The history of the world

§. IX. How SELEVCVS was chased out of Babylon, by ANTIGONVS. The great riches of ANTIGONVS.

SELEVCVS was the next in this visitation; one that had from time to time continued in the same tenor of good-will to Antigonus, and [unspec 10] now gaue proofe of his heartie affection toward him, by making the Captaine of the Castle of Susa to meete him on the way, rendring vn∣to him that strong 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and all the treasures therein bestowed. This offer was so great, that Antigonus (though hauing in his hands the Keeper of the place) could hardly beleeue it; but vsed him with excessiue kindnesse, for feare so good a moode should change. In that Castle he found all the treasures of Alexander, with the Iewels of the Persian Kings, which, added to his former store of money, made vp twentie fiue thousand talents. Hauing all this, he might well account him∣selfe a happy man, if riches were sufficient to happinesse. But large dominion was the marke at which hee aimed; therefore hee proceeded, with intent to leaue no [unspec 20] Country behind his back, that should not acknowledge him for Soueraigne Lord. Comming to Babylon, hee was entertained by Seleucus with all possible demonstra∣tion of loue, and honoured with presents, beseeming the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a King. All this he accepted with great grauitie, as being due to him; and beganne to require an account of the reuenues of that Prouince. This demaund Seleucus held vnreason∣able; saying, that it was not needfull for him to render vnto any man an account of that Prouince, which was giuen vnto him, in respect of his many good seruices to the State. But whether he spake reason or no, it sufficed, that Antigonus was power∣full; who vrged him daily to come to a reckoning. Manifest it was, that neither want of money, nor any other 〈◊〉〈◊〉, moued Antigonus to presse him thus, but [unspec 30] onely the desire to picke matter of quarrell against him, whereof it was likely that hee should find such issue, as Pithon and Peucestes had done. Therefore taking with him onely fiftie horse, be conueied himselfe away, and fled into Ptolomies Domini∣ons; desiring him to protect him from the violence of such a man, as went about to oppresse all, that in former times had beene his betters, or at least his equals. An∣tigonus was glad of his flight; for now all those Countries were yeelded vnto him without battaile, whereas to fight with Seleucus for them hee wanted all pretence; and to kill him it was not his desire, hauing receiued many benefits of him, and those not intermixed, as commonly it happens, with any iniuries. Yet it is reported, that the Chaldaeans brought a strange prophesie to Antigonus, bidding him looke well to [unspec 40] himselfe, and know, that if Seleucus did escape his hands, hee should recouer Babylon, yea, winne all Asia, and kill Antigonus in battaile. Easie beleeuers may giue credit to this tale. Had it beene true, me thinkes, Antigonus rather should haue hanged those Chaldaeans, for giuing him no warning till it was too late, than sent pursuers (as they say that hee did) after him, whom the destinies preserued for so great purposes. When he had settled things at Babylon, he tooke his journie into Cilicia, where he wintred. There hee tooke vp ten thousand talents more of the Kings treasures, and casting his accounts, found his yeerely income to amount vnto eleuen thou∣sand Talents. [unspec 50]