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However； upon his rebuking his sons； and hearing the defense they
made for themselves； he was easier for a while； though a little
afterwards much worse accidents came upon him。
4。 For Pheroras came to Alexander； the husband of Glaphyra； who
was the daughter of Archelaus； as we have already told you； and
said that he had heard from Salome that Herod has enamored on
Glaphyra； and that his passion for her was incurable。 When
Alexander heard that； he was all on fire； from his youth and
jealousy； and he interpreted the instances of Herod's obliging
behavior to her； which were very frequent； for the worse； which
came from those suspicions he had on account of that word which
fell from Pheroras； nor could he conceal his grief at the thing；
but informed him what word： Pheroras had said。 Upon which Herod
was in a greater disorder than ever； and not bearing such a false
calumny； which was to his shame； was much disturbed at it； and
often did he lament the wickedness of his domestics； and how good
he had been to them； and how ill requitals they had made him。 So
he sent for Pheroras； and reproached him； and said； 〃Thou vilest
of all men！ art thou come to that unmeasurable and extravagant
degree of ingratitude； as not only to suppose such things of me；
but to speak of them？ I now indeed perceive what thy intentions
are。 It is not thy only aim to reproach me； when thou usest such
words to my son； but thereby to persuade him to plot against me；
and get me destroyed by poison。 And who is there； if he had not a
good genius at his elbow； as hath my son； but would not bear such
a suspicion of his father； but would revenge himself upon him？
Dost thou suppose that thou hast only dropped a word for him to
think of； and not rather hast put a sword into his hand to slay
his father？ And what dost thou mean； when thou really hatest both
him and his brother； to pretend kindness to them； only in order
to raise a reproach against me； and talk of such things as no one
but such an impious wretch as thou art could either devise in
their mind； or declare in their words？ Begone； thou art such a
plague to thy benefactor and thy brother； and may that evil
conscience of thine go along with thee； while I still overcome my
relations by kindness； and am so far from avenging myself of
them； as they deserve； that I bestow greater benefits upon them
than they are worthy of。〃
5。 Thus did the king speak。 Whereupon Pheroras； who was caught in
the very act of his villainy； said that 〃it was Salome who was
the framer of this plot； and that the words came from her。〃 But
as soon as she heard that； for she was at hand； she cried out；
like one that would be believed； that no such thing ever came out
of her mouth； that they all earnestly endeavored to make the king
hate her； and to make her away； because of the good…will she bore
to Herod； and because she was always foreseeing the dangers that
were coming upon him； and that at present there were more plots
against him than usual； for while she was the only person who
persuaded her brother to put away the wife he now had； and to
take the king's daughter； it was no wonder if she were hated by
him。 As she said this； and often tore her hair； and often beat
her breast； her countenance made her denial to be believed； but
the peverseness of her manners declared at the same time her
dissimulation in these proceedings； but Pheroras was caught
between them； and had nothing plausible to offer in his own
defense； while he confessed that he had said what was charged
upon him； but was not believed when he said he had heard it from
Salome； so the confusion among them was increased； and their
quarrelsome words one to another。 At last the king； out of his
hatred to his brother and sister； sent them both away； and when
he had commended the moderation of his son； and that he had
himself told him of the report； he went in the evening to refresh
himself。 After such a contest as this had fallen out among them；
Salome's reputation suffered greatly； since she was supposed to
have first raised the calumny； and the king's wives were grieved
at her； as knowing she was a very ill…natured woman； and would
sometimes be a friend； and sometimes an enemy； at different
seasons： so they perpetually said one thing or another against
her； and somewhat that now fell out made them the bolder in
speaking against her。
6。 There was one Obodas； king of Arabia； an inactive and slothful
man in his nature； but Sylleus managed most of his affairs for
him。 He was a shrewd man； although he was but young； and was
handsome withal。 This Sylleus； upon some occasion coining to
Herod； and supping with him； saw Salome； and set his heart upon
her； and understanding that she was a widow； he discoursed with
her。 Now because Salome was at this time less in favor with her
brother； she looked upon Sylleus with some passion； and was very
earnest to be married to him； and on the days following there
appeared many； and those very great； indications of their
agreement together。 Now the women carried this news to the king；
and laughed at the indecency of it； whereupon Herod inquired
about it further of Pheroras； and desired him to observe them at
supper； how their behavior was one toward another； who told him；
that by the signals which came from their heads and their eyes；
they both were evidently in love。 After this； Sylleus the Arabian
being suspected； went away； but came again in two or three months
afterwards； as it were on that very design； and spake to Herod
about it； and desired that Salome might be given him to wife； for
that his affinity might not be disadvantageous to his affairs； by
a union with Arabia； the government of which country was already
in effect under his power； and more evidently would be his
hereafter。 Accordingly； when Herod discoursed with his sister
about it； and asked her whether she were disposed to this match；
she immediately agreed to it。 But when Sylleus was desired to
come over to the Jewish religion； and then he should marry her；
and that it was impossible to do it on any other terms； he could
not bear that proposal； and went his way； for he said； that if he
should do so； he should be stoned by the Arabs。 Then did Pheroras
reproach Salome for her incontinency； as did the women much more；
and said that Sylleus had debauched her。 As for that damsel which
the king had betrothed to his brother Pheroras； but he had not
taken her； as I have before related； because he was enamored on
his former wife； Salome desired of Herod she might be given to
her son by Costobarus； which match he was very willing to； but
was dissuaded from it by Pheroras； who pleaded that this young
man would not be kind to her； since his father had been slain by
him； and that it was more just that his son； who was to be his
successor in the tetrarchy； should have her。 So he begged his
pardon； and persuaded him to do so。 Accordingly the damsel； upon
this change of her espousals； was disposal of to this young man；
the son of Pheroras； the king giving for her portion a hundred
talents。
CHAPTER 8。
How Herod Took Up Alexander And Bound Him； Whom Yet Archelaus
King Of Cappadocia Recon