Alexander (VII)

VII. ALEXANDER, the Son of Herod the Great and Mariamne. His History is scarce to be separated from that of Aristobulus his brother, and the companion of all his misfortunes. These two Princes were the handsomest men of their times. After the tragical death of their mother Mariamne, Herod sent them to Rome, to be educated near Augustus, and instructed in all exercises In the Year of the World 3982, before J. C. 18, before the vulgar Æra 22. In the Year of the World 3988, before J. C. 12, before the vulgar Æra 16.which were suitable to their Quality. Augustus did them the honour to allow them an apartment in his Palace, intending to compliment their father Herod with this mark of his Esteem and Consideration.¹ Some time after, Herod undertook a journey to Rome, to make his court to Augustus,² and bring home his two sons, Alexander and Aristobulus, who had been taught every thing sufficiently becoming persons of their Rank. The people received them in Judæa with great joy and kindness, in consideration of their extreme beauty, and the Asmonæan Race, from which, by their Mother’s side, they were descended. But Salome, Herod’s sister, who had been the principal cause of Mariamne’s Death, apprehending, that if the Authority were ever lodged in their hands, they would make her feel the effects of their resentment, resolved by her calumnies to alienate their father from them.

This she set about with great address, for fear of being discovered; and at first made no shew at all of her ill-will. Herod seeing them of age, married them; Alexander with Glaphyra the daughter of Archelaus king of Cappadocia, and Aristobulus with Berenice the daughter of Salome. Pheroras the King’s brother and Salome having conspired to destroy these two young Princes, observed all their discourses, and themselves oftentimes furnished them with opportunities of speaking their thoughts freely, and with some In the Year of the World 3976, before J. C. 24, before the vulgar Æra 28.sharpness, concerning the manner wherein Herod had put to death their mother Mariamne.³ All that they said was immediately reported to the King, in the most odious and aggravating terms, Herod, who knew not how to distrust his Brother and Sister, and was well acquainted with the humour of his Sons, gave credit very easily to what was told him of their saying very frankly, that they would one day revenge their Mother’s Death. To check in some degree their lofty Spirits, he sent for his eldest son Antipater to Court, whom he had by one Doris, and had brought up at a distance from Jerusalem; because the Quality of his Mother was much inferior to that of Mariamne. He thought that by making Aristobulus and Alexander both sensible, that it was in his power to advance one of their Brothers above them, he should induce them to be more circumspect and tractable: but the quite contrary happened; the presence of Antipater did but exasperate the two young Princes.

Herod having placed his confidence in Antipater, never suspected any thing he said against his two Brothers; because he understood so well how to disguise his thoughts, that he seemed always to excuse and pity them; even while he was forming Accusations against them of the most heinous nature. At last Herod was so far alienated from his two Sons, that he carried them to Rome, In the Year of the World 3993. before J. C. 7. before the vulgar Æra 11.in order to accuse them there before Augustus, of designing to attempt his Life. The young Princes defended themselves so well, and affected the spectators in such a manner with their tears, that Augustus reconciled them with their Father, and sent them back into Judæa, in appearance perfectly united with Antipater, who returned with them, and expressed a great deal of satisfaction to see them restored to Herod’s good Graces. When this Prince came back to Jerusalem, he convened all the people in the Temple, and declared publickly his intentions, that his Sons should reign after him, in the following Order; first Antipater, and after him Alexander and Aristobulus.

This Declaration more and more provoked the two Brothers; they broke out into complaints and murmurs: their discourses were immediately reported to Herod; and Pheroras, Salome and Antipater omitted nothing that might irritate him against his Sons. Pheroras came one day and told Alexander, that his sister Salome had informed him, that Herod was passionately in love with Glaphyra his wife. Alexander hereupon was not able to contain himself, but went directly to Herod, and declared to him what Pheroras had told him. Herod was strangely enraged against Pheroras, and reproached him bitterly with raising an Accusation of so black a nature against him. Pheroras threw the whole blame upon Salome, and she, who was present, defended herself with vehemence, and protested loudly that it was all false. At last the King, tired with their clamours, obliged them to go out of his presence, and highly commended the moderation of his Son, for discovering what so sensibly concerned him.

Herod had three Eunuchs, whom he very much trusted, and employed even in Affairs that were serious and of great importance. These were accused of being corrupted by Alexander with a large sum of money. The King commanded them to be put to the rack, and the extremity of the torture forced them to confess, that they had been often sollicited by Alexander and Aristobulus, to abandon Herod, as one who was now of no farther use, and who in vain endeavoured to disguise artificially his age, by having his beard and hair painted: that they would do much better to adhere to them, who in a little time must ascend the Throne, whether their Father would or no, and would be then in a condition to procure for them the first offices of State: That every thing was disposed in their favour: That their friends, and those of their party, were ready to imbark in any undertaking for the defence of that indisputable right which they had to the Crown. This was enough to make Herod very uneasy, and to render all persons about his Court suspected. All those who were known to be the particular friends of Alexander were by his order seized and put to the rack; the greatest part of whom died under the torture, without declaring any thing, because they had nothing to discover.

There was one however, who being overcome by pain, confessed that he had often heard Alexander say, when any one commended the height of his stature, or his dexterity in drawing the bow, that it wou’d be more for his advantage not to be so tall, and to be less expert in hunting, since the King his Father looked upon these qualities with jealousy; and that when he was walking he was forced to shorten himself as he came near him, lest he should appear too tall; and that when he was hunting, he did not dare to shoot directly at the mark, lest the King should take offence if any should praise his Son’s dexterity before him. During the relaxation of his torture, he added, that the two Brothers had conspired to lay snares for their Father, while he was hunting; and were resolv’d if he should die, to go in all haste to Rome, and beg the Kingdom of Augustus. Letters were produced likewise from Alexander to Aristobulus, wherein he complained that Herod had given some Lands to Antipater, which produced an annual rent of two hundred talents, or about sixty eight thousand four hundred thirty seven pounds ten shillings.

Herod thought this to be sufficient reason for putting Alexander under arrest, and his principal friends to the torture.

Many died amidst their torments, without saying any thing, and the whole Court was full of terror, consternation and trouble. One of those who were racked declared, that Alexander had written to his friends, desiring they would dispose the Emperor to send for him to Rome; and that he had informations of great consequence to lay before him against his Father, who had preferr’d the friendship of Mithridates King of Parthia to his alliance with the Romans. He added, that this young Prince had poison ready prepared at Ascalon to give his Father; search was made to no purpose after this poison, for none ever could be found.

Alexander however was not dejected at this storm: he not only denied nothing which had been extorted from his friends by the violence of torture, but without scruple confessed it; whether he designed thereby to confound the credulity and suspicions of his Father, or to involve the whole Court in such perplexities, out of which they should not be able to extricate themselves. He got four papers presented to the King, wherein he told him, that to torment so many persons upon his account was all in vain; that it was true, he had laid ambuscades for him, and that the principal Courtiers were his accomplices: He named in particular Pheroras, and his most intimate friends. He added, that Salome came secretly to him in the night, and, whether he would or no, would lie with him. That the whole Court wished for nothing more than the moment when they might see themselves delivered from that pain which they were continually kept in by his cruelties and perpetual apprehensions.

In the mean time, Archelaus King of Cappadocia, the Father-in-law of Alexander⁴, being informed of all that passed at Herod’s Court, came to Jerusalem, with intention to procure, if he could, a reconciliation between Herod and his Son-in-law. At In the Year of the World 3996. before J.C. 4. before the vulgar Æra 8.first he pretended to be angry with Alexander, blamed very much his conduct, and commended the King’s extremely. He said, that for his part he was ready to dissolve the marriage between Alexander and his Daughter Glaphyra, if he could discover that she had any share in the ill designs of her Husband. Herod seeing Archelaus so warmly to espouse his passion, began to relent, and re-assume the sentiments of a Father towards his Child. So that he first was for excusing his Son, and desiring Archelaus not to carry things to an extremity, nor to think of breaking off the marriage of his Daughter with Alexander.

Archelaus then began to justify the young Prince, and to throw the blame of all upon others, and chiefly upon Pheroras King Herod’s Brother. And the King confess’d, that indeed he was the cause of all this mischief. Thus Alexander, by the prudent management of Archelaus, was restored to the good graces of his Father. The same Archelaus afterwards reconciled Pheroras with Herod, and so established peace throughout the whole Court.

In the Year of the World 3998. before J.C. 2. before the vulgar Æra 6.But this calm was not of long duration. One Eurycles a Lacedæmonian, having insinuated himself into Herod’s favour, gained also the confidence of Alexander; so that this young Prince opened his heart freely to him concerning the grounds of that discontent which he pretended to have against his Father⁵. Eurycles told every thing to the King, who began again to conceive violent suspicions against his Sons, to observe them narrowly, and hearken to every thing that was said against them. Alexander having received among his Guards two persons whom Herod had dismissed from his service, the King grew jealous of them, and ordered them to be tortured. They confessed that Alexander had sollicited them to kill the King, while he was hunting, with a pretence and shew of shooting at some wild beast: That they were told they might be safe, if they gave out that the King falling from his horse was run thro’ with his own weapons. They declared likewise, that there was Gold concealed in Alexander’s stables.

After this the Governour of Fort Alexandrium was taken into custody; he was accused of having promised Alexander and Aristobulus to receive them into his Fortress, and to deliver up the money belonging to the royal Treasury which was lodged there. The Governour suffered the rack with great resolution, and maintained that nothing was more false than this accusation. But his Son coming in, confessed all that they had a mind to, and produced even letters from Alexander, the purport whereof run thus: As soon as we have executed what we have designed, we shall come to you. Therefore be ready to receive us into your Castle, according to your promise. Herod having seen these letters, no longer doubted but his Sons had prepared an ambush for him. Alexander affirmed that he never wrote these letters, but that Diophantus had counterfeited his character. Herod was then at Jericho, and having produced those persons before an assembly of the People, who had been forced by the violence of torments to accuse his Sons, the people stoned them; and had done the same by Alexander and Aristobulus, if the King had not sent Pheroras and Ptolemy to prevent them.

Herod having confined the two Princes in different prisons, commanded them to set down the whole Conspiracy in writing. Alexander and Aristobulus wrote, that indeed they had desired to retire to the King of Cappadocia, but that they had in no sort conspired against their In the Year of the World 3998. before J. C. 2. before the vulgar Æra 6.Father’s life. That they should have been very glad if Tyrannus, one of their Accusers, had been examined more strictly, whom the people of Jericho, pushed on by the Emissaries of Antipater, had stoned. The King commanded Alexander to be brought in fetters, as he was, to the Princess Glaphyra his Wife, in order to know of her, if she were not an Accomplice with his Son in the evil designs which he had formed against him. The sight of her Husband in so melancholy a condition drew bitter outcries from her, which were followed with a torrent of tears: She protested that she was guilty of nothing; but that indeed, to free herself from the uneasinesses which she suffered, she had resolved to retire with her Husband to the King of Cappadocia her Father, and from thence to go to Rome. Herod wrote to Archelaus, complaining that he too was entred into the Conspiracy with his Sons, without giving him any intelligence of it; and at the same time wrote likewise to Augustus, accusing his Sons of plotting against his life, and designing to fly out of his dominions.

Augustus answered him, that if his Sons were convicted of having made any attempts upon his life, he might punish them as parricides; but if they were guilty only of shewing a desire to withdraw themselves, he should treat them with more gentleness: That therefore it was his advice to have a Council called at Berytus in Phœnicia, composed of his friends and Archelaus King of Cappadocia, in order to deliberate with them concerning what he should do about his Children. Herod therefore convened as many of his friends as he thought proper at Berytus⁶; but would not invite Archelaus thither, nor the two Princes Alexander and Aristobulus. He left them at Platane, a village of the Sidonians, not far from Berytus, that they might be near at hand, if it should be necessary for them to appear.

Herod came into the assembly, which consisted of an hundred and fifty persons, and began himself to accuse his Sons with great vehemence and passion; and after he had spoken in terms very unbecoming a Father, he said, that not only Augustus had made him master of his Sons destiny, but that the very laws of the Jews declared that if a Son were accused by his Parents, and they put their hand upon his head, all who were present should stone him, Deut. xxi. 18,19,20.and put him to death. He added, that tho’ he might treat his Sons in this manner after the crimes whereof they stood convicted, yet he was willing to have their opinion, and expected that they would join with him in giving an example of that just severity to future generations, which ought to be exercised upon inhuman and unnatural Children.

Saturninus, a Man of Consular Dignity, who was at the head of the Assembly, was for punishing Alexander and Aristobulus, but not with death. His three Sons who were present were of the same opinion: but Volumnius pronounced that they were worthy of death, and the majority gave their advice the same way; so that their death was resolved on by a plurality of voices. Herod therefore carried them to Tyre, and Nicholas of Damascus being just arrived there from Rome, the King asked, what his friends thought of his Sons? Nicholas answered, that the generality was of opinion they ought to be imprisoned, till he might with more leisure take his final resolution. Herod was a long time thoughtful, and at last determined to carry them to Cæsarea.

The whole City was in great expectation to see what course Herod would take in this juncture. Every one pitied the two Princes, but no one dared to speak plainly, for fear of incurring the King’s displeasure. One of Herod’s old Soldiers, who had a Son called Tyro⁷, of the same age with Alexander, having ventured to take the liberty of making some pretty sharp remonstrances to the King upon this matter, and telling him that the Officers and Soldiers, and the whole Body of the People were moved with compassion for the young Princes, and pitied their sad fate; the King losing all patience, commanded the Soldier and his Son to be seized, and all besides whom he had named; and having put the old Soldier and his Son to the torture, the old Man declared that he had made a resolution to kill the King, and to expose himself, for the love of Alexander, to all sorts of punishments. The King, after this, thought of nothing more than of executing the project which he had formed, of dispatching his Sons. He sent them to Sebasta, otherwise Samaria, and there ordered them to be strangled. Their bodies were carried to the Castle of Alexandrium, where their Ancestors of the Mother’s side had generally been buried. Thus died Alexander and Aristobulus, the Sons of Herod the Great and Mariamne, in the year of the world 3999, one year before the birth of J. C. and four before the vulgar Æra.

Josephus relates, that Glaphyra, Alexander’s Wife, having been sent back by Herod to her Father Archelaus, married for her second Husband Juba King of Mauritania; and that afterwards she married Archelaus Brother to Alexander her first Husband. This last appeared one night to Glaphyra, and reproached her with the little love she had for him, since not contented with a second marriage, she had contracted a third with his Brother Archelaus. For this reason, added he, I am determined to shew you, that my affection is more constant than yours; and for a proof that I have not forgotten you, within five days I will take you once more to my self, and deliver you from the infamy in which you now live. Accordingly Glaphyra died at the end of five days⁸.

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