From the Taking of Jerusalem by Antiochus Epiphanes to the Death of Herod the Great - Flavius Josephus

and was much pleased at their reconciliation; and this the more, because he
had formerly written to his friends at Rome that they should be assisting to
Alexander at his trial. So he conducted Herod as far as Zephyrium, and made
him presents to the value of thirty talents.
5. Now when Herod was come to Jerusalem, he gathered the people
together, and presented to them his three sons, and gave them an apologetic
account of his absence, and thanked God greatly, and thanked Caesar greatly
also, for settling his house when it was under disturbances, and had procured
concord among his sons, which was of greater consequence than the
kingdom itself, -" and which I will render still more firm; for Caesar hath put
into my power to dispose of the government, and to appoint my successor.
Accordingly, in way of requital for his kindness, and in order to provide for
mine own advantage, I do declare that these three sons of mine shall be
kings. And, in the first place, I pray for the approbation of God to what I am
about; and, in the next place, I desire your approbation also. The age of one
of them, and the nobility of the other two, shall procure them the succession.
Nay, indeed, my kingdom is so large that it may be sufficient for more kings.
Now do you keep those in their places whom Caesar hath joined, and their
father hath appointed; and do not you pay undue or unequal respects to them,
but to every one according to the prerogative of their births; for he that pays
such respects unduly, will thereby not make him that is honored beyond what
his age requires so joyful, as he will make him that is dishonored sorrowful.
As for the kindred and friends that are to converse with them, I will appoint
them to each of them, and will so constitute them, that they may be securities
for their concord; as well knowing that the ill tempers of those with whom
they converse will produce quarrels and contentions among them; but that if
these with whom they converse be of good tempers, they will preserve their
natural affections for one another. But still I desire that not these only, but all
the captains of my army, have for the present their hopes placed on me
alone; for I do not give away my kingdom to these my sons, but give them
royal honors only; whereby it will come to pass that they will enjoy the
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