they will loose their blood in death, or rather finish giving up that of my lineage. I already see you, unjust and cruel, at the end of so many murders. But do not hope to enjoy peacefully the fruit of so many woeful victories. You seek a rest you will not find. You will be your own accuser, your judge and your executioner. The shadows of so many kings from whom I descend and whom you insult in my person will surround you on all sides. Those of the base Hyrcan and of young Aristobulus will trouble you all your life. You will always see yourself covered in the blood of your children, and the image of Mariamne pursued by the executioners who await her will always follow you step by step. You will always see her, whether in vigil or in sleep, who will reproach you for your death. You will have in your heart regret, shame, confusion and despair. You will wish for the death you give to others and your crimes will then appear to you as great and genuine as they are, but you may have the misfortune to regret them without improving. And I do not doubt that after having violated all divine and human rights, they will be violated for you. Yes, I already see your eldest child, for mine will never be capable, want to give you that poison wrongly accused of me. I see all your ministers become your cruellest enemies. Salome, Pheroras and Antipater will be the most eager to harm you. I see you hated by all the people, detested by all the princes, execrated by future generations. And perhaps you will feel yourself frightful, maybe after having spilled all the blood of your race, despair will put a dagger in your hand to relieve the world of a dangerous enemy. But perhaps you will not be able to end it when you wish, and will you have the misfortune to suffer the torments that await you in the other world. Here is, disloyal and cruel Herod, the prediction that the unhappy Mariamne gives you unjustly dying, who, in this last day, looks at you more as her tyrant, rather than as her king or her husband.

                                      Effect of this Speech

This woman obtained all that she wanted from her husband and posterity: her husband gave her death and posterity has preserved her fame. I would feel very proud if, after so many centuries, I could still contribute in some way to her memory.

                                              Notes

Mariamne the Hasmonean or Mariamne I is a Hasmonean princess, wife of Herod the Great, executed in 29 BC at his order.

Herod I or Herod the Great is part of the Hasmonean dynasty thanks to his wife Mariamne. King of Judea, he is known for his cruelty and violent way of ruling.

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