III. ALEXANDRA, Daughter of the High-Priest Hircanus, and Wife to Alexander the Son of Aristobulus, which Aristobulus was Brother to the High Priest Hircanus, and the Son of Alexander Jannæus, King of the Jews. The Alexandra of whom we are speaking, was the Mother of Mariamne, Herod the Great’s Wife, and of Aristobulus who was invested with the High-Priesthood, but enjoyed it a year only, Herod having procured him to be drowned in a bath at Jericho1.
Herod having put to death the High-Priest Hircanus, sent for a Priest called Ananel, from Babylon, on whom he conferr’d the High-Priesthood. Alexandra was so provoked at it, that she wrote to Cleopatra, the Wife or Mistress of Antony, whom she intreated to ask of Antony the Pontificate for her Son Aristobulus, Brother to Mariamne, and Grandson to Hircanus2. Antony having heard much of Mariamne’s extreme beauty, and of Aristobulus, desired Herod by letter to send Aristobulus to him. Herod excused himself, and being over-powered by the sollicitations of his Wife Mariamne, he gave the High-Priesthood to Aristobulus his Brother-in-law; but, as we have said, he knew well how to get rid of him very soon; in the mean while he complained mightily of Alexandra, who had addressed her self to Antony for this favour. He commanded her to continue in the Palace, and not to intermeddle in affairs of any kind. The King had her narrowly observed, so that she could neither do nor say any thing, but In the year of the World 3968. before J. C. 32. before the vulgar Æra 36. In the year of the World 3969. before J. C. 31. before the vulgar Æra 35.what was immediately reported to him.
Alexandra inraged to see herself reduced thus to a kind of Captivity, wrote to Cleopatra, and complain’d of it3. Cleopatra sent her word, that she should endeavour by all means to retire with her Son Aristobulus into Egypt; and that she would very readily receive them. Alexandra therefore took care to have two Biers or Coffins provided, one for her self, the other for her Son; she gave orders for the carrying these two Coffins to a Vessel which waited for them at sea. But one of Alexandra’s Slaves discovered this intrigue to Herod, who gave directions for seizing both her and her Son, at the very instant when they were conveying them away in the manner which she had projected. However, he did not treat her ill on this account, apprehending the resentment of Cleopatra, and that she might in return do him some ill office with Mark Antony.
In the year of the World 3970. before J. C. 30. before the vulgar Æra 34.After that Herod had procured the death of Aristobulus, Alexandra’s Son, this Princess pretended to believe, that it was purely accidental, waiting in the mean while for a fair opportunity of taking her revenge4. She wrote an account to Cleopatra of what had passed, and the danger she was in every day of losing her life. Cleopatra was touched with her misfortune, and never ceased importuning Antony to revenge the death of this young Prince, till she had prevailed with him to send to Herod, and order him to appear before him, and clear himself of the crime he was accused of. Herod went, but so wrought upon Antony by his presents, that he wou’d no longer hearken to Cleopatra, and declared, that Herod being King of the Jews, was accountable to no man for his actions.
In the mean time a report was spread, that Antony had put Herod to death; whereupon Alexandra sollicited Joseph, Herod’s Uncle, who governed in the absence of this Prince, that she and Mariamne might be carried to the Roman Legions, that if any disturbance should happen, they might be secure. But this design was not executed, because they received letters at the same time from Herod, which contradicted the rumour that had gone abroad. And when this Prince returned to Jerusalem, being informed of all that had passed by his Sister Salome, he ordered Alexandra to be close confined, and put in fetters.
In the Year of the World 3976. before J. C. 24. before the vulg. Æra 28.Herod having put to death Mariamne, for reasons which will be mentioned in another place, her Mother Alexandra fearing the same fate5, pretended to condemn her Daughter’s conduct, and to approve of her death. When she was led to the place of execution, Alexandra loaded her with abusive language, and would have flown at her and torn her hair; which all who were spectators of her behaviour looked upon as instances of folly and baseness that deserved contempt. The grief which Herod conceived at the death of Mariamne was the cause of an indisposition that had reduced him very low; and Alexandra thinking he was at the last extremities, sollicited the Governours of the two Forts in Jerusalem to put them both into her hands, and secure them for Herod’s Children by Mariamne, to prevent others, if the King should die, from getting them into their possession. The Governours, who did not love Alexandra, gave immediate intelligence to Herod of what was doing; and he, without any delay, gave orders for dispatching her, which were as soon executed; in the year of the World 3976. before J. C. 24. before the vulgar Æra 28.
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