Chapter IX

Summary

Josephus is silent both as to the period elapsing between Mariamne's trial and her death, and as to the manner of that execution. Stoning had originally been the Jewish penalty for all crimes; but the Roman punishment of decapitation had very probably taken its place, and by the axe, no doubt, the last of the Asmonæans fell.

Whatever the death, no doubt attends the last moments of the victim. Calmly, unflinchingly, we are told she walked to the place of execution. No terror, no unseemly indignation at the injustice dealt her, marred the modest and tranquil dignity which had marked her life, and left her not in death. There she was, in her touching youth and. exquisite beauty, accused of crimes, which not one of those vast multitudes who looked on believed, though none dared tempt the tyrant's wrath, by rising in her cause. Not a sound broke the awful stillness—the very emissaries of Salome, scattered in large numbers amongst the crowds to silence the faintest semblance of murmuring or pity, appear to have been awed by the dignified composure of the prisoner, and horror-struck, even as the rest of the spectators, by the sudden appearance of Alexandra, not, as might be supposed, to lament and mourn over her child, but to heap upon her reproaches and abuse, declaring “that her punishment came justly upon her for her ingratitude to her husband, and her insolent behaviour in not making proper returns to him who had been their common benefactor.”