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hoping to obtain a change for the better。 As for Herod himself he
saw that there was no one of royal dignity left but Hyrcanus； and
therefore he thought it would be for his advantage not to suffer
him to be an obstacle in his way any longer； for that in case he
himself survived； and escaped the danger he was in； he thought it
the safest way to put it out of the power of such a man to make
any attempt against him； at such junctures of affairs； as was
more worthy of the kingdom than himself； and in case he should be
slain by Caesar； his envy prompted him to desire to slay him that
would otherwise be king after him。
2。 While Herod had these things in his mind； there was a certain
occasion afforded him： for Hyrcanus was of so mild a temper； both
then and at other times； that he desired not to meddle with
public affairs； nor to concern himself with innovations； but left
all to fortune； and contented himself with what that afforded
him： but Alexandra ＇his daughter＇ was a lover of strife； and was
exceeding desirous of a change of the government； and spake to
her father not to bear for ever Herod's injurious treatment of
their family； but to anticipate their future hopes； as he safely
might； and desired him to write about these matters to Malchus；
who was then governor of Arabia； to receive them； and to secure
them ＇from Herod＇； for that if they went away； and Herod's
affairs proved to be as it was likely they would be； by reason of
Caesar's enmity to him； they should then be the only persons that
could take the government； and this； both on account of the royal
family they were of； and on account of the good disposition of：
the multitude to them。 While she used these persuasions； Hyrcanus
put off her suit； but as she showed that she was a woman； and a
contentious woman too； and would not desist either night or day；
but would always be speaking to him about these matters； and
about Herod's treacherous designs； she at last prevailed with him
to intrust Dositheus； one of his friends； with a letter； wherein
his resolution was declared； and he desired the Arabian governor
to send to him some horsemen； who should receive him； and conduct
him to the lake Asphaltites； which is from the bounds of
Jerusalem three hundred furlongs： and he did therefore trust
Dositheus with this letter； because he was a careful attendant on
him； and on Alexandra； and had no small occasions to bear
ill…will to Herod； for he was a kinsman of one Joseph； whom he
had slain； and a brother of those that were formerly slain at
Tyre by Antony： yet could not these motives induce Dositheus to
serve Hyrcanus in this affair； for； preferring the hopes he had
from the present king to those he had from him； he gave Herod the
letter。 So he took his kindness in good part； and bid him besides
do what he had already done； that is； go on in serving him； by
rolling up the epistle and sealing it again； and delivering it to
Malchus； and then to bring back his letter in answer to it； for
it would be much better if he could know Malchus's intentions
also。 And when Dositheus was very ready to serve him in this
point also； the Arabian governor returned back for answer； that
he would receive Hyrcanus； and all that should come with him； and
even all the Jews that were of his party； that he would；
moreover； send forces sufficient to secure them in their journey；
and that he should be in no want of any thing he should desire。
Now as soon as Herod had received this letter； he immediately
sent for Hyrcanus； and questioned him about the league he had
made with Malchus； and when he denied it； he showed his letter to
the Sanhedrim； and put the man to death immediately。
3。 And this account we give the reader； as it is contained in the
commentaries of king Herod： but other historians do not agree
with them； for they suppose that Herod did not find； but rather
make； this an occasion for thus putting him to death； and that by
treacherously laying a snare for him； for thus do they write：
That Herod and he were once at a treat； and that Herod had given
no occasion to suspect ＇that he was displeased at him＇； but put
this question to Hyrcanus； Whether he had received any letters
from Malchus？ and when he answered that he had received letters；
but those of salutation only； and when he asked further； whether
he had not received any presents from him？ and when he had
replied that he had received no more than four horses to ride on；
which Malchus had sent him； they pretended that Herod charged
these upon him as the crimes of bribery and treason； and gave
order that he should be led away and slain。 And in order to
demonstrate that he had been guilty of no offense； when he was
thus brought to his end； they alleged how mild his temper had
been； and that even in his youth he had never given any
demonstration of boldness or rashness； and that the case was the
same when he came to be king； but that he even then committed the
management of the greatest part of public affairs to Antipater；
and that he was now above fourscore years old； and knew that
Herod's government was in a secure state。 He also came over
Euphrates； and left those who greatly honored him beyond that
river； though he were to be entirely under Herod's government；
and that it was a most incredible thing that he should enterprise
any thing by way of innovation； and not at all agreeable to his
temper； but that this was a plot of Herod's contrivance。
4。 And this was the fate of Hyrcanus； and thus did he end his
life； after he had endured various and manifold turns of fortune
in his lifetime。 For he was made high priest of the Jewish nation
in the beginning of his mother Alexandra's reign； who held the
government nine years； and when； after his mother's death； he
took the kingdom himself； and held it three months； he lost it；
by the means of his brother Aristobulus。 He was then restored by
Pompey； and received all sorts of honor from him； and enjoyed
them forty years； but when he was again deprived by Antigonus；
and was maimed in his body； he was made a captive by the
Parthians； and thence returned home again after some time； on
account of the hopes that Herod had given him； none of which came
to pass according to his expectation； but he still conflicted
with many misfortunes through the whole course of his life； and；
what was the heaviest calamity of all； as we have related
already； he came to an end which was undeserved by him。 His
character appeared to be that of a man of a mild and moderate
disposition； and suffered the administration of affairs to be
generally done by others under him。 He was averse to much
meddling with the public； nor had shrewdness enough to govern a
kingdom。 And both Antipater and Herod came to their greatness by
reason of his mildness； and at last he met with such an end from
them as was not agreeable either to justice or piety。
5。 Now Herod； as soon as he had put Hyrcanus out of the way； made
haste to Caesar； and because he could not have any hopes of
kindness from him； on account of the friendship he had for
Antony； he had a suspicion of Alexandra； lest she should take
this opportunity to bring the multitude to