountains,andcouldnotbecomeatfromanyside,sincetheyhadonlysomewindingpathways,verynarrow,bywhichtheygotuptothem;buttherockthatlayontheirfronthadbeneathitvalleysofavastdepth,andofanalmostperpendiculardeclivity;insomuchthatthekingwasdoubtfulforalongtimewhattodo,byreasonofakindofimpossibilitytherewasofattackingtheplace.Yetdidheatlengthmakeuseofacontrivancethatwassubjecttotheutmosthazard;forheletdownthemosthardyofhismeninchests,andsetthematthemouthsofthedens.Nowthesemenslewtherobbersandtheirfamilies,andwhentheymade


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resistance,theysentinfireuponthem[andburntthem];andasHerodwasdesirousofsavingsomeofthem,hehadproclamationmade,thattheyshouldcomeanddeliverthemselvesuptohim;butnotoneofthemcamewillinglytohim;andofthosethatwerecompelledtocome,manypreferreddeathtocaptivity.Andhereacertainoldman,thefatherofsevenchildren,whosechildren,togetherwiththeirmother,desiredhimtogivethemleavetogoout,upontheassuranceandrighthandthatwasofferedthem,slewthemafterthefollowingmanner:Heorderedeveryoneofthemtogoout,whilehestoodhimselfatthecave’smouth,andslewthatsonofhisperpetuallywhowentout.Herodwasnearenoughtoseethissight,andhisbowelsofcompassionweremovedatit,andhestretchedouthisrighthandtotheoldman,andbesoughthimtosparehischildren;yetdidnotherelentatalluponwhathesaid,butoverandabovereproachedHerodonthelownessofhisdescent,andslewhiswifeaswellashischildren;andwhenhehadthrowntheirdeadbodiesdowntheprecipice,heatlastthrewhimselfdownafterthem.

5. BythismeansHerodsubduedthesecaves,andtherobbersthatwereinthem.Hethenleftthereapartofhisarmy,asmanyashethoughtsufficienttopreventanysedition,andmadePtolemytheirgeneral,andreturnedtoSamaria;heledalsowithhimthreethousandarmedfootmen,andsixhundredhorsemen,againstAntigonus.NowherethosethatusedtoraisetumultsinGalilee,havinglibertysotodouponhisdeparture,fellunexpectedlyuponPtolemy,thegeneralofhisforces,andslewhim;theyalsolaidthecountrywaste,andthenretiredtothebogs,andtoplacesnoteasilytobefound.ButwhenHerodwasinformedofthisinsurrection,hecametotheassistanceofthecountryimmediately,anddestroyedagreatnumberoftheseditions,andraisedthesiegesofallthosefortressestheyhadbesieged;healsoexactedthetributeofahundredtalentsofhisenemies,asapenaltyforthemutationstheyhadmadeinthecountry.

6. Bythistime(theParthiansbeingalreadydrivenoutofthecountry,andPacorusslain)Ventidius,byAntony’scommand,sentathousandhorsemen,andtwolegions,asauxiliariestoHerod,againstAntigonus.NowAntigonusbesoughtMacheras,whowastheirgeneral,byletter,tocometohisassistance,andmadeagreatmanymournfulcomplaintsaboutHerod’sviolence,andabouttheinjurieshedidtothekingdom;andpromisedtogivehimmoneyforsuchhisassistance;buthecompliednotwithhisinvitationtobetrayhistrust,forhedidnotcontemnhimthatsenthim,especiallywhileHerodgavehimmoremoney[thantheotheroffered].SohepretendedfriendshiptoAntigonus,butcameasaspytodiscoverhisaffairs;althoughhedidnothereincomplywithHerod,whodissuadedhimfromsodoing.ButAntigonusperceivedwhathisintentionswerebeforehand,andexcludedhimoutofthecity,anddefendedhimselfagainsthimasagainstanenemy,fromthewalls;tillMacheraswasashamedofwhathehaddone,andretiredtoEmmaustoHerod;andashewasinarageathisdisappointment,heslewalltheJewswhomhemetwith,withoutsparingthosethatwereforHerod,butusingthemallasiftheywereforAntigonus.

7. HereuponHerodwasveryangryathim,andwasgoingtofightagainstMacherasashisenemy;butherestrainedhisindignation,andmarchedtoAntonytoaccuseMacherasofmaladministration.ButMacheraswasmadesensibleofhisoffenses,andfollowedafterthekingimmediately,andearnestlybeggedandobtainedthathewouldbereconciledtohim.However,Heroddidnotdesistfromhisresolutionof


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goingtoAntony;butwhenheheardthathewasbesiegingSamosatawithagreatarmy,whichisastrongcityneartoEuphrates,hemadethegreaterhaste;asobservingthatthiswasaproperopportunityforshowingatoncehiscourage,andfordoingwhatwouldgreatlyobligeAntony.Indeed,whenhecame,hesoonmadeanendofthatsiege,andslewagreatnumberofthebarbarians,andtookfromthemalargeprey;insomuchthatAntony,whoadmiredhiscourageformerly,didnowadmireitstillmore.Accordingly,heheapedmanymorehonorsuponhim,andgavehimmoreassuredhopesthatheshouldgainhiskingdom;andnowkingAntiochuswasforcedtodeliverupSamosata.


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Chapter171. INthemeantime,Herod’saffairsinJudeawereinanillstate.Hehadlefthisbrother

Josephwithfullpower,buthadchargedhimtomakenoattemptsagainstAntigonustillhisreturn;forthatMacheraswouldnotbesuchanassistantashecoulddependon,asitappearedbywhathehaddonealready;butassoonasJosephheardthathisbrotherwasataverygreatdistance,heneglectedthechargehehadreceived,andmarchedtowardsJerichowithfivecohorts,whichMacherassentwithhim.Thismovementwasintendedforseizingonthecorn,asitwasnowinthemidstofsummer;butwhenhisenemiesattackedhiminthemountains,andinplaceswhichweredifficulttopass,hewasbothkilledhimself,ashewasverybravelyfightinginthebattle,andtheentireRomancohortsweredestroyed;forthesecohortswerenew-raisedmen,gatheredoutofSyria,andherewasnomixtureofthosecalledveteransoldiersamongthem,whomighthavesupportedthosethatwereunskillfulinwar.

2. ThisvictorywasnotsufficientforAntigonus;butheproceededtothatdegreeofrage,astotreatthedeadbodyofJosephbarbarously;forwhenhehadgotpossessionofthebodiesofthosethatwereslain,hecutoffhishead,althoughhisbrotherPheroraswouldhavegivenfiftytalentsasapriceofredemptionforit.AndnowtheaffairsofGalileewereputinsuchdisorderafterthisvictoryofAntigonus’s,thatthoseofAntigonus’spartybroughttheprincipalmenthatwereonHerod’ssidetothelake,andtheredrownedthem.TherewasagreatchangemadealsoinIdumea,whereMacheraswasbuildingawallaboutoneofthefortresses,whichwascalledGittha.ButHerodhadnotyetbeeninformedofthesethings;forafterthetakingofSamosata,andwhenAntonyhadsetSosiusovertheaffairsofSyria,andhadgivenhimorderstoassistHerodagainstAntigonus,hedepartedintoEgypt;butSosiussenttwolegionsbeforehimintoJudeatoassistHerod,andfollowedhimselfsoonafterwiththerestofhisarmy.

3. NowwhenHerodwasatDaphne,byAntioch,hehadsomedreamswhichclearlyforebodedhisbrother’sdeath;andasheleapedoutofhisbedinadisturbedmanner,therecamemessengersthatacquaintedhimwiththatcalamity.Sowhenhehadlamentedthismisfortuneforawhile,heputoffthemainpartofhismourning,andmadehastetomarchagainsthisenemies;andwhenhehadperformedamarchthatwasabovehisstrength,andwasgoneasfarasLibanus,hegothimeighthundredmenofthosethatlivedneartothatmountainashisassistants,andjoinedwiththemoneRomanlegion,withwhich,beforeitwasday,hemadeanirruptionintoGalilee,andmethisenemies,anddrovethembacktotheplacewhichtheyhadleft.Healsomadeanimmediateandcontinualattackuponthefortress.Yetwasheforcedbyamostterriblestormtopitchhiscampintheneighboringvillagesbeforehecouldtakeit.Butwhen,afterafewdays’time,thesecondlegion,thatcamefromAntony,joinedthemselvestohim,theenemywereaftrightedathispower,andlefttheirfortificationsillthenighttime.

4. AfterthishemarchedthroughJericho,asmakingwhathastehecouldtobeavengedonhisbrother’smurderers;wherehappenedtohimaprovidentialsign,outofwhich,whenhehadunexpectedlyescaped,hehadthereputationofbeingverydeartoGod;forthateveningtherefeastedwithhimmanyoftheprincipalmen;andafterthatfeastwasover,andalltheguestsweregoneout,thehousefelldown


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immediately.Andashejudgedthistobeacommonsignalofwhatdangersheshouldundergo,andhowheshouldescapetheminthewarthathewasgoingabout,he,inthemorning,setforwardwithhisarmy,whenaboutsixthousandofhisenemiescamerunningdownfromthemountains,andbegantofightwiththoseinhisforefront;yetdursttheynotbesoveryboldastoengagetheRomanshandtohand,butthrewstonesanddartsatthematadistance;bywhichmeanstheywoundedaconsiderablenumber;inwhichactionHerod’sownsidewaswoundedwithadart.

5. NowasAntigonushadamindtoappeartoexceedHerod,notonlyinthecourage,butinthenumberofhismen,hesentPappus,oneofhiscompanions,withanarmyagainstSamaria,whosefortuneitwastoopposeMacheras;butHerodoverrantheenemy’scountry,anddemolishedfivelittlecities,anddestroyedtwothousandmenthatwereinthem,andburnedtheirhouses,andthenreturnedtohiscamp;buthishead-quarterswereatthevillagecalledCana.

6. NowagreatmultitudeofJewsresortedtohimeveryday,bothoutofJerichoandtheotherpartsofthecountry.SomeweremovedsotodooutoftheirhatredtoAntigonus,andsomeoutofregardtothegloriousactionsHerodhaddone;butotherswereledonbyanunreasonabledesireofchange;sohefelluponthemimmediately.AsforPappusandhisparty,theywerenotterrifiedeitherattheirnumberorattheirzeal,butmarchedoutwithgreatalacritytofightthem;anditcametoaclosefight.Nowotherpartsoftheirarmymaderesistanceforawhile;butHerod,runningtheutmosthazard,outoftheragehewasinatthemurderofhisbrother,thathemightbeavengedonthosethathadbeentheauthorsofit,soonbeatthosethatopposedhim;andafterhehadbeatenthem,healwaysturnedhisforceagainstthosethatstoodtoitstill,andpursuedthemall;sothatagreatslaughterwasmade,whilesomewereforcedbackintothatvillagewhencetheycameout;healsopressedharduponthehindermost,andslewavastnumberofthem;healsofellintothevillagewiththeenemy,whereeveryhousewasfilledwitharmedmen,andtheupperroomswerecrowdedabovewithsoldiersfortheirdefense;andwhenhehadbeatenthosethatwereontheoutside,hepulledthehousestopieces,andpluckedoutthosethatwerewithin;uponmanyhehadtheroofsshakendown,wherebytheyperishedbyheaps;andasforthosethatfledoutoftheruins,thesoldiersreceivedthemwiththeirswordsintheirhands;andthemultitudeofthoseslainandlyingonheapswassogreat,thattheconquerorscouldnotpassalongtheroads.Nowtheenemycouldnotbearthisblow,sothatwhenthemultitudeofthemwhichwasgatheredtogethersawthatthoseinthevillagewereslain,theydispersedthemselves,andfledaway;upontheconfidenceofwhichvictory,HerodhadmarchedimmediatelytoJerusalem,unlesshetadbeenhinderedbythedepthofwinter’s[comingon].Thiswastheimpedimentthatlayinthewayofthishisentiregloriousprogress,andwaswhathinderedAntigonusfrombeingnowconquered,whowasalreadydisposedtoforsakethecity.

7. NowwhenattheeveningHerodhadalreadydismissedhisfriendstorefreshthemselvesaftertheirfatigue,andwhenhewasgonehimself,whilehewasstillhotinhisarmor,likeacommonsoldier,tobathehimself,andhadbutoneservantthatattendedhim,andbeforehewasgottenintothebath,oneoftheenemiesmethiminthefacewithaswordinhishand,andthenasecond,andthenathird,andafterthatmoreofthem;theseweremenwhohadrunawayoutofthebattleintothebathin


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theirarmor,andtheyhadlainthereforsometimein,greatterror,andinprivacy;andwhentheysawtheking,theytrembledforfear,andranbyhiminaflight,althoughhewasnaked,andendeavoredtogetoffintothepublicroad.Nowtherewasbychancenobodyelseathandthatmightseizeuponthesemen;andforHerod,hewascontentedtohavecometonoharmhimself,sothattheyallgotawayinsafety.

8. ButonthenextdayHerodhadPappus’sheadcutoff,whowasthegeneralforAntigonus,andwasslaininthebattle,andsentittohisbrotherPheroras,bywayofpunishmentfortheirslainbrother;forhewasthemanthatslewJoseph.Nowaswinterwasgoingoff,HerodmarchedtoJerusalem,andbroughthisarmytothewallofit;thiswasthethirdyearsincehehadbeenmadekingatRome;sohepitchedhiscampbeforethetemple,foronthatsideitmightbebesieged,andthereitwasthatPompeytookthecity.Sohepartedtheworkamongthearmy,anddemolishedthesuburbs,endraisedthreebanks,andgaveorderstohavetowersbuiltuponthosebanks,andleftthemostlaboriousofhisacquaintanceattheworks.ButhewenthimselftoSamaria,totakethedaughterofAlexander,thesonofAristobulus,towife,whohadbeenbetrothedtohimbefore,aswehavealreadysaid;andthusheaccomplishedthisbytheby,duringthesiegeofthecity,forhehadhisenemiesingreatcontemptalready.

9. WhenhehadthusmarriedMariamne,hecamebacktoJerusalemwithagreaterarmy.Sosiusalsojoinedhimwithalargearmy,bothofhorsemenandfootmen,whichhesentbeforehimthroughthemidlandparts,whilehemarchedhimselfalongPhoenicia;andwhenthewholearmywasgottentogether,whichwereelevenregimentsoffootmen,andsixthousandhorsemen,besidestheSyrianauxiliaries,whichwerenosmallpartofthearmy,theypitchedtheircampneartothenorthwall.Herod’sdependencewasuponthedecreeofthesenate,bywhichhewasmadeking;andSosiusrelieduponAntony,whosentthearmythatwasunderhimtoHerod’sassistance.


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Chapter181. NOWthemultitudeoftheJewsthatwereinthecityweredividedintoseveral

factions;forthepeoplethatcrowdedaboutthetemple,beingtheweakerpartofthem,gaveitoutthat,asthetimeswere,hewasthehappiestandmostreligiousmanwhoshoulddiefirst.Butastothemoreboldandhardymen,theygottogetherinbodies,andfellarobbingothersaftervariousmanners,andtheseparticularlyplunderedtheplacesthatwereaboutthecity,andthisbecausetherewasnofoodlefteitherforthehorsesorthemen;yetsomeofthewarlikemen,whowereusedtofightregularly,wereappointedtodefendthecityduringthesiege,andthesedrovethosethatraisedthebanksawayfromthewall;andthesewerealwaysinventingsomeengineoranothertobeahinderancetotheenginesoftheenemy;norhadtheysomuchsuccessanywayasintheminesunderground.

2. Nowasfortherobberieswhichwerecommitted,thekingcontrivedthatambushesshouldbesolaid,thattheymightrestraintheirexcursions;andasforthewantofprovisions,heprovidedthattheyshouldbebroughttothemfromgreatdistances.HewasalsotoohardfortheJews,bytheRomans’skillintheartofwar;althoughtheywereboldtotheutmostdegree,nowtheydurstnotcometoaplainbattlewiththeRomans,whichwascertaindeath;butthroughtheirminesundergroundtheywouldappearinthemidstofthemonthesudden,andbeforetheycouldbatterdownonewall,theybuiltthemanotherinitsstead;andtosumupallatonce,theydidnotshowanywanteitherofpainstakingorofcontrivances,ashavingresolvedtoholdouttotheverylast.Indeed,thoughtheyhadsogreatanarmylyingroundaboutthem,theyboreasiegeoffivemonths,tillsomeofHerod’schosenmenventuredtogetuponthewall,andfellintothecity,asdidSosius’scenturionsafterthem;andnowtheyfirstofallseizeduponwhatwasaboutthetemple;anduponthepouringinofthearmy,therewasslaughterofvastmultitudeseverywhere,byreasonoftheragetheRomanswereinatthelengthofthissiege,andbyreasonthattheJewswhowereaboutHerodearnestlyendeavoredthatnoneoftheiradversariesmightremain;sotheywerecuttopiecesbygreatmultitudes,astheywerecrowdedtogetherinnarrowstreets,andinhouses,orwererunningawaytothetemple;norwasthereanymercyshowedeithertoinfants,ortotheaged,ortotheweakersex;insomuchthatalthoughthekingsentaboutanddesiredthemtosparethepeople,nobodycouldbepersuadedtowithholdtheirrighthandfromslaughter,buttheyslewpeopleofallages,likemadmen.ThenitwasthatAntigonus,withoutanyregardtohisformerortohispresentfortune,camedownfromthecitadel,andfellatSosius’sfeet,whowithoutpityinghimatall,uponthechangeofhiscondition,laughedathimbeyondmeasure,andcalledhimAntigona.Yetdidhenottreathimlikeawoman,orlethimgofree,butputhimintobonds,andkepthimincustody.

3. ButHerod’sconcernatpresent,nowhehadgottenhisenemiesunderhispower,wastorestrainthezealofhisforeignauxiliaries;forthemultitudeofthestrangepeoplewereveryeagertoseethetemple,andwhatwassacredintheholyhouseitself;butthekingendeavoredtorestrainthem,partlybyhisexhortations,partlybyhisthreatenings,nay,partlybyforce,asthinkingthevictoryworsethanadefeattohim,ifanythingthatoughtnottobeseenwereseenbythem.Healsoforbade,atthesametime,thespoilingofthecity,askingSosiusinthemostearnestmanner,whethertheRomans,bythusemptyingthecityofmoneyandmen,hadamindto


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leavehimkingofadesert,-andtoldhimthathejudgedthedominionofthehabitableearthtoosmallacompensationfortheslaughterofsomanycitizens.AndwhenSosiussaidthatitwasbutjusttoallowthesoldiersthisplunderasarewardforwhattheysufferedduringthesiege,Herodmadeanswer,thathewouldgiveeveryoneofthesoldiersarewardoutofhisownmoney.Sohepurchasedthedeliveranceofhiscountry,andperformedhispromisestothem,andmadepresentsafteramagnificentmannertoeachsoldier,andproportionablytotheircommanders,andwithamostroyalbountytoSosiushimself,wherebynobodywentawaybutinawealthycondition.HereuponSosiusdedicatedacrownofgoldtoGod,andthenwentawayfromJerusalem,leadingAntigonusawayinbondstoAntony;thendidtheaxebringhimtohisend,whostillhadafonddesireoflife,andsomefrigidhopesofittothelast,butbyhiscowardlybehaviorwelldeservedtodiebyit.

4. HereuponkingHeroddistinguishedthemultitudethatwasinthecity;andforthosethatwereofhisside,hemadethemstillmorehisfriendsbythehonorsheconferredonthem;butforthoseofAntigonus’sparty,heslewthem;andashismoneyranlow,heturnedalltheornamentshehadintomoney,andsentittoAntony,andtothoseabouthim.Yetcouldhenotherebypurchaseanexemptionfromallsufferings;forAntonywasnowbewitchedbyhislovetoCleopatra,andwasentirelyconqueredbyhercharms.NowCleopatrahadputtodeathallherkindred,tillnoonenearherinbloodremainedalive,andafterthatshefellaslayingthosenowayrelatedtoher.SoshecalumniatedtheprincipalmenamongtheSyrianstoAntony,andpersuadedhimtohavethemslain,thatsoshemighteasilygaintobemistressofwhattheyhad;nay,sheextendedheravaricioushumortotheJewsandArabians,andsecretlylaboredtohaveHerodandMalichus,thekingsofboththosenations,slainbyhisorder.

5. NowistotheseherinjunctionstoAntony,hecompliedinpart;forthoughheesteemedittooabominableathingtokillsuchgoodandgreatkings,yetwashetherebyalienatedfromthefriendshiphehadforthem.Healsotookawayagreatdealoftheircountry;nay,eventheplantationofpalmtreesatJericho,wherealsogrowsthebalsamtree,andbestowedthemuponher;asalsoallthecitiesonthissidetheriverEleutherus,TyreandSidonexcepted.Andwhenshewasbecomemistressofthese,andhadconductedAntonyinhisexpeditionagainsttheParthiansasfarasEuphrates,shecamebyApamiaandDamascusintoJudeaandtheredidHerodpacifyherindignationathimbylargepresents.Healsohiredofherthoseplacesthathadbeentornawayfromhiskingdom,attheyearlyrentoftwohundredtalents.HeconductedheralsoasfarasPelusium,andpaidheralltherespectspossible.NowitwasnotlongafterthisthatAntonywascomebackfromParthia,andledwithhimArtabazes,Tigranes’sson,captive,asapresentforCleopatra;forthisParthianwaspresentlygivenher,withhismoney,andallthepreythatwastakenwithhim.


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Chapter191. NOWwhenthewaraboutActiumwasbegun,Herodpreparedtocometothe

assistanceofAntony,asbeingalreadyfreedfromhistroublesinJudea,andhavinggainedHyrcania,whichwasaplacethatwasheldbyAntigonus’ssister.However,hewascunninglyhinderedfrompartakingofthehazardsthatAntonywentthroughbyCleopatra;forsince,aswehavealreadynoted,shehadlaidaplotagainstthekings[ofJudeaandArabia],sheprevailedwithAntonytocommitthewaragainsttheArabianstoHerod;thatso,ifhegotthebetter,shemightbecomemistressofArabia,or,ifhewereworsted,ofJudea;andthatshemightdestroyoneofthosekingsbytheother.

2. However,thiscontrivancetendedtotheadvantageofHerod;forattheveryfirsthetookhostagesfromtheenemy,andgottogetheragreatbodyofhorse,andorderedthemtomarchagainstthemaboutDiespous;andheconqueredthatarmy,althoughitfoughtresolutelyagainsthim.Afterwhichdefeat,theArabianswereingreatmotion,andassembledthemselvestogetheratKanatha,acityofCelesyria,invastmultitudes,andwaitedfortheJews.AndwhenHerodwascomethither,hetriedtomanagethiswarwithparticularprudence,andgaveordersthattheyshouldbuildawallabouttheircamp;yetdidnotthemultitudecomplywiththoseorders,butweresoemboldenedbytheirforegoingvictory,thattheypresentlyattackedtheArabians,andbeatthematthefirstonset,andthenpursuedthem;yetweretheresnareslaidforHerodinthatpursuit;whileAthenio,whowasoneofCleopatra’sgenerals,andalwaysanantagonisttoHerod,sentoutofKanathathemenofthatcountryagainsthim;for,uponthisfreshonset,theArabianstookcourage,andreturnedback,andbothjoinedtheirnumerousforcesaboutstonyplaces,thatwerehardtobegoneover,andthereputHerod’smentotherout,andmadeagreatslaughterofthem;butthosethatescapedoutofthebattlefledtoOrmiza,wheretheArabianssurroundedtheircamp,andtookit,withallthemeninit.

3. Inalittletimeafterthiscalamity,Herodcametobringthemsuccors;buthecametoolate.Nowtheoccasionofthatblowwasthis,thattheofficerswouldnotobeyorders;forhadnotthefightbegunsosuddenly,AtheniohadnotfoundaproperseasonforthesnareshelaidforHerod:however,hewasevenwiththeArabiansafterward,andoverrantheircountry,anddidthemmoreharmthantheirsinglevictorycouldcompensate.Butashewasavenginghimselfonhisenemies,therefelluponhimanotherprovidentialcalamity;forintheseventhyearofhisreign,whenthewaraboutActiumwasattheheight,atthebeginningofthespring,theearthwasshaken,anddestroyedanimmensenumberofcattle,withthirtythousandmen;butthearmyreceivednoharm,becauseitlayintheopenair.Inthemeantime,thefameofthisearthquakeelevatedtheArabianstogreatercourage,andthisbyaugmentingittoafabulousheight,asisconstantlythecaseinmelancholyaccidents,andpretendingthatallJudeawasoverthrown.Uponthissupposal,therefore,thattheyshouldeasilygetalandthatwasdestituteofinhabitantsintotheirpower,theyfirstsacrificedthoseambassadorswhowerecometothemfromtheJews,andthenmarchedintoJudeaimmediately.NowtheJewishnationwereaffrightedatthisinvasion,andquitedispiritedatthegreatnessoftheircalamitiesoneafteranother;whomyetHerodgottogether,andendeavoredtoencouragetodefendthemselvesbythefollowingspeechwhichhemadetothem:


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4. “Thepresentdreadyouareunderseemstometohaveseizeduponyouveryunreasonably.Itistrue,youmightjustlybedismayedatthatprovidentialchastisementwhichhathbefallenyou;buttosufferyourselvestobeequallyterrifiedattheinvasionofmenisunmanly.Asformyself,Iamsofarfrombeingaftrightedatourenemiesafterthisearthquake,thatIimaginethatGodhaththerebylaidabaitfortheArabians,thatwemaybeavengedonthem;fortheirpresentinvasionproceedsmorefromouraccidentalmisfortunes,thanthattheyhaveanygreatdependenceontheirweapons,ortheirownfitnessforaction.Nowthathopewhichdependsnotonmen’sownpower,butonothers’illsuccess,isaveryticklishthing;forthereisnocertaintyamongmen,eitherintheirbadorgoodfortunes;butwemayeasilyobservethatfortuneismutable,andgoesfromonesidetoanother;andthisyoumayreadilylearnfromexamplesamongyourselves;forwhenyouwereoncevictorsintheformerfight,yourenemiesovercameyouatlast;andverylikelyitwillnowhappenso,thatthesewhothinkthemselvessureofbeatingyouwillthemselvesbebeaten.Forwhenmenareveryconfident,theyarenotupontheirguard,whilefearteachesmentoactwithcaution;insomuchthatIventuretoprovefromyourverytimorousnessthatyououghttotakecourage;forwhenyouweremoreboldthanyououghttohavebeen,andthanIwouldhavehadyou,andmarchedon,Athenio’streacherytookplace;butyourpresentslownessandseemingdejectionofmindistomeapledgeandassuranceofvictory.Andindeeditisproperbeforehandtobethusprovident;butwhenwecometoaction,weoughttoerectourminds,andtomakeourenemies,betheyeversowicked,believethatneitheranyhuman,no,noranyprovidentialmisfortune,caneverdepressthecourageofJewswhiletheyarealive;norwillanyofthemeveroverlookanArabian,orsuffersuchaonetobecomelordofhisgoodthings,whomhehasinamannertakencaptive,andthatmanytimesalso.Anddonotyoudisturbyourselvesatthequakingofinanimatecreatures,nordoyouimaginethatthisearthquakeisasignofanothercalamity;forsuchaffectionsoftheelementsareaccordingtothecourseofnature,nordoesitimportanythingfurthertomen,thanwhatmischiefitdoesimmediatelyofitself.Perhapstheremaycomesomeshortsignbeforehandinthecaseofpestilences,andfamines,andearthquakes;butthesecalamitiesthemselveshavetheirforcelimitedbythemselves[withoutforebodinganyothercalamity].Andindeedwhatgreatermischiefcanthewar,thoughitshouldbeaviolentone,dotousthantheearthquakehathdone?Nay,thereisasignalofourenemies’destructionvisible,andthataverygreatonealso;andthisisnotanaturalone,norderivedfromthehandofforeignersneither,butitisthis,thattheyhavebarbarouslymurderedourambassadors,contrarytothecommonlawofmankind;andtheyhavedestroyedsomany,asiftheyesteemedthemsacrificesforGod,inrelationtothiswar.Buttheywillnotavoidhisgreateye,norhisinvinciblerighthand;andweshallberevengedofthempresently,incasewestillretainanyofthecourageofourforefathers,andriseupboldlytopunishthesecovenant-breakers.Leteveryonethereforegoonandfight,notsomuchforhiswifeorhischildren,orforthedangerhiscountryisin,asfortheseambassadorsofours;thosedeadambassadorswillconductthiswarofoursbetterthanweourselveswhoarealive.Andifyouwillberuledbyme,Iwillmyselfgobeforeyouintodanger;foryouknowthiswellenough,thatyourcourageisirresistible,unlessyouhurtyourselvesbyactingrashly.


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5. WhenHerodhadencouragedthembythisspeech,andhesawwithwhatalacritytheywent,heofferedsacrificetoGod;andafterthatsacrifice,hepassedovertheriverJordanwithhisarmy,andpitchedhiscampaboutPhiladelphia,neartheenemy,andaboutafortificationthatlaybetweenthem.Hethenshotatthematadistance,andwasdesiroustocometoanengagementpresently;forsomeofthemhadbeensentbeforehandtoseizeuponthatfortification:butthekingsentsomewhoimmediatelybeatthemoutofthefortification,whilehehimselfwentintheforefrontofthearmy,whichheputinbattle-arrayeveryday,andinvitedtheArabianstofight.Butasnoneofthemcameoutoftheircamp,fortheywereinaterriblefright,andtheirgeneral,Elthemus,wasnotabletosayawordforfear,-soHerodcameuponthem,andpulledtheirfortificationtopieces,bywhichmeanstheywerecompelledtocomeouttofight,whichtheydidindisorder,andsothatthehorsemenandfoot-menweremixedtogether.TheywereindeedsuperiortotheJewsinnumber,butinferiorintheiralacrity,althoughtheywereobligedtoexposethemselvestodangerbytheirverydespairofvictory.

6. Nowwhiletheymadeopposition,theyhadnotagreatnumberslain;butassoonastheyturnedtheirbacks,agreatmanyweretroddentopiecesbytheJews,andagreatmanybythemselves,andsoperished,tillfivethousandwerefallendowndeadintheirflight,whiletherestofthemultitudepreventedtheirimmediatedeath,bycrowdingintothefortification.Herodencompassedthesearound,andbesiegedthem;andwhiletheywerereadytobetakenbytheirenemiesinarms,theyhadanotheradditionaldistressuponthem,whichwasthirstandwantofwater;forthekingwasabovehearkeningtotheirambassadors;andwhentheyofferedfivehundredtalents,asthepriceoftheirredemption,hepressedstillharderuponthem.Andastheywereburntupbytheirthirst,theycameoutandvoluntarilydeliveredthemselvesupbymultitudestotheJews,tillinfivedays’timefourthousandofthemwereputintobonds;andonthesixthdaythemultitudethatwereleftdespairedofsavingthemselves,andcameouttofight:withtheseHerodfought,andslewagainaboutseventhousand,insomuchthathepunishedArabiasoseverely,andsofarextinguishedthespiritsofthemen,thathewaschosenbythenationfortheirruler.


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Chapter201. BUTnowHerodwasunderimmediateconcernaboutamostimportantaffair,on

accountofhisfriendshipwithAntony,whowasalreadyovercomeatActiumbyCaesar;yethewasmoreafraidthanhurt;forCaesardidnotthinkhehadquiteundoneAntony,whileHerodcontinuedhisassistancetohim.However,thekingresolvedtoexposehimselftodangers:accordinglyhesailedtoRhodes,whereCaesarthenabode,andcametohimwithouthisdiadem,andinthehabitandappearanceofaprivateperson,butinhisbehaviorasaking.Soheconcealednothingofthetruth,butspikethusbeforehisface:“OCaesar,asIwasmadekingoftheJewsbyAntony,sodoIprofessthatIhaveusedmyroyalauthorityinthebestmanner,andentirelyforhisadvantage;norwillIconcealthisfurther,thatthouhadstcertainlyfoundmeinarms,andaninseparablecompanionofhis,hadnottheArabianshinderedme.However,IsenthimasmanyauxiliariesasIwasable,andmanytenthousand[cori]ofcorn.Nay,indeed,IdidnotdesertmybenefactorafterthebowthatwasgivenhimatActium;butIgavehimthebestadviceIwasable,whenIwasnolongerabletoassisthiminthewar;andItoldhimthattherewasbutonewayofrecoveringhisaffairs,andthatwastokillCleopatra;andIpromisedhimthat,ifshewereoncedead,Iwouldaffordhimmoneyandwallsforhissecurity,withanarmyandmyselftoassisthiminhiswaragainstthee:buthisaffectionsforCleopatrastoppedhisears,asdidGodhimselfalsowhohathbestowedthegovernmentonthee.Iownmyselfalsotobeovercometogetherwithhim;andwithhislastfortuneIhavelaidasidemydiadem,andamcomehithertothee,havingmyhopesofsafetyinthyvirtue;andIdesirethatthouwiltfirstconsiderhowfaithfulafriend,andnotwhosefriend,Ihavebeen.”

2. Caesarrepliedtohimthus:“Nay,thoushaltnotonlybeinsafety,butthoushaltbeaking;andthatmorefirmlythanthouwastbefore;forthouartworthytoreignoveragreatmanysubjects,byreasonofthefastnessofthyfriendship;anddothouendeavortobeequallyconstantinthyfriendshiptome,uponmygoodsuccess,whichiswhatIdependuponfromthegenerosityofthydisposition.However,AntonyhathdonewellinpreferringCleopatratothee;forbythismeanswehavegainedtheebyhermadness,andthusthouhastbeguntobemyfriendbeforeIbegantobethine;onwhichaccountQuintusDidiushathwrittentomethatthousentesthimassistanceagainstthegladiators.IdothereforeassuretheethatIwillconfirmthekingdomtotheebydecree:Ishallalsoendeavortodotheesomefurtherkindnesshereafter,thatthoumaystfindnolossinthewantofAntony.”

3. WhenCaesarhadspokensuchobligingthingstotheking,andhadputthediademagainabouthishead,heproclaimedwhathehadbestowedonhimbyadecree,inwhichheenlargedinthecommendationofthemanafteramagnificentmanner.WhereuponHerodobligedhimtobekindtohimbythepresentshegavehim,andhedesiredhimtoforgiveAlexander,oneofAntony’sfriends,whowasbecomeasupplicanttohim.ButCaesar’sangeragainsthimprevailed,andhecomplainedofthemanyandverygreatoffensesthemanwhomhepetitionedforhadbeenguiltyof;andbythatmeansherejectedhispetition.AfterthisCaesarwentforEgyptthroughSyria,whenHerodreceivedhimwithroyalandrichentertainments;andthendidhefirstofallridealongwithCaesar,ashewasreviewinghisarmyaboutPtolemais,andfeastedhimwithallhisfriends,andthendistributedamongtherest


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ofthearmywhatwasnecessarytofeastthemwithal.Healsomadeaplentifulprovisionofwaterforthem,whentheyweretomarchasfarasPelusium,throughadrycountry,whichhedidalsoinlikemannerattheirreturnthence;norwerethereanynecessarieswantingtothatarmy.Itwasthereforetheopinion,bothofCaesarandofhissoldiers,thatHerod’skingdomwastoosmallforthosegenerouspresentshemadethem;forwhichreason,whenCaesarwascomeintoEgypt,andCleopatraandAntonyweredead,hedidnotonlybestowothermarksofhonoruponhim,butmadeanadditiontohiskingdom,bygivinghimnotonlythecountrywhichhadbeentakenfromhimbyCleopatra,butbesidesthat,Gadara,andHippos,andSamaria;andmoreover,ofthemaritimecities,GazaandAnthedon,andJoppa,andStrato’sTower.HealsomadehimapresentoffourhundredGalls[Galatians]asaguardforhisbody,whichtheyhadbeentoCleopatrabefore.NordidanythingsostronglyinduceCaesartomakethesepresentsasthegenerosityofhimthatreceivedthem.

4. Moreover,afterthefirstgamesatActium,headdedtohiskingdomboththeregioncalledTrachonitis,andwhatlayinitsneighborhood,Batanea,andthecountryofAuranitis;andthatonthefollowingoccasion:Zenodorus,whohadhiredthehouseofLysanias,hadallalongsentrobbersoutofTrachonitisamongtheDamascenes;whothereuponhadrecoursetoVarro,thepresidentofSyria,anddesiredofhimthathewouldrepresentthecalamitytheywereintoCaesar.WhenCaesarwasacquaintedwithit,hesentbackordersthatthisnestofrobbersshouldbedestroyed.Varrothereforemadeanexpeditionagainstthem,andclearedthelandofthosemen,andtookitawayfromZenodorus.CaesardidalsoafterwardbestowitonHerod,thatitmightnotagainbecomeareceptacleforthoserobbersthathadcomeagainstDamascus.HealsomadehimaprocuratorofallSyria,andthisonthetenthyearafterward,whenhecameagainintothatprovince;andthiswassoestablished,thattheotherprocuratorscouldnotdoanythingintheadministrationwithouthisadvice:butwhenZenodoruswasdead,CaesarbestowedonhimallthatlandwhichlaybetweenTrachonitisandGalilee.Yet,whatwasstillofmoreconsequencetoHerod,hewasbelovedbyCaesarnextafterAgrippa,andbyAgrippanextafterCaesar;whencehearrivedataverygreatdegreeoffelicity.Yetdidthegreatnessofhissoulexceedit,andthemainpartofhismagnanimitywasextendedtothepromotionofpiety.


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Chapter211. ACCORDINGLY,inthefifteenthyearofhisreign,Herodrebuiltthetemple,and

encompassedapieceoflandaboutitwithawall,whichlandwastwiceaslargeasthatbeforeenclosed.Theexpenseshelaidoutuponitwerevastlylargealso,andtherichesaboutitwereunspeakable.Asignofwhichyouhaveinthegreatcloistersthatwereerectedaboutthetemple,andthecitadelwhichwasonitsnorthside.Thecloistershebuiltfromthefoundation,butthecitadelherepairedatavastexpense;norwasitotherthanaroyalpalace,whichhecalledAntonia,inhonorofAntony.HealsobuilthimselfapalaceintheUppercity,containingtwoverylargeandmostbeautifulapartments;towhichtheholyhouseitselfcouldnotbecompared[inlargeness].TheoneapartmenthenamedCaesareum,andtheotherAgrippium,fromhis[twogreat]friends.

2. Yetdidhenotpreservetheirmemorybyparticularbuildingsonly,withtheirnamesgiventhem,buthisgenerositywentasfarasentirecities;forwhenhehadbuiltamostbeautifulwallroundacountryinSamaria,twentyfurlongslong,andhadbroughtsixthousandinhabitantsintoit,andhadallottedtoitamostfruitfulpieceofland,andinthemidstofthiscity,thusbuilt,haderectedaverylargetempletoCaesar,andhadlaidroundaboutitaportionofsacredlandofthreefurlongsandahalf,hecalledthecitySebaste,fromSebastus,orAugustus,andsettledtheaffairsofthecityafteramostregularmanner.

3. AndwhenCaesarhadfurtherbestoweduponhimanotheradditionalcountry,hebuilttherealsoatempleofwhitemarble,hardbythefountainsofJordan:theplaceiscalledPanium,whereisatopofamountainthatisraisedtoanimmenseheight,andatitsside,beneath,oratitsbottom,adarkcaveopensitself;withinwhichthereisahorribleprecipice,thatdescendsabruptlytoavastdepth;itcontainsamightyquantityofwater,whichisimmovable;andwhenanybodyletsdownanythingtomeasurethedepthoftheearthbeneaththewater,nolengthofcordissufficienttoreachit.NowthefountainsofJordanriseattherootsofthiscavityoutwardly;and,assomethink,thisistheutmostoriginofJordan:butweshallspeakofthatmattermoreaccuratelyinourfollowinghistory.

4. ButthekingerectedotherplacesatJerichoalso,betweenthecitadelCyprosandtheformerpalace,suchaswerebetterandmoreusefulthantheformerfortravelers,andnamedthemfromthesamefriendsofhis.Tosayallatonce,therewasnotanyplaceofhiskingdomfitforthepurposethatwaspermittedtobewithoutsomewhatthatwasforCaesar’shonor;andwhenhehadfilledhisowncountrywithtemples,hepouredoutthelikeplentifulmarksofhisesteemintohisprovince,andbuiltmanycitieswhichhecalledCesareas.

5. Andwhenheobservedthattherewasacitybythesea-sidethatwasmuchdecayed,(itsnamewasStrato’sTower,)butthattheplace,bythehappinessofitssituation,wascapableofgreatimprovementsfromhisliberality,herebuiltitallwithwhitestone,andadorneditwithseveralmostsplendidpalaces,whereinheespeciallydemonstratedhismagnanimity;forthecasewasthis,thatallthesea-shorebetweenDoraandJoppa,inthemiddle,betweenwhichthiscityissituated,hadnogoodhaven,insomuchthateveryonethatsailedfromPhoeniciaforEgyptwasobligedtolieinthestormysea,byreasonofthesouthwindsthatthreatenedthem;whichwind,ifitblewbutalittlefresh,suchvastwavesareraised,anddashuponthe


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rocks,thatupontheirretreattheseaisinagreatfermentforalongway.Buttheking,bytheexpenseshewasat,andtheliberaldisposalofthem,overcamenature,andbuiltahavenlargerthanwasthePyrecum[atAthens];andintheinnerretirementsofthewaterhebuiltotherdeepstations[fortheshipsalso].

6. Nowalthoughtheplacewherehebuiltwasgreatlyoppositetohispurposes,yetdidhesofullystrugglewiththatdifficulty,thatthefirmnessofhisbuildingcouldnoteasilybeconqueredbythesea;andthebeautyandornamentoftheworksweresuch,asthoughhehadnothadanydifficultyintheoperation;forwhenhehadmeasuredoutaslargeaspaceaswehavebeforementioned,heletdownstonesintotwentyfathomwater,thegreatestpartofwhichwerefiftyfeetinlength,andnineindepth,andteninbreadth,andsomestilllarger.Butwhenthehavenwasfilleduptothatdepth,heenlargedthatwallwhichwasthusalreadyextantabovethesea,tillitwastwohundredfeetwide;onehundredofwhichhadbuildingsbeforeit,inordertobreaktheforceofthewaves,whenceitwascalledProcumatia,orthefirstbreakerofthewaves;buttherestofthespacewasunderastonewallthatranroundit.Onthiswallwereverylargetowers,theprincipalandmostbeautifulofwhichwascalledDrusium,fromDrusus,whowasson-in-lawtoCaesar.

7. Therewerealsoagreatnumberofarches,wherethemarinersdwelt;andalltheplacesbeforethemroundaboutwasalargevalley,orwalk,foraquay[orlanding-place]tothosethatcameonshore;buttheentrancewasonthenorth,becausethenorthwindwastherethemostgentleofallthewinds.AtthemouthofthehavenwereoneachsidethreegreatColossi,supportedbypillars,wherethoseColossithatareonyourlefthandasyousailintotheportaresupportedbyasolidtower;butthoseontherighthandaresupportedbytwouprightstonesjoinedtogether,whichstoneswerelargerthanthattowerwhichwasontheothersideoftheentrance.Nowtherewerecontinualedificesjoinedtothehaven,whichwerealsothemselvesofwhitestone;andtothishavendidthenarrowstreetsofthecitylead,andwerebuiltatequaldistancesonefromanother.Andoveragainstthemouthofthehaven,uponanelevation,therewasatempleforCaesar,whichwasexcellentbothinbeautyandlargeness;andthereinwasaColossusofCaesar,notlessthanthatofJupiterOlympius,whichitwasmadetoresemble.TheotherColossusofRomewasequaltothatofJunoatArgos.Sohededicatedthecitytotheprovince,andthehaventothesailorsthere;butthehonorofthebuildingheascribedtoCaesar,andnameditCesareaaccordingly.

8. Healsobuilttheotheredifices,theamphitheater,andtheater,andmarket-place,inamanneragreeabletothatdenomination;andappointedgameseveryfifthyear,andcalledthem,inlikemanner,Caesar’sGames;andhefirsthimselfproposedthelargestprizesuponthehundredninety-secondolympiad;inwhichnotonlythevictorsthemselves,butthosethatcamenexttothem,andeventhosethatcameinthethirdplace,werepartakersofhisroyalbounty.HealsorebuiltAnthedon,acitythatlayonthecoast,andhadbeendemolishedinthewars,andnameditAgrippeum.Moreover,hehadsoverygreatakindnessforhisfriendAgrippa,thathehadhisnameengraveduponthatgatewhichhehadhimselferectedinthetemple.

9. Herodwasalsoaloverofhisfather,ifanyotherpersoneverwasso;forhemadeamonumentforhisfather,eventhatcitywhichhebuiltinthefinestplainthatwasinhiskingdom,andwhichhadriversandtreesinabundance,andnameditAntipatris.HealsobuiltawallaboutacitadelthatlayaboveJericho,andwasaverystrongand


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veryfinebuilding,anddedicatedittohismother,andcalleditCypros.Moreover,hededicatedatowerthatwasatJerusalem,andcalleditbythenameofhisbrotherPhasaelus,whosestructure,largeness,andmagnificenceweshalldescribehereafter.HealsobuiltanothercityinthevalleythatleadsnorthwardfromJericho,andnameditPhasaelis.

10.Andashetransmittedtoeternityhisfamilyandfriends,sodidhenotneglectamemorialforhimself,butbuiltafortressuponamountaintowardsArabia,andnameditfromhimself,Herodiumandhecalledthathillthatwasoftheshapeofawoman’sbreast,andwassixtyfurlongsdistantfromJerusalem,bythesamename.Healsobestowedmuchcuriousartuponit,withgreatambition,andbuiltroundtowersallaboutthetopofit,andfilleduptheremainingspacewiththemostcostlypalacesroundabout,insomuchthatnotonlythesightoftheinnerapartmentswassplendid,butgreatwealthwaslaidoutontheoutwardwalls,andpartitions,androofsalso.Besidesthis,hebroughtamightyquantityofwaterfromagreatdistance,andatvastcharges,andraisedanascenttoitoftwohundredstepsofthewhitestmarble,forthehillwasitselfmoderatelyhigh,andentirelyfactitious.Healsobuiltotherpalacesabouttherootsofthehill,sufficienttoreceivethefurniturethatwasputintothem,withhisfriendsalso,insomuchthat,onaccountofitscontainingallnecessaries,thefortressmightseemtobeacity,but,bytheboundsithad,apalaceonly.

11.Andwhenhehadbuiltsomuch,heshowedthegreatnessofhissoultonosmallnumberofforeigncities.HebuiltpalacesforexerciseatTripoli,andDamascus,andPtolemais;hebuiltawallaboutByblus,asalsolargerooms,andcloisters,andtemples,andmarket-placesatBerytusandTyre,withtheatresatSidonandDamascus.HealsobuiltaqueductsforthoseLaodiceanswholivedbythesea-side;andforthoseofAscalonhebuiltbathsandcostlyfountains,asalsocloistersroundacourt,thatwereadmirablebothfortheirworkmanshipandlargeness.Moreover,hededicatedgrovesandmeadowstosomepeople;nay,notafewcitiestherewerewhohadlandsofhisdonation,asiftheywerepartsofhisownkingdom.Healsobestowedannualrevenues,andthoseforeveralso,onthesettlementsforexercises,andappointedforthem,aswellasforthepeopleofCos,thatsuchrewardsshouldneverbewanting.Healsogavecorntoallsuchaswantedit,andconferreduponRhodeslargesumsofmoneyforbuildingships;andthishedidinmanyplaces,andfrequentlyalso.AndwhenApollo’stemplehadbeenburntdown,herebuiltitathisowncharges,afterabettermannerthanitwasbefore.WhatneedIspeakofthepresentshemadetotheLyciansandSamnians?orofhisgreatliberalitythroughallIonia?andthataccordingtoeverybody’swantsofthem.AndarenottheAthenians,andLacedemonians,andNicopolitans,andthatPergamuswhichisinMysia,fullofdonationsthatHerodpresentedthemwithal?AndasforthatlargeopenplacebelongingtoAntiochinSyria,didnothepaveitwithpolishedmarble,thoughitweretwentyfurlongslong?andthiswhenitwasshunnedbyallmenbefore,becauseitwasfullofdirtandfilthiness,whenhebesidesadornedthesameplacewithacloisterofthesamelength.

12.Itistrue,amanmaysay,thesewerefavorspeculiartothoseparticularplacesonwhichhebestowedhisbenefits;butthenwhatfavorshebestowedontheEleanswasadonationnotonlyincommontoallGreece,buttoallthehabitableearth,asfarasthegloryoftheOlympicgamesreached.Forwhenheperceivedthattheywere


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cometonothing,forwantofmoney,andthattheonlyremainsofancientGreecewereinamannergone,henotonlybecameoneofthecombatantsinthatreturnofthefifth-yeargames,whichinhissailingtoRomehehappenedtobepresentat,buthesettleduponthemrevenuesofmoneyforperpetuity,insomuchthathismemorialasacombatanttherecanneverfail.ItwouldbeaninfinitetaskifIshouldgooverhispaymentsofpeople’sdebts,ortributes,forthem,asheeasedthepeopleofPhasaelis,ofBatanea,andofthesmallcitiesaboutCilicia,ofthoseannualpensionstheybeforepaid.However,thefearhewasinmuchdisturbedthegreatnessofhissoul,lestheshouldbeexposedtoenvy,orseemtohuntaftergreaterfilingsthanheought,whilehebestowedmoreliberalgiftsuponthesecitiesthandidtheirownersthemselves.

13.NowHerodhadabodysuitedtohissoul,andwaseveramostexcellenthunter,wherehegenerallyhadgoodsuccess,bythemeansofhisgreatskillinridinghorses;forinonedayhecaughtfortywildbeasts:thatcountrybreedsalsobears,andthegreatestpartofitisreplenishedwithstagsandwildasses.Hewasalsosuchawarriorascouldnotbewithstood:manymen,therefore,therearewhohavestoodamazedathisreadinessinhisexercises,whentheysawhimthrowthejavelindirectlyforward,andshootthearrowuponthemark.Andthen,besidestheseperformancesofhisdependingonhisownstrengthofmindandbody,fortunewasalsoveryfavorabletohim;forheseldomfailedofsuccessinhiswars;andwhenhefailed,hewasnothimselftheoccasionofsuchfailings,butheeithervasbetrayedbysome,ortherashnessofhisownsoldiersprocuredhisdefeat.


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Chapter221. HOWEVER,fortunewasavengedonHerodinhisexternalgreatsuccesses,byraising

himupdomesticaltroubles;andhebegantohavewilddisordersinhisfamily,onaccountofhiswife,ofwhomhewassoveryfond.Forwhenhecametothegovernment,hesentawayherwhomhehadbeforemarriedwhenhewasaprivateperson,andwhowasbornatJerusalem,whosenamewasDoris,andmarriedMariamne,thedaughterofAlexander,thesonofAristobulus;onwhoseaccountdisturbancesaroseinhisfamily,andthatinpartverysoon,butchieflyafterhisreturnfromRome.For,firstofall,heexpelledAntipaterthesonofDoris,forthesakeofhissonsbyMariamne,outofthecity,andpermittedhimtocomethitheratnoothertimesthanatthefestivals.Afterthisheslewhiswife’sgrandfather,Hyrcanus,whenhewasreturnedoutofParthintohim,underthispretense,thathesuspectedhimofplottingagainsthim.NowthisHyrcanushadbeencarriedcaptivetoBarzapharnes,whenheoverranSyria;butthoseofhisowncountrybeyondEuphratesweredesiroushewouldstaywiththem,andthisoutofthecommiserationtheyhadforhiscondition;andhadhecompliedwiththeirdesires,whentheyexhortedhimnottogoovertherivertolierod,hehadnotperished:butthemarriageofhisgranddaughter[toHerod]washistemptation;forasherelieduponhim,andwasover-fondofhisowncountry,hecamebacktoit.Herod’sprovocationwasthis,-notthatHyrcanusmadeanyattempttogainthekingdom,butthatitwasfitterforhimtobetheirkingthanforHerod.

2. NowofthefivechildrenwhichHerodhadbyMariamne,twoofthemweredaughters,andthreeweresons;andtheyoungestofthesesonswaseducatedatRome,andtheredied;butthetwoeldesthetreatedasthoseofroyalblood,onaccountofthenobilityoftheirmother,andbecausetheywerenotborntillhewasking.ButthenwhatwasstrongerthanallthiswasthelovethathebaretoMariamne,andwhichinflamedhimeverydaytoagreatdegree,andsofarconspiredwiththeothermotives,thathefeltnoothertroubles,onaccountofherhelovedsoentirely.ButMariamne’shatredtohimwasnotinferiortohislovetoher.Shehadindeedbuttoojustacauseofindignationfromwhathehaddone,whileherboldnessproceededfromhisaffectiontoher;sosheopenlyreproachedhimwithwhathehaddonetohergrandfatherHyrcanus,andtoherbrotherAristobulus;forhehadnotsparedthisAristobulus,thoughhewerebutachild;forwhenhehadgivenhimthehighpriesthoodattheageofseventeen,heslewhimquicklyafterhehadconferredthatdignityuponhim;butwhenAristobulushadputontheholyvestments,andhadapproachedtothealtaratafestival,themultitude,ingreatcrowds,fellintotears;whereuponthechildwassentbynighttoJericho,andwastheredippedbytheGalls,atHerod’scommand,inapooltillhewasdrowned.

3. ForthesereasonsMariamnereproachedHerod,andhissisterandmother,afteramostcontumeliousmanner,whilehewasdumbonaccountofhisaffectionforher;yethadthewomengreatindignationather,andraisedacalumnyagainsther,thatshewasfalsetohisbed;whichthingtheythoughtmostlikelytomoveHerodtoanger.Theyalsocontrivedtohavemanyothercircumstancesbelieved,inordertomakethethingmorecredible,andaccusedherofhavingsentherpictureintoEgypttoAntony,andthatherlustwassoextravagant,astohavethusshowedherself,thoughshewasabsent,toamanthatranmadafterwomen,andtoamanthathadit


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inhispowertouseviolencetoher.ThischargefelllikeathunderboltuponHerod,andputhimintodisorder;andthatespecially,becausehislovetoheroccasionedhimtobejealous,andbecauseheconsideredwithhimselfthatCleopatrawasashrewdwoman,andthatonheraccountLysaniasthekingwastakenoff,aswellasMalichustheArabian;forhisfeardidnotonlyextendtothedissolvingofhismarriage,buttothedangerofhislife.

4. Whenthereforehewasabouttotakeajourneyabroad,hecommittedhiswifetoJoseph,hissisterSalome’shusband,astoonewhowouldbefaithfultohim,andbarehimgood-willonaccountoftheirkindred;healsogavehimasecretinjunction,thatifAntonyslewhim,heshouldslayher.ButJoseph,withoutanyilldesign,andonlyinordertodemonstratetheking’slovetohiswife,howhecouldnotbeartothinkofbeingseparatedfromher,evenbydeathitself,discoveredthisgrandsecrettoher;uponwhich,whenHerodwascomeback,andastheytalkedtogether,andheconfirmedhislovetoherbymanyoaths,andassuredherthathehadneversuchanaffectionforanyotherwomanashehadforher,-“Yes,”saysshe,“thoudidst,tobesure,demonstratethylovetomebytheinjunctionsthougavestJoseph,whenthoucommandedsthimtokillme.”

5. Whenheheardthatthisgrandsecretwasdiscovered,hewaslikeadistractedman,andsaidthatJosephwouldneverhavedisclosedthatinjunctionofhis,unlesshehaddebauchedher.Hispassionalsomadehimstarkmad,andleapingoutofhisbed,heranaboutthepalaceafterawildmanner;atwhichtimehissisterSalometooktheopportunityalsotoblastherreputation,andconfirmedhissuspicionaboutJoseph;whereupon,outofhisungovernablejealousyandrage,hecommandedbothofthemtobeslainimmediately;butassoonaseverhispassionwasover,herepentedofwhathehaddone,andassoonashisangerwaswornoff,hisaffectionswerekindledagain.Andindeedtheflameofhisdesiresforherwassoardent,thathecouldnotthinkshewasdead,butwouldappear,underhisdisorders,tospeaktoherasifshewerestillalive,tillhewerebetterinstructedbytime,whenhisgriefandtrouble,nowshewasdead,appearedasgreatashisaffectionhadbeenforherwhileshewasliving.


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Chapter231. NOWMariamne’ssonswereheirstothathatredwhichhadbeenbornetheir

mother;andwhentheyconsideredthegreatnessofHerod’scrimetowardsher,theyweresuspiciousofhimasofanenemyoftheirs;andthisfirstwhiletheywereeducatedatRome,butstillmorewhentheywerereturnedtoJudea.Thistemperoftheirsincreaseduponthemastheygrewuptobemen;andwhentheywereCometoanagefitformarriage,theoneofthemmarriedtheirauntSalome’sdaughter,whichSalomehadbeentheaccuseroftheirmother;theothermarriedthedaughterofArchclaus,kingofCappadocia.Andnowtheyusedboldnessinspeaking,aswellasborehatredintheirminds.Nowthosethatcalumniatedthemtookahandlefromsuchtheirboldness,andcertainofthemspakenowmoreplainlytothekingthatthereweretreacherousdesignslaidagainsthimbybothhissons;andhethatwasson-in-lawtoArchelaus,relyinguponhisfather-in-law,waspreparingtoflyaway,inordertoaccuseHerodbeforeCaesar;andwhenHerod’sheadhadbeenlongenoughfilledwiththesecalumnies,hebroughtAntipater,whomhehadbyDoris,intofavoragain,asadefensetohimagainsthisothersons,andbeganallthewayshepossiblycouldtopreferhimbeforethem.

2. Butthesesonswerenotabletobearthischangeintheiraffairs;butwhentheysawhimthatwasbornofamotherofnofamily,thenobilityoftheirbirthmadethemunabletocontaintheirindignation;butwhensoevertheywereuneasy,theyshowedtheangertheyhadatit.Andasthesesonsdiddayafterdayimproveinthattheiranger,Antipateralreadyexercisedallhisownabilities,whichwereverygreat,inflatteringhisfather,andincontrivingmanysortsofcalumniesagainsthisbrethren,whilehetoldsomestoriesofthemhimself,andputituponotherproperpersonstoraiseotherstoriesagainstthem,tillatlengthheentirelycuthisbrethrenofffromallhopesofsucceedingtothekingdom;forhewasalreadypubliclyputintohisfather’swillashissuccessor.Accordingly,hewassentwithroyalornaments,andothermarksofroyalty,toCaesar,exceptingthediadem.HewasalsoableintimetointroducehismotheragainintoMariamne’sbed.Thetwosortsofweaponshemadeuseofagainsthisbrethrenwereflatteryandcalumny,wherebyhebroughtmattersprivatelytosuchapass,thatthekinghadthoughtsofputtinghissonstodeath.

3. SothefatherdrewAlexanderasfarasRome,and.chargedhimwithanattemptofpoisoninghimbeforeCaesar.Alexandercouldhardlyspeakforlamentation;buthavingajudgethatwasmoreskillfulthanAntipater,andmorewisethanHerod,hemodestlyavoidedlayinganyimputationuponhisfather,butwithgreatstrengthofreasonconfutedthecalumnieslaidagainsthim;andwhenhehaddemonstratedtheinnocencyofhisbrother,whowasinthelikedangerwithhimself,heatlastbewailedthecraftinessofAntipater,andthedisgracetheywereunder.Hewasenabledalsotojustifyhimself,notonlybyaclearconscience,whichhecarriedwithinhim,butbyhiseloquence;forhewasashrewdmaninmakingspeeches.Anduponhissayingatlast,thatifhisfatherobjectedthiscrimetothem,itwasinhispowertoputthemtodeath,hemadealltheaudienceweep;andhebroughtCaesartothatpass,astorejecttheaccusations,andtoreconciletheirfathertothemimmediately.Buttheconditionsofthisreconciliationwerethese,thattheyshouldinallthingsbeobedienttotheirfather,andthatheshouldhavepowertoleavethekingdomtowhichofthemhepleased.


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4. AfterthisthekingcamebackfromRome,andseemedtohaveforgivenhissonsupontheseaccusations;butstillsothathewasnotwithouthissuspicionsofthem.TheywerefollowedbyAntipater,whowasthefountain-headofthoseaccusations;yetdidnotheopenlydiscoverhishatredtothem,asreveringhimthathadreconciledthem.ButasHerodsailedbyCilicia,hetouchedatEleusa,whereArchclaustreatedtheminthemostobligingmanner,andgavehimthanksforthedeliveranceofhisson-in-law,andwasmuchpleasedattheirreconciliation;andthisthemore,becausehehadformerlywrittentohisfriendsatRomethattheyshouldbeassistingtoAlexanderathistrial.SoheconductedHerodasfarasZephyrium,andmadehimpresentstothevalueofthirtytalents.

5. NowwhenHerodwascometoJerusalem,hegatheredthepeopletogether,andpresentedtothemhisthreesons,andgavethemanapologeticaccountofhisabsence,andthankedGodgreatly,andthankedCaesargreatlyalso,forsettlinghishousewhenitwasunderdisturbances,andhadprocuredconcordamonghissons,whichwasofgreaterconsequencethanthekingdomitself,-“andwhichIwillrenderstillmorefirm;forCaesarhathputintomypowertodisposeofthegovernment,andtoappointmysuccessor.Accordingly,inwayofrequitalforhiskindness,andinordertoprovideformineownadvantage,Idodeclarethatthesethreesonsofmineshallbekings.And,inthefirstplace,IprayfortheapprobationofGodtowhatIamabout;and,inthenextplace,Idesireyourapprobationalso.Theageofoneofthem,andthenobilityoftheothertwo,shallprocurethemthesuccession.Nay,indeed,mykingdomissolargethatitmaybesufficientformorekings.NowdoyoukeepthoseintheirplaceswhomCaesarhathjoined,andtheirfatherhathappointed;anddonotyoupayundueorunequalrespectstothem,buttoeveryoneaccordingtotheprerogativeoftheirbirths;forhethatpayssuchrespectsunduly,willtherebynotmakehimthatishonoredbeyondwhathisagerequiressojoyful,ashewillmakehimthatisdishonoredsorrowful.Asforthekindredandfriendsthataretoconversewiththem,Iwillappointthemtoeachofthem,andwillsoconstitutethem,thattheymaybesecuritiesfortheirconcord;aswellknowingthattheilltempersofthosewithwhomtheyconversewillproducequarrelsandcontentionsamongthem;butthatifthesewithwhomtheyconversebeofgoodtempers,theywillpreservetheirnaturalaffectionsforoneanother.ButstillIdesirethatnottheseonly,butallthecaptainsofmyarmy,haveforthepresenttheirhopesplacedonmealone;forIdonotgiveawaymykingdomtothesemysons,butgivethemroyalhonorsonly;wherebyitwillcometopassthattheywillenjoythesweetpartsofgovernmentasrulersthemselves,butthattheburdenofadministrationwillrestuponmyselfwhetherIwillornot.AndleteveryoneconsiderwhatageIamof,howIhaveconductedmylife,andwhatpietyIhaveexercised;formyageisnotsogreatthatmenmaysoonexpecttheendofmylife;norhaveIindulgedsuchaluxuriouswayoflivingascutsmenoffwhentheyareyoung;andwehavebeensoreligioustowardsGod,thatwe[havereasontohopewe]mayarriveataverygreatage.Butforsuchascultivateafriendshipwithmysons,soastoaimatmydestruction,theyshallbepunishedbymeontheiraccount.Iamnotonewhoenvymyownchildren,andthereforeforbidmentopaythemgreatrespect;butIknowthatsuch[extravagant]respectsarethewaytomaketheminsolent.Andifeveryonethatcomesnearthemdoesbutrevolvethisinhismind,thatifheproveagoodman,heshallreceivearewardfromme,butthatifheproveseditious,hisill-intendedcomplaisanceshall


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gethimnothingfromhimtowhomitisshown,Isupposetheywillallbeofmyside,thatis,ofmysons’side;foritwillbefortheiradvantagethatIreign,andthatIbeatconcordwiththem.Butdoyou,Omygoodchildren,reflectupontheholinessofnatureitself,bywhosemeansnaturalaffectionispreserved,evenamongwildbeasts;inthenextplace,reflectuponCaesar,whohathmadethisreconciliationamongus;andinthethirdplace,reflectuponme,whoentreatyoutodowhatIhavepowertocommandyou,-continuebrethren.Igiveyouroyalgarments,androyalhonors;andIpraytoGodtopreservewhatIhavedetermined,incaseyoubeatconcordonewithanother.”Whenthekinghadthusspoken,andhadsalutedeveryoneofhissonsafteranobligingmanner,hedismissedthemultitude;someofwhichgavetheirassenttowhathehadsaid,andwisheditmighttakeeffectaccordingly;butforthosewhowishedforachangeofaffairs,theypretendedtheydidnotsomuchashearwhathesaid.


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Chapter241. BUTnowthequarrelthatwasbetweenthemstillaccompaniedthesebrethrenwhen

theyparted,andthesuspicionstheyhadoneoftheothergrewworse.AlexanderandAristobulusweremuchgrievedthattheprivilegeofthefirst-bornwasconfirmedtoAntipater;aswasAntipaterveryangryathisbrethrenthattheyweretosucceedhim.Butthenthislastbeingofadispositionthatwasmutableandpolitic,heknewhowtoholdhistongue,andusedagreatdealofcunning,andtherebyconcealedthehatredheboretothem;whiletheformer,dependingonthenobilityoftheirbirths,hadeverythingupontheirtongueswhichwasintheirminds.Manyalsotherewerewhoprovokedthemfurther,andmanyoftheir[seeming]friendsinsinuatedthemselvesintotheiracquaintance,tospyoutwhattheydid.NoweverythingthatwassaidbyAlexanderwaspresentlybroughttoAntipater,andfromAntipateritwasbroughttoHerodwithadditions.Norcouldtheyoungmansayanythinginthesimplicityofhisheart,withoutgivingoffense,butwhathesaidwasstillturnedtocalumnyagainsthim.Andifhehadbeenatanytimealittlefreeinhisconversation,greatimputationswereforgedfromthesmallestoccasions.Antipateralsowasperpetuallysettingsometoprovokehimtospeak,thattheliesheraisedofhimmightseemtohavesomefoundationoftruth;andif,amongthemanystoriesthatweregivenout,butoneofthemcouldbeprovedtrue,thatwassupposedtoimplytheresttobetruealso.AndastoAntipater’sfriends,theywerealleithernaturallysocautiousinspeaking,orhadbeensofarbribedtoconcealtheirthoughts,thatnothingofthesegrandsecretsgotabroadbytheirmeans.NorshouldonebemistakenifhecalledthelifeofAntipateramysteryofwickedness;forheeithercorruptedAlexander’sacquaintancewithmoney,orgotintotheirfavorbyflatteries;bywhichtwomeanshegainedallhisdesigns,andbroughtthemtobetraytheirmaster,andtostealaway,andrevealwhatheeitherdidorsaid.Thusdidheactapartverycunninglyinallpoints,andwroughthimselfapassagebyhiscalumnieswiththegreatestshrewdness;whileheputonafaceasifhewereakindbrothertoAlexanderandAristobulus,butsubornedothermentoinformofwhattheydidtoHerod.AndwhenanythingwastoldagainstAlexander,hewouldcomein,andpretend[tobeofhisside],andwouldbegintocontradictwhatwassaid;butwouldafterwardcontrivematterssoprivately,thatthekingshouldhaveanindignationathim.Hisgeneralaimwasthis,-tolayaplot,andtomakeitbelievedthatAlexanderlayinwaittokillhisfather;fornothingaffordedsogreataconfirmationtothesecalumniesasdidAntipater’sapologiesforhim.

2. BythesemethodsHerodwasinflamed,andasmuchashisnaturalaffectiontotheyoungmendideverydaydiminish,somuchdiditincreasetowardsAntipater.Thecourtiersalsoinclinedtothesameconduct,someoftheirownaccord,andothersbytheking’sinjunction,asparticularlydidPtolemy,theking’sdearestfriend,asalsotheking’sbrethren,andallhischildren;forAntipaterwasallinall;andwhatwasthebitterestpartofalltoAlexander,Antipater’smotherwasalsoallinall;shewasonethatgavecounselagainstthem,andwasmoreharshthanastep-mother,andonethathatedthequeen’ssonsmorethanisusualtohatesons-in-law.AllmendidthereforealreadypaytheirrespectstoAntipater,inhopesofadvantage;anditwastheking’scommandwhichalienatedeverybody[fromthebrethren],hehavinggiventhischargetohismostintimatefriends,thattheyshouldnotcomenear,nor


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payanyregard,toAlexander,ortohisfriends.Herodwasalsobecometerrible,notonlytohisdomesticsaboutthecourt,buttohisfriendsabroad;forCaesarhadgivensuchaprivilegetonootherkingashehadgiventohim,whichwasthis,-thathemightfetchbackanyonethatfledfromhim,evenoutofacitythatwasnotunderhisownjurisdiction.Nowtheyoungmenwerenotacquaintedwiththecalumniesraisedagainstthem;forwhichreasontheycouldnotguardthemselvesagainstthem,butfellunderthem;fortheirfatherdidnotmakeanypubliccomplaintsagainsteitherofthem;thoughinalittletimetheyperceivedhowthingswerebyhiscoldnesstothem,andbythegreatuneasinessheshoweduponanythingthattroubledhim.AntipaterhadalsomadetheirunclePherorastobetheirenemy,aswellastheirauntSalome,whilehewasalwaystalkingwithher,aswithawife,andirritatingheragainstthem.Moreover,Alexander’swife,Glaphyra,augmentedthishatredagainstthem,byderivinghernobilityandgenealogy[fromgreatpersons],andpretendingthatshewasaladysuperiortoallothersinthatkingdom,asbeingderivedbyherfather’ssidefromTemenus,andbyhermother’ssidefromDarius,thesonofHystaspes.ShealsofrequentlyreproachedHerod’ssisterandwiveswiththeignobilityoftheirdescent;andthattheywereeveryonechosenbyhimfortheirbeauty,butnotfortheirfamily.Nowthosewivesofhiswerenotafew;itbeingofoldpermittedtotheJewstomarrymanywives,andthiskingdelightinginmany;allwhichhatedAlexander,onaccountofGlaphyra’sboastingandreproaches.

3. Nay,AristobulushadraisedaquarrelbetweenhimselfandSalome,whowashismother-in-law,besidestheangerhehadconceivedatGlaphyra’sreproaches;forheperpetuallyupbraidedhiswifewiththemeannessofherfamily,andcomplained,thatashehadmarriedawomanofalowfamily,sohadhisbrotherAlexandermarriedoneofroyalblood.AtthisSalome’sdaughterwept,andtolditherwiththisaddition,thatAlexanderthreatenedthemothersofhisotherbrethren,thatwhenheshouldcometothecrown,hewouldmakethemweavewiththeirmaidens,andwouldmakethosebrothersofhiscountryschoolmasters;andbrakethisjestuponthem,thattheyhadbeenverycarefullyinstructed,tofitthemforsuchanemployment.HereuponSalomecouldnotcontainheranger,buttoldalltoHerod;norcouldhertestimonybesuspected,sinceitwasagainstherownson-in-lawTherewasalsoanothercalumnythatranabroadandinflamedtheking’smind;forheheardthatthesesonsofhiswereperpetuallyspeakingoftheirmother,and,amongtheirlamentationsforher,didnotabstainfromcursinghim;andthatwhenhemadepresentsofanyofMariamne’sgarmentstohislaterwives,thesethreatenedthatinalittletime,insteadofroyalgarments,theywouldclothetheftinnobetterthanhair-cloth.

4. Nowupontheseaccounts,thoughHerodwassomewhatafraidoftheyoungmen’shighspirit,yetdidhenotdespairofreducingthemtoabettermind;butbeforehewenttoRome,whitherhewasnowgoingbysea,hecalledthemtohim,andpartlythreatenedthemalittle,asaking;butforthemain,headmonishedthemasafather,andexhortedthemtolovetheirbrethren,andtoldthemthathewouldpardontheirformeroffenses,iftheywouldamendforthetimetocome.Buttheyrefutedthecalumniesthathadbeenraisedofthem,andsaidtheywerefalse,andallegedthattheiractionsweresufficientfortheirvindication;andsaidwithal,thathehimselfoughttoshuthisearsagainstsuchtales,andnotbetooeasyinbelievingthem,for


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thattherewouldneverbewantingthosethatwouldtellliestotheirdisadvantage,aslongasanywouldgiveeartothem.

5. Whentheyhadthussoonpacifiedhim,asbeingtheirfather,theygotclearofthepresentfeartheywerein.Yetdidtheyseeoccasionforsorrowinsometimeafterward;fortheyknewthatSalome,aswellastheirunclePheroras,weretheirenemies;whowerebothofthemheavyandseverepersons,andespeciallyPheroras,whowasapartnerwithHerodinalltheaffairsofthekingdom,exceptinghisdiadem.Hehadalsoahundredtalentsofhisownrevenue,andenjoyedtheadvantageofallthelandbeyondJordan,whichhehadreceivedasagiftfromhisbrother,whohadaskedofCaesartomakehimatetrarch,ashewasmadeaccordingly.Herodhadalsogivenhimawifeoutoftheroyalfamily,whowasnootherthanhisownwife’ssister,andafterherdeathhadsolemnlyespousedtohimhisowneldestdaughter,withadowryofthreehundredtalents;butPherorasrefusedtoconsummatethisroyalmarriage,outofhisaffectiontoamaidservantofhis.UponwhichaccountHerodwasveryangry,andgavethatdaughterinmarriagetoabrother’ssonofhis,[Joseph,]whowasslainafterwardbytheParthians;butinsometimehelaidasidehisangeragainstPheroras,andpardonedhim,asonenotabletoovercomehisfoolishpassionforthemaid-servant.

6. Nay,Pherorashadbeenaccusedlongbefore,whilethequeen[Mariamne]wasalive,asifhewereinaplottopoisonHerod;andtherecamethensogreatanumberofinformers,thatHerodhimself,thoughhewasanexceedingloverofhisbrethren,wasbroughttobelievewhatwassaid,andtobeafraidofitalso.Andwhenhehadbroughtmanyofthosethatwereundersuspiciontothetorture,hecameatlasttoPheroras’sownfriends;noneofwhichdidopenlyconfessthecrime,buttheyownedthathehadmadepreparationtotakeherwhomheloved,andrunawaytotheParthians.Costobarusalso,thehusbandofSalome,towhomthekinghadgivenherinmarriage,afterherformerhusbandhadbeenputtodeathforadultery,wasinstrumentalinbringingaboutthiscontrivanceandflightofhis.NordidSalomeescapeallcalumnyuponherself;forherbrotherPherorasaccusedherthatshehadmadeanagreementtomarrySilleus,theprocuratorofObodas,kingofArabia,whowasatbitterenmitywithHerod;butwhenshewasconvictedofthis,andofallthatPherorashadaccusedherof,sheobtainedherpardon.ThekingalsopardonedPherorashimselfthecrimeshehadbeenaccusedof.

7. ButthestormofthewholefamilywasremovedtoAlexander,andallofitresteduponhishead.Therewerethreeeunuchswhowereinthehighestesteemwiththeking,aswasplainbytheofficestheywereinabouthim;foroneofthemwasappointedtobehisbutler,anotherofthemgothissupperreadyforhim,andthethirdputhimintobed,andlaydownbyhim.NowAlexanderhadprevailedwiththesemen,bylargegifts,tolethimusethemafteranobscenemanner;which,whenitwastoldtotheking,theyweretortured,andfoundguilty,andpresentlyconfessedthecriminalconversationhehadwiththem.Theyalsodiscoveredthepromisesbywhichtheywereinducedsotodo,andhowtheyweredeludedbyAlexander,whohadtoldthemthattheyoughtnottofixtheirhopesuponHerod,anoldman,andonesoshamelessastocolorhishair,unlesstheythoughtthatwouldmakehimyoungagain;butthattheyoughttofixtheirattentiontohimwhowastobehissuccessorinthekingdom,whetherhewouldornot;andwhoinnolongtimewouldavengehimselfonhisenemies,andmakehisfriendshappyandblessed,and


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themselvesinthefirstplace;thatthemenofpowerdidalreadypayrespectstoAlexanderprivately,andthatthecaptainsofthesoldiery,andtheofficers,didsecretlycometohim.

8. TheseconfessionsdidsoterrifyHerod,thathedurstnotimmediatelypublishthem;buthesentspiesabroadprivately,bynightandbyday,whoshouldmakeacloseinquiryafterallthatwasdoneandsaid;andwhenanywerebutsuspected[oftreason],heputthemtodeath,insomuchthatthepalacewasfullofhorriblyunjustproceedings;foreverybodyforgedcalumnies,astheywerethemselvesinastateofenmityorhatredagainstothers;andmanytherewerewhoabusedtheking’sbloodypassiontothedisadvantageofthosewithwhomtheyhadquarrels,andlieswereeasilybelieved,andpunishmentswereinflictedsoonerthanthecalumnieswereforged.Hewhohadjustthenbeenaccusinganotherwasaccusedhimself,andwasledawaytoexecutiontogetherwithhimwhomhehadconvicted;forthedangerthekingwasinofhislifemadeexaminationsbeveryshort.Healsoproceededtosuchadegreeofbitterness,thathecouldnotlookonanyofthosethatwerenotaccusedwithapleasantcountenance,butwasinthemostbarbarousdispositiontowardshisownfriends.Accordingly,heforbadeagreatmanyofthemtocometocourt,andtothosewhomhehadnotpowertopunishactuallyhespakeharshly.ButforAntipater,heinsultedAlexander,nowhewasunderhismisfortunes,andgotastoutcompanyofhiskindredtogether,andraisedallsortsofcalumnyagainsthim;andfortheking,hewasbroughttosuchadegreeofterrorbythoseprodigiousslandersandcontrivances,thathefanciedhesawAlexandercomingtohimwithadrawnswordinhishand.Sohecausedhimtobeseizeduponimmediately,andbound,andfelltoexamininghisfriendsbytorture,manyofwhomdied[underthetorture],butwoulddiscovernothing,norsayanythingagainsttheirconsciences;butsomeofthem,beingforcedtospeakfalselybythepainstheyendured,saidthatAlexander,andhisbrotherAristobulus,plottedagainsthim,andwaitedforanopportunitytokillhimashewashunting,andthenflyawaytoRome.Theseaccusationsthoughtheywereofanincrediblenature,andonlyframeduponthegreatdistresstheywerein,werereadilybelievedbytheking,whothoughtitsomecomforttohim,afterhehadboundhisson,thatitmightappearhehadnotdoneitunjustly.


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Chapter25

1. NOWastoAlexander,sinceheperceiveditimpossibletopersuadehisfather[thathewasinnocent],heresolvedtomeethiscalamities,howseveresoevertheywere;sohecomposedfourbooksagainsthisenemies,andconfessedthathehadbeeninaplot;butdeclaredwithalthatthegreatestpart[ofthecourtiers]wereinaplotwithhim,andchieflyPherorasandSalome;nay,thatSalomeoncecameandforcedhimtoliewithherinthenighttime,whetherhewouldorno.ThesebookswereputintoHerod’shands,andmadeagreatclamoragainstthemeninpower.AndnowitwasthatArchelauscamehastilyintoJudea,asbeingaffrightedforhisson-in-lawandhisdaughter;andhecameasaproperassistant,andinaveryprudentmanner,andbyastratagemheobligedthekingnottoexecutewhathehadthreatened;forwhenhewascometohim,hecriedout,“Whereintheworldisthiswretchedson-in-lawofmine?WhereshallIseetheheadofhimwhichcontrivedtomurderhisfather,whichIwillteartopieceswithmyownhands?Iwilldothesamealsotomydaughter,whohathsuchafinehusband;foralthoughshebenotapartnerintheplot,yet,bybeingthewifeofsuchacreature,sheispolluted.AndIcannotbutadmireatthypatience,againstwhomthisplotislaid,ifAlexanderbestillalive;forasIcamewithwhathasteIcouldfromCappadocia,Iexpectedtofindhimputtodeathforhiscrimeslongago;butstill,inordertomakeanexaminationwiththeeaboutmydaughter,whom,outofregardtotheeandbydignity,Ihadespousedtohiminmarriage;butnowwemusttakecounselaboutthemboth;andifthypaternalaffectionbesogreat,thatthoucanstnotpunishthyson,whohathplottedagainstthee,letuschangeourrighthands,andletussucceedonetotheotherinexpressingourrageuponthisoccasion.”

2. Whenhehadmadethispompousdeclaration,hegotHerodtoremitofhisanger,thoughhewereindisorder,whothereupongavehimthebookswhichAlexanderhadcomposedtobereadbyhim;andashecametoeveryhead,heconsideredofit,togetherwithHerod.SoArchclaustookhencetheoccasionforthatstratagemwhichhemadeuseof,andbydegreeshelaidtheblameonthosemenwhosenameswereinthesebooks,andespeciallyuponPheroras;andwhenhesawthatthekingbelievedhim[toheinearnest],hesaid,“Wemustconsiderwhethertheyoungmanbenothimselfplottedagainstbysuchanumberofwickedwretches,andnotthouplottedagainstbytheyoungman;forIcannotseeanyoccasionforhisfallingintosohorridacrime,sinceheenjoystheadvantagesofroyaltyalready,andhastheexpectationofbeingoneofthysuccessors;Imeanthis,unlessthereweresomepersonsthatpersuadehimtoit,andsuchpersonsasmakeanilluseofthefacilitytheyknowthereistopersuadeyoungmen;forbysuchpersons,notonlyyoungmenaresometimesimposedupon,butoldmenalso,andbythemsometimesarethemostillustriousfamiliesandkingdomsoverturned.”

3. Herodassentedtowhathehadsaid,and,bydegrees,abatedofhisangeragainstAlexander,butwasmoreangryatPheroras;fortheprincipalsubjectofthefourbookswasPheroras;whoperceivingthattheking’sinclinationschangedonasudden,andthatArchelaus’sfriendshipcoulddoeverythingwithhim,andthathehadnohonorablemethodofpreservinghimself,heprocuredhissafetybyhisimpudence.SoheleftAlexander,andhadrecoursetoArchelaus,whotoldhimthathedidnotseehowhecouldgethimexcused,nowhewasdirectlycaughtinsomany


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crimes,wherebyitwasevidentlydemonstratedthathehadplottedagainsttheking,andhadbeenthecauseofthosemisfortuneswhichtheyoungmanwasnowunder,unlesshewouldmoreoverleaveoffhiscunningknavery,andhisdenialsofwhathewaschargedwithal,andconfessthecharge,andimplorepardonofhisbrother,whostillhadakindnessforhim;butthatifhewoulddoso,hewouldaffordhimalltheassistancehewasable.

4. WiththisadvicePherorascomplied,andputtinghimselfintosuchahabitasmightmostmovecompassion,hecamewithblackclothuponhisbody,andtearsinhiseyes,andthrewhimselfdownatHerod’sfeet,andbeggedhispardonforwhathehaddone,andconfessedthathehadactedverywickedly,andwasguiltyofeverythingthathehadbeenaccusedof,andlamentedthatdisorderofhismind,anddistractionwhichhislovetoawoman,hesaid,hadbroughthimto.SowhenArchelaushadbroughtPherorastoaccuseandbearwitnessagainsthimself,hethenmadeanexcuseforhim,andmitigatedHerod’sangertowardshim,andthisbyusingcertaindomesticalexamples;forthatwhenhehadsufferedmuchgreatermischiefsfromabrotherofhisown,hepreferedtheobligationsofnaturebeforethepassionofrevenge;becauseitisinkingdomsasitisingrossbodies,wheresomememberorotheriseverswelledbythebody’sweight,inwhichcaseitisnotpropertocutoffsuchmember,buttohealitbyagentlemethodofcure.

5. UponArehelaus’ssayingthis,andmuchmoretothesamepurpose,Herod’sdispleasureagainstPheroraswasmollified;yetdidhepersevereinhisownindignationagainstAlexander,andsaidhewouldhavehisdaughterdivorced,andtakenawayfromhim,andthistillhehadbroughtHerodtothatpass,that,contrarytohisformerbehaviortohim,hepetitionedArchelausfortheyoungman,andthathewouldlethisdaughtercontinueespousedtohim:butArchelausmadehimstronglybelievethathewouldpermithertobemarriedtoanyoneelse,butnottoAlexander,becausehelookeduponitasaveryvaluableadvantage,thattherelationtheyhadcontractedbythataffinity,andtheprivilegesthatwentalongwithit,mightbepreserved.Andwhenthekingsaidthathissonwouldtakeitforagreatfavortohim,ifhewouldnotdissolvethatmarriage,especiallysincetheyhadalreadychildrenbetweentheyoungmanandher,andsincethatwifeofhiswassowellbelovedbyhim,andthataswhilesheremainshiswifeshewouldbeagreatpreservativetohim,andkeephimfromoffending,ashehadformerlydone;soifsheshouldbeoncetornawayfromhim,shewouldbethecauseofhisfallingintodespair,becausesuchyoungmen’sattemptsarebestmollifiedwhentheyaredivertedfromthembysettlingtheiraffectionsathome.SoArehelauscompliedwithwhatHeroddesired,butnotwithoutdifficulty,andwasbothhimselfreconciledtotheyoungman,andreconciledhisfathertohimalso.However,hesaidhemust,byallmeans,besenttoRometodiscoursewithCaesar,becausehehadalreadywrittenafullaccounttohimofthiswholematter.

6. ThusaperiodwasputtoArchelaus’sstratagem,wherebyhedeliveredhisson-in-lawoutofthedangershewasin;butwhenthesereconciliationswereover,theyspenttheirtimeinfeastingsandagreeableentertainments.AndwhenArchelauswasgoingaway,Herodmadehimapresentofseventytalents,withagoldenthronesetwithpreciousstones,andsomeeunuchs,andaconcubinewhowascalledPannychis.Healsopaidduehonorstoeveryoneofhisfriendsaccordingtotheirdignity.Inlikemannerdidalltheking’skindred,byhiscommand,makeglorious


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presentstoArchelaus;andsohewasconductedonhiswaybyHerodandhisnobilityasfarasAntioch.


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Chapter261. NOWalittleafterwardtherecameintoJudeaamanthatwasmuchsuperiorto

Arehelaus’sstratagems,whodidnotonlyoverturnthatreconciliationthathadbeensowiselymadewithAlexander,butprovedtheoccasionofhisruin.HewasaLacedemonian,andhisnamewasEurycles.Hewassocorruptaman,thatoutofthedesireofgettingmoney,hechosetoliveunderaking,forGreececouldnotsufficehisluxury.HepresentedHerodwithsplendidgifts,asabaitwhichhelaidinordertocompasshisends,andquicklyreceivedthembackagainmanifold;yetdidheesteembaregiftsasnothing,unlessheimbruedthekingdominbloodbyhispurchases.Accordingly,heimposeduponthekingbyflatteringhim,andbytalkingsubtlelytohim,asalsobythelyingencomiumswhichhemadeuponhim;forashesoonperceivedHerod’sblindside,sohesaidanddideverythingthatmightpleasehim,andtherebybecameoneofhismostintimatefriends;forboththekingandallthatwereabouthimhadagreatregardforthisSpartan,onaccountofhiscountry.

2. Nowassoonasthisfellowperceivedtherottenpartsofthefamily,andwhatquarrelsthebrothershadonewithanother,andinwhatdispositionthefatherwastowardseachofthem,hechosetotakehislodgingatthefirstinthehouseofAntipater,butdeludedAlexanderwithapretenseoffriendshiptohim,andfalselyclaimedtobeanoldacquaintanceofArchelaus;forwhichreasonhewaspresentlyadmittedintoAlexander’sfamiliarityasafaithfulfriend.HealsosoonrecommendedhimselftohisbrotherAristobulus.Andwhenhehadthusmadetrialoftheseseveralpersons,heimposedupononeofthembyonemethod,anduponanotherbyanother.ButhewasprincipallyhiredbyAntipater,andsobetrayedAlexander,andthisbyreproachingAntipater,because,whilehewastheeldestsonheoverlookedtheintriguesofthosewhostoodinthewayofhisexpectations;andbyreproachingAlexander,becausehewhowasbornofaqueen,andwasmarriedtoaking’sdaughter,permittedonethatwasbornofameanwomantolayclaimtothesuccession,andthiswhenhehadArchelaustosupporthiminthemostcompletemanner.Norwashisadvicethoughttobeotherthanfaithfulbytheyoungman,becauseofhispretendedfriendshipwithArchelaus;onwhichaccountitwasthatAlexanderlamentedtohimAntipater’sbehaviorwithregardtohimself,andthiswithoutconcealinganythingfromhim;andhowitwasnowonderifHerod,afterhehadkilledtheirmother,shoulddeprivethemofherkingdom.UponthisEuryclespretendedtocommiseratehiscondition,andtogrievewithhim.Healso,byabaitthathelaidforhim,procuredAristobulustosaythesamethings.Thusdidheinveigleboththebrotherstomakecomplaintsoftheirfather,andthenwenttoAntipater,andcarriedthesegrandsecretstohim.Healsoaddedafictionofhisown,asifhisbrothershadlaidaplotagainsthim,andwerealmostreadytocomeuponhimwiththeirdrawnswords.Forthisintelligencehereceivedagreatsumofmoney,andonthataccounthecommendedAntipaterbeforehisfather,andatlengthundertooktheworkofbringingAlexanderandAristobulustotheirgraves,andaccusedthembeforetheirfather.SohecametoHerod,andtoldhimthathewouldsavehislife,asarequitalforthefavorshehadreceivedfromhim,andwouldpreservehislight[oflife]bywayofretributionforhiskindentertainment;forthataswordhadbeenlongwhetted,andAlexander’srighthandhadbeenlongstretchedoutagainsthim;butthathehadlaidimpedimentsinhisway,preventedhisspeed,


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andthatbypretendingtoassisthiminhisdesign:howAlexandersaidthatHerodwasnotcontentedtoreigninakingdomthatbelongedtoothers,andtomakedilapidationsintheirmother’sgovernmentafterhehadkilledher;butbesidesallthis,thatheintroducedaspurioussuccessor,andproposedtogivethekingdomoftheirancestorstothatpestilentfellowAntipater:-thathewouldnowappeasetheghostsofHyrcanusandMariamne,bytakingvengeanceonhim;forthatitwasnotfitforhimtotakethesuccessiontothegovernmentfromsuchafatherwithoutbloodshed:thatmanythingshappeneverydaytoprovokehimsotodo,insomuchthathecansaynothingatall,butitaffordsoccasionforcalumnyagainsthim;forthatifanymentionbemadeofnobilityofbirth,eveninothercases,heisabusedunjustly,whilehisfatherwouldsaythatnobody,tobesure,isofnoblebirthbutAlexander,andthathisfatherwasingloriousforwantofsuchnobility.Iftheybeatanytimehunting,andhesaysnothing,hegivesoffense;andifhecommendsanybody,theytakeitinwayofjest.Thattheyalwaysfindtheirfatherunmercifullysevere,andhavenonaturalaffectionforanyofthembutforAntipater;onwhichaccounts,ifthisplotdoesnottake,heisverywillingtodie;butthatincasehekillhisfather,hehathsufficientopportunitiesforsavinghimself.Inthefirstplace,hehathArchelaushisfather-in-lawtowhomhecaneasilyfly;andinthenextplace,hehathCaesar,whohadneverknownHerod’scharactertothisday;forthatheshallnotappearthenbeforehimwiththatdreadheusedtodowhenhisfatherwastheretoterrifyhim;andthathewillnotthenproducetheaccusationsthatconcernedhimselfalone,butwould,inthefirstplace,openlyinsistonthecalamitiesoftheirnation,andhowtheyaretaxedtodeath,andinwhatwaysofluxuryandwickedpracticesthatwealthisspentwhichwasgottenbybloodshed;whatsortofpersonstheyarethatgetourriches,andtowhomthosecitiesbelonguponwhomhebestowshisfavors;thathewouldhaveinquirymadewhatbecameofhisgrandfather[Hyrcanus],andhismother[Mariamne],andwouldopenlyproclaimthegrosswickednessthatwasinthekingdom;onwhichaccountsheshouldnotbedeemedaparricide.

3. WhenEurycleshadmadethisportentousspeech,hegreatlycommendedAntipater,astheonlychildthathadanaffectionforhisfather,andonthataccountwasanimpedimenttotheother’splotagainsthim.Hereupontheking,whohadhardlyrepressedhisangerupontheformeraccusations,wasexasperatedtoanincurabledegree.AtwhichtimeAntipatertookanotheroccasiontosendinotherpersonstohisfathertoaccusehisbrethren,andtotellhimthattheyhadprivatelydiscoursedwithJucundusandTyrannus,whohadoncebeenmastersofthehorsetotheking,butforsomeoffenseshadbeenputoutofthathonorableemployment.Herodwasinaverygreatrageattheseinformations,andpresentlyorderedthosementobetortured;yetdidnottheyconfessanythingofwhatthekinghadbeeninformed;butacertainletterwasproduced,aswrittenbyAlexandertothegovernorofacastle,todesirehimtoreceivehimandAristobulusintothecastlewhenhehadkilledhisfather,andtogivethemweapons,andwhatotherassistancehecould,uponthatoccasion.AlexandersaidthatthisletterwasaforgeryofDiophantus.ThisDiophantuswastheking’ssecretary,aboldman,andcunningincounterfeitinganyone’shand;andafterhehadcounterfeitedagreatnumber,hewasatlastputtodeathforit.Heroddidalsoorderthegovernorofthecastletobetortured,butgotnothingoutofhimofwhattheaccusationssuggested.


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4. However,althoughHerodfoundtheproofstooweak,hegaveordertohavehissonskeptincustody;fortillnowtheyhadbeenatliberty.Healsocalledthatpestofhisfamily,andforgerofallthisvileaccusation,Eurycles,hissaviorandbenefactor,andgavehimarewardoffiftytalents.Uponwhichhepreventedanyaccurateaccountsthatcouldcomeofwhathehaddone,bygoingimmediatelyintoCappadocia,andtherehegotmoneyofArchelaus,havingtheimpudencetopretendthathehadreconciledHerodtoAlexander.HethencepassedoverintoGreece,andusedwhathehadthuswickedlygottentothelikewickedpurposes.Accordingly,hewastwiceaccusedbeforeCaesar,thathehadfilledAchaiawithsedition,andhadplundereditscities;andsohewassentintobanishment.AndthuswashepunishedforwhatwickedactionshehadbeenguiltyofaboutAristobulusandAlexander.

5. ButitwillnowbeworthwhiletoputEuaratusofCosinoppositiontothisSpartan;forashewasoneofAlexander’smostintimatefriends,andcametohiminhistravelsatthesametimethatEuryclescame;sothekingputthequestiontohim,whetherthosethingsofwhichAlexanderwasaccusedweretrue?Heassuredhimuponoaththathehadneverheardanysuchthingsfromtheyoungmen;yetdidthistestimonyavailnothingfortheclearingthosemiserablecreatures;forHerodwasonlydisposedandmostreadytohearkentowhatmadeagainstthem,andeveryonewasmostagreeabletohimthatwouldbelievetheywereguilty,andshowedtheirindignationatthem.


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Chapter271. MOREOVER,SalomeexasperatedHerod’scrueltyagainsthissons;forAristobulus

wasdesiroustobringher,whowashismother-in-lawandhisaunt,intothelikedangerswiththemselves;sohesenttohertotakecareofherownsafety,andtoldherthatthekingwaspreparingtoputhertodeath,onaccountoftheaccusationthatwaslaidagainsther,asifwhensheformerlyendeavoredtomarryherselftoSylleustheArabian,shehaddiscoveredtheking’sgrandsecretstohim,whowastheking’senemy;andthisitwasthatcameasthelaststorm,andentirelysunktheyoungmenwhentheywereingreatdangerbefore.ForSalomecamerunningtotheking,andinformedhimofwhatadmonitionhadbeengivenher;whereuponhecouldbearnolonger,butcommandedboththeyoungmentobebound,andkepttheoneasunderfromtheother.HealsosentVolumnius,thegeneralofhisarmy,toCaesarimmediately,asalsohisfriendOlympuswithhim,whocarriedtheinformationsinwritingalongwiththem.NowassoonastheyhadsailedtoRome,anddeliveredtheking’sletterstoCaesar,Caesarwasmightilytroubledatthecaseoftheyoungmen;yetdidnothethinkheoughttotakethepowerfromthefatherofcondemninghissons;sohewrotebacktohim,andappointedhimtohavethepoweroverhissons;butsaidwithal,thathewoulddowelltomakeanexaminationintothismatteroftheplotagainsthiminapubliccourt,andtotakeforhisassessorshisownkindred,andthegovernorsoftheprovince.Andifthosesonsbefoundguilty,toputthemtodeath;butiftheyappeartohavethoughtofnomorethanflyingawayfromhim,thatheshouldmoderatetheirpunishment.

2. WiththesedirectionsHerodcomplied,andcametoBerytus,whereCaesarhadorderedthecourttobeassembled,andgotthejudicaturetogether.Thepresidentssatfirst,asCaesar’slettershadappointed,whowereSaturninusandPedanius,andtheirlieutenantsthatwerewiththem,withwhomwastheprocuratorVolumniusalso;nexttothemsattheking’skinsmenandfriends,withSalomealso,andPheroras;afterwhomsattheprincipalmenofallSyria,exceptingArchelaus;forHerodhadasuspicionofhim,becausehewasAlexander’sfather-in-law.Yetdidnotheproducehissonsinopencourt;andthiswasdoneverycunningly,forheknewwellenoughthathadtheybutappearedonly,theywouldcertainlyhavebeenpitied;andifwithaltheyhadbeensufferedtospeak,Alexanderwouldeasilyhaveansweredwhattheywereaccusedof;buttheywereincustodyatPlatane,avillageoftheSidontans.

3. Sothekinggotup,andinveighedagainsthissons,asiftheywerepresent;andasforthatpartoftheaccusationthattheyhadplottedagainsthim,heurgeditbutfaintly,becausehewasdestituteofproofs;butheinsistedbeforetheassessorsonthereproaches,andjests,andinjuriouscarriage,andtenthousandthelikeoffensesagainsthim,whichwereheavierthandeathitself;andwhennobodycontradictedhim,hemovedthemtopityhiscase,asthoughhehadbeencondemnedhimself,nowhehadgainedabittervictoryagainsthissons.Soheaskedeveryone’ssentence,whichsentencewasfirstofallgivenbySaturninus,andwasthis:Thathecondemnedtheyoungmen,butnottodeath;forthatitwasnotfitforhim,whohadthreesonsofhisownnowpresent,togivehisvoteforthedestructionofthesonsofanother.Thetwolieutenantsalsogavethelikevote;someotherstherewerealsowhofollowedtheirexample;butVolumniusbegantovoteonthemoremelancholy


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side,andallthosethatcameafterhimcondemnedtheyoungmentodie,someoutofflattery,andsomeoutofhatredtoHerod;butnoneoutofindignationattheircrimes.AndnowallSyriaandJudeawasingreatexpectation,andwaitedforthelastactofthistragedy;yetdidnobody,supposethatHerodwouldbesobarbarousastomurderhischildren:however,hecarriedthemawaytoTyre,andthencesailedtoCesarea,anddeliberatedwithhimselfwhatsortofdeaththeyoungmenshouldsuffer.

4. Nowtherewasacertainoldsoldieroftheking’s,whosenamewasTero,whohadasonthatwasveryfamiliarwithandafriendtoAlexander,andwhohimselfparticularlylovedtheyoungmen.Thissoldierwasinamannerdistracted,outoftheexcessoftheindignationhehadatwhatwasdoing;andatfirsthecriedoutaloud,ashewentabout,thatjusticewastrampledunderfoot;thattruthwasperished,andnatureconfounded;andthatthelifeofmanwasfullofiniquity,andeverythingelsethatpassioncouldsuggesttoamanwhosparednothisownlife;andatlastheventuredtogototheking,andsaid,“TrulyIthinkthouartamostmiserableman,whenthouhearkenesttomostwickedwretches,againstthosethatoughttobedearesttothee;sincethouhastfrequentlyresolvedthatPherorasandSalomeshouldbeputtodeath,andyetbelievestthemagainstthysons;whilethese,bycuttingoffthesuccessionofthineownsons,leaveallwhollytoAntipater,andtherebychoosetohavetheesuchakingasmaybethoroughlyintheirownpower.However,considerwhetherthisdeathofAntipater’sbrethrenwillnotmakehimhatedbythesoldiers;forthereisnobodybutcommiseratestheyoungmen;andofthecaptains,agreatmanyshowtheirindignationatitopenly.”Uponhissayingthis,henamedthosethathadsuchindignation;butthekingorderedthosemen,withTerohimselfandhisson,tobeseizeduponimmediately.

5. Atwhichtimetherewasacertainbarber,whosenamewasTrypho.Thismanleapedoutfromamongthepeopleinakindofmadness,andaccusedhimself,andsaid,“ThisTeroendeavoredtopersuademealsotocutthythroatwithmyrazor,whenItrimmedthee,andpromisedthatAlexandershouldgivemelargepresentsforsodoing.”WhenHerodheardthis,heexaminedTero,withhissonandthebarber,bythetorture;butastheothersdeniedtheaccusation,andhesaidnothingfurther,HerodgaveorderthatTeroshouldberackedmoreseverely;buthisson,outofpitytohisfather,promisedtodiscoverthewholetotheking,ifhewouldgrant[thathisfathershouldbenolongertortured].Whenhehadagreedtothis,hesaidthathisfather,atthepersuasionofAlexander,hadanintentiontokillhim.Nowsomesaidthiswasforged,inordertofreehisfatherfromhistorments;andsomesaiditwastrue.

6. AndnowHerodaccusedthecaptainsandTeroinanassemblyofthepeople,andbroughtthepeopletogetherinabodyagainstthem;andaccordinglythereweretheyputtodeath,togetherwith[Trypho]thebarber;theywerekilledbythepiecesofwoodandthestonesthatwerethrownatthem.HealsosenthissonstoSebaste,acitynotfarfromCesarea,andorderedthemtobetherestrangled;andaswhathehadorderedwasexecutedimmediately,sohecommandedthattheirdeadbodiesshouldbebroughttothefortressAlexandrium,tobeburiedwithAlexander,theirgrandfatherbythemother’sside.AndthiswastheendofAlexanderandAristobulus.


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Chapter281. BUTanintolerablehatredfelluponAntipaterfromthenation,thoughhehadnow

anindisputabletitletothesuccession,becausetheyallknewthathewasthepersonwhocontrivedallthecalumniesagainsthisbrethren.However,hebegantobeinaterriblefear,ashesawtheposterityofthosethathadbeenslaingrowingup;forAlexanderhadtwosonsbyGlaphyra,TigranesandAlexander;andAristobulushadHerod,andAgrippa,andAristobulus,hissons,withHerodiasandMariamne,hisdaughters,andallbyBernice,Salome’sdaughter.AsforGlaphyra,Herod,assoonashehadkilledAlexander,sentherback,togetherwithherportion,toCappadocia.HemarriedBernice,Aristobulus’sdaughter,toAntipater’sunclebyhismother,anditwasAntipaterwho,inordertoreconcilehertohim,whenshehadbeenatvariancewithhim,contrivedthismatch;healsogotintoPheroras’sfavor,andintothefavorofCaesar’sfriends,bypresents,andotherwaysofobsequiousness,andsentnosmallsumsofmoneytoRome;Saturninusalso,andhisfriendsinSyria,wereallwellreplenishedwiththepresentshemadethem;yetthemorehegave,themorehewashated,asnotmakingthesepresentsoutofgenerosity,butspendinghismoneyoutoffear.Accordingly,itsofelloutthatthereceiversborehimnomoregood-willthanbefore,butthatthosetowhomhegavenothingwerehismorebitterenemies.However,hebestowedhismoneyeverydaymoreandmoreprofusely,onobservingthat,contrarytohisexpectations,thekingwastakingcareabouttheorphans,anddiscoveringatthesametimehisrepentanceforkillingtheirfathers,byhiscommiserationofthosethatsprangfromthem.

2. Accordingly,Herodgottogetherhiskindredandfriends,andsetbeforethemthechildren,and,withhiseyesfulloftears,saidthustothem:“Itwasanunluckyfatethattookawayfrommethesechildren’sfathers,whichchildrenarerecommendedtomebythatnaturalcommiserationwhichtheirorphanconditionrequires;however,Iwillendeavor,thoughIhavebeenamostunfortunatefather,toappearabettergrandfather,andtoleavethesechildrensuchcuratorsaftermyselfasaredearesttome.Ithereforebetroththydaughter,Pheroras,totheelderofthesebrethren,thechildrenofAlexander,thatthoumaystbeobligedtotakecareofthem.Ialsobetrothtothyson,Antipater,thedaughterofAristobulus;bethouthereforeafathertothatorphan;andmysonHerod[Philip]shallhavehersister,whosegrandfather,bythemother’sside,washighpriest.Andleteveryonethatlovesmebeofmysentimentsinthesedispositions,whichnonethathathanaffectionformewillabrogate.AndIprayGodthathewilljointhesechildrentogetherinmarriage,totheadvantageofmykingdom,andofmyposterity;andmayhelookdownwitheyesmoresereneuponthemthanhelookedupontheirfathers.”

3. Whilehespakethesewordshewept,andjoinedthechildren’sfighthandstogether;afterwhichheembracedthemeveryoneafteranaffectionatemanner,anddismissedtheassembly.Uponthis,Antipaterwasingreatdisorderimmediately,andlamentedpubliclyatwhatwasdone;forhesupposedthatthisdignitywhichwasconferredontheseorphanswasforhisowndestruction,eveninhisfather’slifetime,andthatheshouldrunanotherriskoflosingthegovernment,ifAlexander’ssonsshouldhavebothArchelaus[aking],andPherorasatetrarch,tosupportthem.Healsoconsideredhowhewashimselfhatedbythenation,andhowtheypitiedtheseorphans;howgreataffectiontheJewsbaretothosebrethrenofhiswhenthey


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werealive,andhowgladlytheyrememberedthemnowtheyhadperishedbyhismeans.Soheresolvedbyallthewayspossibletogettheseespousalsdissolved.

4. Nowhewasafraidofgoingsubtlelyaboutthismatterwithhisfather,whowashardtobepleased,andwaspresentlymovedupontheleastsuspicion:soheventuredtogotohimdirectly,andtobegofhimbeforehisfacenottodeprivehimofthatdignitywhichhehadbeenpleasedtobestowuponhim;andthathemightnothavethebarenameofaking,whilethepowerwasinotherpersons;forthatheshouldneverbeabletokeepthegovernment,ifAlexander’ssonwastohavebothhisgrandfatherArchelausandPherorasforhiscurators;andhebesoughthimearnestly,sincethereweresomanyoftheroyalfamilyalive,thathewouldchangethose[intended]marriages.Nowthekinghadninewives,andchildrenbysevenofthem;AntipaterwashimselfbornofDoris,andHerodPhilipofMariamne,thehighpriest’sdaughter;AntipasalsoandArchelauswerebyMalthace,theSamaritan,aswashisdaughterOlympias,whichhisbrotherJoseph’ssonhadmarried.ByCleopatraofJerusalemhehadHerodandPhilip;andbyPallas,Phasaelus;hehadalsotwodaughters,RoxanaandSalome,theonebyPhedra,andtheotherbyElpis;hehadalsotwowivesthathadnochildren,theonehisfirstcousin,andtheotherhisniece;andbesidesthesehehadtwodaughters,thesistersofAlexanderandAristobulus,byMariamne.Since,therefore,theroyalfamilywassonumerous,Antipaterprayedhimtochangetheseintendedmarriages.

5. Whenthekingperceivedwhatdispositionhewasintowardstheseorphans,hewasangryatit,andasuspicioncameintohismindastothosesonswhomhehadputtodeath,whetherthathadnotbeenbroughtaboutbythefalsetalesofAntipater;sothatatthattimehemadeAntipateralongandapeevishanswer,andbidhimbegone.Yetwasheafterwardsprevaileduponcunninglybyhisflatteries,andchangedthemarriages;hemarriedAristobulus’sdaughtertohim,andhissontoPheroras’sdaughter.

6. Nowonemaylearn,inthisinstance,howverymuchthisflatteringAntipatercoulddo,-evenwhatSalomeinthelikecircumstancescouldnotdo;forwhenshe,whowashissister,andwho,bythemeansofJulia,Caesar’swife,earnestlydesiredleavetobemarriedtoSylleustheArabian,Herodsworehewouldesteemherhisbitterenemy,unlessshewouldleaveoffthatproject:healsocausedher,againstherownconsent,tobemarriedtoAlexas,afriendofhis,andthatoneofherdaughtersshouldbemarriedtoAlexas’sson,andtheothertoAntipater’sunclebythemother’sside.AndforthedaughtersthekinghadbyMariamne,theonewasmarriedtoAntipater,hissister’sson,andtheothertohisbrother’sson,Phasaelus.


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Chapter291. NOWwhenAntipaterhadcutoffthehopesoftheorphans,andhadcontractedsuch

affinitiesaswouldbemostforhisownadvantage,heproceededbriskly,ashavingacertainexpectationofthekingdom;andashehadnowassuranceaddedtohiswickedness,hebecameintolerable;fornotbeingabletoavoidthehatredofallpeople,hebuilthissecurityupontheterrorhestruckintothem.Pherorasalsoassistedhiminhisdesigns,lookinguponhimasalreadyfixedinthekingdom.Therewasalsoacompanyofwomeninthecourt,whichexcitednewdisturbances;forPheroras’swife,togetherwithhermotherandsister,asalsoAntipater’smother,grewveryimpudentinthepalace.Shealsowassoinsolentastoaffronttheking’stwodaughters,onwhichaccountthekinghatedhertoagreatdegree;yetalthoughthesewomenwerehatedbyhim,theydomineeredoverothers:therewasonlySalomewhoopposedtheirgoodagreement,andinformedthekingoftheirmeetings,asnotbeingfortheadvantageofhisaffairs.Andwhenthosewomenknewwhatcalumniesshehadraisedagainstthem,andhowmuchHerodwasdispleased,theyleftofftheirpublicmeetings,andfriendlyentertainmentsofoneanother;nay,onthecontrary,theypretendedtoquarrelonewithanotherwhenthekingwaswithinhearing.ThelikedissimulationdidAntipatermakeuseof;andwhenmatterswerepublic,heopposedPheroras;butstilltheyhadprivatecabalsandmerrymeetingsinthenighttime;nordidtheobservationofothersdoanymorethanconfirmtheirmutualagreement.However,Salomekneweverythingtheydid,andtoldeverythingtoHerod.

2. Buthewasinflamedwithangeratthem,andchieflyatPheroras’swife;forSalomehadprincipallyaccusedher.Sohegotanassemblyofhisfriendsandkindredtogether,andthereaccusedthiswomanofmanythings,andparticularlyoftheaffrontsshehadofferedhisdaughters;andthatshehadsuppliedthePhariseeswithmoney,bywayofrewardsforwhattheyhaddoneagainsthim,andhadprocuredhisbrothertobecomehisenemy,bygivinghimlovepotions.AtlengthheturnedhisspeechtoPheroras,andtoldhimthathewouldgivehimhischoiceofthesetwothings:Whetherhewouldkeepinwithhisbrother,orwithhiswife?AndwhenPherorassaidthathewoulddieratherthanforsakehiswife?Herod,notknowingwhattodofurtherinthatmatter,turnedhisspeechtoAntipater,andchargedhimtohavenointercourseeitherwithPheroras’swife,orwithPherorashimself,orwithanyonebelongingtoher.NowthoughAntipaterdidnottransgressthathisinjunctionpublicly,yetdidheinsecretcometotheirnightmeetings;andbecausehewasafraidthatSalomeobservedwhathedid,heprocured,bythemeansofhisItalianfriends,thathemightgoandliveatRome;forwhentheywrotethatitwasproperforAntipatertobesenttoCaesarforsometime,Herodmadenodelay,butsenthim,andthatwithasplendidattendance,andagreatdealofmoney,andgavehimhistestamenttocarrywithhim,-whereinAntipaterhadthekingdombequeathedtohim,andwhereinHerodwasnamedforAntipater’ssuccessor;thatHerod,Imean,whowasthesonofMariarmne,thehighpriest’sdaughter.

3. Sylleusalso,theArabian,sailedtoRome,withoutanyregardtoCaesar’sinjunctions,andthisinordertoopposeAntipaterwithallhismight,astothatlaw-suitwhichNicolaushadwithhimbefore.ThisSylleushadalsoagreatcontestwithAretashisownking;forhehadslainmanyothersofAretas’sfriends,andparticularly


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Sohemus,themostpotentmaninthecityPetra.Moreover,hehadprevailedwithPhabatus,whowasHerod’ssteward,bygivinghimagreatsumofmoney,toassisthimagainstHerod;butwhenHerodgavehimmore,heinducedhimtoleaveSyllcus,andbythismeanshedemandedofhimallthatCaesarhadrequiredofhimtopay.ButwhenSylleuspaidnothingofwhathewastopay,anddidalsoaccusePhabatustoCaesar,andsaidthathewasnotastewardforCaesar’sadvantage,butforHerod’s,Phabatuswasangryathimonthataccount,butwasstillinverygreatesteemwithHerod,anddiscoveredSylleus’sgrandsecrets,andtoldthekingthatSylleushadcorruptedCorinthus,oneoftheguardsofhisbody,bybribinghim,andofwhomhemustthereforehaveacare.Accordingly,thekingcomplied;forthisCorinthus,thoughhewasbroughtupinHerod’skingdom,yetwashebybirthanArabian;sothekingorderedhimtobetakenupimmediately,andnotonlyhim,buttwootherArabians,whowerecaughtwithhim;theoneofthemwasSylleus’sfriend,theothertheheadofatribe.Theselast,beingputtothetorture,confessedthattheyhadprevailedwithCorinthus,foralargesumofmoney,tokillHerod;andwhentheyhadbeenfurtherexaminedbeforeSaturninus,thepresidentofSyria,theyweresenttoRome.

4. However,HeroddidnotleaveoffimportuningPheroras,butproceededtoforcehimtoputawayhiswife;yetcouldhenotdeviseanywaybywhichhecouldbringthewomanherselftopunishment,althoughhehadmanycausesofhatredtoher;tillatlengthhewasinsuchgreatuneasinessather,thathecastbothherandhisbrotheroutofhiskingdom.Pherorastookthisinjuryverypatiently,andwentawayintohisowntetrarchy,[PereabeyondJordan,]andswarethatthereshouldbebutoneendputtohisflight,andthatshouldbeHerod’sdeath;andthathewouldneverreturnwhilehewasalive.Norindeedwouldhereturnwhenhisbrotherwassick,althoughheearnestlysentforhimtocometohim,becausehehadamindtoleavesomeinjunctionswithhimbeforehedied;butHerodunexpectedlyrecovered.AlittleafterwardPherorashimselffellsick,whenHerodshowedgreatmoderation;forhecametohim,andpitiedhiscase,andtookcareofhim;buthisaffectionforhimdidhimnogood,forPherorasdiedalittleafterward.NowthoughHerodhadsogreatanaffectionforhimtothelastdayofhislife,yetwasareportspreadabroadthathehadkilledhimbypoison.However,hetookcaretohavehisdeadbodycarriedtoJerusalem,andappointedaverygreatmourningtothewholenationforhim,andbestowedamostpompousfuneraluponhim.AndthiswastheendthatoneofAlexander’sandAristobulus’smurdererscameto.


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Chapter301. BUTnowthepunishmentwastransferreduntotheoriginalauthor,Antipater,and

tookitsrisefromthedeathofPheroras;forcertainofhisfreed-mencamewithasadcountenancetotheking,andtoldhimthathisbrotherhadbeendestroyedbypoison,andthathiswifehadbroughthimsomewhatthatwaspreparedafteranunusualmanner,andthat,uponhiseatingit,hepresentlyfellintohisdistemper;thatAntipater’smotherandsister,twodaysbefore,broughtawomanoutofArabiathatwasskillfulinmixingsuchdrugs,thatshemightpreparealovepotionforPheroras;andthatinsteadofalovepotion,shehadgivenhimdeadlypoison;andthatthiswasdonebythemanagementofSylleus,whowasacquaintedwiththatwoman.

2. Thekingwasdeeplyaffectedwithsomanysuspicions,andhadthemaid-servantsandsomeofthefreewomenalsotortured;oneofwhichcriedoutinheragonies,“MaythatGodthatgovernstheearthandtheheavenpunishthisauthorofalltheseourmiseries,Antipater’smother!”Thekingtookahandlefromthisconfession,andproceededtoinquirefurtherintothetruthofthematter.SothiswomandiscoveredthefriendshipofAntipater’smothertoPheroras,andAntipater’swomen,asalsotheirsecretmeetings,andthatPherorasandAntipaterhaddrunkwiththemforawholenighttogetherastheyreturnedfromtheking,andwouldnotsufferanybody,eitherman-servantormaidservant,tobethere;whileoneofthefreewomendiscoveredthematter.

3. UponthisHerodtorturedthemaid-servantseveryonbythemselvesseparately,whoallunanimouslyagreedintheforegoingdiscoveries,andthataccordinglybyagreementtheywentaway,AntipatertoRome,andPherorastoPerea;forthattheyoftentimestalkedtooneanotherthus:ThatafterHerodhadslainAlexanderandAristobulus,hewouldfalluponthem,andupontheirwives,because,afterheMariamneandherchildrenhewouldsparenobody;andthatforthisreasonitwasbesttogetasfaroffthewildbeastastheywereable:-andthatAntipateroftentimeslamentedhisowncasebeforehismother,andsaidtoher,thathehadalreadygrayhairsuponhishead,andthathisfathergrewyoungeragaineveryday,andthatperhapsdeathwouldovertakehimbeforeheshouldbegintobeakinginearnest;andthatincaseHerodshoulddie,whichyetnobodyknewwhenitwouldbe,theenjoymentofthesuccessioncouldcertainlybebutforalittletime;forthattheseheadsofHydra,thesonsofAlexanderandAristobulus,weregrowingup:thathewasdeprivedbyhisfatherofthehopesofbeingsucceededbyhischildren,forthathissuccessorafterhisdeathwasnottobeanyoneofhisownsons,butHerodthesonofMariamne:thatinthispointHerodwasplainlydistracted,tothinkthathistestamentshouldthereintakeplace;forhewouldtakecarethatnotoneofhisposterityshouldremain,becausehewasofallfathersthegreatesthaterofhischildren.Yetdoeshehatehisbrotherstillworse;whenceitwasthatheawhileagogavehimselfahundredtalents,thatheshouldnothaveanyintercoursewithPheroras.AndwhenPherorassaid,Whereinhavewedonehimanyharm?Antipaterreplied,“Iwishhewouldbutdepriveusofallwehave,andleaveusnakedandaliveonly;butitisindeedimpossibletoescapethiswildbeast,whoisthusgiventomurder,whowillnotpermitustoloveanypersonopenly,althoughwebetogether


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privately;yetmaywebesoopenlytoo,ifwehavebutthecourageandthehandsofmen.”

4. Thesethingsweresaidbythewomenuponthetorture;asalsothatPherorasresolvedtoflywiththemtoPerea.NowHerodgavecredittoalltheysaid,onaccountoftheaffairofthehundredtalents;forhehadnodiscoursewithanybodyaboutthem,butonlywithAntipater.SoheventedhisangerfirstofallagainstAntipater’smother,andtookawayfromheralltheornamentswhichhehadgivenher,whichcostagreatmanytalents,andcastheroutofthepalaceasecondtime.HealsotookcareofPheroras’swomenaftertheirtortures,asbeingnowreconciledtothem;buthewasingreatconsternationhimself,andinflameduponeverysuspicion,andhadmanyinnocentpersonsledtothetorture,outofhisfearlestheshouldleaveanyguiltypersonuntortured.

5. AndnowitwasthathebetookhimselftoexamineAntipaterofSamaria,whowasthestewardof[hisson]Antipater;andupontorturinghim,helearnedthatAntipaterhadsentforapotionofdeadlypoisonforhimoutofEgypt,byAntiphilus,acompanionofhis;thatTheudio,theuncleofAntipater,haditfromhim,anddeliveredittoPheroras;forthatAntipaterhadchargedhimtotakehisfatheroffwhilehewasatRome,andsofreehimfromthesuspicionofdoingithimself:thatPherorasalsocommittedthispotiontohiswife.Thendidthekingsendforher,andbidherbringtohimwhatshehadreceivedimmediately.Soshecameoutofherhouseasifshewouldbringitwithher,butthrewherselfdownfromthetopofthehouse,inordertopreventanyexaminationandtorturefromtheking.However,itcametopass,asitseemsbytheprovidenceofGod,whenheintendedtobringAntipatertopunishment,thatshefellnotuponherhead,butuponotherpartsofherbody,andescaped.Theking,whenshewasbroughttohim,tookcareofher,(forshewasatfirstquitesenselessuponherfall,)andaskedherwhyshehadthrownherselfdown;andgaveherhisoath,thatifshewouldspeaktherealtruth,hewouldexcuseherfrompunishment;butthatifsheconcealedanything,hewouldhaveherbodytorntopiecesbytorments,andleavenopart.ofittobeburied.

6. Uponthisthewomanpausedalittle,andthensaid,“WhydoIsparetospeakofthesegrandsecrets,nowPherorasisdead?thatwouldonlytendtosaveAntipater,whoisallourdestruction.Hearthen,Oking,andbethou,andGodhimself,whocannotbedeceived,witnessestothetruthofwhatIamgoingtosay.WhenthoudidstsitweepingbyPherorasashewasdying,thenitwasthathecalledmetohim,andsaid,Mydearwife,Ihavebeengreatlymistakenastothedispositionofmybrothertowardsme,andhavehatedhimthatissoaffectionatetome,andhavecontrivedtokillhimwhoisinsuchdisorderformebeforeIamdead.Asformyself,Ireceivetherecompenceofmyimpiety;butdothoubringwhatpoisonwasleftwithusbyAntipater,andwhichthoukeepestinordertodestroyhim,andconsumeitimmediatelyinthefireinmysight,thatImaynotbeliabletotheavengerintheinvisibleworld.”ThisIbroughtashebidme,andemptiedthegreatestpartofitintothefire,butreservedalittleofitformyownuseagainstuncertainfuturity,andoutofmyfearofthee.”

7. Whenshehadsaidthis,shebroughtthebox,whichhadasmallquantityofthispotioninit:butthekingletheralone,andtransferredthetorturestoAntiphilus’smotherandbrother;whobothconfessedthatAntiphilusbroughttheboxoutofEgypt,andthattheyhadreceivedthepotionfromabrotherofhis,whowasa


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physicianatAlexandria.ThendidtheghostsofAlexanderandAristobulusgoroundallthepalace,andbecametheinquisitorsanddiscoverersofwhatcouldnototherwisehavebeenfoundoutandbroughtsuchaswerethefreestfromsuspiciontobeexamined;wherebyitwasdiscoveredthatMariamne,thehighpriest’sdaughter,wasconsciousofthisplot;andherverybrothers,whentheyweretortured,declareditsotobe.Whereuponthekingavengedthisinsolentattemptofthemotheruponherson,andblottedHerod,whomhehadbyher,outofhistreament,whohadbeenbeforenamedthereinassuccessortoAntipater.


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Chapter311. AFTERthesethingswereover,Bathylluscameunderexamination,inorderto

convictAntipater,whoprovedtheconcludingattestationtoAntipater’sdesigns;forindeedhewasnootherthanhisfreed-man.Thismancame,andbroughtanotherdeadlypotion,thepoisonofasps,andthejuicesofotherserpents,thatifthefirstpotiondidnotdothebusiness,Pherorasandhiswifemightbearmedwiththisalsotodestroytheking.HebroughtalsoanadditiontoAntipater’sinsolentattemptagainsthisfather,whichwastheletterswhichhewroteagainsthisbrethren,ArchelausandPhilip,whichweretheking’ssons,andeducatedatRome,beingyetyouths,butofgenerousdispositions.Antipatersethimselftogetridoftheseassoonashecould,thattheymightnotbeprejudicialtohishopes;andtothatendheforgedlettersagainsttheminthenameofhisfriendsatRome.Someofthesehecorruptedbybribestowritehowtheygrosslyreproachedtheirfather,anddidopenlybewailAlexanderandAristobulus,andwereuneasyattheirbeingrecalled;fortheirfatherhadalreadysentforthem,whichwastheverythingthattroubledAntipater.

2. Nay,indeed,whileAntipaterwasinJudea,andbeforehewasuponhisjourneytoRome,hegavemoneytohavethelikelettersagainstthemsentfromRome,andthencametohisfather,whoasyethadnosuspicionofhim,andapologizedforhisbrethren,andallegedontheirbehalfthatsomeofthethingscontainedinthoseletterswerefalse,andothersofthemwereonlyyouthfulerrors.Yetatthesametimethatheexpendedagreatdealofhismoney,bymakingpresentstosuchaswroteagainsthisbrethren,didheaimtobringhisaccountsintoconfusion,bybuyingcostlygarments,andcarpetsofvariouscontextures,withsilverandgoldcups,andagreatmanymorecuriousthings,thatso,amongtheviewgreatexpenseslaidoutuponsuchfurniture,hemightconcealthemoneyhehadusedinhiringmen[towritetheletters];forhebroughtinanaccountofhisexpenses,amountingtotwohundredtalents,hismainpretenseforwhichwasfilelaw-suithehadbeeninwithSylleus.Sowhileallhisrogueries,eventhoseofalessersortalso,werecoveredbyhisgreatervillainy,whilealltheexaminationsbytortureproclaimedhisattempttomurderhisfather,andthelettersproclaimedhissecondattempttomurderhisbrethren;yetdidnooneofthosethatcametoRomeinformhimofhismisfortunesinJudea,althoughsevenmonthshadintervenedbetweenhisconvictionandhisreturn,sogreatwasthehatredwhichtheyallboretohim.Andperhapstheyweretheghostsofthosebrethrenofhisthathadbeenmurderedthatstoppedthemouthsofthosethatintendedtohavetoldhim.HethenwrotefromRome,andinformedhis[friends]thathewouldsooncometothem,andhowhewasdismissedwithhonorbyCaesar.

3. Nowtheking,beingdesiroustogetthisplotteragainsthimintohishands,andbeingalsoafraidlestheshouldsomewaycometotheknowledgehowhisaffairsstood,andbeuponhisguard,hedissembledhisangerinhisepistletohim,asinotherpointshewrotekindlytohim,anddesiredhimtomakehaste,becauseifhecamequickly,hewouldthenlayasidethecomplaintshehadagainsthismother;forAntipaterwasnotignorantthathismotherhadbeenexpelledoutofthepalace.However,hehadbeforereceivedaletter,whichcontainedanaccountofthedeathofPheroras,atTarentum,andmadegreatlamentationsatit;forwhichsomecommendedhim,asbeingforhisownuncle;thoughprobablythisconfusionarose


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onaccountofhishavingtherebyfailedinhisplot[onhisfather’slife];andhistearsweremoreforthelossofhimthatwastohavebeensubservienttherein,thanfor[anuncle]Pheroras:moreover,asortoffearcameuponhimastohisdesigns,lestthepoisonshouldhavebeendiscovered.However,whenhewasinCilicia,hereceivedtheforementionedepistlefromhisfather,andmadegreathasteaccordingly.ButwhenhehadsailedtoCelenderis,asuspicioncameintohismindrelatingtohismother’smisfortunes;asifhissoulforebodedsomemischieftoitself.Thosethereforeofhisfriendswhichwerethemostconsiderateadvisedhimnotrashlytogotohisfather,tillhehadlearnedwhatweretheoccasionswhyhismotherhadbeenejected,becausetheywereafraidthathemightbeinvolvedinthecalumniesthathadbeencastuponhismother:butthosethatwerelessconsiderate,andhadmoreregardtotheirowndesiresofseeingtheirnativecountry,thantoAntipater’ssafety,persuadedhimtomakehastehome,andnot,bydelayinghisjourney,affordhisfathergroundforanillsuspicion,andgiveahandletothosethatraisedstoriesagainsthim;forthatincaseanythinghadbeenmovedtohisdisadvantage,itwasowingtohisabsence,whichdurstnothavebeendonehadhebeenpresent.Andtheysaiditwasabsurdtodeprivehimselfofcertainhappiness,forthesakeofanuncertainsuspicion,andnotrathertoreturntohisfather,andtaketheroyalauthorityuponhim,whichwasinastateoffluctuationonhisaccountonly.Antipatercompliedwiththislastadvice,forProvidencehurriedhimon[tohisdestruction].Sohepassedoverthesea,andlandedatSebastus,thehavenofCesarea.

4. Andherehefoundaperfectandunexpectedsolitude,whileeverbodyavoidedhim,andnobodydurstcomeathim;forhewasequallyhatedbyallmen;andnowthathatredhadlibertytoshowitself,andthedreadmenwereinattheking’sangermademenkeepfromhim;forthewholecity[ofJerusalem]wasfilledwiththerumorsaboutAntipater,andAntipaterhimselfwastheonlypersonwhowasignorantofthem;forasnomanwasdismissedmoremagnificentlywhenhebeganhisvoyagetoRomesowasnomannowreceivedbackwithgreaterignominy.AndindeedhebeganalreadytosuspectwhatmisfortunestherewereinHerod’sfamily;yetdidhecunninglyconcealhissuspicion;andwhilehewasinwardlyreadytodieforfear,heputonaforcedboldnessofcountenance.Norcouldhenowflyanywhither,norhadheanywayofemergingoutofthedifficultieswhichencompassedhim;norindeedhadheeventhereanycertainintelligenceoftheaffairsoftheroyalfamily,byreasonofthethreatsthekinghadgivenout:yethadhesomesmallhopesofbettertidings;forperhapsnothinghadbeendiscovered;orifanydiscoveryhadbeenmade,perhapsheshouldbeabletoclearhimselfbyimpudenceandartfultricks,whichweretheonlythingsherelieduponforhisdeliverance.

5. Andwiththesehopesdidhescreenhimself,tillhecametothepalace,withoutanyfriendswithhim;forthesewereaffronted,andshutoutatthefirstgate.NowVarus,thepresidentofSyria,happenedtobeinthepalace[atthisjuncture];soAntipaterwentintohisfather,and,puttingonaboldface,hecameneartosalutehim.ButHerodStretchedouthishands,andturnedhisheadawayfromhim,andcriedout,“Eventhisisanindicationofaparricide,tobedesiroustogetmeintohisarms,whenheisundersuchheinousaccusations.Godconfoundthee,thouvilewretch;donotthoutouchme,tillthouhastclearedthyselfofthesecrimesthatarechargeduponthee.Iappointtheeacourtwherethouarttobejudged,andthisVarus,whois


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veryseasonablyhere,tobethyjudge;andgetthouthydefensereadyagainsttomorrow,forIgivetheesomuchtimetopreparesuitableexcusesforthyself.”AndasAntipaterwassoconfounded,thathewasabletomakenoanswertothischarge,hewentaway;buthismotherandwifecametohim,andtoldhimofalltheevidencetheyhadgottenagainsthim.Hereuponherecollectedhimself,andconsideredwhatdefenseheshouldmakeagainsttheaccusations.


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Chapter321. NOWthedayfollowingthekingassembledacourtofhiskinsmenandfriends,and

calledinAntipater’sfriendsalso.Herodhimself,withVarus,werethepresidents;andHerodcalledforallthewitnesses,andorderedthemtobebroughtin;amongwhomsomeofthedomesticservantsofAntipater’smotherwerebroughtinalso,whohadbutalittlewhilebeforebeencaught,astheywerecarryingthefollowingletterfromhertoherson:“Sinceallthosethingshavebeenalreadydiscoveredtothyfather,donotthoucometohim,unlessthoucanstprocuresomeassistancefromCaesar.”Whenthisandtheotherwitnesseswereintroduced,Antipatercamein,andfallingonhisfacebeforehisfather’sfeet,hesaid,“Father,Ibeseechthee,donotcondemnmebeforehand,butletthyearsbeunbiassed,andattendtomydefense;forifthouwiltgivemeleave,IwilldemonstratethatIaminnocent.”

2. HereuponHerodcriedouttohimtoholdhispeace,andspakethustoVarus:“Icannotbutthinkthatthou,Varus,andeveryotheruprightjudge,willdeterminethatAntipaterisavilewretch.Iamalsoafraidthatthouwiltabhormyillfortune,andjudgemealsomyselfworthyofallsortsofcalamityforbegettingsuchchildren;whileyetIoughtrathertobepitied,whohavebeensoaffectionateafathertosuchwretchedsons;forwhenIhadsettledthekingdomonmyformersons,evenwhentheywereyoung,andwhen,besidesthechargesoftheireducationatRome,IhadmadethemthefriendsofCaesar,andmadethemenviedbyotherkings,Ifoundthemplottingagainstme.Thesehavebeenputtodeath,andthat,ingreatmeasure,forthesakeofAntipater;forashewasthenyoung,andappointedtobemysuccessor,Itookcarechieflytosecurehimfromdanger:butthisprofligatewildbeast,whenhehadbeenoverandabovesatiatedwiththatpatiencewhichIshowedhim,hemadeuseofthatabundanceIhadgivenhimagainstmyself;forIseemedtohimtolivetoolong,andhewasveryuneasyattheoldageIwasarrivedat;norcouldhestayanylonger,butwouldbeakingbyparricide.AndjustlyIamservedbyhimforbringinghimbackoutofthecountrytocourt,whenhewasofnoesteembefore,andforthrustingoutthosesonsofminethatwerebornofthequeen,andformakinghimasuccessortomydominions.Iconfesstothee,OVarus,thegreatfollyIwasguiltyforIprovokedthosesonsofminetoactagainstme,andcutofftheirjustexpectationsforthesakeofAntipater;andindeedwhatkindnessdidIdothem;thatcouldequalwhatIhavedonetoAntipater?toIhave,inamanner,yieldedupmyroyalwhileIamalive,andwhomIhaveopenlynamedforthesuccessortomydominionsinmytestament,andgivenhimayearlyrevenueofhisownoffiftytalents,andsuppliedhimwithmoneytoanextravagantdegreeoutofmyownrevenue;and’whenhewasabouttosailtoRome,Igavehimthreetalents,andrecommendedhim,andhimaloneofallmychildren,toCaesar,ashisfather’sdeliverer.NowwhatcrimeswerethoseothersonsofmineguiltyofliketheseofAntipater?andwhatevidencewastherebroughtagainstthemsostrongasthereistodemonstratethissontohaveplottedagainstme?Yetdoesthisparricidepresumetospeakforhimself,andhopestoobscurethetruthbyhiscunningtricks.Thou,OVarus,mustguardthyselfagainsthim;forIknowthewildbeast,andIforeseehowplausiblyhewilltalk,andhiscounterfeitlamentation.ThiswashewhoexhortedmetohaveacareofAlexanderwhenhewasalive,andnottointrustmybodywithallmen!Thiswashewhocametomyverybed,andlookedaboutlestanyoneshould


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laysnaresforme!Thiswashewhotookcareofmysleep,andsecuredmefromfearofdanger,whocomfortedmeunderthetroubleIwasinupontheslaughterofmysons,andlookedtoseewhataffectionmysurvivingbrethrenboreme!Thiswasmyprotector,andtheguardianofmybody!AndwhenIcalltomind,OVarus,hiscraftinessuponeveryoccasion,andhisartofdissembling,IcanhardlybelievethatIamstillalive,andIwonderhowIhaveescapedsuchadeepplotterofmischief.However,sincesomefateorothermakesmyhousedesolate,andperpetuallyraisesupthosethataredearesttomeagainstme,Iwill,withtears,lamentmyhardfortune,andprivatelygroanundermylonesomecondition;yetamIresolvedthatnoonewhothirstsaftermybloodshallescapepunishment,althoughtheevidenceshouldextenditselftoallmysons.”

3. UponHerod’ssayingthis,hewasinterruptedbytheconfusionhewasin;butorderedNicolaus,oneofhisfriends,toproducetheevidenceagainstAntipater.ButinthemeantimeAntipaterlifteduphishead,(forhelayonthegroundbeforehisfather’sfeet,)andcriedoutaloud,“Thou,Ofather,hastmademyapologyforme;forhowcanIbeaparricide,whomthouthyselfconfessesttohavealwayshadforthyguardian?Thoucallestmyfilialaffectionprodigiousliesandhypocrisy!howthencoulditbethatI,whowassosubtleinothermatters,shouldherebesomadasnottounderstandthatitwasnoteasythathewhocommittedsohorridacrimeshouldbeconcealedfrommen,butimpossiblethatheshouldbeconcealedfromtheJudgeofheaven,whoseesallthings,andispresenteverywhere?ordidnotIknowwhatendmybrethrencameto,onwhomGodinflictedsogreatapunishmentfortheirevildesignsagainstthee?Andindeedwhatwastherethatcouldpossiblyprovokemeagainstthee?Couldthehopeofbeingkingdoit?Iwasakingalready.CouldIsuspecthatredfromthee?No.WasnotIbelovedbythee?AndwhatotherfearcouldIhave?Nay,bypreservingtheesafe,Iwasaterrortoothers.DidIwantmoney?No;forwhowasabletoexpendsomuchasmyself?Indeed,father,hadIbeenthemostexecrableofallmankind,andhadIhadthesoulofthemostcruelwildbeast,mustInothavebeenovercomewiththebenefitsthouhadstbestoweduponme?whom,asthouthyselfsayest,thoubroughtest[intothepalace];whomthoudidstpreferbeforesomanyofthysons;whomthoumadestakinginthineownlifetime,and,bythevastmagnitudeoftheotheradvantagesthoubestowedstonme,thoumadestmeanobjectofenvy.Omiserableman!thatthoushouldstundergothisbitterabsence,andtherebyaffordagreatopportunityforenvytoariseagainstthee,andalongspaceforsuchaswerelayingdesignsagainstthee!YetwasIabsent,father,onthyaffairs,thatSylleusmightnottreattheewithcontemptinthineoldage.Romeisawitnesstomyfilialaffection,andsoisCaesar,therulerofthehabitableearth,whooftentimescalledmePhilopater.Takeherethelettershehathsentthee,theyaremoretobebelievedthanthecalumniesraisedhere;theselettersaremyonlyapology;theseIuseasthedemonstrationofthatnaturalaffectionIhavetothee.RememberthatitwasagainstmyownchoicethatIsailed[toRome],asknowingthelatenthatredthatwasinthekingdomagainstme.Itwasthou,Ofather,howeverunwillingly,whohastbeenmyruin,byforcingmetoallowtimeforcalumniesagainstme,andenvyatme.However,Iamcomehither,andamreadytoheartheevidencethereisagainstme.IfIbeaparricide,Ihavepassedbylandandbysea,withoutsufferinganymisfortuneoneitherofthem:butthismethodoftrialisnoadvantagetome;foritseems,Ofather,thatIamalreadycondemned,bothbefore


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Godandbeforethee;andasIamalreadycondemned,Ibegthatthouwiltnotbelievetheothersthathavebeentortured,butletfirebebroughttotormentme;lettheracksmarchthroughmybowels;havenoregardtoanylamentationsthatthispollutedbodycanmake;forifIbeaparricide,Ioughtnottodiewithouttorture.”ThusdidAntipatercryoutwithlamentationandweeping,andmovedalltherest,andVarusinparticular,tocommiseratehiscase.Herodwastheonlypersonwhosepassionwastoostrongtopermithimtoweep,asknowingthatthetestimoniesagainsthimweretrue.

4. Andnowitwasthat,attheking’scommand,Nicolaus,whenhehadpremisedagreatdealaboutthecraftinessofAntipater,andhadpreventedtheeffectsoftheircommiserationtohim,afterwardsbroughtinabitterandlargeaccusationagainsthim,ascribingallthewickednessthathadbeeninthekingdomtohim,andespeciallythemurderofhisbrethren;anddemonstratedthattheyhadperishedbythecalumnieshehadraisedagainstthem.Healsosaidthathehadlaiddesignsagainstthemthatwerestillalive,asiftheywerelayingplotsforthesuccession;and(saidhe)howcanitbesupposedthathewhopreparedpoisonforhisfathershouldabstainfrommischiefastohisbrethren?HethenproceededtoconvicthimoftheattempttopoisonHerod,andgaveanaccountinorderoftheseveraldiscoveriesthathadbeenmade;andhadgreatindignationastotheaffairofPheroras,becauseAntipaterhadbeenformakinghimmurderhisbrother,andhadcorruptedthosethatweredearesttotheking,andfilledthewholepalacewithwickedness;andwhenhehadinsistedonmanyotheraccusations,andtheproofsforthem,heleftoff.

5. ThenVarusbidAntipatermakehisdefense;buthelayalonginsilence,andsaidnomorebutthis,“GodismywitnessthatIamentirelyinnocent.”SoVarusaskedforthepotion,andgaveittobedrunkbyacondemnedmalefactor,whowastheninprison,whodieduponthespot.SoVarus,whenhehadhadaveryprivatediscoursewithHerod,andhadwrittenanaccountofthisassemblytoCaesar,wentaway,afteraday’sstay.ThekingalsoboundAntipater,andsentawaytoinformCaesarofhismisfortunes.

6. NowafterthisitwasdiscoveredthatAntipaterhadlaidaplotagainstSalomealso;foroneofAntiphilus’sdomesticservantscame,andbroughtlettersfromRome,fromamaid-servantofJulia,[Caesar’swife,]whosenamewasAcme.Byheramessagewassenttotheking,thatshehadfoundaletterwrittenbySalome,amongJulia’spapers,andhadsentittohimprivately,outofhergood-willtohim.ThisletterofSalomecontainedthemostbitterreproachesoftheking,andthehighestaccusationsagainsthim.Antipaterhadforgedthisletter,andhadcorruptedAcme,andpersuadedhertosendittoHerod.ThiswasprovedbyherlettertoAntipater,forthusdidthiswomanwritetohim:“Asthoudesirest,Ihavewrittenalettertothyfather,andhavesentthatletter,andampersuadedthatthekingwillnotsparehissisterwhenhereadsit.Thouwiltdowelltorememberwhatthouhastpromisedwhenallisaccomplished.”

7. Whenthisepistlewasdiscovered,andwhattheepistleforgedagainstSalomecontained,asuspicioncameintotheking’smind,thatperhapsthelettersagainstAlexanderwerealsoforged:hewasmoreovergreatlydisturbed,andinapassion,becausehehadalmostslainhissisteronAntipater’saccount.Hedidnolongerdelaythereforetobringhimtopunishmentforallhiscrimes;yetwhenhewaseagerlypursuingAntipater,hewasrestrainedbyaseveredistemperhefellinto.However,


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hesentallaccounttoCaesaraboutAcme,andthecontrivancesagainstSalome;hesentalsoforhistestament,andalteredit,andthereinmadeAntipasking,astakingnocareofArchclausandPhilip,becauseAntipaterhadblastedtheirreputationswithhim;buthebequeathedtoCaesar,besidesotherpresentsthathegavehim,athousandtalents;asalsotohiswife,andchildren,andfriends,andfreed-menaboutfivehundred:healsobequeathedtoallothersagreatquantityofland,andofmoney,andshowedhisrespectstoSalomehissister,bygivinghermostsplendidgifts.Andthiswaswhatwascontainedinhistestament,asitwasnowaltered.


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Chapter331. NOWHerod’sdistemperbecamemoreandmoreseveretohim,andthisbecause

thesehisdisordersfelluponhiminhisoldage,andwhenhewasinamelancholycondition;forhewasalreadyseventyyearsofage,andhadbeenbroughtbythecalamitiesthathappenedtohimabouthischildren,wherebyhehadnopleasureinlife,evenwhenhewasinhealth;thegriefalsothatAntipaterwasstillaliveaggravatedhisdisease,whomheresolvedtoputtodeathnownotatrandom,butassoonasheshouldbewellagain,andresolvedtohavehimslain[inapublicmanner].

2. Therealsonowhappenedtohim,amonghisothercalamities,acertainpopularsedition.Thereweretwomenoflearninginthecity[Jerusalem,]whowerethoughtthemostskillfulinthelawsoftheircountry,andwereonthataccounthadinverygreatesteemalloverthenation;theywere,theoneJudas,thesonofSepphoris,andtheotherMattbias,thesonofMargalus.Therewasagreatconcourseoftheyoungmentothesemenwhentheyexpoundedthelaws,andtheregottogethereverydayakindofanarmyofsuchasweregrowinguptobemen.Nowwhenthesemenwereinformedthatthekingwaswearingawaywithmelancholy,andwithadistemper,theydroppedwordstotheiracquaintance,howitwasnowaverypropertimetodefendthecauseofGod,andtopulldownwhathadbeenerectedcontrarytothelawsoftheircountry;foritwasunlawfulthereshouldbeanysuchthinginthetempleasimages,orfaces,orthelikerepresentationofanyanimalwhatsoever.Nowthekinghadputupagoldeneagleoverthegreatgateofthetemple,whichtheselearnedmenexhortedthemtocutdown;andtoldthem,thatifthereshouldanydangerarise,itwasagloriousthingtodieforthelawsoftheircountry;becausethatthesoulwasimmortal,andthataneternalenjoymentofhappinessdidawaitsuchasdiedonthataccount;whilethemean-spirited,andthosethatwerenotwiseenoughtoshowarightloveoftheirsouls,preferredadeathbyadisease,beforethatwhichistheresultofavirtuousbehavior.

3. Atthesametimethatthesemenmadethisspeechtotheirdisciples,arumorwasspreadabroadthatthekingwasdying,whichmadetheyoungmensetabouttheworkwithgreaterboldness;theythereforeletthemselvesdownfromthetopofthetemplewiththickcords,andthisatmidday,andwhileagreatnumberofpeoplewereinthetemple,andcutdownthatgoldeneaglewithaxes.Thiswaspresentlytoldtotheking’scaptainofthetemple,whocamerunningwithagreatbodyofsoldiers,andcaughtaboutfortyoftheyoungmen,andbroughtthemtotheking.Andwhenheaskedthem,firstofall,whethertheyhadbeensohardyastocutdownthegoldeneagle,theyconfessedtheyhaddoneso;andwhenheaskedthembywhosecommandtheyhaddoneit,theyreplied,atthecommandofthelawoftheircountry;andwhenhefurtheraskedthemhowtheycouldbesojoyfulwhentheyweretobeputtodeath,theyreplied,becausetheyshouldenjoygreaterhappinessaftertheyweredead.

4. Atthisthekingwasinsuchanextravagantpassion,thatheovercamehisdisease[forthetime,]andwentout,andspaketothepeople;whereinhemadeaterribleaccusationagainstthosemen,asbeingguiltyofsacrilege,andasmakinggreaterattemptsunderpretenseoftheirlaw,andhethoughttheydeservedtobepunishedasimpiouspersons.Whereuponthepeoplewereafraidlestagreatnumbershouldbefoundguiltyanddesiredthatwhenhehadfirstpunishedthosethatputthem


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uponthiswork,andthenthosethatwerecaughtinit,hewouldleaveoffhisangerastotherest.Withthisthekingcomplied,thoughnotwithoutdifficulty,andorderedthosethathadletthemselvesdown,togetherwiththeirRabbins,tobeburntalive,butdeliveredtherestthatwerecaughttotheproperofficers,tobeputtodeathbythem.

5. Afterthis,thedistemperseizeduponhiswholebody,andgreatlydisorderedallitspartswithvarioussymptoms;fortherewasagentlefeveruponhim,andanintolerableitchingoverallthesurfaceofhisbody,andcontinualpainsinhiscolon,anddropsicalturnoutsabouthisfeet,andaninflammationoftheabdomen,andaputrefactionofhisprivymember,thatproducedworms.Besideswhichhehadadifficultyofbreathinguponhim,andcouldnotbreathebutwhenhesatupright,andhadaconvulsionofallhismembers,insomuchthatthedivinerssaidthosediseaseswereapunishmentuponhimforwhathehaddonetotheRabbins.Yetdidhestrugglewithhisnumerousdisorders,andstillhadadesiretolive,andhopedforrecovery,andconsideredofseveralmethodsofcure.Accordingly,hewentoverJordan,andmadeuseofthosehotbathsatCallirrhoe,whichranintothelakeAsphaltitis,butarethemselvessweetenoughtobedrunk.Andherethephysiciansthoughtpropertobathehiswholebodyinwarmoil,bylettingitdownintoalargevesselfullofoil;whereuponhiseyesfailedhim,andhecameandwentasifhewasdying;andasatumultwasthenmadebyhisservants,attheirvoiceherevivedagain.Yetdidheafterthisdespairofrecovery,andgaveordersthateachsoldiershouldhavefiftydrachmaea-piece,andthathiscommandersandfriendsshouldhavegreatsumsofmoneygiventhem.

6. HethenreturnedbackandcametoJericho,insuchamelancholystateofbodyasalmostthreatenedhimwithpresentdeath,whenheproceededtoattemptahorridwickedness;forhegottogetherthemostillustriousmenofthewholeJewishnation,outofeveryvillage,intoaplacecalledtheHippodrome,andthereshutthemin.HethencalledforhissisterSalome,andherhusbandAlexas,andmadethisspeechtothem:“IknowwellenoughthattheJewswillkeepafestivaluponmydeathhowever,itisinmypowertobemournedforonotheraccounts,andtohaveasplendidfuneral,ifyouwillbutbesubservienttomycommands.Doyoubuttakecaretosendsoldierstoencompassthesementhatarenowincustody,andslaythemimmediatelyuponmydeath,andthenallJudea,andeveryfamilyofthem,willweepatit,whethertheywillorno.”

7. Thesewerethecommandshegavethem;whentherecamelettersfromhisambassadorsatRome,wherebyinformationwasgiventhatAcmewasputtodeathatCaesar’scommand,andthatAntipaterwascondemnedtodie;however,theywrotewithal,thatifHerodhadamindrathertobanishhim,Caesarpermittedhimsotodo.Soheforalittlewhilerevived,andhadadesiretolive;butpresentlyafterhewasoverbornebyhispains,andwasdisorderedbywantoffood,andbyaconvulsivecough,andendeavoredtopreventanatural,death;sohetookanapple,andaskedforaknifeforheusedtopareapplesandeatthem;hethenlookedroundabouttoseethattherewasnobodytohinderhim,andliftuphisrighthandasifhewouldstabhimself;butAchiabus,hisfirstcousin,camerunningtohim,andheldhishand,andhinderedhimfromsodoing;onwhichoccasionaverygreatlamentationwasmadeinthepalace,asifthekingwereexpiring.AssoonaseverAntipaterheardthat,hetookcourage,andwithjoyinhislooks,besoughthiskeepers,forasumof


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money,toloosehimandlethimgo;buttheprincipalkeeperoftheprisondidnotonlyobstructhiminthathisintention,butranandtoldthekingwhathisdesignwas;hereuponthekingcriedoutlouderthanhisdistemperwouldwellbear,andimmediatelysentsomeofhisguardsandslewAntipater;healsogaveordertohavehimburiedatHyrcanium,andalteredhistestamentagain,andthereinmadeArchclaus,hiseldestson,andthebrotherofAntipas,hissuccessor,andmadeAntipastetrarch.

8. SoHerod,havingsurvivedtheslaughterofhissonfivedays,died,havingreignedthirty-fouryearssincehehadcausedAntigonustobeslain,andobtainedhiskingdom;butthirty-sevenyearssincehehadbeenmadekingbytheRomans.Nowasforhisfortune,itwasprosperousinallotherrespects,ifeveranyothermancouldbeso,since,fromaprivateman,heobtainedthekingdom,andkeptitsolong,andleftittohisownsons;butstillinhisdomesticaffairshewasamostunfortunateman.Now,beforethesoldiersknewofhisdeath,Salomeandherhusbandcameoutanddismissedthosethatwereinbonds,whomthekinghadcommandedtobeslain,andtoldthemthathehadalteredhismind,andwouldhaveeveryoneofthemsenttotheirownhomes.Whenthesemenweregone,Salome,toldthesoldiers[thekingwasdead],andgotthemandtherestofthemultitudetogethertoanassembly,intheamphitheateratJericho,wherePtolemy,whowasintrustedbythekingwithhissignetring,camebeforethem,andspakeofthehappinessthekinghadattained,andcomfortedthemultitude,andreadtheepistlewhichhadbeenleftforthesoldiers,whereinheearnestlyexhortedthemtobeargood-willtohissuccessor;andafterhehadreadtheepistle,heopenedandreadhistestament,whereinPhilipwastoinheritTrachonitis,andtheneighboringcountries,andAntipaswastobetetrarch,aswesaidbefore,andArchelauswasmadeking.HehadalsobeencommandedtocarryHerod’sringtoCaesar,andthesettlementshehadmade,sealedup,becauseCaesarwastobelordofallthesettlementshehadmade,andwastoconfirmhistestament;andheorderedthatthedispositionshehadmadeweretobekeptastheywereinhisformertestament.

9. SotherewasanacclamationmadetoArchelaus,tocongratulatehimuponhisadvancement;andthesoldiers,withthemultitude,wentroundaboutintroops,andpromisedhimtheirgood-will,andbesides,prayedGodtoblesshisgovernment.Afterthis,theybetookthemselvestopreparefortheking’sfuneral;andArchelausomittednothingofmagnificencetherein,butbroughtoutalltheroyalornamentstoaugmentthepompofthedeceased.Therewasabierallofgold,embroideredwithpreciousstones,andapurplebedofvariouscontexture,withthedeadbodyuponit,coveredwithpurple;andadiademwasputuponhishead,andacrownofgoldaboveit,andasecptreinhisrighthand;andneartothebierwereHerod’ssons,andamultitudeofhiskindred;nexttowhichcamehisguards,andtheregimentofThracians,theGermans.alsoandGauls,allaccountedasiftheyweregoingtowar;buttherestofthearmywentforemost,armed,andfollowingtheircaptainsandofficersinaregularmanner;afterwhomfivehundredofhisdomesticservantsandfreed-menfollowed,withsweetspicesintheirhands:andthebodywascarriedtwohundredfurlongs,toHerodium,wherehehadgivenordertobeburied.AndthisshallsufficefortheconclusionofthelifeofHerod.

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