IN this Region, into which Alexander entred, lying between the Rivers Cophone and In∣dus, is situated Nysa, a City built (as is reported) by *Dionysius, at that time when he Commanded in India; who this Dionysius was, and when, or from whence he brought in his Armies against the Indians, I cannot conjecture: Whether it was the T•eban from Thebes, or he from Tmolus in Lydia, that led an Army from thence against the Indians. But though he pass'd into so many Warlike Nations, at that time altogether unknown to the Greeks, yet he subdu'd none of them but the Indians. This only I am satisfied in, That those Fables that the Ancients have writ concerning the Gods, are not too curiously to be pry'd into; for such Writings as do not otherwise deserve much Credit, yet when they happen to speak of the Gods, they seem not to be altogether incredible.

As soon as Alexander came with his Army to Nysa, they sent Acuphis, the Chief Man of the City to him, with thirty others of the Leading Men of the Place, intreating him to leave the City free to the God Bacchus. When the Ambassadors were introduc'd into the King's Pavilion, and saw him as yet dusty with his March, clad with all his Armour, and his Helmet upon his Head, and his Lance in his Hand; amaz'd at the sight of him, they fell flat upon the Ground, and were silent a long time together: But after that Ale∣xander had commanded them to rise, and cheer up, Acuphis thus began:—The Ny∣saeans intreat, O King, That in reverence to Bacchus you would leave the City free, and the In∣habitants to Govern by their own Laws: For Dionysius, after he had conquer'd the Indians, and was about to return to the Grecian Sea, built this City for those Soldiers who were unser∣viceable for War (being of Bacchus's Family) as a perpetual Monument to Posterity of his Expe∣dition and Victory; as your Majesty has built Alexandria at Mount Caucasus, and another in Egypt, and many others, some finish'd, and others now in building, having now perform'd much more than our Dionysius did: And he call'd the City Nysa, from his Nurse so nam'd, and the Country Nysaea; and the Mountain which hangs over the City, he was pleas'd to call Meros (which is a Thigh) because according to the Fables he was cherish'd in Jupiter's Thigh. Since that time we have dwelt in Nysa as a free City, and have liv'd at ease under the Use of our own Laws. And that this Place was built by Bacchus, this one thing may be a Demonstration, That Ivy grows no where in India but in this City. This Speech of Acuphis was very pleasing to Alexander; for he had a great desire those things should be believ'd that were related Page  796 concerning Bacchus's Peregrination, and wou'd have none to doubt but that Nysa was built by Bacchus, because that he himself was now come as far as Bacchus ever came, and was still desirous to go further than he ever did. And he was of Opinion, that the Mace∣donians, out of Emulation to the Acts of Bacchus, wou'd willingly with himself undergo further Toils and Labours. He granted therefore Liberty to the Nysaeans, and that they should Govern according to their own Laws And when he understood what their Laws were, and how they were under the Government of an Aristocracy, he commended their Constitution, and commanded 'em to furnish him with three hundred Horsemen, and send him a hundred of them that were of the Aristocracy (who were three hundred in all) such as he would chuse. Acuphis was one of the Number of them that were pick'd out, whom the King had made Governour of the whole Province of Nysaea. 'Tis reported, that Acuphis smil'd at these Demands, and that Alexander asking him why he laugh'd, Acuphis answer'd, How is it possible, O King, for the City to be well Govern'd, when 'tis stript of an hun∣dred good Men all at once! But if your Majesty have a Kindness for the City, be pleas'd to accept of three hundred Horsemen (and more if you think fit;) but as for an hundred of the best Men of the City which you desire, be pleas'd to be content with two hundred of the worst, that whensoever you return hither again, you may find that the City has maintain'd and kept up her ancient State and Grandeur. With these Words, because he judg'd them prudently spoken) Alexander was persuaded, and commanded only the three hundred Horsemen to be sent him; and for the three hundred of the Chief of the City, he neither desir'd them, nor any others in their stead. But Acuphis his Son, and his Nephew by his Sister, were sent to Alexander.

Afterwards Alexander had a longing desire to see that City, in which the Nysaeans boast there are some Monuments of Dionysius; and to go likewise, accompanied with some Horse of his Friends, and a Regiment of Foot, to the Mountain Meros, that he might see the Hill grown over with Ivy and Laurel, and the shady Groves, that aboun∣ded with all sorts of wild Beasts. The Ivy was a very pleasant Sight to the Macedonians, having not seen any of a long time; for India bears no Ivy, neither those Places where Vines grow. Of the Ivy they wore Garlands on their Heads, singing Praise to Bacchus, with all his Titles and Appellations. Alexander there sacrific'd to Bacchus, and feasted with his Friends.