HEROD THE GREAT CHAPTER THIRTEEN - Page 1

A TRUMPET STARTLED Saul from sleep. Then shouts and the sounds of peddler's carts moving in the street. In the distance the march of soldiers' feet could be heard. Where am I? Paul wondered. For a moment he did not recognize anything in the room. Then with a laugh he said to himself, Of course, I am in Hulda's house.

He got up and hurried to the window overlooking the street. The city was still shrouded in an early mist, but becoming more impressive in the light of the rising sun. Industrious city dwellers were hurrying after their various occupations.

After washing and dressing, Saul went downstairs, excited over being in the city he had talked and dreamed about since early childhood. Now, he was really going to live here! He still could not quite believe it.

Saul's father greeted him. "Good morning. I went to your room some time ago, but you were sleeping so soundly. As soon as you have eaten, we can leave for a visit to the Temple."
Saul could hardly wait. Food seemed almost irrelevant.

"I hope you don't mind eating alone," his Aunt said thoughtfully. "We ate with your father over an hour ago." Moments later Hulda returned to the table, and said, "Saul. What happened to your food?"

Seeking to swallow the last bite of his bread and cheese, Saul pointed to his stomach.
"Don't tell me you have eaten all that I put on your plate already! I am sure your mother doesn't let you eat that fast as a rule when you are home."

"I try, Hulda," said Esther, who was passing through the room at that moment. "I try to slow him down at the table, and everywhere else, for that matter. I hope you have more success than I do."
"You can both save your efforts," said Saul's father with a laugh. "The faster he moves the farther he will go in life." No one missed the pride on his face and in his voice as he said this.

"Esther says you were the same when you were Saul's age," added Hulda.

"I think she has confused me with Saul's grandfather Ben-Lemuel. He was never still, except when sleeping or praying."

"Or teaching or studying, perhaps?" asked Hulda.

"Apparently you were never in Ben-Lemuel's classes, Hulda," said Esther. "His whole body was in motion when he is teaching."

By this time, Saul was at the door ready to leave. "Remember," said Hulda, her voice sounding more like she was giving orders rather than making a request, "don't be late for the evening meal. Hasham has gone into the city to attend to business, and I told him to be here by five o'clock."
"She won't change," said Rabbi Benjamin, as he and Saul started down the road from the house.

"Her heart is as good as gold. Imagine her giving her home to Miriam and Esrom, and making the room on the third floor yours as long as you care to use it."

As they walked the street Rabbi Benjamin said, "In Tarsus, the synagogue never was able to obtain a reliable Hasmonean record. Here, with Gamaliel, you will study from the originals and learn much about the house of Herod, son. But there is another reason I have not wanted to give you too much information in this regard. First, what little you know of the house of Herod is true, and it is enough to know that much evil happened there. But I have been afraid for this day. I have been afraid that as I show you the Temple built by Herod, the one we call Herod the Great, you will have your view of the Temple marred by Herod's image. I have not wanted that. But you are becoming a man and you will know. I trust that you will learn how to properly divide the truth from the error and not grow bitter in your views."

"I understand, father." Saul's heart beat faster as they approached the Temple precinct. Even though the splendor or Solomon's Temple was gone, the site itself still seemed holy. In the morning sun, it looked more spectacular than he had expected. Even from the external view, the white stones and gold on the facade were breath-taking. It was understandable that thousands of non-Jewish people from all parts of the empire wanted to see the Temple first when they came to Jerusalem.

"He who has not seen the Temple of Herod the Great has never seen a beautiful building," said Rabbi Benjamin to his son. "You can see that construction still continues on some of the outer portions, but the Temple itself is splendid."

As Saul and his father entered the vast Court of the Gentiles, it was already alive with activity. The money changers waited at tables ready to exchange foreign currencies for coins that would be accepted for the Temple offering. The priests preferred to have a common currency, rather than deal with foreign money that was ever changing in value.

They passed down the long colonnades, under roofs of cedar supported by marble pillars. In sheltered porticoes, many discussions and lectures were in progress. This area was known as the Court of the Gentiles because this was as far as non-Jews could go, physically, in the Temple.
Steps leading to the next level took them to the Women's Court, where signs posted in Latin and Greek warned against any other than Jewish men and their wives gathering here. The great brazen altar, 20 cubits by 20 cubits and 10 cubits in height, was already receiving sacrifices. From this altar the smoke ascended in the cloudless sky. From this level still more steps led up to the Court of the Priests.

They went up and found that in this area, the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies were housed.

"Father," Saul said, "I feel as if we are on holy ground here, but my mind tells me over and over again that Herod built this Temple. He was such an evil man."

Benjamin nodded. "That would be Herod the Great, father of our present Herod Antipas. How should we feel about this Temple? It is not Solomon's Temple, nor the second Temple, but here, under Herod the Great, the Holy of Holies was built to the exact dimensions, and with the exact furnishings, of Solomon's Temple. For example, inside, a great tapestry separates the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. Once a year the High Priest alone may enter this sacred area. You are right to feel the holiness of this place. God said that as long as the sun and moon shine in the heavens, His covenants to Israel would never be broken. But what about its builder? Among the rabbis, we feel that Herod's work is a kind of atonement for a life in which he shed the blood of many sages in Israel."

Saul looked up at the great stones, realizing the tremendous effort taken to quarry and move them into place. The atonement of Herod the Great seemed to indicate the vastness of the man's will to sin. His view of the Temple, from this time on, would not be so romantic. It would carry with it this dark side.

They moved slowly through the congestion of people. Saul's father seemed barely conscious of the crowds. He was lost in his thoughts, which he often spoke aloud for the benefit of his son, expounding the spiritual significance of each article and act of worship at the Temple. The hours had passed quickly, and Benjamin suddenly realized it was time to return home. An entire day had gone.

When they arrived back at the house, Aunt Hulda nodded approvingly. "You are here on time."
"It is good for us that we are," said Saul's father.

Hulda heard the comment, and said, "Knowing you and your love for books and history, and the law and the prophets, you wouldn't even know what day of the week it was if it wasn't for your wife or myself to remind you of your schedule." Her remark brought an outburst of laughter from Esther, and as laughter is always contagious, everyone joined in.

"You know what Solomon said about pride and humility," said Rabbi Benjamin. "Well, as long as we men have wives and Hulda around us, we should not fear a fall from pride."

Following their evening meal, the conversation between Hasham, Hulda and Saul's parents dealt mostly with the old friends whom they were looking forward to greeting in the morning. From Egypt to Athens, they named families and friends whom Saul had heard mentioned throughout his life in Tarsus.

In the morning, he decided to return to the city alone. He found his Aunt Hulda busy packing for her move to Gischala. When he asked if he could help her, she replied, "Thank you, Saul, but this is work I must do myself."

Saul thought her tone of voice said, The greatest help you can give me is to keep out of my way. Happy to know he had at least offered his services, he hurried to his father to gain permission to go into the city. Gaining it, he started light-heartedly for the door.

"Don't get lost!" Aunt Hulda called. "You know how crowded Jerusalem is at Passover time."
He turned to his father and said, "She does not know that I explored the caves of the Taurus Mountains when I was only ten years old."

Benjamin smiled at his son with private pride.

Having had the experience of visiting the Temple with his father the day before, Saul now felt determined to see the second most glorious building in Jerusalem, Herod's Palace. He started immediately in that direction. As he came near he saw the towers Herod had built in memory to those he was said to have loved. He had largely torn his own family apart by multiple marriages, intrigue, murder and vicious ambition.

Against one wall of the palace, he passed the barracks. Herod had experienced wars, civil wars and much treachery during his 40 years in office. He had come to rely constantly on the strength of his military guard to stay alive. Most of those in his personal guard were not Jews, but Gauls, whose loyalty was to the one that could pay them the most money, provide them the most wine, and of course as many women as possible.

As Saul neared the barracks, he unexpectedly heard a young man's voice behind him saying, "Let's steal his crutch." Glancing quickly around, he saw a young Roman about his own age, approaching with a friend. Looking in the direction of the barracks, Saul saw an aged veteran in faded uniform, sitting on a stone bench near the entrance to the barracks, asleep in the morning sun. His leg had been amputated below the knee. The boys were stealthily sneaking toward the old soldier, and Saul realized what they were up to.

In a flash, he ran ahead and picked up the crutch. "Oh, no you don't! Can't you see how lost he would be without it?"

"Put it down, Jew!" shouted the older Roman boy. "Or you will be needing two crutches."

Saul braced himself against the wall, holding the crutch as a defense against the two about to assault him.

Suddenly a deep voice was heard to his left. "What kind of conduct is this that I see?"

Turning quickly, Saul saw a Roman centurion striding rapidly toward them.

"Father," cried the culprit. "This Jew was trying to steal this old soldier's crutch. We stopped him just in time. See, he is still clutching it."

"I was not stealing it," Saul retorted angrily. "Your son is the one who was stealing it."

The centurion's face flushed with rage at Saul.

Seeing his anger, the centurion's son exclaimed jubilantly, "Take him, Father. Teach him no Jew can talk to a Roman this way."

As the Roman moved toward Saul, the old Herodian veteran who was now very much awake, bellowed in a voice that sounded like thunder. "Don't touch that Jewish boy, Dizen, or you will have old Vulso to deal with, I tell you."

The centurion stepped back quickly.

"It was the Jew who was guarding my crutch from your stealing son, not the other way round. The Old Lion has learned how to pretend sleep in order to catch such pranksters in the act. It is lucky that the Jew came along. I would not have been so kind. Someone should teach the young man a proper respect."

"You are right, Vulso. I will teach him a lesson he will not soon forget" The centurion now glared at his son and his companion. "Alright you two. Come with me."

Jerking his son by the hair he led him violently away. "You will learn to respect your elders, boy," he growled.

"You didn't have to do what you did, lad," said the old soldier warmly. "Sit down here. I'm not going anywhere today. Tell me about yourself."

Like the ship master Andrius, there was something about this withered old gray-headed veteran that fascinated Saul. His sparkling eyes, his voice, his entire manner seemed such a contrast from the brutal uniform he wore, and the violent life he apparently had lived. "I am Saul of Tarsus. I am here to live and study in Jerusalem with Gamaliel."

"From Tarsus, you say?"

"Yes."

"What a place!"

"You have been there?"

"Tarsus, the city? Well, I was only in it for a few hours. The city was beautiful, but I was not assigned there. I was in the mountains."

"And why?" Paul's curiosity was rising.

"I was among those sent by Antipater and Herod to clear out pirates driven from the sea years earlier by Pompey. Now, by this time, you see, Pompey was dead, defeated by Julius Caesar. Old Antipater had risked his life for Caesar in Egypt in his war with Pompey, and so they became allies. Well, anyway, these pesky pirates had taken up residence in the caves of the Taurus Mountains. They had actually taken Caesar captive at one time, did you know that?"

"Yes. I have heard the story from two sides now, actually."

"What do you mean?"

"You first, then I will tell."

"Fair enough. Well, Tarsus, what an assignment! The Romans had not been able to root the pirates out, but leave it to old Antipater to come up with his brilliant idea. Antipater had an answer for Caesar and it was the Gauls. We were his fighting answer. We were the men he would put in those cages, knowing we would fight like no other men. Many of my people are gladiators, you know? Well, they did not call me 'The Lion' in those days for nothing. I hunted men like a king of beasts. And in the mountains above Tarsus, they made me a caged lion."

"What are these cages?"

"Well now, we are not yet to that part of the story. But I was saying that Old Antipater acted as if he was some brilliant strategist to impress Caesar, hah! He at least knew to send a man to do a man's bloody job, right? Give him credit. When it was all done, young Herod took most of the credit for his father's ideas on getting the pirates. But I am getting ahead again."
"Just to be clear, Antipater was the father of Herod. Right?"

"Yes, yes. You are a bright lad, I can see that right away, I can. Yes sir."

"Are you old enough to have known Herod's father?"

"Known him?" Vulso laughed, his white teeth, those that remained, shone like isolated pearls through his snowy beard. "Now, there was a real man. I was with him first in Egypt, when Julius Caesar cleaned up that mess with Pompey. This was before Antony, of course. Antipater made sure he got as close as he could to Julius Caesar, and who could blame him? I do not think a better general ever rode a horse than Julius Caesar. Old Antipater was a fighting man, not necessarily a general, you see? Well, Antipater was no fool, he always knew where the power was. There was trouble in Egypt and Caesar found himself needing help, and Antipater gladly risked his life for him. And that little action cost me this," pointing, as he spoke, to his missing limb. "I must admit that old Antipater was quite a man. He could out-fight, out-drink, and out-talk any man I ever knew. As a hunter, well, he had the record of killing 40 wild animals in a single day, and in combat he fought like a Gaul. I can understand how and why Caesar liked him and made him procurator of your country here in Judea. At that time, he made his son, Herod, head of the military. Old Antipater had four sons and a daughter, you know?"

Saul quickly jumped in. "Phasael, Joseph, Pheroras, Herod, who became Herod the Great, and a daughter Salome."

Vulso slapped his knee saying, "Well done. Can you tell me who was oldest? Who was the rightful heir?"

Saul searched his memory. "I believe Phasael was the oldest and Herod the youngest."

"See the trouble there, do you? Did you know that Herod had ten wives? Nine living at one time. No wonder the boy had such trouble! Now we have his son on the throne, Herod Antipas. But I am getting ahead of myself. I am talking about our present Herod's grandfather Antipater, and how Julius Caesar took a liking to him. Here he was, this Idumean pretender king with a core of Gauls keeping him on his slippery throne, and Caesar makes him a Roman citizen and governor of Judea. Well, as you can imagine, after that, he owed Caesar a big favor. One of the first assignments he was given was to clear the pirates out of the caves over at Tarsus. Now Herod followed through, but the plan was not Herod's, it was old Antipater's. I heard him talking it over with his son. He said, 'You know, Herod, we can't reach them coming up from the valley. They see us coming and slip away. We must trap them. Those caves are deep in the face of those rugged cliffs.'

"So Herod asks, 'What do you suggest?' He knew the old man had a plan already, and probably a good one. I remember his old father, 'bout the age I am now, tapping his dagger against the palm of his hand, the way he always used to do when making up a plan. He said, 'Here's how I think we can do it. We will march up the valley and let them see us. But at the same time we will have a second army put equipment on the top of the cliffs that can lower cages on chains down from above. We will fill these cages with men and flammable material, and when they are brought to the front of the cave occupied by the pirates, our soldiers can throw the flammable material into the mouth of the cave and set it afire. When the smoke and fire drive out the occupants, the men can finish them off with bows and arrows, or the army below can come up and do the job. We could even make long hooks and drag some out.'

"Herod loved the idea, and said to his father, 'With our Gauls as the killing dogs they are, this will be more exciting than hunting big game. He looked over at me and said, 'How would you like to fight in a cage, Lion, huh?' I just looked at old Antipater and grinned. He grinned back. It was a good day."
"But I don't understand. You only had one leg, Vulso."

"One leg!" He roared with laughter. "I could whip most two legged men with that one leg. That was my special way. I made me a wooden leg, see? Carved it out of hard hickory from Gaul. That's a true hardwood. Had leather straps that kept it in place, and then I imbedded a series of spikes in it when I went to war, see?" He chuckled, bending proudly toward Saul. "Many a man has ferried the Styx for a well placed kick from that leg of mine. Do you see now?"
Saul nodded. "I think I do."

"Well, it took most of a summer to clear the pirates out of Tarsus. But before cold weather set in, I tell you, there was hardly a living cave rat left in those mountains. We drug out and killed anything that moved. Killed them like vermin, no quarter. And, of course, Caesar was elated over this, and when young Herod was about 25 years old, he gave him a position that included collecting taxes from your people. Did you know about all this?"

"Not all of it," Saul said.

"Well, I think you are modest, too. You will be quite a student," said Vulso.

"My father is a rabbi," replied Saul. "He encouraged me to study."

"Then I must congratulate him. Well, anyway, Herod the Great, as we called him, he seemed to get along with the leaders in Rome but had no end of trouble in his own family. Of course, he had ten wives and fourteen children. Of the nine wives living with him at one time, there was plenty of room for trouble. His first marriage was to Doris, and she bore him his first son named Antipater. But his favorite wife was Miriamne. She had two sons by Herod, Alexander and Aristobulus. These were handsome boys. Herod placed them in Rome for education and they actually lived for a time in the emperor's palace. They were quite popular in Rome--too popular for Doris, who was afraid her own son Antipater might not inherit his father's throne. So," said Vulso, taking a dramatic pause, "Doris had only one solution. Get rid of the two sons of Miriamne, and how could she manage this? Quite simple. Just spread lies about the boys, saying they were plotting against their father.'

"Well, she had no problem enlisting the help of Herod's sister Salome. She also hated Miriamne. I might add the hate was mutual. Miriamne came from noble stock of the Hasmoneans, while Doris was a crude woman of lowly birth. The women had little trouble convincing Antipater that he should remove his brothers. They posed a threat, they said, to his becoming king at his father's death. So the rumor the boys were plotting to kill their father spread and this reached the ears of Herod the Great, who lived in constant fear of being killed and deposed. Herod was well aware that the sons of Miriamne were well liked. So his first concern was to give the princes what would appear to the public to be a fair Roman-type trial. He planned his moves very carefully. For the scene of the trial, he chose the Roman-controlled city of Berytus near Sidon. Then he invited a great number of prominent people to witness the trial of the two handsome princes."

"Did these come?" asked Saul.

"Oh, yes, Saul. The son of Old Antipater knew how to pick the ones who would respond. He chose those who wanted to gain favors from him. First he invited the king of Cappadocia, and then he chose to call princes of Syria. He made sure he had enough to make an imposing appearance. Before he was finished, he had 150 such as I mention seated for this so-called trial. However, there were two important ones missing. Can you guess who they were?"

Saul shook his head.

"Guess," insisted the old guard. "You have heard enough about Herod to figure it."

"The sons, the princes."

"Of course," said old Vulso, slapping Saul on the back. "I may not know a lot about law, but I know men. Herod cared little about law. Like many of our Roman leaders who make up laws to suit themselves. Herod was like them. The two that were missing were the lads who were being tried."

"And was there no one to represent them?"

"No one, Saul. They were held in solitary confinement in a place called Plattana, near Berytus, and they could not speak for themselves. All the court heard were the things that Herod's son Antipater told his father. And believe it or not, Saul, the old king put on a great act. He pretended he, as their father, was there to expose the horrible crime of his sons, and that as father, he wanted to protect them. What a fox, what deception. All the time he was planning their death.'

"Herod could not just kill his boys. So, as I saw it clearly, he set things up Herod-style. He could point to others who were accusing his sons rather than himself. Saturninus, a man of great dignity and consul at the time, pled for moderation, saying he had sons of his own, and could think of no greater tragedy than a father turning against his own sons. Saturninus had three sons who were his legates, and they agreed with their father that Herod's sons should not be put to death. When they landed at Caesarea on their return to Jerusalem, they found everyone talking about the trial of Herod's sons at Berytus.'

"Vulso, did you say that these sons of Miriamne were well liked by the people?"

"True."

"And they were finally executed, as Herod had desired from the beginning?"

"That is correct."

"And no one raised objections? No prophet stood in his face?"

"No. Well, I see that you are somewhat ignorant of conditions under Herod,"

Saul took no offense from this remark. He conceded that to a great extent he was in ignorance, but eager to learn.

"I had a friend, lad, I mean a true friend," Vulso continued. "His name was Tero. Like myself, he was a member of the Herod's Guard. Of course people talked about the trial of Miriamne's sons, and especially of their executions. But they talked mostly in whispers. Any who valued their lives knew better than express their suspicions that Herod wanted them dead, at any price, even on false charges. So, people kept quiet in any public outcry. That is with the exception of my old friend Tero. He would stand in the largest crowds and shout aloud, 'Truth has fled! Lies and injustice prevail!'"

"And Herod didn't kill him?" Saul asked anxiously.

"Not on the street. Herod was subtle. After his sons had been executed, he knew old Tero had a great number of sympathizers, so he thought he would talk to him personally, and hear him confess his complaints in his presence."

"Do you know what he said to the king?" Saul asked.

"Yes, I know what he said to the king, lad. How could I help hearing him. I was there! I was one of the guards who brought him at the king's orders."

Saul colored momentarily, thinking the old guard felt he was questioning his reliability.

Pushing back his gray hair and turning his tanned face toward the sun, he squinted his eyes as though intent on the memory of Tero. "After being presented and allowed to speak, old Tero said, 'I will gladly give up my life, O king, for the right to ask you where has your understanding gone? It has left your soul empty. You are alone deserted of friends and relatives. Those who now surround you are neither friends nor relatives. These overlook the horrible wickedness you have created in our once happy kingdom. Do you not perceive what is being done? Will you slay these young men born of your queen, accomplished in every virtue in the highest degree and leave your self destitute in your old age, exposed to only one son? Does the silence of the crowd not tell you it abhors the fact?"
"He was very bold," Saul said softly. "Like a prophet."

"He was tired of living, I think," replied Vulso, looking sadly at the pavement. "Old Tero almost did us all in. He went on to say, 'The whole army and officers have sympathy with your sons that you executed. They have hatred for the actors accusing them."

"Actors?" Saul asked.

"Yes, lad, Tero used the word actors, people who act or pretend, hypocrites. The truth would soon be seen that it was his oldest son Antipater who was really plotting to assassinate his father, but first had to remove the two brothers. And, of course, the old king was stung with the accusation that he, too, was being accused as one of the actors. But when Tero told him his guard and officers hated him, and looked on him as a murderer of his sons, he sat up white as fresh ground flour. That is what really stung him. Above all else, he relied on the Gaul guard. To have them hate him would be his end. He could not accept this so he put his own barber under torture to obtain a confession that Tero had actually sought to persuade him to kill the king with his razor. Then he published this confession and had old Tero and his sons brought to Sebaste and strangled. And Herod didn't stop there. He continued to examine, and obtain confessions through torture, until he had executed 300 of his guard as a result of Tero's comments. Since then, as you can imagine, if we of the guard see a troublemaker like Tero around, we take care of him ourselves, one way or another."
"How did you escape the executions?"

"Not that I was innocent, lad. I had my opinions, as you know. I shared Tero's sentiments, but I was wise enough to keep my opinions about Herod to myself. If Herod the Great were living now, don't think I would sit near the barracks and talk as I am talking to you today."
"Did you witness the death of the guards accused by Herod?" Saul asked, then wished he had not asked that question.
Vulso sat for some time in silence.
Saul grew uncomfortable.

Finally Vulso spoke. "After the two princes were executed, their grandmother who had reigned several years as Queen Alexandra, became greatly concerned for another member of the family named Aristobulus. The Hasmoneans seemed attached to that name. One of the first was Judah of the Maccabees, who chose to be called by the Greek name Aristobulus. Perhaps that is the reason. They considered Judah Maccabees a hero. Anyway, this young Aristobulus was a brother to Miriamne, and had been installed by Herod in the office of high priest, which he rightfully filled by inheritance. He was tall and handsome, and even though only 16 years of age, he performed his priestly duties at the Feast of Tabernacles with such dignity, the people were greatly impressed. After killing his sons, Herod always feared that the masses who hated him would rally behind one whom they felt more worthy. So, once again, Herod decided to protect himself and his crown. He would have to get rid of the young priest Aristobulus.'

"The Queen, or I should say the former Queen Alexandra, was not blind. She could sense what could happen. At this time Cleopatra of Egypt was in power. In desperation she wrote to Cleopatra, asking if she could help her. Cleopatra, who hated Herod, informed Alexandra that she would gladly protect her and Aristobulus, if they could escape from the palace where they were being held and get passage to Egypt."

"Were they able to do this?" asked Saul curiously.

Vulso responded with a laugh. "They were clever. They had two coffins made for themselves, and sought to have servants that they thought were loyal carry them out at night, and on to the sea where a ship was waiting to sail for Egypt. But they never got farther than the seashore. Alexandra's plan might have succeeded had it not been for her servant Esop, who confided in one named Sabion the plans for their escape. Sabion had been in disfavor with Herod, and thought it might help his position if he would expose Alexandra's plans for escape to Egypt. Alerted to the plot, Herod let them proceed with the coffins containing the queen and her son, right to the waiting ship and there they were seized."

"Did he kill them?" Saul asked impulsively.

"No," said Vulso, stroking his beard. "Herod felt it best to bide his time and not react. He had his own plans about how to get rid of Aristobulus, at a feast. He decided to have a big feast, which he prepared at his palace at Jericho. It was in mid summer, and the weather was hot. There was a beautiful pool at the palace, large enough that they used it for bathing. Herod instructed some he could trust to get young Aristobulus into the pool just as the sun was setting and shadows were falling. And at the most shaded end of the pool, they would pretend to be in play, and hold the young man under water until he drowned."

Saul wondered if all of these details could be true. He found out later they were, and every detail had taken place just as the old soldier had stated.

"Then, to try to escape any suspicion that might be placed on him," Vulso went on, "old Herod put on a massive demonstration of mourning, as though he was completely devastated and broken hearted over the tragedy of the young man's drowning. Few were fooled. Naturally, the word of this murder reached Cleopatra. At that time she had amazing influence with Antony, who was in Laodicea at the time. In spite of all the bribery and flattery Herod had given him in the past, Antony, acting under pressure from Cleopatra, ordered Herod to appear before him and give account of his actions. This was one time when Herod really trembled and feared for survival. Before his departure Herod placed his wife Miriamne and her mother Alexandra under the care of his uncle Joseph. He told him he had no assurance that he would return or escape death. Since his death we have learned that he gave instructions to Joseph that if Antony had him executed, Joseph should immediately kill Miriamne and take charge of the government in his stead.'

"About the time Herod was appearing before Antony, word began to circulate in Jerusalem that because of his crime, Antony had ordered his execution. And Herod's Uncle Joseph, on hearing this rumor, confided in Miriamne and her mother that Herod had ordered him to kill them should he not return. Then, it turned out, the rumor that Antony had Herod executed was false. Old Herod was able to give Antony such marvelous bribes and flattery that he returned from the supposed punishment with more power and favor than he had before. Upon his return, realizing that his uncle had confided in Miriamne and her mother Alexandra, he immediately ordered Joseph executed. He did not even give him opportunity to appear and speak for himself."

"And what happened to Alexandra and her daughter Miriamne?" Saul said curiously. He could not wait for Vulso to tell him.

Vulso looked up at the sky and again stroked his beard. "Oh, yes, at this immediate time Herod was engaged in a quarrel with the King of Arabia. He accused Miriamne's grandfather Hyrcanus of communicating with the king of Arabia, and plotting against him. Of course, Hyrcanus was of the royal line of the Hasmoneans, and had a more just claim to the throne than Herod. Feeling it would be safer to have him removed, Herod produced letters that he said had been written by the king of Arabia to Hyrcanus, and on the basis of these, had him executed. Of course, it would have been equal to Herod's ways to have composed the letters himself. But whether he did or did not, he showed letters to the Sanhedrin and accused Hyrcanus of plotting against him, and had him executed immediately."

"Did you witness this execution?"

Vulso did not reply immediately. Then speaking as if to himself, he said sadly, "In my judgment Hyrcanus was a mild man who suffered much. His opponents had cut off his ears so, according to Jewish law being maimed he could not serve again as high priest. It seemed to me, yes, I believe I could say, he actually welcomed his death when it came." Vulso seemed to forget Saul was there, reviewing in memory the execution of Hyrcanus.

Suddenly Vulso returned in his mind to the present. "You asked me, lad, about the fate of Herod's wife and her mother? Well, after Herod executed Hyrcanus, he arranged a meeting with Caesar--"
"Now we are not talking of Julius Caesar or Antony, but of Octavian, right? Our present Caesar Augustus?"

"That is right, our present Caesar. Well, Herod left Miriamne and her mother in his palace fortress of Alexandrium under the care of his treasurer Joseph, and an old trusted friend named Sohemus. Herod sailed for Rhodes, wondering how the emperor would receive him. He had supported Cassius who had played the leading role in the assassination of Julius Caesar. When Cassius was defeated by Octavian and Antony at Philippi in 42, Antony seemed to merge the strongest one in Rome. So Herod immediately switched loyalties to Antony and gave him lavish gifts. In his honor, he named the great fortress tower at the Temple in Jerusalem, the Tower of Antonia. Then, after Antony's defeat at Actium by Octavian, Herod, who had been so loyal to Antony, naturally wondered how Octavian would receive him. But receive him he did, lad. There never was a man like Herod who had such ability to bribe and flatter and lie his way to power. Truly, in deceit he far exceeded his father, the great soldier, Antipater.'

"I knew of one present at that meeting in Rhodes. He told me that Herod told Caesar that he had advised Antony to kill Cleopatra, and that Antony had refused his advice. Well, once again, this old king talked his way into favor, this time with Caesar Augustus. Meanwhile, back in Jerusalem, Miriamne and her mother were winning the favor of their guardians, Joseph and Sohemus. These men also had confided in them that their instructions from Herod were to kill the women in the event Herod should be condemned for killing Hyrcanus. Joseph and Sohemus, believing that Herod would be condemned for killing Hyrcanus, felt that Miriamne, Herod's wife and a Hasmonean, would inherit the throne. They visualized receiving favors from her when she would reign."

At this point old Vulso shook with cynical laughter. "They should have known better. Again, Herod returned not condemned by Caesar, but in great favor. On his arrival in Jerusalem, learning that Joseph his treasurer and Sohemus had betrayed his confidence, he immediately had them executed."
At this point Saul remembered his father's words about Herod's atonement in building the Temple. The huge stones, the beauty, and the imposing size of the structure began to speak volumes in the matters for which Herod could never atone. No building on earth could bring back the lost lives. "Did Herod ever know when to stop executing people?" asked Saul.

"No. It became like gambling to him, the more he did it, the more he needed to do it. He seemed to become worse each passing year, lad. But you should know that his sister Salome became almost his equal in plotting. Especially against Herod's wife Miriamne and her mother. She told Herod that Miriamne had prepared a love potion for him, one that would mean his death if he drank it. On hearing this, Herod was about to imprison her until further evidence might be gathered, but his sister Salome urged him vehemently to execute her immediately, and he did it." Miriamne carried herself like a noble Hasmonean, even to her last moment. It was a tragic sight to see her die."

"How did she die, Vulso?"

"Strangled."

"What became of Salome? Did she survive?"

"Well, almost immediately following his execution of Miriamne, Herod turned on his sister's husband Costobarus. He was Idumean by birth like Herod, and had been considered his close friend. In fact, it was Herod who had Costobarus made governor of Idumea and Gaza, and persuaded him to marry his sister Salome. I am not sure what he may or may not have done to displease Herod. All I know is that following the execution of Miriamne, Herod ordered his brother-in-law Costobarus to be executed. While putting him to death, Herod decided to also kill many of his old friends who had been closest to him. They were Lysimachus and Gadias, Dositheus, and others."

Vulso yawned suddenly. He seemed to be growing weary and Saul realized he must be going along. He wondered now why this old guard had seemed so inclined to retrace the bloody path of his past, and describe the intrigues of the house of Herod. Did these memories weigh on his mind now in his older years? Was this the first time he had shared so many details with anyone?

As it was, Vulso could not talk in this manner to anyone in Herod's household, nor with any members of the guard. The world of hate and bloodshed was the only world he had known. That is, until a 12-year-old Jewish boy saw two Romans about to steal his crutch. The young Jew risked more than a mere beating from the irate centurion whom Saul had insulted. Vulso wondered why the young Jew had done this? Was there still in this wilderness of a world so destitute of human compassion such a thing as love, even a spark of kindness for another? This is what old Vulso seemed to have discovered. It was like a tiny sunbeam penetrating the darkness of his own inner being, hungry, even starved, for even one kind look or soft word.

"So, tell me, Vulso, how did Herod die? I have been told that he died the same year I was born."
"Oh, yes, well, I believe he died only four or five days after he ordered the execution of his son Antipater."

"Another family member executed?"

"And there were more, but let's leave it at that, because what I tell you now will reveal that the nature of this man was only evil. Herod's health was fading and he daily became more mentally deranged. He complained about inward pain, which he compared to a fire burning inside of him. He seemed to crave food to such an extent no amount of eating satisfied him, and the doctors said his internal organs were eaten with ulcers. Part of his diseased body was infected with worms. He had difficulty breathing, and yet his breath was so foul I could hardly stand the moments I had to spend in the same room with him. I swear by the gods, lad, I do not overstate. His condition was so vile, my words fall short of fully describing it.'

"Of even greater torment to this monster in human flesh was the torment of his mind. He feared death, and feared the nation rejoicing over the news of his death. So in meditating on this unbearable thought, he called his sister Salome and her new husband Alexas. You recall how he had killed her former husband, Consobarus? I always thought the only one as cruel and cunning and evil as Herod was this sister Salome. Perhaps I was forced to modify my opinion in Herod's last hour. He gave her a command that was not carried out. Whether it was she who altered the command, I will never know. I was there at his bedside when it was given, so there is no mistake in my memory. Upon his death, he said, he wished to order all of the principal men of Judea to assemble in the Hippodrome. He demanded no less than 3000."

Saul leaned forward with interest. With his father, he had passed the Roman Hippodrome on the way to the Temple the previous morning. It was the place of games for the city of Jerusalem. His father looked upon it as an evil place. "Jews who wish to please God do not have time for such Greek frivolity," he had said. "Games are the gateway to more perversions. We must remain separate."

Vulso continued, "After making certain they understood his orders to assemble all the leading men, mostly Jewish, in the Hippodrome, Salome asked him when they should do this? Impatiently Herod replied, 'Immediately you leave my bedside.' He was finding it more difficult to breathe and had to pause for breath before continuing. 'I shall die in a little time. So great is my pain; but what principally troubles me is this. That I shall die without being lamented, and without such mourning as men usually expect at a king's death.'

"I listened to the old king gasping for breath, and his face contorting with the most evil expression I had ever beheld. I tried to allow my mind to run ahead of my thoughts and imagine what he was leading up to. As much as I was aware of the seeming countless number of friends and family he had killed, I was unprepared for his final command. He said if there was any sign of mourning in the nation at the announcement of his death, it would be purely mockery, for he knew how the nation hated him. He could not stand to die with the realization that most of the people would celebrate his death with great rejoicing.'

"Then, I saw the evil look return with greater intensity. 'I will make this nation mourn at the time of my departure, such as no nation has ever been known to mourn,' Herod said. I still tried to fathom his thinking. The depth of his evil mind and thoughts were fathomless. As of the moment, I could not understand why he would have the Hippodrome filled with the nation's leading men. Then, the hair upon the back of my neck stood up to think that this monster would conceive such a plan as he died. Even Salome gasped when he said, 'Hold all of those men in the Hippodrome until my death has been confirmed. And the moment the official announcement is made, then send in the Gauls to slaughter them to a man."

Saul was stunned. "That must have been the most awful moment of your life, Vulso."

"No, Saul," Vulso replied, "because in this case, the order was not carried out. There is another moment with Herod, that for me, surpassed even this one in evil."

Saul's mind had been filled with such scenes of violence he wondered if he should ask about it. But looking at old Vulso, very troubled in his spirit, Saul decided that the unburdening of his soul was somehow as important as the knowledge he would share. "Can you tell me about it?"
For a moment the old guard made no reply. He sat simply staring at the sky. Picking up his crutch, he stood shakily to his feet. "I think I have said too much." He moved slowly toward the barracks. "I have been a soldier. I expected war, killings, even executions. But to this day, nothing has troubled my sleep like the children."

Saul sat in silence. His eyes fixed on the old guard, now entering the barracks. His words filled Saul's mind, blotting out all else. Suddenly, as though awakening from a trance, Saul looked at the sun and realized he was expected at home for the evening meal. Not wanting to upset Hulda, he knew he would have to run to get there on time. As he hurried away it seemed that Vulso's words continued to echo . . . "the children."