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CHAP. VII.
His Death.
HE died, as Demetrius saith, at Corinth about 90. years old, the same day that Alexander died at Babylon,* 1.1 which according to Aelian was the seventh of Thargelion in the first year of 114t• Olympiad.
The manner of his death is variously related. Eubulus saith, he lived to his end with Xeniades, and was buried by his Sons. As he lay sick, Xeniades asked him how he would be buried, he an∣swer'd, with his face downwards; Xeniades demanding the rea∣son, because, saith he, all things will be turned upside-down, alluding, saith Laertius, to the greatnesse of the Macedonians, who not long before were a poor inconsiderable people. Some report that be∣ing near death, he gave order that his body should be left un∣buried, that the wild Beasts might partake of him, or be thrown into a ditch, and a little dust be cast over it, or thrown upon a dung-hill, that he might benefit his Brethren.
Aelian* 1.2 saith, that being sick to death, he threw himself down from a bridge which was near the Gymnasium, and ordered the Keeper of the Palaestra to take his body and throw it into the River Ilissus.
Others affirm he died of a surfet of raw flesh, others that he stopp'd his own breath, others, that cutting a Cuttle-fish, in pieces to throw it to dogs, it bit asunder a Nerve in his foot, whereof he died.
Others affirm he died as he was going to the Olympick Games: being taken with a Feaver, he lay down by the way, and would not suffer his friends to carry him, but sitting under the shade of the next tree, spoke thus to them; This night I shall be a Victor or vanquished, if I overcome the Feaver, I will come to the Games, if not, I must go to the other World, and drive it away by death.
Antisthenes saith, his Friends were of opinion he stopp'd his own breath, for coming as they constantly used to visit him in the Cranaeum where he lived, they found him covered; they did not imagine it was sleep, by reason of his great wakefulnesse; but im∣mediately putting back his Cloak perceived he was dead. Here∣upon there arose a contention amongst them who should bury him; they fell from words to blows, but the Magistrates and great ones of the City came themselves and buried him, by the gate which leads to Isthmus. Over the Sepulchre they placed a Column, and upon it a Dog cut out of Parian stone. Afterwards his own Countrymen honoured him with many brazen Statues, bearing this Inscription;