From the Taking of Jerusalem by Antiochus Epiphanes to the Death of Herod the Great - Flavius Josephus
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Chapter 26<br />
How Eurycles Calumniated <strong>the</strong> Sons <strong>of</strong> Mariamne<br />
1. Now a little afterward <strong>the</strong>re came in<strong>to</strong> Judea a man that was much<br />
superior <strong>to</strong> Arehelaus's stratagems, who did not only overturn that<br />
reconciliation that had been so wisely made with Alexander, but proved <strong>the</strong><br />
occasion <strong>of</strong> his ruin. He was a Lacedemonian, and his name was Eurycles.<br />
He was so corrupt a man, that out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> desire <strong>of</strong> getting money, he chose <strong>to</strong><br />
live under a king, for Greece could not suffice his luxury. He presented<br />
<strong>Herod</strong> with splendid gifts, as a bait which he laid in order <strong>to</strong> compass his<br />
ends, and quickly received <strong>the</strong>m back again manifold; yet did he esteem bare<br />
gifts as nothing, unless he imbrued <strong>the</strong> kingdom in blood <strong>by</strong> his purchases.<br />
Accordingly, he imposed upon <strong>the</strong> king <strong>by</strong> flattering him, and <strong>by</strong> talking<br />
subtlely <strong>to</strong> him, as also <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> lying encomiums which he made upon him;<br />
for as he soon perceived <strong>Herod</strong>'s blind side, so he said and did every thing<br />
that might please him, and <strong>the</strong>re<strong>by</strong> became one <strong>of</strong> his most intimate friends;<br />
for both <strong>the</strong> king and all that were about him had a great regard for this<br />
Spartan, on account <strong>of</strong> his country. (2)<br />
2. Now as soon as this fellow perceived <strong>the</strong> rotten parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> family,<br />
and what quarrels <strong>the</strong> bro<strong>the</strong>rs had one with ano<strong>the</strong>r, and in what disposition<br />
<strong>the</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>r was <strong>to</strong>wards each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m, he chose <strong>to</strong> take his lodging at <strong>the</strong> first<br />
in <strong>the</strong> house <strong>of</strong> Antipater, but deluded Alexander with a pretense <strong>of</strong><br />
friendship <strong>to</strong> him, and falsely claimed <strong>to</strong> be an old acquaintance <strong>of</strong><br />
Archelaus; for which reason he was presently admitted in<strong>to</strong> Alexander's<br />
familiarity as a faithful friend. He also soon recommended himself <strong>to</strong> his<br />
bro<strong>the</strong>r Aris<strong>to</strong>bulus. And when he had thus made trial <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se several<br />
persons, he imposed upon one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m <strong>by</strong> one method, and upon ano<strong>the</strong>r <strong>by</strong><br />
ano<strong>the</strong>r. But he was principally hired <strong>by</strong> Antipater, and so betrayed<br />
Alexander, and this <strong>by</strong> reproaching Antipater, because, while he was <strong>the</strong><br />
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