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against him； it would behoove him to punish them as parricides；
for which he gave him power accordingly； but if they had only
contrived to fly away； he would have him give them an admonition；
and not proceed to extremity with them。 He also advised him to
get an assembly together； and to appoint some place near Berytus；
（14） which is a city belonging to the Romans； and to take the
presidents of Syria； and Archelaus king of Cappadocia； and as
many more as he thought to be illustrious for their friendship to
him； and the dignities they were in； and determine what should be
done by their approbation。 These were the directions that Caesar
gave him。 Accordingly Herod； when the letter was brought to him；
was immediately very glad of Caesar's reconciliation to him； and
very glad also that he had a complete authority given him over
his sons。 And it strangely came about； that whereas before； in
his adversity； though he had indeed showed himself severe； yet
had he not been very rash nor hasty in procuring the destruction
of his sons； he now； in his prosperity； took advantage of this
change for the better； and the freedom he now had； to exercise
his hatred against them after an unheard of manner； he therefore
sent and called as many as he thought fit to this assembly；
excepting Archclaus； for as for him； he either hated him； so that
he would not invite him； or he thought he would be an obstacle to
his designs。
2。 When the presidents； and the rest that belonged to the cities；
were come to Berytus； he kept his sons in a certain village
belonging to Sidon； called Platana； but near to this city； that
if they were called； he might produce them； for he did not think
fit to bring them before the assembly： and when there were one
hundred and fifty assessors present； Herod came by himself alone；
and accused his sons； and that in such a way as if it were not a
melancholy accusation； and not made but out of necessity； and
upon the misfortunes he was under； indeed； in such a way as was
very indecent for a father to accuse his sons； for he was very
vehement and disordered when he came to the demonstration of the
crime they were accused of； and gave the greatest signs of
passion and barbarity： nor would he suffer the assessors to
consider of the weight of the evidence； but asserted them to be
true by his own authority； after a manner most indecent in a
father against his sons； and read himself what they themselves
had written； wherein there was no confession of any plots or
contrivances against him； but only how they had contrived to fly
away； and containing withal certain reproaches against him； on
account of the ill…will he bare them； and when he came to those
reproaches； he cried out most of all； and exaggerated what they
said； as if they had confessed the design against him； and took
his oath that he had rather lose his life than hear such
reproachful words。 At last he said that he had sufficient
authority； both by nature and by Caesar's grant to him； ＇to do
what he thought fit＇。 He also added an allegation of a law of
their country； which enjoined this： That if parents laid their
hands on the head of him that was accused； the standers by were
obliged to cast stones at him； and thereby to slay him； which
though he were ready to do in his own country and kingdom； yet
did he wait for their determination； and yet they came thither
not so much as judges； to condemn them for such manifest designs
against him； whereby he had almost perished by his sons' means；
but as persons that had an opportunity of showing their
detestation of such practices； and declaring how unworthy a thing
it must be in any； even the most remote； to pass over such
treacherous designs ＇without punishment＇。
3。 When the king had said this； and the young men had not been
produced to make any defense for themselves； the assessors
perceived there was no room for equity and reconciliation； so
they confirmed his authority。 And in the first place； Saturninus；
a person that had been consul； and one of great dignity；
pronounced his sentence； but with great moderation and trouble；
and said that he condemned Herod's sons； but did not think they
should be put to death。 He had sons of his own； and to put one's
son to death is a greater misfortune than any other that could
befall him by their means。 After him Saturninus's sons； for he
had three sons that followed him； and were his legates；
pronounced the same sentence with their father。 On the contrary；
Volumnius's sentence was to inflict death on such as had been so
impiously undutiful to their father； and the greatest part of the
rest said the same； insomuch that the conclusion seemed to be；
that the young men were condemned to die。 Immediately after this
Herod came away from thence； and took his sons to Tyre； where
Nicolaus met him in his voyage from Rome； of whom he inquired；
after he had related to him what had passed at Berytus； what his
sentiments were about his sons； and what his friends at Rome
thought of that matter。 His answer was； 〃That what they had
determined to do to thee was impious； and that thou oughtest to
keep them in prison； and if thou thinkest any thing further
necessary； thou mayst indeed so punish them； that thou mayst not
appear to indulge thy anger more than to govern thyself by
judgment； but if thou inclinest to the milder side； thou mayst
absolve them； lest perhaps thy misfortunes be rendered incurable；
and this is the opinion of the greatest part of thy friends at
Rome also。〃 Whereupon Herod was silent； and in great
thoughtfulness； and bid Nicolaus sail along with him。
4。 Now as they came to Cesarea； every body was there talking of
Herod's sons； and the kingdom was in suspense； and the people in
great expectation of what would become of them； for a terrible
fear seized upon all men； lest the ancient disorders of the
family should come to a sad conclusion； and they were in great
trouble about their sufferings； nor was it without danger to say
any rash thing about this matter； nor even to hear another saying
it； but men's pity was forced to be shut up in themselves； which
rendered the excess of their sorrow very irksome； but very silent
yet was there an old soldier of Herod's； whose name was Tero； who
had a son of the same age with Alexander； and his friend； who was
so very free as openly to speak out what others silently thought
about that matter； and was forced to cry out often among the
multitude； and said； in the most unguarded manner； that truth was
perished； and justice taken away from men； while lies and
ill…will prevailed； and brought such a mist before public
affairs； that the offenders were not able to see the greatest
mischiefs that can befall men。 And as he was so bold； he seemed
not to have kept himself out of danger； by speaking so freely；
but the reasonableness of what he said moved men to regard him as
having behaved himself with great manhood； and this at a proper
time also； for which reason every one heard what he said with
pleasure； and although they first took care of their own safety
by keeping silent themselves； yet did they kindly receive the
great freedom he took； for the expectati