Phazael (I)

I. PHAZAEL, Brother of Herod the Great, and eldest Son of Antipater the Idumean.¹ Hyrcanus the High-priest and Prince of the Jews, having committed to Antipater the chief Authority in the Government of the Country, he made his eldest Son Phazael General of the Jewish Army, and Governour of Jerusalem and the Country round about. On several Occasions Phazael approved his Valour and Joseph. de bello, l. 1. c. 10. p. 729.Conduct. He beat Felix, who intended to revenge upon him the Death of Malichus, whom his Brother Herod had caused to be slain at Tyre. Some time after the Jews accused the two Brothers, Phazael and Herod to Mark Anthony, as having usurp’d the whole Authority, and left Hyrcanus only the Name of Prince. But Herod so well insinuated himself into Anthony’s Favour, that his Enemies were forced to drop their Cause. Lastly, during the War of Antigonus against Herod, Pacorus Son to the King of the Parthians entering into Judea, resolved to place Antigonus upon the Throne. He caused Barzaphernes with his Troops to enter into Galilee, and sent before him towards Jerusalem one Pacorus Cup-bearer to the King of Persia, with a Body of Horse. Pacorus advanc’d with Antigonus to Jerusalem, where first they made themselves Masters of the City, and then of the Temple. Herod and Phazael, who had took Side with Hyrcanus, having shut themselves up in the Royal Palace, Pacorus stay’d in the Suburbs with his People. But Antigonus having desired him to come into the City, Phazael went to meet him, and received him into his House. Pacorus pretending to desire to appease these Commotions, advised Phazael to come along with him into Galilee, to meet Barzaphernes, and there to treat of Peace with him. Phazael fell into this Snare, and follow’d Pacorus into Galilee; where Barzaphernes at first received him very kindly, making him Presents; but afterwards caused him to be apprehended, and put in Prison. This Piece of Treachery was so resented by Phazael, that he dash’d out his own Brains against the Walls of his Prison.

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