and since that wife of his was
so well beloved by him, and that as while she remains his wife she would
be a great preservative to him, and keep him from offending, as he had
formerly done; so if she should be once torn away from him, she would be
the cause of his falling into despair, because such young men's attempts
are best mollified when they are diverted from them by settling their
affections at home. So Arehelaus complied with what Herod desired, but
not without difficulty, and was both himself reconciled to the young
man, and reconciled his father to him also. However, he said he must,
by all means, be sent to Rome to discourse with Caesar, because he had
already written a full account to him of this whole matter.

6. Thus a period was put to Archelaus's stratagem, whereby he
delivered his son-in-law out of the dangers he was in; but when these
reconciliations were over, they spent their time in feastings and
agreeable entertainments. And when Archelaus was going away, Herod made
him a present of seventy talents, with a golden throne set with precious
stones, and some eunuchs, and a concubine who was called Pannychis.
He also paid due honors to every one of his friends according to their
dignity. In like manner did all the king's kindred, by his command, make
glorious presents to Archelaus; and so he was conducted on his way by
Herod and his nobility as far as Antioch.

CHAPTER 26.

How Eurycles [40] Calumniated The Sons Of Mariamne; And How
Euaratus Of Costs Apology For Them Had No Effect.

1. Now a little afterward there came into Judea a man that was much
superior to Arehelaus's stratagems, who did not only overturn that
reconciliation that had been so wisely made with Alexander, but proved
the occasion of his ruin. He was a Lacedemonian, and his name was
Eurycles. He was so corrupt a man, that out of the desire of getting
money, he chose to live under a king, for Greece could not suffice his
luxury. He presented Herod with splendid gifts, as a bait which he
laid in order to compass his ends, and quickly received them back again
manifold; yet did he esteem bare gifts as nothing, unless he imbrued the
kingdom in blood by his purchases. Accordingly, he imposed upon the king
by flattering him, and by talking subtlely to him, as also by the lying
encomiums which he made upon him; for as he soon perceived Herod's blind
side, so he said and did every thing that might please him, and thereby
became