ions; yet did not he openly discover his
hatred to them, as revering him that had reconciled them. But as Herod
sailed by Cilicia, he touched at Eleusa, [38] where Archclaus
treated them in the most obliging manner, and gave him thanks for
the deliverance of his son-in-law, and was much pleased at their
reconciliation; and this the more, because he had formerly written to
his friends at Rome that they should be assisting to Alexander at his
trial. So he conducted Herod as far as Zephyrium, and made him presents
to the value of thirty talents.

5. Now when Herod was come to Jerusalem, he gathered the people
together, and presented to them his three sons, and gave them an
apologetic account of his absence, and thanked God greatly, and
thanked Caesar greatly also, for settling his house when it was under
disturbances, and had procured concord among his sons, which was of
greater consequence than the kingdom itself,--"and which I will render
still more firm; for Caesar hath put into my power to dispose of the
government, and to appoint my successor. Accordingly, in way of requital
for his kindness, and in order to provide for mine own advantage, I do
declare that these three sons of mine shall be kings. And, in the first
place, I pray for the approbation of God to what I am about; and, in the
next place, I desire your approbation also. The age of one of them, and
the nobility of the other two, shall procure them the succession. Nay,
indeed, my kingdom is so large that it may be sufficient for more kings.
Now do you keep those in their places whom Caesar hath joined, and their
father hath appointed; and do not you pay undue or unequal respects to
them, but to every one according to the prerogative of their births;
for he that pays such respects unduly, will thereby not make him that is
honored beyond what his age requires so joyful, as he will make him
that is dishonored sorrowful. As for the kindred and friends that are
to converse with them, I will appoint them to each of them, and will so
constitute them, that they may be securities for their concord; as
well knowing that the ill tempers of those with whom they converse will
produce quarrels and contentions among them; but that if these with
whom they converse be of good tempers, they will preserve their natural
affections for one another. But still I desire that not these only, but
all the captains of my army, have for the present their hopes placed on
me alone; for I do