e both, and yet
seem to indulge neither of them,] came in his travels to Herod, and made
him presents, but so that he received more presents from him. He also
took such proper seasons for insinuating himself into his friendship,
that he became one of the most intimate of the king's friends. He had
his lodging in Antipater's house; but he had not only access, but free
conversation, with Alexander, as pretending to him that he was in great
favor with Archclaus, the king of Cappadocia; whence he pretended much
respect to Glaphyra, and in an occult manner cultivated a friendship
with them all; but always attending to what was said and done, that
he might be furnished with calumnies to please them all. In short, he
behaved himself so to every body in his conversation, as to appear to
be his particular friend, and he made others believe that his being any
where was for that person's advantage. So he won upon Alexander, who was
but young; and persuaded him that he might open his grievances to him
with assurance and with nobody else. So he declared his grief to him,
how his father was alienated from him. He related to him also the
affairs of his mother, and of Antipater; that he had driven them from
their proper dignity, and had the power over every thing himself; that
no part of this was tolerable, since his father was already come to hate
them; and he added, that he would neither admit them to his table, nor
to his conversation. Such were the complaints, as was but natural,
of Alexander about the things that troubled him; and these discourses
Eurycles carried to Antipater, and told him he did not inform him of
this on his own account, but that being overcome by his kindness, the
great importance of the thing obliged him to do it; and he warned him
to have a care of Alexander, for that what he said was spoken with
vehemency, and that, in consequence of what he said, he would certainly
kill him with his own hand. Whereupon Antipater, thinking him to be
his friend by this advice, gave him presents upon all occasions, and at
length persuaded him to inform Herod of what he had heard. So when he
related to the king Alexander's ill temper, as discovered by the words
he had heard him speak, he was easily believed by him; and he thereby
brought the king to that pass, turning him about by his words, and
irritating him, till he increased his hatred to him and made him
implacable, which he showed at that very time, for he immediately gave