arriving at Ecdippa the two unfortunate ambassadors were thrown into prison, where Phasael committed suicide, and where Hyrcanus had his ears mutilated, in order to incapacitate him thereafter for holding his priestly office. Plots were also laid to ensure the downfall of Herod, but, warned by some faithful followers of his brother, he contrived to escape from his palace at night. Accompanied by his bride Mariamne, and by the female members of his family, he hurried to the fortress Masada, which he left in command of his brother Joseph, retiring first into Arabia, then into Egypt, and finally to Rome. He was followed by the execrations of the people. Antigonus was now proclaimed king of Judæa (the Parthians carrying off Hyrcanus to Babylon), and feeling himself to be in truth a monarch, he had coins struck with his Hebrew and Greek names: "Mattathias, High Priest, and the Commonwealth of the Judæans," and also "King Antigonus." The Parthian auxiliary troops were dismissed, and Antigonus destroyed the last of the Roman contingent that still held some of the fortresses in Palestine. So Judæa was once more freed from foreign soldiery, and could indulge in the sweet dream of regained independence after thirty hard years of internal troubles and terrible warfare. CHAPTER IV. ANTIGONUS AND HEROD. Weakness of Antigonus and Herod's Strength of Character--Contest for the Throne--Herod becomes King--Proscriptions and Confiscations--Herod's Policy--Abolition of the Hereditary Tenure of the High Priesthood--Death of the High Priest Aristobulus--War with the Arabians--The Earthquake--Death of the last of the Hasmonæans--Hillel becomes the Head of the Synhedrion--His System of Tradition--Menahem the Essene--Shammai and his School--Mariamne--Herod's Magnificence and Passion for Building--Herod rebuilds the Temple--Herod executes his Sons Alexander and Aristobulus--Antipater and his Intrigues--The Pharisees under Herod--The Destruction of the Roman Eagle--Execution of Antipater and Death of Herod. 40.3 B. C. E.