be able to settle himself firmly in the government. What they were
principally afraid of was this, that he would inflict punishment upon
them for the mad treatment his house had had from them. So they resolved
to take his wife and children into custody, and keep them in the
fortress that was over the temple. [46] Now there was a mighty conflux
of people that came to Aristobulus from all parts, insomuch that he had
a kind of royal attendants about him; for in a little more than fifteen
days he got twenty-two strong places, which gave him the opportunity of
raising an army from Libanus and Trachonitis, and the monarchs; for men
are easily led by the greater number, and easily submit to them. And
besides this, that by affording him their assistance, when he could not
expect it, they, as well as he, should have the advantages that would
come by his being king, because they had been the occasion of his
gaining the kingdom. Now the eiders of the Jews, and Hyrcanus with
them, went in unto the queen, and desired that she would give them her
sentiments about the present posture of affairs, for that Aristobulus
was in effect lord of almost all the kingdom, by possessing of so many
strong holds, and that it was absurd for them to take any counsel by
themselves, how ill soever she were, whilst she was alive, and that the
danger would be upon them in no long time. But she bid them do what they
thought proper to be done; that they had many circumstances in their
favor still remaining, a nation in good heart, an army, and money in
their several treasuries; for that she had small concern about public
affairs now, when the strength of her body already failed her.

6. Now a little while after she had said this to them, she died, when
she had reigned nine years, and had in all lived seventy-three. A woman
she was who showed no signs of the weakness of her sex, for she was
sagacious to the greatest degree in her ambition of governing; and
demonstrated by her doings at once, that her mind was fit for action,
and that sometimes men themselves show the little understanding they
have by the frequent mistakes they make in point of government; for she
always preferred the present to futurity, and preferred the power of an
imperious dominion above all things, and in comparison of that had no
regard to what was good, or what was right. However, she brought the
affairs of her house to such an unfortunate condition, that she was the
occasion of the t