steward for Syrian affairs, as he was making haste into Judea to
preserve Herod's effects, met with Archclaus at Caesarea; but Varus
[president of Syria] came at that time, and restrained him from meddling
with them, for he was there as sent for by Archceaus, by the means of
Ptolemy. And Sabinus, out of regard to Varus, did neither seize upon
any of the castles that were among the Jews, nor did he seal up the
treasures in them, but permitted Archelaus to have them, until Caesar
should declare his resolution about them; so that, upon this his
promise, he tarried still at Cesarea. But after Archelaus was sailed for
Rome, and Varus was removed to Antioch, Sabinus went to Jerusalem,
and seized on the king's palace. He also sent for the keepers of the
garrisons, and for all those that had the charge of Herod's effects, and
declared publicly that he should require them to give an account of what
they had; and he disposed of the castles in the manner he pleased; but
those who kept them did not neglect what Archelaus had given them in
command, but continued to keep all things in the manner that had been
enjoined them; and their pretense was, that they kept them all for
Caesar.

4. At the same time also did Antipas, another of Herod's sons, sail to
Rome, in order to gain the government; being buoyed up by Salome with
promises that he should take that government; and that he was a much
honester and fitter man than Archelaus for that authority, since Herod
had, in his former testament, deemed him the worthiest to be made king,
which ought to be esteemed more valid than his latter testament. Antipas
also brought with him his mother, and Ptolemy the brother of Nicolaus,
one that had been Herod's most honored friend, and was now zealous for
Antipas; but it was Ireneus the orator, and one who, on account of his
reputation for sagacity, was intrusted with the affairs of the kingdom,
who most of all encouraged him to attempt to gain the kingdom; by whose
means it was, that when some advised him to yield to Archelaus, as to
his elder brother, and who had been declared king by their father's last
will, he would not submit so to do. And when he was come to Rome, all
his relations revolted to him; not out of their good-will to him, but
out of their hatred to Archelaus; though indeed they were most of all
desirous of gaining their liberty, and to be put under a Roman governor;
but if there were too great an opposition made to that, they tho