The Wars of the Jews; Or, The History of the Destruction of JerusalemJosephus, Flavius
Religion
The Wars of the Jews; Or, The History of the Destruction of Jerusalem
Josephus, Flavius
Jews -- History
1. Now as to Alexander, since he perceived it impossible to persuade his
father [that he was innocent], he resolved to meet his calamities, how
severe soever they were; so he composed four books against his enemies,
and confessed that he had been in a plot; but declared withal that the
greatest part [of the courtiers] were in a plot with him, and chiefly
Pheroras and Salome; nay, that Salome once came and forced him to lie
with her in the night time, whether he would or no. These books were put
into Herod's hands, and made a great clamor against the men in power.
And now it was that Archelaus came hastily into Judea, as being
affrighted for his son-in-law and his daughter; and he came as a proper
assistant, and in a very prudent manner, and by a stratagem he obliged
the king not to execute what he had threatened; for when he was come to
him, he cried out, "Where in the world is this wretched son-in-law of
mine? Where shall I see the head of him which contrived to murder his
father, which I will tear to pieces with my own hands? I will do the
same also to my daughter, who hath such a fine husband; for although she
be not a partner in the plot, yet, by being the wife of such a creature,
she is polluted. And I cannot but admire at thy patience, against whom
this plot is laid, if Alexander be still alive; for as I came with what
haste I could from Cappadocia, I expected to find him put to death for
his crimes long ago; but still, in order to make an examination with
thee about my daughter, whom, out of regard to thee and by dignity, I
had espoused to him in marriage; but now we must take counsel about them
both; and if thy paternal affection be so great, that thou canst not
punish thy son, who hath plotted against thee, let us change our right
hands, and let us succeed one to the other in expressing our rage upon
this occasion."
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