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a court of justice； but an intercession to prevent violence to be
offered to the Jews any longer； nor did the Greeks make any
defense of themselves； or deny what it was supposed they had
done。 Their pretense was no more than this； that while the Jews
inhabited in their country； they were entirely unjust to them ＇in
not joining in their worship＇ but they demonstrated their
generosity in this； that though they worshipped according to
their institutions； they did nothing that ought to grieve them。
So when Agrippa perceived that they had been oppressed by
violence； he made this answer： That； on account of Herod's
good…will and friendship； he was ready to grant the Jews
whatsoever they should ask him； and that their requests seemed to
him in themselves just； and that if they requested any thing
further； he should not scruple to grant it them； provided they
were no way to the detriment of the Roman government； but that
while their request was no more than this； that what privileges
they had already given them might not be abrogated； he confirmed
this to them； that they might continue in the observation of
their own customs； without any one offering them the least
injury。 And when he had said thus； he dissolved the assembly；
upon which Herod stood up and saluted him； and gave him thanks
for the kind disposition he showed to them。 Agrippa also took
this in a very obliging manner； and saluted him again； and
embraced him in his arms； after which he went away from Lesbos；
but the king determined to sail from Samos to his own country；
and when he had taken his leave of Agrippa； he pursued his
voyage； and landed at Cesarea in a few days' time； as having
favorable winds； from whence he went to Jerusalem； and there
gathered all the people together to an assembly； not a few being
there out of the country also。 So he came to them； and gave them
a particular account of all his journey； and of the affairs of
all the Jews in Asia； how by his means they would live without
injurious treatment for the time to come。 He also told them of
the entire good fortune he had met with and how he had
administered the government； and had not neglected any thing
which was for their advantage； and as he was very joyful； he now
remitted to them the fourth part of their taxes for the last
year。 Accordingly； they were so pleased with his favor and speech
to them； that they went their ways with great gladness； and
wished the king all manner of happiness。
CHAPTER 3
How Great Disturbances Arose In Herods Family On His Preferring
Antipater His Eldest Son Before The Rest； Till Alexander Took
That Injury Very Heinously。
1。 But now the affairs in Herod's family were in more and more
disorder； and became more severe upon him； by the hatred of
Salome to the young men ＇Alexander and Aristobulus＇； which
descended as it were by inheritance ＇from their mother Mariamne＇；
and as she had fully succeeded against their mother； so she
proceeded to that degree of madness and insolence； as to endeavor
that none of her posterity might be left alive； who might have it
in their power to revenge her death。 The young men had also
somewhat of a bold and uneasy disposition towards their father
occasioned by the remembrance of what their mother had unjustly
suffered； and by their own affectation of dominion。 The old
grudge was also renewed； and they east reproaches on Salome and
Pheroras； who requited the young men with malicious designs； and
actually laid treacherous snares for them。 Now as for this
hatred； it was equal on both sides； but the manner of exerting
that hatred was different； for as for the young men； they were
rash； reproaching and affronting the others openly； and were
inexperienced enough to think it the most generous to declare
their minds in that undaunted manner； but the others did not take
that method； but made use of calumnies after a subtle and a
spiteful manner； still provoking the young men； and imagining
that their boldness might in time turn to the offering violence
to their father； for inasmuch as they were not ashamed of the
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