V. ARISTOBULUS, the Son of Alexander and Grandson of Aristobulus, whom we have been speaking of; his Mother was Alexandra, the Daughter of Hircanus, and Mariamne the Wife of Herod the Great was his Sister. Aristobulus was one of the handsomest Princes of his time. As he was the last of the Asmonæan family, Herod his Brother-in-law did what he could to prevent his having the High-Priesthood, which he had by birth a right to expect. Nevertheless being over-powered by the pressing sollicitations of his Wife Mariamne, and his Motherin-law Alexandra, he invested young Aristobulus with this dignity, who was then but seventeen years of age1. But having observed In the Year of the World 3969. before J. C. 31. before the vulg. Æra 35.too great an inclination in the people to this young Prince, he conceived so much jealousy of him, that he resolved to procure his destruction; for which he found an opportunity one day at Jericho. Aristobulus desiring to bathe with some other young people in a conservatory of Water, which was near the palace, Herod gave orders secretly to have him drowned, by plunging him under water, as it were in the way of diversion2. This happened in the year of the world 3970, before J. C. 30, before the vulgar Æra 34. Aristobulus had not been High-Priest a whole year.
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