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the antiquities of the jews-1-第315章

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would have him; but informed the king of his intentions; and how
many solicitations he had had from him 'of that nature'。 Hereupon
Herod; who had formerly no affection nor good…will towards his
son to restrain him; when he heard what the jailer said; he cried
out; and beat his head; although he was at death's door; and
raised himself upon his elbow; and sent for some of his guards;
and commanded them to kill Antipater without tiny further delay;
and to do it presently; and to bury him in an ignoble manner at
Hyrcania。

CHAPTER 8。

Concerning Herod's Death; And Testament; And Burial。

1。 And now Herod altered his testament upon the alteration of his
mind; for he appointed Antipas; to whom he had before left the
kingdom; to be tetrarch of Galilee and Perea; and granted the
kingdom to Archclaus。 He also gave Gaulonitis; and Trachonitis;
and Paneas to Philip; who was his son; but own brother to
Archclaus (10) by the name of a tetrarchy; and bequeathed
Jarnnia; and Ashdod; and Phasaelis to Salome his sister; with
five hundred thousand 'drachmae' of silver that was coined。 He
also made provision for all the rest of his kindred; by giving
them sums of money and annual revenues; and so left them all in a
wealthy condition。 He bequeathed also to Caesar ten millions 'of
drachmae' of coined money; besides both vessels of gold and
silver; and garments exceeding costly; to Julia; Caesar's wife;
and to certain others; five millions。 When he had done these
things; he died; the fifth day after he had caused Antipater to
be slain; having reigned; since he had procured Antigonus to be
slain; thirty…four years; but since he had been declared king by
the Romans; thirty…seven。 (11) A man he was of great barbarity
towards all men equally; and a slave to his passion; but above
the consideration of what was right; yet was he favored by
fortune as much as any man ever was; for from a private man he
became a king; and though he were encompassed with ten thousand
dangers; he got clear of them all; and continued his life till a
very old age。 But then; as to the affairs of his family and
children; in which indeed; according to his own opinion; he was
also very fortunate; because he was able to conquer his enemies;
yet; in my opinion; he was herein very unfortunate。

2。 But then Salome and Alexas; before the king's death was made
known; dismissed those that were shut up in the hippodrome; and
told them that the king ordered them to go away to their own
lands; and take care of their own affairs; which was esteemed by
the nation a great benefit。 And now the king's death was made
public; when Salome and Alexas gathered the soldiery together in
the amphitheater at Jericho; and the first thing they did was;
they read Herod's letter; written to the soldiery; thanking them
for their fidelity and good…will to him; and exhorting them to
afford his son Archelaus; whom he had appointed for their king;
like fidelity and good…will。 After which Ptolemy; who had the
king's seal intrusted to him; read the king's testament; which
was to be of force no otherwise than as it should stand when
Caesar had inspected it; so there was presently an acclamation
made to Archelaus; as king; and the soldiers came by bands; and
their commanders with them; and promised the same good…will to
him; and readiness to serve him; which they had exhibited to
Herod; and they prayed God to be assistant to him。

3。 After this was over; they prepared for his funeral; it being
Archelaus's care that the procession to his father's sepulcher
should be very sumptuous。 Accordingly; he brought out all his
ornaments to adorn the pomp of the funeral。 The body was carried
upon a golden bier; embroidered with very precious stones of
great variety; and it was covered over with purple; as well as
the body itself; he had a diadem upon his head; and above it a
crown of gold: he also had a scepter in his right hand。 About the
bier were his sons and his numerous relations; next to these was
the soldiery; distinguished according to their several countries
and denominations; and they were put into the following order:
First of all went his guards; then the band of Thracians; and
after them the Germans; and next the band of Galatians; every one
in their habiliments of war; and behind these marched the whole
army in the same manner as they used to go out to war; and as
they used to be put in array by their muster…masters and
centurions; these were followed by five hundred of his domestics
carrying spices。 So they went eight furlongs (12) to Herodium;
for there by his own command he was to be buried。 And thus did
Herod end his life。

4。 Now Archelaus paid him so much respect; as to continue his
mourning till the seventh day; for so many days are appointed for
it by the law of our fathers。 And when he had given a treat to
the multitude; and left off his motoring; he went up into the
temple; he had also acclamations and praises given him; which way
soever he went; every one striving with the rest who should
appear to use the loudest acclamations。 So he ascended a high
elevation made for him; and took his seat; in a throne made of
gold; and spake kindly to the multitude; and declared with what
joy he received their acclamations; and the marks of the
good…will they showed to him; and returned them thanks that they
did not remember the injuries his father had done them to his
disadvantage; and promised them he would endeavor not to be
behindhand with them in rewarding their alacrity in his service;
after a suitable manner; but that he should abstain at present
from the name of king; and that he should have the honor of that
dignity; if Caesar should confirm and settle that testament which
his father had made; and that it was on this account; that when
the army would have put the diadem on him at Jericho; he would
not accept of that honor; which is usually so much desired;
because it was not yet evident that he who was to be principally
concerned in bestowing it would give it him; although; by his
acceptance of the government; he should not want the ability of
rewarding their kindness to him and that it should be his
endeavor; as to all things wherein they were concerned; to prove
in every respect better than his father。 Whereupon the multitude;
as it is usual with them; supposed that the first days of those
that enter upon such governments declare the intentions of those
that accept them; and so by how much Archelaus spake the more
gently and civilly to them; by so much did they more highly
commend him; and made application to him for the grant of what
they desired。 Some made a clamor that he would ease them of some
of their annual payments; but others desired him to release those
that were put into prison by Herod; who were many; and had been
put there at several times; others of them required that he would
take away those taxes which had been severely laid upon what was
publicly sold and bought。 So Archelaus contradicted them in
nothing; since he pretended to do all things so as to get the
good…will of the multitude to him; as looking upon that good…will
to be a great step towards his preservation of the gove
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