A righte noble and pleasant history of the successors of Alexander surnamed the Great, taken out of Diodorus Siculus: and some of their lives written by the wise Plutarch. Translated out of French into Englysh. by Thomas Stocker

¶After the death of Alexander the great, Aride his brother is established king, and Perdicas appointed to be his gouernoure.

The first Chapter.

THE same yeare that the Athenians ordained and chose Celphisodore to be their Prouost and gouernour, and the Romaines created Lucie Fury, and Dece Iuny theyr Consuls: King Alexander deceasing without issue, chaunced be∣twéene the raigne & state, to arise great dissention and sedition amōgs the Princes, for the prin∣cipalitie and gouernement. For the regiment of his foote men were wholy determined to aduaunce Aride to the kingdom: who although sōne to king Phillip, and brother to Alexander, yet notwithstāding he was attainted with the incurable disease of the mind. By reason wherof, the

rest of the Princes and Nobles in aucthority, which gar∣ded Alexander his body, hauing with them the horse men called the Souldiours, condescended and agréed by one whole and common consent, to reare warres against the footemen, rather than they would suffer and abide their insolent boldnesse. But before they enterprised the mat∣ter, they thought best to send certaine of the chiefest and most honourable personages in their company, with an ambassade to the footemen: Amongs whom Meleager was appointed chief & principal Ambassador, to dissuade them to desist and leaue of their attēpt, alleaging that it stode most with reason, that they shold obey the Princes. But so soone as Meleager was come amongst them, he neuer made mention of the Ambassade and charge committed vnto him, but contrariwise approuing & alowing their attempt and enterprise, did al that in him lay, to support and maintaine them agaynst the Princes and their con∣federates: so that the footemen hauing great good liking both of his counsaile and corage, ordained him forthwith their Coronel, and thereupon armed them to giue battail to the aduersary. In so muche that the Princes and No∣bles in their company, issued out of the towne in armes, and put them selues in order of battaile. How be it cer∣taine of the wisest and most circumspect, deepely waying & considering the case, concluded a finall peace. Wherein was agréed that Aride shold be established king. And Per∣dicas chiefe of the Macedonian princes, to whom Alexan∣der at the hour of his death gaue his ring, deputed his go∣uernor. And to the rest of the Princes, and chiefe of the army, were diuided and geuen the administrations and gouernmentes of the Prouinces late vnder the subiecti∣on of Alexander. Which administratiōs or presidentships the Gréekes called Satrapies, & the gouernors of the same Prouinces Satrapes, conditionally that euery of the sayd Princes at all times should be subiect and obedient vnto the King and Perdicas his gouernor.