om Him Also; And How A Little Time Afterward, He
Entertained Caesar In A Most Honorable Manner.

1. Herod's other affairs were now very prosperous, and he was not to be
easily assaulted on any side. Yet did there come upon him a danger that
would hazard his entire dominions, after Antony had been beaten at the
battle of Actium by Caesar [Octarian]; for at that time both Herod's
enemies and friends despaired of his affairs, for it was not probable
that he would remain without punishment, who had showed so much
friendship for Antony. So it happened that his friends despaired, and
had no hopes of his escape; but for his enemies, they all outwardly
appeared to be troubled at his case, but were privately very glad of it,
as hoping to obtain a change for the better. As for Herod himself he saw
that there was no one of royal dignity left but Hyrcanus, and therefore
he thought it would be for his advantage not to suffer him to be an
obstacle in his way any longer; for that in case he himself survived,
and escaped the danger he was in, he thought it the safest way to put it
out of the power of such a man to make any attempt against him, at such
junctures of affairs, as was more worthy of the kingdom than himself;
and in case he should be slain by Caesar, his envy prompted him to
desire to slay him that would otherwise be king after him.

2. While Herod had these things in his mind, there was a certain
occasion afforded him: for Hyrcanus was of so mild a temper, both then
and at other times, that he desired not to meddle with public affairs,
nor to concern himself with innovations, but left all to fortune,
and contented himself with what that afforded him: but Alexandra [his
daughter] was a lover of strife, and was exceeding desirous of a change
of the government, and spake to her father not to bear for ever Herod's
injurious treatment of their family, but to anticipate their future
hopes, as he safely might; and desired him to write about these matters
to Malchus, who was then governor of Arabia, to receive them, and
to secure them [from Herod], for that if they went away, and Herod's
affairs proved to be as it was likely they would be, by reason of
Caesar's enmity to him, they should then be the only persons that could
take the government; and this, both on account of the royal family they
were of, and on account of the good disposition of: the multitude to
them. While she used these persuasions, Hyrcanus put off her suit; bu