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severe manner； and this by God's judgment upon him for his sins；
for a fire glowed in him slowly； which did not so much appear to
the touch outwardly； as it augmented his pains inwardly； for it
brought upon him a vehement appetite to eating； which he could
not avoid to supply with one sort of food or other。 His entrails
were also ex…ulcerated； and the chief violence of his pain lay on
his colon； an aqueous and transparent liquor also had settled
itself about his feet； and a like matter afflicted him at the
bottom of his belly。 Nay； further； his privy…member was
putrefied； and produced worms； and when he sat upright； he had a
difficulty of breathing； which was very loathsome； on account of
the stench of his breath； and the quickness of its returns； he
had also convulsions in all parts of his body； which increased
his strength to an insufferable degree。 It was said by those who
pretended to divine； and who were endued with wisdom to foretell
such things； that God inflicted this punishment on the king on
account of his great impiety； yet was he still in hopes of
recovering； though his afflictions seemed greater than any one
could bear。 He also sent for physicians； and did not refuse to
follow what they prescribed for his assistance； and went beyond
the river Jordan； and bathed himself in the warm baths that were
at Callirrhoe； which； besides their other general virtues； were
also fit to drink； which water runs into the lake called
Asphaltiris。 And when the physicians once thought fit to have him
bathed in a vessel full of oil； it was supposed that he was just
dying； but upon the lamentable cries of his domestics； he
revived； and having no longer the least hopes of recovering； he
gave order that every soldier should be paid fifty drachmae； and
he also gave a great deal to their commanders； and to his
friends； and came again to Jericho； where he grew so choleric；
that it brought him to do all things like a madman； and though he
were near his death； he contrived the following wicked designs。
He commanded that all the principal men of the entire Jewish
nation； wheresoever they lived； should be called to him。
Accordingly； they were a great number that came； because the
whole nation was called； and all men heard of this call； and
death was the penalty of such as should despise the epistles that
were sent to call them。 And now the king was in a wild rage
against them all； the innocent as well as those that had afforded
ground for accusations； and when they were come； he ordered them
to be all shut up in the hyppodrome； （9） and sent for his sister
Salome； and her husband Alexas； and spake thus to them： 〃I shall
die in a little time； so great are my pains； which death ought to
be cheerfully borne； and to be welcomed by all men； but what
principally troubles me is this； that I shall die without being
lamented； and without such mourning as men usually expect at a
king's death。 For that he was not unacquainted with the temper of
the Jews； that his death would be a thing very desirable； and
exceedingly acceptable to them； because during his lifetime they
were ready to revolt from him； and to abuse the donations he had
dedicated to God that it therefore was their business to resolve
to afford him some alleviation of his great sorrows on this
occasion； for that if they do not refuse him their consent in
what he desires； he shall have a great mourning at his funeral；
and such as never had any king before him； for then the whole
nation would mourn from their very soul； which otherwise would be
done in sport and mockery only。 He desired therefore； that as
soon as they see he hath given up the ghost； they shall place
soldiers round the hippodrome； while they do not know that he is
dead； and that they shall not declare his death to the multitude
till this is done； but that they shall give orders to have those
that are in custody shot with their darts； and that this
slaughter of them all will cause that he shall not miss to
rejoice on a double account； that as he is dying； they will make
him secure that his will shall be executed in what he charges
them to do； and that he shall have the honor of a memorable
mourning at his funeral。 So he deplored his condition； with tears
in his eyes； and obtested them by the kindness due from them； as
of his kindred； and by the faith they owed to God； and begged of
them that they would not hinder him of this honorable mourning at
his funeral。 So they promised him not to transgress his commands。
6。 Now any one may easily discover the temper of this man's mind；
which not only took pleasure in doing what he had done formerly
against his relations； out of the love of life； but by those
commands of his which savored of no humanity； since he took care；
when he was departing out of this life； that the whole nation
should be put into mourning； and indeed made desolate of their
dearest kindred； when he gave order that one out of every family
should be slain； although they had done nothing that was unjust；
or that was against him； nor were they accused of any other
crimes； while it is usual for those who have any regard to virtue
to lay aside their hatred at such a time； even with respect to
those they justly esteemed their enemies。
CHAPTER 7。
Herod Has Thoughts Of Killing Himself With His Own Hand； And A
Little Afterwards He Orders Antipater To Be Slain。
1。 As he was giving these commands to his relations； there came
letters from his ambassadors； who had been sent to Rome unto
Caesar； which； when they were read； their purport was this： That
Acme was slain by Caesar； out of his indignation at what hand；
she had in Antipater's wicked practices； and that as to Antipater
himself； Caesar left it to Herod to act as became a father and a
king； and either to banish him； or to take away his life； which
he pleased。 When Herod heard this； he was some…what better； out
of the pleasure he had from the contents of the letters； and was
elevated at the death of Acme； and at the power that was given
him over his son； but as his pains were become very great； he was
now ready to faint for want of somewhat to eat； so he called for
an apple and a knife； for it was his custom formerly to pare the
apple himself； and soon afterwards to cut it； and eat it。 When he
had got the knife； he looked about； and had a mind to stab
himself with it； and he had done it； had not his first cousin；
Achiabus； prevented him； and held his hand； and cried out loudly。
Whereupon a woeful lamentation echoed through the palace； and a
great tumult was made； as if the king were dead。 Upon which
Antipater； who verily believed his father was deceased； grew bold
in his discourse； as hoping to be immediately and entirely
released from his bonds； and to take the kingdom into his hands
without any more ado； so he discoursed with the jailer about
letting him go； and in that case promised him great things； both
now and hereafter； as if that were the only thing now in
question。 But the jailer did not only refuse to do what Antipater
would have him； but informed the king of his intentions； and how
many solicitations he had had from him ＇of that nature＇。 Hereupon
Herod；