unto that height of power was the Son of Amintas a man indued with wisdom courage and all other vertues of a Noble Captain This Amintas had by Euridice his Wife three Sons Alexander Perdicas and Philip who was the Father of Great Alexander and a Daughter called Eurione The Queen Euridice being enamoured with one that had married her Daughter conspired the death of the King her Husband to the intent to have married with her Son-in-Law and to make him King which thing she had brought to effect had not the Treason and Lasciviousness of the Mother been opportunely revealed by the Daughter After the death of Amintas Alexander the Eldest Son enjoyed his Fathers Kingdom who in the beginning of his Reign was so assailed on all sides that he was driven by force to purchase Peace of the Illyrians with Money and by giving his Brother Philip in Hostage And afterwards by the same Pledge he made a like Peace with the Thebans which was the occasion that Philip did attain to such Excellency of Knowledge and Wisdom for by reason that he was committed to the custody of Epaminondas who was a valiant Captain and an excellent Philosopher he was brought up in the exercise of honest Disciplines and Princely matters greatly profiting under a Scholar of Pythagoras School whom Epaminondas kept in his house for the instruction of his Son In the mean season Alexander was slain by the means of Euridice his Mother whose former Treason King Amintas her Husband had pardoned in respect of the Children had between them little thinking that she would afterwards have been their destruction For when Alexander was dead she caused in like manner her other Son Perdicas to be slain which Perdicas left behinde him one Son being a young Babe About the same time Philip the youngest Brother having by good hap slipt away from his Guardian Epaminondas returned into Macedon and not taking upon him the Name of King remained a great while no otherwise but as a Protector to his young Nephew Nevertheless afterwards by occasion of sundry mischiefs growing in the State the same being such as might not well attend the Majority of the young King Philip appearing to be a man of singular activity and of no less skill in feats of War then in knowledge of Philosophy was compelled by the people to take upon him the Kingdom of Macedon which as then stood in great difficulties and danger of ruine This was done 300 years after the building of Rome and in the 105 Olympiad In the beginning of his Reign he was environed with infinite troubles for all the Neighbouring Countries as it were by a general Conspiracy moved War against him and at one time sundry Nations combined together out of sundry parts to assail his Kingdom Wherefore considering that it stood him upon to move discreetly not being able to Match them all at once he pacified some with fair promises others with money and the weakest he withstood by force By this means he both made his Enemies afraid and confirmed the hearts of his people whom he found discouraged and sore amazed These things he wrought with great Artifice and â—ineness of wit in such sort that he diminished not any part of his Honour Estate or Reputation determining nevertheless as time should serve to deal with every one apart His first War was with the Albenians whom he overcame by Wit and Policy And whereas it lay in his power to have put them all to the Sword he set them all at liberty without Ransom By which point of Clemency though it was but counterfeit being done for fear of a greater War at hand yet it procured him great Estimation and Authority After that he subdued the Peons and from them turned his Power against the Illyrians of whom he slew many thousands and conquered the famous City of Larissa That done he moved War against the Thessalians not for any desire of their goods or spoil of their Country but out of a policy to add to his strength the force of their Cavalry which in those days were accounted the chiefest in the world This he happily effected for being suddenly assailed they were soon brought to subjection and Philip joyning the force of their Horsemen unto his Footmen he made his power invincible After all these things being brought to pass he took to Wiâ—e Olympias one of the Daughters of Neoptolemus King of the Molossi This Marriage was concluded by the means of Arisba who had the Government of Olympias and not long before had married her other Sister Troas This Marriage which he intended for his security turn'd afterwards to his subversion for thinking to have made himself strong by the affinity of Philip he was at last by him deprived of the whole Kingdom and ended his life miserably in Exile Not long after this Marriage King Philip dreamed that he saw an excellent Medal fastened to the Wâ—mb of his Wife and to his seeming the lively Image of a Lyon thereupon By which Dream the Divines did interpret that his Wife was conceived of a Childe that should be of a Lyons heart and courage which interpretation pleased him highly Afterwards at the assault of a City called Methronâ— by shot of an Arrow he lost his right eye whereof though the displeasure was great yet was he content upon their submission to take them to mercy He won also the City of Pagus and annexed the same unto his Kingdom He invaded the Land of the Tribals and at one instant conquered it with all the Countries thereabout Thus having made his Kingdom strong by subduing his Neighbours at his return home his Wife Olympias was delivered of his Son Alexander on the eighth of the Ides of April Of these good fortunes the King rejoyced no less then reason was having established his Country at home subdued his enemies abroad and gotten an Heir to succeed him in his Kingdom he could have desired no more of God if the minde of man could ever be satisfied which the more it hath the more it coveteth As Dominion increaseth so doth also the desire to have more which was well seen in Philip that still did compass how to grow great by taking from his Neighbours and lay always like a Spy waiting an occasion how to catch from every man whereunto he had an opportunity offered by the Cities of Greece for whiles one did covet to subdue another and through ambition were at strife who should be chief by one and one be brought them all into subjection perswading the smaller States to move War against the greater and to serve his purpose contrived the ways to set them altogether by the ears But at length when his practises were perceived divers Cities fearing his increasing power confederated against him as their Common Enemy but chiefly the Thebans Nevertheless necessity compelling they chose him afterwards to be their Captain General against the Lacedemonians and the Phoceans who had spoiled the Temple of Apollo This War
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
Embassadours of that Country Phratarus also who had the chief Rule of the Massagetes and Dahans which Nations were joyned by Affinity together sent certain Messengers to Alexander offering to be at his Commandment The Scythian Embassadours made request that Alexander would marry their Kings Daughter and if the Affinity pleased him that he would suffer the Princes of the Macedons to enter into Marriage likewise with the Noble-mens Daughters of their Country promising that the King should come in person to visit him He heard gently both the Embassages and still continued in that place till Ephestion and Artabasus came unto him and then joyning his Power again together he advanced into the Country that is called Baxaria There is nothing more esteemed in that Nation then to have great Droves of wilde Beasts inclosed in Parks which are very pleasant and full of Springs Those Parks are inclosed in Walls and Towers builded within them to be Lodges for the Hunters There was one Park in that Country that had remained unhunted during the time of four mens Ages into which Alexander entered with his whole Army chasing the wilde Beasts in every quarter Amongst the rest there was a Lyon of a vast bulk that came running towards Alexander which when Lysimachus who afterwards was King standing next to Alexander perceived he stepped before him to receive the Lyon with his Hunting Spear But Alexander plucked him back and willed him to withdraw saying That he was able to kill a Lyon as well as Lysimachus For you are to understand that this Lysimachus on a time hunting in Syria killed by himself alone an huge Lyon but yet he was torn to the very bones under the left shoulder and put in great danger of his life which being that which Alexander meant he performed with his Sword no less then he promised for he did not only receive the Lyon but killed him with one stroke Thereupon the Fable did rise how Alexander should have cast Lysimachus to a Lyon But though Alexander his chance was good herein yet the Macedons knew that by the Custom of his Country he should not have hunted on Foot without the chiefest of his Nobility and Friends about him He killed within that Park four thousand wilde Beasts and there did feast his Army returning afterwards to Maracanda Artabasus there excusing himself by his Age that he was unapt for the Rule of that Country Alexander committed the same to Clitus being the man that defended him with his Target when he was fighting bare-headed at the River of Granike and there cut off Rhosaceris hand that was in a readiness to strike the King He was an old Souldier to Philip his Father and notable by many feats of War that he had done Hellanice his Sister was Alexanders Nurse whom he loved no less then his own Mother For these causes he committed the strongest part of his Empire to his fidelity The King that purposed to set forward his journey the next day made the same night a Solemn Banquet wherein being too great a Boaster of himself when he was hot with Wine he began to set forth the Acts that he had done in such sort that his words offended the ears of such as knew them to be true The Ancient Men kept silence until such time as he began to deface the Acts of Philip his Father vaunting the notable Victory of Cheronese to be his own deed the glory whereof he said was taken from him by the malice and envy of his Father For he alledged how in the Mutiny which rose between the Macedons and the Greek Souldiers when Philip lay hurt of a wound which he received at a Fray and thought he could be no otherwise secure then to counterfeit himself to be dead he defended his body with his Buckler and slew them with his own hand who ran upon his Father to have killed him which act he said his Father never gladly would confess nor ever could abide to acknowledge his safeguard to come by his Son He also declared how after the journey he made by himself into Illyria in writing unto his Father he did ascribe the Victory unto himself having overthrown his Enemies when he was away He said that in his Opinion it deserved but small commendations to make a journey into Samothracia when Asia ought to have been spoiled and burnt Nor he thought no man worthy of praise indeed but such as do so great Acts as may exceed all mens credit The young men that were present were glad to hear these words and such other like but they were ungrateful to the Ancient especially for Philip's sake under whom they had long served Then Clitus who likewise was not very sober turned to such as were beneath him rehearsing some verses of Euâ—ipides whereof the King might rather hear the found then the words The effect of them was That the Greeks did evil who in the Monuments of their Victories did subscribe only the Names of their Kings who usurped that Glory unto themselves which other men did win by shedding of their own blood Alexander therefore judging his words to have been worse then they were inquired of such as were next him what Clitus said But when they kept silence Clitus with a louder voice rehearsed in order Philip's Acts and the Wars he made in Greece preferring them before any Acts done since that time Whereupon there did rise a confusion between the young men and the old But the King inforcing a patience himself when he heard Clitus deface his praise conceived a wonderful wrath in his minde Yet it seemed that he would have bridled his passion if Clitus would have made an end of his presumptuous talk But when he would not cease he gave occasion to Alexander to be further moved Clitus then did proceed so far forth that he durst defend Parmenio his case and preferred the Victory that Philip won of the Athenians before the destruction of Thebes And going further and further not only through drunkenness but even by a frowardness of a contentious minde at length he said If we must die for thee Clitus is not the first for they receive greater rewards of thy Victory that can most shamefully deface thy Fathers memory The Country of the Sogdians is given unto me that hath so often rebelled and now is not only unsubdued but such a one as by no means can be brought to subjection I am placed among those wilde Beasts that be of so uncivil a disposition But I could pass over things pertaining unto my self if the Souldiers of Philip were not despised forgetting that if the old Atharias had not turned again the young men when they gave over the fight we had yet sticked about Alicarnazus How is it then that Asia is conquered with these young men But I see it is true what your Vncle said in Italy He chanced upon Men and you upon Women There was nothing that Clitus spake or did in his rashness that moved more
that City was the first which either taught or learned letters They builded Cities and filled them with Inhabitants throughout the greatest part of the world as Carthage in Africk Thebes in Boetia and Cades in Spain upon the Ocean It is believed that by reason of their free course through all Seas and by visiting many strange Countries they had occasion to look out Seats in which to place their Youth wherewith they then abounded or else as some report the Inhabitants unwilling to dwell there by reason of many Earth-quakes were compelled by force of Arms to seek out new dwelling places But when many casualties had happened unto Tyre after this destruction being restored to its former height of flourish it now remaineth under the protection of the Roman Clemency About the same time Alexander received Letters from Darius wherein at last he was contented to name him King His request was that Alexander would receive his Daughter Saptina for his Wife with whom he offered in Dower all the Country between Hellespont and the River of Alys would reserve unto himself only such Kingdoms as lay from thence Eastward and if peradventure he should refuse to receive this offer he willed to consider that Fortune is not wont to continue long in one Estate and that the greater felicity men enjoy the greater envy doth attend them It was to be doubted he said lest he exalted himself through some vain affection like as Birds use to do whose natural lightness doth convey them to the Stars for there was nothing more difficult then in such young years to bear well the height and greatness of Fortune He willed him also to consider that there remained yet many Countries that he had not touched and that he should not meet him always in the Streights having to pass the River of Euphrates Tygre Araxes and Hydaspes which were as Bullwarks unto his Dominion and when he should come unto the Plains he would be ashamed of his small number He put him in remembrance how long it should be e're he could pass Media Hircania Bactria and the Indians that bordered on the Ocean Sea and likewise the Sogdians and Arachosians of whom men have no other knowledge then of their names only with other Nations lying towards Mount Caucasus and the River of Tanais And although no man should withstand him or give him Battel yet he should grow in age he said before he could pass so many Lands In the latter end he advised him not to call him forwards for he would come soon enough to his destruction Alexander made answer to those Letters by the Messengers that brought them to this effect That Darius offered to him that which was none of his own and made a proffer to give that which he had already lost For Lydia Ionia Aeolida and the Coast of Hellespont which he appointed in Dower were already become the Rewards of his Victory And as for Laws and Conditions those were wont to be given and appointed by the Victors and received of such as were overcome and if he were ignorant in which of those two Estates he were that he should adventure the Battel once again For he was not ignorant he said before he passed the Sea how Lydia and Cilicia were over small rewards for the making of such a War But his determination was to subdue and bring under his subjection both Persepolis the chief City of his Empire and also Bactria and Ecbatana with the uttermost bounds of the Orient He could fly no where but he was able to follow and therefore counselled him that he should not fright him with Rivers who had learned how to pass Seas Thus the Kings wrote one to another and in the mean season the Rhodians yeilded their City and their Haven unto Alexander who committed the Rule of Cilicia unto Socrates and the Country about Tyre unto Philotas Andromachus was made Parmenio his Deputy in Caria and Syria for Alexander minding to accomplish what he had begun commanded Ephestion that with his Navy he should sail along the Coast of Phenicia and so he came with his whole power to the City of Gaza About the same time there were solemn Triumphs and Plays at Isthmos accustomed to be celebrated by the confluence of all Greece In this a Councel was had and as the Wits of the Greeks be sudden they decreed to send twelve Embassadours unto Alexander for the carrying unto him a Crown of Gold in gratifying the Victory he had won and the Acts he had done for the safeguard and Liberties of Greece and yet a little before they hearkned how the Fame went and were ready to bend that way that Fortune inclined Alexander visited not in person all such Countries and Cities as refused to do their obedience unto him but made Conquest of them by his Deputies for Gales Mastered Paphlagonia Antigonus Liconia and Balachrus overcame Idarne who was Darius Lieutenant and won Miletuâ— Amphiterus and Egilachus with a Navy of an hundred and sixty Ships subdued all the Islands between Asia and Achaia and also by the consent of the Inhabitants got Tenedos always a Receptacle of the Persians They were at the point to have gotten Scios but that Pharnabasus Darius Deputy having intelligence of it did first apprehend all such as were of the Macedons Faction and committed the City with a small Garrison to Apolonides and Athenagoras that were inclined to the Persians Alexanders Captains for all this continued the Siege of the City not so much in trust of their own strength as in hope of the Faction they had within the City in which they were not deceived For through a Sedition which did arise between Apolonides and the Captains of the Men of War occasion was ministred unto the Macedons to enter the Town When the Gate was broken up and a Band of Macedons entred then the Citizens which before had devised to Rebel against the Persians took part with Amphiterus and Egilocus so that the Garrison of the Persians were slain and Pharnabasus with Apolonides and Athenagoras taken prisoners There were twelve Galleys taken with their Souldiers and Rowers besides thirty Ships and Vessels of Pyrates with three thousand Greeks that were in pay under the Persians the Greeks serving to recruit the Forces of the Macedons and the Pyrates being put to death the other Ships were added to their own Fleet. It chanced that Aristonicus the Usurper of Methyna ignorant of any such thing as chanced in the fore-part of the night came with certain Pyrates Ships to enter into the Haven of whom when the Watch demanded what he was he said he was Aristonicus and came to the succour of Pharnabasus They answered He was at rest and could not then be spoken withal but it should be lawful for him being their Friend to enter into the Haven for that night and speak with him when it was day Aristonicus was the first that entred and the ten Pyrate ships followed him But whiles they anchored their
the Mountains whereby men might get to the furthermost side 〈◊〉 the chief City of that Country and if he woâ—â— send but a sew that were light armed they miâ—t be brought to a place where they should appear above their enemies heads This counsel liked him so well that he made these Counsellours Guides for his Army and committed them to Tauron whom he appointed chief of the Enterprize He assigned unto him fifteen hundred mercenary Souldiers and one thousand Agrians with whom after the Sun was gone down he entred into his journey Alexander in thâ— third watch removed his Camp and by the Spring of the day had passed the Streights there he set his men in hand for the cutting down of Timber for making of Towers and all such other things as pertained to the assault of a City and so begâ—n his siege It was a difficult matter to make the aproach the City stood â—o high and the Rocks gave such impediment that the Souldiers were repuled and received many hurts contending both wth the Enemies and the scituation of the placâ— notwithstanding they gave it not over by reasn the King was always amongst the foremost aking if they were not ashamed being the Conqurours of so many Cities to be so long in the â—â—nning of a small Castle that was so obscure and unknown in the world As he was travelling amâ—gst the foremost with Darts and Arrows they â—ade many a shot at him from the walls but the â—ouldiers defended him with their Targets becauâ—â— they could not perswade him thence At lengtâ— Tauron appeared above the Castle of the City a whose sight his Enemies hearts fainted and 〈◊〉 Macedons more 〈◊〉 did assail them When 〈◊〉 saw themselves in this extremity and perceive their power not able to withstand the Maceas they became to divers dispositions For some were determined to die and many to fly away But the greater part retired themselves into the Castle from whence they sent unto Alexander thirty Embassadours to ask mercy But he returned a sad answer to them that there was no pardon to be obtained at his hands whereupon they being in the utmost danger of death and excluded from all other remedies sent unto Sisigambis by a privy way unknown to their Enemies making their request that she should vouchsafe to be a means to Alexander for the pacifying of his rigour towards them In her only they put their hope knowing how much Alexander loved her and that he esteemed her as if she had been his mother And they thought she would the rather incline to their desire because Madates that was Captain there had married her sisters Daughter whereby he became a Kinsman to Darius Sisigambis stood long in denial of their request shewing that it agreed not with her fortune to become an intercessour for others adding thereunto that she feared lest she might misuse his favours and make him weary of her importunities for she said that she had more remembrance that she was a prisoner then that she was a Queen But at length she was overcome with their solicitations and by her Letters made intercession unto Alexander after such sort that she first excused her self of her sute making and after required him that he would pardon them or at the leastwise that he would forgive her being Petitioner only for the life of such a one as was her Friend and Kinsman and now no longer an enemy but in readiness to submit himself This one thing is sufficient to declare the moderation and clemency that was then in Alexander for he did not only pardon Madates but also left the City untouched granting to all that were within it their liberty with enjoyment of their Lands and Goods without paying of any tribute More then this she could not have obtained of Darius being her Son When he had thus subdued the Vxians he united them to the Province of Susa and purposing to pass forwards he divided his Army into two parts whereof he committed the one to Parmenio to be conducted through the plain Country and reserving such a part as was pestered least with baggage he took the way of the Mountains which with a continual ridge runneth out in length from thence into Persia In his passage he plundered all the Mountain-Country and arrived the third day in the confines of Persia The fifth day he entred into the Streights of Pylae Susiae which were defended by Ariobarzanes with fifteen thousand Footmen who on the tops of the high and steep Rocks that hung over on both sides the way at the first kept themselves quiet on purpose pretending a fear until such time as the Army was entred into the narrowest of the Streights But when they saw the Macedons pass on forwards in contempt of them then they threw down great stones upon them which falling upon the undermost Rocks and there breaking in pieces rebounded amongst the Macedons falling with such violence that they distressed whole Regiments at once And besides this they did them great damage with shot of Arrows and Stones that they casted out of Slings Such as were men of courage were not so much grieved with the death and destruction that they saw there present as that they should be slain after such a manner like beasts caught in a pit whereas they could not be revenged upon their Enemies Their wrath hereupon was turned into such a rage that they ran up against the Rocks and there enforced themselves by taking hold and by heaving up of one another to mount up unto their Enemies But when they had caught hold of some outward part and thereby laboured to ascend by force of so many hands that fastened to it at once they pulled in sunder the thing they held by and fell down all together In this case they could neither remain go forwards nor yet defend themselves by any device they could make with their Targets seeing the stones were of such weight that were thrown down upon them Alexander was in great trouble of minde not only for the grief he received by the destruction of his men but much more for the shame that he had so rashly brought his men into such a dangerous straight He had been invincible before that day and never attempted any thing in vain He had passed the Streights of Cilicia without damage and opened to himself a new way by Sea into Pamphilia which felicity of his seemed to be now at a stay if not to retreat for he could perceive no other remedy then to return by the way he came He caused the retreat therefore to be sounded and gave order to his Souldiers to go close together and by casting their Targets over their heads to return the same way they came having then marched thirty Furlongs within the Straight When he returned and had planted his Camp in an open ground consulting what was best to do such a superstition invaded his minde that he called for the Priests and Diviners to help the matter
man would have judged that the whole Wood had been on a flame for there was scarcely space â—eft betwixt the fires for men to stand Then their nummed joynts began to be moved with the heat and their spirits which were oppressed by the force of the cold began to have their free recourse some recovered the Cottages which necessity caused them to seek out in the uttermost part of the Wood and the rest recovered the Camp which was planted in a moist ground but by that time the Shower was ceased the Tempest had consumed one thousand Souldiers with Varlets and Slaves It is said that divers were frozen to death leaning against Trees and yet seemed as though they had been living and speaking together It chanced that a common Souldier of the Macedons who had much pain to go and carry his Armour came at last into the Camp where the King was who notwithstanding that he was chaâ—ing of his own body against the fire yet he did rise out of his Chair and pulling off the nummed Souldiers Armour who was almost past his remembrance he set him down in his Seat He a great while knew not where he sate or who had received him but at length when his natural heat came to him and he perceived it to be his Kings Seat and the King to be there present he was afraid and did start up again But Alexander beheld him in the face and said Perceivest thou not now my Souldier with how much better condition thou livest then the Persians do under their Kings for it is death to them to sit in the Kings Seat and the same hath been the safeguard of thy life The next day he called his friends and the Captains of his Army together promising to restore to them whatsoever they had lost wherein he performed his promise for Sisimethres bringing unto him many Beasts of burthen with 2000 〈◊〉 and a great number of Sheep and Oxen he distributed all amongst the Souldiers wher in he both restored to them their loss and also delivered them from their hunger The King gave great thanks unto Sisimethres and commanding his Souldiers to carry six days Victuals ready dressed he marched against the Sacans where he destroyed all their Country and of the Booty there taken he gave thirty thousand sheep in gift to Sisimethres From thence he came unto a Country belonging to a Noble Prince called Cohortanus who subjected himself unto the King and he again restored his Country to him exacting nothing of his but that of his three Sons he should send two of them to serve him in his Wars But Cohortanus offerâ—d to him all three and made a feast unto Alexander with such sumptuousness as belongâ—d to the manner of their Country therein all the pleasures being shewed that could be devised Thirty Virgins of the Noble-mens children were brought in 〈◊〉 Alexander amongst whom there was Cohortanus Daughter called Roxane who in beauty and excellency of personage and comelinâ—ss of apparel 〈◊〉 amongst those Nations excelled all the rest And notwithstanding that they were all of excellent Beauty with whom she was accompanied yet she drew all mens eyes towards her and especially the Kings who could not well now govern his affections in such prosperity of fortune it being an infirmity which the frailty of man seldome can avoid Thus he who beheld the Wife of Darius and her two Daughters to whom Roxane was not comparable with no other desires then he might have beheld his Mother was so overcome with the love of a young Virgin being but of mean Parentage if she should be compared to the Bloud of Kings that he affirmed it to be a thing necessary for the Establishment of the Empire for the Persians and Macedons to marry together by which only means shame might be taken from the vanquished and pride from the Conquerours He also shewed a president how Achilles from whom he was descended joyned himself with a Captive And lest his doings should be counted lasciviousness he resolved to take her to him by the way of marriage The Father joyful of this which he looked not for gladly confirmed the Kings words who in the heat of his desire caused Bread to be brought forth according to the custom of his Country the same being the most Religious Ceremony of Marriage amongst the Macedons This Bread was cut asunder with a Sword and each of them made of it a Sacrifice It is to be thought that such as established the Customs of that Nation coveted by a moderate Diet to shew to them that were the gatherers of great Riches with how small a thing they ought to content themselves Thus he who was both King of Asia and Europe joyned himself in Marriage with a Maid brought in at a Masque to beget upon a Captive one that should Reign over the Victorious Macedons His friends were ashamed that he should chuse upon drink a Father-in-law among them whom he had lately subdued But after Clitus death all the liberty and freedom of speech being taken away they seemed to agree with their countenances as with the most apt instrument to declare the consent of their mindes After this was done he prepared his journey towards India purposing to visit the Ocean Sea And because he would leave nothing behinde him that might be an impediment to his expedition he took order for thirty thousand young men to be levied out of all the Provinces and to be brought to him armed minding to use them both as Pledges and as Souldiers He sent Craterus to pursue Haustanes and Gateues of whom the one was taken and the other slain Polipercon also subdued the Country that was called Bubacen and having set all things in order he set his whole imagination upon the War of India which was counted to be a very rich Country and to abound both with Gold Pearls and Precious Stones things appertaining as much to Voluptuousness as Magnificence and it was said that the Souldiers there had their Targets made of Ivory and of Gold And therefore lest he who thought himself to excel the rest should be surpassed in any point he caused his Souldiers to garnish their Targets with Plates of Silver and the Horsemen to beautifie their Bridles with Gold and Silver There were one hundred and twenty thousand armed men that followed Alexander in the War When all things were ripe for what he long before conceived in his evil-disposed minde he thought it time to compass how he might usurp the name and honour of a god and so willed himself not only to be called but also to be believed to be the Son of Jupiter as though his power had been as well to restrain mens thoughts as their tongues His intent was that the Macedons should fall prostrate on the ground and worship him after the same manner that the Persians did their Kings and to such his desire there wanted not pernicious flattery the perpetual poyson of Princes whose Estates have more
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
up some white Cloath You shall see me then come forwards with my power and turn the Enemies from you towards me He shall have ten Talents for a reward who doth recover the top first and he that getteth up next shall have one less and the like order shall be observed with Ten of the first I am assured you regard not so much my liberalitie as my favour When they had heard the King speak after that manner they imagined the thing done and departing out of his presence they prepared strong Ropes and iron Hooks which they fastened to the Rocks and so climbed up The King brought them about the Rock whereas it seemed least steep and most plain to mount upon and in the second Watch willed them to pass forwards with good speed They being furnished with two days Victuals and armed only with Swords and Spears at first went forwards without any great difficulty but when they came to the steepness of the Rock some took hold of the broken crags to lift up themselves and some fastening their Hooks on the Rocks climbed up by the Ropes They were compelled to rest and stay divers times and so consumed that day in travel and fear When they had passed many difficult places further labours appeared the height of the Rock seeming to grow more and more When they failed either of their hold or of their footing it was a miserable thing to see how they fell down headlong shewing by their mis-fortune an example to others what was likely to come of them Notwithstanding at length through all these difficulties they got up unto the top where wearied with the travel of their continual labour and some with the hurts and maims they had received they slept all that night amongst the wild and rough Rocks unmindful of the peril they were in When it was day they awaked out of their deep sleep and beholding the valleys underneath them they were ignorant in what part of the Rock so great a multitude of their Enemies should lie But at length when they perceived by the smoke in what place they were they upon the points of two spears set up the signe that was appointed them and found that in their coming up they had lost two and thirty The King being careful not so much for the desire he had to win the Rocks as to save those whom he had exposed to so manifest a danger stood all day beholding the top of the Mountain and when the darkness of the night took away the prospect of the eyes he departed to refresh his body The next day before it was full light he perceived the white Cloth set up on the top of the Rock but the variety of the Air the Sun beginning to arise and yet clouded caused him to doubt a while whether his sight had failed him or not But when it was full and open day it was manifestly apparent and all doubt was removed Then he called Cophes by whom he had attempted their mindes before willing him once again to exhort them to be better advised and if so be that in the trust of their strength they would not submit themselves that then he should shew to them those Souldiers that had taken the Rock over their heads When Cophes came thither he began to perswade Arimazes to give up his strength thereby to win the Kings favour and not inforce Alexander to stay in the Siege of a Rock having so many weighty affairs in hand But he found him more obstinate and proud then he did before and willed Cophes to depart and move him no more on that subject Then he took Arimazes by the hand and required him to go with him out of the Cave When they were come where they might look about he shewed him those that were gotten to the top of the Rock and scorning then his pride he asked of him whether Alexanders Souldiers had gotten wings or no By that time the Trumpets were blown in the Macedons Camp they might hear the Alarm that was made in the Army which as many vain and trifling things are wont in the Wars to grow to great effect so it was the cause that they yeilded themselves for fear so troubled them that they could not consider the small number that were over their heads but called Cophes again in great haste who was departed away and sent with him unto Alexander thirty of the chief men authorized to yeild up the Rock with composition to depart in safety But Alexander notwithstanding that he doubted lest his Enemies discovering the fewness of his men might put them to distress yet trusting in the felicity of his own Fortune and offended with the pride of Arimazes would agree to no condition but that they should yeild simply Arimazes thereupon despairing more of his state then he had cause descended down to the Camp with the chiefest of the Nation that were of Kin to him All whom Alexander caused to be scourged with Rods and then to be crucified at the foot of the Rock The multitude that yielded with the money that there was taken were given in gift to the Inhabitants of the new Cities and the Rule of the said Rock was committed unto Artabasus with the Charge of the Country thereabouts THE EIGHTH BOOK OF QVINTVS CVRTIVS Of the Acts of Alexander the Great King of Macedon ALexander having won this Rock with greater Fame then Glory because his Enemies remained in no place certain it was necessary for him to separate his Power and so he divided his Army into three parts He gave the Charge of the one part to Ephestion to Cenon the other and took the third part unto himself His Enemies were not all of one Opinion for some of them seeing their opposition could not avail yielded themselves before the Fight to whom he gave the Cities and the Lands of those that continued still his Enemies But the Outlawries of Bactria with eight hundred Horsemen wasted the Villages of the Massagetes For the redress whereof Attinas Governour of that Country went against them with three hundred Horsemen not knowing that his Enemies lay in wait for him who planting their Ambushment in a Wood joyning to a great Plain had appointed some men to drive Cattel thereby to draw their Enemies with the greediness of the prey within danger of the Ambush When the Souldiers of Attinas saw the Drivers of the Cattel they pursued them without order so that when they were passed the Wood where the Ambushment lay their Enemies brake out upon them not fearing any such danger and slew them every one The fame of this Overthrow came immediately to Craterus who drew thither with the Horsemen But the Massagetes being fled before his coming he flew a thousand of the Dahans that took their part whereby the Rebellion of all the Country ceased Thus Alexander having subdued the Sogdians returned to Maracanda whither Berdes whom he had sent to the Scythians inhabiting about Bosphorus came to him with