things that he was offended with them that would not worship him and given more vehemently to wrath than was expedient that he altered his habit and apparel into the fashion of strangers and counterfeited the custom of those whom he had subdued and despised before his Victory these were Vices to be attributed to the greatness of his fortune As the heat of youth stirred him unto anger and to the desire of Drinking so age might have mitigated again those distempers Notwithstanding it must needs be confessed that though he prevailed much by his Vertue yet ought he to impute more unto his Fortune which only of all mortal men he had in his own power How often did she deliver him from the point of Death How did she protect him with perpetual Felicity when he had rashly brought himself into peril And when she had decreed an end to his glory she even then was content to finish his life staying his fatal destiny until he had subdued the Orient visited the Ocean and fulfilled all that mans mortality was able to perform To this so great a King and so noble a Conqueror a Successor was wanting and it was a task of too great an importance for any one man to take it upon him his Name and Renown was so great amongst all Nations that they were counted most noble who could be partakers though it were never so little of his prosperous Fortune But to return again to Babylon from whence this digression hath been made They who had the Guard and Custody of Alexanders person called into the Court such as had been his chief Friends and Captains of the men of War after whom there follow'd a great multitude of Souldiers desiring to know who should be Successor unto Alexander The throng of the Souldiers was such that many of the Captains were excluded and could not enter into the Court. A Proclamation therefore was made whereby all men were forbidden to enter except such as were called by name But because their commandment seemed to want authority it was but little regarded and the multitude at first began to make a doleful cry and lamentation But immediately the desire they had to understand the event stopped their lamentation and procured silence Then Perdiccas brought forth in sight of all the people the Kings Chair of Estate wherein Alexanders Diadem his Royal Habiliments and his Armour was laid amongst which Ornaments Perdiccas also laid down the Kings Signet delivered to him the day before at the sight whereof they began to weep and to renew again their sorrow Then said Perdiccas Lo here is the Ring wherewith he was accustomed to Seal such things as pertained to the Government of his Empire which as he delivered to me I so restore it again to you And though no affliction can be devised by the gods were they never so much offended comparable to this yet considering the greatness of the Acts which he hath done we must think that as the gods sent such a man so to reign in the world his time being expired that was appointed they have called him back again to the place from whence he came Forasmuch therefore as nothing more of him remaineth capable of immortality let us perform the Rites pertaining to his Body remembring in what City we are amongst what kinde of people and what a King and Governour we have lost We must consider and consult how to maintain our Conquest amongst those men over whom it is gotten for the doing whereof it is needful for us to have a Head but whether the same shall be one or many it doth consist in you You are not ignorant that a multitude of men of War is a Body without life Six months are now passed since Roxaue was conceived with childe we desire of the gods that she may bring forth a Son which may enjoy this Kingdom when he cometh to Age In the mean season appoint you by whom you will be governed When Perdiccas had spoken these words Nearchus rose up and said There is no man can deny but that it were requisite that the Succession should continue in the Blood Royal but to look for a King that is not yet born and to pass over one that is born already is not expedient for such men as the Macedons are nor yet doth serve the necessity of the time There is a Son whom Alexander begot on Barsines whâ—t should hinder why the Diadem may not be set upon his Head Nearchus discourse was acceptable to no man therefore the Souldiers according to their custom clashed their Spears against their Targets and continued making a noise And when he would not forsake his opinion but obstinately maintained the same it had almost bred a sedition which being perceived by Ptolomy he spake after this manner Neither the Son of Roxane nor of Barsines is an Issue meet to reign over the Macedons whose names we should be ashamed to mention within Europe their mothers being Captives Have we subdued the Persians to that end to become subject to such as are descended of them That was it which Darius and Xerxes being Kings of Persia did labour for in vain with so many millions of men of War and with so many Navies This therefore is my opinion that Alexanders Chair of Estate be set in the middest of his Court and that all such as were accustomed to be of Counsel with him assemble together so often as any business requireth to be consulted on and that the Captains and Rulers of the Army be obedient to that Order whereunto the greatest number do assent There were some agreed with Ptolomy but few with Perdiccas Then Aristonus spake in this manner When Alexander was demanded to whom he would leave his Kingdom he willed the worthiest to be chosen Whom judged he worthy but Perdiccas to whom he delivered his Ring This was not done at such a time as he was alone but when all his Friends were present he did cast his eyes amongst them and at length châ—se out one to whom he delivered it For this cause I think it right that the Kingdome be committed to Perdiccas Many agreed to his opinion so that the Assembly cried out to Perdiccas that he should 〈…〉 amongst them and take up the Kings Signet But he stayed between ambition and modesty thinking the more modesty he used in the obtaining the thing he so much desired they would be so much the more earnest to proffer it to him When he had stood a good while at a stay doubting what to do at length he drew back and stood behinde them who sate next to him When Meleager who was one of the Captains saw the stay that Perdiccas made he took courage on his seeming unwillingness and said Neither the gods will permit nor men will suffer that Alexanders Fortune and the weight of so great an Empire should rest upon his shoulders I will not rehearse that there are many present more noble than he is and of
condition Fortune hath surprized me methinks the noyse of mine Enemies doth ring in mine ears and I who moved first the War am now challenged and provoked to the Fight When Darius did write to me such proud Letters he was not ignorant of mine Estate yet peradventure he shall be deceived if I may use mine own minde in recovery of mine own health My case requireth no slack Medicines nor slow Physitians I had rather die stoutly once then to consume long time in my recovery wherefore if there be any hope or cunning in Physick let it be now seen and think that I seek not remedy so much for mine own life as I do for the care I have to encounter with mine enemies When they heard him speak these words they were in great doubt of his sudden rashness and therefore every one particularly did desire him that he would not increase his peril through any passion but suffer himself to be ordered by the advice of his Physitians For they alledged that unapproved Remedies were not suspected of them without cause seeing his Enemy had gone about to corrupt such as were about him by promising a thousand Talents to his Killer they thought no man would be so bold to make any experience of Physick upon him wâ—â—ch for the want of tryal thereof might in any wise give cause of suspition There was amongst the excellent Physitians that came with Alexander out of Macedon one Philip of Acarnam who was preferred to him for preservation of his health and had faithfully served him from his Childhood and therefore loved him with entire affection He promised to provide for the King an approved Remedy but such a one as would work vehemently but by the drinking thereof he doubted not â—he said but to expulse the force of his disease That 〈◊〉 pleased no man but only him who 〈…〉 thereof should abide the peril for he could 〈◊〉 all things better then delay Darius and his power were always in his eye and he had an assured confidence that the Victory should fall on his side if he might be able to stand in the fight of his men the thing that only grieved him was that the Physitian would not minister before the third day In the mean season Parmenio whom of all his Nobility he trusted most had exhorted him by his Letter that he should not commit himself to the cure of Philip for that he was corrupted by Darius with a thousand Talents and the promise of his Sister in Marriage Those Letters brought the King into great jealousie and moved him to consider secretly with himself all those things that either fear or hope could put into his fancy Shall I adventure thought he to drink this Medicine What if it be poyson Shall I not then be accounted the cause of mine own death Shall I suspect the fidelity of my Physitian or shall I suffer mine Enemy to kill me in my bed yet were it better for me to perish by other mens Treason then thus to die through mine own faint heart His minde being thus diversly perplexed he would shew the Contents of the Letter to no man but sealed it with his own Ring and laid it underneath his Pillow Two days were passed in these imaginations and the third day the Physitian came to his Beds-side with the Medicine ready made When the King saw him he raised himself upon his Elbow and taking the Letter in his left hand with the other hand took the Cup and straightway supped it off When he had so done he delivered the Letter to Philip to read and whilest he was reading he beheld him continually in the face supposing that if he had been faulty some token would have appeared in his countenance When Philip had read the Letter he shewed more tokens of displeasantness then of fear and therewithal fell down upon his knees and said Sir I see my life doth depend upon your health but your Recovery shall declare that I am falsly charged with this Treason therefore when by my means you shall get your health I trust you will not then deny me my life In the mean season lay fear aside and suffer the Physick to work and to have its operation keep your minde quiet and suffer not your self to be troubled with the superstitious carefulness of your friends which though it proceedeth of good will is notwithstanding a great impediment unto your health His words not only satisfied the King but made him to conceive perfect hope of his recovery and said unto Philip If the gods would have granted thee to advise with thy self of a way to prove the confidence I have in thee and the good will I bear thee thou couldest never have chosen so good a one as this for notwithstanding the Letter I drank off the Physick believing thee to be no less careful for declaration of thine own truth then for my health and therewith gave him his hand Yet afterwards when the Medicine began to work it was such in operation that it seemed to verifie Parmenio his accusation for he fainted oft and had much labour to draw his breath Then Philip left nothing unproved or undone that might serve for his purpose he laid warm cloaths to his body and always as he fainted revived him again with sweet savours and when he perceived him once come to himself he ceased not to feed him with discourse and one while put him in remembrance of his Mother and Sisters another while of the great Victory that was at hand When the power of the Physick once entred into his veins there appeared straight in all parts of his body manifest tokens of health First quickness came to the Spirits and afterwards the body recovered his strength a great deal sooner then any man looked for For after the third day that he had been in this sad condition he walked in the sight of the Souldiers who wonderfully rejoyced to see him And they shewed no less affection unto Philip whom every one severally imbraced and gave him thanks as if he had been a God It cannot be expressed besides that Natural Veneration that Macedons use to bear unto their Prince in what Reverence they especially had Alexander and how fervently they loved him They had conceived of him an Opinion that he could enterprise nothing but that it was furthered by the Divine Assistance and Fortune was so favourable unto him that his rashness was always an increase of his glory his age being scarcely ripe and yet sufficient for so great things did marvellously set forth all his doings and many things which out of the Wars would be counted lightness were most acceptable to the Souldiers as the exercising of his body amongst them his apparel not differing from the common sort with his courage and forwardness in the Field which gifts given him by Nature and some things besides done of policy did get him both the love and reverence of his people When Darius heard of Alexander's sickness
dying honourably in the sight of their Prince For just as they received their deaths wounds so they fell without turning their backs Amongst them Atycies Romithres and Sabaces Governour of Aegypt having the charge of great numbers of men were overthrown and slain and about them there lay by heaps a huge number of the vulgar sort both of horsemen and footmen Of the Macedons also some were slain specially such as pressed most forward among whom the right shoulder of Alexander was lightly hurt with a sword In this throng the horses that drew Darius Chariot were thrust in with Pikes and growing outragious with the sense of pain began to struggle and overthrow their Master He fearing therefore to be taken alive leaped from the Chariot and was set upon a lâ—d Horse and so fled away casting his Diadem from his Head that he might escape unknown Then the rest of his Army were dispersed by fear and flying by such ways as were open for them they threw away the Armour which before they had taken for their defence of such a nature is fear that it refuseth the thing that should be its safeguard When Parmenio saw them fly he straight commanded the Horsemen to pursue them and put all his Enemies to flight that were on that part But on the other hand the Persians did put the Thessalian Horsemen to a fore distress for at the first shock they had broken one of their Troops yet for all that they wheeled about and rallying themselves they charged again the Persians with so much courage that they soon brake their Order and overthrew them with a great slaughter The Thessalians had herein a great advantage by reason that the Persians besides that they are armed themselves have their horses also barbed with Plates of Steel which was the cause they could not on the Charge or on the Retreat be so quick as the Thessalians were for the Thessalians by their celerity wherein the force of Horsemen chiefly consisteth had overthrown many of them before they could turn their horses about When Alexander understood that his men prevailed on their Enemies on that Wing likewise he adventured to follow in the Chase which he durst not do before he knew the Battel to be clearly won and the Enemies repelled on all sides Alexander had not about him above a thousand Horsemen with whom he slew many thousands of his Enemies for who is he that in an overthrow or Chase can number men Those few Macedons drove the multitude of their Enemies before them like sheep and the same fear that caused them to fly stayed them likewise in their flying The Grecians that were on Darius side under their Captain Amintas who sometime had been in great Authority with Alexander but then against him brake out from the rest and marched away in order of Battel but the Persians fled divers ways some directly towards Persia and some by unfrequented ways escaped by the Mountains and the Woods A few there were that recovered their former Camp which they could not defend any time against the Macedons who were Conquerours but the same immediately was won abounding with gold and silver and most rich Moveables appertaining not only to the Wars but to all voluptuousness and excess which riches whiles the Souldiers violently spoiled they strowed the ways full of Packs and Fardels in respect of the covetous desire they had to things of greater value But when they came unto the Women as their habiliments were more precious so the more violently they plucked them away Their bodies also were not free from their lust and inforcement the Camp every where being full of tumult and lamentation as chance befel every one The licentiousness of the Victors was such that their cruelty raged upon all Ages and Creatures and no kinde of mischief was wanting amongst them There might have been seen the variableness of Fortune when they which had prepared Darius Pavilion did now reserve and keep the same for Alexander as for their old Master For the Macedons had left that unspoiled according to their Ancient Custom which are ever wont to receive their King when he is Victorious into the Kings Pavilion that he hath vanquished The Mother and Wife of Darius that there were taken Prisoners moved all men to cast their eyes and inward contemplations towards them whereof the one deserved to be Reverenced for the Majesty that was in her and for her Age and the other for the excellency of her Beauty which through her misadventure was nothing stained She was found imbracing her little Son in her arms not yet of the age of six years born as an Inheritour to the Dominion which his Father had lost There lay also two young Virgins in his Grand-mothers lap even then marriageable who languished and lamented not so much through their own private sorrow as for the dolorousness of the old woman About the mother and the wife were a great number of noble Women that pulled their hair and tore their cloaths without respect of what appertained to their estate and unmindful of the calamity which Darius wife and his mother were come unto called them still by the name of Queens with such other titles of honour as they did before They all forgetting their own misery were diligent to enquire after the fortune of the field and what success the Battel had in which Darius was in person for if he were alive they could in no wise think themselves Prisoners But he by the changing of many horses was by that time fled far away There were slain of the Persian Army one hundred thousand footmen and ten thousand horsemen and of Alexanders Company only 504 hurt and 32 footmen and 150 horsemen killed So great a Victory was gotten with so small a loss Alexander that was wearied with pursuing of Darius when he perceived the night to draw on and that there was no hope to overtake him whom he followed returned into the Persians Camp which a little before his coming was taken by his men That night he made a banquet to such of his friends as he was accustomed to invite for the hurt on his shoulder whereof the skin was but smally perished did not hinder him from keeping company As they sate at meat suddenly they heard a pitiful cry with a strange howling and lamentation that put them all in great fear insomuch that they who kept the Watch about the Kings Pavilion fearing it to be the beginning of some great matter began to arm themselves The wife and mother of Darius with the other Noble women newly taken prisoners were the cause of this sudden fear by lamenting of Darius whom they supposed had been slain which suspition they conceived by one of the Eunuches who standing before their Tent-door saw a Souldier carry a parcel of Darius Diadem which he a little before had cast from his head When Alexander understood their errour he wept as it was said to consider Darius misfortune and the
him When they had committed this act they thought it expedient to disperse themselves in their flying and so Nabarzanes took his way to Hircania and Bessus to Bactria with a few Horsemen that each of them had in their Company When their Souldiers were thus forsaken of their Captains they were scattered here and there as their fear did lead them There were only five hundred Horsemen who assembled themselves together and stood in a doubt whether it were better to resist or to fly Alexander understanding the fear his Enemies were in sent Nicanor before with part of his Horsemen to keep them on work and he with the rest followed after There were slain to the number of three thousand of such as stood on their defence and the rest were driven in flocks like beasts from killing of whom Alexander commanded his men to abstain Amongst all the prisoners there was none that was able to shew the Cart that carried Darius for every one was so desirous to finde him that as they saw any Cart they sought him therein and yet they could not perceive by any means what was become of him Alexander made such haste that scarcely three thousand Horsemen followed him of all his Cavalry but great numbers of the Persians fell into their Laps that followed behinde It is scarcely to be believed that there should be more prisoners taken then there were men to take them But Fortune in that fear had so taken away their sense that they could not consider their own multitude nor the small number of their Enemies In the mean season the Beasts which drew Darius Waggon having no man to govern them were swerved out of the high-way and wandring here and there had drawn Darius four furlongs from the place where he was wounded into a Valley where they fainted by reason of their heat and their hurts There was a Spring at hand which certain that knew the Country had shewed to Polistratus a Macedon that was overcome with thirst and while he was drinking the water out of his Helmet he espied the Beasts that were thrust in with Darts and marvelling that they were not rather carried away then hurt after that manner he looked and found in the Waggon the body of a man half alive and at length perceived it was Darius that lay there sore wounded and drawing his last breath Then Polistratus brought to him a Persian whom he had taken prisoner whom when Darius knew by his voice to be of his Country he said That he took it for some comfort in his present fortune that he should speak before he died to one that understood him and not utter his last words in vain He required him to declare unto Alexander that though he had never deserved any thing at his hands yet it was his chance to die greatly his Debtor and had thanks to give him for the favour and goodness that he had shewed towards his Mother his Wife and his Children to whom he had not only granted life but also the Reverence due to their former Estate and Dignity whereas he of his own Kinsmen and Friends to whom he had given both Life and Lands was now by them bereaved of all He prayed therefore that he might always be Conquerour and that the Empire of the whole world might come into his hands requiring that he would not neglect to take revenge of so foul an act not only for his cause but for an example and for the honour of other Princes which should be a thing worthy of him and profitable to his Successors in time to come When he had spoke these words he fainted and calling for water after he had drunk said to Polistratus that presented it unto him Whatsoever thou art this is unto me the last misery in all my adverse chance that I am not able to requite this benefit but Alexander shall reward thee and the gods shâ—ll requite him for his great Humanity and Clemency shewed towards mine unto whom thou shalt give my hands as a Pledge of a Kings Promise Having spoken these words and given Polistratus his hand he died When his sayings were reported to Alexander he repaired where the dead Corpse lay and with tears lamented that it was his chance to die a death so unworthy of so great a personage and taking off his own Cloak to cover the dead body he adorned the same with all things that pertained to a King and sent it to his Mother Sisigambis to be buried in such sort as the Country manner was to bury Kings and to be laid amongst the rest of his Predecessoâ—rs THE SIXTH BOOK OF QVINTVS CVRTIVS Of the Acts of Alexander the Great King of Macedon A great part of the Sixth Book is defective wherein was contained the Cause of the War betwixt the Lacedemonians and Macedons with the preparation of both Nations to the Battel that was fought betwixt Antipater Alexanders Lieutenant in Macedonia and the Kings of the Lacedemonians HE pressed forwards where the fight was most dangerous and put the greater part of his Enemies to flight Then such as were Conquerours before began to fly till they had drawn their Enemies greedily following them out of the streight into a more plain ground In the Retreat many of them were slain but when they had once recovered such a ground where they might stay and fall in order the Battels joyned equal on both sides Amongst them all the King of the Lacedemonians appeared most notable in all mens eyes not so much by the beauty of his Armour and goodly Personage as through the greatness of his courage wherein only he could not be overcome He was assailed at on all parts both near at hand and afar off Yet for all that he endured long in Arms against his Enemies avoiding their strokes part with his Target and part with his Body till such time as he was thrust through both Thighs with a Spear when by great â—â—â—usion of blood he was not able any longer to endure the fight Then the Esquires of his body took him up upon his Target and carried him into their Camp when with great pain he indured the stirring of his wounds The Lacedemonians for all their Kings departure gave not over the fight but as soon as they could recover any ground of advantage they rallied themselves and received stoutly their Enemies that came full upon them There is not sound in any memory of a Battel more vehemently fought then that where the Armies of two Nations that were most excellent in the Wars contended together for the Victory not yet inclining to any part The Lacedemonians called to minde their Ancient Manhood and Prowess and the Macedons considered their present estimation they had in the world The Lacedemonians strived for their liberty and the Macedons for the Soveraignty the one part lacked a Captain and the other room to fight in The manifold adventures and chances that fell that day encreased both the hope and fear of both
Country-men and for that cause they could as ill bear Alexanders cruelty then as in times past Bessus Treason By this means when the fear of death was put into their heads they were easily stirred to Arms to which before they were sufficiently inclined of their own mindes When Alexander was advertised of their doings he willed Craterus to besiege Cyropolis and he himself won another City of that Country by an assault that he gave to it on all parts at once and by a signe given caused all the Children to be put to death making the rest a prey for the Souldiers This done the City was razed to the ground to the intent that others by their example might be kept in obedience There were a valiant people called Memacenans who were determined to abide the Siege not only for their honesties sake but also for that they thought it most for their Surety For the mitigating of their wilfulness the King sent unto them fifty Horsemen to declare his Clemency towards such as submitted themselves and how inexorable he was unto such as he overcome by force Their answer was That they neither doubted the Kings Promise nor his Power But after their answer given they lodged them without the walls where entertaining them with great Chear until it was mid-night they set upon them and slew them all Alexander was no less moved with this Act then the cause required He therefore made an assault upon the City on all parts at once which he found furnished in such wise that he could not take it at the first attempt Wherefore he appointed Meleager and Perdicas unto the Siege thereof who then were besieging of Cyropolis minding to spare the same because it was builded by Cyrus for he had not so great admiration of any King that had Reigned in those parts as of him and Semiramis whose magnanimity of minde and great atchievements seemed to him to exceed the rest But the obstinate wilfulness of the Inhabitants stirred up his wrath for when he had taken the City he willed the Macedons to spoil it who had enough cause to be moved against them and so returned to Meleager and Perdicas There was not one City that did more valiantly abide the Siege then the same did for both the hardiest of the Souldiers that were slain and the King was brought in great danger being struck in the Neck with a stone so that his sight failed him and he was felled to the Earth and for the present lost his sense The Army lamented thinking he had been dead But he was invincible against those things which put other men in most fear for without tarrying he dressed his wound returning to the Fight and after anger had stirred up the eagerness he had of Nature he renewed the assault more fiercely then before At length a great piece of the Wall was overthrown by a Mine at which he brake in and put the whole City to Sack and Ruine He sent from thence Menedemus with 3000 Footmen and 800 Horsemen to the City of Maracanda which Spitamenes had newly taken and put out from thence the Garrison of the Macedons the Citizens not consenting to it But when they saw they could not withstand him it was of necessity for them to agree to his will Alexander in the mean season came to the River of Tanais where he inclosed about with a wall so much ground as his Camp did contain extending in compass 60 furlongs and named the same City Alexandria This was done with such expedition that within seventeen days after the walls were raised the houses also were builded and the whole work was performed in a very small season through the contention amongst the Souldiers who should perform his work first when the same was divided into portions amongst them The prisoners whose Ransoms Alexander paid to their Takes were appointed to inhabit this City the descent of whom after so long time are not worn out such favour hath been shewed them in the memory of Alexander The King of Scythia whose Empire was then beyond the River of Tanais judging that the fortifying upon the Rivers side should be as a Yoke to his Neck did send his Brother Carcasis with a great power of Horsemen to beat down the Fortification and to remove away the Macedons from the waters side That River divideth the Bactrians from the Scythians of Europe and is the limit which parteth Asia and Europe asunder But the Countries that the Scythians do inhabit do stretch as far as Thracia and lye betwixt the North and the East joyning with Sarmatia and possessing part of it The Country also that lieth beyond the River of Isther is inhabited by them their utmost bounds stretching to Bactria and to the furthest bounds of Asia Northwards where are wonderful great Woods and wilde Desarts But such of them as bounded near unto Tanais and Bactria wanted not much of the civility of other Nations This being the first time that Alexander had to do with these people when he saw that he had to enter into a War for the which he was not provided his Enemies riding up and down in his sight and he diseased of his wound especially not having the use of his speech which failed much by reason of his long abstinence and the pain in his Neck he called his friends to counsel and declared unto them that he was not troubled with any fear of his enemies but with the iniquity of the time the Bactrians rebelling and the Scythians provoking him when he was neither able to stand upon the ground nor strong enough to ride on Horseback nor yet in case to give advice or exhortation to his men In consideration therefore of the doubtful danger in which he saw himself involved he accused the gods complaining that he was then inforced to lye still whose swiftness before-time none was able to escape The danger grew so great that his own men believed he had counterfeited his sickness for fear And therefore he who since the overthrow of Darius had left Consultation with the Diviners and Prophets turned himself again to the vanity and superstition of men willing Aristander unto whom he was addicted most that he should try out by Sacrifice what his success should be The Custom of them who were called Aruspices was to consider the Entrails of the Beasts without the King and to make report of the signification In the mean season while they were searching secrets that way he willed Ephestion Craterus Erigius and others of his Friends to draw near about him lest by straining his voice he might break out his wound again and said thus unto them The danger I am in hath caused the time to serve better for mine Enemies then for me Necessity I see chiefly in the Wars doth go before Reason for it is seldom given to men to chuse their own time The Bactrians are revolted upon whose Shoulders yet we stand purposing to try what courage we are of by
our behaviour towards the Scythians If we leave off with doubtful fortune and not meddle with them who of their own minde have provoked us we shall at our return be had in contempt of them whom we intend to visit But if we shall pass the River of Tanais and by the destruction of the Scythians shew our selves invincible every where who will then doubt but Europe will lye open and give Obedience to us being Victors He is deceived that doth measure by any distance the bounds of glory we intend to pass There is but one River that letteth us now for bringing of our Power over into Europe which if we shall effect what an estimation shall it be for us whiles we be subduing of Asia to set up the Monuments of our Victories as it were in a new World joyning so soon together with one Victory that which Nature seemeth to have divided with so great a distance But if we shall stay never so little and give ground the Scythians will then come after us and pursue us in the Rear Are there no more but we who have passed Rivers There are many Inventions yet remaining amongst our selves whereby we have gotten many Victories But fortune of the War doth teach policy to such as are overcome we have shewed a President of late to swim over Rivers upon Bottles which thing if the Scythians cannot do the Bactrians shall teach them It is but the Power of one Nation that now cometh against you all the others stand yet in a stay to understand of our doings So that by eschewing a Battel we shall nourish War and be compelled to receive those blows which lye in us to give to others The reason of my advice is manifest But whether the Macedons will suffer me to use my own disposition I much doubt because since I received this Wound I have not ridden on Horseback nor gone on Foot If you will follow me my Friends I am recovered I have strength enough to endure these things and if the end of my life be at hand wherein can I spend it better These words that he spake were uttered with a broken and weak voice so that they could scarcely be heard of such as were next him But when his meaning was perceived all that were present went about to divert him from so rash an Enterprise But Erigius wrought chiefly in the matter who perceiving that his Authority could not prevail against the Kings obstinate minde attempted to work him by Religion which he judged of greater force For he declared that the gods were against his determination who had signified great peril to ensue if he passed the River He said he had understood that thing by Aristander who told him at his coming into the Pavilion what he had perceived in the Entrails of the Beasts Alexander at these words was wonderfully troubled with anger and shame when he saw the secrets of that Religion brought to light which he thought to have kept secret to himself and therefore caused Erigius to go aside and Aristander to be called in unto him whom he beheld in the face and said I seem to thee rather a private man then a King I commanded thee to sacrifice and thou hast declared the signification thereof to others and not to me For Erigius by thy report knoweth the secrecie appertaining to me But surely I believe that through his own fear he devised an interpretation of himself Therefore let me hear from thy own mouth what thou hast found in the Entrails to the intent that thou shalt not deny what thou hast spoken Aristander thereupon was amazed and looked pale not able to answer one word for fear But at length the same fear that made him hold his peace invited him to speak and lest the prolonging of the Kings expectation might provoke him unto further wrath he answered I said quoth he that there was in the Enterprise great danger and difficulty bu 〈…〉 〈…〉 your attempt should not be in vain there is nothing that I have perceived by my Science that troubleth me so much as the love I bear to you for I both consider your infirmity and what a moment consisteth in your person fearing you should not be able to endure the things that fortune is disposed to give unto you When Alexander heard him speak after that manner he willed him to have confidence in his fidelity to whom Fortune had granted glory in greater things and thereupon dismissed him Afterwards as the King was debating with such as he consulted with before by what means he should pass the River Aristander came amongst them affirming that he had found the Entrails contrary to what he did before with as likely signes of good success as any that ever he saw shewing them then as great causes to rejoyce as he did before to fear But immediately hereupon Alexander received news that much impaired that felicity he was wont to have in all his proceedings Menedemus being sent as it hath been said before to besiege Spitamenes the Author of the Bactrian Rebellion when he understood of his Enemies coming both in avoiding to be inclosed within the Walls and trusting besides to take some advantage of the Macedons he laid an ambuscado to intrap them There was a Wood through the which they should pass very apt for the purpose where he laid the Dahans who were accustomed to carry two armed men upon one Horse from whence they used to leap down by course and because the swiftness of the Footmen was little inferiour to the Horsemen they troubled greatly the order of the Horsemens fight Spitamenes gave order to them that when they should enter into the Wood they should environ them on all sides which they performed according to his appointment Menedemus seeing himself inclosed on all parts and not equal in number unto his Enemies resisted a great while crying out to the Souldiers that there remained no hope to them being intrapped after that manner but by making slaughter upon their Enemies to receive the comfort of an honest death Menedemus rode upon a strong Horse charging oft-times upon his Enemies whereby he brake their order and made great slaughter till such time as he being laid at on all parts received many wounds and fainted for want of bloud Then he exhorted Hispides that was one of his Friends to leap upon his Horse and escape away and with that word he swounded and fell from his Horse to the ground Hispalis might have got away but after he had lost his friend he determined there to die taking no other care but how to lose his life with the ruine of his Enemies Wherefore he put his Spurs to his Horse and ran in amongst them where he fought notably and at length was slain When the rest saw his overthrow and the loss of their Captains they recovered an Hill where Spitamenes did besiege them thinking to subdue them for want of Victuals There were slain in the Battel two Thousand
greater worth without whose consent no such thing may be suffered to be done There is no difference whether you make Perdiccas King or the son of Roxane whensoever he shall be born Perdiccas goeth about to make himself King under pretence to be Governour to the Infant this is the cause why no King can please him but such as is not yet born And in so great a haste as all we make to have a King which haste is both just and necessary for the preservation of our estate he only doth wait for the expiring of times and months imagining that she should bring forth a man-childe which I think you doubt not but he is already prepared to counterfeit and exchange if need be If it were so in very deed that Alexander had appointed him to be our King I am of opinion that the same thing only of all the things he had commanded ought not to be observed or performed Why do not you run rather to seize upon the Treasure seeing the people ought to inherit it When he had spoken those words he brake thorow the press of armed men and they who gave way to him followed him to the spoil whereof he made mention The greediness of the Treasure caused a great Band of armed men to flock about Meleager and the Assembly began to fall into sedition which had grown to a greater inconvenience if a mean Souldier whom very few did know had not stepped forth and spoken to the multitude What need we said he grow into a Civil War seeing we have a King already whom you seek to finde the same is Arideus the Son of Philip and brother to Alexander who lately was our King born and brought up with him in the same Religion and Ceremonies that we do use who being the only Heir I marvel by what undesert of his he is neglected or what hath he done why he should not enjoy his right descended unto him by the universal law of the world If you seek one to be compared to Alexander you shall never finde him If you will have such a one as shall be next unto Alexander this is only he When these words were heard amongst the multitude they kept silence at the first as if they had been commanded by Authority but afterwards they cried with one voice that Arideus should be called and that they were worthy of death who made the Assembly without him Then Pythan being bâ—dâ—wed with tears began to speak Now I perceive said he Alexanders case to be most miserable seeing he is defrauded of the fruit which such as were his Souldiers and Subjects should bring forth at such a time as this is For looking only on the Name and Memory of your King you are utterly blinde in other things His words tended directly to the reproof of Arideus that was his elected King but his Speech procured more hatred to the Speaker than contempt to the young man against whom it was intended For the compassion they had of Arideus caused them the more to favour his Cause and therefore they declared with a general Acclamation That they would not suffer any to reign over them but him only who was born to so great a hope and still they call'd for Arideus to come forth amongst them Whereupon Meleager for the malice â—â—d envy he bare unto Perdiccas took an occasion boldly to bring him into the Assembly whom the multitude saluted as King and called him Philip. This was the voice of the people but the Nobility were of another minde amongst whom Python took upon him to put Perdiccas Plot in execution and appointed Perdiccas and Leonatus descended both of the Blood-Royal to be Governours of the Son which should de born of Roxane Adding moreover that Craterus and Antipater should have the Rule within Europe and upon this they sware the Souldiers to be obedient to Alexanders Issue Meleager then doubting not without cause that some evil might come unto him dâ—parted with such of his Faction but he returned immediately again bringing Philip with him into the Court and cried out to the multitude for the assiâ—ting of the Commonwealth in aiding of the new King whom a little before they had Elected and willed them to make an experience of his Abilities perswading them that he was the fittest to Rule over them being the Issue of Pâ—iâ—ip and hath both a King to his Father and a King to his Brother There is no profound Sea so stormy nor tempestuous or that raiseth up so many surges and waves as a Multitude doth motions and alterations when they swell with the hopes of a new Liberty not likely long to continue There wanted not some who gave their consent to Perdiccas but more agreed to make Philip King They could neither agree nor disagree a long time together one while repenting them of their Counsel and immediately again repenting them of the repentance Yet finally they were inclined to prefer the Kings Bloud Arideus was put in such fear with the Authority of the Nobility that he departed out of the Assembly after whose departure the favour of the Souldiers was rather silenced than diminished towards him so that at length he was called again and his Brothers Royal Habiliments which lay in the Chair were put upon him and Meleager put on his Corslet following as a defence to the Person of the new King The Phalanx clashed their Spears to their Targets threatning to shed his bloud who went about to take the Kingdom that pertained not unto him They rejoyced that the strength of the Empire should not be divided but still continue in the same Bloud and Family the right of whose Title by Inheritance coming of the same Bloud-Royal they shewed themselves ready to defend For by reason they were accustomed to have the Name of their King in such honour and veneration they thought no man worthy of it but such a one who by descent was born to reign Perdiccas therefore was afraid and with six hundred men that were of an approved manhood took upon him to defend the place where the body of Alexander lay Ptolomy joyned himself unto him also and the Band of the young Gentlemen that were about the Kings Person but so many thousands of armed men as were on the other side did easily break in upon them amongst whom Arideus was present with a great Band for the guard for his Person whereof Meleager was chief Perdiccas therefore in great fury called such to his guard as would defend Alexanders Body but many of them were sore hurt with Darts that came from the contrary side At last the ancient men plucked off their Head-pieces the better to be known and desired them who were with Perdiccas to abstain from Civil War and give place to the King and to the greater part Wherepon Perdiccas was the first that laid down his Weapon and the rest did in like manner Meleager then perswaded them that they should not depart but remain still about
the dead Corpse But Perdiccas judging it to be a deceit contrived to entrap him drew back to the side of Euphrates lying on the furthest part of the Court. Then the Horsemen which consisted chiefly of the Nobility flocked about Perdiccas and Leonatus whose opinion was to depart out of the City and to take the Field but because Perdiccas was not without hope that the Footmen would have taken his part he therefore remained still within the City lest he might seem to be the cause that the Horsemen should divide themselves from the rest of the Army Meleager ceased not to beat into the Kings head That he could not establish himself surely in his Throne but by the death of Perdiccas whose ambitious minde and desire of Innovation was to be prevented in time He willed the King to remember what Perdiccas had deserved at his hands and that no man could be faithful to him whom he feared The King rather suffering than assenting to his counsel Meleager took his silence for a commandment and sent for Perdiccas in the Kings name they who were sent having Commission to kill him if he should make any delay to come with them Perdiccas hearing of their coming accompanied only with sixteen young Gentlemen accustomed to attend upon Alexanders Person met them as they would have entred into his Lodging and calling them Meleagers Slaves rebuked them with such a constancy both of minde and countenance that they returned back as men amazed Perdiccas willed such as were in his company to keep on Horseback and with a few of his Friends repaired unto Leonatus intending iâ— any violence were moved against him to repulse it with a greater force The next day the Macedons murmured and thought it unjust that Perdiccas should be brought in danger of death and therefore determined with force to revenge the rashness of Meleagers doings But he understanding of the Mutiny that was among the Souldiers gave place and they repaired to the King demanding of him If he had commanded Perdiccas to be taken He confessed the thing but it was done he said by Meleagers instigation for which they ought not to raise any tumult seeing that Perdiccas was alive The Assembly hereupon brake up and Meleager became so greatly afraid especially by the departing of the Horsemen that he knew not what to do for he saw the mischief which he a little before had intended against his Enemy to light upon himself and while he debated with himself on this and on that three whole days were consumed Howsoever the accustomed form and fashion of the Court did remain in the mean season for the Embassadors of divers Nations did address themselves unto the King the Captains of the Army were present and the Guard waited in Armour as they were accustomed But the great sadness that was there without any apparent cause signified some extreme despair There was such a suspition amongst themselves that men durst not converse one with another but had secret imaginations by themselves and by comparing the time present with the time past and the new King with the old they began to desire the King that was gone Then one enquired of another What was become of the King whose Fortune and Authority they had followed They found themselves abandoned amongst so many unquiet and unconquered Nations who were desirous upon any occasion that might befal to be revenged of the injuries they had received While they were troubled in these imaginations word was brought that the Horsemen who were under Perdiccas kept the Fields about Babylon and stayed all Victuals from coming to the City whereupon first began a scarcity and afterwards a famine therefore such as were within the City thought good either to make a reconciliation with Perdiccas or else to fight it out It so chanced that such as dwelled abroad in the Country fearing the spoil of the Villages repaired into the City and they within the City for want of Victuals departed into the Country so that every one thought themselves surer any where then where their own Habitations were Then the Macedons doubting some great inconvenience that might proceed from this fear assembled together in the Court and declared their Opinions It was agreed amongst them that Embassadours should be sent to the Horsemen for the surâ—â—asing of all strife and division Pasas a Thessalian Amissas a Megapolitan and Perelaus were sent from the King who declaring their Commission received answer that the Horsemen would not lay down their Arms till the Authors of that Sedition were delivered into their hands When they were returned and their answer known the Souldiers without any appointment put on their Armour and made such a Tumult that the King was inforced to come forth of the Court and said unto them If we shall be at strife among our selves our Enemies that are at quiet shall enjoy the fruits of our Contention Remember that the Quarrel is with your own Countrymen with whom if you rashly break the hope of Reconcilement you shall be the beginners of a Civil War Let us prove if they may be mitigated by another Embassie I am of belief that because the Body of Alexander remaineth yet unburied they will gladly come together to perform the Obsequies unto the Dead And for my part I had rather surrender up again this Dignity then that any bloud should be shed amongst my Country-men for if no â—â—ther hope of Concord doth remain I desire and beseech you to make a better Choice Tears then falling from his eyes he took the Diadem from his head and holding the same forth with his hand he was ready to have delivered it to any man who would profess himself to be more worthy then he The moderation that he used both in his words and behaviour caused them all to conceive a great good hope of his Noble Nature which till that time was obscured by the height of his Brothers Fame They therefore incouraged and importuned him to go forwards as he had devised whereupon he sent again the same Embassadours that went before who had Commission to desire that Meleager might be the third Ruler of the Men of War That demand was not much stuck at for Perdiccas was desirous to remove Meleager from the King and conceived that the King being alone the King would not be able to match with Leonatus and himself Upon this Meleager marched out of the City with the Footmen and Perdiccas met him in the Fields riding before the Bands of the Horsemen There both Battels saluting one another Concord and Peace as it was thought was confirmed betwixt them for ever But it was decreed that Civil Wars should arise amongst the Macedons for Government is impatient of Partners and the Kingdom was coveted by many At first they gathered and afterwards dispersed their Forces for when the Body was burthened with more Heads then it could bear the other Members began to fail So the Empire of the Macedons which under one Head
from thence against the Agrians and the Peans he was advertised that Clitus Bardelius had rebelled and had confederated with Glaucius the King of the Thaulaunts He had also intelligence that the people of Anteri would give him battel in his passage wherefore he committed to Lagarus King of the Agrians who was well beloved of King Philip and no less in the favour of Alexander the charge to go against the Anterians and promised him upon his return to give him his Sister Cyna in Marriage and Alexander himself with great celerity marched against Clitus and Glaucius whom in sundry battels he overcame Whiles Alexander was about these things he received intelligence that divers Cities in Greece and specially the Thebans had rebelled which thing moved him much and was the cause that he returned with speed to suppress these Commotions The Thebans in the mean season besieged the Castle of Thebes wherein was a Garrison of Macedons and endeavoured by all means to be Masters of it Alexander by great journeys advanced to their rescue and encamped with his Hoast near to the City Such as 〈◊〉 rule amongst the Thebans when they saw him come contrary to their expectation and doubting whether such aid should come to them from other Cities as was promised began to consult how to proceed At length by a general consent they determined to abide the adventure and extremity of the War The King in the mean season stood at a stay giving them space to be better advised and alter their resolution For he was of opinion that no one City would have made resistance against so great a Power as he had being above 30000 Footmen and 3000 Horsemen all old Souldiers and expert in the travels of War The trust of their experience and valour had caused him to undertake the War against the Persians Truly if the Thebans had given place to Fortune and time and would have required Peace they might easily have obtained his desire was so great to pass into Asia against the Persians But the Thebans being determined to try their force and not to make any suit fought against the Macedons far exceeding them in number with great resolution but whilest the Battels were joyning the Garrison of the Castle issued out upon the Thebans backs whereby being inclosed they were vanquished their City taken spoiled and utterly razed Which extremity Alexander used of purpose because he thought the rest of the Grecians being afraid by their example would be the more quiet while he should be in the Wars of Asia To gratifie the Phâ—â—eans and Plataeâ—ns his Confederates which brought many accusations against the Thebans he slew six thousand of them and sold thirty thousand as slaves the money thereof amounted to the sum of four hundred and forty Talents yet he spared all the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 the Poet whereby he would witness unto the world the favour he did bear unto learned men In this City of Thebes was a notable Woman called Timâ—â—lea whom when a Captain of Thrace did ravish and would have inforced her to confess her money she brought him to a Well where she said all her precious Treasure was hidden and whilest he stooped down to look into the Well she thrust him in and threw many great stones after him whereby he was slain For this Fact she being committed to Prison and afterwards brought before Alexander he asked her what she was She answered without fear that she was Sister to Thâ—â—genes who being Elected Captain General against King Philip his Father manfully died for the Liberty of Greece whose stoutness and 〈◊〉 the King marvelled so much that he caused her wiâ—h her Children to be set at liberty The Athenians had so great pity and compâ—ssiâ—n of the Estate of the Thebâ—ns that contrary to the Commandment of Alexander they received into their City such of them as escaped which King Alexander took in such displeasure that when they sent Embassadours the second time to demand peace he would not grant atonement upon any other conditions but that such Orators and Captains which had stirred them to Rebellion should be delivered unto his hands But at length it was so carried that the Orators were reserved and the Captains banished who straight fled to Darius King of Persia At such time as Alexander assembled the Grecians in Isthmos for the determination of his journey into Persia many Orators and Philosophers came to visit him Diogenes only that remained about Corinth kept himself away as one that esteemed Alexander nothing at all whereat he marvelled much and went himself to visit him as he was warming of himself in the Sun He asked Diogenes if he had need of any thing that he might do for him To whom Diogenes gave neither reverence nor thanks but willed him to stand out of his Sun-shine In whose behaviour and words Alexander took so great delight that turning to those that were with him he said If he were not Alexander he should wish to be Diogenes When he had put in order the affairs of Greece committing the Rule thereof together with the Realm of Macedon to the Government of Antipater whom he most trusted In the beginning of the Spring he marched to Hellespont with his whole Army which he transported into Asia with incredible speed and diligence When they were come to 〈◊〉 further shore Alexander with great force threw a Dart into the Enemies Land and as he was armed leaped out of the Ships with great joy and there sacrificed making petition unto the gods that they would vouchsafe to admit him King of that Land From thence he marched towards his Enemies and â—orbad his Souldiers to make any spoil of the Country perswading them to spare that which was their own and not to destroy that Land which they came to possess He had not in this Army above the number of 32000 Footmen and 5000 Horsemen and but 180 Ships wherefore it is hard to judge whether it be more wonderful that he conquered the World or that he durst attempt the conquest thereof with so small a power To such a dangerous Enterprize he chose not out the young men in the first slower of their Age but the old Souldiers of whom the most part for their long continuance in Wars should according to the Custom â—e set at liberty and excused from the service of the wars saving at their own pleasure And there was no Captain nor any other that did bear Oâ—fice in his Army under the age of sixty years so that the Souldiers seemed to be School-masters of the Wars and the Captains for their gravity appeared to be Senators in some Ancient Commonwealth which was the occasion that in the Fight none of them minded flying but every one confident of the Victory did not trust to his feet but to his hands Alexander who every where made Sacrifice did 〈◊〉 most solemnity at Troy upon Achilles Tomb of whom he was descended by the Mothers side He judged him most happy of
which Alexander was come to the streight entring into Syria Darius came to the place which they call Pyla Amanica the Persians not doubting at all but that the Macedons would have forsaken the City of Issum and flie away for fear for certain of them that were weak and could not follow the Army were taken whom Darius through instigation of the Great men about him raging in barbarous cruelty caused their hands to be cut off and to be led about his Camp to the intent they might behold the multitude of his Army and after sufficient view taken he let them go to declare to Alexander what they had seen Darius removed and passed the River of Pyramus purposing to pursue after the Macedons which he thought had been flying away They who had their hands cut off came running in amongst the Macedons informing that Darius was advancing in great haste and fury There was scarcely any credence given to their words but to be more certain of it Alexander sent Spies towards the Sea-coast to know whether Darius were there in person or else had sent some other to make a shew of a power The Spies returning advertised that his whole Army was at hand and straightway the Fires might be seen which gave such a shew by reason they lay stragling so far abroad to get Forrage as though the whole Country had been on Fire When Alexander was ascertained of the truth he incamped in the same place where the tidings came unto him being marvellously glad because he knew he should fight especially in the streights being the thing he had always most desired But as it is commonly seen when danger and extremity is at hand that confidence is turned into fear so now he doubted not without great cause that Fortune might change upon him by whose favour he had done so great acts and considered her mutability by such things as she had taken from others and given unto him He saw there was now no prorogation of the time but that after one night passed the Victory should be determined On the other side he called to remembrance that the honour of the Victory was a reward that far exceeded the Adventure and as it was doubtful whether he should overcome or no so he was certain if overcome to die with honour and perpetual Glory When he had weighed thâ—se things he gave order that the Souldiers should refresh themselves and at the third Watch be armed in a readiness to advance He himself went up into the top of a Mountain with many Lights and Torches about him where he made sacrifice unto the gods after his Country manner And when the hour was come he appointed the Souldiers at the third sound of the Trumpet they should be in a readiness to march out to fight Exhortation was then given unto them to pass on with courage and confidence and by the break of day they were come to the Streights wherein their purpose was to prevent Darius By that time such as were sent before to scour the Country came in and reported that the Persians were within thirty Furlongs The Battels were then stayed and set in such order as they should fight As Alexander was advertised of Darius so was he advertised of Alexander by the Peasants of the Country who came fearfully running unto him declaring that Alexander was at hand These words were not believed for they could not think them to becoming whom they thought before to be fled But when they perceived that it was so indeed because they were in better order to pursue their Enemies then to encounter them in battel they were struck with a marvellous sudden fear Every man took him to his Armour in haste which haste and the calling that one made upon another did greatly amaze them Some run up to the tops of the hills to view the Macedons others fell to bridling their horses so that the Host full of diversity and not ruled by any certain government with their hurley-burley did put all things out of order Darius at first had appointed one part of his power to take the Mountains who setting upon his enemies backs might inclose them both behind and before and assigned another company to pass along the Sea-side which was on the right hand to keep his enemies doing on every part He gave order also that twenty thousand footmen with a Band of Archers should pass the River of Pyramus and give an onset that way but if they found any impediment why they might not do so then he willed them to retire into the Mountains and invade their Enemies on their backs but fortune which was of greater force than any policy determined those things that were well devised according as she thought good For some durst not for fear execute the thing that was commanded them and then the rest laboured in vain for where the members faâ—l the whole body is confounded The order of Darius Army stood thus arranged to fight his power was divided into two Battels one marching on the left-hand the other on the right Nabarzanes impaled the Battel on the right-hand with a great power of Horsemen and thirty thousand Slingers and Areâ—â—r Thymones was also in the Battel with 30000 mercenary Greeks being in very dâ—â—d Darius chiefest Force a power equal unto the 〈◊〉 of the Macedons In the Battel on the left-hand Aâ—istemâ—nes was in the fore front with thirty thousand Footmen having planted for his succour and relief such Nations as were counted most Valiant there were about the King being also in the Battel three thousand choice horsemen that were of the ordinary Guard of his Person and forty thousand footmen with the horsemen of Hercania and Media and the horsemen of other Nations were wings on both sides And besides these numbers there went before his Battel in a forlorn Hope six thousand slingers and casters of Darts All the plain ground between the Streights was filled with Men of War Darius Battel stood thus aranged from the Mountain down to the Sea-side The mother and wife of Darius with all the women were received in the middest of the Battel Alexander on the other side set his square Battel of footmen called the Phalanx being the Macedons chiefest force in the fore-front Nicanor the son of Parmenio was Captain of the Battel on the right hand and with him Cenos and Perdicas Meleager Ptolomeus and Amintas every one a Colonel of his own Regiment Parmenio and Craterus had the rule of the Battel on the left hand which stretched toward the Sea but Parmenio had the chief charge The Horsemen were set in wings to both those Battels the Macedons and Thessalian Horsemen being appointed to the right-hand Battel and the Horsemen of Pelopâ—nnesus to the Battel on the other side before which Battel there were also set Slingers with Archers among them and the Cretians that were lightly armed advanced before the main Battel The Band of Agrians that were lately come out of Greece were
better advised he willed him to be content with his own Inheritance and he would joyn in Amity with him and become his Friend in which point he was ready to enter into Treaty with him Alexander did write to him again after this manner Darius whose Name thou ownest wrought heretofore great destruction upon the Greeks inhabiting the Coast of Helleâ—pont and upon the Greek Colonies in Ioniâ— which are Greek Cities and passed from thence to the Sea with a great Army to make War against Greece and Macedon And also King Xerxes thy Predecessor came to subdue us with infinite numbers which being vanquished in a Battel on the Sea left notwithstanding Mardonius behinde him in Greece to destroy their Cities and burn their Countries It is manifest besides that Philip my Father was slain by such as were corrupted thereunto with your money You undertake always unjust Wars and being clad in Arms go about for all that to circumvent men with Treason as thou of late having such a number of men in thy Army didst attempt my death with the promise of a 1000 Talents I am not therefore the beginner of the Wars but only do repel such injuries as are offered me in doing whereof through the help of the gods who favour alway the right I have brought the greater part of Asia under my subjection and having overcome thee in Battel by force of Arms there is no cause that I should grant thee any thing because thou hast not observed towards me the Law of Arms yet if thou wilt come and submit thy self I promise thee that I will deliver both thy Mother Wife and Children for I both know how to get the Victory and how to use such as I Overcome But if thou fearest to commit thy self to us I will give thee safe Conduct to come freely As for the rest when thou writest to me remember that thou writest not only to a King but also unto him that is thy King He sent this Letter by Thersipus and marched from thence into Phâ—nicia where the City of Biblon was yielded unto him and so came unto Sydon which was a City of great Magnificence by reason of the Antiquity and Fame of the Builders The same was under the Dominion of Strato and supported by the power of Darius who yielding more by the constraint of the people then of his own good will was thought unworthy to Reign there Alexander made a Grant to Ephestion that he should make such a one King whom the Sydons thought most worthy of that Honour There were divers Noble young men in that City that had familiarity with Ephestion of whom he thought to have chosen one King but they refused his offer affirming that none might enjoy that Dignity except he were descended of the Blood Royal. Ephestion wondered at the magnanimity that was in them in despising the thing that others sought for by Sword and Fire and said Continue you still in that vertuous minde who are the first that have understanding how much better it is to refuse then to receive a Kingdom Chuse you therefore such a one of the Blood Royal that may remember he hath received the Rule at your hands But when they saw divers gaping for it and for the greediness they had to Reign they fell to flattering of such as were near to Alexander they resolved that there was none more fit for that Dignity then one Abdolominus who being of the Ancient Blood of the Kings for poverty was inforced to dwell in a small Graunge without the City His honesty was the cause of his poverty as it is to many other and being exercised in his daily labour he heard no noyse of the Wars that troubled all Asia They of whom we spake before came into his Garden with Garments to apparel him like a King and found him weeding of his ground whom they saluted King and said You must make exchange of the vileness of your apparel with these rich Roâ—es we here present you Wash thy body that is now covered with Dust and take upon thee the Heart of a King and in this Fortune whereof thou art worthy shew the same moderation and continency as at this present And when as thou shalt sit in thy Regal Seat having in thy hands the power of the life and death of thy people do in no wise forget the Estate thou wert in when thou took'st the Kingdom upon thee nor yet for what purpose thou didst receive it The matter seemed to Abdolominus like a Dream who asked them if they were mad that would mock him after that manner But when he saw them affirm by Oaths the thing to be in earnest he washed himself and receiving the Garment which was of Purple and Gold he went with them into the Palace The Fame as it is accustomed in such a case did notably abroad of this subject some favoured the cause and some did disdain it but such as were rich did upbraid his poverty and base Estate to such as were near about Alexander who caused the King to send for him and when he had long beheld his behaviour he said Your personage doth not disagree from the Fame of your Linage but I desire to know with what patience you did sustain your poverty I would to God quoth he I could bear my prosperity in like case now when I am a King Thâ—se hands did get that I desired and having nothing I lacked nothing His words caused Alexander to conceive of him a marvellous good Opinion so that he gave unto him not only the riches stuff and furniture appertaining to the King before but also many things that were taken from the Persians adding to his Dominion all the Country near about that City In the mean season Amintas who heretofore fled from Alexander to Darius and now he escaped in the last Battel did come to Tripolis with four thousand Greeks where he imbarqued and sailed to Cyprus thinking the World to be such then that every one might enjoy what he could get as if it had been his own Inheritance His purpose was to go into Egypt thinking there to become an Enemy both to Darius and to Alexander and to comply with the world according as time should serve To bring therefore his Souldiers to think well of his Enterprize he declared how the Governour of Egypt was slain in the Battel and that the Persians left there in Garrison were but a small number of little force and without any 〈◊〉 He shewed how the Egyptians used to Rebel against their Governours wherefore they were sure to be received as Friends For necessity quoth he hath inforced us to prove our Fortunes which failing us in our first hope we must now conceive that the time to come shall be much better then the Fortunes we now enjoy They all agreed with one voice that he should lead them where he pleased Whereupon thinking not good to pretermit the occasion whiles they were high with hopes he
he repaired into the Tent where Darius mother was sitting by the dead body his sorrow there renewed when he saw her lie prostrate upon the ground that present misfortune calling to minde her passed calamities she took in her arms Darius two Daughters a comfort to her in their mutual dolour but that she was enforced to comfort them Her young Grand-child stood in her presence the more to be pitied because that for his youth he yet understood not the calamity that was growing on him A man would have thought that Alexander had wept for his own cause he lamented and would receive no comfort but abstained from meat and commanded all honour to be done to the dead corps after the Country-custome of the Persians Worthy he was thereby to receive the due reward of his meekness and continency He had only seen her once before which was on the day she was taken and then came not to visit her but Darius mother the excellency of her beauty was no provokement to him of lust but of glory Of those Eunuches that were about the Queen there was one Tyriotes who during this lamentation escaped by a Gate that was unwarded and fled unto the Persians Camp where he was by the Watchmen brought to Darius presence When Darius saw him lamenting and tearing his cloaths he was in a labouring expectation what his sorrow should be doubting what thing he might fear most Thy countenance quoth he declareth that some great mischief is happened Take heâ—d thou conceal nothing from my miserable ears I have learn'd to be unfortunate and it 's often-times a comfort to a man in his calamity to know his mishap Is it not the misusing of my wife and children that thou wouldest inform me with Which is the thing that I suspect most and fear to utter and which as I believe is also most grievous unto them Nothing less quoth Tyriâ—tes the same honour that was given unto them by your Subjects the like is used by him that is the Conquerour But your wife is the cause of my amazement who is even now dead When that word was once spoken there was nothing but lamentation and mourning throughout the Camp and Darius could not be otherwise perswaded but that she was slain because she would not consent to her misusement and in the vehemency of his sorrow cried out O Alexander what so great an offence have I committed against thee Whom of thy kindred have I slain that thou shouldest requite me with this cruelty Thou hast done it without any provokement of my part But be it so that thou dost move a just war against me is it thy part therefore to make war with women Tyriotes thereupon did swear by the immortal gods that there was no kinde of villany done unto her but that Alexander lamented her death and wept no less then he himself would have done Those words did drive him into a further suspicion and jealousie conjecturing that Alexander's behaviour had proceeded from the familiar conversation had betwixt them Therefore he commanding all persons from him saving only Tyriotes that lyes can take no place Torments streightways shall be brought before thee I require thee therefore if any reverence of thy Prince remain within thy heart tell me without compulsion the thing that I desire to know and am ashamed to enquire Is it possible being of the age that he is and having her in his hands that he should not attempt her Tyriotes offered himself to be racked in tryal of the cause and called the gods to witness that she was never used but chastly and reverently At length when he was throughly perswaded that his words were true he covered his face weeping a long space and afterwards the tears yet distilling down his cheeks uncovered it and holding up his hands to Heaven said O you gods whom I worship I require you chiefly to establish this Kingdom unto my self but if you have determined my ruine and decay then my request is that none may reign as King in my Dominion but even he that is so just an Enemy and so merciful a Conquerour And therefore though he had twice before required peace at Alexander's hands and prevailed not but had converted all his minde towards the Wars yet he was then so overcome with the continency of his enemy that he sent twelve of the chiefest of his blood as Ambassadours to treat with him upon conditions of peace Alexander calling a Councel gave them audience to whom the eldest spake in this manner That Darius hath now the third time demanded peace of you no power hath compelled him but your justice and continency hath invited him unto it He cannot perceive that either his Mother his Wife or Children were prisoners saving for the want of their company You take care of their chastities which remain alive like a Father You give to them the honour appertaining to them and suffer them to continue in their former estate I see that sadness in your countenance which I saw in Darius when I parted from him and yet he doth mourn for his Wife and you for your Enemie and if the care of her burial had not been you had now stood in Battel in readiness to fight against him Is it any marvel therefore if he require peace of such a man that is so friendly disposed towards him What shall they need to contend with arms between whom there remaineth no hatred In his former Treaty he offered that the River of Alys which boundeth upon Lydia should be the Confines of your Empire but now he proffereth you in Dower with his Daughter to be delivered out of hand all those Countries that lie between Hellespont and Euphrates For the performance of which his Promise and for the observing of Peace Occhus his Son now in your possession shall be the pledge for his part His request is to have his Mother and his two Daughters restored unto him for which you shall receive thirty thousand Talents Except I knew the moderation that is in you I would not be so bold to say that this is a time when you ought not only to grant peace but also to seek for it your self Look back and behold what a great thing you leave behinde you and foresee how much it is that you covet before you An Empire over great is dangerous and it is hard to hold that which you are not able to receive Do you not see that thâ—se Ships which be of exceeding greatness cannot well be governed Judge that to be the cause that Darius lost so much because that overmuch is the occasion of much less It is more easie to get many things then to keep a few How much more easily do our Hands catch then hold fast The very Death of Darius wise now doth shew that you have not so great occasion to shew mercy as you had before The Embassadours did withdraw into another place and he debated in Councel his opinion It was long
us that are here banished into the uttermost bounds of the Orient being aged impotent and maimed to endure those travels which have wearied men who have been both armed and Conquerours It is to be asked what shall become of our Wives whom Chance and Necessity hath here procured us for the only comfort of our imprisonment what shall we do with our Children Shall we take them with us or leave them behinde us If we return with such as we have here none of those in Greece will acknowledge us and shall we then be so mad to leave those comforts we have already being uncertain whether we shall arrive at those which we desire or not Verily much better it were for us to conceal our selves amongst them who have been acquainted with us in our misery These were Euctemon his words but Theatus the Athenian reasoned to the contrary There is no wise man quoth he that will esteem us by our outward shape seeing that our calamity is not come by Nature but by the cruelty of our Enemies Such as are ashamed of the injuries of Fortune are well worthy to suffer misadventures They give a grievous sentence upon the state of mans Mortality and despair much of mercy who deny their compassion to men in misery Now therefore since the gods have offered to you what ye durst never have wished for that is your Country your Wives and your Childre being 〈◊〉 things which men esteem more then life and redeem oftentimes with death Why do you doubt for the enjoyment of those things to break out of this imprisonment I judge the Air of our own Country most natural to us where there is another manner of living other Customs other Religion and another tongue which for the pleasantness of it is coveted of the Barbarous Nations What great things then be those which ye would willingly leave the want of which onely is the cause of your misery My Opinion is plain that we visit our Countrey and our Home and not to refuse so great a benefit as Alexander hath proffered us If any be detained with the love of such wives and children as they have gotten here in servitude let such be no impediment to others that esteem most their natural Countrey There were but few of this opinion for custome that is of greater force then nature prevailed in that point They agreed therefore to demand of Alexander the gift of some place to inhabit in and chose out a hundred to be Petitioners to him in that behalf When Alexander perceived them coming towards him thinking that they would have required what he had conceived he said unto them I have appointed to every one of you Beasts to carry you and a thousand Deniers and when you shall come to Greece I will so well provide for you that excepting your misfortune no man shall think himself in better case then you But when he saw them looking still toward the ground and that they neither lifted up their eyes nor spake one word he enquired the cause of their heaviness Then Euctemon rehearsed again those words in effect which he had spoken before in Councel The King therefore pitying no less their demand then he did their misfortune commanded three thousand Deniers to be given to every one of them and ten suits of apparel with Cattel and Corn whereby they might Till and Sow the Land that should be appointed to them The next day he assembled all the Captains of his Army together and represented to them that there was no City more enemy to the Greeks then the same that was the chief Seat of the ancient Kings of Persia from whence all the great Enemies had been sent into Greece how Darius first and after him Xerxes had come out of that place to move their unâ—ust War against Europe with the destruction of which City he thought good to revenge the blood of their Predecessours The Inhabitants had abandoned that City and fled where their fear did drive them Whereupon the King straightways brought in all the Phalanx to the spoil thereof He had before that time won many Cities some by force and some by composition that were full of riches and of Princes Treasure but the abundance of that City did exceed all the rest as being the place where the Persians had laid up all their substance Gold and Silver was found in heaps and great plenty of rich habiliments and furniture of houses not only for necessary use but for excess and ostentation which was so great that it gave the Conquerours occasion to fight for it amongst themselves each taking other for their enemies that had gotten the richest spoil The abundance there was such that they could not imploy the riches which they found but when they saw things of value they esteemed them rather then took them away At last every one of them coveting to have a part of every thing did tear and break asunder the Princely Robes and the precious Plate of curious workmanship with the Images of Gold and Silver which were plucked in pieces as every one caught hold nothing was left untouched nor any thing carried away whole cruelty bearing no less rule then covetousness every one was so laden with gold and silver that they esteemed not the keeping of their prisoners but killed such as at first they spared in hope of gain There were many therefore that prevented their Enemies by a voluntary death and divers cloathing themselves in their most precious apparel leaped down from the walls with their wives and children Certain there were that set their own houses on fire which they judged their Enemies would else have done and burned themselves with their Family together At length the King did forbid any violence to be done to women and that no man should meddle with any thing pertaining to them The sum of money taken within this City was greater then any man can well credit but either we must doubt with others or else believe what hath been left in memory that the Treasure there found amounted to a hundred and twenty thousand Talents which Treasure because Alexander would employ in his Wars he caused Horses and Camels to be brought from Susae and Babylon to convey the same The taking of the City of Persagadis wherein were found six thousand Talents was an increase to this sum which City being built by Cyrus was yielded up by Gobates who had the Government thereof Alexander left in the Castle of Persepolis three thousand Macedons in Garrison under Nicâ—rides Captain of the same and reserved to Tyridates that delivered him the Treasure the same honour that he enjoyed with Darius Leaving in this City the greater part of his Army with his Carriages under the Rule of Parmenio and Craterus he with a thousand Horsemen and a Band of Footmen without any Baggage went to visit in the Winâ—â—â—â—â—â—son the inward parts of Persâ—a There he was 〈…〉 ed with Storms and Tempests that were in a manner
levelled which he cut through the Woods This work went so well forward that the Inhabitants despairing of ability to defend their Country yeilded themselves to the King who receiving their Pledges committed them to the keeping of Phradates and from thence the fifth day he returned again to his Camp There he gave to Artabasus the double honour that Darius did unto him and sent him home again into his Country After that he came to the City of Hircania where Darius Chief Seat was Nabarzanes upon assurance came thither bringing with him great gifts and amongst the rest presented unto Alexander an Eunuch called Bagoas of singular Beauty being in the first flower of his Youth whom Darius used and afterwards Alexander at whose intercession especially he did pardon Nabarzanes The Nation of the Amazons being near unto Hircania as hath been said before did inhabit the Plains of Themyscire about the River of Thermodoon and had a Queen reigning over them called Thalestris which kept under her Dominion all the Countries between Mount Caucasus and the River of Phasis She for the great affection she had to see Alexander travelled out of her own Country and being come near where he was sent certain before to declare that a Queen was come of desire to visit him and to enjoy the private familiarity of his company When liberty was given her to come to his presence she caused all the rest of her Band to stay and she came forwards attended only by three hundred women As soon as she perceived Alexander she leaped from her Horse carrying two Javelins in her hand The Amazons apparel is such that it doth not cover all their bodies for their breasts are bare on the left side and their garments which they use to knit up with a knot come not to their knees One Breast they always reserve untouched wherewith they nourish their Women-Children but their right Breasts they use to â—ear to make them more apt to draw their Bowsâ— and cast their Darts Thalestris looked upon Alexander with a bold countenance and observed in her beholding of him that his personage answered not to the Fame that she had heard of his Acts for the Barbarous Nations gave great Veneration to the Majesty of the Personage thinking none to be sufficient for the doing of great Acts but such as Nature had indued with great personages It was demanded of her if she had any request to make unto Alexander Whereat she abashed not to confess that she was come thither to have Children by him thinking her self a personage worthy of whom he should get Heirs to inherit his Kingdom wherein she covenanted that if it were a Woman she would keep it still and if it were a Man-Childe she would restore it to the Father Alexander enquired of her if she would go forwards with him in his Wars But therein she excused her self that she had left no order for the defence of her Kingdom But she continued still in declaration of the cause of her coming and required that her expectation therein might not be in vain The Womans Appetite seemed to be more vehemently given to Lust then the Kings was yet she obtained of him to stay for that cause and he consumed thirteen days in satisfying her desire That done she departed to her own Kingdom and Alexander marched into Parthenia which was the place where he first shewed manifestly the Vices that were in him There he turned his Continency and Moderation being the most excellent Vertues appearing in any kinde of Estate into Pride and Voluptuousness not esteeming his Country-Customs nor the wholesome temper that was in the Discipline of the Kings of Macedon For he judged their civil usage and manner to be over-base for his greatness but did counterfeit the height and pomp of the Kings of Persia representing the greatness of the gods He was content to suffer men there to fall down flat upon the ground and worship him and accustomed the Conquerours of so many Nations by little and little to servile offices coveting to make them like unto his Captives He ware upon his Head a Diadem of Purple interpâ—led with white like as Darius was accustomed and fashioned his Apparel after the manner of the Persians without scrupulosity of any token that it signiâ—iâ—d for the Conquerour to change his Habit into the fashion of him whom he had vanquished And though he boasted that he wore the spoils of his Enemies yet with those spoils he put upon him their evil manners and the insolency of the minde followed the pride of the Apparel Besides although he sealed such Letters as he sent into Europe with his accustomed Seal yet all the Letters he sent abroad into Asia were sealed with Darius Ring So it appeared that one minde could not bear the greatness that appertained to two He apparelled also his Friends his Captains and his Horsemen in Persian apparel whereat though they grudged in their mindes yet they durst not refuse it for fear of his displeasure His Court was replenished with Concubines for he still maintained three hundred and sixty that belonged to Darius and amongst them were Flocks of Eunuchs accustomed to perform the natural use of Women The old Souldiers of Philip naturally abhorring such things manifestly withstood to be infected with such volupâ—uousness and strange Customes Whereupon there rose a general talk and opinion throughout the Camp that they had lost more by the Victory then they had won by the War For when they saw themselves overcome with such excess and Forreign Customs so to prevail amongst them they judged it a slender reward of their long being abroad to return home in the habit of Prisoners They began to be ashamed of their King that was more like to such as were subdued then to them that were Victorious and that the King of Macedon was become the Prince of Persia and one of Darius Courtiers When he understood that the chief of his friends and his men of War were much offended at his doings he went about to recover favour again with gifts and liberality but the rewards of servitude are ungrateful to free men And therefore lest it might turn into a sedition he thought good to break the maginations increased by idleness with the exercise of War whereof an apt occasion was given Bessus investing himself as a King took upon him the name of Artaxerxes drawing to his part the Scythians and others that were the Inhabitants of the River Thanais which things were reported to him by Nabarzanes whom he had received into his favour and given the Rule of the Country he had before When he had determined this new Expedition he found his Army so over-charged and laden with Spoil and other Furniments of Voluptuousness that they could scarcely move Wherefore he commanded the Baggage and Stuff of the whole Army to be brought together into one place excepting only such things as were very necessary The place was large and plain to which the
Carts were brought laden and when every one stood waiting and musing what he would command them to do he caused the Beasts to be removed first out of the way and then set his own Fardels on fire and after all the rest Whilest these things were burning the Owners were on fire themselves to see them so consumed for the saving of which they had often quenched the flames in the Cities of their Enemies Yet no man durst lament the price of his own blood seeing they saw the fire consume the Kings Riches as well as their own and the rather to pacifie them the King did mitigate their dolour with a brief Oration Whereupon they that were ever apt for the Wars and ready to do all things began to be joyful that with the loss of their Baggage they had preserved their Discipline accustomed in the Wars As they were setting forward towards Bactria Nicanor the Son of Parmenio died suddenly whom every man greatly lamented but chiefly the King who desired to have stayed to celebrate his Funeral but that want of Victuals caused him to haste forward Philotas therefore was left behinde with two thousand six hundred Souldiers to perform the Ceremonies appertaining to his Brothers Funeral and Alexander himself marched towards Bessus In the way Letters were brought to Alexander from the Princes thereabout that Bessus was coming towards him with a great Army adding thereunto that Satribarzanes whom he had made Prince of the Arrians was newly rebelled for that cause notwithstanding he was come near unto Bessus he thought it best first to oppress Satribarzanes and for that intent he brought forwards his Horsemen and Footmen that were light armed to invade him suddenly His coming was not so privy but Satribarzanes knew thereof and fled into Bactria with two thousand Horsemen for by reason he was not able to assemble any more in so short a time the rest took the next Mountains for their refuge There was a Rock which towards the West was high and steep but towards the East more low and easie to be climbed which part was full of Trees The same Rock being in compass two and thirty furlongs had a Fountain running continually and in the top a Green Plain where they placed the weaker multitude but the rest that were apt for defence being to the number of thirteen thousand got themselves to the edges of the Rock and there threw down stones and logs upon the Macedons that came to assail them He left Craterus to besiege the Rock and went in person to pursue Satribarzanes and because he understood that he was fled far off he returned back again to the siege of them that were upon the Rock First he caused all things to be taken away that might be an impediment to his men in the assault giving But when they came to the bare and steep Rock the labour seemed lost where Nature wrought against them But he that was of a disposition always to strive against difficulties considering how hard a matter it was to go forward and how dangerous to return back did cast in his head all the ways that could be imagined and now fancied one thing and then another as men are wont when the ways they have found out first do not please them As he stood in a doubt what to do Fortune did minister unto him a means which neither wit nor reason could invent It chanced that the winde blew vehemently at the South West at what time the Souldiers had felled great plenty of wood whereof they thought to have made Scaffolds to mount up against the Rock and the heat of the Sun had made the same dry When Alexander perceived the winde to blow so violently and the wood lying in that place he immediately commanded more Trees to be cut down and laid upon them putting all other things to it that were apt to kindle and nourish fire so that Trees heaped upon Trees became as a Mountain so high as the top of the Rock The same being set on fire in all parts at once the winde carried the flame into the faces of their Enemies and the smoak covered the Sky The noise was then great that the fire made which burned not only the Trees that were fired of purpose but also the rest of the Wood growing near thereabout The Enemies were so tormented with the flame and heat of the fire that they were inforced to forsake their place of strength and attempted to escape away where the fire did give them least impediment But where the fire gave place the Macedons stood in a readiness to receive them so that they were consumed and slain divers kinde of ways Some threw themselves down the Rocks some ran into the midst of the fire others fell into the hands of their Enemies and a few half consumed with fire were taken prisoners When Alexander had done this he returned to Craterus who besieged Artacnan and having prepared all things in readiness tarried only for the Kings coming to give him the honour of winning the City When Alexander was come he approached the Walls with the Towers of Timber that he had prepared for the assault at the sight whereof the Inhabitants were so afraid that they held up their hands from the Walls requiring him to spare them and execute his wrath upon Satribarzanes who was the Author of their Rebellion Alexander pardoned them freely and not only raised the Siege but also restored to the Inhabitants all things that pertained to them As he removed from this City there came to him a new supply of Souldiers Zoilus brought out of Greece five hundred Horsemen and three thousand Antipater sent out of Illyria There came a hundred and thirty Thessalian Horsemen with Philip who also brought Forreigners out of Licia two thousand five hundred Footmen and three hundred Horsemen Alexander having thus increased his power entred into the Country of the Dragans who were a warlike Nation under the Government of Nabarzanes who was of Counsel with Bessus in the Treason that he committed against his Prince When he heard of Alexanders coming for fear of the punishment he had deserved he fled into India Here had they lain incamped nine days when Alexander being without fear of any Enemy and invincible against all Forreign Powers was brought in peril by reason of his own people It chanced that one Dimnus a man of mean behaviour and Authority with his Prince was greatly inflamed with the love of a young man called Nichomachus with whom he used much familiar conversation This Dimnus on a time being in a passion as it well appeared by his countenance allured this young man into a Temple where remaining together he declared that he had certain Secrets to shew him which in no wise were to be reported again Thereby he brought Nichomachus into a great suspition what the matter should be for before he would tell him he made a Protestation by the love and familiarity betwixt them that he would
assuredly that we be innocent of any kinde of words spoken to the derogation of your Majesty and durst affirm that you had overâ—ome all envy of men but that peradâ—enture you would think that I went about with fair words to excuse things that have been maliciously spoken Though it were so that words sometime did escape us either when we were faint or wearied in marching hazarding our selves in fighting or else when we were sick or dressing of our Wounds Our honest doings otherwise do deserve that ye should rather impute the same to the time then to evil disposition in us For it is commonly seen where any thing chanceth amiss all men in manner become guilty of the fault We do violence sometime to our own bodies which we hate not Yea the coming of the Fathers unto the Children sometime is both ungrateful and also hateful But on the other side when we receive rewards or gifts or when we come laden home with Spoil Who can then stay us Who can restrain our chearfulness or Who can resist our courage in fighting The Nature of Man is neither to keep measure in displeasure nor in gladness Thus are we driven by the violence of affection sometimes with pity and sometimes with fury as our present desire doth govern us One while we are in minde to pass through India as far as the Ocean Sea and by and by the memory of our Wives and Children and Country altereth our purpose But as soon as the Trumpet soundeth straight all these imaginations do pass away and every man then runneth in his Array revenging upon their Enemies the displeasures conceived within their own Tents I would Philotas had offended but only in words I would pass over that and return to the other point whereof we are accused The friendship that was betwixt Philotas and us I will not only not deny but also confess that we did covet the same and received thereby great commodities Do you marvel that we did honour and esteem the Son of Parmenio whom you did chuse to be next about your Person and did advance above all other your Friends You your self if you please to hear the truth are the cause of this your peril What other thing moved us to covet Philotas Friendship then that we desired to please you By this preferment we are advanced unto your favour He stood in such height with you that it behoved us as well to sue for his benevolence as to fear his displeasure Have not we sworn that we would repute your Enemies our Enemies and honour your Friends as our own Should we have been found disobedient in this Bond of our Duty and especially towards him whom ye did prefer above all men If this be a fault ye have few Innocents or surely none at all All men desired to be Philotas friends but all that did covet it could not be accepted So if ye will make no difference between the Partners of his Treason and such as were his Friends then so many are Offenders as would have been his Friends What presumption have you now that we should offend I think because yesterday Philotas talked with us familiarly alone Thereof I cannot excuse my self if yesterday I changed any thing of mine accustomed manner and living but if so be we used every day to do the like then Custom must needs make it to be no Offence But it may be said The Horses were not delivered to Antiphanes and the day before Philotas was detected this difference was betwixt Antiphanes and me If that be a just cause of suspition that I would not then deliver my Horses there shall arise a doubtful Plea between the Denyer and the Demander saving that his Cause is better that keepeth still his own then his that requireth another mans I had ten Horses of the which Antiphanes had distributed eight to such as had lost their own so there only remained two which when he would proudly and wrongfully have taken away I was inforced to keep them still except I would have served on foot I cannot deny but that this communication was had between a man of a free stomack and a person of a vile nature which could do no manner of service but take away mens Horses and give them to others What mischief is this that at one time I must purge my self both to the King and to Antiphanes But to the other point that your Mother did write to you of us as of your Enemies I would to God she had more wisely been careful of her Sons safeguard then doubtfully imagined such inventions Why doth she not also express the cause of her fear Besides she sheweth not her Author nor yet signifieth one word whereby she was moved to write to you such Letters of fear O wretched estate of mine which standeth in no less hazard to hold my peace then to speak Yet howsoever the event shall be I had rather my discourse should displease you then my Cause If you remember when you sent me to fetch new Souldiers out of Macedon even when you shewed me that in your Mothers house there lurked many lusty young Gentlemen you commanded me that in executing your Commission I should spare none but bring with me perforce all such as refused the Wars which thing I did and fulfilled your will therein more largely then was expedient for me for I brought unto you Gorgeus Heccateus and Gorgata which now minister unto you and do very acceptable service What Creature therefore is more wretched then I who if I had not fulfilled your will should rightfully have suffered and now I perish because I obeyed you For truly there was no cause that moved your Mother to persecute us then that we preferred your Command before a Womans favour I brought unto you of Macedons six thousand and eight hundred Horsemen of the which the greatest part would not have followed me It is reason therefore that in as much as your Mother is displeased with us for your Cause that ye mitigate her in whose displeasure you have put us Whiles Amintas was thus pleading his Cause they that had pursued his Brother Palemon of whom we spake came leading him bound into the place Then the rage of the people could scarcely be pacified but as the manner was in such cases they would have stoned Palemon to death yet he boldly spake to them and said I desire no favour for my self so that my flying be not hurtful to the Innocency of my Brethren whom if you cannot think clear let the fault be laid to me For their Cause appeared the better because I which fled away am suspected As soon as he had spoken these words the whole Assembly were inclined to his favour and dissolved to tears being so suddenly and so contrary turned that now they we reâ—all on his part who a little before were against him He was in the prime flower of his Youth and through other mens fear fled away amongst those
up some white Cloath You shall see me then come forwards with my power and turn the Enemies from you towards me He shall have ten Talents for a reward who doth recover the top first and he that getteth up next shall have one less and the like order shall be observed with Ten of the first I am assured you regard not so much my liberalitie as my favour When they had heard the King speak after that manner they imagined the thing done and departing out of his presence they prepared strong Ropes and iron Hooks which they fastened to the Rocks and so climbed up The King brought them about the Rock whereas it seemed least steep and most plain to mount upon and in the second Watch willed them to pass forwards with good speed They being furnished with two days Victuals and armed only with Swords and Spears at first went forwards without any great difficulty but when they came to the steepness of the Rock some took hold of the broken crags to lift up themselves and some fastening their Hooks on the Rocks climbed up by the Ropes They were compelled to rest and stay divers times and so consumed that day in travel and fear When they had passed many difficult places further labours appeared the height of the Rock seeming to grow more and more When they failed either of their hold or of their footing it was a miserable thing to see how they fell down headlong shewing by their mis-fortune an example to others what was likely to come of them Notwithstanding at length through all these difficulties they got up unto the top where wearied with the travel of their continual labour and some with the hurts and maims they had received they slept all that night amongst the wild and rough Rocks unmindful of the peril they were in When it was day they awaked out of their deep sleep and beholding the valleys underneath them they were ignorant in what part of the Rock so great a multitude of their Enemies should lie But at length when they perceived by the smoke in what place they were they upon the points of two spears set up the signe that was appointed them and found that in their coming up they had lost two and thirty The King being careful not so much for the desire he had to win the Rocks as to save those whom he had exposed to so manifest a danger stood all day beholding the top of the Mountain and when the darkness of the night took away the prospect of the eyes he departed to refresh his body The next day before it was full light he perceived the white Cloth set up on the top of the Rock but the variety of the Air the Sun beginning to arise and yet clouded caused him to doubt a while whether his sight had failed him or not But when it was full and open day it was manifestly apparent and all doubt was removed Then he called Cophes by whom he had attempted their mindes before willing him once again to exhort them to be better advised and if so be that in the trust of their strength they would not submit themselves that then he should shew to them those Souldiers that had taken the Rock over their heads When Cophes came thither he began to perswade Arimazes to give up his strength thereby to win the Kings favour and not inforce Alexander to stay in the Siege of a Rock having so many weighty affairs in hand But he found him more obstinate and proud then he did before and willed Cophes to depart and move him no more on that subject Then he took Arimazes by the hand and required him to go with him out of the Cave When they were come where they might look about he shewed him those that were gotten to the top of the Rock and scorning then his pride he asked of him whether Alexanders Souldiers had gotten wings or no By that time the Trumpets were blown in the Macedons Camp they might hear the Alarm that was made in the Army which as many vain and trifling things are wont in the Wars to grow to great effect so it was the cause that they yeilded themselves for fear so troubled them that they could not consider the small number that were over their heads but called Cophes again in great haste who was departed away and sent with him unto Alexander thirty of the chief men authorized to yeild up the Rock with composition to depart in safety But Alexander notwithstanding that he doubted lest his Enemies discovering the fewness of his men might put them to distress yet trusting in the felicity of his own Fortune and offended with the pride of Arimazes would agree to no condition but that they should yeild simply Arimazes thereupon despairing more of his state then he had cause descended down to the Camp with the chiefest of the Nation that were of Kin to him All whom Alexander caused to be scourged with Rods and then to be crucified at the foot of the Rock The multitude that yielded with the money that there was taken were given in gift to the Inhabitants of the new Cities and the Rule of the said Rock was committed unto Artabasus with the Charge of the Country thereabouts THE EIGHTH BOOK OF QVINTVS CVRTIVS Of the Acts of Alexander the Great King of Macedon ALexander having won this Rock with greater Fame then Glory because his Enemies remained in no place certain it was necessary for him to separate his Power and so he divided his Army into three parts He gave the Charge of the one part to Ephestion to Cenon the other and took the third part unto himself His Enemies were not all of one Opinion for some of them seeing their opposition could not avail yielded themselves before the Fight to whom he gave the Cities and the Lands of those that continued still his Enemies But the Outlawries of Bactria with eight hundred Horsemen wasted the Villages of the Massagetes For the redress whereof Attinas Governour of that Country went against them with three hundred Horsemen not knowing that his Enemies lay in wait for him who planting their Ambushment in a Wood joyning to a great Plain had appointed some men to drive Cattel thereby to draw their Enemies with the greediness of the prey within danger of the Ambush When the Souldiers of Attinas saw the Drivers of the Cattel they pursued them without order so that when they were passed the Wood where the Ambushment lay their Enemies brake out upon them not fearing any such danger and slew them every one The fame of this Overthrow came immediately to Craterus who drew thither with the Horsemen But the Massagetes being fled before his coming he flew a thousand of the Dahans that took their part whereby the Rebellion of all the Country ceased Thus Alexander having subdued the Sogdians returned to Maracanda whither Berdes whom he had sent to the Scythians inhabiting about Bosphorus came to him with
subdued I came into Asia not utterly to subvert the Nations nor make the one half of the world desart but to give the conquered cause not to repine at my Victorie This is the occasion they gladly fight for you and for your Kingdom spend their bloud who if they were proudly used would straight rebel against you That possession is durable which is kept by violence but the thanks of a benefit received endureth everlastingly If we purpose to enjoy Asia and not to make a progress only through it we must make them partakers of our clemencie and then their fidelitie shall make our Empire stable and perpetual and truly we have â—ow more then we can well wish or desire Covetousness is an unsatiable Disease especially when men desire to fill the vessel that runneth over But you will say that I mingle their customes with ours It is so And why Because I see in many Nations many things which we need not be ashamed to follow and so great an Empire as we have got cannot otherwise be aptly governed except we deliver some things to them and receive likewise some things back from them again One thing is to be laughed at that I should refuse Jupiter for my Father being so acknowledged by his Oracle as who saith the answer of the gods were in my power He proffered the name of his son unto me which was not a thing unseasonable for the Atchievements I intended I would wish that the Indians could believe me to be a god for the success in War standeth much by Fame and that which is falsely believed sometime worketh the effect of things that are true Do you note me given to excess and prodigality because I garnished your Armor with Gold and Silver My purpose was to shew to men accustomed to such things nothing to be more vile then such kinde of metal and to declare that the Macedons invincible in other things could not be overcome with Gold it self After this manner I shall blinde the eyes of the barbarous who are always wont at the first sight to wonder at things be they never so base and vile And in that we shew to make no estimation of it we shall declare to all men that we are not come for desire of Gold nor Silver but to subdue the whole world from which glory thou Traytor wouldest have bereaved me and betrayed the Macedons I being slain to the barbarous Nations I am exhorted to spare their Parents Although it was not expedient that they should know what I have determined of them and to the intent they might die with the greater grief if they have any care or memory of them yet long ago I have forborn the custome of putting the innocent Parents and kinsfolks of traytors to death with the offenders and I now profess to pardon them and have them all in the same estimation I had before I know thou wouldest have thy Master Calisthenes brought forth who only esteemed thee being of his complexion because thou desirest to hear pronounced from his mouth those railing words which even now thou didst vomit out against me If he had been a Macedon born I had brought him into the place with thee a worthy Master of such a Disciple but being born in another Countrey he is subject to another law When he had spoken these words he dismissed the Council and commanded all such as were condemned to be delivered to the Souldiers of their own Regiments who because they would declare by some cruelty the love they bare towards their Prince slew them by all torments Calisthenes also died upon the Rack innocent of the conspiracy against the Kings person but a man not pliable to the custom of the Court and abhorring from the disposition of Flatterers There was never any thing that brought the Greeks into a greater indignation against Alexander then that he not only killed but caused to be tormented to death and that without judgement a man indued with godly Manners and good Sciences and one by whom he was perswaded to live when he purposed to have died for sorrow that he had slain Clitus for which his cruelty repentance followed that came too late But lest he might nourish idleness apt for the sowing of seditious rumours he advanced towards India always more glorious in War than after his Victory The whole Country of India lieth chiefly towards the East containing more in length than it doth in bredth The North parts are full of Mountains and Hills but all the rest of the land is plain having many fair Rivers which running out of the Mount Caucasus do pass pleasantly through the Countrey Indus is more cold than any other of the Rivers whose water is not unlike the colour of the Sea But of all the Rivers in the Orient Ganges is most excellent which running from the South passeth directly through many great Mountains until that by the encountring with Rocks his course is turn'd towards the East where it is received into the red Sea The violence of the stream breaketh down his banks swallowing trees and much of the ground In many places the stream is kept in with the rocks on which it beateth but where the ground is more soft there the River becometh more large and maketh many Islands The greatness of Ganges is much increased by the River of Acâ—sines which both meet before they enter into the Sea at their meeting the water is violently troubled and whiles the one resisteth the others entry neither of them seem to give place to other Diardnes is a River of the less Fame because is runneth in the uttermost bounds of India but yet it bringeth forth Crocodiles as the Nile doth and also Dolphins with Monsters unknown to other Nations Crooked Erimanthus with his many turnings and reflexions is consumed by the Inhabitants with watering their ground which is the cause that when it draweth near the Sea it becometh very little and beareth no name There are many other Rivers that divide the Countrey but none of them are so famous as these because they do not run so far The North-winde doth blast and annoy those parts most that are next unto the Sea but those Windes are so broken with the tops of the Mountains that they cannot endamage the inward parts of the Countrey wherefore Fruits are very plentiful there and perfect But that Region doth so much differ from the ordinary course of time in other parts of the world that when other Countries are burned most with the Sun India is covered over with Snow And when other places are Frozen the Heat is there most intolerable and yet there appeareth not any natural cause why it should be so The colour of the Indian Sea not differing much from the water of other Seas did take his name of King Erithrus by reason whereof the ignorant Greeks took opinion that the water of those Seas was red The Land is very aboundant of Flax whereof the greater part of
their Garments are made The twigs of the Trees are so tender that they receive the Prints of Letters like wax The Birds by teaching counterfeit the voices of men There are many Beasts which are not bred among other Nations Rhinocerots are there bred but not brought forth The Elephants of that Countrey are stronger than those that are made tame in Africk and their highness doth answer to their strength The water of the Rivers doth carry down Gold and run mildely without any great fall The Sea doth cast upon the Shore both Pearls and precious Stones whereof proceeded the cause of their great Riches for after their Merchandize was once known to other Nations the purgings of the Seas were highly esteemed as the fansie of man would make the price The dispositions of the men as in all other places are according to the scituation of the Countries they dwell in They make their Garments of Linnen Cloth which cover their bodies down to their feet They binde Sandals under their feet and wear Rolls of Linnen about their Heads Such as are in any Degree either of Nobility or Riches have precious Stones hanging at their Ears and they cover all their Arms with Bracelets and Ornaments of Gold They use great curiosity in Combing of their Heads which they cut very seldome They shave without any form of gravity all parts of their Face saving their Chin. But the excess of voluptuoasness which they call magnificence used by them doth exceed the vices of all Nations When their will is to be seen abroad their servants carry about them Perfuming Pans of Silver and fill all the ways where they go with sweet Savors they themselves are born in Litters of Gold hanging with pearls and the Garments they wear are of gold and purple empaled together The armed men follow their Litter and such as are of their Guard among whom are Birds born upon boughs which they teach always to sing when they are conversant in earnest matters In the Kings Palace are pillars of gold carved about with vines of gold wherein the Images of those Birds they delight in most are artificially wrought The Court is open to all comers When the Kings do comb and dress their heads they use to give answer to the Embassadors and execute justice upon their people When their Sandals are taken off their feet are anointed with sweet odours The greatest travel they take is when they hunt wilde Beasts inclosed in Parks which they strike whiles their Concubines are singing and dallying with them the Arrows they shoot are of two cubits long which do not the effect of the force they are shot withal by reason of their weight which is an impediment to their swiftness wherein the property of the Arrow chiefly consisteth In small journeys they use to ride on horseback but when they are to travel further they are carried upon Elephants whose huge bodies are covered all over with gold And because no vice should be wanting in their corrupt manners great numbers of Concubines do follow them in golden Litters The Queens have their companies separate by themselves who in all excess of voluptuousness are nothing inferiour to the Kings It belongeth to the women there to dress meat and they also serve men with wine whereof there is great plenty among the Indians When the King hath largely drunk and is fallen into a sleep his Concubines use to carry him into his Chamber calling upon their gods in a Hynâ—â— after their Countrey manner Who would think that amongst all these vices there were any regard of vertue there are amongst them a rough kinde of people whom they call wise men who count it the most glorious thing to prevent their own death and they use to burn themselves while they are alive It is imputed for a great shame to such as either cannot well stir for age or have not their perfect health if they prolong their life till their natural death approach nor is there any honour given to those bodies that die for age They think the Fires to be defiled if the bodies be not alive that are burned in them Such as live in Cities after a civil manner attain to the most knowledge of the motion of the Stars and of the prophecy of things to come nor can they think that any man doth shorten his life that looketh for death without fear They esteem those for gods whom they begin once to worship and especially trees the violating of which they forbid upon pain of death They number fifty days to the month and notwithstanding limit their years as they do in other places They note not their times by such course of the Moon as is commonly used that is from the full Moon but from the first quarter when she beginneth to be horned and by counting after the same manner they make their accounts more uncertain There are many other things reported of them with which I thought not necessary to interrupt the order of this History As Alexander entred into India the Princes of the Countrey addressed themselves unto him submiting themselves and declaring that he was the third man being begotten of Jupiter that came into their Countrey They said that Hercules and Bacchus were not known to them but only by fame but they rejoyced that they might behold him present with their eyes Alexander received them with all the gentleness he could devise and willed them to accompany him because he would use them as Guides in his Journey But when he saw that the whole Nation came not he sent Perdicas and Ephestion with part of his Army before to subdue such as would not submit themselves and willed them to go forwards till they came to the River of Indus and there to make Boats in which he might transport his Army and because they had to pass many Rivers the Boats were so devised that they might be taken asunder and carried in Carts and afterwards joyned together again He appointed Craterus to follow him with the Phalanx and he with such Horsemen and Footmen as were light armed marched before and being Encountred on his way he Fought a small Battel and drove his Enemies into the next City When Craterus was come to the intent he might strike terrour amongst those people that had not yet proved the Macedons Force he commanded that when they won the City they should kill both man woman and childe and burn the same to the ground but as he was riding about the Walls he was hurt with an Arrow Notwithstanding the City was won and all put to the Sword the very houses not escaping the cruelty of the Conquerours After this he subdued an obscure Nation and came to a City called Nisa It chanced that whiles they incamped in a Wood before the City there fell a cold in the night which more afflicted the Macedons than ever it had done before in any other place against the which they prepared the remedy that was next at
reward was truly given them And the rule of the Rock with the Countrey thereabouts was committed to Sisocostus he himself going forwards with his Army from thence to Echâ—lima Alexander understanding that certain straights through the which he should pass were kept by one Erix with twenty thousand armed men he committed that part of his Army that were heavy laden to Cenon to be brought on by soft journeys and going before in person with the Slingers and Archers he put his Enemies to flight making the way clear for his Army to pass that followed after The Indians whether it were for the hatred they did bear unto their Captain or else to get the favour of the Conquerour killed Erix as he fled away and brought his head and his armour unto Alexander He considering the foulness of the act would not honour the doers for their example sake nor punish them because they served his purpose From thence by sixteen encampings he came to that part of the River called Indus where Ephestion had prepared all things in such sort as he had commission One Omphis was King of that Countrey who before had perswaded his Father to submit himself unto Alexander and immediately upon his Fathers death sent Embassadors unto him to know his pleasure whether he should take upon him as a King before his coming or else live privately in the mean season And although he was permitted to govern as a King yet he would not use the authority granted him until the King came He had caused Ephestion to be received in the best sort he could devise but notwithstanding he had not visited him because he would not commit his person to any mans fidelity but to the Kings When he understood of Alexanders coming he went towards him with his whole Power whose Elephants by small distances mixed in Battel amongst his Footmen shewed afar off like Castles At the first Alexander did not take him a Friend but as an Enemy and therefore set his Men in order of Battel and his Horsemen in wings in readiness to Fight When Omphis understood the errour of the Macedons he commanded his men to stay and putting his spurs to his Horse he rode forwards alone Alexander did the like not questioning whether he were a Friend or an Enemy but thought himself secure either through his own manhood or the others fidelity Their meeting as it appeared by their countenances was very friendly but for want of an Interpreter they could not speak together therefore after they had called one unto them the Indian King declared unto Alexander that the cause he met him with an Army was to put immediately his whole power into his hands and tarried not to intreat for any assurance by Messengers but upon trust only had committed both his Person and his Kingdom to him whom he knew to make War for the winning of Glory and Fame and therefore could not fear in him any perfidiousness Alexander rejoyced to see his simplicity and proffered him his right hand as a pledge of his promise and restored unto him again his Kingdom He presented unto Alexander fifty and six Elephants with many other Beasts of exceeding greatness and three thousand Bulls which is a Cattel of great value in those Countries and mâ—â—h esteemed by Kings Alexander enquired of 〈◊〉 whether he had under his Dominion more Souldiers 〈…〉 of the ground He answered that he was driven of necessity to have more Souldiers because he was at War with two Kings whose Kingdoms lay beyond the River of Hydaspis their names were Abiasares and Porus but the authority remained in Porus. He said that he was prepared and resolved to adventure the hazard of the Battel with such of them as should invade him first Hereupon Alexander granted unto Omphis both to take upon him the Diadem and the name of his Father that was called Taxiles the custom of the Countrey being such that the Name ever followed the Kingdom whosoever enjoyed it When he had received Alexander honourably in hospitality three days the fourth day he declared how much Corn he had delivered to Ephestion and to his Army presenting to the King and to all his Friends Crowns of Gold and besides of Coined Silver fourscore talents Alexander rejoyced so much in his good will that he both returned again to him his Gifts and gave him besides a thousand Talents of the spoil he brought with him with much Plate of gold and silver many garments after the Persian manner and thirty of his own Horses with the same furniture they did wear when he did ride upon them which liberality as it obliged Omphis so it greatly offended the minde of the Macedons For Meleager at Supper when he had well drunk said He was very glad that Alexander had yet found one in India whom he judged worthy to receive the Gift of a thousand Talents The King bearing in minde how much he had repented the slaying of Clitus for the rashness of his tongue refrained his anger but yet told him That envious men were ever Tormentors to themselves The next day the Embassadors of King Abiasares came unto Alexander who according to their Commission offered all things unto his will whereupon assurance being confirmed they returned again to their Master Alexander therefore thinking that through the greatness of his name Porus might be brought to do the like sent Cleochares to him to demand tribute and to summon him to come and do homage when he should enter the bounds of his Kingdom Porus made answer That of those two requests he would perform one which was to meet him at the entry of his Kingdom but that should be in Arms and with a Power Alexander therefore being determined to pass the River of Hydaspis Burzantes that had been Author of the Rebellion amongst the Arachosians was taken and brought to him bound with thirty Elephants an apt assistance against the Indians that are wont to put more trust in those beasts than in the trust of their own Nation Gamaxus King of a small portion oâ— India which had confederated with Barzantes was brought likewise bound unto him Wherefore committing them both to prison and the Elephants to Omphis he came unto the River of Hydaspis But Porus lay encamped on the further side to hinder his passage having fourscore and â—ive Elephants of huge strength oâ— body three hundred Waggons of War thirty thousand â—ootmen amongst whom there were many Archers whose shafâ—s as hath been said before were more heavy than they could wield Porus himself did ride upon an Elephant greater than all the rest who also being of a big stature appeared notable in his Armour that was garnished with gold and silver having also a courage equal to the strength of his body and so great a wisdom as was possible to be found amongst so rude a Nation The Macedons were not so much afraid with the sight of their Enemies as they were with the greatness of the River they had to
this innocent man but at his death laid violent hands upon him unto whom Orsines said I have heard that Women in times past have reigned and born great rule in Asia but it is now a more strange thing that an Eunuch should have the Empire in his hands This was the most Noble of all the Persians He was not only an innocent man in this matter but such a one as did bear singular affection unto Alexander and had shewed great liberality to him and his At the same time Phradates who was suspected to have gone about to make himself King was put to death Alexander began then to be much inclined to the shedding of bloud and to be credulous in hearing of false reports of such a force is Prosperity to change a mans nature wherein few men have consideration of Vertue Thus he who a little before would not condemn Lincestes Alexander when he was accused by two Witnesses and suffered divers of more mean estate to be acquitted though it vexed him that they seemed not guilty to other men thus he who bestowed Kingdoms upon his Enemies whom he had subdued was in the end so much altered from his former inclination that against his own appetite at the will of a vile Minion he would give Kingdoms unto some and take away Lives from others About the same time he received Letters of the Affairs in Europe whereby he understood that whiles he was in India Zopyrius his Lieutenant in Thrace made an Expedition against the Gâ—tes where by Storms and Tempests that suddenly rose upon him he was destroyed and all his Army When Suthes understood the defeat of that Army he procured the Odrisians that were his Country-men to revolt so that all Thrace was in a manner lost thereby and Greece it self stood in no great safety The Writers of the Acts of Alexander the Great make mention in this place of Calanus an Indian a man very famous in Philosophy who by the perswasion of King Taxiles followed Alexander and ended his life after a strange manner When he had lived threescore and thirteen years without any Disease at his coming into Persia he felt a pain in his belly by which conjecturing that the end of his life was come lest such a perpetual felicity as he had lived in should be interrupted by any long Disease or tormented by the multitude of Medicines which Physicians do use to administer he required Alexander that he would cause a Fire to be made that he might burn himself in the same The King began to disswade him from his purpose thinking to have withdrawn him from the execution of so horrible an act but when he perceived with what stedfastness and constancy he upheld his resolution and that there was no way to keep him any longer in life he suffered a Fire to be made according to his will into which Calanus did ride on horseback making first his Prayer to the gods of his Country and taking the Macedons by the hands required them that they would spend that day pleasantly in banquetting with their King whom not long after he said he should see at Babylon When he had spoken these words he went chearfully into the Fire and carrying his body in a comely posture he kept still the same gesture and countenance at his death which he was accustomed to do in his life When the Fire flamed the Trumpet sounded and the Men of War made such a shout as they were accustomed to do when they joyned in Battel with their Enemies which rebounded to the skies the Elephants also made a terrible noise These are the things which grave Writers do testifie of Calanus who was a notable Example of an invincible minde and constantly bent to endure adversity From thence Alexander advanced to Susa where he took to Wife Statira the eldest Daughter of Darius whose youngest sister called Dyrpetis he gave in marriage unto Ephestion and bestowed fourscore Virgins of the Noblest of all the Nations he had conquered to the principal Macedons and to the chief of his Friends because he would not seem alone to begin so strange a Custom These Marriages were celebrated after the Persian manner and a magnificent Feast prepared at the Espousals at which there were nine thousand Guests present to every one of whom Alexander gave a drinking Cup of Gold At the same time the Rulers of the Cities whom Alexander had subdued and builded sent unto him thirty thousand young Souldiers that were all of one age furnished with 〈◊〉 Armour and fit for any Enterprize of the War whom he called Epigony that is to say Successours The Macedons at their coming seemed to be somewhat appalled who wearied with long War used often in their Assemblies to murmur and speak mutinous words against their King for which cause he prepared these Souldiers to restrain the arrogancy of the others and gave them great benevolences Harpalus to whom the King had committed the charge of the Treasure and Revenues at Babylon hearing of the Acts that Alexander had done in subduing the greater part of the Kings of India and his success to be so prosperous that nothing could withstand him knowing the unsatiable desire that was in Alexander to visit far Countries and to increase his Glory thought it should be a hard matter for him to return to Babylon again Wherefore he gave himself to delight and riot misusing many that were Noble and free-women and wallowed in all kind of voluptuousness insomuch that he sent for a famous Harlot called Potonice to whom he both gave many great and Princely Gifts while she was alive and also after her death spent thirty Talents on her Tomb. Having in these and such other voluptuous Vanities consumed a great part of the Treasure when he understood that Alexander was come out of India and did execute Justice upon his Officers who misused them over whom they had the Rule by reason he was privy to his foul Conscience he feared the like might fall on himself And therefore gathering together five thousand Talents and six thousand mercenary Souldiers he took his way towards Athens no man being willing to receive him by the way When he came to Tenaron where a great number of the mercenary Greeks who had been discharged out of Asia were assembled he left his Souldiers there and went to Athens with his Money When he was come thither a great number of Citizens flocked about him but more for love of his Money than for any respect unto himself but especially the Oratours whom by small Rewards he easily corrupted to defend his Cause before the People But afterwards at a general Assembly he was commanded to depart the City and so he returned again among the Greek Souldiers by whom he was slain After that with thirty Ships they passed over to Sunium which is a point of Land in the Territory of Athens from whence they determined to have entred into the Haven of the City These things being known Alexander
all Asia to carry the Spoils of so many Nations within your bellies only and to return home to your Wives and Children not being able to shew any of the Rewards of your Victorie Many of ye in the way shall be compelled to pawn your Armour if you forsake this good hope which you might receive at my hand These are the goodly men of War that I shall want who of all their Riches have nothing left them but only their Concubines The waâ— lies open for your departure Get you gone out of my sight I with the Persians will defend your backs when you are gone I will hold none of you Deliver mine eyes you ungrateful Country-men of the sight of you Shall your Parents and Children think you receive you with joy when they shall see you return without your King Shall they covet to meet such as are fugitives and forsakers of their Prince I shall 〈…〉 at your departure and wheresoever you shall be I shall desire to be revenged honouring always and preferring above you those whom you have left here with me Now you shall know of what force an Army is that is destitute of a King and what moment doth consist in me alone When he had spoken these words he leaped in a fury from the Judgment-seat and ran into the throng of the armed men where he took with his own hands such as had mutined most against him of whom there being not any that durst make resistance he delivered thirteen to his Guard to be safely kept Who would have thought that an Assembly who a little before had spoken unto their Prince with such audacity and rigour could have been so suddenly appalled with fear and seeing their Companions led to execution durst none of them make the least attempt to oppose him But the inordinate liberty they used before and seditious violence was then so staid that not one of them durst resist the King running amongst them but were all astonied for fear and stood like men amazed with doubtful imaginations looking what he would determine of themselves Whether it were the reverence they bare to his Name because the Nations that live under Kings are accustomed to honour them as gods or whether it were the Majesty of his Person or else his own assured Constancy executing his Authority with such violence that did put them in such fear but they shewed a notable example of Patience for they not only not stirred at the execution of their Companions whom they knew to be put to death in the night-time but were more diligent in performing their duties than they were before pretermitting nothing pertaining to obedience and the natural affection towards their Prince For on the next day they came to the Court and being not suffered to enter but all shut out saving the Souldiers of Asia they made a sorrowful cry and lamentation which spread over all the Camp protesting That they would not live if the King continued still in his wrath But he that was obstinate in all things which he had once conceived in his head having commanded the Macedons to keep still in their Camp did assemble the strange Souldiers together to whom by an Interpreter he made this Oration At what time I came first out of Europe into Asia my trust was to bring many noble Nations and a great power of Men under my Empire and Dominion wherein I was not deceived For besides that Fame reported you to be the men of Valour I have found in you one thing more which is an inâ—â—â—parable Obedience Fidelity and Affection towards their Prince I thought Voluptuousness had oâ—â—â—flown all Vertues amongst you and that through your great felicitie you had been drowned in Pleasures But I finde otherwise and perceive that none do observe the Discipline and Order of the Wars better than you nor execute the same with more activity and resolution and being manful and valiant men they embrace Fidelitie as well as Fortitude This I do but now confess but I knew it long ago which was the cause that I chose you out of the Youth of so many Nations to be my Souldiers and did incorporate you amongst mine own People causing you to wear the same Armour but your Obedience towards Authoritie appeareth much better in you than in them Therefore I have joyned to my self in Marriage the Daughter of Oxares who is a Persian not disdaining to beget Children upon a Captive And afterwards desiring abundantly to increase the Issue of my body I took to Wife the Daughter of Darius and was the Author that my near Friends should beget Children upon their Captives minding by this holy Covenant to exclude the difference between the Conquerour and the Conquered Wherefore you must now think that you are not Souldiers by me adopted but more natural and that Asia and Europe is one Kingdom without any difference I have given unto you Armour after the manner of the Macedons I have brought all strangeness and novelty into a custom and now you are both my Country-men and my Souldiers in all things receiving one form and fashion I have not thought it unseemly for the Persians to shadow the Customs of the Macedons nor for the Macedons to counterfeit the Persians seeing they all ought to be under one Law and Custom who should live under one King When he had made this Oration he committed the custody of his Person unto the Persians he made them of his Guard and his Officers of Justice by whom when those Macedons who had given the occasion of this Sedition were led bound unto Execution one of them who was more ancient and of greater estimation than the rest spake after this manner How long will you give place unto your will in executing us after this strange manner Your Souldiers and your own Country-men are drawn to Execution by their own Prisoners before their cause is heard If you have judged us worthy of death at leastwise change the Ministers of your wrath This was a good admonishment if he had been patient to hear the truth but his wrath was grown into a fury so that when he saw those who had the charge of them to stay a little as willing to respite the Execution he caused the Prisoners to be tumbled into the River and there drowned Notwithstanding the cruelty of this punishment the Souldiers were not moved to any sedition but repaired in great numbers to their Captains and unto such as were near about the King requiring That if there yet remained any infected with the same Offence that he should command them to be put to death proffering their bodies to be punished and executed at his own will After it was known that the dignity of being the Kings Lieutenant was given unto the Persians and that they were distributed into divers Orders with such names given unto them as were unto the Macedons and that the Macedons were rejected with reproach they could not then longer contain themselves nor the
that were of kin to Traytors All the Conspirators except Calisthenes by the Kings commandment were brought forth who immediately confessed the whole Treason they had devised Then every man present reviled them and the King demanded what he had done to them that they should conspire his death When all the other stood still and held their peace Hermolaus answered thus Ye demand this thing of us as though you knew not the matter We began to kill you because you began to reign over us as if we were slaves and not free born As he was speaking these words his Father Persepolis called him Traytor and Murtherer of his Parents stopping his mouth with his hand because he should speak no further Then the King plucked his Father back and willed Hermolaus to speak such things as he had learned of his Master Calisthenes Then Hermolaus proceeded I will use your benefit and declare those things which I have learned to the great mischief of us all How small is the number of the Macedons remaining that have escaped your cruelty Attalus Philotas Parmenio Lincestes Alexander and Clitus are now dead but to our Enemies behoof they be alive They stood in the Fight and defended you with their Swords receiving wounds for your glory and victory which now are very well rewarded The one besprinkled your Table with his bloud and the other could not be suffered to die an ordinary death Thus the Captains of your people are tormented and put to death a pleasant spectacle to the Persians of whom they were Conquerours Parmenio by whom you slew your Enemy Attalus was put to death without judgement Thus use you the hands of us wretches as instruments to kill one another and such as even now were to be your Tormentors straightways you command to be tormented by others At those words the multitude began to shout against Hermolaus and his father drew his sword to have slain him if he had not been hindred by the King who commanded Hermolaus to speak requiring the rest to hear him plead for himself who he said enforced the cause of his own punishment At length with great labour they held their peace and then Hermolaus began again How liberal is he to suffer boys to speak when the voice of Calisthenes is shut up in prison because he alone is able to declare himself and why because he feareth the free speech of an innocent and cannot endure to behold his face and yet I will justifie he is not privy to this matter But others that are here present who contrived with me a noble Enterprise of whom there is not any that can accuse Calisthenes of consent and yet our so patient and so righteous a King hath determined here his death These be the rewards of the Macedons whose bloud is disesteemed as of no value He hath 30000 Mules carrying spoil and treasure and yet the poor Souldiers carry nothing with them but unrewarded skars and wounds all which things we did easily suffer before he did betray us to the Barbarians and by a new trade of conquest made us his own Souldiers Slaves He alloweth the apparel and discipline of the Persians and despiseth the manners of his own Countrey and therefore we determined to kill him not as King of Macedon but as King of Persia and as a turn-coat to be persecuted by the law of arms He would have the Macedons kneel to him and worship him as a god He refused Philip for his Father and if any god had been before Jupiter he would have refused him likewise Do you marvel if freemen cannot bear this his pride What can we hope for at his hands seeing we must either die as innocents or else what is worse than death live and remain in bondage as slaves He is greatly in my debt if by this proof he could amend for he may learn of me the thing that free hearts cannot endure Spare them whose age shall be sufficiently tormented with the loss of their children but upon as cause execution to be done to the intent we may obtain by our own death the liberty which we sought for by thine When Hermolaus had spoken these words the King answered after this manner How false these things are which he hath learned of his Instructor my patience doth declare For notwithstanding he before confessed this Treason yet my minde was that you should hear what he could say knowing very well that when I give liberty to this Villain to speak that he would use the same rage fury in his discourse which before mov'd him to have kill'd me whom he ought to have loved as his father Of late when he used a great presumption I commanded him to be chastised after the custome of our Countrey used by the Kings of Macedon which chastisement we must grant needful to be done as the pupils are chastised by their tutors and wives by their husbands and servants by their masters This was all the cruelty I used towards him which he would have revenged with murder and Treason But how gentle I am to all that suffer me to use mine own disposition since you your selves do know it it were superfluous for me to rehearse I cannot marvel at all though punishment of traytors be displeasant to Hermolaus who is himself so great a traytor when he commendeth Parmenio and Philotas it maketh for his own purpose I pardoned Lyncestes Alexander being accused by two witnesses that he twice conspired Treason against me and being again convicted yet deferred I his punishment two years till you your selves required he might have his desert Touching Attalus you remember very well how he wrought Treason against me before I was King And for Clitus I would he had not moved me to wrath whose rash tongue speaking the rebuke and shame both of me and you I suffered longer than he would have done me speaking the like The clemency of Kings and Princes consisteth not only in their own disposition but in theirs also who are under their subjection for the rigour of such as are Rulers is mitigated with humility But when mens mindes are void of reverence and high and low are confounded all alike then it is necessary with violence to expel violence But why do I marvel that he laid cruelty to my charge that durst object against me covetousness I will not call you to witness one by one lest I should upbraid you with my liberalitie by making declaration what I have bestowed upon you Behold the whole Army who a little while ago had nothing else but this bare Armour do they not lie in silver Beds are not their Tables charged with Plate and possess they not whole flocks of Slaves They are not able to sustain the spoils of their Enemies But it is said the Persians are honoured of me whom we have conquered Truly they are so and yet what greater proof can there be of my moderation than that I do not reign proudly over such whom I have