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[194]
By this speech, and by his behavior, which showed Caesar the frankness
of his mind, he greatly gained upon him, who was himself of a generous
and magnificent temper, insomuch that those very actions, which were the
foundation of the accusation against him, procured him Caesar's good-will.
Accordingly, he restored him his diadem again; and encouraged him to exhibit
himself as great a friend to himself as he had been to Antony, and then
had him in great esteem. Moreover, he added this, that Quintus Didius had
written to him that Herod had very readily assisted him in the affair of
the gladiators. So when he had obtained such a kind reception, and had,
beyond all his hopes, procured his crown to be more entirely and firmly
settled upon him than ever by Caesar's donation, as well as by that decree
of the Romans, which Caesar took care to procure for his greater security,
he conducted Caesar on his way to Egypt, and made presents, even beyond
his ability, to both him and his friends, and in general behaved himself
with great magnanimity. He also desired that Caesar would not put to death
one Alexander, who had been a companion of Antony; but Caesar had sworn
to put him to death, and so he could not obtain that his petition. And
now he returned to Judea again with greater honor and assurance than ever,
and affrighted those that had expectations to the contrary, as still acquiring
from his very dangers greater splendor than before, by the favor of God
to him. So he prepared for the reception of Caesar, as he was going out
of Syria to invade Egypt; and when he came, he entertained him at Ptolemais
with all royal magnificence. He also bestowed presents on the army, and
brought them provisions in abundance. He also proved to be one of Caesar's
most cordial friends, and put the army in array, and rode along with Caesar,
and had a hundred and fifty men, well appointed in all respects, after
a rich and sumptuous manner, for the better reception of him and his friends.
He also provided them with what they should want, as they passed over the
dry desert, insomuch that they lacked neither wine nor water, which last
the soldiers stood in the greatest need of; and besides, he presented Caesar
with eight hundred talents, and procured to himself the good-will of them
all, because he was assisting to them in a much greater and more splendid
degree than the kingdom he had obtained could afford; by which means he
more and more demonstrated to Caesar the firmness of his friendship, and
his readiness to assist him; and what was of the greatest advantage to
him was this, that his liberality came at a seasonable time also. And when
they returned again out of Egypt, his assistances were no way inferior
to the good offices he had formerly done them.
1
1 HOW HEROD SLEW SOHEMUS AND MARIAMNE AND AFTERWARD ALEXANDRA AND COSTOBARUS, AND HIS MOST INTIMATE FRIENDS, AND AT LAST THE SONS OF BABBAS ALSO.
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