From the Taking of Jerusalem by Antiochus Epiphanes to the Death of Herod the Great - Flavius Josephus
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foreboded some mischief <strong>to</strong> itself. Those <strong>the</strong>refore <strong>of</strong> his friends which were<br />
<strong>the</strong> most considerate advised him not rashly <strong>to</strong> go <strong>to</strong> his fa<strong>the</strong>r, till he had<br />
learned what were <strong>the</strong> occasions why his mo<strong>the</strong>r had been ejected, because<br />
<strong>the</strong>y were afraid that he might be involved in <strong>the</strong> calumnies that had been<br />
cast upon his mo<strong>the</strong>r: but those that were less considerate, and had more<br />
regard <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir own desires <strong>of</strong> seeing <strong>the</strong>ir native country, than <strong>to</strong> Antipater's<br />
safety, persuaded him <strong>to</strong> make haste home, and not, <strong>by</strong> delaying his journey,<br />
afford his fa<strong>the</strong>r ground for an ill suspicion, and give a handle <strong>to</strong> those that<br />
raised s<strong>to</strong>ries against him; for that in case any thing had been moved <strong>to</strong> his<br />
disadvantage, it was owing <strong>to</strong> his absence, which durst not have been done<br />
had he been present. And <strong>the</strong>y said it was absurd <strong>to</strong> deprive himself <strong>of</strong><br />
certain happiness, for <strong>the</strong> sake <strong>of</strong> an uncertain suspicion, and not ra<strong>the</strong>r <strong>to</strong><br />
return <strong>to</strong> his fa<strong>the</strong>r, and take <strong>the</strong> royal authority upon him, which was in a<br />
state <strong>of</strong> fluctuation on his account only. Antipater complied with this last<br />
advice, for Providence hurried him on [<strong>to</strong> his destruction]. So he passed over<br />
<strong>the</strong> sea, and landed at Sebastus, <strong>the</strong> haven <strong>of</strong> Cesarea.<br />
4. And here he found a perfect and unexpected solitude, while ever body<br />
avoided him, and nobody durst come at him; for he was equally hated <strong>by</strong> all<br />
men; and now that hatred had liberty <strong>to</strong> show itself, and <strong>the</strong> dread men were<br />
in at <strong>the</strong> king's anger made men keep from him; for <strong>the</strong> whole city [<strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Jerusalem</strong>] was filled with <strong>the</strong> rumors about Antipater, and Antipater himself<br />
was <strong>the</strong> only person who was ignorant <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m; for as no man was dismissed<br />
more magnificently when he began his voyage <strong>to</strong> Rome so was no man now<br />
received back with greater ignominy. And indeed he began already <strong>to</strong><br />
suspect what misfortunes <strong>the</strong>re were in <strong>Herod</strong>'s family; yet did he cunningly<br />
conceal his suspicion; and while he was inwardly ready <strong>to</strong> die for fear, he put<br />
on a forced boldness <strong>of</strong> countenance. Nor could he now fly any whi<strong>the</strong>r, nor<br />
had he any way <strong>of</strong> emerging out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> difficulties which encompassed him;<br />
nor indeed had he even <strong>the</strong>re any certain intelligence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> affairs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
royal family, <strong>by</strong> reason <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> threats <strong>the</strong> king had given out: yet had he some<br />
small hopes <strong>of</strong> better tidings; for perhaps nothing had been discovered; or if<br />
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