Examples of selfe Murther.
Calanus an Indian Philosopher followed Alexander M. [ 24] when he returned out of India, who having lived seventy three years without any disease, was at last taken with a dysenterie, and fearing that his former felicity should be overclouded with a lingring disease, he asked leave of Alexander that he might burn himself: the King laboured to disswade him from his unnaturall purpose, but when he could not prevail by arguments, he gave his consent, whereupon Calanus caused a pile of wood to be made, and riding to it, he made his prayers to his Countrey gods, and so with a cheerfull countenance he ascended the pile, and causing the fire to be put to it, he sate with a fixt and unmovable bo∣dy, till he was burned to ashes. Q. Cur.
Alex. M. besieging one of the Indian Cities, the in∣habitants [ 25] seeing that they could hold out no longer, shut up themselves, their wives and children in their houses, and set fire on them: Alexanders men breaking in, laboured to quench the fire, and the others labour∣ed as much to encrease it, so that it was a strange thing to see the fight that was betwixt, one to destroy themselves, the other to save their enemies. Quin. Cur.
Demosthenes the Athenian Orator for standing for [ 26] the liberty of Greece, was hated by Antipater the Go∣vernour of Macedonia, who sent some to kill him un∣der Captain Archia; whereupon Demosthenes took san∣ctuary in Neptunes Temple: But Archia sent to him to Page 292 come out of the Temple, so that Demosthenes percei∣ving that they were resolved to have his life, he took some poison which he had ready for the purpose, and so presently died. Plut.
Perdiccas besieging the City of Isaurum in Pisidia, [ 27] when the Citizens saw that they could no longer hold out against him, they shut up their parents, wives, and children with all their substance in their houses, and so burnt them, and then threw themselves down from the walls, and brake their own necks. Diod. Sic.
Ptolomy King of Egypt hearing that Nicocles King [ 28] of Cyprus did closely hold correspondence with An∣tigonus, he sent some to slay him: these coming into Cyprus, beset his Palace, and demanded him to be delivered up to punishment: Nicocles would at fi•st have excused the matter, but when he saw that it would not serve turn, he slew himself: Then did Axio∣thea his wife slay her daughters that were Virgins, that they might not come into the enemies power: She also perswaded the wives of Nicocles brethren with her to murther themselves; their husbands seeing this, set fire upon the Palace, burning themselves and all together. Diod. Sic.
Hannibal in his old age, flying to Prusias King of [ 29] Bythinia, was demanded by the Romane Ambassadors to be delivered to them; but rather than he would come into their hands, he drank poison, which he alwayes kept for that purpose, and so died. Aur. Victor.
Augustus Caesar besieging M. Antony, and Cleopatra [ 30] in Alexandria, after a long siege, Antony hearing a false rumor, that Cleopatra was slain, suddenly slew himself, and Cleopatra scorning to be carried in triumph by Caesar, set a couple of asps to her breasts, whereby she presently died. Plut.
Zimri K. of Israel desperately burned himself in his [ 31] own Palace, 1 King. 16. 18.
Page 293Achitophel hanged himself, 2 Sam. 17. 23. [ 32]
Judas hanged himself, Act. 1. 18. [ 33]
Saul and his Armor-bearer, 1 Sam. 31. 4, 5. fell upon [ 34] their own swords.
Tomyris Queen of the Massagetes having in a battell [ 35] overthrown, and slain Cyrus King of Persia, cut off his head, and threw it into a bowl of blood, saying, Thou hast all thy time thirsted after blood, now drink thy fill, and satiate thy self therewith.
When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembreth them; He for gets not the cry of the humble, Psal. 9. 12.
