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his guard； he dissembled his anger in his epistle to him； as in other points he wrote kindly to him； and desired him to make haste； because if he came quickly； he would then lay aside the complaints he had against his mother； for Antipater was not ignorant that his mother had been expelled out of the palace。 However； he had before received a letter； which contained an account of the death of Pheroras； at Tarentum； （46） and made great lamentations at it； for which some commended him； as being for his own uncle； though probably this confusion arose on account of his having thereby failed in his plot ＇on his father's life＇； and his tears were more for the loss of him that was to have been subservient therein； than for ＇an uncle＇ Pheroras： moreover； a sort of fear came upon him as to his designs； lest the poison should have been discovered。 However； when he was in Cilicia； he received the forementioned epistle from his father； and made great haste accordingly。 But when he had sailed to Celenderis； a suspicion came into his mind relating to his mother's misfortunes； as if his soul foreboded some mischief to itself。 Those therefore of his friends which were the most considerate advised him not rashly to go to his father； till he had learned what were the occasions why his mother had been ejected； because they were afraid that he might be involved in the calumnies that had been cast upon his mother： but those that were less considerate； and had more regard to their own desires of seeing their native country； than to Antipater's safety； persuaded him to make haste home； and not； by delaying his journey； afford his father ground for an ill suspicion； and give a handle to those that raised stories against him； for that in case any thing had been moved to his disadvantage； it was owing to his absence； which durst not have been done had he been present。 And they said it was absurd to deprive himself of certain happiness； for the sake of an uncertain suspicion； and not rather to return to his father； and take the royal authority upon him； which was in a state of fluctuation on his account only。 Antipater complied with this last advice； for Providence hurried him on ＇to his destruction＇。 So he passed over the sea； and landed at Sebastus； the haven of Cesarea。
4。 And here he found a perfect and unexpected solitude； while ever body avoided him； and nobody durst come at him； for he was equally hated by all men； and now that hatred had liberty to show itself； and the dread men were in at the king's anger made men keep from him； for the whole city ＇of Jerusalem＇ was filled with the rumors about Antipater； and Antipater himself was the only person who was ignorant of them； for as no man was dismissed more magnificently when he began his voyage to Rome so was no man now received back with greater ignominy。 And indeed he began already to suspect what misfortunes there were in Herod's family； yet did he cunningly conceal his suspicion； and while he was inwardly ready to die for fear； he put on a forced boldness of countenance。 Nor could he now fly any whither； nor had he any way of emerging out of the difficulties which encompassed him； nor indeed had he even there any certain intelligence of the affairs of the royal family； by reason of the threats the king had given out： yet had he some small hopes of better tidings； for perhaps nothing had been discovered； or if any discovery had been made； perhaps he should be able to clear himself by impudence and artful tricks； which were the only things he relied upon for his deliverance。
5。 And with these hopes did he screen himself； till he came to the palace； without any friends with him； for these were affronted； and shut out at the first gate。 Now Varus； the president of Syria； happened to be in the palace ＇at this juncture＇； so Antipater went in to his father； and； putting on a bold face； he came near to salute him。 But Herod Stretched out his hands； and turned his head away from him； and cried out； 〃Even this is an indication of a parricide； to be desirous to get me into his arms； when he is under such heinous accusations。 God confound thee； thou vile wretch； do not thou touch me； till thou hast cleared thyself of these crimes that are charged upon thee。 I appoint thee a court where thou art to be judged； and this Varus； who is very seasonably here； to be thy judge； and get thou thy defense ready against tomorrow； for I give thee so much time to prepare suitable excuses for thyself。〃 And as Antipater was so confounded； that he was able to make no answer to this charge； he went away； but his mother and wife came to him； and told him of all the evidence they had gotten against him。 Hereupon he recollected himself； and considered what defense he should make against the accusations。
CHAPTER 32。
Antipater Is Accused Before Varus； And Is Convicted Of Laying A Plot ＇Against His Father＇ By The Strongest Evidence。 Herod Puts Off His Punishment Till He Should Be Recovered； And In The Mean Time Alters His Testament。
1。 Now the day following the king assembled a court of his kinsmen and friends； and called in Antipater's friends also。 Herod himself； with Varus； were the presidents； and Herod called for all the witnesses； and ordered them to be brought in； among whom some of the domestic servants of Antipater's mother were brought in also； who had but a little while before been caught； as they were carrying the following letter from her to her son： 〃Since all those things have been already discovered to thy father； do not thou come to him； unless thou canst procure some assistance from Caesar。〃 When this and the other witnesses were introduced； Antipater came in； and falling on his face before his father's feet； he said； 〃Father； I beseech thee； do not condemn me beforehand； but let thy ears be unbiassed； and attend to my defense； for if thou wilt give me leave； I will demonstrate that I am innocent。〃
2。 Hereupon Herod cried out to him to hold his peace； and spake thus to Varus： 〃I cannot but think that thou； Varus； and every other upright judge； will determine that Antipater is a vile wretch。 I am also afraid that thou wilt abhor my ill fortune； and judge me also myself worthy of all sorts of calamity for begetting such children； while yet I ought rather to be pitied； who have been so affectionate a father to such wretched sons； for when I had settled the kingdom on my former sons； even when they were young； and when； besides the charges of their education at Rome； I had made them the friends of Caesar； and made them envied by other kings； I found them plotting against me。 These have been put to death； and that； in great measure； for the sake of Antipater； for as he was then young； and appointed to be my successor； I took care chiefly to secure him from danger： but this profligate wild beast； when he had been over and above satiated with that patience which I showed him； he made use of that abundance I had given him against myself； for I seemed to him to live too long； and he was very uneasy at the old age I was arrived at； nor could he stay any longer； but would be a king by parricide。 And justly I am served by him for bringing him back out of the country to court； when he was of no esteem before；