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
out of order The Ships therefore did beat one against the other the Oars crashed asunder and every Ship either thrust forward or did put back one another No man would have judged it to be one Fleet but rather two Navies sighting a Battel upon the Sea The Sterns did strike against the poop such as went before troubled them that came after and at last the words of men in their choler came unto blows The tide had now over-flown all the Plains thereabout so that nothing appeared above the Waters save the Hills which seemed so many little Islands whereunto many did swim and left their Ships for fear Whilest the Navy was thus dispersed abroad and partly floated as they hapned in any valley and partly stuck in the ground as they lighted on the flats there came suddenly another terrour greater then the first For when the Sea began to ebbe the water fell back again into his wonted course with so great violence as it came forwards and restored the sight of the Land which before was drowned as in a deep Sea The Ships then forsaken of the water fell upon their sides and the Fields were strewed with broken boards and pieces of Oars The Souldiers durst not go forth to Land and yet were in doubt to tarry on Ship-board looking ever for some greater mischief to come then what they saw present or past They could scarcely believe what they saw and suffered which was a Shipwrack upon the land and a Sea within a River They thought no end could come of this calamity for they knew not that the Sea should shortly return again and set their Ships afloat And therefore they proposed to themselves Famine and all extremities The Monsters also of the Sea which after the water was past were left on dry land did put them in great fear The night approached and despair brought the King into a great agony yet no care could so overcome his heart that was invincible but he watched all night and sent Horsemen to the mouth of the River to bring him word when the tide came He caused two Ships that were broken to be amended and such as were overwhelmed to be hoised up again warning all men to lie in wait and be in a readiness against the water should arise When he had consumed all that night in watching and giving exhortation unto his men straightways the Horesemen returned on a main gallop and the tide at their heels which mildly increasing began to raise again their Ships and when it had once over-flown the Banks the whole Navy began to move Then all the Coast rebounded with the unmeasurable rejoycing that the Souldiers and Mariners made for their safeguard whereof they were before in despair When they saw the danger past they inquired one of another by what reason the Sea could so soon â—bb and flow and debated the nature of that Element which one while disagreed and another while was obedient and subject to the time The King conjecturing by the signes he had seen before that after the Sun-rising the tide would serve to his purpose at mid-night with a few Ships did sail down the Stream and passing out at the mouth of the River he entred four hundred Furlongs into the Sea and being Master of his desires he there made sacrifice to the gods of the Sea who were worshipped in those Countries and returned again unto his Navy On the next day he returned backwards against the Stream and arrived at a salt Lake the nature whereof being unknown deceived many that rashly entred into the water for their bodies by and by became full of scabs which disease taken by some the contagion thereof infected many others but they found that Oyl was a remedy for the same Alexander lying still with his Army waiting for the Spring of the year sent Leonatus before by Land where he thought to pass to dig Wells because the Country was very dry and destitute of water In the mean time he builded many Cities and commanded Nearchus and Onesicritus that were most expert in the Discipline of Sea-service with his strongest Ships to pass into the Ocean and to go so far forwards as they might with surety to understand the nature of the Sea and willed them at their return to land either within that River or else within Euphrates When the Winter was well passed he burned those Ships which were unserviceable and conveyed his Army by Land After â—ine Incampings he came into the Country of the Arabitans and from thence in nine days came into the Country of the Gedrosians who being a free Nation by a general Counsel had amongst them yielded themselves of whom there was not any thing demanded saving only Victuals The fifth day he came into a River which the Country-men call Barabon beyond which there lay a barren Country greatly destitute of water through the which he passed and entred amongst the Horitans There he betook the greater part of his Army to Ephestion and divided the Souldiers that were light armed to Ptolomy and Leonatus and so they wasted the Country with three Armies at once and took a great booty Ptolomy turned towards the Sea Leonatus on the other hand and Alexander himself in the midst In that Country he builded also a City and brought men out of Arrachosia to inhabit it From thence he came amongst the Indians who lying upon the Sea-coast do inhabit a great Country that is waste and desart They use no Traffique Commerce nor Conversation with any of their Neighbours but the desartness of their Country made them savage being wilde of their own nature Their nails and hair are never cut they made their Houses of the Shells of Fishes and of other things that the Sea casteth up and being clad with the skins of wilde Beasts do â—eed on Fishes dried with the Sun and such Monsters as the Sea doth cast upon the Land Here the Macedons consumed their Victuals and first endured scarcity and afterwards extream hunger searching out in every place the roots of the Palms which is the only Tree that groweth in that Country But when that kinde of nourishment failed them they killed their Carriage-beasts and abstained not from their Horses insomuch that lacking Beasts to bear their Baggage they were inforced to consume with fire those Spoils of their Enemies which had caused them to travel into the uttermost bounds of the Orient After their Famine there followed a Pestilence for the unaccustomed nourishment of the unwholesome meat they did eat with the travel of their journey and the anxiety of their mindes did spread Diseases amongst them in such sort that they could neither continue in a place nor yet go forwards without great destruction Hunger oppressed them when they tarried and the Pestilence was more vehement ever as they went forwards The Fields therefore were strewn full of men that were half dead and half alive and such as were but half sick were not able to follow the Army
and love amongst his people that all affirmed by one consent how the Person of their King was changed and not his Vertue his Name was altered but not his Government In the beginning of his Reign Rebellion was made against him on all sides but immediately with an incredible courage and constancy of minde he appeased all the Tumults That matter set in order he went to Corinth in Peloponnesus where calling a General Councel of all the States of Greece he was Elected Captain General against the Persians who had afflicted Greece with many overthrows and at that present did posses the greatest Empire in the world His Father had designed this War before but by the prevention of death he brought not his intention to effect Whilest he was in preparation for this Enterprise he was informed how the Athenians the Thebans and Lacedemonians were revolted from him and were Confederate with the Persians by the perswasions of the Orator Demosthenes who was corrupted by them with a great sum of money For the Reformation whereof Alexander so suddenly advanced with his Army that when he came upon them they could scarcely believe he should be present having not received the least intelligence of his March In his way he treated with the Thessalians and used to them such gentle words and apt perswasions by putting them in remembrance of his Fathers benefit and of the Ancient Kindred between them by their discent from Hercules that by an Universal Decree of the whole Country he was created their Governour and they delivered up unto him all his Treasures and Revenues So great was the celerity that this young man used and his diligence so effectual that he made all such to fear him as before were revolted or had him in contempt As the Athenians were the first that failed so they first of all repented extolling with praises Alexanders young years which before they had despised above the vertue of the Ancient Conquerours They also sent Embassadours to require of him Peace whom he sore rebuked when they came to his presence but yet was content at length to remit their offence And although Demosthenes was chosen one of the Embassadours yet he came not in his sight but being on his way as far as Cytheron he returned again to Athens which either was for fear that he had so often inveighed against Philip and stirred the Athenians against him or else to take away the suspition of himself from the King of Persia of whom it was said he received a great sum of Gold to oppose the Macedons The same thing was objected against him by Aeschines in an Oration where he saith For the present the Kings Gold doth bear his charges but that cannot last him long seeing no riches can suffice his prodigal life When Alexander had pacified the Tumults that were begun in Greece before he would pass his Army into Asia he made a journey against the Peons the Tribals and the Illyrians because he understood they were conspiring together and bordered upon his Country and were accustomed to invade it upon every occasion he thought them to be no way neglected before he removed his Army from the City of Amphipolis He therefore marched against the Thracians who at that time were not under the Rule or Law of any In ten days he came to the Mount Heâ—tis in the top whereof he found them incamped with a Power to refâ—r his passage Instead of Trencher they had impâ—lâ—d themselves with their Carriages cross the Streights purposing there to withstand him and it they should be invaded any other way then by the Streights they did determine to roul their Carriages down the Hill upon the Macedons to break their array That Device was put in execution but the Souldiers had received before instructions by Alexander as occasion should serve either to open their array to let the Chariots and Wheels pass through them or else to fall flat upon the ground and by covering their bodies with their Targets to avoid the danger They followed their instructions and when the Chariots were passed by they with a great courage and shout mounted up against their Enemies and in a moment put them to slight When Alexander was passed the Mountain he entred into the Country of the Tribals as far as the River of Ligeus When Syrmus King of that Land understood of his approach he sent his Wife and his Children with such of his people as were not meet for the wars into in Island called Peuca scituate within the River of Danubius into which Island the Thracians bordering with the Tribals were fled also It was not long after that Syrmus himself fled thither in like manner The rest of the Tribals that were not with the King withdrawing themselves into an other Island where they kept themselves against Alexander But he by policy sought the means to draw them out of their strength whereby he slew of them to the number of three thousand and the rest fled away so that of prisoners but few were taken After this Battel he marched towards the River of Danubius to the Island whither the Thracians and the other Tribals were fled They made notable resistance against him which they might the better do by reason Alexander wanted Boats to pass into the Island the Banks whereof were so high and sleep that they would not be mounted on but with great difficulty the River running violently swift by reason that the Stream was there driven into a streight When Alexander perceived the impossibility to assault them he withdrew to another place where getting a few Boats in the night he passed over one thousand five hundred Horsemen and four thousand Footmen With that company he set upon a people called Getes who stood in order of Battel on the further side of the River with four thousand Horsemen and ten thousand Footmen of purpose to stop the Macedons passage But by their sudden coming over the Getes were so afraid that they did not abide the first assault It seemed to them a wonderful adventure for Alexander in one night without a Bridge to pass his Army over the broadest and deepest River in all Europe This struck such a fear and terrour in their hearts that they fled into the Woods Mountains and Desart places leaving their City desolate which was taken by Alexander Syrmus King of the Tribals with the Germans and the other Inhabitants upon the River of Danubius sent their Embassadours thither unto Alexander to enter with him into friendship and he condescending unto their requests inquired of the Germans what thing it was which in the world they doubted most thinking indeed that the terrour of his name had been the most fearful thing unto them But when they understood his meaning they answered That they doubted greatly the falling of the Skie with whose presumptuous answer Alexander was nothing moved nor further replied only he said the Germans were a proud people and thereupon dismissed them As he was going
law of Arms is observed Think not that the Scythians do confirm their friendship with any oath for they think they swear in keeping of their faith The custome of the Greeks is to justifie their doings by calling their gods to witness but we acknowledge Religion to consist in faith They that do not their due reverence unto men deceive the gods Think not those Friends to be necessary unto thee of whose good will thou shalt need to doubt Thou mayest use us as Keepers both of Europe and Asia for we should joyn with Bactria but that Tanais doth devide us and beyond Tanais our Dominion stretcheth so far as Thracia and the Fame is that Thracia confineth with Macedon Consider therefore whether it be necessary for thee or no to receive us as Friends or to visit us as Enemies to thy Empires These were the Scythians words to whom the King made Answer That he would both use his own Fortune and their Counsel that advised him well He would follow his Fortune he said because he had great confidence in it and other mens Counsel because he would do nothing unadvisedly nor upon the sudden Thereupon he dismissed the Embassadors and imbarked his Army in the Boats he had prepared In the foreparts of the Boats he set such as had Targets willing them to kneel upon their knees for their more safeguard against the shot of the Arrows And those were placed behinde them who had the charge of the Engines being both before and on both sides inclosed with armed mâ—n The rest that stood beyond the Engines being armed themselves defended with Targets such as rowed The same order was also observed in those Boats that carried over the Horsemen The greater part drew their Horses after them by the reins swimming at the stern of the Boats and such as were carried upon trusses filled with straw were defended by the Boats that rowed betwixt them and their Enemies Alexander with such men as he had chosen to be about his Person first lanched from the Land and directed his course to the further side The Scythians came against them with their Horsemen in order of Battel standing upon the brink of the further shore to oppose their landing whose shew being a terrour to the Macedons they had also another cause of fear in their passing over For the Boat-masters were not able to keep their course against the force of the stream And the Souldiers swaying to and fro for the doubt they had to fall in the water troubled the Mariners in the doing of their office By reason whereof the Macedons could not have scope to cast their Darts with any force taking more care how to place themselves out of peril then to annoy their enemies Their Engines stood them in great stead which seldome did shoot in vain against their Enemies that stood thick before them attempting to resist their landing When the Scythians saw them near the shore they did shoot an infinite number of Arrows into the Boats so that there was not almost any Target that had not many heads sticking in it At length the Boats arrived at the land then the Target-men did rise upon their feet and having more scope and surer footing threw their Darts more certainly and with greater force whereby perceiving their Enemies to shrink and rein back their Horses they leaped chearfully unto the land one exhorting and encouraging another and vigorously pursued them when they saw them to fall out of array By that time Alexanders Horsemen who had assembled themselves in Troops brake upon their Enemies and put them to great disorder In the mean season the rest being defended by them that were fighting landed and prepared themselves to the Battel Alexander with the stoutness of his courage supplied the impotency of his body His voice could not be heard when he spake and exhorted his men the scar of his wound not yet closed but all men might see him fighting wherefore every one used the office of a Captain in giving exhortation unto his fellows and ran upon their Enemies without respect of their own lives Then the Scythians could not endure any longer the countenance the force nor the cry of their Enemies but being all on Horseback fled away upon the Spur whom the King pursued eighty Furlongs notwithstanding that with great pain he endured his infirmity When his heart fainted he commanded his men that they should follow still in the chase as long as the day lasted and having not strength to sustain any further travel he returned into his Camp to rest himself The Macedons in their pursuit passed the bounds of Bacchus in monument of whom there were great stones set up of equal distance and high trees whose stocks were covered over with Ivy. But no bounds could be a stay to the Macedons being carried forwards in their fury for it was midnight before they returned again to their Camp who having killed many and taken a great number of prisoners did drive before them a thousand eight hundred Horses There were slain of the Macedons threescore Horsemen of the Footmen one hundred and about one thousand hurt This enterprise with the fame of the Victory falling in so good a season kept the greatest part of Asia in obedience which were at the point to have rebelled For they believed the Scythians to be invincible who being vanquished they judged no Nation able to withstand the power of the Macedons The Sacans after this Victory sent their Embassadours unto Alexander offering themselves to come under his obedience to the doing whereof they were not so greatly moved with fear of his Force as they were with report of his clemency used towards the Scythians after he had discomfited them For he delivered home all the prisoners without ransome to witness unto the world that he made War with those fierce Nations to shew his power and his vertue and not for any malice or to shew his wrath upon them That was the cause that he so gently received the Embassadors of the Sacans causing Excipinus to accompany them who being in the first flower of his youth was for that respect in great favour and samiliarity with Alexander In personage he resembled Ephestion but inferiour to him in pleasantness of speech After this Alexander giving order to Craterus to follow him by small journeys with the greater part of his Army he himself came to the City of Maracanda from whence Spitamenes who heard of his coming was fled into Bactria The King therefore making great journeys four days continually came into the place where under the conduct of Menedemus he had lost two thousand Footmen and three hundred Horsemen He caused their bones to be gathered together celebrating their Funerals after their Countrey manner By that time Craterus with the Phalanx was come to the King and to the intent he might punish with the Sword all such as had rebelled he divided his power into divers parts commanding them to burn in every place
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
from thence against the Agrians and the Peans he was advertised that Clitus Bardelius had rebelled and had confederated with Glaucius the King of the Thaulaunts He had also intelligence that the people of Anteri would give him battel in his passage wherefore he committed to Lagarus King of the Agrians who was well beloved of King Philip and no less in the favour of Alexander the charge to go against the Anterians and promised him upon his return to give him his Sister Cyna in Marriage and Alexander himself with great celerity marched against Clitus and Glaucius whom in sundry battels he overcame Whiles Alexander was about these things he received intelligence that divers Cities in Greece and specially the Thebans had rebelled which thing moved him much and was the cause that he returned with speed to suppress these Commotions The Thebans in the mean season besieged the Castle of Thebes wherein was a Garrison of Macedons and endeavoured by all means to be Masters of it Alexander by great journeys advanced to their rescue and encamped with his Hoast near to the City Such as 〈◊〉 rule amongst the Thebans when they saw him come contrary to their expectation and doubting whether such aid should come to them from other Cities as was promised began to consult how to proceed At length by a general consent they determined to abide the adventure and extremity of the War The King in the mean season stood at a stay giving them space to be better advised and alter their resolution For he was of opinion that no one City would have made resistance against so great a Power as he had being above 30000 Footmen and 3000 Horsemen all old Souldiers and expert in the travels of War The trust of their experience and valour had caused him to undertake the War against the Persians Truly if the Thebans had given place to Fortune and time and would have required Peace they might easily have obtained his desire was so great to pass into Asia against the Persians But the Thebans being determined to try their force and not to make any suit fought against the Macedons far exceeding them in number with great resolution but whilest the Battels were joyning the Garrison of the Castle issued out upon the Thebans backs whereby being inclosed they were vanquished their City taken spoiled and utterly razed Which extremity Alexander used of purpose because he thought the rest of the Grecians being afraid by their example would be the more quiet while he should be in the Wars of Asia To gratifie the Phâ—â—eans and Plataeâ—ns his Confederates which brought many accusations against the Thebans he slew six thousand of them and sold thirty thousand as slaves the money thereof amounted to the sum of four hundred and forty Talents yet he spared all the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 the Poet whereby he would witness unto the world the favour he did bear unto learned men In this City of Thebes was a notable Woman called Timâ—â—lea whom when a Captain of Thrace did ravish and would have inforced her to confess her money she brought him to a Well where she said all her precious Treasure was hidden and whilest he stooped down to look into the Well she thrust him in and threw many great stones after him whereby he was slain For this Fact she being committed to Prison and afterwards brought before Alexander he asked her what she was She answered without fear that she was Sister to Thâ—â—genes who being Elected Captain General against King Philip his Father manfully died for the Liberty of Greece whose stoutness and 〈◊〉 the King marvelled so much that he caused her wiâ—h her Children to be set at liberty The Athenians had so great pity and compâ—ssiâ—n of the Estate of the Thebâ—ns that contrary to the Commandment of Alexander they received into their City such of them as escaped which King Alexander took in such displeasure that when they sent Embassadours the second time to demand peace he would not grant atonement upon any other conditions but that such Orators and Captains which had stirred them to Rebellion should be delivered unto his hands But at length it was so carried that the Orators were reserved and the Captains banished who straight fled to Darius King of Persia At such time as Alexander assembled the Grecians in Isthmos for the determination of his journey into Persia many Orators and Philosophers came to visit him Diogenes only that remained about Corinth kept himself away as one that esteemed Alexander nothing at all whereat he marvelled much and went himself to visit him as he was warming of himself in the Sun He asked Diogenes if he had need of any thing that he might do for him To whom Diogenes gave neither reverence nor thanks but willed him to stand out of his Sun-shine In whose behaviour and words Alexander took so great delight that turning to those that were with him he said If he were not Alexander he should wish to be Diogenes When he had put in order the affairs of Greece committing the Rule thereof together with the Realm of Macedon to the Government of Antipater whom he most trusted In the beginning of the Spring he marched to Hellespont with his whole Army which he transported into Asia with incredible speed and diligence When they were come to 〈◊〉 further shore Alexander with great force threw a Dart into the Enemies Land and as he was armed leaped out of the Ships with great joy and there sacrificed making petition unto the gods that they would vouchsafe to admit him King of that Land From thence he marched towards his Enemies and â—orbad his Souldiers to make any spoil of the Country perswading them to spare that which was their own and not to destroy that Land which they came to possess He had not in this Army above the number of 32000 Footmen and 5000 Horsemen and but 180 Ships wherefore it is hard to judge whether it be more wonderful that he conquered the World or that he durst attempt the conquest thereof with so small a power To such a dangerous Enterprize he chose not out the young men in the first slower of their Age but the old Souldiers of whom the most part for their long continuance in Wars should according to the Custom â—e set at liberty and excused from the service of the wars saving at their own pleasure And there was no Captain nor any other that did bear Oâ—fice in his Army under the age of sixty years so that the Souldiers seemed to be School-masters of the Wars and the Captains for their gravity appeared to be Senators in some Ancient Commonwealth which was the occasion that in the Fight none of them minded flying but every one confident of the Victory did not trust to his feet but to his hands Alexander who every where made Sacrifice did 〈◊〉 most solemnity at Troy upon Achilles Tomb of whom he was descended by the Mothers side He judged him most happy of
conveyed them to Egypt and entred the Haven at Pelusium under pretence that he had been sent thither by Darius When he had got Pelusium he set forwards towards Memphis at the Fame of whose coming the Egyptians being a light Nation and more apt to raise a Coil then to maintain it when it was once begun ran to him out of all their Towns and Villages with an intent to destroy all the Persians who notwithstanding the fear they were in did not leave the defence of the Country but fought with the Greeks and were put to flight After this Victory Amintas besieged Memphis and his men destroyed so all the Country thereabouts that they left nothing unspoiled Whereupon Mazeches though he perceived his men much amazed with the fear of their late overthrow yet when he saw his Enemies scattered abroad and without order being overcome with security and the pride of their late Victory he at length perswaded his men to issue out of the City and in setting upon their Enemies to recover again what they had lost Which advice being good of it self being thoroughly followed took most fortunate success for they slew at that time both Amintas and all his company This punishment he suffered for the offence committed to both Princes being neither faithful to Alexander whom he forsook nor to Darius to whom he fled Darius Captains who escaped from the Battel of Issum gathering together such men as were scattered abroad and such power beside as they could levy in Cappadocia and Paphlagonia did attempt to recover again the Country of Lydia Antigonus was Governour for Alexander there who notwithstanding that he had taken many Souldiers out of the Garrisons of Alexander yet he so little esteemed his Enemies that he doubted not to adventure the Battel The Persians there received the like Fortune they did in other places and attempting the Fight in three sundry Countries were vanquished in them all At the same time the Navy of the Macedons which Alexander had sent for out of Greece meeting Aristimones whom Darius had appointed to make War upon the Coast of Hellespont sought with and drowned all his Ships Pharnabasus Darius having exacted money of the Misonians and put a Garrison in Scios passed into the Isle of Andros with a hundred Ships and from thence he sailed to Shiphnus and putting Men of War into all the Islands exacted of them money The greatness of the War that was in hand between two of the most puissant Princes of Asia and Europe did draw both Greece and Creet to Arms Agis the King of Lacedemon gathered together eight-thousand Greeks that were come home out of Cilicia and moved War against Antipater that was Governour of Macedonia The Cretians following sometime one part and sometime another received one while a Garrison of Macedons and another while of Lacedemonians to lye amongst them But those Wars were of no great importance for all mens eyes were fixed upon the Wars that were between Alexander and Darius whereupon all the rest did depend The Macedons had subdued all Syria and Phenice Tyre only excepted which being the greatest and most notable City of all that Country shewed that they esteemed themselves worthy rather to joyn with Alexander as Friends then to become his Subjects for when he was come near unto them and incamped upon the main Land which is divided from their City with a small Arm of the Sea they sent to him by their Embassadours a Crown of Gold for a Present with great plenty besides of victuals for his Army He received their Gifts as from his Friends and gave gentle Answers unto the Embassadours but he shewed himself much desirous to make Sacrifice unto Hercules whom the Tyrians specially worshipped and the Macedon Kings supposed themselves to be descended of him being admonished as he said by an Oracle The Embassadours made answer That there was a Temple of Hercules without their City in the place which they call Palaetiron whereas he might do Sacrifice at pleasure At those words Alexander could not refrain from anger whereunto he was much subject but fell in a great passion I perceive now quoth he because ye dwell in an Island ye trust so much in the scituation of your City that ye despise my Land power But I will shortly make you understand that you are scituated upon the Main Land and therefore trust to it that if ye receive me not in I will enter into your City by force When the Embassadours were dismissed with this answer such as were near about the King perswaded them that they should not exclude him whom all Syria and Phenicia had received But they had entertained such a confidence for that their City stood in the Sea being divided eighty furlongs from the Main Land that they absolutely determined to abide the Siege That Sea of theirs is much subject to the South-West-winde which at every Storm made the Waves beat so high against the shore that it would not suffer the Macedons to make any work for the uniting the Main Land to the City it being scarce possible to work any thing there when the weather was most calm The first work that the Macedons began was by and by thrown down with the vehemency of the Seas that were driven by the winde nor could they make any Fort so strong within the Sea but that it was washed away and brought down by beating of the Waves and when the Windes blew violently they would bring the Seas clean over the work There was another difficulty no less then this for by reason that the Walls were environed about with the deepness of the Sea they could raise no Engine to shoot but afar off out of the Ships nor was there any ground about the City whereupon Ladders might have been reared against the walls or approach made unto them by Land Alexander had no Ships and if he had any and would have coveted to bring them to the walls yet by reason of the unstableness of the water they might with shot easily have been kept off But amongst many other things the Tyrians were wonderfully encouraged by the coming of the Embassadours sent from Carthage to celebrate a yearly sacrifice for the Tyrians being the builders of Carthage were ever since that time had in Veneration of them as their Parents and first Founders Those Embassadours exhorted them in any wise to continue the Siege and promised them shortly aid which thing they alledged might easily and soon be done for so much as at that time all the Seas were full of the Carthaginian ships Upon this encouragement they determined to abide the extremity and placed their Engines upon the Towers and walls dividing their Engines amongst the Youth of the City The Artificers whereof the City had greâ—t plenty were divided into Work-houses to make all such things as were necessary for the Wars There were devised certain Instruments wherewith they might pull down the Works that their Enemies made called Harpagons and
also Crows of Iron named Corvi with all other things that might be invented for the defence of the City But a strange thing is reported that when the Iron was put in the Forge and blown in the Fire the same was seen to be full of drops of blood which Wonder the Tyrians did interpret as a token of good Fortune towards themselves and as a signification of destruction towards their Enemies A like wonder was seen among the Macedâ—ns for when a certain Souldier was breaking of his bread drops of blood appeared therein whereat Alexander being astonied Aristander that was most cunning of all the Dâ—viners did interpret thus the matter If the blood had appeared outwardly then it had signified evil fortune to the Macedons but in as much as it was found within it betokened destruction to the City they went about to conquer Alexander considering his Nâ—vy to be far from him and that a long Siege should be an impediment to his other affairs sent Officers of Arms into the City to perswade them unto peace whom the Tyrians against the Law of Nations did drown in the Sea Their uâ—â—ust death stirred Alexander so much that he then utterly determined to go forwards with the Siege But before he could make his approach it was of necessity for him to make a Peer or Land-work whereby they might pass from the main Land to the City But in the making thereof there entred great despair into all mens hearts considering the deepness of the Sea which they saw not poâ—â—iâ—le to be filled scarcely by any Divine power for they thought no Stones so great no Trees so high nor any Country to have such plenty as might suffice for the building of a Bank in such a place considering the Sea remained always troubled and the narrower the place was between the City and the Land so much more greater was the violence of the waters But Alexander who had the policy to allure his Souldiers to what effect he pleased declared that Hercules appeared unto him in his sleep and gave him his hand proffering him to be his Captain and his Guide for his entrance into the City Thereunto he added the killing of his Embassadours whereby they had violated and broken the Law that all Nations observed and that there remained but one City which stayed his Victory thereupon he divided the work amongst his Captains that every one might apply his own Band and put the work more forward There were great plenty of stones at hand of the ruines of the old City where Tyre stood before and for the making of Boats and Towers Timber was brought from Mount Libanus The work did rise from the bottom of the Sea like a Mountain but it was not yet brought to the High-water mark and the further the Peer was brought from the Land unto the Seaward so much the sooner the Sea did swallow up the materials whereof the Peer was made Whiles the Macedons were thus about their work the Tyrians would come about them in small Vessels and give them words of reproach and scorn as they were now become goodly Men of War that would be made Pioniers and carry burthens upon their backs And they asked them if they thought Alexander to be greater then the god of the Sea But their reproach did not hinder but increase the chearfulness of the Souldiers in their pain and travel insomuch that the work in a short space surmounted above the water and increasing much in breadth approached near unto the City Then the Tyrians seeing the hugeness of the work in the increase whereof they saw themselves deceived little thinking that it would have grown to such a pass in little Vessels came rowing about the Peer and drove the Souldiers with shot from their working and because they could easily bring their Boats suddenly forwards return soon again they hurt many of the Macedons without any danger to themselves inforcing them to leave their work and fall to their own defence For remedy whereof and to avoid their Enemies shot they were compelled to stretch out Beasts skins upon Poles like Sails and set those between them and their Enemies and besides at the head of the Peer they raised up two Towers from whence with shot and casting of Darts they kept off the Boats that came about them On the other side the Tyrians would land men with their Boats far out of the sight of the Camp and kill such as were carrying of stones The Peasants of Arabia also did set upon certain of the Macedons that were scattered abroad in Mount Libanus where they slew and took divers that was one cause which moved Alexander to divide his Army and lest he might seem to remain idle about the Siege of one City he appointed Perdicas and Craterus to take the charge of the work he had in hand and marched himself in person into Arabia with such part of his power as was most apt for his present purpose In the mean season the Tyrians prepared a great ship laden with stones and gravel behinde so that the fore-part sloated above the water which ship anointed over with pitch and brimstone they brought suddenly by sailing and force of Oars unto the Peer and there remaining the Marriners set the ship on fire and then leaped into the Boats which followed after to receive them The ship thus set on fire so inflamed the Wood-work pertaining to the Peer that before any rescue could come the fire had taken the Towers of the Peer and all the rest of the Works that were made in the head When they who leaped into the Boats saw the matter take such effect they put betwixt the Timber and other void places both Fire-brands and all such things as might give nourishment and increase to the fire So that the Towers and all the rest being on a flame many of the Macedons were consumed therewith and the rest forsook their Arms and threw themselves into the Sea The Tyrians that were more desirous to take them alive then to kill them with staves and stones did so beat them on the hands as they were swimming that for weariness they were glad to be taken up into their Boats The Towers were not consumed with fire only for it chanced also the same day a terrible winde to rise which blowing from the Sea brought the Waves with such violence upon the Peer that with often beating of the Seas the joynts that knit the work together began to loose and to leave their hold then the water that washed through brake down the whole work in the midst so that the heaps of stones which were before sustained by the Timber and Farth cast betwixt them being broke asunder the whole work fell to ruine and were carried away into the Deep By that time Alexander was returned out of Arabia and scarcely found any remainder or token that any such work had been In that case as it is ever used in things that chance evil one laid
Red Sea It confineth on the West with other Ethiops which are called Simnoes Towards the North lieth a Nation called Nalamons who inhabiting upon a flat shore are accustomed to live upon the spoils of the Sea and lye always in wait upon the Coast to spoil such Ships as suffer wrack The people which inhabit about the Wood be called Ammonians and dwell in Cottages scattered abroad The midst of their Wood closed about with a triple Wall is unto them a Castle In the first Ward is the Palace of their Ancient Kings in the second their Wives Children and Concubines were lodged in which place the Oracle of Jupiter is also and the third is a place for their Men of War There is also another Wood having a Spring called the Fountain of the Sun which in the morning is luke-warm in the midst of the day cold and in the evening warm again at mid-night it is scalding hot and as it draweth towards day it diminisheth his heat more and more The same Effigies that is worshipped for Jupiter hath not the similitude of other Images that Crafts-â—â—â—â— do make for gods but is very like unto the fashion of a Navel having in the midst thereof an Emerald sâ—t about with Pearls When any answer is required the Priests carry the same in a Ship of Gold that hath many Plates of Silver hanging on both sides the Matrons and the Virgins follow after singing a strange Song after their Country manner whereby they believe they do oblige Jupiter to shew his Oracle manifest and true When Alexander was come unto the place the Eldest of the Priests who came to meet him saluted him in the Name of Jupiters Son for so he said his minde was that he should be called Whereupon Alexander forgetting the state of his Mortality said That he did both receive and acknowledge the Name Then he demanded further If the Empire of the whole World were appointed him by Destiny There the Prophet prepared before to Flattery answered That the whole World should come under his Obeysance After that he demanded Whether all such had suffered death that had murthered his Father The Priest answered That his Father could not be harmed by the Treason of any man but he said That all Philips Killers were put to death And one thing he added more That he should be Invincible till such time as he should depart to the gods Thereupon Alexander made Sacrifice and both offered unto the Idol and gave great gifts unto the Priests He permitted also his Friends to ask Counsel of the Oracle for such things as they would demand Yet they enquired no further but if it were Jupiters will that they should worship their King with Divine Honours To this it was answered Tâ—â—â— if they honoured their Victorious Prince as a god it should be acceptable unto Jupiter If he had with judgment weighed the Oracle he might have well perceived the untruth that was therein but whom Fortune hath brought to believe in her she maketh them many times more desirous of glory then able to receive it Alexander not only suffered but commanded himself to be called the Son of Jupiter and whilest he went about to encrease the Fame of his Acts he did corrupt and deface them with such vanity and the Macedons accustomed to be governed by Kings but yet reserving a greater shadow of Liberty then other Nations did withstand him more obstinately in affecting of his Immortality then was either expedient for him or them But these things shall be declared in time convenient I will proceed to declare the rest of his Acts. When Alexander was returned from Hammon and come to the Marish of Meotis scituate near unto the Isle of Pharos he viewed the nature of the place and was at the first determined to build a City within the Island But afterwards considering the Isle not to be large enough he chose out the ground where Alexandria now standeth called by the name of the Builder containing all that ground between the Mear and the Sea the walls whereof were in compass eighty furlongs When he had taken order for the building of this City leaving such behinde him as he had appointed for the performance thereof he departed unto Memphis He had a desire not unreasonable if it had been in time convenient to have seen both the inward parts of Egypt and also of Ethiopia and the affection he had to view Antiquities and the famous places of Mamnon and Tyton had near drawn him beyond the bounds of the Sun But the Wars he had in hand being of much more importance then any such idle Peregrination gave him no time to fulfil his fantasie therefore he appointed Aestilus a Rhodian and Peucestes a Macedon to the Government of Egypt assigning them four thousand Souldiers for defence of the Country and gave Polymen thirty Galleys to keep the Mouth of Nile He made Apollonius Ruler of that part of Africa which joyneth unto Egypt and Cleomines Receiver of the Tributes in both Countries This new City was soon replenished with a great multitude for Commandment was given to all Countries thereabouts to send Inhabitants unto Alexandria It is said that when the King according to the Macedons Custom used the Ceremony of steeping Barley at the raising of the Walls the Birds came and fed thereupon which being taken by many for an unlucky Token it was answered by their Diviners That there should be great resort of strangers to that City and that it should give nourishment to many Lands As the King went down the River of Nile Hector the Son of Parmenio desirous to follow him was drowned for the Vessel that carried him sunk being crowded with over-many men He strived long with the Stream but his garments gave impediment to his swimming so that his breath was near gone before he could recover the shore where for want of succour he died whose unfortunate chance Alexander took grievously as one that did bear him special favour and therefore caused his body to be honourably buried The death of Andromachus Lieutenant of Syria whom the Samaritans had burned alive was the increase of Alexanders sorrow for the revengement whereof he made all the haste he could and at his coming into Samaria had the Authors of the act delivered into his hands whom he put to death and then placed Memnon in Andromachus Room He delivered into the Methinians hands Aristonicus and Crijolaus who usurped over them whom they after many grievous torments did hang over their walls That done he gave Audience to the Embassadours of the Athenians the Rhodians and the Scots The Athenians did gratifie unto him his Victory and required that such Greeks as were taken prisoners might be restored to liberty The Rhodians and the Scots complained of their Garrisons He granted to them all their requests and restored to the Mytelens all their Pledges encreased their Territory and Dominion in respect of the fidelity they shewed unto him and gave them
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
Darius and put him down for the intent to give his Kingdom unto his servants yea and to such a one as attempted so vile an act against his Master at such a time as he had most need of help and whom we being his Enemies would have spared He being his subject put him in chains as a Captive and finally slew him because he should not be preserved by us Shall you suffer such a man as this to reign No let us make all the speed we may to see him crucified 〈◊〉 to shew unto all Kings and Nations a Justice done 〈◊〉 one that so vilely falsified his faith If the report should come unto you in your own Countries that the same man was destroying of the Greek Cities about Hellespont how sorry would you then be and how much would you lament that Bessus should enjoy that which you have got and usurp the rewards of your Victory Then would you make haste to recover your own then would you bend your selves to the Wars But how much better is it now to oppress him while he remaineth in such fear and is uncertain what way to take Shall we forbear to spend four days to come to him that have marched over such Snows that have passed so many Rivers that have climbed so many Mountains to whose journey the flowing-Sea could be no impediment nor the Streights of Cilicia could shut up our way Now all things are made plain and open and we stand in the entry of our Victory There are but a few Fugitives and Killers of their Master that do remain What more notable work can you leave unto your Posterity to be registred by Fame unto your glory then to revenge such as were Traytors to Darius You shall thereby shew that when you were Enemies unto him yet your hatred ended with his death and that no wicked man can escape your hands Which thing if you bring to pass how much more obedient do you think the Persians will be unto you when they perceive you to take just Wars in hand and that it was not with Bessus name whereat ye are offended but with his sins and treacheries His Oration was received of the Souldiers with such gladness that they straightways desire him to lead them whither he would And he that knew well enough how to make use of this opportunity immediately advanced into Parthenia and came to the bounds of Hircania leaving Craterus with those Regiments whereof he had the Rule and six thousand Horsemen of whom Amintas had the charge with the like number of Archers to defend Parthenia from the incursion of the barbarous Nations He appointed Erigonus with a small power to attend upon his Carriages willing him to pass with them through the plain Country and he himself with his Footmen and with the rest of his Horsemen marched forwards a hundred and fifty furlongs and incamped in a Valley at the entry into Hircania In the same place are great woods full of high and thick Trees and the bottom of the Valley is very fruitful by reason of the Springs that come forth of the Rocks Out of the foot of the Mountains there ariseth a River called Zieberis which within three furlongs of the head is divided by a Rock standing in the midst of the Stream causing the water to go two sundry ways which afterwards coming into one Channel runneth more violently then before by reason of the fall from the Rocks And suddenly it sinketh into the ground and so runneth hidden by the space of three hundred furlongs and then cometh forth again as it were out of a new Spring being then in bredth thirteen furlongs and as it runneth forwards groweth more narrow and falleth into another stream named Rhydago The Inhabitants of the Country affirm that any thing cast in where the Stream sinks into the ground will appear and come out at the next Mouth of the River For the proving of which conclusion Alexander caused two Bulls to be cast in where the water sank down whose bodies were found by such as were appointed for the purpose to appear where the Stream brake out again In this place he refreshed his Army four days during which time Nabarzanes who was Confederate with Bessus in killing of the King did write Letters to him to this effect How that he was no Enemy to Darius but counselled him ever to do such things as he judged most profitable and for his faithful counsel was put in danger of his life by him who against all reason intended to commit the custody of his person to Strangers condemning thereby the fidelity of his own Nation which they had kept unspotted towards their Kings the space of two hundred and thirty years Therefore seeing himself in that danger he took counsel of the present necessity and alledged that nothing was more dear to miserable Mortality then life for the love whereof he was driven to this extremity in committing an act which necessity rather compelled him to do then his own disposition For in a general Calamity every man seeks after his own Fortune If he would command him to come to his presence he said he would not refuse to do it for he could not fear that so great a King would violate his promise seeing one god is not used to deceive another But if he should seem unworthy of his assurance there were many Countries for him to fly unto for all men having vertue in them count always that for their Country where they make their residence Alexander made no stay to give him his word after such sort as the Persians used to receive promise which was safely to come and go Notwithstanding he marched in order of Battel sending ever Scouts before to discover the Country The light armed were appointed to the Vaward the Phalaux followed after and the Baggage behinde For by reason they were a warlike Nation and the Country hard to enter upon it caused the King to be circumspect The same Valley stretcheth to the Caspian Sea the Banks thereof resembling the Horns of the Moon before it cometh to the full the Sea lying betwixt them like a great Bay Upon the left hand the people inhabit that are called Cercetes which lye open towards the North and upon the other part the Leucosirians Mossynes and Chalibes and the Plains of the Amazons lye towards the West The Sea which some call the Caspian Sea and some the Hircanian being more sweet then any other bringeth forth Serpents of a wonderful bigness and Fishes differing in colour much from all the rest There be divers of opinion that the Lake of Meotis should run into this Sea which they conjecture by the water thinking the same to receive its sweetness of the Lake Towards the North the Sea groweth into a Beach and shooteth forth his waters far upon the Land which rising high make many Mears and Plashes And as by a constant course of the Planets they flow out so at a certain time by
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
with Gold and had no breed of Horses amongst them wherefore the Inhabitants would give a Talent for every Horse brought from the Main-land They also told him of great and monstrous Fishes whereof those Seas were full which carried down with the Tide would shew their bodies as big as a great Ship and follow the whole Fleet with a terrible noise and when they dived underneath the water they troubled the Seas as it had been a Ship-wrack These were things they had seen the rest they received by the report of the Inhabitants as how the Red-sea took his name of King Erithrus and not of the colour of the Water They shewed also another River not far from the Main-land growing full of Palm-trees where was a great Wood and in the midst thereof stood a Pillar where King Erithrus was buried with an Inscription on it of such Letters as were used in that Country They added besides That such Vessels as carried the Merchants and the Vassals of the Army through the covetousness of the Gold which had been reported unto them were landed in the Island by the Mariners and were never seen after These words moved Alexander much and put him in a great desire to get more certain knowledge of those parts and therefore he commanded them again to Sea willing that they should coast the Land till they came within the River of Euphrates and from thence to come up to Babylon against the Stream The things were infinite that he compassed in his head for he determined after he had brought the Sea-coast of the Orient under his subjection to go out of Syria into Africk for the envy he bare to the Carthaginians he purposed from thence to pass over the Desarts of Numidia towards the Gades where he understood by fame that Hercules had planted his Pillars and so directing his Journey through Spain the which the Greeks of the River Iberus call Iberia to go over the Alps into Italy till he should come to the Coast where the next passage was unto Epirus For this intent he gave commandment to his Officers in Mesopotamia That they should cut down Materials in Mount Libanus and convey the same to Capsagas a City in Syria and there make Gallies of such greatness that every one of them might be able to carry seven Oars upon a Bank and from thence he willed them to be conveyed unto Babylon He also sent commandment to the King of Cyprus to furnish them with Iron Hemp and Sails Whiles these things were in doing he received Letters from Porus and Taxiles signifying That Abiazares was dead of a Disease and that Philip his Lieutenant in those parts was slain they being put to death who were the Actors of it Alexander in the place of Philip preferred Eudemon that was Captain of the Thracians and gave Abiazares Kingdom to his Son From thence he came to Pasargades a Country of the Persians whereof Orsines was Lord who in Nobility and Riches exceeded all other men in those parts as one that derived his Pedegree from Cyrus that once was King of Persia The Riches his Predecessours left him were great and he by a long continuance in his Inheritance and Authority had much increased the same He met Alexander coming thitherwards and presented both him and his Friends with Gifts of sundry sorts which were a multitude of young Horses ready to be backed Chariots wrought with gold and silver precious Moveables excellent Pearls and sparkling Stones weighty Vessels of Gold Robes of Purple and four thousand Talents of coyned Silver But this his liberality was the occasion of his death for when he had presented all the Kings Friends with Gifts above their desire he honoured not Bagoas the Eunuch with any Gifts at all whom Alexander especially favoured for the use of his body by which he did oblige the King unto him There were therefore some that gave him admonition how much Alexander esteemed Bagoas but he answered them That his custom was to honour the Kings Friends and not his Minions and that it was not the manner of the Persians to have any in estimation who did pollute themselves in so shameful an abuse When his words were reported to the Eunuch he used the Power which he had got by dishonest Arts to the destruction of that noble and innocent man for he did suborn certain lewd persons of Orsines Country to bring in false Accusations against him which he warned them to present at such a time as he should appoint unto them In the mean season whensoever Bagoas got the King alone he would fill his credulous ears with tales against Orsines ever dissembling the cause of his displeasure lest thereby he might lose the reputation of his false report The King had not Orsines yet in suspition of such a Crime as afterwards he was charged with but he began to grow with him out of estimation His accusation was ever so secret that he could never get knowledge of the peril that was privily wrought against him This importunate Favourite in his vile conversation had with the King was mindful ever of the malice he bare to Orsines whom he would not cease to bring in suspition of Covetousness and Rebellion so oft as he saw Alexander bent to use him familiarly And now the false Accusations were in readiness which he had prepared to the destruction of the innocent whose fatal destiny which did approach could not be avoided It chanced that Alexander caused the Tomb wherein Cyrus Body was buried to be opened pretending to use certain Ceremonies for the dead but thinking in very deed that his Tomb had been full of Gold and Silver whereof there was a constant fame amongst the Persians But when it was viewed there was nothing found but a rotten Target two Scythian Bows and a Scimiter Alexander caused the Coffin wherein Cyrus Body was laid to be covered with the Garment which he himself accustomed to wear and set thereupon a Crown of Gold marvelling that the sumptuousness used in burial of such a King endued with so great Riches was no more then in the burial of an ordinary person When this thing was in doing Bagoas stood next unto Alexander and beholding him in the face said unto him What marvel is it though the Sepulchres of Kings be empty when Lords Houses are not able to hold the Gold that they have taken out from thence For my part I never saw this Tomb before but I have heard Darius report That there were three thousand Talents buried with Cyrus From hence said he proceeded Orsines liberality in winning your Favour by the gift of that which he knew he could not keep When he had thus stirred up Alexanders wrath against Orsines he presented them whom he had suborned to accuse him by whose report and by Bagoas informations Alexander was so incensed against Orsines that he was put in prison before he could suspect he was accused The Eunuch was not contented with the destruction of