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hat they will enjoy the sweet parts of government as rulers themselves； but that the burden of administration will rest upon myself whether I will or not。 And let every one consider what age I am of； how I have conducted my life； and what piety I have exercised； for my age is not so great that men may soon expect the end of my life； nor have I indulged such a luxurious way of living as cuts men off when they are young； and we have been so religious towards God； that we ＇have reason to hope we＇ may arrive at a very great age。 But for such as cultivate a friendship with my sons； so as to aim at my destruction； they shall be punished by me on their account。 I am not one who envy my own children； and therefore forbid men to pay them great respect； but I know that such ＇extravagant＇ respects are the way to make them insolent。 And if every one that comes near them does but revolve this in his mind； that if he prove a good man； he shall receive a reward from me； but that if he prove seditious； his ill…intended complaisance shall get him nothing from him to whom it is shown； I suppose they will all be of my side； that is； of my sons' side； for it will be for their advantage that I reign； and that I be at concord with them。 But do you； O my good children； reflect upon the holiness of nature itself； by whose means natural affection is preserved； even among wild beasts； in the next place； reflect upon Caesar； who hath made this reconciliation among us； and in the third place； reflect upon me； who entreat you to do what I have power to command you； … continue brethren。 I give you royal garments； and royal honors； and I pray to God to preserve what I have determined； in case you be at concord one with another。〃 When the king had thus spoken； and had saluted every one of his sons after an obliging manner； he dismissed the multitude； some of which gave their assent to what he had said； and wished it might take effect accordingly； but for those who wished for a change of affairs； they pretended they did not so much as hear what he said。
CHAPTER 24。
The Malice Of Antipater And Doris。 Alexander Is Very Uneasy On Glaphyras Account。 Herod Pardons Pheroras； Whom He Suspected； And Salome Whom He Knew To Make Mischief Among Them。 Herod's Eunuchs Are Tortured And Alexander Is Bound。
1。 But now the quarrel that was between them still accompanied these brethren when they parted； and the suspicions they had one of the other grew worse。 Alexander and Aristobulus were much grieved that the privilege of the first…born was confirmed to Antipater； as was Antipater very angry at his brethren that they were to succeed him。 But then this last being of a disposition that was mutable and politic； he knew how to hold his tongue； and used a great deal of cunning； and thereby concealed the hatred he bore to them； while the former； depending on the nobility of their births； had every thing upon their tongues which was in their minds。 Many also there were who provoked them further； and many of their ＇seeming＇ friends insinuated themselves into their acquaintance； to spy out what they did。 Now every thing that was said by Alexander was presently brought to Antipater； and from Antipater it was brought to Herod with additions。 Nor could the young man say any thing in the simplicity of his heart； without giving offense； but what he said was still turned to calumny against him。 And if he had been at any time a little free in his conversation； great imputations were forged from the smallest occasions。 Antipater also was perpetually setting some to provoke him to speak； that the lies he raised of him might seem to have some foundation of truth； and if； among the many stories that were given out； but one of them could be proved true； that was supposed to imply the rest to be true also。 And as to Antipater's friends； they were all either naturally so cautious in speaking； or had been so far bribed to conceal their thoughts； that nothing of these grand secrets got abroad by their means。 Nor should one be mistaken if he called the life of Antipater a mystery of wickedness； for he either corrupted Alexander's acquaintance with money； or got into their favor by flatteries； by which two means he gained all his designs； and brought them to betray their master； and to steal away； and reveal what he either did or said。 Thus did he act a part very cunningly in all points； and wrought himself a passage by his calumnies with the greatest shrewdness； while he put on a face as if he were a kind brother to Alexander and Aristobulus； but suborned other men to inform of what they did to Herod。 And when any thing was told against Alexander； he would come in； and pretend ＇to be of his side＇； and would begin to contradict what was said； but would afterward contrive matters so privately； that the king should have an indignation at him。 His general aim was this； … to lay a plot； and to make it believed that Alexander lay in wait to kill his father； for nothing afforded so great a confirmation to these calumnies as did Antipater's apologies for him。
2。 By these methods Herod was inflamed； and as much as his natural affection to the young men did every day diminish； so much did it increase towards Antipater。 The courtiers also inclined to the same conduct； some of their own accord； and others by the king's injunction； as particularly did Ptolemy； the king's dearest friend； as also the king's brethren； and all his children； for Antipater was all in all； and what was the bitterest part of all to Alexander； Antipater's mother was also all in all； she was one that gave counsel against them； and was more harsh than a step…mother； and one that hated the queen's sons more than is usual to hate sons…in…law。 All men did therefore already pay their respects to Antipater； in hopes of advantage； and it was the king's command which alienated every body ＇from the brethren＇； he having given this charge to his most intimate friends； that they should not come near； nor pay any regard； to Alexander； or to his friends。 Herod was also become terrible； not only to his domestics about the court； but to his friends abroad； for Caesar had given such a privilege to no other king as he had given to him； which was this； … that he might fetch back any one that fled from him； even out of a city that was not under his own jurisdiction。 Now the young men were not acquainted with the calumnies raised against them； for which reason they could not guard themselves against them； but fell under them； for their father did not make any public complaints against either of them； though in a little time they perceived how things were by his coldness to them； and by the great uneasiness he showed upon any thing that troubled him。 Antipater had also made their uncle Pheroras to be their enemy； as well as their aunt Salome； while he was always talking with her； as with a wife； and irritating her against them。 Moreover； Alexander's wife； Glaphyra； augmented this hatred against them； by deriving her nobility and genealogy ＇from great persons＇； and pretending that she was a lady superior to all others in that kingdom； as being derived by her father's side from Temenus； and by her mother's side from Darius； the son of Hystaspes。 She also