ent of the
Parthians, as to the lord of the rest, who, although they knew the whole
matter, dissembled with him in a deceitful way; and said that he ought
to go out with them before the walls, and meet those which were bringing
him his letters, for that they were not taken by his adversaries, but
were coming to give him an account of the good success Phasaelus had
had. Herod did not give credit to what they said; for he had heard
that his brother was seized upon by others also; and the daughter of
Hyrcanus, whose daughter he had espoused, was his monitor also [not to
credit them], which made him still more suspicious of the Parthians; for
although other people did not give heed to her, yet did he believe her
as a woman of very great wisdom.

7. Now while the Parthians were in consultation what was fit to be done;
for they did not think it proper to make an open attempt upon a person
of his character; and while they put off the determination to the next
day, Herod was under great disturbance of mind, and rather inclining to
believe the reports he heard about his brother and the Parthians, than
to give heed to what was said on the other side, he determined, that
when the evening came on, he would make use of it for his flight, and
not make any longer delay, as if the dangers from the enemy were not yet
certain. He therefore removed with the armed men whom he had with him;
and set his wives upon the beasts, as also his mother, and sister, and
her whom he was about to marry, [Mariamne,] the daughter of Alexander,
the son of Aristobulus, with her mother, the daughter of Hyrcanus,
and his youngest brother, and all their servants, and the rest of the
multitude that was with him, and without the enemy's privity pursued his
way to Idumea. Nor could any enemy of his who then saw him in this case
be so hardhearted, but would have commiserated his fortune, while the
women drew along their infant children and left their own country, and
their friends in prison, with tears in their eyes, and sad lamentations,
and in expectation of nothing but what was of a melancholy nature.

8. But for Herod himself, he raised his mind above the miserable state
he was in, and was of good courage in the midst of his misfortunes; and
as he passed along, he bid them every one to be of good cheer, and not
to give themselves up to sorrow, because that would hinder them in
their flight, which was now the only hope of safety that they had.
Accordingly, th