The life and death of Alexander the Great, King of Macedon in ten books / by Curtius Rufus ... done into English by the same hand that translated the last volume of The holy court.

THE FIRST BOOK OF QVINTVS CVRTIVS. (Book 1)

Concerning the Birth and Education of Alexander the Great: The Murther of his Father Philip: The Dream of his Mother Olympias, in relation to the admirable Victories which (throughout the whole course of his Wars) he afterwards atchieved.

PHilip of Macedon, who by subduing of Greece, did first advance that Kingdom unto that height of power, was the Son of Amintas; a man indued with wisdom, courage, and all other vertues of a Noble Captain. This Amintas had by Euridice his Wife three Sons, Alexander, Perdicas and Philip, who was the Father of Great Alexander, and a Daughter called Eurione. The Queen Euridice be∣ing enamoured with one that had married her Daughter, conspired the death of the King her Hus∣band, to the intent to have married with her Son-in-Law, and to make him King; which thing she had brought to effect, had not the Treason and Lasciviousness of the Mother been opportunely re∣vealed by the Daughter. After the death of Amin∣tas,

Alexander the Eldest Son enjoyed his Fathers Kingdom, who in the beginning of his Reign was so assailed on all sides, that he was driven by force to purchase Peace of the Illyrians with Money, and by giving his Brother Philip in Hostage: And af∣terwards, by the same Pledge, he made a like Peace with the Thebans, which was the occasion that Philip did attain to such Excellency of Knowledge and Wisdom; for by reason that he was commit∣ted to the custody of Epaminondas, who was a va∣liant Captain, and an excellent Philosopher, he was brought up in the exercise of honest Disciplines, and Princely matters, greatly profiting under a Scholar of Pythagoras School, whom Epaminondas kept in his house for the instruction of his Son. In the mean season, Alexander was slain by the means of Euridice his Mother; whose former Treason King Amintas her Husband had pardoned, in respect of the Children had between them, little thinking that she would afterwards have been their destruction: For when Alexander was dead, she caused, in like manner, her other Son Perdicas to be slain; which Perdicas left behinde him one Son, being a young Babe. About the same time, Philip the youngest Brother, having by good hap slipt away from his Guardian Epaminondas, returned into Macedon; and not taking upon him the Name of King, re∣mained a great while, no otherwise, but as a Pro∣tector to his young Nephew. Nevertheless after∣wards, by occasion of sundry mischiefs growing in the State, the same being such as might not well attend the Majority of the young King, Philip ap∣pearing to be a man of singular activity, and of no

less skill in feats of War, then in knowledge of Phi∣losophy, was compelled by the people to take upon him the Kingdom of Macedon, which as then stood in great difficulties, and danger of ruine. This was done 300 years after the building of Rome, and in the 105 Olympiad. In the beginning of his Reign he was environed with infinite troubles; for all the Neighbouring Countries (as it were by a general Conspiracy) moved War against him; and at one time sundry Nations combined together, out of sun∣dry parts, to assail his Kingdom: Wherefore, con∣sidering that it stood him upon to move discreetly, (not being able to Match them all at once) he pa∣cified some with fair promises, others with money, and the weakest he withstood by force. By this means he both made his Enemies afraid, and con∣firmed the hearts of his people, whom he found discouraged, and sore amazed. These things he wrought with great Artifice and ••ineness of wit, in such sort, that he diminished not any part of his Honour, Estate or Reputation; determining never∣theless, as time should serve, to deal with every one apart. His first War was with the Albenians, whom he overcame by Wit and Policy: And whereas it lay in his power to have put them all to the Sword, he set them all at liberty, without Ransom: By which point of Clemency, though it was but coun∣terfeit, being done for fear of a greater War at hand, yet it procured him great Estimation and Authority. After that, he subdued the Peons; and from them turned his Power against the Illyrians, of whom he slew many thousands, and conquered the famous City of Larissa. That done, he moved

War against the Thessalians; not for any desire of their goods, or spoil of their Country, but out of a policy, to add to his strength the force of their Cavalry, which in those days were accounted the chiefest in the world. This he happily effected: for being suddenly assailed, they were soon brought to subjection; and Philip joyning the force of their Horsemen unto his Footmen, he made his power invincible.

After all these things being brought to pass, he took to Wi••e Olympias, one of the Daughters of Neoptolemus, King of the Molossi. This Marriage was concluded by the means of Arisba, who had the Government of Olympias, and not long before had married her other Sister Troas. This Marriage, which he intended for his security, turn'd after∣wards to his subversion; for thinking to have made himself strong by the affinity of Philip, he was at last by him deprived of the whole Kingdom, and ended his life miserably in Exile. Not long after this Marriage, King Philip dreamed, that he saw an excellent Medal fastened to the W••mb of his Wife; and to his seeming, the lively Image of a Lyon thereupon: By which Dream the Divines did interpret, that his Wife was conceived of a Childe that should be of a Lyons heart and courage; which interpretation pleased him highly. Afterwards, at the assault of a City called Methron••, by shot of an Arrow he lost his right eye; whereof though the displeasure was great, yet was he content, upon their submission, to take them to mercy. He won also the City of Pagus, and annexed the same unto his Kingdom: He invaded the Land of the Tri∣bals,

and at one instant conquered it, with all the Countries thereabout. Thus having made his King∣dom strong by subduing his Neighbours, at his re∣turn home his Wife Olympias was delivered of his Son Alexander, on the eighth of the Ides of April. Of these good fortunes the King rejoyced no less then reason was, having established his Country at home, subdued his enemies abroad, and gotten an Heir to succeed him in his Kingdom: he could have desired no more of God, if the minde of man could ever be satisfied, which the more it hath, the more it coveteth.

As Dominion increaseth, so doth also the desire to have more; which was well seen in Philip, that still did compass how to grow great by taking from his Neighbours; and lay always like a Spy, waiting an occasion how to catch from every man; where∣unto he had an opportunity offered by the Cities of Greece: for whiles one did covet to subdue ano∣ther, and through ambition were at strife who should be chief, by one and one, be brought them all into subjection, perswading the smaller States to move War against the greater; and to serve his purpose, contrived the ways to set them altoge∣ther by the ears. But at length, when his practises were perceived, divers Cities fearing his increasing power, confederated, against him as their Com∣mon Enemy, but chiefly the Thebans▪ Neverthe∣less, necessity compelling, they chose him after∣wards to be their Captain General against the La∣cedemonians, and the Phoceans, who had spoiled the Temple of Apollo. This War he honourably at∣chieved; so that by punishing of their Sacriledge,

he got himself great Renown in all those parts. But in the end, observing both those Countries to be brought low with the War, he found means to sub∣due the one and the other; compelling, as well the Overcomers, as the Overcome, to be his Tributaries. Then he made a Voyage into Cappadocia; where killing and taking prisoners all the Princes there∣about, he reduc'd the Province to the subjection of Macedon. He conquered Olinthus, and after invaded Thrace: For whereas the two Kings of that Coun∣try were at variance about the limits of their King∣doms, and chose him to be their Arbitrator, he glad∣ly took it upon him: But at the day appointed for the Judgment, he came not thither like a Judge with a Councel, but like a Warriour with an Ar∣my; and to part the strife, expelled both Parties from their Kingdoms. By this time young Alexan∣der was twelve years of Age, and began to take great delight in the feats of War, shewing most mani∣fest signes of a Noble Heart, and an excellent ap∣prehension. He was very swift of foot; and one day at a solemn game of Running, called The O∣lympick Race, being demanded by some of his Companions if he would run with them; Gladly, (said he) if there were Kings Sons to run with me. On another time, when certain Embassadours of the Persians came into Macedon, Alexander, who in his Fathers absence took upon him to entertain them; and discoursing with them of divers things, in all his communication, there not passed not from him one Childish or vain word; but he enquired of them the state of their Country, the manners of the People, the distances of the Ways, the Power of

the King, and the order of his Wars, with such like: So that the Embassadours astonished thereat, esteemed the Greatness of the Father, to be much less then the Expectation of his Son; and that his Courage was much greater then was to be looked for in one of his years. As often as Tydings came that the King his Father had conquered any strong or rich Town, or obtained any notable Victory, he never seemed greatly joyful; but would say to his Play-Fellows, My Father doth so many great Acts, that he will leave no occasion of any remark∣able thing for us to do: Such were his words, such was his talk: whereby it was easie to conjecture what a Man he would prove in his Age, who so be∣gan in his Youth. His delight was not set on any kinde of pleasure, or greediness of gain, but in the only exercise of Vertue, and desire of Honour: The more Authority that he received of his Father, the less he would seem to bear. And although by the great increase of his Fathers Dominion, it seem∣ed that he should have the less occasion of Wars; yet he did not set his delight in vain pleasure, or heaping up of treasure, but sought all the means he could to use the feats and exercises of War, co∣veting such a Kingdom, wherein for his Vertue and Prowess he might purchase Fame and Immor∣tality. That hope never deceived Alexander, nor any other, that had either will or occasion to put the same in practise.

The Charge and Government of this young Prince was committed to sundry excellent Masters, but chiefly to the Philosopher Aristotle, whose Ver∣tue, Learning and Knowledge King Philip so much

esteemed, that he would often say, he took no grea∣ter comfort in the birth of his Son, then that he was provided with such a Master as Aristotle, under whose Tuition he remained ten years. Many things there hapned besides, whereby it was conjectured, that Alexander should prove a man of great valour: For when his Father sent to Delphos to receive an∣swer of the gods who should be his Successor, the Oracle delivered, That such a one should not suc∣ceed him only, but also be Lord of the World, whom Bucephalus would suffer to sit upon his Back. This Bucephalus was a passing fair Horse, fiery, and full of courage, whom Philip had bought of a Thessalian for thirteen Talents; and because of his fierceness he kept him in a Stable impaled with iron Bars: yet for all this, he remained so full of spirit, that none could approach to dress him; whereof the King was so wary, that he sought the means to be rid of the Horse. It fortuned that Alexander came one day with his Father into the Stable; What a Horse (said he) is spoiled here for want of good Horsemanship? And so coming more near, and gently clapping him, without any great difficulty he got upon his Back, and using both the Spur and the Rod to the uttermost, he ran and managed him so up and down, that the Horse seemed proud of his Rider: and having rode his fill, he brought the Horse back again. As he alighted, the King for joy imbraced and kissed him, and with tears in his eyes said; O Son; seek out for some other Kingdom suitable to the greatness of thy heart, for Macedonia cannot suffice thee: So that even then the prudent Father did presage, that all his posses∣sions

were far insufficient for his Sons heart. After this, King Philip determined to make War against all Greece; for the maintainance whereof, he thought it great advantage if he might first win Bizan∣tium, a famous City on the Sea Coast. Wherefore committing the Charge and Government of his Realm to his Son, being then fifteen years of Age, he laid siege to the Town, which made him great resistance: When he had disp••nded all his riches and treasure about the siege, he was driven to so narrow a shift, that to furnish himself with money, he became a Pyrate, and roved on the Sea, where he took 170 Ships, the spoil whereof he divided among his Souldiers: And least his whole Army should be detained about the siege of one City, he selected the choicest Bands of all his Souldiers, and marched into Cherson••sius, where he took and put to sack many Towns; and because his Son Alexan∣der was then about eighteen years of age, and had shewed an evident proof of his Vertue and Man∣hood in all his Attempts, his Father sent for him thither, to the intent, that under him he might learn and exercise all the feats belonging to a Soul∣dier; and with him made a Voyage into Scythia, upon no other quarrel but to spoil the Country. Thus using the way of Merchants, with the gain of one War he did bear out the charges of another. After he brought the Country in subjection, be∣cause no riches of gold nor silver was to be gotten there, he brought from thence 20000 men, wo∣men and children, besides a great multitude of Cattel, with 20000 choice Mares to make a Race in Macedon. In his return he was encountred by the

Tribals, who denied him passage, except they might have part of his Booty: Whereupon, deba∣ting of the matter, from words they fell to fight∣ing; in which King Philip was so wounded in his Thigh, that through the violence of the Thrust, the Horse was run through the body; and all men judging him to be slain, the Booty was lost.

As soon as he was recovered of his wound, his dissembled grudge against the Athenians burst out so far, that he made open War against them; by reason whereof, the Thebans seeing the danger so near at hand, gave succour to their Neighbours; fearing, if the Athenians were overcome, the last fury of the Wars would turn upon them. Where∣fore the Cities that a little before were mortal Ene∣mies one to another, combined together in one League, and sent their Embassadours through all Greece; holding it most expedient, with a common Aid, to withstand a common Enemy: Some consi∣dering the peril to be universal, stuck to the Atheni∣ans; and some observing Philip's power increasing, and the other decreasing, took part with Philip. In this War, Alexander had the charge of one of the Wings committed to him, wherein his Noble Cou∣rage did well appear; for he deported himself so valiantly, that he seemed nothing inferiour to his Father, nor any else, but by most just desert got the honour of the Victory; yet he was defrauded thereof by the envy and sleight of his Father, as he himself complained afterwards. This Battel was fought at Cheronaea; wherein, though the A∣thenians were the greater number, yet were they overcome by the Macedonians, who were the fewer,

but expert Souldiers, by reason of their long and continual practise in Wars: Nevertheless, the A∣thenians (as men not unmindful of their former honour) lost their lives valiantly. That day made an end of all the Grecians glory, as well of their large Rule and Government, as of their most An∣cient Freedom and Liberty; which being hardly won, and long time kept, was thus lost in a mo∣ment. For these things, and many other experi∣ments of Valour and Prowess in young Alexander, although the King his Father did bear him singular affection and favour; yet nevertheless, by certain occasions ensuing, that love was unhappily broken: For Philip being married to Olympias, Mother of Alexander (as is said before) took to Wife, besides her, a Lady called Cleopatra; whereupon fell great discord and unkindness between the Father and the Son: The occasion was given by one Attalus, Un∣cle to Cleopatra; who being at the new Marriage, exhorted the Macedons to make prayers to the gods, to send the King and new Queen a lawful Heir to succeed in the Kingdom of Macedon: Whereat Alexander being moved, Vile man as thou art (said he) dost thou count me a Bastard? And with that word flung the Cup at his head. The King hearing this, rose up, and with his Sword drawn ran at his Son, who by the nimbleness of his body avoided the stroke, so that it did him no harm. Hereupon, Alexander inveighing against him with many sharp and despiteful words departed, and went with his Mother into Epirus. Nevertheless, soon after, by the means of one Demoratus a Corin∣thian, who perswaded the King that this discord

was nothing for his Honour, Alexander was sent for again, and much solicitation was used before they could be well reconciled: Wherefore, to confirm this Attonement, there was a Marriage made be∣tween Alexander the Brother of Olympias (whom Philip by the expulsion of Acisba had made King of Epirus) and Cleopatra the new Queens Daugh∣ter. The Triumph of the day was remarkable, ac∣cording to the State and Magnificence of such two Princes; the one bestowing his Daughter, and the other marrying a Wife. There were set forth sun∣dry Interludes and Inventions, pleasant to behold: And as King Philip (between the two Alexanders, the one his Natural Son, the other his Son-in-law) was passing through the press without any Guard, one Pausanias, a young man of the Nobility of Macedon, when no man suspected any such thing, suddenly slew him; making the day dedicated to joy and triumph, to be heavy with lamentation. This Pausanias, being a Boy, one Attalus inforced to the unlawful use of his Body; and not content to do so himself, at another Feast he caused divers of his Familiars to abuse him likewise: which shame and villany grieved the young man so sore, that he complained to the King; whom although the foul∣ness of the fact moved much, yet for the love he bare to Attalus, and for the respect of his service, he did forbear to animadvert against him. This At∣talus was very near unto the King, and in special favour, by reason he was Kinsman unto the Queen Cleopatra, whom Philip had lately married: He was also Elected Captain General of the Kings Army prepared to pass into Asia, being one that

was both valiant in his person, and no less politick in the discipline of War. Upon these respects, the King endeavoured by all the means he could to pa∣cifie Pausanias, (incensed with indignation and revenge) as well by giving him great gifts, as by placing him honourably among those Gentlemen that were for the Guard of his Person. But all this could not appease the rage of his implacable anger, which wrought so in him, that he determined to be revenged, not only upon Attalus that did the villany, but also upon the King that would not ad∣minister Justice; which determination he put in ef∣fect, as is said before. Many things might be said more of the doings and sayings of this Philip; but one thing above all others is to be noted, that al∣though, for the most part, he was exercised in the travel of the Wars, and in Victorious Actions, yet had he ever such affection to the Studies of Huma∣nity and good Learning, that he both did and spake many things worthy of Memory, which were both witty and pleasant. He lived 47 years, and Reigned 25, being the three and twentieth King of the Macedons.