From the Taking of Jerusalem by Antiochus Epiphanes to the Death of Herod the Great - Flavius Josephus
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Chapter 24<br />
The Malice <strong>of</strong> Antipater and Doris<br />
1. But now <strong>the</strong> quarrel that was between <strong>the</strong>m still accompanied <strong>the</strong>se<br />
brethren when <strong>the</strong>y parted, and <strong>the</strong> suspicions <strong>the</strong>y had one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r grew<br />
worse. Alexander and Aris<strong>to</strong>bulus were much grieved that <strong>the</strong> privilege <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> first-born was confirmed <strong>to</strong> Antipater; as was Antipater very angry at his<br />
brethren that <strong>the</strong>y were <strong>to</strong> succeed him. But <strong>the</strong>n this last being <strong>of</strong> a<br />
disposition that was mutable and politic, he knew how <strong>to</strong> hold his <strong>to</strong>ngue,<br />
and used a great deal <strong>of</strong> cunning, and <strong>the</strong>re<strong>by</strong> concealed <strong>the</strong> hatred he bore <strong>to</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>m; while <strong>the</strong> former, depending on <strong>the</strong> nobility <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir births, had every<br />
thing upon <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>to</strong>ngues which was in <strong>the</strong>ir minds. Many also <strong>the</strong>re were<br />
who provoked <strong>the</strong>m fur<strong>the</strong>r, and many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir [seeming] friends insinuated<br />
<strong>the</strong>mselves in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir acquaintance, <strong>to</strong> spy out what <strong>the</strong>y did. Now every<br />
thing that was said <strong>by</strong> Alexander was presently brought <strong>to</strong> Antipater, and<br />
from Antipater it was brought <strong>to</strong> <strong>Herod</strong> with additions. Nor could <strong>the</strong> young<br />
man say any thing in <strong>the</strong> simplicity <strong>of</strong> his heart, without giving <strong>of</strong>fense, but<br />
what he said was still turned <strong>to</strong> calumny against him. And if he had been at<br />
any time a little free in his conversation, great imputations were forged from<br />
<strong>the</strong> smallest occasions. Antipater also was perpetually setting some <strong>to</strong><br />
provoke him <strong>to</strong> speak, that <strong>the</strong> lies he raised <strong>of</strong> him might seem <strong>to</strong> have some<br />
foundation <strong>of</strong> truth; and if, among <strong>the</strong> many s<strong>to</strong>ries that were given out, but<br />
one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m could be proved true, that was supposed <strong>to</strong> imply <strong>the</strong> rest <strong>to</strong> be<br />
true also. And as <strong>to</strong> Antipater's friends, <strong>the</strong>y were all ei<strong>the</strong>r naturally so<br />
cautious in speaking, or had been so far bribed <strong>to</strong> conceal <strong>the</strong>ir thoughts, that<br />
nothing <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se grand secrets got abroad <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir means. Nor should one be<br />
mistaken if he called <strong>the</strong> life <strong>of</strong> Antipater a mystery <strong>of</strong> wickedness; for he<br />
ei<strong>the</strong>r corrupted Alexander's acquaintance with money, or got in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir favor<br />
<strong>by</strong> flatteries; <strong>by</strong> which two means he gained all his designs, and brought<br />
<strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> betray <strong>the</strong>ir master, and <strong>to</strong> steal away, and reveal what he ei<strong>the</strong>r did<br />
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