From the Taking of Jerusalem by Antiochus Epiphanes to the Death of Herod the Great - Flavius Josephus
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Chapter 27<br />
<strong>Herod</strong> <strong>by</strong> Caesars Direction Accuses his Sons at<br />
Eurytus<br />
1. Moreover, Salome exasperated <strong>Herod</strong>'s cruelty against his sons; for<br />
Aris<strong>to</strong>bulus was desirous <strong>to</strong> bring her, who was his mo<strong>the</strong>r-in-law and his<br />
aunt, in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> like dangers with <strong>the</strong>mselves; so he sent <strong>to</strong> her <strong>to</strong> take care <strong>of</strong><br />
her own safety, and <strong>to</strong>ld her that <strong>the</strong> king was preparing <strong>to</strong> put her <strong>to</strong> death,<br />
on account <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> accusation that was laid against her, as if when she<br />
formerly endeavored <strong>to</strong> marry herself <strong>to</strong> Sylleus <strong>the</strong> Arabian, she had<br />
discovered <strong>the</strong> king's grand secrets <strong>to</strong> him, who was <strong>the</strong> king's enemy; and<br />
this it was that came as <strong>the</strong> last s<strong>to</strong>rm, and entirely sunk <strong>the</strong> young men when<br />
<strong>the</strong>y were in great danger before. For Salome came running <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> king, and<br />
informed him <strong>of</strong> what admonition had been given her; whereupon he could<br />
bear no longer, but commanded both <strong>the</strong> young men <strong>to</strong> be bound, and kept<br />
<strong>the</strong> one asunder from <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r. He also sent Volumnius, <strong>the</strong> general <strong>of</strong> his<br />
army, <strong>to</strong> Caesar immediately, as also his friend Olympus with him, who<br />
carried <strong>the</strong> informations in writing along with <strong>the</strong>m. Now as soon as <strong>the</strong>y had<br />
sailed <strong>to</strong> Rome, and delivered <strong>the</strong> king's letters <strong>to</strong> Caesar, Caesar was<br />
mightily troubled at <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> young men; yet did not he think he ought<br />
<strong>to</strong> take <strong>the</strong> power from <strong>the</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> condemning his sons; so he wrote back<br />
<strong>to</strong> him, and appointed him <strong>to</strong> have <strong>the</strong> power over his sons; but said withal,<br />
that he would do well <strong>to</strong> make an examination in<strong>to</strong> this matter <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> plot<br />
against him in a public court, and <strong>to</strong> take for his assessors his own kindred,<br />
and <strong>the</strong> governors <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> province. And if those sons be found guilty, <strong>to</strong> put<br />
<strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> death; but if <strong>the</strong>y appear <strong>to</strong> have thought <strong>of</strong> no more than flying<br />
away from him, that he should moderate <strong>the</strong>ir punishment.<br />
2. With <strong>the</strong>se directions <strong>Herod</strong> complied, and came <strong>to</strong> Berytus, where<br />
Caesar had ordered <strong>the</strong> court <strong>to</strong> be assembled, and got <strong>the</strong> judicature<br />
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