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[247]
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.
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