From the Taking of Jerusalem by Antiochus Epiphanes to the Death of Herod the Great - Flavius Josephus
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Chapter 25<br />
Reconciliation Between Alexander, Pheroras and<br />
<strong>Herod</strong><br />
1. Now as <strong>to</strong> Alexander, since he perceived it impossible <strong>to</strong> persuade his<br />
fa<strong>the</strong>r [that he was innocent], he resolved <strong>to</strong> meet his calamities, how severe<br />
soever <strong>the</strong>y were; so he composed four books against his enemies, and<br />
confessed that he had been in a plot; but declared withal that <strong>the</strong> greatest part<br />
[<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> courtiers] were in a plot with him, and chiefly Pheroras and Salome;<br />
nay, that Salome once came and forced him <strong>to</strong> lie with her in <strong>the</strong> night time,<br />
whe<strong>the</strong>r he would or no. These books were put in<strong>to</strong> <strong>Herod</strong>'s hands, and made<br />
a great clamor against <strong>the</strong> men in power. And now it was that Archelaus<br />
came hastily in<strong>to</strong> Judea, as being affrighted for his son-in-law and his<br />
daughter; and he came as a proper assistant, and in a very prudent manner,<br />
and <strong>by</strong> a stratagem he obliged <strong>the</strong> king not <strong>to</strong> execute what he had<br />
threatened; for when he was come <strong>to</strong> him, he cried out, "Where in <strong>the</strong> world<br />
is this wretched son-in-law <strong>of</strong> mine? Where shall I see <strong>the</strong> head <strong>of</strong> him which<br />
contrived <strong>to</strong> murder his fa<strong>the</strong>r, which I will tear <strong>to</strong> pieces with my own<br />
hands? I will do <strong>the</strong> same also <strong>to</strong> my daughter, who hath such a fine husband;<br />
for although she be not a partner in <strong>the</strong> plot, yet, <strong>by</strong> being <strong>the</strong> wife <strong>of</strong> such a<br />
creature, she is polluted. And I cannot but admire at thy patience, against<br />
whom this plot is laid, if Alexander be still alive; for as I came with what<br />
haste I could from Cappadocia, I expected <strong>to</strong> find him put <strong>to</strong> death for his<br />
crimes long ago; but still, in order <strong>to</strong> make an examination with <strong>the</strong>e about<br />
my daughter, whom, out <strong>of</strong> regard <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>e and <strong>by</strong> dignity, I had espoused <strong>to</strong><br />
him in marriage; but now we must take counsel about <strong>the</strong>m both; and if thy<br />
paternal affection be so great, that thou canst not punish thy son, who hath<br />
plotted against <strong>the</strong>e, let us change our right hands, and let us succeed one <strong>to</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r in expressing our rage upon this occasion."<br />
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