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§. 1. ALexander succeeded Philip his Father after Twenty Five Years Reign; being a Prince no less Valiant by Nature, than by Educa∣tion, enriched with all sorts of good Learning. He entred upon his Reign Four Hundred and Seventeen Years after Rome's Building, being Twenty Years Old; which young Years encouraged his Neigh∣bouring Nations to consult about recovery of Li∣berty, which he prevented with much Expedition.
For after Revenge of his Father's death, and freeing his own Nation from all Exactions, and Bodily Sla∣very, and winning with Clemency, such as feared his Disposition to Cruelty, and using Austerity to such as contemned his Youth, He made a Journey into Peloponesus, and so well exercised his Spirits a∣mong them, that by the Councel of the State of Greece, he was Elected General- against the Persians, which Enterprize possessed all his Thoughts. But the Persian Gold having guilt Demosthenes's Tongue, he persuaded the Athenians, with the Thebans and Lacede∣monians, to stand for their Ancient Liberty, and gave it out that Alexander was slain. Indeed Policy, as it is now a-days, defined by Fals••hood and Kna∣very, holding, that devised Rumours and Lyes, tho' they serve the turn but for a day or two, are greatly available; but in all my Observations I have found the Success as ridiculous as the Invention; for Men finding themselves abused by such Baits, at other times neglect true Reports, which much concerneth them to believe. Alexander much grieved to have his Thoughts diverted, and time lost from his Persian Enterprize, made such expedition, that he brought the first News himself of his preparation to Athens, which, as upon a sudden fainting, presently submit∣ted, and easily pardoned, by persuasion of Alexan∣der's desire to see Persia; as Wise Men are not easily drawn from great Purposes, nor by occasion easily put off. Then he subdued the Nations bordering North of Macedon; but yet could not get out of Eu∣rope, 'till he had demolish'd Thebes, which attempted his Garison in the Citadel, and obstinately refused to yield up the Authors of their Rebellion.
§. 2. Alexander having without cause given, put to death his Mother-in-Laws Kinsmen, advanced by his Father, and some of his own, whom he suspect∣ed; took also with him into Asia such Tributary Princes as he doubted, by unjust Cruelty to secure
all things; yet the End fell out contrary to the Policy which Ambition commended to him; all his Planting was soon rooted up; whom he most trust∣ed, were the most Traiterous, and his Mother, Friends, and Children fell by as merciless a Sword as his own, and Confusion left his dead Body in the Grave. He passed into Asia with Thirty Two Thousand Foot, and Five Thousand Horse, all Old Souldiers, which he landed near Troy; where at the River of Granick, he was forced to climb up the deep Bank, guarded against him with many Thou∣sand Persians; of whom he slew Twenty Thousand Foot, and Two Thousand Five Hundred Horse. But this slaughter must be taken rather on the Back than the Breast; for had they stood to it, Alexander must needs have lost above Twenty Thousand Foot, and Two Thousand Five Hundred Horse, especi∣ally if the Persian Horsemen had fought fiercely; and the Grecians in Darius's Pay fought it out to the last Man, as Plutarch Reports.
§. 3. Alexander's Souldiers were greatly encoura∣ged by winning this Passage; and all the Country so terrified, that all the lesser Asia yielded without a Blow. For in all Invasions, where the Invaded are beaten, upon great advantage of place, they will easily be persuaded that such an Enemy upon equal terms can hardly be resisted; the Assailant therefore in such Cases of defending Places, is to be opposed with the ablest Forces; yet fewest Places of great circuit are so fenced, wherein one Entrance or other is not to be forced by an able Enemy; as the Alps, wherein Francis the French King found entrance to Milan, though the Switzers guarded them; Xerxes forced the entrance at Thermopylae; Cyrus the youn∣ger, and Alexander, found the Gates of Taurus open into Cilicia; Iulius Agricola found Fords into Anglesey, which made the amazed Britains submit, &c. It was therefore well done of Alexander, to pass the
River in the Face of their Enemies, without seeking an easier Passage, beating off the Enemy in their strength, leaving no hope of Succour to their Fol∣lowers, in so unable Protectors. After this, Sardis, Ephesus, Trallis, and Magnesia, yielded them selves, and so enjoyed their own Laws; but he demolish'd Halicarnassus, for its obstinate resistance. Then he entred Caria, and restored Ada the Queen, expel∣led by Darius's Lieutenant, and Lycia, Pamphylia, Pisidia, and all the Sea-Coasts of lesser Asia, and then entred Celenas on Meander, and so through Phrygia toward the Euxine-Sea, and so to Gordium, where he cut th•• Gordian-Knot asunder. He also expelled the Persians out of the Isles of Lesbos, Scio, and Coas, which he committed to two of his Cap∣tains, to clear the Sea-Coast on his back, and then remov'd to Ancira on the River Sangarius, as is Gordium, and so to Paphlagonia. Here he heard of the death of Menon, Darius's Lieutenant, which much heartened him, being the only Captain he re∣spected of all his Enemies. For so much hath the Spirit of some one Man excelled, as it hath underta∣ken and effected the alteration of the greatest States, as the erection of Monarchs, Conquest of Kingdoms, guiding handfuls of Men against Multitudes of equal bodily strength, contriving Victories beyond all hope and Discourse of Reason, converting the fearful Passions of his own Followers into Magnanimity, and the Valour of his Enemies into Cowardize. Such Spirits have been stirred up in sundry Ages to erect and cast down, and to bring all Things, Persons, and States, to the same certain ends which that In∣finite Spirit of the Universe, Piercing, Moving, and Governing All Things hath ordained, as which is seen in this King's Undertaking, &c. who not meet∣ing with a Spirit like his own, was opposed only with difficulties of Passages, and tedious Journies; and certainly the things performed by Xenophon, discover as brave a Spirit as Alexander's, working no
less exquisitely, though the effects were less mate∣rial, as were the Forces and Power of Commanders by which it wrought. But he who would find the exact Pattern of a Noble Commander, must look upon such as Epaminondas, that in courting Wor∣thy Captains, better followed than themselves, have by their singular Vertue over-top'd them, that would not have yielded one foot to another. Such as these seldom obtain to great Empires, seeing it is harder to master the equal Forces of one hardy well-order'd State, than an unweildy Empire of many servile Nations; and that only Brave Roman Caesar is the Example, whose exquisite managing attained the Greatness.
Alexander hasteth to the Streights of Cilicia, to prevent Darius, which Arsenes the Governour had left to a weak Guard, which abandoned it, when he pretending to wast the Country, withdrew himself further off; so the Province came easily into A∣lexander's Power.
§. 4. Darius approached with his Army of more than Two Hundred and Ninety Thousand of divers Nations, saith Curtius; Four Hundred Thousand after Iustine, and Six Hundred Thousand in Plu∣tarch. Curtius describeth the manner of his coming with such Pompous Riches, Gorgeous Apparel, a Pa∣geant of his Gods, Train of Ladies attending his Mother, Wife, Children, with their Nurses, Eu∣nuchs, Concubines, all sumptuously Apparel'd; with Six Hundred Mules, and Three Hundred Ca∣mels laden with Treasure, &c. Such was the Train of this May-game King; so unmarshalled, effemi∣nate, unarmed, but with Gold and glittering Gar∣ments, as would have encouraged the nakedest Na∣tion in the World against them. We find by common Experience, that no discourse of Magna∣nimity, National Vertue, Religion, or Liberty, and whatsoever else is wont to encourage Vertuous
Men, hath any force with the Common Souldier, in Comparison of Spoil and Riches. Rich Ships are Boarded upon all disadvantages, Rich Towns furi∣ously assaulted, and plentiful Countries willingly in∣vaded. War is willingly made, and for the most part, with good success against the Richest Nations. For as the needy are adventurous, so Plenty is wont to shun Peril; and Men which are well to live, do rather study to live Wealthy, than care to dye Ho∣nourable; for no Man hasteth to the Market, where nothing is to be bought but Blows. This Battle at Issus is no where well described; but we may guess what resistance was made, if it be true that Curtius saith, that of the Persians were slain Two Hundred Thousand, and of the Macedonians but Two Hun∣dred and Eighty; of which number, Arianus and others cut off almost half; so that it seemeth these died rather by over-labour, in killing, than being killed. Darius found it true now, what Charedemus a Banished Athenian told him near Babylon, That his rich delicate confused Multitude, would be more fearful to the Countries through which they should pass, than to the Long-trained Macedonians, against whom it were fitter to oppose a competent number of Grecians of equal Courage, having such abundance of Treasure to do it; for which unpleasing Dis∣course, the poor Greek was slain, &c. Desperate is that Princes safety, whose Ear judgeth what is pro∣fitable, to be too sharp, and will entertain nothing that is unpleasant. For Liberty in Council is the life of it, which vanisheth if it be taken away. The like Advice was given by the Grecians which served un∣der him, which he set light by, who intreated him not to fight in the Streights, but to retire into the Plains of Mesopotamia, where he might environ all the Ma∣cedonians, and to divide his Army into Parts, not committing the Whole to one stroak, &c. But that Infinite Wisdom of God, which worketh diversly,
doth often in the alteration of Kingdoms and States, take Understanding from Governours; not to discern of Counsel. Alexander, by Advice of Parmenio, stayed in a place where Darius could bring no more Hands to fight than he, and utterly over∣threw him, took his Treasure, Wife, Mother, Chil∣dren, and Train of Ladies, which the Grecians had ad∣vised to leave at Babylon; and Darius casting off his Crown, hardly escaped. Yet, after this, he writ to Alexander about ransoming his Women, and some proud Conditions of Peace, which he scorned. Alex∣ander, after the Victory, made Parmenio Governour of all Phoenicia, which presently submitted; Zidon's Kingdom, committed to Hephestion, he gave to a Day Labourer of the Royal Blood, who desired he might bear his Prosperity, as well as he had done his Adversity.
§. 5. Alexander coming near Tyre, received from them a Crown of Gold, and store of Victuals and o∣ther Presents; but could not be admitted into the City as he desired, to offer Sacrifice to Hercules, 'till he erected a Cause-way from the Main, Eight hun∣dred Furlongs to it, which he did in Seven Months. He put Eight Thousand to the Sword, Crucifyed two Thousand on the Shore, and made Thirteen Thou∣sand Slaves, for that they had barbarously drown∣ed his Messengers. The Government he gave to Philotus, Son of Parmenio.
§. 6. Darius sendeth again to stay his passage on toward the East, laying down the difficulties, threat∣ning to compass him in the Plain Countries, and of∣fering him his Daughter and many Kingdoms for Dowry: Alexander answered, he offer'd him what was his own; that he was to give, not to take Con∣ditions; and disdained all resistances at Rivers, ha∣ving past the Sea. Parmenio, full of Years, Honour and Wealth, told Alexander, if he were Alexander, he would accept his Offer: So would I, said he, If I
were Parmenio. Alexander proceeded to Gaza, de∣fended by Belis for Darius, with much Resolution, where he buried many Macedonians in the Sands, and was wounded in the Breast; yet took the Town and caused Belis to be drawn about it, being weak by many Wounds, defending that Cruelty by Achilles's usage of Hector. From thence he went to Ierusalem, where Iaddus the High Priest in his Robes met him, whom he fell down before, remembring he had in Macedon seen such a Priest, which professed the same God, and incouraged him in his purpose for Persia; so he gave the Jews what Immunities they desired.
§. 7. Alexander turned from thence towards Egypt, where Astaces, Lieutenant unto Darius, delivered Memphis into his Hands, with 800 Talents of Trea∣sure. There doating after Deities, he took a despe∣rate Journey to visit Iupiter Hamon, through the dangerous Sands, that the lying Oracle, might ac∣knowledge him Iupiter's Son, and so to be Worship∣ped. Many prodigious Fables feigned hereabout, look like those of the Spaniards in the West-Indies. Curtius's description of the place disproved. It is Two hundred Miles from any Sea in the South of the Lybia, having the Nassamons on the West.
§. 8. Alexander returneth to Memphis, where he committed the Provinces of Egypt to sundry Go∣vernours, according to his Master Aristotle's Rule, That great Dominion be not committed to any one. Then he gave order for building of Alexandria; heard Psammonis the Philosopher who brought the haughty King to confess, That God is the Father of all Men, but acknowledgeth good Men for his Chil∣dren. From thence he led his Army towards Eu∣phrates, where Mazeus abandoned the defence of the Passage; from whence he Marched towards Tygris, so violent in its Current and deep, that it had been easie to repell them, who could not use Bows or Darts, wading together Arm in Arm to withstand
the Current. Mazius having cowardly forsaken the Advantage of the Ford, which no Valour of his Ene∣my could have easily won, presents himself with some Companies of Horse, setting Fire on the Pro∣vision of the Country, but too late, for Alexander's Horse-men saved much.
§. 9. Darius's Forces, by Curtius's Report, were Two hundred Thousand Foot, and Fifty thousand Horse; Arrianus makes them Fourteen hundred thou∣sand in all; it is probable they were about four hundred thousand, with which Multitude they thought to o∣verpower their few Enemies in the Plains of Assyria; but Skill and Practice do more toward Victory, than rude Multitude. Alexander's Army, upon occa∣sion of an Eclipse of the Moon, are affrighted, but are incouraged by Egyptian Astrologers. For it had been contrary to all Rule, to have an Army afraid to Fight. Darius offered great Conditions of Peace, in vain.
§. 10. Alexander is advised by Parmenio, to As∣sault Darius's Camp by Night; that the sight of the Multitude might breed no Terrour; which Counsel is a good ground of War, as oft as few must fight with many; but Alexander will have Day-Light to witness his Valour. Then he gave his Army Rest and store of Food before the Battle, according to the Rule of War, which saith, Men well refreshed will stand the better to it; for Hunger sights more eagerly within, than Steel without. His Forces, according to Arrianus, were Forty thousand Foot, and Seven∣ty thousand Horse; which I take to be his European followers, besides Egyptians, Syrians, Arabians, Scy∣thians. Of these, Curtius saith, three hundred only were slain, and Forty thousand Persians; others dif∣fer. So that as in the former two, so in this Bat∣tle what can we judge, but the Persians, upon the first Charge, ran away; else had every one but cast a D••rt or a Stone, the Macedonians could not have
bought the Empire so cheap; neither could they have past the River so easily, if Sixty thousand had been Armed with Spades only.
§. 11. Darius after the Rout of his Army, reco∣vered Arbela that Night, with his Treasure, intends a retreat into Media, while the Macedonians, as he supposed (but was deceiv'd) would attempt Babylon, Susa, &c. Rich Cities. Alexander pursueth, and en∣ters Arbela, and possesseth the Treasure, while Da∣rius flyeth, and then took his way to Babylon, which Mazius and the Captain of the Castle, rendred with the Treasure. Here he rested thirty four days, spent in such Voluptuous Pleasure, as made the Macedonians forget the Hardness of their Military Discipline. Here he erected Bands of One thousand, called Chiliarchs, bestowed on such as in the late War had best deserved. This City and Territory he left in Charge with Three of his own Captains, gracing Mazeus with the Title of Lieutenant. Then he en∣tred the Province Satrapen••, and so to Susa on the River Euleus in Persia, which Abulites gave up with Fifty thousand Talents of Silver Bullion, and Twelve Elopha's, which he committed to some Ma∣cedonians, giving Abulites only the Title of Lieute∣nant; as he did after to Teridates of Persepolis; ob∣serving well, That Traytors to their own Kings are never to be trusted alone in great matters, wherein Falshood may redeem their lost Estate. Vassals of Fortune love only their Kings Prosperity, not Per∣son.
§. 12. Alexander advancing toward Persepolis, was much worsted by Ariobarzanes at the Streights be∣tween the Mountains, which divide Susiana and Per∣sia. But by a Lycian which lived there, he found an∣other way, and came suddainly upon Ariobarzanes, and forced him; who not finding entrance into Persepolis, returned with a second Charge upon the Macedonians, and was slain. Teridates, another of
Darius's trusty Grandees, sends to Alexander to make haste to Persepolis before the People pillaged the Trea∣sury, which at that day, was the Richest in the World. This place Alexander committed to Nicarides, a Creature of his own, and left the Body of his Ar∣my there, while he with a Thousand Horse, and some choice Foot, not able to stand still, would in the Winter see the parts of Persia covered with Snow; when his Foot-men were impatient of that extreme travail, he left his Horse to bear a part with them: But I rather commend him who seeks wisely to pre∣vent Extremities, than rash People which vaunt what they have indured with Common Souldiers. Caesar's first care was for Victuals; and he which will describe that Beast (War) must begin at his Belly, said Co∣ligni. Alexander returns to Persepolis, where he smother'd all his Reputation in Cups, and Familiarity with Harlots, of which, Thais caus'd him to burn that sumptuous City Persepolis.
§. 13. Darius, in Media, having about Forty thou∣sand Souldiers, which he design'd to encrease in Ba∣ctria; hearing of Alexander's Approach, resolves to Fight, &c. Nabarzanes and Bessus, Governour of Bactria, Conspire against him, and draw away Thir∣ty thousand of his Souldiers, neither durst his Per∣sian Cowards (tho' offer'd the assistance of Four thou∣sand Greeks, led by Patronus) defend him from Bessus, who took and bound him, and put him in a Cart co∣vered with Hides, and set forward to Bactria, in hopes, either by delivering him to Alexander, to make their Peace, or killing him to become King; but failed in both, God not induring so strange a Villany. Alexander hasting after with Six thousand Horse and other selected Companies, best Armed, and for speed, mounted also on Horse-back, hearing by such as daily forsook Bessus, what was done, pur∣sued as in Post; so that Bessus finding Darius unwil∣ling to take Horse and fly with him, wounded him
to death, and the Beasts which drew him, and left him alone. Polystratus, a Macedonian Priest, Thirsty with pursuing, while he stay'd at a Water disco∣ver'd the Cart, and found Darius bathing in his own Blood, at point of Death, and took Commendati∣ons from his Mouth to Alexander, to revenge him; and refreshed him with Water, &c.
§. 14. Alexander hearing of Darius's Death, per∣suaded the Macedonians to pursue Bessus, and leav∣ing some Forces in Parthia, enters Hyrcania, with some resistance of the Mardons. He passed the Ri∣ver Zioberis, which begins in Parthia, runneth un∣der the ledge of Mountains, which part Parthia and Hyrcania, and after three hundred Furlongs, riseth a∣gain, and falleth into the Caspian Sea. In Zadra∣carta, called Hyrcania by Ptolomy, he rested Fifteen days, where Patapherne and other great Commanders of Darius, submitted to him, and were restored; especially he graced Artabasus for his Fidelity to his old Master, &c. he also, to his dishonour, accepted Nabarzanes the Traytor.
§. 15. Thalestris or Minothea, Queen of the Ama∣zons, visited Alexander, and made suit to him for his Company, 'till she were with Child by him, which she obtained and departed. Plutarch citeth many for this Report, which yet is rather a Tale than true, not being mention'd by Alexander in his Epistle to Antipater, and laughed at by King Lysima∣chus of Thrace, a follower of Alexander. Here in a di∣gression, he citeth Pomponius Mela, Solinus, Ptolomy, Pli∣ny, Claudian, Diodorus, Herodotus, Ammonius, Mar∣cellinus, Plutarch, to prove there were such Amazons of old. And to justify his own Report of such now in the South part of America, he citeth Fra. Lopez. his Indi∣an History, p. 2. cap. 28. and Vlrichus Schnidel and Ed. Lopes in Disc.
§. 16. Alexander having begun at Persepolis to fall into the Persian Luxury, now took on him Persian
Robes, and Greatness to be Adored, to esteem Cle∣mency as Baseness, Temperance, a poor humour, fit∣ter for a Teacher of Youth than an incomparable King. His Court and Camp grew full of shameless Courtisans and Sodomy; Eunuchs and all other shameless Manners of the vanquished Persians, which he had detested, but now exceeded that Monster Darius, from whose Tyranny he vaunted, he had de∣liver'd many Nations by assistance of the Gods he served, which detested the Persian Vices. His near∣est Friends grew ashamed of him, crying out he had more impoverished the Macedonians in their Virtues than inriched them in their Victories, and made them more Slaves than the Conquered. Alexander under∣standing hereof, sought to pacify the wiser sort with Gifts; and gave out that Bessus had assumed the Title of King of Bactria, and raised a great Army, so persuading them to go on. Coming to pass over an inaccessable Rock, he forced away the Guar∣der by the Smoke of a Pile of Wood, taking the advantage of the Winds; as in Guicciardine three hundred Spaniards, were smothered by firing wi∣thered Grass.
§. 17. Alexander at the entrance of Bactria, ta∣keth the way of Hyrcania, and thence Northward towards the Mardi, on the Caspian, and so over the Mountain Coranus into Aria, East of Bactria, where the City Artaconna yielded after some resist∣ance. Here upon a Treason of Dimnus and others, against Alexander, Philotas is suspected for not ac∣quainting Alexander with it, after that Cebalius had discovered it unto him; but upon Examination, his error of Concealment, for want of opportunity to tell the King, was for his Father Parmenio's sake, and his own good Service, and his dead Brother Pardoned. But upon Craterus his Enemies instiga∣tion, pretending piety for the King's preservation, the Prince swallowed his Promise, and made his
Enemies his Judges. Alexander, the Evening of the same Night he had appointed for Philotas's appre∣hension, called him to a Banquet, and discoursed familiarly with him, as of old; but being in the dead of the Night apprehended and bound, he cried out, O Alexander! the malice of mine Enemies sur∣mounts thy Mercies, and is more constant than the word of a King. Among other Circumstances urged by Alexander, this was not the least; that in An∣swer to a Letter written to him by the King, of the Honour given him by Iupiter Hamon, he said, He could but joy that he was admitted into the Fellowship of the Gods; yet he could not but grieve for those which should live under one which would exceed the Nature of a Man. Hereby Alexander gather'd he envy'd his Glory; for so the Monster Flattery persuaded Princes, of the Men which cannot approve in them things to be abhorred. Philotas the next day is brought bound like a Thief, to hear the King's O∣ration against him; his Father the Greatest Captain in the World, and his Brethren slain in his Service, which so opprest him with Grief, that he could ut∣ter nothing but Tears, Sorrow having wasted his Spirits. But when he would have answered in the Persian Tongue, which all understood, the King departed, saying, he disdained his own Country Lan∣guage. Thus all are encouraged to exceed in ha∣tred against him, seeing the King's resolution, so that his Defence availed not. Though none of the Conspirators upon torment accused him; yet by re∣sistless and unnatural Torments, devised by Crate∣rus, Cinus, Hephestion, and others, he accused him∣self, in hopes to be slain out-right; but was decei∣ved, though he confessed not what he knew, but what they best liked. Of this kind of judicial Pro∣ceeding St. Augustine complaineth. * So Seneca speaking of Alexander's Cruelty, said, Cruelty is no Humane Vice, it is unworthy so mild a Spirit; it is
a beastly Rage to delight in Blood, and changing a Man into a Salvage Monster. The like End had all the accused: Only Parmenio yet lived, who with great Fidelity had served both the Father and the Son, opened the way into Asia, depressed Attalus the King's Enemy, in all hazards led the Vanguard, prudent in Councel, successful in Attempts, belo∣ved of the Men of War, as he who had purchased of the King the East Empire, and all his Glory. This Man being in Media, must be dispatched by Polydamas his best beloved Friend, leaving Cleander and others who murthered him, reading the King's Letter. Thus ended Parmenio, who had performed many notable things without the King, who did no∣thing without him worth praise.
Alexander after this subdued the Araspians, and Ara••••sians, and came to the foot of Taurus, where he built another Alexandria, which he Peopled with Seven Hundred ancient Macedonians. Bessus for∣sakes Bactria, of which Artabazus is made Gover∣nour, and Alexander followed him over Oxus into Sogdiana, where he lost more Men by drinking in∣ordinately after great want, than in any Battle with the Persians. At this River Bessus might easily have distressed him, being forced to pass over his Army with Hides stuffed with Straw and sowed together; but Spitamines, Dataphernes, Catanes, &c. Comman∣ders of his Army remembring how he had served Darius, laid Hands on him, bound him, and with a Chain about his Neck, led him like a Mastiff Dog to Alexander, who gave him to Oxatres, Darius's Bro∣ther to torment. Shortly after he came to Mara∣canda, which Petrus Perondinus takes to be Samar∣chand Iamerlames, a Regal City, which was Seventy Furlongs compass. But upon the Rebellion of the Bactrians and Sogdians, stirred up by Spitamines and Catanes, he left the place, which they recovered, while he was busy in subduing others, against whom he
employed Menedemus. In the mean time, Alexan∣der Marched on to the River Iaxartes (not Tanais, as Curtius and Trogus mistake it, being two thousand Miles from Sogdiana) upon which he Built a City of his Name, sixty Furlongs in compass, which while the Citizens sought to hinder, as prejudicial to their excursions, some Sixty Macedonians were slain, and One thousand one hundred hurt in passing that great River to repell them. Menedemus the mean while with 2000 Foot and 300 Horse are slain by Spita∣menes, who flies into Bactria, and leaveth Sogdiana, where Alexander kills and wasteth without mercy. Here he received supply of Nineteen thousand out of Greece, Syria and Lycia (as oft before from thence and other parts) with which he repassed Oxus, on whose South he built Six Towns near one another for mutual Succour. But he is troubled with •• new Rebel, Arimaxus a Sogdian, who with Thirty thou∣sand, maintain'd the Top of an Hill which Alexander could not Win, 'till three hundred choice young Men crept up to the Top thereof, upon promise of Ten Talents to the first, Nine to the Second, and so to the rest in proportion, of which Thirty two were lost; thus Wit effecteth what Force could not.
§. 19. Alexander having committed Maracanda, and the Countries about it to Clytus, slew him soon after, for that in a drunken fit, he derided the O∣racle of Hamon, and objected to the King, the death of Parmenio. Thus in Cups, the one forgot whom he offended, the other whom he slew; which when he was recover'd, he would have revenged on him∣self, but for Calisthenes's persuasion, remembring too late, he had deserved as much as any, and had saved his Life: Drunkenness both kindles and lays open e∣very Vice; it removes Shame, which gives impedi∣ment to bad Attempts, &c. Spitamenes, shortly after, was murdered by his Wife, and Dataphernes is sent bound by the Dalians to Alexander; who proceed∣ed
into Gabara, where he lost a Thousand in a Tem∣pest, and the rest suffered Hunger, Cold, Lightnings, &c. So he came to the Cohortans, which welcomed him with Feasting, and a Present of Thirty fair Vir∣gins, of which one was Roxane, afterward his Wife. Here he tore Calisthenes asunder on a Rack, without any proof, for Harmolaus's Treason: But indeed, for Reasoning at a Drinking against Deifying Alex∣ander, propounded by a Parasite, and heard by the King, standing behind a Partition; Seneca calls this Act, his eternal Crime, which no Vir∣tue or Felicity can redeem; for whatsoever can be spoken to his Praise, is not answerable to this Reproach; He slew Calisthenes.
§. 20. Alexander with Twelve Thousand Foot and Horse, entred the Indian Borders, where, after a few days, Nisa, built by Bacchus, was delivered; from whence he went to Dedala, and so to Arcade∣ra, abandoned by the Inhabitants, so that they failed of Victuals, and were forced to divide the Army. Here he took Nora, &c. and came to Indus, where Hephestion had prepared Boats, and had persuaded Om∣phis King of the Country, who offered his Service to Alexander, and presented him with Fifty Elephants. Abiasaris hearing thereof, made his peace with A∣lexander, so that Porus only remained, the other E∣nemy of Omphis. Alexander sent to command his Homage at the Border of his Kingdom: He answered he would attend him there, but for other acknow∣ledgment, he would take Counsel of his Sword. Po∣rus attends him on the Bank of Hydaspes with Thirty thousand Foot, Nine hundred Elephants, Three hun∣dred Armed Chariots, and a great Troop of Horse. The River was Four Furlongs broad, and swift, and deep, with many Islands, of which one was well sha∣ded with Wood, where Alexander staid, and sent Ptolomy up the River, with a great part of the Ar∣my, which Porus supposing to be the Whole, remo∣ved,
to oppose their coming over, while Alexander recovered the further Shore without Resistance, and advanceth towards Porus, who a while, took him to be Abiasares his Confederate, come over the River to aid him. But finding it to the contrary, he sent his Brother with Four thousand Men, and a hundred Arm∣ed Waggons, having four hundred Armed Men in them, but of small use, by reason of late Rain, and the Scythians which Galled their Horses, and made them overturn the Waggons. Perdicas charg'd the Indian Horses, and made all to retire, which made Porus move forward with the gross of his Army, that the scatter'd parts of his Vant-guard might recover his Rear, &c. The Elephants much molested the Ma∣cedonians, 'till being inraged by the galling of Arrows and Darts, they turned head upon their follower's Foot, &c. After a long and doubtful Fight, Porus, fore wounded, and Abandoned by his Men, and o∣ver-matched in Numbers, and skill of Leaders, fell into the Conquerors hands, who restored and in∣larged his Kingdoms.
§. 21. Alexander having overthrown Porus, and hearing by these Indian Kings, that one Agamenes, beyond Ganges, commanding many Nations, was the powerfullest King of all these Regions, and able to bring into the Field, Two hundred thousand Foot, three hundred Elephants, twenty thousand Horse, and two thousand armed Chariots, was much inflamed to proceed, but all the Art he had, could not persuade the Souldiers thereto; only they are content to fol∣low him to the South, having Indus for his guide.
So he returned to Acesines, intending to lay up his Fleet, where it encountreth Hydaspes, by which two Rivers, he built two Cities, Nicae and Bucepha∣lon. Here he intended a fourth supply of six thou∣sand Horse-men, and seven thousand Foot out of Thrace, and twenty five thousand Rich Armour from Babylon, which he distributed among the Souldiers.
Hereabout he won many Towns, received One hundred Embassadors from an Indian King, with a Present of three hundred Horses, one hundred thirty Waggons, and one thousand Targets. Sailing Southward by many obscure Nations, among them he built another Alexandria, and took, among many o∣ther places, one called Samus, whose Inhabitants fought with poisoned Swords. Being come to the out-let of Indus, he sent to discover the Coast along toward the Mouth of Euphrates. After part of Win∣ter spent here, he marched in Eighteen Days to Gedrosia, in which Passage, his Army suffered such Misery for want of Food, that not the fourth part returned alive.
§. 22. Alexander came to Carmania, and drawing near Persia, he fell to imitate Bacchus's Triumphs in Cups, which Swinish hateful Vice, always inflamed him to Cruelty. For the Hang-man followed the Feast, saith Curtius, and Apastes, a Provincial Go∣vernour, was slain by his Commandment. Here Cle∣ander, and his Fellows employed in the Murder of Parmenio, brought him a supply of Five thousand Foot, and one thousand Horse, but upon complaint of their Out-rages, Cleander and the rest, with six hundred Souldiers, were commended to the Hang-man, to the joy of all. Alexander removed and came to Pasargada, where Cyrus was buried, and was pre∣sented with many rich Gifts by Orsines, a Prince of the Race of Cyrus, whom Alexander put to Death, by the practice of Bagoas one his of Eunuchs, because he was neglected of him; the Accusation that he had robbed Cyrus's his Tomb, was from Two loose Fel∣lows. Phrates also was slain upon suspicion of his Greatness; so headlong was he become to shed Blood, and believe false Reports. Calanus an Indian Philo∣sopher, burnt himself, being Seventy three years old, fore-telling Alexander of his own Death shortly af∣ter. Alexander removed to Susa, where he Married
Statira, Darius's Eldest Daughter, and her Sister he gave to Hephestion, and Eighty Persian Ladies to his Captains; and at the Marriage hé gave Six thousand Cups of Gold to so many Guests. Harpalus his Treasurer in Babylon having been lavish of the Trea∣sure, fled away with five thousand Talents, and six thousand hired Souldiers, but was taken and slain in Greece, to Alexander's great Joy. Great discontent∣ment grew in his Army, knowing his purpose to send his decay'd Souldiers to Macedon, and to de∣tain the rest, whom he labour'd to pacify in vain, 'till their Passions were evaporated; when the in∣considerate Multitude may be led as a Whale, with a twined Thread, is drawn to Land after some tumb∣ling. Craterus is sent with those which were Licen∣sed to return, and made Lieutenant of Macedon, Thrace and Thessaly, which place Antipater, now sent for by the King, had held with great Fidelity. Antipater could see no reason of his removal, but a disposition in the King to send him after Parmenio. With this Antipater, the King, for all his great cou∣rage, had no great Appetite to grapple; for Jealous Princes do not always stand in doubt of every ill af∣fected, though Valiant Man, but where there is a Kingly Courage compounded of Hardiness and Un∣derstanding; this is often so fearful to Kings, as they take leave, both of Law and Religion, to free themselves of such. Alexander after this, went to Media to set things in Order, where Hephestion, his greatest Favourite dyed; on whose Monument, he bestowed Twelve thousand Talents. The King took Methods to make all Men weary of his Government, seeing Cruelty is more fearful than any Adventure that can be made against it. Antipater therefore came not, nor sent any Excuse, but free'd himself by his Sons, Cassander, Philip, and Lollaus, who wait∣ed on the King's Cup. These, at a drinking Feast, in a Carouse in Hercules's Cup, gave him a Draught
of Drink stronger than Hercules himself; so he quit∣ted the World within a few days. Princes seldom find advantage by making their Ministers over-great, and thereby suspicious to themselves. For he which doth not acknowledge Fidelity to be a Debt, but that Kings ought to purchase it of their Vassals, will ne∣ver please himself with the Price given; only the Re∣storative indeed that strengthens it, is the Goodness and Vertue of the Prince, and his Liberality makes it more diligent. Antipater had Govern'd two or three Kingdoms Twelve years, and peradventure knew not to play another part, as Caesar which forgot the Art of Obedience, after long governing the Gauls.
§. 23. Alexander's Cruelty and Pride is inexcusable; his Drunkenness no less. Augustine justly derided his lamenting want of Employment, when he should have no more to Conquer; as if well to Govern the Conquered, would not sufficiently busie his Brain. His Valour, a Thousand in his Army Matched. His Liberality Seneca Taxeth, and his Speech about a Kings gift is Foolish. Compared with other trou∣blers of the World. Caesar, and others after more glorious; for he never undertook Warlike Nations.
De Civ. Lib. 19.