e other,] and declared himself to be
Alexander, and the son of Herod, but stolen away by one of those that
were sent to slay him, who, in reality, slew other men, in order to
deceive the spectators, but saved both him and his brother Aristobulus.
Thus was this man elated, and able to impose on those that came to
him; and when he was come to Crete, he made all the Jews that came to
discourse with him believe him [to be Alexander]. And when he had gotten
much money which had been presented to him there, he passed over to
Melos, where he got much more money than he had before, out of the
belief they had that he was of the royal family, and their hopes that he
would recover his father's principality, and reward his benefactors; so
he made haste to Rome, and was conducted thither by those strangers
who entertained him. He was also so fortunate, as, upon his landing at
Dicearchia, to bring the Jews that were there into the same delusion;
and not only other people, but also all those that had been great with
Herod, or had a kindness for him, joined themselves to this man as
to their king. The cause of it was this, that men were glad of his
pretenses, which were seconded by the likeness of his countenance, which
made those that had been acquainted with Alexander strongly to believe
that he was no other but the very same person, which they also confirmed
to others by oath; insomuch that when the report went about him that he
was coming to Rome, the whole multitude of the Jews that were there
went out to meet him, ascribing it to Divine Providence that he has so
unexpectedly escaped, and being very joyful on account of his mother's
family. And when he was come, he was carried in a royal litter through
the streets; and all the ornaments about him were such as kings are
adorned withal; and this was at the expense of those that entertained
him. The multitude also flocked about him greatly, and made mighty
acclamations to him, and nothing was omitted which could be thought
suitable to such as had been so unexpectedly preserved.

2. When this thing was told Caesar, he did not believe it, because
Herod was not easily to be imposed upon in such affairs as were of great
concern to him; yet, having some suspicion it might be so, he sent one
Celadus, a freed-man of his, and one that had conversed with the young
men themselves, and bade him bring Alexander into his presence; so he
brought him, being no more accurate in judging about him than