pretended crimes of their mother； nor thought she suffered
justly； these supposed that might at length exceed all bounds；
and induce them to think they ought to be avenged on their
father； though it were by despatching him with their own hands。
At length it came to this； that the whole city was full of their
discourses； and； as is usual in such contests； the unskilfulness
of the young men was pitied； but the contrivance of Salome was
too hard for them； and what imputations she laid upon them came
to be believed； by means of their own conduct； for they who were
so deeply affected with the death of their mother； that while
they said both she and themselves were in a miserable case； they
vehemently complained of her pitiable end； which indeed was truly
such； and said that they were themselves in a pitiable case also；
because they were forced to live with those that had been her
murderers； and to be partakers with them。
2。 These disorders increased greatly； and the king's absence
abroad had afforded a fit opportunity for that increase； but as
soon as Herod was returned； and had made the forementioned speech
to the multitude； Pheroras and Salome let fill words immediately
as if he were in great danger； and as if the young men openly
threatened that they would not spare him any longer； but revenge
their mother's death upon him。 They also added another
circumstance； that their hopes were fixed on Archclaus； the king
of Cappadocia； that they should be able by his means to come to
Caesar； and accuse their father。 Upon hearing such things； Herod
was immediately disturbed； and indeed was the more astonished；
because the same things were related to him by some others also。
He then called to mind his former calamity； and considered that
the disorders in his family had hindered him from enjoying any
comfort from those that were dearest to him or from his wife whom
he loved so well； and suspecting that his future troubles would
soon be heavier and greater than those that were past； he was in
great confusion of mind； for Divine Providence had in reality
conferred upon him a great many outward advantages for his
happiness； even beyond his hopes； but the troubles he had at home
were such as he never expected to have met with； and rendered him
unfortunate； nay； both sorts came upon him to such a degree as no
one could imagine； and made it a doubtful question； whether； upon
the comparison of both； he ought to have exchanged so great a
success of outward good things for so great misfortunes at home；
or whether he ought not to have chosen to avoid the calamities
relating to his family； though he had； for a compensation； never
been possessed of the admired grandeur of a kingdom。
3。 As he was thus disturbed and afflicted； in order to depress
these young men； he brought to court another of his sons； that
was born to him when he was a private man； his name was
Antipater； yet did he not then indulge him as he did afterwards；
when he was quite overcome by him； and let him do every thing as
he pleased； but rather with a design of depressing the insolence
of the sons of Marianme； and managing this elevation of his so；
that it might be for a warning to them； for this bold behavior of
theirs ＇he thought＇ would not be so great； if they were once
persuaded that the succession to the kingdom did not appertain to
them alone； or must of necessity come to them。 So he introduced
Antipater as their antagonist； and imagined that he made a good
provision for discouraging their pride； and that after this was
done to the young men； there might be a proper season for
expecting these to be of a better disposition； but the event
proved otherwise than he intended； for the young men thought he
did them a very great injury； and as Antipater was a shrewd man；
when he had once obtained this degree of freedom； and began to
expect greater things than he had before hoped for； he had but
one single design in his head； and that was to distress his
brethren； and not at all to yield to them the pre…eminence； but
to keep close to his father； who was already alienated from them
by the calumnies he had heard about them； and ready to be wrought
upon in any way his zeal against them should advise him to
pursue； that he might be continually more and more severe against
them。 Accordingly； all the reports that were spread abroad came
from him； while he avoided himself the suspicion as if those
discoveries proceeded from him； but he rather chose to make use
of those persons for his assistants that were unsuspected； and
such as might be believed to speak truth by reason of the
good…will they bore to the king； and indeed there were already
not a few who cultivated a friendship with Antipater； in hopes of
gaining somewhat by him； and these were the men who most of all
persuaded Herod； because they appeared to speak thus out of their
good…will to him： and with these joint accusations； which from
various foundations supported one another's veracity； the young
men themselves afforded further occasions to Antipater also； for
they were observed to shed tears often； on account of the injury
that was offered them； and had their mother in their mouths； and
among their friends they ventured to reproach their father； as
not acting justly by them； all which things were with an evil
intention reserved in memory by Antipater against a proper
opportunity； and when they were told to Herod； with aggravations；
increased the disorder so much； that it brought a great tumult
into the family； for while the king was very angry at imputations
that were laid upon the sons of Mariamne； and was desirous to
humble them； he still increased the honor that he had bestowed on
Antipater； and was at last so overcome by his persuasions； that
he brought his mother to court also。 He also wrote frequently to
Caesar in favor of him； and more earnestly recommended him to his
care particularly。 And when Agrippa was returning to Rome； after
he had finished his ten years' government in Asia。 （2） Herod
sailed from Judea； and when he met with him； he had none with him
but Antipater； whom he delivered to Agrippa； that he might take
him along with him； together with many presents； that so he might
become Caesar's friend； insomuch that things already looked as if
he had all his father's favor； and that the young men were
already entirely rejected from any hopes of the kingdom。
CHAPTER 4。
How During Antipater's Abode At Rome； Herod Brought Alexander And
Aristobulus Before Caesar And Accused Them。 Alexander's Defense
Of Himself Before Caesar And Reconciliation To His Father。
1。 And now what happened during Antipater's absence augmented the
honor to which he had been promoted； and his apparent eminence
above his brethren； for he had made a great figure in Rome；
because Herod had sent recommendations of him to all his friends
there； only he was grieved that he was not at home； nor had
proper opportunities of perpetually calumniating his brethren；
and his chief fear was； lest his father should alter his mind；
and entertain a more favorable opinion of the sons of Mariamne；
and as he had this in his mind； he did not desist from his
purpose； but continually sent from Rome any such stories as he
hoped might grieve and irritate his father against his brethren；
under pretense indeed of a deep concern for his preservation； but
in truth such as his malicious mind dictated； in order to
purchase a greater hope of the succession； which yet was already
great in itself： and thus he did till he had excited such a
degree of anger in Herod； that he was already become very
ill…disposed towards the young men； but still while he delayed to
exercise so violent a disgust against them； and that he might not
either be too remiss or too rash； and so offend； he thought it
best to sail to Rome； and there accuse his sons before Caesar；
and not indulge himself in any such crime as might be heinous
enough to be suspected of impiety。 But as he was going up to
Rome； it happened that he made such haste as to meet with Caesar
at the city Aquilei （3） so when he came to the speech of Caesar；
he asked for a time for hearing this great cause； wherein he
thought himself very miserable； and presented his sons there； and
accused them of their mad actions； and of their attempts against
him： That they were enemies to him； and by all the means they
were able； did their endeavors to show their hatred to their own
father； and would take away his life； and so obtain his kingdom；
after the most barbarous manner： that he had power from Caesar to
dispose of it； not by necessity； but by choice； to him who shall
exercise the greatest piety towards him； while these my sons are
not so desirous of ruling； as they are； upon a disappointment
thereof； to expose their own life； if so be they may but deprive
their father of his life； so wild and polluted is their mind by
time become； out of their hatred to him： that whereas he had a
long time borne this his misfortune； he was now compelled to lay
it before Caesar； and to pollute his ears with such language；
while he himself wants to know what severity they have ever
suffered from him； or what hardships he hath ever laid upon them
to make them complain of him； and how they can think it just that
he should not be lord of that kingdom which he in a long time；
and with great danger； had gained； and not allow him to keep it
and dispose of it to him who should deserve best； and this； with
other advantages； he proposes as a reward for the piety of such a
one as will hereafter imitate the care he hath taken of it； and
that such a one may gain so great a requital as that is： and that
it is an impious thing for them to pretend to meddle with it
beforehand； for he who hath ever the kingdom in his view； at the
same time reckons upon procuring the death of his father； because
otherwise he cannot come at the government： that as for himself；
he had hitherto given them all that he was able； and what was
agreeable to such as are subject to the royal authority； and the
sons of a king； what ornaments they wanted； with servants and
delicate fare； and had married them into the most illustrious
families； the one ＇Aristobulus