9. Herod killed his favorite wife, Mariamne because of his paranoia.
After the assassination of Aristobulus, Herod was called to Egypt to explain himself to Mark Anthony. Fearful of death, he left his wife Mariamne in the care of his Uncle, Joseph, with express orders to kill her if Anthony executed him. Josephus told Mariamne of Herod’s intentions, which left the young queen understandably bitter. Matters became worse when Herod’s mother and sister, Salome, accused Mariamne of adultery with Joseph. Herod believed his uncle would have only betrayed the death sentence to Mariamne if he had designs on her. So he executed him but spared Mariamne. However, over the years Mariamne’s enmity grew so much that when Salome accused her of plotting to poison Herod, Herod believed it. So in 29 BC, Herod executed his once beloved wife.