The Grecian history: from the earliest state to the death of Alexander the Great. By Dr. Goldsmith. ... [pt.2]

CHAP. III. From the Birth of ALEXANDER, to his setting out for ASIA.

* 1.1 ALEXANDER the son of Philip ascend∣ed the throne upon the death of his father, and took possession of a kingdom rendered flourishing and powerful by the policy of the preceding reign.

He came into the world the very day the celebrated Temple of Diana at Ephesus was burnt, upon which occasion the report goes, that Hegesias the historian was heard to say, That it was no wonder the temple was burnt, as Diana was that day employed at the delivery of Olympias, to facilitate the birth of Alexander.

The passion which prevailed most in Alex∣ander, even from his tender years, was ambi∣tion, and an ardent desire of glory; but not for every species of glory. Philip like a sophist, valued himself upon his eloquence, and the beauty of his style; and had the vanity to have engraved on his coins the several victories he

had won at the Olympick games in the chariot race. But it was not after such empty honours that his son aspired. His friends asked him one day, Whether he would not be present at the games abovementioned, in order to dispute the prize bestowed on that occasion? for he was very swift of foot. He answered, That he would contend in them, provided kings were to be his antagonists.

Every time news was brought him that his father had taken some city, or gained some great battle, Alexander so far from sharing in the general joy, used to say in a plaintive tone of voice, to the young persons that were brought up with him, Friends, my father will possess himself of every thing, and leave nothing for me to do.

One day some ambassadors from the king of Persia being arrived at court during Philip's absence, Alexander gave them so kind and so polite a reception, and regaled them in so noble and generous a manner as charmed them all; but that which most surprized them was, the good sense and judgment he discovered in the several conversations they had with him. He did not propose to them any thing that was trifling, and like one of his age; such for instance, as enquiring about the so much

boasted gardens suspended in the air, the riches and magnificence of the palace; and court of the king of Persia, which excited the admi∣ration of the whole world; the famous golden plantane-tree; and that golden vine, the grapes of which were of emeralds, carbuncles, rubies, and all sorts of precious stones, under which the Persian monarch was said frequently to give audience. Alexander, I say, asked them ques∣tions of a quite different nature; enquiring which was the road to Upper Asia; the distance of the several places; in what the strength and power of the king of Persia consisted; in what part of the battle he fought; how he behaved towards his enemies, and in what manner he governed his subjects. These ambassadors ad∣mired him all the while; and perceiving, even at that time, how great he might one day be∣come, they observed, in a few words, the dif∣ference they found between Alexander and Ar∣taxerxes, by saying one to another,

"This young prince is great, and ours is rich: that man must be vastly insignificant, who has no other merit than his riches!"

So ripe a judgment in this young prince, was owing as much to the good education which had been given him, as to the happiness

of his natural parts. Several preceptors were appointed to teach him all such arts and sci∣ences as are worthy the heir to a great king∣dom; and the chief of these was Leonidas, a person of the most severe morals, and a relation to the queen. This Leonidas, in their journies together, used frequently to look into the trunks where his beds and cloaths were laid, in order to see if Olympias, his mother, had not put some∣thing superfluous into them, which might ad∣minister to delicacy and luxury.

But the greatest service Philip did his son, was appointing Aristotle his preceptor, the most famous and the most learned philosopher of his age, whom he intrusted with the whole care of his education. One of the reasons which prompted Philip to chuse him a master of so conspicuous reputation and merit, was, as he himself tells us, that his son might avoid committing a great many faults, of which he himself had been guilty.

Philip was sensible how great a treasure he possessed in the person of Aristotle; for which reason he settled a very genteel stipend upon him, and afterwards rewarded his pains and care in an infinitely more glorious manner; for hav∣ing destroyed and laid waste the city of Stagira,

the native place of that philosopher, he rebuilt it, purely out of affection for him; reinstated the inhabitants, who had fled from it, or were made slaves, and gave them a fine park in the neighbourhood of Stagira, as a place for their studies and assemblies. Even in Plutarch's time, the stone seats which Aristotle had placed there were standing; as also spacious vistoes, under which those who walked were shaded from the sun-beams.

Alexander likewise discovered no less esteem for his master, whom he believed himself bound to love as much as if he had been his father; declaring, That he was indebted to the one for living, and to the other for living well. The progress of the pupil was equal to the care and abilities of the preceptor. He grew vastly fond of philosophy, and learned the several parts of it; but in a manner suitable to his birth. Aristotle endeavoured to improve his judgment, by laying down sure and certain rules, by which he might distinguish just and solid reasoning from what is but speciously so; and by accustoming him to separate in dis∣course all such parts as only dazzle, from those which are truly solid, and constitute its whole value. But Alexander applied himself chiefly

to morality, which is properly the science of kings, because it is the knowledge of mankind, and of their duties. This he made his serious and profound study; and considered it even at that time as the foundation of prudence and wise policy.

The greatest master of rhetoric that antiquity could ever boast, and who has left so excellent a treatise on that subject, took care to make that science part of his pupil's education; and we find that Alexander, even in the midst of his conquest, was often very urgent with Ari∣stotle to send him a treatise on that subject. To this we owe the work entitled Alexander's Rhetoric; in the beginning of which, Aristotle proves to him the vast advantages a prince may reap from eloquence; as it gives him the greatest ascendant over the minds of men, which he ought to acquire as well by his wisdom as authority. Some answers and letters of Alexander, which are still extant, shew that he possessed, in its greatest perfection, that strong, that manly eloquence, which abounds with sense and ideas, and which is so entirely free from superfluous expressions, that every single word has its meaning; which, properly speak∣ing, is the eloquence of kings.

His esteem, or rather his passion for Homer, shews, not only with what vigour and success he applied to polite literature, but the judicious use he made of it, and the solid advantages he proposed to himself from it. He was not only prompted to peruse this poet merely out of cu∣riosity, or to unbend his mind, or from a great fondness for poetry; but his view in study∣ing this admirable writer, was to borrow such sentiments from him, as were worthy a great king and conqueror; courage, intrepidity, mag∣nanimity, temperance, prudence; the art of commanding well in war and peace. The verse which pleased him most in Homer, was that where Agamemnon is represented as a good king and a brave warrior.

After this, it is no wonder that Alexander should have so high an esteem for this poet. Thus when, after the battle of Arbela, the Macedonians had found, among the spoils of Darius, a gold box (enriched with precious stones) in which the excellent perfumes used by that prince were put, Alexander, who was quite covered with dust, and regardless of es∣sences and perfumes, ordered, that this box should be employed to no other use than to hold Homer's poems; which he believed the most perfect, the most precise production of the

human mind. He admired particularly the Iliad, which he called, The best provision for a warrior. He always had with him that edition of Homer which Aristotle had revised and cor∣rected, and to which the title of The Edition of the Box was given; and he laid it with his sword every night under his pillow.

Fond, even to excess, of every kind of glory, he was displeased with Aristotle his master, for having published, in his absence, certain meta∣physical pieces, which he himself desired to possess only; and even at the time when he was employed in the conquest of Asia, and the pur∣suit of Darius, he wrote to him a letter, which is still extant, wherein he complains upon that very account. Alexander says in it, That he had much rather surpss the rest of men in the knowledge of sublime and excellent things, than in the greatness and extent of his powers. He in like manner requested Aristotle not to shew the treatise of rhetoric above mentioned to any person but himself.

He had also a taste for the whole circle of arts, but in such a manner as became a prince; that is, he knew the value and usefulness of them. Music, painting, sculpture, architecture, flourished in his reign; because they found him both a skilful judge and a generous protector;

who was able to distinguish and to reward merit.

But he despised certain trifling feats of dex∣terity, that were of no use. Some Macedo∣nians admired very much a man, who em∣ployed himself very attentively in throwing small peas through the eye of a needle; which he would do at a considerable distance, and with∣out once missing. Alexander seeing him at this exercise, ordered him, as we are told, a present suitable to his employment; viz, a basket of peas.

Alexander was of a sprightly disposition, was resolute, and very tenacious of his opinion, which never gave way to force, but at the same time would submit immediately to reason and good sense. It is very difficult to treat with persons of this turn of mind: Philip accordingly, notwithstanding his double authority of king and father, believed it necessary to employ per∣suasion rather than force with respect to his son, and endeavoured to make himself beloved rather than feared by him.

An accident made him entertain a very ad∣vantageous opinion of Alexander. There had been sent from Thessaly to Philip a war-horse; a noble, strong, fiery, generous beast, called

Bucephalus. The owner would not sell him under thirteen talents; an immense sum! The king went into the plains, attended by his courtiers, in order to view the perfections of this horse; but, upon trial, he appeared so very fierce, and pranced about in so furious a manner, that no one dared to mount him. Philip being angry that so furious and unmanageable a creature had been sent him, gave orders for their carrying him back again. Alexander, who was present at that time, cried out,

"What a noble horse we are going to lose, for want of address and boldness to back him!"

Philip at first considered these words as the effect of folly and rashness, so common to young men; but as Alexander in∣sisted still more upon what he had said, and was very much vexed to see so noble a creature just going to be sent home again, his father gave him leave to try what he could do. The young prince overjoyed at this permission, goes up to Bucephalus, takes hold of the bridle, and turns his head to the sun, having observed, that the thing which frighted him, was his own shadow; Alexander therefore first stroked him gently with his hand, and soothed him with his voice; then seeing his fierceness abate, and artfully

taking this opportunity, he let fall his cloak, and springing swiftly upon his back, first slackened the rein, without once striking or vexing him; and when he perceived that his fire was cooled, that he was no longer so furious and violent, and wanted only to move forward, he gave him the rein, and spurring him with great vigour, animated him with his voice to his full speed. While this was doing, Philip and his whole court trembled for fear, and did not once open their lips; but when the prince, after having run his first heat, returned with joy and pride, at his having broke a horse which was judged absolutely ungovernable, all the courtiers in general endeavoured to outvie one another in their applauses and congratulations; and we are told, Philip shed tears of joy on this occasion; and embracing Alexander, after he was alighted, and kissing him, he said to him,

"My son, seek a kingdom more worthy of thee, for Macedon is below thy merit."

Alexander upon his accession to the throne, saw himself surrounded with extreme dan∣gers; the barbarous nations with whom Philip contended during his whole reign, thought this change for their advantage, and despising the youth and inexperience of the young mo∣narch,

resolved to seize this opportunity of regaining their freedom, for satiating them∣selves with plunder: nor had he less to fear from the Greeks themselves, who now thought this a convenient opportunity to restore their ancient form of government, revenge their for∣mer injuries, and reclaim those rights which they had enjoyed for ages.

Alexander however resolved to prevent their machinations, and to give them no time to com∣plete their confederacies against him. After taking revenge upon the conspirators against his father, whom he slew upon his tomb, he first conciliated the affections of the Macedonians to him, by freeing them from a vexatious and bodily slavery, only commanding their service in his wars.

The Macedonians reflecting on his precarious situation, advised him to relinquish Greece, and not persist in his resolution of subduing it by force; to recover by gentle methods the bar∣barians who had taken arms; and to soothe, as it were, those glimmerings of revolt and inno∣vation, by prudent reserve, complacency and in∣sinuations, in order to conciliate their affections. However, Alexander would not listen to these timorous counsels, but resolved to secure and support his affairs, by boldness and magnani∣mity;

firmly persuaded, that should he relax in any point at first, all his neighbours would fall upon him; and that were he to endeavour to compromise matters, he should be obliged to give up all Philip's conquests, and by that means confine his dominions to the narrow li∣mits of Macedon. He therefore made all pos∣sible haste to check the arms of the barbarians, by marching his troops to the banks of the Danube, which he crossed in one night. He defeated the king of the Triballi in a great battle; made the Getae fly at his approach; subdued several barbarous nations, some by the terror of his name, and others by force of arms; and notwithstanding the arrogant answers of their ambassadors, he taught them to dread a danger, which they found but too well prepared to overwhelm them.

Whilst Alexander was thus employed at a distance against the barbarians, all the cities of Greece, who were animated more particularly by Demosthenes, formed a powerful alliance against him. A false report which prevailed of his death, inspired the Thebans with a boldness that proved their ruin. They cut to pieces part of the Macedonian garrison in their citadel. Demosthenes, on the other side, was every day haranguing the people; and fired

with contempt for Alexander, whom he called a child and a hair-brained boy, he assured the Athenians, with a decisive tone of voice, that they had nothing to fear from the new king of Macedon, who did not dare to stir out of his kingdom, but would think himself vastly happy could he sit peaceably on his throne. At the same time he wrote letters upon letters to Attalus, one of Philip's lieutenants in Asia Minor, to excite him to rebel. This Attalus was uncle to Cleopatra, Philip's second wife, and was very much disposed to listen to De∣mosthenes's proposals. Nevertheless, as Alex∣ander was grown very disfident of him, for which he knew there was but too much reason, he therefore, to eradicate from his mind all the suspicions he might entertain, and the better to screen his designs, sent all Demosthenes's letters to that prince: but Alexander saw through all his artisices, and thereupon ordered Hecataeus, one of his commanders, whom he had sent into Asia for that purpose, to have him assassinated, which was executed accordingly. Attalus's death restored tranquillity to the army, and entirely destroyed the seeds of discord and re∣bellion.

The object which seized Alexander's earliest ambition, was the conquest of Persia; and he

now expected that he would have leisure and opportunity to prepare for so great an enter∣prize: but he was soon called to a new under∣taking; the Athenians, Thebans and Lacede∣monians united against him; hoping, by the assistance of Persia, to recover their former freedom. In order to persuade the Greeks to this, Demosthenes made use of a device, which had more cunning in it than wisdom. He caused it to be reported that Alexander was slain in a battle against the Triballi; and he produced a man to the assembly, who ventured to affirm, that he was present, and wounded, when his general was slain. These false reports, which serve for a day, are but bad policy; like a false alarm in battle, the people may sometimes be mocked by them; but in the end, the success will prove as ridiculous as the invention; for as those that find themselves at one time abused by such, at other times neglect the real call of truth, by being summoned without occasion, they fatally despise the hour of danger. This unfortunate obstacle obliged Alexander to turn his sword from the Persians against the Greeks, of whose assistance he had but just before assured himself.

Expedition and activity were the character∣istics of this monarch's conduct; he led his

army against the Greeks with so much celerity, that his appearance before them gave the first news of his preparation. He appeared so sud∣denly in Boeotia, that the Thebans could scarce believe their eyes; and being come before their walls, was willing to give them time to repent; and only demanded to have Phoenix and Pro∣thules, the two chief ringleaders of the revolt, delivered up to him; and published, by sound of trumpet, a general pardon to all who should come over to him. But the Thebans, by way of insult, demanded to have Philotas and An∣tipater delivered to them; and invited, by a de∣claration, all who were solicitous for the liberty of Greece, to join with them in its defence.

Alexander finding it impossible for him to get the better of their obstinacy by offers of peace, saw with grief that he should be forced to em∣ploy his power, and decide the affair by force of arms. A great battle was thereupon fought, in which the Thebans exerted themselves with a bravery and ardour much beyond their strength, for the enemy exceeded them vastly in numbers. But after a long and vigorous resistance, such as survived of the Macedonian garrison in the citadel, coming down from it, and charging the Thebans in the rear; being surrounded on all sides, the greatest part of them were cut to pieces, and the city taken and plundered.

It would be impossible for words to express the dreadful calamities which the Thebans suf∣fered on this occasion. Some Thracians having pulled down the house of a virtuous lady of quality, Timoclea by name, carried off all her goods and treasures; and their captain having seized the lady, and satiated his brutal lust with her, afterwards enquired whether she had not concealed gold and silver. Timoclea, animated by an ardent desire of revenge, replying, That she had hid some, took him with herself only into her garden, and shewing him a well, told him, That the instant she saw the enemy enter the city, she herself had thrown into it the most precious things in her possession. The officer, overjoyed at what he heard, drew near the well, and stoop∣ing down to see its depth, Timoclea, who was behind, pushing him with all her strength, threw him in, and afterwards killed him with great stones, which she heaped upon him. She was instantly seized by the Thracians, and being bound in chains, was carried before Alex∣ander. The prince perceived immediately by her mien, that she was a woman of quality, and great spirit; for she followed those brutal wretches with a very haughty air, and without discovering the least fear. Alexander asking her who she was, Timoclea replied,

"I am sister

to Theagenes, who fought against Philip for the liberty of Greece, and was killed in the battle of Chaeronea, where he commanded."

The prince, admiring her generous answer, and still more the action that she had done, gave orders that she should have leave to retire wherever she pleased with her children.

Alexander then debated in council how to act with regard to Thebes. The Phocians, and the people of Plataea, Thespiae, and Orchomenus, who were all in alliance with Alexander, and had shared in his victory, represented to him the cruel treatment they had met with from the Thebans, who also had destroyed their se∣veral cities, and reproached them with the zeal which they had always discovered in favour of the Persians against the Greeks, who held them in the utmost detestation; the proof of which was, the oath they had all taken to destroy Thebes, after they should have vanquished the Persians.

Cleades, one of the prisoners, being permitted to speak, endeavoured to excuse in some mea∣sure the revolt of the Thebans; a fault which in his opinion should be imputed to a rash and credulous imprudence, rather than to depravity of will and declared perfidy. He remonstrated, that his countrymen, upon a false report of

Alexander's death, had indeed too rashly broke into rebellion, not against the king, but against his successors; that what crimes soever they might have committed, they had been pu∣nished for them with the utmost severity, by the dreadful calamity which had befallen their city; that there now remained in it none but women, children and old men, from whom they had nothing to fear; and who were so much the greater objects of compassion, as they had been no ways concerned in the revolt. He concluded with reminding Alex∣ander, that Thebes, which had given birth to so many gods and heroes, several of whom were that king's ancestors, had also been the seat of his father Philip's rising glory, and like a second native country to him.

These motives which Cleades urged, were very strong and powerful; nevertheless, the anger of the conqueror prevailed, and the city was destroyed. However, he set at liberty the priests; all such as had right of hospitality with the Macedonians; the descendants of Pindar, the famous poet, who had done so much honour to Greece; and such as had opposed the revolt. But all the rest, in number about thirty thousand, he sold; and upwards of six thousand had been killed in battle. The Athe∣nians

were so sensibly afflicted at the sad dis∣aster which had befallen Thebes, that being about to solemnize the festival of the great mysteries, they suspended them upon account of their extreme grief; and received, with the greatest humanity, all those who had fled from the battle, and the plunder of Thebes, and made Athens their asylum.

Alexander's so sudden arrival in Greece, had very much abated the haughtiness of the Athe∣nians, and extinguished Demosthenes's vehe∣mence and fire; but the ruin of Thebes, which was still more sudden, threw them into the ut∣most consternation. They therefore had recourse to intreaties, and sent a deputation to Alexander to implore his clemency; Demosthenes was among them; but he was no sooner arrived at Mount Cytheron, than dreading the anger of that prince, he quitted the embassy, and re∣turned home.

Immediately Alexander sent to Athens, re∣quiring the citizens to deliver up to him ten orators, whom he supposed to have been the chief instruments in forming the league which Philip his father had defeated at Chaeronea. It was on this occasion that Demosthenes related to the people the fable of the wolves and dogs; in which it is supposed, That the wolves one day

told the sheep, that in case they desired to be at peace with them, they must deliver up to them the dogs who were their guard. The application was easy and natural; especially with respect to the orators, who were justly compared to dogs, whose duty it was to watch, to bark, and to fight, in order to save the lives of the flock.

In this afflicting dilemma of the Athenians, who could not prevvail with themselves to de∣liver up their orators to certain death, though they had no other way to save their city, De∣mades, whom Alexander had honoured with his friendship, offered to undertake the embassy alone, and intercede for them. The king, whether he had satiated his revenge, or en∣deavoured to blot out, if possible, by some act of clemency, the barbarous action he had just before committed; or rather to remove the se∣veral obstacles which might retard the execu∣tion of his grand design, and by that means not leave, during his absence, the least pre∣tence for murmurs, waved his demand with regard to the delivery of the orators, and was pacified by their sending Caridemus into ba∣nishment; who being a native of Oraea, had been presented by the Athenians with his freedom, for the services he had done the

republic. He was son-in-law to Chersobleptus, king of Thrace; had learned the art of war under Iphicrates; and had himself frequently commanded the Athenian armies. To avoid the pursuit of Alexander, he took refuge with the king of Persia.

As for the Athenians, he not only forgave them the several injuries he pretended to have received, but expressed a particular regard for them, exhorting them to apply themselves vigorously to public affairs, and to keep a watchful eye over the several transactions which might happen; because, in case of his death, their city was to give laws to the rest of Greece. Historians relate, that many years after this expedition, he was seized with deep remorse for the calamity he had brought upon the Thebans; and that this made him behave with much greater humanity towards many other nations.

So dreadful an example of severity towards so powerful a city as Thebes, spread the terror of his arms through all Greece, and made all things give way before him. He summoned at Corinth, the assembly of the several states and free cities of Greece, to obtain from them the same supreme command against the Per∣sians,

which had been granted his father a little before his death. No assembly ever debated upon a more important subject. It was the western world deliberating upon the ruin of the east; and the methods for executing a re∣venge which had been suspended more than an age. The assembly held at this time, gave rise to events, the relation of which appear astonish∣ing, and almost incredible; and to revolutions which contributed to change the disposition of most things in the political world.

To form such a design, required a prince bold, enterprising, and experienced in war; one of great views, who, having acquired a great name by his exploits, was not to be intimidated by dangers, nor checked by ob∣stacles; but, above all, a monarch, who had a supreme authority over all the states of Greece, none of which, singly, was powerful enough to make so arduous an attempt; and which required, in order for their acting in concert, to be subject to one chief, who might give motion to the several parts of that great body, by making them all concur to the same end. Such a prince was Alexander: it was not difficult for him to rekindle in the minds of the people their ancient hatred of the Persians.

their perpetual and irreconcileable enemies; whose destruction they had more than once swore, and whom they had determined to ex∣tirpate, in case an opportunity should present itself for that purpose; a hatred which the in∣testine feuds of the Greeks might indeed have suspended, but could never extinguish. The im∣mortal retreat of the ten thousand Greeks, notwithstanding the vigorous opposition of the prodigious army of the Persians, shewed plainly what might be expected from an army com∣posed of the flower of the forces of all the cities of Greece, and those of Macedon, commanded by generals and officers formed under Philip; and to say all in a word, led by Alexander. The deliberations of the assembly were therefore very short; and that prince was unanimously appointed generalissimo against the Persians.

Immediately a great number of officers, and governors of cities, with many philosophers, waited upon Alexander, to congratulate him upon his election. He flattered himself, that Diogenes of Synope, who was then at Corinth, would also come like the rest, and pay his com∣pliments. This philosopher, who entertained a very mean idea of grandeur, thought it improper to congratulate men just upon their exaltation;

but that mankind ought to wait till those per∣sons should perform actions worthy of their high stations. Diogenes therefore still con∣tinued at home; upon which Alexander, at∣tended by all his courtiers, made him a visit. The philosopher was at that time lying down in the sun; but seeing so great a crowd of people advancing towards him, he sat up, and fixed his eyes on Alexander. This prince, surprized to be∣hold so famous a philosopher reduced to such ex∣treme poverty, after saluting him in the kindest manner, asked, Whether he wanted any thing? Diogenes replied,

"Yes, that you would stand a little out of my sun-shine."

This answer raised the contempt and indignation of all the courtiers; but the monarch, struck with the philosopher's greatness of soul,

"Were I not Alexander," says he, "I would be Diogenes."

In a word, all or nothing presents us with the true image of Alexander and Diogenes. How great and powerful soever that prince might think him∣self, he could not deny himself, on this occasion, inferior to a man to whom he could give, and from whom he could take nothing.

Alexander, before he set out for Asia, was de∣termined to consult the oracle of Apollo. He therefore went to Delphos, where he happened

to arrive in those days which are called unlucky; a season in which people were forbid consulting the oracle: and accordingly the priestess refused to go to the temple. But Alexander, who could not bear any contradiction to his will, took her forcibly by the arm, and as he was leading her to the temple, she cried out,

"My son, thou art irresistible."

This was all he desired; and catching hold of these words, which he con∣sidered as spoke by the oracle, he set out for Macedonia, in order to make preparations for his great expedition.

Alexander being arrived in his kingdom, held a council with the chief officers of his army, and the nobles of his court, on the expedition he meditated against Persia, and the measures he should take in order to succeed in it. The whole assembly were unanimous, except in one article. Antipater and Parmenio were of opi∣nion, that the king, before he engaged in an enterprize which would necessarily be a long one, ought to make choice of a consort, in order to secure himself a successor to his throne. But Alexander, who was of a violent fiery tem∣per, did not approve of this advice; and believ∣ed that after he had been nominated generalis∣simo of the Greeks, and that his father had left

him an invincible army, it would be a shame for him to lose his time in solemnizing his nup∣tials, and waiting for the fruits of it; for which reason he determined to set out immediately.

Accordingly he offered up very splendid sa∣crifices to the gods, and caused to be celebrated at Dia, a city of Macedon, scenical games that had been instituted by one of his ancestors in honour of Jupiter and the Muses. This festival continued nine days, agreeable to the number of those goddesses. He had a tent raised large enough to hold an hundred tables, on which consequently nine hundred covers might be laid. To this feast, the several princes of his family, all the ambassadors, ge∣nerals and officers were invited.

Before he set out upon his great expedition, he settled the affairs of Macedon, over which he appointed Antipater as viceroy, with twelve thousand foot, and near the same number of horse. He also enquired into the domestic affairs of his friends, giving to one an estate in land, to another a village, to a third the revenues of a town, to a fourth the toll of an harbour. As all the revenues of his demesnes were already employed, and exhausted by his donations, Perdicas said to him,

"My lord, what is it

you reserve for yourself?"

Alexander replied, Hope: upon which Perdicas said,

"the same hope ought therefore to satisfy us;"

and so refused very generously to accept of what the king had appointed him.

After having completely settled his affairs in Macedonia, and used all the precautions imaginable to prevent any troubles from arising in it during his absence, he set out for Asia in the beginning of the Spring. His army con∣sisted of little more than thirty thousand foot, and four or five thousand horse; but then they were all brave men, well disciplined, and enu∣red to fatigues. They had made several cam∣paigns under Philip, and were each of them in case of necessity capable of commanding: most of the officers were near threescore years of age, and the common men fifty; and when they were either assembled, or drawn up at the head of a camp, they had the air of a venerable senate. Parmenio commanded the infantry, Philotas his son, had eighteen hundred horse under him; and Callas, the son of Harpalus, the same number of Thessalian cavalry. The rest of the horse were composed of natives of the several states of Greece, and amounted to six hundred, had their particular commander. The

Thracians and Poeonians, who were always in front, were headed by Cassander. Alexander began his march along the lake Cercinum, to∣wards Amphipolis; crossed the river Strymon, near its mouth; afterwards the Hebrus, and arrived at Sestos after twenty days march. He then commanded Parmenio to cross over from Sestos to Abydos, with all the horse, and part of the foot; which he accordingly did with the assistance of an hundred and threescore gallies, and several flat-bottomed vessels; while he himself crossed over the Hellespont, steering his gally with his own hands: and when he ar∣rived near the shore, as if to take possession of the continent, he leaped from his ship in com∣plete armour, and testified many transports of joy.

This confidence soon began to diffuse itself over all the rest of his army; it inspired his soldiers with so much courage and security, that they fancied themselves marching not to a precarious war, but a certain victory.

Being arrived at the city of Lampsacus, which he was determined to destroy, in order to punish the rebellion of its inhabitants, Anaxi∣menes, a native of that place, came to him. This man, who was a famous historian, had been very intimate with Philip his father; and Alex∣ander

himself had a great esteem for him, having been his pupil. The king suspecting the busi∣ness he came upon, to be before-hand with him, swore, in express terms, that he would never grant his request. The favour I have to desire of you, says Anaximenes, is, that you would destroy Lampsacus. By this witty evasion, the historian saved his country.

From thence Alexander went to Troy, where he paid great honours to the shade of Achilles, and caused games to be celebrated round his tomb. He admired and envied the felicity of that Grecian hero, in having found during life a faithful friend in Patroclus; and after death a noble panegyrist in Homer.

When the news of Alexander's landing in Asia was brought to Darius, he testified the utmost contempt for the Macedonian army, and indignation at the presumption of their generals. In a letter which he wrote, he repre∣hended his audacious insolence, and gave or∣ders to his various governors, in the different parts of his dominions, that if they took Alex∣ander alive, to whip him with rods, make pri∣soners of his whole army, and send them as slaves to one of the most deserted parts of his dominions. Thus confiding in the glittering••

but barbarous multitude which he commanded, he disposed of the enemy as already vanquish∣ed: but confidence goes but a short part of the road to success. The great numbers which he had gathered, only brought unwiedly splendor into the field, and instead of procuring him se∣curity, increased his embarrassments.

Alexander, being at length arrived on the banks of the Grannicus, a river of Phrygia, there first found the Persians disposed to dispute his passage. The Persian satrap taking possession of the higher banks, at the head of an army of one hundred thousand foot, and upwards of ten thousand horse, seemed to promise themselves victory. Memnon, who was a Rhodian, and commanded under Darius all the coast of Asia, had advised the generals not to venture a battle, but to lay waste the plains, and even the cities, thereby to starve Alexander's army, and oblige him to return back into Europe. Memnon was the best of all Darius's generals, and had been the principal agent in his victories. It is not easily to determine what we ought to ad∣mire most in him; whether his great wisdom in council, his courage and capacity in the field, or his zeal and attachment to his sovereign. The council he gave on this occasion was ex∣cellent,

when we consider that his enemy was fiery and impetuous; had neither town, maga∣zine, or place of retreat; that he was entering a country to which he was absolutely a stranger, and inhabited by enemies; that delays alone would weaken and ruin him; and that his only hopes lay in giving battle immediately. But Arfites a Phrygian satrap opposed the opinion of Memnon, and protested he would never suffer the Grecians to make such havock in the territories he governed. This ill council pre∣vailed over that of the Rhodian, whom the Persians to their great prejudice suspected of a design to protract the war, and by that means of making himself necessary to Darius.

Alexander in the mean time marched on at the head of his heavy armed infantry, drawn up in two lines, with the cavalry in the wings, and the baggage following in the rear. Being ar∣rived upon the banks of the Grannicus, Par∣menio advised him to encamp there in battle array, in order that his forces might have time to rest themselves, and not to pass the river till very early next morning, because the enemy would then be less able to prevent him: He added, that it would be too dangerous to at∣tempt crossing a river in sight of an enemy, es∣pecially

as that before them was deep, and its banks very craggy; so that the Persian cavalry, who waited their coming in battle array, on the other side, might easily defeat them before they were drawn up: That besides the loss which would be sustained on this occasion, this enterprize, in case it should prove unsuccessful, would be of dangerous consequence to their future affairs; the fame and glory of arms de∣pending on the first actions.

However these reasons were not able to make the least impression on Alexander, who declar∣ed that it would be a shame should he, after crossing the Hellespont, suffer his progress to be retarded by a rivulet; for so he called the Grannicus out of contempt; that they ought to take advantage of the terror which the suddenness of his arrival, and the boldness of his attempt, had spread amongst the Persians; and answer the high opinion the world conceived of his courage, and the valour of the Macedo∣nians. The enemy's horse which was very nu∣merous, lined the whole shore, and formed a large front, in order to oppose Alexander where∣ever he should endeavour to pass; and the foot, which consisted chiefly of Greeks in Da∣rius's service, was posted behind upon an easy ascent.

The two armies continued a long time in sight of each other, on the banks of the river, as if dreading the event. The Persians waited till the Macedonians should enter the river, in order to charge them to advantage upon their landing, and the latter seemed to be making choice of a place proper for crossing, and to sur∣vey the countenance of their enemies. Upon this, Alexander ordered his horse to be brought, commanded the noblemen of the court to follow him, and behave gallantly. He himself com∣manded the right wing, and Parmenio the left. The king first caused a strong detachment to march into the river, himself following it with the rest of the forces. He made Parmenio ad∣vance afterwards with the left wing: he him∣self led on the right wing into the river, fol∣lowed by the rest of the troops; the trumpets sounding, and the whole army raising cries of joy.

The Persians seeing this detachment advance forward, began to let fly their arrows, and march to a place where the declivity was not so great, in order to keep the Macedonians from landing. But now the horse engaged with great fury, one part endeavouring to land, and the other striving to prevent them. The Mace∣donians, whose cavalry was vastly inferior in

number, besides the advantage of the ground, were wounded with the darts, that were shot from the eminence; not to mention that the flower of the Persian horse were drawn toge∣ther in this place, and that Memnon in con∣cert with his sons, commanded there. The Macedonians therefore at first gave ground, after having lost the first ranks which made a vigorous defence. Alexander, who had follow∣ed them close, and reinforced them with his best troops, headed them himself, animated them by his presence, pushed the Persians, and routed them; upon which the whole army fol∣lowed after, cross'd the river, and attacked the enemy on all sides.

Alexander first charged the thickest part of the enemy's horse, in which the generals fought. He himself was particularly conspicuous by his shield, and the plume of feathers that over-shadowed his helmet, on the two sides of which, there rose two wings, as it were, of a great length, and so vastly white, that they dazzled the eyes of the beholder. The charge was very furious about his person, and though only the horse engaged, they fought like foot, man to man, without giving way on either side; every one striving to repulse his adversary, and gain ground of him. Spithrobates, lieutenant-governor

of Ionia, and son-in-law to Darius, distinguished himself above the rest of the gene∣rals by his superior bravery. Being surrounded by forty Persian lords, all of them his relations of experienced valour, and who never moved from his side, he carried terror where-ever he went. Alexander observing in how gallant a manner he signalized himself, clapt spurs to his horse, and advanced towards him. Immedi∣ately they engaged, and each having thrown a javelin, wounded the other slightly. Spithro∣bates falls furiously sword in hand upon Alex∣ander, who being prepared for him, thrusts his pike into his face, and laid him dead at his feet. At that very moment, Rasaces, brother to that nobleman, charging him on the side, gave him so furious a blow on the head with his battle-axe that he beat off his plume, but went no deeper than the hair. As he was going to repeat his blow on the head, which now appear∣ed through his fractured helmet, Clitus cut off Rasaces's hand with one stroke of his scimetar, and by that means saved his sovereign's life. The danger to which Alexander had been ex∣posed, greatly animated the courage of his soldiers, who now performed wonders. The Persians in the center of the horse, upon whom the light-armed troops, who had been posted

in the intervals of the horse, poured a perpe∣tual discharge of darts, being unable to sustain any longer the attack of the Macedonians, who struck them all in the face, the two wings were immediately broke, and put to flight. Alex∣ander did not pursue them long, but turned about immediately to charge the foot.

These at first stood their ground, but when they saw themselves attacked at the same time by the cavalry, and the Macedonian phalanx which had crossed the river, and that the bat∣talions were now engaged, those of the Persians did not make either a long or a vigorous resist∣ance, and were soon put to flight; the Grecian infantry in Darius's service excepted. This body of foot retiring to a hill, demanded a pro∣mise from Alexander to let them march away unmolested; but following the dictates of his wrath, rather than those of reason, he rushed into the midst of this body of foot, and pre∣sently lost his horse, (not Bucephalus) who was killed with the thrust of a sword. The battle was so hot round him, that most of the Mace∣donians, who lost their lives on this occasion, fell here; for they fought against a body of men, who were well disciplined, had been inured to war, and fought in despair. They

were all cut to pieces, two thousand excepted, who were taken prisoners.

A great number of the Persian commanders lay dead on the spot. Aristes fled into Phrygia, where it is said he laid violent hands on him∣self, for having been the cause that the battle was fought. Twenty thousand foot, and two thousand five hundred horse, were killed in this engagement, on the side of the barbarians; and of the Macedonians, twenty-five of the royal horse were killed at the first attack. Alexander ordered Lysippus to make their sta∣tues in brass, all of which were set up in a city of Macedon, called Dia, from whence they were many years after carried to Rome, by Metellus. About threescore of the other horse were killed, and near thirty foot, who, the next day, were all laid with their arms and equipage in one grave; and the king granted an exemption to their fathers and children, from every kind of tribute and service.

He also took the utmost care of the wounded, visited them, and saw their wounds dressed. He enquired very particularly into their adven∣tures, and permitted every one of them to re∣late his actions in the battle, and boast his bra∣very. He also granted the rites of sepulture to

the principal Persians, and did not even refuse it to such Greeks as died in the Persian service; but all those whom he took prisoners, he laid in chains, and sent to work as slaves in Macedonia, for having fought under the barbarian standard against their country, contrary to the express prohibition made by Greece upon that head.

Alexander made it his duty and pleasure to share the honour of his victory with the Greeks; and sent particularly to the Athenians, three hundred shields, being part of the plunder taken from the enemy, and caused the glorious in∣scription following to be inscribed on the rest of the spoils:

"Alexander son of Philip, with the Greeks, (the Lacedemonians excepted), gain∣ed these spoils from the barbarians, who inhabit Asia."

The greatest part of the gold and silver plate, the purple carpets, and other furniture of the Persian luxury, he sent to his mother.

This victory not only impressed the Persians with consternation, but served to excite the ardour of the invading army. The Persians perceiving that the Greeks were not able to overcome them, though possessed of manifest ad∣vantages, supposed that they never could be able to face them upon equal terms; and thus, from the first mischance, they gave up all hopes

of succeeding by valour. Indeed, in all inva∣sions where the nations invaded have been once beaten, with great advantages of place on their side, such as defensive rivers, straits, and mountains; they soon begin to persuade them∣selves, that upon equal terms, such an enemy must be irresistible. It is the opinion of Ma∣chiavel, that he who resolves to defend a passage, should do it with his ablest forces; for few regions of any circuit are so well defended by nature, that armies of such force as may be thought sufficient to conquer them, cannot break through the natural difficulties of the en∣trance; one passage or other is commonly left unguarded; and some place weakly defended, will be the cause of a fatal triumph to the in∣vaders. How often have the Alps given way to armies breaking into Italy? and tho' they pro∣duced dreadful difficulties and dangers among those that scaled them, yet they were never found to give security to those that lay behind. It was therefore wisely done of Alexander to pass the river in the face of the enemy, with∣out marching higher to seek an easier passage, or labouring to convey his men over it by some saser method. Having beaten the enemy upon their own terms, he no less destroyed their re∣putation than their strength, leaving the wretch∣ed

subjects of such a state, no hopes of succour from such unable protectors.

Soon after the battle of Grannicus, he recover∣ed Sardis from the enemy, which was in a man∣ner the bulwark of the Barbarian empire on the side next the sea; he took the inhabitants under his protection, received their nobles with the utmost condescension, and permitted them to be governed by their own laws and maxims, observing to his friends around him, That such as lay the foundations of a new dominion, should always endeavour to have the fame of being merciful. Four days after, he arrived at Ephesus, carrying with him those who had been banished from thence for being his adhe∣rents, and restored its popular form of govern∣ment. He assigned to the Temple of Diana, the tributes which were paid to the kings of Persia. Before he left Ephesus, the deputies of the cities of Trallis and Magnesia waited upon him with the keys of those places.

He afterwards marched to Miletus; which city, flattered with the hopes of a sudden and powerful support, shut their gates against him; and indeed the Persian fleet, which was very considerable, made a shew as if it would succour that city; but after having made several fruit∣less attempts to engage that of the enemy, it

was forced to sail way. Memnon had shut himself up in this fortress, with a great number of his soldiers who had escaped from the battle, and was determined to make a good defence. Alexander, who would not lose a moment's time, attacked it, and planted scaling-ladders on all sides. The scalade was carried on with great vigour, and opposed with no less intrepidity, though Alexander sent fresh troops to relieve each other without the least intermission; and this lasted several days. At last finding his soldiers were every where repulsed, and that the city was provided with every thing for a long siege, he planted all his machines against it, made a great number of breaches, and whenever these were attacked, a new scalade was attempted. The besieged, after sustaining all these efforts with prodigious bravery, capitulat∣ed to prevent being taken by storm. Alexander treated the Milesians with the utmost humanity, but sold all the foreigners who were found in it.

After possessing himself of Miletus, he marched into Caria, in order to lay siege to Hali∣carnassus. This city was of prodigious difficult access from its happy situation, and had been strongly fortified. Besides Memnon, the ablest as well as the most valiant of all Darius's com∣manders, had got into it with a body of choice

soldiers, with a design to signalize his courage and fidelity for his sovereign. He accordingly made a very noble defence, in which he was seconded by Ephialtes, another general of great merit. Whatever could be expected from the most intrepid bravery and the most consummate knowledge in the science of war, was conspicuous on both sides on this occasion. Memnon finding it impossible for him to hold out any longer, was forced to abandon the city. As the sea was open to him, after having put a strong garrison into the citadel, which was well stored with provisions, he took with him the surviving inhabitants, with all their riches, and conveyed them into the island of Cos, which was not far from Halicarnassus. Alexander did not think proper to besiege the citadel, it being of little importance after the city was destroyed, which he demolished to the very foundations. He left it after having encompassed it with strong walls, and left some good troops in the country.

Soon after this, he restored Ada queen of Caria to her kingdom, of which she had been dispossessed some time before; and as a tes∣timony of the deep sense she had of the favours received from Alexander, she sent him every day meats dressed in the most exquisite manner,

and the most excellent cooks of every kind. Alexander answered the queen on this occasion, That all this train was of no service to him; for that he was possessed of much better cooks, whom Leonidas his governor had given him, one of whom prepared him a good dinner, and an excellent supper, and those were Temperance and Exercise.

Several kings of Asia Minor, submitted vo∣luntarily to Alexander; Mithridates, king of Pontus, was one of these, who afterwards adhered to this prince, and followed him in his expedi∣tions. He was son to Ariobarzanes governor of Phrygia and king of Pontus, of whom mention has been made elsewhere. He is computed to be the sixteenth king from Artabanus, who is considered as the founder of that kingdom, of which he was put in possession by Darius, son of Hystaspes his father. The famous Mithri∣dates, who so long employed the Roman armies, was one of his successors.

The year ensuing, Alexander began the cam∣paign very early. He had debated whether it would be proper for him to march direct∣ly against Darius, or first subdue the rest of the maritime provinces. The latter opinion appeared the safest, since he thereby would not

be molested by such nations as he should leave behind him. This progress was a little inter∣rupted at first. Near Phaselis, a city situated between Lysia and Pamphilia, is a defile along the sea shore, which is always dry at low water, so that travellers may pass it at that time; but when the sea rises, it is all under water. As it was now winter, Alexander, whom nothing could daunt, was desirous of passing it before the waters fell. His forces were therefore ob∣liged to march a whole day in the water, which came up to their waste.

Alexander after having settled affairs in Cili∣cia and Pamphilia, marched his army to Coelenae, a city of Phrygia watered by the river Mar∣syas, which the fictions of Poets have made so famous. He summoned the garrison of the citadel, whither the inhabitants were retired, to surrender; but these believing it impregnable, answered haughtily, That they would first die. However finding the attack carried on with great vigour, they desired a truce of sixty days, at the expiration of which, they promised to open their gates, in case they were not succour∣ed. And accordingly, no aid arriving, they surrendered themselves upon the day fixed.

From thence he marched into Phrygia, the ancient dominion of the celebrated king Midas;

having taken the capital city, he was desirous of seeing the famous chariot to which the Gordian knot was tied. This knot which fastened the yoke to the beam, was tied with so much intricacy, that it was impossible to discover where the ends begun, or how they were concealed. According to an ancient tradition of the country, an ora∣cle had foretold that the man who could un∣tie it, should possess the empire of Asia. Alex∣ander being firmly persuaded that the oracle was meant for him, after many fruitless trials, in∣stead of attempting to untie it in the usual manner, drew his sword and cut it in pieces, crying out, That that was the only way to un∣tie it. The priest hailed the omen, and de∣clared that Alexander had fulfilled the oracle.

Darius, who now began to be more alarmed than before, used all the art in his power to raise an army, and encourage his forces: he sent Memnon into Greece to invade Macedon, in order to make a diversion of the Grecian forces; but this general dying upon that ex∣pedition, Darius's hopes vanished on that quar∣ter, and instead of invading the enemy, he was obliged to consult for the protection of his empire at home.

In the mean time, Alexander having lest Gordion, marched into Paphlogonia and Cap∣padocia,

which he subdued. It was there he heard of Memnon's death; the news whereof confirmed him in the resolution he had taken, of marching immediately into the provinces of Upper Asia. Accordingly he advanced, by hasty marches, into Cilicia, and arrived in the country called Cyrus's Camp. From thence there is no more than fifty stadia (two leagues and a half each) to the pass of Cilicia, which is a very narrow strait, through which travellers are obliged to go from Cappadocia to Tarsus. The officer who guarded it in Darius's name, had left but few soldiers in it; and those fled the instant they heard of the enemy's arrival. Upon this, Alexander entered the pass, and after viewing very attentively the situation of the place, admired his own good fortune, and confessed, He might have been very easily stopped and defeated there, merely by the throwing of stones; for not to mention that this pass was so narrow, that four men, completely armed, could scarcely walk a breast in it; the top of the mountain hung over the road, which was not only strait, but broke in several places, by the fall of torrents from the mountains.

Alexander marched his whole army to the city of Tarsus, where it arrived the instant

the Persians were setting fire to that place, to prevent his plundering the great riches of so flourishing a city. But Parmenio, whom the king had sent thither with a detachment of horse, arrived very seasonably to stop the pro∣gress of the fire, and marched into the city, which he saved, the barbarians having fled the moment they heard of his arrival.

Through this city the Cydnus runs; a river not so remarkable for the breadth of its channel, as for the beauty of its waters, which are vastly limpid; but at the same time excessively cold, because of the tufted trees with which its banks are overshadowed. It was now about the end of the summer, which is excessively hot in Ci∣licia, and in the hottest part of the day; when the king, who was quite covered with sweat and dirt, arriving on its banks, had a mind to bathe, invited by the beauty and clear∣ness of the stream. However the instant he plunged into it, he was seized with so violent a shivering, that all the by-standers fancied he was dying. Upon this, he was carried to his tent, after fainting away. The physicians, who were sensible they should be answerable for the event, did not dare to hazard violent and extraordinary remedies. However, Philip, one of his physicians, who had always attend∣ed

upon him from his youth, and loved him with the utmost tenderness, not only as his sovereign, but his child, raising himself (merely out of affection to Alexander) above all prudential considerations, offered to give him a dose, which, though not very violent, would nevertheless be speedy in its effects; and desired three days to prepare it. At this proposal every one trembled, but he only whom it most concerned; Alexander being afflicted upon no other account, than because it would keep him three days from appearing at the head of his army.

Whilst these things were doing, Alexander received a letter from Parmenio, who was left behind in Cappadocia, in whom Alexander put greater confidence than in any other of his courtiers; the purport of which was, to bid him beware of Philip his physician, for that Darius had bribed him, by the promise of a thousand talents, and his sister in marriage. This letter gave him great uneasiness; for he was now at full leisure to weigh all the reasons he might have to hope or fear. But the considence in a physician whose sincere attachment and fidelity he had proved from his infancy, soon pre∣vailed, and removed all suspicions. He folded up the letter, and put it under his bolster,

without acquainting his attendants with the contents; in the mean time, his physician en∣tered, with a medicine in his hand, and offered the cup to Alexander. The hero upon this, took the cup from him, and holding out the letter, desired the physician to read, while he drank off the draught with an intrepid coun∣tenance, without the least hesitation, or dis∣covering the least suspicion or uneasiness. The physician, as he perused the letter, shewed greater signs of indignation than of fear; he bid him, with a resolute tone, harbour no un∣easiness, and that the recovery of his health would in a short time wipe off all suspicion. In the mean time, the physic wrought so vio∣lently, that the symptoms seemed to strengthen Parmenio's accusation; but at last, the me∣dicine having gained the ascendant, he began to assume his accustomed vigour; and in about three days, he was able to shew himself to his longing soldiers, by whom he was equally beloved and respected.

In the mean time Darius was on his march; filled with a vain security in the superiority of his numbers; and consident not in the valour, but in the splendor of his forces. The plains of Assyria, in which he was encamped, gave him an opportunity of extending his horse as he

pleased, and of taking the advantage which the great difference between the number of soldiers in each army gave him. But instead of this, he resolved to march to narrow passes, where his cavalry, and the multitude of his troops, so far from doing him any service, would only incumber each other; and accordingly, ad∣vanced towards the enemy, for whom he should have waited; and thus ran visibly on his destruction.

His courtiers and attendants however, whose custom it was to flatter and applaud all his actions, congratulated him upon an approaching victory, as if it had been certain and inevitable. There was at that time, in the army of Darius, one Caridemus, an Athenian, a man of great experience in war, who personally hated Alex∣ander, for having caused him to be barlished from Athens. Darius turning to this Athenian, asked whether he believed him powerful enough to defeat his army. Caridemus, who had been brought up in the bosom of liberty, and for∣getting that he was in a country of slavery, where to oppose the inclinations of the prince is of the most dangerous consequence, replied as follows:

"Permit me, Sir, to speak truth now, when only my sincerity may be of service; your present splendor, your prodigious num∣bers

which have drained the east, may be terrible indeed to your effeminate neigh∣bours, but can be no way dreadful to a Macedonian army. Discipline, close combat, courage, is all their care; every single man among them is almost himself a general. These men are not to be repulsed by the stones of slingers, or stakes burnt at the end; none but troops armed like themselves can stop their career; let therefore the gold and silver which glitters in your camp, be ex∣changed for foldiers and steel, for weapons and for hearts that are able to defend you."

Darius, though naturally of a mild disposition, had all his passions roused at the freedom of this man's advice; he ordered him at once to be executed; Caridemus all the time crying out, that his avenger was at hand: Darius too soon repented his rashness, and experienced when it was too late, the truth of all that had been told him.

The emperor now advanced with his troops towards the river Euphrates; over his tent was exhibited to the view of his whole army, the image of the sun in jewels; while wealth and magnificence shone in every quarter of the army.

First they carried silver altars, on which lay fire, called by them Sacred and Eternal;

and these were followed by the Magi, singing hymns, after the manner of their country: they were accompanied by three hundred and sixty-five youths (equalling the number of days in a year) cloathed in purple robes. After∣wards came a chariot consecrated to Jupiter, drawn by white horses, and followed by a courser of a prodigious size, to whom they gave the name of the Sun's Horse; and the equeries were dressed in white, each having a golden rod in his hand.

Ten chariots, adorned with sculptures in gold and silver followed after. Then marched a body of horse, composed of twelve nations, whose manners and customs were various, and all armed in a different manner. Next advanced those whom the Persians called The Immortals, amounting to ten thousand, who surpassed the rest of the barbarians in the sumptuousness of their apparel. They all wore golden collars, were cloathed in robes of gold tissue, with vest∣ments having sleeves to them quite covered with precious stones.

Thirty paces from them followed those called the king's relations, to the number of fifteen thousand, in habits very much resembling those of women; and more remarkable for the vain pomp of their dress, than the glitter of their arms.

Those called the Doriphori came after; they carried the king's cloak, and walked before his chariot, in which he seemed to sit, as on a high throne. This chariot was enriched on both sides with images of the gods, in gold and silver; and from the middle of the yoke, which was covered with jewels, rose two statues, a cubit in height, the one representing War, the other Peace, having a golden eagle between them, with wings extended, as ready to take its flight.

But nothing could equal the magnificence of the king: he was cloathed in a vest of pur∣ple, striped with silver, and over it a long robe, glittering all over with gold and pre∣cious stones, that represented two falcons, rushing from the clouds, and pecking at one another. Around his waist he wore a golden girdle, after the manner of women, whence his scymitar hung, the scabbard of which flamed all over with gems; on his head he wore a tiara, or mitre, round which was a fillet of blue mixed with white.

On each side of him walked two hundred of his nearest relations, followed by two thousand pike-men, whose pikes were adorned with silver, and tipped with gold; and lastly, thirty thousand infantry, who composed the rear∣guard.

These were followed by the king's horses four hundred in number, all which were led.

About one hundred, or an hundred and twenty paces from thence, came Sysigambis, Darius's mother, seated on a chariot, and his confort on another; with the several female attendants of both queens, riding on horseback. Afterwards came fifteen large chariots, in which were the king's children, and those who had the care of their education, with a band of eunuchs, who are to this day in great esteem among those nations. Then marched the concubines, to the number of three hundred and sixty, in the equipage of queens, followed by six hundred mules, and three hundred camels, which car∣ried the king's treasure, and guarded by a great body of archers.

After these came the wives of the crown-officers, and of the greatest lords of the court; then the sutlers, and servants of the army, seated also in chariots.

In the rear were a body of light-armed troops, with their commanders, who closed the whole march.

Such was the splendor of this pageant mo∣narch; he took the field encumbered with an unnecessary train of concubines, attended with

troops of various nations, speaking different lan∣guages, for their numbers impossible to be mar∣shalled, and so rich and effeminate in gold and in garments, as seemed rather to invite than deter an invader.

Alexander, after marching from Tarsis, ar∣rived at Bactriana; from thence, still earnest in coming up with his enemy, he came to Solae, where he offered sacrifice to Esculapius; from thence he went forward to Pyramus, to Malles, and at last to Cartabala: it was here that he first received advice, that Darius, with his whole army, was encamped at Sochus in As∣syria, two days journey from Cilicia. He therefore resolved, without delay, to meet him there, as the badness of the weather ob∣liged him to halt.

In the mean time Darius led on his immense army into the plains of Assyria, which they co∣vered to a great extent; there he was advised by the Grecian commanders who were in his ser∣vice, and who composed the strength of his army to halt, as he would there have sufficient room to expand his forces, and surround the invader. Darius rejected their advice; and instead of waiting Alexander's approach, vainly puffed up with pride by his surrounding courtiers, he re∣solved to pursue the invader, who wished for

nothing more ardently than to come to an en∣gagement.

Accordingly, Darius having sent his treasures to Damascus, a city of Assyria, he marched with the main body of his army towards Cilicia, then turned short towards Issus; and quite ignorant of the situation of the enemy, supposed he was pursuing Alexander, when he had actually left him in the rear. There is a strange mixture of pride, cruelty, splendor and magnanimity, in all the actions of this Persian prince. At Issus he barbarously put to death all the Greeks who were sick in that city, a few soldiers only excepted, whom he dismissed, after having made them view every part of his camp, in order to report his numbers and his strength to the in∣vader: these soldiers accordingly brought Alex∣ander word of the approach of Darius; and he now began to think seriously of preparing for battle.

Alexander fearing, from the numbers of the enemy, that they would attack him in his camp, fortified it with a ditch and a rampart; but at the same time discovered great joy to see the enemy hastening to its own destruction, and preparing to attack him in a place which was but wide enough for a small army to act and move at liberty in. Thus the two armies were

in some measure reduced to an equality: the Macedonians had space sufficient to employ their whole force, while the Persians had not room for the twentieth part of theirs.

Nevertheless, Alexander, as frequently hap∣pens to the greatest captains, felt some emotion when he saw that he was going to hazard all at one blow. The more Fortune had favoured him hitherto, the more he now dreaded her frowns; the moment approaching which was to determine his fate. But, on the other side, his courage revived, from the reflection, that the rewards of his toils exceeded the dangers of them; and though he was uncertain with regard to the victory, he at least hoped to die gloriously, and like Alexander. However, he did not divulge these thoughts to any one; well knowing, that, upon the approach of a battle, a general ought not to discover the least marks of sadness or perplexity; and that the troops should read nothing but resolution and intrepidity in the countenance of their commander.

Having made his soldiers refresh themselves, and ordered them to be ready for the third watch of the night, which began at twelve, he went to the top of a mountain, and there, by torch-light, sacrificed, after the manner of his country, to the gods of the place. As soon as

the signal was given, his army, which was ready to march and fight, being commanded to make great speed, arrived by day-break at the several posts assigned them. But now the spies bring∣ing word that Darius was not above thirty furlongs from them, the king caused his army to halt, and then drew it up in battle array. The peasants, in the greatest terror, came also, and acquainted Darius with the arrival of the enemy; which he would not at first believe, imagining, as we have observed, that Alex∣ander fled before him, and was endeavouring to escape. This news threw his troops into the utmost confusion; who, in their surprise, ran to their arms with great precipitation and disorder.

The spot where the battle was fought, lay near the city of Issus, which the mountains bounded on one side, and the sea on the other. The plain that was situated between them both must have been considerably broad, as the two armies encamped in it; and I before observed, that Darius's army was vastly numerous. The river Pinarius, ran through the middle of this plain from the mountain to the sea, and divided it very near into two equal parts. The mountain formed a hollow kind of gulph, the extremity of which in a curved line, bounded part of the plain.

Alexander drew up his army in the following order. He posted at the extremity of the right wing, which stood near the mountains, the Argyraspides, commanded by Nicanor; then the phalanx of Coenus, and afterwards that of Perdicas, which terminated in the center of the main army. On the extremity of the left wing, he posted the phalanx of Amyntas, then that of Ptolemy, and lastly that of Meleager. Thus the famous Macedonian phalanx was formed, which we find was com∣posed of six distinct bodies. Each of those was headed by able generals; but Alexander being always generalissimo, had consequently the command of the whole army. The horse were placed on the two wings; the Macedo∣nians with the Thessalians on the right, and of Peloponnesians, with the other allies on the left. Craterus commanded all the foot, which composed the left wing, and Parmenio the whole wing. Alexander had reserved to him∣self the command of the right. He had desir∣ed Parmenio to keep as near the sea as possible, to prevent the barbarians from surrounding him; and Nicanor on the contrary, was ordered to keep at some distance from the mountains, to keep himself out of the reach of the arrows dis¦charged by those who were posted on them. He

covered the horse on his right wing with the light horse of Protomachus and the Poeonians, and his foot with the bowmen of Antiochus. He reserved the Agrians (commanded by At∣talus,) who were greatly esteemed, and some forces that were newly arrived from Greece, to oppose those Darius had posted on the moun∣tains.

As for Darius's army, it was drawn up in the following order. Having heard that Alex∣ander was marching towards him in battle array, he commanded thirty thousand horse, and twenty thousand bowmen to cross the river Pinarius, that he might have an opportunity to draw up his army in a commodious manner on the hither side. In the center he posted the thirty thousand Greeks in his service, who doubtless were the flower and chief strength of his army, and were not at all inferior in bravery to the Macedonian phalanx, with thirty thou∣sand Barbarians on their right, and as many on their left. The field of battle not being able to contain a greater number, these were all heavily armed. The rest of the infantry dis∣tinguished by their several nations, were ranged behind the first line. It is pity Arrian does not tell us the depth of each of those two lines; but it must have been prodigious, if we consider

the extreme narrowness of the pass, and the amazing multitude of the Persian forces. On the mountain which lay to their left, against Alexander's right wing, Darius posted twenty thousand men, who were so ranged (in the several windings of the mountain) that some were behind Alexander's army, and others be∣fore it.

Darius, after having set his army in battle array, made his horse cross the river again, and dispatched the greatest part of them towards the sea against Parmenio, because they could fight on that spot with the greatest advantage. The rest of his cavalry he sent to the left, to∣wards the mountain. However, finding that these would be of no service on that side, be∣cause of the too great narrowness of the spot, he caused a great part of them to wheel about to the right. As for himself he took his post in the center of his army, pursuant to the custom of the Persian monarchs.

The two armies being thus drawn up in order of battle, Alexander marched very slowly, that his soldiers might take a little breath; so that it was supposed they would not engage till very late. For Darius still continued with his army on the other side of the river, in order not to lose the advantageous situation of his post;

and even caused such parts of the shore as were not craggy to be secured with palisadoes, where the Macedonians concluded that he was already afraid of being defeated. The two armies being come in sight, Alexander riding along the ranks, called by their several names, the principal officers both of the Macedonians and foreigners; and exhorted the soldiers to signalize themselves, speaking to each nation according to its pecu∣liar genius and disposition. The whole army set up a shout and eagerly desired to be led on directly against the enemy.

Alexander had advanced at first very slowly to prevent the ranks on the front of his phalanx from breaking, and halted by intervals. But when he was got within bow-shot, he com∣manded all his right wing to plunge impetu∣ously into the river, purposely that he might surprize the barbarians, come sooner to a close engagement, and be less exposed to the enemy's arrows; in all which he was very successful. Both sides fought with the utmost bravery and resolution; and being now forced to fight close, they charged both sides sword in hand, when a dreadful slaughter ensued, for they engaged man to man, each aiming the point of his sword at the face of his opponent. Alexander who performed the duty both of a private soldier

and of a commander, wished nothing so ar∣dently as the glory of killing with his own hand Darius, who being seated on a high cha∣riot, was conspicuous to the whole army; and by that means was a powerful object both to encourage his own soldiers to defend, and the enemy to attack him. And now the battle grew more furious and bloody than before, so that a great number of Persian noblemen were killed. Each side fought with incredible bra∣very. Oxathres, brother to Darius, observing that Alexander was going to charge that mo∣narch with the utmost vigour, rushed before his chariot with the horse under his command and distinguished himself above the rest. The horses that drew Darius's chariot lost all com∣mand, and shook the yoke so violently, that they were upon the point of overturning the king, who seeing himself going to fall alive into the hands of his enemies, leaped down and mounted another chariot. The rest observing this fled as fast as possible, and throwing down their arms, made the best of their way. Alex∣ander had received a slight wound in his thigh, but happily it was not attended with ill con∣sequences. Whilst part of the Macedonian in∣fantry (posted to the right,) were driving the advantages they had gained against the Persians,

the remainder of them who engaged the Greeks, met with greater resistance. These observing that the body of infantry in question, were no longer covered by the right wing of Alex∣ander's army, which was pursuing the enemy, came and attacked it in flank. The engagement was very bloody, and victory a long time doubt∣ful. The Greeks endeavoured to push the Macedonians into the river, and to recover the disorder into which the left wing had been thrown. The Macedonians also signalized them∣selves with the utmost bravery, in order to pre∣serve the advantage which Alexander had just before gained and support the honour of their phalanx, which had always been considered as invincible. There was also a perpetual jealousy between the Greeks and Macedonians, which greatly increased their courage, and made the resistance on each side very vigorous. On Alexander's side Ptolemy the son of Seleucus, lost his life with an hundred and twenty more considerable officers, who all had behaved with the utmost gallantry.

In the mean time the right wing, which was victorious under its Monarch, after defeating all who opposed it, wheeled to the left against those Greeks who were fighting with the rest of the Macedonian phalanx, whom they

charged very vigorously; and attacking them in flank entirely routed them.

At the very beginning of the engagement the Persian cavalry, which was in the right wing (without waiting for their being attacked by the Macedonians) had crossed the river and rushed upon the Thessalian horse, several of whose squadrons they broke. Upon this the remainder of the latter, in order to avoid the impetuosity of the first charge, and oblige the Persians to break their ranks, made a feint of retiring, as terrified by the prodigious numbers of the enemy. The Persians seeing this, were filled with boldness and confidence; and there∣upon, the greatest part of them advancing, without order or precaution, as to a certain victory had no thoughts but of pursuing the enemy. Upon this the Thessalians seeing them in such confusion, faced about on a sudden and renewed the fight with fresh ardour. The Persians made a brave defence, till they saw Darius put to flight, and the Greeks cut to pieces by the phalanx, when they fled in the utmost disorder.

With regard to Darius, the instant he saw his left wing broke, he was one of the first who fled in his chariot; but get∣ting afterwards into craggy rugged places,

he mounted on horseback, throwing down his bow, shield and royal mantle. Alexander, however did not attempt to pursue him, till he saw his phalanx had conquered the Greeks, and the Persian horse put to flight; which was of great advantage to the prince that fled.

Sysigambis, Darius's mother, and that mo∣narch's queen, who also was his sister, were found remaining in the camp, with two of the king's daughters, his son (yet a child) and some Per∣sian ladies; for the rest had been carried to Damascus, with part of Darius's treasure, and all such things as contributed only to the luxury and magnificence of his court. No more than three thousand talents were found in his camp; but the rest of the treasure fell after∣wards into the hands of Parmenio, at the taking the city of Damascus.

As for the barbarians, having exerted them∣selves with bravery enough in the first attack, they afterwards gave way in the most shameful manner; and being intent upon nothing but saving themselves, they took different ways. Some struck into the high road, which led directly to Persia; others ran into woods and lonely mountains; and a small number return∣ed to their camp, which the victorious enemy had already taken and plundered. In this battle

threescore thousand of the Persian infantry and ten thousand horsemen were slain; forty thou∣sand were taken prisoners, while of Alexander's army there fell but two hundred and fourscore men in all.

The evening after the engagement, Alexander invited his chief officers to a feast, at which he himself presided, notwithstanding he had been wounded that day in battle. The festivity how∣ever had scarce begun, when they were inter∣rupted by sad lamentations from a neighbour∣ing tent, which at first they considered as a fresh alarm, but they were soon taught, that it came from the tent, in which the wife and mother of Darius were kept, who were ex∣pressing their sorrow for the supposed death of Darius. An eunuch, who had seen his cloak in the hands of a soldier, imagining he was killed, brought them these dreadful tidings. Alex∣ander, however sent one of his officers to un∣deceive them, and to inform them that the emperor was still alive. The women little used to the appearance of strangers, upon the ar∣rival of the Macedonian soldier, imagining he was sent to put them to death, threw themselves at his feet, and intreated him to spare them a little while. They were ready they said to die; and only desired to bury Darius, before

they should suffer. The soldier assured them, that he came rather to comfort than afflict them, that the monarch whom they deplored, was still living, and he gave Sysigambis his hand to raise her from the ground.

The next day Alexander, after visiting the wounded, caused the last honours to be paid to the dead in presence of the whole army, drawn up in the most splendid order of battle. He treated the Persians of distinction in the same manner, and permitted Darius's mother, to bury whatever persons she pleased according to the customs, and ceremonies practised in her country. After this, he sent a message to the queens, to inform them, that he was coming to pay them a visit; and accordingly, com∣manding all his train to withdraw, he entered the tent accompanied only by Hephoestion, who made so cautious and discreet a use of the liberty granted him, that he seemed to take it not so much out of inclination, as from a desire to obey the king who would have it so. They were of the same age, but Hephoestion was taller, so that the queens took him first for the king, and paid him their respects as such. But some captive eunuchs shewing them Alexander, Sysi∣gambis fell prostrate before him, and intreated pardon for her mistake, but the king raising

her from the ground, assured her this his friend also was another Alexander; and after com∣forting her and her attendants, took the son of Darius that was yet but a child in his arms. The infant, without discovering the least terror, stretched out his arms to the conqueror, who being affected with its confidence, said to Hephoestion, Oh! that Darius had some share, some portion of this infant's generosity.—This interview has done more honour to Alexander's character, than all the rest of: his conquests: the gentleness of his manners to the suppliant captives, his chastity and continence, when he had the power to enforce obedience, were setting an example to heroes, which it has been the pride of many since to imitate.

After this overthrow, all Phoenicia, the ca∣pital city of Tyre only excepted, was yielded to the conqueror, and Parmenio was made gover∣nor. Good fortune followed him so fast, that it rewarded him beyond his expectations. An∣tigonus his general in Asia, overthrew the Ca∣padocians, Paphlagonians, and others lately re∣volted. Aristodemus the Persian admiral, was overcome at sea, and a great part of his fleet taken. The city of Damascus also, in which the treasures of Darius were deposited, was given up to Alexander. The governor of this

place forgetting the duty he owed his sovereign, informed Alexander by letter upon a certain day, that he would lead out his soldiers laden with spoil from the city, as if willing to secure a retreat; and these with all their wealth might be taken with a proper body of troops to intercept them. Alexander punctually followed the go∣vernor's instruction, and thus became possessed of an immense plunder. Besides money and plate which was afterwards coined, and amount∣ed to immense sums, thirty thousand men and seven thousand beasts laden with baggage were taken. We find by Parmenio's letter to Alex∣ander, that he found in Damascus, three hun∣dred and twenty nine of Darius's concubines all admirably well skilled in music, and also a multitude of officers, whose business it was to regulate and prepare every thing relating to that monarch's entertainments.

In the mean time, Darius having travelled on horseback the whole night, struck with terror and consternation, arrived in the morning at Sochus, where he assembled the remains of his army: still however his pride would not for∣sake him with his fortune; he wrote a letter to Alexander, in which he rather treated him as an inferior; he commanded, rather than re∣quested that Alexander would take a ransom

for his mother, wife and children. With re∣gard to the empire, he would fight with him for it upon equal terms; and bring an equal number of troops into the field. To this Alex∣ander replied, That he disdained all correspon∣dence with a man whom he had already over∣come; that in case he appeared before him in a supplicating posture, he would give up his wife and mother without ransom; that he knew how to conquer, and to oblige the conquered.

Thus coming to no issue, the king marched from thence into Phoenicia, the citizens of Byblos opening their gates to him. Every one submitted as he advanced, but no people did this with greater pleasure than the Sidonians: We have seen in what manner Ochus had de∣stroyed their city eighteen years before, and put all the inhabitants of it to the sword. After he was returned into Persia, such of the citizens, as, upon account of their traffic or for some other cause, had been absent, and by that means had escaped the massacre, returned thither and rebuilt their city. But they had retain∣ed so violent a hatred to the Persians, that they were overjoyed at this opportunity of throwing off their yoke; and indeed they were the first in that country who submitted to the king by their deputies, in opposition to Strato their

king, who had declared in favour of Darius. Alexander dethroned him, and permitted He∣phoestion to elect in his stead, whomsoever of the Sidonians he should judge worthy of so ex∣alted a station.

This favourite was quartered at the house of two brothers who were young, and of the most considerable family in the city; to these he of∣fered the crown. But they refused it, telling him that according to the laws of their country, no person could ascend the throne unless he were of the blood royal. Hephoestion admiring this greatness of soul, which could contemn what others strive to obtain by fire and sword;

"Continue, says he to them, in this way of thinking, you who before were sensible that it is much more glorious to refuse a diadem, than to accept it. However, name me some person of the royal family, who may remem∣ber when he is king, that it was you set the crown on his head."

The brothers observ∣ing, that several through excessive ambition; aspired to this high station, and to obtain it, paid a servile court to Alexander's favourites, declared, that they did not know any person more worthy of the diadem than one Abdolo∣nymus, descended, though at a great distance, from the royal line; but who, at the same time

was so poor that he was obliged to get his bread by day labour in a garden without the city. His honesty and integrity had reduced him, as well as many more, to such extreme poverty. Solely intent upon his labour, he did not hear the clashing of the arms which had shaken all Asia.

Immediately the two brothers went in search of Abdolonymus, with the royal garments, and found him weeding in his garden. When they saluted him king, Abdolonymus looked upon the whole as a dream; and, unable to guess the meaning of it, asked if they were not ashamed to ridicule him in that manner? But as he made a greater resistance than suited their incli∣nations, they themselves washed him, and threw over his shoulders a purple robe, richly em∣broidered with gold; then after repeated oaths of their being in earnest, they conducted him to the palace.

The news of this was immediately spread over the whole city. Most of the inhabitants were overjoyed at it, but some murmured, es∣pecially the rich, who despising Abdolonymus's former abject state, could not forbear shewing their resentment upon that account in the king's court. Alexander commanded the new-elected prince to be sent for, and after surveying him

attentively a long time, he spoke thus:

"Thy air and mien do not contradict what is related of thy extraction; but I should be glad to know with what frame of mind thou didst bear thy poverty?"

"Would to the gods (replied he) that I may bear this crown with equal patience. These hands have procured me all I desired; and whilst I possessed nothing, I wanted no∣thing."

This answer gave Alexander an high idea of Abdolonymus's virtue; so that he pre∣sented him, not only with the rich furniture which had belonged to Strato, and part of the Persian plunder, but likewise annexed one of the neighbouring provinces to his dominions.

Syria and Phoenicia, were already subdued by the Macedonians, the city of Tyre except∣ed. This city was justly entitled the Queen of the Sea, that element bringing to it the tribute of all nations. She boasted her having first in∣vented navigation, and taught mankind the art of braving the winds and waves by the assistance of a frail bark. The happy situation of Tyre, the conveniency and extent of its ports, the character of its inhabitants, who were indus∣trious, laborious, patient, and extremely cour∣teous to strangers; invited thither merchants from all parts of the globe, so that it might be considered, not so much as a city belonging to

any particular nation, as the common city of all nations, and the center of their commerce.

Alexander thought it necessary both for his pride and his interest to take this city. The spring was now coming on. Tyre was at that time seated in an island of the sea, about a quarter of a league from the continent. It was surrounded with a strong wall, an hun∣dred and fifty feet high, which the waves of the sea washed, and the Carthaginians (a colony from Tyre) a mighty people, and sovereigns of the ocean, whose ambassadors were at that time in the city offering to Hercules, according to ancient custom, an annual sacrifice, had en∣gaged themselves to succour the Tyrians. It was this made them so haughty; firmly deter∣mined not to surrender, they fix machines on the ramparts and on the towers, arm their young men, and build workhouses for the arti∣ficers, of whom there were great numbers in the city, so that every part resounded with the noise of warlike preparations. They likewise cast iron grapples to throw on the enemy's works, and tear them away; as also cramp irons, and such like instruments formed for the defence of cities. So many difficulties opposing such a hazardous design, and so many reasons should have made Alexander decline the siege.

It was impossible to come near this city in order to storm it, without making a bank, which would reach from the continent to the island; and an attempt of this kind would be attended with difficulties, that were seem∣ingly insurmountable. The little arm of the sea, which separated the island from the con∣tinent, was exposed to the west wind, which often raised such dreadful storms there, that the waves would in an instant, sweep away all works. Besides, as the city was surrounded on all sides by the sea, there was no fixing scaling ladders, nor throwing up batteries, but at a distance in the ships; and the wall which pro∣jected into the sea towards the lower part, pre∣vented people from landing; not to mention that the military engines, which might have been put on board the gallies, could not do much execution, the waves were so very tu∣multuous.

These obstacles however by no means retard∣ed the enterprizing resolutions of Alexander, but willing to gain a place, rather by treaty than by the sword, he sent heralds into the place, proposing a peace, between the Tyrians and him. The citizens however, a tumultuous un∣governable body, instead of listening to his proposals, instead of endeavouring to avert his

resentment, contrary to the law of nations, killed his heralds, and threw them from the top of the walls into the sea. This outrage inflamed Alexander's passions to the highest degree, he resolved upon the city's destruction, and sat down before it with persevering resentment. His first endeavour was to form a pier jutting from the continent, and reaching to the city which was built upon an island. From the foun∣dations of an ancient city upon the shore, he dug stones and rubbish; from mount Lebanus, that hung over the city, he cut down cedars that served for piles; and thus he began his work without interruption. But the farther they went from shore, the greater difficulties they met with, because the sea was deeper, and the workmen were much annoyed by the darts dis∣charged from the top of the walls. The enemy also who were masters at sea, coming in great boats, prevented the Macedonians from carry∣ing on their work with vigour. At last, how∣ever the pile appeared above water, a level of considerable breadth: then the besieged at last perceived their rashness; they saw with terror the vastness of the work which the sea had till then kept from their sight, and now began to attack the workmen with javelins and wound them at a distance. It was therefore

resolved that skins and sails should be spread to cover the workmen, and that two wooden towers should be raised at the head of the bank to prevent the approaches of the enemy. Yet these were burned soon after by the besieged, together with all the wood-work composing the pile that could be touched by the fire.

Alexander though he saw most of his designs defeated, and his works demolished, was not at all dejected upon that account. His soldiers en∣deavoured with redoubled vigour, to repair the ruins of the bank; and made and planted new machines, with such prodigious speed as quite astonished the enemy. Alexander himself was present on all occasions, and superintended every part of the works. His presence and great abi∣lities advanced these still more, than the mul∣titude of hands employed in them. The whole was near finished, and brought almost to the wall of the city, when there arose on a sudden an impetuous wind, which drove the waves with so much fury against the mole, that the cement and other things that barr'd it, gave way, and the water rushing through the stones, broke it in the middle. As soon as the great heap of stones which supported the earth was thrown down, the whole sunk at once as into an abyss.

Any warrior but Alexander would that instant have quite laid aside his enterprize; and indeed

he himself debated whether he should not raise the siege. But a superior Power, who had foretold and sworn the ruin of Tyre, and whose orders this prince only executed, prompted him to continue the siege; and, dispelling all his fear and anxiety, inspired him with courage and confidence, and fired the breasts of his whole army with the same sentiments. For now the soldiers, as if but that moment arrived be∣fore the city, forgetting all the toils they had undergone, began to raise a new mole, at which they worked incessantly.

In the mean time, Alexander being con∣vinced that while the enemy remained masters at sea, the city could not be taken, with great diligence procured a fleet from various parts, and embarking himself, with some soldiers from among his guard, he set sail towards the Tyrian fleet, forming a line of battle. The Tyrians were at first determined to oppose him openly; but perceiving the superiority of his forces, they kept all the gallies in their harbour, to pre∣vent the enemy from entering there. Alexander therefore was contented to draw up his ships near the bank along the shore, where they rode in safety, and kept the enemy from annoying his workmen, who were employed upon the bank.

The besiegers, thus protected, went on with great vigour. The workmen threw into the sea whole trees, with all their branches on them; and laid great stones over these, on which they put other trees, and the latter they covered with clay, which served instead of mortar. Afterwards, heaping more trees and stones on these, the whole, thus joined together, formed one entire body. This bank was made wider than the former ones; in order that the towers that were built in the middle, might be out of the reach of such arrows as should be shot from those ships which might attempt to break down the edges of the bank. Thus, after many delays, the patience of the workmen surmounting every obstacle, it was at last finished in its utmost perfection. The Mace∣donians placed military engines of all kinds on the bank, in order to shake the walls with battering-rams, and hurl on the besieged ar∣rows, stones, and burning torches. Thus, by degrees, approaching to the foot of the wall, the Tyrians were attacked in close combat, and invested on all sides, both by sea and land.

A general attack was now therefore thought necessary; and the king manning his gallies, which he had joined to each other, ordered them to approach the walls about midnight,

and attack the city with resolution. The Ty∣rians now gave themselves over for lost; when on a sudden the sky was overspread with such thick clouds, as quite took away the faint glimmerings of light which before darted through the gloom; the sea rose by insensible degrees, and the billows being swelled by the fury of the winds, encreased to a dreadful storm; the vessels dashed one against the other with so much violence, that the cables, which before fastened them together, were either loosened or broke to pieces; the planks split, and making a horrible crash, carried off the soldiers with them; for the tempest was so furious, that it was not possible to manage or steer the gallies thus fastened together. At last, however, they brought them near the shore, but the greatest part were in ashattered condition.

This good fortune of the Tyrians was coun∣terbalanced by an unexpected calamity; they had long expected succours from Carthage, a flourishing colony of their own, but they now received advice from thence that the Car∣thaginians were absolutely unable to give them any assistance; being over-awed themselves by a powerful army of Syracusans, who were laying waste their country. The Tyrians therefore, frustrated in their hopes, still maintained their

resolution of defending themselves to the last extremity; and accordingly sent off their women and children to Carthage, as being of no use in the defence of their city.

And now the engines playing, the city was warmly attacked on all sides, and as vigorously defended. The besieged, taught and animated by imminent danger, and the extreme necessity to which they were reduced, invented daily new arts, to defend themselves, and repulse the enemy. They warded off all the darts dis∣charged from the balistas against them, by the assistance of turning-wheels, which either broke them to pieces, or carried them another way. They deadened the violence of the stones that were hurled at them, by setting up a kind of sails and curtains, made of a soft substance, which easily gave way. To annoy the ships which advanced against their walls, they fixed grappling irons and scythes to joists or beams; then straining their catapultas (an enormous kind of cross-bow), they laid those great pieces of timber upon them instead of arrows, and shot them off on a sudden at the enemy: these crushed some to pieces by their great weight; and the hooks, or pensile scythes, with which they were armed, tore others to pieces, and did considerable damage to their ships. They also

had brazen shields, which they drew red-hot out of the fire; and, filling these with burning sand, hurled them in an instant from the top of the wall upon the enemy. There was nothing the Macedonians so much dreaded as this last in∣vention; for, the moment this burning sand got to the flesh, through the crevices in the armour, it pierced to the very bone, and stuck so close that there was no pulling it off; so that the soldiers throwing down their arms, and tearing their cloaths to pieces, were in this manner ex∣posed, naked and defenceless, to the shot of the enemy. It was now thought that Alexander, quite discouraged with his loss, was determined to re∣linquish the siege; but he resolved to make a last effort, with a great number of ships, which he manned with the flower of his army. Ac∣cordingly, a second naval engagement was fought; in which the Tyrians, after fighting with intrepidity, were obliged to draw off their whole fleet towards the city. The king pursued their rear very close, but was not able to enter the harbour, being repulsed by arrows shot from the walls: however, he either took or sunk a great number of their ships.

Both the attack and defence were now more vigorous than ever. The courage of the com∣batants increased with the danger; and each

side, animated by the most powerful motives, fought like lions. Wherever the battering-rams had beat down any part of the wall, and the bridges were thrown out, instantly the Argy∣raspides mounted the breach with the utmost valour, being headed by Admetus, one of the bravest officers in the army, who was killed by the thrust of a spear, as he was encouraging his soldiers. The presence of the king, and especially the example he set, fired his troops with unusual bravery. He himself ascended one of the towers, which was of a prodigious height, and there was exposed to the greatest dangers his courage had ever made him hazard; for being immediately known, by his insignia, and the richness of his armour, he served as a mark for all the arrows of the enemy. On this occasion he performed wonders; killing with javelins several of those who defended the wall; then advancing nearer to them, he forced some with his sword, and others with his shield, either into the city or the sea; the tower where he fought almost touching the wall. He soon ascended the wall, by the assistance of floating bridges; and, followed by the principal officers, possessed himself of two towers, and the space between them. The battering-rams had already made several breaches; the fleet had forced into the

harbour; and some of the Macedonians had possessed themselves of the towers which were abandoned. The Tyrians seeing the enemy master of their rampart, retired towards an open place, called Agenor, and there stood their ground; but Alexander marching up with his regiment of body-guards, killed part of them, and obliged the rest to fly. At the same time Tyre being taken on that side which lay towards the harbour, the Macedonians ran up and down every part of the city, sparing no person who came in their way, being highly exasperated at the long resistance of the besieged, and the bar∣barities they had exercised towards some of their comrades, who had been taken in their return to Sidon, and thrown from the battle∣ments, after their throats had been cut, in the sight of the whole army. The Tyrians, thus reduced to the last extremity, shut themselves up in their houses, to avoid the sword of the conqueror; others rushed into the midst of the enemy, to sell their lives as dearly as they could; and some threw stones from the tops of the houses, to crush the sailors below: the old men waited at their doors, expecting every instant to be sacrificed, from the rage of the soldiers. In this general carnage, the Sidonian soldiers alone, that were in Alexander's army, seemed

touched with pity for the fate of their wretched inhabitants: they gave protection to many of the Tyrians, whom they considered as country∣men, and carried great numbers of them pri∣vately on board their ships. The numbers that were thus slaughtered by the enraged soldiers, were incredible: even after conquest, the victor's resentment did not subside; he ordered no less than two thousand men, that were taken in the storm, to be nailed to crosses along the shore. The number of prisoners amounted to thirty thousand, and were all sold as slaves, in different parts of the world. Thus fell Tyre, that had been for many ages the most flourishing city in the world, and had spread the arts of commerce into the remotest regions.

Whilst Alexander was carrying on the siege of Tyre, he received a second letter from Darius, in which that monarch seemed more sensible of his power than before; he now gave him the title of king, and offered him ten thousand ta∣lents as a ransom for his captive mother and wife; he offered him his daughter Statira in marriage, with all the country he had con∣quered, as far as the river Euphrates; he hinted to him the inconstancy of fortune, and described at large the powers he was still pos∣sessed of to oppose. These terms were so con∣siderable,

that when the king debated upon them in council, Parmenio, one of his generals, could not help observing, That if he were Alexander, he would agree to such a proposal; to which Alexander nobly replied,

"And so would I, were I Parmenio:"

He therefore treated the proposals of Darius with haughty contempt, and refused to accept of treasures which he already considered as his own. From Tyre Alexander marched to Jerusalem, fully resolved to punish that city, for having refused to supply his army with provisions during the late siege; but the resentment of the conqueror was averted, by meeting a procession of the in∣habitants of that city on his way, marching out to receive him, dressed in white, with a Jewish high-priest before them, with a mitre on his head, on the front of which the name of God was written. The moment the king perceived the high-priest, he advanced towards him with an air of the most profound respect, bowed his body, adored the august name upon his front, and saluted him who wore it with religious veneration. Then the Jews, surrounding Alex∣ander, raised their voices to wish him every kind of prosperity. All the spectators were seized with inexpressible surprise; they could scarce believe their eyes; and did not know

how to account for a sight so contrary to their expectation, and so vastly improbable.

Parmenio, who could not yet recover from his astonishment, asked the king how it came to pass that he who was adored by every one, adored the high-priest of the Jews:

"I do not," replied Alexander, "adore the high-priest, but the God whose minister he is; for whilst I was at Dia in Macedonia, my mind wholly fixed on the great design of the Persian •…•…ar, as I was revolving the methods how to conquer Asia, this very man, dressed in the same robes, appeared to me in a dream, exhorted me to banish my fear, bade me cross the Hellespont boldly, and assured me that God would march at the head of my army, and give me the victory over that of the Persians."

This speech, delivered with an air of sincerity, no doubt had its effect in encouraging the army, and establishing an opinion that Alexander's mission was from Heaven. Alexander having embraced the high-priest, was conducted by him to the temple, where, after he had explained to him many prophecies in different parts of the Old Testament, concerning his invasion, he taught him to offer up a sacrifice in the Jewish manner.

Alexander was so much pleased with his re∣ception upon this occasion, that, before he left

Jerusalem, he assembled the Jews, and bade them ask any favour they should think proper. Their request was, To be allowed to live ac∣cording to their ancient laws and maxims; to be exempted from tribute every seventh year, as they were by their laws exempted from la∣bour, and could consequently have no harvests: they requested, that such of their brethren as were settled in Asia, should be indulged in the same privileges. Thus, being gratified in all their desires, great numbers of them offered to enlist themselves in his army. Soon after the Samaritans demanded the same favours; but he gave them an evasive answer, and promised to take the matter into consideration, upon his return.

From this city he went on to Gaza, where he found a more obstinate resistance than he had expected; but at length taking the town by storm, and having cut the garrison, consisting of ten thousand men, to pieces, with brutal fero∣city, he ordered Boetis, the governor, to be brought before him; and having in vain en∣deavoured to intimidate him, commanded, at last, that holes should be bored through his heels, and thus to be tied by cords to the back of his chariot, and in this manner to be dragged round the walls of the city. This he did in

imitation of Achilles, whom Homer describes as having dragged Hector round the walls of Troy in the same manner; but it was reading the poet to very little advantage, to imitate his hero in the most unworthy part of his cha∣racter.

As soon as Alexander had ended the siege of Gaza, he left a garrison there, and turned the whole power of his arms towards Egypt. In seven days march he arrived before Pelusium, whither a great number of Egyptians had as∣sembled, with all imaginable diligence, to own him for their sovereign; being heartily displeased with the Persian government, as likewise the Persian governors; as the one destroyed their liberty, the other ridiculed their religion. Masaeus, the Persian governor, who commanded in Memphis, finding it would be to no purpose for him to resist so triumphant an army, and that Darius, his sovereign, was not in a con∣dition to succour him, set open the gates of the city to the conqueror, and gave up eight hundred talents, (about one hundred and forty thousand pounds) and all the king's furniture. Thus Alexander possessed himself of all Egypt, without meeting with the least opposition.

He now therefore formed a design of visiting the temple of Jupiter. This temple was situated

at a distance of twelve days journey from Memphis, in the midst of the sandy desarts of Lybia. Alexander having read in Homer, and other fabulous authors of antiquity, that most of the heroes were represented as the sons of some deity, was willing himself to pass for a hero, and knew that he could bribe the priests to compliment him, as of celestial origin. Setting out therefore along the river Memphis, and after having passed Canopus, opposite the island of Pharos, he there laid the foundation of the city of Alexandria, which in a little time became one of the most flourishing towns for commerce in the world. From thence he had a journey of three hundred and forty miles to the temple of Jupiter; the way leading through inhospitable desarts, and plains of sand. The soldiers were patient enough for the two first days march, before they arrived amidst the dreadful solitudes; but as soon as they found themselves in vast plains, covered with sands of a prodigious depth, they were greatly ter∣rified. Surrounded as with a sea, they gazed round as far as their sight could extend, to discover if possible, some place that was in∣habited; but all in vain, for they could not perceive so much as a single tree, nor the least footsteps of any land that had been cultivated.

To increase their calamity, the water that they had brought in goat-skins, upon camels, now failed, and there was not so much as a single drop in all that sandy desart. They were however greatly refreshed by the accidental falling of a shower, which served to encourage them in their progress, till they came to the temple of the Deity. Nothing can be more fanciful than the description the historians have given us of this gloomy retreat: it is represented as a small spot of fertile ground, in the midst of vast solitudes of sand; it is covered with the thickest trees, that exclude the rays of the sun; and watered with several springs, which pre∣served it in perpetual verdure; near the grove where the temple stood was the Fountain of the Sun, which at day-break was luke-warm, at noon cold, then towards evening insensibly grew warmer, and was boiling hot at midnight. The god worshipped in this place, had his statue made of emeralds, and other precious stones: and from the head to the navel re∣sembled a ram. No sooner had Alexander appeared before the altar, than the high priest declared him to be the son of Jupiter; the conqueror quite intoxicated with adulation, asked, Whether he should have success in his expedition; the priest answered, That he should

be monarch of the world: the conqueror en∣quired, If his father's murderers were punished; the priest replied, That his father Jupiter was immortal, but that the murderers of Philip had been all extirpated.

Alexander having ended his sacrifice, and rewarded the priests, who had been so liberal of their titles, from that time supposed himself or would have it supposed, that he was the son of Jupiter. Upon his return from the temple, and during his stay in Egypt, he settled the government of that country upon the most solid foundation; he divided it into districts, over each of which he appointed a lieutenant, who re∣ceived orders from himself alone. And thus having settled affairs there, he set out, in the beginning of spring, to march against Darius•• who was now preparing to oppose him. He made some stay at Tyre, to settle the various affairs of the countries he had left behind; and advanced towards new conquests. On his march•• the wife of Darius died in child-bed, and wa•• honoured with a funeral ceremony, due to he•…•… exalted character. He continued his journey towards the Tygris, where he at last expected to come up with the enemy, and to strik•• one blow, which should decide the fate o•• nations.

Darius had already made overtures of peace to him twice; but finding at last that there were no hopes of their concluding one, unless he resigned the whole empire to him, prepared himself again for battle. For this purpose, he assembled in Babylon an army half as numerous again as that at Issus, and marched it towards Nineveh. His forces co∣vered all the plains of Mesopotamia. Advice being brought that the enemy was not far off, he caused Satropates, colonel of the cavalry, to advance at the head of a thousand chosen horse; and likewise gave six thousand to Ma∣saeus, governor of the province; all whom were to prevent Alexander from crossing the river, and to lay waste the country through which that monarch was to pass. But he arrived too late.

The Tygris is the most rapid river of all the east; and it was with some difficulty that Alex∣ander's soldiers were able to stem the current, carrying their arms over their heads. The king walked on foot among the infantry, and pointed out with his hand the passage to his soldiers: he commanded them, with a loud voice, To save nothing but their arms; and let their baggage that retarded them in the water, float away with the stream. At length

they were drawn up in battle-array on the opposite shore; and encamped two days near the river, still prepared for action. An eclipse of the moon, which happened about that time, gave Alexander's soldiers great unea∣siness; but he brought forward some Egyptian soothsayers, who assured the army, That the moon portended calamities not to the Greeks, but the Persians. By this artifice the hopes and the courage of the soldiers being revived once more, the king led them on to meet the enemy, and began his march at midnight. On his right hand lay the Tygris, and on his left the Gordylean mountains. At break of day, news was brought, that Darius was but twenty miles from the place they then were. All things now therefore threatened an approaching battle; when Darius, who had already twice sued for peace, sent new conditions, still more advantageous than the former. But Alexander refused his offers; proudly replying, That the world would not permit two suns nor two sovereigns. Thus all negociation being at an end, both sides prepared for battle; equally irritated, and equally ambitious. Darius pitched his camp near a village called Gangamila, and the river Bumila, in a plain at a consi∣derable distance from Arbela. He had before

levelled the spot, which he pitched upon for the field of battle, in order that his chariots and cavalry might have full room to move in; that his fighting in the streights of Cilicia, had lost him the battle fought there.

Alexander upon hearing this news, continued four days in the place he then was to rest his army, and surrounded his camp with trenches and pallisadoes; for he was determined to leave all his baggage, and the useless soldiers in it, and march the remainder against the enemy, with no other equipage than the arms they car∣ried. Accordingly he set out about nine in the evening, in order to fight Darius at day break; who, upon this advice had drawn up his army in order of battle. Alexander also marched in battle-array; for both armies were within two or three leagues of each other. When he was arrived at the mountains, where he could dis∣cover the enemy's army, he halted; and having assembled his general officers, as well Macedo∣nians as foreigners, he debated whether they should engage immediately, or pitch their camp in that place. The latter opinion being fol∣lowed, because it was judged proper for them to view the field of battle, and the manner in which the enemy was drawn up, the army en∣camped in the same order in which it had

marched; during which Alexander at the head of his infantry lightly armed, and his royal regi∣ments, marched round the plain in which the battle was to be fought.

Being returned, he assembled his general of∣ficers a second time, and told them, that there was no occasion for making a speech, because their courage and great actions were alone suf∣ficient to excite them to glory; and he desired them only to represent to the soldiers, that they were not to fight on this occasion for Phoenicia or Aegypt, but for all Asia, which would be possessed by him who should conquer; and tha•• after having gone through so many provinces•• and left behind them so great a number of ri¦vers and mountains; they could secure their re¦treat no otherwise, than by gaining a complea•• victory. After this speech, he ordered them to take some repose.

It is said Parmenio advised him to attack the enemy in the night time, alledging, that they might easily be defeated, if fallen upon by sur¦prize and in the dark; but the king answered so loud, that all present might hear him; tha•• it did not become Alexander to steal a victory•• and therefore he was resolved to fight and con¦quer in broad day light. This was a haughty•• but at the same time, a prudent answer; fo••

it was running great hazard, to fall upon so numerous an army in the night time and in an unknown country. Darius fearing he should be attacked at unawares, because he had not intrenched himself, obliged his soldiers to con∣tinue the whole night under arms, which prov∣ed of the highest prejudice to him in the en∣gagement. In the mean time Alexander went to bed to repose himself the remaining part of the night. As he revolved in his mind, not without some emotion, the consequence of the battle, which was upon the point of being fought, he could not sleep immediately. But his body being oppressed in a manner by the anxiety of his mind, he slept soundly the whole night, contrary to his usual custom, so that when his generals were assembled at day-break before his tent, to receive his orders, they were greatly surprized to find he was not awake; upon which they themselves commanded the soldiers to take some refreshment. Parmenio having at last awaked him, and seeming surprized to sind him in so calm and sweet a sleep, just as he was going to fight a battle in which his whole fortune lay at stake, How could it be possible, said Alexander, for me not to be calm, since the enemy is coming to deliver himself into my hands? Upon this he immediately took up his

arms, mounted his horse, and rode up and down the ranks, exhorting the troops to behave gal∣lantly, and if possible, to surpass their-ancient fame, and the glory they had hitherto acquired.

There was a great difference between the two armies in respect to numbers, but much more with regard to courage. That of Darius con∣sisted at least of six hundred thousand foot and forty thousand horse; and the other of no more than forty thousand foot, and seven or eight thousand horse, but the latter was all fire and strength; whereas on the side of the Persians it was a prodigious assemblage of men, not of soldiers; an empty phantom rather than a real army. Both sides were disposed in very near the same array. The forces were drawn up in two lines, the cavalry on the two wings, and the infantry in the middle; the one and the other being under the particular conduct of the chiefs of each of the different nations that com∣posed them; and commanded in general, by the principal crown officers. The front of the battle (under Darius) was covered with two hundred chariots, armed with scythes, and with fifteen elephants, that king taking his post in the center of the first line. Besides the guards which were the flower of his forces, he also had fortified himself with the Grecian infantry,

whom he had drawn up near his person, believ∣ing this body only capable of opposing the Ma∣cedonian phalanx. As his army spread over a much greater space of ground, than that of the enemy, he intended to surround and to charge them at one and the same time, both in front and flank, which from Alexander's disposition, he soon after found impossible.

Darius being afraid lest the Macedonians should draw him from the spot of ground he had levelled, and carry him into another that was rough and uneven, commanded the cavalry in his left wing, which spread much farther than that of the enemy's right, to march direct∣ly forward, and wheel about upon the Mace∣donians in flank, to prevent them from extend∣ing their troops farther. Upon which Alexander dispatched against them the body of horse in his service, commanded by Menidas; but as these were not able to make head against the enemy, because of their prodigious numbers, he rein∣forced them with the Paeonians, whom Aretas commanded, and with the foreign cavalry. Be∣sides the advantage of numbers, the Persians had that also of coats of mail, which secured them∣selves and their horses much more, and by which Alexander's cavalry was prodigiously annoyed. However, the Macedonians marched to the

charge with great bravery, and at last put the enemy to flight.

Upon this the Persians opposed the chariots armed with scythes against the Macedonian phalanx, in order to break it, but with little success. The noise which the soldiers, who were lightly armed, made by striking their swords against their bucklers, and the arrows which flew on all sides, frighted the horses, and made a great number of them turn back against their own troops. Others laying hold of the horses bridles, pulled the riders down and cut them to pieces. Part of the chariots drove between the battalions, which opened to make way for them as they had been ordered to do, by which means they did little or no execution.

Alexander seeing Darius set his whole army in motion, in order to charge him, employed a stratagem to encourage his soldiers. When the battle was at the hottest, and the Macedonians were in the greatest danger, Aristander the soothsayer, clothed in his white robes, holding a branch of lawrel in his hand, advances among the combatants as he had been instructed by the king; and crying, that he saw an eagle hover∣ing over Alexander's head (a sure omen of vic∣tory) he shewed with his finger, the pretended bird to the soldiers; who relying upon the sin∣cerity

of the soothsayer, fancied they also saw it; and thereupon renewed the attack with greater chearfulness and ardour than ever. Alex∣ander now pressed to the place in which Darius was stationed, and the presence of the two op∣posing kings inspired both sides with vigour. Darius was mounted on a chariot, and Alex∣ander on horseback; both surrounded with their bravest officers and soldiers, whose only endea∣vours were to save the lives of their respective princes at the hazard of their own. The battle was obstinate and bloody. Alexander having wounded Darius's equerry, with a javelin, the Persians as well as Macedonians imagined that the king was killed; upon which the former, breaking aloud into the most dismal sounds, the whole army was seized with the greatest con∣sternation. The relations of Darius, who were at his left hand, fled away with the guards, and so abandoned the chariot; but those who were at his right, took him into the center of their body. Historians relate, that this prince hav∣ing drawn his scymetar, reflected whether he ought not to lay violent hands upon himself, rather than fly in an ignominious manner. But perceiving from his chariot, that his soldiers still fought, he was ashamed to forsake them; and as divided between hope and despair, the

Persians retired insensibly and thinned their ranks, when it could no longer be called a battle, but a slaughter. Then Darius turning about his chariot, fled with the rest; and the conqueror was now wholly employed in pur∣suing him. But in the mean time, finding that the left wing of his army, which was commanded by Parmenio, was in great danger, Alexander was obliged to desist from pursuing Darius, whom he had almost overtaken, and wheeled round to attack the Persian horse, that, after plundering the camp, were retiring in good order; them he cut in pieces; and the scale of battle turning in favour of the Macedonians, a total rout of the Persians ensued. The pursuit was warm, and the slaughter amazing: Alexander rode as far as Arbela after Darius; every moment hoping to come up with that monarch: he had just passed through when Alexander arrived, but he left his treasure, with his bow and shield, as a prey to the enemy.

Such was the success of this famous battle, which gave empire to the conqueror. Ac∣cording to Arrian, the Persians lost three hundred thousand men, besides those who were taken prisoners; which at least is a proof that the loss was very great on their side. That

of Alexander's was very inconsiderable; he not losing, according to the last mentioned author, above twelve hundred men, most of whom were horse. This engagement was fought in the month of October, about the same time, that two years before, the battle of Isus was fought. As Gangamela, in Assyria, the spot where the two armies engaged, was a small place of very little note, this was called the battle of Arbela, that city being nearest to the field of battle.

Darius, after this dreadful defeat, rode to∣wards the river Lycus, with a very few attend∣ants; he was advised to break down the bridges to secure his retreat; but he refused, saying, He would not save his life, at the expence of thousands of his subjects. After riding a great number of miles full speed, he arrived, at midnight, at Arbela; from thence he fled to∣wards Media, over the Armenian mountains, followed by his satraps, and a few of his guards, expecting the worst, despairing of fortune, a wretched survivor of his country's ruin.

In the mean time, Alexander approached near Babylon; and Mazaeus the governor, who had retired thither after the battle of Arbela,

surrendered it to him without striking a blow. Alexander therefore entered the city, at the head of his whole army, as if he had been marching to a battle. The walls of Babylon were lined with people, notwithstanding the greatest part of the citizens were gone out before, from the impatient desire they had to see their new sovereign, whose renown had far outstripped his march. Bagophanes, governor of the fortress, and guardian of the treasure, unwilling to discover less zeal than Mazaeus, strewed the streets with flowers, and raised on both sides of the way silver altars, which smoaked not only with frankincense, but the most fragrant perfumes of every kind. Last of all came the presents which were to be made to the king; viz. herds of cattle, and a great number of horses; as also lions and panthers, which were carried in cages. After these the Magi walked, singing hymns after the manner of their country; then the Chaldeans, ac∣companied by the Babylonish soothsayers and musicians. The rear was brought up by the Babylonish cavalry; of which, both men and horses were so sumptuous, that imagination can scarce reach their magnificence. The king caused the people to walk after the infantry,

and himself, surrounded with his guards, and seated on a chariot, entered the city, and from thence rode to the palace, as in a kind of triumph. The next day he took a view of all Darius's money and moveables, which amounted to incredible sums, and which he distributed with generosity among his soldiers. He gave the government of the province to Mazaeus; and the command of the forces he left there, to Apollodorus of Amphipolis.

From Rabylon Alexander marched to the province of Syraceni, afterwards to Susa, where he arrived after a march of twenty days, and found treasures to an infinite amount. These also he applied to the purposes of rewarding merit and courage among his troops. In this city he left the mother and children of Darius; and from thence he went forward, till he came to a river called, Pasitigris. Having crossed it, with nine thousand foot, and three thousand horse, consisting of Agrians, as well as of Gre∣cian mercenaries, and a reinforcement of three thousand Thracians, he entered the country of Uxii. This region lies near Susa, and extends to the frontiers of Persia; a narrow pass only lying between it and Susiana. Madathes commanded this province. He was not a time-server, nor a follower of fortune; but

faithful to his sovereign; he resolved to hold out to the last extremity; and for this purpose, had withdrawn into his own city, which stood in the midst of craggy rocks, and was surrounded with precipices. Having been forced from thence, he retired into the citadel, whence the besieged sent thirty deputies to Alexander, to sue for quarter, which they obtained at last, by the interposition of Sysigambis. The king not only pardoned Madathes, who was a near re∣lation of that princess, but likewise set all the captives, and those who had surrendered them∣selves, at liberty, permitted them to enjoy their several rights and privileges, would not suffer the city to be plundered, but let them plough their lands, without paying any tribute. From thence he passed on to the pass of Susa, defended by mountains almost inaccessible, and by Ariobarzanes, with a body of five thousand men; he there stopped for a while, but being led by a different rout among the mountains, he came over the pass and so cut the army that defended it in pieces.

Alexander, from an effect of the good for∣tune which constantly attended him in all his undertakings, having extricated himself hap∣pily out of the danger to which he was so lately exposed, marched immediately towards

Persia. Being on the road, he received letters from Tiridates, governor of Persepolis, which informed him, that the inhabitants of that city, upon the report of his advancing towards him, were determined to plunder Darius's treasures, with which he was intrusted; and therefore, that it was necessary for him to make all the haste imaginable to seize them himself; that he had only the Araxes to cross, after which the road was smooth and easy. Alexander, upon this news, leaving his infantry behind, marched the whole night at the head of his cavalry, who were very much harrassed by the length and swiftness of his march, and passed the Araxes, on a bridge, which, by his order, had been but some days before.

But as he drew near the city, he perceived a large body of men, who exhibited a memorable example of the greatest misery. These were about four thousand Greeks, very far advanced in years, who having been made prisoners of war, had suffered all the torments which the Persian tyranny could inflict. The hands of some had been cut off, the feet of others; and others again had lost their noses and ears. They appeared like so many shadows, rather than like men; speech being almost the only thing by which they were known to be such.

Alexander could not refrain from tears at this sight; and as they irresistably brought him to commiserate their condition, he bade them, with the utmost tenderness, not to despond; and assured them, that they should again see their wives and country. They chose, however, to remain in a place where misfortune now be∣came habitual; wherefore he rewarded them li∣berally for their sufferings, and commanded the governor of the province to treat them with mildness and respect. The day following he en∣tered the city of Persepolis, at the head of his victorious soldiers; who, though the inhabitants made no resistance, began to cut in pieces all those who still remained in the city. However, the king soon put an end to the massacre, and forbid his soldiers further violence. The riches he had found in other places, were but trifling, when compared to those he found here. This however, did not save the city; for being one day at a banquet among his friends, and hap∣pening to drink to excess, the conversation ran upon the various cruelties exercised by the Persians in Greece, particularly at Athens Thais, an Athenian courtezan, urged the pu∣sillanimity of not taking revenge for such re∣peated slaughters. All the guests applauded the discourse; when immediately the king rose from

table (his head being crowned with flowers), and taking a torch in his hand, he advanced forward, to execute his mad exploit. The whole company followed him, breaking into loud acclamations, and, after singing and dancing, surrounded the palace. All the rest of the Macedonians, at this noise, ran in crowds, with lighted tapers, and set fire to every part of it. However, Alexander was sorry not long after for what he had done; and thereupon gave orders for extinguishing the fire; but it was too late.

While Alexander was thus triumphing in all the exultation of success, the wretched Darius was by this time arrived at Ecbatana, the ca∣pital of Media. There remained still with this fugitive prince thirty thousand foot; among whom were four thousand Greeks, that were faithful to him to the last: besides these he had four thousand slingers, and upwards of three thousand Bactrian horse, whom Bessus, their go∣vernor, commanded. Darius, even with so small a force, still conceived hopes of opposing his rival; or at least of protracting the war: but he was surrounded with traitors; his want of success had turned all mankind against him; but Nabarzanes, one of the greatest lords of Persia, and general of the horse, had conspired

with Bessus, general of the Bactrians, to commit the blackest of all crimes, and that was, to seize upon the person of the king, and lay him in chains, which they might easily do; as each of them had a great number of sol∣diers under his command. Their design was, if Alexander should pursue them, to secure themselves, by giving up Darius alive into his hands; and, in case they escaped, to murder that prince, and afterwards usurp his crown, and begin a new war. These traitors soon won over the troops, by representing to them, that they were going to their destruction; that they would soon be crushed under the ruins of an empire, which was just ready to fall, at the same time that Bactriana was open to them, and offered them immense riches. These promises soon prevailed upon the per∣fidious army; the traitors seized, and bound their monarch in chains of gold, under the appearance of honour, as he was a king; then enclosing him in a covered chariot, they set out towards Bactriana. In this man∣ner they carried him, with the utmost dis∣patch; until being informed that the Grecian army was still hotly pursuing them, they found it impossible either to conciliate the friendship of Alexander, or to secure a throne for them∣selves:

they therefore once more gave Darius his liberty, and desired him to make the best of his escape with them from the conqueror; but he replied, That the gods were ready to revenge the evils he had already suffered; and, appeal∣ing to Alexander for justice, refused to follow a band of traitors. At these words they fell into the utmost fury, thrusting him with their darts and their spears, and left him to linger in this manner, unattended, the remains of his wretch∣ed life. The traitors then made their escape dif∣ferent ways; while the victorious Macedonians at length coming up, found Darius in a soli∣tude, lying in his chariot, and drawing near his end. However, he had strength enough before he died, to call for drink; which a Macedonian, Polystratus by name, brought him. He had a Persian prisoner, whom he employed as his interpreter. Darius, after drinking the liquor that had been given him, turned to the Mace∣donian, and said, That in the deplorable state to which he was reduced, he however should have the comfort to speak to one who could understand him; and that his last words would not be lost. He therefore charged him to tell Alexander, That he had died in his debt, that he gave him many thanks, for the great hu∣manity he had exercised towards his mother,

his wife, and his children, whose lives he had not only spared, but restored to their former splendor: that he besought the gods to give victory to his arms, and make him monarch of the universe; that he thought he need not intreat him to revenge the execrable murder commited on his person, as this was the common cause of kings.

After this, taking Polystratus by the hand,

"Give him," said he, "thy hand, as I give thee mine; and carry him, in my name, the only pledge I am able to give of my grati∣tude and affections:"

saying these words, he breathed his last.

Alexander coming up a moment after, and seeing Darius's body, he wept bitterly; and by the strongest testimonies of affection that could be given, proved how intimately he was affected with the unhappiness of a prince who deserved a better fate. He immediately pulled off his military cloak, and threw it on Darius's body; then causing it to be embalmed, and his coffin to be adorned with royal magnificence, he sent it to Sysigambis, to be interred with the honours usually paid to the deceased Persian monarchs, and entombed with his ancestors. Thus died Darius, in the fiftieth year of his age; six of which he reigned with felicity: in him

the Persian empire ended, after having existed, from the time of Cyrus the Great, a period of two hundred and ninety-nine years.

The death of Darius only served to inflame the spirit of ambition in Alexander to pursue further conquests. After having in vain at∣tempted to pursue Bessus, who now assumed the name of king, he desisted, in order to cross Parthia; and in three days arrived on the frontiers of Hyrcania, which submitted to his arms. He afterwards subdued the Mandii, the Arii, the Drangae, the Arachosii, and several other nations; into which his army marched with greater speed, than people ge∣nerally travel. He frequently would pursue an enemy for whole days and nights together; almost without suffering his troops to take any rest. By this prodigious rapidity, he came unawares upon nations who thought him at a great distance; and subdued them, before they had time to put themselves in a posture of defence.

It was upon one of these excursions that Thalestris, queen of the Amazons, came to pay him a visit. A violent desire of seeing Alexander, had prompted that princess to leave her dominions, and travel through a great number of countries to gratify her curiosity.

Being come pretty near his camp, she sent word, That a queen was come to visit him; and that she had a prodigious inclination to cultivate his acquaintance; and accordingly was arrived within a little distance from that place. Alexander having returned a favour∣able answer, she commanded her train to stop, and herself came forward, with three hundred women; and the moment she perceived the king, she leaped from her horse, having two lances in her right hand. She looked upon the king without discovering the least sign of admiration, and surveying him attentively, did not think his stature answerable to his fame; for the Barbarians are very much struck with a majestic air; and think those only capable of mighty atchievements, on whom nature has bestowed bodily advantages. She did not scruple to tell him that the chief motive of her journey was to have posterity by him; adding, that she was worthy of giving heirs to his empire. Alexander, upon this request, was obliged to make some stay in this place; after which, Thalestris returned to her kingdom, and the king into the province inhabited by the Parthians.

Alexander now enjoying a little repose, aban∣dones himself to sensuality, and he whom the

arms of the Persians could not conquer, fell a victim to their vices. Nothing was now to be seen but games, parties of pleasure, women and excessive feasting; in which he used to revel whole days and nights. Not satisfied with the buffoons, and the performers on instrumental music, whom he had brought with him out of Greece, he obliged the captive women, whom he carried along with him, to sing songs, after the manner of their country. He happened, among these women, to perceive one who appeared in deeper affliction than the rest; and who, by a modest, and at the same time a noble confusion, discovered a greater re∣luctance than the others to appear in public. She was a perfect beauty, which was very much heightened by her bashfulness; whilst she threw her eyes to the ground, and did all in her power to conceal her face. The king soon imagined, by her air and mien, that she was not of vulgar birth, and enquiring himself into it, the lady answered, That she was grand-daughter to Ochus, who not long before had swayed the Persian scepter, and daughter of his son; that she had married Hystaspes, who was related to Darius, and general of a great army. Alexander being touched with compassion, when he heard the unhappy fate of a princess

of the blood royal, and the sad condition to which she was reduced, not only gave her liberty, but returned all her possessions; and caused her husband to be sought for, in order that she might be restored to him.

But now the veteran soldiers who had fought under Philip, not having the least idea of sensu∣ality, inveighed publickly against the prodigious luxury, and the numerous vices which the army had learnt in Susa and Ecbatena. The king therefore thought that the safest remedy would be to employ them, and for that pur∣pose led them against Bessus. But as the army was incumbered with booty and an useless train of baggage, so that it could scarce move, he first caused all his own baggage to be carried into a great square, and afterwards that of his army (such things excepted as were absolutely neces∣sary;) then ordered the whole to be carried from thence in carts to a large plain. Every one was in great pain to know the meaning of all this; but after he had sent away the horses, he himself set fire to his own things, and com∣manded every one to follow his example.

Hitherto we have seen Alexander triumphing by a course of virtue, we are now to behold him swollen up by success, spoiled by flattery and enervated by vices, exhibiting a very

doubtful character, and mixing the tyrant with the hero. A conspiracy was formed against him by one Dymnus; this was communicated by a Macedonian soldier to Philotas one of Alexander's favourites. Philotas neglected di∣vulging it to his master; and thus became suspected himself as being concerned in the conspiracy. Parmenio also the father of this young favourite became equally obnoxious, and as the suspicion of tyrants is equally fatal with a conviction, Alexander doomed both to destruction.

In the beginning of the night various parties of guards having been posted in the several places necessary, some entered the tent of Phi∣lotas, who was then in a deep sleep; when starting from his slumbers, as they were putting manacles on his hands, he cried, Alas! my sovereign, the inveteracy of my enemies has got the better of your goodness. After this they covered his face and brought him to the palace without uttering a single word. His hands were tied behind him, and his head cover∣ed with a coarse worn-out piece of cloth. Lost to himself, he did not dare to look up, or open his lips; but the tears streaming from his eyes, he fainted away in the arms of the man who held him. As the standers-by wiped off the tears in which his face was bathed, recovering

his speech and his voice by insensible degrees, he seemed desirous of speaking.

The result of this interview was, that Phi∣lotas should be put to the rack. The persons who presided on that occasion, were his most inveterate enemies, and they made him suffer every kind of torture. Philotas at first disco∣vered the utmost resolution and strength of mind; the torments he suffered not being able to force from him a single word nor even so much as a sigh. But at last conquered by pain, he confessed himself to be guilty, named several accomplices, and even accused his own father. The next day the answers of Philotas were read in full assembly, he himself being present. Upon the whole he was unanimously sentenced to die; immediately after which he was stoned, according to the custom of Mace∣donia, with some other of the conspirators.

The condemnation of Philotas brought on that of Parmenio: whether it were that Alex∣ander really believed him guilty, or was afraid of the father, now he had put the son to death. Polydamus one of the lords of the court, was appointed to see the execution performed. He had been one of Parmenio's most intimate friends, if we may give that name to courtiers, who affect only their own fortunes. This was

the very reason of his being nominated, because no one could suspect, that he was sent with any such orders against Parmenio. He therefore set out for Media, where that general com∣manded the army, and was intrusted with the king's treasure, which amounted to an hundred and fourscore thousand talents, about twenty seven millions sterling. Alexander had given him several letters for Cleander the king's lieutenant in the province; and for the prin∣cipal officers. Two were for Parmenio; one of them from Alexander, and the other sealed with Philotas's seal, as if he had been alive, to prevent the father from harbouring the least suspicion. Polydamus was but eleven days on his journey, and alighted in the night-time at Cleander's. After having taken all the precau∣tions necessary, they went together with a great number of attendants to meet Parmenio, who at this time was walking in a park of his own. The moment Polydamus spied him, though at a great distance, he ran to embrace him with an air of the utmost joy; and after compli∣ments, intermixed with the strongest indica∣tions of friendship, had passed on both sides, he gave him Alexander's letter, which opening, and afterwards that under the name of Phi∣lotas, he seemed pleased with the contents.

At that very instant Cleander thrust a dagger into his side, then made another thrust in his throat; and the rest gave him several wounds, even after he was dead. He was at the time of his death threescore and ten years of age, and had served his master with a fidelity and zeal which in the end was but very ill rewarded.

In order to prevent the ill consequences that might arise from the contemplation of these cruelties, Alexander set out upon his march and continued to pursue Bessus, upon which occasion he exposed himself to great hardships and dangers. Bessus however was treated by his followers in the same manner he had treated the king his master: Spitamenes, his chief confi∣dant, having formed a conspiracy against him, seized his person, put him in chains, forced the royal robes from his back; and with a chain round his neck, he was delivered up in the most ignominious manner to Alexander. The king caused this man to be treated with his usual cruelty; after reproaching him for his treachery, and causing his nose and ears to be cut off, he sent him to Ecbatana, there to suffer whatever punishment Darius's mother should think proper to inflict upon him. Four trees were bent by main force, one towards the other, and to each of these trees one of the

limbs of this traitor's body was fastened. Af∣terwards these trees being let return to their natural position, they flew back with so much violence, that each tore away the limb that was fixed to it, and so quartered him.

Thus uniting in his person at once great cruelty and great enterprize, Alexander still marched forward in search of new nations whom he might subdue. A city inhabited by the Branchid he totally overturned, and massacred all the inhabitants in cool blood, only for be∣ing descended from some traiterous Greeks, that had delivered up the treasures of a temple with which they had been intrusted. He then ad∣vanced to the river Jaxerthes, where he re∣ceived a wound in the leg; from thence he went forward and took the capital of Sogdiana; he there received an embassy from the Scy∣thians, who lived free and independent, but now submitted to him. He then marched to Cyropolis and besieged it. This was the last city of the Persian empire, and had been built by Cyrus, after whom it was called, and taking the place he abandoned it to plunder. In this manner he went on capriciously destroying some towns and building others, settling colonies in some places, and laying whole provinces waste at his pleasure. Among his other projects an

invasion of the kingdom of Scythia was one; but the crossing of the river Jaxerthes was by no means an easy task; however Alexander being always foremost in encountring dangers, led on his troops across the stream, which was very rapid, and gained a signal victory over the Scythians, who vainly attempted to oppose him on the other side.

A strong hold called Petra Oxiani, defended by a garrison of thirty thousand soldiers, with ammunition and provision for two years, was still considered as impregnable. However as difficulties only seemed to excite his ambition, his soldiers scaled the cliff, and the barbarians supposing that the whole Macedonian army was got over their heads, surrendered upon con∣dition that their lives should be spared; but Alexander forgetting the faith of treaty and the humanity which became a soldier on this occasion, caused them all to be scourged with rods, and afterwards to be fixed to crosses at the foot of the same rock.

After this having subdued the Massagetae and Dahae, he entered the province of Barsaria, from thence he advanced to Maracander, and appointed Clytus governor of that province. This was an old officer who had fought under Philip, and signalized himself on many oc∣casions.

At the battle of the Granicus, as Alexander was fighting bare-headed and Bo∣saces had his arm raised, in order to strike him behind, Clytus covered the king with his shield, and cut off the barbarian's hand. Hellanice, his sister, had nursed Alexander; and he loved her with as much tenderness as if she had been his own mother.

This favour however, only advanced Clytus to a post of greater danger; one evening at an entertainment, the king after drinking immo∣derately, began to celebrate his own exploits; his boasting even shocked those very persons, who knew that he spoke truth, but particularly the old generals of his army, whose admira∣tions were ingrossed by the actions of his fa∣ther. Clytus was intoxicated, and turning about to those who sat below him at table, quoted to them a passage from Euripides, but in such a manner that the king could only hear his voice, and not the words distinctly. The sense of the passage was, That the Greeks had done very wrong in ordaining, that in the inscriptions en∣graved on trophies, the names of kings only should be mentioned; because by these means, brave men were robbed of the glory they had purchased with their blood. The king sus∣pecting Clytus had let drop some disobliging

expressions, asked those who sat nearest him, what he had said. As no one answered, Clitus, raising his voice by degrees, began to relate the actions of Philip, and his wars in Greece, prefering them to whatever was doing at that time; which created a great dispute between the young and old men. Though the king was prodigiously vexed in his mind, he never∣theless stifled his resentment, and seemed to listen very patiently to all Clitus spoke to his prejudice. It is probable he would have quite suppressed his passion, had Clitus stopped there; but the latter growing more and more insolent as if determined to exasperate and in∣sult the king, he went such lengths as to defend Parmenio publickly, and to assert, that the destroying of Thebes was but trifling, in com∣parison of the victory which Philip had gained over the Athenians; and that the old Macedo∣nians, though sometimes unsuccessful, were greatly superior to those who were so rash as to despise them.

Alexander telling him that in giving cowar∣dice the name of ill success, he was pleading his own cause; Clitus rises up, with his eyes sparkling with wine and anger,

"It is never∣theless this hand (said he to him extending it at the same time) that saved your life at the

battle of Granicus. It is the blood and wounds of these very Macedonians who are accused of cowardice, that raised you to this grandeur; but the tragical end of Parmenio shews, what reward they and myself may ex∣pect for all our services."

This last reproach stung Alexander, however he still restrained his passion, and only commanded him to leave the table.

"He is in the right (says Clitus as he rose up) not to bear free-born men at his table, who can only tell him truth. He will do well to pass his life among barbarians and slaves, who will be proud to pay their adora∣tion to his Persian girdle and his white robe."

But now the king, no longer able to suppress his rage, snatched a javelin from one of his guards, and would have killed Clitus on the spot, had not the courtiers with-held his arm, and Clitus been forced but with great difficulty out of the hall. However he returned into it that moment by another door, singing with an air of insolence, verses reflecting highly on the prince, who seeing the general near him, struck him with his javelin, and laid him dead at his feet, crying out at the same time, go now to Philip, to Parmenio and to Attalus.

The king had no sooner murthered his faithful servant than he perceived the atroci∣ousness

of the act; he threw himself upon the dead body, forced out the javelin and would have destroyed himself had he not been prevent∣ed by his guards, who seized and carried him forcibly to his own apartment, where the flat∣tery and the persuasions of his friends at length served to alleviate his remorse. In order to di∣vert his melancholy, Alexander having drawn his army out of the garrisons where they had wintered three months, marched towards a country called Gabana. In his way he met with a dreadful storm, in which his army suf∣fered greatly; from thence he went into the country of Sacae, which he soon over-run and laid waste. Soon after this Axertes one of its monarchs, received him in his palace, which was adorned with barbarous magnificence. He had a daughter called Roxana, a young lady whose exquisite beauty was heightened by all the charms of wit and good sense. Alexander sound her charms irresistible, and made her his wife; covering his passion with the specious pretence of uniting the two nations in such bonds as should improve their mutual har∣mony, by blending their interests, and throw∣ing down all distinctions between the con∣querors, and the conquered. This marriage displeased the Macedonians very much, and

exasperated his chief courtiers, when it was seen that he made one of his slaves his father-in-law. But as, after his murdering Clitus, no one dared to speak to him with freedom, they applauded what he did with their eyes and countenances, for they had nothing else left that was free.

Alexander having thus conquered all the Persian provinces, now with boundless ambi∣tion resolved upon a perilous march into India. This country was considered as the richest in the world, not only in gold but in pearls and preci∣ous stones; with which the inhabitants adorned themselves; but being willing either to impress his soldiers with an idea of his authority, or to imitate the barbarians in the magnificence of their titles, he was resolved not only to be called, but to be believed the son of Jupiter; as if it had been possible for him to command as absolutely over the mind as over the tongue, and that the Macedonians would condescend to fall prostrate and adore him after the Persian manner.

To sooth and cherish these ridiculous pre∣tensions, there were not wanting flatterers, those common pests of a court, who are more dangerous to princes than the arrows of their enemies. But the Macedonians indeed would

not stoop to this base adulation; all of them to a man, refusing to vary in any manner, from the customs of their country. Among the number who disdained to offer these base adu∣lations, was Callisthenes the philosopher; but his integrity cost him his life; he was accused of being privy to a conspiracy formed by Her∣molaus a young officer, upon the life of the king, and for this reason he was thrown into a dungeon and loaded with irons, he soon found that he had no mercy to expect; the most grievous tortures were inflicted upon him, in order to extort a confession of guilt, but he persisted in his innocence to the last, and ex∣pired in the midst of his torments.

The kingdom of India for which Alexander now set out was an extensive territory, which has been usually divided into two parts.—India on this side and India on the other side of the Ganges. All the Indians at that time were free, nor even did they adopt the base custom of the Greeks, in purchasing slaves to do the common offices of life. The people of that country were then divided into seven classes; the first and most honourable, though the smallest, were the guardians of religion; the second and the great∣est, was that of the husbandman, whose only employment was to cultivate the ground; the

third was that of herdsmen and shepherds, who led the herds and flocks among the mountains; the fourth consisted of tradesmen and mer∣chants, among whom pilots and seamen were included; the fifth was of soldiers, whose only employment was war; the sixth was of ma∣gistrates, who superintended the actions of others, either in cities or in the country, and reported the whole to the king; the seventh class consisted of persons employed in the pub∣lick councils, and who shared the cares of go∣vernment with their sovereign; these orders of state never blended nor intermarried with each other, none of these were permitted to follow two professions at the same time, nor quit one class for another.

Alexander having entered India, all the petty kings of the country came to meet him and make their submissions. On his march he took the city of Nysa, he then marched to∣wards Daedala and dispersed his army over the whole country, and took possession of it without resistance. He afterwards went forward to∣wards the city of Hagosa, which after being be∣sieged in form, surrendered at discretion. The rock of Aornos, which was deemed inac∣cessible and which it was said Hercules himself was not able to take, but the garrison in a panic

delivered it up to his army. From thence he marched to Acleslimus, and after a march of sixteen days, arrived on the banks of the great river Indus, where he found that Hephestion had got all things ready for his passage, pur∣suant to the orders he had before received. Here he was met by Omphis a king of the country, who did homage to Alexander, and made him a present of fifty-six elephants, and other animals of prodigious size. The ambas∣sadors from Abisaries a neighbouring monarch, came with the same offers, sent presents and promised fidelity; there was still a third mo∣narch whose name was Porus, from whom Alexander expected similar submission; he even went to require it of him, but Porus answered with great coldness; that while he could fight, he should disdain to obey.

In pursuance of this message Alexander re∣solved to enforce obedience, and giving the superintendance of his elephants to Omphis, who had now changed his name to Taxilus; he advanced as far as the borders of the Hy∣daspes. Porus was encamped on the other side of it in order to dispute the passage with him, and had posted at the head of his army eighty-five elephants of a prodigious size, and behind them three hundred chariots guarded by

thirty thousand foot; not having at most above seven thousand horse. This prince was mounted upon an elephant of a much larger size than any of the rest; and he himself exceeded the usual stature of men; so that, clothed in his armour, glittering with gold and silver, he appeared at the same time terrible and majestic. The greatness of his courage equalled that of his stature; and he was as wise and prudent as it was possible for the monarch of so barbarous a people to be.

The Macedonians dreaded not only the enemy, but the river they were obliged to pass. It was four furlongs wide (about four hundred fathoms) and so deep in every part, that it looked like a sea, and was no where fordable. It was vastly impetuous, notwithstanding its great breadth; for it rolled with as much vio∣lence as if it had been confined to a narrow channel; and its raging, foaming waves, which broke in many places, discovered that it was full of stones and rocks. However, nothing was so dreadful as the appearance of the shore, which was quite covered with men, horses and ele∣phants. Those hideous animals stood like so many towers; and the Indians exasperated them, in order that the horrid cry they made might fill the enemy with great terror. However,

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this could not intimidate an army of men whose courage was proof against all attacks, and who were animated by an uninterrupted series of prosperities; but then they did not think it would be possible for them, as the banks were so crazy, to surmount the rapidity of the stream, or land with safety.

Alexander was in great perplexity with the difficulties that attended the passage of this nar∣row river; however, he resolved to attempt it by night, and chose one whose lightening, thun∣der, and impetuous winds, conspired to drown the noise of his troops in their embarkation. Scarce any person appeared to oppose their descent; and the moment Alexander was landed, he drew up the forces that had passed with him, consisting of six thousand foot, and five thou∣sand horse, in order of battle.

Porus, upon hearing that Alexander had passed the river, had sent against him a detach∣ment, commanded by one of his sons, of two thousand horse, and one hundred and twenty chariots. Alexander imagined them at first to be the enemy's van-guard, and that the whole army was behind them; but being informed it was but a detachment, he charged them with such vigour, that Porus's son was killed upon the spot, with four hundred horses, and all the chariots were taken.

Porus, upon receiving advice of the death of his son, the defeat of the detachment, and of Alexander's approach, resolved to go and meet Alexander, whom he justly supposed to be at the head of the choicest troops of his army. Accordingly, leaving only a few elephants in his camp, to amuse those who were posted on the opposite shore, he set out, with thirty thou∣sand foot, four thousand horse, three thousand chariots, and two hundred elephants. Being come into a firm, sandy soil, in which his horses and chariots might wheel about with ease, he drew up his army in battle-array, with an intent to wait the coming up of the enemy. He posted in front, and on the first line, all the elephants, at a hundred feet distance one from the other; in order that they might serve as a bulwark to his foot, who were behind. It was his opinion, that the enemy's cavalry would not dare to en∣gage in these intervals, because of the fear those horses would have of the elephants; and much less the infantry, when they should see that of the enemy posted behind the elephants, and in danger of being trod to pieces. He had posted some of his foot on the same line with the ele∣phants, in order to cover their right and left; and this infantry was covered by his two wings of horse; before which the chariots were posted.

Such was the order and disposition of Porus's army.

Alexander being come in sight of the enemy, waited the coming up of his foot, which marched with the utmost diligence, and arrived a little after; and in order that they might have time to take breath, and not to be led, as they were very much fatigued, against the enemy, he caused his horse to make a great many evo∣lutions, in order to gain time. But now every thing being ready, and the infantry having suf∣ficiently recovered their vigour, Alexander gave the signal of battle. He did not think proper to begin by attacking the enemy's main body, where the infantry and the elephants were posted, for the very reason which had made Porus draw them up in that manner. But his cavalry being stronger, he drew out the greatest part of them, and marching against the left wing, sent Coenus, with his own regiment of horse, and that of Demetrius, to charge them at the same time; ordering him to attack that cavalry on the left behind, during which he himself would charge them both in front and flank. Seleucus, Antigonus, and Tauron, who commanded the foot, were ordered not to stir from their posts, till Alexander's cavalry had put that of the enemy, as well as their foot, into disorder.

Being come within arrow-shot, he detached a thousand bow-men on horseback, with orders for them to make their discharge on the horse of Porus's left wing, in order to throw it into disorder, whilst he himself would charge this body in flank, before it had time to rally. The Indians having joined again their squadrons, and drawn them up into a narrower compass, advanced against Alexander. At that instant Coenus charged them in the rear, according to the orders given him; insomuch, that the In∣dians were obliged to face about on all sides, to defend themselves from the thousand bow-men, and against Alexander and Coenus. Alexander, to make the best advantage of the confusion into which this sudden attack had thrown them, charged with great vigour those that had made head against him; who being no longer able to stand so violent an attack, were soon broke, and retired behind the elephants, as to an impreg∣nable rampart. The leaders of the elephants made them advance against the enemy's horse; but, that very instant, the Macedonian phalanx moving on a sudden, surrounded those animals, and charged with their pikes the elephants themselves, and their leaders. This battle was very different from all those which Alexander had hitherto fought; for the elephants rushing

upon the battalions, broke, with inexpressible fury, the thickest of them; when the Indian horse, seeing the Macedonian foot stopped by the elephants, returned to the charge: however, that of Alexander being stronger, and having greater experience in war, broke this body a second time, and obliged it to retire towards the elephants; upon which the Macedonian horse, being all united in one body, spread terror and confusion wherever they attacked. The elephants, being all covered with wounds, and the greatest part having lost their leaders, did not observe their usual order; but, distracted as it were with pain, no longer distinguished friends from foes; but, running about from place to place, they overthrew every thing that came in their way. The Macedonians, who had pur∣posely left a greater interval between their bat∣talions, either made way for them whenever they came forward, or charged with darts, those that fear and the tumult obliged to retire. Alexander, after having surrounded the enemy with his horse, made a signal to his foot to march up with all imaginable speed, in order to make a last effort, and to fall upon them with his whole force; all which they executed very successfully. In this manner the greatest part of the Indian cavalry were cut to pieces; and a

body of their foot, which sustained no ••ess loss, seeing themselves charged on all sides, at last fled. Catorus, who had continued in the camp with the rest of his army, seeing Alexander en∣gaged with Porus, crossed the river, and charging the routed soldiers with his troops, who were cool and vigorous, by that means killed as many enemies in the retreat, as had fallen in the battle.

The Indians lost, on this occasion, twenty thousand foot, and three thousand horse; not to mention the chariots, which were all broke to pieces; and the elephants, that were either killed or taken. Porus's two sons fell in this battle; with Spitacus, governor of the province; all the colonels of horse and foot; and those who guided the elephants and chariots. As for Alexander, he lost but fourscore of the six thousand soldiers who were at the first charge; ten bow-men of the horse, twenty of his horse-guards, and two hundred common soldiers.

Porus, after having performed all the duty both of a soldier and a general in the battle, and fought with incredible bravery, seeing all his horse defeated, and the greatest part of his foot, did not behave like the great Darius, who, in a like disaster, was the first that fled: on the con∣trary, he continued in the field as long as one

battalion or squadron stood their ground; but, at last, having received a wound in the shoulder, he retired upon his elephant; and was easily distinguished from the rest, by the greatness of his stature, and his unparelleled bravery. Alex∣ander finding who he was, by those glorious marks, and being desirous of saving this king, sent Taxilus after him, because he was of the same nation. The latter, advancing as near to him as he might, without running any danger of being wounded, called out to him to stop, in order to hear the message he had brought him from Alexander. Porus turning back, and seeing it was Taxilus, his old enemy,

"How!" says he, "is it not Taxilus that calls; that traitor to his country and kingdom!"

Im∣mediately after which, he would have transfixed him with his dart, had he not instantly retired. Notwithstanding this, Alexander was still de∣sirous to save so brave a prince; and thereupon dispatched other officers, among whom was Meroe, one of his intimate friends, who besought him, in the strongest terms, to wait upon a con∣queror altogether worthy of him: after much entreaty, Porus consented, and accordingly set forward. Alexander, who had been told of his coming, advanced forwards, in order to receive him, with some of his train. Being come pretty

near, Alexander stopped, purposely to take a view of his stature and noble mien, he being about five cubits in height. Porus did not seem dejected at his misfortune; but came up with a resolute countenance, like a valiant warrior, whose courage in defending his dominions ought to acquire him the esteem of the brave prince who had taken him prisoner. Alexander spoke first; and, with an august and gracious air, asked him how he desired to be treated?

"Like a king," replied Porus.

"But," continued Alexander, "do you ask nothing more?"

"No," replied Porus; "all things are included in that single word."

Alexander, struck with this greatness of soul, the magnanimity of which seemed heightened by distress, did not only restore him his kingdom, but annexed other provinces to it, and treated him with the highest testimonies of honour, esteem, and friendship. Porus was faithful to him till his death.—It is hard to say, whether the victor or the van∣quished best deserved praise on this occasion.

Alexander built a city on the spot where the battle had been fought; and another in that place where he had crossed the river. He called the one Nicaea, from his victory; and the other Bucephalus, in honour of his horse, who died there, not of his wounds, but of old age. After

having paid the last duties to such of his sol∣diers as had lost their lives in battle, he solem∣nised games and offered up sacrifices of thanks in the place where he had passed the Hydespes.

Alexander having now conquered Porus, advanced into India, which having never been a warlike nation, he subdued with the rapidity rather of a traveller than a conqueror. Num∣berless petty states submitted to him, sensible that his stay would be short, and his conquests evanescent.

Alexander, passing near a city where several Brachmans or Indian priests dwelt, was very desirous to converse with them, and if possible to prevail with some of them to follow him. Being informed that these philosophers never made visits, but that those who had an inclina∣tion to see them must go to their houses, he concluded, that it would be beneath his dig∣nity to go to them; and not just to force these sages to any thing contrary to their laws and usages. Onesicritus, the philosopher, who had been a disciple of Diogenes the Cynick, was de∣puted to them. He met not far from the city fifteen Boxamins, who from morning till even∣ing stood always naked, in the same posture in which they at first had placed themselves, and

afterwards returned to the city at night. He addressed himself first to Calanus an Indian, re∣puted the wisest man of his country, who, though he professed the practice of the most severe philosophy, had however been persuaded in his extreme old age to attend upon the court; and him he told the occasion of his coming. The later gazing upon Onesicritus's clothes and shoes, could not forbear laughing; after which he told him,

"That anciently the earth had been covered with barley and wheat, as it was at that time with dust, that besides water, the rivers used to flow with milk, ho∣ney, oil and wine."

That man's guilt had occasioned a change of this happy condition; and that Jupiter, to punish their ingratitude, had sentenced them to a long painful labour. That their repentance afterwards moving him to compassion, he had restored them their for∣mer abundance; however, that by the course of things, they seemed to be returning to their ancient confusion. This relation shews evi∣dently, that these philosophers, had some no∣tion of the felicity of the first man and of the evil to which he had been sentenced for his sins.

Onesicritus was very urgent with both of them to quit their austere way of life and fol∣low

the fortune of Alexander, saying,

"That they would find in him a generous master and benefactor, who would heap upon them honour and riches of all kinds."

Then Mandanis assuming a haughty philosophical tone, answered,

"That he did not want Alex∣ander, and was the son of Jupiter as well as himself. That he was exempted from want, desire or fear. That so long as he should live, the earth would furnish him with all things necessary for his subsistence, and that death would rid him of a troublesome com∣panion (meaning his body) and set him at full liberty."

Calodanus appeared more tractable, and notwithstanding the opposition, and even the prohibition of his superior, who reproached him for his abject spirit in stooping so low as to serve another master besides God, he followed Onesicritus, and went to Alexan∣der's court, who received him with great de∣monstrations of joy. As it was Alexander's chief ambition to imitate Bacchus and Her∣cules in their expeditions into the East, he re∣solved like them to penetrate as long as he could meet new nations to conquer, however his soldiers satiated with spoil and fatigued with repeated encounters, at last began to open their eyes at the wildness of his ambition.

Some bewailed their calamities in such terms as raised compassion, others insolently cried out,

"That they would march no further;"

the chief object of the King's wishes, was to invade the territories of Agramenes, a prince who lived beyond the great river Ganges; and who was able to bring into the field two hundred thou∣sand foot, two thousand elephants, twenty thou∣sand horse, and two thousand armed chariots. The soldiers however refused to wander over those great deserts that lay beyond the Ganges, and more terrible to them than the greatest ar∣my the East could muster; he addressed them in the most persuasive terms not to leave their general behind; he threatened them, that he would take his Scythian and his Persian soldiers, and with them alone he would make conquests worthy of his name and of his glory; but still the Macedonian soldiers, persisted sullen and inflexible, and only at last complied after many persuasive orations to follow him towards the South, to discover the nearest ocean, and to take the course of the river Indus as their in∣fallible guide.

For this expedition he embarked in a fleet consisting of eight hundred vessels as well gal∣lies as boats, to carry the troops and provisions, after five days sailing, the fleet arrived where

the Hydespes and the Acesines mixed their streams, there the ships were very much shat∣tered, because these rivers unite with prodigi∣ous rapidity. At last he came to the country of the Oxydrace and the Mallis, the most va∣liant people in the East, however Alexander defeated them in several engagements, dispos∣sessed them of their strong holds, and at last marched against their capital city, where the greatest part of their forces were retired. It was upon this occasion that seizing a scaling ladder, himself the first, he mounted the wall, followed only by two of his officers; his at∣tendants believing him to be in danger, mount∣ed swiftly to succour him, but the ladder break∣ing, he was left alone. It was now that his rashness became his safety, for leaping from the wall into the city which was crouded with enemies, sword in hand, he repulsed such as were nearest, and even killed the general who advanced in the throng. Thus with his back to a tree that happened to be near, he received all the darts of the enemy in a shield, and kept even the boldest at a distance at last an Indian discharging an arrow of three feet long, it pierced his coat of mail and his right breast, and so great a quantity of blood issued from the wound, that he dropped his

arms and lay as dead. The Indian came to strip him, supposing him really what he ap∣peared; but Alexander that instant recalled his spirits and plunged the dagger in his side. By this time a part of the king's attendants came to his succour, and forming themselves round his body, till his soldiers without found means of bursting the gates, saved him, and put all the inhabitants without distinction to the sword.

The wound which at first seemed dangerous, having in the space of six or seven days a most favourable appearance, Alexander mounted his horse, and shewed himself to the army, who seem∣ed to view him with insatiable pleasure. Thus continuing his voyage, and subduing the country on each side as he passed along, the pilots per∣ceived from the softness of the breezes that the ocean was near. Nothing so much astonished the Macedonian soldiers as the ebbing and flowing of the tide. They were amazed when they saw it rise to a great height and overflow the country, which they considered as a mark of divine resentment; they were no less terrified some hours after, when they saw the river for∣sake its banks, and leave those lands uncovered it had so lately overflowed. Thus, after a voy∣age of nine months, he at last stood upon the shore; and after having offered sacrifices to

Neptune, and having looked wishfully on the broad expanse of waters before him, he is said to have wept for having no more worlds left to conquer. Here he put an end to his excur∣sions; and having appointed Nearchus admiral of his fleet, with orders to coast along the In∣dian shore as far as the Persian gulph, he set out with his army for Babylon.

Nothing could exceed the hardships which his army sustained in their return: passing through a country destitute of all sorts of pro∣visions, they were obliged to feast on the beasts of burden, and were forced to burn those rich spoils for the sake of which they had encoun∣tered so many dangers; those diseases also, that generally accompany famine, compleated their calamity, and destroyed them in great numbers. After a march of threescore days, they arrived in the province of Gedrosia, the fertility of which soon banished from the minds of the soldiery all their former difficulties. Alexander passed through the country, not with the mili∣tary pomp of a conqueror, but in the licen∣tious disguise of an enthusiast: still willing to imitate Bacchus, he was drawn by eight horses, on a scaffold in the form of a square stage, where he passed the days and nights in feasting. Along the roads where he passed were placed

casks of wine in great abundance, and these the soldiery drained in honour of his mock deity. The whole country echoed with the sound of instruments and the howling of bach∣anals, who with their hair dishevelled, with frantic mirth, ran up and down, abandoning themselves to every kind of lewdness. This vice produced one of a much more formidable nature in the king's mind; for it always en∣flamed his passions to cruelty, and the execu∣tioner generally followed the feast.

While he refreshed his army in these parts, Nearchus was returned from his expedition along the coast, and brought him strange ac∣counts of the gold to be found in some islands, and of the wonders that were to be seen in others; he was therefore commanded to make some further discoveries; and then enter the mouth of the river Euphrates, to meet the king at Babylon. He here also executed an act of rigorous justice upon Cleander and others, who had formerly been the ministers of his ven∣geance in cutting off Parmenio. Against these murtherers great complaints had been made by the deputies of the provinces in which they had commanded; and such was the complexion of their crimes, that nothing but the certain expectation of Alexander's never returning from

India, could encourage them to commit such. All men were glad to see them delivered over to justice. Cleander, with six hundred soldiers, whom he had employed, were publickly ex∣ecuted; every one rejoicing, that the anger of the king was at last turned against the mini∣sters of his vengeance. As Alexander drew near∣er to Babylon, he visited the tomb of Cyrus, in the city of Pasargada; and here he put a Persian prince, whose name was Orsines, to death, at the instigation of Bagoas, an eunuch, who falsely accused Orsines of robbing the tomb; here also, Calanus, the Indian, having lived four-score and three years, without ever having been afflicted with sickness, now feeling the approaches of disorder, resolved to put himself to death. Alexander imagined he might easily be dissuaded from his design; but finding, in opposition to all the arguments he could use, that Calanus was inflexible, he gave orders for erecting a funeral pile for him, upon which the Indian was resolved to die.

Calanus rode on horseback to the foot of the funeral pile; offered up his prayers to the gods; caused libations to be performed, and the rest of the ceremonies to be observed which are practised at funerals; cut off a tuft of his hair, in imitation of victims; embraced such

of his friends as were present; intreated them to be merry that day, and to feast and carouse with Alexander; assuring them, at the same time, that he would soon see that prince in Babylon. After saying these words, he ascend∣ed, with the utmost chearfulness, the fu∣neeral pile, laid himself down upon it, and covered his face; and, when the flame reached him, he did not make the least motion; but with a patience and constancy that surprised the whole army, continued in the same posture in which he at first had laid himself, and com∣pleated his sacrifice, by dying agreeably to the strange superstitions of the enthusiasts of his country. Alexander punctually obeyed him in his admonitions to debauchery. A banquet followed the night after, in which Promacus received a talent as a prize, for having drank the largest quantity of wine; he survived his victory, however, but three days, and of the rest of the guests, forty-one died of their intem∣perance. From Pasargada, Alexander proceed∣ed to Susa, where he married Statira, the eldest daughter of Darius, and gave her youngest sister in marriage to his favourite Hephestion. Fourscore Persian ladies of rank were given to the principal favourites among his captains. The nuptials were solemnized after the Persian

manner. He likewise feasted all the Mace∣donians, who had married before in that country. It is related, that there were nine thousand guests at this feast, and that he gave each of them a golden cup for their libations. Upon this occasion, there appeared at Susa, three hundred young soldiers, dressed in the Macedonian manner, whom Alexander intend∣ed particularly to favour, in order to check the licentiousness of his veterans, who had but too just reasons to murmur.

While Alexander was thus employed in Persia, a new commotion was carrying on in Greece. Harpalus, whom Alexander had appointed go∣vernor of Babylon, being disgusted with his mas∣ter's cruelty, and ambitious of power himself, went over into Greece, with immense sums, which he raised from the plundered prisoners of Persia. He had credit enough to assemble a body of six thousand soldiers, and with these he landed at Athens: money, at that time, being thought all-powerful in Greece, he lavished immense sums among the mercenary orators, whose business it was to inflame the minds of the people. Of all these, Phocion alone, to whom he offered se∣ven hundred talents, preserved his well-known integrity, and remained inflexible; his dis∣interestedness had long been the object of ad∣miration,

even in the time of Philip. Being offered a great sum of money, if not for his own acceptance, at least for the benefit of his children: If my children, cried Phocion, re∣semble me, the little spot of ground, with the produce of which I have hitherto lived, and which has raised me to the glory you mention, will be sufficient to maintain them; if it will not, I do not intend to leave them wealth, merely to stimulate and heighten their luxury. Alexander having likewise sent him an hundred talents, Phocion asked those who brought them, why Alexander sent him so great a sum, and did not remit any to the rest of the Athenians? It is, replied they, because Alexander looks upon you as the only just and virtuous man. Phocion re∣joined, let him suffer me still to enjoy that character, and be really what I am taken for. This, therefore, was not a character to be corrupted; on the contrary, he used all his influence to prevent the success of Harpalus, who being ordered by the assembly to depart the city, lost all hopes of success.

This commotion was scarcely quelled when another ensued, in consequence of a declaration, by which all the Macedonians, who from their age or infirmities were unable to bear the fa∣tigues

of war, should be sent back to Greece. They with seditious cries unanimously demanded to be entirely discharged from his service, mur∣muring against him as a despiser of his bravest troops, and as a cruel king, who wanted not their absence but their destruction. Alexander, however, acted with that resolution upon this occasion, which always marked his character. Being seated on his tribunal of justice, he rushed among the principal mutineers, seized thirteen, and ordered them to be immediately punished. The soldiers, amazed at his intrepidity, with∣held their complaints, and with down-cast eyes seemed to beg for mercy. You desired a dis∣charge, cried he: go then, and publish to the world that you have left your prince to the mercy of strangers; from henceforth, the Persians shall be my guards. This menace served only to increase the misery and the con∣sternation of his troops; they attended him with tears and lamentations, till at last, softened by their penitence, he once more took them into favour and affection.

Now secure from insurrection, he gave him∣self up to mirth and feasting; his army was sol∣lowed by all the ministers of pleasure; he spent whole nights and days in immoderate drinking, and in one of those excesses, Hephestion lost

his life. This courtier was the most intimate friend of Alexander. Craterus alone, of all the Macedonians seemed to dispute this honour with him. Craterus, as the king used to say, loves the king, but Hephestion loves Alex∣ander. The death of this favourite threw the monarch into excessive sorrow; he seemed to receive no consolation; he even put to death the physician who attended him, and the extra∣ordinary funeral honours celebrated at his ar∣rival in Babylon, marked the greatness of his affliction.

After various combats, conquests, cruelties, follies, and excesses, Alexander arrived at Ba∣bylon; the Chaldeans, who pretended to fore∣see future events, attempted to persuade him not to enter that city. The Greek philosophers on the other hand, displayed the futility of their predictions. Babylon was a theatre for him to display his glory in; and ambassadors from all the nations he had conquered were there in rea∣diness to celebrate his triumphs. After mak∣ing a most magnificent entry, he gave audience to the ambassadors, with a grandeur and dig∣nity suitable to his power, yet with the affabi∣lity and politeness of a private courtier.

At that time he wrote a letter, which was to have been read publickly in the assembly at

the Olympic-games, whereby the several cities of Greece were commanded to permit all ex∣iles to return into their native country, those excepted, who had committed sacrilege, or any other crime deserving death; ordering An∣tipater to employ an armed force against such cities as should refuse to obey. This letter was read in the assembly. But the Athenians and Etolians did not think themselves obliged to put orders in execution which seemed to inter∣fere with their liberty.

Finding Babylon, in extent and conveniency, superior to all the other cities of the East, he resolved to make it the seat of his empire; and for that purpose was desirous of adding to it all the ornaments possible. But though he was much employed in projects of this kind, and in schemes even beyond human power to ex∣ecute, he spent the greatest part of his time in such pleasures as this magnificent city afforded. He was often present at new banquets, where he drank with his usual intemperance. On a particular occasion, having spent the whole night in a debauch, a second was proposed: he accepted the invitation, and drank to such excess, that, he fell upon the floor, dead to appearance; and in this lifeless man∣ner was carried, a sad spectacle of debauchery,

to his palace. The fever continued, with some intervals, in which he gave the necessary orders for the sailing of the fleet, and the marching of his land forces, being persuaded he should soon recover. But at last finding himself past all hopes, and his voice beginning to fail, he gave his ring to Perdiccas, with orders to convey his corpse to the temple of Ammon. He struggled however with death for some time, and raising himself upon his elbow, he gave his hand to the soldiers, who pressed to kiss it; being then asked to whom he would leave his empire, he answer∣ed, To the most worthy. Perdiccas enquiring at what time he should pay him divine honours, he replied, When you are happy. With these words he expired, being thirty-two years and eight months old, of which he had reigned twelve, with more fortune than virtue.

In whatever light we view this monarch, we shall have little to admire, and less to imitate. That courage for which he was celebrated, is but a subordinate virtue; that fortune which still attended him, was but an accidental ad∣vantage; that discipline which prevailed in his army, was produced and cultivated by his father; but his intemperance, his cruelty, his vanity, his passion for useless conquests, were all his own. His victories however, served to

crown the pyramid of Grecian glory; they served to shew, to what a degree the arts of peace can promote those of war. In this pic∣ture, we view a combination of petty states by the arts of refinement, growing more than a match for the rest of the world united; and leaving mankind an example of superiority of intellect over brutal force. After the death of this monarch, Greece was rather considered as a seminary for the education and promotion of the laws of other nations, than a confederacy for enforcing and promulgating her own. The successors of Alexander seized upon particular parts of his extensive empire; and what he gained with much fatigue and danger, became a prey to men who sheltered their ambition under the sanction and glory of his name. They had been taught by him a lesson of pride; and as he would never suffer an equal, his numerous successors could not think of admitting a superior. They continued their disputes for dominion until in some measure they destroyed each other; and as no governments were ever worse conducted than their's, so no period of history was ever left in such darkness, doubt, and confusion.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A. M. 364••. Ante J. C. 356.