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

Chapter 29
Antipater Is Sent to Rome
1. Now when Antipater had cut off the hopes of the orphans, and had
contracted such affinities as would be most for his own advantage, he
proceeded briskly, as having a certain expectation of the kingdom; and as he
had now assurance added to his wickedness, he became intolerable; for not
being able to avoid the hatred of all people, he built his security upon the
terror he struck into them. Pheroras also assisted him in his designs, looking
upon him as already fixed in the kingdom. There was also a company of
women in the court, which excited new disturbances; for Pheroras's wife,
together with her mother and sister, as also Antipater's mother, grew very
impudent in the palace. She also was so insolent as to affront the king's two
daughters, (1) on which account the king hated her to a great degree; yet
although these women were hated by him, they domineered over others:
there was only Salome who opposed their good agreement, and informed the
king of their meetings, as not being for the advantage of his affairs. And
when those women knew what calumnies she had raised against them, and
how much Herod was displeased, they left off their public meetings, and
friendly entertainments of one another; nay, on the contrary, they pretended
to quarrel one with another when the king was within hearing. The like
dissimulation did Antipater make use of; and when matters were public, he
opposed Pheroras; but still they had private cabals and merry meetings in the
night time; nor did the observation of others do any more than confirm their
mutual agreement. However, Salome knew every thing they did, and told
every thing to Herod.
2. But he was inflamed with anger at them, and chiefly at Pheroras's
wife; for Salome had principally accused her. So he got an assembly of his
friends and kindred together, and there accused this woman of many things,
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