their president, Shemajah (Sameas), by his bold speech, rallied their courage. Most truly

did he foretell the fate which overtook them ten years later, when Herod ruled in the Holy

City. But Hyrcanus adjourned the meeting of the Sanhedrin, and persuaded Herod to

withdraw from Jerusalem. His was, however, only a temporary humiliation. Sextus Cæsar

named Herod Governor of Coele -Syria, and he soon appeared with an army before

Jerusalem, to take vengeance on Hycranus and the Sanhedrin. The entreaties of his father

and brother induced him, indeed, to desist for the time, but ten years later alike Hyrcanus

and the members of the Sanhedrin fell victims to his revenge.

Another turn of affairs seemed imminent when C æsar fell under the daggers of the

conspirators (15 March, 44), and Cassius occupied Syria. But Antipater and Herod

proved as willing and able to serve him as formerly Cæsar. Antipater, indeed, perished

through a court - or perhaps a 'Nationalist' plot, but his murderers soon experienced the

same fate at the hands of those whom Herod had hired for the purpose. And still the star

of Herod seemed in the ascendant. Not only did he repel attempted inroads by Antigonus,

but when Antonius and Octavianus (in 42 b.c.) took the place of Brutus and Cassius, he

succeeded once more in ingratiating himself with the former, on whom the government of

Asis devolved. The accusations made by Jewish deputation had no influence on Antony.

Indeed, he went beyond his predecessors in appointing Phasael and Herod tetrarchs of

Judæa. Thus the civil power was now nominally as well as really in their hands. But the

restless Antigonus was determined not to forego his claim. When the power of Antony

was fast waning, in consequence of his reckless indulgences, Antigonus seized the

opportunity of the incursion of the Parthians into Asia Minor to attend the great object of

his ambition. In Jerusalem the adherents of the two parties were engaged in daily

conflicts, when a Parthian division appeared. By treachery Phasael and Hycranus were

lured into the Parthian camp, and finally handed over to Antigonus. Herod, warned in

time, had escaped from Jerusalem with his family and armed adherents. Of his other

opponents Antigonus made sure. To unfit Hyrcanus for the Pontificate his ears were cut

off, while Phasael destroyed himself in prison. Antigonus was now undisputed High-

Priest and king. His brief reign of three years (40-37 b.c.) is marked by coins which bear

in Hebrew the device: Matthatjah the High-Priest, and in Greek: King Antigonus.

The only hope of Herod lay in Roman help. He found Antony in Rome. What difficulties

there were, were removed by gold, and when Octavian gave his consent, a decree of the

Senate declared Antigonus the enemy of Rome, and at the same time appointed Herod

King of Judæa (40 b.c.). Early in the year 39 b.c. Herod was in Palestine to conquer his

new kingdom by help of the Romans. But their aid was at first tardy and reluctant, and it

was 38, or more probably 37, before Herod could gain possession of Jerusalem itself.

Before that he had wedded the beautiful and unhappy Mariamme, the daughter of

Alexander and granddaughter of Hyrcanus, to whom he had been betrothed five years

before. His conquered capital was desolate indeed, and its people impoverished by

exactions. But Herod had reached the goal of his ambition. All opposition was put down,

all rivalry rendered impossible. Antigonus was beheaded, as Herod had wished; the

feeble and aged Hyrcanus was permanently disqualified for the Pontificate; and any

youthful descendants of the Maccabees left were absolutely in the conqueror's power.