luxurious way of living as cuts men off when || Aristobulus were much grieved that the privi- CHAP. XXIV. OF THE MALICE OF ANTIPATER AND DORIS; HEROD'S FOR- UT the quarrel that was between them And got abroad by their means. Nor should one be mistaken if he called the life of Antipater a mystery of wickedness. For he either corrupted Alexander's acquaintance with money, or got into their favor by flatteries: by which two means he gained all his designs, and brought them to betray their master, and to steal away, and reveal what he either did or said. Thus did he act a part very cunningly. in all points and wrought himself a passage by his calumnies with the greatest shrewdness. While he put on a face as if he were a kind brother to Alexander and Aristobulus; but suborned other men to inform him of what BUT that was brethren when they did to Herod, and when any thing was they parted and the suspicions they had one of the other grew worse. Alexander and VOL. II. told against Alexander, he would come in and pretend to be of his side; and would be gin to contradict what was said: but would || afterward contrive matters so privately, that the king should have an indignation at him. His general aim was, to lay a plot, and to make it believed that Alexander lay in wait to kill his father. For nothing afforded so great a confirmation to these calumnies, as did Antipater's apologies for him. time they perceived how things were, by his coldness to them; and by the greater uneasiness he shewed upon any thing that troubled him. Antipater had also made their uncle Pheroras to be their enemy, as well as their aunt Salome: while he was always talking with her, as with a wife, and irritating her against them. Moreover, Alexander's wife, Glaphyra, augmented this hatred against them, by deriving her nobility and genealogy from great persons, and pretending that she was a lady superior to all others in that kingdom; as being derived, by her father's side, from Temenus; and by her mother's side from Darius, the son of Hystaspes. She also frequently reproached Herod's sister, and wives, with their ignoble descent: and that they were every one chosen by him for their beauty, but not for their family. Now those wives of his were not a few, (it being of old permitted to the Jews to marry many wives: and this king delighted in many ;) and all of them hated Alexander, on account of Glaphyra's boasting and reproaches.† Nay, Aristobulus had raised a quarrel be By these methods Herod was inflamed; and, as much as his natural affection to the young men did every day diminish, so much did it increase towards Antipater. The courtiers also inclined to the same conduct: some of their own accord, and others by the king's injunction; as particularly did Ptolemy, the king's dearest friend; as also the king's brethren, and all his children. For Antipater was all in all and, what was the bitterest part of all to Alexander, Antipater's mother was a favorite: she was one that gave counsel against them, and was more harsh than a step-mother; and one that hated the queen's sons more than is usual to hate sons-in-law. All men did, therefore, already pay their respects to Antipater, in hopes of advantage: and it was the king's command which alien-tween himself and Salome, who was his moated every body from the brethren: he having given this charge to his most intimate friends, that they should not come near, nor pay any regard to Alexander, or to his friends. Herod was also become terrible, not only to his domestics about the court, but to his friends abroad. For Cæsar had given such a privilege to no other king, as he had given to him: which was this, that he might fetch back any one that fled from him, even out of a city that was not under his own jurisdiction. Now the young men were not acquainted with the calumnies that were raised against either of them. For which reason they could not guard themselves against them, but fell under them: for their father did not make any public complaints against either of them. Though in a little That it was an immemorial custom among the Jews, and their forefathers, the patriarchs, to have sometimes more wives, or wives and concubines, than one at the same time; and that this polygamy was not directly forbidden in the law of Moses, is evident. But that polygamy was ever properly and distinctly permitted in that law of Moses; in the places here cited by Dean Aldrich; Deut. xvii. 16, 17, or xxi. 15, or indeed any ther-in-law: besides the anger she had conceived at Glaphyra's reproaches. For he perpetually upbraided his wife with the meanness of her family: and complained that as he had married a woman of a low family, so had his brother Alexander married one of royal blood. At this Salome's daughter wept, and told it her; with this addition, that Alexander threatened the mothers of his other brethren, that when he should come to the crown, he would make them weave with their maidens; and would make his brothers country school-masters, as they had been very carefully instructed to fit them for such an employment. Hereupon Salome could not contain her anger, but told all to Herod. Nor could her testimony be suspected, since where else, does not appear to me. And what our Sa- it was against her own son-in-law. There was also another calumny that ran abroad, and inflamed the king's mind. For he heard that these sons of his were perpetually speaking of their mother; and, among their lamentations for her, did not abstain from cursing him. And that when he made presents of any of Mariamne's garments to his later wives, these threatened, that in a little time, instead of royal garments, they would clothe them in no better than hair-cloth. was no other than his own wife's sister: and, after her death, had solemnly espoused to him his own eldest daughter, with a dowry of three hundred talents. But Pheroras refused to consummate this royal marriage, out of his affection to a maid-servant of his. Upon which account Herod was very angry; and gave that daughter in marriage to a * brother's son of his, who was slain afterward by the Parthians. But in some time he laid aside his anger against Pheroras, and pardoned him: as one not able to overcome his foolish passion for the maid-servant. Pheroras had, indeed, been accused long before, while the † queen was alive; as if he were in a plot to poison Herod. And there came then so great a number of informers, Now upon these accounts, though Herod was somewhat afraid of the young men's high spirit, yet did he not despair of reducing them to a better mind. But before he went to Rome, whither he was now going by sea, he called them to him, and partly threatened them as a king, but, for the main, he admo-that Herod himself, though he was an exceednished them as a father; and exhorted them to love their brethren: and told them that he would pardon their former offences, if they would amend for the time to come. But they refuted the calumnies that had been raised against them; and said they were false, and alleged that their actions were sufficient for their vindication: and said withal, that he himself ought to shut his ears against such tales, and not be too easy in believing them; for that there would never be wanting those that would tell lies to their disadvantage, as long as any would give ear to them. When they had thus pacified him, as being their father, they got clear of the present fear they were in. Yet did they see occasion for sorrow some time afterward. For they knew that Salome, and their uncle Pheroras, were their enemies; who were both of them heavy and severe persons: and especially Pheroras, who was a partner with Herod in all the affairs of the kingdom, excepting his diadem. He had also a hundred talents of his own revenue, and enjoyed the advantage of all the land beyond Jordan: which he had received as a gift from his brother; who had asked of Cæsar to make him a tetrarch, as he was made accordingly. Herod had also given him a wife, out of the royal family, who • Joseph. ing lover of his brethren, was brought to believe what was said, and to be afraid of it also. And when he had brought many of those that were under suspicion to the torture, he came at last to Pheroras's own friends. None of whom did openly confess the crime: but they owned that he had made preparation to take her whom he loved, and run away to the Parthians. Costobarus also, the husband of Salome, to whom the king had given her in marriage, after her former husband had been put to death for adultery, was instrumental in bringing about this contrivance and flight of his. Nor did Salome escape all calumny upon herself. For her brother Pheroras accused her, that she had made an agreement to marry Silleus, the procurator of Obodas, king of Arabia; who was at bitter enmity with Herod. But when she was convicted of this, and of all that Pheroras had accused her, she obtained her pardon. The king also pardone Pheroras for the crimes he had been accused of. But the storm of the whole family was removed to Alexander, and all of it rested upon his head. There were three eunuchs, who were in the highest esteem with the king; as was plain by the offices they were in about him. For one of them was appointed to be his butler; another of them prepared his sup The kings of the east were usually attended by eunuchs, many of whom, from the high favor they obtained, : per; and the third put him into bed, and lay || countenance; but was in the most barbarous down by him. Now Alexander had prevail- disposition towards his own friends. Accorded with these men by large gifts to let him ingly he forbade a great many of them to come use them after an obscene manner. Which to court; and to those whom he had not power when it was told to the king, they were tor- to punish actually, he spake harshly. Antitured, and found guilty and presently con- pater, in the mean time, insulted Alexander, fessed the criminal conversation he had with now he was under his misfortunes; and got a them. They also discovered the promises by stout company of his kindred together, and which they were induced so to do; and how raised all sorts of calumny against him. And they were deluded by Alexander; who had the king was brought to such a degree of tertold them, that they ought not to fix their ror, by those prodigious slanders and contrivhopes upon Herod, an old man, and one so ances, that he fancied he saw Alexander comshameless as to color his hair; unless they ing to him with a drawn sword in his hand. thought that would make him young again. So he caused him to be siezed and bound: But that they ought to fix their attention on and began examining his friends by torture. him, who was to be his successor in the king- Many of these died under the torture, but dom, whether he would or not: and who in would discover nothing; nor say any thing, no long time would avenge himself on his against their consciences. But some of them, enemies, and make his friends happy and being forced to speak falsely by the pains they blessed; and themselves in the first place: endured, said, that Alexander, and his brother that the men of power did already pay re- Aristobulus, plotted against the king, and spects to Alexander privately; and that the waited for an opportunity to kill him, as he captains of the soldiery, and the officers, did was hunting, and then to flee away to Rome. secretly come to him. These accusations, though they were of an incredible nature, and only framed upon the great distress they were in, were readily believed by the king: who thought it some comfort to him, after he had bound his son, that it might appear he had not done it unjustly.* These confessions so completely terrified Herod, that he durst not immediately publish them but he sent spies abroad privately by night and by day, who should make a close inquiry after all that was done and said: and when any were but suspected of treason, he put them to death: insomuch, that the palace was full of horribly unjust proceedings: for every body forged calumnies, as they were themselves in a state of enmity or hatred against others. And many there were who abused the king's passion to the disadvantage of those with whom they quarrels: CHAP. XXV. ARCHELAUS PROCURES A RECONCILIATION BETWEEN ALEX- OW Alexander perceived it impossi lies were easily believed; and jaunishments Noble to persuade his rather that he was NOW to persuade father that he were were inflicted sooner than the calumnies were innocent, he resolved to meet his calamities, forged. He who had just then been accusing another, was accused himself, and was led away to execution together with him whom he had convicted. For the danger the king was in of his life made examinations be very short. He also proceeded to such a degree of bitterness, that he could not look on any of those that were not accused with a pleasant had great influence and power. The Harems and Seraglios were under the care of such persons. See Jer. xiii. how severe soever they were. So he composed four books against his enemies, and confessed that he had been in a plot: but declared withal that the greatest part of the courtiers were combined with him: and chiefly Pheroras and Salome. Nay, that Salome once came, and forced him to lie with her in the night time, whether he would or no. These 23, xxxviii. 7, 10, 12, xxxix. 16. Baron du Tott's Memoirs, Part I. p. 71. B. * Antiq. XVI. S. books were put into Herod's hands, and made || persuaded him to it; and such persons as make a great clamor against the men in power. But an ill use of the facility they know there is to at this juncture Archelaus came hastily into persuade young men. For by such persons, Judea; as being alarmed for his son-in-law, not only young men are sometimes imposed and his daughter. And he came as a proper upon, but old men also; and by them someassistant, and in a very prudent manner; and times the most illustrious families and kingby a stratagem he obliged the king not to exe-doms are overturned." cute what he had threatened. For, when he was come to him, he cried out, "Where in the world is this wretched son-in-law of mine? Where shall I see that head of his which contrived to murder his father: which I will tear to pieces with my own hands? I will do the same also to my daughter, who hath such a husband. For although she be not a partner in the plot, yet, by being the wife of such a creature, she is polluted. And I cannot but admire at thy patience, against whom this plot is laid, if Alexander be still alive. For as I came with what haste I could from Cappadocia, I expected to find him put to death for his crimes long ago: but still in order to make an examination with thee about my daughter; whom, out of regard to thee, and thy dignity, I had espoused to him in marriage. But now we must take counsel about them both. And if thy paternal affection be so great, that thou canst not punish thy son, who hath plotted against thee; let us change our right hands; and let us succeed one to the other in expressing our rage upon this occasion." When he had made this pompous declaration, he got Herod to remit of his anger, though he was in disorder. He then received the books Alexander had composed; and as he came to every head, he considered of it, together with Herod. So Archelaus took hence the occasion for that stratagem which he made use of; and by degrees he laid the blame on those men whose names were in these books, and especially upon Pheroras. And when he saw that the king believed him to be in earnest, he said; "We must consider whether the young man be not himself plotted against, by such a number of wicked wretches; and not thou plotted against by the young man. For I cannot see any occasion for his falling into so horrid a crime; since he enjoys the advantages of royalty already; and has the expectation of being one of thy successors. mean this, unless there were some persons that I Fierod assented to what he had said; and, by degrees, abated of his anger against Alexander; but was more angry at Pheroras, for the principal subject of the four books was Pheroras, who perceiving that the king's inclination changed on a sudden, and that Archelaus's friendship could do every thing with him; and that he had no honorable method of preserving himself, he procured his safety by his impudence. So he left Alexander, and had recourse to Archelaus; who told him, that he did not see how he could get him excused, now he was directly caught in so many crimes: whereby it was evidently demonstrated that he had plotted against the king, and had been the cause of those misfortunes which the young man was now under; unless he would moreover leave off his cunning knavery, and his denials of what he was charged withal, and confess the charge, and implore pardon of his brother, who still had a kindness for him. But that if he would do so, he would afford him all the assistance be was able. With this advice Pheroras complied: and putting himself into such a habit as might most move compassion, he came with black cloth upon his body, and tears in his eyes, and threw himself down at Herod's feet, and begged his pardon for what he had done, and confessed that he had acted very wickedly, and was guilty of every thing he had been accused of; and lamented that disorder of his mind, and distraction, which his love for a woman had brought him to. So when Archelaus had brought Pheroras to accuse and bear witness against himself, he then made an excuse for him, and mitigated Herod's anger towards him and this by using certain domestic examples: for, when he had suffered much greater mischiefs from a brother of his own, he preferred the obligations of nature, before the passion of revenge. Because it is in kingdoms, as in gross bodies; where some |