a Country called Zenippa that confineth on the Scythians which being well inhabited and full of Villages doth with the plentifulness thereof not only detain the Inhabitants to dwell there still but also inviteth strangers to come amongst them The same was a refuge to the Outlaws of Bactria that still rebelled But after Alexanders coming was known they were driven forth by the Country-men and two thousand and two hundred of their Horsemen which were accustomed to live by Theft and Spoil in time of Peace made worse not only by the War but also by despair of forgiveness and their wilde dispositions did give an On-set suddenly upon Amintas who was Darius Lieutenant The Battel was long doubtful betwixt them but finally they lost seven hundred of their number whereof three hundred were taken prisoners and turned their backs to the Victors not without revenge for they flew of them fourscore besides three hundred and fifty that they wounded and yet notwithstanding after this second Rebellion they obtained pardon When Alexander had brought them to his obedience he came with his whole Army into a Country called Naura the Lord whereof was called Sisimethres who had two Sons by his own Mother it being lawful there for the Parents to have the Carnal Knowledge of their Children The same Sisimethres with 2000 armed men fortified and kept the Straight at the entry of the Country where it was most narrow The passage was defended both with a River and a Rock through the which Rock the way was made by force of hands The light is received in at the Entry but further inward there is none but only such as men bring with them From this Rock there goeth a Vault underneath the ground that hath issue into the Fields which is not known but to such as are of the same Country Though this straight was naturally strong and defended besides by a strong Power it withheld not Alexander to attempt it who brought Engines which they call Arietes to beat down their Fortification and with Slings and shot of Arrows did force his Enemies from the places of their defence When he had driven them away he passed through the Works he had won and made approach to the Rock but the Stream that grew out of the force of united waters falling from the Mountain was an impediment to him therein It seemed a wonderful work to fill the Chanel of the River yet he caused Trees and Stones to be brought to the place When his Enemies that never had seen any such thing before beheld the Work suddenly to rise like a Mountain they were put into a marvellous fear by which the King supposing they might have been brought to render it up sent one Oxiartes of the same Nation to perswade Sisimethres to render the Rock and in the mean season to put them in more terrour he caused Towers of Wood to be brought forwards and did shoot from the Engines with such violence out of the same that the Enemies forsaking all other strengths retired into the top of the Rock Oxiartes finding Sisimethres in this fear perswaded him rather to prove Alexanders Benevolence then his Power and seeing that all Creatures submitted to him that he alone should not be his hinderance marching now with his Victorious Army into India whereby he should turn other mens plagues upon his own neck Sisimethres would have been contented to follow his advice but that she who was both his Mother and his Wife affirmed how she would rather die then commit her self into any mans hand and therefore he being ashamed that the love of Liberty should remain more in a Woman then in him being a Man he altered his purpose taking that way which was more honest then sure and dismissing him that was the Mediator for Peace he determined utterly to abide the extremity of the Siege Yet when he had well weighed his Enemies Power and his own together he began again to repent him of his Wives Counsel it being more rash then profitable and made suit that Oxiartes would return proffering then to commit himself to the Kings Will only requiring of Oxiartes that he would not utter his Wives Opinion for fear lest that he should not obtain her pardon He sent therefore Oxiartes before and he came after with his Wife his Children and all his Kinsfolk without tarrying for any assurance promised to him by Oxiartes Alexander hearing of their approach sent his Horsemen before to cause them to stay and to tarry for his coming And when he was come to the place where they did abide he offered Sacrifice to Minerva and Victoria restoring unto Sisimethres his former Rule and Authority putting him in hope of a greater Country if he would faithfully continue in his Friendship and took his two Sons presented to him by the Father to serve him in his Wars Alexander left his Footmen to subdue such as had not yet yeilded and went forwards with his Horsemen into other parts The way was craggy and difficult which at at first they indured indifferently but afterwards when their Horse-hoofs were torn and they utterly soundred many were not able to follow but rode dispersed and out of order the weariness of their travel so much overcame shame The King notwithstanding changed often his Horse and pursued without intermission his Enemies that fled before him by reason whereof all the Noble young men that were wont to accompany him were left behinde saving only Philip Lysimachus Brother who then being in the flower of his youth and of great likelihood to become an excellent man followed on Foot the King that did ride on Horseback by the space of fifty furlongs Lysimachus divers times for all that proffered him his Horse but in no wise he would depart from the King notwithstanding that he had his Corslet on and all his Armour When the King passed through the Wood where his Enemies lay in Ambushment he sought notably and protected the Kings person fighting with his Enemies But after they were put to flight and driven out of the Woods the greatness of his courage which had sustained him in the heat of the Fight fainted with his body and being all on a sweat he leaned himself to a Tree which could not so much stay him but that he fell to the earth and being taken up again by the Kings hands he immediately after did shrink down and died The King being sorrowful for his death received some other intelligence no less to be lamented for before he came to his Camp he was advertised of the death of Erigius one of the most Noble of his Captains whose Funerals were celebrated with great Pomp and Ceremonies of Honour From thence he determined to go unto the Dahans where he understood that Spitamenes was But Fortune that never ceased to favour him did unexpectedly finish that journey of his as she did many others Spitamenes was inflamed with an excessive love to his Wife whom he carried with him in all
the body and all men judging him to be slain the Booty was lost As soon as he was recovered of his wound his dissembled grudge against the Athenians burst out so far that he made open War against them by reason whereof the Thebans seeing the danger so near at hand gave succour to their Neighbours fearing if the Athenians were overcome the last fury of the Wars would turn upon them Wherefore the Cities that a little before were mortal Enemies one to another combined together in one League and sent their Embassadours through all Greece holding it most expedient with a common Aid to withstand a common Enemy Some considering the peril to be universal stuck to the Athenians and some observing Philip's power increasing and the other decreasing took part with Philip. In this War Alexander had the charge of one of the Wings committed to him wherein his Noble Courage did well appear for he deported himself so valiantly that he seemed nothing inferiour to his Father nor any else but by most just desert got the honour of the Victory yet he was defrauded thereof by the envy and sleight of his Father as he himself complained afterwards This Battel was fought at Cheronaea wherein though the Athenians were the greater number yet were they overcome by the Macedonians who were the fewer but expert Souldiers by reason of their long and continual practise in Wars Nevertheless the Athenians as men not unmindful of their former honour lost their lives valiantly That day made an end of all the Grecians glory as well of their large Rule and Government as of their most Ancient Freedom and Liberty which being hardly won and long time kept was thus lost in a moment For these things and many other experiments of Valour and Prowess in young Alexander although the King his Father did bear him singular affection and favour yet nevertheless by certain occasions ensuing that love was unhappily broken For Philip being married to Olympias Mother of Alexander as is said before took to Wife besides her a Lady called Cleopatra whereupon fell great discord and unkindness between the Father and the Son The occasion was given by one Attalus Uncle to Cleopatra who being at the new Marriage exhorted the Macedons to make prayers to the gods to send the King and new Queen a lawful Heir to succeed in the Kingdom of Macedon Whereat Alexander being moved Vile man as thou art said he dost thou count me a Bastard And with that word flung the Cup at his head The King hearing this rose up and with his Sword drawn ran at his Son who by the nimbleness of his body avoided the stroke so that it did him no harm Hereupon Alexander inveighing against him with many sharp and despiteful words departed and went with his Mother into Epirus Nevertheless soon after by the means of one Demoratus a Corinthian who perswaded the King that this discord was nothing for his Honour Alexander was sent for again and much solicitation was used before they could be well reconciled Wherefore to confirm this Attonement there was a Marriage made between Alexander the Brother of Olympias whom Philip by the expulsion of Acisba had made King of Epirus and Cleopatra the new Queens Daughter The Triumph of the day was remarkable according to the State and Magnificence of such two Princes the one bestowing his Daughter and the other marrying a Wife There were set forth sundry Interludes and Inventions pleasant to behold And as King Philip between the two Alexanders the one his Natural Son the other his Son-in-law was passing through the press without any Guard one Pausanias a young man of the Nobility of Macedon when no man suspected any such thing suddenly slew him making the day dedicated to joy and triumph to be heavy with lamentation This Pausanias being a Boy one Attalus inforced to the unlawful use of his Body and not content to do so himself at another Feast he caused divers of his Familiars to abuse him likewise which shame and villany grieved the young man so sore that he complained to the King whom although the foulness of the fact moved much yet for the love he bare to Attalus and for the respect of his service he did forbear to animadvert against him This Attalus was very near unto the King and in special favour by reason he was Kinsman unto the Queen Cleopatra whom Philip had lately married He was also Elected Captain General of the Kings Army prepared to pass into Asia being one that was both valiant in his person and no less politick in the discipline of War Upon these respects the King endeavoured by all the means he could to pacifie Pausanias incensed with indignation and revenge as well by giving him great gifts as by placing him honourably among those Gentlemen that were for the Guard of his Person But all this could not appease the rage of his implacable anger which wrought so in him that he determined to be revenged not only upon Attalus that did the villany but also upon the King that would not administer Justice which determination he put in effect as is said before Many things might be said more of the doings and sayings of this Philip but one thing above all others is to be noted that although for the most part he was exercised in the travel of the Wars and in Victorious Actions yet had he ever such affection to the Studies of Humanity and good Learning that he both did and spake many things worthy of Memory which were both witty and pleasant He lived 47 years and Reigned 25 being the three and twentieth King of the Macedons THE SECOND BOOK OF QVINTVS CVRTIVS Of the Acts of Alexander the Great King of Macedon WHen Philip was dead his Son who for the greatness of his Acts was afterwards called Alexander the Great took upon him the Kingdom the 426 year after the building of Rome being of the age of twenty years His state stood at that time subject to much envy hatred and hazard from all parts for the Nations and Provinces bordering upon him could not well endure their present bondage and every one of them sought how to recover again their ancient Dominions and Principalities The first thing he undertook after he was King was the severe punishment of as many as had conspired his Fathers death which performed he celebrated his Funerals with great solemnity As for his Estate he soon established it and that much better then any man could have imagined in one of so young and tender years For being of some had in contempt and by some others suspected to be cruel towards the one he deported himself so gallantly that he took from them all contempt and to the other so gently that their imagined fear of his cruel disposition was clean taken away He granted unto the Macedons freedom and priviledge from all Exactions and Bondage except from the service of War By which act he got so great favour
ALEXANDER y e GREAT King of Macedon F. H. van Houe fec THE LIFE DEATH OF Alexander The GREAT KING of MACEDON IN TEN BOOKS BY Quintus Curtius Rufus Exactly Conferred with the Original And purged from Many gross Errours and Absurdities With which it before abounded Done into English by the same Hand that Translated the last Volume of the HOLY COURT LONDON Printed for S. S. and are to be sold by Nich. Cox over against Furnivals-Inne in Holborn 1674. To the true Lover of all good Learning the Right Honourable Baptist Viscount Cambden Lord Noel of Redlington and Baron of Elmington c. My Lord GReat Actions are the Subjects of great Wits and no Age hath been so unhappy but they have great Personages if not to exceed yet to second and protect them But the Atchievements of Alexander the Great are so great in themselves that they are rather the Subjects of our Wonder then Belief nor can any man be a just Judge of them who is not indued with the same Spirit of Fortitude and withal transported with the same desire of glory Fame indeed is not so much the bound as the delight of Transcendent Spirits who with the unwearied Travels of their Swords add Kingdoms unto Kingdoms and abstract from the number of the Nations to add to the numbers of their Conquests How many have we read of who almost since the Cradle of the World have exercised thus the Power of the Sword and by a lamentable happiness have made the Epitaphs of other Nations to become the best Annals of their Immortality and Fury But Alexander was as merciful as he was just and having overcome the Nations by force he always after by a newer and Nobler Conquest did both overcome and oblige them by his Bounty By a rare felicity he had Fortune intirely in his own Power and at last he would become the Master as much of Fame as of Fortune He was sad to understand that his Atchievements had brought him to the utmost parts of the World and he would have no end of his Victories because he would have no end of his Glory Having exceeded the Acts of Men he would exceed even Fame her self unless she could finde breath enough to raise him unto Heaven and leave him there inthron'd amongst his gods And yet for all this vain attempt and confidence he might have slept cover'd with the Dust of Oblivion were he not beholden to a better Divinity and to the Light of History which have preserved his Name throughout all Generations The Prophets have done the one and this our Author the other the Prophets in the Word of God and our Author in this History A History drawn from the Records of Antiquity and famous as Ptolomy himself a man as admirable in the Arts of Peace as of War who being present with Alexander in all his Wars was both his Companion and his Kinsman A History composed with such Art such State and Truth that Lipsius the most Lettered and most received of the Criticks hath affirmed If there were ever History pure and legitimate it was this of Curtius It was before imperfect in English and laboured at least under a thousand Solecisms I have only taken the pains to put it in a new Dress and to prepare it for your Honours hands to which precisely it doth devote it self and with it the most Elaborate Observances of him who is My Lord The most humble and most faithful of all that serve you Robert Codrington To the Reader in general and especially to the Souldier IN these Martial Times if any thing can excite you yet higher to Honourable Atchievements it will be the perusal of this History then which if you respect either the Excellence of Alexander or the Abilities of Curtius you will finde nothing more Magnificent or Delightful You will finde how Kingdoms are disposed of by the Eternal Decrees of Providence and that when God is pleased to put a period to them he selects men and inspires them with Courage and Vnderstanding answerable to that great Work unto which he hath appointed them None but Alexander could perform what Alexander hath done and though his course of life was so short that he did rather destroy then erect an Empire yet we may wonder as much at his Resolution what he undertook as at his success in what he performed With an inconsiderable Power with Wicker Targets and Swords covered with Rust and a Stock of not above threescore Talents which he himself confesseth was the strength of his Exchequer he advanced into Asia and in the compass of a few years he became Master of all the East and at that time of the most Flourishing and Potent Nations of the World He never encountred any Enemy whom he overcame not nor besieged City which he took not nor invaded Land which he subdued not Although the first grounds of the War were in the days of Xerxes and his Predecessors yet the calamity of it and the utter ruine of the Empire was in the days of Darius the last and best of the Emperours The admirable Revolution of States and from what small beginnings great Powers do arise is no where more apparently to be seen and by the understanding of the events so long ago abroad you may draw your Application to things more present and at home To add more is to anticipate your understanding I shall only insert that the Author of this History Quintus Curtius by his Complexion sirnamed Rufus was supposed to live in the days of Caligula His History is full of Variety and attended with us much Gravity as Delight as in the perusal of it you will acknowledge with him who for your sakes only hath taken these pains to review it it being as much my Business as Ambition to relieve and advance your Vnderstanding Codrington THere is nothing that is absolutely perfect Alexander himself had a Mole in his Face The over-sight of the Printer hath caused some literal faults in the Press which are left to your Candour either to correct or excuse them An Advertisement to all Gentlemen Book-sellers or others WHereas Samuel Speed Book-seller hath lately disposed himself to a Whole-sale Trade for Books not making any appearance of that Imployment as formerly he did These are to certifie That those persons that please to apply themselves to him for Books shall be as well used as by any person whatsoever And whosoever hath any Study or Library of Books or Copies either in Manuscript or such as have been already Printed to dispose of shall receive from him the full value thereof to the said Parties ample satisfaction THE FIRST BOOK OF QVINTVS CVRTIVS Concerning the Birth and Education of Alexander the Great The Murther of his Father Philip The Dream of his Mother Olympias in relation to the admirable Victories which throughout the whole course of his Wars he afterwards atchieved PHilip of Macedon who by subduing of Greece did first advance that Kingdom
and love amongst his people that all affirmed by one consent how the Person of their King was changed and not his Vertue his Name was altered but not his Government In the beginning of his Reign Rebellion was made against him on all sides but immediately with an incredible courage and constancy of minde he appeased all the Tumults That matter set in order he went to Corinth in Peloponnesus where calling a General Councel of all the States of Greece he was Elected Captain General against the Persians who had afflicted Greece with many overthrows and at that present did posses the greatest Empire in the world His Father had designed this War before but by the prevention of death he brought not his intention to effect Whilest he was in preparation for this Enterprise he was informed how the Athenians the Thebans and Lacedemonians were revolted from him and were Confederate with the Persians by the perswasions of the Orator Demosthenes who was corrupted by them with a great sum of money For the Reformation whereof Alexander so suddenly advanced with his Army that when he came upon them they could scarcely believe he should be present having not received the least intelligence of his March In his way he treated with the Thessalians and used to them such gentle words and apt perswasions by putting them in remembrance of his Fathers benefit and of the Ancient Kindred between them by their discent from Hercules that by an Universal Decree of the whole Country he was created their Governour and they delivered up unto him all his Treasures and Revenues So great was the celerity that this young man used and his diligence so effectual that he made all such to fear him as before were revolted or had him in contempt As the Athenians were the first that failed so they first of all repented extolling with praises Alexanders young years which before they had despised above the vertue of the Ancient Conquerours They also sent Embassadours to require of him Peace whom he sore rebuked when they came to his presence but yet was content at length to remit their offence And although Demosthenes was chosen one of the Embassadours yet he came not in his sight but being on his way as far as Cytheron he returned again to Athens which either was for fear that he had so often inveighed against Philip and stirred the Athenians against him or else to take away the suspition of himself from the King of Persia of whom it was said he received a great sum of Gold to oppose the Macedons The same thing was objected against him by Aeschines in an Oration where he saith For the present the Kings Gold doth bear his charges but that cannot last him long seeing no riches can suffice his prodigal life When Alexander had pacified the Tumults that were begun in Greece before he would pass his Army into Asia he made a journey against the Peons the Tribals and the Illyrians because he understood they were conspiring together and bordered upon his Country and were accustomed to invade it upon every occasion he thought them to be no way neglected before he removed his Army from the City of Amphipolis He therefore marched against the Thracians who at that time were not under the Rule or Law of any In ten days he came to the Mount Heâ—tis in the top whereof he found them incamped with a Power to refâ—r his passage Instead of Trencher they had impâ—lâ—d themselves with their Carriages cross the Streights purposing there to withstand him and it they should be invaded any other way then by the Streights they did determine to roul their Carriages down the Hill upon the Macedons to break their array That Device was put in execution but the Souldiers had received before instructions by Alexander as occasion should serve either to open their array to let the Chariots and Wheels pass through them or else to fall flat upon the ground and by covering their bodies with their Targets to avoid the danger They followed their instructions and when the Chariots were passed by they with a great courage and shout mounted up against their Enemies and in a moment put them to slight When Alexander was passed the Mountain he entred into the Country of the Tribals as far as the River of Ligeus When Syrmus King of that Land understood of his approach he sent his Wife and his Children with such of his people as were not meet for the wars into in Island called Peuca scituate within the River of Danubius into which Island the Thracians bordering with the Tribals were fled also It was not long after that Syrmus himself fled thither in like manner The rest of the Tribals that were not with the King withdrawing themselves into an other Island where they kept themselves against Alexander But he by policy sought the means to draw them out of their strength whereby he slew of them to the number of three thousand and the rest fled away so that of prisoners but few were taken After this Battel he marched towards the River of Danubius to the Island whither the Thracians and the other Tribals were fled They made notable resistance against him which they might the better do by reason Alexander wanted Boats to pass into the Island the Banks whereof were so high and sleep that they would not be mounted on but with great difficulty the River running violently swift by reason that the Stream was there driven into a streight When Alexander perceived the impossibility to assault them he withdrew to another place where getting a few Boats in the night he passed over one thousand five hundred Horsemen and four thousand Footmen With that company he set upon a people called Getes who stood in order of Battel on the further side of the River with four thousand Horsemen and ten thousand Footmen of purpose to stop the Macedons passage But by their sudden coming over the Getes were so afraid that they did not abide the first assault It seemed to them a wonderful adventure for Alexander in one night without a Bridge to pass his Army over the broadest and deepest River in all Europe This struck such a fear and terrour in their hearts that they fled into the Woods Mountains and Desart places leaving their City desolate which was taken by Alexander Syrmus King of the Tribals with the Germans and the other Inhabitants upon the River of Danubius sent their Embassadours thither unto Alexander to enter with him into friendship and he condescending unto their requests inquired of the Germans what thing it was which in the world they doubted most thinking indeed that the terrour of his name had been the most fearful thing unto them But when they understood his meaning they answered That they doubted greatly the falling of the Skie with whose presumptuous answer Alexander was nothing moved nor further replied only he said the Germans were a proud people and thereupon dismissed them As he was going
condition of men My counsel is therefore that you send this Gold and Silver to levy Souldiers out of those Countries from whence they come Darius was a man of a milde and tractable disposition if the height of his Estate had not altered the goodness of his Nature which made him so impatient to hear the truth that he commanded Charidemus to be put straightways to death being a man that was fled to his protection and that had given him right profitable counsel When he was going towards his death he left not his liberty to speak but said There is one at hand that shall revenge my death for he against whom I have given thee counsel shall punish thee for not following my advice And thou being thus altered with the liberties thou hast being now a King shalt be an example to such as shall come after that when they commit themselves to Fortune they clearly forget their names Whilest Charidemus was speaking of these words they which had the charge committed unto them did put him to death whereof the King afterwards took over-late repentance confessing him to have spoken the truth and caused him to be buried There was one Thymones the Son of Menter a young man of great activity to whom Darius gave the charge of all the Forreign Souldiers in whom he had great confidence willing him to receive them at Pharnabasus hands and gave to Pharnabasus the Rule that Memnon had before Thus Darius being careful of the great business he had in hand whether it were through pensiveness of minde or that his fancy did divine things to come was continually troubled with Visions in his sleep He dreamed that the Macedons Camp was on fire and shortly after it seemed to him that Alexander was brought to his presence in such kinde of apparel as he himself did wear when he was first chosen King and that Alexander should be carried on Horse-back through Babylon and so vanish out of sight Hereupon the Interpreters of Dreams betokened good fortune to himself because of the fire that seemed to be in his Enemies Camp and for that Alexander without any vesture of a King appeared in the vulgar apparel of the Persians Others did interpret it otherwise that the Lightning in the Macedons Camp signified glory and victory to Alexander and also the enjoyment of the Empire of Asia which they made more clear forasmuch as Alexander appeared in the same Vestures that Darius did wear when he was chosen King Care besides and anxiety of minde as often chanceth brought things past again to remembrance It was rehearsed how Darius in the beginning of his Reign changed the Scabbard of his Sword from the Persian manner into the fashion that the Greeks used whereupon the Caldees did prognosticate that the Kingdom of the Persians should be translated to those whose fashion he had counterfeited Notwithstanding being glad of the interpretation of the Diviners which was every where published concerning his success and of the Vision that he seemed to have seen in his sleep he commanded his Army to march forwards towards the River of Euphrates It was the Ancient Custom amongst the Persians at Sun-rising to raise their Camp and a warning of their setting forwards to be by the sound of a Trumpet at the Kings Pavilion upon which there stood the Image of the Sun inclosed in Christal shining so bright that it might be seen thorowout the Camp The order of their marching was in this manner the Fire which they call Holy and Eternal was carried before on silver Altars next to them were the Diviners singing after their Country manner there followed three hundred sixty five young men in Scarlet Robes like in number unto the days of the year then came the Chariot consecrated to Jupiter drawn with white Horses and a great Horse following which they call The Horse of the Sun Such as did ride upon the Palfreys did wear white Garments bearing Rods of Gold in their hands Next in order came ten Chariots garnished and wrought with silver and gold The Horsemen of twelve Nations followed in sundry sorts of Armour then came a Company that the Persians called Immortal the riches of whose Apparel exceeded far the rest they had all Chains of Gold Coats embroidered with Gold and Sleeves set with Pearl These were followed within a small distance by a Band of fifteen thousand Souldiers called Doripherii reputed for the Kings Kinsmen and apparelled almost like Women more notable for the variety of the riches of their Garments then the Armour they did wear Such as were wont to receive the Kings Robes did ride next before the Chariot upon the which Darius did sit on high with great pomp and magnificence his Chariot being garnished on both sides with carved Images of their gods made of silver and gold the beams whereof were set with Pearls and precious Stones with two Images of Gold standing thereupon of a cubit length one opposite to the other and over their heads an Eagle of Gold displayed But amongst the rest the Kings Apparel seemed marvellously sumptuous which was of Purple empaled white with a Border imbroidered of Gold and Golden Faulcons so wrought as if they were fighting together He was girt Effeminately with a Girdle of Gold and the Sword that hung thereupon had a Scabbard of Pearl the Diadem which he did wear upon his head called by the Persians Cydaris had a Roll about it of white and green Next behinde the King came ten thousand Horsemen who had all their Spears plated with silver and their Spear-heads guilded He was inclosed on both sides with two hundred of the Blood Royal at whose backs there followed thirty thousand Footmen and after them four hundred of the Kings Coursers Within the distance of one furlong Sâ—â—ygambis the Mother of Darius was carried in one Chariot and his Wife in another the Train of their Women riding on Horseback Next to them wâ—nt fifteen Chariots wherein the Kings Children were carried and their Nurses and their Eunuchs which are greatly esteemed in that Country After them followed three hundred of the Kings Concubines all apparelled like Queens Then came six hundred Mules and three hundred Camels that carried the Kings Treasure guarded with a Band of Archers The Wives of the Kings Kinsmen and the other that were about the King came riding next and after them a great company of Slaves and Varlets Last came the Rereward lightly armed whereof every Captain severally with his own Company closed the Army such was the Order oâ— Darius 〈◊〉 But on the other side beholding Alexanders Army there was to be seen a great difference neither the Men nor the Horse glistered so with gold and precious Furnitures but only with the brightness of their Harness They were obedient to their Captains Command always in a readiness to stay or to advance neither oppressed with the multitude nor pestred with too much Baggage They wanted not in any place either ground for their encamping or
victuals for their feeding whereby their small number was always sufficient when they came to fight Whereas Darius the Lord of so huge a multitude through the straitness of the ground wherein he was driven to give battel was compelled to use the fewness of men which he before had despised in the Enemy Alexander appointed to Abistamines the rule of Cappadocia and marching with his Army towards Cilicia came to the place called Cyrus Camp because Cyrus lodged there when he passed into Licia against King Croesus This place was distant about fifty furlongs from the Streight entring into Cilicia The Country-men use to call those Streights Pylae where the natural scituation of the place had made a Fortification as it were with mans hands When Arsenes Governour of Cilicia understood of Alexanders coming remembring what Memnon perswaded in the beginning of the Wars he put it in execution when it was too late wasting and destroying throughout Cilicia all such things as he thought might stand his Enemy in stead leaving the Country waste which he was not able to defend whereas it had been much better to have taken the Streight before his Enemies where from the Hills lying over the way he might without hazard have hindred his entry or have distressed his passage But he leaving a small number for the defence of the Streight retired himself back to waste the Country which his part had been to defend from destruction By his departure it came to pass that such as he left behinde thinking themselves betrayed would not so much as abide the sight of their Enemies when a much less number had been sufficient to have kept the passage for the scituation of Cilicia is such that it is environed about with a continual rough and steep Mountain which rising from the Sea on the one side and fetching a compass about joyneth again with the Sea on the other side Though the part of the Mountain which lyeth furthest from the Sea is plain and full of Rivers amongst the which two are most famous Pyramus and Cydnus but Cydnus most especial not so much for its greatness as the clearness of the water which from his first Spring runneth clearly through all the Country and hath no other River running into him to disturb the pureness of the stream for which cause it remaineth always clear and cold by reason of the Woods that do shadow all the banks Time hath consumed many Antiquities within that Country which are remembred of the Poets There may yet be seen the foundations of the Cities of Lirnessus and Cebestus with the Cave and Grove Corycian where Saffron groweth with many other things whereof now remaineth but only their name When Alexander entred the Streights before mentioned and beheld the scituation of them he never in all his life marvelled more at his own felicity confessing that it had not been possible for him to have passed if any had stood at defence against him for that with stones only he might have been overwhelmed the Streight besides being so narrow that there could not pass above four in front to the increase of which difficulty the tops of the Mountains hung over the way which in many places was broken and hollow with the streams that ran down from the Hills Alexander sent the Thracians that were light armed to scour and discover the ways for fear the Enemies should lie there in ambush and suddenly break forth upon him He appointed also a Band of Archers to take the top of the Hill which were willed so to march that they might be always in a readiness to fight After this manner he came to the City of Tarsus which was set on fire by the Persians because Alexander should finde no harbour there but Parmenio was sent thither with a choice number of Horsemen to quench the fire who understanding that the Enemies were fled away at the news of their coming entered into the City and by that means saved it from burning The River of Cydnus spoken of before did run through this City where the King arrived about mid-day it being in the Summer season at what time the heat is no where more violent then in that Country He took such delight in the pleasantness of the water that he would needs bathe his body therein to wash away the sweat and dust thereof and being very hot he entred naked into the water in the sight of all his Souldiers thinking it should be a contentation to them to see that the Garments about his body were no other but such as they commonly used themselves to wear He was no sooner entred but all the parts of his body began to shake and trâ—mble his face waxed pale and the lively heat was mortified in all parts of his body his Servants took him up and carried him into his Tent as one besides himself and at the extreme point of death then there was a great desolation and heaviness in the Camp they wept lamented and bewailed that such a King so Noble a Captain as had not been seen in any Age should be thus taken from them in the height of his Enterprize and after such a manner not in Battel slain by his Enemies but bathing in a River It grieved them that Darius now being at hand should obtain the Victory by such a chance without seeing of his Enemy and that they should be enforced to return back again as men vanquished by those Countries through which they had passed before as Conquerours in which Countries all things being destroyed by themselves or by their Enemies they must of necessity die for hunger though no man should pursue them It became a question amongst themselves who should be their Captain in flying away or what he were that durst succeed Alexander and though they might safely arrive at the Sea of Hellespont yet who should prepare them passage there When they had disputed these questions their argument by and by was turned into compassion towards their Prince lamenting as men out of their wits that such a Flower of Youth such force of courage as was in him that their King and Companion in Arms should after this manner be plucked from them In the mean season Alexander began to draw his winde somewhat better and when he came unto himself he lifted up his eyes and began to know his friends that were about him That the vehemency of his sickness somewhat asswaged was perceived in that he began to understand the pâ—â—il he was in But the solicitousness of his minde was a great hinderance unto his health for tidings came that Darius within five days would be in Cilicia He could not but take it grievously that such a Victory should be plucked out of his hands through his infirmity and that he should be taken as one tyed in Fetters and be put to some shameful and vile death He called therefore to him both his Friends and Physitians and said unto them Ye see in what an extremity of
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
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
the fault upon another when indeed the violence of the Sea was the cause of all Alexander began to make the Peer again after a new manner the head therefore lying into the weather and the winde and not the open side as it did before so that the forefront always defended the rest of the work lying behinde He increased also the breadth thereof to the intent the Towers might be builded in the midst of the Peer whereby they should be less subject to the Enemies shot whole Trees were put into the Sea with their tops and branches and after great stones were thrown upon them and over those a new course of stone and trees and stone again by which device this whole work was joyned and fastned all into one As the Macedons were busie to bring their work forwards so the Tyrians were as diligent to invent all such things as might give impediment to their proceeding The chief practice was for a great number or them to enter into the Sea coast afar off out of the Macedons sight and so come diving under the water till they came unto the Peer where with Hooks they would puâ—l the branches of the Trees that appeared out of the stones and 〈…〉 substance followed after into the deep For the Trees being discharged of their burthens were easily drawn away and then the Foundation failing the whole Work that stayed upon the Trees fell to ruine Amongst these impediments Alexander stood in great perplexity of minde doubting whether he should continue the Siege still or else depart his way When he was in this imagination suddenly his Navy arrived to Cyprus and Cleander also with his Souldiers which he had brought out of Greece And having to the number of 180 Ships divided them into two Squadrons whereof he committed the one unto Pythagoras the King of Cyprus and to Craterus and took charge of the other himself committing his own person to a Gallery called Cinquereme which had five Oars on a side The Tyrians durst not adventure the Sea-fight although they had a great Navy but set all their Galleys in a Front before the Walls of the City which the King assailed and put to distress The next day the Macedons with their ships invironed the City round about and did beat down the Walls especially with such Engines as they call Rams but the Tyrians straightway inforced and made up their Walls with stones that lay at hand and raised up an inward Wall round about the City which might be their defence if the other failed But their destruction approached on every side the Work was now wrought within the cast of a Dart and the Ships gave the approach round about the Walls so that they were over-laid both by Sea and Land The Macedons had devised to joyn their Galleys two and two together in such sort that the fore-parts met close before and the hinder parts lay far off one from the other and over the spaces remaining betwixt Poop and Poop they made Bridges with Masts and Main-yards layed betwixt Galley and Galley fast bound together to carry Souldiers upon When they hâ—d put their Galleys in this order they set forwards towards the City and having rampired the Sterns for defence of the Souldiers that were behinde they stood in their Galleys and did shoot and cast Darts against their Enemies without any peril or danger to themselves It was Mid-night when they had Commandment to set forwards after this manner as the Ships were approaching on all parts and the Tyrians stood astonied for fear and desperation behold the Sky was overwhelmed with dim Clouds and a sudden darkness took away the light Then the Sea by little and little waxed terrible and rough the Winde blew raising the Waves which did beat the Ships one against another the violence whereof burst asunder the Bands and Graspers wherewith the Galleys were fastened together Which done the Bridges crashed and flew asunder and with the Souldiers that stood upon them fell into the Sea There was great confusion for the Ships entangled thus together could by no means be governed in such a Tempest the Souldiers disturbing the feat of the Marriners and the Marriners giving impediment to the Office of the Souldiers Thus as it doth often happen in such a case the expert were obedient to the ignorant for the Ship-Masters that were accustomed to Command for fear of death were directed by others But at length by force of Rowing the Galleys recovered the shore the greater part of them being broken and torn It chanced at the same time thirty Embassadors to come from Carthage to Tyre who gave more comfort then assistance to them that were besieged For they shewed how the Carthaginians were so assailed with Wars at their own doors that they could by no means send them succour insomuch that the Syracusans were destroying Africa with Fire and Sword and had incamped themselves under the very walls of Carthage The Tyrians yet were not discomfited for all that they were disappointed of their special trust but delivered unto those Embassadours their Wives and their Children to carry unto Carthage thinking to continue the Siege with greater resolution if the things which were most dear unto them were removed out of danger There was a Tyrian who in an open Assembly declared that Apollo whom the Tyriars greatly do worship had appeared to him in his sleep and declared to him that he had forsaken the City and transformed the work that the Macedons had made into a great Wood. Hereupon though the Author were of small credit yet for as much as men in fear are apt to believe the worst they tyed Apollo â—s Image with a Golden Chain and bound fast also the Altar of Hercules to whom the City was dedicate thinking by detaining of the one to keep safe the other The Carthaginians in times past had brought that Image from Syracuse and had placed it in the head-City out of the which they were descended For their custom was to adorn Tyre with such spoils as they had taken no less then they did Carthage it self They at that time would also have been Authors unto the Tyrians for the renewing of an old sacrifice that had been omitted many years wherein they used to offer up to Saturn a free-born childe which being rather a sacriledge then a sacrifice the Carthaginians received from their first Founders and still observed the same till they were destroyed and had not the Ancient Men by whom all things were governed withstood it this wicked Superstition had taken place which Nature and Humanity doth abhor The necessity that was hanging over their heads being more effectual then any Art or Science practised not only such things as were accustomed for defences but also found out what was never invented before For to the disturbance of the ships that approached the Walls they devised long Rafters to the which they fastened grapp'es of Iron and great hooks like Sythes which let down with Ropes
Red Sea It confineth on the West with other Ethiops which are called Simnoes Towards the North lieth a Nation called Nalamons who inhabiting upon a flat shore are accustomed to live upon the spoils of the Sea and lye always in wait upon the Coast to spoil such Ships as suffer wrack The people which inhabit about the Wood be called Ammonians and dwell in Cottages scattered abroad The midst of their Wood closed about with a triple Wall is unto them a Castle In the first Ward is the Palace of their Ancient Kings in the second their Wives Children and Concubines were lodged in which place the Oracle of Jupiter is also and the third is a place for their Men of War There is also another Wood having a Spring called the Fountain of the Sun which in the morning is luke-warm in the midst of the day cold and in the evening warm again at mid-night it is scalding hot and as it draweth towards day it diminisheth his heat more and more The same Effigies that is worshipped for Jupiter hath not the similitude of other Images that Crafts-â—â—â—â— do make for gods but is very like unto the fashion of a Navel having in the midst thereof an Emerald sâ—t about with Pearls When any answer is required the Priests carry the same in a Ship of Gold that hath many Plates of Silver hanging on both sides the Matrons and the Virgins follow after singing a strange Song after their Country manner whereby they believe they do oblige Jupiter to shew his Oracle manifest and true When Alexander was come unto the place the Eldest of the Priests who came to meet him saluted him in the Name of Jupiters Son for so he said his minde was that he should be called Whereupon Alexander forgetting the state of his Mortality said That he did both receive and acknowledge the Name Then he demanded further If the Empire of the whole World were appointed him by Destiny There the Prophet prepared before to Flattery answered That the whole World should come under his Obeysance After that he demanded Whether all such had suffered death that had murthered his Father The Priest answered That his Father could not be harmed by the Treason of any man but he said That all Philips Killers were put to death And one thing he added more That he should be Invincible till such time as he should depart to the gods Thereupon Alexander made Sacrifice and both offered unto the Idol and gave great gifts unto the Priests He permitted also his Friends to ask Counsel of the Oracle for such things as they would demand Yet they enquired no further but if it were Jupiters will that they should worship their King with Divine Honours To this it was answered Tâ—â—â— if they honoured their Victorious Prince as a god it should be acceptable unto Jupiter If he had with judgment weighed the Oracle he might have well perceived the untruth that was therein but whom Fortune hath brought to believe in her she maketh them many times more desirous of glory then able to receive it Alexander not only suffered but commanded himself to be called the Son of Jupiter and whilest he went about to encrease the Fame of his Acts he did corrupt and deface them with such vanity and the Macedons accustomed to be governed by Kings but yet reserving a greater shadow of Liberty then other Nations did withstand him more obstinately in affecting of his Immortality then was either expedient for him or them But these things shall be declared in time convenient I will proceed to declare the rest of his Acts. When Alexander was returned from Hammon and come to the Marish of Meotis scituate near unto the Isle of Pharos he viewed the nature of the place and was at the first determined to build a City within the Island But afterwards considering the Isle not to be large enough he chose out the ground where Alexandria now standeth called by the name of the Builder containing all that ground between the Mear and the Sea the walls whereof were in compass eighty furlongs When he had taken order for the building of this City leaving such behinde him as he had appointed for the performance thereof he departed unto Memphis He had a desire not unreasonable if it had been in time convenient to have seen both the inward parts of Egypt and also of Ethiopia and the affection he had to view Antiquities and the famous places of Mamnon and Tyton had near drawn him beyond the bounds of the Sun But the Wars he had in hand being of much more importance then any such idle Peregrination gave him no time to fulfil his fantasie therefore he appointed Aestilus a Rhodian and Peucestes a Macedon to the Government of Egypt assigning them four thousand Souldiers for defence of the Country and gave Polymen thirty Galleys to keep the Mouth of Nile He made Apollonius Ruler of that part of Africa which joyneth unto Egypt and Cleomines Receiver of the Tributes in both Countries This new City was soon replenished with a great multitude for Commandment was given to all Countries thereabouts to send Inhabitants unto Alexandria It is said that when the King according to the Macedons Custom used the Ceremony of steeping Barley at the raising of the Walls the Birds came and fed thereupon which being taken by many for an unlucky Token it was answered by their Diviners That there should be great resort of strangers to that City and that it should give nourishment to many Lands As the King went down the River of Nile Hector the Son of Parmenio desirous to follow him was drowned for the Vessel that carried him sunk being crowded with over-many men He strived long with the Stream but his garments gave impediment to his swimming so that his breath was near gone before he could recover the shore where for want of succour he died whose unfortunate chance Alexander took grievously as one that did bear him special favour and therefore caused his body to be honourably buried The death of Andromachus Lieutenant of Syria whom the Samaritans had burned alive was the increase of Alexanders sorrow for the revengement whereof he made all the haste he could and at his coming into Samaria had the Authors of the act delivered into his hands whom he put to death and then placed Memnon in Andromachus Room He delivered into the Methinians hands Aristonicus and Crijolaus who usurped over them whom they after many grievous torments did hang over their walls That done he gave Audience to the Embassadours of the Athenians the Rhodians and the Scots The Athenians did gratifie unto him his Victory and required that such Greeks as were taken prisoners might be restored to liberty The Rhodians and the Scots complained of their Garrisons He granted to them all their requests and restored to the Mytelens all their Pledges encreased their Territory and Dominion in respect of the fidelity they shewed unto him and gave them
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
believed in that fierceness of courage he pursued in the Chase more wisely then greedily For if he should have followed on still part of his Power yet fighting in the Field he should either have lost the Battel through his own fault or else have won the Victory through the prowess of another Or if after he had obtained the Victory he had shewed himself afraid of the Horsemen that he met he must either shamefully have fled or have been miserably slain Nor were his Captains to be defrauded of their due commendation for the wounds that they did receive were tokens of their Manhood Ephestions arm was wounded with a Spear Perdicas Cenos and Medinas with shot of Arrows were almost slain out-right And if we will give a true judgment of the Macedons that were there we must confess that he was a King worthy of such Ministers and they men worthy of so great a Master THE FIFTH BOOK OF QVINTVS CVRTIVS Of the Acts of Alexander the Great King of Macedon IF I should here make mention of the Wars that in the mean season intervened both in Greece Italy and in Thracia and of the Revolters that were checked and subdued by the appointment and Commission of Alexander the proceedings in Asia would thereby be interrupted which I thought most convenient to put wholly together until the death of Darius and then to joyn them in this work as they agree with the time I will first speak of those things that ensued after the Battel of Arbella where Darius arrived about mid-night and as it chanced the greater part of his friends whom he called all together and spake to them to this effect That he doubted not but Alexander and his Souldiers greedy of the abundance of the spoil which was in a readiness for them would visit such Cities and Countries of his as were most famous for their scituation and wealth which thing he said considering his estate could not but turn at length to his advantage His purpose was in a swift March to repair into the Desarts And seeing the uttermost bounds of his Kingdom were yet untouched he might easily repair his Power from thence to renew the War Let therefore that greedy Nation quoth he take my Treasure and satisfie their hunger with gold which shortly shall cause both the same and themselves also to be a prey unto us For he said he had learned by experience that the Flocks of Concubines and Eunuchs were nothing else but burdens and impediments which Alexander possessing and carrying about with him it would at the last make him inferiour unto them of whom before he was Victorious His Oration seemed to all men to be full of desperation for they saw thereby that the rich City of Babylon should be given up unto the Macedons and Susae shortly after with all other Ornaments of the Realm which were the cause of the War But he proceeded in perswading them how that men in adversity ought not to do things that should seem goodly in the speaking but necessary in the experience That Wars were made with Iron and not with Gold with men and not with the walls of Cities for all things follow them that are armed and in strength He shewed that his Ancestors famous for their Atchievements were afflicted after this manner in the beginning and yet recovered quickly again their former estate After he had spoken these words either for that they were thereby incouraged or else that they rather obeyed his Authority then liked his Counsel they followed him into the bounds of Media Shortly after Arbella was delivered up to Alexander which was full of Treasure and precious Moveables and besides the pay of the whole Army was left there The sickness that began in Alexanders Camp arising from the favour of the dead bodies which were scattered over all the Fields was the cause that he did the sooner remove The plain Country of Arabia famous with the abundance of sweet Odours there growing lay upon the right hand as they marched And so passing through the Country lying between Tygris and Euphrates which is so fat and plentiful a ground that the Inhabitants are fain to drive their Beasts from feeding lest a Surfeit should destroy them The cause of this fertility cometh by the moisture that issueth from both Rivers sweating by veins through the ground Both these Rivers have their beginnings in the Mountains of Armenia where they are distant twenty five hundred furlongs and so run forwards keeping their distance till they come near unto the bounds of Media and Gordia For there by little and little they draw more near together leaving less space betwixt them They inclose on both sides the Country that is called Mesopotamia from whence they run through the bounds of Babylon into the Red Sea After Alexander had changed his Camp four times he came to a City called Memnium where there is a Fountain within a Cave that belcheth out great plenty of Pitch So that it appears the Babylonians had their Cement from thence which they imployed about the making of their walls of an incredible bredth and compass As Alexander was going from thence towards Babylon Mazeus who was said before to have fled from the Battel came to meet him in most humble manner whereas committing his Children into his hands he yeilded himself and rendred up the City His coming was very grateful unto the King considering what travel he should have sustained in the siege of so strong a City if it had been kept against him And besides for so much as Mazeus was a man both famous and valiant and much commended for his atchievements in the last Battel and conceived his example should provoke others to do the like he received both him and his Children in gentle manner and yet gave order to his men that they should enter into the City in such Array of Battel as if they were presently to fight A great number of the Babylonians stood upon the walls desirous to behold him that was their new King but the most part went forth to meet him Bagistines that was Captain of the Castle and Keeper of the Kings Treasure because he would shew himself to be no less affectionate towards Alexander then Mazeus was strowed all the ways where he should pass with Flowers and Garlands and set Altars of Silver on both sides with Frankincense burning upon the same and all other kinde of sweet odours Next unto him came Droves of Beasts great number of Horses with Lyons and Pardals lying in their Dens which he brought as Presents to give unto Alexander and after them the Wise Men singing according to their Country manner The Caldeans followed next with their Diviners and Prophets and then the Musitians with several kindes of Instruments whose property was to sinâ— the praises of their Kings and the Caldeans who used to declare the motion of the Planets with the course and revolution of the times Last in order came the Babylonian Horsemen
Greeks whose Fidelity never failed in all his adverse Fortune He had also four thousand Archers and Slingers besides thirty three hundred Bactrian Horsemen which were under Bessus charge being Governour both of the City of Bactria and the Country Darius with those Forces withdrew a little from the high-way and commanded such as had charge of the Carriage to pass on before He called a Councel where he spake to this effect If Fortune had matched me with Cowards and with such as preferred a vile life before an honest death I would rather have held my peace then at this instant consume words in vain But I have had greater experience then I could wish both of your valour and fidelity towards me So that I for my part ought rather to seem worthy to have such Friends as you are then to doubt whether ye yet remain the same men towards me ye were before For of so many thousands that were under my Empire you only have followed and adhered to me Though I have been twice overthrown in the Field and twice inforced to fly away your fidelity and your constancy doth make me think that I remain still a King Traytors and Fugitives do reign in my Cities not for that they be thought worthy of such honour but that you might be provoked by their rewards to revolt against me Notwithstanding you have chosen rather to follow me in my misfortune then be partakers of the felicity of the Conquerours You are worthy whom the Gods shall reward if I may not as undoubtedly they will There can no Posterity be so silent nor Fame so ungrateful which shall not with due commendations extol you to the Stars Though I had within me thoughts of Flight whereunto my heart never agreed yet I have now conceived such a trust of your Vertue and Manhood that I purpose to advance against my Enemy How long shall I be as a banished man within mine own Dominion and flie from a strange and Forreign Prince within the bounds of mine own Kingdom When may I by hazarding the Battel either recover what I have lost or else die an honourable death Except peradventure it seemeth better to some men that I should submit my self to my enemies will and by the Example of Mazeus and Mithrenes receive by Petition the Dominion of some one Nation wherein I judge that Alexander had rather follow the inclination of his glory then of his wrath No let the gods never grant that it may lie in a mans power either to take away or give unto me this Diadem upon my head nor that I lose this Empire so long as I have breath For in this I am resolved that my Life and my Kingdom shall end both together If this minde if this resolution remain in you there is none of you that can want liberty there is none that shall be compelled to endure the arrogancy of your Enemies Every mans right hand shall give unto himself either a revenge or an end of his evils I my self am an Example of Fortune and therefore it is not without cause that I look for a better change And if the worst fall out that the gods do continue against us in our Wars that be lawfull and honest yet this cannot be denied but that we may manfully and honestly die I require and conjure you by the honour of our Predecessours who with such Fame and Glory have possessed the Kingdomes of the whole Orient by those men to whom Macedon sometimes was tributary by so many Navies of Ships sent into Greece and by so many Victories won that ye will take such courage unto you as may seem worthy your Nobility and your Nation and that with the same constancy of minde wherewith you have endured things past you attempt whatsoever Fortune shall produce hereafter I am resolved for my part to purchase to my self a perpetual Fame either by Victory or by some notable Adventure in the Fight When Darius had spoken these words the representation of the present peril so amazed them all that they were not able either to shew their advice or to speak a word until such time as Artabasus the most ancient of his Friends who before-time had been with King Philip began to declare his resolution We are come into the Field quoth he with you that are our King in our most precious Apparel and richest Armour with intent to win the Victory and we do neither despair of Victory nor do we refuse to die To those words all the rest with one voice seemed to agree saving Nabarzanes who being present in that Councel with Bessus and of his Opinion conspired a Treason so prodigious that the like hath seldom been heard of Their determination was by force of the Souldiers they had under their charge to put their King in hold with this purpose that if Alexander pursued them to deliver him then alive into his hands to win thereby his favour as a thing which they thought he would greatly esteem But if they could escape conveniently then they were in minde to kill Darius and dividing the Kingdom betwixt them renew again the War against the Macedons They having imagined this Treason long before in their mindes Nabarzanes thought this an occasion to make a preparative to his wicked intent by this perswasion which he uttered I am confident quoth he that I shall speak what at the first appearance shall not be grateful unto your ears But Physitians use to cure Diseases that be great with sharp and bitter Medicines And the Ship-Masters when they fear a Ship-wrack accustome to redeem such things as may be saved with the destruction and loss of the rest Yet this what I shall perswade unto is not to your detriment but an Expedient by what means you may preserve your self and your Kingdom We make a War wherein the gods seem manifestly to be against us and fortune ceaseth not obstinately to pursue us It is needfulâ— therefore that we lay new Foundations and seek out men who have other Fortunes My Opinion is that you deliver up your Kingdom unto some mans hands who shall have the Name of King so long as your Enemies are within Asia And when they be once departed which my minde giveth me to be shortly he shall restore unto you the same again The Country of Bactria is yet untouched the Indians and Sacans be at your appointment so many People so many Armies so many thousands of Horsemen and Footmen have their Forces in readiness to renew this War So that a much greater Force remaineth then that which the War hath consumed Why do we then like Beasts wilfully run to a destruction that is not necessary It is the property of such as are men of courage rather to despise death then to hate life and oftentimes by weariness of travel Cowards are driven to take little regard of themselves but Vertue leaving nothing unproved and Death being the end of all things it is sufficient if we
they carried before in Trusses and to be ready and attend to every thing that should be appointed them For he understanding the Treason that was contrived followed the Kings Chariot seeking occasion to speak with him And Bessus doubting the same thing would not depart from the Chariot but followed rather as a Watch then a Waiter Patron therefore having tarried long and being interrupted oftentimes as he was about to speak stood in a stay betwixt fear and fidelity beholding the King in the face When Darius perceived that he beheld him after that manner he willed Bubace his Eunuch that rode next him to enquire of Patron if he had any thing to say to him Patron said Yea but his matter was such as he would no man should hear Then he was willed to come near and without any Interpreter Darius understanding somewhat of the Greek Tongue Patron said unto him Sir Of fifty thousand Greeks that served you there is a small number of us remaining which have continually followed you in all Fortunes bearing unto you the same fidelity and affection that we did in your most flourishing Estate And we were determined wheresoever you are to take that for our Country and home both Prosperity and Adversity hath so coupled us together By which Invincible Fidelity that is in us I desire you and require you that you would vouchsafe to lodge within our Camp and suffer us us to be the Guard of your Person We have lost Greece we have no Bactria to go unto all our hâ—pe is in you and the gods grant that all other men may do the like It is not necessary I should speak any more nor would I demand the custody of your Person being an Alien and a Stranger if I knew that others were as well-minded towards you Although Bessus were ignorant of the Greek Tongue yet his Conscience pricked him to believe that Patron had disclosed something and therefore carrying away some part of his words by a Greek Interpreter became out of doubt Darius nothing afraid as it appeared by his Countenance enquired of Patron what moved him to give such advice Whereupon he thought not good to defer it any longer but said Bessus and Nabarzanes work Treason against you so that your Life and your Estate stand in extreme peril and this day shall be the last either to the Traytors or to you Whose words if Darius had well weighed and regarded Patron had received the glory of the preservation of the Prince But let them mock that list who say that the state of men is governed by Chance I do believe every man runneth his Race by an Immutable Order and by a concatenation everlasting appointment unknown appointed long before Darius answer was That although the fidelity of the Greek Souldiers was sufficiently known unto him yet he was determined never to depart from his own Nation by whom though he might be deceived yet it was hard for him to mistrust them Whatsoever should befall him he said he was minded rather to suffer it amongst his own Subjects then to part away from them not desiring to live if his own Souldiers desired not his Safeguard Whereupon Patron despairing of the Kings welfare returned them of whom he had the charge ready to adventure any thing for his sake Bessus in the mean season had absolutely determined to slay Darius but fearing that he could not win Alexanders favour except he delivered his Enemy into his hands alive deferred his purpose to the night following In the mean season he came to Darius and gave him thanks that he had so warily and with such wisdom avoided the Treason of that false Grecian who being corrupted by Alexander sought nothing but how to make a present of his head whereat he said He could not marvel that a Mercenary man should leave any thing undone for Money being without any Pledge of his Honesty without house and home banished out of the world a fair Friend and a doubtful Enemy tossed here and there at the beck of all men that would corrupt him And then he fell to purging of himself calling the gods of his Country to witness his Innocency in this matter Darius by his countenance seemed to believe him yet he doubted not of the truth of what Patron had told him but he was come to such a point that it was as dangerous for him not to believe his own men as to be deceived There were thirty thousand whose lightness was feared to have consented to this Conspiracy and Patron had but four thousand unto whom if he had committed his â—afety and thereby condemned the fidelity of his own Nation he saw that then they might have had a goodly colour and pretence to perform their Enterprize and therefore chose rather to be killed Innocently then to give any occasion whereby he should seem to have deserved death And yet when Bessus purged himself he answered That he knew that there was no less Justice in Alexander then Manhood and that they were deceived that looked for any Rewards of Treason at his hands knowing there was none a greater Punisher or Revenger of the breach of Fidelity When the night drew near the Persians after their accustomed manner put off their Armour and repaired to the next Villages to provide things necessary But the Bactrians as Bessus had commanded them stood still armed In the mean season Darius had sent for Artabasus and shewed him what Patron had declared Whereupon Artabasus made no doubt but that he would straightways commit himself among the Greeks thinking that the Persians when the Kings peril should be published abroad would joyn with the Grecians Yet Darius predestinate to his chance could not hear that saving counsel nor sought for any help in that case but imbraced Artabasus as though he should never see him more and being wet with the tears that one of them let fall upon the other he caused Artabasus to be removed from him and because he would not see his sorrow in departing from him he covered his face and fell flat upon the ground Then such as were accustomed to the Guard of his Person who should have been his Defence in all perils fled away thinking themselves over-weak for such a number of armed men as they supposed to be coming There was a great solitariness within Darius his lodging for none remained about the King but a few Eunuchs that had no place to repair unto Then he debated and devised with himself alone sometime one thing and sometime another and anon he waxed weary of that solitariness in which before he took a comfort and called Bubace unto him whom he beheld and said Go provide for your selves who according to your duties have been true to your Prince till the last hour here I do tarry for the fatal Law of my destiny Peradventure you do marvel that I do not end mine own life I had rather dye through other mens wickedness then by mine own After these words Bubace
filled both the Kings lodging and also the whole Camp with mourning and lamentation and divers brake into the place where Darius was and tearing their cloaths bewailed his case with a great lamentation When the cry came unto the Persians they were so amazed with fear that they durst neither put on their Armour lest they might give occasion to the Bactrians to set upon them nor could they remain quiet lest they might so wickedly leave their King Then were clamours heard throughout the Camp of divers sorts without any Head and without any appointment Such as pertained to Nabarzanes and Bessus deceived by such lamentation as they heard brought tydings to the rest that the King had killed himself Whereupon they repaired thither so fast as they could gallop and such Followed after as were chosen to be Ministers of their Mischief When they were entred into the Kings Pavilion because the Eunuchs declared that he was alive they commanded him to be bound Thus he who before was carried in a Chariot and honoured of his men like a god was made a prisoner by his own Servants without any Forreign Power and put into a vile Cart and covered over with Beasts skins and spoil was made of the Kings Stuff in such sort as if it had been taken in the Wars When they had laden themselves with the Prey got after so soul a manner they conveyed themselves into their Countries But Artabasus with those of whom he had the charge and with the Greek Souldiers took their way towards Parthina thinking to be more sure any where then in the Fellowship of those Traytors The Persians whom Bessus had overcome with so many fair promises specially because they had no other man to follow joyned themselves to the Bactrians and the third day overtook them But to the intent Darius should not want such honour as was due to his Estate Bessus caused him to be bound with Golden Fetters such were the despites that his Fortune made him subject unto And for that he should not be known by his Apparel they covered the Cart with foul Hides of Beasts and caused unknown men to drive it forwards and lest by enquiry in the Army he might be discovered such as had the charge of him followed afar off When Alexander heard that Darius was removed to Ecbatana he left the way that he was in and with all the speed he could make followed after Darius who was said to be gone into Media But when Alexander was come to Taba which is the Chief City of Paratacene it was there shewed him by Fugitives that came out of Darius Camp how he was fled with all speed into Bactria and afterward understood the matter more certainly by Bagistines of Babylon who could not say directly that Darius was used as a prisoner but said that either he was in danger of death or of captivity Alexander upon that intelligence called his Captains together and shewed them that he had a great Enterprize but such a one as the travel was very short Darius he said was not far off forsaken of his own men and either taken as a prisoner or else slain in whose person he shewed the whole Victory to consist and the greatness of the matter to be a reward of their haste making They all cryed with one voice that they were ready to follow him wheresoever he should go and that he should not spare their labour nor their peril Whereupon he conveyed his Army forwards with marvellous speed rather in Post then after the common order of Marching neither resting day nor night till they passed five hundred furlongs and came to the Bridge where Darius was taken There Melun Darius Interpreter who by reason of his sickness could not follow the Army was taken by Alexanders celerity who feigning that he fled from his Master declared the whole matter But how great soever his desire was to overtake his Enemies it was necessary for him to give his men rest in their travel So that determining to leave the rest of his Army behinde he did chuse out six thousand Horsemen and added to them three hundred called Dimichas that were Footmen heavy harnessed but yet riding on Horseback and when the occasion required alighted and fought on foot When Alexander was taking order about these things Orsellus and Mithracenes who for the hatred they bare to Bessus for his Treason fled from him declared to the King that the Persâ—ans were but five hundred furlongs off and proffered to guide him by a nearer way Their coming was grateful to the King for by their Conduct in the beginning of the night he took his journey with such Horsemen as he had appointed willing his Foot-Battel to follow after with all speed possible He marched forwards in a square Battel and kept such an order that the first might joyn with the last and such as came behinde relieve them that went before When they had passed three hundred furlongs on their way Broculus the Son of Mazeus that sometime had been Governour of Syria met Alexander and declared that Bessus was within two hundred furlongs marching with his men out of all order as one that did cast no doubts It seemed to him he said that they went towards Hircania wherefore if haste were made they might soon be overtaken and found dispersed out of all Array And by reason he affirmed also that Darius was yet alive Alexander that was hot before in the pursuit was with his words much more quickned forwards so that he caused them to put Spurs to their Horses and in a gallop followed so fast that they might hear the noise of their Enemies as they marched but the dust that did rise obsured their sight and therefore he stayed a while till the dust was vanished away Then both Bessus perceived the Macedons and they saw the Persians as they fled notwithstanding they had not been able to have marched with them if Bessus had had as great courage to fight as he had to betray his Master For besides that they exceeded the Macedons in number and power the Macedons fore-wearied and over-travelled should have had to do with them that were lusty and fresh But the Name of Alexander and his Fame which was of great moment in the Wars put them in such fear that they could not stay themselves Then Bessus and others that were Partners in this Conspiracy came to the Cart where Darius was and perswaded him to leap on Horseback and fly from his Enemies that were at hand But he cryed out that the gods were come to his revenge and calling for the assistance of Alexander said That in no wise he would go with Traytors Whereat they were so stirred to wrath that they threw darts at him and left him wounded in many places of his body They thrust the Beasts into their bodies that drew the Cart to the intent they should not be able to pass forwards and slew his two Servants that did attend upon
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
because I would have offended none I have found some more desirous to procure my death then to save my life What hatred suppose ye should I have gotten if I had accused Innocents But Dimnus slew himself could I therefore divine before that he would so do No surely this his death being that which only tryed the Accusation true could not move me to utter it being prevented by another And if I had been a Conspirator with Dimnus of so great a Treason is it likely that I would have dissembled it by the space of two days after it was discovered As for Ceballinus it had been an easie matter to have dispatched him out of the way after the thing disclosed wherefore should I have delayed the matter I entred into the Kings Chamber alone having my weapons about me why deferred I my purpose Durst I not attempt it without Dimnus But perchance ye will say Because he was the chief Conspirator How then standeth it together that I should be his Vnderling who did covet to be King of Macedon Which of you all have I corrupted with Bribes What Captain what Officer have I inclined to more then another It is laid to my charge that I abhor the speaking of my Country Language and that I disdain the manners of the Macedons What Do I despise the Kingdom that I covet Ye know that our Natural Tongue through our Conversation with other Nations is gone out of use as well those that be Conquerours as they that be subdued must learn a new Language But surely these things make no more against me then did the Treason that Amintas the Son of Perdicas intended against the King with him I had friendship I will not die except ye will make it a thing unlawful to love the Kings Brother But it was our duty to honour a man called to that degree of Fortune I beseech you am I guilty because I could not guess before that he would offend Is the Law such that the Friends of Offenders must suffer being Innocents if that be the reason why live I so long If it be no reason why am I condemned to die But I am charged that I had pity of them that should live under such a one as believed himself to be the Son of Jupiter O faith of friendship and dangerous liberty of true counsel it was you that deceived me it was you that compelled me to hide that I thought I confess I wrote so to the King but not of the King I did it not for spite but for my duty sake I thought it more expedient for Alexander to have acknowledged the Kindred of Jupiter with silence then to have made a report thereof with Ostentation But because the truth of gods Oracle is certain let god he witness in my cause Retain me in Prison till ye may know Jupiters answer concerning this Conspiracy and in the mean season be that hath vouchsafed our King to be his Son will suffer none of them that have conspired against his Off-spring to be unknown If you suppose torments more then Oracles I will not desire to be saved from them in tryal of truth There is an old use that such as be put to answer upon Life and Death are accustomed to bring their Parents and Kinsmen before you Two Brothers of late have I lost my Father I neither can bring forth nor dare I call for because he is accused of this Treason with me It is a small thing for him that is the Father of many Children and having but one Son left in whom to take pleasure not only to lose him but also to lose his own life with him Therefore my most dear Father shalt thou die for me and with me It is I that do take thy life from theeâ— It is I that put a period to thy old days Why didst thou beget me unhappy Wretch in hatred of the gods Was it to receive such fruit from me as is prepared for thee I am in doubt whether my Youth be more unhappy or thine Age For I in the flower of my years am plucked away and the Executioner shall bereave thee of thy life which if Fortune would have suffered to continue yet Nature would have asked it e're it had been long The remembrance of my Father doth put me in minde how loath and timerous I ought to have been to the report of Informations For when my Father was advertised that Philip the Physitian had prepared poyson for Alexander he wrote a Letter to warn the King that he should not receive the Medicine which his Physitian had prepared Was my Father believed Was his Letter of any Authority I my self when I have reported such things as I heard how often have I been shaken off with a check for my light belief So that when we tell things we are hated and when we hold our peace we are suspected What would you have us to do Then one of the Company that stood by cryed out That none ought to be Traytors to them by whom they are intrusted Thou sayest well quoth Philotas whosoever thou art And therefore if I have committed Treason I require no respite of my pain And here will I make an end of speaking because my last words seem tedious unto your ears As he was speaking these words his Keepers led him away There was amongst the Captains one Belon a hardy man but one very rude and void of all civility who being an old Souldier was promoted from a low estate to the degree of Captain This Belon presuming upon a foolish audacity when all others had done began to tell them that when divers had taken up their lodgings in the Camp how they were thrust out by the servants of Philotas who would take his quarters where other men were placed before and how all the Streets were full of his Waggons laden with Gold and Silver He added further that Philotas would suffer none to lodge near unto him but always appointed certain to wait whiles he slept to the intent he should not be disquieted with any noise not so much for wakening of him as for disturbing his rest and that he was so haughty that he despised the plain men of Phrygia and Paphlagonia and being a Macedon born would not be ashamed to hear men of his own Nation by an Interpreter And whereas he had heretofore moved to have the Oracle of Jupiter enquired after he said it was meant thereby to make Jupiter a lyer for acknowledging Alexander to be his Son as if any man should envy the King for that Title which the gods had given him But why said he did he not ask counsel at Jupiter before he did offend For now he would have sent to the Oracle that in the mean season his Father who ruleth in Media might raise a power and with the money that he hath in custody assemble desperate persons to the fellowship of his mischief Nevertheless we shall said he send to Jupiter not
to inquire of any thing touching the matter but to give him thanks and to sacrifice unto him for the preservation of so good a King Then all the Company was moved and among them there began a cry That the Traytor should be rent in pieces which thing Philotas who feared more grievous punishment was content to hear The King returning deferred the Councel till the next day either to commit Philotas to prison to be there racked or else in the mean season to get further knowledge of the Treason yet albeit it drew towards night he commanded his Councel to be called together Some of them thought it best that Philotas should be stoned to death after the Macedons Laws Ephestion Craterus and Cenus determined to have him tryed by torment and then they who perswaded the contrary turned also to their Opinion Therefore when the Councel was broken up Ephestion with Craterus and Cenus arose to haste Philotas to the examination The King called Craterus unto him and commanding the rest to avoid had secret communication with him in the innermost part of his lodging the effect whereof came not to any mans knowledge He tarried there till the night was far past to hear the end of the determination The Executioners set forth all sorts of cruel torments in the sight of Philotas who of his own minde said unto them Why defer you to kill such a man as hath confessed himself the Kings Enemy and a Traytor What needeth more Examination It was my intent it was my will Craterus minde was that whatsoever was confessed before should be confessed by Philotas again upon the Rack Whiles he was taken upon the Rack his Body naked his Eyes bound he cryed out upon the Law of Nature and the gods of the Country but all was in vain to their deaf ears Finally as a condemned man he was torn with most extreme torments by his Enemies for the Kings pleasure And notwithstanding both Fire and Scourges were ministred unto him more to afflict him then to examine him yet he had power of himself both to refrain from speaking and groaning But ... after that his Body began to be 〈◊〉 with stripes and that he could not abide the Scourges which pierced to the bare bones he promised if they would torment him no more he would confess whatsoever they should require of him But first he would have them to swear by the life of Alexander that they should cease their torments and set the Rack aside The which being obtained he said to Craterus Tell me what ye will have me to confess Thereat Craterus was displeased thinking by those words that he had mocked him and caused his torments to be renewed Then Philotas besought him to have a time of respite whiles he might take his breath and then he would utter all that ever he knew In the mean season the chief of the men at Arms and especially such as were near to Parmenio in any degree of Kindred after that the Fame was spread that Philotas was tormented fearing the Macedons Law wherein it was ordained that the Kinsfolk of such as had committed Treason against the King should be put to death with the Traytors some slew themselves some fled into wilde Mountains and waste Wildernesses and great dread and fear fell through all the Host until such time as the King having knowledge of it made Proclamation that he would pardon the rigour of the Law to the Kinsfolk of the Traytors In conclusion Philotas made his Confession but whether it were to deliver himself out of pain by accusing himself falsly or not it is to be doubted seeing that it is commonly seen that both those that truly confess and falsly deny come all to one end You are not ignorant quoth he how familiar my Father was with Egiâ—ocus I mean the same that was slain in the Field he was the cause of our mischief For when the King took upon him the Title of Jupiters Son he disdained thereat Shall we acknowledge him quoth he to be our King who taketh scorn that Philip was his Father We are all undone if we can suffer this He doth not only despise men but the gods also who will be reputed a god We have lost Alexander we have lost our King he is fallen to Presumption neither tolerable to the gods with whom he compareth neither to men whom he despiseth Have we with our Blood made him a god who now despiseth us who disdaineth to be in the number of men Trust me that we also if we be men shall be adopted of the gods Who hath revenged the deaths of Alexander his Grand-father or of Archelaus or Perdicas But this man hath forgiven them that slew his Father These were the words that Egilocus spake about supper-time and on the morrow early my Father sent for me He himself was heavy and saw me also sad for we both had heard that which made us out of quiet Therefore to prove whether he uttered these words through excess of Wine or premeditation we thought good to send for him and seeking occasion of the same communication he of his own minde said further That if we durst undertake the Adventure he would not shrink from us or if our hearts served not he would keep our counsel Yet so long as Darius was living my Father thought all the matter out of season because the death of Alexander should be to the advantage of our Enemies and not of our selves But Darius once rid out of the way then he that could destroy the King should obtain the Empire of Asia and all the Orient for his reward Which counsel being approved Faith and Troth was given but concerning Dimnus I know nothing When he had confessed all this I perceive quoth he that it doth not avail me that I am utterly guiltless of this Treason Then they renewed his torments and did beat his Face and his Eyes with the Truncheons of their Spears until they inforced him not only to betray himself but also to shew the circumstance of the whole Treason pretended Because quoth he it seemed that the King would continue long among the Bactrians I was afraid lest my Father that had so great a power in his hands and the keeping of so much Treasure being fourscore years of age should happen to die in the mean season and then being disarmed of so great a strength I should not get opportunity to slay the King wherefore I hasted the matter whilest the prey was in hand Thus discovered he the Conspiracy whereof if they believed not his Father to be Author he said that for his tryal he not refused to be tormented again though it were too grievous for him to endure The Officers then whispering together thought the examination sufficient and returned therewithal unto the King who on the morrow caused all the Confession to be openly recited before Philotas whom he caused to be led into the place because he was not able to go and there
he confessed all the Treason again Then Demetrius was brought forth who was counted the greatest Actor in this Conspiracy next to Philotas But he with great protestation and incredible stoutness both of heart and countenance denied that he ever intended any evil against the King and for his tryal desired to be tormented Then Philotas casting his eyes about espied one Calis standing by and made a signe to him to draw near who being abashed and refusing to come forwards Wilt thou quoth he suffer Demetrius to lye and me to be racked again With those words Calis became speechless and changed colour Then the Macedons began to suspect that he would accuse Innocents because the same Calis was neither named by Nichomachus nor by Philotas himself in his torments But finally Philotas before the Kings Officers standing thereabout confessed that the Treason was conspired by himself and Demetrius wherefore as many as 〈◊〉 impeached by Nichomachus upon a token given were stoned to death according to the Macedons Law Thus was Alexander delivered from great peril not only of his safety but also of his life For Parmenio and Philotas being of such power if they had not openly been found culpable could not have been condemned without the grudge of the Army So long therefore as Philotas denied the thing the matter seemed doubtful and many men thought him cruelly handled But after he had confessed the circumstances no man not so much as the nearest Friends took any pity of him THE SEVENTH BOOK OF QVINTVS CVRTIVS Of the Acts of Alexander the Great King of Macedon AS the Men of War thought Philotas justly put to death his offence being fresh in memory even so after he was gone their envy was turned into pity The Nobleness of the Young Man moved them much so did the number of the Old Years and Desolation of his Father He was the first that made the way open for Alexander into Asia always partaker of his perils the Captain of his Vaward and chief in Councel with the King his Father and so trusty to Alexander himself that in oppressing of Attalus his Enemy he would use no other mans service The remembrance of these things was fresh among all the Souldiers and seditious words came to the Kings ears who being moved therewith did wisely with travel avoid the evil occasions coming of idleness wherefore he caused it to be proclaimed that all men should be in a readiness before the Court-gate where they being once assembled he came forth to speak unto them And as it was before contrived he required the Band of the Agrians to bring forth one Alexander Lynstes which long before Philotas had conspired the Kings Death This man being accused of two Witnesses as before said had remained in prison three years together against whom it was proved that he was of counsel with Pausanias in the killing of King Philip But because he saluted first Alexander by the Name of King his punishment was deferred rather then his offence forgiven For at the intercession of Antipater his Father-in-law the King had respited his just indignation for that time But the old festered sore brake out again and the consideration of his peril present renewed the remembrance of his danger passed Therefore when he was brought forth of prison and commanded to say for himself albeit he had three years leisure to devise his answer yet stammering and trembling could bring forth but little of that which he purposed to say and finally both his heart and his memory failed him wherefore there was none that doubted but that his fearfulness was a token of a guilty Conscience and no default of memory So that whilst he was staggering and hacking in his tale they that stood next thrust him through with their Pikes whose body conveyed out of the place the King commanded Amintas and Simmannas to be brought forth for Palemon their youngest Brother after he had knowledge of Philotas torment fled away Of all Philotas friends these two were most dear to him and through his commendation advanced to high and honourable Offices The King remembring with what earnestness and labour Philotas had brought them into his favour doubted not but they were privy to his last Conspiracy Whereupon he declared unto the multitude that he had occasion of suspition against those men long ago by his Mothers Letters whereby he had warning to beware of them and that now fearing the sequel of worser inconveniencies had made them sure inforced thereunto by apparent presumptions First he said the day before Philotas Treason came to light it was well known that they had much conference with him in secret And also their Brother who fled away when Philotas was on the Rack he had declared by the absenting of himself the cause of his flying He shewed also that of late contrary to their accustomed manner of waiting without any cause moving them thereunto but only by pretence of diligence they pressed next about the King of all other whereat marvelling that they would furnish a Room whereunto they were not appointed became so in doubt of their clustring together that he returned into the Train of the Gentlemen that followed him He declared beside that when Antiphanes Clerk of the Stable the day before Philotas Treason came to light according to his accustomed manner gave knowledge to Amintas that he should deliver of his Horse to such as had lost their own he proudly answered again that except he would content himself he should know shortly what manner of man he was Which violence of tongue and rashness of words bulked out quoth he was nothing else but a declaration and token of his trayterous heart These things being true he said they had no less deserved then Philotas and if they were otherwise he desired they might answer unto the points Thereupon Antiphanes was brought in to give Evidence of the Horse not delivered and of his proud answer given with threatning When Amintas had gotten liberty to speak he desired of the King that whiles they answered for themselves their Bands might be loosed which thing obtained he made 〈◊〉 to have his garment to be cast upon him which Alexander not only granted but willâ—d a weapon to be delivered unto his hands as other 〈◊〉 used When he had received the same 〈…〉 a little the place where the Corpse of Lincestes lâ—y and said in this wise Whatsoever shall become of us Sir King we must think if our chance be good the same to proceed of your favour and if it be evil we must judge the fault to be in our Fortune seeing you suffer us to plead our cause without prejudice setting our mindes free and our bodies at large with the sâ—me apparel restoring us wherein we were wont to follow you Our Cause is such that we cannot doubt of it and we are passed the fear of Fortune therefore with your favour I will answer first those points wherewith you charged us last We know most
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
where they marched and to kill all the children The Countrey of the Sogdians for the most part is waste by reason of the great desarts that stretch overthwart the Countrey The River called Politimetum passeth almost through the length of it and runneth a space violently in a narrow channel and then is received into a hole of the Earth from whence it passeth underneath the ground the course of it being manifest by the noise of the water that may be hear and yet on all the ground under which so great a River doth run there doth not appear any moisture put forth Of the Captives that were taken among the Sogdians there were thirty of the most Noble brought to Alexander who understanding by an Interpreter that by the Kings commandment they should be put to Execution began as men in mirth to sing and dance and by a certain wanton motion of their bodies expressed a great joyfulness of the minde Alexander marvelling that they took their death with such stoutness and magnanimity of heart called them unto him enquiring why they expressed so great a joy when they had death before their face They answered That if they had been put to death by any except by such a one as he was they should have taken their death sorrowfully But now seeing they should be restored to their Predecessours by a King that was Conquerour of all Nations they rejoyced in their honest death as the thing all men should wish and desire The King then marvelling at their magnanimity I enquire of you quoth he if you can be content to live and become Friends to him by whose benefit you shall receive life They said That as they never were his Enemies but as they were provoked by occasion of the Wars even so if he would make an experiment of them rather by a benefit then an injury they would labour not to be overcome in good will nor in doing any thing that pertained to their duty He asked what pledge they would give of their promise They answered Their Lives they had received should be their Pledges ready to be yielded again when it was required Therein they brake no promise for such as returned home into their Countreys kept the people in good obedience And four of them that were appointed to be of the Kings Guard gave place to none of the Macedons in love or affection towards their Prince When he had ordered all things among the Sogdians he left Peucolaus there with three thousand men of War and removed into Bactria from whence he commanded Bessus to be carried to Ecbatana there to suffer death for the killing of Darius About the same time Ptolomeus and Menidas brought three thousand Footmen and a thousand Horsemen of mercenary Souldiers and one Alexander came to him out of Lycia with three thousand Footmen and five hundred Horsemen Asclepiodorus had levied the like number out of Syria Antipater sent eight thousand Greeks amongst whom there were five hundred Horsemen When he had thus recruited his Army he went about in every place to quiet those stirs that had been raised up by the Rebellion and having slain them that were the Authors and Beginners thereof the fourth day he came to the River of Oxus which being a water unwholsome to be drunk because it is troubled and full of mud the Macedons fell to digging of Wells and when by digging deep they could finde no water a Spring suddenly appeared in the Kings Tent which because it was not found at the first they feigned it to come by miracle Therewith the King was well pleased and contented men should believe that the same was sent by the gift of God When he had passed the Rivers of Ochus and Oxus they came unto a City called Marginia near unto the which he chose out places for the building of six Towns whereof he planted two towards the South and four towards the East every one distant not far from another to the intent that their mutual assistance in time of need should not be far to seek They were all scituate upon high hills as bridles to keep under those wilde Nations But now they have forgotten their original and are subject to those they were wont to rule The King having subdued all the Country one Rock only remained which Arimazes a Sogdian had taken with thirty thousand armed men and furnished the same with Victuals for two years The same Rock was thirty furlongs in height and an hundred and fifty in compass being in all parts steep and broken having one streight path only to pass up unto it In the mid way to the top it had a cave which was narrow and dark in the entry but by little and little it waxed wider and had more lodgings within for a great multitude and was besides so full of Springs that when they met together they ran down the Rock like a great River Alexander beholding the strength of this place and the difficulty to win it determined to depart from thence But there entred suddenly into his heart a desire to weary Nature and to work against her power Yet before he would attempt the fortune of any Siege he sent Cophes the Son of Artabasus to perswade them to surrender it Arimazes upon trust of the strength of the place answered in all things arrogantly but especially in that he asked if Alexander could flie Which words being reported to the King did put him in such a fury that straightways he called for such as he used to consult withal declaring the pride and presumption of Arimazeus and after what manner he had scorned him But shortly he said he would devise such a Policy that he would make him think that the Macedons had wings He commanded therefore that out of the whole Army they should chuse out and bring to him three hundred of the most light young men had been accustomed to drive beasts amongst the Rocks and streight paths of the Mountains whereupon they brought such to the King as both for lightness of body and hardiness of heart were most meet for that purpose unto whom he said My Fellows of mine own Age with you have I won Cities that were counted inexpugnable and have passed the tops of Mountains covered continually with Snow With you I have gone through the streights of Cilicia and have without weariness sustained the violence of the cold whereby I have experience of you and you of me The Rock you see hath but one entry which our Enemies do observe the rest they neglect They keep no Watch but towards our Camp If you diligently search you shall find some way to bring you to the top Nature hath made nothing so high but that it may be attained to by the industry of man In putting things in proof whereof others have despaired we have gotten Asia into our possession contrive you the means to get up unto the top which when you have taken you shall give a token to me by setting
the King then the Honourable mention made of Parmenio Yet for all that he concealed his grief and did no more but command him to avoid out of the place and spake no other words saving that he said If thou talkest a little longer I think thou wilt upbraid me with the saving of his life whereof in very deed he would often advance himself But notwithstanding that the King had willed him to depart yet tarried he still and would not rise and therefore such as sate next him took him by the arms and led him away blaming him and giving him exhortation to use better words When Clitus saw himself drawn forth against his will anger was added to his drunkenness and he then declared aloud That it was he who with his Breast defended the Kings Back but now when the good service was past the very memory of the Benefit was hated And therewith he laid to his Charge the death of Attalus and how he mocked the Oracle of Jupiter whom Alexander claimed to be his Father and said that he told him better truth then his Father did At those words the King was stirred unto so much passion as he could scarcely have born being sober But having his senses overcome with drink he rose suddenly from the Table His Friends were amazed and throwing down the Cups for haste rose to expect the end of what they saw him go about in so much fury He took a Spear out of the hand of one of his Guard and would have stricken Clitus as yet raging with the intemperance of his tongue but he was stopped by Ptolomeus and Perdicas who took him in their arms and stayed him for all his striving and Lysimachus and Leonatus took away the Spear Then he called out to his Guard for aid crying out that he was taken by his next Friends as Darius was of late and willed the Trumpet to be blown that the armed men might assemble unto the Court Then Perdicas and Ptolomeus fell down upon their knees requiring him that he would not persevere in his wrath which he so suddenly had conceived but rather respite his displeasure seeing that he might the next day much better order the business But his wrath prevailed so much that his ears were shut up from all counsel and he ran in a fury amongst his Guard plucking a Spear out of one of their hands which once got he stood in the Entry through the which they must needs pass that supped with him When all the rest were come forth Clitus came forth without light and because Alexander could not discern him he asked who he was But that was done so terribly that the cruelty of the act he went about appeared in his voice But Clitus seeing the King in a fury had no respect how much he had offended him before but made answer that he was Clitus who was coming from the Kings Banquet With that word he strake him through the body so that he fell down stark dead and Alexander was all besprinkled with his blood Go now quoth he to Philip Parmenio and Attalus Herein it may be seen that Nature provided evil in the disposition of man who for the most part cannot consider so well the things to come as those that be past For after that Alexanders ire was asswaged and his drunkenness past weighing advisedly the foulness of the act he had done he considered then that though Clitus had used over-much liberty in his talk yet he ought not to have slain so Noble a Man of War yea and the saver of his own life though he was ashamed to confess it He saw that he being a King had used the detestable Office of an Executioner in revenging with wicked slaughter the liberty of words which might have been imputed unto Wine When he beheld the blood of him whom a little before he had bidden to his Banquet to run over all the Entry and that the Guard were so astonied and amazed that they stood afar off and durst not come near his Solitariness caused his Repentance to be the greater Then he plucked the Spear out of the dead Corpse and would have thrust it into his own body if the Guard had not come and with great striving wrung the same out of his hands That done they took him up and carried him into his Lodging where he fell down flat upon the ground filling all the Court full of the terrible noise of his lamentation He tare his Face with his Nails and required such as were about him that they would not suffer him to live in such a shame and dishonour In these requests he consumed the whole night and caused a diligent search to be made whether it were the anger of the gods or no that had caused him to commit so hainous an act At length it was found that the yearly Sacrifice due unto Bacchus was not celebrated in the fit time and therefore it appeared manifestly that it should be the wrath of the gods that had moved him to commit Murther upon eating and drinking But the greatest thing that increased his sorrow was the amazement of his friends when he saw them shrink from him and that none of them after that deed would gladly use such familiar communication as they did before Then he perceived that he should live as a wilde Beast in a Desart both frighting others being also afraid himself The next morning he commanded the Body bloudy as it was to be brought into his Chamber which when he saw lying before him he fell on weeping and said Shall I thus requite my Nurse whose two Sons were slain for my sake at Miletum by the killing of her Brother that was her only Joy at mine own Board What refuge shall that wretched Woman have I was all the comfort that did remain to her and now she shall never with joy behold me Shall I the wicked Killer of my Preservers return into my Country when I shall not be able to present my hand unto my Nurse without the remembrance of her misery and shame When he could put no end to these complaints the Body was taken away by the appointment of his Friends After he had stayed three days shut up in his Chamber sorrowing after this manner the Squires and such as had the keeping of his person seeing him given obstinately to death brake into his Lodging and with great pain brought him though he long withstood their prayers to take at length some relief and sustenance and to the intent he should be the less shamed of Clitus death the Macedons decreed that he was lawfully killed and would not suffer him to be buried but that the King commanded it Having consumed ten days at Maracanda specially to confirm the grief he had conceived at Clitus death he sent Ephestion with part of his Army into Bactria to provide Victuals against Winter and committed the same Province unto Amintas which before he had given to Clitus From thence he marched into
his hazards and adventures But she that could not well endure flying nor to change place like an Outlaw became so weary of travel that by flattery and fair means she inticed her Husband to leave his flight and go about seeing he saw no ways to escape to procure Alexanders favour of whose Clemency she said he had seen so great experience And to move him the more thereto she brought before him the Children begot betwixt them making request that at the least he would take pity on them wherein she thought her prayer would be the more effectual because Alexander was so near at hand But Spitamenes conceiving that she did not do this by way of counsel but of purpose to betray him and that she desired to submit her self to Alexander in confidence of her Beauty drew forth his Sword with an intent to have killed her if he had not been withheld by his Brethren When they would 〈◊〉 suffer him to hurt her he commanded her to avoid his sight threatning to kill her if she came again into his presence and to mitigate his love towards her he consumed that night amongst his Concubiâ—es but his love that was so deeply grounded ceased not but thereby rather kindled the more toward his Wife Wherefore he reconciled himself again unto her making his continual request that she would not counsel or move him any more on that subject but be content with such chances as fortune would send him for he esteemed Death lighter then to yeild himself She purged her self of the former perswasion which appeared to her she said to have been good and though it were out of a womans frailty yet it proceeded of a faithful meaning and from thenceforth she said she was contented to do as it should please him Spitamenes overcome with her counterfeit affection made a great Feast and after much eating and drinking became drowsie and was carried into his Chamber When his Wife perceived him to be in a deep sleep she pulled out a Sword which she had kept secretly for that purpose and cut off his head delivering the same being sprinkled with bloud unto her servant that was privy to the fact and with him only as she was imbrued with the blood she came unto the Macedons Camp willing it to be signified to Alexander that there was one come who had something of importance to communicate unto him He by and by gave Commandment she should enter but when he perceived her defiled with blood thinking that she had come to lament some injury done unto her he willed her to declare what she would have She desired that her servant might come in from underneath whose garment she took Spitamenes head and presented it unto Alexander The paleness of the face wanting blood had taken away the knowledge whose face it was but when the King perceived it to be a mans head he departed forth of the Tent and by inquiry understood the matter This brought him into great perplexity and he was driven by divers imaginations into sundry opinions he judged the killing of such a one being a Fugitive and a Rebel to be a great benefit unto him who living might have been a great impediment to his proceedings But on the other side considering the horribleness of the deed that she shouâ—d kill him by Treason who loved her so intirely and by whom she had many Children the violence of the act overcame the thanks of benefit and she was commanded to depart the Camp lest the example of such licentiousness might corrupt the manners and civil dispositions of the Greeks When the Dahans understood of Spitamenes death they brought Dataphernes bound this was he who was Partner with him in his Conspiracy and yeilded themselves unto Alexander He being delivered from the greatest part of his present fear determined to revenge the injuries of them who had been misused by the pride and covetousness of his Deputies and Officers Therefore he committed Hircania with the Cardons and Tapirions to Prataphernes to whom he gave in Commission to send Phradates his Predecesâ—or to him as a prisoner Tamsonor was substituted Ruler of Caria in the place of Arsamus Arsaces was sent into Media to the intent that Oxidates should remove from thence And Babylon upon the death of Mazeus was committed to Deditamenes When he had ordained these things the third moneth he drew his Army out of their Winter-lodging to go to a Country that was called Gabaza The first days journey was quiet and the next not very tempestuous yet darker then had been accustomed but not without some signification of their calamities that were coming The third day the Element was full of Lightning and when the Lightning ceased it was very dark the beholding thereof did much amaze the Souldiers and did put them into a great fear It thundred in a manner continually and the Lightning fell in strange similitudes so that the Army stood astonied and durst neither go forwards nor remain still in one place Then there came suddenly a shower of Hail driving like a Tempest which at the first they defended by the coverture of their Armour but shortly after their hands were so cold and wet that they could not hold their Weapons nor yet devise which way to turn themselves finding always where they turned their faces more violence of the Tempest then before Every man therefore broke his array wandring about the Woods and many that were wearied by fear rather then by travel lay down upon the ground notwithstanding that the force of the Cold had converted the shower into a Frost The Trees against which they leaned were a great safety and help to many And yet they were not ignorant when they rested that they chose themselves a place of death for when they left to move their bodies the natural heat left them but case was so pleasant to such as were wearied that they refused not to die in resting themselves Their affliction was not only vehement for the time but also continued very long to the increase whereof the light which is a natural comfort unto men through the darkness of the shower and the shadow of the Wood was so taken away that it appeared as if it had been night The King only was able to endure this mischief who ceased not to go about the Army drawing the Souldiers together when they were dispersed sitting them up that lay upon the ground and to incourage them he shewed them the Smoak that arose afar off from the Cottages whither he exhorted them to draw for succour There was not any thing more effectual to their safety then that whiles they were ashamed to leave their Prince whom they saw to indure this mischief they chafed themselves with their utmost labour But necessity which in adverse fortune is of more force then any reason found out a remedy for this cold They fell to cutting down the Wood making every where piles and stacks thereof and set them on fire Then a
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
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
of the Sun and the plenty of Springs keeping the ground moist there were also many Serpents seen whose Scales glistered like gold There was nothing more dangerous then the poyson proceeding from them for immediately upon the stinging death followed until such time as the Inhabitants of the Country shewed a remedy From thence through Desarts they came unto the great River Hidraores whereunto there joyned a great Wood which having such Trees as are not wont to be seen in other places was also full of wilde Peacocks Alexander removing his Camp from thence took a Town by assault and taking Hostages appointed them to pay Tribute After that he came to a great City builded after the manner of that Country which was both well walled and also invironed about with a deep Moat The Inhabitants came forth against Alexander and joyning their Chariots together in a front wherein their Custom was to fight they proffered him Battel Some used Darts some Spears and other Pole-axes and with great agility leaped to and from their Chariots when either they found an advantage to invade their Enemies or else would rescue their Fellows that were in distress This unwonted kinde of fighting put the Macedons at the first in a fear especially being hurt afar off by their Enemies and not able to come to fight with them hand to hand But after they had considered their disordered manner they esteemed not their force but inclosed their Enemies about and thrust their horses in with pikes and the sooner to defeat them they cut the Traces wherewith the Chariots were tyed to separate them asunder When they had after that manner lost eight hundred of their men they fled again into the City which the next day the Macedons did win by assault Some there were that saved themselves by flying who seeing the City lost swam over the water and filled all the Towns thereabout with fear They declared of what invincible force their Enemies were judging them in respect of their power rather to be gods then mortal men When Alexander had gotten that City he sent Perdicas with a part of his Army to destroy the Country and committing another part to Eumenes for the subduing of such as would not submit he with the rest of his power came unto a strong City to which many of the Inhabitants of the Country fled Notwithstanding that they sent to Alexander for peace yet they prepared nevertheless for the war by reason of a Sedition which rose amongst them which made them to be of divers Opinions some would rather have indured any extremity then yield and others thought they were not able to make resistance and whilest they differed so in Opinions and had no common consultation amongst themselves such as held Opinion to yield up the City opened the Gates and received in their Enemies And notwithstanding that Alexander had just cause of displeasure against the contrary Faction yet he pardoned them all and receiving their Hostages removed towards the next City When the Indians that stood upon the walls beheld the Hostages that were brought before the Army and perceived them to be of the same Nation they desired communication with them who declaring both the Kings Clemency and his Force it did move them to deliver up their City whose example the rest of the Cities did follow From thence he came into the Kingdom of the Sophites who are a Nation as the Indians think most excelling in wisdom best governed and who have the most civil Conversations amongst them The Children that are there begotten are not nourished and brought up according to the will of their Parents but by the order of such who have the charge committed unto them to view the state of the Infants If they perceive any not apt to become active or else wanting any of their limbs they cause them straightways to be killed They use to Marry without respect of Kindred they come of or greatness of Parentage making no choice but in the shape of the body which is the thing only esteemed amongst them The King himself was in the Chief City of that Country against which Alexander brought his power The Gates were shut and no man appeared in Arms upon the walls to make any defence wherefore he stood in doubt a great while whether the City was abandoned or whether the Inhabitants had kept themselves secret for some policy While he remained in that expectation suddenly the Gate was opened and the King who in goodliness of person excelled all the rest came forth with his two Sons He did wear a garment of gold and Purple impaled that covered the Calf of his leg the Sandals he did wear on his feet were set with precious stones All his arms were garnished with Pearls and he had hanging at his ears two precious stones which were excellent both for bigness and brightness he had in his hand a Scepter of gold set with precious stones called Berilli which after his salutation made with humble submission he delivered unto Alexander yielding both himself his Children and his Kingdom into his hands There were in that Country notable Dogs for the hunting of wilde Beasts but above all most eager on the Lyon the King therefore to shew their force and quality unto Alexander put four of them to a great Lyon who straightway took hold of him Then one who was accustomed to that Office took one of those Dogs by the Leg to pluck him off from the Lyon and because he would not lose his hold he cut off his Leg with a Sword but when the Dog hung nevertheless upon the Lyon he was cut in sunder by pieces till such time as he died having his teeth still fastened in the Lyons flesh such an eagerness had Nature wrought in those Creatures as it is committed unto memory In the compiling of this History sometimes I am inforced to write things that I can scarcely believe for I neither dare affirm the things whereof I doubt nor conceal such things as I have received for truth Alexander leaving this King within his own Kingdom came unto the River of Hydaspis and there joyned with Ephestion who had subdued the Country thereabouts One Phegelas was King of the next Nation who commanding his Subjects to continue the tilling of the ground as they were wont to do met Alexander with rich Presents refusing nothing that was commanded him When he had tarried with him two days and was determined the third day to have passed the River he found therein great difficulty by reason that the stream was so large and full of great stones He stayed therefore a while to be more fully advertised of the state of those Countries and of all such things as were necessary for him to know He understood by Phegelas how beyond that River there lay a Desart of ten days journey and next to that Desart the River of Ganges which was the greatest River in all the Orient He declared to him that beyond Ganges
there inhabited two Nations called Gangaridans and Pharasians whose King was called Aggramenes who used to come to the Field with twenty thousand Horsemen two hundred thousand Footmen two thousand armed Waggons and three thousand Elephants which were counted of all to be the greatest terrour These things seemed incredible unto Alexander and therefore he inquired of Porus if the things were true that had been told him He confirmed Phegelas report concerning the force of the Nation but he said their King was not descended of Noble Blood but of the basest of men his Father being a Barber who with great pain did get his daily bread until he came in favour with the Queen who preferred him to the King her Husband who was afterwards slain by his Treason Then he under a pretence to become Tutor unto the Children usurped the Kingdom to himself and putting the Children to death did beget him that was now King being in hatred and disgrace with the people as one that followed more the manners of his Fathers former Estate then such as did be seem the Dignity of a Prince When Alexander heard Porus affirm this he was in great trouble of minde not that he regarded the multitude of his Enemies or the force of their Elephants but the greatness of the Rivers and the scituation of the Country so difficult to enter He thought it a hand Enterprise to seek out Nations so far inhabiting the uttermost bounds of the World Yet on the other side the greediness of glory and the unsatiable desire of Fame made no place seem too far nor any Adventure to be over-hard He doubted also that the Macedons who had passed so many Countries and were grown old in war would not be content to follow him over so many Rivers and against so many difficulties of Nature lying in their way For he judged that since they abounded and were laden so with Spoil they would rather seek to injoy such things as they had got then to travel any further to purchase more He could not think the same desire to be in his Souldiers that was in himself for he compassed in his minde how to get the Empire of the whole world into which he had but yet made his entry whereas they wearied with travel and thinking to have past all peril looked to injoy with speed the fruit of all their labour Yet for all that his desire at last overcame his Reason so that assembling his Army together he spake unto them after this manner I am not ignorant my Souldiers how that there are now many rumours spread amongst you by the Indians purposely to bring you in fear but the vanity of their lying is not so new a thing that it is able any more to deceive you The Persians after that manner would have made the Streights of Cilicia and the Plains of Mesopotamia terrible unto you yea and put you in fear of the Rivers of Tygris and Euphrates and yet we waded over one of them and passed the other by a Bridge Fame never reporteth things truly but maketh them to be greater then indeed they are Even our Glory though it be grown to a certain perfection yet it is more in Fame then in effect Which of you of late did think that you should have been able to endure the Elephants shewing afar off like Castles Who thought I could have passed the River of Hydaspis when it was reported to be much greater then it was We should long ago my Souldiers have fled out of Asia if Tales could have caused us to turn our backs Think you that the Flocks of Elephants to be greater then the Herds of Beasts you have seen in other places seeing they are so rare in the world so strange to be taken and so much difficulty in the making of them tame The same vanity that hath reported them to you to be of such numbers hath numbred also the Horsemen and the Footmen of your Adversaries Concerning the Rivers the more broad they are the more gently they do run for such as are narrow and of small breadth are always most violent in their course where contrariwise the broad Rivers pass their course more mildly But you will peradventure say that all the peril is at the landing where your Enemies shall wait for your arrival Whatsoever the River be the hazard is all one at the shore But imagine that all these things were true whether is it the greatness of the Beasts or the multitude of the men that putteth you in fear As concerning the Elephants we have had experience of them of late how more violently they rage against their own party then against us Why should we fear them but only make less the greatness of their bodies with such weapons as we have prepared for the purpose What matter is it whether they are of the like number that Porus had or whether they are three thousand seeing we perceive that when two or three are wounded the rest begin to fly away And forasmuch as they cannot well be governed when they are but few when there are so many thousands together they must needs be an impediment one to another and breed a confusion amongst themselves they are so unwieldy by reason of their huge bodies that they be neither apt to pass forwards nor yet to fly I have always so little esteemed them that when I have had plenty of them I would never use them knowing very well that they are more dangerous to such as imploy them then to their Enemies But peradventure it is the multitude of their Horsemen and Footmen that move you Were you never wont to fight against such numbers or is it the first time you have encountred with disordered multitudes The River of Granike is a witness how invincible the power of the Macedons is against any multitude and so is Cilicia that flowed with the Persians blood and Arbella whose Plains are strowed with their bones You too late begin to number the Legions of your Enemies after that with your Victories you have made Asia a Wilderness When you passed over the Hellespont you should then have considered your small numbers Now the Scythians do follow us we have did at hand from the Bactrians and we supply our power with the Sogdians yet for all that it is not these men in whom I put my confidence I have a regard unto your force I reserve your manhood about me as a Pledge and assurance of my atchievements So long as I stand in the field amongst you I will neither weigh my self nor mine Enemies do you but shew an appearance that there is hope in you and chearfulness We are not newly entred into our travels but have passed all our labours being come unto the rising of the Sun and to the Ocean Sea except our own sloth be our impediment from thence having subdued the world we shall return Conquerours into our Country Do not you as those negligent Husbandmen that lose their
fruit after it is once ripe The rewards of our journey are greater then our peril The Country into which we are now marching is rich and of no force thither I purpose to bring you both to win glory and to get you spoil for worthy are you to carry those riches into your Country which the Sea doth there so plentifully cast them up upon their shore You are men of that vertue as to leave nothing unprovided nothing undone I desire and conjure you by the glory you have gotten in which you exceed the state of men and by all that I have deserved of you and you of me in which we remain invincible that you will not forsake me purposing to visit the end of the world Me I say that have been brought up as a childe amongst you I will not make mention how I am your King in oother things I have commanded you let me now intreat you once in this It is I that make this request unto you who never brought you on but I put my self foremost in the adventure and danger and oftentimes with my own Buckler have defended my Army Take not the Victory out of my hands by which if envy be not the let I shall become both equal in glory to Hercules and Bacchus Give you assent to mine intercession and at length break your obstinate silence Where is your shouting become that was wont to be a Declaration of your chearfulness Where are the chearful countenances of my Macedons I know not you my Souldiers and it seems that I am not known of you I speak methinks to your deaf ears in vain and in vain go about to stir up your unwilling and immoveable mindes Notwithstanding all these words they hung down their heads towards the earth and persevered still in silence Then he proceeded I know not said he wherein I have unwittingly offended you that you will not once vouchsafe to look me in the face I seem to be solitary and in a Wilderness Is there none of you that I speak unto will answer me Is there none at the least who will deny my request What is the thing that I require even your own glory and your own profit Where are they now whom I saw not long ago contending who should first take up their King when he was wounded and now you leave me alone you forsake me you betray me to mine Enemies But I will not leave mine enterprise though I go alone leave me alone to those Rivers to those Beasts and to those Nations the very names of whom you fear so much The Scythians and Bactrians shall go with me who of late were mine Enemies and who now are my Souldiers I had rather die then be a King to be ruled and at other mens appointment Go get you home go I say and triumph of the abandoning of your King for I will here either obtain the Victory whereof you have despaired or else die a death that shall be honourable Notwithstanding what he said there was not one Souldier that would open his mouth to speak but stood waiting when some of the Princes and great Captains should declare unto the King that there remained not in them any obstinate refusal of the Wars but that they were exhausted with wounds and so wearied with continual travel that they were not able to indure any longer As they stood thus astonished and afraid in silence and looking upon the ground there began first a whispering and a rumour amongst them and afterwards a lamentation and by little and little they began more manifestly to shew their complaints the tears falling from their eyes The Kings anger was then so turned into compassion that he himself was not able to abstain from tears At length the whole Assembly bursting out into an excessive weeping Cenus took upon him to press forwards towards the Judgment-Seat where Alexander stood signifying that he had somewhat to say When the Souldiers saw him pull his Helmet from his head for so it was the custom to speak unto the King they began to require him that he would deliver the cause of the whole Army Then Cenus began on this manner May the gods defend us from all wicked thoughts as I doubt not but that they do there are none of your Souldiers but are of the same minde towards you that they have been in times past if it be your pleasure to command them to go forwards to fight to hazard themselves or with their blood to commend your Name unto Posterity And if you will needs persevere in your Opinion though we are unarmed naked and without blood we will either come after you or go before you as you shall think expedient But if you will be content to hear your Souldiers griefs and complaints which are not fained but expressed by the utmost necessity I humbly beseech you then that you would vouchsafe favourably to hear them who constantly 〈◊〉 followed your Authority and Fortune and are yet ready to follow wheresoever you will appoint O Alexander with the greatness of your Acts you have 〈…〉 only your Enemies but also your own Souldiers Whatsoever mans mortality is able to fulfil that is performed by us having passed over so many Seas and Countries better known to us then the Inhabitants themselves We now remain almost in the uttermost end of the world and yet for all this your purpose is to pass into another world and seek out an India unknown to the Indians Ye covet to pluck out the wilde beasts and Serpents out of their Dens and lurking places minding to search further with your Victories then the Sun hath visited with his beams which truly is an imagination answerable to your heart but 〈◊〉 exceeding our capacity and power Your manhood and courage is always increasing but our force is now declining Behold our bodies destitute of blood pierced with so many wounds and deformed with so many 〈◊〉 our swords now are dulled and our 〈◊〉 consumed we wear apparel after the manner of the Persians because our Country garments do â—ail us we degenerate into a strange habit who is he that hath a Corsâ—et or Horse particular to himself Examine how many of the Macedons remain amongst us and what remaineth to every man of the Spoil Being the Conquerâ—urs of all men of all men we are the poorest It is not abundance or excess that troubleth us but the very War it self Our ammunition of War is consumed and yet you minde to put forth this goodly Army of yours naked unto Beasts the multitude of whom though the Indians purposely do increase yet by their vain report we may perceive the number to be great But if you be absolutely determined to pass yet further into India the Country that lieth Southward is not so desart as the other which being subdued you may pass to that Sea which Nature hath appointed to bound in the world Why do you seek that glory afar off which remaineth to you ready
that they fell down dead at his feet and from that time forward none was so bold to approach so neer him but threw Darts and shot Arrows at him afar off He lay open to every mans blow and yet though with great pain defended himself upon his knees until such time as an Indian shot an Arrow at him that was two Cubits long which a little above his right thigh passed through his Corslet by reason of which wound he shed so much bloud that he let his sword fall as one at the point of death and therewith became so faint that he had not strength to pluck out the Arrow Then the Indian which had hurt him came with great joy to spoil his body but when Alexander felt his enemies hand upon him moved as it is to be thought with despite to receive an infamy to that extremity he called again his spirits that were passing away and with his sword thrust his enemy being unarmed through the body When he had thus slain three of his enemies who lay dead before him all the rest stood amazed afar off Then Alexander desiring before his last breath should fail to be killed fighting began to raise up his body upon his Target but his strength would not serve him thereunto and therefore he reached at a bough that hung over his head coveting thereby to have raised himself but his ability not suffering him he fell down again upon his knees and by a signe given with his hand challenged his enemies if any of them durst come and fight with him At the last Peucestes repulsing his enemies on another part of the walls got into the Town and coasting along came unto the place where the King was When Alexander espied him though he had no hope to live yet he took his coming for a comfort to his death and for all his feebleness began to rear up himself Then came Timeus and within a while Leonatus and after them Aristonus When it was once published amongst the Indians that Alexander was entred within the walls they left their defence in other places and came flocking thither where they fiercely assailed such as stood in defence of the Kings person Timeus after he had fought notably and received many wounds was there slain Peucestes also notwithstanding that he was stricken and wounded with their Darts yet with his Target he defended the Kings person without any regard of himself And Leonatus whiles he resisted the Indians that eagerly ran upon Alexander received so sore a blow on the neck that he fell down in a swound at the Kings feet By that time Peucestes became so feeble of his wounds that he was not able to defend him any more The last hope and refuge remained in Aristonus who also was so grievously wounded that he could not endure any longer the force of the Indians In the mean season the fame was spread amongst the Macedons that the King was slain which being a matter that should have put others in fear stirred up their hearts and made them the hardier For from that time forwards there was none that had respect of his own peril but adventured unto the wall and breaking down the same with Pickaxes entred in at the breach making slaughter of their Enemies of whom few stood at defence but fled away There was neither man nor woman nor infant spared for whomsoever they met they judged him to be the person that had hurt their King and so at length with the slaughter of the multitude their just anger was satisfied Clitarchus and Timagenes do write that Ptolomeus who afterwards became King of Egypt was present in this encounter But he himself that used not to deny any thing that stood with his own glory did put in memory how that he was then absent being imployed on another Enterprise Such a negligence was then in those who did write the Antiquities of things or such a credulity which is a fault no less than the other When Alexander was brought into his lodging the Chirurgeons cut off the stale of the shaft in such sort that they moved not the head that was within the flesh and when they saw the wound bare they perceived hooks to be on the Arrow-head so that without the destruction of his body it could not be pulled out except by incision they made the wound greater and yet in that point they feared lest blood flowing too abundantly should be an impediment unto them for the head was very great and it seemed to be entered far within his body There was one Critobulus that was very cunning and most excellent amongst the Physicians and Chirurgeons and yet in so dangerous an accident as this he was fearful and in doubt to undertake the Cure lest if any thing should chaâ—ce to the King otherwise than well whilest he remained under Cure the blame thereof might â—ight upon his head therefore when Alexander perceived by his weeping the fear he was in and that through trouble of minde he looked pale in the face he said unto him What is it that thou lookest for Or why dost thou stay in ridding me quickly out of this pain at the leastwise by death if thou canst not otherwise bring it to passâ— For seeing my wound is incurable why fearest thou that any thing should be laid to thy charge When Critobulus heard his words he either ceased or dissembled his fear and exhorted Alexander that he would suffer himself to be held while they pulled the Arrow-head that was within his flesh for the least motion he said might be hurtful unto him The King would not be held but kept his body at a stay without moving in such sort as they appointed him When they had cut the wound wider and pulled out the head there issued out such abundance of blood that the King fell in a swoon and a dimness came over his sight and he stretched out himself as one in the pangs of death Then they wrought all the means they could to stanch the blood but when they perceived it would not avail his friends began to weep and lament thinking verily there had been no way but death Notwithstanding at length he ceased his bleeding and recovering again his spirits began to know them that stood about him All that day and the night ensuing the men of War stood in arms about the Kings lodging confessing that all their lives depended upon his breath and would not remove from thence before they understood that he took some rest but when they knew that he was fallen in a sleep they returned into the Camp bringing unto the rest more certain hope of his recovery Alexander about the curing of his wound remained there seven days and understanding that a constant fame of his death was spread abroad amongst the Indians he caused two Ships to be fastened together and a Lodging to be made for him in the middest so that remaining upon the water from both sides of the land he might
in his hand a great knotty Cudgel The diversity of their Weapons brought every man into a wonderful expectation for they thought it not only a rashness but a madness for Dioxippus who was naked to encounter the other who was armed The Macedon thinking to kill his adversary before they should come to fight hand to hand threw at him his Lance which Dioxippus avoided by bending of his body and before that he could charge his Pike he leaped to him and with his Cudgel brake the same asunder when the Macedon had lost both his Weapons he began to draw his Sword but Dioxippus prevented him with a close and taking both his feet from under him threw him upon the earth and there plucking his Sword from his side set his foot upon his neck and held up his Cudgel to have struck out his brains if the King had not caused him to stay his hand This Triumph ended with displeasure both unto the Macedons and unto Alexander himself especially because this thing was done in the presence of the Indians fearing lest the valour of the Macedons famed so much in the world might thereby grow into contempt Hereupon Alexander grudging at Dioxippus had his ears open to the Accusation of those who did envy him They within a few days after had caused a golden Cup purposely to be conveyed out of the way which the Ministers having imbezelled they made complaint to Alexander of the loss thereof Oftentimes men shew less constancy in their countenance than in the offence it self for in their complaint Dioxippus perceiv'd by their looks that they noted him as the Thief which he could not endure but parting out of the Feast after he had written a Letter to the King he killed himself Alexander was very sorry for his death which he took for no token of repentance but rather of indignation For it afterwards appeared through the overmuch rejoycing of his Enemies that he had been falsly accused The Embassadours of the Indians that were dismissed home within a few days after returned again presenting unto Alexander three hundred Horses one thousand and thirty Waggons every one drawn with four Horses certain Vestures of Linnen-cloth a thousand Indian Targets and one hundred Talents of Iron Lions of a rare bigness and Tygers that were tame the Skins of great Lizards and the Shells of certain Fishes The King then commanded Craterus to conduct his Army along the River whereupon he sailed and embarquing such as were accustomed to accompany him he with the stream passed into the Bounds of the Mallians and from thence came unto the Sabracans who were a Nation of great power not ruled by Kings but by a Government of the People They had gathered together six thousand Footmen and six thousand Horsemen and five hundred armed Waggons and had chosen three Captains that were approved men of War But when such as inhabited next unto the River the Banks being full of Villages saw all the River as far as they could view over-spread with Ships and the Armour glistering of so many men of War they were amazed at the strangeness of the fight and thought that some Army of the gods or else Bacchus whose name was famous amongst those Nations had been come amongst them The cry of the men of War with the clashing of the Oars and the strange noise of the Mariners exhorting one another filled their fearful ears They ran therefore amongst their Country-men who had assembled their Forces declaring their madness if they would contend with the gods for they said the Ships could not be numbred that carried those invincible people with which words they put such fear amongst the men of their own Nation that they sent immediately Embassadours to yield themselves When he had received their submission he came the fourth day into another Country the people whereof durst no more withstand him than the other did and there he builded a City which he named Alexandria and from thence he entred into a Country the inhabiters whereof they call Musicans there he understood by the accusation of the Paromisidans that Desteriores whom Alexander had appointed Lieutenant amongst them had ruled in excessive pride and covetousness and therefore he commanded him to be put to death And Oxiartes Lieutenant of the Bactrians being also accused was not only acquitted but had a greater Rule committed unto him When he had subdued the uttermost part of the Musicans he put a Garison into their City and advanced from thence into another Nation of the Indians called Prestians of whom Oxicanus was King who with a great Power retired himself into a strong City which Alexander won the third day after he began his Siege Upon the taking of the Town Oxicanus fled into the Cstle and sent Embassadours to treat for peace but before they were come to Alexanders presence two Towers of the Castle fell with a great noise by the ruines whereof the Macedons got into the Castle where Oxicanus with a few standing at defence was slain The Castle being razed and all that were within sold as slaves Alexander came into the bounds of Saba where beside many Holds that yielded to him he took the strongest City of that Country by force of a Myne It seemed a wonderful thing to the Indians being ignorant of such Policies of War for armed men to come forth of the ground in the midst of their City where there appeared no signe of any way under the Earth Clitarchus doth write that there were eighty thousand Indians slain in that Country besides many prisoners sold as slaves The Musicans in the mean time rebelled for the suppressing of whom Python was sent thither who took the Prince of the Nation prisoner and brought him to Alexander whom he caused to be hanged upon a Cross as the Author of the Revolt which done he returned again to the River where he had commanded his Navy to tarry for him The fourth day after he came to a Town at the entrance into the Kingdom of Samus the King whereof had newly yielded himself but the Citizens had shut their Gates and would not be at his Commandment whose small number Alexander regarded so little that he sent five hundred Agrians unto their Gates to proffer them Skirmish to the intent that by retiring they might draw them by little and little out of their strength thinking they would follow the Chase when they should see their Enemies flying The Agrians did as they were appointed and when they had once provoked their Enemies they immediately turned their backs and the Indians pursued them until they came to the Ambuscado where the King lay in person then the Agrians turned and the Fight was renewed so fiercely that of three thousand Indians there were five hundred slain and a thousand taken the rest recovered the City but the end of the Victory was not so pleasant as the beginning for the Indians had so envenomed their Arrows that such as were hurt died of the
wounds and the Physicians could not devise the cause of so strange a death for even the lightest hurts were incurable The Indians trusted that Alexander through his rashness might have come within that danger who by chance fighting amongst the foremost escaped unhurt Ptolomy was lightly wounded upon the left shoulder and being in a greater danger than the greatness of his wound shewed caused the King to be careful of him for he was near of kin unto him and some thought that Philip was his Father but it is certain that his mother was Philip his Concubine He was one of them that had the charge of the Kings person a valiant man of War and yet more famous in the arts of Peace he was moderate both in his apparel and living liberal easie to be spoken to and without any such height of minde as is accustomed to be in men descended of the Royal Blood by reason of which qualities it is uncertain whether he was better beloved of the King or of the Souldiers This was the first occasion he had to prove how the mindes of men were affectionate towards him for even in that danger the Macedons began to divine of his fortune whereunto afterwards he ascended They had no less care of Ptolomy than of the King himself who used him so familiarly that when he was wearied either with travel or care of minde he would â—it for his solace with Ptolomy and at that time caus'd his bed to be brought into his own chamber When Ptolomy was laid there he fell suddenly in a sound sleep in the which it seemed that a Dragon offered to him an herb out of his mouth for the healing of his wound and taking away of the venome When he awaked he declared his dream and shewed both the colour and fashion of the herb affirming that he could know it if any man could finde it out This herb was sought by so many that at length it was found and being put upon the wound the pain staightways ceased and the scar within short space was closed When the Indians were disappointed of the hope they had conceived that way they yielded themselves and their City From thence Alexander went into the next Country called Parthalia the King whereof called Meris left the City and fled into the Mountains so that Alexander took the same finding a wonderful prey of Sheep of Cattel and of Corn. There he took Pilots that knew the River and came unto an Island which stood in the midst of the stream where he was compelled to remain the longer because the Pilots being negligently kept were escaped away He sent therefore to seek out others but when he could finde not any there entred a vehement desire into his head to visit without any Guide the Ocean-Sea and the end of the world committing his own life and the lives of so many thousands to a River which none of them did know They sailed as men ignorant of all places they came unto either how far the Sea was distant from them what Nations did inhabit the Countries thereabouts or whether the Mouth of the River were navigable for Gallies or not In all these things they were led by a blinde and doubtful imagination having no other comfort in their rash Enterprize but only that they trusted to their continual felicity When they had gone forwards four hundred Furlongs the Ship-masters told the King that they felt the air of the Sea whereby they knew the Ocean was at hand Thereat he rejoyced greatly and exhorted the Mariners that they would with all the power they could make way with their Oars to bring him to the sight of the end of the World which he had so long desired Now said he our Glory is perfect when our manhood is such that nothing can stay us now the World is come into our hands without any further hazard of War or shedding of Bloud Now since the Bounds that Nature hath wrought be so near at hand we shall shortly see things unknown saving to the immortal gods Yet notwithstanding he set some men upon the Land to take some of the Country-men by whom he trusted to have known the certainty of the truth When they searched out their Cottages at length they found out some of the wisest who were hidden who being demanded how far the Sea was from them they made answer that they never heard it named but they said that within three days sayling they should come unto a place where a brackish water did corrupt the fresh by which words the Mariners understood that they meant the Sea of the nature whereof the people were ignorant then the Mariners rowed chearfully their desire growing ever the greater as they approached near unto the place which they hoped to be the end of their travel On the third day they came where the Sea and the River joyned together mixing with a small floud their waters that were of a contrary nature Then because the tide was somewhat against them they haled towards another Island standing in the midst of the River which being an easie place to land at the Macedons ran about to seek Victuals in surety as they thought being ignorant of the chance that came upon them About three of the clock according to its ordinary course the tide came rowling in from the Sea and with his force did drive the stream backward which at the first being but stayed was afterwards so vehemently repulsed that it caused the water to return backward with greater fury then a swift stream is accustomed to run The common sort that knew not the nature of the Ocean thought the same to be a wonderful thing and that it had been a token sent to them of Gods wrath and while they were in that imagination the Sea swelling more and more overflowed the Land which they saw before dry and as the water mounted the Ships and all the Navy was dispersed here and there Such as were upon land were amazed with the suddenness of the event and ran from all parts in great fear unto their Ships But in a tumult haste doth always hart and giveth impediment Some there were that went about to set forward their Ships others forbade rowing and removed not at all otherwhiles they made haste away and would not tarry to take in their company and they moving but slowly could make no way Some when they saw them press on Ship-board in such throngs for fear of taking in too many would receive none at all so that both the multitude and the small number were an equal impediment unto the haste they made The cry that some made in bidding men tarry and the noise that others made in willing them to go forwards with their voices that differed and agreed not in one effect took away the use both of their sight and hearing The Mariners could not help it whose words in the tumult could not be heard nor their commandments observed amongst men in fear and
it marched with so great a speed For every man thought so much to further his own safety by how much he made haste to get before his fellows Such as fainted and could not follow desired both such as they knew and knew not to help them forwards but they had no Beasts whereupon to set them and the Souldiers who had the imminent mischief that fell upon other men represented before their own eyes could hardly bear their own Arms wherefore when they were called upon they would not vouchsafe once to look back fear had so taken away all compassion from them Then they who were left behinde cried upon the gods and their King for help alledging That they were all of one Country and Religion which was a Band for one to relieve another But when they had cried long in vain unto their deaf ears through desperation they raged wishing the like end to their Friends and Companions which they themselves endured The King possessed both with sorrow and shame because he and none else should be the cause of so great a destruction amongst his men did write to Phrataphernes Ruler of the Parthenians to send to him upon Camels Victuals ready to be eaten and certified the Princes of the Countries round thereabout of his necessity who did slack no time but made provision according to his will Thus his Army delivered only from Famine was brought within the bounds of the Gedrosians and forasmuch as the same was a Country fertile of all things he thought good to stay there a while with rest to recover again his feeble Souldiers There he received Letters from Leonatus that he had won the Victory of the Horitans who encountred him with eight thousand Footmen and five hundred Horsemen He was advertized from Craterus That he had taken and put in hold Ozines and Zariaspes two Noble-men of Persia who went about to rebel Alexander also understanding that Memnon was dead gave the charge of the Country whereof he had the rule unto Siburtius and afterwards marched into Carmania Aspastes was Governour of that Nation who being suspected of Innovation whiles Alexander was in India met him on the way But Alexander dissembling his wrath entertained him gently and gave unto him his accustomed honour till such time as he had better proof of the accusation which was laid against him When the Princes of India according to his appointment had sent out from all their Countries great plenty of Horses and other Beasts both for Saddle and Draught he gave Carriage again to all men that wanted and restored their Armour to the former beautifulness and excellency for they were come into a Country joyning upon Persia which was both abundant in all things and also quietly established under his subjection He thought it then a time to counterfeit Bacchus in the glory and fame which he got amongst those Nations Whether it were a Triumph that Bacchus first instituted or a pastime used of him in drunkenness Alexander was determined to counterfeit his Acts having his minde elevated above the estate of man He commanded therefore all the Villages through the which he was to pass to be strewed with Flowers and Garlands and Wine to be set forth at every mans door for all men that would drink He caused Waggons also to be made of largeness able to carry great numbers and decked the same with precious Furniture The King went foremost with his Friends and next to them his Guard wearing upon their heads Garlands of Flowers some playing upon Flutes some upon Harps every one generally through the Army adorned his Chariot according to his ability and substance and consuming the whole day in Banquetting did hang their rich Armour beside them Alexander with such as he called to his Company was carried in a Chariot laden with Cups of Gold and other golden Vessels and with his drunken Army he marched thus seven days together in ostentation of the prey they had gotten wherein they shewed such dissoluteness that if one thousand of the subdued people had given them the onset they might have taken them Prisoners and led them away in triumph But Fortune which hath appointed both Fame and Estimation to things turned all this disorder unto his Glory for both the Age that was then and the Posterity that came after marvelled and took it for a wonder that he durst go so dissolutely among those Nations not yet established under his Empire the barbarous People reputing his Rashness for an assured Confidence But shedding of bloud ensued after this Triumph For Prince Aspastis spoken of before was commanded to be put to death So that his excess in Voluptuousness was no let unto his Cruelty nor his Cruelty an impediment to his Voluptuousness THE TENTH BOOK OF QVINTVS CVRTIVS Of the Acts of Alexander the Great King of Macedon ABout the same time Cleander Sitacles Agathon and Heracon who by the Kings appointment had put Parmenio to death returned to him bringing with them five thousand Footmen and a thousand Horsemen There were many Accusers that followed them out of the Province whereof they had the Governance their behaviour being such that the acceptable service they had done to Alexander in killing of Parmenio could be no satisfaction for the multitude of offences they had committed They used such an universal spoil not abstaining from Temples nor from consecrated things The Virgins also and great Ladies of the Country whom they had ravished complained of them lamenting the shame they had sustained They used such Covetousness and inordinate Lust in their Authority that it caused the name of the Macedons to be hated amongst those Nations And yet among all the rest Cleanders offence was most horrible who ravishing a Virgin of Noble Parentage gave her to his Slave to use as his Concubine The greater part of Alexander Friends were not so much offended with their cruelty and foul acts whereof they were accused as with Parmenio his death which they kept in silence lest the rehearsal thereof might have procured them favour with the King rejoycing that the Kings Justice was fallen upon the Ministers of his Wrath and that no Power or Authority gotten by evil means could have any long continuance Alexander hearing the Cause said that the Accusers overslipt the greatest Offence which was the despair of his own safety for if they had either hoped or believed that he should ever have returned out of India they durst never he said have committed any such hainous offences He commanded them therefore to prison and six hundred Souldiers to death who had been the Ministers of their cruelty and they also were executed the same day whom Craterus had brought as Authors of the Rellellion out of Persia Within a while after Nearchus and Onesicritus who had been commanded by the King to search the Ocean-sea returned to him declaring some Discoveries by knowledge and some by report They shewed him of an Island not far from the mouth of Indus which abounded
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
nor keep themselves within the compass of the Court but ran 〈◊〉 as men out of their wits whereby their City 〈◊〉 filled with sighs and tears and no kinde of lamâ—â—â—ation pretermitted that sorrow is accustomed 〈◊〉 administer in such a case Such therefore as were without the Court as well Macedons as others câ—me running thither where the Conquerours from the conquered could not be discerned so equal and mutual was their sorrow The Persians called upon their just and merciful Lord and the Macedons made invocation unto him that was so just and gracious a King and thus there was a certain contention among them They did not only use the words of grief and heaviness but also of murmuring and indignation that so young a Prince being in the flower of his age and so fortunate in success should by the envy of the gods be so taken out of this world They called to remembrance what a chearfulness they had always seen in his countenance both when he led them to the Battel or when he besieged or assaulted any City or when he would give any commendation to the Valiant in any Assembly Then the Macedons repented that ever they had denied him divine honour confessing themselves both wicked and ungrateful in depriving him of any name whereof he was worthy And when they had continued long in the veneration and desire of him that was dead they began to lament their own condition who coming out of Macedon were beyond the River Euphrates amongst the middest of their Enemies who unwillingly received their new Government They saw themselves left destitute and the Empire without any certain Heir for want of whom every one would go about to draw the Power of the State into his own private interest Then they began to conceive and foresee the Civil Wars that did ensue and that they should be inforced to shed their bloud again not for the Conquest of Asia but for the Title of some such a one as would go about to make himself King Moreover that such who by reason of their age had been discharged from the Wars by their noble and righteous King should now be inforced to spend their lives in the quarrel of one who was but his Souldier Whiles they were in these imaginations the night came on and increased their terrour The men of War watched in their Arms and the Babylonians looked over the Walls peeping out from the tops of their houses to discover some certainty how the Affairs passed There was not one that durst kindle any light and because the use of the eye did fail they laid their ears to hear the rumour and words that were spoken and many times they were afraid when no cause of fear was and when they met together in the narrow streets or dark lanes they would be amazed and suspect each other as enemies The Persians after their accustomed manner cut short their hair and with their Wives and Children lamented the death of Alexander in mourning Garments with unfeigned affection not as a Conquerour or one that lately had been their Enemy but as their right and natural King for they being accustomed to live under a King could think no man more worthy then himself to rule over them This sorrow was not contained within the walls of the City but straightways it spread over all the Country thereabouts And the Fame of so great a mischief flying throughout Asia brought early tidings thereof unto Darius Mother She at the first report did tear asunder the garment she did wear and putting on mourning apparel she pulled her hair and fell down groveling upon the earth One of her Neeces sate by her mourning for the death of Ephestion who not long before had married her and in an universal heaviness bewailed the cause of her private sorrow but Sisigambis alone sustained all their miseries and bewailed both her own condition and her Neeces her fresh sorrow causing her to call to minde things past A man would have judged by her behaviour that Darius had been newly slain or that she had now celebrated the Funerals of two Sons together She did not only lament the dead but sorrowed also for the living Who shall now said she take care of these young Women Or who can be like unto Alexander Now we are taken Prisoners again We are newly fallen again from our Dignity and Estate After Darius death we found one to defend us but now since Alexander is gone who will have respect unto us Among these things she called to minde how Occhus the cruel King had slain her Father and four-score of her Brethren in one day and that of six Children born of her Body there was but one of them left alive She saw that Fortune had advanced Darius and caused him to flourish 〈…〉 to the intent she might end his life by 〈…〉 Finally she was so overcome with sorrow that 〈◊〉 covered her head turning her self from 〈…〉 and Nephew that sate at her feet and abstaining both from meat and from beholding the light 〈◊〉 ended her life the fifth day after she was determined to die This her death was a great argument of the clemency which Alexander had shew'd towards her and of his justice towards all the Captives seeing that after Darius death she could not endure to live but after Alexanders departure she was ashamed to continue any longer Consider Alexander justly and we must impute all his Vertues to his own nature and his Vices either to his youth or to the greatness of his Fortune there was in him an incredible force of Courage and an exceeding sufferance of Travel he was endued with manhood excelling not only Kings but also such as had no other vertue or quality he was of such liberality that oftentimes he gave greater things than the Receivers would have wished for of God The multude of Kingdoms that he gave in Gift and restored to such from whom he had taken them by force was a token of his Clemency towards them whom he had subdued He shewed a perpetual contempt of Death the fear whereof doth amaze other men And as there was in him a greater desire of Glory and worldly Praise than reason would admit so it was tolerable in so young a man performing so great and wonderful Atchievements The reverence and affection he bare towards his Parents appeared in the purpose he had to consecrate his Mother Olympias to immortality and in that he so strictly revenged his Father Philips death How gentle was he towards his Friends and how benevolent towards his Souldiers He had a wisdom equal to the greatness of his heart and such a policy and foresight as so young years were scarcely able to receive A measure he had in immoderate pleasures and lusted less than Nature desired using no pleasure but what was lawful These indeed were wonderful great Gifts and Vertues but in that he compared himself to the gods coveting divine honours and believing the Oracles that perswaded such