The history of the world

§. IX. What good foundations of ALEXANDERS greatnesse were laied by PHILIP. Of his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 qualities, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉. [unspec 10]

NOw although he were then taken from the World, when he had ma∣stred all opposition on that side the Sea, and had seene the fruits of his hopes and labours, changing colour towards ripenesse and perfecti∣on, yet he was herein happy that hee liued to see his sonne Alexander at mans estate, and had himselfe been an eie-witnesse of his resolution, and singular valour in this last battaile.

The foundation of whose future greatnesse he had laied so soundly for him, with so plaine a patterne of the buildings which himselfe meant to erect, as the perfor∣mance and finishing was farre more easie to Alexander, though more glorious than the beginnings were vnto Philip, though lesse famous. For besides the recouerie of [unspec 20] Macedon it selfe, in competition betweene him and the sonnes of Aeropus, the one assisted by the Thracians, the other by the Athenians, and besides the regayning of many places possest by the Illyrians, the crushing of all those Northren Kings his Neighbours, the ouerthrow of Olynthus, a State that despised the power of his Fa∣ther, the many Maritimate Cities taken, of great strength and ancient freedome, and the subjection of that famous Nation of Greece, which for so many Ages had de∣fended it selfe against the greatest Kings of the World, and wonne vpon them; Hee left vnto his sonne, and had bred vp for him, so many choise Commanders, as the most of them, both for their valour and judgement in the warre, were no lesse wor∣thie of Crownes, than himselfe was that ware a Crowne: For it was said of Parmenio [unspec 30] (whom Alexander, vngratefull to so great vertue, impiously murdered) That Par∣menio had performed many things challenging eternall fame, without the King, but the King, without Parmenio neuer did any thing worthie of renowne; as for the rest of his Captaines, though content to obay the Sonne of such a Father, yet did they not after Alexanders death endure to acknowledge any man Superiour to themselues.

Of this Prince it is hard to judge, whether his ambition had taught him the exercise of more vices, than Nature, and his excellent Education had inriched him with vertues. For besides that he was Valiant, Wise, Learned, and Master of his Affections, he had this sauour of Pietie, that he rather laboured to satisfie those that [unspec 40] were grieued, than to suppresse them, Whereof (among many other) wee finde a good example in his dealing with Arcadion, and Nicanor; whom, when for their euill speech of Philip, his familiars perswaded him to put to death; Hee answered them, That first it ought to bee considered, whether the fault were in them that gaue him ill language, or in himselfe: Secondly, that it was in euery mans owne power to bee well spoken off; and this was shortly proued, for after Philip had re∣lieued their necessities, there were none within his Kingdome that did him more honour than they did. Whereupon hee told those that had perswaded him to vse violence, that he was a better Phisition for euill speech than they were.

His Epistles to Alexander his sonne are remembred by Cicero, and Gellius; and* 1.1 [unspec 50] by Dion: and Chrysostome exceedingly commended. His Stratagems are gathered* 1.2 * 1.3 by Polyaenus and Frontinus, his wise sayings by Plutarch, And albeit hee held Mace∣don as in his owne right, all the time of his raigne, yet was he not the true and next Heire thereof: for Amyntas the sonne of his Brother Perdiccas (of whom he had the

protection during his infancie) had the right. This Amyntas hee married to his Daughter Cyna, who 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by him a Daughter called Eurydice, who was married to Philips base sonne Aridaeus, her Vncle by the mothers-side: both which Olympias, Philips first Wife, and Mother to Alexander the Great, put to death; Aridaeus by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 torments: Eurydice shee 〈◊〉〈◊〉

Philip had by this Olympias, the Daughter of Neoptolemus, King of the Molossians, (of the race of Achilles) Alexander the Great, and Cleopatra. Cleopatra was married to her Vncle Alexander, King of Epirus, and was after her Brother Alexanders death slaine at Sardis, by the commandement of Antigonus.

By 〈◊〉〈◊〉, an Illyrtan, his second wife, hee had Cyna, married as is shewed [unspec 10] before.

By Nicasipolis, the Sister of Iason, Tyrant of Pheres, hee had Thessalonica, whom Cassander, after he had taken Pidna, married, but shee was afterward by her Father∣in-law Antipater put to death.

By Cleopatra, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Attalus, he had Caranus, whom others call Philip: him, Olympias, the Mother of Alexander the Great, caused to be rosted to death in a cop∣per* 1.4 * 1.5 Pan. Others lay this murder on Alexander himselfe. By the same Cleopatra hee had likewise a Daughter, called Europa, whom Olympias also murdered at the Mo∣thers brest.

By Phila and Meda he had no issue. [unspec 20]

Hee had also two Concubines, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whom, after hee had gotten with child, hee married to an obscure man, called Lagus, who bare Ptolomie, King of Aegypt, called the sonne of Lagus, but esteemed the sonne of Philip: by Philinna, his second Concubine, a publike Dancer, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had Aridaeus, of whom wee shall haue much oc∣casion to speake hereafter.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Cic. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 2.
• * 1.2

  Gell. l. 9. c. 3.
• * 1.3

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 2. de 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.4

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. l. 13. c. 2.
• * 1.5

  Iust. l. 3.