were able to conceive any tokens or signes of the gods favour or assistance it was no doubt but that they were bent on their side having already stricken a sudden fear amongst the Macedons which he said might be seen by their running here and there by the carrying and casting off their Armour and that the gods which took care of the Persians Empire were now determined to punish 〈◊〉 Cowards whose Captains quoth he being of no other sort then the rest are like unto those wilde Beasts which through the greediness of the 〈…〉 they do covet do fall into the snares that are set for them The like care was amongst the Macedons for as though the matter should have been tryed that night they passed it over in doubt and fear Alexander himself that was never seen in such fear before that time called for Aristander to make vows and prayers who in a white Garment carrying Verbenes in his hand with his head covered went before the King calling upon Jupiter Minerva and Victoria When he had thus performed his Sacrifice according to their Religion he returned into his Pavilion to rest the residue of the night yet he could neither rest nor sleep but continually debated with himself which way he should assail his Enemies One while he was of Opinion to give his first On-set upon that Battel of the Persians that should come on his right hand sometimes he determined to meet his Enemies in the very front and otherwhile whether it were better to encounter them on their left Battel At length his body became heavy with the travel of his minde and he fell into a sound sleep When the day appeared the Captains assembled about the Kings Pavilion to receive their charge where they stood amazed at the unaccustomed silence For they could not but wonder that he who was ever wont to call upon other men and to reprove such as were slow or negligent not to be then stirring in the extremity of the utmost danger And many were of opinion that he slept not but shrunk for fear yet for all that none of them that were about his person durst attempt to wake him In the mean seasonâ— the morning past away and the Souldiers might neither put on their Armour nor stand in order of Battel without commandment of their Chief When they had thus tarried a great while Parmenio gave commandment that they should fall to meat At length when the time came that of necessity the Army must be drawn into Battel he entred into the Kings lodging and called upon him divers times by his name but when he could not awake him with his voice he stirred him with his hand and said It is far forth day and your Enemies come forwards in order of Battel and your Souldiers being yet unarmed have not commandment given them what they should do Where is that chearfulness and courage of yours become which were wont to stir up even those who were most watchful Alexander made answer unto him Think you that I could sleep before that I had rid my self of the care that hindred me to take my rest And thereupon caused the Trumpet to sound to the Battel But when Parmenio continued still in his admiration that he in such a time could sleep so quietly It is no marvel quoth Alexander when Darius burned the Country wasted the Villages and destroyed the Victuals I could then in no wise be quiet But now what cause have I to fear seeing he now prepareth himself to fight He hath now fulfilled my desire resort you where your charge lieth and I will straightway come to give order amongst you and we will dispute this business afterwards He used seldom to take his friends advice when any doubt or danger was at hand When Parmenio was gone he armed himself and came forwards amongst his Souldiers They seeing him look so chearfully as they had not seen before time conceived by the courage of his countenance a certain hope of the Victory Then he caused the Trenches of his Camp to be cast down that the Souldiers might have free passage forth and in this manner did set his Battels in order The Horsemen of whom Clitus was Captain were set in the wing on his right-hand Battel to whom he joyned Philotas and other Captains The last Band of Horsemen was Meleagers which were next unto the square Battel of Footmen that the Macedons name Phalanx After the Phalanx followed the Agaraspides of whom Nicanor the Son of Parmenia was Captain Cenus with his Band was appointed to be a Relief Horestes and Lincestes advanced next and after them Polipercon that had the Rule of the Strangers and Phylagus who had the Rule of the Balacrons And this was the order of Alexanders Battel in the right wing whereof Amintas was Chief In the left Battel Craterus had the charge of the Peloponnesian Horsemen and with him also were the Bands of the Achaians Locrensians and Malaeans and the hindmost Troops were the Horsemen of Thessaly under Philip their Captain Thus the Horsemen covering the Foot made the Front of the Battel And lest their Enemies through their multitude should inclose the Battel about he planted a great Force behinde for a Reserve and set a Relief also upon the Wings not in Front with the rest but upon the sides to the intent that if the Enemies attempted to compass round about the Battels they should be ready to keep them in action Those that maintained the places of Reserves were the Agrians of whom Attalus was Captain and the Archers of Creet were joyned unto them Such as stood in the Rear of the Battel were ordered to turn their faces from the Frontwards because that being in a readiness every way the Battels in every place should be of an equal force They which stood with their faces contrariwise were the Illyrians and the Mercenary Souldiers with the Thâ—acians that were light armed These his Battels were so aptly set to move every way that such as stood in the hinder parts could not be inclosed about but might every way make their Front so the Front the Flanks and the Rear were all of like force When he had set his men in order after this manner he gave Commandment that if the Persians should attempt upon them with their Hooked Waggons with a cry or noise that then they should open their Battels and receive them with silence not doubting but that they should pass through without any harm if no man did resist them But if they should come without any shout or clamour that then they themselves should make a cry to fear the Horses withal and so with Pikes thrust them through on every side They which had the charge of Battels were commanded to extend them so much in bredth as possible they might lest by standing over-close they might be environed and yet not to stretch them so far out as to leave the Ranks void and thin in the midst The Carriage and the
of the Spearmen that were nam'd Saâ—ssopherii against the Scythians By this time the Hooked Waggons which had before troubled the fore-front were come within the square which the Macedons call Phalanx yet the Souldiers never shrunk at the matter but received them into the midst of their Battel whereas joyning themselves close together they stood like a wall on both sides thrusting their Pikes into the Bowels of the Horses and ran about the Waggons throwing down such as stood in them at defence The whole Battel was intangled and troubled with the ruine and killing of the Horses with such as governed them They could not rule their Horses when they were once galled or hurt who with much leaping and strugling not only brake out of their Traces but also overthrew the Waggons drawing at their Tails the men that were slain neither being able to stand still for the fear they were in nor yet go forwards being so faint of their wounds Yet a few of them passed through the Battel whereby such as the Waggons did light upon were miserably slain lying upon the ground with their Members cut in sunder Yet because that through the greenness of their wounds they felt little pain they kept their Weapons still notwithstanding they were maimed and without strength till such time as by continual bleeding they sunk down dead Aretes in the mean time had slain the Captain of the Scythians that were spoiling of the Carriages and repulsed them back But straightway came the Bactrians by Darius sending and turned the fortune of the Field again Many Macedons were slain at the first encounter but more fled unto Alexander Then the Persians made such a shout as men are wont to do that win the Victory and fiercely assailed their Enemies thinking they had in evey place been put to flight When Alexander perceived his men shrink and begin to faint and give ground he rebuked such as he saw afraid and encouraged many that withdrew from the fight so that he alone restored the Battel again When he had put them in heart he required them to press forwards and go freely against their Enemies Alexander perceiving that the Bactrians were departed to the defeating of the Carriages and by their going had left the right-hand Battel of Darius thin and naked he bent his force wholly that way and there made a wonderful slaughter and destruction of his Enemies who by reason of their loose Array were not able to withstand him which the Persians in the left wing observing were in hope to have inclosed Alexander round and came forwards to set upon his Rear whereby great danger had ensued to him being invironed both before and behinde if the Agrians had not put their Spurs to their Horses and given a gallant Charge to their Enemies that were invironing the King about and so compelled the Persians to turn their faces again towards them The Battels thus were sore travelled on both sides Alexander had his Foes both before and behinde and his Enemies that come on his back were sore oppressed by the Agrians The Bactrians also that had spoiled the Carriages were excluded from their own company and could not recover their place again Thus the Battels were divided in divers parts and fought one against another as their chance fell out The two Kings that joyned their Battel hard to one another renewed again the fight There were most of the Persians slain but the number of the wounded were liâ—â—e on both sides Darius did ride in a Chariot and Alexander upon a Horse They both had a choice Band about them which were careless of their own lives for if their Kings should miscarry they neither could be safe nor yet desire to live Wherefore every one of them thought it a Noble thing to adventure themselves before the face of their Prince and he that coveted most to defend his Master was in most peril for each man desired the honour to kill the King of the contrary part There whether it were an imagination of the eyes or visible indeed such as were about Alexander believed that they saw an Eagle fluttering above his head which neither feared with the clashing of their Harness nor by the crying of them that were dying hovered still in the Air a little above him Then Aristander who did wear a white garment and carried Lawrel in his hand shewed this sight unto the Soaldiers being busie in the fight as a certain token of Victory This sight caused them which before were in some doubt chearfully and with great confidence to assail their Enemies The fight continued after this sort until the time that he was slain who governed the Horse that drew Darius Chariot Then neither the Persians nor Macedons doubted but thaâ— Darius had been slain And the Persians upon that imagination made a bâ—rbarous noise and a sorrowful howling wherewith they sore troubled and astonied their whole Hoast that were yet fighting with equal Victory Darius Kinsmen and the Squires of his Body that were on his left hand left him and fled away with a main flight but such as stood in his defence on his right hand conveyed him into the heart of the Battel It was said that Darius drew out his Sword and was determined divers times to kill himself rather then to sustain the shame of flying away But when he saw as he sate aloft on his Chariot that a great part of his Army remained yet fighting he was ashamed to leave them in such sort And while he thus wavered in his own minde the Persians by little and little gave ground and shrunk from their order Alexander that had tyred many Horses did at that instant change his Horse anew and strake at the faces of them that did oppose there was none then that made resistance any longer but a manifest slaughter fell on the Persians and Darius turned his Chariot to fly away The Macedans pursued hard after them that fled and the dust that flew up to the Sky took away their prospect so that they wandred as in darkness and ever drew together when they heard any voice they knew only the ratling and noise of the Chariots was a taken for the Macedons to follow in the pursuit As Fortune was prosperous to the Macedons on this part and contrary unto their 〈◊〉 so on the other side where Parmenio in the left wing incountred with the Persians they had the better and the Macedons the worse Mazeus with his whole Band gave a violent charge and put the Horsemen that stood in the wings to a sore distress and thereupon by reason he abounded with multitude he began to inclose the Footmen round Then Parmenio sent word to Alexander in what danger they were which he signified to be such that except they had succour in time they could not resist but be inforced to fly away Alexander was gone far in the Chase when this sorrowful message was brought him wherefore he commanded his Horsemen to stand and chafed
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
he marched towards Euphrates with all the haste he could make in the conveyance of so multitudinous an Army He made there a Bridge and in fifteen days passed over it his people having a great desire to get into Cilicia before his Enemy Alexander had recovered his strength and was come to a City called Solos which the Inhabitants yielded unto him and for two hundred Talents obtained assurance Notwithstanding he put a Garrison into the Castle and there celebrated Plays and Triumphs which he had vowed to Aesculapius and Minerva for the recovery of his health where being so quietly given to his Sport he shewed how little he esteemed the coming of his Enemies Whilst Alexander was busied about these things he received pleasant news how his men won a Battel against the Persians at Halicarnassus and that the Mindians and Cawnians with divers other Nations in those parts were brought under his obedience These Sports being once ended he removed and by a Bridge made over the River of Pyramus he came to the City of Malon and from thence with another motion came to a Town called Castabulum There Parmenio returned to the King who had been sent to search the Streights that lay between them and the City of Issum He had prevented the Persians at that Passage and so leaving men for the defence thereof he possessed himself of the City of Issum that was left desolate He departed from thence and did drive the Persians out of the Mountains searching and clearing all the ways so that having made all things sure for the Army to pass he returned again both the Author of the Act and the Reporter of the thing done Alexander incamped within the City of Issum and there debated in Councel whether it were better to pass on further or else to tarry there for a more sure power which was coming to him out of Macedon Parmenio was of Opinion that this place was most safe to abide Darius in and to give him Battel where both the Armies should be of like force by reason of the Streights wherein no great multitude can fight at once He shewed reasons why they ought to eschew the Plains wherein their Enemies should have great advantage through their great number by which they might close them about wherein he said he feared not his Enemies stoutness but feared their own men might be overcome with weariness where a multitude should fight with a few and fresh men succeed in the place of them that fainted This Counsel was received for good and Alexander determined in the same place to abide his Enemies There was in the Host of the Macedons one Sysenes a Persian sent before time from the Governour of Aegypt unto King Philip who being advanced with reward and promotions chose to live out of his own Country and so following Alexander into Asia was esteemed among those that the King trusted well A Souldier of Greece delivered him a Letter from Nabarzanes Darius Lieutenant he exhorted him to do some notable Enterprise whereby he might win favour and reputation with Darius Sysenes innocent of this matter was divers times about to present the Letter to the King but seeing him full of weighty affairs in providing for the Battel he prolonged the matter and whilest he waited for a more convenient time he brought himself in suspition of Treason for the Letter was brought to the Kings hands before it was delivered to him who reading it did seal the same with a strange Seal and caused it to be delivered to Sysenes to prove thereby his fidelity But because he concealed the thing many days and opened not the matter to the King it seemed that he consented thereunto and therefore by the Kings Commandment he was put to death by the hand of the Grecians The Greek Souldiers which Thimones had received of Pharnabasus being those that Darius trusted most were now come to him They perswaded much Darius to retire back into the Plains of Mesopotamia and if he would not do so that at the least he should divide his power and not commit the whole force of his Estate to one stroke of Fortune This Counsel was not so displeasant unto the King as to such as were about him For they said Mercenary Souldiers were alwayes full of Treason and were to be doubted the more for that they counselled the Army to be divided which was for no other purpose but only that they might have opportunity to fly to Alexander when they should have any charge committed unto them there is nothing therefore more sure for us quoth they than to inclose them round about with our Army and to cut them in pieces for an example to the world that Treason may never be left unrevenged but Darius who was of a meek and good disposition refused to commit so cruel an act in slaying such as had betaken themselves to his trust For he said If we should defile our hands with their blood what strange Nation would ever then commit themselves into our hands and alledged that there ought no man to lose his life for giving foolish Counsel for who would be bold to give counsel if in counselling there should be any peril I call you quoth he to counsel daily and hear the diversity of your opinions and mistrust not them that give me not alwaies the best counsel He caused the Greeks to be answered that he gave them thanks for their good will but in returning back he said that he should give up his Country into his Enemies hands which was not convenient and considering the force that Fame is of in War in going back he alledged he should appear to fly But to defer the fight he thought it worst of all seeing so great an Army as he had the Winter then approaching could not be victualled in a desolate Country that had been wasted both by themselves and by their enemies And for the dividing of his power he shewed that he could not do it observing the custom of his Predecessors who were not wont to hazard the Battel but with all their power He declared that Alexander before his coming seemed terrible to the world and through his absence was brought into a vain presumption but after he saw him come forwards he became wary and well advised hiding himself in the straights of the Mountains like those coward-Beasts who hearing the noise of the Passengers do hide themselves in the dens of the Woods He hath deluded his Souldiers quoth he with his counterfeit sickness but now I will not suffer him to prolong the fight any longer which if he will refuse I will oppress him in his lurking holes These words he spake with greater ostentation than truth and sent his Treasure and Jewels with a small Convoy to Damascus in Syria and entred with his Army into Cilicia bringing with him according to his Country manner both his Mother his Wife his little son and his daughter It so chanced that on the same night in
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
before any durst utter what they thought because they were uncertain how the King was inclined at length Parmenio spake and said My opinion was ever that the prisoners taken at Damascus should have been delivered to such as would redeem them whereby a great sum of money might have been made of them who now remaining in captivity trouble the hands of many a man of service And now I think most necessary of all that you exchange for thirty Talents of Gold this old Woman and the two young Damzels which be but impediments and disturbance to your marches Here is a rich Realm to be gotten by Treaty without any hazard of Battel For there was never any before you quoth he that was Lord of all the Countries in length and bredth lying between Ister and Euphrates He willed him therefore rather to have respect towards Macedonia then to look forward towards Bactria and the Indians These words liked not the King and therefore so soon as Parmenio had made an end of his Speech he made this answer And if I were Parmenio I would rather desire Money then Glory But now seeing I am Alexander I am not in any doubt of poverty and have in consideration that I am a King and no Merchant I have nothing whereof I will make Sale I will much less sell my Fortune If I were in minde to deliver the Prisoners it were much better to give them freely then to ransome them for money Hereupon he called the Embassadours and answered them in this sort Shew you to Darius that giving of thanks is needless to an enemy and let him not think that I have had any respect to his friendship in those things that I have done of mine own clemency and liberality Nor let him impute the same in any wise towards himself but to the inclination of mine own nature and that I contend not against mens calamities but against the force of mine Enemies I use not to make war with women and prisoners for he must be armed to whom I shall owe my hatred And though it were so indeed that he meant good faith in his peace asking yet peradventure I would take advice before I would consent But seeing that at one time he hath provoked my Souldiers to betray me and at other times stirred up my friends with money to destroy me I must pursue him to the uttermost not as a righteous enemy but as one that worketh his ends by treason If I should accept the condition of peace that you do bring I should acknowledge him to be Conquerour His liberality doth give me all that is behinde the River of Euphrates not considering in what place I speak now unto you Have you forgotten that I am passed the River of Euphrates and incamped beyond the bounds ye prâ—ffer me in Dowry Drive me from hence that I may know the same to be yours wherewith you would infeoff me He proffereth me his Daughter with no greater liberality then he would do to one of his Servants Doth he think to do me a pleasure in preferring me to be his Son-in-law before Mazeus Go and shew this to your King that both what he hath lost and what he hath yet in possession shall be unto me the rewards of the War which shall determine the bounds of both our Empires and by the fortune of the battel which we shall fight to morrow appoint to each of us our limits Let him know that I came not into Asia to receive but to give If he would have been content to have been the second person and not coveted to be equal with me I would peradventure have granted his request But as two Suns cannot shine on the Earth at once so likewise two such great Kingdoms cannot be at one time without the subversion of the world Therefore let him either this day yield himself or else prepare against the morrows fight nor let him perswade himself to have any other fortune then what he hath proved already The Embassadours replied That seeing he was resolved to proceed with War he did Royally that he was plain unto them and did not feed them with hope of peace Their request was therefore that they might be dispatched to their Prince to warn him to prepare himself likewise When they returned there was no way but to prepare for the fight Wherefore Darius sent for Mazeus with three thousand horsemen to keep the passages by which the Macedons should pass When Alexander had performed the Funerals of Darius wife leaving a small guard behinde with all such as were unprofitable for the fight he set forward towards his Enemies His footmen were divided into two Battels empaled with horsemen on both sides and his carriages were placed in the midst He sent Medinas with horsemen upon the spurs to discover where Darius was but he not daring to adventure far because Mazeus was there strongly quartered returned back and reported that there was nothing to be heard but the noyse of men and the neighing of horses Mazeus also the Scouts of Alexander being discovered gave intelligence to Darius of the approach of the enemy Darius who desired to try the event of the Battel in the open Plains commanded his Souldiers to be armed and put his Army in array of Battel Two thousand of the Bactrian and the Dahan horse and four thousand of the Arachosians and Susians did make the left Wing These were followed by a hundred hooked Chariots Next unto them was Bessus with a thousand Bactrian horse and two thousand of the Massagetae did back him on his rear To these the foot of many Nations not mixed but in distinct Regiments did joyn their formidable power after them Ariobarzanes and Oriobates with the Mardians and Sogdians did bring up the Army of the Persians This part of Darius Army was commanded in chief by Orsines descended from seven Persian Kings and deriving also his Original from the noble King Cyrus There were other Nations that followed these but hardly known to their own Neighbours After whom Cradates having fifty hooked Chariots placed a Band of Caspian horsemen before them and behinde them were the Indians and the other inhabiters of the red Sea rather names of men then good assistance This square was also empaled with the other fifty Chariots unto the which the mercenary Souldiers were joyned after them followed the men of Armenia the less then the Babylonians and next the Bellicans with such as inhabit the Cossean Mountains The Gortuans came next who sometime followed the Medians out of Euboia but at those days degenerated from their Country-customs The Pâ—â—ygians Cathonians and Parthians did close the rear In the Battel on the right hand were the people of the greater Armenia the Cadusians Cappadocians and Medians who had fifty hooked Chariots the sum of his whole Army was forty five thousand horsemen and two hundred thousand footmen When they were placed in order of Battel they marched forward ten furlongs and then were
commanded to make a halt Whilest the Persians after that manner tarried for their Enemies there fell a sudden fear amongst the Macedons whereof there appeared no cause and yet every man was amazed and a secret dread entred into their hearts The lightning that fell out of the air it being in the Summer-season seemed like fire and the flames suddenly appearing were thought to come from Darius Camp If Mazeus who was sent out to observe their coming had set upon them while they were in this fear he might have performed some notable act But he was slow in the enterprize and remained upon the top of an Hill contented that he was not assailed Alexander perceiving the terrour that invaded his Souldiers made a signe for them to slay and gave order that they should unarm themselves and refresh their bodies giving them to understand that there was not any cause why they should entertain so vain a fear seeing their Enemies were yet a good distance from them At length when he perceived they had recovered their spirits he exhorted them to receive courage and put on their armour but yet he thought nothing more expedient then to fortifie his Camp in the same place The next day Mazeus who had planted himself on a high Hill from whence he might behold his Enemies Camp either for fear or else because his Commission was but only to discover the motion of his Enemies returned again unto Darius Upon his departure the Macedons immediately possessed themselves of the Hill which he had forsaken the same being of more strength then the Plain where they remained before from whence they might behold their Enemies Camp And though the Mist which the moist Hills did cast forth took not away clearly the use of their prospect yet it hindred them to discern the division of their Enemies Battels and their order their multitude overspread the fields and the noise of their number did fill their ears though they were far off Then Alexander begun to revolve in his minde and to debate with himself one while Parmenio's Opinion and another time his own for he was come so far forth that he could not retire except he were Victorious without the great destruction of his Army The multitude of his Enemies moved him much in respect of his small numbers Yet on the other part remembred what great Acts he had done with them and how many Nations he had vanquished So that his hope surmounting his fear he thought it of all most dangerous to defer the Battel any longer lest desperation should grow amongst his men and therefore dissembling the matter he caused the Mercenary Horsemen and the Peons to pass on before and divided his Phalanx as it hath been said into two Battels and impaled the same with Horsemen on both sides By that time the Mist vanished and it waxing clear the order of his Enemies manifestly appeâ—red The Macedons then whether it were of courage or for that they were impatient to tarry any longer made such a shout as men of War use when they joyn in Battel The like was also made by the Persians Then the Woods and Valleys rebounded with the terrible sound The Macedons could not abstain any longer but would have gone forwards towards their Enemies But Alexander thought it better to fortifie his Camp upon that Hill and so commanded it to be intrenched about Which work being speedily performed he entred into his Tent from whence he might behold the Field Marshalled and the whole Army of his Enemies embattelled then the fashion and form of the danger that was at hand was presented before his eyes both Horsemen and Footmen glistered in their bright Armour and all things were prepared with extraordinary diligence He beheld the care of the Captains in his Enemies Camp how they did ride up and down to set things in order And many things that were but vain indeed as the noise of Men the neighing of Horses and the glistering of their Armour troubled yet the minde that was careful in expectation of the event Therefore whether it were that he was not fully resolved in his minde or else to prove the resolutions of such as were about him a Councel of War was called to advise what was best to do Parmenio who was the most experienced among all the Captains in the feats of War thought it good not to give his Enemies open Battel but rather to set upon them in the dead time of the night whereby he thought they might easily be discomfited supposing that they among whom there was such diversity of Customs and alteration of Language could never rally well together especially when in the dead of night they should have their quarters beaten up whereas in the day time the shape of the Scythians and Bactrians with their rough faces and long hair beside the hugeness of their bodies should appear terrible He alledged how Souldiers were more moved with the vain causes of fear and such as were of no moment then with such as were just causes indeed He declared also how their Enemies by reason of their great multitude should be able to inclose their small number round about and that they should not now fight in the Streights and narrow passages of Cilicia but in an open and large Plain They all in a manner agreed to Parmenio and Polipercon was directly of Opinion that the Victory consisted on the following of that counsel The King that before had upbraided Parmenio more bitterly then was expedient would not check him again but beheld Polipercon and said That Policy that you advise me pertaineth to Robbers and Felons for it is their propriety to work by darkness and deceit I will no more suffer that either Darius absence the streightness of the ground or the stealth in the night shall be an hinderance to my glory I am plainly determined to fight with him in the open day and had rather repent me of my Fortune then he ashamed of my Victory Besides this is to be considered that the Persians keep good Watch and stand armed always in a readiness to receive us whereof I have advertisement so that they cannot be deceived that way therefore there doth remain no more but that you prepare your selves to the Battel When he had by these words put them into courage he dismissed them from Counsel to refresh their bodies Darius conjecturing that his Enemies would have done that which Parmenio did perswade caused the Horses to stand ready bridled the whole night and the most part of his Host to continue armed and to keep good watch His Camp shone bright with the fires that were made and he himself with his Captains and Kinsfolks went about his Souldiers that stood in order and in Arms making invocation to the Sun to Mars and to the Everlasting Fire that they would inspire into them a fortitude of minde that might answer to the Ancient Glory and the Acts of their Predecessors And declared if the minde of man
Prisoners amongst whom Darius Mother was one were set in the top of an Hill with a small Guard about them The charge of the left Battel was committed unto Parmenio as was accustomed before-time and Alexander himself was in the Main Body When they were drawn near to one another one Byon came flying from the Persian Hoast in a full gallop and declared unto the King that Darius had planted iron Galtops where he thought his Horsemen should pass and by a certain signe shewed him the place because it might be avoided Alexander willed the Fugitive to be kept safe and assembled all his Captains together declaring the matter and exhorting them to make their Souldiers privy to the danger for eschewing the place pointed out to them But all that were in so great an Army could not hear the warning given the noise of both Armies taking away the use of the ears But Alexander riding betwixt the Battels gave Exhortation to the Captains and to all other that were within hearing He declared that there was but one hazard remaining to them that had passed through so many Countries in hope of the Victory which they were now ready to fight for Thereupon he reduced to their memory the Battels they had fought at the River of Granike in the Mountains of Cilicia and with what speed they had passed over both Syria and Egypt The rehearsal whereof put them in great hope and did intice them forwards to the desire of glory He shewed that the Persians being withdrawn from their former flying were now compelled to fight of necessity because they could fly no further and how that three days together amazed for fear they had remained still in one place with their Armour on their backs of whose despair he said there could be no greater argument then that they had set on fire their own Country confessing all to be their Enemies that they destroyed not He exhorted them not to fear the vain name of unknown Nations for it was a thing nothing pertinent which were called Scythians or which Caducians for being unknown Nations it was a sure token that they were men of no valour because such as be valiant could never be unknown in the world And contrariwise Dastards when they come forth of their Dâ—ns bring nothing with them but names of men whereas you quoth he that be Macedons have obtained by your Vertue and Manhood that there is no Country in the world ignorant of your Acts. He willed them to behold the evil order that was in their Enemies Host of whom some had no weapon but a Dart others a Sling to cast stones and very few had such Armour as they ought to have So that though there was a great number on the other part yet he said they had more on their side when they should come to fight hand to hand and that for his part he would not require any man to adventure himself except he were an example to him of Fortitude and Courage for he assured them that he would be seen fighting with the foremost knowing that so many wounds as he should get should be so many ornaments to his person He said they themselves knew that he would be no partaker of the prey but that it was ever his custom to bestow the rewards of his Victory upon the Souldiers His former words he shewed to be spoken to men of courage but if any were of another temper he was to inform them that they were come unto the place from whence they could not fly having left so many Countries behinde them which they had passed over and so many Rivers and Mountains at their backs so that now there was no way to their own houses and Native Country but such as they must make open with their own hands This was the Exhortation he gave unto the Captains and to such of the Souldiers as were next unto him Darius that was in his left-hand Battel accompanied with a choice Band of Horsemen and of Footmen despised the small number of his Enemies their Battels appearing to him thin and void of men when he saw their Wings stretched so far abroad He stood therefore on his Chariot on high and turning himself both on the right hand and the left he spake in this manner to such as were about him We that were not long since Lords of all the Countries lying between Hellespont and the Ocean Sea are compelled now to fight not for Fame and Glory but for our Safeguard and our Liberty which chiefly is to be esteemed This day shall either establish or make an end of the greatest Empire that hath been in any Age. At the River of Granike we fought with a small part of our Power When we were vanquished in Cilicia Syria was able to receive us and the Rivers of Tygris and Euphrates were as Bull-warks to defend our Kingdom But now we are come to that extremity that we have no place to fly unto if we be put to flight All things behinde our backs are wasted with this long War neither Cities are inhabited nor men left to till the ground Our Wives and our Children do follow this Army a prey ready for our Enemies except we put our bodies for the defence of such as be dear unto us So much as hath concerned me I have performed preparing such an Army as this huge Plain is able to receive I have distributed amongst you Horse and Armour providing that Victuals should not be wanting for such a multitude and have chosen an apt place to arange our Battels in All the rest remaineth in your hands do but dare to fight and the Victory is yours and despise you the Fame of the Enemy which is but a weak weapon against men of Valour It is rashness which hitherto ye have feared as a Vertue whereof when the first brunt is spent it waxeth dull as are Drones having once lost their stings This Plain hath disclosed their small number which the Mountains of Cilicia did hide You see how empty their Ranks are how thin their Wings be extended abroad how their Battels be empty and void of men and such as are in the Rear have already turned their backs They may be overthrown with your Horses feet though I send none against them but the Hooked Waggons And if we win the Battel we make an end of the War for they have no place to fly to They are shut in with Tygris on the one side and with Euphrates on the other and such things as before made for their purpose now are turned and do make clear against them Our Army is light and without much Baggage and they are laden with preys and booties we shall kill them as they are wrapt in spoils And the same one thing shall be both our gain and the cause of our Victory If any of you be moved with the Fame of the Nation you must think that the Armour with the outward shew and not the bodies of the
wonderfully that the Victory should be thus taken out of his hands and that Darius had better fortune in flying then he in following In the mean sâ—ason the fame of Darius overthrow was brought unto Mazeus wherefore though before he had the upper hand yet he was so stricken with fear at his Fellows misfortune that he made a slack pursuit upon their Enemies Parmenio was ignorant of the cause why the fight did slack so willingly on their part and boldly using the occasion called the Thessalian Horsemen unto him and said See you not how our Enemies that even now gave us a fierce onâ—set suddenly be afraid I see the fortune of our King doth give us the Victory All the Field is strowed with the Persians that be slain Why do you therefore stay Are you not good enough for men that fly They saw that his words had some appearance of truth and therefore by and by they took courage and putting their Spurs to their Horses gave a full charge upon their Enemies who retired not by little and little but marched away a great pace and they wanted nothing of flying saving that they had not yet directly turned their backs yet for all that in so much as Parmenio knew not what was become of the King nor of his Battel he stayed and would not pursue after them Mazeus having liberty given him to fly at his leisure passed the River of Tire not the next way but by a further compass about with more surety and recovered the City of Babylon with the remainder of that vanquished Army In the mean season Darius with a few that accompanied him in his slight came to the River of Licus where passing over he stood in doubt whether he should break the Bridge or no for it was shewed him that his Enemies were at hand but considering how many thousands of his men by the breaking thereof should become a prey to his Enemies he left the Bridge standing and at his departure said That he had rather open the way to them that pursued him then to shut it against them that fled after him But Darius left not his flying till he came to Arbella where he arrived about mid-night Who is able to conceive in his minde or express in words the manifold chance in this discomfiture the slaughter that fell both upon Captains and Souldiers the chasing of them that were put to flight and the destruction in general and in particular Fortune heaped together in that one day the chances of the whole world Some took the way that came next to hand others fled into the Woods and sought out by-ways to escape such as had them in the chase There was a confusion of Horsemen and Footmen mixed together withouâ— any head the armed with the unarmed and the whole with the hurt At length the compassion that one had of another was turned into fear and they that could not follow were left bewailing themselves one to another But Thirst chiefly afflicted the wounded and wearied who lay along every where in the ways where any water was gasping after it with open mouth and when for greediness they had gulled in the troubled water they began to swell when the Mud once entred into their Intrails and being thus not in case to move the Enemy came and stirred them up with fresh wounds Some when the Brooks near hand were taken up by others sought out for Springs in every secret place Nor were there any Puddles so dry or so far out of the way that could be hidden from the thirst of them that searched them out The old men and women were heard howling and crying in all the Villages near the way side how Darius was yet their King Alexander as it hath been said before pursuing the Chase was come to the River of Licus at which the multitude of the Flyers were more then could pass the Bridge so that many when their Enemies pursued them leaped into the water and there laden with their Armour and wearied with sighting and flying were consumed in the stream But within a while neither the Bridge nor the River were able to receive the throung that continually increased by their indiscreet flying For when fear had once entred into their hearts they doubted only that which put them first in fear The Macedons were very eager in pursuit of their Enemies and required Alexander that he would not suffer his Enemies to escape free away But he to stay them alledged that their weapons were dull their hands wearied their bodies faint in the long pursuit and the night besides fast approached on them But in very deed the care of his other Battel which he thought to be yet fighting caused him to return to their succour He had not so soon turned his Ensignes but that certain Horsemen brought him word from Parmenio that he likewise had put his Enemies to flight He was not in so great danger all that day as when he was coming towards his Camp for there were but few that followed him and they were out of order as men that rejoycing of the Victory judged all their Enemies either to be fled or slain in the Field Suddenly there appeared a Band of Persian Horsemen coming against them which at the first stayed but afterwards perceiving the small number of the Macedons gave a charge upon them The King rode foremost rather dissembling then despising the peril he was in But his perpetual felicity never failed him in his extremities for at the first encounter he strake the Captain of the Persians who in eagerness of the fight unadvisedly came against him through with a Spear When he with that blow was stricken to the ground Alexander slew the next unto him with the same Staff and after him divers others When his Company saw their Enemies amazed with his doings they brake upon them and threw many to the earth yet they for their parts were not unrevenged for the whole Battel did not so earnestly fight as that small Band assembled so by chance But at length when they saw flying in the dark to be more safe unto them then fighting they fled away in divers Companies Alexander having escaped this extraordinary peril brought his men in safeguard unto his Camp There were slain of the Persians which came to the knowledge of them that had the Victory forty thousand and of the Macedons less then three hundred which Victory Alexander won more by his own Vertue then by any fortune and with hardiness and courage more then through any advantage of the ground for he both ordered his Battels politickly and fought manfully With great wisdom he contemned the loss of the Baggage considering the weight of the whole matter to consist in the Battel it self Whilest the fortune of the Field remained doubtful he used himself as assured of the Victory and when he had put his Enemies in fear he ceased not till he had set them flying and that which scarcely can be
of their terrour seeing they could not enjoy any benefit of the Stars for if any gave light the same was taken away by the shadow of the trees And the use of the ear could not serve for one to receive counsel and comfort from another the winde whirling amongst the leaves and the shaking of the boughs making an amazing noise But at length the day increasing in its light diminished the terrours that the darkness of the night had made Then by fetching a little compass about they passed the hollow gull and every man began to be a guide to himself At last they got up on the top of the Hill from whence they might behold their Enemies in their Camp Then the Macedons shewed themselves stoutly in their Armour appearing suddenly on their backs when they mistrusted no such thing and there slew such as came first to encounter with them So that on the one part the grievous noise of them that were slain and the miserable shrick of such as ran in for succour amongst their own company put the rest to slight without making any resistance When the Alarm was once heard in the Camp where Craterus lay the Army by and by passed forward to go through the Streights in the which they were repulsed the day before Philotas also with Polipercon Cenos and Amintas who were gone the other way arrived at the same time and gave a further terrour unto their Enemies When the Persians saw their Enemies assailing them in all parts at once though they were so opprest with their sudden invasion that at the first they were in doubt what to do yet at length they assembled together and fought notably necessity stirring up the faintness of their hearts for often-times despair is the cause of good hope They being unarmed closed with them that were armed and with the weight of their bodies pulled their Enemies to the Earth and killed divers with their own Weapons Ariobarzanes with forty Horsemen and five thousand Footmen that kept about his person brake through the Battel of the Macedons to the great slaughter of his own men and his Enemies and by making haste recovered Persepolis the chief City of the Countrey But when he was excluded from thence by such as were within he renewed again the Fight with such as were with him and so was slain By that time Craterus that made all the speed he could was come unto them Alexander fortified his Camp in the same place where he did discomfite his Enemies For though they were all fled and he certain of the Victory yet because he found his way stopped in many places with great and deep Ditches he thought good to use circumspection and not to make too great a speed not so much by fear of his Enemies Force as by reason of the nature of the ground which he found apt for them to lay ambushments against him As he was passing forwards he received Letters from Tyridates the keeper of Darius Treasure signifying that the inhabiters of Persepolis hearing of his coming were about to spoil the Treasure and that therefore he should haste to prevent it for the way was ready enough notwithstanding the River of Araxes interposed There was no vertue in Alexander more commendable then his celerity which he shewed specially in this for leaving his footmen behinde he travelled all night with his horsemen and by day-light came to the River of Araxes there he found many Villages and Houses whose Timber being taken down a Bridge was raised in a moment by the help of stones which were found in the bottom of the River When Alexander had passed the River and came near unto the City a company met him so miserable as seldom have been found in any memory They were Greeks to the number of four thousand whom the Persians heretofore had taken prisoners and afflicted with divers kindes of torments For some of them had their feet cut off some their hands and others their ears but all were marked in the flesh with hot Irons The Persians having maimed and deformed them after this manner kept and reserved them still as a memory of their despite towards the Nation But when they saw they should come under the obedience of another Prince they suffered the Greeks to meet Alexander They seemed rather to be Specters then men for nothing could be discerned or known but their voice The compassion of their wretched estate caused the beholders to let fall no fewer tears then they did themselves For it could not appear which of them were most miserable though their afflictions were divers But when they had cried out before Alexander that Jupiter the revenger of Greece had opened their eyes in beholding him that should deliver them they judged then all their gifts as one Alexander wiped the tears from his eyes and willed them to be of good chear for that they should both see their Countrey and their Friends and he encamped at the same place where he met them being two furlongs from Persepolis The Greeks drew themselves together to consult what was best for them to demand of Alexander and when some were of opinion to ask dwelling places within Asia and others had more minde to return into their Countries Euctemon the Cymaean spake thus unto them We that even now were ashamed to put our heads out of the prison and darkness we were in to make suit for our own aid and relief are become of such simplicity that we presently desire to shew unto Greece as a pleasant spectacle our deformities and maims whereof we have as much cause to be ashamed as to be grieved You must think that such bear their miseries best who can finde the means to hide them most and that there is no Countrey so familiar to men that be unfortunate as solitariness and forgetfulness of their former estate For they which make an account of their Friends pity and compassion know not how soon their tears may dry up no Creatures can love those faithfully whom they abhor For as calamity of her own Nature is full of complaint so Felicity is always proud and every one doth use to think of his own Fortune when he judgeth of his Neighbours For except we had all been in misery one of us long ago had been weary of another What marvel is it then though men in felicity seek alwaies their equals My opinion is therefore that we who as men long ago were as dead in this life seek us a place wherein we may hide our maimed members and whereas exile may conceal our horrible deformities If we shall return into our Countrey being in this case how can we but be unwelcome to our Wives whom we married young Or shall our Children or our Brethren now acknowledge us being the vomits of so many Prisons and though all things should there succeed as we could wish yet how small a number of us are able to travel through so many Countries How is it possible for
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
parties fortune as it were of purpose bringing such valiant men to fight together neither of them prevailing upon other But the streightness of the place where they fought did not suffer them to joyn with their whole force at once for more were beholders then fighters and such as stood without danger encouraged the others with their cry At length the Lacedemonians began to faint and scarcely able for sweating to sustain their Armour began to draw back to have the more liberty to flee from their Enemies that pressed sore upon them When they were once broken and scattered abroadâ— the Conquerours pursued after and passing the place whereupon the Lacedemonians Battel was first arranged made a sore pursuit upon Agis who seeing his men flying and his Enemies approach at hand willed his men to set him down where stretching himself to feel if the force of his body could answer unto his heart when he found himself unable to stand remaining upon his knees put on his Helmet and covering his body with his Target shaked his Spear and provoked his enemies to draw near if any were desirous of his spoil but there was not one that pressed near him but did cast Darts afar off which he always took and threw at his Enemies again till such time as he was thrust into the bare breast with a Spear But when the same was pulled out of the wound he fainted and bowing himself upon his Target shortly after fell down dead blood and life failing both together There were slain of the Lacedemonians 5340 and of the Macedonians not above three hundred but there was scarcely any of them that escaped unwounded This Victory not only brake the hearts of the Lacedemonians and of their Confederates but also of others who lay in wait looking for the success of that War Antipater was not ignorant how the countenances of such as did gratifie his Victory differed much from the intents of their hearts but desirous to finish the Wars that were begun he perceived it necessary for him to dissemble and suffer himself to be deceived And though he rejoyced much in the Fortune of the Battel yet he feared the envy that might ensue thereof it being a greater matter then the Estate of a Lieutenant did bear For Alexander was of such a nature that he desired his Enemies had won the Victory shewing manifestly that he was not contented with Antipaters good success thinking that whatsoever chanced to another man was a derogation to his own glory Antipater therefore who knew full well his stomack durst not use the Victory according to his will but assembled a Councel of Greeks to advise what they thought expedient The Lacedemonians made no other request but that they might send Embassadours to Alexander who upon their Address to him and their suit made obtained a General Pardon for all men saving for such as were the Authors of the Rebellion The Megapolitans whose City did abide the Siege were compelled to pay as a Fine for their Rebellion twenty Talents to the Athenians and the Aetolians This was the end of the War which being suddenly begun was ended before Alexander had overthrown Darius at Arbella As soon as his minde was delivered of those present cares as one that could bear better the wars then quietness he gave himself up to pleasures by the vices whereof he was overcome whom no power of the Persians or any other were able to subdue He was given to banqueting out of season and to a fond delight of drinking and watching in Plays amongst Flocks of Concubines that drew him into strange manners and customes which he following as things more pleasing then his Country Customes offended thereby greatly both the eyes and the hearts of his Nation and caused many that loved him before entirely to hate him then as an Enemy For the Macedons that were obstinate in keeping their own Discipline and unaccustomed to be curious being so penurious in their Diet as might suffice Nature only when they saw him go about to bring in amongst them the Vices of those Nations which they had subdued Conspiracies began to be made against him Mutinies arose amongst the Souldiers and every one complaining to another freely uttered their griefs whereby he was provoked to wrath to suspition and sudden fear Divers other inconveniencies insuing thereupon which shall be declared hereafter Alexander being given as hath been said before to unreasonable banqueting wherein he consumed both day and night when he was satisfied with eating and drinking he passed the rest of the time in Plays and Pastimes And not contented with such Musitians as he brought out of Greece caused the Women that were Captives to sing before him such Songs as abhorred the ears of the Macedons not accustomed to such things Amongst those Women Alexander espied one more sad then the rest who with a certain shamefac'dness did strive with them that brought her forth She was of excellent Beauty and by her Modesty her Beauty was much augmented And because she did cast her eyes towards the earth and covered her face so much as she might she gave suspition for him to think that she was descended of Noble Parentage And therefore being demanded what she was she shewed her self to be the Niâ—ce of Occhus that lately reigned in Persia and the Wife of Histaspis who was Darius Kinsman and had been his Lieutenant over many great Armies There yet remained in the Kings heart some small sparks of his former Vertue for in respect of her Estate being descended of the Blood of Kings and in Reverence he bare to such a Name as the Niece of Occhus he commanded her not only to be set free but also to be restored to her Goods and her Husband whom he willed to be sought out The next day he appointed Ephestion to bring all the prisoners to the Court where inquiring of the Nobility of every one he commanded them who were descended of Noble Blood to be severed from the rest amongst whom they found Oxatres Brother to Darius that was no less Noble of minde then of blood There were made of the last spoil twenty six thousand Talents whereof twelve thousand were consumed in rewards amongst the Men of War and the sum amounted to no less value that was conveyed away by them that had the keeping thereof There was one Oxidates a Noble-man of Persia that was imprisoned by Darius and appointed to suffer death whom Alexander delivered and gave unto him the Seignory of Media and received Darius Brother amongst the number of his Friends reserving to him all the accustomed honour of his Nobility Then they came to the Country of Parthenia being then but obscure and unknown but now the Head of all those Countries which lye upon Tygris and Euphrates and bounded with the Red Sea This Country being fruitful and abundant in all things was conquered by the Scythians who possessing part of Asia and Europe are troublesome Neighbours to them both The Scythians
reward was truly given them And the rule of the Rock with the Countrey thereabouts was committed to Sisocostus he himself going forwards with his Army from thence to Echâ—lima Alexander understanding that certain straights through the which he should pass were kept by one Erix with twenty thousand armed men he committed that part of his Army that were heavy laden to Cenon to be brought on by soft journeys and going before in person with the Slingers and Archers he put his Enemies to flight making the way clear for his Army to pass that followed after The Indians whether it were for the hatred they did bear unto their Captain or else to get the favour of the Conquerour killed Erix as he fled away and brought his head and his armour unto Alexander He considering the foulness of the act would not honour the doers for their example sake nor punish them because they served his purpose From thence by sixteen encampings he came to that part of the River called Indus where Ephestion had prepared all things in such sort as he had commission One Omphis was King of that Countrey who before had perswaded his Father to submit himself unto Alexander and immediately upon his Fathers death sent Embassadors unto him to know his pleasure whether he should take upon him as a King before his coming or else live privately in the mean season And although he was permitted to govern as a King yet he would not use the authority granted him until the King came He had caused Ephestion to be received in the best sort he could devise but notwithstanding he had not visited him because he would not commit his person to any mans fidelity but to the Kings When he understood of Alexanders coming he went towards him with his whole Power whose Elephants by small distances mixed in Battel amongst his Footmen shewed afar off like Castles At the first Alexander did not take him a Friend but as an Enemy and therefore set his Men in order of Battel and his Horsemen in wings in readiness to Fight When Omphis understood the errour of the Macedons he commanded his men to stay and putting his spurs to his Horse he rode forwards alone Alexander did the like not questioning whether he were a Friend or an Enemy but thought himself secure either through his own manhood or the others fidelity Their meeting as it appeared by their countenances was very friendly but for want of an Interpreter they could not speak together therefore after they had called one unto them the Indian King declared unto Alexander that the cause he met him with an Army was to put immediately his whole power into his hands and tarried not to intreat for any assurance by Messengers but upon trust only had committed both his Person and his Kingdom to him whom he knew to make War for the winning of Glory and Fame and therefore could not fear in him any perfidiousness Alexander rejoyced to see his simplicity and proffered him his right hand as a pledge of his promise and restored unto him again his Kingdom He presented unto Alexander fifty and six Elephants with many other Beasts of exceeding greatness and three thousand Bulls which is a Cattel of great value in those Countries and mâ—â—h esteemed by Kings Alexander enquired of 〈◊〉 whether he had under his Dominion more Souldiers 〈…〉 of the ground He answered that he was driven of necessity to have more Souldiers because he was at War with two Kings whose Kingdoms lay beyond the River of Hydaspis their names were Abiasares and Porus but the authority remained in Porus. He said that he was prepared and resolved to adventure the hazard of the Battel with such of them as should invade him first Hereupon Alexander granted unto Omphis both to take upon him the Diadem and the name of his Father that was called Taxiles the custom of the Countrey being such that the Name ever followed the Kingdom whosoever enjoyed it When he had received Alexander honourably in hospitality three days the fourth day he declared how much Corn he had delivered to Ephestion and to his Army presenting to the King and to all his Friends Crowns of Gold and besides of Coined Silver fourscore talents Alexander rejoyced so much in his good will that he both returned again to him his Gifts and gave him besides a thousand Talents of the spoil he brought with him with much Plate of gold and silver many garments after the Persian manner and thirty of his own Horses with the same furniture they did wear when he did ride upon them which liberality as it obliged Omphis so it greatly offended the minde of the Macedons For Meleager at Supper when he had well drunk said He was very glad that Alexander had yet found one in India whom he judged worthy to receive the Gift of a thousand Talents The King bearing in minde how much he had repented the slaying of Clitus for the rashness of his tongue refrained his anger but yet told him That envious men were ever Tormentors to themselves The next day the Embassadors of King Abiasares came unto Alexander who according to their Commission offered all things unto his will whereupon assurance being confirmed they returned again to their Master Alexander therefore thinking that through the greatness of his name Porus might be brought to do the like sent Cleochares to him to demand tribute and to summon him to come and do homage when he should enter the bounds of his Kingdom Porus made answer That of those two requests he would perform one which was to meet him at the entry of his Kingdom but that should be in Arms and with a Power Alexander therefore being determined to pass the River of Hydaspis Burzantes that had been Author of the Rebellion amongst the Arachosians was taken and brought to him bound with thirty Elephants an apt assistance against the Indians that are wont to put more trust in those beasts than in the trust of their own Nation Gamaxus King of a small portion oâ— India which had confederated with Barzantes was brought likewise bound unto him Wherefore committing them both to prison and the Elephants to Omphis he came unto the River of Hydaspis But Porus lay encamped on the further side to hinder his passage having fourscore and â—ive Elephants of huge strength oâ— body three hundred Waggons of War thirty thousand â—ootmen amongst whom there were many Archers whose shafâ—s as hath been said before were more heavy than they could wield Porus himself did ride upon an Elephant greater than all the rest who also being of a big stature appeared notable in his Armour that was garnished with gold and silver having also a courage equal to the strength of his body and so great a wisdom as was possible to be found amongst so rude a Nation The Macedons were not so much afraid with the sight of their Enemies as they were with the greatness of the River they had to
they that had the charge of the Waggons counting them their last refuge let loose the reins and rushed forward into the midst of the Fight The coming of these Waggons appeared to be a matter doubtful and dangerous to both Parties for at the first brunt the Macedons were born over and overthrown by them and when the Waggons came in any rough or miry place the Indians were thrown out of them For when the Horses that drew them were once galled and put in fear they carried the Waggons without government and tumbled part of them in the mire and part into the River a few traversed the fields and fled for succour unto Porus who seeing his Waggons scattered all over the Fields and to wander about with their Rulers he distributed the charge of his Elephants amongst his Friends and placed his Footmen and Archers behinde them He had many that sounded upon Timbrels being Instruments that the Indians used in the stead of Trumpets wherewith their Ears were so filled that the noise of their Enemies little moved them They did bear also the Image of Hercules in the front of their Foot-battel which was done for an encouragement for them to fight well and for a note of reproof and scandal to them that should â—ly from their Standard for it was loss of life to leave it in the Field So that the fear they conceived of Hercules who sometimes had been their Enemy was then turned into a Veneration and Religion The sight both of the Elephants and Porus himself astonied the Macedons and caused them a while to make a stand for the beasts being set in order amongst the armed men shewed afar off like high Towers and Porus himself exceeding the stature of most men the Elephant whereupon he did ride was an addition unto his height which excelled so much all the other Elephants as he himself excelled the rest of men So that Alexander beholding both Porus and his power said That at length he had found a Jewel equal unto his heart for we have to do quoth he both with terrible Beasts and with notable Men of War And thereupon he looked towards Cenon and said unto him When I with Ptolomy Perdicas and Ephestion shall set upon the left Battel of our Enemies and you shall see us in the heat of fight do you then set forwards my right Battel and freshly assail them when you see them begin to fall out of order Antigonus Leonatus and Tauron do you bend against their Main Battel and set upon the Front Our Pikes are long and strong and cannot serve to any better use then against the Elephants wherewith they may be thrust through and such overthrown as are carried upon their backs The Elephants are but an uncertain force which use to do most harm unto their own part for as they use to go against their Enemies so long as they are at command so when they are once put in fear they turn against their own men and shew most rage towards them He had not so soon spoken these words but he put Spurs to his Horse advancing against his Enemies and when according to his appointment he had given the Charge Cenon with a great Force brake upon the left Battel and the Phalanx at the same instant brake in amongst the midst of their Enemies When Porus saw the Horsemen give the Charge he put forwards his Elephants to encounter them but they being slow Beasts and not apt suddenly to move were prevented by the swiftness of the Horses and their Bows stood them not in any great stead for by reason their Arrows were so long and heavy they could not nock them on their Bows except they first staid their Bows upon the ground and the ground was so slippery that they could not have any perfect footing and while they were preparing themselvs to shoot their Enemies were come amongst them Then every man fled from the order that Porus had given as it chanceth oftentimes amongst troubled minds where Fear beareth more rule then the Captains appointment for in so many parts as their Army was divided so many Generals became among them Some would joyn all their Battels in one others would have them divided some willed to stay and others to go forwards and inclose their Enemies about there was no general consultation amongst them Porus notwithstanding accompanied with a few with whom shame prevailed more then fear assembled such of his Forces together as were dispersed abroad and advanced against his Enemies setting his Elephants in the front of the Battel They put the Macedons in fear troubling with their unwonted cry not only the Horse that naturally do fear them but also amazed the men and disturbed their order insomuch that they who a little before thought themselves Victors looked about which way to fly and save themselves which when Alexander perceived he sent against the Elephants the Agrians and Thracians who were men light armed and more apt to skirmish afar off then to fight hand to hand They bravely assaulted the Elephants and their Governours and sore afflicted them with the multitude of their Darts and Arrows that they bestowed amongst them and the Phalanx came constantly forwards against them who were already in fear but such as pressed over-forward in fighting with the Elephants procured their manifest destruction and being trampled to death with their feet they were an example to others not to be over-hasty in adventuring themselves The most terrible sight was when the Elephants with their long Trunks called Proboscis took the Macedons in their Armour from the ground and delivered them up to their Governours The Battel was prolonged doubtfully till the day was far spent the Souldiers sometimes flying from the Elephants and sometimes pursuing after them until that with a certain kinde of crooked weapons called Copidae prepared for the purpose they cut the Elephants upon the legs These the Macedons had right aptly divided for not only the fear of death but also the fear of a new kinde of torment in death caused them to leave nothing unattempted Finally the Elephants wearied with wounds with their violent strugling did cast their Governours to the earth and did tear them in pieces for they were put in such fear that they were no more hurtful to their Enemies but driven out of the Battel like sheep Porus being forsaken of the greater part of his men ceased not to cast Darts whereof he had plenty prepared upon his Elephant amongst them that surrounded him whereby he wounded many and by reason he lay open to every mans blow he was laid at on all parts till he received nine wounds behinde and before through which he bled so much that he had no power to cast any more Darts but for feebleness they fell out of his hands The Elephant also which he did ride upon pricked forwards with fury made a great disturbance amongst the Macedons until that his Governour seeing the King so faint that he let fall
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
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
assigned to encounter with those that Darius had sent to take the top of the Mountain He willed Parmenio that as much as might be he should stretch out his Forces towards the Sea and withdraw as far as he could from the Hills which the Enemies had taken but such as had direction by Darius to take the Hills neither durst resist such as came against them nor yet compass about such as were passed by them but fled away at the first fight of the Slingers which thing chanced well for Alexander for it was the thing that he doubted most that they from the higher ground should invade the open side of his Battel which lay unslanked towards them The Macedons marched 32 in a rank for the streightness of the ground would not suffer them to move in a broader body but by little and little as the plain between the Mountains began to enlarge so they had liberty to make their Battels broader and also for the horsemen to march upon the sides When both the Battels were come within fight of each other the Persians first gave a terrible and rude shout which was again doubled by the Macedons not with their number which was far inferiour unto the Persians but with the râ—bound of the Hills and the Rocks which doubled every voice of theirs Alexander did ride up and down before the fronts of his Battels making a signe to his Souldiers with his hand that they should not make too much haste to joyn with their Enemies for bringing themselves out of breath and as he went by he used to every Nation sundry exhortations as he thought convenient for their dispositions and qualities He put the Macedons in remembrance of their ancient courage and the number of Battels that they had won in Europe that they were come thither by his conduct not only to subdue Asia but the uttermost bounds of the Orient He shewed them to be the people that were ordained to conquer the world and to pass the bounds of Hercules and Bacchus he declared that both Bactria and India should be theirs in respect of which the countries that they had yet seen were but trifles and these were to be gotten all with one Victory Their Travel he said should not now be in vain as it was in the barren Rocks of Illyria or in the Mountains of Thrace but in this Conquest the Spoil of the whole Orient was offered unto them for the getting whereof they should scarcely need to handle their Swords since the Battels of their Enemies wavered so already for fear that with their approach only they had almost put them to flight He recalled his Father Philip unto their memory how he conquered the Athenians with the Country of Boetia how he rased to the ground the noble City of Thebes he made rehearsal to them of the Battel won at the River of Granike and of all the Cities that he had taken or that had been yielded unto him with the Countries they had passed through and subdued When he came unto the Greeks he desired them to call to miâ—d the great Wars that had been made against their Country in times past by the Persians first by the pride of Xerxes and after by Darius who made destruction both by Sea and Land in such 〈◊〉 that the Rivers could not serve them for Drink 〈◊〉 the Earth furnish them with Victuals for Food He rehearsed also how the Temples of their gods had been by them polluted and consumed their Cities overthrown and all Truces broken which ought to be confirmed both by divine and humane Law when he passed by the Illyrians and Thracians which were accustomed always to theft and spoil he invited them to behold their enemies which glistered with gold and bare no armour but spoil for them to take he incouraged them to go forwards like men and pluck the prcy from those effeminate women and to make exchange of their craggy Rocks and Mountains full of snow for the plentiful grounds and lands of Persia By this time both Armies were advanced within the throw of their Darts and Darius Horsemen gave a fierce charge upon the right-hand-Battel of the Macedons For Darius desire was to try the Battel by Horsemen rightly judging that the chiefest power of his Enemies consisted in their square Battel of Footmen So that the Battel where Alexander remained was brought to the point of being inclosed round if he had not perceived the same in time and commanding two Bodies of his Horse to keep the top of the Hill he brought all the rest of them to the incounter of his Enemies Having then drawn the Thessalian Horsemen where they stood to fight he commanded their Capt. to bring them about behinde the Battels and there to joyn with Parmenio to perform with courage what he should appoint them By this time the Phalanx of the Macedons in manner inclosed about with their Enemies fought notably on all parts but they stood so thick and were so joyned one to another that they wanted 〈◊〉 to wield their weapons They were so mingled that in casting their darts they one letted another few lighting on their enemies and the most part falling on the ground without harm and being forced to joyn hand to hand they valiantly used the sword Then there was great effusion of blood for both the Armies closed so near that their Harness clashed together weapon against weapon and foined at one anothers faces with their Swords There was no place for the fearful or the coward to fly back but each set his foot to other and by fighting kept still their place till they could make their way by force and so always passed forwards as they had overthrown their Enemies As they were wearied and travelled thus with fighting they were ever received with fresh Enemies and such as were wounded might not depart out of the Battel as it had been seen elsewhere their Enemies assailed them so fiercely before and their fellows thrust on so hard behind Alexander that day did not only such things as pertained to a Captain but adventured himself as far as any private Souldier coveting by all means to kill Darius which he esteemed the greatest honour Darius rode aloft upon his Chariot giving great provocations both for his Enemies to assail him and for his own Men to defend him As Oxatres his brother appeared most notable amongst them all in his furniture and personage so in affection towards the King he exceeded far the rest especially in that case of necessity for when Alexander approached near he thrust in before Darius with the band of Horsemen whereof he had the charge and overthrowing divers he put many more to flight But the Macedons swarmed so about the King and were in such a courage by the Exhortation that each made to other that they charged again upon the Band of Horsemen Then the slaughter was great and the overthrow manifest about the Chariot of Darius the noblest of his Captains lay
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
Macedons are there present we have consumed so much of their blood since the War began And seeing they are but few their loss must needs be to them the greater For how great soever Alexander doth seem to them that are Cowards he is but a man and if you trust me both rash and without consideration and hitherto more fortunate through our fear then by his own valour There is nothing can continue that is not governed by reason for though Fortune seems to favour for a while yet at last she will not support his rashness Besides that the estate of things are full of change and no man hath a perpetual felicity It may be that the providence of the gods have so ordained it that the Empire of the Persians encreased with such prosperous success by the space of two hundred and thirty years and brought to so great a height of fortune should now rather be shaken then utterly overthrown thereby to admonish us of mans fragility who useth to forget himself overmuch in prosperous estate It is not long ago since of our own motion and courage we made War against the Grecians and invaded their Dominions but now we stand at defence for our own Country Thus we are tossed one against another by change of Fortune for one Nation cannot suffice the greatness of the Empire which we both do covet But be it so that hope were taken from us yet necessity ought to encourage us the War is brought to such extremity He keepeth now as Prisoners both my Mother my two Daughters and Occhus my Son born to the succession of this Empire He keepeth Captive your Prince the Issue that is descended of the Blood-Royal yea and your Captains equal with Kings and if you do not now bestir your hands I my self am like to become a Captive Deliver you therefore my Bowels out of Prison and restore to me my Children for whose sake I do not refuse to die Be you all sure that both my Mother and my Children for my Wife is dead in Prison are holding up their hands crying unto the gods and calling for your help your courage and fidelity that you would free them from Servitude from Fetters and from the Estate they are in living at other mens will and appointment Think you that they can be content to live under such as they could scarcely vouchsafe to have for their Subjects I see that our Enemies Battels do approach and the nearer the danger is at hand the less the words I have spoken do satisfie me I make request to you by the gods of our Country by the Eternal Fire that is carried upon their Altars by the brightness of the Sun that riseth within the boundâ—s of my Empire and by the everlasting memory of Cyrus who did take the Empire from the Medes and Lydians and gave it to the Persians to deliver their Names and this Nation from shame and reproach Go forth chearfully have you good hope and see that you restore to your Posterity the glory you received of your Predecessours Behold you carry in your hands your Liberty your Help our Hope in time to come Whosoever contemneth death escapeth it and death only overtaketh such as do flie from it I ride here in a Chariot not only for that it is my Countries Custom but also that I may be seen of you all And I desirâ— nothing so much as that you will follow me whether I shew you an example of Courage or of Cowardliness In the mean season whilest Alexander did covet to eschew the place of peril whereof he was advertised and inforced himself to encounter with Darius left Battel where he remained in person he was compelled to fetch a compass about whom when Darius perceived he turned likewise his own Battel towards him willing Bessus to appoint the Horse of the Massagetae to give a Charge on Alexanders left Battel He sent before him his Hooked Wagons which by a signe given brake suddenly upon their Enemies with a full course to the intent that by their coming unawares they might work the greater destruction The Pikes that were set before in the Wagons destroyed divers and many were torn asunder by the Hooks that were on both sides The Macedons gave not place to them by a little and little but troubled their Array with a main flight When Mazeus saw their disorder he put them in more fear and appointed a thousand Horsemen to fetch a compass about the Macedons Battels to spoil their Carriage supposing that the Prisoners which were there kept would break their Bands when they should see their own Nation approach Parmenio who was in the left Wing did easily perceive it and immediately sent Polidamus unto Alexander to shew him the danger and know his pleasure what he would have done which when he understood by Polidamus Go thy way quoth he and shew Parmenio if we win the Battel we shall not only recover again our own but shall have also the Spoil of our Enemies Therefore I would not that any part of our Force should be removed out of the Main Battel but let him fight it out manfully and not regard the loss of Baggage wherein he shall observe the Honour of me and my Father Philip whose Custom was to do the like In the mean season the Persians were entred among the Carriages and had slain divers that were left there in defence thereof whereupon the prisoners began to unloose themselves and taking up whatsoever came to hand took part with the Horsemen and sharply assailed the Macedons divers were so joyful that they ran to bear tydings to Sisigambis how Darius had won the Victory and had overthrown his Enemies with a great slaughter and also that their Carriages were taken thinking the like Fortune had been every where seeing they saw the Persians fall to spoil And although they exhorted Sisigambis that she should leave her heaviness and rejoyce yet she continued in the same Estate she was in before without speaking one word or changing colour or countenance but sate still immoveable She was so overcome as it was thought with sudden joy that she durst not stir nor attempt Fortune for such as did behold her could not perceive which way she was inclined In the mean season Amintas that was Master of the Horse to Alexander came with a few Bands of Horsemen to relieve the Carriages but uncertain it was whether he did it of his own head or by the Kings appointment He was not able to endure the force of the Cadusians and Scythians for scarcely attempting the skirmish he was driven back and fled again unto Alexander being a witness rather of the loss of the Carriages then a Rescuer of the same The grief that Alexander conceived at this matter overcame the purpose he took before in hand and feared not without cause lest the Souldiers through the carefulness to recover their own might leave the fight and resort towards their Baggage He sent Arctes Captain
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
who inhabit upon the Bospheron Sea are ascribed to be in Asia and such as be in Europe possess the Countries lying on the left part of Thrace so far as Boristhenes and from thence right forth so far as the River Thanais that parteth Europe and Asia It is certain that the Scythians of whom the Persians be descended came not from Bospheron but out of Europe There was a Noble City in those days called Hecatonphilos builded by the Greeks where Alexander remained with his Army conveying Victuals thither from all parts Among the Souldiers lying in idleness there arose suddenly a rumour which entred into their heads without any certain Author or beginning which was that Alexander satisfied with the Acts he had done purposed immediately to return into Macedon This Fame was not so soon blown abroad but that they ran like mad-men to their lodgings and trussed up their Baggage and their Stuff making such preparation to depart that every man judged warning to be given to remove and that the thing had been done by appointment The tumult that did rise in the Camp by lading of Carriage and by the calling which one made to another came unto the Kings ears This rumour obtained the sooner credit by the dispatch of certain Greek Souldiers whom Alexander had dismissed into their Country with the gift of six thousand Deniers to every Horseman Thereupon occasion was given to think that the War had been at an end Alexander whose purpose was to pass into India and the uttermost bounds of the Orient was no less displeased at this rumour then the case required And therefore calling before him the Captains of his Army with the tears in his eyes he made a great complaint unto them that in the middle course of his glory he should thus be pulled back and compelled to return into his Country rather as a man vanquished then as a Victor Which misfortune he said he could not impute to his Souldiers nor judge that their cowardliness did give an impediment to his proceedings but that it was only the envy of the gods that put so sudden a desire of their Country into the mindes of valiant men who within a while should have returned with greater glory and fame Thereupon they all promised to travel in Reformation of the matter offering themselves in all things were they never so difficult to do as he would have them And they promised also the obedience of the Souldiers if so be that he would make some gentle and apt Oration to pacifie them who were never yet seen to depart from him in any desperation or disturbance of minde if they once beheld the chearfulness of his Countenance and the courage proceeding from his heat He promised so to do and required in the multitude an inclination to give ear unto him When all things were prepared which were thought expedient for this purpose he assembled all his Army together and made this Oration unto them When ye consider my Souldiers the greatness of the Acts which ye have done and the manifold Conquests that ye have made it is no marvel at all that ye be inclined to quietness and fully satisfied with Fame and Glory For not to speak of the Illyrians and Tribals of Boetia Thracia and Sparta of the Achaians and Peloponnesians whom I have subdued part in person and the rest by appointment I will not make rehearsal of the War we began at Hellespont and how we delivered from servitude the Barbarous Nations the Ionians and Aeolides and got unto our possession Caria Lydia Cappadocia Phrygia Paphlagonia Pamphilia Pysidia Celicia Syria Phenicia Armenia Persia Media and Partheniae We have gotten more Countries then others have taken Cities and yet I am sure the number of them have caused me to leave some of them unrehearsed If I could think that the possession of these Lands that we have conquered in so short time could remain sure unto us then my Souldiers I would though it were against your wills break from you to visit my house and my home to see my Mother my Sisters and my Country-men to enjoy there the Land and Glory that I have gotten with you where the joyful Conversation of our Wives our Children and Parents our peace and quietness and a sure possession of things gotten through our valour do tarry for us as large rewards of our Victory But if we will confess the truth this new Empire which we have not yet at Commandment but is kept as it were by way of intreaty doth require a time that this stiff-necked people may learn to bear our yoke and by framing their dispositions to more Humunity bring their cruel nature to a more civil conversation Do we not see that the Corn in the field asketh a time for its ripening and though the same be without sense yet hath it its course to be brought to perfection Do you believe that so many Nations not agreeing with us in Religion in Custom nor in one use of Language accustomed to the Empire and Name of another man will be conquered and brought to subjection with the winning of one Battel No trust me they are kept under with fear of our Power and do not obey us of their own good wills And they which shew you obedience when ye be here amongst them when you be absent will be your Enemies You must think that you have to do with wilde Beasts which being fierce of Nature when they be first taken must be shut up and tamed by time Hitherto I have reasoned with you as though we had conquered the whole Dominion that pertained to Darius which is nothing so for Nabarzanes possesseth Hircania and the Traytor Bessus not only enjoyeth Bactria but also threatneth us The Sogdians Dahans Massagetes Sagans and the Indians remain yet in their own Liberty and Jurisdiction who shall not see our backs so soon turned but they will follow in our Rear They all have a certain Friendship and Amity one with another but we are all Strangers and Forreigners unto them There is no Creature but that will more gladly be obedient to Rulers of his own Nation then to Forreigners be their Government never so terrible We are driven therefore of necessity to purchase that we have not or else to loose that we have already gained As Physitians that in sick bodies will leave no humour that may hurt so likewise we must cut away whatsoever shall be an impediment unto our Empire Have you not seen great fires to arise from small sparks not regarded We may not neglect any thing in our Enemies whom the more we despise the more strong we make them And because you should not think it such an impossibility for Bessus to make himself King where a King is wanting you shall understand that Darius came not to his Empire by Inheritance but got into the Seat of Cyrus by the benefit of Bagoas his Eunuch We commit 〈◊〉 heinous offence my Souldiers if we make war against
Law of the Macedons Kings in their own persons were wont to enquire in matters of Treason yet could not the Kings Authority prevail to Condemnation except it were confirmed by the consent of the Men of War Therefore the Body of Dimnus was first brought into the place the most part knowing not what he had done or by what chance he was flain Then came the King forth to speak unto the multitude who in his countenance declared the dolour of his heart and the sadness of such as were near about him caused unto the rest a great expectation of the event He cast his eyes down to the earth and in a muse but at length he plucked up his spirits and spake unto them in this wise By the Treason of some Assassinates I was almost taken from you but through the Mâ—rcy and Providence of the gods I am yet preserved Your Honourable Presence doth constrain me more vehemently to be moved against those Traytors because the only comfort and fruit of my life is that I remain to give thanks unto so many Noble men unto whom I am so much obliged With speaking of these words the murmure of the multitude did interrupt his speech and the tears did fall from their eyes then the King renewed his discourse How much more will you be moved when I shall shew you the Authors of so horrible a Treason which I yet refrain as one very loath to discover their names But I must uncover the memory of my former favours and utter the Conspiracy of my unnatural Subjects for how is it possible for me to hide so great a Treason Parmenio a man of that Age so deeply in my debt through the most ample benefits both of me and my Father and whom I most esteemed of all my Friends is the Captain and Contriver of all this Mischief His Minister Philotas hath procured Peucolaus Demetrius and this Dimnus whose Body you here see with other Partners of their wickedness to my destruction As he spake these words there arose throughout the multitude a great murmure and complaint such as useth to be amongst Men of War when they are moved with affection or displeasure With that Nichomachus Metron and Ceballinus were brought forth every one of them giving in Evidence of what they had spoken before yet it appeared not by any mans information that Philotas was privy to the Conspiracy But at the last when the noise was ceased and the Witnesses had said what they could the King proceeded in this manner Of what minde think you was this man who hearing the whole Report could finde in his heart to conceal the Treason the truth whereof is well declared by the death of Dimnus Ceballinus that reported an uncertain tale for the certain tryal thereof was afraid of no torments and never delayed any moment of time until he had discharged himself in so much that he brake into the place where I was bathing but Philotas only feared nothing believed nothing O how great a heart had this man who having knowledge of the danger of his King did never change countenance nor take so much pains as to hear out the information of the Accuser But in this silence and concealment there is Treason hidden and the greedy desire he had to Reign did drive him head-long to attempt this wickedness His Father is Governour of Media and beareth such a Command amongst the Captains and Men of War through my Authority that he hopeth after a great deal more then he hath and because I am without Children he esteemeth me not But Philotas is deceived I have Children Friends and Kinsfolk amongst you So long as you are in safety I shall not reckon my self without Heirs Then did he receive a Letter that was intercepted which Parmenio had written to his Sons Nicanor and Philotas wherein there appeared no great proof of any great Treason intended The Letter was this First take good heed to your selves and then to those that belong to you so shall we bring to pass what we have purposed Which Letter the King inforced saying It was written after such a manner that if it came unto his Sons hands it might be understood by them that knew the design but if it were taken by the way it should deceive them that knew it not Then proceded he Now will Philotas perhaps say that when Dimnus named all that were partakers of his Conspiracy he named not him As for that it is no proof of his Innocency but a token of his Power and Authority because he was feared even of them that might bewray him who betraying themselves durst not speak of him But what manner of man he hath been his life doth shew He was Fellow and Companion to Amintas my Kinsman who conspired High-Treason against my Person in Macedon He gave â—is Sister in Marriage to Attalus then whom I had never greater Enemy When by reason of old friendship and familiarity I wrote unto him of the Title given to me by the Oracle of Jupiter Hammon he did not stick to answer that he was very glad that I was admitted into the number of the gods howbeit very sorry for those that should live under such a one as would exceed the condition of man These were plain tokens that his heart was turned from me and that he despised my glory This I kept close in my heart so long as I might for I thought my Bowels pulled from me if I should render them contemptible for whom I had done so much But now it is not words that must be punished for the rashness of their Tongues is turned to Swords which believe me Philotas hath whetted to my destruction whom if I should suffer to escape alas my Souldiers whither should I go To whom should I commit my person He was the man that I made General of my Cavalry of the greatest part of mine Army and the Chief of the most Noble of the Youth thereof To his truth and fidelity have I committed my Safeguard my Hope and Victory His Father did I prefer unto the same Estate whereunto you have advanced me Media then which there is not a richer Country with many thousands of your Friends and Companions I have put under his Governance and Authority Where I trusted of most Surety there I have found most danger How much more happy had I been to have died in Battel and to have been slain by mine Enemies then to be thus betrayed by my Subjects For now being saved from the dangers which I most feared I have fallen into those which I ought to have least doubted You have been wont oftentimes to warn me that I should regard my safety it is you that now may do that for me which you have counselled me unto To your hands and to your succour do I fly I would not live though I might against your wills and though you would yet can I not except I be delivered from mine Enemies Hereupon Philotas was brought
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
hand and cut down the Wood to make them great fires the flame whereof took hold of the Sepulchres belonging to the City which by reason they were made of Cedar they were soon set on fire and never left burning till they were all consumed The fire made both an Alarm in the City and in the Camp for the Citizens thereby judged that their Enemies would make some attempt against them and the Macedons perceived by the barking of the Dogs and the noise of the men that the Indians would salley out upon them Wherefore Alexander issuing out of his Camp in order to Battel â—lew such as attempted the Fight Thereupon they within the City became of divers opinions some were minded to yield and others thought good to adventure the extremity When Alexander understood of their division he caused his men to abstain from slaughter and only to maintain the Siege At length they were so wearied with the discommodities of the War that they yielded themselves They affirmed their original to be from Bacchus who indeed builded their City at the foot of a Mountain called Meroe the quality of which Mountain being reported to Alexander by the Inhabitants he sent Victuals before and passed thither with his whole Army incamping upon the top thereof The Mountain grew full of Vines and Ivy abounding with Springs that flowed out in every place The same was also plentiful of many kinds of Apples of most pleasant taste the ground also brought forth Corn without cultivation There grew plenty of Lawrel-trees with many kindes of wilde fruit I cannot impute it unto any motion of religion but rather to plenty and wantonness that caused Alexander to repair thither where of the Ivy and the Vine-leaves were made Garlands by the Souldiers who ran up and down the Hills after a dissolute manner all the hollows and valleys thereabout rebounding with the voice of so many thousands of men calling upon Bacchus to whom that place was dedicate which license and liberty being begun of a few was spread so suddenly through the whole Army that the Souldiers scattered abroad without order lay here and there reposing themselves upon the grass and leaves that they had gathered together as it had been a time of quiet and most assured peace which licentiousness of the Souldiers rising by chance Alexander did not withstand but ten days together made Feasts to Bacchus during which time he plentifully banqueted his whole Army Who can therefore deny but that greatness of fame and glory is oftentimes a benefit rather of fortune than of vertue for their Enemies had no heart to set upon them whiles they were drowned in this excess of banqueting drunkenness and sloth but were as much afraid of their drunkenness as if they had heard their cry encounting with them in Battel which felicity preserving them here did afterwards defend them after the same manner in the middest of their Enemies returning as it were in triumph from the Ocean Sea when they were given all to feasting and to drunkenness When Alexander descended from the Mountain he went to a Countrey called Dedala which the inhabitants forsook and fled to the Woods and wilde Mountains and therefore he passed from thence into Acadera which he found both burned and abandoned likewise of the inhabitants whereby of necessity he was compelled to use the War after another manner For he divided his Army into divers parts and shewed his power in many places at once By which means he oppressed them before they could provide for themselves and subdued them to their utter ruine Ptolomeus took most Cities but Alexander won the greatest and afterwards joyned again his Army together which he had thus divided That done he went forwards and passed a River called Choaspe where he left Cenon to besiege a rich City called Bezira and he himself went to Mazage where Aassacanus being dead had left the Dominion both of the Countrey and the City to his Mother Cleophes There were three hundred thousand Footmen to defend that City which was both well fortified and strong of scituation being inclosed upon the East with a swift River having steep Banks defending the City that it could not be approached on that side Upon the South and the West parts nature as it were for the once had planted high Rocks lying betwixt them and deep hollows and pits made many hundred years before where the Rocks ceased there began a Ditch of Wonderful depth and wideness The Wall wherewith the City was inclosed was 35 Furlongs in compass whereof the nether parts were builded of stone and the upper parts of clay yet the stones were mixed with the clay to the intent that the frail substance clinging to the harder the one should binde the other and lest the Earth washed upon with the rain might fall all together there were stanchings of Timber put betwixt to stay the whole work which covered over with boards was a way for men to go upon Alexander beholding this kinde of fortification was uncertain what to do For he saw he could not approach to the Walls but by filling of those Ditches and hollow places and that he could not otherwise fill them than by making of a Mount which was the only way he had to bring his Engines to the Walls but whiles he was viewing the Town after that manner he was struck from the wall with an Arrow on the thigh which he pulled out and without wrapping of his wound he called for his horse and letted not for his hurt to give order for such things as he thought expedient But at length when by hanging of his leg the bloud drew from the wound and waxed cold whereby his hurt began to pain him he then said he was called the son of Jupiter but yet he felt in himself the infirmities of a diseased body Notwithstanding he would not return into the Camp before he had viewed what was necessary and gave order for all things he would have done After the Souldiers had received their orders by plucking down of Houses without the Town they got great plenty of stuff to make the Mount withal and by casting stocks of trees on heaps into the ditches and hollow places the Mount within nine days was raised up to the top of the walls and the Towers were planted upon the same such was the labour and diligence that the Souldiers used in this business The King before his wound was closed up took the pains to see how the Works went forwards and when he perceived them in such height he commended the Souldiers for their diligence and caused things to be brought to the walls by reason of which they that defended the walls were sore afflicted with shot and by reason they had not seen any such kinde of work before they were wonderfully amazed especially when they beheld the towers of such bigness to come forwards and yet could not perceive by what means they were moved they therefore judged it to be done
pass which being four Furlongs in bredth and so deep that no footing could be found appeared to them like a great Sea and yet the largeness thereof nothing mitigated the violence of the stream but it ran with no less â—ury than if it had been narrow appearing by the repercussion of the water in many places to be full of great stones in the bottom This River being sufficient to affright them of it self the sight of the further bank full of Horse and Men was an increase to their terrour where the Elephants that had bodies of an unreasonable greatness stood in their sight being provoked to bray of purpose to the intent that with their terrible noise they should fill their Enemies ears with fear Though the Macedons were couragious and their hearts full of good hope as they who oftentimâ—s had experience of their own acts yet their Enemies and the River both together made them wonderfully amazed for they could not think how to keep a stedfast course to the further shore in so weak and uncertain Boats nor when they were there could they see how to arrive with success There were many Islands in the middest of the River into the which both the Indians and the Macedons did swim holding their weapons above their heads Thâ—re they skirmished together in the sight of both Kings who by experience of this small bickering made trial of the success of the Battel to come But amongst the Macedons there were two noble young men called Sisimachus and Nicanor excelling in courage and in hardy attempts and through their continual good fortune had got a resolution to despise all peril Other young men took them for their Captains and without any other armour saving their Pikes swom over into an Island which was full of their Enemies where through their boldness only they slew many of them and so might have returned with glory if rashness where it findeth prosperous success could ever be content with measure But while with scorn and pride they tarried for their Enemies they were suddenly inclosed by such as did swim over the River and were killed with Darts which they cast at them from afar Such as escaped their Enemies were drowned in depth of water or eddies of the stream This fight put Porus in great courage who saw all their doings from the further shore And though Alexander was long uncertain what way to take yet at length he deceived his Enemies by this policy There was an Island in the River greater than the rest and apt to hide his designe by reason it was full of Wood and had a great â—ampiâ—r cast upon that bank which was towards his Enemies there both his Footmen and Hosemen might stand covered from the sight of the Indians and the rather to turn their eyes another way from looking towards the Island he caused Ptolomy with a great number of Horsemen to shew themselves against their Enemies far off from the Island and to put the Indians in fear of them making ever a shew as though they would swim over the River which thing Ptolomy did many days together to the intent that Porus should be inforced to remove his Army to that part to withstand him and thereby brought them out of sight of the Island Alexander also caused his own Pavilion to be set upon the Rivers side over against his Enemies and all the pomp that pertained to the state of a King to be set forth within their view with his Lifeguard standing in sight the same which was wont to attend his person Furthermore Attalus who was equal with Alexander in years and like unto him both in face and personage stood there openly apparelled like the King that it might appear to Porus that Alexander was still remaining there and went not about to pass the River The execution of this designe was first letted by a tempest whereby afterwards it was furthered and brought to good effect fortune ever using to turn her discommodities into good success towards him For when the Enemies were thus attent to observe Ptolomy who lay upon the river against him and Alexander with the rest of his Army was busie about the passing of his men into the Island before mentioned there fell suddenly a great storm scarcely tolerable to such as lay within their Cabines which so much afflicted the Souldiers abroad that they forsook their Boats and fled again to land And yet for all this their busling and noise was not heard of their Enemies through the vehemency of the shower As this Tempest began suddenly so it suddenly ceased but the clouds remained so dark that there appeared not so much light as the Souldiers might know one another by the face when they spake together which darkness might have feared some other men considering that they had to row in a River that they knew not their Enemies peradventure waiting for them at their landing whither they went as blinde men that for glory fought in peril But Alexander used that which put other men in terrour to serve for his desire and willed that every man upon a signe given should enter into their Boats with silence his Boat was the first that lanched from the shore towards the further side of his Enemies Porus only keeping his Watch against Ptolomy There was but one Boat that stuck fast by the way upon a Rock and all the other recovered the land Alexander then commanded the Souldiers to prepare their armour and fall into array and whilest he was dividing his men to put them in order of Battel and to march towards his Enemies it was reported to Porus that a great number of men of War were come over the River and landed which would straightway give him Battel But he at the first according to the fault that is in mans nature through overmuch confidence in himself believed it not but thought that Abiasares who was confederate with him had come to his assistance Yet when the day appeared and the truth was manifest Porus put forth a hundred armed Waggons and four thousand Horsemen under the leading of Hagis his brother to keep Alexander in action They counted those Waggons their principal Force for every one of them carried six men two Archers two with Targets and two that ruled the Horses which were not unarmed but when it came to the Fight they let their reins loose and bestowed their Darts among their Enemies But the use of those Waggons served to small purpose for the shower that had fallen more violently than was accustomed had made the fields wet and slabby that the Waggons could not stir but stuck in the mire and became immoveable whereas Alexander being without baggage or any thing that might be an impediment unto him fiercely invaded his Enemies The Scythians and the Dahans were the first that gave the onset and Perdicas was appointed with the Horsemen to charge upon the right-hand-Battel of the Indians Then the Battels beginning to joyn on all parts
be seen of them that thought he had been dead When the Indians perceived he was alive it took away the hope that some had conceived upon the false Report From thence he passed down the stream leaving a distance between his Ship and the rest of the Navy to the intent that with the beating of the Oars they should not disturb him of his rest which was necessary for his weak body The fourth day after his embarquing he came into a Countrey abandoned of the Inhabitants but plentiful both in Corn and Cattel in which place he thought to rest himself and his Souldiers It was a custom amongst the Macedons that when their King was diseased the chief Princes and the great Men watched about his Lodging which custom being then observed they entred all together into the chamber where Alexander lay at whose sudden coming he was somewhat amazed especially because they came all together He thought they had brought him some strange tidings and enquired of them if they understood of any new Assembly of his Enemies Then Craterus that was appointed to speak in the behalf of them all spake unto him after this manner Do you think that the coming of any Enemies could make us so careful though they were entred within your Camp as we are of your health and safeguard though of all this is the thing which you regard least Though all Nations conspire against us with their Power though the whole world were filled full of men of War the Seas overspread with Ships and never so many strange beasts brought against us it consisteth in the presence of your Person to make us Conquerours But how can any God promise that you who are the Light and Star of Macedonia can be of any continuance seeing you are so desirous to put your person in such manifest perils not remembring that with your death you draw with you into ruine the lives of so many of your Countrey-men Who is he that either can or doth desire to live after you We are come so far following your Fortune and Authority that without you none of us are able to return home again If you were yet contending with Darius for the Kingdom of Persia though we all would wish you would not adventure your person so perillously yet in that case we could not marvel so much at your prompt resolution for where the danger and the benefit that ensueth thereof are equal the fruit is the greater when the business succeedeth well and the comfort is the more when the thing chanceth evil There are none not only of us who are your Souldiers but even of such as were your Enemies having any understanding of your greatness that can suffer so base a town and of so little fame to be bought with the price of your life My heart shrinks at the remembrance of the danger which we but late did see with our own eyes I am amazed to rehearse how those vile hands were in a readiness to have carried the spoils of your invincible Person if Fortune of her clemencie had not preserved and delivered you from their crueltie So many of us as were not able to follow you are all Traitors and Forsakers of our Prince And though it was a matter that lay not in our power yet if it please you to note us all with reproach there is none that will refuse any punishment in the purgation of it notwithstanding we would require you that you would spare us for some other purpose We will gladly go whithersoever you will have us we require War be it never so obscure and covet the Battel though our fighting shall want Fame so that you will reserve your self to those hazards which are correspondent for the greatness of your estate How soon doth glory vanish away and become of no praise amongst such Enemies as are of no reputation And what thing is there more unworthy than to consume the glory you have gotten elsewhere amongst them where your glory cannot appear When Craterus had ended his speech Ptolomy and the others spake to him to the like effect and all at once with weeping eyes required of him that he would not from thenceforth be any more so thirsty to win praise but seeing he had gotten sufficient already he should content himself therewith and regard his health and safety whereon their universal estate did depend The King took so gratefully their loving affection that he familiarly embraced every one of them and after he had willed them to sit revolving in his minde more deeply their former communication he said thus unto them My faithful loving Friends and Country men I render you most hearty thanks not only that you prefer my Safety before your own but also that since the beginning of the Wars you have not pretermitted any thing wherein your love and benevolence might be shewed towards me so that I must confess that my life was never so dear unto me as it is now because I desire long to enjoy you You are desirous to offer your selves to death in my cause because you judge that I have deserved that benevolence at your hands but your imagination and mine is not after one way You peradventure do covet to enjoy me to 〈◊〉 of me continually Fruits and I measure not my self by the continuance of my time but by the greatness â—f my glory I might have been content with the riâ—hâ—â— which my Father left me and with the ease of my body within the bounds of Macedon have looked for an obscure and ignoble old age and yet I cannot see that they who live in sloth and idleness can assure themselves of their own destiny For even such as esteem felicity in long life are oftentimes prevented with sudden death But I who number not my years but by my Victories have lived long if I well weigh the gifts of Fortune For beginning mine Empire in Macedonia I have Greece in my possession I have subdued Thrace and Illyria I reign over the Tribals and the Medians being Master of all Asia that lieth between Hellespont and the Red-Sea and now am not far from the end of the world the which I determined to visit and to lay open to men a new nature and a new world I passed out of Asia into Europe in the moment of an hour being but eight and twenty years of age and having reigned but nine years and I am now become the Victorer of both Regions Do you think it then meet that I should now cease from the purchase of that glory whereunto I have only devoted my self No I will never cease but wheresoever I shall have occasion to fight I shall think my self to be in the Theater where the whole world doth behold me I will give Nobility and Fame to places that are obsure and will lay open to all Nations those Countries which Nature hath removed furthest from them in doing whereof it shall be grateful for me to end my life if Fortune
will have it so I am come of such a Stock that I ought to desire many things before long life I pray you to remember that we are come into these Countries where the name of a Woman is celebrâ—ted for her Vertues What Cities did Semiramis build What Nations did she subdue And what great Works did she accomplish We are not yet become equal unto 〈◊〉 Woman in glory and yet you would have me to be satisfied with it Be the gods favourable unto our purpose for there remains for us yet greater things to do And it is the next way to make those Countries which we have not yet touched to become ours if we esteem nothing to be of small value where there is any occasion to purchase glory Let it be your care to preserve me from the evil conspiracy of my own people and then there are no adventures in the War shall put me in fear Philip was more sure in the Front of the Battel abroad than in the Theatre at home he oftentimes avoided the force of his Enemies but he could not eschew the violence of his own Subjects And if you consider the end of other Kings you shall number more that have been slain by their own men than by any Forreign power But because there is an occasion now offered me to utter that which I have long conceived in my minde it shall be the greatest fruit I can receive of my travels if my Mother Olympias when she departeth this life might be consecrated to immortalitie if she depart in my time I will do it my self but if I shall be prevented by death remember you to perform what I have determined Having spoke these words he dismissed his Friends from him and continued many days in the same place Whilest these things were doing in India the Greek Souldiers that had lands and habitations appointed them at Catabactria through a sedition that chanced amongst them rebelled against him not so much for any hate they did bear to Alexander as for fear of punishment For they killed divers of their chief Rulers and assembling in force together took the Castle of Bactria that was negligently kept and procured the Bactrians to rebel with them Athenodorus was the Chief among them who took upon him the name of a King not so much for the desire of the Kingdom as by authority to make himself of power to convey himself and others home into his own Country But one Bicon of his own Nation became his Enemy and conspiring against him did invite him to a Banquet where he was slain by one Boxus Macerianus The next day following Bicon assembled the Greeks together perswading them that he slew Athenodorus but in his own defence whose purpose was to have destroy'd him But there was some that perceived his policy and the suspition was spread amongst the rest so that the Greeks fell to arms on purpose to slay Bicon But such as were chief mitigated the wrath of the multitude and contrary to his expectation he was delivered from that present peril Yet he could not be so contented but within a while after he conspired them that saved his life whose falshood being known they took both him and Boxus determining that Boxus should be put to death out of hand and that Bicon should end his life by torments As they were tormenting him the Greek Souldiers suddenly in a fury for what cause it is uncertain ran to arms the noise of whom being heard by them who had the charge of Bicon they set him at liberty fearing that the coyl had been raised for his deliverance He naked as he was came running amongst the Greeks where they were assembled whose miserable estate so changed their mindes that they willed him immediately to be set at liberty By this means Bicon being twice delivered from death returned into his Country with the Greeks abandoning the Colony whereunto he was appointed by Alexander These things were done in the Confines of Bactria and Scythia In the mean season the King of the two Nations which we spake of before sent an hundred Embassadors unto Alexander who being honourable Personages did ride in Waggons richly apparelled having garments of linnen Cloth embroidered with Gold and empaled with Purple They declared that the cause of their coming was to yield themselves their City their Country and their Liberties which they had kept inviolately for so many Ages to his will and appointment of which their submission the gods they said were Authors and not any fear for they were contented to yield themselves before they had proved their power with him The King called a Councel and received them under his protection appointing them to pay such Tribute as they did before pay to the Arachosians and besides to send two thousand five hundred Horsemen to serve him in his Wars all which things they performed obediently This done he made a great Feast whereunto he invited those Embassadours and his Lords he used therein sumptuous preparation ordaining an hundred Beds of Gold to â—at upon which being set a small distance one from another were drawn about with Curtains garnished with Gold and Purple In that Feast there was shewed and set forth all the great excâ—ss and voluptuousness which either by long custom was used amongst the Persians or by corruption was taken up amongst the Macedons the vices of both these Nations being there mingled together There was at that Feast one Dioxippus of Athens a noble Champion and by reason of his excellent force well known unto the King of whom certain envious and malicious persons betwixt earnest and jest said That he did nothing but fat his body like an unprofitable beast and when others went to the Battel he would anoint his body with Oyl and prepare himself to eat Amongst others that used evil words of despite against him there was at the same Feast one Horratus a Macedon who in his drunkenness challenged Dioxippus that if he were a man he should fight the Combate with him the next day upon life and death where the King should judge either him to be rash or the other too much a Coward Dioxippus laughing to scorn the pride and arrogancy of the Souldier accepted his proffer The next day they were more earnest to go unto the Combate than they were before in making the Challenge when the King saw them so bent and that they would not leave their purpose he consented to their will There were great numbers of men assembled at the Combate amongst whom there were many Grecians who favoured Dioxippus part The Macedon came into the Lists armed at all points holding in his left hand an Iron Buckler and a Spear and in his right hand a casting-Lance and having his Sword girt to his side was furnished as though he should have fought with many men at once Dioxippus came forth anointed with Oyl with a Garland upon his head and having a red Cloth wrapt about his left arm he held
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