r. All the physicians also that were about him, partly because
the medicines they brought for his recovery could not at all conquer
the disease, and partly because his diet could be no other than what his
disease inclined him to, desired him to eat whatever he had a mind to,
and so left the small hopes they had of his recovery in the power of
that diet, and committed him to fortune. And thus did his distemper go
on, while he was at Samaria, now called Sebaste.

8. Now Alexandra abode at this time at Jerusalem; and being informed
what condition Herod was in, she endeavored to get possession of the
fortified places that were about the city, which were two, the one
belonging to the city itself, the other belonging to the temple; and
those that could get them into their hands had the whole nation under
their power, for without the command of them it was not possible to
offer their sacrifices; and to think of leaving on those sacrifices is
to every Jew plainly impossible, who are still more ready to lose their
lives than to leave off that Divine worship which they have been wont to
pay unto God. Alexandra, therefore, discoursed with those that had the
keeping of these strong holds, that it was proper for them to deliver
the same to her, and to Herod's sons, lest, upon his death, any other
person should seize upon the government; and that upon his recovery none
could keep them more safely for him than those of his own family. These
words were not by them at all taken in good part; and as they had been
in former times faithful [to Herod], they resolved to continue so more
than ever, both because they hated Alexandra, and because they thought
it a sort of impiety to despair of Herod's recovery while he was yet
alive, for they had been his old friends; and one of them, whose name
was Achiabus, was his cousin-german. They sent messengers therefore to
acquaint him with Alexandra's design; so he made no longer delay, but
gave orders to have her slain; yet was it still with difficulty, and
after he had endured great pain, that he got clear of his distemper. He
was still sorely afflicted, both in mind and body, and made very uneasy,
and readier than ever upon all occasions to inflict punishment upon
those that fell under his hand. He also slew the most intimate of his
friends, Costobarus, and Lysimachus, and Cadias, who was also called
Antipater; as also Dositheus, and that upon the following occasion.

9. Costobarus was an Idumean b