s
design against him, they should from thence sail to Rome; and that, in
case they found Nicolaus had gained any ground, and that Caesar was no
longer displeased at him, he should give him his letters, and the proofs
which he had ready to show against the young men. As to Archelaus, he
made his defense for himself, that he had promised to receive the young
men, because it was both for their own and their father's advantage so
to do, lest some too severe procedure should be gone upon in that anger
and disorder they were in on occasion of the present suspicions; but
that still he had not promised to send them to Caesar; and that he
had not promised any thing else to the young men that could show any
ill-will to him.

8. When these ambassadors were come to Rome, they had a fit opportunity
of delivering their letters to Caesar, because they found him reconciled
to Herod; for the circumstances of Nicolaus's embassage had been as
follows: As soon as he was come to Rome, and was about the court, he did
not first of all set about what he was come for only, but he thought fit
also to accuse Sylleus. Now the Arabians, even before he came to talk
with them, were quarrelling one with another; and some of them left
Sylleus's party, and joining themselves to Nicolaus, informed him of
all the wicked things that had been done; and produced to him evident
demonstrations of the slaughter of a great number of Obodas's friends by
Sylleus; for when these men left Sylleus, they had carried off with them
those letters whereby they could convict him. When Nicolaus saw such an
opportunity afforded him, he made use of it, in order to gain his own
point afterward, and endeavored immediately to make a reconciliation
between Caesar and Herod; for he was fully satisfied, that if he should
desire to make a defense for Herod directly, he should not be allowed
that liberty; but that if he desired to accuse Sylleus, there would an
occasion present itself of speaking on Herod's behalf. So when the cause
was ready for a hearing, and the day was appointed, Nicolaus, while
Aretas's ambassadors were present, accused Sylleus, and said that he
imputed to him the destruction of the king [Obodas], and of many others
of the Arabians; that he had borrowed money for no good design; and he
proved that he had been guilty of adultery, not only with the Arabian,
but Reinan women also. And he added, that above all the rest he had
alienated Caesar from Herod, and that al