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[422]
After this, when the queen was fallen into a dangerous distemper,
Aristobulus resolved to attempt the seizing of the government; so he stole
away secretly by night, with only one of his servants, and went to the
fortresses, wherein his friends, that were such from the days of his father,
were settled; for as he had been a great while displeased at his mother's
conduct, so he was now much more afraid, lest, upon her death, their whole
family should be under the power of the Pharisees; for he saw the inability
of his brother, who was to succeed in the government; nor was any one conscious
of what he was doing but only his wife, whom he left at Jerusalem with
their children. He first of all came to Agaba, where was Galestes, one
of the potent men before mentioned, and was received by him. When it was
day, the queen perceived that Aristobulus was fled; and for some time she
supposed that his departure was not in order to make any innovation; but
when messengers came one after another with the news that he had secured
the first place, the second place, and all the places, for as soon as one
had begun they all submitted to his disposal, then it was that the queen
and the nation were in the greatest disorder, for they were aware that
it would not be long ere Aristobulus would 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. 1
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.
1 This fortress, castle, citadel, or tower, whither the wife and children of Aristobulus were new sent, and which overlooked the temple, could be no other than what Hyrcanus I. built, (Antiq. B. XVIII ch. 4. sect. 3,) and Herod the Great rebuilt, and called the "Tower of Antonia," Aatiq. B. XV. ch. 11. sect. 5.
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