HEROD, King of Judea, surnamed the Great, on ac count of his power and talents, as it frequently happens, rather than of his virtues, was the second son of Antipater the Idumxan, and was born at Ascalon in Judea, about seventy years before the Christian xra. At the age of twenty-five, he was appointed by his father to the govern ment of Galilee, where he distinguished himself by the suppression of a band of robbers, and the execution of their leader Hezekiah, with several of his comrades. Having performed this service of his own authority, and executed the culprits without even the form of trial, he was summon ed to answer for his conduct before the Sanhedrim ; but he escaped both punishment and censure, through) the strength of his party, the zeal of his friends, and his own abilities and dexterity.
In the civil wars of Rome, Herod at first embraced the party of Brutus and Cassius, and was, in consequence, made governor of Cxlesyria ; and, after their death, when Mark Antony arrived victorious in Syria, he and his bro ther contrived to ingratiate themselves with him, and were appointed tetrarchs in Judea. But in a short time after wards, in consequence of an invasion by Antigonus, who was assisted by the Jews, Herod was compelled to make his escape from Jerusalem, and to retire, first to Mumma, and then to Egypt. lie at length arrived at Rome, and upon occasion of a disputed succession to the crown of Judea, between the two branches of the Asmodean family, he found means through his own intrigues, and the influ ence and powerful recommendations of Mark Antony, to ob tain a decree of the senate, conferring that kingdom upon himself. immediately thereafter he repaired to Judea, and in the course of about three years, succeeded in get ting possession of the whole country. But this success was not obtained without bloodshed. The throne was at that time in the possession of Antigonus ; and, although aided by the Roman army, Herod was obliged to lay seige to Jerusalem, which held out for six months, when it was at length carried by assault, and a great slaughter made of the inhabitants. Antigonus was taken prisoner and put to
death. The attention of I lerod, upon assuming the govern ment, was first directed towards the replenishing of his treasury, and repressing the Asmodean faction, by whom he was regarded as an usurper. In the pursuit of these objects, he was guilty of many oppressive acts of extortion and cruelty. Soon after this, an accusation was lodged against him before Mark Antony by Cleopatra, who, it is said, was influenced, upon this occasion, by his mother-in law, Alexandra. Having been summoned to appear be fore the triumvir, to answer to the charges exhibited against him, he contrived, by great pecuniary sacrifices, to make his peace with Antony, and returned in high credit to his kingdom. It was upon this occasion that he displayed that conflict of passions, which for ever embittered his domes tic life. Being distractedly fond of his wife Mariamne, and unable to endure the thought of her falling into the hands of another, he exacted a solemn promise from Jo seph, whom he appointed to govern in his absence, that, if the accusation should prove fatal to him, he would put the queen to death. Joseph disclosed the secret to Mari amne, who, indignant at this savage proof of his affection for her, conceived from that moment a deep and settled aversion to her husband. Upon his return, some hints were thrown out respecting Joseph's familiarity with Ma riamne during his absence. These suspicions he commu nicated to his wife, who immediately recriminated, and upbraided him with his cruel order concerring her. His fury then became unbounded. He put Joseph to death for betraying the secret confided to him, and threw his mother-in-law Alexandra into prison. About this time he received a visit from Cleopatra, who is said to have enter tained amorous inclinations towards hint. These, however, Herod did not gratify, but endeavoured to glut her avarice with profuse donations.