7. Of the Hunting in Basistis, and the multitude of Wild Beasts there. Curtius, lib. VII. c. 1.
HAving given a gracious Audience to the Ambassadors, he there stayed waiting for Hephestion and Artabazus, who being afterwards join'd him, he came into the Coun∣try call'd Bazaria. Of the riches of the Barbarians in those Places, there can be no greater argument, than the multitude of stately wild Beasts that range in large Woods and For∣rests in that Country. They frequent spacious Woods pleasantly water'd with many refreshing springs. They are Wall'd round, in which are built Towers for Stands to view the hunting of the Beasts. One of these Chases had remain'd free and untouch'd for the space of Four generations, which Alexander entring with his Army, he com∣manded the Game in all parts as he came to be rouz'd; amongst which when a Lyon of a vast Bigness met and set upon the King, L••simachus (who afterwards was * 1.1 King) happening to be next to Alexander offered to make at the Beast with his hunting Spear, the King put him by, and bid him be gone adding that the Lyon might be kill'd by him∣self as well as by Lysimachus. This Lysimachus had before in a hunting in Syria kill'd an exceeding great Lyon with his own hand, but he had been even at the point of Death, his lest shoulder having been (in that Encounter) rent and torn even to the very Bone. The King twitting him with this, shew'd more of Valour afterwards in action than he did before in this expression; for he not only stood the Beast, but kill'd him at one blow. The story that was foolishly spread abroad that the King gave up Lysimachus to be de∣voured by a Lyon, rose (I believe) from this accident before related. But the Macedo∣nians (though the King was thus happily delivered) yet according to the Custom of their Country, establish'd a Decree that he should not hunt on Foot without a Guard of his Captains and Friends. The King having kill'd Four thousand brave wild Beasts, feasted with his whole Army in the Forrest.