t after that bring any charge
against him, but there was a deep silence, and nobody knew what was
to be done. When affairs stood thus, one whose name was Sameas, [16] a
righteous man he was, and for that reason above all fear, rose up, and
said, "O you that are assessors with me, and O thou that art our king,
I neither have ever myself known such a case, nor do I suppose that any
one of you can name its parallel, that one who is called to take his
trial by us ever stood in such a manner before us; but every one,
whosoever he be, that comes to be tried by this Sanhedrim, presents
himself in a submissive manner, and like one that is in fear of himself,
and that endeavors to move us to compassion, with his hair dishevelled,
and in a black and mourning garment: but this admirable man Herod,
who is accused of murder, and called to answer so heavy an accusation,
stands here clothed in purple, and with the hair of his head finely
trimmed, and with his armed men about him, that if we shall condemn
him by our law, he may slay us, and by overbearing justice may himself
escape death. Yet do not I make this complaint against Herod himself;
he is to be sure more concerned for himself than for the laws; but my
complaint is against yourselves, and your king, who gave him a license
so to do. However, take you notice, that God is great, and that this
very man, whom you are going to absolve and dismiss, for the sake of
Hyrcanus, will one day punish both you and your king himself also." Nor
did Sameas mistake in any part of this prediction; for when Herod had
received the kingdom, he slew all the members of this Sanhedrim, and
Hyrcanus himself also, excepting Sameas, for he had a great honor for
him on account of his righteousness, and because, when the city was
afterward besieged by Herod and Sosius, he persuaded the people to admit
Herod into it; and told them that for their sins they would not be able
to escape his hands:--which things will be related by us in their proper
places.

5. But when Hyrcanus saw that the members of the Sanhedrim were ready
to pronounce the sentence of death upon Herod, he put off the trial to
another day, and sent privately to Herod, and advised him to fly out
of the city, for that by this means he might escape. So he retired to
Damascus, as though he fled from the king; and when he had been with
Sextus Caesar, and had put his own affairs in a sure posture, he
resolved to do thus; that in case he were again