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Parthians that were about Jerusalem； lest； upon the slaughter of
Hyrcanus and Phasaelus； he should have an intimation of it； and
escape out of their hands。 And these were the circumstances they
were now in； and they saw who they were that guarded them。 Some
persons indeed would have persuaded Phasaelus to fly away
immediately on horseback； and not stay any longer； and there was
one Ophellius； who； above all the rest； was earnest with him to
do so； for he had heard of this treachery from Saramalla； the
richest of all the Syrians at that time； who also promised to
provide him ships to carry him off； for the sea was just by them。
But he had no mind to desert Hyrcanus； nor bring his brother into
danger； but he went to Barzapharnes； and told him he did not act
justly when he made such a contrivance against them； for that if
he wanted money； he would give him more than Antigonus； and
besides； that it was a horrible thing to slay those that came to
him upon the security of their oaths； and that when they had done
them no injury。 But the barbarian swore to him that there was no
truth in any of his suspicions； but that he was troubled with
nothing but false proposals； and then went away to Pacorus。
6。 But as soon as he was gone away； some men came and bound
Hyrcanus and Phasaelus； while Phasaelus greatly reproached the
Parthians for their perjury； However； that butler who was sent
against Herod had it in command to get him without the walls of
the city； and seize upon him； but messengers had been sent by
Phasaelus to inform Herod of the perfidiousness of the Parthians。
And when he knew that the enemy had seized upon them； he went to
Pacorus； and to the most potent of the Parthians； as to the lord
of the rest； who； although they knew the whole matter； dissembled
with him in a deceitful way； and said that he ought to go out
with them before the walls； and meet those which were bringing
him his letters； for that they were not taken by his adversaries；
but were coming to give him an account of the good success
Phasaelus had had。 Herod did not give credit to what they said；
for he had heard that his brother was seized upon by others also；
and the daughter of Hyrcanus； whose daughter he had espoused； was
his monitor also ＇not to credit them＇； which made him still more
suspicious of the Parthians； for although other people did not
give heed to her； yet did he believe her as a woman of very great
wisdom。
7。 Now while the Parthians were in consultation what was fit to
be done； for they did not think it proper to make an open attempt
upon a person of his character； and while they put off the
determination to the next day； Herod was under great disturbance
of mind； and rather inclining to believe the reports he heard
about his brother and the Parthians； than to give heed to what
was said on the other side； he determined； that when the evening
came on； he would make use of it for his flight； and not make any
longer delay； as if the dangers from the enemy were not yet
certain。 He therefore removed with the armed men whom he had with
him； and set his wives upon the beasts； as also his mother； and
sister； and her whom he was about to marry； ＇Mariamne；＇ the
daughter of Alexander； the son of Aristobulus； with her mother；
the daughter of Hyrcanus； and his youngest brother； and all their
servants； and the rest of the multitude that was with him； and
without the enemy's privity pursued his way to Idumea。 Nor could
any enemy of his who then saw him in this case be so hardhearted；
but would have commiserated his fortune； while the women drew
along their infant children and left their own country； and their
friends in prison； with tears in their eyes； and sad
lamentations； and in expectation of nothing but what was of a
melancholy nature。
8。 But for Herod himself； he raised his mind above the miserable
state he was in； and was of good courage in the midst of his
misfortunes； and as he passed along； he bid them every one to be
of good cheer； and not to give themselves up to sorrow； because
that would hinder them in their flight； which was now the only
hope of safety that they had。 Accordingly； they tried to bear
with patience the calamity they were under； as he exhorted them
to do； yet was he once almost going to kill himself； upon the
overthrow of a waggon； and the danger his mother was then in of
being killed； and this on two accounts； because of his great
concern for her； and because he was afraid lest； by this delay；
the enemy should overtake him in the pursuit： but as he was
drawing his sword； and going to kill himself therewith； those
that were present restrained him； and being so many in number；
were too hard for him； and told him that he ought not to desert
them； and leave them a prey to their enemies； for that it was not
the part of a brave man to free himself from the distresses he
was in； and to overlook his friends that were in the same
distresses also。 So he was compelled to let that horrid attempt
alone； partly out of shame at what they said to him； and partly
out of regard to the great number of those that would not permit
him to do what he intended。 So he encouraged his mother； and took
all the care of her the time would allow； and proceeded on the
way he proposed to go with the utmost haste； and that was to the
fortress of Masada。 And as he had many skirmishes with such of
the Parthians as attacked him and pursued him； he was conqueror
in them all。
9。 Nor indeed was he free from the Jews all along as he was in
his flight； for by that time he was gotten sixty furlongs out of
the city； and was upon the road； they fell upon him； and fought
hand to hand with him； whom he also put to flight； and overcame；
not like one that was in distress and in necessity； but like one
that was excellently prepared for war； and had what he wanted in
great plenty。 And in this very place where he overcame the Jews
it was that he some time afterward build a most excellent palace；
and a city round about it； and called it Herodium。 And when he
was come to Idumea； at a place called Thressa； his brother Joseph
met him； and he then held a council to take advice about all his
affairs； and what was fit to be done in his circumstances； since
he had a great multitude that followed him； besides his mercenary
soldiers； and the place Masada； whither he proposed to fly； was
too small to contain so great a multitude； so he sent away the
greater part of his company； being above nine thousand； and bid
them go； some one way； and some another； and so save themselves
in Idumea； and gave them what would buy them provisions in their
journey。 But he took with him those that were the least
encumbered； and were most intimate with him； and came to the
fortress； and placed there his wives and his followers； being
eight hundred in number； there being in the place a sufficient
quantity of corn and water； and other necessaries； and went
directly for Petra； in Arabia。 But when it was day； the Parthians
plundered all Jerusalem； and the palace； and abstained from
nothing but Hyrcanus's money； which was three hundred talents。 A
great deal of Herod's money escaped； and principally all