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He Himself Died。
1。 Now when their father Hyrcanus was dead； the eldest son
Aristobulus； intending to change the government into a kingdom；
for so he resolved to do； first of all put a diadem on his head；
four hundred eighty and one years and three months after the
people had been delivered from the Babylonish slavery； and were
returned to their own country again。 This Aristobulus loved his
next brother Antigonus； and treated him as his equal； but the
others he held in bonds。 He also cast his mother into prison；
because she disputed the government with him； for Hyrcanus had
left her to be mistress of all。 He also proceeded to that degree
of barbarity； as to kill her in prison with hunger； nay； he was
alienated from his brother Antigonus by calumnies； and added him
to the rest whom he slew； yet he seemed to have an affection for
him； and made him above the rest a partner with him in the
kingdom。 Those calumnies he at first did not give credit to；
partly because he loved him； and so did not give heed to what was
said against him； and partly because he thought the reproaches
were derived from the envy of the relaters。 But when Antigonus
was once returned from the army； and that feast was then at hand
when they make tabernacles to ＇the honor of God；＇ it happened
that Arlstobulus was fallen sick； and that Antigonus went up most
splendidly adorned； and with his soldiers about him in their
armor； to the temple to celebrate the feast； and to put up many
prayers for the recovery of his brother； when some wicked
persons； who had a great mind to raise a difference between the
brethren； made use of this opportunity of the pompous appearance
of Antigonus； and of the great actions which he had done； and
went to the king； and spitefully aggravated the pompous show of
his at the feast； and pretended that all these circumstances were
not like those of a private person； that these actions were
indications of an affectation of royal authority； and that his
coming with a strong body of men must be with an intention to
kill him； and that his way of reasoning was this： That it was a
silly thing in him； while it was in his power to reign himself；
to look upon it as a great favor that he was honored with a lower
dignity by his brother。
2。 Aristobulus yielded to these imputations； but took care both
that his brother should not suspect him； and that he himself
might not run the hazard of his own safety； so he ordered his
guards to lie in a certain place that was under ground； and dark；
（he himself then lying sick in the tower which was called
Antonia；） and he commanded them； that in case Antigonus came in
to him unarmed； they should not touch any body； but if armed；
they should kill him； yet did he send to Antigonus； and desired
that he would come unarmed； but the queen； and those that joined
with her in the plot against Antigonus； persuaded the messenger
to tell him the direct contrary： how his brother had heard that
he had made himself a fine suit of armor for war； and desired him
to come to him in that armor； that he might see how fine it was。
So Antigonus suspecting no treachery； but depending on the
good…will of his brother； came to Aristobulus armed； as he used
to be； with his entire armor； in order to show it to him； but
when he was come to a place which was called Strato's Tower；
where the passage happened to be exceeding dark； the guards slew
him； which death of his demonstrates that nothing is stronger
than envy and calumny； and that nothing does more certainly
divide the good…will and natural affections of men than those
passions。 But here one may take occasion to wonder at one Judas；
who was of the sect of the Essens； （31） and who never missed the
truth in his predictions； for this man； when he saw Antigonus
passing by the temple； cried out to his companions and friends；
who abode with him as his scholars； in order to learn the art of
foretelling things to come？〃 That it was good for him to die now；
since he had spoken falsely about Antigonus； who is still alive；
and I see him passing by； although he had foretold he should die
at the place called Strato's Tower that very day； while yet the
place is six hundred furlongs off； where he had foretold he
should be slain； and still this day is a great part of it already
past； so that he was in danger of proving a false prophet。〃 As he
was saying this； and that in a melancholy mood； the news came
that Antigonus was slain in a place under ground； which itself
was called also Strato's Tower； or of the same name with that
Cesarea which is seated at the sea。 This event put the prophet
into a great disorder。
3。 But Aristobulus repented immediately of this slaughter of his
brother； on which account his disease increased upon him； and he
was disturbed in his mind； upon the guilt of such wickedness；
insomuch that his entrails were corrupted by his intolerable
pain； and he vomited blood： at which time one of the servants
that attended upon him； and was carrying his blood away； did； by
Divine Providence； as I cannot but suppose； slip down； and shed
part of his blood at the very place where there were spots of
Antigonus's blood； there slain； still remaining； and when there
was a cry made by the spectators； as if the servant had on
purpose shed the blood on that place； Aristobulus heard it； and
inquired what the matter was； and as they did not answer him； he
was the more earnest to know what it was； it being natural to men
to suspect that what is thus concealed is very bad： so upon his
threatening； and forcing them by terrors to speak； they at length
told him the truth； whereupon he shed many tears； in that
disorder of mind which arose from his consciousness of what he
had done； and gave a deep groan； and said； 〃I am not therefore； I
perceive； to be concealed from God； in the impious and horrid
crimes I have been guilty of； but a sudden punishment is coming
upon me for the shedding the blood of my relations。 And now； O
thou most impudent body of mine； how long wilt thou retain a soul
that ought to die； in order to appease the ghosts of my brother
and my mother？ Why dost thou not give it all up at once？ And why
do I deliver up my blood drop by drop to those whom I have so
wickedly murdered？〃 In saying which last words he died； having
reigned a year。 He was called a lover of the Grecians； and had
conferred many benefits on his own country； and made war against
Iturea； and added a great part of it to Judea； and compelled the
inhabitants； if they would continue in that country； to be
circumcised； and to live according to the Jewish laws。 He was
naturally a man of candor； and of great modesty； as Strabo bears
witness； in the name of Timagenes； who says thus： 〃This man was a
person of candor； and very serviceable to the Jews； for he added
a country to them； and obtained a part of the nation of the
Itureans for them； and bound them to them by the bond of the
circumcision of their genitals。〃
CHAPTER 12。
How Alexander When He Had Taken The Government Made An Expedition
Against Ptolemais； And Then Raised The Siege Out Of Fear Of
Ptolemy Lathyrus； And How Ptolemy Made War Against Him； Because
He Had S